Rufus pulled the hood of his pull-over up over his head and strode purposely to the train's animal car, and stepped inside, D at his side. Rufus was only slightly winded from the sprint he had just done. But, it did seem as if he had lost Tseng for the time being. So Rufus took an empty seat at the back of the car and sat down. D sat at attention on his right, staring at the other occupant's hounds. All of whom laid low in submission to her.
Rufus had to smirk, as it was a little-known fact that female hounds were the dominant members of their packs in the wild, and only the Alpha female's lifemates were considered dominant by the rest of the pack. But Hojo and his ilk had warped that hierarchy in their labs and breeding pens; by caging the females only using them for breeding. And using the males for sentry work. This often confused the animals when they were trained to become guards or attack dogs as they tended to not react well to masculine orders. It had taken the trainers and handlers some time to figure this out and work out a hand signalling system that worked in a combat situation. But it still amused Rufus to hear the stories of soldiers who had disregarded their superiors during training and had tried to direct their hounds with voice commands as many of them had ended up in the infirmity having gotten bitten by their hounds.
The train shuddered as it slowly pulled out of the terminal, and Rufus relaxed back into the seat with a sigh. He had been on a roller-coaster ride of emotions since his return to Midgar, and tonight was just the icing on the cake. His body still hummed in reaction to seeing Tseng dressed as he had been. Tseng had exuded an air of mysterious danger that wasn't there when he was dressed in his Turk's attire. Yes, the man was deadly! And it showed when he was on the clock but, Rufus felt Tseng was even more so dressed in black leather and denim-wild and untamed. And Rufus had had to fight the overwhelming urge to be the one to tame him.
Rufus humphed in frustration and slammed his back into the cushion in a fit of despair. Garnering looks of suspicions from the three infantrymen and their hounds, that is until Dark growled low and softly and the hounds relaxed, and the three men went back to their conversation. Who was Rufus kidding? Tseng was the embodiment of a consignment professional and would never cross the line! Not for him or anybody.
Depression consumed Rufus until he shook it off with thoughts about the flower-girl and her SOLDIER boyfriend, Aerith Gainsborough and Zack Fair. Meeting her had shocked Rufus to the core of his being. Her comment about 'getting it right' sat heavy in his mind. But, seeing her alive and smiling with a refreshingly innocent personality was such a jarring contrast from the image of her in his nightmare, and it disturbed Rufus greatly. Knowing that his father and Hojo wanted her as well made Rufus feel even more unsettled. He would have to delve further into this Jenova project and precisely determine what they were up to.
Darknation, sensing Rufus's emotional turmoil, nuzzled his hand with her nose. And leaning against his leg, she purred. Not the type of purr you would hear from a house cat but closer to that of the larger wild cats. A sound came from deep within her chest and was used to soothe one's young or mate. But it also worked well on her bonded, so she used it now to let him know she was there.
Rufus forced himself to relax and clear his mind as he pets Dark's head.
Tseng slid into the backseat of the Sedan, a little uncomfortable with being driven to the tower. Tseng felt like he was being treated like a disobedient child. It worsened this feeling when his phone went off, and it was a text messaging from Veld, 'Go to my office and wait for me there.' Tseng sighed with resignation, positive Veld was going to scold him. For what though, Tseng had no idea.
As the car speed along the freeway, Tseng went over the night's events in his mind. Rufus's mood swings confused him. One moment Rufus was amicable, and the next, he became that self-absorbed brat. Only to become distant and glacial. And it unnerved Tseng to witness Rufus's eyes shift in hues as his moods changed. It wasn't something that happened when Rufus was younger. But Tseng, having known Rufus when he was younger, was confident that these personality shifts were conscious ruses-barriers that Rufus had erected around himself to keep people at a distance. And not the whims of a fractured mind.
Tseng remembered how hard Rufus had tried to please his father and earn the man's respect, but it had been of no avail. Reginald had kept his relationship with his son aloof-never letting the boy get close or praising any of Rufus's accomplishments. There had never been any words of encouragement—just a cold stone wall of indifference and an unbreakable expectation of how Rufus should conduct himself. Even after Evelynn's death and Rufus was older, aside from issuing orders, Reginald had next to nothing to do with Rufus. He left it to tutors, teachers and even Veld and Tseng to raise and guide the boy.
Tseng had always felt sympathy for Rufus and could, in a small way, relate to Rufus's plight as Tseng had been raised in the Temple orphanage. But, Tseng had never known his parents and had grown up not caring about attention or affection-or, so he had told himself. And even though those who took care of the orphans were not abusive, they were not the maternal types and raised the children according to the scriptures of Leviathan. It had been a harsh and strict environment and somewhat sterile.
