A/N: Hello again, hope everyone had a lovely Easter and I would just like to again thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I'm sorry if I failed to get back to any of you, I can sometimes forget who I have and hadn't respond to but I always appreciate responses and feedback, as I keep saying it means a lot to me.
A big THANK YOU to Charlie. O who beta read this chapter for me 8D.
This Chapter feels a bit..well I'll say faster than usual, probably different, I tried something different - just thought I'd warn you about it ^^:
It is not worth telling how Rude awoke that morning. Nor to talk of how the dark, grey light signalled the arrival of the sun through the consistently dense clouds as usual, or how the fledgling Turk took an unusual moment contemplating that he had never seen a clear sky in Midgar, while his tired body selfishly desired to stay embraced by the deep mattress, cushioned in its luxurious texture. Probably shouldn't mention the amount of conviction required for him to haul himself ungracefully to the edge and roll reluctantly onto the soft carpet dragging the feather duvet and silken sheets with him either. Let's not be bored by Rude's tedious morning scrutiny of the expensive room or his other rituals from dressing to breakfast. (By the way he briefly met Jim and John in the hotel's fine restaurant where they breakfasted together. He decided then, while he was somewhat sure Marko had yet to make an appearance to get back to ShinRa before his partner. He barely noticed John was still in the irritable mood from the party last night, possibly from a hangover. ) However it would be wise to mention the President in his wisdom had allowed those of his company attending the previous nights function to spend the night at the hotel, well he had invested a considerable proportion of his company's security in the building for the night.
Let's skip to Rude walking alone along the dusty streets of Midgar. On the top plate he was currently progressing across, life was still slower compared to the activity going on a mile or two under his feet. He could practically feel the mass of strangers bustling and jostling each other and their collective voice a humming in the background. That they could make their presence known when metres of thick steel and large gaps between the plates separated them was impressive. Still the top plate was also waking up and soon the voices below would be drowned out by the extensive construction works. If he listened for it, he would hear the tireless engines of the trains rumbling their way along the tracks, clunking, scraping and rattling to make the awful racket that was anything but ignorable when a train went passed and everything shook. It wasn't reassuring when you thought that steel rods and brick, if not tied down or affixed properly were vulnerable to coming lose and raining from above if jostled too much. Then again train or no train the danger was a prominent one and encouraged everyone out to be quick about their business. As far as the eye could see steel girders patterned the townscape, reaching high over the buildings like metal branches, many had cranes perches on or alongside them. Together with the other metallic structures it seemed to form a protective fence around the protruding company tower in the centre of the city. Today, the unyielding thunderous clanging, beating and hissing of machinery within the nearby reactor combined with the eerie blue-green glow of the others was more potent than usual for the cities night lights were steadily switching off and there was still time for the top level civilians to emerge. It was that short time of day when somehow it seemed a little darker than night and Midgar was a lonely, dying place.
The mood passed as soon as the factories and shops, eager to bring in the gil, started business as usual. The clatter of people pouring from the stations and through the streets quickly drowned out all other uncomfortable sounds making the ensuing chaos welcoming. However, unlike the times before when he was just a civilian or in training, he wore the distinguishing blue suit of his department. So now - as if there was an invisible bubble around him- people parted and hurried to maintain a wide berth between themselves and him. It made a change to being swept away in the living tide. Besides, it wasn't like he hadn't experienced this treatment before, but only on the lower plates or training missions where there had been some conscious attempt to intimidate people with their aura of authority. The blue suit and all the connotations that went with it meant no extra effort was required, even the street police and ordinary troops seemed to turn away as he passed. It felt empowering. He wasn't overjoyed about being quite so conspicuous against the usually dull and dreary colour scheme of Midgar, even on the brighter top plate, the bright material was eye catching.
Despite the good things Turks did for people ultimately the rumours of murdering, kidnapping and espionage were the ones that stuck in people's minds. SOLIDERS were the heroes; the Turks were a necessary evil. Rude knew better, they'd learnt in the academy that their unpleasant tasks were for the ultimate good and maintenance of the community. Many of the people who feared him now slept safe at night because of the work he would do. SOLDIER could only operate with the Turk's help, without them they would not have the status they had now. If Midgar and ShinRa were machines the Turks were what kept them running smoothly along with the other jobs that they had to do. Those that appreciated this tended to want to become Turks, like Youji. He appreciated everyone had their own reasons; some did not have a choice. He was not annoyed by the populations' ignorance, it did not matter what they thought of him; besides it made getting to ShinRa tower much faster.
Stepping through the high security entrance, his new I.D. card's signal registering without him even having to swipe it was a pleasing and practical convenience he noted. Standing within the large, but not overly so, foyer he took a big breath of the cool corporate air. Calmed to find the entrance was just like it always was: bright, professional and -decoration aside- very unlike the rest of the building inaccessible to normal civilians. However he quickly found that the ever present secretaries and female assistants, (who had once not turned a hair at his presence) do a quick scan with their eyes before standing a little straighter. A couple behind the desk whispered to each other, flicking glances at him making it obvious what they were talking about. Crossing the entrance and heading towards the stairs he watched their chain of whispering spread across to their co-workers. As he was trained to do he watched their body language, noting as each in turn relaxed and wondered what it said about him that the sight of him instilled unease but a couple of words blew it away. Really it was a testament to the women's vigilance, the silent exchange reminiscent of a pride of lions unsure about the return of a long lost member; they each planned to do a quick rerun of the rookie's faces within the hour.
Without further excitement Rude ascended the stairs, passed a man in a suit as he stepped into the elevator and consulted his PHS where he knew they'd all received instructions that morning. Most had been to collect their things by the afternoon at the latest then go to their assigned tasks, easy. He was thankful they included maps and general location for not only the storage facilities but where their rooms would be. Of course employee's residence was not within the tower, although apparently there had been some plans and confusion about that. Eventually most people found their own places anyway – well, you know when the buildings were actually built- not that it made much difference so others didn't bother. Usually those in military divisions or in the Turks stayed since they practically lived in their offices or barracks anyway they might as well stay as well connected as possible.
