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year 5, quarter 3
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Sorry if Mathias is a BIT MUCH, I had fun with him xD
The sound of shuffling sand grew ever closer as the blonde hiked to catch up with Angeal’s strides.
"Caius," the blonde spoke with a comfortable certainty, an almost professional air about him, "I'm a mercenary, been working the job about two years now. Work with a guild in Torensten."
Angeal rose an eyebrow, turning to give Caius a glance with one glowing eye, “A guild, hm? Good to know there’s some regulation to mercenary work in this world.”
The Soldier fell into an easy silence as they made the quick trek into the bustling little sand town. The stands were now set up, their colorful tarps laid out to protect their wares from the sun and the sand. People were beginning to lay out their stock -- some with vegetables and fruits found only in the dry, arid desert, and others with cloth and fibers, weapons and curatives. Many people would wander through the trading post on their way either north or west, giving the people who lived in the hot, arid land a good living.
Briefly, Angeal wondered how long they’d been there. Had their families survived in the desert for generations, living off of the bounty provided by the nearby river? A fertile crescent in an otherwise uninhabitable wasteland. Somehow, despite the adversity, they’d made good everything the desert had to offer to them, from plants and animals to rare materials and minerals. They knew the land, the environment. They were comfortable here.
And many of them were so very kind; a rarity, when the human spirit was faced with such daily harshness.
Angeal led Caius to a stand, giving the man behind the wooden bench a quick wave. Under the beige tarp was a tall, darker skinned man, his wiry black hair pulled back into a bun and his dark eyes shining; a bright smile flashing to his face quickly. He was dressed in a light brown cloak, slightly open in the front to reveal a glimpse of dark, tattooed skin and small, colorful gems hanging from a necklace drawn tightly around his throat.
“Hah, still here with us, eh Angeal? We’re growing on you aren’t we -- you’ll be getting your own home here in no time!” Mathias barked with a laugh, his voice somewhat nasally but quite kind. The merchant turned his gaze to Caius, still beaming, “And you’ve brought a friend this time! Are you here to take care of some pests as well, sir?”
The Soldier smiled, gesturing between the two, “Mathias, this is Caius. He’s a mercenary from Torensten.”
Mathias appeared in awe for a moment, before waving a hand at Caius, “Come, come! Who hired you all the way out here? Mossad? I know he’s been having quite the problems lately -- ah, but that’s a different story. Please, help yourself to a bite to eat and some water before you go out for the day! I’m not expecting customers for another hour or so and -- Angeal, where is your cloak? Here, take this, you are no good to us burned to a crisp!”
Angeal had no moment to get a word in edgewise to protest as a lightweight fabric was thrown over his head. He quickly gathered it up, giving Mathias a quick and quiet thank you as the man began rambling to Caius about the different varieties of treats he had behind his counter. Fresh vegetables and fruits from all around, on top of some hearty nuts and granolas that would be good and filling for the day ahead. Nearby was a tap to fresh water; the merchant’s own, tapped directly into his dwelling behind them. Angeal nodded to Caius, a silent go ahead as he removed his sword from his back in order to pull on his own cloak.
With the two mercenaries settled for the moment, Mathias clapped his hands together eagerly, “Now, Mr. Caius, who hired you all the way out here? I will go and grab them post-haste, so you and Angeal can get to work!”
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
She’d like to see him with more bite, huh? Angeal couldn’t promise it would happen, but he couldn’t deny that it might not, either. He was entering uncharted territory, as it were. He wasn’t completely hopeless at dating, but what he did usually consisted of actual courting and not … open flirtation and charged, friendly jabs. That was more something Genesis was capable of naturally. Maybe Angeal was simply channeling his friend in such an odd moment.
Cissnei slipped out of the bench seat with ease as the Soldier realized they’d have to sit next to each other. Otherwise, she’d be half lying on the table. As the red-head began to roll her blazer off, Angeal squinted in temporary confusion. She neatly tucked her jacket to the side, loosening her collar and tie. Her hands went for her shirt buttons and -- oh. Angeal looked away, thankful his face was flushed enough from the alcohol he’d just pounded in seconds.
“Slide over. It’s easier if we sit next to each other. We’re eating together, not arm wrestling.”
