Sephiroth turned his face sideways as she vanished into the evening, her plush cape fluttering as he regarded her
warmly. He was amused at her juvenille bravery, and smiled gently at the young girl who reminded him of Tifa. Sephiroth
knew a treaty was forged secretly with Wutai to end the devestaton, and more so the costs of the war effort with Wutai. The
General knew that to harm the young girl would be an embarassment to Soldier, and more so Lazard. The least would be his
dismissal and the worst could be his execution since Lazard' position was so precarious in the Shinra hierarchy. The
General knew one of the few men worthy of the Shinra fortune was Lazard. Unlike Rufus who was bombarded with commercial
offers, endorsements, and a continent's worth of fans of all genders, Lazard preferred a behind the scenes method of
operation. Sephiroth glanced about as he headed inside to Tifa and Ume as he hoped their daughter would be so bold and
bright in her exploration of life.
Director Lazard had read the complilation of reports secured from the Turks, one which included the mental state
of the Silver Soldier, his recent actions, and possible outcome of his Mako withdrawal. Lazard knew the General couldn't be
in service throughout his life due to celluar deterioration. He knew his half brother and family heir would certainly leap
to undermine his service to the Shinra family name, much less the hard work in for Soldier's success. Lazard knew Rufus was
some level envious at the thorough accomplishments that he had at avoiding the drama of the Dirctors. This latest instance,
Sephiroth had caused an uproar by asking for a new medical provider and bypassing Hojo. Hojo angrily denounced anyone who
denied his science involved in the work, yet among the Shinra blood executives such as the President and Rufus. Both had
not really seen the importance of Hojo's fanatical control over Sephiroth, and felt time would see the Silver Soldier from
active military duty. Lazard was careful to find doctors and scientists that would be discrete with Shinra's biological
files, particularly on the human volunteers. Lazard debated on whether to ask Tseng to monitor Sephiroth or simply to call
Zach. Lazard compiled a step by step outline of instructions, medications, and contacts on dealing with Sephiroth's
eventual withdrawal from Mako and possible early retirement. Hojo had scribbled furiously in the medical notes that the
General would likely go insane and obliterate cities, if not continents. Lazard rang a few times only to hear Zach's cell
message as he relayed what he felt what would be Sephiroth's essential manual to his health and Tifa's homework for Ume's
future.
Cloud stared at the moon overhead, and cursed to himself how his mother was intolerant of Tifa, and Aeris's
attachment to Zach. Zach had certainly not advocated Aeris to defect to himself and she had distanced herself from Claudia.
A nervous smile, a polite nod, and a friendly handshake was all the merit given to had heard his mother's
remarks to Aeris over Tifa.
" Oh, poor little rich girl. SHE had to work in a Midgar bun stall. Did she serve her buns as a sector service worker? "
" Um, Ms. Strife...she is really a nice girl, and she has no hold on Cloud "
" Sure she is so nice, a veritable Soldier cheerleader, how she spreads her legs and twirls for the General. Why that poor
Johny, she broke his heart! He snuck around to Shinra Manor to see if she was raped and held hostage by Sephiroth. Now he
disappered too. "
Cloud could only pace, squat, stretch his arms, and rise to repeat his exercises as Zach did daily.
" It will help clear you mind out Cloud. Plus, sleep better. I know he was your idol, and it's crappy. That's life."
Cloud faced Barrett who stood above him, adjusting his glasses, and dangling keys on a chain as he boomed.
" Hey Spikey, what cho problem? There's another better bar in Midgar, and a pizza parlor where we could grab a slice. My
fo a few good folks spread the word bout my team..you interested? "
" Uh, sure. why not? What's the joint's name? "
" Well, more of a home based place. Mom and daughter run. Raspberry Restaurant. "
" Sure, Mom is all alone here. Her best friend died about 10 years ago, and Dad vanished after he went into Shinra Army. "
" Oh, Raspberry's in Sector 5. Hometown for Shinra folks. Nice crowd of friends there. "
Cloud nodded a few times as he beckoned for Barrett. " Sorry my bike has seen better days, all I have since Fenrir was
taken for auction. "
" Fenrir? "
" My wheels from Soldier. You know a local guy named Johny? Marle said he was friends with you and Tifa? "
" Oh him. Angsty kind of guy. Yeah, he joined up with us. Said he heard rumors bout Tifa being held in a dungeon. "
" Yeah, well my mom started those rumors. She hates Tifa's guts out. Said she was a sellout like her dad, and she sold
herself to Sephiroth for a baby so she can collect his Soldier pension once he dies in battle. "
Barrett nodded, scratched his neck thoughtfully how to assess that statement since he was a bit displeased with Tifa's
recent defect to raise Sephiroth's child.
" Well, sometimes Moms can mo right than we know. Sides, I think I 'd know a girl you'd like plenty. "
Cloud sighed in exasperation since every local seemed to know of his plight once Sephiroth bought Shinra Manor.
Claudia advertised him more than Sephiroth did Soldier's enlistment. Tonight, Cloud wanted a new start, a new route, and
new faces since he couldn't bear to see the General's face stamped in a tiny female replica clutched at Tifa's breast. He
texted Claudia, Zach, and a few others he would return in so many days. Barrett motioned him to settle in a passenger seat
of his dark gray military jeep, and ignited the key as he watched the roads ahead. Cloud settled back as he fiddled with
the radio, settling for a Junon Jazz station. Loud, complex rhythems were heard as Barrett rolled down a window.
" You seem to be handling this split no so bad. Might have a word with Seph myself since I got a baby girl too."
