The apartment block was one of the nicer ones, as far as this end of the market went. The walls were in good repair, the neighbours civilised and not a vermin had been seen in the place for at least two years.

The apartment had gone up market when the place was bought by Mr Highwind. Everyone agreed that he was the best thing to happen to the district, even if he was a bit rough and tumble. He cleaned up the building, and the inhabitants, and managed the place unlike the previous landlord.

Cid Highwind was the only child of only children. No one knew much about him, not that he tried to be secretive. He was about as open and honest as they came, though a little abrupt at times.

It was the humble opinion of Ms Lockhart, who lived in 2A, that he was a bit odd. At thirty two there wasn't a girlfriend in sight, nor was there any sign that he was planning on finding one.

It was also her opinion that Mr Hojo, the prospective resident of 2C, was more than a little odd, and not in a particularly nice manner. But, Mr Highwind seemed happy enough with the new resident, and everyone trusted Mr Highwind, he was a practical sort.

0

"Well, rent's due every second Friday, but if yer havin' troubles drop me a line and we'll see if we can sort something out." Cid put down his end of the couch and nodded slightly. "No repaintin', change the curtains if yer want, no loud noises after midnight, Saturday and Friday exempted." He scratched his head and pulled a cigarette from behind one ear and spun it in his fingers. "No smokin' in the halls, what yer do in here is yer business. No drugs, blanket rule, no shootin' pornos and no criminal stuff."

Simon Hojo nodded and pushed his glasses up his nose again. "Certainly, Mr Highwind. That all sounds quite reasonable. I, ah, have some experiments, harmless things, you understand. Those are fine?"

Cid shrugged. "No noise, no chemical explosions, no criminal activities. So long as yer stickin' ter that, sure."

Mr Hojo nodded again, long hands wrapping around each other. "Yes, yes, Mr Highwind. I can assure you that I have a clean record."

Cid nodded, though he only just managed to suppress the shiver that tried to run down his spine. "Right, well, you get your deposit when you move out. I'll be seeing you in a fortnight."

He hurried out, closing the door behind him. He moved to his own flat, on the top floor, and lit up his cigarette with a deep sigh. Something about that man just was not right.

0

The first two weeks passed easily. Cid collected the rent on Friday, he was a little dubious about the strange smells, but no one seemed to mind it, so he didn't bother to mention it.

The next couple of weeks passed by. Hojo settled in, all his neighbours remarked on how quiet and unobtrusive he was. Mr Wallace of 1B found him to be very helpful when Cid wasn't available. Kind Mr Hojo agreed to help his one armed neighbour put up a partition in his daughter's room.

Mr Strife and his friend remarked to Cid about how nice Mr Hojo was to them. He often enquired on their health and wellbeing, even if they only saw each other in the hallway.

Ms Lockhart remained a little reserved, but even she had to comment on how kind he was. She was, however, still concerned about the odd little noises she heard on occasion at night.

Still, a month passed, followed by another, and there was really nothing that you could fault Mr Hojo on. Even Cid himself had to admit that his concern seemed to be irrational.

0

It was the sixth rent collection that was slightly different. Cid had been around the first floor and had been past Ms Lockhart and Ms Gainsborough, neither of whom was home at the time. He knocked on the door, surprised that no one answered. He was sure he could hear someone in there.

He knocked again, louder, tugging off one work glove to rap clearer. "Mr Hojo? Mr Hojo, it's Cid."

No answer came. Concerned, he pulled out his keys, flicking through them to find 2C. He was about to push the key into the lock when the door opened to reveal Mr Hojo in a bathrobe. He smiled apologetically. "Sorry, didn't realise you were in the shower."

Mr Hojo shook his head and opened the door, gesturing Cid inside. "Please, come in. I'll go get the rent."

Cid stepped in, almost reluctant to let the door swing shut behind him. He looked around the apartment, it certainly seemed little different, but there was a dark atmosphere that Cid wasn't sure he entirely liked.

Mr Hojo disappeared into the bedroom, and he could hear the noise of rummaging through the drawers. The door opened and Cid found himself turning to look.

His eyes caught something. Long white back, perfectly sculptured shoulders and dark tresses cascading around them. Hojo shut the door, snapping Cid's attention back to reality.

"Mr Highwind? Are you quite alright?"

"I... who was that? That woman?"

Hojo's face darkened slightly. "Woman?"

"With the black hair. I saw her in the bedroom."

"Oh." He coloured slightly. "That's my girlfriend. She's very timid, she doesn't like strangers. Should I have mentioned her earlier?"

Cid shook his head with a wry grin. "No, never mind. It doesn't change anything." He tried to hold the smile a bit longer. "That the rent?"

The money was pressed into his hand and Hojo glanced back to the bedroom. "If you'll excuse me, Mr Highwind, I have pressing matters."

Cid nodded and showed himself out.

0

A few long weeks passed. Cid found that his thoughts were being haunted by the vision he had seen in room 2C. He tried to picture the face that went with that beautiful form, soft lines and graceful curves accentuated by her pose.

