#chocobo ranch

Side quest spoilers for Junon Region

Rebirth Retold Chapter 4

Taking care of Gabe's Ranch

Again very little dialog is taken straight from the game to keep it as close to the canon game as possible.

TW brief mention of assault

Masterlist

Chapter 5

*~*

After a long uncomfortable night at the mouth of the mythril mines the early morning sun began to peak over the crest of the jagged mountain tops in pinks, oranges, and yellows. The steep inclines, its metamorphic ore only traversable by the sharp talons that black chocobos possessed, cut this area off from the rest of the continent, and with the aid of the ferocious sea the people who lived here were imprisoned on this corner of the Planet. Unless you had the funds to purchase a ticket to cross on one of the many cruise ships under Shinra’s command, or you were a fisherman, soldier, or a Shinra employee.

The area had flourished at one time, however the natural flora was now dried up and barren from years of pollution and prolonged mako use. The wildlife were thinning over time due to the growing number of mutated fiends hunting at a staggering pace which in turn affects the food supply of all local towns, Under Junon especially. And in your opinion, the worst feature was the long flat terrain of the plains between the mines and city fortress. There was little to no shelter to hide among or set up camp. If you needed a break you’d have to take your chances in broad sight and hope to Shiva no fiend would see you. If you were adept enough you could clear out the fiends in the old rusted workshops that were abandoned here and there, but the risk usually out weighed the potential benefit.

So it should be of no surprise that the first stop in the Junon region would be a chocobo ranch. What better way to get around this region’s atrocious landscape than by chocoback?

You’ve never actually been to this specific ranch. You preferred to cross between the city and mines quickly, often times forgoing a rest and camping inside the safety the mines provided, well until recently. You had heard about this ranch from Bill though. He often talked about how the owner had fallen on harder times a little while back, but lacked the drive to pull himself out of trouble so you had added it to your list to of farms to visit which just coincidentally worked out this time around. Now that you were here you wished you had come sooner.

The stalls and pens themselves appeared structurally sound, but inside the birds looked thin and restless. Their eyes felt hollow just like the dark empty depths of the mine you'd just crawled out of. The metal troughs were empty and a greenish film clung to the sides, long dried onto the metal from sitting in the sun. The ones that did have water in them had flies buzzing around and was murky like the swamps. Piles of hay and feed were scattered haphazardly and appeared to be inedible. You could clearly make out the shape of a boot track in one that was soggy. You circled around the main barn in search of any attendants and when you finally found one the woman quickly scampered away in shame under your scrutiny.

The others crowded around the house in the back and seemingly struck up a casual conversation with the one in charge. You had to stop yourself from stomping up there, and ripping him a new one. Instead you took steady measured steps up to the back of the crowd they'd formed. Aerith chattered on like a perfect ray of sunshine like she often did as you shuffled your way through your friends till you stood the front next to Cloud and Aerith.

He was unimpressive, like many of the other self involved old bastards you've encountered. Dry and peeling wrinkled skin like sun cracked leather faded in desert heat covered the man head to toe, except for the smoothness of his balding head. Black tattoos ran up his arms, across his shoulders and highlighted his collar bones before weaving down his torso, the lines creating an image of a man holding the fate of his world on his shoulders. You guessed he was in his mod to late forties though his appearance was very similar to people well into their sixties.

“I’m Gabe, by the way. Owner of the ranch here, and before you ask, my birds are not for rent, ain’t worth the risk.” You nearly scoffed as you crossed your arms across you chest. What risk? At this rate they had a better chance in the wild. “Used to run deliveries, but Shinra put the kibosh on all that. Still tryin’ to keep it goin’ best I can… well, was tryin’, till my carriage shit the bed. And since I don’t have the parts to fix her, both she and my business are as good as dead. Even the chocobos’re feeling down.” No shit, you thought.

“What if I fix it. ” You interjected, having no patience for the sob story of why he ‘cant fix it’. Both Cloud and Aerith turned to gawk at you with wide eyes and open jaws, clearly surprised you said anything at all.

“Kind of you to offer, but nah.”

“You’d rather let the chocobos starve? How responsible.” You snapped as you pinched the bridge of your nose. You knew what he was playing at. He wanted you to play this back and forth game before he would eventually “cave” and accept your help. You decided to save yourself the headache, and jump right into the details. “Just need parts, right?”

“Says the girl who ain’t gotta fix it… but even if ya were some kinda secret grease monkey, I wouldn’t be able to pay ya for your time. I’m flat broke.” You exhaled the rising anger through your nose. This conversation would get you nowhere. You turned to leave, someone else here would have the details, though his scratchy baritone clawed against your eardrums before you got a step in. “Curious about my birds? I’ve tried settin’ ‘em free, but they just keep comin’ back. Force of habit.”

You looked him dead in the eyes and held his gaze. Your words nearly spat at him. “You’re an ass. If you knew anything about chocobos you’d know they’d rather die than abandon their faith in their owner, no matter how displaced that loyalty may be.”

