"Oh, give it up," Storm said, rolling his eyes. Yet there was frank admiration in his blue eyes. "But Simon's right. You do look good in that suit, Sephiroth."

Inwardly, the silver-haired man winced. He did not feel comfortable, yet he knew it was something he should get used to. It was taking off a mask to wear another one. He simply didn't know which mask fit better. He was more familiar with the old facade, of course, yet...

The reflection in the mirror showed not a SOLDIER, but an ordinary person... someone he had always wanted to be, but never had the chance. He hardly recognized himself, in fact. His dark blue suit fit perfectly, and the white shirt he wore underneath felt softer than the uniform shirts he was so used to. At the two young men's insistance, he had pulled his back into a simple ponytail.

"You're not so much a general anymore," Storm seemed to read his mind out loud. He was dressed in a cardinal red so outrageous, Sephiroth found it hard to imagine a girl as soft and quiet as Lucrecia with him. Hastily, he chased away thoughts of Zack once more before he felt an uncomfortable lump in his throat.

"Now, we can go," Simon said in satisfaction.

"Are you really going out looking like that?" Sephiroth asked Storm quietly.

Storm looked down at himself. "Hell, yeah!" He grinned, yet something in his expression made Sephiroth realize it was simply a way of getting over his parents' leaving. Another mask...

It was very interesting to think about as the three of them sat in the large car in the way back to Avalanche Headquarters. Sephiroth found his mind wandering back into his memories, exploring his own emotions when he was a boy, then as a young man entering SOLDIER... trying to fit in just like everyone else. But where everyone else managed to do, he failed miserably. He had hid behind an expressionless face, his thoughts in turmoil as everyone stared at him, in fear or disgust.

Always so afraid... It had angered him more than anything else, not being able to allay their fear. How much he wished to be able to talk to them, share the camaraderie they seemed to have amongst themselves. Instead he had been confined behind a wall, only able to watch the rest of the world through a tiny chink. But who put up the wall? Was it myself? Could I have been able to do something about my own life?

"Uh, Sephiroth? We're there already." Simon's voice broke into his thoughts.

The three of them got out of the car. "Come back for us in two hours, Jase," Simon told the driver.

"Yes, sir."

"What are we going to do now?" Sephiroth wanted to know. He wished to be alone for a while, to think some more.

"We have about two hours to kill. Why don't we check out the computer files?" Storm suggested. "Would you like to see what we've found out... on you?"

Time stopped for a moment. Sephiroth did not want to see those files. He had felt the harsher end of those experiments, and he really did not want to see what results the meddling scientists had collected on their precious lab rat. He did not want to relive those memories, which would surely play themselves out once he viewed those files...

But...

He did want to see those files... at least learn some more about himself, understand his capabilities and instead of resenting them, at least accept them as a part of himself and decide for himself what to do with his life. He had always wanted someone to explain to him what was being done to him. He had always demanded to know what was in store for him next, after all.

"I would like that," he answered.

Storm had been waiting nervously for his reply. The hesitation in those MAKO green eyes was quite visible, and Storm wondered if it was a mistake. When that deep voice finally voiced out, he nearly sighed in relief.

"Let's go, then. This way," Simon stepped aside to let Sephiroth pass. "The files we found were quite interesting, but there are parts which neither Storm nor I could make head or tail out of. I think out of all of us, only Lucrecia can understand those frigging things."

They fell into a comfortable silence as they walked. The sounds of their shoes echoed down the corridor. It was quietly perfect... even as the rhythm of their shoes were joined by the sounds of giggling and the soft tapping noises of young women running on high heels.

Magdalena was the first to pass by. They were heading straight on, while the men were going to turn in the direction the women had come in. She happened to turn at that moment she passed the intersection and her eyes went wide open. "Oh, gods! Who's- Oh, my stars!" she gasped.

Politesse came after her. She had changed the frame of her sunglasses to a metallic blue one that matched her blue sequined dress. In fact, they were all wearing blue sequined dresses. Magdalena's dress was deep blue, while Lucrecia's light blue. Politesse seemed to be wearing a shade that was somewhere in between.

"Different, ain't he?" Simon grinned.

"I'll say," Magdalena murmured. "Lita?"

A blond eyebrow arched delicately from behind the sunglasses as the cigarette flared in a long drag Politesse took. "Yes?" she asked, breathing out the smoke in a thin line. "So he starts looking better than the rest of your boy-toys. What else?"

Storm was looking at Lucrecia with a besotted expression in his eyes. Everyone took notice. Simon checked his watch while Magdalena sighed disgustedly. It was as if the two of them were alone, but Politesse finally broke in by saying pointedly, "Storm, kindly remember you're going to see her later."

