Summary: Letters from Gast, a meeting with the old local janitor, and our first encounter with the Turks

Chapter 5: Learn for Love and Survival

[ μ ] – εуλ 1983 (August)

Dear Sephiroth

I am sorry it has taken me so long to write back to you. During this past year, I have been scouring the Western continent's countryside in search for old acquaintances from way back before I joined Shinra. I tracked down a few who still live in the wilderness studying local fauna and flora (monsters and plants). The things they told me were very interesting, if concerning. It would seem the monster activity has been increasing slightly over the course of the years and doesn't show any sign of changing. Many of my acquaintances believe they might grow to become threat to the small villages as they are becoming more aggressive and fierce. I understand Shinra deals with monster threats in the Eastern continent, but there is no such influence here.

But aside from that I was touched by their generosity, welcoming me into their homes and sharing all of their findings with me. I ended up staying at every place far longer than what I originally intended. It saddens me though to discover that a number of acquaintances have died while pursuing their work. Many people look down on scientists today, but for those who do not work for Shinra, it can be a dangerous and poorly paid job. We have to fend off monsters and sometimes the places we go to are so isolated and hazardous that monsters are the least of our worries. I used to be quite the fighter in my day, but I have grown soft during my years of work in Shinra. But I can still fend off a monster or two and I have hired escorts to protect me, so do not worry for me Sephiroth. I am lucky that I can afford my own protection. Shinra paid me well for my work and I have quite the pension saved up!

I have arrived in the Village of Wutai on the Wutai continent. I plan to travel it and learn about the people and their beliefs. It is my first time here, and I am excited about what I may learn. I will be staying on this continent for a while, so if you would like to send me a letter, send it to the Village of Wutai.

I often wonder how you are doing. It's been almost a year since I last saw you. Are you well? Have you met anyone you like? I hope Professor Hojo isn't annoying you too much. I'm sure he only want's the best for you, though he might be bad at showing it.

Yours truly

Gast Faremis

Finally, the promised letter from Gast arrives! It is professor Hojo who hands the folded paper to him and Sephiroth promptly runs off to read it undisturbed.

He swallows every word of the letter avidly, feeling great satisfaction just from finding out what his friend has been up to as well as all the knew elements.

He reads it a second time to enquire deeper into his soul's reactions. Monsters are new to him. He doesn't recall anyone talking to him about them before, but it is familiar. His soul feels a sort of thrill he has only felt before with his anger towards Clarksson and in his new past-time of unsettling Professor Hojo. Additionally, there is a kind of indifferent appreciation that he sometimes feels toward good food. Sephiroth suddenly finds that he looks forward to seeing these monsters.

At the mention of fighters, he feels another surge of thrill and appreciation, only much stronger. He wonders what a fighter is and resolves to ask professor Hojo about it later.

His soul's reaction to Wutai, however, is much more mixed. Again, that thrill… distaste… Sorrow? And that feeling of emptiness… loss. What is Wutai to him? But he feels no tug to go there like he did for Midgar. He has no doubt that the time will come when he finds out.

After his inner enquiry he re-reads the letter repeatedly, finding the activity unreasonably entertaining. But for every time he scans the words a growing sense of suspicion comes over Sephiroth. The letter is definitely from Gast, it smells of him, but it feels like he left out some things… Or not fully explaining them. It is almost like he is hiding something. But Gast does not hide things from Sephiroth. He always tells Sephiroth what he can. This is not like Gast at all.

After being unable to come to a conclusion, Sephiroth setts his suspicions aside for the moment and turns instead his attentions to composing his own letter.

…

It is with great enthusiasm that Sephiroth tracks Professor Hojo down and hands him his folded note. "This is my letter to Gast. It must be sent to Wutai Village." Sephiroth tells him energetically.

It is with equally great consternation that Sephiroth watches Professor Hojo casually unfold his letter and read through it as if it is the most natural thing in the world. He observes the professor's expression souring after reading a certain passage, no doubt the one about him.

Somehow Sephiroth feels violated. That letter is meant for Gast, Professor Hojo has no right to read it. It is… It is…

But Sephiroth is incapable of explaining his feelings. Dejectedly he walks off unable to justify why the professor shouldn't read his letter.

./.

[ μ ] – εуλ 1983 (October)

After asking Professor Hojo about monsters, fighters and Wutai, it was decided that it was time to start his education and Sephiroth tutoring began.

The new information is an eye-opener for Sephiroth. There are so many things he had never questioned and it had not occurred for him to ask. He learns about the continents, about the organisms living on Gaia. The flora and fauna as Gast called it in his letter.