“What’d you sa- I know you! You’re that assistant girl from Bill’s farm ain’t ya?” His brows pinched angrily and nose scrunched in distaste. You could practically feel the waves of hostility roll off him.

You blinked once, twice, in disbelief. ‘Assistant girl’? “He was right about you. You’re just another deadbeat who can’t get off his ass,” You name flew out of Aerith’s mouth in a shocked gasp, “and fix his own damn problems.” His cheeks puffed and face grew as red as a tomato, his hands balled into tight fists at his sides, as you held him under your stern glare, disgust no doubt written all over your face. “I’ll fix your damn carriage, and save your birds. Not that you deserve it.” You left all of them there to watch him flounder like a fish as you set off to work. You wanted to check in on the barn before you set out to run around and fix his shit.

The gravel crunched under your stomping feet as you finally reached the large creaking door to the main stable. Chocobos were pretty adaptable creatures. To see them in such a bad condition meant they suffered from prolonged neglect. You've seen it before; ranches often run out of funds to care for their birds. Shinra was known for cutting off travel between regions and monopolizing travel so there was no need for people to rent chocobos anymore. No customer equaled no income which resulted in sick and dying chocobos. Hopefully you made it in time to turn this ranch around.

The employee you saw earlier was now hunched over herself with a pitchfork gripped tightly in her hands. She grunted in exertion with every shovel and shake as she worked hard to muck out the stall. She looked younger than your thought from your first glimpse, maybe fifteen or sixteen. Not that out of the ordinary around Gaia. Most kids had to start working around thirteen to survive these days, thanks to corporate greed and rewarding the ass kissers that rose within the ranks of Shinra. “Excuse me.”

She yelped and banged her head against a support beam. A sharp hiss slipping through her gritted teeth before she rubbed at her head and reluctantly moved to approach you, her straight brown hair swishing back and forth with her movement. “C-can I help you?” She asked, her quiet and meek voice wavering.

You gave her a gentle smile, as you studied her body language. Her swirling chocolate eyes flickering away from your steady gaze, her bottom lip wavering slightly under the pressure of her teeth, and her shoulders hunching inward with tension. She had dirt smeared across her mocha skin, one calloused hands clenching the pitchfork, and the knees of her overalls were stained with grass and dirt. You felt for her. A hard working girl like her didn't deserve to be under the weight of the crushing pressure of caring for so many chocobos alone, and by the subtle shake in muscles you're confident that Gabe must take out a lot of his anger on her. “Do you run the stables?” You asked calmly in your most soothing voice you could muster.

“Um, yes. It-it’s embarrassing to say that since it’s falling apart.” Her face fell as she refused to tear her eyes from her shoes.

“What’s your name?”

She leaned her equipment against the wall and leaned onto the gate in front if you. “Calla.”

“Hi, Calla. I’m Y/n. I travel all around the planet, and help out stables when they need it. I’d like to help you. Can you tell me what’s been going on here?”

“Um, sure, but I-I can’t pay you.” She said as she kicked at some of the straw lining the ground.

“Don’t worry about that.”

She nodded, a fiery determination simmering in her weary eyes, and her bottom lip trembled but she straightened her posture and began to break down the struggles shes been facing. You admired her resolve to work through her emotions, especially at her age. If you had one wish for the future of Gaia it would be to allow the youth of the future to be a child, to have a childhood instead of being thrust into the hardships adulthood to survive.

Anyhow, from your understanding all of Gabe’s clients brought their business elsewhere since the carriage broke down six months ago. She urged him to branch out and allow chocobo rentals to the influx of tourists who came from the central continent, but he deemed it too dangerous for the birds and closed the business down. The ranch wasn’t making any money so all the other stable hands quit leaving Calla in charge of everything. She was left with twelve birds to care for and no funds in either of the business accounts so she hasn’t been able to purchase enough greens to keep the chocobos well fed. Not to mention the troughs are too heavy for her to move by herself so the drinking water often got too warm and stagnant. As a result the chocobos weren’t getting enough water and one by one they were starting to get sick or too fatigued to do anything. “I just love them so much, but I don't know what to do.”

“That's why I'm here.” From outside the barn you could hear your friends discussing what to do next. You inhaled deeply and pushed that to the side for now. This was something only you could do, and if that meant being left behind, so be it. “First things first, you need to clean the troughs, thoroughly. Do you have any oats or wheat?” You asked, placing one hand on her shoulder.

“Oats, in the main house, I believe.” Calla sniffed and wiped at her nose with the back of her arm.

“Great! After you clean the bins, fill them up. You’re going to take whatever you have and mix it with any greens you have in stock. Three parts oats, one part greens. Got it?”

Calla fumbled out of the stall, nearly knocking her head on the wood again, and over to the small desk tucked into a corner of the room. She shuffled through the paper laying around for a pen and notebook then quickly jotted down your instructions. “Got it.”

