Author note: Sweetlings keep my precious senior puppy in your thoughts. She gave us quite the scare on Saturday. Long story short, they'd left a piece of her uterus inside when she was fixed years ago and it turned into a pyometra. So, surgery for removal, and a heavy infection that I hope is being beaten back by the antibiotics. Touch and go, with some scares, but she's home with either myself or my significant other with her at all times. So fingers crossed her recovery keeps going in the right direction.


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Despite my best intentions, I was also smart enough not to just run towards a well hidden passage. Really, there was some self preservation in my thought process! I especially had to be careful with Tseng along for the ride.

Oh I was certain the others Turks were just as dangerous. Reno hid his cunning behind cackles and playful jabs, Vergil through nonchalance and feigned disinterest in the world around him. Tseng was just much less hidden, despite motives being unclear sometimes.

The mansion was oddly well kept for being neglected. There weren't any gaping holes in the ceiling or floor. Nothing obviously seemed broken. But it was filthy. Thick dust coated the floor and railings, leaving foot and hand prints wherever we went. It clung to the skin when touched too, absolutely disgusting. At the bare minimum, at least monsters didn't pop out of every single corner. Game features to level up the party, confirmed.

I had woken late in the morning, once Vergil had rather rudely burst in and shaken me. Ignoring the protest I'd been about to launch at him, he'd dropped a tray on my lap, mentioning Claudia had prepared it.

I assumed it was porridge, or this world's version. Heat still steamed from the white substance. An experimental dig with the spoon revealed nice chunks of beef, and I recognized the sight of butter and honey melting. Sighing, knowing full damned well that a small village like this was probably eating monster flesh, I took a tentative bite. As I'd thought the meat wasn't identifiable to my usual palate, but it wasn't terrible. I swallowed after chewing, appreciating the warmth that flowed through me.

"What's the meat," I asked after a moment.

Vergil eyed me as he settled in a chair. "Trust me. It isn't important."

"Reassuring," I muttered.

Still, I ate over half of it. Claudia seemed to not know portion control, and had given a way too large portion. The rest Boulder was more than happy to lap up.

"He already ate his share, matter of fact. The woman didn't know if he was on a strict diet, but he made it a point to beg enough she caved."

I couldn't help the small smile that stretched across my lips. "Boulder on a diet? I'm sure you all made it a point to correct that illusion."

He hummed, lighting his cigarette. "I'm sure it clued her in when even Tseng gave his leftovers to the mutt."

Of course, I would miss something sure to be adorable! My brain went into overdrive, conjuring the image of a stoic faced Tseng feeding Boulder. Would he have, maybe possibly, cracked a tiny little smile? Actually, that might be terrifying.

Still thinking about whether a smile from Tseng was drool worthy or nightmare inflicting, I took a shower and dressed. The boys must have gotten the generator working, since heat circulated through the air without the fireplace going. The materia necklace and bracelet were the last thing I put on, feeling the eerie feel of the orbs crackling along my skin.

They never mentioned it in game, but the materia orbs had odd patterns of energy to them. They all sent jolts of power randomly skittering along the never endings, bursts of ice where the ice orb settled, heat blooming in another spot. I'd gotten used to the feeling with mine. These orbs were used to being utilized one way or the other, the jolts more like slams. Sephiroth was a master with magic, so it made sense I supposed. I genuinely hated them. Materia wasn't for me, but Rufus insisted, and I knew Tseng would rat me out.

Boulder scampered ahead of me into the hallway once I'd swung the door open. With the sun casting light through the hall, I could see it was a beautifully crafted piece, if not to my taste at all. The art lining the walls was rich in color and probably one if a kind works. The floors were a rich dark wood, beautiful and probably antique pieces of furniture littered here and there.

Claudia was in a room I decided was the sitting room. She was keeping herself busy, her hands a constant blur as she knocked dust and cobwebs from the ceiling and corners. She was, in my humble opinion, a tad on the frail side. Understandable, as that was common in villages not well cared for, or with a decent money flow. From what I could tell, she wasn't well respected in the village, so I doubted she was given fair prices or treatment.

Gods, it made my blood boil. Sure, I didn't know much about her from the game, since Cloud only thought about her literally once. But you didn't get a man like Cloud by being a shit parent. A bit short sided, as I didn't necessarily agree with staying in this village with the way they treated them, but not bad in general.

The very fact the villagers, including the pathetic excuse of a mayor, were so obvious in their beliefs was disgusting.

I didn't have any chance to announce my presence as Boulder went up to her, huffing around her until she laughed. It was light, still holding charm. She couldn't see me, shadowed by the dim lights of the room, and I intentionally shifted backwards so she'd have to look at the door to see.

