Author's Note: Rejoice, creepers, for I have returned from my crypts with a new ghoulish update for the Host. Time flies when you're busy mingling with fiends of the night and terrifying worldly matters. Alas, time to brush off the spider webs that have collected during my absence and get right to it. But before we do, let me share with you another tale that was sent my way during my hiatus.
Fellow creeper, NazoFox2501, has written me a delightful surreal tale entitled 'The Prophet'. It features our beloved Cloud and Sephiroth (To read it, type in fanfiction . net. and add this to the last part of the url's link: s/12772361/1/The-Prophet ). I urge you all to visit this one's crypts and give that story a proper read and comment. I'll be dropping my own comment too.
Let's take a moment to support and celebrate other's hard work and talents. And remember, boils and ghouls: the fanfic community that sticks together, rots together. Eheeheeheehee!
Chapter 23: Slum King
From the start, Cloud knew coming here was a bad idea. No, scratch that, it was a bad fucking idea. He would've gone straight home had he been sober enough to think and walk straight. His date with Jessie was still on for tonight and he had a few hours to get himself sorted out by then. Funny how a few rounds of Diamond Dust and some serious dank could convince he was invincible though. Getting shit-faced and accompanying Kyle to the most dangerous den in the underworld seemed totally fine at the time. No big deal. A walk in the park.
Right?
"Fuck me…" the lowly teen muttered under his breath, feeling gravity pull him down. Or was it the high-heeled pumps that swallowed his feet that did that? Hard to say. Regardless, this was not how Cloud wanted to spend his afternoon: wasted, squeezed into a tight dress, at the mercy of an incoming hangover, and meters away from a kingpin's mansion.
Cloud massaged the sides of his head with bare knuckles. His vision blurred for a moment, then cleared and focused on the group straight ahead.
Most of the guards that protected Don Corneo's place were Slum thugs and runaways, the sort of lackeys hired to do dirty work for minimum pay. They had no problem bashing in someone's skull for a case of beer. Guarding the entry of the mansion, a few of them were bold enough to brandish their rifles and baseball bats to their guests.
If any of the Hosts from LOVELESS harbored concern over the guards' violent gestures they certainly didn't show it. Cloud raised a brow when Zack did a few squats, likely to loosen his legs after his carriage ride, while Angeal checked on the squawking Chocobos. Genesis, meanwhile, surveyed his boots again to look for soot or shit. His mouth still covered by a surgical mask, he later snapped his fingers at the carriage driver. The action prompted his servant to nod and briefly disappear inside the cabin. Curiosity grew within Cloud as he turned his attention to the dark slender figure in the group.
Three children accompanied Sephiroth. They'd each filed out of the carriage in orderly fashion right after the Host. Dressed in tailored black suits and neckties, all three boys shared the same features, shared the same eyes. Only their hairstyles and heights differentiated them from each other. Cloud wondered if they were Sephiroth's younger siblings. Or perhaps… children? Did they all possess Sephiroth's extraordinary ability to change too?
The trio of boys held the Host's veil up, keeping it from touching the ground. The veil was absurdly long, longer than the ones Cloud had seen before. Its elegant material was also too opaque for anything to peek through – not even a glimpse of moonlit hair or porcelain skin showed. Cloud thought his Host looked absurdly… modest.
Briefly, Cloud massaged his neck. The bruises were still there but hidden by the high collar of his dress. He licked his lips and recalled long pale fingers chocking him last night. The memory of Sephiroth's naked body flashed in his mind, followed by words: Finish it. Cloud reactively let out a breath.
"Remind me why I'm here again?" Cloud later asked the boy beside him. He tried to sound uninterested but the high volume in his voice prompted Kyle to shush him and pull him out of sight.
The two unruly teens remained hidden behind a closed kiosk, observing the peculiar scene meters away. Cloud made a face while they stayed put. Natural instinct wanted him to leave before Sephiroth spotted him. The tips of his toes also burned inside his high heels. He wanted to go home, strip off all of his clothes, shower, and pass out before his outing with Jessie.
A food vendor nearby must've mistaken the pair for a John and working girl because the man eyed Cloud several times. His gaze rose up and down at the tightly snug Wutai dress. Cloud sneered back. He wanted to lash out with his pocket knife but remembered it was tucked inside the back pocket of his jeans, which was in one of the bags Kyle carried.
"I'm guessing the Don is opening negotiations with this guy," Kyle commented softly, ignoring Cloud's previous question. He fidgeted with the bags in his hands and stared directly at the tall dark figure. "This explains why Corneo called off the hit last week."
Cloud's brows furrowed. "The hit?"
"Pft, you know what I mean, idiot. I was supposed to take care of this guy. Remember?"
Mouth slightly parted, nothing came out of Cloud's throat. He pursed his lips and stayed quiet.
"He's apparently the ring leader of a reclusive Host club," started Kyle again. "They've been snatching business away from the Don's brothels and other establishments. I was told to take him out, but new orders came through last week and I've been put on standby ever since."
Cloud pursed his lips. His Host didn't strike him as the ring leader type. Sephiroth hardly seemed concerned with affairs outside his own. Then again, they'd only gotten together last night, so Cloud knew next to nothing about the silver-haired man. Not his interests. Not his quirks. Not his private life away from the glamour of being a host. Even the burning question of how Sephiroth could miraculously change between man and child stayed a mystery.
What the hell was he?
Common sense and gut instinct urged Cloud to keep his distance. Any time he encountered Sephiroth, the tiny hairs at the back of his neck rose. The shoulders went rigid and fingers clenched tightly, as if ready for a fight. It had been a long time since Cloud felt this way. In fact, the last time his body reacted in a similar manner was during a hunting season. The former hunter found himself too fascinated to feel concerned by this though. Even when Sephiroth scared the shit out of him last night, stalking him throughout the whole carnival, the enigmatic beautiful host left Cloud intrigued.
Peeking around the kiosk again, Cloud checked on Sephiroth. His heel got caught on a large pebble though. Losing coordination, the world spun for a moment before Kyle intervened.
"Damn, you are soooo wasted," Kyle spat out as he steadied Cloud. "I'm pretty sure Mommy would be absolutely thrilled to see her precious baby dressed as a Wutai princess, royally sucking off other boys while getting blown by men twice his age. A crowning achievement, to be sure."
Cloud winced. The peculiar taste of Diamond Dust along with Kyle's essence still resided on his tongue. Salty yet mild-flavored. Cloud glowered. "Keep talking, asshole – I'm seconds away from puking it all back on you."
"That's a fetish I can get into."
Rolling his eyes, Cloud pushed Kyle off him. His gaze fell back to the veiled figure afterward. By then, Genesis stood next to Sephiroth. Cloud frowned when the auburn-haired man gently caressed the side of the host's veiled face and leaned in closer, whispering something.
"It's still fucked up, y' know," Cloud mumbled but paused. The mascara made his eyes itchy. He rubbed his right eye with a finger before finally elaborating, "Your boss must be a pathetic man if he has to kill off the damn competition. I can't believe he ordered you to assassinate this man. He's just a host."
"Don Corneo is a pathetic man," agreed Kyle with a snort. "To be fair, though, my boss has stayed on top of the game because he's a very proactive man. He pulls out any weed before it gets the chance to grow and infest the area. It's a smart move on his part."
"If you say so…"
"Besides, I don't think these hosts are what they claim to be. The intel I've gathered so far tells me another story." Once Kyle noticed the puzzled expression on Cloud's face, he disclosed, "Word on the street is that their Host club is a front."
"A front?" Cloud blinked several times. "What's that supposed to be mean?"
Kyle chuckled and shook his head. "Aw, man… You really are a naïve country boy, Cloud." He cocked his head at the direction of the Hosts. "It means their club might be a façade for something else. I wouldn't be surprised if it's being used to launder Gil or some shit like that. I don't know. But I suspect that's why the Don is playing ball with them today and why I got babysitting duty."
Before either boy spoke another word, the carriage driver returned to Genesis. Cloud stared at the medium-sized object in the servant's hands. It was a white marble statue of a woman with wings spread apart. The statue looked familiar but Cloud couldn't pinpoint how or where he saw it before. Regardless, he noticed one of Corneo's guards give out a loud whistle. The henchmen assembled together and, not long after, the mansion's massive doors finally opened. They began to escort the Hosts inside. Genesis took the statue from his servant's hand and led his group forward.
