Shinra record T-8567 1.22 - Intercepted Communication Transcript

[Start transcript]

Caller 1: Shipment secure.

Caller 2: What do you think Fuhito's doing with this? There is enough here to blow a plate sky-high or stage a war. You don't believe the fatty needs all this?

Caller 1: We ain't paid to ask questions. Finish unloading the goods at the drop point. Call back when it's handled.

Caller 2: We're working as fast as we can here. Gods, it stinks.

Caller 1: Just pray you don't run into the locals.

Caller 2: Wait, the locals?

Caller 1: Good luck.

[Click] [End Transmission]

Forensic memo: Both calls were logged from the slums. We are unable to determine the contraband's location at this time. The Department of Urban Development was contacted regarding plate security.

XXIII. Deep Dweller

Genesis pinched his nose as the story came out in fits and spurts. After Cloud's unexpected outburst, they returned to Genesis's office again, which offered more privacy than the materia lab.

As Cloud and Sephiroth took turns explaining to Zalinka, everyone took a few deep breaths to cool their heads. Genesis absently brushed his hand across his bracer, where his materia laid dormant.

He knew he felt the beginning of materia channeling, more potent than anything he had felt before. Zalinka seemed to sense something off, but Rayleigh didn't react at all. They weren't enhanced and would have been less sensitive, even though materia was their field of study. Was that Cloud? He knew he confiscated Cloud of materia back in Junon.

So what was that?

"Hmm," Zalinka pondered the story in silence while Rayleigh examined the data again, flipping through a few different charts and stopping at a printed readout. "That changes things," Zalinka scolded them like they were all misbehaving lab assistants. "Withholding information changes our interpretation of the results! Scientific rigor-"

"What Professor Zalinka means to say," Rayleigh cut in calmly with the air of someone used to her boss's antics, "is that we made the wrong assumptions about Genesis's prognosis. Angeal might also be degrading. Only at a slower rate."

"And Cloud has…an antibody," Sephiroth asked, leaning over. His eyes darted across the chart. Then he stared at Zalinka. "How?"

Zalinka sniffed unhappily. "Not in biological sciences, remember?" Genesis tensed, his temper about to snap, but Cloud and Rayleigh sighed.

"Professor."

"The degradation is very likely a product of how we were…created," Sephiroth said. Genesis startled. How Soldiers were made was a closely held secret. Did Sephiroth learn from Hojo? What else did he know? Sephiroth didn't look his way or see Angeal's curious look. Instead, he stared at the results in Rayleigh's hands. "It isn't a combination you're simply immune to."

"This is pure conjecture, mind you. I'd need samples from you two if I want to know more." Zalinka looked at Cloud and Angeal. Genesis was instantly on edge.

"No," he snapped, fist clenched. There is no way any scientists would mess with-

"...Okay," Cloud said. Genesis turned to Cloud, mouth already open in protest. Angeal stopped him with a hand on his shoulder and silently shook his head. Genesis settled back on his heels. It was Cloud's decision. "You can take a sample if you promise to destroy it after. I want to know more about this, too."

Zalinka shrugged.

"Biological specimens are not my area, anyway. Materia, on the other hand-" Cloud shuffled his feet, bit his lip, and said nothing.

Angeal watched Genesis pace anxiously outside the lab. Zalinka took a sample from Angeal. Then, Zalinka kindly kicked them out of the lab. The only one he tolerated was Sephiroth to stay while he examined Cloud. Watching Genesis's pacing now, Angeal could understand why.

"Cloud was Zalinka's student before he was yours," Angeal reminded gently. Genesis harrumphed.

"Sephiroth is watching them like a hawk."

Genesis harrumphed again.

Is he…?

"Cloud seems to trust him. He probably knows Cloud at least as well as you," Genesis grumbled, then stilled.

He is. Angeal realized with a grin. It's not always a competition, Genesis.

Moments later, the door to the lab slid open to reveal Cloud and Sephiroth, with Zalinka following close behind. Cloud was rolling down his sleeve. When Angeal caught Sephiroth's eye, the other man nodded. There was a twinkle of humor in them Angeal decided to ignore for his own sanity.

Nothing untoward happened under Sephiroth's watch. That was all he needed to know.

"It'll probably take me a while to get the results," Zalinka said. "I'll message you when I find out anything new. Until then, don't be a stranger, my boy."

