Author note: Listen I've found an Etsy artist out for my own heart. They do amazing art of quite a few different FF games, most notable for me currently is the ff7 ones they have. I'm going to get the Reno one for sure, but I'm torn between which Sephiroth one I want. You all should check them out if you want some gorgeous artwork! There name is Tylerhepnor.
Also I'm going go start using my Tumblr to take requests, and showcase things like my characters outfits and such. I realized everyone in FF has a signature outfit. I wanted to let you guys see a little what I imagine Sophie is wearing during these events. If you're curious, here is the link..
crystallinechaos
Chapter start
Hurting him would never be my intention. My head hit the window as I blinked tiredly. Sephiroth hadn't looked upset to the untrained eye. Only someone who knew him would have been able to see the way his eyes flashed. Still, I'd done what I could. We'd spent my last day sparring with materia to make him happy. He'd been quite disapproving when he realized I'd held the same ones for years and hadn't had much growth. Materia just wasn't for me.
With little fanfare, he had taken the bracelet holding the orbs, taking them out and replacing them with his own mastered copies. Annoyance and concern in his eyes. He'd been an absolute drill sergeant, having me cast until he was satisfied or my energy ran out. Guess which happened first?
"You will need to rely on yourself out there," he murmured lowly.
I had been plopped onto his couch, legs draped over him as I bemoaned how "mean" he was. At his words I paused, mulling them over. He was worried. That had been obvious, his concern over the materia, and his training. My foot nudged his side until he grasped the ankle, giving me a side eye.
"The Turks will be there too. It's going to be fine, and I'll be back before you know it."
His sigh spoke all his words for him. He didn't trust the Turks. In fact, for this, it would be a wonder if he'd even trust Angeal and Genesis. He saw me as still the little girl he'd originally met. If Rufus didn't bind me so much, I'm sure Sephiroth would be the one to limit my movement.
This would be good for both of them. Sephiroth couldn't become fixated or obsessive on anything. And I couldn't live as some caged bird. The sooner the most important men in my life realized that, the happier we'd all be.
Still, I didn't want him moping. Before I left, I asked Genesis and Angeal for a favor. To pay a visit, using whatever excuse, to the sector five slums.
Now here I sat in a helicopter, grateful for the fact I wasn't motion sick or afraid of heights. The scenery I supposed was pretty, yet depressing when one thought of it.
The first hour they'd passed by nothing but dead wasteland. And the next hour after had been barely green until it finally burst out. It was sad, seeing the way Midgar oozed out like a poison, leeching the ground and air from life.
Vergil was silent, observing as well. Reno was whistling a merry little tune, hands beating a rhythm against the wheel. Tseng was in the back with me, legs crossed and arms folded. Occasionally he fiddled with his PHS. Probably sending status reports to Rufus. They were the perfect problematic couple, the work a holic to the worrying boss. Peace was impossible with the both of them on the watch. At least Vergil and Reno weren't obvious about it.
Tseng just didn't care enough to hide it. Blunt bitch.
"Yo!"
I glanced to Reno. "Yes?"
"We'll be crossing the ocean soon. Ya wanna stop and rest first or just do a straight shot?"
Curiosity rose. "Could we make it in a day if we merely kept going?"
Vergil grunted. "Doable, if Reno ups his speed."
"Hey!"
"It would be late though. I suggest we cross over and continue on, regardless." Tseng chimed in, eyes glancing out. "Better to arrive late, than to be delayed."
"Then, we continue on. Plenty of sightseeing to do once we arrive." My body settled back in the chair.
"Why ya wanna go to Nibelheim anyway? Nothing there but snow." Reno and Vergil were switching places at the older mans insistence. So, now he could turn in the chair and bug us. Tseng seemed distinctly not impressed.
I hummed. "I threw a dart at a globe and that's where it landed."
Idly, while Reno groaned, I saw a waterfall below us. It made thoughts swim. The water cascaded down, and I almost made them lower. Wasn't Lucrecia in some waterfall?
I doubted it was this one though. It had been something only accessible by airship, right? More and more, I was running into the fact it'd been years since the original game had crossed my mind. Still, if the game was derailed as was the goal, there would be plenty of time to lay the rest on the table and go exploring.
Returning his mother to him, his REAL, mother… What a gift that would be. Heart pounding, I realized I wanted that. It would be the best gift, and Sephiroth deserved a parent.
Even though I personally disliked her. She'd been willing to use her baby as a science experiment, and that selfish move had cost him his autonomy and quite a few lives. Dirge of Cerberus hadn't helped my image of her in the least. It had just made her seem whiny as well as selfish. Of course, she deserved the chance to fix it. Just as Sephiroth deserved the truth, which she could provide.
I could too, but not as clearly. And there was hesitation to maneuver with it. He deserved all the truth in the world, yet my heart wouldn't let me dump all that onto his soul. One day, maybe. But for now, no.
I woke up to the feeling of arms underneath me. So used to the feeling I merely blinked tiredly and glanced up to Tseng. This was the first time he'd ever held me though. Really, it wasn't fair that he was still as handsome from this angle and also untouchable.
