Quick explanation for the line breaks:
_ = change of POV or something similar
… = A timespan less than 24h has passed between the different scenes
./. = A timespan greater than 24 h separates the different scenes
Summary: Sephiroth's first years in Nibelheim
Chapter 3: A Wish for Friendship
[ μ ] – εуλ 1980 (March)
Dear Grimoire
I am distressed, so I find myself writing to a dead man. Though this letter will never reach you, I feel the need to confide in you once again. I suppose I seek comfort. And perhaps forgiveness.
Your son is dead. He was assigned to protect Dr. Crescent, whom you were so fond of, myself and a few other scientists. You were right when you said his job would kill him, but could you have imagined in what way? He opposed Dr. Crescent taking part in the project with her unborn son, but backed off after confronting professor Hojo and Dr. Crescent about it. Hojo is a young, intelligent and ambitious man as well as the father... Two months into the pregnancy Dr. Crescent experienced strange pains, bouts of weakness as well as hallucinations. At first we thought it was the treatments, but we now think it was the abnormal development of the fetus. He approached me about his reservations. I think he saw her pain...
He confronted Hojo and was shot. A week has gone by since then. I don't know the details. Apparently Dr. Crescent walked in on the scene. I was shocked, everyone was. But what truly causes me distress is Shinra's response. We were told that the company was aware of your son's potential liability to the project. All key figures in the project were instructed to defend themselves if they were threatened. I recall receiving instructions of such a nature, but I never thought they were about him. I have seen his body… I… I suspect…
Oh Grimoire, what would you say if you saw me now?
[ μ ] – εуλ 1980 (Jully)
"Sephiroth." That is what they call him. Though many refer to him as 'the specimen' as well. But Sephiroth sounds right. It sounds familiar. It sounds like his name.
The woman who called his name walks over. Ignoring her he examines the back of his hand intently, idly stroking a thumb over it. This is his body.
The woman crouches in front of him and waves a hand in his face. With annoyance he glances disinterestedly at her. He feels nothing but disdain. She is an utter bore to look at, and there is no tug from his soul. Not like from the sound of those footsteps by the door.
A shiver runs through his spine and his soul cringes in disgust as he hears that voice. Dispassionately Sephiroth turns his head too look at the man. A young, smooth adult face. Black hair. Hazel eyes. Lab coat. The man falters as he meets Sephiroth's gaze. Hurriedly he pushes his round glasses up his noes.
"Professor Hojo." The woman calls out to him. What a disgustingly familiar name.
It is time for more tests. He can not understand their words yet, but recognises the context. He does not mind them so much. Some of them are a bit interesting, though most are boring. But more than anything, Professor Gast might be there. The only one with a mark of approval from his soul.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1980 (Jully)
Dear Grimoire
It's been two weeks since Sephiroth was born. I cannot begin to describe him, other than he's nothing like what I've ever seen or known of before. I had never fathomed that the Cetra would be like this! He seems to be a healthy boy, and I am glad. I felt so lost during the pregnancy. Things were happening that were so foreign and strange both with the child and Dr. Crescent, nothing like a normal pregnancy. Not even the data from Project G was comparable. It felt like we were fumbling at every turn to find the proper care for the mother and her child. It was a difficult decision to go through with the caesarean. After all, six months is too early. There could be countless complications; sight, hearing, CP… And with the company's stakes in the project… But Dr Crescent was at great risk and the sonograms showed the child was far ahead in it's development. Fortunately, it turned out better than what I had ever imagined. In fact, I still cannot believe it… and I confess, I do not understand…
Yet in the midst of the hype of my success, I find my mind is conflicted. Lucrecia has not been allowed to see her son. It tears me apart to hear her cry for him, but our instructions are from the President and they are explicit. Dr. Crescent is to make no contact whatsoever with her child. She is deemed unstable and a poor influence on Sephiroth's development if they are to meet. I can understand the reasoning to a certain extent… But to take a mother's child… her reaction strikes me as normal. And Sephiroth is denied a mother, even though she is nearby! He doesn't know her, has never met her, never felt her embrace...