The young man blinked, then flushed. Magdalena laughed as she pulled a blushing Lucrecia away, Politesse trailing behind with an amused grin holding up her cigarette.

"What're you looking at?" Storm growled at his two companions.

"Nothing," Sephiroth answered mildly. "Nothing at all. Isn't that right, Simon?"

"Oh, yes, very true, shall we go on?"

The laboratory, the Medicinal and Research Department was an open and friendly place... unlike the old labs beneath Shin-ra which Sephiroth hated so much. Perhaps it was because those places reflected the personalities of the people who worked in them. According to Simon, Lucrecia and Runner were the only two intelligent enough to work the entire lab by themselves. Politesse did join them occasionally, but she only had knowledge with computer networking.

"Runner?" Sephiroth asked. The youngest Turk didn't look very scientific with a pistol holster clearly seen under his blue jacket. And he didn't look like someone who could work with peple as ruthless as Turks, either. Runner looked oddly out of place with his quietness and soft-spoken face. He did look like Tseng, but those quiet eyes didn't betray any harsh feelings of any sort.

"Hell, you should see him at work!" Simon exclaimed. "He and Lu are the best programmers in the entire damend city! In fact, they might even be able to outdo Hojo!"

"We always hope so," Storm added. "Look. There's the computer." He walked over the the table. "This is the only computer which we're allowed to touch. It contains all the information they've been collecting, but all the plain gibberish is on the other computers."

"I would hardly call high-profile science notes gibberish, Storm," Sephiroth said softly.

"Well, this is new," Storm apparently hadn't heard Sephiroth. "Look! The information of the experiments on Aeris Gainsborough's mother. Cripes, this is freaky."

MAKO green eyes took in the file pictures of the young Cetra he had mercilessly killed. There was a wincing feeling in his mind, something he knew wasn't his reaction. Why had he done that? He had bore no ill feelings for the girl, yet had taken her life. What would have happened if he hadn't done that? Perhaps Holy would have been more powerful? And Zack. What would he have done if he still lived to know his best friend had killed the girl he once loved?

Zack was staring at a small picture as he sat down in front of his commanding officer, smiling some sort of quirked grin. He was the only person Sephiroth could talk easily to, mostly because he was the only man in the entire army who didn't have any negative feelings towards him.

"It's a girl, isn't it?" Sephiroth said knowingly.

Zack responded with a grin. "Hell, yeah." And he went back to admiring the picture.

"Any other information you'd care to share?"

"Well... she... sells flowers," Zack said carefully. Sephiroth raised a silver eyebrow. "She's got some sort of problem with Shin-ra, as well, and there's just something about her... she's different from the other girls, Seph. It's as if she knows things that ordinary mortals don't."

"Ordinary mortals?" Sephiroth had echoed. "That different, is she?"

"Errr.... yeah." Zack smiled and held out the small picture. "Would you like to see? I took this picture of ourselves not too long ago."

Sephiroth took the picture and studied the couple in it. Zack grinned beside a smiling, pretty young girl. Her hair was brown, braided up with a pink ribbon. She had delicate features and the pink dress she wore made her look even more fragile. Her eyes were dewy green, a deeper shade from his own eyes. She was, Sephiroth admitted, extremely beautiful.

"Very pretty," Sephiroth answered as he handed the picture back to Zack. "Does she have a name?"

Zack grinned once more. Those grins were getting quite amusing, despite the fact that Sephiroth usually scorned such things. Zack slyly touched the side of his nose. "Top secret."

The two men shared a chuckle and Zack quickly stored the picture away in his pocket.

So this is the girl you liked so much, Zack, Sephiroth thought as he viewed the picture. But as far as he knew, Zack had broken up with her. He couldn't recall exactly why, but after the break-up, Zack had been a little... down. But that was gone as soon as they had been sent on that ill-fated Nibelheim mission. Sephiroth could clearly remember Zack flirting with Tifa Lockheart.

"Man, these experiments are kind of sickening," Simon said in disgust.

"Makes you wonder what would have happened if the Ancients had taken over the Planet for themselves again," Storm murmured. "There. The files pertaining to General Sephiroth of SOLDIER. Seph?"

Sephiroth sat down in a chair and began to skim through the contents of the files. Runner and Lucrecia had written down everything in an easily-understood form, and they had done quite a good job. Everything was here. Everything that Sephiroth remembered and then some. The two of them, quite professionally, had put down every single detail. Sephiroth could almost see them typing down the information with cool, clinical looks on their faces.

Stamina. Muscle mass. Skill. Strength. MAKO injections. Other drugs administered. Professor Hojo's personal experiments. Comparison to other victims of the Shin-ra labs. They were all there, and Sephiroth had always been a quick reader. What the JENOVA infused cells did to his body. The incompatibility of his cells with that of ordinary humans. Possible matches with that of Ancient blood cells. Failed.

