Cid dismounted the chocobo outside of Rocket Town and sent it on its way. Before taking a step into his home town, however, he allowed himself a few moments to let his eyes roam around, recognizing how homesick he really was. The town hadn't changed much, except for the fact that the rocket he had built was no longer leaning precariously over the buildings. This observation brought with it memories of his journey into space, and he thought about how funny it was that a man could leave his home and change the fate of the world, and then return to take up his life where he'd left off. Though, of course, some things were going to be different.
He'd dropped the helicopter off at Midgar and taken the ferry from Junon to the western continent. Once at Costa Del Sol, he'd rented a chocobo he could ride to Rocket Town. It was now late evening and the sun had already set. He wondered if Shera would be up at this hour.
The lights were off in his house. He opened the door as silently as possible and stepped into the darkened dining room, closing the door softly behind him. Pushing his boots off was the first things he did, and then he proceeded to remove his flight jacket, goggles, and gloves, dropping them all to the floor. The Venus Gospel he leaned up against a wall he knew stood in the darkness.
The sound of movement behind him made him turn, though the house was too dark for him to see anything. Out of instinct, he kept one hand on his lance.
"Captain?"
Cid took his hand from his weapon as a light came on in the room, revealing a sleepy Shera in her flannel nightie. Cid was shocked to see her this way. He had never before caught her with her hair down, or without her glasses. Her green-flecked eyes shone in the dim light of the desk lamp.
"Captain!" she exclaimed, taking a joyful step toward him, a smile of relief covering her face. But then she stopped and lowered her eyes. "I mean...it's good to see that you survived. I've been worri...wondering about you ever since I heard that meteor was destroyed."
"Yeah." Cid looked at her, suddenly feeling awkward. He wanted more than anything to say something meaningful, or perhaps to touch her, or hold her. But her abrupt withdrawal made him rethink this. He scratched a rough cheek and tried to figure out a way of saying what he wanted to say.
Shera moved out of the way as he walked to the table and sat wearily. "Are...are you all right, Captain?" she asked. "Do you want something to eat. Or some honey tea?"
Cid frowned shaking his head. "Just...just let me think for a minute," he said.
Shera sat down in the chair across from him quietly, but Cid could feel her eyes on him. He had to force himself not to scowl.
"What is it?" Shera asked.
Cid closed his eyes wearily as he tried to force his brain to think of something to say. He was no romantic. What would Cloud do in this situation? Or better yet, Barret? Barret had been married once before. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
"Captain?"
"I...I have to tell you something, Shera," he said finally. And then he fell silent.
Shera looked at him expectantly.
Cid blew out his breath. This wasn't going to be easy. He'd almost rather be dealing with an emergency aboard the Highwind. At least there he knew what to do.
"What is it, Captain?"
Cid rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants, trying to settle the butterflies in his stomach. Why was this so hard? He'd just helped save the planet from a madman intent on destroying it. One would think he'd be able to tell the woman he'd lived with for years how he felt about her. He gritted his teeth at his own cowardice.
"Captain?"
Cid banged a fist on the table and stood. Shera jumped up, knocking the chair over with a dull thump.
"Dammit, Shera, my name's Cid. All right?"
She nodded quickly and glanced at the chair she'd knocked over. "Of course...Cid. I'm sorry..."
"And don't apologize anymore, Shera. Please." His voice was tired, strained. "You don't have nothing to be sorry about. It's me who should be sorry for all of the shit I put you through." He sighed and scratched at his scalp. "Look, Shera..." He hesitated, pushing one hand into the pocket where he'd kept the ring he'd bought her in Cosmo Canyon. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, or anything from you..." He pursed his lips. "But, I'm sorry. For everything. And, I..." He faltered again and fidgeted with the ring in his pocket. "I..." Quickly, before he could lose his nerve, he pulled the ring from its hiding place and held it out for her to see.
Shera beheld the ring in confusion for a moment, and then realization began to dawn. Cid saw the war between disbelief and a desperate hope play out over her face. It gave him courage.
"I love you, Shera," he confessed softly. "And I want to marry you, if you'll have an old bugger like me."
Yuffie ran unhesitatingly into Wutai. She heard a few people gasp at her arrival. A couple more called her name. She ignored them. She was heading home.
She burst through the door, stumbling a little in her enthusiasm. "Dad!" she shouted. "Dad, I'm back!"
