Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 30: Questionable Character
Summary: Reno has a lot of questions, it's about time he got some answers.
Author: Illusor Meaneld
Rated T: for Descriptive violence and injuries, No Adult Situations, No Cussing.
Disclaimer: I did not create, and do not own the characters from Final Fantasy 7, They are owned by Square-Enix, and I am simply borrowing them for my own (and hopefully your) enjoyment.
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At 11:45 that morning, Reno was storming down the halls of the Shinra building. Despite Tseng's orders, he'd managed to find out that his partner Cloud was in the infirmary. His condition was non-critical. That was all that the file said as of yet, the night shift had been very slow with their updates.
Reno was rarely this early to an assignment, but due to Tseng's orders, and the lack of other assignments, he had nothing better to do. Part of that might have had something to do with the fact he'd broken his PHS and the stormed out of the Turk offices before Tseng could assign him anything, but Reno conveniently disregarded that detail.
Once he reached room '93', Reno pulled his hands out of his pocket, and opened the door without bothering to knock first.
"Hey Tseng! I'm here for my briefing yo! I wanna know what th-"
Reno stopped short at the display before him, Room 93 was a meeting room of average size for the Shinra Building, but the interior had been rearranged. A long desk sat at approximately the middle of the room. With eight chairs behind it, seven of which were currently occupied. At the moment there was one chair settled in front of the long desk, but there were seven against the walls around the door.
He'd started speaking as soon as the door had cracked open, but he hadn't quite anticipated the Disciplinary committee. His mouth snapped shut and his green eyes widened slightly.
Reno had expected Sergeant Kerring. The Weapons Training instructor taught every single Cadet in the SOLDIER Preparation Class, therefore, any time there was a problem with the SOLDIER Prep. Students, he was present.
Director Newat wasn't too surprising either, much like Sergeant Kerring, the SOLDIER Preparation Director was often present for events involving his Cadets.
And certainly Reno had anticipated seeing Tseng.
SOLDIER 2nd Zack Fair, … it took Reno a second to remember that Zack taught some of Cloud's classes too, he shrugged that one off for later.
Proffesor Jaegar, the economics teacher also seemed a little odd, …
But why on Gaia the 'Great General' Sephiroth himself was there, complete with Lieutenant Angeal Hewley on his right hand side. … Reno hadn't the first clue.
He blinked, and Sephiroth, who was looking him over appraisingly, blinked back.
Suddenly Reno felt unprofessionally dressed. He resisted the urge to tuck in his shirt and button his coat. Tseng might have at least warned him! The red-head's eyes flicked accusingly to his superior, who had the gall to look completely unconcerned by the company.
Well… two could play that! Sucking in a deep breath, Reno shook himself mentally, if Tseng could pretend it was nothing strange, then Reno could do exactly the same.
"I'm here yo! What'cha need?" He tried again. He comforted himself with the thought that he hadn't been staring for more than a few seconds, and it didn't seem as though the 'Council' had noticed. His eyes darted briefly to Zack, the other teen, who was seated beside his mentor Angeal, was remarkably subdued and quiet. When their eyes met, his lips twisted in a ghost of his usual grin, before he was once again looking carefully at the desk in front of him.
"Reno." Tseng acknowledged with a slight dip of his head, gesturing for the younger Turk to take the single seat directly in front of the desk. When Reno complied Tseng then turned to Director Newat, "Director, I believe we can begin."
Professor Jaegar frowned, "Even though Reno is early, are you certain it will only take ten minutes to question him?"
Tseng allowed a slight smile to twist his lips. "Actually, I do not… however, I am not the least bit adverse to letting the boys… wait."
"I see…" The professor murmured, shaking his head a little, Reno didn't miss the smirk that flickered across Angeal's face, nor the glint in Sephiroth's eyes. Something was up… Reno schooled his face carefully to hide his frown.
Director Newat cleared his throat gently before regarding the red-head, "Reno, you have spent a good deal of time with Cadet Cloud Strife correct?"
