Chapter 12: Under the Beating Sun
The boat docked at the resort. Boy was it hot.
Cloud: That sure was a long boat ride.
Barret: Yeah, I'm glad to be out of that sailor suit.
Aeris: I thought you looked kinda cute.
Barret: Cute!? The ^(&$ is wrong with ya?
Tifa: Well, maybe you should use it as pajamas.
Barret: Wha?
Cloud: yeah, you looked like a bear wearing a marshmallow.
Barret: The hell's that supposed to mean. It happens to be the most comfortable so su up!!
Red XIII: Could we get moving? The heat is drying my nose.
Yuffie: Mine too!
Perry: I suppose so. I mean we aren't exactly all ready to hike those mountains right now.
We all looked up in the distance. Corel Mountains were ahead.
Cloud: He has a point. Why don't we take some time to ourselves?
Tifa: yeah, sounds good.
We all ran towards the town.
Perry: Look at this place.
Everyone else had gone ahead. Then a girl in a window whistled at me.
Perry: eh?
I decided to go into the building she was in.
Perry: You called me?
Girl: That's four today. I'm on fire.
Perry: huh?
Girl: Oh, I whistle to cute guys who walk by to come in. They almost always do.
Perry: Oh.
I decided to walk around a little before leaving.
Outside I saw a small cart set up with materia on display.
Perry: Excuse me?
Yuffie: Oh hey Perry.
Perry: What are you up to Yuffie?
Yuffie: I doing a part time job as a materia saleswoman.
Perry: Sounds good.
Yuffie: By the way I got this for you.
She handed me a Revive materia.
Perry: Wow. You bought this for me?
Yuffie: No, but I got it!
She said that with a big smile on her face.
Perry: meh. Whatever.
Pocketing the materia I headed down to the beach.
Yuffie: Hey, I'll catch you by the beach later.
Perry: Ok.
I decided then that I should put all my gear at the inn.
Entering I found Cloud and Tifa.
Cloud: Perry, I got a room for all of us. Just put your stuff upstairs.
Then Tifa came from upstairs. She was wearing a towel around her waist, and a black bikini.
Perry: Bet I know where you're going.
Tifa: You heading down there?
Perry: Yup.
Tifa: There should be a bathing suit upstairs. I got one for you.
Perry: You didn't have to.
Tifa: Don't worry about it.
Man, people were being so nice to me. This was the total opposite of what happens in the world I live in.
He has a flashback of high school again.
Student: Hey, Perry, can I borrow last weeks homework?
Perry: Why?
Student: Just because.
Perry: fine.
Student: Yeah thanks.
Why did I put up with this crap? I help everyone out and for what? Jack Shit!! That's what. I see people act with little kindness and compasion and they get more than I do. It pains me!
When I came out of the flashback I was still in the same part of the inn.
Perry: Maybe I'll head down to the beach.
Going upstairs to the room I found the bathing suit Tifa was talking about. It was baggy and black but fit well. It felt odd to just walk out the door half-naked but no one seemed to stare.
Arriving at the beach I found Tifa lying down on the towel she was wearing. She was sleeping. Looking over to my right I spotted Yuffie making a sandcastle.
Perry: Aren't you a little old to be making sandcastles?
Yuffie: Oh, come on.
Perry: Just kidding.
Noticing her more closely she was wearing a pink bikini.
Perry: Don't you look lovely?
Yuffie: Why thank you.
Perry: …
Remaining silent I lied down near her castle and stared into who knows what.
A few seconds later Yuffie broke that silence.
Yuffie: Why don't you ever reach out to us much?
Perry: I do. Remember in Junon.
Yuffie: But you just sit there and do nothing about it. We don't know anything about you because you simply don't tell us.
Perry: Why bother? None of you would care.
Yuffie: You don't know that.
Perry: No one else really cares. Except maybe sis.
Yuffie: Who's your sister? Aeris?
Perry: Well, we aren't related but we treat each other like brother and sister.
