Author's Notes: Well, this might be my first and only chapter ever in a Sephiroth point of view. And as you can see from his attitude, he is not happy. At the very end of the page you will see a minor diagram as to the seating of the people at the table at the beginning of the chapter. And for future reference, getting Sephiroth to behave for a chapter is difficult to say the VERY least.

Whatevergirl: I have a gift for you! For being my most loyal and devoted Final Fantasy 7 reviewer, I'm going to give you a one free one-shot coupon, redeemable at anytime. Just remember, this free one-shot that will be a gift to you is only in the Final Fantasy 7 category. So give me a random topic or some key words or a scene, and I'll give you a gift. Love ya!

And to Sei-fee's friend: I got you back for calling me Becca.

Dedication: This chapter, no, this WHOLE fiction is dedicated to my friend Ktrenal, because he helped me figure out how to get from Point A to Point B with this thing. Originally it was just an idea for a one-shot, but we RPed this out a little, and I think this fic is better for his help. Thanks a lot man.

Note 1/5/06: Edited some perspective problems that occur in the beginning.
Note 1/6/06: Changed Reeve's last name to fit with the name in the rest of the story. Amazing I didn't realize that last night.

Chapter 3: The Meeting

Sometimes the world around you is merely a dream. In it you become something far more than an obedient servant. You become a divine being, born to rule, and fated to die at the hands of your subjects. Sometimes it makes you feel as if you are destined for higher things, or it can make you feel lower than dirt. The dream can make you question where you came from, and where you are going. Sometimes you yearn to be part of that world, and sometimes you shy away from it. And sometimes…

…you grow to fear sleep.

We were all waiting for someone, and this time, it wasn't me, much to my own relief. Not that it was my fault that I had been late so much lately. Recently I'd started having these odd dreams where I went insane and tried to take over the world, and I'd quickly started avoiding any sleep but the dreamless and very unrestful status ailment. Not that I'd take over the world of course; I don't like it that much, or even give a fuck. Even if I was really the son of an insane alien bitch, I wouldn't decide to kill everyone for her sake. If I did that I wouldn't have time to joke around with the Turks.

"Where in the world is he?" a very irritated and young President groaned. Much like Me, he had his feet up on the polished obsidian conference table, except he couldn't get in trouble for it. The blue eyed youth, clad eternally in a white purer than that of new fallen snow, drummed his fingers on the armrest of his seat and glared past me to the still closed doors.

"Not everyone can be perfectly punctual Mister President," came the voice of the heavy-set and annoying Head of Public Safety, my own boss Heidegger. Not only was Keith Heidegger fat and stubby, he had a laugh like a horse with a hernia.

"Do me a favor Heidegger," Rufus said in annoyance, "Shut-up."

Silence soon took over again, something I preferred quite readily, as did the three Turks. While I pushed a strain of my flawless, if I might say so myself, silver hair from my mako green eyes, I watched two of the Turks further down the table. The emerald eyed leader, Reeve Tuesti, was speaking to his second in command, a lovely Wutain named Tseng Nomura with eyes like shadows, using the complex, quick and minute battle language of the Turks. Though I had studied the Turks for many years trying to decipher the complex sign-language, I feel that I have only scratched the top of it so far. Still, it was enough for me to understand what the two were 'talking' about in plain sight. Yet even though their 'words' were shown plainly before all, only Rude and I could even tell the two were communicating.

At the moment it seemed like the two were just randomly gossiping, but then a certain term cleared everything up for me. They were speaking of what they called 'fresh-meat', their common term for new employees. Now I understood, the two Turks were making bets on the new executive. Tseng thought that Reno would be gone before the end of the day, but Reeve gave him a week. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at them and throw in my bet, much to their surprise, because I did it in their own battle language.

"I think he might last," my fingers proclaimed quickly, and though my hands were far from as graceful as the two Turks when it came to their 'native tongue', I think I did pretty well. Even Rude rewarded me with a pleased smirk. Then again, Tseng was glaring very ominously at me, and I wouldn't put it past him to try something because he was the jealous sort, and the look on Reeve's face was almost as clear a proposition to me as doing a lap-dance.

That was the odd thing about Reeve actually. You never thought he could be a big bad Turk when you looked at him, quite the opposite in fact. While he could pull off the ice cold look all Turks perfected, he chose not to. Once, when we'd both just had a chance at talk he had pointed out something I too had noticed. He said that it was easier to gain the trust of people who were either in love with you, or thought you to be kind and gentle. While I used my good looks for the former with all of my youngest cadets, and some higher-ups in Shin-Ra, Reeve chose to do that latter. And his features suited it very well. Where I had the icy and regal appearance, tempered by the strength of a warrior, Reeve had something else entirely. His eyes, somehow he kept them warm, the kind of eyes you would want to trust foolishly. Everything about Reeve's appearance, from his pale skin color, to his dark hair, to the very nice facial hair made him look like one of those nice councilors that actually seemed to care about you and what you thought. Something like that in a Turk was dangerous, but in the proverbial hands of the Turk leader and Head of Executive Research Department was deadly.

Suddenly there came a knock upon the office door and Rufus and I, moving as one, sat properly in our seats. Elena, the lovely secretary to the Head of the Urban Development department and the older sister of the President Rufus Shin-Ra stood at the door. The blonde woman bowed to us.