"Thank you, professor," Cloud smiled. Genesis huffed.

"It's about time."

There was a quiet beep, and the Firsts reached for their devices. It turned out the message was for Cloud. The blond pulled out his phone. After reading the message, Angeal watched him turn white. He looked around shiftily, and before anyone could say anything, Cloud put his phone away. His mouth bent down into a frown.

"Problem?" Genesis asked, a brow raised.

"Catch up later. Meeting a friend," Cloud excused, then rushed down the hall before anyone could call him back.

"I don't think this thing covers enough," Cloud said as he tugged on the ruffled skirt that accentuated his strong legs.

Gun was only a little regretful that Cloud's muscles filled out from his stint in Wutai. In particular, they had to cover his shoulders. Thankfully, Gun found a bolero jacket with a ruffled collar that disguised Cloud's shoulders and back and hid his more masculine neck.

His naturally thin waist came in handy. With a stiff, busty corset, a bit of strategic padding, and only a hint of makeup, Miss Cloud was a true bombshell with a mesmerizing gaze. Rather than hiding the gravity-defying spikes, Gun instead opted for an updo (she did miss when Cloud had longer hair, though). The gold worked well with the entire ensemble.

Cloud balanced well in his kitten heels (proper stilettos would be too much), and his fingernails and toenails were painted in a session that involved much giggling between Elena, Aerith, and Gun.

"Stop fidgeting," Gun reminded, "And don't worry, you look stunning in purple." Beside her, Aerith leaned forward, her red-painted lips smiling wide.

"Not as great as you, Gun," Aerith complimented, "I can't imagine the Don picking us over you." Gun sighed. It still didn't sit well with her to bring a girl barely older than Elena into this. But, well. Aerith was a Gainsborough. She was involved no matter what. And Gun was confident Cloud could handle himself. Somewhat.

Godsdamnit.

How was she talked into this? Thankfully, they had plenty of firepower.

Before they climbed into the chocobo wagon, the Cloud showed her the materia he brought. (Snuck past Genesis from Zalinka's stash with Sephiroth's tacit approval!).

Well, bras are good for some things…

Even so, Gun planned to be the one selected. It was better that way and kept Cloud and Aerith safely out of the way.

The ride was short and bumpy on the ill-maintained roads of the slums. The wagon abruptly stopped, and there was a knock at the window.

"We're here, ladies," the driver said from outside. Gun turned to the other two.

"It's show time."

The manor was as ostentatious up close as it looked from far away. There was a crowd of gathering onlookers eager to see the arrival of the new brides. Gun was the first one out, and she gave a hand to Aerith. Cloud stumbled out last, looking glum. Gun reached up to fix the tiara in his hair, which had been knocked askew during the ride.

"They're so beautiful!" "Do you think the blondes are sisters?" "Maybe the Don will pick two this time!" "The brunette is pretty cute, but don't you think the dress is overpowering her?" "Whao, be still my heart! The girl of my dreams!" "Those legs look so strong. They can go around me any-"

"Let's move," Cloud said decisively, striding toward the red and gold gates. From behind, Gun could see the tips of his ears glowing red. She turned to Aerith.

"After you."

The first set of doors opened into an antechamber with three guards. Messy construction material dotted the room, suggesting that the Don had acquired new wealth and was immediately spending it on his mansion.

A grey-haired teenager about Elena's age greeted them with a sour expression. At the sight of Aerith and Cloud, his expression became even more dour.

"You serious? Get into your parent's makeup drawer or something?" He crossed his arms and shook his head. "This isn't the place to play make-believe. Go home."

"Oh, ignore Les," one of the other henchmen said, "He's still new. Welcome in, lovely ladies."

The one called Les sighed and pushed open the door, "I hope you know what you're in for."

The interior of the manor matched the exterior. Again, Gun could see new purchases of fine furniture and Wutaian-style vases, some still packed in the crates that shipped them. Gun would bet good money there was illegal loot and contraband from Wutai mixed in, and made a mental note about all of it.

"Second floor to the end. Don't poke yer noses where it don't belong!"

They followed the instructions: Aerith with a spring in her step, Cloud grudgingly, and Gun cautiously, taking in the manor's structure as she brought up the rear. The room they ended up in was a mind-bending dungeon.

