A/N: Ok my lovelies… this took me a bit longer than I expected but this is part one… I had to cut it off cause it was becoming far, far too long of a chapter… the rest should be up in a day or two! Enjoy!
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Once Again, Chapter Nine: Crazy Day
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Cloud was awake when the sun rose, though it was closer to noon now. He hadn't slept much at all, not after having felt someone watching him when no one was there. Rising from his seated position and stretching, he swung his sword into its harness and looked around. He didn't have the feeling of eyes upon him anymore, but still, he was a little unnerved. It wasn't like a threatening presence, just… curious, and he had stayed in the church so long to see if it would return. Turning, he headed for the doors and Fenrir beyond. However, as soon as he stepped outside, his blue eyes narrowed; he could feel it again. He scanned the area, his eyes stopping on a large pile of debris behind his beloved bike. Careful and hesitant, he headed around his large motorcycle and paused, hand already on the hilt of First Tsurugi. After a long moment, he frowned, agitated by the silence.
"Who are you?" He spoke towards the pile and tensed when he heard something in it shift. He stood ready, every sense straining. What responded nearly startled him.
"You… Have her scent on you… where… where is she?" The voice was soft, melodic and had a strange quality to it, as if the person speaking was never supposed to have a voice. But it was scared, worried and lacked any real threat. Still, Cloud did not relax.
"Whose scent? And you didn't answer my question." Cloud nearly ground these words out, but instead, he kept his voice even and calm. He could see something moving there in the shadows of a heavy piece of metal that created a pocket of space in the heap of rubble. He didn't like it, but when he saw the glint of light on two very strange eyes, he frowned again.
"A friend, I think… and… Her. Ranisssa." Blue eyes widened almost unnoticeably. He didn't like the sound the creature made when he spoke Ranisa's name, but at the same time, the creature had practically purred it. But then the creature seemed to notice something, and it moved. Cloud watched as its hands appeared, gripping the metal at the edge of the hole. Human like hands, but they were a brownish grey and the skin… was covered in snake-like scales. Short, curved black claws adorned each finger, and Cloud watched the creature pulled itself forward. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword tighter and he took a small step backwards.
"I… Can smell her blood, though from your clothes…not your sword… Is she alright?" Its head cleared the opening, and Cloud was taken aback. It looked like someone had taken a man and a snake and meshed the two together. Its face was tapered, snout like for a human, shorter than a snakes and it's hair… well... it looked like dreadlocks made of snake tails. The creature was muscular, not seeming to have an ounce of body fat in its arms or shoulders, but its eyes… They were copper and black, slitted.
He took several steps back as the creature continued to pull itself from the rubble. Cloud, though his hand was on his sword hilt, did not make a move to attack. He felt this creature wasn't threatening him, and as long as he didn't piss it off, it wouldn't attack. It had a human torso, down to where one's hips would be, before its body tapered into the long sinews of a snake's body. Only it was huge and colored like a red-tailed snake he'd seen once in Gongaga(*). Sure, maybe only about fifteen feet in length from the hips back to the tip of its tail, and Cloud had seen larger monsters… but still.
Cloud took that moment, to look it over… It was clearly male judging from the sculpted chest, but the change where its hips were threw him off. Then again, snakes were… He shook at the thought, choosing that moment—while the creature had curled its tail around itself and straightened its torso to look at him, waiting—to answer.
"She's fine. Why are you looking for her?" He felt it best to be honest at this point. He didn't doubt that if it attacked, he could kill it. However, suspicious as he was, he felt that this creature was not a danger. The look of relief that suddenly overtook the snake man, right to the point that its shoulders slumped and it heaved a sigh, made Cloud realize he was right. Tentatively, he let go of First Tsurugi's hilt.
"Praise be to Gaia for that… She is my friend and I need to find her. There are things she must know!" The creature paused, tilting its head slightly, seemingly at its own outburst, before slowly reached out one hand as though to shake Cloud's hand.
"I'm unsure if I'm recalling correctly, but I believe I am called Psy." Cloud frowned slightly. Sigh? No, the enunciation sounds more like the first part of Psyche. He ignored the thoughts and took the creatures hand in his and gave it a firm shake. He was silently glad for his gloves. "Cloud Strife." Nodding, Psy retracted his hand and crossed his arms over his chest.