"Mister President, assembled executives and employees, I present Mister Reno Tarshil," she said before stepping aside to admit the young executive, the son of a man I hated almost as much as I hate the other executives. And even I couldn't help but be speechless. There was no way a man like that came from HIS father, not even if his mother was a supermodel.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see the lustful glance that Reeve stealthily shot the young male. Even I had to stare a moment longer at the young male. This Reno looked around nervously, bowing his head down in respect to the President and the rest of us. Obviously he was nervous most of all in the presence of the President as well as the two most notorious sets of killers under Shin-Ra's employ… the Turks and SOLDIER. But was he ever a sight. Reno had the most vibrant shade of bright red, slightly offset by the iciest set of pale blue eyes I had ever seen, even among all those I knew with mako infusions. It was evident that the youth was a but naïve, for he wore charcoal black where the darker navy color the Turks wore would suit him better and it didn't show off his very slender body, but one could get around that.

"Hello Mister Tarshil," Rufus said standing, and that action obligating the rest of us present to stand as well. "It is good to finally meet you. Would you have a seat?"

I glared at the young President, half shocked by his civility, half angry because the seat he was gesturing to was mine, and he was giving it to the new guy. Not that I minded much, I'd still be sitting directly beside the cute red-head. So I quickly stood, pulled back the chair for Reno, and moved to my new temporary seat. The young executive bowed his head, so respectful this one, and took my seat once the President himself sat down. Now even I know that such behavior not only impressed Rufus, but could practically win him over. Nothing pleases that kid more than flattery, even if he is a demented, psychotic, self-interested, hard-headed... I could go on, but Rufus is speaking now.

"You come to us with the highest recommendations of not only your father, who built this whole city, but of your former teachers at the Engineering School of Junon's famous Riesl University. I am sure that you will do very well here."

"Thank you very much Mister President," Reno said, once again bowing his head. Honestly, this red-head could not be a day over 23 and he was giving that 19 year old brat a bigger ego than ever. "I would like to say that it will be an honor working for you, sir. I just hope I can live up to what others have told you I am capable of. Some of my teachers were prone to exaggeration."

"Nonsense," came the silky smooth baritone voice of Reeve from down the table. Beside him Tseng was glaring wildly at the new executive, probably mad that he had Reeve's attention. He could accept me with Reeve anytime, because I was a familiar and old threat, and he knew that after a week with me Reeve always returned to him. This new kid was an unknown foe to the Turk, one he wasn't about to risk losing Reeve to.

"I've seen some of your work," Reeve continued, "The addition you did to the Junon concert hall was rather lovely."

"Why thank you sir," Reno said, a blush rising to his cheeks. It seems to me that Reeve's friendly face and kind words were already winning the red-head over.

"That is enough Reeve," Rufus said. "Most of us have business to attend to, so allow me to introduce everyone very quickly so that we might be on our way. To your right is General Sephiroth, the Head of SOLDIER…"

I raised my hand in a polite, but indifferent wave. And don't give me that look, I only did it because 1) I have a reputation to uphold, and 2) It wasn't like I was going to beat Reeve this time.

"To Sephiroth's right is our Head of Weapon Development, Alexander Hojo." The name made me shiver, especially since the man was a total slut and ugly to boot. Hojo was one of those creepy guys with greasy black hair who thought that they were the gods' gift to humanity. News flash, he's like seventy, thin as a broom stick, and always wearing these leather clothes that make him look like an anorexic cow. And yet some people say he slept his way to the topic. Man, the guy gets laid more than Reeve or me put together, and we tied in a poll on the hottest male Shin-Ra employee a few months ago in one of the underground newspapers.

"To Hojo's right is our Head of Public Safety, and thus the man in charge of even Sephiroth, is Keith Heidegger. To your immediate left is Scarlet Prame, the Head of our Space Department." Now that was the only TRULY and totally nice person at the table. Scarlet was the sweetest thing, and extremely smart. She had soft blonde hair that she left loose, and always wore a lovely skirt-suit that brought out the pale lavender of her eyes. Unfortunately, Scarlet was also one of the worst treated employees in the building, despite her ongoing relationship with Rufus himself. Rumor had it that the glasses-wearing and timid bomb-shell blonde was due to be proposed to by the President. They'd make a cute couple.

"And finally, to her left is the head of our Science Department, Virgil Palmer." Now THERE was a person that scared even the Turks. Palmer was the most sadistic and evil man in Shin-Ra, the one that created Mako and Jenova infusions, and the man that created me, or so I assume. This Palmer was the equivalent of the Hojo in my bad dreams.

"It is very nice to meet you all," Reno said with a smile, but he didn't ask why the three navy suited men at the end of the table were not introduced. Even he would recognize the Turks.

"Well, I believe that is all, other than having someone show you all of the upper levels," Rufus said in an offhand way. Normally one would desire that job, but I could see that Reeve wanted that chance as much as myself and Palmer. Neither of us would all Palmer to do so, so I glared at him and allowed Reeve the honor.

"Please Sir," Reeve spoke as he stood, "Allow me this pleasure."

There was nearly a shared gasp around the table from all but myself. You see, Reeve making this kind of offer had the same meaning as Reeve flat out saying 'he's mine, so all the rest of you back off'. Now Reeve had made his move, which will definitely make things interesting.

"Alright, you are all dismissed. Have a nice day Mister Tarshil," Rufus said, encouraging all but the Turks to leave. I too stood and took my leave, knowing Reeve would soon bring the young executive to my own office…

(head of the table)1

(left side of table)2 3(right side of table)

(left)4 5(right)

(left)6 7(right)

(left)8 9(right)

(opposite head of table)10

1) Rufus, 2) Reeve, 3) Rude, 4) Tseng, 5) Heidegger, 6) Palmer, 7) Hojo, 8) Scarlet, 9) Empty Seat, 10) Sephiroth