"Tseng or someone," Reno parrots with a laugh, shaking his head. Yeah, you know, just whoever, who cares. He abandons the wardrobe to investigate the drawers, instead, and that's much better. "If it was Tseng picking your normal people clothes, you're so screwed..."
Tseng wouldn't know how to dress himself besides a uniform if you held a gun to his head and threatened him with setting fire to the promised land itself. Bless his heart.
Also he just doesn't want to think about Tseng right now.
Reno whips a nice normal black T-shirt from the drawer and holds it up to his own body appraisingly. "Yep, okay, this is good." He chucks it onto the bed for Rufus to put on. Listen, sorry, he's not Tseng or someone, he's not physically dressing Rufus in it manually. Or maybe he would, but he's busy searching for these supposed black pants. What he finds are as good as skinny jeans, "distressed" in that style that tells Reno that, yeah, Tseng probably brought these here. Why does he think that's still in style? It's really not! But it's got a certain, y'know... devil-may-care vibe to it that Reno can appreciate it. He tosses those over on the bed, too. "Those look like they'll be nice and tight. That's important."
Rufus doesn't hesitate to strip down when Reno tosses clothes on the bed, picking up the pants with surprise. He's not sure why Tseng would include that in his wardrobe, there must be a reason but he's not going to try to guess that now as he pulls them on along with the shirt.
They are tighter than anything he's worn before and he turns around in front of a mirror to look himself over. He almost doesn't recognize himself but that's the point tonight. He decided he wasn't going to be President Shinra right now anyway, he was going to leave that behind for a bit. It was incredibly irresponsible with everything that was happening but he thought he deserved a night out to get away from it.
"Yes, this will be suitable. What do you think?" He turned around for Reno, rather pleased with how he looks. If he was going to hoodrat it with Reno, he might as well embrace it and go all in.
When Reno turns, he's not really sure what he's expecting. Rufus looking like a doofus in distressed skinny jeans, he guesses. What he's not expecting is for it to look fuckin' cute, or for those stupid as hell pants to make his boss look like he has a way more impudent ass than Reno knows for a fact he does. "Damn," he comments plainly and honestly. What else do you say to that? Maybe this: "I know you got cake, but damn. You know what—no. Gimme that shirt. Trust me on this, it's gonna look way better," he says, and starts to unbutton his own top.
It's not his uniform shirt, but it is a button-down, and it ain't white. It's black, in fact, and since he's a size (at least) smaller, it's going to work out perfect, just you wait. This one Reno does actually step up to dress Rufus in, shedding it off and holding it out for Rufus to put his arms through. Once it's on, he buttons it up only halfway, naturally. Because it's small, the bared skin is a bit less tits out and a bit more dramatically and overwhelmingly gay plunging neckline straight to the ribs, which is of course the intended lewk. Reno steps back to evaluate, one hand on his scrawny hip. Oh, and don't worry about the scar. It's nothing.
That's the reaction he was going for. He's not modest so he's not going to be humble, he knows he's handsome and Reno just confirms it with his reaction. Yes, this was going to work. He took off the t-shirt he was wearing and let Reno help him put on the button-up shirt.
His eyes only linger on the scar for second before he meets Reno's gaze. They aren't going to talk about that night right now. He turns towards Reno before looking at himself in the mirror thoughtfully. After a moment of consideration, he undoes one more button before he nods, satisfied.
"There. No one be expecting me to wear anything like this." He even runs a hand through his hair to loosen it up, pleased.
"Perfect." He laughs as Rufus lets that next button loose ad nods his approval. Couldn't have chosen better himself. Who the fuck invented buttons, anyway? Just leave them all undone! Who has time for this shit? The hair, though... oh, no. Uh-uh. "We gotta do something about your hair. You got hairspray, or somethin'?"
Fuck it. He'll look for that later. He steps in front of Rufus and starts carding his hands through his hair, gently at first and then a bit more vigorously to really ruffle that shit and ruin the part, stroking it all back from his face. It won't stay without something to hold it, and by god if he has to he'll use egg whites, but there's no denying Rufus will look sexy with his hair pushed back. He holds it in place with one hand and steps away from the mirror for Rufus to see. "How 'bout that, hottie?"
