White Desire
Chapter 25
The day had arrived. In particular, the night had arrived. Tifa looked unlike herself and much more a young lady. In spite of Cloud's protests, Vincent and Marlene had taken the time to continuously reassure him that everything would be fine and work out. With a defeated sigh, he'd let the beautiful brunette leave, but not without requesting that she take her cellular device, just in case something came up. And without waiting for anything more, the two females bid a sweet farewell to the others and began the trek to the Shin-Ra HQ. Their walk was in silence, each thinking their own thoughts. Tifa's head was ducked, the feathers upon the side of her masque scarcely moving with each step she took. Marlene considered it grace, and added that to the list of talents she too, wanted to have.
Once they arrived at the monstrous building of the headquarters, sweet orchestral music was in the air. So Tifa was right then. They would have the fancy music. It probably meant she was right about the other things as well. There would be food, and dancing, and other things of the sort. This could really be a lot of fun! Marlene looked over to Tifa who was merely staring at the logo for the company. She looked like she was in her own little world and the young girl wondered just what she could be thinking about. A hand reached out to take one of the older's and she squeezed it gently. "Tifa, if we stand out here all night, we'll never get to go inside."
The brunette's attention was caught and she looked down to her companion. A nod was given and she began to lead Marlene through the large double doors of the company. She was right, after all. It was odd, but Tifa had a strange feeling about this night. She felt nervous. She wondered if she would fit in, if she looked nice. Yes, Vincent and Marlene had spent hours trying to reassure her. The caped man had wanted to scold her for acting that way, but Marlene stopped him, knowing what it was on Tifa's mind. She was merely pleased that she had the masque to hide her identity. Stopping at the doors to the ballroom, where the fund raiser had been held, she turned to her younger ally and straightened her out.
Marlene was decked out in a fancier style than Tifa was. Part of her hair was held into a clip and from it fell ringlets of the lighter brown scattered with auburn highlights. Her dress was a deep bordeaux, pleated in the long skirts, and graced with a rather large bow attached in the back. The top seemed a corset type, much like Tifa's, but not anywhere near as revealing. Her masque was of the same shade and made from a silk-like material. Unlike Tifa's, however, it had a handle for her to place and remove on her own accord. "You worry too much, Tifa. Don't you just want to go in?"
When the older woman pulled her hands back, Marlene brought the masque to her face and with her free hand, she took the skirts of her dress. Tifa followed suit, using both hands and gained a regal look about her. The corners of her lips began to curl into a vague smile and then nodded in agreement. She did worry too much, but that wasn't something she could turn off and on like a switch. "I do want to go in. Let us...not make our company wait any longer." And for a brief moment, she lifted a single hand and opened the door, letting Marlene go first and then she followed after her.
Her wine-hued eyes looked over the decorations and she wondered for a moment who had taken the time to do such a thing. It was no simple task to create a comfortable and fitting environment for such celebrations. She would have liked to thank the person responsible for doing such. Everything from the rugs on the floor to the tapestries on the wall were of cream and golden hues. It looked as though they were well into the autumn season. There was a separate floor, which must have been reserved for dancing. There were scattered people here and there. Tifa knew a few of them, mainly being the group of Turks (a rather large group), and Scarlet and Heidigger. Taking a second look around, her eyes stopped on the familiar white. Of course he would be dressed differently from everyone else.
Rufus's familiar stature hadn't escaped Marlene's watchful eye either. He didn't look too off from when she had seen him in Wall Market. She knew exactly what Tifa was looking at, and started to interrupt her when she noticed that the group of Turks were approaching the two. She turned her lips up into a smile and tugged on Tifa's dress with a hand. "Pay attention!" And then she quieted herself when Rude and Reno joined them.
