#muse: Sephiroth

[hoshinierabareshimono]

Gods and Pawns

@poeticphoenix

With the exception of a single dilapidated windmill whose tattered vanes rotated languidly in the tepid night breeze, there was no surface construction left of what had once been a small farming village in the humid Mideel area.

Once inhabited by a small flock of narrow-minded villagers lacking in both self-awareness and higher ambitions, Banora Village was for all intents and purposes insignificant if not utterly forgettable, were it not for the myriad of sordid secrets it had been built for the very purpose of concealing.

And when said secrets had been dangerously close to falling into too many hands deemed undesirable by ShinRa company, the entire village had been obliterated in a single precise airstrike.

Nature had been quick to reclaim the ruins as her own. Lush palm and apple trees had sprouted from ashen ground, taller and more resilient than the trees destroyed by human hand a mere decade before.

The ethereal glow of mako emanating from the now vegetated airstrike crater was a beautiful sight to behold, even more so in the absence of light pollution, with the moon and innumerable stars as the Lifestream’s celestial counterparts.

Eyes fixed on the untainted night sky, Sephiroth adopted the guise of a man he had once known and focused on the memories and knowledge said man had dissolved into upon his demise.

Angeal Hewley may have betrayed him in the past, proven himself unworthy of his loyalty and trust, but now, it was time for him to reap the benefits of their severed bond.

Another traitor, equally insolent, equally unforgivable, was on his way to meet him, and though Sephiroth’s primary objective was to turn Genesis Rhapsodos into a pawn to maneuver as he saw fit, said objective was by no means irreconcilable with his unwillingness to let the other man's transgressions remain unpunished.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, ‘Angeal Hewley’, back still turned to the newly arrived, released a mirthful scoff.

“Does this fall under fashionable lateness?” he asked before remarking, “I didn’t know there was a whole cave system down there.”

[divinityunleashed]

"So you must be Lady Black Heart. I've heard good things about you."

"Who might you be?"

"I am known by many names. One Winged Angel. God of Creation. Xira's Father. But to you. I am merely Sephiroth."

"And I find you fascinating."

"Join the club. I have a hacker and some other random anonymous entities fawning over me so get in line."

"Not in that way, my dear. You are powerful. Resourceful. Intelligent. Charming. I merely wish to ensure that you are here to live amongst us, not to conquer us."

"I see. Well. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sephiroth. I hope we remain allies."

"Allies? Don't kid yourself. I am a neutral party. If I align with you, how can I guarantee anything? I will simply watch."

"And observe."

[gaiachose]

❝ in the mood for a bit of mischief? ❞

@poeticphoenix / starter call.

[hoshinierabareshimono]

@hiislegacy, @umbral-stigmata-unbound, @phantasiiae

I love soulmates but also this-

[thirstywaffles]

1 am sephy study

[pyramultimuse]

@lostxndbroken werewolves and shapeshifters

Thayne and Sephiroth

Sephiroth had moved his clan some months ago from the harsh land and culture from Siberia to escape the crippling harsh ruling king and royal family. Finland seemed peaceful and they had found an area to claim, only for it to already be claimed by a strong pack. They realized this the hard way with how the werewolves bullied the new feline shifters. Their leader felt it this was his responsibility and at fault, having sought to escape one fight for a new one.

Now he faced this strong werewolf, a large intimidating man. Sephiroth looked strong but he couldn't possibly match Thayne, against him in his beast form the feline shifter feared that this would be his death. This was how things were settled in territorial disputes, if he dies then he hoped atleast the other would honor his defeat and spare his clan's lives. The worry showed in his teal eyes that night, surrounded by the people of both clan and pack standing before the other leader.

This was not a fight the snow leopard shifter could win, he knew this. He was preparing himself for the humiliation that he would be facing. His only option was to surrender. Sephiroth watched as the other changed into his more fearsome form, he followed suit yet his was nothing to be scared of. The snow leopard, even though larger than an actual one was not at all threatening in the slightest. All fluff, no bite. His fur coat as stunningly beautiful as he was as a man with large expressive eyes. They took a few steps to circle one another then Sephiroth simply flopped down and rolled onto his back, exposing his vulnerable belly and neck in submission and defeat. It was up to the werewolf to accept this or kill him.

