Butterfly Effect: Chapter 22
Dec. 8th, 2006 11:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bard_linnAuthors: Bard Linn and Kiraya
Genre: General/Drama
Pairings: None, at the moment.
Rating (Overall): PG-13
Summary: "There will be… certain changes coming."
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all associated characters and symbols are the exclusive property of Square Enix and its associates. We’re just borrowing them for a while.
Chapter 22
Cloud flopped down on his bed, utterly exhausted… but then, sparring with Sephiroth usually did that to him. It was a nice sort of exhaustion, though, stemming from working to the very best of his ability. Cloud couldn’t help feeling pleased by it.
The two of them had developed an odd relationship these past eight months. They weren’t exactly friends, per se; they rarely talked about stuff outside training unless Zack was there, except for when they talked about their mutual friend. “Acquaintances” might be the best term for his and Sephiroth’s relationship. In any case, the General was giving Cloud thorough and challenging instruction every time they had a session, and he loved it.
Cloud stretched lazily, yawning. Not quite willing to just lie there doing nothing, he fished out some paper and a pen.
17 March 469.
Tifa,
Glad to hear my last letter got there okay. Yes, Midgar really is that bad — actually, it’s probably even worse in some places. Words can’t really capture the city that well, but despite its faults it’s really a pretty cool place.
Well, that was probably the understatement of the season, but he didn’t want to be any more specific than that in case the mail censors decided his comments were a bit too negative. Not that it mattered that much, anyway; they pretty much expected country boys to complain about the city at least a little.
Congratulations on getting that attack combination down. Beat Rush, you said it was called? Name’s a bit odd, but as long as it works… I’ve been learning quite a bit here myself, though mostly with swordswork, as I’m much better with that than martial arts. Don’t worry, though; I’m still keeping in practice!
Last month was Zack’s birthday. Remember him? He’s the SOLDIER who accompanied us up into the mountains. He’s also my mentor. It was a pretty crazy time. I think just about every SOLDIER stationed in Midgar was in his quarters at some point, and there really isn’t that much room!
Nothing less than the truth there. Zack had pulled some strings and seen to it that Cloud had gotten the day off as well. Cloud had looked forward to the chance for some extra practice, but no. Zack had once again insisted (though at least he’d asked this time) that Cloud stay with him for the entire day, socializing with his prospective future peers. Actually, it had been surprisingly painless. Many of the other SOLDIERs had been friendly and welcoming; quite a few were content to spend the time discussing tactics, materia, and weapons, so he had actually felt comfortable contributing to the conversation.
Cloud’s lips quirked. He’d been quite proud of the present he’d picked out for Zack too — a very large birthday cake with icing half an inch deep, cheerfully proclaiming ‘Happy Birthday Zachary!’ It had been a bit of a personal joke, and not just because of the name thing. Zack had wanted to get a cake just like it for Sephiroth’s birthday a few months earlier. “Seph’s never had a real birthday party. with friends and cake and streamers and everything, and it’s about time he got one!”
The blond rolled his eyes at the memory. Too bad for Zack he had insisted Cloud help — in other words, act as porter and unwilling accomplice — with the preparations. Cloud had quite firmly put his foot down there. He’d bought tasteful, adult cake slices himself, using the money his mother had sent him for his own birthday. With just him and Zack attending the festivities, a “proper” birthday cake would’ve gone to waste anyway — unless Zack ate enough to make himself sick.
The party itself had been… interesting. Sephiroth had been less than pleased to come off duty and find his quarters bedecked in colorful balloons and streamers, but seemed almost resigned to this state of affairs. Zack had cheerfully handed out the cake, grumbling all the while about Cloud’s interference, and then shoved his birthday present at the General. It turned out to be a coffee cup proclaiming “The only reason I haven’t killed you is I haven’t gotten my coffee yet.” Much to Cloud’s surprise, Sephiroth had merely sighed, stood, and went to the kitchenette, placing the cup in a cabinet full of what looked like… more coffee mugs.
It must be a yearly thing. Sometimes Cloud wondered if Zack was brave or just foolhardy.
Sephiroth had reacted with confusion when Cloud had hesitantly passed him a box. He hadn’t been sure if he should have gotten the General a gift. Technically they weren’t really friends, but… who goes to a birthday party without bringing a present?
Finding said present had been even harder. Cloud had wandered all over the city, below the Plate and above it, in his scant free hours, searching for something appropriate. He had considered a rather elaborate pen set, since it was the sort of useful thing the General might appreciate, but it seemed… wrong, somehow. It wasn’t as if Sephiroth enjoyed paperwork.
Finally, though, he had stumbled across something that had seemed like it’d fit perfectly in Sephiroth’s quarters.
A slight smile crossed the blond’s face as he remembered Sephiroth’s reaction to the giftwrapped box. At first thinking it was another one from Zack, the General had been surprised to find out it was from Cloud; he had been under the impression that giving presents on birthdays was a ‘Zack thing.’ Cloud had done his best to explain, paraphrasing his mother: “Birthday presents are a way of thanking people for existing. That is, a way to thank them for the positive influences they’ve had in your life.”
Sephiroth had merely raised an eyebrow at that, but had opened the gift anyway. He’d had an odd look on his face as he withdrew the windchime from its box, but had thanked Cloud nonetheless. Cloud was pretty sure he liked it; the Wutaiian dragon motif in blue and green seemed appropriate, and he’d seen the chime hanging near the little rock garden the next time he’d stopped by the General’s quarters…
Shaking his head, Cloud returned his thoughts to his letter.
