A/N:
Woohoo! My turn! ^_^ Prepare yourselves, gentle readers, for I vow to...uh...ah, nevermind. I lost it. ^_^* *huffy* Rachel's bugging me towards the end, so it'll seem a little rushed, unless she, hopefully, edits it. Wishful thinking only makes the truth more painful though. ^_~
~Mai
~*~*~*~
Reno stared at the city he called home. As he walked along Midgar's littered streets, he thought about the day's events. Looking up, the Turk saw only the black metal plate.
'If we could see just a bit of sky down here, damn, it would make all the difference.'
Reno looked ahead and grimaced when he noticed the numbered gate to sector 5.
'I can't believe I'm stuck here. I'm so sick of it. I bet even the graves here are numbered.'
Coming to his apartment complex, he noticed a homeless man begging for money near the entrance.
'Still, I guess I'm better off than some.'
He walked up the stairs to the third floor and unlocked his door. He smiled. Even if this city was going to hell, even if he hated Shinra, he'll keep doing his job.
"I know that it's wrong. I know what I do, and what I've become. I also know that life is all about survival nowadays, and that's exactly what I intend to do." Reno said to the air. He smiled again. Then, his expression turned solemn.
"But for once in my life, I feel... "
He paused, thinking about nothing for a moment. Then, he sprinted downstairs and dropped twenty gil in the beggar's cup.
~*~*~*~
Nadesiko grumbled as she was forced out of bed by the ever-insistant Lamirra. Her head hurt, she was coffee-deprived, AND she had the president of Shinra Inc. stalking her! Why in the hell should she have to go to work?
"Forget it, Mirra. I'm taking a sick day." her friend gave her a mild look of surprise. "Really? You sure?"
Nodding, Nadesiko gave a small smile.
"I have some things to catch up on, and I was thinking of inviting Terria over for lunch."
Lamirra started. "What? Why? You haven't seen her for, what, four or five years?"
Shrugging, Nadesiko idly stared out her window at the valley. Set in the middle of a crown of mountains, she and Lamirra had at least ten acres of land to themselves. She watched as the black chocobos pawed at the fence; whether eager to run in the valley or hurrying their masters she could not tell.
"I think I should talk to her again. You know, friendly relations. And I think she can help me with something."
Lamirra gave Nadesiko a troubled look, but decided not to question her further. "Well, if that's the case, then I'll send some coffee over. I found this neat little shop a few blocks from Shinra."
"WHAT?! YOU-"
"Oh, look at that! Time sure does fly! Gotta go!"
Lamirra sprinted out the door to the chocobos. Nadesiko opened her window to shout at her friend. "YOU SHOULDA TOLD ME YOU FOUND ONE!"
Ignoring her fuming companion, she just grinned in that happy-go-lucky way and waved. "The coffee should be here by eleven! Later!" With that, Lamirra kicked her chocobo into full speed and ran off out of sight. Nadesiko slumped on her bed.
"Next time she had better tell me when she finds a coffee shop or so help me..."
~*~*~*~
Lamirra smiled childishly as she entered the Turks' office. She looked up at the wall clock, frowned, and looked back down at her watch.
"Hey, your clock's five minutes fast!"
"Yes, it hurries our employees." Tseng raised his voice so he could be heard through the door of his office.
"Now that's no fair."
"Neither is calling for a sick day without an explanation."
Lamirra grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, Siko's never been one to tell people why she does what she does..."
"That hardly made sense."
"Oh be quiet." She walked into her cubicle and sat. Her emerald eyes stared idly at the keyboard as she pushed the computer's power button.
"Well, now this is fun." she muttered as the computer froze. "This comp's a piece of crap."
"You don't say." Reno leaned against the doorway of her cubicle, and yawned. "So how's your day been?"
"Not all that interesting, except for Siko taking a sick day." She decided to skip the comment about him not having his shirt off which most certainly caught her interest.
"I bet she finally took my advice and went to buy that tranquilizer."
Lamirra had to laugh. "Don't bet on it. Even if she needed it, just to spite you she wouldn't use it."
Grinning, Reno walked over and helped her out with the computer, which wouldn't stop freezing. Reno glanced at Lamirra. He smiled when he saw a look of disgust for the computer come over her face. There was something about the lighthearted expression she wore even when she was frustrated. It seemed warm and inviting. After a long period of uncomfortable silence, Lamirra spoke.