You reached into your satchel and fished out a small glass container, crossing the room as you did so, and handed it to her. “These are for the ones that refuse to eat or if you feel like they’re getting sick. You only have to give them one of these, unless they don’t start eating in a few hours. In that case give them another. The treats stimulate appetite and help boost immune systems.”

“Oh,” Calla waved her hands in front of her in protest. “I can’t take something that valuable.”

You persisted. “Take them. Its really no trouble. I can make more if I need them.”

Calla’s attention momentarily faltered as her eyes darted behind you, to the new people entering the room, before her focus was back on you. She hesitantly took the stimulants from you in a shaky hand.

“Then I want you to empty the water container, clean them very well, and refill them. When I get back I’ll help you move them.”

“Are you sure this is okay? I really don’t feel right about letting you do this all for free!”

“Calla,” you waited till she looked at you, “You need help, and this is what I do. Let me help you.” Her bottom lip wobbled, before she nodded weakly. “You’re doing a great job. I’ll be back soon.” You paced towards your group, before slowing down and turning to address Calla once more. “And, Calla.” You paused until she peered over at you. “Give yourself some credit. These chocobos would be dead if it weren’t for you.”

She nodded weakly before ducking away to immediately start on her part, but the way her eyes sparkled with a newfound pride and a pep to her step you knew shed be okay. You faced your friends with a heavy sigh. You didn’t want to part from them, but you didn’t feel right asking them to come with you and delay their plans any longer. “I need to take care of this for now, so you guys can go on ahead. I’ll try to meet up with you later.” You pushed your lips into a thin line and shrugged.

Equally disappointed frowns pulled at their faces as well, except for Aerith who smiled brightly at you, and Cloud who was as stoic as ever. Not even the ghost of a frown on his blank face, and why is she smiling? Your brows furrowed, and an uncomfortable disappointment gnawed at your heartstrings. This could possibly be the last time you'd see each other, and neither seemed to care. The thought had you recoiling for a second. Since when do you care?

“Nope!” Her singsong voice captured your attention. She approached you and grabbed your hands firmly in hers. Her eyes reminded you of the ethereal greens that look like the dancing wisps of the lifestream. Her warmth always reminded you of a love from the mother you never had, and homesick for a life that could have been yours. “We’re in this together. You helped us with jobs in the grasslands, only fair we help you here. Right, Cloud?”

“Right.” The lack of attitude took you by surprise, but his eyes showed the honesty of his statement. You’re in this together. You looked around to each if them gathered around you. Barrett, Tifa, Red, Aerith, and Cloud each offering a nod or smile, Red even showed some teeth.

You caved easy. You didn’t try to change their mind, and you were sure you didn’t want to anyway. For the first time, you felt like this might be where you belonged. “Alright. First things first, we need to find a Mountain Chocobo.”

“Gabe said that a chocobo by the name of Belle and her pack was seen north of here.” Tifa explained. “He said she should be able to get us where we need to be.”

“Perfect, and everyone, thank you.” You bowed your head softly, hoping your gratitude could be conveyed properly before a big meaty hand clomped over the back of your head and ruffled back in forth pulling strands of silky h/c strands free from your braid. After trying to swat Barrett’s tree trunk of an arm away unsuccessful he pushed at your jaw line to lift you eyes to meet his, a cheeky grin stretched proudly on his rugged face.

“None of that, now. We got a job ta do.”

*~*

So… how do we catch her?” Tifa asked quietly from somewhere behind you. The group had found its way north to an abandoned, yet unexpectedly sturdy, ore refinery on a cliff that over looked the sea. The mid morning sun shone bright yellow rays that reflected off the crashing waves. that opened up into a field. You stood just inside the gates and crouched down behind a wall of barrels staking out the patterns of the chocobo flock frolicking inside the circular loop of cart tracks. At one time they were used to bring ore into the building and then once done was carted back out to the storage building, now it was just an obstacle keeping you from the alpha bird.

“Sneak up on her, I suppose.” You tracked her movements as she leisurely grazed between large tufts of grass. She was smart enough to graze in the center of the field where there wasn't a lot of shelter for predators to sneak up on her. She was a beauty. Her midnight black feathers looked as sleek as night itself. Her beak the color of a Junon sunset that was sharper than a yellow chocobo, and her shanks were larger in size and talons as sharp as razors to pierce the rock of the surrounding mountains.

Occasionally she chirped and chatted with the surrounding birds, but mostly minded her own business as she looked for the best looking grass to eat. “Well, she seems to be laid back,” you spoke your eyes never leaving the black beauty, “but she must be pretty headstrong to lead the flock.” You finally looked back towards them, your lips pressing into a thin line as you ran through your plans in your head. Before you said anything else a different chocobo began to squawk as it neared your group. You turned your head in its direction. If you could just distract it.

“What’s wrong?”Cloud asked as he crouched on your left and leaned towards you to get a glimpse at what held your attention.

You blinked at him once, twice before you sighed. He was beginning to be able to read you, and you weren't sure how you felt about that. “Those ones there,” you pointed to the two that were scampering in your direction, “seem excited to see us, but we’re not likely to get close to Belle if they’re making a fuss.” You tucked in a breathe when you looked over at him. He was so close, the mako hue made his eyes shine like the sea, his scent invaded your nose. You blinked hard and turned back to the two.