He hit the button to the floor as directed but according to the directions he still had a confused and fugitive journey ahead of him between floors 20 and 24. It took a moment to occur to him that he could simply ignore the directions so long as he remembered the way he'd gone with Kyo yesterday. He hoped that in future their directions would not be given by someone who thought they had to map out every conceivable route – this was what caused Rude the initial incomprehension- while using jargon that probably only seasoned employees were privy. Quarter of an hour later found him before the gloomy caretaker of their belongings, he absently wondered what the actual name of the man's job was and presented his ID so the number could be noted. The man was in exactly the same humour as yesterday but Rude wanted to think he was in a less suspicious frame of mind, it was hard to tell but at least he got his things quickly.
Next task was locating the apartment. He opted to go via the basement and use the passages now accessible to get to the apartment complex. He quite fancied the cold metal rabbit warrens which must be between the passage Kyo and he had used above the sewers. Upon reflection he had to wonder how the plate, the support pillar between the two plates and the tower was able to have so much within them. Having so many extra passages for vehicles and people was not only complicated to get ones head around – even with virtual maps- but it very much distorted his view on the size of Midgar. Still from hearsay he doubted the secret network was anywhere near Juon's level, the structure of Midgar ultimately limited how far it could go. A couple of metal sliding doors later and he stood in the narrow steel duct which would eventually bring him to the apartment buildings, one hoped.
Cool air naturally blasted mournfully through the low, rectangular tunnel. As it was hitting him in the face he was positive he was heading away from the tower since air would have to be coming in from the edges of the plate. It was certainly lonely and very dark, UV or florescent lighting for some reason had been chosen to light these passages but the circuits were very sensitive and programmed incorrectly. A majority of the time they were off until the whole duct rattled frightening when -what could only be- a train passed overhead and they flickered on and off revealing the tunnel's bleak monotony. It was not surprising he did not meet anyone else coming this way and he vowed he'd walk top side or risk getting run over in future; even the sewers seemed like a nicer alternative.
Rude would not say he was a coward and would admit there had been something vaguely exhilarating about that environment but he knew it was folly to be in a place so dark you couldn't see your own hands, with fast cold wind rendering sense of smell useless, filling a numbing nose with dust and his ears with nothing but it's whistling. It was a place you could very easily become prey in. Worse still he could imagine many terrible things making themselves at home there. Such a place demanded you recalled the horror stories adults told children to make them behave. Every time the lights came on and off he dreaded the thought of some monster appearing suddenly in the interval but he didn't let frightful fancies scare him. At all times he had one arm ready to punch anything unexpected in the face. Of course he examined when possible the walls and floor for any sign that something else could be there. He had seen nothing, no scratches, bones, blood, anything, just dusty steel and darkness. It was luck more than anything that a train passed over just as he was reaching the point where the door out would be. Normally it would have a light over it but that too was broken. It didn't matter Rude had already decided the first door he came to he was getting out, it was just fortunate it was the door he needed.
He was stone faced when the door slide open and blanking the surprised reactions of some men betting in what had to be the apartment block's garage he strode out as if it was all perfectly natural. Again, a moment must be given to congratulate the suit for saving his life. The sight of blue caused a man –who'd been quick to draw his gun- reason to pause and then lower his weapon. Rude headed in a direction he hoped would lead him to the front desk. He did not look back to see the men abandon their card game to examine the wall.
Following signs Rude easily located the elevators for the apartment complex. Even from the garage he was heavily reminded of the ShinRa building, it shared the President's known appreciation for simplicity and basics when it came to decoration but had invested in some concrete, bricks and paint as well. The entrance hall was at least more homely than the tower's but still screamed with modern, open design and space efficiency. The floor wasn't tiled as he'd almost expected but covered in a fine, dark, polished wood. To his right the metal desk rose high above the porter's head who had to be sitting, he couldn't see them but knew they were there because of the light but busy tapping of fingers on a keyboard. Long, thin tubes of neon light accented the rim of the desk, strips in the painted walls and even parts of the floor making markers for the zones in the room. Blue for the Elevators, Green for the desk, red for the little lounging area and he was going to guess that the light whites around a door lead to a mailroom for something. The Elevators were set apart, in a rectangular cubbyhole and better lit than the rest of the ground floor that he could see. As he stepped out he glanced up to find the telltale lines and indents in the entrance way to the foyer where no doubt a bomb-proof shield would slid into to block infiltrators ever using the elevators if the building came under siege. Rude while approving of the foresight pondered if they would come in necessary, with the ShinRa tower practically next door what kind of terrorists would target some employees living quarters. Besides he knew the general public had no idea buildings like this one housed ShinRa workers, even he didn't know until this morning. The Academy was more likely to get attacked. Not that he was criticizing, simply evaluating the level of risk.
General gloom and economical neon lighting aside, the fresh painted walls – whatever colour they were- and clean rugs added a much needed informal touch that let Rude know he hadn't ended up in some seedy, uptown bar. Approaching the high desk the top of someone's blonde head gradually became more visible. It was a man, not terribly old as far as Rude could make out but probably older than himself. He was rather fortunate he was so tall and the high desk barely impaired his ability to assess the man before he was standing right in front of him. Like other ShinRa employees the desk man was sensitive to the slightest noise, even the light tread of a properly trained Turk so it wasn't surprising that he abruptly stood as soon as the green light touched Rude's suit.
"Good Morning sir," He said with a smile far too bright to be real in a setting this dark and at this hour of the day. Well it wasn't that early Rude supposed but something had put him in an irritable mood, possibly the unusual lie in that must have sent his biological clock into a fit or the unavoidable fact that he would be living with Marcus from this day on. Of course he wasn't contemplating reasons for his mood, but rather thinking this the plain individual before him was being inconsiderately bubbly and he wasn't impressed by the man's obvious dye job either. "I take it you're moving in." The man laughed lightly, eye's flickering at the three boxes Rude had perfectly balanced one on top of the other in one arm. Somehow the fresh Turk had forgotten all about them but now that they'd been brought to his attention they suddenly gained a couple of pounds in weight and just as suddenly his left arm burned. Rude glared as he nodded but it was lost behind his shades and because he was still standing predominantly outside the reach of the neon lights. "Okay then, may I please have your I.D. and I'll enter in the codes so you can get into your room. It will only take a moment."
It took a couple of minutes actually, but who's counting? Rude swapped the boxes to his other arm while he waited, unaware that his brooding presence was making the porter nervous. The awkward tension really wasn't improving the Turk's mood, nor was the quiet buzzing that always came with neon lights or the way the clicking of stroked keys on the keyboard echoed in the foyer. Rude started to get impatient, not that you could tell. He was considering an act of vandalism to release his aggravation, punching a hole in the wall sounded appealing and he may well have done it if something hadn't come to distract him from his unspeakable frustration.