Dr. Crescent recovered swiftly from her pregnancy and she spends most of her time in her lab. Just as she did shortly after your son's death. I have not seen much of her, and have not had much opportunity to do so. After all, here in Shinra, it is an unspoken rule not to enter someone's lab unless invited. But professor Hojo has been visiting her regularly. They are such an ill-fated family...
This whole affaire unsettles me.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1981 (October)
He is ecstatic.
Someone said it! Someone finally said it! Cloud!
He tugs franticly on the male assistant Clarksson's pant leg, not caring that he is perhaps tugging them too hard. Mr. Clarksson yelps, pulling his trousers back up and holding on to them for dear life.
"Cloud! Who is Cloud? Where is Cloud? Embarrassed and bewildered the assistant stares down at Sephiroth. His female colleague, Mortar, stares at them both with wide eyes and hand held over her mouth.
"What is happening?" A tug of familiarity, Professor Gast will know.
Quickly abandoning the incompetent pair, Sephiroth runs over to the Professor to repeat his question. "Who is Cloud? Where is Cloud?"
Surprised Professor Gast crouches down in front of Sephiroth. He glances quickly at the two assistants. "A cloud?" He questions looking back.
In an attempt to convey his urgency, Sephiroth nods emphatically.
With a smile Professor Gast offers his hand. "I will show you". Without hesitation Sephiroth grasps two familiar chubby fingers and follows the man to a window.
Professor Gast picks him up and points out the window. "See those fluffy white things in the sky? Those are clouds." Sephiroth stares long and hard, but there is no reaction from his soul. He feels nothing for any of these clouds.
With a slow disappointed pout, he resigns himself. "My Cloud isn't there…" He looks up into familiar warm brown eyes.
After a long moment Gast slowly turns his head to look out the window. The sky reflecting in his square glasses. "In your life, you will come across many clouds. Perhaps one day you will find the cloud you are looking for."
Sephiroth's eyes sharpen with renewed determination. "One day... I will find Cloud." From that day on Sephiroth regularly watched the clouds from the windows.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1980 (November)
Dear Grimoire
Dr. Crescent disappeared. She has been missing for about five days now. They are looking but have yet to find her, or so they say. I hope…By Gaia, I hope she left and that they never find her! I've been having doubts. About my work. About Shinra. I keep thinking of your son and what he said to me. I realize now that in spite of his work your son knew where to draw the line. His morals may have been different from yours, Grimoire, but they were where they needed to be. I hope you're proud, for he knew what was important when I did not.
I've been a biologist for 37 years and a full fledged researcher for 29. I barely remember those first 11 years where I worked and studied independently. You and I worked together much more, back then. You were older and more experienced, you advised me on how to scrape by. I… respected you, looked up to you. But I confess that I was a little jealous. Your family… You had so many assets. Then Shinra Manufacturing came along, and I joined them. The resources in Shinra were incomparable. No more worrying about the dwindling supply of petri dishes and test tubes, when the sterilizer would give out on me, where I'd get my next sample and if I could survive the journey. I could wholeheartedly throw myself into my research, not even having to clean up after myself. I was dazzled! You were against it though, but I couldn't understand.
I'm embarrassed now by my behavior… my jealousy… I blamed it on your wealth. But then 16 years ago there was that fire, and you lost everything. Even your son, you lost to Shinra. You would disappear for months, then reappear again with some new clue, some new discovery. Sometimes you would partner up with a Shinra scientist like you did with Dr. Crescent, but you were always independent from them. I thought it was your grief. But I wonder now…
Ten years ago I became head of the Shinra Science Department after my discovery of Jenova. I was so proud of myself and happy for the recognition I received. Now I have but to ask and most anything will appear shortly in front of me. I have so much power… I'm ashamed to say that I fell prey to that power. I learned what words would gain the President's favor. What to do in the board room to increase our budget for this or that project. For the safety, power and wealth of the company. Those are the magic words. It is what I receive from Shinra, and it is what Shinra values. I… I used the Promised Land to justify continued research on Jenova. I'm so ashamed… to deliberately mislead like that… Grimoire, I fear the repercussions of my actions.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1981 (February)
Sephiroth watches professor Gast. He likes him. His soul hums warmly when he is around, even with professor Hojo nearby.
