[Rufus rolls his eyes and shakes his head at Tseng's comment about wanting to help the Planet. He knew the reality of what Shinra was doing to the Planet and it wasn't something that was shown in the cheerful and optimistic proganda that was fed to the public.
He hasn't known Tseng that long but he didn't seem the kind of man who would be swept up in those kinds of platitude and lies.]
If you really gave a fuck about the Planet it would have been easier to just join some environmental anti-Shinra group. It wouldn't have given you what you wanted though.
[He stifles a yawn, shifting his head against the pillow though doesn't take his eyes off of Tseng's. He's not sure how much longer he can stay awake but he's determined to at least get a little bit more information about him. If they are going to be the future of the company than he wants to know who is protecting him and ensuring his future.
He recognizes that emotion Tseng lets out, it's one that's all too familiar for him. He had spent his entire life being told he had to belong, that it was expected but never being able to do so no matter how hard he tried. He wasn't who he was supposed to be.]
Revenge can only keep you going for so long, Tseng. Eventually you'll accomplish it and then what? You'll have to make your own place to belong eventually, especially after Veld leaves his position and leaves you in charge.
( but then again, surely that is rufus shinra's way, isn't it? to be utterly confident, utterly controlling, to make the things happen that he wants to make happen. some would call it simple determination, or others would refer to it as stubbornness, delusion. manipulation, too, given that he's sure that, despite his apparent ire with his father, rufus could do nearly anything that he wanted to. likely will, too, once he's in his father's spot--though how long until that happens? tseng spares him a glance, sidelong, and nearly, nearly smiles.
he looks exhausted. tseng imagines he's only staying up so long for the sake of the game, in which case, he should likely give him something heavy to chew on, shouldn't he?
so he refolds his arms, against his stomach, laces his fingers together, and cants his own gaze up at the ceiling thoughtfully. )
Well. Perhaps I come from a place that's been decimated by Shinra, and I'm hoping to build up enough trust within one of the most important branches of the company, in the hopes of assassinating the heir apparent.
( his lips curl into a smile--is it true, or not? hard to say, with the expression that he wears. )
Or perhaps I'm trying to secure a place so close to him that it will be easy to manipulate him into doing what I please. Would I belong like that, I wonder?
( belonging--it's a childish notion. only someone like rufus, denied it for so long, would focus so heavily on it; tseng himself knows that there is likely nowhere he will ever truly fit in, and he's already made his peace with that. or he's tried, anyway. )
[Rufus laughs through a yawn at Tseng's answer- he's sure there is some truth to his answer. He's sure that Veld is hoping that Tseng can eventually gain Rufus's trust after this in order to manipulate him easier especially after his father dies.
But that can work to his advantage. He's sure he can use that in the future when he decides to put his own plans into motion but that's not something he's going to work out tonight while he's practically falling asleep.]
My being kidnapped works well for your plans then. Either the kidnappers would kill me- you wouldn't need to do it yourself then- or when you rescue me, you gain my trust in the process. Then I'll let you close to me which makes it easier for you to manipulate me or kill me when you wish to.
[He still lets his eyes drift shut, unable to stifle another yawn. If Tseng is going to kill him he had his chance earlier and either way, even if Rufus was fully awake he didn't really have the training to put up much of a fight.
This experience made him realize that he wants to learn to defend himself so he's not helpless in these kinds of situations again. Even if Tseng is being honest, Rufus has decided that Tseng will help train him later. It's just a matter of convincing him but Rufus is confident that he'll get his way. At least, eventually.]
If you don't kill me in my sleep, you're buying me breakfast before you turn me in tomorrow. You can consider it part of your grand plan to gain my trust before assassinating me.
[Despite his stubbornness, the last words are mumbled softly. Normally Rufus was a relatively light sleeper but the toll of barely sleeping on a hard floor for days was catching up to him all at once.
For hours he's dead to the world, still holding onto the pillow in his sleep as he snores softly against the rough linen. It's not until hours later that he sits up suddenly, jolting awake with his heart beating in his chest. For a few minutes he has to remember where he is, his mind slowly putting together the pieces of the last day.]
( it's inevitable, of course, that he would fall asleep himself--but that doesn't make it any less disappointing. for hours he did sit up, his back straight against the headboard, occasionally watching Rufus sleep, occasionally watching the window, where he'd already pulled the curtains. he's used to entertaining himself with his thoughts, and even more used to the sleep deprivation: but he's still young, still foolish, and not quite as practiced at pushing himself as he may want to be. so it's close to dawn when he finds himself slipping into sleep himself: his arms are loose, still crossed against his chest, and his shoulders slump, sliding himself further down the mattress in rufus' direction.
to say that he's surprised to hear the voice would be an understatement, given the way his shoulders jerk, but per training, he's immediately alert, lifting his chin and turning his head swiftly towards the door.
nothing. not even a hint of anything astray, all the furniture in the correct place, all of their things still where he left them. it's then that he realizes he needs to get rufus' clothes: likely they're sitting outside the hotel door, which is a ridiculous, unsafe place for them to be. anyone looking for them could recognize the material, expensive and crisp and white, and come barging in; it's a rookie mistake, and he should have never fallen asleep. one of his hands lifts, presses a finger to rufus' lips, before he slips off the bed; his shirt is a little rumpled and his hair needs brushing, but he's seemingly unbothered by that as he approaches the door, opens it, and glances down.
as luck would have it: rufus' clothes are in a laundry bag, safe from prying eyes. he pulls it inside and then shuts the door, quietly. )
Likely you'll want to change, sir. ( his voice is a little husky with sleep, as he brings rufus the clothes and sets them on the bed where he'd laid, previously. ) I'm going to wash up in the bathroom. Is there anything you require of me before then?
( seems like the pleasantries are back, now that they're not playing their little game, and tseng even gives him a hint of a smile, all wry and bemused. )
[The last bits of sleep were just slipping away and he doesn't have time to process anything before Tseng's finger is pressed against his lips. It doesn't take him long to realize Tseng must have fallen asleep to given the state of his hair and clothes. It was tempting to reach out and run his fingers through black strands.
But he won't tease him about that, he can't really fault Tseng for getting some sleep while they're able to. Ideally, they will be able to get back to the Shinra Building without further incident but it's clear that things didn't always go as planned for them.
He pulls himself out of bed, wincing as he moves his shoulder that the gun had recoiled into the day before to pull his clothes out of the bag. They aren't as flawlessly white as they used to be- he's sure they are past the point of saving even for his dry cleaner- but it was better than nothing.]
No, I'm fine. Go wash up, we should at least halfway put together when we get back.
[Rufus can't stop himself from returning that small smile, amused. Once Tseng is in the bathroom Rufus discards the robe and gets dressed, wincing at the stains on his clothes that he can still pick out even in the dark room. But it was the first time wearing clean clothes in awhile and by the time Tseng comes out, Rufus is dressed and is checking the shotgun he had taken.]
( it probably goes against the code, that he should leave rufus alone--and he does consider, for a moment, telling him to follow him into the bathroom, to sit on the edge of the counter and wait for him. it's not that he expects rufus to run, not after last night, but more that he can't trust that someone won't come in, or attempt to come in; and rufus, as clearly demonstrated, has excellent instincts but a distinct lack of training when it comes to combat. that's something that should, potentially be remedied, though maybe he's thinking too loftily. either way, it means that he hesitates for a moment, giving rufus a glance before he relents and makes his way to the bathroom. he feels sweat-streaked and uncomfortable, after the slight sleep, and washing his face will work wonders.
to meet his suspicions halfway, he keeps the door ajar, takes care to glance out as he washes his face, brushes his teeth, wipes down his hands and arms and smooths out his hair; rufus is changing, and tseng tells himself he spares only the most cursory glances, that he isn't interested in seeing the body beneath all that finery at all. scoffing at his own reflection, he runs a comb through his hair, wets it down, and then affords himself a slow breath. he's not wearing the same expression as last night: so he puts it back on before he leaves the bathroom.
with a repressed sigh, he reaches out with a hand-- )
We're going nowhere unless you put that down.
