Senna looked at the mess around her with a wry smile. She had pulled everything out of her closet, and most of it was strewn across the floor. She forgot that she didn't have the appropriate adaptor for her old PS2, but she didn't really have time to get caught up in playing the game anyway. Instead, she had pulled out her copy of On the Way to a Smile and curled up on the couch with her coffee next to her. It wasn't long until she was completely immersed.
She had initially gotten into gaming when her old high school boyfriend showed her the FF7 series. She had never had much time to enjoy it like some of her peers, but she did find the story fascinating. She only had a handful of games, and they were all part of the FF franchise. They each held a place in her heart, even if she hadn't touched them in years. The extra pieces of the compilation made it even better.
It was late afternoon when she finally put the book down with a sigh. It still managed to pull her heartstrings. She grinned as she got up to acknowledge her stomach's urging for a late lunch. As she heated up the leftovers, she decided to watch the movie next. She didn't have a copy of the complete edition of Advent Children, but she had no doubts that she could find it online somewhere to rent.
With that decided, she spent the rest of the afternoon finishing the book and then watching the movie. By the time she was finished, it was late enough that her bed was calling her name. It wasn't until she laid down that she had the random thought that, at least this time, she wouldn't be shocked to dream about Gaia again.
Senna was surrounded by warm darkness, but that warmth was fading fast. It was not long until it was frigid enough that she was rubbing her arms to fight the chill seeping into her satin PJs. At least there was a light ahead of her, and the closer she got to it, the warmer she felt.
When she finally stepped out of the blackness, she found herself in some sort of cave. Being in a cave was strange enough, but this one held things she didn't expect to see underground. There was a desk with stuff that looked like it belonged in a science lab—or a doctor's office. If that hadn't been enough to throw her off, then the sounds of shouts nearby did the trick. When the noises picked up in volume, it kickstarted her into action, and she raced toward where she heard the voices.
She let out a clipped scream when she nearly ran off the edge of a ledge. She hadn't realized she was on it until it was almost too late. A little flailing later, and she fell back. The landing stung, but she ignored it as she crawled back to the edge and looked down. She frowned when she saw at least a couple dozen people scrambling around in the bottom, trying to find a way to escape the rising water.
That would have been enough to get her moving to try and rescue them, but as she was standing, she recognized a familiar head of blond hair as he was ordering the people to help the few that were still bedridden. That was all that was needed to make her realize what was happening. She immediately started looking for the ladder to let down as she cursed under her breath.
She wasn't shocked that she was dreaming about Rufus again, but she did have to wonder why the hell it was this situation. The water hadn't even gotten high enough to drown the sickest people, and her heart was already in her throat when she didn't immediately see the ladder.
Thankfully, it didn't take her long to locate it. She kicked the lock as soon as she was close to it and yelled down to get everyone's attention. "This way! Get out and help any you can. It won't be long until it's too dangerous down there."
Unfortunately, it seemed like no one heard her—or almost no one. Rufus's head shot up to where she was standing. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, but he was quick to point out the ladder to the others as the healthiest people headed up, with some stopping at intervals to help the unconscious people up as well.
Unfortunately, they were not moving fast enough. The group somehow managed to get the people who were the worst off out of the water, but by that time, it had risen to the point that everyone left was having to tread water. Slight panic ensued as they crowded around the ladder and tried to all go up at once. Senna tried to help, but her hands passed right through them.
She had suspected no one but Rufus could see her in these strange dreams, which was extremely strange, but it was a worry for another time. She was just grateful that he hadn't lost his head yet, and his voice rang out above the din. "Everyone, calm down. There is no need to panic. Simply form a line and get out quickly."
There was a little grumbling at his imperious tone, but the group somehow managed to get straightened out. Unfortunately, it wasn't fast enough. Senna had been pacing nearby since she was practically useless, but she finally remembered what else was significant about this scene. Another curse was mumbled under her breath as she ran to the edge and strained to see any movement or discoloration in the water.
It was difficult with the bad lighting, but it wasn't long until she saw something that looked almost like an oil slick. That was bad, but it wasn't moving like oil—no, it very clearly had a purpose, and that purpose was currently unaware. Rufus had stayed back while the others were trying to get up the ladder. Senna doubted it was pure altruism, and more likely, he didn't want to be in the press of panicked people, but it didn't matter.
Instead of shouting, she ran to the edge closest to him and dove in. By that time, the water was deep enough that it was no issue. As soon as she was in the water, she pushed to the surface and looked around until she located both Rufus and the tainted lifestream headed for him. Thankfully, she angulated correctly and was in between them. She immediately started splashing the water to try and make the slick go off course as she yelled over her shoulder. "Get the hell out of the water! There's no time to waste."