If this was any other time and Reno was anyone else, Rufus wouldn't have tolerated anyone calling him that. But he had spent the last two years wasting away, watching black sores spread painfully across his skin. He had felt himself fade away each day as the disease ate at him.
He doesn't answer right away as he looks at himself in the mirror with Reno holding back his hair like that, a smirk on his lips. He still hadn't regained all the weight he had lost but Reno was right. He was hot, his skin unblemished once more and he was going to enjoy this. "Yes, I like that. I'm sure you'll find something to hold it back."
"I know a good trick, but you gotta promise not to complain or ask any questions," Reno says, and lets go of Rufus's hair. He's got a trick, alright—one has to go to the kitchen for. Whoever the hell makes Rufus his food around here, he's sure they must keep it stocked with the basics, and sure enough, there are eggs. Eggs that he has to take the time to separate the whites from, but it doesn't take very long. Once he's got them in a bowl and whipped them up sufficiently, he brings it back to Rufus's room.
And then he sure is slicking the President's hair back with eggs. "Reminds me'a the good ol' days," he says as he dips his bare hand in there and smooths it through Rufus's hair. "I used to do this when I needed a costume change on the fly. Works great, washes out easy. Supposedly it's pretty good for your hair, too."
Rufus raises his eyebrows when Reno comes back with a bowl of eggs, not sure what he was going to do with them until Reno started to work it through his hair. "I don't think I'm going to start using egg in my hair on a regular basis," he laughs but he lets Reno run his hands through his hair.
"I think I'm ready." He gives himself one last look over in the mirror when Reno finishes with his hair before turning towards the other man with delight. "There, do I look like a hoodrat now? At least, no one would be expecting me to wear anything like this."
He's trying at least? The point is an effort was made.
When it's all said and done, Rufus comes out looking pretty snazzy, if he does say so himself. Reno goes to wash the egg off his hands and returns to watch him check himself out. The look Rufus gives him as he turns is just... adorable, honestly, and the stupid thing he says is even more so. He laughs, snorts first and descends into giggles after, reaching out one last time to pop Rufus's collar for him. "You look... hahaha. Sure, boss. Never seen anyone hooder or rattier in all my days."
Yeah.................... about... that...
Anyway, just let the guy have his moment. Reno takes the t-shirt he'd given to Rufus to wear and pulls it on himself. To account for it being bigger on him than his normal clothes, and because he wants to tart himself up, too, He twists the loose bit in the back, ties it into a knot, and tucks it under, folding the hem of the shirt up a little, flashing some midriff. It's not his go-to look, he's more of a chest guy than a hips guy, but it'll work. Can't upstage the queen bee, after all. Then he pulls his ponytail loose and re-ties it higher up. High pony and a belly shirt? Totally a 2005 throwback. It's called fashion, look it up.
Rufus knew Reno was just humoring him, he doubted he looked like he belonged in the slums even now, he was Rufus Shinra and he would never be able to simply ordinary. But it was still rather thrilling to at least set aside the facade of being President Shinra for an evening.
He looks Reno over with approval before nodding with a grin.
"Lead the way then." Rufus trusts that Reno will be able to get them out of the building without any trouble and with little attention. It helped that there was no one around this time of night but he's not afraid of anyone seeing him right now. "How are we making our escape?"
Tseng and Rude may not be around but that didn't mean Tseng didn't have measures in place to protect Rufus while he was away.
Oh, boy. Escape. He hadn't accounted for this, seeing as he'd planned on just staying here and drinking their stupid skunky wine, but at least he's pretty good about thinking on the fly. And it's not like it's the first time he's busted out of this building, whether it was Rufus or someone else. Oftentimes Rufus, though. He never took him to the slums, back in the day, but just about anywhere else... whatever. He knows exactly where they're going and exactly how to get back. He wouldn't bring Rufus along if he'd felt there was any real risk to it. Just some thrills and adventure, that's all. It'll be an enlightening experience for dear Rufie.
