A/N:
I am sorry it took me so long to post something! I had no inspiration! Gomen! I bet its been so long, most of you don't even remember what's going on. GOMEN!
I'm also sorry about this chapter. It's a lot of set up for advancement of subplots, really. And Shera's hardly in it. Parts of it seems like I'm saying a whole lot of nothing. And it's probablly very confusing.
I'm so sorry.
If you have any questions, make sure to PM me or something. I'll answer. ^-^
Same disclamers as always.
Thanks for all of you who PM'd me to get my butt in gear. It helped.
How to be Human
Lesson Nineteen: How to Start a Project
Turk's View: Zel
I don't usually complain. Really, I don't. But right now, I'm going to.
I'M FUCKING TIRED!
Okay, it's all good now.
You know what? I'm done with my paper work and there are no missions today, so I think I'm going to take a na...
"Don't sleep on your desk Zel," Vincent said leaning on the door to my office.
"Yessir," I mumbled, yawning. Easy fix. I'll just sleep on the floor then. So I was just about to get comfortable sleeping in the small space under my desk when...
"Look, if Vampy didn't want you sleeping on your desk, I don't think the floor is any better," Freya giggled, walking into my office. She never knocks, seriously. Then again, she doesn't need too, because nobody cares what Freya does, and even if they did, nobody does anything about it. Lesson number one about being a Turk in my time, don't mess with Freya. Especially because she's Verdot's girlfriend, and since Verdot is my boss...well, all could end badly.
So I groaned. Seriously, though, what was I supposed to do? I can't sleep, so I'll just complain about it. It's what everyone else does.
"Sleepy Twitchy?" Freya asked, sitting on my desk.
"Yes," I mumbled. Freya cocked her head to the side and giggled.
"Didn't sleep well last night?" she asked.
"No."
"What'd ya dream about?"
"Nothing that would really interest you."
"Was Drakra in it?"
"Oh come on! Is it that obvious?!" I moaned, slamming my head onto my desk. Freya patted my head, like she would a puppy.
"Don't worry, Zel. Shera's fine. Riley just called me to say she's fine." I looked up at her. "What? It's obvious your other personality - or whatever Drakra is – wants her dead. So you had a nightmare about Drakra killing Shera, huh?" I nodded. "What'd he do ta River?"
"How did you…?"
"Knew it. Kidnaps? Rapes? Something along those lines, I assume."
"Freya, can you read minds?" I asked her, staring at her like she was a goddess.
"No. But I know you, and I know Drakra, so I can make an educated guess. Plus everyone in Turk had nightmares last night, and all of them had you in it. Vincent's was particularly horrible, as you…" she stopped. "Well, basically, it was what both what would have happened if he hadn't stopped Drakra that night, and what would have happened if you would have died…"
"My brother loves me," I muttered. "Love I don't deserve, but it's there."
Freya slid of my desk and walked over to me. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and held me close.
"I love you, Zeliki," she replied. "And I think you deserve every ounce of affection." I said nothing for a moment, feeling myself slip back into the days when I was a dog, when Freya would hold me like this, when she and Rosa tried to shelter me from the world.
"My Anima," I whispered, closing my eyes. Would sleep come now?
A knocking at the door told me no. Freya didn't let go of me, even when the person walked in.
Rito…
"Uh…this isn't what it looks like…" I said lamely. Inside my head, Drakra chuckled darkly.
Like THAT excuse will work…
"I know," Rito said, smiling slightly at me. I could only imagine Drakra's reaction to my lame excuse working. Rito walked in further and closed my door behind him, nodding to Freya. "She loves Verdot way to much. Sorry Zel." Freya patted my head. I could tell she had that smile on her face. You know, the one look that makes you look like a love sick puppy. She always has that look when she thinks about Verdot.
"Tis cool," I replied, nodding. "Um…yeah…so…why are you…are you even allowed to talk to me?"
"Contrary to popular beliefs, my brother and I are separate beings and can operate on our own. And, being older and wiser than him, I know that avoiding you would not end any of the problems created thus far."
I started at him. Honestly, I didn't think Rito could talk so much.
"Zel, I want to help you," he said, looking at me earnestly.
"Sorry man, Drakra won't go away that easily," I mumbled. Rito shook his head.
"I meant help you get River back. You guys are a perfect match, I think. I mean, sure Drakra seems to get in the way of you two more times than not, but I still think you can make it work."
