Zack couldn't believe her luck when she found someone who hated shopping as much as she did. As much as she loved her parents, she couldn't stand boarding the airship every year, just for her mom to misunderstand her preference of clothing. Zack wanted clothing that would be useful on the farm, chic when walking around Gongaga and not…hyper feminine. Pink would not be allowed in her wardrobe, not that she minded the occasional dress or skirt. Sweaters were nice for Gongaga winters, so long as they didn't fall apart after a day's work of shoveling. The stuff they sold at Midgar shops were always cheaply made and for one target audience. So, after much arguing with her mom, she would always leave completely drained but at least with a few pieces she loved (usually from the men's section). However, today had been particularly rough, especially because of all the sales in every store. Meaning her mom wanted to stop in every. Single. Store.

Zack had considered just sleeping in the dressing room when she heard the weary sigh of a similarly defeated soul. And now, she was meeting the person who made everything more…bearable.

"So, what's your name?" Zack beamed. The girl seemed to snap out of something and looked up, light azure eyes finally making eye contact with Zack. She was adorable, with her free blond tufts poking out at every which way, a small ponytail running down her neck. She wore a long white T-shirt, a black long-sleeve shirt poking out from under the short sleeves. She wore loose blue jeans that ran to her knees, black leggings meeting long-laced work boots mid-calf.

"Cloud."

"Well Cloud, shall we find the parentals, then…do something fun together?"

Cloud looked away nervously.

"It's not like…illegal stuff, is it?"

"No, not at all."

"Sure. I'm tired of all this waiting around." Cloud yawned.

Zack offered her hand. "It's better to struggle together than apart. Better make sure we don't get lost."

Cloud stared at it for a minute. Just as Zack retracted it, embarrassed, Cloud grabbed it. They both turned away, blushing.

"Y-yeah, better to not get lost."

The navigated through the clumps of humans and clothing racks, finding Claudia and Zack's mother in the same aisle.

"Heya Mom! I found a new friend! Now, can we go to the bookstore like you promised?"

Zack's mother looked taken aback at this "new friend."

"Zack, is she lost? Maybe we can return her to the front…" Zack's mom looked around nervously.

"Oh Cloud, there you are!" Claudia exclaimed.

"Your daughter, I presume? I'm Ann Fair. It seems my daughter has taken a liking to your daughter."

Claudia offered a hand. "A pleasure to meet you! I'm Claudia Strife. These girls certainly share similar tastes in fashion. And hobbies."

"Moooooooom. But you promised…." Zack whined.

"Fine, Zack. We'll go to one more store, then I'll let you go to the bookstore. Deal?"

"Fine." Zack scowled.

"I'll make the same deal, Cloud."

"Deal." Cloud looked to his new friend, who winked.