FINALLY!
I finally sat my butt down and got to work on this!
Sorry, readers for the unnecessarily long wait. I've had homework, tests, more homework, more tests... sprinkle in some emotional turmoil and all around laziness, and poof. But, I finished it, just last night before falling asleep, and with the help of the lovely Skiba, Chapter 3 is now complete and edited! *Celebrates*
Not too much too major happening in this chapter either. Mostly an exploration of Sephiroth as he is in the OtR universe. After this, the story starts melding with the canon game, so I may be able to get chapters out easier and quicker. However, I'm not getting my hopes up cuz this week is busy and full of tests and projects, and before I know it, it will be time for finals.
Well, enough of Sinnii's rambling, down to business.
Pairing: none
Warnings: ...none? :O
I don't own Final Fantasy VII. Never will. *cries*
Even in sleep, he felt the presence of another close by.
It was peculiar, though. Who would be curious—no, brave enough to enter the room while he slept? He was a SOLDIER, and one that was trained to maintain a degree of awareness of his surroundings at all times. Did the intruder not know this? Did they not know that his senses far surpassed even that of most of his fellow operatives, that he could easily pick up on any disturbances generated by another entity? His ears caught the sound of not-so-well hidden shuffling that answered his question.
Apparently not.
While physically he looked to be sound asleep, he was fully alert, listening closely, trying to identify the intruder as either friend or foe without their knowing.
He listened close to the footfalls; they seemed to be trying to keep quiet, but they were obviously failing at doing so. They also seemed to be… oddly aimless, as if there was no real reason for being there. However, they did seem to be moving closer. His attention then moved to the footfalls themselves. While poorly hidden, the sounds made were… light. It was someone small, but that did not relax him. Until he saw for sure, the intruder was a potential threat.
He felt the presence even closer now, right next to the futon he lay on. After that, there was no further movement, no additional action. It was puzzling, indeed. He waited for a moment longer for any potential movements from the intruder. Should they make a move, he would know, and if he, with all of his training, deemed it hostile, he would act just as swiftly as always and neutralize the threat.
However, he heard no sounds of movement. All he could hear was his own even breathing, and the breathing of whom- or whatever was in the room with him. So he let his eyes open, and he blinked at the sight of the "intruder" that was bent over him, directly in his line of sight.
"...You have weird looking eyes."
He looked into the dark blue eyes of a little Wutai girl. They were wide with what he believed was curiosity, so much like the looks given to him by many Midgar children.
He gazed back, directly into her eyes, and was inwardly surprised when her stare did not relent in the least, a feat that even many full-grown men could not say they have accomplished.
"I beg your pardon?" he said.
She tilted her head and pursed her lips a bit, locks of short black hair shifting with the motion.
"What? Ya didn't hear me?" she asked in a tone Sephiroth found odd. "I thought SOLDIERS had, like, this amazing hearing and stuff."
Sephiroth resisted the urge to tilt his own head in the same fashion and slowly sat up. He noticed the girl back away to put space between them, but her eyes never left him even as she settled on the floor at the edge of the futon, sitting on her knees with her hands planted flat on the floor. He met her gaze yet again, and still, she did not look away. A peculiar child.
"My hearing is, in fact, enhanced, just the same as my other senses. I merely wished for you to elaborate on your previous statement regarding my eyes."
She just blinked.
He could not hold back a soft sigh. He often forgot that his vocabulary was not universally understood. He hadn't been designed to be a social animal, so he never saw the need to alter his way of speaking depending on who it was he was speaking to. He'd also never had to converse with a child before.
"Why do you think my eyes are 'weird,' as you say?" he clarified.
A spark of understanding lit behind those eyes. But she went on, as if no clarification had been needed.
"Well haven't you ever looked in a mirror? I mean, they're all green and glowy and your pupils—" she pointed to her own eye as she talked, "—make them look like… like a kitty's!"
Sephiroth blinked at the excitement she began to display, and he watched as she started to bounce where she sat.