"You don't know what you're doing do you?"
Reno acted shocked and backed away in mock surprise. "Why, Mirra. I would *never* pretend I knew computer stuff just to impress you! I can't believe you accuse me of such things!"
Lamirra snorted. "Get back to work."
With an exaggerated bow, he walked out of the room. Soon, she saw a red tuft of hair peek around the corner of her cubicle. "Don't forget, that ball's tomorrow night! You're gonna want a nice dress!"
"Yeah, and the news just announced that hell froze over."
"Only when it snows in Midgar."
"Wow, what an optimistic thought."
"Isn't it though?"
~*~*~*~
President Rufus Shinra entered the Turk office calmly. Elena jumped up and saluted.
"Sir!"
He rolled his eyes. "Yes, good work. Keep it up."
Elena beamed and sat down, typing furiously in hopes of impressing the head of Shinra Incorporated. When Rufus walked into Rude's office, he found Rude looking through the files he was assigned to. The bald man looked up and nodded.
"I'm doing the research, no point in checking."
Rufus smiled. Rude had to be, besides Tseng, the best Turk his father had in a while. Nodding, he continued to the next cubicle. Reno was leaning back in his chair, again, with his shirt, coat, and shoes tossed over in various areas of his work area. The laid back Turk was playing with a top- it toy, flipping the ball high into the air and catching it with ease.
The orange-haired man sighed quickly. He walked over next to Reno and kicked the two legs of the chair that were still on the floor out from under him. With a yelp of surprise he fell to the carpet with a thud, his top-it toy criticizing him for missing the ball. Both men heard a giggle and looked up to see Lamirra peeking over the top of Reno's cubicle. She gave them both a small wave and said between giggles, "Continue your, your inspection President Shinra! I'll just get back to my work!"
With that her chestnut-and-blonde hair disappeared beneath the edge of the thin wall.
Reno glared up at Rufus. "Can't you think of a better way to say 'Hi'?"
Rufus stared down at his disgruntled employee with ice-blue eyes. "Actually I can't. Get back to your work."
Reno snorted. "Uh huh. Whatever you say Rufus."
"President Rufus." the arrogant man corrected.
"Right. What you said."
Rolling his eyes the blonde man left Reno's cubicle with a brisk stride and entered Lamirra's. The young woman smiled up at him. "Hey Mr. Shinra. What's up?"
Rufus sighed again. Wouldn't they ever learn to respect him? "Nothing really. But I noticed that your friend Nadesiko is absent. What happened?"
Lamirra giggled again. She remembered the look on Nadesiko's face when he was following her. She owed this man something in return for that.
"Oh, she took a sick day. She's not feeling too well at the moment."
Blue eyes looked at her quizzically. "What? She's ill?"
Lamirra's eyes danced. 'Well now, this could be fun.' "Oh yes. VERY ill. I think she needs a bit of cheering up. If only you had time to help..."
The young girl guffawed inwardly as she saw Rufus' once icy eyes turn big and bright. "I have time! I don't mind at all. What kinds of things does she like? Name it. Flowers, candy, chocobos, materia-"
Lamirra laughed out loud, cutting him off. "All of those are nice, but I think some flowers and a nice card will do. Oh yeah, and I don't think she'd mind some money for a dress for the ball tomorrow night."
"The ball? She's going?"
Lamirra grinned. The only way Siko would end up at a dance in a dress were if she were drugged. Or paid major gil for an exquisite dress. Easily arranged. "Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world. But we're a little low on cash, and she seemed so sad when she saw the dress she wanted was so expensive."
"What? How much was it?"
"Oh no! Now that I think of it, it'd be selfish to ask for so much money."
Rufus closed his eyes humbly. "Gil is not of any importance to me. How much would she need?"
Hiding her mischievious grin with a hand, she said, "Five thousand gil."
Rufus nearly fell over. "Wh-what?"
Lamirra regained her forlorn mask. Not only was Nadesiko cocky but she had taste! "You see? It's way too much to ask! It's alright really. The flowers and card would be enough."
Not to be so easily outdone, Rufus straightened. "No. I told you, money is not important to me. I'll send it in the card with the flowers. What kind of flowers does she like?"
