Some time later, Cloud emerged from the kitchen door, feeling very refreshed–.
"Um… just a little more to the left there Johnny."
"Whatever you say, babe!"
"You… sure you don't want to wait for the ladder? Fritz said he'll have it fixed and ready by tomorrow…"
"Nah, no need! It's just one more plant!"
Aaaaaand just like that, that wonderful feeling was gone with the wind.
Taking a quick glance around the dining floor of Seventh Heaven, Cloud noticed that the bar was still half full, but was slowly clearing out. Kyrie and Nellie sitting in one booth eating lunch and giggling over something or other.
"-should have seen me Nellie! We were clearing out those monster nests in record time!" Kyrie said proudly, popping another fry –from her fish and chips meal– into her mouth, enthusiastically waving her other hand as she recounted her first day as a mercenary. Looking side to side suspiciously as if to check that the coast was clear, she plopped a small sack of coins for her friend to see. "Check it out! They even gave us a bonus for finishing so fast! That's 50 gils right there, young lady. My cut for all the hard work I put in."
"Oh, you were fighting them too?" The blonde asked wonderingly, tearing a bit of her own fish to eat as she listened raptly. "That's really brave of you, Kyrie! Even the more experienced fiend hunter in sector 7 don't go near those places. The moment the Watch tells us those dens are even a "little" active, I go the long way around."
"W-Well, I wasn't "fight-fighting" them." The teen said, smiling a little embarrassed, before seeming to have remembered something and pointing her finger up enthusiastically. "Sure I wasn't tussling in the dirt with those freakazoids, bu~ut did I offer Cloud moral support when he needed it… sorta. Cheering him on and all that. I swear, hand on heart, he fought ten times harder because of me!"
"Cheering?" Nellie asked flatly, but not seriously as her lips pulled up into a wide grin, almost impishly. Seeing her friend getting agitated, she added teasingly. "Doesn't really sound like you earned that 50. Maybe you should give it back."
"What? No! Cloud gave me this himself!" Kyrie said defensively, quickly swiping her bag of coins off the table as if the gunsmith was going to make a grab for it. "And I did other stuff too….Oh-oh! I know! I, uh… I let him focus on his tasks by taking in all those people's requests for him! There was basically a queue of people demanding his attention because he was MIA yesterday. And once those grumpy people knew I was his assistant, that all basically went to me! So, I, um… helped him not get distracted, you know?"
"Well… you are his assistant, isn't that, like… basically the main part of your job? Talking to people so he doesn't have too?"
"Yeah, I guess if you going strictly by what defines an "assistant."" Kyrie said casually with a shug of one shoulder, popping a few more chips in hungrily before continuing with a mouthful. A lot more calm now that she secured her money back into her coat. "But no one warned me about all the complainers!" She pitched her voice into a gruff old man with a furrowed brow. "Hey! When's the merc gonna clear out the nest in the Southern Path! It's been blocked for two days! I can't take any more time off work!" Pitching her voice higher into a shrill woman, and shaking both her hands just above her shoulder as if in a frantic state, she mimicked. "When is Cloud going to get off his lazy butt and take care of those Touch-Me Frogs at the park? My kids can't play with those monsters running around! Ugh!"
Nellie let out a sudden snort at the show, catching the attention of a few curious onlookers, before covering her mouth with her hands and trying to stop the giggles that followed.
"That does sound terrible." The quartermaster agreed jokingly, hiccuping a little from the effort at restraining her laughter. "Definitely earned you a slice of that bonus."
"Exactly." Kyrie confirmed with a sagely nod and tilt of her head, eyes closed as she pointed a finger at the little blonde. "While I may not have been risking life and limb jumping head first into monster fights, I sacrificed my mental health–"
Looking towards the front of the bar, Cloud saw Biggs and Wedge just outside in the patio sharing a drink of red liquor. The two were talking in low, hushed voices, heads close together as they looked something over.
"-I don't think it's a good idea Wedge." Biggs said, shaking his head a little at whatever they were looking at.
"C'mon bro, you gotta keep your mind open to the possibilities!" The big Watchman said earnestly, fidgeting rapidly with the paper on their table. "Think five steps ahead!"
"Possibilities? What possibilities can opening a school for cats even give us?" The lanky strategist asked incredulously.
"Quite a bit if you think in the long term. Hear me out… super pets!" Wedge said enthusiastically, making an arc motion with his hands just above them, as if painting a rainbow of dreams.
"...super… pets? Okay I'm gonna regret asking this, but what is that?"
"Imagine a world where your cats are human educated! Able to think and function in high society. Capable of even doing your household chores when you don't want to, looking after the kids when you need a break, and dare I say… doing your taxes!"
For a moment Biggs just stared at his childhood friend in dazed confusion, before shaking his head and giving a scoff in disbelief.
"Okay one, we live in the slums, we don't do taxes. I mean… what percentage of nothing is Shinra gonna take?" The teacher began, almost in a lecture-like tone. "And two… that sounds absolutely horrifying. Why would I want my cat doing all of that?"
"B-Because it'd be adorable!"