"Yo rookie didn't think we'd run into you so soon." Twisting forty five degrees Rude directed his attention to the dark corner that somehow had escaped his noticed before. He blamed the poor lighting and his shades for making it worse, he still couldn't make out the shadowy figure but had no trouble identifying who the voice belonged to. "Who'd a thought we would end up in the same complex, pretty cool coincidence, eh? We don't get many of those do we?" Kyo directed the last comment to the man behind the desk who indulged one of those 'private joke' smiles.
"Don't be dumb," Trent's gruffer voice said before the largest Turk ambled from the shadows and stood companionably beside Rude, "There aren't many of us so the odds were less than fifty, fifty most of the recruits would be in our building."
"Is everyone here in the department?" Rude asked before better judgement stopped his tongue. At least they knew what he meant by 'the department' - as in the Turks.
"Most I'd say." Trent, as always, helpfully divulged but the way he scratched the back of his neck told Rude he had not really considered it before. Kyo on the other didn't seem to care as he sidled idly over to Rude's other side. Immediately he sensed something was up.
"So want a hand with those boxes?" the ginger haired man asked surprising the rookie who automatically declined with an "I'm fine."
"Oh good but I didn't ask that, I said do you want a hand with those boxes?"
Rude gave him a funny look. He couldn't tell if the senior Turk was being sarcastic, insistent or was making fun of him. Possibly Kyo had managed to be all three at once, whatever, the Turk was in an odd mood and this only increased Rude's suspicions.
"Well here's your card and the room number is nine point five two." The desk man slid the card across the shiny metal desk which felt cold to the touch especially against the rather warm 'key'.
"The first number is what floor you're on," Trent again supplied kindly.
Before Rude could thank him he felt unexpected lightness in his right arm as two boxes were snatched from his pile. He forgot Trent could be pretty quick sometimes. Kyo was also fast in taking one box off his partner so the luggage was pretty much evenly distributed between the three of them. They didn't let the rookie protest.
"Now you don't have to worry about dropping it when you need to get your card out."
"'Sides it'll make it easier to find ya in the future, you know if we want to bug you or something."
Rude was unable to think of a scenario were that would be necessary but decided it was easier to go along with them and it was nice to be carrying less. Following Trent's lead they trooped to the elevators; Rude now counted that there were four of them. One opened immediately and they piled inside in silence. It was in the confines of the, actually rather large, elevator that Rude decided something was definitely up between the two Turks. He didn't know if Trent's pointed glances were purposed to be unsubtle, but they drew attention to Kyo's fidgeting and more irritated return looks. Something conspiring was going on between them and Rude would bet his unearned months wages it involved him. Well he was in no mood to beat about the bush.
"Is there something you want to tell me?"
Kyo was the first to react, in a startled and too defensively to be convincing manner, "What makes ya say that?"
Trent on the other hand became business like and professionally ignored the imaginary daggers the smallest Turk present was mentally throwing at him, "Yes actually we do, I think Kyo left a lot still standing yesterday that needs explaining."
"It's really nothing." Kyo groaned, shifting once more to give Rude a pointed look telling him to not listen to his partner.
Trent glanced at Kyo, something else was silently passed between them as the large man continued, "It's nothing serious, don't worry." Rude may have been more convinced if the Turk had said it too his face.
There was an awkward pause until the ginger-haired man tried to fill it, "Ya not in trouble, it's just...we think that..." He smacked the side of the elevator with his fist, "Trent do it, I can't."
Sighing and shaking his head Trent turned back to Rude. Was it him or did both Turks look apprehensive, as if fearing the reaction to whatever they wanted to say. Rude tried to remember what Kyo had been talking to him about yesterday. It took some sifting of his memories as they were still a jumble sale of snippets of the party mostly. He was starting to think whatever that drink had been, for he did remember the notion of drinking something more than he should have was to blame for the sluggish processing. Trent lucky saved him the trouble by jogging his memory. "Don't take this the wrong way but we want you, just until you're settled in after a few months, to stay away from the Kid, seriously."
Oh, now he remembered Kyo had said something about that but he hadn't really explained why, maybe that's what they were trying to do now. A swift take in of the pair and he thought that it was just that. Still why was it so important that they had to go out of their way to explain it, did they think he was detrimental to Reno's recovery? He supposed he'd find out.
"Nothing against him-" Kyo started when Rude took too long to respond.
Trent cut him off, "Or you. It'll just be easier for you if you got used to the pace of things."
Another tense pause forced Rude to probe for more clarification, "I'm afraid I don't understand."
" He... well yeah I don't either." Kyo started but trailed off sheepishly and looked to Trent, again pinning him with the responsibility to give out the hard news, but then it seemed to be the large man's idea so Rude supposed that was fair. Trent 'Humphed'.
"For what reasons?" Rude pressed as the elevator stopped on the ninth floor and the door slide open with a cumbersome groan, nothing like the efficient swiftness of the doors in the Tower.
Trent continued the conversation on the move but his voice was noticeably lower to the point Rude was standing very close so he could hear, "Well tonnes, although most you'd think were ridiculous"
"Cas they are." Kyo added, pressed against Rude's other side.
A nod from the large Senior before he continued knowledgeably, "But they also have a root of truth. Firstly something that you've probably seen yourself so can't deny is he's a mischievous, unpredictable, prankster and has been, so I hear, since day one although he's apparently growing out of it. But that has meant he's got a number of enemies, including as you have seen some of the executives, you don't want them as your enemies, understand? He's got a poor reputation which you don't want attached to you, build up a good report of your own at least and it'll be easier if you're not associated with him."
"That being said he's not yet failed an objective on any mission." Rude liked how the ginger haired man was so keen to defend Reno but it was complicating how he was suppose to respond.
"Aye, but he isn't orthodox. Not his fault most of the time mind but he is known for going to," Trent shifts to get closer to Rude's ear and practically whispers, "extremes to get the job done."
Kyo smirked, "Heh, he'll deny it though."
"That's beside the point. His work ethic has started rumours that he's cursed, weird but you know how the gossip is."
Rude shook his head, "No."
Trent sighed, "It's just anyone who's got close to him died not long after, his guardians, friends, partners and it hasn't helped that the last death count included just people who were only in the same room."
