Chapter 3- Promises

Vincent wasn't about to deny the women standing before he and Cid weren't attractive. Next to her headstrong, brazen companion Lucrecia looked like an angel, her long brown hair tossed neatly down her back. Silky smooth legs were wrapped in a silky purple skirt and she wore a white shirt open at the collar, cut modestly. She spoke with a very soft voice, smiling at Vincent in a way he'd never seen any woman smile at him. These girls were definately nothing like the brides of Wutai bred for sophistication and foramilty. Independant, hardheaded, proud. Those were the words he would use to describe these two.

Grimoire and Levian had abandoned their sons for the afternoon with the two ladies, insisting they had 'man talk' that needed to be done elsewhere and their job was to make the ladies welcome. Cid knew this was just some lousy excuse for him to get 'cuddly' with Shera, the dark haired woman twirling a lock while they chatted idely over tea. It was like trying to force the weather to change on command. It obeyed no one and would do what it wanted in its own sweet time. Cid may not have known exactly what he wanted with his life right now but he most certainly knew he didn't want to get shackled down with some chick.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Vincent." Lucrecia's eyes brightened over her teacup. "Levian has told me much about you..."

Vincent gave a polite nod back, always the gentleman. "Thank you.. it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well."

Cid made a gagging noise.

"Cidney!" Shera couldn't help but giggle. "You're such a pig!"

All four teens laughed together, Cid pouring them all more tea. Lucrecia gently stirred more sugar into hers, nudging Shera gently.

"Looks like you got some work to do, Shera."

The scowl on Cid's face only feuled the girl's fire. "Mmmhm..." she eyed Cid as an obstacle near the end of the course, the last hurdle she had to clear to reign victorious. It was no secret around the town Shera had been eyeing him for years. "I most certainly do."

"Well, well!" The door behind the gathered teens swung open as the fathers stepped back inside. One look on Levian's face could tell he was none too amused his son was still sitting stubbornly on the arm of the chair with Shera still on the other chair. Grimoire rubbed his companion's shoulders, shaking his head but it did little to quell the blonde's all too obvious fury. Lev went into the other room and Grimoire motioned for his son to follow. Something in Vincent tensed, Cid could see it though the girls were wonderfully oblivious.. something wasn't right...

"We stopped by the Crescent home today." Grimoire regarded his son sternly concealed behind the old Glenika model airship in the backyard. His son shifted on his feet, refusing to look his father in the eyes as he next spoke. The Wutai elders called it respect but he called it submission.

"And?" He didn't have to ask.

"They'd be more than delighted to see you two wed." Even though bribery was part of the deal at least it finally got his son properly married and forced to become a real man.

"Hn." Vincent watched his father's eyes and Grimoire's lips pursed. That look again. Thatd efiant, hugnry look in those liquid scarlet depths... that same look he'd had that night...

"Vincent Giovanni Valentine, you fucking listen to me." He grabbed the slender boy by the throat and pinned him against the Gelnika, refusing to tolerate any more rebellion from his son. "Don't.. you DARE fuck this up again.. Do you understand what you've done to me boy!? Do you understand? You damn near destroyed every ounce of respect I have in that town, across this entire continent! You have already dishonored one family and I will NOT have you disgrace the Valentine name as well! Do you understand me?! You erase any ideas you may have forming in your head away because I will show NO mercy.." his grip tightened until Vincent had to gasp to breathe. "Do you understand me...?"

"SEPHIROTH! STOP IT!"

"Yes.."

"YES WHAT!?"

"Yes Father! I understand!"

Grimoire released his son, pushing Vincent back with a triumphant smirk. "Be sure you do. I won't let it happen again!"

Vincent watched as the pompous bastard walked himself back inside and shut the door. From the depths of his robes he pulled out a porcelain black angel wing wrapped into a necklace. He held it close and made a promise.

Never again...