1st POV: Nox
''It is not much, but it will keep you warm and sheltered from the elements-.''
''Doesn't look like it has any cockroaches or rats in it,'' I interrupted.
''Yes, well, there is nothing I can do about the other landlords. Some people think because we live in the slums we may as well live like pigs too. You're new here aren't you? Keep your guard up. Here in the seventh sector we try to build a community and do right by each other. I heard the fifth and third are the same. But the rest?
Anyway, many down here have cats, so rodents shouldn't be too big of a problem even in the other sectors. Wherever you looked before was probably the king of pigs.
Cockroaches on the other hand are another problem. I kept the condo clean while it was unoccupied so no cockroaches would be attracted. But now it is your responsibility. Keep your condo as clean as possible, because otherwise you'll blink and have these pests in your room.
You don't want that, the other tenants do not want that. And if we do need to clean the apartment, it will come out of your own pocket.
Any other questions?,'' Marle explained to me.
''Where would I need to look for work?,'' I asked her.
''Already having money problems?,'' Marle teased me.
No, in fact. Slaying monsters and them inexplicably dropping some Gil ensured I would be well off for a while. And with me specifically moving to the slums for various reasons, that 'while' would be very long indeed.
''Every action we take should be for the future. I will keep the money flowing to you, but I do need a job eventually,'' I explained to her.
More like I needed a reason to go around. If I just started prowling the streets with no rhyme and reason people would get suspicious and defensive. I would remind them of the Turks or at the very least give the impression I'm up to no good.
''Well, what do you do?,'' Marle asked me with a huff.
''A little bit of everything. I traveled a lot, learned a lot. I can work in a pharmacy, go around making potions and tinctures for any ailments. I can slay monsters, if someone wants. I'm mechanically inclined, if it helps. I'm no blacksmith, but I can make some simple objects,'' I shrugged.
''Hm, you really do a bit of everything. Huh?,'' Marle began stroking her scarf gently and hummed in thought. Finally she nodded.
''All our other bases are covered mostly. Help is always wanted, of course, but I think you can help far better in a different position. How good are you as a pharmacist?,'' Marle asked me.
''I learned it as a trade and am fully licensed to practice that professions,'' I told her.
''Yeah? Can I see that license?,'' Marle challenged me.
It wasn't a lie, what I told her. But kind of hard to have a license when the teacher doesn't remember teaching you and you passing their exam.
I ducked my head a little mulish, even made sure to redden my cheeks a little bit.
''You lost it on your travels, didn't you,'' Marle told me flatly.
''Not my proudest moment,'' I muttered and cleared my throat, before looking her in the eye again.
''Ugh. Fine, I'll take your word for it, which means we all will be taking a risk on you. Sector 7 does need a pharmacist since the last one died, getting eaten by monsters. If you can fight, I don't think that is a problem for you. It does however mean, that you will have to set up shop yourself, that you need to speak with people to set up import routes again and gather whatever else you need yourself. Importing the potions themselves is more expensive then having them made here by one of ours, so I hope you pick that and make peoples lives down here just a little bit easier.
If that doesn't interest you, you can always speak with Wymer. He is part of the city watch and monsters always need slaying.
Any other question?,'' Marle asked me after a while.
''No. I will sit on it a bit and then make a decision,'' I told her.
''Hmm. Fine then. If you need any help, directions or want to inform me about something regarding the apartment I'm downstairs. Or talk to someone else. You'll find that most of your neighbors are nice, particularly Tifa. Oh, and do mind your neighbor to the left. Something happened to him and he is making noise every now and then. But he doesn't harm anyone and he pays,'' Marle told me sternly at the end.
''Got it,'' I replied with a nod. Marle looked me up and down, maybe to spot any deceit. I was new so even with my superb acting there would still be some suspicion.
She hummed finally.
''Settle yourself in then and welcome to our community,'' Marle replied and walked out of the condo, closing the door behind her.
I sighed and dropped my bag in the corner, before settling my ass on the bed. The only furniture here in the condo. More like a it was a container stacked atop and near each other containers and the refurbished a little to have a 'room' and a small bath. By slum standards, this was practically luxury.
...Then again, aside from Sector 2 people weren't that bad off, regarding living standards. Oh, it still deserved to be called a slum, but it was not comparable to the slums in India, Kenya or Pakistan or any other part on his old planet.
