A/N: So, originally, I was going to have the events leading up to the date and the date be all one chapter. But, since I noticed I was spending quite a bit of time on the events before, I decided it would be split into two chapters. So, here's this chapter to hold you over until the actual date chapter. Which I promise won't be the highlight of the story. XD

Chapter 9: Loveliness

A dull, leisurely day followed for Sera on Saturday afternoon, hours before her date. Really, it shouldn't have been such a big deal, considering it felt like losing a bet. Losing a bet and then doing something completely humiliating that she otherwise wouldn't do under a cool, rational mindset.

So, why was it that her fingers instantly started shaking whenever she heard the ding of the shop bell? Not once, not twice, but every time the ring came did this occur. Damn right she was like one of Pavlov's dogs, and the bell certainly didn't help with making her forget that as she'd been conditioned to anticipate his presence.

At one point, when a redheaded customer had entered the shop, she thought she almost suffered a heart attack. However, it turned out to be Holt, a regular to the store and a typical hypochondriac. By the time he walked out of the items shop, he had his arms full with his own pharmacy. Elixirs, vitamins, and syrups galore. As though he thought he'd be struck ill—violently so—at any minute.

Holt, a great, affable customer but a very bizarre man overall.

Worse still, Sera found herself in and out of focusing. She would even space out on customers asking for a renewed prescription or whatever. That date and that impossible man dominated her thoughts against her will.

Before she got off work, Mrs. Liran bustled over to her and asked, "Sera, are you all right, child? You haven't acted like yourself much today. Are you sure there isn't anything wrong?"

Unfortunately, yet another spell had set in, so Sera blinked rather slowly before answering just as deliberately, "No...No, Mrs. Liran, I'm OK. Just...Something...A lot's been on my mind. Something is going on tonight and...I've just been thinking about it too much."

Sweeping aside a few of her black curls, Mrs. Liran then smiled thoughtfully. "Is it a man? Are you going to be on a date, by any chance?"

Humiliated, Sera hid her face in crossed arms and responded in a muffled "yeah."

Adding to the embarrassment, her boss unprofessionally (in her opinion) "awwwed" at this confession. "I didn't take you to be the shy type, Sera. You're always so friendly and helpful with the customers that I wouldn't suspect it of you. But, ah, then again, love always makes us act dif—"

"I'm not in love," the young woman fiercely denied as she lifted her face from her arms. Though she wasn't able to tell without a mirror, two dark red splotches had appeared on her face. They were all out of an interesting, almost random mixture of anger, embarrassment, and something else entirely.

Something that Sera would be mortified to recognize as an emotion within her.

Mrs. Liran merely smiled amusedly, walking down the syrups aisle with a clipboard in hand to take inventory. "I remember when I was your age, so stubborn and thinking I was too proud to fall in love. Then, I met Xander, and the rest is history."

"No, Mrs. Liran, you're mistaken. Believe me, I'm definitely not in love. No way. This guy taking me out tonight is making me feel like I lost a bet to him. He's so arrogant sometimes. And always has to say whatever is on his mind."

"Hmmm," Mrs. Liran mused as she jotted down numbers. "I would think you'd like an opinionated man."

Sera sighed. "Not to impose on you or anything, but can I get off work?"

"Of course, Sera. Have a good night tonight, OK?"

A wry smile twitched on her lips. "I'll try. See you Monday."

What a relief, she immediately thought upon exiting the shop.

As much as she loved to work out to channel all her negative emotions constructively, she knew she couldn't today. She couldn't risk smelling like sweat on her date. Not even Reno deserved to put up with her body odor. So, sighing, she reluctantly passed over the gym on her long walk.

But, not home—no, it wouldn't be in the cards that day, as much as she hated to admit it.

On the contrary, Sera was going...shopping.

"I better not regret this," she muttered to herself, hands settling into the pockets of her deep red windbreaker. It had been a somewhat cooler-than-average day, so she didn't know what the point was in seeking out a dress. Then again, if it was going to be even cooler later, she could always just cancel on him. Except she didn't know his cell number...