The goggle-donning young man gave a rather broad grin when he reached out a hand to take one of Tifa's. Before being able to plant a kiss, however, the brunette had pulled away. She didn't really approve of such an action, especially coming from him. Even if she was dressed as a female, she didn't want to be treated completely as one. She could still hold her own. Reno respected this (only because he felt it would get him closer to her later on) and playfully slugged Rude in the shoulder. "Hey, Tifa! You are lookin'...really, really good. What say you dance with me?" Then he slipped an arm around Rude's head and began to apply a noogie. "Or ya know, Rude's got the hots for you, so maybe you should dance with--"
The red-haired man was pushed into the floor. It wasn't enough to hurt him, but the impact was only intended to surprise, which it succeeded in doing. Rude then tried to regain his composure and brushed himself off. "I apologise on his behalf for his intoxicating idiocy. I'll try to keep him out of your way for the rest of the night." Then he looked down to Marlene and straightened the shades across the bridge of his nose. "Perhaps we have the pleasure of Miss Wallace's company as well." He didn't mind having the young girl around when they had taken her from Edge, but he wasn't sure that Reno could handle such a responsibility.
Marlene gave a nod to the two older men and then glanced to Tifa who gave a vague smile. "That's right! Tifa said I could come tonight! I was inviiiiited because I'm special. You guys were just invited because you work here and Mr. Shin-Ra didn't want to hurt your feelings!" The young girl stuck her tongue out playfully. She released a squeal when Reno poked her in the side and then fell into a fit of giggles. She really did like the Turks quite a bit. They seemed more like babysitters to her. At least Reno did. The others were all vaguely serious (not including Elena, whom she didn't see much of anyway).
The older brunette had half a mind to stop them from the noise they were making, but then her face relaxed into a pleasant expression. She didn't have anything to worry about. Strangely enough, she felt comfortable in the environment for once. Typically she was afraid that she would be out of place, but so far, she hadn't needed to say a single thing. Her hands laced together and she watched the two less mature of the group play around a bit. If this kept up, she thought that nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach would go away. That's what she was hoping for. Then she turned her attention to Rude who had gestured to their companions and she nodded, almost in confirmation to what Marlene had said earlier. "She's quite right. I did invite her with me tonight. I thought perhaps your group would entertain her. You are, by no means, required to watch her. She is my responsibility, after all. I would much rather allow her to handle her own situations. I am most certain that she can amuse herself."
Rude shook his head as if to dismiss the subject. Again, he didn't mind having Marlene around. She was a good child and didn't do things to annoy him. He could handle having her around. He felt that with her potential and academic brilliance she could have quite a future ahead of herself. Half of him wanted to help out with that, but the other half was more on the lazy side and really had no motivation to do anything of the sort. He was about to speak when Marlene had captured Tifa's attention, pointing to Rufus, who was standing off in one of the corners, obviously trying to stay out of the crowds. That's right. The boss asked her to come. I wonder why she's wasting her time here. It wasn't like he wouldn't have wanted to dance with her. He just had no intention of ever saying anything.
"Tifa, President Shin-Ra is over there waiting for you. What are you still doing here? You're making him wait, and that's not very good of you, especially since you're his date!" Marlene shook her index finger at the older female in a chiding fashion. And then she reached out her hands and pushed Tifa a few paces in Rufus's direction. "Don't worry about me, okay? I'm going to play with the Turkey people for a little bit."
How embarrassing. She'd just gotten scolded by a child. Tifa peered over her shoulder at the others, faintly understanding that Marlene was mouthing the word "go" to her. Then she gave a defeated sigh and nodded, bringing her hands to the skirts of her gown again before she began to escort herself over to where the rather handsome blonde-haired man must have been waiting for her. She was wondering, too, why she was stalling. What did she have to be so nervous about? She couldn't quite piece it together. She was well aware that a blush was beginning to take her cheeks, and again she inwardly voiced her gratitude for the masque she was wearing. I should be wearing masques more often. Did she really have so much to hide? She must have if she was acting like this. Within a few feet of the man in white, she paused herself and then straightened her composure before approaching at his side, bending low, to slip a foot behind the other in a curtsying gesture. "President Shin-Ra, I apologise for making you wait." Then she rose and gave a shaky smile before continuing, "You look absolutely dashing, if I may be so bold. It is a pleasure to see you this eve."