Godo rushed out of the door to his room and stopped dead in the hall, his face full of shock. And then he dashed forward. Yuffie giggled as he picked her up and held her above his head. "Yuffie! Yuffie, you're alive!" he shouted, laughing. "I was afraid you'd been killed!"
Yuffie scoffed as he put her back on the floor. "You doubt your own daughter's skills?" she asked, a bit miffed.
"No, no. Of course not. But, ah, the others? Did they survive as well?"
"Yeah, we're all fine. Even Aeris is all right. The planet did something funky, and now she's alive again."
"Wonderful!" Godo exclaimed. "Now, about the materia..."
Yuffie looked at him conspiratorially and slung the pack from her shoulders. She put it gently on the floor and knelt beside it, untying the drawstrings. Godo watched, wringing his hands in anticipation.
After a few moments, Yuffie held up the green lightning materia. Godo inhaled sharply, taking it from her carefully as if it were a fragile egg.
"This is...beautiful," he murmured, awestruck.
"That's not all," Yuffie said, standing and pulling the sack with her. "Every one of these is mastered."
Godo stared, his jaw dropping. "Let me see them," he declared suddenly.
Yuffie drew the pack away as Godo reached for it. "Uh-uh. They're mine. I helped master them, I get to keep them."
Godo's face flushed with anger. "Why you little..."
Yuffie danced nimbly out of the way as her father lunged at her. "Ha, ha. You're getting clumsy in your old age," she taunted. She then turned and ran out of the building.
Godo chased her as far as the door. "Yuffie, get back here right now! YUFFIE!!"
Vincent was staring at his reflection in the pool outside of the cave, his gaze lingering on his red eyes as if with morbid curiousity. Eventually, he ran his flesh fingers over the image, sending ripples across the water. He'd arrived here nearly an hour ago, but had yet to go inside the cave. The last encounter he'd had with Lucrecia had left him shaken. She was alive, but she'd demanded that he keep his distance. Was she that frightened of what had been done to him? Or perhaps she was fighting with her own guilt? There was no way to know except to brave the unknown. With a sigh, he stood and walked along the bank of the pool until he could step behind the waterfall.
The cavern was dark and damp as before, and a light spray from the waterfall covered everything in a soft mist. Vincent flexed the fingers of his metal claw restlessly, glancing around the cave until his eyes finally lighted upon the mysterious glow from the slightly raised platform before him. He took a breath. "Lucrecia?"
She stepped out of the glow as if she had just been waiting for her name. "Vincent," she said, but the inflection in her voice made it hard to tell whether it was a greeting or just a statement of recognition.
Vincent took a step forward and was heartened when she didn't flinch away. "I came to apologize. I told you before that Sephiroth was dead, but it was a lie. At that point, he was alive, but insane. He was trying to destroy the planet. I knew that if I told you he lived, you would want to see him, and you might've put yourself in danger."
Lucrecia said nothing for a moment as she studied Vincent's face, as if searching for a reason to doubt him. Finally she spoke again. "So, he is dead now?"
Vincent inclined his head once. Lucrecia lowered her eyes. "It's for the best, I suppose. After everything I let happen to him, there really was no hope of him living a normal life. I brought this on him." She lifted her head and her eyes were dry. "Thank you, Vincent, for telling me."
Vincent nodded again, but with the distinct feeling that he was being dismissed. Not yet, he told himself. Not until I say what I've come to say. "I came also to ask you something," he told her quietly. "Will you hear me?"
Lucrecia hesitated a moment before nodding, as if she suspected the content of his question.
Vincent began. "I know I have wronged you in ways that I cannot mend. I deserve no mercy. But..." He paused to collect his thoughts. "I am going to be starting up a new life somewhere, if I can manage it. And I'm asking if you would like to be a part of it."
Lucrecia's expression seemed resigned, as if she'd already come to a decision. "Vincent, you never wronged me," she told him. "You were the only one who loved me truly. I made my own choice; I wronged myself." She stopped to take a breath. "But I have achieved a kind of peace here."
Vincent bowed his head at her answer. He'd expected as much, but he'd hoped to find himself wrong. "I understand, of course. Peace is what I hope for my future." He raised his eyes to her after a moment. "I may return, Lucrecia, to visit you again."
She smiled, but it was no more than a shade of the smile he remembered. "I think I would like that. You may even end up changing my mind eventually. It does get lonely here."