'Bingo!' "She likes Lillies of the Valley. Oh, and if you can, with some black and red roses too?" Lamirra put on her well-practiced hopeful facade.
"The limit for a beautiful lady is even higher than the sky." with that, Rufus turned, and Lamirra called, "And if you could send some French Vanilla Latte over to her by eleven? Oh, she would be so greatful to you!"
"Of course!" And then he walked out of the Turk office.
'YES! I am so good!' Lamirra leaned back in her chair and sighed happily.
"Wow, he sure is easy to play. I wish I could do that to him." Reno stood in the doorway again wearing a slight smirk. So the Pres had a crush at long last. Now this would be an interesting turn of events. He blinked as Lamirra threw a box of tissue at him with a giggle.
"Go put your shirt on."
~*~*~*~
Nadesiko screamed with happiness at the enormous bouquet of her favorite flowers that sat on Lamirra's black chocobo. Along with it came a thick envelope and a large box of French Vanilla Latte.
"I am so LOVING that girl right now!" she shouted with joy. She opened the letter; and saw five thousand gil pour out of the card onto the table. Barely able to contain her glee, she began to read the message. Her smile turned to disgust when she realized who it was all from.
"I take that back. She gets strangled when she gets back." Still, money being money, she kept all of the gifts, except for the card, which she took no time in throwing out. But not before she read it one last time.
'Miss Nadesiko,
It's a grand shame that you are feeling ill. Hopefully these presents will brighten your day as your smile brightens my world.
Rufus'
On second thought. She ran back into the house and hid the card deep in one of her dresser drawers.
Half an hour later, someone knocked at her door. She opened it to reveal a slender girl, no older than seventeen. Whispy chin length golden hair made her look almost heavenly. Dark brown eyes glittered with intelligence behind small glasses that rested low on her proud nose.
"Hi Siko. It's been a while hasn't it?"
"Terria!"
The two girls embraced and began to chat right away. They exchanged news, and asked about old friends. Suddenly Terria gave Nadesiko a serious look.
"I know you didn't call me over just to chat about things like this."
Nadesiko beamed inwardly that Terria was still as quick as she always was. "Yes, I do have very important matters that I'd like to talk about."
She handed the young girl the Journal of the unknown scientist. Terria's frown deepened as she read on. "These are very powerful things that the man speaks of. But I'm afraid I can only really help with one thing."
Nadesiko looked down. "It's alright. But I need all the help on this I can possibly get. Whatever you have to say, please do."
Terria pushed her glasses up her nose, only to let them slide back down again. "Well, I have no idea what the crater is, or where Limestone Hills are. But the cycles he speaks of are the ways that the Cetra kept track of the seasons."
"What? This guy was a Cetra?"
Terria shook her head. "No, I doubt it. I think that he was one of the earlier scientists of Shinra. I'm sure there's a file on him..."
Nadesiko inwardly scolded herself for forgetting the red file, but didn't show her frustration. "I'll find it. Are you sure that's all you can help with?"
Terria cocked her head to the side. "I'm sure I can dig around in Shinra's files for a while. I'll keep you posted. Expect more visits from me in the future."
Nadesiko smiled warmly at her young friend. "I look forward to them."
With their goodbyes said, the two women hugged, and Nadesiko watched her friend ride off on her emerald chocobo.
~*~*~*~
It was eight thirty pm, and Lamirra and Nadesiko were shopping for dresses. The brunette looked at her companion, both angry and impressed.
"So you got Rufus to give us money?"
A chestnut head bobbed happily. "Yup! You'd laugh at how easy it was."
Eventually, the girls approached a nice dress store. Entering, they both gasped at the beautiful garments that sat on displays all around them.
"May I help you?" a short old woman with salt-and-pepper hair waddled up to them, her wrinkled face smiling.
"Yeah, we're looking for some nice dresses for the-"
"Shinra ball." the old woman finished. "Yes yes. I'm confident that you'll find exactly what you're looking for. Go ahead, browse around. When you think you've found a dress you like, let me know and I'll get it from the back."
And so the two began their search. Lamirra had no trouble finding what she wanted. She new exactly what kind of dress she was looking for, and the shop had it.