"Eh... let's take the service elevator. Not exactly groundbreaking shit, but there's a bunch of borked cameras that way." Not borked as in they don't work—borked as in they point in all the wrong directions. They're meant to catch people coming in, not out, and he's never bothered to wonder whether that was intentional or not. It's the fastest and easiest way out he can come up with on the fly, so off they go.
This was an outing that he had always been denied whenever Reno had sneaked him out when they were younger. He had always wanted to go beneath the Plate to see what things were like down there but it had been expressly forbidden. At least, until now. Tseng was away on a mission or something with Rude, Veld was gone, and his father was dead. No one could stop him and Reno going down there now.
He follows Reno down to the service elevator. He knew all the exits to the Shinra Building as well- not that it had helped him when he was younger since somehow Veld had been able to sense when and where Rufus would make an escape attempt next. But no one appeared as they exited the building into the cool night air and Rufus takes a deep breath, savoring the freedom.
Honestly, the game is a little too easily played these days. There's no Veld, and there's no President Shinra, and there's no... really anybody anymore, honestly. Rufus is the authority. The only eyes they need to watch out for are Tseng's, and... he guesses maybe the other executives, but is he really so concerned about Scarlet or Heidegger? Hah. Screw both of them. Still, it pays to watch their backs, and besides which, it's more fun to enjoy a little subterfuge on the way out. For old times' sake. Dodging the cameras, sneaking out of the elevator and through the halls, darting outside and gallivanting along to some place or another to rustle up a good time. That was easy-peasy topside shit, though. Not today.
"You kiddin'? We're taking the train. Doing this real proper-like." The joke being that taking Rufus on that godforsaken train is not proper at all, and he probably really shouldn't, but that'll be fine, too. He knows what he's doing. Folks see his suit and get right the hell out of his way, all he has to do is make sure Rufus sticks to him like glue. He heads straight for the station, hastening away from Shinra tower before his good sense can kick in and urge him to turn them both back around.
Rufus isn't going to stop and ask if it's a good idea that they take the train. It's not a good idea. None of this night is a good idea. That is what makes it so much fun. Even if he knew he was perfectly safe with Reno, there was still an element of danger that made his eyes bright and
He doesn't look back at the building on their way to the train station. He did stay close to Reno as they encounter a crowd at the platform. He gets a few looks but it seems no one has realized who he is which was strange and oddly liberating.
He lets Reno take the lead since he has no idea how to navigate the system of actually taking the train which seems to involve a process of paying for the fare (which he made no move to pay for, how much could it cost, 10 gil?), getting a ticket, and finding the right platform.
It's just a good thing Rufus is smart enough not to wander off or get distracted, and that he knows to stay close. Reno's armed, naturally, because he always is, but he hardly needs to bother with looking threatening. He pays for their tickets and leads him along to the platform for Sector 6. They aren't going to Wall Market proper, but it's not far. He's already got a pretty good sense that Rufus is going to take one look at the lights in the distance and get curious, but that's gonna be a hard nope from him. First of all, Wall Market kinda sucks. Secondly, you know who runs that joint—not smart to let Rufus be seen there, no matter how unrecognizable he may or may not be right now.
When the train comes, Reno leads Rufus by the arm so he isn't lost in the surge of people getting on and off at the platform. Considering his small size and stature, it's really quite a wonder how he can part the crowd the way he does. Everyone diverts to the left and right for him on sight so that he doesn't have to so much as brush elbows with anyone as he makes his way through the cars to find their seats. There's a specific spot he's looking for, and it's pretty far back. Once he gets there, he only needs to glance at the people sitting in his seats for them to get up and leave, no questions asked. Then he plops down and pats the spot next to him. "Get comfy, it'll be a minute."
Rufus doesn't pull away from Reno when he leads him through the crowd. Reno obviously knows the way better than he does so Rufus trusts him to get them where they needed to go. When they got to their seats, Rufus takes a moment to look out the window as the train starts moving, fascinated. It's so surreal to see Midgar like this after Meteorfall, as if none of it had ever happened.