Vincent recalled with sudden clarity the kind of closeness they'd once shared, the ease of their conversations, and he longed for that again. "Then I will return. Until then, I have brought you a gift." Slowly, he closed the distance between them and held out a small box for her to take. She did so, her fingers barely ghosting over his own. "Thank you, Vincent."
He bowed and turned around suddenly, as if it had become too much to be around her. In a moment, he'd stepped around the cascading waterfall and disappeared from sight.
Lucrecia watched his departure, her expression unreadable. After a few moments, her attention turned to the box in her hand. Gently, she lifted the tiny lid and then gasped at what was inside.
It was a ring. A golden band adorned with a blood-red ruby. He had truly chosen an appropriate gift. There was nothing it reminded her of more than his eyes.
Cid walked along the metal grating of the Highwind, coming in from the deck. Yellow spots danced in front of his eyes as they adjusted to the sudden change in lighting. He pulled a cigarette from the package in his goggles and lit it with the lighter Tifa and Aeris had bought him. He took a deep pull on it and let the smoke drift lazily through his lips. He didn't think he had ever been this content in his life.
Shera had burst into tears at his proposal. Shocked, Cid had been unsure of what to do. And then she had rushed forward and hugged him, saying her answer again and again. Yes, yes, and yes.
Cid walked up behind one of the technicians and patted his shoulder. The technician, crouched in front of an open panel, started, almost dropping the welder he had been using. With a thumb, he pushed up his safety visor and peered carefully at Cid.
"Good work," Cid said. "You guys are doing a great job. Thanks for coming out her on such short notice."
The technician continued to stare. "Are you feeling all right, Captain?" he asked after a moment.
Cid smiled and took another pull on his cigarette. "Never better," he answered truthfully.
"Captain Cid!"
Cid turned to address whoever had called his name. It was a young man, wiping his greasy hands on an equally greasy rag. "There's a...a big, talking cat outside that says he wants to see you."
Cid chuckled under his breath and went to see what Red XIII wanted.
Red was sitting patiently on the ground. Cid hopped over the railing and scaled the rope ladder without a problem. Once down, he approached his friend, flicking his cigarette away.
Red smiled, or gave his version of a smile, as Cid drew near. "So, how are the repairs proceeding?" he asked.
Cid grinned. "Great! Everything's going even better than I had hoped. I was able to get all of the people I needed, all of the tools, too." He looked up at the Highwind and ran a hand over the back of his head. "We'll probably be able to take her to Rocket Town in a day or so and finish the repairs there."
Red nodded. "That's good," he said.
They spent a moment looking over the Highwind.
"So," Red began eventually, "would you and your men like some lunch?"
Cid frowned a little, shading his eyes and looking up at the sun. "Is it that late already?" he wondered aloud.
"Later. The meal is already waiting inside. Come."
The caves of Cosmo Canyon were cool. After having his technicians led away down another passage, Cid followed Red into the dining room he remembered from a few days ago and began to help himself to some lunch. The food, as expected, was delicious. He dug in with fervor.
Red came and sat by him with his own plate, eating thoughtfully. And then he looked at Cid. "You're happier than usual, my friend," he said finally. "What's happened?"
"What do you mean?" Cid asked, his mouth full.
"I mean, if you weren't happier than usual, you would be shouting at your men, complaining even when nothing is wrong, and grumbling about the heat or the sun in your eyes."
"God, Red, you sure know how to make a guy feel good about himself."
"I am being serious," Red urged, leaning in closer, his one eye probing. "What has happened to make you so lighthearted?"
Cid repressed a grin. "All right, I'll tell ya, but only because I trust you not to blab it. I proposed to Shera, and she said yes."
Red's one eye widened. He looked about to impart congratulations when one of the younger technicians who had been asked to watch the ship ran into the caves.
"Captain Cid! Come quickly!"
Cid jumped to his feet, upsetting his plate. Red also stood. "What is it?" he demanded.
"There's some kind of a monster outside! And it's huge!" the man exclaimed in agitation.
Cid was suddenly glad to have brought the Venus Gospel with him. Except that it was on the ship. He cursed.
"Hey...uh..."
"Carter, Sir."
"Right. Sorry. Carter, run and get my spear from the hold of the ship!"
The man nodded and ran outside. Cid and Red followed.
The technician hadn't been kidding when he'd said the monster was huge; it looked fully as big as two full grown men with massive claws and what looked like wings folded against its back.
