[????? What does that supposed to mean? Scott squints, clearly confused because does this mean that he's going to be a dragon in the future? How does that work? Those gears are turning in his head but also nothing is being produced--
At least teasing the other teen about the whole lair thing is fun. And familiar. It feels even more apt doing this because he's no longer a dragon and someone that is around his age?? Maybe even younger. Damn, who would've thought? His actual form is just a grumpy ass teenager.
Nonetheless, he settles his hands on his hips.]
All excuses. [Totally giving him a hard time.] Well now we can start getting a real idea for an evil lair in case something like that happens again. Maybe I'll even be your kidnapping victim again because clearly you need my help.
[Sephiroth's future is extremely convoluted and now has been thoroughly interrupted by being on different planets. He's not sure where it'll end up anymore.
What he DOES know is it's not excuses.
If he was angry enough he could just LEAVE but he ... doesn't.]
I have some ideas already, thank you very much. I've been doing more research now that I have a better idea of what kind of villain I'm expected to be.
[AND HE DOESN'T NEED HELP.]
Which apparently involves minions. Are you sure you don't want to just switch sides, if it happens again?
['Research.' He's dedicated, he'll give him that much.]
Okay, this I have to see later.
[Maybe supporting in his own bratty way... even though the teen is still grinning, teasing him. There's also some genuine interest in seeing what he's cooked up during this time.]
Nah man, I'm not anyone's minion, you just have to get people to join your side through intimidation or whatever. Join your cause. Which. [Head tilt.] Figured that out?
[It's mostly comic books, which may be giving him a very distorted opinion on what to expect, but it's ALSO the most reliable place to find detailed villain escapades!
Sephiroth is making do.]
If it comes up again. I thought about making one here for practice, there's plenty of land and abandoned locations, but it's rather harder to tear through walls without claws like that.
[He's strong, but that kind of work was precision! Digging entire caves, as he was now? That's just too much.
The biggest problem.. is finding minions. He'll work on that too over time. Even with the annoyances of a not so impressive lair and a role he wasn't entirely comfortable with for the mission ... he's still satisfied to see Scott is in fact intact. And unchanged; whatever had been changing people's motivations and alignments apparently had skipped him right by.]
Most I believe join a dragon to avoid being eaten. The benefits of being the dragon is you don't need a cause beyond avarice! Conquering lands, terrorizing the populace, these aren't apparently required, but it makes getting a bigger hoard easier.
Though honestly, he's mostly just playing along with this whole thing, because he thinks that the other teen probably isn't actually a supervillain or whatever. All that stuff that happened on the other Earth was just weird shit brought to you by Aurora. And the Anomaly. This just feels like fun teasing or joking around, his posture reflecting that as he takes one large sip from his milkshake.]
Sooo, what would be your motivation this time? [...] Actually, hold that thought, I feel like grabbing something more from the diner. Wanna join?
I know. [It's half sigh. He didn't mind being himself again, but there was something he missed about flight.] Thank you for noticing I'm not covered in scales.
[Sephiroth's going to be a supervillain in another ten years. Give it time. Until then, he might be a very powerful kid but he's still a kid - in a place where that's fairly commonplace.
Anything he might have immediately said to his motivation plans is interrupted by diner. The immediate impulse is to refuse, but he's also pretty much constantly hungry--]
I suppose. Everything is terribly greasy though. [And part of why he liked it. Shh.]
Yeah and that's what makes it great. [Especially since the other teen seems to be awkward and serious in his own way?? Maybe not totally inept, but he's kind of used to others that are even more of a social outcast compared to him. He really doesn't know anything about him, huh? Granted, he was distracted with the whole evil lair and kidnapping thing.
But might as learn more now. He... kind of is interested.]
We can grab some fries and stuff while you tell me about your evil ideas.
[Scott nudges the door open back to the diner, actually just keeping it open until Sephiroth decides to step inside.] By the way, what's your actual name?
[Sephiroth and greasy food have a strong love-hate relationship. He loves the taste, he doesn't much love the nausea that follows if he overindulges. And not overindulging is so hard.
There is true malicious temptation in french fries.]
My name is Sephiroth.