It is interesting, yet much of it is familiar to him through his soul. He also learns about human society; about occupations, urban settlements and hierarchy. He has heard about some of these things in passing before, but never did he realize how much it was that he didn't know until someone actually took the time to tell him about it.

As Sephiroth walks the corridors of the temporary Shinra HQ, he wonders what else he doesn't realize to ask about. He thinks of his letter to Gast again, it is still on his mind and he cannot help but brood on it.

He sees the old janitor, whom he passes regularly in the halls. The Janitor's only acknowledgment of his passing is a slight twitch of the corner of his eye. Sephiroth continues to walk by, his mind returning to the letter.

If Gast were here, he would ask him about it. He has no friends in Shinra. Gast seems to suspect as much judging by his last sentences. Sephiroth had replied… His mind suddenly snaps to the janitor and he stops in his tracks.

Maybe, it doesn't have to be a friend. He turns to look at the janitors back.

Just someone he doesn't mind talking to.

He walks back to the old man and tugs at his pant-leg. The man stills then turns around, glancing down at Sephiroth. "I want to talk to you." Sephiroth says. The janitor stares at him for a long moment. Sephiroth start to feel oddly fidgety, it hadn't occurred to him that the man might decline, his request seems not to be as straightforward as he first thought.

The Janitor glances down the corridors. Sephiroth knows there is no one there, he would hear them. The old man puts away his gear on his carts and walks off pulling it after him. Sephiroth hesitates a moment, then follows him.

…

He is lead to that same tiny room. The old man walks in and sits on the cot with a sigh, but doesn't look at Sephiroth. The boy follows him in but doesn't sit. He watches the man, rethinking weather he should go through with this. But the man's seeming disinterest sooths Sephiroth. He is surrounded by people who are interested in him for one reason or another, constantly watching him. This man, however acts like what he truly is, a stranger. This ultimately leads to Sephiroth making his decision.

"I wrote a letter to a friend. Professor Hojo read it, and I didn't like it." Sephiroth goes to the heart of the matter. His question is vague, and unspoken, but the boy hopes it will be enough to lead him to his answer.

The janitor glances at him briefly. "You don't like that another read your friends letter?" He says in his dry sing-song voice.

"I don't know why I don't like it." That is it, what really bothers Sephiroth. He feels he should know but doesn't.

The old man thinks for a while and silence falls once again in the tiny room. The little boy stares patiently at the man on the cot. "The sign on my door. What does it say?" The man replies slowly still looking at the wall in front of him.

The word flashes before Sephiroth's eyes and his reply is immediate. "Private." The Janitor turns to Sephiroth and looks at him apathetically. Sephiroth waits expectantly, but when he is met only with a blank look, he starts to think. "What does Private mean?" he asks finally.

The man looks back at the wall. "This is my room. It is where I have all my personal belongings. It is where I go to be in peace. It is no one's business to be in here, unless I invite them in. The sign tells them that I do not want them in here."

Sephiroth thinks carefully on this. Private means it is personal and that other people shouldn't intrude. It makes sense to him, though he realises it has never been a part of his life. He always feels watched. In the offices, in the labs, in the bedroom. Always. Except… those times with Gast in the green house.

A sudden epiphany comes upon Sephiroth. Gast had only taken him to that greenhouse on two occasions. Two very specific occasions. He didn't think on it at the time, but he hadn't felt watched. Those had been his only truly private moments. No… That wasn't entirely true either. There was another time, with a paper cup of fennel tea.

Sephiroth looks at the janitor again, another question comes to him. "If you don't want people to come in here, why don't you lock the door?" That was what had been done with that door in the basement. Shinra's closet of skeletons, as Gast had called it.

The man gives the boy a brief glance, a smile ghosting over his lips. "The people who would want to come in here would not be stopped by a lock on my door. The sign is enough for most people."

Sephiroth thinks back on that door. The lock certainly hadn't stopped him from trying to open it. If anything he had wanted to open it even more. "I see." Sephiroth smiles at the man, turns and walks out the door. Feeling lighter and freer after his new found understanding.

…

Standing by the tall windows gazing at the darkening clouds as the shadows of the day lengthen, the toddler reflects on his conversation with the janitor on privacy. His memory skitters back to the missing pieces in Gast's letters and Professor Hojo's blatant behaviour. His correspondence with Gast seems even less private than a normal conversation spoken carelessly in the open. Gast must know this already, which is why his letter struck Sephiroth as odd.