Once it saw the young technician, Carter, running for the ship, it roared. The technician only increased his speed, jumping onto the ladder and making a mad scramble for the deck. The monster spread its wings, ready to pursue, but Cid ran forward, waving his arms and yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Hey you, ya ugly bastard! Over here! Come get me!"
"I don't know if that's wise," Red admonished from where he ran beside him.
Cid ignored the warning and continued with his racket. With Carter out of sight, the monster turned toward the source of the noise and started for the two members of Avalanche, opening its wings to soar effortlessly along the ground.
"It's wounded," Red observed as it neared. "Look at its shoulder. Do you think one of your men could've done that?"
Cid scoffed. "With what? A wrench? Those men on my ship are the greatest if you want something repaired, but they know as much about fighting as I do about needlework."
The creature let out a guttural growl as it advanced and Cid ducked out of the way as it swung at him. He saw an opening as the beast stepped forward with the force of the unwieldy blow and cursed. Where was Carter? He could've run this thing through already if he'd had his weapon!
The monster turned to follow as Cid began jogging backwards. This left its back and right side vulnerable for Red's attack a moment later. He pounced, claws at the ready, and slashed viciously at their enemy. It howled suddenly with pain and threw its arms out, but Red was able to leap nimbly out of the way. Angry now, the monster focused its attack on Red, following him relentlessly until it became obvious that Red was becoming tired from the constant charge and retreat tactics. Cid cursed aloud, searching the deck of his ship for any sign of Carter. Where was that boy?
"Hey!" Cid shouted. "Hey, over here ya big brute!"
The monster ignored him. Swinging a large claw, it swiped Red across the haunch as he retreated. Red fell to the ground. In a moment, he was up again, but Cid could see that he was favoring his injured leg. In that condition, he wouldn't be able to avoid the monster's attacks for long. With no other choice, Cid ran forward and started pounding on the creature's back. "Hey!"
The monster turned suddenly, but Cid had been expecting this. He vaulted himself out of the way, but not entirely in time. Sharp talons ripped through the arm of his jacket into his skin. He grit his teeth on a cry of pain and put a hand to his shoulder. It came away covered with blood. He swore.
"Captain!"
Running again to avoid the monster, it was a moment before Cid could look up to see Carter waving at him from the deck. And then the technician dropped the Venus Gospel over the railing. It landed in the dirt at the base of the ship.
Despite the pain burning in his shoulder, Cid made a frantic dash for his weapon. He could hear the creature pursuing him, its wings opening like the unfurling of two huge sails. Resisting the urge to send a glance backward, Cid continued to run. A few seconds later he could hear its heavy breathing right behind him. Quickly, he dropped to the ground and rolled underneath the monster's taloned feet. It took the creature a moment to realize what had happened, but a moment was all Cid needed to get to his feet and lunge for his weapon.
"C'mon, you ugly son of a bitch!" he yelled, settling the Venus Gospel in his palms. "Let's see how you like prey that fights back!"
The beast was nonplused by the fact that Cid was now armed. It approached him eagerly. Cid fended off the blows from its claws, catching them on the weapon and flinging them back, ignoring the discomfort in his shoulder. The monster roared in frustration and abandoned this strategy, using its bulk to its advantage and charging forward.
But its bulk was also a disadvantage. Cid quickly ducked out of the way of the attack. Propelled on by inertia, the monster was unable to come to an immediate halt. In that second, Cid was able to plunge forward with his weapon and slice the creature deeply across the flank.
The monster gave a wail of pain and began to retreat from its attacker. Once it had gained enough speed, it opened its wings and began to fly.
"We scared it off!" Cid exclaimed as Red XIII approached him.
"No! Look!" Red countered suddenly.
Cid watched in horror as the beast descended right into the middle of Cosmo Canyon. Cursing explosively, he ran for the town, Red XIII quickly overtaking him.
Many of the inhabitants of the Canyon had already taken shelter in the caves or the buildings. The monster, however, didn't seem very interested in the people. It tilted its head upward, sniffing the air, walking slowly. Sometimes when it came to a shop, it would crash in the door and poke its massive head within before withdrawing to continue wandering.
"It almost looks as if it's searching for something," Red murmured from Cid's side.
Cid tightened his hold on the Venus Gospel. "I don't care if it's here with gift-baskets, it's leaving now." He stepped forward, walking quickly to where the creature was pacing around. As he approached, the monster turned to look at him. It growled angrily, but seemed less than interested in a rematch. With a final roar, it opened its wings and launched itself upward. Cid watched as it caught an air current and soared away.
