Life at ShinRa: ch 44

Zack: Zack spent his morning in Cloud's apartment watching over Tucker. Reno had left the poor kitten behind when he had rushed from the room earlier off to who knows where. Well okay, he could probably ask another Turk and find out, but he was lazy and the kitten was adorable. He'd thought about taking it back to Reno's apartment, but from what Cloud had said it was all snazzied up and he didn't want the kitten to get into anything. When he was called out to do stuff he simply took Tucker with him, the little guy became a big hit with the Cadets and his fellow SOLDIERs. Around noon he was eating with Cloud in the common cafeteria with Tucker on his lap. Angeal was sitting across from them happily chowing down on a chocolate bar while Zack poked fun at him for it.

Reno: After a few hours of sparring, Elena finally had it and let Reno have the win. "Okay, I'm done..." she wheezed. Reno got out of his fighting position and huffed a deep breath. He fell on his knees and tried to catch his breath. It was probably best that Elena gave in. Reno had a tendancy to not know when to give in. He'd hurt himself many times by fighting past his limits. He was strong but everyone had a limit. Reno was judging by the slight pain in his chest that he'd hit his. Elena sprawled out on her back and gasped for air herself.

Once he had gotten himself together, Reno got dressed and figured he'd go for a walk. He halted when he noticed something coming from one of the cadets. "Awww, he's so cute! When did you get a cat, Zack?" Reno was no fool. Did that brat really steal his kitten? The Turk looked into the lunch room and confirmed his suspicion. He stormed in with a furious expression, making the cadets step back.

"What the fuck are ya doin' with my cat, Fair?"

Cloud: Cloud looked up at the Turk just as Zack was explaining that it wasn't his cat. "Chill out Reno. You're the one who left him in my apartment this morning. Zack's been taking care of him all day. You should thank him, not fucking yell at him." Cloud was rather grumpy at the moment, he'd just been passed into the SOLDIER ranks and had therefore been given an upped Mako injection... it made him rather testy. Both Zack and Angeal looked over at Cloud, he wasn't usually vocal like that, and hardly ever cussed... Angeal frowned. He'd have to talk to Lu about maybe changing the Mako injections.

Reno: Reno grit his teeth. "What the fuck would ya expect me to do if I went to pick him up but he wasn't there?! Why didn't you fucking contact me first?! You got my fucking number so don't cop a bitchy attitude with me, Strife! I'm glad ya helped me out but takin' him just like that's a different story!" Reno felt his tail bristling and his muscles clenching up. He wanted to tackle the cadet right there. He wanted to punch that spoiled little face in. "Get up." Reno demanded. His 'limit' was gone in all but a few seconds. "Ya wanna talk to me like I'm the one who fucked up, then put yer money where yer mouth is an' gimme yer best fuckin' shot, bitch." It wasn't because Zack had taken Tucker out. He was sure the kitten was enjoying the company. It was that they hadn't told him and the whole point of GETTING Tucker was so Reno wouldn't, well, get like this.

Rude: Rude woke at the crack of dawn to the light streaming through his window at the Haunted Mansion Inn. He packed up his things, paid for his stay and left the building. He headed for the main entrance to the Gold Saucer and flounced out, heading to North Corel. Once he was there he caught a ride back to Costa Del Sol and then get on a boat back to Junon. While on board he dialed a number and waited completely impatiently for it to be picked up.

Cloud: Cloud continued to sit, he didn't need to rise to such piteous bait. "Oh right, like you'd wander by my apartment to pick up the pet you didn't even ask if they could stay there in the first place. You ran out like dragons were after you just leaving the poor guy on my couch when I'd just told you that I had to leave. You didn't bother feeding him this morning, you didn't bother all goddess-damned day to check in with me and see how he was doing. So don't even fucking start. Your irresponsibility isn't my problem. Zack was nice enough to stay in my apartment and look after him while I had classes and finals and got fucking accepted into SOLDIER. So don't go bad mouthing people like they've done you harm when nothing's wrong. The phone goes two ways asshole, so be a prick if you want. But I doubt you thought even once about your cat all effing day! So how about you just take him a make off like a bandit before I take you up on your offer and kick yer goddess-damned ass! I'm a fucking SOLDIER Turk, you won't win." Even Cloud was getting a bit worried about his temper... Reno's angry energy while it certainly wasn't helping, shouldn't be affecting him this badly.