"So, yeah, that's why they're weird. But I like them too; they're cool."
"…I see." He really had little idea of what to say in response.
She made a noise of satisfaction nonetheless, and went back to just staring. He watched her face as her expression changed from time to time as if she were thinking.
After a few moments, Sephiroth entertained the idea of simply standing and… moving. While he was very much used to people's eyes on him, it was no less uncomfortable, even if they were the eyes of a harmless little girl. He broke eye contact with the girl and shifted to stand. He didn't notice the girl jump a little at the motion.
"...ASOLDIERgeneralsayswhat?"
That stopped him. Words just spilled out of her mouth in a series of incoherent sounds, as if she hadn't thought about what she was saying at all, and Sephiroth was very much unsure of what she had desired to say.
"What?" He couldn't really stop the word from leaving his lips. He could stare down any man and weapon easily, but in a social situation, his control was somewhat… compromised.
There was no answer to come, however. The girl just scurried out of the room, giggling almost madly as she went. Sephiroth stared after her and out of threshold she had fled through when she was gone.
Strange child, he thought as he stood.
About an hour later, after he'd finished dressing and was awaiting his orders, he heard a commotion coming from further down the corridor. He stood and approached the threshold only to see a familiar little girl rushing by, giggling in that same, and almost mad fashion. Just moments later, he heard much heavier footfalls and glanced out into the corridor just as Zack rushed past him.
"Come back here, you little—!"
Sephiroth watched in an odd curiosity as Zack seemingly chased the laughing child further down. He continued to watch until they were no longer in sight before he retreated back into his room, content with being in solitude for a while.
o0o
They remained in Wutai for two more days while Shinra and the Emperor continued negotiations. There seemed to be little need for the protection that had been sent by the company, and aside from the Vice President's occasionally disrespectful tongue, he gave no indication that there would be need for violence. His discussions with Wutai's leader were, while a bit tense at times, peaceful. Sephiroth was usually present at most of these meetings, playing his part as the weapon that would come to be in Wutai's arsenal should they decide ally with Shinra. He couldn't help but be glad, though, that Fair was not required to attend these meetings. For reason's Sephiroth still did not know, the young man did not seem to approve of the way he was regarded. However, based on things he'd heard from his good friend, the young man was likely bored for most of their stay.
On the morning of their departure, Sephiroth stood dutifully at the young Shinra's side. Staring straight ahead, he made no eye contact with either Emperor Kisaragi or the men he had at his sides, but he could keenly feel the eyes of those men trained on him. He was also aware of another set of eyes staring at his back, knowing well that they belonged to the young SOLIDER second.
He couldn't help but be perplexed by the young man. Ever since their first night in Wutai during this mission, the teen acted differently around him. Sephiroth would feel those eyes on him, and he couldn't help but feel confused. He was still unable to understand what had spurred the young Second to come to his room and express his frustrations. Most of all, he could not understand why the youth seemed to be agitated, not at him but at things said about him. Sephiroth had never been bothered by the way most in Shinra spoke about him, and as far as he was concerned, what they all said was truth. Because he, himself, never saw anything wrong with it, he could not piece together why this young man, who knew nothing about him, would be so angered.
After Shinra and the Emperor bid each other farewell, Sephiroth took his place at the forefront of their small group. The Turk stepped up to the blond's side, while Fair brought up the rear. Something in the back of his mind hoped that the teen did not become too distracted as they left the city. He didn't want to have to go searching for him, and it wouldn't do for a SOLDIER operative to get lost in what was still considered enemy territory.
o0o
As expected, the helicopter was at the designated location as instructed, and the young Vice President and his Turk were the first to board. Sephiroth turned his head to the young SOLDIER and locked eyes with him, mildly intrigued that the Second met his gaze. He motioned for the brunette to board, and he obeyed without protest. As before, Sephiroth was the last to board the helicopter before the Turk gave the signal for takeoff. He took his place sitting across from the Turk and the young blond, but that meant that, despite having a bit of distance between them, he was sitting next to Fair.