[He does actually follow, however reluctantly. The lure of food is always a strong one, and one he could resist if he chose but .. why now? He'd wanted to find out if Scott got out of it intact and if his behavior had been the effects of the world warping morals or if he was just ... like that.
The answer does seem to be 'he's just like that', so far.]
The trouble with evil plans is scaling. Minor local villainy is very different from global malevolence. One tends to require a lot of killing, and though it makes much better stories, it never ends well for the villain. I'd like to survive.
[Sephiroth?? A pretty unique name, definitely stands out. If one had a villain name, he thinks that it would be a pretty good pick. Not that he's actually encouraging the other to be a true villain, this is just all stupid teen stuff, right? Yeah. So he thinks nothing of any of this, just easily moving to pick a booth for them both before the mutant slides in on one side.
He clearly just expects the other to sit across from him.]
So, it's all just survival still. Guess that much hasn't changed. You want to do a little evil but not be too evil that will get your ass kicked by others.
[That's fair. Like the 'cool' kind of villain. He nods a little.] Although, I guess, you could still have a really cool lair if you're a superhero. You know, just figured to throw that idea out there.
Well. His villain era is a ways away yet. Until then it's just practice, and not one he's putting a whole lot of serious effort into being evil over.
Sephiroth settles in the other seat pretty much as expected, frowning.]
Yes, exactly. [Small time evil doesn't get turned into trophies later! He doesn't want to be a trophy.] There aren't really that many stories about good dragons. I feel like if I went that route, even if it were part of the mission parameters, someone is still going to try to loot my hoard. So at that point I might as well do whatever I want because one way or another, adventurers are coming.
[There's a small tilt of his head, maybe just a little surprised that Sephiroth is still taking this whole villain thing seriously. Or maybe this is him joking? Scott can't exactly tell, but he figures that he can take the teasing for being too serious himself if he can just clear one thing up first.]
Okay man, but you aren't a dragon. You're just a teen like me. That whole thing with the other Earth was just a temporary mission.
[And he doesn't think they'll be in a situation like that again anytime soon?? Probably.]
[Sephiroth leans forward slightly in his seat, stare unblinking.]
Dragons have teenagers too. Besides which, what is more interesting, planning your mundane human life doing mundane human things like thinking about what mortgage you want to apply for, or planning your dragon life and everything you intend to conquer?
[He sits back again.
Is he a dragon? No. Sure he has the eyes for it but he isn't. Does he think he'll ever be a dragon again? ... Also no. But it entertains him.]
[There's a few seconds of silence from Scott, the mutant blinking almost comically from behind his glasses. Because uh, wow?? And wait, is Sephiroth actually serious?? It's hard to tell, but also, the other teen has always been kind of serious and holy shit, he's not backing up or taking back anything. Just full on said that with his entire chest. This sure is something.
He can't help it, a small sharp laugh breaks out from Scott-- the sound kind of amused, but also he can't help but respect it too.]
Dude, that was like one of the most metal sentences I've ever heard.
[He's ..never heard that particular combination of words in that particular order before, and it SOUNDS like it might be positive but it.. might not be.]
You're not just.. planning mortgages and retirement funds, I hope.
'Is it good, he asks.' [Scott almost seems mocking... but there's a general lightheartedness to it, especially as he quickly moves on to be a little more productive.] Remind me to lend you some of my cassette tapes.
[Or CDs here?? Whatever medium Sephiroth listens to music with, it doesn't matter, as long as he listens to the good stuff. Which, is the stuff that he listens to, obviously. Stuff to do after they get their orders in right now, and okay, guess he'll just grab some fries. He's not super hungry, but hopefully the other teen will order more.]
But seriously? Dude, don't insult me. That's like the lamest thing I've heard. We're never speaking about it again.
[For better or worse, he's not taking Scott's jabs as anything particularly serious, or at least not serious enough to get genuinely annoyed about. This sounded like it might involve either lectures or music, both of which go on tapes, but which.. he's not sure.
The language gaps of other planets gets more frustrating than anything else.]
There might be some here. Well. Not here here but there's .. some new shops that have a lot of different things.
[Like tapes! Of.. metal, maybe.