As evening darkens the city and the bright lights of the indoors obscures the the sky outside, the reflection of the boy's eyes glow with the light of disappointment. But then, he had known back then in the green house that letters would not be enough. Or rather, his soul had.

./.

[ μ ] – εуλ 1984 (february)

Professor Hojo hands him the folded letter. Sephiroth is glad, it has been half a year since the last one.

But this time he examines the man as he receives the folded note. He seems upset. His sent is mixed, his emotions turbulent. Sephiroth still isn't very skilled at determining emotions from sent. Especially since they vary slightly from person to person. But of all the people he is around Professor Hojo the most. This mans emotion often fluctuate as well making it easier to identify the different varieties. This mixed feeling… anger… anxiety… and that strange emotion that Professor Hojo shows only when looking at him.

Green eyes narrow as Sephiroth turns on his heels. He suspects Professor Hojo has read all of his letters. Sephiroth walks off to find a quiet spot to read in peace, miffed but unsurprised.

Dear Sephiroth

I am impressed by your letter, you write so well! I'm glad you are doing alright, but don't let Hojo's behavior put you off too much. Right now he must be working very hard to become head of the Shinra's Science Research department. I know what it is like to be head of that department and it is a lot of work. It is even harder to get the position than it is to keep it. I'm sure he is doing the best he can, even if he doesn't meet your standards.

I'm happy to hear you found someone to spend your birthday with. They must be from the west part of the western continent, the part in which I was traveling in. It is an uncommon tea that isn't drunk any where else as far as I know. What a coincidence that you should meet them.

You asked me to tell you more about monsters and fighters. Perhaps someone has already told you about them, but I can offer you my own explanation. To put it simply, 'monster' is a term to describe a being that's behavior is considered cruel and ruthless. There are many beasts in this world that have over the years been feared for their fierce nature and aggressive behavior towards humans, and so have come to be known under the universal name of 'monsters'. It is such beasts that I was referring to when I wrote about monsters. Usually they stay away from human settlements and only attack when people intrude on their territory, however they are known to stray when their is a famine or drought. On occasion a creature will mutate and become stronger and some times more aggressive. In such cases local powers will often send out fighters to kill them.

Fighters are people trained in combat who have survived many battles. They tend to appear on this planet as mercenaries or soldiers. The difference being the first is self-employed and the second under the employ of another, though soldiers may go under other names as well depending on their specific tasks. Shinra is at present the company with the most fighters under their employ. Though the Wutai government have vastly more under their command since all citizens are obliged to fight for there country should war erupt.

Wutai is a nation on a mountainous island. I have spent the last few months walking from village to village nestled in the valleys or mountain sides. They worship the old god's, especially Leviathan and his symbol is everywhere. On Pictures, on clothing, on buildings, on housewares and on small trinkets. Their stile is very particular and different from what I have seen before. They also live entirely without Mako energy. It is surprising for me to realise how used to it I am. Mako energy wasn't at all common in my youth. But it has made a huge difference in terms of living standards. Instead of heating water and have it hauled off to complete whatever tasks we merely need to turn a tap. Washing clothes, that used to require enormous effort, simply needs a washing machine with Mako power. The people work very hard here to complete tasks that have become so simple to so many.

The Wutai culture is very different and some aspects strike me as strange. They value their honor greatly and I've heard that if someone is too badly dishonored they will even take their own life! I might be butchering this fact a little, since I have a hard time understanding many of their concepts. But people seem very polite and generous, to me and to each other. although they find me and my attempts at understanding their ways very amusing.

They are devoted to all arts. Every art they pursue they study deeply. Over the years they have created whole philosophies around them. There are even philosophies for every art of fighting! Most people know how to fight here, both women and men. Many civilians use tiny handguns. But they have a great variety of other strange weapons many of which can be used both in close quarters and in long-ranged since a lot of the bladed weapons are combined with firearms. Some of their weapons I would never have imagined could be used in such a way. Like a fan or a pin wheel. Both of them can be found made out of paper on the streets, fans are used to chase off the heat, and pin wheels are given to children as entertainment and turn like a wheel in the wind. I have yet to see them used as weapons though…

There are other aspects of their arts that I just cannot wrap my head around. Take their medicine, for example. They say that the human's soul resides in the stomach and that there are energy channels that exist throughout the body. Though the concept of the soul is widespread and there are old theories that say it comes from and returns to the Lifestream after death, it's existence has never really been confirmed through scientific means. I wonder on what basis they say it resides in the stomach? I would have guessed it resided in the brain, it is the organ that makes us who we are after all. As for energy channels, well as far as we know, there are none. I have studied many organisms before, and have never seen anything of that description.

