ARRIVAL.

[insusurromods]

𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑼𝑹𝑹𝑶: 𝑨 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑻 𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑵𝒀

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 you moved under your own power. The shadows that dwelt in the corners of your vision vanished, the world is bright and the shackles of destiny fall from your liberated limbs.

You're free.

But before you can take that next step, before you can alter your fate, a terrible howling fills your ears. It's an ill wind full of malice, one that rips you off of your feet and back, back, back from this chance to seize your destiny. The shadows coalesce into a single entity, its hands locking around your throat. It cannot let this stand.

You think that maybe this is the end. The world goes dark as it rushes past you, this is the end.

Except you wake to the feeling of rain on your skin.

The cliffs around you bare the scars of a fierce battle. Before you, a massive city faces the sea. Behind you, greenery sprawls for miles. Midgar has never looked so beautiful, but it has also never looked so unlike itself. The Sister Ray points proudly towards the sea. A bustling city crawls out from its shadow, looking wealthier and more robust than the slums ever did. You don't have long to ponder this.

Because you aren't alone. Others are coming to, looking just as confused and uncertain as you do. Some are battleworn and bloody, as if they were pulled from a fierce battle. Others appear to be in perfect health, as if they were simply pulled from a long slumber, though no less confused and lost. The howling that filled your slowly begins to fade, and as it does, the rain begins to clear.

𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐀𝐑 is within a few hours walking distance. 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐌 lies not much further in the opposite direction. There is no presence urging you to walk to one or the other, no voice from on high telling you what path your feet should walk. Underneath this infinite blue sky the choice to go - or to stay - is entirely yours.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐓?

Comments

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus was quiet as they walked, silently taking in the state of Kalm. It was a grim sight and it was uncomfortable to face but he didn't look away or make any effort to hide behind Tseng even when refugees closed in on all sides at times. He knew that he had to take responsibility for what was happening so he took it all in, letting it sink in so he knew what work there was that needed to be done and what could be done for the people of Kalm.

It was still a relief to reach the hanger. He was still lost in his own thoughts as he just nodded in response to the salutes and greetings offered to him. He declined the offer of food, for now, opting instead to shower and change into something clean since he wanted time to process his thoughts. The farmhouse wasn't exactly luxurious but it felt good to scrub the grime off and change into something more suitable even if the only thing they had available for him was plain black pants, a white button-up shirt, and a black sweater. It was better than nothing though and it was getting colder as it was getting late.

He only glanced at the bed in the bedroom he was changing in, imagining how good it would be just to just crawl under the blankets and sleep but he shook his head, finishing quickly and making his way downstairs to the kitchen.]

Have they finished with the preparations?

[The sight of the food set out made his stomach growl with the realization he hadn't eaten anything all day. But if they were ready to go then he wasn't going to waste time with that.]

I take it you haven't heard from anyone else yet, either.

[detao]

[ Tseng had hoped Rufus would take the initiative to attend to self-care, however, the president just as well assumed to keep on trucking along until he had no choice but to pass out.

Tseng pushes out a heavy sigh and his eyes look over Rufus. He's satisfied, at least, the other found a shower and clothes. ]

No, not yet. It will be some time. I haven't heard anything yet.. [ Tseng moves to stand, he collects his plate and glass and sets both in the sink. He then turns to Rufus and gestures to the chair he abandoned. He won't linger to see if the other takes the seat as prompted. Instead, he moves to the fridge and takes out a plate and a pitcher of filtered water. The plate he sets on the table, before the chair, and the water he pours into a fresh glass before setting that down as well. Tseng intends to serve Rufus or the empty chair; whatever Rufus does decide. ]

We have a few hours still, sir. [ His dark eyes set on Rufus' bright ones. ] During this time I recommend some R&R. [ He gives Rufus another look before he moves toward the stairs where he intends to climb and find some clothes and a shower. ]

[ambitiousblond]

Alright. I suppose I can do that.

[There isn't any protest as Rufus sank down into the chair as Tseng started to set things out. He wasn't going to think too hard about why that worked so well. The heavy sigh said enough.

He knew that if they couldn't go anywhere he might as well sit down at least eat something. The food didn't look like anything special but it didn't matter- he was starving and he would have eaten anything put in front of him.]

I'll be up shortly then.

[Rufus returned the look before turning his attention back to his plate. It didn't take him long to clear it though it didn't take him to regret it since he was starting to feel sluggish as he went upstairs to the room Tseng was in. He let himself in without knocking, sitting on the bed as he waited for Tseng to finish in the shower.]

[detao]

( Tseng spends quite some time in the shower. The steam fills his chest, and his lungs feel renewed by the vapor. He feels comfort through the washing of his body, ridding himself of the hard evidence from his long journey. He finally emerges from the bathroom. He's wearing a robe, and his hair is freshly brushed, but still dripping around him. The floor is cold beneath his warm feet, and each step is quicker to reach his room.

His eyes fall onto Rufus, on his bed, and his lips part as he maneuvers through the door and closes it behind him. He pulls in a breath, and his hands move to the fabric across his chest. He idly wipes his fingertips there as if touching the door has left undesirable grime on his fingers.