Maybe it was the way the Turk said it or how Kyo was methodically shaking his head but Rude couldn't help but take Trent's 'warning' as exaggerated, superstitions like those daft urban myths. "Tseng seems close to him," He pointed out.
Suddenly the two became united again after another shared but discomfited glance. The smaller Turk said "I wouldn't go round saying that, it's another cause of bad blood between the kid and others."
Trent added, "Can't blame them though, he does get away with a lot but it's not favouritism it's just he's too good to lose right now. I mean we've had worse guys and the company still keeps them on the payroll if not in the building. The Kid's too young to live on another continent by himself."
"'Sides its healthier for us to have someone to keep everyone on their toes. But, ya right those two have somethin', I mean I don't think Red would still be around one way or another." Kyo rounded that point off jokingly. It was obvious between the two of them Kyo was probably fonder of the redhead. Rude wondered what that said considering Kyo was probably the most abrasive and short tempered.
"Please don't take what we've said as an insult to you, we don't believe any of that rubbish nor does Arisa but you've got people who do and you're a nice guy so..." Trent trailed off hoping Rude could fill in the rest, Rude could and to be honest he didn't really like it. Nevertheless he was intrigued why they were even concerned.
So he asked, "What makes you think we'd become associated?"
Kyo and Trent shared some more eye contact which he was already getting tired of, especially when he was in the middle of it but this time they were both smirking, and in unison they said, "We can tell."
"..."
Rude's feet suddenly sped up; really he was not particularly angry about the senior Turks insinuations about him and the redhead, but too much crowding around got to him. He did not see why so much fuss was being made about his brief interactions with the young man. So what if he was admittedly intrigue by the youth's oddity, he certainly wasn't the only one. It would occur to him much later - and after more thought than was healthy to spent on such a topic, - that the fuss came from Reno's interest in him, not the other way around.
" W-whoa, slow down before you knock someone over," Trent grabbed the back of his jacket forcing the rookie to decelerate. "I didn't think you were an unreasonable guy."
Rude was a little offended by that, "I am not unreasonable; if I don't hurry my partner may get to the room before I do." An obvious lie, there was no way Marko could overtake them, well without passing by. Just thinking that, the actual danger of his partner appearing at any moment abruptly became very prominent one and the lie quickly became a truth.
Trent seemed to get it, well at least he released his jacket and picked up his own pace donning an apologetic smile, "Oh right, sorry I misunderstood."
Behind them Kyo commented, "Ha nice, marking your territory. Making up for rooming with this year's number one cocky pants? I gotta say tough break."
Rude just shrugged, it would be the closest gesture he'd give to indicate acceptance of his poor fortune. He supposed if he believed in karma or something of that spiritual nature to do with the balance of good and bad in souls or the universe then the tides had changed after all his successes and he was paying for it.
"Well since we're practically there we'll help move in." Trent graciously offered as the passed rooms in the forties.
Kyo eyed the three boxes. "He doesn't have enough to split between us."
***
By the time Marko arrived Rude, with help, had unpacked his things and settled in the room with the better view and felt right (since otherwise there wasn't much to chose from). Trent had shown him where all the pre-supplied, standard furniture, appliances and other such homely conveniences were stored waiting for the new arrivals. Most was still in some form of wrapping which Kyo delighted in tearing away, leaving Rude with no choice but to organize everything into a practical place as he could not bear coming back to the mess the ginger-haired man was making . Their combined efforts meant that what could have taken hours turned out to be a swift affair. The senior Turks proving efficient partners could tackle moving in with almost as much ease as espionage within an hour.
So when Marcus walked in, laden with all his belongings he was greeted to an apartment that looked almost lived in, ignoring the gleaming newness of everything and the sterile if slightly polish scented air. The thought that his partner, with help, had done it never crossed his mind. As was his custom he took it for granted -if it wasn't life threatening- and examined the two rooms only to discover the one he would have had was taken.
It sealed the deal for his bad day, not only had Jordo and Doug abandoned him to bring his things here by himself but now he was on the left side of the apartment, he wanted to be on the right. His tortured mind refused to think that he was also living with that strange, giant, head-butting Neanderthal his disappointment of a brother considered a friend. To be honest the remnants of his hangover was not allowing his mind to do much at all and he was grateful for it. Needless to say he returned to ShinRa tower in a foul mood.
***
It had been an awful day and Rude pushed it to the deepest recesses of his mind where he hoped the memory would disintegrate. If it was telling of days to come than he sure hoped the pay would still make it worthwhile. The only saving grace was Marcus had gone off into town immediately after they clocked out. He didn't think much of Marcus before; sometimes he'd disliked him or got annoyed with him but after working with him for eight hours straight the man was insufferable. Again he quickly had to shove the prospect of working with him for twice as long tomorrow to the back of his mind as well.
He went into the kitchen to drink a glass of water, and then pour another one and took it to his room. He thought of working with Manube and Fraeya again tomorrow, it was possibly the only thing he had to look forward to. Setting the glass down on his bed side, he began unzipping his jacket with one hand. Walking back to the door he shut it and then, in a unusually sloppy fashion yanked his foot out of his shoe and kicked it unceremoniously, and a little angrily under the bed where he hoped it would reach the wall with a satisfying thump.
"Ouch!"
Rude paused. He was tired and admittedly his mind probably wasn't as clear as it usually was but he was certain his shoe didn't normally make a pained noise when he kicked it. To be sure he loosed his other shoe and kicked that under the bed too, but a bit more cautiously this time.
"Oi," Yelped the muffled voice from under the bed, Rude was certain it couldn't be his shoes now for if his shoes could talk he hoped they didn't sound younger than he did. "Did ya not hear me the first time?" A hand shot out; gripping the shoe he'd just tossed under- his right one.
Then Reno started to appear, slowly and awkwardly head shoulders and the rest of him emerged. If Rude had been any other man he would have jumped back in alarm when the first dark tufts of spikey popped out- even Tseng would have made some movement of surprise- but he just stood stoically and indignantly until the other Turk had fully removed himself from under the bed . Once Reno had pulled his legs out he proceeded to sit cross legged at the foot of Rude's bed slumping forward and propping his chin in one hand to regard the bald rookie with a scowl, "Ya not going to say anything?"
"I didn't expect you to be under my bed."