Angeal: Angeal blinked at the exchange and Zack could do nothing but sit there with his mouth hanging open, that Angeal had told him to call Lucrecia didn't even seem to register. "SOLDIER 3rd Class Cloud Mabon Strife, you will stay seated." Angeal stood up and fished his PHS out of his pocket before sitting down again and dialing a number, this situation needed to be fixed.

Cloud: Cloud glared over at him before remembering exactly who Angeal Hewley was, "Yes Commander." He turned his glare to his remaining food and proceeded to ignore everything else.

Rude: Just then the notes for 'I don't want to be told to grow up' rang through the dead silence of the cafeteria.

Reno: Reno's anger was rising up until Cloud said he hadn't checked on Tucker all day. The redhead thought he had fed him. He knew he charged out that morning, he just wanted to know where Tucker was. He planned on checking up on him but Cloud seemed to think he didn't give two shits about him. Still, the words made it sound like he had no care for him what so ever. Reno was snapped from his thoughts when he heard a sound that made his heart jump. He knew that ring tone. He quickly answered his phone, nearly dropping it in both excitement and fear. Was he okay? Was it really him? Was he almost back?! Finally calming enough, Reno's hands steadied and he opened his phone. "Rude?! 'S'at you?!"

Rude: Rude chuckled, "Hey love. Yeah it's me. I'm sorry for taking this vacation so soon after everything. I'm currently on a boat back to Junon, I'll be home sometime tonight I should think. How have you been?" It was SO good hear his voice, three days without it was pure torture!

Lucrecia: The other line picked up from Angeal's phone call, "Hello?"

Angeal: "Sorry to bother you Professor, but I think we need to go over the formula for SOLDIER. There is something seriously wrong with Strife. He's over angry since his Mako injection." Angeal's voice was soft, so as not to interrupt Reno who'd had a 180 degree change in attitude when his phone rang.

Lucrecia: Lucrecia frowned in concern, "What are you talking about? You guys shouldn't be 'getting' Mako injections anymore! Bring him down to me! Hurry!"

Angeal: Her frantic voice had Angeal up and swinging the smaller SOLDIER over his shoulder and striding out the door before he had even registered that he was beginning to panic. He threw over his shoulder, "Anyone who got a Mako injection today follow me! Zack, give Tucker back to Reno and come on! We've got a serious fucking problem."

Reno: What was he supposed to say? He was so furious but so happy. Reno held Tucker when he was shoved into his arms. Reno held his breath, trying to calm himself before speaking. "You...have a HELL of a lot o' explainin' to do!" The anger in Reno's voice was all too obvious but it quickly changed. "Fuck, I was worried. Are you okay? Did anythin' happen to ya? Can this just...just be OVER?! Fuck, I hate ya sometimes!" 'I might hate you more, but I'll never love you less.' he thought. "So, everythin's a'right?"

Rude: Rude winced, "So far so good. I'm perfectly fine, but I asked you how /you/ were first you know." He ignored his lover saying he hated him, he had expected that after all. "Barring anything untoward happening between here and home everything should be just fine. But there is something I need you to do."

Reno: "I'm, uh...well, I don't want to worry you, a'right? Some shit happened but we can talk about it when ya get back. I need to talk to you at your place. But, what do you need me to do?" Reno sighed, trying his hardest to not just scream through the phone.

Rude: "I need you to gather Jellybeans, Ranch, Pistachio, Mayonnaise, WhiteChocolate, DarkChocolate, Frosting, Toffee, Cornflour, IceCream and Jello. We're going to be throwing a party tonight." Rude hated that he still had to speak in code, even though he was taking the risk of actually talking to Reno right now. But hopefully everything would be fine and he would be able to explain everything to them all when he got back.

