plate_builder | [Open Post]

Rufus isn't the only one annoyed to have him explain it. Because frankly, Reeve thinks it should be more than that. It should be something different. There should be trust. There should be hope. There should be something.

"And yet people don't treat people who provide those necessities at exorbitant prices the way I've been treated here. And frankly, I can't believe fixing things would inspire such a reaction as this. I believe in people, Rufus, I believe there's good in them and that this isn't how it people would react to something good."

Is it wrong to believe in people? Is it wrong to think that what he's doing will be embraced? Yes. He knows it. It's stupidly foolish, but he wants to be hopeful. Believe the world can be something good and trusted, that they can rebuild like that.

"I have to believe the world isn't as jaded as you think."

"You're naive." He leans on his palm, placing his elbow on the table, and watching Reeve cooly. "Although I agree that most people are what you, and all the others of AVALANCHE would call good people, they're also human beings, and human beings are complicated on the surface but below that, they're entirely too easy to understand. And it all boils down to one thing, Reeve, self-preservation.

"Self-preservation dictates you know what a person wants from you, long before you ever trust them. That person who sells you over priced goods, you know what they want; money, power over you, and so long as you pay you're fine. Someone who is giving you food, shelter, everything you need and asking nothing in return? What do they want? Nothing? Money? Power? Your life? Something you can't even imagine?"

Rufus stands finally, letting the words settle for a moment as he collects his half-eaten breakfast and goes towards the trashcan to get rid of it, though he's cautious not to let Reeve speak just yet.

"And Reeve, what do you think those men who are profiting are going to say when someone comes along offering their wares for free? Certainly not 'let's find another job.'"

"I can understand the people that want to profit off of suffering hating me, working against me, all of that. But the people I'm helping?"

No, he doesn't agree with Rufus. He isn't that naive. No, it's something Rufus doesn't understand. Something else entirely.

"I don't have this problem further from Edge. It's that people around here have had their trust betrayed by your father's company. He promised us so much, and took even more. That is what people fear. Because I made the mistake of believing in him when I was young and he had a vision. I was naive in believing in him, like they were. And I suppose I shouldn't be shocked by that concern."

He bites back the first words to come to mind, his jaw setting and a flash of annoyance behind his eyes giving it away, before sighing deeply and leaning back against the counter, arms crossed.

"Thinking like that, you're going to have more trouble." A natural smirk comes to his face as he speaks, but it's strangely devoid of amusement or superiority. "I'm well aware my father and I screwed a lot of things up, and the people closest to Midgar are going to be the most... Upfront about their concerns.

"Yet you remain naive if you think that ShinRa is the only reason, or that those further out aren't going to cause trouble because of what they feel, whether in general or due to the company; their fire just burns lower, but it will build, and the distance which keeps that fire low won't last forever."

"Not naive," Reeve insists, shaking his head. "But thinking like that, Rufus, thinking of only the worst in people, expecting everyone to stab me in the back? I can't live like that. I can hire someone to think like that for me. But without hope that people want change, that they can be less jaded? I might give up on all of this."

Believing the best in people is just how Reeve works. It's foolish, he knows that. But he needs what hope for the future he can get. Otherwise it just gets harder to get through the days.

He really didn't know what to say to that. Reeve was a glass half full type of person, and Rufus was more the sort who would tell you approximately how much was left in the glass. In a way, it was a positive that he was that way, but also very much a negative as well; a way of life for him, but not for everyone. Still...

Shaking his head slowly, Rufus finally moved away from the counter. "Believe as suits you best, as long as you hire someone. I suppose I can be jaded enough for the both of us."

If the glass isn't half full, go run off and fill it up. That's Reeve's point of view at least.

Reeve just keeps an eye on Rufus, watching him carefully. The younger man is just so hard to read, so hard to understand. But that didn't mean he was the only one jaded here. Just different degrees of jaded. Different shades. Vastly different shades.

"I already told you I would," Reeve sighs. "And you were going to have your people prepare suggestions. Which I am grateful for. I think I might also invest some effort into a side project of mine. A double for riskier situations."

Strangely enough, Rufus couldn't read himself very well, either. Not anymore. The destruction of the ShinRa building, his injuries and the code for the room found below the building, his subsequent kidnapping and the stigma? They provided much to think about. Yet old habits would always be hard to break, and it accounts for the look of confusion he gives Reeve.