[hoshinierabareshimono]

Sephiroth arched his brows at his counterpart’s fear, at that all but visceral rejection of the claim he had staked on him. Granted, he would have been disappointed, had his younger self given in too easily; had the other done so without taking his time to process the onslaught of novel impressions assaulting his mind and draw his own conclusion, Sephiroth would have regarded him as feeble-minded and absorbed him there and then.

Even so, he conceded to himself, it was strange to witness his counterpart recoil at the sight of an ill begotten world order being obliterated and make way for future splendor, to watch those subtle yet undeniable signs of horror encroach upon the countenance of what may have once been his own reflection in a mirror.

“Nothing you’d disapprove of, were your eyes unclouded” was his cryptic reply, delivered with an air of nonchalance as he closed the distance between them anew with confident, unhurried steps.

“Now, do cease those needless hostilities,” he demanded haughtily, “they’re of no use to either of us.”

And with that, he banished his trusted weapon simply by tracing its lethal blade. The motion was reminiscent of a lover’s caress, for Masamune was not the object of his burgeoning irritation.

“You have yet to answer my questions,” he reminded his counterpart with a pointed look.

@hiislegacy

Sephiroth looked at the other, himself, with such silent confusion. He was trying to appear as though he were unbothered by all this, but the reality was quite the opposite. Worry and doubt did plague him, but nothing could have prepared him for the physical closeness of his other, of the light touch to his head where those fingers passed on a small sliver of that divine knowledge. Of that clearest and truest sort of knowledge in the fact that he was meant to be his, and that unsettled him more than knowing there was a duplicate self running amok; albeit, different...

Slowly, he took a step back, mind taking in what he could of these quick flashes. There were feelings he didn't understand going through him, and a want for companionship like he's never known. Were these his emotions he was feeling, or this other's...? The questions remained lingering, and it was a few moments later, hearing the word of 'friends' that had his eyes snap back to those of his copy; such a fearful gaze trapped by one of perfected malice. He wasn't sure what to think, or what to say.

"...What have you done?"

There were only glimpses of it. Fires. Catastrophic, world-ending apocalypses. Grand bouts of wicked glee, and the violent wrath of painful sadness. He could feel so much more than themselves, others who he didn't know, but knew all the same. A short flash of blonde hair, red, and black. Faces he didn't recognize, and who all gave him looks of resentment. People who seemed familiar, but not. It was so confusing to one like he, that had no one else but himself...

Instinctively, he brought about his magnificent blade, Masamune, forming in between his gloved palm. He gripped it tight, and brought it up as he meant to take another step away, wanting both a defensive position and posture. "Get away from me!"

@hoshinierabareshimono

[ask-dark-monita]

You people voted, and Happy Ending has won the vote!

Good Ending part 1

After the heroes were finished fighting off Rex, Broly, and Sephiroth, Neptune would have turned back to normal just in time.

"I may have struggled trying to defeat you last time, but I've been training for years now and strong enough to finally put you in your place! Stay gone, Broly! DRAGON FIST!!!!"

Goku's dragon fist goes through Broly's chest as a huge golden dragon engulfs the Legendary Super Saiyan, destroying him for good!

Modern Notori & Classic Notori both used holy chains firing from the palms of their hands to wrap around the defeated Rex Stenton to prevent him from escaping.

"I'm not letting you harass mini me ever again! This time, you're not going back to the treasure chest! Cuz I'm gonna make sure you won't ever exist! Dig on THIS!"

They both threw Rex up in the air with the chains around him as the two Notoris joined together with bright holy auras to launch themselves toward the villain and penetrate him similar to Kid Goku with Piccolo. Just like Broly, Rex would explode and is no more!

"That was so awesome! I can't believe we finally defeated Rex this early!"

"Hey, I'm just glad that you now get to live a happy childhood with Cloud instead of Rex trying to trap him in some pocket dimension for some reason. Not like that would ever happen though."

As for Cloud after defeating Sephiroth...

"Stay dead. Never come back. Remain unhappy. Cry about it even."

"Okay... Can someone please explain what the Nep is going on?!"

Purple Sister reverts to Nepgear.

