The Resort
Cloud pulled Ace and Tifa towards the Chocobo race track where they could see multiple Chocobo racers getting ready to take part in the game. Frigga eyed the large yellow, gold and black birds, curiously from Cloud's shoulder, maybe she should find one for her summoner to use as a ride? Ace decided to bet on a certain yellow Chocobo despite the fact people were betting on the black Chocobo or the gold one. Cloud looked at him questioningly for his choice but shrugged it off, they were here for fun anyway. And surprise, surprise, the yellow Chocobo won the race and Ace smugly collected his winnings.
Tifa pulled them away from the crowd, "How did you know the yellow one would win?"
Ace laughed, "I did not, I just thought he, sorry, she and her rider looked a little down so I told them I would bet on them."
Cloud looked at him dubiously, "Did you cheer them with all of your money?"
Ace grinned, "It worked right? Besides the two of them looked like they had been racing for a long time but no one gave them a glance."
Tifa shook her head, "Only you Ace, only you. Congratulations on winning though. I was not expecting that."
Ace took out his winnings, "Let's exchange this for money at the exchange counter and see what we can get for ourselves. Maybe we can get that camera we want."
Tifa perked up, "Sure, why not."
Cloud agreed, "Sounds good, I wonder what Desmond and Vincent are up to."
Tifa giggled, "I hope, they are having fun on their casino date."
Ace smirked, "Desmond was looking forward to it, actually. He's an old hand at cards."
Tifa looked at where Ace was looking at and saw Desmond with a very amused Vincent standing close by, "I had no idea Desmond could play cards. He never takes part in the games in the village although he is invited to them."
Ace hummed, "That's because the village people are honest to a fault Tifa and if they try to wager and Desmond wins... Well, they'll try to give him what they owe."
Cloud blinked at the sign, "He won four times in a row. That's actually pretty cool."
Ace pulled them along, "Come on! Let's go, get our money first. We can come back and watch him play these suckers."
As they were getting their winning tickets exchanged for money they heard a voice, "Hey kid!"
Cloud noticed one of the finely dressed people look at them ready to move if the man tried something. Ace blinked then waved his hand when he recognized the guy as the winner of the race.
Ace, "Hi there, Mister Rhodea! Many congratulations on your win."
The man chuckled, "Just call me Mark kids, Mister makes me sound old. How did you know to bet on me anyway?"
Ace gave a cheeky grin, "I didn't, your Chocobo just looked a bit lonely so I decided to cheer for her."
Mark looked amused, "Is that so? I feel called out for some reason."
Cloud was looking at Mark contemplatively, 'He was not expecting that, why? Ah! Don't tell me the games were actually rigged!'
Tifa was having similar thoughts, 'No way! It was rigged, those poor, poor souls.'
Ace however was not bothered, he remembered the rigging in Las Vegas, compared to that this was nothing, "Anyway, we are just collecting our win so we can go get one of those fancy cameras over there."
Mark looked at the showcase that showed off the latest models, "You're into photography?"
Tifa shook her head, "Not exactly no, we just don't have a camera is all."
Cloud, "We want to take pictures and make memories for ourselves."
Mark, "How about I show you kids the latest and best model you can get out here."
Ace tilted his head, "Is that alright?"
Tifa followed his stance, "You won't get in trouble for helping us?"
Cloud caught on, "Are you sure?"
Mark bit back a coo, 'That crazy manager suspecting a bunch of adorable kids just trying to have fun.'
Mark, "Of course, I got a break right now and if I can help out and gain three adorable patrons out of it, it's a win win."
Cloud gave a bright smile that had the a lot of the adults cooing, "Thank you Mark, we appreciate it."
The Turk who had been watching the whole thing that happened had to stop the snorts from coming out. That was definitely Storm's kid, any Turk that had been around long enough, would recognize those damn eyes anywhere. They could mesmerize you and make you put your guard down, she gripped her gun remembering her training days. Storm was a sadistic trainer but also cared for them all like an elder brother would. It had hurt them all when they found out he was killed in one of his high level missions for the creepy Professor. Legend told them Cerberus or rather Vincent was still alive but not exactly human anymore. The implications pissed her off but she knew they couldn't touch Hojo, not yet at least but soon. They would pay him back after all, Turks were a family who looked out for each other and they never forget nor forgive.
Her thoughts were disturbed by her phone, "Hello, Two Guns speaking."
Legend was on the other side, "We have a lock on the Avalanche base, be prepared."
Two Guns, "Understood boss!"
Two Guns looked in the direction of the kids and saw them going through the newest camera equipments. As far as strangers were concerned Mark Rhodea was actually trustable enough for her to leave them be. He may be one of the most dangerous hunters and riders out there, but it was obvious, he had a really soft for the kids. She looked at where Cerberus, one of their best snipers and assassins was standing behind the young man playing cards watching the whole thing amused.
Two Guns, 'Well, time to get to work.'
Claudia was enjoying her time at the resort, enjoying the rare holiday they had gotten. It had been without any planning and sudden but Brian had insisted they get out of the village and offered to pay as long as they took Tifa along with them. Desmond had agreed to it as Tifa had been involved with their mess, that is finding out about the secrets of the mako reactor. And she had quite happily packed up and joined them on their impromptu vacation, excited about seeing a new place that was not Nibelheim.
One of the ladies spoke, "Mrs Strife, you are very lucky to have such beautiful children. If only my kids were just as adorable. Heaven knows how many times they have woken us up crying."