“Lucky for you,” the friendly, little quip left him before he even thought about catching it, glancing over as Cissnei slid into the booth next to him. He caught a peek of pale skin and an exposed collarbone before forcing his glowing gaze back to the table. He really wished another glass of liquor would appear in front of him. Where did that waiter go? The alcohol, of course, wasn’t to make dealing with Cissnei any easier.
It was to keep him loose.
Cissnei slid her fingers down his left arm, and Angeal could swear she was taking her dear, sweet time getting to his hand. Her touch was feather light, almost ticklish, but it was thankfully over as she reached his hand. Their fingers entwined easily, despite the size difference in their hands. Angeal watched with mild curiosity, unconsciously squeezing her fingers very lightly between his own for just a second. Her hand was so small and delicate, nothing like his -- calloused and rough.
They were two very different people, weren’t they? In jobs, in morals maybe, in size and colors. Yet, they were getting along somewhat easily, now that he’d relaxed some, and they could have a good time together. They would. Cissnei had been purposefully vague with what she’d been up to, but the Soldier had a feeling that she could use some time to actually relax as well. Maybe feel a little less lonely.
The coy red-head slid the loop of her tie over their clasped hands, tightening it with the ease that came from wearing one every day. She looped the rest of the loose fabric around their hands and wrists, before neatly tucking what was left away. Angeal tugged very lightly against the restraint, raising an eyebrow at Cissnei. In reality, he could tear through the delicate fabric easily. Something about the situation, though, made his heart skip a beat. Trapped between the wall and the young woman next to him, tied to her.
This was turning out to be a really, really strange night for him.
The waiter came back to the table with a ribbon in his hands, but was shooed away after Cissnei showed off her work. Angeal chuckled as the confused man walked away, too amused to have immediately asked the man to bring them a couple of more drinks as well.
Brown eyes turned to look up at him, “Maybe he should have left us the ribbon. Blindfolding me might have gave the other contestants a shot.”
The Soldier laughed lightly, the sound a deep rumble in his chest as he poked fun at himself, “Really? I think it’s more of a challenge this way. You’ll wink at me, I’ll drop the fork and forget what I’m doing. Maybe they can gain a few extra seconds.”
He was clearly amused and not being serious, unconsciously tapping his left thumb against the back of her hand. There was a little bit of hesitancy crawling in the back of his mind, of course. Worries didn’t easily leave a natural overthinker. This was the first challenge, and though Angeal was a competitive man, how far would they be asking him to go? What else could come next?
Thankfully, the Turk was there to drag him out of his thoughts.
“But now that we are waiting… If we win, I’ll owe you a favor. What do you say?”
“I suppose I should offer up the same thing, hm?” Angeal nudged her lightly with his elbow, giving her a knowing glance, “But, sure. One favor each, as a prize for winning. So long as we aren’t going to get punished for losing.”
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
The blonde man seemed to size Angeal up for a moment, but the Soldier let him take his time to do so. It was likely a little stunning, being approached near dawn by a complete stranger on the bank of a river outside of the closest town for Gaia-knew-how-far. The other man seemed more prepared for the desert heat, as it would only increase throughout the day. A subtle reminder to Angeal that he would have to stop by his dwelling and grab his cloak before the sun got too much higher.
"I'm from Torensten,” the blonde man told him, his voice strong and steady -- definitely used to carrying a fair bit of authority, “The people in this town have enough to deal with without monsters getting too close to the area. I've been hired to take some of them out, and drive the others back."
Angeal cocked his head to the side, his hands going to his hips as the sweat threatened to bead off his forehead and drip down, down, “Torensten, hm? I’ve only ever seen it on a map. Looks like it might be a bit cooler than here, though.”
Whether or not the fellow beast-slayer took to his humor didn’t bother the Soldier. He kept his small, friendly smile visible despite how much he felt like collapsing into the sand and letting life take him away, just for a day.
“Sounds like we’ll be working together, if you’ve been hired to take out monsters,” Angeal motioned toward the settlement with one hand, a touch of relief in his deep tones, “I’ve been here for a week, I think, and there seems to be no shortage of them. Nothing too difficult, just numbers. The same river and fertile land that attracts people here calls to them, too.”
