1 May 1990

It was very bright, yet very dark at the exact same time. He was in awe, but, more than that, he was intimidated. Along with the sheer size and newness of it all, he was also overwhelmed by how crowded Midgar was.

Cloud struggled to push and shove his way past the sea of people. He kept a tight grip onto his belongings, rushing to get into the Shinra building. Once inside, he was given a number and directed to a waiting room. The blond sat down in an empty chair, his breath hitching at the amount of people in the same room, more than likely signing up for the same thing.

The blond was hungry and tired as he waited in that room. He fidgeted a little, taking a look at the clock on the wall. He had a long hour to wait. Despite that, he felt a small twinge of nerves in the pit of his stomach. He was impatient, but he was dreading whatever was coming next.

Taking a small breath to calm himself down, Cloud pulled some papers out of his bag and read them over again.

He had the minimum weight and height requirements, that was for sure. However, those were the only requirements he knew he would definitely pass. Lack of a doctor who was available in cases other than emergencies and lack of an education outside of homeschooling put him at a severe disadvantage for the evaluations coming up in a couple of days. He chewed on his lower lip as doubt and a severe drop in confidence began to eat away at him. He read the paper over again, feeling more and more apprehensive. Then he folded it up and put it away.

He was here for Sephiroth. He'd gotten this far, and it was too late to give up now. Even if his body was a traitor, even if he wasn't good enough for the army, he couldn't go back. He left his old life behind for a reason.

Feeling slightly better now, the blond leaned back in his chair, grateful that it was a comfortable one. He continued to think calming thoughts and distract himself from heading into darker territory again as he waited for three o'clock to arrive.

He was never this bored in his entire life. He was horribly tempted to get up and do something, and being confined to the chair did not help him. Fortunately, however, he didn't have long to wait until several men in army fatigues entered the room.

Cloud sat up straight, directing his full attention to the speakers.

"We thank you all for coming here today," the man in the center announced. He wore a dark red uniform, and his face was covered by a metal mask which reminded Cloud of helmets knights would wear in the stories his mother had read to him long ago.

"As you all must know," the man continued, "SOLDIER is not a game. It is not a joke. It is not a playground or an accessory for bragging rights." The man clenched his fist and held it over his chest. "I have poured gallons of sweat, blood, and tears into my work, and I am proud to say I am a Second Class SOLDIER as a result."

Quiet, awed whispers broke out among the audience. Cloud himself took a good look at the SOLDIER's outfit. Someday, he, too, would wear the same uniform.

"The road to SOLDIER is difficult. It is challenging. All of you will start from the very bottom and work your way to the top. Shinra is a place of equal opportunity. Where you will rank in the future is a matter of the choices you make and the effort you put in."

The SOLDIER then began to explain the recruitment process. First came the weighing and measuring. Then came the medical records and academic evaluation, which Cloud was very afraid of. At the mention of a quick review course before the tests, however, he became a little relieved. The odds were against him, but he still had a good chance.

After another pep talk, they were all dismissed. Cloud stood up and followed the other potential recruits into yet another waiting room, this time one in which each recruit was to enter by themselves. The blond was directed into his own room and weighed on the scale; then he had his height measured. The male nurse wrote the numbers down and Cloud asked Cloud about his medical history before the blond was dismissed yet again. On his way out, the young man saw a form for the review course and quickly signed up for it before leaving to his assigned quarters. Once there, Cloud was greeted with the sight of several bunk beds. Intrigued by the top bunks, the blond chose one and threw his pack onto it, claiming the bed for himself.

The blond took a look around and started to become a little nervous. Apprehension was catching up to him again, and now he felt all alone.

He jumped a little when he heard the door open and saw other recruits file in and claim their own beds. He stepped back awkwardly, trying to stay out of their ways. After a short moment, he couldn't help but start talking to the nearest person.

"Hi..."

Several stares met him. One guy had an amused smile on his face.

"Uh, hi," the boy Cloud had greeted said.

Cloud blanked out. He no longer knew what to say. He scratched the back of his head while he tried to think of something to start a conversation. Several recruits left after putting their belongings away.

"So, where are you from?"

Cloud blinked, then said, "Nibelheim."

"Where's that?"

Cloud pointed in a random direction behind him and said, "That way."

Nobody laughed. Cloud put his arm down.

One boy puffed out his chest and declared, "I'm from Midgar, born and raised."

Cloud looked at him with awe. "Really?"

"Yep. It's no big deal."

Another guy rolled his eyes. "Most of us are from Midgar. Where do you think you're at right now?"

Cloud frowned, but didn't answer.

Somebody laughed hysterically. A bell dinged, and everyone quickly shuffled out. Cloud looked at the clock.

Lunch time. He followed the other recruits, vowing to watch his words more carefully.

Notes:

Started: 2015年6月16日（火）

Finished: That same day

I was inspired to do this right now because HYPETY HYPETY HYPE!