Disclaimer: I've never own the rights to a video game and I probably never will. I'm a writer without pay.
A/N: Writers block and lesson plans. Those are my excuses. I didn't know what to write about and I am writing a lesson plan. A real lesson plan. To teach. To a real class. Can you say scared shitless? It makes writer's block worse when that rears its ugly. head. Just a waring, this is a product of twelve deleted attempts and three rounds of listening to the Book of Mormon.
Angeal woke up in a place that was utterly unfamiliar to him. Her jerked into an upright position his arms fumbling for a sword handle that just wasn't there.
"Morning sunshine." Angeal turned to the voice, still incredibly tense. What was Cass doing here? He blinked a few times and registered that he was on her sofa. She didn't seem particularly upset to see him here. But, wasn't he...
"Oh shit, what time is it?" he muttered.
"Almost ten," Cass said, "Troop commander already called. Lovely man. I Took all the blame, yada, yada, yada. He's taken all of the men on the war rotation off the hook anyway. You're clear until around...2100." Angeal sat back.
"I don't think I've ever heard you swear before," Cass said as she took a long pull from her coffee, "I'm beginning to think I'm a bad influence."
"I think just the military lifestyle is more to blame," Angeal said, "How was the party?"
"Fine," she replied, "dragged Sephiroth around the dance floor and filched a couple appetizers for lunch. Don't know what to do with the dress now." She was back in her favorited ugly sweaters. Angeal sort of remembered a very beautiful lady telling him to crash on the couch. It might have been real.
"I'm hungry," she said, "you?" He nodded. "What do you want?"
"I don't care," Angeal said.
"I want waffles," she said, seeming to ignore his response. Waffles sounded good anyway.
"Where's Genesis and Sephiroth?" Angeal asked.
"Sephiroth is in his room," Cass said, "Genesis is in the guest bedroom."
"...You have a guest bedroom?" Angeal asked.
"I keep forgetting you never go past the bathroom," Cass said, "it's a four bedroom apartment, which is more rooms than I need. I keep a room for Sephiroth, because he's always welcome, and then one for work emergencies. Namely when someone's been on a week long mission with no breaks. I'm the closest and let them get a few hours before I kick them out."
"Does this happen a lot?" Angeal asked.
"No," she said, "just once, but I keep it ready anyway because I don't feel like putting it away."
"How late were we up exactly?" Angeal asked.
"You and Genesis are still jet lagged by the looks of it," Cass said, "Sephiroth and I came back around midnight. It's not that late, but he will sleep in until he smells food."
"He was the first one up at the barracks," Angeal said.
"Uh huh," Cass said, "but here he can sleep in and get away with it so he does it whenever he can. He's not really a morning person."
"...I can see that actually," Angeal said. Cass nodded. Now that he thought about it the beautiful lady did sound kind of dry and sardonic. Perhaps she had been real.
"Do you want help?" Angeal asked.
"Sure," she said, "ever cook bacon?"
"Well...no," Angeal said.
"You're starting now," Cass said and pushed a package into his chest, "Don't burn yourself." He tore it open figuring it couldn't be that hard.
"A turned on stove helps," Cass said when he laid a few pieces on a skillet. He said nothing, but turned it on. Cass looked down the hall quietly before returning to mixing her batter.
"Does Genesis still have a crush on me?" she asked. Angeal jumped. He turned around with wide eyes.
"You know?" he said.
"He's being very discreet about it," Cass said, "but yes, I know. I hoped it had died off to gratuitous respect or admiration, but...still head over heels?"
"It's better than what it was at the beginning," Angeal said weakly, "but yeah. I think he's afraid of you finding out."
"Well that ship is way out at sea," Cass said, "It would be easier on him if he just came forward."
"It's kind of weird of have a crush on your friend's mother," Angeal said.
"Not really," Cass said, "It's about time something like this happened to Sephiroth. One way or another you boys will be attracted by members of the opposite sex. The only weird part is hiding it. Once it's out there then everyone can move on."
"...Have you ever had a crush?" Angeal asked.
"Mark Middleton," Cass said, " he was a very lovely, lovely boy to look at. I asked him out, he said no. I'm not heartbroken about it." There was a loud pop.
"Ow," Angeal said and rubbed his arm.
"I told you," Cass said.
Sephiroth smelled bacon. That meant Mom was cooking, which meant breakfast, which meant food. All of that meant that he was getting up. He did so, stepping lightly out into the hallway. The door to his left creaked open.
"Hello Genesis," Sephiroth said.
Mom carried her shoes, but hadn't burned them like she had said she would.
"I'm tired," she said, "Cinder-fuckin-rella is overrated. Eleven-thirty is how long the spell should last."
"Can I stay the night?" Sephrioth asked.
"I don't know Major," Cass said, "can you?"
"Yes I can," he said. She opened the door. She snickered at the sight inside.
"They really shouldn't make you poor boys work after traveling across time zones like that," she said. Angeal and Genesis were more or less sprawled out on the couch or on floor. Cass tossed her shoes aside and approached them.
"Hey," she said shoving at them. Genesis blinked blearily.
"If you get up you can have a bed," Cass said. Sephiroth helped Genesis get to his feet and started guiding him. Tseng had once stayed over after a long mission with two hours of sleep. The set up was still there.
"Get up on the couch, Angeal," he heard Mom say, "you can crash here for tonight. I'll take on the brass later." Sephiroth got Genesis to the bed and he figured out how to get situated between sheets on his own.
"Night Sephiroth," Mom said. Sephiroth turned for one last glance. Mom was looking at herself in the mirror. Then she got a rag and started wiping gently.
"Good night Mom," he said and went into his own room.
"What happened?" Genesis asked groaning.
