We sat in that plain room, dull faced and utterly quiet. It was creepy how we could all just sit there, sighing and looking at the freshly washed wood floor that always managed to look dirty anyway.
"Cloud," I began, breaking the ice," how have you been? Business has been doing well, right?"
He looked rather absent mindedly toward the dusty windows and mumbled some combination of "fine" and "yes." I couldn't help but feel a little hopeless. "Still dragging his feet," I thought presently, quick to shake the negative thought away.
"Everything here in 7th Heaven has been doing well too. We're lucky we got this place up and running. Some of the old customers even came back," I forced a cheery smile. The bar was one of the lucky buildings that was rebuilt quickly after the mass chaos of Meteor,ShinRa and Sephiroth. Still I sighed and shifted in my seat.
I caught Cloud sigh deeply and stare blankly into the wall behind me. It was the closest he had been to looking straight at me at.
"So you came because it was on the way to your next job?" I asked, basically knowing the answer.
"Yes. I thought you'd appreciate the visit," Cloud blinked and came back from the space land he had been in.
"Oh I do! I'm always glad to see you," I stood quickly and grabbed a few glasses and drinks from the back counter. "Have time for a drink?" I grinned already mixing them. Seeing this, Cloud simply nodded. Obviously he knew he was staying. I passed him one glass, taking the other for myself. "Cheers, to a pleasant reunion," I tipped my glass toward him. He followed protocol and did the same, the glasses making a lovely "clink" against each other.
We downed some and I returned to my seat. Cloud gradually began to look alert. "Have you heard anything from the Turks or anyone at Shinra?" he asked calmly.
"Hm..."I put my hand to my chin,"Ah Reno dropped by here yesterday. He said he wanted a drink but he kept asking about you. It was a little suspicious."
"Ah,"was all he said.
"Was Reno the one who you're working for?" I probed.
"I think so..."he gave in a vague tone to match his vague answer.
"Hm...well...good luck with the job," I told him as I took a quick sip.
"About the job...I'd like it if maybe...you came along," he suggested.
I was at a loss for words. Cloud. inviting me? Was he sick? Drunk already? Options spun through my head but I managed to keep my outward cool.
"Why would you want me along Cloud?" I asked sheepishly.
"I just thought you'd like to get out of here for awhile," he answered casually.
"Oh. How thoughtful, of course I'd love to tag along Cloud. Thank you," I beamed.
"You're welcome," he let a small smile slip.
I held out what was left of my drink up, proposing another toast. "To a fun trip?"
"To a fun trip," he said that little grin on his face still.