"You're awake. Good. We've arrived right on schedule." He shifted me a little and I instinctively wrapped my arms around, feeling the cool strands of his loose hair.
The sky was already dark, making it hard to see the town. The helicopter had settled just outside of it, even it becoming a black blur as we walked further out. Boulder was in front of us, his shuffles and growls audible in the relative silence.
I tensed up, causing Tseng to pause. "Oh no. I'm missing his first ever jaunt through snow!"
Tseng released a breath and I heard Reno and Vergil snickering. Truthfully, the only light out was from the moon reflecting off the powdery white decorating all around.
The cold hit me as well. It was definitely a lot more frigid than I'd thought it would be. The wind was rather harsh too, constantly tugging around and stirring puffs of snow into the air. Shadows of trees and bushes soon gave way to quaint little homes and the general quaint trappings of a little mountain town.
Tseng didn't stop long enough to explore, instead continuing on. Most of the homes had all of their lights turned off, so it wasn't possible to determine the state they were in. One by one however lights flickered on. Tseng huffed a sigh but lowered me to the ground when people began to come outside.
Waiting with mild patience, the chill finally permeated my bones. Just as I begun to shiver though a coat was dropped around my shoulders. Vergil looked irritatingly at the gathering villagers, fussing until he'd managed to get my arms to rise up and into the sleeves
"Was hoping we'd get to the house before they showed up," he muttered. "Damn curious vultures."
"Ooh, someone doesn't enjoy small towns?"
"Small towns mean small minds, Princess. Remember that with your lofty ideals."
"How rude. I'm always filled with courtesy."
Reno clicked his tongue. "Sure ya are. Picture of innocence. Until you open your mouth."
They were destined to be proven right. A man pushed through the crowd, a girl close to my age trailing behind. Her eyes were big brownish red pools filled with open interest. Her fathers face looked resigned, but doing a good job at looking excited and charitable.
"We got your message. Although we thought you'd arrive tomorrow."
"The President and VP were very clear on our timetable. Surely that was included in the missive you received," Tseng stated with enough dryness to convey his lack of belief.
The man balked. Coward. A smirk blossomed on my face at his obvious cowering. I supposed the Turks were intimidating, after all. I'd been around them so long it wasn't easy to keep that close to mind. All three of them gave out auras that demanded the way be ceded to them. Even the way they chose to stand and the looks they gave was a cocky "fuck around and find out".
"Of course… sir. Welcome to Nibelheim. I'm the Mayor, and this lovely girl is my pride and joy. Tifa."
The girl looked sheepish to be brought into the attention like that. "Nice to meet you."
"What a lovely girl," I cooed softly. I was bored now, after the time in the helicopter, and the three with me were too used to my ways to be bothered. Tifa was not, the kind girl flushing and thanking me with a stutter.
I think she was younger. Of course, short of asking there wasn't a way to be sure. There wasn't a valid reason to ask though, so it would remain a mystery for now. It was vital for my schemes to know if she'd fallen from the mountain yet, though. Time would be a virtue with this, and I needed to know roughly where the timeline was now.
The crowd seemed less sure of itself after Tseng's curt words. The other two seemed content to let the situation rest as is, so I merely sighed. Placing my hands on my hips I cleared my throat.
"Fascinating as this all is… there are things to be done, and I doubt we all want to spend our time in the cold. We'll need some help to clear the old Mansion."
Realizing something important, I added. "And a chef for while we're here. I doubt this lot knows how to cook anything worthwhile."
"Hey!" Reno whined a little.
"Am I wrong?" I cocked a brow at him.
"I mean no, but still. You didn't have to be that blunt, yo. Rude cooks for us mostly."
That actually wasn't all together surprising. "I'd prefer…"
My eyes cast around and then I saw them. The spiky quality to their hair would give them away, never mind the bright blond of their hair. The clothes were a little shabby, and it was sad to see the way they hung to the back. The house behind them must have belonged to the Strife family, and in truth, it was obviously in a more derelict state.
I gestured towards them and Tseng merely nodded. Without flourish he withdrew a heavy bag from his side and made to walk over. Lockwood stopped him, and my brows rose at the audacity. Bravery or stupidity, that was the question.
"If it's quality help you want, I can point you to the best our humble town has to offer. Why, the owner of the inn has a daughter who would enjoy the chance to-"
"Tseng," I interrupted without much thought. "Are you going to keep me in the cold longer, or will you do as I asked?"
"You are the one so enraptured by the idea of snow you chose to come here." He arched his brows and gave me a look.
"Yes, and I'll admire it more after we've settled."
"As I've said, I can guide you to the best suited." Lockwood tried again, while a few people murmured at my rudeness.
Vergil placed a hand on my shoulder, making me acquiesce to his words, just a little. "Oh alright, chatty man. I'll indulge you for a moment. Why, oh why, should I not ask that young woman for help?"
"Because, my lady, someone of your stature should only be served by the very best we have to offer."