Other than that, things have been pretty quiet around here lately. I really hope they stay that way for at least a while. The exams are coming up soon, and I need all the practice I can get.
Hope everything is going well in Nibelheim.
Cloud.
The letter wasn’t too bad, Cloud decided, just a bit disorganized. He’d have to clean it up some before he sent it, of course, but it was just a draft… a good thing too, since things still came out kind of scraggly when he wrote with his left hand. Smiling a little, he settled down with a weapons textbook, quite content to spend the rest of the afternoon reading.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Turks and SOLDIERs had never been the closest of allies. Since SOLDIER’s creation there had been an undercurrent of tension between the two groups, mostly based in the Turk custom of choosing some of its own members from the ranks of SOLDIER cadets, but also because SOLDIER had taken over some of the heavy firepower jobs that had formerly belonged to the Turks. Things had changed several years ago once Tseng had secured his position in the outfit, however. Despite what the General of SOLDIER had done to his homeland of Wutai, the two of them actually got along rather well, so Veld usually sent Tseng as his representative when their groups were required to collaborate on something. That was more or less the limit of Turk-SOLDIER interaction.
At least, until recently.
It hadn’t been long ago now that a cocky, redheaded street rat had completed his training as a cadet and risen to full Turk status, and, barhopping under the Plate, had run into a cheerful, dark-haired SOLDIER First.
Reno was the Zack to Tseng’s Sephiroth. He constantly pushed his superior, but was careful never to step over the line, dancing upon it like a suit-wearing gymnast upon the balance beam. Reno wasn’t stupid enough to push Turk Leader Veld — not yet, anyway — but he did take great delight in making life more… interesting for both his stoic partner Rude and his direct superior.
Predictably enough, Reno and Zack got along smashingly.
So it was that, in the interest of furthering his campaign to socialize his little apprentice so he’d get into SOLDIER and not turn into another Sephiroth, Zack decided to introduce Cloud to his newest accomplice.
“Reno!” Zack called, eyes bright with mischief. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet!” Behind him, Cloud sighed. He had only agreed to this because Zack had expressly forbidden him from training anymore until this little meeting was concluded. Zack increased his pace to catch up with Reno, dragging his less-than-willing friend behind him. “Nothing physical unless he says it’s okay, and nothing permanent. Other than that, you’ve got free reign.”
“Oh really.” An unholy grin flitted across the redhead’s face.
“Reno, this is Cloud Strife, my apprentice and a cadet in the SOLDIER program. Cloud, this is the newest Turk, Reno.” Zack gestured at each in turn. “Now, Cloud is great with a weapon, but he still falls short when it comes to casual conversation, which is why I thought we should enlist your help. At the rate he’s going, he’s going to turn into another Sephiroth.”
“I’m not that bad!” Cloud protested.
“Well, I’m always glad to meet one of your friends, Zack. Especially someone good with his hands.” Reno leered at Cloud, who was still glaring at Zack. “When do you want him back?”
“Oh, I’ll be around in about an hour. No running off, Cloud. You can survive. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Zack grinned, offering a cheery wave as he walked off.
“Is there anything you wouldn’t do?” Cloud called after him, then sighed. “Geez…”
“So, kid,” Reno said, leaning against the wall. “How long you been in Midgar?”
“Almost three and a half years now. Tried for SOLDIER once and didn’t get in, but Zack seems to think I’ll make it this time,” Cloud replied absently, studying Reno’s hands.
“Well, he should know, since he processes most of the exams’ paperwork…” Reno took a step closer. “See something you like?”
“Are you left-handed?”
Reno blinked. “What?”
Cloud gestured at Reno’s hands. “You have more calluses on your left hand. They don’t look exactly like fighting calluses, at least not totally… I’m guessing a weapon, but sword doesn’t seem right either. What’s your primary?”
The redhead’s eyebrows shot up. “Primary?”
“Primary weapon.” Cloud clarified.
“Electro-rod,” Reno replied, studying the figure before him with narrowed eyes. Pretty unusual to hear someone outside the Turks talking like that…
Interest sparked in Cloud’s eyes. “I’ve never heard of it. How does it work?”
“Tell you what,” the redhead said, smirking. “Come up to my room sometime and I’ll show it to you.”
“That’d be great!” Cloud responded eagerly. “I’m always trying to learn more about different weapons and styles. The Turks seem to have the most diverse arrangement of any group in the company. In SOLDIER they mostly stick with bladed weapons…”
Reno nodded. “Got ‘em in trouble a few times in Wutai, I’m told.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. See, the Wutaiians don’t really do war the same way we do…”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“You were only twelve?”
Reno shrugged. “You grow up early downbelow. ‘Sides, wasn’t like I had much of a choice.” The kid was something else. Reno certainly hadn’t intended to talk about his first kill, but the conversation had moved on to his past fighting experience almost before he even realized Strife was nudging it in that direction. Impressive, for someone who supposedly had next to no social skills.
“I suppose not,” Cloud agreed, showing no sign of discomfort with the issue.
Why in Odin’s name hadn’t the Turks snapped this kid up?
Reno shook his head. “Anyway, my offer from before still stands. If you wanna come up to my place, I mean…”
“If you don’t mind. Sounds like you’ve got quite a collection, and I’d love to see it,” Cloud replied with a sunny smile. “Ever worked with the sword?”