Through the entire flight back to Midgar, Sephiroth sat completely still, his arms crossed over his chest. He made sure to not let his eyes stray, keeping them downcast and hidden behind his bangs. However, throughout the flight, he was often tempted to glance towards the young man seated beside him, especially when he could sense the SOLDIER sneaking glances over at him. If he hadn't been so extensively trained, Sephiroth would have likely shifted in slight discomfort. He wasn't fond of having people gaze at him for extended periods of time, having to endure enough of it in public whenever he was forced to venture into the depths of the city. It was even worse when he had to go to his mandatory "visits" to the labs; there was something much more disconcerting about having eyes rove over him belonging to someone who knew him not as a warrior of unsurpassed skill, and not as the untouchable idol to the masses, but as nothing more than the mere experiment even he saw himself to be.
However, when Fair looked at him, Sephiroth did not see the look of wonder and fear of the masses. He did not see the cold and calculating leers of the scientists that had designed him. What he saw was vastly unfamiliar, and he could not begin to place it; that was what unnerved him most. The young man seemed so very outgoing and so easy to read, but lately, that was not so whenever his gaze strayed. With that thought in mind, Sephiroth finally allowed his eyes to glance ever so slightly to his side, and as expected, those bright mako-infused eyes were trained on him.
Almost as soon as he locked eyes with the SOLDIER Second, the young man averted his eyes as if trying to make it look as if he had not been staring. Though becoming increasingly confused, Sephiroth simply turned his gaze back to his crossed arms, and within a few minutes, he could feel those eyes on him yet again. This flight was turning into an odd experience, indeed.
o0o
The helicopter landed on the Shinra building helipad in late afternoon. Upon landing, Shinra and his Turk were the first to disembark. Nothing was said as the two left the helipad, leaving Sephiroth and Fair alone by the aircraft. They stood silent for a moment before the younger of the two attempted to speak.
"So… uhm…"
Sephiroth turned his head at the sound of the young man's voice and just managed to catch him glancing away.
"Yes, Fair?"
"I…" Fair paused as if he wanted to say something, then he simply sighed. "Guess I'll see ya around, sir."
And with that, the young man walked away from the helipad, leaving Sephiroth to watch him, puzzled. When he was out of sight, Sephiroth blinked before he briskly left the landing site as well, intending to return to his normal routine.
o0o
For the next few days, Sephiroth set about his normal duties. Most of his time was spent in his office, looking over assortments of mission reports. When he finally deemed his work complete, he would retreat to his quarters, usually at an hour most would find unreasonable or even insane, and sleep only to wake at an early hour to do the same all over again. He did not see hide nor hair of the peculiar brunette Second for some time after their mission to Wutai, which wasn't at all out of the ordinary. However, nearly a week since returning from Wutai, he inevitably crossed paths with the young man.
He received a mail from the Director, requesting to see him for briefing on a mission. For a moment, he had a strange feeling, like a distinct weight settling in his abdomen at the thought of what the assignment could be. Nevertheless, he left from his office and briskly made his way to the elevators. Halfway down the hall, he picked up the sound of two voices, one he was not familiar with, but the other easily recognized. However, he did not slow his pace, even as the owners of the voices entered his line of sight.
For reasons unknown to Sephiroth, Fair had ventured to one of the many office floors, and he was accompanied, it seemed, by one of his fellow Second Classes. The two were deep in conversation when Sephiroth strode past them; he didn't notice Fair go quiet and turn as he went by, so he didn't notice the young man mutter a hasty goodbye to his friend before hurrying to catch up to him. He did, however, quickly notice a set of hasty footsteps approaching from behind, and was moderately surprised when he turned his head and saw the brunette as he slowed his pace to walk beside him.
"Hey, Sephiroth," he greeted in a light tone.
"Fair," was Sephiroth's reply.
Sephiroth's pace had not slowed at all, but he noticed that Fair was able to keep up with him quite well. They remained silent for a moment as they walked, Fair because he seemed to be grasping for something to say and Sephiroth simply because he had nothing to contribute to the conversation.