"I agree," Freya said, nuzzling me. I snorted.
"Right, thanks guys. Makes me feel tons better. But let's think about this logically. I have some sort of mental problem/demonic infestation thingy that causes me to change into a psychopathic serial killing rapist, for almost no reason, and at almost any time. And if you even think, for one second, that it's safe to leave someone of the opposite gender in the same room unsupervised for longer than five minutes, you're crazier than I am."
"Um, Zel, what about Shera? She lives with you…" Freya pointed out (Damn it all, I thought I had a good argument!).
"She doesn't count. I ain't no cradle robber nor pedophile, thanks," I countered.
"But Drakra is," Rito pointed out. I winced. "Don't you see, Zel? You can control Drakra. That's why Shera's safe with you." I didn't say anything.
What's with this nitwit, huh? He's more stupid than you, Zeliki. You have no power over me.
Shut up, alright?
Why should I? You can't make me do anything. In fact, I think I want to talk to these two, eh? Move over so I…
Shut up!
What was that?
"SHUT UP!" I shouted, jumping to my feet and covering my eyes. Freya stayed steady in her seat, somehow, but Rito backed wearily away from me. I stared at them both for a moment before slumping back down in my seat and mumbling a soft "I'm sorry" to the both of them.
"You….are you alright?" Rito asked, peering at me. I nodded slightly.
"See, this is all the more reason why you need a girlfriend!" Freya concluded. Both Rito and I started at her. Obviously, neither of us followed her logic. "What? When you're distracted, Drakra doesn't have as much control over you. So, therefore, if you had a girl to distract you, you, Drakra wouldn't be able to control you at all!"
"Says you," I replied, sitting on the floor now (yes, I was trying to hide behind me desk. So sue me!). "And I'm NOT using River as a guinea pig. I don't want her to get hurt anymore. I'm the cause of all her problems, so it's best if I just stay away."
"Now that's not true," Rito stated, crossing his arms. "In fact, I think you're the solution to all her problems. The cause is a bunch of other stuff, ya know."
"Right, all starting with my other personality."
"Zel, don't you have any confidence in yourself?" Freya asked. I changed the subject.
"How's Shera…Did Riley bring her back in one piece?"
"She's fine. Riley called us to say she was taking her out to breakfast and then to a movie or something. You'll get her back after work, I guess," Rito stated, shrugging. "If ever. I think she's tryin' to steal your little girl, Zel."
I couldn't say anything for a moment. I stared at Rito for a moment, as his words sunk in. He'd called Shera "my little girl." As in…what? My sister? Daughter? What?
"She better bring her back," I said suddenly, a little harsher than I thought I should. Freya and Rito exchanged a glance and smiled.
"Zel, do you miss Shera already?" Freya taunted.
"Ye…no…"I corrected, smiling. "I'm a Turk, we don't get attached to work, so there." I felt smug, successfully avoiding Freya's question.
"Oh, okay then. I'll see if I can put Shera up for adoption then. Since you don't miss her.
"Hell no you're not!" I shouted, jumping up and running to block the door. Okay, so maybe I'm overreacting just a bit.
"So…you don't miss her, huh?" Rito asked, raising an eyebrow. I sighed in defeat.
"I give up, You win. Yes, I miss Shera. No, I don't care that it's been twelve hours. And yes, I know adoption is a better idea than penning her in with a me. But no, I'm not gonna let her be taken away from me, okay?" I stated. "Now, do you two need anything else or can I be depressed in peace?"
Rito laughed and started for the door, but Freya didn't move.
"You going to the Masquerade?" she asked. I glared at her.
"No. I hate dances." She was talking about the annual ShinRa Dance held at Lilith's mansion. It was a charity event, and all the crazy rich people as well as all the ShinRa employees were invited. Every year the theme changed, and this year I guessed it was a Masquerade. Personally, I think it'd be fun to make a costume and all, but I hate dancing.
Really.
"Let me rephrase that. You're going to the dance and you're taking Shera." Freya hopped off my desk and smirked. "And I know you have an idea for a costume. I saw you drawing sketches of it like six months ago."
Six months…before all this crazy-ness happened. I was planning on asking River if she'd go with me six months ago. Matching costumes and all. I'd made the concept sketches when I was bored.
It somehow turned out to be a demented version of Alice in Wonderland,
"Yeah, that was back when things were different. I'm not going now," I replied, being stubborn. Freya just shook her head.
