2: A FLoWeRGirL FrOm the SLumS
[Disc 1]

'Hey, are you alright?'

'Huh?' Cloud speaks.

'Can you get up?'

'Yeah,' he replied.

'Back then, you could get by with skinned knees.'

'What do you mean by back then? Hey, who are you?' he asks.

"Oh, it moved!" a girl said, surprised.

Cloud sat. He looked up and saw a slender woman in a pink dress.

"Huh? Where am I?" he asked.

"You're in a Church in Sector 5. You suddenly came crashing and gave me a scare. Luckily, the flower bed broke your fall," she answered.

"I came crashing down?"

"Yup."

"Is this yours?"

"Yes. Flowers rarely grow in the slums, but for some reason, the flowers have no trouble growing here," she informs him and goes around looking at her flowers. "So, we meet again," she starts.

"Huh?"

"You don't remember me?"

"I remember you," Cloud answers, "You were selling flowers."

She giggles and says, "Thanks for buying my flowers."

"It was nothing."

"I feel like talking. Is it alright?"

"Yeah. I'm up to it," Cloud tells her.

"When you think about it, we don't actually know each other's names, do we? I'm Aeris, the flower girl."

"I'm Cloud. Me? I do a bit of everything."

"Oh, a jack of all trades."

A man in a black suit enters the Church.

"Oh sorry," Aeris said, "Bad timing on my part. Don't let it get to you."

Cloud approaches the man.

"Oh, don't mind me."

"Uh, Cloud?" Aeris calls.

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever been a bodyguard?" she pauses, "I mean, you do a bit of everything."

"It's gonna cost you," he speaks.

"Um...How about if I go out with you once?"

Cloud looked at the ground and shook his head.

He, again, walked up to the man.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"You don't know me?"

"I know you. That uniform."

Suddenly, three soldiers appeared.

"Hey, Reno, this one's a little weird," one says.

"Cloud!" Aeris motions him.

Cloud runs to her.

"Here, we can pass here. C'mon."

Reno walked towards the passage Aeris, and Cloud has gone through, not realizing he stepped on part of the flowerbed.

"Those were Mako Eyes," he said, "Okeih, back to work. Back to work. Oh, and don't step on the flowers."

"You just stepped on them, Reno!" one soldier says.

"They're all ruined," another says.

"You're gonna catch Holy Hell!"

Aeris led Cloud to the back of the Church. They go up the stairs and come across a breakage in the floor. Cloud jumps over.

"C'mon, Aeris."

She approaches the edge, "No, no, Cloud."

Reno, and his soldiers run in.

"There they are. Get the Ancient. Get the Ancient."

They start shooting at the floor. Aeris falls. One soldier jumps to where Aeris lands.
"Cloud, help me!"

"Aeris, hold on!"

Cloud goes up to the beams above the Church and finds barrels. He pushes one of them, which hits the soldier.

"Thanks, Cloud." Aeris runs to a staircase.

"Cloud, help!"

"Hold on!"

He, again, pushes another.

Aeris is attacked again. Cloud, again, pushes a barrel. She finally makes it up to the beams and joins Cloud. They run out through the roof.

They stop for a while. Aeris laughs.

"What's so funny?" Cloud asks her.

"They're after me again."

"Again? You mean it's not the first time they've been after you?"

"Well, yeah. Who are they, Cloud?"

"They're the TURKs. They scout for possible members for SOLDIER. They're also involved in assassinating, kidnapping, the dirty stuff."

"Looks like it."

"But, Aeris, I wonder why they're after you."

She giggles again and says, "Maybe they believe I have what it takes to join SOLDIER."

"You want to join?"

"I dunno. But, I don't want to be caught by those guys."

"Okeih, so c'mon. Let's go."

They jump from roof to roof, and finally, come to the slums. Aeris sits from exhaustion.

"Finally. You were so fast, Cloud."

"I thought you had what it takes to join SOLDIER."

"Oh, you're terrible." After awhile she stands up and says, "My house is over there. Hurry, before he comes."

They went through Sector 5, until they come across Aeris' house. It was quite nice for a place in the slums. It even had a big garden beside it.