"If I may ask… Where is she?" Cloud shifted his weight to one leg, crossing his own arms.
"If you made it here and came from the same direction she did, you probably passed the house where she's at. But, she'll be coming to Edge soon, with a friend of mine. You're welcome to come; however, I'm not sure how well the people will handle you." Psy nodded and tilted his head, clearly thinking.
"Is Edge the city I passed to follow you here?" Cloud nodded once, and the corners of Psy's mouth creased downwards, a strange look to the elongated face. "I can follow you there and skirt around the City… From the looks of it, I should be able to get to whatever building you're going to without worry of being seen…" Cloud thought about this for a moment before nodding.
"I think that could work. I would just rather not cause widespread panic." A twitch of that strange mouth and Cloud realized the snake was smiling. "Alright, I need to warn Tifa in advance… Are you going to be able to keep up with Fenrir?" He asked, gesturing to his bike. Psy simply nodded with a knowing look in those copper-black eyes. Cloud turned, swinging one leg over the bike and settled in the seat before pulling his phone out. Bringing it to his ear, he glanced over at Psy. After it rang a few times, Tifa answered sounding a little tired.
"Cloud? You never call, what's wrong?" Cloud gave a small, indulgent smile. She wasn't quite right, he almost never called.
"I'm heading over early and I'm bringing a guest… Is anyone there yet?" He knew she had a confused look on her face and when she spoke, he could hear it.
"Just Barret… A guest, Cloud? Who is it?"
"You'll see when I get there, just… Don't freak out, ok?" With that he snapped the phone shut on her confused questions. Looking over to Psy, he knew the snake creature had heard every word. In response to Cloud turning his gaze to him, Psy tilted his head to one side.
"Will she be alright with my coming there?"
Cloud shrugged, turning to look forwards. "I don't know, although I'm not giving her much of a choice. At this point, any information we can get on, and to, Ranisa would be helpful… she doesn't remember hardly anything." Psy's face contorted into a concerned look and Cloud momentarily found it strange that he could read these emotions on his face. Then again… he had managed to read emotions of far less revealing faces before. He knew he really shouldn't be so trusting to this creature, but every sense told him the creature spoke honestly and it wasn't threatening at all. Frowning, he popped open the compartment for his weapon's pieces and swiftly disassembled his sword before starting Fenrir and with one last glance to Psy, he took off.
Psy let Cloud get a short distance ahead of him, not really wanting to be pelted with rocks from the large tires before he uncurled and started after him. He leaned his torso forward, his arms falling to his sides and he took off with the grace of a snake, iron hard muscles propelling him across the ground in a side to side manner that would make most people dizzy… He, however, was used to it.
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XxXxX
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Reeve was seated comfortably at the farthest table in the small café like diner. It was after most people's lunch break, so it wasn't very busy. Raising his tea to his lips and taking a tiny sip to test the temperature, Reeve's eyes flicked to the door. A small jingle alerted him to its opening and he smiled slightly when he saw Tseng enter. Dark brown-black eyes found him and the Turk headed for his table, sitting.
"Glad you could make it!" Reeve smiled widely and Tseng merely nodded. After all, Tseng had told Reeve to meet him here, not the other way around. The waitress came and Tseng simply ordered tea, not speaking again until she had walked away.
"Reeve, why are we here?"
Reeve let the smile fall from his face as he set his tea down. He pulled a folder from the seat next to him and slid it across the table to Tseng. One eyebrow raising slightly, Tseng flipped the folder open, eyes scanning the information. A small frown slid into place after he flipped the page. Reeve chose that moment to speak up.
"She was found by Valentine and I assume she's still with him for now. I received a message from him earlier this morning; apparently he took it upon himself to test her level of skill and strength." Reeve paused to take a sip of his tea, eyes on Tseng. Tseng had finished reading the information in the folder and was looking at him now. Reeve continued.
"He said she had to be nearly as strong and fast as Cloud. He mentioned her nightmares and the fact that she undergoes a physical manifestation when this happens… nothing as drastic as we know of Valentine, but, still there."