I plan on going to Cosmo Canyon next to visit a well known scientist who has an observatory there. I do not know him very well, but we used to have a friend in common. After that I will travel to the neighboring villages in search of more learned people. If you want to send me a letter send it to Corel. I should have reached it by the time it arrives.

Yours truly

Gast Faremis

Reading Gast's letter makes Sephiroth happy again.

Like Gast had guessed a lab assistant had briefly told him of monsters and fighters. Essentially saying they were evil beasts and fighters were the ones that killed them. It goes without saying that Gast's description is much more thorough. But once again he finds that there is something lacking or not fully explained. Unable to put his finger on it he moves on. Perhaps with time he will know…

The Wutai culture interests him and he finds Gast's descriptions of weapons fascinating, and his soul hums in anticipation. The matter of living conditions baffles the boy, however, having been unaware of what happened to his clothes when they were removed from his presence. He find's himself confronted by his ignorance on a matter that Gast seems to find self-evident. His soul had not reacted to the phenomenon so he had not questioned it.

The description of their medical sciences, however quickly draw Sephiroth's attention. It is familiar, not to his soul, but to Sephiroth. The energetic channels sound a lot like the channels within himself. The ones that stretch throughout his body, to every cell within his organism, separating the soul from the harsh currents of the Lifestream. The ones that he briefly explored within that lab assistant, Clarksson, and Gast. Do others not know of it? Can they not sense it within themselves? Gast words seem to suggest they do not.

Gast had told him about the Lifestream, the Cetra and the old stories about the cycle of reincarnation, so it comes as a surprise to read about the mans doubts of the soul's existence. To Sephiroth it's presence within him is undeniable, the knowledge inherent and innate. It is as evident as breathing to the silver haired boy.

As for the Soul's location, it does not interact with space the same way that the body does, just as the Lifestream is only loosely connected with the location of Mako. But if it were said to reside anywhere it is obviously the inner channels. It amuses Sephiroth how, even when all the pieces are gathered, they attribute it to some random body-part that is only a small part of the whole. The bodies mechanics resides in the realm of the physical. It is a fine thread indeed that connects it to the spiritual.

'…do not let them know what you are capable of.' Gast's last warning echoes in his mind as he contemplates the seeming wide spread ignorance on such an evident matter. It would seem that this too is something he should keep to himself.

He isn't at all surprised by what Gast has to say about Professor Hojo. It also explains Professor Hojo's reaction to the letter if he read it like Sephiroth suspects.

What surprises Sephiroth, though, is Gast's interest in the janitor. Up to the present Sephiroth has had little interest in the man. His soul doesn't recognise him, so Sephiroth feels mostly indifference towards him. The two time's he followed him into his room were merely on whims. Those experiences may have been surprisingly appreciated, but Sephiroth takes them for what they are, anomalies in his every day life. But it seems Professor Gast thinks there is more too this man. The boy cannot fathom what.

Looking for the janitor along the customary routes in a quest to unravel the mystery behind Gast's interest, Sephiroth is unable to find him. Stopping to consider, a 'Private' sign flashes before his eyes and he decides to visit the old man's closet.

…

Sephiroth is just about to open the door and walk right in when his eyes flicker to the sign far above his head. Private. He recalls the conversation he held with the man on privacy. Prior to this it was always the old man that led him in. He realises that he may have been one of the invited, and it had therefor been alright for him to entre. But the man is in his room now and Sephiroth is outside of it without an invitation. He knows because he can hear rustling from inside. Perhaps he can draw the mans attention. A memory flashes through Sephiroth's mind. The boy raises his hand, and for the first time in his short life, he knocks.

The rustling from behind the door stops. More rustling, then two steps and the door swings open. The janitor leans out from his room, one arm braced against the doorframe, looking down the hallway. Without a word, Sephiroth stares at him curiously trying to see what is special about him. Not seeing anyone the man leans back into his room drawing the door close with him. His eyes slide down to the door handle, then jerks and turns toward Sephiroth. Several moments of quiet staring ensue. Then the man releases the door and withdraws into the room in silent invitation. Sephiroth steps in.

The janitor sits back on his cot, briefly looking at Sephiroth before staring at the bare wall in front of him.

Sephiroth takes this time to examine him. Fair complexion, faded blue eyes, wrinkled and weathered skin, thinning white hair with faded traces of a blond colour. His janitor's uniform; big and baggy, somehow making him appear small and fragile. But his movements are lithe and decisive, unlike many others Sephiroth has seen around. More specifically, scientists under Shinra's protection, as Gast put it in his letter.

