Please forgive the long break between updates. I've had a very rough month of May, including the death of my boyfriend's younger brother in a car accident. I haven't felt very inspired. I'm back now, and I'll try to be more regular with my updates.

Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine. The lyrics are from Sleeps with Butterflies by Tori Amos. Don't sue, I'm too poor.

Chapter 3

It was nine in the morning, and Aeris was hiding in one of the little recording studios at Shinra Record Headquarters. She sat at the piano, playing the same depressing chord over and over again as the metronome ticked in a steady but discordant rhythm. She desperately wanted to start work on a new song, but the muses were dancing further and further out of her reach as the combination of the chord and metronome drove them away and hypnotized her. The metronome seemed to be ticking away the seconds of her life as she wasted it here, hiding from her friends, and the chord played out her sorry state of mind.

“Aeris?” Yuffie asked, poking her head into the room. Aeris actually let out a startled little scream, and her fingers scrambled along the keys, creating a horrible noise and knocking the metronome to the floor where it stopped.

Yuffie turned red and began apologizing. “I’m so sorry Aeris. I didn’t mean to startle you! Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m ok. I guess I just got lost in my thoughts. Did you need something from me?”

“Yeah, Reno wants to start the meeting. He told me to come get you.”

“Alright.” Aeris sighed, rising from the piano. “Let’s get this over with,” she added, stepping over the metronome and walking out of the room. The metronome ticked one last time rebelliously as Aeris shut the door.

::MEANWHILE::

Cloud woke in a dark room. It didn’t feel like his bed, it didn’t smell like it either. In the fog of a raging hangover he couldn’t immediately place the smell either. There was a knock on the door and he rolled over to find Tifa coming in with a tray of toast, coffee and juice.

“I thought you might like some breakfast. How are you feeling?”

“I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to get that drunk.” Cloud mumbled. Then he looked up guiltily. “We didn’t have sex last night, did we?” he asked. Tifa frowned at him.

“Of course not. You came here slobbering drunk and I dragged you into my bed then slept on the floor. I was afraid you might be sick during the night, so I kept an eye on you.

“Oh. Good,” was all he could say. Tifa stared at him incredulously then slammed the tray on the bedside table before slamming the door shut. Cloud wondered why she was so upset. Suddenly music began to pound from the living room, a familiar song, Tifa’s Angry Song.

“Go now, if you want it. An otherworld awaits you. Don’t you give up on it. You bite the hand that feeds you,” the song screamed under the door. Cloud frowned and sat up. He wanted to remember what happened the night before, but the hangover wouldn’t let him. He picked up the mug of coffee and sipped it gingerly. Slowly the caffeine waged war with the alcohol and eventually won.

::The Previous Night::

Cloud walked into the bar wearily. Cid had told him it was a blue collar bar, but he couldn’t be sure that there wouldn’t be young girls in there ready to mob him for an autograph. He looked around and saw a sea of mostly men in the distinct clothes of a mako reactor worker. All of the women in the bar seemed to be in their thirties at the least. Cloud breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hey Blondie, get over here!” Cid shouted from the bar. Cloud couldn’t bite back a slight chuckle. He walked over to Cid’s right and tugged on the older man’s hair.

“Who you calling Blondie? You’re as blonde as I am.” Cloud responded.

“Alright kiddo, you win that round.” Cid conceded, still unable to resist using a nickname to respond to his young companion.

“Um, excuse me. Are you that Cloud Strife guy from that band?” a man in his mid forties asked Cloud slightly embarrassedly. Cloud nodded.

“Yeah, that’s me. What can I do for you?” Cloud asked.

“Um, I have a fifteen year old daughter who’s in love with you. She’d never forgive me if I ran into you and didn’t ask you for an autograph. If it’s a bother it’s ok, you can say no,” the man said, and though Cloud had been hoping to avoid this, he knew if the man went home with a story of how the snooty celebrity had shot down a simple request for an autograph he might lose a fan, so Cloud gave a brisk nod and pulled a cocktail napkin over to himself.

“To my fan…” Cloud began then looked up at man’s face.

“Oh, um… Penelope.”

“Penelope. Yours, Cloud Strife.” Cloud said, and then handed the cocktail napkin to the man. The man nodded and quietly thanked him and returned to his drink in the corner. That was the last question Cloud asked save for the bar tender’s “What’ll ya have bub?”

