OLDE MIDGAR FLAMES
Disclaimer: I don't own FF7 All rights belong to Square Enix I only own the oc. ;)
Summary: Two years since meteor fall have passed. Cecily arrives in the city of Midgar on an mission after a
long absence never expecting to return there. In the shadows of ruble lurk old memories of times
best left forgotten. When an unexpected person from the past shows up with a strange request she
finds herself confronting an unlikely enemy. One thing leads to another revealing more skeletons
in the closet accidentally unraveling the mystery surrounding her birth.
~~Prologue~~
The planet condemned the tyrant and brought about his destruction and those who stood with him.
In ruin was his fortune, taken away all he possessed but from the ashes he emerged beaten but not shattered.
How can fate be so cruel? Left alive only to die a more slow and painful death.
The heart of another beats somewhere on the earth, it is cold and enclosed in stone set in misery.
Fate is oh so cruel.
It winds, weaves its threads together drawing closer the two survivors.
Closer, closer, closer…
When steal meets with stone, sparks ignite rekindling the
Olde Midgar Flames.
They arrived in Edge late in the evening. Dark clouds hung low in the sky threatening rain. Cecily was bone weary and relieved that they were in the city at last. She pulled to a stop in front of a bar that doubled as an inn. She turned to the youth sitting behind her on her motorcycle, "Wait here, Reizo, while I find us a room for the night. Watch the bike and don't let anything happen to the case." She said climbing off and striding into the establishment.
There were few patrons present in the bar considering it was a Friday night. A night most people would be out winding down from their week. A dark haired woman walked up to the counter receiving a friendly welcome from the brunette woman who came quickly from behind the bar. "Welcome to Seventh Heaven. What can I do for you?" "Do you have a room available for the night?" Cecily inquired in a flat tone. "We have one. I'll have it ready shortly. I hope you don't mind the wait." She stated apologetically, looking around before handing the young woman a form to sign. Cecily shook her head. "Not at all." She scrawled her signature and slid the paper back to the brunette. "Please, take a seat at the bar and have a drink while you wait."
Cecily walked over to the other end of bar her long brown trench coat swishing around her and took up a seat. "What can I get you?" The same brunette asked grabbing a glass, filling it then sliding it with practiced skill to the blonde haired man in his early 30's sitting opposite of her. "Gin on the rocks." She responded, surveying her surroundings discretely. The woman set a short glass of amber liquid before her hurrying off toward the stairs afterwards. Cecily took a long drink enjoying the sharp burn as it faded into a warming sensation down her throat. She set the glass back down and pretended to study the design on the coaster. Through the corner of her eye she noticed the blonde next to her staring. "Cigarette?" He offered holding out the package. She reached out to take one but hesitated a moment. She was tired and it would help relax her nerves at the least, she told herself. "Thanks." she said accepting a light.
A sharp bang rang out through the bar as the front door swung open just as a clap of thunder sounded outside. Reizo stood in the frame, hair dripping wet, duffel bag, guitar case, and teddy bear carried on his back. His eyes searched the room finding Cecily at the bar looking in his direction. The boy blanched at the sight of the young woman cigarette in hand puffing a plume of smoke. All the baggage crashed to the ground forgotten as he ran up to her. "Ma, you promised you wouldn't smoke." He chided tugging at her sleeve. "You know it's bad for you!" Cecily stared down at the smoldering stick in her hand then at the boy who was quickly approaching tears. She reached over and stamped it out in the ashtray at her far left with a grimace. Irritation evident on her features that the child was correcting her actions. "It wasn't even a whole drag." She grumbled to the boy. "Next you'll be nagging at me for sipping alcohol." "No I won't. It can be good for the heart. But those things will kill you before your time." A few chuckles sounded through the room while the man next to them shot the boy a look that went ignored. "I just don't want you to smoke." He mumbled sheepishly realizing all the attention they were attracting.
He picked up the bear and walked stiffly over to where Cecily sat. She looked down at him and ran her hand through his short sandy colored hair. " Sorry." she whispered, going to pick up the luggage that he'd dropped setting the guitar case against her chair. "We can stay here for the night. They're fixing up a room." No sooner were the words out of her mouth when the woman appeared on the steps smiling warmly. "I'll show you the way to your room now."
The pair followed her up the stairs to the small room. It was small and very simple yet cozy, with only the twin-sized bed, dresser, and padded linen high-backed chair in the corner. "Here we are. If you need anything at all just let me know." She said gesturing for them to enter. "Thank you." Cecily and the boy replied in unison closing the door behind them. Reizo ran and jumped on the bed landing face down. "Ah, It's nice and fluffy!" he exclaimed happily being muffled, as he burrowed into the pillows. "Stop jumping. I can't pay for the bed if you break it." She chided sharply. He stopped immediately going statue still. "Go change into you pajamas and don't forget to brush your teeth." Cecily ordered promptly.
Once Reizo had gone, she opened her guitar case and removed the instrument carefully placing it aside. Using a pocketknife she popped open a side panel in the case, removing a small drawstring bag containing bead like objects. Plucking out eight and then twelve of them, she slipped the bag back into place along with the other parts of the case. She pulled out her revolver and inserted the she filled the magazine sliding the it back into the second gun, flipped the safety switch on, and laid it on the nightstand.
The boy had returned, already showing signs of drowsiness. "Mama?" He asked worried seeing the handgun on the stand. She turned to face him "No, I don't think we'll need it, but we can't be too careful." She said placing her hands on his shoulders giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Go to sleep. You should rest up while we're stationed here." He nodded tottering off to bed.