Red padded up beside him. Without turning his head, he asked, "What the hell was that all about?"
"I have no idea," Red answered, shaking his shaggy head. "But, I think we should probably tell the others about it. That was a little too odd for me to believe there was nothing behind it."
He'd dropped the helicopter off at Midgar and taken the ferry from Junon to the western continent. Once at Costa Del Sol, he'd rented a chocobo he could ride to Rocket Town. It was now late evening and the sun had already set. He wondered if Shera would be up at this hour.
The lights were off in his house. He opened the door as silently as possible and stepped into the darkened dining room, closing the door softly behind him. Pushing his boots off was the first things he did, and then he proceeded to remove his flight jacket, goggles, and gloves, dropping them all to the floor. The Venus Gospel he leaned up against a wall he knew stood in the darkness.
The sound of movement behind him made him turn, though the house was too dark for him to see anything. Out of instinct, he kept one hand on his lance.
"Captain?"
Cid took his hand from his weapon as a light came on in the room, revealing a sleepy Shera in her flannel nightie. Cid was shocked to see her this way. He had never before caught her with her hair down, or without her glasses. Her green-flecked eyes shone in the dim light of the desk lamp.
"Captain!" she exclaimed, taking a joyful step toward him, a smile of relief covering her face. But then she stopped and lowered her eyes. "I mean...it's good to see that you survived. I've been worri...wondering about you ever since I heard that meteor was destroyed."
"Yeah." Cid looked at her, suddenly feeling awkward. He wanted more than anything to say something meaningful, or perhaps to touch her, or hold her. But her abrupt withdrawal made him rethink this. He scratched a rough cheek and tried to figure out a way of saying what he wanted to say.
Shera moved out of the way as he walked to the table and sat wearily. "Are...are you all right, Captain?" she asked. "Do you want something to eat. Or some honey tea?"
Cid frowned shaking his head. "Just...just let me think for a minute," he said.
Shera sat down in the chair across from him quietly, but Cid could feel her eyes on him. He had to force himself not to scowl.
"What is it?" Shera asked.
Cid closed his eyes wearily as he tried to force his brain to think of something to say. He was no romantic. What would Cloud do in this situation? Or better yet, Barret? Barret had been married once before. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
"Captain?"
"I...I have to tell you something, Shera," he said finally. And then he fell silent.
Shera looked at him expectantly.
Cid blew out his breath. This wasn't going to be easy. He'd almost rather be dealing with an emergency aboard the Highwind. At least there he knew what to do.
"What is it, Captain?"
Cid rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants, trying to settle the butterflies in his stomach. Why was this so hard? He'd just helped save the planet from a madman intent on destroying it. One would think he'd be able to tell the woman he'd lived with for years how he felt about her. He gritted his teeth at his own cowardice.
"Captain?"
Cid banged a fist on the table and stood. Shera jumped up, knocking the chair over with a dull thump.
"Dammit, Shera, my name's Cid. All right?"
She nodded quickly and glanced at the chair she'd knocked over. "Of course...Cid. I'm sorry..."
"And don't apologize anymore, Shera. Please." His voice was tired, strained. "You don't have nothing to be sorry about. It's me who should be sorry for all of the shit I put you through." He sighed and scratched at his scalp. "Look, Shera..." He hesitated, pushing one hand into the pocket where he'd kept the ring he'd bought her in Cosmo Canyon. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, or anything from you..." He pursed his lips. "But, I'm sorry. For everything. And, I..." He faltered again and fidgeted with the ring in his pocket. "I..." Quickly, before he could lose his nerve, he pulled the ring from its hiding place and held it out for her to see.
Shera beheld the ring in confusion for a moment, and then realization began to dawn. Cid saw the war between disbelief and a desperate hope play out over her face. It gave him courage.
"I love you, Shera," he confessed softly. "And I want to marry you, if you'll have an old bugger like me."
Yuffie ran unhesitatingly into Wutai. She heard a few people gasp at her arrival. A couple more called her name. She ignored them. She was heading home.
She burst through the door, stumbling a little in her enthusiasm. "Dad!" she shouted. "Dad, I'm back!"
Godo rushed out of the door to his room and stopped dead in the hall, his face full of shock. And then he dashed forward. Yuffie giggled as he picked her up and held her above his head. "Yuffie! Yuffie, you're alive!" he shouted, laughing. "I was afraid you'd been killed!"