Professor Hojo does not like professor Gast, especially when Sephiroth talks to him. The Black haired man reserves a special dirty look for professor Gast's back on such occasions. Sephiroth doesn't like that look, he likes it even less then the man himself.
But today he watches Professor Gast work alone. He looks troubled as he squints at some documents. Sephiroth uncurls himself and makes his way to the larger man, where he clambers up on his lap.
A deep chuckle hums through professor Gast chest as a hand steadies the child, but his eyes still hold a worried gleam. "Why the long face?" asks Sephiroth.
A fond smile warms professor Gast's features. It is the first thing he usually asks Sephiroth after a long session with Professor Hojo.
Then he sighs and looks back at his documents, trailing a finger thoughtfully along its lines. Sephiroth knows he will tell him, Professor Gast always tells him what he can. "You are growing very fast. I am worried it is bad for you." The Professor says finally.
Sephiroth thinks on this. Perhaps professor Gast is talking about the Time inside of his consciousness going faster than the time in the Lifestream. Maybe he should let it catch up. With that thought he let go of Time within him, and it slows down ever so slightly. Sealed as it is from the Lifestream it will be a while before it goes at the same pace. Perhaps it might even continue to slow down and tually come to stop. It doesn't matter to Sephiroth, his consciousness flows separately from the Time within him. He is its master after all.
With a smile Sephiroth pulls at professor Gast's mustache. "Don't worry, Professor Gast, it will turn out all right."
The older man huffs a laugh, his eyes softening and his smile growing wider. "I hope so." He says softly as he strokes the child's silver hair.
./.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1981 (June)
"Happy birthday Sephiroth!" Nonplused the boy stares at a smiling Gast with a strange colorful cone-hat on his head. The two other assistants, Mr. Clarksson and Miss Mortar, as well as Professor Hojo also sit around the table with similarly adorned heads.
"Birthday?" Sephiroth enquirers. His eyes trail along the ugly white elastic band digging into sagging soft skin.
"It's been a year since your birth. You are one year old. Why don't you come over? We have a surprise for you!" Professor Gast kindly explains to him. Curious Sephiroth runs to the lone empty chair, forgoing professor Gast lap since professor Hojo is present. Said man is currently lifting a tee-towel off of a long rectangular metal box. A strange enticing smell reaches his nostrils.
Seeing the boys inquisitive gaze, the professor continues to explain. "It's a carrot Cake, a local treat. Professor Hojo specially went to town to get it." With surprise Sephiroth glances at said man who promptly looks away from him. Sephiroth's mood immediately sours. A sad expression crosses the older mans eyes at the sight of Sephiroth's reaction. "Why the long face? It's a gift from your… A gift to make you happy. Why don't you try a piece?" He coaxes gently.
Miss Mortar cuts into the cake and fishes out a piece that she dishes out on a small plate. Mr. Clarksson passed the plate to him along with a fork. Sephiroth eyes the cake suspiciously, not quite knowing what he expects will happen, but that it must be something bad. But unable to resist the aromatic temptation, his suspicion is overridden and a piece makes its way into his mouth. Tentatively he chews whereupon a big smile graces his face while his eyes light up in appreciation.
Unbeknownst to Sephiroth a small but genuine smile appears on an unlikely mans face at the sight of his delight. With more enthusiasm and a knowing smile Professor Gast continues his coaxing. "Would you like to try some tea? Apparently it's customary in these parts to eat carrot cake with fennel tea. Professor Hojo was also the one to get it." A cup of the steaming, aromatic beverage is offered to the boy in a coffee cup.
"Not coffee?" He scrunches his noes in distaste, eyeing the cup distrustfully, vividly remembering the horrid drink. Professor Gast shakes his head in silent amusement. With far les suspicion this time, Sephiroth curiously sips the hot drink. The taste is distinct and unfamiliar, but not all together unpleasant.
