"I guess this means I won't be working with the general." Cloud figured. He felt let down and a little depressed with this sort of news.
"Give him time to come around. There will be future missions that requires a Turk and a Soldier. Until then, there are more parties to attend." Tseng reminded, and the blonde almost groaned.
A part of him did enjoy the parties. Yet they can be tiring after a while. Especially when the president rarely attended. Thus far Cloud had yet to ever see the man himself.
However when Rufus attended, the party tended to be more entertaining. And not so much boring then. In a way the VP was growing on Cloud. In a way he had grown on all of the Turks. They could see his brilliance, ready to tackle the world.
However life was very different after one almost died. Almost everyone treated him oddly. Cissinei was overly attached. Reno was more serious around him. Zack was the constant worrier. Even Tseng wasn't so stand offish.
Then there was Elena.
"You really want to learn? From me?" Cloud was surprised.
"You're... Okay you're more than good, you're amazing. I never got that good with make up. So... Can you teach me?"
This was definitely a turn of events Cloud did not expect. But in the end he started giving her lessons. And as her confidence grew, the more she was a joy to be around despite her mouth.
Soon the two would occasionally have shopping sprees together. And whenever Cloud went as a girl, they were the baddest bitches on the block and everyone knew it. In some way Cloud enjoyed this new turn around with Elena. He missed having another friend he can be more of himself around.
And slowly everyone stopped treating him like he was made of glass. It was gradual progress given the state he was in when he was injured. Even so, Cloud wasn't bothered by the fact he almost died. The only guilty conscience he had was towards Sephiroth who had to be the one to witness firsthand.
Apparently the general cared deeply enough that he couldn't bring himself to see Cloud. At least, that's what the blonde hoped for. He would rather refuse to think of any other option.
Then one evening at a party. The VP brought his dog along. One of those ShinRa Hellhounds. Cloud was frightened at first, for this is the first time he's seen one up close.
Darkstar was collared and there was a thin line of a leash that attached to Rufus. For the most part the hellhound remained calm beside its master. And as Rufus made his rounds, Cloud realized why the man brought the hellhound. It was a fear tactic.
For what purpose, Cloud didn't quite understand. Maybe it was a ploy to show the power he has to have a hellhound for a pet. By
"I see you've recovered well." Rufus addressed him casually. This time around he didn't have Tseng at his tail, probably due to Darkstar.
"Getting better by the day, sir." Cloud gave a warm smile. In that moment Rufus looked like he had seen a ghost. His face paled and his face grew taught, as if he was forcing himself not to react.
Sensing his master's reaction, Darkstar moved closer to sniff at Cloud's hand. The action drew their attention and Cloud held his breath, expecting the hound to bite. Instead Darkstar rubs his face against Cloud's hand.
"I must say, I have never seen him taken to anyone within minutes." Rufus comments, unsure what to think of this situation.
"I have that way with chocobos." Cloud laughs nervously. "I suppose animals like me."
In all honesty, he was secretly terrified. A hellhound up close was frightening enough. But something about Darkstar was more intimidating than regular Hellhounds. Was it just him, or was he bigger than most other Hellhounds?
Still, he was also amazed the hound held such an affection towards him. This was turning out to be not so much of a dull night after all.
"Yes. Perhaps you're right." The VP didn't seem so convinced.
Cloud looks up, confused. Did he do something wrong? As if sensing this Rufus assured him with a smile. Yet despite the smile the Turk recognized that the VP was still bothered. He hoped that it wouldn't come bite him in the ass later, in the form of Tseng.
"Good to see you, Cloud. I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening." Rufus guided Darkstar away.
In the back of Cloud's head he wondered, what was that about?
xXx
"He looks like my mother." Rufus admits to Tseng when they finally had alone time.
"Excuse me?" The Turk wondered who he meant.
"Cloud. I figured out why he seems so familiar. He looks like my mother." Rufus explained, still lost in thought.
"Really?" Tseng couldn't really confirm, he had never met the late Mrs. ShinRa.
"Which is odd when she supposedly died." The vice president stated.
He could almost vividly recall the last time he ever saw his mother. She had been in perfect bill of health. He even remembers begging her to have a little brother or sister. And then a short time after he begged for a sibling, he never saw her again.
Now that can't be a coincidence. For as long as Rufus had been vice president there were no such things as a coincidence.
"No. It would only raise more questions. And if he is, then it might put him in danger." Rufus can only imagine what would happen if his hunch is true.
There were rumors he had heard of Lazard. And he knew better than to indulge them, but all of them speculated some miserable death. For Lazard, Rufus never got the chance to know his half brother. He at least wanted to establish some form of bond with Cloud.
"Then what do you suppose we do?"
"For now, nothing. But we watch him."