The Turk chuckled, smirking. “Well, you know. Depends on what kind of ‘sword’ we’re talking about, here.”
Cloud shrugged. “There’s not that much of a difference… unless of course you’re talking about something like Zack’s Buster sword, but that’s way too much for anyone who’s not enhanced to handle…”
Reno gave him a dubious stare, then said carefully, “Either you’re screwin’ with me, or that went right over your head.”
The blond looked at him oddly. “What?”
“But…” The Turk studied him for a long moment, then sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t believe it. I don’t fucking believe it.”
“Look,” Cloud began, “what—”
“I mean, even if you did come from the middle of nowhere—”
“Nibelheim, actually, and if you’d just tell me—”
“—you’ve been in Midgar — in the army, for Gaea’s sake — for what is it, three years now? How can you not get it?”
“It’s probably because he tries to spend every free waking moment in the gym.”
“Zack!” Cloud started in surprise, smiling as he turned towards his approaching friend, who offered him an answering grin before his questioning gaze settled on Reno.
“Oh great, one of those.” The Turk sighed dramatically. “You were right, then; he needs all the help he can get.” Pausing, he raised an eyebrow. “Speaking of which, why haven’t you…?” He made a little gesture.
Zack gave him a Look, but didn’t answer the question. “Ready to go, Cloud?”
“Yup,” the cadet replied, nodding as he made a mental note to ask Zack about it sometime later when he wasn’t expecting it. If there was anything he hated more than being forced into casual conversations with strangers, it was being left out of the loop. “There are a few things I want to try that Reno was telling me about…”
The SOLDIER blinked, then said slowly, “Please tell me you didn’t spend the entire time talking about weapons styles.”
“Well… no. We talked some about Wutaiian tactics during the war and gang fighting beneath the Plate, too.”
Zack groaned. “Reno! Why that, of all things? The weather, office politics, chocobo racing, the price of mahogany in Mideel — anything would have been better!” He threw his hands up in exasperation.
“Zaaaaaa-ck—” Cloud clapped his hand over his mouth in shock.
“Hey, wait a minute…” Zack grinned, eyes dancing with mischief. The blond swallowed hard, shooting a dirty look at Reno, who strove to hold back his laughter. “Your voice… you just squeaked, didn’t you?”
The Turk snorted, trying to hide his amusement, and Cloud scowled.
“You did, didn’t you?” Zack clapped his apprentice on the back, still grinning. “All I can say is it’s about time! Here I’d thought you were going to sound like a girl the rest of your life. And hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to gain a couple more inches along with it, so you’re not stuck being so short. I mean, topping off at 5’3”? It’s not exactly intimidating.”
Cloud just glared daggers at him, not trusting his voice not to betray him again.
“Anyway, see you later, Reno. Come on, Cloud; Paul said he wanted to talk to you before we go out.”
Reno waved lazily at the retreating figures. I’ll have to see what I can find on the kid; for a SOLDIER cadet, he’s way too interesting in all sorts of Turkish ways to leave alone. His grin widened. If nothing else, following him should be a lot of fun.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Zack, do the words target practice mean anything to you?” Cloud growled, praying his voice would hold.
“But Cloud, it’s so cute…” Zack dodged the pencil thrown his way. “Our little late bloomer is finally growing up… I’m so proud…”
“Shut up! It’s not funny!”
Vincent shook his head, glad to be hidden from both of the younger men’s view. Cloud was beginning to look more than slightly homicidal. Sinclair was lucky to have enhanced reflexes — and that Cloud didn’t have a gun on him. Knowing his apprentice, he’d aim for where the SOLDIER would end up after dodging…
The former Turk studied his student, forcing himself to look at the youth completely impartially. It was hard to reconcile this well-trained young man with the curious child who had found him in the basement of the ShinRa Mansion over a decade ago.
Suddenly Vincent felt very old.
It’s summer. In a little over a month, Cloud will be eighteen. A completely legal adult. Cloud would be able to make his own decisions without having to obtain written permission from his mother, including signing the papers for SOLDIER — and agreeing to the twenty-year required service contract. Not that many of the SOLDIERs lasted that long, due to the risks of their line of work, and even if they were lucky enough to survive they often stuck with the outfit anyway. His research showed that those with Mako eyes were rarely welcomed back into civilian society, and few had survived more than a few months after going freelance.
And that was for those who didn’t suffer complications from the treatments…
Vincent hadn’t realized how little time his apprentice had left. Too soon, Cloud would follow in his own footsteps and sell himself into the company that had destroyed Vincent’s life, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop it. If it meant risking a dream so close to fruition, Cloud would hardly follow his advice…
At least Cloud had strong, well-placed supporters, Vincent reminded himself. Sinclair would clearly take on Hades himself to help his friend, and it was likely Sephiroth would provide some assistance as well, when the circumstances allowed it. Several of Sinclair’s friends also seemed interested in helping Cloud learn what he could so he could be a better SOLDIER. There was no doubt in Vincent’s mind that Cloud would be one of the best, between his natural talent and his extensive training.
Not for the first time, Vincent was aware of time slipping through his fingers. He had been compiling a case against Hojo, trying to find a way to legally get the professor dismissed, so that when the time came there would be fewer risks associated with the hit — ::and since when have you cared about that?:: Chaos broke in caustically, but Vincent ignored him and the demon said nothing more, apparently bored by his host’s brooding.
