For Meiden
III
Rufus glared at the seemingly lifeless clock on the wall as inconspicuously as possible. He'd always hated that clock. It was a blind clock with a ruby indicating the twelve and Rufus hated not being able to tell how many minutes had passed. Especially since these meetings never changed. The professor always needed more funding for a project he was certain would be the greatest for ShinRa and science ever; Scarlet always needed more funding for some all-powerful weapon she'd planned; Heidegger always needed funding to train the soldiers to man the new weapon; and Reeve always...well "the poor" needed funding for food and health care. Rufus knew their arguments so well by now that he could probably vouch for all of them if he cared, which he didn't. All he cared about was getting out of that damn chair and out of the path of the president's cigar smoke.
He leaned as far back as the chair would allow and glanced up at the clock as a particularly large cloud of smoke came is way. He couldn't tell how many minutes, or seconds, had passed since he last looked at it but nearly half an hour had gone by since the meeting began...a good sign to say the least.
When the offending smoke cloud had finally drifted by, Rufus slowly sat forward hoping to remain unofficially excluded from the current debate. It was a stale debate that he'd made the mistake of participating in before: human experimentation.
At the moment the professor was finishing up another lengthy, dramatic spiel on it's potential contributions to mankind, specifically ShinRa. And just as planned, Reeve jumped right into the cons of such experimentation and its lack of morality.
When Reeve got to the point of how it would end up costing ShinRa more money just to pay the human specimen for their services Hojo began to laugh.
"Pay them?," he guffawed, "And being a part of the greatest contributions to science in the history of this miserable planet isn't reason enough to simply volunteer...?"
This had been somewhere around where he'd jumped in last time not quite defending Reeve but laying down all this risks involved with Hojo's proposal. Today, however, he was not in the mood.
"Professor," he intervened smoothly, "why don't you stick to your library of incomplete projects, many of which were assigned last fall...say, mako recycling?"
The interjection, made with an arched eyebrow of dull interest quieted the old debate rather abruptly. They all stared at him as if they'd forgotten he was even there, save Scarlet who just perked up at the control in his voice. Hojo's surprise soon turned to annoyance at the quite obvious jab at his job performance.
Reeve, on the other hand, was grateful for the break from an argument he was sure to lose in the very end anyway.
"Well, sir, I can assure you those little assignments haven't been forgotten. As I mentioned in my report--"
"--Save it, professor," he deadpanned. "I hope you all realize there are matters more deserving of our attention at present. After somewhat of a 'humph' the professor lapsed into an indignant silence.
The strawberry-blonde looked pointedly at the president, and for a brief moment he was reminded of the incident in his father's office.
The president smirked inwardly. So the brat wanted some sport, eh?
"Got something in mind, boy?" There, he thought, he just loves it when I talk down to him...
Rufus only narrowed his eyes, taking the clear offense in stride. "If I'm not mistaken, the plan for a reactor south of Gongaga is currently being pursued. There were a few acknowledging grunts. His clear blue eyes shifted downward briefly as he gathered his thoughts. "Now, as far as we know, there is a settlement in the most desirable plot for the reactor. It isn't a very striving settlement , but it is there and can't be overlooked."
He gauged his old man's reaction carefully. The bushy blonde brows twitched and the eyes narrowed slightly exactly as he had done moments before. Rufus didn't know where he planned to take this. All he knew was that he'd be damned if he sat through the same tiresome list of arguments an executive team of adults couldn't settle.
"Do they have an army?" The president's question was directed at Rufus.
"No, not that I've been informed..."
"Then they aren't a problem. You said so yourself, the area is most desirable for construction. I've already ordered a team to move ahead the clearance operation to a day from tomorrow. Actual construction will begin within the month."
Rufus opened his mouth to reply but Reeve spoke instead. "I believe the vice president has made a point. The village is there. How will they all relocate in a couple of days. Have they even been notified?"
"Reeve, this company still has a world of potential, no matter how great it is now. In order to reach that potential a few backs have to be stepped on, and if some of them break...so be it," Heidegger intervened.
"That doesn't answer any of those quest--"
"Men , there's no need to discuss this," the president claimed. "It's been decided."
"By who?"
Again, all eyes were on Rufus in something akin to bewilderment. Did he just go from noncommittal to direct challenge of the president? Reeve was beginning to wonder what the young blonde had had for breakfast.
The president didn't seem to react. "Who else? I'm beginning to wonder why you're taking this issue so personally."
Is that what it sounded like? Well, that certainly hadn't been his intention, whatever that was. Rufus enjoyed getting under the president's skin but it didn't seem to working that way. He grit his teeth for only a brief second.
"Not personally, Mr. President, logically," he corrected. "Let's say we do just wipe away an entire village and put a reactor in its place. Are you saying it would go unnoticed? The people of Gongaga may not be advanced but they aren't stupid."
The bushy brow twitched again.
"Of course it won't go unnoticed. But there are ways of making sure nothing is done about it on they're part."
"...Ways?"
"Ways."
"You know, this company isn't going to be able to play innocent for long. What with all those resistance factions, we're practically feeding them." This time he didn't bother to conceal looking at the clock. "Well, it seems as if the hour has already come to a close." There was the near inaudible swish of his chair sliding back on the carpet as he stood. "If you'll excuse me..." he left with a slight nod of the head, praying he didn't look as stiff as he felt.
