shiva_dancing_backup | (no subject)

Who: Serge, Kid, Denzel (hopefully); OPEN
What: Setting up new home, discussing stuff...
Where: 7th Heaven in Edge
When: Morning after Tifa is abducted
Rating: PG

Sephiroth…never did Kid think she could hate anyone as much as Lynx, but there she was, angrily putting away her belongings in her new room. The room was fairly large for both her and Serge, allowing them to live together while Glenn resided next-door, and it made her feel empty. She wanted a home, but not earning it by running from a fight. A Radical Dreamer always fought for their future, no matter how strong the enemy, and while she was used to fighting others stronger than her…being outclassed like that…

Her hand gripped on her dagger tightly, desiring to be impaled into something, anything. Her other hand held her head as the pressure from the memory of yesterday came back in full fury, anger rising like never before. Screaming in a fit of rage, she lashed out and swung…

But another hand caught hers, and she froze at the stranger’s touch. It was only until her eyes traveled up the man’s arm and spotting the blue-hair and comforting smile that belonged to her boyfriend.

Tears welled up in her eyes once more, dropping the dagger to the floor before embracing her lover. No tears left from her eyes however, refusing to allow even a single one pass, not until everything was set right. It may not have been her fight before, but she couldn’t just leave things as they were.

Serge returned the embrace, the warmth spreading between their bodies, his hand placed on the back of her head and back. “I’m sorry…If I had gotten their sooner—“

She shook her head, feeling the water ready to fall from her face. “No…if I had been stronger…than there’s no bleedin’ way that bugger could have slipped past me.” She hugged Serge closer to her. “I still gotta kick you arse first…” she muffled into his chain vest.

He sadly smiled, stroking her back. “Save it for after we get used to things around here. C’mon.”

She reluctantly let go of her beloved, and followed him downstairs to the empty tavern below. Glenn had already left, claiming to be after the mysterious swordsman and investigating a way to return home. They both believed him, but they didn’t believe he could do it. The Dragoon was powerful, that they didn’t doubt. It was his detective and interrogation skills they were most concerned about.

The Radical Dreamer walked behind the bar, pouring herself a drink a vodka. It was early, but she just needed something to calm her nerves before she went slashing at everything in sight again. When Serge overlooked her, she pouted at the disapproving look. “What?”

“You know you can’t drink that much.”

She snorted. “I’m 18 now! I can handle this much ya know!” She held up the small glass in front of his face to prove her point further. “It ain’t even that big! I doubt I can get wasted on this little shot!”

Serge sighed. “Fine, but drinking yourself into a stupor isn’t going to help. We need to look after Denzel and—“

At the mention of the boy’s name, both of their faces drained of all color. The one thing they had forgotten…

“Shit!” panicked the thief, dropping the glass on the counter before Serge caught it. “Where the bloody hell is he!?” Her eyes roamed the area, the color draining twice as fast now. If he went with Glenn…

No, this was the last thing she needed. She may not have been the big sister Lucca was, but letting the child out of her sight and leaving him to defend himself, even if he did have Cloud or Glenn with him…It would be like the massacre she witnessed seven years ago.

That, and Tifa would no doubt kick her ass if she lost sight of the kid.

“Denzel!” she shouted through the bar.

“Kid, calm down!” countered Serge, grabbing the thief by the shoulders. “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere….”

The drink near Kid’s side appeared tempting all of a sudden…

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Red laughed heartily, and spun his pistol before holstering it again, with the safety on of course, "I like your style, bud." he nodded to Serge, clapping the young man on the shoulder and grinning, "For a second there I thought I might be helpful with him, butcha had it all under control. Nice job."

"So, Zee, who was that chump? Some kinda ex boyfriend?" he nudged her with an elbow, as if they'd been friends forever and a day, "Aw, well, whatever, we can talk about it over lunch."

Xion made a weird 'are you kidding?' face at Red, then shrugged and sat down at the bar. She held her head on one hand, that arm resting on the bartop, and sighed silently. She didn't want to approach this subject at all. If only nobody would ask questions. Unlikely, but one could always hope. Though she could always just stuff her mouth with food to avoid talking.

'No, that won't work. That girl overheard everything...I can't just stay quiet.' she bit her lip. 'She found out yet still came to help me...'

Red smiled pleasantly, and sat beside Xion, stretching his hands out in front of him for a moment, "I'm kidding, Zee. A big dumb-lookin' bruiser like that doesn't seem like yer type anyway." he shrugged slightly, not elaborating on what Red thought Xion's type might be.

"I'm glad ya didn't get hurt out there though. I'm s'posta watch yer back, right?" he put a thumb to his chest and grinned.

