Post by Sephiroth du Lac on May 2, 2010 5:51:55 GMT -6
"What is the price of experience? Do men buy it for a song? Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price of all the man hath, his house, his wife, his children."
-William Blake
Part 1: The Arrival (or Welcome Home)
-William Blake
Part 1: The Arrival (or Welcome Home)
*The camera falls on the interior of the catacombs once more. Deep underground the dank dimness of a single light shines. A light created by the camera as it follows the dark figure of Sephiroth du Lac moving through the dark. His eyes seem to glow in the light of the camera as the winding path only reveals more ramparts of lost bones. A chill sweeps through the air and the camera begins to go static for a second as Seph approaches a dead end in the hall. A line of skulls decorate this wall as Seph stops before them. His eyes dark and staring deep into the wall as if exploring every nook and cranny search before finally he says to himself aloud.*
Seph: Hmmm... now where is it? Button, button, who's got the button?
*Seph taps on one of the skulls with the silver part of his cane. The ancient remains shatters into dust from the light tapping causing Seph to look at the skull in annoyance.*
Seph: Not that one.
*Seph sighs annoyed at the results then proceeds to feel around the skulls placing his cane on one who is slightly off color. He taps it and a hollow sound is heard resounding there in. Seph smiles in satisfaction as he slips the bottom tip of his cane into the skulls eye socket and with a sudden push the wall opens and a dark room is revealed. Sephiroth steps through with a sudden look of delight on his face. His footfalls moving from simple dirt to hard stone as the camera follows. It turns for only a second to reveal the secret entrance hidden behind a false wine rack within an old wine cellar.
Seph breathed the air deep moving from the darkened corner. His eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room as the camera panned around. He ran his fingers along one of the bottles looking at the layer of dust gathered on them. Some of the bottles looked ancient, as if laying undisturbed for decades. Seph smiled as he picked out a vintage. He stared at the label as he cradled it in his hands. Proudly he reads the label which is hand written on the bottle in brilliant calligraphy.*
Seph: Bordeaux, 42' born of the vine in the valley's of Italy. A rare vintage I seized from a quaint villa on my way to Rome marching with the boys in the second war. I remember the look on their faces when I cradled it as I seized it. As if it were a child. Do you know what it is to taste the blood of the vine so pure and sweet it flows like nectar in your mouth? It is a treasure. I must break this out in celebration, when the occasion calls for it.
*He slides the bottle back on the rack as he looks once more at the camera.*
Seph: Ah, it is good to be home. To savor the familiar aromas. To enjoy the succulent fruits of a journey's end. But where are my manners? Welcome, welcome, a thousand times welcome. Pardon my jubilation but I cannot help but delight in my homecoming. The path has ended. It's destination achieved, one can rest his head once more and relax. Ah, everything has come full circle. Here I am at the beginning again. A new path before me. But before then a rest. I think that is well deserved.
*Seph walks from among the racks into the vast open area in between. He looks back and forth and smells the air once more looking down then suddenly he notes a red spot on the floor. He looks at it's origin revealing the source to come from under a door. Seph then looks at the trail before him carefully. His eyes examining it carefully as the camera comes up behind him. He looks up at the camera with a slight smile as he runs his fingers within the crimson flood under his feet.*
Seph: Blood... my brother was here.
*He stops licking his fingers of the red mess that decorates them. His eyes narrow a tad as he does.*
Seph: We must have missed him. It's fresh. Within a couple of hours. It's probably for the best anyway... he's such a ham.
*Seph smiles as he stands slowly. The camera pans a bit around the room. Panning at length over a single door on the far wall.
The camera slowly moves to it noting the chains overlapping themselves in an almost spiderweb crisscrossing. A large padlock sits at the web of chains center, though ancient and old looking the lock seems sturdy, built of pure iron. The camera takes a few steps forward toward the door when suddenly Seph cries out leaping in front of the cameraman's path.*
Seph: NO!!! No... I am sorry but there are somethings man was not meant to mess with. What lies beyond that door is far worse than any imagining one can conceive.
*Seph stops turning toward the door and checking the padlock upon it. It held fast but the lock itself felt loose. Seph would have to fix it later. Seph turned back to the camera his face stern and visibly upset.*
Seph: Do not touch that which you do not understand! Agreed?