Alright, Meteorfall is literally one of the last things he wants to think about tonight. He turns around towards Reno, ignoring everyone around them as he leaned in closer. He was accustomed to always having to act a certain away in public but no one was looking at him right now with the expectation that he acts like the President of Shinra should. He is curious to see what he could get away with as he 'idly' runs a hand up Reno's thigh. "So where are we going first?"
Ah. Well. Wasn't quite expecting that. Reno's gaze jumps with a little bit of a start to the hand sneaking up his thigh, but he's not about to be a dumbass and make a scene. He glances back up at Rufus's face again, smirking. "To Sector 6," he says, and rolls with this sitch by slipping two fingers under the sleeve of his own button-up to touch the inside of Rufus's wrist. It's kinda unfair how much cuter that top looks on him. "Then we're going to catch the train back from Sector 5. Used to be easier to go through Sector 8, instead, buuut..."
But that was before the plate fell, and now instead of utter ruination, there's just a weird disruption in the service that makes it take much longer to wind around the center support structure. It'd probably be different if not for Edge living where Sector 7 was, and its strange construction doesn't account for a station anymore, either. Whatever. He doesn't really know if Rufus gives a shit about any of that, so he doesn't bother explaining it to him.
That sounded like another potential project and he makes a note to himself that perhaps this was something he could dump on Reeve's desk later. But that thought was quickly forgotten since right now he wasn't the least bit interested in the logistics of Midgar's train system. Tonight he's not capable of caring about all the practical things that he really should be concerned about. Tomorrow morning will be an entirely different matter but that was a problem for another time.
The touch to his wrist only encourages him further. He keeps his gaze on Reno as he leans in closer so their lips are just a breath apart, if there is anyone looking at them he doesn't care. Let them look. Tonight he was going to enjoy his freedom.
"Then we'll just have to find a way to occupy ourselves on this trip until we get to where we're going, won't we?" His hand moves up, his fingers brushing against the front of his pants before settling on his hip.
Reno can't help but laugh as Rufus gets close, putting his hands all over him without a care in the world for who else might be around. This particular train car isn't very populated, mostly because Reno scared them all off with that signature look of his, but there are a few and he's sure it's about to be an interesting show for them. And the security cameras. And whoever else. He meets Rufus's gaze head-on, focused even with the extreme proximity of their faces. "Wow... it's been awhile since I got felt up on the train. Blast from the past."
Like, wow, a really long time. The train used to be a great place to pick up some easy tail for some pocket change and maybe even the chance to drop a Where you headed? Oh, I know that inn... you think there'll be any room in that nice, warm bed of yours for me? and that'd get him out of the rain for a night. Maybe even fed, too, and sometimes a shower... yeah, good times. Then again, sometimes the felt up on a train situation just wound up being a big brawling fight situation. Take your fucking hands off me, creep and broken bottles, the whole car would get involved and they'd have to stop at the nearest station to throw everyone out... also good times. Reno grins at both memories, taking hold of Rufus's wrist and guiding his hand up to his chest. "You might wanna save your energy. You're gonna need it to last you the rest of the night. Just a friendly suggestion!"
"I didn't know taking the train could be so exciting." But Reno did have a point, he wanted to enjoy this night as long as he was able to. He doesn't pull away just yet though, letting his lips brush against Reno's throat.
"I want to experience everything while I can, Reno." Because with everything that was happening, he's not sure when he'll get the chance to do this again. He had no intention of telling Tseng about this night but that didn't mean it wouldn't get back to him somehow. He was distracted for a moment as the train headed down below the Plate and he kept his hand on Reno's chest as he looked out the window. This was the first time in his entire life he had been below the Plate after years of wanting to have an experience like this.
"Hey now," Reno chides with a little smile, "You're way too young to talk like that. Trust me, you got plenty of time to live it up." There's not really any promising that, though, is there? No single second is guaranteed, and it can be over before you know it. If anyone understands that now better than ever, it'd be Reno. Then again, does it matter anymore? No matter what happens, you'll just get back up and walk it off. No consequences. A hundred do-overs. Man, with the way things are now, nothing fucking matters. Might as well go all out.