"Mom, I'm home," Aeris said as they entered.

"Aeris, I'm glad you're here."

"Mom, this is Cloud, my bodyguard."

"Bodyguard? You mean, you were followed again?"

"It's okeih. I had Cloud with me."

Her Mother sighed and went upstairs.

"Aeris," Cloud spoke, "Is Sector 7 far from here? I want to go to Tifa's Bar."

"Is Tifa," she starts, "A girl? A girlfriend?"

"No, no."

She chuckles, "There's no need to be upset. Well, that's nice."

She paused for a while and stood from the chair she was sitting on.

"Well, to get to Sector 7, you need to go through Sector 6. Sector 6 is a little dangerous. I could take you there."

"I dunno. Getting help from a girl," Cloud joked.

"A girl? What do you mean by that?", she says, walking towards the stairs, "Mom, I'm gonna take Cloud to Sector 7."

Her Mother walked down the stairs, and Cloud waited for her response.

"But, dear...Oh, I give up. You never listen once you made up your mind. But, if you must go, why don't go tomorrow?"

"Cloud?"

"Sure."

"Aeris, please fix the bed for Cloud."

She leaves the scene, and her Mother approaches him.

"Cloud, that glow in your eyes, are you from SOLDIER?"

"Yes."

"I don't know how to tell you this. But, can you please leave tonight, without telling Aeris? SOLDIER...The last thing Aeris needs is to have her heart hurt again."

Not knowing what to do, he goes up and sees Aeris.

"Cloud, you can sleep in that room. Good night."

He enters the last door and sees the room. He decides to rest for a while, before leaving.

'Nice bed.'

'Huh? Hey...'

'Last time we slept in a bed like this was...'

Cloud's Mother walked towards him while he was lying on his bed.

"My, my, how you've grown. I bet the girls never leave you alone," she spoke.

"Not really."

"I'm worried about you. They are a lot of temptations in the city. I think you should settle down and have a nice girlfriend, an older girlfriend who'll take care of you. Yes, I think that will be the perfect type for you."

"I don't really care."

Cloud, suddenly, wakes up.

"Sector 7 is just past Sector 6. I can get there by myself."

He stepped out of the room, quietly, and went down the stairs. He got out of the house and ran towards Sector 6.

A familiar voice startles him, "You're up bright and early."

"Aeris...?"

"So, are you ready to go?"

Cloud sighs and nods.

They pass a broken-down maze. They go through a pipe, a screen way and past a fallen post.

"The gate to Sector 7 is there," Aeris points.

"But, Aeris, what about you?"

"'Oh, whatever shall I do?' Is that what you want me to say, Cloud?"

"No. Um...I'll see you home."

"But, isn't that a little out of the way?"

"Well, kinda."

"C'mon. Let's take a rest."

She entered a playground and stood before a big, moogle-shaped slide. Cloud followed her.

"I can't believe it's still here," she then goes up and calls, "Here, Cloud. Up here!"

Cloud, also, goes up.

"What rank were you?"

"What rank...?"

"I mean, in SOLDIER."

"Oh, I was..." he started, as a light flashed in front of his eyes, "...First Class."

"Just like him."

"Just like who?" Cloud inquires.

"My first boyfriend."

"You were serious?"

"No. But I kinda liked him for awhile."

The sound of the Sector 7 gate opening interrupts their conversation. Cloud stands up as he notices a Chocobo carriage with a familiar lady on board. It went towards Sector 6.

"Tifa!!!" he cries.

"That was Tifa? She looked kinda weird."

Aeris goes down from the slide and follows the carriage.

"Aeris, wait! You go on home."

Cloud sighs and goes after her. He found himself before the neon-lighted slums, Midgar Sector 6, the Wall Market.

"Over here!" he turned his head and saw Aeris, "We better find Tifa fast, Cloud. This place is dangerous especially for a girl."

They walked around.

"Hey, you sure got a good-looking heifer there. Take her to the Don's place, and you'll earn a mint."

They approach another man, a very fat man, who grumbles and says, "I can't make up my mind. Huh? About what? Don't make me say it. It's the shop down on the right."