The Soldier turned his eyes to the river for a moment, seeing the farmers upstream tending to their daily activities, a small, thoughtful frown on his face as he studied them, “Finding a balance for living creatures is hard.”
That was just sentimentality talking though, wasn’t it? It took a lot of hard work for people and creatures of all shapes and sizes to coexist. Angeal had a lot of respect for the living creatures of the world; monsters or not. They didn’t know malice, they simply knew instinct. But, until someone figured out the right balance, humans and other animals and monsters would always be in some kind of a war.
That was life.
Turning his attention back to the blonde, Angeal gave the man a nod before continuing, “I’m Angeal Hewley. If you’re ready to leave the river, feel free to follow me into town. There’s a man named Mathias who runs one of the early opening stands -- he’ll be happy to provide you some free refreshments and a bite to eat, knowing you’re here to take out some of the pests."
Assuming the blonde would follow -- who would want to stay in the direct sun any longer than they had to? -- the Soldier put boots to sand and began to follow his memorized path back into the nearby town. He could stop and grab his cloak on the way, at least. No sense in burning to a crisp if he didn’t have to, even if it would heal up overnight.
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
Angeal has found his confidence, but for how long?
Angeal was sure he had scrunched himself as far back as he possibly could into his own space, as much as his body would allow. Like a dog that had misbehaved and was trying desperately, but poorly, to hide. So far he’d only managed to get caught in the Turk’s glances, but he, thankfully, hadn’t made any physical contact with her. Not that it would be an awful thing, no, just that it was rude to do so when--
Something brushed up against his knee. The Soldier’s eyes widened as the minx sitting across from him apologized casually, her eyes turned to the crowd.
There was absolutely no way that act was an accident. Tall and bulky as he was, she would have had to search for his angled leg. That made it all the worse though, didn’t it? Cissnei had been rather suggestive from the moment she’d sat down, but then again, wasn’t this exactly the kind of event one should be behaving in such a way? It was a … a dating scene in a bar. He was the odd one out, shoving himself into a corner, wary of everyone that met his eyes. Angeal swallowed the bitter lump in his throat.
“I’m probably not the pretty face you wanted to see,” Cissnei turned her attention back to him, leaning over the table and into his space, her earthy toned eyes glinting in the light, “Which is why you can’t look at me…”
Oh, great. Now he was an asshole. Angeal immediately pulled a thousand apologies from his mind, sighing as he brought his drink to his lips, taking a thoughtful sip. However, the red-head across from him leaned in further, her body pressing against the table as she stared at him curiously, “Like it or not, you’re stuck with me for a little while. Can you tolerate me just for tonight?”
“I …,” the Soldier sighed, placing his glass back down on the table as the whiskey burned down his throat, spurring him on, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like I don’t want you here. I’m just out of my element, trying to do any of this.”
It was a terrible apology, he thought, his glowing blue eyes meeting Cissnei’s once more, naturally ashamed. He was raised better than this. To be gentlemanly. Maybe she felt just as strange in this setting but was expertly hiding it, as Turks do. Her naturally flirtatious behavior had thrown him for a loop, but he could enjoy himself as well, surely. Not as easily as she did, no, but he could try.
He could try.
“You’re more than a pretty face, and I can certainly do better than only tolerating you. I can promise that much,” Angeal admitted, giving her an honest smile as he forced himself to relax. Relax, he softly reminded himself, She’s not going to bite you. You can have fun here. Stop being so uptight.
A waiter in a nice waistcoat approached the table, appearing very apologetic. Angeal immediately felt the urge to tell him everything was fine, but the gentleman launched into a spiel before he could interrupt. A standard apology, followed by--
“-we entered you into the compatibility event to allow for you to have a more exciting night-”
Asking would have probably been more polite, Hewley mused, watching the man with an amused eyebrow raised. A series of tasks? Well, he did enjoy a healthy competition, and there were likely few-to-none who could go toe-to-toe with a Soldier and a Turk of all people.
“-while one wrist from each person is tied to the other’s-”
Wait, what?
A series of tasks, with the two of them tied together? Angeal’s amusement fell from his face, as he began mouthing a no, no thank you -- but the Turk beat him to the punch, enthusiastically agreeing to the offer. Yes, Soldiers and Turks did work well together, but Angeal was quite sure no Soldier and Turk had ever been tied together and set to perform a series of seemingly romantic tasks! The first task didn’t seem so terrible, having to finish a meal together, but what came next?
