“That sounds nice.” Sephiroth said in a dreamy voice. He’d never experienced anything like that before, until Genesis and Angeal had joined the SOLDIER program he’d never had anyone be ‘nice’ to him before. Respectful sure, but not genuinely nice.

 

Zack grinned at her, “Then it’s not so far fetched that I dream about all my favorite foods suddenly coming to life and trying to eat me, right? I mean it’s not really logical or anything... but fear generally isn’t.”

 

Angeal just shook his head and laid back down, he wasn’t going to get into that right now... his snark-o-meter would go through the roof and he could permanently damage his Puppy’s psyche.

 

Xeria shakes her head, “No, fear is weird and irrational. It doesn’t have to make any kind of sense.” She replies hoping to help him feel a bit better. After all they’ve helped her feel better after her shot, returning the favor is the least she could do.

 

She looks to Sephiroth and asks, “Why don’t you tell a story now? If you’d like to that is.”

 

Sephiroth looked over at her a queer look on his face, “I don’t really know any stories. And I doubt I’ve the capacity to create one out of thin air. I was raised within these walls and I know nothing else. ShinRa and Midgar aren’t exactly the best story fodder.” He shook his head sadly, “Perhaps some other time, after I’ve some time to practice?”

 

Angeal reached over and patted Sephiroth’s shoulder, “You’ll get the hang of normal life eventually.”

 

Zack hid his snort in a pillow and so missed the glare his General had leveled at Angeal moving to him.

 

Xeria nods in understanding. “Alright. I look forward to hearing any stories you’re able to come up with. For now, how about telling about a mission you went on? Maybe one that was especially difficult or fun,” she suggests.

 

She doesn’t want him feel left out for not being able to have a story so she suggests something he can do instead.

 

Sephiroth seemed to stutter without making sound and cleared his throat before speaking again. “I’m not sure how a mission could be fun. But a difficult one? Hmmm.”

 

Angeal and Zack got comfortable on the floor while the General thought about which mission to talk about.

 

“Alright, my last mission to Mt. Nibel was interesting. I was sent in to take care of the exploding Dragon population. It turned out that there were so many because the Mako Reactor there was producing a heat zone within the mountain that was the perfect temperature for their eggs to hatch. Usually the snows up there are so cold that the eggs lie dormant for years until there’s finally a summer warm enough to hatch them. I lost three men on that trip.” He frowned, “But one of the baby dragons imprinted on me and followed me everywhere!” He chuckled at the memory. “I wonder if he’s still there. I kind of hope that he is.” He ducked his head a slight blush staining his white cheeks, “That wasn’t exactly a story though. Sorry.”

 

Xeria listens enraptured by him talking about his mission. She laughs at hearing a baby dragon imprinted on him. “Really? They thought you were their mama? That’s so adorable. You should go back at some point and see. I’d love to go with you. I really want to travel. That’s one of the big reasons I joined SOLDIER because I wanted the chance to travel to tons of different locations. I’ve heard the wolves in Nibelheim are wonderful majestic creatures. I’d love to see them.”

 

“Well you’ll certainly travel a lot once you get to 2nd Class. And being Genesis’ mentee you’ll probably travel around a lot as a 3rd just going with him.” Sephiroth stated.

 

Angeal nodded, “Yeah, this Pup’s been to more places than most of the 2nd’s because he is my mentee and therefore, if I think it’s safe enough, I take him along on my own missions.”

 

“From what Cloud has said the wolves are majestic... you just don’t want to go near them. They’ll perceive you as a threat and attack you if you try to get too close. Him and his mother are constantly treating people for wolf attacks.” Zack tossed in.

 

“Well I can’t wait. Ever since I was a small child I’ve wanted to see more of the world. Now I’ll finally get the chance to. I know Genesis wanted to bring me along on this mission but once he got the full mission brief, he determined it was far too dangerous for me at the level I am.” She explains.

 

“I would love to see them one day even if only at a distance. Wolves are such beautiful and majestic creatures. They're powerful and fierce but also amazingly loyal.”