Reno: "wha-?" Reno couldn't remember who was what in Rude's little code but he was sure Sephiroth or Angeal would know. "Um, okay. Anythin' else ya want fer the get together?" This was beyond annoying. Rude was so close but so far and he had to speak in code. He couldn't wait until the man returned to hear his side of this 'story'. "Sounds fun but I think one of the jelly beans might be a little bitter." he said, knowing Rude understood that 'ketchup' wasn't extatic about this whole thing.

Rude: Rude winced again, "One of the jellybeans or just the ketchup I like to put with them?" He couldn't help it he had to. He missed his redhead so damn much! "But no that's all. If you can't find some of them ask around, I'm sure the hot sauce will be handy." Rude groaned inside when he saw Arylide on the deck, "Fuck. I gotta go love. I just found a problem."

Reno: "Yup." was Reno's simple parting...'word'. He snapped his phone shut but went about collecting these 'jellybeans'. The Turk went to Sephiroth's office and knocked.

Rude: Rude stared at his PHS for a moment, "Well that was abrupt." He shook his head and pocketed the device as Arylide came to stand next to him.

Arylide: "Well hello there Roger. Fancy meeting you here." Arylide batted her eyelashes at him, "I didn't see much of you in Costa, whatever were you up to?"

Rude: Her coy attitude made Rude want to vomit and the fact that the crazy money grubbing woman had looked for him while she stayed in Costa Del Sol bothered him even more. "I took a trip to the Golden Saucer. Costa bored me after a very short time."

Arylide: "Oh?" She put her hand on his chest and leaned forward into him, slyly looking up into his face. She flicked her fingers over his pecks in what he supposed she thought was a highly flirtatious manner, "Was that your wife on the line?"

Rude: Rude grabbed her hand and pushed her away from him, "Yes, actually it was." He rolled his eyes at her as he answered sarcastically. Then he retained some of his dignity, "Actually it was my partner at work, I was checking in with him to make sure he was actually working."

Arylide: She gave a rather rankling kya-ha-ha-ha laugh that set Rude's teeth on edge, "Oh~ is he as handsome as you are?"

Rude: Rude forced a grin, "Ms. Arylide, no one is as handsome as I am."

Arylide: Arylide laughed again and a man in a dark suit, shades and a black tie came over and whispered in her ear. She frowned at him, "Not now Tulip I'm having a conversation."

Tulip: The man sighed exasperated, "With all due respect ma'am, fuck that. You need to have this meeting or you won't be getting that job you want so damned badly."

Arylide: The blonde woman was clearly angry and scowled at the man before her, "Fine. Whatever." Apparently though, her greed won out. "If you'll excuse me Roger, I've business to attend to."

Rude: Rude simply nodded and sighed in relief as she moved away. They would be docking in another half an hour and he couldn't wait to get home.

Sephiroth: Sephiroth's head came up from the mound of paperwork on his desk at the knock. "Come in."

Reno: Reno opened the door and took a seat, thumping back against it, crossing one leg over the other, and crossing his arms. "Rude gave me some code. You know who's who so I need you to tell me what he meant. He said he needed me to gather Jellybeans, Ranch, Pistachio, Mayonnaise, WhiteChocolate, DarkChocolate, Frosting, Toffee, Cornflour, IceCream and Jello because we're going to be throwing a party tonight. Translation?"

Sephiroth: Sephiroth looked at him dumbfounded for a moment before he laughed. "Well apparently he wants a meeting, probably where he'll explain himself when he gets back. He would like you to gather: Veld, Lazard, Reeve, President Rufus, Tseng, Vincent, Myself, Angeal, and Professors Crescent, Hollander and Gast. In that order, I'm guessing he didn't give a time or place?"

Reno: "Nope. Just the 'names'. If he wants them all around so he can explain himself, he can fuckin' make plans on the ride home! I don't need MORE stress on my plate! If he's so desperate to explain himself, he can call each of you and give you details." Reno was getting very touchy and honestly just wanted to kick his partner in the family jewels. He'd had enough. "I'm sick of this. I'm tired of being jerked around."

Sephiroth: "You seem to be forgetting that he called /you/. It obviously means that he wants you to pick a time and place for this meeting because you are supposed to be there." Sephiroth simply looked at him deadpanned.