"Welp. Time for me to clock in," Kyle announced and stood straighter. Heading in the same direction as the others, he stopped mid-step when Cloud didn't follow. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Cloud glanced at the path that would lead him back to Wall Market, to home. "I, uh, think I should head to my place. My head hurts… I don't feel so good."
"More reason for you to join me. Come inside. You can smoke a bowl while I do my thing. That should take care of the headache."
As tempting as that sounded, Cloud didn't move from his spot.
Kyle approached him. "Listen, if you're worried about the Don, don't be; I'll take care of that. Just play it cool and don't say anything." He smiled. "This is an excellent opportunity for us anyway. We can finally figure out who that guy is and see what's behind his veil!"
Neither of them expected to see the infamous black-veiled man, lest of all, at Don Corneo's doorstep. Kyle obviously sounded excited by this turn of events. Cloud felt the complete opposite. Breaking eye contact from his friend, he returned his gaze to the path that would take him home.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Kyle placed a hand on Cloud's cheek and directed his face back to him. "Don't you trust me? I wouldn't bring you here if I didn't have the means to protect you, y' know."
Somewhat irritated by those words, Cloud grumbled back, "Not like I need your protection since I can take care of myself just fine thank-you-very-much, but… That's not it."
"Then what's the problem?"
Cloud stayed quiet.
Up until now, Cloud felt too overwhelmed by recent events that the guilt of not telling Kyle about Sephiroth hadn't hit him yet. He still didn't mention what happened on the night of his birthday. Any other man wouldn't have given this a second thought, but Cloud did. His mother's guilt-tripping, teaching methods left a large imprint on him as a child. It made him mentally fuss over the small shit. Cloud often hated himself for that.
Part of Cloud wanted to pretend this did not matter. After all, Kyle had plenty of boyfriends and casual lovers on the side. The boy lived a carefree lifestyle. Missing out on a beautiful, silver-haired Host shouldn't have been a big deal. Still, the guilt ate at Cloud: he lied to Kyle by withholding information and keeping Sephiroth all to himself. And for what? Jealousy? Pride?
Fucking pathetic.
Standing within range of Kyle and Sephiroth, Cloud's universe suddenly felt smaller. Eventually, the street rat would learn of his contract with the Host and everything that led up to it. Cloud's gaze drifted down to his purple shiny heels. He didn't dare look Kyle in the eye right now.
"Listen, Kyle, there's something important I need to tell you…" Cloud started. His nails dug deep into the palms of his hands. "It's something I should've mentioned earlier, but…"
"Tell me later, okay?" the other boy urged and started walking. "We really need to haul ass. Don Corneo may be a buffoon, but he can also be a real creep to those who put him off. He's got a dungeon in his basement, for crying out loud. I'd like to be timely fashionable and avoid a trip down there, so let's go."
Cloud still didn't follow him. He couldn't do this. Shaking his head, he uttered, "I'm heading home… You go on ahead. I don't need to be here."
While his intentions were clear, his plastered self failed to act on them. Another dizzy spell hit Cloud as soon as he stepped back. His hands frantically searched for something to grab hold of but only caught air. Gravity did the rest of the work until Kyle caught his wrist.
The street rat pulled Cloud up to his feet and growled. "Cloud, you're too drunk to go anywhere. See? You're tripping all over yourself. You won't go far, especially in that dress. Lotta perverts and weirdoes out here would just love to see you passed out on the road."
"You're a pervert," Cloud pointed out, "You're a weirdo."
"I'm exceptional." Kyle wrapped an arm around Cloud's waist and steered him toward the mansion. "Now stop being a pain in the ass and come with me."
By now, the group of guards and Hosts had disappeared inside the mansion. Only two henchmen stayed outside. Stationed at the closed entrance, they mostly busied themselves with their PHS devices. The sounds of beeps and clicking grew audible as Cloud and Kyle approached. Cloud wanted to object again but stopped himself when one of the lackeys looked up and noticed them.
"You're gonna be late, motherfucka," the first guard colorfully informed Kyle. "The Don gonna flay you alive if you don't get a move on. Our guests have jus' arrived. These bitches look serious, man."
"My bad, Kotch." Kyle held up the bags in his hand. "I had to stop by the Pharmacy to get some medicine for my girl. She's feeling under the weather. We lost track of time."
The guard surveyed the bags, then Cloud. Kotch looked to be in his late teens too and wore a bright red vest that contrasted sharply against his dark skin. The most dominating feature he possessed, however, was his yellow-dyed Mohawk. It shot straight up into the air. Cloud instinctively wanted to test its firmness.
"Heh, she's a cute one," Kotch noted with a nod. His white teeth showed when he grinned.
Cloud's own teeth tapped together when the second guard lifted off his silver sunglasses and gave out a loud high-pitched whistle. This one wore dark green fatigues and was ten times lighter in skin tone than his companion. His heavy boots clacked loudly against the dirt as he circled Cloud like a wolf ready to pounce on its prey.
"Daaayum, that's one fine bitch." The guard bobbed his head in approval. "Mm, I bet she gives the best cream pie. Mind if I have a slice, darlin'?"
"Man, you nasty." Kotch shook his head and chortled. "Motherfucka, that's Nunchaku's woman."
"So? Sharing is fucking caring." His buddy leaned in closer to Cloud. "Besides, she looks like she's got enough cream pie to go around. Don't you, baby…"
That last vulgar remark wasn't so much a question as it was a declaration. Cloud felt the blood rush to his face. He'd had enough of this creep and didn't care to keep his manly identity a secret anymore. He formed a tight fist with one hand. A punch to that stupid nose would do the job, Cloud thought.
It was at this moment Kyle stood between them. He kept his eyes on the crude guard and spoke in an even tone. "We're heading inside now. Mind stepping aside, Scotch?"
Scotch smiled. A gleam in his brown eyes made the gesture insincere though. "Sure, Nunchaku. Whatever you want. Enjoy yourselves in there."
Kotch opened the doors for them while Kyle grabbed Cloud's hand. The two wasted no time heading for the entry. Seconds before passing through, however, Kotch snatched Cloud by his other wrist and stopped them. A toothy smile formed across his long and narrow face.
"I look forward to having my dessert, sweetie." Scotch slowly swiped his upper lip with his tongue. "Tasting your cherry would be the best thing I've had all day."
Cloud wanted to bash Scotch's face in but Kyle's fingers clasped around his other hand even tighter, preventing him from throwing a punch.
"And here I thought you were a banana-split kinda guy," Kyle told Scotch with a smile to match his.
Cloud made a face, feeling a bit put off by the joke. Did Kyle think this was a damn game? Kotch laughed though. The boy must've been high too because he laughed more than he should and started tearing up. Surprisingly, the frown that appeared on Scotch's face came and went. The boy smirked.
"You're mistaking me for you, faggot," the lackey shot back. Scotch must've thought his response was the most original and clever thing in the world because he chuckled and spoke even louder. "Unlike you, I don't care for nuts and bananas on my dessert. Just the cherries."
"Oh, you'd be surprised at how fast you'd take a liking to them…" Kyle mentioned quietly and looked at the purple-clad individual beside him.
The irony was not lost on Cloud either. He tried not to laugh and settled for a soft grunt instead.
Kyle retained his upbeat tone but fixed his gaze on Scotch's hand on Cloud's wrist. "You mind? While I'd love to make more silly innuendoes over desserts with you, we really need to banana split out of here."
Again, Kotch caught himself in a laughing fit. Cloud quietly scoffed to himself. My God. Kyle's joke had to be the lamest, stupidest one he'd ever heard in his life. But to his credit, it was enough to ease the tension in the air. Scotch finally let go of Cloud's wrist and stepped back. Slipping on his sunglasses again, the young lackey didn't take his eyes off the blonde. He watched the two enter the mansion without spitting out another word. Cloud swore he saw another grin on Scotch's face but passed it off as drunken paranoia on his part.
Brightly lit, the two-floored mansion might've offered insight into the kingpin's soul if Cloud bothered to care. The new location tried hard to pass itself as elegant. Red and gold littered the pillars and walls while a distinct scent of cinnamon and cigars resonated in the air. Straight ahead was a reception's desk as well as a staircase that led to a higher level. Kitsch items and tacky Wutai décor reminded the Nibel native of a second-rate love hotel. Music played loudly in the background, something that carried an obnoxious tune. It constantly repeated itself. Cloud winced, feeling the temples of his head throb harder. His brows knitted together once he noticed a collection of giant vases and sculptures scattered across the lobby area. Many of them depicted nude women being bound.
