O star of wonder...
The eve of the Shin-Ra Company Christmas party dawned clear and crisp; the doughy snow clouds that had loomed ominously overhead breaking for the first time in a week.
The change in the wind, however, had done nothing for the slushy mess already on the streets.
Elena cursed as the spray from the wheels of a passing car splattered the hem of her coat. Still, that was why she'd chosen to wear the lengthy garment, at least in part - it was better than ruining the thin sheath of silk it concealed.
It didn't hurt any that it was warm, either.
Turks ever strike it rich, that's what I'm doing with my cut. Buying a car. And maybe Tseng will teach me to drive...so I won't kill people.
It wasn't that she couldn't drive. It was just that she tended to get distracted, and no one seemed very eager to lend her their vehicles anymore; which was why she walking down the central strip of Midgar's business zone in the dark. Fortunately, it was nearly deserted with the inception of holidays proper, so she was spared the indignation of being wet and getting mistaken for a prostitute. For once.
She could see, up ahead, the light from the Shin-Ra building as it spilled onto the street. The main doorways were propped open; the walkway roped off at either side with swags of green velvet. They'd even rolled out the red carpet; the golden poles at either side topped with matching bows.
Is this what it feels like to be somebody, Elena?
The blonde Turk hesitated once she reached the doors. It looked as if she was late, as usual. There was no one else arriving either from the parking decks or the street, and she could hear, if faintly, voices and music filtering from within. Everyone was probably already there. Tseng was probably already there, and Elena -
Elena was just going to look like an idiot.
Well, at least it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for her. Steeling herself, she stepped into the foyer.
They hadn't replaced the vase.
* * *
Star of light...
Tseng eased onto one of the padded stools behind the bar, and grinned.
"So far, so good, Sir?" he inquired cheerfully.
"...yes," Rufus remarked dryly. "Thirty minutes with no disasters. I'm fairly sure this must be some sort of record."
The Turk merely chuckled and shook his head. It still sounded to him as if the President's son was over-dramatizing the entire thing. Looking at the scene in front of him, he couldn't imagine that it could go as terribly wrong as Rufus seemed to expect. The corporate banquet hall had been polished from top to bottom until the fixtures gleamed, and decorated with fragile crystalline snowflakes. The tables had been clothed in white linen and set with fine china, and an overly-fragrant fir tree - Where'd they find a live tree in Midgar? - stood in one corner, complete with wrapped packages beneath its ornamented boughs. Tseng had no doubt that the boxes were empty, but they certainly made the illusion of a holiday wonderland that much stronger. Really, he couldn't fathom why anyone - even a company with gil to waste - would go to all that trouble if it was only going to be...well...destroyed, from the way Rufus put it.
"...holy...who's the babe?"
Tseng glanced up, and blinked.
"...that's Elena, Sir..."
* * *
Star of royal beauty bright.
Elena shrugged the heavy coat from her shoulders and looped it over an arm. Truth be told, she didn't want to take it off - she hadn't known what to wear to such an elite extravaganza - but the bottom was still damp, and she didn't want to look any worse than she already did.
They're all staring at me...
Nervously, she smoothed down the front of the floor-length ivory gown she'd eventually chosen. It wasn't her usual style at all, but the saleswoman had assured her it would be just what she needed. When she'd first put it on, she'd felt almost pretty - it wasn't cut too low, and it wasn't tight enough to keep her from breathing - but now she wasn't so sure. And she could feel that blush returning...
Please stop looking at me...
"Elena...I'm glad to see you could make it."
Startled, she jumped and stammered a reply.
"Tseng! I, uh," I wasn't going to come, but I didn't want to let you down. "I'm sorry I'm late," she finished helplessly, not knowing what else to say.
"You haven't missed anything," the man assured her. Dark eyes cut across the room, and he waved a hand dismissively. "From what I understand, the real fun doesn't start until later in the evening.
"Fun?" she blinked, following Tseng's gaze with her own.
"What, you didn't think they threw these things just so could people could stand around and - play with their food?" He shook his head, and returned his attention to the younger Turk. "Did you?"
"Uh, no, I guess not," she admitted. "Is that supposed to be the moon?"
"I would assume so. Palmer's round, and it's made out of cheese." Tseng grinned and looped an arm about her shouders. "C'mon, let's get a drink."
"Oh - okay." Finally managing a shy smile, Elena trailed toward the bar.
* * *
Do you hear what I hear?
"Sir, I'd like you to meet Elena, our newest Turk-in-training."
Rufus suppressed a moment of laughter at the obviously-flustered girl, and extended his hand.
"Elena. It's a pleasure. I've heard - " Absolutely nothing about you. " - so much about you."
Elena clasped the offered hand - perhaps a bit too tightly - and took a breath.