“You should have a rye and coke like me.” Cid said, and Cloud knew the Space Cowboy better than to argue. He nodded then hooked his thumb at Cid.

“I’ll take what he’s having.”

The bar tender raised an eyebrow at him and shook his head. “I guess it’s true, people pick their own poison.”

Cloud didn’t know what to make of that until he was handed his drink. It had no ice in it, and he gingerly took a sip. He barely managed to keep the grimace off his face. It was piss warm and tasted like medicine, sickly sweet and yet strongly of alcohol. He took a larger sip, keeping his face clear of emotion. Cid watched him for a moment then slapped him on the back.

“Takes a little getting used to, but you’ve got balls man. You can handle it. I’m proud of ya. This one’s on me Tony.” Cid said to the barman. Cloud allowed himself a weak smile.

“Hey Cid, how bout a game of pool?” Cloud asked. “Loser buys the next round.”

Cid snorted. “That’s no big deal. It’s only two drinks,” he responded. Cloud shook his head.

“No, I meant for the whole bar. At least, anyone who’s interested.” Cloud responded, just loud enough for the people around him to hear. Cid grinned and slammed down his drink.

“Alright, now there’s a challenge. I accept.” Cid said, standing up and cracking his knuckled. “Get ready to have your ass whooped kiddo.”

“You get ready to have yours whopped, Old Man.” Cloud responded, and the other patrons turned to the pool table, ready for an interesting show.

Cid grumbled as his handed over a substantial amount of money to the bar tender. Cloud was on his third drink and smiling a little crookedly.

“Told you I’d whoop your ass.” Cloud said.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” was all the response Cloud got. After he finished handing over the Gil Cid turned to Cloud.

“I saw you on TV. today. It’s actually what got me to call ya,” he continued.

“Oh?” Cloud said, looking into his drink.

“Yeah. You shouldn’t have attacked The Last Cetra like that.” Cid said. Cloud cursed and shook his head. This is not what he needed right now, a lecture from one of the foulest mouthed, controversial celebrities on the planet.

“I’m serious. You don’t need to start a band rivalry. It doesn’t serve anyone in the end, and it’s likely to tear both bands apart. I’ve seen it happen dozens of times.” Cid pressed on.

“Damn it Cid. Sephiroth would say that any publicity is good publicity.”

“This is a first, you blindly listening to your manager. Come on, do you really expect me to buy that? Trust me boy. You don’t need to do a big public apology, just lay off. Don’t make it a personal crusade to discredit Aeris and The Last Cetra.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Cloud asked. “What’s in it for me?”

“If you promise to lay off I’ll stop talking about it.” Cid said. Cloud lifted his drink and clinked it against Cid’s.

“Cheers to that my friend.” Cloud said, silently vowing to renege on his promise as soon as Cid left town again. Shouldn’t be too long, he thought, sipping his drink, which by now was somewhat tolerable. He’s not a big city man. Soon he’ll long for his ranch out in Rocket Town and I can say whatever the hell I feel like saying. Cloud allowed himself another crooked smile and ordered another drink. They weren’t half bad when you were half drunk.
A song started on the radio and though Cloud wasn’t very interested in it, for some reason it wouldn’t be ignored.

Airplanes take you away again. Are you flying above where we live? When I look up a glare in my eyes. Are you having regrets about last night? I’m not but I like rivers that rush in, so I dove in. Is there trouble ahead, for you the acrobat? I won’t push you unless you have a net.

You say the word you know I will find you. Or if you need some time I don’t mind. I won’t hold onto the tail of your kite. I’m not like the girls that you’ve know, but I believe I’m worth coming home to, kiss away night, this girl only sleeps with butterflies, so go on and fly then, boy.

Cloud couldn’t have told anyone where he heard that song before, only that it was pleasant, and at one time he’d really liked it. The alcohol was bogging down the gears in his mind already, but the song cut through the fog and was prominent in his mind. Trouble was he couldn’t remember anything about it.

Suddenly a scowl appeared on his face. The realization had finally caught up with him… this was one of the songs from The Last Cetra’s debut album. Cloud downed his new drink in seconds and ordered another one. Tony looked at him skeptically but made him one, which he took too quickly.