He hopes this means Rufus is willing to accept rest as the next necessary step in their journey. )

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus just watched Tseng as he came into the room, silent. The bed was more comfortable than he would have expected in a farmhouse like this, it would be too easy to fall asleep if he let himself give in for even a moment.]

Have you heard from anyone else? My phone still doesn't get service and the battery is almost dead. I'm going to have to get a new one.

[He set his dead phone on the table by the bed before turning back to Tseng.]

I'm not tired but you should get some sleep if you are. The house is well guarded by Shinra personnel and no one knows we're here.

[detao]

( The clothes he had left in the bathroom to be handled by the house staff. All the items he had with him are atop the dresser. Tseng stills in his trek to listen before he crosses the room to the dresser to find some underclothes. Inside the drawers were packaged socks, underwear, and undershirts. He obtains the appropriate packages and sets them aside for now. He then turns to the closet to find some pants and a shirt. Like Rufus, he won't find a uniform close to what he usually wears. Instead, he pulls out a pair of gray pants and a dark red long-sleeved shirt.

He'll visit the armory before boarding the helicopter and obtain some weapons and a vest - if they have one. )

I used the base's network to send another message to the others. They know our progression and our destination. I am confident we will hear from them soon enough.

( He lays the clothes on the bed and returns to the dresser. He opens the packages and slips on the underwear before he pulls off the robe. He then takes the socks and undershirt to the bed where he sits and pulls each item on him. Tseng then folds the clothes and sets them aside on the nightstand.

He brings his hands up to his hair and pulls it back into a bun and wraps a hairband over the bun twice to keep it in place. He lowers his arms to his thighs and closes his eyes. He can imagine Rude and Reno are likely somewhere close to one another, and Elena is likely not far behind them. His eyes open to the robe he left hanging on the dresser. He isn't sure he can sleep if Rufus decides not to.

He pulls in a breath and holds it before he sighs. )

We both need to sleep if we can.

[ambitiousblond]

If I fall asleep, wake me up as soon as we're ready to go or if you hear anything.

[It was going to be hard to actually let himself rest after everything that had happened during the last day. The pure adrenaline he had been running on was starting to taper off.

He still stifled a yawn, not wanting to openly show that the exhaustion was weighing him down heavily. Maybe there wasn't any harm in getting an hour of sleep while he could.

He moved over so Tseng had room to join him on the bed since he wasn't going to come outright and say he preferred for them to stay in the same room. He didn't care if it made anyone talk about if it was appropriate.]

I don't want to stay here longer than we have to.

[detao]

( Tseng allowed himself to mentally celebrate the prospect of a good long rest. He was anticipating at least four to six hours of sleep. His body feels heavy, and his mind began to fog with the memories of the last day or so. The unpleasant nether phenomena creep upon him like dread for what might come when he does sleep. Would his dreams depict further horrors within the abyss of his guilt? Would there be a face to his fears within the darkness, or would it continue to manifest as the dark reaper with endless appendages reaching for him with sharp accusations?

The dread weighs on his shoulders, Tseng is even more exhausted than when he first sat on the bed. He feels Rufus move beside him, and he takes the invitation without hesitation. Horrors may welcome him when he finally slips into the void or nothingness. Either way, Tseng prepares for the journey by settling into the bed next to Rufus. It isn't long before he falls asleep. )

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus watches Tseng settle on the bed and close his eyes. The last of his determination to remain awake has vanished and his eyes drift closed before he could remind himself not to sleep for very long.

For all intents and purposes, he's dead to the world as soon as he's asleep. Normally he's not a deep sleeper but he needed the rest. It's not until several hours later that he suddenly sits up, feeling disoriented.

He had no idea how long he had been asleep, everything felt disjointed and he couldn't quite connect the pieces of how he had ended up here for a few minutes. There was light coming through the curtains covering the window- he had slept longer than he had intended.]

Tseng- what time is it? Are things ready?

[detao]

( Tseng wakes with Rufus' sudden words. He sits up next to the president and brings a hand up to his face to wipe at his tired, gritty, eyes. The hand drops to his lap, and with a heavy croaked voice he responds. )

What? ( It then occurred to him where they were and what the situation was. He pulls on the sheets, freeing his legs from beneath them to the bitter cold air that settled in the room. Darkness also developed while the two of them were asleep. Tseng moves over to his clothes and pulls on his trousers. The unfamiliar clothes were the best he could hope for in a fit without having access to his tailored suits. Such a worry was quite low on the priorities, in any case. After Tseng slips on his shirt and steps into his shoes, he heads for the door. )

I will see to things.

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus feels like his entire body is weighed down by lead- getting up was going to be more difficult than he anticipated. He knew that this would happen- even though he had been running on fumes once he had crashed it would be hard to get going.

He watches Tseng get dressed, trying to hold back a yawn as he nods.]

I'll come with you.

[Otherwise he risked slipping back into the comfortable bed and slipping right back to sleep. It took a great deal of effort to pull himself towards the edge of the bed, pushing away any exhaustion.]

If we're ready to depart I want to be ready to go.