*Chapter 2: Trip to Kalm*
Sonia was fixing the bolts on the gun in the armory. At least she had more time to spend on by tinkering with weapons while Cyrus is being occupied for a while. She could be with Sephiroth or maybe in her room where she is safe from Hojo. Sonia was very upset with Hojo of how he treated his "specimens". So much pain and trauma those poor kids had to go through. Sonia thought of going to Kalm which is a road down from Midgar. That small town is quiet, and many people are friendly. Maybe Sonia could take both Sephiroth and Cyrus there for a one-day trip. Sonia smiled at the idea.
XX
"Why are we going to Kalm?" Sephiroth asked, leaning against the wall while Cyrus sat on one of the chairs in Sonia's bedchamber.
"This is between us. Look, you two need to have fun once in a while. I know a friend there who could get us a room at the Inn." Sonia told the teen. "I know you are supposed to be a SOLDIER, but you're still a kid, Sephiroth. After what Hojo did to you and Cyrus, I want to help you both get rid of the fear."
"I can handle Hojo. I am protecting my little sister from him. We'll manage fine." Sephiroth said.
"Does Hojo know we are leaving?" Cyrus asked.
"He doesn't need to know a thing. It's only for a day, and then we're coming right back in the morning. Hojo is always in that damn lab." Sonia replied. Sephiroth knew this is a risky move. Then again, he wouldn't mind traveling to Kalm for sightseeing for a change. He's never been there. It will be like a day off. And the most important rule for Cyrus is to stay in the building according to the president and Hojo. Cyrus wouldn't try anything foolish in public, would she? As long as she stays close with Sephiroth and Sonia, it will be fine. Her Phoenix powers have to be kept secret. "So? What do you say?" Sonia asked.
"I wanna go! Can we, big brother? Please?" Cyrus asked, tugging at Sephiroth's hand.
"...I suppose one day wouldn't hurt." Sephiroth sighed. Cyrus cheered and hugged him. Sonia chuckled at Sephiroth's annoyed face.
It only took an hour to drive to Kalm. Cyrus had been asking so many questions about the town, but Sonia had to keep telling her that she must wait and see when they arrive. They parked on the side of the bridge to see the castle-like entry.
"Here we are!" Sonia announced. She and the kids got out the truck, grabbing their belongings. Cyrus looked up at the entrance in awe. She's never seen anything like it except in books. "Let's get to the Inn, drop off our stuff, and then go sightseeing." Sonia told the kids.
"Looks...different." Cyrus spoke.
"Follow me. Sephiroth, hold Cyrus's hand." Sonia said, walking ahead. Sephiroth gently took his sister's hand while they both follow her. There were so many people, more than Cyrus had ever seen before. They all spoke at once and there was music play at one spot. The children playing and laughing with their fake weapons, and everyone was walking in different directions. Cyrus kept trying to stop to look at the flowers, passing places called cafés, a bakery, some stands. Some shops here and there. This is nothing like Midgar. A sound caught the girl's attention. She gasped to see a Chocobo pulling a wagon. She tried to hide behind Sephiroth's long legs, holding his hand.
"Aw, don't be scared. He ain't gonna bite." A man said, petting the big yellow bird. Sephiroth looked down at Cyrus, moving her to the front.
"It's okay."
"It's so...big!" Cyrus said. Sephiroth slowly guides her towards the Chocobo. "Wait..."
"I got you." Sephiroth brought her hand towards the yellow feathers, allowing her to feel the softness. Cyrus is petting the Chocobo for the first time. She had only seen some pictures of them and seen them on tv. She is aware that there are different Chocobos out there. The yellow ones are the most common. The Chocobo let out a coo, bring its head down to sniff Cyrus's hair.
"See? He likes you." The man said with a grin. Cyrus giggled a bit when she feels the beak brushing against her head. Sephiroth smiled a little at the sight. Cyrus pets the bird more, making the Chocobo coo a bit.
"Alright. That's enough." Sephiroth spoke.
"Thank you." Cyrus said to the man as she held her brother's hand.
"Anytime, you two. Take care now." The man said, tipping his hat to them. Cyrus looked up at Sephiroth.
"That was so cool! I've seen a Chocobo and petted one!"