Nice to know where Wall Market's taxes are going, Cloud thought. His purple-coated lips contorted into a thin straight line.
Not many people visited the mansion. Those who came often disappeared without a trace. The fortunate ones returned but refused to talk. Even the girls at the Honeybee Inn were reluctant to come whenever the mobster called upon them. Plenty of rumors emerged from the darkest of corners. Whispers of Don Corneo taking a bride and killing them to satisfy a bloodlust passed through several circles. Cloud regretted coming here. He was drunk and still a bit high, yes, but certainly not stupid.
On the second floor, red carpet ran along a semi-hexagon path. More henchmen appeared and guarded a series of closed doors. Jewels and gold adorned the largest door of all. It rose at an impressive eight foot height. Cloud suspected this led to the private quarters of Kyle's boss. His suspicions were confirmed when he found the Hosts and the man himself, Don Corneo, approach its entrance.
Two guards flanked the infamous man's sides. Kyle's boss hardly looked the part of a dangerous mobster. Cloud initially pictured him tall and dressed in an expensive five-pieced suit, sporting a goatee and showcasing arms that could bend metal itself. Instead, he found a mass of blubber.
Don Corneo's round body and face reminded Cloud of a baby fed too much milk. A heart tattoo planted itself at the side of his shiny bald head while a strip of bright yellow hair bounced into an upward curl. Bits of chest hair sprung out of an unbuttoned white blouse. Wearing a red robe with fur trimmings, the Don's gold rings and gems sparkled as he held a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other.
Cloud's shoulders tensed up as he watched the scene unfold upstairs. His dilated blue eyes darted back and forth between Corneo and the Hosts. The flamboyantly dressed mob boss looked more like a director ready to shoot a low-budget porno than a kingpin set to conduct business with his guests. Meanwhile, the low tones of Genesis' voice echoed along the upper floor. He towered over Don Corneo while holding the statue in his hands. Whatever it was they were discussing, the mobster's eyes gleamed brightly and he nodded his head like a child ready to receive a birthday gift.
Cloud found the veiled figure further back in the group. Surprisingly, Sephiroth did not approach Don Corneo nor make a move to. The three children that held up the tail end of his veil also kept their distance. They stood evenly apart from each other and formed a perfect triangle. Each child stared at the mobster with their pale green eyes, not blinking. An unholy trinity if Cloud ever saw one. Something about those boys made the nerves on his skin tingle.
There was still time to make a swift retreat, Cloud thought and looked at Sephiroth again. He didn't want his Host to see him like this. Granted, Lenard did a fine job at concealing his identity with a spiffy dress, a shit-ton of makeup, and hairstyle makeover. None of Don Corneo's thugs caught on or suspected a damn thing. But how would the disguise hold up against the Hosts? Against Sephiroth?
Relief washed over Cloud's face when the guards opened the large door and Don Corneo ushered in his guests, motioning them to come in with his half-empty wine glass. Sephiroth and the children were the last to enter. An opened-mouth expression quickly formed on Corneo's face just as the dark figure passed him. No verbal exchanges happened between them. Even so, the large man took a deep suck from his cigar and turned his head to look away. Sephiroth disappeared inside shortly after.
Color visibly returned to Don Corneo's face as soon as he spotted his bodyguard downstairs. He gestured for Kyle to come up. Now.
Beside Cloud, Kyle muttered a curse word. He grasped Cloud's hand tightly while his voice barely reached him: "Whatever you do, don't say anything…"
Cloud's skin burned. All of Corneo's hired thugs set their eyes on the new arrivals. Their stares were constant. Cloud felt like a specimen put under a microscope. It didn't help that many of them grinned as they continuously watched the girl in the purple dress.
"Let me do all the talking. Okay?" Kyle continued, "The Don likes to take in potentials, so the last thing you want is to become one. Got it?"
Potentials… That's all Cloud heard. It was hard to concentrate when his head felt like imploding on itself. The rest of his body demanded food as well as a nap. Cloud tried to ask Kyle to repeat himself, sensing the information was important. Instead, he asked, "…You got hamburgers in this joint? I'm hungry."
As soon as the two reached the staircase, the stares intensified and Cloud's headache worsened. Kyle muttered many more things but he tuned out most of it. The disheveled teenager wondered if the numbing sensation that currently ran across his body was a part of his hangover or what people referred to as an out of body experience. His disillusioned self worried that he was already dead.
"C'mon, stop dragging your feet," urged Kyle in a whisper. He pulled Cloud forward. They were halfway up the staircase. "Gods, you're a pain in the ass when you're drunk…"
"I think I'm gonna puke…" Cloud murmured back. An acidic flavor reached the back of his throat, some of it tainted by the cum he'd ingested earlier. Fucking gross.
"Keep it together, okay?" Kyle gently squeezed his fingers. "Just shut up and play it cool. I got a fireproof plan that'll keep the Don off you."
"Off me…?"
By miracle, they reached the final step and arrived at the second floor. Cloud leaned against the handrail and felt grateful that he didn't have to climb anymore steps. This moment of respite came and went, however, as an irritating laugh emitted in the air, joining the repetitive background music.
"Oooh, and who is this, Nunchaku?" The mobster's heavy frame now appeared in Cloud's blurry line of vision. Don Corneo shoved his drink into Kyle's hands and walked straight up to Cloud. He studied him from all directions, as if inspecting a painting. "Oh my, she is quite the beauty! Is she a gift for me?"
Don Corneo's words left Cloud flustered. What the hell did he mean by 'gift'?
One of Corneo's fat thumbs found its way to Cloud's chin. With it, he forced the blond-haired beauty to look at him. The mobster's face lit up brightly as soon as they made eye contact. "What gorgeous blue eyes she has! She looks so healthy too. Not like the twigs usually brought to me. This one has meat on her. A real woman. I like that."
The more Don Corneo talked, the more Kyle's words from before made sense. Cloud understood, to his horror, what it all meant. He was a potential. He was a potential to become Don Corneo's bride.
Fucking hell.
A laugh came out of Kyle. It was an unusually loud laugh, one Cloud had never heard before. He noticed the drink in Kyle's hand slightly tremble and realized the street rat was actually nervous.
"Actually, this is… um, Claudia…" Kyle's words came out hurried and his eyes went everywhere, unable to stay focused on one thing. He made another half-hearted chuckle and added, "She's my fiancée…"
Instantly, the brows on Cloud's face rose in unison. His eyes immediately shifted from Corneo to Kyle. Despite not speaking a word, a question clearly yelled through his ocean blue eyes: This? This was his damn 'fireproof plan'?
"Fiancée, you say?" Don Corneo slowly repeated and looked at Cloud again. His thumb followed the shape of Cloud's chin before finally pulling away. "Oh my, I didn't think you had it in you, Nunchaku. Commitment isn't your forte. It's why we get along so brilliantly, ho, ho, ho!"
Kyle laughed that bizarre laugh again. He placed a hand on Cloud's shoulder, as if he needed something to anchor himself.
Don Corneo stopped laughing when he looked at Cloud's right hand. He frowned. "Oh, but where's the ring, boy? The ring, I must see it!"
"Our engagement, uh, kind of just happened," Kyle quickly explained. "Spur of the moment, y' know."
Like five seconds ago, Cloud wanted to clarify but kept that bit to himself.
"Shame on you for keeping this pussycat from me though." Don Corneo wagged a finger at his subordinate. "Tsk, tsk. She could've been the bride destined for me."
This very unlikely scenario actually made the big man pout. Cloud bit into his tongue. Again, he had a few choice words to give to Don Corneo. Kyle must've sensed his boiling frustration because, at that moment, he wrapped both of his arms around his waist and held him. To Corneo, it looked like an affectionate gesture between lovers. But to Cloud, it kept him put.
"I'm sure you'll find that special lady in your life soon enough," Kyle reassured his boss. Then he hugged Cloud even tighter. "Anyway, Clou – er – Claudia is feeling under the weather right now. I was gonna take her home but I remembered the meeting so…"
Don Corneo raised his hand to stop him. "Say no more. Let her rest in the lounge."