Sephiroth tastes the air, his nostrils barely twitching. The smell is steady, very different from Professor Hojo's unceasing fluctuations. Different from most the child cared to observe. He can not make out much from the mans smell nor from his appearance.

Sephiroth thinks on Gast's letter again. What makes this man interesting? He feels nothing from his soul. Nothing about the old man strikes him as different from any other random employee. So what is it that Gast finds intriguing about him? Sephiroth doesn't know, and is uncertain what to ask to find out.

"What is your name?" He asks finally. That is the customary thing to ask when wanting to know a stranger, is it not? It was what the first thing President Shinra asked him, after all.

The man doesn't look at him when he answers. "The less people in high places who know my name, the better." Sephiroth thinks on this. He supposes they are pretty high up in the building, though it's nothing compared to the height of the Shinra tower currently being constructed.

"I don't desire their attention." the old man adds after a long pause. Well that makes a lot of sense to the boy. He doesn't desire their attention either, though he receives it anyway. Nothing good comes of their attention in Sephiroth's opinion. Tedious company and tedious tasks.

Sephiroth doesn't really care about the man's name either, but he still isn't satisfied. He want's more, but struggles to find the words. "Who… are you?" It is a vague question, but he cannot find anything better.

The old man's head turns to Sephiroth and looks him over slowly, then turns back to the wall. A short moment passes, then his strange sing-song dialect fills the room once again. "I am a janitor for Shinra. I do my job. I do it well. When I see something, I turn the other way. When I hear something I pretend I didn't hear it. That is all I do, and all Shinra wants of me." He falls silent and Sephiroth can almost smell that he has nothing more to say on the matter. No, actually he can smell it, the man's scent has changed ever so slightly since his last answer.

So he is just an employee that minds his own business. Perhaps that is what Gast senses from him, since no one else seems to mind their own business around Sephiroth.

But he hasn't written about that to his friend. He wrote about how he gave Sephiroth Fennel tea. He hadn't been minding his business then. But something good came out of this man's attention. Sephiroth had been content. No good came out of anyone else's attention other than Gast's. It was probably that which surprised Gast, Sephiroth decides.

He nods at the man, turns on his heel and strides out the door.

./.

Sephiroth gives his folded letter to Professor Hojo. "This is my letter to Professor Gast." Just like before the older man unfolds the letter and reads through it. He then puts it down on a table and continues his work.

Sephiroth is not surprised but cannot help but bristle. To read it so casually and then leave it lying around for anyone else to see… "Are you not going to send it away?" Sephiroth asks, carefully watching the professor.

The man shrugs. "I'm busy, I don't have time for such menial tasks."

Sephiroth's eyes flick to the letter and back. This can work to his benefit. "Then, tell me what to do, and I will send it." He says decisively.

Without turning the Professor waves a hand dismissively in Sephiroth's general direction. "It's too complicated."

"It doesn't matter. You know I can do it." the boy challenges. Professor Hojo stills. He turns and studies Sephiroth. It is true, he knows the child can complete complicated tasks with surprising speed.

"Fine, this is what you need to do. Find the Turk assigned to your case. And give him the letter. Come back when you have completed your task. Professor Hojo keeps his attention on Sephiroth, watching him the same way he studies him during the tests.

The boy thinks carefully. Turks; the people in blue suits that move with a certain grace, and sometimes smell of metal or another distinct acrid smell. He notices them because it is a familiar sight and scent to his soul. It must be a man he is looking for since Professor Hojo said 'him'.

Satisfied with the information, Sephiroth retrieves his letter and goes looking for this Turk who's apparently been assigned to him.

…

He knows that Turks don't stick around in one place for too long, so Sephiroth moves swiftly down the corridors. He comes across a pair a few floors down A female and a male.

Quickly and silently he catches up to them and tugs on one of their pant legs. Startled the man whirls around and kicks. Sephiroth is surprised but easily dodges it since the aim is for someone taller than he. His soul hums from the thrill and he realises that his reaction may also have come instinctively from it. The two Turks look down at him but step back cautiously when they are met by eyes lit by the unsettling glow of Mako and slit pupils, constricted from excitement. A small but distinctively predatory smile graces the tiny boys face.

However, his eyes soon dilate again when he recalls his task. His first priority is to find out who his Turk is. "Do you know the name of the Turk assigned to me." He doesn't need to explain more. Everyone that matters knows about him.

The two Turks glance at each other. One of them turns to Sephiroth and responds with a simple "No." The other shakes her head. Sephiroth thinks quickly. They don't seem very talkative.