"Not for long if we put them on equal grounds with us. What do you think is going to happen once they get it into their heads that they can run the world better than us?" Biggs said solemnly, even as the corner of his mouth threatened to quirk up into a smile. "And considering all the stuff Shinra's done… that's not a hard conclusion to make. I wouldn't want to fight an angry cat in the best of times, let alone one capable of using a gun!"
"Why do you always gotta go worst case scenario?" Wedge bemoaned, sitting back in his chair grumpily, arms crossed. "For all you know, we could achieve perfect harmony with our feline brethren!"
"I'm just saying, they look cute and cuddly because they're small… but they're still predators." Biggs said with a fake look of horror, taking a sip of his glass to cover his grin. "The only reason why they don't eat all of us, is cause they probably don't think they could win! Even then, half the ones squatting in your apartment look like they want to take a bite out of me whenever I come over." He continued, ignoring Wedge furiously shaking his head in denial. "You remember how Ms. Garett passed away in her sleep, but no one realized until a day later? And by the time we found her… half her face was eaten off by her own cat! You had nightmares for three weeks after that!"
"T-That's just the way nature is. It's harsh but beautiful too!" Wedge defended stubbornly, taking a gulp from his glass, but unable to look the older man in the eyes. "Like, you can't expect to just let himself starve, you know? It was do or die! So… stop with the slander. Cause I can name ten good moments for everyone of you bad–"
"Hey, you said think five steps ahead. This is me thinking ten." Biggs interrupted humorously, no longer able to hold back his mirth over the crackpot idea of a school for animals, before looking at his grumpy friend with a sly smile. "Or maybe I just don't want to invest all my time and effort in teaching a bunch of cats how to read."
"Ah-hah, I knew it! You never believed in my dreams, even as kids–"
Biggs' shoulders shook as he laughed at the half-hearted accusations, before he asked. "Dream!? Which one? Because if your talking about the time you tried starting a cactuar farm, that was not–"
Turning his gaze to behind the bar, Cloud saw that just off to the side, was Barret hunching over a sad Marlene with small pricks tears in her eyes and a red collar held stubbornly in her tiny hands.
"Marlene… sweetie… we can't put a collar on Red–"
"But what if the Crushers catch him without one!" The little girl said defiantly, scrubbing her tears with one arm to glare father. "If the patrols see him, they'll take him away to the pound!"
"No one's gonna take him." Barret said confidently, trying to sooth his daughter but cringing a little as she just kept looking at him like he was a monster hiding in human form. "B-Besides he's not really meant to be out and about either way! Can't really walk around incognito when he's basically on fire… So there's nothing to worry about!"
"But what if–?"
"And… making him wear that..." The gunman began, using a finger to flick the nametag on the collar for emphasis."Will make your new friend sad. He may not look it, but he's a sentient creature –with thoughts and feelings– who wants to be treated like the rest of us. Our boy might get the wrong impression if we treat him like a pet and not a friend, you know? I certainly would be. Now, you don't want Red to be sad, do you princess?"
"No…" Marlene said, glumly, looking down at the chockholder as if in a new light.
"Always remember, as a general rule we always treat others how we would want to be treated." The gunman said, kneeling at eye level to address his daughter, before tilting his head as if in consideration. "Well, with a few notable exceptions, of course. You know how I feel about them Shinra types. If one of them ever darkened my doorstep asking for help, you'd know what I'd say…"
"You'd tell them to kick rocks!" The little girl finished with a giggle, her faux-pass over the collar long forgotten.
"Atta girl! My baby knows me so well."
Tuning out the odd father-daughter conversation, Cloud looked over the rest of the bar and its occupants.
The main room had… transformed, into a botanist wet dream. An explosion of color that Cloud had no time to take in when he and Kyrie entered through the back door for lunch. A bouquet was placed neatly in a vase at every table, both booth and island. Every shelf and door had at least one laurel or wreath draped all over it.
Cloud would never say it out loud… but as someone who liked primary colors –especially those of the darker variety– it was such an eyesore.
But at least the customers seemed to appreciate it, if the still half full bar was any indication.
There were… quite a few stragglers milling about despite the late lunch hour. Not a whole lot, per say… but still enough that the group would have to hold off on the Avalanche meeting till it cleared out completely.
Some of the hanger-ons were sipping slowly on drinks, others rudely rubbing the flower petals in mild wonder, but all of them were enjoying the entertaining sight of Johnny balancing precariously on a stool. They stared and snickered, as the taller man tried to sit a potted flower vase on a high shelf just right.
"Careful!" The barmaid nearly cried out in worry.
"Oh~ relax, what's a little danger for boys?" The mage said, not at all fazed by the part-time worker's precarious situation. "They practically live off that stuff! Right, Johnny?"
"Y-Yeah! It gets my heart pumpkin… in a good way!" The redhead said, with a somewhat strained smile, trying to project confidence even as Cloud saw his knuckles whitening from how hard he gripped the top shelf.
The stool gave an ominous creak.
And standing just below –but a safe distance away from the energetic redhead– was Tifa and Aerith, who were trying to direct the man… but with clear worry in the barmaid's eyes and mild amusement in the mage's– as they watched him wobble once more on the stool the worker was standing on.
