[The vine makes a half-hearted go at forming the mirror, but it never actually manages to give a visual projection, and the audio is weak as well. What comes through, however, is the sound of someone crying. The noise is odd all on its own, dry and breathless, but unmistakable in the way it whines in the back of Zinc's throat.

She hasn't been able to get the vine to respond to her for days, and she does not handle isolation very well.]

Gavril. [Another whining sob.] Gavril, you must come.

The vine won't... listen. It's too quiet.

I don't want to be alone.



[[ooc; Open to all, both on the vine and in action, if you want. I am also still tagging that other post faithfully, if you're still interested in Vitalia's plants!]]

[video]

[Grell is outside, and she looks more serious than usual. Those who know her well might note how she's dressed down with her hair tied back.]

I know some of you are fighters. And I've shamefully let myself go in terms of keeping myself in top condition. I ask, therefore, that anyone who would like a spar come see me, at this place close to Beaumont.

No weapons, as we shouldn't be killing anyone today. Just hand to hand combat. And don't expect me to hold back, nor should you restrain yourself. Too much tension gives your face lines. [Just teasing on that point, but she means what she said about not holding back.]

[action]

[She's been bored, is the reason she asked for this. Gossip only went so far, and the tension built and built and she knew if she didn't find a way to get it out, someone would die. Oh, how she wants someone to die by her hand, how she wants to hear the screams, see the blood and pain, create thaat work of art. But she's been behaving, as annoying as that is, and so far her reputation's been secure.

Thus, the request. If she can't kill someone, at least she can do her best to fight them, and hopefully some of that bloodlust would be siphoned off. Who would show up? She had no clue.]

«Hello.»
[ Some may recognize that synthetic, female voice from somewhere; especially when coupled with her rather unique manner of speaking. Subaru is asleep, exhausted from her day's training, and Mach Caliber has commandeered part of the vine for herself at this hour in the late evening. ]
«I wish to forward my thanks to those who guided me after the accident. Subaru's safety remained because of your help.»
«There was resolution. Thank you.»

[ There is a long pause in which one might think she disconnected altogether, having completed the initial objective of this call. ]

«...I must know: what is the meaning of an individual?» [ Someone has been thinking about what happened during those days in Subaru's body, and the new things she has learned. ]

[In the Vine's mirror is the visage of a goddess, more composed and focused than the first time the network had seen her. She poised to make an impression, now dressed in her favored bronzed armor and her great avian wings fanning out from her back to cast shadows on gleaming metal. Her expression may be calm, but her gold eye betray an ever burning ferocity that should not be underestimated.]

Mortals of the Gardens.

[She doesn't mean it in a derogatory way, as it is simply how she sees the shorter lived species.]

I do not know what faith you follow. I do not know who you name as your protectors, your saviors, or your rulers. I do not know of the realms you come from. We are from different versions of the same existence. This much I understand, and this much I appreciate.

What I cannot comprehend is why you would deny the truths of the universe that extend beyond the barriers of time and space.

You would deny me, you would dismiss all that I am. I am not perfect. I am not your specific vision of celestial life. I have no illusions of such. Yet my power is real, and my purpose is grand and ever continuing.

I am a goddess.

I know what I am. Why would you think yourself so learned that you may tell me otherwise? Why do you suppose yourselves higher than I, when all you have achieved in your short lives is to quarrel with and suppress one another? Why do you assume I lie when I have nothing to gain from you?

I would offer you proof, and you would dismiss it, wrapped within your cocoons of rusted logic and skewed perceptions of the world around you. You would call for me, and I would answer, yet once your victory has been won you would assume all the glory for yourself. What am I to do with such narrow-minded beings?

I do not assume I will ever understand you, mortals. I only admit, that even I, can be dazzled by your unexplainable ways.

[Her wings flap restlessly. She is not used to this, having to deal directly with nonbelievers and skeptics.]

[Sephiroth is seated at a table, outside, one of the ornamental tables that one can find here and there within the Gardens, among the flowers, an idyllic spot. On the table is a curious chess set, which was Sephiroth's gift for the Winter Holiday. She is regarding it thoughtfully, alone but for the tendril of Vine coiled companionably around her wrist.

She's been quiet of late, but she's starting to feel more--what is it that she feels? Sociable? Restless?

Sephiroth has been here almost a year now, and she and the Vine are old friends. She's spent a great deal of time bonding with the plant, fascinated by it.]

I used to play chess often as a child. My favorite was the variant in which one can view one's own pieces, but not the pieces of one's opponent. It took three boards and a referee to play--one for each player, and one for the referee to view, to see how the pieces stood together. War chess, it's called. Like a general, one only sees and guides the movements of one's own troops. As in war, there is no perfect information, unlike in standard games of chess.

[She'd never lost. She picks up one of the monster-shaped pieces, turning it in her hand.]

This is like the sets we used. I wonder, does anyone else like to play? Ordinary chess will do.

[She opted to simply hold onto her clothes for now, as seen folded neatly over her arms, boots and belts included. Her sword is in her other hand, though flipped downward as she studies the Vine. She had asked all the questions she could about this place, when the questions about this place were asked, the cat had simply yawned and laid down. Deciding to leave that particular thinking alone, she idly asked to pet the cat and, with its permission, rubbed and pet the cat at the places she knew cats liked best.

Eventually, after it fell asleep once more, she decided to look into the Vine as bid in the letter and here she was, tilting her head lightly into the mirror. She'd been watching a few of the other "videos" that have gone on before she finally decided to broadcast her own.]

Well, this is certainly something I've never seen before. A Vine that communicates with others, how very unique and intriguing.

[She smirks lightly.]

Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess...

But I wonder... will the gift be found even in such a beautiful place such as this?

[She gives a somewhat theatrical bow.]

My name is Genesis Rhapsodos, can someone tell me more about this place?