Chapter 2: Unexpected company
Three busy months has passed since Tifa moved to Kalm and already things were set in motion, it was three days before the carnival was due to open and the town was flooded with people, all spanning from different cultures, ages, colours and origins.
The town of Kalm itself was quaint little village built before the appearance of Midgar. However after the meteor crisis's the towns populations as well as size had grew exponentially. The state of the town itself had improved significantly as new investments meant new paths had been built and old ones re-bricked. New job opportunities had arisen for the townsfolk, for both young and old.
All the rooms had been fully booked and Seventh Heaven was set and ready for business. Tifa stood behind the bar mindlessly adjusting the glasses on their shelves and making sure all the liquor bottles were angled correctly on their holders. After adjusting her white shirt and smoothening down her black trousers Tifa turned around and looked at three months of hard work and investment, the place was unrecognisable to when she first saw it. All to one side stood black leather sofas coupled with coffee tables. Tables were situated in the front all with chrome feet and glass surfaces with matching chairs sitting beside them.
"Tifa shall we let them in now?" A voice belonging to a co-worker spoke, bringing Tifa back into reality.
"Yes of course Sheryl," She smiled hearing eager voices awaiting outside the oak doors. The doors swung open and the townsfolk entered of all ages spanning from love sick teens to middle aged couples, all gathered here for the celebration of a brighter future. Tifa waited eagerly at the bar ready to take orders as a man in his mid twenties approached her asking for two beers.
The duke box was turned on and wasn't turned off till stroke of midnight, Tifa sat on the bar side stool having a glass of gin and tonic. A few strands of hair fell from her clip and loosely cascaded around her face. The bar was nearly empty now with only just a handful of people left having the last of their drinks before departing for home. Tifa sat there on the stool staring into her glass of liquor feeling satisfied with the nights work unaware of the figure that stood behind her.
"Its been a while Miss. Lockhart." The deep rich voice spoke making Tifa's eyes widen in surprise that this person knew of her surname.
Her head spun around to find a similar pair of amber red eyes looking at her, "…….Vincent?…… Is that you?"
The man stepped into the light and indeed it was who Tifa thought it was. Vincent stood there and looked exactly as he did a year ago when she last saw him. His bandana and red cloak were still the same, the gauntlet on his left hand with matching boots gleamed in its resonating gold. His hair had grown a good few inches though coupled with the growth in the number of slit ends.
"Its been so long since I've seen you," Tifa said to him, "Please have a seat."
Vincent bowed his head slightly and inclined to a seat beside her his left claw resting on the bar top.
Tifa waited and began speaking, "Can I offer you a drink?"
"May I have some water please?"
Tifa got off her seat and went behind the bar, grabbed one of the glasses that were stowed on the shelf and filled it with water. Turning the tap off she passed it to Vincent who took it and proceeded with a sip, "Thank you."
"No problem," Tifa rejoined Vincent at the bar side, "So may I ask what brings you here to Kalm?"
Vincent placed the glass on the bar his eyes searching deep into it, "I came here to hunt, I earn a living travelling from town to town Killing monsters left by the Mako reactors. I am looking for a place to stay. I was told by the inn that seventh heaven had vacancies but it looks like your full."
Tifa followed the gaze of his eyes and read the sign that said "No Vacancies" "No, There is a room available its just not done up properly, it has the essentials though, you are more than welcome to stay there."
Vincent nodded in agreement, "I thank you" she saw him reaching into his cloak and prizing a pouch and by the jingling sounds appeared to have contained money "How much do I pay?"
Tifa shook her head, "Don't worry about money, you don't have to pay a thing you're my friend as well as my guest. I want nothing from you."
Vincent shook his head, "I insist on paying you," he reached over to her with a few gill.
Tifa waved her hands in protest, "No, I am not taking it and that's final, besides the room your having isn't exactly at a decent quality."
Vincent only looked as he put the pouch of gill back in his pocket, "May you show me to this room I wish to retire."
"Of course," Tifa got from her seat and finished her drink. Proceeding to the door she opened it and led Vincent to the third floor. Stepping on the last step Tifa led Vincent down the hallway towards the back bedroom. She stood beside it and opened the door letting her friend step through to inspect the room.
"I'm sorry I can't offer you any better," Tifa said looking at the state of the room, "But if I knew you were coming here I would have reserved one for you."
Vincent quickly turned around "Don't apologise, the room is fine for me." Vincent flicked the lampshade on beside the bed stand which illuminated his room, the room itself was about 12 feet long by 12 wide. The flooring was stripped bare back to its floor boors and the walls were stripped of its old papering standing naked before outside world.
The bed was old victorian style but was sufficient for its purpose. The window which was open overlooked the main street that lead to the town square. Tifa watched him look around the room then stop to look out of the window. After a moment or so his eyes diverted to hers, "thank you for your hospitality Tifa. Do you mind if I retire for the night?"
Tifa couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, but she didn't show as she smiled slightly and shut the door where she retired to her room for a well earned nights sleep.