I wrote this story a pretty long time ago. I think that I've improven since then, but I still kainda linke the way it turned out. I hope you will enjoy it too! If you notice any mistypes or\and grammer problems, please tell me! Since I wrote it about a year or two ago, my English was worse than it is today.
Thanks, and enjoy the show!
Blind Love
Vincent stood up.
He signed.
There was nothing more he could do.
She was dead.
Cid put a comforting hand on Vincent's shoulder. Vincent turned to him with a sad smile and nodded. He'll be fine.
He took one last glance at the lonely tombstone. The red roses he had placed at its base did little to cheer up its bleakness.
Vincent turned to Cid and nodded once, he was ready to go back now.
They silently walked back to the house.
He'll be fine, he didn't have much of a choice, anyway.
Neither Vincent nor Cid spoke until they got into the house.
"You okey, Vince?" Asked Cid as they took off their coats and scarfs.
Vincent sighed,
"I'll be fine."
"You better be! I'll be sure to remind you of your promise, so don't pretend you'll forget."
Shera, being out of the house for the day, left a kettle of tea near the fire with a little note of instructions. Both men knew little about house keeping.
Vincent read the instructions and followed them, making both of them some tea.
"I *will* try to fulfill my promise, even if it kills me."
Cid sat down near the table, lifting his legs on it.
"I seriously doubt that trying to go on with your life'll kill you, Vince."
"You never know." Vincent humored as he purred both some tea.
Cid smiled, then said with a definite note,
"Well, when do you want to start?"
Vincent looked at him, confused,
"Start what?"
"Dating, what else?" Cid said, burning his fingers on the tea cup.
That last remark left Vincent somewhat speechless,
"Uhhh, Well, umm... Give me some time, we have just only came back from her grave!"
Cid frowned,
"We agreed that you'll stop thinking about her,"
"It takes a while, I can not just stop dead on..."
Cid smiled a wicked smile,
"You had your time, 'till noon tomorrow, I promise you'll have a date,"
Vincent looked very much uncomfortable with all that,
"Cid-" he started protesting, but Cid silenced him with a dismissive gesture
"No, Vince', I'll take care of everything, you just find something... Else to wear for tomorrow night."
Both of them looked at what Vincent was wearing; The crimson bandanna, the blood red cape, the black clothes, the pointy boots.
"Ya, definitely find something else to wear..."
Vincent grumbled and went to find some other clothing,
"You can use some of mine, if you like!" Called Cid after him, himself getting up from the kitchen table and sitting by the computer. He flexed his fingers and started typing.
After a while Vincent came out of his room, he came and looked over Cid's shoulder,
"So, found something to wear?" Asked Cid, smiling
Vincent nodded once. He noticed what was on Cid's computer, and frowned,
"Blind dates?? Well, I never..."
Cid's grin widened at his friend's discomfort
"Don't worry, I'll find someone who thinks Vampires are sexy," he teased him, while typing away.
Vincent turned to another tactics: begging,
"Please, Cid, don't make me go on a blind date!"
Cid was rather surprised at Vincent's stress on the matter. He blinked.
Vincent sighed,
"Cid, do you have any idea when was the last time I was on a date? When was the last time I spent time with a woman's company?"
"For crying out loud, Vince'! Your last name's Valentine! I'm sure you can still manage to charm some girls!"
"I'm 57! I'm not supposed to be going on blind dates!" he desperately tried,
"Well, your not supposed to look that good at your age, either! Or have red eyes or a claw. So shut yer yap and take these cards."
Vincent sighed, this was not going as he planned. He knew that Cid had a point, but it *has* been a long time since he went on a date, and he wasn't sure that he had it in him. He took the cards the printer had generously provided and went to the living room, flipping through them,
"Blond, blond, blond, blond, blond... Cid, have you given me someone who isn't blond?"
Cid came to sit by him one the sofa,
"You have something against blonds?" He demanded, passing his hand meaningfully through his hair,
"No, but-"
"Just shut up and pick someone you like."
"I'll get my revenge someday," Vincent miserably said as he picked, almost randomly a card, he read it,
"Blond, brown eyes, 5' 6", 25, blood type: AB-, would like someone serious and down to earth, preferably older who will be interested in a deeper relationship than just-"
"That's the girl for you!" Exclaimed Cid happily. He grabbed Vincent's arm and dragged him back to the computer,
"Now, all we have to do is send her your card and if she agrees, then you have yourself a date!"
