Ever a Soldier
by Thestral's Wish
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Footsteps.
They were loud enough to be obvious even to someone without enhancements. To him, they were almost painfully loud in the empty hallways. Resisting the urge to sigh, he melted back into a nearby alcove, waiting. Watching.
Three adults, closely trailed by a fourth, smaller form. He had only heard the three; the child was good. Either that, or she knew him. He wouldn't care to bet as to which one.
Still, he did have to wonder why they were headed toward the good doctor's laboratory. Even he, with his fascination for odd sciences, kept far, far away when he could. Memories stayed him-- old, old memories that weren't quite his, of a sniveling idiot in a floating chair, a striking woman with white hair and the gates of hell that looked just like her.
The doctor's latest experiment (he had been unable to resist going to look when he heard through one of the aides-- like picking at a scab, you know it hurts but can't stop) was doomed to failure. And, if he had to hazard a guess, these four were about to make that experiment even more of a failure.
He had always been good at reading people.
One, with spiky blond hair and dark clothes that fit him like a glove; a gigantic sword casually slung across his back, brilliant blue eyes glowing slightly. Quiet. Calm. Completely unlike an irritating redhead, and yet at the same time so like him that the hidden soldier didn't know what to think, for once.
Two, with long dark hair and an impressive bust; sturdy leather gloves, mellow brown eyes. Nervous. Wary. Vaguely like someone else's young sister.
Three, with cornrowed black hair and solid build; a prosthetic arm that could easily reform into a deadly weapon, watchful black eyes. Tense. Apprehensive. The biggest unknown.
And four, with pigtailed hair gravitating between black and brown and the slight stature of a child; a stick in her hand and a doll on her shoulders, expressive chestnut eyes. Responsible. Carefree. A study in opposites, as ever.
She slowed as they passed his alcove, and at the back of the group it was mostly unnoticed. Deliberately, she turned to face him, mouthing a single word very carefully: 'Boooooo.' He could almost hear her again, berating him for his straight-faced humor.
Allowing himself a small smile, he took one careful step forward, not quite out of his concealment, and flicked his fingers at her in the age-old 'go away' gesture. Only for him and her, it was more like, 'go away, you short petulant money-loving child' and she knew he never really meant it.
She stuck her tongue out at him before following the others.
He waited until they were gone before heading in the opposite direction.
They had known each other, ten lives and a thousand years ago. They still knew each other, and he knew that where she was, trouble -- and a good cause -- was never far behind.
He took the stairs down and left the building, though he didn't go far, only around to the back door. He'd catch them as they came out.
He never could resist a chance to bait her.
Word Count: 541(or it was...)
Crossing: Final Fantasy VII and Tales of the Abyss
Comments: I have never actually played FFVII, but I have studied it extensively; please pardon any glaring errors. This is an odd sort of fusion/crossover thing, operating on the premise that the group, or at least Jade and Anise of TotA, have been reborn over many worlds multiple times with memories intact. Completely implausible except by deus ex machina, I know. But the idea wouldn't leave me alone.
Want to continue in this vein? Have actually played both games? Just give me some credit and let me know- it's hard to find good crossovers.
---Thestral's Wish