The question...for a moment, it's baffling. On some level, Sephiroth recognizes what it is - a concerned friend? person inquiring after his current state of well-being. There are only so many ways to express that sentiment.
But perhaps because he's rattled, perhaps because he's always struggled not to take things too literally, perhaps simply because there is no more natural reaction for a man in his position to have, more words fall from his numb lips. And this time they bypass the usual screening process where he carefully analyzes what he's going to say, whether or not he ought to say it or what people will think of it.
"I don't know if okay is a thing I have ever been."
There's a touch of bemusement to the words, lingering still at the very idea of being asked such a question. He'd realized what Cloud really meant by it after only a moment, but that first kneejerk emotional response is taking time to fade. Strong enough, indeed, to have him respond to the feeling instead of the meaning.
He passes a hand over his eyes, breathing out slowly. "Forgive me, I know...that isn't what you were truly asking. But...I'll be all right. I've had more reminders of Rhadore recently than just this...and I've certainly been through worse. Mostly I regret that you've been forced to share in memories and burdens that aren't yours to bear. I have to live with them, but...that's my penance for creating them. You've done nothing to deserve it."
no subject
friend?person inquiring after his current state of well-being. There are only so many ways to express that sentiment.But perhaps because he's rattled, perhaps because he's always struggled not to take things too literally, perhaps simply because there is no more natural reaction for a man in his position to have, more words fall from his numb lips. And this time they bypass the usual screening process where he carefully analyzes what he's going to say, whether or not he ought to say it or what people will think of it.
"I don't know if okay is a thing I have ever been."
There's a touch of bemusement to the words, lingering still at the very idea of being asked such a question. He'd realized what Cloud really meant by it after only a moment, but that first kneejerk emotional response is taking time to fade. Strong enough, indeed, to have him respond to the feeling instead of the meaning.
He passes a hand over his eyes, breathing out slowly. "Forgive me, I know...that isn't what you were truly asking. But...I'll be all right. I've had more reminders of Rhadore recently than just this...and I've certainly been through worse. Mostly I regret that you've been forced to share in memories and burdens that aren't yours to bear. I have to live with them, but...that's my penance for creating them. You've done nothing to deserve it."