This is probably a terrible idea, considering both their mental states. But he wouldn't have come up with it if he didn't know what he was doing. It'll be fine. Everything's fine. For the time being, Reno tips their heads together and watches Rufus admire the grand scenery of his corrupt city. It's kinda cute, the look on his face, seeing it for the first time. As they come around the bend and pull into the Sector 6 station, it's a huge step down from the world they left up above. It's also packed with people, ruins and refuse, and the air reeks. The sky is dark, even with the missing plates of 6 and 7 allowing some of the starlight to filter in. Somehow the reactors just drown it all out and make it look smoggier. Even the moon seems to have an eerie green glow.
Time- he thought he had plenty of it before Diamond Weapon and geostigma but even now he feels like he had so little of it to accomplish what he wants to do but he doesn't correct Reno. Rufus is quiet as they step onto the platform of the Sector 6 station as he looks around. The look of wonder is gone for a moment, there is a hardness in his eyes as they adjust to the dark and the haze from the reactor. The smell doesn't bother him but he feels like he's stepped back in time. He understands more than ever why he and Reeve are rushing to find alternatives so that the reactors can be shut down for good but there is nothing he could do about tonight.
"That and more." His voice is distant but the look is gone as he gives Reno a smile. Tonight is about putting aside his duties as President Shinra. "Come, lead the way. I want to see it all." He's not sure how much of this night he's going to remember by morning but that's not going to stop him now that he's down here.
For the sake of getting in and out of here without incident, Reno doesn't linger long to watch Rufus take it all in, but it is fascinating to watch his expression change. If his story of the future is true, there isn't much of a Midgar for Rufus to walk around in at all, let alone one with an undercity like this. Reno can't imagine what that's like, Midgar in ruins, the class barriers broken, HQ wiped off the map. If that's what they all have to look forward to, doesn't that mean they should be doing something to prevent it?
Nah. Live it up.
"Stick close," he says simply, and opts to do one better and hook their arms together. Rufus has a tendency to do whatever the fuck he wants, and he's really not feeling game for losing him down here in the slums, but he also doesn't want to patronize him by holding his hand like a child. It's for the best that they hang on, anyway. The crowd's particularly thick as they leave the station, and the direction they're headed is packed with people headed for Wall Market. "One of these days, maybe we'll go there," Reno says, nodding toward the lights in the distance. "Right now, it's a hard no. Corneo's guys still got a lot of sway in this area. Disguise or not, we don't want you spotted. Not that I wouldn't take care'a ya," Reno assures him. As if he needs to. As if there's even really a threat to worry about. Old habits die hard, though. "We're headed someplace a little less polished."
Reno makes it easy to put aside thoughts of the future when he links their arms together. He doesn't protest, it's crowded and Rufus would have a very difficult time finding his way above the Plate by himself. He's not helpless by any means but this is a completely new world for him. Reno seems so at ease here though Rufus wonders for a moment if he'll feel the same way after Rufus makes the changes he's been working on.
He glances in the direction of Wall Market. As much as he's always wanted to go, he knows Reno has a point. Shinra had very little direct influence in Wall Market- it was left largely alone since it would have been more trouble than it was worth to bring it completely to heel. At the moment that was Rufus's policy as well, there were so many other things to work on first. "I have no doubt I'm in safe hands with you." His tone was amused but he was serious. "Now that sounds promising."
Where they're headed is Wall Market adjacent, as seedy an area as you can possibly find anywhere in the slums. Red lights in the windows of nearly every front-facing establishment, with scantily clad women standing out front to lure in potential customers. The bars and clubs, if you can call these places that, are a ruckus from the inside out, often with fights going on out front that Reno has to carefully lead Rufus around to steer clear of. And the gang activity isn't great, either. The place is littered with alarmingly well-armed thugs that watch them from the shadows in some places and make overtures of threats in others, Look at these uppity li'l shits. Shinra scum, no doubt.