… Alright. If that’s the way she wanted the night to go, then he was going to jump into headfirst. It was very unlike him, moreso channeling his rambunctious pupil or his own, younger self, but like any mission, it had to get done.
Angeal took a deep breath, forcing himself to loosen his usual inhibitions. Everything would be fine. He was a grown man, Cissnei was good, albeit overly-friendly, company. If he were lucky, she would crave winning a contest as much as he did. They could have fun along the way. They would have fun, so long as pulled the proverbial stick out of his ass.
It was all in good fun.
“You ought to be more careful,” Angeal nodded to Cissnei, narrowing his eyes slightly as he grabbed his half-filled glass of whiskey. He brought it to his lips, finishing the glass in one measured swallow, before quickly reaching across the table and snagging her glass as well. No time for reactions, the Soldier leaned back and drained her drink as well, the lavender and lemon pairing well with the remnants of his whiskey.
He was going to need more liquor to keep this going, for sure.
Angeal leaned forward slightly, a soft smirk on his strong jaw, “Sometimes good things bite back. But, if you’re so sure you want to do this…”.
He placed his right elbow in the middle of the table, opening his palm to her in a take my hand gesture, “Tie me up.”
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
Angeal had thought he’d potentially made an unfortunate mistake the moment he’d opened his mouth and offered the strange man a spot by his campfire for the evening.
Now, after seeing the guy’s too-wide smile that was clearly nothing genuine or positive, he knew he’d messed up doing what he did best; being too kind to strangers. It’s not like he could help himself, really. He’d been raised to be kind, thoughtful, helpful, patient … But Gaia, did it get him into some of the most troublesome situations. And Genesis wasn’t here to bail him out by upsetting the guest to the point of leaving, despite Angeal’s half-hearted protests.
On the upside, the man seemed delighted by the chance to cook his own fish. The Soldier raised a dark eyebrow in amusement, tossing another piece of slightly-too-charred fish in his mouth to swallow down. The red-head hadn’t proved himself to be much of a chocobo jockey, but maybe he’d be better at roasting a fish over a fire. Hm, maybe he should have offered to filet the thing, first. The stranger’s eyes were practically alight by the campfire, as he thought his process through.
”It’s been a time since I’ve tried. It must be like riding a bike. Though that is what I thought of the chocobo, I suppose. Oh, so many things I’ve forgotten! I’d dare say I’ve lost my touch.”
Angeal gave the man a lopsided smirk, uncertain but friendly enough as he muttered, “Pretty forgetful, huh?”
The strange character searched about the area with his gaze, looking for something in particular he couldn’t seem to put words to. The Soldier watched on curiously, waiting for the man to voice his thoughts or ask a question, but one never came. Instead he exclaimed having to do things himself and --
-- Where the hell did that knife come from!?
Clenching his jaw in order to keep from exclaiming with surprise, Angeal stared down the man before him who had just magically brought forth a weapon out of thin air, eyes wide with unconcealed confusion. All he’d managed to see was a quick flash of red light, and then … there it was. The red-head was amusing himself by peeling scales from the fish with his knife, seemingly unaware of how he’d silently jolted his companion. Angeal quickly shook the surprise from his face, tearing what edible piece was left of his fish and quickly scarfing it down in order to keep his mouth busy.
The bones and too-burnt pieces were tossed in the fire.
”Now, if we’re to keep company, I’ll have to know something about you. You have a touch with chocobos, I see. And an affinity for swords. I sense a story behind it.”
Angeal glanced away from the fire and back to the stranger, his glowing eyes carefully studying the man. Something about him … moreso than just the knife he’d summoned out of thin air, felt strange. Like a plant blooming in the wrong season. Interesting, but wrong, a cause for concern. Angeal crossed one leg in front of himself, slinging one arm over the top of his knee as he held himself up with the other behind his back. In the distance he could hear the chocobos warking, presumably the one that had nearly bolted into a crowd among them.
“There’s not much to tell,” Angeal spoke honestly, of course, he didn’t much like thinking himself any better than anyone else in the world, “I was a poor, country kid with some lofty dreams of helping people. I chased after my best friend when he left town, and we joined the military together. Now I’m a Soldier who gets to help others.”
