The Masque
For: Lord Divestre Croft
Prompt: Nightclub
Summary: A night like no other
When Cloud had started attending the prestigious university in Midgar he hadn't realized what most people meant by 'prestigious'. Yes, Midgar U had numerous professors acclaimed in their fields of study, many with their Masters or Doctorates, and yes, Midgar U was settled on a historic site, the brick buildings over two hundred years old, and the campus praised for being the most eye appealing within the country, if not the entire world. No, it was not the advanced research facilities, or the lavish housing for students, and nutritious foods laid about the campus (even a vegan restaurant on the south end) that made Midgar U prestigious, at least not to its students. It was the thriving night life the forbidden slums offered.
One hundred thousand dollar scholarship winners spent their nights amongst the scum of the city, amidst stripper clubs and dance clubs, one of the most popular being The Masque. The Masque was praised for its innovativeness, and was much more upper class so to say even though it was located in the slums. The Masque provided masks for customers to wear, or patrons could bring their own. On Thursday nights The Masque was open to college students for free before midnight since most of the students did not have classes on Fridays.
Cloud was one of the unlucky few who did, but he had never been much for the club scene, even in his old home town.
However, his new found friends wouldn't let it be any other way.
His first year in college, Cloud had succeeded in obtaining a 4.0 GPA with the rest of his classmates unaware that the kid with weird hair was a genius. Cloud was one of those one-hundred thousand dollar scholarship winners to spend nights in the slums of Midgar. Of course, he didn't do this frequently, but since being roped into a friendship with his chem lab partner, Cloud had been forcibly drug (and that means headlock and everything) from his dorm room late one Thursday night.
Cloud wasn't a small guy, but Zack certainly wasn't an average sized guy, but still, Cloud wasn't one to just willingly fall into a headlock. Fortunately Zack had a brave girlfriend who could distract Cloud with witty comments and lure him out of his dorm so Zack could tackle him unawares from the side.
Hey, it might've been low, and it might've even been cheap, but this was the man's social life we're talking about here. Drastic times call for drastic measures.
But to make Cloud feel more comfortable Zack brought the usual gang that he hung out with. An underage but crafty girl that attended the local highschool, a cocky redhead with sleeve tattoos, and a silent artist that had also been forcibly drug from his dorm room.
Cloud felt rather out of place. He wasn't even sure if he was dressed right. Reno was wearing a cut off shirt, showing off his tattoos, mostly consisting of half naked women. The girl was wearing short shorts, and long boots. Aeris was wearing some low cut shirt that cut off right at her belly button, heels, and frayed shorts. Cloud wasn't even aware Aeris had something like that in her wardrobe.
Cloud was forced down the street between Aeris and Zack, his shoulders hunched up around his neck like a turtle trying to dive back into the safety of its shell.
For a brief moment, Cloud wished he was a turtle.
Or at least had a turtle to hit Zack across the back of the head with and knock him out.
The girl, the underage girl with a fake ID (how much trouble would a scholarship student like him get in trouble if he was found colluding with lawbreakers?), was staring at him like he was a bug under a magnifying glass.
"Hey, you remember if The Masque has a chocobo mask?"
Reno snorted.
"Be nice, Yuffie," Aeris said, tugging on Cloud's left arm.
"Yeah," Zack teased. "Or we'll stick you in the mouse mask again."
"You wouldn't!"
"I most certainly would–
"Stop it."
Zack faltered half a step, and Cloud managed to free his arm for half a second. But then Zack grinned and clamped back down on his elbow.
"I know what we'll put you in, Vincent. A bat mask."
Vincent glowered at Zack, but Zack looked away unperturbed.
"Look Cloud, there it is...the beginning of your new life." Zack nudged Cloud's shoulder.
Cloud looked up, spotting the neon sign up ahead, and the dank street illuminated around. A long line was spilling out of the doorway and down the sidewalk.
Cloud felt a momentary reprieve; maybe they wouldn't even get in tonight.
But instead of heading to the end of the line, Zack marched them right up to the door, and nose to nose with a bald bouncer who was wearing sunglasses. Why he was wearing sunglasses was beyond Cloud.
Reno stepped up, and for a moment Cloud thought he might get a pounding to his enjoyment, but instead the two grasped hands tightly.
"Rude! Good to see ya man, been a while."
The bouncer grunted unintelligibly, but Reno responded.
"Seriously...what's with that?"
Cloud narrowed his eyes, and Zack chuckled.
Aeris leaned into his ear. "See why we come with him?"
Rude was about to step aside, but caught sight of Cloud.