"Thank you, sir."
"Be quick about it, boy. This is an important meeting. We've no idea what type of hand these people are dealing so I need you in tip-top shape and ready for anything."
"You got it, sir."
Don Corneo's brows were set low and evenly. However, as he stared at Cloud's ring-less hand, the corners of his large mouth curved up. "Ah, young love… How I would like a taste of that myself someday."
Cloud wasn't sure what to make of those words but didn't stick around to find out. Kyle dragged him away while Don Corneo and two guards entered his quarters to join their guests. The meeting was about to start. Some part of Cloud grew curious over that meeting. Why had Sephiroth, a notoriously reclusive man, agreed to meet with the kingpin of the Underworld? It seemed almost… beneath him.
To Cloud's relief, he didn't have to walk too far to find a resting spot. Kyle led him to a closed door next to Don Corneo's place. Reaching into his skinny jeans, the street rat sought out the keys to unlock it. Cloud felt dizzy as he waited. He leaned against a wall to steady himself. His high heels continued to kill his feet. Closing his eyes to block out the glaring neon lights that surrounded him, Cloud made a low throaty sound.
"I can't believe you told your boss we're engaged…" Cloud muttered.
"Hey, it worked." Kyle kept digging into his pockets. "The man is relentless. He has no problem taking someone's girl. However, he's pretty funny when it comes to marriage. He views marriage as a sacred thing. It makes him reluctant to mess with another man's wife."
"So there's honor even among thieves…"
"I guess. Had you been anything less than my fiancée, he'd have taken you to his chambers whether I approved of it or not."
"Something tells me it's happened to you before."
"Unfortunately, yeah…" Kyle answered back, sounding quieter than usual.
This made Cloud open his eyes. He turned his head to look at Kyle. "Is it true, then? About… what he does to his brides? Like, after he fucks them, he kills them?"
At his question, Kyle's shoulders visibly stiffened. He stopped hunting for his keys and absently stared at the locked door in front of him. The boy didn't speak a word, yet a corner of his mouth twitched. It wasn't long before Kyle returned to his original task though. He pulled out a set of keys from his pocket and now focused on finding the right one.
Kyle's silence proved more than enough for Cloud. The street rat was rarely quiet. Cloud chose not to press the matter any further. However, this revelation still nerved him. Soon the image of Don Corneo's heart tattoo popped into his mind. Its design included the word, LOVE, on it. There was nothing special about the tattoo itself, except that it now carried a new menacing meaning for Cloud.
Granted, the mobster came off as a horny sleaze ball. Don Corneo's manner of dress and bizarre charm also gave people the impression he was either too weak or too incompetent to pose as a threat. But Don Corneo might've been a wolf in sheep's clothing all along. He'd built his empire from the ground up. Slum residents either admired or feared him. Staring at the colorful interior of the mansion, Cloud wondered what sort of terrible secrets hid behind its gold-speckled, patterned walls.
This curiosity was cut short once Cloud spotted a familiar guard climb the staircase. He froze in place.
Reaching the second level, Scotch switched places with another sentry. The sudden guard shift seemed coincidental to Cloud. However, when he saw Scotch stand at a spot and look his way, carrying that same stupid grin as before, he knew otherwise. Cloud emitted a low growl. Too annoyed and too drunk to care, he issued Scotch the universal 'fuck off' middle finger and turned away.
"Finally…" Kyle mumbled shortly after. He located the proper key and got the door opened.
"About damn time…" Cloud spat. Grateful to get out of Scotch's line-of-sight, he went in without a second thought.
Admittedly, the new location didn't impress Cloud. While large and spacious, the lounge was badly lit and in poor condition. Discolored chairs and couches that had seen better days cluttered the center area. There, a card game had been abandoned on top of a large coffee table with one leg missing. Nearby, a basketball game broadcasted across a cheap television box. Static frequently interrupted the signal. The wooden floor whined under Cloud's weight as he advanced deeper into the room. Beer cans and half-empty glasses littered every table surface he discovered, along with cigarette butts. Something foul and moldy lingered in the air. It caused Cloud to rub his nose several times.
With bland colored walls and chipped painting, this room lacked all the extravagance and maintenance seen in the rest of the mansion. Cloud suspected this was the lackeys' lounge. Thankfully, no one was present except for him and Kyle. He planted himself on one of the couches but instantly regretted it after discovering a murky white stain on it.
"I'm going to lock the door after I leave, but be sure to barricade it with something," Kyle advised while dumping Cloud's belongings on a table. He strolled to a mini-bar afterward and grabbed a bong from one of the lower cabinets. "I'm not the only one with a key to the lounge so take that extra precaution. Got it? …Hey, are you listening to me, babe?"
"This place is gross," Cloud blurted out, now noticing clipped toenails on the ground. He shut his eyes. Clutching the sides of his throbbing head with both hands, Cloud moaned, "I'm going to die here… I'm going to die here before making it into Shinra or meeting the Tsviets. It'll all be thanks to you. Fuck…"
Kyle laughed. "You say interesting things when you're shit-faced, Cloud. We should do this more often."
Idly scratching his chin now, Cloud used his middle finger and made sure Kyle saw.
Kyle joined his drunken friend by the couch and placed the bong, a lighter, and a bag of his best supply on the coffee table. "You won't be here for long," he reassured. "Just chill here until I return. I'll knock three times on the door so you know it's me."
"Whatever." Cloud dropped his hands from his face with a long sigh. His feet still hurt so he popped off both heels and wiggled his toes. Damn, that already felt better.
"Remember to barricade the door after me," Kyle reminded him, "I mean it. Do it as soon as I leave."
"Yeah, yeah…" Cloud scooted forward from the couch and grabbed Kyle's offerings on the table.
"And be sure to have your PHS on you. I won't be able to answer your calls but you can still text me."
"Yes, Mom. Anything else? Wash the dishes? Take out the trash? Don't answer the door for strangers?"
"Smart-ass." Kyle turned around, ready to leave. He stopped mid-step. His lips formed a small smile. "If you get bored or curious, you can eavesdrop on the meeting too."
This interesting tidbit drew Cloud's attention away from the pipe he currently packed. He paused from his preparations and looked up. "Eavesdrop?"
Kyle's grin stretched out more. He approached a wall behind the television screen. A cheesy portrait of Don Corneo hung there. Kyle gently shifted it to one side and revealed two small holes there. "The meeting is happening next door, remember?"
From the couch, Cloud sat up straight. His eyes focused on the peepholes. "The hell…? Does your boss know about this?"
"Of course he does: it was his idea." Kyle placed the painting back to its proper place and stepped away. "There are peepholes like this hidden everywhere. It's the same for his other establishments, including the Honeybee Inn. The Don likes keeping tabs on everyone. It's his favorite hobby."
This revelation made the tiny hairs on Cloud's arms rise. He gripped the bong in his hand even tighter.
Crossing his arms across his chest, Kyle later murmured, "He has traps planted at various spots too. One fuck-up and you might find yourself sleeping with the alligators."
"Don't you mean sleeping with the fishes?" Cloud tried to correct him.
"Nope. Most of the trap doors lead to the sewers below. Those sewers are filled with alligators. Hence, the term: sleeping with the alligators."
Cloud blankly stared at his pipe.
Kyle made a face as he looked up and narrowed his eyes, as if finding something unpleasant on the ceiling. "That stupid music playing nonstop… it's meant to block out the screams below. It doesn't really matter though. I still hear them at night. Especially at night."
For Cloud, the mansion truly posed as a house of horrors. It sheltered the perversions of a twisted man. And all of it stayed hidden behind flashy colors and cheesy Wutai décor.
"Your boss is an asshole," Cloud declared as matter-of-fact. He stuffed his pipe again and refused to look at the other boy.
A part of Cloud wanted to be pissed at Kyle. He wanted to be pissed at him for still working for this creep. Still, deep down, he already knew the truth: Kyle was a victim in this mess too. Like the Turks' organization, those who entered Don Corneo's inner circle stayed in that inner circle. No one could leave it. Not without a body bag.
Kyle exhaled, already sensing Cloud's sour mood. He walked up to him. Leaning down, he kissed Cloud on the mouth. "As soon as this stupid meeting is done I'm taking you outta here," Kyle promised shortly after their lips disconnected. "Just sit tight. Don't open the door for anyone. Remember to secure it."
