Fortune Foretold

Cloud stood with his eyes fixed on Reeve’s, barely daring to breathe. What the President of ShinRa, Inc. told him next would obviously be life-altering due to the amount of Gil at stake.

Just HOW life altering, Cloud had no idea.

“It’s relatively simple, really,” Reeve said, shrugging. “All you have to do is go to the Gold Saucer, meet your contact there, and do whatever she says.”

Strife winced slightly at that. “Whatever she says” was quite general, and could encompass a great deal of things.

“For how long,” he asked, the thought of the money firmly in the forefront of his mind.

“She didn’t say,” Reeve responded. “She just gave me this offer, take it or leave it. I assumed that you’d be jumping to take it.”

In reality, Cloud was. But something was bothering him. The smile on Reeve’s face was more than just a typical grin. It was a shit-eating, cat who swallowed the canary grin.

“You know something I don’t,” Cloud said. Not a question, but an accusation. Reeve shook his head furious back and forth, as if the speed of his denial would prove his sincerity.

“Why would you say that,” he asked, seemingly genuine.

“Because, you’re smiling way too much,” came the dour reply. Again, Reeve shook his head, slower this time.

“I’m smiling because this means you can finally get out of the damn slums, Cloud. Everyone else is doing fine for themselves, and you’re working as a mercenary to make ends meet. It’s not right at all.”

Cloud knew that Reeve, whether his concern was sincere or not, was right. Everyone was doing well…everyone except him.

“I don’t mind the slums,” he said, voice shaking slightly. “It’s home.”

Reeve frowned. “No, it’s not, Cloud,” he whispered, fighting with the anger that was slowly creeping in his voice. “You just can’t go home because your ex-fiancee’s there.”

Silence reigned for a few moments. Each man had to fight back tears, before Cloud finally spoke, voice even softer than Reeve’s had been.

“I hope you never have anyone leave you at the altar. I wouldn’t have wished that upon Sephiroth,” was the reply, pain in every syllable.

Reeve let his head fall into his hands. It was all perfectly ridiculous, really. Cloud and Tifa had been engaged ever since the entire mess with Sephiroth and Meteor ended. For her to leave him on the altar was unthinkable. And it wasn’t like she had just chosen not to show up, either. She had literally broken up with him there.

Why was uncertain. But really, did it matter? Could there be any reason that would lessen the pain that had forced Cloud to his knees?

They were memories that Cloud had tried long and hard to forget. But such a thing wasn’t possible. He had, instead, simply learned to live with them. It was all that he could do.

“I know things have been bad,” Reeve said, trying not to gag at his understatement, “but after this mission, you’ll be able to get out of the slums. Get yourself a nice place and start over.”

Cloud nodded. Really, he didn’t have any other choices. A mission like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The chance to not have to work for a good while without having to sell off his memories.

“I’m game,” he said, finally. “What are the specifics?”

Reeve smiled, reaching down to pull a piece of paper off of his desk.

“This should be all of the information you need. She wants to meet you tonight, at the Ecstasy restaurant.”

“Tonight? The what?” Reeve chuckled at Cloud’s confusion. He really HADN’T been out of Midgar in a while…

“You need to get out more,” he teased, before continuing on. “The Gold Saucer’s expanded in the past few years. Taken on a few more, um, adult characteristics. You know, fancy dining, more gambling, strip clubs, the whole nine yards. It’s all in a new Square. Trying to reach the adult demographic a bit more.”

Cloud shrugged. It was to be expected really. Gil made the world go round, after all.

“She has a reservation for you two at the Ecstasy for 5:30 tonight. That somewhat limits your travel options, so I’m going to fly you out on one of ShinRa’s private jets. You’ll be taking the Mog, my personal favorite.”

Strife barely heard him. Cloud was already in mission mode. He looked down at the Mystile, making sure everything was in place. He unsheathed his mighty blade, analyzing it carefully for cracks and dents.

