This chapter brought to you by Ever Crisis- in particular the alternate costumes.
And some lore.
Mostly the alternate costumes.
Clothes (make the man)
Gainsborough House, Sector 5 Slums
Elmyra shook her head as Aerith finally woke up after her late night.
Her daughter was not quite awake and it showed by her tripping over the shopping bag Aerith hadn't put away properly.
"I'm glad you had a good time, dear, but you should probably still be sleeping." Elmyra got breakfast set out in front of her, before setting up Elmyra's own lunch.
"Nope! Got some work to do! And I need to talk to Cloud about getting them each a spare pair of clothes." Aerith pulled out a bangle of some kind to slot materia into. As well as a new staff.
"Why Cloud?" Elmyra asked, avoiding the question of why Zack's idea of gifts were weapons. Or most. Aerith was sporting a pair of earrings now that she hadn't had before.
"He's responsible for the budget. Zack's got a bad habit of spending without thinking. It's usually practical things like materia and potions, but he forgot to budget for food once and Cloud won't let him forget it. Also we need to get Cloud looking great for whenever he asks out Tifa." Aerith grinned.
"The bartender?"
"Yep. He likes her, he gets all flustered when I tease him." Aerith was in a good mood.
"How is he recovering?" Elmyra finished her lunch.
"… He's mostly fine. He gets strange at times …" Aerith frowned for a moment before shrugging, "He's getting more memories back, too. He had a job last night by himself, so I'm going to see how it went!"
"As long as you're careful. How are you and Zack doing?"
"It's funny, since we've both changed, but when we're together, it's just … better? I'm not sure how to explain, but despite everything he still makes me feel happy." Aerith looked confused. "And, he doesn't take as many hits for me in the coliseum now because he knows I can fight."
Elmyra wasn't sure how that was a positive, but Aerith was happy, and that was all Elmyra wanted.
Especially when the girl all but skipped out of the house. Elmyra smiled as her daughter left. Getting the cocktail dress had dipped into her emergency funds even though Folia had gotten it discounted from the seamstress she knew, but it had been worth it to make Aerith happy.
She still had her reservations about Zack, but he had been willing to adapt to life as a mercenary and was still devoted to Aerith.
Though if he broke her heart again, Elmyra would have words with him.
Aerith grinned as she saw her two victims friends. Zack and Cloud were discussing something as they ate at the small restaurant sector five had.
"Hellooo!" Aerith's grin remained as the two reacted to her call, Zack with a matching grin and arms opening for a hug (which she accepted) and Cloud immediately wary though he tried to smile to cover it.
They'd have to work on that next, Aerith decided.
"What's up?"
"I have come to a decision. You both need at least one civilian outfit." Aerith wrapped her arm around Zack's. "I love the soldier look on you two, but if we ever want you to go above Plate that will be a giveaway for both of you. And we need something that fits better than borrowed clothes." She'd settle for something to mix and match, but you had to start with the high offer and whittle it down to get Cloud to agree.
"Clothes are pretty expensive." Cloud noted.
"Yes, but you both need them." Aerith was not going to lose this debate. "I saw a couple outfits last night that would look good for both of you." They hadn't been able to buy them as they had found the new staff first and her old one was starting to develop cracks in it.
"They were pretty expensive, but we might be able to get them? There's no jobs today so we could hit up the coliseum for extra spending money if we have to." Zack agreed with her.
Cloud warily looked between them before sighing, "Alright, I guess."
Aerith cheered.
Cloud looked like he was regretting his agreement the entire way as Aerith linked arms with both boys as they walked to Wall Market.
"How was your mission last night, Cloud?"
"Alright. Kids tried to explore the train graveyard after dark. Coincidentally, I have confirmation Ghosts exist." He shuddered, hand going to his scarf.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of ghosts!" Aerith teased. There were whispers around the graveyard, but they were nice, checking in on the living.
"… Some were helpful." Cloud frowned.
And then he went strange again. Aerith couldn't describe it any better. It was just a strange feeling that something was not quite right, or a whisper that was just out of hearing, and it seemed to hurt him so she purposely tripped to pull on his arm. That snapped him back to normal as he checked on her.
"Cloud!"
"Tifa!" Aerith perked up as she spotted Tifa walking towards them. "Perfect! You're helping us today!" Aerith dropped both guys' arms to grab Tifa's hand.
"Huh?" Tifa blinked, but let Aerith pull her over.
"We're getting civilian clothes for these two! I need a second pair of eyes."
