Chapter 2:
Cloud stood impatiently as Aerith sweet talked the dressmaker into creating a dress for him. Reminding himself that this was all for Tifa, that he was basically going undercover, for her, Cloud bit back the scathing words that were JUST on the tip of his tongue. He didn't like what the conversation was insinuating, and it rankled at him that he seemingly had no say in this. It was either wear a dress, or let Aerith go find Tifa by herself.. A few minutes later saw Aerith coming back with a sweet smile on her face.
"He said the dress will take a few hours or so, so he suggested we head to the gym. They have wigs there!" She skipped away, leaving behind a confused blond.
Why would a gym have wigs?
Following her, Cloud succeeded in doing enough squats to win the best wig Big Bro had. It looked so real, and he was pleased this item was acquired so easily. For him, squats were something that he would do to burn off excess energy back when he was in SOLDIER. He could remember him and-
He couldn't remember who would do squats with him. When his mind tried to grasp the memory, it felt like trying to hold water in his hands. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he tuned in on what Aerith was talking about with Big Bro. After they said their thanks, the two left the gym, the sounds of weight machines fading behind them. From there, they went to the dressmaker's shop to see how the dress was coming along. It wasn't done yet, but the dressmaker suggested they go and find other things to "make his transformation complete." Aerith seemed to know what he was talking about, and dragged him all over the Wall Market. They ate a meal and got a coupon, she picked out lingerie, and their final stop saw them at an item shop.
The proprietor seemed lazy and bored, and Cloud was tasked with the job of checking out the Inn's vending machine items. Getting a room to gain access to the vending machine, Aerith sat on her side of the bed, sighing at how soft it was. She laid down and Cloud laid down next to her, to test the bed himself.
As the stresses of the day settled upon them, both were asleep within minutes.
Hours later, Cloud awoke in horror to find it nighttime. Launching himself off of the bed, he laced up his boots in a hurry, leaving Aerith to continue sleeping on the bed. Stopping by the vending machine and throwing in 50 Gil, he grabbed the item, and rushed over to the item shop only to find, expectantly, it closed. Slinking back to the Inn, Cloud retired to his room.
Only a few hours had passed before Tifa was summoned to the Don's office. It was just her and the man who had escorted her here, and she still didn't know his name. They stood in silence for a few minutes, Tifa shifting from one foot to the other. She first noticed the shift in the air pressure in the room before the sound of a door opening resonated through the room. A portly blond man strode from behind the gaudy folding screen set up behind his desk and paused, taking time to look Tifa up and down.
"Why hello, my pretty," purred the voice of her current mission, sending shivers of disgust down her spine. Forcing an innocent smile onto her face, Tifa batted her eyelashes at the man who was old enough to be her father. "Is it only you today?" Don Corneo asked, feigning disappointment all the while his gaze kept bouncing between her bust and her bottom. Without letting her get a word in edgewise, he continued, "What a disappointment. I enjoy the anticipation when there are three of you." The larger man moved to stand behind his desk, his hands clasped behind his back. Pursing his lips in thought, he turned to look at Tifa, their eyes locking, and for a moment, Tifa felt a surge of fear rush through her. "I guess you will do." With the snap of his fingers, the Don turned his head away just as his unnamed henchman moved forward to grab Tifa by the arm. Ripping her arm out of the man's grasp, Tifa confronted her mission.
"Do not let him manhandle me," she demanded. Don Corneo turned back and raised an eyebrow at her. "I am not goods to be done with as he pleases-"
"Oh, but darling, he was only trying to escort you into your new bedroom," the Don tried to sweet talk. Tifa schooled her expression into one of concern, and then apology, trying to look sincere as she did so.
"Oh, I am so sorry! I'm just so used to the big bad scary men taking advantage of me that I just can't help myself when it happens." Tifa's mouth was open to say more, and lay more compliments on thickly when a knocking came at the door to the office.
"What is it?" the Don asked as he looked past Tifa at the door, the brunette following his gaze just in time to have the door open up to reveal a black haired woman in full Soldier First Class gear, her whip coiled tightly at her hip. The Lieutenant General strode into the room and stopped in front of Corneo's desk. "Ah, Lieutenant General! What brings you to my humble abode?" he asked, his eyes darting over to Tifa before he plastered a smile on his face, facing the Soldier 1st Class once more.
"I have been sent by President Shinra to take care of any threats upon your person. Apparently there were a few things unsaid at the last meeting. Until negotiations are complete, I am to ensure your safety and negate any attempts at assassination," the older woman stated, standing at attention, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Is this all really necessary?" Corneo asked, coming out from behind his desk to face the woman more head on, somewhat placing Tifa in between them. With his hands sensually trailing down the brunette's arms, Tifa shuddered in disgust. "My new bride and I were about to spend our wedding night together, and-"
"Actually," Tifa interrupted as sweetly as she could, her mind whirling as she tried to come up with a new plan. She was originally going to threaten Corneo when they were alone, but with a member of Soldier 1st Class there, Tifa knew she would be slaughtered if she attempted anything of the sort. "You haven't made me your bride yet." The words seemed to be spilling from her lips and she couldn't stop them. "I. . .I was raised better than that. . .to. . .to do certain things before actual marriage is against my beliefs." Tifa turned to look at Corneo from over her shoulder, and he looked furious.
