White Desire

Chapter 3

It was a rather strange feeling for her to have. Across the table, there were these dark, brooding eyes, that seemed to follow her every move. And each time she dared to look up, the strangest feeling crept over her and she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Her head ducked to look at the book Cloud had given her. Rufus was talking softly into his cell phone, probably taking care of some business. She wasn't going to interrupt him, although she really didn't want to sit down and wait for him. She felt uncomfortable enough as it was. There was no reason for anyone else to make that worse for her. After looking over the questions as much as she could, she found her gaze passing over the rest of his office. He certainly was organised. It seemed he made it very clear he liked things where they were and if they were moved, he'd be horribly irritated. I better not say anything wrong. This guy looks like he'll jump down my throat.

"Yes. Yes. That is fine. Right." He closed his cell phone and then placed it upon his desk. His eyes looked over the young lady before him, wondering what exactly it was about her that seemed so familiar. He rose out of his chair and then approached her, as he reached out a hand to shake hers. "I am Rufus Shin-Ra. Heidigger informed me that you requested an exclusive interview with me." Then he took a seat back behind his desk. "Next time, do not feel it is necessary to take him upon his offers for a date. A young lady such as yourself does not belong with such...an individual." He examined her from afar, from the glasses to the feathered hair, and the tasteful style in her clothes. There weren't many people who dressed classy and conservative and yet, this young lady had most certainly done so. He should've given people more credit. Oh, well. It was not as though she was going to change how he saw anyone else.

Tifa gave him a small nod and when he'd taken her hand, she felt the smallest flutter. Perhaps it was because the situation was quite interesting. She was a little taken by him, honestly. It was probably his power, his influence. And the more she thought about it, the darker those thoughts became. If she could...she had the power to turn Shin-Ra completely around and the lifestyle of those in the slums. She shook her head slowly and then her lips parted with a soft sigh. "My name is Tifa Lockhart. I'm a journalist for the Sector 6 and 7 media centers. When I came here this afternoon for your statement, I began with several questions, but they seemed to have vanished into a smaller number." She stood up and brushed herself off as she began to pace back and forth. "President Shin-Ra, although you were quite free with your information, you failed to mention the energy source, mako. I was curious as to what your plans are for the new energy source."

His eyebrows furrowed as he watched her. It made him a little uncomfortable, the way she was moving. He hadn't spent a lot of time with females other than Scarlet, and therefore, he was unable to judge Tifa solely upon herself. He was quiet for a few minutes, unsure of what to say. He was certainly hoping that no one else had thought to such lengths. Of course, Edge's citizens were full of mostly ignorant people, so he had very little to worry about. It was apparent that he disapproved of the question, but he would answer it anyway. After all this was an exclusive interview and at such things, he was required to answer those type of questions. He could not shake off the feeling, however, that there was something very familiar about her. "Ah. Indeed. I failed to mention that rather small detail. At this particular moment, the Shin-Ra company has been unable to locate another source. When we do, we shall certainly inform Edge." That was about all he had to say on the subject. The company was at stake and there was no need to give Tifa more information than necessary.

The answer had angered her. Tifa wanted something more than an uncertain answer. He had already seemed so sure of Midgar's ability to fail. She didn't see what the difference was. Even if they began to build Neo-Midgar, they would still need some replacement for mako as an energy source. Her right hand gestured at him and she narrowed her eyebrows. "That's not good enough, President Shin-Ra! You don't have the right to treat the people of the town this way! The people living in the slums are not required to follow your every measly rule! If they understood just how the ratio goes, they could take you down in a heartbeat. And if that possibility has yet to cross your mind, then you are so much more of an air-headed--"

The blonde had raised his hand to silence her as he spoke. "Hold your tongue! I gave you the answer to your question. It is not my responsibility for it to satisfy you." Then he swept his bangs back and found himself returning that anger, that irritation. This woman was absolutely maddening! As a president, it was proper for him to maintain his air of elegance. That meant that no matter how angry he got at someone, he needed to remain calm and collected. "Surely that is not the only question you had for me. You said you were a journalist for the Sectors 6 and 7...? Hm. No wonder you acted so out of line. I shall let it go for now, but next time you will not be so lucky." He had dismissed her reaction before and moved on.

