"Oh, wow. You are looking more and more like shit everytime I see you."
Genesis said as he walked up to the other man sitting on the couch with a spread of different files and papers strewn across the coffee table in front of him. The silver haired man paused the tea cup that was on its way to his mouth and gave him one of his wry not-quiet-smiles, before continuing on.
"Are you really working on your break?"
"It's called being dedicated." Came a slight hoarse voice in reply behind the cup.
"No, it's called being a workaholic." Genesis took the initiative and sat down across from the other man. "So," Genesis tilted his head as he carefully regarded the General. "You wanna come out for drinks with me and Angeal?" He smiled. "We're going to that one bar you like, the quiet one."
That made Sephiroth glance up from the file he was in the middle of reading. "He's not supposed to be back for another three days." He asked, slash, stated with a small tilt of one elegant eyebrow.
"Yeah, well, apparently he finished up early."
"Mn," Was the only response he got from the silver haired general.
"Come on, Seph, You've been cooped up in your office for three weeks!" Genesis leaned forward, his bodily enthusiasm matching his words. "You won't even spar with me! Which, you know, the audacity, and all that-" He said as he waved his hand in front of his face.
"Unfortunately," Sephiroth started with a drawl. "I will be unable to join you today." He finished shortly and went back to reading the file in his hand.
"Oh, please, you could easily take a break from…" Genesis glanced down at the files, then up at Sephiroth, then down at the files again. "What's this?" He picked up the the closest paper to him and started reading it. "Are you searching for someone? Why are you looking up names of everyone that's joined Soldier the past," He picked up the whole stack of papers and quickly flipped through them. "Ten years?"
"...There was a discrepancy in one of the reports I got back, so I'm just looking through these files to get it corrected."
"Uh-uh." And if that wasn't the biggest lie Genesis had heard in his lifetime, he didn't know what was. Genesis put down the papers and leaned back into the couch.
They sat there for a while. Sephiroth reading his files and Genesis deep in thought. After a few more minutes Genesis finally got up with his signature flourish he'd claimed as his own, and headed for the door, "If you change your mind you'll know where we'll be."
"Hn." Sephiroth answered but didn't take his eyes away from the mess of paper on the table.
Genesis sighed as he made his way down the tower and out towards their bar in sector 1. He went into the building, waved at the owner and claimed their regular boot in the back. There were a few people littered in seats across the place, but coupled with the dim light no one gave him a second glance when he walked by.
He tapped his fingers on the table a few times in sync with his tapping foot under the table, then quickly stood up and headed towards the bar. He figured he might as well get a few drinks in before Angeal showed up. Unfortunately for him Angeal had always had an efficiency to him, so halfway through his first drink the other First showed up.
"Took you long enough." He said through the glass at his mouth.
Angeal just gave him a smile and slid into the opposite seat "I'm thirty minutes early."
Genesis stood up and chugged the rest of his drink. "You want anything?"
"The usual."
Genesis nodded.
"Sephiroth didn't come?" Was the first thing Angeal said when he returned with two big glasses of beers, "That's not like him."
"Yeah, well, he's not been like himself for a while now." Genesis took a small sip before continuing. "He's been working like crazy. I mean he's always been a workaholic to an extend, but I'm not sure he even stops to eat some days. Everytime I ask him out for lunch or dinner he refuses, says he has too much work to do…" Genesis furrowed his brows, the General had indeed been exceptionally strange lately.
"I see, so that's what you wanted to talk about…" Angeal said with a slight frown gracing his face. "Do you know what-"
"Wait, hold on." Genesis put his glass down and gave him a perplexed look. "That's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
Angeal's eyebrows rose. "Then what? You said it was something of 'great importance'," Angeal quoted him with a smirk and a hint of mocking in his voice, Genesis decided to let it slide, for now. "What's going on that could possibly be more important than this?"
Genesis closed his eyes and let out a deep, long-winded sigh before he opened his them again. Angeal had concern, which became more and more palpable by the second, written all over his face.
"What? What's going on? Genesis, you're worrying me." Genesis could see that Angeal was this close to pulling out his PHS and giving Sephiroth the obligatory once-a-month Moma Chocobo call, so he waited a few more seconds to let the concern really seep in.
"So… I saw Loveless: A New Horizon," He slowly started with a sigh. "You know? The new play I told you about- And I gotta say it has made me look at everything in the book from a new perspective. I mean other than the fact that the actor playing the Hero managed to butcher some of his lines, and also some irregularities from the book, the play was so spectacular. I'd even go as far as say it left me breathless by the end. It is without a doubt one of my top ten favorite adaptations of the sto -"
"What's wrong with you?! Dear Gaia! You almost gave my a heart attack!" Angeal clutched at his uniform right above his heart, his eyebrows furrowed and his mouth agape.
"Impossible" Genesis retorted, taking another sip of his drink.
"This is what you wanted to talk about?" Angeal continued his not at all warranted scolding. "You had me prematurely end my mission!"
"Yeah, well, Sephiroth's been hauled in his office twenty four seven!" Genesis yelled back. "I saw the play almost three weeks ago, and I haven't had anyone to talk to about it! Do you realize how frustrating that is?"
