dragonchaser

Vincent was glad that the information he had requested would not arrive for two days. He spent the first flying to Rocket Town and almost collapsed at the inn from exhaustion. He slept through the second day, which was more than unusual; Vincent rarely required sleep after his long years of slumber. (Then again, he hadn’t slept for a fortnight.) In any case, he awoke the next morning refreshed and as ready as he could be for the daunting task before him.

Vincent descended the stairs of the inn and went to the small café, still a little drowsy. He took a seat in the corner of the room where he could easily see both exits should he need to escape for some reason. At the moment, though, the only thing that held his interest was the cup of coffee before him. The liquid burned down his throat, his eyes glowing slightly from the caffeine.

“The coffee belies the vampire thing, you know.”

Vincent’s head snapped up defensively, but he was met with the warm brown eyes of his old friend. “Allow me my one vice, will you?” Vincent retorted, pulling the cup closer to him.

Verdot laughed and sat down across from him. “Oh, I will. I haven’t forgotten those days you’d stumble in, looking hung over, and it turned out to be you hadn’t had your coffee yet.”

Vincent allowed himself the luxury of rolling his eyes. “I gather you will not kick my ass for getting you up, then?” He eyed the metal cane Verdot hooked on his chair and smiled slightly when he realized it doubled as a nightstick. “What a Turkish weapon.”

“Got it from one of the young ones, Reno. They don’t make Turks like they used to, you know.”

“I know. I have not forgotten the last favor I gave you.” Vincent shook his head. “We would have never been captured like they were.”

“They’re still young, Vincent. Besides, they’ve been through a lot. We never had a meteor hanging over our heads. But anyway.” Verdot placed a slim CD case on the table. “There’s your info. If you tell me what’s going on, I just might consider looking for whatever other data you might need.”

Vincent picked it up with his right hand, putting his claw on the table to protect his precious coffee. Crimson eyes looked it over for a moment before it disappeared in his cloak. “Cid Highwind is missing” was his succinct explanation.

“Elaborate, you planetdamned Turk.”

Vincent’s lips curled a little before his expression became grim. “His wife was murdered some time ago. It came to my attention that he was behaving strangely. I went to see him and discovered that he had been replaced by a hybrid Clone/Sense materia.”

Verdot’s eyes narrowed. “Val... there’s something you should know before you look at the data.” Vincent gave him a scarlet stare, his face expressionless. Verdot winced a bit and continued, “The one who designed Junon’s cloning mechanism was Hojo.”

Vincent sighed before taking a long draught of his beloved coffee. “I appreciate the warning. I doubt it will pose an issue, though.”

Verdot’s eyebrows rose. “Why not?”

Vincent stared down into his coffee, idly tapping the table with his claw and making a soft metallic sound. “I have begun to let the hatred flow out of my life. However, I fear I am being filled with apathy. I can no longer find the energy to care.”

Verdot shook his head. “I hope you feel better. There’s a lot left in this world for both of us.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, though I doubt it will come to be.” Vincent finished off his coffee and crushed the cup before idly tossing it towards the trashcan on the other side of the room. He did not need to look to know that it had gone in and stood. “For what purpose are you here?”

Verdot frowned at his old partner as he rose from the table and followed Vincent to the door. “What if I just wanted to see an old friend?”

Vincent rolled his eyes again, which was probably a record for such a short period of time. Once they were both outside, he shot Verdot a mildly amused glance. “Turks do not make social calls.”

“True enough. I have to see about getting our airship repaired; it’s not doing too well.” He made to walk off before turning back. “I’ll call you if I find anything helpful.” He was surprised to see Vincent scowl. “What?”

“...Where can I buy a phone?”

—\—

hello little one i’m here

oh fuck that’s not me that’s not me it’s just me in here no one else

calm yourself my dear for i am no foe

they can’t they didn’t i’m me i know i am let me go just leave me alone

your soul remains true starchild you will not break

the green the blinding light don’t let me out don’t make me go back in there just stop

it’s gone it’s not there anymore oh hell i’m alone again don’t leave me