His childhood friend stood there –tall, straight back, and strong– practically unaware of all the admiring looks and jealous glares coming from her own clientele. A woman whose very presence, and looks, drew the room's attention even when that was the last thing she wanted. Well… maybe "not wanted" was a bit of a strong phrase, Cloud amended with a chuckle, remembering how Tifa once told him she liked wearing midriffs to show off her abs.
She wanted to flaunt her hard work a little, but not be too obnoxious about it by bringing up her martial arts training all the time, so the crop tops were her middle ground.
And if it wasn't obvious… it worked like a wonder.
(Everybody enjoys the sight of a beautiful woman being sexy.) Jenova muttered tiredly in his mind, the sudden image of his mother lying on her back in a dazed state after all the sex, flitted in his vision for a second. ( When you got a bod like that, a little teasing could almost be considered a public service. Enhances the day in my opinion. )
Tifa could be shy, even introverted at times, when it came to the spotlight… but that didn't mean she didn't like getting her ego stroked every now and then.
It was a funny thing to know that his girlfriend wasn't completely unaware of the effect she had on people, despite how bashful she would get when someone worked up the nerve to compliment her on anything.
Because who would have thought? Tifa Lockhart, prideful… even if it was just a little.
However, unlike most people at the bar, it was the girl next to the fighter that drew Cloud's attention.
The flower merchant was just a bit shorter than the barmaid, with vibrant green eyes, light brown hair. And despite her flowing dress obscuring most of her body, obviously had a slim build with apparent gentle curves to compliment her figure. All of that combined,it created an aura of alluring softness that, when paired with her impish smile and chiming laughs, had quite a few curious stares sent her way.
The botanist had enough of a natural pull that those bar patrons kept looking back and forth between the two girls, as if they couldn't decide who to ogle more at.
(Plus, you could crack a walnut with that ass.) Jenova said sleepily, another image of her curling up into a ball under a blanket, ready for sweet oblivion to take her. (If she sat that thing on your face, we'd die a happy death.)
Unfortunately, Cloud only felt dread when he saw Aerith Gainsborough… Zack's girlfriend.
Who he had a date with at the end of the week…
'Fuck!'
What a… insane twist of fate, that Tifa managed to randomly meet the one person that Zack dragged Cloud's comatosed dead weight across the continent to meet. Even risking the death trap that was Midgar, just to reunite with the girl he loved–
"Oh, shit!" Johnny shouted in panic, the stool below him tipping over and sending him free falling backwards.
Before Cloud could think, his body reacted, moving to cross the distance in record time and catching the other man before he could hit the floor.
"Oh, thank goodness." Tifa said in relief, the tension leaving her body now that the worst had been averted.
"Nice catch!" Aerith hollered over in agreement, clapping a little with her hands, which was shortly followed along with the light applause of the crowd who saw what almost happened.
It took all of the merc's willpower to blush.
"Bro! Thank you for the save!" Johnny shouted out, almost wrapping his arms around Cloud's neck for balance before the merc forced him back on his feet. "That would've been one nasty fall!"
"You're… welcome. Uh, just be more careful." Cloud said awkwardly, giving the other man a stiff nod –who returned it enthusiastically– before walking closer to Tifa and Aerith, giving them a quick greeting before addressing the florist in a low voice. "Can you give us a second?"
For a long moment Aerith just stared at them, as if trying to read their minds, before turning away towards Johnny.
"Fine, fine… I can tell when I'm not wanted." She said, with a smile and a wave towards the couple, as she walked off. At the last second she whirled on Cloud, placing a light finger on his chest. "But share the wealth, huh? You're not the only one who wants to hang out with Tifa, you know."
For a moment he just stared at her in surprise… at least till he noticed the slight curve at the corner of Aerith's lips.
"Loud and clear." Cloud grumbled out slightly, relenting to the joke as the mage and barmaid shared a giggle.
"Aa~and, have you given more thought to my suggestion?"
It took the merc a long minute to figure out what the mage was talking about… before a glance at Tifa sent the memory surging to the forefront.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah… I'll ask her right now." The "Soldier" said, tilting his head towards his girlfriend.
"Perfect!" She said enthusiastically, giving him a playful flick to one of his yellow spikes before wandering over to the redhead, who had been staring at the broken leg of his chair in morbid fascination (no doubt, grappling with the moral quandary of almost having died to a chair), and shouted out. "You know Johnny? I don't think that's a good spot… let's move it a little more to the left so we can get some plate light on it."
"O-Okay… let me just, um… find some tape… and, uh get the stool back up–"
The merc took a moment to just stare after the mage, a mix of guilt and apprehension warring in his stomach again as he watched her retreating back. Shit, he needed to tell her. The longer he waited, the more the anxiety ate him up inside. He had to say something to her–
Cloud felt a gentle slap on his arm, his eyes trailing up the retreating limb, only to see a playful smirk and knowing look on Tifa's face.
It almost made him go red at the implication of what she thought he had been doing with his staring.
Turning firmly away from the two, Cloud led Tifa to a secluded corner of the bar, where they wouldn't be overheard.
"So… what this "suggestion."" The fighter asked teasingly, once he had her back against the wall… only to lightly slap his hands down when he tried to reach for her hips. "I told you earlier, not right now, I'm swamped with the new decorations! Save it for tonight. Nayo and Jessie should have taken the edge off, you bed monster."
