Aeris yawned as she slid another census binder back into its slot in the city archives. Genesis Rhapsodos had been really nice about giving her all the information he found on her and Tifa's house. The newspaper clippings were pretty cool, but she wanted more.

She and Tifa had both come from out of town. They met by chance and agreed to help each other buy a house. They thought they had been lucky to find such a nice big house for so cheap. There was room for Aeris to make an art studio and Tifa to have her kickboxing/exercise room. It was beautiful too.

No one said anything about it being haunted.

But even after the confirmation from the best paranormal group this side of the country…Aeris was still rather enchanted by the place. Big windows, sort of an elegant Victorian feel, even a few "secret passages" for the few servants to use so as not to disturb the residents. She had joint-custody of a lovely piece of history; it even had a dramatic and tragic backstory to it. Forbidden love and foul play…dare she say it?

She was getting attached to her ghosts.

Tifa played along. Hell she seemed a bit curious too, but didn't seem nearly as obsessed as Aeris felt. Aeris wanted to know what had happened, she wanted to know about Zack and Cloud.

"We're closing in an hour, dear," the archive worker said as she passed by, "are you sure you don't need help?" Aeris sighed.

"I'm starting to give in," She admitted, "I know the year…I just can't find the right name."

"What are you looking for?" the elder woman said. Her face seemed worn, but there was a vibrancy in her eyes. Her nametag read Elmyra.

"Well…it's a murder mystery," Aeris said, "A friend and I bought that old house on 32nd and Harney. The old Fair Mansion." Elmyra's smile faded, then grew brighter.

"I know the one," she said, "In fact…I may have a bit of an interest in it myself. I actually pulled all the documents on it and had them copied. I can show you if you'd like."

Aeris found herself a bit entranced by the tale Elmyra wove. She knew this history back to front. She even had her own theories on it.

"I could write a book about it," Elmyra admitted, "I just change my mind about who done it every few months or so. Maybe I'll get some closure when the Fair estate opens and releases whatever else they have on this. I'd love to get my hands on the Father's journal or whatever. I hope he kept one."

"I'd totally buy it," Aeris said.

"It was the eldest son of Mr. Cornelius Fair that died," Elmyra started, "Zackary Fair. He was a handsome one and set to inherit everything from the family. He had a whole happy, wealthy life in front of him.

"My grandmother was actually a little girl when it happened. She said he had been quite popular with all the ladies in the town. People talked about how he never seemed ready to settle down with a nice girl. It all became clear once the letters came out…and…when they found the two of them." Elmyra paused sadly. She took out an old photograph, a photocopy, of a handsome young man, with black hair tied behind his head. His face looked stern, but there was mischief, and a familiar one at that, in his eyes.

"I'm afraid I don't have anything on the servant boy," Elmyra continued, "the poor thing. I feel the worst for him. Zack started leaving letters for him when he was about twenty. Lovely things, they were." Elmyra pulled out a few more copies and handed them to Aeris. She started skimming through them.

"I'm not too sure how long it took before they started…I guess it was dating. Zack would leave him a time and place and the servant boy would come meet him. They'd talk and walk, and eventually started kissing and the like. I don't know if Zack's parents knew about the affair. Zabina, Zackary's mother, was pregnant with a surprise second child. I'm sure they had enough stress without Zack carrying on with an illicit love affair.

"And then it wasn't an affair," Elmyra said, "she pulled out another letter copy, she fingered it carefully, almost lovingly, "Zack intended to marry this boy, etiquette and class be damned." Aeris took the letter offered to her.

…Only say the word, and I will be yours. It will take time, but I will wait, so long as my love is returned. You and I are meant for each other. If you see fit…I will propose…

"And then…poof," Elmyra said, "they were gone. There was one more letter…but I refuse to believe Zack wrote this." Elmyra cleared her throat.

"Meet me in the wine cellar. 11 o'clock. Wear your finest clothes and pack all your things," Elmyra read it out loud, then shook her head. "It wasn't signed, which Zack did to every other letter. Nor did he use any terms of endearment. Everyone believed Zack and the servant had run off and gotten married because of this letter. Sadly, it wasn't true.

