Finishing his beer, the pilot fell into contemplation, his mind seemingly elsewhere.

Someone who meant a lot to him, huh? Aside from Shera, there were only two other people he could think of that meant a lot to him.

"Hey, now, I didn't hear you complaining when you needed a lift on my Bronco!" In fact, Cloud and the others practically 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥 him for a ride on his old plane... before it went down and had to be used as a boat to get them to their destination, that was.

// Took some thought, and Cid's new ship is named Ifalna.

"Ain't she just the most beautiful goddamn thing you've ever seen?" Cid beamed proudly. "Ifalna, my latest model!"

He had named it after Aerith's mother as a way to honor both of them.

"Vince, buddy, remind me if we ever do decide to adopt, never to come to you for advice..." Cid said, reaching out to touch Vincent on the shoulder before giving it a pat. He was terrible with names.

Letting his arm fall away, he sighed. "Back to the drawing board, I guess."

"The only person like that is Shera, but Shera 2.0 doesn't have a ring to it."

After giving the weapon a once over, Cid nodded and grinned. "Don't worry 'bout it. I know just the person for the job! Anything else I can get ya? A cup of tea, perhaps? Shera made a new batch just a couple minutes ago."

"Well, I'll be goddamned... Haven't seen this in ages." Taking the staff from Tamara, Cid let out a fond whistle.

It brought back memories, memories he hadn't forgotten but tucked away in order to move on past the pain of her loss.

"Sure thing, kiddo... Anything specific you're lookin' for?"

"Name it." Cid replied, without hesitation.

Whatever she needed, she only had to ask.

"Why the hell would I mind!? Been a while since I've seen that lovely face of yours!" The pilot grinned, clearly happy to see his friend and comrade again after such a long time apart.

// Haven't any idea what to name Cid's newest ship tbh

Shiva? Shalua? Ehhh, they all suck twt

"Gah! Thanks to Yuffie, now I got this image of Vince banging his head every time he wakes up in that coffin of his!"

Damn ninja.

"Hey, there, Tamara! What can I do ya for?"

"Shit." Cid cursed. "Does everybody an' their mother know?" He thought he had kept it a secret.

Guess not.

"Haven't a damn clue, to be honest... I've been rackin' my brain for a name, but none seem good enough for my new bird."

"Damn, I'm tired..."

// Yuffie, Zack, too. I dunno why.

// They changed stuff in the remake twt

Like Yuffie's voice WTF and some other things.

// OG CC! It's the best. Also, Ayaka's "Why" is 😭

Cid gave Vincent a grin and accepted the food, taking a deviled egg from its surface.

"Much obliged."

"Well, it's a good thing he has you then, eh buddy?" Vincent was known for his stern and upright nature, but he also was kind-hearted in his own reserved way, something that husband of his could definitely benefit from.

He looked forward to meeting him when the time was right.

"Guess he's walkin'."

"𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘰."

Speaking of Cloud and the others...

"So, you walkin' or will you be needin' my bird?"

"You can tell her yourself once you get your ass back to Rocket Town." The pilot said with a cheeky grin. Much as he was fond of the guy, he couldn't do everything for him.

Some things, Vince had to do on his own. Like go visit those friends of theirs.

// x_x

"Oh, y'know, keepin' busy. Shera said to tell you she says hi if I ever see ya again. As for the others... Why don't you drop by and go see for yourself? I'm sure everyone will be thrilled to see ya again."

—a party during their journey to stop Sephiroth and save the planet, Vincent would always disappear. Then like some miserable stray cat, he would saunter right back.

G*ddamn Vincent.

"Still haven't cured that social anxiety of yours, have ya?" Cid replied without missing a beat.

Well, can't say that he was surprised. The man never was fond of large groups, and crowds were even worse. He could still recall how, years ago, every time they had gone somewhere as—

「 @crimsonwinds.bsky.social

"Well, I'll be damned! Vincent! Haven't seen you in ages. How've ya been?"

// I just realized Cid and Yuffie have the same pinned

*scratches head*

Well, that's awkward...