Reno: As Reno made his way down town, he had stopped in a few places to grab what he needed for his little set up but was still missing the most important item. The Turk walked into a fancy store and looked around. Seeing the price on what he knew was going to be Rude's made the redhead's wallet ache. He shook his head and bought the item anyway and went back home with three large bags. He knew Rude had only left today and he didn't know when he'd be back but Reno wanted to have everything set.

Rude: Rude found his contact on the ship and was given the relevant information that he needed on his targets movement habits. After that he settled in to his bunk and played the vacationer he was supposed to be on this cruise line. Once they hit Wutai he'd get to the meat of the work he needed to do.

Reno: Noticing his leg was getting a bit stiff, Reno knew he would have to go to the lab about now anyway. He quickly checked on Tucker, refilled his water bowl, and gave him some attention. "I gotta go fer a bit a'right, big guy? I'll give ya more food tonight." The kitten swiped his paw at Reno's face. "Rude already fed ya, silly. Can't let ya get fat." Reno laughed and kissed his beloved pet before gathering his things and heading out to see Lucrecia, locking the door behind him.

Lucrecia: Lucrecia had just finished the finishing touches on Reno's new leg, she'd gotten the parts in late the night before and had immediately began assembly. She'd also taken into consideration the bruising that the temp leg had given Reno and made adjustments on the permanent model. She really hoped that it worked out well and wasn't too heavy for the man to move around fluidly with. She vaguely heard the door to her lab open but was too busy looking over the leg for anything wrong.

Reno: "Whoa!" Reno made his way over, amazed by Lucrecia's work. "That's crazy, Lu!" The woman was very talented and smart. The Turk couldn't even begin to understand the workings of the limb yet she was looking it over like it was a little science project. The leg looked exactly like it did in the images and Reno couldn't wait to try it out.

Lucrecia: A bit startled by Reno's reaction she turned to face him with a smile, attempting to get her heart rate to come back down to normal. "I'm glad you like the look of it. You ready to try it out?"

Reno: "Yeah." Reno took a seat and pulled his pant leg up, removing the prototype, and sighed happily then the pressure was off the few healing bruises left. Taking the new leg from Lucrecia, he carefully put it in place and attached it. This one was far lighter than the temp he'd been wearing and had far more motion. "That's crazy!" Reno was so excited by it, he almost forgot his question. "Oh yeah! Um, Valentine's day is soon an' I got some stuff fer Rude but...What do ya think I should do? I got some plans but I don't know if they're that great." Reno felt a woman may not be the best to ask but he really wanted things to be right when his fiancé returned. "I got a lot o' stuff I know he likes but..." The redhead snapped his fingers when an idea popped into his head. "Wanna help me plan some o' this out, Lu? I could use some."

Lucrecia: Lucrecia blinked for a moment before a beatific smile graced her face. "Oh Reno, you guys are so adorable! Of course! I'd love to help." The scientist's girly side was blatantly shining through. "However, let's test out your new leg first."

Reno: 'Adorable' wasn't a word Reno often used to describe he and Rude but if she was going to help, he wouldn't complain. The Turk stood and took a few steps, only to nearly fall flat on his face, not expecting this version to be so much easier to move. "Oh shit!" Reno braced himself on the desk and laughed then tried again. He'd gotten so used to putting extra strength in using the heavy prototype, it was like removing a leg weight you've worn for far too long. He kept trying until he felt he was confident enough he wouldn't have any issues with stumbling too much. "The pain's almost gone and it's way stronger! Thanks, Lu!" he said and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "It means a lot. It's been pretty rough." he said in a lower tone but cut himself off from those negative thoughts.

Lucrecia: The scientist blushed as Reno kissed her cheek, she'd been a bit worried when he'd first stood and hadn't seemed to be able to walk. But she hefted up the temp leg and realized there was a significant weight difference. She smiled matronly at him, "Life always has tuff spots. My son and his friends are going through one now as well. With me taking the Mako out of their systems, they are rather moody and tired all the time. I won't be able to take it out completely, if I did it may kill them. But I've made it so that it won't bend and break them anymore. And I've asked that if any mutations happen that they come and see me. My stupid husband." She sighed and shook her head. "Anyway, so this leg seems much better yes?"

Reno: Reno frowned, hearing Lucrecia's sad news. "Sorry, Lu." Though he would never be able to forgive Hojo and Lucrecia was 'connected', he still did feel for her. "I hope they're okay. But thanks. The leg's amazin'. Really, ya saved a lot more than my limb, yo." he said and pulled his pant leg back down, smiling at how realistic it was. It was so close to how his real one had looked. "Yer one talented gal!"

Lucrecia: "Oh it's alright dear, the boys will be fine. I'll make sure of that." Her mommy instincts were strong about it, "I'm glad you like your leg." Her blue eyes sparkled with accomplishment. "What is it exactly that you need help with Reno?"