"Nothing," Sephiroth said, "Mom's making breakfast if you want it." Genesis faltered. "Oh shit," he said.
"Briggs called already and said everyone has temporary leave as they work off jet lag," Sephiroth said. He'd rolled over after, but recalled his first unwelcome wake-up. Genesis relaxed.
" Where am I?" he asked.
"Spare bedroom at Mom's," Sephiroth said, "you and Angeal were passed out when we came back."
"Oh," Genesis said, "I thought I kicked her out of bed."
"She'd kick me out of bed first," Sephiroth said, "but she has four bedrooms." They both heard another "Ow".
"Don't be such baby," Cass's voice said.
"It's hot," Angeal countered.
"No shit," Cass said, "Why do you think I had you make it?" Sephiroth zeroed in on food again and let Genesis follow him where he may.
Mmm...waffles.
"How long did it take to get you into the dress?" Tseng asked.
"Ten minutes," Cass said, "it was awful. Get that fucking smirk off your face." Tseng did not get the smirk off his face.
"I might have paid good money to see that," Tseng said.
"Pervert," Cass said.
"What did you do with it?" he asked.
"It's in my closet collecting dust," Cass said, "I destroyed the shoes maliciously. I'm considering using heels as a torture method. I have a whole new respect for Scarlet too. I have no clue how she gets through the day. Does she have a change of shoes in her car?"
"An entire change of wardrobe," Reno supplied.
"I'm not shocked at all that you know that," Cass replied, "Tseng trained you and he's a perverted stalker." Reno turned to the quiet noise Rude made.
"I can't believe that's yo' laugh yo," Reno said.
"Extra desert Rude?" Cass asked. Rude accepted.
"How come you always so nice to him?" Reno asked, "I treat you good."
"Well Reno," Cass said, "Rude has always acted like a gentlemen in my presence and I treat him much the same. You, while quite fun at times, can still be ass as our first meeting so proved."
"I'm sorry," Reno said.
"That was the only desert I had," Cass said, "I didn't exactly have a lot of room to steal food with."
"Sucks to suck," Rude murmured.
"You're kind of a bitch you know that," Tseng said, "I didn't get anything either."
"I love you too sweetie."
"No," Cass said. She stood resolute through the glares. She wasn't going to be bullied or coerced this time. Once was enough.
"You did a fantastic job last time," Reeve said, "Just once more."
"No," Cass said again, "I said everything that needed to be said. And I said it nicely. If I do this again it's gonna be in momma bear mode."
"That's fine," Reeve said, "Public Affairs just really needs you say something. Anything at this point. Momma bear might be best actually."
"You fucking suck at negotiations," Cass said.
"You can have a list of questions beforehand," the P. R. head said desperately. Cass felt her resolution slipping slightly. She held out for another hour before finally breaking down. They agreed upon one press release. Cass just had to read three paragraphs and she would be done. P.R. would even write it for her.
"She's going off script!"
"Shh, let's just hear her out."
"Oh fuck, oh fuck."
"We can edit this, it's not live."
"No we can't! She changed the passwords!."
"Clever girl."
I cannot comprehend how many of you did not understand my plea to leave Sephiroth and I alone. I have counted thirteen forums speculating my identity. My only consolation is that none of them are even remotely close. I don't know how the people addressing themselves as the "Silver Elite" managed to gain access to the Annual Founders Ball. I also don't know how someone managed to sneak a camera inside since there were four coat checks. I can, however say one thing with perfect accuracy.
You people need lives.
Take the picture of Sephiroth dancing with that woman down. Do not threaten to kill her in her sleep if she's his girlfriend. Do not threaten her if she is me. Don't threaten anybody. It will not get you into Sephiroth's good graces. It probably makes him quite upset.
Contrary to popular believe he does not like killing people.
Furthermore, if you really support Sephiroth you would actually take a look at everyone surrounding him. He has dozens of young men just like himself that you are all ignoring. They are his friends, not you. When he gets wounded he doesn't go looking for sympathy from you he goes for help to his friends. All of them are just as qualified and impressive as he is and they hate all of you as much as I do.
And I do hate you.
I can't help it when you make Sephiroth this confused. What the hell is he supposed to do when people outside of his control start acting like animals?
And you are animals.
So please, for the love of God, Silver Elite members. Learn the meaning of personal space. I'm not your mother. I can't teach it to you.
"What's this?" Cass asked. Sephiroth shrugged.
"It was sent to me, but it's definitely for you," he said. It was addressed to "To the Guardian of Sephiroth".
"Hate mail?" she guessed.
"It had better not be," Sephiroth said.
"What are they going to do?" Cass asked, "They don't even know what I look like without a dress and makeup." She opened it. It wasn't hate mail.
Not even close.
Dear Madam (I do not know your proper name, so this is what I believe is the most polite.)
Your son terrifies me. It is not his physical prowess nor the threat he stands for. It is how human he is.
He prefers to keep people alive. I can see that. He treats his prisoners well. One or two have escaped to come to me and they were all fed and given places to sleep. Only a few were subjected to interrogation and they were only the ones who truly had information. That is not the work of the Demon many of my people have come to call him.
They pity you. Some believe you are kept close to him against your will. Others think you have the blind devotion of a parent. My perspective is quite similar. I too am a single parent and I can see you have done your best considering your situation. I applaud you Madam.
You have taught your son that every person has the right to live or at least that is what I tell myself. It is quite a different view than his employers would prefer him to have. I applaud you Madam.
I can see your situation quite clearly and, despite our adversarial positions, I can sympathize. I won't pretend that my well wishes make a difference, but I offer them regardless.
Good luck Madam.
Cass didn't show it to Sephiroth. She didn't show it to anyone. Instead she chose to ponder if "sir" was a proper way to address an Emperor in a returning letter.