Eventually, she found herself standing in front of the dress shop in Sector 6, apprehensively skimming up and down the building. Was it really worth it to spend part of her Edge apartment or Kalm house savings on something so frivolous? She shuddered to think that she wouldn't spend it on more practical purposes like produce or milk or toilet paper. Frankly, she was one not to spend much time or money on herself, except when it came to her exercise. But, staying fit was important to her, training for whatever big fight came her way.

No working out today, though. Much to her reluctance, Sera impatiently opened the entrance door, ready for this to be over with. Quick and painless.

A woman of about twenty-eight stood at the counter and smiled amicably at Sera. This was a sight that actually took her aback. For, this smile of the clerk's wasn't forced nor had any trace of fear that she could detect.

Hmph, that was weird, intimidatingly so.

Why was this woman not running and screaming or threatening her to leave? Sera got those types of negative reactions at least five times a day, mainly in the form of glares and blatant disrespect.

"Can I help you?" the clerk chirped, looking quite at ease.

She was positively baffled. "Er…I was wondering if you could help me…er…pick out a dress. Like, recommendations you might have. That would be great."

"Ah," the clerk beamed, rocking back and forth on her heels. "Is tonight a big date night for you?"

Sera relaxed somewhat with a vague smile on her face, a very rare sight indeed. After all, with all the resentful, condescending citizens running amok, she wasn't keen on giving out smiles to any of them. They would have thought her oblivious, naïve, or even impaired. It was lucky that her grandmother saw her smiling at all sometimes, and that was when she would dreamily gaze out the window. Hoping for a better life, far from here.

"You could say that," she finally replied, running a hand through her ponytail.

"Oooh, that's exciting. OK, Miss…"

"Ashcroft. Serafina Ashcroft but you can call me Sera."

"Sera, then. Let's get started."

The clerk (whose name Sera gathered as Penny) first asked what size she was. Abashed, she confessed that she couldn't exactly say, as she hadn't worn a dress in a while. In fact, "a while" was when she'd been a twelve-year-old girl at her cousin's wedding. That must have been a lifetime ago, surely.

However, Penny knew what she was doing, proving that she was apt for her job. After taking some measurements, she rightly estimated that Sera was around a size six before proceeding to show her an entire rack of dresses. Skeptically, the resident tough girl looked through her options, unsure of what color she wanted, let alone a certain style.

Besides, if Reno thought that she planned on showing off for him by her wardrobe choice, he would be sadly mistaken. Maybe she would pick out the ugliest dress here to spite him…It was just a shame that none of them struck her as hideous or embarrassing to wear.

Inevitably dismissing her scheme then, she narrowed it down to four dresses she at least was willing to try on. She asked Penny to advise her on which one to buy after she'd try on all of them.

First up was a lime-colored strapless that ultimately ended up being so long for her that she nearly tripped on her way out of the dressing room. She wasn't particularly fond of the color either.

A slightly ruffled scarlet dress was next, but it was honestly too bad that she felt practically suffocated once she got into it. It fit very tightly, accentuating her curvy figure, yet it was inevitably too form-fitting to suit her. Though she was sure Reno would probably approve, she considered with disgust.

A forest green dress that revealed too much of her back acne (in her opinion) she cast aside the same way. If only she hadn't noticed the revealing strapless back. Otherwise, she would have deemed it perfect.

That left a sapphire blue number that had a hem ending just past her knees. Out of the four, it resembled a formal gown the least, which she took as a plus. Dances never had interested her for many reasons and consistently failed to impress her. All people ever did was rub up against each other in an attempt to be as seductive as possible.

There were thin shoulder straps along with a few sequins of a deeper blue along the waist. Streaks of silver glitter dashed across the beautiful fabric…or at least, that was what it looked like to her, as though they were comets racing across the night sky. Under the dim lighting of the shop, the relatively short dress sparkled and gleamed. Not one normally wont toward anything girly, Sera found herself immediately taken with it. Once she saw herself in it in the mirror, she blinked disbelievingly.