Cecily had changed into a more comfortable ensemble before slipping into bed next to Reizo. He was fast asleep and breathing softly.
She forced her self to stay awake for a while longer. An old habit of keeping watch just to be sure there were no threats lurking around. It had been some time since they both slept in an actual bed or had a solid roof over their heads. The jobs she got often were dangerous and required stealth. That meant staying out of view unless they came to a large crowded city. There were few of those now a day, hence subjecting them both to the harsh elements.
Next morning Cecily jolted awake by a clatter down the stairs accompanied by a shriek. She was up in an instant gun in hand at the ready.
Reizo was climbing up the side of the bed from where he had tumbled off. Staring wide eyed up at the woman opposite. "What was that?" He whispered in
panic. She shrugged, listening carefully to the racket downstairs. "Be quiet! We have guests staying." She heard a woman's voice scold sharply .
"It's alright." She told the boy, setting down the gun. "Let's get ready and go down."
Cecily swiftly trotted down the steps and walked to the bar Reizo following close behind her. "Good morning! What can I get you?" The cheery brunette greeted. "Coffee and-" Cecily turned to the boy beside her. "Orange juice and an egg sandwich please." He said timidly peering over the counter and then at the two children who were sitting, chattering at the other end of the room. "Ok, coming right up." The woman replied leaving to fill the order.
"Hi! I'm Marlene," chirped a little brown haired girl, about eight years old, her hair softly woven into a braid held in place with a pinkish red bow.
"What's yours?" Reizo shrunk back suddenly against Cecily gripping onto her pants leg to balance himself on the bottom rung of the bar stool. Cecily glanced down in surprise. "Where are your manners, Reizo?" she jibed. He glanced up at her and back at the girl."I'm Reizo." The boy murmured quietly not sure what to think of this bold creature. "This is Denzel." Marlene pointed to the boy standing behind her. "That's Tifa." The little girl's hand moved to point to the brunette behind the bar.
"Is she your big sister?" Denzel asked curiously. The woman's eyes were now on the bandage on boy's forehead studying it with interest before focusing back on Marlene. "That's my mom, Cecily." Reizo stated quickly stifling a giggle. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Cecily!" Marlene piped cheerfully. "Miss " Cecily corrected, extending her rough slender hand to the girl and then to the boy who hesitantly gave it a gentle shake knowing he was being eyed carefully.
The brunette now known as Tifa came with the steaming hot cup of coffee and a tall glass of orange juice. "I hope they're not bothering you too much." Tifa said apologetically. She set down the glasses before them. "No, they're fine." The woman said watching the children with idle curiosity. "Would you like to come to play with us?" Marlene asked, quickly adding, "Can we take him to the playroom, Tifa, Pleeeease?" Tifa observed the woman and the boy, she noticed a twinge of irritation pass over her face. "It's alright with me, but you'll have to ask his mom first." All eyes were on Cecily, but she did not reply immediately. "Can I?" asked Reizo at last, looking up at his mother. "Only for a little while and after you finish breakfast." She said ruffling his hair.
She gave no reprimand when he'd downed the sandwich in several large bites and drained the glass setting it down quickly. "Done." He announced, looking at Cecily expectantly. She waved her hand in dismissal as she took a gulp of her coffee. His face lit up and the children disappeared up the stairs.
"They sure are an energetic bunch." The woman remarked taking another sip of her coffee.
Tifa smiled, "They sure are."
The bar maid began washing the glasses that were in the sink. "You two must be new in town," she said making small talk. "Not really. I'm here on business. I don't plan to stay for long." She said staring out the window absentmindedly. "Where are you from?" Her attention turned back to the bar tender "I used to live in Midgar long before Meteor Fall. Now…where every the road winds." She spoke quietly.
They continued with small chat for a good half hour until a beep sounded loudly and Cecily pulled out her phone. 'Target lost.. Repositioning to retrieve signal.' The message read. She hissed and snapped it closed. "Add the drinks to my tab, please." She said, sliding off the stool and headed upstairs. She reappeared wearing her trench coat and a small case in hand. Reizo came down moments later holding her phone. "You forgot this!" He said running to her. "Where did you put the bike?" Cecily asked him anxiously. "I chained it in the back of the ally. They had a garage there." He responded thrusting the key to her with a pair of goggles. He followed her out the door to the ally.
There was a blonde haired man there, polishing a motorcycle parked across from hers. He was several years younger than the man whom she had seen at the bar the night before. This man's hair was spiked strangely, poking out in all directions. He was wearing an old SOLDIER uniform. He looked up and their eyes met. Mako blue orbs gleamed in the dimmed light. Cecily paused before entering still staring at him. Reizo clung close to her, his hand slipped into her coat pocket. "Can we go now?" He asked nervously, glancing at the blonde across from them. He was a SOLDIER. Reizo knew from the strange gleam in his eye. From the many fights that Cecily got into that they were a dangerous type and were not to be trusted of trifled with.
Without a word, she led Reizo to the bike securing the case she carried to the cargo rack. The man was still watching them; she could feel his cold mako eyes burning into her back. Cecily swung herself onto the cycle and steadied it before making it roar to life. The machine was facing in his direction and he noticed the woman's stern eyes directed at him from behind the goggles she now wore. The engine roared in protest before it jerked forward zooming out of the garage onto the street. Once the woman was out of sight, it hit him...She looked familiar, but why? He decided he'd brush it off for the moment and finished cleaning his bike.
A/N: Here it is at last the first chapter of my story. I hope you've enjoyed reading it. If you have any comments or feed back I appreciate it. An update will hopefully be posted soon. Thank you for reading!