"Your move, ginger," Siren taunted, as she got into her battle stance.
Genesis growled and lunged at the young woman, his sword clasped in both hands. Siren raised her sai, blocking Genesis' sword overhead. She caught his sword in between the blades of the sai, and twisted it quickly, snatching the redhead's sword away. It clattered to the ground, and Genesis stared at Siren in shock. Taking the opening, Siren connected her foot with Genesis' stomach and sent him flying into the windows behind him. Genesis crashed into the glass, and slid to the floor, the shocked look still etched on his face.
Angeal stood there with his mouth agape, while President Shinra simply took the cigar out of his mouth and set it in the ashtray. Genesis stood up off the floor, dusting his clothes off. He looked down at his sword, which was lying beside Siren's feet, and then looked back up at the girl. She had a teasing glint in her eyes, and she bent over, picking up the bright red rapier.
"I believe this belongs to you…Genesis, was it?" she asked, handing the soldier his sword. Genesis eyed the young woman curiously, before grasping the hilt and taking it from her.
"How was that?" she asked, turning toward the President.
President Shinra merely nodded slowly and folded his hands on top of his desk.
"I have to say that I'm impressed, Miss Laurentis. Lieutenant Rhapsodos here is third in command of my SOLDIER unit. The fact that you did that in mere seconds is…"
"A fluke. It had to be. I want a rematch," Genesis demanded.
Siren glared at Genesis, who returned it just as strongly.
"No, you just had your ass handed to you. Not a fluke," the snow-haired girl sneered.
"Mr. President, sir, I'm sure you're aware that I did not receive the title of Lieutenant by being beaten in spars that quickly. I want a rematch," Genesis said, still glaring at Siren.
President Shinra smirked, picking up his cigar and taking a few puffs from it.
"Are you up for it Miss Laurentis?" he asked.
"Why should it matter if she wants to? This is a test of her abilities, not mine, remember?" Genesis hissed.
"Watch your tongue, Lieutenant," President Shinra snapped.
"Okay then, let's go again," Siren shrugged, getting back into her battle stance.
Genesis scoffed and lunged at Siren again, this time he swung the rapier directly at her head. Siren jumped back blocked the sword with her sai. Genesis made sure to stay out of kicking range, and swung the sword again, getting blocked by Siren. They continued this pattern for about 10 minutes, until Siren suddenly pulled back and stopped, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Is that the best you can do, Lieutenant? Surely there's more," she smirked, watching Genesis' face twitch.
"Genesis, remember we are in the President's office, not in the VR room. Take it easy," Angeal warned.
"Permission to use magic, sir?" Genesis asked.
"Permission granted. Just don't break anything or it's coming out of your pay," the President grunted.
Genesis rolled his eyes and splayed his hand out directly in front of him. It began to glow red until several fire darts shot out directly at Siren. She sighed and placed her hand out in front of her, catching the fire darts and grasping them into her fist.
"What the—?" Genesis gasped.
When she opened her hand, she revealed a glowing fireball. She threw it back at Genesis, who swung at it with his sword and hit it back to Siren. When the fireball got back in front of her, Siren smacked it and it exploded, spraying fire back toward Genesis. The redhead yelled out as his clothing caught on fire, and he quickly tried to put it out. Angeal ran up and tried to help Genesis put out the flames. President Shinra simply sat and watched the whole display silently. Siren extended her hand again, and a rush of ice shot out, hitting Genesis and extinguishing the fire.
When the smoke cleared, Genesis stood there glaring venomously at Siren, who merely shrugged.
"You're the one who wanted to play with fire, so—"
"Shut up," Genesis growled.
"Quiet! Alright, my decision is made. Siren, you may join SOLDIER. There are a few conditions, though," The president said, putting out his cigar.
"Yes sir?"
"If you break any rules or any laws, this agreement will be revoked, and you will be sent to jail. Understood?"
"That's it?" she asked.
"Is that understood?" the president barked.
"Yes sir. So…what do I do now?" Siren asked, looking at Genesis' scorched trench coat guiltily.
"You will be escorted by Lieutenant Hewley to the SOLDIER floor and given a uniform and room assignment. Do you have any belongings that need to be brought here?"
"No sir, just what's on me," Siren shrugged.
"Very well then. Afterwards, you will meet with an advisor who will give you your training schedule and—"
"Training? Sir, surely I don't need any training. I mean—"
"You may know how to fight, Miss Laurentis, but you still need to be trained in other aspects as well."
Siren raised an eyebrow. "Such as…?"
"Materia usage, weaponry—"
"Forgive me sir, but I really don't need to be trained. I know how to use weaponry, obviously. And before you ask, yes I know how to use a sword, I just prefer to fight with my Sai."
"Do you really think that you'll be able to fight off a large monster like a Behemoth with those things?" Genesis asked, looking at Siren doubtfully.
Siren snorted and looked at Genesis incredulously. "I've been fighting off Behemoths forever with these. It's not much different than a sword. Actually I think they're better."
"Okay, and what about materia?" the President asked.