The scowl quickly morphed into a sheepish, somewhat goofy grin as the young man replied, "Fair does." Rude took a moment to observe his visitor instantly get distracted with looking around the room, or precisely the door frame immediately to his right side. No exactly sure what was suddenly so fascinating about the woodwork- except maybe that their rooms had wood furnishings in buildings made almost completely of metal otherwise- Rude resumed undressing.
He was neither uncomfortable nor completely comfortable with getting undressed in front of another male, he did prefer some privacy in his own room and despite hoping Reno would excuse himself he was not surprised that he didn't. Truthfully he was curious as to why the redhead was here and maybe a little flattered that he'd been singled out or at least warranted some attention from someone who generally seemed deficit of having any attention span ninety percent of the time. That was until a shoe- more precisely his right shoe – smacked him in the side of the head. Spot on his ear, knocking him off balance for a second.
Hand clamped to his now throbbing lobe he steadied himself on the dresser, teeth gritted to hold back the yell he was more than ready to give the little devil. Breathing heavily, as if it would ease the rapidly swelling pain he dared a quick glance at the other Turk. Normally he'd have expected anyone else to immediately spout out a string of apologizes and offers to get an ice bag or something but as it was this person Rude was fine that he wasn't apologizing or helping. Reno had been aiming to hit him and he wasn't sorry at all. So he was actually expecting something like a smug smile or snicker. Instead Reno wasn't even looking at him. He was eyeing the empty boxes that had contained all his belongings blankly. Knowing he wasn't even going to get any sympathy, he resumed taking his shirt and pants off as if nothing had happened. His head still hurt but he had some painkillers in one of his drawers that he'd put his underwear in, assigning where his clothes where going was all he'd had time to do after everything else that required attention. Any unnecessary trinkets had been quickly shoved into a drawer as a jumbled mess and he knew he'd have to attend to those some time.
Once changed into a more casual t-shirt and slacks he walked back to the youth still on his floor and stood in front of him debating whether to address him or just kick him, the latter sounding more attractive for obvious reasons. His proximity finally drew Reno's attention; of course Rude had the suspicion the teenager had been watching him when his back was turned. He let out a deep breath and waited for what he had to say, but when a full minute of complete silence followed with the Turk at his feet doing a great impression of a lost Tonberry, Rude reluctantly spoke first. "Did you have something you wanted to say to me?"
"What makes you think that?"
Letting out a sign of frustration Rude replied in a measure tone, "You're"- still-"in my room."
"I might just like watching you." Said the youth at his feet, he was lying Rude could tell because just for a second it looked like the blank look was going to become a smile. It made Rude feel better and his annoyance ebbed a little.
"That would be...." he struggled to think of an appropriate word but settled for, "creepy."
"Yeah I'm a creepy guy," Reno responded with a shrug, trying to pull off a resigned demurer as if how he was had been decided him for him and he couldn't help it. Had he not sounded a little pleased Rude may have believed him.
Continuing the conversation would only encourage Reno to play his little games so Rude said, "Suit yourself," and sat on his bed, pulling one of his books from under it and turned on the bed side light. Reno watched him the whole time and waited until the bald man had reclined fully into his pillows before climbing up to sit at Rude's feet, legs drawn up so he could rest his chin on his knees.
After ten minutes of silence, save for his wrist watch ticking away on the dresser, Rude actually started to think Reno may have been serious after all, in which case he hoped he hadn't acquired a stalker. Noting his place he closed his book and sat up to face the redhead. "I give in, is this about being interrupted earlier, at the party?"
Three loud, hollow claps followed his question. "Man you're slow," Said Reno shaking his head and smiling for real.
"Couldn't you have said that before when I asked?"
"No. Now I know we're on the same level." Reno crawled forward so they were sitting closer together but were still at a comfortable distance, "There was some stuff actually I thought you'd like to know. Since you rookies are pretty clueless and, no offence, I think you're a little dense." Rude was offended but he didn't say anything, Reno's mannerisms had changed, like he'd matured in that little crawl along his bed.
"What did you want me to know?"
"Well from what we talked about earlier I can tell you're naive, I'd expect that from grunts but..." He shook his slender, pale face violently as if to shake what he was going to say from his head and start over, "If you want to survive you'll need to get clued up- and you know it'd help if ya were honest with yourself." Rude nodded, he was still getting use to the idea that the redhead was the veteran when he seemed like was barely touching seventeen.
"Okay I'll clue ya up first. On average the 'Shinra Peacekeeping Troops'," He snorted at the name, "along with SOLDIER usually out numbers the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department by a hundred to one on average, but then Black Ops are usually outnumbered. Of course the SOLDIER program is limited because creating super humans is a tricky business and so far there are only three functional, top elites, Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth, you'll be hearing their names a lot as they're the ones called on when the most force is needed and we're usually the ones to helping on their missions. You're still a rookie so the chances of you being called on to help is almost zero but it'll be good to know none the less. Following this?"
Again Rude nodded, he was basically aware of everything Reno had told him, except the SOLDIER project, he'd been told part of it but he had no idea the company was investing in changing a human into a super human. "Good now the Head of Public Safety, Lazard, he's good to work with so if you need an official go to him. Stay away from a guy called Heidegger, he is an incompetent ass but he's been interested in taking over the Turks so I hear, either that or get rid of the department, which by the way you didn't hear from me. Anyway if ya see a big man, and I mean big, with a black beard and moustache avoid him like a Dragon Zombie. He likes to slap people around when he's mad and he's constantly on a power trip, weird since I don't even know what he does but just stay away, same goes with that Scarlet woman although we usually have no choice but to interact with her as she controls most of the weapons. Ya still with me?"
"Avoid Heidegger and Scarlet. What about the President and the vice President?"
"Ya just do what they say, the vice president is nothing to worry about, it's the president's son ya need to keep an eye on," Rude wanted to ask why, sure Rufus was an interesting case but he seemed okay, but felt it unwise to interrupt the youth at this point, "the other executives, Reeve and Palmer don't worry about them. To be honest ya just a rookie so chances of getting mix up with the head honchos is slim so maybe I should warn ya about those you shouldn't get mixed up within the department. I would warn against Macti but he's just a jerk, nothing ya not used to with that partner you got. Can't really think of many others, everyone is scattered and newbies keep showing up off the streets it's hard to keep up," Reno ruffled his head angrily as if the information he wanted would fall out of his hair into his lap. "There are two though," He suddenly exclaimed, catching Rude a little by surprise, "Merrick and Didier, watch out for them."