“Whoa, hey there Cloud. Slow down.” Cid said. Cloud shook his head angrily.

I’m not like the girls that you’ve know, but I believe I’m worth coming home to, kiss away night, this girl only sleeps with butterflies, so go on and fly, boy.

“Damn lousy singer with her damn lousy song.” Cloud muttered. Cid shook his head.

“Damn boy, you couldn’t keep your promise for one night. You’ve got it bad, don’t ya?”

“Got what?” Cloud asked, turning his head with exaggerated slowness to face Cid. Cid shook his head. Boy’s dense enough when he’s sober.

“You like her. And you’re mad at her because you like her. You feel betrayed 'cause she sings on your rival label. I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner.”

“Shut the fuck up Cid! You don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. She’s a damn sell out whore, just like her buddy Elena! Like I’d ever even consider… damn Cid!”

Cid rose quietly, shaking his head.

“Kid, I’m not gonna sit here and let you yell at me. You go ahead and call me when you can behave like a grown up. Be sure he takes a taxi home Tony. He’s too drunk to drive.” Cid said, paying his tab and walking away.

“Fuck you!” Cloud shouted at Cid’s back, before ordering another drink.

“You’re last one of the night sir. Then I’m calling you a cab.”

“Fuck.” Cloud said quietly.

::At Shinra Record Headquarters::

“Alright, so, what do you got for me there babe?” Reno asked, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet on the conference table. Aeris wrinkled her nose delicately.

“Um… we haven’t got anything new ironed out yet. Nothing ready for the recording studio just yet.” Aeris said in a small voice.

“Tch tch tch.” Reno said. “It’s been nearly a year and you have nothing new yet?”

“Well, nothing new that’s ready.” Aeris repeated, feeling like a student dealing with a vindictive teacher. Reno sighed and shook his head dramatically.

“Well, I guess we could have you guys work on Elena’s next album in the meanwhile.”

“We’re really not interested in working on another of Elena’s albums.” Tseng said, and around the table the other band members nodded.

“Look, do you guys want to lose your edge? Do you want to go soft? You have got to stay in the headlines or you’re not gonna make it. You’ve got a good fanbase, yes, but the overall public just hasn’t formed a strong enough opinion of you yet.”

“That’s why we feel it would be unwise to change our direction right now. We’re not a pop band Reno. We’re a rock band.” Jessie said. Reno stared at her with a contemptuous look.

“Well maybe the public doesn’t really like your rock sound. Maybe if you switch gears for awhile you’ll find a better niche for yourselves. Your fanbase likes you enough to stay loyal, and you’ll pick up more new fans. Trust me, babe, I’ve been in this industry a lot longer than you have.”

“Why you condescending…” Jessie began.

“Jessie.” Aeris warned, but suddenly the door to the conference room burst open. Elena hopped in, the shitzu in the bag on her arm looking harassed and waving a paper.

“Ooh Aeris, I’m so proud! You broke your cherry!” she exclaimed, continuing to jump up and down. Aeris turned bright red at that proclamation as everyone else in the room stared at her in puzzlement.

“What are you talking about Elena?” Aeris asked.

“You lost your virginity! The paperatzi caught you at last! Finally! I was beginning to wonder if they ever would. Now you’re a true celebrity!” Elena began to giggle as she tossed the tabloid at the table.

Reno picked it up first and looked at the cover before he chuckled and passed it to Aeris.

The headline of The Midgar Enquirer said “New music senstation Aeris Gainsborough caught in romantic moment with fellow band member Tseng Richards.” Aeris looked at the photo of the two of them in her apartment stairwell. It was from yesterday, when she’d been so upset by Strife’s comments on TV. She began to read the article.

“… Aeris has admitedly dated another band member, Zack Page, going so far as to write a song about it. It seems her taste for familiar company is strong, as photo evidence shows her in a romantic embrace with Richards, and staff at her apartment complex report seeing her holding hands with Nanaki Firewolf. ‘She seems determined to bed them all.’ said a staff member who wishes to remain unidentified…”

Aeris threw the paper away from herself in disgust and rose from the table.

“Where do you think you’re going, babe?” Reno asked.

“To the practice room,” she said, before slamming the door.

:loves:

Catie Cat