Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 49: Laying Foundations
Summary: An old friend, a frank discussion, and a new student.
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.
It's been a strange week. Cloud mused as he packed a few small items into his pockets. Despite all the extra work involved in Leadership Training, and his Turk Internship, he's had a hard time shaking the surrealistic feeling of knowing people…well, knew. So much so he's been feeling dazed and off-kilter, not a good idea when he knows he'll be starting up his SOLDIER Mentorship as soon as the paperwork is approved. Which should be any day now. The possible upside to the half-dozen 'now-enlightened' was that Cloud figured he could seek out his favorite way to de-stress, with significantly less… risk.
Still, less risk wasn't no risk, so the blond did his best to proceed with caution. He took uncommon routes, and dressed inconspicuously, with simple slacks and a light jacket as he took to the streets. When he made his way below the plate the jacket went around his waist and a simple hooded shirt covered his distinctive hair, while downplaying the tidiness of his clothes. He made his way as leisurely and unhurried as he could, employing what tricks he knew to blend in with the downtrodden masses of the slums. When he finally reached his destination, he initially walked past, quietly scouting, before ducking down a side-street and entering from the back. He'd barely slipped inside before he was greeted with a gently chiding voice.
"Someone is going to think you're a thief, Cloud… sneaking around like that." Cloud immediately felt the tension in his shoulders ease, his face turning up to smile broadly at the speaker.
"Hello Aeris, it's good to see you."
The young girl smiled brightly, leaning forward to dust at the Time-Traveler's clothes, also taking a moment to push his hood back to free his hair. "You don't need to come in the back you know." He ducked his head sheepishly
"I didn't want to put you at risk. I was trying to be subtle." The blond admitted, he paused when Aeris giggled.
"You're not very good at subtle, Cloud." She teased.
"I can be subtle!" he huffed back good-naturedly,
"You're just too honest." Cloud smiled fondly as they walked into the church proper. He inhaled appreciatively at the timeless fragrance of Aeris' flowers. He followed the young woman as she walked gracefully to one of the pews. Sitting next to her at her direction. Almost immediately she pulled out a small brush, and with a playful smile gestured for him to face away from her.
Heaving a put-upon sigh Cloud turned as indicated. He sighed when she began gently smoothing his unruly mop, starting from the ends and working her way up.
"What's got you so kerfuffled then?"
"Kerfuffled?" He laughed, "Has someone been a bad influence on your language?" the blond grunted when she tugged a lock of his hair in reprimand, before continuing to run the brush through it. "Just trying to come to terms with the idea that people know I'm a Time-Traveler." Aeris hmm'd thoughtfully, Cloud hesitated, "I mean besides you, of course."
"You can trust people besides me." She advised him calmly.
"You don't sound very surprised," Cloud said skeptically, the answering giggle confirmed his suspicions. The blond sighed, reluctantly amused.
"Your friends are terrible gossips." She said brightly.
He shook his head with a smile, stopping when she tugged his hair again. "It's just, I have all these things to fix, and I'm not quite sure how I should adjust my plans now that they know."
Another gentle hair-tug, "You're allowed to have friends you know, that's part of why you came, remember? You need to stop being so serious all the time. Having extra help will only make things better."
The blond smiled, relaxing further, "I guess I wasn't thinking about it like that."
"Much too serious" Aeris sighed with amusement. "Stop being a cranky old man."
"I was never a cranky old man." He laughed. The slide of the brush over his scalp seemed to cease, but her patient manipulation of his hair continued.
"No, you were just lonely." The young woman agreed, "That's why you need more friends." He fell silently somberly, and a few moments after he felt a several more pulls on his hair, her hands finally pulled away, "There! All done." he reached back to feel the blond strands neatly woven together in a short rope.
"Did you just braid my hair?" He asked in reluctant amusement.
"It looks better that way!" her green eyes sparkled at him. "Don't lose my ribbon Cloud!"
"I would never!" He gasped in mock horror, but they both knew the words were completely honest.
Tseng looked up from his computer when his phone blinked beside him. He made sure to save his progress before closing the laptop and picking up his cellular device. The tiny tracking devices he'd placed on Cloud's weapons and equipment indicated he'd exited from Shinra Property. Not uncommon since the boy was now participating in Leadership Training, but it was the weekend, and Tseng knew the blond had the day off. Sure enough, the small tracker indicated the youth was making his way towards one the entrances to the slums. Interestingly, not the closest one to his starting location.