"They are meant to be appreciated together in friendly company. All who share the meal become equals in their enjoyment, or that is at least what the locals say. So enjoy this occasion Sephiroth." Professor Gast's soothing voice quietly flows into the boy's ears though his attention is elsewhere as he and the rest of the table begin to enjoy this birthday gift.
...
After the birthday meal, Mr. Clarksson and Miss Mortar start to clear away the tableware. "Professor Gast?" The clattering of tableware stops. It is rare for Sephiroth to be so talkative in their company. "If I am one year old, how old are you?"
Professor Gast smiles "I turned sixty-two last Winter." Curiously the adult audience look on as Sephiroth absorbs this information.
"Sixty… two… Sixty…" Sephiroth gasps in realization. "You are so much older than me!" Professor Gast laughes good-naturedly. "How old are you?" This time the boy directs his question to the rest of his audience.
Professor Hojo is the first to answer "I will be turning twenty-nine shortly." Sephiroth's mood immediately soures. "I am Twenty-six" says Mr. Clarksson, followed by Miss Mortar. "And I, twenty-seven".
"You are all older than me!" exclaims Sephiroth dissatisfied.
Professor Hojo scoffs, pushing up his glasses. "Of course we are older. We are all adults and you are but a one-year-old child." Sephiroths expression starts too cool as the familiar curl of distaste returns with a vengeance after having been strangely absent during the meal.
He feels a warm hand on his shoulder. "The older you get, the more younger people you will meet. One day you might be so old you will find it hard to meet anyone who is older than you." says professor Gast kindly.
Sephiroth stares at him "Younger…" he repeats, and the word resonates quietly within him.
"It's someone whom you are older than. Now, I have work to do so if you will excuse me." Professor Hojo explains as he stands from the table before striding off.
"Younger…" Sephiroth tests the word in his mouth. Again his soul resonates. It's a clue, he realises and decides to watch out for people who are younger than him. If he doesn't find them now then, as professor Gast says, in time he will. The following days Sephiroth runs around the Shinra mansion asking every resident employee he can find about their age.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1981 (December)
Dear Grimoire
Sephiroth is almost two years old now. He is extremely bright and also physically strong, it is easy to forget his age. But I worry for him. The development of his mind and body are like nothing I have ever seen, read or heard about. I still recall the base line results right after his birth. President Shinra was very pleased. I can not help but worry though. Just as he was born a baby too old, will he die an old man too young? However, recent results have indicated a slight slowing in his growth and hopefully this trend will continue.
I have my doubts on Jenova. I thought she was a Cetra but… the more I study her, the less I think she is. And then there's Sephiroth. I can not help but be surprised by him time and time again. Especially by his intellect. I have told him of the Lifestream and the Legends of the Cetra, and I think he understands more than he should. But I just do not believe that he is a Cetra. He is so different from what I had imagined them to be. It is like I said before, he is unlike anything I've seen, read or heard about. I spoke to the president of this and I believe the Jenova project has been repurposed. The promised Land has been put on hold and I hear more and more talk about SOLDIER. I fear the consequences… for the world… and for Sephiroth.
Thinking back, much has changed in Shinra. Yet it is also the same. How could I have been so blind? How did I stray so far from my path? I lost sight of what truly mattered to me, Grimoire. I used to pursue Wisdom with such devotion. It was my passion, it was what kindled my flame, my desires! But wisdom is not valued in Shinra. I suppose I was pulled into its flow, fooled to dance to its script and play by its rules. Just like everyone else who is seduced by Shinra.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1982 (March)
There is a door that never opens. No one goes into it and no one comes out. Though it's rather discrete, Sephiroth passes it every day on his way to and from the labs. He tries the door. It is locked.
"What are you doing Sephiroth?" Mr. Clarksson sharp voice echoes through the passage. With the usual disdain Sephiroth turns towards the assistant but stays put.
