Vagaries of Fate

Someone Who Knows

Chapter 31 

The next morning found Clarissa in the kitchen working on breakfast for them all. She was glad that Sephiroth had thought to bring more than just the one meal the night before. She was doling out eggs when the General walked in. The boys gave him nods but otherwise didn't stop eating.

He didn't seem perturbed by it as he held up an armload of clothes. "I hope this will be sufficient. They should fit but were the best I could get on short notice. I will have more by tomorrow."

Clarissa took the clothes with a smile. "Thanks! It's more than we had before."

He gave her a small smile as she put them down. "I do not have time to stay this morning, but I will be back this afternoon. If you think of anything, please let me know before then."

He then turned to the boys with a nod, but before he could leave, Clarissa called out. "Wait, there is one thing."

He turned back to her with curiosity. She jumped right into her request. "Well, this question is really for the boys, but I want your opinion too."

Sephiroth raised a brow but didn't interrupt when she turned to the three boys. They could all see she was nervous, which had them on edge. "I will not try to force you to do anything you don't want to, but after all you have been through, I think it would be a good idea if you were checked over by a competent person."

Yazoo stood and gave her a glare. Loz was frowning, and Kadaj stood as well. At least he wasn't glaring when he answered. "Why would you suggest that?"

She knew they probably would not take to the suggestion, which was why she had asked Sephiroth to stay. She glanced over at him to see him frowning as well. Though it was probably for a different reason. Still, she knew he would back her on her next suggestion. She steeled herself and turned back to the wary boys. "I am not telling you what to do, I am only making a suggestion. As for why, it is because I'm worried and want to make sure everything is alright. Plus, the woman I had in mind has some experience with Hojo and his sick whims."

She heard Sephiroth gasp but ignored him as she continued. "Shalua is the new Head of the Science Department, but she also has a younger sister that was kidnapped by Hojo to be experimented on. Sephiroth saved Shelke from his labs. She may not have been raised there, but she does understand some of what you went through. Which means that Shalua can at least respect you enough to not want to harm you."

Sephiroth didn't give the boys a chance to respond before he interjected. "Clarissa is correct. I have the utmost respect for Shalua. I also agree that it would be best for you to be looked at to make sure there are no complications that will arise from your abandonment. Please consider it."

When the three boys shared a look, Sephiroth looked over at Clarissa. They both had worried eyes. When they looked back, the boys were all wearing blank expressions. Kadaj pinned Sephiroth with a hard look. "Will you be here when this happens?"

Sephiroth looked a little taken aback, but not for long. "If that is your wish, it can be arranged. I trust Shalua, but would be happy to remain with you until you can be assured that you can as well."

The boys were silent for several seconds. Clarissa could tell they were deliberating telepathically, so she didn't interrupt. Finally, they turned back, and Kadaj gave them a nod. "We will consent. For now."

Once that was decided, Sephiroth bade them all a good day before he left to try and take care of things so he could leave work early. Thankfully, he had agreed to talk to Shalua, so Clarissa didn't have to.

She had planned on using the rest of the day to help the boys settle in and answer any questions they might have, but she ended up fielding curious phone calls all day. It got to the point that she finally shut her phone off. Sephiroth was the only one that was important, and he could just stop by if he needed anything.