"There, there you silly thing. I'm sure once your master is up she'll play with you." Her hand reached out without hesitation, scratching the wide head and ears. Her fingers brushed near his mouth but there wasn't so much as a flinch.

Most were terrified of Boulder. It wasn't unusual to see people flinch away from, start raising there voices in fear. Braver, or idiotic, people would occasionally raise their hands in shooing motions or even bring out a weapon. I knew he could take damage, but I took delight in the way they'd look once a Turk intervened or they noticed me. It was a whole different fear.

Claudia wasn't showing any of that. In fact, the hound, so used to not receiving much affection from many corners, had rolled to his back, as the woman kneeled down to give him a good scratching.

This alone would thaw my heart even had it not already been malleable to Claudia and Cloud. I wouldn't let them suffer more. This village was in for a rather rude awakening. I'm sure it would be easy to convince President Shinra to just let Nibelheim be considered mine. Rufus to my knowledge had never been here, and I didn't think he'd went in game verse either.

The sounds of small movement caught my attention. It caught Boulder too, who rolled over to his feet, prepared to investigate until he caught my hand gesture meaning to calm. Claudia remained none the wiser, shifting to pet his head again.

I quietly shifted backwards, headed past the stairs and focusing on the two teens that stood there. Of course, I recognized them both. Cloud looked like he'd be my height, roughly, whereas Tifa seemed a little shorter. I had zero clue how she was running around with a coat and that blue dress on, but more power to her. Old me wasn't any stranger for not dressing for the weather in order to look cute. Thank Gods I was older and less inclined.

I intentionally made a noise with my feet, smirking when they both jumped. They weren't those battle weary young adults yet. There hadn't been any reason to hone their hearing or other senses to feel threats. And they definitely hadn't had SOLDIERS, Turks, and an over protective brother basically bullying them into it.

Clouds hand clenched around where he held the front door, obviously hesitant to let Tifa in. I recalled, they didn't develop their friendship until after she fell from some mountain trail, and Cloud swore his promise. Which, never made sense to me in the timeline. Tifa and him developing some deep and abiding friendship over essentially a few days.

I knew he had a crush on her at this point, though. And was fairly certain that he'd saved her from dying, even if he couldn't spare the coma. Maybe Tifa developed a crush on him after being abandoned by her "friends".

"Well, how nice. The adorable girl from last night, and a chocobo."

"I am not a chocobo!" He snapped it, before harshly biting his lip. Probably worried if he didn't grin and bear it I'd fire his mom. Tifa seemed taken aback but quickly schooled her features.

"Oh it talks. How cute." I smiled, wondering how much I could push him. I definitely didn't need some good little quiet boy. "Let the little mayor's kid in. Ideally she won't be so irritating right away."

A small warning, and also something to let Cloud know I didn't think like them. It was the least that could be done. Cloud seemed a tad irritated, but he swung the door open to let her come through. It shut with a click and he darted off, headed to his mother most likely. Maybe to warn her a potential hostile kid was in here. I also didn't know if Tifa joined the teasing kids, or if she was a silent observer.

I stared at the girl, letting her look me up and down. I admit, most likely I wasn't intimidating. I had foregone my outfit for one made of red and black, with diamond pattern leggings to help keep my legs warm. I'd forgone the thigh high boots for now, so I was missing the little height boost, and I'd tossed my hair into a messy bun, too lazy to do anything else.

Actually, why in the hell did I make this trip during the cold months for this region anyway? If I hadn't of been so impatient, maybe the weather would have been nicer. It wasn't all snow, all the time after all. I really needed to work on my planning.

She finally cleared her throat, looking a little fidgety. "Um…"

Before she or I could say more, the door swung open. She fell forward with a small squeak and I hid my instant smile.

"Ah, whoops." Reno came back in first, gripping Tifa under the arm and tugging her upwards in a smooth motion. "Sorry bout that, yo."

Vergil had continued on to stand beside me, Tseng closing the door behind him. "I see we have company."

I crossed my arms, fake huffing. "I see all my guards just totally left me alone."

"Don't be a brat." Vergil flicked me on the forehead, ignoring my wince and protest. "You know we were out there placing protections."

"I know," I whined a little. "Did you have to flick that hard though? I bruise easily!"

"Nah you don't," Reno said. "I've had your ass on the training mats enough times to know that."

"You're all horrible men, who deserve spankings."

"Entertaining as that sounds… yeah right, princess." Vergil smirked while Tseng merely scoffed.

"Oh, I wouldn't be doing it. Sephy would." I smiled at the way Reno paled a tad. I'd known Reno liked the silver haired general as a friend, finding poking and prodding him entertaining. But nobody wanted to get on his bad side.