Rufus turned to her when she had addressed him and he was quiet for a moment, his azure eyes washing over her form. She looked even lovelier now than she had when he saw her in Wall Market. Of course at that time, he'd only been privileged to see her from the back. She looked absolutely magnificent. And the masque he'd chosen? It was perfect. Everything was perfect…at least, what his standards considered 'perfect' to be. He held out an arm for her to take and his lips parted, "May I have the honour of a dance?"
Oh, how she wanted to giggle. It was the first time she could ever remember thinking that. She knew she needed to be somewhat mature throughout this situation, though. She was still in the company and she needed to act somewhat formal. A nod was his reply as she curled an arm around his. Never would she have imagined that she would be on the arm of the president she had tried to kill those years back. She had always seen him as 'untouchable', so the event seemed only a good dream. "I would like that very much."
He led her onto the dance floor, passing the soft-spoken whispers that he was sure were involving him and the young lady he was escorting. He was not known for dancing, or for even taking the time to socialise with anyone. As the next musical piece began, he led her into a waltz, finding faint amusement that she was not anywhere as adept as he was in such a skill. He took her right hand into his left, and planted the other palm against the base of her corset to help keep her balanced. From what he could see, she appeared to be enjoying herself immensely and the thought of such pleased him as well. A couple of minutes in when her head had finally lifted, a smile played at the corners of his lips. "You seem to pick up on things rather quickly, Miss Lockhart."
Yes. She'd been quite tense. She'd spent so much time trying to make herself look nice that she forgot she had never danced in any way, shape, or form. She was now beginning to think she should have left her schedule open for such things. Sadly, it was too late for that now. After this night was over, she would look into a class on this activity and then if there was a next time, she'd be ready. Forcing herself to relax and rather follow his lead, she allowed her fingertips to gently curl around his hand. "I have only the amount of potential to learn that my instructor has the potential to teach." Then she saw his lips and couldn't resist mirroring the gesture. "How many times must I tell you that you can call me Tifa?" She didn't mind the formality, she just felt that he always called her that and it was important to notify him that it wasn't required.
His smile grew at her…rhetorical question. He wasn't certain if she really needed an answer, but he felt it was appropriate to give her one. "How about once more? For old time's sake?" To keep her occupied, he moved their footing into a more difficult maneuver. It was good to keep her on her toes, quite literally, and not on his (not that she had done that yet). As he continued to look over her, he found his gaze never left the woman before him as it had been since she'd entered the company as his secretary. What was it that attracted him to her? What could it possibly be? She was loud, vaguely obnoxious, and…absolutely nothing like him. Perhaps those antics had something to do with it. He failed to see the logic in that, though, and attempted to push the ordeal to the side. He didn't have time to let things like that get the better of him.
The gaze in her eyes softened and before she even truly knew what she was doing, Tifa leaned forward, allowing her cheek to gently graze his. When she spoke, her tone was softer, much more than it had ever been when the two were together. "…Just…call me Tifa. That is all I request." And then she turned her gaze upon his face with pursed lips, allowing her frame to grow a little closer to his. It wasn't necessarily that the dance floor had several other couples. From the corner of her eye, she thought she had seen Scarlet and Heidigger, which she found to be a most abnormal pair. She also thought she had seen a rather reluctant-looking Reno and a giddy Elena. Although she knew these other people, her mind failed to register that they were truly there. For that moment, it was only her and Rufus.
Not once had a female ever approached him the way Tifa had. Unknown to others he had little experience with women, not that he would ever admit it. He was far too proud to reveal that secret. His head turned only slightly as he met her eyes and remained quiet for a few moments, trying to think of a way to respond. What could he possibly say? What was he supposed to say? A very subtle nod was given, and he made no effort to push her away. Instead, the hand at the base of her corset reached past and planted itself at the small of her back to bring her closer to him. It almost seemed that he was concerned about losing her, or having someone take her from him. This moment, too, was important for him, not that he could understand it. Perhaps he chose not to understand it. Finally, he spoke, "Very well then, Tifa." It was the first time he had uttered her name outside of his mind. It sounded lovely. Tifa Lockhart. He adjusted his hand to become a little more comfortable.
