Broken Wings - Chapter Fifteen
Shinra was quiet for a long time. Aralyn did not apologize for her harsh words, and refused to be the first to speak.
"We may not be guiltless," Rufus admitted. "But at the time we thought it might offer you some kind of protection to keep you at a distance from Shinra."
"It's a fancy way of saying that Sephiroth's wife has no place here…or anywhere," Aralyn insisted. "Just admit it."
He was quiet for a while. "You would make this easier on yourself if you left him. I know it may hurt, Aralyn, but he's not coming back. He has not been faithful to you, and you owe him nothing. Being married to him will only hurt you."
"I…can't," she whispered. "Not…no…"
"Then can I persuade you to sell the wedding dress?"
"No!"
"It would put food on the table for at least a month."
"Which would only prolong my death."
Rufus hesitated, but nodded solemnly. "I am aware of your medical condition. I am…sorry. It is hard to see you consuming far more medications than food."
"It shouldn't be. You're the one that let this happen to me in the first place, why should you regret it now?"
"I am trying to make things right, Aralyn."
"I don't want it. I won't take it. I'll turn away anything you offer and if you put it in my house I'll give it away!"
"I may be forced to sedate you and put you on an IV until you regain your strength. I will do it. And if you still resist, I will wipe your memory and erase any thought you ever had of him."
Aralyn was silent, and she clenched her hands together to try to stop them from shaking. She knew that he would, without a second thought. What she questioned, however, were his motives.
"It's tempting, isn't it?" Rufus continued, thinking her silence was the contemplation of his offer. "All the pain and heartache he's caused you…gone."
"That will not be necessary."
Rufus turned to find a tall man clothed in black with a long, tattered crimson cape that not only flowed down to the soles of his golden plated boots, but covered the lower half of his face as well. The figure had crimson eyes that seemed to burn against his deathly pale features. Long, unkempt black hair flowed unhindered past his shoulders.
"Vincent Valentine," Rufus greeted with a curt nod of his head. "Come to check on Aralyn?"
"The others were worried. I got voted for intelligence duty this time." Vincent strode foreword, throwing his cloak behind him with one gauntleted hand. Though his face was passive and his expression unwavering, Aralyn got the strange feeling that he wasn't being entirely truthful.
"Well, she's fine, as you can see."
"Hm." Vincent tilted his head back only a little, his eyes flaring dangerously. "Then seeing that she has recovered, I will escort her to her home."
"She and I have business to settle, Valentine."
"I have settled the matter of her employment," Vincent stated simply.
It was quiet for quite a long time. Rufus clearly did not look pleased and Aralyn was just confused.
"You did?" Aralyn asked uncertainly after a while.
"The pay will not be near what one of your level would deserve," he clarified. "But you will at least have enough to eat more than one meal a week."
"It wasn't that bad," Aralyn argued.
Vincent slightly arched one eyebrow. "Wasn't it?"
Aralyn thought it best to remain silent.
"Is there anything else, Shinra?" Vincent asked Rufus.
He was genuinely angry now, and he wasn't doing a very good job of concealing it. "No," he admitted. "You may leave."
Aralyn sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and slowly raising herself to her feet. She wavered slightly, but soon regained balance. Vincent nodded his approval and beckoned her to follow him. She followed close behind him, stopping as she passed by Rufus. Etiquette told her that she owed him at least some sort of farewell, even though he frightened her greatly.
"Thank you," she said quietly, bowing her head slightly in respect. "Will you convey my thanks to my nurse as well?"
Rufus frowned but nodded, holding the door open for her stiffly. She walked through quickly, running to keep up with Vincent's long strides.
Somehow, it was much easier to breathe once the pair had exited the Shinra building.
A/N: Is your silence the way you're telling me to shut up and get my crap off this website...? I haven't heard from anybody and it's not because you aren't reading it. (last time I checked, the last chapter had 100 hits) If you don't like it, tell me so I can fix it!
On a lighter note, we have several revelations here. Don't freak out...yet. And I hope you guys like Vincent because he's got quite the role coming up, along with another male interloper! His name will be Verian. For those of you who comdemn the name, look at its meaning and start contemplating!