( bemused, like a parent having to scold their child. he puts his gloves on, slings the holster back into place, and loads his pistols carefully before shrugging his jacket back on. he wishes he had had his clothes washed, but nothing to be done about it now. )
I know a place, but you'll want to hide the shotgun. ( tseng isn't offering suggestions: just the smooth curl of his lips, like he wants to see rufus try to figure it out. ) I don't want to draw attention to us, when we'll have to likely get a car to take us the rest of the way back to the office.
( one of his hands goes for the door--but he twists back to rufus, lifting one brow, a little cockier than he will find himself, later, once he's grown up and had all the disillusions fill him; he opens it, gestures with the exaggerated bend of an arm. )
Will you need me to use my irresistible charms to get us a car as well?
[If Tseng was going to tease him then Rufus was going to return the favor, he wouldn't let Tseng get the best of him and win their little back and forth. He was enjoying it in fact, he didn't get this kind of engagement from the Turks who were always assigned to guard him aside from Reno.
And he wasn't letting go of the gun just yet. He frowns at Tseng, not putting it down as if he were a stubborn child not wanting to let go of a favorite toy. He would have to get something customized just for him later, of course, but Tseng was right, it would attract too much attention to openly carry it around during the day.]
I assume you're going to help me figure out how to conceal the gun then.
[Rufus does an exaggerated bow of his head in return as he passes by Tseng on his way out the door as if he were a king who was acknowledging a lowly subject. Which wasn't far from the truth considering the Shinra family was the de facto royal family.]
I have an idea of how to get us transportation without attracting too much attention. Just follow my lead, darling, and I think we may make it out of this in one piece.
[He doesn't ask permission before linking his arm with Tseng's. This is just playing a part, they have to do what's necessary to get through this. He's not doing this to enjoy himself but there is something about being close to Tseng that makes his thoughts slightly muddled more than he cared to admit.
He was sure that Tseng was selected for this mission for a reason so they would most likely be working together for the foreseeable future so Rufus couldn't let anything get in the way of doing what he had to. Tseng could only be a complication]
( the word is repeated, muttered under his breath in displeasure: he doesn't like it, but the more that rufus says it, the easier it is to control his more visceral reactions. he doesn't want to admit it, but rufus is good for something like this; his exaggerated egotism and relative charm mean that it's something of training, learning how to adapt around him, how to better hide the things that he doesn't want him to see. even as he gives that exaggerated bow, and lets himself out of the room--even as he links his arm in with tseng's, as he's trying to lock up the room. disgruntled as he is with the action, he swallows it down: he's learning, yes. )
Must you take it with us? ( he means the gun, of course, as they make their way down the hall, back towards the front desk so that he can drop the key off there. ) We have more than what we need.
( that may be a sliver of egotism, given that he only has his pistols--and they will surely run out of ammo eventually. but he doesn't tell rufus to ditch the weapon outright, as they make it to the counter: he sets the key down while they continue walking, movements fluid, and it's only once they're standing in the empty lobby, right before the doors, that he sighs and withdraws his arm from rufus'. it's not because he doesn't want to touch him--though, he doesn't want to touch him; it's more that he's providing him with a means of concealment in the form of one slippery hand stealing a long jacket off the coat rack just inside the inn.
pointedly, he drapes the material over rufus' arm, so that the overhang hides most of the shotgun. it'll be good enough, at least for getting breakfast: getting a car may be another story entirely. satisfied, though, and not wanting to be caught loitering, he opens the front door for rufus with a playfully grand gesture of his own, as though buying in completely to the exaggerated royal nonsense. )
Do you mean to say I'm absolved of feeding you, then? That is good news indeed.
[Rufus breezes through the front door, making sure the coat is covering as much of the shotgun as possible. The street outside is busy with the usual weekday activity, no one seems gives them a second glance though Rufus isn't sure how long that will last.
Someone was bound to make the connection between a Turk acommpaning well-dressed, if a bit rumpled, blonde. He doesn't pause as they head outside, expecting that Tseng could keep up with him. He's not sure where he's going, he has no idea where in Junon they are but standing around in the middle of a busy street in daylight didn't seem like a good idea.]
Hardly. Breakfast first, car second. I'm sure you know somewhere good where I can get bacon swimming in grease and decent eggs. And if you're worried about the expense, I'll make sure my father reimburses you for the cost.
[Rufus slows down a little to let Tseng take the lead since he's not sure where to find anything suitable. This might as well be a foreign land to him, a world away from the glittering of luxury he's used to.
He's focused on Tseng and the idea of breakfast that he doesn't notice that they had picked up a tail of two men tracking them from a few feet behind.
He stops Tseng with a hand on his arm, pointing to a diner down the block. It's not exactly fancy but he doesn't care at the moment.]
( there is a small ping of panic, as rufus seems to set out like he owns the town: and yes, perhaps he does, in a sense, but that doesn't mean that it's safe for him to go strolling the streets without a care in the world. it's not that tseng doesn't have faith in himself, or in his abilities, but he still isn't the most skilled turk, or the most experienced--which means that he's quick to come up at rufus' side, a muttered word under his breath that he would decidedly like to not have to repeat. one small swerve of is gaze around them doesn't provide any trouble yet, and a part of him is too focused on whether or not eggs and bacon are an acceptable breakfast for the president's son, whether that will get him in trouble or not.
at least rufus stops after a moment, with a hand on his arm, and tseng turns his gaze up at him, then where he's pointing. it looks like a bit of a dive, if he's honest, but--well, the diner would likely have the most diverse clientele, and it would be easy to try to blend in with the others also likely seeking to blend in.
but there is something to him, which may be why he's gotten the faith of veld, in him--he can sense that there's just something wrong, which is why he threads his arm in, with rufus', and jerks him into movement again. the pace they keep isn't slow, but it isn't hurried, either; that will likely give them away, as tseng twists his head, under the guise of whispering into rufus' ear, to glance around them. )
We're going to go into the diner, and then we're going to go out through the back.
( murmured, his head twisted like he's bestowing rufus with sweet nothings--instead of these firm, calm commands. )
We're being followed. Act natural. They won't do a thing in a crowded place, so you may get your eggs after all.
[There is a moment of surprise as Tseng takes his arm but he understands as soon as Tseng whispers in his ear. He plays his part, smiling as if flattered by those sweat nothings but every part of him is tense, ready to fight or run if he has to.
He resists the urge to look back, instead leaning his head against Tseng's to play the look of a besotted lover with eyes only for him. His heart beats hard in his chest, eggs almost forgotten as he focuses on Tseng instead.]
Let's hope so. The last thing we need is for everyone to know who I am and try their hand at kidnapping as well.
[Tseng was only one Turk and this didn't seem like a place where many people would be fond of Shinra. He could pick out the signs of poverty around them and he's sure that there is some resentment towards the company and the President at the very least.
He only pulls away from him a little as they get to the dinner, letting Tseng open the door for him. It's crowded and a tired-looking waitress directs them to a booth, dropping menus on the table unceremoniously before heading off without giving them a second look.]
( he's cautious, even despite his own words, because it's almost as though he's uncertain of them himself: sure, in theory, he doesn't think that anyone will cause a scene here. even in what appears to be a bad neighborhood, with dark alleyways and certain danger awaiting in some instances, there's very little need to involve the public, and a diner, of all places, is likely once of the safest places they can be for now. still--he holds the door open, to let rufus in, and spares a glance at his back to reassure that those tailing them don't come in immediately after. it's something that's on his mind even as they're guided to a booth, where he sits down gingerly, and accepts the menu.
it's a little sticky. luckily he has his gloves on, but his nose wrinkles, clearly not capable of controlling his own slight disdain at being somewhere with so little courtesy. he's hungry, yes, but his gaze over the menu is only brief. he doesn't care about eating, he has to care about keeping rufus safe. )
Let's hope you eat quickly.