" Oh, yeah that Materia mates craze was from those 2. "
" Yeah, that ball that hovers like materia, and you crack it open to see if you got a chocobo, cat, hound, summons..? "
" Yeah, collectible plushy set..made right here in Nibelheim. Sephiroth made a mobile from materia shells for Ume. Tifa
decided to do a DIY toy project so you open the shell to see a toy animal, etc. They made a fortune, and hire locally. Got
to hand her that one."
" Is that so? Might want to meet him, poster boy. "
Cloud didn't answer, preferring to gaze at the vast numbers of distant city lights that unrolled in the dark. Stretches
of neon lamps that rivaled the night sky shimmered as an artificial but lovely sight akin to some fairyland. Cloud was
reminded of Midgar, and he tried to shake off that he had wasted some of his life trying to emulate Sephiroth.
" It's not so bad, it's not like I am fighting in Wutai or seeing farmland in Modeoheim destroyed. "
" Hey Cloud. Catch some sleep. We gonna peel in bout a few hours. "
Cloud nodded as he found the Junon Jazz soothing, a bit sad, and very pleasant to relax unlike Tifa who preferred Neo
Midgar wave pop music. The synthesizers, ethereal voices, and bouncy pop seemed dated to him. Cloud knew that Tiffany had
listened to music like that, and Claudia seemed to hate it for that very reason. Sephiroth by comparison, listened secretly
to Nibelheim Goth and Modeoheim Metal so Zach claimed.
Barrett glanced over to Cloud, and laughed as he saw cities left behind as the overhead highway signs relayed the
distances to Midgar, Junon, and Corel. A brilliant, white flash with gray green hues seemed to split Cloud's mind in a
horrific migraine as he coughed, shook, and held himself for a few seconds.
" Yo, Spiky, you ok.? "
" Yeah, just a headache. Got it since left Soldier."
Cloud sensed Barrett could divine the lie. Cloud saw Johny bend over to bemoan Tifa's fate, doubling over in disbelief,
vowing to avenge Tifa's honor. Johny knelt down, shook his arms, and rose up to lash out at the night sky as he struck out
a fist at fate. More, gray green hazes that spun transforming into dark, cloaked figures that overtook Johny so he was
running past the rocky terraces that led to Shinra Manor. Cloud whistled a slow, painful realization occurred. Johny had
fallen into a Mako abyss, as his arms were thrashing about, calling for help as he vanished into the roiling mists that
were the keep of the Manor.
" We might need to cut the trip short."
" Why? Yo mom in trouble? "
" No, I got a feeling Johny's in trouble at the Manor. I got a friend that could help out. "
" Well, ok. You check that out. Gonna touch base with the gang and see if we need back up. "
Cloud quickly dialed Zach's cell, and left a message. He inwardly damned Sephiroth for moving into Nibelheim and
taking advantage of Tifa. Cloud scrolled past his contacts list and then dialed Aeris's number.
" Hello, Cloud? "
" Hello Aeris? Got a favor to ask. "
" Sure, what's up? "
" I am gonna send you a pic of a friend of mine. Can you tell me what you see? "
" Sure. Send the picture. "
" Ok. "
" Aeris? Did you get the lists for tomorrow's orders? We got a reception hall owner calling. Can you please take care of
this dear? "
" Cloud? Can you give me a few? I'll call right back. "
Cloud had heard that Mako poisoning and other afflictions were common to the enlisted in Shinra. He needed to talk to
Zach soon. What if seepage had leaked into the water supply to produce monsters again? Is that what Johny ran from? Johny
might have suffer delusions about Tifa, so had he. Cloud recalled she and a few of her local friends, Mei and Tess had bet
on who could photograph Sephiroth naked since the papers offered tantalizing glances of the famed General. Once, he had
heard from Mei that Tifa was bold enough to sneak into the Shinra Manor with a camera, and rebuked to never try it again.
Mei stated Tifa didn't unti nearly 2 years later, and she had definitely snapped the General nude, asleep deeply. Barrett
pulled up into a hole in the wall pizzeria.
" K, Spiky up! We here."
" Why hello Barrett, who's your cute friend? "
" Cloud, this is Jesse. Jesse, Cloud."
" Uh, hi Jesse. "
" Why are you looking at that naked guy? Wait a minute is that Sephiroth? "
Cloud blushed to snap the cell close, and instead held a long, steady gaze with Jesse. She was turning pink, as she
held up the menus, and glanced nervously back at the kitchen where her mother was chopping vegetables.
" Well, invite them in so we can feed them! "
" Please this way. "
Jesse was smitten with Cloud, and batted her eyelashed between fllrt friendship to a slight interest in past
acquaitance. Cloud stuttered awkwardly for a few seconds, as he recomposed himself to take a menu as Barrett ordered the
house special.
" Hey Jesse, word from Johny lately? "
" No, I got your text and checked with the others, nothing for a few days. "
" Damn it. Johny never met any harm to anyone. "
" Oh, yeah him. Sputtering about Tifa. She went home to help out."
" Yeah, so she did."
Cloud sat down in a booth, opposite Barrett who was chewing his pizza slowly. He slid down the plate to Cloud, as he
declared. " Pizza is hot and cheesy, better grab some before it's all gone. "
Jesse grabbed a slice to wink at Cloud. " Open wide and say aah."
Cloud flushed a bit as Jesse shoved a slice down his slightly open mouth, and laughed loudly. He tucked his left arm behind
his neck as he joined in the laughter before his cell rang back.
" Hello Cloud? Aeris here, Johny's in trouble and it's by the Manor like you said. I saw it."