Career Adjustment
Synopsis: Due to an "accident" at Shinra tower, everyone is now fired until further notice.
"I don't want people to think my executives are lazy, so I have managed to get jobs for you all. Reach into the box and pull out a new profession," he said, lips curled into a grin that could rival the Cheshire cat.
Warnings: Mature humor, crude humor, language, eventual smut
The cadets had all been placed in a nearby hotel for the time being. Cloud's roommate hadn't returned to the hotel room since they were given their room assignment. He didn't mind, it wasn't like they were friends.
He'd gone to bed early; the trials of the day had been tiring. According to his commanding officer, training was on hiatus for the time being. The blond was glad for the break. Their training had been getting more intense and it was hard for him to keep up. Maybe a break was all he would need.
The sound of his PHS ringing woke him up at six in the morning. He yawned and grabbed the device off the nightstand. The blond rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he place the phone to his ear.
"M'ello?" he grumbled.
"Cadet Strife," the deep, smooth voice said. Cloud scratched his head. The voice sounded familiar.
"Yes?" he responded.
"This is Commander Tseng. Rufus requires your assistance as his caddy this morning. He would like for me to inform you that just because you are not in class, you still have a job."
Cloud frowned. He had taken the job because he needed a little bit more money to send to his mother. She was having financial troubles and even a little bit helped. He was starting to regret taking this job over being a dishwasher in the cafeteria.
"Yes, Sir," he said, begrudgingly.
"A car will be out in front to pick you up in half an hour. Please be ready."
The called ended and Cloud sighed. Even on break he still had to work.
It didn't take him long to get showered, and dressed. He didn't much of a selection considering his clothes had been in his dorm in the tower. He had been given a change of clothes yesterday when they were assigning rooms. Everyone had been given a new uniform, even though the one they gave him was a bit too big.
He stood outside thirty minutes later, munching on an apple he'd swiped from the front desk. A black sedan pulled up and the driver stepped out.
"Are you Cloud?" the driver asked.
"Yeah," the blond said as he tossed the apple. The driver nodded and Cloud hopped into the back seat. It was nice and comfortable. They passed the Shinra tower and he glanced out the tinted window. The tower could barely be seen, the thick, black mist had engulfed the building.
His destination was a bit farther than he thought it would be, but he was surprised when he arrived there. It was a huge hotel, and a lot fancier than the one they put the cadets in.
He saw Tseng presumably waiting for him with the bag of golf clubs.
"Hi," he said. Tseng handed him the bag and gestured for him to follow.
Cloud slung the bag over his shoulder and followed after the man. The inside of the place was quite beautiful. It made the nicest inn in Nibelheim look like a shack. Tseng led him to the indoor golf course where Rufus was waiting.
"What took you so long!" he yelled, though Cloud didn't know if it was directed at him or Tseng.
"The boy had to be brought here, Sir. Remember you insisted that Cl-."
"Yeah I know what I said Turk!" Rufus interjected. He then turned to Cloud and snapped his fingers.
"Come on jail bait let's get started."
Cloud blushed at the nick name, but followed Rufus onto the field.
"Don't forget Sir, there's a meeting in one hour," Tseng informed.
Rufus waved him off and motioned for Cloud to set up his tee. The boy set the bag down and grabbed what he needed. He bent over and placed the tee. In the corner of his eye, he could see the vice president staring at his ass. Pervert.
Rufus smirked as the youth went back to his position beside Tseng. Cloud knew to be quiet this time; he didn't want to be yelled at again. Rufus may have only been a few years older, but the man's temper terrified him.
"The meeting is in five minutes, Sir," Tseng said.
Rufus scowled. He only had to tap the ball a few feet to get it into the hole.
"The meeting starts when I'm sitting in the fucking big chair!" he bit out. "Now shut up!
He gently tapped the ball and it didn't go in.
"Damn it! This is all your fault Tseng!"
"But, Sir?"
"Shut up! The meeting starts soon. I don't want to be late."
They were late by twenty minutes.
"Well I had to change my clothes!" he snapped at the Turk.
"I understand that Sir, but people are waiting for you," Tseng said evenly.
Cloud moved to sit in a chair outside the conference room. He knew there was no way a nobody like him was allowed in. The blond didn't even think twice about staying out.
"Oh no, dear," Rufus smirked, grabbing Cloud by the arm.
"Um, Sir?" the boy questioned.
"You'll be coming in with us," he said, a hint of mischievousness in his tone.
"Rufus, Sir, the boy cannot…"
"Shut up Tseng!" he retorted, and then turned to Cloud. "Come with me."
He could tell Tseng wanted to object but he didn't protest more on the matter. Tseng opened the door for him and he winked at the Turk. Rufus sat at the head of the table and gestured for Cloud to sit beside him.
The cadet was overwhelmed by situation. He slowly made his way to his seat, feeling all eyes on him.
Rufus watched as the boy squirmed under the questioning glares of all the executives in the room. The President scanned over the members in the room.