"Cid, there isn't a chance in the world that she'll-"
Cid ignored him, he was having too much fun to listen to his whining,
"Shut up. Hair: Black, Eyes: Hmm... Mind in I write the truth?"
Vincent sighed with irritation,
"Write whatever you want..."
"Very well, Eyes: particular brown..."
" 'particular brown?' that an interesting way to put it-"
"Shut up. What's your height?"
" 6' " Vincent said, bringing a chair near the computer,
"Blood type?"
"A"
"Umm... What should I write for your age?"
"27, I guess... that's how I look like, anyway... But Cid, are you sure-"
"Shut up. 27, okey. Now we need your description," Cid looked at Vincent in anticipation.
Vincent noticed that Cid was having a grand time, he looked so happy and enthusiastic. Well, if you can't beat them, join them. He gave up.
"Write whatever you want, don't look at me for a description of myself..."
Cid thoughtfully scratched his chin, looking at Vincent. After a moment he started to write vivaciously. Vincent leaned closer to read what Cid was writing about him.
"A mystical man, stern and upright while at the same time
dark and mysterious.
"Hmmm.." Said Vincent "That is quite-"
"Shut up."
"I was going to say 'nice'."
"Oh."
"Perhaps you should drop the 'me joining Cloud' part, and the 'fearsome power' part, I'm not sure that's very... You know..."
"Hmm, I guess you're right," Cid erased those parts, mentally cheering that Vincent had finally consented to his fate.
"I see you're not mentioning the claw," Said Vincent in a mixture of interest and mild agitation with himself, or rather, the claw, as Cid sent the computer card to the Dating Service.
"What she doesn't know can't hurt her." Concluded Cid, with a definite pressing of the 'Enter'.
Vincent said there wasn't a chance in the world she'll agree. Cid promised that by noon the next day, she'll say yes.
The wagered the last remaining ice cream in the freezer.
She said yes at 12:01, so they split the ice-cream between them.
"I'm so happy for you, Vincent!" Exclaimed Shera when Cid told her about the date,
"It's not like I'm going to merry her, it's just a date..."
"Yes, but it's *you* dating... Anyway, I'm sure that the lady you're going to meet is very lucky. If I was going to a blind date with a handsome dark stranger like yourself, I wou-" She stopped when she noticed Cid's harsh and somewhat insulted glare.
Vincent almost blushed,
"Thanks... But I doubt she'll think the same..."
Shera turned Vincent around and pushed him to his room,
"Now go change, you have to meet her at 8 o'clock and it's almost 7!"
After he hesitantly went to his room, Shera turned to Cid.
He was sitting and watching TV. she had a feeling that he was deliberately ignoring him as she sat down on a sofa near him.
Nither spoke.
The TV flashed unearthly colors upon their faces and the walls.
After a few moments, Shera said in an attempt to start a conversation,
"Aren't you proud of Vincent?"
Cid didn't take his eyes off the screen,
"Ya... It took him a %^$@ long time to get over that Lucrecia chick..."
She nodded,
"I'm not sure that he's totally over her yet, but I think it's very healthy for him to try,"
"Ya..." He then suddenly turned the TV off and, still staring at the blank screen, asked Shera gently and almost timidly,
"You really think that if someone like Vincent would come and offered you to go with him on a date, you'll agree?"
Shera was impressed with the direct question. Cid never asked such a question before, and in such tone...
"Well," She began. Cid turned to look at her with his sea blue eyes, "All I was going to say was that I would be flattered that someone like that would like to go out with me, that's all"
Cid was about to say something when Vincent got out of his room.
He was wearing a dark navy blue suit with a tie. It fitted him almost as if it was tailored especially for his lean figure.
He looked extraordinarily good, no doubt.
Cid thought the suit looked a bit familiar.
"Hey, isn't that a Turk uniform?" Cid asked, finally recognizing the outfit.
Vincent nodded once,
"It's an old design though, so only former Shinra employs can possibly recognize it."
Shera came closer to Vincent and started to tidy him up. Smoothing a crease in his shirt here, folding his sleeve there.