“Okay,” Cloud said. Satisfied with the condition of his equipment, he placed the heavy weapon back in its scabbard, and nodded once. Twice. Everything was ready to go.

“You may leave when ready,” Reeve told him, still smiling. “But first…”

The President of the most powerful company on the Planet crossed the room to a large oaken cabinet, and reached inside. He emerged with a bottle of white wine, and two goblets. Pondering the cork for a moment, he popped it out easily. Clearly, this bottle had already been opened.

“My apologies,” Reeve began, noting Cloud’s curious look at the opened bottle, “but I promise, only two glasses have been poured from this.”

Cloud shrugged. Seeing this as a go-ahead sign, Reeve filled each goblet halfway with one of the finest wines Junon had produced six years ago. Reeve handed one of them to Cloud, and raised the other.

“To the first day of the rest of your life,” he toasted. “May you find happiness and contentment.”

Cloud laughed as he clinked glasses. Before he could take a sip, however, one thing needed to be said.

“Reeve, that’s the cheesiest shit I’ve ever heard in my life.”

The President only took a sip of wine and kept his mouth shut. He hoped that Cloud wouldn’t notice the other two goblets that sat on his cluttered desk.

One was Reeve’s, from an earlier engagement.

And the other goblet, with a small smear of lipstick on the rim?

Oh, just Cloud’s contact, that’s all.

Everything was going according to plan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even Cloud had to admit that there were benefits to being good friends with the most powerful man in the world.

For one, his flight was practically immediate. No sooner had he left his office than a pair of employees had whisked him off to the HQ’s private flight deck. In five minutes, he was strapped into a seat on the Mog, and was airborne in two more.

The instant the plane was stable, he’d been escorted to the jet’s dining facility. “A friggin’ dining facility,” Cloud thought. He’d been on a plane maybe twice in his life before, and he’d always gotten a cold sandwich.

Service was, well, very much better on Reeve’s favorite jet.

He sat at a well-furnished table with beautiful candles and a stark white tablecloth, partaking of a meal of roast chocobo with cranberry sauce, and some root vegetable he couldn’t quite identify.

“That Reeve,” he said, stuffing his mouth full with another bite of the succulent bird, “such an epicure.”

Indeed, Reeve was. Everyone felt like that about something though, Cloud reasoned. Yuffie had her materia. Reeve had his food and drink. Cid had flying.

After much though, Cloud decided that his true love was battle, was pitting his skills against those of man and beast alike. Hopefully he would arrive early at the Saucer. He could drop his things off and go to the Battle Arena before his meeting.

There truly was nothing in the world comparable to battle. The adrenaline rush, the struggle, it was exciting. Exhilerating. A feeling beyond words.

Pushing his plate away, Cloud rose. Not caring that he had just eating, he checked to make sure that he was alone in the area before bringing the Ultima Weapon out.

He marveled at the weight and feel of the sword in his hands. It still surprised him on occasion that he was strong enough to wield it. It had to be at least fifty pounds, but Cloud could wield it as if it was one-tenth that amount.

The blade rose in the air, only to come down at a quick, harsh forty-five degree angle. Cloud immediately snapped the sword up into a defensive posture, before lunging forward with a quick series of stabs.

Light beads of perspiration formed on Cloud’s skin as he swung his blade in circles, slashing and cutting at the air. Soreness slowly began to build up in his muscles, but he didn’t care. It was a comforting soreness, a familiar feeling that he almost enjoyed.

After almost ten minutes of practicing, he carefully resheathed his weapon once again. He staggered across the dining quarters to a sofa, and laid down upon it, letting his breath slow down and the flush in his cheeks reduce to normal.

Sheepishly, Cloud smiled. He was worn out. Spent.

As his eyes closed, however, he couldn’t possibly have had a clue that far more such feelings were in his immediate future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note:

And there's Chapter 3.

Almost all of the exposition is finished, they shall be meeting within the next two chapters.

Hopefully, the groundwork will make the inevitable even better.

Thanks for all the support everyone!

As always, reviews are greatly welcome. :-)

-Sean