"Reno, make up or no make up?" Cloud asked.

"For tonight's occasion? Well what are you aiming for? To impress people again?"

"Specifically, the man of the hour." He admitted in a whisper.

"That's your type? Damn, baby. You sure know how to pick them."

"So what should I do?" Cloud insisted to understand so he can prepare.

"That's only if the man shows up. He hardly shows up to his own birthday parties."

"Why?" Cloud was beginning to wonder if tonight will be worth it then. The want to sleep was more prominent.

"He's not very... Sociable. Maybe he's shy or something." Reno wondered out loud. "Or just sociably awkward. I think that's the better term."

"Okay so what do I do?" Cloud persisted.

"How about not go all out, but just enough that shows off your eyes."

"My eyes? Really that simple?" Cloud was skeptical.

"Baby, your eyes are the first thing I notice every time. They draw people in. I'm pretty sure that's what drew the VP to you in the first place."

Cloud has his doubts. But if this was coming from Reno, who had been nothing but honest, then he will trust his judgement. Even though he wasn't sure if he was even in the right kind of mind state to be going to Reno for advice.

"... All right. I will do that."

A few hours later he finished his make up. He had focused on his eyes as Reno suggested. There was orange eyeshadow, blended perfectly to help bring out the already baby blues of his eye color.

He was surprised when he noticed the pair were also joining the party. Even the redhead's suit was buttoned up and everything for a change. Cloud couldn't help but eye him.

"Hot damn. Looking good, baby." Reno smirks, noticing that he was being stared at.

"You're here, too?" Cloud ignored the taunting smirk.

"Let's just say the Soldier parties gets a little rowdy. Be prepared, they can also be a bit grabby once they got enough drinks in them."

"Oh. Great." This night better be worth it.

"Don't worry sweet cheeks. You got this in the bag." Reno winks. Once again Rude focused on his tie.

The Turks got in their designated places and soon the party goers entered. Some of them remembered Cloud, so he soon was crowded. Then Soldiers started to show up.

"You look like you enjoy a good time." A Third Class Soldier with long dirty blonde hair smiled at him.

"Depends what your version of a good time is." Cloud deflected. Here comes another cocky son of a bitch like Reno.

"Haha! I think you and I will get along just fine, baby."

"Excuse me? I didn't give you permission to call me that." He hated to admit it, but Reno was the only exception. Not that he would admit such a thing.

"My apologies. Won't you care for just one dance?" He holds out one hand.

Cloud bristles, but before he could answer Tseng sent him a look. With a sigh he accepts the offered hand. And to his surprise Roche kisses the back of his hand like a romantic. Cloud would rather this be Reno than this Soldier boy.

"Where are my manners? The name is Roche. And I didn't catch yours?" He lead them into a dance.

"Cloud." He stated coldly.

"Oh? Aren't you a wild cat." Roche chuckles.

At this point the music began to increase in tempo. While Cloud was used to fast, he wasn't used to all the spinning. He was growing dizzy with each spin. Until one instance Roche actually lets go and Cloud ends up spinning away and bumps into someone.

"Oh! I'm sorry I - " He whirls around, still dizzy, but not enough ro where he recognized silver hair and green eyes. "General?"

"Spikey!" Zack pulls him into a one armed hug.

"Zack, can't breathe." Cloud mumbles, cheeks flaring from embarrassment. Even so he sensed that his friend sent a glare over at Roche's way.

"Excuse me, where are my manners? Cloud, this is Sephiroth. Sephiroth, this is Cloud!" The hyper lieutenant let go of the blonde to smile warmly at the introductions.

"You forgot General, Zack." Sephiroth corrected.

"Aww. Love you too!" He wasn't phased at all by the rank.

"So you're the recruit who gave up trying for Soldier." Sephiroth observed, catching onto the name. He was also curiously eyeing the suit uniform.

"And? I wasn't making the cut." Cloud bristled. "So I quit. Reno scouted me and here I am as a Turk."

"And do you like it?"

"It's not about liking. It's about what brings out my passion. I don't like my new job, I love it." Cloud was beside himself. He didn't know where all of this was coming from. From the corner of his eye he sees Reno grinning ear to ear.

"Your loss, General. I knew there was something special in him." The redhead bounds over, still grinning.

"I saw it, too!" Zack pouted. "But... The recruiting team for Soldier didn't."

"Again. Your loss. Oh, and happy belated birthday, General. I believe we have taken enough of your time. We have so many guests to entertain tonight." Reno wraps an arm around Cloud's waist and escorts him away.

"Thanks for the save." Cloud whispers.

"Anything for you, baby." Reno said loud enough for Roche to hear.

"Oh so you're the competition? Don't worry. One day I'll have you dancing with me again, Cloud." The Soldier made a promise.

Cloud would have said "in your dreams", but he caught sight of Tseng's expression and decided against it. He was already in trouble for whatever he just did with the General and Zack. Cloud couldn't find it within himself to care, for he was having way too much fun.

The rest of the evening was uneventful, and for that Cloud was grateful. His heart could only handle so much excitement.