Chapter 2:
Odd company…
Vincent woke up in a large bed, his cape and clothing were missing and he was dressed in pajamas. The only thing that he owned that he still had was his headband and his claw…
And, of course, his red eyes….
But that was without option….
"So, you're awake now…are you?" The leader spoke again. Vincent, now realizing that he was alive and inside someone's home of some sort, sat up and looked around. His wide red eyes examined his surroundings and by the looks of it, he must have been in one of the inns in…
Midgar?
His eyes turned to the man who had spoken to him….
Tseng, why is he here? Why am I here? Wait…
Near the door and sitting at the table were Elena, Rude, and Reno. All of the Turks were together and blocking his only exit out of the inn.
"You nearly died out there in the snow, Sir…" Reno spoke to Vincent with sarcasm, snickering only above a whisper. Rude and Elena stayed silent, as usual. Vincent suddenly couldn't focus and was light-headed. What's wrong with me? Why do I…?
"You look sick," Tseng said with the most feigned sincerity he could portray. Vincent ended up giving him a look that just screamed disgust, but it didn't last long. He was slowly becoming weaker without any knowledge of why.
"Elena, could you bring our guest some of my tea and snacks? I wish to have our new friend as a guest..." A smirk slithered onto Tseng's face as he turned his back to Vincent and walked to the table.
Vincent was pissed. I mean extremely pissed. First he loses his friends, gets lost in a snowstorm, nearly freezes to death, and then gets saved by his enemies...
And now their current leader is making a mockery of him by having tea and crackers with him...
And he was hungry, too. The former Turk strongly warned the man that if he died, he would haunt him just before stuffing his face with the crackers and washing them down with the tea. Unknown to him, the tea was laced with Hyper. Vincent was suffering from Sadness and that why his consciousness was fading.
Tseng could only smile at his new/old acquaintance as he finished his snacking. It was actually quite entertaining and, in a strangeness, satisfying to see someone in need getting just that. Elena stayed at the doorway, watching Vincent carefully. She didn't trust the man, and it wasn't because she was paranoid.
Tseng was still healing from his injury received from Sephiroth. He could barely keep himself from falling over from his pain at times. Luckily, he was strong, strong like his father...
Just like his father...
Vincent was finally finished with his food and, now noticing Tseng's eyes on him, scowled with irritation at the four Turks. He didn't enjoy having them watch with intention and it wasn't all that great to have these "people" around.
"So" was all Tseng said. So? Is that all you have to say to me?"
Vincent didn't speak, didn't move, did nothing but kept his gaze on Tseng. That one was definitely not to be trusted.
"You're Vincent Valentine, correct?" The Turk's question was odd. He knew his name. Cloud and the others had said his name several times in their presence, and now they act like they've never heard of him before.
"What does my name matter to the likes of you?" Were Vincent's only words to Tseng. Elena flipped her hair back and inputted, "You'd better watch yourself, Mr. Valentine. That is Tseng you're speaking to, understand?" She was pissed at having the man there and didn't want him having any kind of attitude toward her boss.
And also…
The man was scary…
"Relax Elena. Mr. Valentine won't be rude to any of us for much longer." Tseng sat back into his chair and held his hands to his mouth, thinking of the next question to ask.
So, he came up with the obvious.
"Why did you separate from Cloud and the rest of your party? Did you happen to have a disagreement of some sorts?"
"……….."
"Did you decide to depart against their wishes?"
"……….."
"Hmm…well, you're no fun at all."
"………."
"Anyway, now that you're feeling better, let's get you dressed up. Rude, please bring Mr. Valentine's clothing, but leave that nasty cape. He won't be needing it anymore…."
"…No, not anymore…" A cold chuckle came from Tseng's chest, which cause great irritation for the former Turk.
Just like his father…
"…Yes, Sir." Rude nodded and rushed downstairs. He came back up with Vincent's clothes: an old Turks uniform and a pair of gold boots. The tall man tossed the apparel at him, which were quickly caught by the red-eyed man with his golden claw.
His eyes again searched each of the members of the Turks.
"…. Some privacy, if you please?" His voice was just as cold as Tseng's.
"Just make sure to come down stairs when you're finished getting dressed," Reno gave him the order.
The Turks agreed and left him in the room, alone to change. This was actually to Vincent's dismay. Every window was sealed shut because of the storm and the only door out of the room led straight to the Turks downstairs. It was worse than before.
At least with the snowstorm, he didn't have to worry about getting knocked in the head, or electrocuted, or blasted by something.
At least, that's what he'd hoped for.
