I Want To Be A Turk!
Chapter 8 – Progress
Within two weeks since Meia became a Turk, her activities fell into a daily routine. First, she promptly woke up at 6:30 in the morning. She then joined the Turks for breakfast at 7 (the cafeteria is open from 6 in the morning to 11 at night). Although it was not a fixed timing, somehow most of them gather at around that time, and Meia could use some company. At eight, she would report to the mini meeting room for lessons. Veld has specially arranged a Shinra executive to spend four hours teaching her how to read and write in English, and simple Mathematics. Her 'tutor' was kind and patient, but more impressed at Meia's ability to learn fast. At the end of two weeks, Meia could do basic math problems, read proficiently and wrote with the simplicity of a six year-old, an incredible progress in two weeks. The tutor had reported to Tseng that, just as how Professor Timothy had predicted, she would be eloquent enough to converse and understand without any help by the end of the year.
After lunch, Meia would go to Professor Timothy at the SOLDIER floor, where he'll spend an hour observing her and running more tests. He was increasingly impressed with her memory and learning abilities, however he found no breakthrough in his research on her brain. Many times, Timothy admitted to himself that he would like to send Meia to Professor Hojo, who would be able to do extraordinary things with her mindpower but… Timothy has become fond of Meia and didn't want her to be subject under the unethical experiments that Hojo was capable of making. Professor Hojo was still unaware of her existence, under the request (more like a threat) of the Turks, and Timothy was personally in full support of this 'request'.
Following the observation, Meia finally used the remainder of her time with the Turks in combat training. She started first with Leia, Mason and Rude. "Hand-to-hand combat is most important." Rude explained. "When the enemy disarms you, you always have your fists to defend yourself." Meia learnt simple punches, kicks and dodges. Thanks to the short lesson with Zack Fair back in the Training Room, she was more stable in her landings and she made use of backward rolls to dodge their kicks.
"Nice." Grinned Mason as she quickly recovered from the backward roll to deftly avoid another roundhouse kick from Leia. Of course, she didn't last long. She was panting heavily and sat on the floor begging for mercy before the three Turks even felt a hint of tiredness.
"Needs stamina training." Leia concluded with a small smile.
Since then, Meia woke up at 6 in the morning instead of 6:30, to have a quick run in the staff recreational room on Floor 30. The early time prevented unnecessary encounters with other people, fitting her low profile in the Turks and thus not many people in Shinra knew of her existence.
Meia tried training with KK next, with a bit of success with knives. Like what she told Tseng, she was better with her aim, having the practice when she was fending for herself in Sector 4. KK commented that her aim was "decent, but lacked strength".
Training with Reno was hard, Meia decided. It wasn't about using the Electro-Mag Rod (EMR), but Reno. Meia found it hard to concentrate with him as a teacher. One moment he's joking, the next he fought her with vigour, his face so serious it frightens her. Another moment he's complaining about how much work this was, and then he suddenly lectures her about not working hard enough. Reno's personality is like a metronome, it swings from extreme to extreme. Meia was sure that she has yet to see all facets of his personality, and wondered who the real Reno was inside. As a result, her lessons on learning the EMR failed miserably.
Haato and his katana made it no better. He was highly skilled and precise. Meia admitted that she was in awe of his skills, the way he held the katana was professional and elegant. Meia was able to understand how it works, but she had absolutely no gift in this area. Haato agreed and lamented with a charming smile that he would've looked forward to training with her more if she was able to wield the katana better.
Meia enjoyed lessons with Cissnei. She was overjoyed that she could try out Cissnei's favourite weapon, Rekka. The crimson shruiken that once attempted to take her life no longer bothered her. She learnt new things from Cissnei using the shruiken, but Cissnei admitted that she took many years to learn how to use the shruiken. Meia found out that Cissnei became a Turk when she was ten years old, the youngest Turk in the history of Shinra to join. She had been trained in combat and was competent with the shruiken well before she became a Turk. "Shruikens are hard to use, Meia." She advised. "If you insist on learning, I could help, but it will take more time to learn, as compared to the EMR or hand-to-hand combat."