"A year later, when little Zinia Fair had been born…they found them. Mr. Fair was planning to make that cellar a little deeper…and the workers found the coffin." Elmyra paused again to pull out the newspaper clippings and a small scrapbook.

"I had taken my spare time to transcribe the detective's notes years ago," Elmyra said, "Ghastly thing. The poor boys were simply stuffed in there. The servant had terribly bloody holes in what was left of his clothes and Zack's head…cracked.

"They thought the two had killed each other and the family buried them to hush it up at first. Stupid idea, why would the family renovate the cellar? They had all sorts of theories, but right now I believe two.

"One: Zack's father killed them. It would have been an embarrassment had Zack married this servant boy," Elmyra said, "Mr. Fair was a broken man after they found his son's remains. It could be a sign of guilt, and digging up his son and bringing the whole thing to light…but more and more I believe it was just grief. Before he could believe Zack was alive, but after…he doted on Zinia after that. Broke all sorts of codes by letting that girl inherit everything, and not her husband. I think he did right by that.

"Two another woman. Plenty of women had their eye on Zack as a potential husband. Jealousy is as good a motive as any. I do believe one thing about how those boys died. The servant was lured to the cellar with that letter. The killer wrote it. The servant was stabbed. Then Zack came down. Perhaps there was an argument, or a fight, but Zack was clubbed on the head and died instantly. The killer only planned for one death, panicked and shoved them both in the same box and grave and buried them. He or she never planned on them being found ever again."

Aeris looked sadly at the letter she was reading.

…Our walk last night was not long enough. I must see you again tonight, my little sunflower. I know you laugh at these names, but I will find one that pleases you…

"A morbid story, I know," Elmyra said, "but…reading these letters…I can't help but feel that their love lives on." Aeris looked at the clock and realized the time.

"Oh I've kept you long after closing," she said, "I'm so sorry." Elmyra smiled and waved it off.

"I get so caught up in the tale," she said, "I hardly noticed. Please, feel free to come back if you want to hear me rattle on more."

"I was wondering…could I…" Aeris trailed off.

"Take the letter copies," Elmyra said, "I trust you. Besides, we have them around here somewhere. I can make some more."

"Thank you," Aeris said, "thank you so very much."

Aeris sighed over her morning coffee. This one was her favorite letter. She just loved the teasing tone in Zack's words.

…I once again sincerely apologize, golden beloved, for insinuating that your hair gains the appearance of a Chocobo crest as the day progresses. You are so full of sharp edges, love. I am pleased to have the honor of knowing–and upon occasion feeling–your softer side.

Signed with the deepest affections from your dearly devoted Sir Hedgehog.

Aeris smiled at the playful banter the two had already seemed to develop. And this was dated almost a year before Zack admitted he would marry Cloud if asked.

"Sighing doesn't get your final project done," Tifa noted, scaring Aeris in the process.

"I'll get it," Aeris grumbled, "It's just a painting. I have months to do it. Months!" Tifa just took a long swig from her water bottle.

"I still don't get why you're so interested in those guys," Tifa said, "I mean…we know their story. While not just let them be in peace."

"Because I want them to like us," Aeris said, "sometimes…I dunno…I just feel like I'm being watched, but not in the creepy way. Like…they worry about us, y'know?" Tifa just shrugged.

"I want to know who they were," Aeris said, "both of them. I just knownothing about Cloud the servant."

"You could always try the museum," Tifa said, "They have some info on the servants of the house. There's at least once picture of them."

"…Do you feel like going to the museum?" Aeris asked.

It took what felt like forever to find the pictures. Tifa kept pausing now and then to look at some of the circus exhibit the museum was promoting. She even tried out the strong man barbells…and succeeded.

"Okay, the museum isn't so lame," Tifa said, since her ego had been stroked. Aeris just laughed at her.

