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[plate_builder]

WHO: Reeve, Poe Dameron, Rufus Shinra, Open
WHERE: Temba Restoration Coordination
 (Yellow 5), The Deep End (Orange 13)
WHAT: Event Fallout for Reeve, His Boss Arriving, Hiding Out at the Bar
WHEN: June 7th to 12th
WARNINGS: CW: Implied past sexual situation in thread with Rufus; Drinking at the Deep End

1. Talking About What Happened Closed to Poe | Evening of the 7th, Reeve's Office
Reeve hadn't really been big on the idea of sticking around in the Waiting Room when they had awoken. His memories of being stuck in Calibrations were not hte greatest, and he had decided he wasn't going to risk sticking around there. He had grabbed Mini up and headed right out, not daring to question, not waning to linger. There were memories and a life to process and he didn't much like it.

It wasn't until later that night that he reached out to Poe with a message. After quite a bit of thought he had known what the truth was. They had to talk. So he'd sent a message, asking for Poe to meet him in his space. They had to figure things out. He had to figure whether Poe might forgive him for what he'd apparently said and done there.


2. Welcome To Temba, Your Timing Sucks Closed to Rufus | Morning of the 8th, Reeve's Office
The meeting hadn't been a bad one, in Reeve's estimation. Poe was a wonderful companion and he quite liked his time with his boyfriend. A nice talk, a lazy morning afterward, and Reeve had been happy to send the other man off in the morning. He had happily watched Poe slip out after morning coffee together, sitting at Reeve's work table in the front room. Reeve hadn't even bothered to put on much more than his long coat that morning, hadn't bothered to make his bed yet, hadn't even begun to work on the final stages of Mini's upgraded form. Instead he'd sat smiling at the table, his hair ruffled, sipping at the final dregs of his coffee as the door closed, not even paying attention to Mini as the doll worked on sorting through papers on the table top, making sure nothing had been lost in the change of the last month.

So Reeve, most definitely, wasn't expecting someone to show up at his door.


3. Just A Little Drink Open To All | Evenings of the 8th through 12th, The Deep End

Well, that was a thing that had most definitely happened. Reeve didn't know what to do with himself with Rufus here. With Cloud nad VIncent he had known what to do, what his place was with his companions and friends. It was enough for Reeve to just, well, fall into a habit he hadn't had in a very long time. Though he supposed it was hardly a habit if he didn't sustain it. Reeve sighed and settled himself at a chair at the bar, sitting down and looking at the counter. So what was the etiquette here, how did one even go about getting alcohol?

"Um, hello?"

Maybe he didn't want to be as alone as he thought.

Comments

[ambitiousblond]

"Such a gentleman." A joke to try to ease the tension. He falls quiet for a bit as they walk, Rufus doing his best to try to lean on Reeve's arm.

Dark Nation stays by Rufus's side as they walk along, one eye on their surroundings and the other on Rufus and Reeve.

"So what are the other residents here like? Anyone I should watch out for?"

[plate_builder]

"I don't think I am called that very often here."

Not for the first time Reeve takes a while to respond, this time trying to mentally arrange people in his head to determine just who he might warn Rufus of. Strangely, though, he did not find he could come up with one.

"Well, perhaps you might wish to be careful around the Jedi. There are a number of them, and they seem to have a very strict moral code that might not agree with your family's history. Tony Stark knows a bit of our world's history and the name of the company will pair with you quickly. Jon as well. I advise not making him angry."

[ambitiousblond]

"I think most people with a strict moral code wouldn't agree with my family's history. But I will be wary of them." He's not sure what a Jedi is but whoever they are, the last thing he needs is anyone making his life more difficult than it has to be.

"I take it Jon has some sort of abilities that would make him a significant enemy?" There was no reassurance Rufus could offer- like anyone with Shinra blood, even with good intentions they often made things worse.

[plate_builder]

"Not everyone here has powers but... But Jon's are forceful," he answered with a sigh. "He is not, though, an enemy. We've come to peace."

Reeve made his own problems, but the man is a friend now.

[ambitiousblond]

"Interesting choice of words." Rufus decides not to press further though but he'll take Reeve's words under advisement.

"So where are we going next?" His pace was slower now, this is the first time in at least a year in a half that he's been on his feet for so long but he doesn't

[plate_builder]

Was it so? Reeve considers the choice of words and wonders what it was that Rufus had derived from them.

"This way," he said, gesturing out of the space and down the road to the Whale Comb Center. "We shall take what time you need. I presume you're not going to accept it if I suggest a temporary wheel chair? I think Tony could probably make one."

[ambitiousblond]

"You would be right. I'm never going to regain my strength again if I'm back in a wheelchair. I refuse to do that ever again." Rufus's tone is firm and determined.

He's determined to not take any steps back- the last two years had been frustrating as he became increasingly dependent on the Turks for everything. "And I have to learn to survive here, Reeve. I'm sure you know I'll do whatever I have to."

[plate_builder]

Well, there's that.

