"I'll let Director Dalton know how our mission went. Why don't you go get something to eat?" Angeal offered once they had both reached the SOLDIER floor.

"Sure. But shouldn't I make a report as well?"

"We were around each other for most of the mission; no point in giving two reports when both of us witnessed the same thing. Unless, of course, you're going to tell him you did all the hard work."

The girl found her mind becoming anxious and defensive but before she could tell him she would never do such a thing, he laughed.

"Try to lighten up, Saya. You're too young to bear the world on your shoulders. Not everything has to be taken so seriously."

After hesitating, she nodded. And with that he turned around to head for an elevator. As he did they both noticed that one of them had already descended. It wasn't particularly important, as it wouldn't take long to call it back, but when it did come back Genesis Rhapsodos was its passenger.

"Well, now, this is a pleasant surprise." He remarked upon noticing the two.

"Did you just get back from your assignment?" The man asked.

"Yeah, we captured the monster. I'm about to head up to the Director's Office to debrief him."

"Oh? And here I thought we could get a bite to eat."

"Maybe later. But Saya was already going to go get something, weren't you?" Asked Angeal.

She felt like a small child at a family reunion and couldn't help but stand nervously between the two 1st's. Still, the girl couldn't help but feel like she was being swindled, if innocently.

"Um, sure. I was just about to head down to the cafeteria."

"Would you care to dine together, Miss Otonashi?"

Before Saya could answer, Angeal patted her on the shoulder and walked past them both to an elevator.

"Well I'll see you both later on. Maybe Saya can sit in on one of our sparring sessions if we get the time."

"Heh, I imagine there would be too much testosterone in the air to interest her in such a thing." Genesis countered.

Angeal raised his arms and shook his head before the door closed and he rose up out of sight. Saya found herself staring after the elevator for some reason but was brought back to reality when Genesis asked her if she was ready. They traveled down to the cafeteria whereupon exiting she saw that the whole area was packed.

"Hm, perhaps we should just go to a restaurant. I could get priority, being a first, but I don't want you to have to wait in line." He said.

Saya found herself blushing and shook her hands in the air.

"No! It's okay! I don't mind, really!"

"Have you been to a restaurant in Midgar yet?"

"Well, no, I've pretty much just been living off of cafeteria food and snacks I get at stores."

"Please allow me to treat you, then. It will be my pleasure."

She swallowed and decided that it wouldn't hurt. And she was interested in seeing how Midgar food tasted. Being a bit of an eater, she liked to sample the food of different areas like a photographer might examine the sights, or a musician might listen to its local bands.

"Well, if you don't mind my tagging along, sure."

"Not at all."

They traveled up to the lobby and then exited.

"The restaurant is only a block away; how about we walk there?" He offered.

Looking around the area, it didn't seem like a bad day. And she didn't want to ask Genesis to get his car for her just so they could travel a short distance.

"Sure. It will be nice to walk somewhere for a change." She mentioned in reference to usually taking the bus from her barracks.

"I remember life as a third class; back in those days things were rather droll; going through the boring waiting for an assignment that can get you up the ranks."

"Well, I just try to do my best at what I'm told to do. I'm not really sure how much use I'd be if someone were to send me off to a war or anything like that." She responded humbly.

"Don't worry; your abilities will shine through soon. Those who have them inevitably stand out to the people in charge. It doesn't hurt that you have support from Angeal as well as experience in combat with a monster. Few third classes get such an opportunity."

"Yeah, it definitely seems that I'm getting the presidential treatment. I'm not sure why, but I really appreciate it."

Saya had to admit that for a while she had felt uncomfortable walking around in her SOLDIER uniform, if only because anywhere else in the world it would have been seen as eccentric. But here in Midgar neither her outfit nor Genesis' red leather coat stood out as strange to others. It reminded her of Japan for some reason, though she was unsure as to why.

The restaurant was a rather casual place, almost like a café. It had a charm that could only be found in a family-owned business, and they were seated quickly, even without considering Genesis' status. Their waitress left each of them a menu and then left to serve other patrons.

"I can't decide… so many of these look good." Saya finally admitted.

"Have whatever you'd like. One of the perks of being a 1st is that you have more money than you know what to do with; though that is admittedly because we often have to go on missions and rarely get the time to spend it. Either way, please order as much as you'd like. I'm in no hurry."

"Are you sure?"

No one could know what they were getting into by giving her free reign over the size of her meal.

He smiled and gazed back down at his menu, seeming to notice something.

"What is it?" Saya asked him.

"Oh it's nothing; I just noticed they have Banora White Juice on the menu."

"I've never heard of that. Is it good?"

Having decided what he wanted, Genesis closed his menu and set it down, an amused hum emanated from his throat.

"Here, I'm not sure. The original tasted pretty tasty if I say so myself. Though being the drink's creator, I suppose that sounds rather boastful."

