White Desire
Chapter 6
It had been a couple of days since Tifa and Vincent had heard from Cloud and the others and both were getting a little concerned. Downstairs in the basement, the two sat down at the table, taking turns playing with Marlene. It was sort of nice to have Vincent to talk to, because he was so different from anyone else. And of course Vincent felt the same way about Tifa. The two merely looked at each other, trying to think of what to say.
Vincent knew that Tifa was probably worried. After Cloud had left, she'd grown suspiciously quiet and even the dark-haired male was concerned about her. It wasn't as though he naturally didn't care; he just didn't know how to show it. He was never very good with things like that. He watched Tifa tug upon Marlene's hair and even the smile upon her face seemed a little off, as though it wasn't really there. He was thoughtful for a few moments and then finally spoke up. "Tifa, is everything all right with you? You've been acting very strange since Cloud left. And actually, you've been acting strange since Cid and I arrived here in Edge. Are you sure there's nothing on your mind you wish to talk about?"
His companion had lifted her head, putting a momentary pause on the fun she was having with Barret's daughter. She could feel the heat rise within her cheeks and she almost didn't know how to respond. Oh, how badly she wanted to be able to confide in him and tell him that she was scared of what Rufus Shin-Ra was planning. She had to stick with her plan, though. It was the more mature thing to do, after all. And if things really turned out bad, she could contact Vincent and notify him...perhaps. Rufus had told her to go as she was, so she probably wouldn't bring the mic or the pair of glasses she had donned the first time. She shook her head slowly and then straightened her composure as she resumed her play time with Marlene. "Everything is fine, Vincent. I suppose I'm just a little nervous. I'm supposed go to back to Shin-Ra headquarters...and I'm not sure how I'll handle myself." There was that excuse again. At least she could actually use it. Then her eyebrows furrowed slightly, slipping her hands through Marlene's hair. "...Wait. I need to go out today, Vincent. You can take care of the little one here, right?"
He pulled a face at her. The way she had phrased that made it sound like Marlene was really their daughter as opposed to Barret's. When she began to chuckle, he shook his head out of disbelief and then responded. "I can take care of her...but where are you going?" An eyebrow raised at her out of curiosity. It looked as though something had sparked within her mind and it made him feign interest. Who couldn't be interested in something that information was scarce on? There wasn't anything else going on anyway.
She wasn't expecting him to ask that. Obviously she couldn't tell him the truth, but she needed a convincing lie. What did the bar need that she hadn't gotten? Glasses? Drinks? What else...? She pushed herself out of her seating and straightened her composure. "Well, I thought I'd go shopping for dinner tonight. You like to eat, right? Or are you insistent on drinking blood on a regular basis?" She was only teasing him, of course, but it was to be expected. With his red cloak, the dark hair, and the pale features, he resembled a vampyre. At the sigh of dejection she received, she shook her head with a smile. "I'm sorry. I was only teasing. Seriously, what do you want for dinner? I'll pick up whatever you'd like and then I'll come back. Are you down with that?"
The thick veil of eyelashes fluttered a few times as he looked at her. She certainly was the carefree one. Sometimes he really didn't know what to think of her. Just a few minutes ago, he thought she was hiding something from him and then she no longer seemed that way. Tifa was something else and he didn't know what...yet. He reached out to Marlene and tugged her to sit upon his lap. "Uh...you're going to cook?" He wasn't sure he wanted to taste that either. She'd probably kill him. Tifa wasn't the type of female he pictured good at cooking. She was too much of a tomboy. There was no sense in hurting her feelings, though, so he nodded slowly. "Well...I'm fond of steak. Rare. That may be out of budget, though, so--"
Tifa held up a hand and shook her head with a smile. "No, no! That's quite all right! If steak is what you want then steak is what you'll get!" She started to head for the stairs and then turned back to the other two with a smile. "I've got my cell phone if you need anything else. If you think of other stuff, don't hesitate to give me a call." Without another word, she waved the two away with her hand and ascended the stairs. Then she realised that she didn't know what time Rufus wanted to see her. She didn't have his number, did she? The caller ID hadn't even given her a name. Of course, Shin-Ra was a rather private company, so it made sense that she couldn't get a hold of them so easily. There really was no other choice. She needed to go to the headquarters and hopefully he'd see her in...although she no longer looked as nice as she had the previous week.
