Rufus met Angeal's stare though he wasn't sure what was going to happen. He knew very little about any of the SOLDIERS except rumors which he doubted were entirely true. The Turks certainly had their opinions but that hadn't prevented him from taking the risk of venturing into unknown territory to find his brother.
It seemed Lazard wasn't in the office at the moment but he wasn't going to let this be wasted trip. He was down here already so he might as well learn what he could. He let go of the hilt slowly, a little disappointed that he didn't get the chance to try to pick it up before being caught. Then again, the sword looked like it would be heavier than he was. He moved away a bit so Angeal could get his sword.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Hewley. I've heard stories about you and the other Firsts but I've never met any of you before."
A faint smirk curls onto his lips once he caught that look of disappointment when he takes his sword. There's no way that this scrawny little kid would've been able to lift it. The damn thing probably weighed more than him but Rufus has the same unbridled ambitions as his father. Angeal just hopes that Rufus will use that ambition for good.
"Well, you have now." He says with a smile as he straps the word onto his back. Despite being weighed down by eighty-plus pounds of steel, Angeal doesn't seem to have much trouble carrying it. "And please, just call me Angeal. Mister Hewley was my father and I'm hardly ready to take up that moniker." He says with a lighthearted chuckle.
"So tell me, what brings you here today? I thought you were at Junon."
"I was brought so I could be used for a public event. My father wants to show that we're one happy, unified family," Rufus remarked bitterly. He doubted it was any secret that his father wasn't exactly a loving parent to him since Rufus had been sent away. That was why he had been so impatient to meet Lazard. He wanted to know the relationship his older half brother had with their father. If it was just Rufus who was so neglected.
"Angeal then. I got separated from my escort and I ended up getting lost. I haven't been to this part of the building before so I got turned around," he lied with a smile. He had purposefully escaped the watchful eye of the unfortunate Turk Veld had assigned to keep an eye on him so Rufus wouldn't get into trouble. He was sure that the Turk would face disciplinary action but Rufus figured it was their fault if he managed to get away.
"I suppose I should wait here until my escort comes and finds me. I don't think I'll ever get an opportunity to meet a SOLDIER again." Veld was going to lock him away for a long time after this but it was worth it even if he didn't get to meet his brother.
Angeal can't help but wince in sympathy when Rufus explains the situation. It's almost common knowledge, at least within the company, that President Shinra isn't much of a family man. That much is evident since the president seems more interested in his money than familial bonds but even so, it's pretty sad. Mix that in with some of the unsettling rumors about Lazard and his ties to the Shinras, and it's a recipe for disaster. While Angeal knows better than to butt into the affairs of his employer, he can't help but really feel sorry for the kid.
"That's no way for a family to operate." He mutters under his breath. "My apologies, sir."
Angeal blinks his eyes in disbelief once Rufus confessed about losing track of his escort on accident. Of course, he doesn't realize that it was all intentional but who in the hell is dumb enough to lose track of the president's son?! Feeling somewhat responsible for the youth now, Angeal decides to offer his services. "Maybe I could be of some assistance?" He asks with an earnest smile.
"It would kill two birds with one stone if you had a SOLDIER for an escort. Besides, I wasn't doing anything important." Other than waiting for Lazard to make his appearance so they could go over some battle data.
Rufus shrugged at Angeal's apology, there wasn't anything anyone could do. One day his father would be gone and he wouldn't miss him in the least. He would be able to do anything he wanted and he would have the world at his feet. Right now he just had to be patient.
"If it's alright, do you mind if I stay down here for a bit? If you're my escort I'm sure I'm perfectly safe." It wasn't just that he was hoping Lazard would return but he also didn't want to go back just yet. Everyone tended to treat him as if he was still a child or something to be put on display to represent the power of the Shinra family. He knew SOLDIERS were often used for company propaganda as well but at least they could go where they wanted without constant supervision and Turks looming over their shoulders. He envied that freedom. But he liked Angeal so far, he wouldn't mind his company for a while.
"You can tell me stories- I'm sure you have many since you're a First," Rufus said as he decided to sit at Lazard's desk, making himself comfortable.
It took a lot of Angeal's willpower not to chuckle when Rufus sits at the director's desk. It's almost as if Rufus was purposely trying to mimic Lazard. Despite Rufus being the younger of the two, it's easy to tell that they're brothers. The rumors are right judging how similar they appear but Angeal can't help but notice the subtle differences between them. While the Director can be rather passionate and somewhat obsessive at times, Rufus seems more frigid in some aspects. Although, that's not exactly a fair assessment. After all, Angeal just met the young man.
