"-and that's pretty much it." Nellie said from Kyrie's right, finishing her "brief" introduction to them about the life of the common terrorist, one that spanned their entire trip through sector 6. Even when they took the backroads to avoid Wall Market! "I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting, but that's all the important bit's I think."
"Cool." The teen said numbly, head reeling a little at all the new info and still trying to absorb it. Minerva Almighty, it was like being back in school! Hopefully there wasn't like a test or something on all this stuff later…cause she could honestly say, she would not pass.
"Any questions or concerns?"
"Nothing off the top of my head." Aerith replied, looking just as frazzled as Kyrie felt. "But maybe later?"
The little blonde nodded understandingly, and a companionable silence fell over the girls as they kept walking.
Their travel through the sector 5 slums was thankfully, uneventful. Oh, a few people stared when they walked past-well, more like gawked- no doubt enamored by their beauty. Kyrie couldn't blame them, by herself she was already a head turner, a diamond in the rough as it were…but walking with the infamously weird but pretty, Aerith Gainsborough and a never-before-seen mysterious yet cute blonde, was gonna cause a lot of double-takes.
Maybe it might even start some rumors?
That could be fun!
Being in the spotlight but having everyone question what was fact or fiction about you…it'd do wonders for her reputation! She could already imagine the speculation…notorious troublemaker Kyrie Kanaan changes her ways and leaves sector 5…what she does and where she goes, people could only guess at. When she occasionally making the odd appearance, it's in the company of beautiful but dangerous, individuals... it would drive all her fellow Fivers nuts!
Kyrie could already imagine all the envious looks she'd get if she strolled down Container Row with Cloud on one arm and Tifa on the other.
Grinning to herself, she waved nonchalantly to people who tried calling out to her, but kept on strolling by with her little group, no time for the little people.
After a few minutes of travel, Kyrie leading them to the hiding spot where she kept her personal belongings, the quartermaster started to fidget a little. The weaponsmith looked like she was bursting to say something–maybe ask a question?– but didn't know how to start.
Or…she could just be spazzing out.
The-surprisngly older-woman seemed prone to nervous ticks.
"So…you're not obligated to say or do anything…" Nellie finally started, seemingly having gathered her courage as they crossed the gate to enter sector 5. But something told the teen, that wasn't exactly what the blonde had wanted to say. Whatever bravely the blonde had seemed to leave her, as she shrugged a shoulder nervously, still struggling to maintain eye contact with them, visible changing of her mind mid sentence. "But...a little help for Avalanche here and there does go a long way…anything to push the cause forward is always appreciated."
"And…what would you consider helpful?" Aerith asked curiously from Kyrie's left side.
"Mmmhhhh…information mainly." Nellie replied, looking relieved, if crestfallen.
"...that doesn't seem so bad."
"Yeah, but still vitally important nonetheless. " The blonde began casually, glancing absentmindedly around the neighborhood as Kyrie led them through the back roads in sector 5. Still trying to look anywhere but at them. Really…what was her problem? She acted like one of them was going to bite her! "With a few exceptions, there's not a whole lot a dozen people can realistically do. So…we have to be very "judicious" with our actions. Really pick and choose where we commit our resources. But to do that, we need a solid plan of actio, backed by good information. Which means…intel is as good as gold in our group."
"And…what do you consider good information?" Kyrie asked, her thoughts already racing a little over the things she already knew, trying to parcel through the harmself stuff.
Well…harmless for her.
As they talked, the new merc hopped over some rails, in the general direction to the back alley exit where her temporary home was near, before climbing up a ladder to get to the rooftops. It was one of her grandma's safehouses, a place that she mainly used to store her ill gotten goods…but considering grandma Mirelle hadn't actually used it in a while, Kyrie retrofitted to be a tiny apartment.
The other girls copied her movements without missing a beat, even Aerith in her dress, casually jumping the barrier and following her up the ladder.
"Hmmm, anything Shinra as a rule of thumb is good." Nellie continued once they were walking across the rooftops, rubbing her chin a little as she considered. "Anything disruptive or unusual, like money or weapons, you know? I'm not really good at this…it's not my specialty if I'm being honest. We'll talk to Nayo or Wedge when we have time and they'll run you two through a list of usual questions."
That might be for the best, the teen didn't want to blab about anything unnecessary, especially if it wasn't important.
While Kyrie was technically a part of Avalanche now, a lifetime of criminal activity had instilled in her an instinct to hold her tongue and not squeal on anybody. Not that she was opposed to talking in general, it was just…except for her grandma, there wasn't anyone she'd ride or die for like that. Plus, one never knew if that stuff might blow back in your face, specifically if the wrong person knew you had a habit of flapping your gums unnecessarily.
She was already on more than one gang's shitlist for selling information she shouldn't have.