"Fine. But I bet I know someone who can change your mind." Before I could ask who or what she meant, Freya left glided out of my office, Rito right behind her.
Turks' Views: Freya and Rito
"Well, did you accomplish what you set out to do?" Rito asked Freya as they strode off down the hall.
"Sort of. I've decided to make Zel my next project, want to help?" she replied.
"I was wondering when you'd ask."
"I'm pleased by your enthusiasm…now, are you going to ask me the question that has been plaguing you for the last half an hour?" Rito stopped, forcing Freya to also.
"What do you mean?"
"What, no question about how it seems that Twitchy and I are dating or something? No accusations of me cheating on Pops? Nothing?"
"It's none of my business."
"It's not what you think."
"Really? What does 'Anima' mean anyway?" Rito asked softly. "This isn't the first time I've heard Zel call you that." Freya sighed.
"You know how Dogs make up their own language?"
"They do?" Rito questioned.
"Yeah. Each ring of Dogs speaks a slightly different dialect of Midgarian. All of them are basically Midgarian based, but integrate Wutiian, Cosmonian, Cetrian, and Litik words into it. They also use people's names to mean something too."
"Sounds complicated."
"It's not really. But it helps the Dogs keep their plans secret from the Keepers, ya know?"
"They use names, you said? How?"
"To mean different things. For example, there's a Keeper named Genji who is incredibly nice. He's nicked named the "Mapmaker" 'cause he always sets up the Run routs. So, when they say Genji, at least in Wolf's Ring, it means a good person, or someone who defies their role to help others."
"So calling someone Genji is a compliment."
"Right. On the other hand, there's another Keeper called Cirica. They use his name to mean Devil."
"I see. So, back to my original question…what's Anima mean? Is it Cetrian?"
"Nope, it's a name."
"Oh…used to mean lover?" Rito asked.
"Nope. In Wolf's Ring, that's Rosa."
"Oh…"
"Anima is a word Zel made up, Rito. It means…it was his mother's name." Rito stopped walking and stared at Freya. "It means mother. Zel isn't hitting on me, he's seeking family."
"I…I didn't know…" Rito whispered. "I mean, I heard that Zel's mother was a Dog too, but…I…I head what they did to the Dog called Anima…is it…it's true?"
"Yes," Freya sighed. "Yes, her fate is what the stories say."
"I guess that explains a lot," Rito muttered, walking.
"I does, doesn't it?"
"Makes sense where Drakra came from too."
"Yeah, it does." They walked in silence after that. Rito vaguely noted that they seemed to be headed towards Lilith's office.
"So…how are we going to help?"
"We're recruiting Lilith," Freya replied, smugly. Rito frowned.
"Uh, Freya, that's not going to work." Freya now frowned.
"What do you mean? Lilith's the…" Rito promptly cut her off and explained about the bet between Lilith and Vincent.
"We'd have better luck recruiting Vincent," Rito ended, sighing. "Though I don't think he'll be much help for awhile. He's still acting pretty strange from shooting Zel."
Freya began walking again, this time with a new look on her face.
"Hey, Vincent's office is that way!" Rito stated, pointing back towards the way they'd come.
"I gonna get Lilith to make Zel go to the Masquerade. After that, we'll do the rest."
"She'll know we're up to something," Rito warned.
VP's View: Lilith
"You two are up to something," I stated, crossing my arms and propping my legs up on my desk. Freya and Rito smiled at me, trying to look the epitome of innocent. Freya might have been able to pull it off, but Rito had GUILTY branded into his forehead.
"All we want you to do is force Zel to go to the dance he's required to go to," Freya stated. "Make Vincent come too while you're at it." Rito nodded, still not saying anything. He hadn't said anything this whole time, just letting Freya do all the talking.
I have to say I was surprised when Freya burst in here, dragging Rito by his collar. To see the two of them teamed up for the sake of Zel…well, it really warmed my heart. Then Freya had promptly explained her idea about making Zel and River go to the Masquerade and meet up in complimentary costumes and this that and the other thing, which eventually led to them falling madly in love and getting married.
I didn't know how one connected to the other, but it made me smile. I wanted to help.
Then I remembered my bet. Dammit Valentine, you will not beat me!
(This was about the time that I realized that we were going to tie or Vincent was going to win. But I wasn't going to admit that, no no no!)
