Reno—Rocket Town

Fucking airship mechanics. Minds always in the gutter.

It had gotten to the point where I could practically smell at the town limits when there was going to be trouble. I could see the desperate hunger she'd talked about. Me, I called it plain lust.

Rocket Town is full of primarily strong, stupid men who work in the airship yards, few with families. I don't see how Mayor Highwind keeps these moronic louts in check when any unescorted woman comes to town, let alone one like a walking wellspring of life everyone's trying to suck on.

I swung my nightstick, deliberately casual. I didn't particularly want to kill the smelly primates. I didn't want to start anything we'd have to extricate ourselves from. I'm great at broadcasting that I'm someone you don't wanna mess with, despite my size. Growing up in the slums, sallow and wiry, you learn to make the most of what you've got.

Rude tried to follow my lead, but subtle ain't exactly in his repertoire, poor bastard. He's like a giant locked door with a comically huge 'KEEP OUT OR ELSE' sign. He shows up and everyone checks themselves. Sometimes I envy that law-enforcement shit he exudes, but if I weren't my fantastic self I wouldn't have the magic that makes me deputy director of the Turks.

We crawled through the filthy, noisy town shadowed by giant airship skeletons in varying stages of completion. I stuck close to Schala. I periodically flicked the EMR on and off, enough that its shrill buzz and flicker of electricity caught the attention of the mechanics hovering at the periphery to watch her like a pack of hungry wolves.

That's right, assholes, keep walking, I thought, fixing one or two with my classic no-nonsense stare. Don't fuck with Reno and Rude of the Turks.

A whiff of pungent smoke wafted into my face. "Well, well, well, what have we here?"

I shouldered my nightstick and swiveled with a grin. "How's it hangin', old man?"

Cid Highwind's cigarette end flared almost as red as my hair. His lips pursed. He blew a potent stream of smoke right in my face. I coughed, eyes streaming.

"Watch it, punk, you're on my turf now," he said out of the side of his mouth, keeping the cig in place.

I lolled my head toward my partner. "I call that a profound lack of gratitude, Rude. What do you think?"

Rude folded his arms and looked imposing. "Profound lack," he echoed. "Maybe we should just take our charge and go, partner."

"What the fuck are you two on about now? You here on some errand for that asshole boss of yours? 'Cause his airship ain't gettin' finished any faster no matter how ya threaten me. In fact I'm liable to get a bit flustered about the plans, maybe have to overhaul the whole shebang, if you piss me off."

"Ooh, touchy," I mocked. "Maybe you could shut your trap for a minute and pay attention." I jerked my thumb over my shoulder and swiveled to look back at Schala. She knelt on the ground, surrounded by sick children whose exhausted and wasted-looking mothers pushed them forward to her.

I picked a terrific moment to reveal her. Like a picture postcard she was, ministering to those little tykes. The green stuff was flowing out of her full blast.

Like a damn Mako reactor, the thought crossed my mind, sobering and disturbing me as I realized how true it was. She was shivering inside the jacket and the black velvet clothes they'd gifted her in Wutai. Nothing stopped her when she really got going. Another reason we had to watch out for her—she was just as eager to give away healing as everyone was frantic to take from her.

"Fuckin' hell," hissed Cid. "That's… that's… who the hell is that?"

"Our friend," Rude said, unexpected and loud, and Schala's head whipped up. "Miss Zeal."

She stared at Rude, her expression unreadable. I gave him a long look myself and wondered what he was up to.

"Yeah," I said finally, and turned to look at Cid. "Miracle, huh? She can cure Geostigma."

Cid stared at her, wide-eyed and frowning in shock. The cigarette fell forgotten from his lips. At length he said quietly, "Where did she come from?"

I shrugged. "Somewhere in the countryside, she says. Does it matter? She's not who she looks like, if that's what you're asking."

"Yeah, I know," said Cid. "But… damn! Does Cloud know?"

I rolled my eyes with a theatrical sigh. "Believe it or not, a lot of shit goes on in the world that Cloud doesn't know about. You AVALANCHE people don't zip your flies without talking to him, do you?"

Cid glowered at me. "You could work your fuzzy red ass off your whole damn life and never amount to half the man he is, and you know it. Drives you nuts, don't it?"