So in general, it was just common sense under the plate to be circumspect about these things, even if Kyrie herself sometimes toed the line.
Bu~ut…she was already rolling neck deep with these terrorists, so she might as well give a little…especially since they've treated her nicer than any non-family has in a long time. Free apartment, steady job (although she hadn't exactly started working yet), all-you-can-eat at the bar apparently. Hell, Kyrie was friends with half the people in that group already…and depending on how her "girl talk" later turned out, might even double dip and end up being in a harem with some of those ladies.
What a strange turn of events in her life.
But more importantly, X was there…and if there's one thing a sector 5 native knew, it was that if the Scarpyard Kid approved of something –whether it be people or actions– then it was worth investing your time into.
"So~o…for this info…we'll get compensated right?" Kyrie asked, trying to kill two birds with one stone. If the whole, "Cloud becoming her sugar daddy" negotiation didn't pan out, then she needed to keep her options open. While the sex would be good, there was no doubt about that, she needed to think about her future too. Surely her new group had a few gils to throw her way…a little thank you for her theoretical hard work? "And while we're on the topic of money, as members of Avalanche, do me and Aerith get paid for our time and effort?"
"Kyrie!" The mage scolded, scandalized by the question.
"What? It's a legitimate question." She defended, even as she shrugged a little uncomfortably under her friend's accusing stare. "I'm still gonna help…but let's be real! If we're not getting paid, then there's only so much time and effort we can realistically put into our "extracurricular" activities. I got a new job that Tifa said might have me running all over the slums, doing who knows what. You grow and sell your flowers, from two sectors away …we're busy! And I don't know about you Aerith, but I only got like 300 gil save up. We gotta get compensated if we take a day off to go play terrorist."
"I…haaa…I suppose…"
"I'm right, you see?" Kyrie asked happily, glad she won this argument, but took care to slide an arm across the friend's waist to give her a hug when she still looked glum. When she felt Aerith squeeze back to let her know everything was fine, the teen turned back to Nellie. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had to wonder…when did she become so touchy-feely with the mage? "So, what do you say? Are we seeing any green in our future?"
Giving them a strange, yet bemused look, the weaponsmith took a moment to consider.
"That's…a surprisingly complicated question." Nellie said half to herself, staring at the ground lost in thought, as if she never considered it before. Looking back up at them, and seeing their confused expressions, she thankfully elaborated. "Technically…yes, you would get paid a stipend as a general member of Avalanche…most don't go into this line of work just out of the goodness of their hearts." Well…didn't that just cause a jolt of guilt to jump in in Kyrie's heart. "And considering the Midgar team mostly recruits from the slums…it's a necessity. Now the amount varies depending on what kind of position you take up in the cell…but only some of those positions are enough to live off of, and others…actually require you to get a second job."
"Which ones pay the most?"
"Field operatives, head spies…quartermasters like me." Nellie admitted, scratching her ear a little in embarrassment. "Any position that is either "important" due to how dangerous they are…and/or just requires a lot of your time and effort to do. For my job it's the latter. I receive and distribute equipment and weapons across the city, slums and plate included. That's for individuals, small combat teams when we had them, or just squireling extra hardware in little hidey-holes for emergencies. And that's on top of trying to clean and maintain whatever I might have in stock, at least once a week. Nobody wants their gun to jam on them in a firefight, after all."
"That…seems all straight forward so far." Aerith said, tilting her head a little as she considered the blonde's words. They rounded a bend, jumping to clear a dip between two buildings, before walking down an uneven hill to get back to ground level. "The more specialized or "important" a role, the more you're paid, right?" The mage recapped.
"Right!"
"So~...when does the complicated part come in?" The tomboy asked, a little puzzled.
Everything seemed pretty simple, so the new merc was genuinely confused by the blonde's uncertain look, as if she wasn't sure how to answer that question. Seeing her building, Kyrie waved them forward till they were at the front of a metal wall. Glancing around to make sure they weren't followed, never can be too careful in the slums, she moved a loose panel slightly to get them past and led the group up a flight of steps.
"Well…everything I just said is true…if you're a part of HQ." Nellie said, rubbing a nervous hand along one of her thighs, sonce again avoiding direct eye contact with them. Kyrie was starting to get mildly offended by that…maybe the tomboy had something in her teeth? "But Barret's outfit was a rogue splinter cell…and, well…didn't get any support beyond what they could cobble together through personal contacts. And considering it was Cloud who technically recruited you…"
She let the implication hang.
"Ugh, politics and grandstanding." Kyrie grunted in disgust as she tried shouldering her way through the trick door that had a faulty latch. After a moment of struggling, Aerith and Nellie threw their body weight into the mix, trying to help her get past the stubborn entrance.
