Chapter Text
It"s been a few months since all those crazy things that have happened, the resurgence of Sephiroth, the WEAPONS, the meteor and the great help of the Lifestream to get rid of the meteor. Yes, it really has been a not exactly good year. Although now, for society, Rufus was dead and he could tell when he heard from the Turks of him how some of his worshipers mourned him with pieces that he has made over the years.
Maybe it was for the better now that he can do whatever he wants and without restrictions, but it didn"t matter, he was free. Also, he still has enough money for the years to come ... What he didn"t expect is that Reeve was so far the only one who discovered he was alive, and he could have taken him to jail or taken all his money, he didn"t. However, like the businessmen that they were, he proposed a deal to her. In exchange for his anonymity, he must contribute to the construction of houses, restock food and financially support hospitals.
He had no problem with it, he owes a great debt to Cloud and his friends for saving the planet. Just as he also owes a huge debt to the planet for the crimes committed against it by his father...
Rufus ended up with the disease, which until now has not received a name, but now he has it, "Geostigma", an unknown disease of which it is not known what its cause is, much less what its cure is. At the time he received the disease, he never thought that he would hurt so much, and he had to admit that the black blood gushing out from time to time scared him.
One day, his Turks gave him a piano, in which he can play some songs while he can still move, they even managed to recover several of his works so that he can entertain himself.
And he was happy, until someone walked through his door ...
He had a long time to compose. Or play. Kadaj seemed a bit interested in his actions, even though he didn"t openly admit it. He would say that he genuinely liked the boy, showing some interest in anything other than Jenova"s corpse ...
Now, it only remained that Cloud could kill the reborn General Sephiroth.
Meanwhile, well, he would say that he lived a decent life and was prepared to return to the planet.
He was happy ... until he realized that he didn"t die ...
Rufus, now more refreshed than ever, felt he owed Cloud an apology to the others from avalanche for causing all of this in the first place. So, among the leftover paper he had, he printed blank staves, took his pen, and brought the piano closer to him ...
He gave the title of his new work from him ...
"Cloud Smiles" ...
Will he be mad if he tells you? Probably. But he can"t think of any other way to apologize and he doubted they would forgive him if he just sent money or just an apology. Or he may, but for now, he would like to give them something in return, no teasing, no motive beyond genuine regret. He started with a couple of notes to begin his work, uneven, which soon come together for a beautiful chord, but from there, nothing ... He cannot visualize Cloud as such in a single song when they have only been fighting each time. had the opportunity. So, it"s hard to see Cloud doing anything other than battles. Yes, he knows that he has a delivery service and lives in the new Seventh Heaven with Tifa and a couple of children that he adopted along the way.
But it"s not enough.
He had to get a full picture of them or inspiration won"t come ... Then he got a better idea. he will compile the individual tracks for each Avalanche member, including the cetra (may she rest in peace) and will be his apology. It was perfect ...
And he had the right ones to help them with their homework.
"Tseng? Call the others, I would like them to interact with Avalanche. I need inspiration for my new works"
"Mr. president-"
"Rufus ..."
"Rufus, did you just recover and the first thing you think about is composing?" oh, that tone, he was upset.
"Just do it, Rude will love to pay a visit to Tifa" he said before hanging up, Tseng on the other hand, had to sigh resignedly. He took a deep breath and sighed:
"Here we go again ..."
After a couple of months, the Turks spoke a bit about the avalanche members" personal lives to Rufus, already having a couple of ideas to start with. The most notorious of them was Tifa, her theme I think has been the easiest to compose, considering Rude"s words, she was calm, affectionate with her loved ones, with some bad memories such as Nibelheim and the Sector 7 plate fall. That kind of person with a good heart and will always give you the comfort you need. Maybe that"s why she always stays by Cloud"s side.
It was beautiful, the notes in his head flowed naturally just by hearing those words.
...