"You're right, of course." I laced my tone with warm poison, partial amusement and growing ire. The Turks knew. Lockwood wasn't smart enough. "So, what's her name?"
His face was flushing from his need to keep us from the Strife family. I wonder, had the game hinted they'd been so hated amongst the town? Cloud had been an unreliable narrator at the best of times. While he recalled his own rough childhood, my memories were Foggy on his mother.
"As I said-"
It had gotten colder, due to the fact I wasn't nestled into someone's chest and we'd been still for some time. I made a hand gesture of dismissive intent, getting more and more fed up. How dare this man impose his dislike onto me? Pathetic man, at the best. Downright malicious at the worst.
"I deserve the best, your words. And I'm more than capable of deciding the best for myself. Or did you forget who I am, Mayor?" My eyes bore into him, and Boulder growled at my tone. I was done playing.
"Of course not," he cried a little loudly. His frustration was mounting.
"You seem so sure I wouldn't approve. Give me a valid reason for why, or I'll show you how demanding someone of my "stature" can be."
Reno snickered, his mag rod tapping rhythmically against his shoulder. "Bet I know."
"We all do, dumb ass." Vergil had casually lit a smoke up. Out of all the Turks he looked the most threatening upon a glance, what with the ragged scar. It hardly detracted from the gorgeous lines of his face, in any case, though there were more than a few that shied away from him now.
"It's rather… indelicate." Lockwood looked to Tseng, perhaps hoping for some relief.
If I'd been normal, Tseng might have extricated us from the situation. Instead, he sighed, glancing to his side before he roughly pushed the man out of his way. All of us knew that I wasn't innocent in the way a normal girl my age was. They just didn't know how it had happened.
"It's rude to keep a young lady in the cold. All of you should go back to your homes. We've made our decisions, and they aren't for any of you to question."
"Oh but Tseng. I so want him to say why she's indelicate out loud." My voice was now a purr.
"Sink your claws in later. You aren't used to this sort of weather yet. It's time to stop this."
"You are absolutely no fun. I'm fully aware. She has a child, and no man beside her. Oh, the travesty. Is that such a problem?"
"For some towns, yes. Having children outside of wedlock or remaining unattached is problematic." Tseng had reached the woman, who looked admittedly terrified. "For you, madam. It is requested that you begin immediate employ by the Shinra family. We'll require a cook while we stay, and perhaps some light housekeeping. I assure you; we are quite the tidy lot."
He handed her the bag of Gil. "O-of course, if you want. But…"
Her eyes scanned the crowd hesitantly, while Cloud eyed them defiantly.
I had already begun to walk away, before pausing. Where was the blasted mansion even at?
I had gotten more fed up, Lockwood kept his idiotic protests. He'd die in Midgar, ignoring what a Shinra said. Especially when Turks were about. "I always did find it odd. A man can push and push for a woman to show their love on their backs. But the moment a consequence raises its hand the man just vanishes. While she's labeled something "indelicate". How completely one sided."
"You really do know too much," Vergil muttered. Boulder let out a howling snarl as I absentmindedly pet him along his back.
I had wanted him to be warm. Unsure of how his thin fur would react in Nibelheim, yet loath to leave him behind, he was in a thicker coat than even the one I wore.
"Is that so unusual?" I murmured. "Children themselves are nothing but a bother, but making them… it's idiotic to think only men would enjoy the process."
"We're gonna be in so much trouble when we get back," Reno lamented. He looked positively delighted with the prospect.
"Tseng, I'm cold," I finally sidled close to him, grasping his arm.
"Are you done having your fun?" He questioned.
"For now," I murmured. "I'll see you tomorrow Miss…?"
"Claudia, ma'am."
"Perfectly splendid. As for you Lockwood, I do appreciate you wasting our time. Do remember I neither want nor need your advise in the future."
"How dare you… foul mouthed little brat." He took a step closer until Boulder leapt up.
Boulder was, as mentioned, tall when he stood on his hind legs. With a massive swipe of his paw, the mayor was on the ground. The villagers all screamed, while my Turk bodyguards stayed mostly still. Only Reno moved, grabbing Tifa along her middle to stop her from coming forward.
Boulder was, at his core, still the monster Hojo sought to create. Tempered by years of spoiling and love, but his instincts still shone through in certain situations. He'd settled his massive bulk over the mayor's body. Large fangs bared in a snarl, body trembling with his rage. Saliva, thick and goopy, dripped from the fangs, dribbling along the terrified man's face.
"Sophie!" Vergil finally snapped at me, and I realized I'd been watching impassively.
With a snort, I whistled. Boulder halted immediately, coming back to my side and settling beside me. Usually, I wouldn't throw a family name around, but really, this arrogant man needed shredded a peg or two.
"Remind me again, who am I?"
Reno smirked. "Sophie Shinra. Now can we get out of this fucking cold?"
That sounded like an amazing idea.
End chapter
Review responses:
Xenocanaan: Aerith will be back soon, promise. This trip is for some Sophie alone time, so that maybe Rufus will let her move around without so much trouble. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and the little tease of Tifa and Cloud.