I sighed again to relax and expel my anger. One more slimy tenant and I would have killed someone. Maybe Marle was different, maybe I just had the worst luck when looking for a place to stay, either way my biggest concern was solved. Getting scammed.
I didn't necessarily mind the cockroaches and rodents. I slept in worse places. Worst case scenario I would find someplace high up off the ground and sleep outside, while using my 'room' to stash things.
Ugh. Whatever. No reason to speculate about 'what ifs' since I found this place.
Hmm.
Mercenary work as a monster slayer would suit me, but...a pharmacist would also allow me to travel and talk with others. If I play my cards right. Obviously not to the same extent as a mercenary...
Alternatively I could teach someone the trade and then I would have more free time on my hands.
Hmm. I did have the funds...Things were relatively cheap down here, and even outside the ingredients themselves for the potions were cheap too. It was just the preparation of the potion that made it expensive, the labor that went into grinding, fermenting and distilling the ingredients for the potion.
If nothing else, it would give me a good reputation which always went far, no matter where one went.
'How terribly kind of you. Almost makes one think, we are not such a cold hearted piece of shit anymore. Huh?'
I was a cold hearted piece of shit.
'Good. Never forget that. Don't make me laugh. 'Building a community'. More like trying to exploit each other. They are all out for themselves. The moment you stop proving useful to them, they will cast you out and abandon you. If we do go down the pharmacist route, never forget why we started doing this in the first place. To build a trade empire of information. Anything else is secondary.'
Hmm. Yes. I planned on infiltrating Shinra for one reason or another anyway, mostly to see their information on the group of Cetra and where they were so I could make contact and use them as bait if necessary, but more information never hurt anyone.
'Besides, if we are lucky some idiots will eat the illusion right up. A mercenary? Everyone knows they are slaying monsters for the job, we've seen that often enough whenever we took on a commission to slay monsters in other places. A pharmacist on the other hand? A few kind words that you are doing it for the people, maybe even pass by the chance to get paid and some of the idiots will eat right out of our hand. So eager to report any ...dangers to us, as if we needed that. But their 'loyalty' can open them more up to spy for us.'
...So you think I should go with the pharmacy route?
'Go with whatever route. Just don't forget, no one here cares for you, unless you can provide them with something. You don't need these people as 'friends', for they will inevitably abandon you.'
Like everyone else, went unsaid.
'Have you forgotten what Marle said? Our neighbor to the left, makes a ruckus every now and then. And he suffers from something. But he keeps paying.'
Right. Of course.
I lied down on my bed, running calculations of everything that I needed to ensure, prepare and buy for this pharmacy to work. It would take a few moths of preparation.
I would have to orient myself on how Eve taught me. For the longest time, she only had me grind the plants, but that was probably just because she was suspicious of me not being able to keep up with her demand. Then she began teaching me everything else, while continuing to teach me about the plants of this world.
Contrary to what I believed initially, the tinctures and potions were not entirely made out of plants. There were some other ingredients necessary. Those she had imported, because there was no way she would sent a child out to fight monsters. Oh, I was sure she would have if she could and I was older, but she didn't.
No matter. I was not going down memory lane, I was adapting her course to my own.
Hmm. Maybe small adjustments could be allowed, since I doubted I will accept children as my workers and disciples.
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''-That is the address,'' I told the guy. Some delivery service on the upper plate. They accepted commissions from anyone, so long as the money was right. I already contacted some people in Kalm and Mideel to grow and harvest some of the plants. Some questioning around and it was revealed that they already were doing that, so they had the infrastructure for it already and I wouldn't have to wait long. I wonder if Eve told me about that and I just didn't listen at that time, more preoccupied with what she was transporting. Before I found a far better way to kill myself then some poisonous plants.
No matter.
''Do you want to take the option for us to load and off load your stuff as well or not?,'' the man asked me.
''There is no need. I already spoke with the necessary people and they will load the stuff. I will load it off and deal with the rest. You just need to transport it,'' I informed him. No need to pay twice for the same service.
''Gotcha. Aaaaand. Here, is the contract. Read it, here in the waiting room or at home and then just mail us signed contract. Alternatively you can drop it in our mail box to spare yourself the time and get this process done quicker. If for some reason you are not satisfied and/or want something changed then feel free to set another appointment with my secretary and we will discuss this again,'' the man told me after crossing the final boxes on the contract.