"A magic Anon turned you into an evil skeleton... Not only that but while you were a skeleton, you murdered Histoire, committed acts of terrorism on all of the nations, and caused Planeptune to collapse with zero shares."

"But regardless... Histoire got brought back to life by the Mario Bros... I'm just so glad that you're finally back, sis..."

Nepgear hugs Neptune.

"Oh my Stars! That is absolutely terrible! I really hope the others will forgive me because all of that was not my fault if the evil skeleton side mind controlled my way of thinking!"

@hoshinomulti

@hxroic-wxlls-rxborn

@divinityunleashed

@smashingveteransandnewcomers

@mizumeism

@sephirisms

@kazeofthemagun

[myristicisms]

Sluggish, tired, irate, angry; Apparently that's all he can feel anymore, joy being something so far over the mountain that Genesis feels he'll never achieve it again and if that's the case then what good is it to force it or ease such a pitiful feeling unto others? It's another funk, Angeal had warned him already that the crimson commander's running on fumes and burning himself out but how bright can a star truly burn before it bursts? Perhaps it's the fact nothing was going how he wanted it to, routine thrown out of order and a dull throbbing in his shoulder that simply refused to go away, constantly reminding himself of the constant tick, tick, ticking of his mortality.

( What a waste. )

It's a thought he has far too often, wonders if others think the same when seeing the pitiful man cloaked in red even if most others shared the same broken body as his own, the occasional turquoise eyes of the puppy would linger with pity but what always made his skin itch terribly was when familiar hues of green would somehow see through his façade, only make him all the angrier at how few and far between such occasions actually happened. He's alone now, that's been something the auburn haired man had come to terms with since he'd been tossed over railing onto metal flooring and sustained an injury to the hideous black appendage that ripped through his flesh months ago. “ Good to see you too, old friend. ”

Though can he even refer to the Silver General as a friend anymore? Had they ever been friends to begin with? Perhaps once upon a time when childish idolization of the other man was far stronger than Genesis's urge to compete, and possibly even at the start of this foolish little game of his but now he wasn't so sure. There was a deep hurt that came with feeling as though one of his only friends had abandoned him despite knowing it's the other way around but the petty and spiteful youth that never quite died out had grown wrathful at how the taller man seemed to avoid confronting him, no matter how much trouble he stirred for ShinRa it was always the damned teenager sent to deal with him.

“ There would have to be feelings to toy with, would there not? Is that why you've been sending the puppy on your missions, Sephiroth? ”

@warofthebeasts | Sephiroth

❛  why do you always have to play games with my feelings?  ❜

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #307

I slept pretty well last night, though I only got about 6 hours. I went to bed a little late, and despite setting my alarm for 9am, my body decided that 7am is where it's at. Oh well.

On the bright side, I had some great conversation with a friend of mine who exists in the space in which I write my letters! This person has a completely different sleep schedule than I do, and they have a number of responsibilities to tend, so it's not too often that we get to talk at length. But it's always a treat when those opportunities do arise!

I went to the orthodontist and got the missing attachment put back on without any trouble. But I stopped to take some photos along the way; I saw a couple of trees sparking in brilliant shades of awesome today, and so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop and take a pictures for you:

...I thought this tree below looked kind of like a very excited orchestra conductor, hahaha!

Not half bad for just a cellphone camera, right? And kind of an old, clunky one by now, too; J's cellphone camera is oodles better than mine!!

...Though, admittedly, it probably doesn't help that when I selected my phone, my biggest priority was battery life (because I'm always forgetting to charge it...), and not camera quality, ahahaha... 😅

...At the time, I suppose I didn't imagine I'd be taking so many pictures. I never imagined I'd become so passionate about the quality of the images I take. Writing to you has changed me in a variety of ways, all of them positive. Thank you for that; I can say with certainty that I wouldn't have developed such an interest in taking pictures if not for you.

...Hey, Sephiroth...? If we were out and about, do you suppose you'd take pictures alongside me? I wonder what sorts of things your awesome senses might capture that I might not be able to see...

...Do you think maybe someday, you could show me sometime? Maybe for a moment, we could trade places, and you could see the world through my eyes, and I could see the world through yours, and then maybe we'd understand each other a little better. That'd be pretty neat, I think...

