plate_builder | [Open Post]

"He did his part. But now you know the silly truth. To both parts of Cait. Though the mog is gone. And it will never come back. Cait isn't a weapon or a spy anymore."

Just something that reminded him of his mother. And so he kept it despite the pain. Besides, the members of AVALANCHE took him a bit more seriously with Cait. How sad.

Rufus smiles a little, that last bit obviously aimed at him, though he can't help but note. "Sure you won't bring it back? The kids would love it."

It wasn't a pointed jab at all. Just a statement of his own. His own affirmation. He wasn't made for war.

"I didn't make Cait for the kids. I made him for mom. She was from Kalm. Not far from here. The mog was stupid anyway."

"Mm." Rufus obviously has no idea what to say to that, instead opting to work on his water, and leaning his head back a little when done. "Well, I suppose I should let you rest some more. I should rest too."

"Did your mother ever tell you bedtime stories?"

The question was far too personal, far too invasive. It was rude and forward and wrong to ask. And yet he asked anyway. Because he needed to know. Had to know. What life did this man live when he was a boy?

He had kind of hoped the question wouldn't come up, and the sigh perhaps indicates that, his eyes shifting back very much to the look Reeve is probably used to, and a vague, amused smile crawling to his lips... An unintentional protection.

"I don't remember her. And my father's idea of a bedtime story wasn't anything like what your mother told you."

That was sad. Reeve frowned lightly at that news. "Everyone deserves to have bedtime stories at some point in their life. Having someone tuck you in and kiss your brow and tell you stories that make you feel warm inside if you don't fall asleep while listening."

When he had grown up it had been pretty amazing. And he'd loved it. Too bad Rufus never got the chance.

Pity. It's not hard to see that's exactly what Reeve is feeling, and although he'd been trying to gain some of that before, it was on his rules and only the things he was okay with; the wheelchair, the stigma, the injury to himself. All real, but all outside. Even admitting the Turks were family was acceptable, not completely unknown, and admitting how he'd been with them four years? Easy? This, not as much.

He hated his father, his stupidity and arrogance. The fact he always treated him as a fool, everyone as a fool. The fact he had molded Rufus to be much the same, maybe even worse, and that Rufus had allowed it. And most of all, he hated that the man had made the combination to exit that room what he had, and placed doubt into his mind.

It made it hard, now, to find an adequate response to give Reeve, and so he had to settle for a shrug as if he didn't care. As if it didn't matter in the least.

"I am sorry," Reeve sighs. "I just... I tell Cait stories. Helps clear my mind. I thought I could
do the same for you. Just to clear my mind so I can sleep again."

He actually had no real ulterior motive. Well, humanizing Shinra was there too. If he was to owe this man his life he would prefer to see a human. Maybe not a good one, but one.

He shrugs, perhaps debating if he wants to even say anything at all, and finally just decides on switching the topic. "If you need something to help you sleep, just tonight, I have some pain killers which will knock you out. Won't hurt any, since I imagine you're still in pain."

"I'll pass. The pain isn't bad," Reeve mentions as he lays back down. He'll have to handle this on his own. It meant he was going to have to deal with this on his own.

"You sure?" He stands slowly, obviously taking Reeve's laying down as a sign he's ready to be left alone. "A good night's rest helps the body greatly. Or so I'm told."

"As someone who worked with Hojo I have a personal rule to never accept anything medicine-like without a real doctor backing up that it won't turn me into... well, anything but a more healthy me," Reeve explained.

Chances were it would be safe but he wouldn't risk it.

Rufus has no way to stop the laugh at that remark, giving Reeve a look of understanding and truthful amusement. "Well, this is true. However, I am taking the same stuff and I'm still human.

"Or as human as most people will term me."

"You also have a hard to pin down and currently incurable disease which may lead to alternate reactions to medication," Reeve points out. Not that he was happy to point it out. He'd come a bit less... pleased by the karma of the situation. But he wasn't going to say it.

Then again... Reeve sighed and nodded. Maybe it really was time to start meeting Rufus halfway. "How about just half a pill?"

"It's merely pain killers. I'm not going to give you the stimulants I'm taking." This is all Rufus says on Reeve's comment, moving to his room to grab up the bottle of pain killers he's been taking, and bringing them out to Reece along with a pill cutter. "They won't separate well, but you can at least decrease the dose to near half."

