Getting Ready
Zack led them through the streets, towards one of the more popular restaurants in the plates. He took them to a restaurant close to the Honeybee Inn, it was called the Apicary hotel which Ace raised an eyebrow at. Talk about being obssessed with puns. It was very popular among the high society due to the privacy policy of the restaurant. It was the next best popular restaurant for the high ranking SOLDIERs aside from the Seventh Heaven.
Zack, "Here we are."
Ace, "Oh! This is very cozy."
Cloud, "It's my favorite place aside from Tifa's place. It's a good place for our dates without having any fangirls following the two of us around."
Ace lifted his eyebrow, "Do you want me to prank them? I know some good pranks."
Zack grinned, "As long as no one connects it to us, I'm game honestly. I love a good prank."
Cloud, "Please just don't terrify them too much. I don't need a summons to court."
Ace, "Don't worry, the best pranks are the most simple ones."
Zack laughed, "Tell me about it."
Ace then spoke about the times he played pranks on people who treated Cloud badly or annoyed Desmond. The pranks were basic but with a little added extra flair made them very hilarious. Cloud snorted at some of the pranks while sighing at the rest but it was all in good fun so he never protested. After dinner was over the trio went to the Honey Bee Inn using Zack's pass to enter. Andrea Rhodea was like a shining star and very very glamorous, in Ace's humble opinion.
Andrea noticed them, "We have new guests tonight. I hope you enjoyed the show, my dear respected guests."
Ace grinned, "How charming!"
Zack grinned, "Right?"
Cloud was leaning against Zack, "He is really cool."
Ace, "Hmm, do you think he can help us get an in? He does work alongside that man."
Zack, "I can ask him later, for now enjoy."
Ace sat back on his seat next to Cloud who was sitting comfortably with Zack. It was very bright and glamorous inside the Honey Bee Inn but also very enjoyable. After the show was over Zack took the two of them backstage where the second Class SOLDIER was greeted with a warm welcome from the workers. Ace lifted his eyebrow but didn't question it, after all Zack was a very friendly guy. It really should not be such a surprise to him.
Zack, "Andrea, my man."
Andrea grinned, "Zack and dear Cloud, how have you two been? You brought me a new customer too, today."
Zack, "This is Ace and he actually came looking for you."
Ace smiled, "You have not contacted your older brother for a few months and they were worried about you. They feared something happened."
Andrea face palmed while honey boys and girls snickered, "I knew I was forgetting something."
Cloud snorted, "Yup, you certainly did. You should give them a call soon or at least write a letter."
Andrea, "I'll call him, there is way too much risk in writing a letter. Especially for someone in my position."
Zack, "Are your rivals bothering you again?"
Andrea, "No but they are not above using this to their advantage."
Ace, "I see, do you need help dealing with them?"
Andrea, "No need, it's nothing I can't handle."
Ace, "Hmm, okay, if you say so."
Zack, "Well, we have a request to make. There has been some concerning things about Don Corneo. We were hoping that you could help us or rather Ace here, get inside the mansion."
Andrea, "Hmm, I will see what I can do. I won't promise much but I'll see what I can do."
Ace, "That would be wonderful actually. I will come by tomorrow evening to discuss the plans."
Cloud, "I'll come too and maybe with two others to help us out."
Andrea, "I look forward to meeting you tomorrow. Now, there is still one last act left to perform. Please enjoy!"
Ace grinned, "We will."
The boys and girls who were standing next to Andrea were looking at Ace with curiosity. Most people would have gaped at them because of their flamboyant outfits but Ace just gave them a curious look then nodded. It was like he had seen everything and what they did was actually normal for him. Later on, after hearing the ridiculous stories from Zack and Cloud, their favourite couple, they realised what they did was nothing compared to the madness Ace dealt with out there.