"A double? Like a body double? Someone to pretend to be you...?"

"I would not put another person in danger by having them mistaken for me," Reeve answers, shaking his head. There's no chance he'd ever risk another person like that.

No, this is something he's considered before, and he wants to see how far it can take him. That part he can handle on his own.

"What about you? Are you really safe here?"

Reeve not endangering anyone made sense, but what he intended to do didn't click immediately in Rufus' mind. Not until he thought about his own usual defenses; humans or machines, and considering Reeve knew his way around machines...

"You want to make some form of android, then?"

He seems to ignore the other question. Explaining it would lead to potentially having to explain things he wasn't wanting to discuss.

"Less android, more... shell," Reeve admits. Perhaps he shouldn't be so forward with Rufus, but yeah, he's definitely a robotics sort of person. Make buildings, handle organization of materials, and build robots. But creating a whole new AI system to fully manage something like this? No, that doesn't work for him. Cait, though, any one of them could manage it.

That being said, he smiles as he looks at Rufus. Because having the President avoid his questions was something he had to do in the past. Now, though? Well, surely Reeve has some right to more information as a business partner.

"Beyond the Stigma, are you safe here?"

Shell? What did that mean, he wondered? Something like Cait, but more human? That would certainly be interesting to see. If he didn't kick Reeve out for trying to press the question of safety. Was it really any of his business?

Regardless it it was or not, Rufus supplies the most obvious of answers. "I have the Turks here. They provide adequate protection."

Was it any of Reeve's business? Given the fact that his work so heavily demands on the funding and support from Rufus, yes he does believe it's his business. Maybe not too deeply, but still some chance that it is his business.

"Do they?" Reeve asks. "I know there aren't many people that can stand against them, but there are still some. Not to mention you're in the mountains. One person who can climb and knows some stuff about explosives, and you've got part of a mountain tumbling down on your head."

"I have four Turks who all specialize in different areas, one of which is explosives. This place has been secured against such a contingency as well as quite a few others." Rufus keeps it simple, still seeing no reason for Reeve to need to know such things, as well as cautious not to have to discuss more than necessary about the time between the destruction of the ShinRa building and now, "You also know Tseng is very thorough, as well as Reno and Rude.

"So, don't worry about my protection."

Don't worry? That gets a definitely scoff out of Reeve. How is he supposed to not worry about this? Right now worrying about Rufus's safety is definitely a better option than worrying about his own. In fact, at this point he'd rather worry about what shampoo Rufus uses than about the safety of his own life. But that sort of concern would be as reasonable as worrying about Rufus getting it into his mind to sit in Reeve's lap again, and about as useful. This, at least, is a distracting concern with a purpose. Even if Rufus just destroyed any arguments he would have had.

"And, of course, just about no one knows you're alive," Reeve agrees with a sigh. Yes. He gets the point, Rufus is far more secure than he is. And Reeve needs to do something about that. Needs to find time to put into that end when he could be better spending it on other work. Or his kitten. "Alright, I'll stop worrying. But you understand where I am coming from, right? My work, my attempt to atone for everything the Shin-Ra company did, everything we did, depends on you. At this point in time your safety is more important to me than that of pretty much all of the people who I provided some meager help to for the purpose of saving this world."

Rufus would be more than happy to sit in Reeve's lap, if it would manage to get a rise out of him again, and didn't cause pain. As it is, Reeve leaves an opening for Rufus, and since he's still in deflection mode, he raises a hand to try and pat his guest's head. "I'm flattered you're worried about me, Reeve. But you know I'm a tough little shit to kill."

"Rufus," Reeve says, raising a hand to block that patronizing hand from patting his head, "I'm quite serious here. I don't know if this is the first time someone has said this to your face, even if it's not the first time it is the truth. I need you for your money. I even need you for the fact that you seem to be finding these little companies I have to corral to do the work that needs doing. Which means that, when it comes right down to it, your safety is as vital an issue to the restoration of this world as my own. I will not have you be disdainful of my commitment to my own safety without assurances that you put as much thought into your own protection. Which means not relying solely on the physical force of your Turks."

Because frankly, they aren't as all powerful or intimidating as he once thought they were. Back in the days of being an executive he knew that wasn't anyone that could best that team, save for in SOLDIER's highest ranks. Those ranks were now decimated. But the number of people who could tear the Turks down had only grown. Many of whom were people Reeve had on speed dial.

