So Alice, how is your trip down the rabbit hole been so far? Just follow the white rabbit. That's only a joke to those who have read Alice in Wonderland or have seen the Matrix would get. I reached two demographs with that one. People who read, and the rest of you. Anyway, blah blah, legal matters, blah blah, copyright, blah blah, Final Fantasy, Alice in Wonderland, or the Matrix, blah blah, world domination, etc.
"Oh, it's you Vincent. Sorry, I thought the doctor had come back. And is that you Lucrecia? Sorry, you look different without your lab coat. Well, come in. I just got some tea ready. I'm sure I have some coffee left if you'd like some."
The old man turned around and walked away. Yuffie looked to Vincent and shrugged. They both followed. Compared to the disrepair of the mansion above, this area was neat and clean. Everything was sterile white and well lighted. Vincent and Yuffie followed the man to another room. It was a modest little kitchenette, with all the necessary devices. The man was pouring some tea for himself.
"Would you like some Vincent? It's quite good."
"Uh, no, thank you."
"And you Lucrecia? It's from Wutai, a very good brand. Takes the stiffness out of the bones."
"Sure, I'd love some."
"Alright."
The man busied himself with a second cup for Yuffie, all the while humming.
"There you go." he said, handing her a cup. "I must ask for more, but I don't think anyone would listen."
"This is good. This is the Halios brand isn't it?"
"Yes indeed. Very perceptive."
"They haven't made this since the war."
"What war?"
"Shin Ra attacked Wutai about twenty years ago and killed the Halios family."
"Twenty years? Has it really been that long Vincent?"
"I'm sorry, but for the life of me I can't remember you. You were on the Jenova project, correct?"
"Oh yes. Not surprising you don't remember me. It's been a long time and I've grown old. I'm Raymond Baxent, assistant to Dr. Hojo. I was the guy who followed Hojo around and did what he said. Your job was to protect the heads of research, not the gofers."
"Baxent. I think I remember. I always pitied you for having to work for Hojo."
"You aren't the only one. But that was a life time ago. You and Lucrecia look fine and dandy. Of course that's the Jenova cells isn't it? Well, enough reminiscing, where's Hojo? I'm almost finished with my project. I need to know what to do next."
"I don't know how to say this."
"He's dead."
"Dr. Hojo's dead is he. Couldn't happen to a more deserving guy."
"I thought you'd be sorry that he's dead."
"Heck no. I never liked his way of doing things. So closed minded. A real jerk. Not at all like Dr. Gast. What happened to him? I suppose he's dead too."
"He is. Hojo killed him."
"I knew that would happen. Hojo always could play the bureaucratic game better Gast. But what happened to Ifalna? Gast's wife? I heard she was an Ancient."
"She died too, Hojo killed her. So is her daughter."
"Ifalna had a daughter? I bet she was as cute as a bug. Ifalna was such a nice woman. I only met her twice, but she leaves quite an impression. And speaking of kids. What happened to Sephiroth? He was always such trouble. Of course he helped a lot more than he hurt. What happened to him? Last thing I know was the Turks took him away to become a member of Soldier."
"He went insane and tried to destroy the planet."
"And where were you Lucrecia? If it was just Hojo that raised him, then you would your reasons. But where were you?"
"Baxent, she's not Lucrecia. Lucrecia's dead."
"Well, damn near everyone's dying on me here. I'm still alive, you're still alive, anyone else I should know about?"
"I think that's all."
"So what are you working on?"
"It's nice to have a pretty lady have an interest in my work, Miss?"
"Yuffie."
"Miss Yuffie. Well, you see, about five years ago some guy just waltzes in and hands me a real interesting piece of materia. It was this large slab with several other materia in it. All summoning materia. Odd thing is, is that there was a slot for one more. Anyway, this guy just hands me this materia and tells me to study it and then leaves. Having nothing else to do, I examine it. A week later, the guy comes back and takes it away. He said about how it was still needed or something. A month after that, he comes back again. In the meanwhile I was trying to figure out what it was. So when he came back, he wanted to know what I had learned. I don't know why, but I told him. The materia was a focusing point for all the other materia. I suppose one could summon something real powerful or maybe something that could stay a long time. Who knows? The guy left again and I left it alone. Using what I learned, I came up with the idea of a reverse summoning. A way to undo a summon. So far all I've been able to do is make a transference unit. With this I could transfer power from one spell and boost my own version of it. It only works on summon materia so far, but I hope to transfer it to spells real soon."