I barked a laugh. "Oh, that's rich. Me, trying to imitate the great moody delivery boy! No thanks."

Cid nonchalantly dug a rumpled paper carton out of his back pocket and tapped it against his calloused palm. "We whipped your hide quite a few times, as I recollect, pretty boy. You lookin' to go another round with me?" He put a fresh cigarette in his mouth, pocketed the pack and flicked a lighter to suck-start his cancer stick.

"Reno," Rude said urgently.

I glanced at him, followed the direction his sunglasses were pointed and saw. While Cid had me distracted, the children had gone and the press of the genuinely needy flowed away from her. This left the burly men at the edges of the crowd to move in.

I took a sharp breath and tensed. Before I could move, Schala rose spinning from her crouch and punched the dirty oaf behind her in the balls. As he fell groaning to his knees, his compatriots closed in an angry knot. She whirled and kicked out.

Go, go, go! I thought with glee, grinning fit to break my face.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Cid yelled, wading in. "Break it up!" He got an elbow to the face for his trouble. The core remained focused on my student. She ducked and wove and twirled, never where they grabbed. Her fists and feet landed well as her body bent and stretched like some gorgeous predator. She wasn't perfect in form by a long shot, but she'd made so much progress in so short a time.

God damn, look at her go! I thought. Look at that hot motherfucking shit I created! Maaaaan!

She did another one of those backflips she surprised me with in Wutai. Cid had recovered by this point and started peeling the men off her. "Knock it off, you fuckin' morons!" he snarled. "I'll throw ya all in jail! Hit the showers!"

The men finally listened, retreating with seething glances at her, bruised and bloodied. Cid strolled up to my girl, who straightened and released her fists.

"Tryin' to start a riot?" he said.

"No, sir," she said, panting. "Just trying to heal some sick people."

"Uh-huh. You solicitin'? Recruitin' for Shinra?" he said.

"No, sir," she said, keeping calm despite the mayor's confrontational tone. Rude stepped in between them, surprising me. I hadn't even heard the big man move. He clasped his hands in front of him, facing Cid.

"Is there a problem?" said Rude. "We're happy to leave if Miss Zeal's services aren't welcome here."

"No, please!" cried a woman in dirty clothes who'd retreated as the fight started. She appealed desperately to Cid, spreading her hands. "Captain Highwind, please, my husband is very sick with the stigma and can't get out of bed. I'm begging you, let this woman heal him."

Cid put his hands on the woman's shoulders. "Calm down, Renata, I'm not runnin' them outta town. She'll see to Clyde, and everyone else who's sick. I just want to restore a little law, order and respect around here."

"Then talk to your men, Captain," I said peevishly, strolling up. "They're the ones that started it. Fighting those assholes off takes up her valuable time and energy, you know."

"May I say something, Captain?" said Schala.

"Shoot," said Cid, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and blowing smoke up at the sky instead of in her face. He folded his arms.

"Tensions are running high in towns and villages all around the world," she said. "Geostigma has affected not just those who are sick. Everyone's been afraid of catching something that can't be cured. People have watched family, friends, neighbors fall and suffer seemingly at random. Communities are divided. When anyone could be next, it makes people desperate and isolationist, protecting self-interests and their children at any cost.

"People who've given up hope, faced with an inkling of it, tend to grab hard and hold on fast. What I believe may help is a firm hand, reassurance and structure to the process of healing the sick and injured. You seem capable, moral and determined. Can we work with you to help your people?"

I realized my mouth hung open and shut it. I tore my eyes from her to look to Cid.

He nodded. "You got your head screwed on right, girl." He reached out as if to ruffle her hair and she reared away, her expression hardening. He had the grace to look embarrassed. "Sorry. Shoulda known better. Tell ya what, let's get you set up at the inn, I'll talk to my people and we'll arrange a place for you to work. And I'll make sure you're only seein' people who need your healin'."

She nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Eh, call me Cid. Everyone 'round here calls me that or Captain. C'mon, kiddo. You two goons may as well come, too." He turned and strolled off, trailing smoke. Schala glanced over at me before following. I trailed Rude, bringing up the rear, full of churning thoughts.

She's got the same gift of gab as President Shinra, I thought.

