Reeve: Tell Me About Hope
Reeve stepped into the building and was assaulted by the sounds of antique printing equipment, the smell of ink and photo developing solution, and the clattering of antiquated computers, even a typewriter off in a corner with someone pounding away on it merrily. It reminded him of college; he'd worked on the newspaper for a year, mostly fixing equipment and running the darkroom. He still enjoyed photography, though he had little time for it anymore; it was one of many things he meant to pick up again, in that nebulous future when he had time'. It was rather impressive, in light of what everyone believed about the slums, that it managed to support a newspaper, even one with an irregular, unpredictable print schedule. Someone looked up at him, and he walked over to the desk.
"Yeah? Looking for someone?" the dark-haired, dark-skinned man said, eying him suspiciously.
"Neve de Tormes," he replied, all too aware that he was obviously not a slum dweller, even though he'd traded in the suit for well-worn jeans, t-shirt and jacket.
The man eyed him again, decided he wasn't any major threat, then yelled, "Neve! Visitor!"
A young woman about Elena's age, and a few inches shorter than Reeve, looked up; she had short, rough-cut red-brown hair and features too strong for a woman. As she came over, Reeve noted shrewd, bright hazel eyes that looked over him sharply. Her clothes were clearly second hand, but clean and attractive; she reminded him rather strongly of Elena, though there was no physical resemblance. It was the forthright way she met his eyes, he decided.
"Here ... no, I have seen you before," she said, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Elena said you might be able to help me," he replied. "With the Sisters?"
Neve frowned for a moment. Then her face lightened and she nodded. "Right, then. Ellis, I'm going out. Copy and the photos are in the box whenever you get to them."
Ellis sighed. "Fine. Get some Avalanche photos, dammit."
"They're not even in Midgar!" Neve replied, collecting her coat. Outside, she said, thoughtfully, "No pensé usted bajar aquí se, Señor Secretario. No pienso su colegas tener siempre colección pie aquí en el barrios bajos."
He shook his head, wondering if Elena spoke Spanish as well. He'd never had the chance to talk to her on anything that wasn't related to work or spying. "Sorry, I don't speak much Spanish, Ms. de Tormes." He was rather surprised she'd recognized him; Scarlet and Heidegger between them grabbed most of the publicity. Not, he amended, that he minded; it was easier to get his job done when he was fairly anonymous.
"Mm. You are not what I was expecting. I think the world would die of shock if Scarlet or Heidegger came to the slums without all the Turks and a retinue of bodyguards." She watched him, waiting to see what he said in response to that.
He laughed, suddenly aware of footsteps behind them. I can't imagine that myself. It's not far from here to the orphanage, right?
"No, no distante a todo. Justa escuchar por horda de grito niños," someone said.
"Alejandro!" Neve said, spinning around, hand dropping to where she undoubtedly had a weapon concealed. Reeve turned, reaching for the butt of the gun under his jacket. Neve relaxed, hands on her hips, and he dropped his hands, eying the stranger. The first thing he noticed was the revolver half-hidden under the trenchcoat. The second was that Alejandro resembled Elena more than Neve did, which was still not very much; he was much more obviously of mixed ancestry than Elena, with large dark eyes, gold-brown skin and a waist-length bronze braid as thick as Neve's arm. The last was that the younger man was staring at him very suspiciously, and then Neve interrupted.
"Hacer no chivato arriba por mi cuenta, hermano!" Neve scolded. "Elena called you?"
He grinned. Don't be so careless then, hermana! He raised his hands in defense when she shook her fist at him. "I rang Elena when I got into town, and she said to meet you. Something about the Sisters."
Neve nodded, grinning back, then noticed the way Alejandro was glaring at Reeve. Oh, this is Reeve, a friend of Elena's.
That did nothing to make Alejandro any less suspicious; indeed, Reeve felt like his sisters' boyfriends must have on inspection by his father. Alejandro said, stepping between him and Neve, are you here to help with the Sisters?