"They are friendly when they were raised in farms. But...you don't want to encounter the wild ones. Most won't attack, but certain ones will." Sephiroth told her.
"Do they fly?" Cyrus wondered.
"Only the black ones. Those are rare." Sephiroth replied. "But the rarest Chocobos are the gold ones. They have every ability."
"Maybe we can find one someday."
"...One day."
"Over here!" Sonia's voice called them over outside the Inn. Sephiroth and Cyrus followed her inside the building. Sonia is checking themselves in while the kids looked around the lobby. A red ball bounced in the Inn, and Cyrus caught it. She looked up to see three kids coming in. They looked a bit older than her, but younger than Sephiroth. The kids stared at Cyrus.
"Uh...can we have it back?" One boy asked. Cyrus passed the ball to him.
"Why does she have silver hair?" A girl whispered to the other boy.
"Wait. Look!" The other boy hissed as he noticed Sephiroth staring at them. He crossed his arms at them, giving them a frown. The kids didn't say a word as they hurried out of the Inn. Cyrus turned to Sephiroth, shrugging a bit.
They walked inside their room that had two beds. Of course, Sonia and Cyrus can share a bed while Sephiroth can have his own. The room looked cozy and welcoming. There is a couch, a window, a fireplace, a coffee table, and two chairs. Almost looks like a guest house. Sonia sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"It's been too long since I had a vacation." She said.
"Vacation?" Cyrus wondered.
"You know, what we're doing now. Being away from where you were for a bit." Sonia explained. Sephiroth walked over to the window, looking at the view of the streets. "So, what do you want to do first? I can show you both around town."
"A tour would be helpful." Sephiroth replied. "You know I've...never been many places."
"Me neither." Cyrus joined in.
"Hmm. We'll walk around town and see what we can find. If you need anything from shops, let me know. I'll pay." Sonia told the kids. Sephiroth never shopped before. Shinra provided everything, they get him what he needs. Sephiroth is starting to feel what it's like to have a normal life. Though it's only for a day. Sonia cares so much about Sephiroth and Cyrus. She'd do anything for them. Unlike Hojo.
"Cyrus, you need some new clothes? I believe you need some new shoes." Sonia asked as she noticed Cyrus's shoes are dirty and had some tears. They all walked into a store and spotted some shoes. Cyrus looked around the shoes but noticed some boots. She believed boots are perfect weapons for her. Sephiroth found her looking at the pair of brown boots with red laces.
"You like those?" He asked.
"Can I have them?" Cyrus asked.
"It's up to you. You get to choose. Sonia will get them for you." Sephiroth replied.
After purchasing the boots, Cyrus got them on, and they feel better than the old shoes. Sonia trashed the old shoes and see the girl walk around in circles. At least Cyrus is happy to have something new. While Sephiroth and Sonia are talking about what to do next, Cyrus turned to see the same kids from the Inn, playing with the red ball. They are in the corner, laughing and running around. Cyrus walked towards them with a smile.
"Hi." She called out. The kids stopped playing and turned to her.
"Oh..." A girl spoke.
"Uh, hey." A boy said, holding the ball.
"Can I play with you guys?" Cyrus asked. The kids are hesitant. A boy shook his head.
"You can't." He said.
"...Why not?" Cyrus asked, frowning a bit.
"Because you're weird." The other boy said.
"Shh! Don't say it out loud!" A girl whispered to him. Cyrus blinked. Weird. She was never called that before.
"Look at the hair. It's silver like his!" The boy whispered back.
"But...it can't be that Sephiroth, can it?" The other boy asked. "The young SOLDIER hero from Shinra?"
"But who is she?" The girl asked. Cyrus didn't want to hear any more of it. She walked away from the kids who watched her leave. Her eyes are glued to the ground as she walked. Cyrus bumped into someone. She looked up to see a 12-year-old boy with blonde hair and light blue eyes, wearing a white uniform. Looks like a school uniform. The boy turned around and see Cyrus. His annoyed looked turned into a surprise.
"...You."
"Cyrus!" Sonia called. She and Sephiroth hurried over and they noticed the boy. Sonia gasped. "Rufus?" Sephiroth made a sneer at him as he got in front of Cyrus. Rufus smirked a bit. "What are you doing here?" Sonia asked.