Sephiroth's not ordering a snack from the attending bots, however. He's going for what most would call an entire meal, because he is endlessly hungry. At least it's only a burger .. and some fries too. He'll regret the fries later.]
You can't escape it now. Lame banking futures await. A life of utter mundanity, never rising above a solid 401k plan.
[Isn't that something most people are supposed to want? ..Well maybe in their thirties. he has a while to go.]
So if you're not planning on becoming a nice ordinary homeowner with a nine-to-five, what are you planning on doing?
[He's definitely not judging the other teen for ordering a whole bunch of food, especially since he's ordering good stuff-- besides, they're supposed to just stuff their faces and have fun. At least try to feel a little bit normal while everything is bizarre and insane around them. The fact that Sephiroth turned into a dragon last mission says enough.]
No, I reject that future! [He laughs though, the sound bright, with something approving and entertained running through him. Good, glad that Sephrioth here can tease back about this thing. He's almost impressed. He wasn't sure at first!]
But I dunno? Never really had a plan in mind back home. [Never had a goal, something to aspire to. Although, apparently he's supposed to be Cyclops in the future, but... maybe it won't happen in his timeline. He's not sure if that's good or bad, but this isn't stuff he wants to bring up right now. Lame mood change.]
Not like anyone really expected much out of me, so it's whatever.
[The amount of food he can put away is nothing short of astonishing for anyone who isn't already well familiar how much teenagers can eat!
But if this is normalcy, it's new. He doesn't mind learning. Wasn't it a goal, to try to have a normal life? Scott's unfortunately now part of that, even if only in passing.]
I'm pretty sure banking is in everyone's future, you might as well get used to it. Learn how to balance a checkbook. [He wiggles fingers briefly, as if this is supposed to be a spooky fate.] There's worse things than no-one expecting anything out of you. It means you have more options.
[Right? That's how it works, he's pretty sure.]
I'd suggest, if nothing else comes up. Spend as much time as you can learning things, so you can make a lot of gil when you get back, so you can become wealthy enough to just do whatever catches your interest. Travel. Fish. Buy the newest gadget. Spoil friends outrageously. Try alchemy. Turning dirt into gold might help.
[An exaggerated groan escapes Scott at that thought. Please, don't tell him more about the mundane boring shit of being an adult. He's going to die. Truly, the worst fate ever.
Though he soon leans his cheek against a closed fist as he actually listens to what Sephiroth is saying to him. Funny, he brought him here just to do normal shit and eat food, maybe talk some stuff about being an evil dragon, but guess talking about the future is actually kind of normal, huh? He just usually avoids it, before it was because of his uncertainty about what he wanted to do, but now it's because of a bunch of other stupid shit.
But guess this is kind of cool in its own dumb way.]
Man, seriously? 'Become a rich asshole?' [Guess he shouldn't expect too much from a dragon that wanted to hoard treasure, but...]
If you don't want to be an asshole, and just be rich, that's up to you.
[Philanthropists exist!]
As long as we're stuck living by the rules of everyone else's societies, it's better to have money than not have it. The poor rarely influence much, and tend to not be able to act freely either. If you're not generational wealth it's probably fine.
[Unless he rebels against society hard enough to overturn everything!! Nah, he's not about that, really. Yeah sure, he thinks a lot of parts about it sucks, but it still sounds way better than the shit that the other mutants are going through in the alternative reality. No thanks about any of that.]
Is that what you want to do back home? Become super rich and do whatever you want?
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no subject
At least teasing the other teen about the whole lair thing is fun. And familiar. It feels even more apt doing this because he's no longer a dragon and someone that is around his age?? Maybe even younger. Damn, who would've thought? His actual form is just a grumpy ass teenager.
Nonetheless, he settles his hands on his hips.]
All excuses. [Totally giving him a hard time.] Well now we can start getting a real idea for an evil lair in case something like that happens again. Maybe I'll even be your kidnapping victim again because clearly you need my help.
no subject
What he DOES know is it's not excuses.
If he was angry enough he could just LEAVE but he ... doesn't.]
I have some ideas already, thank you very much. I've been doing more research now that I have a better idea of what kind of villain I'm expected to be.