Expeditiously locking away his computer, Tseng briskly informed Miss Stone that he was leaving. A company car with an on-call Turk driver (thankfully not Reno) dropped him off at the Train Station, where his badge slid him neatly into first class. By this point the tracker app on his phone was showing Cloud in Sector Five. Despite knowing Cloud was a 'Time-Traveler', Tseng felt a chill run through him. He hastened his pace as subtly as possible, directly to where he feared the blond was going. Surely not... He silently hoped his hunch was wrong. He pocketed his phone neatly, and moved as swiftly as he dared. It was a route he had traversed many times before, as such his haste was not too difficult to disguise. He managed to tuck himself beside the sturdy stonework building in a surprisingly timely manner, he quickly opened his phone once more to check Cloud's position.
I hate being right. Tseng cursed silently as he watched the tracker enter the structure he was hidden next to. At this proximity he could activate the tiny audio receptors in the tracers the blond carried. The Turk's earpiece picking up the partially muffled words, even as he mentally thanked the quietude enveloping the young Ancient's church.
The ensuing conversation was as eerie as it was baffling. Tseng found it nearly impossible to take appropriate notes, distracting as some of the threads of conversation were. Was this really Aeris? What happened to the timid young woman he had taken under the wings of his protection? This young lady spoke with timeless confidence, such that even Cloud sounded like a lost child next to her. The blond Time-Traveler exuded such wisdom and experience, that those around him could barely help but treat him like the adult he acted. But here was Aeris, braiding his hair, and teasing him, and he didn't seem to mind. Tseng was almost distracted enough with his musings that he missed the final pieces of conversation. Almost.
"I've got a present for you Cloud," He heard the Ancient's gentle voice. "It should help with your project I think. You just have to treat them nicely, and talk to them."
"Uh, talk to them? Does that help?"
"I'm kidding!" Aeris laughed, "relax silly!"
"Right," The blond chuckle. "I really appreciate the gift, … but I'm not sure I have the means to take care of it right now."
"Oh you should have received a care-package in the mail. I'm sure it'll be there when you get home!"
"You need to cut down on the gossip, Aeris!"
"Oh get going little brother. And say Hello to Lucy for me!"
"I'm going! I'm going! … I'll see you later." the boy laughed,
"Next time use the front door, Cloud! Else what will people say?"
"Yes mom!"
Tseng stood still as the laughter faded, pondering on the new revelations. He would need to meet up with Cloud he decided. Probably at the apartment he was heading to now. But Before he could put action to his decision he felt an approaching presence, and turned sharply.
"Eavesdropping is generally considered impolite, Tseng." The Ancient smiled. Tseng was silent, the young woman had definitely changed, as she'd never noticed his presence in previous visits. At least that he knew of…
"Good Morning Miss Gainsborough," the Turk bowed slightly,
"Good Morning." Her smile broadened, "You don't need to worry about Cloud, Tseng."
"It's my job."
"Like it was your job to worry about me?" Her confident wisdom was strangely relaxing.
"Worrying about Cloud is different, I know he can take care of himself." Tseng asked softly.
"But you don't know what he's planning, and that bothers you." Aeris filled in. Tseng fell into stunned silence. She smiled peacefully at him while he gathered his wits.
"You have certainly changed, Miss Gainsborough." The Turk's voice came out a little gruffer than usual with lingering shock.
"Well, you know how I can speak to people who are no longer here?" Tseng quietly nodded, "Well ever since Cloud came back, well, … you know what I mean, I've been able to talk to his old friends." Her patient demeanor was almost like a calming drug, Tseng decided, a little unnerved.
"And you trust these friends?" He couldn't help but inquire.
Her smile broadened, "It's hard not to trust one's self."
Tseng's head was still whirling, when he found himself outside of Cloud's apartment twenty minutes later. The implications of what he'd learned today were enormous, but he'd have to put his revelations aside for later thought. He blinked back to himself when he heard a dull thump inside the apartment proper, followed by echoes of a voice he wasn't expecting during his visit. Sure enough, the door opened to a boisterous red-head, that Tseng was certain should be on duty.
"How many a' these boxes ya got Cloud?" Reno griped, even as he picked up a shoebox sized brown box from a stack of similar packages. Tseng noticed at least half a dozen more even as the oblivious youth stepped back inside without noting his superior's presence. Another thump from inside, and like clockwork the wildcard Turk exited again. This time Tseng stepped forward,
"Playing Truant, Reno?" He asked simply, the younger man jerked and yelped.
Clutching his shirt over his heart, the boy stared wide-eyed for a second. "L-lunch break!" he squeaked, awkwardly snatching up another box, lifting as though it were heavier than it looked.