Yuffie scoffed as he put her back on the floor. "You doubt your own daughter's skills?" she asked, a bit miffed.
"No, no. Of course not. But, ah, the others? Did they survive as well?"
"Yeah, we're all fine. Even Aeris is all right. The planet did something funky, and now she's alive again."
"Wonderful!" Godo exclaimed. "Now, about the materia..."
Yuffie looked at him conspiratorially and slung the pack from her shoulders. She put it gently on the floor and knelt beside it, untying the drawstrings. Godo watched, wringing his hands in anticipation.
After a few moments, Yuffie held up the green lightning materia. Godo inhaled sharply, taking it from her carefully as if it were a fragile egg.
"This is...beautiful," he murmured, awestruck.
"That's not all," Yuffie said, standing and pulling the sack with her. "Every one of these is mastered."
Godo stared, his jaw dropping. "Let me see them," he declared suddenly.
Yuffie drew the pack away as Godo reached for it. "Uh-uh. They're mine. I helped master them, I get to keep them."
Godo's face flushed with anger. "Why you little..."
Yuffie danced nimbly out of the way as her father lunged at her. "Ha, ha. You're getting clumsy in your old age," she taunted. She then turned and ran out of the building.
Godo chased her as far as the door. "Yuffie, get back here right now! YUFFIE!!"
Vincent was staring at his reflection in the pool outside of the cave, his gaze lingering on his red eyes as if with morbid curiousity. Eventually, he ran his flesh fingers over the image, sending ripples across the water. He'd arrived here nearly an hour ago, but had yet to go inside the cave. The last encounter he'd had with Lucrecia had left him shaken. She was alive, but she'd demanded that he keep his distance. Was she that frightened of what had been done to him? Or perhaps she was fighting with her own guilt? There was no way to know except to brave the unknown. With a sigh, he stood and walked along the bank of the pool until he could step behind the waterfall.
The cavern was dark and damp as before, and a light spray from the waterfall covered everything in a soft mist. Vincent flexed the fingers of his metal claw restlessly, glancing around the cave until his eyes finally lighted upon the mysterious glow from the slightly raised platform before him. He took a breath. "Lucrecia?"
She stepped out of the glow as if she had just been waiting for her name. "Vincent," she said, but the inflection in her voice made it hard to tell whether it was a greeting or just a statement of recognition.
Vincent took a step forward and was heartened when she didn't flinch away. "I came to apologize. I told you before that Sephiroth was dead, but it was a lie. At that point, he was alive, but insane. He was trying to destroy the planet. I knew that if I told you he lived, you would want to see him, and you might've put yourself in danger."
Lucrecia said nothing for a moment as she studied Vincent's face, as if searching for a reason to doubt him. Finally she spoke again. "So, he is dead now?"
Vincent inclined his head once. Lucrecia lowered her eyes. "It's for the best, I suppose. After everything I let happen to him, there really was no hope of him living a normal life. I brought this on him." She lifted her head and her eyes were dry. "Thank you, Vincent, for telling me."
Vincent nodded again, but with the distinct feeling that he was being dismissed. Not yet, he told himself. Not until I say what I've come to say. "I came also to ask you something," he told her quietly. "Will you hear me?"
Lucrecia hesitated a moment before nodding, as if she suspected the content of his question.
Vincent began. "I know I have wronged you in ways that I cannot mend. I deserve no mercy. But..." He paused to collect his thoughts. "I am going to be starting up a new life somewhere, if I can manage it. And I'm asking if you would like to be a part of it."
Lucrecia's expression seemed resigned, as if she'd already come to a decision. "Vincent, you never wronged me," she told him. "You were the only one who loved me truly. I made my own choice; I wronged myself." She stopped to take a breath. "But I have achieved a kind of peace here."
Vincent bowed his head at her answer. He'd expected as much, but he'd hoped to find himself wrong. "I understand, of course. Peace is what I hope for my future." He raised his eyes to her after a moment. "I may return, Lucrecia, to visit you again."
She smiled, but it was no more than a shade of the smile he remembered. "I think I would like that. You may even end up changing my mind eventually. It does get lonely here."
Vincent recalled with sudden clarity the kind of closeness they'd once shared, the ease of their conversations, and he longed for that again. "Then I will return. Until then, I have brought you a gift." Slowly, he closed the distance between them and held out a small box for her to take. She did so, her fingers barely ghosting over his own. "Thank you, Vincent."