Second floor to get to the basement. This Don Corneo…

Cloud walked around the area, a look of disgust on his face as he stared at the various…instruments. Aerith pushed a few items (of suspect shapes and cleanliness) unceremoniously off a desk and plopped herself on top, uncaring of the clattering sound she made. Gun meanwhile found a place that gave her a good view of the entry. Her pistol was a comforting weight against the small of her back, hidden by the ruffles of her black gown.

"Hey," Cloud said, "Check out the hidden door."

Gun followed his voice to the second entrance of the dungeon, well concealed by the brickwork. She tapped Cloud's shoulder.

"Sharp eye," she said approvingly. "Stay alert. Corneo probably had all kinds of tricks. Man didn't become the Don for nothing."

Cloud nodded.

"Heeey ladies, it's time to shine," the voice of a henchman sounded from above. Gun took point this time, climbing up the stairs again. Their heels clattered ominously against the stone steps. The sound turned to dull thumps against wood as they went into Corneo's office in silence, accompanied by cat calls from the men gathered.

The inside of Corneo's office was hideously garish. They were brought into an area with a desk and gauzy curtains that did nothing to hide the bedroom behind. Corneo himself greeted them eagerly, rubbing his hands together and licking his lips at the sight of his new entertainment.

"Now, let's see, let's see…which girl should I choose? Hmmm…" Corneo leaned to take a look at Aerith, "Shall I pick you?"

He let out a swine-like squeal and moved on. Cloud in the middle was his next target. At the sight of him, Corneo shivered. "Oh, what a beauty." Cloud couldn't hold himself back from grimacing, and Corneo became more excited. "Playing hard to get, I like that." Then, finally, he turned to Gun, and his eyes widened.

"What a hottie…" he said as he circled. Gun could feel his beady eyes running up and down her body and held back the urge to lash out. He paused in front of Gun again, leaning forward. His breath was hot and foul on Gun's face. "Why do I feel like I've seen you…"

Next to her, Cloud's eyes widened. Corneo backed away as his face began to turn a shade of red. Something crashed in the background.

Taking the opportunity, Gun struck. Her patent leather shoe sank deep into Corneo's crotch. The man dropped to the floor. His angered shout was silenced by a swift kick that sent him unconscious. At her side, Cloud made short work of the cronies. They didn't even have time to scream.

"Quick," Gun prompted, "Search the desk." She pulled her pistol out and approached the doors. They locked with a soft click. Then she glanced over to check Aerith's progress.

Aerith rummaged through the drawers, making a disgusted face when the first few attempts laid bare the Don's proclivities. Meanwhile, Cloud walked into the bedroom with a sidearm Gun recognized in his hands. She spared a moment to be proud.

"Ah, ha," Aerith said when she pulled out a heavy book. She flipped it open, "Ledger, deed, and what's this?" In her hand was a letter decorated with an emblem Gun was familiar with, a skull and cross bones engraved with the letter "A."

Gun walked to the desk to read it over Aerith's shoulder while Cloud returned from the bedroom.

"...hope your new pet is to your liking. Additionally, you'll find the latest shipment at its usual spot. In return, we look forward to your cooperation in our latest operation…" Aerith gasped, "That pig!"

Gun looked down at the still unconscious puddle of fat on the floor.

Just one bullet…

A shout broke Gun out of her contemplation. There was a commotion outside.

"- in there too long. Oi, boss, everything okay? About the other girls…"

"Damn it," Gun swore, "Time's up. Grab the book. We'll fight our way out."

"Wait," Cloud shook his head, "I have an idea, but you won't like it." Gun and Aerith both looked at him in askance. Cloud explained, pointing into the bedroom.

"There's a trap door into the sewers," he said. With one hand, he pulled on an innocent-looking rope hanging over the doorway to the bedroom. With a dull thump, the trap opened to reveal a shaft with rungs installed on one side.

"Um…" Aerith looked down, "Shouldn't we take our chances with the thugs?" The knocking on the door got louder.

"One 'pet' versus Corneo's thugs," Cloud shrugged, "Your choice."

Gun looked down at the shaft. Removing a wooden trinket off Coreno's desk, Gun threw it down, hearing the clatter moments later. "Thugs are boring. I'm more interested in what Corneo's hiding. Shall we?" Cloud nodded, and together they climbed. Overhead, the trap door slammed shut, leaving them in total darkness.