Aeris stared at the men and women lined up in front of a newer version of their house. They all wore somber expressions, and Aeris couldn't say she blamed them. Their labor made their employer's lifestyle so idyllic. Of course there would be a bit of bitterness in there.

It was a damn shame the picture was so small. Aeris had to lean in close to even make out distinguishing features.

Then she saw him and words from the letter popped into her head.

…hair…of a Chocobo's crest…

"It's him," she said, "I know it."

"Hmm?" Tifa said. Aeris pointed to the blonde. God he looked so young…

"That's the other boy," Aeris said, "I know it. Zack described his hair in one of the letters."

"Hmmm," Tifa hummed, now looking at the caption, "Aha! Cloud Strife, age 17."

"What?"

"I think I counted right," Tifa said, "Yeah, Cloud Strife. Matches that voice recording the guys caught."

"Cloud…" Aeris said sadly, "They found you here…but couldn't name you in any of the papers."

"Poor kid," Tifa agreed, "nothing, but census fodder."

"Except to Zack," Aeris said, perking up a little.

"Okay, now I'm seeing why you like this story so much."

Aeris hopped down the steps as the doorbell rang. She felt chipper today. She felt it was Zack's influence. Zack seemed like he was a person who wanted to just be upbeat all the time…at least that's what she felt in his letters.

She opened the door after seeing Elmyra from the archives on her porch.

"Oh thank you so much for coming," she said, "I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

"None at all," Elmyra said, "I…I kind of wanted to see what the inside looks like. I mean I've been in once. They made it a haunted house…but it just felt too disrespectful."

"Then please come in," Aeris said, "If it begins to thank you for helping me-"

"I couldn't intrude," Elmyra said.

"No, I was just about to make some tea," Aeris said, "I can give you a tour while it brews."

Elmyra finally let herself be ushered in. She knew the basic layout from plans the in the archive and Aeris found that she enjoyed finding out what everything used to be.

"This staircase is still so lovely," Elmyra said as they went upstairs.

"I know the old bedrooms are up there," Aeris said, "Tifa claimed the master bedroom as a workout room and that's at the end of the hall."

"I think…this was Zack's bedroom," Elmyra said, stopping in front of a door. Aeris paused too.

It was her room.

Elmyra shook herself as the teapot began to whistle. The made their way back to the kitchen.

"I did get that photograph of Zack copied for you," Elmyra said, "But I don't think I can get that servants photo enlarged without it getting fuzzy."

"That's alright," Aeris said, "I can just make some executive guessing."

"Do you mind if I ask why you wanted these?"

"It's kind of silly," Aeris admitted, "We did have some…paranormal activity here when we first moved in, but it's calmed down. I guess I've kinda gotten attached to our two ghosts since then. I…I'm painting them a portrait, or trying to. It's such a sad story. Zack and Cloud deserve a little happily ever after."

"Cloud…" Elmyra said, "you found his name?"

"I think that's who he is," Aeris said, "I don't know. The name just…fits."

"I think you're right," Elmyra said.

"It does look…wow," Tifa said.

"Is that a good wow or a bad wow?" Aeris asked.

"A very, very good wow."

Aeris's final product of Zack and Cloud's portrait was still drying on it's easel, but Aeris had to show someone.

"This might be the sweetest thing I've ever seen," Tifa said, "How did you even know?"

"I had to guess on some parts," Aeris said, "In the letters, Zack says Cloud is blonde with blue eyes and…well I might have gone overboard on his hair. There are some things I guessed about, like Zack's dimples and how his hair looks untied…" She trailed off when she realized she was rambling.

"I hope they like it," she whispered.

"Our ghosts or your professors?"

"Both," Aeris said. Tifa snorted.

"Well I like it," Tifa said, "so they can go fuck themselves." Aeris smacked Tifa on her bicep.

"Fine. Cloud and Zack can fuck each other, your professors can fuck themselves."

"Tifa," Aeris said, blushing.

"Frame this," Tifa said, "I want to keep it in here. I really think Zack and Cloud will like this. Their little head tilt so they're touching foreheads…this is my favorite Aer. Fave."