 

All three men smiled at her in complete understanding, “I’m sure you’ll be wandering the globe before you know it.”

 

“Zack... how could she do so without knowing?” Sephiroth was confused.

 

Angeal burst out laughing, “It’s a figure of speech Seph, it means she’ll get there soon then she thinks she might.”

 

“Oh~. That makes more sense then.”

 

Xeria laughs along, amused by Seph’s cluelessness about the figure of speech. “I guess the rumor about you not being so great at stuff like that is true?”

 

Sephiroth looked over at her again, “Oh most definitely. Professor Hojo, who I’m sure everyone has already told you to avoid at all costs?” He paused for confirmation and then continued at Angeal’s nod. “He’s my father. My mother disappeared shortly after I was born and Hojo has spent the vast majority of my life trying to make me believe that Jenova is my mother.”

​

He scoffed, “However, as General I’m allowed privileged access to personnel files. Jenova seems to be some kind of project that started the SOLDIER program and every injection we are given a larger dose of its cells.” He shook his head, “So I wasn’t really brought up as a ‘son’ but as an experiment and normal human interaction isn’t something I started learning about until I met Genesis and Angeal.”

 

Xeria is horrified at hearing how Sephiroth was raised and it clearly shows on her face. “That’s barbaric. No child should ever be raised like that. This Hojo man deserves to die horribly. I am so sorry you had to suffer such an upbringing. I am glad you met Angeal and Genesis though. At least you now have friends and people who care about you.”

 

“Besides, I somewhat understand not being able to do human interaction well. For a while when I was small, I played only with the wolf pack in the woods and thus didn’t interact with children my own age very well. I ended up picking up some wolf mannerisms like sniffing a new person and being wary of outsiders. Thus I was a bit of an outcast. I had my older brother and his friends though. They didn’t mind my odd behavior and always let me play with them. I still have some of my more wolfish ways though. I still have a heightened sense of smell and don’t ever fully trust someone until I can observe their scent. I’m much better at doing it more discreetly now.”

 

“For example, I’ve smelled all of you and I trust you all. Angeal, you smell of plants and soil and tea leaves. Zack has a more exuberant smell. He’s more like pine needles and firecrackers. Genesis smells of a bonfire and the pages of a well loved book and worn leather. Sephiroth’s was probably the trickiest, most likely because you just returned from a mission, but you smell of mint, and like the grass in the morning when it’s still all dewy and a gentle summer breeze. Your smells are very unique as everyone's is but they let me know you’re trustworthy.”

 

Smells? She associates people with the way they smell? Sephiroth’s mind ground to a halt, he did that too... and he got exactly the same smells off of his friends. Already knowing his friends’ smells is how he was able to determine hers so easily. A deep earthy smell and ironically... of fur. He simply nodded his head at her, he didn’t associate trustworthiness with smells in anyway, but if the ability was a comfort to her, more power to her.

 

The two black haired men gave her strange looks but didn’t comment... well at least Zack refrained from making some weird comment.

 

“I’m glad you can find us trustworthy after such a short time.” Angeal smiled gently at her, his Mako inspired rage finally seeming to ease.

 

Xeria smiles, glad that they don’t find her too weird for her habit. She would hate to lose their friendship after only just bonding with them because of something like this.

 

“I doubt I could ever find you three untrustworthy even without your smells. Even before we met, Genesis told me much about you. I could tell from how he spoke of you that you all have his complete trust and I can tell he’s not someone who gives his trust easily.” She tells them.

 

“You’re right there.” Angeal said, “He’s generally surly and grouchy around everyone. It takes him a long time to so much as like people, let alone be nice to them or trust them.”

 

“Heh,” Zack smirked, “You could say it’s a very big ‘honor’.”

 

Sephiroth hit him with a pillow, “Don’t make fun of ‘Geal or I’ll use my rank as General to override him so that I can trounce you in sword fighting.”

