I'm so sorry that this story is coming along so slow, and that is chapter is so short! I definitely have ideas for how I want the plot to advance, but it's just a matter of stringing the darn thing together! xD
I appreciate all who have read and reviewed the first chapter! You have no idea how much it means to me! :3
Oh! And since it's never explicitly stated, this I how I visualized the character's ages: Genesis at 19, Angeal at 20, and Sephiroth at 14 (which explains why the first two are a lot more informal than normal depictions). Apologies for any confusion!
Anyways, enough of me! Thank you all to the stars and back! *hugs*
--
All was engulfed in a blinding, red light. Sirens blared, and the faint sound of shrieking could be heard in the distance.
A flash of black swept across the metallic floors, crimson tracing in its wake. It ran and ran, the torrent of pursuing boots echoing among fragile ears.
A gun was fired, followed by several others. The shadow weaved and dived, evading bullets as they rebounded off bloodied walls.
Sleek metal was drawn, lacerating the neck of a lunging monster. It was spared a sorrowful frown as the creature fell dead, flesh slit in two. But there was no time for grieving. The shadow raced on.
A window was approaching. Closer and closer it neared, footsteps caving in. Knees bent, eyes narrowed.
Glass shattered, and it was gone.
Sephiroth sank into the charcoal cushions, cautiously applying gauze to his lower hip. He laced the nurturing cloth around the wound, eyeing stained crimson with mild annoyance.
Such mentors he thought distastefully to himself. The red-headed one seemed to find infuriating pleasure in defeating his student. Aren't mentors supposed to assist their trainees? Not flaunt their victories.
Now that he thought about it, why did he even need a mentor? SephIroth prided himself on his independence more than all other. It was a blow to his own dignity to need such tutelage -- let alone two.
The teen padded down his bandage. How could he have lost, anyway? He had always been able to effortlessly staple his focus into his battles, yet his guard had been shattered. What could have possibly possessed him to do such a thing?
Overconfidence will destroy you.
Emeralds strained as the words penetrated his thoughts. Had he really let his own immodesty dictate his combat skills...?
Yes. Sephiroth had felt undeniable satisfaction after surpassing Genesis's expectations. But why? He didn't owe these Soldiers anything! However, he wanted to overpower Genesis. He wanted to prove that he could be a worthy student unburdened by "overconfidence." He was beyond that!
The teen slowly shook his head, silver bangs dancing with the rhythm. No, now he was back to square one. Everyone could be victim to the poisonous clutch of arrogance... including himself.
No! It could never happen to you! You could never be so foolish!
Of course it could happen to you. Mistakes are human. You know that good and well.
Human? Is that a title fitting for a lab rat such as yourself? You are so much more! And you will be so much more! Mistakes are unacceptable.
No! That's not what you want! You just want to be... normal.
Why desire something you know is impossible? You are what you're meant to be. What you're supposed to be.
Sephiroth seized a nearby pillow, bringing the cushion up to his face. He buried a throbbing head into warm velvet as the clamoring voices in his mind continued to battle.
Maybe he did need a mentor.
"Sephiroth?" A gentle knock followed. "You in there?"
He instantly recognized the voice. The teen receded from his plush lifeline, blinking in surprise. He questionably shifted his gaze to the door.
"Yes...?" he reluctantly answered.
"May I come in?"
Sephiroth hastily returned the pillow to its original position. It had already been nearly flattened to a buttermilk breakfast serving thanks to him.
"If you must," he sighed. It wasn't often that the teen received visitors -- not that he minded. "Are you alone?"
He heard a faint chuckle. "Yes, it's just me."
"Go ahead."
Angeal gingerly opened the door, mindful to close the slab of wood behind him. He smiled upon seeing the younger Soldier.
"How did you find my room?" Sephiroth skeptically studied the other.
"Lazard told me," the brunet chirped. He scanned the room with an intrigued eye, admiring the adolescent's choice of decorations; which in this case, was none.
He seated himself beside the skeptical teen, draping his arms over the sofa's head.
"Did you need something?" Sephiroth folded his arms. He would be lying to himself if he wasn't thankful for the distraction.
"Nope," Angeal assured. "Just wanted to make sure you were alright after earlier today."
Sephiroth let out an unmistakable snarl. "As I said, twice, I'm fine."
"Had a feeling you were gonna say that," the older man jested, now bearing a smirk. Fawn eyes fell onto his trainee's plastered side as the expression faded.
"I have no reason to lie," Sephiroth returned as he offered a cursory glance for himself. He grunted then, lowering his gaze and allowing the lengthy tresses to spill. He had wanted to ask ever since their meeting. Now was an appropriate time.