"More than safe, I wager," Angeal says with a hint of confidence within his tone that could be taken as arrogance. "Besides, I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to barge into headquarters. That would be a death wish." The Shinra HQ is the most protected facility in all of Midgar. No one would dare trespass so many of Shinra's top brass in attendance. So Rufus is free to linger here however long he likes.
"Storytime, hm?" He teases with a faint grin. "I could regale you with tales of my various victories but I fear that might bore you," Angeal says as he leans up against a nearby wall. He crosses his arms over his muscular chest and gives Rufus a smirk. While he's still working on his definition and built, Angeal is a lot bigger than Genesis and Sephiroth. He's built like a fucking tank. All brawn and power like some sort of behemoth. He's kind of frightening but that warm smile of his offsets his intimidating stature.
"Though, if you want to hear---I do have a couple of good ones to tell."
He could appreciate Angeal's confidence, it just made him more intrigued. He knew the First Class SOLDIERS were the elite of Shinra's forces, he had no doubt that confidence had been well earned. He propped his elbow on the desk, resting his head on his fist.
"I would love to hear them. And you don't have to edit details out. The Turks have told me many stories about the things they've done." And by that Rufus means that he had managed to overhear things that the Turks wouldn't have said in front of him. He was tired of being sheltered especially at his age. He would have to learn the gritty, dark truths about what was going on behind closed doors and in the shadows.
"And I won't tell anyone you told me the gory details. Promise."
So the little canary wants out of his gilded cage? That's something that Angeal can somewhat understand. Life in Banora was peaceful but growing up in poverty made him aware of the cruelty of society. He can't help but find it fascinating that this pampered poodle of a boy would want to know about such things. It makes Angeal wonder if Shinra's little prince is bored of his luxurious life. While that certainly could be the case, Angeal can't help but be somewhat gleeful at the thought of corrupting this sheltered youth a bit further.
"Don't come crying to me get nightmares." He says with a toothy grin that is neither pleasant nor kind. While Angeal isn't cruel, he certainly won't spare Rufus from any of the gory details. After all, that is what the youth wants, right?
"My first mission into Wutai was a brutal one." He begins with a faint sigh as he recalls the memory. "I was just a Third then, young and stupid like the rest of them but stronger than most. I passed through the examinations with flying colors alongside my friend Genesis. It was just the two of us facing down death with just the swords in our hands. It was twenty men deep of enemy combatants, all of them young and dumb like us. It wasn't a fair fight, not in the slightest." He pauses momentarily as he glances at the time. Usually, Lazard would be here by now but the Director is nowhere to be seen. That's a bit strange, a little too strange to be a coincidence but Angeal continues with his story nonetheless.
"It wasn't the first time I killed someone but it was the first time I thought I would be killed." He explains with a slight frown as he keeps his eyes on the clock. "To this day I remember the searing agony of each bullet with vivid clarity but I also remember just how thrilled I was at the chance to carve my blade into my enemy's chest. I was angry, beyond angry but also a little scared. Not for myself but for the man I was going to rip apart limb from limb." He admits with a hint of shame within his voice.
"There's nothing greater than knowing you hold someone else's life within your hands." He pauses for a beat. "Both metaphorically and literally since that was the first time I ever held a beating heart."
Rufus listened with fascination, his eyes wide as Angeal talked about the battle in Wutai. This was nothing like the accounts of the war that were given to the public. This was personal and vivid, he felt as if he was on that battlefield in Wutai with Angeal and Genesis, facing down death but bravely fighting on. Angeal had survived that and he was still standing strong.
He was silent for a moment as he considered Angeal's words. Nothing greater than holding someone's life in his hands. He wanted that power for himself. One day he would hold the world in his hands and the thought of being able to control people's lives was intoxicating.
"You actually held someone's beating heart? What did it feel like?" Rufus's voice was soft but he was in awe. He wanted to learn how to fight for himself instead of always just being protected by the Turks and others. He wondered if he would ever be able to hold someone's heart in his hands. Doubtful but an interesting thought. He could just imagine how he would close his hand around that heart, crushing it in his grasp.
"Soft." Angeal explains tersely at first before realizing his explanation wouldn't suffice for the young Shinra.
"It's fragile but surprisingly powerful. I could feel every tremor of his heartbeat as he took his last breaths." He whispers in a daze. While his eyes were still on the clock, Angeal was mentally somewhere far away. Probably at Wutai or someplace where the war still wages on.