Even if it hadn't been too noticeable to the two, the others around them, and the others watching closely had noticed their pace had slowed drastically. Marlene was getting more excited by the moment. Although she had been occupied by the Turks, she was still watching the older brunette. It certainly looked like she wouldn't need to offer her services. Still, it was something else to see Tifa act in such a way. She'd only caught a glimpse of the wine-hued eyes a couple of times, but the look there was so intense that Marlene knew absolutely nothing would break into it. She must have fallen pretty hard for Rufus. Marlene didn't really know what it was to be in love or to have a crush on someone, so she couldn't exactly describe what it was Tifa was experiencing at the current moment. She would have continued to gawk had Rude not turned her attention back to the others with rather philosophical questions.
Tifa liked the way Rufus said her name. Of all the times she'd heard it, it didn't sound half as nice as when it left his tongue. Perhaps it was because she wasn't used to hearing it from him. He always had such an eloquent way of speaking and it pleased her to the utter core when he chose to use his grace for such a reason. A vague red shade began to fill her cheeks and she ducked her head to rest it against his shoulder for a brief moment. Standing there with him, the two slowly swaying, the sound of music being both very near and very far, it made her feel both bold and withdrawn at the same time. "I…think I would like to spend more time with you. Like this." It was probably the boldest thing she'd ever said to anyone. Those were the types of words that should have been held back by the tongue. Those were the types of words that made someone vulnerable. Of course, that was only if she allowed herself to become captive to them.
What she had said made him think hard. She wanted to be with him more? In this fashion? In a dress? In a masquerade-like environment? In a…dancing position? In the seeming embrace he was holding her in? There were too many ways to take that. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he believed she was talking about the last possibility. "That can be arranged…I believe." His other hand released hers and he pulled his fingertips through the ends of her hair in an idle fashion, as though to confirm his rather uncertain reply. Again, the idea of having a female in his life was a little lost on him. He did not quite understand the situation, although he was trying to, for once.
She wanted to lift her head, but she didn't dare. It was such a sweet moment and she didn't want to ruin it. Even if they weren't saying much to each other, it was still nice. Perhaps it was the feeling she was currently experiencing that caused it be to described as such. The brunette liked the gesture he had pulled when touching her hair. Typically she never let anyone do such a thing except when it was Marlene. "Can it? Really?" Was he just teasing her, or was he being serious? She never saw him as the joking type, but it didn't mean that he couldn't try to be a little more light-hearted now and then. He really was beginning to open up a bit to her more, but it wasn't enough that she completely understood. Waiting a few moments and not getting a response, she finally raised her gaze back up to his face. He certainly did look thoughtful. No wonder he hadn't said anything. She probably needed to stop asking him questions like that. He had all of these other things to think on. There was no need for her to add onto them.
He nodded to her, although he was still thinking about the answer he was currently giving. He would not, in all honesty, mind spending more time with her. She was very different from what he was used to, and that brought him some entertainment and sometimes…amusement. She got flustered so easily by him, and he thought it was humourous that he had that effect on someone other than the normal group of people he associated himself with. He looked down to her and then suddenly gave her an impish smile. "If and when Scarlet catches wind of this, she will…as you would call it, flip out." Look at that! He was beginning to pick up her lingo. He blamed it on all the time he spent listening to her and asking her questions. Damn that curiosity of his.
An eyebrow arched out of faint amusement at him. Part of her wondered if that was the only reason he had kept her around. She was growing increasingly aware of his dislike for that blonde-haired female. There was no doubt that Scarlet was horrified by having Tifa as the president's secretary. Of course, Tifa didn't like her either, so she thought of it as a means for revenge as well. It wasn't as though she could approach the beastly woman and slap her around some more. "Ohhhh…I see. I'm merely a pawn in your plan."