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
Angeal was taken aback by the question. He had always tried to be a kind person when possible; treating his men with warmth yet possessing an insightful backbone. No amount of kindness appeared to reach the kid, seemingly shielded from his reach. But he was not one to give up. No way, no how. Especially not on the first day.
Maybe he just needed to approach this differently.
"Hey," Angeal bestowed a soft smile. "I know you may not trust me or Gen yet. I understand that. But I want you to know..." he leaned forward, making sure the other met his honest gaze, "we're here for you, little buddy."
"How can you say such things to me?" the teen shook his head. "I've done nothing for you."
Angeal eyes were filled only with warmth and sympathy. "You're my trainee. That's more than I could have ever asked for."
Sephiroth remained there for an undeterminable amount of time, letting the silence consume them. Dismal, silver bangs veiled any trace of emotion.
However, a faint and genuine smile found its way onto the stoic features anyway.
"Thank you..."
Angeal smiled. This was a start.
Genesis sauntered down the carpeted hallway, a reluctant yawn tearing free. He had just finished patrolling the campgrounds, as it was his night to do so. Normally, the auburn didn't mind a casual amble around the base -- finding it rather pleasant. It granted him time to muse over theories concerning his favorite novel.
But tonight, he just couldn't seem to shake his head free.
That kid, man. He was sure something else. When Angeal had wore him down into joining the mentorship program, Genesis had no clue in Gaia what to expect. Perhaps someone who would constantly try and prank his teachers? An immature nuisance?
Actually, their trainee didn't appear to be immature -- for which Genesis was grateful. In fact, he was a little too mature. Well, the auburn would just have to fix that.
Silvy was a kid, after all. They're built for chaos.
"Gen!"
He looked up with a start. Angeal was rushing down the corridor, gleaming broadly as he waved.
"Someone's happy," the auburn noted, walking forward to meet his comrade. "Where have you been?"
"Sephiroth's place," Angeal chirped.
"What were you doing there?"
The older man shrugged. "Just talking... and seeing if he would answer."
"Good luck," Genesis resisted a scoff. "You saw how he was today. Thought you'd know a lost cause when you see one."
Angeal's joy faltered. Instead, it was replaced by a disapproving sketch of a frown. "What do I always tell you about first impressions, Gen?"
Here we go... the other moaned to himself.
Angeal stood, arms crossed as he waited for a response. He regarded his friend with expectance.
Genesis sighed in defeat. "'Never judge people for the choices they make when you don't know the options they had to choose from,"' he flawlessly recited.
Angeal nodded, the smile steadily returning. "Exactly. It's only been a day, Gen. Think of the dishonor it would it be to give up on him just like that. There's still a lot we need to learn ourselves." His mind wandered to their budding friendship. "And... I think he really needs us."
Genesis heard what was unspoken. This is just what Angeal had wanted; to go above and beyond merely succoring his trainee with combat. More so, it was just what Genesis feared. He was not adept at connecting with others on emotional levels.
But... they might as well finish what had been started. May it go down in flames or not.
"I suppose... we can give it some more time," Genesis conceded. "Can't just leave a horse with no water."
Angeal's expression softened to dough. He reached out, pulling his best friend close in an enthusiastic hug.
"Now there's the Gen I know and love!"
The auburn squirmed back, mending his now rustled hair. "Alright, alright. Don't get all marshmallow on me." He fixed the other with an anticipating look. "So, what do you propose we do?"
Angeal kneaded his shoulder. "I'm going to go see if I can deal something up with Lazard. I'm thinking maybe an inspection mission, where we can have some private time away from the city."
Genesis digested this for a moment. "Sounds great and all," he started, "but just one problem: Sephiroth's a Third. Only Seconds and above are eligible for assignments."
"I didn't think of that," the brunet admitted, dropping his arm. That definitely added a damper in his plan. Ideally, Angeal wanted to leave once time allowed -- already at the brink of climbing Midgar's walls. He wasn't expecting an actual conflict, albeit the change of scenery would be pleasant.
"Well, then we'll just have to make sure he is promoted," Genesis deduced, inwardly smirking. No doubt would that process include several more spars.
Angeal nodded in agreement, another thought having been born. "Say, when's the next Soldiers' exam?"
"Next week," the other supplied, to his own surprise. It was much closer than he had thought. As First Classes, exams were a finished chapter of their lives and therefore forgotten.
Genesis shuddered. Suddenly, the distasteful memories were barraging into his mind's eye; training until his throat ran barren, kneeling over the restroom floor as the world spun around him. He had always been particularly vulnerable to the Mako injections, while Angeal had much more manageable symptoms. It was one of the main barriers that held the auburn from advancing.
And Gaia forbid if that kid flies through it.