“So only one of us goes then.” He stated rather than asked.

“You got it. However, we might as well befriend them. We need six of them after all. Plus it’ll keep them distracted.” You nearly whispered.

“Give us a job.” You never thought Cloud would follow your lead. He always seemed like he needed to be the one issuing commands, though you suppose at one time he probably had to follow someone’s order given hes a military man.

“Yeah!” Aerith happily agreed with Cloud. You nodded, having no trouble setting your plan into motion.

“Why don’t you three,” you gestured to Tifa, Red, and Cloud, “go give those guys some love. Barret can you stand guard here? It should keep them all from taking off, and Aerith come with me? I’ll have you throw rocks to distract the ones closer to Belle so they don’t see me.”

“You got it.” Tifa answered as she slowly stood from where she hunched over and put her hand on your shoulder briefly before she and Red carefully advanced towards the cluster of chocobos. Meanwhile Cloud gave you one last nod before following after them.

Barret shook his grafted arm in an arc motion, going so far as to aim at random targets to make a show of it. “They won’t get past me!”

You chuckled at his enthusiasm, and rolled your eyes before thanking him. You looked towards your partner. “Ready?”

“You bet!” She held up her hand in search of a high five knowing full well you'd never leave her hanging. With a satisfying ‘clap’ the two of you crouched back down, as low to the ground as feasible, and slowly snuck up against one of the mine carts. You paused there, leaning around the corner of the cart, and searched for the next nearest chocobo. You looked to the other side at Cloud’s group to make sure they succeeded in drawing attention of the other two.

You smiled to yourself at the sight. The only one the birds were interested in was Cloud, he even drew the attention of two more. Two in front of him and two more around his back and side invaded his space. They pressed their beaks into his torso to sniff at his uniform, one of them sniffing at his ear and hair. His arms were raised and pushing gently against them, but even his soldier strength couldn’t rival an eager chocobo. Tifa was doubled over herself and clutching her stomach as she laughed while Red sat next to them with the biggest toothy grin you've ever seen on his face, and tail wagging at a rapid pace.

“You like him!” One of Aerith’s finger jabbed at your cheek.

You recoiled at the accusation and fell back on your hands. Your eyes wide as they darted between Aerith’s as you accessed if she was joking or not. You scowled at her laughter your cheeks heating up in embarrassment. “Wha- no! It’s not like that!”

“Oh, please! I see the way you look at him!” Aerith brought both hands to her face and pointed at her eyes. “Do you think I’m blind? Every time you see him, your eyes get all dreamy.”

You huffed like a child. “You’re delusional.”

“You know I’m right!”

“How on Gaia- I haven’t even- I’ve only known him for a couple weeks! You know what-never mind.” You brows knit together in irritation as you stared blankly at the grass in front of you.

She sighed wistfully, “I knew the second I saw my first love.” You reluctantly looked at her again, her expression ‘dreamy’ and far away. She smiled softly, almost sad. He must’ve been quite the guy to have the most positive girl on the planet look so lonely. You almost asked, your lips parted and the question on the tip of your tongue yet the loud ‘kwehs’ that chirped from Cloud’s group carried your train of thought, and your eyes, away.

Your pulse beat violently in your throat, and your hands grew clammy. His eyes focused on you and not the chocobo head butting against his hip. Shit, do you?

He gave you a small nod, his way of saying they were good to go. You exhaled deeply through your nose. No use thinking about it now. “Come on,” You shook your head and focused on the task at hand. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Right.” She dragged the word out implying that you just wanted to avoid the conversation, but quickly shifted into work mode. “You want me here?”

You made sure to look closely at the terminal and showed her the correct lever to make the carts travel forward or backwards. “Yeah. When I give the signal, hit this lever.”

She nodded. “Got it.”

One last quiet high five and then you began moving slowly along the carts on all fours to balance yourself. The dried grass pricked at your knees caps, and tiny pebbles molded tiny indents in your flesh. Your grit your teeth and crawled through the mild stings until you finally reached the end of the line. At the last cart you shifted your weight onto your legs and carefully poked your head around the hard edge to get a look at the space on front of you. Just one more chocobo ahead then smooth sailing to Belle.

You looked back to Aerith and gave her a thumbs up, the signal you two had agreed on. A moment later the cart you were behind lurched forward and you crawled besides it as it followed the tracks. As you neared the next chocobo you slowly switched to the other side to stay out of its eyesight. The gentle munching lightened your heart and had you smiling to yourself. Oh how you loved chocobos. You kept at it for another minute, keeping in pace with it before the cart screeched to a stop just a few yards from the target.

Belle looked up at the cart and you sank to the ground so no part of your body could be seen. You waited there for one minute, then two. At the three minute mark you seriously started to sweat that she might not look away, and you'd have to improvise. Then, finally, she straightened out her neck with a sassy chirp and averted her sight towards the old rusty building that’s been long forgotten. You inched forward, slow and steady trying to avoid anything that made noise.

