Red roses mean love
By kimetara
Multi-part
Disclaimer: Jeez, these get annoying. This disclaimer will go for the rest of the story – I do not own Final Fantasy VII.
Chapter Ten
Shera agreed to come along, and the trio went to talk to Cid.
"Captain," Shera began, "we're near Gold Saucer, aren't we?"
"Yeah." He bit down on his cigarette, working the controls of the airship. "What about it?"
"Can we make a small detour there? Please?" Tifa asked.
"What the $#@^ for?"
Tifa and Shera glanced at each other. "We're going to go have some fun. Want to come?" Tifa replied.
"Have fun?" Cid stared at them, then at Vincent, who was standing behind them and trying to act as if he couldn't hear the conversation. "With him?"
"Yeah!" Tifa replied cheerfully. "Please?"
He shook his head. "It's your $(*&^ money," he muttered, setting the course for the Gold Saucer.
"You don't want to come, Cid?" Tifa asked again.
"And leave my Highwind in the care of these dumbasses?" Cid glared at one of the said crew members. "Hell no."
"Alright then Captain." Shera saluted. "Thank you." He shrugged it off and went back to fiddling with the airship.
"Do you think we should ask Nanaki if he wants to come along too?" Tifa asked to no one in particular as they walked into the hull.
"Come along where?" Nanaki stood and shook himself off. He had been listening unnoticed in the corridor.
"Oh, hi Nanaki!" Tifa smiled and walked over to him. "We're going to the Gold Saucer. Want to come?"
Nanaki considered, then saw Shera slightly shaking her head no. At first confused, he thought logically. Tifa, Shera, and...Vincent? were going to the Gold Saucer. Shera and Cid were pretty much married, leaving Tifa and Vincent.
It wasn't difficult to figure out.
Nanaki gave Shera a feline grin, and shook his head. "No thank you. The last time was plenty for me. Besides, the Gold Saucer was not built for...paws." He looked down at his feet pointedly.
"Yeah, I see your point." Tifa ruffled Nanaki's mane. "We'll bring you back a souvenir, okay?"
"That's fine. Thanks," he replied, then stretched his front legs out. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go back to my nap."
"Sure. See you later!" The three left, Shera and Tifa discussing something or another and Vincent following behind.
Nanaki grinned to himself and settled down. So...Shera was trying to hook Tifa and Vincent up together? That'd probably be more difficult than she thought though. Tifa was still certainly in love with Cloud, and Vincent...well, who knew what he was thinking. Although that new outfit seemed to make him much less intimidating, he was still the mysterious Vincent Valentine.
But if she was going to make the effort, he certainly wouldn't get in the way. Nope...maybe he'd even offer to help...?
Tifa emerged from the Highwind bathroom, trying on new clothes in front of Shera. "What do you think?" she asked, looking down at the scarlet shirt she was wearing and the black shorts.
"A little too slinky," Shera decided. "Besides, the red washes your eyes out, and those are Vincent's colors anyway. Here, try these!" She handed Tifa a pair of cargo pants and a tanktop.
"Ooh, nice," Tifa approved of the pants as she tried them on. "I didn't know you could get these for girls."
"Yeah, it took a little searching, but I found them," Shera replied. "You're lucky my niece is about your size."
"Yup." Tifa stepped out and turned around. "What do you think? I like it."
Shera looked over her critically, then nodded. "It's good."
"Thanks." She smiled and looked over at the mirror. "What do you think I should do with my hair?"
"Let me try," Shera came over and started playing with different styles. "Why are you dressing up so much anyway? It's just a night at the Gold Saucer."
"I know, but with Vincent's new clothes, I feel like changing a bit too," Tifa replied cheerily. Shera smiled a little.
"He does look nice, doesn't he? I had to rummage around for those; he's a few sizes thinner and has just slightly broader shoulders than the Captain. He's taller too," she finished brushing Tifa's hair out. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was considered quite the catch. Don't tell the Captain I said that," Shera added, grinning.
"I won't," Tifa promised, then turned thoughtful. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing? I know Vincent's not exactly the most social person around...and I don't want him to be uncomfortable."
"Oh, I'm sure he's fine," Shera reassured. "He'll probably enjoy himself as long as you do."
"You think so?"
"I'm sure of it."
Tifa smiled. "He's been so kind to me, you know. I feel like I ought to repay him somehow."
Shera laughed a little. "Do you have something in mind?"
"No," Tifa admitted. "I'll just have to try and make this a good time for him," she decided firmly. Shera hid a smile.
"I think just a plain ponytail will do. You don't want to get too fancy," she said instead. "There. You look fine. Now, I hope you don't mind if I stay in my regular clothes," Shera added dryly.
"Of course not!" Tifa turned around and smiled at the older woman. She felt almost as if Shera were an older sister. "Thanks for everything."