He bowed and turned around suddenly, as if it had become too much to be around her. In a moment, he'd stepped around the cascading waterfall and disappeared from sight.
Lucrecia watched his departure, her expression unreadable. After a few moments, her attention turned to the box in her hand. Gently, she lifted the tiny lid and then gasped at what was inside.
It was a ring. A golden band adorned with a blood-red ruby. He had truly chosen an appropriate gift. There was nothing it reminded her of more than his eyes.
Cid walked along the metal grating of the Highwind, coming in from the deck. Yellow spots danced in front of his eyes as they adjusted to the sudden change in lighting. He pulled a cigarette from the package in his goggles and lit it with the lighter Tifa and Aeris had bought him. He took a deep pull on it and let the smoke drift lazily through his lips. He didn't think he had ever been this content in his life.
Shera had burst into tears at his proposal. Shocked, Cid had been unsure of what to do. And then she had rushed forward and hugged him, saying her answer again and again. Yes, yes, and yes.
Cid walked up behind one of the technicians and patted his shoulder. The technician, crouched in front of an open panel, started, almost dropping the welder he had been using. With a thumb, he pushed up his safety visor and peered carefully at Cid.
"Good work," Cid said. "You guys are doing a great job. Thanks for coming out her on such short notice."
The technician continued to stare. "Are you feeling all right, Captain?" he asked after a moment.
Cid smiled and took another pull on his cigarette. "Never better," he answered truthfully.
"Captain Cid!"
Cid turned to address whoever had called his name. It was a young man, wiping his greasy hands on an equally greasy rag. "There's a...a big, talking cat outside that says he wants to see you."
Cid chuckled under his breath and went to see what Red XIII wanted.
Red was sitting patiently on the ground. Cid hopped over the railing and scaled the rope ladder without a problem. Once down, he approached his friend, flicking his cigarette away.
Red smiled, or gave his version of a smile, as Cid drew near. "So, how are the repairs proceeding?" he asked.
Cid grinned. "Great! Everything's going even better than I had hoped. I was able to get all of the people I needed, all of the tools, too." He looked up at the Highwind and ran a hand over the back of his head. "We'll probably be able to take her to Rocket Town in a day or so and finish the repairs there."
Red nodded. "That's good," he said.
They spent a moment looking over the Highwind.
"So," Red began eventually, "would you and your men like some lunch?"
Cid frowned a little, shading his eyes and looking up at the sun. "Is it that late already?" he wondered aloud.
"Later. The meal is already waiting inside. Come."
The caves of Cosmo Canyon were cool. After having his technicians led away down another passage, Cid followed Red into the dining room he remembered from a few days ago and began to help himself to some lunch. The food, as expected, was delicious. He dug in with fervor.
Red came and sat by him with his own plate, eating thoughtfully. And then he looked at Cid. "You're happier than usual, my friend," he said finally. "What's happened?"
"What do you mean?" Cid asked, his mouth full.
"I mean, if you weren't happier than usual, you would be shouting at your men, complaining even when nothing is wrong, and grumbling about the heat or the sun in your eyes."
"God, Red, you sure know how to make a guy feel good about himself."
"I am being serious," Red urged, leaning in closer, his one eye probing. "What has happened to make you so lighthearted?"
Cid repressed a grin. "All right, I'll tell ya, but only because I trust you not to blab it. I proposed to Shera, and she said yes."
Red's one eye widened. He looked about to impart congratulations when one of the younger technicians who had been asked to watch the ship ran into the caves.
"Captain Cid! Come quickly!"
Cid jumped to his feet, upsetting his plate. Red also stood. "What is it?" he demanded.
"There's some kind of a monster outside! And it's huge!" the man exclaimed in agitation.
Cid was suddenly glad to have brought the Venus Gospel with him. Except that it was on the ship. He cursed.
"Hey...uh..."
"Carter, Sir."
"Right. Sorry. Carter, run and get my spear from the hold of the ship!"
The man nodded and ran outside. Cid and Red followed.
The technician hadn't been kidding when he'd said the monster was huge; it looked fully as big as two full grown men with massive claws and what looked like wings folded against its back.
Once it saw the young technician, Carter, running for the ship, it roared. The technician only increased his speed, jumping onto the ladder and making a mad scramble for the deck. The monster spread its wings, ready to pursue, but Cid ran forward, waving his arms and yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Hey you, ya ugly bastard! Over here! Come get me!"
"I don't know if that's wise," Red admonished from where he ran beside him.
