Note: I've noticed that there is a slight Pulp Fiction-style chronology to this story, in that although the stories are interconnected, and within the confines of their own sections run (apart for flashbacks) in chronological order, the individual sections don't seem to run in the order they are presented. Though for the time being it seems to be making sense. I'd also like to thank doctor katy for beta-reading this chapter.
Midgar Story, by JetNoir
4. THE FESTIVAL OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS
THE FLOWER GIRL
Welcome to Sector Six.
The Wall Market was completely unrecognisable. The refuse littering the streets had vanished, and paper petals fell through the air, creating a carpet for people to walk on.
The festival was here.
Once a year, the inhabitants of the sector threw caution to the wind in recognition - and with more than a little longing for their past. The festival might not have been forbidden, but Shinra certainly frowned upon it. So the inhabitants were careful.
Of course, the festival drew people from the other sectors, so the traders were grateful - they often made more money in these few days, than they did for months afterwards.
Don Corneo was out and on the prowl, leering, and attracting some threatening looks in return. But he didn't care - it was as if the whole world was his playground.
As head of Urban Development, Reeve was present as well, overseeing the proceedings. He rather enjoyed the festival - not that he would tell President Shinra that.
There was an air of excitement, as little children ran through the streets playing and shouting, their mothers picking up new clothes from the tailors, and fathers surreptitiously sneaking out of the Honeybee Inn.
The festival was here.
There was one more figure, her pink dress swirling, her basket filled with the only real flowers in Shinra. She was making a lot of money, and having to take repeated trips to the church; making sure she wasn't followed.
She wanted to spread some beauty in this ugly place. Surely that wasn't a bad thing?
LILIA
Department of Urban Development
The Following File is Classified
Unauthorised Viewing is Punishable by Imprisonment and / or a Severe Fine
Do Not Accept From Courier If Seal Is Broken
Urgent Memo:
There is a gross instability in the Mako Reactors. In thirty days, the levels will have reached critical limits. Cause is mostly unknown. We do not know how to stop this.
I have been in contact with Scarlet; and Heidegger. Their intelligence states to some sort of preacher, name of Anthony. Is he responsible? It seems he must be found within the thirty-day limit - or Midgar will be destroyed.
The Festival begins tomorrow in Sector Six. Recommend the Turks and SOLDIER patrol. They might have a chance to find him.
Reeve.
MIN
"Are you out of your goddamned mind?" Min yelled, shocked and horrified. He shook his head, still not quite comprehending.
"Don't be angry," said Lilia, desperately, "please, oh god please don't be angry!"
"Angry? I'm furious. Not with you…but with your choices! Hell's teeth Lilia, don't you realise how risky that is? If they found out? What if it's a plant?"
"Min, the Mako. Could it explode?"
"Yes. No. How should I know? It could? But what about this Anthony character? How could he be linked? Don't you think it's a little convenient? It seems a little out, no?"
"They're Shinra, Min. They know everything!"
"See," Min cried, "that's my point!"
"So? What do we do?"
"I've been re-assigned. Temporarily."
"What?"
"Yeah, Lil. That's why I'm late getting in. Drink with the boys. I checked out the festival too. Bought you some flowers."
Despite herself, she smiled: "Thank you Min. But what assignment?"
Min stood up straighter, and adopted his best soldier voice: "Costa Del Sol. Take a week, I'll leave in three days. Highly classified."
"Yes sir."
"No need for sarcasm."
"What should we do?" asked Lilia.
"Let me do the assignment. Stick out the next nine days. That'll give us twenty-one to work things out. If needs must, we'll evacuate."
"And what about the millions of people living in Midgar? Huh, Min? What about them? Do you want to leave them to die?"
"Of course not. Look, I have the next three days off. We can spend some time together. And I might be a grunt, but I do have some contacts. I'll see what I can find."
"Yeah. That'll have to do"
"For now it will. Now tomorrow; do you want to go to the festival?"