That's among the nicer things that get said as they pass by. Reno doesn't feel the need to explain to Rufus to just ignore it. "The guy we're about to meet doesn't like bein' stared at, so don't make too much eye contact. And don't stare at any of his shit, either, or he'll get suspicious. If he gets in your face, just relax. He won't do nothin'. He's... uh, kinda eccentric, that's all. You'll be fine, trust me."
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Tseng wouldn't know how to dress himself besides a uniform if you held a gun to his head and threatened him with setting fire to the promised land itself. Bless his heart.
Also he just doesn't want to think about Tseng right now.
Reno whips a nice normal black T-shirt from the drawer and holds it up to his own body appraisingly. "Yep, okay, this is good." He chucks it onto the bed for Rufus to put on. Listen, sorry, he's not Tseng or someone, he's not physically dressing Rufus in it manually. Or maybe he would, but he's busy searching for these supposed black pants. What he finds are as good as skinny jeans, "distressed" in that style that tells Reno that, yeah, Tseng probably brought these here. Why does he think that's still in style? It's really not! But it's got a certain, y'know... devil-may-care vibe to it that Reno can appreciate it. He tosses those over on the bed, too. "Those look like they'll be nice and tight. That's important."
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They are tighter than anything he's worn before and he turns around in front of a mirror to look himself over. He almost doesn't recognize himself but that's the point tonight. He decided he wasn't going to be President Shinra right now anyway, he was going to leave that behind for a bit. It was incredibly irresponsible with everything that was happening but he thought he deserved a night out to get away from it.
"Yes, this will be suitable. What do you think?" He turned around for Reno, rather pleased with how he looks. If he was going to hoodrat it with Reno, he might as well embrace it and go all in.
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It's not his uniform shirt, but it is a button-down, and it ain't white. It's black, in fact, and since he's a size (at least) smaller, it's going to work out perfect, just you wait. This one Reno does actually step up to dress Rufus in, shedding it off and holding it out for Rufus to put his arms through. Once it's on, he buttons it up only halfway, naturally. Because it's small, the bared skin is a bit less tits out and a bit more dramatically and overwhelmingly gay plunging neckline straight to the ribs, which is of course the intended lewk. Reno steps back to evaluate, one hand on his scrawny hip. Oh, and don't worry about the scar. It's nothing.
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His eyes only linger on the scar for second before he meets Reno's gaze. They aren't going to talk about that night right now. He turns towards Reno before looking at himself in the mirror thoughtfully. After a moment of consideration, he undoes one more button before he nods, satisfied.
"There. No one be expecting me to wear anything like this." He even runs a hand through his hair to loosen it up, pleased.
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Fuck it. He'll look for that later. He steps in front of Rufus and starts carding his hands through his hair, gently at first and then a bit more vigorously to really ruffle that shit and ruin the part, stroking it all back from his face. It won't stay without something to hold it, and by god if he has to he'll use egg whites, but there's no denying Rufus will look sexy with his hair pushed back. He holds it in place with one hand and steps away from the mirror for Rufus to see. "How 'bout that, hottie?"
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He doesn't answer right away as he looks at himself in the mirror with Reno holding back his hair like that, a smirk on his lips. He still hadn't regained all the weight he had lost but Reno was right. He was hot, his skin unblemished once more and he was going to enjoy this. "Yes, I like that. I'm sure you'll find something to hold it back."
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And then he sure is slicking the President's hair back with eggs. "Reminds me'a the good ol' days," he says as he dips his bare hand in there and smooths it through Rufus's hair. "I used to do this when I needed a costume change on the fly. Works great, washes out easy. Supposedly it's pretty good for your hair, too."
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"I think I'm ready." He gives himself one last look over in the mirror when Reno finishes with his hair before turning towards the other man with delight. "There, do I look like a hoodrat now? At least, no one would be expecting me to wear anything like this."
He's trying at least? The point is an effort was made.
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Yeah.................... about... that...