"Heh, you think?" she laughed slightly. "Thanks for coming to help though."

She bit into her BLT sandwich, chewing slowly as she turned her thoughts over and over in her head. The distraction was a welcome one, and it allowed her time to think about her current situation. Naturally, she was thinking hard about what to answer when the questions she knew were coming finally arrived.

Kid sat herself down as well, briefly wondering where Denzel went, though figured he was probably in the back or something. If the child didn't want to be bothered, she wouldn't be the one to make him unhappy. Resting her chin on her palm, she leaned on the counter, staring at Xion closely.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Serge pulled her away, shaking his head. "Maybe now isn't the best time." he told her quietly. "She'll talk to us when she's ready. We can't force these things."

"Hope you're right, mate..." she looked away from her beloved. She didn't want to mention it, but the event outside reminded her of when she found out when she was a clone, yet Serge accepted her so easily, not caring.

Given the man next to her, maybe Aqua was wrong about these Nobodies, or just this one. Were she a threat, Kid would have sensed something was off in those tears. She had seen them before, because she had shed them before.

Red ate more of his meal, pausing now and again for brevity's sake, and good manners', to talk to Xion, "Yeah, ya seem like yer a gal that needs someone more understandin', less rammy. Someone who's gonna pay attention to ya, y'know? Well, that and make you smile, you don't do that enough." Red smiled and patted her shoulder, then nodded to Serge.

"Thanks, eh? You make a mean burger." he gestured with the remains of his sandwich and laughed softly, "Someone who can make a good burger, but not him. He's pretty well taken, I bet." the conversation had returned to Xion, and he grinned again.

"C-Can...we stop talking about that, please?" she asked, her cheeks turning a spot of pink. While the conversation had stayed far away from where she had wanted it to be, it was still awkward for her. Unlike Roxas, she never had gotten that conversation about what love was. She had passed out for several days after a big Heartless battle at the time.

"Sure thing, heh. I didn't mean t'make ya feel weird or anything." he flashed a toothy grin at Xion, thankfully cheeseburger-free, and turned on his stool to regard the rest of the bar. "What're we gonna do after this, then? I mean, I gotcha this far, and it seems safe enough t'letcha alone with people ya know and trust. I can see us partin' ways, if you want." Red shrugged slightly, not sounding too pleased by the prospect, but really, there was plenty to do in the world.

"I know, it's okay," she said with a small nod. She almost didn't want to part ways with him like he suggested. Being around Red had been fun. Weird at times since he was a bit...off, but fun nonetheless. It reminded her of better times spent with the other two people she had once considered her 'brothers.' "I was going to visit with a friend of mine here, then go on by myself for a while. I still have to collect flowers for her."

She reached into one of her coat pockets and took out a bright blue sea shell. Lightly she ran her thumb over the ridges. "Hmmm...maybe I'll visit the beach. My collection could always use more.

"But, I'd like to go places with you again some time. We had fun so far, right?" The dark-haired girl flashed him a smile.

"Sure!" he smiled brightly to Xion, "I'll keep an eye out for flowers, too, Zee. Heck, with my globetrottin' and your travellin' around, I'm sure we'll both find a whole bunch. The gal yer visiting, Aer..something, I forget her name." he frowned to himself, then snapped his fingers, "Ah! She hangs out at that church in Sector Seven, right? Here's what I'll do. Whenever I'm near Midgar, I'll stop by the church, to drop off the flowers and maybe some shells for you, and, since she's your friend, maybe you'll be around, too."

"But yeah, it's been fun. S'a shame that you gotta go, but hey, let yourself get bogged down when ya ain't ready to be. I understand." Red put a thumb to his chest, and nodded again, "If I hear about someplace wonderful like Macalania, I'll come find you and we can go together. Maybe you'll be smilin' more, too."

"Really? I'm sure Miss Aeris would love that." her smile grew wider. "It would definitely make her garden grow faster if two people are helping her!"

Xion finished her meal and stood up. She left the appropriate amount of gil for her share of the food on the counter, then turned to Kid and Serge.

"Thank you for helping me. I know you must...have a lot of things to ask." she looked away. "I promise that...the next time I come here, I'll answer them."

She gave them a little smile before turning back to Red. She folded her arms a bit and cocked her head to the side. "And you better behave yourself while I'm gone. Think you can handle that?"

She gave the three one last wave before slipping out the door.

"Heh, me? Never." he grinned mischeviously, and added once Xion had slipped out, "Trouble's way too much fun, and havin' clean hands is just boring." the man glanced between Kid and Serge, and counted out some gil to pay for his food, with a good tip.

"Well, if there's nothin' needs doin', I'm gonna clock out soon."