Reno: "Why should I? He feels guilty? He should do the work himself! I'm not too busy today so anytime is fine and so long as the location's not our apartment, I don't give a fuck! I'm not running around fer him after all this! Once he explains himself, I'll do what he needs but he can schedule this shit himself!" Reno tore his furious gaze off of the general and took a few breaths so he wouldn't literally flip any tables.

Sephiroth: "You are truly pathetic. He asks one thing from you because he obviously can't set it up himself because he still has to speak in code and you can't even be bothered simply because you are angry with him? Doing this kind of shit is you're fucking job Reno. Get out of my office before I throw you out." Sephiroth had had enough, he didn't understand this kind of behavior and he was sick of being yelled at when he'd done nothing wrong.

Reno: "That's what I mean. He can speak his 'code' to them. His guilt is his own fault. He knew what he was doing. This mission had nothing to do with me last I was told. Or at least I had no say in it. Call it pathetic if you want. I call it having a back bone and not letting people push you around or just dance in the palm of their hands. I'm done with this and that includes yer 'high an' mighty' 'I am above you all' act. Sorry fer givin' you information. Oh, and don't worry he's fine." Reno spat, wondering why Sephiroth hadn't even asked if Rude was well.

Sephiroth: Sephiroth stood up and prowled slowly around his desk toward Reno, "Of course he's fine, he called YOU you moron." The General grabbed Reno around the waist and threw him over his shoulder before flouncing out his door. If the redhead wasn't going to bother with being cooperative anymore, than neither was he. With his long stride, compensating for Reno's squirming and cursing, Sephiroth moved down the hallways of ShinRa and located every member that Rude had requested of Reno. He told them to meet in his office at 1600 over Reno's constant barrage against his person both verbal and physical and made his way to the training center. "You are going to get this cunfucklery out the old fashioned way Reno." And he promptly dumped the man on the matted floor.

Reno: Reno winced as he hit the floor but glared up at the general. "Ya got a lot o' fuckin' nerve, ya bitch." Reno slowly stood up and turned away, walking around Sephiroth and slamming his shoulder into the SOLDIER's. "Ya can kick your own ass. I'm done with this shit. Rude's comin' back an' that's all I care about. Just because I decided I'm not taking his bullshit anymore doesn't give ya the right to do this. Get over yerself, 'sir'." Reno then left the room, slamming the door behind him.

Sephiroth: With a smirk Sephiroth quietly followed Reno out of the room and walked behind the redhead, "I happen to be the only one capable of kicking my ass I'll have you know." His long strides brought him up beside Reno and he tugged on the man's ponytail before walking off back to work. "Chicken." He whispered under his breath.

Reno: Reno was able to ignore the general up until he grabbed his hair. The taunt was the last straw. If Sephiroth wanted to play dirty, Reno would teach him real dirty fighting. The Turk took a large fist full of Sephiroth's hair and hauled him around to face him. He then gave a direct shot to Sephiroth's groin with his knee and pulled the taller man face to face with him. Green eyes met green and Reno's were filled with rage for the SOLDER. "If ya think I'll fight ya just cause yer in a pissy mood, ya better get yer head checked. Rude gettin' his ass home is what I care about, not yer prissy, little ass." Reno dropped Sephiroth to his knees and shoved his hands in his pockets, casually walking away with somewhat cold eyes.

Sephiroth: A bit shocked to have his hair pulled Sephiroth allowed Reno to yank him around. The kick didn't faze him in the slightest but with how wild the younger man looked Sephiroth simply allowed him to do as he pleased. Though as the redhead walked away he stood slowly and looked after him speaking to him softly, "If you're so worried about him, which we all know you have been the whole time, why have you allowed yourself to get angry at the rest of us?" The silverette was exceedingly confused on this point. Even the comments about Sephiroth being the one in a pissy mood, which wasn't true at all, no longer mattered. He wasn't going to let a Turk goad him into anything when he was simply trying to help. He shook his head in confusion and simply stood there for a long while trying to figure out the human emotions that had taken over Reno lately.

