Story plug: I've written a one-shot story, Desert Rose please check it out if you have the time. Though I warn you it's a rather angsty VinTi, so I suggest reading it before this chapter ^^
Disclaimer on my profile, enjoy!
The man in the tailored suit gazed across the skyscraper landscape to see the blond president of Shinra Entertainment take a seat in a leather chair behind an oak desk. The man then turned away from the window and focused his attention on Nero Sable, who was seated in front of his desk.
"Brother, why do you hate Rufus Shinra so much?"
Weiss Immaculate gripped the top of his leather chair and glared at his younger brother, "You know why."
Nero then closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose, shifting his shades, "But is it necessary to do things…this way?"
Audibly sighing at his brother's remark, Weiss pulled his chair back and took a seat, "I don't care how it's done, as long as Shinra goes down, Rosso can do whatever she wants…."
"Happy Birthday Vincent!"
Blinking in surprise, Vincent glanced down at Tifa who was smiling up at him. He then turned to all the people gathered in front of him, and shook his head, sighing, "You guys didn't have to do this."
The DJ then started up the music and the bright stage lights were exchanged for the colored paper lanterns hung up around the rooftop garden of the hotel. Throughout the garden itself were placed several cloth covered tables where party attendees could refill their drinks or to get something to eat. In the middle of the garden was a pool, which was lit with floating white candles in the shape of water lilies.
Taking it all in, while Tifa put their coats aside, Vincent stood in surprise, he generally never celebrated his birthday, as he found it rather depressing to celebrate that he was a year older. But he found himself thinking that this was a nice change in pace. Suddenly without warning, someone bumped into him. He then glanced down at the familiar, nine year old grinning girl.
"Mr. Cupid!"
Vincent smiled and knelt down to be at eye level with the girl, "Miss. Marlene, how can I help you?"
"Happy Birthday!" said Marlene who then shoved a small roughly folded paper into his hand.
He then took the paper and looked at her, "For me?"
"Of course!" said Marlene proudly, "Open it now! Please!"
Vincent then picked up Marlene in one arm and held her up while he unfolded the paper to show a crayon drawn picture. The picture itself was amazing, he could tell that Marlene had the talent to draw, in it featured many people, from the fowl mouthed military pilot Cid to Marlene herself in the center. Each person was drawn in detail with smiles.
"Thank you Marlene, this is beautiful."
Giggling with delight, Marlene then hugged Vincent tightly, "I'm glad you like it! Denzel helped me with the coloring, see he colored it wrong here, that's why Cait is blue. I wanted to draw it again but Cloud said that it will be fine."
"I didn't color Cait wrong! You passed me the wrong color!" called out Denzel who came running over to the two of them at the mention of his name. The 11 year old then, stuck out a tongue at Marlene who then wriggled in Vincent's arms to get back at Denzel who then continued to taunt her.
"Hey, now you two, who would like some spaghetti?" called out Tifa from the table she was standing by.
Vincent smiled at Tifa, glad that she came back just in time to keep the two kids from fighting. He then lowered Marlene and watched as she ran after Denzel to the table.
The rest of the evening was relaxed as Vincent talked with each of the attendees. Once he managed to get a moment to himself, he then scanned the area for Tifa. When he found her, he stepped up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist and led her towards a more secluded area on the rooftop garden.
"Thank you."
Tifa then smiled mischievously, "What for?"
He then took a seat on the stone bench and raised an eyebrow and smirked, "You want to play it that way, hmm?"
She then gave him an innocent smile, and was about to pull away from him to walk over to the hibiscus bush, when he pulled her onto his lap. She then coyly turned around to face him and smiled, "Yes, Mr. Valentine?"
Before he could even continue, a familiar voice could be heard coming towards them. "Vince? Where the heck are you?"
Reno then stepped forward wearing an askew blue party hat on his head and a particularly gaudy looking party hat was in his hands, "Hey, Vince, Happy Birthday man! I got something for you."
Vincent then glared at Reno, "You even try putting that on me and I'll be throwing you into the pool."
"Hey, it's your day, but it's me who gets to make fun of you. Old man!" Smirked Reno as he balanced the pointed end of the party hat on his index finger.
Narrowing his eyes at Reno, Vincent then released Tifa, and stepped towards the red head, "I hope you know that, even though it's my day, I still 'call the shots' here-"And then he lunged for the red head and caught the blue party hat, just as the lanky red head dodged to side and slipped the gaudy party hat onto Vincent's head.
Straightening up, Reno grinned, "Ha! Gotcha! Whoa! HOLD ON MAN!"
Reno continued to struggle as Vincent picked him up by the scruff of his shirt and hauled him towards the pool, followed by an amused Tifa.
"DUDE, STOP! I'M SORRY!"
Vincent stopped moving and glared at Reno, who gave him a strained smile.
"Though it looks good on you…."
At that comment, Vincent continued moving towards the pool, "NO, WAIT C'MON IT WAS JUST A JOKE!"
"Vincent, maybe you should just put him down?"
Vincent and Reno both turned around at the smooth voice of Sephiroth as the man made his way towards them.
Vincent glanced down at Reno, who gave him an innocent look, "Should I put you down?"
Nodding frantically, Reno then pleaded with his eyes, "Vince, you know I meant no harm."
"Are you sure you want me to put you down?" repeated Vincent as continued to keep eye contact with him.
"Yes! Please just put me down."
"You asked for it."
And before Reno could even ask what he meant, he immediately fell into the deep end of the pool, and came up spluttering water and yelling curses at Vincent, who was laughing with the rest of the party goers.
Yup, there you have it. This is the first part of this chapter, the second part continues on...let me know what you think of this chapter, and I'll consider posting up the next part sooner!
Originally this was supposed to be posted back in October but I didn't have the time to get it done.