Without the motorcycle and Cloud, it took a lot longer than Tifa had anticipated. Then again, she never was very skilled with cross country or other things of the sort. She was in good shape, though, extremely healthy for the type of lifestyle that she led. She found herself pausing when the large Shin-Ra logo was seen. She lifted her head to look up at it and then resisted the urge to grit her teeth together. Here she was again, but this time, she was completely on her own. No Cloud, no Barret, no Marlene, and no Vincent to tell her to calm down. I can do this. How hard could this be? I can totally do this. With that 'encouraging' pep talk, she approached the front door and stopped at the desk, careful not to make contact with those behind the counter. "I'm here to see President Shin-Ra." She leaned against the counter as she looked around. The other times that she had visited, she hadn't had the time to make herself familiar with her surroundings. Shin-Ra was a pretty tidy company. One day she'd like to be able to examine everything up close. Her curiosity for the company was fairly high, and nearly made her forget about all of the things they had done.
"Tifa? Tifa Lockhart! What the hell are you doing here? I never expected to see you...here, of all places." The voice was fairly whiny, and irritating, and she remembered hearing it a few times before. When she turned, she came to see a man of ruddy hair and her mouth nearly dropped open agape. Pleased by her reaction, the young man smirked and then leaned forward to continue...initiating the conversation. "Did you finally get tired of Cloud and the others? Decided you need a real man?" He pointed to himself and the look upon his face became one of arrogance. Of course he had a fondness for Tifa, but it was more lust than anything. It wasn't hard to find a guy like that, especially one who had seen or was remotely familiar with Tifa.
The brunette shook her head and lifted a hand to rest upon her hip. "I'm not here to see you, Reno. Please get over yourself. I was asked to come here." She didn't feel like indulging any more information. If she could, she wanted to avoid all and any contact with anyone in the Turks. She was about as comfortable with them as she was with Shin-Ra and as long as those two had an alliance, she didn't want anything to do with either. She gestured to the elevator with her right hand. "Hey, I'm being serious here. I came to speak with President Shin-Ra. Give me the directions and I'll be on my way. I don't have any time for idle banter with you."
Reno nodded slowly as his gaze passed over her. She certainly was looking lovely. He wondered if it was possible to get at least one date with her before she left. Maybe if I act really, really nice... He watched her point off in the direction and then nodded to her. "Right, right. Obviously it's on the top floor. I'll give you the card key to get in." And not wanting to irritate her further, he did as he said he would, and took a hand, planting the small card against her palm. Then he chuckled softly and straightened the set of red glasses upon his head. "Have fun, Tifa. When you're done, come back down here so we can talk." It was the perfect set up. By the time she was done talking with Rufus, she'd probably be so tired, that she'd have to accept his date proposition.
A nod was given to the young man behind the counter and she glanced down to the card. It could've been mistaken for any other typical one. She expected it to be more extravagant. Another glance to Reno and she was quiet for a moment, and then consented. "All right. I'll talk to you later." And probably be forced to kick your ass. As she made her way to the elevator, she paused outside of the door and then took a deep breath. This was it. The elevator would take her to the top floor, to the locked door, and then she'd open it and the blonde-haired young man would be waiting for her...with bad news, probably. Waiting was only going to make it worse. And not wanting to be patient anymore, she pressed the green button to open the door and took the elevator to the destined coordinates.