"Oh, it is so hard to work with Brother Reno!" Meia exclaimed, her eyes wide with horror. Cissnei laughed, saying that she did, a few times on missions, and during their leisure sparring. Meia laughed as Cissnei recounted the many times that Reno almost messed up the missions, and the equal number of times when the mission would've failed if not for Reno's determination to get the job done.
Again, Meia thought to herself. Brother Reno's personality is so hard to read.
Meia faced many challenges in that initial two weeks. Although she didn't face any threats nor hostility, she was having trouble with city life. Living in the slums did nothing to prepare her for a life above the plate, much less in Shinra. Luckily she learnt how to use the elevator when she first saw Rude using it when they first smuggled her inside. Leia taught her how to use the shower. Back in Sector 4 then, Meia only showered when necessary, in tubs of water provided by the merchants when she ran errands for them, as payment. Meia struggled not to flinch when she saw working electrical appliances. The appliances that she was used to were the 'lifeless' metal debris lying around in the slums.
The sky was the hardest for her to accept, she felt so small underneath the vast expanse above her. She always instinctively curled herself up and stared at the floor. It will still take a few more times before she feels comfortable under the blue sky.
Luckily the Turks knew of her special condition and made effort to explain things to her. How elevators work… What is rain… What is a computer… How to use the coffee machine… what IS coffee. Meia learnt how to wear covered shoes, for she was always barefooted in Sector 4.
For most parts she asked Reno for help for everything. He was the one who seemed friendly enough to help, since everyone seemed tense as they often discussed about work. But there were only so many things that a girl can ask a guy. After Meia asked Reno about something extremely personal, Leia found him walking towards her, holding the bewildered Meia by hand.
"She…" Said Reno, his face reddened. "Her question… You… answer." He briskly walked off before Leia could say anything.
Poor Reno. She mused as she heard Meia's question. Although her mind was like a six year old, her body was growing as normal. It was definitely not something Meia can fully understand. "For… for future things relating to your body and a guy's body…" Leia said gently, placing her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Please find the girls and not Reno."
"But…" She looked troubled. "But Brother Reno is the only person who seemed free enough to care for my stupid questions." Leia sighed but Meia was not wrong. The Turks have been cracking their heads to find any remaining Wutai troops. Veld has yet to give the order for Leto. Meia had lots to learn still, but from that event on Leia made special efforts to look out for Meia.
Her efforts weren't in vain. Soon enough, as Professor Timothy hypothesised, Meia's emotional being started growing under proper environments. Slowly, but surely.
It was nearing the end of November when Tseng gave a full report of Meia's progress to Veld in his office. "In the past month, Meia had been making good progress in Shinra." He said monotonously. "In a month she's much adapted to living above the plate. Her reading and writing abilities are decent and she has started to learn algebra. She has shown great interest in both Mathematics and English, but she's better in English."
"That's good." Veld commented. "I think it's safe for us to let her continue English on her own. I'll leave it to your responsibility to ensure she keeps reading. Let us not waste her good talents if she likes to read, give her all the opportunities to read."
"As for Mathematics?" Tseng inquired.
"As per normal, until she finds it boring." Veld gave a casual wave at the matter. "Give the free time from the English lessons to her, let her do whatever she wants with it."
"Pardon my nosiness, but I find it most interesting that you're paying personal interest in nurturing her education." Tseng said bluntly.
Veld's face allowed tiniest smile. "Nonsense. I did the same thing to Cissnei years ago too. Of course, that girl gave up Mathematics earlier than Meia." He lifted the cup of coffee to his lips, pausing to ask, "What of her combat lessons?"
"Less desirable than her English and Mathematics. Leia has reported that Meia is showing decent progress in hand-to-hand combat. Zack Fair did teach a considerable amount of dodge tactics to her during Professor Timothy's tests. Even though it was only one session she had with Zack Fair, she remembered everything that he taught, and she has been using it to her advantage. She is very capable of avoiding and dodging even Leia's kicks. However, her weakness lies in her lack of strength. Mason, KK, Haato and Cissnei all reported the same thing in her sessions with them. Reno reported that she seemed a little distracted… but knowing Reno, the problem may not fully lie with Meia."
