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Barret frowned as he looked at the women before him. She had the same look as he had, but her frown was deeper and glare harsher. He knew why she was like this. Why they were arguing in the empty bar in the slums. The very same bar that became their home for the entire group. Though it held a deeper and more secure place within her heart. A place that kept her tied to one spot while everyone else was moving on. Just like he was with Marlene. A young girl who stood behind Barrett.
“Are you sure about this Barrett?”
“I am sure. It is time that I take her with me. Most places are at points that they can take over. Plus, I found a village I believe is safe enough for us to live in. At least safer than being here in the slums.”
“I can’t argue with that. With how the slums had been lately.” That was very much true. The slums of the city had gotten worse lately. She had to fight off a large amount of people twice this week. All for the same reason. Trying to steal the little bit of money she had for survival. People had become desperate lately for gil just to buy food and potions. Shop keeps and owners have been marking up the prices of goods to the point it was hard to get a single bottle of cheap Potion.
“Just… Be safe will you. I don’t want nothing to happen to Marlene while the both of you are out there.”
“I-.”
“Tifa!” Marlene cried out as she pulled herself away from her farther. Cutting him off in the process. All she hugs the lower torso of the older woman. Causing both adults to smile sadly at her display. Happy that she cared so much, but at the same time sad that Marlene had to part from the only home she knew in the world. The main reason as to why they were arguing in the first place. They both cared for the young girl and only wanted the best for her. This solidifies a feeling that Barrett had for the girl in her heart. Able to worm its way wave in and convinced that this was the best path for her. To be away from this city finally. To be away from the memories that traumatized them long ago. She pats the top of the girl head before pushing her back to her friend. Barrett gave her a nod then walked out of the bar with his daughter. Tifa was going to deeply missed them. More so since she was now alone in the world once again.
One would think why she was alone. There was still another child to take care of. Normally that would be the case, but Denzel had left the day before. Cloud had taken Denzel with him for work. This was something Denzel had requested in the hope of collaborating with the man. At the same searching for any type of work that could be out in the world. Tifa sighed for this was something to which she was not use. Not after such a long time being surround by people. To have the need to feel needed in any compacity. She knew the two of them would eventually go on with their life, but not this soon. She figured it was time to close down this bar. This was for the people that needed her. Now that none did was this place obsolete. Even her regulars had started not to come as often anymore. Lack of money had work had driven them to the other parts of the world for better opportunities. It was also time for her to move as well. She had been thinking for awhile now. But she had thought it would be long after the children had grown big enough to care for themselves. But this also presented itself an opportunity she didn’t think she would have. The ability to see her child. Maybe even help raise him. That is if Josh would allow her to do so. The few letters he had sent did offer a lace in the village he helped rebuilt.
Staying to raise the one-year-old child. She had the feeling he will be staying along the coast for the rest of his life. Josh had always dreamed of the coast while helping them battle Shinra. Hoping to find some kind of piece that he could have for himself. It would appear that happened far sooner than her own dreams. Yes, that did sound nice. Going to seaside to be able to rest finally. Tifa quickly finished cleaning up the bar. Closing it early for she had much more to think about what she had lost and needed to do. A plan and saving money needed to execute it.
-UC2-
A month had passed since Marlene had left her. Leaving her enough time to run around the city for any odd job she obtained. Doing all of this with all the hope in her heart. Having sent a letter to Josh a while back about the matter. Filling all her worries, wishes, and the hidden desire in her heart. Tifa won’t lie to herself. The long wait for his reply had her worried since she knew the messenger had been able to five him the letter. She also knew by now that seeing their child and relaxing was not the only reason she wants to go there. The last year after Josh had left behind a world filled with memories dealing with him. They even overriding the ones she had Cloud. Hardly even thinking about her childhood friend during that year. Had become surprised that even came to the bar on his own since there was not nagging from Tifa end. Let alone to grab Denzel.
Denzel had been worried and calling Cloud in order to help her and Marlene. Then these worries somehow traveled to Barrett. Leaving behind a hurt, confused Tifa behind to live alone. She already knew the calls between them will soon become scattered as life moves on. Leaving her even further behind. Hell, even Yuffie had find a place for herself within the city itself. Having become a bodyguard for a rising politician that hoped rebuild the city for a better place. Which was a laugh. Doubting anyone could truly fix a city as bad as this and make a new government. The Era of Bahamut had to begin somewhere. Even if it begins with the in fighting with multiple political factions that joined forces with criminals. Not that she no better than them. Having done the same when they fought against Shinra. That was beside the point at the moment. Mind needed to focus back on the task on hand. The final odd job of the day before going back to the bar to open it up.