Aeris, and Cloud decided to go to a place called Honey Bee Inn. To Cloud's surprise, he saw Johnny.

"Should I go in or not? I get so mental at times like this. I 'm hopeless," Johnny told himself.

Cloud approached him. He turned around.

"Hey? Aren't you? What?! You mean you are...too?"

"Uh...Yeah, me too," Cloud answered, though he didn't know what Johnny was talking about.

"You're Tifa's childhood friend, and you brought a new girlfriend to a place like this? What kind of a guy are you?!"

Cloud sighed and turned to Aeris.

They approach the guard.

"This inn is exclusive for members only. Shoo. Shoo."

"Hey," a fat man in a purple suit said, "Even unpopular dweebs like you can find their destiny here."

"Uh...You've seen a girl named Tifa?"

"Hey, you're pretty fast. Tifa's our newest girl. But, she's down in the Don's place. It's contrary for new girls to have an interview."

They go past the slums and head to the Don's place.

"You there!" the guard calls, "This is Don Corneo's place. He's the most powerful man in Wall Market. Listen, the Don's not into men, so get lost. Don't let me catch you around here again."

He, then, sees Aeris behind Cloud.

"Hey, you got a another cute one with you."

"Cloud..." Aeris whispers, "I better go in. I'll tell Tifa about you."

"No, Aeris."

"Why?"

"You do know what kind of place this is, don't you?"

"Then what am I supposed to do? You want to go with me?"

"Well, being a man, that'll be pretty hard...But I can't let you go in alone. Oh man...First, we need to find out if Tifa alright..."

She snickers, "Cloud, what if you dress up like a girl?"

"What?!"

"It's the only way."

She approaches the guard and said, "Hold on. I got another cute friend I want to bring."

She leads Cloud to a dress shop and goes to the cashier.

"Hi! Can we have a dress?"

"Oh, sorry," the cashier replies, "You see, my Father's not back yet."

"What if we get him back?

"Oh, would you?"

"Let me see. If we don't get your Father back, we won't get a dress?"

"Sorry. My Father's caused so much trouble."

"Don't worry. We'll get him."

"I think he's down in the bar." They left the shop.

Before finding the father, they happened to stumble over an eatery.

"Get free coupons for Pharmacy items if you enter now!" the guy at the door said. They got in and ordered two Today's Specials.

"How did you like your meal?" one waiter asked.

"Um...It was alright," Cloud replied.

"Thanks. Here's a free pharmacy coupon. We ran out of them, so we decided to stop giving them away."

"Hey, Cloud, what's say we get something from the Pharmacy?" Aeris asked him, "Let's see what we can get our hands on..."

"Whatever."

They entered the Pharmacy.

"Hmmm...Excuse me..." a timid Aeris spoke.

"Whoa! If you're standing there, say something," the guy behind the cashier said, "Anyway...Hey, isn't that a Pharmacy coupon? Here, what do you want...Deodorant Pills, Digestive Pills, or Disinfectant Pills?"

"Whatever," Cloud answered.

Aeris decided to get the Digestive Pills.

"They're for Cloud, in case..." she added with a grin.

They went to a diner beside a gym. Aeris noticed a man sitting by himself.

"Excuse me," she spoke, "Are you the father of the girl at the clothing store?"

"I own the clothing store, but I ain't your father."

"I didn't say that."

"Make me some clothes," Cloud said.

"I don't make men's clothes. And I don't feel like making anything right now."

Aeris sighed, "Cloud, sit over there, and get a drink. I'll take care of this."

"Well, okeih."

"You see, Mister, he says he wants to, at least once, dress up like a girl. So, I wanted a cute dress for him."

"Cute? A tough-looking guy like that?"

"Please." "Well, okeih. I was tired of making regular clothes. What kind of dress do you want?"

"Something that feels soft and that shimmers."

"I got a friend who has the same taste as him. Go to the shop later."

She approached Cloud, "I got it."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Hey, can I go to the ladies' room?"

"Sure."

Aeris went towards the ladies' room. She knocked on the door.

"Someone's in here."

