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"Quit asking me why, you moron!"-Professor Hojo
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Reeve Owens II stood silent as he looked into the deep pool. The wind picked at his suit and hair, blowing both behind him. His mouth was a grim line above the goatee he sported. His deep green eyes stared into the depths of the waters, dark brown brows furrowed. His dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A few strands flew about his face in the gale. His arms were crossed over a broad chest. He wore a black suit that was obviously custom-made to fit him. Shiny black boots reflected the few rays on sunlight that glittered down through the huge trees above. His nose was hooked a small bit, just barely noticeable.
He stood alone in a sort of forest. In front of him lay huge twisted shell surrounded halfway by a small pool. The shell had a rather large hole in front of it, large enough for a man to fit through easily. Leading away from the hole was a railing that separated a path from the pool.
He lifted his right hand to stroke his small beard thoughtfully. He stood there for some time, scratching his beard. After a few minutes, he kneeled down in front of the pool, careful not to get himself wet. One hand reached into the water, pulling out the remnants of some sort of jewel. He examined it closely. It was a small ruby in the shape of a heart. At one time, it was obvious there had been a clasp on it that probably secured it onto a chain, but over time it had been washed away. Now only the jewel survived.
Reeve II cleared his throat in a mix of curiosity and understanding. He put the jewel back into the water, letting it be pulled away by the small waves. He watched it with mild curiosity as he pulled himself back to his feet.
"Hey! Reeve! Oh, Reeeeeve?" a voice shouted behind him. "I know you're here! You wouldn't be anywhere else! So where are you!?"
Reeve smiled and turned. Out of the bushes a thin form came. His little sister, Martha, waved excitedly towards him. She was short for a girl of 17 years, but she made up for that smallness in the way of mouth. Her hair was dark brown like his, billowing out behind her from the wind. She wore a simple red dress, which was cut modestly. She wore a pair of black high-heels. Her face resembled his, but softer and more delicate. Her eyes were a dark blue-green which seemed to change colors in different lights.
"You're going to kill yourself in those shoes, little sister," he replied, smiling broadly.
She scowled. "Yeah, right. I've been walking around in them for years. If either of us are going to kill ourselves, it's going to be you from loneliness!"
Reeve walked over to her and hugged her close, clasping her in his arms. Her body was a source of warmth in the chilly air that surrounded them. "And why do you say that?" he asked calmly, letting her go.
"You've been living out here in the middle of nowhere for years! Or has the solitary life gotten to you and you've forgotten how time passes?" She stood with her hands on her hips, a scowl lighting her pretty face up.
"Don't frown like that, little sister, it doesn't do your face much justice," he replied, grinning widely when she frowned deeper.
"What have you been doing out here, anyway? It's been months since you last talked to anyone at home! Doesn't that bother you?"
He frowned. "No, not at all. I find the quiet refreshing. Much better than listening to Mother complaining about everything."
The last comment brought a smile to Martha's lips. "You're so mean to Mother, Reeve! I can't believe you!"
He grinned even wider. "That old harpy? She knows it and doesn't much care."
Martha rolled her eyes. "Okay, Reeve, I get it. So, what have you been doing? You never answered me!"
"Well…" he began then stopped suddenly. Behind Martha stood a dark figure. "Who's that?" he demanded suddenly.
Martha spun around. "Hey! You weren't supposed to come yet, Bart!" she hissed.
A tall man stepped out from the shadows, a wide grin on his face. He had light blond hair that was cropped close to his head. His light blue eyes danced with merriment as he looked at Reeve II. One eye brow sat higher than the other in a cocky way. The man stood with a certain air about himself that bothered Reeve. He seemed too…comfortable with the situation. He wore a pair of black pants that were almost too long for him. His shirt was a dark blue that buttoned down the front.
"Bart Voan of Nibelheim," he said, bowing to Reeve.
Reeve arched his eyebrows. "Really. Nibelheim, hmm?"
Bart blinked a few times. "What about Nibelheim? Not suitable enough for you?"
Reeve pursed his lips, deciding he really did not like the man. "I never said anything was wrong with Nibelheim. Why, is there something wrong I should know about?" He laughed when Bart frowned deeply. "So, why are you here?"
"Reeve Owen II, must you be so rude!?" Martha demanded, standing akimbo.
"Yes, little sister, it's my job as a scientist," Reeve replied smoothly. She only used his full name when she was irritated with him.
Bart stepped in front of Martha. "No need for that, Martha." He stopped to look Reeve up and down again. "So, you're Martha's older brother. Not what I expected, but people say younger siblings do try to make the older siblings seem like something more than they really are…" He trailed off, daring Reeve to take the bait.