He paused, a thoughtful frown tugging down the corners of his mouth, “Or, I was. I don’t really know what I am now. Just another man, I guess.”
Dreams and honor still existed, in his heart. But purpose was hard to find, lost in a world with no friends, no family.
Eager to get the subject off of himself, Angeal quickly nodded toward the stranger after his small spiel, “I’d say you’ve got the more interesting story. You picked an odd time of day to try re-learning how to ride a Chocobo or scale a fish with a knife you manifested out of thin air. I haven’t gotten your name yet, either.”
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
Angeal is really startled. By everything right now LMAO
Well, on the upside, at least Mu hadn’t been terribly bothered by the amount of questions he’d suddenly launched off. The ninja had been nothing but calm, patient, and helpful to Angeal from the very moment he’d spotted him, and for that, the Soldier would be forever grateful. It would have been just as easy for the man to keep walking and ignore him, just as many of the other souls on the street had while the two conversed.
Wherever he was, there was at least one kind soul. That was reassuring enough to still his fast beating heart.
Mu went on to explain what he knew about the crime in the city they were in. It didn’t sound like anything they would need to immediately worry about, which had been Angeal’s concern. In fact, it sounded eerily familiar to Midgar’s type of crime, aside from the military being preoccupied with dragons. The Soldier took a moment to process that that’s what the ninja had indeed said. Dragons. Well, that was something they certainly didn’t commonly have issues with … The only dragons Angeal was aware of lived in the mountains, near in the middle of nowhere. Once in a blue moon a few Soldiers would be dispatched to handle one.
The ninja explained that he couldn’t really tell him much more and Angeal shook his head in response, giving a quiet, muttered, “No, that’s fine.” The Soldier readjusted the sword on his back, to give his hands something to do rather than itch due to inaction. A nervous habit, maybe.
However, as Angeal was forming the next question he could think of, something happened next to Mu. Or, on him? A creature had suddenly appeared next to the ninja’s head -- demonic in appearance, it opened its mouth and spoke, rather directly at that. Angeal felt his jaw loosen in temporary shock, but clicked it back in place as Mu asked him not to mind the intrusion.
Okay. Alright. They were just going to ignore the floating, demon thing that appeared out of nowhere and talked to Mu. He was fine with that. This definitely wouldn’t be difficult.
“N-no, I don’t need to stay around this dumpster,” Angeal stuttered, forcing his eyes off of the ninja and his companion, “You’re right, we should go. It’ll at least help me get my bearings.”
Hewley put boots to stone, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked a few paces in silence, his jaw locked in a concerned confusion. As if he didn’t have enough questions swirling in his head, more seemed to jump on the pile with each passing moment.
“Sorry,” he sighed, turning his head to look at Mu before they’d gotten too terribly far from their starting point, “What appeared on your shoulder out of nowhere and started talking? That’s --- That’s not something that happens where I come from.”
Your name has about as much heft as that sword, in my time.
In my time. That was an odd addition to an otherwise normal response. Angeal knew he was easily recognizable around Midgar and beyond, as much a benefit as it was embarrassing. He was not a man who ever intended to be in any sort of spotlight, and thankfully, Genesis and Sephiroth had been much more popular amongst the populace than he was. His name carried a weight, though, and helped to inspire others to join the ranks of Soldier and help people. That much he could appreciate.
The Soldier listened intently as Aela began to describe her morning and failed attempts to get anyone to join her venture. Mount Hotan … Right, he’d seen the area on his map. Though he was, obviously, unfamiliar with this particular mountain, he was certainly accustomed to the types of beasts that tended to frequent such locations. Most monsters hardly stood a chance against a 1st Class Soldier as it was … There were few out there that would be able to challenge him, in all likelihood. The woman mentioned spells and, as she turned her wrist, Angeal caught the familiar, brilliant twinkle of materia.
A man arrived at the table, placing a dish with a kabob and a colorful drink in front of Angeal. The Soldier furrowed his brows for a moment, giving the man a quiet thanks as he walked away and Aela gestured for him to help himself. Typically, he would never indulge in a token without insisting on paying it back, but good lord was he tired of eating fish recently.