"Well, sure… " He begrudgingly admitted, but feeling particularly stubborn, crossed his arms moodily instead. "But I always want you no matter how many girls I go through…"
"Sweet… in a weird way, but control yourself Strife!" She said laughingly as he made another attempt at holding her, but this time, not stopping him when he put his hands on her waist. "Alright, Mr. Grabby, what did you want to talk about anyway?"
"Johnny…" Cloud began, tilted his head back towards the redhead. "What's he still doing here? I thought I told him to leave the city?"
"You did…" Tifa confirmed apologetically, before letting herself be happily dragged deeper into his arms for a hug and quick kiss. That got a round of disgruntled grumbles from the onlookers who had been watching them, which he soundly ignored… even if it did make him feel a little smug. "But he said someone stole his wallet –or lost it, he's actually not sure which one– just as he was about to leave Midgar… and well, it had all of his gil and transit tickets. And um.." The barmaid took a moment to lick her lips, the outline of her tongue running over her teeth as if she was trying to decipher the flavor of a drink… before giving him an admonishing look. "Hmmm, Cloud… you didn't wash your mouth properly! I can still taste Nayo on you!"
"Oh…um, sorry?" He began, before an absurd question popped into his head. "You can tell the difference?"
She gave him a stern look, but one that didn't have a whole lot of heart behind it.
"Don't change the subject. I'm not mad, but you have to be considerate of the new girls." She admonished him, using a thumb to wipe his lips, as if to give him a quick cleanse. "It's bad form to give Nellie and Kyrie their first kiss, only for them to taste another girl on your lips! It's not very romantic."
"I know, I know… wait, first kiss!?"
The barmaid jumped slightly at his question, before a cagey look came to her eyes as if her brain had just caught up to her words.
"Oh, um… forget I said that…"
(Whoa, nice and fresh.) Jenova practically purred, now very wide awake, as the illusion of her figment self stepping out of his body to wander over towards the two girls in question, a look of clear excitement on her face. (I don't want to be that person, but there's just something about an unplucked fruit… that just drives me nuts! Maybe it's a kink?)
Cloud could only groan in disbelief, both from the sudden information… and the sight of the alien trying to sniff Nellie's hair. And considering the parasite didn't have her own senses to use, having to piggyback off of his anatomy whenever she wanted to experience sensation, he doing that was largely performative. No doubt another attempt to annoy him into talking to her after he decided to stubbornly ignore the creature. Or at least get a reaction.
And the sight of his "mother" pressing herself up against another woman was–
He blinked, as if trying to clear the sight in front of him.
'Those two… sort of… look alike…'
"–but really, don't tell them I told you that! It was supposed to be, you know… kind of a secret–"
He turned his attention back to Tifa, trying to shake the odd image from his head.
"Why would they even want to date me?" Cloud cut-in morosely, focusing on the conversation before him as he leaned his forehead against his girlfriend's. He closed his eyes with a sign and felt her circling her arms around his neck instantly. "Tifa… I am the worst guy for a girl to have her first time with. Remember our's? You can't tell me I wasn't rough with you… or the fact that I stuck it in without making sure you were ready for it–"
He cut off his diatribe when he felt a very sharp flick to the ear.
"What I remember… was a magical night." She said, cutting him off as she closed her own eyes as she braced her back against the wall. She pulled him closer to her, obscuring them from the rest of the patron's view.. "Where this handsome man took charge and showed me what he wanted… showed me what I wanted." At that, she opened her eyes and bumped his nose playfully with her own. "And trust me Cloud, I was plenty ready."
He could only scoff lightly, feeling warmth in his chest as he leaned back a little to stare into those ruby eyes.
"You know, if you keep sweet talking to me like that…" Cloud began, letting his hands slide from her hips and down her backside, where he let it rest on her cheeks, giving them a gentle squeeze. "And making me feel all fuzzy inside, I'm gonna have to show you my appreciation–" He felt a sharp tug on his ear, the strength of the pull nearly bending him sideways. "Ow, ow! Sorry, sorry–"
"Once again, loverboy… save it for tonight." Tifa said with mock sternness, alluding to how their date was going to end, before finally letting the cartilage go… only to tiptoe up and give his abused ear a gentle kiss in apology. Well… that did make him feel a little better. She wrapped him back up in a hug, holding him close as she nipped the lobe in playful warning. "And I'm wise to your tricks Strife, so don't try it again! You can have your fun another time, when we don't have plans. But since I already bought our Airshow tickets and made those dinner reservations… I'm not gonna miss those just because you're feeling randy!"
"...yes, ma'am." He said reluctantly, but not really able to work up the energy to be too moody with his Tifa being so soft in his arms.
There was no way his girlfriend didn't know the effect her body had on him when they were molded together like this!
"Perfect! And just bare with Johnny for now, okay?"" The barmaid said, getting the conversation back on topic. "Believe or not, he really wants to leave the city too. Actually has this whole plan to go to Costa Del Sol and set up a shop there. Not really possible anymore, and it's not going to be the "hit the ground running" start he was hoping for, but he's confident he'll figure something out once he gets there. It's just… he can't really afford the trip there with his current savings, you know? It's pretty much why he's been doing all these odd jobs and risking his life to put up a flower pot."
