Chapter 4:
Open to memories…
"Vincent...Are you alright?" Elena was trying to be as sweet as possible when she asked. The man had slipped into a depressing daydream that just brought the mood down tremendously. And Rude wasn't even drunk yet!
"….I am fine Elena. Do not worry about me." The former Turk tried to pass off an unconvincingly, weak smile. It was then that Tseng decided to get up and turn to an old phonogram that stood near the door to outside. He turn to the counter and asked the owner if the machine still worked.
"It's as fine as it ever will be!" the old man replied and went back to what he was working on. Tseng then ordered Rude to turn on the music, who did this without dropping a swig of vodka. (Even if Rude isn't drunk, he tends to be a little clumsy when a bottle's in his hand.) The music was very old jazz, and Reno was slightly bothered by it, and Rude most preferred classical.
Vincent, on the other hand, recognized the band immediately as one of his favorites. It was the song that made more of an impact on him though. The song was a remake of an older classic which his mother used to dance to before she died. So, it was only natural for him to want to dance to the strangely old/new tune. But it was unusual for the Turks to see him get up from his seat and ask Elena to dance with him, when he would never before.
And this made the other men a little Jealous of him.
Vincent was quite graceful on his feet, as was Elena, as the two of them swayed gently to the music. Their feet were carefully following the beat of the percussion and the clarinet while the rest of the band kicked in. The other men, jealousy still running it's course, tried to dance together...
Which was quite akward!
The next day, was more clear than it was last night. The entire city was covered in a blanket of snow and not even the metal objects that were usually a hazard to anyone, child or adult, could be seen. The air was harsh, fresh and cool to the lungs and yet held a taste of murder for anyone who had thoughts of venturing out in this type of weather.
But what was happening inside the inn were enough for Vincent to try and escape into the cold. Rude and Reno were holding him down while Elena was cutting his hair! Tseng was upstairs...sleeping, but just to be sure that he wouldn't hear a word, Rude had gagged the man, almost to the point of asphyxiation. Vincent, who was struggling with all of his might to break away, was now face to face with Reno, who was smiling like the Chestire Cat.
"Now, now now, if you keep squirming like that, Elena might miss and hit your thoat and you could bleed all over, you know!" Vincent blankly stared at Reno for a few seconds and then began thrashing even harder.
A few hours later, Tseng was up and walking around upstairs, searching for his articles of clothing that he'd left all over the creaking, wooden floor of his room. When he finally did gather all he needed, he made his way downstairs and saw Elena, Rude, and Reno standing around Vincent, who was half-dazed and who had much shorter hair than the night before.
"why, hello Sir!" Elena said, handing him a cup of cocca and nudging Vincent in the side until the man finally came to his senses. "See Vincent! Now, was that so bad?"
"YOU PEOPLE HELD ME DOWN AND CUT MY DAMN HAIR OFF! ARE YOU INSANE? HAVE YOUOof!" Rude hand had somehow managed to smack Vincent forward, a smile on his usually expressionless face. Vincent rubbed the back of his head as he looked up and saw all but Tseng and Rude giggling at him, and soon he found himself laughing along with them.
"...How would you like to come with us for a while?" Tseng's question almost got Vincent to yell "Why",but unfortunately, that didn't happen that way. Vincent simply stared at Tseng, which prompted the other man to ask again. "Well, do you? We could always use more company when it comes to traveling."
"And another packing mule!" Reno added.
"Where are you going?"
"Back to Midgar. We have orders to return and give aid in the reconstruction of the city." It was either the first or the second sentence that Rude had spoken the entire time. "The president is still recoupperating in his hostpital bed, of course."
"Rufus is...alive! But ho--" Vincent held back his curiousity and stared down at the floor.He couldn't believe that the man was still alive...and still in charge. And then, he decided. "Fine, I accept your offer."
"Good. Next to Elena, a good fighter is always needed." Tseng nodded, a wicked smile on his flawless face.
After listening to Elena whine for a few more minutes, it was time to go. It was just warm enough outside to travel, and Reno had already called in trasnportation for the five of them. Rude lent Vincent his jacket, being that the man was so used to his old, torn cape, and could use the warmth. And just before entering the vehicle, Vincent took one last look at the inn, and then got inside.
Fin
