Il Sogno di Gallegiamento- FF7

Il Sogno di Galleggiamento
Part I

The night was oppressively humid, and the many canals of Venice were lined with ladies fanning themselves in the heat. Their corseted bodies sweating just as badly as any paupers in the poor quarters. Cloud walked through them, relieving them of their purses as he stopped to flirt. It was easy game, and they would be distracted by his serious tone and false-shyness enough that he probably could have stolen their petticoats without them noticing.

It helped that he was dressed as a respectable gentleman. He was sweating under the wig he'd been forced to wear, but no one seemed to care. He applied a little more powder to his face in an attempt to look like he cared about his appearance before his eyes drifted to the boat that he was attempting to weave his way towards.

His target was the man on the boat. He had long silver hair tied back in a plait down his back and a mask covering the top half of his face. He sat on the throne in the centre of the boat, watching the party disinterestedly, his legs crossed and his chin in his hands. He was Conte Sephiroth, one of the most powerful men in Venice.

Cloud saw that Zack had managed to get himself distracted by the buffet already. Truly, the decadence of Venice rubbed off on Zack all too easily. He was happily being fed by the serving girl, swilling it down with more wine that Cloud had agreed he could have. The other's make-up was coming off, revealing his common tanned skin underneath. Cloud sighed and decided if Zack got found out he'd deny all knowledge of him.

"Oh, excuse me sir," a girl said as she bumped into him. He bowed to her silently. She turned pink, her beautiful dark eyes obviously only just taking in his appearance. He noticed that she had rather large... assets... that were tightly bound into a corset. He also noticed that she wore the crest of an influential family on her kerchief, which was hanging in her hand where she'd been dabbing sweat from her chest.

"Cresenzo De Luca," Cloud introduced himself with his rich man alias. The girl blushed.

"Signore, it is hardly appropriate for us to be introduced this way! I should have someone known to me do it!" she protested, fanning herself with bright eyes. Cloud nodded and bowed to her.

"I suggest you find a man who could introduce us in the proper manner than," he suggested. The girl nodded and, as planned, her eyes turned to the boat where the important guests were. She began to walk, Cloud following behind her at such a way that it made it at least seem somewhat proper. He boarded the boat in time to hear her asking her father to introduce her to the 'charming signore who all the ladies were saying was a rich countryman'.

Cloud took his opportunity to check out the structure of the boat. It seemed pretty stable for all intents and purposes, but also it only had one way to get below deck meaning anything stolen would have to be done covertly and someone would need to check the entrance.

"Signore."

He turned, seeing the girl's father flanked by his target. Both were wearing masks and Cloud felt suddenly underdressed without one. He bowed deeply.

"Sindaco Lockhart," he said, addressing the mayor with the respect he deserved. The mayor seemed happy to be recognised and he offered his own jovial little wave. He was honestly a nice man, if a bit misguided at times.

"I am Cresenzo De Luca, from Florence," he said straightening a little. "I had the fortune to bump into your daughter but propriety insisted that we should not be introduced by coincidence alone."

"You have a sweet tongue, Signore De Luca," the Mayor said, chuckling. The Conte said nothing, green eyes boring into Cloud's.

"I present Sindaco Lockhart's daughter, Signorina Tifa," the Conte said, gesturing to the girl. Cloud kissed her hand but it was not the mayor's daughter that was making his pulse race. He was certain that this man knew of his plan, had seen though him straight away.

"And now we are proper," the mayor said, cheerfully, putting his arm around his daughter's waist. "And we must leave. I believe the Conte had some business with Signore De Luca."

Cloud began to panic, wondering what on earth the Conte could want to do with him. He tried to control his emotions, hoping that the other would think his sweating was just a reaction to the heat and not abject panic.

"Conte... I am not sure what you wish from me. I am hardly a man of notice within Venice," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. The Conte said nothing for a long moment.

"The Signore Zachary has been drinking my best wine all night, and he has convinced one of my serving girls, a Signorina Aeris, to run away with him. I wish for him to leave my party and believe him to have come with you," the Conte said, gazing onto the shore. Cloud sighed in relief. It was just Zack getting into trouble.

"He certainly has been the life of the party so far, Conte. I will put the word about that it would be best for someone to escort him back to the rooms he has rented," he said. Sephiroth turned to him, jewelled mask gleaming in the torchlight.

"When you have done so, please return to my boat, Signore. It has been a while since I have had someone from outside Venice attend one of my parties," the Conte said. Cloud just blinked stupidly. "And have someone get you a mask, Signore."