As the the day progressed, Eloise got quite a boost from having a newfound mentor, especially Sephiroth who was the great hero of the age. Zack wasn't on the same trail as her, he was more worried than anything else and he wasn't sure if it was because of Sephiroth and his firm appearance or the way he fights so violently. Did he really want Eloise to end up fighting like that? Could she even last for more than a week?
Zack sighed and pressed the button for her floor. Looking at her back, it was obvious she was trembling in excitement and she was happy. Zack shook his head and tried to think positively.
Eloise found her room on the 25th floor. It wasn't anything fancy but it was moderate. It looked like a 5 star hotel room, if she were to be sincere. She was content with her new lifestyle.
While she was looking through her new room, Zack rubbed his neck nervously, "You know, if you want I can talk to Angeal and then maybe-"
Eloise rolled her eyes and threw one of the smaller pillows at his face. "It's fine. I want Sephiroth as my mentor. He is the best, right?" Zack nodded. "Then he will help me improve. I didn't enter SOLDIER just for fun, Zack. I want to do something meaningful. I want to help people and help construct a better world."
"Are you sure SOLDIER is the best place you can do that?"
She nodded confidently. "If it will make me stronger, then yes." She sighed and jumped on the bed. "In the end, what can go wrong?"
Zack had a few ideas listed somewhere in a notebook.
That night, Eloise was so excited that she had to go to the bathroom on numerous times. It was around 4 in the morning when she decided she had enough and wanted to get some fresh air. Unfortunately, she didn't know any balcony or any other room except the lounge and she wasn't even sure she could remember the way there. She walked groggily towards the elevator and waited patiently for it. While standing there, half asleep, she heard the sound of footsteps coming from down the hall.
"And who might you be?" He asked but she didn't respond. "Aren't you going to respond to my question, newbie?"
She rolled her eyes and glanced at him over her shoulder. Her eyes widened, surprised by what was standing there nonchalantly. He was taller than her, he was very handsome, he had red hair and he was carrying a book. But, what impressed Eloise were his eyes; his eyes were mako infused too but so clear and beautiful.
"Eloise Fair. I am the new 3rd class SOLDIER." She mumbled loud enough for him to hear.
The man walked closer to her and stopped right beside her. He titled his head so that he could see her face better. It looked like he scanned her quickly, maybe looking for some kind of threat. He found none so he smirked and started to recite from his book out loud.
"Don't you know it's rude to stare?" He asked, though he wasn't even looking at her. His eyes were glued to the book. She didn't even realize she was staring until he told her.
"I am not interested in your book. Why don't you read silently, onlyfor yourself?" Eloise snapped, completely forgetting that he was a stranger and could easily overpower her if he wanted to.
With slow moves, he placed the book into his jacket and continued to stare at the elevator. When it finally arrived on their floor, the two entered in complete silence. That, until the man turned to her.
"Where does the newbie want to go at this hour?" His voice was deep and husky; manly.
"The lounge." She answered coldly.
The man pushed the button for her level first. It wasn't that far, the lounge was only 5 levels below. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and inspected him.
"Who are you?" She asked after minutes of silence.
The man chuckled but they already arrived on the 20th level. She exited the elevator but still turned to take a last look at the mysterious man.
"Why don't you find that out on your own, newbie?" He smirked devilishly right before the elevator doors closed.
The next morning was awful. Eloise woke up on the couch, in the lounge, her hair a mess and her face swollen. She had halos because she couldn't sleep enough and her excitement died fast. She glanced to the watch and realized she had to attend her new training session in 2 hours.
"You again." She was waiting for the elevator, like she did before. Somehow, the one who got out of it was the same guy as before. He didn't even glance at her and just passed her by.
She had to take a shower, tame her black hair and dress in the uniform. However, when she walked out of her room, she realized she didn't know where she was supposed to go. Eloise went back to the lounge and started to look for a map or something helpful. Fortunately, Angeal was there. He smiled kindly at her and patted her head, like you do to a puppy. She shook his hand off and narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Careful, Angeal. This puppy might bite you." The same husky voice stated from the door.
She tensed at the all too familiar voice.
"I'm not a puppy!" She grumbled, trying to re-arrange her hair.
However, the man came closer and messed her hair again with a content smirk on his face.
"No. You are the new source of entertainment."
She glared at him and scoffed before waving at Angeal and leaving the lounge.
"I just have to find the training room and everything will be fine." Eloise mumbled on the way down a random corridor.
It's been half an hour and she was in front of another elevator. She was late for her first training lesson as a SOLDIER and she knew that wouldn't look good in her file. She was growing frustrated.
"Come on, how hard can it be to find it? There has to be some noise coming from that room." Her patience was running low. That wasn't obvious on her face but it was on her behavior; she was hitting the elevator button rapidly, hoping that it would come faster.
"Still didn't find it, hm?" That voice just made the whole situation worse. Eloise didn't need to turn her head to know who was behind her.
"We should stop meeting at the elevator..." She mumbled rubbing her neck tiredly.
The man chuckled and took his respective place next to her. It was the third time in a day and a half. Why couldn't she have met Zack or Angeal instead? Why him? Why the redhead?
"But then it will take away the mysterious theme of our story." The strange redhead added cockily.
She scoffed, "This is not a story. We're not living in a fairytale." She glanced at him and saw the book he was holding tightly on. "At least, I don't. You seem to be quite fond of stories."
He raised an eyebrow and directed his attention on his precious book.
"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess." She raised an eyebrow ad watched him silently. "We seek thus, and take to the sky." He stopped when the elevator doors opened and they both walked in. He pushed the button for the 10th floor and for the 30th floor. The redhead was ready to continue when she interrupted.
"What is on the 10th floor?" She was genuinely curious.
"The training room for the 3st class SOLDIERs."
"Then what is on the 30th floor?"
He smirked. "The training room for the 1st and 2nd class SOLDIERS."
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted.
"So, that means Sephiroth will be there the whole day?" The man was curious how she knew Sephiroth. He was quite famous for his legendary fighting skills but she sounded like she had met him already. "Will he?" She repeated, growing annoyed with the lack of answers.
"Is there a reason for your question?"
Eloise nodded and smirked."Sephiroth is my mentor." She affirmed proudly.
For a moment, the redhead looked like he didn't believe her. If she was the sister of Zack Fair, then she was a bad liar, just liker her brother and if that was right, he had a few questions for the hero.
When the elevator arrived on the 10th floor, Eloise tried to walk out but someone stopped her. He pulled her back in and kept a strong grip on her arm until the doors closed and the elevator started to move again.
"What are you doing?" She hissed, squirming in his grasp.
"We're going to see just how good you are to have Sephiroth as your mentor." His eyes were bright and had a glint of mischievousness. He was bad news.