[AND HE DOESN'T NEED HELP.]
Which apparently involves minions. Are you sure you don't want to just switch sides, if it happens again?
no subject
Okay, this I have to see later.
[Maybe supporting in his own bratty way... even though the teen is still grinning, teasing him. There's also some genuine interest in seeing what he's cooked up during this time.]
Nah man, I'm not anyone's minion, you just have to get people to join your side through intimidation or whatever. Join your cause. Which. [Head tilt.] Figured that out?
no subject
Sephiroth is making do.]
If it comes up again. I thought about making one here for practice, there's plenty of land and abandoned locations, but it's rather harder to tear through walls without claws like that.
[He's strong, but that kind of work was precision! Digging entire caves, as he was now? That's just too much.
The biggest problem.. is finding minions. He'll work on that too over time. Even with the annoyances of a not so impressive lair and a role he wasn't entirely comfortable with for the mission ... he's still satisfied to see Scott is in fact intact. And unchanged; whatever had been changing people's motivations and alignments apparently had skipped him right by.]
Most I believe join a dragon to avoid being eaten. The benefits of being the dragon is you don't need a cause beyond avarice! Conquering lands, terrorizing the populace, these aren't apparently required, but it makes getting a bigger hoard easier.
no subject
[Look at him, pointing out the obvious.
Though honestly, he's mostly just playing along with this whole thing, because he thinks that the other teen probably isn't actually a supervillain or whatever. All that stuff that happened on the other Earth was just weird shit brought to you by Aurora. And the Anomaly. This just feels like fun teasing or joking around, his posture reflecting that as he takes one large sip from his milkshake.]
Sooo, what would be your motivation this time? [...] Actually, hold that thought, I feel like grabbing something more from the diner. Wanna join?
no subject
[Sephiroth's going to be a supervillain in another ten years. Give it time. Until then, he might be a very powerful kid but he's still a kid - in a place where that's fairly commonplace.
Anything he might have immediately said to his motivation plans is interrupted by diner. The immediate impulse is to refuse, but he's also pretty much constantly hungry--]
I suppose. Everything is terribly greasy though. [And part of why he liked it. Shh.]
no subject
But might as learn more now. He... kind of is interested.]
We can grab some fries and stuff while you tell me about your evil ideas.
[Scott nudges the door open back to the diner, actually just keeping it open until Sephiroth decides to step inside.] By the way, what's your actual name?
no subject
There is true malicious temptation in french fries.]
My name is Sephiroth.
[He does actually follow, however reluctantly. The lure of food is always a strong one, and one he could resist if he chose but .. why now? He'd wanted to find out if Scott got out of it intact and if his behavior had been the effects of the world warping morals or if he was just ... like that.
The answer does seem to be 'he's just like that', so far.]
The trouble with evil plans is scaling. Minor local villainy is very different from global malevolence. One tends to require a lot of killing, and though it makes much better stories, it never ends well for the villain. I'd like to survive.
no subject
He clearly just expects the other to sit across from him.]
So, it's all just survival still. Guess that much hasn't changed. You want to do a little evil but not be too evil that will get your ass kicked by others.
[That's fair. Like the 'cool' kind of villain. He nods a little.] Although, I guess, you could still have a really cool lair if you're a superhero. You know, just figured to throw that idea out there.
no subject
Well. His villain era is a ways away yet. Until then it's just practice, and not one he's putting a whole lot of serious effort into being evil over.
Sephiroth settles in the other seat pretty much as expected, frowning.]
Yes, exactly. [Small time evil doesn't get turned into trophies later! He doesn't want to be a trophy.] There aren't really that many stories about good dragons. I feel like if I went that route, even if it were part of the mission parameters, someone is still going to try to loot my hoard. So at that point I might as well do whatever I want because one way or another, adventurers are coming.
no subject
Okay man, but you aren't a dragon. You're just a teen like me. That whole thing with the other Earth was just a temporary mission.
[And he doesn't think they'll be in a situation like that again anytime soon?? Probably.]
no subject
Dragons have teenagers too. Besides which, what is more interesting, planning your mundane human life doing mundane human things like thinking about what mortgage you want to apply for, or planning your dragon life and everything you intend to conquer?
