Genesis still held onto his smile as they walked into the firing range. He hadn't been sure what to expect from Clarissa, but she had managed to impress him once again. He wasn't sure if he should allow himself to be impressed, as that meant she was much more capable than she let on. However, she had stated she had taken self-defense and those were the only skills she used. It seemed likely that she wasn't used to her enhancements yet if her surprise at his injury was an indicator. It truly seemed as if she had no idea how fast she was moving. She did more than just keep up with him, she was fast enough in her reactions that he was thrown off each time. That was no easy feat as he was faster than anyone except Sephiroth. He shook his head at the mystery she represented. For every answer he was able to discern, two more questions appeared.
For now, he had other things to focus on. He would just have to make sure he didn't lower his guard. When he stopped in front of a counter that held several different fire arms she gave him a confused look. He pointed to the selection before responding. "Choose one you think you might be comfortable with. There is a range just beyond the barrier." He pointed to a partial wall behind them.
"What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Also, I thought Soldiers used swords?"
He wasn't sure if she was stalling or truly curious but treated it as the latter. "We will be assessing all of your skills, but I am starting with the ones you stated you had knowledge of first. You have already proven to be capable in one of those. As for the guns, you are correct. Soldiers have no need of them, but it is still required that we be cognizant of their basic functions and uses if the need ever arises."
Clarissa wasn't thrilled with the answer, but she realized there wasn't much point in pushing back. She turned to look over the selection before settling on a handgun that resembled a 9mm. She carefully pointed it away from Genesis as she pulled back the chamber to check for a round as well as to verify the function. When a bullet was ejected she was partially relieved to see the function looked like what she was familiar with. She couldn't tell the caliber of the bullet at a glance, though it didn't really matter. She also found the switch to release the magazine after a moment of searching. She checked to see that there were still several rounds before reinserting it and loading a round back into the chamber. Once she was finished with her inspection she turned back to Genesis to see him watching her with obvious interest.
"I see you may have once again understated your familiarity with the trappings of combat."
She didn't bother trying to hide her rolling eyes. "Why don't you wait to judge how good a shot I am. Just because I understand basic gun safety doesn't mean much more than I was taught to be careful."
He didn't bother answering her, instead he gestured toward the barrier blocking the firing range. She walked around it to find a long, empty room. "Where are the targets?"
At her questions Genesis flipped a switch in a panel on the wall behind them causing several targets to appear. Clarissa was stunned for a moment. She had been wanting to see how realistic their VR was and even though these were stationary they were amazingly realistic. She didn't bother hiding her excitement when she turned back to him. "That's awesome! I would love to see how those work."
He smirked at her enthusiasm. "They work by standing in as targets. I will progressively change their pattern and eventually have them become moving targets."
The look she gave was probably more offensive than she meant it to be, but she barely managed to hold in a 'duh'. Instead she tried to explain what she had meant. "I was pretty sure that was their function already. I was talking more about the mechanics of it. I'm sure I have already mentioned that I'm a geek, and since I have never seen anything like this technology before, I find it fascinating."
Genesis looked back at her with surprise. He had always taken the technologies around himself for granted, never paying much attention to them beyond their function. Suddenly being asked to look beyond that gave him a fresh perspective that he never thought to have. In addition to his surprise at her perspective he realized he had just found out something important about his mysterious guest, something that would have never been exposed with normal questions. She was seeking the knowledge for no other reason than the knowledge itself. That was a rare trait in most people, but it was one he was intimately familiar with. The fields might be different, but the drive was the same. He reluctantly pushed the thought aside for now though. He had to complete her evaluation before Hojo got impatient and got involved himself. "The pursuit of knowledge is always admirable, but I am afraid we do not have the time to dive into it currently. Please go ahead and show me what you know."
