Chapter II: Fortuna

"Welcome to the Fortuna Resort and Hotel," a heavy set woman with thick rimmed glassed and short sandy hair said. She peered down at them from the front desk of the hotel. Her flat, emotionless tone and unenthusiastic expression made the Fortuna Resort seem unpleasant but Cissnei still smiled despite it. She was a veteran actor after all.

"Um, thanks," Cissnei began. "I'm Cidney and this is Raif. We just moved out to this area and are looking for work. We hear this place is one of the best places to work for in Costa Del Sol." Cissnei smiled a big, sincere smile and nudged Reno to do the same.

"Uh, right," the woman said. "Hold on while I get the manager." The woman disappeared from sight and could be heard yelling indistinctly in the background. She reappeared a few minutes later with a man of about forty with graying hair on the sides of his head and black hair on top with silvery strands running through.

"Hello there, travelers," he began in an overly cheery voice, reciting lines that were obviously rehearsed. "My name is Tannon Stran. I'm the owner of this fabulous resort. Lissette here tells me you're interested in working here."

Cissnei nodded and offered her hand up to the man. "I'm Cidney. This is Raif."

Tannon looked them both once over then stepped down to greet them on the floor. "I see. Well, we don't normally hire people off the street like this, but you two look pretty well put together…and it just so happens two of our people up and quit last night. One was our head bartender and the other was a waiter at our night club and lounge." Tannon turned his gaze towards Reno. "You any good at mixing drinks, kid?"

Reno scoffed. "Psh. I'm the best around back home. Just ask Cidney here."

Tannon turned his attention back to Cissnei. "Is that right?" Cissnei nodded and Tannon clapped his hands together, making a loud smack. "Well, that's great. Now then, dear, are you any good at waiting tables?"

"Never tried it before but I'm sure I can handle it," Cissnei stated confidently.

"Ah I like your attitude, Cidney. I think you and Raif will do just fine. You'll start tonight so as soon as you settle in, make sure you talk to Phil."

"Phil?" Reno snorted at the name, trying to prevent himself from laughing so hard. Cissnei shot him a look that screamed 'shut up' and looked at a baffled Tannon.

"Settled in?"

Tannon returned his attention to the young girl standing before him. "Why yes dear. All my staff gets to stay in the apartments behind the main resort. I'll have my staff prepare the apartments the previous tenants vacated." Cissnei nodded in understanding. "In the mean time, you two should go enjoy all the resort and Costa Del Sol has to offer."

Cissnei and Reno both nod as Tannon Stran exits down a hallway behind the concierge desk. A bellhop takes their bags and disappears down the same hallway.

"Well, I guess there's nothing left to do but enjoy some sun, eh Cid?"

"Please don't call me that, Raif," Cissnei said in a warning tone. She turns and walks through the rotating doors leading back out to the beach.

Reno followed her out, clearly enjoying the view, a big smirk across his face. Good thing Cissnei didn't notice. They quickly scan the crowded beach for a spot to relax in and find a nice, quiet spot away from the populous where they could be themselves. Cissnei scanned the beach for nearby people before speaking.

"I don't like him."

"Eh? Who?"

"Tannon Stran. Who else?"

"Ciss, he's our target. What's to like about him? He's obviously faking his whole polite personality. No one is that polite."

"You'd know all about that."

"Hey hey! That's uncalled for, yo. You know we Turks have to be good actors."

Cissnei rolled her eyes, clearly un-amused by Reno's attitude as usual. It's true. Turks do often have to do a fair bit of acting but she sometimes gets the feeling he's acting around her too, pretending to like her and it really pissed her off. Still, she was a Turk and shouldn't let Reno's playful nature get the better of her. "That's not quite what I mean, Reno. There's just something about him that weirds me out." Reno nodded, pretending to know what she was talking about, though she knew he didn't. "Anyway, we can't really do much more today until after hours. I think I might enjoy a swim." She removed her sandals and placed them in the sand next to the lounge chair provided by the resort. "I haven't gone swimming in a long time. She undid the zipper on her dress to reveal her usual bathing suit underneath. Reno could feel his feet trying to move him off the chair. Her never noticed how pretty Cissnei truly was until earlier today and now in her bathing suit. He watched her place the dress down on her chair, neatly folded and walk towards the water.

"Damn she's looking good."

