DISCLAIMER: Like before, I don't own any of the FF7 people in this story! So Square Soft, please don't sue!
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~*Chapter 2*~
The group entered the mansion which looked exactly as it should:like it had been abandoned for fifteen years. Rufus quickly found the main light switch but to his surprise when he turned it to on', nothing happened. Oh hell...! Reno complained, leaning against the doorway. I had a feeling this might happen...Tseng will you go to the inn? I had our belongings sent ahead of time so they should already be there. If you open my suitcase, you'll find some flashlights in the front pocket. Of course. Tseng leaves as Reno and Rude walk over to wait by the switch panel. He returns shortly and hands the flashlights to Rufus. Thank you. Tseng nods and then puts his arms around Elena. Rufus gives one flashlight to Elena, and one to Jessica.
He then turns the last flashlight on and holds it so Reno and Rude can examine the panel. I think we better take the panel off, the problem's most likely with the wiring. he suggests. Hey Rude, this thing looks pretty old...why don't you try punching it once or twice like you did with that lock? Reno asks. ......Okay, step back. They do so and Rude punches the side of the panel until part of it hangs off the wall. Jackpot! Alright I'll handle the rest of it. Reno pries the panel off the wall and then examines the inside further. Yeah...as much as I hate to admit it, Rufus was right...it looks like this circuit got hit during an electrical storm or something. If we can find some tools, I'm sure Rude and I can fix it. Reno says.
Wow Reno, you seem to know quite a bit about electrical stuff. Jessica comments. Yeah but not too much, just look at his hair. Rufus says, shining the flashlight at Reno's head. Ha ha very funny, Mr. I-dress-like-a-marshmallow. At least I can button my own shirt correctly. Hey! I can too you know! I choose to dress like this, it's comfortable! Uh-huh, sure Reno...whatever you say. Rufus and Reno glare at each other for a few more moments before Elena breaks the silence between them. I think we should all split up for now and look for tools and maybe some candles. Elena's right, we shouldn't just stand here watching you two throw insults back and forth. We need to find a way to get the lights back on and to get some heat in this place. Tseng says.
Rufus and Reno stop glaring at each other and nod. Fine, Rude and I will stay here and wait for you guys to get back, but who's going with who? Elena smiles at Jessica and then looks toward Rufus. Um...I think Tseng and I will go together, for obvious reasons... she smiles at him and he smiles back. So that leaves Jessica and I. Rufus blushes slightly, and then hands his flashlight to Rude. Jessica motions for Elena to follow her for a moment. (psst!) Elena! You know I like him! she whispers. (psst!) I know, that's why I did that...and besides, Tseng and I are a couple so it is kinda expected that we go together...don't worry! Rufie won't notice you like him, and I won't tell him. They go back to join the group.
What's up? Reno wonders, looking at both of them suspiciously. Huh? Oh nothing, Jess and I were just talking about what we should do if we find the tools or candles...like how we should signal each other. Elena states. We decided that the best way to do it is to just call out for the other party...that's all we can do, really. Jessica shrugs. So what was that whole promise' thing about? Reno looks straight at Elena, who in return shoots him a butt-out for now' look before replying. ...I promised her that if an hour passes and no one finds anything, both parties will meet back at the top of the staircase...and if only one party comes back, the other party will not go to look for them unless they are sure that something is wrong. Reno looks at the two girls for a minute and then rolls up his sleeves. Okay then... What's wrong Reno? Won't you be okay here? Rufus teases, standing over near Jessica. Don't even start, Marshmallow. Whatever Reno... The two groups split up, leaving Reno and Rude to wait by the light panel. Tseng and Elena check the first floor while Rufus and Jessica look around the top floor.
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So do you remember this place at all? I heard you spent part of your childhood here... Tseng asks Elena, as she goes through some boxes in one of the side rooms of the mansion. Yes, a little. Rufie was only eight when we left, and I was only five at the time...but yes I do remember. Rufie? Ha, cute. So that was fifteen years ago then? Mmm-hmm. It's been a long time but I hope we can fix this place up so it looks as good as it did then...oh! I think I found some tools! Elena rummages through the big cardboard box in front of her and pulls out a black toolbox. She lifts the lid and sure enough, there are tools inside. Great, now let's just get these back to Reno and Rude and then we can look around some more. Tseng helps Elena up and then they go to the foot of the staircase in the main room. Jessica! Rufus! We found the tools! You guys can come back now if you want! Elena yells.
Moments later, Rufus and Jessica appear with a box of candles. They were in with all the Christmas decorations mom packed away. Rufus explains as Elena and Tseng stare in amazement at the box in Rufus' arms. That's a lot of candles, I don't think we'll use all of them right now but it's a good thing we found them. Jessica adds. Elena looks at the box for a few minutes and her face goes a bit pale. Elena? Are you alright? Tseng asks, taking her hand. ...Huh? Oh yeah...I'm fine. Are you sure? Yeah, I'm sorry I just- It's okay as long as you're alright, you don't need to explain. The group then hurries back to Reno and Rude, who are still waiting patiently near the light panel.