"Baxent? Do you know what Hojo did to me?"
"The Jenova cells and the menagerie? Hojo told me you volunteered."
"I did not volunteer."
"Kinda figured when I was helping him. Volunteers don't get shot with guns in the normal course of things. I hope your arm is okay. I needed to help somehow."
"What did you say?"
"Your left arm. I felt that it would be a sorry state if you died, so when Hojo left for whatever reason, I 'worked' on you. Hojo just wanted something to mock. Human beings aren't something to mock."
"Yes, I quite agree."
"You would have the experience Vince."
"Vince? Oh, oh , I see."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"What is it Baxent?"
"It's just that it seems odd, you being called by a pet name. Upsets the balance of nature, doesn't it?"
"Baxent, we need a place to spend the night. Something is going on in Nibelheim and we need somewhere to hide for now."
"Really? Something's happening up in town? I never would of thought anything happened in towns like these. Alright. We have a spare couple of rooms. But I want something in return."
"Like we don't have enough on our hands."
"Don't worry, it's just a little maintenance on Vincent here. You'll get him back in no time flat. I just want to check his systems. I didn't know the long term effects of injecting Jenova cells into his body, what with the bits and pieces from whatever and all. Call it a routine checkup."
"If that is what is needed, I see no problem."
"Can I watch?"
"That doesn't sound right Yuffie."
"I'll agree. It might be better if you two weren't together. I might get some irregular results. How about you get some sleep Miss Yuffie? You can have room 12. Down that hall, it should be on the right."
"Thanks, night Vince."
Yuffie walked out the door and out of sight.
"Let's get those tests over with, shall we?"
"Yes."
"And you're getting room 8 Vince."
"That's not funny. I am a gentleman."
"But your still a man, even with all the etcetera. My room's 11 and I like a quiet night's rest."
And that's one point for Baxent! And Vincent shall not score again. If you thought that was a terrible joke, let me know. And for any of you who feel sorry for Vincent, don't worry, he'll get Baxent back. Read and Review.
"Oh, it's you Vincent. Sorry, I thought the doctor had come back. And is that you Lucrecia? Sorry, you look different without your lab coat. Well, come in. I just got some tea ready. I'm sure I have some coffee left if you'd like some."
The old man turned around and walked away. Yuffie looked to Vincent and shrugged. They both followed. Compared to the disrepair of the mansion above, this area was neat and clean. Everything was sterile white and well lighted. Vincent and Yuffie followed the man to another room. It was a modest little kitchenette, with all the necessary devices. The man was pouring some tea for himself.
"Would you like some Vincent? It's quite good."
"Uh, no, thank you."
"And you Lucrecia? It's from Wutai, a very good brand. Takes the stiffness out of the bones."
"Sure, I'd love some."
"Alright."
The man busied himself with a second cup for Yuffie, all the while humming.
"There you go." he said, handing her a cup. "I must ask for more, but I don't think anyone would listen."
"This is good. This is the Halios brand isn't it?"
"Yes indeed. Very perceptive."
"They haven't made this since the war."
"What war?"
"Shin Ra attacked Wutai about twenty years ago and killed the Halios family."
"Twenty years? Has it really been that long Vincent?"
"I'm sorry, but for the life of me I can't remember you. You were on the Jenova project, correct?"
"Oh yes. Not surprising you don't remember me. It's been a long time and I've grown old. I'm Raymond Baxent, assistant to Dr. Hojo. I was the guy who followed Hojo around and did what he said. Your job was to protect the heads of research, not the gofers."
"Baxent. I think I remember. I always pitied you for having to work for Hojo."
"You aren't the only one. But that was a life time ago. You and Lucrecia look fine and dandy. Of course that's the Jenova cells isn't it? Well, enough reminiscing, where's Hojo? I'm almost finished with my project. I need to know what to do next."
"I don't know how to say this."
"He's dead."