How come she didn't despise it on sight? Glitter and sequins…She never liked them even as a little girl. Back then, she preferred to splash around in the mud, play with bugs, and other outdoor activities. Then again, Sera had become a woman since that faraway time, so naturally, her attitudes would change. She just didn't realize it had been this drastic.

Penny approved, too. "That's the best one on you, I think. That's my professional opinion. Blue is a great color on you."

Sera couldn't resist nodding and smiling, internally tempted to perform a twirl. "I agree. This is the one I'm buying."

"OK. And I'll show you some perfumes you can choose from and maybe some cosmetics. How does that sound?"

"Good. Just as long as I can get a good deal," she replied, ever the attentive bargain hunter.

Sure enough, with a reasonable amount of haggling, Sera settled on lavender- and jasmine-scented perfume along with the very basics when it came to make-up: foundation, lipstick, and eye-shadow. It could have been her tomboyish outlook, but she had never been a huge fan of make-up. Oh, she would apply it tonight, so as not to waste it or her gil, but she would rarely have it on.

What would be the point?

However, she grudgingly admitted to herself as she left with her plastic bag full of feminine items, she did nab a decent deal. Better than Mr. Hallos, that was for sure. And she'd gotten the correct amount in change, another bonus. As someone hated throughout all Midgar, she'd learned to be ever vigilant and always shrewd over money matters.

Thus, with this slightly girly business taken care of, all she could do in the meantime was wait until seven o'clock approached. After that, she had no idea of what could possibly happen.

Of all things to be inexperienced at…Sera glowered at her very slightly cracked mirror as she slowly applied her cherry red lipstick. What if it smeared even a centimeter past her lips? Anything Reno could poke fun at, he would, including this stupid makeover.

What the hell possessed her to buy make-up anyway? Sera theorized that maybe it was because she hadn't wanted to discourage Penny. Or something.

Well, all shop clerks had to be con artists, absolutely had to be. As one herself, she was highly aware she wasn't that type, but that was because she was honest. She could play friendly and helpful only to fit the job description. At least she kept at it. One day, she might actually mean her optimistic smiles and kind words.

Who knew if she was a hypocrite? Her reflection in the mirror, wearing an irritated and somewhat insecure frown, couldn't answer for her.

Enough of this deep contemplation. If he was precisely on time, Reno would show up in fifteen minutes. She had to hurry up with this.

Believing her lipstick application to be sufficient enough, she moved on to dusting her eyelids with the gold shadow and with the brush that came with the palette. Out of her choices, she liked the gold the best. Her amber eyes could really stand out and…

Snorting disdainfully at her renewed discovery of color coordination, Sera finished her eyelids quickly. She took a second thorough look in the mirror to check on how well her endeavor went.

Hm…Not too bad, actually. She could barely recognize herself in that cracked mirror. Whether that was a good or a bad thing remained to be seen. For now, she would have to take solace in that she for once did what a normal girl would do before her first date.

Yes, twenty-one and on her first date…What a terrifying thought.

Fate's dark sense of humor struck again when somebody knocked on the door. With another glance at the clock, Sera found that it was currently ten minutes to seven. That made no sense at all. Last time he'd decided to mosey on over to her house with her reluctant permission, he'd been late. Awfully odd for him to show up early. She'd always taken him to be the "fashionably late" type…unless alcohol was involved, of course.

Anxiously, she glanced at the mirror one last time to make sure she looked presentable. As much as she hated herself for going to this extent, she patted her hair, freed from the mostly present ponytail for a change. She growled irritably for being this much of a perfectionist before finally forcing herself to leave the room. It was for the best. Any longer and she would have torn her bedroom apart in a part fitful rage and part neurosis.

Purse in tow and heels clicking on the wooden floor, Sera slipped out into the hallway as furtively as possible. She had to pull off a grand yet casual entrance so as not to alert Reno to her nerves.

Nerves? Ha! Why would she be the slightest bit nervous over having to put up with the troublesome redhead for the night? If anything, she should have been annoyed.

