Scene 3:

The rest of the Scene 2, but it just wouldn't have been the same if I hadn't ended it there.

A Human Scientist

Feeling the need to check if Professor Hojo had finally lost it, Zack hurried down the stairs he'd seen the white shape descend.

When he got to the bottom, he found a man in a lab coat at the base of the stairs, lying where he had fallen and laughing.

Zack's first thought was; Shinra had a scientist that could laugh about falling off a banister? His next thought was that his mentor would not approve of this man's behavior because it was against the rules to slide down the banisters. Wait, was it?

Zack shook himself and walked over, "Hey, are you ok?" He held out a hand to the scientist.

The strange man looked up in surprise, then beamed, "Thank you." He took the offered hand and Zack pulled him to his feet. Studying the man's face, Zack was surprised his eyes were still laughing. The effect was contagious, and Zack couldn't help but smile broadly back at him.

"What were you doing?" he asked.

The scientist shrugged, "Haven't you ever wanted to slide down a banister?" He smiled again, "I just finally decided to do it." He turned around to look for a pair of sunglasses on the floor. Bending over to pick them up, he continued, "And when I fell off… well, it was just so ridiculous, I couldn't stop laughing." He turned back, putting his sunglasses on, beaming at Zack.

Zack decided he liked this guy, about as strongly as he was repulsed by Professor Hojo. The SOLDIER held out his hand to the young scientist, "I'm Zack. Zack Fair. SOLDIER 2nd class."

The scientist smiled and clapped his hand into Zack's, shaking it firmly once, "I'm Kael Ren, recently escaped from the Science Department." He shrugged, "Though I will have to go back eventually." He brought Zack's wrist up to his face and scrutinized his watch. Then he shrugged and put Zack's arm back down, "Oh well. I've got time." His eyes twinkled when he straightened back up, and Zack could only shake his head while smiling.

"Maybe you should get a watch?" The SOLDIER suggested, laughter creeping into his voice.

Kael laughed outright, "I probably should." He blinked at Zack, smiling, "Where were you off too?"

Zack pointed back up the stairs behind him with his thumb, "I have to go get changed, then meet with my mentor for a training session."

Kael cocked his head, "As long as my free time holds out, may I come watch?"

"Absolutely," Zack assured him as he started towards the gym.

Kael fell into step beside him, "Bet you didn't think there were any human scientists in Shinra, did you?"

Zack stumbled, but Kael wasn't calling him on it. His new friend seemed to be sharing his view, making a sour face, then laughing. Zack shrugged, "I don't know the department well enough to make a guess."

Kael's laughter ebbed mildly, "Trust me, you never want to."