Reno: Reno stopped but didn't turn around. He sighed, staring at the ground with his still cold eyes. "Trying to throw me into a fight with you, hauling me around like that...HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE CALM?! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FEEL ANYTHING OTHER THAN EMBARRASSMENT AND ANGER, YA MORON?! YA KNOW DAMN WELL YOU'D BE JUST AS PISSED SO DON'T BOTHER DENYING THAT!" Reno's voice lowered dangerously again. "Trust me, Sephiroth, if Rude were here, you wouldn't hear a peep from me because all this anger would be flyin' right at HIM. I'm pissed at EVERYTHING right now. No just you, not just Rude. Hell, I wanna beat the shit outta MYSELF." Reno stared blankly ahead of himself, not knowing what to do with himself or anything about the situation. "No joke. Why should I do Rude any favors after what he's done and after all the planning and work we've ALL put in already, even though we were mad at him?" he asked, finally turning to look at the SOLDIER. "I feel like until he at least explains...he doesn't deserve shit. It ain't cause I don't love'em. I just don't understand what's goin' through his head." The Turk covered his face with his hand and grabbed at his temples. "Fuck, I need some pain meds." He turned to go get some when his leg locked a bit. He growled in frustration and removed it, throwing it at the wall with a holler before leaning back and sinking to the floor, seething at the whole situation. "Even I don't get it Seph." He whispered. "Have you ever just gotten so mad that...nothing seems to make sense?" He asked, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths.

Sephiroth: Sephiroth stared at him as he exploded then quietly went and picked up his fake leg and sat next to him. "No I haven't. Honestly it surprises me when I get angry at all. I'm not very good with any emotion. I didn't know what to do when my own mother was crying! Angeal said I acted out of instinct when I moved to hold her while she cried. But realistically I don't know why I did it. Emotions don't seem to be something one can quantify, so I cannot understand them. At least you know when you are angry; I never know what emotion I'm expressing until someone tells me later." He looked wistfully down at the leg in his hands. "I wish I knew more so that I could help. I thought that maybe the exertion of a fight would help you calm down a bit. I wasn't trying to be insulting." Sephiroth heaved a big sigh and wrapped his arms around his knees before lowering his head to them.

Reno: Reno listened quietly. "Then what right do you have to judge mine if ya don't even understand'em?" Reno looked to the side and watched Sephiroth curl into his knees, like a saddened child. The Turk kept a straight face and blinked a few times. "Guess yer just as confused as I am then. I don't know who'r what to be pissed at an' I don't know how to react when I DO get pissed. I just...react. I know I'm usually just loud an' swear my head off but I'm just too drained to bother anymore. I flip out then break down because I don't have the energy anymore. Let's just wait fer Rude to come back an' explain all this an' we'll react however we need to, I guess." Reno wasn't sure what had hit Seph to drive him so far but it was so strange to see him like this. The Turk leaned over and rested his head on the SOLDIER's shoulder, sighing heavily and closing his eyes. "Instinct." He muttered as an explanation for his action. "Ya felt empathetic when ya hugged yer mom, an' yer just frustrated now because ya don't know what else to do to fix your current situation. 'Least that's what I think."

Sephiroth: Sephiroth felt the pressure when Reno laid his head down on his shoulder, it was comforting in a way... and at the moment he didn't feel awkward about needing the comfort. He might later, but he'd deal with it later if that happened. "Yeah, you're probably right. We've got everything all set up for when he gets here; were you gonna talk to him before the meeting?"

Reno: Reno thought for a moment. "I figured I would talk to him at the meeting; before or after he explains himself. Hopefully before, so I can just get this all out of my system. I probably wouldn't listen to his explanation if I was still this angry." He admitted. "So, everyone's ready for when he gets back?"

Sephiroth: Sephiroth looked over at him like he'd lost his mind, "Well we did just go around telling everyone to meet in my office at 1600 did we not? Though I can see how you may have missed that with your struggling and cursing at myself." He teased.

