Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction / Starcraft Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Tassadar's Legacy: The Crusades: Sylvanis ❯ ROUS', Sewers, and Shopping Sprees ( Chapter 2 )

Opening my eyes, I felt tense. Really tense. Something had woken me up and I have no idea what. Sitting up, I looked around, trying to stay as quiet as possible in the dim lighting of this abandoned security station. Suddenly I heard a light snuffling sound coming from outside the room. Scared, I quietly got up and went over to the dead console screen. Peering over it, I looked out the fenced window. Just as quietly I pressed myself down to the ground to stay out of sight and tried not to have a heart attack. Evidently that King rat I killed yesterday wasn't so much of a king after all. Another one happens to be sniffing around just outside this security station! Quickly I summed up my options. I could stay here and risk being found out, or I could make a break for it and try to make it up to the outside world, where the snow would probably keep the rats from following me.

Considering the fact that the rat is sniffing around and can probably smell me, I decided my best bet would be to try and escape. Adrenaline coursing through my body, I quietly made my way to the rather flimsy door and braced myself. I had no idea where I'd go once I got up there, but at least I'd be out of immediate danger. So what if I'd be in freezing howling winds instead of around a mutated rat that happens to be far larger than me? At least there's a chance I might not get killed up there, and may find another place to sleep. No way am I gonna be able to fall asleep again down here.

Mind made up, I put my hand on the handle and braced myself. The ladder is only thirty feet away. I might be able to make it. Listening for the snuffling sounds, I determined the rat to still be on the far side of the station, which isn't much of a help considering the station is built into a corner. As quietly as possible, I turned the locking mechanism, hoping it wouldn't make a noise. Steady… steady… creeeaaak-SNAP! Who the heck designs a locking mechanism that loud! Shoving open the door and running like the devil is after me, I can hear the rat snarling as it gives chase. I can almost feel it's hot breath as I literally jump/climb up the ladder. Part way up, the entire thing suddenly jumps in my hands and I hang on for dear life as the rat collides into the ladder. Climbing as quick as possible, I make it to the manhole and climb out.

Ever heard the expression out of the griddle and into the fire? That's what I felt like as the frigid icy wind hit me after I climbed out. As soon as I replaced the manhole I got nearly bowled over by a clump of snow falling off of a roof nearby. Now what genius? Rubbing my arms, I figured I could try and head back to the dumpster. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go off the top of my head, so off I went. Doesn't help that I'm still unbelievably exhausted. I don't know how I did it, but I somehow found my shortcut in the dark, with only the flickering lamps along the road for help, even though most of them don't work. I climbed over the obstacles and made it to the center of Edge. Exhausted, I trudged my way back to the alley behind Seventh Heaven and climbed behind the dumpster and out of the worst of the wind.

Shivering like mad, I pressed myself up against the exhaust pipe and swore to myself that I wouldn't cry. I can't afford to have my tears freeze to my face after all. Finally, exhaustion overcomes me and I drift off into a light sleep. After all, who can actually have a deep sleep out in the freezing cold?

Finally, the wind all but died and light started filtering around the dumpster. Still shivering, I got up and decided that the next rat I see, I'm skinning it, along with a number of it's fellows, to at least have something warm to lie on, or at least soft anyway. I forwent the snow scrub, too tired to bother and practically trudged around the building and dragged myself into the bar on my lead feet. No one was in yet as I'd gotten up especially early this time, rather than waiting out there for it to get warmer. Slowly a lumbered over to my table and collapsed in it and lay my head down on my arms, still shivering every now and then. I heard footsteps coming towards me and stop next to the table. Someone tapped my shoulder. I looked up slowly to see Tifa looking at me in concern. I tried to grin at her and she smiled timidly back. Then she pulled out the picture menu. I opened up to a random page and pointed, not particularly caring anymore what it was so long as it was warm and edible.

She took the menu back and kept staring at me. I was starting to feel vaguely creeped out and I wondered if there was something on my face. I guess she figured she was staring though cause she suddenly shook herself and gave me a smile and walked back behind the bar to make my order. I looked out the window at the street, not really looking at anything, till I noticed out of the corner of my eye, the napkin holder. It's silver and kinda reflective, so I picked it up and and looked at myself. I almost chuckled at the non humor of my appearance. I look like crap. Dark smudges on my face, and purple circles around my eyes. No wonder Tifa was staring.

