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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.

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"What, Cayde not in?" Cobb liked to grab a drink after a hard day fixing up houses. He wasn't used to seeing Reeve around here. In fact, he couldn't remember seeing Reeve in here ever.

It didn't look like the Exo was in so Cobb walked up to the bar, leaned across it and grabbed a bottle at random off the shelf. He'd make it up to Cayde. He set the bottle down next to Reeve and then reached down for two glasses.

Reeve seemed like the kind of guy who wanted to drink from a glass instead of a bottle.

"Not used to seeing you here, stranger." Cobb poured them both a generous amount of something faintly pink and dry smelling. No idea what it was but Cobb liked it already.

Reeve hadn't even been able to bring himself to go to the houses today, needing to think instead about what had occurred in the day. Perhaps from now on he might join Cobb for the occasional drink, once he realized this was common for the other. For now he offered a grateful smile to the other.

"Not used to being here. I had my drinking days as a youth, and don't like to fall back into them," he said, taking the glass and lifting it to sniff. A nice smell, he would be glad to have it. "But after the day I've had, I think I need it."

Poe'd made the trek to Reeve's more than a few times now, but generally there wasn't this air of uncertainty hanging overhead. They'd lead entire lifetimes in the last month, and Poe at least hadn't exactly had eyes just for Reeve.

He really wasn't sure how that conversation was going to go. He didn't feel guilty exactly, but...wary of the impact this could have. Either way, they needed to talk.

BB-8 came along in hopes of seeing Mini, and Poe stooped to give him a quick pat before rapping his knuckles on the door.

Cobb was a lot less cautious. He simply slammed the drink back. It was nicely dry, actually with a little kick he felt in the back of his throat. "Mmm, not bad," he said examining his empty glass. He refilled it with the intention of sipping at it instead.

"You wanna talk about it?" Cobb offered, "The reason you're drinkin'. Or your youth. I've been told I'm a good listener."

He didn't have much to talk about himself. Not until he talked to someone first. Then he'd be willing to chat a little bit more.

Reeve had been waiting for the knock, hoping that it would come. When it did he was quickly on his feet and moving to open the door. Once he had it open he looked there at Poe for a moment, hope and concern on his face before he stepped aside and gestured for the man to enter and join him.

Mini had no such restraint. The doll, while it had enjoyed its time as a large panther-bot, was happily bounding to his friend, patting BB-8 on the side.

Reeve took his first sip, and yes, he did find he was enjoying it.

"I hardly think my youth would be very entertaining to talk about. But... Someone has arrived here from home, and I am not prepared for that."

Waking up in this place felt surreal as it finally sank in that he was really in a new world and it wasn't all just some kind of strange dream. It took him a moment to put together the pieces, the faint scars on his hands from the explosion but Dark Nation was laying over half of his body, squished by the narrow cot but not wanting to be separated from him.

Since he's going to be stuck here, he might as well explore the best that he's able to. Despite the slight limp, it's a relief to finally be able to get out and around with his own strength. Dark Nation stayed by his side until suddenly she stops, ears perked up as she sniffs the ground. He doesn't have time to try to grab her collar when she suddenly takes off but even if he did, there was no way he was going to be able to halt Dark Nation when shewas hellbent on something. Calling after her only got her to slow down as she approaches a door.

"D, come away-" but that doesn't stop her from barking loudly, pawing at the door eagerly as if she knew someone inside, someone she was fond of. It makes him pause- he hadn't seen anyone else from Shinra but given Dark Nation's determination to get through the door, he supposes there isn't anything he can do but knock on the door after taking hold of Dark Nation's collar to make some attempt at keeping her from jumping on the unsuspecting resident.

"Someone you don't like?" Cobb guessed because if someone like Issa-Or or Jo showed up here he'd be damn happy. He liked having at least one familiar helmeted face around. It was nice in a sea of strangers.

"Or are they a former romantic interest?" That could be another awkward situation for Reeve. He thought the man had something going on with Dameron but that was just something he'd heard.