"Fine."
"It's just till he has enough, alright? That honestly shouldn't take too long at the rate he's going."
"Okay." He agreed, leaning his own cheek against hers as he rested his chin on her shoulder and closed his eyes.
"Good." Tifa said happily, reaching a hand up to idly card it through his spikes… watching in fascination as the yellow points seem to defy the impromptu combing.
At least, he imagined so, this having become something of a favorite pastime of the fighter when they had down time. Usually, Cloud would feel embarrassed by the oddity of his hair seemingly defying gravity… but the feeling of her fingers running along his scalp. It was honestly lulling him into a drowsy state, his muscles relaxing, and breathing evening out. Was even ready to fall asleep standing up if Tifa kept it up… at least till she spoke up.
"So… what is Aerith's request?"
"Mmhmm? Oh that, well… she wants to know if she can add a person to our date in a couple of days. If… you were willing to join us and turn our twosome date into a throuple outing."
Tifa's hand stopped for a moment, likely in surprise, before resuming its motions.
"And… is that what you want?" She asked slowly, almost cautiously… causing him to pull back slightly in order to look at her.
"I don't feel particularly strong about it either way." Cloud said simply, trying to sound casual and not ruin the moment as Zack's smiling face flashed in his mind, before adding jokingly. "Although, I think she might use the opportunity to try and woo you. Aerith once told me that if I don't treat you right, she was going to steal you from under my nose. And then… she'll go after the rest of the girls, till I'm left with only my hand and a sock for company."
Tifa giggled at the thought. "I always thought me and her had this special connection. Well… nice to know I got options now."
"You sure about that?" The merc asked, almost cockily. "Because I'm pretty sure Pinkie is missing some of your favorite bits."
"So? I'll date Aerith for love… and you can be our side piece." Tifa mocked, reaching down to give his ass a faux-pinch. "I'll call you up when I'm feeling an itch, and you'll come running, naked and ready when I need you to. Sounds like a win-win for me."
Cloud could only laugh at his childhood friend's attempt at sounding perverted. "So, I guess you're fine with letting Aerith have her throuple date?"
"More, the merrier."
000
A packet of papers was suddenly slammed in front of Cloud.
"Really Yuffie? Right in my fish?" The merc asked irritably, using a finger to shove the stack further away from his food, before pointing at it. "And what the hell is this?"
Cloud watched the kunoichi slide into the seat before him –casually shouldering Kyrie further down the booth, much to the junior merc's annoyance– before leaning forward on an elbow and stabbing down at the paperwork with a finger, wide grin on her face.
"This, Mr. Mercenary… is your contract for joining Wutai." Yuffie confidently, before reaching over casually to steal one of his fries and pop it into her mouth. Licking her finger tips, she produced a pen and presented it to him, the back end aimed his way. "I already went through and filled out all the spots that need your initials… to save you the hassle and all that. You're welcome, by the way. So, go ahead and sign your name at the bottom of page three, four, and eight. Once that's taken care of, I do the boring part of filing it away."
She promptly placed the pen next to his plate, as if it was settled and done.
"This is… a what now?" Cloud asked in genuine confusion, not comprehending the teens words, as if she was speaking a different language. He looked over at Nellie and Kyrie, who looked just as baffled as he felt, the two of them only able to give a perplexed shrug of their shoulders. Seeing no help there, the blonde glanced back at the ninja as she happily tore the tail off his fried fish to eat.
"A contract." She said simply, not even looking in his direction, focus apparently on her stolen meal as she chewed. "You know… a commission of services rendered for payment. An agreement of duties to be performed in exchange for compensation. A pledge to perform certain acts, and in return I give you…" Yuffie stopped to ponder for a moment, rotating her hand at the wrist a little, as if trying to find the answer to a universal question. "Money? Land? Blood? How do you want to get paid?" She waved the questions away before he could even open his mouth. "You know? Not even important, we'll hammer out the details later. Go ahead and sign."
"...no?"
"What… why?" The ninja asked, sounding genuinely surprised by the refusal.
"Cause you never told him about the offer." Sonon piped up from Cloud's right, the tall man having just appeared with two plates of food that he set down before pulling up a chair. Settling into his seat at the edge of the table, he looked over at his leader with a bemused smile, elaborating. "Remember how we said we were going to talk to him about it, and give him time to… think it over? And how you insisted on being the one to talk to him… but you never did?"
For a moment she just stared blankly at him, before realization dawned on her.
"Oh, yeah…" Yuffie said wonderingly, looking wide eyed at the ceiling as she tapped her lips, seemingly having forgotten to approach Cloud. After a beat, she looked back at her partner, giving a dismissive wave of her hand and a shoulder shrug, before saying. "But in my defense, I couldn't find a minute alone with him." She looked back at the merc with a cheeky grin. "Well, better late than never!" Pointing a finger at him, she said. "You Cloud Strife, are being formally invited to join the New Wutain Interim government militia branch! We just got some pesky paperwork to fill out first, and then we'll get you an official officer's commission under me–"
"Hold up." Cloud interrupted, glazing between the two ninjas in confusion. "Why am I being offered this?"