Ugh, he’d forgotten what food prepared by someone else tasted like. The kabob was well cooked, not too tough, spiced well. Were he any less of a decent human being, Angeal likely would have been drooling to finally have a decent meal.
Aela went on to explain more while he enjoyed his food too quickly. It seemed to be a relatively easy request, considering all of his prior life experience. A trip up the mountain, she would grab what she needed, he’d stand guard and slay any particularly nasty critters, and they’d be on their way back. So long as they didn’t stray too closely to any nesting beasts, Angeal could hardly see there being too much of a concern. The pay off for the ordeal would be more than enough.
It feels strange, though. Less like a mission, and more like I’m picking up mercenary work.
“Stipulations?” Angeal repeated the word, his eyes widening just a touch at the question. Well, that was certainly different. Soldiers weren’t typically offered much input in their jobs. Sephiroth could dictate what he did and didn’t want to do at times, but Angeal had never had the pleasure. Which he didn’t mind. He took orders, that was his job. The Soldier shook his head, his voice level but laced with a light humor, “No, there’s nothing I need to do my job other than orders. Not having to shove down Shinra rations is enough of a bonus.”
Though they weren’t the worst thing he’d ever eaten -- that honor belonged to his attempt to teach Zack how to cook -- the bags of dried, crunchy bars of sawdust were hardly enjoyable.
“Most of my mission names were combinations of numbers and letters,” Angeal admitted, cocking an eyebrow at the mention of Turks, “Definitely not anything like Tits up. I think you can save the unsavory names for another partner.”
The mention of the name Rufus was odd. Wasn’t that President Shinra’s son? He hardly had any power or hierarchy in the company as far as Hewley knew; not that he kept up much with such things. The boy was a teenager, and while everyone had expected him to eventually be named Vice President, nothing of the sort had happened yet. Well, maybe he had more to do with the company than Angeal knew. It wouldn’t have surprised him.
He took a swig of the colorful drink -- sweet and fruity, definitely nothing like the black coffee he would have been enjoying in his apartment if he weren’t in an entirely different world. Angeal set the glass down before crossing his arms over his chest, eyeing the woman on the other side of the table with an easy confidence. This talk had been soothing, in a way. For a moment, his life felt somewhat normal. A mission briefing. Bodyguard duty.
“I’m happy to accompany you for this expedition, at the very least. Obviously, I’m out of my, er--,” Angeal cocked his head slightly, a concerned frown tugging at his already neutrally serious face, “-- typical job, as it were. It doesn’t sound much different than the missions I would be doing back at Shinra.”
He was a man without a job, without his friends and allies, and currently, without much purpose.
“You tell me when, where, and what you need, and I’ll do it for decent enough pay, so long as it doesn’t negatively impact the well-being of anyone else.”
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
The red-head’s laugh reminded him of a bird, pleasant and trill. However, her dark eyes were much more like a cat; gazing at him over the rim of her glass curiously, a slight smirk on her lips. Angeal suddenly felt more uncomfortable than he had mere moments before, an unwelcome heat barely dusting the edges of his cheekbones. Thank god the bar wasn’t extremely well lit. He averted his eyes just as Cissnei took a sip from her glass, realizing he’d stared harder than he’d meant to.
“Hm? Yes, that’s right. Am I still a Turk in an unknown world, I wonder?” Cissnei’s glass touched back down on the table, and Angeal felt comfortable enough to turn his glowing-eyed gaze away from the window and back to her. They both knew well enough the answer to her question, even if they weren’t voicing it. Of course she was a Turk, forever and for always. It was a rumor, but definitely a believable one that no one left the Turks unless they were dead. Even if she didn’t have anyone to take orders from, Cissnei was likely still doing everything that she did best.
He was doing the same thing, of course. As a Soldier, it was his job to help people … So, that’s what he’d spent his time doing.
Briefly, Angeal wondered if death was the only way out of the Soldier program, as well.
“I’m on break, regardless. So, don’t worry. I won’t bite. For now.”
Angeal scowled, bringing his glass to his lips. He took a long sip, the burn of the whiskey trickling down his throat before he mumbled, “You shouldn’t bite at all.”