Clarissa hadn't expected anything else, but she was still disappointed. Maybe someday she would be allowed to dig a little. For now, she focused on the targets, aiming for the farthest ones first. Once she hit a target it would disappear, only to reappear somewhere else. After she had taken out a few they started flickering after a few seconds and she had to hit them before they disappeared entirely. It didn't take long before they started moving around the room, getting quicker after each target she managed to hit. By then it had gotten to the point that she missed a few times and others barely managed to scrape the edge of the target. She kept firing though until she was out of bullets. When her gun finally clicked and there was nothing left Genesis moved to dismiss the targets.
Genesis could tell she had handled a gun before, but her assessment of her own skills had not been far off. While the targets on the Soldier floor were set up to go faster than the ones the Turks and infantry used, and she had kept up admirably at first, she still obviously had a long way to go. She might do very well in one of the other simulators but with the mako in her system this was the best environment to truly test her. "That wasn't bad. You were correct in your assessment of your skills as it looks like you still have quite a bit to learn about moving targets."
Clarissa knew his assessment was correct, but she still hated hearing that she sucked. She consoled herself with the knowledge that everyone had different skills and hers was just not in combat. She followed Genesis back around and put everything up before following him back into the training room. When he made his way to the wall with the weapons instead of out the door she had to suppress a groan. "Is the assessment not over yet?"
He looked back at her with a frown. "No, I only said we would start with what you know. There are still a few things I would like to test before I can complete my report."
When he picked up two swords she almost ran to the door, barely managing to control herself. "Um, I did tell you I have never held any weapon besides a gun, right?"
He gave her an unreadable look before passing her one of the blades, hilt first. "They are dulled, so don't worry about it too much. I just want to see your form."
She took it with a great deal of hesitation, noting that although it was dull, it was still metal. She really did not want to get hit with one of these, especially not by Genesis. "So now what?"
"Show me how you would prepare to block a blow." She had no clue what that stance might look like, so she grasped the hilt in both hands and held the sword out in front of her almost parallel to the ground. When she didn't move beyond that Genesis gave her an incredulous look. "That's it?"
She glared back at him. "What? You didn't say stand this or that particular way, you said stand like you are going to block. I have no idea what that is supposed to mean so I guessed. If it isn't right, you shouldn't be surprised. I did tell you I have never held a sword before." Her voice had more bite than she intended but she wasn't planning on backing off. It stung a little that he made it seem like she should know when she had very clearly stated she did not.
He just shook his head at her outburst before putting the practice sword he held back along the wall. "Put that up and follow me." She was glad he wasn't interested in testing her further on it.
After leaving the practice room Genesis made a stop at a locked door. She didn't see the code he used but was distracted once the door was open. She followed him and stopped just inside the doorway. The room was small, and it looked to be an armory of some sort. He walked to the wall to the right where she was surprised to see hundreds of tiny, slightly glowing orbs stacked on a series of shelves. He took a moment before he grabbed three of them and headed back out again with her on his heels. He walked a little further down the hall to a giant sliding door that Clarissa thought she recognized.
When he walked in and the room was empty of anything she was starting to have a hard time concealing her excitement. She thought she knew where they were but couldn't let him know. It wasn't until after Genesis pulled out his phone and input something that the room began to change. It took on the image of an open field with several different types of monsters on the other side. At this point she couldn't hold back a squeal.
Genesis looked at her in concern at the strange sound she made and was surprised to find her grinning and looking around wildly. "Is there something wrong?" He thought he knew what the issue was but had to get her attention as she was completely ignoring him.
Clarissa turned back to him at his question with a grin so big it almost hurt her face. "Look at this! I thought the targets were amazing, but my god! If I didn't know we were in the Shinra building still I would have a hard time believing it."
He knew they didn't really have time for her to enjoy the area fully, but he gave her another moment before getting her attention again. "I will see if I can bring you back here another day. For now, we need to finish this."
Her grin dimmed some when she turned back to him, but he could still see her eyes wandering as she walked over to where he stood. He held up the three orbs and watched as she eyed them warily. "Do you know what these are?"
Clarissa had thought the materia test might be next and wasn't sure how it would go over. This was one thing that was so alien to her that she wasn't sure what to think about it. "They are materia. Beyond that I'm not sure." She could tell just by looking that they were all three magic materia, the soft green glow signifying the type. She couldn't tell by looking though which magics they were. She hadn't mentioned the first part lest it signified more than she should know. She was trying to play it safe as she had no idea how much an average civilian might know.