You counted down the feet between you and her. The anticipation grew within you, the rush of taming a new chocobo one of the very things that drew you in to training in the first place. You were so close, literal inches away, when you stepped on a rock and twisted your ankle. A pained hiss slipped from between your clenched teeth, and Belle shot upward and twisted around to look at you.

Her wide saucer eyes stared at your slumped figure with childlike curiosity. Her head slightly turned towards you and a low cluck of her beak had you mirroring her inquisitiveness. Deep blue eyes, much like your solider friend, darted between your own searching you for an malicious intent.

“Hey there, Belle.” You spoke softly yet with confidence to convey your conviction to her safety with an outstretched hand and tranquil demeanor. A mirthful giggle bubbled in your chest as the cool beauty took a step forward, then another until her smooth beak nuzzled into your palm. “You’re not scared at all, are you?” Your other hand came up and twisted gently through a few of her midnight feathers before she knelt and offered her neck to you to help you stand.

Her eager chirps buzzed in your ears as she rose to her full height, lifting you up along with her, and quickly circled into your torso nudging at your satchel for the delicious aroma that wafted through the leather.

“I didn’t need to sneak up on you at all did I?” You fished out one of the homemade treats from your choco proof pocket and offered it on the palm of your hand. “Or did the others scare you?” Belle kweh’ed eagerly in response. “It was Barret wasn’t it?” You laughed a little more, scrunching your nose in a faux disgust look. “I promise, he’s a big softie just outwardly rough.” You patted her neck twice with a firm touch. “We could use some help getting around the area. Are you up for an adventure?”

She jumped in excitement, before moving into a position that would allow you to climb easily onto her back. She hardly waited for you to be seated properly before sprinting out towards every other chocobo she traveled with, chirping directions to her fellow flock members.

By now your friends have also found a feather friend to care for except for Barret, which was no surprise to you, but when the last chocobo realized it was him or being left behind the bird lumbered over and leaned down to offer Barret a ride.

Now equipped with your latest companions, the six of you kissed the rusty building and creaking carts goodbye. Barret shouted out a loud and melodious victory cry, which had Cloud groaning weakly besides at Barrett’s silly antics. You laughed so hard you almost fell head first off of Belle, the other girls joining in. You really haven’t ever had this much fun in your life, and you really didn’t ever want it to end.

Da du du daa duhn duhn du da daaa!

*~*

It was well into the afternoon when you arrived at the wainwright’s residence after two treacherous mountain climb which Belle scaled with ease, and an insanely close rock slide.

You started having doubts about this master craftsman when you seen the state of the ‘house’ he was living in. The shack was built out of old discolored wood that was worn down, and for some reason he used rusted corrugated metal to reinforce what was left of the door instead of replacing the damaged entrance, but the icing on the cake was the person sized hole in the roof that he patched up with a tattered tarp. The only thing that was noteworthy here was the view of the Meridian Sea.

You truly lost hope when you met him. He had to he quickly the planet’s laziest business man. The sheer audacity this man had to turn you away because he wanted to keep sleeping in the middle of the day. How on Gaia has he managed to stay in business? There was a stack of orders a rulers length tall on his for Odin’s sake. You had to crack your knuckles to keep yourself from giving him a wake up call he’d never forget.

“Think a swift kick’d get him up?” Cloud scoffed the corner of his lips ticking up in a wry smile.

“I like the way you think.” You agreed as you placed your hands on you hips.

“How about some magic?” Aerith questioned, pulling out her staff and waving it about as if she was putting on a show. The man cracked one crinkled eye open catching a flash of her weapon and jerked violently to an upright position and the head of the bed.

“Scared me half to death!” He screamed waving his hands side to side rapidly. “Look, you wanna get my ass up? Then you bring me exactly what’s on that list, got it?” He waved his arm, after shooting you the finger, over to the desk you snooped through. Without another word or further explanation he rolled onto his side so his back faced you and returned to his lazy past time .

“Well?” Cloud leaned his weight on one side and brought his hand to his hip. He must be as annoyed with this as you are.

You plucked what looked like a crude map with a tiny list of materials off the top of the stack. You puckered your lips to the side for a moment as you looked through the list before tucking the paper into your back pocket. “I say we get his ass up.”

Everyone shuffled back outside, and saddled back up without a word, eager to get this over with as quick as possible. Until you actually started to travel when Barret started ranting about how much of an ass that guy was, and how he was completely unprofessional. “If you didn’t want to do the work, why the hell would take the orders?!”

After collecting the materials at the first location Tifa shared your sentiment on the matter. “A nap on the job can’t possibly be good for his image.” She said as she dusted her hands of against her high socks.

At the second location, even Aerith chimed in. “The guy’s a jerk. Business requires amazing customer service, and building connections! Like how i gave Cloud a flower on the house the first time we met, and look at me now! He comes to me for all his flower needs.” She joked, as she scratched the top of her chocobo’s head for a job well done.

