[Sephiroth's lived in the city of Aefenglom for the stretch of a year, but a years’ worth of time is still not enough to deprive him of an array of firsts. In all its festivities and warm traditions, doled onto him through the natives, this winter holiday provides him with another: a scavenger hunt, a paired activity for the sake of entertainment, and curious prizes for the winning. He would not normally participate—for since when does Sephiroth ever seek “fun” outside of the clashing of steel?—but he’s made an exception for Nico. To deny either of them of the experience would make him a hypocrite, painting his previous confession of wanting to do more than just work, than just missions, a moot point. And it had been a sincere sentiment, too; the result of which meant that minimal arm-twisting was required to sign him up.
He finds himself wondering this is not just more work under a thin guise of entertainment, however. A hedge maze may pass a novel amusement, but pinning down a Neeklur at its heart and clasping a collar around the animal's neck feels only like research, though he supposes that Nico would not mind it terribly. They move through the hedges—tall and thick and tangled with leaves—at a brisk pace, fighting against the ailing sunlight as the afternoon slides into the shadows of dusk.]
We’ve been this way before.
[He says, knowing that it must be true, despite this upcoming turn being different than the last — a left instead of a right. He wonders at the mischief inherent in this hedge maze seemingly alive, if it exists to hinder their journey to the middle, or if it’s an ill-timed inconvenience is based solely on their bad luck.
Still, he’s sure he hears chittering nearby, just like the last time they came this way. Surely they must be close to the center; now if only the maze itself would cooperate.]
scavenger hunt adventures.
He finds himself wondering this is not just more work under a thin guise of entertainment, however. A hedge maze may pass a novel amusement, but pinning down a Neeklur at its heart and clasping a collar around the animal's neck feels only like research, though he supposes that Nico would not mind it terribly. They move through the hedges—tall and thick and tangled with leaves—at a brisk pace, fighting against the ailing sunlight as the afternoon slides into the shadows of dusk.]
We’ve been this way before.
[He says, knowing that it must be true, despite this upcoming turn being different than the last — a left instead of a right. He wonders at the mischief inherent in this hedge maze seemingly alive, if it exists to hinder their journey to the middle, or if it’s an ill-timed inconvenience is based solely on their bad luck.
Still, he’s sure he hears chittering nearby, just like the last time they came this way. Surely they must be close to the center; now if only the maze itself would cooperate.]