"Ugh, gross," Aerith complained. The ladder ended prematurely and they dropped down the rest of the way into the dimly lit sewer. The chamber was waterlogged, but not particularly grimy. In fact, it looked newly constructed. That didn't lighten the perpetual stench that floated in from elsewhere in the sewer.

Cloud hoped he didn't mess everything up. Based on his memories, the sewers should get them out of Sector Six. With any luck, they will return to Gun's apartment without trouble and Cloud can put this entire misadventure behind him. What he hadn't banked on was ending up down here in a dress.

The hem of the skirt brushed up lightly against his uncomfortably bare legs. Cloud shuddered when he recalled the indignity of shaving down there. Gun and Aerith only giggled when Cloud protested and teased him about how pasty his legs were.

If Tifa were here, I wouldn't be able to live it down. But Tifa was safely in Nibelheim. Likely learning to be a mountain guide and giving Brian Lockhart a stomach ulcer from worry.

Cloud's heels clattered loudly against the concrete against Aerith's lighter steps and Gun's nearly silent ones (how do they do that?)

"Oh, one sec," Aerith said as she tore the train from her red dress. She used the fabric to wrap Corneo's documents, turning it into a makeshift sling against her chest. "There, ready to move!"

Cloud led the way toward the exit into the sewer trunk line, even as he kept his eyes peeled and ears perked for the Abzu. However, the only sound that kept them company was the sound of their heels echoing down narrow corridors, soft chatter between Aerith and Gun, and distant splashes of water. Piles of construction material dot the sewer as though someone had been renovating the underground.

Corneo? Could he be building more than Cloud remembered?

After backtracking a few times, they came upon the dry sluiceway and followed it to a closed gate.

"I think this is the boundary of Sector Six," Gun remarked as she caught up to Cloud. Cloud looked around, trying to reorientate himself. The underground labyrinth was the same as he remembered, but the configuration differed. He didn't remember coming this way at all. He climbed up the nearby ladder and studied the plaque.

"We're headed toward Sector Five," he said. Aerith brightened.

"Once we get there, we'll be home safe," she said. Gun made a considering noise.

Something splashed again.

Cloud's head snapped up as he heard a rumbling.

Is that?

"Get out of the water!" he cried. Gun didn't need prompting, climbing up the ladder with unbelievable alacrity considering her outfit. Aerith stumbled, and both Cloud and Gun reached down.

"Your hand!"

With a grunt, Cloud pulled Aerith up as a tsunami of turbid sewer water rushed down the sluiceway. It hit the metal gate with a resounding bang, spilling onto the walkway and over it. Cloud tried not to think about the cold, wet sensation that engulfed his feet and ankles, uncomfortably exposed.

"Shit, there's something in the water!" Gun called out. She drew her weapon faster than Cloud could blink while Cloud scrambled for his materia, stuffed uncomfortably against his chest. Aerith, meanwhile, found a pipe with a length not too different from her future guardstick. Cloud shook his head.

No time to get confused now.

The Abzu sprung out of the murky waters with a roar. Its hide had spears embedded in it, and it must have been battling Sahagin tribes for territory down here.

It was…also smaller than Cloud expected. The Abzu he remembered facing towered over him. It sent him flying with a swipe of its claws. It was so strong that chains could not hold it down, and it couldn't easily fit into the side tunnels.

This monster was undoubtedly the Abzu but was only a few heads taller than Cloud. Its horns scrapped against the low tunnel ceiling.

"It uses the sluiceway to attack," Cloud realized. That's how it's claiming human victims—by drowning." Aerith shuddered next to him.

"That's disgustingly horrible."

Any further conversation ended when a bullet hit above the monster's eye. A second shot cracked its horn, and it roared in anger.

"It's hide is like armor," Gun said, but Cloud was ready.

"Fira."

The materia in his hand responded eagerly. Too eagerly. A charge began to build in the tunnel, and dry heat replaced the dampness.

To Cloud's shock, the fire spell came out more powerful than his strongest Firaga. It engulfed Abzu in a conflagration.

Abzu roared in pain as its oily skin caught on fire. It thrashed and rolled wildly, prompting the trio to back away. Where it rolled, steam hissed. When only smoke remained, it reared up. It was severely charred but still angry.

Cloud's eyes widened, and one hand came up on instinct. He never before wished more for a sword. Instead, he grabbed Aerith and pushed her against the wall, putting his body between her and the monster.