"Why? Is there something wrong with them?"
"Well not exactly, just keep in mind with those two there is more than meets the eye. Also there is something else, be careful of – what was that noise?"
"What noise?" No sooner had the words come out of his mouth did he hear the almost inaudible click that signalled someone entering the apartment. As if they'd just been petrified they froze listening to the telltale clatter of Marko putting his key card and other metal objects onto the kitchen counter. They listened to him shuffle around the apartment, meandering, exploring the layout and then come closer. Closer, the sounds of his footsteps scrapping against the new carpet grew and for no reason than Reno's over alertness did Rude feel his own heart pounding as if it was an enemy on the other side and not his partner. Maybe to Reno he was, the bald man was starting to get the impression the redhead didn't trust many people despite how laidback he seemed to be around everyone. Before Marko's shadow appeared under the door said redhead suddenly disappeared, the bed didn't even creak, however he did see the sheets hanging over the edge flutter from the corner of his eye.
Getting up he crossed the room and opened the door, "Yes?"
Marko stumbled back, too late to pretend he hadn't just tried to press his ear against the door and tried to act unsurprised, "Oh, you are in." He said dryly and tried to look around Rude's frame.
Not feeling hospitable he nodded and shut the door in Marko's face, rude yes but after the day Rude had had one should sympathize. Problem now was how was Reno going to get out of here undetected. He stayed by the door until he was positive Marko had wandered off, hopefully into his own room. Reno must have been able to tell when the coast was clear for suddenly he burst quietly out from under the bed, rolling on the floor and gagging. Although he hardly made a sound Rude was paranoid anything odd would bring Marko back, he approached Reno and shot a hand out to cover the redhead's mouth, careful not to squeeze his face least he unset some injury under the bandages. Naturally Reno squirmed tetchily until he managed to wrench the hand off his face, "Your shoes smell nasty man," He choked, retching and wafting his nose, "I could have died."
"No one told you to go under the bed," Rude whispered back insulted but then he remembered something, "By the way, what did you say about dying with honour last night?"
Reno tilted his head momentarily bemused. Rude waited for the light to come on and when it did the pale face glowered, "A dead Turk is one who failed," Reno replied. "There's no honor in that. 'Sides I don't think you really care for honor that much anyway, but time will tell."
Intimidated by the seriousness of his single eyed gaze Rude mutely nodded although he did not exactly agree, immediately the tension in the room lifted as the redhead's demur became mischievous once again. The bald man didn't think the kid cared what he thought really, but then again he did not understand why the little redhead was even there. "That's enough of the serious talk for now, I would tell ya more but seems with Mr. Sourpuss lurking we're short of time. So since I'm willing to give you guidance on Turk survival what ya say you do me a favour."
"So that's the reason."
"Hey, hey what's with that face," Reno poked his Rude's cheek, "I don't do this sort of thing lightly, ya know." Rude grabbed Reno's hand and looked at him sternly still confused about what he said when he was serious and wanting answers.
"Why me?"
The question earned him a long and funny look until Reno's expression formed into one of concentration as he started gesticulating "Well...I...that is..." not able to form anything coherent on the topic beside that Reno decided to move on much to Rude's annoyance "Anyway, trust me this'll be good for you too." He grinned a big painful grin as if to distract the rookie – it didn't work.
Resigned that he might as well go along with it and hold off getting the answers he wanted for once he asked, "...What is it?"
"I need you to help me impress Tseng."
"What?"
"I wanna to do proper missions again, I hate bein' stuck with academy personal or searching through some old farts filing cabinet, everyone's treaten' me like I'm on my deathbed and because of that woman, messing me up with one of her crazy experiments. I told Tseng last night that I was ready but he said," Reno paused to take a breath and deepened his voice to mimic the second –in-command's, "'convince me, then we'll see'" His voice switch back to it normal, "so I gotta show him what I'm worth first. Only," Rude watched the redhead's face shrink from a determined frown into the sad look he'd worn in the hotel room "I've been trying all day and nothing I've done seems to have impressed him and I'm at a dead end."
"What have you tried?" Rude inquired with trepidation of the answer.
"Well I got through all of the security codes Reeve was installing to show how easy it was, if I hadn't done that then they wouldn't have known the weaknesses."
"...Doesn't that mean they're going to have to do it all over again?"
"...Well yeah but they'll thank me later. I also managed to sneak into Tseng's office and put tarantulas in desk draws," Rude gave him a look over his shades, "Hey it proves I can still move undetected and even with hands like these unpick locks. I also outran Heidegger- not like that's hard - after swiping some papers he was carrying, that was going well until I dropped them in a decorative fountain thing... I got a lecture for that but they should have been mad at the fat man for being so careless as to allow someone to snatch them in the first place. Oh and I hid the keys to the troopers' weapon stores, it kept them busy for hours, so not only did they get lots of exercise but it further shows ...Okay I did that one for fun."
Rude blinked at him, "Don't you think...you just caused trouble for everyone else?"
"Their fault for not being prepared for such things, but if I can do all that in a building like this then surely that means I'm fit enough for proper, ya know, interesting assignments. If I'm gonna be stuck here I might as well get some good work right?"
"...I don't think they saw it that way."
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Reno groaned and flopped backward onto the bed, scowling at the ceiling, "come to think of it I've never been allowed to do interesting stuff, they always expect me to wait at the back and if I get a bit of action I always get an earful for it. Only the president's ever given me worthwhile stuff to do and even then the commanders always act like they'd rather I didn't." He continued a bit louder as if he'd come a realization, "You know what Rude, I bet Tseng said that so I wouldn't get to do anything, that's the kind of punishment he'd think of."
Rude smiled at Reno's childishness, vaguely amazed at how mature the youth could act at times but otherwise he seemed to be a completely different story. In the orange light he examined the youth at his leisure- it would become a habit of his. Reno was quite ...long already, probably wouldn't get grow much more even if he was quite young although Rude's assumption that he was so young was increasingly based on behaviour rather than appearance. It was hard to tell with the bandages but the teenager's face –for he was definite Reno hadn't reached twenty yet- was more feminine (and oddly timeless) than boyish. If the redhead was younger than sixteen he wouldn't been surprised, SOLDIER recruitment went down as low as twelve so anything was plausible. He sort of wished he knew, not that it mattered. "...May I suggest you do what you haven't done?"