"Freya, Zel and Vincent have never gone to the ShinRa dances. Both of them mysteriously vanish each year around the time of the dance. Even Grimore doesn't know where they go. You expect me to convince the most anti-social Turk and his paranoid schizophrenic little brother to come to a social function. You know, it's an event with a lot of people. That's what a dance is, right? They'll never do it."
"Come on, Lilith, you can make anyone do anything!" Freya pleaded.
"I can not," I argued. Just then, I saw River pass by my door, on her way to deliver paperwork or some such to somewhere. It wasn't important, I think, because I had to talk to her. That instantly made it unimportant. "Storm!" I called. She stopped her trek and came into my office.
"Yes ma'am?" she asked, eyeing Rito and a pouting Freya. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Nah," I replied, smiling. "So, you going to the Masquerade?" River sighed.
"Um, I was going to request a leave of absence for that day…but, do I have to go?" I nodded. She sighed again. "Then, yes ma'am, I'm going." In the corner, Freya flashed me a look that said you just proved MY point, but I ignored it.
"Got a costume idea?"
"No ma'am…" I cut her off.
"Cut this 'ma'am' shit," I ordered. "We're friends, right?"
"Right ma'….er, Sure Lilith," River muttered. I sighed. Out of all the Turks, River was the one who stuck to her caste. And I hated it. She'd gotten over the whole caste division between her and Vincent, but she couldn't seem to bring herself to my level.
I didn't see why. Me and Vince were basically in the same class in society. He just chooses to be a Turk.
I guess that made him equal with the "Slum Rats?"
Anyway…
"I don't have an idea of a costume," River repeated. "Since I wasn't going until a minute ago."
"Good," I said, grinning. River gulped. "I got a perfect idea for you." She smiled at my bad grammar. I guess I talk like a rat but live like a queen. Hoorah! "Mind going as Alice?" River frowned, and to my surprise, it seemed she obviously got the reference.
"From Wonderland?" she asked, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. Quiet a feat let me tell you. She had to shuffle all of the papers she held into one and balance them there. "May I ask why?"
"Well, about twelve years back there was a story published in the Midgar Times called "Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland," only it wasn't the actually story, you know? It was a different version, where Alice and the Mad Hatter fought the Red Queen to save the White Queen and all of Wonderland, right? And then it turned out the Red Queen was after the Mad Hatter, who was the Prince…and I'm getting sidetracked…"
"It's okay, I know the story. Written by Anima, but published by the Dogs of Seven, right?" River smiled, nodding. I saw Freya and Rito look at each other and raise eyebrows. "I read the whole thing, all fifty installments. Even kept the newspapers and illustrations…But what's that got to do with the Masquerade?"
"Well, the theme this year is based off that story. I'm going as the White Queen," I groaned, "On Fameos's request. So I'm making him go as the White King. Of course, I have to change the story a little bit, so the Red Queen becomes the Red Pervert…er, King, which is Akito. And so on and so forth, but I have no Alice."
"Who's the Hatter?" River asked, smiling.
"Um, I think he might be absent."
"It's not Vincent, is it?"
"No. If Vincent goes, he probably won't dress up. And if he does dress up, Zel will probably make some amazing costume all its own for him."
"I see," River replied, looking slightly down trodden. "I'll go as Alice, I guess," she agreed, nodding. "Um, but I'm kind of sewing-impaired. Can I ask for help on making the costume?"
"Oh, I'll get it made for you." I smiled. "I know just the guy to make it!" (yes, I'm speaking of Zel. But she doesn't need to know that.) "Oh, one more thing."
"Yes?" River said, turning to leave.
"You're the guest of honor, so don't skip this." River was halfway out the door when I said this. So she ran into the wall when I said this, before turning around and staring at me. She didn't say anything, just stared at me. Then she staggered off down the hallway, looking like she was intoxicated.
"What'd I say?" I asked, staring at Rito and Freya.
"Just made a Rat a Queen," Rito muttered.
"Oh? But if the theme is 'Alice in Wonderland,' it's only correct to make Alice the honored guest," I reasoned. Rito nodded.
"I'm surprised," Freya stated, scratching her chin. "I thought you'd make Tori the Hatter."
"What? No. Tori doesn't fit the Hatter's personality at all. Zel's more like the…" I stopped. Freya grinned.
Dammit! She was aiming for this all along!