( it takes him a moment, to flag down the waitress again: she's not any more pleased to take their order, but she does, and deposits a pot of coffee on the table with two mugs. gratefully, tseng starts immediately pouring himself a cup--before he realizes, and nudges it to rufus first to allow him to have it. he pours the other one for himself. )
So are you going to tell me your idea? ( his eyes are circling the diner again, reassuring, before they narrow in on rufus' face. it's really in his best interests that he's so good-looking, otherwise he wouldn't get away with nearly as much as he does. ) Or are you purposefully keeping me in the dark?
( his hand coils around his coffee cup, lifting it up for one long, almost inhuman swallow. two plates arrive with their orders, though tseng has kept his own meal alarmingly modest: toast, eggs, fruit and coffee appear to be what's going to sustain him the rest of this hellish morning. )
[Rufus has no shame when he gives his order- bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and two pieces of toast. He was starving and he wasn't going to settle for something so light as Tseng.
When the waitress unloads their food on the table Rufus takes the chance to glance outside the window, noticing that their followers had decided to take up post outside, one of them lighting up a cigarette. They seemed willing to be patient while waiting for Tseng and Rufus to finish.
But he turns back to Tseng, spearing a piece of bacon on his fork. The food is terrible, the coffee a far cry from what he was used to back home but it is the best thing he had eaten in awhile so he wasn't going to be picky.]
It depends on how much gil you have left. Give what I saw when you were paying for the hotel room last night I don't think it's a lot. Our only option may be public transport where no one will expect us to be or if that's not possible, finding a ride with someone who is too stupid or clueless to realize who I am.
[Neither situation is optimal but he knows they have to work with what they have. He doesn't worry about having the best table manners as he props his elbows on the table but makes sure not a single bit of food gets on his suit.]
With any luck we'll be back by the evening and you'll be enjoying your promotion by dinner.
( there are so, so many things wrong with this situation, and it takes all of his meager self-control not to lash out at every single one of them. first of all, has rufus shinra ever heard of table manners? does the great family simply not care for them? elbows on the table, food eaten like a man starving; tseng watches him for a moment over the lip of his coffee mug, takes another large swallow, and sets it down with a loud thunk. at the very least, rufus is neat about not getting food on his clothes, but tseng is still prepared to reach for a napkin and save him from any grease or syrup getting dripped onto those clothes. it would be a pain to try to remedy the stain while also trying to avoid getting shinra's heir captured again.
why is his life so difficult? why did he have to be chosen for this mission? he's grumbling, clearly displeased, as he cuts into his own breakfast, eats it with a meticulous manner and only as quickly as seems becoming. he's hungry, too, starved from the lack of sleep and the exertion of the day before: but he's more used to it than rufus is, he thinks. likely this may be rufus shinra's first time going days with meager offerings. that much makes him smile, privately, before he sets his thoughts otherwise.
the words public transport make him cringe: but then again, do they have any other choice? they could easily slip onto a train or a bus, or perhaps he could have time to radio for a chopper to pick them up at the station closest and take them back to the city. he's not sure if veld would let him--but then again, veld isn't the one here suffering, now is he? )
Fine. We'll see what we can find. Don't tell me you're going to suggest we go by chocobo next, are you?
( is he smiling? yes, but wryly, as he drains his coffee cup, dutifully pours rufus a bit more before he tops off his own. )
There will be no promotion. Unless you're telling me you're going to engineer it. How gracious of you, mister vice president.
[He can almost feel the judgment radiating off of Tseng but given that the last time he ate was the day before yesterday when he had been given some sort of questionable gray porriage from his captors. If Tseng wants to judge him for his lack of table manners and his choice of breakfast than he was more than welcome to. He knew that if his father or Veld ever saw him acting so common while eating he would never hear the end of it but they weren't here and he doubted Tseng was going to rat him given that Rufus is sure that Tseng himself has already broken more than a few rules himself.
e makes eye contact with Tseng he finishes the bacon as if daring him to say something.]
Never, I hate those things. [Granted, he had only been near a chocobo once when he was a child but he can still remember how it snapped at his hand when he reached out to try to pet it. Never again. And given how sore his shoulder was from the shotgun he wasn't eager to add a bumpy ride to his discomfort.]
Of course, it's the least you I do. I know you will repay me by providing very thorough training on how to properly use a shotgun.
[It doesn't take him long to finish the rest of his food, mopping up the last of the syrup with a forkful of pancakes. Out of the corner of his eyes he glances at the window to see their shadows still outside smoking. When the waitress practically slams the check on the table in front of him, Rufus simply slides it over to Tseng without looking at it while finishing the last of his coffee.]
Once you're done we need find a way to lose our devoted followers.
( that is a small piece of information that he tucks into his memory, amused: rufus shinra hates chocobos? it's almost enough to be endearing in some way, as though imagining him terrified of the big, fluffy birds brings him some modicum of fondness, but he tries not to let it show. he's not particularly fond of them himself, if only because he finds them hard to travel by; he's much more partial to taking a car or, when permitted, a chopper. unfortunately, he thinks that they're likely barred from being able to take any air transport, for now, so it will likely having to be a car.
borrowed? stolen? paid for? he'll consider that once they're through.
he watches rufus mop up the last of his pancakes, glances out the window as he sees rufus do the same. true, those men are still lingering, and perhaps it's the lack of sleep or perhaps he's just frustrated by the entire turn of events, but there is a part of him that doesn't even want to deal with the charade of trying to lose them. could he go out there with gun and shoot all three? likely. but that would provide another mess to clean up, and he doesn't want to leave rufus alone, either. so what choice do they have?
he flicks his fingers to the bill, glances at it once and then sighs. from inside his suit, he pulls out the correct amount, lays it down on the table, and then nods to rufus. )
We'll go out through the kitchen. It will round us to the back alley, between this building and the one behind it. Take a sharp right, walk down and around, and head in the direction of the outskirts of town. There will likely be a vehicle we can... Borrow.
( he says this very calmly, as he takes one last, longing swallow of coffee. )
[There is a strange expression on Tseng's face that passes too quickly for Rufus to put his finger on but there isn't time to puzzle it out. He gulps the rest of his coffee on the way up, putting the mug down as he follows Tseng.
Rufus resists the temptation to look back at their followers one last time but he has to focus on getting through the restaurant first so he keeps his eyes on Tseng. There is a moment when he's tempted to reach out to grab Tseng's hand for a reason he can't figure out but he hurries instead to follow Tseng out of the back door of the diner, wrinkling his nose when he steps foot in a puddle of murky questionable liquid. There isn't time to linger though and he's already decided that the clothes he's wearing are a total loss anyway. He's just going to have to endure the mess until they return.]
Ha! Borrow.
[He lets out a short laugh because there was a good chance the owner would never see their car or any kind of compensation from Shinra. He doubts that his father cares about the pesky little details of Rufus's rescue- all he would care about is how much this would cost him and if Rufus was still in one piece when returned.
He follows Tseng in silence for a bit, giving up on trying to figure out where they are in Junon at this point. It's a quieter part of the city, the houses a bit nicer and as far as Rufus can tell, they don't have any followers.]
There- I think that will work.
[This time Rufus does stop and put his hand on Tseng's arm, pointing at a car parked in an ally seemingly unattended. It doesn't look well maintained but they can't be picky about traveling in style at the moment.]