Sweet Goddess, was he really wondering right now if Rufus was doing enough to keep himself safe from Reeve's own friends? How had it come to this point?

It would certainly be the first time it was said to his face, and maybe he should have minded more, but he already knew. Reeve was a good person, wouldn't try to just kill Rufus or get him killed, but he wasn't fond of the young president. Honestly, very few people were. It's probably something he'll never remedy.

Still, known or making sense, Rufus gives Reeve a slight look, almost offended.

"When have you ever known me to not take my own safety as something very important? I'm not suicidal."

Perhaps Reeve wasn't fond of the young former corporate president right now, but that didn't mean that would always be true. After all, he had designed a rather nice vampire costume for him, not even trying to play at the bloodsucking thing. Pain in the neck, maybe.

"No, you aren't. But that doesn't mean you can't be foolish. That we both can't be foolish. I believe you've grown more aware of your mortality in light of everything, and I will be more aware of my own as well. Still, I'm going to be concerned for you. It's a reasonable thing in business partners."

Perhaps that isn't the right term for them. Reeve is the one that benefits for right now, but Rufus has long term plans to benefit as well. So in a way, they are business partners. Which means a level of concern is reasonable. Especially from a man like Reeve, a man who has tried to live with compassion.

"I've voiced my concerns, you won't hear more on that topic from me unless I find you've been remiss in caring for your own security. Which I doubt Tseng would let you do."

Rufus sighs deeply, watching Reeve and seeming to look for an answer to give. His own mortality he had to face quite some time ago, and was the reason he had such faith in the Turks. Even their failure before, after the destruction of the building, somehow didn't destroy that faith. The fact they always came for him only strengthened it.

So he just responds without his usual airs.

"We've adjusted things here to make sure I'm protected. Don't worry."

"Good," Reeve says, and there actually is a touch of sincere relief there. They're using each other, they both know it, but that doesn't mean he can't appreciate good news. That being said... He reaches up and touches his defensive bangle. A touch of a cure spell should get him stable enough to be walking around.

"I should leave today."

"Is it wise for you to leave without protection in place?" He sits back down, giving Reeve a serious look. "The Turks have cleaned up anyone from the attack on you, but there could be a larger group behind them that we haven't uncovered yet."

“It could take a while to get protection in place without being in Edge. If you haven’t noticed I don’t have a phone to arrange things with. Kalm Famg ate mine. Good thing I have it backed up.”

He can’t do anything until he gets home.

"And you wouldn't accept Turk security, even if I made it Tseng." It's not a question, merely a statement of fact, especially as he seems to be thinking.

Reeve won't take Turks, or anyone Rufus knows, and he's on the outs with AVALANCHE as far as he can tell, so that's also a no go. It also doesn't leave any other choice that he can tell, and although he could technically force Reeve to stay, such an idea would be ill-advised. Yet he doesn't want him leaving just yet, either; Reeve might feel well, but there's always a residual exhaustion to be worried about, even with materia healing.

"Honestly, I'd prefer you give your body one more night to recover before running off, but I don't think you'd go for that either, would you?"

Reeve could make a quip, given everything he had shared with Rufus, not all intentionally, but he holds back. No he wouldn’t take Tseng, but for other reasons.

“I think Tseng might have some choice words for the both of us if you offered his service.”

As for Avalanche he can’t exactly call them for a rescue without explaining why and where he is. And that would give away Rufus’s survival. Add in that he is less on the outs with Avalanche and more had barely ever been in with them and that isn’t a fallback strategy.

Exhaustion doesn’t even figure in to Reeve’s calculations. He is too used to it to notice.

“I can sleep at my home as well,” Reeve points out. Granted he could probably be gone from there a few more days before anyone realizes that no one has seen him in a while. “Besides, you have to be tired of me now. And I will only get worse without something productive to do.”

There they are closer to the truth. Reeve doesn’t know how to let himself rest. At all. Too much of his life has been spent too busy to even think straight. Socializing beyond his brief attempts at dating back I. The company, which had never gone well, had been rare.

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Will try and start back up the Vin and Reeve thread soon

No rush I'm still getting this all back together

Ok :)

Re: Ok :)

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Finally finished rereading everything. Should provide a more cohesive Reeve

Yay!

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