"New guy."
Cloud swallowed; he did not feel like having to beat up some bald guy in the streets.
He would totally take him down if he needed to.
Totally.
"Oh yeah, him. He's cool."
Rude nodded his head once and stepped aside. The group slipped inside the doorway as the crowd protested, but paid no attention to it. Inside the lobby was lined with masks all over the walls. Aeris and Yuffie ran up excitedly, pointing out the mask to the woman behind the desk that they wanted. Aeris picked out a sparkling butterfly mask that shifted from purple, to pink, and blue as she moved her head. Yuffie grabbed a white mask that came with bunny ears. Reno picked out a red fox, and Zack choose a bat for Vincent ( like he said he would), a dragon for himself, and a wolf for Cloud.
Cloud took the mask and stared at it until Aeris put it on him, and they made their way into the interior of the club.
Cloud had heard the bass from outside the club, but hadn't been prepared for what the inside held. The music was overwhelming, and the club was packed to the brim. To his left was the DJ, raised above the dance floor. There was a stage beside the DJ with giant speakers on it, and a large open area before that.
Well, as open as absolutely packed with people can be. There were strobe lights, and spotlights going everywhere, and Cloud, though not one for crowds and dancing, could see the appeal to the nightlife. Zack led the way, parting the crowd while clinging to Aeris' hand. Yuffie bounced around, tugging Vincent and Reno in another direction.
Aeris turned briefly to yell into his ear. "We're going to the bathroom real quick! Keep up!"
Cloud nodded his head as Aeris led the way towards the bar area. He followed along behind Aeris until a girl slipped between them, cutting him off without Aeris noticing. The girl had blonde hair, and was wearing a cat's mask. She wrapped her fingers around Cloud's hips and grinded up against him for a moment. Cloud jumped back, startled. He bumped into someone behind him, and felt liquid spill down his shoulder.
"Watch your punk ass."
The girl had merged back into the crowd during this time, and the man Cloud now faced was about two times wider than him, and a good couple of feet taller holding a beer.
The man wasn't wearing a mask, and he leered in close.
"Whoa whoa! Back off Barret!" A smaller man put a hand on the giant's arm, pulling him back. "Well, well, look who has a life after all."
Cloud stood their shocked. Before him, throwing back a shot was his physics professor, Cid Highwind.
"Who's this punk?" Barret grunted.
"One of my top students..." Cid said, lighting a cigarette. Cid held out the package towards Cloud. "Want one?"
"Uh...no thanks."
Cid shrugged, turning away. Barret sneered at Cloud once more before turning away as well. Cloud swallowed; that was weird. Especially since he had a class in the morning with Highwind. No wonder he was particularly grouchy on Fridays.
Cloud glanced around; Aeris was no where in sight. He thought of asking Cid where the bathroom was, but thought better of it. It was awkward enough as it was. Cloud instead sank into a bar stool up against the wall to try and look for Aeris or Zack.
Cloud's eyes roamed across the crowded room. Across from him, against the far wall was another raised platforms with tables and chairs. Sitting in one of the nicer chairs, an overstuffed mustard colored one, was a girl. But this wasn't just any girl...this was... extreme.
Cloud studied her. She was sitting with her feet dangling over the arm of the chair, her sandals hanging off by her toes. She was wearing jeans, and a skimpy, black tank top which blessedly accentuated her...assets.
Her long, dark hair was tied up in a high pony tail, and she was wearing a deep blue mask that covered her eyes, painted to make it look like shimmering fish scales that turned silver at the right angle. The girl angled her neck back, a bead of sweat rolling down the slope of her neck, and over the bump of her collarbone.
Cloud felt a flush run up his neck, and turned quickly away. His eyes flickered back up towards the girl though, his hand balled into a loose fist as he leaned on his elbow. She was drinking from a glass bottle now, her lips curving graciously over the mouth of the bottle.
Cloud felt himself grow antsy, like there was something crawling under his skin. He needed to move, he had to move, before he was caught staring at this girl.
That was when Yuffie bounced in front of him, holding him a glass of amber liquid.
"Drink hardy, Spike-O. It'll loosen you up..." She put her hands on her hips. "Don't look to comfortable right now, I have to say."
Cloud glared at her.
"Seriously, quit glaring. Just drink up...it'll make you feel better. Be a real man, and chug it!"
Cloud sighed, taking a gulp of the burning liquid. He really didn't want to relive his last drinking experience, nor did he want Zack to discover that he was a bit of a lightweight. He had never really built up any alcohol tolerance. Still, he didn't feel like getting showed up by an underage girl in high school, either.