I went back to staring out the window, watching as more people started walking the streets. I heard two people come in and sit down before my food was set on the table. I wasn't sure what it is, but at least it's warm. Suddenly ravenous, I shoveled it down. Once I was done, I just stared at the empty plate. I'm not sure what did it. I don't even know why. Just suddenly there was water dripping onto the plate. Startled, I wiped my face to realize I'm crying. I guess the crappiness of my situation's finally caught up with me. As soon as I realized I was crying, I dropped a crap load of gil onto the table and rushed out. Tifa was waiting on someone and watched me leave. I don't know if she saw my tears though. I hurried to my shortcut and as soon as I was out of sight, I stopped and collapsed against the wall and slid to the floor, sobbing. I just couldn't stop crying.

---“Tifa, was there something wrong with Matthew's food?” Marlene asked her as soon as Tifa came back from taking another person's order. Tifa shook her head and answered, “I think he liked the food just fine. I'm sure he just had somewhere he had to be. He left nearly 4 times the amount of gil for the food though.” Marlene frowned and paused from where she was washing a glass. “Why was he crying then?” Marlene asked. Startled, Tifa looked down at her, “He was crying?” Marlene nodded. Tifa frowned herself and looked pensively at the door. I think it's time I got to the bottom of this. With that she went upstairs and made a phone call.---

A while later, my tears finally stopped falling, and I wiped my face. Other than a mild case of the hiccups, I felt slightly better. Shaking, I stood up and tried to think of where to go. I'd long since given up trying to figure out why I was crying. I could only guess that it was stress and lack of proper sleep. Getting up, I wandered over to the town map I discovered yesterday. Memorizing the route to Cloud's church, I decided to go there. So, going down my shortcut, I made it back to the highway. To my horror, two of those giant rats were wandering the highway, sniffing around. I could only guess they're looking for me. It had been hard enough killing one, could I kill two giant rats larger than I am?

I decided I wasn't really in the mood for it and headed down the highway in the opposite direction. It would take me out of town, but at least maybe I'd find something less dangerous to hunt that way.

A couple hours later, I happily walked back towards town with two large pouches tied to my belt full of money and other odds and ends. Making it to the town square, I walked into the bar and took my favorite table. Tifa came by after taking a few other patron's orders and handed me the picture menu. I opened it, and after thumbing through it, I decided on some kind of meat rack that almost looked like pork ribs. Handing the menu back, I smiled and nodded to Tifa and she smiled and nodded back, though I noticed she looked… different. I don't know exactly what. It was the way she looked at me. I couldn't figure it out, so I gave up and settled for looking out the window again.

After finishing my meal, and paying, I walked outside and decided to do a little window shopping. I'd guess which ones are the stores by figuring out which doors the most people came in and out of. After watching I determined that most of the buildings in the square are stores, so I started exploring. The first shop I went into had a weird collection of odds and ends. I did happen to find a blanket though. A really soft wooly blanket that I almost stole, if not for my conscience, since I couldn't figure out how much it was, and I knew it'd be useless to ask. With not a little sadness, I left the store and went to the next one.

This store is full of food. After exploring a little and looking at all the raw ingredients, I shrugged and left, knowing I wouldn't have to worry about food anyway. The next store was another food store, except all the food was different. I'd say it was Chinese if I had to guess. They even had free samples too. After trying their fish and crackers and listening with feigned interest to their rattling on about the food, or at least I guess that's what they're saying, I left that store and went to the next.

To my surprise, the next store was filled with weapons. Not many people were in this store as the other two. I wandered the aisles, looking at the myriad number of guns, grenades, swords, and knives. Some of the weapons I recognized as stuff I already had. I wonder if I could sell some of it? I honestly don't need to be carrying around a dozen or so grenades clinking at my hip. Makes me a little nervous. I stepped up to the front counter and laid down my excess stuff. “**** ***** **** ****?” I had no idea what he was saying, so I just nudged the stuff to him. He shrugged and kept chatting to me as he pulled out some gil from underneath the counter and handed it to me, then he called out to an assistant and handed off the stuff I gave him to be sorted.