''Understood. Thank you. I look forward with working with you,'' I told him and took the papers.
As I was walking out of the building, I couldn't help but wonder WHY the proprietor of this business had to cross the boxes and write some other stuff in the papers.
An attempt to scam me? If traveling all over the world, as well as being born in a back water village like Gongaga, has taught me one thing , is that not everyone could read.
Did he suspect, because I was from the slums, that I was lacking in education.
Hmm.
I would need to carefully go over the contract in my condo.
---
Hmm? That man seemed familiar.
''Tifa. I can not thank you enough for watching over Marlene,'' a black man thanked Tifa gently, affectionately starring down at the girl he was holding in his arms. She seemed to be around 2-3 years old.
I was climbing up the stairs to the second floor of the apartment, when I stumbled upon a woman and a man talking, with the man holding the small girl.
Not that it was any of my business so I simply pulled out the keys and tried to open my condo. I doubted that I would hear anything interesting anyway, considering the personal nature of the conversation.
''Barret, you really don't need to mention it. I'll gladly watch over Marlene any time,'' Tifa chuckled with a shy expression. Not used to praise? I doubted that with her body. Genuine praise then. Maybe the type that came from a friend.
She had black hair going down her back, she tied it around the waist with a headband to keep it together. Judging by her gauntlets she was a fighter so maybe she was trying to keep it from getting in the way. She had red eyes too? ('Could she be one of my people?' I joked to myself.) She had a black sports bra and over it a white tank top, exposing her flat muscular stomach. She wore stockings and red boots and a small belted skirt. I could spy another black sports cloth at the edges of it. Black sport shorts?
The man was black, had short dark brown hair and what seemed to be a scar going over his right cheek, but I couldn't see that from this side to say with certainty. He wore black sun glasses, a black T-Shirt and over it a brown jacket without sleeves. He wore green pants and black boots and he carried with him a dog tag around his neck. Military? The man was built like a brick, pure muscle mass. Also would explain his prosthetic right arm.
The girl was, as previously noted, between 2-3 years old and sleeping while sucking on her thumb. She had a brighter shade of brown hair then her father, probably from her mother. It was cut very short. (She wore a small yellow dress over her frame.) And now that I was thinking that. Her mother might be dead or else she would have watched over her. Then again, maybe she could have been busy like her husband, there was not enough intel to say.
All that I observed in a matter of milliseconds.
''No Tifa, I have to thank you. It really means a lot and you have no idea. Marlene...She means a lot to me. I would take care of her myself, but ... there really is something that I need to take care of,'' Barret shook his head.
Ugh. This back and forth sentimentality was always sickening to listen to. I heard more then enough of it already, whenever my men were talking to their wives and children, before every battle. And then again after every battle. Then they all thanked me for leading them.
As if. The moment I was or would be fumbling they would have committed a mutiny and dispose of me. Besides, we were both using each other. I needed resources. 'No man left behind'. Fighting a war without losing men was a PAIN in the ass, if nothing else it forced me to consider some creative solutions. It allowed me to cultivate an image to the people which I made full use off to gather more men and kill the elites better. And the men were using me for the promise of a better tomorrow, because they too believed in the cause that the elites needed to go.
...I guess they believed that that meant securing a better life and future as well. Man, they must have been surprised when I ended democracy and declared myself king.
Hmm. Then again I wouldn't know, considering they never rose in rebellion. The only time when anyone did anything from the military's side was when Hank poisoned me.
Those early years during my monarchy were absolutely wild.
Oh well, I'm here now. I don't care for the old world anymore.
The point is, that if Tifa ever stopped taking care of Marlene for a while, Barret would be cross with her. He was using her, clearly. The moment she stopped doing what he wanted, their 'friendship' would end. Whether she had a good reason for it or was just refusing for personal reasons did not matter.
I finally put my keys in the keyhole. The papers stopping me from doing it as smoothly as I usually do it.
''Barret, really you are thanking me- Huh?,'' Tifa said and then noticed me. She disengaged from the conversation and walked quickly over to me. Barret following after her carefully, so he wouldn't jostle Marlene too much.
''Hello. You must be the new tenant Marle told me about. I'm Tifa and this is Barret. The little one is Marlene. I'm your neighbor at the end of the hall, if you need anything don't hesitate to know. Alternatively, you can find me at the 7th Heaven, the bar that I own. What is your name?,'' Tifa addressed me with a polite smile.