She picked out a beautiful Wutai-style silk dress. It started off a deep blood red and slowly faded into a midnight black. It had no sleeves and its was trimmed in broad bands of silver. Unlike the Wutai style, it had no collar. A large silver dragon curled up the entire dress, its tail at the bottom where the dress flowed out like a black flower. One long slit in the left side went up to the thigh.
"Wow, this dress is wonderful!" When she tried it on, it fit perfectly, hugging her form in all of the right places. Paying for it, Lamirra looked over at Nadesiko.
"Hey, c'mon, hurry up."
Nadesiko frowned. "You can't rush these things. I just can't seem to find what I want..."
"How about this?" the old lady pointed to a peasant-style dress as emerald as a forest. A black-laced bodice came up from the waist to the low v-neck. Black trim accented the billowing poet's sleeves. From the waist down, the dress billowed out in a graceful blossom. Nadesiko gasped.
"It's beautiful..."
The old lady just smiled and gave her one in her size to try on. When she came out, Lamirra clapped. To the waist up the dress accented all of the right curves, and the billowing skirt and sleeves made Nadesiko look majestic, the shimmering silk making the dress look almost magical. Then Lamirra snorted.
"And they call that a peasant dress?"
They thanked the old lady and gave her the rest of the five thousand gil, which, despite the expensive dresses, was a hefty two thousand, and the old lady bowed low.
"Thank you!"
"We should be saying that." Lamirra and Nadesiko smiled and walked out.
"Wow, for sucha wonderful quality, you would think they'd be more expensive." Nadesiko voiced.
Lamirra remained silent. She suspected a discount, but decided not to say anything. Nadesiko would just run right back over there and insist she pay full price.
'If the lady wants to give us a discount, then we should just accept it.' Lamirra thought. 'No point in wasting more of her time. Besides, I'm sure that a full five thousand would pay for them both.'
Behind them, the old lady smiled warmly and waved.
~*~*~*~
A/N:
WISHFUL THINKING!!! I edited!! -_- I LOVE MY DRESS!! I mean Nadesiko's dress. WHATEVA I made it. ^_^ anywho chap 9...THE BALL . What insane mishaps are coming our way?
~Rachel
Woohoo! My turn! ^_^ Prepare yourselves, gentle readers, for I vow to...uh...ah, nevermind. I lost it. ^_^* *huffy* Rachel's bugging me towards the end, so it'll seem a little rushed, unless she, hopefully, edits it. Wishful thinking only makes the truth more painful though. ^_~
~Mai
~*~*~*~
Reno stared at the city he called home. As he walked along Midgar's littered streets, he thought about the day's events. Looking up, the Turk saw only the black metal plate.
'If we could see just a bit of sky down here, damn, it would make all the difference.'
Reno looked ahead and grimaced when he noticed the numbered gate to sector 5.
'I can't believe I'm stuck here. I'm so sick of it. I bet even the graves here are numbered.'
Coming to his apartment complex, he noticed a homeless man begging for money near the entrance.
'Still, I guess I'm better off than some.'
He walked up the stairs to the third floor and unlocked his door. He smiled. Even if this city was going to hell, even if he hated Shinra, he'll keep doing his job.
"I know that it's wrong. I know what I do, and what I've become. I also know that life is all about survival nowadays, and that's exactly what I intend to do." Reno said to the air. He smiled again. Then, his expression turned solemn.
"But for once in my life, I feel... "
He paused, thinking about nothing for a moment. Then, he sprinted downstairs and dropped twenty gil in the beggar's cup.
~*~*~*~
Nadesiko grumbled as she was forced out of bed by the ever-insistant Lamirra. Her head hurt, she was coffee-deprived, AND she had the president of Shinra Inc. stalking her! Why in the hell should she have to go to work?
"Forget it, Mirra. I'm taking a sick day." her friend gave her a mild look of surprise. "Really? You sure?"
Nodding, Nadesiko gave a small smile.
"I have some things to catch up on, and I was thinking of inviting Terria over for lunch."
Lamirra started. "What? Why? You haven't seen her for, what, four or five years?"
Shrugging, Nadesiko idly stared out her window at the valley. Set in the middle of a crown of mountains, she and Lamirra had at least ten acres of land to themselves. She watched as the black chocobos pawed at the fence; whether eager to run in the valley or hurrying their masters she could not tell.