( with the way they make quick work of the diner, he feels almost impressed, by the level of somewhat dubious professionalism that rufus is showing. he's quiet, to the point, not drawling to look at things or complain about the questionable things found in back alleys; he didn't even bat an eye at the condition of the kitchen as they worked through it, or even asked a question as to where they are in junon or how long it will take to get back. he's actually pleasant, like this, when he's quiet; and that means that tseng can concentrate more closely on the task at hand. he needs to keep himself aware of their surroundings, keenly, so as not to get in the way of anything: and not to have rufus end up in the line of fire.
he notes it too, as he glances around, that they're conspicuously unfollowed, here. no one is trailing them, and he finds that less comforting and more suspicious. the sooner that they're in a vehicle, the sooner he can feel at ease. luckily, rufus seems to spot something before even he can--now that is suspicious. annoyed, he nods, reaches his own hand back to touch rufus' arm in answer, briefly, before he strides over to the car.
in terms of getaway vehicles, it's not great. the paint is peeling in some spots, and the inside of the car is something of a mess, but beggars can't be choosers, and he's already risked enough by having rufus this out in the open. frowning, he rounds on the hood, looking for any open windows--there aren't any, which means he has to do this the old fashioned way. )
Keep an eye out. ( --is what he manages to say, soft and low, as he reaches into the inside pocket of his suit for the bendable wire that he'll drop into the door to open the lock. his eyes narrow, from the vehicle to rufus, but he still sees nothing. ) Two minutes.
( and while he does manage it--finding the mechanism for the lock with ease, popping the door open, it's the reflection in the side mirror, as the door moves, that has him reaching an arm out for rufus to push him down.
a shot goes past them, one that richochets off the nearby wall, and then another, that strikes something soft: tseng's shoulder. it staggers him for a moment, cursing, as he draws out his pistol with the other hand; he's likely dripping blood down onto rufus, but he gets a clear shot of the attacker, catches him in the face and watches him go down before he hisses, impatient, to rufus. )
Climb in the car. You'll have to drive.
( and he'll have to make it to the other side of the car, to get in: he winces, pops off another shot as a distraction, and starts his way, methodical, around the hood of the car. hopefully rufus has enough sense to unlock the passenger door, once he's in the driver's seat. )
[Rufus doesn't need to be encouraged to head towards the car- it's even uglier up close than it was from the street but it's the only option they have.]
Alright. [Despite Tseng telling him to keep watch Rufus can't resist trying to watch Tseng working with the wire almost as if he's taking mental notes of how Tseng manages to spring the lock. But before he can say anything Tseng is shoving him down before the shot rings out.
It leaves him in a daze so it takes him a moment to see the red drips on his suit but it's not until he sees Tseng going around the front of the car to see where it comes from. He only nods when Tseng tells him that he's driving, pushing his way into the car the best he's able to without putting himself in the line of fire.
There is no time to be delighted that he finally gets to drive- Veld had adamantly refused to teach him since Rufus asked him when he turned 14. Instead, his heart is beating in his chest as he pulls himself into the driver's side.
He looks around once inside, trying to figure out how this is going to work but he still manages to reach over to unlock the passenger side door for Tseng. The spare keys were stashed behind the sun visor and Rufus scoffs, grateful for the owner's carelessness. He doubts that they were worried that anyone would be stealing this piece of junk.
He has no idea what he's doing as he starts the engine but there isn't time to second guess anything. He's never even been in the front seat of a car before- as far as he knows all that is needed is to start the engine and go. He presses what he hopes the gas pedal as far down as it goes, clutching the wheel.
Except the car doesn't move despite the engine revving loudly. He tries again but the car still doesn't budge, shuddering slightly as it pushes against some kind of barrier. Parking brake? What is that?
He's later going to make sure Veld knows what a mistake it was to not teach him how to drive.]
Tseng- [He looks over at him for help, dunking down as another shot rings out, hitting the hood of the car. Another shot hits the side mirror, making him wince.]
( to rufus' credit, he does relatively well to start out with. perhaps it's because of the way that tseng hissed the words at him, perhaps it's the blood that he leaves smeared on the hood of the car, on the door handle when he pops it open, swiftly, and ducks into the relative safety of the vehicle. by the time he's seated, rufus already has the keys down, twisted in the ignition, and the engine hums to life beneath them, which is a good sign. a part of him had been worried that it might not run at all. and sure, rufus' eyes are a bit round and glassy, and sure, his hands are gripping the steering wheel like a child who's ready to rip it from one side to the other.
but he's trying. and tseng can appreciate that, even through the haze of pain that racks up the side of his arm and through his shoulder.
he sinks down lower in his seat, ignoring the sound of the shot that ricochets off the car; rufus should be safe like this, at least until he gets his foot down on the pedal. the car revs up with life, but goes nowhere; another shot goes out, and tseng moves his hand, bloody, from where it's been pressed hard to the bullet wound to keep it from bleeding too much outright. it throbs when he takes the pressure off. )
It has to be in drive. ( --is what he says, calm as he can manage. ) Allow me.
( caked with blood, his gloved hand moves, wrenches down the automatic to shift the car out of park and into drive--with rufus' foot on the pedal, it shoots forward, and tseng lets out a hiss of a command, firm. )
Get control of the vehicle, sir. You cannot take turns at this speed.
( the gunshots start to fall away--apparently they aren't in pursuit of them yet, and with a glance back behind them, tseng clicks his tongue in displeasure, then settles into the passenger seat again. yes, he's terrified of how rufus might drive, but at this point, he has no other choice. )
Take a left here. Then straight out. We'll hit city limits and then be out in the open road to Midgar.
[As soon as Tseng shifts the car into drive it shoots forward, taking Rufus by surprise and he barely reacts in time to steer to avoid hitting anything. They barely miss the wall of the house next to them, Rufus clutching the steering wheel.
He tries not to look at how Tseng is bleeding, he can only focus on trying not to lose control of the car as it skids around the corner. Sure Tseng says that he can't take the corner that fast but Rufus likes a challenge. The tires squeal on the pavement with each turn but Rufus doesn't start to slow down until a few minutes after the last of the gunshots have faded away, the last one pinging off the bumper.
Only once the car finally gets out onto the open road towards Midgar that he finally tries to look at Tseng from the corner of his eyes. It's difficult to see clearly when he's trying to keep his eyes on the road, swerving around a car without bothering to slow down. He decides to just ignore the speed limit, deciding it's more of a suggestion than anything else.]
Do you need me to pull over? I don't want you to bleed out on our way to Midgar. [He's not sure how far Midgar is, they could be driving for hours even as Rufus pushes the gas pedal to the floor. No one was going to dare to pull him over and if they did, a well-played do you know who my father is would no doubt do the trick.]
It's not going to do either of us either good if you pass out and bleed all over. I should be able to pull over ahead where it clears up.
[He has to look back at the road to narrowly miss a turn off to follow a sign indicating the way towards Midgar, swerving across two lanes of traffic despite the blaring horns from cars that barely miss them. Aside from Tseng bleeding in the passenger seat, being able to drive is even better than he could have imagined.]
( well, the good news: at the rate this is going, he'll be dead long before they reach midgar. the both of them will, with how rufus is driving, swerving to take the corner at a speed that makes his stomach lift and then get left behind somewhere in the outskirts of the city. he's gripping onto the handle just above the window, his other hand staunchly pressed to his shoulder, but he still manages a few words under his breath that are less than pleasant, and something that would likely get him in trouble if repeated. the speed that rufus takes the car means that they're out of the city quickly enough, though; he imagines that they will be too far out on the open road for those pursuing them to even try to catch up.
it means he can catch his breath, and swallow down the urge to vomit.
a laugh escapes--maybe even the first one he's ever managed--and he shakes his head a little, peeling back his palm to check the blood flow. it's still staining his shirt, pooled through his jacket, but he can't gauge whether the bullet went straight through; it could be a benefit to have it still pressed inside of it, but it would be easier to tend to if it came out the back. he shakes his head a little--rufus jerks the car from one lane to the next, and tseng hisses-- )
Rufus. ( --like he can't quite help himself. the minute it's out of his mouth, he stumbles to try to cover it up. ) Sir. Just... Over here, off to the side...
( it's true, he needs rufus to look at the wound, but he's dreading it. instead, he clenches his hand over it again, closes his eyes, and wills them not to get hit by any oncoming traffic while rufus swerves to bring the car to a stop. )
I'll need you to see if it went all the way through, then tie it up. Can you manage? Midgar isn't too far with the way you drive, so mercifully, I'll make it that far. No major arteries, nothing permanently damaged, it's just...