"You're ignoring your guest," Tseng interjected.

"Ah, spoilsport." I glanced at Tifa. "Well cutie, what is it you came for? Didn't your Daddy forbid you from coming near the big, scary Shinra Turks and their rude charge?"

It was what I imagined had happened. My apparent complete screw up of their last name aside, I hadn't dealt well with him. Not that there was any guilt. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes after all. I couldn't stand misogynistic view points.

Oh, I'd be the first to admit I couldn't do everything a man could. Especially considering the fact I was surrounded by genetically enhanced men, and people trained for deadly force. That didn't mean that I, or women were in any way inferior and lesser. The mayor's views were at best shortsighted, and at worse, completely dangerous.

Tifa flushed at my words, and I knew the bulls eye had been hit. Reno and I exchanged a glance. The girl rallied though, coming forward.

"Do you really believe that? That those women, that… Miss Strife isn't wicked?"

I shifted. How had I known it would be something like that? "I don't say what I don't mean. What did she really do wrong? Fall in love with a man? Maybe not even loved him, but wanted to have some fun? Maybe both. I don't think that's bad either way."

"But it's…" Tifa trailed off. She wasn't a bad girl and I knew that.

"It's wrong? The Gods don't approve of women having it? Or my personal favorite, you should save yourself for marriage, as a gift for your husband." I couldn't stop the bitter smile. "Your beliefs are your beliefs, and that's fine. But it isn't your right to impose that on others, or hold them to that standard you have. It's even worse when you intentionally try and do direct or indirect harm to others, based on those beliefs."

"I guess… but still, the whole town thinks like that."

"If the town jumped off a bridge collectively to die, would you? The world isn't just this town, sweetie. There's a lot of ideas and a lot of ways to live life. Hating someone for having a child without a husband is pretty sad. Hate her because she's a bitch. Or stingy. Don't hate her because a man knocked her up and she fell in love with her baby."

"I don't hate her!" Tifa stepped forward more, biting her lip. "I… I don't hate her… or Cloud. Cloud he… he's always been so distant. It's hard to talk to him."

Crush spotted? Maybe it'd been there even before she went into a coma. I glanced to Vergil, who shrugged.

"Not to try interpreting brats or anything. But maybe he keeps to himself cause of the way everyone treats his Ma?" The older man offered it up and Tifa flinched.

"There comes a time when you have to decide to stand with the crowd. Or to go your own way." Tseng muttered it and I about gushed. Offering unsolicited advise to a stranger. Then again… he would know, wouldn't he? By choosing to stay with Midgar, with Shinra, he'd chosen the Turks he knew. Rather than his homeland.

I came forward, wrapping am arm around her shoulder. "Tifa bastards are a dime a dozen. Even I have God's know how many siblings thanks to my fathers… delights."

"Princess!" Vergil snapped it, covering his face with his hand.

"So, you uh… you knew about that, huh?" Reno cleared his throat. "They really will kill us when we get back."

I gave Tifa a flirty little wink. "Oh, so sorry. Was I supposed to act like I was blind? You know, I do get curious sometimes. How many do I have?"

Tseng sent me a glance and then dismissed me, heading away from the foyer and up the stairs. I couldn't resist a parting shot.

"Oh fine! At least promise you'll stop me if I ever almost do a tango with one of them."

He paused and the look he gave now was pure irritation. "Of course, Princess. After all it is our job to protect you from anything and anyone. Including yourself, if necessary."

I knew there was a warning somewhere in the declaration. Rolled my eyes, before simmering playfully. "My hero. Aren't they so terrific, Tifa?"

I tugged her forward. "Now then, you want to talk to Cloud, and I want to explore my family's mansion. Let's kill two birds with one stone and have us a good old-fashioned adventure?"

"S-sure. You'll help me talk to him?"

"Of course. I can see the chocobo headed children now."

"Ah, I don't!"

"I know, I know. Just a tease. Oh, and call me Sophie. We're going to be such good friends."

While I was here, at least. Maybe I could foster some good childhood memories for Cloud too. Then maybe, if it all went South, he wouldn't be so easily mind fucked. Time would tell.


End chapter

Review responses:

JOSHIRO99: Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed. Sephy is definitely protective of her. And that thought has crossed my mind, so there is that possibility. But I don't want him becoming some yandere, either, since Sophie wouldn't stand for it. But we'll see. Hope you enjoyed this chapter too.

Qinlongfei: I actually haven't run across that one, but I'd love to give it a read. Sadly, I could imagine it. Our poor silver boy. Nah, Sophie won't ever let him feel alone if she can help it. Or any of her boys. Hope you enjoy the chapter!