"Allow me to assist then." Carefully leaning over to pick up a box himself, Tseng scanned the shipping label. It took considerable effort to keep his face impassive. From Bugenhagen, Cosmo Canyon. It read. Considering Aeris' knowledge of its delivery, he'd been expecting something closer to home. As he followed the nervous redhead inside, he finally spotted the young man that was responsible for his heavy thoughts. Cloud had a medium sized pot, and a bag in one hand, from which he was transferring reddish hued dirt into the ceramic vestibule. Also on the table was a metal can, with a trio of distinctive pale bobbing flowers, which Tseng knew grew in only one place in Midgar.
"New hobby?" the older Turk murmured as he set his box in the quickly vanishing space on the table.
Cloud looked up, startled, blinked at Tseng, looked at the flowers, then back at Tseng, his expression turning wry. "These were a gift from Aeris."
"Of course." Tseng intoned, mentally relaxing at the blond's honesty. "Do you have enough projects Cloud?"
"Am I missin' somethin' Yo?" The brash young Turk interjected,
"Isn't your lunchbreak over?" Cloud jibed back,
"I ain' even ate yet!" Reno grouched, as he scrambled for another box.
"Then eat something! I can bring those in later!" the blond shook his head fondly.
"Someone's gonna steal 'em if ya leave 'em onna porch!" Came the indignant reply.
"It's mostly dirt, Reno! And this whole complex is full of Turks!"
"Exactly!"
"He does have a point, Cloud." Tseng smoothly interrupted.
The blond hesitated, his attention finally returning to the room's highest ranking occupant. "Wait, really?"
Tseng nodded slowly, "Turks are insatiably curious by nature, and not possessed of much shame."
Cloud paused for a moment, "That explains a lot." Blue eyes flicked to the grumbling redhead. "So, 'lunch break' is synonymous with 'Don't steal my stuff'."
"Ya, pretty much." Reno agreed, his poor mood instantly vanishing. Shortly before he himself did through the front door once more.
"On the subject of your projects, Cloud. Does one of them involve Vincent Valentine?" Tseng asked calmly. He heard a sudden louder thump, followed by cursing, as he surmised Reno had dropped a box of dirt on his foot. Cloud stared at him for a moment, lost in surprise and thought.
"Oh, um… Vincent, yes… my plan was to ah, rescue him, after I'd gotten my SOLDIER enhancements." Blue eyes blinked at him in shock.
Tseng turned his gaze back to the table, visually perusing its contents as he spoke, "The Turks don't like to leave their fellows behind. Is there any way your plans can be hastened, now that you have allies?"
"Erm…" the blond looked a little frazzled as his brows furrowed with his rapid strategizing. "I… think… so…? it would be really tricky though, take a lot of planning… a lot of planning…"
"Then perhaps we should arrange a planning meeting." His lips curled in a slight smile. Cloud nodded his head in permissive acknowledgement.
Reno's head ducked back through the doorway, astonishment written on his face, "Like tha' weatherm'n stuff?" He chimed in excitement, "I getta come to, yo!"
Cloud's eyes met Tseng's with one eyebrow raised, silently ascertaining the older Turk's approval of Reno's attendance.
"Of course." The black haired Turk intoned, "It may take a while for certain schedules to align, I will inform you as soon as I have a clear arrangement."
The next day Cloud found he was starting his first official Mentorship lesson with Genesis. The Auburn-haired lieutenant wasted no time dragging Cloud fully outside the city, courtesy of Tseng and a helicopter. A short time later the Cadet was bemusedly leading the higher-ranking teenager to Kalm's Materia shop. Despite a few grimaces, the SOLDIER insistently purchased two copies of everything they had to offer. Adding his surplus to the supply he'd already given Cloud from the store in Sector Seven.
"Not my favorite spells," Genesis grumbled as he perused their haul once they were in the fields outside the city. The two of them walked to a secluded area while they talked. With their Turk escort taking care of other business, they were relatively isolated in the open fields.
"It's good to learn versatility." Cloud explained with a grin, "But let's start with your favorite, shall we?" He equipped a Fire and a Restore Materia in his unlinked bracer slots "Now I do need to relearn my limits a bit myself." Cloud admitted, "I had really deep reserves in the future, but part of that was Mako enhancements, and part of that building up physical endurance. Now I've still got experience and finesse on my side, but this little twig teenage body of mine just doesn't have the same stamina I'm used to. Still need to build up the magical channels for that." He shrugged broadly, before studying the taller man. "Oh, and before I forget,… next month I'm going to need some Banora White Apples."