Tseng set the folder down with a short nod. At this moment, the waitress chose to bring Tseng his tea and he took it with a polite thank you. When they both turned down anything else, she left. Tseng returned his gaze to Reeve.
"I've heard Valentine's personal guest has returned since the fight a year ago, if this is true, do we know anything more because of it?" Reeve shook his head, seemingly frustrated by that.
"Valentine stated that even He doesn't know anything." Nodding, Tseng glanced back down at the unassuming manila folder.
"So we have a lead to where she came from… I'll look into it." Reeve smiled a little and nodded.
"I know I don't have to tell you we don't want the wrong people finding out we're looking into this." Tseng just nodded and Reeve took a long drink from his now cooled tea before rising from his seat. Tseng followed suit, his own tea untouched, lifting the folder and tucking it under his arm.
"I'll be in touch, don't call me." Was all Tseng said, before turning on his heel and leaving the quaint café. Reeve sighed and caught the waitress' attention. He hoped this would go smoothly, but he had a bad feeling.
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XxXxX
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Nanaki trotted into Edge, panting lightly and paused. Taking a deep breath and then releasing it slowly, he sighed. He really should have been here last night, but running into several monsters would delay someone. Having caught his breath, he started off towards the Seventh Heaven.
It only took him a few minutes to reach the bar, and he nosed the door open, knowing that even though the sign said closed, it would be unlocked. The bell above the door gave him away and he spotted Tifa coming in from the back room, smelling like laundry.
"Heya Red! I didn't know you were coming…" She gave him a happy but puzzled look and he smiled.
"I felt the need to visit." Was all he said and she smiled widely and nodded.
"Well, Cloud should be here soon, said he was bringing a guest but he wouldn't tell me who…" She frowned at that and then shrugged, turning and heading back into the laundry room. Nanaki shook his head slightly and turned to head for one of the bench seat at a booth, when he caught the faint sound of Fenrir. His ear pricking up, Nanaki turned around and sat, waiting for Cloud and his mysterious guest.
Cloud pulled Fenrir up to the front of the bar and kicked the stand out, sliding off the bike. He didn't bother pulling First Tsurugi from its compartments in the bike; he didn't really need it right now. Glancing around, he knew Psy was around here somewhere, but once he had entered Edge he had lost sight of the snake. He briefly wondered how Psy was going to get in when the street had several people walking along it. But no matter, he pushed his way through the front door and spotted Nanaki, sitting patiently.
"Hello, Nanaki." Was his greeting to the flamelion, but he paused when he nodded in response and with a glance at the closed door behind him, replied with, "I thought you had a guest…" Cloud blinked a moment before nodding.
"Yes, he'll be here shortly." Nanaki nodded and then paused, looking at Cloud strangely for a moment as he caught scent of something he didn't recognize. No, something he recognized but it was twisted with other scents as well. He turned to head for the booth yet again, a shrill scream and a loud thudding noise came from the laundry room. Both recognized it as Tifa and Cloud groaned, as they ran for the back room.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU?" Cloud heard Tifa yell and then heard a familiar soft, melodic voice.
"I'm terribly sorry; I thought you had stepped out of the room… I'm here with Cloud…." Cloud tried in vain not to laugh as he stepped into the laundry room and saw Tifa standing near the dryer, in a defensive hand-to-hand position, looking startled and confused; Psy … standing… just inside the back doorway, backed against the door, coils of his tail defensively up in front of him and his hands held palm out with a bewildered look on his face. Cloud failed, and his short, soft bark of laughter made Tifa swing around, hands falling slightly with her mouth open and eyes wide.
"Cloud? Who… what… Why are you…? Oh Gaia, you're laughing?" Cloud coughed and managed to smooth the smirk off his face and gestured to Psy. "This is my guest, Psy…" Psy made this all the more comical by giving a small wave. Tifa's hands went to her temples and she sighed before turning sharply on her heel and pushing past both a curious Nanaki and Cloud, heading straight for the bar to pour herself a drink. Nanaki looked up at Cloud and then back to Psy. "Well that went surprisingly well, don't you think?" Nanaki's soft voice was heavy with amusement. The red flamelion turned and followed Tifa towards the bar area. Cloud turned and looked at Psy with a shrug and followed Nanaki. Psy blinked, confused and still a little startled by the entire exchange… However after a moment, he followed as well.
