It was a clear sunny day of Spring and nothing could darken it no matter how many clouds were gathering from time to time.

"Finally, my chance is here."

For Eloise Fair, that sunny day of Spring was the day she joined Shinra as a 3rd class SOLDIER. It was like a dream come true. She wasn't as excited to begin her new training as to see her older brother, Zack. They've been working in different places and Zack would rarely visit their parents.

Her bright blue eyes widened in excitement as she walked inside the Shinra building. It was different than anything she had seen before, as an officer. The building was so high that it gave the impression it could reach the sun and inside, it was pretty much like a labyrinth.

Her eyes fell over every door and every corridor, her head swirling with curiosities. She wanted to figure what was happening behind every door in that building, if she could.

"I wonder if he'll be happy to have me around..." Eloise mumbled, feeling like reality was finally settling in.

She didn't announce her brother of her arrival. Actually, she didn't tell him anything at all! Eloise has been working as an officer for a while and she avoided meeting Zack in missions.

"You mean me?" Her eyes widened and she turned quickly to face Zack. He had a wide smile plastered on his face. "I'm happy you're here, Eloise."

"Really?"

He nodded, his smile never leaving his face. Those words meant a lot to her. She felt like she already accomplished half of her dream by standing in the same building with her brother.

"And who is this young lady?" The new voice made the two siblings stop their conversation.

Eloise was a little taken aback by the older man but Zack's happiness level just increased.

"Young lady?" She mumbled under her breath.

That man was definitely different than the men she had met when she was still an officer. The level of diplomacy was rising conform to the level of the skills, probably. Besides that, he was handsome. He didn't look that old butlooked like an older version of Zack which was a bit strange to see.

"Angeal this is my sweet, dear, extraordinary, funny, happy, messy younger sister, Eloise." Zack responded in one breath.

Eloise blinked twice before chuckling. Zack was the same bubbly older brother that she could always rely on. She smiled softly, knowing that she had someone to hold onto.

"And Elly he is my mentor, Angeal Hewley. He is a 1st class SOLDIER."

Eloise's eyes traveled to Angeal's. Even though they both had blue eyes, his were infused with mako; a lot of it. But there was something different about him, something that didn't have anything to do with mako or his appearance. He was soft and kind. She could see that reflecting into his eyes. It gave her more confidence, actually.

"You are his mentor. Then, does that mean you have to put up with his antics?" Angeal nodded while giving a soft chuckle. Eloise continued, "Does he follow you around like a lost puppy?" She wasn't joking even if it did sound like it. Zack was that kind of guy. If he'd hold admiration for something or someone, he'd transform into a lost puppy.

Angeal cracked a smile and nodded, "Indeed, he does."

Eloise watched Angeal and Zack as the younger of the two started complained to his mentor that he was not making him look cool in front of the family, as Zack put it. Eloise's eyes moved on Angeal and she tilted her head to the side.

"So you are one of the legends, right? One of the three 1st class SOLDIERs?" She asked, her bright eyes staring holes into Angeal's face.

Angeal nodded and smirked, glancing at Zack from the corner of his eye, "I can't see how she is your sister. She is definitely more perceptive than you were."

Zack seemed quite shocked by the way his mentor was siding with his younger sister. He looked surprised at his mentor and scoffed playfully. Eloise shook her head at Zack's childish behavior. It didn't look like he was the older one at all.

"Can you show me where the lounge is? I heard they have the newest technology in here and I'd like to try those huge plasma TVs."

Zack started to laugh while Angeal looked a little taken aback. Even if she looked more mature than Zack, they were definitely a family and would place fun before anything else.

They had to go back from where she first left. They walked through a lot of floors and even took the elevator until they entered the lounge room. There weren't many people lurching around but that didn't matter; what mattered was the room itself. It was wide and had even bigger windows; there was a huge TV in the room, suspended on the wall and a lot more however, there were just two long couches and they looked small compared to the number of SOLDIERs.

"It's incredible!" She was in awe. Eloise already labeled that room as one of her favorite places in the building; not that she had seen it entirely. The girl walked towards the windows and gasped. The scenery was beautiful

"So this is where you disappeared, Angeal,"

Eloise turned her head quickly and stared into a beautiful pair of grey eyes. He was tall and had a different aura around him. He was like a statue: standing beautiful and proud among commoners.

His eyes traveled to Zack first. "The puppy is with you, like always." It didn't sound as insulting as were the words. When he finally noticed her, he raised an eyebrow. "And who might you be?"

"You're Sephiroth," She breathed out, completely shocked to see him in front of her. "You're a legend. When I was an officer, I heard stories about you."

He chuckled, though it didn't sound like he was amused at all. Zack rolled his eyes and placed his hands on her shoulders, assuring her that getting intimidated in Sephiroth's presence was normal. But on the other side, she just met Sephiroth! She didn't know how she should feel. Should she be scared or excited?

"Were the stories good or bad?" Sephiroth asked, amusing himself with the young Fair.

She blinked a few times and shrugged. When Zack felt her relax under his touch, he retracted his hands and walked beside Angeal. That left Eloise and Sephiroth, staring into each other's eyes.

"Should I lie or tell you the truth?"

Surprisingly, Sephiroth started to laugh, though it didn't sound like laughter. It sounded like he was restraining himself a lot. He bent a little to be at her level and responded.

"Aren't them all the same?"

Eloise was bit perplexed by his behavior but she didn't back off or get worked up. She only continued to stare into his grey eyes and responded.

"No. In some stories you represent perfection, the hero that everyone wants to become. But in other stories, you represent the danger of perfection. When someone is too good, there's the risk he is not real."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to her face. That was one way of putting the problem. He could remark potential in her. She had the attitude of a fighter but he still didn't know how good she was in combat. However, he already decided what her role was going to be.

"I like you." Everyone seemed surprised by his statement.

"Aren't those big words for someone your status, Sephiroth? You can't take her as your protegee." Angeal interfered, glancing between Eloise and Sephiroth with worry.

The taller man glanced to his friend. "Why not? You have your Fair puppy, can't I take his sister as mine?"

Zack frowned and looked at his sister, who seemed to be thinking deeply about what Sephiroth just affirmed. Angeal shook his head and walked in between the girl and Sephiroth. Both of them could already foresee a long discussion that was going to bore Sephiroth and he quite disliked the thought of Angeal's stories about SOLDIER pride and responsibility.

"I'd like that, if the offer is still available." The two legends turned to the younger girl and waited for her to continue. "I want to become one of the best SOLDIERs. There is no better way than getting trained by Sephiroth himself."

Angeal was speechless while Sephiroth had the ghost of a winning smirk. Zack was still seizing the offer and wasn't sure if Sephiroth could increase Eloise's skills when last time he saw her, she couldn't defend herself well and had trouble holding a sword.

"I guess, from now on, I am Sephiroth's protegee then?"

Saying it out-loud was making it feel like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Looking into Sephiroth's eyes, Elosie felt like things were going to change a lot in her life and she couldn't help but look forward to it.