Yuffie: You're strange. You know that?
Perry: Whatever.
Yuffie: say. That chick you liked is just sitting over there. Why not talk with her?
Perry: Because she's sleeping. And I know where you're trying to go with this. It's not happening.
Yuffie: Jeeze.
Perry: ugh. Just let me be. Let me wallow in the darkness I made for myself.
Yuffie: For now. I'll be all over you later.
Perry: Suit yourself.
Tifa, who wasn't sleeping, overheard most of the talk. Starting with "I'll be all over you later".
As I left the beach I thought I heard her mutter something.
Tifa: Are those two a "thing"?
Perry: Going back to the inn Aeris was in the bed next to mine.
Aeris: Hey big brother. What's wrong?
Perry: Nothing.
Aeris: Than why the sad face?
Perry: I don't know. It's just…I can't say.
Aeris: Tell me.
I told her my story. Or at least the parts I thought screwed me over the most.
Aeris: How sad.
Perry: You don't have to live with it.
Aeris: I'll try to get everyone to understand.
Perry: I trust you'll do that.
Aeris: You should get some rest.
Everyone else arrived shortly afterwards.
Cloud: Hmm. Who should sleep where?
Red XIII: This carpet should do just fine. I do not mind the floor. Besides I couldn't be comfortable in a bed.
Perry: I already called this one.
Tifa: I wanted that one.
Yuffie: Why don't you two share that one then?
Tifa: Sleep with…
Perry: Don't finish that. It'll get my hopes up.
Cloud: Then you don't mind.
Perry: Not really. Better than with another guy.
After everyone went to the their own beds with others Tifa and I had a small talk under the blankets.
Tifa: So, what were you and Yuffie talking about?
Perry: She just wants me to be more open with everyone.
Tifa: Is that so hard?
Perry: Yes. And not to make you feel bad but it really started after you broke my heart.
Tifa: I'm still sorry for that.
Perry: I know. I realize you didn't want to hurt me. It's just I've never had a relationship with anyone. And since you were kinda the first I wanted it to last forever. I guess I can never have what I want.
Tifa: Oh, come on. There are tons of girls out there.
Perry: Who would want me?
Tifa: I don't know.
Perry: That's what I mean. Nobody knows.
I went to bed in a slump.
Tifa still was awake looking down at me.
Tifa: You need to have more confidence in yourself.
A few hours later still at night I awoke to some sort of inviting sound.
Perry: What?
I was facing the ceiling. Tifa had mistaken me for the pillow and was resting her gentle head on my chest.
Carefully getting out of bed I made my way outside. The sound was getting closer.
Perry: What? The beach?
I went down to the beach and saw a figure standing atop a giant stone bridge going out to sea.
Perry: Who?
???: Don't say anymore. I lured you out here to talk.
Perry: About what?
???: About you! You are not from this world. I can tell.
Perry: How?
???: I cannot say. But you have something inside of you that could spell the destruction of all existence.
Perry: What would that be?
He didn't respond.
Perry: Tell me!
Now the man turned around. It was a figure that struck fear into my heart. I was face to face with Sephiroth.
Perry: Sephiroth!?
Sephiroth: Greetings. You are quite an individual. You should help me.
Perry: Why?
Sephiroth: I can grant you whatever you wish.
Perry: Forget it!
Sephiroth: Why deny it? You said yourself you wanting that more than anything.
Perry: I do, but to some extent.
Sephiroth: Think about it.
In a flash he was gone and I was back in bed with Tifa sleeping on my chest.
Going back to sleep I couldn't help but hear his voice again.
Sephiorth: Remember, I can grant you whatever you desire.
I didn't know what to make of this sudden turn of events. He could give me the love I have wanted for years but at such a price. To lose my friends. Was it worth it?
Those words haunted me for such a long time.
In the morning we were all ready to go.
Cloud: Let's go. Corel Mountains are up ahead to the west.
Aeris: I'm ready to go.
Perry: Sure.
As we left town I still had those words stuck in my mind. Was it worth it?
