Theft
The Observation
"Hiya, Vince!" exclaims a voice, so close to his ear that the warm breath that sails out caresses a fair portion of his face. He tepidly meets eyes with the owner of the voice. His eyes are distracted, however, to the odd way the bangs frame her face, and the reason for that oddness. Vincent blinks twice, and allows a single brow to sail imperceptibly up his forehead, but he says nothing.
"Hello, Yuffie," he responds finally, and brings a glass of water to his lips.
A frown dawns across her face, and she straightens.
He's taken aback by the sudden flash of silver, the telltale sign of a blade dancing, before it disappears from view. The only evidence of its appearance is the glut of long black locks clutched in her hand, and the sway of just-shortened hair falling familiarly into place around her cheeks.
His mouth parts in bewilderment.
"Never mind," she interrupts before he can get a word out, "it was stupid, anyway." He watches her carefully fold away the disappointment from her expression. She releases her hold and sable locks flock to the ground. Before long the discarded mass lies at their feet.
Guilt slides through him. He doesn't understand why, but it's there, so he comes to understand there must be a reason for it.
"Yuffie! Why—don't make a mess!" exclaims Tifa from behind the counter, sounding sadly exasperated.
Yuffie guffaws, more loudly than usual, if he remembers correctly. "Sorry, Boobs!" She omits the offer to clean up the mess. "I just dropped by really quick on my way back. I actually gotta run now! See ya! Bye, Vincent!" she spouts cheerfully before, before pouncing out the door of Seventh Heaven.
Tifa grimaces, and grabs the broom from the corner of the bar. "That Yuffie," sighs Tifa resignedly, "I knew I'd have to clean up after her." Her eyebrows knit in consternation as she kneels closer to the dark scatter on the floor. All her hair? She glances at Vincent, but quickly averts her eyes. "What a shame," she murmurs, and proceeds to sweep it into a dust pan.
Vincent watches Tifa return the floor to its spotless state, but he ponders on Yuffie, and on the few seconds he was able to glimpse Yuffie's odd ponytail. He takes another sip from his glass, and wonders on what he should have said.
A/N: What should he have said?
I'm back, after a mess of a time. Going to try this writing thing again. Thank you for reading!