Chaotic Illusions: Chapter 1
Vincent Valentine leaned casually on the upper balcony of ShinRa Manor, his blood-red eyes sweeping out over the grounds that spread endlessly before him. His mind floated around in his head, touching on old memories, promises, and failures. He sighed, allowing his mind to briefly rest in the cave where he knew Lucrecia Crescent lay entombed in Mako Crystals.
Well, that's not new! Are you ever going to stop brooding over her?
Vincent turned and walked into the Mansion that had been his home for over thirty years. "No, Chaos," he said aloud, "I probably won't."
I don't see why you're harping on this anyway – she's dead. Shit happens. Cry me a river, build a bridge, and GET OVER IT!
Vincent continued to walk, his copper foot armor making dull clunking sounds against the half-rotted wood. "What would you know? You're a demon."
Chaos gave the mental equivalent of a shrug. I've been trapped in this near-empty head of yours for over three decades, and I've been exposed to a lot more than your angst, gunman.
Vincent seated himself in one of the dusty armchairs that littered his home. "Such as?"
Thoughts… feelings… you know you've got 'em.
The gunman shrugged, "Never said I didn't."
But you hide them nonstop. What the hell's your problem? Open up. Live a little. Have fun. BE HAPPY!
"Chaos, you're a demon from hell telling me to be happy… what's wrong with this picture?"
You brooding like a half-dead vulture, that's what. Why don't you go visit the others? I know that bouncy little ninja, Yuf-something, had a thing for you. She'd be glad to see you again.
"Yuffie? She'd only be glad for the chance to steal some of my Materia and you know it."
Okay then, Tifa. You know, the bartender? You could drop by on the pretense of 'just having a drink' and perhaps catch up on old times.
"Why are you pushing me to do this?"
Face it Vinnie, your social skills plain suck."
"That's an improvement from last time, where you quoted Cid."
Either way, you need MAJOR help. You couldn't hold a conversation with a pet rock, let alone a member of the opposite gender. I think I'm the only one you'll talk to, and that's because you have no other choice.
"Chaos, go to hell."
Wish I could, pal.
Vincent stood up and began to pace again. "If I did go visit the others, they would become suspicious. I never just appear for the sake of appearing. Besides, it's not like they like me or anything."
Vincent, you're a doorknob.
"Pardon?"
You heard me. Yuffie blushes and stutters around you. Tifa always tries to get you to stay at the bar with her. Cid… he's just Cid, I guess… And don't forget that little girl…
"Marlene?"
Yeah, Marlene. Come on, she likes you. You've got a way with kids, Vincent.
"Wonderful… now I'm earning points with the pedophile community…"
Cut the crap, Vincent, I'm tiring of it. Just get off your fat lazy ass and go outside for once. The sun won't melt you, Dracula, so just go!
"You've been around Yuffie too much."
And lovin' it. She's got quite a spark in her, that one. If I were the one on the surface, I'd have made a move on her by now.
"Believe me," said Vincent, kicking absently at a rat that scurried across his path, "I'm glad you are not me."
Whatever… are you going or not?
"I'll go if you give me one good reason."
I won't quit bugging you until you do, Brood.
"First Dracula and now Brood… you're as bad as Yuffie."
Just go already.
Vincent turned and walked out of ShinRa Manor. A drink at Tifa's bar did sound like a good idea right now… dealing with Chaos always gave him a headache.
Glad I'm good for something… muttered Chaos, intercepting Vincent's thought as it passed through his mind.
"Chaos…"
Yes?
"Please be quiet."
Sir, yes sir, shuttin' the hell up, sir…