"Well that's a start. You said you had never touched one, so we will see if you have any aptitude for magic." He held out one of the three for her to take.
She was hesitant, but after eyeing it for another moment she took it from his hand. As soon as her fingers curled around the cool orb she felt a soothing wave wash over her, forcing her eyes wide. When she opened her hand the orb's glow had brightened. She wasn't sure what materia it was at first but a soft voice singing of helpfulness and healing sprang up in the back of her mind. "This is a cure materia!"
Genesis noted right away that the orb activated as soon as she took hold of it. He had never seen a reaction like it before. His own had been the closest, but by the time he had touched a materia he was familiar enough with the basic magics his own body produced that he was not overcome as she was now. He was thankful that was the first materia she had touched. If he had handed her the fire or lightning it could have been catastrophic. When her exclamation filled the air, he knew without a doubt she was mage material. Even if her combat wasn't up to par yet, she would easily be able to learn how to use materia, maybe even how to use some magic without it. He also knew now that she had told the truth. This was her first time touching a materia. Her body's reflexive reaction couldn't have been faked. He smiled at the wonder in her eyes. "It spoke to you didn't it?"
Clarissa couldn't answer yet. She was still slightly overwhelmed by the feelings washing over and through her. The best she could muster was a nod.
Genesis didn't need to test one of the others, and probably shouldn't, until she was trained to rein in the automatic activation. For now, he needed to get the cure away from her, so they could get moving. He remembered from his own first time holding a materia, it was a process. He couldn't just take it out of her hand. He spoke to her softly and moved slowly so she would understand his intentions. "Clarissa, I can't take the materia out of your hand. We will need to gain control over it, so you can hand it to me. I can help you so please don't jerk away."
Again, she only nodded, but at least now she was focused on him. He slowly reached out his hand and held it above hers until she realized he wanted her to open it. Once she unfurled her fingers he grasped her hand lightly with the cure held between their palms. It was a shock to him at first when he felt how strongly the materia had reacted to her, trying to pull him into the loosened spell as well. He marveled in the feeling momentarily, distantly feeling her, before he blocked it out completely. He slowly transferred control of the materia to himself and once it was silent again rolled it out of her palm and into his own.
As soon as it left her hand she started to sag, but he caught her before she could fall. "I am sure that took a lot from your magic reserves. You should be fine once you rest." She barely nodded back. He could tell she was exhausted. He made a quick decision and pocketed the three materia he had been holding before he lifted her up. She struggled slightly before giving up and resting her head on his chest. He didn't bother taking the materia back to the armory, instead he headed straight for his apartment. He knew he would need to figure out what to put in his report and set up a meeting with Lazard, but both those things could wait.
She didn't struggle at all and once he laid her down on the bed she was almost instantly asleep. He worried slightly that she might have pushed too far, but when he felt her pulse it was strong and steady. Once he was reassured that she would be fine he closed the door and pulled out his phone. He needed to speak to Lazard quickly but didn't want to leave her alone in case she woke up. The first number he dialed was Angeal's but there was no answer. He was so frustrated by now that he wanted to throw the phone but held back and took a few deep breaths. There was one other person he could call but the thought of it irked him. Especially as that person was likely to be reluctant to head over without a good reason and Genesis was not going to disclose this over an open line. He knew he should trust the company he gave so much for, but the truth was he didn't.
With a sigh he finally dialed the number he had been avoiding. A grimace crossed his face when it was picked up on the second ring and a deep baritone rang across the line. "Genesis?"
Genesis took another calming breath before answering. "Something has happened, and I need you at my apartment right away. It involves our guest." He could hear Sephiroth pause on the other end of the line.
"Why do I need to come to your apartment?"
Genesis knew this could get complicated but didn't want to get into it over the phone. "I will explain everything once you are here, but it is important."
"You're not going to explain it until I get there are you?"