Claudia laughed, "Just call me Claudia, Mrs Rhodea. And babies are loud always, it's only once they grow up a bit they start being cute without the noise."
Mrs Rhodea looked at her with twinkling eyes, "Call me Nisha dear, we used to be high school mates after all. I feel a little bad I never bothered to talk to you back then."
Claudia laughed, "That makes the two of us."
Nisha, "I think my husband is quiet taken by your youngest kids. He is hovering over them like a Papa Bahamut."
Claudia sighed, "Him as well huh? Well I can reassure you he is not the only one those three have watching out for them. In fact, I am pretty sure my entire home town adores them at this point."
Nisha hid her grin behind her fan, "You have to introduce me to them, my husband already met them."
Claudia smiled, "Of course, come we can do it now."
Vincent meanwhile noticed the Turk who was watching them leave the area, 'She's grown up.'
Desmond was shuffling cards, "Alright then, I won again."
One of the opponents shouted, "One more time! I will win this time."
Desmond gave a sigh, "Fine, but this is the last one. I'm still on a date."
The man looked up at Vincent and gulped, "Okay, last one."
Desmond heard amused snorts and giggles and looked at the side seeing Cloud, Tifa and Ace. He waved at them before shuffling the cards again and playing once more. Ace, Cloud and Tifa smiled cutely as if they were not just laughing at the poor opponents who were playing against Desmond and annoyed him. The ladies who were watching the hilariously, one sided fight cooed at the three young pre - teens. Claudia who had been talking to some of the older ladies looked like a smug cat on seeing how her kids were adored.
Desmond, "Royal Flush!"
The big man grumbled, "Fine, you win."
Desmond got up grabbing his wins, "As a thanks for the fun time how about I get Champagne for everyone."
The big man laughed, "You are an okay guy, despite your ridiculous and annoying luck. The name's Barret, by the way."
Vincent nodded, "Vincent."
Desmond, "It was fun Barret, I'm Desmond. We better get going."
Desmond walked to the counter and ordered Champagne for everyone who had played with him or stayed around to watch. Ace, Cloud and Tifa were grinning as they followed Desmond and grabbed their drink only for it to be taken off their hands by Vincent. He looked at the pouty faces with amusement before giving them non alcoholic fruit drinks instead.
Ace whined, "Come on! Just one glass, Des, Vince!"
Cloud however was drinking his already, "This is not so bad."
Tifa hummed, "Vincent, you do know us, Nibel kids start drinking mead from ten years old right. You are right Cloud this is really good."
Mike was surprised, "From ten? Are you serious?"
Desmond, "Yes and hello there. It seems like my baby siblings made a new friend. I'm Desmond and this is Vincent."
Mike smiled taking the offered drink, "Mike Rhodea the oldest rider at the resort."
Claudia reached them at that point, "Enjoying yourselves kids?"
Desmond, "Sure am aunt."
Cloud, "Yeah mom, try this drink, it's really nice."
Ace grinned, "Definitely aunt Dia."
Tifa, "We won our first bet."
Claudia chuckled, "Thank you dear, and I want to introduce you to a friend here. This is Nisha, we used to go to the same school. Although she was in senior year while I was in junior year that time."
Nisha got a warm greeting from the kids, before she turned to her husband, "I see, you are enjoying yourself honey."
Mark smiled warmly at his wife, "I found interesting patrons."
Nisha's eyes twinkled in amusement as Mark told them how he met the three kids and why he had approached them. Desmond raised his eyebrow at Ace when he heard the story while Barret snorted from the bar. The big man grabbed two drinks and mumbled about how his wife would love the hilarious story and left. Ace, Cloud and Tifa just simply sat there unrepentant while Vincent looked at them amused. He was the one who taught them to use their innocent looks to their advantage after all. Frigga meanwhile stole the fruits off the drinks.
Vincent looked at the new camera Ace was holding, "You three look like you had fun. Even got a new item."
Ace puffed up making the adults coo inside, "With our own money, yes we did."
Mike whispered to his wife, "I hope our kids remain just as adorable after growing up."
Nisha squeals softly, "I know, they are so adorable."
Vincent was pretty smug when he heard the whispered squeal through his enhanced hearing. The lessons truly paid off, if his kids had other people charmed by them that much. They spent the rest of the night chatting and exchanging stories about how the Rhodea couple worked there. Mike even told them, he had a younger brother in Midgar who was trying to create his own business and if they ever visit Midgar to give him a visit. When they retired for the night, Vincent and Desmond lay side by side on their shared bed talking softly about what they had observed. They didn't had sex yet, Desmond not yet feeling up to it, after the bleeding effect of Ezio, Altair and Connor losing their loved ones and Vincent who was still feeling insecure over his body. Instead, they decided to take it slow first start by sleeping next to each other and maybe cuddling, sex would come naturally.
Until that time, they would simply enjoy each others company and support each other emotionally and mentally. Gallian beast and Chaos grumbled in their confines but they had to admit the quiet support was doing wonders for their host. Their host did not get stuck in negative thoughts and nightmares anymore and while emotions were one of their sources of power, it was not as effective as direct mana. Not to forget that trying to absorb negative emotions took much longer than the positive ones. Another thing the demons noticed were the scars and darkness Desmond carried within him which was quite a contrast with his bright soul. They were curious about their past but Vincent refused to push Desmond about it. Desmond knew Vincent was curious however and asked him to give him time so time is what Vincent would give him.