[He sits back again.
Is he a dragon? No. Sure he has the eyes for it but he isn't. Does he think he'll ever be a dragon again? ... Also no. But it entertains him.]
Life's short, plan to be a dragon.
no subject
He can't help it, a small sharp laugh breaks out from Scott-- the sound kind of amused, but also he can't help but respect it too.]
Dude, that was like one of the most metal sentences I've ever heard.
no subject
[He's ..never heard that particular combination of words in that particular order before, and it SOUNDS like it might be positive but it.. might not be.]
You're not just.. planning mortgages and retirement funds, I hope.
no subject
[Or CDs here?? Whatever medium Sephiroth listens to music with, it doesn't matter, as long as he listens to the good stuff. Which, is the stuff that he listens to, obviously. Stuff to do after they get their orders in right now, and okay, guess he'll just grab some fries. He's not super hungry, but hopefully the other teen will order more.]
But seriously? Dude, don't insult me. That's like the lamest thing I've heard. We're never speaking about it again.
no subject
The language gaps of other planets gets more frustrating than anything else.]
There might be some here. Well. Not here here but there's .. some new shops that have a lot of different things.
[Like tapes! Of.. metal, maybe.
Sephiroth's not ordering a snack from the attending bots, however. He's going for what most would call an entire meal, because he is endlessly hungry. At least it's only a burger .. and some fries too. He'll regret the fries later.]
You can't escape it now. Lame banking futures await. A life of utter mundanity, never rising above a solid 401k plan.
[Isn't that something most people are supposed to want? ..Well maybe in their thirties. he has a while to go.]
So if you're not planning on becoming a nice ordinary homeowner with a nine-to-five, what are you planning on doing?
no subject
No, I reject that future! [He laughs though, the sound bright, with something approving and entertained running through him. Good, glad that Sephrioth here can tease back about this thing. He's almost impressed. He wasn't sure at first!]
But I dunno? Never really had a plan in mind back home. [Never had a goal, something to aspire to. Although, apparently he's supposed to be Cyclops in the future, but... maybe it won't happen in his timeline. He's not sure if that's good or bad, but this isn't stuff he wants to bring up right now. Lame mood change.]
Not like anyone really expected much out of me, so it's whatever.
no subject
But if this is normalcy, it's new. He doesn't mind learning. Wasn't it a goal, to try to have a normal life? Scott's unfortunately now part of that, even if only in passing.]
I'm pretty sure banking is in everyone's future, you might as well get used to it. Learn how to balance a checkbook. [He wiggles fingers briefly, as if this is supposed to be a spooky fate.] There's worse things than no-one expecting anything out of you. It means you have more options.
[Right? That's how it works, he's pretty sure.]
I'd suggest, if nothing else comes up. Spend as much time as you can learning things, so you can make a lot of gil when you get back, so you can become wealthy enough to just do whatever catches your interest. Travel. Fish. Buy the newest gadget. Spoil friends outrageously. Try alchemy. Turning dirt into gold might help.
no subject
Though he soon leans his cheek against a closed fist as he actually listens to what Sephiroth is saying to him. Funny, he brought him here just to do normal shit and eat food, maybe talk some stuff about being an evil dragon, but guess talking about the future is actually kind of normal, huh? He just usually avoids it, before it was because of his uncertainty about what he wanted to do, but now it's because of a bunch of other stupid shit.
But guess this is kind of cool in its own dumb way.]
Man, seriously? 'Become a rich asshole?' [Guess he shouldn't expect too much from a dragon that wanted to hoard treasure, but...]
Still feels like, dumb society shit, you know?
no subject
[Philanthropists exist!]
As long as we're stuck living by the rules of everyone else's societies, it's better to have money than not have it. The poor rarely influence much, and tend to not be able to act freely either. If you're not generational wealth it's probably fine.
no subject
[Unless he rebels against society hard enough to overturn everything!! Nah, he's not about that, really. Yeah sure, he thinks a lot of parts about it sucks, but it still sounds way better than the shit that the other mutants are going through in the alternative reality. No thanks about any of that.]
Is that what you want to do back home? Become super rich and do whatever you want?