A small portion of her regulars had started to come back along with new people. Keeping it open it for now to get that extra gil she needs. The splash of water she stomped into getting Tifa out of her thoughts once again. Running up a thin alley made of stairs. Dodging a person or three that were walking up or down it so she can make this delivery. Then running back to the guild, she got the job from. Skidding to a stop in front of the address. Lucky enough the person was already outside to give him the package she had for him. Quickly dropping it off before running off to the guild. Dodging and weaving through the people Lottering in the alleyways she traveled down. Reaching the guild all to soon and getting her meager amount of gil. Going over to the dingy board for any work .
“Hey, Tifa!” She quickly turned around to see the old man running the guild. Looking as chipper as he usually does. Even if slowed down by the wounds he got from battling fiends in the wildlands.
“Hey! Do you need something,” she asked after waving to him. Now confused as to why he called her. The guild head rarely left his office. Since he was always trying to think of ways to drum of jobs for the members. Sadly, the only ones found were the more dangerous one needed for land clearing or some kind of protection detail. Something more of the untrained people here could not manage. So, jobs were dwindling unless he could do something about it.
“No, no. Just merely become a secondhand delivery boy. A messenger had left this here for you when they couldn’t find you.” Handing her a letter that given to him. A weathered piece of envelope that looked that it went through a great deal of damage just to get to the city.
“You could have called me up to your office or sent someone to me.”
“I know, but I wanted to do this as the final act of your guild master.” This surprised Tifa. Taking a moment or two to process the sentence.
“Wha-what?!”
“You heard me. Once the last members come to collect their pay today then we will be shutting down right after. I am sorry, but this is my decision after thinking about this for a long time.”
“I understand,” she said with a dejected voice. Now understanding why, the posting board was so empty today. She left the building soon after to head home. It not really surprising that they might end up closing. A multitude of guilds had shut down since the fall of the government. Tifa did not expect it to happen so soon. Thinking it would last longer once the old man had caught on to the fact the jobs were in reconstruction. But that a problem with which she could not help. She was able to horde a good junk of gil since she had spread herself out. Not limiting her time just to the guild and bar. Safely hiding it in a secure location from thieves that would dare try to steal from her. Guess there was something that did brighten her day. A letter arrived and it could have been from one person.
Opening the dinging envelop to seeing a tainted letter inside. Taking it out as she slowly walked among the familiar paths. Glancing at familiar faces and strangers alike so there were no accidental bumps. Reading every word, the letter contained. It was indeed from Josh. The tired writing of a man who lived day by day. Having heard her own proposal. Like she did the day he had walked into her bar. The memory put a smile on her face. A smile that grew larger when she finished reading the piece of paper. Her own change of heart on the matter had surprised Josh, but he was welcoming to the idea. Fully believing that she had regretted her hasty decision about it. Happy that that she was willing to travel all the way to the boondocks of a small fishing village. A position she was familiar with since the mountain village had been similar. Tifa picked up her pace to the bar. There was little time before the next bus to the seaside sets off. Taking off once every week.
-UC2-
Dust, grey, blue, and green greeted Tifa once she stepped off the bus. All blending into a scenery that was pleasant to the eye and would want to see every day. One she will most likely will. It took her two weeks to get here. Closing the bar for good took longer than expected. Since the regulars had caused a fuss when they had found out. Even the ones who had left the city. She hated that the word had spread so quickly. All she wanted was a quiet exit, but it was something she got in the end. For it led to something grander than that city. Something that kept that smile on her face.
Allowing Tifa to survey the area as the bus departed behind her. Leaving a cloud of dust in its trail while the sound of tires hitting rock road filled her ears. She easily spied houses here and there. Along with a harbor and a factory for processing the fish caught. The village main export and commerce. There was also a couple of small farms off in the distance. Rounding out any imports the village may get to get a stable food supply for winter. Which was not much now thanks to everything changing.
“Ay!” Someone yelled . She snapped her attention to the person to see that it was Josh. In an arm was a tightly wrapped bundled that squirmed and wiggled. Tifa smile grew larger since already knew what that bundle was. She quickly went to them with arms opened wide. There were still uncertainties left for them in the near future, but Tifa knew she would never regret them anymore. Not with the both of them by their side. Even if there was nothing but friendship between her and josh. As long as she could raise their child then she was happy.
END