“She even gave me a bigger piece!” Zack exclaimed before jumping from his chair and hugging Xeria in a quick burst of movement. Then he settled back down and began to eat it, closing his eyes and slumping to set his chin on the table fork sticking out of his mouth still, a blissful smile crossing his face.

 

Angeal chuckled and shook his head before taking his own bite. A blissful expression of his own appearing he closed his eyes and savored the sugary goodness. “Seph is gonna be sad he missed out on this. This is wonderful Xeria, thank you.” Angeal told her, finally opening his eyes to look across the table at her.

 

Xeria laughs at Zack’s expression. Genesis’ is equally blissful when he takes his first bite. “You’re right 'Geal. He’s really gonna regret missing this.”

 

“I can save him a piece or make it again when he returns from his mission if you think he’d like it.” Xeria tells them.

 

Angeal smiled at her, “I think he would love it. Though, I’m not sure when he will be back. Actually, since you seem to know this Cadet as well. Do you think it would be beneficial if we asked Sephiroth to be, what was his name again? Cloud? Anyway, if Seph would be his mentor?”

 

Angeal had been thinking about what they had said earlier about how the program was set up. That it was more of a failure than he’d thought. And if the Instructors were more willing to foist Cadets off to be Infantry than they were to train them like they were supposed to. Then Angeal was going to overhaul the damned program and replace Instructors. It wouldn’t do any good to have people teaching when they didn’t want to be.

 

“Well then I’ll make some more when he returns. And maybe we can invite the Cadet over. His name is Cloud Strife. He’s such a sweet guy. I really hope that the General agrees to take him on because he has so much potential but the instructors don’t have time to give him the one on one instruction he needs,” she tells them.

 

Once everyone is done their cake Xeria stands up. “Anyone want coffee or anything? I’m going to start cleaning up so you guys can go sit in the living room. I’ll join you when I have everything in the kitchen.”

 

Angeal nodded, it would seem it was time to finally convince Sephiroth to take on training a Cadet. Hopefully now that Genesis had done so it would be easier to do. He hoped so at least. He smiled at her and rose from his seat to help clear the table. Then he set himself up to put leftovers in the fridge and help with washing the dishes. “As I said before, I’ll help with the cleaning. And I won’t be brushed aside this time.”

 

Zack bounced his way over to the couch and flipped on the television. He sat there flipping through channels trying to find something good to watch.

 

Xeria smiles. “Thanks, Angeal. I appreciate it. There’s not too much washing since I washed stuff as I used it. I found it makes cleaning up a whole lot easier at the end.” She tells him.

 

She lets her mind wander as she washes up, thinking about the blonde Cadet. He’s a good kid and she looks forward to getting to introduce him to Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth even if she’s super nervous about meeting the General herself.

 

Angeal nodded, “So it does.”

 

He set himself to drying the dishes and putting them away as Xeria washed them. Once they were finished he turned to her and asked, “So, you have anything else planned for ‘making a good impression’?”

 

He couldn’t help teasing her a bit, though he hoped he didn’t make her too flustered.

 

Xeria blushes at his question and scratches the back of her neck. Not really. There’s not much else I’m good at besides cooking and Materia,“ she tells him.

 

"That is a blatant lie. You are a very talented young lady, Xeria. You can play the violin like a pro and you can apparently play that odd piano instrument with two sets of keys that I can’t remember the name to. Not to mention your excellent at making things with your hands and you write your own music,” Genesis butts in.

 

Xeria blushes and groans. “Genesis, stop. I’m not that talented. Knowing how to play an instrument isn’t that crazy and I just know how to carve things. It’s not like that’s anything impressive.”

 

Angeal smiled at the blushing girl and then looked over to his best friend, “All that huh? Makes me and Zack look like a couple of lazy bums.”

 

“Hey! That’s not fair. I can do things other than fight with a sword, use Materia and be hyper!” Zack yelled from his place on the couch.

 

“Oh? Like what, fall through ceilings and making young girls go on dates with you?” Angeal snickered before turning back to Xeria, “I would love to hear you play some time. I enjoy music the way Genesis enjoys Loveless.”

 

“Yeah, like an old man who has nothing better to do with his spare time.” Zack grumbled from the couch.

 

Xeria chuckles at Zack’s reaction. “I would be happy to play for you sometime. Perhaps I can get my violin out and play for you.”

 

“It’s not really impressive anyway. My village was a very musical place. The winters got very cold, and sometimes when the storms were bad, we’d gather in the town hall and play music together and have a party to last the night together.”

 

Angeal smiled, “That sounds like fun. The closest we ever got to something like a party was throwing apples at each other.” He chuckled at the memory.