"I'm starting to realize, yeah." Angeal put his head in his hands and leaned against the table.
"You're such a drama queen." Genesis snorted.
Angeal pulled his head out of his hands so fast Genesis' surprised he didn't get a whiplash. The other man opened his mouth, an argument no doubt at the tip of his tongue, but apparently decided against it. Good. "You know what? Never mind." The raven haired sighed, picked up his drink and gulped down a few mouthfuls. "You sure this isn't something we should be worried about?" He huffed.
"Uh, yeah… I mean the play was good, but not that groundbreaking."
"I'm talking about Sephiroth, Genesis." Angeal said with a droll and endless patience.
Genesis just sighed. He suppose he'd have to save the Loveless discussion for another time, thanks to Sephiroth's sudden and unexplainable mid-life crisis. "Yeah, except the fact that he's somehow turned even more emotionless, I doubt it's something to be worried about, probably just a phase." He gave the other man a light smirk. "You know how kids can be."
"He's not a child, he's perfectly capable of controlling his emotions."
"Repress, you mean."
"Nevertheless, I'm worried about him." Angeal hummed.
"Ugh, fine," He put down his glass with a speedy sweep of his hand."Let's go talk to him." He stood up, then paused for a second. "Hold on."
Genesis went up to the bar once more with Angeal following close behind. He then proceeded to order two shots, the ones especially produced for Soldier biology. He ignored the incredulous look he got from Angeal, and promptly downed both of them when they were placed in front of him.
"Is that really necessary?"
"Absolutely." He said in between shots.
Angeal let out a sigh bordering on a scoff and continued out of the shop with Genesis not far behind.
They made their way towards the tower and up the elevator. Genesis carefully keeping up with the taller man's long, hurried stride.
"Will you slow down?" He whined. "He's not going anywhere, you're not short on time."
Angeal just ignored him and slightly quickened his pace, probably in retaliation for what Genesis did at the bar. He almost rolled his eyes at the other man's childishness, but decided it was perfect material for teasing so he resisted pestering him about it for now.
They reached Sephiroth's office, and Angeal placed two rapid knocks on the door before pushing it open without waiting for a reply, as is like him. Which should get him as much shit as Genesis get's for his no knocking when irritated, angry or excited policy. But apparently two knocks one second before you enter anyway is a completely okay thing to do.
Angeal froze on his way in the door, and Genesis who was accustomed to his fast pace and hurried stride, bumped into his shoulder with his face.
He was about to sarcastically rebuke Angeal's walking skill, while not so subtly rubbing at his, now red, nose, when he too froze at the sight of the General brandishing Masamune and full on tactical gear as if he was about to be shipped out to the Wutai wastes.
"You being sent out on a mission?" Angeal asked what Genesis thought.
Sephiroth turned around and gave them that look where he's so obviously suppressing a sigh.
"...Yes. I just got a mission sent down from the director. I'm shipping out immediately."
Genesis was about to reply with a snide comment of how workaholics die early or something, when the thought was abruptly cut off.
"Is that... blood on your coat?"
Sephiroth, the ever so composed man he was, merely glanced down at his coat, located the stain and answered. "Yes."
"Gaia below, Sephiroth- What's going on with you lately?" Angeal questioned.
Sephiroth lightly tilted his head to the side quizzically, his long hair following the movement and falling past his shoulder.
"Oh, don't give us that look. You know very well what he's talking about." Genesis stated as he stepped past Angeal, you couldn't be menacing while in the shadow of a man half a head taller than you. Not that Sephiroth would ever be menaced by him. To be totally honest was mostly Genesis' ego that couldn't stand him not being in the forefront of every argument. Not that he'd ever willingly admit to it.
"You haven't been out of your office for days, and when I tried talking to you about it you keep spacing out." Angeal looked at him, brows knitted at the new information. "So? Out with it! What's bothering you so much you can't even confide in your friends?"
Sephiroth quietly glancet between the two, his face showing not the slightest hint of emotion.
"I mean, seriously, If I didn't know you any better I'd be worried about your state of mind." Genesis resisted a pout, (...he might be a bit tipsy) Instead he put his hands on his hips.
Sephiroth let out a small huf of air in defeat and relaxed his stance. "I've been having these… visions lately."
"Ok, I'm officially worried about your state of mind-"
Angeal quickly stepped up next to Genesis and put up his hands as if to placate them. "What he means to say, Sephiroth," He gave Genesis a strict glare. "Is that you can talk to us anytime you need, you know that right?"
"Genesis." Sephiroth turned his penetrating gaze at him, and Genesis staggered slightly, (ok, maybe he was drunk after all) "Do you remember the impromptu mission the Professor asked you to do?"
"The one at the time of the Loveless play?" He raised an auburn eyebrow. "Yeah, what about it?"
"The... specimen I was told to track down." He paused, as if remembering something. "I believe that I know him…"
"Oh…" And for the first time ever Genesis didn't know how to reply. "Did- did you kill it?"
