Vagaries of Fate

Exam

Chapter 32 

The three boys were sitting next to Shelke with rapt attention as she told them all about her first meeting with Sephiroth. She skipped over the part in the lab, since she still had a hard time dealing with those memories, but they were enthralled when she told them about the sleepover. That was as far as they got before there was another knock, and Sephiroth came in.

He was shocked to see the boys on the floor with Shelke, but it quickly turned to a smile when the girl jumped up and ran to him. She stopped just short of throwing herself at him like she had Clarissa, but she still beamed up at him. "I'm glad I get to see you today too!"

Sephiroth knelt, so he was closer to her level and put a hand on her head. Her grin widened when he spoke. "I know it has been some time since I last saw you. I'm glad to see you are doing well."

Shelke giggled at his stiff greeting, but she knew he meant it, so she didn't say anything. Not that she had a chance to. The boys had gotten closer as well, which prompted the General to turn their way. He also gave them a nod as he addressed them. "Are you three still willing to let Shalua evaluate you?"

Kadaj was the one to speak for them. "We are still uncertain what to believe, but we understand why you are asking. Before we agree, tell us what will be involved."

Shelke frowned at his cold tone, but Shalua was quick to answer when the other two adults turned her way. "I had planned to do a basic exam. I will check your vitals, your reflexes, and make sure there are no visible complications. I would also like to take a small blood sample from each of you to ensure there are no underlying issues I otherwise could not see."

Yazoo's eyes narrowed, and Kadaj's voice turned a little colder. "You want to take our blood?"

Shalua looked over at Clarissa for backup, but she just shook her head. She then turned to the boys. "I've already told you that this is your choice. If you do not want to submit to the blood sample, you don't have to. I will give you my word that she isn't asking so she can use it to harm you or to harm any others. If she says she wants to make sure you're healthy, then that's what she means."

By that point, Shelke stepped forward with a frown. There was more than a little hurt in her voice, as it didn't take long for her to realize the boys didn't trust Shalua. "My sister would never hurt anyone! She agreed to work here again because she wants to help people."

Sephiroth laid a gentle hand on her head as he tried to reassure her. "We know that to be true already. Please do not blame the boys for their mistrust. You must remember that Hojo has had them all their life."

Shelke took in a sharp gasp, and tears started to fill her eyes. She stepped forward as she tried to blink them away. She tentatively reached out and took Loz's hand before she looked at them all. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I can't imagine how bad that was. He only had me for a year, and I still-" She cut off with a choked sob.

Shalua was quickly there to wrap the girl in an embrace, but her tone was softer than it had been when she addressed the boys again. "I know you have your reasons for not trusting any of us, but I give you my word that I only want what's best for you. I will also swear that I will only do the tests you are comfortable with."

Clarissa could tell that Loz was close to crying already, though she wasn't sure if it was because Shelke had started to, or because of the thought of the exam. Still, she knew things were getting tenser than they needed to be, so she knelt at looked at the boys. "Tell you what. If you don't feel up to it today, we can put it off and let you think about it."

The boys all shared a look that lasted several seconds. Finally, Kadaj shook his head. "No, we will accept everything, but the blood draw. There is no point in making Shelke and Shalua have to come by again."

By that point, Shelke had calmed. She pulled away from her sister and gave the boys an earnest look. "But it isn't a problem." She paused and looked away while she wrung her hands. She still managed to continue, despite her obvious discomfort. "Besides, I hoped we could finish our talk sometime. I bet you all have lots to share, too, right?"

Shalua stood and gave them all a smile. "Don't worry, we can come by anytime. Though, if you are willing, I'll go ahead and get the basics out of the way today."

The boys shared one more look before they all nodded to her. After that, it was decided that it would be best if she examined them all at once. They asked that either Sephiroth or Clarissa be in the room as well. In the end, Sephiroth agreed to stand by them while Clarissa kept Shelke occupied.

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It was a little more than an hour later that they all came out of the bedroom to find Clarissa and Shelke singing a silly song together. They were both fighting giggles as they got to the chorus. Clarissa pushed Shelke over the edge when she prodded her side slightly, and the girl fell over laughing.

The other two adults smiled at the sight of them laughing together, but the boys were staring at them wide-eyed. When Clarissa caught sight of them, she sobered somewhat. She still grinned at them when she explained. "I found out that Shelke has been going to the company daycare and some of the children there were telling her about the songs I used to sing when I worked there. No one else knew them, so she asked if I could show her."

Shalua moved to help her sister up as she responded. "Ah, yes. I think I've heard about that. The bunny song, right?"

Clarissa chuckled as she stood. "Yeah, that's one of them." She then turned to the boys. "So, is everything good?"

They all gave her a nod before Kadaj answered. "We are healthy, which is not unexpected. We are perfect physical specimens."

Clarissa took a deep breath before she responded. She should have known that arrogance would surface eventually. Even Sephiroth had it to an extent. Still, she managed to keep her censure from her voice. "Be that as it may, I'm glad to know there aren't any immediate problems." She then turned to Shalua. "Thanks for coming. Feel free to call on me to return the favor when things are less hectic."

Shalua shook her head with a wry smile. "There is no need. What you and the others did for Shelke was more than enough." She then paused and looked to where Shelke had gone over to check on the boys. Her eyes still looked worried, but that didn't stop her. "Although, I may see about checking back with you all again in a few days. I can already tell that Shelke would love to."

Clarissa smiled at the four children as well. "I'm sure that would be great." She then turned back to Shalua. "By the way, how are the energy options coming along?"

Shalua sighed and gave her a wry grin. "Better than I expected, though the sticker shock is hitting the board harder than anticipated. Still, I think that we can start to see some changes here in Midgar within the year."

Clarissa was glad to hear it, and not at all surprised that the board was having a hard time stomaching the cost. That was something that would take time to overcome. Still, it was a start.

By that point, Shalua had gathered Shelke up again so they could leave. They both waved goodbye with a promise to be back as soon as they could get the time. After they left, there was silence in the room for several moments, before Clarissa turned to the boys with a smile. "You three looked like you might be interested in the song I was singing earlier. Would you like me to show you?"

It wasn't unexpected that Yazoo sneered, but she was shocked when Loz didn't even consult the others before he nodded and answered. "What was it about?"

Clarissa knelt again and then looked over to where Sephiroth was still standing. She motioned him over. "Why don't you join us. You never know when this skill might come in handy."

He frowned at her, but it didn't take him long to understand what she was trying to do. She wanted the boys to see that life was not all about pain and hardship. That it was alright to be silly sometimes, even for a man like him. He took a deep breath before he knelt across from. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt for me to learn something new for once."

Clarissa grinned at him, and it only grew when the other two boys joined them as well. Despite knowing it was for a good reason, it took all she had not to fall over laughing as she watched all four of the others try to stiffly follow along with bunny Fufu. Especially since it wasn't that she thought it was ridiculous. No, she was just glad to see they were willing to let go of their worry a little. Sephiroth included.