"Don't you have anything else?" she asked
"I told you, you could use some of mine." Said Cid as he took a flower from the vase and stuck it elegantly as a broche'.
Vincent felt very awkward with all the attention.
"I thank you for offering, but I fear your clothes don't fit me all that well."
Cid and Shera stepped back to see how Vincent looked now.
Better, except for the hair…
"Oh, no, you shouldn't be wearing that bandanna…" said Shera while advancing to take it. Vincent retreated back,
"But I need my bandanna to see!" he protested.
Nonetheless, Shera snatched the bandanna straight off his head. His luxuriant hair bounced freely in messy, thick strands in front of his face.
"Your hair is hopeless!" Shera laughed, putting one hand on her mouth to hide her giggling. He tried in vain to foo the hair from his face.
She then came behind him and, using the bandanna, tied his hair into a lose pony tail.
She came by Cid to observe the current situation.
He looked swell; His suit fitted him like a glove, his hair was mostly out of his face, (except for a few bangs that were too short to be tied in the ponytail, and dangled in front of him) he had a white broch, and a miserable expression.
"It's not so bad! Cheer up! You look wonderful." She exclaimed happily,
"Ya, go to the new bar at the Golden Saucer and knock 'em dead!" Encouraged Cid.
Vincent sighed, he felt too old for all this.
"I just remembered something," He said. He picked up his gun and holster and buckled them under his shirt, much to Shera's and Cid displeasure.
He noticed them glaring at him and said with an innocent look,
"You never know…"
Shera sighed in annoyance, and Cid thought that his Turk suit was effecting his brain.
Cid only smiled and took the gun from him, ignoring his protests.
It was time.
"Now don't forget to be nice!"
"And don't spook her out with your gloom-Doom attitude!"
"Be a gentleman,"
"And don't bite her neck!"
That last remark earned Cid a frown from both Vincent and Shera. Cid scratched the back of his head,
"Not too strong, anyway…"
Vincent rolled his eyes to the sky and got into the car. Even his parents wouldn't have done such a fuss, if they were alive, he pondered as he drove to the Golden Saucer.
Vincent entered the bar at the Golden Saucer. It was almost completely empty, except for a few couples that sat completely absorbed in their whispered conversation.
Vincent approached the bar and ordered a light drink. He tried to be as less conspicuous as he could. He was feeling *very* awkward. He felt like he wanted to hide behind something until he'll totally disappear. Why did he ever agree? He asked himself as time went by and not a single blond, brown eyed girl entered the bar. He then remembered that he didn't agree at all; Cid never asked him if he wanted. He internally shrugged, he was here now, and he might as well try and enjoy it. The barman, a fat, merry looking man eyed Vincent meaningfully,
"Are ya waitin' for somone, laddie?"
Vincent was glancing towards the door all the time. He straightened his tie, and nodded once,
"Yes, I am."
"A lady?" asked the barman with a smile,
Vincent, embarrassed as he felt, nodded.
The barman laughed a hearty laugh and patted Vincent on the back from across the bar-table,
"That's the spirit, laddie. At yaur age I was already married with me Sally, don'cha know."
Vincent examined the barman. He's not even my age yet, he reflected. The barman seemed to be a man in his early fourtees. Vincent couldn't repress a sigh, he felt old, ancient even.
Someone came to sit on the chair next to him by the bar, but he ignored. After a short moment he felt like he was being watched. Glancing aside, his crimson eyes met those of the lady that sat by the bar near him.
"Hello," she said. She had long dark hair and brown eyes.
"Hello," replied Vincent curtly.
"You come here often?" she asked lamely.
Vincent, who, as he said before was 'out of the market' for a brief generation, was totally oblivious to her hidden meaning.
"No."
He kept glancing at the door.
She smiled and looked at the door too, trying to see what's so fascinating there.
"Waiting for someone?"
Vincent fidgeted in his chair, and looked down at his glass,
"Yes. My date..."
She seemed disappointed for some reason beyond him. She then leaned closer to him, grabbed his tie and pulled his face very close to hers.
"I think you're cute- are you sure you're not doing any mistake with that girl of yours?"
Vincent, a brave man by all terms, was slightly frightened by this woman.
"Ahh... Well... Ah..."
he tried to make her let go of his poor tie by trying to pray her fingers off of it.
She was a stubborn little lady.
After having little success, he tried with his claw.
