AGS are chilling at Costa Del Sol when a beautiful shell washes ashore. Genesis rushes to claim it, thrilled to have such an exquisite addition to his seashell collection. As Angeal coughs up the sand Genesis kicked up, Sephiroth glances up from the hole he’d been digging to study his friend’s findings. He agrees that it’s quite the wonderful find, then asks if he may hold it; Genesis, too elated to even consider being selfish, happily hands the shell over.
As soon as it touches Sephiroth’s palms, however, the shell twitches—and out pops a little hermit crab, its beady eyes blinking at Sephiroth with all the awe and curiosity of a baby bird meeting its mother for the very first time.
And, much like the mother of a newly hatched chick, Sephiroth falls in love.
Instantly.
Every time Genesis or Angeal try to hold the crab, it retreats into its shell: shy, frightened, unfamiliar. And only comes out once it’s back in Sephiroth’s hands, its spidery legs dancing happily on the leather terrain, extroverted as can be.
The two play for the rest of the vacation.
And while Sephiroth has to eventually say goodbye, knowing good and well that ShinRa HQ is no place for a little crab with an entire ocean to explore, his new friend makes sure Sephiroth left with a memento of their bond:
Its beautiful, beloved shell.
Sephiroth brings it to his office. Angeal helps him clean it. Genesis gets to admire his friend’s treasure every day thereafter.