Turning Points

Of Outlook And Commotion

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The two climbed the stairs and started down the long wooden corridor. Doors lined across the wall to the right and to the left in similar fashion were windows. From which the evening light streamed in and lit up the room. Particles of dust could be seen floating in the beams of light. Cloud watched them fall and rise. Ahead of him the flower girl walked. Swaying elegantly as she did so. A small brown ruck sack on her back. Her hands gently wrapped around the straps which came over her shoulders. Her pink dress was still spotless and clean. Her legs smooth and pale. Cloud swallowed and tightened his grip around his own ruck sack. His sword adorning his back also. They reached the end of the hall. The roman numeral 'VII' was embossed on the wooden door. The swordsman jammed the key into the door after a few failed attempts and gently pushed it open.

Aerith gasped and hurried into the room, spinning around to view the whole room. In front them across from the door. A king sized four poster, wooden framed bed rested against the warm. White quilts and blankets lying on top and a rug sprawled at the foot of the bed. To the right of the door was an armchair, coloured green and looking slightly old but homey never the less. Also at the right of the room. An oak chest of drawers sat with a mirror perched on top, by its side a door leading to a small bathroom. To the left of the room was a slidable glass door which lead onto a small balcony. Finally a fan hung from the ceiling and a nightstand a topped with a lamp was to the side of the bed.

Aerith quickly slid off her ruck sack and hurried over to the balcony. Sliding back the glass door she stepped out onto it. Placing her hands on the guard rail in front and staring down into the town square. Cloud stepped out behind her and moved to her side. A small reactor towered in the center. Around the lights of the town had flickered on as the light in the sky darkened. People bustled around below.

"It's wonderful." The brunette flower seller gazed over the side.

"I suppose it's alright." Cloud replied folding his arms and glancing down at the square.

Aerith glanced up at him and tilted her head to the side. Letting her braid cascade through the air. "Its a place far away from everything I know. Everything's just so big and I feel so small in it all." She explained her soft delicate voice.

Cloud blinked. He hadn't really thought about it like that. The Ex-Soldier pivoted his body to face the railing and looked down over what happened below. Lights lit up the area. It was not dark but the sun could no longer be seen. The buildings were given a yellowish orange glow and the townsfolk and travellers below walked past chatting and laughing ready to turn in or start the night. He looked back to Aerith once more who smiled his way.

"Well?" She played with him.

"Its... Good." He admitted looking down.

Aerith giggled and leaned over the railing. "I'm glad you like it too." Her voice came.

The flower girl headed back into the room whilst Cloud stayed and observed the town with intrigue. After a few minutes he turned and headed through the door also. Sliding it until it was only partly open behind him. Aerith sat on the foot of the bed watching him enter the room and pull his sword holster over his head and place the blade against the wall in the corner of the room.

"Cloud Strife... Eighteen years old. Far away from everything I know. Standing in a room in a strange town with a beautiful girl... Did I just say..."

"Cloud?" The melody snapped him out of his thought. Aerith laughed softly, after a few moments she looked up to him. "What do you plan on doing tonight?" She asked.

The blonde haired swordsman blinked. "What I plan on doing?"

The brunette nodded, her hands folded on her lap. "Its still quite early."

"I hadn't really thought about it." He stated simply.

"Well... What do you like to do?" She asked sweetly.

Cloud seemed bemused by the question. Outside of training and Shinra he hadn't really had much time for anything else. He shrugged.

"Well, I wanted to go take a look at some of the stores around town... Would you... Walk down with me?" She asked quietly looking down at her hands.

"Sure." He nodded. Aerith immediately looked up at him. After a few moments she smiled and nodded her head.

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Cloud sat in the armchair. Aerith had quickly gone to 'Freshen Up' a minute or two ago. "Click" He looked up as the bathroom door opened. Aerith stepped out and Cloud quickly stood up. She looked radiant. Still wearing the same clothing and accessories yet her hair was now worn down. Lying flat. A pink ribbon still tied towards the end of her shimmering chestnut hair. She closed her eyes and smiled softly at Cloud before looking to him once more.