Said girl was currently chugging her own glass.
Cloud downed the beverage, wincing slightly as his throat burned all the way to his belly.
"Good job, my man." Yuffie slapped his shoulder, and then let out a burp that wasn't very lady like. She giggled, covering her mouth. "Where's Aeris?"
Cloud shrugged. "Bathroom."
"Oh wait, I see her...Reno and Zack are with her, too." She wiggled her eyebrows. "Good, we can go dance now!"
Aeris stumbled up, looking relieved. "I was worried, Cloud. Don't run off again like that!"
"I didn't. I got stuck."
Zack maneuvered up, staring at the empty glass. "You already drinking?"
"I gave it to him." Yuffie grinned cheekily.
"Oh great..." Zack muttered. "Cloud, don't drink anything else. Yuffie's got that highest alcohol tolerance I have ever seen. She's out drank everyone."
Aeris grinned. "He'll be alright, come on!" Aeris grabbed onto Cloud and Zack's hands, pulling them away from the wall.
Cloud glanced up, catching sight of the enchanting girl. She glanced over at him, red eyes peeking back through the dark holes in her mask. Cloud stumbled, twisting quickly and almost plowing over Aeris. He kept his head down as Zack wedged his way through the crowd, Yuffie clinging to Cloud's other hand, and Reno to her.
He was the fifth wheel, Vincent had probably bailed, not that he blamed him. Plus, he'd rather just be standing there by himself than standing with another guy. That would be weird.
Through much shoving, and elbowing Zack finally found a spot big enough for the five of them. Cloud winced as another elbow hit him in his back. People were swarming around him, and while Zack and Aeris, and Yuffie and Reno found their groove very quickly, Cloud felt queasy. He was afraid Yuffie's concoction was making him more uptight, than the opposite.
That was when a hand wrapped around his wrist, and a lithe body tucked up against his chest. Cloud nearly jumped out of his skin, and the girl standing against him noticed.
"Sorry." The girl with the blue fish mask breathed. "I... will you do me a favor?"
Cloud nodded his head awkwardly; he didn't trust himself to speak.
"Can you just dance with me? Just until I lose this guy... he won't leave me alone."
"O...kay." Cloud nodded his head, and the girl wrapped her arms around his waist.
He looked up, wildly spotting Zack's head above Aeris. Zack made wild gestures with his arms, showing him where to put them. Cloud nodded his head quickly, wrapping his arms around the girl's hips.
He was dancing with the beautiful girl, and she was more overwhelming up close, if that was possible. He swayed awkwardly back and forth, trying to match the rhythm of the beat, and the girl's hips.
It was difficult.
He could feel her fingers on his back. She smiled at him, dazzling him. "Relax, just move with the beat. Follow me."
She stepped closer, and Cloud fought to try not to be socially awkward like he had been his whole life. He was going to get this one thing right if it killed him.
The girl was easy to follow, and soon Yuffie's concoction was working it's way through his limbs, making his movements more fluid and looser. The girl felt him relax, and relaxed more herself. He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist, and she moved her arms up and around his neck.
At first he avoided meeting her eyes, because that just made things worse; he would remember who he was dancing with and miss a beat. But after a while, his eyes kept flickering down to meet hers and she would blush crimson under the mask, and that made him feel a little better knowing he wasn't the only one easily embarassed.
Soon he had completely forgotten about the guy she was supposed to be avoiding, and one song melted into another, and another. Twelve o'clock turned to one o'clock, and one o'clock to two. Finally she was just leaning up against his chest, and her breath was warm on his neck. His body felt warm and lucid, and everything felt natural, and comfortable.
Then there was the outside world, tugging on his arm.
"Hey, Cloud...we gotta get going. You got class, remember?" Zack said seriously, but his eyes were taunting him with glee.
"Oh." Cloud glanced down at the girl, and she smiled.
"I have to go too." She gave him a quick wave, and melted into the thinning crowd.
Cloud looked beseechingly at Zack. "We have to go?"
Zack rolled his eyes, tugging on Cloud's arm. "Come on lover boy."
Cloud stumbled behind him. "Hey. Nothing happened."
"Sure, sure...that's only why you danced with her two hours straight." Zack grinned. "I knew you were a lady's man behind that shy, awkward front."
"It was just Yuffie's drink," Cloud mumbled, and allowed himself to be tugged out the door.
xxx
There was no description for how terrible Cloud felt in the morning. His stomach churned with each step he took, and the thought of food nearly made him puke. And he had to go to class, or else Highwind would skin him. Plus, the class was getting a test back today, and he wanted to see how it was.