Cissnei stood in front of the mirror, an uncertain look on her face. "Ugh this uniform is ridiculous." She tried her best to pull down the short skirt of her dress but it wouldn't budge. She scratched her thigh where the lace petticoat brushed up against it. "This thing is so uncomfortable…not to mention short. Honestly, it barely covers me!" she finished zipping up the knee high boots. She smoothed down the black and red dress and was tying the small black apron around herself when she heard a knock on her door. She opened up the door to Reno's smiling face. He had removed his trademark goggles and was wearing a uniform consisting of black pants, a red shirt that just about matched his hair color, and a black tie that she was surprised he was wearing. The head bartender is actually supposed to wear purple instead of red but, as Phil explained in their meeting with him, they promoted the other bartender. If 'Raif' proves to be any good, they'll give him the purple shirt. Same goes with 'Cidney' and her dress.

"Looking good, Ciss." He was pulling at the tie with annoyance. At least she wasn't the only one uncomfortable in the new uniform.

"Your not too bad yourself, Reno, though I'm surprised you're wearing a tie."

"Yeah, well, got to play the part, yo."

Cissnei nods her head in agreement, exiting her apartment and locking the door behind her. She shoved the keys into the pocket of her apron and followed Reno down the promenade walk to a large building with pulsing music and flashing lights you could see from the windows.

"Well, I guess this is it huh?" Cissnei exhaled deeply and opened the door.

Lights filled the room, matching with the beat of the music. A large man with huge muscles and a goatee greeted them. He grabbed them both by one arm, shoving Reno in the direction of the bar and leading Cissnei straight to the back and through a large, black swinging door. He showed her to a dark haired woman of about 35 if she had to guess. She was wearing the same dress as Cissnei but with purple detailing instead of red, indicating she's one of the head waitresses.

"Hello there. You must the new girl Tannon was telling me about."

Cissnei nodded, noting a slight country accent undertone to her speech, like she could never completely hide the fact that she was from the country despite the years she spent in the cities. "My name is Cidney."

"Yes hello there, Cidney. My name's Clea. How old are you?"

Cissnei looked at the woman confused. It was a strange question to be asked but she answered anyway. "I just turned 18 a few months ago."

Clea nodded. "Well, isn't that just a coincidence. I have a niece 'bout your age. Prettiest thing ever. Has talks 'bout leavin' Nibelheim and headin' to Midgar. Said she wants to find a friend a SOLDIER friend of hers."

Cissnei's breath catches in her throat and she chokes lightly. Clea taps her on the back lightly. "You all right there? You act like you know her."

"N-no I just…the reason why Raif and I are here is to prevent him from having to join SOLDIER."

Clea raised an eyebrow at Cissnei's pathetic lie but handed her a glass of water anyway to help her stop choking. "Now, Cidney, since tonight's your first night, I'm going to give you a few pointer: always smile, flirt back, and take extra care of the big tippers."

Cissnei looked at Clea confused, but before she could say anything, Clea shoved an order pad into her hand and gave her a nudge in the direction of her first table. Two patrons sat there, both about 35 and clearly already inebriated.

"Good evening. I'm Cidney. It'll be my pleasure to…"

"Cidney, huh? Well lookie here, Ken, a new girl. About time old Clea sent something good our way."

"Excuse…" Cissnei began again before being interrupted by the one called 'Ken".

"Yeah. Much better than that queer we had before."

"Um…"

"So, honey. What are tonight's specials?" ken began again, again cutting Cissnei off. She was beginning to get a bad feeling about all this.

"Never mind the specials, Ken. I already know what I want," the other guy stated, reaching for Cissnei's exposed lower thigh.

Cissnei inhaled sharply, wanting so badly to show these guys the meaning of pain but not wanting to blow their cover. She glanced nervously towards the bar, searching desperately for her fellow red headed Turk. Reno was busy serving drinks to bar patrons and she couldn't see his expression from across the room.

"No need to be so nervous, honey. We'll make sure Tannon promotes you. He always promotes the ones that perform well and a pretty one like you must be really good in the bedroom," the man said, moving his hand further up her leg. Cissnei tried to concentrate on something else, anything else to prevent bodily harm to both of them.

Reno had been sent to bring a drink to a neighboring table and overheard the conversation occurring. He shot Cissnei a look, connecting with her eyes which were filled with a mix of rage and panic. He knew Cissnei could handle herself but he also knew her hands were tied in the situation.

"Come now. Everyone here knows Tannon gets his extra gil by renting out his gals like you to guys like me. I'm rich, honey, I can take care of you. You give me what I want, I give Tannon what he wants. He in turn gives you some extra gil on the side. Everybody wins."

"Yeah," Ken chimed in. "Tannon don't give wait staff jobs to anyone he hasn't tasted first so I know you must be good."

Reno nearly crushed the empty glass he just picked up off the table in his bare hand. He purposely passed right behind Cissnei, brushing up against her, letting her know he's right there. Reno made his way back to the bar, discarding the empty glass and heading back out towards Cissnei as casually as he could.