When Psy entered the bar area, he jerked at the sudden startled yell of a very large, darkly skinned, gun armed man. Cloud apparently had already said something to him, but that didn't stop the man from staring at him and then Cloud and then Psy again.
"Hello…" Psy spoke and the large man jumped again. Nanaki spoke up from his place, lounging on one of the long bench seats. "Barret, greet Cloud's guest a bit more politely." Barret gave him an incredulous look before returning his brown eyes to Psy and looking him over. Copper eyes stared back.
"Yo…" Was all he said before turning to help Cloud lower all the blinds. Psy brought a hand to the back of his neck and sighed softly before heading over to where Nanaki was. The red creature looked up at him, pushing himself up until he was seated with his paws on the bench. This put him eye level to Psy.
"I am Nanaki; it is a pleasure to meet you Psy. However, if I may say, I have never seen anything like you before." Psy looked at Nanaki and nodded slowly.
"I came out of a lab. Honestly, I'm unsure as to what I am, though I have heard mention of 'creating a Naga.' Is that helpful at all?" Nanaki nodded, clearly thinking.
"There are old tales of creatures called Naga, half human, half snake; although, it was never proven if the Naga were real or not. Though, judging by the fact that you stand before me, I would assume that if there wasn't before, there is at least one now." Psy smiled slightly… He liked Nanaki, he was polite and didn't look at him like he was … strange. Well, he was, but that wasn't the point. Even Cloud, kind as he seemed, gave him a strange look. Psy settled back, coils curled around him, relaxed.
Suddenly and without much warning beyond the sudden thundering of footsteps on the stairs, Marlene, Denzel and Shelke made their presence known. Shelke walked slower and quieter behind the other two who burst into the Bar looking like they were panicked. Well, they had heard Tifa scream, but Shelke hadn't let them go downstairs until she knew everyone was alright from the sounds and there wasn't any fighting.
Shelke's eyes immediately went to Psy with curiosity. The children however, seemed unaware of him for a moment as they looked to Tifa, as though discerning if she was alright or not. Once they determined that they were, Marlene immediately went to Barret, who swung her up onto his shoulder and Denzel froze where he stood, finally having spotted Psy. Realizing that no one was attacking it, he realized it must be friendly and he grinned like crazy.
"COOL!" And then he bolted towards Psy who looked momentarily frightened. What was he supposed to do? He knew this was a child… He braced himself but Denzel, being smart, slowed down and stopped about ten feet in front of him and looked at Nanaki.
"He won't hurt you," was all Nanaki chose to say and Psy looked at him. Neither Denzel nor Psy could tell which person he was speaking to, but Psy had an idea that he was talking to both of them. Psy returned his gaze to Denzel and held perfectly still, not even seeming to breathe for a moment before he spoke.
"Hello… I am called Psy…" He was hesitant, but he waited and sure enough, Denzel's eyes went wide and he blinked… "You can talk, too? Like Red?" Psy assumed Red was Nanaki when the flamelion smirked, and he nodded in response. It seemed now that he was more than just some pet; Denzel was no longer sure just how 'cool' Psy was. Copper eyes slid from Denzel to Marlene, who was walking up to him after having told her daddy to put her down 'now'. She walked right passed Denzel who glanced at her and right up to Psy.
"I'm Marlene!" And then she smiled at Psy and he could only smile back.
"It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful Lady, Marlene." And he bowed slightly, grinning at her. She giggled and looked down at the snake coils wrapped around him before looking back up at him. Understanding, he reached out slowly and she lifted her arms. Psy did not see Barret and Tifa tense up, eyes wide, but he lifted Marlene from under her arms and set her atop the wide back of his tail. She laughed and turned around, looking to her father and waved, and sat down with her feet dangling.
Barrett looked a little green, but he waved back. Cloud was smirking from his spot leaned against the wall and Tifa finally sighed, accepting the fact that there was a giant snake man—that wasn't going to eat her children—in her bar. She walked over to Cloud, whose blue eyes were trained on her in question. When she got close, she lowered her voice and spoke.