"Mr. Clarksson, what is behind this door?" He asks.
The Assistant hesitates. "It's… There's nothing. Now come along Sephiroth." Green eyes narrow. He is hiding something from him. A shiver of anger runs through his soul. He does not like when people hide things from him. He follows Mr. Clarksson, but he is not done with that door.
./.
A ring of keys lies abandoned on a table. Green eyes scan the room from the tables edge. He is alone. Not one to miss this opportunity, he swipes them off the table and slinks off to the underground passage.
A few moments later the assistant Mr. Clarksson finds Sephiroth fitting keys into a certain innocent-looking door. "Sephiroth, leave that door alone! You're not allowed in there!" He strides over and grabs Sephiroth's hand. Slowly Sephiroth turns to him, eye's narrowing slightly. This man is hiding something. His soul trembles with quiet anger, he does not like when people hide things from him.
At this moment the poor assistant, Mr. Clarksson, is frozen by a slit-pupil stare. An instinctual fear rushes through his being and his knees weaken beneath him. With an unexpectedly forceful tug, he is jerked down after his arm. Half way to the floor Mr. Clarksson's head connects in an odd angle with the door frame. With the momentum of his fall, Sephiroth's pull and the unyielding force of the door, his head twists.
A loud snap echoes in the cool passage.
Curiously Sephiroth studies the silent man on the ground. He crouches down and pokes the head.
It flops to the side in a way he has never seen a head flop before. But there is something familiar about this situation…
An idea forms in his mind and his nimble fingers explore Mr. Clarksson's neck, looking for where the man is broken. Sephiroth closes his eyes and and with his consciousness probes the man. He expects resistance but encounters none and enters unhindered into the Stream of Life within Mr. Clarksson. He is still alive, but his channels are trembling and the seals to the Lifestream are slowly coming undone. Sephiroth experimentally probes one of the seals that shudders on contact. With a decisive mental shove he breaks it, happily helping Mr. Clarksson on his way to the Lifestream.
Carefully Sephiroth retreats back into himself and contemplates the life fading quickly before him. "Sephiroth?" looking up he sees Professor Gast. The older man seems shocked. A blue suited woman detaches herself from the shadows and rushes toward him. Mr. Clarksson is, however, but a corpse by the time she reaches him.
A gentle hand touches his shoulder and Sephiroth looks away from the woman's inspection of the scene. "Come with me." He hears Gast say and follows him up the stairs to the Shinra mansion.
...
Professor Gast leads him to the greenhouse on the second floor of the west wing. It is quiet and no one will disturb them there. Professor Gast sits down on a wooden box and Sephiroth silently climbs up on his lap. "Will you tell me what happened?" He asks softly.
"I was trying to open the door. Then Mr. Clarksson came, he shouted at me and grabbed my hand. I was angry and I pulled. Mr. Clarksson fell over and hit his head against the door."
Professor Gast let out a sigh. "I see, what an unfortunate accident."
But Sephiroth shakes his head. Though this event was unforeseen, Mr. Clarksson's death was definitely deliberate. "It was on purpose."
Professor Gast stares at Sephiroth "Do you know what happened to Mr. Clarksson?" He asks slowly.
It is with certainty that Sephiroth answers. "He returned to the Lifestream." He had seen him off himself after all.
A long silence stretches between them.
"Why?" Professor Gast asks finally, trying to understand.
"He was hiding things from me. He was in my way."
The eyes of the old man widen. "You… What… How…" He stutters horrified. Then a sudden realization darkens the Professors face and his eyes drift toward the windows sadly. "How… Shinra of you…"
A silence settles once again amidst the green leaves of the circular room.
"Professor Gast, what is in that room?" Sephiroth finally cannot help but ask. He must know.
A slow frown deepens the wrinkles of the old mans face. "I do not know for sure… But… but I believe that it is a closet where Shinra keeps its skeletons."
Sephiroth stares thoughtfully into space. "So there are people like Mr. Clarksson in there?"
The Professor cannot help but give a small sad smile in dark humour at Sephiroth's analogy. "Yes, I think that might be a very accurate description."
