plate_builder | [Open Post]

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.

He had considered what Reeve had said earlier, about Tseng, but he was pretty sure Tseng hadn't that sort of interest in Reeve. Sometimes, he wasn't sure the man had any interest in anyone aside from Aeris. Even if he was wrong, Rufus wasn't about to try and control that man without permission. With one exception.

"He'd do it if I asked, after his choice words." The smirk he gives Reeve this time will likely remind the man of when he was sexually harassing him earlier, probably giving more insight into his former boss than Reeve was comfortable with. "However, I'm not tired of you. You're a rather tame house guest."

“In the course of my... visit I have managed to insult and annoy you a few times. While I may be a ‘tame’ guest I cannot help but feel that I was a source of difficulty for you,” Reeve admits.

As for the smirk he plainly ignores it. He is far too old and far too mature to deal with such silliness right now. Especially as a captive audience.

"I seem to recall returning the insults and annoyance quite well. I'd even be happy to step if up if it would help." As he says this, Reeve might notice that Rufus' smirk is a little less arrogant than normal, far more childish in nature.

“Really? I have dealt with Reno, Barret Wallace and Cid Highwind, I think I can handle anything you can throw at me,” Reeve counters. His own smirk is a bit gentler. This isn’t a challenge. Just a statement.

"Oh, but I have Reno under my command. All I'd have to do is ask him to stand naked at the door so you wouldn't want to leave for fear of seeing that." It's not a bad idea, truly, but he isn't quite that cruel. Just enjoying himself, if he's quite honest. "However, I suppose you are intent to leave, no matter what I say.

"Are you sure you won't allow a Turk to shadow you, at least so far as the edge of town?"

“I’ve seen him naked,” Reeve dismisses. That isn’t much of a threat. And it isn’t that he insists on going.

“Rufus, if I stay here I will go mad. I can’t... I can’t not do things. I have to be doing something.”

"You sure? I'm sure he would love to show off again." He seems to mean this as the end of that tack, instead focusing on Reeve's reasoning. "Again, can I convince you to allow a shadow? If you want to work, I get it, I'm not great at being idle either. Yet I'm not comfortable letting you wander out without some form of protection this soon after an attack."

“If you insist and there is someone you can spare then I suppose I can agree to an escort. Even so far as my door if you require. Or a cursory examination to make sure it is alright in my place. I will reach out to Barret once I am settled, see about letting people know I was attacked. I would entertain suggestions for security. I trust your teams evaluations more than anyone I would otherwise have access to.”

None of AVALANCHE ever really covered that but Vincent and Reeve doubted the man would even recognize him if he called.

"Tseng and Reno are the most stealthy, so I'll ask one of them. Probably Tseng, though, as he can give you information on security." Rufus doesn't try to hide the look of relief that Reeve is agreeing to take a Turk along. However, he isn't sure about Reeve's choice of contact. "Are you sure Barrett is the best choice of your old contacts, however? All reports say he's got the biggest temper, and is likely the one who be least pleased to hear from you."

"He's also the only one who could help," Reeve explains. "Cloud has his delivery service and is rather hard to contact. Cid would have no real contact with someone to serve the purpose I need. Tifa isn't necessarily good in that area too, she'd find people, but they'd be the sort of men to hover around her bar. And Yuffie?"

That would be a laugh. She's good for many things, but not this. All of her contacts are Wutain. Not much use here.

Finally there are Nanaki who doesn't leave the canyon as much anymore and... Well, Vincent's just impossible. Really, Barret is the only choice. Which he expects Rufus could come to the conclusion of if he really works at it. Or maybe he really doesn't know.

"Keep it up, Rufus, and I might think you're really interested in my well being and not just as a tool."

He listens, and supposes the reasoning makes sense. Honestly, he would have suggested Tifa as she could get hold of Cloud, and the guy had this need to protect things. Yet he can also acknowledge that Reeve would know them better than he does, even with very good dossiers on each.

Of course, then Reeve has to add that last, and Rufus gives him the strangest look, as if he's not sure what remark to send back; although that only lasts an instant, the blind leaning on his palm and chuckling.

"Keep that up, and I'll make you uncomfortable again. You know very well I'm not so cold as to not care somewhat for the safety of a former employee."

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Finally finished rereading everything. Should provide a more cohesive Reeve

Yay!

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