He knew it was stupidly optimistic, but a long-buried part of him had also held on to the faint hope that if Hojo were dismissed before Vincent killed him, the company might actually step in to quash the inevitable jockeying for power and appoint a successor who was at least slightly more ethical. It seemed, however, that he had missed a great many things while poring over computer files, sneaking around the city, and attempting to break into some of the lower-security labs.
So much has changed…
Midgar itself had both grown and become more stagnant. ShinRa — the President hadn’t even had a wife when Vincent had left for Nibelheim, and now he had a son only a year older than Cloud. The members of the board had changed — Hojo had replaced Gast, old Heidegger had finally gotten the promotion he’d seen as his just reward after Fort Condor, and though Vincent vaguely recalled the head of the Department of Aeronautics or whatever they were calling it these days, he didn’t recognize the earnest head of Urban Development or the bold woman chairing Weapons R&D. SOLDIER had rapidly grown in strength and popularity with Sephiroth as its leader…
Undoubtedly the Turks had changed as well, though Vincent had done his best to completely avoid any association with them, staying far away from both their files and their part of the compound. They were the ones who’d most likely recognize him if they saw him, since the outfit was one of the few that’d have access to his file, and he wasn’t in any hurry to be detained by them for whatever sort of questioning… or to find how many of his former comrades had finally been caught up to by Death.
Had it happened to his partner as well?
“Vincent?” Cloud stopped next to his hiding place. “Are you all right?”
The sharpshooter inclined his head. “I will be fine, Cloud. Go with Sinclair.”
Cloud hovered for a moment, uncertain, and then did as his mentor asked, following the SOLDIER First to the train station for their trip below the Plate. Vincent watched him go thoughtfully. The child truly had grown into an individual he couldn’t help taking pride in. If things had been different… if things had been different, he certainly wouldn’t have minded having Cloud as his partner out in the field.
Ah, Veld. Just what would you think of me now, if you knew…?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cloud quickly opened the door, a stack of papers grasped firmly in his other hand, and slipped into the dark room. He put the files on the coffee table and glanced around. Sephiroth’s quarters never ceased to interest him, if for no reason other than the hints they showed of the General’s true personality and interests, completely unlike the impassive front he presented to the world.
One window was slightly ajar, allowing a light breeze to brush the silvery windchime in the corner, sending a quiet chaotic music into the air. Cloud smiled briefly, pleased. At least it seemed like his gift had been well received…
“He enjoys it more than I think he realized he would.”
“Hello, Vincent,” Cloud returned, glancing at the man in the shadows. “I’m glad. He’s a tough person to buy for.” Another thing the pair had in common, though thinking about it Cloud realized he didn’t even know when Vincent’s birthday was. Should look into that. His first mentor probably wouldn’t tell him, but Cloud would consider it a perfectly acceptable use of his hacking skills to find out, even if Vincent would likely disagree. Whether or not he would tell Zack about it would be another thing entirely.
…though it might be entertaining to see what sort of ridiculous extravagance the SOLDIER could come up with to celebrate Vincent’s birthday…
“What are you doing here?” Vincent asked, interrupting his thoughts. They had agreed to minimize the times Cloud came to Sephiroth’s apartment, particularly unaccompanied by Zack, since it would undoubtedly raise suspicions.
“I came to talk to you,” Cloud replied. “Don’t worry. Zack ‘sent me up with some papers’ so I’m officially here on business. He’s gotten a reputation for making me do his grunt work, and occasionally it comes in handy.”
“I see,” was all the former Turk said, and that look in his eyes was the only opening Cloud was going to get, so he took it.
“What was bothering you earlier? And don’t tell me nothing was wrong. I could tell that much.”
Vincent silently cursed Sinclair to the darkest depths of the Crater. The boy had never been this perceptive before… “That is none of your concern.”
“Yeah, right.” Cloud shook his head stubbornly. “You’ve looked after me for years, Vincent, and that comes with certain consequences. If you need someone to talk to, I’m willing to listen… especially since you seem like you won’t talk to anyone else.”
The pair engaged in a silent glaring match; Cloud won. “I was merely contemplating the passage of time; it’s something quite common for one my age. Pay it no mind.” The Turk sank further into the darkness of the room… not that that made much difference, since Cloud could sense exactly where he was.
The blond bit down on the question trying to escape him; asking Vincent how old he really was would not get him the answers he wanted. Besides, he could find that out on his own. “Any particular reason why?”
“You are almost an adult, Cloud, and are moving beyond my tutorship.” A rustling sound as Vincent pulled his cloak closer. “There will be… certain changes coming. I was merely preparing for them.”
“Moving beyond your tutorship?” Cloud scoffed. “Yeah, right! I bet I could spend the rest of my life learning from you. And besides, even if you do stop being my teacher someday, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a place for you. You’re my friend too, Vincent. More than that, you were my first friend.” And you’re the only father I can really remember. How could I ever let you go?
“That is… encouraging, Cloud,” Vincent replied slowly. “Thank you.”
Cloud grinned. “As much as I hate to sound like Zack, it might be a good idea for you to try to socialize a little more. I know you can’t really go out on the town as it were, but you could at least talk to General Sephiroth some. Considering everything you’ve told me, you should have at least some things in common.”
“Sephiroth is… not exactly an easy person to talk to.”
Cloud shot him a look that spoke volumes. And you are? The beep of a digital clock striking the hour reminded him how late he was, and so he said instead, “I better go, before someone thinks I’m vandalizing the General’s room or something. Try not to brood too much!”
Vincent shook his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he watched his apprentice go. He wasn’t sure what he had done in life to deserve such a pupil, but he was glad to have Cloud just the same.