The only one who didn't have anything to say even after locating and digging up the parts of the last place on the list was Cloud.

Your attention wandered to him as you made the trip back, your gaze studying him from behind as you stayed in formation. It was still difficult for you to get a read on him. He was almost always cool and collected, almost stoic. Though there were times where you got a glimpse of what lied beneath the act. He could be quite the smart ass, and arrogant. He was cocky though with his skills he earned a little bit of slack there, not that you’re one to talk. He acted aloof, but you've seen the gentleness, and kindness that dwells in the depths of his soul.

You were becoming fond of the tiny wrinkle that formed between his knit eyebrows, or the way the tiniest of smirks would appear on his face when he did something that looked cool. Ever the showman, you’d joke. You guided Belle forward to bridge the gap between him and the rest of you.

“Hey, Cloud?” A rumble emanated from his chest to let you know he was listening. “Sorry for this.” You grabbed his attention then. “I know you were in a rush.” Your hands gripped the leather reigns harder.

A singular golden ray of the now lowering sun painted his face in gentle yellows, the front spikes of his hair falling into his gorgeous smoldering eyes. Your eyes fell down to trace the lines of him lips as he spoke. “Don’t mention it. We’re even.”

You squeezed your eyes tight. “Well, thank you.”

You’re not at all surprised that the guy was snoring loud enough to rattle the walls when you returned. You were a tad worried his snores would shake the foundation apart, like a giant earthquake would. Half the group waited outside, Barret too worked up from the earlier conversation and Tifa to keep him calm- ahem- company, while you, Cloud, and Aerith went in. You quickly crossed the room with the burlap sack, you’ve used to haul the parts with, pulled taut over your shoulder. At the edge of the rickety bed you dropped the heavy bag on top of his stomach. “Special delivery!” Aerith called out the second you gave him the bag.

He folded on impact with a loud umpf, then lots of groaning before finally looking through the sack.“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!” He exclaimed. He shoved the stuff to the side as he swung his legs over the side of the bed frame. “Name’s Freddie. So what was it ya needed again?” You inhaled sharply. Maybe it was because it looked like you wanted to slap the life right out of him, or maybe it was just the planet’s way of tagging you out, but Cloud grabbed you by the arm before stepping in front of you.

“The parts for Gabe.” Cloud’s words were flat and his irritation rolled off him in lukewarm waves.

“Uh, yeah. You did mention that. This’ll just take a sec.” Freddie hopped off the mattress and sauntered over to his workbench in the corner. You rolled your eyes as he made a show of crafting each part. You paced around the small room impatiently looking at the random diagrams that were hung to the walls. You honed in on the faint melody that seized your concentration, eventually zeroing in the origins to Aerith, as she too waited with bated breath. The tune vaguely sounds like something you'd heard back in the slums, and gently tugged at your heart strings.

After thirty or so minutes he finally presented the promised commission. “Tell me she ain’t a beauty. Got a wheel, bed, and brace. Nobody makes ‘em like I do, and that’s no lie. Go on- take it.”

You tugged the part from his grip and carefully inspected the quality of the parts carefully as Aerith chatted the guy up. You didn't want to admit it, but they were pretty damn good. At least his product makes up for the lack of customer service, though if it were you, you’d take your business elsewhere. This guy wasn’t worth the hassle. You shuffled everything back into the burlap and stretched your arms to the ceiling. You exhaled a relieving breath as the pain in your muscles subsided from the prolonged stiffness over the course of the day. “We good to go?” You asked.

With a curt nod Cloud replied “Yeah.”

You didn’t waste time thanking or giving a goodbye to the wainwright. You just wanted to finish up and hopefully make it to Junon before nightfall. What you would give to sleep in an actual bed for the night.

*~*

It wasn't until the evening that you returned to the ranch. You beelined straight to the barns to help Calla with the remaining tasks, opting to trust Aerith and Cloud to deliver the parts to Gabe. Calla’s hard work exceeded your expectations and brought a toothy grin onto your face. It seemed that the little bit of affirmation you offered her was the key to bringing out her natural talents. You believed she has what it takes to own and care for her own ranch one day.

Each trough was scrubbed so clean your own reflection stared back at you. Fresh food, prepared to the perfect ratio, filled each one, and most of the chocobos were chowing down. The stalls were entirely emptied out, wiped clean, and replaced with fresh straw. The birds inside were swaying from side to side content that their bellies were finally full, and energy slowly returning to their bodies. On your way out to the paddock you scratched one of them lightly under the beak, a sense of purpose being relit within you as it eagerly chirped at you for more.

Outside you found Calla hunched over the two feet by 10 feet silver water container, her lanky form kneeling in the dirt and arms working furiously at the mineral build up on the bottom.

“Hey. Nice job!” You complimented, taking up a spot against the wooden planks of the fence, looking in on her from the outside.

