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Date: December 23

Location: Kalm

Genesis sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. He'd always loved the moonlight. That was part of what he'd enjoyed about the Banora caves so much as a child. Gaia knew how he wasn't ripped to pieces by fiends at the time, but when the sky was clear and the night crisp, he would sit under the crack in the cave's ceiling and lose himself in his imagination.

To think things used to be so simple. Had he been a normal child, how would his life have changed? Would he have made it into SOLDIER? And if he had, would he have remained a mindless drone like the rest? Never questioning, merely following orders to the bitter end?

The crunch of footsteps behind him made his eyes flutter open. Whoever it was wasn't trying to be subtle. Of course, it was hard to be subtle on rooftop shingles anyway, but there was no attempt to mask the sound.

"Heya." Zack took a seat to his right.

"That was quick," Genesis muttered, observing the streets from his vantage point. "How did you know where I was?" Even with Mako enhancements, he didn't think he was visible from below.

Zack crossed his legs. "I looked for the tallest building around. Not that many choices in Kalm."

"Hm." Genesis grunted. The chill had begun to sneak past his coat, and while it wasn't bothering him, he suspected that the temperature was dropping. "I take it Kunsel is the reason you're here."

"He may have mentioned something."

Genesis shook his head. This small talk was pointless. "Why did you lie?"

Zack ducked his head, his cheeks filling with color. "Because… It's not my place. They weren't there. I don't think they'd understand without seeing the crap that went down beforehand. And… other than Tifa, I really don't think it concerns them that much."

Tifa. She deserved the truth more than anyone. Damn it, why did he always have to hurt those closest to him, even when it wasn't intentional? Whatever her family had been, she'd lost it that night. Didn't concern them? Like hell it didn't.

Genesis barked out a short laugh. "Really? I'm the reason Sephiroth has lost his mind. Every life he takes is on my head."

"No way!" Zack protested, his breath fogging. "Look, you sure didn't help, but he was already on the brink of losing it before you showed up!"

"Yes, and I shoved him over the edge!" Genesis pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve the pressure of his building headache. "If I had told him differently, if I had been there as a friend instead of rubbing it in, Nibelhiem would still be standing!"

"Yeah, and there'd be chocobos and puppies running around Midgar!" Zack gestured dramatically with both hands. "Not everything is your fault. Some of it, yeah, I'll give you that, but we're gonna fix what we can, okay? You were so optimistic before! What happened?"

"People's prying happened." Genesis pushed himself to his feet, watching his footing on the angled surface. "I am trying to move on, I truly am. But every time I manage to untangle myself from the webs of the past, I am dragged back into them!"

Zack followed his lead, jumping to his own feet. "Well, then Firaga them! You're good at that!"

Genesis rolled his eyes, pacing. "Not quite the same when it's metaphorical."

"Yes, it is! You're only being pulled back because you're letting things get to you!" Zack let out a short, morbid chuckle. "Do you think you're the only one who feels guilty? I killed Angeal! I knew Shinra was bad news for years, but I still stuck with them until it was my head they were after. I didn't want to give up my life. I was selfish. Even Sephiroth had the sense to leave, and he was raised by the company–"

"Wait, what?" Genesis held a hand up, nearly tripping on a shingle that was misplaced so it was slightly more elevated than those surrounding it. "What do you mean had the sense to leave?" When the hell was this? Sephiroth leave Shinra before he went mad? No… that couldn't be true.

Zack licked his lips. "Before Nibelheim… he told me that he was thinking about leaving too. See? I was the only one dumb enough not to get out while I could. But you know what? I'm not going to let that rule the rest of my life. Wallowing in self-pity and misery idn't gonna help, and you know it. You had that figured out just fine the other day, and you were helping me with my doubts. Well, you convinced me. You came back from a dark place. Now, you may feel like you're still half there, but I promise you, you're not. You're here. With us. Aren't you going to help Sephiroth do the same?"