''Nox,'' I replied and closed my eyes. I was hoping to enter before they would notice me and make small talk.
''You seem familiar, boy. Do I know you from somewhere?,'' Barret asked me.
''Like I can answer that question for you. If it helps you don't seem familiar at all to me,'' I told him blankly. That was a lie, he was familiar to me.
''Hmm. Maybe. Doubt I would forget such a color combination,'' Barret replied something in his tone.
I swear to god, this topic is like beating a dead horse with a stick, for me. My travels showed me that unusual coloring is not that out of the norm in this world. Not surprising considering it is a fantasy world. Tifa herself had red eyes and I once saw a guy with red hair, assuming it was not hair color. It's just that MY colors specifically made people think I had albinism.
''I don't have albinism. If I did, I think you wouldn't forget me so easily, if you saw me getting turned to a crisp by sunlight on the side of the road,'' I shrugged.
Tifa frowned a little. What, did she not like dark jokes?
''Hmm. True. You new here?,'' Barret asked redundantly.
''In sector seven? Yes. If you mean the slums in general? Then also yes,'' I answered him. Might as well seem like a friendly sort. The approachable type.
''We all have a reason for being down here in the slums. You think we'd otherwise live under this damn pizza plate,'' Barret growled and looked upwards.
''Barret!,'' Tifa chastised him a little, when Marlene mumbled. He gave them both an apologetic look and then whispered sweet nothings to Marlene to make her relax and rest again.
''Nox, I wanted to ask you something. Is it true?,'' Tifa asked him suddenly and leaned a little towards me with hopeful bright eyes.
''Could you be any less specific? That question could be about anything in the known and unknown world,'' I replied flatly.
''Right, sorry. Marle said that you might be opening a pharmacy and that you are licensed, even if you have lost that license. That doesn't matter, considering most who offer their services don't have any license in the first place,'' Tifa explained.
Way to put social pressure on my back. Very subtle, Marle. She was lucky I saw opportunity in opening a pharmacy or she would be disappointed otherwise.
''We make do with what we can down here,'' Barret spat silently.
''Yes. I already bought the place and just need to finalize the final papers. Then I should start in a week or so,'' I affirmed.
Anything that I wouldn't have imported in? I could always hunt the monster parts down myself. The sewers are often monster infested from what I heard, because of Mako leaking from the Reactors.
...Also, how often is there a reactor malfunction that the sewers would be filled with monsters? What the hell was Shinra doing?
I doubt they will drop Gil, considering most people avoided the sewers and some other places, so the monsters haven't eaten the people and their Gil. But it should still help a little with my money troubles if there every are any.
''You're the one that bought that building down the street of the 7th Heaven! Nox, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We all try to build a community here and what you are doing would help people immensely. Most won't hesitate to help you out if you ask,'' Tifa explained to me and nodded at the end, finishing it off with a smile.
Of course they won't. Helping me benefits them.
''Man, you making me blush, already considering me part of the community when I haven't really done anything noteworthy,'' I scratched my cheek and muttered humbly.
''So? You would still be part of the community even without doing anything. Down here we look out for each other. Because if we don't? Then who will? Certainly not Shinra,'' Barret scoffed.
I hummed and smiled at them.
''Well, since you are offering. Could you spread the word? I'm looking for someone. At least two people. They need to have patience and fine hand control as well as a good memory. Maybe add in the fact that they can manage through stressful situations, just in case. I want to employ people and am willing to discuss payment with them myself.
Sure, I'm going to post a notice on the board, but if you are offering? Even better and easier to spread the word then,'' I requested of them.
Tifa nodded seriously and nodded confidently, aka both nodded.
''Leave that to me. I can talk about it and post a notice in my bar. Maybe none of my patrons will take you up on the offer, but they may know someone who will,'' Tifa easily agreed.
''I doubt Biggs and Wedge will take you up on the offer, but they know some people and they can ask,'' Barret replied.
''Thank you. I really appreciate what you are doing,'' i told them with a shy smile.
''No. Thank YOU. For too long did Sector 7 go on without a pharmacist. Even the physician complained, because going to the other Sectors takes too long,'' Tifa shook her head and explained embarrassed.
What was she getting embarrassed for?
Also, spare me of this sappy shit. Not that I could say that out loud.