"… Didn't she say she already saw two outfits?" Cloud looked at Zack in confusion.
"Relax. Just roll with it. Hey Tifa!" Zack smiled.
"Hey. I was actually coming over to ask if you guys wanted a job-"
"Is it today or tonight?" Aerith interrupted before Cloud could do more than perk up and look hopeful about escaping the shopping.
"No…"
"Then you can talk about it later! Today we get these two a spare outfit or at least a couple pieces so they have something to mix and match!" Aerith grinned. "At the very least something for laundry day, especially if they get covered in monster bits. I'd take them above the plate for shopping, but they'd stand out up there."
"Good point." Tifa agreed. "I probably should get a dress myself, been meaning to do that for a while. You'll help with that, won't you, Cloud?"
"I guess?" Cloud blinked.
"It's only fair, I help pick you out an outfit, you help me. What style do you think suits me?"
"…" Cloud tilted his head. "Mature or Sporty." He offered softly, hand coming up to grip the scarf.
"Then that's where we start." Tifa smiled.
"Relax, it will be fun." Aerith added.
"Might be easier if you dress to match!" Tifa offered.
Cloud nodded, now looking less likely to bolt on them.
There were a couple clothing and accessory stores in wall market, frivolous items for the most part, things you'd buy for a special occasion that would gather dust until then.
Aerith had seen much nicer shops above the plate, but they were also more expensive.
Even now Cloud was frowning at some of the price tags.
"This is from the Valiant line." The shop keeper was talking to Zack. "It doubles as armor for monster hunting. Would you like to try it?"
"Might as well." Zack disappeared into the room to try it on.
"What do think about this blue?" Tifa held up a blue sweater.
"It's bright. Pretty." Cloud let her hold it up to his face. "What are you doing?"
" I think this is the right color, makes you look less washed out than all black. Though any color would… Blue brings out your eyes."
"Thank you?" Cloud blinked.
"Oh! Be right back!" Tifa snagged something off a rack and disappeared into another room.
"Ta-Da!" Zack emerged in the new outfit. "What do we think?"
"I think it looks good on you!" Aerith clapped. "Definitely get that!"
"And how about me?" Tifa asked. She was wearing a blue and black lacy dress.
"Amazing." Cloud managed.
"Now I feel under dressed." Zack grinned at her.
"Right, getting this dress. And maybe that sweater, haven't had a chance to shop for a new one yet." Tifa changed back and checked out, Cloud contributing some money before paying for Zack's new outfit.
"Now we just need something for Cloud."
"We may need to head to the colosseum for a bit."Cloud interrupted before they could all gang up on him.
"Corneo's Coliseum?" Tifa asked. "Sounds a lot more fun than hunting monstersthe ."
"Let's mosey!" Aerith grinned and led the way.
"We're only doing pair matches today."
"That's okay! I'm calling dibs on Zack!" Aerith wrapped her arms around Zack's arm.
"Sounds like we're a pair." Tifa looked at Cloud.
"Looking forward to it." Cloud smiled.
"Oh, Ms. Gainsborough, one of your fans left you something for the next time you came." The manager held out a package.
"Oh, thank you." Aerith waited until the four of them were in a waiting room to open it. "What is this?" There was a lot of leather but it didn't look like a kink suit, it had red leather pouches, one of which had an old gun magazine and another a knife.
"P0 Red Mage Battlesuit." Cloud blinked at their looks. "There's a museum on the plate for Soldier stuff. Went with my unit on our days off." He sounded a little surprised as he said it.
"What's a P0?"
"Passive Soldier, never enhanced just highly trained. Phased out after Sephiroth made the scene. The higher ranks had more variation in their uniforms."
"There's a soldier museum on the plate?! Why did no one tell me?" Zack looked surprised.
"It's Sector One, near the old Mayor office that became a history of midgar museum." Cloud blinked. "Why do I remember that and not my unit's names?"
"You'll get there, now you two go outside, Tifa, help me get dressed!" Aerith pushed them a little so they took a hint and stepped outside, Zack asking Cloud about the museum. "I was getting a little worried about my dress at these things." Aerith changed into the suit with Tifa's help.
"Want me to change you hair a little?"
"Mm, yeah, can you braid it?"
"Easy. I love your hair, by the way."
"Thanks! Can I do yours sometime?" Aerith stayed still.
"I'd love that!" Tifa finished braiding. "Uh, do you have something to tie the end?"
"Oh, use my ribbon." Her mother's materia was safe in her ponytail. "Alright, let's call the guys in."