She heard splashing behind her but didn't bother to look. Hopefully, Rufus had listened and was already on his way out. However, it was only a few seconds before Senna noticed something strange. The oily substance had not slowed. Even after she started splashing, it was simply going around the rough surface she was making. However, when she yelled out to Rufus, the slick suddenly stopped. She couldn't see as well from her spot in the water as she had been able to on the ledge, but it almost seemed like the tainted lifestream hesitated. It seemed to go one direction and then the other.
Senna had stopped splashing as she watched the odd behavior but regretted it immediately. For some reason, even though she had already confirmed that Rufus was the only being able to see her in these strange, vivid dreams, the tainted lifestream seemed to be heading straight for her. Her eyes widened as a curse sputtered out. It was a monumental effort not to swallow any of the water as she leaned back and started kicking to make even bigger splashes than before. She had no idea if that would keep the stuff away from her or not, but it also helped to propel her toward the wall where the ladder was waiting.
She was not thinking of anything but getting the hell away from the malevolent stuff, so she let out a strangled scream when she felt an arm go around her chest. She struggled against the grip, but only until she heard a familiar voice. "Stop, or we will both go down."
All her movement stopped as she looked over her shoulder into a familiar pair of piercing blue eyes. Not even the way his hair was plastered to his forehead detracted from the regal bearing of his features. However, Senna didn't have long to think about it as he said, "I don't know what that is, but keep kicking. I'll get us out."
Senna's eyes widened again as she mentally cursed herself for being distracted. She immediately turned and had to swallow back a scream when she saw how much closer the black tar-like substance had gotten. Her feet started moving violently to try and keep it at bay while Rufus dragged her toward the ladder and, hopefully, safety.
Senna was nearly panicking, and her movements showed it. A part of her brain knew she should slow down and be more calculated, but the memory of how the stuff had forced its way into Rufus in the book was still fresh in her mind and was not conducive to clarity of thought. She barely slowed when she heard Rufus make a frustrated noise, though part of that was because he also almost lost his grip on her.
It seemed like it was taking forever, and the oily substance was gaining on them. Thankfully, it seemed as though Senna's efforts were at least slowing it down. She wanted to cry with relief when she finally heard Rufus say, "Climb up quickly. I'll be right behind."
There was a moment of hesitation as Senna thought about telling him to go first, but his frown was already forming, and the stuff was gaining quickly. She didn't bother with a response other than to scramble up the rungs as quickly as possible. She was glad to feel Rufus right behind her.
When Senna made it to the top, she immediately turned to help Rufus. Her eyes widened when she saw the black water crash against the wall right under his feet. Her breath was coming fast as it retreated only to do it again so that it reached higher. Thankfully, by that time, Rufus was already up. He turned to look back down with a frown as it did it again and again.
His head snapped to face Senna as she breathlessly said, "I don't think the water will rise far enough to overflow the pit, but just in case, we should evacuate further into the tunnel."
His eyes seemed to flick over her before they came back to her face and his frown finally lifted. He was still looking straight at her as he yelled. "Everyone, get as far from here as you can."
The gathered people had been leaning against the walls trying to catch their breath, with a few checking on the handful that were unconscious. There was a general grumbling, but the whole group still worked together to get out of the vicinity of the rising water.
As soon as they started moving, Rufus took Senna by the arm and led her to the far side of the cavern. He must have deemed it far enough for the moment, as he stopped and turned to her with another frown. Although his next actions made Senna's eyes widen.
He was unbuttoning his shirt, which made her immediately hold up her hands in a negating gesture as she said, "Wait! What the hell are you doing? This isn't—"
She was cut off before she could finish by his cold voice. "While the sight of you like that might be enticing, I have the feeling there is a purpose you are here. I want to find out what you know about this situation, and trying to talk to you like that would be distracting at best."
"What?" Senna's confused expression was echoed by her tone. Rufus only smirked as his eyes flicked down and then back up before he tilted his head slightly to the right. As soon as she saw the look he was giving her, she glanced down with wide eyes only to have her worst fears confirmed.
Her satin PJs were the most comfortable she had, but they were not built to be put in water—plus, they were white. She might as well have been standing there nude. Her face instantly felt so hot she was afraid it bypassed red and went straight to purple as she tried to cover herself with her arms. However, before she could say anything, Rufus had peeled off his wet shirt and draped it over her shoulders. "That isn't the best solution, but it does help."
Senna's face was still red, but she gave him an evaluating look as she said, "Thank you."
His only response was a curt nod before he glanced back at the pit and said, "Now, explain to me what happened here."
Now that her adrenaline was ebbing, Senna almost felt weak in the knees when she thought about how close they had both come to being inundated with the taint of Geostigma. She shuddered and rubbed her arms as she said, "Where do you want me to start?"