Reeve nodded, refusing to be intimidated by the younger man. Elena asked me to come down, he said. She thought I might be able to help the Sisters out.
Alejandro seemed reasonably satisfied with that answer, though he stayed between Neve and Reeve on the way to the orphanage. None of the local punks seemed interested in bothering them; three of them together, and two of them clearly used to fighting, were worse odds than most of the punks wanted to face. Mostly, though, there were only ordinary people here, trying to scratch out a living. Reeve did what he could for the slums, but it wasn't much and never even remotely near enough. It was, as far as the upper plates and Shinra were concerned, a no man's land best left to its own devices.
The orphanage, when he reached it, proved to be an enormous, cobbled-together and somewhat ramshackle building. According to Reeve's experienced eye, it was sound enough, though Meteor ... he didn't know if even the support pillars would survive Meteor. Children were yelling at the back, with an adult woman trying vainly to keep some sort of order, and the air was filled with the scents of laundry and cooking. Alejandro rapped on the front door.
Yes, can I ... Neve! Alejandro! And - who's this? The middle-aged nun who opened the door peered at Reeve with some interest.
Neve said. He's a friend of Elena's. Reeve bowed briefly to the nun, who flashed a dimpled smile at him.
Come in, come in, she urged, drawing them into a foyer that had seen better days. But it was clean, the wood was lovingly polished, and the books on the shelves (children's books, mostly), showed signs of heavy use.
Where have you been, Alejandro! Six months since your last visit, and never a word! The nun lit a lamp, throwing a warm light on the room.
Alejandro raised his hands in self-defense. Sister Guadalupe, I send letters! Every month I send letters, and some gil for the orphanage more often than not!
Three lines of chickenscratch is not a letter! the nun scolded, hands on her hips.
Sister Guadalupe, we need to see Mother Superior, Neve said, intervening in what sounded like an old argument. Relief flickered across Alejandro's face, and Reeve hid a smile. Is she busy?
Well, I ...
Racing footsteps heralded the arrival of a little boy, not more than five, who skidded to a stop in front of Sister Guadalupe. Sister, Sister, have you seen kitty? I can't find kitty!
Sergio! No running in the house! the nun scolded.
But I can't find kitty and the nasty kids were here and ... and ... The little boy looked like he was about to cry.
Kitty's smart, Sergio, you know that, Neve said, kneeling down. Kitty'll turn up, she always does.
He flung himself into her arms and held on tight. B-but the kids ...
Kitty's too smart for them, Neve said, ruffling his uncombed mop of black hair. She'll turn up at dinnertime just like always, Sergio!
Sergio sniffled. he said, sounding less than convinced, but relaxing his deathgrip on Neve a bit.
Sergio, if you show these people to Mother Superior's office, I'll go look for kitty, Sister Guadalupe offered.
You promise? he asked, peering up at her with damp blue eyes.
Sergio! Of course I promise! the nun scolded in mock offense.
The little boy nodded. Who're they? he asked, looking shyly up at Reeve and Alejandro.
You know Alejandro, he's my and Elena's brother, Neve said. And this is Reeve, he's a friend of Elena's.
Sergio decided this was sufficient recommendation, and let go of Neve so she could stand, though he immediately grabbed her hand and looked warily out at Alejandro and Reeve from behind her. He led them up stairs, down a well-swept hall, up another set of stairs, down another hall and around the corner, to a door with hard wooden chairs lined against the wall next to it. Women's voices drifted through the door.
Uhm, Mother Superior's talking to Sister Luka again, Sergio said, hearing the voices.
That's okay, Sergio, Neve said, ruffling his hair again. We'll wait. Thanks for bringing us up.
He nodded and grinned crookedly at them, showing teeth in need of a trip to the dentist. I'm gonna go look for kitty! He ran off down the hall, making more noise than anything that size should be able to.