"Do you think it will be a good idea to have him here when the Turks get here?" Cloud frowned at this question as he watched Marlene trying to coax Denzel up onto Psy's broad tail with her. Now that he knew it was a person and not a beast, he was hesitant; but he eventually clambered up.
"I don't think we can really hide him from them…" He trailed off as Tifa started to speak again.
"And why did you bring him here Cloud, because he asked you nicely?" She sounded shocked, unsure. He shook his head and fell silent for a moment before returning his gaze to hers. "No, and just trust my judgment for once, Tifa." He pushed off from the wall and headed to the table Nanaki was seated at. She stared at him for a moment, before the front doors slammed open and Yuffie bounced in, seeing Tifa immediately.
"Hi, Tifa!" She practically bounded over and stopped in front of her. Tifa looked at her and managed to smile. "Hello, Yuffie, good to see you." The sudden barrage of angry cursing and threats to impale someone with Venus Gospel if they didn't explain the Snake Man immediately, brought Tifa's attention up to Cid, who had just entered the Bar and spotted Psy. Yuffie turned around and shrieked, hand going for her Conformer, which, conveniently, had been left on the Shera.
Psy actually looked ashamed to have caused such a commotion, but Cloud's soft but commanding voice brought Cid's attention to him.
"Cid, this is our guest, Psy…" Cid stared at Cloud like he'd grown a second head and his mouth dropped open, his lit cigarette dangling from his lip in an almost impossible manner. When he whipped his head around at the sound of Psy's voice, the cigarette magically seemed to stay stuck to his lip.
"I'm sorry to have startled you, but it is a pleasure to meet you Cid… and Yuffie." His eyes went from Cid to Yuffie who was staring at him like he was Sephiroth reborn and wearing a tutu. Cloud sighed softly and lifted a hand to his temple. Cid looked like he was about to protest that that THING could be anyone's guest and Cloud simply shook his head, voice heavy as he sighed.
"This is going to be a long day, isn't it?"
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XxXxX
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Ranisa had woken early that morning and practically bounced to the shower with her clothes in tow. Vincent had exited his room not long after to the sounds of the shower running. He made his way to the kitchen and started some tea, wondering when they should get to Tifa's. He heard the shower stop running and then the tea kettle started to whistle. Nice timing, he thought as he pulled the kettle from the burner to steep and gathered two cups from the cabinet. Leaning against the counter, he could hear movement from the bathroom; but at this distance, he wasn't sure what it was.
You know… We should really try and push her to transform. I'm curious to know if what we've seen is all, or if there is more to it. Vincent frowned at Chaos' words and shook his head. He would not do that, not unless it was necessary and not until they knew more. They didn't know if the thing in her was sentient, controllable or not. He heard the bathroom door open and turned around, pouring steaming tea into the cups he had set out. Once done, he headed for the living room, walking in just after Ranisa did and offered her one of the cups.
Ranisa was startled to see Vincent walk in the room opposite her moments after she stepped over the threshold but upon seeing him holding out a cup of tea, she smiled and took it gratefully. She set it on the table as she sat on the couch, letting it cool down. "You're just on top of things this morning, aren't you?" Vincent merely looked at her, eyebrow raised. She waved her hand at him, as though dismissing his look. "Yeah yeah, I know, you're always on top of things." He smirked into his cloak and she leaned back into her seat. Ranisa was nervous and excited all at once about today. After all, today was Friday and she was going to get to meet Vincent and Cloud's friends. And hopefully find out something more about myself. But she didn't voice this thought. She hadn't heard that voice in her mind since the vision she had in the shower the other day.
"When do we leave?" Vincent looked over to her when she spoke and he thought for a moment.
"That depends on you. If you can run the entire distance and keep up with me, then we leave around six and get there by seven thirty or so. If you're not sure you can run that far, we leave sooner." She just looked at him and a small smirk crossed his mouth. "I thought as much. We'll leave at six." She chuckled softly and let her head fall back onto the top of the couch. She didn't see the smirk fall into a small smile.
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Cloud cut himself off midsentence, looking towards the door. He turned and looked at Psy, Marlene and Denzel.
