I hope you like this chapter :] Enjoy and review?
Disclaimer: Other than Mekina, I own none of this. It rightfully belongs to Square Enix.
Once you were out of the dorms, you had explored the building for almost an hour and a half, trying to get accustomed to where things were. Walking down another hall, you examined your surroundings and saw some stairs to the left. When you made it to the next floor, you scanned the hallway. Seeing no one was in sight, made you feel at ease. And then an idea came to you.
"I wonder if I can find that training room again?" You murmured to yourself before going deep in thought, trying to remember the way to get there.
When all of you were following the President around, he went to different floors to get to the lab so your mind was off big time at that part. Sighing, you looked down the hall in each direction. In the hall to your left, you saw some more stairs at the end of it. I think it might be on the 47th floor somewhere? You looked on the walls and saw a sign on the other side of the hall. You got closer to read 44th floor. You went up several more flights of stairs, until you were on the 47th floor, and began to open random doors wide enough just to peek in them. Sometimes you came across locked doors though, which you just left alone before continuing on to the next room.
After looking for another fifteen or so minutes, you were starting to get annoyed. How many rooms does one floor have anyway? You then went around a corner to check the other side, only to bump into someone, and fall back from the hard impact. Shiva, how hard is this person!? Ow...
"Can't you watch where you're going?"
Wincing up at the person, you saw that it was one of the men who showed you to your rooms. What was his name again? Genesis? "Sorry..."
Getting up from the ground, you quickly walked passed him, not wanting to converse with anyone for the time being. Genesis looked over his shoulder at you for a moment in thought. "Well you seem to be in a hurry. Or could it be that you're lost?" He questioned turning to you fully.
The tone he used had you pause in midstep before slowing to enough glance at him. "It's not really your business... but no, I'm not lost." You felt a little intimidated from how he was watching you, and turned back around to continue the search.
It may have been boredom taking to the SOLDIER, but it seemed like he was trying to have a little fun with you. "You know, that's no way to talk to a Commander." When those words escaped from his lips, you paused, coming to a stop.
Oh no, how could I forget something like that at a time like this? Suddenly, you became nervous. "Um..." Not use to using honorifics with people, you felt extremely awkward doing so now. You were sure you made quite the uncomfortable display to your superior. At least until the way the guards in your dream acted around the Chief came to mind. Using them as an example, you immediately stood at attention.
"Sorry, sir!"
You hoped you made a worthy imitation of those men long lost. All you wanted to do was leave, not liking the feeling of being alone with someone you hardly knew anything about. Especially an elite 1st class SOLDIER who was able to kill you in a matter of seconds if he really wanted to. Not that he would, of course, but just knowing that he was capable of such a thing was... frightening. An involuntary shiver ran through your spine as Genesis quietly examined you. You wanted to continue your search, but you didn't want to disrespect him even further by just walking away again, and if you stayed, you may end up looking like an idiot by getting even more nervous.
"At ease. Just don't let it happen again." The Commander nodded in approval, causing you to relax a bit.
"Alrigh- I mean, yes, sir!" Smooth...
That little mess up made you even more unneasy, but with now lightly flushing cheeks. He only lifted an eyebrow at this, and you could have swore that you heard a low chuckle from him as well. It was obvious he found this somewhat amusing. "I already told you to be at ease, SOLDIER."
"...Right," relaxing your posture hesitantly, you then murmured. "I'm just going to go back looking around now." Turning away, you walked back down the hall.
Yeah, that's right, you decided to leave before embarrassing yourself again. But at least you gave him a heads up as to what you were doing though, right? Genesis raised an eyebrow at your words before going after you, knowing you'll most likely end up lost if you already weren't, that is. He also knew that there could only be one reason for you to be on this high level floor, aside from the fact that the bedrooms were near.
"Are you looking for the training room?" You slowed to a stop, which had him smirk slightly. The SOLDIER then moved past you as if wanting you to follow him. Before doing so, however, you looked at your watch for a moment. 6:42 pm. Focusing on the Commander again, you uncomfortably trailed after him for several minutes.
"Here it is," Genesis said after you both went up two staircases and came to a stop in front of the training room door. He pulled out his keycard and slipped it through the machine. Even if I did find it I wouldn't have been able to go in! And to top it all off, it was two floors higher than the one I was searching on. The 49th floor... I'll try to remember that. "...Getting lost in thought is not a good trait for a SOLDIER to have," Genesis commented, standing inside waiting for you to come in. You didn't say anything and just went in.
He pulled out his PHS and began pressing buttons making everything change again. Watching the room turn into a flurry of pixels never failed to astonish you. Both of you were now standing on a giant pipe with canyons behind you, and the pipe was attached to what appeared to be some kind of building. There was an ocean below, and in the sky was the most amazing sunset you had yet to see. You couldn't help but to stare in awe at all the colorful hues that played in the heavens. It also seemed like every part of the ocean sparkled beneath the sun light. You were completely entranced.
It's so beautiful... In a daze, you went over to the edge of the pipe, and gazed at the ocean while Genesis followed a few feet behind you, watching you in light amusement. You sat down, hanging your legs over the edge before looking back up to the sunset. The atmosphere brought you into a peaceful comfort. Genesis walked over to you, watching the ocean glisten softly under the golden light.
"This is the first time I've ever seen the ocean," you spoke quietly as Genesis sat a little ways away from you.
"I was beginning to think that, judging from your reaction," the man spared you a glance. He was pleased to see you had taken quite the liking to the display he chose. Looking back to the scenery, the SOLDIER soon added. "Since you've already learned my name, I believe it's only fair to know of yours."
"It's Mekina, sir."
