Reno's Birthday
This was the dumbest thing he'd ever done. Period. Rude knew he hated working on his birthday so why he insisted on going to this tumble-down junk-pile of a reactor Reno could only guess. Gongaga was a dump with only one bar and no night life to even think about. It was going to suck!
"Come on dawdler." That was rich, Rude always did his best to shirk the work. Reno shucked the pack onto his other shoulder and trudged along. The mud was thicker than usual for the time of year and he lamented leaving his boots back in the village. He recalled being told about it but had dismissed it out of hand. It was never muddy here, except today, when they had to inspect this reactor, on his birthday…
He squelched through the mud, ignoring what it was doing to his clean shoes and sauntered after Rude. Rude hadn't forgotten to change his shoes, he wasn't getting covered in mud, Reno pushed stray red strands of hair back out his face and followed his companion, not wanting to get left behind.
The huge reactor loomed in front of them and for a moment, Reno swallowed his self-pity to look at the structure. There was something about them that always struck a chord in him, they were magnificent buildings and he admitted to himself that they were awesome.
"Stop gawping, we got work to do."
"Give it a rest." Reno shouted back, Rude had already climbed the steps and was entering the building. Reno sighed and followed his friend once more. He dawdled up the stairs and swung his way through the door with all the enthusiasm of a dead rat.
"What's your problem today?" Rude said when he finally stood beside him.
"What's my problem?" Reno said rolling his head to look at Rude. "Don't tell me you forgot what day it is today?"
"Your birthday, we all have to work our birthday some time." Rude said with the merest shrug of his shoulder. "We'll get this done and then go back to the pub." There was the faintest trace of a smile on his face; Rude was enjoying this. All Reno did was sigh, what else was there to do. He nodded and followed Rude deeper into the reactor.
Instead of turning to head into the core, Rude brought Reno to a halt in front of one of the other doors. "I need you to go in here." Rude said.
"What?" Had Rude gone mental? He wasn't going to go into the broom-closet.
"Oh, and you need to wear this." Rude said handing him a conical hat. Reno gave him a flat look but put the hat on anyway. Rude opened the door and shoved the mud covered Reno through.
"Surprise!" the roar from the other side of the door made Reno jump. His eyes widened as he saw who was crowded into the 'broom-closet' of the reactor. Everyone was there. He saw Tseng and Elena smiling conspiratorially at Rude and knew who was to blame for the assignment. Even Rufus had bothered to come along, although he was engaged in a conversation with Scarlet and Heidegger, no doubt about work. Rude shoved a can of cool lager into his hand and he smiled.
"As if we'd make you work on your birthday." He said with a grin.
"Been an ass haven't I?"
Rude nodded.
"Sorry 'bout that."
"No need man, just enjoy the swill." Rude said banging his can against Reno's. Maybe it wasn't going to be such a bad day after all!