The boy's words were supposed to put him at ease, but Cloud didn't feel any better. He waited for Kyle to leave. As soon as he did and the locking mechanism in the door popped, Cloud grabbed the lighter and blazed up. That soothing, familiar smoke drifted down his throat and filled his lungs. Breathing it out slowly, Cloud wanted to smoke away his headache and concerns.
It thankfully didn't take too long. Roughly fifteen minutes into his smoking session and the Nibel boy found himself sprawled across the shoddy couch, feeling as light as a feather. He kept his eyes shut. The tension in his head loosened, replaced only by a mild tingle. Cloud knew it was a temporary fix, but it was enough to keep him nice and settled until Kyle's return.
Indulging himself in this haze, Cloud stretched out his body. The feel of women's lace and fishnet stockings against his skin didn't feel so alien to him anymore. A small laugh accidentally escaped his painted lips while both hands roamed across the soft silky material of his dress. It felt perfect. Thinking about his lovely time at the Boutique, Cloud already looked forward to seeing Lenard again for financial and personal reasons. He thought about his new side job as an amateur model – mother would be proud, wouldn't she? – as well as Lenard's rough hands.
Licking his lips, Cloud spread his legs and placed a hand between his thighs. A finger traced a warm spot between the buttocks. He pressed down on it. Lightly fingering his anus through the lace material of his panties, the teenager contemplated over the feeling of penetration, of having something shoved deep into him. Would he bleed? Would he crap all over himself as he feared? Cloud later wondered if he appeared severely fuckable dressed like this. Would Lenard mount him? Would… Sephiroth?
These strange thoughts and questions lingered in Cloud's dazed mind until he eventually removed his finger. Anal play still felt awkward, no matter how blitzed he was or Kyle's insistence on it. While Cloud had accepted his interest in guys, it was still hard to push out years of thinking and believing a certain way. His heated curiosities further subsided once he thought about Sephiroth as well as the meeting that transpired next door. Cloud lazily opened his eyes and stared at the painting on the wall.
Even if it was none of his business, Cloud knew his host had arrived at a dangerous place. Don Corneo was a mentally unhinged man who weeded out the competition by hiring damn assassins. He also rigged his place with peeping holes to keep an eye on everyone and traps. Sitting up from the couch, Cloud reached for a remote and muted the blaring sounds from the basketball game still playing. As soon as the television went silent, Cloud heard muffled voices from the other side of the wall. It was difficult to make out the words or who they came from though.
Stumbling out of the couch, Cloud's bare feet dragged him toward the painting. His hazy vision and lightheadedness made the short walk a challenge. Nonetheless, he arrived at the spot Kyle once stood. Both hands planted themselves against the large oil painting in front of him. Once Cloud steadied himself, he shifted the annoying portrait to the side and peeked through the two small openings.
As Kyle revealed earlier, the peepholes offered Cloud a view of the other side. Don Corneo's office looked twice the size of the lounge and colorfully lit by a series of paper lanterns that lined the walls. Two rows of warrior statues flanked both sides of the room. Made of jade stone, they stood at a ridiculous height. No doubt their presence served to intimidate any guests that wandered in here. It was the same for the massive red carpet that led up to Don Corneo. Lined by gold threads, the carpet featured two intertwined dragons.
The big man himself sat behind an elaborate desk made of amber-red wood. Don Corneo rocked himself back and forth on his comfy seat while taking a deep puff from his cigar. Its tip burned brightly with each inhale. Nearby, one of Don Corneo's thugs filled his glass with wine. The red liquid reached the top and nearly spilled over. Don Corneo's chubby features contorted into a grimace. He shooed his subordinate away and looked up at his guests.
"I have to say, your group has done really good for yourselves," Don Corneo remarked as he tipped the ashes off his cigar on a tray. "These days, all I hear from my patrons is, black-veiled man this and black-veiled man that. Maybe I oughtta change the dress code at the Honeybee Inn and have all my girls wear black veils. Ho, ho, ho! Turn it into a nice Goth hangout for weirdoes and fiends alike."
"How original of you…" replied Genesis in a flat voice.
Genesis and the rest of LOVELESS' Hosts stood across the Don. The mobster hadn't given them a place to sit. Only Zack seemed bothered by the careless gesture. With arms crossed, the raven-haired youth paced his small designated area in slow circles and blankly stared at the tall statues nearby. He was a restless puppy ready to go out for a walk. Meanwhile, the other Hosts stayed put. Sephiroth and the children stood at the back of the group while Genesis and Angeal took the front position. Their strange-colored eyes focused on the kingpin sitting comfortable behind his desk. Not once did the Hosts look to the armed men that also accompanied them in the room.
Cloud spotted Kyle not far from Don Corneo. The pretty boy appeared behind his boss with both nunchucks in full sight. An ice and fire materia had been equipped. The orbs dimly glowed from their sockets. Strange, Cloud thought, he rarely saw his friend fuse his weapons with materia; it seemed like overkill. He passed it off as Kyle playing the part of dutiful bodyguard until he noticed his rigid stance. Normally, a hip would jut out and the boy's eyes gleamed brightly. But there was none of that here. Cloud found Kyle to be on edge instead. It was the same for the other guards in the room. They kept their rifles and shotguns close to their persons.
Everyone looked ready to throw down at any second.
"We're well aware of the ripple effects our club has had toward your establishments," Genesis spoke again. His face mask had been removed so his words came out clear and precise. By his feet stood the white marble statue he'd arrived with. He glanced at it briefly before adding, "We've asked for your audience because we might have an arrangement that could benefit us all."
"Oh?" Don Corneo sat up in his seat. "You wanna talk about making an arrangement, gentlemen? Splendid! Let's talk percentages. Are you up for that? Good. How about you give me seventy-five percent of your earnings and access to your club? Yeah? In return, I'll offer you protection from Shinra. Oh, how those Shinra people just love taxing the hell outta underground clubs like yours!"
Don Corneo's arrangement seemed ridiculous enough to make Zack stop pacing. From his spot, the young Host scoffed aloud and shifted the weight of his body to one side. "Wow. Only seventy-five percent? That's it? Why not throw in a Costa del Sol Villa and a trip to the Gold Saucer too, huh?"
"Oho, it's a reasonable demand, boy," Don Corneo claimed and blew smoke at Zack's direction. "You don't want Shinra on your back. Do you, kid? No? Didn't think so."
At the other side of the wall, Cloud gritted his teeth. Don Corneo's offer wasn't an offer at all. This arrangement benefitted only him. Plenty of businesses in the Slums fell victim to similar tactics. Because no one had the Gil or sources to bite back, the Don always got his way. Cloud hoped Zack and the others didn't follow suit.
"The fact is, Shinra runs the show," Don Corneo pressed on and set his cigar down on a mini Godo statue on his desk. "They got an army of lawyers who will rob you of your profits and take you to jail for tax evasion. And if they don't get you, the Turks will. They'll plant bombs in your nice cozy club while you're too busy styling your hair. Not nice at all, mm-mm. And if they don't get you, they got the Tsviets, who are as crazed as the rumors say. You definitely don't want them around." The seat whined as Don Corneo leaned back. "Mm-hmm, I can help you guys. Yes, yes indeed I can. For a cut, of course, oho!"
Genesis stepped forward. The color in his blue eyes intensified, becoming more saturated. "There is no doubt you can help us, Don Corneo. We would not be here if you could not."
Don Corneo's grin widened, looking very pleased with himself.
"A man in your position…" resumed Genesis very slowly, taking another step, "…why, I imagine you can do a lot of things for us. You're in the perfect position to do that. Isn't that right?"
Cocking a brow, Cloud found something peculiar in the Host's tone. It sounded… off. Genesis was neither pissed nor annoyed by Don Corneo's response so far. Because this particular host didn't strike Cloud as gullible or weak, he sensed Genesis had something up his sleeve. Don Corneo must've picked up on this too because the smile on his face faded away.
Genesis stopped in his tracks. "If I am not mistaken… you work for them."
"Eh?" Don Corneo retrieved his cigar and took a drag. "Work for them? What are you talking about?"
"You work for Shinra," the Host clarified.
Cloud stepped back from the wall. Eyes watering, he hadn't realized he needed to blink until now. He quickly rubbed at his eyes before mentally repeating Genesis' last words.