"Where can I go to find out?" He tries again. The two exchange glances.

"Nowhere you have enough clearance to go." Replies the female Turk, curtly.

"Where can I find other Turks." The boy asks shrewdly.

They both exchange glances again. This time the man speaks up. "I think the rookies are in the cafeteria." After that they swiftly make their escape. Leaving the toddler to find the cafeteria on his own.

…

A group of four lounge in the corner. Three men and one woman. All Turks.

Sephiroth watches them. Two of them stiffen. Another turns toward Sephiroth and spots him. "Hey look it's the little freak." He murmurs to his companions. Sephiroth is not meant to hear but his sharp ears catch it anyway. A shiver of something runs through Sephiroth's soul. But Sephiroth himself doesn't care what these people think of him and he approaches them without further reservations.

"Do you know the name of the Turk who is assigned to me?" Sephiroth asks again.

The talkative Turk shrugs. "Nope." He replies simply. Sephiroth looks at the other Turks but they all answer similarly.

"Where do I need to go to find out?" He tries once again. This time they all glance at each other, and they fall silent.

"Meh, I'm bored anyway so I'll give you a hand. There's bound to be a Turk that knows." It's the talkative man that volunteers. The woman shoots him a disapproving look.

"He doesn't have the clearance to go on some of those floors." She says warningly.

Another of the Turks waves his hand dismissively. "He's a kid. I doubt it's a big deal if he goes there this once."

The talkative Turk leans in persuasively. "My thought's exactly, besides it'll be interesting to go on a little mission with the freak." He stands up with a smirk. "Let's go little freak." Sephiroth's soul Shivers venomously at the word again, but he really cannot care less. This man will hopefully make this task easier, so Sephiroth follows him silently.

…

They run into a few more Turks, but they are all ignorant. When they finally do meet one that knows, Sephiroth is aware of it the instant his question is asked. He smells it, literally, and his pupils constrict in anticipation.

Warily the redheaded Turk glances between him and his escort. "Why do you want to know?"

Sephiroth thinks carefully, she is testing him, if he doesn't answer satisfactorily she will not tell. He recalls the janitor's words; Not wanting the attention of people in high places.

"Professor Hojo sent me to look for him." Sephiroth knows his answer is correct when her smell softens though she doesn't show it on her face.

"Why didn't he tell you the name of the Turk?" She asks again, still cautious.

"He wants to test my ability." He answeres simply, though no doubt it isn't the only reason. The professor probably wants to make life more difficult for him. But Sephiroth doesn't mind this challenge. It got him away from his usual tedious entourage. And he met that kicking Turk. Now that was thrilling.

The wariness fades away as the woman thinks through his answer drumming her fingers in a strange rhythm on a heavy looking bag she was carrying. Finally, she makes her decision. "Veld, I think. No doubt you want to find him too. He is in a meeting in that room over there, so you must wait. Don't disturb them until they are done." With a final lingering glance at Sephiroth, she strides away.

Sephiroth's soul stirs at the name.

His talkative escort whistles besides him. "Veld huh, that's a big guy for a little boy like you. But then I guess it's not for nothing that you're the little freak."

Sephiroth glances up at the man. His soul shivers in quiet anger again and Sephiroth is getting annoyed by it's reaction to that word. He really cannot understand why this nobody's name calling should matter at all.

"Well I'll leave you now. Nice meeting you little freak." And he walks off with a final parting hiss from his soul. About time, in Sephiroth's opinion, he is getting tired of this whole freak affair.

Not sparing his former escort a second glance he walks to the door the female Turk indicated and listens. Unable to hear anything, he resigns himself to a long wait.

…

The door to a particular room opens and the man exiting it is met by glowing green eyes staring up at him in the darkened corridor.

The man smells startled. But other then slight hesitation it does not show on his body. He eyes the toddler warily. "Sephiroth, right? A deep, calm voice speaks, almost in the intimate manner Gast uses with him.

"Are you Veld?" Sephiroth asks immediately. The middle-aged man doesn't even twitch and his smell doesn't change.

He can sense something from this man. Power, like what is around President Shinra. Only darker, quieter. If the President's power is a big ball of hot air, then this man's is a much smaller, colder and denser ball.

But his soul does not recognize him.

"Why do you wish to know?" The man doesn't answer his question nor does he move from the door.

'People in high places'. Sephiroth thinks this is one of those people, no doubt he won't mind their attention, but it might hold some weight. "Professor Hojo sent me to find Veld."