"Well…" Nellie gritted out, pushing her shoulder into the cold steel. "It's just a hiccup for now…I'm sure if we ask Nayo, she'll find some loophole or work around to…grww…get you guys something …ooph…"
"That'd…be nice…" Aerith managed to pant out, a little red in the face as her skinny arms strained from trying to push open the door.
Kyrie backed up a bit, and took a four step full-body run into metal, mentally bracing herself for the pain.
Bursting through the entrance, the teen took a moment to work the agony out of her left shoulder, before dust herself off. Kyrie gestured for her friends to come in and make themselves at home. Not that there was much in the way of comfort–a single cot in the corner, a dresser at the foot, her clothing scattered all over the floor. There was a mirror, sink, hotplate, and a toilet in what used to be a closet. All the very basic amenities for solo living.
Ah, home sweet home!
"...you live like this?" Aerith asked uncertainty, one dainty foot toeing a box of leftovers near the door Kyrie forgot to throw away.
"Well, not anymore! I'm a Stargazer girl now!" Kyrie joked happily as she pulled a couple of duffle bags from under her bed and started stuffing her clothes into them. Seeing Aerith and Nellie's unimpressed looks, she stopped packing for a moment to address it. "I guess I could've lived with my grandma if I wanted a bit more creature comfort, but I'm an adult! I needed my independence! It's like that saying, "I rather live in squalor, then under someone else's thumb"…you know what I mean, right Nellie?"
"...I suppose." The weaponsmith agreed reluctantly, looking a little queasy as she stared at moldy stains on the walls. "I mean…yeah. I can agree. I used to room with Jessie back in the day, and I love her…but living on my own is pretty great."
"See? So don't be prissy Aerith."
"I'm not prissy, I just have standards." The mage said stubbornly as she gingerly stepped over a lump on the ground that might've wiggled . Hands on her hips as she watched Kyrie finish stuffing her bags and shoulder the straps, she asked. "Who are you quoting anyway? I've never heard that before?"
"I don't know…read it somewhere once. But it sounds good." Kyrie answered absentmindedly as she stuffed her toothbrush and favorite fork in the bag, trying to do a mental recount of anything else she needed.
"Is that all your taking? Don't you want to bring any keepsakes? Or…at least your appliances?" She swept one hand around the apartment's electronics as she said this.
"I'm good, anything sentimental is at my grandma's place." Kyrie said as she adjusted the strap of her two duffle bags a little, trying to even out the weight. "And anything I have here was on its last leg of life for the past couple months, so…I'll just let them die a quiet and peaceful death."
"If you say so…"
"I do! Let's head out."
The three ladies made their way out of the "apartment", only stopping to force the door closed again, before making the trek out the building and metal divider.
"Alright, back to sector 7?" Nellie asked the group, once they shoved the panel back into place.
"Already? Don't we need to swing by Aerith's place first?" Kyrie was confused, looking over at her friend.
Shouldn't they be getting the other girl's stuff too since she was staying the night? While it wasn't uncommon for someone under the plate to wear the same clothes for a few days if the need arised, the flower seller's house was only a couple of miles away…that seemed kind of unnecessarily cruel. Especially since usually made it a point for her daughter to always be clean and freshly washed, even when they were kids running around the playground.
"Why would we need to go to my place now?" Aerith asked, quiring an eyebrow at the teen.
"Well…don't you want to pack a night bag? I mean…I don't mind you borrowing some of my stuff if you want, and I'm sure Tifa and Jessie would lend you something again, but your house is just over there… and if we're already in the area, we might as well get you something comfortable–"
"Kyrie…" Aerith cut in, stopping the troublemaker's ramblings. "I"m not staying the night. I'll go to Jessie's "girl meeting" but afterwards…I'm going home."
"Wha- why!?"
"Why? So I can sleep in my own bed, of course."
"Well…j-just stay at my place! We can have a sleepover or something! We can even buy takeout and everything."
"You really want me to stay? When you and Cloud might–" Aerith stopped, taking a moment to mentally backtrack as she glanced over at Nellie, who was watching them with wide eyes. Looking like she found her resolve, or maybe that there was no point in beating around the bush, she continued. "When you two might need the room…for activities…"
"But–"
"Are you talking about having sex with Cloud?" Nellie blurted out, her hand crossed over her chest as if it was beating a hundred miles a minute. Not even waiting for their replies, the blonde started pacing as she continued. "Thank gods, I thought I was gonna burst from not speaking up! Are you two waiting to ask permission from Tifa? I think I am too…technically. Jessie said I was a sure thing, but I don't know…he's just so pretty, like why would they let me near him!? Especially when he already has so many girls! But-I-guess-for-someone as-experienced-as-him, one-girl-is-as-good-as-the-next! Ishouldbe thankfulthough, that justmeans thisdoesn't havetobe a competitionand we canalljust enjoy ourselves–"
"Nellie! Slow down or you're gonna bite your tongue off!" Aerith exclaimed, hands reaching out to shake some sense into the girl. Seeing that the arms dealer was finally calming down, the mage let her go, but kept a watchful eye in case she relapsed. "And…are you saying…you're trying to join this harem too? That…you're actually fine with sharing him with other women?"