He gave a low hum at that. And then a somewhat comfortable silence cloaked you both for a time. This lasted until Genesis pulled a white leathered book out of his jacket to read. Not really paying him much mind, you continued letting your eyes slowly take in the surrounding area.
"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess. We seek it thus and take to the sky. Ripples form on the waters surface. The wandering soul knows no rest..."
Absorbing these words Genesis had randomly began saying, you looked to him in silent question. It took you a moment to realize he was quoting from the book. And curiously, you looked at it. "What's that?"
"LOVELESS," he replied, eyes glued to the page. "I do not doubt that you've heard of it."
"I've heard of it, but I'm not the most familiar with the story."
Genesis seemed to frown at that. "How tragic. You're missing out on a masterpiece."
Going silent in thought, you were unsure about how to respond to the SOLDIER. Although he did tell you to be at ease, so it should be okay for you to be a bit more open around him, right? You decided to give it a try.
"Oh really? What's it about then?"
His lips turned into a soft smirk. It wasn't everyday he came across someone willing to hear about his beloved book. "As tempting as it is to tell you the epic story, I think it would be for the best if you were to find out on your own," he told you in a smooth voice, never taking his eyes away from the book. "Simply being told it isn't anywhere near the experience of reading it word for word, not knowing what will happen next." You didn't know why, but hearing him go on about this was beginning to relax you. It was clear that he thought very highly of the story. Smiling, you decided to have a little fun with him.
"But what if I don't want to read it?"
Genesis' expression dropped. He was sure you were interested in the marvel. "My friend, the fates are cruel. There are no dreams, no honor remains. The arrow has left the bow of the goddess..." he then inquired. "Then why would you even ask what it's about?"
"Because I don't think I'll be able to read through everything when I finally get into training and missions."
"...Hmph. For using that as an excuse, I should make you read it between duties. Only when you are able to recite the whole story from memory alone will I have you stop."
Turning your attention to the glistening water, you held in a laugh at his threat. "I was telling the truth!"
"Don't tempt me."
He had to put into consideration that you probably weren't the type to appreciate such beautiful literature. Either that, or were just too young to really care for such things. Although age wasn't always the best factor to go by, seeing as he got into LOVELESS when he was still a child back in Banora. Then he looked at you from the corner of his eye.
"Just how old are you anyway?"
Now why did he suddenly want to know that? "I'm fifteen," not knowing what else to say, you examined him for a moment. "I bet I can guess your age." Only raising a brow in response, he watched you. You took this as a sign to give it a go. "You're twenty two?" This seemed to flatter him, but he didn't say anything. "Did I get it right?"
Without a word, he only lowered his head to read LOVELESS. Was he giving you the silent treatment now?
Realizing there was no way you'd get anything out of him, you frowned, and stared for a few seconds longer before looking back to the scenery. Paying attention to the area again helped make the displeased look vanish. It's still hard to believe this is just a simulation. You tried to take in and memorize every detail, from the metal pipe you sat on, to the water beneath your feet, to the softly colored sky. After several more minutes of silence, you closed your eyes and laid back against the pipe. Listening to the waves for a while you opened them again, watching the clouds slowly pass by in the breeze.
If only Midgar had skies like this...
A partial silence that was occasionally broken by Genesis quoting LOVELESS remained, but you didn't really mind it. Now if he had sounded like Hojo, then you would have minded. Your face scrunched up as you imagined Hojo trying to speak in a poetic tone. The two of you enjoyed the sound of the waves, and the breeze that blew against you both, gently ruffling at your hair. Some time went by until Genesis put LOVELESS aside, and he looked at his PHS.
"You should be in your room in fourteen minutes. It's almost 21:00 hours."
Blinking at what he just said in confusion with a blank expression, it took several seconds for you to move. Slowly sitting up, your eyebrows lightly furrowed together. "I actually have a curfew?" With a sigh, you moved to stand. "Well, thanks for bringing me here, sir," you smiled at him. He nodded to you before standing up as well, and pressed buttons on his PHS making everything return to normal.
Both of you walked out of the room, and went down a couple of halls until he stopped outside your dorm. Oh gaia, I was so off earlier.
"Rest well, SOLDIER." You looked over to him, meeting his gaze, "Good night, sir." And with that, you quickly went down the hall as he turned and walked the opposite way. You looked at your watch, 8:52. So the training room is only a couple minutes away from the bedrooms. How can I not remember something like that? Just then you remembered the wound on your back, shoulder, and stomach. Or that... but it hasn't been hurting as much as it should be. Maybe when the mako was injected in me, it healed it? I think I might have heard some of the other 3rds talking about it too... Not too long after that thought, you stepped foot into the dorm room.
You went over to a wall in the front that had a clip board hanging on it. On it was a list of names with the rooms you were designated to. When you found your name, you went into the dorms hall and looked around for your number, seventeen. Going down the first hall, you counted the rooms you passed, eventually finding your room close to the end of the hall on the left, and went in. The room wasn't too big or too small... it was decent overall. It had a single bed, small tv with a chair, and two doors along the wall, which you guessed to be a closet and a bathroom. Seeing a uniform on the covers, you walked over to the foot of the bed and picked it up to examine for a moment before going over to one of the two doors.
Opening the door, you looked at the bathroom, and quietly nodded in approval as you pulled the door back, shutting the room. Moving on to the other door, you placed the uniform in the closet before closing the door. When that was done, you walked over to the bed, pulled the covers back, and kicked off your shoes before tossing yourself in, not even bothering, or caring, to change clothes. Squirming a little at how soft and cool to the touch the bedsheets were, you breathed in the clean scent of the bed, happily. You pulled the covers back around yourself, and shifted to your side, thinking about the events of the day as you slowly drifted off to sleep.