Unfortunately Tifa was not as good with the same sort of confrontations. She couldn't understand why she just couldn't pelt him with her female fists of fury and kill him. Of course, she was surprised that he didn't have any of his bodyguards watching her. The only thing that stopped her was the typed command she received from Barret and a Cloud, who had recently arrived. She did not like what she was about to do, but she didn't really have a choice. If she didn't want him to get suspicious, she had to act as though she was sincerely apologetic. "...I'm sorry. I overreacted, Sir. I was raised in the slums, therefore, to be as high as I am now is a great honour and a great deal of work. I am hoping that you're doing as much as you can to protect this town. I can assure you that the public is fairly concerned about this idea of Neo-Midgar." She seated herself again, and flipped open her book as she looked over her questions. She couldn't believe she didn't have more questions. He deserved more questions...and frankly, so did she. "Without another energy source, are you still using mako? Do you intend to continue using mako? And if so, does that mean that your plans to find another source are really non-existent?"

Rufus was starting to get annoyed. He was being asked questions that he felt really shouldn't be asked, at least, not of him. With these type of questions, he should've directed her to the science department. He didn't know too much about that after all. In fact, it was fairly accurate to label him as a figurehead, just an unofficial one. If he'd heard that from anyone, he would've taken no time in executing that person. As far as he was concerned, he ran the company, whether he had someone else's say or not. "...You are truly irritating, Miss Lockhart. These questions are absolutely ridiculous." He would have continued to scold her, but his cell phone began to vibrate over a reasonably small stack of papers. The two watched it for a moment and then Rufus leaned forward to pick up the phone as Tifa ducked her head, pretending to be more interested in her book.

The blonde turned away from her and his eyes narrowed. If there was one thing he truly disliked, it was being interrupted in the middle of something important. That wasn't to say that his interview was important. In all honesty, he was quite relieved to have a break from the rather infuriating young woman. "Yes. Of course." Then he paused and leaned his back against the edge of his desk. "...I am busy currently." It certainly didn't sound like a very good conversation from Tifa's end. She had no say, however, so it was best just to ignore it. Besides, Cloud, Barret, and her could probably talk about it later on and speculate on the details. Rufus finally gave an exasperated sigh and then nodded. "Very well then." He pulled his cell phone away, the other on the line continuously speaking. Obviously Rufus was tired of hearing it. He hit the 'end' button on his phone and slipped the device into the lower right pocket of his coat. And then he turned his sights onto Tifa and raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised that she was still there. He was more than aware that she'd been listening in, but he wasn't about to divulge any details to her. A subtle nod was given. "There is some business that has arisen, which I must take care of. We shall need to reschedule this interview for another time." As he approached her and she rose from her seat, he showed her to the door. "I am unaware of how long this will take, so you cannot stay here. I would recommend that you return to these headquarters in a week." And with a final push, she was shooed from his office and left standing in a rather dimly lit corridor.

Tifa paused for a moment when she had found herself outside and she raised a free hand to rest upon her hipbone. "...What the hell just happened? Does this mean I have to dress up again? I'm really not fond of this, you know." She received little reassurance from the others who had been watching and listening. As she turned her attention to her surroundings, she cringed. "I better get out of here before Heidigger finds me. He'll want to go out on that date...although I didn't actually accept. Cloud, get over here now and bring me back to the slums." And with that spoken, she had pulled off the wire frames, folding them and letting them rest at her cleft. Then she hurriedly found her way outside where she waited for Cloud to return upon his bike.

From the top floor of the Shin-Ra headquarters building, Rufus watched the young woman with curious eyes. It'd been too high up to notice her companion who had pulled up, but there was no way he would forget this Tifa female. He had a wonderful photographic memory. In fact, anything that dealt with his memory was quite in tact. He paused by his desk and looked over a folder that he had withdrawn after dismissing the female. His eyes squinted at the older picture taken of Tifa and he shook his head slowly. "...A member of AVALANCHE. No wonder." He picked up the picture and wandered back over to the window and held it up next to the speck of the female figure who was leaving. "Things are about to get very interesting."

