Tifa felt overwhelmed. It was a combination of things; the amount of people, all the different scents, the delicacies spread across the tables in welcoming her. And now, Mrs. Strife was clinging to her arm like a baby bird.

Godo had warned her to be cautious of ploys and false securities, but after seeing the way Mrs. Strife had huffed and puffed her way in and out of the litter, Tifa felt even more unsteady. The Lady Strife clutched at her arm, using it as a crutch; Tifa had thought of offering back onto her eldest son, but Zack seemed so nonchalant and relaxed Tifa preferred having someone he cared about constantly clinging to her. Although Godo had made sure not to mention it to Yuffie, even though she had most likely figured it out herself, he had warned Tifa of the eminent danger of physical and fatal harm that could be on her at any moment.

As Tifa stood, surrounded by bubbly, giggling courtiers, she couldn't help but feel as if Godo had sent her into a situation she was completely unprepared for. It wasn't completely true, she knew; Godo had introduced her to court life at a very young age, so she knew the proper etiquette and behavior, yet it seemed as if the women of this court, of Midgar's court, seemed stunted. That wasn't fair, she mused; it wasn't that they were stunted, it was that their men expected them to be. She could see in their eyes a certain cunning and manipulation, one that was used by people in lesser power, but one used in such a way that the person in power would never know they were being manipulated. Midgar would have you believe they were a Country of decadence, of bread and circuses, but Tifa could see the lines in the women's faces. She knew that they held more power, and more sway than their men expected.

It only made her job more difficult, trying to find a firm and respected footing amongst the men, while at the same time not insulting the women who could pull strings behind the curtains. It wasn't as if Tifa had never experienced this before; plenty of families had fought and bribed their way into the emperor's favor. Tifa had experience many exchanging friendships as the emperor's favor had swayed.

She was aware her adoptive father was not perfect; he was constantly warning of families who were just there to take advantage, and usually the first to pick out the family only wishing to raise their position. Tifa, however, knew her father wasn't perfect; he had fallen prey more than once to a family on the rise.

The evening was growing dark, quicker than she anticipated; she had heard Midgar parties could last until dawn, and for that she was grateful. The time difference between the two would mean she would be able to stay up well into the night to celebrate her arrival; however she had to be able to rise the next morning for any type of political reasons. She wouldn't put it past the president at rising her at dawn for a meeting after staying up eighteen hours. The one thing Tifa could count on was her adrenaline; she knew it would keep her awake for the next day.

Zack swept in, taking his mother's arm as the evening set in; stars began to blossom in the sky above, and somehow, lost in the inner politics of Midgar, Tifa extracted herself from the main hubbub. She could feel Yuffie's eyes on her as she meandered through the gardens, getting lost in the weaving and intricate paths. For a moment, she felt as if she were home.

Tifa tried to sift through the memories she had of this place, and of the rumors; she had vague memories with her father and brother, getting flavored, shaven ice from vendors. She doubted these memories as much as she coveted them; there was no one to reassure her that they weren't just fantasies she had invented to calm her spirits.

The garden surrounding the Strife estate were pleasantly wild; they were maintained, for the most part, within sections, but allowed to spill over boundaries and into one another, causing a pleasant smell. Tifa kept getting lost in the scent of lilac and lavender, her lack of sleep did not help the blurriness that the scents seemed to cause.

Tifa turned around a large hedge, finding herself facing a massive pond at the base of the Strife Estate. Her eyes gazed over it, finding memories of Wutai, swimming in ponds and fishing with Godo, no matter how boring it was. Those times were rare, and coveted, private times with her father figure and her sister.

"Madam,"

She turned sharply, nearly losing her balance. A man was standing in the light, his face shadowed; she could see blonde strands of hair sticking out wildly, his form sturdy and muscular.

"Yes?" she felt herself at a loss, the jet lag was seeping into her muscles despite her adrenaline.

"I didn't get a chance to properly introduce myself."

Tifa suppressed a sigh; she'd already had a dozen men present themselves in such a way.

"I'm sure you're mistaken," she began, cutting him off. "I've met several people tonight. You've most likely been introduced. It's my fault for not recognizing you."

"No," he blurted out quickly. "That is, I'm sure we haven't been introduced. You see, I'm Cloud, Cloud Strife, that is… I know we haven't been introduced intimately."

He moved forward, exposing his face; it was strong, sturdy, much like his brother's, Zack, but in his face was something softer. He had his mother's eyes, Tifa realized with an uncomfortable jolt. It made him seem vulnerable in a very dangerous, and formidable face.

"I know," he continued, somewhat awkwardly, "They announced me…but, second son," he trailed off momentarily. "I thought…I should…"

"Ah, yes…" she swallowed, trying to keep the guilt from her voice. To admit she had no idea who he was or who the second son of her host was made her feel all the more inadequate for this mission. She clamped that thought down ,though, thinking about the short amount of time she had to memorize the different faces and names. Tifa felt as if she could identify many of the noble families quickly if she needed, but Cloud was a second son, a blip on the map of people she was supposed to know.

"Thank you," she said, falling back on standard courtesies.

"If you need—need anything," his voice caught abruptly. "Please, let me know. My brother, Zack, he's very…busy with affairs currently. Most likely I will be your escort about the city."

"You're well familiar with the city?" Tifa asked, catching his eyes.

"Yes, born and raised, ma'am. If there's anything you require, please inform me. My mother wishes for your upmost comfort."

"She seems sweet," Tifa replied cautiously.

Something seemed to catch in his eyes, and Tifa noticed, for the first time, the piercing blue color. "She will continually put her needs before others."

Tifa narrowed her eyes slightly, but enough for Cloud to realize his mistake.

He stammered, trying to correct himself. "I mean, she wants all of her guests to be comfortable—

"Please," Tifa interrupted. "I meant no assumption, or need to please me. I realize my position is a delicate on. I'm sure you, and your brother, have been well trained in diplomatic situations, possibly even your mother. I appreciate you hosting myself, and my guard, more than you'll ever know. To be located, quite frankly, out of the reach of the president is reassuring, although not a guarantee. You may relay this all to him, I will not be offended; more than likely he will be offended if I had not thought of these precautions. Still, to show that courtesy to not invite me quite into the belly of the beast is greatly appreciated, even if I am in the throat of the beast, perhaps I have not quite yet been swallowed by it. You do not have to pretend as if I am a strange creature to be babied, or pampered. We all know what I am here to do. Honesty is the greatest comfort I can expect."

Cloud stared at her, somewhat perplexed, offended, and impressed by her statement.

Somehow, somewhere, he found his voice. "I appreciate your honesty, and I will try to repay you with the same courtesy wherever I can."

Tifa smiled, something sweet, but bitter; he felt his throat catch at such innocence and knowledge. She could not trust him, yet she could not ignore him; she was a walking contradiction that demanded to be explored. His exploration, however, would only last as long as her survival, and her survival would be determined by the Raven, and delivered by Aeris.

The moon cast a delicate, pale light on her face, and for the first time, Cloud noticed the intricate, sliver gown she was wearing. She seemed to glow in the moonlight, the embroidery enhanced by the soft shadows, and brilliant light the moon shown down on them.

"A full moon tonight," Cloud felt himself saying, without realizing it.

Tifa hummed softly to herself, "Perhaps a new moon would be auspicious."

A/N: Please, someone let me know when that mellon baller to the heart feeling goes away. I know I'm a romantic but damn it's been too long