Chapter Seven: A Small Favor
Aralyn stayed a week, and, over time, it became harder and harder for even Cloud to be suspicious of her.
She was up and about almost immediately, showing no signs of ever having been hurt. While at first she was timid in joining in activities with the rest of the group, she eventually was always down in the bar, doing miscellaneous chores, talking with the others, or playing with Marlene or Denzel.
Other members of Avalanche came in to visit, and while Aralyn's timid nature didn't create an amazing first impression, it didn't take long for everyone to warm up to her.
She met Barret on her very first day. It had been easy for Aralyn to win the man over – all it took was one glimpse of Aralyn on the floor with Marlene, dolls in hand, with a huge grin on Marlene's face, to convince him that Aralyn was the best thing that had ever happened to his daughter.
Cid originally found nothing of note in the woman: she didn't like his tea or laugh at his off-colored humor, and so he had simply assumed that the two had nothing to talk about. It was during his second visit that the conversation had turned to the topic that brought them together: flight. She was enthralled by the stories he told of his adventures in the skies, especially the story of how he had originally met Cloud and the others in a frantic escape from the Turks. She listened to him ramble about his passion for flying when no one else would, and laughed in all the right places. "You know, you're all right," he told her, and promised to take her for a ride in his new airship when it was done being repaired.
Yuffie found little of interest in Aralyn until one of her materia-theft attempts had been thwarted. As Cid stormed through the Seventh Heaven, loudly cursing the ninja and searching every nook and cranny for her, Aralyn had remained silent, even though she had seen Yuffie climb into the dish cabinet. Ever since, the two women had a quiet admiration for one another, even if they did not do much together.
But as the week progressed, everyone could see that Aralyn was not happy at the Seventh Heaven. She denied that anything was wrong, but she often stared out the window for long periods of time. Though she tried her hardest to appear content, it was a false cover for her restlessness. Much of the time, she was uneasy – and sometimes even fearful - for reasons that she wouldn't reveal to anyone.
It was during these times that Aralyn lingered near Vincent. The enigmatic man never asked her any questions, and she found solace in his silence. Over time, he became accustomed to her presence as well.
It became commonplace for Aralyn to be at Vincent's side. They seemed to share an unspoken bond in empathy. The two understood each other better than anyone else in Avalanche did.
Once, Tifa tried to confront Vincent about the cause of Aralyn's depression. "You need to let her leave," was all he said. "She can't be at home here."
It was a hectic day. Customers flooded the Seventh Heaven, and Tifa's head was reeling to service them all. Denzel, Marlene, and Aralyn helped where they could, but they were still severely shorthanded.
The phone rang in the adjacent room. Tifa sighed in fatigue, wiped flour from her hands with a dishtowel, and headed to get it. Her greeting was cheerful, but all her replies after that were hesitant. "Strife Delivery Service, you name it, we deliver it. . .of course we can do that. Now? Uh, give us twenty minutes or so. All right. We'll be there."
Tifa reentered, holding her hands out in defeat. "Another order."
"Let me take it," Cloud offered quickly. "You've been working all day."
"Thanks, Cloud, but it's almost closing time and things are winding down. You and the kids can handle things until then. Everyone will be arriving soon after that, and you're the one they need to see."
"I could skip that," he said sheepishly.
"You'd be all too happy to, wouldn't you?"
Aralyn caught the hint and sprang on her opportunity. "Let me go! I know the city, and it's the least I can do after all you've done for me."
Tifa and Cloud exchanged looks. "You sure you're all right?" Tifa asked.
"I'm fine! I've been healed for a long time now."
"And we'll go with her!" Marlene chirped as she grabbed the young boy's hand. "Denzel and I. We'll keep her safe!"
Cloud grimaced, clearly not liking the idea. Tifa looked at him, holding up flour-dusted hands in defeat. "That would be a great help, Aralyn, if you're certain it wouldn't be a strain on you."
"It won't," she promised.
"I'll load the bike up, then." Cloud rose from his seat, heading toward the back room. Tifa motioned them back, giving Aralyn a grateful smile as she passed by.
On the way back Aralyn asked Cloud, "What is it that you'd love to miss, but can't?"
Cloud gave her a half smile. "Tifa's idea. A birthday party."
"I didn't know that! Happy birthday, then!" Aralyn said, making sure the children's helmets were securely on before fastening her own. "Tifa's right, you should stay here to celebrate." She turned behind her, making sure that the cardboard box was safely strapped into place on the back of the bike.
It was decided that Marlene would ride first, while Denzel and Aralyn walked beside her. The trip wasn't far, and it would only take about an hour to ride there, deliver the package, and return. Tifa assured them that there would be a party waiting for them when they got back.
"Just be careful!" Tifa shouted as they continued to their destination.
"We will!" Marlene replied. "It's just around town!"
The clock hit six just as Tifa and Cloud reentered. "One hour," she muttered to herself. "They should be back by seven."
And then it was midnight.
Tifa sat at a table with her head in her hands, unable to believe that neither the kids nor Aralyn had returned yet. The party continued, but it was forced, the news taking away any fun that might have been had. The air was thick, and everyone was noticeably conversing with Tifa only to distract her. Cloud, Barret and Cid had gone to search at about eight, but the one call she received from Cloud told her that they had scoured every possible route they might have taken. There was nothing. Nothing that could be attributed to Marlene, Denzel, or Aralyn was within miles of their intended destination.
And what disturbed her most was the fact that the delivery had not been made; they hadn't even made it there. The customer had called to complain to Tifa. "You said it would be here by now! What kind of a business are you running?"
It was with extreme difficulty that Tifa had explained that the delivery had been intercepted. It took all she had to keep from losing her temper with the woman.
Yuffie perched herself on the seat next to Tifa, casually putting her feet on the table. "Maybe they just got lost," she offered.
"And miss their target by more than a mile?" Vincent asked.
"It's a possibility!" Yuffie insisted. When Tifa wasn't looking, she turned him. "Thanks a lot, Vincent," she mouthed sarcastically.
Vincent didn't respond to this. It was clear what he thought had happened, though he didn't voice it in consideration of Tifa. No one did, though it loomed over their thoughts like a stormy cloud.
"I shouldn't have let them go," Tifa said quietly. "Not when…he is back."
"Sephiroth's probably got much nastier things to do than chase after-"
A high, mechanical melody rang out through the room, making everyone jump in surprise. Vincent casually reached into his cloak, pulling out a cell phone and flipping it open. Tifa held her breath, knowing it was dark news; if it were otherwise, Cloud would have called her directly.
"They found the bike," he said after his short, muted conversation. "What was left of it."
Tifa opened her mouth to reply, but Yuffie voiced the words. "And the kids? Aralyn?"
Vincent shook his head. "Nothing. He says they'll keep looking."
Before anyone could say anything more, a tiny tap sounded on the door. Leaping to her feet, Tifa flew to answer it. Vincent and Yuffie heard a cry of relief before they could see what was happening. When they could, they found Denzel and Marlene, both encircled in Tifa's arms. There was a nasty cut on Denzel's cheek, Marlene's dress was torn and she was frightened and pale, but both were present, and very much alive.
"Aralyn?" Tifa asked. "What happened? Where is she?"
Marlene shrank back, only kept from retreating further by Denzel's grip on her wrist. Denzel swayed a little, lowering his head. "The three Sephiroth remnants," he whispered. "They took her."