Chapter 9: aftermath of the stigma and second agendas

Cissnei watched from a hidden pillar in the old church as children and other victims of the previously deadly stigma virus celebrated that their recovery. She felt a smile tug at her lips, her temporary partner joined her and looked at the children gathered around the pool of water where flowers once stood. Cissnei watched and let a smile cross her lips, her partner for the current ‘mission’ had been behind her trying to dry his blond curly hair. Danny had obviously given up and come to join her.

“Amazing isn’t it? I mean, I never thought it would happen,” Danny muttered, his blond curly hair was still drenched from the healing rain despite his efforts, the joyful scene in the church was still happening with children flicking water at each other.

Cissnei smiled as she looked up to meet her partners eyes “Yeah, I know, but it’s about time something good happened for a change. Those kids were only children during meteor and probably lived harsh lives in the slums or streets after it too, so in a way they deserve it”.

Danny agreed, “Yes, I guess you’re right in a way”.

He looked out over the Church with a laugh, “Reno...would be calling us sentimental fools if he could hear us, wouldn’t he?”

Cissnei chuckled, “He would as far as I heard from Elena, Rufus however has decided that he wants emotional Turks, it’s better for his image apparently,” she remarked.

Danny looked surprised, “Well, a few will find that an easy adaption, I mean, you and Knife will have no problem, though some will be horrified by the thought. You know what I mean, don’t you Nei?”

She nodded, “Yes, I know who you mean, but they’ll have to suck it up anyway. Let’s get this over with, Rufus wants those data files from Cait Sith, we’re supposed to meet him outside the church in 10 minutes”.

Danny rolled his eyes noticing the robotic cat tight in a little girls arms, he looked quite content, “If he ever gets away from that little girl, that is.”

Reeve still plays with dolls I see,” he remarked, smirking at the thought of his robotic cat, who knew how many he’d made over the years.

Cissnei gave a frustrated sigh, “Let’s not cause conflict besides, that doll helped us before so we can hardly insult him now.”

Danny shrugged, “You’ve got a point, so what do we do afterwards?”

Cissnei looked at him frowning “Rod will be fine, and we’re to return to HQ, Reno said they’ll delay their trip to the bar ‘till we get back”.

He looked at her, sceptical “You drink? I thought you females thought it was a bad habit to drink.”

She nodded, “It is, but sometimes it makes sense and someone needs to make sure you guys don’t start fights due to your drunkenness,” she retorted with a smirk.

Ten minutes had passed and they were at the meeting point agreed to by Reeve and Rufus, it was just outside the church but near the back, the rumble was still all over the place but it proved a good place to hold a meeting.

“Hello lassie! You’re the ones Rufus sent, are you?” a Scottish-sounding cat with a horn announced greeting both Cissnei and Danny, Danny jumped away he’d had a phobia of cats since Darknation and Shotgun’s tabby cat had caused him injuries.

Cissnei sighed, “Still scared of cats Danny?”

He nodded. “I can’t help it, they hate me!”

Cissnei smiled kindly, “Don’t worry about it Darknation hated everyone...except Tseng and Rufus, so Reeve do you have the data?”

Cait sith nodded, jingling his bell as he did.

She giggled at the gesture, no one would ever think of Cait Sith as evil that was for sure.

He handed the data over before reverting to his real voice solum and serous now he began to speak, “My researchers found it in a lab hidden in a cave. It apparently contains files relating to a Deepground. Ask Rufus to pass on any info he gets from it.”

Cissnei saluted as he began to leave, she watched as Cait Sith left apparently Marlene and Denzel were looking for him. Denzel saw them and stared at them, but they ignored the boy and boarded the helicopter to head back to HQ.

At HQ.

“Well, you two took your time. Did the cat get away?” Reno remarked as they emerged through the door to Healin.

Danny rolled his eyes, “We took as little time as possible, Cait sith was in that little girl’s arms.”

Cissnei sighed “Her name’s Marlene, so where is everyone Reno?”

Reno slumped on the couch, “Rod’s in the Medical centre, Laney’s talking about some girly stuff with Shotgun and Rosalind and Tseng’s working, yo.”

Danny looked curious “Girly things?”

Cissnei stopped him “Don’t even answer him Reno, Danny never intervene when it comes to ‘girly things’ as Reno called it, where’s Rude?”

Reno smirked, “Watching the prez. I’ll get the others and we can get drunk, Tseng agreed to come this time as long as someone remains on watch here. Who knows, maybe he’ll let loose a little for once.”