"Of course I am! I put him there, and I am sure as hell going to do everything possible to bring him back."

"Good." Zack clapped him on the shoulder. "I believe in you. Now you need to. You always wanted to be a hero, right? Now is your chance."

Zack was right. Ifrit, when had this boy become such a wise man? Genesis nodded slowly, letting out a breath. "I'll do what I can."

Zack smiled. "Oh, Genesis… That's all any of us are asking."

Genesis was wary of facing Kunsel again so soon, but Zack assured him that Kunsel wasn't the type to hold grudges, so he was cautiously optimistic that the Wutainese man wouldn't bring up the event. Fortunately, that appeared to be the last thing on Kunsel's mind as he ran out the door to meet them before they could enter the hotel.

"Zack, there's some chick here asking for you!"

Terrific. What female's attention had Zack captured now?

"Eh?" Zack blinked. "Who?"

"No idea, she said she'd only talk to you." He held up to be level with his chin "Yay tall? Brunet? Glasses?"

Zack shrugged. "Umm… I got nothing."

"Well, then come talk to her and figure it out. Another minute and I'm pretty sure Barret's gonna shoot her for being a spy." Kunsel backed away towards the door and pushed it open with his shoulder. Zack went in first, and Kunsel gave Genesis a nod as he passed by.

All was forgiven, then? He'd find out for sure later, he supposed.

The woman in question was mostly hidden from their immediate view due to Barret's leering, but her tidy bun was just visible over his arm. She was seated on the loveseat, and as they drew closer, Genesis noticed that she was the only one in the room sitting while everyone else had formed a standing circle around her.

The woman kept her posture straight, not looking the slighted bit intimidated. She gently pushed her glasses further up her nose, revealing her sharp cheekbones.

"Brielle?" Zack's jaw fell open.

"SOLDIER Zack. Wonderful to see you again." Brielle smiled, brushing off her skirt with one hand when she stood and hugging several folders to her side with the other. "I thought it might be best if we continued our conversation in person."

Was this the contact he'd been talking about earlier? Why was he not surprised it was a young woman? Zack may have been completely loyal to Aerith, but that didn't stop his natural energy that roped others – especially women – in.

Zack's mouth opened and closed several times, resembling a fish rather well. "But… how did you find me?"

"You were close to the receptionist when you called me. I overheard her refer to your position being in a hotel in Kalm when she answered the phone." Her calculated gaze slid over to Genesis, and a larger smile slid onto her face. "Goodness me! SOLDIER Genesis! I see the rumors of your survival were not exaggerated either. Are all of the 1sts Shinra declared dead still alive?"

What planet was this woman from? So accepting of the fact that Shinra lied to the public? Was that becoming more commonplace lately? No, even if it was, this woman seemed experienced. And she was still addressing them as SOLDIER.

"Zack, would you care to handle introductions, perhaps?" Which was the least confused-sounding and polite way Genesis could think of to say who the hell is this.

"Oh, no need, Commander." She swapped the folders to her other arm and held out her right hand, which Genesis took. "Brielle Skyva, Vice President of Silver Elite."

Oh. Oh no. Why? Of all the people in Gaia, the leader of the rabid psychopaths that practically worshiped Sephiroth had to be the one Zack called?

"Vice President?" Zack whistled. "You got promoted."

"One of Sephitorth's fangirls," Genesis said flatly, releasing her hand. "This is what you classify as a contact?"

"Hey, man, don't underestimate fangirls!" Zack crossed his arms. "They are tireless when it comes to finding info on their heroes."

"Wait, what?" Barret's booming voice made Zack jump. "This lady is a fan of the lunatic we're tryin' to track down?"

Finally, the woman's high-and-mighty composure cracked, her eyes blowing wide in rage. "Lunatic?"

Tifa elbowed him in the ribs. "Barret!"