*The camera moves up and down in agreement. Seph just sighs and looks down. His hair falls in his face as he places his hands on his hips in frustration. At length though his smile returns and he looks back up at the camera. His eyes gazing past the camera itself as if speaking to someone within.*
Seph: Isn't it funny how good advice comes too late? How by heeding or not heeding a warning the consequences could be dire? So it is with you, Doc. I have begged you to reconsider. I have shown you the "easy" path. The path of retreat. I have given you the chance and perhaps you considered it, or perhaps, like the fool you are, you disavowed my warning. Regardless, the path is chosen. The door held wide and we step forward knowing the destination we have. 'A Night to Remember'... a fitting name given our circumstance for I will never forget what you have done. In your own mad quest for glory you dishonored me. You insulted me. You attacked me. You call me a coward? Why? Because I do not stand and fight when rest is called for? Because I attack when it is convenient? Because I retreat when it is right to do so? I am no coward, I am a tactician. Everything I have done to you, every misfortune I plagued you with, you let me do. Do I have pity for your plight? No. Do I have remorse for my actions? No. Everything I have done I have meant to do. Even now as I warn you I know in my mind your next move. But for the sake of clearing my own conscience I will reiterate this significant comment.
*Seph just smiles standing firm in front of the camera. He brushes the hair out of his eyes and adjusts his fine clothes as he looks directly in them.*
Seph: Do not touch that which you do not understand...
*Seph just smiles slightly going to move out of the way of the camera when suddenly a loud BANG is heard following by the ringing of chains. Seph stops in his tracks and looks back at the door. The camera follows his gaze and suddenly another loud BANG is heard and the door visibly rattles as the chains reverberate. Seph holds his breath and freezes whispering only a short sentence...*
Seph: Don't... move...
*With that both Seph and the cameraman stay perfectly still as the door pounds hard once more. Then another loud bang. Then another and another till finally it subsides. Seph looks at the camera as the camera looks back to him. Seph sighs relaxing himself and the man behind the camera does the same. Seph sighs going to turn back toward the steps leading out of the room till...
BANG!!!
The chains burst and Seph quickly runs toward the door. The camera falls to the floor and a loud scream is heard. The sound of a scuffle is heard along with an inhuman screech like nothing known to man. Finally the sound of a door slamming shut and of hurried chains reaches our ears. From off camera we hear an awkward conversation.*
Seph (Off screen): Now do you see what I mean?
Man's voice (Off screen): Yeah...
Seph (Off screen): Good...
*Suddenly the sound of footsteps move toward the camera and as it is being picked up it suddenly goes to static.*
Part 2: The Family Du Lac
*The camera returns and picks up right as they reach the top step leading out of the cellar. Seph opens the door revealing a huge kitchen area complete with industrial size fridge and a walk in freezer. Seph just smiles as they quickly make their way through the room to a door on the far wall. They exit the door into a grand dining room as Seph moves to walk around the table. The room is huge and new candles decorate the tarnished silver candle holders of the dust covered table. Still as the camera pans around we see Seph walking up to a stack of fresh mail laid out in a pile on the table. Seph looks at a handwritten letter stuck on top of the stack and the camera walks around the table to read it over his shoulder. Seph obliges by reading it aloud.*
Seph: Dear Father; There was some mail for you today. I've left it here for you. The mail carrier and I are upstairs at a tea party. Welcome Home, Malice. Isn't that sweet? Let's see here.
*Seph begins thumbing through the mail before him. Slowly going through each one.*
Seph: Missing persons, missing persons, missing persons, missing persons, junk, junk, missing persons, junk... what's this?
*Seph pulls a single pink envelope out sealed with sealing wax. The wax bears a single initial, M. Seph holds it up to his nostrils and closes his eyes inhaling deep from the scent of it. His face twists in a smile as he pockets the letter. He then turns and begins to walk into the foyer, the grand hallway of the manor house. The room is massive with cherry wood paneling all along the frame. The floor boards are mahogany with a deep rich stain and in the center of the room sits a massive statue of marble. An indoor fountain which holds a statue of the Fallen One himself standing in victory holding high a sword with one hand and a title with the other. Surrounding him at points of north south east and west are four figures. Women gazing up at him with mouths agape. Two are that of angels and two are that of demons, all gazing lovingly at the man in the center, their eyes fixated on his triumph. Seph only smiled as he gazed up at it.*
Seph: What wonder, what joy, what more exquisite sin then vanity? Alas even I am guilty of it. There is nothing wrong with mere idol worship... instead what I am talking about is the idea of superiority. The idea that somehow in your mind you view yourself as an equal to someone greater than yourself. Can your glories be immortalized as mine? Can they even be compared? Have you held the world in your hands? Have the skies fallen to worship at your feet? Has the ocean held back it's fury to say that you are worthy? Can you hold back the ravages of time itself to prove your superiority? No? Then you will never EVER be deserving of this title. I am that which cannot die! I am the perfect predator! I am he whose name you do not speak for fear I will hear it and sit beside you. I have supped with death. I have fought with Angels. I have walked the whole of this earth, so that the dirt on my feet has traces of every known spot on this pathetic spinning celestial orb? What have you done? Oh... wait right. You beat Angel.