"Wow." Zack blinked at her, stopping in the doorway. "You look amazing."
Cloud waited a moment before shoving Zack into the room. He also blinked at her before refocusing as the announcer came on.
There were two types of people fighting in the Coliseum. Under Contract and Independent.
Under Contract was a rather broad term, it included people who had fallen into debt with the Don. Under Contract did get medical treatment, while Independent fighters ran the risk of falling into debt and going Under Contract by accepting that medical treatment.
And as long as the ShinRa executives were kept happy, the Don and his men were allowed to murder and enslave below the plate without more than a cursory investigation.
Prior to the Turks disgrace, they often found candidates for various programs here.
Now, Tseng was merely here on behalf of Heidegger to talk to the Don's go between about the recent security lockdowns.
"The Don's concerned about the impact of the crackdown on business." Leslie leaned back, visibly bored at the destruction in the ring.
"Heidegger says that as long as the proper identification is used, there will be no interruptions in day to day operations." Tseng passed the packet of documents over.
"And the long term?" Leslie asked.
"What do you mean?"
"The Don's men are stirring up trouble, as requested, but they can only do it for so long before the Madame gets angry." Leslie leaned back, "She tolerates much, but if she feels her business is threatened then a great many imports will be lost."
Including some off the books items for science and weapons development.
"I will be sure to advise about this." Tseng barely managed not to choke as the next combatants were announced.
"You'll recognize him as the Fair half of our mercenary duo, and she's the stunning sorceress! Zack Fair and Aerith Gainsborough!"
Tseng did a double take at what Aerith was wearing. Where on the planet had she gotten a P0 battlesuit?!
"They're up against a spectacular import! The Vajradhara Asura!"
The SOLDIER killing monster
"There's a couple for your collection." Leslie noted his distraction. "Odd that he's not with his partner-"
It was a surprisingly short match in the couple's favor. The two waved as they headed off.
"And now that you've seen the Fair, give it up for the Strife! And introducing a new contender, a brawling barmaid! It's Cloud Strife and newcomer Tifa Lockheart!"
"She's definitely got my heart! They're up against another import! The Vajradhara Indura!"
This fight was a little closer, though Tseng was surprised to see that Cloud had stepped into the role of magic caster. He wasn't sure the trooper had more than the basics of materia handling before.
The name Lockheart was vaguely familiar to him, something to look up later.
For now … Tseng was chilled.
Both Strife and Fair were on the level of Hewley and Rhapsodos now, and judging by how Strife was now straying from Fair's side, Strife had likely recovered from the mako poisoning. It wasn't implausible for them to reach the level Sephiroth had held as they recovered.
The battle outside Midgar had just been Fair. If the company tried to arrest them, it would go poorly now that Strife was there to help Fair. The casualties would be immense and the two would likely escape easily.
And from what he had just seen, Miss Gainsborough would likely side with the two unless something was done. Neo-Midgar was once again being researched, and it needed to go forward for the company to retain stability.
Still, the order hadn't been given yet.
"See something you liked?" Leslie asked. "Or did you know those Soldiers?"
"I'm glad to see them doing well, their departure from the company was abrupt." Tseng settled for a neutral answer.
"I guess even the most loyal dogs will turn if kicked enough." Leslie noted.
"Perhaps." Tseng tried not to think of Veld and his daughter or his fellow Turks who had gone underground. Or how the residents of Gongaga had refused to allow their reactor to be rebuilt after the meltdown, growing colder once it was let slip that maintenance had ignored a flaw that could have been fixed before the meltdown occurred and then completely frigid once it was revealed Zack Fair was being hunted. Or how Raphsodos had taken the units under him without anyone noticing for far too long, all evidence indicating that the soldiers and troopers had willingly left when the crimson commander asked.
ShinRa needed to stay in power for there to be stability. The people needed ShinRa to protect them.
"The three like them to remain independent agents for now."
That was a relief. Getting an asset back from Don Corneo was always tricky, though Fair was unlikely to willingly go along with any of the Don's shadier schemes.
He didn't have time to investigate the situation further. He had far too many things to do.
end note: Look, Cloud, prior to the whole town burning and experiment thing, was a soldier fan. Even after his memories got scrambled he remembered trivia about Soldier. He would be the type to visit a museum regarding Soldier.
I like most of the alternative costumes in Ever Crisis, specifically Zack and Aerith's. They're fun, especially as a drawing reference. (Fingers crossed they add Cloud's dress)