A vision. Simon Hojo's girlfriend.

His absentmindedness had been remarked upon by several of the people who lived in the apartment block. Mr Strife and his friend (who seemed to live there) had asked him several times if everything was okay. He didn't know how to say what it was, that he was hopelessly in love with a woman who he didn't know, belonged to another man and he had never seen.

It was crazy.

He knew how she would look, how she would be. Long dark hair, but pale skin, so she would have refined cheekbones, long lashes to lie against them. Her lips would be pale red, delicate and pouty, but not petulant. She would be demure, gentle, quiet, but not passive. She would be intelligent.

He couldn't see her eyes They were large, gentle, wide, but he didn't know what colour they were. No colour was right. Blue was too sweet. Green was too wild. Brown was too plain. Black was too dark.

It was driving him wild.

Almost without meaning to, he was dropping by a little more often, always willing to help. Not that he was ever unwilling, but he found that he was at the apartment a lot more.

Yet he never saw her. That vision stayed nothing but memory, one that he was beginning to doubt he ever saw.

Two months dragged by, and Cid was giving up hope. He figured that she must have been terrified by his visit those months ago and would not come out again.

It was Friday. He stopped by Mr Strife's, then Mr Wallace's place where he was convinced to stay and play with Marlene for a few hours. The Canyon, as 1C was called, was empty but the money was under the mat and Ms Gainsborough of 1D insisted that he come in and help her pick a place for her new painting on the wall.

The second floor was less eventful. Ms Lockhart was considerably less chatty than normal, handing over her rent silently. Ms Kisaragi was also out, probably with Nanaki, (last name unpronounceable), the hippy who lived in the Canyon.

That brought him to 2C. He knew that someone was in, he could hear movement inside. He knocked and waited patiently.

No answer came for a long time. He was about to knock again when the cracked open, chain still on. "Yes?"

The voice was a whisper, nothing more. He could barely it. "Mr Hojo? It's Cid."

"He's not here." Was whispered.

Cid's heart caught. She was here. This was her, just on the other side of the door, a breath away from him. "I, uh, I'm here for the rent, miss."

The door closed, but the jangle of the chain did not follow. Silently, she must have moved away and back, because when she opened the door a little, a pale, elegant, perfectly manicured hand held out a bundle of notes.

He took it, their hands brushed ever so slightly. He nearly dropped the money, fumbling for a second and thanking everything he could think of that he had taken off his gloves. She must have nodded, long curls of black came into view briefly.

"Thank you, miss...?"

"You're welcome," she whispered, and she closed the door slowly.

Cid stood there for long moments before he trudged back upstairs.

0

The moment played on Cid's mind for the next two weeks. He saw Mr Hojo after that, spoke to him on occasion, but he couldn't help wondering how a man as... odd and, well, creepy, as Simon Hojo had managed to coax such a timid and beautiful creature.

Everyone in the apartment block recognised the signs. Wandering the corridors with a dopey grin, absently agreeing to do things and not remembering the conversation, not eating right, Cid has a crush. He was truly besotted with the pale skinned, dark haired girl who hid behind the doors of 2C.

He eagerly anticipated rent day, feeling as though he was walking on air when he dropped by 2C at long last, knocking on the door gently.

Simon Hojo opened the door. "Yes? Oh, Mr Highwind, come in, I'll go get the rent."

Cid stepped in, a little disappointed but ready to smile when Simon turned back with the money. "How is everything, Mr Hojo?"

"Good, very good." His eyes flickered to the bedroom. "This is a delightful block. Everyone is very, polite. Private."

Cid knew a hint when he heard one. He smiled, thanked the man and left, heart falling as he closed the door behind him.

0

Another fortnight passed. Thursday was, as usual, uneventful for Cid. It was a bad night on television, so he'd normally settle for wandering the block, looking for things to patch up until it grew late, when he'd retire to bed early.

Tonight was going to be no different. He had just done some repairs to the back up generator in preparation for winter blackouts and was washing off his grease stained hands in the sink when the doorbell rang.

Confused, he dried his hands, walking over. No one used his doorbell, most of the time it wasn't working anyway, everyone knew to just knock. He sighed as he opened the door. "I don't give to charity, and whatever you're selling I've..."

His voice caught as the figure came into view. Long skirt trailing on the ground, gloved hands clasped, dark hair falling around her face as she looked demurely the ground. He couldn't speak, couldn't even move as she glanced up ever so slightly, eyes still hidden by the flowing locks but small pouty mouth visible as she spoke in her whisper voice. "May I come in, My Highwind?"

He nodded, stepping aside for her. Her slightly heeled boots clicked on the wooden floors, Cid was taken aback by how very tall she was. She had to be a good six feet tall out of her boots. He closed the door, taking the time to watch her whilst her back was to him.

Long black hair, beautifully black, reached mid back. Her shirt was long sleeved, it looked like silk, a pale blue colour. The skirt was dark navy, pinched in at the narrow waist with a belt. Her body was slim rather than curved, but it was still beautiful, maybe more so.