Her smile said it all. Brilliantly bright as she beamed up at you as you swiped at the sweat beading at her hairline, unknowingly smearing a streak of algae across her temple. She set the wire scrub brush down, and pushed herself to a stand, brushing the harsh pebbles and dirt off her knees. “Thanks! You were right about that supplement. Chochi is usually really stubborn but one of those treats and he gobbled the feed right up!”

“Glad to hear it.” You scaled the side then hopped into the pen next to her. “Let’s get this moved.”

The two of you moved the sixty pound rectangle to the side of the barn under the overhang from the roof so it’s shadow would always cast its shadow over the box. She thanked you profusely for all of your help with hugs, a handshake, and even a few tears. She made you promise that if you ever needed any help to search for her. You ruffled her hair a bit, internally nostalgic at finding yourself in the mentors position for once, and thanked her, but ultimately telling her not to worry about you. She’d do anything to return the favor. You wished you had more time to get to know her full story, but promised one day you’d seek her out to see how she’s doing. With a heavy heart, and a few more tears on her end, you parted ways. Before you could continue your journey you needed to have a serious discussion with the man in charge.

When you rejoined your friends Gabe had just finished installing the new parts on the carriage. You gave Aerith another high five for a job well done before he cleared his throat in a pathetic cry for attention. Your nostrils flared angrily with the low breath you inhaled, a whiff of motor oil lingering on the breeze.

“Good as new. I gotta say, that old dog really outdid himself this time. Helluva job. Don’t think my carriage has ever looked even half this good!” He gave your a once over with a discreet flash of false superiority before dismissing you as he turned his attention back to Aerith. “‘Preciate it, kids. I can finally get the business back up and running again.”

“That’s great.” she said, “But before we head out, I just wanna ask one more thing. If we hadn’t showed up, would you have even tried to give your birds a better life?” You nodded with her question. Part of you was curious, or maybe hopeful, he had a suitable answer, but deep down you knew he didn’t. If there ever was a time to pull his shit together, it would’ve been when his chocobos livelihood had been jeopardized.

“Maybe.” Gabe shrugged, his lack of empathy and morality had you seething with a white hot rage.

“Not good enough.” you barked through grit teeth, hands clenching at your sides.

“I see, but I get it.” Your face morphing from angry to genuine bewilderment when Aerith’s words regarded him with honest understanding. What? “Shinra’s a big company- and what they say goes.” Your jaw loosened when you realized what she was doing. “I can’t blame you for being too scared to fight back.”

“Hey! I ain’t scared of those sons of bitches. Not one bit.” His rasp rising an octave in defense.

“Oh?” She asked, her voice laced in thick honeyed mockery as she caught him in her carefully spun web. “Then why did you shut down the business?”

“It’s like I told ya- my carriage broke- and getting the parts to fix it sounded like a real hassle, so. So there ya have it! I just… let it go.” The deep frown on your face slide up in a sly smirk. This is why you loved Aerith.

Despite his fumbling you still had a bone to pick. “So you’re birds aren’t worth the ‘hassle’?” The revulsion you harbored for this winkled leather bag seeping into your words. His posture grew rigid at being challenged, his jaw squaring with the effort to keep his mouth shut.

“How responsible…” Aerith sarcastically scolded.

“Okay, fine!” He screamed, his decibel making her flinch though she recovered quickly. “I shouldn’t’ve been so quick to throw in the towel! Ya happy? Starting today, I’m giving this job my all. I’ll stock up on parts so I can keep the carriage moving, and make sure my birds never get bored again.”

“You hear that?” Aerith addressed the distant chocobo near the carriage, before turning to you for confirmation. “Then the deal is sealed.” She shook Gabe’s hand.

With the job done each one of your companions broke off to stock up on anything they needed by the nearby store counter. Eventually it was just you and Gabe, the latter returning to a the carriage. He crouched down to inspect the wheel he had just replaced, the wrench in his hand tightening the jiggle of one of the bolts. You discreetly confirmed none of your friends were in earshot before you stalked over to him. You hovered above him, your voice lowering and taking on a sharp dangerous pitch you only used on rare the occasion you needed to intimate a selfish prick. “Aerith might believe you turned over a new leaf, but if I find out you quit on those birds again, I won’t be so forgiving next time.”

“Yeah? And who the hell asked you? Old Bill send you to scare me?” He huffed and threw the wrench onto the ground the metal clinking roughly against the dirt. “Guy nev’r could mind ‘is own business.”

You sank to his level to glaze straight through his uncaring eyes to the pit of his rotten soul. “I don’t work for Bill.” You spat. “I save chocobos, and the next time you throw in the towel and just let them suffer because it’s ‘a hassle’ will. be. your. last.” You seethed enunciated the consonants of the last three words very clearly before bouncing back up and on the balls of your heels and sauntered to the crumbling staircase only halting your descent when his slimy voice grated against your ear drums.