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Genre: General/Drama
Pairings: None, at the moment.
Rating (Overall): PG-13
Summary: "There will be… certain changes coming."
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all associated characters and symbols are the exclusive property of Square Enix and its associates. We’re just borrowing them for a while.
Chapter 22
Cloud flopped down on his bed, utterly exhausted… but then, sparring with Sephiroth usually did that to him. It was a nice sort of exhaustion, though, stemming from working to the very best of his ability. Cloud couldn’t help feeling pleased by it.
The two of them had developed an odd relationship these past eight months. They weren’t exactly friends, per se; they rarely talked about stuff outside training unless Zack was there, except for when they talked about their mutual friend. “Acquaintances” might be the best term for his and Sephiroth’s relationship. In any case, the General was giving Cloud thorough and challenging instruction every time they had a session, and he loved it.
Cloud stretched lazily, yawning. Not quite willing to just lie there doing nothing, he fished out some paper and a pen.
17 March 469.
Tifa,
Glad to hear my last letter got there okay. Yes, Midgar really is that bad — actually, it’s probably even worse in some places. Words can’t really capture the city that well, but despite its faults it’s really a pretty cool place.
Well, that was probably the understatement of the season, but he didn’t want to be any more specific than that in case the mail censors decided his comments were a bit too negative. Not that it mattered that much, anyway; they pretty much expected country boys to complain about the city at least a little.
Congratulations on getting that attack combination down. Beat Rush, you said it was called? Name’s a bit odd, but as long as it works… I’ve been learning quite a bit here myself, though mostly with swordswork, as I’m much better with that than martial arts. Don’t worry, though; I’m still keeping in practice!
Last month was Zack’s birthday. Remember him? He’s the SOLDIER who accompanied us up into the mountains. He’s also my mentor. It was a pretty crazy time. I think just about every SOLDIER stationed in Midgar was in his quarters at some point, and there really isn’t that much room!
Nothing less than the truth there. Zack had pulled some strings and seen to it that Cloud had gotten the day off as well. Cloud had looked forward to the chance for some extra practice, but no. Zack had once again insisted (though at least he’d asked this time) that Cloud stay with him for the entire day, socializing with his prospective future peers. Actually, it had been surprisingly painless. Many of the other SOLDIERs had been friendly and welcoming; quite a few were content to spend the time discussing tactics, materia, and weapons, so he had actually felt comfortable contributing to the conversation.
Cloud’s lips quirked. He’d been quite proud of the present he’d picked out for Zack too — a very large birthday cake with icing half an inch deep, cheerfully proclaiming ‘Happy Birthday Zachary!’ It had been a bit of a personal joke, and not just because of the name thing. Zack had wanted to get a cake just like it for Sephiroth’s birthday a few months earlier. “Seph’s never had a real birthday party. with friends and cake and streamers and everything, and it’s about time he got one!”
The blond rolled his eyes at the memory. Too bad for Zack he had insisted Cloud help — in other words, act as porter and unwilling accomplice — with the preparations. Cloud had quite firmly put his foot down there. He’d bought tasteful, adult cake slices himself, using the money his mother had sent him for his own birthday. With just him and Zack attending the festivities, a “proper” birthday cake would’ve gone to waste anyway — unless Zack ate enough to make himself sick.
The party itself had been… interesting. Sephiroth had been less than pleased to come off duty and find his quarters bedecked in colorful balloons and streamers, but seemed almost resigned to this state of affairs. Zack had cheerfully handed out the cake, grumbling all the while about Cloud’s interference, and then shoved his birthday present at the General. It turned out to be a coffee cup proclaiming “The only reason I haven’t killed you is I haven’t gotten my coffee yet.” Much to Cloud’s surprise, Sephiroth had merely sighed, stood, and went to the kitchenette, placing the cup in a cabinet full of what looked like… more coffee mugs.
It must be a yearly thing. Sometimes Cloud wondered if Zack was brave or just foolhardy.
Sephiroth had reacted with confusion when Cloud had hesitantly passed him a box. He hadn’t been sure if he should have gotten the General a gift. Technically they weren’t really friends, but… who goes to a birthday party without bringing a present?
Finding said present had been even harder. Cloud had wandered all over the city, below the Plate and above it, in his scant free hours, searching for something appropriate. He had considered a rather elaborate pen set, since it was the sort of useful thing the General might appreciate, but it seemed… wrong, somehow. It wasn’t as if Sephiroth enjoyed paperwork.
Finally, though, he had stumbled across something that had seemed like it’d fit perfectly in Sephiroth’s quarters.
A slight smile crossed the blond’s face as he remembered Sephiroth’s reaction to the giftwrapped box. At first thinking it was another one from Zack, the General had been surprised to find out it was from Cloud; he had been under the impression that giving presents on birthdays was a ‘Zack thing.’ Cloud had done his best to explain, paraphrasing his mother: “Birthday presents are a way of thanking people for existing. That is, a way to thank them for the positive influences they’ve had in your life.”
Sephiroth had merely raised an eyebrow at that, but had opened the gift anyway. He’d had an odd look on his face as he withdrew the windchime from its box, but had thanked Cloud nonetheless. Cloud was pretty sure he liked it; the Wutaiian dragon motif in blue and green seemed appropriate, and he’d seen the chime hanging near the little rock garden the next time he’d stopped by the General’s quarters…
Shaking his head, Cloud returned his thoughts to his letter.