 

Zack bounced around on the couch until his chin was resting on the back and he was watching them, an excited grin on his face. “I wanna hear you play! I wanna hear you play!”

 

“Well it was partly to help keep the kids calm since some were afraid of the storms and partially to keep everyone safe since it wasn’t uncommon for mountain lions and bears come closer to town. There is a pack of wolves that keep my family's house and are safe and somewhat the rest of the town too but it's still safer to have everyone gathered together.” She explains.

 

She laughs at Zack’s antics as she dries and puts away the last plate. “Alright alright. I’ll go get my Violin. I can wash the counter and sink later Angeal. Thanks for your help with the dishes though. You can wait with Zack and Gen in the other room.” She tells him as she goes to the other room.

 

Zack looks at Genesis. “You let her call you Gen? It took me four months before i could call you Gen without getting fireballed.”

 

Angeal just shook his head and continued cleaning the kitchen listening as Zack whined to Genesis.

 

Genesis chuckled, “She’s special, you’re just an annoying puppy.”

 

Zack pouted, “Meanie.”

 

“Oh? Would the Puppy like to be fireballed again? I can certainly arrange it.” His palm lit up with an orange glow.

 

“Nonononononono, that’s okay!” Zack ducked into the couch quickly trying to hide from the redhead.

 

Xeria soon returns with an old well worn violin case. She sets it down on the coffee table and opens it, taking out an old but beautiful violin.

 

She takes a few minutes to make sure it’s properly tuned before asking. “Do either of you have any requests?”

 

“No requests really. How about you play your favorite song?” Angeal suggested and Zack nodded his head in eager agreement. Angeal was in awe with how well taken care of the instrument seemed to be, she obviously cared for it a lot.

 

“Hmm let me think. Oh I've got one. It's from Anastasia called Once Upon a December.” She says before positioning herself and beginning to play. It’s a beautiful song and it’s played with a skill that shows just how much time and effort she’s put into practicing her violin.

 

Angeal sat on the loveseat in Genesis’ living room as Xeria got ready and listened attentively as she played. It was a beautiful piece and had him closing his eyes and relaxing into the cushions with a soft smile on his face. Even Zack settled down, turning the t.v. off in order to listen to her play.

 

She hums along and after a moment sings the lyrics as she plays the tune. It's one of her favorites and she can play it with her eyes closed. She ends up doing just that as she gets lost in playing the song.

 

All three men sat enthralled and didn’t even notice when the song ended, content to stay where they were and relax. Angeal’s active mind wandered trying to remember the last time he had felt so relaxed, it ultimately failed to recall such a time however.

 

Zack had fallen asleep to the soothing music his arms dangling over the back of the couch his head laid across it. Genesis sat elegantly in a chair a soft smile on his face, his eyes unfocused as he let his mind drift.

 

Xeria smiles and lets out a small laugh when she finishes and sees that they’re so relaxed and Zack has fallen asleep. Genesis opens his eyes and smiles at her when he hears her giggle.

 

“Wow, Xeria. You had told me you played Violin but I never knew you could play so well.” He says.

 

Xeria blushes and replies, “I’m not that great. Anyone can play so long as they practice enough.”

 

“Don’t undermine yourself.” Angeal’s voice came out a bit gruffly. “Just accept the compliment for what it is. You play wonderfully. And I’m certain that even if I practiced forever, I’d never play that well.”

 

Genesis snorted, “Only because you’re tone deaf.” He looked back at Xeria, “Never ask him to sing. Just don’t.”

 

Angeal pouted in his seat, with puppy dog eyes and a quivering lower lip, as he gazed at his best friend. “You don’t need to be mean Gen.”

 

Xeria laughs at their exchange. “I’m sure you’re not that terrible, Angeal. Now, how about I play a another. You guys have any requests?” She asks smiling.

 

She feels so much more relaxed now than she was when they first got there. Angeal is such a kind man and Zack is so nice that it’s impossible for her to be nervous anymore.

 

She’s glad that Genesis introduced her to them. She can’t wait to get to know them both better.

 

“I still haven’t any requests.” Angeal stated before covering a huge yawn. He grinned over at his Puppy as the boy let out a light snore. “Though we should probably get out of your hair. I’m sure all of us could do with a good night’s sleep.”

 

“Alright. I’ll put my violin away then.” She says quickly and carefully packing it up in a way that shows just how much care she has for the object. She smiles at Zack’s light snoring and chuckles. “Okay, it was really lovely meeting you both. I look forward to getting to know you both better.”

 

“I as well.” Angeal responded before hefting himself out of his seat and walking over the smack Zack lightly on the arm. “Time to go sleepy-head.”