You found some tools? Reno asks, surprised as he sees the group coming toward him. Uh-huh. Here you go. Elena hands him the toolbox and then Reno and Rude start to repair the light panel. Well, in the meantime, let's light some candles. Rufus puts the box down and then everyone takes some of the candles, lights them, and puts them around the room until it is glowing brightly. That's better. Tseng comments, sitting down on a dusty couch. Yuck...Tseng why are you sitting on that? It's filthy. Elena looks at the couch disgustedly. It's comfy though... he says, leaning back. Tseng, Elena's right...that thing is dirty, can't you wait until we clean it? Jessica asks. (sighs) I suppose so... he stands up and brushes himself off.
Alright, I think we've got it...there, okay ready you guys? Reno looks back at everyone else as Rude puts the tools back in the toolbox. The group nods and Reno hits the switch. The lights flicker on with an electrical buzz, and then the power turns fully on. The group cheers and then walks around blowing out all of the candles they had lit.
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Four days later, the group is sitting in the main room which they had managed to clean and straighten up completely, just like the bedrooms and kitchen. The only rooms they had left to fix and clean up were the basement library, and the side rooms. In the main room, Tseng and Elena are cuddled close together on the couch, Reno is happily drinking his SoBe on the floor in front of the fireplace, Rude is standing silently in a corner, and Jessica is sitting in one of the easy chairs opposite the couch. Rufus had gone out to get more firewood, and when he returned; Reno burst out laughing. Ha! Ha ha ha! Rufus...you look like a big fat mog with your big white winter coat on like that over all your other white clothes! Ha! Oh geez...either that or Frosty the snow- You know Reno, you're beginning to look a lot like that lizard on your SoBe bottle. Reno looks at the bottle and then at Elena who has given him a mirror. What the hell are you talking about? I don't look a damn thing like it! he says, looking in the mirror and then at the bottle. Oh really? Stick out your tongue, dumbass. Rufus replies, stacking the wood into a pile near the corner of the room. Reno looks into the mirror again and does so, as everyone watches. After a few moments of looking at his reflection, Reno pouts. Oh shut the @#*$ up, Marshmallow! he turns away and faces the fireplace.
Reno, why is it that you can never admit when you're wrong? Tseng asks. Seriously Reno, I don't know why you're always such a sore loser. Jessica adds. Or why you pick on Rufus so much...it's pretty daring, considering he signs your paycheck and all. Elena laughs. ...............They're right, Reno. Rude says quietly, looking back at his partner who was sending a help me' look in his direction. Okay what the hell is this? Pick-on-Reno Day or something? Screw this, I'm going to bed! Reno stands up, throws his bottle of SoBe in the garbage and begins to head for the stairs. Reno, what about dinner? Jessica calls out to him. I'm not hungry! Leave me the hell alone! he storms up to the bedrooms, and the rest of the group sits silently for a few minutes.
Maybe we were a little hard on him...he did help to repair the light panel and fix this room up, I think I'll go talk to him. Elena stands up and goes up to the bedrooms. In the meantime, Rufus is standing in the hall looking in a full-length mirror. ...I don't look like a fat mog! he pouts, trying to convince himself.
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Reno? Are you in here? Elena calls from in front of Reno's closed door. Yeah, whaddya want? Just to talk, please Reno? (grumbles) Fine... he yanks open the door and lets Elena in. Uh-huh, whatever. What did you wanna talk about? Reno plops down on the bed. Well, I wanted to apologize for back there...the way everyone including myself treated you...maybe we overdid it... Yeah, I'm sorry. Well, I guess I overreacted a little bit...okay, you and everyone else are forgiven. So that means you'll eat with us tonight? Reno sits up and then smirks. Maybe, under one condition. You tell me two things I wanna know. Elena thinks for a few moments and the answers. ...Fine, I guess. Reno smiles brightly. Okay...number one, remember when you guys split up to look for some tools and candles? And you and Jessica went off and whispered some stuff? What was that really? Something's up with that girl and I wanna know! Well, okay...don't tell Rufus, but she likes him. Ha, I thought so...okay time for number two. Why did you look like you had seen a ghost when you came back with everyone?
Elena's eyes go wide for a minute, and then she replies quietly. ...Because those were my mom's favorite candles that she kept put away until a few weeks before Christmas... Like now? ...Yeah, and I just thought of how fun Christmas was when we spent it with her and the rest of the family...it just brought all those memories floating back and it made me a little sad. We lost her when we were very young. Shortly after, we left this place and went to live in Midgar. We? Oh yeah, you and Marshmallow... Reno rolls his eyes at the thought of Rufus. I didn't mean to scare you guys, sorry about that. Huh? Oh don't worry, I'm just not used to seeing you look so pale, that's all. Okay, now can we go back down there? Reno and Elena stand up and go back downstairs where everyone is getting ready for dinner.
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