( fucking painful, but he doesn't say that out loud, just grimaces and smooths his face out after. )
[Rufus is surprised by the laugh and Tseng using his first name but manages to keep his attention on the road long enough to get them to a place he can pull the car over. He won't hold the muttered words that are definitely less than professional against Tseng but he'll certainly remember each one to use later to mess with Tseng a bit.
Instead of slowing down gradually, Rufus slams on the brakes, and as soon as they get to the shoulder of the road, he yanks on the parking brake which causes them both to lurch forward with a forceful jerk. But once he recovers from the moment of shock he turns the engine off to look over at Tseng.
Tseng looks worse than he thought, like he was not only in pain but sick to his stomach as well. It was some small consolation that Tseng isn't going to bleed out just yet but if something happened then he wasn't in really condition to do anything.]
Jacket off, pull your shirt down so I can see.
[Rufus doesn't wait to help Tseng get his coat off as much as possible, doing his best to try not to cause any more pain or damage.]
I'll have to recommend you for a raise for taking a bullet for me, won't I? And you might even get some paid vacation days.
[Once he's able to see the bullet wound he pauses. When he reaches out his fingers only brush against the edge of the exit wound which is a cleaner than he had been expecting it to be.]
It went through. If I can't tie it with your shirt we can just use mine.
( it's no wonder that rufus is the president's son: he's demanding, headstrong, stubborn, and without any hint of delicacy in the way he reaches to help him out of his jacket. he can tell that he's trying, but he's still not used to this kind of pain, not used to having to take such a wound and keep going; even out in his field work, he's been mostly the right-hand rather than the one out in the open, espionage and other missions that haven't asked much of him physically and more required his mental prowess. it means he can't quite control his expressions, either, a wince and a hiss of breath that escapes as they both finally manage to get him out of his jacket entirely. )
Paid vacation, now there's a joke.
( wry and amused, he leans forward so that rufus can inspect the back of the wound: his fingers brush against it, and tseng's breath catches for a moment, learning better how to swallow down the urge to cry out in pain with each passing moment. if anything, this is good training for the future, he figures. )
It would be rude of me to bleed all over your clothes. Surely I would get terminated for that.
( there's at least a hint of a smirk on his features, pale as they are--but he lifts an arm, holding it out towards rufus expectantly. )
Rip my sleeve and use it. I have plenty of clothes in my locker back at base, and this way, you cannot charge me some ridiculous dry cleaning fee.
Don't worry, Tseng, I'm not going to send you a bill or have you fired. [Rufus gives him what would be a reassuring smile but there was a glint in his eyes as Tseng lifts his arm. He gathers the fabric of his sleeve with both fists.] I'm just going to garnish your wages since you already got blood on my coat and it's going to have to be replaced
And considering this is custom-made I'll ask Veld to give you a raise or else you're ging to be paying it off into your old age.
[And with that and without any warning he rips the sleeve from Tseng's shirt. There was no way to really be gentle about it and it was best to just be done with it. It didn't come away easily and it takes a couple of more rips to get the fabric away complately.]
Stay still, you can pass out when I'm done. I think I can figure out which direction Midgar is in now.
[He works quickly to try to tie up the wound, a little surprised that Tseng is less stoic about this than he expected. He didn't seem the type but he supposes pain like this can change someone in profound ways.
His attempt to tie up the wound is clumsy but he is still proud of the result once he pulls away.]
You should at least live until I get us back. You can't get your paid day off if you die.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2021-04-18 05:13 am (UTC)He hasn't known Tseng that long but he didn't seem the kind of man who would be swept up in those kinds of platitude and lies.]
If you really gave a fuck about the Planet it would have been easier to just join some environmental anti-Shinra group. It wouldn't have given you what you wanted though.
[He stifles a yawn, shifting his head against the pillow though doesn't take his eyes off of Tseng's. He's not sure how much longer he can stay awake but he's determined to at least get a little bit more information about him. If they are going to be the future of the company than he wants to know who is protecting him and ensuring his future.
He recognizes that emotion Tseng lets out, it's one that's all too familiar for him. He had spent his entire life being told he had to belong, that it was expected but never being able to do so no matter how hard he tried. He wasn't who he was supposed to be.]
Revenge can only keep you going for so long, Tseng. Eventually you'll accomplish it and then what? You'll have to make your own place to belong eventually, especially after Veld leaves his position and leaves you in charge.
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Date: 2021-05-01 06:07 pm (UTC)( but then again, surely that is rufus shinra's way, isn't it? to be utterly confident, utterly controlling, to make the things happen that he wants to make happen. some would call it simple determination, or others would refer to it as stubbornness, delusion. manipulation, too, given that he's sure that, despite his apparent ire with his father, rufus could do nearly anything that he wanted to. likely will, too, once he's in his father's spot--though how long until that happens? tseng spares him a glance, sidelong, and nearly, nearly smiles.
he looks exhausted. tseng imagines he's only staying up so long for the sake of the game, in which case, he should likely give him something heavy to chew on, shouldn't he?
so he refolds his arms, against his stomach, laces his fingers together, and cants his own gaze up at the ceiling thoughtfully. )
Well. Perhaps I come from a place that's been decimated by Shinra, and I'm hoping to build up enough trust within one of the most important branches of the company, in the hopes of assassinating the heir apparent.
( his lips curl into a smile--is it true, or not? hard to say, with the expression that he wears. )
Or perhaps I'm trying to secure a place so close to him that it will be easy to manipulate him into doing what I please. Would I belong like that, I wonder?
( belonging--it's a childish notion. only someone like rufus, denied it for so long, would focus so heavily on it; tseng himself knows that there is likely nowhere he will ever truly fit in, and he's already made his peace with that. or he's tried, anyway. )
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Date: 2021-05-02 04:13 am (UTC)But that can work to his advantage. He's sure he can use that in the future when he decides to put his own plans into motion but that's not something he's going to work out tonight while he's practically falling asleep.]
My being kidnapped works well for your plans then. Either the kidnappers would kill me- you wouldn't need to do it yourself then- or when you rescue me, you gain my trust in the process. Then I'll let you close to me which makes it easier for you to manipulate me or kill me when you wish to.
[He still lets his eyes drift shut, unable to stifle another yawn. If Tseng is going to kill him he had his chance earlier and either way, even if Rufus was fully awake he didn't really have the training to put up much of a fight.
This experience made him realize that he wants to learn to defend himself so he's not helpless in these kinds of situations again. Even if Tseng is being honest, Rufus has decided that Tseng will help train him later. It's just a matter of convincing him but Rufus is confident that he'll get his way. At least, eventually.]
If you don't kill me in my sleep, you're buying me breakfast before you turn me in tomorrow. You can consider it part of your grand plan to gain my trust before assassinating me.
[Despite his stubbornness, the last words are mumbled softly. Normally Rufus was a relatively light sleeper but the toll of barely sleeping on a hard floor for days was catching up to him all at once.
For hours he's dead to the world, still holding onto the pillow in his sleep as he snores softly against the rough linen. It's not until hours later that he sits up suddenly, jolting awake with his heart beating in his chest. For a few minutes he has to remember where he is, his mind slowly putting together the pieces of the last day.]
Tseng.
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Date: 2021-05-03 10:05 pm (UTC)to say that he's surprised to hear the voice would be an understatement, given the way his shoulders jerk, but per training, he's immediately alert, lifting his chin and turning his head swiftly towards the door.
nothing. not even a hint of anything astray, all the furniture in the correct place, all of their things still where he left them. it's then that he realizes he needs to get rufus' clothes: likely they're sitting outside the hotel door, which is a ridiculous, unsafe place for them to be. anyone looking for them could recognize the material, expensive and crisp and white, and come barging in; it's a rookie mistake, and he should have never fallen asleep. one of his hands lifts, presses a finger to rufus' lips, before he slips off the bed; his shirt is a little rumpled and his hair needs brushing, but he's seemingly unbothered by that as he approaches the door, opens it, and glances down.
as luck would have it: rufus' clothes are in a laundry bag, safe from prying eyes. he pulls it inside and then shuts the door, quietly. )
Likely you'll want to change, sir. ( his voice is a little husky with sleep, as he brings rufus the clothes and sets them on the bed where he'd laid, previously. ) I'm going to wash up in the bathroom. Is there anything you require of me before then?