Other than that, things have been pretty quiet around here lately. I really hope they stay that way for at least a while. The exams are coming up soon, and I need all the practice I can get.
Hope everything is going well in Nibelheim.
Cloud.
The letter wasn’t too bad, Cloud decided, just a bit disorganized. He’d have to clean it up some before he sent it, of course, but it was just a draft… a good thing too, since things still came out kind of scraggly when he wrote with his left hand. Smiling a little, he settled down with a weapons textbook, quite content to spend the rest of the afternoon reading.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Turks and SOLDIERs had never been the closest of allies. Since SOLDIER’s creation there had been an undercurrent of tension between the two groups, mostly based in the Turk custom of choosing some of its own members from the ranks of SOLDIER cadets, but also because SOLDIER had taken over some of the heavy firepower jobs that had formerly belonged to the Turks. Things had changed several years ago once Tseng had secured his position in the outfit, however. Despite what the General of SOLDIER had done to his homeland of Wutai, the two of them actually got along rather well, so Veld usually sent Tseng as his representative when their groups were required to collaborate on something. That was more or less the limit of Turk-SOLDIER interaction.
At least, until recently.
It hadn’t been long ago now that a cocky, redheaded street rat had completed his training as a cadet and risen to full Turk status, and, barhopping under the Plate, had run into a cheerful, dark-haired SOLDIER First.
Reno was the Zack to Tseng’s Sephiroth. He constantly pushed his superior, but was careful never to step over the line, dancing upon it like a suit-wearing gymnast upon the balance beam. Reno wasn’t stupid enough to push Turk Leader Veld — not yet, anyway — but he did take great delight in making life more… interesting for both his stoic partner Rude and his direct superior.
Predictably enough, Reno and Zack got along smashingly.
So it was that, in the interest of furthering his campaign to socialize his little apprentice so he’d get into SOLDIER and not turn into another Sephiroth, Zack decided to introduce Cloud to his newest accomplice.
“Reno!” Zack called, eyes bright with mischief. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet!” Behind him, Cloud sighed. He had only agreed to this because Zack had expressly forbidden him from training anymore until this little meeting was concluded. Zack increased his pace to catch up with Reno, dragging his less-than-willing friend behind him. “Nothing physical unless he says it’s okay, and nothing permanent. Other than that, you’ve got free reign.”
“Oh really.” An unholy grin flitted across the redhead’s face.
“Reno, this is Cloud Strife, my apprentice and a cadet in the SOLDIER program. Cloud, this is the newest Turk, Reno.” Zack gestured at each in turn. “Now, Cloud is great with a weapon, but he still falls short when it comes to casual conversation, which is why I thought we should enlist your help. At the rate he’s going, he’s going to turn into another Sephiroth.”
“I’m not that bad!” Cloud protested.
“Well, I’m always glad to meet one of your friends, Zack. Especially someone good with his hands.” Reno leered at Cloud, who was still glaring at Zack. “When do you want him back?”
“Oh, I’ll be around in about an hour. No running off, Cloud. You can survive. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Zack grinned, offering a cheery wave as he walked off.
“Is there anything you wouldn’t do?” Cloud called after him, then sighed. “Geez…”
“So, kid,” Reno said, leaning against the wall. “How long you been in Midgar?”
“Almost three and a half years now. Tried for SOLDIER once and didn’t get in, but Zack seems to think I’ll make it this time,” Cloud replied absently, studying Reno’s hands.
“Well, he should know, since he processes most of the exams’ paperwork…” Reno took a step closer. “See something you like?”
“Are you left-handed?”
Reno blinked. “What?”
Cloud gestured at Reno’s hands. “You have more calluses on your left hand. They don’t look exactly like fighting calluses, at least not totally… I’m guessing a weapon, but sword doesn’t seem right either. What’s your primary?”
The redhead’s eyebrows shot up. “Primary?”
“Primary weapon.” Cloud clarified.
“Electro-rod,” Reno replied, studying the figure before him with narrowed eyes. Pretty unusual to hear someone outside the Turks talking like that…
Interest sparked in Cloud’s eyes. “I’ve never heard of it. How does it work?”
“Tell you what,” the redhead said, smirking. “Come up to my room sometime and I’ll show it to you.”
“That’d be great!” Cloud responded eagerly. “I’m always trying to learn more about different weapons and styles. The Turks seem to have the most diverse arrangement of any group in the company. In SOLDIER they mostly stick with bladed weapons…”
Reno nodded. “Got ‘em in trouble a few times in Wutai, I’m told.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. See, the Wutaiians don’t really do war the same way we do…”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“You were only twelve?”
Reno shrugged. “You grow up early downbelow. ‘Sides, wasn’t like I had much of a choice.” The kid was something else. Reno certainly hadn’t intended to talk about his first kill, but the conversation had moved on to his past fighting experience almost before he even realized Strife was nudging it in that direction. Impressive, for someone who supposedly had next to no social skills.
“I suppose not,” Cloud agreed, showing no sign of discomfort with the issue.
Why in Odin’s name hadn’t the Turks snapped this kid up?
Reno shook his head. “Anyway, my offer from before still stands. If you wanna come up to my place, I mean…”
“If you don’t mind. Sounds like you’ve got quite a collection, and I’d love to see it,” Cloud replied with a sunny smile. “Ever worked with the sword?”
The Turk chuckled, smirking. “Well, you know. Depends on what kind of ‘sword’ we’re talking about, here.”