The Soldier set his glass back on the table, the warmth in his body now easily explained off by the whiskey. The red-head played off that she was just killing time at the bar, playing a dating game? Yeah, right. Then again, it’s not like Hewley had any better of an explanation of why he was there, either. Angeal shifted in his seat, suddenly feeling more aware of where his body was positioned. Was his sword within easy reach? Was he going to accidentally nudge Cissnei with his boot? He felt oddly cornered, stuck in the corner of seat, despite the fact he had one strong arm across the back of the booth and definitely more of a presence.
It wasn’t how he expected to feel, being stared down by a Turk. They were partners, in the grand scheme of things.
He’d blame it on her eyes.
“What have you been up to during your time here? Using your abilities to play the hero?”
Angeal sighed, tapping a gloved finger against his glass, “Soldier or not, I’ll always help people if they need it. I wouldn’t liken being a decent human being to playing the hero, though.”
He cast his eyes downward to the table, as a thought passed. What would he be doing, otherwise? Searching for his comrades was his main priority, sure, but it didn’t keep him alive in a world that kept spinning with or without him.
“You’re the first familiar face I’ve run into, here. It’s actually reassuring to know that I’m not really alone,”Angeal muttered, unable to meet Cissnei’s gaze -- unwilling to know if she were simply staring blankly back at him. He certainly hadn’t intended to blurt out such a vulnerable thought, but it was impossible to keep holding onto. Angeal had been beyond lonely, he’d been lost, and most of all; he’d been worried. Worried he was stuck in a fever dream, in Hell itself, left alone to suffer for the rest of his days and that his friends may have been stuck elsewhere, needing him.
Regardless, it was not like a Turk could do much with that information.
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
For the first time in weeks, Angeal felt refreshed. The journey to Provo hadn’t been a terribly exciting venture, but it was definitely long without anything to carry him other than his own two feet. With nothing much to his name and very few people looking for a helping hand, the Soldier had been down on his luck as far as gil went. Night after night of sleeping under the stars had aggravated part of his back beyond belief, and when he’d finally arrived to the larger settlement near the sea, Angeal had been quick to spend what little he’d earned on a goddamn bed for one evening.
It was a rough looking inn on the edge of the city, but it was cheap and the keeper didn’t bother asking any questions. The room had been small, with no amenities, but the dark haired Soldier could care less. If anything, it reminded him of home.
One night of restful sleep wasn’t enough to cure the ache under his shoulder blade, but it was certainly more than enough to clear the ever-present clouds in his mind. With a more improved mood and a town full of possibilities, the morning touted itself as a gift from the goddess. Or, whatever Genesis meant when he said that.
Angeal took to the streets after grabbing his few effects from his room at the Inn; his beloved sword and a travel pack that had grown lighter over the last week or so. With the bag slung over his shoulder, the Soldier headed into town, curiously eyeing the people and embracing the atmosphere. His typical Soldier uniform didn’t stick out much in the crowd, but his sword typically had people keeping their distance; eyes wary and body language unsure. Angeal frowned, shoving his gloved hands into his pockets as he walked along the sidewalk. It wasn’t something he wasn’t used to -- not everyone in Midgar and beyond liked Shinra or Soldiers -- but it made catching anyone’s eye a bit more difficult.
It was a pleasant day, at least. The sun warmed his skin and the nearby sea blew in a cool, salty breeze. As he approached a more crowded area of the city, Angeal took a moment to pause and look things over. At the edge of one street was a board, littered with posts. Curious, Hewley marched over, boots hitting the pavement hard as he increased his speed, seeing the words he’d been hoping to find.
Help wanted.
“Finally,” the dark haired man breathed a sigh of relief, glowing eyes scanning over the various documents here and there stapled to the board. There was certainly a breadth of options to choose from; picking vegetables, escorting people from city to city, and … Bodyguard work? Angeal cocked an eyebrow, reaching up and pulling the flyer off of the board, scanning the paper. An expedition to Mount Hotan, wherever that was. It was offering a hefty pay, though, and Angeal’s stomach turned at the thought of eating fish cooked over a fire under the stars for yet another string of nights.
He could easily pretend it was an assigned mission, really. What he was doing these days may be considered more mercenary work, but … Well, who was watching? He was alone.