Reno: Reno rubbed his temples. "The fuck is 1600 hours again? I still use a tickin' WALL clock." Reno joked, holding up his wrist, showing Sephiroth his basic 12 hour watch. The redhead chuckled. "Was a gift I got when I was promoted. Never did like the gold much. But, hey, it gets the job done. And yeah, I missed a lot o' that. Yellin' tends to drown out most other sounds." He said with a smirk. The turk sighed then stood from his spot on the floor, offering the general a hand. "Let's go. Yer paperwork ain't gonna finish itself, right? I gotta find a way to chill out too, so we may as well get moving."

Sephiroth: Sephiroth gave him a lopsided grin, "It's four o'clock. You wouldn't have to deal with a wall clock if you'd stop damaging all of Rude's digital ones." He moved his eyes off to the side in a coyish fashion while taking the offered hand up. "Also... I believe you left a furry creature in my office."

Angeal: Angeal had marched down the corridors with Cloud over his shoulder like a bag of meal and six other former Cadets following in his wake. They made it to Lucrecia's lab in record time. "So what exactly is going on?"

Lucrecia: Lucrecia, Hollander and Gast were all in there, all actively doing something with chemicals. "Thank goodness! You're here." Lucrecia turned to face them all, "Were all seven of them given a Mako injection then?"

Cloud: "Yes ma'am," Cloud answered from his uncomfortable position, reminding the Commander to put him down.

Gast: "Then you will all need to take this." Gast moved over to another lab station to grab up seven vaccination needles which he filled with a dark blue liquid. "It will have to be injected in the same place the Mako was, so please uncover the spot you got the shot and come sit." He gestured at a stool near him and grabbed up a needle.

Lucrecia: "Quickly everyone, there are two more stools and two more doctors so we'll get you cleaned up three at a time." Lucrecia grabbed three needles and Hollander grabbed two, leaving the last next to Gast.

Hollander: The six other SOLDIERs went before Cloud because he was hoping to stay and talk to the doctors afterwards. Once everyone had had the injection they were sent off to bed, Hollander explained that the counter drug would make them sleepy because the Mako would try to fight it so hard. He asked that Kunsel (who was in the group) tell Commander Genesis to have people check in on them and make sure that they all ate dinner. Kunsel had nodded and gone to find the fiery Commander while everyone else headed for their dorms.

Cloud: "So why were we given Mako when we're not supposed to be anymore?" Cloud finally asked as just the five of them were left in the room.

Lucrecia: Lucrecia shook her head, "I don't know. But it's certainly my next course of action to find out!" She was rather angry that her ban of the substance hadn't been listened to by the doctors. "Can you tell me which doctors gave you all the injections?"

Hollander: Cloud nodded and listed of the two doctors who had given them the Mako injections after they had passed their final field exam to become SOLDIER. Hollander nodded, "Yes, those two have always been problematic. I'll go talk to President Rufus about them."

Angeal: Angeal looked over at Cloud, "Alright Chocobo, time for bed."

Science Lab: Cloud blushed but nodded and headed out. Shortly after he left Sephiroth stopped by with a flailing Reno to tell them of a meeting in his office at 1600. Angeal, Lucrecia and Gast were all required to be there.

Gast: "Curious." Gast commented, "Why so many specific people and in such a place as the General's office?"

Angeal: Angeal just smiled, "Probably because a certain Turk will finally be home tonight."

Lucrecia: Lucrecia smiled, "I sure hope so."

Reno: Reno's expression changed to concern. That was the second time in one day he'd forgotten Tucker. He nodded at Sephiroth, helping him up and making his way back to the general's office with him. Tucker was curled up on Sephiroth's chair, purring away, causing Reno to sigh in relief. "Thank Gaia. Poor guy." He said as he walked over and picked the kitten up, scratching its head. "I'm sorry, buddy. Been a real dick to ya, huh?" Tucker simply yawned and licked Reno's chin. The Turk turned to Sephiroth with an embarrassed smile. "Never was good at carin' fer pets. Only had stray dogs an' cats that found food on their own. They never cared if ya left'em alone." Reno continued to pet the kitten as he rambled. "If they wanted us to stick around, they'd just follow us. Not used to a real pet I guess. Rude told me to take good care of him." Reno frowned. "Can't say I've kept my promise."