''My own Marlene needed some medicine a year ago. Damn near wanted to beat someone up. Even lost a good friend of mine, because the doctor didn't have the right stuff,'' Barret growled.
Hm. Medicine lasts a while, but keeping it indefinitely is not a solution either. It is better to have it fresh on demand. Also, it is not practical to have a years worth of supply of every tincture and potion since, you won't encounter every ailment every day. Medicine can take up space.
Point is, there were lots of reasons why I understood their plight.
''Well, I'm glad I can help out then. Who knows maybe I will drop by the bar sometime or we will see each other again somewhere else. But I really need to get going and finalize some stuff, otherwise I won't get this pharmacy started. But take care, will you?,'' I said my goodbyes to them, waving my papers in the air and stepped into my condo.
Tifa gave me an unsure smile, while Barret gave me a thumbs up.
With a small wave I closed the door in front of them and let out a sigh.
Well, that was awkward.
Now let's take care of these papers.
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I cleaned some sweat from my forehead with my wrist after unloading the last crate of plants into my 'garage', a sort of storage room to my pharmacy, aka the building. It was a pain to off load them from the truck and then drag them all the way out here. The official road was a little out of the way and they would not be entering the slums so...well, at least no one was dumb enough to steal from me.
Let's get this started then, I thought as I opened up the crates and gathered the ingredients.
Time to have some stuff in my inventory by preparing the potions and medicine. 10 of each would be acceptable. I can make any adjustments to demand as necessary.
As well as some extra for the doctor. We came to an agreement that he would drop a mail in the box for me and I would make his request for the next day. Of course payment was involved.
---
There was... a long line in front of my pharmacy upon the first day of me officially opening for business.
''Are you all customers?,'' I asked the first one.
''Oh, no. We are here for the job you offered. That line is the customers one,'' he pointed in the opposite direction, a line consisting of only 4 people. Oh. In my defense, kind of hard not to notice the giant elephant in the room first and everything else second.
''You are aware that in my post I added characteristics required from the applicants but also WHEN to come to speak with me. You all should have come after hours,'' I slowly explained to him.
''I ... can not read,'' he mumbled.
Ok. Maybe I should have added that part to Tifa as well. She may not have seen the notice and just repeated my criteria verbatim. OBVIOUSLY I need people that can read.
''But surely you can read the time,'' I asked him, making him scowl with a blush.
''I ... can't do that either,'' he revealed making me sigh softly.
I was not holding it against the dude. Not his fault he couldn't read and write if there was no infrastructure for it and was denied the opportunity. He looked... What? 16? It is not like I couldn't hold him at fault for never trying to teach it himself either.
''I see. I don't blame you, any of you, considering the circumstances, but you do NEED to be able to read and write otherwise you can't do anything in my profession,'' I informed them.
The man took it with good grace, his hopeful expression falling. Then he turned back and relayed the info to the others with good grace.
...All of them dispersed, making me sigh. It will be a while till I get two assistants, huh?
''Alright, come in you all,'' I told my customers.
''Yes. I would like one or two Antidotes. My husband works for the watch and he and a few others got the task of cleaning up a few Smoggers in our Sector,'' requested the first woman.
''Sure. Here, two Antidotes. That would be 100 Gil,'' I told her, she readily paid and leftwith a thanks and a smile.
''Next,'' I called for the next person when they wouldn't step forward.
---
I let my head hang after the last customer left. This... was not what I envisioned. It was BOOOOOOOOORING. And that was coming from me, who was a king sitting on his ass all day and reading through documents. Sitting around all day on my feet and waiting for someone to come in? Nothing was more dreadful. At least the customers talked, not all, but some and I got some information, so my investment turned out how I hoped.
But still, I would need to make some more then just 10 of each, which means I would also need to order more ingredients...
These people down here live REALLY active and hectic lives, huh? A consequence of the Mako Reactor leaks making more monsters, which happen far too frequently for my liking. But so long as the rich people on top are not affected? Why would Shinra care or spent their scientist on solving this issue?
I stepped forward to close the door, the moment the clock hit 17 on the clock.
Huh?
''I'm closed for today,'' I told the 15 or something people at my door. Unless it was an emergency, I would not be opening. And I already memorized the doctors and his assistants faces if they ever run to me for an emergency demand of medication.
''We are not customers. We are her for your notice? As employees and students?,'' a woman stepped forward to inform me.