"Playing hooky. I assume you three are doing the same?" Rufus asked.
"Just a small vacation." Sonia corrected him. "Does your father or the Turks know about you being here?" Before Rufus could reply, a young man approached them. It is Tseng.
"Hm. I did not expect to see you three here." Tseng spoke. He looked down at Sephiroth and Cyrus. "I thought the girl isn't allowed outdoors."
"She didn't reveal her powers. She's got them under control." Sephiroth said to the Turk. Cyrus nervously looked up at Tseng. The young man gave her a small smile. He cleared his throat and eyed on Sonia.
"I'm only escorting the young master. Keep this discussion between us."
"Noted." Sonia said. She and the kids are walking away. Rufus watched Cyrus holding onto Sephiroth's hand, and she turned back to see him watching. She quickly turned her head away and walked faster. Rufus remembered first meeting Cyrus. It was months back while he stayed in the Shinra Building. He and his father are in his room, looking over the blueprints, and Cyrus watched them from the doorway. Rufus wasn't sure why he had never seen Cyrus before but told by his father and Tseng that she is special. Rufus couldn't believe she is part Phoenix. The two were properly introduced later. Cyrus was shy and hesitant at first. Rufus found it amusing. A shame that the boy had to go through with private school and never got to see Cyrus that much often.
XX
"I never expected to see Rufus and Tseng here." Sephiroth said as he sat on the chair next to Cyrus. Sonia came over to the table to give them food. "You think they won't say a word to the president or Hojo?"
"Tseng is more trustworthy. He won't say a word." Sonia said. "Don't worry, Seph. Just relax and enjoy the day."
"...Am I weird?" Cyrus finally asked. Sonia and Sephiroth looked at her.
"What?" Sonia asked.
"The kids think I'm weird. Am I?" Cyrus asked.
"No. You're not." Sonia said.
"Strange is a better word for it." Sephiroth said, taking a bite out of the sandwich.
"Sephiroth." Sonia scolded. "Cyrus, you are not weird. You're just...special. You and Sephiroth are." Cyrus frowned a bit. "Don't listen to what anyone say about you two. I never think of you both as strange, or even weapons. You both are human beings." She took each of their hands. "You two will grow strong together. Protect each other." Sephiroth stared at the woman in silent. But he nodded.
Night came quickly after a nice day in Kalm. They returned to the Inn and got ready for bed. Cyrus is lying next to Sonia who is sleeping soundly, and Sephiroth is sleeping in his bed on his side. Cyrus is holding the silver necklace, looking at the locket with her mother's picture inside. She opened it and turned the lamp on to see the picture. Jenova. That's the mother's name. She has brown hair, brown eyes. Cyrus wondered why she and Sephiroth have silver hair and mako eyes instead of brown hair and brown eyes. They both have the same nose, the lips... But Cyrus wasn't sure who her real father is since she was created. She was told that her father is a Phoenix like her, and Hojo used his samples to create Cyrus. Where is he now? Is he still alive?
"Who am I?" Cyrus wondered. She turned off the lamp, putting the necklace under her nightshirt and tried to get some sleep. They are returning to Midgar tomorrow morning. If only they could be away for a while longer...
When they returned to the Shinra Building the next morning, things get ugly between Hojo and Sonia. He was telling her that they aren't allowed to have fun, and they must be training. Sephiroth knew this would happen, but at least he and Cyrus didn't get scolded or punished by Hojo or anybody. Sonia is taking the blame. But she doesn't care. Cyrus gripped on the locket.
"I have to get back to training. I'm not sure when I'll go back out on a mission." Sephiroth spoke.
"But we had some fun in Kalm, right?" Cyrus asked.
"We did..." Sephiroth walked away from her to go to the elevator to get to the 49th Floor to the Training Room. Cyrus sighed a bit. Sonia came out of the door and see her alone.
"Do you need anything, honey?" She asked.
"No. I...I want to go to my room."
"Alright then. I'll take you." Sonia took her hand and went in the elevator.
XX
Hojo was annoyed. Sonia is acting motherly to his specimens. Like they are her own children. That won't do at all. The man snarled a bit. That woman must go, but it wasn't his choice to make. Hojo turned to the remains of the experiment. He formed a smirk.
"Or maybe...there could be an...accident."