A mere chuckle escaped from him and he lowered his voice as well. It was clear this was a conversation for the two of them alone. He shook his head at her, that smile retaining the devious gleam. "Not at all. This way I can spend more time with you and piss Scarlet off." He was often good at holding his tongue, but when it came to that other female, he really often let her get to him. Lately, however, she had been growing even more annoying to him and he knew it was because of Tifa. Although the brunette brought him much joy, he was still suffering from much irritation at the same time. His eyes met hers and he searched for some kind of approval, or consent. He didn't want Tifa getting the wrong idea.
She was hearing everything he was saying, but it wasn't quite registering yet. She blamed it on the perfect moment. If things hadn't been so perfect, she wouldn't be caught up in those dark eyes of his. Every time she looked there, everything else just vanished and she had difficulty even putting sentences together. "…And…we can spend more time together…? Outside of the company?" Her eyelashes fluttered a few times as her attention was planted upon him. Now she was really glad that she had the masque to conceal everything that would give her away. She was trying not to be so shy, or at least not to show it because that was not the type of person she was in reality. This was Tifa. She was fond of beating people up and having her way (most of the time). She didn't like coming off as delicate to anyone. Being around Rufus, though, often changed that for her. In fact, the more time she spent with him, the more docile and doe-like she became.
When would she cease her questioning? Rufus had never met anyone who questioned him the way she was doing so now. It seemed that she, too, had a severe case of curiosity; either that, or insecurity. He tried to think back to when his mother was still alive. Was she insecure? He couldn't recall. He remembered his mother being thin and willowy, delicate and pale, like the white lilies that Tifa loved so much. She wasn't necessarily soft-spoken, but she had a type of angelic charm that had always hypnotized him. Everything he did was to please his mother. He wanted his mother's approval. He was faintly pleased that the females he was associated with were not like his mother, because then he might have had a weakness for females in general. It couldn't hurt, however, for females to be more...traditional. That was a good way to put it.
He turned his attention back to the young lady before him. The hand from her hair took one of hers before bringing it to his lips and placing a kiss upon the back. He studied her reaction carefully to such a movement, and not receiving anything except a parting of the lips, he couldn't help but wonder if he was indeed, doing the right thing. He reached toward her, his fingertips brushing over the side of her face, and he tilted her chin up. This was it, it seemed. He was going to do something he'd never done before, something he'd never thought to do before. Yet...it seemed appropriate. It seemed right. As his neck bent, he placed his lips against hers in a chaste kiss, a sweet gesture. It didn't matter too much to him that they weren't alone. After all, he was the president, and he had absolutely nothing to lose...and everything to gain.
It was one of those feelings that perhaps only comes once. Or it comes to someone who has a first kiss with a new lover. Whatever it was, it was the softest feeling Tifa had ever encountered. She hadn't stopped him. There wasn't any way that she could...well, not that she wanted to anyway. She placed her left hand at the base of his neck, tilting her head slightly, only to return what he had so graciously bestowed upon her. Being kissed was like being given some great title. In the entire time she'd been alive (or at least thought she had been so), she'd never kissed anyone. She most often discouraged such actions, hencely always preventing things of the sort from happening. It was wonderful, though, because at that moment, she felt as though she was truly...in existence. It was as though she had been reborn, or as though she had found her destiny. She was, indeed, falling quite hard for him. And if not that, then her attachment to Rufus Shin-Ra was growing more and more, with each moment she spent with him.
Back with the Turks (Reno and Elena finally having returned from their 'fun' dancing), Marlene squeaked happily at the formation between the blonde and brunette. That was what she wanted to see. That was what she had been waiting for. Thank goodness something like that had finally happened. By her side, the others who had been previously playing with her, turned their attention in the direction where her gaze had been pointed. The look on each one's face was different. Reno looked a little dejected by the situation; Elena, a bit disgusted; Tseng, vaguely pleased (probably since he thought of Tifa as a friend as he had with Aerith); and Rude, a very blank expression. Well, there's no hiding it now. Tifa and the boss are definitely an item. I can't wait to see how Scarlet and Heidigger handle this.