"Out of the way!"

But instead of charging at them, the monster charged into the brick wall, revealing another corridor, and then lumbered away.

"Well, that was unexpected," Aerith said as she brushed herself off. Gun peered through the hole Abzu left and gestured to Cloud and Aerith.

"Look at these markings," she said.

Spray painted on the wall was a familiar symbol. A cartoonist skull and crossbones. There was only one conclusion.

"Let's see if we can find more."

"Man," Zack groaned, "I thought you'd go easy on me, 'Geal. I just got back from a war!" Every muscle ached. They had spent the afternoon in training sims because Angeal was a harsh taskmaster. Angeal snorted.

"I'm going easy on you," he corrected. With a sigh, Angeal ended the simulation. "Well, it is getting late." Zack perked up.

"Yes!" he cheered, "Time for grub!" Ironically, he had been craving Wutaian from their favorite takeout spot. Despite spending a long time in Wutai, they enjoyed none of the cuisine, subsisting on ration packs and mess hall food instead.

"Go round everyone up," Angeal said. Zack saluted.

"Copy that!" Then Zack scratched his head, "Where is everyone anyway?"

Cloud dodged just in time for the bullet to fly past, hitting his human assailant with unerring accuracy. Gun exhaled, her sights already moving to line up on the hound Aerith was keeping at bay with her pipe.

The guard hound's last mistake was stopping to snap at Aerith. A hole appeared on its side, and black blood spilled out. It fell with a whimper.

"Any more?" Cloud asked as he pushed wisps of hair out of his face.

Gun looked around at the crates uneasily, "I doubt it. But something tells me we shouldn't linger."

Following the markings brought them to a near-empty hideout. Closer examination revealed crates of weapons, ammunition, and ration packs enough to feed any army. Emblazoned across them was a familiar symbol: Shinra.

"Better leave it for now," Gun said, then pulled out her phone. "One false move, and we'll blow ourselves sky high." A soft click captured the evidence she needed. They would need to confirm what was going on internally. Usually, Gun would suspect a Turk operation, but with the mess under Rufus and that letter they found to Corneo…

She looked uneasily at the corpses and hoped they hadn't been informants.

It's such a mess…I miss Veld…

As luck would have it (and likely by design), the suspicious crates were staged next to an egress.

Cloud waited for Gun to finish taking pictures. Without prompting, he grabbed the ladder leading upwards. Gun was amused to see his ears turn dark red as he climbed. Aerith giggled.

"Don't worry, Cloud," she said sweetly as she followed, "We won't peek up there." Gun smiled to herself. Taking a final scan of the sewer, Gun brought up the rear.

The tunnel deposited them in an alley at the foot of the main pillar. Trains rushed past. Gun looked around.

"I think it'll be safer to return to headquarters," Gun said grimly. Aerith looked up, mouth turned down.

"After what we found?" She crossed her arms and kicked her feet. Gun hummed.

"At this rate, it'll be safer to lay low while we get this cleared up. Headquarters will be the last place people suspect," Gun explained. She glanced at Cloud. He took a hint and walked down the alley, keeping a lookout. Then Gun looked back at Aerith again and lowered her voice. "We have an agreement. Reno can scrub the cameras. You'll go home without trouble."

Aerith uncrossed her arms and nodded, resigned. She gazed longingly at the path toward Sector Five and then turned back to Gun. "Let's go," she said.

Roche was stunned at the sight. Three beautiful women with visibly ripped dresses stumbled out of the alleyway. They looked around fearfully.

Had they been attacked? The slums were a dangerous place.

"Hey ladies, you look like you're in a bit of trouble," Roche greeted, "Perhaps a gallant hero could be of some aid?" He drew a bow at the blonde in the middle. She was particularly stunning. Loose strands of hair falling out of her stylishly messy bun framed high cheekbones and large blue eyes. The dark purple dress only accentuated her creamy skin and light pink blush. A light smudge of dirt on one cheek tempted Roche to reach out and brush it off with his own fingers.

She looked familiar, but Roche decided against saying so. It would sound too much like a cheap pickup line. Far be it for him to be misconstrued as some uncultured cad.

The purple-clad blonde stared at him oddly, eyes wide. Oh, he must have startled her. Her friend, in a sultry black number, was the more headstrong sort. She stepped between Roche and the others and stared him in the eye.