"I think I should talk to her again. You know, friendly relations. And I think she can help me with something."
Lamirra gave Nadesiko a troubled look, but decided not to question her further. "Well, if that's the case, then I'll send some coffee over. I found this neat little shop a few blocks from Shinra."
"WHAT?! YOU-"
"Oh, look at that! Time sure does fly! Gotta go!"
Lamirra sprinted out the door to the chocobos. Nadesiko opened her window to shout at her friend. "YOU SHOULDA TOLD ME YOU FOUND ONE!"
Ignoring her fuming companion, she just grinned in that happy-go-lucky way and waved. "The coffee should be here by eleven! Later!" With that, Lamirra kicked her chocobo into full speed and ran off out of sight. Nadesiko slumped on her bed.
"Next time she had better tell me when she finds a coffee shop or so help me..."
~*~*~*~
Lamirra smiled childishly as she entered the Turks' office. She looked up at the wall clock, frowned, and looked back down at her watch.
"Hey, your clock's five minutes fast!"
"Yes, it hurries our employees." Tseng raised his voice so he could be heard through the door of his office.
"Now that's no fair."
"Neither is calling for a sick day without an explanation."
Lamirra grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, Siko's never been one to tell people why she does what she does..."
"That hardly made sense."
"Oh be quiet." She walked into her cubicle and sat. Her emerald eyes stared idly at the keyboard as she pushed the computer's power button.
"Well, now this is fun." she muttered as the computer froze. "This comp's a piece of crap."
"You don't say." Reno leaned against the doorway of her cubicle, and yawned. "So how's your day been?"
"Not all that interesting, except for Siko taking a sick day." She decided to skip the comment about him not having his shirt off which most certainly caught her interest.
"I bet she finally took my advice and went to buy that tranquilizer."
Lamirra had to laugh. "Don't bet on it. Even if she needed it, just to spite you she wouldn't use it."
Grinning, Reno walked over and helped her out with the computer, which wouldn't stop freezing. Reno glanced at Lamirra. He smiled when he saw a look of disgust for the computer come over her face. There was something about the lighthearted expression she wore even when she was frustrated. It seemed warm and inviting. After a long period of uncomfortable silence, Lamirra spoke.
"You don't know what you're doing do you?"
Reno acted shocked and backed away in mock surprise. "Why, Mirra. I would *never* pretend I knew computer stuff just to impress you! I can't believe you accuse me of such things!"
Lamirra snorted. "Get back to work."
With an exaggerated bow, he walked out of the room. Soon, she saw a red tuft of hair peek around the corner of her cubicle. "Don't forget, that ball's tomorrow night! You're gonna want a nice dress!"
"Yeah, and the news just announced that hell froze over."
"Only when it snows in Midgar."
"Wow, what an optimistic thought."
"Isn't it though?"
~*~*~*~
President Rufus Shinra entered the Turk office calmly. Elena jumped up and saluted.
"Sir!"
He rolled his eyes. "Yes, good work. Keep it up."
Elena beamed and sat down, typing furiously in hopes of impressing the head of Shinra Incorporated. When Rufus walked into Rude's office, he found Rude looking through the files he was assigned to. The bald man looked up and nodded.
"I'm doing the research, no point in checking."
Rufus smiled. Rude had to be, besides Tseng, the best Turk his father had in a while. Nodding, he continued to the next cubicle. Reno was leaning back in his chair, again, with his shirt, coat, and shoes tossed over in various areas of his work area. The laid back Turk was playing with a top- it toy, flipping the ball high into the air and catching it with ease.
The orange-haired man sighed quickly. He walked over next to Reno and kicked the two legs of the chair that were still on the floor out from under him. With a yelp of surprise he fell to the carpet with a thud, his top-it toy criticizing him for missing the ball. Both men heard a giggle and looked up to see Lamirra peeking over the top of Reno's cubicle. She gave them both a small wave and said between giggles, "Continue your, your inspection President Shinra! I'll just get back to my work!"
With that her chestnut-and-blonde hair disappeared beneath the edge of the thin wall.
Reno glared up at Rufus. "Can't you think of a better way to say 'Hi'?"
Rufus stared down at his disgruntled employee with ice-blue eyes. "Actually I can't. Get back to your work."