Although she was standing outside the entrance, she wasn't sure what to do. Was she supposed to knock? She started to pace back and forth and then scolded herself for overreacting. Facing the door, Tifa lifted her left hand and then knocked upon it cautiously. A series of noises came from above her, and she rose her head to see a small monitor screen and a camera on the other corner of the doorframe, apparently recording her. "...?" When the screen had asked for her identity, her hands found her sides. She felt like she was in some type of military facility. "Tifa Lockhart." A few moments of silence accompanied her and then she heard the first door creak open followed by a screen message, granting her access to continue. Behind it was another metallic door and a keypad to the side. Aha. The place for the card key. Rufus wasn't taking any chances at all, was he? She ran the longer edge of the card key through the slot and the second door opened for her. Tifa took a deep breath and then stepped through the doorway and into his office, slipping her hands behind her back. Apparently the office they'd been in before wasn't actually his...or he had more than one. She didn't remember the added security. When she had entered, the doors closed behind her quickly and she jumped, startled for only a moment.
Rufus had been working on what looked like a series of contracts. They were probably new ideas for the company and supposed 'alliances' with other corporations. He rose out of his rather comfortable chair when she had come in, then came from behind his desk. He was quiet as he approached her. His blue eyes looked her over, and then he realised why he had deemed her as familiar. Although the clothes were different, the facial features were the same. And although she didn't look the same as she had before, he was still thinking that she looked...nice. He watched her for a few minutes more and then began to pace back and forth. She was acting a little strange. Perhaps she was nervous. "I trust you did not inform anyone of our meeting today."
She shook her head at his implied inquiry and then tried to straighten her composure. As much as she wanted to let loose and pummel him, she knew she had to think about the future of the slums. She was going to have to wait until the company fell again before she could seriously administer some hurt his way. "I said nothing." Tifa was still wondering why he had called her in, and when he gestured to a chair before his desk, she cautiously sat down and he took his place behind the desk again.
The president's eyes passed over that same file he had withdrawn on her. When she first came, he demanded the same background check that he had for everyone else in his company (outside of those hired by his old man). He was still wondering how a member of a resistance team had managed to get through his security in the past with such ease. He knew that Shin-Ra would be absent some guards and open for new employment once this was all over. Rufus's eyebrows furrowed in deep thought, wondering where he should begin and then he rose his gaze to her face. "Miss Lockhart, perhaps you can inform me of your actual intents on this so-called interview." With that spoken, he pushed the file forward for her to see.
Tifa reached out a hand to take the folder and she flipped it open, tilting her head to the side. It was interesting to find that Shin-Ra had so much information on her. And Cloud told me that he wouldn't know who I was. Who was he kidding? She was found out. They knew she was a member of a resistance faction that otherwise didn't officially exist any longer. Perhaps she could pull off the bit about being the journalist. Knowing that his eyes were on her did not make things any easier. If anything, it made anxiety eat at her, the way guilt would a felon still cursed with emotions and regret. She ducked her head and then rested the closed folder upon her lap. "...What are you willing to believe, President Shin-Ra?" She was careful to avoid his eyes, because she knew at the moment her own would give her away.
A fair question, indeed. He wasn't expecting something like that from her. He had honestly thought she would admit her wrong-doing and beg for some type of forgiveness. Perhaps he had her figured out wrong. No matter. She'd prove her cowardice some later time...and he'd make sure of it. He had every intention of holding the slums responsible for her traitorous actions. If she gave a good reason, however, or useful information, he would seek to exploit her for what he could get in return, and then he'd do away with her when she had nothing left. "Depends on what you are willing to tell me. Typically I would have hired someone to do this for me. You are fortunate enough to be speaking with me. I am quite busy, and honestly, I have too many occupations to be dealing with you." He did not appreciate her wasting his time, which was something she was inadvertently doing. He leaned back against the front of his desk, still maintaining that professional air about him.