There was no fucking way Don Corneo worked for Shinra. The Company sent in the Turks to stop the flow of drugs and prostitution from reaching the Plate. They were here to stop this creep. It made no sense for Shinra to put the guy on their payroll. Baffled by Genesis' accusation, Cloud returned to his previous spot and focused on Don Corneo.
"Oho! Excuse me?" Color blossomed across the kingpin's cheeks and forehead. His fingers fumbled and dropped the cigar on the floor. Ignoring it, Don Corneo glared up at Genesis. "Now, listen here, pretty boy, I don't work for Shinra. I'm my own man. This is my empire. I built it with my bare hands."
"A man able to control all sectors below the Plate without attracting the eye of Shinra…?" Genesis wondered aloud. He ran a hand through his wavy hair, brushing it away from an eye. "You don't get that kind of power unless you've made a deal with Shinra or the Goddess herself."
"Rubbish. Rubbish, I tell you. Shinra won't touch me because they are afraid of me. Simple as that."
"Riiight," Zack interjected now. The youth clasped his hands behind his head. Nodding to himself, Zack looked up at the ceiling. "I can totally see a giant corporation like Shinra shaking in their boots, cowering at your presence. Must be that intimidating hairstyle of yours, huh?"
Eyes wild, Don Corneo halfway rose from his chair. "Brat, I got the entire underworld at my feet! Of course they're cowering!"
The mobster's reaction prompted his henchmen to take hold of their weapons. Cloud held his breath when Kyle now gripped one of his nunchucks. Gods, were they going to fight? Here? Now?
Thankfully, the tension dissipated as soon as Don Corneo sat back down. Exhaling slowly, he took a drink from his glass and nearly gulped half of it down in one shot. The same lackey who filled his glass before returned. As the man poured more wine for his boss, Angeal shot Zack a weary look. The young host gave a sheepish smile in return before turning away to look at the statues again.
Sipping more wine, Don Corneo attested, "Shinra backs off because they don't give a hoot about what goes on down here. Heh, so long as Shinra gets to live in their perfect little world upstairs, safe from society's misfits, they're fine with how things are. In President Shinra's eyes, the people who live down here are no different from the rest of the garbage."
Thin-lipped, Cloud's fingernails silently dug into the wall.
From where he stood, Angeal crossed his arms across his chest. He studied the man behind the desk for a moment before speaking. His voice sounded even and low.
"You've been able to conduct your operations here because you are the eyes and ears of Shinra. With the rise of protests, assassination attempts, and scandals, President Shinra's administration has reached a fragile point. He recognizes the potential threat. Aside from Wutai, he is aware that a majority of these anti-Shinra cells reside below the Plate. That's where you come in."
Don Corneo carefully eyed Angeal. He later glanced at the small Godo statue on his desk. One finger tapped up and down next to it.
Across the room, Angeal's facial features grew firmer. "You're in an excellent position to fish out these guerrilla groups, Don Corneo. That's why President Shinra won't touch you. That's why you don't have to worry about the lawyers, the Turks, or the Tsviets. That's why you're able to offer us protection from Shinra… because Shinra already gives you this protection."
"More specifically," added Genesis, "You're the Shinra dog for Heidegger. He gives you doggy treats in return for your loyalty, no?"
Silence followed.
The name Heidegger rang a bell for Cloud. Heidegger was in charge of Public Safety Maintenance for Shinra. While claims of him consorting with Don Corneo sounded preposterous, Genesis' and Angeal's words started to make sense to Cloud. Don Corneo might've been the scum of the planet but his position put him in the middle of the action. He had intel on everyone down here. Shinra needed information to keep tabs of their opposition.
Cloud was already aware Shinra faced plenty of criticism during their company's expansions. Decades ago, an incident happened to the first mako reactor built in Midgar. An explosion and great fire broke out. It caused the deaths of many Shinra scientists, including its esteemed head man at the time, Dr. Hojo. Since then, many regions weren't pleased with having a reactor dumped in their backyard, fearful of similar results. Even when all issues had long been addressed and fixed and sustainable energy was finally possible for everyone, people objected. Cloud heard similar protests back home.
Tifa's father fought long and hard against a reactor in Mt. Nibel. He had hosted multiple town meetings to get everyone on his page. Yet, Nibelheim's poor economy, decreasing population size, and sky-rocketing utility rates made a reactor inevitable. A Shinra representative that visited their town assured Mr. Lockhart it would provide them with all their energy needs for a cheaper price, thereby allowing them to expand their town and improve its economy. It did. However, the promise that Nibelheim would become the next hot tourist spot on the level of Costa del Sol turned out to be Chocobo-shit.
Cloud's eyes lingered back and forth between Don Corneo and his guests. So far, Sephiroth had not moved nor spoke during the meeting. The dark cloaked figure stood further back in the room and stayed there, watching the meeting in his silence. Cloud wasn't too surprised by this. Few clients interacted with his host. Whatever motivated Sephiroth to come to this meeting, it was beyond Cloud's understanding.
"Oooh, you boys have certainly done your homework," Don Corneo commended the Hosts. The man's features had relaxed enough to boast a smile. "Very impressive! I can see why your business has thrived this long. You all are veeeery sharp. Oho, how nice." His hand strayed closer to the Godo statue. A finger touched its facial features.
Behind Don Corneo, Kyle's face twisted into a frown. The boy's eyes locked onto the statue and then to the Hosts. His lips visibly parted when Don Corneo's hand touched the stoned figure's belly.
"I'd hoped this meeting would've been more…" The mobster paused to find the right word. "…productive? Tsk, tsk. What a shame. How very sad. I would've just loved exchanging fashion tips with you all, including you back there with the black veil. You got a gaudy presence I'd like to try out for myself, ho ho ho!"
Genesis' eyes locked onto the Godo miniature statue. He smirked. "Now, now, Don Corneo. No need to act so rashly."
"Heh, me? Acting rashly?" Don Corneo batted his eyes. "Whatever are you talking about, pretty boy?"
That remark earned the mobster an eye roll and sigh from Genesis. "Before you push that secret lever you've been eyeing for the last five minutes and activate that very obvious trapdoor your atrocious dragon rug attempts to conceal, all with the hopes of sending us to our watery demise below… you may want to consider what I have to say next."
Cloud frowned. He noticed a similar look of surprise on Don Corneo's face. The man's hand froze over the Godo statue. Apparently, it was more than fancy decoration, Cloud realized. It served as a trigger to one of the traps Kyle had mentioned earlier.
"And why should I?" challenged Don Corneo. "Hmmm? For a couple of smart boys, you sure act stupid. All I need to do is push this little button here…" He lightly poked the belly of the statue. "…and BAM, all of my problems are solved! Ho ho ho!"
Genesis raised both his hands at eye level. "I have two reasons why you should listen to my words." His hands glowed red. Seconds later, a spark of fire ignited on each palm. "One, I can reduce this place to ashes while my companions make short work of each man in this room, including you. And two…" The Host brought his hands close together. Two strings of fires coiled and merged. "…our organizations are better off working as one. United, we can make giant beasts bleed."
Don Corneo narrowed his eyes.
Under the blaze of his fire, Genesis' face illuminated. His piercing eyes reflected red. "Besides, do you want to remain Shinra's lapdog forever? Begging for scraps? Turning over when they command it? Playing fetch? Soon, President Shinra's son will take over. Unlike his father, Rufus Shinra has no desire to cooperate with men of your, ahem… caliber. He'll gain control of the Turks and order them to tie off loose ends. Surely, you've thought of this, no?"
A long moment passed between both men. Neither man budged from their spot. Then, slowly, Don Corneo pulled his hand away from the statue. His shoulders sagged and he chuckled.
"You got balls on you, I'll say that much," the kingpin said, "And here I thought your only talent was being prettier than my girls at the Honeybee Inn."
Don Corneo's change of demeanor prompted his subordinates to loosen the grip on their weapons. To Cloud's relief, Kyle finally dropped his hand from the nunchucks. The street rat visibly breathed out.
"Go on, now," Don Corneo urged, "I'm listening. Something tells me your club offers a different kind of service beyond foot massages, fancy dinners, and dancing lessons to your patrons…"
The fire in Genesis' hands faded as he lowered them. "Perhaps. Should you consider our proposal, you'll be given the same protection you've offered to us."