Martha pushed Bart back, rolling her eyes. "If the testosterone gets any stronger here it'll wake up the Ancients!"
Reeve's expression darkened. "Really, Martha?"
Martha blushed, looking down at her feet. "Sorry… I forget how much respect you have for those people…"
"Maybe if we do wake the Ancients up we'd get some answers," Bart said, grinning.
Martha smiled at him. "Anyway, Reeve. Bart is my boyfriend. We've been together since a few days after I last talked to you. Isn't he great?"
Reeve bristled up even more. "Is that so? Glad to see he has good taste in girls, although I can't say he has good taste in much else…"
Martha groaned. "Ugh. If I had known you two would be like this I wouldn't have come. I'd leave the visiting to you. Although you never do come around anymore… I think you'd rather stay with the ghosts of the past than your own family." Her lips were pursed in irritation.
"Ghosts of the past usually have more interesting things to say," Reeve replied sharply. His studies were a sensitive subject to him.
"What, like 'I'm dead and I died about a thousand years ago. Why don't you pick at my bones to see what you can find?'" Bart retorted. He obviously agreed with Martha on that point.
Reeve sighed. "Look, I don't have time for bickering. Now tell me why you suddenly decided to visit, Martha."
Martha frowned. "Fine. I will. I wanted to have time to talk with you longer before I spilled the beans but I guess that's too hard…"
"And…?" Reeve replied, prodding her along.
Martha turned to Bart and dug into his pockets, producing a wrinkled up newspaper. She handed it to Reeve, who read it aloud to himself.
"A group has risen to save the Planet from all of its problems! We are known as Shin-ra, led by a young man by the name of President Alec Beacon. He seems to have many promises. His name, even, means a source of light or inspiration. We promise to help all who will take our help. The people of the Planet will be able to rely on us whenever they need to. We are your shoulder to lean on," he read, uneasiness growing inside his belly.
He stood there, reading it over a few more times. He finally looked up at Martha. "Is this real?" he demanded.
"As real as it can be," she replied.
"Then everything really has gone bad outside of this city…" Reeve muttered. He turned back to the pool. "Look at this place. It has stood for thousands of years, almost untouched by the corruption which lays throughout most of the Planet. If only…"
"Great. Not only is he a scientist, but he loves the sound of his own voice," Bart grumbled.
Reeve looked at him coldly. "I didn't ask for your opinion, Bart Voan of Nibelheim. Do not speak of what you do not know, it will only make you appear the fool."
"Ohh, I'm scared," Bart growled. But he backed off a few steps.
Once again, Reeve turned back to the pool. "The ghosts of the Ancients… Or I should say of the Ancient is restless. She knows what has happened."
"She? Who would 'she' be?" Martha asked, curiosity filling her voice.
Reeve turned back to her. "The only one who actually lays in this city. Aeris Gainsborough, the flower girl of the slums… She has been restless for quite some time, I've noticed."
"You actually believe that myth? She died more than two hundred years ago! She was nothing more than someone made up to break the hearts of people who get the kicks out of that stuff. Everyone knows she wasn't real," Bart replied.
Reeve frowned deeply. "She was as real as the original Ancients were. And she still is real, although probably not physically anymore. This is where the legend says she lays, and so far I've found it to be true." He paused to sigh. "Just before you came I found a small tribute left for her by her friends. It was too new to be here from the time of the Ancients, but it obviously isn't from recent times."
"So how do you know it came from two hundred years ago? Somebody could have come visiting and dropped it," Martha replied, frowning in confusion.
"I just do," Reeve replied calmly.
The water of the pool calmed suddenly as the wind died down. Although it was still dark, Reeve liked to believe he saw her smiling face through the barrier or two hundred years. He smiled back to her as her face disappeared.
"But, Reeve…she's dead…" Martha stammered.
"Dead to the world, yes, but she saved the Planet two hundred years ago. You know how the story goes. The Lifestream saved the Planet from Meteor."
"But that's just another myth!" Bart exclaimed.
"It's considered a myth, but who is to say it is? Obviously not you," Reeve replied. He turned and began walking towards the huge shell. "Ask the flower girl if she was a myth, she might reply to you if she thinks you are worthy."
"B-but!" Bart protested.
Reeve turned around. "You come here, insult me, take claim over my sister, insult my work, and expect me to help you with something? You expect me to enlighten your thick skull?" He paused, suppressing the urge to growl like a wild animal. "Leave this place. You do not belong here. I need time to think of what you have told me."
"Time? Why cares about the Shin-ra, anyway?" Bart replied.
Reeve didn't answer. He continued walking towards the huge shell, finally disappearing in the shadowy depths of it. He left Bart gaping and Martha raging.