I decided to stop at Eggcellent on the way home, because I adulted and it's not Tuesday!!! Eggcellent is always closed on Tuesdays, and sadly, almost all of my appointments are on Tuesdays. Sometimes I think about changing it to a different day (so I can go get Eggcellent when I'm done!!!!!!!), but then Bn and the dandelion-haired man wouldn't see me anymore, and maybe they'd be a little sad as a result.

Anyway, last time, I got their pumpkin brûlée latte. Today I got their pumpkin brûlée milk tea, and... I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe you could, if you tried them.

...Or maybe!!!! Maybe I just gotta get them both and try them at the same time!!! I should be able to tell the difference if I do it then!!!! I'll try it out sometime and tell you how it goes!!!! ��💖

The silver, gold, and green tree I wove for the Ch and Ea still sits in its little pot on its little shelf, and... this makes me happy for some reason:

Ch was there instead of Ea this time, and her mother W was there, too! I got to talk to them for a little while; Ch was excited about my braces! She used to have metal braces at one point, and she remembers it being uncomfortable and expensive. Well... she's certainly correct on both counts!!

W doesn't have a whole lot of English, but that's okay; Ch sometimes relays what I say back to W in Cantonese! W is an older lady, and she has a radiant smile and an upbeat attitude; even if I can't understand her words, it's apparent in the way she carries herself and in the expressions on her face and in the way she uses her voice, and it's lovely to see. I like her a lot! And I like Ch and Ea, too! I'm really glad they're here.

Ch is looking forward to seeing what the inside of my face will look like in a few years! Though, she wonders if her business will last that long. I can see why she's worried; where I live, the prices of things keeps going up, but wages are staying relatively the same. People are needing to stretch themselves thinner and thinner, and deprive themselves of more and more nice things. When this happens, people in my part of the world cut out anything that isn't necessary, and... bubble tea, sadly, isn't exactly necessary.

...It's not lost on me how lucky I am. I'm in a position in which I can get braces. I'm in a position in which I can get bubble tea. And... these are things that everyone should be able to get without issue. People should have their needs met. People should be able to get nice treats for themselves from time to time.

Unfortunately, at least for right now, the world that I live in isn't very fair in a variety of respects. And there are people working to change that, but... given the culture and the way my world perceives things like "deserving" and "undeserving" (truly, there's no such thing as "undeserving", but lots of people don't know that...), the people working to build a world in which everyone can thrive are hindered by people who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

I think most people want change, but change is hard, and the people who wanna maintain the status quo have a lot of money and therefore a lot of power. Power enough to put weird ideas in people's heads about who does and doesn't deserve comfort and security. Power enough to put weird ideas in people's heads like, "if marginalized people get the things they need, then that means you'll have less of what you need! 😱"

...Remember that really gross "she's for they/them, not you!" ad that I mentioned in a previous letter? That's... a pretty good example of that way of thinking. There's no reason that a person can't be for both (as though there even is any distinction at all), but households with generational trauma where the dynamic is that only one child can be loved at a time are particularly susceptible to thinking that equal rights and social acceptance are like pie - more for someone else means less for them.

And that's how it is in some households - typically abusive ones. There can be only one "favorite", and if the "favorite" shifts, then the former "favorite" quickly becomes the scapegoat instead. And then they grow up, and therapy is hard to get, and so... it's hard for them to realize that this isn't how things work on a macro scale.

Unfortunately, those who have the money are highly educated and are very good at taking advantage of generational trauma to make sure that most people think that their enemy is those who are "othered" by society, even though the real issue is that the people who have the money are collecting and hoarding more money than they can ever realistically use (to the point that others don't get to have enough), likely because of their own traumas.

...It's like if there was a tribe of monkeys, and one of the monkeys is hoarding all the bananas so that the other monkeys don't have enough, and the monkey hoarding them has so many bananas now that it can't possibly eat them all by the time they rot, but still this monkey won't share. I read somewhere a quote that goes kinda like, "when monkeys do this, we wonder what's wrong with that monkey, but when people do it, we worship them as heroes." Or something to that effect. And it's apt.

Humans are just overcomplicated monkeys. I am certainly an overcomplicated monkey. We all take ourselves a bit too seriously sometimes, I think. It's a little weird.