"No, I… It would be best if you were here."
"Fine, I'll be there shortly."
Genesis breathed a slight sigh of relief when the phone clicked off. He was sure this whole thing might seem strange to anyone else, but he now knew enough to act on at least. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock. When he opened the door, he was relieved to see Sephiroth had not taken long. "Good, you're here."
Once the door was closed Sephiroth immediately turned to face Genesis. "So, what is this about?"
Now that Sephiroth was here, he wasn't sure how he was supposed to explain the situation. No one else had the affinity with materia that he had and as far as he had ever been able to discern, no one else could hear the voices that came from the planet with an active orb. "This might be hard for you to understand but first let me explain something. I know you are aware that I have a certain affinity with materia." He paused long enough for Sephiroth to nod. "That comes in part to my own affinity with magic in general, but the point I need to make is that when I use any materia, mastered or new, I can… well I can hear the materia. You could say it speaks to me."
Sephiroth's brow was slightly furrowed. "Why have you never mentioned this before?"
"It has no bearing on my performance, other than to make it better, so it was irrelevant." Genesis could tell Sephiroth was irritated, even if only by the deepening of the furrow between his eyes.
"Then why are you telling me now?"
This was going to be the hard part. "Because I now know I am not the only one. I was evaluating our guest at the behest of the science department. When she held the materia for the first time, it was the first and only time I have seen a reaction like that beyond my own."
Sephiroth couldn't contain his surprise at that information. "She is sensitive to materia? Did she have any other skills?"
Genesis could see his friend's mind working frantically trying to figure out what that meant; if it was a danger to the company. He knew he had to step in quickly. "She has no real combat skills if that is what you are asking. That was the first time she had touched materia as well. And before you ask, no I am not just basing that evaluation on what she said. There is more, and I know you may not believe me, but trust me please."
Sephiroth thought Genesis was sometimes over dramatic, and often too temperamental, but he never once thought of him as a liar. "I will try to listen with an open mind. I… trust you."
That statement caught Genesis off guard. He never expected the General to openly admit something like that and he was more heartened by it than he expected. "Thank you." He paused before continuing. "When she touched the materia it instantly activated. It was a cure, so no damage was done besides completely exhausting her magic reserves. I had to take control of the materia to shut down the spell and while we both had control… I felt… well I suppose it could be considered her emotions. It wasn't exactly orderly, and it was brief, but two things came across very clearly. She is scared, and she is hiding a deep sorrow. The impression was that she was scared of her circumstances, not of us in particular. There was also a distinct feeling of 'other' about her. There is much more to her than we have even begun to understand, but I can say without a doubt that she means no harm."
Sephiroth didn't answer for some time as he tried to assimilate the news he had just gotten. He was certain that Genesis wasn't lying but the story was hard to believe. Finally, he decided to accept it for now. It didn't change anything as far as he was concerned. If she didn't mean any harm then that was a plus, but he wasn't going to trust her to roam free. By Genesis' own admission there was more to be learned. "For now, I will believe you. That doesn't change anything though. There are still too many unanswered questions."
Genesis nodded in relief. That was the best possible answer he could have expected. "Understood."
"So why did you ask me to come here? Why didn't you just come to my office?"
"I need to speak to Lazard. Hojo examined her this morning and I want to keep her as far from him as possible until we figure out more. I will get my report over, but Lazard needs to be aware of what's going on and I didn't want to leave her alone."
Sephiroth wasn't sure if he could accurately convey what he had just been told. "I can talk with Lazard, but I am uncertain if he would believe the circumstances, especially from me. I barely believe them myself."
Genesis didn't have to think twice about his response. "Then stay here. Let me go talk to him. I will make it as brief as possible, but it needs to be done now."
The glare Sephiroth shot him would have made most men quail but Genesis only smiled. "There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the Goddess."
Sephiroth's glare wavered but didn't disappear. "If you aren't back in thirty minutes I'm leaving. Oh, and you will be helping me with the paperwork to catch up for this time lost." Genesis lost his smile at that but didn't pause before walking out the door.
