.Guard Source/17

Tifa had to wonder just how she had gotten into this mess.

Then again, this was becoming a sentiment that wasn't new. Wasn't new in the slightest, much to her chagrin. And she had one sparkling individual to owe that little fact to…

Rufus Shinra stood several steps in front of her, stroking his chin thoughtfully and staring at Gold Saucer's glowing and colorful directory. Only about five minutes had passed since they had entered the main lobby entrance, but it felt like an eternity. Did anyone actually sit back and contemplate where to visit first? Tifa wasn't sure, but she doubted it Then again, this was Rufus. Things were never the norm when it came to the man and now? Well… Now he almost seemed strangely serious, as if he were pouring over business plans or financial records and not deciding which Square he wanted to visit first on this little 'date' of theirs.

It was almost… comical.

And it didn't add up, no matter how much Tifa attempted to wrap her mind around the concept behind these strange actions. How could Rufus Shinra have never visited the Gold Saucer? Sure, twenty-six year old Rufus with his economic proposals and seemingly strong aversion to fun in a normal sense would most likely not be a regular at the Happiest Place on Gaia, but he had to have been a child at some point.

She tapped her food impatiently, placing her hands upon her hips and waiting. Then again, it occurred to Tifa that Rufus had probably never been a child, at least not in the classic sense of the word. She couldn't imagine him not being at least Vice President. It was tragic. Truly.

Still, considering how much his family had invested in the amusement park, it only made sense that he would have visited the colorful, character laden halls. It was perfectly logical that he would ride the rides and have a questionable corndog – all from a business standpoint.

It would have at least made a decent photo-op.

She grimaced and shook her head before deciding that she should at least humor him and pretend that she cared which Square they ended up at first. If left to her own devices, she'd start thinking politics or considering Rufus Shinra's childhood a little too in detail. If this was how their night was going to begin she knew she was in for an evening. She hadn't a clue exactly what kind of evening it was going to amount to, but she wasn't about to get her hopes up. At least he brought her to Gold Saucer and not another ritzy restaurant where they would stare each other down; awkwardness eventually breeding a fight.

Not that this couldn't happen in 'Saucer, Tifa just felt that maybe she'd be able to tune out his personality with a little more ease.

"Would that be all right with you?"

Tifa blinked, realizing that she had missed whatever Rufus had just asked. It couldn't have been too important, though. Few things tended to be when you were exploring an overhyped amusement park. Even if your date was the one time president of the world...

Fifteen minutes later, Tifa Lockheart would realize just how wrong she could be.

"CONGRATULATIONS! You're our hundredth couple this week!"

He had led her to the Event Square, and it just so happened to be Enchantment Night at Gold Saucer.

Well, that was just peachy.

Tifa could feel herself involuntarily gritting her teeth as she recalled events that happened years earlier – back during the Meteor fiasco. Her and Cloud and this theme park's pitiful excuse for live entertainment. Event Square. She could remember vague moments of the performance. Something about a king and a dragon and… She narrowed her eyes on Rufus Shinra, who seemed almost pathetic, being pulled and prodded by park attendants as children watched from the sidelines. She wondered why he didn't protest, but immediately chalked it up to the crowd. Can't go looking like an antisocial, self-centered grouch when you're attempting to put on a good face in the public spectrum.

He seemed more apt to share that part of his personality with her, after all.

She grimaced.

Still, Rufus' own penchant for attempting good publicity, didn't mean that she had to suck it up and play into this little game. And though she wasn't about to storm off stage, she knew her self-imposed limits. Tifa Lockheart, proud warrior and great heroic figure in some circles had pride, after all. She also knew full well where this little play might eventually end and the thought was almost nauseating.

She watched a park employee throw a cloak over the shoulders of the blond president and before handing him a wooden sword.

Almost nauseating? No. It went far beyond that. She hadn't kissed Cloud here on that night years ago, but she knew for a fact that's what the park might have wanted, just as she knew given the chance, Rufus would spitefully go through with it.

She glared his way, from across the polished floor, underneath colored spotlights, before being pulled backstage. Glared a glare that said so much, but most of all stated, "Kiss the dragon. Kiss the king, if you must but come near me and you will be neutered, I promise you."

"So you're here with the president, huh?"

"Pardon?" Tifa cocked her head to the side, trying her hardest not to appear overly irritated or impatient with the whole situation. A woman, blonde and overly perky, dressed in pink princess garb and a nametag that read 'Greta' was holding a box with sparkly tiaras. Tifa wasn't stupid. She knew – remembered this arrangement. She also wasn't coldhearted and understood that this Greta was merely doing her job. Best not to get her caught up in the drama that was unfolding.

Still…

"Yes." The response felt lacking, but at the same time, she couldn't think of anything else to say.

"So what is he like?"

Tifa winced internally. How to best answer this? How to answer this… It could go two ways. She could be vague about it or she could be brutally honest. And while part of her wanted so badly to be brutally honest. To tell this complete stranger that Rufus Shinra was…

"He's… very different from the Rufus Shinra that the media portrays." She half murmured. It was the only think that came to mind. There were so many feelings and thoughts that raced through her but at that moment, to put them into mere words… was more difficult than anything.

Difficult. That's a good descriptor.

"Ah. So…"

The woman got a look on her face that spoke volumes and Tifa couldn't help but roll her eyes before grabbing a tiara. "It's not like that."

"Gotcha. Well. Like they said, play it any way you like it and we'll all just act around you!" She winked and Tifa immediately realized that her words only served to make the woman more sure of a true relationship behind the scenes.

And as she entered the wooden, brightly colored stage she realized that there was no way she could possibly make en entire audience of strangers think otherwise.

"Long, long ago… An evil shadow appeared over the peaceful kingdom of Galdia."

Tifa inwardly groaned. They hadn't changed the story at all, of course. Not that she was surprised , just.. she would have hoped a few years would have led to more interesting developments in the Event Square… Other than the tiara that she now wore awkwardly on her head. She wondered briefly if they would ever spring for actual outfits.

"Princess Rosa was just kidnapped by the Evil Dragon King, Valvados. What will become of her?"

She tried not to smirk a little. Valvados… Rufus. What was the difference, really?

"Just then, the legendary hero, Alfred, appears!"

Hah. Legendary hero.

And that was when Rufus Shinra actually made his entrance and Tifa found it entirely too hard to not laugh aloud. She was just offstage, waiting for her cue. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Somehow along the line she had forgotten that he would be forced to act.

And judging from the uncomfortable look on his face as he tried a bit too hard not to trudge across the stage, wearing a blue cape and dragging a costume sword at his side, this was going to be good