"I almost felt sorry for him but then I remembered---he tried to kill me and crushed it."
Rufus let out a soft gasp at Angeal's description but it was a noise of wonder. He held out a hand in front of him, trying to imagine holding his father's beating heart there for a moment before he looked back at Angeal, his hand closing into a fist. He decided that one day he would actually hold his father's heart and he would crush it without hesitation. The thought gave him utter delight.
"I wouldn't have felt sorry for him either," he admitted. He was quiet for a moment as he watched Angeal closely. He knew he was asking personal questions but he couldn't help himself. "Have you done anything you regretted?"
"Plenty." Angeal answers as he glances back at Rufus. He gives the blond a faint smile. "Who doesn't? After all, we're only human and humans make plenty of mistakes."
A sigh escapes his lips as he glances back up at the clock. This is bound to be a long day for Angeal. He's supposed to be training the Seconds in about an hour or so but if he's stuck playing babysitter, he might have to convince Genesis to take his place. That's going to be a tough sell since Gen is allergic to anything remotely resembling hard work. However, Angeal knows that Gen is more likely to agree, unlike Seph. Trying to get Sephiroth to do anything while he's busy with reports is close to impossible. The poor man has enough work on his plate already.
"As humans, we forget that sometimes not every conflict needs to be solved with violence. Sometimes our words alone are enough but most times, they're not. This is just the kind of world we live in, a cruel but beautiful world." He mumbles with a long of regret within his gaze.
Rufus peers at him, shifting slightly in Lazard's chair.
"Interesting words from a SOLDIER," he remarks thoughtfully. The stereotypes the Turks had told of him what the SOLDIERs were like wasn't anything he saw of Angeal right now. He had always suspected there was bias in what Reno and Rude had told him, though.
"Words can often be more dangerous than outright violence. I almost envy you- your job doesn't seem to be wrapped in layers of ridiculous politics and power plays." Even with no power as Vice President, Rufus had to learn to play the games of the upper leadership in order to stay alive. He wouldn't be spared even if he was only a teenager and he knew his father wouldn't step in to save him.
He notices how Angeal glances at the clock but he's still not ready to go upstairs just yet. The press conference isn't for a few more hours and he really doesn't want to have to deal with trying to be diplomatic with executives who churned his stomach.
"Am I keeping you from something important? I can go with you if it's not too much trouble. It will be a valuable experience for me to learn more about SOLDIER and have better insight into what happens here."
Ugh, politics. Angeal can barely stomach the news nevertheless politics. He doesn't like thinking about stuff like that, especially since he doesn't have the patience for it. While he might have his misgivings about the war, Angeal is still a SOLDIER. It's his job to see this bloody war done. Therefore, his personal beliefs don't come ahead of his duty. Although, the guilt will always remain.
"I can't picture myself in that sort of position," He comments with a slight frown. "I like to think of myself as a patient man but eventually I would just climb over the boardroom table and choke someone." Angeal jokes as he rests his gaze upon Rufus again. He gives the blond a faint smile before suddenly shaking his head.
"Not really. I mean, I can always count on Seph to pick up the slack." The SOLDIER says with a grin. "But if you really want to learn more about SOLDIER, I guess I could drag you along." He says with a playful wink. "You'll be my honored guest for the day."
Rufus laughs just by picturing Angeal at one of the board meetings. Whenever Sephiroth appears at once he always seems like he's just barely stomaching it, Rufus wouldn't have blamed him for just skewering the President right then and there just to get out of the meeting.
"You're not the only one who is tempted. There are days where I can barely resist the urge," Rufus confesses with amusement.
"I would be very glad to be your honored guest today. One day I'll be President and I want to know all there is to know so I can make informed decisions in the future," Rufus remarks as he stands, smoothing down his coat. This isn't just to get out of tedious social functions or to slip his guard- he wants to know the truth of how the company runs for himself instead of just through reports.
"I will allow you to lead the way then, Angeal." He's grateful that he's not just being herded upstairs but instead being allowed to see the inner workings of SOLDIER.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2020-05-13 02:52 am (UTC)It seemed Lazard wasn't in the office at the moment but he wasn't going to let this be wasted trip. He was down here already so he might as well learn what he could. He let go of the hilt slowly, a little disappointed that he didn't get the chance to try to pick it up before being caught. Then again, the sword looked like it would be heavier than he was. He moved away a bit so Angeal could get his sword.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Hewley. I've heard stories about you and the other Firsts but I've never met any of you before."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-13 02:27 pm (UTC)"Well, you have now." He says with a smile as he straps the word onto his back. Despite being weighed down by eighty-plus pounds of steel, Angeal doesn't seem to have much trouble carrying it. "And please, just call me Angeal. Mister Hewley was my father and I'm hardly ready to take up that moniker." He says with a lighthearted chuckle.