Genesis raised an eyebrow, "I can aquire a portion for you, should they be in season."
Cloud smirked, "they should be in season next month."
Genesis frowned at him, "There's a reason they are nicknamed 'Dumbapples', Cloud… no one knows when they'll be in season…" the Lieutenant interrupted himself with a scoff, "Except a time-traveler of course." Cloud smiled beautifically.
"On the subject of the Future, I'm mildly perplexed over your lack of knowledge with regard to Shinra's Materias. Should you not have used them before?"
Cloud hesitated, the answer to that question was a bit personal… but Aeris had basically told him to trust more… "I don't actually remember if I used the Fake Materia." Cloud explained slowly, "My memories of my childhood are very fragmented. I suffered from severe Mako poisoning, ..."
"Mako poisoning? From attempting to join the ranks of SOLDIER?"
"Ah… Sort of… one of the times…"
"I was unaware that Mako poisoning affected memories so drastically." Genesis frowned at him.
"It can in very severe cases, and I was basically pickled in it for years." Cloud admitted, watching Genesis' eyes widen. "Mako is basically the Life Stream, in condensed liquid form… the Life Stream is the spirits and memories of people who've died. When you're exposed to Mako for too long the memories of those passed pour through your own thoughts, and they take pieces away when they leave, eroding holes or just washing away whole sections."
The Lieutenant looked horrified. "A fate perhaps worse than death…" He whispered.
Cloud shrugged, "Anything that happened before I was twenty one the first time around, I basically remember a scant handful of. Most of my knowledge of these years I learned from others." He shook himself a little, and noticing the SOLDIER's discomfort he shrugged his confession off. "Nevermind, don't worry about it. Let me show you what I do remember." The Lieutenant still looked shaken, but recovered with remarkable aplomb. "Actually, speaking of memories," Cloud held up a Materia with a grin, "That's what these are."
Genesis raised a single brow at him. "A clarification would be appreciated," he returned with a smirk,
"Real Materia, is condensed and crystalized life stream. Specifically, the memories of the Ancients. The blue print of Materia was designed by the Cetra as a teaching tool, and they still form naturally, following those blue prints, to this day."
"Just to further clarify, Cetra is synonymous with Ancients?"
"Cetra is what they called themselves." Cloud nodded, "The spells contained within a given Materia were never meant to be the limit to which the magic can be shaped or manipulated." Cloud stretched out his arm. "For example, this unused Fire Materia only allows access to the weakest of fire spells." The bracer glowed green and a rush of warmth flooded through him as flames burst before his hand. "An experienced wielder, like myself, can manipulate a different affect however." Another flare of color, and this time the fire shot forward in a narrow spear, traveling many times farther to scorch the branch of a distant tree. "A new Materia, cannot cast a more powerful spell, but the energies can be focused differently."
Genesis was quiet for several moments, as he studied Cloud and the lingering evidences of his spell with serious contemplation. "Have you determined if it is possible to compose new versions of these 'blueprints'?" He finally asked.
"I don't know of many who tried, and as far as I know none of them succeeded. So it's possible humans could make some, I couldn't tell you for sure." The blond shrugged.
"Is there a limit to how far Materia can be manipulated?"
"Those limits are defined by you, and the Materia. I'd like you to avoid experimenting without my supervision, no matter how tempting I know it will be, as the magic can backlash quite dangerously if you don't know what you're doing."
"An understandable and acceptable precaution. Shall we begin in earnest then?"
Cloud chuckled, it had been quite some time since he'd had such an eager student, and never one quite so clever. The blond stretched his arm forward once more, "Now pay close attention to the flow of energy, I'll do this nice and slow," He smirked in the Lieutenant's direction, "And don't try this at home."
Genesis rolled his eyes, but obligingly stepped forward to observe.
((Author's Note:
Whoo! On a bit of a roll with this one! Just flowed nicely right after the previous chapter! So not nearly the wait for you guys!
On another note: It has come to my attention that some people are confused as to which aspects in this story are original, (invented by yours truly) and which are cannon.
Basically every aspect of the SOLDIER Prep. Program, from the Classes to the Cadets to the Teachers, is an original brain-child of mine. (Yes, this includes the strangely popular character 'Cyril'.) the Turk Internship program is also something I invented, and I've greatly expanded upon the Materia system.
I don't typically mind people borrowing some of these ideas, but it might be nice to see some permissions requested first. ;)
Thank you to the one individual who asked! You know who you are. XD
-Jianre M. A.K.A … Illusor Meaneld.))