Shera blinked, then smiled back. "You're welcome. My, that feels strange." She gave a little laugh. "I'm not used to being thanked."
Tifa tilted her head. "Cid should appreciate you more! Although..." she admitted reluctantly, "he is pretty sweet with you. I mean, compared to how he used to be." She made a face, remembering how when they had first met Cid had been barking orders at Shera as if the world depended on it. She had been so shy and timid back then... "You've changed so much. I'm happy for you."
Shera shrugged. "It's good having a one-up on the Captain," she told Tifa slyly. Tifa laughed, then glanced at the clock.
"Oh look, it's almost six! Shoot, we're gonna be late!"
Vincent sighed as he waited on the deck of the Highwind.
"Hey, Vince." Cid strolled up to him.
"Hello."
"@$%#, you look practically normal," he said, eyeing Vincent, who now had on black gloves. "Just get rid of the freaky red eyes and get a tan, and you're all set."
Vincent didn't comment.
"Where the $#@(& are Tifa and Shera?" Vincent shrugged.
"Getting ready, I assume." Cid grunted.
"Woman always take so @(^$# long..."
"We heard that, Cid Highwind!" Tifa stood at the top of the stairs, hands on her hips, Shera smirking behind her. Vincent scanned her over.
Tifa had changed into light beige cargo pants, the waistband loose on her shapely hips. Her peach tanktop was spaghetti-strapped and seemed thinner than her old cotton shirt. It stopped right on top of her belly button, so that just an inch of teasing skin peeked out. Her hair was in a low pony, the wisps that naturally framed her face free from confines as usual. Vincent drank her in.
"You look very nice," he told her quietly. Tifa smiled.
"Thanks. I know I've told you before, but so do you." She strolled over and stopped just in front of him. "Shall we be going?" He nodded, and the two started down the gangplank, Shera following behind. She was already making plans for getting 'lost' this afternoon.
"Hey Shera." Cid stopped her. "You really think it'll work?" he asked dubiously. "Ol' Vinny boy and Tifa?"
"I think so."
"Fine, but Tifa better not start wearing black and going goth on me..." he warned. Shera laughed and patted his arm.
"I'll try to avoid that."
"Welcome to the Gold Saucer. Do you have a Pass?"
"Yes." Tifa stepped up and pulled her pass from one of the many pockets.
"Thank you. Please head right in, and enjoy your stay!" the lady chirped, and the three went inside.
Once in, Shera glanced around. "Hmm. Why don't we go to the Event Square first?" she suggested. "I'm sure they have a 6 o'clock show."
Tifa shot Shera a puzzled look. "You are?"
"Of course. Everything has a 6 o'clock show." Tifa grinned and shook her head.
"OK then, let's go see!" Tifa strode over, and sure enough, there was a 6 o'clock show. The three settled down to watch.
Halfway through, Tifa was forcing back laughter. "This is so cliché," she whispered to Vincent, who was sitting on her left. Shera was on her right.
"I agree."
"Wait... Did the prince just ask for the princess' measurements?"
Vincent quirked an eyebrow, looking amused. "Unless my hearing has begun to fail, yes."
The actors twirled off-stage, and Tifa and Vincent stood up, Tifa giggling slightly until she noticed a member of their group missing.
"Hey! Where's Shera?" she asked worriedly, looking around. The older woman was nowhere to be seen.
Vincent leaned down and picked up a small piece of paper on the bench. "This may explain."
Dear Tifa and Vincent,
Sorry I left early, I just remembered that I had to finish repairs on one of the boosters for the Highwind's engine. You two enjoy yourselves, we won't be running until 10.
Love and have fun,
Shera
Vincent couldn't help the slight feeling he'd been duped. Tifa lifted an eyebrow as she scanned the note.
*She probably left because I was telling her about repaying Vincent,* she concluded, feeling slightly grateful towards her friend. Usually it was easier with three people, but with Vincent...he had a tendency to just fade in the background unless you were talking to him directly, and that meant somebody was going to end up ignored. Of course, it was slightly obvious, but...
"Well...I guess we've got until ten," Tifa said finally. "Why don't we head over to the Wonder Square?"
He shrugged. "Very well."
"Okay. And then we can grab some dinner," she continued, regaining her old enthusiasm. "C'mon, let's go!"
AN: Hehe...no, I'm alive. *sweatdrop* Sorry about that. And I tried very hard to update fairly quickly this time. Ah, sorry if it's going a little slow. I just write as it comes, but there will probably be some more V/T action next chapter. Thank you so much for all the encouragement! The amazing number of reviews is actually what kicked me back into working on this fic... ^_^;; Speaking of which, please R&R! (Or just R, since supposedly you've already read the chapter. *confused*)