So while Zack snored in his roommate's bed, Cloud rolled off of his at nine, leaving just enough time to brush his teeth before heading out the door.
He was certain he looked as bad as he felt.
Sighing, Cloud flipped up his hood on his hoodie, cursing the mist that sprinkled over campus. By the time he reached his class, his hood was soaked, and the back of his sweat pants. He hadn't been thinking, and just slipped on his flip flops and now his feet were freezing. He was miserable. This was why he didn't go out...because the aftermath was tragic.
Physics passed slowly, Highwind looking like he had been hit by a train. Cloud tapped his pencil, bored, until at last Highwind passed out their tests. One good thing today; he had gotten a 97 on the test.
Cloud stood triumphantly as the class ended, gathering his things. He stepped out quickly, not paying attention and ran smack into someone.
He fell back against the desk behind him, while girl's books and papers scattered across the floor, and she fell onto the ground.
Cloud felt his jaw drop. "I'm s-sorry!" He bent quickly, scooping up her books into a haphazard pile.
People stepped around them, and Cloud grabbed her test; he couldn't help but notice she got the same grade as him. He looked up, and nearly froze.
The girl was watching him through thick rimmed glasses, wearing sweatpants, and a hoodie just like him. She also looked just as miserable as him.
But even through the lenses of the glasses Cloud recognized her instantly. It was the beautiful girl with the fish mask. She still looked beautiful right now, sprawled on the floor in sweats, but in different way.
Cloud snapped out of his reverie, reaching down to help her stand. She took his hand slowly, and he pulled her up easily.
"Sorry."
"It-it's ok." The girl pushed her glasses up on her nose. She blushed deeply; she recognized him too.
Cloud tensed; he would brave anything, even his twisted stomach just to get to know this girl. He had to still be drunk.
"Would you... like to get some lunch?" He handed her the books she dropped.
"Sure," she said, grinning. "I'm Tifa, by the way."
"Cloud." He held out his hand again, and she shook it.
"Where do you want to eat?"
Cloud's stomach churned violently, but he pushed it away, and smiled small. "You pick."
A/N: HORKY LIVES AGAIN! WOOOOOO! So, I had a BLAST at AE, and I wanted to let you know there is ONE picture of me as Tifa up on my Deviant Art page. You can click on my homepage, or it's 'iceangelally' that's my artist name. ANYWAYS! This is actually kind of inspired...by a true story. Not completely. We went out dancing one night, and I danced with this really hot guy, who happened to be a GOOD dancer (which is rare) and I got up the next morning looking like CRAP seriously, ultimate crap, to go to class, and this guy was coming out of the computer room with a suitcase. I held the door open for him cuz I felt bad, and then I realized it was him... I was too embarassed to say anything, and I think he was too... unlike Cloud and Tifa who OBVIOUSLY lived happily ever after. The End.
Oh, please check out my new story 'Swan Song' (SHAMLESS PROMOTION) if you like tragedies, I think you'll like this one. XD
EDIT FOUR MORE LEFT! GET 'EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT!