Huh? My eyes must have widened a little, because she chuckled.
Could I really be so lucky?
''What you thought no one would apply for you or the position? Buying potions, tinctures and medicine from the top makes them expensive. Getting them from other Sectors doesn't change that and additionally there is too much trouble involved. Neither the customers not the vendors like that down here. And the fact that you are also willing to teach the profession? It means only that there will be more pharmacist and cheaper too?,'' the same woman explained to me... as if I didn't know that.
No, no. I was young and she was older and she was probably teasing me as older people are wont to do.
''You can read?,'' I asked them to be sure.
''Of course. Well then. Shall we?,'' the same woman asked again.
''Of course. This won't take long. Come,'' I opened the door and told the others to wait a few minutes. I was not going to ask too many questions, certainly nothing of the performative job interviews will be involved in my business. So I should be getting my employees/assistants/disciples today.
...
In the end I employed the same elderly woman that addressed me first.
Her name was Naomi and she was 51 years old. By this worlds standard, 41 was old.
The other was someone a younger then Naomi. Her name was Astrid and she was 29 years old.
Both could read and write and do some math.
Huh, guess I worried for nothing. Now I just need to teach them and they can take over the shop when I need to be away.
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''Hello, Tifa. I would like some water and Today's Special, please,'' I requested at the counter after entering 7th Heaven. It was a few days after hiring Naomi and Astrid. Today they will have to read up on some plants, so I had some free time and decided to keep up to date by gathering some intel at the bar.
''Nox! Of course, this will take just a moment,'' Tifa smiled at me.
...
''Here, on the house. As apologies for causing you so much trouble,'' Tifa handed me the plate of food.
''Hm? What do you mean?,'' I asked her confused. She blushed and ducked her head.
''I heard about the first day at your pharmacy. I should have known you wanted people to read. It is on the house as a way of apology,'' she explained.
''Can you read minds? I naturally assumed that if someone can read my notice that they can also read. Of course, if the information spreads by word of mouth, this assumption can not be made as easily. And remember I did NOT add that in my requirements, when I talked to you and Barret about it. So frankly there is nothing to apologize about,'' I explained and was about to hand the Gil over.
''Then take it as a thank you gift for all you are doing for our community. You said you were new, so you probably don't know, but it was a little difficult without you. People managed of course, but still...,'' she trailed off, the meaning in the air. She tried to hand the money back. I left it on the counter.
''You are not running a charity here. Take the money. And if you force the issue I will just throw it on the ground,'' I explained to her and grabbed the plate.
she was about to reply before a customer yelled out.
''Hey, Tifa. Why don't you move that fine ass of yours over here and serve us some more beer,'' one man yelled making his friends chuckled.
How vulgar and rapey sounding.
Tifa grimaced faintly, before giving them a smile.
''I will be with you in just a moment, please,'' she shot back.
''Ignore them,'' she said noticing my glare at them,'' I really want to show my appreciation for all you did for us, but you are also insistent on paying. Since we are both insistent can I offer a compromise? (*I nodded*) Can we put this money aside for Marlenes education?''
''We? There is no 'we','' I chuckled amused,'' It is your money. Put it aside for Marlene if it makes you feel better.''
Tifa looked disappointed for some reason, but nodded and put the money under the counter instead of the cash register. Then she made her way over to the rude assholes.
I on the other hand sought out a quiet corner far away from everyone else and observed silently. Making sure to keep an eye out for Tifa in case she needed it.
Not that she needed it, as it turned out. Both because she was a fighter, with moves like that, but also because other customers were about to stand up before she kicked their butts and threw them out.
Aside from Tifa kicking out the old men when they grabbed her butt, proving my suspicions that she really was a fighter, nothing interesting happened and I didn't get any noteworthy information either.
Hmm. The food is nice, however.
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''We'll need some new monster parts,'' I sighed one day to Naomi and Astrid during potion making.
It has been...close to a month now? That I opened the shop here. Naomis and Astrids education was coming along nicely, a few more months and then they would be 'licensed' tradeswomen in this craft. Not that I can give them a license, not one that will hold up in court or the top plate, but still.
''Then... should we order new parts?,'' Astrid asked unsure.
I hummed.
''The sword I carry isn't just for show. I can see if Wymer has something for me. Anything that a monster didn't drop, we can order. It would, if nothing else, save us some money,'' I replied and patted my sword/collapsable spear sword that i carried with me everywhere. Can't let the Black Materia out of my eyes after all.