"The only 'bit of trouble' here is you. Get out of our way," she said with a hint of a growl. Roche held his hands up.

"Hey. No harm meant," Roche said and held his arms out so they could see his Soldier uniform more easily in the dim lighting, "I'm on duty. Let me at least walk you to the train station." The women looked amongst themselves, and the tough one nodded. The other blonde must be shy, as she tucked herself away behind her brunette friend and didn't utter a peep or look Roche's way. Roche was a little disappointed.

"I didn't catch your names-"

"Because we didn't give it," Black Dress said.

The other women took her lead, and conversation dwindled to polite and noncommittal small talk.

The walk to the station was uneventful with Roche around. A few people stared and made catcalls but didn't venture close when they saw the Soldier outfit. To Roche's further disappointment, the train was already pulling into the station when they arrived.

"Thanks," Black Dressed said begrudgingly. Roche tried to say something else, but Black Dress ushered the other two women into an emptier car. Then they were gone.

Cloud looked around warily when they entered the building via its side entrance. Gun's stern gaze and a flash of her Turk credentials thwarted any trouble they might have had with the guards. After that, no questions were asked.

It was well past the core working hours, and the elevator banks were thankfully empty. Cloud let out a sigh of relief.

"Reno and Elena are meeting us by the lounge," Gun explained. "Elena should have a change of clothes for us."

Before their elevator reached its destination, however, it chimed again and stopped. Cloud held his breath as the doors slid open to reveal two people he dreaded to see. On the other side, carrying bags of takeout, stood Zack and Sephiroth. Zack gaped at them. Sephiroth also paused, but before the elevator doors could close again, he pushed Zack through them and followed him.

They rode in uncomfortable silence for a moment. Cloud kept his gaze locked on the display, counting up the floors. They didn't tick up fast enough. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gun's eyes twitch. Yeah, he gets it, too.

"So…uh, Aerith," Zack greeted, "How did you get here? What are you doing here?"

"Oh," Aerith brightened, "You're the guy that fell on my flowers." Cloud's brows raised when he heard that.

Wait, what?

"Haha," Zack scratched his head, "Not my finest moment."

"Have you met Gun?" Aerith asked. Cloud shifted subtly behind Gun as the elevator slowed, trying to stay out of sight of both Soldiers. Aerith was expertly distracting Zack from his original question (and from Cloud), with Gun chiming in periodically. Meanwhile, Cloud could feel another pair of eyes pinned on him.

The doors slid open again to the employee lounge area. The cafe had long closed. The floor was empty except for a few burnt-out-looking office workers lying on the couches.

Cloud had no time to relax. Once they reached a relatively secluded corner of the floor, Sephiroth instead turned to Cloud. He stood close enough that he loomed a little, even though Cloud still wore his accursed heels.

"You look good," he said. Behind Sephiroth, Gun, Zack, and Aerith all froze. Cloud's voice was involuntarily high-pitched when he answered.

"Um, thank you…?"

He doesn't recognize me. This will be over soon.

Sephiroth looked at him, head to toe.

Nope. No way.

"This is quite the change," Sephiroth said, drawing his eyes back to gaze into Cloud's, "What was the occasion?"

Gun let out a small gasp, but Zack's reaction overshadowed hers.

Oh, no.

"Seph, do you know her?" Zack asked, approaching them. Aerith made a face at Cloud that Cloud couldn't decipher before he had two pairs of mako-enhanced eyes on him. Cloud felt his own expression freeze, into what, he did not know. Whatever Sephiroth saw there, Cloud also did not know. The General smirked.

"My secretary, Miss-"

Anything else Sephiroth planned to say was interrupted by more steps headed their way. To Cloud's relief, Elena and Reno came into view, duffle bags in tow.

Though Elena helped the "brides" prepare earlier that evening, the sight still shocked her. Reno, who hadn't, actually leaped back as if jolted by his own electrorod at the sight of them. Elena would have grinned if she could. The matching nail polish was a detail Elena painstakingly handled herself.

Gun was beautiful as always, an attribute Elena grew up envious of. Aerith, standing next to her, was gorgeous in a different way.

But the most surprising beauty wasn't even a woman. Cloud, a glasses-wearing (where did those go anyway?), book-toting nerd, was completely transformed. Even the ripped skirt hems, the smudge of dirt across one cheek, and the strands of hair cascading out of his messed-up bun added to the mystery.