A vigorous, if jerky nod of blonde hair was the response, even as Nellie's face turned red as a tomato.
"This man just has women throwing themselves at him." Aerith muttered to herself, a look of disbelief on her face, but not so low that the rest of the group couldn't hear. "Well..I guess there's no point in being shy about it. Kyrie is going to join you, but I'm…undecided."
"Wait a minute, I thought you agreed with me that joining a harem made sense?" Kyrie asked, feeling a little betrayed. She had thought her and Aerith were in this together! Had even felt…well, a bit relieved at the idea that the two of them were going to jump into this weird sex fantasy as a team! "Are you worried about getting lost in the shuffle? Well, don't! That guy probably got more than enough energy for all of us. Cloud spent the whole night with Nayo, but still practically dragged Tifa off to the backroom–"
"I listened to why you thought it'd make sense…but I never agreed to anything." Aerith said exasperatedly, waving for the two of them to follow her as she started walking. "Let's just go to my house. And look, I'm not trying to be a prude but not every girl wants a no-strings attached "physical" relationship. I'm not knocking you ladies, I support free love and all that…but I personally want a little romance before I get into bed with someone."
"Bleugh, that sounds overrated." Nellie said with a bit of a sour look on her face, surprising everyone. "If I want to sleep with someone, why over complicate it? Although, trying to be a part of a harem isn't exactly simple..."
"Yeah…yeah! It's just sex, who cares about romance?" Kyrie added, though her head was still feeling a little twisted at Aerith's stubbornness and…the blonde's surprising boldness.
"So says the virgin." Aerith scoffed, before looking as though she instantly regretted having said that.
"Low-blow…"
"...I'm sorry Kyrie, I didn't mean for it to come out that way. And there's nothing wrong with that…I'm just so frazzled! I mean, just when did it become socially acceptable for people to be in a multi-partner relationship? Or for several women to share the same man? I get Cloud has a pretty face–"
"And a hard body." Nellie chimed in, no longer as seemingly shy as she was in the beginning, especially now that they were on a topic that she was enthusiastic about.
"-and a hard body. Thank you Nellie." Aerith continued, rolling with the interruption, even as she rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying never or that I'm not curious…just no for now, at least till I have a bit more time to wrap my head around all of this. Call me indecisive…but I can't make a decision like this after only one day of knowing the guy!"
"Didn't you say you met him before?" Kyrie asked, sensing her friend was on the cusp of something, and so tried to push a little more. "Gave Cloud a free flower and flirted with him a bit? You can't tell me you weren't interested then."
"Yeah, but that was before I knew he was planting seeds all over Midgar."
"Hey no slut shaming, that's not cool." Nellie scolded, brows furrowed and looking unamused by the mage. "If Cloud and Tifa are happy with thier relationship, we shouldn't diss them for how they express it."
"No, no…your right, when you're right." Aerith admitted apologetically, rubbing her forehead a little tiredly as they crossed through a hidden tunnel to the Gainsborough Garden. "Like I said, I'm working through a lot of mixed feelings right now…and I'm not gonna solve it today, so let's just put a pin in it." Looking over to the teen, she added. "And yes Kyrie, I'll be happy to stay with you for the night, but only if things stay family friendly. Fair warning, if people start taking off their clothes for non-innocent reasons, I'm going home!"
The warning went right over the junior merc's head.
"Awesome!" Kyrie said happily, feeling relieved that she wouldn't have to spend her first night in her new apartment by herself. Sure Jessie and Tifa were just in the next room, but it was different from having someone right next to you that you could reach. Just not as comforting. But before she could get too lost in planning the sleepover, she remembered herself, and glanced over at their third companion. "Wanna stay too? The more the merrier."
"Yeah, okay." Nellie answered shyly, looking both pleased and embarrassed. "I got a bug-out bag with extra clothes near the sector 7 gate if you two don't mind taking a detour–"
"Well, well, well…look who's home at last."
All three girls jump at the sudden forth voice ahead of them.
And there, blocking the entrance into Aerith home…was Mrs. Gainsborough. An older woman pushing into her mid-forties, a solid head of blonde hair that had yet to see any streak of gray. Age line crossing her face just above the high cheekbones, diminishing the youthful beauty she once was, but doing little to hide the handsome woman she had become. Very regal, in Kyrie's opinion. And despite her advanced years, had managed to maintain a slim figure that almost rivaled her daughter's.
