[Action post with Shelke]

[moralmisconduct]

[The night is painted loosely on the sky. Hojo takes a jacket and opens the apartment door.]

Shelke, I'm going out.

Comments

[tracedmemories]

[ Shelke does not even look up from what she is doing on her handheld terminal, still busy at work trying to correct the grievous error from the other day. She is trying to streamline the code somehow, make it more effective, more efficient, better at safeguarding the Professor's frail life. ]

I will be here.

[moralmisconduct]

[Approaching midnight, rough footsteps sounded outside the apartment, and the door opened and slammed shut with a bang. Hojo leaned against it for a moment, breathing and heartbeat both shallow, before stumbling in to support himself against the sofa in the living room.]

Shelke? SHELKE!

I've had- a brilliant... REVELATION!

Shelke! Come here!

[tracedmemories]

[ The sudden sound of the door slamming makes Shelke jump and her eyes go wide as her gaze snaps over to the door. She takes a moment to assess him before the stench of alcohol drifts into the room and answers all her questions. Upon being summoned, she frowns a second before dutifully complying, padding across the apartment to Hojo's side.

Sigh.

It's not the first time she's seen someone in such a state, given where she's lived the past few years.

Having to deal with him, though, is another thing entirely. ]

Yes, Professor?

[moralmisconduct]

[He peers at her through the gloom, though it isn't quite her he is looking at. Past the small figure of Shelke, phantoms of all his failures, all the derision and frustrations he had endured, coalesce in a mocking dance.]

It's so simple. Sweet Leviathan, why did I not think of this-

[His legs stop being supportive. He sits down next to the sofa, head hanging.]

Hehehe... I just need... My empire back. Begin my climb back to power! Resources...at my fingertips... Then- Then I could...

Ahhh, Shelke... Get me the number... of Rufus Shinra.