"I don't use materia, sir."
President Shinra's eyes widened, and he looked back and forth between Genesis and Angeal for an answer.
"How can you not use materia? How did you manipulate my fire during our spar?" Genesis asked.
"Well, she's not even wearing any bangles, and her weapon doesn't even have any materia slots, so she's got to be telling the truth," Angeal said, looking the young woman up and down.
"Care to explain Miss Laurentis?" President Shinra asked.
Siren cleared her throat and shifted her weight between both feet.
"If I could, sir, I would. I don't know how, I just can," she said quietly.
President Shinra looked between Genesis and Angeal, who looked between one another. They all looked at Siren curiously and collectively shrugged.
"I guess we'll just leave that story for later…" President Shinra murmured.
"One more question before we go, sir," Angeal asked. "Why doesn't she have to take the entrance exam and start as a cadet?"
President Shinra snorted. "She doesn't need to. Under normal recruiting circumstances, she probably would have gone that route, and moved up the ranks very quickly. But seeing her skill for myself, I can tell she'll be one of the best SOLDIERs we have. Starting her off as a cadet would be a complete waste of time."
"Then why not start her as a First Class?" Genesis asked.
"Because putting her into First Class without having her work her way through the ranks would produce unnecessary jealousy and harassment. Granted, Miss Laurentis, you will face a lot of difficulties while being in SOLDIER. Also, you will be the only female. Are you still willing to join?" President Shinra asked.
"It's this or jail sir. And I'd rather take on a bunch of jealous meatheads then deal with those crazies in the Sector 6 jail," Siren said, while President Shinra smirked and nodded.
"I guess that's it then. So, Lieutenant Hewley will take you and get you all prepared. I expect to hear nothing but good things, soldier. Understood?"
"Yes sir," Siren said, saluting the President and turning back around to Angeal and Genesis.
"Shall we?" Angeal asked, motioning toward the door.
"I'm going to go change, since someone decided to scorch my coat," Genesis snarled.
Siren looked down at the floor and sighed.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I really didn't mean to do that. I just got caught up in the moment. It's been a long time since I've sparred with anyone good. I can get your coat repaired if you like me to…"
Genesis' eyes softened and he exhaled through his nose.
"That's alright. I can get it fixed myself, but thank you for the offer and the apology. I'll see you around then. And Angeal, I'll see you later," Genesis said, nodding curtly, and walking out of the President's giant office.
Siren followed Angeal out of the office and headed to the SOLDIER floor.
--
"Luckily you're pretty tall, so it's not a bad fit," Angeal murmured, looking at Siren in the light blue uniform.
Siren stared at herself in the mirror and sighed.
"And I have to wear this?" she groaned.
Angeal laughed and nodded. "At least until you become First Class. Then you can wear whatever you want."
"So that's why Genesis' clothes are different. Your uniform is standard, isn't it? Why don't you wear anything different?" Siren asked.
"I like it," Angeal shrugged.
Siren tugged at the uniform and groaned again.
"At least you don't have to wear the helmet. They just got rid of that rule for Third Class, so be thankful," Angeal laughed again.
"Lieutenant? Can I ask why you're being so…nice? Not that I don't like it, it's just that…I'm not really used to it. Usually people are only nice to me when they want something…" Siren mumbled, looking at the floor and blushing.
Angeal snorted and shook his head.
"What?" Siren asked, lifting her ice blue eyes from the floor and meeting Angeal's.
"When I first met you, which was just a couple hours ago, you were probably the cockiest, most smartass woman I'd ever seen, and now you look like a shy little girl. Which one is you?" he asked, chuckling gently.
"They're both me, really. I usually get arrogant as a defense mechanism. I'm actually a really nice person, but people tend to think they can take advantage of that…" Siren said softly, averting her eyes away.
Angeal cleared his throat. "Well Siren, I am genuinely a nice guy. Most of us here are, actually. Even Genesis, though he can be a dick at times. How about this? After we get you a room, you come with me to meet some more of the soldiers. Sound like a plan?"
"Can I do that? I mean, am I allowed?" Siren asked.
"Technically, since I'm a Lieutenant, you're under my command so it's allowed. Plus it's your first day and I want to show you the ropes and explain everything since you're basically being thrown in head first."
"Okay, well, I'm ready if you're ready."
--
Genesis was walking down the hallway heading toward his quarters when he passed by Sephiroth's office. The general was stepping out when the redhead walked by.
"What in Gaia's name happened to you?" he asked, looking at the large scorch mark on Genesis' coat.
"We have a new SOLDIER, General. And she knows how to play with fire," Genesis growled.
Sephiroth blinked. "She?"
Genesis sighed and pushed the door open to Sephiroth's office.
"Let me explain, because this might take a while."
--
Thank you to everyone who has read so far! There is one thing I'd like to ask of all my readers. I would really love it if all of you could review after each chapter. It doesn't matter if it's just 'More!" or 'I love it!' Seriously, just leave a review!!! They really help motivate me to continue writing, because then I know that people actually like the story! New chapter will be up soon!