Reno, in a laborious manner propped himself on his elbows to look at him, "Eh? What kinda advice is that?"
"Well can you tell me anything you haven't tried? You never said anything about paper work." Rude prompted.
A look of horror crossed the younger man's features, "I hate paperwork, and how's that gonna show I can work in the field?"
"It won't but if you do things he doesn't expect and things that don't end up causing trouble he may be impressed." The bald Turk encouraged and was pleased to see the horror melt into contemplation. Well until it started to become something scared and pleading.
"Er...yeah...but-but reports? Filing? Lists? That'll take forever." It was like he was begging Rude to see sense and Rude could empathize, but he doubted anything the redhead needed doing or could find to do would compete with the mountains of disorder that awaited his return in the department of space exploration.
"It's not like you'll have that much to do." He reasoned, wondering if he should invite the redhead to help with them tomorrow but worried he might scare him away completely.
Reno mimed with his hands two piles up to his waste, looking smug.
"That's not something to be proud of," Rude grumbles still picturing the numerous towers of messed up paper and files.
"Ah well, if that's what you say it'll take I'll do it," Reno sighs unhappy but resolved. "Well ya won't be seeing me til I'm an old man and I probably got another pile of incident forms after today." Rude thought it served him right as Reno suitably looked ashamed.
Rude smiled despite his previous thought, he really quite liked the kid and words leap from his mouth unbidden, "Want help?"
"Huh? Oh, no!"
"Sure?" For some reason he insisted while a little voice in his head was telling him to drop it or he would regret being so nice, the same voice he ignored every time he'd helped John, Jim or Tabby in the examinations.
"Ya got your own assignment."
"After." Well he would have plenty of practice he justified to himself.
"Ya just want an excuse to avoid ya partner. Don't try playing innocent I can see through ya like a sheet o' glass."
Rude guessed that would also be a plus and asked, "So how about it?"
"Well if ya so persistent I guess. Suppose I can clue you up more in return?"
Rude nodded, "Shall I message you when I am done?"
"Sure, I'll pick ya up since ya don't know where my office is."
"Your office?"
"Well that's what it's called. Could be an all nighter, I've forgotten how long scribbly stuff takes to do, ya okay with that?" Rude nodded, "Wow, ya really cool with this." Reno was looking at him like he was crazy before sighing, "Can't complain, can I? Hehe, so now that's settled what am I gonna do till I sneak out? I didn't even bring anything, well I did but you can guess what happened to it, don't suppose ya got something?"
It was at that moment Rude recalled the black bouncy ball John had given him last night, he also remembered he'd dumped it in the draw of unnecessary trinkets. Getting up suddenly and ignoring Reno's yelp as he rocked the bed he walked over to the draw and pulled it open. Sifting through the bits, a lot of which had deep private and sentimental value, he found both the blue and black ball nestled in the corner. He took both out and passed them to Reno as he went back to bed. The redhead examined them, specifically the black one which he probably wasn't expecting and seemed quite pleased to have back. He glanced at Rude and smiled, "Why do you end up with my stuff?"
Rude shrugged and lay staring at the ceiling, finding the company making the otherwise cold (but not in temperature) bedroom cosy. Just in the corner of his vision he glimpsed little dots alternatively popping in and out of view. Eventually it became too much of a distraction to ignore, not to mention the redhead was being quiet and he was learning that wasn't a good sign. Casually he lifted his head and was relived – if a tad taken aback- to see Reno tongue sticking out in concentration juggling the two balls. Despite his intense focus his hands seemed to be on auto pilot, even doing an intricate little flick to add spin on the balls. Rude tried to think of the last time he'd seen someone juggle, he knew it must have been years. The novelty of it beckoned him to watch for longer. So he did.
It may have been an hour later, Rude wasn't checking the time, before Reno felt confident enough to try multitasking or engage in conversation. They spoke of everything and nothing usually Reno giving titbits of his valuable knowledge of the inner workings of ShinRa while avoiding anything personal of course. But that didn't stop them trying to trick private details from the other like a game, which the redhead was much better at. At some point Reno lost his rhythm and the blue ball fell on his head and the black ball rolled off the bed and bounced along the floor, at some point it produced a funny noise then stopped rigidly, the carpet around it flattened. The rookie did not notice this until the morning; he was too distracted by his companion. Rude liked listening to Reno; mostly because he seemed to pick up any tangent he came across in his mind and followed it so most of his stories or opinions were left unfinished. It was like a roller coaster of thoughts tumbling from his mouth and Rude never knew what was going to come out next. At some point he drifted into a peaceful slumber with Reno's little rants fading to silence.
He dreamt of red Chocobos running along twisted train tracks through an origami backdrop and paper mountains.
***
The following morning brought another overcast day and the promise of rain, or even hail with the northern winds. Sheltered within ShinRa owned thick and well heated walls Rude did not care but a little of his heart went to those still on missions requiring them to bare the elements. The rest of his pity was saved for himself and those joining him in sorting out Palmer's filing. As they discovered yesterday, the man, nor his department, were bothered about organization. Anything had been shoved anywhere resulting in nightmarish mountains of paper. The four rookies had immediately smelt a rat and suspected the science department of coming up with any excuse to get someone else to sort it out for them. Even with all hands on deck, which in the end they'd resorted to, today promised much of the same. He vaguely wondered if Manube had the sense to wear gloves this time; the man was awfully prone to paper cuts.
That was at least another hour away, for now he was content to mull over yesterday nights surprise visit and sip his cooling coffee. Well that was until Marko walked importantly into the kitchen. Not even acknowledging Rude standing in the corner he began bustling about searching for the items which would serve to make his breakfast. At least the company kept them well stocked before they had to go out and do their own grocery shopping or order in. Rude did not mind being ignored or purposively avoided, especially not when he stood in front of the cupboards harbouring the bowls and plates. Marko eventually gave up the search and settled on toast instead. This was when it all started to go downhill.
For no fathomable reason Marko took the toaster from one side of the kitchen and shoved the coffee maker out of the way to make room for the heating appliance. Perplexed and slightly annoyed, Rude glared furiously behind his shades. He had taken the time before having his refreshing, morning brew to layout everything in a more suitable place than where Trent had put things. He had a particular order he felt things should be and he appreciated Marko may want to make his mark on the territory as well but moving the toaster for no good reason seemed completely absurd. Rude had picked its place out specifically as it was closer to the smoke detector, it was far away from the sink and it looked neat next to the microwave and the metal row of hanging serving spoons and other kitchen utensils. Where Marko had put it, well it was now taking up space next to the bread-bin and close to the fridge, it just looked wrong.