Reno raised one eyebrow, "We're partners yo, I dunno how much more time ya can spend with a guy 'less he's your boyfriend or somethin'."
Angeal smothered a suspicious sounding cough, Zack openly sniggered, Tseng heaved a weary sigh, and after a slight pause, the director continued.
"Seeing as you have spent a good deal of time with Cloud Strife, why don't you tell us about him?"
Reno glanced at the various faces watching him intently, and suddenly it all clicked. Tseng's orders, the people present, and those NOT present… They wanted Reno to be a 'Character Witness'.
He couldn't resist the smirk. That much he could do! "Ah, why didn't ya jus' ask that before? Cloud's an awesome guy yo!"
This time it was Sephiroth who 'coughed', covering his mouth with his leather gloved hand. "Could you be more specific than 'He's an awesome guy'?"
So the General had a sense of humor eh? Reno hadn't had the opportunity to meet the General face to face before, but reputation said the man was a blood-thirsty ice-cube. Reno was more than a little relieved to learn contrary to the rumors.
"Sure thing," Reno amiably agreed, leaning back in his chair a little, "Where do I start eh? … Cloud's one a tha best friends ya could want. He's honest, really hard workin', considerate of other people… almost to a fault yo!" Reno shook his head remembering a few 'assignments' with his partner, "Guy'll listen to anythin' ya wanna talk about, and he's crazy smart too, knows all sortsa stuff. Oh! And He never forgets ANYTHING you tell him yo! I swear that guy has the best memory I've ever seen! Like… photographic or eidetic or whatever." He grinned at the adults before him, but had to blink slowly when he saw Sephiroth flick a 'smug' glance in Tseng's direction. The Older Turk returned the gaze with a slight raising of his eyebrow, the 'silent exchange' went unnoticed by the other Council members. That was… odd… Reno mused, doing his best not to let his thoughts show on his face.
Mentally shrugging the event from his mind for the moment, Reno continued, "If I had ta use one good description of Cloudy, I'd call him a 'Boyscout' more than a Turk y'know? He's always lookin' out for people, ol' folks and small animals, way too polite all the time. He's real reliable too, give him a job an he'll get it done, no complainin' either."
Considering Reno was well prepared to wax on about Cloud's flawlessly good character all afternoon, Tseng held up a forestalling hand.
"Thank you Reno." The red-head preened at the sight of the slight twitch at the edges of Tseng's mouth. Got him! He silently cheered, as his superior fought a smile.
"Reno's description certainly does paint Cloud Strife as a stalwart individual, but perhaps you could describe some of his faults?" Sergeant Kerring insisted, leveling a knowing eye on the red-head.
Reno scratched his head as he thought. "Faults? … huh, … well he's way too serious for a kid, 's'always like he's got lotsa stuff on his mind, he doesn't pay a lot of attention to petty stuff either, like the other kids, if it's not important, and they're not talkin' to him, Cloud doesn't really talk back y'know? 's'almost like he doesn't really know how to be a kid. Too serious." Reno wracked his brain, but in all truth there weren't a lot of flaws to be found in Cloud as far as he was concerned. Zack was snickering again, muffling the sound behind his fist even as his mentor shot him a warning look.
"You have fought at Cloud's side before correct?" Angeal added in smoothly.
"Yeah, we had a good long mission in Junon jus' a lil' while ago." Reno raised an eyebrow in silent challenge.
Angeal simply grinned back, "How would you describe Cloud's Fighting skills?"
"Whoa!" Reno snickered, "Tha' 'ain't an easy one Yo!" Stretching out further in his seat, he adjusted his goggles unconsciously, "Cloud's fightin'? … He's like … I dunno, He's just … Cetra, you gotta see him to believe it! The kid can MOVE! He's all over the place yo! Seems ta know a move for every occasion, 's'pretty crazy!" the young Turk paused again, but when the adults continued to stare at him expectantly he sighed, "I've seen Cloud use a sword like he was born with it, he's got killer accuracy with a gun, an' just about anything he can throw too. Knows his way around materia, knows how to use his bare hands… I … Planet, I dunno if there's anything he doesn't know."