When Tifa and Cloud had returned to Seventh Heaven, the dark-haired female had wasted no time in changing into her normal clothes. Upon meeting back downstairs in the basement, she folded her arms over her chest angrily after taking a seat. "I told you guys this plan was stupid! All just because Mr. T wanted some action! Look what you guys got me mixed up in!" She would've started swinging her fists around, but Cloud slipped an arm around her and affectionately gave a nudge. And once that contact had been made, Cloud received a rather harsh smack across the face followed by a Tifa storming up to her room.

The other three watched her leave and Cloud gave a shrug of his shoulders, raising a hand to his cheek. "Something tells me I'm sleeping outside tonight." He turned to Barret and Marlene and then pointed to the computer. "Well...what did we find out? Anything important?" He hadn't the time earlier to question on what they'd found out, so an update would be most useful. After they relinquished the information, he slowly nodded and sat down thoughtfully. "So we'll have to send Tifa back sometime next week to resume the interview with him. From what I saw, he didn't seem to be a very likable man...although he did accept the interview." He leaned back, raising his feet to rest upon the coffee table before the couch that Barret had made his new home. "Assuming we can convince Tifa to go back."

There were a few minutes of silence that sank in and then Marlene finally spoke up. "She was so pretty. I bet that's why the president was so nice to her." She gave a soft giggle and then slipped her hands behind her back. "She was really, really, really angry, though. Cloud, you should go upstairs and talk to her before she does anything scary." A loud pounding sound had echoed through the building after she said that and then she continued. "Like that." Marlene never liked seeing anyone get angry, but she couldn't really escape from it. Barret was a typically angry man and he wasn't very good at being a father either. Cloud and Tifa had always felt it might be best for Marlene to be left with Elmyra, Aerith's adoptive mother, but Barret wouldn't hear of it. Fortunately, Marlene was so grown up that those sort of things did not affect her.

Cloud glanced over to Barret, looking for some kind, any kind, of help and when he didn't get anything, he ducked his head in defeat and nodded slowly. "All right. Fine. I'll go talk to the homicidal maniac." He was joking, of course, but that didn't make things any better for him. He probably had hell to pay and he wasn't looking forward to it. He bid the other two a faintly 'sweet' farewell and then followed the stairs up to Tifa's bedroom. Rather than showing himself in, a hand rose and knocked upon the door gently. "Hey, Tifa...? Will you let me in?"

It seemed like an eternity of waiting outside, but then the door finally creaked open. Tifa poked her head out and then tilted it to the side before allowing the door to open fully. "...Yeah? You have more bad ideas to spread my way?" She wasn't giving him much credit at all, was she? As she stepped away from the door, she wandered in and sat down on her bed beside the window. He could come in or he could stay out there. She didn't really care at all. At the particular moment, she didn't really care about anything or anyone. That would change later on, but she wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone else.

Cloud was quiet for a few moments and then wandered in. He knew she was angry, but he also knew that he wanted to calm her down if possible. He sat down beside her in silence and the two merely looked out the window together. Not so long ago, they wondered for their future prospects, but it seemed that prosperity was nearly within reach. He lifted a hand and used his forefinger to point outside. "One day we'll be free like the birds outside. We won't be stuck working mediocre jobs, doing mediocre missions, and dealing with mediocre people like the ones in Shin-Ra. One day that will come and everything will be better. Until that time comes, however, we need to be patient and work as diligently as we can to make today's world a better one for the children of tomorrow." He often didn't try to bring anyone back to reality. That was typically Tifa's job, but it seemed that she needed a nice slap in the face every now and then.

The brunette nodded slowly and then ducked her head, planting her hands upon her lap. She knew he was right, but she also knew that she was a little more than consumed by the need of revenge. She had completely overreacted during the interview and nearly blew AVALANCHE's cover. What if she were to do that again? "...Is it safe for me to stay on this mission, Cloud? I might lose it again... I could've done a lot of damage if you and Barret hadn't told me to stop...and if I hadn't been in that dreaded outfit..." She scowled a bit as she thought about how she'd have to wear it again the following week, or whenever she received a notice to come in.