1. Le Pecore Nere- Dog Filled
2. Tri17 – Aeris' dress Filled
3. mistakenXsilence – piano Filled
4. sam – Tifa gets angry, cloud makes up Filled
5. Alice001 – CloTi fluff Filled
6. Aknskywalker – friendship Filled
7. Calistar Heir – argument Filled
8. x.one.winged.angel.x – decorating Filled
9. elebelly – irony Filled
10. Le Pecore Nere – sadness w/ flower, to happiness Filled
11. Meilinoa – Training Filled
12. Mandylion – Mistaken Identity
13. Paintball Willie – Tifa beats Cloud at Paintball
14. Lord Divestre Croft – accident (Hospital) Filled
15. Zaz9-zaa0 – Cloud babysits (who's this guy?)
16. Tifa Lockheart Strife – Songfic When You're Gone Filled
17. Iskra Revoir – Cloud the doctor loses patient Filled
18. G.M. Potter – Tifa gets sick/Cloud takes care of her Filled
19. Lachrymosity – Love subtle
20. sam – songfic (kismet)
21. src83 – Cloud&Tifa detectives (Solve murder) Filled
22. purple parasol – Tying up lose ends filled
23. Cerberus angel – sweets Filled
24. DynastyWarriors - childhood at school and cloud alone and Tifa asks him to play with her
25. Julian K. Spire – Vincent appearance
26. Ur1Nonly - Tifa jealous, Zack Jealous
27. ArEAf-rules – Post AC Cloud/Tifa argument Filled
28. Flower Girl – ClotTi fluff during sparring
29. anime girlie10 – Cloud w/ reading glasses Filled
30. KaleidoscopeLight – biological parents of toddler w/ fluffy convo Filled
31. Lord Divestre Croft – Nightclub Filled
32. xx-lheanna lockheart-xx – Cloud-bedtime story Marlene/Denzel
33. xXNejiluverXx – Drunk Cloud Filled
34. Verona Sage – "Go ask your mother"
35. Verona Sage – proposal
36. space-halo – Cloud/ Tifa dinner w/ dad
37. ArEAf-rules – Teenage Cloud/Tifa at party
38. sparky – that day seven years ago (Nibelhiem incident) Filled
39. Biskitty – phone convo
40. Tifa Lockheart Strife – Cloud finds Tifa's diary/drawings Filled
41. Xxyuna4evaxX – Muse-unintended songfic
42. ChieriAn9el – Tifa is missing, Cloud freaks over nothing
43. Unpersonified - Tifa's death Finished
44. x.one.winged.angel.x - Cloud has an irrational phobia45. Lord Divestre Croft - Cloud-girl "Gender Bender" Filled
46. Iskra revoir - Beach Trip
47. Firefox99 - Cloud ticklish
48. xXNejiluverXx - jealous Cloud
49. Valentine's Ninja - Blind Date
50. laila - hangovers
51. Zenbon Zakura - snow boarding vacation
52. Sunset dreams- Cloud hyper off of sugar
53. Janneason - Cloud sick, Tifa nursing 'I love you' subcon.
54. KaryuuNoHaneKata - ripped pants
55. Sunset Dreams - Young Cloud meets Tifa's overprotective father
56. Ur1Nonly - Marlene/Denz spy on Cloud/Tifa
57. x Sarizar - Cloud attempts laundry - results in pure chaos
58. Free Hero - Tifa coerces Cloud to watch Chick Flick
59. Hipathya - Cloud lusts over Tifa Filled
60. Cho-kun - Highschool romance (Cloud pop, Tifa smarty)
61. Darth Pudding - Birds and the Bees
62. ChieriAn9el - Cloud, Tifa, that time of the month. O.O
63. Lord Divestre Croft - Cloud and Tifa go to a musical on Broadway
64. Lord Divestre Croft - Cloud and Tifa get lost in wilderness...alone...
65. Lord Divestre Croft - Tifa saves Cloud from drowning/gives CPR on beach
66. Lord Divestre Croft - Cloud gets on Tifa's nerves (LOL has only completed 1/12 for you)
67. Crimson Promise - Cloud tries cooking dinner
68. Crimson Promise - Tifa teaches Cloud piano
69. Lord Divestre Croft - Cloud/Tifa Key Party
70. Lord Divestre Croft - Valentine's Day
71. Lord Divestre Croft - Rose in Tifa's mailbox...mystery
72. Lord Divestre Croft - Tifa finds out Cloud likes tea
73. Lord Divestre Croft - Cloud and Tifa eat cheesecake
74. tifa07 - arranged marriage75. tifa07 - Cloud is hired to be Tifa's bodyguard
76. Midnightcatch - Cloud accidentally walking in on Tifa when getting out of shower
77. Midnightcatch - First anniversary of marriage
78. Midnightcatch - Cloud and Tifa watching a horror movie, Tifa scared
79. MissyInTheSky - prom
80. xXNejiluverXx - Cloud/Tifa switch bodies
81. elebelly - deception and naughty magazines (O.o OH MY)
82. Zaz9-zaa0 - Meant to assassinate each other
83. Zaz9-zaa0 - Cloud meant to assassinate Tifa
84. Zaz9-zaa0 - Cloud/Tifa overprotective parents
85. Crimson Promise- Spilled water / white shirt
86. Crimson Promise - Rubik's cube
87. Crimson Promise - Dust bunnies
88. Lord Divestre Croft - Twister
89. Lord Divestre Croft - Drunk Tifa
90. Lord Divestre Croft - blind date
91. Fire Behind Your Eyes - Cloud has Nightmare
92. . - Tifa in labor
93. With A Smile - Cloud- remind me why I'm in a dress again?
94. Lord divestre Croft - Cloud/Tifa wedding reception
95. ClotiNotCleris - Princess Tifa/Prince Strife hate then love
96. Godetan - Morning after ch. 19
97.
98.
99.
100.