plate_builder | [Open Post]

"None I can remember." Rufus chuckles softly, looking at Reeve. "Everything was about the company for my father, myself included, so anything that couldn't be of use to it was frowned upon. And since I wanted nothing more than his praise, well, dreams like other kids had were not useful to me."

Well now, that was a sad thought indeed. Nothing at all? Not even when he was little?

"Your father really robbed you of everything you deserved as a child. Yes, he provided for you, you had money and comfort and a future. But you haven't really had a chance to live. That's a shame."

No bedtime stories, no dreams for what he would become? President Shinra really should never have been allowed near children. Any children. A different question, then.

"Did you ever consider Lazard a threat?"

"Interestingly enough, I had far more freedom when I was the Turks' guest." Yet he shakes his head to the question. "No. Lazarus had his position in the order, I had mine. Trying to circumvent or attain beyond was always a dangerous proposition.

"Besides, I think he in many ways enjoyed what he did, or at least that he had some amount of freedom to do."

"When you were with them, you effectively became family," Reeve answers thoughtfully. And while he was not always behind what the Turks did, he definitely understood the family dynamic they had. As for Lazard...

"And he had a better fashion sense."

It's a teasing tone, but Reeve plows on, gesturing at Rufus with his fork. "Even now you wear what seems to be an excess of layers and far too much white. Anything behind that particular choice? Or is it really to unconsciously underline the idea that your hands are clean? I've heard that theory floated about."

"That's what people think?" He's chuckling, even as he takes a bite of his food, trying to remember what caused him to start wearing white. It wasn't a visual thing, that was for sure. "I think... I just decided I liked things simple, and white and black are the simplest colors. Or non-colors.

"Layers are because I'm cold all the time."

Interesting. "I'm used to colorful people having colorful clothes. But if that pleases you, then it pleases you."

The cold thing bothers him more. Yes, the building had been kept a bit cool, but never cold enough for Reeve. He misses colder temperatures. Where he'd grown up was cooler than Midgar. He misses true fall.

"I suppose that makes sense." He gets further into his food while he tries to find another question that isn't random. Something to tell him more about Rufus. "Well, Rufus, this one might be a bit more personal... Have you even been in a real relationship?"

He smiles a little at Reeve, shrugging. "Perhaps I'm not a colorful person. And no. Nothing serious."

"You're quite colorful," Reeve counters. Monochrome people don't climb into the laps of effective strangers to pretend to seduce them. But that's another kind of color. Beyond that, he's holding back the thought that the man has had a very bland life.

"You should do something outside of here," Reeve suggests, because clearly Rufus is less involved with the world than Reeve is. At least Reeve had tried to find something outside of the life he's living. Granted he had found that Jasper had gotten married and had a kid, but nothing he can do for that.

Bland life depended on how you defined bland. He'd spent his life basically a prisoner to the company, to trying to outdo his father, but he'd seen and learned a great deal, had stories to tell... so not bland, but definitely not what Reeve, or anyone, might consider normal.

"And what would I do, exactly? I'm not the most popular man on the planet, Reeve."

"Go fishing?" Reeve suggests. "Hunting perhaps? A picnic with the Turks. Learn to ride a chocobo. Something that isn't this place."

He gestures quietly to the room around them. "You've traded one cage for another. I wonder if you've really had any of the pleasures of life beyond the simple one of sex. I'm not sure I've ever heard you really laugh."

He chuckles a bit at the suggestions, giving Reeve an amused look. "The Turks on a picnic. That certainly won't leave any room for mischief from Reno.

"But I don't think it would be such a good idea at this time. Perhaps when things settle down."

"Perhaps," Reeve agrees. When they do, he might insist. "I realize this could get me the silent treatment again, but I suddenly find myself worrying for you. Do you at least have a video player and things to watch? You've got to have something to do unwind."

And Reeve would know that better than anyone.

