Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all of the character s herein belong to
Squaresoft and its' affiliates. I own nothing, or at least nothing that
you're interested in.
Author's Note: Okay, here it is! The much-anticipated arrival of the new character! *cheers* I'll announce the winner at the end of this chapter, so please wait until then! And, just so you know, if you have any questions about my decision, you can e-mail me. Just check my status page for my address. Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 14:
A Long Day
The classroom was full of boring, mundane people who wanted nothing more than to receive the highest grade on the next test. Sure, there was the occasional child who accepted their failing grade with grace, but for the most past everyone wanted to succeed. Their attentive eyes never wavered from the teacher's face, showing the love of learning that unfortunately fades sometime after the fifth grade. Of course, it may just be that humans naturally give up when circumstances become too difficult, but the fact remained that adults clearly lacked the level of awareness that was present in the majority of the students.
The room itself seemed filled with life. Bright sunlight poured through open windows, complimented by a light wind that caressed the drapes lovingly. A friendly chorus of birds serenaded the room, lending their happiness to the overall atmosphere of the room. The walls were covered with various art projects that the students had completed. A fan in a corner left the room feeling refreshed and light, and there was almost no noise from the busy metropolis that surrounded the room's occupants.
A lanky boy sat in the back of the room, sprawled out in his small chair. Long silver hair played over his shoulders and down his back, lightly fluttering in the wind. His green eyes were cold, and seemed made specifically to keep people away from him. They wandered about the room, making observations that seemed far too jaded for someone his age.
Of course, there was something different about him ever since he had come back from his… disappearance. The teachers had told the class that he was sick, but when he came back, he seemed even worse off than when he had left. All traces of kindness were gone, and even his attitude towards the people who tried to befriend him was colder than normal.
This applied to everyone, including one specific young girl who, similar to the boy her gaze drifted to so often, heard voices that no one else could. Of course, her voices made her happier, and seemed to make her keep a peaceful existence with the world. His voices were more controlling, and all of his efforts were expanded to contain the ever-increasing lure of the words that repeated in his mind continuously.
If they had known exactly what the other was going through, they might have been able to bond easily. As the situation stood, however, each was lost in their own thoughts. She was lost in visions that the planet gave her; he in his ever-present struggle for control of his own body.
Her gaze drifted over him once more, studying the way the shadows played over his face. He really did look mysterious, and it thrilled her for a reason that was quite unknown.
His eyes drifted over to hers, and she looked away, blushing unconsciously. He narrowed his eyes in irritation. Exactly how was he supposed to make up all of his schoolwork when she continued to look at him like that? Her gaze unnerved him, and the intensity of her interest in him both confused and intrigued him. But then how could he concentrate on anything at all, what with Jenova pressing her will on him all the time? There must be a way for them to reach a compromise of sorts. He would have to think more on it.
So, when the door to the classroom opened and the new figure walked in, neither was paying much attention. Only when the teacher began speaking did they both look up. And what they found would change both their lives forever.
He was short, but that didn't detract from his good looks at all. His black hair stood on end in spikes, and his eyes were a mixture of various dark colors. He was slouching against the wall, a lazy smile playing on his lips. He looked only slightly younger than Sephiroth, most of his youth residing in his face and height. For a boy of only seven years he was surprisingly well-built, which made most of the girls begin to giggle.
Aeris was a victim of an extreme case of giggles, and she had an attack. The planet told her to hush, but she couldn't help it. He made her feel light and nice inside, similar to the way she had felt when meeting Sephiroth. Maybe this was also someone the planet thought was important for her to know? If so, than she should try and talk to him quickly. He might be more talkative than Sephiroth had been.
Sephiroth himself studied the newcomer thoughtfully. He looked like a good ally. The thought was sudden, and he realized with a jolt that it was not his own. He pushed Jenova away and tried to get an unbiased opinion. The newcomer exuded strength, and he seemed very sure of himself. His body language was very open, friendly, and Sephiroth knew he would be popular in class. His hair was a… statement, surely. No one had natural hair like that. His eyes seemed to hold something more than he let on, but that was something to discover at a later time. For the moment, he concentrated on the teacher's voice.
"Alright, class, this is Zack. He's going to be joining us from now on."
The students started whispering excitedly, exactly as they always did whenever something happened hat hadn't been planned on. The teacher looked around the room, smiling, glad that the new arrival was being welcomed so easily. Zack still leaned against the blackboard, smiling as if he didn't have a care in the world. And, with his attitude, looks, and the way people responded to him, he probably didn't.
"Alright, now. Settle down, settle down. Is there anything you'd like to say, Zack?"