He shook his head, hurrying over. "Please, miss, take a seat. Can I get you a tea or something?"

"No, no thank you." She still didn't look at him. "Simon sent me to speak to you."

Her voice was still little more than a whisper. Cid found himself leaning in to hear her, caught a scent of something that he couldn't place but smelt wonderful anyway. "Well, how can I help you?"

She looked away, exposing a long line of pale throat. "We can't make the rent this fortnight."

He nodded and smiled slightly. "Ah, I see."

She turned back to him, face still down turned, but he could see hints of a blush on her fair cheeks. It confused him, until she whispered, "Simon wants me to sort it out with you."

He glanced around, trying not to look at the sweetly innocent girl on his couch, hands clasped and cheeks red. "Well, you can pay me when you get money, I don't mind. So long as you have it be next week."

"No." She stood up, walking over to him, standing close. "Simon wants me to sort it out now. He knows that you find me attractive, Mr Highwind."

Her voice was so quiet he could barely hear her at only a foot away. Her cheeks burnt with embarrassment and humiliation as one gloved hand reached out and touched his collarbone, tracing down his sternum.

Anger flared in Cid as he caught her hand. Gentle in his rage, he moved her hand away and let go, cheeks going a similar colour. "He, sent you up here to whore yourself to me for the rent? His girlfriend? His own fucking girlfriend?!"

She stepped back, almost tripping on her skirt hem. He looked back, eyes going soft. "I'm sorry, miss, I'm not angry at you. Please, don't be scared, I ain't able to hurt a fly." He looked down, already embarrassed at his outburst. "I just hate to see someone abuse a lovely young thing like you, miss. Ain't right, you deserve a lot better than that."

She sat down again, he tentatively sat opposite her. Her hands twisted over each other, silk gliding over like, he watched for a moment. "I'm sorry, miss. I really am. I just don't feel it's right."

She looked up at him, a soft smile playing on those pink lips. Her cheeks were as perfect as he knew they would be, skin porcelain white, lashes dark and long.

Her eyes remained shadowed by her long fringe, but it was enough. Cid was lost.

He stared.

Finally, she shifted slightly. "Mr Highwind?"

Her voice was a little stronger now, he could hear the rich tones that the whisper hid. "Yeah?"

"Is something the matter? You looked a little lost."

He could listen to that voice all day. Soft and deep, but not disturbingly so. "No, not at all. Just that yer the most beautiful creature I ever laid eyes on."

Scarlet flushed over her cheeks, it was adorable. She ducked her head, dark hair falling to hide her from him. Almost unbidden he knelt on one knee in front of her, his hand reaching out to cup her face, trying to pull her back up to look at him.

Her gloved hand closed around his wrist, her grip suggested a hidden strength. "You don't want to do that, Mr Highwind. Some things are best left hidden."

Surprised, he let go, sitting back on the seat. "I, I'm sorry. How about a cuppa?" Anything to move away whatever strange thing happened when she touched his wrist.

"Yes, thank you. Black, no sugar."

He moved to the kitchen, mind in turmoil. She was here, she had been about to sell herself to him for the fortnightly rent. How could she? How could he be tempted by it? Turning her back had taken no thought, but part of him wanted her. He could not deny how beautiful she was, sitting out in his lounge room like she belonged on a throne.

He made the tea and brought it out, gently pushing it into her hand. She seemed to be mildly shell shocked, he wasn't really that surprised. "So, um, miss, why were you going to do it?"

She didn't answer, just turned her face into her cup, inhaling the scent as though it would make the question go away. He watched her, studied every little gesture and committed it to memory.

She glanced at him, and he blushed faintly. "Sorry. Bein' rude again."

"What were you thinking, Mr Highwind?"

"Call me Cid. I was thinkin' that I'm going to kick that rat Hojo into next week fer doin' this ter a girl like you."

The moment his name was uttered, she paled. Her hand trembled, she set aside the cup before it fell from her fingers. "No. Mr Highwind, please, you can't say anything to Simon. Please, he would be so upset."

His eyes narrowed, she must have taken it as refusal. She fell to the floor, hands clasping his. "Please, just give me a few days. I'll pay you, he doesn't have to know."

Cid's hands went to her elbows, he picked her up off the floor, surprised at her unsuspected weight. "Don't worry about it," his mouth said before he thought. "I don't want to make life hard for you. Just half will do this fortnight."

She smiled, genuinely this time, and if he hadn't been lost he would have been with that smile. "Thank you, Mr Highwind."

"Ah, call me Cid." He looked away, scuffing his feet. "You'd probably best go... though, would you like to come up here for tea tomorrow?"

She shook her head, hair flicking softly. "I can't. But, if you come by next Thursday, at one, we can have lunch. Is that okay with you?"

He nodded, mouth dry. She turned to the door, opening it quietly. She was about to step through when he found his voice. "Miss! What's yer name?"

She looked over one shoulder and flicked her hair from her eyes. He gasped, they were the colour of good wine, rich and deep red. "Valentine. Good night, Mr Highwind."

She closed the door.

to be concluded...