"Alright, you win! Zel's the Hatter!" I screamed (I bet Vincent's feeling pretty smug right now). "But that doesn't mean I can get him to actually go! It'll take a miracle to get him to the Masquerade!"
Just then, a miracle walked through the door.
"'Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!'" Riley sang, walking into the room. Shera was holding her hand and staring about my office in wonder. "Hey, ya'll talkin' about the dance? Aaron and I are going, Lilith. Right? I'm allowed to bring a non-Turk?" I nodded. "Awesome!"
"What's a Masquerade?" Shera asked, tugging on Riley's jacket.
"It's a dance, Sweety. We dress up in ball gowns and costumes and wear masks and dance and have a good time," Riley replied, smiling. Shera's eyes were as wide as saucers.
Everyone in the room seemed to get the same idea at the same time. Freya was just the first one to speak.
"Shera, how would you like to go to the Masquerade?" she asked, looking to me for approval. I nodded quickly. Shera's eyes widened even more, though I wasn't sure that was possible.
"I…I could?" the little girl stammered. She looked around at the people in the room, who all seemed hell-bent on getting her to go now.
"Yeah! You'll go as Cinderella, and I'll be your Fairy-Godmother and Aaron will be the Coachman!" Riley said, smiling. "That okay?" Shera looked like she might cry.
"Could you? I could?!" she said, eyes brimming with tears. "Do you think Master Zel would let me…" she stopped, her smile fading. Suddenly, she looked years older and exhausted. Then fear crept into her eyes. Then, to our surprise, she turned and bolted out into the hallway.
"Shera, stop!" I ordered without thinking. She slowed but didn't stop. She then turned, running in place to yell back to us.
"I'm sorry! I…I have to go to Zel…Um…I…I'll stop when I get there…is that soon enough?" she asked, jogging in place. I felt my heart break. She was trying to fight the urge to obey my order with the urge to go find Zel.
The next thing I knew, Rito was in the hallway with her.
"Here," I heard him say as he knelt next to her. "Get on my back. I've got longer legs than you. We'll get to Zel faster." Shera looked at him with so much admiration that I was sure she was going to make Rito cry. She climbed on his back and Rito took off, racing down the hall.
"Sorry!" Shera yelled back at us. I couldn't get myself to yell back. No words could come.
We sat in silence. Finally Riley muttered.
"She had a nightmare last night."
"So did us all," Freya replied.
"What happened?" I questioned. It seemed my Turks were connected in some type of psychological sense. If one person feared, they all did.
"In her dream?" Riley asked, twiddling her thumbs. "Well, Kriev came back. And…And…Zel…he…"
"Spit it out, Riley," Freya stated.
"Zel succeeded," she whispered.
"In what?!" I yelled.
"Hanging himself."
Turk's View: Vincent
"Masquerade!
Seething shadows,
breathing lies..
Masquerade
You can fool
any friend who
ever knew you!" Vincent sang quietly along with the CD playing from his stereo. He stood, facing the skyline of Midgar. He was tired of thinking about all the problems he and the rest of Turk seemed to be facing. He just wanted to ignore it all, so he'd started playing the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack to drown everyone out.
Most of the Turks had sung familiar phrases from the show as they'd walked by his office. Zel had broke out in song from his office, singing all of the Phantom's parts in "Music of the Night."
Vincent had to admit, Zel was talented.
"Masquerade!
Leering satyrs,
peering eyes..
Masquerade!
Run and hide -
but a face will
still pursue you!" Vincent continued. But he stopped as he heard his door open and shut quietly.
"'S'cuse me," River whispered, sitting down in the chair in front of his desk. Vincent pressed pause on the stereo and turned to face River.
"Hello," he said, nodding to her. "Something the matter?" he asked, after seeing her distraught appearance.
"See the show?" she asked, changing the subject while pointing to Vincent's stereo.
"Yeah. Zel acted in it. I had to go as moral support."
"Really? Who'd he play?"
"Erik," Vincent said, smiling. Very few people knew his brother had gotten the star role in the Phantom of the Opera when it had played at Loveless Theater a few years ago.
"Really?" River looked amazed. "How'd that happen?"
"The original guy cast as the Phantom couldn't sing worth shit," Vincent said, chuckling. "You see, Zel was originally on stage crew and they caught him singing all the Phantom's parts when the actor couldn't. So the cast voted him into the part, and the rest is history. First Slum Rat to act in the Theater, drew quiet a crowd on opening night."