I wandered over to the next store and stepped inside. A clothing store. I was beginning to be a little bored. Until I spotted a black jacket that would fit my attire perfectly. I tried it on and it fit perfectly too. I couldn't pass this up, so I stepped up the counter and laid the jacket on the counter. The lady said a bunch of stuff, I opened up my pouch and laid a bunch of gil on the table. She looked at me funny before taking half of what I put on the counter. I took back the rest and put on the jacket, feeling warm for once in the still slightly chilly air. I stepped out of there and went back to the first store I saw. I explored it a little more and found a solid black backpack. Grabbing that, and the blanket I found earlier, I took It to the counter and laid it on the counter along with a bunch of gil, and grabbed a canteen I spotted next to the counter on a rack and put that on the counter too. The clerk became all irritable at me and started gesturing to the pile of gil I left. I didn't know what the guy's problem was, but I figured maybe it wasn't enough. I grabbed a bunch more gil and laid it on the counter, nearly doubling it's size. The clerk scooped up the entire pile and made shooing motions with his hands. I took my stuff and made a mental note to figure out how much my purchase really cost at a future date.

Walking outside, I stuffed the blanket into the rather large backpack, and it only took up half the space of the interior of the backpack, which was surprising since the inside looked way bigger than the outside. Maybe that's why it was so expensive. I put on the backpack and noting the position of the sun, I walked back to the bar.

---meanwhile during this shopping spree---

The bell tinkled signaling yet another customer entering the bar for lunch. Tifa suppressed the urge to sigh, wondering when Cloud would get here. She pressed some more buttons on the food generator she'd gotten so that they could serve food as well as drink to get more customers, and another tray spit out the end and she carried it to a table. It was during the time when she was taking another customer's order when Cloud finally walked in. He nodded to Tifa and made a beeline for the specially reserved table that no one but special guests of the bar sit at, which just happens to be the window corner seat that Matthew always sits at. After making sure that people were sorted and leaving the rest to Marlene for the moment, Tifa came over to Cloud and sat down with a drink in hand. “Good to see you Cloud.” Tifa greeted. Cloud gave a small smile and answered, “You too Tifa.”

Tifa smiled back then looked out the window and sighed. Cloud knew that look from anywhere. “What's the matter Tifa?” Tifa looked back at Cloud and said, “I wish I could say I'd just called you over for a social visit, but that's not the case.” Cloud waited for her to continue. Tifa took a sip from her drink and said, “A couple days ago, a guy in his late teens dressed in black came into the bar one morning. He immediately sat in our special guest seat, exactly where you're sitting. I figured he was new so he didn't know the policy for this seat, so I let it slide and asked him what he wanted. But he didn't answer. He looked at me as if he'd seen a ghost, though he tried to hide it. Then he left. He came back for lunch the same day with his clothes ripped, and sat in this same seat again. Cid had come by for lunch and had already left. Weird thing is, he wouldn't talk. When I came to grab the tray, he pointed at the tray and held up a bunch of gil. After I poured a potion over him and his clothes knitted, I got him the same tray and he nodded and smiled, but the entire time he wouldn't say a word to me.”

Tifa took a gulp from her drink and continued, “He's come back since then for every meal. Marlene was nice enough to draw up a picture menu for him for which he seemed very grateful. He never talks, and I pointedly asked him once if he knew Gaian. He gave me that same look he always gave, so I went to the basics, and pointed at myself and said `Tifa.' He then proved he wasn't mute because then he pointed at himself and said, `Matthew'. So basically I've got a guy who doesn't understand Gaian who comes in everyday for a meal, who smells like he sleeps behind a dumpster, comes in every morning shivering and looking worse… you should have seen him this morning Cloud. He looked like he hadn't slept all night. I can't imagine where he sleeps right now. Have you taken in any new kids recently?”

Cloud shook his head and looked dismayed. “I've never seen this kid around before. Some of the orphans mentioned a new kid who's been cleaning up the rats on the highway towards my place, making it easier for them to come and go from here. Not like they had any trouble before anyway. Sounds like this kid needs a place to sleep though.” Tifa nodded and said, “I just wanted your input before I decided on what to do. I'm going to follow him tonight and see just where it is he's sleeping. If I'm right… then we may end up having another addition to the family.” Cloud nodded and Tifa smiled, glad that Cloud agreed. She took another sip while Cloud looked at her speculatively. She froze at his next words. “You love this kid don't you? Three days and you're already looking into him. I know you like helping people Tifa, but I've never seen you warm up to someone in only three days like this.” Tifa averted her eyes and shrugged, “There's just something about him… I don't know. I can't describe it. Stick around. Maybe you'll figure it out. He should be coming in soon. He usually shows up around midday.”