Many orphans grew up becoming either Ninjas and fighting to preserve Wutai's independence or took vows and become disciples. Having not developed a vocation for either warrior or monk, Tseng had left the temple and Wutai at the age of fourteen and sought his fortunes elsewhere. Elsewhere had become Midgar and the Turks after Veld had witnessed him take out a group of thugs who had been bent on robbing him and initiated him into the ranks of this specialized group that very day.
Tseng's headache grew as he pondered the situation with Rufus. Did he have feelings for the young man, or was it only an infatuation? Did his pity for Rufus stem from fact or fantasy? Was Tseng willing to throw away his career to find out! And as they pulled into the parking garage, Tseng was no closer to an answer. Stepping out of the car, his turbulent emotions well hidden, Tseng heads to Veld's office.
Rufus and DarkNation disembarked the train at Sector One and headed straight for the side entrance they had used earlier. Rufus wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to try and skulk his way back to the tower from the Sector Five terminal. Still, he also wasn't going to waltz through the front door either and, Rufus wanted to be back in his apartment before Tseng managed to get himself back here as Rufus had had all that he could take for one night; his temper was more than a little frayed. He wanted to avoid another confrontation with the Turk. Rufus first planned on taking a long hot shower. And then, while he relaxed with a glass of cognac, D could use the shower and get herself cleaned up. Rufus learned while training Dark, she was just as fastidious about cleanliness as he was and happily enjoyed having showers or baths.
As Rufus rounded the corner of the building, he couldn't help the groan that escaped him. There, leaning against the alcove's wall, was Veld. And judging by the look on the older man's face. Rufus was in for a lecture. 'Not tonight!' Rufus thought viciously. Holding his hand up, Rufus takes control of the conversation. "Whatever you have to say, Veld can wait till tomorrow! I'm tired and not in the mood!"
Veld calmly stood in front of the younger man and replied. "No, Rufus! It can't. But I'm not going to discuss it out in the open." Veld firmly stated as he gestured for Rufus to proceed.
Out of anyone in his father's employ, Veld was the one person Rufus respected. So instead of arguing the point further, Rufus went straight for the elevator and waited. Once Veld stepped in and the doors closed, he pushed a button, and they locked. A little alarmed, Rufus stared at Veld in confusion but waited in silence.
Taking a moment to order his thoughts, Veld stares at Rufus. He had watched the lad grow up and had witnessed all the changes that Rufus had gone through. From the wide-eyed, optimistic child to the slightly withdrawn and broody youth, the rebellious teenager-Rufus had run the gambit of personalities. But now, he was a man capable of running his own life and making his own decisions, but Veld could not, in good conscience, relinquish his role as an unofficial mentor and guide. Taking something out of his pocket, Veld hands it to Rufus. "Put this on!"
Rufus takes what looks to be a digital watch from Veld and looks at it, his confusion becoming more evident. "I'm found in Sector five of the Slums with just my hound, and you're giving me a watch?" Rufus queries uncertainly.
"It's not just a watch, Rufus!" Veld softly chuckles as he leans against the wall. "You are now a grown man and more than capable of making your own decisions. But it is my and Tseng's job to see to your safety whether you like it or not. I would prefer you took an escort with you when you chose to leave the tower incognito, but I feel there will be times that this is feasible, so that watch is designed to help us monitor you. It is a tracking device!" Rufus sputtered in anger, but Veld held up his hand before he could reply, silencing Rufus. "It is a technology that the Turks have been working on as we needed a fail-safe for those who are undercover or become dark! It is tied to our system only! And can't be accessed by external means. And that includes Shinra's mainframe!" Veld resolutely stated.
Rufus was now more than confused, "What...? How...? Why?" he stuttered as he examined the device. It looked like your typical sports digital watch.
"It reads your biometrics, Rufus, and sends that information to our database. In the Tower, it will work like your keycard. Which, by the way, is becoming fashionable, But this model will also allow you to access computer functions through voice commands. Your apartment. Your garden. Your office. And outside of H.Q. The Turks and only us will be able to track you throughout the entirety of the city. So if your vitals are reading normal, we can ascertain everything is alright. But if you were to find yourself in a stressful situation, it will alert us to you being in possible danger. The back piece will vibrate, letting you know we are trying to connect you. If you are Okay, you push this button on the side. If you don't respond, we can send operatives to your location!" Veld demonstrated as he showed Rufus the watch's functions.
Hearing this caused Rufus to become angry. Was his whole life to be monitored by everyone? Jerking his hand back, "And what if I do not want my whereabouts being tracked or my privacy being invaded?" Rufus spat out venomously.