Sergeant Kerring frowned a little, "If Cloud were presented with multiple targets, would you say he could still 'hold his own'?"
"Ifrit, yeah!" Reno shot back enthusiastically, "My partner can take all comers! We were fightin' whole nests 'a monsters down by Junon, There was a couple 'a times I thought he might wan' a lil' more help, but he always managed! Send an army yo! Cloud can take care of himself."
Angeal was chuckling, not even bothering to try and hide it this time. "Thank you Reno. That was… very informative."
"Tha's all ya wanted?" The red-head frowned,
"You have answered our questions for the moment Reno, … Thank you." Director Newat conceded calmly.
"Can I go check on Cloud now?" Reno's eyes flicked impatiently to Tseng,
"Not just yet." Tseng returned coolly,
Reno spat a curse before he could stop himself, "Why not?" he flinched slightly at Tseng's raised eyebrow.
"Actually," Sephiroth's smooth voice immediately drew attention from the room's occupants. "Since you are Cloud's Partner, you were requested to sit on the Disciplinary Council as well." The General gestured to the open seat next to Tseng, and Reno scratched his head a little sheepishly. Zack looked up long enough to give Reno a sympathetic look, and suddenly the red-head wondered if he wasn't the only one being held in check.
"I 'spose I can do that yo." The young Turk grumbled, not happy at STILL being denied the opportunity to check on his Partner. He shuffled over to the empty chair, feeling a little strange positioned on the opposite side of the table. The discomfort lasted only long enough for Reno to remember Tseng's promise, and then he turned to his superior with a frown.
"Alright, I waited, and I witnessed yo, now what's goin' on with Cloud?"
Tseng sighed softly, the other Council members had begun to speak quietly to one another, discussing what Reno had said, the red-head didn't care at the moment, his focus solely rested on his superior.
"Were you aware that Cloud Strife has been utilizing one of the training rooms late at night to practice?" Tseng asked in an undertone,
Reno blinked, Cloud was practicing after-hours? "Not really." Reno admitted, suddenly a little more concerned for his blond friend.
"Last night, during Cloud's routine training session, six of the other boys from his SOLDIER Preparation Squad entered the room. Cloud Strife and these four boys had a physical altercation. With an anonymous tip from one of the maintenance staff, General Sephiroth was able to intercede on the confrontation. Two of the Cadets were found outside 'guarding' the door, and the other four had been fighting directly with Cloud. By the time the General stepped in, there were several major injuries, including a concussion and a dislocated shoulder received by Cloud. All of the boys involved in the fighting were admitted to the infirmary last night." Tseng described clinically.
Reno stared, struggling to find appropriate words, he felt a sharp stinging in his hands, and only then realized he'd clenched his fists until the short nails were biting into his palms. When he heard what sounded like a growl slip from his lips, Reno hastily looked at the floor. He was furious! He could feel the blood rushing to his face, but he was supposed to be a Turk, and a professional. Taking several deep breaths he steadily forced himself calm. He wouldn't help Cloud if he got kicked off the Council. After a few moments he felt his expression was better under control, and he glanced back at Tseng.
"Thanks for tellin' me yo." He'd tried to cut back the sarcasm, but judging by the raised eyebrow on his superior, he hadn't been as successful as he would have liked.
Reno took another deep breath when he heard Director Newat announce that the council was ready to address the Cadets. He watched silently as Zack rose and strode calmly out the door, As if on cue… Reno shrugged, averting his gaze again. Odin! How had Cloud been beaten up by four stupid kids? Reno had no answer… but he was definitely going to ask Cloud when he got the chance!
And if he had anything to say about it… he'd be getting the chance really soon…
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