"You'll protect me from Shinra, eh?" Don Corneo grabbed a new cigar from his desk's drawer. He placed it between his teeth and struck a match. "And how do you plan on doing that? I already told you Shinra runs this show. They're too powerful and got eyes everywhere. Not to mention they got the damn Tsviets. Have you met them in person? Hoo boy. I piss my pants whenever that Azul fella comes around the Honeybee Inn. He's more creative than I am."
At this, Genesis glanced at his companions behind him. He took a longer look at the veiled figure at the far back before returning his attention to Don Corneo. "You have your sources; we have our talents. I would not worry about the Tsviets. They will be dealt with in due time."
"Dealt with, huh?" Don Corneo kept the cigar in his mouth. He let his eyes roam from one host to the other again. "You all have their eyes. The Tsviets, I mean. Yours glow just like theirs. Of course, heh-heh, the Tsviets' eyes glow like that because of the mako they constantly shoot-up. They're addicted to that shit. It's their drug of choice."
Cloud gave Corneo's words further thought. He'd wondered why the Hosts' eyes glowed like that too. Initially, he passed it off as fancy eye contacts worn for cosmetic purposes. The look was currently in fashion at the club scene, after all. However, Cloud remembered the mako-laced weed he'd smoked from Sephiroth's stash last night. It was… intense. It'd given him a severe mind-trip, making him see things that weren't there. Brilliant lights.
Were the Hosts… the same as the Tsviets?
The smoke of Don Corneo's cigar twirled as he waved a hand in the air. "Still, pretty boy, I don't get it. Your group wants to partner up with my clubhouse and take me off Shinra's leash. A man like me has gotta ask why. What's in it for you? You got beef with Shinra or what?"
"We have our reasons," Genesis curtly replied, "reasons that happen to correspond with yours. That is all you need to know."
Genesis did not elaborate any further than that. He looked behind and nodded at Angeal. The bigger man grabbed the winged statue on the ground. For whatever reason, Angeal took great caution in keeping it upright. As he carried it over to Genesis, Cloud finally remembered where he saw that statue's image. He saw it at LOVELESS. It was the statue of the Goddess.
Angeal passed the holy relic to Genesis.
"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess…" Genesis whispered as he held the statue. "We seek it thus, and take to the sky…" He approached the large man seated behind his desk. "A gift for you, Don Corneo. For your consideration."
Cloud saw Genesis carefully place the object in front of the kingpin. Don Corneo set his cigar aside on the ash tray and stared at the statue for a good five seconds. He idly tapped his fingers on the desk's surface. Then with half-closed eyes, he looked up at Genesis.
"Er, it's… pretty?" was all Don Corneo said.
Genesis grabbed the wine glass next to Don Corneo. He drank down its contents and emptied it. Afterward, he placed two fingers on the Goddess statue's head and snapped it off. The action caught Cloud by surprise. He noticed a similar frown on Don Corneo's face. One of the man's brows rose higher when Genesis poured out a liquid green substance from the statue. It went into the wine glass. The liquid was thick and of a vivid, rich color. It faintly illuminated and reminded Cloud of Sephiroth's eyes.
"Purified Mako…?" Don Corneo gasped and sat straight up. He sounded excited now. "Hoo-boy, I'd heard Shinra's scientists were experimenting with that stuff for the infantry division. They want to make more super soldiers. Oooh baby! How the hell did you get ahold of this fun-fun juice?"
"That's of no relevance." Genesis held the wine glass to the mobster. "Administer this to your best men. Their strength will become ten times more than the average man. Be forewarned, however, this will only be a temporary fix and it may carry with it… side effects to those who are unworthy of it."
Accepting the glass from Genesis, Don Corneo stared at its shiny green brilliance. "Side effects, eh…?"
A sensible man might've asked what type of side effects those were. However, Cloud knew Don Corneo wasn't one of those sensible men. The mobster ran a powerful drug ring after all. He did not care what his products did, so long as he got his cut of the pie. If this substance lived up to Genesis' claims, then Don Corneo would have no problems making guinea pigs out of his men.
Surprisingly, Cloud found Zack staring at his leather boots. He'd been quiet for some time. His blue eyes, usually brilliant and clear, somehow appeared muddied. Zack turned away from the exchange. Nearby, Angeal slowly placed his hands deep into his pockets. The man's fuzzy jaw danced back and forth as he stared at the Mako-filled glass in Don Corneo's hands. His thick brows pulled together.
"We've another offering, Don Corneo," Genesis announced shortly after. "This one is very special."
His eyes still fixed on Don Corneo, Genesis turned his body and made an opened hand gesture to the dark-veiled figure. At the far back of the group, Sephiroth stepped forward.
Cloud leaned in closer to the wall. Perplexed, the teenager watched Sephiroth finally move from his spot. Everyone in the room also set their attention to the oddly dressed host. Questions quickly surfaced inside Cloud's mind. However, he at last realized why Sephiroth had come.
He was to be presented to Don Corneo as… a gift?
The tall silhouette stalked forward. Each step quietly echoed in Don Corneo's chambers. Face hidden by dark meshed material, Sephiroth looked like a shadow penetrating through the light of the room. The three eerie children that accompanied the Host followed several feet behind. Holding the veil with their tiny hands, they kept their starry green eyes trained ahead. Zack, Angeal and Genesis stepped aside to let the four pass through. To Cloud, it reminded him of a wedding procession. Or a funeral waking.
It wasn't long before Sephiroth stood in front of Corneo's desk. The mobster exhaled. His hand still held the glass but it slightly trembled. Don Corneo set it down. His eyes widened as he looked up at the veiled figure that rose above him.
Meanwhile, Genesis positioned himself behind Sephiroth. He placed a hand on one shoulder and inquired softly, "You've longed for a bride that can fulfill your every desire, no?"
Don Corneo licked his dried lips. His brows furrowed. Still staring at Sephiroth, he stuttered, "Um. Y-yeah, I'm in need of a bride. But… er, I don't play for the same team. Know what I mean? I'm a lady's kinda guy. I don't do male brides. So, uh… th-thanks for the offer but I'm-I'm fine. Heh…"
Tilting his head to one side, Genesis scoffed. "Whoever said we were bringing you a male bride?"
Cloud's eyes followed Genesis' movements. Leather-clad hands traveled down the length of Sephiroth's body. Genesis lowered himself until he grabbed the hemline of the veil below the ankles. Like a groom ready to kiss his bride, he rose and slowly lifted Sephiroth's black veil.
Cloud took a dry swallow when he saw smooth, milk-white skin appear. Sephiroth wore knee-high leather black boots but nothing else; he was naked under the veil. Some possessive aspect of the teen grew irritated. He didn't want Don Corneo, Kyle, or anyone else in that room to witness Sephiroth's beauty firsthand – to observe him in his purest masculine form. However, as Genesis lifted the veil higher, the manly details Cloud had grown familiar with significantly… changed.
Sephiroth's long moonlit hair still remained, but his legs were slender. Leaner. When the veil passed the inner thighs, a strip of fine silver hair only appeared between them. There was no cock. There were no ball sacs. Higher and higher, Genesis raised the veil and revealed curved hips, a smooth and firm belly, and the pinkish buds of feminine breasts.
Cloud nearly choked in his spit. He fumbled away from the peephole and almost fell backward. Repeatedly rubbing his eyes, Cloud told himself to lay off the poppers. Bizarre shit tended to happen whenever he blazed up. He continued wiping his eyes in a desperate attempt to make them focus better. The eyeshadow and mascara must've surely smeared by now, despite it being smear proof. Cloud didn't care. This entire situation was fucked up. Sephiroth was fucked up.
It just couldn't be. Sephiroth was… a woman?
Once Cloud's eyes ached from the constant friction and he started to see specks of colors behind closed lids, he stopped touching them and pressed his face against the wall again.
By now, Genesis removed the veil covering Sephiroth's head. The face was familiar. Yet different. The jawline and cheeks had softened in shape while the lips blossomed with a warmer color. A silver choker accessory decorated the neck, which stretched longer and slimmer. Sephiroth's blazing green eyes wandered across the room as she stood nude in front of her audience. The room's dim lighting reflected off the woman's pale skin and silver hair. Eventually, Sephiroth's eyes strayed to a specific spot on a wall. The corners of her mouth slightly curved up.