Simon and Storm watched the intensity of the ex-general's reading quietly, each of them hoping nervously that he wouldn't suddenly just snap in rage and kill them. Simon nervously kept checking his watch, as if it had some sort of break-down. Storm was trying to read as fast as Sephiroth.

"It's time to go," Storm finally said quietly. Sephiroth stared at the computer screen for a while more even while the young man shut down the system. Slowly, he rose and left. "Will you be all right?" Storm asked in concern.

All he got was a nod.

"What's part of the program tonight, Simon?" Storm asked, anything to help get Sephiroth's mind off those files. The brooding look didn't bode too well.

Simon took out a small booklet. "OOooohhh, this is nice... they're performing their hit, Angelic Dios and their newest song. I haven't heard it... they practise it in secret, you know."

"Oh? It must be really good."

"Anything they sing is really good. Man, I think they can get more money as a trio than the Turks in mercenary work."

Storm and Simon tried, unsuccessfully, to bring Sephiroth into the conversation several times as they drove to the Gold Saucer. It was frustrating for Simon, who wished he knew of some way he could help the old general get back on track after reading those files. Why the devil had Storm invited him to view them anyway? So it was little wonder that when they saw the huge restaurant opera house up ahead, they nearly sighed in relief.

"We're getting off now. Ready?" Simon turned to Sephiroth.

Sephirtoh's face was studiously blank, as if he were preparing to enter a battle. Simon supposed he was, in  a way. The old general probabl never had a social life before, so he wasn't used to these situations. Simon wondered whether they were doing the right thing in dragging him out on this... outing. They were bound to meet people and socialize with them, something which Sephiroth might not feel comfortable doing. Still, Simon didn't think he'd do so badly. The ladies were sure to find him uncommonly handsome, after all.

What are you waiting for? the strange voice in Sephiroth's mind asked.

"This is like jumping off a cliff," Sephiroth confessed.

Then jump. Who knows, you might just sprout wings.

Sephiroth still hesitated.

You wished for help, but you've got to help yourself, too. You always wanted to be a part of the world. This is your chance. Few are likely to remember you, and most will pas it off as coincidence. Go.

Sephiroth let loose a breath. "Lead on."

As usual, conversation died down when Simon Reeve and Storm Strife entered. But older people looked on in astonishment when Sephiroth entered, following the two young men to the reserved table.

"We're just in time," Simon observed, noticing the lights had dimmed already. He smiled. "This is great! We can dance later on. I wonder is Maggie would be up to it?"

"Maggie would be up to anything that shows off her legs," Storm replied dryly.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer shouted. "We have here, a trio of the most beautiful girls on the Planet, to sing for us tonight! May I present to you... the Angels of the Sky!"

A burst of applaused resounded as the curtains lifted, revealing the stage. On chairs, with books in their hands, sat Magdalena, Lucrecia in the middle, and Politesse. Politesse still wore her glasses despite the darkness of the room. They looked at each other, then Lucrecia nodded.

Magdalena's voice began a slow melody, her rich alto voice representing that of a viola. After a few minutes of non-lyrical singing, Politesse joined in with softer notes, a legato melody that rippled throughout the entire room. The lyrics they sang spoke poignantly of lost souls, and the Lifestream. Lucrecia waited.

Their voices lifted up... and Lucrecia gave that chorus body. She stood up and sang the main melody, the harmony behind her blending into her voice which she carried so well. There was a certain sorrow in her voice.

A requiem, Sephiroth realized. A song made in place of prayer. It certainly sounded wonderful, and he breathed in as if trying to take in the lyrics into his heart.

Angelic Dios... where are you...
Glorious angel, that lifts me up...
Where were the songs you once sang into my heart
What was the word that you once said
How many years have passed without you
But I wished for you to be here
And now you are
Angelic Dios.... Glorious angel....
I did ask for you to come and you have....

A perfect match for his mood. Sephiroth thought about the strange voice... and how it always seemed to be there when he needed it most. And he hoped that it would always be so.

Of course I'll stay.

Sephiroth was startled. Did they sing it? Or was it the voice? He couldn't really tell, because the Angels of the Sky were singing the part of the angel that came to the lost one, soothing the soul with promises that he knew would never be broken.

I'll always be here.

Lucrecia's voice soared to the highest pinnacle of an octave. I'll always be here for you.

The girls fell silent, and the magical moment passed. Everyone clapped their hands, smiling and ladies were wiping tears from their faces. Storm clapped his hand, grinning with pride. The waiters came with their food and as everyone ate, they listened as the music filled the room.