"We like to recruit promising assets to the cause." Sonon said heartily, giving a bright smile full of confidence… which faltered slightly at Cloud's impassive expression. Recovering himself, the big ninja said brightly. "Finding a First-Class Soldier like yourself who's not sympathetic to Shinra, and is in fact, actively fighting against them… for all intents and purposes, is a match made in heaven for us. A scratch our back, we'll scratch your back type of relationship… where you're properly rewarded. In the manner most befitting of you, of course. A quid-pro-quo, if you will."
There was silence as the table tried to digest the freedom fighter's… strange words.
'Quid-pro-quo… the hell is that? Old Wutain?'
(Latin, I believe) Jenova said idly, an image of his mother sitting on an overstuffed armchair and eating a snack, while watching one of his childhood memories like a movie, played in his head. (It's kind of surprising how much survived over the course of a millenia. Like, you guys using "penny for your thoughts", even though pennies don't exist in this era.)
The big ninja himself subsequently blushing when he realized no one understood what he had been explained.
"...what did he just say?" Kyrie asked with a tilt of her head, voicing the table's confusion, as well as seemingly having given up trying to decipher the man's flowery words herself.
To be fair, most of the people at the table either grew up in a remote mountain village or the slums.
"What my overly educated colleague was trying to say is…" Yuffie began, looking a little embarrassed by the other ninja's attempt, and failure, to explain the situation. She pulled one of her legs up from under the table, and planted it on the cushion, wrapping her arms around it as she smiled impishly, almost flirtatiously at Cloud. "We hate Shinra, you hate Shinra… and Wutai would like to pay you for your services in doing something about it. You in?"
"...you sure you want to be talking about this so openly? The blonde asked, glancing around before swinging a finger to indicate the two of them."And fighting Shinra… isn't that basically what we're doing right now?"
"Meh, it's all terrorists and freedom fighters… who's gonna tell?"
And it was true, in just ten minutes the bar had cleared out of the typical patrons, everyone forced to get on with their day, and leaving only the five of them in the dining room. All the girls (sans Marlene, who had gone to her friend Betty's house down the street) were in the basement to get things set up. Barret had joined Biggs and Wedge for a drink out front, keeping an eye out for Nayo's team to arrive, as well as acting as a bouncer for anyone who thought the restaurant was still open for the public.
"As for the second bit… you'd be absolutely right!" The teen ninja continued happily, giving her knee a slap, before reaching over to the forgotten contract and sliding it back in front of the merc. "So, signing this little guy is more of a formality, just to help define our roles and hierarchy. Maybe even have you take an order of two from me, if needed. But we'll play it by ear." Yuffie said, looking away and giving a casual shrug of her shoulder, as if that last part wasn't a big deal. "We'll still do your infiltration mission, still save the city if we can. But afterwards… " She looked back up at him with a pearly white grin. "Well, let's just say there's no end to the paid mission we can offer you, and no limit to the potential damage we can do to the company if we work together. Doesn't that just sound peachy Mr. Merc?"
"If it makes it any easier, you don't really have to sign right now." Sonon added, taking a shaker and adding some salt to his food. "There's no expiration date to this offer, so definitely think it over if you need to. But that being said, we…" He said, pointing at himself and Yuffie. "...go where we're needed by the Council. So, no pressure, but sooner rather than later would be ideal."
"And signing now would be perfection." The White Rose chimed in.
"Well–" Cloud began.
"Hey! You can't take him!" Nellie jumped in, stretching a hand out between the "Soldier" and Kuniochi, as if to physically block the offer. "No poaching our people!"
"Yeah!" Kyrie piled on, throwing in her support and shoulder bumping Yuffie, who pushed back just as aggressively till both brunettes were glaring at each other. "Go stick your offer up where the sun doesn't shine, you homewrecker, because Cloud's Avalanche!"
"No he's not!" Yuffie countered, cheek to cheek with the other Wutain girl as he growled out. "He's an associate of Avalanche… a mercenary! He's mainly in it for the money. He's said as much himself! Which Wutai will give him in bucket loads as soon as he signs."
"It's not about the money!" The ex-thief said fiercely, surprising her friends a little with that statement.
"Of course, it's about the money!"
"You–"
"Enough." Cloud cut in firmly, glaring at both girls till they reluctantly separated, before focusing on the ninja. "I told you before, don't cause trouble in Tifa's bar Yuffie. You take your problems outside. I come here to eat and relax, not watch you stir up trouble."
"Wha– why are you only telling me!?" The ninja said, hands pressed to her chest and sporting a rather hurt look on her face, before she pointed aggressively at the tomboy… or other tomboy? "It takes two to tango!"
Kyrie had a very smug look on her face as she crossed her arms condescendingly.
"Yeah… well, that's a warning for her then." Cloud agreed, not being too serious and having no real edge to his voice. Though, he did have to force himself to ignore the look of betrayal on his assistant's face and sudden guilt in his gut. Forcing his attention back on the ninja, he pointed two fingers at her. "You, however, have been the instigator in nearly every problem since I've met you, Yuffie. So that's strike one."