Reno: Reno blushed. "Well, I got him an engagement ring an' some flowers cause he really likes that stuff, an' I gotta get some other stuff but what kinda stuff should I get to deck the place out?" It was strange openly talking about romantic things he was doing for his partner with others. "I kinda wanna get a decent outfit to wear cause I wanna take him out after he rests a bit. There's a restaurant he likes but it's pretty fancy an' I don't really have the right clothes fer a place like that. Oh, uh..." Reno blushed further. "Could ya help me set the place up? I ain't too good with that kinda stuff." He knew it was a lot to ask but he wanted Rude to come home to well, EVERYTHING!

Lucrecia: Lucrecia giggled, "Well I can certainly help you with designing what it should look like. Do you think it would be alright if Sephiroth helped? I know he's good friends with Rude and it would give me a reason to spend more time with my son outside of this damn lab. And picking cloths out for you shouldn't be a problem at all. You'll look good in just about anything I'd guess." She looked at him hopefully.

Reno: Reno wasn't expecting for Sephiroth to help but any help was welcome at this point. "Sure. I don't mind if he helps out." The Turk blushed at Lucrecia's compliment then shook his head. "So, when do ya think ya could help? Oh an' there are a few things I know Rude likes. He's a sucker fer candles an' stuff, an' uh...I kinda wanted to know where I could get a bunch o' roses fer cheap fer an idea I have." His face went cherry red even though the woman had no clue what he had planned.

Lucrecia: Lucrecia grinned, "Well that depends on what you would like to do first. I believe the SOLDIER's know of someone who can help with the flowers, I believe even Tseng knows her. She was supposed to be another of my..." She glared at the ring still sitting on her finger. She took it off and chucked it across the room where it pinged off the wall and settled on the floor somewhere out of sight. "One of Hojo's projects. But if you'd like to go shopping we can do that now or tomorrow, and Seph certainly doesn't have to come for that if you'd prefer he didn't. Decorating your apartment will require Seph I think, but he's not back from his mission until tomorrow."

Reno: Reno frowned sadly as the ring hit the floor. He could only imagine the pain she felt. Here he was, ready to give Rude his engagement ring and he couldn't imagine if he ever turned it down or threw it away. "Um, if yer too upset, we can go shoppin' fer the right clothes tomorrow." he said, not wanting to push her when she was in such obvious stress.

Lucrecia: "Oh no, I just... It's hard for me to believe that I married someone I actually hated. I've been in love with Vincent forever, but I felt undeserving of him because I couldn't save his father. But to learn of all the things Hojo did to our own son..." She heaved a huge sigh, "It is stressful, but I'm a scientist Reno, there isn't room for emotion usually. Becoming a mother had changed that for me, and I just get a little confused about how I'm supposed to react to things." Lucrecia smiled brightly at him, "But I am excited for you and Rude, for a while there I thought your guys' relationship was sinking, but the last week or so..." She grinned, "You've got so much to look forward to. It makes me happy."

Reno: "Sorry, Lu. No matter what job ya take, yer emotions will get to ya now an' then." he said with a smile. "Me an' Rude murder but the second we go through our apartment door, we just do our best to comfort each other." He chuckled to himself. "The only reason I know Rude's the right person is because he understands the stupidest things I do. I got so frustrated one day I tore up the living room and he just let me but..." The Turk sighed and his smile widened. "When I sat down and finally shut up, he just came over and held me fer two hours straight." The look on Reno's face made it obvious he was day dreaming. "He's not perfect but I wouldn't want him to be." His tone softened as he continued. "Could ya ask Seph to grab at least 100 roses? I know it's a lot but I can afford it. Fuck, I want him back." he mumbled to himself. Rude had left on long missions without him before but they were just recently engaged and Reno didn't want to be away from him for any longer than he had to.

Lucrecia: Lucrecia smiled at him fondly his description of Rude was exactly how she'd felt about Vincent. "He'll be back before you know it. He loves you very much Reno. And you're right about emotions, I just need to find a way to be okay with them I guess. I can certainly ask Seph about the roses though."

Reno: Snapping out of his daydream, Reno looked up and nodded at Lucrecia."So, is everything okay with my leg? If it is, I wanna get the shoppin' over with. I don't like it much." he said with a chuckle. In reality, he didn't dislike it, he loathed it. But he was going to make sure everything was set when his fiancé returned, no matter what. "Plus, I gotta take care o' Tucker. Don't want to leave him alone fer too long."

Lucrecia: Lucrecia smiled, "Well if it's not paining you any at the moment it should be fine. I say let's go shopping then. It'll be a test of your leg too."

Reno: Reno nodded and stood up, dusting off his suit out of habit, though there was nothing on it. He put his hands in his pockets and looked to Lucrecia. "Do ya know any good stores? I don't know what kinda clothes I'm really lookin' fer. They just need to be fancy I guess." The Turk couldn't seem to bring a smile to his face now. He kept wondering if Rude might have gotten hurt or something. He'd never had to keep a mission secret from him before so it was worrying. "Hey, Lu? Mind if I stop at Rufus' before we head out?" Reno had to know what was going on.

Lucrecia: Lucrecia shook her head, "No I don't mind. I know of a few where Sephiroth and Vincent like to go."