( seems like the pleasantries are back, now that they're not playing their little game, and tseng even gives him a hint of a smile, all wry and bemused. )
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Date: 2021-05-04 01:09 am (UTC)But he won't tease him about that, he can't really fault Tseng for getting some sleep while they're able to. Ideally, they will be able to get back to the Shinra Building without further incident but it's clear that things didn't always go as planned for them.
He pulls himself out of bed, wincing as he moves his shoulder that the gun had recoiled into the day before to pull his clothes out of the bag. They aren't as flawlessly white as they used to be- he's sure they are past the point of saving even for his dry cleaner- but it was better than nothing.]
No, I'm fine. Go wash up, we should at least halfway put together when we get back.
[Rufus can't stop himself from returning that small smile, amused. Once Tseng is in the bathroom Rufus discards the robe and gets dressed, wincing at the stains on his clothes that he can still pick out even in the dark room. But it was the first time wearing clean clothes in awhile and by the time Tseng comes out, Rufus is dressed and is checking the shotgun he had taken.]
I'm starving. Where are we going to breakfast?
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Date: 2021-05-05 10:55 pm (UTC)to meet his suspicions halfway, he keeps the door ajar, takes care to glance out as he washes his face, brushes his teeth, wipes down his hands and arms and smooths out his hair; rufus is changing, and tseng tells himself he spares only the most cursory glances, that he isn't interested in seeing the body beneath all that finery at all. scoffing at his own reflection, he runs a comb through his hair, wets it down, and then affords himself a slow breath. he's not wearing the same expression as last night: so he puts it back on before he leaves the bathroom.
with a repressed sigh, he reaches out with a hand-- )
We're going nowhere unless you put that down.
( bemused, like a parent having to scold their child. he puts his gloves on, slings the holster back into place, and loads his pistols carefully before shrugging his jacket back on. he wishes he had had his clothes washed, but nothing to be done about it now. )
I know a place, but you'll want to hide the shotgun. ( tseng isn't offering suggestions: just the smooth curl of his lips, like he wants to see rufus try to figure it out. ) I don't want to draw attention to us, when we'll have to likely get a car to take us the rest of the way back to the office.
( one of his hands goes for the door--but he twists back to rufus, lifting one brow, a little cockier than he will find himself, later, once he's grown up and had all the disillusions fill him; he opens it, gestures with the exaggerated bend of an arm. )
After you, sir.
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Date: 2021-05-07 03:12 am (UTC)[If Tseng was going to tease him then Rufus was going to return the favor, he wouldn't let Tseng get the best of him and win their little back and forth. He was enjoying it in fact, he didn't get this kind of engagement from the Turks who were always assigned to guard him aside from Reno.
And he wasn't letting go of the gun just yet. He frowns at Tseng, not putting it down as if he were a stubborn child not wanting to let go of a favorite toy. He would have to get something customized just for him later, of course, but Tseng was right, it would attract too much attention to openly carry it around during the day.]
I assume you're going to help me figure out how to conceal the gun then.
[Rufus does an exaggerated bow of his head in return as he passes by Tseng on his way out the door as if he were a king who was acknowledging a lowly subject. Which wasn't far from the truth considering the Shinra family was the de facto royal family.]
I have an idea of how to get us transportation without attracting too much attention. Just follow my lead, darling, and I think we may make it out of this in one piece.
[He doesn't ask permission before linking his arm with Tseng's. This is just playing a part, they have to do what's necessary to get through this. He's not doing this to enjoy himself but there is something about being close to Tseng that makes his thoughts slightly muddled more than he cared to admit.
He was sure that Tseng was selected for this mission for a reason so they would most likely be working together for the foreseeable future so Rufus couldn't let anything get in the way of doing what he had to. Tseng could only be a complication]
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Date: 2021-05-09 07:23 pm (UTC)( the word is repeated, muttered under his breath in displeasure: he doesn't like it, but the more that rufus says it, the easier it is to control his more visceral reactions. he doesn't want to admit it, but rufus is good for something like this; his exaggerated egotism and relative charm mean that it's something of training, learning how to adapt around him, how to better hide the things that he doesn't want him to see. even as he gives that exaggerated bow, and lets himself out of the room--even as he links his arm in with tseng's, as he's trying to lock up the room. disgruntled as he is with the action, he swallows it down: he's learning, yes. )
Must you take it with us? ( he means the gun, of course, as they make their way down the hall, back towards the front desk so that he can drop the key off there. ) We have more than what we need.
( that may be a sliver of egotism, given that he only has his pistols--and they will surely run out of ammo eventually. but he doesn't tell rufus to ditch the weapon outright, as they make it to the counter: he sets the key down while they continue walking, movements fluid, and it's only once they're standing in the empty lobby, right before the doors, that he sighs and withdraws his arm from rufus'. it's not because he doesn't want to touch him--though, he doesn't want to touch him; it's more that he's providing him with a means of concealment in the form of one slippery hand stealing a long jacket off the coat rack just inside the inn.
pointedly, he drapes the material over rufus' arm, so that the overhang hides most of the shotgun. it'll be good enough, at least for getting breakfast: getting a car may be another story entirely. satisfied, though, and not wanting to be caught loitering, he opens the front door for rufus with a playfully grand gesture of his own, as though buying in completely to the exaggerated royal nonsense. )
Do you mean to say I'm absolved of feeding you, then? That is good news indeed.
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Date: 2021-05-09 10:38 pm (UTC)Someone was bound to make the connection between a Turk acommpaning well-dressed, if a bit rumpled, blonde. He doesn't pause as they head outside, expecting that Tseng could keep up with him. He's not sure where he's going, he has no idea where in Junon they are but standing around in the middle of a busy street in daylight didn't seem like a good idea.]
Hardly. Breakfast first, car second. I'm sure you know somewhere good where I can get bacon swimming in grease and decent eggs. And if you're worried about the expense, I'll make sure my father reimburses you for the cost.
[Rufus slows down a little to let Tseng take the lead since he's not sure where to find anything suitable. This might as well be a foreign land to him, a world away from the glittering of luxury he's used to.
He's focused on Tseng and the idea of breakfast that he doesn't notice that they had picked up a tail of two men tracking them from a few feet behind.
He stops Tseng with a hand on his arm, pointing to a diner down the block. It's not exactly fancy but he doesn't care at the moment.]
There, that looks promising.
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Date: 2021-05-10 09:33 pm (UTC)at least rufus stops after a moment, with a hand on his arm, and tseng turns his gaze up at him, then where he's pointing. it looks like a bit of a dive, if he's honest, but--well, the diner would likely have the most diverse clientele, and it would be easy to try to blend in with the others also likely seeking to blend in.
but there is something to him, which may be why he's gotten the faith of veld, in him--he can sense that there's just something wrong, which is why he threads his arm in, with rufus', and jerks him into movement again. the pace they keep isn't slow, but it isn't hurried, either; that will likely give them away, as tseng twists his head, under the guise of whispering into rufus' ear, to glance around them. )
We're going to go into the diner, and then we're going to go out through the back.
( murmured, his head twisted like he's bestowing rufus with sweet nothings--instead of these firm, calm commands. )
We're being followed. Act natural. They won't do a thing in a crowded place, so you may get your eggs after all.
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Date: 2021-05-12 03:41 am (UTC)He resists the urge to look back, instead leaning his head against Tseng's to play the look of a besotted lover with eyes only for him. His heart beats hard in his chest, eggs almost forgotten as he focuses on Tseng instead.]
Let's hope so. The last thing we need is for everyone to know who I am and try their hand at kidnapping as well.
[Tseng was only one Turk and this didn't seem like a place where many people would be fond of Shinra. He could pick out the signs of poverty around them and he's sure that there is some resentment towards the company and the President at the very least.