Cloud got up and followed Tifa behind the bar to help out and a few minutes later…

I walked into the bar and went over to my table and sat down. The usual lunch rush is here, though I'm starting to wonder why they always avoid this table. Do I stink it up to much or something? I don't know… I glanced over at the bar then nearly did a double take. CLOUD STRIFE is over there! Holy cow! The Cloud Strife! He caught my staring and I looked away embarrassed and I pointedly looked out the window. Tifa came over with the picture menu and I pointed to what I wanted and kept glancing over at Cloud then looking away when he looked up.

Tifa came back pretty quick with the food and I ate slowly, distracted whenever I saw Cloud go over to wait tables. It was one thing to find Tifa here. It's her bar. But Cloud is here waiting tables? Must definitely be after Advent Children then. Least I won't have to worry about Sephiroth I hope. After I finished my food, Tifa came and took my tray away and I handed her the money depicted from the picture. After she left, I left a pile of gil on the table as a tip and got up and left, feeling self conscious as I could feel both Tifa and Cloud's eyes on my back. Walking out, I continued my shopping spree considering I have so much money left and I don't really have anything else to do.

---meanwhile---

“See what I mean?” Tifa asked. Cloud nodded, “He is odd. And I could've sworn he recognized me.” “Really?” Tifa asked. “Positive. You should've seen the look on his face when he first spotted me. I was worried he was going to have a seizure.” Tifa laughed, “You have the weirdest sense of humor Cloud.” Cloud shrugged and said, “I see what you mean though. He is a nice kid. Even left you twice the amount of tip.” Tifa shrugged. “He always does that. So I usually give him extra food.” Cloud said, “Well I have to go now. I promised Denzel I'd come see him over at his foster parent's place.” Tifa nodded, “I'll see you later then Cloud?” “Yes.”

---

After picking up a few more potions and even giving in to the urge to buy a materia even though I have no idea how to use it, and the idea of shoving it into my arm is slightly disturbing, I noticed it getting late. Stepping out of the store, I made it back to the bar and got dinner. Thankful even now for my jacket, and how it seemed to keep me at the same temperature no matter how much colder it got, I got some food, ignoring the two drunkards sitting over at another table who leered at me. After finishing eating, I yawned and made my way out the door.

---

Tifa watched as Matthew walked out the door, then watched with trepidation as the two drunkards left after him. Calling out to Marlene to watch the store for a moment, Tifa bundled up in a jacket and followed out the door. Walking around the corner of her bar, Tifa watched the drunks stumble into her back alley and heard over the wind the sound of a struggle. Hurrying, she turned down the alley and watched in horror as they two not so drunk drunks pulled Matthew out from behind where he'd been climbing behind the dumpster she shared with the next door shop owner. Then the drunks hit him over the back of the head and he collapsed. In an uncharacteristic rage, Tifa flew forward and kicked the crap out of the drunk's butts and tossed them into the street. Then carefully, Tifa picked Matthew up and carried him back into the bar while the drunks ran away.

As soon as Tifa got inside, Marlene was practically hovering and asked, “What happened? Is he alright? Should I call the doctor?” Tifa shook her head and said, “He'll be fine. He's going to be staying here. He won't be sleeping behind the dumpster we share with Robbins anymore.” Horrified, Marlene rushed upstairs ahead of Tifa to get the guest bed ready. Tifa came in and laid him on the bed and said, “Marlene, go into the bathroom and get a warm bath ready. Then bring me a potion, ok?” Marlene nodded and rushed to do as she was told. Meanwhile Tifa pealed Matthew out of his jacket and boots. As soon as Marlene came back with the potion, Tifa poured it over the back of his head, then tossed the bottle in the trashcan. “Marlene can you close up for me? Afterwards get ready for bed please.” Marlene said, “Okay Tifa.” And left to do as she was told.

Tifa stripped Matthew out of his smelly clothes and was hit with a wave of the smell from the dumpster. Luckily she'd smelled worse. She carried him to the bathroom and turned off the water. Gently she laid him in the tub and started washing the stink off of him. It took a while, but she got him cleaned up. After pulling him out and drying him off, she carried him to the bed and tucked him underneath the blankets. Sitting on the edge of the bed, her thoughts finally caught up with her now that he was taken care of. Gently she brushed back his hair and just looked at him. Cloud's right. I've never let an orphan get so close to me so fast. I don't even know him… but he reminds me so much of Cloud… After stroking his hair for a little while longer, she turned off the lamp and closed the door.

---