Zack shrugged. From others the movement seemed jerky, but with him it was fluid. Not quite a rise and fall of his shoulders, so much as rolling them forward then back. The interesting thing was that there was no way someone would interpret that gesture as anything but a shrug. It was a movement they would all become familiar with.
"Hi. I'm Zack. I just moved here a few days ago. I'll be glad to get to know you guys better." He smiled again, and Sephiroth was sure he heard a girl in front of him sigh.
Sephiroth rolled his eyes. What was so great about this guy? So what if he looked good? It wasn't like these girls had ever shown interest in boys before this. Why the sudden change? He'd be good in battle. Those arms were simply made for carrying a sword. And with his stature, he'd have the advantage of both strength and speed. It really was-
He shook his head sharply. He really would have to work out a deal with her.
Aeris studied Zack carefully. There was something about him that reminded her strongly of the silent boy in the back. It certainly wasn't the way he looked. He was short, and had dark hair and eyes. Sephiroth was tall with light hair and eyes. It definitely wasn't the way he acted. He seemed much friendlier than Sephiroth could ever hope of being. She couldn't quite place it, but it was definitely there. It gave her something to think about until she could actually talk to him.
The teacher let Zack go find a seat. Many girls suddenly found an empty space at their table. However, Zack walked right to the back of the room and sat down next to Sephiroth, much to everyone's surprise and Sephiroth's chagrin.
The class sat in stunned silence for a moment, before the teacher called their attention back to the present. She gave them work to do, and they all began it with the feeling that at recess they would all become Zack's best friend.
Aeris surprised herself by being very pleased with Zack's choice. If the new mysterious boy befriended the old one, then at least Sephiroth would have someone to talk to. In fact, she was so happy with the situation that she didn't realize she was staring at them for longer than would have been considered polite under any circumstances.
Of course, neither boy realized that she studied them, and if they had, they wouldn't have cared.
Sephiroth himself was displeased almost to the point of discomfort. Why was this Zack sitting here instead of at some other table where he would be welcomed? Was it not obvious to everyone that the solitary boy in the back wanted to stay that way?
Zack just smiled and held out his hand. "Hi. I'm Zack."
Sephiroth stared at the offered hand as if it was poisonous. His eyes darted back up to the boy's face and he realized that there was no malice in that expression. It was so very like the one that girl sometimes held when she spoke to him. He sighed and shook hands with the newcomer. Zack's hands were strong and calloused, and Sephiroth didn't realize that his own grip was much too similar for it to be purely coincidence.
When they had finished, Zack smiled and rubbed his hand. Not out of pain, just for show. It seemed like something he would do. "Wow, nice handshake, umm… nameless one."
Sephiroth smile despite himself, then immediately went back to his usual neutral face. "Sephiroth."
Zack smiled again. Sephiroth briefly wondered if it hurt to smile that much. "So you can speak. I was getting worried."
Sephiroth rolled his eyes and said nothing. Zack thought highly of himself. That was fine by Sephiroth, as long as he wasn't supposed to think highly of the newcomer as well. It would take more than spiky hair and a nice smile to impress him.
"Ah, the silent, brooding type. I see," Zack said. He smiled and laid a hand on Sephiroth's shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll fix that up in no time."
Sephiroth shrugged the hand off with practiced distaste. He sighed and began to work on the simple math problems, finishing them in no time. He looked up to find Zack staring at him.
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed and he looked hard at Zack. When the boy didn't say anything, Sephiroth irritably asked, "What?"
Zack laughed, a low sound that made the nearby girls turn. "See? We're making progress already."
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes and began to make a scathing reply, but Zack just looked at him expectantly. Just to be annoying, Sephiroth held his tongue, grated his teeth, and looked back down at the next problem.
He heard that musical laugh again and chose to ignore it.
"You know, we're going to have a lot of fun together," said a voice so close to his ear that he jumped.
Sephiroth glared at Zack and felt eyes watch him from across the room. He turned and saw Aeris staring at him, not even bothering to look away when he looked at her pointedly. He sighed once more.
It was going to be a long day.
Author's Note (cont.): Well, as you've all guessed by now, the new character is Zack! Congratulations, AnarchistDude a.k.a. SilentlyScreamingForHelp (who also happened to be the first to guess at all! Weird, no?) !! You've just won a million dollars! Okay, not really, all you get is a fanfiction. But hey, it's better than nothing! ^__^ So, thanks to all those who guessed!! Some of you gave me good ideas about how to introduce other characters in this story, and I assure you all, every single character in the game will be in this story. Somehow… I'm not sure exactly how yet, but trust me on this. The only one I might not be able to fit in is Shera. But I'm working on fitting her in, too.
Anyway, thanks for your guesses! Congrats once again, AnarchistDude, and let me know about the fanfiction you want soon, okay? Either e-mail me or post it on the reviews page. Arigatou, minna-san!!