Aeris knocked again, "You need some help?"

"Well, yeah."

"Here," she said, "Have some Digestive Pills."

The lady took the medicine and said, "Thanks. I feel much better now. Here. Take this."

She gave Aeris some perfume.

"Thank you."

Next, they walked towards Honey Bee Inn again. The very fat man earlier grumbled again.
"Darn. I just can't make up my mind. Oh, here. Get this. You probably won't get in without it."

They looked at the object.

"Cloud, a Honey Bee Inn member's card."

They approached the guard.

"Hey, isn't that a member's card shining in your hot, little hand? Come in."

"Aeris?"

"Go on ahead. I'll be alright."

As soon as she sat near the steps, the men outside came rushing to her.

"Oh, so that's how you fooled them," Cloud joked.

"Just the same way you fool them," she returned.

Cloud entered Honey Bee Inn and was greeted by a girl in a bee costume.

"Poo, I mean, Sir, this way please. Choose a room."

He looked around the lobby. Two rooms were occupied, and the other two were not. He chose the room in the 10:00 position.

"Are you sure?...This guy's so weird." the girl said.

"Don't make me repeat myself."

"Please don't get mad at me...Oh gosh...This jerks probably the violent type...Sir, all we need to do is enter the room."

She unlocked the door, and he stepped in. The room was dark. He saw a man, surrounded by gold aura, sitting near the tub.

'Huh?! This man is me!'

The man looked up.

"Hmm...You? What are you doing in a place like this? That's what I want to ask you. Should you be fooling around here? You think problems will just go away just thinking about them?"

The man stood up and walked towards Cloud.

"You can't change anything by just sitting back and looking at it."

"What are you sayin...?"

Everything was dark.

"It started moving," Cloud heard.

"What has?" he asked.

"Wake up...Wake up."

Cloud opened his eyes. The lights were on. The bee girl, and a big man were standing before him.

"Hey, buddy, you okeih?"

"Where am I?"

"You're in the inn. You fainted back there. Take it easy."

The big man left, and the girl approached him.

"Sorry. There've been a lot of adult things going around. Here. Take this."

She left the room. Cloud looked at the gift.

'Lingerie?!'

He stepped out of the room and decided to snoop around. He went in the dressing room.
"...Who's this jerk?" one girl whispered.

"...What nerve..." another says.

He went near them and thought, 'Hey, if I'm gonna dress up like a girl, I'm gonna have to look like a girl.'

"Uh...Excuse me. Could you girls put make-up on me, too?"

The girls grinned and went to work.

"Oh my..." they said in chorus.

"Gee...Thanks."

Cloud snooped again. He went to a room in the 2:00 position. He looked through the keyhole. He saw an old man, and an old woman.

"Grandpa, what's the matter? Why do you keep on sighing?" the old woman says, "Don't you like the room our son got us?"

"It's not that," he replies.

"I mean, a big room, a big round red, a gorgeous tub. I just can't get comfortable."

"It's the way in a big modern city like this."

Cloud turned to the tub, while the two kept on talking.

'What's that? A white moogle jumping around? With a black cat on his head?' Cloud sighed and decided to look at the other room.

He looked through the keyhole of the other room called the Queen's Room. This time, he saw Shinra employees, a king, and a man with long, dove-gray hair, wearing a black trench coat. There was thunder, and there were some mumbles. He couldn't get it all.

One Shinra employee said, "It's time for the luncheon. Tell the boss."

Then, they was a voice, "The wind's calm now...It's the curse of the resurrected Satan...Our beloved Queen does not awaken."

It paused.

'I can't understand...' Cloud pushed his ear on the door, 'I missed some stuff...'

"The time is ripe...A legend has been passed on through generations...The sought after the Promised Land...One with blue eyes, and a great, white sword one his back, will not lead to the Promised Land."

Cloud stood and left.

"Cloud!!!" Aeris called.

The men around Aeris left, and she joined Cloud.

"Aeris, thanks for the flower. I'll press it and keep it for good luck," Johnny said.

"Aeris, thank you. I'll treasure the flower you sold me," another man says.