Cloud shrugged. “There’s not that much of a difference… unless of course you’re talking about something like Zack’s Buster sword, but that’s way too much for anyone who’s not enhanced to handle…”
Reno gave him a dubious stare, then said carefully, “Either you’re screwin’ with me, or that went right over your head.”
The blond looked at him oddly. “What?”
“But…” The Turk studied him for a long moment, then sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t believe it. I don’t fucking believe it.”
“Look,” Cloud began, “what—”
“I mean, even if you did come from the middle of nowhere—”
“Nibelheim, actually, and if you’d just tell me—”
“—you’ve been in Midgar — in the army, for Gaea’s sake — for what is it, three years now? How can you not get it?”
“It’s probably because he tries to spend every free waking moment in the gym.”
“Zack!” Cloud started in surprise, smiling as he turned towards his approaching friend, who offered him an answering grin before his questioning gaze settled on Reno.
“Oh great, one of those.” The Turk sighed dramatically. “You were right, then; he needs all the help he can get.” Pausing, he raised an eyebrow. “Speaking of which, why haven’t you…?” He made a little gesture.
Zack gave him a Look, but didn’t answer the question. “Ready to go, Cloud?”
“Yup,” the cadet replied, nodding as he made a mental note to ask Zack about it sometime later when he wasn’t expecting it. If there was anything he hated more than being forced into casual conversations with strangers, it was being left out of the loop. “There are a few things I want to try that Reno was telling me about…”
The SOLDIER blinked, then said slowly, “Please tell me you didn’t spend the entire time talking about weapons styles.”
“Well… no. We talked some about Wutaiian tactics during the war and gang fighting beneath the Plate, too.”
Zack groaned. “Reno! Why that, of all things? The weather, office politics, chocobo racing, the price of mahogany in Mideel — anything would have been better!” He threw his hands up in exasperation.
“Zaaaaaa-ck—” Cloud clapped his hand over his mouth in shock.
“Hey, wait a minute…” Zack grinned, eyes dancing with mischief. The blond swallowed hard, shooting a dirty look at Reno, who strove to hold back his laughter. “Your voice… you just squeaked, didn’t you?”
The Turk snorted, trying to hide his amusement, and Cloud scowled.
“You did, didn’t you?” Zack clapped his apprentice on the back, still grinning. “All I can say is it’s about time! Here I’d thought you were going to sound like a girl the rest of your life. And hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to gain a couple more inches along with it, so you’re not stuck being so short. I mean, topping off at 5’3”? It’s not exactly intimidating.”
Cloud just glared daggers at him, not trusting his voice not to betray him again.
“Anyway, see you later, Reno. Come on, Cloud; Paul said he wanted to talk to you before we go out.”
Reno waved lazily at the retreating figures. I’ll have to see what I can find on the kid; for a SOLDIER cadet, he’s way too interesting in all sorts of Turkish ways to leave alone. His grin widened. If nothing else, following him should be a lot of fun.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Zack, do the words target practice mean anything to you?” Cloud growled, praying his voice would hold.
“But Cloud, it’s so cute…” Zack dodged the pencil thrown his way. “Our little late bloomer is finally growing up… I’m so proud…”
“Shut up! It’s not funny!”
Vincent shook his head, glad to be hidden from both of the younger men’s view. Cloud was beginning to look more than slightly homicidal. Sinclair was lucky to have enhanced reflexes — and that Cloud didn’t have a gun on him. Knowing his apprentice, he’d aim for where the SOLDIER would end up after dodging…
The former Turk studied his student, forcing himself to look at the youth completely impartially. It was hard to reconcile this well-trained young man with the curious child who had found him in the basement of the ShinRa Mansion over a decade ago.
Suddenly Vincent felt very old.
It’s summer. In a little over a month, Cloud will be eighteen. A completely legal adult. Cloud would be able to make his own decisions without having to obtain written permission from his mother, including signing the papers for SOLDIER — and agreeing to the twenty-year required service contract. Not that many of the SOLDIERs lasted that long, due to the risks of their line of work, and even if they were lucky enough to survive they often stuck with the outfit anyway. His research showed that those with Mako eyes were rarely welcomed back into civilian society, and few had survived more than a few months after going freelance.
And that was for those who didn’t suffer complications from the treatments…
Vincent hadn’t realized how little time his apprentice had left. Too soon, Cloud would follow in his own footsteps and sell himself into the company that had destroyed Vincent’s life, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop it. If it meant risking a dream so close to fruition, Cloud would hardly follow his advice…
At least Cloud had strong, well-placed supporters, Vincent reminded himself. Sinclair would clearly take on Hades himself to help his friend, and it was likely Sephiroth would provide some assistance as well, when the circumstances allowed it. Several of Sinclair’s friends also seemed interested in helping Cloud learn what he could so he could be a better SOLDIER. There was no doubt in Vincent’s mind that Cloud would be one of the best, between his natural talent and his extensive training.
Not for the first time, Vincent was aware of time slipping through his fingers. He had been compiling a case against Hojo, trying to find a way to legally get the professor dismissed, so that when the time came there would be fewer risks associated with the hit — ::and since when have you cared about that?:: Chaos broke in caustically, but Vincent ignored him and the demon said nothing more, apparently bored by his host’s brooding.
He knew it was stupidly optimistic, but a long-buried part of him had also held on to the faint hope that if Hojo were dismissed before Vincent killed him, the company might actually step in to quash the inevitable jockeying for power and appoint a successor who was at least slightly more ethical. It seemed, however, that he had missed a great many things while poring over computer files, sneaking around the city, and attempting to break into some of the lower-security labs.