She screamed at the sight of it and ran away from the bar. Never to return.
He straightened his ruffled tie stoically as people glanced to his direction to see what was all the commotion. He rigidly turned his back to them, returning to his drink.
Time went by, his glass slowly emptied.
A soft tap on his shoulder made him turn around,
"Ummm…" Said the cute blond lady in front of him, "You here from the… Blind dating thingie?"
Vincent nodded before he recognized the lady,
"Elena?!"
"Vincent?!"
Each of them took a surprised step back. They stood some distance from each other, not quite knowing what to do or say.
"There's really no reason for us to fight, right?"
"Not that I see." Said Vincent cautiously,
They both examined the other with both interest and suspicion. Elena was wearing a light blue dress that flattered her slim figure. Elena noticed that that odd looking vampire that she had met at the Shinra times was quite different from this handsome man in front of her today.
"So I guess the date's canceled?" Asked Vincent.
"Well," Elena Said, looking at the ceiling, "If you still want to, then…"
Vincent smiled,
"I'll be delighted."
Elena's smile widened,
"Where do you want to go?"
Vincent shrugged,
"Whereever you want," he offered her his arm, and she took it gladly,
"You're such a gentleman," She said, laughing,
"What are you doing Blind Dating, anyway?" She asked
"Well," He said, passing his claw in hair, "Remember Cid? He rather forced me to date, so I will get over… An old love affair."
"Oh," They started walking to the Chocobo Square, "What happened? To your love?"
Vincent looked at his feet,
"She died." He said shortly, trying to keep his tone emotionless.
"That's sad," Elena said with genuine sympathy. "That's my story too, really. Rude and Reno insisted that I date again to get over… Tseng."
Vincent didn't know what to say to help, so he just nodded.
"How long ago did she die?" she asked, and then blushed, "If you don't mind me asking…"
"It's okey," he assured her, "She died about thirty years ago,"
"How old are you?" She asked, confused.
"27." After understanding the logical flaw, he added, "It's a long story…"
She shrugged and they continued to the Chocobos.
"What about you?" Vincent asked, trying to converse,
"I live with Rude and Reno now, it's easier to split the rent that way." She answered, "We just live together, just it, nothing more…" She felt a need to add.
"Say, you know that your suit really reminds me of my Turk uniform?"
He smiled,
"I never noticed that," For some reason, he didn't want to tell her he was a Turk… that would lead to explaining about his past. He wanted to forget the past more anything else right now.
They were practically everywhere in the Golden Saucer. As much as they both found it hard to admit, they had a great time together.
"The play was… Odd." Said Elena as they left the Event Square,
"I now understand why Cid found it so hard to keep awake during it," Said Vincent, stretching a little from the stiffening sitting,
"I don't think 'Loveless' is the right name for it," he said as they walked to the Station, "Perhaps 'Pointless' would be a better name for it."
Elena giggled. He smiled.
At the station, Vincent asked,
"May I offer you a ride home?" he indicated his car,
Elena nodded,
"Oh, yes, thank you!"
He was such a perfect gentleman, Elena noted to herself as he opened the car door for her. Never in the time spent together did he do anything… 'manly', E.I.; putting an arm around her shoulders, or offering anything.
She sat in the car and they drove away.
Shera and Cid were watching a movie together on TV, they made popcorn and the movie was very romantic.
How Shera would wish that Cid would put his hand over her shoulders. Sitting so close to each other on the couch, Shera almost couldn't repress an urge to snuggle on his shoulder.
He wasn't even smoking.
How Cid wished that he had the guts to put his hand over her shoulders, and bring her closer to him. Sitting so close to each other on the couch, he almost couldn't repress an urge to do so. His condition was so bad, he agreed with himself, that he even wanted to lean his head on hers.
She even had perfume.
The movie went on without either of them doing anything.
They ate the popcorn and watched the romantic movie.
Of all movies to put on TV tonight! They both silently cursed.
If he would put his hand over her shoulder, she would run away, she would not understand…
If she would put her head on his shoulder, he would be mad at her, he would not understand…
They were running low on popcorn.
"Thank you for…" Stammered Vincent, he wasn't good with words. He had just escorted her to her home door.
"Ya, thank you too…" Elena bashfully answered, then she added,
"You want to come in and have a drink or something? As thanks for taking me home?"