Cloud approaches a Shinra soldier, "Aeris sold me a flower for 500 gil. Oh well, at least, I got her name."

He went to the guard, "Aeris sold me a flower for 300 gil. I asked her out on a date, but she said it's gonna cost 1,000,000 gil."

"Oh, Aeris, c'mon."

They walked towards the clothing shop.

"Oh, you're here," the owner greeted, "Here, check this out."

Cloud went in the dressing room.

"Uh...How do I put this on?"

Aeris looked through the curtain.

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

"Hmm...Something's missing, Cloud. A wig that's what we need!"

"I talked to my friend about that," the owner interrupts, "Go to the gym. You'll find other people like you."

Cloud stepped out, "Like me? What did you tell him, Aeris?"

"It doesn't matter. We got a pretty, silk dress."

They went to the gym.

"You the one who wants to be cute?" the gym instructor asks.

"Cute?"

"Right," Aeris said, "And about the wig?"

"Yeah, I heard. But it'll cost you."

A big, brown man rushes to join them.

"Urgh! The only way you're gonna get cuter is if you can beat Big Bro!" he says.

Cloud spoke, "Are you...?"

"The Beautiful Bro?" Aeris continued.

"What?" the instructor asks, "You didn't know? Always running around here saying 'Big Bro this, Big Bro that.' Oh, never mind. Come over here. You're gonna do squats..."

"We're gonna beat you out of this gym!" Big Bro interrupts.

"Quiet! The one with the most squats in thirty seconds, wins. Okeih, let's get it on. Ready. Set. Go."

The two do squats like crazy. After thirty seconds, they stop.

"You had twenty squats, and he had seventeen squats. Wow! You're really something! Here. I'm a man of my word."

"Urgh! Big Bro's wig!"

"Stop being such a spoil-sport!" the instructor scolded, "Don't cry because you lost!"

He approached Big Bro and punched him hard.

"Urgh!"

"Big Bro's guts of steel chill to the bone," said two guys who were twins.

Cloud, and Aeris sighed and left.

"Aeris, let's check this place out first."

"What place?"

"This one over here, right across the clothing chop"

"Well, okeih."

They go in a shop. The guy behind the counter turns around and sits up.

"Hey, man, can we talk?"

"What about?" Cloud asks.

"It's rather guy-talk, man-to-man."

"Aeris..."

"Awww...Can't I listen?"

"Aeris..."

"Okeih, okeih."

"Sorry, lady."

Aeris stood in the corner and covered her ears.

"So, you know that vending machine in the inn, not the Honey Bee Inn, okeih? I need you to bring me what they sell."

"Why don't you get it yourself?"

"You see, I got into a fight with a guy in there. That got me in trouble."

"Well," Cloud pauses, "I'll go."

"Thanks, dude."

Aeris joins him and leaves. They head for the inn.

"Hey, you two," a man in front of the inn called them, "Sleep in this place, will you? We've got good rooms, good beds."

They entered the inn and got rooms. That night, Cloud stepped out of his room. He went to the vending machine and got the 200 gil item. Then, he returned to his room and slept.

They go back to the shop, and Cloud gives the guys the item.

"What the? This is it, a protein drink set? Thanks, dude. Here, take this. It isn't much. But, what the hey?"

"Cloud, this is just what you need! It's a diamond tiara."

They return to the clothing shop, and Cloud changes.

"Walk more nicely, Miss Cloud," Aeris told him.

"Miss...?!"

"You look so cute, Miss Cloud. Aww...I want one, too!" she says.

The owner, and his daughter each hold up dresses. She rummages through the clothes, ignoring the chosen dresses.

"I want this one!" she gets a pretty, red dress and headed for the changing room, "No peeking!"

She got out, wearing the dress and looking sexy. She easily got the shoppers', and even the owner's attention.

"Hey, you look good," the daughter told her.

"What do you think, Cloud?"

"..."

"Awww...You're on fun," she turned to the owners, "Thanks for the dresses!"

"My Father's got his motivation back," the daughter says, "So the dress is on the house."

"Let's go, Cloud. It's time to go to Don Corneo's place."