"Him." Sephiroth quickly corrected. "It's a person." He said sternly.
"Right..."
"Hold on. What exactly is it that's going on?" Angeal, bless him, broke the awkward silence caused by the exchange.
Sephiroth sighed for a second time since they entered the office (undoubtedly a new record) and unsummoned Masamune before he (somehow) gracefully flopped down on the side couch. He leaned his elbows on his knees and brought his hands together as he looked up at Angeal and started explaining.
"About three weeks ago I stepped in for Genesis on a mission given to him by Hojo. A track and retrieve of an escaped specimen- When I got there the people stationed there where, for lack of a better term, secretive. As if they didn't want me, specifically, on the mission. I had to insist to get them to agree, and even then they were reluctant." Sephiroth's eyebrows furrowed. "Then I found the- subject-" He spit out bitterly. "-I had this… foreboding feeling, like I knew him." Sephiroth was never good at, well, feeling stuff, let alone describe what he felt, so both Genesis and Angeal raised their eyebrows in surprise at those words.
"He was confused, and didn't seem to remember much of anything… but I think he remembered me." Another pause. "When I got back I started getting these," He waved his hand by his head. "Memories, I think they are. Fragments of memories of when I was young. I-" Sephiroth cut himself off, then cleared his throat. "I've been looking for people that matches his description, people that's gone mission or KIA, going as far as 30 years back- but…" He fell silent. So that's what he'd been researching earlier today.
"So? Did you kill him…?" Genesis asked, a slight frown grasing his face.
Sephiroth dropped his head, and clenched his hands together til they turned white. "...I handed him over to Hojo and left." He answered weakly.
There was a lull in the conversation and the atmosphere in the room seemed to thicken. Genesis swallowed as quietly as he could. He'd never seen Sephiroth like this before, so- defenseless. Normally he would relish at the thought, the great General Sephiroth, Hero of Wutai, looking so vulnerable. But today the only feeling accompanied that revelation was oddly enough dread.
Angeal walked over to the General and sat down next to him, putting a warm and comforting hand on his shoulder. "Did you know him well...?"
Sephiroth looked up, the same emotionless mask on his face as before. Genesis felt a lump forming in his stomach. He really didn't like this version of Sephiroth.
The silver haired man stood up. "I don't know. I don't remember." He shook his head. "I think he was looking after me. He was… kind." He said as his eyes turned a bit foggy.
"And?" Genesis huffed loudly after a few seconds of silence. If no one wanted to break the tension he'd gladly do it. He was too drunk to let it continue be this depressing. "What are you going to do about it?" He sat down next to Angeal and crossed his legs in an (he hoped) elegant fashion, (but looking at the amused smile the man next to him was giving him, he appears to have failed miserably.) "I hope your plan isn't to sit around and mope for another three weeks!" Only after he finished talking did he realize he had shouted the last part. Angeal placed his head in his hand. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
At least it seemed to have made Sephiroth fall back to a semblance of normalcy as he replied back monotonously rather than the half dead drone he'd been donning. "I already did something about it." And Genesis could almost taste the eye roll he was suppressing. "I went down to Hojo's lab in sector four and tried to find him." A dark look passed his face. "They transferred him two weeks ago…"
"Oh, Seph, I'm so sorry… Maybe we can find some records about his transfer?" Angeal turned to him. "There's bound to be some documents telling us where he went, right?"
"Why're you asking me?" He asked, confused. He was probably the last person to ask questions like that to. Angeal closed his eyes, likely trying to find a last shred of patience for him. "Beside a paper trail is too unreliable, Hojo could and would undoubtedly fake that. In my opinion we get the information straight from the horse's mouth." He grinned at the prospect of threatening Hojo's creepy underlings.
"You can't just go around threatening people, Genesis…" Angeal sighed and ignored his quiet 'why not?'. "We need someone that has access to information like this, someone we can trust… Which is gonna be hard because the only ones who do have access to this kind of information is high level Turk officials-"
"Actually-" Sephiroth cut him off with a slight hesitant look. "I already have the information."
Well that's a pleasant surprise. "Really? How did you get it?" Angeal asked softly, as if someone could overhear their conversation if he was to loud.
"I threatened people." He casually stated.
Angeal's jaw fell agape and Genesis was doing a bad job of concealing the laughter coming out his mouth. The raven haired just sighed and got up.
"So this 'mission you're going to-?"
"I'm going to get him." Sephiroth confirmed
Genesis followed suit and stood up as well. "Well, I suppose I could tag along. I'm not set up for a mission for a while, so I have the time-" He paused. "At least I think I'm not… Either way, I'm always in the mood for some treason."
"Gaia below." Angeal turned to him. "Please refrain from saying that as if you're proud of the fact."
"You're both coming?" Sephiroth raised two eyebrows that'd been chiseled to perfection. Ugh, what an asshole.
Angeal let out a deep breath and followed up with a small smile. "I suppose I could go for some treason this evening."
"That's more like it, big guy." Genesis clapped him on the back a few times then avoided the glare thrown at him. "So, where's the guy now?"
Sephiroth eyed them.
"Nibelheim."