Veld chuckled. "I somewhat agree. Continue."
"Cissnei strongly discourages her using the shruiken, since it takes a long time to master, even for a girl like Meia." Tseng nodded as he referred to his notes. "Haato does not recommend Meia using the katana either. KK is alright with teaching her knives, Leia has no qualms with her hand-to-hand combat skills too. Even though Reno is fine with teaching her the EMR, I personally don't want him to further burdened by the Turks' matter. He is, after all, the main execution of the Turks now."
"I understand, Tseng." Veld nodded, his hands interlocked in thought. "I agree with you as well."
"Of course, we have yet to put her through Alana, Kido and Cassie. I feel that if Meia is competent with Alana's handgun, then she'll be good with Kido. Cassie has requested that Meia does not learn the shotgun, and Meia has agreed. It seemed that they've agreed with each other about this beforehand. So I propose we place her with Alana next. Kido is still handling Leto's case, so we can afford to let Alana go first."
"Very well," Veld said, nodding. "Let it be according to your plan."
"All in all, Meia needs a lot of physical training." Tseng concluded. "But she has made a remarkable progress, no one at her age should be capable of such learning abilities."
"A very good progress indeed. She is quite the remarkable child."
"I'm sorry sir, but…" Tseng looked mightily uncomfortable as his mind debated on whether to ask the question or not.
"Speak."
"You seem to hold some thoughts about Meia. Is there anything about her that you know?"
Veld chuckled. "Sharp, aren't you? No… I don't know anything about her. She just feels familiar for some reason. As if I knew her a long time ago." The leader of the Turks stared into the distant view of Midgar, and Tseng knew that Veld was no longer in the mood to discuss further. He made his move and left the office, softly closing the door behind him.
Cassie peered over the drawings of hairstyles. "Oooh, I'd totally go for the pigtails if I were you, Meia."
Meia blushed at Cassie's compliment. "You really don't have to do this, Sister Cissnei." She said to the other Turk.
Cissnei pouted. "But when I was a Turk, I had no sisters to help me!" She wrinkled her pretty nose. "I was the only girl in a room full of men, argh! I've always wanted someone to play with my hair like that." She twirled Meia's black silky hair, musing.
"Sister Cissnei's hair is very pretty without any work done on it." Meia complimented shyly as she watched Cissnei's perfect curls bounce as she moved.
"Oh gosh, you're just soooo adorable!" Cissnei half-squealed, hugging the little girl. "You make me want to do your hair everyday!"
"Petty issues." Alana snorted behind her coffee. She was seated a table away from the girls, reading the Shinra News. "Hairstyles are not important when your life is at stake." She stated firmly.
"Awwww come on!" Cassie laughed musically. "I bet you played with Elena's hair when she was younger too!"
Alana's glare was her only reply.
"Sister Alana didn't get along well with her sister?" Meia asked innocently.
Alana looked a little uncomfortable, now that the attention has shifted to her. "Well… I hold no grudges against her. She, on the other hand, seems to have a vendetta against me." She shrugged off-handedly.
"What's a ven…" Meia frowned as she struggled with the words.
"Vendetta means Elena doesn't like Alana." Cissnei explained to her gently. "But they look really alike, you'll definitely recognize Elena! She's a little younger than you, but so adorable!"
Cassie snorted. "Compared to Alana, she speaks much like a human."
Alana frowned. "I speak perfectly fine."
"Too polite for me, you should lighten up once in a while." Cissnei laughed. Alana scoffed, her face showing no signs of acknowledgement.
"Meia?" Tseng's voice was heard before he reached the pantry. He nodded at Alana. "Good, Alana is here too…" He frowned at the unusual sight. "… What are you girls doing?"
"Doing girly things!" Cissnei said at the same time when Alana said "Doing stupid things."
Cissnei giggled. "Meia's hair looks so boring, I was thinking of giving her a nice hairstyle!"