The boat docked at the resort. Boy was it hot.
Cloud: That sure was a long boat ride.
Barret: Yeah, I'm glad to be out of that sailor suit.
Aeris: I thought you looked kinda cute.
Barret: Cute!? The ^(&$ is wrong with ya?
Tifa: Well, maybe you should use it as pajamas.
Barret: Wha?
Cloud: yeah, you looked like a bear wearing a marshmallow.
Barret: The hell's that supposed to mean. It happens to be the most comfortable so su up!!
Red XIII: Could we get moving? The heat is drying my nose.
Yuffie: Mine too!
Perry: I suppose so. I mean we aren't exactly all ready to hike those mountains right now.
We all looked up in the distance. Corel Mountains were ahead.
Cloud: He has a point. Why don't we take some time to ourselves?
Tifa: yeah, sounds good.
We all ran towards the town.
Perry: Look at this place.
Everyone else had gone ahead. Then a girl in a window whistled at me.
Perry: eh?
I decided to go into the building she was in.
Perry: You called me?
Girl: That's four today. I'm on fire.
Perry: huh?
Girl: Oh, I whistle to cute guys who walk by to come in. They almost always do.
Perry: Oh.
I decided to walk around a little before leaving.
Outside I saw a small cart set up with materia on display.
Perry: Excuse me?
Yuffie: Oh hey Perry.
Perry: What are you up to Yuffie?
Yuffie: I doing a part time job as a materia saleswoman.
Perry: Sounds good.
Yuffie: By the way I got this for you.
She handed me a Revive materia.
Perry: Wow. You bought this for me?
Yuffie: No, but I got it!
She said that with a big smile on her face.
Perry: meh. Whatever.
Pocketing the materia I headed down to the beach.
Yuffie: Hey, I'll catch you by the beach later.
Perry: Ok.
I decided then that I should put all my gear at the inn.
Entering I found Cloud and Tifa.
Cloud: Perry, I got a room for all of us. Just put your stuff upstairs.
Then Tifa came from upstairs. She was wearing a towel around her waist, and a black bikini.
Perry: Bet I know where you're going.
Tifa: You heading down there?
Perry: Yup.
Tifa: There should be a bathing suit upstairs. I got one for you.
Perry: You didn't have to.
Tifa: Don't worry about it.
Man, people were being so nice to me. This was the total opposite of what happens in the world I live in.
He has a flashback of high school again.
Student: Hey, Perry, can I borrow last weeks homework?
Perry: Why?
Student: Just because.
Perry: fine.
Student: Yeah thanks.
Why did I put up with this crap? I help everyone out and for what? Jack Shit!! That's what. I see people act with little kindness and compasion and they get more than I do. It pains me!
When I came out of the flashback I was still in the same part of the inn.
Perry: Maybe I'll head down to the beach.
Going upstairs to the room I found the bathing suit Tifa was talking about. It was baggy and black but fit well. It felt odd to just walk out the door half-naked but no one seemed to stare.
Arriving at the beach I found Tifa lying down on the towel she was wearing. She was sleeping. Looking over to my right I spotted Yuffie making a sandcastle.
Perry: Aren't you a little old to be making sandcastles?
Yuffie: Oh, come on.
Perry: Just kidding.
Noticing her more closely she was wearing a pink bikini.
Perry: Don't you look lovely?
Yuffie: Why thank you.
Perry: …
Remaining silent I lied down near her castle and stared into who knows what.
A few seconds later Yuffie broke that silence.
Yuffie: Why don't you ever reach out to us much?
Perry: I do. Remember in Junon.
Yuffie: But you just sit there and do nothing about it. We don't know anything about you because you simply don't tell us.
Perry: Why bother? None of you would care.
Yuffie: You don't know that.
Perry: No one else really cares. Except maybe sis.
Yuffie: Who's your sister? Aeris?
Perry: Well, we aren't related but we treat each other like brother and sister.
Yuffie: You're strange. You know that?