"What? You said yourself he turned into a crazy-assed–"

"Barret?" Genesis said calmly.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up!" Genesis turned the full fury of the glare he used to use on his mother when she wasn't looking to Barret. Good Gaia. How idiotic could he get? Honestly, if she had information, she was hardly going to give it to them if they kept insulting her hero. He smiled at Brielle. "Do ignore him, my dear, if possible. I know it's difficult."

Brielle's demeanor returned to pleasant in an instant. "Of course, SOLDIER Genesis."

She swiveled gracefully to face Zack, and Genesis' smile dropped as he resisted a sigh. Did members of Sephiroth's fan club practice his body language too?

"Now, SOLDIER Zack." She held the folders up. "I have the rumored Sephiroth sightings documented in here–"

"Really?" Zack fist-pumped. "Great! Thanks!"

"–but I cannot simply relinquish them to non-members." She clung the folders closer to her.

Of course she couldn't. She had to be a pain in the ass like her hero.

Zack tilted his head. "I am a member."

All eyes turned on him.

"What?" Zack glanced around spastically from face to face, finally settling on Genesis, who stared at him blankly for a few moment before raising his eyebrow. Zack scowled. "Don't you give me that look, I joined both of yours!"

Of course he did. And no doubt Angeal's as well to complete the set.

"Seriously, dude?" Jessie asked, deadpan.

"Shut up, I was sixteen, they were the big thing at the time!"

Jessie's lips twitched upward. "You did it to meet girls, didn't you?"

Zack spluttered, eyes nervously darting over to Aerith. "I did not!"

"Yeah…" Jessie nodded slowly. "Yeah, ya did."

"It was before I met Aerith," he admitted, shoulders hunching as he sulked like a disciplined child.

Aerith giggled, not looking at all jealous or offended. "Then I don't mind, silly."

Genesis pinched the bridge of his nose. His headache was never going to leave. "I am surrounded by children." Preppy, teenaged children in the middle of a daydreaming romance. And he thought he could avoid this by having private tutors.

"So, why can't you just give those to Zack?" Tifa gestured to the folders in Brielle's hands. Thank Gaia she was still sensible at least.

"Well, because all of you would see them too!" Brielle explained brightly.

Genesis' hands clenched of their own accord. Could someone shoot him? Much more of this and he'd knock her out and take the damn things. "Madam, are you saying that you came all this way not to part with the information?"

Brielle blinked uncomprehendingly. "Why would I do that?"

Oh, so they didn't believe in sarcasm or rhetorical questions either? Well, they needed to update that information about Sephiroth – courtesy of many years of friendship with, as Reno once called him, The Sass King.

"Okay, so what do you want us to do?" Tifa asked, tone still polite, but… did he detect a pinch of force behind it?

"Well, become members, of course!" Brielle grinned. "Then you can have access to all the information we have whenever you want!"

He would willingly step in front of a Thundaga if it meant not joining Sephiroth's fan club – he'd never hear the end of it. Of course, if the others joined as well, they'd be less likely to mock him about it.

Sephiroth won't, Angeal's voice echoed in Genesis' head and he blinked. Where had that come from?

Aerith clapped her hands together. "Great! Sign us up!"

"Well, now, I can't do that so easily!" Brielle set the folders on the loveseat behind her and turned back to them. "First, you must prove your knowledge about the great Sephiroth."

Forget a Thundaga, he'd jump in front of a bus or Masamune. He sighed loudly. "Very well, ask away." How hard could a couple of trivia questions about Sephiroth be? He knew him far better than any fangirl.

"Excellent!" She pushed her glasses up her nose. "Now, usually, I ask one person three questions, but since there are so many of you, I will ask six." She looked at Zack. "As a member, you are not allowed to answer. The rest of you may answer one question each. Shall we begin?"

Damn it. That was less simple. Kunsel would be fine, Tifa stood a fair chance, Genesis didn't know about Jessie, but Barret? He knew next to nothing, only what they'd told him today.