Reno snorted. "Uh huh. Whatever you say Rufus."
"President Rufus." the arrogant man corrected.
"Right. What you said."
Rolling his eyes the blonde man left Reno's cubicle with a brisk stride and entered Lamirra's. The young woman smiled up at him. "Hey Mr. Shinra. What's up?"
Rufus sighed again. Wouldn't they ever learn to respect him? "Nothing really. But I noticed that your friend Nadesiko is absent. What happened?"
Lamirra giggled again. She remembered the look on Nadesiko's face when he was following her. She owed this man something in return for that.
"Oh, she took a sick day. She's not feeling too well at the moment."
Blue eyes looked at her quizzically. "What? She's ill?"
Lamirra's eyes danced. 'Well now, this could be fun.' "Oh yes. VERY ill. I think she needs a bit of cheering up. If only you had time to help..."
The young girl guffawed inwardly as she saw Rufus' once icy eyes turn big and bright. "I have time! I don't mind at all. What kinds of things does she like? Name it. Flowers, candy, chocobos, materia-"
Lamirra laughed out loud, cutting him off. "All of those are nice, but I think some flowers and a nice card will do. Oh yeah, and I don't think she'd mind some money for a dress for the ball tomorrow night."
"The ball? She's going?"
Lamirra grinned. The only way Siko would end up at a dance in a dress were if she were drugged. Or paid major gil for an exquisite dress. Easily arranged. "Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world. But we're a little low on cash, and she seemed so sad when she saw the dress she wanted was so expensive."
"What? How much was it?"
"Oh no! Now that I think of it, it'd be selfish to ask for so much money."
Rufus closed his eyes humbly. "Gil is not of any importance to me. How much would she need?"
Hiding her mischievious grin with a hand, she said, "Five thousand gil."
Rufus nearly fell over. "Wh-what?"
Lamirra regained her forlorn mask. Not only was Nadesiko cocky but she had taste! "You see? It's way too much to ask! It's alright really. The flowers and card would be enough."
Not to be so easily outdone, Rufus straightened. "No. I told you, money is not important to me. I'll send it in the card with the flowers. What kind of flowers does she like?"
'Bingo!' "She likes Lillies of the Valley. Oh, and if you can, with some black and red roses too?" Lamirra put on her well-practiced hopeful facade.
"The limit for a beautiful lady is even higher than the sky." with that, Rufus turned, and Lamirra called, "And if you could send some French Vanilla Latte over to her by eleven? Oh, she would be so greatful to you!"
"Of course!" And then he walked out of the Turk office.
'YES! I am so good!' Lamirra leaned back in her chair and sighed happily.
"Wow, he sure is easy to play. I wish I could do that to him." Reno stood in the doorway again wearing a slight smirk. So the Pres had a crush at long last. Now this would be an interesting turn of events. He blinked as Lamirra threw a box of tissue at him with a giggle.
"Go put your shirt on."
~*~*~*~
Nadesiko screamed with happiness at the enormous bouquet of her favorite flowers that sat on Lamirra's black chocobo. Along with it came a thick envelope and a large box of French Vanilla Latte.
"I am so LOVING that girl right now!" she shouted with joy. She opened the letter; and saw five thousand gil pour out of the card onto the table. Barely able to contain her glee, she began to read the message. Her smile turned to disgust when she realized who it was all from.
"I take that back. She gets strangled when she gets back." Still, money being money, she kept all of the gifts, except for the card, which she took no time in throwing out. But not before she read it one last time.
'Miss Nadesiko,
It's a grand shame that you are feeling ill. Hopefully these presents will brighten your day as your smile brightens my world.
Rufus'
On second thought. She ran back into the house and hid the card deep in one of her dresser drawers.
Half an hour later, someone knocked at her door. She opened it to reveal a slender girl, no older than seventeen. Whispy chin length golden hair made her look almost heavenly. Dark brown eyes glittered with intelligence behind small glasses that rested low on her proud nose.
"Hi Siko. It's been a while hasn't it?"
"Terria!"
The two girls embraced and began to chat right away. They exchanged news, and asked about old friends. Suddenly Terria gave Nadesiko a serious look.
"I know you didn't call me over just to chat about things like this."