Cloud wasn't exactly sure on how to answer her question at first. Judging by the day's actions, he was inclined to say the negative. However, he also knew that Rufus was expecting to see Tifa again, so she needed to go. He looked over to her and raised a hand to ruffle her hair gently. "Honestly? I think you can totally do it. However...it's not really up to me if you're successful or not. Your actions make you the person you are. Your thoughts and feelings motivate your actions. I think that if you really want to, you'll do the right thing. And the right thing is whatever you feel is right in your heart. It's whatever you think is the right thing to do." Secretly he was hoping that she'd choose to continue along with the mission, but if she didn't, they'd have to get someone to replace her. And if it came to the worst situation, he'd dress as a female again and go in her place...which was something he wasn't looking forward to.

His companion turned her head and looked at him, just really looked at him. In all the years that she'd known him, she hadn't ever heard him say something the way he was now. Yes, of course he spoke with her, but that was it. They were empty words perhaps even filled with empty promises. But now, as she spoke with him, as she listened, she was truly touched by what he was saying. She knew what she needed to do. He was right. She stood up suddenly and flexed her arms before throwing a few punches here and there. "Right! You've got it! For the children of tomorrow's future!" Then she turned to the blonde-haired young man and smiled. "I'm sorry about that. I had a lapse of memory and nearly forgot who I was. You can count on me, Cloud. I'll find out his plans and put a stop to them immediately!" She had somehow felt that her faith was renewed. And she knew that through this entire ordeal, Cloud would be there, and so would Barret and Marlene...and Vincent and Cid, who had somehow made their way to Edge for a visit. She paused when she saw the two in the doorway. "...Ummm...Cloud..."

Cloud turned to see the cloaked figure first, and then the goggle-headed one behind him. "Hey, guys! What brings you to Edge?" He was really quite pleased to at least see those two. The other members of their extended party were all right, but they had other things to take care of. The more people they clamoured into that basement, the more people they had to hide from Shin-Ra and so far, it was hard enough just to hide away one. Rufus could take out his irritation on the entire region of Sectors 6 and 7 for what had happened earlier in the day. And although that was a possibility, he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

The young man in the front pulled his cloak around him and softly spoke. "I was in Nibelheim visiting the old memories when Cid stopped by...for one reason or another. We met up and he told me he was on his way here to check on you guys, so I decided to go with him. I suppose we're here to make sure everything's all right." Then he paused and looked between the blonde and the brunette. "...Everything's all right, is it not? Judging by Tifa's actions, one might never know." He lowered his guard, finally deciding that it was all right to show himself. Vincent Valentine hadn't changed too much since they all met him in the Shin-Ra mansion. After his last encounter with Kadaj and Cloud, he hadn't shown himself too much, but it seemed like he was doing well. And one could be sure, he was nothing short of pleased to see Marlene, who'd gotten quite attached to him in the Capital of the Ancients, Ajit.

Cloud stood up and walked over to him, giving him a friendly shake by the shoulder. "Yeah. Things are just fine. We ran into a bit of interesting information. Come downstairs and we'll tell you all about it. Who knows? Maybe you'll have some good ideas for us too." He received a nod from Vincent as a reply and then extended the invitation to Cid as well. And as the three began to descend the stairs, Cloud turned back to look at Tifa. "Hey, you're coming, right? I won't make you wear that outfit again, I promise."

She started to nod and follow when her phone rang. "Of course, Cloud. Let me get this first. You guys go down there and wait for me. I should be down in just a few moments." As their footsteps thundered down the stairs, she turned to the phone on the nightstand beside her bed and picked it up. "Strife Delivery Service, how may I help you?" Oh, that's right. Her bar was the location for Cloud's business as well...which was his delivery service he ran when he wasn't busy doing other mercenary type jobs.

The other line was silent, but only for a few moments and then a rather stern voice was heard on the other end. "Miss Lockhart." Tifa nearly dropped the phone. She would've recognized that sound anywhere after the prior events in the day, and suddenly she was unsure of how to respond, unable to say anything in the slightest. "Three days, Miss Lockhart. Come as you are. Oh...and don't inform anyone. I have an interesting proposition for you, and you alone."