(no subject)

[frozenlightning.livejournal.com]

Who: Genesis and Lightning
What: A tour of Shin-Ra
Where: Shin-Ra HQ
When: After leaving the airship
Rating: PG

Things had been a rush for her. Lightning was swept off her feet then swept off the airship and into a building she was most unsure of. Sitting outside of a conference hall, she waited for Genesis. Something was itching at her to explore the building - to find these secrets - but she restrained herself, knowing it was both immoral and most likely illegal. With a sigh, she grew a small Gravity Bomb in her hand, passing it back and forth, left to right.

It didn't occupy her mind. In truth, her mind was still on that airship; in that closet. She'd never expected something like this and to find that Genesis was so much older than her was a little unsettling. They were so different yet so similar... it gave her a headache to say the least.

 

Genesis finally emerged from the conference room. The meeting was called off - Rufus was nowhere to be found. As he did so, the red-haired man completely ignored the rest of the corporate executives and approached Lightning. Sitting down next to her, he smiled, and placed his hand over hers. "Miss me?" he asked pleasantly, his bright blue eyes staring into hers.

 

"More like I was bored. What was all the waiting about? You said it'd be an hour, tops." She scrunched her nose up, keeping her eyes on those oddly bright blue ones. She was trying to play it cool; there was an ache in her stomach but Lightning didn't want to show how eager, nervous, embarrassed, shy and desperately excited she truly was.

 

Genesis nodded, and sighed. "We were waiting for Rufus, who never showed up. One of the executives said he might be entertaining two... female coworkers." He laughed slightly, and stood up. "Well. You said you wanted to see the building, so, let's get going!" He stood up, still holding her hand. He couldn't show her the entire city at this late at night, but he could definitely show her the best parts of the building, right?

 

She stood as he guided her by the hand. "I still find him sickeningly suspicious. He'd better watch it." She muttered her words, shaking her head slightly. After a moment or so, she decided upon dropping the subject. "Okay... show me this wonderful building you've spoken so much on." She smiled at him, suddenly unable to keep her gaze on his eyes. If she did, she knew she'd damn well blush. Lightning, by now, was sick of the hot feeling in her face.

 

Genesis lead her to a sign sticking out of the middle of the floor, which was a guide which showed what was on each floor, along with a map of the floor they were already on. He let go of her hand, and pointed to the sign. "There are plenty of floors you might be interested, like the research library on Floor 62, and the recreation area on Floor 64. Floor 67 has the laboratory, and the main biological research lab is on 68. On the lower floors, 49 is home to SOLDIER, and has the area where Materia is manufactured."

 

Her eyes stared at the sign, her head tilted slightly. There were so very many floors and she hadn't a clue where to suggest. Chewing her lower lip, she looked up to his face. "There're so many floors... can't you choose somewhere? I haven't got any idea where to go..." She chuckled softly, practically batting her eyelashes at him. In truth, there was a place she wanted to see. Yet, she'd never dare to ask that of him.

 

Genesis nodded. "Well, okay. Let's go to the top floor... I want to show you the view of the entire city." Taking her hand, he led her to the elevator, walking at a slow pace, his fingers laced with hers. With her hand in his, he flashed his ID on the scanner, and the elevator opened. Even as the elevator would open, it had a fantastic view, being a glass elevator. "The city is beautiful, isn't it?" He asked.

The elevator doors closed behind them. Genesis pressed the button for Floor 70, the President's Office. As the elevator began to ascend, all he could do was look at the strawberry-blonde-haired girl. She was so... beautiful.

 

She certainly tensed at the exposed elevator. It was glass... it could break. She gripped his hand tightly, eyes scanning all that she could see. "It's... incredible..." Her voice was soft as she leaned to press a hand to the glass, being sure he had hold of her right one. Yeah, she really needed a Gravity Bomb to go off in the elevator. Oddly enough, Lightning showed her youthful excitement as she looked out.

"We have to go out there tomorrow!" She spoke as if she could easily ask anything of him but as soon as she realised he was looking at her, Lightning's face turned pink and she felt her stomach tingle. "What...?"

 

Genesis shook hid head at her response. "Nothing. You're just... so much more beautiful than anything in this city." The elevator was now passing the sixty-fifth floor. "But don't worry... tomorrow, I'll take you to the best part of town... the shopping mall."

Finally the elevator opened, and they were in the president's office, with the insanely huge desk. Rufus was not here. Windows were on all sides of the walls, with a large balcony to the side. "What do you think?" he asked, tearing his eyes away from hers.

 

She slipped her hand away and moved into the room, trying not to lose her head over his words. Lightning crossed her arms, looking around the office. "It's... huge. Is this really necessary?" She pointed at the desk, frowning with confusion. After a moment, a smirk came to her lips and she slid her slim body into Rufus' chair, putting her feet up on the desk.

"Hmph. I say he's over-compensating." She folded her arms behind her head, looking up to the man she was gradually falling deeper and deeper for.

 

Genesis laughed, slightly. "It's possible, though this desk is only a replica's of his father's, before this tower was destroyed." Genesis wrapped his wing around himself, and looked out of the window. Shin-Ra was once destroyed by Meteor... the WRO did a fantastic job of rebuilding it, and it was much cleaner. The slums were still the slums, but this city... it's beautiful.

Genesis wondered what the city was now using to power itself.

 

After a moment or so to look at him, she stood, beginning to walk around the office. "So... we're not technically supposed to be in this room, right?" She walked towards Genesis and smiled slightly. "Won't you get in trouble with the Puppet Master?" Okay, maybe she was getting a little snippy but Lightning was already interested in other things.

This office, that desk; they were both of little interest to her now. Partly, she wished it was daytime; at least then they'd be able to leave. To see the city. Oddly enough, it was the slums she was most interested in. All large cities reminded her of Cocoon, despite their beauty. Somewhere deep inside, she hoped the slums might help her recall the rest of Pulse.

 

Genesis shrugged. "Like I care. If he wants me here so badly, he can get over a few extra visitors in his office." Genesis then walked over to the window, overlooking the Honey-Bee Brothel. "Heh... they even rebuilt the Red Light District." he said, laughing. "And the theater, too. This city looks exactly the same as I had left it."

What interested him the most were the Mako Reactors. They still looked the same, but without the green glow of mako being produced. What were they doing now?

 

"Typical man," she muttered, crossing back towards the elevator. "Well. I hope you're going to show me more of this place." She stretched, yawning a little. "Where exactly am I sleeping tonight?"

The thought hadn't really crossed her mind until this point but she was now painfully aware of the fact that they could well be sharing a bed together. Upon realising this, Lightning then blushed, unable to hold back what thoughts her mind concocted at the coming prospects of the evening. She'd known him so little a time but was already so deep? Honestly... Lightning shook her head slightly.

 

Genesis was going to show her the shopping area, but noting that she was tired... "Rufus gave me back my old penthouse on the fiftieth floor. Most First Class SOLDIERs with a high success rating have one. You're welcome to stay there with me, if you want..." He lowered his eyes to the floor, closed them, and smiled. He could tell her mind was going where his was.

 

"Oh... I... I see." She cleared her throat and forced herself into a very business-like manner. "That sounds acceptable." Lightning gave a nod then stepped into the elevator, her eyes staying on her feet. She was eager, excited... yet as nervous as hell and her stomach was tensed so very damn painfully. Thoughts raced through her mind. What about the age difference? Was he for real? Would he just use her? ...Was she ready?

 

Genesis entered, and noted her nervousness. Maybe... maybe it wasn't the right time. He pressed the button for the fiftieth floor, and the doors closed.