Author's Note: This is my first published fanfic, and I always love to hear criticisms, ideas, etc.! All characters of Final Fantasy VII are borrowed and not owned by me. Lissie Faremis is my OC, my creation.
Angeal, Genesis, and Sephiroth stood together, looking slightly uncomfortable. The men were used to fighting anything that came their way, but when it came to formal dinners, they were less prepared.
"I wish we didn't have to come to these things," Angeal complained, stretching. It was obvious he'd much rather be in training.
"They just want to congratulate themselves for all the hard work we do. We can leave soon," Sephiroth responded.
"I'm having fun," Genesis declared energetically. "This beats cleanup work any day."
The men scanned the room for someone amusing to talk to. The dance floor was fairly crowded with dignitaries and Shinra employees. Past the dancers, Sephiroth could see dozens of small, round tables with tea lights. Rufus Shinra was there, sitting with the board of directors. The next table over held Professor Hojo and his assistants, here because they were summoned and looking fairly unhappy about it. A group of women were near the SOLDIERs, talking excitedly. One dark-haired beauty said something much to the amusement of the women around her, who all laughed cheerfully.
"Hello," Genesis whistled, checking out the brunette. Her back was to them, and they could see it all, from her shoulder to her waist, in a backless dress the color of oceanic waves during a thunderstorm. A redhead noticed Genesis staring and nudged the dark-haired woman, who turned to look at the three men, revealing a pretty face. Bright red lips fashioned into a closed smile under a small nose and imperiously arched eyebrows, causing ample cheekbones to rise attractively. Her curious gray eyes flicked past Angeal and Genesis and stayed on Sephiroth, who was openly staring back at her. The woman whispered in her friend's ear and headed over, alone, to where the three men were standing.
"Sephiroth! It's been much too long," she exclaimed, clasping his hand. Her hair was pulled into an elegant updo, but a few wisps of curls were falling from it rebelliously.
"Hello, Lissie," Sephiroth said pleasantly.
"It's nice to see you again," Lissie said. She smiled openly this time, revealing white, even teeth, slightly bigger in the front.
"And for I to see you. Care to dance?"
He started walking toward the dance floor.
Before Lissie could reply, Genesis grabbed Sephiroth's arm. "Wait, wait, wait!" Genesis said. "Who's this lovely thing, and how does she have the dishonor of knowing you?"
Angeal cracked a smile at this, saying, "You've been holding out on us, Sephiroth."
Sephiroth chuckled darkly. "Leave her alone, you wolves. Perhaps I should better introduce the three of you. This heartbreaker," he lightly punched Genesis on the shoulder, "is Genesis, my oldest friend at SOLDIER. Don't let him near you." Genesis and Angeal laughed at this, Genesis shaking his head in protest. "And this one," Sephiroth continued, looking amused, "is Angeal. He's more sensible, but still just as dangerous." Angeal nodded at Lissie, smiling. "Men, I'd like to introduce Lissie Faremis." Sephiroth looked smug, now that he had revealed who this woman was.
"You serious?" Genesis' eyes widened. "Was Professor Faremis your father?"
"The very same," Lissie answered, rolling her eyes.
Sephiroth frowned at this. He really respected the man, so any indication of contempt for the late professor made him annoyed.
"Sephiroth and my father used to spend hours discussing scientific discoveries, and, every once in a while, they would use some time to talk with me."
"Your father was a great man," Angeal noted, trying to defuse the situation. Sephiroth calmed, nodded.
"He was," Lissie assented, smiling at Angeal with a little too much sweetness to be considered sincere. "His work did seem very important to him."
Sephiroth didn't like her tone, or what she was insinuating. "Lissie," he gently chided, "he made revolutionary advances in technological warfare, among other things. Many men's lives have been saved due to his research."
"Those men would not have died anyway, had they stayed home and not illegally moved into another nation's territory," Lissie responded, smoothing her hair with golden nails. "But then, I suppose we don't count Wutai deaths as losses."
"Of course we wouldn't," Sephiroth snorted. "And we are there in retaliation, with the President's blessing."
"Oh, that is all you need? The President's blessing?" Lissie's cloudy eyes were burning dangerously. "Do you not find that a little too subservient of you?"
"Hey, now, let's play nicely," Genesis stepped in, putting himself between Lissie and Sephiroth. "Dance with me, little darling," he said, pulling her to the dance floor. Sephiroth's eyes flashed as he stomped off, Angeal trailing behind him.