All things considered, quite the looker…if the stern expression she kept on her face didn't cause every bystander to look away nervously.
"Mom!" Aerith said happily, rushing forward to give her mother a hug. The older woman returned the embrace, patting down her daughter's hair fondly, but keeping her eyes trained on the newcomers, inspecting them critically.
Breaking apart, but holding on to each other arms, mother and daughter chatted softly, too low for anyone to hear. Eventually Elmyra Gainsborough looked up, making eye contact with the teen.
"Kyrie." She greeted with a dip of her head.
"Um…hi, Mrs. Gainsborough." The ex-criminal greeted, shuffling her feet a little nervously under the woman's stare. Thankfully she turned her attention to Nellie, who looked just as anxious, looking about ready to bolt out of the tunnel and to freedom. Only the sliver of social grace holding back the little blonde from following her instincts. But if she did break…Kyrie was pretty sure she'd only be a step behind!
"I don't think we met…" Elmyra began.
"Oh…I-I'm Nellie, Mrs. Gainsborough." The quartermaster volunteered, her voice surprisingly steady even as she began playing with her fingers shyly.
After a long beat, Elmyra nodded and turned around, gesturing for them to all follow. "Well…come along girls, I'll make us some tea and you can tell me all about your night…"
"Just one cup ma'am, I just came to grab some stuff and then we're headed out again." Aerith said jovially, holding her mother's hand and swinging it lazily between them, as the small group entered the Gainsborough residence.
"Wow…" Nellie said in awe from Kyrie's side, not the teen could blame her for the reaction. Even after all these years, the Garden was a sight to behold–garden beds, flowers, fruits, a freaking waterfall and river! If everyone wasn't too scared of what Old Man Gainsborough would do to them, this place would have been crawling with all the wrong sorts trying to claim this piece of prime real estate.
"-going out again?" Kyrie heard Elmyra ask in surprise, but only able to see the back of the woman's head.
"Yup! Gonna stay with Kyrie in her new apartment." Aerith confirmed, stopping a moment to pluck a flower near the path and stick it in her mother's hair.
"Really now…"
There was a companionable silence as the group made their way through the garden, before leaned toward her daughter to ask a question.
"Why does the little blonde one have a gun on her?"
000
"About time you three got back…what was the hold up?" Jessie asked, looking over at the three girls in front of her as she settled next to Tifa in apartment 201. Aerith was busy fussing over something in her backpack, one hand rummaging through its contents...Nellie and Kyrie looked a little green around the gills, as if they've been through a horrific experience. "I said by 7 at the latest as a joke…not for you ladies to take a trip to Junon and back! Any longer and I was about to get comfy with Cloud."
Not her best joke, and it only got a few pity chuckles…but she was distracted! The redhead was still trying to figure out how this meeting of "sisterhood" was going to go down.
Bigger question–should she take charge or let Tifa lead?
"Sorry about that, we got caught up talking to my mom." Aerith apologized absentmindedly, finally tossing her backpack in the corner as she walked over and settled into their group circle. "She had about a million questions for Nellie and Kyrie, grilling them about what I've been up to and where I've been. As if she couldn't have just asked me herself!" Pinkie scoffed.
"And…would you have told her the truth?" Nayo asked casually with pursed lips, but her eyes were sharp.
A fair quesrion, all things considered.
While it was a rule of thumb for Avalanche to not involve people unnecessarily, if they could help it…Jessie understood more than most that a bond between mother and daughter was special. That things like secrets…tended to be a non-factor. Though Jessica Rasberry didn't know about her own child's involvement with the terrorists–in another place, another world where her father wasn't in a coma–she would have been person to know about Jessie's affiliations.
The redhead honestly wouldn't have blamed Aerith if she had clued Elmyra in.
"Nah, wouldn't even know how to start that kind of conversation with my mom." The mage admitted, squirming a little on her cushion as she got comfortable between Kyrie and Nellie. Flipping her left hand out as if speaking to her mother, she said with faux-seriousness. "Hey mom, I know you told me to keep out of trouble, but I joined a terrorist cell to fight against Shinra." Turning her right hand out and staring it down, she continued. "Also, all my friends are sleeping with the same guy…and they might want me to join. What's your thoughts on that?"
"Okay…fair enough." Nayo chuckled, leaning back on her arms to look at the flower seller bemusedly. "Can't imagine having that kind of talk with my own parents. Still…had to ask, you know?"
"My lips are sealed." Aerith said, miming a zipping motion across her lips.
There was a comfortable silence as Tifa poured everyone a drink, not alcohol this time, just freshly squeezed juice. A bit of an extravagance, especially since they lived under the plate where vegetation of any kind just didn't grow. Yet it felt appropriate for this little enclave of theirs, an unusual drink for an unusual situation. It helped set the atmosphere, where there was a sense of anticipation in the air. There casualness of all the girls, yet their jerky movements not doing much to hide the tension beneath their skin. Like a spring coil ready to burst as the friends waited for someone to make the first move.