So much has changed…
Midgar itself had both grown and become more stagnant. ShinRa — the President hadn’t even had a wife when Vincent had left for Nibelheim, and now he had a son only a year older than Cloud. The members of the board had changed — Hojo had replaced Gast, old Heidegger had finally gotten the promotion he’d seen as his just reward after Fort Condor, and though Vincent vaguely recalled the head of the Department of Aeronautics or whatever they were calling it these days, he didn’t recognize the earnest head of Urban Development or the bold woman chairing Weapons R&D. SOLDIER had rapidly grown in strength and popularity with Sephiroth as its leader…
Undoubtedly the Turks had changed as well, though Vincent had done his best to completely avoid any association with them, staying far away from both their files and their part of the compound. They were the ones who’d most likely recognize him if they saw him, since the outfit was one of the few that’d have access to his file, and he wasn’t in any hurry to be detained by them for whatever sort of questioning… or to find how many of his former comrades had finally been caught up to by Death.
Had it happened to his partner as well?
“Vincent?” Cloud stopped next to his hiding place. “Are you all right?”
The sharpshooter inclined his head. “I will be fine, Cloud. Go with Sinclair.”
Cloud hovered for a moment, uncertain, and then did as his mentor asked, following the SOLDIER First to the train station for their trip below the Plate. Vincent watched him go thoughtfully. The child truly had grown into an individual he couldn’t help taking pride in. If things had been different… if things had been different, he certainly wouldn’t have minded having Cloud as his partner out in the field.
Ah, Veld. Just what would you think of me now, if you knew…?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cloud quickly opened the door, a stack of papers grasped firmly in his other hand, and slipped into the dark room. He put the files on the coffee table and glanced around. Sephiroth’s quarters never ceased to interest him, if for no reason other than the hints they showed of the General’s true personality and interests, completely unlike the impassive front he presented to the world.
One window was slightly ajar, allowing a light breeze to brush the silvery windchime in the corner, sending a quiet chaotic music into the air. Cloud smiled briefly, pleased. At least it seemed like his gift had been well received…
“He enjoys it more than I think he realized he would.”
“Hello, Vincent,” Cloud returned, glancing at the man in the shadows. “I’m glad. He’s a tough person to buy for.” Another thing the pair had in common, though thinking about it Cloud realized he didn’t even know when Vincent’s birthday was. Should look into that. His first mentor probably wouldn’t tell him, but Cloud would consider it a perfectly acceptable use of his hacking skills to find out, even if Vincent would likely disagree. Whether or not he would tell Zack about it would be another thing entirely.
…though it might be entertaining to see what sort of ridiculous extravagance the SOLDIER could come up with to celebrate Vincent’s birthday…
“What are you doing here?” Vincent asked, interrupting his thoughts. They had agreed to minimize the times Cloud came to Sephiroth’s apartment, particularly unaccompanied by Zack, since it would undoubtedly raise suspicions.
“I came to talk to you,” Cloud replied. “Don’t worry. Zack ‘sent me up with some papers’ so I’m officially here on business. He’s gotten a reputation for making me do his grunt work, and occasionally it comes in handy.”
“I see,” was all the former Turk said, and that look in his eyes was the only opening Cloud was going to get, so he took it.
“What was bothering you earlier? And don’t tell me nothing was wrong. I could tell that much.”
Vincent silently cursed Sinclair to the darkest depths of the Crater. The boy had never been this perceptive before… “That is none of your concern.”
“Yeah, right.” Cloud shook his head stubbornly. “You’ve looked after me for years, Vincent, and that comes with certain consequences. If you need someone to talk to, I’m willing to listen… especially since you seem like you won’t talk to anyone else.”
The pair engaged in a silent glaring match; Cloud won. “I was merely contemplating the passage of time; it’s something quite common for one my age. Pay it no mind.” The Turk sank further into the darkness of the room… not that that made much difference, since Cloud could sense exactly where he was.
The blond bit down on the question trying to escape him; asking Vincent how old he really was would not get him the answers he wanted. Besides, he could find that out on his own. “Any particular reason why?”
“You are almost an adult, Cloud, and are moving beyond my tutorship.” A rustling sound as Vincent pulled his cloak closer. “There will be… certain changes coming. I was merely preparing for them.”
“Moving beyond your tutorship?” Cloud scoffed. “Yeah, right! I bet I could spend the rest of my life learning from you. And besides, even if you do stop being my teacher someday, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a place for you. You’re my friend too, Vincent. More than that, you were my first friend.” And you’re the only father I can really remember. How could I ever let you go?
“That is… encouraging, Cloud,” Vincent replied slowly. “Thank you.”
Cloud grinned. “As much as I hate to sound like Zack, it might be a good idea for you to try to socialize a little more. I know you can’t really go out on the town as it were, but you could at least talk to General Sephiroth some. Considering everything you’ve told me, you should have at least some things in common.”
“Sephiroth is… not exactly an easy person to talk to.”
Cloud shot him a look that spoke volumes. And you are? The beep of a digital clock striking the hour reminded him how late he was, and so he said instead, “I better go, before someone thinks I’m vandalizing the General’s room or something. Try not to brood too much!”
Vincent shook his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he watched his apprentice go. He wasn’t sure what he had done in life to deserve such a pupil, but he was glad to have Cloud just the same.
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