"So tell me, what brings you here today? I thought you were at Junon."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-13 03:11 pm (UTC)"Angeal then. I got separated from my escort and I ended up getting lost. I haven't been to this part of the building before so I got turned around," he lied with a smile. He had purposefully escaped the watchful eye of the unfortunate Turk Veld had assigned to keep an eye on him so Rufus wouldn't get into trouble. He was sure that the Turk would face disciplinary action but Rufus figured it was their fault if he managed to get away.
"I suppose I should wait here until my escort comes and finds me. I don't think I'll ever get an opportunity to meet a SOLDIER again." Veld was going to lock him away for a long time after this but it was worth it even if he didn't get to meet his brother.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-13 03:47 pm (UTC)"That's no way for a family to operate." He mutters under his breath. "My apologies, sir."
Angeal blinks his eyes in disbelief once Rufus confessed about losing track of his escort on accident. Of course, he doesn't realize that it was all intentional but who in the hell is dumb enough to lose track of the president's son?! Feeling somewhat responsible for the youth now, Angeal decides to offer his services. "Maybe I could be of some assistance?" He asks with an earnest smile.
"It would kill two birds with one stone if you had a SOLDIER for an escort. Besides, I wasn't doing anything important." Other than waiting for Lazard to make his appearance so they could go over some battle data.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-13 11:35 pm (UTC)"If it's alright, do you mind if I stay down here for a bit? If you're my escort I'm sure I'm perfectly safe." It wasn't just that he was hoping Lazard would return but he also didn't want to go back just yet. Everyone tended to treat him as if he was still a child or something to be put on display to represent the power of the Shinra family. He knew SOLDIERS were often used for company propaganda as well but at least they could go where they wanted without constant supervision and Turks looming over their shoulders. He envied that freedom. But he liked Angeal so far, he wouldn't mind his company for a while.
"You can tell me stories- I'm sure you have many since you're a First," Rufus said as he decided to sit at Lazard's desk, making himself comfortable.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-14 01:08 am (UTC)"More than safe, I wager," Angeal says with a hint of confidence within his tone that could be taken as arrogance. "Besides, I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to barge into headquarters. That would be a death wish." The Shinra HQ is the most protected facility in all of Midgar. No one would dare trespass so many of Shinra's top brass in attendance. So Rufus is free to linger here however long he likes.
"Storytime, hm?" He teases with a faint grin. "I could regale you with tales of my various victories but I fear that might bore you," Angeal says as he leans up against a nearby wall. He crosses his arms over his muscular chest and gives Rufus a smirk. While he's still working on his definition and built, Angeal is a lot bigger than Genesis and Sephiroth. He's built like a fucking tank. All brawn and power like some sort of behemoth. He's kind of frightening but that warm smile of his offsets his intimidating stature.
"Though, if you want to hear---I do have a couple of good ones to tell."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-14 04:10 am (UTC)"I would love to hear them. And you don't have to edit details out. The Turks have told me many stories about the things they've done." And by that Rufus means that he had managed to overhear things that the Turks wouldn't have said in front of him. He was tired of being sheltered especially at his age. He would have to learn the gritty, dark truths about what was going on behind closed doors and in the shadows.
"And I won't tell anyone you told me the gory details. Promise."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-14 02:54 pm (UTC)"Don't come crying to me get nightmares." He says with a toothy grin that is neither pleasant nor kind. While Angeal isn't cruel, he certainly won't spare Rufus from any of the gory details. After all, that is what the youth wants, right?
"My first mission into Wutai was a brutal one." He begins with a faint sigh as he recalls the memory. "I was just a Third then, young and stupid like the rest of them but stronger than most. I passed through the examinations with flying colors alongside my friend Genesis. It was just the two of us facing down death with just the swords in our hands. It was twenty men deep of enemy combatants, all of them young and dumb like us. It wasn't a fair fight, not in the slightest." He pauses momentarily as he glances at the time. Usually, Lazard would be here by now but the Director is nowhere to be seen. That's a bit strange, a little too strange to be a coincidence but Angeal continues with his story nonetheless.
