For Reeve

[emovampboy]

When it came to use of his phone, Vincent was very much like Cloud. He left it on, received messages and listened to or read them, but quite rarely responded. The few times he did respond tended to be if he deemed an actual answer to be required, or when from time to time Marlene got hold of Cloud or Tifa's phone and contacted him. Since it was so rare for her to do so, he always took it as a good thing to answer.

Which meant he had answered when she called him a few days after a message from Tifa asking him to come to a party for the girl, which he had ignored; his first mistake. Once answered, the girl had spent several minutes speaking to him, until suddenly springing the question of if he were coming to her party and making it quite impossible for him to really say no without seeming like a total heel, and so he agreed to go; his second mistake. And then he had made his third mistake - actually going.

At first, it really wouldn't have seemed to have been a bad idea. He knew everyone who was invited, how they acted around one another, and that Tifa would keep the whole group from going completely crazy over the course of the night, but he had not expected having to assist in breaking up one of Cloud and Barrett's squabbles when the woman had to leave for a short time to fetch something, and honestly he was glad that Reeve was invited and could help diffuse the situation with; especially when Yuffie and a very unhelpful Cid decided it would be a great idea to bet on who would win if they actually took to fistacuffs over whatever stupid thing it was this time which set them off.

All of this had left him rather done with company, and as soon as Tifa was back to be the adult in the situation, he'd snuck outside for some relative peace and quiet.

Comments

[plate_builder]

"Is that so?" Reeve asks, because he's never heard that before. "Has she explained why?"

[emovampboy]

"On days when the sun comes out after, you get rainbows. Otherwise, the air smells fresh, as if trouble has been washed away." Vincent replies. "She's a tough girl. A lot like Tifa."

[plate_builder]

"A lot like Barret too."

But he likes that outlook. It makes him smile.

[emovampboy]

"Not too much, I hope." Vincent chuckles a little. "Barrett can be difficult to deal with."

[plate_builder]

"He can. I think he's worried I'm going to go evil genius," Reeve laughs as he continues down the street. "She likes me, though, so I guess that's a point in her favor. Of course that's complicated because I was party to her being kidnapped..."

[emovampboy]

"I know evil genius, and you aren't one." Vincent assures, before nodding softly to the other part. "It's strange to say, but I think Marlene is a little as Aeris was. She understands far more than she should... and feels what is good and what isn't more deeply."

[plate_builder]

"Children can be like that," Reeve agrees. Others clung to the pain and disappointment more, Denzel. Still, he'd had chances to explain things to Marlene back then. And it helped that Aeris's mother had chosen to trust him.

[emovampboy]

"True." But it's more with Marlene. Maybe her time with Aeris's mother and around the girl? Or she's just one of those who is more deeply connected to the planet. "Either way, Marlene is a good person. Tifa and Barrett have done something right."

[plate_builder]

“Indeed they have,” Reeve agrees with a laugh as he subtly directs them around a corner. “Her whole extended family for that matter. I think Nanaki wants to take some credit for her level head.”

[emovampboy]

"He may be able to." Vincent follows Reeve around the corner, glancing up as he hears the rain hit the umbrella. "It may be trying to start raining harder again."

[plate_builder]

“It seems the world is intent on trying to rain on my parade today,” Reeve chuckles, shaking his head.

[emovampboy]

"At least we can expect it this time."

[plate_builder]

"I suppose so," Reeve agrees. Still, the universe deciding to temper his happiness with rain does amuse him some. As if he would be less happy over how Vincent makes him feel.

[emovampboy]

"We're near, aren't we?" Vincent asks, turning the topic away from the rain for a moment. "I can smell something good."

[plate_builder]

"Indeed," Reeve agrees. Granted 'near' means half a block, and in this rain that only goes to show how sharp Vincent's senses are. Or how potent the curry smells are. Either way Reeve seems happy with the fact. It's a good meal he hardly ever allows himself.

[emovampboy]

Probably a mixture of both, if one is honest. Either way, Vincent smells it and even he would admit it's a nice smell I such wet weather.

[plate_builder]

The rich spices are there for Reeve too after another few paces, and he lets out a relieved sigh. "Nothing like good hot food when there is a chill in the air. And I mean both in terms of temperature and in spice."

Because it's nice every now and then to make his tastebuds scream. And the Mideel-style coffee is pretty good too. Heavily seasoned with spices. He's always appreciated it.

[emovampboy]

"Agreed. And good company helps." Vincent notes that the crowd is a little larger as they get closer, maybe not by much, but enough to show that a few others have the same idea as them.

[plate_builder]

A few others indeed. As Reeve moves to the door he holds it open for Vincent and almost immediately the woman at the counter is nodding and waving him closer.

"The one privilege I allow myself from my association with Avalanche. I always have a table here," Reeve admits, sounding a bit like he knows he should feel guilty but he really doesn't. The woman sweeps out a pair of menus and waves for them to follow.

[emovampboy]

"Oh... taking a bit of leeway when it comes to food?" Vincent seems vaguely amused.

[plate_builder]

"My favorite cuisine at my favorite restaurant?" Reeve counters with a smile. Come on, surely everyone can understand this one allowance he gives himself. "Don't judge me."

[emovampboy]

"We'll see." It's off-handed, almost more like something Cloud would say, but not without humor. "You'll have to tell me what your favorites are."

[plate_builder]

"Are you really going to sass me like he does?" Reeve asks. At last they've made their twisting way through crowds to a table in the back. Where they have easy access to the kitchen if he has to get out faster. They know him well.

"I'm partial to anything on the menu that doesn't involve fish or tofu. Never understood eating the former, and the latter has a texture that does not work for me."

[emovampboy]

"Depends. Do you like it?" Vincent takes note of the escape path, but seems honestly more intent on Reeve. "Is there anything you'd suggest I might like?"

[plate_builder]

"I don't mind."

Meanwhile he looks over the menu with a critical eye. And then pauses. Wait. "I don't know what your taste is, Vincent. Things you do and don't like. Things you might be allergic to."