Cissnei was trying her best to mentally calm herself down. She was a Turk. This was nothing she couldn't handle. She felt Reno brush up against her and she felt herself calming down. She knew now where Tannon got his gil. No wonder she didn't like him. She saw Reno walking back towards the bar out of the corner of her eye.

"Hey, pay attention to me, not that bartender. Tannon's not paying you to pay attention to him. You better start behaving or I'll make sure Tannon never promotes you." Cissnei's gaze was still focused in Reno's direction until forced her gaze on him. "Now, like I was saying…" He stared right into Cissnei's eyes and it caused her to flinch. She didn't have to be psychic to know what was on his mind or to know she was in trouble. "Ken," the man began.

"Yes sir?"

"Here's 200,000 gil. Go to Tannon and tell him Sal likes his new girl and to give me the best place he's got."

"Right, boss," Ken said, getting to his feet and heading towards the entrance.

Reno had by now made it all the way back to where Cissnei was. He saw Ken leaving and was guessing things were about to get much worse. He also knew Tseng was going to bet furious with him for what he was about to do next.

"So…I'll let Clea know you're going to spend the rest of your shift with me."

"But won't I…"

"Relax, baby. Clea knows the drill. She can handle it. Now, come here." He reached his other hand not on her thigh up to her waist and pulled her towards her lap. "Show daddy what you got."

Reno had by now had enough and walked right up to Sal's table, slamming the tray he was carrying loudly on the table, startling patrons around them and causing Sal to look up at him angrily.

"Look, boy, I don't want any drinks so get lost. This little lady and I want to get cozy."

"Get your hands off her," Reno growled, causing Cissnei to jump slightly. She's never seen Reno this pissed off before. This was not going to end well.

"Raif, relax. I'm okay."

"No you're not, not if this jerk get his way you aren't."

Sal had gotten to his feet. Holding Cissnei close to him with strong arms. Cissnei wiggled to get free but that only made Sal hold her tighter. Reno loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves.

"Look, Raif. If you leave now, I'll make sure Tannon doesn't fire you."

"Get your hands off her!" Reno had now fully disturbed the area around him and attracted the attention of the bouncer nearby.

Sal's response to Reno's threat was a serious mistake. He pulled Cissnei to face him, making sure Reno was watching and forces a kiss on the female Turk's lips. His grip was like a vice. One not even the tough little Cissnei could get herself out of. Reno muttered a humph before pulling his fist back and releasing it into Sal's face. Sal's nose cracked from the impact and he released Cissnei from his grip to cover his bleeding nose with his hands.

"You little twerp. You broke my fucking nose!" He shouted loud enough for a few bouncers to hear over the music and make their way towards the scene.

"Eh get over it," Reno said back in a taunting voice. "Think you're so special because you have money? Psh."

Sal lunged at Reno, fists swinging. Cissnei had fallen to the ground in the corner near the door to the kitchen. She got to her feet and was about to try and break up the fight when Clea intervened, placing a hand on Cissnei's shoulder and shaking her head. She ushered her back into the kitchen and Cissnei looked helplessly back over her shoulder at Reno.

Reno had cleverly dodged Sal's attack, grabbing the arm aimed at his face and bending it back painfully. He flipped Sal over his head, causing him to crash into a nearby vacant table. Sal got to his feet but Reno being the expert fighter that he was, was much faster. He pinned Sal down and began punching him repeatedly. As Cissnei was being ushered inside, she noticed three bouncers approaching Reno and knew he was in trouble. She flinched when she heard punches connecting that weren't Reno's.

"Sugar, why didn't you tell me that boy was your boyfriend?"

"Because he isn't. We're just friends."

"Friend huh? Never met a guy willing to risk his job and getting the living daylights beat out of him by security for a friend."

Cissnei flinched, knowing he was, in fact, getting put through the ringer. "Um, what's going to happen to him? Are they going to kill him?"

Clea gave her as strange look. "No, honey but he will be really badly hurt."

Cissnei sighed, pulling out her phone. She had to call Tseng.

Reno was being held up by two of the guards while the third one punched him relentlessly. Reno's smirk was still plastered on his face despite the fact that he could barely see. Tseng was really going to let him have it, if he ever gets out of this. He can feel himself falling as the bouncers released him. He heard footsteps approaching and talking though he couldn't make out what was being said in his half conscious state.

He can feel steel toed boots kicking him in the torso, breaking at least two ribs but he can't find the strength to get up. He drifts into unconsciousness, not hearing the scuffle around him moments later nor feeling someone picking him carefully off the floor.