Aeriths-Rain: Tseng with the President, and Rufus
Shadow Haloed Angel: The President, and Tseng with Rufus
The ShinRa building loomed ahead, the towers stretching up into the sky, the top lost among the clouds. That was where he was heading, the very top floor. That was where the President would be waiting to talk to him. The young Turk wasn't sure what it was about, he had never spoken directly to the President before, and he knew it was an important mission. He swung his gun over his shoulder and walked into the tower, smiling at the maternal woman on reception who always smiled at the shy Wutaian boy.
The president lurked in his office, a reptilian creature lurking in the mists of foul-smelling smog of cigar smoke and the repellent atmosphere. The next candidate for his son's bodyguard was expected and he had just had a call from the receptionist to inform him he was on his way up. He estimated he had ten minutes. Rufus was being so troublesome, he was not getting the expected discounts in the majority of the deals he took part in, and had already had three bodyguards in the last two months, one of whom had lasted only a night, this last one had only lasted two weeks. It was ridiculous, he would have to have words with him, the boy was demanding too many resources. He would have to consider Hojo's most recent enquiry for experimentation on the boy. That would be a fitting way of recouping some of his loss.
Tseng checked the lifts. Typically, the first ten floors had a broken elevator, but from then on he could take the lift until the 65th floor. After that his security clearance wasn't high enough, so he would have to take the stairs again. He ran up the stairs, then into the lifts. He waited patiently, watching the light signal each floor he passed. It travelled fast, but there were a lot of floors to go through. Eventually it reached the sixty fifth floor, and he stepped out, showing the email he had received to the guard at the door. After another security check, he was allowed to walk up the last three floors, knocking on the door to the President's office. He felt uncomfortable to be in the presence of a man who was both far more powerful than him, and slightly repulsive. He waited to be allowed entrance.
The President grunted a response to his secretary's informing him that the Turk had arrived. She glared at him, lips pursed. Wutaiain scum. "You may go in. He is expecting you.". Tseng nodded and gulped as he entered the office of the most powerful man in the world, who had the power of life and death over not only him, but everyone in the world.
"So, you have been suggested as the next candidate to be my son's bodyguard... perhaps you would care to enlighten me as to whether you truly wish to accept this position?"
Tseng showed no outward sign of emotion, but accepted the information, nodding slightly. So he was to look after the ShinRa boy, the small pretentious blonde who had lived a life of luxury. He inwardly smiled, remembering Reno's comment that Rufus had been born 'wi' the whole fuckin' tray of silverware stuffed in ev'ry orifice.' The child would probably be intolerable, but he couldn't refuse his boss. Anyway, the boy might need a friend. He'd give it a go.
"I will do my best sir. I believe that he is learning Wutaian, and I can instruct him with that. I had a younger brother and looked after him."
"You may attempt it. He has a history of suicide attempts, should he be successful whilst you are in charge of him your life will be forfeit, among various parts of your anatomy. You will become a test subject for experiments by professor Hojo, and I believe that is worse than death. I have been led to believe that the torments he can perpetrate on the human body are true tests of endurance. He has a photograph appointment for the official release in a few days time, he is therefore to have no marks on his face. All others are to be securely concealed, his hands must also be pristine. He has a ? role as the vice president of the company. I hear he does occasionally attempt to do some of the work one would associate with it, however, he is an incompetent worker. Do not concern yourself with that, your task is solely to guard his life. He does take part in business deals for me occasionally, but you need not concern yourself with that. He pretends to have issues with people touching him, therefore I encourage as much contact as possible. He has to get used to it, such silly pretensions cannot be pandered to."
Tseng nodded.
"Of course, I understand sir. Thank you." His accent remained barely noticeable. The boy was only seven, so he was shocked that he would be expected to work. Still, it wasn't his place to judge. The other's threats did not concern him, as he would ensure that the boy did not die, even if he had to watch him constantly. What did worry him was that the boy would already have tried to kill himself at least once. After all, his life should have been perfect, he had everything he wanted. He would need to ask the child about it. He didn't answer back to the other, even though it was tempting to criticise his attitude. He would die if he did that. Thinking through the other's speech, something else concerned him. The president was expecting the boy to have marks on. He would need to test the other's problems with touch, but that shouldn't cause too much bother. He wondered how long he would keep this guarding job. He wanted to try and show the boy a better attitude than that his father held towards him.
The president threw him a key. "Here, the key to his room's, they are on the floor below this, obviously you will have to find your own way around. Your security clearance will be adjusted accordingly, you will be able to take the lift to that floor, and that floor only above the sixty-fifth. Now go. You are dismissed." He ostensibly returned to his paperwork, ignoring the other. He did not expect the boy to last long. He was Wutaiain after all, he would probably commit – what was it – harakiri on himself and the boy soon enough. He hoped so anyway, it would be a very effective way of removing Rufus, Though the boy was useful. No, he mentally corrected himself, the boy's body was useful.
Tseng nodded, catching the key easily. "Thank you Sir." He walked back down the stairs, to the boy's room, examining the wooden door, running a hand over the intricate panelling. It was stunning. He had been in Midgar for three years, and the elegance still took his breath away. He knocked, then having received no answer knocked again. Realising no one was going to come and answer it, he unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping inside, feet resting on soft carpet. To his immediate right was a door partially open, with "Office" written on it. Another knock and he stepped inside.