[True to her words, it was only a little bit before she made it down to the cafe. Soon after receiving the last text message, she had grabbed her coat and headed out, walking the short distance to the designated meeting place.
She pushed the door open, red eyes darting around to look for who she was supposed to meet.]
[It'd taken him but minutes to reach the cafe, giving nods to the servers inside. A well known figure by now, Sephiroth took his cup of coffee with a word of thanks, the barista having seen him coming from the window.
He sat at the counter until he spied Tifa coming through the door, then respectfully rose and met her gaze. He gestured to an empty table and, before she could do it herself, pulled out her chair before taking his own.]
Thank you for coming, Miss Lockhart...Tifa. I appreciate the courtesy.
[Now that she was actually here, ShinRa's great General was at a bit of a loss. Hardly a socialite, he'd instigated this on a complete whim and now found himself wondering why.
Well, better to forge on than to retreat, so he took another sip of coffee and reached into a pant pocket, resolving to just get on with it...]
Well...I wanted to somehow repay you ...
[...and withdrew a small black box, placing it on the table between them.]
...for your kindness a few days earlier. [He gestured to the box, nodding assent.] Please, open it.
[She looked a bit confused. Repay her for just talking? It was uncalled for in her book. He was starting to become a friend, but even acquaintances needed sometime to talk to. She had done it so many times with people that came into Seventh Heaven that listening was just second nature for her.]
You really didn't have to...
[But she had a feeling he wasn't going to take no for an answer. Her hand came up, picking up the box. Slowly she opened it, and promptly gasped. Her eyes darted from the object in the box back to the man in front of her.]
[Tifa shook her head numbly before she got the use of her voice back.]
Offended? No- this is gorgeous...
[He noticed such a small detail like her earrings? The thought of it made her smile slightly. She glanced back down at the pearls again before looking back up.]
What time do you want to meet?
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
She pushed the door open, red eyes darting around to look for who she was supposed to meet.]
Reply
He sat at the counter until he spied Tifa coming through the door, then respectfully rose and met her gaze. He gestured to an empty table and, before she could do it herself, pulled out her chair before taking his own.]
Thank you for coming, Miss Lockhart...Tifa. I appreciate the courtesy.
Reply
She mumbled a thank you before she spoke properly.]
It's no problem at all. What's up?
Reply
Well, better to forge on than to retreat, so he took another sip of coffee and reached into a pant pocket, resolving to just get on with it...]
Well...I wanted to somehow repay you ...
[...and withdrew a small black box, placing it on the table between them.]
...for your kindness a few days earlier. [He gestured to the box, nodding assent.] Please, open it.
Reply
You really didn't have to...
[But she had a feeling he wasn't going to take no for an answer. Her hand came up, picking up the box. Slowly she opened it, and promptly gasped. Her eyes darted from the object in the box back to the man in front of her.]
This- [This was Tifa speechless.]
Reply
I...hope you aren't offended - I'm not exactly sure of the propriety, but I saw it the other day and realized it very nearly matched your earrings.
[He glanced at the necklace then back to her.] Small recompense, but it in no way encompasses my gratitude.
Reply
Offended? No- this is gorgeous...
[He noticed such a small detail like her earrings? The thought of it made her smile slightly. She glanced back down at the pearls again before looking back up.]
Thank you... it's a very thoughtful gift.
Reply
You're welcome. I'm truly glad you like it.
Reply
[She closed the box, moving to set it down on the table in front of her.]
You really didn't have to though. I'm always here for a friend.
Reply
[Which...was surprising, now that he realized it.]
I have to admit, Tifa...and I know how it sounds, but it's been quite a while since I've had a friend.
[He chuckled, then amended:] Well, save Zack. He and I have been through quite a lot together. He's been...a very good friend, at that.
Reply
Well, now you have two.
Zack really is a good friend. He's been there for everyone.
Reply
[Urged by an unknown premonition, his fingers twitched and he gestured to the string of pearls.]
...may I?
Reply
Leave a comment