Hollander: Hollander had just made it to President Rufus' office when Sephiroth swung by with an irate Reno over his shoulder. Rufus' expression piqued as Sephiroth told them that himself, Gast and Tseng (who was also in the room) were required at a meeting in Sephiroth's office at four o'clock. Hollander blinked several times, but resumed his reason for coming to see the president shortly after Sephiroth and Reno left. "Sir we have two doctors who administered Mako injections today."

Rufus: Rufus' happy expression train wrecked, "WHAT?"

Hollander: "Commander Hewley contacted Professor Crescent a short while ago about the new 3rd Class SOLDIERs having anger issues after their injections. Apparently he had not yet been informed that they were not supposed to be given such injections anymore. 3rd Class Strife reported that the two doctors who gave them the shots were Berkley and Barclay."

Rufus: Rufus sighed, "The two doctors who were already causing undo trouble to begin with. Tseng will you take care of this?" Tseng nodded and Rufus dismissed both men. Hollander went back down to Lucrecia's lab to help her and Gast find a way to help their boys.

Sephiroth: Sephiroth smiled at Reno, "No worries, it's only been one day after all. You've had a lot on your plate, I'm sure you can be forgiven for one day. Especially since the little guy's not dead."

Reno: It was true; it had been one hell of a day. It still wasn't fair to Tucker though. However, Reno nodded. "Guess so." The redhead never stopped petting Tucker and never looked up as he took a seat in one of the office chairs. "Mind if I sit until he gets back?" he asked calmly. Reno couldn't fight anymore; at least not at the moment. He just wanted to sit and wait. He was so focused on the silence in the room and Tucker's soft fur. His eyes were staring into space but he was clearly content, for the most part.

Sephiroth: Sephiroth simply nodded and sat in his own chair and got back to work; reports weren't going to read themselves after all.

Executive Group: Veld, Lazard, Reeve and Vincent had all been found by the silver and red pair while they were in the cafeteria eating lunch. They all accepted the meeting time and place knowing that this could mean that Rude was finally going to fill them all in on the shit he'd been pulling recently. They discussed various possibilities throughout the rest of their lunch before resuming work.

Rude: Rude got off the ship at Junon with a healthy distain for all females with blonde hair. TwoGun had his car waiting on a street corner for him, the keys hidden under a front tire. The Turk having found out about Rude's potential return when Reno started making a fuss, said Turk however was nowhere to be found. But that didn't bother Rude any, he simply threw his things in the back, hopped in and drove for Midgar at top speeds. If Reeve hadn't told him that Reno and Sephiroth had set up his meeting for 1600 Rude wouldn't have gone so fast... because he'd have been majorly late. As it was he made it to HQ at 15:30. Then he parked his car, changed into uniform in a bathroom on his way to an elevator, and then headed for Sephiroth's office. He didn't speak to a soul the whole way.

Reno: Reno fidgeted in the seat as the clock ticked closer and closer to Rude's arrival. He was subconsciously bouncing one leg, anxiously hoping for yet dreading for Rude to appear. The Turk got a snap back to reality when Tucker playfully swiped at his face. Reno looked up as people started entering the office for the 'meeting'. He really hoped it would be done with quickly. His nerves couldn't take much more tossing around. He sighed when he remembered how amazing Cloud's massage had felt. He focused on that for the moment to at least keep his head on straight.

Sephiroth: The first people to trickle into his office were Angeal, his mother, Gast, and Hollander. They had apparently been discussing the issue of how to treat everyone who had been injected with Mako over the years for the past couple of hours. Next Rufus arrived with Tseng, grim looks on their faces from dealing with the rogue doctors. Veld and Vincent came in together and took up positions in the corners of his office adjacent to his door. Honestly it was kind of creepy, but Sephiroth's face gave nothing away. Lazard came in and moved to stand beside Sephiroth, who had given up his seat at his desk to Rufus and now stood beside his window. Reeve was the last of them to arrive, with the exception of Rude, it was exactly 1600 hours.

Rude: Rude saw Reeve entering Sephiroth's office just ahead of him, 'Well so much for talking to Reno alone first.' He thought to himself before he reached for the door handle. He readied his mind for the discussion to come...more like a most likely brutal interrogation...and entered the room.