"Actually," the woman in front of them said, and Tifa's head whipped around to stare at the Lieutenant General, "That would work perfectly. The two of you can come to the Shinra building tomorrow and get a formal marriage license. And while you are there, you can finish that meeting with President Shinra, Corneo. That way you can kill two birds with one stone."
"Astasia-!" Corneo whined, but the black haired woman stayed firm on this.
"That's Lieutenant General or Ma'am to you, Corneo. And why would you object to getting a formalized marriage? After all the years you've spent chasing the uninterested women, now that you have a willing one, one night wouldn't kill you. I'm sure you have a spare room for this young lady, and by this time tomorrow, once your meeting is done, you can be doing whatever it is you are planning with this woman." As if suddenly remembering her manners, the woman named Astasia turned her attention towards Tifa, and, while reassured that she had her own protector in this woman in front of her, Tifa felt true terror at the hardness in the other woman's eyes. "My apologies, what is your name?"
"T-tifa," the barmaid stuttered out, and flushed slightly when Astasia nodded her head in recognition.
"It is nice to meet you," she said a little stiffly before turning her attention back to Corneo. "Now, Corneo, this girl looks like she's freezing. Why don't you have someone show her to her room, and maybe get her a change of clothes that isn't the bee costume from the Honey Bee Inn." With a glare, which Corneo somewhat returned, the Don snapped his fingers and his still unnamed henchman sprang into action.
"On it boss!" he exclaimed before fleeing the room, most likely trying to find clothes that would fit the buxom female.
Silence filled the room after he left, and Tifa managed to escape out of Corneo's slimy grasp, moving to the side of the room where a day couch rested against the wall. She perched on the very edge of it, untrusting of how sanitary it actually was. Turning slightly green at visions of what might have happened on this couch, Tifa sat tall and tried not to fidget, her hands clasped in her lap as she sat like a lady.
"Do you like movies?" Corneo suddenly said after Astasia had taken up a position on the wall opposite of where Tifa sat. The barmaid jumped at the sudden intrusion of the silence and her attention shot to the only man in the room. Shaking her head no, she felt like she had to explain one of the few truths she's admitted in this room.
"We've never had money to see a movie, let alone the equipment for home use. We were lucky to have the public theater when growing up," she admitted softly. It was all true. It was only after coming to Midgar that Tifa realized there were such things as movies, and the concept hadn't really entertained her that much. She was just too busy, between helping AVALANCHE and prepping the bar.
"What about music? Do you have time to listen to music?" came his next question, and Tifa had to put him down gently.
"I only ever listen to the news and the public radio. I've learned so many things, though!" she defended herself, slightly ashamed at just how uneducated she really was. There was a flush to her cheeks, and a chuckle coming from Astasia brought Tifa out of her indignation.
"I do the same. While music is delightful, one doesn't have time for it when compared to a busy day," the older woman explained. The moment was broken entirely when the unnamed henchman came back with a set of men's clothes.
"Sorry boss. All I got are a few spare things from tha guys. Will they do?"
"Of COURSE not!" Corneo explained. "Those clothes aren't fit for a lady! At least bring her a blanket, man!" Corneo sounded very cross, and that was Astasia's cue to push herself off of the wall and intervene.
"I think this would be a great time to show Miss Tifa to her room for the night. It has been a long day, I am sure, and I would not doubt she would appreciate the rest before her big day tomorrow," Astasia said, coming over to stand near Tifa.
"Ah yes!" Cornero replied, adjusting his outer robe before joining the two women at the couch. "I can even help her undress if she wants-"
"I can do that, if she needs help, which I doubt," Astasia interrupted, giving Corneo a pointed look. "After all, the bride and groom must not see each other the night before the wedding, no matter how nontraditional the wedding itself may be." As Corneo flushed at these words, Tifa found, for the second time that day, a hand coming to rest at her elbow to escort her somewhere. "If your henchmen can lead us to where Miss Tifa will be staying for the night, I can return here and ensure that no one will go in or out of these rooms. You will be quite safe here." Without a chance to let Corneo argue, Astasia turned to the peon. "Lead us to an available guestroom," she commanded.
Almost instantly, the henchman sprang into action and dashed out of the room, Astasia leading Tifa out afterwards, ignoring Corneo's blustering. Tomorrow was a big day, and Tifa was dreading it.
A/N: Hey guys! Here's the second chapter! ^.^ Hope you all are enjoying it so far. Do you guys have any predictions as to who Tifa's husband could be? (Plot twist: it's not Don Corneo) Make sure to leave a fave, a follow, and/or a review, and I'll see you in the next chapter!
Until next time, My Lovelies!
Edit 6/24/2020- Fixed Grammar and spelling