"What's up, Brother Tseng?" Meia asked, her face not affected anymore by the excessive attention from Cissnei and Cassie.
"Starting Monday, you'll report to Alana for sessions on using the handguns. Would a week suffice?" Tseng asked Alana.
"It will suffice depending on how well she learns." Alana replied, her eyes not leaving the newspaper. "I've heard a lot about your learning abilities, Meia." Her eyes peered at the girl. "I'm looking forward to see if you live up to what they say."
"Y… Yes Sister Alana!" Meia stammered, a pitch higher than usual.
Cassie laughed. "Alana! Don't give her unnecessary pressure!" She then turned to Meia, her ponytail swinging as she did. "Don't be too worried with Alana, she's just strict, but she won't harm you at all! She can be really sweet if she wants to!"
Alana drank from her coffee, ignoring the comments made of her. Meia nodded at Cassie, feeling a little more assured. She hardly had any opportunity to talk to the serious Turk, while she was a little scared of what might happen, she looked forward to training with her.
"Oh, Meia?" Tseng tried to get her attention again. "You no longer need to attend English lessons. The time that you now have, you can do whatever you want."
"Really?" She was shocked. "But… there are lots of words that I still don't know." She frowned.
"Don't worry about that." Cissnei assured her. "Read lots of books and you'll be a pro in no time. Leia has lots of books, so does Alana and KK. Borrow from them!"
"I have a couple of old books back home that I don't read anymore." Alana offered. "Elena doesn't really like the books that I read, preferring romance novels." She looked back at her newspaper, flipping over a page. "I'll bring them when I'm back from the weekends."
"Thank you Sister Alana!" Meia's face cheered up immediately.
"See?" Cassie grinned. "Alana is a softie at heart."
Ignoring the shotgun specialist's words again, Alana looked at Tseng. "How was your latest mission? You've met the Legendary Turk?"
Tseng shrugged. "Legend is as interesting a character as Veld describes. But he messed up bad this time."
"Legend?" Meia asked.
Tseng nodded. "A name he calls himself by." He answered, using as little words as possible, a characteristic that Meia eventually noticed in most Turks, especially Leia and Kido. "Used to be anti-Shinra, but works for us now. Nothing that Shinra can't do." He cleared his throat, a little conscious that he had gone off-tangent. "I was to supervise him as he kidnaps an arms dealer for Shinra, before we face a possible information leak."
"What happened?" asked Cissnei.
"Personal relationships and grudges. Apparently the arms dealer betrayed his anti-Shinra group two years ago. The arms dealer refuses to admit it to Legend. So… he left our arms dealer to die as he detonates the building."
Meia gasped. "That's horrible!"
Alana shook her head. "The bigger problem is that Legend didn't successfully kidnap the arms dealer… What's going to happen?"
"Possibly termination of contract, or execution." Tseng replied.
"How… How can you talk about killing s…" Meia trailed off as she remembered who she was talking to.
Alana stared at her. "Meia, if you cannot get over the fact that we kill in order to get our jobs done, you don't need to report to me Monday afternoon." She stood up and walked out of the pantry room. Meia hung her head in shame.
"I admit," said Tseng softly. "It'll take some time to get used to. But you better get used to this life."
Meia gazed at Tseng, her eyes sad, but full of conviction. "I understand. I work for Shinra now, if being a Turk means all these…" She pursed her lips and gulped. "I'll do as ordered."
Here's a big thank you to my reviewers:
Samantha Sheffield: I love Zack too, I really wished he lived =(
XXTakaraXX: Hehe, do stay tuned for more!
TWA: I hope I can fit in more FF7 characters into the story, I'll see how it goes!
Midnightcrescent27: your words encouraged me by leaps and bounds. Thank you!
MY GOSH, 4 reviews in one chapter! Whee! I feel so grateful towards you lovely people for even spending the time to comment on my story! Thank you very much!
Not forgetting: Tempest NightMoon, dragonsong93 (and others whom I may have missed out) for alerting/faving my story!
I am truly thankful for your support! Hope that my future chapters will continue to bring you joy and satisfaction.
