Grandparents Can Be More Understanding

Author: Aki Arashi

Pairings: Cloud's Mother Cirra (from Cirrus) and Cloud's Father Ptilon (a minor god of the Nibel Pennatas Tribe), friendship between Cloud and Tifa

Spoilers: FF7

Notes: So frickin' AU there is little resemblance between early history in game and in story. Later will have more resemblance, but will still be pretty out there. This is partly because of the new genetic variations in the human race that this story has. The story came out of one picture of someone having wing tattoos and a whole verse was built up around that and the FF7 characters. Also seems to read better in present tense, tried pass tense but it was being difficult.

Warnings: Really strange ideas went into making this verse. I know that some of the events are not canon, but the characters insisted that this is what I was going to be writing.

Tifa snarls as she stalks over to her grandparents' house. How dare he do this! She was thirteen! Completely old enough to have some idea about the world and what she wanted! And she didn't want the sort of person her father would pick out, he'd probably be a bastard the way dad was praising the guy. Older too, like, too old for her anytime soon. She calms herself down before she enters their house, then calls out, "Grandmama, Grandpapa! I want to be a TURK, so that I don't have to deal with the old man. He wants to marry me off! To someone he picked out already!"

Mrs. Li'lith'an scowls at that as she hugs the girl, "No good man, wished my daughter had fallen in love with a nicer gentleman. He's had most of the village out looking for you. Except for us and Lady Strife, of course. Didn't even let us know you were missing, had to ask one of the searchers. We'll get the paperwork set up sweety."

Mr. Li'lith'an grins, "Man should've known better'n to try anything with you. You've got our stubborn and headstrong, and listened to our values rather'n his."

"Thankyou so much! I just want to scream at him sometimes! I don't want to be a prim and proper lady, I'm fine as a tomboy. And I can make medicines and heal people too, which most sensible guys around here would want."

"'Twas why we were glad that you're mother invited Zangan to the village," her grandfather said. "We knew he would teach you better'n whatever your father thought 'twas best for you."

"Now, dearest, what happened on that hike of your's that took you two so long?" The older lady queries as she sets tea, cookies, sandwiches, and other small items on the table for the three to munch on.

Tifa chews on her lip for a few seconds. "Have... have you heard of people with wings in the mountains before?" She asks hesitantly.

Both grandparents gasp at their granddaughter's question. "We'd hoped... We're..." The grandmother tries to explain.

The wrinkled man takes over, "Both sets of our parents were born without the ability to shift, they'd hoped we would marry one of the people with the ability, to bring grace back into the houses, but... We fell deeply for each other. When it became apparent that our children'd also have no wings we were given the choice to raise our child as we had been raised... Different, unable to participate in the classes they taught the gifted, and many of the children not wishing to be friends with one who could only play few games... Or in a mostly human village, where the children'd be able to play with others their age without ridicule..." Sad, dark eyes gaze into the distance.

Brighter ruby eyes look upon the girl, "We chose to give our children the chance to grow up with others that are more like them. We were freshly married when we moved here, and slowly grew to be accepted by the neighbor's before giving birth to your mother. They thought we'd come from a city, and moved to this little town to give our children a chance to be raised right, rather than surrounded by gangs and violence. We merely encouraged that view, and they were happy to accept our daughter as their children's friends."

The girl's eyes widen, "Unlike Ms. Strife, who arrived in the village, pregnant and without a husband to be seen with her. Gramma, Grampa! Her son's got the ability. When we were going over the old bridge to the materia cave the bridge broke, and Cloud brought out wings to save us. Three of the elders found us to reprimand Cloud, but one was a jerk and attacked him. The other two couldn't help us get back, because they had to get the jerk back. Then the squall came up, so Cloud couldn't glide us out. So we had to wander the caves to get a higher vantage point and wait the storm out. He glided us over and eventually we ran into one of the search groups and were led home. And were told to go to father's."

Both blink, "So that's where you learned of it... It is good the boy kept you safe. He left you at your place and went to see his mother, yes?" Grandmother queried.

Tifa gulps in shock, "Noooo... father wanted to talk to hiiimmm... crap! I'll be back!" She races out of the house at full speed as her grandparents look at each other.

"I'll go get the papers and phone Cirra," The old man mutters.

"I'd better go get more tea and the first aid kit," the old woman sighs.