"Really? You invented it?"

Genesis nodded.

"I did, when I was a boy. Though it's difficult for me to take credit for it, considering I didn't make dumbapples."

Saya found the name rather strange.

"Why do people call them dumbapples?"

"Simply put, it is because the Banora white tree- which produces the fruit -bears it at random times throughout the year. As a result, the people nearby started calling them dumbapples. They only grow in Banora."

"Really? That's kind of funny. Did you grow up in Banora?"

The sound of glasses rattling on a serving platter told them their waitress was coming.

"As a matter of fact, I did. Angeal hails from there, as well."

They both thanked their waitress for the glasses of water, and ordered. Saya did as she had been told and ordered whatever she wanted… around three minutes later, when he had the chance to order, Genesis said that he would simply have Banora white juice and some toast. Saya felt like an absolute pig as their waitress took their menus and left. She couldn't help but notice the girl's eyes lingered on Genesis for a few moments.

"So that's how you two got to be such good friends?"

"Well, yes and no. We were already pretty tightly bound by the time we joined SOLDIER, but going through the mako infusion process- as well as all of our missions and boring days spent loafing about -helped cement it. You could say our bond is stronger than the plates holding up Midgar."

"So then do you know Sephiroth from a nearby town? It seems like you all get along pretty well together."

Genesis smiled a bit more, seemingly out of amusement. However, when she saw his eyes they looked overwhelmed with nostalgia.

"I'm afraid not. Sephiroth was in the spotlight long before Angeal and I came along. He's been with SOLDIER since it was created, and, by my understanding, had been a child soldier beforehand."

"Really? That's actually kind of sad."

"It can't be helped. Sephiroth was born with his abilities. He didn't need to go through a process to obtain them. And I believe his guardian was a scientist of Shinra. So it's no surprise he would end up being raised more or less within the company."

Surprisingly enough, Sephiroth's backstory and her own had some similarities. Though she hadn't been forced against her will to fight chiropterans; she was simply the only one who could do it.

"I guess not. And I suppose it explains his personality. He seemed thoughtful, but reserved when I had lunch with him that one time."

Genesis actually chuckled at that.

"Ironically enough, he can be pretty outgoing in his own way. Though that often only happens during a battle. I imagine that- because it is either a competition or a life-or-death battle -fighting is the only way that he can truly express himself. Then again, that's simply my observation."

"I wouldn't want to be on the other end of Masamune, I can tell you that." She joked.

The Autumn-haired man actually seemed surprised that she knew the name of Sephiroth's sword.

"He must like you. Sephiroth rarely 'shares' with anyone. But yes, you're wise to take that position. Not one man, or multiple men for that matter, have ever been able to defeat Sephiroth since he began using Masamune several years ago. Prior to that he had been using a standard issue sword of SOLDIER, but afterwards it was as if he had become one of the 'sword saints' mentioned in your Japanese history."

Once again Saya was surprised at how much of the outside world the 1st class members knew. Then again, considering they were the most powerful military force Midgar had to offer, and they doubled as both generals and shock troops, it made sense that they would be among the first to know.

"He even gives you and Angeal a run for your money, huh? I'd like to see you spar sometime. It must be quite the sight."

Genesis smiled once again, taking a sip from his glass of water.

"Angeal and I have teamed up against him. The best we've managed so far is a stalemate."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's a bit sobering to be so consistently denied victory, but then again, Sephiroth isn't a hero for nothing. On the matter of our sparring sessions, however, you're welcome to come. Though I wouldn't recommend taking part in them quite yet. I'm afraid Angeal is the only one who can keep himself under control when we practice."

Considering the men's capabilities, she actually felt somewhat intimidated. She couldn't imagine any of them being overtaken by bloodlust. But on the other hand it could be like lions trying to play with a human; though they might not have the intent to kill, once they are old enough and their bodies mature, their instinctual standards of fun would be too high for a human's body to deal with.

"Wow, that's kind of scary. I didn't know you were all so invested in your training."

"It's less about the training and more the fulfillment we get doing so together. There are rarely missions with more than one 1st class taking part in it, and even then they virtually never act together. Since our services are in such high demand, we don't get to see each other that often. So sparring together is sort of like a class reunion for us."

"I see. I understand what you mean. It must be difficult to be so powerful and well-respected, and yet still kept away from your friends so much."

Genesis gazed straight into her eyes, and she wondered if he'd gotten the wrong idea about the intent behind her words.

"Do you remember Loveless?"

"Um, the poem?"

"Yes. From the fourth act; My friend, your desire is the bringer of life. The gift of the goddess."

It was a nice passage, though she still felt somewhat awkward. Either way, Saya was unable to reply, and Genesis smiled.

"Anyway, enough about that. How is preparation for your evaluation going?"

Saya's eyes widened and she felt her jaw drop somewhat.

"Evaluation?"