 

Xeria laughs at their antics. It’s hilarious watching them squabble jokingly with one another. She’s really glad that they were willing to allow her into their close knit friends circle.

 

“Oh, that reminds me, Now that you’ve returned you can have some of that cake I made for you guys last night and we can introduce you to Cloud,” She says, recalling their plans to try and get Sephiroth to take Cloud on as a student.

 

Sephiroth looked up at her from glaring at Zack, “Who or what is Cloud?”

 

Angeal snorted before he could help it and covered his face as a blush crept up his cheeks. Zack gave the older man a strange look before answering the General. “He’s a Cadet. I think he’s got a lot of talent, but his instructors don’t. They keep wanting to send him to Infantry.”

 

“Ahh, so you would have me join the Mentor Program would you?” Sephiroth looked over at a now calm Angeal with a raised brow.

 

Angeal shrugged, “You know me, I’m always trying to get you and Gen in it. And now Gen is...”

 

Sephiroth nodded his head, “I’ll meet the boy at least. But if I don’t think he can do it with proper care,” He gave Zack a pointed look, “Then I will recommend that he be sent to Infantry training.”

 

Zack pouted but nodded his head, he knew the General didn’t have time to waste on pursuits that weren’t actually worth his time. But he was so sure that Cloud would be worth it.

 

Xeria beams. She knows Sephiroth will see Cloud’s potential. He has so much of it. He just needs more one on one instruction that the instructors can’t give him. Having a mentor would be perfect for him.

 

“I know you’ll like Cloud. He joined the Cadets a little bit before I made Third so I got the chance to get to know him. He’s a great kid and he has a whole ton of potential to become a really excellent fighter. The only drawback is he needs more one on one instruction to help bring out his potential plus I think he’s more suited to a fighting style like what you and Genesis use rather than the broadsword techniques that they teach all the Cadets. With the large number of Cadets, the instructors can’t afford to give him the one on one time he needs to really flourish. If he could get a mentor it would be perfect for him,” Xeria explains.

 

“Aside from that he’s really nice. We both came from cold, backwater mountain towns so we had a lot in common to talk about and he’s super polite and nice. I think you would like him a lot even if you don’t take him on as a student.”

 

Suddenly she gets an idea and beams. “Why don’t we invite Cloud over tonight! I think I’ll be okay to leave the fort if we keep the lights off and use candles so we all won’t have to squeeze in here. Plus I can make that cake I made you guys the other day since you wanted Sephiroth to get to try it. It’s the perfect chance for me and Zack to introduce you guys to him.”

 

“Hell yeah!” Zack was all over this plan! “Chocobo-head is awesome! He’s a bit shy and on the smallish side but like Xeria said, he’s got the potential to go far. I thought it would be perfect if you could mentor him General. He doesn’t talk a lot like I do, so he wouldn’t annoy you, and he’s a great listener!”

 

Angeal shook his head at his student, if the boy had a tail he would be wagging it. “I certainly don’t mind having the Cadet over. You’ll have to go get him Zack, or maybe even Sephiroth, since Cadets have a curfew. I’d go... but I’m still trying rather hard not to be an ass.”

 

Sephiroth rolled his green eyes at all of them, “All this excitement and I just wanna sleep!” He chuckled, “You’ve got a point though. If Zack will come with me so I know who I’m grabbing, I’ll go and retrieve the boy. He’ll need permission to be out of the barracks and or classes anyway.”

 

Zack rolled up into a crouch and started bouncing on his feet, “No problem, I’ll totally go with you!”

 

Sephiroth rolled his eyes again but grinned at the younger man, “We aren’t going to get him this second Fair. It’s only just after lunch time after all. And I want a nap.”

 

Zack deflated and sank back into his lounging position but the grin remained on his face.

 

Xeria beams at hearing they’ll have Cloud over for dinner. She laughs at Zack’s deflation. “Well why don’t you go take that nap. I should see if I can leave the fort without my eyes killing me. We might have to keep all the shades closed and use candles for light. I hope none of you mind that.”