"I would assume so. So…is this the soundtrack where he sang?" River asked, trying not to sound too amazed.
"Yeah. Want a copy?"
"Um, yeah…but I don't have a CD player…"
"I'll get you one, then. With a copy."
"You don't have to do that…" River said.
"Think of it as a belated birthday present." River sighed in defeat. Vincent felt that it was a perfect opportunity to get back to his original question. "So, why were you so distraught when you got in here? Honestly, you look like someone just sucker-punched you."
"In a way, someone just did," She replied, sighing. "I have to go to the Masquerade…"
"Oh?"
"As the Guest of Honor," River finished. She looked up at Vincent and the rest came out like word vomit "What am I gonna do, Vincent? I ain't pretty enough for this role! Or rich enough or dignified enough or….Vincent, I don't own a dress…I've never danced before! I don't think I even have enough money to buy a ticket to get into this damn thing!" Vincent waited. She wasn't done.
"And I wanted to go with Zel…"
Vincent walked around his desk and knelt next to River, who was staring down into her hands. He rested a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
"Why'd you come to me?"
"Because you listen…and, despite being related to one of the involved parties, you're unbiased."
"And…?"
"You have solutions to all of my problems."
"I do?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I do," this time it was a statement. "Want to hear them?"
"Yes," River replied, sounding hopeful.
"Okay. I'm already guessing that Lilith's buying you the dress and all that girly-crap that comes with it, since she suckered you into this role, right?"
"Right."
"Well, that's one problem solved. As for the 'not pretty enough' shit, well…I think you need to clean the mirrors in your house. Or buy a mirror. Or gain self-confidence. Go about those steps in any order you want." River laughed slightly. Vincent was blunt, but it was obvious he cared.
"Anyway, Turk's get in free to gatherings like this dance, so there goes ticket expenses. And, if you just act a certain way, no one will know you're a Turk. After all, you will be wearing a mask, will you not?"
"Yeah."
"And River?"
"Yeah Vinnie?"
"I'll teach you to dance."
"You will?" River let out an ear-piercing squeal and threw her arms around Vincent's neck, just about choking him to death. "Thank you oh thank you Vincent!" Vincent sighed, wondering why teaching River how to do such an annoying thing made her so happy.
"Who do you have to go as?" Vincent asked, loosening her grip on his neck.
"Alice, of Wonderland," River said, shrugging. "From the Midgar Times, not from Lewis Carroll. "
"I see."
"Ever read it?"
"Yes."
"Oh…"
"It's a fitting role for you."
"Really? She's a princess, you know."
"All the more fitting." River rolled her eyes at his chivalrous complement. She sighed.
"Well, I guess I have to be going."
"That's a shame," Vincent said, standing up and leaning against his desk. "Have somewhere else to be?"
"No. I just don't want to waste any more of your time, Sir," River said, slipping in a formality to let Vincent know he still had her respect.
That he still was above her.
"You're not. I'm not doing anything." River shook her head and started for the door. "You sure that's all, Alyss?" River stopped. She was sure Vincent wasn't calling her by her Masquerade name, but by something else. By her…
She whipped around. Vincent was holding a stack of papers, and appeared to be reading the one on top. It was an old "LOST" poster. River didn't have to see the words to know what it said.
"How did you…?" she started.
"I know a hacker. Axel Takashi. He's a pack rat also. Loves to collect weird things. Lost posters of people who've been found are one of those things. Say's here you've been missing since you were four, River." He looked up from the poster. "Who's looking for you?"
"Nobody," she muttered, staring at his hands. "I mean, they're dead now."
"I know. Died in a the hospital down on Twelfth Street, just after they put up these posters." He gestured to the poster in his hand.
"Takashi tell you that?"
"He knows everything, supposedly."
"I see…" River went silent after saying that. She didn't really know what to say.
"Aren't you angry with me?" Vincent asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Why?"
"I investigated your past, dissected your life."
"Had to be a good reason."
"Finding Alyss."
"Really? That was your reason?"
"Your parents asked for the help of the Turks. I wanted to know why. I had to know who 'Alyss Lewis' was, and why she was important enough to seek help from assassins."
"Sorry to disappoint you," River muttered bitterly. "Alyss is just me, a slut from Sector Five." Vincent set the papers down and looked out the window.