"I'm happy to meet you, Sir, and I'm sure it'll be a pleasure working for Shin-Ra! I can't wait to start!"
Blue eyes lifted to Tseng's, pleading silently. Help. Me. She's breaking my fingers.
"Ah, Elena," Tseng gave the girl's shoulders a squeeze and nudged her away from the company head's son. Wouldn't due to have her kill him with kindness, no. Or to spill something on him. "Why don't you put your coat down and have a seat? I'll get the drinks."
"Ah - yes, Sir!" She grinned brightly, and plunked into the first available chair. Tseng smiled wearily and turned away, busying himself behind the bar.
Now what? I'm so out of place here - oh!
Casting a furtive glance around the crowded room to make sure no one was still staring, she reached into one of the oversized coat's pockets. It took a moment of fishing about, but her fingers finally brushed the dry, prickly leaves. Quickly, Elena withdrew her hand and affixed the spring of greenery in her hair. With the mistletoe in place, she was left once again with little more to do than drink in the sight of her first Shin-Ra Company Christmas.
A flash of red caught the corner of her eye as the head of the Weapons Department - what was her name again? Scarlet? It certainly fit - curled into Rufus' lap; one thin, bare arm draping around the man's neck.
Doesn't she get cold wearing that? She looks like - she looks like a whore! No wonder everyone downstairs calls her the harlot - I've seen more clothes on lingerie store mannequins!
Suddenly aware of the woman's ice-blue gaze locked uncomfortably on her, Elena averted her own eyes, focusing instead on the man approaching the bar. So that's President Shin-Ra in the flesh? I heard he never associates with - sweet mother'a - !
Whatever compulsions Elena might have harboured about offering Scarlet her coat were quickly replaced by a need to offer it to the even more scantily-clad woman on the President's arm. Where do they get these outfits? The last time I saw anyone dressed like that was when Mom took us to the magic show at that travelling carnival!
Don't stare, don't stare, don't - Tseng! No, don't stare at him, either! Helplessly, she dropped her gaze to her lap as the man returned with the drinks.
"I didn't know what you liked, so I just brought you a glass of white wine." Tseng smiled faintly as he placed the delicate glass in front of her. "I doubted you'd be interested in having what they're having." A jerk of his thumb to indicate Reno and Rude at the far end of the bar.
Somehow, she managed a "thank you" as she fumbled for the glass. Half of it was down her throat before she even realized she was drinking, and by the time she did, Tseng had begun to stare. Mumbling another incoherent apology, the younger Turk set the glass down and clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
"You wore it. I didn't really think you would."
"Huh?" Caught off-guard, she jumped as the man spoke to her. Good thing she put the drink down.
Tseng winked, nodding at the twig in her hair.
"Oh - I - I thought you were serious."
"Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. Either way, you listened." He grinned. "I always told you you had the makings of a good Turk."
"Oh! Thank you, Tseng..."
"Anytime, 'lena - what the hell?" The man blinked as his dark gaze swiveled to the staircase on the other side of the room.
"It sounds like sleigh bells..." Elena furrowed her brow. "But in Midgar?"
* * *
Here comes Santa Claus...
"I warned you." Rufus groaned, and buried his face in his arms.
"I thought you were exaggerating!" Tseng protested.
"...nightmares have to have their origins somewhere, Tseng," the younger man admonished; his voice muffled against the top of the bar.
"At least he's out of that godawful green leisure suit," Reno noted. "Though it was a rather Christmas-y colour."
"..."
Rude's silence was interrupted by Scarlet's indignant shriek of, "But now he's giving red a bad name!" The woman glanced over the room as if fearing she'd been heard, then; and went back to cowering behind Rufus' shoulder.
Elena just blinked, unable to tear her gaze away from the sight of Heidigger coming down the stairs in a fur-trimmed Santa suit. It was...strangely fascinating; in much the same way as a train wreck. "...how does he get the paint out of his beard?"
"Gyoo, ho, ho!" As soon as the man opened his mouth, however, she cringed. That laugh always reminded her of a cat trying to climb up metal siding.
"I feel sorry for whatever reindeer has to fly his fat ass home tonight," Reno remarked. Speaking of people who couldn't keep their mouth shut, indeed.
"Oh, he's gonna fly, alright," Scarlet muttered. "I'm polishing my hooves now. Screw the Christmas bonus."
"Hey, now! If you attack Santa, think of all the little kids who'll..." The sanguine-haired Turk trailed off, fighting the urge to clap his hands over his ears. "...never have to sit on his lap. Did you still want that cattle prod?"
"No, I've got something much better in mind." The woman smirked, resting her head on Rufus' shoulder.
"...it scares me when you say that, Scarlet," the man in white murmured.