"Hojo, huh…" He eyes Sephiroth for a moment more. Then steps out of the door and gestures toward the room. "Veld is inside. You may use the room if you wish." With those final words he walks off.

Sephiroth steps into the room. A blue suited Turk stands to the side of the door. A tall young man. Chocolate brown hair and eyes. Olive skin.

Sephiroth's soul stirs within him. A faint wary respect, but otherwise indifference. A working relationship.

"I am Veld. Why did you want to see me Sephiroth?" The man says, his voice somewhat familiar but his tone and aura are not. Too soft, too kind... too emotional. Sephiroth's soul knows this man, but somehow he is all wrong.

"Are you my supervising Turk?" The boy asks. A silence falls between them. Veld seems slightly uncomfortable. He can smell it.

"Yes." He answers finally his gaze not moving from the young boy.

Sephiroth's eyes sharpen. There is more to this than he first thought. "What does that involve." He pries.

"It is not important. You do not need to know." The adult answers curtly.

"It is my business to know. It involves me." Sephiroth hisses, dissatisfied.

Veld kneels in front of the boy looking him in the eye and tries to explain. "You are a child, let the adult's do what they are supposed to do. You do not need to care about such things." Sephiroth senses fluctuations in his emotions. But he cannot identify them. His soul is no help; it doesn't recognize the behavior from this man at all.

"I want to know. I need to know." Says the toddler, not budging an inch.

Veld hesitates slightly. "It's classified." He says finally.

What a familiar word. Not to Sephiroth but to his soul. Classified; annoyance and resignation. "What does 'classified' mean." The toddler asks slowly.

"It means I'm not allowed to tell you." Veld says with a sigh.

Sephiroth starts at this. He thinks back on Gast. Gast always told Sephiroth what he could, but sometimes there were things he couldn't explain. Had they been classified? Those strange inconsistencies in his letters, hinting at something more but without offering the information.

"Sephiroth, what did you come here for?" Veld asks him, breaking the boy out of his thoughts as well as reminding him of his purpose.

He fishes out the folded paper from his pocket and shows it to Veld. "This is my letter to Gast." He explains. Veld makes a move to take it, but Sephiroth withdraws it swiftly. "Are you going to read it?" Veld does not reply, but he can smell that the man is unsettled. "Did you read my first letter?" The emotions are turning turbulent, but the Turk shows nothing on his face. "Did you read Gast's letters?" He cannot tell what the emotions are, not yet. But he is certain that his suspicions are correct.

"Why does it matter? You're a child you do not need to think of these things!" Suddenly something clicks in Sephiroths mind. He recalls a memory of Gast. He sat on the old mans lap. Gast, was worried. Something about time… no, about growing too fast. It was concern. Concern and a little anger that he smelled from Veld.

His soul was silent. This was not the man it knew.

'Beware of Shinra.' Those last words come to him again. Shinra reads his letters but does not tell him why. Veld says he doesn't need to know but is that really true? He trusts Gast and believes there is merit in his warning.

He recalls the janitor not wanting people to know his name. He wrote about him in his letter. Briefly and without detail. Only that a man gave him fennel tea. But if he had known the name, perhaps he would have carelessly given it in his ignorance.

"I do not want Professor Hojo to read any of my letters." Sephiroth says finally. He doesn't really mind this man reading them. But he definitely doesn't want professor Hojo anywhere near them.

"Professor Hojo is your guardian. He is in charge of your upbringing, and your education." Veld tries to explain to the boy. But it is in vain, the child cannot understand.

"The letter is not for his eyes. It is between Gast an me." Sephiroth explains with growing frustration. But seeing that it is not enough to sway the man he tries again. "It's ok if it's you, you won't go into a bad mood when you read something you don't like. But professor Hojo will. He's bad enough as it is."

There, something he said, swayed the man, he can see it in the slight widening of the eyes and the change in smell.

Satisfied he waits. "I will take what you have said into consideration. You will know the answer when the next letter from Mr. Faremis arrives." Sephiroth hands his letter victoriously to Veld. The silver-haired boy turns on his heels and strides away, satisfied with this day's accomplishments and discoveries.

Veld stays kneeled on the floor awhile longer after Sephiroth's departure, thinking back on the conversation with the toddler. Those few minutes were very disturbing and for more than one reason.

He has a daughter. She is a little over one year old and has recently said her first word. Less than two years separated Felicia and Sephiroth, yet the thought of her being anything like him in two years terrifies him.