Nadesiko beamed inwardly that Terria was still as quick as she always was. "Yes, I do have very important matters that I'd like to talk about."
She handed the young girl the Journal of the unknown scientist. Terria's frown deepened as she read on. "These are very powerful things that the man speaks of. But I'm afraid I can only really help with one thing."
Nadesiko looked down. "It's alright. But I need all the help on this I can possibly get. Whatever you have to say, please do."
Terria pushed her glasses up her nose, only to let them slide back down again. "Well, I have no idea what the crater is, or where Limestone Hills are. But the cycles he speaks of are the ways that the Cetra kept track of the seasons."
"What? This guy was a Cetra?"
Terria shook her head. "No, I doubt it. I think that he was one of the earlier scientists of Shinra. I'm sure there's a file on him..."
Nadesiko inwardly scolded herself for forgetting the red file, but didn't show her frustration. "I'll find it. Are you sure that's all you can help with?"
Terria cocked her head to the side. "I'm sure I can dig around in Shinra's files for a while. I'll keep you posted. Expect more visits from me in the future."
Nadesiko smiled warmly at her young friend. "I look forward to them."
With their goodbyes said, the two women hugged, and Nadesiko watched her friend ride off on her emerald chocobo.
~*~*~*~
It was eight thirty pm, and Lamirra and Nadesiko were shopping for dresses. The brunette looked at her companion, both angry and impressed.
"So you got Rufus to give us money?"
A chestnut head bobbed happily. "Yup! You'd laugh at how easy it was."
Eventually, the girls approached a nice dress store. Entering, they both gasped at the beautiful garments that sat on displays all around them.
"May I help you?" a short old woman with salt-and-pepper hair waddled up to them, her wrinkled face smiling.
"Yeah, we're looking for some nice dresses for the-"
"Shinra ball." the old woman finished. "Yes yes. I'm confident that you'll find exactly what you're looking for. Go ahead, browse around. When you think you've found a dress you like, let me know and I'll get it from the back."
And so the two began their search. Lamirra had no trouble finding what she wanted. She new exactly what kind of dress she was looking for, and the shop had it.
She picked out a beautiful Wutai-style silk dress. It started off a deep blood red and slowly faded into a midnight black. It had no sleeves and its was trimmed in broad bands of silver. Unlike the Wutai style, it had no collar. A large silver dragon curled up the entire dress, its tail at the bottom where the dress flowed out like a black flower. One long slit in the left side went up to the thigh.
"Wow, this dress is wonderful!" When she tried it on, it fit perfectly, hugging her form in all of the right places. Paying for it, Lamirra looked over at Nadesiko.
"Hey, c'mon, hurry up."
Nadesiko frowned. "You can't rush these things. I just can't seem to find what I want..."
"How about this?" the old lady pointed to a peasant-style dress as emerald as a forest. A black-laced bodice came up from the waist to the low v-neck. Black trim accented the billowing poet's sleeves. From the waist down, the dress billowed out in a graceful blossom. Nadesiko gasped.
"It's beautiful..."
The old lady just smiled and gave her one in her size to try on. When she came out, Lamirra clapped. To the waist up the dress accented all of the right curves, and the billowing skirt and sleeves made Nadesiko look majestic, the shimmering silk making the dress look almost magical. Then Lamirra snorted.
"And they call that a peasant dress?"
They thanked the old lady and gave her the rest of the five thousand gil, which, despite the expensive dresses, was a hefty two thousand, and the old lady bowed low.
"Thank you!"
"We should be saying that." Lamirra and Nadesiko smiled and walked out.
"Wow, for sucha wonderful quality, you would think they'd be more expensive." Nadesiko voiced.
Lamirra remained silent. She suspected a discount, but decided not to say anything. Nadesiko would just run right back over there and insist she pay full price.
'If the lady wants to give us a discount, then we should just accept it.' Lamirra thought. 'No point in wasting more of her time. Besides, I'm sure that a full five thousand would pay for them both.'
Behind them, the old lady smiled warmly and waved.
~*~*~*~
A/N:
WISHFUL THINKING!!! I edited!! -_- I LOVE MY DRESS!! I mean Nadesiko's dress. WHATEVA I made it. ^_^ anywho chap 9...THE BALL . What insane mishaps are coming our way?
~Rachel
