I sighed and put my hands on my hips, staring down the entrance door into the ShinRa building from its rooftop. The chopper behind me was still shutting down, so the blades buffeted me with wind. Finally, as I was the only one left on the dark rooftop, I hung my head low and reentered ShinRa headquarters.
The elevator doors opened, and the nearby SOLDIERs started clapping.
"Hey, Hail! Nice job!"
"Yeah, who would've thought that a 3rd Class could do that!"
I ignored their praise, and hurried past them. They didn't know anything about what had happened in my mission. They should have at least known that people died though. Why were they still clapping for me?
"Hail!" I lifted my head at the sound of my name being called from across the floor. I only knew one person who was that loud. A tall, black haired teenager hurried over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, how'd it go?" I shook my head.
"Bad. I mean, the mission was taken care of, and all the citizens were safe, but…we lost a bunch of Infantrymen in an accident." I looked up, into the other SOLDIERs radiant blue eyes. "It was my fault, Zack." He instantly shook his head.
"You did what you could. Everyone knows the risks going into a mission. So don't start talking like that." He slowly bent his head down to see my face, as if to make sure that I wasn't crying. He knew that I'd been such a crybaby as a kid, but since SOLDIER, I hadn't been that weak. That's how I made it into SOLDIER. I was emotionally stable. Mentally strong. I sighed and wiped my hands over my dry eyes.
"And guess what? Lazard wants to talk." I informed him.
"I think he's raising you to 2nd Class now. Even if you aren't proud, your job at the reactor saved a lot of civilians, and ShinRa's ass." Zack tried a smile. "These purple uniforms are pretty sexy, you know?" I smiled at that. Zack never said 'sexy'. I nodded, feeling just a little better.
"I still screwed up." He sighed, and shook his head.
"Don't start brooding. Go see Lazard."
I took the elevator a few more floors up, and the doors revealed a relatively empty room. A blonde man sat in the large chair lather desk chair, and beside him stood a familiar 1st Class SOLDIER. The SOLDIER wore an outfit of red leather over his standard uniform, and flashed me a serious stare as I approached the desk. I was curious as to what the look meant, but I didn't have time to think about it before the Director stood up behind the desk.
"Hail Darvey, 3rd Class SOLDIER?" I nodded.
"Yes sir."
"And you were…" He glanced at the folder on his desk. I noticed my picture clipped to the pages. "in charge of the mission, 'Nebilheim reactor siege'?"
"Yes sir." It was such a fancy name for a mission. Basically, a horde of monsters broke into the reactor, and the team I was with just happened to be nearest. As the most veteran SOLDIER in the bunch, which wasn't very promising since I was still only in 3rd Class, I'd been put in charge of the mission to eliminate all the monsters that snuck in. Though we'd been "successful" by completing our goal, I still felt like a failure.
Lazard nodded.
"After you entered the reactor, how did the mission go?" I swallowed quickly to wet my throat.
"My team and I were able to take the reactor in a grid-formation and eliminate the monsters efficiently. Though, one of the walkways above a mako pool broke due to damage inflicted by the chimera. Numerous Infantrymen fell." Lazard nodded.
"Would you say that the mission went well?" Damn. I'd been expecting this question, but I hadn't been able to think up a decent response. The goal was completed, but I felt unsuccessful because of all the people that died under my lead. It wasn't my fault since I had warned them of weak walkways, but…
"Yes. The goal was accomplished with minimal casualties and within the hour of being informed. Our priority, the civilians, were protected." Why did I settle with that response? Lazard looked at me for a moment longer, then nodded.
"Well said. Now, you obviously were called here for more than just a pep-talk. Hail Darvey, I'm pleased to announce that from this day until further advancement, you are SOLDIER 2nd Class." I nodded.
"Thank you very much sir." I saluted him and left soon after. The SOLDIER in red followed close behind.
"You don't believe that you did well, do you Hail?" I instantly shook my head.
"Minimal casualties or not, those were good men who died under my watch. It's a bad taste." I faced the SOLDIER. His outfit was adorned with eye-catching trinkets, and his chestnut hair was styled with careful, feathery sweeps. Genesis Rhapsodos, best-dressed first class SOLDIER, and my personal mentor. He sighed, and pulled an antique playbook to his eyes.
"The wind sweeps across the water's surface-" Genesis quoted.
"-quietly…but surly." I finished, pausing for dramatic effect. "Because of you, I've memorized every line in that incomplete play." He cocked his wrist and closed the notebook. I loved that sound- pages hitting each other. It didn't mean an end to random LOVELESS quotes though.
"You're the wind." He added. I let him pass me, his coat trailing him with even flaps. "Meet in the training room later. I'll get Angeal to bring Zack along as well." Now that cheered me up!