Cloud couldn't breathe when Sephiroth looked his way. While it was tempting to assume she did not notice him there and simply picked a random spot to look at, he knew better than to think that. Nothing was amiss with Sephiroth. Obsessed with even the most miniscule details, the Host constantly remained aware of his-her surroundings. It was an unsettlingly talent, among other things. Cloud knew this was Sephiroth's way of acknowledging his presence, even if she likely did not know the identity of her Peeping Tom.
"Blessed Mother of Space Gods…" Cloud mumbled to himself, recalling the woman on the website.
Yes, this was her. She and his Sephiroth were one and the same. Back then, Sephiroth's face had been hidden by a series of terrifying green eyes. But Cloud instantly recognized that body. Those full breasts with pale pink nipples. Those freakishly long limbs. That moist, silver cunt.
Sucking in air, Cloud knew this wasn't his imagination. This wasn't a bad trip either – Kyle never sold him schwag. This was real. And as odd of an occurrence as it was, the Nibel boy found himself more shocked than surprised by it. He'd witnessed Sephiroth's abilities before. Cloud saw him change from man to child and back again last night. It went beyond the realm of human comprehension. Yet, Sephiroth's latest transformation provided Cloud more proof that his Host was different.
"She's quite the beauty, isn't she?" Genesis addressed Don Corneo on the other side of the wall. "She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting…"
Standing behind Sephiroth, Genesis lightly pressed his lips against the woman's ear. He whispered something to her. The slit pupils in Sephiroth's eyes got thinner. She displayed another small smile before taking one of Genesis' gloved hands. The woman guided it below, sliding it between her inner thighs.
Genesis ran his fingers along the crease there.
Don Corneo sat with a half-opened mouth expression. His forehead started to shine as he watched Genesis fondle Sephiroth in front of him. "Oh my. And here I thought the black-veiled man was, well… a man." His cheeks turned to a warmer skin color. "Oooh, she is so pretty. A pretty pussycat. To think she is my bride!"
"For today, yes," clarified Genesis and slipped a digit into the slit. "I offer thee this silent sacrifice."
Softly moaning, Sephiroth leaned into Genesis' embrace while he fingered her. She glanced at the wall again. A soft chuckle came out. Her knee-high boots reflected the colored lights in the room as she lifted a leg. Sephiroth bent it at the knee and held it in place by placing a hand at the back of her thigh. This position offered better penetration as well as a better view of her womb to the hidden spectator. The vulva's lips looked bright pink against the rest of her milky smooth skin.
The tip of Cloud's cock twitched inside his lace panties.
Nearby, Angeal and Zack looked amused. The younger host was on the verge of laughing. His cheeks burning, Zack had to cover his mouth with the back of his hand while Angeal softly grunted to himself. His eyes darted to the carpet. Several times he tried not to watch the vulgar display. At one point, he turned around and stood in front of the three children to block them from it. However, the youngsters appeared unfazed by the whole event and stayed in their triangle formation. They stared up at Don Corneo with hints of smiles on their pale faces – like kittens eying a mouse.
"Not many are fortunate to be given this opportunity," Genesis informed later and lightly bit the lobe of Sephiroth's left ear. "In fact, our club does not solicit sexual favors for our clients. However, since this is an ideal gift needed to unite our organizations, Sephiroth has offered herself to you."
Don Corneo's face flushed even brighter. "…So I can have my way with her?"
"Yes. However, you are forbidden from kissing her. We do not kiss our clients. That is the one rule you must follow." Genesis finally removed his hand and kept Sephiroth steady as she lowered her leg. The tips of his gloved fingers were now slick with her juices. Bringing them to his lips, Genesis licked and hummed a note. "Mm. Yes. It's as sweet as the dew that quenches the land…"
"Oho, that dew looks very delicious," agreed Don Corneo with a toothy grin.
Genesis ignored his comment and stepped back from Sephiroth. Just as he did, Angeal turned to the children. The one with the longest hair held the black veil in his arms. This child offered it to him. Angeal grabbed it and draped it over Sephiroth's shoulders to offer her some coverage.
"I can… do whatever I want?" Don Corneo sought confirmation afterward, leaning forward in his chair as he asked. "I can be a bit aggressive?"
A cold shiver ran down Cloud's spine when he heard that question. He knew what that meant. So did the others. Kyle made a weary face from where he stood. He pulled back his lips and lowered is head, gripping his nunchucks again. Before anyone spoke, a small laugh echoed throughout Don Corneo's quarters. It came from the silver-haired woman.
The heels of Sephiroth's black boots clacked as she stepped forward. Her hips swayed in rhythmic motion. She wore the veil loosely around her shoulders so that only her breasts were halfway covered. Green eyes shimmered as Sephiroth fixed her gaze on Don Corneo. Her voice was no more than a quiet sound when she finally spoke.
"I am aware of your peculiar interests," Sephiroth began, "Plenty of brides have come and gone, yet none have satisfied you. Have they? All of your toys broke apart too soon. You poor, pathetic little man. Your love was too much for them. Wasn't it?"
Eyes wide, Don Corneo only nodded back. He fidgeted with one of his gemstone rings and looked at her without breathing. In that moment, the kingpin of the underworld appeared small and fragile.
Sephiroth walked around Don Corneo's desk. She positioned herself in front of him and sat on the table's ledge. "The body is nothing more than a vessel. It's a vessel made of meat held together by bone. Lucky for you, I don't break easily. I transcend all human limitations. My fire burns brighter, longer."
Leaning slightly back, Sephiroth spread her legs so that the mobster could get a good look of her. The mobster licked the bottom of his fat lip while he stared at the slit opening in front of him. It was still warm and wet from Genesis' previous administrations.
"You are free to act upon those primal desires," Sephiroth notified. She raised one leg and pressed the sharp heel of her boot against Don Corneo's heart. She pushed hard enough to make him wince. "Show me love. Show me despair. Prove that a worm like you is worth my time by enveloping me in your love."
Lips withdrawing into a thin line, Cloud's nails scratched deep into the cheap wallpaper again. He knew what Don Corneo's idea of love entailed. It resulted in multiple missing brides. Most of them dead. The man was a sadistic fuck. The thought that Sephiroth volunteered to be his bride quickly filled Cloud with concern and anger. He didn't understand how she or the other hosts could consent to this. Genesis and Angeal stood back and kept silent. Only Zack, who clenched both his hands and shook his head, looked unsettled.
This arrangement… It was just wrong.
The reasonable part of Cloud warned him not to do anything rash. It warmed him he was drunk and high and weak and not in the proper state-of-mind to run in there and get Sephiroth out. The rest of him, however, indulged in these erratic thoughts and courses of action. It demanded he storm into that room – like right fucking now – and rescue Sephiroth before she became another dead bride. It didn't matter if his host had agreed to this twisted arrangement. He needed to help her.
With a grunt, Cloud pulled away from the wall. He listened to that latter, turbulent voice; the one that now told him to take no prisoners. The teen went straight for the bags Kyle had dumped on a coffee table. His belongings were in them, including the pocket knife he always took with him during outings. As soon as Cloud pulled it out of the bag, the lock in the lounge door clicked loudly. A doorknob turned. A second later, the entry sprung open.
Cloud's logical inner voice returned with a vengeance. It berated him for not paying attention or doing what Kyle had repeatedly instructed him to do: barricade the fucking door. At the time, Cloud didn't think much of his demand and quickly forgot about it. However, seeing Scotch at the doorway now, boasting that damn grin on his face as well as a long shape that protruded from his cargo pants, the cross-dressing teen wanted to kick himself.
"Well, hello there, gorgeous," Don Corneo's lackey greeted him.
Scotch trailed his eyes up and down at Cloud. From his position, he thankfully didn't notice the small pocket knife in the other boy's hand. However, the guard held an assault rifle. Scotch made sure Cloud noticed it.
"Ain't this a wonderful surprise, baby? You're here – all alone, lookin' fine and pretty in that dress. And I'm off the clock for my lunch break." Scotch cocked his head to one side. He smiled again. "How about that slice of cream pie we talked about, eh? I'm fucking starving."
Cloud glared back. As Scotch closed and locked the door behind him, the other boy quickly slipped the pocket knife under the band of his thigh-high stocking.