"It wasn't the first time I killed someone but it was the first time I thought I would be killed." He explains with a slight frown as he keeps his eyes on the clock. "To this day I remember the searing agony of each bullet with vivid clarity but I also remember just how thrilled I was at the chance to carve my blade into my enemy's chest. I was angry, beyond angry but also a little scared. Not for myself but for the man I was going to rip apart limb from limb." He admits with a hint of shame within his voice.
"There's nothing greater than knowing you hold someone else's life within your hands." He pauses for a beat. "Both metaphorically and literally since that was the first time I ever held a beating heart."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-14 03:50 pm (UTC)He was silent for a moment as he considered Angeal's words. Nothing greater than holding someone's life in his hands. He wanted that power for himself. One day he would hold the world in his hands and the thought of being able to control people's lives was intoxicating.
"You actually held someone's beating heart? What did it feel like?" Rufus's voice was soft but he was in awe. He wanted to learn how to fight for himself instead of always just being protected by the Turks and others. He wondered if he would ever be able to hold someone's heart in his hands. Doubtful but an interesting thought. He could just imagine how he would close his hand around that heart, crushing it in his grasp.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-15 02:11 am (UTC)"It's fragile but surprisingly powerful. I could feel every tremor of his heartbeat as he took his last breaths." He whispers in a daze. While his eyes were still on the clock, Angeal was mentally somewhere far away. Probably at Wutai or someplace where the war still wages on.
"I almost felt sorry for him but then I remembered---he tried to kill me and crushed it."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-15 03:16 am (UTC)"I wouldn't have felt sorry for him either," he admitted. He was quiet for a moment as he watched Angeal closely. He knew he was asking personal questions but he couldn't help himself. "Have you done anything you regretted?"
/comes back a year later for this
Date: 2021-09-09 12:54 pm (UTC)A sigh escapes his lips as he glances back up at the clock. This is bound to be a long day for Angeal. He's supposed to be training the Seconds in about an hour or so but if he's stuck playing babysitter, he might have to convince Genesis to take his place. That's going to be a tough sell since Gen is allergic to anything remotely resembling hard work. However, Angeal knows that Gen is more likely to agree, unlike Seph. Trying to get Sephiroth to do anything while he's busy with reports is close to impossible. The poor man has enough work on his plate already.
"As humans, we forget that sometimes not every conflict needs to be solved with violence. Sometimes our words alone are enough but most times, they're not. This is just the kind of world we live in, a cruel but beautiful world." He mumbles with a long of regret within his gaze.
<3
Date: 2021-09-12 03:29 am (UTC)"Interesting words from a SOLDIER," he remarks thoughtfully. The stereotypes the Turks had told of him what the SOLDIERs were like wasn't anything he saw of Angeal right now. He had always suspected there was bias in what Reno and Rude had told him, though.
"Words can often be more dangerous than outright violence. I almost envy you- your job doesn't seem to be wrapped in layers of ridiculous politics and power plays." Even with no power as Vice President, Rufus had to learn to play the games of the upper leadership in order to stay alive. He wouldn't be spared even if he was only a teenager and he knew his father wouldn't step in to save him.
He notices how Angeal glances at the clock but he's still not ready to go upstairs just yet. The press conference isn't for a few more hours and he really doesn't want to have to deal with trying to be diplomatic with executives who churned his stomach.
"Am I keeping you from something important? I can go with you if it's not too much trouble. It will be a valuable experience for me to learn more about SOLDIER and have better insight into what happens here."
no subject
Date: 2021-09-12 04:12 am (UTC)"I can't picture myself in that sort of position," He comments with a slight frown. "I like to think of myself as a patient man but eventually I would just climb over the boardroom table and choke someone." Angeal jokes as he rests his gaze upon Rufus again. He gives the blond a faint smile before suddenly shaking his head.
"Not really. I mean, I can always count on Seph to pick up the slack." The SOLDIER says with a grin. "But if you really want to learn more about SOLDIER, I guess I could drag you along." He says with a playful wink. "You'll be my honored guest for the day."
no subject
Date: 2021-09-13 03:49 am (UTC)"You're not the only one who is tempted. There are days where I can barely resist the urge," Rufus confesses with amusement.
"I would be very glad to be your honored guest today. One day I'll be President and I want to know all there is to know so I can make informed decisions in the future," Rufus remarks as he stands, smoothing down his coat. This isn't just to get out of tedious social functions or to slip his guard- he wants to know the truth of how the company runs for himself instead of just through reports.
"I will allow you to lead the way then, Angeal." He's grateful that he's not just being herded upstairs but instead being allowed to see the inner workings of SOLDIER.