Hojo

"We've brought her in Professor."

"Excellent." I turn to face Tseng, the kempt leader of the Turks, Shinra's intelligence division. I've never cared for them of course—full of self importance and impotent bluster. Still, I suppose at times they manage to fulfil their actual purpose. "Well," my impatience is exacerbated by my having to prompt him. Whether through stupidity or obstinacy, his stalling is equally galling. "Where is she?"

"In the holding area, I've left her with Rude. She is not... cooperative."

"Yes, well that is to be expected."

"We'd had an understanding—that this would be futile unless she was consenting."

Ha. We'd had no such understanding. You had merely manipulated the board into agreeing to such a sentiment before— "Circumstances have changed, as you well know, there may be other parties looking for her now, better in our custody than theirs."

"Then she should be in protective custody, not delivered to the science division. This is pointless, she won't be reasoned with."

Really. I suppress the urge to sigh. It's rare to see Tseng's cold composure ruffled, even subtly. For one as perceptive as I am, it's not hard to see that he harbours some sentimentality towards the girl. "Truly Tseng, your imagination must be very... limited. I'm sure I can get plenty of use out of her regardless."

There's nothing more pitiful than a man in thrall to a female, whatever the form of it. A trap worth avoiding to be sure. I laugh. "There's no need to worry. I won't be doing any damage to the girl. Such a thing serves no purpose," and I've made some assurances to the president—no use in highlighting that though.

"See that you don't," is his terse reply, and I'm sure it's more of a promise that he'll be lingering around like some kind of circling hawk. At least he's leaving now.

"Oh, and—" I call out to his retreating back. "Be sure to review the directives I forwarded to you." A stern look is all the affirmation he grants me before completing his exit.

So... you're alive then Professor Gast. I tap my pen in agitation. It's aggravating to imagine how it could be possible—to speculate about the circumstances that could have brought this about. Perhaps it's not even the case... Still...

The soldiers related a man fitting your description coming to meet with Sephiroth before his strange disappearance—That is, just before he decapitated the Jenova specimen and burnt the Nibbelheim reactor to the ground. What's more, once I'd read their report I'd had the sense to check Sephiroth's server activity and he'd managed to somehow access the science department archives. He left no trace of what he'd accessed specifically but I'm sure I could venture a guess.

Such a situation warrants the utmost care and consideration, and I can only work with the information I have. If Sephiroth is with you, I can't rule out that he will return to HQ on your behalf and I can't have that. You have my son, I certainly cannot allow you to have your daughter as well.

I don't follow that train of thought. It all leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. I will be sure to deal with you... in due course.

I mentally review the directives I'd had approved for the countless time. It must be subtle, too obvious and you'll pick up on the deception. Falsified reports must be inserted into the archives, and rumours spread.

You could have no reason to come looking for a dead girl.

As for the girl herself... I fidget with anticipation. Where to begin. It's been so long since I'd exhausted the possible uses for Ifalna's cadaver. Truly a marvel it was. Truly, so very different from the Jenova remains. Yes, very different indeed. Which reminds me.

I type up another message demanding an update on the Nibelheim retrieval mission. What's left of the Jenova sample must be brought to Midgar immediately, a cover story manufactured for the townsfolk, and the witnessing soldiers dealt with... I may even have use for them personally.

So much to do, perhaps it's best if I leave tomorrow. A shame, but the girl will still be waiting when I return. At least we'll still have the opportunity for reintroduction before then. Perhaps the wait will have a pacifying, demoralising effect on her, so much the better. Yes—I'll leave first thing in the morning, no use splitting my focus too much.

As I approach the holding area I'm pleased to note that there's no sign of Tseng or the Turks. I nod to the guard on duty, indicating that he give me access to her cell. The grunt stands to attention, punching the access key, flashing his ID card and entering the room first. He jockeys his weapon in warning to the prisoner as he stands to one side.

I barely have time to look at her before the girl scuttles to the far side of the bed like a small animal, her gaze fixed on me in wide eyed defiance. I laugh—a good natured response to such an offence.

"Hello Aeris. Do you remember me?" It's more of a jest than a question. It seems obvious that I haven't been entirely forgotten.

She doesn't move, only continues to watch my every motion with opposition. Although, she can't quite still the little quiver that betrays her fear. I smile in amusement. The sight is a little pitiful, she's got more will than such a small container can handle.

"...You're Professor Hojo," she relinquishes with terse caution. My smile widens in indulgent reward.

"Yes, that's right. The last time we saw each other you were quite useful in securing your mother's cooperation. Of course, that also meant that I did not have full access to you yourself—not that it mattered. You are by far the inferior specimen." A look of perplexity bleeds through her reserve. "Didn't you know? Did you think the few samples and measurements we took from you were all that Ifalna consented to?"

I laugh, her distress is strangely soothing. You should never have approached Sephiroth, Gast.

"Well, it was all thanks to you," I chuckle, "and now I have your father to thank! Your family has been good to me." Her mouth opens a fraction as if to ask the obvious question before thinking the better of it. Instead she shakes her head stubbornly. "Are you not happy to learn that your father is alive child?"

She's trying to mask her emotions, a valiant effort, but it doesn't come naturally to her; confusion, fear and disturbance are all somewhat discernible. So it comes as an unpleasant surprise how calm her voice sounds when she quietly asks, "Is anything worth learning from you?"

I feel myself scowling at her so I force a smile instead. "His miraculous re-emergence has brought you back into my care, but unfortunately it's been something of an exchange... one that I fear I lost out on." My empty smile fills with wry amusement. "He has something of mine, it's only right that I have something of his, don't you think?"

It doesn't serve much purpose pawing with her like this, other than to get a general sense of how pliable she's likely to prove. Thus far my findings indicate she's like to be a highly diverting sample.

"It is a shame about your father," I resume with mock sympathy, "in more ways than one. His genetics are hardly an asset. I'll have my assistants begin analysis on your DNA first thing tomorrow. I won't be needed for such preliminaries. At least it may be interesting to learn more of how Ancient and human genes interact. Tell me, how is it for you? To be neither one nor the other?"

She flinches, a look of hurt passing through her eyes as she continues her taciturn trembling—A vulnerability—I file away the knowledge for later. However, perhaps I've tenderised her enough for the time being. I should leave her to stew, perchance she'll present a more rewarding prospect on my return.

"I do wish we had more time together but business calls me elsewhere for the foreseeable future..."

I turn to leave, and her figure wilts a little with premature relief, before I glance back and deliver my final farewell with a friendly smile.

"Oh—don't worry—I will definitely return. You may be something of a freak my dear, but you're in luck. I have plenty of time for freaks."