Tseng appeared at that very moment “Reno, I agreed to join you, not to get drunk, I am coming to make sure you don’t end up slumped in a bar till 2 in the morning. It stops us from getting missions done, I have another objective as well...” Tseng scolded.

Reno poked his tongue at Tseng, “Yeah, like spending time with Laney... Does Rosalind know you two are you know...involved?” Reno asked, grinning smugly at Tseng’s discomfort.

“I imagine so, now stop ruining the furniture or it’ll come out of your pay check,” Tseng threatened with a subtle smile at Reno’s defeat.

Danny considered the situation, “things really have changed.”

Cissnei nodded blankly, “Maybe it’s for the best.”

At 7th Heaven

Seventh heaven the bar owned and operated by Tifa Lockhart was busy that evening by locals from Edge plus other members of Avalanche, the bar was lively with music and people discussing recent events, this did not stop with their entrance.

Reno strolled up to the bar in 7th heaven grinning, “So, enjoying your victory Tifa?”

Tifa rolled her eyes “Reno...what do you want now its not a good night?”

Reno flashed her an innocent look, “Nothing yo, can’t a guy ask a question? Besides, we’re just here for a drink. Tseng and Shotgun want something strong, Cissnei and ‘Laney wants a orange juice, Danny wants a soda and I’ll have my usual,” Reno said.

Tifa wrote down their orders and looked at Reno, “Fine, but Reno, don’t cause trouble you know how others feel about Shinra,” Tifa said, going to pour their drinks.

Reno smirked “Sure thing babe.”

Meanwhile, the others had grabbed a seat at two tables in the back of the bar, the females sat at one table; the males with the exception of Rod and Rude who weren’t there at the other. Danny looked up as Reno returned with their drinks. “Danny, you need a man’s drink”.

Danny looked concerned, “No thanks, not right now Reno, I still have to drive you back to Healin.”

Shotgun was enjoying her drink while the other three female turks had gone for the safer options of orange juice, soda or ice water.

“Reno, don’t pressure him, not everyone enjoys alcohol like you do,” Rosalind scolded.

Elena sipped at her juice before speaking. “Yeah just because Rude’s not here doesn’t mean Danny’s going to be your drinking buddy.”

Reno looked hurt but no one supported him, Tseng looked him the eye. “Reno, they have a point, next time bring Rude. Now I must get going,” he said, getting up to leave. He gave Elena what seemed to be an apologetic look; she blushed in response causing Rosalind to look between the two.

“Why? You just got here!”Reno blurted out.

Tseng stared “I have someone I have to meet, enjoy yourselves, you deserve it.”

“Goodnight Tseng,” Cissnei said as he left, she was aware of the stares they were getting from a few Avalanche members.

Reno must have noticed. “Don’t worry about Wallace Nei’ he won’t bother us, it’ll disturb his daughter and Strife’s too into his conversation with Tifa to do anything.”

Cissnei nodded, satisfied by his explanation, and returned to her drink.

“You get used to it,” Elena remarked as she got up to pay for her drink. Rosalind was still chatting to Shotgun.

Eventually they all left, Reno was last to leave with Danny who had stayed behind to drive the other Turk back to HQ. Reno was drunk by the time they left.

“Come on Reno, please keep it down,” Danny said, trying to shut the older Turk up as they went back to the car.

In Tseng office hours prior

“Yes...yes good, I’ll look forward to seeing you, sir?”

“So did he agree to meet up with you?” Rufus asked, entering the head Turk’s office in his wheel chair. Despite the fact that his geostigma was gone he was still unable to use his legs after years of confinement to a wheel chair, It’d be a while until he could walk normally again.

“Yes, he’ll meet me privately at his home, he’s sceptical but willing to hear you out, sir,” Tseng responded though he looked a bit apprehensive.

“Sir are you sure, I’m sure theres others who can help us, is it really nessercery to disturb him?”Tseng asked.

Rufus smirked “That’s good and Tseng I realise that events have occurred but thats why I need his help so that does’nt occur again,on a side note I thought it’d take a lot more convincing, Still what about his daughter?”Rufus replied.

Tseng shook his head, “She’s moved on apparently she’s got her own life. Elfe will be of no problem to us , we can wipe her off our surveillance list she joined the WRO apparently.”

Rufus nodded, “Excellent, now we only have to keep watch on Strife and the rest of Avalanche. Did you mention Valentine to him at all?”Rufus asked, curious.

Tseng shook his head, “No, but I’m sure he’s aware of his former partner’s activities, Valentine is not a threat, he’s proven that to us already. I think we should leave him be,” Tseng suggested.

Rufus did not speak but nodded and left the room.