"Yes," Genesis muttered. Not like they had much of a choice.

Brielle cleared her throat. "Question one: What is the name of Sephiroth's sword?"

Fairly standard, but would any of the less informed know? Kunsel glanced over at him, and Genesis shook his head. There were bound to be harder questionss they'd need him for. If only–

"Masamune," Tifa whispered, her hand pressed against her chest. Why did she do that every time Sephiroth was brought up?

"Correct. Question two: What is the name of Sephiroth's ultimate attack?"

Shiva. That was harder. Genesis checked one face after another, receiving clueless stares in return, except from Kunsel. It was down to the two of them, then. But who would have a better chance if a really tough one came along? Genesis was Sephiroth's actual friend, but Kunsel had his ways of knowing things that even he might not.

Brielle clasped her hands. "Well?"

Kunsel's lips moved to speak.

"It's Super Nova," Genesis forced past bared teeth.

"Correct!"

Kunsel's head snapped around to him. "Wha… Why would you do that?"

"Oh, you know why!" Genesis waved a hand at him. "Just make sure my faith is not misplaced, hmm?" He crossed his arms. Now he had to watch.

Brielle continued. "Question three: In which hand does Sephiroth hold his sword?"

"Oh! Oh!" Jessie raised her hand, hopping. "I know that! His left! He's left-handed!"

Yes. Excellent. She'd probably just seen a poster at some point, but it didn't matter how she knew it as long as she did. That was another one down without the loss of Kunsel.

"Correct. Question four: How many scented perfumes are used to make Sephiroth's shampoo?"

Genesis dropped his arms from their folded position. "What the hell kind of question is that?" That wasn't a trivia question – that was absurdity in verbal form. He didn't even know the answer to that. He doubted Sephiroth knew the answer to that – really, what man paid that much attention to his hair products? No one on the Planet but the producer of the product would know the answer to tha–

"Thirteen."

…Of course. Why was this even surprising anymore?

"Correct!" Brielle looked rather impressed. Good grief.

"Kunsel, why the actual hell do you know that?"

Genesis blinked. Had Zack just said that? That was… colorful for him. But Genesis related.

"Look, just be glad I do, okay?" Kunsel smiled sweetly. "Next please?"

The next question. Now that everyone with any real knowledge was out. Brilliant. He'd forgotten that Aerith would have to answer something as well. What were the chances of both of them getting their questions right? Well… at least they could scarcely get more obscure than the last one.

"Question five: Who is the Shinra scientist that Sephiroth idolized at a young age?"

That was it. He was casting Sleep on this woman, dumping her in a car headed for Midgar, and taking the documents.

"Oh, that was Professor Gast," Aerith piped up, eye wide, like she didn't expect to know.

Wait, what? No… she couldn't. Zack didn't know that, so he couldn't have told her. Unless… the attempted healing? What else did she know? For Gaia's sake, did she have half his life in her head now?

"Correct! Final question." Brielle turned to Barret specifically. "What is Sephiroth's favorite color?"

What were the odds of Barret randomly guessing the right color?

"Uhhh, silver?"

Damn it! For once, Genesis couldn't fault him. That was a fair guess, even though it was wro–

"Correct!" Brielle started clapping.

"No, it isn't."

"Hey, shut it! We got all the answers!" Barret glared at him.

Brielle frowned. "What do you mean? That was correct."

"No," Genesis snapped. "No, it wasn't. Get your information updated, his favorite color is green." And they called themselves fans.

Brielle cleared her throat again. "I will… look into that, since you are a reliable source. Until then, welcome to Silver Elite! If you give me your numbers, I'll put you on our email list."

"Just get his number." Genesis jerked his thumb at Kunsel. He was their self-proclaimed information dealer, and as such he could sift through the garbage those emails were bound to be full of. "All the rest of us require is the information in those folders."