''But what if something happens to you?,'' Naomi asked me worried.
What if someone happens to the only pharmacist in Sector 7, you mean?
I almost smiled knowingly at her, but I managed to catch myself just in time.
''I doubt that. I won't die any time soon,'' I placated her instead.
''But-,'' Astrid began next.
''I seem to remember that I'm the boss here. It is nice that you worry, I suppose, but frankly what you think doesn't matter here. Besides it would be nice to stretch again after all this time,'' I rolled my shoulder, ignoring their hurt expression.
Yes, I liked the sound of that.
---
A King Behemoth? Oh I liked the sound of that. Wymer was unsure if he should give me that commission, but I simply took it from his hands and thus the matter out of his hands as well.
Deep in the sewers, huh?
Let's do this then.
...
On my way to the location I could once again 'appreciate' the state of the slums.
It depended entirely where you were. Depending on where you were one could expect one sight or the other.
As previously mentioned Sector 3, 5 and 7 were not that bad. Yes, there were still dead people here and there, drug addicts, Mako leaking and waste being thrown off the Top Plate with no shame or regard if it would hit one below.
Technically Sector 6 was well off too. But that was the Wall Market and Don Corneo ruled over that place. It was... a place particularly known for its sex workers and the Honey Bee Inn. It was only a nice place in appearance and otherwise just as rotten under the spoiled beauty as all the other Sectors beside 3,5 and seven.
Sector 1 was infested with Mako leaking everywhere, most suffering from Mako poisoning, those that lived there anyway.
Sector 2 was a dedicated waste disposal. Which said a lot that the people at top still threw their waste over the top plate. Only very few people lived there anyway, for one reason or another.
4 was not too bad all things considered. But it was more like the slums in India, Pakistan or Kenya. They were poor even by slums standards. Crime was the highest there and drug addicts were more numerous then anywhere else.
And 8 was not too different from 4. Just a tiny, TINY, bit better then 4.
No, the slums of Midgar were nothing noteworthy.
It was up top were paradise lied.
Midgar.
City of Mako.
Heh.
More like
Midgar, City of Dreams.
Because you have to be asleep to believe what they are selling you. The evidence is all around Midgar in a circle. Sooner or later, even the people up top will wake up from the dream and suffer the consequences.
Of course, once that happens, we are all well and truly fucked, because too much damage would have been done to Gaia.
---
I dodged a swipe from its front legs, but was hit by its tail, the thing doing no damage to me, but throwing me away. I crashed into the wall and slammed my sword spear in it, before swinging myself away from the spot. Comet landing where I have previously been.
Then I kicked myself back into the arena, combining it into a slide, sliding under another swipe of it. I pulled his hind leg, throwing it off balance and then jumped up trying to land the tip of my spear sword into it's skull.
It jumped just in time away, my sword striking the ground. I dodged another Comet and was nearly pierced by it's horns, when it attacked where it anticipated I would land. Smart creature.
It gave a confused growl when I stopped it in it's tracks by grabbing it by its horn with a death grip. It cast Comet again and spew some fire from its mouth. But I cast Barrier from my Mastered Materia. Sure, it doesn't completely nullify magical and physical damage, but considering my durability from the Mako Strands in my body the damage was zero.
Before the King Behemoth realized that I was still standing and before it could do anything, I shoved the sword spear through it's mouth, through the roof of its head and into it's brain.
Monsters were tough. Just because you hit them and opened up wounds on their body did not mean they would weaken or die. One needed to do 'enough' damage to them before they dispersed into Mako.
Almost like a video game.
Fantasy world.
I'm not gonna ask.
Moving on.
Probably because Mako was somehow involved.
MOVING ON.
The point was that if I hit their brain, they would suffer catastrophic damage, almost always dying. Of course, getting there was another matter, but I got really good at that.
Anyway, I pocketed nearly 2000 Gil that it dropped, as well as it's horns and made my way out.
(I was not gonna ask about where the Gil came from. At this point I was even too afraid to ask. Because otherwise how the fuck didn't the economy collapse every time SOLDIER were sent out to kill monsters. Sometimes it was better not knowing, for the sake of ones sanity. Recently I adopted a new motto.
When in doubt, blame Mako.)