"A good choice. Much of the city is hard to get through even on foot," Reeve answered as he moved them slowly and purposefully toward the building they needed.

"You're a Shinra. Your family is good at surviving, though for the first time in a while someone in your family will have to do all for themselves. I can probably help you find people who can teach you," he said, voice thoughtful.

Because Reeve wasn't the best teacher on all things.

[ambitiousblond]

"My father would drop dead again if he knew I wanted to learn how to do dishes by myself." Rufus laughs at the mere thought.

He knew that there was once a time when his father would be willing to get his hands dirty but after decades of being able to decide the fate of the world with a mere word he had become dependant on everyone else to do even the simplest things for him.

And Rufus knew now more than he could never follow that path, he refused to. "So far the basics will suffice."

[plate_builder]

"Your father would deserve the trauma," Reeve answered with a brightness he probably shouldn't have.

"We'll start basic and find you ways to improve if you find things you like."

He almost says 'my friend' like he would to many here. But that, he supposes is to be seen.

They make their slow way toward the Whale Comb Center and when they are there Reeve opens the door for the younger man.

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus laughs at the brightness in Reeve's tone but doesn't comment on it. Neither of them have any real fondness for the old man.

Rufus nods his thanks as he entered the Center, Dark Nation close on his heels. She occupies herself with investigating the area eagerly, letting them be on their own.

"You mentioned a replicator- what exactly can it replicate?"

[plate_builder]

"As far as I've been able to determine," he said as he approached the machine, "non-living things. Usually the size of a bread box or smaller, but I'm not certain. Food at times. It's where I get my coffee. And parts for Mini. It provided the cloth that will go over his final frame."

Then he moved past the machine to a box. He picked up a piece of paper and a pencil next to it and wrote instructions.

"We can also ask the Agrii for things here. A note in the box. You have to try to be specific. They dont' understand us well. This is how I will try and get a cane."

[ambitiousblond]

While Reeve writes, Rufus peers at the box curiously.

"A cane should be simple enough at least. I don't want anything fancy, it just has to be useful." Rufus glances at what Reeve is writing, waiting to see what will happen.

[plate_builder]

"You would be surprised at what they think is simple," Reeve answered before dropping the paper into the box. And a moment later there's just an item in the box.

And Reeve bites his lip not to snicker.

"It's in your colors. Sort of.

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus is less than amused as Reeve pulls the cane out. Having to use a cane in the first place was bad enough, this was too much.

"And here I thought the can Reno got me was ridiculous." Said in the latest tone. As much as he hated to admit he needed something, that cane was an eyesore.

[plate_builder]

Don't worry, he's not laughing. Just snickering.

"We can probably-"

He has to pause to bite his lip and avoid laughing again.

"We can probably find some sand paper and paint. Get it more traditional. Or paint it black?

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus's expression remains flat and unamused. He can tell Reeve is holding in the laughter which he has to give him some credit for.

"Paint it black. I don't need anything so....tacky." If he has to use a cane then he wants to use one that at least isn't completely ridiculous.

[plate_builder]

He's trying, Rufus, but it's so hard when you're so offended.

"I mean, white does go with your style. But if we paint it back, maybe work the wood a bit, you could make it look more like Dark."

[ambitiousblond]

"I think it would look better black to match her. The white and red is too much."

He doesn't reach to take it- instead, he moves to sit on a nearby bench to get off of his feet. "I won't need to lose it for long anyway."

He refused to and that was simply that. He was a Shinra and so had the determination to make anything he wanted happen.

[plate_builder]

Well, he can't argue against that. So Reeve's new task would be some red paint. Reeve, though, moved to join Rufus, sitting next to him.

"You likely won't," Reeve agreed. "You'll recover, of that I am certain. I've seen how far your stubbornness gets you."

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus laughs, glancing over at Reeve. "You have though you know that hasn't always lead in the best direction."

But his determination right now is more focused on his health and survival. He and his family have already nearly destroyed one world, he doesn't need to do that to another place.

Dark Nation grew bored of exploring, returning to them to press her head against Reeve's hand in the hope that he may have another treat.

[plate_builder]

"No more treats," Reeve informed the hound, stroking her head as he looked to Rufus.

"I know. Nor has it for me. I have resolved to live all of my life making up for our sins."

[ambitiousblond]

"I know I won't be able to completely absolve my own sins but I can at least try."

He was glad to let Reeve take the lead and keep to the background - not many people would be willing to accept Reeve's efforts if they knew that the money was coming from Shinra.

[plate_builder]

Neither of them could fully absolve their sins. But living their lives trying surely had to count to something. Please, he needed it to count for something.

"We all do our best to make up for what we've done. I've had that conversation with Barret before."

[ambitiousblond]

"I assume you haven't told him that your budget comes from me though- I have no doubt that he would be less than understanding." But he knows Barret and the rest of Avalanche aren't entirely clueless- one of the most significant reasons the WRO was able to do such large projects was because donations and really one person has the kind of wealth to make those projects a reality.

"We may not be able to help our planet here but we can at least do something."