"It is far more complicated than that, Cobb. Have you ever known someone who made countless mistakes because they had been raised that way, but had demonstrated the desire to be better?"

Wait, former romantic interest? Reeve stared, gaped in horror really. Nope, he wasn't even remotely interested in Rufus like that.

"Dear lord, no. I've known him since he was practically a child!"

Knocking? Reeve lifted his face, a bit confused. That didn't make sense, not at this hour. Yes, he could be an early bird, but most people dropped a lie before dropping by. Perhaps Poe had forgotten something and wanted to let him know before opening the door again. So Reeve rose and moved to the door, opening it just a bit to see who was there.

And he was almost immediately breathless with shock.

"Rufus."

There were a few more details that painted a much better picture. Cobb nodded in understanding as he sipped his drink.

"Not really. People who make mistakes where I come from usually end up dead." Or sold off because they were too much trouble. Cobb hadn't met a lot of folks who survived mistakes if they kept making them. "You've got to learn fast where I come from. People either do better or... they don't."

Reeve's horrified expression was rather funny though. "If he didn't try to do better I could understand drinking about it. But if he's trying to do better... sounds like an alright guy."

Dark Nation is turning around in front of the door as if she's a dog of half her massive size but instantly turns as soon as Reeve answers the door, barking again. There is nothing Rufus can do to keep her from shoving her way through the opening in the door.

Out of everyone he thought could be here, Reeve Tuesti was one of the last people he would expect. But there is a part of him that is relieved-aside from his Turks, Reeve was one of the few people Rufus had any measure of trust in.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise."

Reeve hadn't been looking down, so he hadn't even thought to see Dark Nation. The hound was pushing in before he could stop her, the door opening more to leave him standing there in his coat, and clearly no pants.

Maybe today was not going well. On the table Mini immediately moved back from the edge, concerned that the dog might come from him. Mini's concern bubbled in Reeve's mind and he immediately reached for Dark Nation, setting a hand behind her head to hopefully calm her.

"I suppose pleasant surprise is definitely a term," Reeve observed, clearly realizing the dog would start sniffing at him soon. Great. He didn't know if he had treats. "And I don't imagine she's going to believe I don't have anything for her. Please, uh, come in?"

"It's very complicated, Cobb, I assure you," Reeve promised, finishing his small splash of the drink.

In a way, he was lucky. The when of Rufus was one that meant he could potentially be an ally and a friend. If it had been different... Reeve didn't know.

"I spent most of my life fearing his family name, fearing their company. Ironic that I should wind up working for them, or perhaps fate was amused by me."

For all his busybodying, catching Cayde at the bar was bound to happen at some point. It'd be downright silly if he didn't make an appearance at his own bar after all, wouldn't it?

He poked his head out from the back room, ceasing his rustling as he'd been going through boxes of random snacks he'd picked up from their last planetary fieldtrip. "Reeve! Hey!" he greeted, stepping out with a couple of foil packs emblazoned in Aurabesh that he couldn't read. It was fine, he remembered what was in the contents at least.

"What brings you here?" he asked as he dropped the packs on the counter, holding his hand out briefly to allow his Ghost to compile. She gave a spin of her back-half, tipping in greeting before dipping down behind the counter.

Reeve leaned over when he heard Cayde's voice, lifting Mini up to the counter. The doll was waving eagerly, happy to see his big brother. Reeve offered a nod to Cayde and Sundance, and Mini just came over to look over him.

"I need a drink," Reeve answered.

Cobb felt a little surge of annoyance. It couldn't be so complicated that he wouldn't or couldn't understand. He was better with people than most. He could understand a complicated relationship.

More likely though, Reeve didn't know how to explain. He seemed to be struggling with the situation a lot. Cobb let his temper go as quickly as it flared up.

"Well, it seems like to me you've got a chance to make a better friend out of him. Second chance to fix whatever made a mess the first time," he offered optimistically.

As soon as the door is opened more Rufus's eyes look Reeve over, noticing the lack of pants but decides not to mention it as he steps inside.