Unfortunately, nobody did.
'Alright Rasberry, time to take this bull by the horns–'
A sharp clap drew everyone's attention to Tifa Lockhart.
"Alright ladies, I know everyone is feeling a little off balance…and I'm not gonna lie, I am too." The fighter began, rubbing her hands nervously as she took a deep breath, yet holding her head up high. "I just wanted to say…I appreciate all of your interest and–cards on the table–I…approve of everyone here joining in. I honestly cannot think of a more wonderful collection of beautiful and kind women to help me with m-my boyfriend. And I'm truly thankful from the bottom of my heart–"
Jessie was impressed!
She always knew Tifa had the potential to be the kind of girl who took what she wanted when she wanted it, especially once she found her resolve…but this was exceeding expectations! Jessie was a little embarrassed for even thinking Tifa couldn't handle it, and now knew she shouldn't have been worried.
"-but I also don't think it's a good idea for you all to join in like this..."
'Wait…what!?'
"What!?" Jessie asked in surprise, neck creaking from how fast her head whiplashed to the fighter. Everyone was also looking at Tifa in shock, confusion, and even a little hurt. "W-why are you changing your mind? I thought we had a good thing going? Did I do something wrong–?"
"Was it something I did?" Nayo interjected, leaning toward the barmaid with a look of barely contained panic in her face. "Cause I don't know what he told you about last night but I didn't think–"
"Is it because I want to join?" Nellie asked sadly, looking downtrodden as she stared down at the table. "I'm sorry for trying to force my way in, I didn't mean to cause trouble. Please don't punish the other girls because I–"
"W-was it because I told Aerith I wanted to "negotiate" with you?' Kyrie ventured anxiously, hat in hand and wringing the cap nervously. "Cause I was just joking! I didn't really expect you to pay me to have sex with Cloud or anything. I understand asking for money…that's some hooker like behavior–"
On and on the girls talk over each other trying to figure out what went wrong. Tifa with her hands up, trying to address everyone but being drowned out by the litany of voices from all sides. Through it all, Jessie had to wonder what this meant for her own position in the "harem", or if there was going to even be one after today.
This was not how she expected this meeting to go…
What the hell happened in that pantry to bring this sudden change!?
A sharp whistle brought everyone's frazzled attention to the only person who hadn't piled on the barmaid because of the unexpected news.
"Ladies! Let her breathe, and I'm sure she'll explain." Aerith admonished the girls, gesturing with her hands for everyone to sit back down. Once people reluctantly settled into their seats once again, she looked across the table, an expression of avid interest on her face. "So what brought this change of mind, if you don't mind us knowing? Did…someone do something you didn't like?"
That last bit got the girls to sit up straighter as they waited with baited breath, their unofficial "leader" taking a moment to collect herself.
"No, of course not…nobody did anything wrong." Tifa reassured them, and despite the apprehensive look in her ruby eyes, still looked set in her decision. Seeing their incredulous stares, she took a deep breath, and continued. "As I'm sure you girls know…Cloud and sex, are pretty synonymous in the slums. What some of you might not know, is that when I first started sleeping with him…it was to help a friend manage his addiction, or at least curb the worst of it. It was my admittedly ridiculous solution to his problem, a way for him to get his fix without jumping from one stranger's bed to the next…"
They all more or less nodded along, despite the multitude of questions on some people's minds, but kept their silence, wanting Tifa to say her piece.
"Unfortunately…I was hilariously unprepared for actually having sex with him–pretty obvious in hindsight with his kind of reputation–but more importantly…it made me realize my "solution" wasn't a one woman job. I needed more girls to help me..."tame the beast" for lack of better words." She paused for a moment, looking at each girl before seemingly coming to a decision.
What "decision" Jessie could only guess at…thankfully she didn't have to wait long.
"And…this might have been selfish on my part, but I only wanted women I could trust…and in turn, would listen to me. Wouldn't try to take Cloud from me, if I'm being honest." Tifa blushed in embarrassment as she said this, giving a weak chuckle as she wrapped her hands around her cup for comfort. "Overall, friends willing to jump into bed with us…and hopefully not expect too much in return. I don't think I need to go over the exact details from there, especially considering we're all sitting here for a reason. And if I'm being optimistic, I like to think it was working to a point…"
At that last part she smiled fondly at Jessie, who could only must a weak grin in return, dread pooling in her stomach.
"...and what changed?" Aerith asked, voicing the burning question in everyone's mind.