"Really? You, of all people ask that?" Yet he's shaking his head a little bit. "The Turks bring me books, and sometimes Reno and Rude will come up and we play cards."

"Perhaps I'm in a good position to realize it in another person," Reeve points out. Yes, he's amused you, but it's still something he worries about. With that, though, he smirks.

"I'm certain Reno cheats."

"When he can."Rufus agrees. "Yet I'm rather good at catching him. Especially when he tries to do strip poker."

That makes sense and Reeve shakes his head. "Please tell me you don't play strip poker."

Because it's breaking his head to even consider Turks really entertaining Reno's demand for strip poker.

He laughs a bit, leaning on his hand to watch Reeve closely as he speaks. "I allowed it once, and Reno found out I know his tricks, lost miserably and hasn't been allowed to try again.

"Would you like to try some time?"

Really? Reeve raises an eyebrow. Now there is a question he really wants to ask. Should he?

"Why do you do that?" Reeve asks, and his is a bit more serious here. "I don't remember you being this... flirtatious at Shinra. And yet I don't think there had been a single instance I've visited here that there hasn't been a double entendre."

And Reeve knows it isn't about him.

"It's fun, honestly." It doesn't seem a flippant response, is partially serious truly, but he knows there's a bit more to the question. "And could you imagine me doing this around Shinra? Wouldn't have made anyone look up to me in fear, or with any sort of respect."

"So are you implying this is the real Rufus Shinra, or am I just a particularly amusing target because you never expected me to be comfortable with such things?" Reeve asks. Again, he's serious. Does Rufus throw sexuality around as a new weapon now that wealth and authority aren't there at his command?

"Hm..." He glances away, though Reeve might recognize it as considering the question and not ignoring it. It's a very good question, after all, and is owed a proper response.

No, he's not throwing it around as power. If he had wanted to do that, he would have tried to find a way to keep from being contained away from the Turks for almost six months; he might have been able to use it at least against one of the two captors he had.

And he wouldn't do this to just everyone. Not even Reeve, not to get a response and throw him off balance. Or, maybe he did the first time, but since then?

Blue eyes turned back to Reeve, his smile more relaxed than usual. "The first time I did it to you, I suppose I did want to see your response. Now, it's just kind of fun."

As he continues to speak, Reeve will notice Rufus begins to swish the water in his bottle almost playfully, watching the contents only half-heartedly. "Honestly, I've never flirted just for the hell of it, except maybe with Reno, and that doesn't quite count.

"And before you ask, the one time I tried with Tseng, he looked at me like I'd grown a second head." A chuckle. "Which I guess means he's not interested in me."

"I expect he gives everyone that look," Reeve sighs. But really, that's a nice smile. Reeve has to hand it to the man, he's got a great smile. And charm. Things his father had never possessed.

"At least I can provide you amusement."

Strange, should it sting to hear that it's just fun? Reeve quashes that thought and takes another bite. He needs to think of another question. Except he can't.

"You don't seem so glad." He sets the bottle down, and goes back to eating as well, watching Reeve for a moment, before deciding he does want to ask a question. "What of you, Reeve? I admit I didn't expect you to keep up with my commentary, but you seem to know your way."

"I've been around the block more than a few times," Reeve says, and there is absolute confidence in what he says like that. "I was a bit of a... free spirit in college. And my early days with Shinra. More often than not my partners appreciated such language and I grew adept with it."

He has more than a bit of experience with that, truly. But he still looks a bit forlorn. "In fact, Jasper was one of my partners back then. But times change, as you well know. You got freer with it. I have not."

"Mm, I see. Sorry to hear that. However, perhaps it will ultimately be for the best." Rufus stands to get a little bit more of the food Reeve brought. "Though now I'm curious even more. Did they only appreciate your tongue?"

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Or not... need different materials for what I need to do

Is it possible for you to go out and get the materials?

Will do it tomorrow after work tomorrow

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