The trio enjoyed the last act and retired for the night as the Inn opened for the late night business. Ace returned to Cloud and Zack's apartment and crashed on the bed in the guest bedroom. The evening was spent quite well in his opinion and from the looks Zack and Cloud were giving each other, it's going to be a very frisky and hot night for them. Thank God the room is soundproof though so he wouldn't wake up from the noise. He loves them, he does but he loves his sleep more.
The next morning he woke up to the smell of breakfast and went out of the room to greet Cloud who was dressed up. The blond was getting ready to go for his patrol and Zack had already left for his deployment to Wutai. Cloud kissed Ace's cheek and rushed to work after telling him to lock up when he left. Ace took his time eating the breakfast Cloud had prepared before heading outside. He had the address for Tifa's bar written on a card and left to visit her.
Tifa looked up as the doorbell rang, "Ace, you are here."
Ace grinned, "Hey there kiddo. Look at you all grown up now."
Aerith's breath hitched, 'So powerful. Oh!'
Gaia purred, 'Similar yet different.'
Aerith, 'A Cetra? Is he a Cetra? Gaia? Gaia? Don't leave me hanging. GAIA!'
Tifa smiled pulling the red head along, "This beautiful woman here is my girlfriend, Aerith."
Aerith beamed, "Hello, umm.. I, you, are you?"
Ace, "Yes?"
Aerith, "Are you a Cetra?"
Ace chuckled, "Cetra? Is that what they call us in this day and age?"
Aerith blushed at her outburst, "Sorry, it's just your presence makes Gaia happy."
Ace, "Well I'm a descendent of a line of Cetra. It is a pleasure to meet you, sister. Oh! Tifa, if you marry her, you really will be part of my family."
Tifa blushed, "I don't plan on letting her go. I'm sticking to her like a blood leech."
Aerith, "Could you tell me more? I asked Cloud but even he does not know much."
Ace smiled, "My late dad's grandma was a Cetra. I never knew her and my dad was inactive despite being a Cetra. Before you ask, Desmond and Cloud are Cetra, yes, but they are more along the lines of Cetra Guardians. They protect, while you heal and I, well I am a bit of both."
Aerith mused, "That explains a few things. Especially, why I trust Cloud so quickly with my life and back. I'm normally so paranoid."
Tifa tilted her head, "But you trusted me too."
Aerith, "I know, but Cloud is part of Shinra and I don't trust Shinra normally, but Cloud... I just knew, I could trust him and weirdly enough make sure he stays safe too."
Tifa grinned nodding, "Cloud is very trustworthy even without that ability."
Ace smiled at the two, "Ladies, I wanted to request your help with something."
Tifa, "Sure."
Ace explained the real reason he was at Midgar. If it were not for the case, he would not even bother stepping a foot inside the polluted mega City. After hearing what Ace had to say, both ladies insisted on going with Ace making him grin. They agreed to meet him at the Honey Bee Inn in the evening, when Cloud got off from work. Till then, Ace told Tifa and Aerith about Solaris and invited them to see her. Aerith was nervous about going out but her curiosity outweighed her nervousness.
Of course they were joined by Cissnei who was watching over Aerith at the moment. The four of them left Midgar and went to the open plains outside. Ace could see Solaris's outline in the vast plain and waved. Seeing her rider, Solaris flapped her wings and greeted them yawning. Ace had explained how to act to the three ladies and they greeted Solaris. The haughty Dragon grunted at them before nudging Ace making him laugh before taking out the meat.
Ace, "Sorry ladies, but it looks like Solaris is still not in the mood to give you a ride today."
Aerith was beaming, "It's okay. I'm actually very happy. I met a dragon, a living dragon."
Cissnei nodded, "It's totally worth it."
Tifa grinned, "Only you Ace can do the impossible."
Ace bowed, "I live to please."
Cissnei pulled Ace aside on the way back, "Tseng mentioned, the Turks will help you with your mission."
Ace smirked, "I appreciate the extra hand."