She stretched out on her bed in the inn. I flopped on the next bed over, watching her. She plucked at the covers, rolling them up around her like a quilted tortilla. Her eyes were shut.

"I'm proud of you," I said. "You're really getting the hang of beating seven kinds of shit out of people."

"Got a good teacher," she murmured.

"You got that right." I frowned. "You gonna take a nap?"

"Mm-mmm…"

"Yeah, right. You conk out for a while. I'll make sure Cid's got those gearheaded greaseballs in hand." I rolled up off the bed and strode for the door. "Rude'll watch out for you while I go drop a few choice words in the old man's ear."

"Lyrant?"

I glanced back at her. "Yeah?"

Her eyes were open again. "Thank you."

I grinned. "Don't be so quick with the gratitude, I'm gonna work you harder in practice. Gotta keep you from getting cocky."

"Oh, but I have the best teacher for that," she said.

I stalked toward her mock-menacingly. "You better watch your mouth if you don't want your lesson right now, Bami."

She rolled onto her back and stretched with a sleepy grin, arching that supple little velvet-covered body. "Good idea, Lyrant. I need a lesson in how to fight off a strange man who attacks me in my bed while I'm sleeping." She shut her eyes and folded her hands on her chest.

"Don't tempt me," I growled, my fingers twitching. I don't know that I could control myself and remember that I'm supposed to be training you, I added in my head. Don't test me. I don't want to find out, here and now, that despite trying so hard my entire life, I've turned out like my father…

She peeked at me. "Are we going to fight, or what?"

I turned away, angry and apprehensive. "Later. I've got shit to do." I skedaddled, but refrained from slamming the door. It wasn't her fault I was horny as hell. Although it kinda is, my smarmy inner voice piped up, less-than-helpfully adding a slideshow of the hottest images from her fight earlier.

Sometimes I really wish I could kick my inner voice in the face.

Schala—Rocket Town

I couldn't lift my head off the bar. I felt so tired. Rude sat beside me, and now that I knew what to look for I saw sympathetic concern in the tension around his mouth and eyes. Reno had gone up for a shower, loudly declaring for all the inn's empty main room to hear that he stank.

Vain as a peacock, I thought, clutching my teacup as the last vestiges of warmth leached out of the porcelain. At least the town was healed, and I'd managed to look not-exhausted until Reno was out of sight. I wanted to leave at first light. Despite the best efforts of Captain Cid and whatever Reno had said to him, those mechanics and steelworkers had gotten in more than a few unwarranted feels on the flimsiest excuses of 'helping.'

No one needs to touch me that much. Especially when I'm clearly standing on my own two feet.

"Do you need help getting upstairs?" Rude said ironically at this point.

It took me several moments to formulate my response and muster the energy to speak it. "Not yet. I need a couple more minutes, my friend." I managed to open the eye pointed upward and saw him nod once at me, elbows braced on the wood, leaning slightly forward.

A better friend than I probably deserve, I thought, exhaustion exacerbating my emotions. No one in this world so much as suspects what destruction I was once a part of, unable to extricate myself from. …This is all past. Can I start anew here? Is there redemption in what I do? Is that why I'm doing it, to heal the sins of my past?

I remember helping because I wanted to, not in order to atone. That Schala… a lifetime ago. Dead now, I suppose. Or someone else.

The inn door opened and Rude was on his feet in a flash. I lifted my head and whirled, but this caused the whole room to spin around me. Rude relaxed beside me.

"Evenin'," came the Captain's voice. His bootfalls echoed across the floor and he swam into focus. He was carrying a spear on his shoulder and that omnipresent cigarette in his mouth. I coughed, and this set off a whole spate of shivers.

"Whoa, sorry, girl." He extinguished his cigarette and dropped it on the bar. "You doin' all right? You look like hell."

I leaned heavily on the bar, still coughing, eyes streaming.

"Damn. Let me get you some water." He vaulted over the bar and in rapid time had slammed a glass of clear liquid in front of me. "Drink this, honey."

I took it with a nod and sipped as much as I could without choking. The irritation in my throat gradually subsided. He looked on me with alarmed concern.

"Gonna pull through?" he said.

I nodded, swallowing more water. "Thank you," I managed to get out.