He was vaguely aware of Hojo following his example hastily. The blonde stepped onto the faithfully waiting elevator and pushed the button for his apartment's floor. Before the doors could close a white-clad arm stuck its way inside to hold the doors open before allowing the dark-haired scientist to enter.
Rufus rolled his eyes inwardly. Hojo was definitely not his idea of company. But then again, neither of them were very talkative. Perhaps he could pretend the scientist wasn't even there. He stole a quick glance at the wiry man. As usual he had his hair pulled back into a stringy ponytail. Rufus had never seen it any other way. His black wire-framed glasses were slipping down his nose and he reached up absently to push them back up. Immediately he noticed Rufus' scrutiny and gave somewhat of a snort.
Funny, Rufus thought, he should get so huffy with all the scrutiny he did in his career. Luckily, they'd arrived at his floor and he stepped off into the ever comforting hallway to his apartment.
Was that perfume he smelled?
As realization dawned on him he wished he could get back on the elevator but it was well on its way to the science department. Don't let it be her...
He turned the corner and there she was, clad in that burgundy number she still thought was working for her. He didn't acknowledge her presence. If he could just get into his room...
"Rufus, that was quite a show down there."
"Step away from the door, Scarlet."
"What's wrong?" She leaned against the doorframe despite his command.
"You're blocking the way to my apartment," he answered knowing very well that wasn't what she was referring to.
She chuckled coyly, slowly stepping from the doorframe and closing the gap between them. That was all he needed. He swerved around her and headed for the door, but she stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"What's the rush?"
Her perfume was overpowering.
"Is there some reason you're here?"
Satisfied that he hadn't gone inside yet she attempted to turn him back towards her but he just shrugged her hand off and turned to face her.
"Actually, yes. I thought you had a point."
"About what?"
"You know, the whole reactor thing. You were right. There should be another way."
He rolled his eyes. He was really getting sick of her pretending to agree with him if she thought it would help her in the end. Rufus turned again and unlocked his door.
"A shame you came all the way up here just to waste my time."
"Rufus..."
"Good day, Scarlet."
He closed the door before she could reply and inhaled deeply. He could still smell her perfume on his blazer and it sickened him. Sex on the Beach. It was the same she'd inappropriately worn to the meeting moments ago but she must have reapplied. And how she'd gotten to his door before him was beyond him.
Intent on taking a long hot shower to rid himself of her smell and the stiffness of his joints he headed to his room. Just then he remembered his unexpected guest and knocked on the bedroom door.
There was a brief pause. "It isn't locked."
He opened it to find her seated at the sofa near his bed clad only in a grey T-shirt. It was definitely his although he didn't recall purchasing it or owning it for that matter. Now that she was clean he could see all of her face clearly. She was actually quite attractive. Her skin was a creamy golden hue native of her region. Her hair lay more smoothly against her shoulders but still held some waviness.
She stood up while he removed his blazer, dropping it over the back of a chair.
"So, can this be stopped?"
He sighed softly. "I'm not so sure. He seems pretty sure of himself on this one. Perhaps the best thing for you to do is get home and warn everyone to leave." He began rummaging around his closet for something.
"Are you sure?"
At the hurt in her voice he stopped suddenly to face her.
"Yes," his expression softened ever so slightly, "He's moved the date to the day after tomorrow. I can put you in a chopper and you'll be there by this evening. That's the best I can do."
He shoulders drooped. "I see."
He almost felt a pang at her obvious disappointment. But he did try, and he sure as hell didn't have too. What did she want from him?
"I-If I had done as he wanted, would he have changed his mind?"
His jaw clenched. "I don't think so." He noticed her lack of attire. "I'll get you some...clean clothes."
He called for some garments and a chopper to be ready within the hour. She just sort of stood there and fidgeted until the clothes came. Then she changed and fidgeted some more. But Rufus wouldn't allow himself to feel guilty. He didn't have any reason to stick his neck out. He could have let Tseng do his job in the first place. It would have been easier for him anyway.
"Come on, I'll take you to the helipad."
She followed him in silence. They're eyes didn't met until she'd been seated on the chopper. He turned to head back down to his rooms, the wind from the blades whipping his clothes and hair around stiffly,
"Rufus!" He turned back to her surprised by the presence of a sad smile. "Thank you," she mouthed as the craft lifted into the air.
His mouth involuntarily relaxed into a frown.
* * *
A/N:
Hey...i surprised myself with an update for this fic. But as Blaster56 pointed out...'I need to finish it.'
I kinda got some new ideas...now the task is putting them into writing. *sigh*
Now, one thing that's been gnawing on me is Rufus' character: he's sorta...kinda...well, OOC. I realized that from the beginning but it didn't bother me till now. In the game he's a bit cold (ok a LOT cold). But it was in a greedy sorta way. I'm going to try toughen his character up some more but only to a point. Hey...even villains have soft spots...^_^
Don't hold back wit comments/questions. Jes be polite wit ur opinions. I'll try to update sooner.
Til then...
ZaiJian~