That kid, Neve said, sitting down. Alejandro sat next to her, letting Reeve sit on his other side.
He's what, five? Reeve asked. Neve nodded. They're all like that at that age.
You have children? Alejandro asked, raising an eyebrow.
No, my sisters have children. He had two nieces and a nephew, and every time he went home for a family gathering, his mother asked him when he was going to settle down and have kids. There was no more effective way to drive him up the wall. He liked his nieces and nephew well enough, but they did not inspire him to any great desire to have his own children, even if he could remember the last date he'd had.
Just then the door opened, and a young nun came out, greeted them curiously, and went on her way. She's new, Alejandro said.
Just got here a few months ago, from the Chapterhouse in Junon, Neve replied, and rapped on the doorframe. Mother Superior, do you have a few minutes?
Neve! Alejandro! If you are trying to tell me to ... and ... Her eyebrows rose as Reeve entered the room behind them, and he knew at once she'd recognized him. And, having seen her, he knew her, vaguely; she'd been involved in some project a few years ago that had lost its funding and was scrabbling by on donations. At any rate, you two, there is far too much for us to do, and far too many people who need us.
Neve took one of the two chairs, and Alejandro the other, leaving Reeve to stand. That's exactly why I'm here, Mother Superior. Neve and Alejandro turned to stare at him in disbelief and potential hostility; he hoped they would listen to what he was saying. More to the point, he hoped the sharp-eyed nun watching him would listen. I can't tell if the support pillars will survive if Meteor hits, and I need to get as many people out of Midgar as possible to give them any chance of surviving. Your Order has Chapters in most of the world's cities, correct?
She nodded slowly. Yes, that is correct. I presume, Mr. Secretary, that you want us to help evacuate the city?
He nodded. Your Order has considerably more credibility in the slums than anything associated with Shinra, particularly after ... He shook his head, not wanting to think about the Sector 7 collapse; he'd managed to sneak out a warning, but he didn't think it had been in time. Watching the collapse had been one of the most nightmarish experiences of his life. Your Order also has a better network outside the city than I do, and would be able to handle the flow of refugees.
And what, exactly, would you expect us to do? And what assistance are you prepared to offer?
I'd like you to evacuate the most vulnerable people first, the ones least likely to be able to get out on their own. Children, the sick, the elderly, he told her, gesturing to indicate the orphanage. As for what I'm prepared to offer - access to transportation, passes to get in and out as necessary, whatever funding I can manage.
Mother Superior considered this. And what about Shinra guards? They've been stationed in the slums for some time now, and quite a few of them have no respect for the Sisters.
That does complicate matters, Reeve said, thinking. I have no control over the military, I'm afraid. He thought about it for a few minutes. I'll see what I can do, but I can't offer you any guarantees.
She nodded. I would not expect more. Can you offer us any assistance outside Midgar proper?
Yes, I can, he said, confidently. He'd been making just that kind of arrangement ever since Meteor had appeared in the sky; every opportunity found him working out details with colleagues, friends, and subordinates in other cities. He just hoped they had enough time. As soon as you're ready, I can give you contacts who will help you out.
She nodded. I will talk to the rest of the Order, and let you know as soon as we have decided. She favored him with a brief smile. And if you will excuse us?
Of course. Thank you for your time. Reeve bowed to her, then left, closing the door behind him. He could hear Alejandro and Neve talking, and walked down the hallway until the voices faded into a blur.
Something meowed, and he looked around. It meowed again, sounding distinctly annoyed, and he chuckled, recognizing the sound of a kitten that had gotten into something it didn't know how to get back out of. He listened as it meowed again, and followed the sound into what looked like a sewing room, with children's clothes in need of mending, and a basket full of knitting. The meowing, not surprisingly, came from the basket, and he found a kitten - half-grown cat, really - tangled up in a web of yarn. He knelt down and began carefully untangling the yarn.
Once he had extricated it, the cat, purring loudly, jumped up on his shoulder and bit his ear. He laughed. Now what do I do with you? The cat purred and washed its face.