From Reno, he has heard a lot about Barret and Corel, mainly what happened with the reactor. He was a proud man, sometimes rude, but, like Tifa, he is quite warm with his loved ones, like the girl who now discovers that she is his (adoptive) daughter, and it"s even fun having it around with his brilliant attitude. A man who is not afraid to tell cruel truths but will not leave you alone when you need it ...
This was a bit weird to do, he has a vision of what barret is, but not his song, but he made an effort to basically capture what he hears from his turks.
...
Elena had a lot to say about Yuffie, she was a cheerful girl, cunning (when she wants to be), Materia lover and very proud about her native land. She is a bit childish at times but it seems that she has matured a lot with the hunt for the Silver General. She managed to open up a lot with Elena to tell her stories of what Wutai was before the war, she is still a bit hurt by what happened with Shinra on what her land is now, but she is a good girl.
Rufus didn"t have too much trouble making the subject of him, he doesn"t know much about Wutai apart from the outskirts where he founded the first avalanche, but he remembers that before the war it was a beautiful place. He thought that a simpler theme could capture the young heiress.
And it was ... And he is happy with the result.
...
Cid was not a problem, he remembers the man perfectly and since what happened with the "Tiny Bronco" he already has a very clear idea of what he is, like Tifa, the notes flowed almost poetically in his head.
...
Vincent was complicated for Tseng, because he has been suspicious of the Turks and their visits to Seventh Heaven. But he has opened up enough and with the help of the others he was able to understand a little about what happened with the ex-Turk. Vincent, a man tormented by his past, who has too much weight on his shoulders and according to him there are still many sins that he must atone for. He can"t help but feel some pity for this poor man. Although thanks to Cloud and the others he has been handling that weight quite well.
Rufus was unsure whether to do a song for him, but it"s what he"s decided to do and he"s not going to back down right now. The notes, although simple, tried to capture what is in the man"s head and for this he also decided to call this work "The nightmare begins".
...
About the big cat ... wolf? A rare combination of both? Thanks to Elena who shared facts about Cosmo Canyon, what the place was like, about Bugenhaguen and how he took care of RedXIII or Nanaki (his real name), a little about his family and something about the study of the planet and ... did not say more apart from there, perhaps on suspicion that Rufus would do something to Cosmo Canyon.
Which was wrong, maybe he would go on a visit to see the culture but that"s it.
Well, following the theme, more than an individual theme he thought it would be a general one, both for him and for his homeland, something that reminds him of his home. It was complicated, but not bad, maybe because it was done on piano and not with other instruments that could make it better ... For now, he was happy with the results.
...
That stuffed cat that moves ... Cait Sith, it was a special case, because it was created by Reeve and from time to time it is controlled by him. However, he sees it as more of an artificial intelligence ...
Which, it was curious how he could make his song, for a mysterious cat, full of smiles, that behind there is a man whose power was limited and was humiliated, now he is the leader of a new organization, which cares about the people.
He has no way of portraying both Reeve and the cat ...
...
The only ones left were Cloud and Cetra (may she rest in peace). With Cloud he did not do much, mainly because of suspicion but also because, according to him, there are many things that he did not want to remember, although he spoke a little about Zack to Tseng, since they both worked together on many occasions.
So, leaving Cloud last, only the cetra remains, which has NO information about her beyond her lineage, helped Cloud in the hunt for Sephiroth and died trying to save the planet.
Although Tseng was generous enough to tell the blonde what she was like before meeting Cloud and the others.
A sweet, caring, garden-loving girl ... a bit lonelier most of the time but much loved in the Sector 5 neighborhoods, at least from Tseng"s point of view, though that wasn"t enough. One person was not enough for the full focus for her song. It being her and her miraculous rain that has healed him from his near-dying state, it doesn"t feel this is worthy enough for his savior as well as all people"s ...
But the first part was good for her. he would deal with that later ... Paying a definitive visit to Seventh Heaven ...