"Dr. Hojo's dead is he. Couldn't happen to a more deserving guy."
"I thought you'd be sorry that he's dead."
"Heck no. I never liked his way of doing things. So closed minded. A real jerk. Not at all like Dr. Gast. What happened to him? I suppose he's dead too."
"He is. Hojo killed him."
"I knew that would happen. Hojo always could play the bureaucratic game better Gast. But what happened to Ifalna? Gast's wife? I heard she was an Ancient."
"She died too, Hojo killed her. So is her daughter."
"Ifalna had a daughter? I bet she was as cute as a bug. Ifalna was such a nice woman. I only met her twice, but she leaves quite an impression. And speaking of kids. What happened to Sephiroth? He was always such trouble. Of course he helped a lot more than he hurt. What happened to him? Last thing I know was the Turks took him away to become a member of Soldier."
"He went insane and tried to destroy the planet."
"And where were you Lucrecia? If it was just Hojo that raised him, then you would your reasons. But where were you?"
"Baxent, she's not Lucrecia. Lucrecia's dead."
"Well, damn near everyone's dying on me here. I'm still alive, you're still alive, anyone else I should know about?"
"I think that's all."
"So what are you working on?"
"It's nice to have a pretty lady have an interest in my work, Miss?"
"Yuffie."
"Miss Yuffie. Well, you see, about five years ago some guy just waltzes in and hands me a real interesting piece of materia. It was this large slab with several other materia in it. All summoning materia. Odd thing is, is that there was a slot for one more. Anyway, this guy just hands me this materia and tells me to study it and then leaves. Having nothing else to do, I examine it. A week later, the guy comes back and takes it away. He said about how it was still needed or something. A month after that, he comes back again. In the meanwhile I was trying to figure out what it was. So when he came back, he wanted to know what I had learned. I don't know why, but I told him. The materia was a focusing point for all the other materia. I suppose one could summon something real powerful or maybe something that could stay a long time. Who knows? The guy left again and I left it alone. Using what I learned, I came up with the idea of a reverse summoning. A way to undo a summon. So far all I've been able to do is make a transference unit. With this I could transfer power from one spell and boost my own version of it. It only works on summon materia so far, but I hope to transfer it to spells real soon."
"Baxent? Do you know what Hojo did to me?"
"The Jenova cells and the menagerie? Hojo told me you volunteered."
"I did not volunteer."
"Kinda figured when I was helping him. Volunteers don't get shot with guns in the normal course of things. I hope your arm is okay. I needed to help somehow."
"What did you say?"
"Your left arm. I felt that it would be a sorry state if you died, so when Hojo left for whatever reason, I 'worked' on you. Hojo just wanted something to mock. Human beings aren't something to mock."
"Yes, I quite agree."
"You would have the experience Vince."
"Vince? Oh, oh , I see."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"What is it Baxent?"
"It's just that it seems odd, you being called by a pet name. Upsets the balance of nature, doesn't it?"
"Baxent, we need a place to spend the night. Something is going on in Nibelheim and we need somewhere to hide for now."
"Really? Something's happening up in town? I never would of thought anything happened in towns like these. Alright. We have a spare couple of rooms. But I want something in return."
"Like we don't have enough on our hands."
"Don't worry, it's just a little maintenance on Vincent here. You'll get him back in no time flat. I just want to check his systems. I didn't know the long term effects of injecting Jenova cells into his body, what with the bits and pieces from whatever and all. Call it a routine checkup."
"If that is what is needed, I see no problem."
"Can I watch?"
"That doesn't sound right Yuffie."
"I'll agree. It might be better if you two weren't together. I might get some irregular results. How about you get some sleep Miss Yuffie? You can have room 12. Down that hall, it should be on the right."
"Thanks, night Vince."
Yuffie walked out the door and out of sight.
"Let's get those tests over with, shall we?"
"Yes."
"And you're getting room 8 Vince."
"That's not funny. I am a gentleman."
"But your still a man, even with all the etcetera. My room's 11 and I like a quiet night's rest."
And that's one point for Baxent! And Vincent shall not score again. If you thought that was a terrible joke, let me know. And for any of you who feel sorry for Vincent, don't worry, he'll get Baxent back. Read and Review.