"So, did they find you?" Vincent asked quietly.
"Who?"
"The Turks."
"Yeah…the old field leader, the one whom you replaced. Riza, I think her name was…called her Lieutenant Hawkeye. She found me." River sighed. "She gave me this name, too."
"I see." Vincent didn't turn away from the window.
"Did you know her?"
"Who?"
"Riza?"
"Friend of the family."
"Really?"
"My trainer, too. Before she died."
"Oh."
"Alyss?"
"Don't call me that. She's dead."
"Fine. River?"
"Yes Vincent?"
"Why don't you look me in the eye?" He was staring at her now. River looked passed him and out over Midgar.
"'Cause. Us Slum Rats don't deserve to taint you Aristocrats," she said, frowning. Vincent frowned as well.
"Even a Fallen, like me?"
"You're not falling anywhere," River muttered, turning to leave again. "Unless you're falling up."
"Alyss?"
"Cut it out, Vincent."
"Do you still want to learn to dance, Alyss?" Vincent seemed to ignore her growing anger.
"Look, no one knows that's my name. So could you not call me that?"
"I like it," Vincent said, acting like a spoiled eight year old.
"Too bad, it's dead. My name's River." Vincent sighed. "And yes, I do want to learn to dance." Vincent sighed again. "What?"
"You missed it."
"What?"
"I was referring to lines from the story you talked about earlier. 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' remember? Those are the Hatter's lines, remember?" River stopped, her anger ebbing away.
"Why would you do that?" she asked, confused now.
"You started it."
"I did not!"
"Yes you did. That line about 'falling up.' Alyss says that to the Hatter."
"Yeah, but that's not me."
"Anima spelled it like you did. I have the original copy. The Times changed it so us educated people wouldn't get offended. The Hatter's name was spelled with two Ds, too. And his riddles were harder."
"What's this got to do with anything?"
"It doesn't. I jut felt like being annoying. Plus, you better be able to recognize the lines. Lilith will probably make you role-play. Especially if someone dresses up as a passable Hatter."
"Oh great. Will you help me practice my lines?" River asked, sarcastic.
"As you wish, Milady," Vincent said, bowing.
"Okay, don't ever do that again," River laughed.
"Why not? I could get used to that," Vincent stated, nodding.
"Don't."
"Fine. Where do you want to practice, anyway?" Vincent asked, getting back to business.
"Uh…I don't know…"
"My house then?"
"Um…sure…" River suddenly became nervous. "You…live in a mansion, don't you?"
"Yes…is that a problem?"
"Nope, just another way I'm gonna feel insignificant to you," River replied. She was becoming increasingly aware about how strange it was going to look, having a girl like her walk into the Valentine Manor by herself. "What are your neighbors going to think?"
"Don't know, don't really care. When do you want to come?"
"Break sound okay?" River asked, referring to the scheduled time off coming up for all the Turks.
"Sure. Want just to stay over for awhile?" Vincent offered.
"What?!"
"We have the space. It's just me and my dad living there."
"Where are your servants? Aren't you rich people supposed to have a lot of them?" River asked.
"We don't have any true 'servants'. They're just former slaves that don't want to leave. They feel 'indebted' to my dad or something. We can't seem to get them to believe us every time we tell them they don't have to work," Vincent said, sighing. River found herself feeling new respect for the Valentines.
"I guess, if that's alright with you."
"Zel might come over," Vincent warned.
"It's his house too."
"Alight. I'll pick you up at the start of Break then."
"Alright."
"I guess this is the start of our project, huh?" Vincent said, opening the door for River. She looked at him.
"Project?"
"Yes. Let's show the world that it doesn't take money to be happy, River." She smiled and nodded.
"You think I can do that by being the Guest of Honor at a dance?"
"Yeah, with a little help."
"Then let the project commence. I want to shove it in the face of all those fat heads," River said, laughing.
"And maybe you'll find yourself out there," Vincent whispered.
River looked at him, but he didn't say anything more.
A/N:
So, yeah, there's the end. Sorry that was such an incredibally long, uneventful chapter.
Yes, I do have an obsession with both Alice in Wonderland and the Phantom of the Opera.
I'm thinking of posting, at the beginning of all the next chapters, parts from Anima's version of Alice. Should I?
Oh, I don't know.
Questions, comments, concerns? All are welcome. ^_^ Reveiws are nice too.
And, once again...
GOMEN!