Author's Note: Okay, here it is! The much-anticipated arrival of the new character! *cheers* I'll announce the winner at the end of this chapter, so please wait until then! And, just so you know, if you have any questions about my decision, you can e-mail me. Just check my status page for my address. Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 14:
A Long Day
The classroom was full of boring, mundane people who wanted nothing more than to receive the highest grade on the next test. Sure, there was the occasional child who accepted their failing grade with grace, but for the most past everyone wanted to succeed. Their attentive eyes never wavered from the teacher's face, showing the love of learning that unfortunately fades sometime after the fifth grade. Of course, it may just be that humans naturally give up when circumstances become too difficult, but the fact remained that adults clearly lacked the level of awareness that was present in the majority of the students.
The room itself seemed filled with life. Bright sunlight poured through open windows, complimented by a light wind that caressed the drapes lovingly. A friendly chorus of birds serenaded the room, lending their happiness to the overall atmosphere of the room. The walls were covered with various art projects that the students had completed. A fan in a corner left the room feeling refreshed and light, and there was almost no noise from the busy metropolis that surrounded the room's occupants.
A lanky boy sat in the back of the room, sprawled out in his small chair. Long silver hair played over his shoulders and down his back, lightly fluttering in the wind. His green eyes were cold, and seemed made specifically to keep people away from him. They wandered about the room, making observations that seemed far too jaded for someone his age.
Of course, there was something different about him ever since he had come back from his… disappearance. The teachers had told the class that he was sick, but when he came back, he seemed even worse off than when he had left. All traces of kindness were gone, and even his attitude towards the people who tried to befriend him was colder than normal.
This applied to everyone, including one specific young girl who, similar to the boy her gaze drifted to so often, heard voices that no one else could. Of course, her voices made her happier, and seemed to make her keep a peaceful existence with the world. His voices were more controlling, and all of his efforts were expanded to contain the ever-increasing lure of the words that repeated in his mind continuously.
If they had known exactly what the other was going through, they might have been able to bond easily. As the situation stood, however, each was lost in their own thoughts. She was lost in visions that the planet gave her; he in his ever-present struggle for control of his own body.
Her gaze drifted over him once more, studying the way the shadows played over his face. He really did look mysterious, and it thrilled her for a reason that was quite unknown.
His eyes drifted over to hers, and she looked away, blushing unconsciously. He narrowed his eyes in irritation. Exactly how was he supposed to make up all of his schoolwork when she continued to look at him like that? Her gaze unnerved him, and the intensity of her interest in him both confused and intrigued him. But then how could he concentrate on anything at all, what with Jenova pressing her will on him all the time? There must be a way for them to reach a compromise of sorts. He would have to think more on it.
So, when the door to the classroom opened and the new figure walked in, neither was paying much attention. Only when the teacher began speaking did they both look up. And what they found would change both their lives forever.
He was short, but that didn't detract from his good looks at all. His black hair stood on end in spikes, and his eyes were a mixture of various dark colors. He was slouching against the wall, a lazy smile playing on his lips. He looked only slightly younger than Sephiroth, most of his youth residing in his face and height. For a boy of only seven years he was surprisingly well-built, which made most of the girls begin to giggle.
Aeris was a victim of an extreme case of giggles, and she had an attack. The planet told her to hush, but she couldn't help it. He made her feel light and nice inside, similar to the way she had felt when meeting Sephiroth. Maybe this was also someone the planet thought was important for her to know? If so, than she should try and talk to him quickly. He might be more talkative than Sephiroth had been.
Sephiroth himself studied the newcomer thoughtfully. He looked like a good ally. The thought was sudden, and he realized with a jolt that it was not his own. He pushed Jenova away and tried to get an unbiased opinion. The newcomer exuded strength, and he seemed very sure of himself. His body language was very open, friendly, and Sephiroth knew he would be popular in class. His hair was a… statement, surely. No one had natural hair like that. His eyes seemed to hold something more than he let on, but that was something to discover at a later time. For the moment, he concentrated on the teacher's voice.
"Alright, class, this is Zack. He's going to be joining us from now on."
The students started whispering excitedly, exactly as they always did whenever something happened hat hadn't been planned on. The teacher looked around the room, smiling, glad that the new arrival was being welcomed so easily. Zack still leaned against the blackboard, smiling as if he didn't have a care in the world. And, with his attitude, looks, and the way people responded to him, he probably didn't.
"Alright, now. Settle down, settle down. Is there anything you'd like to say, Zack?"
Zack shrugged. From others the movement seemed jerky, but with him it was fluid. Not quite a rise and fall of his shoulders, so much as rolling them forward then back. The interesting thing was that there was no way someone would interpret that gesture as anything but a shrug. It was a movement they would all become familiar with.