He only pulls away from him a little as they get to the dinner, letting Tseng open the door for him. It's crowded and a tired-looking waitress directs them to a booth, dropping menus on the table unceremoniously before heading off without giving them a second look.]
Let'shope the eggs are better than the service.
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Date: 2021-05-15 07:46 pm (UTC)it's a little sticky. luckily he has his gloves on, but his nose wrinkles, clearly not capable of controlling his own slight disdain at being somewhere with so little courtesy. he's hungry, yes, but his gaze over the menu is only brief. he doesn't care about eating, he has to care about keeping rufus safe. )
Let's hope you eat quickly.
( it takes him a moment, to flag down the waitress again: she's not any more pleased to take their order, but she does, and deposits a pot of coffee on the table with two mugs. gratefully, tseng starts immediately pouring himself a cup--before he realizes, and nudges it to rufus first to allow him to have it. he pours the other one for himself. )
So are you going to tell me your idea? ( his eyes are circling the diner again, reassuring, before they narrow in on rufus' face. it's really in his best interests that he's so good-looking, otherwise he wouldn't get away with nearly as much as he does. ) Or are you purposefully keeping me in the dark?
( his hand coils around his coffee cup, lifting it up for one long, almost inhuman swallow. two plates arrive with their orders, though tseng has kept his own meal alarmingly modest: toast, eggs, fruit and coffee appear to be what's going to sustain him the rest of this hellish morning. )
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Date: 2021-05-16 06:09 am (UTC)When the waitress unloads their food on the table Rufus takes the chance to glance outside the window, noticing that their followers had decided to take up post outside, one of them lighting up a cigarette. They seemed willing to be patient while waiting for Tseng and Rufus to finish.
But he turns back to Tseng, spearing a piece of bacon on his fork. The food is terrible, the coffee a far cry from what he was used to back home but it is the best thing he had eaten in awhile so he wasn't going to be picky.]
It depends on how much gil you have left. Give what I saw when you were paying for the hotel room last night I don't think it's a lot. Our only option may be public transport where no one will expect us to be or if that's not possible, finding a ride with someone who is too stupid or clueless to realize who I am.
[Neither situation is optimal but he knows they have to work with what they have. He doesn't worry about having the best table manners as he props his elbows on the table but makes sure not a single bit of food gets on his suit.]
With any luck we'll be back by the evening and you'll be enjoying your promotion by dinner.
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Date: 2021-05-17 08:36 pm (UTC)why is his life so difficult? why did he have to be chosen for this mission? he's grumbling, clearly displeased, as he cuts into his own breakfast, eats it with a meticulous manner and only as quickly as seems becoming. he's hungry, too, starved from the lack of sleep and the exertion of the day before: but he's more used to it than rufus is, he thinks. likely this may be rufus shinra's first time going days with meager offerings. that much makes him smile, privately, before he sets his thoughts otherwise.
the words public transport make him cringe: but then again, do they have any other choice? they could easily slip onto a train or a bus, or perhaps he could have time to radio for a chopper to pick them up at the station closest and take them back to the city. he's not sure if veld would let him--but then again, veld isn't the one here suffering, now is he? )
Fine. We'll see what we can find. Don't tell me you're going to suggest we go by chocobo next, are you?
( is he smiling? yes, but wryly, as he drains his coffee cup, dutifully pours rufus a bit more before he tops off his own. )
There will be no promotion. Unless you're telling me you're going to engineer it. How gracious of you, mister vice president.
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Date: 2021-05-18 03:19 am (UTC)e makes eye contact with Tseng he finishes the bacon as if daring him to say something.]
Never, I hate those things. [Granted, he had only been near a chocobo once when he was a child but he can still remember how it snapped at his hand when he reached out to try to pet it. Never again. And given how sore his shoulder was from the shotgun he wasn't eager to add a bumpy ride to his discomfort.]
Of course, it's the least you I do. I know you will repay me by providing very thorough training on how to properly use a shotgun.
[It doesn't take him long to finish the rest of his food, mopping up the last of the syrup with a forkful of pancakes. Out of the corner of his eyes he glances at the window to see their shadows still outside smoking. When the waitress practically slams the check on the table in front of him, Rufus simply slides it over to Tseng without looking at it while finishing the last of his coffee.]
Once you're done we need find a way to lose our devoted followers.
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Date: 2021-05-24 09:41 pm (UTC)borrowed? stolen? paid for? he'll consider that once they're through.
he watches rufus mop up the last of his pancakes, glances out the window as he sees rufus do the same. true, those men are still lingering, and perhaps it's the lack of sleep or perhaps he's just frustrated by the entire turn of events, but there is a part of him that doesn't even want to deal with the charade of trying to lose them. could he go out there with gun and shoot all three? likely. but that would provide another mess to clean up, and he doesn't want to leave rufus alone, either. so what choice do they have?
he flicks his fingers to the bill, glances at it once and then sighs. from inside his suit, he pulls out the correct amount, lays it down on the table, and then nods to rufus. )
We'll go out through the kitchen. It will round us to the back alley, between this building and the one behind it. Take a sharp right, walk down and around, and head in the direction of the outskirts of town. There will likely be a vehicle we can... Borrow.
( he says this very calmly, as he takes one last, longing swallow of coffee. )
Any questions? Let's go.
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Date: 2021-05-27 04:21 am (UTC)Rufus resists the temptation to look back at their followers one last time but he has to focus on getting through the restaurant first so he keeps his eyes on Tseng. There is a moment when he's tempted to reach out to grab Tseng's hand for a reason he can't figure out but he hurries instead to follow Tseng out of the back door of the diner, wrinkling his nose when he steps foot in a puddle of murky questionable liquid. There isn't time to linger though and he's already decided that the clothes he's wearing are a total loss anyway. He's just going to have to endure the mess until they return.]
Ha! Borrow.
[He lets out a short laugh because there was a good chance the owner would never see their car or any kind of compensation from Shinra. He doubts that his father cares about the pesky little details of Rufus's rescue- all he would care about is how much this would cost him and if Rufus was still in one piece when returned.
He follows Tseng in silence for a bit, giving up on trying to figure out where they are in Junon at this point. It's a quieter part of the city, the houses a bit nicer and as far as Rufus can tell, they don't have any followers.]
There- I think that will work.
[This time Rufus does stop and put his hand on Tseng's arm, pointing at a car parked in an ally seemingly unattended. It doesn't look well maintained but they can't be picky about traveling in style at the moment.]
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Date: 2021-05-31 10:32 pm (UTC)he notes it too, as he glances around, that they're conspicuously unfollowed, here. no one is trailing them, and he finds that less comforting and more suspicious. the sooner that they're in a vehicle, the sooner he can feel at ease. luckily, rufus seems to spot something before even he can--now that is suspicious. annoyed, he nods, reaches his own hand back to touch rufus' arm in answer, briefly, before he strides over to the car.
in terms of getaway vehicles, it's not great. the paint is peeling in some spots, and the inside of the car is something of a mess, but beggars can't be choosers, and he's already risked enough by having rufus this out in the open. frowning, he rounds on the hood, looking for any open windows--there aren't any, which means he has to do this the old fashioned way. )
Keep an eye out. ( --is what he manages to say, soft and low, as he reaches into the inside pocket of his suit for the bendable wire that he'll drop into the door to open the lock. his eyes narrow, from the vehicle to rufus, but he still sees nothing. ) Two minutes.
( and while he does manage it--finding the mechanism for the lock with ease, popping the door open, it's the reflection in the side mirror, as the door moves, that has him reaching an arm out for rufus to push him down.
a shot goes past them, one that richochets off the nearby wall, and then another, that strikes something soft: tseng's shoulder. it staggers him for a moment, cursing, as he draws out his pistol with the other hand; he's likely dripping blood down onto rufus, but he gets a clear shot of the attacker, catches him in the face and watches him go down before he hisses, impatient, to rufus. )
Climb in the car. You'll have to drive.