*Seph tosses his head back in a laugh. Suddenly the screen statics for a second and then a loud series of audience laughter comes from the living room. The camera visibly jumps but Seph only turns and walks around the statue. Seph merely walks to the living room and as the camera follows it reveals the TV is mysteriously on and extremely loud as an episode of "I Love Lucy" plays, the same scene over and over causing the audience laughter to continuously play. The camera looks to the side as Seph pulls out the plug that was already not in any socket. Seph just stands and looks up and with a loud voice speaks one word.*
Seph: ENOUGH!
*Suddenly the screen goes dead and the camera man looks at the TV then back to Seph.*
Man: What was that? How did you do that?
Seph: Do what?
Man: You mean you didn't see...?
*Seph just smiled*
Seph: What? Oh the TV? You'll find this house is full of surprises. Even more so then I.
*Seph just chuckles darkly*
Seph: Nothing to be too alarmed about. You will be safe as long as you don't wander off by yourself. Come... let us go visit my daughter...
Man: Daughter? But there is no one...
*The tape statics for a second before reemerging in front of a pair of double doors on the second floor. Seph is already in mid point conversation as the screen opens on the sight of it.*
Seph: ... a good girl. I am very proud of her. She has always done right by me.
*He opens the door revealing a large nursery room. The room is decorated with two unmade cribs in the far corner next to a rotunda like window. A large standing mirror sits in the center of the room. The camera slightly statics as Seph goes inside. His face surveying the room.*
Seph: Watch out for the dolls...
*The camera pans down as the cameraman steps over a small porceline doll as he steps further inside.*
Seph (off screen):... these toys sometimes have a mind of their own.
*The camera then looks up again as Seph stares at a tiny ancient looking porceline tea set. Well preserved and polished. The camera looks to and fro especially at the wall of dolls lining one side of the room taking in the entirety of the sight. The camera then pans back to Seph as the man behind the camera asks a simple question.*
Man: Well, where is she?
Seph: Hmmm... I don't know.
*Seph walks slowly to the mirror in the room staring into it.*
Man: Your not concerned you can't find your daughter?
*Seph just adjusts his outfit looking in the mirror...*
Seph: I am sure she's here... somewhere.
*Suddenly the camera statics a bit. Multiple times before cutting to a strange scene. The scene is that of a circular glass picture frame of Seph adjusting himself as if looking in the mirror. The area around it is pitch black when suddenly a woman in a mail carrier outfit leaps in front of the glass oval. She pounds her fist in desperation on the glass calling out in a silent scream. Suddenly a girl appears in view behind her. Her long hair falling in her face like some Japanese horror, her cute black sundress like that of a girl in her early years of life. The girl simply grabs the woman from behind and pulls her away as the mail carrier woman reaches out desperately before vanishing in the dark...
the camera statics back to the previous scene and the sound restores itself as the cameraman breathes heavily from what he just witnessed. Seph just turns*
Seph: Is something wrong?
Man: What? Um... no... no, it's nothing.
Seph: Well, I feel like a hot bath.
*With that the cameraman simply nods when suddenly the low battery sign comes on the camera.*
Man: Sh*t, let me change this...
*The camera statics once more before going black.*
Part 3: An incident at Du Lac Manor
*The camera reopens on a luxurious bedroom complete with four post canopy bed. The curtains are heavy and crushed red velvet. The sheets a beautiful crimson red with gold baroque patterns interwoven in the material. The pillows are goose down and hand sewn with real velvet. The camera hears the sound of old Victrola music playing as it pans around. A doorway comes into view revealing Sephiroth du Lac sitting in a bathtub. A bottle of Absinthe sits on a small cart nearby along with a glass of greenish white liquid and a box of sugar cubes. Seph sinks into the tub. Steam visibly rising from the tub as he luxuriates in soaking himself in it. He grabs a nearby razor and a small pink envelope from the small counter. The camera pans away taking a look at a nearby Victorian chair setting next to the fireplace in the room. A beautiful portrait of a woman with raven black hair sits above the fireplace. As the camera pans some more we see a violin sitting in the corner of the room along with a painter's easel. Suddenly Seph makes a loud laugh. The camera pans back to him.*
Man: What is it?