"Hi. I'm Zack. I just moved here a few days ago. I'll be glad to get to know you guys better." He smiled again, and Sephiroth was sure he heard a girl in front of him sigh.
Sephiroth rolled his eyes. What was so great about this guy? So what if he looked good? It wasn't like these girls had ever shown interest in boys before this. Why the sudden change? He'd be good in battle. Those arms were simply made for carrying a sword. And with his stature, he'd have the advantage of both strength and speed. It really was-
He shook his head sharply. He really would have to work out a deal with her.
Aeris studied Zack carefully. There was something about him that reminded her strongly of the silent boy in the back. It certainly wasn't the way he looked. He was short, and had dark hair and eyes. Sephiroth was tall with light hair and eyes. It definitely wasn't the way he acted. He seemed much friendlier than Sephiroth could ever hope of being. She couldn't quite place it, but it was definitely there. It gave her something to think about until she could actually talk to him.
The teacher let Zack go find a seat. Many girls suddenly found an empty space at their table. However, Zack walked right to the back of the room and sat down next to Sephiroth, much to everyone's surprise and Sephiroth's chagrin.
The class sat in stunned silence for a moment, before the teacher called their attention back to the present. She gave them work to do, and they all began it with the feeling that at recess they would all become Zack's best friend.
Aeris surprised herself by being very pleased with Zack's choice. If the new mysterious boy befriended the old one, then at least Sephiroth would have someone to talk to. In fact, she was so happy with the situation that she didn't realize she was staring at them for longer than would have been considered polite under any circumstances.
Of course, neither boy realized that she studied them, and if they had, they wouldn't have cared.
Sephiroth himself was displeased almost to the point of discomfort. Why was this Zack sitting here instead of at some other table where he would be welcomed? Was it not obvious to everyone that the solitary boy in the back wanted to stay that way?
Zack just smiled and held out his hand. "Hi. I'm Zack."
Sephiroth stared at the offered hand as if it was poisonous. His eyes darted back up to the boy's face and he realized that there was no malice in that expression. It was so very like the one that girl sometimes held when she spoke to him. He sighed and shook hands with the newcomer. Zack's hands were strong and calloused, and Sephiroth didn't realize that his own grip was much too similar for it to be purely coincidence.
When they had finished, Zack smiled and rubbed his hand. Not out of pain, just for show. It seemed like something he would do. "Wow, nice handshake, umm… nameless one."
Sephiroth smile despite himself, then immediately went back to his usual neutral face. "Sephiroth."
Zack smiled again. Sephiroth briefly wondered if it hurt to smile that much. "So you can speak. I was getting worried."
Sephiroth rolled his eyes and said nothing. Zack thought highly of himself. That was fine by Sephiroth, as long as he wasn't supposed to think highly of the newcomer as well. It would take more than spiky hair and a nice smile to impress him.
"Ah, the silent, brooding type. I see," Zack said. He smiled and laid a hand on Sephiroth's shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll fix that up in no time."
Sephiroth shrugged the hand off with practiced distaste. He sighed and began to work on the simple math problems, finishing them in no time. He looked up to find Zack staring at him.
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed and he looked hard at Zack. When the boy didn't say anything, Sephiroth irritably asked, "What?"
Zack laughed, a low sound that made the nearby girls turn. "See? We're making progress already."
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes and began to make a scathing reply, but Zack just looked at him expectantly. Just to be annoying, Sephiroth held his tongue, grated his teeth, and looked back down at the next problem.
He heard that musical laugh again and chose to ignore it.
"You know, we're going to have a lot of fun together," said a voice so close to his ear that he jumped.
Sephiroth glared at Zack and felt eyes watch him from across the room. He turned and saw Aeris staring at him, not even bothering to look away when he looked at her pointedly. He sighed once more.
It was going to be a long day.
Author's Note (cont.): Well, as you've all guessed by now, the new character is Zack! Congratulations, AnarchistDude a.k.a. SilentlyScreamingForHelp (who also happened to be the first to guess at all! Weird, no?) !! You've just won a million dollars! Okay, not really, all you get is a fanfiction. But hey, it's better than nothing! ^__^ So, thanks to all those who guessed!! Some of you gave me good ideas about how to introduce other characters in this story, and I assure you all, every single character in the game will be in this story. Somehow… I'm not sure exactly how yet, but trust me on this. The only one I might not be able to fit in is Shera. But I'm working on fitting her in, too.
Anyway, thanks for your guesses! Congrats once again, AnarchistDude, and let me know about the fanfiction you want soon, okay? Either e-mail me or post it on the reviews page. Arigatou, minna-san!!