She'd expected a bit more. Rufus was much calmer than she had ever pictured him to be. Then again, it seemed that there was nothing to move him from the cold stature that he was always held in. It reminded her a bit of Cloud, at least, until he remembered exactly who he was. Fortunately, Rufus wasn't as clueless, and she was actually relieved to know that. Tifa wasn't sure what kind of consequences she was facing, and she wasn't sure she even wanted to know. "What do you want to know?" She'd give him as much information as she could, assuming it was within reason. Unfortunately, she was figuring that anything he asked her for was going to be out of boundaries for her morality...and that meant she had some serious explaining to do.
An eyebrow arched out of interest as he watched her. She was complying with his requests and not even knowing it. Of course, Rufus was that type of person. He could get anyone to do anything for him and most of the time, he didn't even have to say anything to get it done. He was what most people considered someone with talent to be like. Rufus was smart, and not just in the bookish ways. For a president of his nature, he was quite world-wise. He'd suffered a rather difficult life to get where he was now, not that anyone needed to know, of course. That was a rather untouchable subject for him...much less anyone else. He remained quiet for a few minutes and then lifted a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "An interesting proposition you have made, Miss Lockhart. Are you aware that Shin-Ra's company was helping AVALANCHE save the planet?" He wanted to know why she had betrayed him so, when he felt there was some type of truce between the two factions.
For some odd reason, that question made Tifa angry. She'd felt that Shin-Ra had used them, manipulated them, just because the planet was in trouble. Until Sephiroth had threatened the very existence on Gaea, the Shin-Ra company hadn't cared at all about the welfare of the planet. It was a cheap and tawdry way to get help, but in the end, they all did work toward the same goal. She stood up quickly and made a few dramatic gestures with her hands. It was fairly apparent that she was irritated. "What are you saying! You only helped us because your own life was in danger! If your company hadn't been affected you would've left us on our own! Don't even begin to pull that on me. Yes, Shin-Ra helped us, but for their own selfish reasons. Nothing you have done has been for anyone else without wanting something in return." Her arms folded over her chest and she was starting to think she should throw the rule book out the window. She'd protect the slums as well as she could, but she wasn't going to allow Rufus or anyone else in his league to insult the life she came from.
"..." During her rather violent and loud outburst, he remained quiet. There really wasn't much that he could say. She'd gotten things a little bit wrong, but it appeared it was impossible to convince her of that. Women always were stubborn. He'd seen that from Scarlet--especially from Scarlet. A hand rose to brush off what he thought was dirt on the left sleeve of his perfectly white coat. He was faintly annoyed by her response, and it was probably her action that was causing dust to stir in the air. "It is in your best interest to watch yourself. There is absolutely no law stating that you must agree with my terms, but if you are interested in the safety of your home and your allies, you will think twice before speaking to me in such an irrational manner." He wouldn't hit her, although it would be no different from him hitting a man. He simply did not operate that way.
He hadn't approached her at all, but she still felt that he was invading her personal space. A few moments had to pass before she could regain her composure and she wandered past him, merely to look out the window. She slipped her hands behind her back and she shook her head slowly. There were so many things she could say, but she had to hold her tongue. Then she glanced over her shoulder in a subtle manner. "What about my allies...? What did you do to them?" She bit her bottom lip as she felt her hands tighten within each other. Could it be that when he had discovered her identify that he'd taken Cloud and the others hostage? It would certainly explain why Vincent and she had not heard from them. She certainly hoped that wasn't the case.
Rufus shook his head at her. It was the perfect way to get her to listen to him and follow his instructions. It was also the perfect way to get revenge for trying to make a fool out of him. "They fell into their own trap, it seems. It merely works out to my advantage." He lifted a hand to gesture to a projector screen against the right wall, opposite of the rather large window. "Please. Watch. You will understand." He found his way back to his desk and reached for a remote control.