Truthfully, the merc didn't really know what he would do if she crossed a line. He wasn't one for corporal punishment, was not sharp enough with his words to give some a dressing down or lecture, and… didn't have any real authority over the ninjas to do anything creative.
Like, if he told Yuffie to stand outside and think over her actions… what would stop her from laughing in his face?
The best Cloud had was throwing out some vague implication of violence, which he wasn't sure he could follow through on… especially since it was just two teenage girls getting on each other's nerves.
Thankfully, his threats seem to hold strong because the teen only grumbled what might have been an affirmative, before looking off to the side petulantly.
(You know… sometimes it's nice to have a bit of a wild spirit in the harem.) The alien said, offering her unsolicited opinion. (Someone to cause a bit of tension in the group and get the blood pumping among the girls. That way you can "step in" and help soothe any hurt feelings. Give them something better to work off all that frustration… if you know what I mean! Heh!)
'Quite.' Cloud thought, almost automatically. 'And Yuffie isn't a part of this… so your terrible advice is moot.'
(But she could be. Trust me, I got a sixth sense about these things.)
Cloud ran a hand through his spikes exasperatedly, but looked at the two Wutains consideringly.
"Look, I'm not against doing some jobs for Wutai if you need me too… but this?" He said, tapping the contract for emphasis. "This is a real commitment… and one that I'm not really able to make on my own at the moment." The merc made a show of folding up the packet in thirds and securing it in his belt harness. "Let me think it over for a bit, have a conversation with a few people first, and then I'll let you know what I decide."
The two ninjas looked at him for a long moment before Yuffie slouched in her seat and scoffed a little. "Tch, fiii~iiine. Go talk to your big boobed wife and see if she'll let you off the leash… I guess."
He didn't know whether to be offended or… happy at the implication that people already considered him and Tifa a package deal. That he didn't need to really spell out what he meant when he had to talk to some people… felt kind of good. Anthough, maybe a bit premature since he was still trying to work on that whole ring business.
Maybe he shouldn't have been surprised that they didn't sell fine jewelry in the slums?
"Pfft, this one would never make it in a harem." Kyrie whispered to Nellie, although… Cloud was certainly able to hear it clear enough from where he was sitting. "She'd have no respect for the hierarchy."
The blonde nodded solemnly.
But before he could form a thought on that, Sonon spoke up… while giving Yuffie an admonishing look. "It is fine. A man's gotta make sure your home life is in order before taking a big step like this. Hell, if my own wife told me to give up this life and find a regular 9-to-5, I would." The man said casually, seemingly unaware of the startled look the younger ninja gave him. "And… if it helps sweeten the pot any, we're happy to negotiate on that contract –haggle over the details if needed– especially if there are some things that don't work for you. Nothing's set in stone, you know?"
"That's good to hear." Cloud said neutrally, a little surprised at how willing they were to bend over backwards for him. He was borderline flattered at the interest, he's never been so… wanted before. At least, for something that didn't require the horizontal dance. It was… a weird feeling to digest. "But let's just put a pin in it for now, and we'll talk later, okay? For now… let's just eat and relax till the meeting starts." Seeing the ninjas nod in confirmation, he turned to Nellie. "Uh, sorry about that. You were… um, telling me about your day?"
A shy smile graced her lips, and she nodded enthusiastically. "I–"
"So just out of curiosity, these Avalanche girls…" Yuffie began, cutting the gunsmith off and getting a glare for it, which she subsequently ignored with a grin. "You don't actually spend every second of your day bumping uglies with them, do you? Cause that can't be physically possible or healthy. At the very least, the sheer dehydration! I mean… if you need a hobby to kill time, I can introduce you to this wonderful new game called Queen's Blood–"
"Hey! You shouldn't talk about other people's sex life in public…" Nellie cut in, her arms crossed… and just the slightest hint of an adorable pout on her face. "Or making cracks about it. It's disrespectful! What if someone overhears?"
"Ain't no one gonna hear, the place is practically empty!" Yuffie countered, swinging one arm to encompass the room as she pulled one of the two, almost forgotten, plates toward herself.
And… yeah, it was still just Barret, Biggs, and Wedge out front talking among themselves.
"Well… either way, you shouldn't be putting our business out there so casually." The gunsmith said, holding strong as she furrowed her brows… though, there was no real heat behind the glare.
"Oh c'mon, I was just us… wait… "our" business?" Yuffie said pointedly, eyes sparkling with avid interest. "Hmm… so, it's not just the old girls downstairs getting tumbled. You… and this traitor as well?" She said pointing a thumb at Kyrie, who looked torn between confusion and offense. Not waiting for a response, the Kuiochi nodded to herself as if in confirmation. "So… there's room for growth, is there? How… fascinating."
(Oh, ho ho! What's this now?) Jenova asked happily, an illusion of her appearing on his lap, wiggling herself comfortably as she stared at the ninja in keen attentiveness.
Cloud tried not to glare at the alien for her choice of seating.
While he couldn't feel the woman on him, the sight of his mother in between his legs gave him… uncomfortable thoughts. The kind that should be locked away in a dark cell in the back of his mind, and never allowed to see the light of day.