"Oh" is Sephiroth's only reply as he loses all interest he had in the room.
[ μ ] – εуλ 1982 (July)
Dear Grimoire
Those times when you disappeared… Were you tip-toeing around Shinra? I have been thinking, perhaps it is time for me to do the same. My influence is waning. Professor Hojo has been working very hard as of late, and it has not been on any experiment. I suspect he has the president's ear, and has had for quite a while now. I don't think I am wanted here anymore. And Gaia knows I do not want to stay…
I worry for Sephiroth though. I can say for sure that he dislikes Hojo, who does little to make him think otherwise. He doesn't act like a parent in front of him, yet sometimes I see the father within him. I do not even think Sephiroth knows who his father is. Sephiroth's parentage is confidential and I am forbidden from telling him. Sephiroth doesn't seem to like most people's company. He approaches me though, and for that I feel honored. But more than that, I am concerned for his mental health. I realize now, as I watch a child raised by Shinra, what an unhealthy environment it is. At times, I think back on Dr. Crescent's hallucinations. Sephiroth… he… he is still a child yet…
We have received the go-ahead to a new batch of tests for Sephiroth. professor Hojo proposed them for the SOLDIER program. When I wrote that report on Mako all those years ago, I had not fully imagined what it would involve… I have done enough harm to this child so I refused to participate in them.
All of this makes me feel so much more guilty for what I am about to do. I feel like I will be abandoning him... betraying him. Leaving him to be alone among a crowd he neither likes nor trusts. I hope he finds people he will be capable of calling friends. As much as I want to be one of them within Shinra, I cannot stay.
Grimoire, though we exchanged letters we were never all that close, but I like to think now that we were. I feel lost and alone in this new journey and find myself in need of a wise friend… Even though, I have never been a good one myself...
Your friend,
Gast Faremis
[ μ ] – εуλ 1982 (September)
Light feet hurry up the stairs of the Shinra Mansion. Professor Gast asked to see him in the greenhouse after his tests. He has not seen much of the old man as of late. He stopped coming to most of the tests ever since they changed after his second birthday. They are much more uncomfortable than before but Sephiroth doesn't mind them too much.
Abruptly he comes to a stop at the sight of a suitcase at the top of the stairs. A jolt runs through his soul and his mood sobers.
Calmly Sephiroth lets the emotions of shock and sadness wash over him. The feelings from his soul have become a lot clearer and sharper ever since the new tests started.
Heavy steps direct him to the green house at the far end of the mansion.
Professor Gast is sadly slumped on his box, familiar brown eyes framed by square glasses turn towards Sephiroth.
"You are leaving." The toddler states it with certainty. His consciousness has vaguely known this would happen from the first moment he laid eyes on him.
The silence stretches between them.
"Would you like to sit on my lap one more time?" The old mans voice is soft and wavers uncertainly. Without a word Sephiroth moves from the doorway and straddles Professor Gast's legs, burying his face in the older mans chest. He listens to the old man's heartbeat as a large hand runs through his silver hair, the other resting on his back.
A long moment passes until finally Gast speaks, his voice breaking slightly at the end. "I must leave. I'm sorry." Slowly Sephiroth looks up at Professor Gast's moistening eyes. The old man leans down and places a soft kiss on the young boy's forehead. "Thank you" The choked whisper hangs in the air like the rustle of leaves in the quiet room.
Professor Gast clears his throat before continuing in a horse voice. "I'll send you letters from time to time. Hopefully you will be able to read them on your own by then."
"And I will write letters to you too, Professor Gast." Sephiroth replies in turn, but a strange sense of loss creeps into his gut.
A small smile squeezes itself onto the old mans lips. "No more Professor. Just call me Gast."
Dilated, bright green eyes stare up into glistening soft brown ones. Slowly Sephiroth reaches up with his left hand and places it on the mans cheek. "Within every living being is a current, much like the Lifestream" Sephiroth says thoughtfully.
He knows letters won't be enough. "Prof... Gast…" The older man stares wondering back at the boy.