Dark Nation leans against his hand, back tentacle swaying happily. Her nose pushed against the pocket of his coat to see if there were any treats for her but she calms down from the contact and from Rufus joining them as he closes the door behind him.

"Ah, forgive me, I've disturbed you." His gaze moves across the room, smiling a little when he notices Mini but looks back at Reeve. "Don't mind me, I'll give you a moment to get dressed." Because whether it was a good time or not, Rufus knew that eventually, they would have to talk now that he knew Reeve was here.

Well, it wasn't that he thought Cobb couldn't or wouldn't understand. It was more that, at this point, Rufus was here. And explaining all of the sins of the Shinra Company might well harm what chance the young man had of making friends. And it was friendship and support that seemed to make Rufus improve himself.

"Yes, we were friends and allies back home, in the moment of time I am in. I just don't know if he would wish the same of me at the point he is," Reeve sighed. "It was easier with the others of my world who came here. They were close friends. Or as close as Cloud or Vincent could be to anyone I suppose."

Mini didn't look certain about Dark Nation still, and Reeve? He just nodded at the idea of getting dressed. Which was when he turned his eyes to the door to his bedroom, beyond the limits of his office. From here he could see the state of his bedroom, of his rumpled bed, of... Oh god, he'd left the ropes visible.

Reeve blanched and quickly fled to his bedroom, closing the door. He was quick, once through, to change. That didn't mean Rufus wouldn't have plenty of time to inspect the office Reeve had made for himself. An office full of tables covered with schematics and notes and maps. Tables covered with plans. Walls with more paper tacked up on them with more drawings and concepts. There was, of course, also a able in the corner, with what was obviously a robotic form, waiting to be covered and set moving. No question what the medium sized form would be, clearly Mini-Cait.

And, after a few minutes, Reeve came out of his room, pants on, shoes on, and a turtle neck as well, his hands trying to smooth down his hair.

"I wasn't aware you were here."

Edited 2021-06-08 01:21 (UTC)

"There he is!" Cayde grinned, offering Mini a fist to bump. By the time Sundance had come back up from behind the counter with a bowl balanced over her, the Exo had torn open the two packages of snacks, removing the bowl to set on the counter so he could dump the contents inside. They were slightly pretzel like, just in squiggles than half-pulled knots.

At Reeve's answer, Cayde chuckled a little, nodding as he turned to peruse the selection of bottles behind him. "Well, you've come to the right place. Preferences?"

Rufus's gaze followed Reeve, trying not to let his amusement show at seeing the rumpled bedsheets and ropes. It was a surprise but he wasn't going to pry too much-at least, he would make an attempt.

While Reeve dressed, Rufus moved around the office, glancing over plans and maps. It seemed Reeve had been busy during his time here, he definitely hadn't arrived as recently as Rufus has.

"I just arrived yesterday and haven't had the chance to explore very much so far. But you seemed to have been here for some time."

Yesterday. The moment they had returned from Billy's power. Intriguing.

"More than a year here, and many months in another world before this," Reeve answered. So yes, he had been around for the time.

He moved around until he could find a cup and then started a small kettle over a small electric burner.

"Tea? I could give you tea. Uh, I think I have some dried biscuits around that I could maybe offer Dark."

Mini offered a bounce and then bumped Cayde's fist. Nice. The bowl Reeve smiles at in appreciation. He could use a bite. Then he shrugged at the question.

"I admit, I don't know what you have or what might be best to someone who hasn't had a drink in a very long time. Recommendations might be needed."

"Oh, huh." That would make things more complicated and worth drinking over. "Alright, what do you want to happen?"

Because that was the important part. "If he's pissed you've got a chance to fix it. Make things right, if that's what you'd like. Otherwise, you just gotta coexist with him. Since we're all stuck here there's not many choices for you, friend."

Maybe it was age that made him take the direct approach but it was better to figure out the next step instead of trying to avoid things.

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3. Just a Little Drink

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Talking About What Happened

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