Wutaiverse Update
The best part about snow? Is when you live on a 45 degree hill that's perfect for sledding.
Title: 1987 - 08 - New Steps
Author: Scrolls
Rating: PG-13?
Fandom/Pairing: FF7/None (eventual Aeris/Cloud/Sephiroth/Zack)
Disclaimer: SqaureEnix Owns, I'm just having some fun.
Notes:
Summary: What if Momma Strife had taken Cloud and Aeris and gone to Wutai, what would be the same, and what would be different?
Constructive criticism will be hugged while flames will be used to line the bunny hutch.
Enjoy Ladies and Gentlemen.
1987 - 08 - New Steps
When Cloud and his mother arrived in Wutai, they had been housed in what was called the Visitors Hall. Later, after they had been accepted by the emperor and presented to the court, they had been moved into the House of Bamboo. It was for those that were in a sort of gray area; they were not nobles, not one of the imperial officers that had once been peasantry, in fact they weren’t even Wutaian.
In a land where everyone had a place, Cloud and his mother were neither fish nor fowl nor mammal.
But they were a part of the government, and as such they-and anyone else in such a situation-lived in the House of Bamboo.
Luckily for Cloud, the House of Bamboo was right next to the Central Promenade that circled through the castle complex. It meant that he could zip home right after his classes, change, grab his practice sword, and get himself to the training hall without being late or having to carry around his training gear.
Clattering down the stairs to the main level, Cloud made himself a mental note to visit Aeris after practice. He knew that Ifalna had gone to help some of the farmers that were having a tougher time this year; he didn’t like the idea of her being alone so much, especially after that kidnapping attempt-
Dashing out the front door, Cloud threw on the brakes as he came face to face with the very person he had been thinking of.
Aeris stood by the gate to the street, dressed in clothes similar to Cloud’s own training outfit, her auburn hair tied up and out of the way.
“Aeris? Why are…um, did you need something?” Cloud could feel himself faltering, a part of him wanted to call the expression on her face ‘determined’, the rest of him was saying ‘scared’.
“Actually, yes, I was wondering if I could come with you to your training today, I’d like to ask something of Shion, if it’s alright with you that is.”
“Um, sure, I don’t mind.” To say this was surprising to Cloud was an understatement, while Aeris had occasionally asked about his training, and had congratulated him when he had been accepted by Shion, she had never once shown any interest in it beyond that.
And now she wanted to ask Shion something?
Walking along the Promenade, being careful to keep an eye out for those who were not so careful of their surroundings, Cloud worried, he new it was foolish to do so, he knew that Aeris could take care of herself; still he just couldn’t help himself. And after what happened last week…
She could want to know what had been found out…
Shaking his head, Cloud banished the thoughts crowding his mind, he knew better than to come to practice when he was distracted, Shion had drummed that rule into his head the first few days-literally. Besides he’d find out soon enough, they were already at the training area.
As per usual this time of day, the halls were packed with people, students going to and from classes, teachers and assistants carrying papers and equipment, the normal between class chaos.
While the hall leading to the private rooms wasn’t as full and the main ones, it still had its own level of activity; loud enough Cloud was grateful to finally close the door against the noise.
Shion was already inside, waiting for Cloud beside the storage cabinets. Cloud’s teacher gave him his usual nod of greeting before turning to Aeris and giving the girl a questioning look.
“Oh! Shion, this is Aeris, Lady Ifalna’s daughter. Aeris, this is Shion, Captain of the Imperial Guard.” Before Cloud could continue Aeris stepped forward and bowed to the man…
***
“Lord Shion, may I ask something of you?” Aeris could see Cloud blink at her language. He knew she hated using such formal words, but this situation called for them.
“Certainly, child.”
“Sir, I would like to become your student if I may, or if you are not accepting students at this time, your aid in finding one who can teach me.”
“And what is it you would wish to learn from me?”
“I wish to learn to defend myself, or others.”
Shion leaned back against the cabinets, seeming to mull over her words.
“Why, may I ask, do you seek a teacher like myself, you could get the same training from any other person in this building. And they would instruct you gladly without asking.”
Watching her come closer, Aeris felt a piece of her mind go blank as old memories from a time of glass and steel and concrete and pain. She doesn’t know who this woman calls master, but she knew where she would end up regardless.
“Because one day my powers will not be enough, and on that day, I need to more if I am to keep myself or others safe. And as for why you, as the guardian of the Emperor, you are one of the best fighters in all of Wutai, you know many things about fighting, things that the other teachers might not be willing to teach me.” She could feel her hands shaking where she had them clasped in front of her.
“And what has your mother to say to such a request being made?”
“My mother and I have spoken about this at great length, and she had agreed with me.”
“And the gifts that are the inheritance of your blood?”
“Mother has promised to begin my training once she returns from the southern farms. She said that if I am to learn to use my body, I must also learn to use my gifts.”
It was hard to meet Shion’s gaze, the fear from when the woman tried to take her was still with her after all these days, but she still did it, she had to.
Turning his head, as if just realizing that Cloud had paid witness to the entire exchange, Shion addressed him. “Cloud, go ahead and get started on your warm-ups. Aizen should be here soon, you’ll be working with him today.” He nodded towards the storage before turning back to her.
“Meanwhile, let’s see what you can do Aeris.” Walking to one of the practice circles, he waved her over, and firmly telling her hands to stop shaking, she followed.
***
Sorting through the pile of weights, Cloud could see Aeris join Shion on the mat. Well, this was going to be…interesting, at least, I hope that’s all it’ll be. He could still remember what happened the last time Aeris and an adult had butted heads.
However, thinking it over, he guessed that maybe after a while, anyone would get tired of being protected all the time.