The Turk disappeared into the crowd as soon as they returned to Midgar. Aerith and Tifa were still gushing over meeting a dragon. Tifa insisted Ace eat lunch with them, saying Cloud and Zack usually did when they got a lunch break. Ace agreed as it'll help them go over their plans to sneak inside the Don's house just in case Andrea was unable to help.
Cloud joined them later, "Hey Ace, ladies. Are we ready?"
Aerith, "Heck yeah!"
Tifa, "I'm ready for some action."
Ace, "This way everyone."
Andrea, "Ah! Dear Cloud, respected guest Ace, beautiful Tifa and lovely Aerith."
Cloud smiled, "Hi Andrea."
Ace, "We are ready for our order."
Tifa, "Can't wait to have some fun."
Aerith, "You look fabulous as always Andrea."
Andrea, "I know the perfect way to enter the Don's house. He has been hiring new help to join them. But thing is he hired new girls last week."
Ace's eyes sharpened, "You suspect, he did something to them."
Andrea nodded, "One of the girls that went missing is an older sibling to one of my Honey boys. I hate seeing him so down."
Cloud, "I understand."
Tifa, "It's only been a week right, maybe we'll find a clue in the mansion."
Aerith, "Or get the Don to spill."
Ace, "Either way how do we apply for the interview?"
Andrea, "Well, you would need makeovers. Leave it to me, I'll prepare you."
Ace looked at him and took out a small box from his space, "Will this cover everything? Or do you need more."
Andrea's eyes widened, "Oh darling! These are black pearls. A very rare form of jewel. It's more than enough to cover the expenses and grant you extra week of entry to my show."
Aerith, "These are pearls? It's my first time seeing them."
Tifa, "It's my first time seeing black pearl too. I usually see white ones."
Cloud, ".... I don't want to know."
Andrea, "Boys and girls. We have special night tonight. Cloud, will you join me on stage, please?"
Cloud, "Sure but why?"
Andrea, "The dress I have envisioned for you, well I was going to showcase it on stage."
Cloud, "Oh um, I don't dance much though."
Andrea, "It's alright dear one, just follow my lead. I will not let you falter."
Cloud nodded and followed Andrea to the backstage while the girls and boys dressed Ace, Tifa and Aerith up. Ace was dressed in a black and pink Lolita outfit that made him look very sultry in Aerith's opinion. Tifa was dressed in an exotic blue short dress showing off her smooth strong legs in those thigh high. Aerith was buying that dress for Tifa so she could ravish her with her eyes while she was dressed in a short dark red dress.
Madlene a blond honey girl eyed her work, "These are the popular dresses from last season."
Ace, "I like them."
Aerith, "It's really short."
Tifa was eyed Aerith up and down, "I think you look sexy."
Aerith flushed at the heated look she was receiving from Tifa making Madlene giggle. The three of them looked good together and they decided to join the audience. They were just in time too as Andrea announced there was a special number. Cloud and Andrea appeared on stage and danced together flawlessly, much to Tifa's pleasant surprise. The three of them cheered as Cloud matched Andrea step to step before he got a makeover. Andrea made Cloud sit on the chair and dressed him up in a dark blue ball gown.
Ace, "Looking fabulous."
Tifa, "You rock that look."
Aerith, "You were amazing, Cloud."
Cloud blushed at the praise, "Thank you, everyone. I think it'll be safer if we use our work names though."
Aerith, "Oops! Sorry Lightning."
Cloud, "No harm done Cheryl."
Ace smirked, "Shall we go bust a Don my beautiful sisters?"
Tifa, "Hell yeah!"
Andrea, "Please stay safe."
Ace, "We will."
The group went to the area where the girls would be picked from by the Don's men and looked around. Ace felt a few people come towards them and use sleep on them. Even though they could counter it, the four of them decided to fall asleep and see if they would take the bait and take them in. And what do you know, just like that, all four of them were inside the Don's house, Ace almost face palmed.