This is the first time he met the boy face to face. He had read and heard much about him, but nothing could prepare him for the real thing. He oddly lacked a child's innocent trust and shy insecurities, marching over in Turk territory and challenging him with no fear whatsoever. That self-certainty and strong will so unusual even in adults. It is disturbing to see in a child. Just what had led to such a development?

The door opens silently and Veld rights himself with a respectful "Sir."

"At ease Veld" The deep soothing voice of his boss fills the room. The man closes the door and moves to the table leaning his hips on it. Malkhaz the department head of Administrative research. Veld's superior and mentor.

"You said more than you should have." The older man chastises gently.

He had said more than he would have if it had been any other Shinra employee. "Yes, I did. It's just… He's just a child."

That is the crux of the matter. So much revolved around this boy. Almost every file in his portfolio was stamped confidential, and not the 'for privacy' kind of confidential. Even Veld's access was restricted to some of them.

Any other child his age would be blissfully oblivious and stay so for many more years. Yet this one was fishing for answers, prying for them with a persistence that seemed so alien to the toddler he is supposed to be.

"I'm sure that's what got him on this floor in the first place" Malkhaz mutters looking darkly at the door. Then he turns back to Veld, expression pleasant once again. "Tell me Veld, how old is Sephiroth?"

"He is three years old, sir. Going on four." Veld straightens, going back to his professional guise.

"At ease, Veld. At ease." Malkhaz waves a hand appeasingly, his voice deep and soothing. "Three years, huh? He sounded much older from where I was listening, even older than his appearance would suggest." He muses out loud.

Veld slumps next to his boss on the table. "Yes, and… I find it disturbing. He looks like a child, has the voice of a child. Yet at the same time, he neither looks nor sounds like one..." a hand comes to rest reassuringly on his shoulder.

"Yes, he does have a sweet face, doesn't he? The older man says agreeably. "But Veld, I am sure that very same face can turn terrifying in an instant." He looks into Veld's eyes seriously. "You've heard what some call him, haven't you? There's a reason for that name." The grip on his shoulder tightens.

"I thought of my daughter when I looked at him…" Veld swallows looking away, his voice suddenly growing horse.

The hand on his shoulder slides to his hand and squeezes it reassuringly. "You needn't worry that Felicia will turn out like Sephiroth. Only things born in Shinra end up like that." Malkhaz releases Veld's hand and pushes away from the table. Pacing a few steps toward the door. "Though, I do believe that Shinra outdid itself with this one." He murmurs to himself more quietly.

Suddenly Malkhaz takes a breath and turns around to face Veld again. His voice no longer the intimate hum but his curt business tone. "The boy has a point about Professor Hojo, I think you realise this too. He is too emotionally invested in his s-sss…" Veld watches with surprise as his superior rather forcefully breaks off his sentence. Malkhaz closes his eyes for a moment, then opens them while inhaling. "Specimen." He finishes.

Veld's eyes widen slightly at the term.

The older man gives his subordinate a knowing look. "You have my permission and full support on delivering the letters directly to and from the boy, instead of through Professor Hojo." He turns and walks out but stops at the door. "I trust you will be able to handle the Professor appropriately, he might be a bit… unwilling to accept this decision." With those final words he makes his exit.

Veld is left alone in the room to think over his two meetings. He realizes he opened himself to his superior far more than he had intended. He is not surprised. Malkhaz has that effect on people when he wishes to.

Nevertheless, Veld's troubled mind had been slightly alleviated by his boss. Though this matter clearly troubled even him, judging by his slip.

Authors note:

Comments: A big thank you to a certain anonymous reviewer. Your advice on writing dialogues and paragraphing was invaluable! I am a rusty righter so I had forgotten how to write dialogue! I am also new to writing on the web so I used paragraphs as I had in school, with out considering how differently paragraphing is done with web stories. I can understand the reason for it considering the special format of web novels. Thanks to you, dear anonymous reviewer, I'm a bit farther ahead in my new learning experience and it helped me improve this story. Thanks again for your feedback. It was very helpful and encouraging!

It's funny. When I wrote the scenes in the greenhouse I had know Idea why there. I even recall wondering why the greenhouse was so important. But that's how it came to me so I went with it. I only found out when Sephiroth realized it. Who'd have thought there would be no bugs around plants? Gast, you wise old fox!

Malkhaz made himself in this chapter. I wasn't intending to add another OC at this point. While I was casual trying to explain that Veld wasn't the Bossman yet, the guy just spontaneously developed a personality. He will be a minor supporting character, mostly for Veld but he'll have some choice words for Sephiroth too.

Next Chapter: Sephiroth's fourth birthday plus a letter from Gast.