"Very well." Brielle scooped up the files and held them out to Genesis, who snatched them away from her. Who knew if she was about to pull out something else they'd have to complete? She ignored his action and moved over to Kunsel.

Genesis flipped the folder open, eyes skimming for something useful. He discarded the first page to the loveseat and kept reading, checking the date stamps.

"Whatcha doing?" Zack peered over his shoulder.

"Taking out the sightings that were reported before his attack on Shinra. We know for certain where he was then, what we need to establish is where he went after that." He flicked the fifth page to join the first.

"Well, SOLDIER Fair, SOLDIER Genesis, I believe I'll be heading back to Midgar now." Brielle strutted towards the door. "It was a pleasure."

"Uh-huh!" Zack waved. "See you around!"

"Oh, I sure as hell hope not," Genesis muttered, tossing another page.

"Well, that's a little rude." Zack spoke in his normal volume as the door shut behind Brielle.

"What, you want her back in here?" Jessie's face morphed into appalled horror.

"Now, I didn't say that!" Zack held up his hands.

"This would be why I never socialized with my fans." Not many pages left now, but the few that remained had dates that spoke of promise.

Zack snickered. "I think you'd get along with the ones that used to be in the Study Group. I mean, I didn't have a clue what they were talking about, but I know you would. The Red Leather chicks weren't that bad either, but if you walked into a room with them, they'd probably break your eardrums with their squealing. Although, it's kinda hard to tell them apart now that they joined back into one group."

"Oh, did they? Resolved their petty differences, then?" December 18… Useless.

"Yeah, one ran out of funding, so the other helped them out, and they merged."

Genesis' hand paused mid-turn of the next page. Ran out of funding? Of course… his parents had funded that club.

"'Scuse me," Barret interrupted. "Can someone tell me why the hell we care?"

"We don't." Genesis shook off the thought of his parents, a feat that had become a little easier over the years. He snapped the folder shut on the remaining pages. "The Grassland Marshes. A chocobo farmer reported seeing a tall, silver-haired male in the area."

"Great! We can head there in the morning." Zack frowned at Genesis. "Since I know you're gonna say you're 'fine' for travel."

"I am." He wasn't exaggerating. The prolonged period of unconsciousness did his system wonders – he felt the strongest he had since Aerith healed his arm.

"Um." Jessie lifted her hand. "Now might be the time to tell you guys that I'm not coming."

"What?" Barret demanded; at the same time, Tifa asked, "Why not?"

"'Cause I'm the only one whose face isn't plastered under a wanted stamp in Shinra's files?" Jessie leaned against the loveseat's armrest. "Look, you guys have got important stuff to do, but I'm gonna be no help on the road. All I got is a few kicks and punches Tifa taught me when it comes to fighting. My place is at a computer. So… I'm gonna head back to Midgar and keep you guys updated on what I find out about Shinra."

"A logical choice." Genesis nodded. One less to look after. Not that Jessie was a hindrance, but she was right: she belonged at a computer, not traveling through the wilds. At least Strife had been a country bo–

Strife. Oh. They were supposed to meet him. "I also need to make a brief stop at an inn that lies on the way to the Marshes."

"The Kollers' inn?" Zack cocked his head to the side. "What do you need to go there for?"

How to answer that? Normally, he'd just tell Zack that Strife was waiting for them, but Zack hadn't used the cadet's name when he was telling his story. That wasn't an oversight or an accident. Zack didn't refer to his friends by rank.

Genesis finally settled on, "You'll see when we get there." And he moved on before Zack could protest. "Now, I recommend we all get a good night's sleep before any further decisions are made. We can discuss what remains to be said in the morning before we depart."

I am coming, old friend. I'll find you.

In regards to Jessie, don't worry, she'll be around. I'm sure you guys have noticed how massive this cast is getting already, and there are still several characters to join, so I need to balance things out. More characters mean less focus on each individual one.