In any case, as for the hoarding, for what it's worth, I think it's important to differentiate between who a person is and what a person does. Because trauma makes us do all sorts of very weird things that aren't in alignment with who we actually are on the inside. Goodness knows that I know this all too well. If the me of 12 years ago was writing to you, these letters would look very different than they do now, and not in a good way.

In those days, I was still trying to live up to the ridiculous expectations of the people who hurt me, trying to prove to them that I didn't deserve to be mistreated, and trying to get love and acceptance from them even though they were in too much pain to be able to provide those things to me. I'm sure you know more than a little bit about what this was like; it's a bit like trying to squeeze blood out of a stone.

So the enemy is not exactly "the people hoarding the wealth and hurting people in order to get more wealth"; the enemy is the behavior, and the trauma that leads to the behavior. You gotta look under the surface (this can be hard to do, especially when people do horrible things!), and at all the history and experiences that shape people and the compulsions they develop in order to cope with their traumas. Teach people non-destructive ways of coping with their traumas, and watch the destructive behaviors stop.

...Unfortunately, this kind of teaching isn't an overnight process. It takes years of suffering to shape a brain into something that lacks empathy for other people, and it takes years to tear down that architecture and rebuild something new in its place. Changing up one's neural pathways is a hugely time- and resource-intensive task - not just because it literally requires calories and minerals and very specific kinds of fats and proteins to achieve, but also because the whole process is painful and involves a lot of grieving from start to finish. And uh... you're never exactly "finished". Ever.

Living with S for a summer helped me to learn that, at least for the fabulously wealthy people he was raised by, they usually only feel a smidgen of self-worth when "big number go up" and "fancy house/car/clothes/etc go brr!" And... that's really sad actually. When you live in a box that teaches you that your worth comes from how big the number is in your bank account and the social stats that your "toys" give to you.

...People, for the most part, would rather be dead than be considered unlovable by their social or family group. So what you get is people who will stop at nothing to make that "big number go up", even if it means others will suffer tremendously for it.

...Of course, there's a lot more to it than this. It's a big, complicated problem that is generations and generations in the making, and what I've written is an oversimplified summary. I already write very long letters; I'm not sure I can afford to insert a book here, hahaha...

...I don't know how to teach people on a mass scale how instead to focus on how safe others feel in their presence, on how they use their power and resources to end suffering for others, or on how closely their words and behaviors reflect their true self. All I can do is try to write without dehumanizing anyone, and hope that the people who need it can see it.

...Goodness, but I've digressed a lot. Thanks for listening, ahaha... 😅

Anyway, I made myself a lunch. Parts of it were very pumpkin themed; I think you would have liked it...

...O'course, when I say that it's pumpkin-themed, I'm mostly talking about the bubble tea and the pumpkin spice English muffin:

...I put this on it:

...There are a lot of pumpkin-flavored things that I really wish I could share with you. There are so many things in general that I wish I could share with you. Like my lunch:

...I feel endlessly frustrated that the best I can give to you is pictures. It's endlessly frustrating that I can't package up the scent of the autumn breeze and give it to you. I can't package up the warmth of the sun and the feeling of crispy leaves underfoot and give it to you. I can't package up the smells and flavors and wholesomeness of my delicious lunch and give it to you.

...

...As far as I know, I don't have that power, and it fucking sucks, to put it mildly. 😦😳😥😓

...

...But I'll try as hard as I can to make the best of what little I can do, and hope that it gets through to you somehow. Somehow...

...Try to meet me halfway, okay? Maybe it'll work then, if only a little bit. Who knows.

I think I might try to play some Oddworld today. If I do, I'll put it here; come hang out with me if you wanna:

Suppose I'll stop writing for now. I have the urge to run around in a digital approximation of an able body, trying to help others. I can do that in Oddworld. It's pretty neat.

Hey. I know we'll probably never eat a lunch together or drink tea together. But please work on your situation so that you can do these things in your own house at your own table with your own circle of loving, kind, and caring friends. I know we'll probably never walk around on a bright, crispy autumn day to take pictures and smell the leaves in the air. But please work on your situation so that you can come up out of that damnable crater and do these things with the people you love. I know we'll probably never sit down to play a challenging video game together. But please hold on and keep trying your best, so that someday, you'll be able to do that together with anyone you choose.