In the end, rufus has completed everyone"s except Cloud"s. Aerith was difficult to complete as she had ideas back and forth from what she has heard from the other Turks and a couple of ideas in general from Avalanche members. Sure after another month trying to become common in the place and that they could talk openly with him ... outside of it.
Cloud was the only one who did not speak, therefore, his song is still pending ...
Once at Seventh Heaven, Tifa mentioned that the whole avalanche was already here and a new piano was already put in the bar, she tells him that she used to practice when she was a child, but due to the death of her mother she has abandoned it, Rufus sees it as a perfect gift opportunity. And sure enough, when opening the door of the bar, the members were waiting.
"Why don"t you have a drink while I prepare the piano?" He said before leaving the sheet music on the table closer to the piano, the others, without caring much about the blond"s presence, begin by serving themselves some beers and juice for the children. The piano was not out of tune, it was just an excuse to shake off the nerves, not being sure how they were going to receive it. He decided to test the waters, using a couple of exercises, doing arpeggios, one after another, changing the pitch and forming a melody without wanting to. A kind of Prelude.
When he realized what he did he stopped and looked at the others here, they all looked at him, he, meanwhile, gets up from the chair and takes the papers. He arranging them in order on the support so that the leaves did not fall and sit again.
"I know that my father has done terrible things ... to people, to you, I have also done deplorable things ... And with what happened even with ... Well, him, the meteor and the Geostigma ... "Barret frowned at him, remembering what he had done, Cloud too. "So I am in great debt to you. And as an apology, I have decided to make these pieces for each of you ..." he said "I just hope you don"t mind"
"Just play that damn thing and that"s it" Cid said, taking a sip from his can, the children, Denzel and Marlene sat near Rufus to watch him play. The blonde meanwhile nods, to settle into his chair, he opened the first score which was "Tifa"s theme" ...
The others could notice how Rufus changed completely once he played, to be an apparently simple melody, it was beautiful, Tifa did not think that she would open the "mini concert" with her own theme, it was tender, sweet perhaps a sad touch, but no less beautiful.
...
Just for a few seconds of silence, Rufus changes the scores and the atmosphere of the bar completely changes. Almost rhythmic, like Jazz or Swing. Cloud could notice the title letters "Barret"s theme", and pointed to the dark skinned man, he soon realized who the theme was for. Barret didn"t know what to say, but he liked that it wasn"t something to scoff at ... until soon the time was gently changing before the chord of notes did as well.
...
In the small interval of high notes, Rufus changed the music sheets, now it said "Descendant of Shinobi" which was very obvious who it belonged to and, in fact, Yuffie made a huge smile of joy, although she complained a little about why not her own theme was more epic. The others thought that she couldn"t fit a better song than that.
...
At the end of the yuffie song, it was another silent interval to change the title ... "Cosmo Canyon" Nanaki was surprised this time, neither did he expect a song dedicated to him ... or rather, dedicated to his place of origin, slightly drawn by the melody he approached to rufus" side, remembering his home in Cosmo Canyon, his family and Bugenhagen whom he called grandfather. Nakaki couldn"t be happier than he is now ... He really feels like he"s come home while the song lasted.
...
Vincent"s theme was the following, although no one could say much when they heard it, it was almost like it was a glove. Simple, dramatic and a bit melancholic. Also, the name doesn"t make it any less out of place ... "The nightmare begins." Nor was Vincent a picky person.
...
Cid, good. Knowing the man, it was noticeable how he kept his gaze fixed on the blond while he played, previously, the pilot had asked him if he would do a song for him, and, although Rufus at the time refused ... that he is here now, he feels a slight surge of pride, he may feel that the ex-president has tried to give him the theme he so deserves.
He can"t help but feel the inspirational vibes in the melody. A dreamy song, for a dreaming man.
...
The talking and moving cat plush, Cait Sith, was quiet throughout Rufus"s mini-concert, while Reeve, from his computer, enjoys a good cup of coffee while delighting in the melodies of the blonde. He had to admit that he himself was a fan of his works for a time, although he didn"t expect Rufus to make a song specifically for Reeve and Cait, which, he doesn"t know how to feel.