One would have thought everyone else would be so busy with their own personal lives that they wouldn't be looking in on Rufus's. That wasn't the case, though. Even the director for the musical section had stopped, causing a small breakage in music, until Scarlet hissed at him to continue. The blonde-haired woman was more likely to suffer from some type of coronary or faint right there on the dance floor beside Heidigger than anything else. Her Rufus was kissing another girl. And not just any girl. The damned girl from the resistance faction! How else could one define the term "unfair"? She wasn't one to complain (...actually, yes, yes, she was), but the idea of doing so was definitely starting to sound good. Poor Heidigger. If only he knew exactly what he was getting into. She would have her words to share with him, and now would be a good time, before she let the temptation of pummeling Rufus take over her. She dragged the heavier, bearded man off of the dance floor to excuse themselves from the banquet, for a temporary time.
After finally pulling away from her, which reluctantly he inwardly admitted he didn't want to do, Rufus's eyes met the face of his companion and that smile lost the sly look, and grew much more genuine. Indeed that first kiss had been just as nice on his side as hers. Her lips were soft and gentle and strangely enough there was a taste, not that he could quite put a label on it. Perhaps she had some type of that gloss or something of the sort. It didn't really matter. It was nice all the way around. "How is that for your answer?" While he waited for a response, his eyes scouted over their environment. It was quite apparent at this time, that they were no longer dancing, but rather holding each other in an...almost passionate embrace. Just the thought caused him to blush, which he immediately made dissipate.
Tifa no longer knew what to do or say. Now she knew this all had to be a dream. Reality was never that kind to her. Any moment now she would wake up and find out that the real day of the masquerade banquet was non-existent. What an extensive dream, though! His inquiry made her think. Not just one of those quick answers given, but serious contemplation. What had her question been? She couldn't quite remember at first, but then she realised she had requested to spend time with him. Was that a yes on his part? If they did spend time together, would...that happen again? She nodded slowly to him, raising a hand to her heart, checking for that familiar heartbeat. Finding it, a sigh of relief was given. At least she knew she wasn't dead and in the Promised Land. "I think...that was the best answer I have ever received for a question..."
He kept his smile, returning his gaze to her. What a pleasant answer. He was more than aware that they had caused quite a spectacle. It was getting to be a little difficult for him to breathe. It might have been the people, or the situation, or even being so close to Tifa. In fact, it was probably all of those things combined. He released the brunette and brushed himself off, although there was absolutely nothing wrong with him or his outfit. "I need to get something to drink." He saw the questioning look on her face after his expression had turned serious again. She probably thought she had done something wrong, which was completely untrue. If only she knew exactly what she had done. He held out his arm to her again, finally understanding to for himself, he still wanted her to be around him. "Come with me. I am most certain I would like your company." He was more than certain.
He was right. If he hadn't invited her along, she would have questioned him. Her eyes glanced down to his arm and then she nodded, as though to give him permission to escort her. Lightly curling her arm around his again, she allowed him to lead her from the banquet room into the dimly corridor that she had entered with Marlene at first. How long had they been on the dance floor? How long had they stood there and looked at each other? She really had no concept of time, but it must have been a while, although it seemed no time had passed at all.
And watching the two leave, Marlene muffled a few small giggles. Now this she just had to see. She'd had plans to go eavesdrop on the two. Before she got a chance to pursue them, however, she was pulled back by Reno, who shook his head at her. "Ya should give them a chance to be alone, yo. This is the boss we're talkin' 'bout." She didn't really understand the way he spoke, but she knew the message he was trying to convey. She nodded slowly. That was okay. She'd follow after them later. For now, however, Rufus and Tifa had escaped her prying eyes.