FUREW and EDGE
The murderer and the little girl. Rather ironic. Slightly poetic. Utterly bizarre.
"So," said Edge, seemingly desperate to break the silence, "you lived in Midgar long?"
"All my life."
"And how long's that?"
"A long time."
"Am I going to get a straight answer out of you?"
"Why do you ask? I'm not giving you any crooked ones."
"Yes. Not sure I believe you. So, how far is it to your home?"
"Why? Don't you like me?"
"Like you? I don't know you Furew. You seem a very nice little girl, but I can't form an opinion on someone I've just met."
"It's not far."
"Pardon?"
"To my house. And if you don't want to talk, that's okay."
Edge sighed: "Damned if I do, and damned if I don't," he muttered.
--
A quarter of an hour later.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" asked Edge.
"Yes. Mummy is asleep. She drinks too much."
"Your mother's an alcoholic?"
"Yes. I just live with it."
"Are you sure you're going to be alright?"
"Yes. Goodbye."
After making sure she had locked the door, Edge shrugged and turned away, into the metallic bowels of Midgar.
SHINRA
ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (THE
TURKS)
Tseng and Vincent, (with Reno, Rude)
"Enjoying yourself Vincent?" Tseng's voice was quiet and calm, in the hustle-bustle of the Festival.
"Not really," replied Vincent, "but then we're not here to enjoy ourselves, are we?"
"No," said Tseng, "we're not."
"Where are Reno and Rude?"
"The other side of the market. They're still searching."
"But why a Preacher? Who the hell is this Anthony?"
"Blowed if I know. But these orders come directly from the President."
"Weird. There's something just not quite right about this. Look, Tseng. Do you feel we're being left out of the loop?"
"What, more than usual?"
"More than usual."
"Something's not right," said Tseng, "but it's not our place to question orders."
"Is it ever?" said Vincent
ERICA
Nothing like a little theft to work up an appetite.
Erica wandered around Wall Market, eating the day's special (and occasionally paper petals, that were still falling thick and fast). Taking in the scents, sights and sounds of the Festival.
It was Erica's favourite time of the year. She had never left Midgar in her life. This was her home, and to leave it would be intolerable - it was after all hers.
But to go somewhere different. That was Erica's dream.
At that time she was determined to make her dream come true.
SAKURA (ERICA'S CLIENT)
"Wall Street," Sakura snarled, "a place of Vice and Lust and Pain. Also of useful items."
"Eh?" the shop-keeper was confused.
"Never mind," she snapped, shifting uncomfortably.
"Now," the shop-keeper said, "the amulet of course is fine. However, the blood," he pointed to a glass vial, filled with a sticky red liquid, "well, it's not exactly legal, see. So, if you get caught with it, you can't let it be traced back to me."
"Fair enough," said Sakura, her face suddenly lightening. She reached over the counter, and with a savage smile, snapped the shop-keepers neck with a sickening crunch.
"See," she said, "they can't trace it back to you now."
THE WITNESS
The least I could do was see Lilia home, after I managed to slip her the file. The contact is beginning - but I must be cautious. It can't be too fast. No, too fast would not be good at all.
Is Anthony responsible? But he is dead, and surely the dead have no hold over the living. Is the Mako somehow reacting to him? What happened to him? I have no answers.
I was walking in Sector Six earlier, the paper petals falling on my head. It is amazing how such ugliness can be hidden so well.
It is as I am passing the tailors that I see her. I see Sakura. I immediately duck, and she does not spot me. What is she doing here? Why is she involved?
I have to hide. I'm not strong enough yet.
But face her I shall. She and I will fight. I will have my justice.
And only one of us will survive…
Disclaimer: All the characters are copyright to Square Enix; and the story to me. This story has been written on the understanding that you may read it and print it out; but you may not pass it off as your own, hire it out, or sell it for money. You also may not put it on your own or any other web page without my express written permission. Thankyou!
JetNoir
