chapter one: news from civilization.
It wasn't that Vincent had been avoiding people on purpose. The truth was that he'd come to enjoy the company of quite a few people in the world: his former allies in AVALANCHE, mostly, and even a few others. It was just that he couldn't trust himself when he kept in one place for too long, and so more often than not he found his feet leading him away with the briefest of excuses. His friends wished he stayed longer and more often, of course, but they understood. It worked for both of them.
Eventually, though, even Vincent found the need to check back in on the world. He needed the time to himself, to collect his thoughts and find enough inner stability to ensure that a visit to a more populated area would go without incident, but he needed to see others as well. It wasn't his fault that he preferred the visits to be fewer and farther between than most of his friends would like.
Nanaki, however, always welcomed him. Since returning to Cosmo Canyon, the guardian had buried himself in the Study of Planet Life, and Vincent was hoping to spend some time in the same pursuit. It had never particularly appealed to him before, but after everything that had happened in his fight with Deepground, it was only prudent. Omega wouldn't wake again any time soon, but it would, one day.
And he would be there to greet it.
Cosmo Canyon had grown since Meteorfall. Nowhere had truly prospered in the wake of the disaster, but as one of the few places without any dependencies on mako energy to begin with, they had weathered the energy crisis better than most. Refugees had come to the canyon in waves, first in search of shelter, then in hopes of a cure for the stigma. Now, they simply came to find a better life.
Dust billowed up in his wake as Vincent climbed the long stair to the city, looking around with some interest at the developments. The stilted houses along the canyon walls were still there, but there were far more than he remembered, even extending down along the stair to the canyon below as if filling every available space. True, the canyon itself could support many, but most of the village's resources were pooled here in the heart, close to the Cosmo Candle. He gave it a passing glance as he continued his way through the village, gliding between the bustling merchant stalls. It was louder than he remembered. With people came commerce, of course, and he could see handmade wares scattered throughout the shops that had sprung up along the path.
The people were happy. It was a good sight, after so much suffering.
Vincent ducked into one of the caverns to get his bearings, frowning behind his cowl as he tried to remember just where the inn was. It had been a long while since he'd stayed in Cosmo Canyon, and though he had every intention of exploring more fully, the past few days' journey had left him unkempt and in need of a good wash. He caught sight of a sign pointing back where he'd come, and when he looked closer found that he'd passed the inn entirely.
Vincent huffed to himself and turned back, keeping to the edges of the crowd and lingering in the shadows. He'd made an art form of going without notice, no matter how bright his cloak and how noticeable his features. The less people saw, the less they bothered him. So intent was he on reaching his destination without interruption that it wasn't until he was almost on top of him that he noticed Nanaki.
"Vincent," the beast said warmly. He had been lying next to the Cosmo Candle but rose at the sight of the gunman. "It has been too long, old friend. Welcome to Cosmo Canyon."
"Nanaki." Vincent gave him a nod and glanced at the inn just past him. Nanaki would want to talk, of course, and though he enjoyed Nanaki's company more than most, Vincent was too weary to engage in a long conversation immediately.
To his relief (and surprise), Nanaki seemed to notice his discomfort, and let out a chuckle. "Please, feel free to get settled." His single eye wandered over Vincent's form, taking in the matted cloak, the dirtied leather. "We have time. You can find me up in the planetarium, when you wish to."
With that, Nanaki padded off, his large paws barely making any sound over the dirt. Vincent hummed in amusement behind his cloak. Time, indeed.
He and Nanaki had all the time in the world.
The stars were painted across the sky by the time Vincent climbed to the top of the village. The cloak still lay across his shoulders, but his steps were looser now that he was away from the people milling down below. Nanaki was the only soul up here, and Vincent found it calming in a way he rarely felt in cities. Cosmo Canyon had been a good choice.
Nanaki greeted him at the door, and before long the two of them were settled in Bugenhagen's old study, Vincent in a comfortable armchair and Nanaki curled up nearby the fire. The canyon nights were cold, he said, and though his fur was thick enough to endure it the fire make it much more pleasant.
Vincent was known for speaking little, but around Nanaki the words came easier, if still not high in number. He complimented the canyon, which Nanaki was happy to talk about at great length. Cosmo Canyon had indeed blossomed since Meteorfall, and though Nanaki himself had not been there to see it all, he had settled down into his role as guardian with great vigor now that he had returned. Nothing, he claimed, would harm the canyon so long as he stood guardian, and Vincent believed it. If anything, it was a welcome sight. So much of the world had lost hope, but if they could capture even a flicker of Cosmo Canyon's bright flame, perhaps it would spread.
When he asked after AVALANCHE, however, Nanaki paused just a few seconds too long. His tail twitched back and forth, a nervous tic Vincent had noticed back during their journey, and he frowned as Nanaki began to speak.
"Cloud and Tifa are well," he said. "As are the children. Barret has been in Edge, these past few months, but is back on the road. Reeve is busy, as always, and Yuffie makes it her job to keep him on his toes when she is not in Wutai." Nanaki paused, tail swishing again. "It is my understanding that they miss you, but understand why you did not stay."
"Hn." That suited Vincent. Reeve had asked him to continue to help the WRO, after the Deepground incident, but Vincent hadn't even considered the offer before declining. The last thing he could do after everything he'd gone through was be around anyone. Time wandering was the only thing that had cleared his head... Vincent frowned. Nanaki had missed someone. "What of Cid?"
For a long moment, Nanaki didn't answer. His eye looked to the hearth, the flames dancing across his sight. "What happened to your phone, Vincent?"
Vincent blinked. That seemed a non sequitur to him. "A monster got the better of it not long after I left. I saw no pressing need to replace it." He would be back when he was back, after all. Someone calling him wouldn't change that.