 

Angeal chuckled, “That’s alright. Most of us have pretty sensitive eyes anyway. And if Cloud ends up needing more light we can simply find more candles.”

 

“Mmmmh, I’m stealing your bed old man.” Sephiroth wriggled his way out of the fort and closed himself up in Angeal’s room without further comment.

 

Zack snorted, “That man is so odd sometimes. I mean, you’re what? A year older than him?”

 

“Shut up Pup.” Angeal hit his mentee with a pillow and grinned over at Xeria, “It’s up to you how fast or slow you’d like to see if you can adjust. For now, we’ll send Zack out to get the ingredients you need for that cake and anything I’ll still need for dinner. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” He picked up his and Sephiroth’s tea cups before heading for the kitchen.

 

Xeria nods. She asks Zack to close all the shutters in the apartment and put up some candles so she can test her eyes. Once he’s done, she comes out of the fort, wearing the shades he lent her just in case. She’s pleasantly surprised that her head doesn’t hurt from the low light of the candles. She then writes Zack a list of ingredients to fetch from her and Genesis’ apartment for the cake.

 

Meanwhile Angeal was in the kitchen checking the food stores for what he wanted to make for dinner. Luckily they seemed to be missing only what he wanted for a side dish so he got started on seasoning the steaks. Once Xeria’s list was done he added green beans to it and loaned the Puppy his own shades as he’d be going outside and would need them.

 

“You have a key for me to use to get into Gen’s place Xeria? Or should I borrow ‘Geal’s?” Zack asked as he looked over the list in his hand.

 

“Oh yeah, I nearly forgot. Here,” she says tossing him her key ring which is heavy with a lot of charms. She likes collecting them. She then heads to the kitchen and watches Angeal season the steaks.

 

“Thanks again for letting me stay with you while I’m recovering from my shots,” she says.

 

Zack caught the key ring with a grin and headed out the door with his lists. He was hoping he’d be back before the General woke up from his nap. He walked down the street looking at the different charms on Xeria’s key ring, he had already decided that he would hit up Gen’s place after getting the groceries Angeal needed. Thankfully the market wasn’t that far from where the older man lived. Which Zack was sure Hewley had done on purpose with how much cooking he did.

 

Angeal turned his head and smiled at Xeria, “It’s not a problem. I’m glad your first injection hasn’t been so terribly bad.”

 

Xeria nods in agreement. “Yeah I’m glad they weren’t worse. I’ve heard horror stories from some of the third class soldiers about how nasty things can get. I’m glad i just got a bit paranoid and some light sensitivity.” She replies.

 

Angeal smiled as he put the steaks in the refrigerator to set, “Yes, and I’m sure a lot of them are highly exaggerated. A lot of the 3rd Class SOLDIERs enjoy scaring new recruits. Though we try our best to keep them too busy to do so.” He shook his head, that kind of attitude was something he just couldn’t understand. He started on the dishes that had been used that day. He wanted to make sure they would have clean everything they would need to make dinner and dessert. “And while the light sensitivity sucks, the paranoia is probably a good thing. The more aware you are that an attack could come from anywhere the more likely you are to be ready to meet it if and when it does.”

 

“Well it’s not so much an attack I was afraid of. To be honest, I felt like a lost wolf pup cowering in an unfamiliar corner of the forest. Besides I was safe with you and Zack. I shouldn’t have felt frightened around you guys. You’re my friends.” Xeria replies stepping up to dry the plates as he washes them so she has something to do with her hands since she’s still a tad fidgety.

 

Angeal smiled at her, “Don’t worry about it. When I got my first injection as a 1st Class I was terrified of Genesis of all people. I’ve known him my whole life. But everything he did scared the crap out of me. Sephiroth says I had a very long conversation with him about how I was convinced that Genesis was going to kill me in my sleep. I, however, do not remember this.” He chuckled, “My point is that anything can happen from them. And no one knows what their own reactions will be, let alone someone else's.”