"Where ya headin'?" the Second finally asked.
"I have orders to report to Director Lazard for briefing on a mission."
"What kind of mission?"
"I will know that once I report to the Director."
"…Oh."
Sephiroth expected it to end there. Seeing as how he was clearly not an active participant in the conversation, he expected the young man to be deterred by his silence or his very brief responses. However, he was surprised when the Second spoke up again.
"Well, um, after your mission, wanna maybe hang out?"
The question surprised him even more. No one ever expressed a desire for his presence unless they were in some sort of danger. He was not designed for the purpose of socialization, and so had not been taught how to effectively interact with others while he grew up. Aside from formal meetings, speeches he was occasionally forced to give to new recruits, and the basic interactions that came with giving and receiving assignments, Sephiroth was, at best, awkward in any other social situation. Due to this, he essentially avoided unnecessary conversation. However, for some reason, he could not bring himself to simply brush Fair off.
"I will most likely have further duties to attend to when I return."
"Like what?"
"Mission reports."
He didn't see Fair's eyes widen in something akin to alarm.
"They make you do paperwork?"
Sephiroth had not been expecting the teen's reaction. Paperwork was simply a part of his duties; while he did not enjoy it, it was just one of things he was responsible for. It was certainly not the worst thing he had to do.
"Yes," was his curt reply.
The brunette made a face. "Well that sounds boring."
Sephiroth had no reply for that. He was under the impression that work was not meant to be entertaining. It was a job, a responsibility; whether it was fun or not had no bearing on his performance. He would do his work regardless of any quality of entertainment it offered. However begged the question: Why was Fair concerned about his workload? More importantly...
"Fair… why are you even speaking to me?"
It wasn't meant to be insulting, nor was it meant to indicate that he did not want the young man speaking to him. Surprisingly, Sephiroth found that he did not mind Fair talking to him at all. He was different, actually wanting Sephiroth to talk to him regardless of the response. But... why?
"Well… aren't we friends?" the SOLDIER asked, tone matter-of-fact.
Sephiroth almost stopped cold. Friends? Only Angeal and Genesis had ever considered him a friend, and they were the only two in his life that had ever been as such to him. To hear this young man, who barely knew him, say that he held him in such regard was astounding to Sephiroth, and he had no real idea how to respond or how to even feel for that matter.
"Why would you think that?" he simply asked.
"Well we've been through some stuff together," Fair said with a shrug, "and we're talking… seem to be holding decent conversation. So… I don't see why not."
By this time, the two were no longer walking, but rather standing in the hall, just the two of them. They were both silent for a moment, neither really sure where things would go. However, Fair broke the silence with a clearing of his throat.
"Well, um… If y'ever have any free time, maybe we can, y'know, hang out sometime," the Second offered, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll see ya later, sir."
With that, Fair began heading in the direction he had come from, no doubt to locate the SOLDIER he had been talking to earlier. Sephiroth said nothing, unable to find a suitable response to the young man's words. He simply turned and resumed making his way to the elevators; however, something in him made him pause briefly and turn to glance behind him. For a moment, he watched the young man's retreating back thoroughly perplexed at what had just transpired between them. However, he quickly realized that he had little time to dwell on such things, and turned back to continue on to his destination. He did not notice Fair turn to glance his way mere seconds later.
o0o
"Ah, Sephiroth. Glad to see that you made it," Sephiroth heard Director Lazard say as he entered his office.
He looked up to see the blond man seated behind his desk, leaning forward with his elbows resting on its surface, finger laced together close to his chin. Sephiroth was quite familiar with this characteristic pose, an interesting habit when the man was relatively deep in thought. He locked eyes with the man as he lowered his hands to rest on the desk's surface.
"I apologize for my tardiness," he returned, but before he could begin to explain himself, the Director held up a hand to stop him.
"There's no need. I know the higher-ups tend to give you 'extra assignments' frequently."
Sephiroth merely nodded. There was no need to refute what the man had said; after all, it was essentially true.
