Legacy of a Star Child

Chapter 11: The Dark Knight

So, how long will you be staying with us? I expected you gone the night you came in to assist with what was witnessed.

Not sure, I still have these files to go through before I hand them over to you to be archived.

By all means, take as long as you need Vincent.

-Reeve was not sure what to make for Vincent Valentines affinity the last 7 days to cozying up in his office. He would regularly walk in to find the man sprawled out all over his floor either passed out in a dead sleep, or looking over the dozens of files he had brought with him back from Hojo's abandoned research facility.-

Might I at least ask what's within the files? This doesn't seem to be something you regularly have interest in, even for an ex Turk.

I oversaw the Jenova Project in my youth Director Reeve, research was something I had to be good at.

-Reeve blinked as he looked over his own shoulder at the man laying on his stomach on the floor, flicking through pages of dense research.-

Care to elaborate?

Hm? Oh...

-The man mildly shrugged, tired crimsons not bothering to look up at the younger man as they scanned pages intensely.-

Well, someone had to make sure the lab didn't become a hot bed for Hojo's idiotic ideas.

-VIncent sighed as he put down the file he had been looking at, moving to grab another and flip it open, resuming his previous motions of scanning with those bright red suns for lenses, they could probably scorch the paper if he read too quickly. Reeve tried not to be amused as he turned his swivel chair a bit to at least be looking most of the way in Vincent's direction.-

I take it those files then contain information about the Jenova Project? Something we aren't aware of?

No, these are files for me. ...On me.

-Reeve paused, blinking now terribly curious. He fully moved the chair to be completely facing the other, leaning over a bit with interest.-

Your not going to turn into the next Sephiroth on us are you? One was enough, I don't believe we would have the man power to stop you from destroying what we have left you know.

-He was attempting to make a funny, but was also laced with a tad bit of concern. Vincent finally stopped reading, those crimsons swiveling to gaze up at the alternative energies director, his expression as blank as always.-

I have no intention of going that path. I merely wish to be sure that there is not a chance I might... Can't very well prevent a calamity if you don't know something about yourself.

-Reeve was now even more curious, it was eating at him.-

Might I take a look too? Your pushing all of my proverbial buttons for exploration and discovery.

-Vincent lightly shrugged before handing the other man the files he had already looked through, and Reeve instantly buried himself in them. It only took a few seconds of reading before Reeve quickly became sick to his stomach. He kept reading anyways though, quietly speaking up after a moment.-

...Do you believe you are dangerous Vincent?

Of course I am dangerous, I assisted Cloud in killing Sephiroth, and Bahmut SIN.

...You know that's not what I meant.

-Vincent grew a small smile in his features, he had a sense of humor buried under there somewhere, even if it wasn't as pronounced. This was short lived however as he sat up, gazing intensely at the file in his hand, his eyes moved rapidly back and forth like a window shutter. He took a soft breath, before murmuring softly.-

If this file is correct... then I am a ticking time bomb, should this world ever become off balanced...

-He gently handed the file over to Reeve, whom took it and promptly scanned with his own tired blue eyes.-

...I see, that is a problem, isn't it? What made you go searching for this?

...Those creatures, the ones who fester in the dark. I can feel it, right here.

-The man laid a hand on his own chest, looking down at it with an unreadable expression.-

There existence, and in such large mass, it is an upset to this world. And if it continues...

You are afraid it will awaken Chaos, which according to these files, would bring about mans extinction in order to begin a new world. Are you certain that you really would allow such a thing to happen? That is not the Vincent Valentine I have heard so much about.

-Vincent paused at Reeves words, his blood red orbs swiveling to lock onto the man intensely.-

We all have weakness, Director. Its not that I would not attempt to suppress it, but should I fail, this world will be gone. Consumed most likely by a darkness similar to those things out there. I have noticed that if I am around there presence too long, I begin to lose myself, just a little.

You lose control?

More than usual.

-Reeve raised a brow.-

More than usual? Implying you regularly lose yourself? In an aggressive manor?

There are many things you have not been told about me, Director Reeve. I have the essence of humanities end crawling through my veins, that effects a person.

-The old immortals stare struck Reeve with a mild sense of unease. He frowned.-

What will you do then?

I intend to get to the bottom of this of course. I assume you will keep me informed what the Turks and Rufus find?

I could do that, or perhaps, it might be best you do stay here. I am more than just an energy development researcher, I may be able to help you.

Heh.

-The demons in mans skin sighed as he moved back up against the wall, laying back and attempting to get comfortable. His eyes closed as his hands moved to rest in his lap. Such a peculiar man he was, it only caused Reeve to become even more invested. He had heard quite a bit from Avalanche and sometimes Tseng about Vincent. And he certainly had lived up to the expectation of dark and mysterious. Though, Reeve could tell just from his words and "read between the lines" kind of mannerisms that he did genuinely care. It caused Reeve to have deep sympathy for the man.-

You know, its probably warmer and more comfortable in an actual bed...

-Vincent cracked an eye muttering lowly.-

Says the man regularly falling asleep at his monitor. Cait gets more use out of your bedroom than you do.

That would only be true if Cait actually slept.

-Reeve smiled shaking his head some as he got up to gently scoop up the remaining files on the floor causing Vincent to blink and grunt.-

I was reading those.

Well, now I am reading them. Get some sleep, I'll wake you in a bit and we can go get coffee.

-Vincent was caught off guard, not used to anyone acting this way towards him. He let out a soft sigh before shifting back into getting comfortable, closing his eyes and curling up into his tattered blood red robe. It was strange to him that anyone wanted much to do with him at all. Though, he should have known better, after all, Reeve had been just as much involved back then as the others, which made him curious... had Cait never told him about Vincent's powers? Or maybe, Reeve just had not realized what the power actually was, or that he was not in control of it. Either way, one had to wonder what Reeve was planning to do... Vincent would just have to wait and see.-