"I…realized I was just assuming things, instead of asking Cloud his thoughts." Tifa admitted, looking a little ashamed as she stared at the table, head down. "Making decisions for him because I thought I knew better and not getting his opinion...his feelings. This is going to sound corny, but when me and Cloud went to the back of the bar, when we were intimate…I guess I had an "epiphany"...about myself and him. Many in fact."
A moment of silence as the girls waited for her to continue, the fighter looking lost in thought.
"Which was…?" Jessie ventured, impatient for the rest yet was almost afraid of the answer…at least till Tifa smiled.
"I…think I'll keep that to myself…just for now." The barmaid said unabashedly, cheeks rosy but with her back straight and posture strong. "It's not that I don't want to say…I'm just still trying to sort out my own feelings and don't want to make the mistake of just assuming again." Looking back at the rest of the girls who had been listening along patiently, she said. "But to make a long story short…I need to take care of his heart as well as his body. Which means…I need to let him make his own decisions and support them, whatever he decides. And…I don't think me forcing women on him is the right call…"
"What does that mean for the rest of us?" Nayo asked, crossing her arms and looking at Tifa uncertainty. "Is this just your way of telling us it's over? Or…?"
"No, I'm happy for you and Jessie to stay if you two are willing." Tifa said firmly with a smile, reaching out to give both Avalanche girls' hands and giving them a squeeze. "Just because my methods might have changed, doesn't mean my goals for Cloud, has.
The redhead felt herself relax a bit– an action mirrored by the spy on the barmaid's other side–now that she realized this wasn't just one long break-up speech, a painfully overdrawn "it's not you, it's me" type of scenario. That her friend wasn't declaring that she and merc were now exclusive, and that everyone had to find their fix somewhere else. The (admittedly stupid) thought that Tifa and Cloud might have considered kicking her to the curb…was a painful one to be sure.
While sex and feelings didn't exactly mean the same thing to Jessie, especially with the way she was raised…the off chance of being left high and dry by her own friends… may have caused a tightening in her chest.
Thankfully, it was just her thinking worst case outcome…well, that was a bit of insecurity she was going to lock away firmly in the back of her subconscious. Now she knew it wasn't something she needed to worry about. The redhead almost wanted to slap herself for thinking Tifa and Cloud would send her packing
Unfortunately, over the sound of Jessie's own relief, she only just barely registered that Tifa was not done talking.
"-but I think it'd still be a good idea if you girls try dating him a little, in order for everyone to get to know each other."
Those words cause her synapses to stutter and swerve, like a car trying not to crash headlong into a wall.
"I'm sorry, you want us to… date him ?" Jessie asked incredulously, hal tempted to clean her ears with a finger, not sure if she heard the words right. Of all the things she thought Tifa might have said, that was not it. Once again, she had to wonder…what the hell happened in that pantry!?
"Yeah, what about all that stuff about you taking care of his heart?" Nayo chimed in, looking just as confused as the redhead felt.
"...you're not pulling our leg are you?" Aerith asked, looking very surprised and reminding Jessie that there were in fact three other women in the room with them
There was the same shocked expression that was reflected on Kyrie and Nellie faces, the younger girl having been watching the whole conversation in morbid fascination, although…their gazes were oddly directed more towards the mage, as if they couldn't believe the girl in front of them was real...
'That's weird.'
Tifa looked perplexed by the questions, as if she was wondering why nobody had paid attention to her explanation.
"This will…" She began slowly, as if enunciating her words might help. "Like I said, no more just throwing women at him…while the sex is good for Cloud, and certainly seems to help him in the short term…the long term is what I'm most concerned about. That despite his "unique" reputation…he's still the same boy from Nibelheim I grew up with. With all the same morals and values. And…that just like me, sex and love are not two things he can separate. Now that I had time to reflect, it makes sense why he asked for money before and why he set it so low…it wasn't about getting paid, it was his way of trying to set boundaries and not develop feelings."
Jessie could only stare at her friend, wondering what the hell was going on in that head of her's.
"And just in case, dating will give you girls a chance to back out without having to commit to anything. I know my plan is unconventional…and I know better than most that Cloud cuts quite a figure, and for most girls that's all they need…but I'm hoping you can see past his face and get to know the real him. Hopefully feelings don't get tangled and heartbreak is avoided. If anyone is just looking for a few nights of fun…please let me know now and maybe we can figure something else out."
Jessie couldn't stay silent…she had to say something! Anything!
"And…what makes you think he can't detach love from sex?" The redhead asked, the words out of her mouth before she could think.