Anyway, just let the guy have his moment. Reno takes the t-shirt he'd given to Rufus to wear and pulls it on himself. To account for it being bigger on him than his normal clothes, and because he wants to tart himself up, too, He twists the loose bit in the back, ties it into a knot, and tucks it under, folding the hem of the shirt up a little, flashing some midriff. It's not his go-to look, he's more of a chest guy than a hips guy, but it'll work. Can't upstage the queen bee, after all. Then he pulls his ponytail loose and re-ties it higher up. High pony and a belly shirt? Totally a 2005 throwback. It's called fashion, look it up.
"There. Let's hit it, Ruf."
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He looks Reno over with approval before nodding with a grin.
"Lead the way then." Rufus trusts that Reno will be able to get them out of the building without any trouble and with little attention. It helped that there was no one around this time of night but he's not afraid of anyone seeing him right now. "How are we making our escape?"
Tseng and Rude may not be around but that didn't mean Tseng didn't have measures in place to protect Rufus while he was away.
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"Eh... let's take the service elevator. Not exactly groundbreaking shit, but there's a bunch of borked cameras that way." Not borked as in they don't work—borked as in they point in all the wrong directions. They're meant to catch people coming in, not out, and he's never bothered to wonder whether that was intentional or not. It's the fastest and easiest way out he can come up with on the fly, so off they go.
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He follows Reno down to the service elevator. He knew all the exits to the Shinra Building as well- not that it had helped him when he was younger since somehow Veld had been able to sense when and where Rufus would make an escape attempt next. But no one appeared as they exited the building into the cool night air and Rufus takes a deep breath, savoring the freedom.
"I hope we're not taking a company car."
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"You kiddin'? We're taking the train. Doing this real proper-like." The joke being that taking Rufus on that godforsaken train is not proper at all, and he probably really shouldn't, but that'll be fine, too. He knows what he's doing. Folks see his suit and get right the hell out of his way, all he has to do is make sure Rufus sticks to him like glue. He heads straight for the station, hastening away from Shinra tower before his good sense can kick in and urge him to turn them both back around.
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He doesn't look back at the building on their way to the train station. He did stay close to Reno as they encounter a crowd at the platform. He gets a few looks but it seems no one has realized who he is which was strange and oddly liberating.
He lets Reno take the lead since he has no idea how to navigate the system of actually taking the train which seems to involve a process of paying for the fare (which he made no move to pay for, how much could it cost, 10 gil?), getting a ticket, and finding the right platform.
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When the train comes, Reno leads Rufus by the arm so he isn't lost in the surge of people getting on and off at the platform. Considering his small size and stature, it's really quite a wonder how he can part the crowd the way he does. Everyone diverts to the left and right for him on sight so that he doesn't have to so much as brush elbows with anyone as he makes his way through the cars to find their seats. There's a specific spot he's looking for, and it's pretty far back. Once he gets there, he only needs to glance at the people sitting in his seats for them to get up and leave, no questions asked. Then he plops down and pats the spot next to him. "Get comfy, it'll be a minute."
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Alright, Meteorfall is literally one of the last things he wants to think about tonight. He turns around towards Reno, ignoring everyone around them as he leaned in closer. He was accustomed to always having to act a certain away in public but no one was looking at him right now with the expectation that he acts like the President of Shinra should. He is curious to see what he could get away with as he 'idly' runs a hand up Reno's thigh. "So where are we going first?"
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But that was before the plate fell, and now instead of utter ruination, there's just a weird disruption in the service that makes it take much longer to wind around the center support structure. It'd probably be different if not for Edge living where Sector 7 was, and its strange construction doesn't account for a station anymore, either. Whatever. He doesn't really know if Rufus gives a shit about any of that, so he doesn't bother explaining it to him.
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The touch to his wrist only encourages him further. He keeps his gaze on Reno as he leans in closer so their lips are just a breath apart, if there is anyone looking at them he doesn't care. Let them look. Tonight he was going to enjoy his freedom.
"Then we'll just have to find a way to occupy ourselves on this trip until we get to where we're going, won't we?" His hand moves up, his fingers brushing against the front of his pants before settling on his hip.