Not wanting a fuss he waited until Marko had made his food, then he unplugged the device, shook out the crumbs into the sink and returned it to its place on the right side of the kitchen. Content he returned to his just warm coffee in silence. Not long after Marko stood, picked up the toaster, shoved the coffee-maker out of the way again and firmly placed it next to the bread-bin. Rude's vision darkened further but he waited again for Marko to sit down before righting everything. No sooner had he done so was Marko back on his feet and undoing it for a third time, almost toppling the coffee-maker over and its liquid contents onto Rude before practically slamming the toaster into place. Infuriated Rude slide the coffee-maker towards where it should be. Marko shoved it back. Rude returned it. Marko pushed it again. Rude returned it another time. Marko shoved it back a little harder. Rude returned it firmer. Marko swatted it. Rude batted it back.
This went on without either speaking until Marko smacked the defenceless appliance right off the counter. Only Rude's quick reflexes saved the mechanical damsel but he made sure the plastic kettle half full of coffee got all over Mako's trousers as well as the floor and himself. Served the good-for-nothing right, he thought. Finally his partner acknowledged his presence. "What's wrong with you? Look what you did to my suit, now I am going to have to change you pedantic brute!"
Without waiting for an answer – good, since he wasn't getting one – the star rookie stomped out of the kitchen like a prima donna leaving Rude to clean up the mess and get things back to how they should be.
It was just a little thing really, but regardless it caused them to be over half an hour late for the work. The shame only hit them when they had to account for their tardiness around lunch time, neither could bring themselves to speak the truth nor construct a feasible lie so another five minutes was wasted in uncomfortable silence until Tseng gave up. Their unspoken punishment was naturally double shifts in making sure other people in the company did their work in the future.
***
Half way through the afternoon and still making very little head way the rookies had an unexpected visitation. Reno popped his head into the room the four rookies were assigned to exclaiming, "I thought I'd find you here!"
As no one had heard him coming all four whipped round to stare at him fast enough to give slight whip lash. Marko was the first to speak, "What do you want?"
"I've come to help you newbies."
"Really? That'd be wonderful," gasped Fraeya breathily, she was, like the rest of them, very tired at this point so the thought of assistance softened her usually professionally brusque manner. When you got to know her she was actually quite a refined lady and her speech became more courteous but before that she could come across as curt, almost impolite.
"We're fine," Marko said with menace, "Who sent you?"
"No one but I've got nothing else to do, thought ya might be finished." Reno shrugged strolling into the room hands shoved in his pockets.
Marcus sneered at him, luckily Manube decided to speak, "We would appreciate some help, right Fraeya, Rude?" He looked at the two he knew would be reasonable and they nodded unanimously.
"Cool, where do ya want me?"
"Out of this office," Marcus muttered so the redhead could hear. Everyone ignored him; even Manube and Fraeya who were intimidated by the authority Marcus gave himself and even treated him with a level of respect.
Fraeya spoke nervously, "Sorting these into the correct stacks is taking quite a lot of time." She indicated the generous heap of thick papers on her left side and the neat little stacks she was sorting them into in front of her.
"Yeah," Agreed Manube, "You've still got twice the amount we've got to get through."
"Makes sense to have twice the people working on it then," Reno conceded with a charming grin and made his way over to her. Rude thought the amount Fraeya had had been exaggerated, but it did take longer and more care to sort out than what everyone else was doing. Manube was carefully emptying out filing cabinets; they'd decided it would be simpler to go through everything thoroughly once, even if it did mean adding to the floods of paper. Marko was on receipts and Rude was sorting what Freaya passed to him into their correct cabinet in alphabetical order. They would by the end of it have changed the whole system, but since no one knew what the original system had been it could only be an improvement. To help them Manube had wisely made copies of how they'd decided they'd organise the system and these plans would be stuck helpfully in the room so the department could follow it like a guide alongside all the labels they were adding. No one believed the system would last more than a week.
With a fifth man on board they finally started to pick up the pace, mainly as Reno whined how boring the job was and how slow they were. Everyone ended up being surprised by the young redhead's efficiency despite his complaining. He really got into it, sorting three times more documents than Freaya without putting things in the wrong place. His presence not only added that push the tired rookies needed, but also a jovial mood that had been lacking before his arrival. Between complaining he would flirt with Fraeya mercilessly until she was blushing and tease Manube or Rude good-naturedly, although they weren't always sure if some of his insults were meant in jest. When Fraeya's work was reduced to a manageable amount he helped Manube empty every cabinet, causing a minor panic at first as he just threw whatever into the middle of the floor. But he smoothly reasoned they'd have to sort it all out anyway and now Manube could help Fraeya put the mess into her piles- the number of which had also increased. Since then he followed the rookie's little organization plan, labelling the cabinets, the drawers and marking the dividers within by their theme or topic with the enthusiasm of a small boy wanting to test out a new pen set. He had left them momentarily to harass the space team for some coloured pens and paper before he started working.
Once he completed that task there was half an hour to go before their hours officially finished for the day. Somehow Reno kept up the energy, diving into the task of picking up piles and shoving them into their respective places with the kind instruction to Rude that he could sort them out when he came to them. Rapidly the piles started disappearing as Reno, in a last minute fever, practically flew from the cabinets to the piles and back chattering away to himself about where the stuff in his arms needed to be. He forced the rookies to work even faster lest he start complaining at them again. Rude often had comments thrown his way about why he was so slow until the clock struck the minute they could leave. Not once did Reno touch the receipt pile.
The five paused at the door before exiting and for the first time could see an end in sight. Manube asked if Reno would be helping tomorrow but the young man only gave a non-committal shrug and made fun of the amount of band aids on the blonde's hands, saying something along the lines that they matched raising his own bandaged limbs. Marko left them immediately after that and with polite reluctance Manube and Fraeya departed not long after.
"Did you enjoy that?" Rude asked amusedly.
"I'm not a masochist."
"..." Rude didn't think Reno should know the meaning of that word.
Hope it was worth the wait. Take care, bye ^.^