Suddenly the child's fingers dig into the older man's tender skin, the small nail's easily breaking the skin and dragging small drops of blod. Professor Gast jerks away, surprised.
Sephiroth reaches up with his other hand holding the man's face between his palms, fingers placed over the gashes with a gentleness contrasting the previous force. He draws himself up onto his feet, balancing on the elder's knees. Piercing green eyes lock with soft brown ones. "Prof… Gast, do you trust me?
The old man is silent for a moment, confusion and surprise provoked by the boy's actions. A long moment passes and the emotions settle revealing a familiar warmth. When he finally opens his mouth, only truth slips from between his lips. "…Yes. I do."
With that confirmation Sephiroth closes his eyes and sends a sliver of his consciousness through the breached skin. At first he encounters some resistance, but it quickly lets him pass. Slowly and quietly the fragment of his consciousness hides away within Gast's inner Channels.
Opening his eyes Sephiroth smiles. "Before the end, I will be with you."
…
An old truck stands outside of the Shinra mansion. Professor Gast's suitcases are already loaded and he is bidding farewell to his fellow Shinra employees. Letter of resignation read and approved by the President himself, apparently.
Last of all Professor Gast turns to Sephiroth. Though he supposes it is Gast now. The man looks strange without his lab coat. He kneels down and Sephiroth accepts his embrace. "Goodbye." He whispers in Sephiroth's ears.
"Goodbye" whispers Sephiroth back, trying to imprint the memory of this man within him. He knows it will be a long time before he hears from him again.
Suddenly Gast's arms tighten around him and he whispers urgently. "Beware of Shinra. If you can, do not let them know what you are capable of."
Sephiroth gently pushes away from him. "We will meet again one day" he promises.
His gaze follows Gast's movements long after the truck has driven away and he is pulled back into the mansion. When the sliver of consciousness within Gast fades from Sephiroth's awareness completely, his eyes slide close.
"Goodbye… friend."
Author's notes:
Reviews: I initially considered splitting this chapter in two but thanks to Fanakatsuki, I decided not to. Sephiroth's point of view in this chapter makes it so much more special than only Gast's notes by themselves. Thanks also goes to DasewigGewitter for suggestions on the formatting of this chapter which lead me to putting the evens in a chronological order instead of first having Gast's letters and then Sephiroth's POV..
Next Chapter: Sephiroth goes to Midgar. With that confirmation Sephiroth closes his eyes and sends a sliver of his consciousness through the breached skin. At first he encounters some resistance, but it quickly lets him pass. Slowly and quietly the fragment of his consciousness hides away within Gast's inner Channels.
Opening his eyes Sephiroth smiles. "Before the end, I will be with you."
…
An old truck stands outside of the Shinra mansion. Professor Gast's suitcases are already loaded and he is bidding farewell to his fellow Shinra employees. Letter of resignation read and approved by the President himself, apparently.
Last of all Professor Gast turns to Sephiroth. Though he supposes it is Gast now. The man looks strange without his lab coat. He kneels down and Sephiroth accepts his embrace. "Goodbye." He whispers in Sephiroth's ears.
"Goodbye" whispers Sephiroth back, trying to imprint the memory of this man within him. He knows it will be a long time before he hears from him again.
Suddenly Gast's arms tighten around him and he whispers urgently. "Beware of Shinra. If you can, do not let them know what you are capable of."
Sephiroth gently pushes away from him. "We will meet again one day" he promises.
His gaze follows Gast's movements long after the truck has driven away and he is pulled back into the mansion. When the sliver of consciousness within Gast fades from Sephiroth's awareness completely, his eyes slide close.
"Goodbye… friend."
Author's notes:
Reviews: I initially considered splitting this chapter in two but thanks to Fanakatsuki, I decided not to. Sephiroth's point of view in this chapter makes it so much more special than only Gast's notes by themselves. Thanks also goes to DasewigGewitter for suggestions on the formatting of this chapter.
Next Chapter: Sephiroth goes to Midgar.