Chapter 4: Cosmo Canyon

„Now that was an odd guy." Cid mumbled while he flew the Highwind on, towards Cosmo Canyon.

"Hmhm." Tifa replied absent-mindedly, staring out of the window. Cid frowned and looked over to her.

"But he was kinda cute." The pilot then continued.

"Hmhm." Was the only reply he received. His frown deepened, and he slowly realized that Tifa probably didn't listen to him at all.

"You know Tifa, you're kinda hot. I wanna sleep with you." The blonde pilot now spoke.

"Hmhm." Came the short reply. Cid laughed and shook his head.

"Tiff! You aren't even listening!" he then accused his friend.

"Huh?" Tifa replied, finally snapping out of lala-land. "What did you say?" the brunette asked, confused.

"Nothing." Cid replied, still laughing. "We're almost there, better get yourself ready." He then advised his friend. Tifa nodded and left the room to pack her things while Cid concentrated on flying the Highwind again.

***

Tifa and Cid approached the gate of Cosmo Canyon, and the man who stood there guarding immediately recognized them. He started to wave frantically, yelling:

"Cid! Tifa! How nice to see you again!" Tifa smiled at him and shook his hand as soon as she was close enough to do so.

"Nice to see you too, Alec. Hey, is Nanaki here?" Alec nodded, pointing towards the house that belonged to the lion-like creature.

"He should be at home right now. Hey Tiff, didn't you bring Cloud with you? I thought the two of you…" he trailed off when he saw the sad expression that slowly spread over Tifas face.

"Cloud…Cloud died last month." Tifa softly explained, and Alec paled visibly.

"Oh Tifa, I'm sorry…I didn't want to…"

"It's okay." Tifa interrupted him, giving him a weak smile. "You didn't know. Anyway…can we go see Nanaki now?" Alec nodded and stepped aside, allowing the two of them to enter Cosmo Canyon.

"Finally made it here, ha?" a deep, known voice suddenly came from the right. Both Cid and Tifa flinched and spun around, only to find themselves face to face with the Wolf Talker, Richard.

"How did you get here that fast?" Cid wondered out loud. Richard just grinned and shrugged.

"I'm a fast runner." He then replied. Tifa waved her hand, gaining the attention of the two men.

"You can chit-chat later on. Now Cid, let's go and see Nanaki." Cid nodded, said goodbye to Richard and followed Tifa over to the house Nanaki lived in.

"Nanaki! Are you at home?" Tifa called out, looking for her friend in the process. Nanaki came running out of the bedroom in the very next moment, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Tifa! Cid! What are you doing here?" he asked surprised, and doing what his species did for grinning. Tifa quickly explained everything that had happened and why she was here.

"Well…" Nanaki spoke as soon as she had finished, "I guess it's no problem to let you have a look at the library. But Tifa, all the books of the Ancient's are written in their language, can you read it?" Tifa frowned, and disappointment shone through her voice when she answered:

"No, I guess I can't. Well, Cid…seems like we made the way in vain."

"Now you won't give up that fast, will ya?" Cid protested. "Do  you think you can drag me all the @$%&§& way over here and then leave again without even trying?!"

"But Cid!" Tifa cried out. "I can't read the Cetra language! So what am I supposed to do?"

"Well, ask that Richard guy. Maybe he can read it. Or someone else here in Cosmo Canyon." Cid shot back. Tifa considered this for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay. Let's try to find someone who can read the Cetra language." She then spoke. Cid grinned and nodded, and the two of them left the house, followed by Nanaki.