"Sight, taste, smell and sound," Simon sighed in satisfaction. "You can't get any better than that." He turned to Sephiroth. "Have you ever eaten anything like this before?"

"You mean, listening to sounds?" Sephiroth asked slowly. "No."

Simon smiled widely. "Now you have."

Sephiroth smiled in return. "Yes. Thanks to you both."

"Oh, look. The Turks are here," Storm noted seeing Runner, Blazer and Erratic enter. The three of them joined in on the dinner. "Did a job well?"

Runner sighed. "Glad it's over. Could really use a drink." He signalled for the waiter. "Ford Benney, .55, please."

"Very good choice, sir."

"An' get me a beer," Blazer called after the waiter. "Bondecks, if ya please."

Leisurely eating and listening to their friends sing on stage, they finally finished. Magdalena stood up and addressed the audience. "We have created a new song," she simply said. She turned to the others and nodded.

Mask! Politesse began with the highest point of her voice. Mask your face against the world! Hide your face!

Hide your fear, hide your feelings, Lucrecia continued, her voice strangely serious, yet mysterious.

Never let them see you cry, Magdalena sounded sad and pitying, while Politesse and Lucrecia echoed her one after another. Never let them see you weak and down, Magdalena's voice sounded the most solid, as Politesse softened the echo until Lucrecia's echo of the words seemed slower and saddest of all.

Mask! all three girls sang in one burst of three different notes.

You wish to show the world your face, Lucrecia sang forcefully.

But you can't because you wouldn't know how to take it off... Politesse went on in a slower tone, as if explaining.

The mask of your soul... Magdalena broke in sharply. The mask you hide behind... her voice rose, taking on an almost mocking tone. The mask you use to hide among others.

You think you can blend in with your... Politesse's melody was slow.

Mask! But does it fit? Who knows, after all, the world's a masquerade ball... All three of them built up some sort of tension.

But the best disguise is sometimes your own self, Lucrecia's voice was soft and uplifting.

Your true self, Magdalena's mocking sound had toned down as if amending the insult she had dealt, repeating the sequence of Lucrecia's last three notes.

Everyone will try to find out the truth, but it's right there, Politesse breathed.

On... A crescendo. Your... Lucrecia joined in at the last moment with a high pitch, On your...

Mask! The fortissimo of their voices cut through the audience, and the air seemed to make way for their notes to fill the room. They stopped singing, their voices still hanging in the air, ringing through.

Applause roared throughout the room now, shouts and whistles among the clapping. "Bravo!!!" Blazer and Erratic were shouting. "Bravissimo!!!"

"Give us an encore, girls!!" Simon yelled. "Encore, encore!!"

The entire audience picked up on Simon's words and began chanting for an encore. The girls looked at each other. Lucrecia bent over to confer with the others and after a moment of discussion, all nodded in agreement. The room fell silent.

Storm smiled lopsidedly. "Well, looks like they took my suggestion, after all."

The five young men grinned or smiled at Sephiroth, who looked kind of suspicious. "What is it?"

You asked for, Politesse began, her voice bodyful, some angels...

Someone to to take you in, Magdalena followed. From your barren cold-hearted world...

Well, we're not celestial, nor close enough to the gods, Lucrecia sang modestly.

But if there's something we know, the three girls carried on together. You don't have to be alone if you don't want to.

Not anymore, Magdalena added in the phrase almost as an afterthought.

The fire's warm, so come on in, enjoy the warmth, Lucrecia's voice was inviting.

The wine vat's running, the spice in the air, it's for us to share... Politesse was left to build the anticipation.

With you. There was a soft hum in the air.

We're not angels, Lucrecia sang solo, Magdalena having taken out a lute while Politesse took out a violin from a case beside her chair. We're only human, like you. But you asked, and now you receive. There's no need to be alone anymore.

Sephiroth couldn't breathe for a long moment when the song ended as the applause rose in the atmosphere. "You asked them... to write that song..." he couldnt finish.

"Uh-huh." Erratic bobbed his head. "For you." He grinned maddeningly. "Now you got no reason to try killing us."

"Thank you." That was all he could say. He didn't know what else to do.

Runner grinned as Politesse, Lucrecia and Magdalena joined the table. "Now a toast, with the .55 I just ordered. Drinks all round?"

Everyone held out their glasses, even Sephiroth did. "All round, Runner," Storm ordered. Runer obeyed and poured the dark liquid into everyone's glasses. "To our friendship," he announced.

"Our friendship," they toasted, their glasses clinking together.

"And our new friend," Lucrecia added, smiling warmly at Sephiroth.

"And our new friend!" The men nearly smashed their glasses against Sephiroth's in enthusiasm.

"Now, then. How about supper?" Magdalena asked pleasantly.