“Ya know, ‘ere’s this rumor about a jockey could read a bird ‘n get it ta do whateva she wanted. Choco Whisperer they called ‘er” He paused to pick the wrench back up and to continue to fiddle with the bolt. “Guess she was somethin’ real pretty, the jockey that is. Everyone wanted ‘er. Turns out she was sponsored by Choco Sam himself!” The blood in your veins ran down cold. “Gotta wonder how she got his attention, eh?” A sickly cackle had you turning back at him. His implication both horrifying you, and lighting a match to your unrivaled temper. “Guess it don’t matter though. Went missin’. Nobody knew why. Though people say its cause she almost killed ‘nother jockey.”

You gritted your teeth and swallowed your fury. It wouldn’t help anyone if you lost it here. “Your point?”

His prying eyes scanned your body, leaving you feeling dirty and uncomfortable. “Well that was round the time Ol’ Bill hired you, wasn’t it?” A smug toothy grin stretched across his face like he caught you red handed.

Your face didn’t betray the faux confidence as you held his challenging stare, though internally a frantic claw worked through your chest and settled in the pit of you guy. “Must be a coincidence.” You left then. You spent the last four year visiting ranches, and leave it to this bonehead to connect you to the harsh past of your jockeying days. You walked at a brisk pace away from him as the distance between you would rewrite your actions that night.

You tried so hard to leave your unique talents behind when you left the slums, but that night four years ago, the underlying atrocity in you surged. You didn’t regret it, not in the slightest, and you’d do it again if it meant keeping that poor girl, or anybody, safe.

It didn’t happen like he was implying, and thanks to the security cameras in the gilded stall room saved your reputation.

You had stumbled into the stable to check on the chocobo you had raced an hour prior, it was an intense obstacle course and you were worried about a prolonged fatigue might effect your partner, only to find the one jockey you couldn't stand already within. You thought nothing of it at first. You tried to avoid him when possible. You had heard rumors he couldn't keep his hands to himself, and while the other women might not, or couldn't, fight him off you would never let anyone touch you like that again. Not ever. So you were brushing your bird when an unsettling ruffling of clothing caught your attention. As you strained your ears to assess what was going on you realized he wasn't alone. You still hear her cries as she pleaded with him to stop like yesterday. The dark creeping fingers still echoed across your skin as you watched her try to push him off, but she was frail and he was far too strong. Hells, he was twice your size.

There was no way on Gaia you were just going to watch him take advantage of her. So you took care of him. You applied extreme force to his joints, and pressure points before he even turned around. He crumpled to the floor in complete sobs, but you didn't stop there. You crushed his femur, and the hand that he had snaked under the woman’s blouse. He was far from death when you left him, but you later found out from Sam that you had damaged the ligaments in his arms and he needed emergency surgery to save his leg.

You turned yourself in immediately, completely mortified with yourself, however even though you were protecting someone you were no longer permitted to jockey. The saucer had made an exception that aloud you to remain employed, but only to train and care for the chocobos. Which you still do from time to time, but you make sure you never stay for too long. He was completely disqualified ever work at the saucer again. The last you heard, he had recover and took up a residence in the Dustbowl and make a living betting on the races.

Suddenly your arm collided with a solid wall of muscle, your eyes snapping up to the swirling mako pools peering down at you. His scrutiny was unclear, and stormy in a whirlwind you haven’t seen in them before, though you hadn't had the energy to decipher their meaning. The only thing repeating in your head was the fear that he overheard what Gabe had said.

“Y/n, you alright?” His timbre was smooth and calm that soothed the overwhelming emotion bubbling beneath your skin.

You swallowed the thick lump that had formed in your throat. “Uh… yeah. I’m fine. Sorry. Lost in thought.”

Cloud hesitantly stepped backwards to give you more space. “Alright.” His hand hovered in the air, the concern in his eyes trying to convey something to you that his lips couldn't speak. You gave him a tight lipped smile before you staggered away to stock up on your own supplies.

Cloud looked back at Gabe with hardened eyes, a compelling since of protection urging him to take action. He only wished he knew what the right action was. He’d spent the past sixteen days trying his best not to notice you, but he’s done the exact opposite. He quickly realized you were quick to act, your reflexes like lightning, before he’d even seen you in action. You ability to perceive danger and avoid any harm was a skill he so rarely seen in others, and the way you moved in combat was like art. Your body swaying between fiends, only leaving death in your wake, was like the perfected ballet of Loveless- he’d reluctantly seen when he had first enlisted at Shinra. To see you fogged over and dazed was unsettling. You looked so empty like a night without stars, and felt just as cold as the northern continent, that he nearly followed after you. To do what, he didn't know but when he looked into your glassy far off eyes, his heart clenched like someone had ripped into his chest and squeezed.

SQUARE ENIX Deslumbra a los Fanáticos con el Mundo de Grasslands y Más” Durante el Tokyo Game Show 2023, los aficionados de FINAL FANTASY™ VII REBIRTH tuvieron un emocionante vistazo a la vasta región “Grasslands”, una exuberante tierra rica en Mako. Esta región, que ha cautivado la imaginación de los jugadores, fue el foco principal de la transmisión de SQUARE ENIX, que duró casi 30 minutos. El…