(Pe~erv.)
Nellie could only stare back at the shinobi like a deer in the headlights, frozen by her own slip up, with Kyrie just as stiff as a board next to her. The ninja noticed both girls' reactions with a sharp eye, her grin growing wider. While it wasn't a secret, their multi-partner relationship, they hadn't exactly gotten around to announcing it to the general public either. And truthfully, it wasn't anyone's business, so the group wanted to keep things on the "low" for as long as possible. But for the rather sharp smile on the ninja's face –like a shark that smelled blood– that wasn't much of a possibility at the moment.
Truthfully, Cloud himself was a little frozen himself on how to respond… where was Tifa when he needed her!?
"Hey, c'mon… boundaries." Sonon tried to say, looking a little uncomfortable by the line of questioning happening in front of him.
"What? It's just a little girl talk between friends." The teen ninja said unashamedly, despite the disgruntled looks she was getting from said "friends". She shot Cloud a cheeky grin before briefly looking between the two Avalanche girls… and zeroing on the blonde, almost hungrily. "So… Soldier boy's little foursome is actually a sixsome, eh? Well, don't keep me waiting… spill the beans! How did this all happen? Bigger question, how far have you gotten with him?"
The quartermaster seemed stunned by the onslaught of bold questions.
"W-Well… I… yes and no? I mean–"
"Don't answer this snake's questions Nellie!" Kyrie said firmly, jumping to the blonde's rescue as she fumbled her words. The tomboy got a glare at the ninja, who returned it with just as much venom, before saying scathingly. "Even if what you're implying is real, and not just a figment of your over-hyper, over-sexed imagination… what makes you think you can butt in and ask questions? Or that we all don't know what you're really trying to do!"
"O~kay, I think I'll finish my meal outside." Sonon said quickly, grabbing his plate and making a quick retreat outside.
Stunned, Cloud could only watch stupidly at the man's back as he left the blonde alone with the arguing women.
(Coward!)
"What? I can't be curious?" Yuffie asked in mock offense towards the other teen, barely even acknowledging her friend's escape. Indeed, little seemed to faze the shinobi, the slight grin on her face at Kyrie's accusation said she didn't mind being caught red handed… and felt no shame in it.
"Oh please, like I haven't noticed you checking out Cloud for the last couple of days! Your desperation is–"
"So? I was just checking out that sword of his… admiring how big and long it was–"
"Oh blerg! Do you even hear the words that come out of your mouth? And fyi… his sword is on his back, not in front of his pants, you peeping tom–!"
"I know exactly what I said! And "peeping tom?" Are you sure you want to be throwing that accusation around? Because I happen to find a very worn pair of binoculars on a certain someone's rooftop–
"I-I don't know what you're trying to imply here… a-and whatever baseless lie you're trying to peddle isn't gonna work! And there's no proof that it's mine–"
"Oh, sor~ry. Maybe it's someone else's initials with KC on it–"
(How much longer before you think they're gonna kiss?) Jenova asked with steepled fingers, watching intently as the two girls went at it. (I'm betting the two of them are gonna need to have a bit of a tussle –maybe a bit of clothes ripping?– before they admit to the undeniable attraction–)
"Strike two!" Cloud said loudly, hoping to cut the argument before it got too intense and someone said something they'd regret. "Once again Yuffie, knock it off and stop instigating." He only got a mullish look in response. "What I –or anyone else that it might involve– do in my personal life is none of your business. And if no one wants to answer your pervy questions… learn to drop it."
The two teens looked moodily at each other before glancing away in a huff.
Not quite making up, but at least no longer arguing.
Good enough.
He just… really hoped Yuffie didn't call him on his bluff. Because honestly? Cloud still had no idea what he'd do if it got to strike three.
Realistically, what would he even do to the teen?
"Fine, fine… I get it. Those of us outside of the "circle" don't get to ask questions." Yuffie scoffed, somewhat apologetic if dismissive to her wrongdoings. "A square peg like me just has to sit on her hands and speculate quietly in the corner. Watching on in wonder at the debauchery happening near me. Look but don't touch." In a moment, the ninja looked him in the eyes, the browns sparkling with unknown mischief, as she whispered too low for the rest of the table to hear… but just loud enough for him to hear. "At least, till some of it spills my way."
Despite himself, Cloud felt his heart beating just a tick faster, his blood running a little hotter at the knowing smirk the Wutain girl sent his way.
The sheer challenge in her eyes.
(I'm thinking… she might have called your bluff.)
000000
I know... the Cloti date got pushed to next chapter. As well as the infiltration mission. At first I felt guilty about letting the POVs get too long, but then I thought... f* it. Imma write what I write lol. I realized, trying to hit "deadlines" for a fanfic felt a little ridiculus, especially since I'm doing this purely for fun. And it's not like I'm NOT gonna deliver on those scenes, it just might take a little longer is all. Hopefully, everyone still enjoys though. Plus, I felt like it's been a hot minute since Yuffie made an appearance and I wanted yo justify that Cloffie tag haha.
Fun fact: Tifa's bar doesn't actually have booths, just island tables and long tables. But as a frequent customer of Denny's... I can't get that image out of my head lol.