"Well…" Tifa started shyly, as if she was waiting for someone to ask but didn't have the courage to bring up the topic herself. "Before you and Nayo showed up earlier…Cloud asked me out on a date!" Her face was bright red, as luminescent as the underplate lights themselves…but with a happy smile that outshone both. It was almost painful to look at straight on at. "I mean…if he was willing to ask me out, someone he probably considers a sister, I can only imagine how he might end up feeling about the rest of you girls! But knowing Cloud, he'll probably start getting into his own head about it…uncertain how he's supposed to approach all of you with his feelings. So…I think it'd just be much simpler if everyone tries dating him a bit, maybe even become his girlfriend if you like him enough, just so he doesn't have to fret over the ambiguity of our relationship with him. W-would that be fine with everyone?"
A beat, a moment of silence that seemed to stretch on forever at the earnest question…then a nod from one girl, then another, and another…till every person in the room had given their tacit agreement to the barmaid's "plan".
"Great! I…think I'll let him know all of you like him to get things going, but after that I'll back off so everyone can get some one-on-one time with Cloud, without my interference. However, I do want everyone to know that if you do need my help…I'm more than happy to lend my support! I know how nerve wracking it is to try and jump into a new relationship." Tifa commiserated with them, before she seemed to remember something. "And…if you girls don't mind, could you have your dates after mine? I know it's selfish…but I was hoping to plan something special with just me and Cloud…and I wanted his undivided attention for that night."
Once again, another round of dazed nods inconfirmation.
"Thanks! This is a little embarrassing to say…but I've kind of had a crush on him since we were kids, and I'm hoping to give this a real shot."
Everyone avoided looking at the beautiful woman as she said this, a general sense of awkwardness that seemed to affect everyone but the barmaid. Nayo deliberately wiping her glasses clean, Kyrie rubbing the back of her neck in second hand embarrassment, Aerith and Nellie taking overly long sips of their drinks.
Even Jessie couldn't help but stare avidly at the sliver of plate-light peeking through the window curtains.
Surprisingly, after a beat, a hand shot up to get Tifa's attention.
"Um…" Nellie started, dry swallowing a little, her nerves apparent by the damp sheen of sweat on her forehead. "W-would you mind helping me ask Cloud out Tifa? I-I'm not sure how I should approach him…should I dress up? I remember from that novel you lent me…that sometimes the suitor might bring chocolates or flowers…"
Her voice trailed off as a second hand shot up.
"W-what if we can't afford flowers or chocolates?" Kyrie piped in, her raised arm shaking a little as she spoke, the teen's expression making it clear even she was surprised at the words coming out of her mouth. "And…what's the etiquette for who pays? Is it the guy...or me since I'm the one asking?"
"Since I already had sex with him…" Nayo began, looking slightly bemused now that the initial shock of Tifa's request had worn off. "Is it bad form for me to just jump his bones after our dates? I know you said get to know him…but you can't really put the genie back in the bottle in this case..."
Seeing Tifa struggle to answer everyone's questions promptly, Jessie couldn't help but pile on.
"Since I already live with you…" The redhead began jokinging, smiling wide as she leaned forwards to bump shoulders with her friend. "And since we've been having threesomes for gods knows how long at this point, does that mean I'm dating you too? You gotta do what you preach after all."
"Um…yes Nellie I'll help you." Tifa started, looking overwhelmed by the sudden influx of questions. "And I don't think you need to do anything fancy if you're just asking him. Kyrie usually I'd say the person asking…but I think in this case Cloud would insist on paying, so you should just enjoy the date. And no…Nayo I don't expect to stop having sex with him, I'm not cruel, but please remember he's not just a piece of meat, there's a very real and beautiful person there–"
"No objection from me." The spy reassured her, waving the concern away. "I actually wanted to date Cloud when I first saw him, I just…got caught up with the flow of things."
"Oh! That's good to hear, also…sorry? And um, Jessie…I suppose we are…I haven't really considered it."
Jessie could only grin at the confirmation. "Well, then…you and me need to figure out our own little date–"
"I thought you said you were already dating Cloud?" A voice interrupted, tone neutral. The group turned to look across the table at Aerith, who had been watching the whole thing, her expression unreadable…at least till a wide smile graced her beautiful face, green eyes seeming to shine. "Why'd you lie to me Tifa?"
The barmaid could only rub one ar abashly, like achild with their hand caught in a cookie jar.
"Oh…about that…funny story…"
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I know...dick move on my part to make the smut scenes last chapter required reading to understanding Tifa's train of thoughts lol.
Fun fact: This is actually a second rewrite of the "girl" talk, the original was funny but got a little too cartoony so I deleted it and started from scatch. It originally had Tifa trying to figure out a schedule for all the new girls to have their "first time" with Cloud. It also had a more definitive "heiarchy" model for the girls but it didn;t make any sense since only half of them have had sex with Cloud. so...I decided to keep the "heiarchy" ambigious in the rewrite for now, with only Tifa as clear top and Jessie somewhere in between.
Spoilers: Currently they fourth girl to "officially" join the harem will be a blonde...I'll let people speculat on who that refers too lol.