"All of that aside, Sephiroth," Lazard began, sitting up straighter. "As you know, I have a mission for you."
He nodded again.
Lazard made a noise akin to a sigh and looked down at his hands. For a split second, Sephiroth's brow creased in confusion, and he felt strangely uneasy.
"I want you to investigate Banora."
Sephiroth felt an odd clench to his chest, and his body tensed slightly.
"I had staff dispatched to the location, but contact with them has been lost," the Director explained. "It is… suspicious."
"You believe it to be Genesis's doing? Or Angeal's?"
"I'm sorry, Sephiroth, but it is doubtful that it could be anyone else," Lazard tried to reason. "We have attempted to contact Genesis's family… they are keeping silent."
Sephiroth could only nod, the curious knot tightening further.
"I am not to simply search for them." There was no question about it; he knew that the company would not have him sent to verify whether or not one or the two of the deserting SOLDIER Firsts were hiding out in their hometown and leave it at that.
The Director's eyes fell shut and he shook his head almost somberly.
"I'm afraid not," he said, bringing a hand up to push his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "They could likely become a grave threat to the company. Unless you can convince them to return, if you locate either or both of them… they must be eliminated."
That tightness seemed to spread through his body, down into his stomach and up into his throat. He brought his gaze down and away from the Director's face. He would have to kill his best—no—his only friends. Of all the decisions in his life he had to struggle to make, this was by far the worst, and the thought of likely having to destroy either—let alone both—of them unsettled and… actually pained him. His mind seemed to race, so many images of his friends, when they could still be called such, flashing almost all at once. The two had so readily accepted him all those years ago because they were all so similar, in a class of their own. At some of the worst moments in his life, Sephiroth could remember them being there, how they looked at him without any fear, any scorn...
Then his mind abruptly turned to another, a SOLDIER Second with messy black spikes.
Fair, he thought.
That is why the young man could hold his attention, why Sephiroth felt so perplexed by him; he was so much like them. Fair looked at him as they did, interacted with him as they did. But he could not help but think that there was… more to it than that.
Mentally, he shook his head. It was not the time to ponder on the Second; he had a mission to focus on. With that thought, something clicked in his mind.
Fair had been a student to Angeal, and the man would often speak quite fondly of the young man. And Fair clearly thought very highly of his mentor, if his reaction in Wutai had been any indication.
"Angeal wouldn't betray us! Never!"
The Second had been so adamant. He had such faith in Angeal, faith that even Sephiroth was unable to muster. Perhaps Fair would have a better chance of convincing Angeal, and while the Second likely did not know Genesis very well, if at all, provided he could convince Angeal to return, Genesis would doubtless follow suit. The two Firsts once told him of how they grew up together—they were clearly close and shared a bond that Sephiroth could never hope to forge. Genesis tended to listen to Angeal sooner than he would anyone else, which is why Sephiroth felt confident that Angeal could convince the auburn-haired man to return with him. However, Sephiroth was not at all confident in his own ability to negotiate; it was a distinct possibility that he would fail in bringing the two back alive, and he would not be able to bear terminating them as the mission demanded. Fair had a much better chance, in his opinion, of succeeding. Mind made up, he announced his decision.
"I decline."
Lazard's eyes visibly widened, and understandably so, as Sephiroth never refused an assignment. His life was literally SOLDIER—he was designed, raised, and trained for the purpose of being the Shinra's greatest weapon. That aside, Sephiroth took his duties very seriously, and so took his orders and followed them through with the utmost efficiency. To hear him blatantly refuse such an important mission was unheard of.
"Need I remind you, Sephiroth, tha—"
"As my ranking entails, I am well within my right to refuse an assignment," Sephiroth cut in, pausing briefly before continuing. "However, I do understand the gravity of the situation, and… I believe I know of an operative who would be better suited for this mission."
The Director had an incredulous look in his eyes, but said nothing, merely nodding for him to continue.
"I would like SOLDIER Second Class Zack Fair to be sent in my place."