A good life is waiting for you, if you make choices that lead you to it. You don't have to hurt anyone to make those choices. All you have to do is be your authentic self. And your authentic self is kind, soft, gentle, sensitive, compassionate, and warm. These are good, strong, and brave things to be, especially in a world like this one; don't let any misinformed butt-nugget tell you otherwise, okay? Promise me - please.

I love you. Please stay safe out there while you do your things. Make kind and good choices, in alignment with your nature. Use your words to empower yourself and others, at the expense of no one else. Do these things, and you can walk your way to a different outcome.

I believe in you. Unwaveringly, and without any doubt or hesitation. Sephiroth... you have what it takes. Nothing and no one can make me believe otherwise - not even you.

I'll write to you again tomorrow.

Your friend, Lumine

[hoshinierabareshimono]

@phantasiiae, continued from here: X

Genesis pauses, tilting his head as he regards Sephiroth. He is no stranger to compliments. People will often stop him on the streets and say these things, but they always feel so shallow. Of course people think he's pretty. It comes with the territory. But...hearing it from Sephiroth... He smiles, something actually genuine, then laughs. "Only pretty? Not beautiful? Gorgeous? Utterly radiant? I think you can do far better than that, darling."

Sephiroth cleared his throat, looking to the side to conceal how that smile, that melodious laugh affected him, how effortlessly it eroded his composure, how it made his heart rate speed up and his stomach flutter.

And most likely, there was not even a deliberate effort on Genesis’ part to disturb his equilibrium of mind.

“My apologies,” Sephiroth said, turning to face him once more with a practiced mask of neutrality. “We both know you’re the eloquent one, the sophisticated one. It draws them to you as much as your attractive physique, if I’m to make an educated guess – do better, to put it your way. Fishing for compliments, on the other hand...”

His lips quirked up in a teasing smirk.

“I may have to deduct a point or two for that. So, careful now.”

[divinityunleashed]

"They've arrived, have they?"

"Yes. Those vile humans and their so called 'Gods' are aiming to settle on our world."

"Xira..."

"Ysera, please. Xira is right to be cautious."

"Still. We must be accommodating to our guests. After all, they have worked hard to find us, and if they believe we can live peacefully, then we should be gracious hosts."

"Until of course, the time for battle is called."

"Then I will take my elementals and crush them like the heathens they are."

"Xira, daughter. Peace."

"Hmph. You are only allowed to call me that because you beat me fair and square."

"She doesn't take too kindly to her defeat."

"It doesn't matter, Sephiroth. Still. I welcome them with open arms. So, who have you got interest in? I am fond of the one they call Green Heart."

"Hmm. That Black Heart is an interesting individual. I shall study her closely."

Xira on the other hand merely scoffed as she left the two of them alone to their bickering.

"Well we will see what happens when my 'gift' for him arrives. Then I will be the one on top, not him. I'll make him scream my name."

[gaiachose]

❝ This world is the stage upon which a great reunion is about to take place. Interesting that you have shown up as an invitation was not sent your way. And yet you managed to make it here. You must be quite powerful. ❞

@lightcreators for hades / starter call.

[geraniumplant]

𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞 ⎯⎯⎯

Baby Seph is now a test muse. (By baby, I mean he's roughly 19-22 age range. No exceptions) I'll be selective with him because I'm not planning on any long-term threads. You can send asks for him & we'll see where it goes. Asks can eventually turn into long-term threads or they can be short interactions. I can't promise a quality Sephiroth because I'm still trying to get a feel for his character. He can take place during any timeline & interact with other Sephs. Here's a new little brother for you. 💚

[rainflare60]

⚔🖤 Sephiroth 🖤⚔

A haphazard light study and a love for Sephiroth? What could possibly go wrong?

Here's the initial sketch:

I like the sketch so much I'm tempted to expand the illustration (and change the lighting a bit, lol).

[jade-lop]

I did not remember where or when, but I vaguely recalled reading about three requirements to create a fierce ghost or evil spirit like Sadako or Kayako.

One must die a violence dead.

One must die with resentment.

The deceased must be famous.

Sephiroth died quite violently.

Sephiroth died while holding resentment toward humanity and his killer, Cloud.

As Shinra’s poster boy, he was very famous.