On the screen, there was a recording of Cloud, Barret, Cid, and Yuffie in their cell all the way in Wutai. It seemed that they, indeed, had run into trouble (although they'd located the missing person), and Scarlet was heading the operation over there. And after watching Cloud get beaten without compassion, Tifa had to turn herself away, angrily. Of all the things he could've done, this was almost as bad as having the president attack the slums. When he noticed her turn away, Rufus turned off the image on the screen and then grew a rather smug smile. "It seems you understand the current situation. Answer my questions honestly and I will guarantee that nothing will happen to them. If not, then I can make no such agreement, and I assure you, Scarlet will have her...fun...with them." That wasn't a word he was fond of using. Perhaps it was because he was not what people considered to be 'fun'.
This was a horrible predicament to be caught in. Like things could get any worse. Tifa was held at the mercy of her friends, her family and she had to comply with anything Rufus wanted. She honestly could say that she hadn't seen this coming. A subtle nod was given and she watched him gesture to that chair before his desk again. Reluctantly she sat down and raised one leg to cross over the other and her neck bent as she averted her eyes from his face. That was the last thing she wanted to look at. No matter how handsome he was, it wouldn't make her feel any better. "...Very well. I'll answer your questions to the fullest that I am capable."
That's what he wanted to hear. He nodded and then raised an eyebrow as he pointed to a fluted wine glass off to the side. "Thirsty, per chance?" Receiving no response, he continued and pulled her folder back, letting it rest upon his desk of utter organisation. "What is AVALANCHE currently planning?" He had intentions of shutting AVALANCHE down as soon as possible, and by any means necessary. If that meant doing away with the female before him, who appeared to be the new leader, then he'd do just that. Of course, he remembered a rather obnoxious black man being the leader...the one who'd been in the video with Cloud and the other three, those of whom he only faintly recognised.
Tifa shook her head slowly at his question as though she couldn't believe it. Of course, he was the president of a company. He had no time to be looking in on everyone else and checking their status. Her hands rested upon her lap and she maintained a rather straight face, although it was quite difficult. "AVALANCHE has disbanded." She knew he'd have more questions on the subject and was prepared to answer them before he could inquire. "AVALANCHE disbanded before Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz even appeared. The leader was still wanting to relive the glory days and when we got the information you were considering Neo-Midgar and the new energy source I was...chosen to get that information and relay it to the others. While I was doing this, they went to Wutai to find one of our friends...so the two incidents are merely coincidental. We were planning to find out your intentions and then expose you." It sort of hurt to be so up front about everything, and she couldn't exactly hide the disappointment on her face.
AVALANCHE had disbanded? Rufus wasn't expecting to hear that. It sounded as though the young lady before him was not entirely pleased by the situation. He wondered if perhaps she was forced into it one way or another. There were many times that he was asked to do things that he didn't want to do. He could faintly understand her sentiments...if that's what those were. "I see." Knowing that they weren't even in existence, he didn't know where to go, or what else to say. He nodded slowly and sat down. "That makes things interesting." He wasn't going to punish the entire region of the slums based off of her actions. Then he nearly began to chuckle as he picked up his cell phone, dialing in a few numbers. "Scarlet, you are free to do as you wish." And without waiting for a response, he hung up and planted the device upon his stack of contracts.
Tifa rose out of her seat quickly and shook her head. "H-hey! You can't do that! You made me a promise!" Had she been in her right mind, she wouldn't have gotten so bold, but she edged her way around his desk and began to shake him back and forth. "Call that beastly woman back and retract what you said, President Shin-Ra!" She actually should have expected something like this, but again, she was feeling a lot of mixed emotions and couldn't react the proper way to the proper situations.
He was never very fond of anyone touching him. When he found her so close, a hand raised and the back met the side of her face, knocking her a few paces away. "That was a warning, Miss Lockhart. Next time it will be my weaponry." That same hand lowered upon his double-barrel shotgun. If she pulled that again, he'd shove her away and then put an end to her life...or at least her hyperactivity. He stood up and brushed himself off, removing the wrinkles she had tried to give him. "If you will recall, I did not promise anything. Even with the answers you gave, I just found no satisfaction. In this world, it is your obligation to appease me. If you do not, then you suffer the ultimate fate. There is nothing more I can do...unless you do something for me."