Perry: Whatever.
Yuffie: say. That chick you liked is just sitting over there. Why not talk with her?
Perry: Because she's sleeping. And I know where you're trying to go with this. It's not happening.
Yuffie: Jeeze.
Perry: ugh. Just let me be. Let me wallow in the darkness I made for myself.
Yuffie: For now. I'll be all over you later.
Perry: Suit yourself.
Tifa, who wasn't sleeping, overheard most of the talk. Starting with "I'll be all over you later".
As I left the beach I thought I heard her mutter something.
Tifa: Are those two a "thing"?
Perry: Going back to the inn Aeris was in the bed next to mine.
Aeris: Hey big brother. What's wrong?
Perry: Nothing.
Aeris: Than why the sad face?
Perry: I don't know. It's just…I can't say.
Aeris: Tell me.
I told her my story. Or at least the parts I thought screwed me over the most.
Aeris: How sad.
Perry: You don't have to live with it.
Aeris: I'll try to get everyone to understand.
Perry: I trust you'll do that.
Aeris: You should get some rest.
Everyone else arrived shortly afterwards.
Cloud: Hmm. Who should sleep where?
Red XIII: This carpet should do just fine. I do not mind the floor. Besides I couldn't be comfortable in a bed.
Perry: I already called this one.
Tifa: I wanted that one.
Yuffie: Why don't you two share that one then?
Tifa: Sleep with…
Perry: Don't finish that. It'll get my hopes up.
Cloud: Then you don't mind.
Perry: Not really. Better than with another guy.
After everyone went to the their own beds with others Tifa and I had a small talk under the blankets.
Tifa: So, what were you and Yuffie talking about?
Perry: She just wants me to be more open with everyone.
Tifa: Is that so hard?
Perry: Yes. And not to make you feel bad but it really started after you broke my heart.
Tifa: I'm still sorry for that.
Perry: I know. I realize you didn't want to hurt me. It's just I've never had a relationship with anyone. And since you were kinda the first I wanted it to last forever. I guess I can never have what I want.
Tifa: Oh, come on. There are tons of girls out there.
Perry: Who would want me?
Tifa: I don't know.
Perry: That's what I mean. Nobody knows.
I went to bed in a slump.
Tifa still was awake looking down at me.
Tifa: You need to have more confidence in yourself.
A few hours later still at night I awoke to some sort of inviting sound.
Perry: What?
I was facing the ceiling. Tifa had mistaken me for the pillow and was resting her gentle head on my chest.
Carefully getting out of bed I made my way outside. The sound was getting closer.
Perry: What? The beach?
I went down to the beach and saw a figure standing atop a giant stone bridge going out to sea.
Perry: Who?
???: Don't say anymore. I lured you out here to talk.
Perry: About what?
???: About you! You are not from this world. I can tell.
Perry: How?
???: I cannot say. But you have something inside of you that could spell the destruction of all existence.
Perry: What would that be?
He didn't respond.
Perry: Tell me!
Now the man turned around. It was a figure that struck fear into my heart. I was face to face with Sephiroth.
Perry: Sephiroth!?
Sephiroth: Greetings. You are quite an individual. You should help me.
Perry: Why?
Sephiroth: I can grant you whatever you wish.
Perry: Forget it!
Sephiroth: Why deny it? You said yourself you wanting that more than anything.
Perry: I do, but to some extent.
Sephiroth: Think about it.
In a flash he was gone and I was back in bed with Tifa sleeping on my chest.
Going back to sleep I couldn't help but hear his voice again.
Sephiorth: Remember, I can grant you whatever you desire.
I didn't know what to make of this sudden turn of events. He could give me the love I have wanted for years but at such a price. To lose my friends. Was it worth it?
Those words haunted me for such a long time.
In the morning we were all ready to go.
Cloud: Let's go. Corel Mountains are up ahead to the west.
Aeris: I'm ready to go.
Perry: Sure.
As we left town I still had those words stuck in my mind. Was it worth it?