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Like, wow, a really long time. The train used to be a great place to pick up some easy tail for some pocket change and maybe even the chance to drop a Where you headed? Oh, I know that inn... you think there'll be any room in that nice, warm bed of yours for me? and that'd get him out of the rain for a night. Maybe even fed, too, and sometimes a shower... yeah, good times. Then again, sometimes the felt up on a train situation just wound up being a big brawling fight situation. Take your fucking hands off me, creep and broken bottles, the whole car would get involved and they'd have to stop at the nearest station to throw everyone out... also good times. Reno grins at both memories, taking hold of Rufus's wrist and guiding his hand up to his chest. "You might wanna save your energy. You're gonna need it to last you the rest of the night. Just a friendly suggestion!"
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"I want to experience everything while I can, Reno." Because with everything that was happening, he's not sure when he'll get the chance to do this again. He had no intention of telling Tseng about this night but that didn't mean it wouldn't get back to him somehow. He was distracted for a moment as the train headed down below the Plate and he kept his hand on Reno's chest as he looked out the window. This was the first time in his entire life he had been below the Plate after years of wanting to have an experience like this.
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This is probably a terrible idea, considering both their mental states. But he wouldn't have come up with it if he didn't know what he was doing. It'll be fine. Everything's fine. For the time being, Reno tips their heads together and watches Rufus admire the grand scenery of his corrupt city. It's kinda cute, the look on his face, seeing it for the first time. As they come around the bend and pull into the Sector 6 station, it's a huge step down from the world they left up above. It's also packed with people, ruins and refuse, and the air reeks. The sky is dark, even with the missing plates of 6 and 7 allowing some of the starlight to filter in. Somehow the reactors just drown it all out and make it look smoggier. Even the moon seems to have an eerie green glow.
"Well? Is it everything you ever imagined?"
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"That and more." His voice is distant but the look is gone as he gives Reno a smile. Tonight is about putting aside his duties as President Shinra. "Come, lead the way. I want to see it all." He's not sure how much of this night he's going to remember by morning but that's not going to stop him now that he's down here.
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Nah. Live it up.
"Stick close," he says simply, and opts to do one better and hook their arms together. Rufus has a tendency to do whatever the fuck he wants, and he's really not feeling game for losing him down here in the slums, but he also doesn't want to patronize him by holding his hand like a child. It's for the best that they hang on, anyway. The crowd's particularly thick as they leave the station, and the direction they're headed is packed with people headed for Wall Market. "One of these days, maybe we'll go there," Reno says, nodding toward the lights in the distance. "Right now, it's a hard no. Corneo's guys still got a lot of sway in this area. Disguise or not, we don't want you spotted. Not that I wouldn't take care'a ya," Reno assures him. As if he needs to. As if there's even really a threat to worry about. Old habits die hard, though. "We're headed someplace a little less polished."
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He glances in the direction of Wall Market. As much as he's always wanted to go, he knows Reno has a point. Shinra had very little direct influence in Wall Market- it was left largely alone since it would have been more trouble than it was worth to bring it completely to heel. At the moment that was Rufus's policy as well, there were so many other things to work on first. "I have no doubt I'm in safe hands with you." His tone was amused but he was serious. "Now that sounds promising."
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Where they're headed is Wall Market adjacent, as seedy an area as you can possibly find anywhere in the slums. Red lights in the windows of nearly every front-facing establishment, with scantily clad women standing out front to lure in potential customers. The bars and clubs, if you can call these places that, are a ruckus from the inside out, often with fights going on out front that Reno has to carefully lead Rufus around to steer clear of. And the gang activity isn't great, either. The place is littered with alarmingly well-armed thugs that watch them from the shadows in some places and make overtures of threats in others, Look at these uppity li'l shits. Shinra scum, no doubt.
That's among the nicer things that get said as they pass by. Reno doesn't feel the need to explain to Rufus to just ignore it. "The guy we're about to meet doesn't like bein' stared at, so don't make too much eye contact. And don't stare at any of his shit, either, or he'll get suspicious. If he gets in your face, just relax. He won't do nothin'. He's... uh, kinda eccentric, that's all. You'll be fine, trust me."
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