Elena took it all in. It was glorious.

If Shinra doesn't work out, I may have a future in theater.

She wasn't the only one enamored with Cloud's looks. Sephiroth glanced their way when they arrived, but he hadn't taken his eyes off Cloud for more than that moment.

"I'll take that," Gun said, grabbing one of the bags from Elena. "Aerith and I'll go change." Then she glanced meaningfully at Cloud. Oh.

Sephiroth smoothly stepped in.

"Zack, why don't you take the food to Genesis and Angeal. I'm sure they're getting impatient." Zack hesitated. Even his spiky hair seemed to wilt, but he nodded anyway and trudged away.

"Uh," Elena elbowed Reno, who stood frozen beside her until now, a useless lump. Reno spoke up, finally finding his tongue, "Clothes, your clothes…" Sephiroth watched Cloud grab the duffle bag gratefully. Reno nervously looked at the General.

"Zack was looking for you to join us for dinner," he said. "Come to Genesis's office once you're done. We ordered enough for you." Cloud wordlessly nodded, still shocked, as Sephiroth swept out the door.

Elena turned to Cloud.

"Come on, let's go find an empty bathroom. You're gonna need help," she fussed as she led Cloud away while making a shooing motion toward Reno. "Make yourself useful. Go check on my sister."

Moments later, Elena leaned against the wall of a restroom, listening to cut-off curses as Cloud changed. It took two to undo the strings of the corset and remove the hair extensions, and Cloud required a demonstration of makeup remover. The door swung open, and Elena halted Cloud from going any further with a hand on his chest. She stared at his face.

"You missed a spot," she said, exasperated.

Cloud's eyes still bore hints of mascara and eyeshadow. There were smudges of foundation along his hairline. Boys. Utterly hopeless.

Elena dipped another cotton pad into makeup remover while Cloud sat on the toilet, letting her work.

He opened his mouth, closed it again, and opened it again. Elena snapped the third time he did it. "Out with it."

"Before Wutai…I mean," he blushed. Oh. Yeah. Elena remembered and then cringed. "Gun said…"

Elena wanted to cut him off, but Cloud found his words first.

"I'm sorry. You are a good friend. I-"

"Yeah, I know," Elena said. No one else would know if she put more force into getting the foundation off. Then she groaned. "It figures. Damn my taste in men." She groaned again. The way Sephiroth looked at Cloud and the way Cloud looked demurely away. He may have been seconds away from inviting Miss Cloudia back to his place, Wutaian takeout be damned. Elena knew who he'd rather take out.

Suddenly, Elena felt a different type of frustration.

"Huh?" Cloud looked up, his face finally bare.

"It was just a crush, dummy. I'm already over it," Elena grumbled. Then she muttered under her breath, "If I weren't, I would after that."

"H-huh?" Elena sighed again, then pushed Cloud back down when he tried to get up from the toilet.

"Where are you going with purple polish still on your nails?"

Kunsel saw nothing, heard nothing, knew nothing.

If he happened to see a bombshell blonde with the Firsts with more than a passing resemblance to another person he knew, it was pure coincidence.

He continued out of the lounge with no one the wiser (except maybe the Turks).

"No way, young lady. It's dangerous before you're back in Gainsborough territory. Reno will take you home." Reno looked up when Gun again volunteered his services. He had been flipping through the book, engrossed. They tossed it to him with Gun telling him "guard it with your life" while the two women changed.

Gun reached out for it and Reno returned the book without protest. Gun pulled a sheet of paper out and gave it to Aerith, who grabbed it and held it to her chest. Then she nodded to Reno.

"Make sure she gets back safely," she said. Reno frowned.

"Don't tell me you're goin' back to your place." Gun shook her head.

"I'll catch some shut-eye in a lounge somewhere." Reno snorted then dug into his pocket and pulled out his key card.

"Take my couch," he offered, "My room's clean. I'll be running some errands a little while longer."

Gun shared a look with him, then nodded. Reno, contrary to appearances, kept a neat apartment. But that wasn't what he meant; Gun knew that, too. After dropping off Aerith, Reno would check for tails and clean up their own trail. Gun was unspeakably grateful.

Reno turned to Aerith and held out an elbow jokingly.

"My lady, your carriage awaits."