Not quite sure about this bit, let me know what you all think, all right?
Title: 1987 - 08 - New Steps
Author: Scrolls
Rating: PG-13?
Fandom/Pairing: FF7/None (eventual Aeris/Cloud/Sephiroth/Zack)
Disclaimer: SqaureEnix Owns, I'm just having some fun.
Notes:
Summary: What if Momma Strife had taken Cloud and Aeris and gone to Wutai, what would be the same, and what would be different?
Constructive criticism will be hugged while flames will be used to line the bunny hutch.
Enjoy Ladies and Gentlemen.
1987 - 08 - New Steps
When Cloud and his mother arrived in Wutai, they had been housed in what was called the Visitors Hall. Later, after they had been accepted by the emperor and presented to the court, they had been moved into the House of Bamboo. It was for those that were in a sort of gray area; they were not nobles, not one of the imperial officers that had once been peasantry, in fact they weren’t even Wutaian.
In a land where everyone had a place, Cloud and his mother were neither fish nor fowl nor mammal.
But they were a part of the government, and as such they-and anyone else in such a situation-lived in the House of Bamboo.
Luckily for Cloud, the House of Bamboo was right next to the Central Promenade that circled through the castle complex. It meant that he could zip home right after his classes, change, grab his practice sword, and get himself to the training hall without being late or having to carry around his training gear.
Clattering down the stairs to the main level, Cloud made himself a mental note to visit Aeris after practice. He knew that Ifalna had gone to help some of the farmers that were having a tougher time this year; he didn’t like the idea of her being alone so much, especially after that kidnapping attempt-
Dashing out the front door, Cloud threw on the brakes as he came face to face with the very person he had been thinking of.
Aeris stood by the gate to the street, dressed in clothes similar to Cloud’s own training outfit, her auburn hair tied up and out of the way.
“Aeris? Why are…um, did you need something?” Cloud could feel himself faltering, a part of him wanted to call the expression on her face ‘determined’, the rest of him was saying ‘scared’.
“Actually, yes, I was wondering if I could come with you to your training today, I’d like to ask something of Shion, if it’s alright with you that is.”
“Um, sure, I don’t mind.” To say this was surprising to Cloud was an understatement, while Aeris had occasionally asked about his training, and had congratulated him when he had been accepted by Shion, she had never once shown any interest in it beyond that.
And now she wanted to ask Shion something?
Walking along the Promenade, being careful to keep an eye out for those who were not so careful of their surroundings, Cloud worried, he new it was foolish to do so, he knew that Aeris could take care of herself; still he just couldn’t help himself. And after what happened last week…
She could want to know what had been found out…
Shaking his head, Cloud banished the thoughts crowding his mind, he knew better than to come to practice when he was distracted, Shion had drummed that rule into his head the first few days-literally. Besides he’d find out soon enough, they were already at the training area.
As per usual this time of day, the halls were packed with people, students going to and from classes, teachers and assistants carrying papers and equipment, the normal between class chaos.
While the hall leading to the private rooms wasn’t as full and the main ones, it still had its own level of activity; loud enough Cloud was grateful to finally close the door against the noise.
Shion was already inside, waiting for Cloud beside the storage cabinets. Cloud’s teacher gave him his usual nod of greeting before turning to Aeris and giving the girl a questioning look.
“Oh! Shion, this is Aeris, Lady Ifalna’s daughter. Aeris, this is Shion, Captain of the Imperial Guard.” Before Cloud could continue Aeris stepped forward and bowed to the man…
***
“Lord Shion, may I ask something of you?” Aeris could see Cloud blink at her language. He knew she hated using such formal words, but this situation called for them.
“Certainly, child.”
“Sir, I would like to become your student if I may, or if you are not accepting students at this time, your aid in finding one who can teach me.”
“And what is it you would wish to learn from me?”
“I wish to learn to defend myself, or others.”
Shion leaned back against the cabinets, seeming to mull over her words.
“Why, may I ask, do you seek a teacher like myself, you could get the same training from any other person in this building. And they would instruct you gladly without asking.”
Watching her come closer, Aeris felt a piece of her mind go blank as old memories from a time of glass and steel and concrete and pain. She doesn’t know who this woman calls master, but she knew where she would end up regardless.
“Because one day my powers will not be enough, and on that day, I need to more if I am to keep myself or others safe. And as for why you, as the guardian of the Emperor, you are one of the best fighters in all of Wutai, you know many things about fighting, things that the other teachers might not be willing to teach me.” She could feel her hands shaking where she had them clasped in front of her.
“And what has your mother to say to such a request being made?”
“My mother and I have spoken about this at great length, and she had agreed with me.”
“And the gifts that are the inheritance of your blood?”
“Mother has promised to begin my training once she returns from the southern farms. She said that if I am to learn to use my body, I must also learn to use my gifts.”
It was hard to meet Shion’s gaze, the fear from when the woman tried to take her was still with her after all these days, but she still did it, she had to.
Turning his head, as if just realizing that Cloud had paid witness to the entire exchange, Shion addressed him. “Cloud, go ahead and get started on your warm-ups. Aizen should be here soon, you’ll be working with him today.” He nodded towards the storage before turning back to her.
“Meanwhile, let’s see what you can do Aeris.” Walking to one of the practice circles, he waved her over, and firmly telling her hands to stop shaking, she followed.
***
Sorting through the pile of weights, Cloud could see Aeris join Shion on the mat. Well, this was going to be…interesting, at least, I hope that’s all it’ll be. He could still remember what happened the last time Aeris and an adult had butted heads.
However, thinking it over, he guessed that maybe after a while, anyone would get tired of being protected all the time.
Not quite sure about this bit, let me know what you all think, all right?