"Naw, girl, thank you." He shook his head. "Never seen anythin' quite like what you did today. You've got my gratitude, as well as most of the people in this town. Anytime you need air transport, just gimme a call and I'll pick you up, okay? Don't think you can depend on these Shinra creeps once they're finished exploitin' ya, but you've got a friend for life in Cid Highwind."

Rude cleared his throat and I glanced around at him. It was clear his fierce scowl was aimed at Cid.

"Got somethin' to say to me, eight-ball?" said Cid.

Rude glared. Tension thickened.

Get me out of here, I thought wearily.

"Thought not." Cid returned his attention to me and grinned, producing a card out of his pocket. "Got my home number on the back. You're welcome anytime, darlin'. Don't be a stranger, hey?"

"You're very kind, Captain," I said, pocketing the card.

"I'll even smoke outside if you come visit," he said. "When you meet him, tell Cloud to give me a buzz, too. Man don't answer his damn phone." He saluted me jauntily and strode out. "Don't worry about the bill!" he called over his shoulder before the door shut.

I turned to Rude, laying my head back down on the bar. "Am I supposed to know who Cloud is?"

Rude was silent for a good long while. I opened my eyes and propped my head on my hand, frowning, unable to see his expression.

"I take it that's a 'you're kidding, right?'" I said. "I'm ill-informed."

"Where have you been for the past two years?" said Rude. "Everyone knows who Cloud is. He defeated Sephiroth. Cid's one of the group who helped him defeat the Weapons and save the world."

"Oh," I said. That, at least, I had heard about.

Rude shook his head, looking incredulous. "Come on, let's get you to bed." He rose and held out his arm to me in a gentlemanly way. I took it, wishing I didn't have to lean on him so much.

"Thank you," I said, wincing. I couldn't straighten up out of my huddle against the chill inside me.

"You work too hard," he said, helping me to the stairs. He switched me to the other side so I could use the banister as well.

"This place isn't like Wutai," I said, softly, in case anyone was listening. I heaved myself up, angry at my own weakness. "Damn, I have to get better at this if I'm going to get through Junon and Edge!"

"We've got time."

I shook my head. "Every day more people get sick. Every day people die I could have saved." More blood on my conscience.

"If you die, if you get sick, you can't save anyone."

I sighed. Talking was too much effort. We crested the stairs at last and my legs wanted to give out right there. The hall seemed like salt in an open wound, like the last straw.

Rude saw me hesitate and put an arm around my waist, supporting both arms at once to guide me to the door. As we neared it, I heard Reno singing in the shower. He was loud. I grinned up at Rude, who shook his head with a sigh.

"Oh, you love him," I said. "Who else could get under your skin like he does? Without him, you'd get so bored."

"Wish I could, sometimes," said Rude, opening the door. "Bored seems a lot more fun when you haven't been it in years." He helped me to my bed, steadied me with one strong arm and whipped back the covers with his other hand. I lowered my aching body into the envelope.

"If you ever need respite from the snoring," he said, pulling the covers over me, "and singing, and whistling—I can stay with you some night and Reno can have the single." The shower shut off, but the singing continued as Rude spoke.

I hid my grin in the pillow. Reno snored lightly like a dog, but I could hear Rude's log-sawing through the wall.

"Thanks, friend," I said extending a hand up to clasp his. Whether or not I thought I deserved his kindness, it was plainly there. He smiled briefly at me, then turned to go. As Rude left, Reno popped out of the bathroom in his briefer-than-briefs, towel slung around his neck and hair flowing free like an exotic mane down his back.

"What did he want?" said Reno, frowning at the shutting door as he flopped on the other bed.

"He tucked me in," I mumbled, shutting my eyes.

"Jeez, you look beat. No practice tonight, huh?" he said.

"You go ahead without me," I said.

He tsked. "Lazy Bami."

I rolled away from him. It stung that he persisted in calling me a bitch, even though it sounded pretty in Wutain. I knew my exhaustion made me sensitive and hoped the hurt would evaporate with the morning dew. I had always had a soft spot for the Earthbound Ones in Zeal, and something told me Reno had grown up underprivileged as well. Whatever his history he possessed a strength and confidence I lacked and yearned for, a sort of power not dependent on position or other fleeting things.

Reno is Reno… I thought philosophically.