Veld sighed but didn't hold any punches. The sooner Rufus accepted his situation, the better off he would be. "Rufus, you are no longer at school in Costa Del Sol surrounded by your peers. You are in Midgar with the potion of Vice-President. You can no longer afford the luxury of privacy as there are too many people who would stop at nothing to get their hands on you and use you as leverage against your father!"
Rufus snorted in disgust, but he knew there was no arguing the point. By officially being named Vice-President, Rufus had become a very juicy target. But Rufus wasn't willing to give up quite so easily. "Well, is there a Turk in your ranks who enjoys running?" He bit out in frustration.
Veld arched an eyebrow at the younger man, "Pardon?"
With a look of contempt, "I enjoy running, jogging, going for long walks, and so does D! Is there someone in the Turks who could be my 'ESCORT'? Or better yet, a secure location we could go?" Rufus snapped.
Veld nodded. "There are a few within the department who would suit your needs. But, if you're looking for privacy. The garden is also a V.R. room!"
Rufus stared at Veld in astonishment. "I have my own V.R. room?" His face lighting up in delight.
"Yes!" Veld chuckled good-naturedly, seeing Rufus's good-humour restored.
"Hot Damn! You hear that D!" Rufus turned to his beloved pet, who head-butted him playfully in response.
Veld pushed the level for the Garden and the elevator ascended. The doors opened, and Rufus and Dark strode off. "I'll talk to you later, Rufus. Enjoy!" Veld intoned as the doors slid shut. And he returned to the ground floor. Exiting the back doors leading out into the main foyer, and headed to the elevators' main bank and the Department of Administration.
Rufus looked at his 'watch' and thought, what the hell. Pushing the button, Veld had shown him to activate voice command, "Computer, load Costa Del Sol beachfront at sunset."
A moment later, the scenery turned to a strip of white sand with a blue sea to his right, and beach cottages to his left and the sky lit with flaming red, yellow and orange as the sun sank in the 'west.' Rufus was impressed. "Now play Hollow Knight from my playlist!" Then the strands of ambient music filled the silent space. But there was something still missing. Scrolling through the options on the tiny monitor, Rufus spies 'ambient scents'. Rufus smirked when he found sea smells. Activating it permeated the space with the moist scent of sea air. Closer to the air of Junon than Costa, but it would do.
Rufus then contemplated his attire. "Well, there's nothing for it!" and shrugging, he kicks off his shoes and strips down to his boxers. D looked at Rufus with interest. "Don't worry, girl. This is just a little more comfortable." Unfortunately, the air was cooling then that in Costa, "Computer, increase the room's temperature by ten degrees!" Once the room warmed up to spring-like temperature, " Come on, let's go for a run!" Rufus comments as he started at a slow jog. D barked in enthusiasm at the word run and happily trotted beside her soul-sib. And the two worked up to a steady pace as they enjoyed one of their favourite pass times-running along the coast in the quiet solitude of the evening.
Tseng entered Veld's office only to see that the Director had not yet arrived. So Tseng took a seat behind Veld's desk and booted up the computer. Tseng wanted to reassure himself that Rufus had returned to the Tower safely. Typing in his security code, Tseng accesses The camera links for the Sector Five Station and looks for Rufus. Once Tseng finds him, he tracks Rufus's progression to H.Q., where he witnesses the confrontation between Rufus and Veld. It was frustrating that there was no sound, even in the elevator, but Tseng had learned to read lips. So he was able to discern that Veld was laying down the law about leaving the Tower unescorted.
Tseng smirks at Rufus's mulish expression as it turns to youthful exuberance when Veld discloses Rufus has his own private V.R. room. But Tsengs expression turns to uncomfortable shock as he witnesses Rufus strip down to his underwater! Not knowing the cause of this, as Tseng could not 'see' the running program, he continued to watch in rapt fascination as Rufus and Darknation began to jog along the path designed for 'safe travelling.'
Watching Rufus run in only sneakers and a pair of snuggly fitting black boxers; was making Tseng squirm in his chair. "Gods, he is beautiful!" Tseng whispered. Rufus's well-toned body rippled in exsertion. And a fine layer of sweat made his skin glisten in the reflected lighting of the room. But the peaceful and unguarded look upon Rufus's face was so enduring that Tseng felt an overwhelming urge to see that look in person.
So transfixed by the sight in front of him, Tseng didn't hear the discreet cough. But he did hear Veld's question, "See something you like?" The older man snickered.
Looking up guiltily and seeing his boss, Tseng groans loudly and buries his now flushed face in his hands.