( and he'll have to make it to the other side of the car, to get in: he winces, pops off another shot as a distraction, and starts his way, methodical, around the hood of the car. hopefully rufus has enough sense to unlock the passenger door, once he's in the driver's seat. )
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Date: 2021-06-01 05:26 am (UTC)Alright. [Despite Tseng telling him to keep watch Rufus can't resist trying to watch Tseng working with the wire almost as if he's taking mental notes of how Tseng manages to spring the lock. But before he can say anything Tseng is shoving him down before the shot rings out.
It leaves him in a daze so it takes him a moment to see the red drips on his suit but it's not until he sees Tseng going around the front of the car to see where it comes from. He only nods when Tseng tells him that he's driving, pushing his way into the car the best he's able to without putting himself in the line of fire.
There is no time to be delighted that he finally gets to drive- Veld had adamantly refused to teach him since Rufus asked him when he turned 14. Instead, his heart is beating in his chest as he pulls himself into the driver's side.
He looks around once inside, trying to figure out how this is going to work but he still manages to reach over to unlock the passenger side door for Tseng. The spare keys were stashed behind the sun visor and Rufus scoffs, grateful for the owner's carelessness. He doubts that they were worried that anyone would be stealing this piece of junk.
He has no idea what he's doing as he starts the engine but there isn't time to second guess anything. He's never even been in the front seat of a car before- as far as he knows all that is needed is to start the engine and go. He presses what he hopes the gas pedal as far down as it goes, clutching the wheel.
Except the car doesn't move despite the engine revving loudly. He tries again but the car still doesn't budge, shuddering slightly as it pushes against some kind of barrier. Parking brake? What is that?
He's later going to make sure Veld knows what a mistake it was to not teach him how to drive.]
Tseng- [He looks over at him for help, dunking down as another shot rings out, hitting the hood of the car. Another shot hits the side mirror, making him wince.]
It's not working.
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Date: 2021-06-14 10:21 pm (UTC)but he's trying. and tseng can appreciate that, even through the haze of pain that racks up the side of his arm and through his shoulder.
he sinks down lower in his seat, ignoring the sound of the shot that ricochets off the car; rufus should be safe like this, at least until he gets his foot down on the pedal. the car revs up with life, but goes nowhere; another shot goes out, and tseng moves his hand, bloody, from where it's been pressed hard to the bullet wound to keep it from bleeding too much outright. it throbs when he takes the pressure off. )
It has to be in drive. ( --is what he says, calm as he can manage. ) Allow me.
( caked with blood, his gloved hand moves, wrenches down the automatic to shift the car out of park and into drive--with rufus' foot on the pedal, it shoots forward, and tseng lets out a hiss of a command, firm. )
Get control of the vehicle, sir. You cannot take turns at this speed.
( the gunshots start to fall away--apparently they aren't in pursuit of them yet, and with a glance back behind them, tseng clicks his tongue in displeasure, then settles into the passenger seat again. yes, he's terrified of how rufus might drive, but at this point, he has no other choice. )
Take a left here. Then straight out. We'll hit city limits and then be out in the open road to Midgar.
( thank the gods. )
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Date: 2021-06-19 12:41 am (UTC)He tries not to look at how Tseng is bleeding, he can only focus on trying not to lose control of the car as it skids around the corner. Sure Tseng says that he can't take the corner that fast but Rufus likes a challenge. The tires squeal on the pavement with each turn but Rufus doesn't start to slow down until a few minutes after the last of the gunshots have faded away, the last one pinging off the bumper.
Only once the car finally gets out onto the open road towards Midgar that he finally tries to look at Tseng from the corner of his eyes. It's difficult to see clearly when he's trying to keep his eyes on the road, swerving around a car without bothering to slow down. He decides to just ignore the speed limit, deciding it's more of a suggestion than anything else.]
Do you need me to pull over? I don't want you to bleed out on our way to Midgar. [He's not sure how far Midgar is, they could be driving for hours even as Rufus pushes the gas pedal to the floor. No one was going to dare to pull him over and if they did, a well-played do you know who my father is would no doubt do the trick.]
It's not going to do either of us either good if you pass out and bleed all over. I should be able to pull over ahead where it clears up.
[He has to look back at the road to narrowly miss a turn off to follow a sign indicating the way towards Midgar, swerving across two lanes of traffic despite the blaring horns from cars that barely miss them. Aside from Tseng bleeding in the passenger seat, being able to drive is even better than he could have imagined.]
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Date: 2021-06-27 11:16 pm (UTC)it means he can catch his breath, and swallow down the urge to vomit.
a laugh escapes--maybe even the first one he's ever managed--and he shakes his head a little, peeling back his palm to check the blood flow. it's still staining his shirt, pooled through his jacket, but he can't gauge whether the bullet went straight through; it could be a benefit to have it still pressed inside of it, but it would be easier to tend to if it came out the back. he shakes his head a little--rufus jerks the car from one lane to the next, and tseng hisses-- )
Rufus. ( --like he can't quite help himself. the minute it's out of his mouth, he stumbles to try to cover it up. ) Sir. Just... Over here, off to the side...
( it's true, he needs rufus to look at the wound, but he's dreading it. instead, he clenches his hand over it again, closes his eyes, and wills them not to get hit by any oncoming traffic while rufus swerves to bring the car to a stop. )
I'll need you to see if it went all the way through, then tie it up. Can you manage? Midgar isn't too far with the way you drive, so mercifully, I'll make it that far. No major arteries, nothing permanently damaged, it's just...
( fucking painful, but he doesn't say that out loud, just grimaces and smooths his face out after. )
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Date: 2021-07-01 03:49 am (UTC)Instead of slowing down gradually, Rufus slams on the brakes, and as soon as they get to the shoulder of the road, he yanks on the parking brake which causes them both to lurch forward with a forceful jerk. But once he recovers from the moment of shock he turns the engine off to look over at Tseng.
Tseng looks worse than he thought, like he was not only in pain but sick to his stomach as well. It was some small consolation that Tseng isn't going to bleed out just yet but if something happened then he wasn't in really condition to do anything.]
Jacket off, pull your shirt down so I can see.
[Rufus doesn't wait to help Tseng get his coat off as much as possible, doing his best to try not to cause any more pain or damage.]
I'll have to recommend you for a raise for taking a bullet for me, won't I? And you might even get some paid vacation days.
[Once he's able to see the bullet wound he pauses. When he reaches out his fingers only brush against the edge of the exit wound which is a cleaner than he had been expecting it to be.]
It went through. If I can't tie it with your shirt we can just use mine.
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Date: 2021-07-12 09:05 pm (UTC)Paid vacation, now there's a joke.
( wry and amused, he leans forward so that rufus can inspect the back of the wound: his fingers brush against it, and tseng's breath catches for a moment, learning better how to swallow down the urge to cry out in pain with each passing moment. if anything, this is good training for the future, he figures. )
It would be rude of me to bleed all over your clothes. Surely I would get terminated for that.
( there's at least a hint of a smirk on his features, pale as they are--but he lifts an arm, holding it out towards rufus expectantly. )
Rip my sleeve and use it. I have plenty of clothes in my locker back at base, and this way, you cannot charge me some ridiculous dry cleaning fee.
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Date: 2021-07-14 04:10 am (UTC)And considering this is custom-made I'll ask Veld to give you a raise or else you're ging to be paying it off into your old age.
[And with that and without any warning he rips the sleeve from Tseng's shirt. There was no way to really be gentle about it and it was best to just be done with it. It didn't come away easily and it takes a couple of more rips to get the fabric away complately.]
Stay still, you can pass out when I'm done. I think I can figure out which direction Midgar is in now.
[He works quickly to try to tie up the wound, a little surprised that Tseng is less stoic about this than he expected. He didn't seem the type but he supposes pain like this can change someone in profound ways.
His attempt to tie up the wound is clumsy but he is still proud of the result once he pulls away.]
You should at least live until I get us back. You can't get your paid day off if you die.
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