Seph: Huh? Oh, nothing. Maria simply had a wonderful time. She was thanking me for the flowers. She is such a beauty. One of the true rarities in this world. A virtuous woman.
*The camera pans away again as if not paying attention.*
Man: Huh? Oh... that's great, Mr. Du Lac.
Seph (Off screen): Isn't it just?
*The water splashes off camera as the camera pans to the doorway revealing a small girl with golden eyes peering at the camera before smiling and running off. The cameraman quickly runs to the doorway to find the girl again revealing only a long empty hallway. The camera pans back toward the bathroom doorway before turning back to the hall and the camera once more continues walking down the long hallway. The sound of the TV can be heard downstairs playing the same news footage over and over...*
TV (Off screen): Reports of several individuals reported missing in the midland forests of New York today. Three members of a camera crew and a reporter for the prominent WGRH news team reportedly went missing while shooting on location in the forests near an uncharted piece of wilderness. Reports suggest that...
*The camera pans through each step. Revealing beautiful hand carved mantle pieces and various paintings. Some paintings are merely portraits while others are of such macabre work that it is a wonder if the artist was sane or not. The camera suddenly passes by the grand staircase and pans down revealing the fountain, now mysteriously running, flowing red colored water out of the mouths of the angels and demons. The TV is barely visible as he pans back to the path before him. The doll from earlier sits in the middle of the hall and the camera gives it a wide birth as it walks by. At last it comes to the nearly the end of a long hallway. Slowly the camera approaches a strange alcove with steps leading up. A girls laughter can be heard up the steps and the camera moves quickly to look up them. Revealing a foreboding looking door slam shut at that very moment. The camera stops and looks back down the hall then back to the door. As if pondering it's next move. It goes to step on the first step when suddenly a cane comes into view blocking the path. The camera slowly turns revealing Seph, fully dressed looking at the camera.*
Seph: What did I tell you about wandering off?
Man: I was just...
Seph: I KNOW what you were going to do!
Man: Sorry, I... where does that go?
Seph: The attic...
*The camera looks back up toward the door. It opens just a fraction slowly creaking it's old rusty hinges as if does. He looks back at Seph as he places his hand down unblocking the path. The camera looks up at the door then back at Seph then finally shakes itself as if shaking it's head no. Seph then lets his hair fall down in his face nodding a bit.*
Seph: Shall we finish up?
Man: Yeah, I think that would be best.
Seph: Yes, we haven't much time.
*The camera moves back a bit stepping back as Seph looks into the camera and adjusts himself before speaking.*
Seph: In summary, Doc, let me just say this. In the end at a Night to Remember there will be no more running. No more hiding behind kind words. No more kindnesses of any kind. It will be just you and I. Toe to toe... face to face... eye to eye and when the lights go out. When my hand is raised in victory. When it's all said and done... you'll ask yourself. Why didn't I just take the easy path? Why didn't I just walk away? Because in the end there will be only one left standing and it will be me.
*The camera drops pointing itself toward Seph's feet. As the two men converse.*
Seph (off screen): Can you work with that?
Man(off screen): Yeah, I think I can edit that into...
*Suddenly the camera goes static again and the sound of a door flinging open fills the air then screams as the camera jerks to and fro. The camera hits the ground and becomes unfocused as the sight of a blurry man being pulled by some unseen hand into a large doorway can be seen. The door slams shut with appropriate sound and the camera sits in stillness and silence. Suddenly the camera moves again and looks up at a blurry figure. As the camera slowly becomes focused again we see it is only Sephiroth staring down at the camera with a stern glance. He sighs aloud and looks up then back down at the camera.*
Seph: As I said before, Doc, in the end there WILL be only one left standing... Me.
*With that he reaches up on the camera and the screen goes one final time to static and then black. As the blackness fills the screen the following words appear on the screen.*
The previous promotion was sent in anonymously to NCW offices in a nondescript envelope with no return address.
Cameraman Derek Young is still missing as of the date of this airing. If you have any information on his whereabouts please contact NCW offices or call...
1-800-555-8649
Cameraman Derek Young is still missing as of the date of this airing. If you have any information on his whereabouts please contact NCW offices or call...
1-800-555-8649