His frown was back as he turned to face her again and asked, "What was that black water? I moved as though it had intelligence or consciousness."
Senna sighed and pulled his shirt tighter in the front. Less to hide herself better and more like an unconscious gesture to stave off her fear as she said, "That's precisely what it was—pure consciousness. It was the shape Sephiroth's will took after meteorfall—or I guess, technically, you could call it Sephinova's will."
Rufus's brow furrowed as he said, "Sephiroth? What does he have to do with this?" He then paused and put his hand on his chin for a moment before he continued, "Nevermind that. What was that about meteorfall? You mentioned that in the last dream as well."
Senna opened her mouth to answer, but it snapped shut as she realized what he had said. "Wait—what dream?"
Despite the situation, Rufus smirked as he said, "The one where you were having inappropriate thoughts about me being tied up."
Senna's eyes widened, and her face heated, but not for long. She felt baffled as she said, "How do you remember my dream?"
He lifted one brow and smirked. "Your dream? Was it not mine?"
Senna felt like her head was about to implode with the possibilities, so she shook it as she said, "You know what, never mind. What is the point of trying to make sense of a dream anyway."
It looked like Rufus had more to add, but Senna cut him off as she said, "I'm not sure why you are asking about meteorfall now, but that was what happened when the Sephiroth/Jenova hybrid used the black materia. It nearly destroyed everything, but that wasn't the worst part. Even though Cloud and the others defeated him, his consciousness was already part of the lifestream. They are like an infection in the planet, spreading toward anyone they can reach, and Geostigma is the result. I think Kilmister already knows that, which is why you were down with the rest of the infected even though you hadn't been sick. He did it supposedly to keep you safe. What a load of crock."
Rufus seemed to be contemplating her answer for a moment. His brow furrowed further as he said, "Kilmister—why does that name sound familiar?"
Senna shrugged. "Probably because he used to work in the Shinra science department."
His expression became a blank mask as he asked, "If he is a Shinra employee, why was I down in an earthen pit?"
Senna chuckled mirthlessly as she gestured around them and said, "Look at this place. Do you really think he would be researching in a place like this if he had a choice? Did you forget that there is no Shinra anymore? Kilmister saved you from Kylegate, but only because he wanted to use you as leverage with the remaining Turks to get the materials for his research. The only good thing he has done was create a drug that drastically reduces the symptoms of Geostigma."
If Rufus was perturbed by the reminder that Shinra was nothing more than a pile of debris, he didn't show it. Instead, he became contemplative for a few moments before he finally said, "You previously said I would be kidnapped twice. Is this the second time?"
Senna nodded tiredly. She had no idea why she felt so wiped in a dream, but she tried not to think about it as she said, "Yeah. He doesn't call you a prisoner, but you're little better than a hostage. At least to him. Although, I think by this time, the Turks had finally found you, and you told them to leave you so you could find out more about Geostigma. You also ordered them to help Kilmister get the ingredients he needed."
Rufus nodded absently as he asked, "What is Geostigma?"
An ache had started to form behind Senna's eyes, and she rubbed one temple to try and ease it as she said, "What we would have had if that black water had managed to overtake us. It's a sickness left by the taint of Sephiroth's will in the lifestream. It is deadly, and because it isn't a normal sickness, there is no cure. At least not with normal means."
Rufus frowned over at her explanation, but before he could ask whatever his next question was, Senna noticed movement behind him. When she looked closer, she barely managed to hold back a scream as she saw a wave of black water crest the lip of the pit. She grabbed Rufus by the arm and tugged as she yelled, "Run!"
He looked back to see what had spooked her but quickly reversed the grip, so he had her firmly in his grasp as he pulled her behind him. Senna barely noticed it as she tried to understand. She didn't remember the water getting that high. Then again, the purpose had been to infect Rufus, so perhaps it had stopped when it accomplished that in the original story. Or maybe it was just a dream, and it wasn't supposed to make sense.
Only after that last thought passed through Senna's mind did she realize that they seemed to be running and not getting anywhere. The walls of the cave looked like they were melting into blackness. She suddenly stopped and was nearly jerked off her feet when Rufus kept going. He looked back with a frown but finally seemed to notice the darkness that was closing in fast.
He made an aggravated noise as she felt his grip start to fade. Not like he let her go, but more like he was becoming insubstantial. She barely heard his voice as he said, "Just once I would like—" That was the last thing Senna heard before she was surrounded by freezing nothingness and the sound of the wind.
A/N: So what do you think he was going to say? I'm really enjoying the premise of this one because it has a lot of leeway in what can be accepted by the characters since they are both dreaming. The possibilities are endless and I hope you are enjoying it as much as me. Please let me know what you think so far. Thanks for reading and cheers!