"She's just about finished fixing herself up," she could hear her grandmother mention downstairs and with a subtle hint of pride. "I think that she's looking forward to tonight, if you want my opinion. She's been up in her room for an hour! I have never noticed her being holed up in there for so long before going anywhere."

Sera shook her head, embarrassed that it was being revealed she had been going out of her way to look this good. Fabulous, she supposed Yuffie would mock. She would have placed her face in her hands, but then, it would have messed up her make-up.

Reno drawled, "Well, Rosemary, I'm sure she is looking forward to our date. I know I most certainly am."

She motioned ramming her finger down her throat and subsequently choking. This guy presented lie after insidious lie. He knew just how to flatter Grandma, didn't he?

Better late than never, she internalized with a soft sigh as she smoothed down her skirt. With one hand on the rail, she gradually made her descent.

Unfazed, Sera noted that he still wore his work uniform, which was as wrinkled as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary there—no tuxedo, no khakis, and not even anything resembling a pimp outfit. She snorted.

Then again, she recalled Reno didn't exactly work a nine-to-five job. Quite the contrary, Shinra hours were fairly whacky. It wouldn't have alarmed her if he received a call regarding such-and-such mobster during dinner.

Preparing to show herself off, proud as a peacock, she went the rest of the way down after her momentary pause.

"Serafina, dear, look at you!" Grandma beamed, clasping her hands together in total rapture. "You are beautiful."

Reno turned around then to gauge the beauty in question, and briefly, he let his mouth fall open in slack-jawed amazement.

Sera wished she had a camera at that moment. The evening she broke Reno's nonchalance! Perhaps it would be something to show the grandchildren.

As she suspected, this impressed look didn't last, for he smirked arrogantly and remarked, "Gotta say, you clean up well, Serafin."

She would let this slide for once because this was his version of a compliment, as skewered as it was. At least he didn't utter the "when you feel like it" she knew he was tempted to say.

"Thanks, Reno." She then turned toward Grandma. "I'll be home by ten. See you later."

It seemed that the elderly woman was so full of happiness that she could burst. Sera figured it was because of the discovery that she, the beloved granddaughter, finally got a life outside of work.

Grandma lightly pinched her cheeks, admiring both the makeover and the sparkling casual dress that went with it. Shifting from foot to foot, Sera smiled anxiously, wondering what Reno's perspective on this family moment was.

Finally, Grandma stood back, satisfied with the inspection. "I really hope you have a good time, sweetie. Bye."

"Bye," Sera and Reno spoke in unison before the latter took her by the hand, leading her out the door.

As soon as they walked down a few feet away from the house, she twisted her hand out of Reno's, as though wrenching it away from the mouth of a cobra. "If you do that again, I swear…"

"What? Rosemary deserved to see us holding hands." He snickered.

"You're really something else, you know that?" Sera crossed her arms, shaking her head at his behavior yet again.

He melodramatically bowed. "Glad to be of service."

She gave him the silent treatment the rest of the way toward his car. Not due to legitimate grudging anger (though he was off to a rocky start) but because she preferred to do this on a whim. Meanwhile, he chatted about how his four hours of work had been, how Elena had blown up at him over something (Sera was barely listening), and other Shinra-related matters.

She was none too pleased at the sight of that company car, but she felt too tense and subsequently weary to care. Nonetheless, she took shotgun because why not? Reno had drifted off into his own little world.

Was she going on a date or getting kidnapped? Somehow, she assumed, these two possibilities were one and the same.

A/N: Hm, not much for me to say here. Only that girls like Sera, who'd pretend they don't care about dating, especially people like Reno, secretly shake in their boots on the first date. As everybody does. At the same time, she really does feel like she's lost a bet. XDD

Hope you enjoyed. One of the last of the truly light-hearted chapters will be on its way.

And happy 4th of July, U.S. readers! Another thing for me to add is that I'm also starting to edit previous chapters of this story, since I'm not exactly 100% happy with how they turned out. Enjoy the fireworks.