"Hey, take him up to your room and stay in there until I come get him." The three gave him a confused look, but the two children climbed off of Psy and headed for the stairs at a jog, Psy close behind. He heard their bedroom door shut as the front door swung open and Reno sauntered in followed by Rude, Tseng, Rufus and Elena. The President of Shin'ra no longer sat in a wheelchair and was no longer bandaged. Instead, he strode with that easy confidence he had always seemed to have. Tifa looked at them and frowned, hands on her hips. "You're early."
"True, but so is everyone who is here." Rufus smirked as his blue eyes took in everyone in Seventh Heaven. "Are we only waiting on Reeve and Vincent?" Tifa opened her mouth to reply, but didn't get the chance.
"No! Yer jus waitin on Vincent now! Is someone gunna let me in or not?" Cait's voice could be heard from beyond the front door and Elena turned, startled, to open the door. The black and white robotic cat—Cait—which Reeve had built, strode in, arms swinging. Cloud shook his head before turning to Rufus.
"Vincent won't get here until eight. I'll let him know to leave now and he should get here within an hour." With that he delved into his pocket and retrieved his cell phone and flipped it open. He dialed Vincent and lifted it to his ear.
"They're already here, can you leave now?" Cloud paused, listening before he snapped the phone shut, returning it to his pocket. "He's leaving." Rufus nodded before strolling over to the closest table and pulling the chair out before sitting down as graceful as a cat. Reno and Rude slid into the closest booth and Elena leaned against the wall by the door. Tseng, on the other hand, moved to sit at the table with Rufus. Tifa moved behind the bar, where Cid and Yuffie sat a few stools apart, Yuffie spinning in circles.
She looked over and noted that Nanaki was in the booth next to Reno and Rude, and Barret and Shelke were on the other side of the front door from them, Rufus and Tseng in-between then. Cait was climbing onto the chair next to Tseng. She sighed, even now, after everything that had happened; the two groups of people still didn't really get along unless they had to. At least in regards to the Turks and previous AVALANCHE members. Cloud was walking to sit at the last chair beside Rufus and Cait. Tifa sighed again, and started making drinks for those she knew what they wanted. She would ask the others when she took the first round out.
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XxXxX
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Vincent snapped his phone shut and rose to his feet. "Ranisa." Moments later she poked her head around the corner from having been in her room. "What?"
"We're leaving; everyone showed up early and are now waiting for us." Ranisa nodded, ducking back into her room to pull her gloves and sword harness on. Vincent walked to the foyer and checked his weapon and materia. He was certain he had everything he needed, even if they all picked up and left from the Seventh Heaven. He was always prepared, at least weapon-wise. Ranisa strode from the bedroom, flicking off lights as she went, before reaching past Vincent to grab her weapon and sling it up into its sheath. Vincent didn't bother locking the door; if anything was stolen, it wouldn't be important… the important things were locked up.
"Let's go." Ranisa nodded in response and when Vincent took off in a blur of red and black, she followed suit. She didn't think the pace he set was fast enough and increased her steps, shooting out in front of Vincent with a challenging smirk. He spotted it and followed suit. Both used the trees to spring board them forward until they hit the desert plain just before Edge and what was once Midgar. Then Vincent cheated. A red and black haze flared over him and the Gallian beast dropped to all fours and charged forward. Yelping in shock, Ranisa nearly tripped over her own feet. She lurched after him, as fast as she could go, staying right behind the giant purple, man-wolf, demon… thing…
"NO FAIR, VINCENT!" She bellowed at him. A short distance from the city, they both slowed down and Vincent returned to his natural shape with the same dark cloud of … whatever it was. Ranisa was panting and Vincent gave her an almost amused look. She had been startled, but she hadn't freaked out and accepted the Gallian beast as part of Vincent… This was something Vincent had slowly begun to understand; most people did accept it as well as Chaos. Sure, it was scary at first, but they knew who was behind it… most people being those who knew anything about Vincent and those were limited to those he had worked with or fought alongside of.
Vincent turned away from Ranisa and headed into the City of Edge and towards Seventh Heaven at a fast walk. Ranisa followed, already having caught her breath.
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A/N: (*) Columbian Red Tailed Boa – Google it – It was the only way I knew how to describe the way Psy is supposed to be colored. So, please read and Review!
~Risikaa~