He in turn was wearing his dark blue sleeveless jumper. A metal zip down the middle fastened to the top. His arms bare. Dark blue baggy trousers were worn also, tucked into his brown boots. A soldier's uniform. On his left should rested a metal shoulder guard which was fasted over his chest. His blonde spikes defying gravity.

"Shall we?" The brunette girl asked.

Cloud nodded and the two headed out of the room. Locking the door behind them. On their way down the stairs Cloud glanced towards the counter. The old woman still sat there. Does she ever leave? She looked up to him and then to Aerith, smiling and nodding. The flower girl waved and Cloud looked away.

The night air was suprisingly cool. The warmer kind of cool. The Ex-Soldier figured it was the reactor producing excess heat. Still he was thank full. Aerith stopped and looked to him once the to set foot outside. Cloud glanced to her.

"Thank you for walking me out." She said gratefully.

Cloud flushed and stuttered. "It was nothing."

"Then I'll find you later. If not we'll meet here around ten okay?" She flashed him a smile. Suprisingly he managed a 'Mmm' in acknowledgement.

The blonde watched as Aerith walked towards some steps which led up to a row of shops. Running a hand through his hair he began to walk away.

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The Ex-Soldier sat at a bar. It was pretty close to the inn and only a few people were dotted around the room. He sat at the bar counter, across which to the side a middle-aged man stood rubbing a glass with a white cloth. The room was fairly small. A group of unkept men sat in one corner talking and drinking profusely. Across the other side of the bar an old man sat wearing a miners hat.

"I thought they closed the mine down years ago." He noted mentally.

Bringing the glass of what appeared to be a weak alcoholic drink to his mouth he quickly finished the remaining volume. He wasn't a big drinker. Being a soldier he had learned it didn't serve well to drink too much. He placed the glass down on the counter and wiped his mouth quickly with the back of his hand.

"Get you another?" The bar keeper asked, he had short fair hair which was greying and a well grown moustache.

Cloud shook his head. "I'd better be going soon." The barman nodded in understanding.

Suddenly a figure sat upon the seat next to him.

"Aerith?" Cloud blinked.

"Sorry I'm a little early, I had some time so I decided to find you instead." Her voice couldn't help but make him smile.

"No, I was just leaving anyway.." Cloud paused as he noticed a large man in his seemingly early thirties staggered over and lean around to the flower girl. Blocking his view.

"'Scuse me, why don't you c'mon over and join us." He motioned to the men in the corner. His breathe reeking of alcohol.

"I'm sorry I'm.." Aerith started.

"Aww c'mon." He pushed.

Cloud stood up and snarled. "Why don't you leave her alone." He gritted his teeth. The man with short black hair turned to Cloud and stared.

"What are you going to do kid?" The man laughed hard with a condescending tone. His voice raspy.

The swordsman stood his ground and sent an intimidating look. "Do you really want to know." Cloud uttered.

The man scrunched up his face before grinning and turning to walk away. "Yeah yeah..." Cloud sighed and began to turn around to Aerith when he saw something fly towards him from the corner of his eye.

He quickly ducked avoiding a punch that had been swung for him. He quickly stood up and grabbed the arm the fist belonged too twisting behind the mans back, a painful yell filled the air as the brawler's friends jumped from their seats. Three of them. Cloud glanced around. As the three brutes drew closer the blonde threw the man forward into them. Sending all four crashing into a table, turning it upside, drinks sliding down and crashing onto them.

"Sorry about that." The voice of the barman came. "Those guys are regulars... They can get pretty rough after a few drinks. You two better head out before they wake up." He advised.

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Cloud and Aerith stepped back into the inn. There was no one around but the light was still on. They headed up the stairs and started across the corridor to room 'VII'. After a few moments of quiet Cloud spoke up. "I'm sorry about that..." He sighed looking down.

"Don't be, I'm used to that type, from living in the Slums..." She told. Cloud winced. For some reason he couldn't stand the fact she had to deal that kind of thing.

They arrived at the room. The Spikey haired swordsman slid the key into the lock. He heard a giggle from behind as he pushed the door open. Sending Aerith a look of confusion.

"Thank you... Bodyguard." She giggled softly once more.

Cloud tried desperately to hide his burning face as he slid the door shut. Locking it behind him.