Loveless

Part 8

The next morning came far too early, and Zack took it upon himself to make sure his sister didn't sleep through it. Eloise's door was unlocked, which gave him free access and absolutely no hesitation.

"Rise and shine!" he announced far too cheerfully as he stepped inside. "Today's a big day for you!"

Eloise groaned and turned her face into the pillow, her mind still foggy. Then it clicked. Her first mission. Her first real assignment as a SOLDIER. The thought chased the sleep away, and suddenly the room felt brighter. She forced herself out of bed and into the shower, letting the water steady her nerves. When she stepped back into the room wrapped only in a towel, Zack was still there, leaning casually against the wall.

He was family and completely unfazed by the fact that she was no longer a child, but Eloise very much noticed. She grabbed the nearest object and shooed him toward the door with a scowl.

"Out," she ordered. "Now."

Zack laughed but complied, raising his hands in surrender as he backed out. Once alone, Eloise dressed carefully in her SOLDIER uniform and studied herself in the mirror, a small, proud smile forming. It fit her well. The only thing missing was a sword. Her training blade was locked away somewhere in the building, meant only for simulations and drills.

That absence was addressed moments later when Sephiroth appeared at her door.

She stared at the weapon he handed her, eyes wide. "This is... an actual sword," she said slowly, pointing at it. "You're sure it's not just for training?"

Sephiroth shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. "Use it wisely," he said, "or I'll double your training."

Her confidence evaporated instantly. She swallowed hard, remembering every bruise and burn he had already given her.

"Yes, sir."

His expression softened slightly as he patted her head. Compared to him, she was small, almost fragile, and far younger than she felt inside.

"Welcome to your first visit to my office, young SOLDIERs!" Director Lazard announced brightly, his good mood bordering on suspicious.

Eloise remembered him well. He had overseen her Third Class evaluation, skeptical at first, then quietly impressed.

"You five will be deployed on your first mission under my authority," Lazard continued. "It's a simple assignment. You'll retrieve an important document from one of our confidential contacts in Nibelheim."

They saluted in unison. As the four men turned to leave, Lazard caught Eloise by the sleeve of her uniform.

"Yes, sir?" she asked, startled.

He smiled and motioned for her to follow. From a stack of files, he retrieved a thin folder and handed it to her.

"What's this?" she asked, confused.

"You'll give this to the source," he said calmly. "I trust you won't read it. And that document must be protected at all costs. It's vital to our cause."

"Our cause?" Eloise repeated before she could stop herself.

Lazard chuckled softly. "For now, our cause is protecting Shinra from AVALANCHE. You've heard of them, I assume."

She nodded. Everyone had.

"And what do you think of them?" he asked.

She hesitated, then answered honestly. "I think they're right about some things. Shinra is draining the Planet's Lifestream, but at the same time, its technology has improved people's lives. I believe there has to be a balance."

Lazard's smile widened as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "How thoughtful. I'm very glad you joined SOLDIER, Eloise."

The words didn't feel like praise. They felt like a reminder.

Outside the office, she stared at the two files in her hands, tilting her head as curiosity crept in. Zack noticed immediately.

He wrapped her in a quick hug, his voice dropping. "You okay?"

She squirmed free and straightened her uniform. "I'm not a kid anymore."

Zack laughed. "You're still younger than me."

"Only by a year," she shot back. "I have to go. See you when I get back." She saluted and walked off before he could say anything else.

———
"So, tell me again why that document is so important."

One of Eloise's mates was an idiot. If he wasn't as strong as he claimed to be, he was perfect as a buffoon. Thankfully, the other two colleagues were more perceptive and more patient.

"Because it's important for Shinra. Don't you understand? We are Shinra's lackeys."

Eloise rolled her eyes. They were going to have that bad Shinra discussion again.

"Weird. I thought Shinra's lackeys are the turks." One of her mates mumbled, shifting in his seat.

The pilot scoffed and started to laugh.

"Hey, that's not nice! We're more like his bodyguards."

Eloise's head shot towards the pilot, hitting the SOLDIER beside her in the process.

"Isn't that the same thing but addressed in different ways?" That statement was meant for her ears only but the redhead heard her clearly.

He glanced at her over his seat and winked.

"I didn't know SOLDIER hires girls too. I'm Reno, yo." He didn't seem to be older than she was. "Aren't you going to tell me your name?"

In only a few long moves, Reno let his partner take control of the helicopter while he moved in the back. He sat in front of her, squishing the other two SOLDIERs into a corner. Reno stared at her with wide curious eyes that were too enthusiastic.

"Eloise Fair, 3rd class SOLDIER." She mumbled.

"Fair. Why does that name sound familiar?" He wondered, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "Oh, I know! Zack's family name is Fair, right? So, you are his sister?"

She nodded groggily. Reno's eyes brightened before he leaned towards her expectantly. Eloise wasn't sure what he wanted from her so she just asked the first thing she could think about.

"Are you going to wait for us in Nibelheim?"

Reno shook his head. "No. You will have to spend a night there. We, Shinra's lackeys, have another business to attend to later tonight."

Eloise shot a glare to the mate who addressed the turks like that but he simply turned his head tow the side.

"What if there is an emergency?" Reno raised an eyebrow before she added quickly, "Just in case, I mean."

"If there is an emergency you can call us and we will come as fast as we can. Take my number, just in case." He just turned her words into his favor.