More training meant that I would get better. If I were stronger, than surly I would be able to care for my team more efficiently. Then again, it was Zack, so he would probably beat me up for a while before I could figure out how to counter it. "And change into your 2nd uniform already!" He called back. "Violet is a much more flattering color on you than that hideous blue." Was I to yell, or thank him?
Personally, I preferred the blue. Purple was supposed to be a feminine color, but thanks to all the men wearing it around, it looked almost masculine! I turned around twice in front of the mirror and put my hands on my back and leaned. There weren't many women in SOLDIER. I was one of the few that made it past 3rd Class, and I was the only one I knew who aspired for more. I was going to become 1st Class. Then, I would-!
"Hail?" The doors opened and Zack stuck his head inside. This instantly broke me out of my inspiring monologue.
"Hey- can't you knock? I could have still been changing!" He gasped and his face deepened to red.
"Oh- s-sorry!" Another disadvantage of being a girl in SOLDIER. The guys didn't really care if they saw each other naked, so knocking wasn't mandatory. "Well," He scratched his head and took a step inside. "Anyways, let's get going to the training room! It's time for your 2nd Class initiation!" Oh joy!
Usually, we just pulled out our swords and sparred, but today was a special occasion. We each put on a pair of hologram visors and went to opposite sides of the large training room. Angeal, SOLDIER first-class and Zack's mentor, watched from the thick windows. Zack flashed him a thumbs up, and Angeal put his hand to his face. At least he showed up to see Zack. Genesis never bothered with these little events, even if he'd put them together. The arena suddenly lit up, and the visors flashed signals before our eyes. I pulled my sword from the holster on my back and readied for a fight. I saw Zack grin and ready his blade as well, then the holograms blocked us from each other's views.
A few minutes later, we had found each other in the maze of holograms. I saw him first, but he was still able to dodge my surprise attack. I'd learned a long time ago that you didn't have to be too careful when practicing. Sure, the swords were real, but there was no killing intent. Since that was lacked in these training sessions, and two 1st Classes were monitoring us, there wasn't a chance for either of us to die. But that didn't mean we had much discression. We got competitive, and he didn't care much for the experience difference between us. I could hold my own, and that's all that mattered.
He threw his sword onto mine, and I was forced to use my palm to support the flat of the blade. I took a step back and redirected the attack to the side and drew my sword to his arm. He rolled, and came up with a swift attack from behind. I spun and caught the sword with a low block. We both were scathed and bruised by now, me more so, but the fact that he had a shallow cut across his nose cheered me up. That could have been his head.
"Got'cha!" My sword suddenly flew out of my hand, split down the middle all the way to the grip. The halves of my sword clattered to the ground. I didn't want to admit defeat- not yet! Not unless there was a sword on my throat, actually drawing blood. Even then I might consider something to get away, which would most likely contribute to my early-death. Zack's sword wasn't even pointed at me, and he knew he'd made that mistake. His eyes flashed to the blades.
"No you don't!" I rolled backwards and tossed the blades back into my hand, one in each fist. I looked silly enough then, but I had no idea that I would actually do better this way. He thought he got me, so he ran in with the intent to finish the fight. I sidestepped as usual, but this time I was able to trap his sword between the halves of mine. I was just as surprised, so he was able to pull away before I could follow up with any combinations. I gripped them and smiled. This time, I started the match. I dove in and parried his jabs with one blade and came over the sword to slice down. With one half of the blade, I could block and open him up to my attacks, and attack with the other. It was working out to my advantage until the thinner metal shattered. I was left with two stubs of a blade, and the grips. I sighed and tossed them to the ground.
"Hey, that was pretty good." Zack complimented as the virtual arena fell apart in cubes. I pouted by crossing my arms.
"Whatever."
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Hail. I'm just…amazing." I punched him in the arm as he passed.
"Your nose looks nice that way!" He put his hand across his face and frowned. Angeal clapped Zack on the back, then nodded towards me.
"Nice improvising there, Hail. Defiantly earned that purple." I returned the smile eagerly. "And you let your guard down!" He scolded Zack, and the young SOLDIER shrunk away like a puppy. While Zack was distracted, a red-leather clad SOLDIER made his way down the hall.
"Already over?" He inquired, his voice smooth as always.
"I bet you planned it that way so you wouldn't have to watch me loose."
"Possibly." He looked me over and shrugged. "Or, I didn't want to see you get all cocky and fail. Don't think you're all impressive now. You're still just 2nd Class. So don't go out and get drunk celebrating again." I clamped my mouth shut at this remark. He put a hand on his hip and flicked my side. "And not even any curve. When will you start looking like a woman anyways?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" I exclaimed, and he pulled his hand away when I tried to slap it. I crossed my arms and started back to the hallways. "Besides, you're feminine enough or the both of us." Angeal uttered a surprised laugh, overhearing the last bit of conversation.
"Hail Darvey, I like you more every day."