@katana-otoko || Closed starter for Lorenzo (Balto)~
Premise: On the prelude of the war between Wutai and ShinRa, Sephiroth is sent on an undercover recon mission, where he strikes an unexpected special relationship with young Lorenzo Sharp.
References: Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-, Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis (First Soldier).
Settings: Wutai Archipelago, [ μ ] – εγλ 1992.
Characters Involved: Sephiroth (14yo), Lorenzo "Enzo" Sharp (17yo).
Notes: Although the Final Fantasy VII Remake Material Ultimania retconned the start date for the Wutai War as year 1985, this thread will refer to the original start date as year 1992, as listed in both the Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Ultimania and the Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania. This choice was made for plot's sake.
The sun had just started to rise over the dark sea surrounding the Wutai archipelago. Against its golden shine, the faraway peaks were barely visible, still draped in mist, like a gaping mouth of a living and breathing beast about to bite and eat the sky itself.
Sephiroth did not seem at all interested in that fascinating display of nature, however. Standing perfectly still by the parapet, the boy kept his peculiar eyes fixated on the waves crashing against the hull of the ferry below him. At that hour, the water looked black like ink.
There was something about his inability to see the bottom of the sea that intrigued him. A dangerous curiosity called to him, inviting him to jump, almost. Common sense stopped him, of course, but the very presence of that impulse was fascinating in itself. Was this a common feeling amongst sailors? Or was there something wrong with him for even indulging such a self-destructive fantasy?
And what about that even deeper sensation, somewhere in his guts... that something was hiding in those dark depths? Something that loathed him, or perhaps craved his flesh? Like he was being watched carefully by something or someone that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up straight.
"Feeling sea-sick?"
The familiar drawl coming from behind dispelled that effect. Of course he was being watched... Only this pair of eyes did not come from the sea.
"... I'm fine." The teenager answered, not fully succeeding in concealing the pout in his voice.
The man approached to stop by his side then, raising a stern brow. "Then you might want to keep a safe distance. It'd do us no good if you fell in the water now."
"I can swim, sir."
"This isn't your training pool within the headquarters." His escort argued in turn. "There are currents in the sea. A good swimmer wouldn't last longer than ten minutes in these waters. You? Maybe twenty. If the giant water snake said to watch over Wutai doesn't eat you first."
That was when Sephiroth finally turned his head to look up at him. He didn't like the way people underestimated him. Particularly when they knew nothing about him.
Veld, however? He had an entirely different tone... Much like Professor Hojo, he spoke like he knew him more closely than the rest. Only, Sephiroth knew nothing about him in turn.
That was possibly the most annoying aspect about the Turks. Shadows that followed their target without fail, all while remaining obscure to it.
"I don't believe in those things." He finally replied, scolding the man with a faint glare underneath the messy silvery bangs swatted by the breeze. "If you're so worried, we should've used a chopper."
"A chopper would give us away before we even set foot on the main island." Veld shook his head. "Three tourists on their little family trip would take the ferry."
"And the gun won't give us away, instead?"
"It's a hunting rifle. Your 'uncle's hobby. And a last resort that I hopefully won't have to use."
"But you will have to use it." The boy fully turned to face the Turk this time. "Animals that get too close to mako springs turn into monsters. The closer you get to it, the stronger they will be."
When Veld did not respond, Sephiroth made his point plain.
"You should let me come along. As an active model, my affinity with materia is much stronger than any weapon-"
The Turk raised a single finger. "No. We've already gone over this. Synthetic materia is ShinRa's signature arsenal. We can't be seen carrying any. Not that we're likely to see any in here... but the people of Wutai know what it looks like. Your abilities are not needed... and you have your own assignment, besides."
"... To learn about the locals' means of defense." Sephiroth shook his head after a few tense, long seconds. He was not allowed to argue the chief's orders. Or his 'uncle's' orders, should he say?
He hated lying. But even more, he hated a boring task. What was there to even learn in this place, that a simulation in the training room on the 49th floor of Sector 0 wouldn't be able to teach?
"... I know you're eager to prove yourself." Veld's words sank under his skin like a bullet, even earning the man a suspicious sidelong look. "If you're willing to take a word of advice from me, know that time will be running much faster than you're used to from here on. Once you are formally deployed, there will be plenty of chances for you to demonstrate your worth."
He said so while raising his gaze to look at the large island up ahead. The mists were thinning, and their eyes could begin to make out the silhouette of the small harbor at the base of its cliffs.
"This is your first time out of Midgar City. And possibly your last chance to live a semblance of normalcy as a young man in town. Take this time... enjoy the stay. Maybe you'll even make a friend or two."
For the third time, Sephiroth repressed the urge to roll his eyes. "Please, stop talking like you know anything about me."
In return, the Turk chuckled. "I apologize. Maybe you're making me feel a little homesick. This job is probably going to take some time... and I already miss my own kid who's waiting back home."
"You're a Turk. Aren't you supposed to not share these kinds of things with me?"
"Hm. I won't tell on you for suggesting to defy our orders in my report, if you don't tell on me in yours."