Angeal followed the directions on the flyer, searching for the name of the place listed for meeting the client. It didn’t take long to find, both the directions and the scent of cooked food lulling the Soldier along as he clutched the flyer in one hand. He paused for a moment, glancing back down at the paper to get an idea of who to look for. Whoever it was, they’d hopefully be enticed enough by his stature and weapon … The words First Class Soldier meant nothing in this new world.
By the time he’d glanced back up, a hand had shot up into the air, beckoning him. Well, that wasn’t too difficult, Angeal thought, moving forward to meet the woman who’d presumably be hiring him. She was seated at a table with the remains of a kabob and some sort of colorful drink, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders. Not anyone he was familiar with, unfortunately, but Angeal had yet to be so lucky. "I certainly didn't expect a Soldier to take up my modest offer, especially not a 1st Class Soldier,” the woman spoke first, motioning for him to sit down. Angeal gave her a pointed look, furrowing his brows as he removed the Buster Sword from his back, setting it against the side of the table before taking a seat.
She knows I’m a Soldier? Could she be…?
"Quite the honor to meet you. My name is Aela."
“I’m Angeal,” the Soldier dutifully replied, giving the woman a curious look, “But, it sounds like you may have already known that.”
Setting the flyer on the table, Angeal leaned back in his chair, ignoring the way the wood protested against his weight, “I’m assuming you didn’t wave me over here just to reminisce about Shinra, though. Are you still looking for someone to help you?”
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
The quiet, still atmosphere was a blessing and a curse. It made for a pleasant walk through the sands before it got too warm to function properly, a real respite from the hustle and bustle that would soon overtake the market streets in the outpost. However, it gave way to no distractions. Try as he might, Angeal couldn’t wipe away the visions in his nightmares no matter how hard he tried. No, the truth of it was that he wasn’t trying very hard at all.
Those dreams, where his friends ran from him, where they withered away, where they cried -- it was all he had of them right now.
No one he’d encountered had seen any other people like him. No others with large swords or glowing eyes. No legendary swordsmen with names he recognized. Hewley had wandered the paths, he’d talked to people, he’d helped as many as he possibly could while doing it. And yet, what did he have to show for it? A meager dwelling, some gil in his pocket, and a bucket of good karma? He loved helping people, of course. It was his life’s work. Dreams of saving people, of saving the world, helping any and all that he could. It was his purpose, and yet …
Angeal had never envisioned doing it all alone.
The sound of water pulled the Soldier from his dazed state. His gaze coming back into focus, he realized he was looking at the river. It ebbed and flowed calmly, ripples across the water’s surface as various aquatic life went about their lives before the sun got too high overhead. The river was one of the cleanest he’d ever seen, constantly filtering through rocks and sand. In the shallows, one could see their own reflection, clear as day.
He wasn’t the only admiring the water though, it seemed. Slightly upstream was a blonde man, dressed in blue and grey, hair wet as he drew his face out from the water’s surface. Angeal watched as the man began to tie his hair back in a knot, drawing the wet mass out of his face. A memory welled up for a moment, just for a moment, of his own hands wrestling with silver hair as he insisted on pulling Sephiroth’s hair back before embarking out into windy plains, afraid his friend would struggle seeing in the tumultuous conditions.
It was early for everyone who wasn’t a merchant, though, and this man didn’t seem like the buying and selling type. Shoulder pads and gauntlets, light armor … the man was likely a fighter of some sort, but Angeal couldn’t spot a weapon. Maybe he was simply getting ready for the day? This was the first the Soldier had seen of the blonde, though. Was he only passing through?
It would either be useful or detrimental to have another soldier around the outpost. What tasks Angeal had taken on he hadn’t found much of a challenge in, but he also couldn’t really afford to lose the work he had here. Or, maybe it would be the perfect push to get him back on the road.
Either way, his boots were soon following the edge of the river, toward the blonde man.
“Hello there,” Angeal tried to hide the exhaustion in his voice as he greeted the man with a small, polite smile, “You’re an early bird I take it? I haven’t seen you around here before.” Hopefully he looked a little less ragged than he felt. Maybe he should have dipped his head in the river as well.
How long can you swallow the pain? Before it comes round again, And a shadow in the valley will lead you to them, So don't follow.
