Omg! You guys reviewed! Woot! Lots of people watching and favoriting, so thanks to you too. So I'm sorry it took so long and that its probably not the most satisfying of my chapters. I hope you enjoy it anyway.
Cloud fidgeted and sighed as he sat down at his table for Basic Potions class. Materia class had been yet again more theory and no actual practice. The teachers seemed to have it out for him, though. He had effortlessly answered all questions directed at him of course, but the fact that they kept pestering him was the annoying part.
He hoped this class would be more challenging. He'd never bothered to study the process of making potions as he'd either found or bought all of his. He stared down at the table before him, which had two clear boxes with two little white mice in them and two syringes filled with slightly different blue liquid.
He looked to the front to examine the teacher. He was a tall, thin man with dark blonde hair and sharp blue eyes. He was dressed in the white lab coat typical of Shinra scientists and Cloud felt a shiver go up his spine. He could see it in the coldness of his gaze that this was a man too much like Hojo. He was a man that would do unspeakable cruelties in the name of science and sometimes for no reason at all.
Cloud had become quite good at recognizing those types of people on sight. As he'd found, the destruction of JENOVA and Hojos death had not stopped several curious ex-Shinra scientists from seeking him out. Why he was suddenly such a sought after test subject he had no idea, but it had caused him to be extra vigilant after the second time it happened.
He forced himself to shake free of his memories to focus on the teacher and the surrounding class. He read the badge on the front of the white coat. Jacob Menson. He'd remember that.
"All last week we studied the theory of basic antidotes." Menson began.
Cloud cringed, wishing he could remember any of what he'd supposedly learned.
"Today you will attempt to diagnose the need for two slightly different healing potions."
At least, if he could pull it of with his lack of knowledge, they'd be learning something useful. Sometimes the slightest variation in a potion could be a matter of life and death.
"The mouse on the left is suffering from vomiting and violent shaking. The mouse on the right is suffering from sever lethargy and dizziness. The light blue potion contains Althelas and the dark blue contains Arhada. Your job is to remember which one to give which and then give me a brief summary as to how you determined this."
Cloud restrained a groan as he searched his memory for the answer. Althelas came from the mountains near places like Nebelheim. And then it clicked. The leaves steeped in a tea could help nausea! He also briefly using a combination of Althelas and a few other herbs to cure his vomiting caused by altitude sickness during his travels. And Arhada grew in valleys and a tea made from that helped act like caffine. He silently thanked his mother for loving tea to an obsessive degree. He wrote down what he knew about the teas and Althelas other use and then used the syringes to administer the potions. That done, he leaned back in his chair and waited for the instructor to come inspect his work. It didn't take long since he was the first to finish.
Menson loomed over him suddenly, cold eyes examining the mice closely.
"Excellent job, Cadet Strife. I am impressed." He drawled. "Stay back after class."
Cloud paled and nodded. He waited for the class to end, drumming his fingers impatiently. Finally the rest of the class began the mad dash to their final classes.
Menson loomed above him once more, something apparently enjoyed doing.
"You did not show such an aptitude in this class last week." He began.
Cloud paled and nodded.
"Um…yeah…I was really nervous the first week of classes." He explained, hoping he'd buy the excuse.
The scientist nodded.
"I see. Well, I expect to see this level of work from now on. Now, for the reason I had you stay back. I have an opportunity I only offer students I think show promise and talent. Would you be interested in it?"
Cloud felt his eyes narrow unwillingly.
"I don't know sir. You'd have to be more specific."
"You would be given the opportunity to work with the scientists here in Shinra in various things." He explained. "Often it would be assisting in herb gathering. It would be good for you, as an opportunity to further your education as well as a chance to get out and breath some fresh air. There would be assigned field trips for things like herb gathering of course, and if you're lucky you might even get a chance to work in the labs."
Clouds eyes lit up. A chance in the labs? He could find out all kinds of information if he played his cards right. He'd just have to make sure to stay away from Hojo. He smiled brightly.
"That's sounds really cool! I'd love to sign up for something like that." He lied smoothly.
Menson nodded, clearly pleased.
"Very good. Well then you should be heading to your next class. I'll have some paperwork for you to sign tomorrow."
Cloud nodded, saying nothing as he gathered his things and started a quick jog to his last class. He was smothering a grin the whole way. Things were going to go well from now on, he just knew it. It had to. If only he knew what was soon to come, he might not have been so confident.
A cookie to anyone that knows where the names Athelas and Arhada are from! And don't forget to REVIEW!