Well, the other one was happy, super happy, he could hear a slight purr and his tail was moving to the sound of the music. He would assume that when it is "all members", it is all, including him. He assumes that he feels good ...
...
In avalanche everyone seems quite entertained, especially the children, Denzel was unconsciously moving his fingers as if he were the one playing the piano, Marlene was happy just looking. After the Cait Sith theme ended, there was a silent interval, a little longer than the previous ones, thinking that he had finished the others are about to clap when they saw him switch to one last sheet ...
The high, slow, and soft notes, just three damn notes to make them feel a brief tightness in their chest. Cloud"s breath caught at the title ... "Aerith"s theme" ...
No one said a word at all. They just stood there, listening, remembering, feeling the florist"s presence with them. Rufus at this point was not afraid to let himself loose a bit to add more notes and chords, to let only his head flow whatever he wants ...
Once he finished they were finally able to clap, the blonde stands up and bows respectfully in thanks. They liked it, with that he was already satisfied. The blonde had given one more apology for the events that happened two years ago and now, none of them blamed him, they appreciated the songs composed for them. Although they wondered why Cloud"s was not done.
Rufus told them that when writing his pieces, he needs at least a little context about the person or the moment. As he did with several previous works, like "One-Winged Angel" or that song for the races at Golden Saucer, which of course Cloud doesn"t want to remember-thank-you-very much, or his piece "The Lifestream", many of them came between personal experiences or data collected. And as the ex-soldier / savior of Gaia, he is the only one who has not talked too much about his past, he does not have a complete vision to create a theme.
Tifa saw it understandable, there were many things above, also, the blonde was not a talkative person except with those he considers close. Rufus didn"t press the issue, although he did mention that since he doesn"t know the ex-soldier personally, he can"t visualize anything other than just battles and deliveries. Well, that had a plus point.
However, no one wanted to press the issue and they automatically changed it to continue drinking and remembering the experiences in his journey, which of course, the ex-president, had to stay to listen ...
Rufus wasn"t sure if it was because of the alcohol, or was it that the stories on Avalanche"s journey made no sense, enough to be ridiculous. In fact, the adventures they recounted made him laugh out loud. Even Vincent himself has been surprised that Rufus is laughing so openly as he listens. He guessed that he should blame the alcohol, seeing as there were at least 6 empty beer cans in front of him and it is still growing.
The son of a bitch still looked perfectly fine, though. Another time later, he decides to teach Denzel how to play the piano, doing small exercises that surprise the youngest and tries to imitate him, Marlene was by his side for moral support.
At dusk he had to be picked up by the Turks as he was sleepy and almost fell asleep sitting up. Yuffie was so tempted to push him onto his back, yet she was stopped by Nanaki.
When the Turks arrived to take him home, Rufus ordered them to keep the sheet music, in case Denzel wants to learn ... Tifa wasn"t surprised, Denzel seems excited about it. The members of Avalanche said goodbye to the blonde with a smile, he said goodbye to them in the same way.
"You had a nice day, I have to assume?" Tseng said once they were far enough from the bar, the Turk carefully placed the blonde in the back while the others got into the car. Rufus stayed between Reno and Rude, while Elena was in the front seat, Rufus didn"t care, but he was smiling like a fool due to alcohol.
"And it was, those were the dumbest stories I"ve ever heard of Avalanche"s great adventure" He said as he recalled the famous transvestite Cloud story "Oh, I"d love to do something with those stories!"
"Try to make a movie then if you want to capture those stories so much" Rude answered, although, Reno and Elena, for their part, looked at him with a "Don"t put ideas in his head" look.
"... Yeah, that would be great. A movie about Avalanche and his adventures to stop the evil silver soldier ..." Rufus said before falling asleep.
Tseng sighed, now he can"t shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse for him ...