Experiment – Socializing With Others

The bar was bright with fluorescent lights, which is why the SOLDIER chose this particular environment. The humans here were sensible enough to avoid the strobe lights that were of far more use on a battlefield then other places. The General and his two friends had been informed earlier that week by their scientists and doctors that social interaction was a required part of their growth as commanding officers.

They were expected to indulge and learn self discipline by going out and having 'fun'. As Professor Hojo had explained to him and his companions, the company needed to make sure the commanding officers understood why some officers would go awol for a good time or why a trooper might be inclined to break the rules. Apparently, an emotionally stunted General was not good for advertising when the man barely smiled.

So here he was on President Shin-Ra's orders, though, not on the President's Gil. Every expense made was entirely up to him to cover however he could probably get Hojo to cover one cost or another. Especially if the man thought he would get something in return.

Genesis Rhapsodos had immediately used the excuse to attend an opera about his favorite book. Angeal had taken the chance to enroll himself in a program that involved charity work and spending time with children. As for Sephiroth... the great general had heaved himself off to the Turks for information regarding the various 'social scenes'.

Three of their members and Scarlet had vouched for the dance clubs while one of the Turks had handed him a sign about a bar under the plate. The bar was missing its sign, however that hardly mattered when he was able to actually quench some of his curiosity about the civilian public. The burn of alcohol down his throat created an interesting affect as his face twitched with discomfort. Then there was the women that sat beside him, asking him about his hair care, touching his hands, and generally making themselves a 'pleasant enough' distraction.

He had not remembered for her name though he thought it might have been something to do with an insect. The quiet spot he had found in a back room for some privacy was extremely useful to quench other appetites and the next morning left him with a new found clarity on hang overs.

He might have enjoyed the socializing however his common sense stung at his bank statement.

What he did not recall was why the name of the 'HoneyBee Inn' left a sour taste in his mouth when he got a glimpse of the people he had authorized to charge his card for refreshments and entertainment. The general glowered at the thirty thousand Gil charge and snapped his pen in half as soon as he signed off on the expense.

Taking his temper with him, Sephiroth stormed his way into Hojo's office and glared. He had been ordered to attend this appointment an hour ago when the Director had gotten a good look at his slumped stance.

"Perhaps you should have attended the company party like I originally suggested you would not be in such a state? Now, what exactly did you consume to put yourself in this state? I have informed you before that deviating from your diet would lead to an increase in chemicals that cause stress." Hojo stated not once looking up from his paper work as he continued making notations. Care of Sephiroth had always been a priority and yet the company had gone against his wishes and ORDERED his specimen to have 'fun'.

Sephiroth snarled at his father and slammed his bill down on the man's desk. "I want to extract information involving this facility from the owner."

"Pitiful. You went and over indulged your curiosity without your team mates and now you wish to involve me in your quest for revenge? I think not." Hojo responded as he stood up from his desk and motioned for Sephiroth to bare an arm. "I'll have to test your blood for poisons or some other such nonsense. Report to the TURKS about what you learned."

Hojo began to speak to himself at an audible level, though most of what he had to say came out mumbled. Drawing the blood, the scientist turned to glare at the teenager. "I did not train you to act that way. What if you had done something that damaged all the hard work we have accomplished? Everything could still be ruined."

"Would you rather I disobey the presidents orders?" he countered.

Hojo glared up at the silver haired man as Sephiroth stood there in front of him. "You were expected to do something responsible and gain some insight into your own behaviors so you could improve upon the SOLDIERs discipline."

Sephiroth narrowed his green eyes at his father, working out the argument he knew would win his case, when the man arched a brow at him. "What did you learn, Sephiroth?"

"Indulging my curiosity is expensive." he admitted, "Perhaps my choice of going to a bar was wrong..."

"The Honey Bee Inn is a brothel that serves alcohol to its visitors. It's a favorite place of the president, even." Hojo corrected him while rubbing the lens on his glasses clean with a cloth. "The expense on your card shows you indulged in more than drinks. You were a patron in full. Did you at least remember what I told you about protection?"

There was a long moment of silence.

Hojo sighed, mumbling under his breath about the possibilities of offspring to further his experiments. "What did the female look like?"

"She had dark hair, blue eyes, and a mark on her left shoulder. She was rather abrasive when she spoke." Sephiroth responded softly. The great general indeed... If Genesis was to ever learn of his misconduct he would never live down the humiliation, never minding the reaction from Angeal.

Hojo seemed to stop scribbling for a moment as he waited...

Sephiroth sighed aloud. "There was a woman with a feathered hairstyle. It was a light color, almost pink. She had this expression..."

"Captivating, I'm sure." Hojo murmured as he wrote this down as well. "Was there anyone else partaking of your adventures?"

"Not that I can recall." Sephiroth reported glumly. The haze in his memory was disquieting and disturbing. "I do not even recall how I returned to the Tower."

"You borrowed a motorcycle from the museum and tested your impaired reflexes while riding the Train back up here." Hojo responded. "I was already reviewing the case files made by the Turks from your time beneath the plate. Most impressive though your reasoning leaves much to be desired."

The silver haired general gave his so called father a disquieting look that spoke of murder should anyone discover his lack of rational thought. "Should I be concerned with anything else?"

"I will keep you apprised of the situation."