"Thanks," Reeve says, because he really does mean it. Still doesn't get why Rufus has chosen to help him through so much, but he's allowing it. Because, frankly, it's been a good arrangement so far. And if Rufus wanted to hurt him there were other, more efficient ways to do it.

"You don't mind me crashing on your couch for at least another day? I think a day and a few more curative spells should get me on my feet enough to head back to Edge. And I will see to hiring protection once I'm there."

"It doesn't bother me if you do." It sounds cold in some ways, but Reeve has probably known the man long enough to realize that he isn't always going to get the most direct answer from Rufus; even if he has been better at it in the last few months. It also probably tells the man he isn't hiding anything, at least in his area of the lodge.

Waiting for Reeve to take the medication, Rufus does continue to speak, however. "Would you like me to get the Turks to vet some protection groups for you?"

"No," Reeve says, because he really thinks it's better he not tie himself too heavily to the other man. He needs to know he has people he can trust for himself. Better not to have the Turks vet them. He has to trust his own circumstances, his own decisions. "Thank you for the offer, Rufus. It is... kind of you."

Perhaps has his own reason for offering it, but Reeve is far too tired to care about trying to figure out what Rufus is aiming at, how he's trying to turn things to his advantage. Maybe Rufus really is just trying to help.

The only reasons for Rufus' offer are actually on the up and up. He's honestly interested in seeing the destruction that was rendered, in large part to his company, remedied, and as little as he likes to admit it, Reeve has a far better chance than he does. So it's important that he stay alive and unharmed. There's also the fact he rather likes Reeve, though good luck him admitting any such thing

Of course this means he won't push his help off on Reeve, won't even let out the laugh that threatens to come at being told his offer is nice, merely nodding a little. "Let me know if you end up needing anything else tonight. For now, I'll leave you to rest."

Anything else? He wants his kitten, but that much he'll do without. This place is... sterile. It makes Reeve sand to see it. Likely it's more vivid and lively wherever the Turks lay their heads to rest, but for Reeve, this place is quiet, bare, and rather depression. He needs freedom, but there's nothing he can do with that.

"Thank you," Reeve says again, and he really does mean it. Rufus was giving him something to work toward and something he could give to the people not because it was necessary but because it was fun.

Rufus nods his acknowledgement to the thanks, giving off the barest of smiles as he turns to go back to his room, only a short amount of talking indicating he doesn't immediately go back to bed, and the morning will show that he was speaking with the Turks, asking them to make sure a breakfast is ready whenever Reeve is up.

Rufus himself will try to rise before the other man too, greeting him briefly before returning to what seems to be toast and jam for his breakfast.

Yes, Reeve will sleep longer than Rufus, and when he rises he will take his meal quietly. If he isn't invited to Rufus, he doesn't intend to interrupt him. His place wasn't one that let him assume he had a right to a meal with Rufus, not in his own home. But he does seem pleased when he finds he can walk around easily. Look, he can put weight on his leg. Which means he can avoid Reno. Which is good.

There are not too many places for one to take a meal in the small cabin, even though one could perhaps hold a plate on their lap, or sit on the floor if they were inclined to do so. Something Rufus would imagine Reeve would not be.

Which means he will incline his head to Reeve when he catches his attention after the greeting, indicating one of the chairs at the table to him before returning to his own food.

Oh. Is this truly an invitation? Because, contrary to what Rufus believes, Reeve would be quite content to eat on the floor. Don't underestimate just how ready he is to be a floor-eating kind of guy. Normally he just eats on a chair with a design book open and his food in his lap. Easier that way. But this is Rufus, and not only has the guy saved his life, but the guy has even gone so far as to offer him a place to recover. To help him find new security. Which means with Rufus inviting him, he doesn't have a choice.

"I seem to remember you awake when I went to sleep. And now here you are, already awake and behaving like a human being. How do you manage it?"

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Sorry, I was very busy and quite sick

Np. Life has been a pain here too. Hope you're feeling better!

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And finally... I'll poke the Vincent thread later

No problem. Sorry it took so longer to reply. Twisted my wrist.