Vincent hesitated a minute,
"Please don't say no! I'll feel ungrateful."
He smiled,
"Sure."
Elena opened the door, the room was dark,
"Where are Reno and Rude?"
Like an answer to his question, Vincent felt a hard jab at the back of his head that sent his off balance. He fell face first to the floor. A heavy weight pinned his hands to the floor.
Upon opening one eye, he met the sparkling end of the Nightstaff. An angry Reno held it.
"GET OFFA HIM!!" Elena shrieked.
"Don't you know who this is?! This is one of them Avalanche people!" Reno said, waving his Nightstaff in front of Vincent's face.
Vincent wished the end would stop sparkling with electricitylike that.
"I know, you big dolt! But like the Turks, there is no more Avalanche! And that's my date you're sitting on!!" The last remark was directed to Rude, who was holding Vincent to the floor. He let him go.
Vincent slowly got up and rubbed his aching neck with his claw.
Reno pointed accusingly his weapon at the metallic limb,
"What about that?" He asked angrily,
Elena placed her hands on her hips,
"What about it?"
Reno didn't know how to answer that, he pouted and crossed his hands across his chest.
"Then what was he doing following you home?" Asked Rude,
"He didn't follow me! He offered me a ride home from the Golden Saucer, and I invited him to a drink!"
Vincent noticed that there was some blood on his claw. He gingerly touched the back of his head with his healthy hand. Yes, he was bleeding a bit.
Although he tried to conceal that fact, Elena noticed and quickly insisted him to sit down and she'll treat him.
She gave both Rude and Reno a hard look, they both left to their rooms.
"I'm sooooo sorry!" She said as she moved his ponytail to examine the wound,
"It's okey, it doesn't hurt," he lied. In fact, it really did hurt quiet a bit, and he felt dizzy.
"Those stupid gits! Attacking you like that!" she then sighed, "They sometimes tend to be a bit over protective of me..."
She placed a small bandage after cleaning the wound.
"I'm sorry." She said again, sitting on a chair at the table,
He smiled a reassuring smile,
"I'm fine, really, I am. But I think I should be heading home…" He got up and fell down to the chair again, he was giddier then he expected.
She got up and helped him to his feet,
"Do you want me to drive you home?" She offered, fearing that he'll have an accident.
"I live with Cid at Rocket Town, it's pretty far from here, how will you get back? No, I'll be fine."
She stayed close as he walked to the door, in case he would lose his balance.
"Thanks for offering, anyway," He added,
Vincent drove very slowly home.
He arrived a short time after midnight. He staggered into the house, his headache worsened. That Reno knew how to hit with that Nightstaff.
Cid and Shera, still watching the movie, were very alarmed when Vincent almost fell through the door.
Cid ran to Vincent and helped him,
"What the #$^&^ happened to you?"
Vincent balanced himself,
"N…Nothing, I just fell…"
Cid helped him to the sofa,
"Like hell you did!"
Vincent collapsed full length on the sofa with a sigh of relief.
"Mind if I tell you in the morning, Cid? I'm really tired now…"
"Sure, buddy. You rest."
Vincent was already asleep. His head resting on the handle of the chair, his legs on the other side of the sofa hanging in the air, for the sofa was to short for Vincent's height. His healthy hand rested on his chest and the other one dangling to the floor.
Cid smiled as he watched his friend's slow breathing.
"Good night." Said Shera as she went to her room.
"G'night, Shera. G'night Vince'."
"Did you, or didn't you have fun? Just answer me."
"I told you already that it was nice." Answered Vincent.
"You haven't told us her name yet," Said Shera as she placed the morning tea on the table.
"Aah… Well… She's-" he was cut short by a ring of the doorbell,
"I'll get it," Said Cid and got up from breakfast. After a short moment Cid's voice could be clearly heard shouting,
"*^#&*$%!!!"
Both Vincent and Shera ran to the living room, where they saw Cid holding the door open with Elena standing in the doorway. By her feet were broken glass shards and some scattered cookies.
Cid was about to reach for his lance if Vincent hadn't stopped him by placing a hand on his arm.
Cid looked at him, surprised,
"Errr... Cid, Shera- Meet my date from last night, Elena."
"%#%^(@" Cid said usefully.