Nanaki lowered his head onto his paws. "I see. That... would explain it."
He still wouldn't meet Vincent's gaze. The gunman's eyes narrowed, and something twisted low in his stomach. "Nanaki."
"We couldn't reach you. We tried, of course, but no one knew where you were."
"What of Cid?" Vincent asked again, trying to ignore the regret sweeping through him at the thought that he'd missed something, simply because he'd been without a phone—
"Not Cid. Shera." Nanaki let out a low, keening noise — a sound of regret, Vincent realized — and finally turned to him. "She was murdered four months ago."
Four months. Vincent did the math in his head; it would have been only a week or two since he'd lost contact with the rest of the world. He swore beneath his breath, his right hand closing into a tight fist.
He had not known Shera Highwind well, but she was someone who didn't shy away from the very sight of him, and that alone made her someone he tolerated. At first he had never understood how she and Cid got along, much less how they had ended up marrying, but Cid seemed happy and that was enough for him. Shera had always asked after him, always offered to let him stay when he was in town, and Vincent had appreciated it in ways he had never been able to voice. So few approached him with such open hospitality that it had left a mark on him.
He closed his eyes for a long moment. Her soul, he prayed, would join with the Lifestream and find peace there. It was all he could hope for.
"What happened?" he asked in soft tones, looking down at Nanaki.
The beast gave another sorrowful sound. "Someone broke into the house. They used— they used one of Cid's spears. There was so much— so much blood—"
Vincent reached out, cupping his hand behind Nanaki's jaw, and the beast leaned into the touch gratefully, letting Vincent's gloved fingers stroke through his fur. Nanaki had seen it, Vincent realized. Probably smelled it. It was hard sometimes to remember just how young Nanaki was, no matter how many years he had walked the Planet, and Vincent had just made him relive a memory he had clearly been trying to bury.
Nanaki feared loss, Vincent knew, more than their other companions. He had a long lifespan and would surely see all but Vincent himself grow old and return to the Planet, but never had he expected such a loss to come so soon. No matter how much he steeled himself for the eventuality, the shock must have been devastating.
He said nothing, but he let his fingers trace through the mane along Nanaki's neck, knowing from experience that it soothed him. It was funny, he thought, how he wouldn't know how to soothe another human, but with Nanaki, it came easily. Perhaps it was the beast in him.
It took some time before Nanaki could speak again. Vincent pretended not to hear the roughness in his voice. "Cid was... Cid," Nanaki said, and Vincent understood that all too well. He could imagine how Cid had reacted easily enough. For all his bluster, the times that the pilot got truly angry were a sight he would not wish on anyone. "He and Cloud searched Rocket Town for clues. Reeve helped, as well. They could not find anything. Cid continued looking for weeks, but the trail was cold. He has returned to flying the Shera for the WRO and now lives aboard the ship."
"Mm." Vincent wasn't surprised. Cid was happiest in the air, and Rocket Town would hold nothing but pain for him from now on. As much as he hated the thought, he could commiserate with the pilot. "As is his way."
He had only just arrived, but Vincent knew he couldn't stay in Cosmo Canyon after this. For better or for worse, he considered Cid Highwind a friend, and he had already failed him for missing the past few months. He owed him his support, even if he wasn't sure just what Cid would want. "I will go see him," he said.
Nanaki's tail twitched, and Vincent watched the flame flicker with a slight furrow in his brow. The beast said nothing for a long moment, as if debating whether to speak at all. "You think otherwise."
"...I am not sure," Nanaki began.
Vincent waited.
"He was here delivering cargo, not two weeks ago. Outwardly, he appeared the same as he has been since— since it happened. But..." His tail swished again. "Vincent, I'm not sure..."
"Speak. I will listen."
Nanaki nodded against his knee. "There is something off about him. Something that does not smell like Cid Highwind, but wears his clothes. I know Cid's scent. This man was different." He lowered his gaze. "I cannot explain it."
Vincent frowned. Someone else might have dismissed it out of hand, perhaps, or simply attributed it to a man deep into grieving and a friend worried. But Nanaki rarely said something unless he thought there was a chance of it. He rubbed behind Nanaki's ear idly. "What did you smell?"
"...Mako."
No wonder Nanaki was worried. Cid bore no mako scent and never had; Vincent had been around him long enough to be sure of that. His frown dipped lower. "You're sure it was him? Not the cargo?"
"The shipment came from Wutai. Just food and supplies."
No chance, then. Vincent let a quiet sigh escape his lips and let his claw bump against Nanaki's head, inviting the beast to lean into it if he wanted. Occasionally, Nanaki would want to be scratched, and during their journey they had found that Vincent's claw did the job better than anyone's hands ever could. Vincent had been a colder man then, lost in the weight of his sins, but Nanaki had never sought anything but the simple comfort. It had taken time for the camaraderie to form between them, but he was glad it had held in the years since.
The beast accepted his touch, turning to let Vincent drag his claw along his back. "Have you told anyone else?"
Nanaki huffed, giving Vincent a one-eyed look over his shoulder. "Would you?"
Vincent gave him a half-smile. He could see the look on Cloud's face already. No, this was something to be dealt with quietly. Vincent had lapsed enough in not being there for his friends; it was time to return the favors they'd given him. "Then I will investigate."
"...Thank you," Nanaki said. "I hope it is nothing."
"As do I, Nanaki." Vincent turned his gaze to the stars spread across the heavens and the faint glow of Omega's remains. "As do I."
Note: Vincent and Nanaki's relationship is based on the story "Case of Nanaki" from the On the Way to a Smile novella. A translation is available at thelifestream dot net.
