5th Mission [Dream]

[tasercopter]

[It's a wonderful day in the dystopian, post-apocalyptic city of Edge. The sun is shining, and the extensive damage caused by monster attacks has all been repaired, the debris cleared away. In the distance, the hulking, toxic ruins of what was once the great metropolis of Midgar look almost poignant rather than depressing

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[brands]

[Oh my god.

It is remarkably unfortunate for Reno that Fang has wandered in as one of the audience members for this beautiful event. She'd got the sense that Red was a thug, not some soppy romantic.

Well, might as well enjoy it. Making fun of her, that is, not the wedding. She begins to clap, slowly, but loud enough to be heard.]

Well, ain't this just beautiful! Brings a tear to my eye.

[tasercopter]

[No, she's not a soppy romantic! She's a complete and total thug. This is some kind of frame-up job. It's the Queen's fault. Planting things in her head.

Reno turns at the sound of the unexpected voice, startled out of her eye-gazing reverie. She's surprised to see Fang there. Wait, what's going on?]

Yeah, well-- [Think fast, Reno.] No, it isn't. [She snorts.]

Friend of yours, Reno? [Rufus clearly doesn't appreciate the interruption.]

[brands]

Good comeback, Red.

[Fang glances over to the guy in the white suit. Looks like a stiff to her.] Yeah, we're great friends. A couple of regular bosom buddies. I'm here to congratulate the happy couple.

[tasercopter]

You're not supposed to be here. I didn't invite you. I don't see why I gotta come up with comebacks in-- [The middle of my wedding, she was about to say, but she breaks off.]

Whatever this is. [What is even happening? Reno drops dream-Kitty's hands, as dream-Kitty looks on, her eyes widening.] We're not a happy couple.

[Rufus doesn't seem impressed by either Fang or Reno.] Can you please finish your business so we can get on with this?

Yes, sir--I mean-- When I'm ready.

[brands]

Maybe your wife-to-be invited me. [She didn't of course, and Fang isn't even sure who she is, but like hell she's passing up this opportunity. She glances over to Claire.] Hey now, don't stop holding her hands. You'll hurt her feelings.

[Fang flashes Rufus a grin. And a wink.] We'll be done in two shakes, sir. You know how it is.

[tasercopter]

Kitty wouldn't invite you to our wedding. [Not like Reno keeps tabs on her or anything. But wait--what did she just say? She's never getting married!

As her mind rebels against the idea, there's a subtle shift in the dream. The perfect blue sky takes on a faint reddish cast. The helicopter flies away, but at the same time, the wind picks up.]

Don't tell me what to do. I could have you thrown out. No, maybe I'll throw you out myself. [Suddenly, her Electro-Mag Rod is in her hands.]

Are you honestly going to start a brawl in the middle of your wedding? Why am I not surprised?

[brands]

Kitty, huh? That some kind of nickname? [Fang grins, delighted at the prospect of a fight. It's been a while. She notices the sky change though, the shift, and her flippant lack of concern only serves to cover up her growing unease. Something's not right here. Why is she at a wedding anyway, let alone this clown's?]

Hold on a second. Much as I'd like a fight, don't you think this is a bit off?

[tasercopter]

[Reno doesn't answer the question about Kitty. She starts toward Fang, but stops when she asks her second question. She twirls her rod around in a showy fashion, as if to show that she is more than prepared for a fight, then lowers it to consider what Fang said. She's got a point.]

Yeah. For one thing, I'm never getting married, and for another, I wouldn't invite you to anything. Except as a joke.

[The sky's red cast seems to be deepening steadily. Reno notices, as the wedding scene grows eerily quiet. She glances up with a frown.]

[brands]

This little romantic scene's singin' a different tune than you are. Maybe you do want to get married. [She's paying attention to that sky, and frowns.] And I wouldn't come to anything you invited me to.

[tasercopter]

Nah. It's the Queen, messin with my head. [She's still somewhat caught up in the dream. She's not exactly aware that this is one, but her memories of the Gardens are returning.]

You'd be missing out. I throw a great party. Nothing like this lame shit.

[As Reno denies her wedding, the buildings on either side of them shift, growing taller, darker. They're still standing in a city square, but it's a different city: larger and more bustling. Lights flash and signs glow, advertising various products and theatrical productions, not to mention the Shinra corporate media conglomerate. Frowning at the sudden change, Reno looks up.] Aw, fuck.

[The source of the red light is apparent now: there's a meteor burning in the sky, like a low moon.]

[brands]

[The new crowd doesn't seem to register to Fang, or Reno's banter. She's staring at the Meteor. It reminds her of Cocoon, that looming, oppressive shadow over Gran Pulse.]

I got a feeling there's not gonna be much partying at all, when that thing hits land. Where the hell did it come from?

[tasercopter]

You know where. That fucking bitch. [There's real, venomous hatred in her voice as the sky grows steadily redder.] Wants to kill us all.

Fuck. Let's go find the president. [To her, Fang's now just one of those people you don't know in dreams but are inexplicably teamed up with. She starts out at a jog toward the Shinra Building, expecting the other woman to follow.]

[brands]

Who? [Fang's thrown at this sudden shift in mood, and it makes her tense. She doesn't move just yet, just carefully observes Reno as if she's a wild and particularly dangerous animal.] You doin' all right there, Red? Hit your head on something?