"Have a little faith, my dear." The corners of her vibrantly-painted lips curled upward. For some reason, the expression gave Elena the same feeling she always got at the top of the 'coasters at Gold Saucer; just before they plummeted to the bottom of the track.
A tinsel-laden "throne" creaked ominously under Heidigger's weight as he dropped into it. "Gyoo, ho, ho! Who wants to be the first to reach into old Hei - er, Santa's bag of treats?"
No one moved.
"Someone? Anyone?"
"...we're all on the bad list," Rude quipped with uncharacteristic humour.
"Come on, I know there must be one of you who wants to get a present this year! Gyoo, ho...ho?"
"Oh, I'm getting mine," Scarlet muttered under her breath. "And you're about to get yours, too."
"...ho-hos?"
It wasn't the humming Elena noticed first, but the strange, metallic taste in the air - it reminded her of the way it smelled just before a lightning storm.
By the time she noticed the humming, the sizzling had started. And by the time she realized where it was coming from, the lights had flickered and gone out, and Heidigger had leapt from his seat with a howl. The only reason this was apparent in the darkness was because the tissue-paper poinsettias on either side of the throne were on fire.
"Gyaaaaaa!" The man's voice faded away, finally silenced completely by the slamming of the washroom door.
One of those long, uncomfortable moments passed, broken at last by a barely-audible murmur from nearby.
"I guess I shouldn't have given it so much juice."
* * *
On the twelfth day of Christmas...
Seated on one of the low walls along the alleyway, Elena pulled her coat more tightly around her shoulders. The party had been more-or-less over once the fire had been put out (what with it being the only thing providing light to the banquet hall, and all), but she didn't want to go home yet.
What are you waiting for?
It doesn't matter.
With a sigh, she slid down. She was fooling herself if she thought there was any real reason for her to stick around now, and she knew it. Shaking her head, the girl turned to the street.
"Elena, wait!"
"Huh?" Her head snapped up, just as her heel hit a slick patch and skidded off the edge of the curb.
"Whoa - careful, there." Reno's hand closed firmly around the top of her arm, pulling her back.
"Yeah...thanks." Shrugging, she pulled away from his grasp. "Can whatever it is wait until tomorrow, Reno? I'm really not having a good time, and I just wanna go home and go to bed." Let him laugh at her. Why should she care? At least she wasn't the one that ruined the party, like she'd expected to.
"It'll only take a minute. I promise."
" Fine. " She scowled, facing the red-haired Turk.
He didn't say anything for a few seconds, then blurted out, "Look, Elena - I - I wanted to get you something nice for Christmas, but I wasn't sure what to get a girl. So I got you this." He extended his other hand.
Elena peered at him curiously - almost suspiciously - and reached for the small package in his palm. The layers of red-and-green paper were themselves wound rather liberally with transparent tape, and it took her a moment to peel the wrappings away and reach the tiny carousel horse in the center. Gnawing the inside of her lower lip, she looked back to Reno.
"I saw you in the mall the other day," he offered by way of explanation. "I would've bought you the whole set like that, but I didn't have the money." Because I'd already been to the bar that week. "I hope you like it."
"Yeah - yeah, I do!" She grinned up at the man. "Thank you, Reno! I used to love riding the carousels when I was a little girl!"
"Looked to me like you still do," he teased. Another of those awkward moments passed as she blushed and tried to stammer a reply, and Reno took advantage of her distraction to slide a hand into her hair and pull her face to his.
Elena blinked in surprise, her eyes remaining closed as she leaned into the kiss. I didn't think Reno liked me...I didn't think Reno liked me at all, let alone like...this.
He released her quickly, almost as soon as their lips touched, and straightened. "Figured you had that mistletoe in your hair for a reason, was all," he remarked with a shrug before she had a chance to say anything. "Merry Christmas, Elena."
"Merry - Merry Christmas, Reno!" she called as the man walked away. Once he was gone, her fingers found the tiny button at the base of the carousel pole, and pressed it in. The music was thin, tinny; but it was there. Smiling wryly, she tucked the gift into her pocket, and headed home.
My true love gave to me...
* * *
Author's Note:
"Twelfth Night" was inspired by a temporary moment of insanity (one of many)
in an email between myself and Raven of the Rufus Comprenduim. As you can see,
I took the idea and ran. However, Rufus' insult of a certain portly Shin-Ra
executive in Chapter One is all hers - I only wish I'd thought of that one
myself. I also promised her I'd give the 'fic a humour rating because of it.
And there you have it. This isn't the sort of 'fic I normally write, but it was
too good an opportunity to pass up. Hopefully, it wasn't
too
painful for you.
Merry Christmas, minna-san! Thank you for all the wonderful reviews on my
other 'fics! ^_^
~Scarle