Cid ignored the warning and continued with his racket. With Carter out of sight, the monster turned toward the source of the noise and started for the two members of Avalanche, opening its wings to soar effortlessly along the ground.
"It's wounded," Red observed as it neared. "Look at its shoulder. Do you think one of your men could've done that?"
Cid scoffed. "With what? A wrench? Those men on my ship are the greatest if you want something repaired, but they know as much about fighting as I do about needlework."
The creature let out a guttural growl as it advanced and Cid ducked out of the way as it swung at him. He saw an opening as the beast stepped forward with the force of the unwieldy blow and cursed. Where was Carter? He could've run this thing through already if he'd had his weapon!
The monster turned to follow as Cid began jogging backwards. This left its back and right side vulnerable for Red's attack a moment later. He pounced, claws at the ready, and slashed viciously at their enemy. It howled suddenly with pain and threw its arms out, but Red was able to leap nimbly out of the way. Angry now, the monster focused its attack on Red, following him relentlessly until it became obvious that Red was becoming tired from the constant charge and retreat tactics. Cid cursed aloud, searching the deck of his ship for any sign of Carter. Where was that boy?
"Hey!" Cid shouted. "Hey, over here ya big brute!"
The monster ignored him. Swinging a large claw, it swiped Red across the haunch as he retreated. Red fell to the ground. In a moment, he was up again, but Cid could see that he was favoring his injured leg. In that condition, he wouldn't be able to avoid the monster's attacks for long. With no other choice, Cid ran forward and started pounding on the creature's back. "Hey!"
The monster turned suddenly, but Cid had been expecting this. He vaulted himself out of the way, but not entirely in time. Sharp talons ripped through the arm of his jacket into his skin. He grit his teeth on a cry of pain and put a hand to his shoulder. It came away covered with blood. He swore.
"Captain!"
Running again to avoid the monster, it was a moment before Cid could look up to see Carter waving at him from the deck. And then the technician dropped the Venus Gospel over the railing. It landed in the dirt at the base of the ship.
Despite the pain burning in his shoulder, Cid made a frantic dash for his weapon. He could hear the creature pursuing him, its wings opening like the unfurling of two huge sails. Resisting the urge to send a glance backward, Cid continued to run. A few seconds later he could hear its heavy breathing right behind him. Quickly, he dropped to the ground and rolled underneath the monster's taloned feet. It took the creature a moment to realize what had happened, but a moment was all Cid needed to get to his feet and lunge for his weapon.
"C'mon, you ugly son of a bitch!" he yelled, settling the Venus Gospel in his palms. "Let's see how you like prey that fights back!"
The beast was nonplused by the fact that Cid was now armed. It approached him eagerly. Cid fended off the blows from its claws, catching them on the weapon and flinging them back, ignoring the discomfort in his shoulder. The monster roared in frustration and abandoned this strategy, using its bulk to its advantage and charging forward.
But its bulk was also a disadvantage. Cid quickly ducked out of the way of the attack. Propelled on by inertia, the monster was unable to come to an immediate halt. In that second, Cid was able to plunge forward with his weapon and slice the creature deeply across the flank.
The monster gave a wail of pain and began to retreat from its attacker. Once it had gained enough speed, it opened its wings and began to fly.
"We scared it off!" Cid exclaimed as Red XIII approached him.
"No! Look!" Red countered suddenly.
Cid watched in horror as the beast descended right into the middle of Cosmo Canyon. Cursing explosively, he ran for the town, Red XIII quickly overtaking him.
Many of the inhabitants of the Canyon had already taken shelter in the caves or the buildings. The monster, however, didn't seem very interested in the people. It tilted its head upward, sniffing the air, walking slowly. Sometimes when it came to a shop, it would crash in the door and poke its massive head within before withdrawing to continue wandering.
"It almost looks as if it's searching for something," Red murmured from Cid's side.
Cid tightened his hold on the Venus Gospel. "I don't care if it's here with gift-baskets, it's leaving now." He stepped forward, walking quickly to where the creature was pacing around. As he approached, the monster turned to look at him. It growled angrily, but seemed less than interested in a rematch. With a final roar, it opened its wings and launched itself upward. Cid watched as it caught an air current and soared away.
Red padded up beside him. Without turning his head, he asked, "What the hell was that all about?"
"I have no idea," Red answered, shaking his shaggy head. "But, I think we should probably tell the others about it. That was a little too odd for me to believe there was nothing behind it."