The SOLDIER's consisted of Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal. Besides Tseng, the Turk's Reno and Rude were in attendance. Reeve, Scarlet and Heidegger were there as well.
"Alright everyone, let's get started," Rufus said.
"Who's the hot blond?" Reno called out. Rude pinched his arm.
Rufus frowned at the outburst.
"He's my caddy," he informed. "But, the reason I've called you here today is…"
"Is he single?" Reno interrupted again, getting a couple laughs and making Cloud blush.
"Shut up you god damned ginger!" Rufus yelled.
Reno stood up and pointed at the man. "I resent that!"
"Sit down, Reno," Tseng ordered.
The red head did as was told but kept his fierce angry gaze on the President.
"Now that I can continue, I'd like to go over a few things. We weren't able to get much from Hojo before he passed out, but he warned us not to go into Shinra tower. Since you all have no place to work now, you're basically useless to me."
Genesis made a sound of disgust under his teeth.
"Objection!" the SOLDIER said, slamming his hand against the table.
"This isn't a courtroom, Genesis," Sephiroth informed.
"How dare you call me, Genesis Rhapsodos, useless!"
"Please, be silent," Tseng asked. Genesis grew red and was about to retort when Angeal covered his mouth.
"Continue," he said calmly.
Rufus then stood up from his chair and smirked, the intensity of it was making a few uncomfortable.
"So, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," he paused to run his fingers through his blond locks, "You're all fired."
There a heavy silence and Rufus enjoyed watching their expressions go from blank to confusion to shock, all within a matter of seconds.
"You're firing me!" Genesis screamed.
"He fired all of us," Angeal added, being considerate.
"No fuck that! He fired me! Me!" he said, sounding personally offended.
"Yeah man! What the fuck!" Reno yelled.
"Sir," Tseng said calmly. "Is this a…temporary…"
"Yes and no," Rufus said. "But seriously, you all guys really are fired."
After that, everyone started talking at once, minus Rude.
"But…But!" Reeve tried to get out.
"That's so fucked up yo! After all the shit we've done for you and your daddy's company!"
"And I agree with you Reno," Rufus stated, "but you guys are basically useless to me now."
Scarlet grumbled and crossed her arms underneath her large bosom.
"Well, ain't that a bitch!" she hissed out. "Heidegger my dear, what will we do without a profession?"
The pump bearded man slammed his meaty fist on the table. "You can't fire us boy! You ain't the president!"
Rufus smiled and chuckled deeply. "Oh, but I am. My father gave me control until he's out of his coma."
A simultaneous groan sounded from around the room. Reno pouted.
"Ruuuuudddeee! How am I gonna live with no monies!"
"I told you to save," he said evenly.
"Now now! I wouldn't let my faithful employees go without employment! That would be too cruel!" The haughty blond informed.
"But, you just fired us?" Angeal said.
"Yes, I fired you from your Shinra jobs. However, I do have employment for each and every one of you."
He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a medium sized box. He placed the item in front of him and leaned back into his comfortable black chair.
"I don't want people to think my executives are lazy, so I have managed to get jobs for you all. Reach into the box and pull out a new profession," he said, lips curled back into a grin that could rival the Cheshire cat.
"The hell!" Reno yelled. "If you fired us, what make you think we'd do what you tell us to now!"
"Because it's in all of your contracts. Even if you are dismissed from service, you remain under Shinra's command for a period of one year. If you wish to break contract, then don't think about getting your jobs back."
"Should have read the fine print," Reno said as he slumped in his seat.
Rufus smiled at them all now. This was probably one of the best ideas he'd even had.
"Sir," Cloud said lowly. "Should I leave?"
"No nonsense. You'll be pulling from the box as well."
"But!" he started to say, but Rufus held up a hand to silence him.
"Sir, what about your safety during this?" Tseng's voice was as calm as always.
"I will be fine. Trust me. I have made the necessary arrangements."
The conniving blond then placed the box in Tseng's hands.
"Give it to loudmouth over there," he said, pointing to Reno. "We'll start with him and work our way around."
Tseng regretfully handed his subordinate the box and Reno groaned.
"Do I have ta?" he whined. Tseng nodded.
"I'm afraid so."
Reno sighed and stared at the box. He had no idea what kind of jobs Rufus had put in there and it made him nervous. Everyone around the table was staring at him anxiously.
"Well, here goes."
He reached his hand in and shuffled it around the pieces of paper inside.
Please be something good! Please be something good!
"Just grab one already!" Genesis screamed, the tension getting to him.
"Shut up god damnit!"
After a minute, he locked his fingers around a small slip of paper and pulled it out. Rude leaned over, and raised his shades to look see what his partner pulled. Reno gasped, horrified.
"This is madness!" Reno bellowed. Rude nodded and grabbed the paper from Reno. He tossed it onto the table and everyone leaned over out of curiosity. There was a moment of silence before rancorous laughter filled the room.
Next chapter, fates will be given!
Poor execs. Always read the fine print!
Comments are love!