"Nice to meet you." Said Shera. Having no experience fighting the Turks whatsoever.
Elena greeted her back and then bent to pick over the glass plate which she dropped earlier.
Vincent bent down to help immediately.
"What are you doing here?" he asked as he helped her gather the cookies and glass. Using his claw eliminated the danger of being cut.
"Umm... Well, I kinda wanted to be sure you're okey." She replied as she and Vincent got up from the floor.
Vincent gave her the pieces he gathered, however, they slip from his claw to the floor before he reached her hand.
They knocked their heads together as they both bent to pick the pieces up.
Vincent again gave her the pieces, this time holding them with his healthy hand. He cut himself, but said nothing.
"She was your date?" asked Cid, eyeing Elena closely.
Vincent nodded.
"I was afraid that you'll have a car accident," Elena started, "I brought you these cookies," she indicated the cataclysmic wreckage in her hands, "as an apology for that silly Reno for hitting yo- why are you doing those gestures?"
Vincent was trying desperately to signal her not to tell them. After she did, all he could do was sigh and look sheepishly at Cid, who was frowning contemptuously.
"So that's why you came home all messed up! Why didn't you just tel- Why are you doing those gestures with your hands?"
Vincent nodded his head in dismay. It was Elena's turn to frown contemptuously at Vincent.
"So you did feel bad! Why didn't you tell me?"
Vincent opened his mouth to answer both Cid and Elena, but could not find what to say. He closed his mouth again.
There was a moment of awkward silence as none knew what to say. Shera approached Elena.
"Please do come in! I can't believe you were standing in the doorway all this time... Here, let me take this from you ..." Shera took the pieces from Elena, and led her to the kitchen. She only looked back once to give the men a hard look for not letting her in.
Cid and Vincent remained in the living room a moment longer.
"So, she nice?" asked Cid out of lack of anything else to say.
"Ya... I guess. I enjoyed the date. But I don't know about her- It is me we're talking abou- Where are you going with that smirk?!" The last remark was directed to the fact that Cid was marching to the kitchen with a somewhat sinister smile.
"To ask her to go out with you again!" Cid exclaimed as he entered the kitchen.
Vincent ran after him very quickly.
"... Oh yes, I did." Was what Vincent heard as he entered. Cid, Shera and Elena looked at him, smiling.
"What?" he asked, feeling that he had been left out of something.
Shera turned to the kitchen, while Cid and Elena were still smiling at him.
"Elena's staying for lunch. You don't mind, do you Vince?" Asked Shera.
Vincent shrugged,
"Of course not. Need any help?" he was referring to the making of the lunch.
"I'm not letting you near my cooking after that last time! But you and Cid can still go and fetch some groceries from the shop." She scribbled down a list and gave it to them.
"What happened last time?" asked Elena, much to Vincent's dread.
"Please don't-"
They ignored him,
"One day," started Shera, Vincent shook his head with frustration and placed one hand on his face. He hated that story.
"One day Cid and Vincent wanted to make me a surprise breakfast in bed, 'couse it was my birthday. Vincent was in charge of making porridge. That was the first mistake." Vincent didn't find it as amusing as the others for some reason. Why is it that when someone that you're trying to look good in front comes over that the other people around you feel like humiliating you just then?
Shera continued, oblivious to Vincent's torture.
"I never ate porridge that day. See, they did it so I won't have to work, I was working rather hard at the time, and they wanted me to rest."
"What happened?" Asked Elena, engrossed in the story.
'Here comes the worst part...' Vincent prepared himself.
"What happened? What happened was that Vinnie here used so much of the wrong ingredients that the porridge never came out of the pot. I worked hard and long, trying to free the unrecognizable matter inside. In the end we actually had to throw the whole pot away, contents and all."
Vincent only rolled his eyes as they laughed.
"I was just trying to help..." he mumbled, "It's not my fault that someone put the plaster beside the flour."
This did little to stop them from laughing.
"I know... I know Vincent," giggled Shera, "But it's still funny..."
Cid placed on hand on Vincent's shoulder,
"We better be going now."
Vincent looked at Elena, he felt bad leaving her here like that.
"Is it okey with you?" he asked uncomfortably.
She nodded her cute little head.
As Vincent past Cid he mumbled in a low voice
"I will have my revenge..."
Cid smiled and followed him to the car.