He walked back into the hallway, closing the door behind him, and walked back toward Mother Superior's office, hoping Alejandro and Neve would know what to do with the cat. Running footsteps announced the arrival of Sergio, who skidded to a stop in front of him.
The cat meowed.
Reeve took the cat from his shoulder and handed it over to the little boy. Kitty's fine. Just got tangled up in some knitting.
Sergio looked up at him, awestruck. Thanks, mister! The little boy clutched the cat, who had an extremely tolerant look on its face, and grinned. He turned and pelted off the way he'd come.
Reeve shook his head. Did any five-year-old anywhere walk without an adult yelling at them? Neve and Alejandro came out of the office; he thanked them for their help, followed them back out of the orphanage, and went home. He might actually get more than an hour of sleep tonight. Maybe he could even sneak in a hot soak.
He made it back to his apartment in good time; he almost stopped for Wutai takeout, before remembering that last night's pizza was still in the fridge. He heard one of his jazz CDs playing as he opened the door, and found Elena sitting in his favorite chair, with his cat purring in her lap. She holstered her revolver as he locked the door behind him.
Forget something? She tossed him his cell phone.
Err ... He hated cell phones, if only because when he carried one, Rufus called and harangued him for not being at work.
Rufus is not amused, she said. The cat purred louder when she scratched behind its ears.
He leaned against the doorframe, mildly disturbed at how comfortable she seemed in his living room. His music was playing on the stereo, she was sitting in his favorite chair, and his cat, greedy for attention as always, was curled up in her lap; he was beginning to feel superfluous in his own house. She looked tired, as if she might doze off any time; at least he was reasonably sure she hadn't finished off a bottle or two of his best liquor.
Reeve said from much experience, is rarely amused. Fighting as Cait Sith was less dangerous than going to work; he half-expected Rufus to lose his patience any day now and just shoot him, or have the Turks do it.
Elena laughed bitterly. Oh, believe me, I know .
Yeah, I guess you would, he said. The Turks alternated spending most of each day guarding Rufus. Rather, Tseng had alternated with Reno and Rude, and only now that he was gone did Elena get that duty. From some of what he'd overheard, he suspected Tseng's assigning Elena other duties had nothing to do with her skills, but with Rufus' attitude. He had no idea why she'd done it, but the day she'd punched Rufus in the nose had been the highlight of his acquaintance with him.
The cat meowed sharply, hopped off her lap, and ran over to wind around his ankles. Oh sure, Reeve said to the cat, kneeling down to pet it. Now you remember me. I just feed you every night. The cat jumped into his arms, purring, clambered up onto his shoulders, and started kneading.
Elena laughed, some of the tiredness disappearing from her eyes; it was a remarkably friendly sound, unlike his colleagues, whose laughter was usually malevolent. And where exactly were you?
Attempting to convince a nun to see things my way, he replied, over the cat's loud purring.
The flash of hope in her eyes startled him; he hadn't realized how much it meant to her. Did it work?
I don't know yet, he replied, as the CD ended. I think she listened though. He decided he'd wait until morning to ask her about the guards.
That's more than I managed, she admitted.
More than welcome, he said. He hesitated, then decided against trying to strike up any real kind of conversation, despite the fact that he wasn't really sleepy yet.
Did you ... She hesitated, considering her phrasing. Did you have a chance to get that information we were discussing?
He shook his head. Sorry, but I couldn't find anything on it this afternoon. I'll try again in the morning, though. Hojo had been prowling around like a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs, even (in the most un-heard of events) showing up and haranguing him for twenty minutes on something incomprehensible. Under most circumstances, Hojo preferred to forget he existed, and Reeve liked it that way.
Her mouth twisted painfully. Yeah. I know.
Want some leftover pizza? he offered, wanting to do something to ease the strain he could just see in her eyes.
She agreed, and followed him into the kitchen.