 

Zack snorted and jerked his head up as he was smacked, “Huh, wha~?” He looked around the room for a moment before registering where he was, then looked up at Angeal. “Huh?”

 

“It’s time to go.”

 

“Oh, okay.” They kid got up from the couch and went to shake hands with Genesis and then Xeria, ever overly polite when he was half asleep.

 

Xeria can't help but laugh at Zack’s half asleep actions. “After training tomorrow you can come over and have more of the cake if you’d like. There’s too much left for Genesis and me to finish on our own.” She tells him.

 

“Ah that reminds me,” Genesis says, “Angeal I've been called for a week long mission in Kalm next week and Xeria isn’t a high enough rank to join me yet. I was hoping you could take over her training while I'm gone. If it's not too much to ask.”

 

“Not a problem. Let me know what your schedule looks like, and I’ll help where I can.” Angeal smiled at his best friend and his new mentee.

 

“Night guys.” Zack said stretching before having to cover a huge yawn with his hands as he headed for the door.

 

Angeal chuckled, “Here, I’ll give you PHS number so you can get a hold of me. And my office is always open.” He said to Xeria while he moved over to a writing desk against one wall and pulled out a slip of paper and something to write with.

 

“Alright. I’ll stop by your office after training so we can discuss it,” Genesis Replies.

 

Xeria is surprised at him leaving her his number. She smiles though and says, “Thank you, Angeal. I’ll keep that in mind and do my best not to overuse it.”

 

They both wave goodbye as he and Zack leave. The next day, true to his word, Genesis knocks on Angeal’s door early afternoon. He walks in without waiting for an answer and say, “So, about you training Xeria while I’m away. You wouldn’t have to do too much just keep an eye on her and make sure her form is good and she’s pacing herself properly when using Materia. She tends to use up her Mana too quickly.”

 

Angeal looked up at the knock on his door groggily, he was tired, he had walked Zack home and then found his way to his own bed. But if felt like only a few seconds had passed before his alarm was getting him up. Then he had come into work to find several massive piles of reports on his desk, he still had one left and he had yet to take a break to eat anything. His energy was at an all time low. Seeing Genesis he smiled though, the man launching into speech before even fully entering the room.

 

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t overtax herself.” Angeal said gently as his brain finally focused and he understood what Genesis was telling him.

 

Genesis realizes how exhausted and weary Angeal is as soon as the other responds. He sighs, a small knowing smile on his lips as he tells Angeal, “Well we have to make sure you don’t over exert yourself. How long has it been since you took a break or have eaten? Come on, I’m about to go get some food for me and Xeria tonight and you are coming with me. Don’t think you can get out of it either. You’re coming with me mister.”

 

Angeal smiled tiredly up at him from his seat, “Sounds good. I haven’t had anything but the coffee I drank before I came in. Not the best of role models today I’m afraid.”

 

He gave a huge yawn that he covered with a hand and an embarrassed wince, then stood up and moved around his desk to join Genesis. As his mind slowly shifted from work-mode he realized that his stomach was being quite vocal and he blushed.

 

Genesis gives a quiet chuckle at Angeal’s yawn and his stomach growling, trust his friend to forget to eat when he gets wrapped up in work. “We can discuss Xeria’s training on the way to the restaurant,” he says as he hooks his arm with his friend’s and leads him out of the office.

 

“So, I’ve been training Xeria in how to use a smaller blade than a broadsword, since she’s much better suited to a fighting style like Mine or Sephiroth’s than the typical broadsword centered style that SOLDIERs are usually taught and what you’re teaching Zack. She’s also learning to pace herself and build up her inner Mana reservoir. She’s been working with the usual attack Materia first. I want to build up her Mana with those first before having her work with the more defensive or healing Materia,” He tells Angeal as they make their way towards the restaurant.

 

Angeal grins at his friend and allows himself to be led away arm-in-arm. “Alright, while I’m not sure how much help I can be with the sword side, other than being an opponent, I can certainly help her with the Mana build up. I should work on my own anyway.” He mentally winced as he recalled how quickly his own well would run out in practice matches against Sephiroth or Genesis. “What restaurant are we going to?”

 

“That’s fine. I was going to ask if we could have her spare with you or Zack sometime soon anyway. She needs to become adjusted to fighting against enemies with different fighting styles than her own. So having her spare with you will be good practice for her.” He replies. At Angeal’s question he replies, “A Wutain place under the plate. Sephiroth apparently found it while hiding out from some of his more rabid fans and the food is apparently very good.”

 

“I’m sure Zack would have no problem sparing with her whenever she would like.” Angeal perked up at hearing they were going for Wutain food, it was his favorite. “Wutain food is good.”