Sure, could I have cast Frog or Sleeping on it and ended the fight in a few seconds. Yes. Yes, I could have, but where would be the fun in that, especially if I had the time to spare.
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I hummed a song as I observed the candidate through my binoculars. I was on the top plate on the roof top of a building not too far away from the entrance to Shinra HQ.
I was looking for a male around my height. His profession did not matter, his appearance did not matter since Make Up could take care of that nothing mattered, really, except that he was a male and my height. I have been doing that for the past few days. As much as I could without raising eyebrows or compromising Naomis and Astrids education.
But so far no luck.
I COULD sneak in without finding a candidate, but I was sure I needed a key card to open doors, for security reasons.
Anything else, I could play off or learn to play off by ending the 'rounds'.
My target was the Shinra board meeting room, every CEO had one and I was sure Shinra would be no different.
I pulled out a listening device from my pocket. Getting it was not easy. I couldn't buy one, since that would leave traces behind, but finding the right person to buy from was no trouble. It was stealing from them that was the real problem. Cameras everywhere in their storage room, guards, traps both deadly and alarms.
But with a few 'rounds', Don Corneo was none the wiser and his pockets lighter. Well... not really. I didn't leave him penniless. He would blame the people and could turn into a rabid dog, so I let him live. Certainly better then me needing to fill the power vacuum after he dies. And I certainly have no interest in destroying Shinra and filling THAT power vacuum.
For Don Corneo was Shinras dog, so long as he was their ears and eyes in the slums, he would be allowed to remain in power. That was his 'treat' for goof behavior.
But I will be taking care of Shinra one day or another.
I have every interest in living after taking care of the Big Bad. Hard to do that if Shinra kills off the planet.
...
Fuck it. We ball'.
I didn't find the proper candidate.
I would just have to steal a keycard and enter and leave before anyone notices. But the window of opportunity will be very tight in this case.
Meh.
That will be easy peazy.
I started climbing down the building and jumped down at the final hurdle Then I began making my way down from Sector 4 Top Plate back to the slums in Sector 7.
There was a LOT I would need to prepare if I wanted to sneak into Shinra HQ and especially the boarding room. Of course, I could just sneak in, snoop around about the Cetra, if they even have any information on it and then end the 'round' with no evidence left behind.
But if I wanted to be up to date on what Shinra was up to, then I would need to sneak in. And EVERYTHING needed to go smoothly, which meant even MORE preparing since I won't end the round after everything is said and done. If anything went wrong and I updated my checkpoint I would be in trouble.
Oh sure, Shinra won't win. Even without my time loop I was too strong by this time.
But taking over the world demanded finesse and time, especially if I wanted to do it right. (Assuming I even wanted to be 'King' again, which I was not that enthusiastic about.) Time that would away at my abilities allowing them to deteriorate and if the Big Bad came around? Well, I would be fucked.
Point was, I had my reasons for doing things this way.
Now, getting the Make Up itself would also take some time. Assuming I didn't want to link the events to each other for the Turks to connect the dots. I would probably need to buy from different shops. Maybe steal from some as well. Hmm, by the time I became the other person I wanted to only share the same height with it.
While I was deep in my thoughts, I crashed into someone's back.
''I'm sorry about that,'' I apologized and returned to my way again. I didn't pay much attention to whoever I crashed into and if they forced the issue I will just end the 'round'. I had no interest in some rich elitist cretin calling the police on me for annoying them.
''H-hey, where do you think you are going. You didn't even hear me out regarding my offer,'' the female voices called out.
Hm? A street vendor then. I ignored her and continued on my way.
I could hear loud steps from afar approaching closer.
''Hey, no. Wait. You are rude. Would you like a flower? It's only 1 Gil, I promise,'' she panted a little. Clearly having run after me for a bit.
Huh?
I stopped in my tracks.
Flowers?
In Midgar?
I heard talk about someone growing flowers in Sector 5, but when I asked people got all defensive or evasive. I couldn't be certain, since I didn't see anything of the sort, when I was looking around for an apartment. And I never cared enough to find out after that.
But now?
With the opportunity presented to me on finding answers?
How could I refuse?
(A.N.: 7688 words. I decided it is more fun to write from the first perspective of the characters. Considering Nox' abilities it is fun to see how others would 'see' and perceive his actions, I think. If not I can always take up the 3rd POV again. Hope you enjoyed reading that. Cheers and stay safe out there.)