insusurro | OPEN/MINGLE — SMASHING GARDENS

OPEN/MINGLE — SMASHING GARDENS

[ Meanwhile, in the middle of the desert......

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immoveable object? Who knows. This is more like two old, rusted Chevys trading flirting touches at low speeds. Galbadia Garden and Balamb Garden are careening into one another in a way that some of you might find all too familiar.

Maybe this happened years ago for you, maybe it hasn't happened yet, maybe you had no business being in these crazy hoverships in the first place, but regardless. You're here now and it's time to brace for impact. This one will be an even bigger problem, because there's no one at the helm of these ships. It's as if they've developed a will of their own and driven themselves into one another, sending both vessels careening into the boiling sands below.

Luckily, these things are as hardy as they are ancient. They'll both need new paint jobs and extracurricular activities will be out of the question for some time, but when the dust clears, everything is mostly intact. The Gardens will fly again. Someday.

Anyway, this is your chance to mingle somewhere that isn't Midgar. Both Gardens are smushed together, accessible through Galbadia Garden's basketball court. Maybe you want to organize a search and rescue. Or start doing damage assessment and making repairs. Maybe you wanna do some figure skating on the definitely not demon-infested hockey rink. Whatever you want, congrats, you're not in Midgar anymore. ]

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[ Seifer stands by, Hyperion slung across his shoulder, as Rufus rolls down the window. He lets Rufus's reply hit him, and then bursts into snorting laughter. ]

Oh yeah. I got your gil right here, buddy.

[ The soldiers are exchanging glances behind him, unsure. That is, until Seifer lifts Hyperion again, cocking back the hammer of its pistol, the rest of his entourage drawing on Rufus too. ]

Hands up. Wouldn't want a tragic accident, now would we...?

[Rufus does get out of the car but he doesn't put his hands up. What are they going to do, shoot him? He would just come back anyway though his suit would be ruined.]

What is your plan here? Arrest me and hope I have rich friends who care about me enough to pay bail?

[He's not worried just yet. Seifer doesn't seem to realize who he is and perhaps he could talk his way out of this situation even with guns pulled on him.]

[ That IS the plan. Or at least, it looks like it is, with Seifer waving Hyperion right in Rufus's face, thumb on the trigger, blue eyes bright with malicious intent.

Until one of the soldiers clears his throat. "S-Sir, with all due respect—"

"He looks just like you!" interjects another. The rest of Seifer's entourage stiffens nervously. Seifer turns on his heel to face the one who shouted, making him crumble almost to the floor, shuddering in fear.

But then he turns back around, searching Rufus's face. ]

Huh.

[ He reaches out a gloved hand, aiming to grab Rufus by the chin and twist his head so he can see from one angle to another. ]

Like a stringy, dweeby version of me, maybe. What to do, what to do, what. To. Do.

[ His grin brightens. ]

Guess you're comin' back to base. Hey, hey, don't sweat the bail, all right? No one's comin' for ya.

[ He slaps Rufus on the back and pushes him forward, toward the guards with their lifted rifles. ]

And if they do, we're gonna riddle 'em full'a holes! Hahaha!

[Stringy? Though compared to Seifer, that may be a fair comparison. They do look strikingly similar though he decides this isn't the time to ask if he also has daddy issues that originate with the bloated monstrosity that was the late President Shinra.

Later, perhaps.]

I'll have to depend on my own charm to gain my freedom then.

[And the tracker that's in his phone that's in his coat pocket. He trusts his Turks won't run into things stupidly. He hopes. Either way, he doesn't seem to have any other choice in the matter as he's pushed forward.

Anyone who has armed guards who are clearly that are terrified of him is someone Rufus can't help but be curious about.]

So what do I owe the pleasure of your company to? Is this your way of making new friends?

Edited 2020-07-30 22:13 (UTC)

[ Lucky for Rufus, this is the one organization that is run worse than the Turks. Welcome to the Galbadian army. It's fucking stupid here. ]

We gotta wise guy on our hands, boys!

[ Seifer is already laughing his ass off. What a good little find he's wrangled up. The sorceress is gonna shit herself when she sees this one. ]

I'm askin' the questions here, punk. What's your name, huh? Where you from? And what the hell are you doing out here in the middle of Centra?

[ Because that's where they are.... Right? ]

I'm Evan Townshend. I'm from Edge.

[Sorry bro, he's not using his real name if he's not recognized. He teased Evan about Evan being his body double, now the situation is reversed.

He's never heard of Centra, he's pretty sure he didn't travel between worlds but who knew? Hopefully, the tracker would still work.]

I assume you're going to at least introduce yourself in return so I can know who holding me prisoner. I want to make sure you get credit for your work.

[Isn't he generous?]

Like you've never heard of me.

[ Perish the thought. Seifer flips out the lapels of his jacket so that it flutters dramatically behind him. He sets Hyperion across his shoulders. He tips back his head so that Rufus can behold his handsomeness in all its studly glory. ]

Seifer Almasy, the Sorceress's Knight. That's right, bitchtits. I serve the most powerful woman in the world. The same woman who could turn your heart to ice and shatter it with just a look—especially if you don't stop playin' dumb. You know what I'm asking.

[ That fierceness is back. He bares his teeth as he scowls. ]

Where are you from? Balamb? Galbadia? Fuckin' Trabia? Are you a SeeD?

Very impressive though unfortunately, those places are foreign to me. I assume you've never heard of Midgar or Edge then.

[This was troubling. Sephiroth was enough of a threat, now he had to deal with some sorceress.

He also had to reflect on the fact that whenever he was without his Turks he always seemed to be getting kidnapped or taken prisoner. There might be some kind of pattern here.]

Do I get the pleasure of meeting her in person then?

[Bitchtits- he would have to remember that to share with Reno who he was sure would appreciate that.]

Oh yeah. You're gonna meet her all right.

[ Seifer's laughing again. He can't help it. 'Meet' is a funny word for what he's got planned for Rufus. ]

I'm gonna serve you up to her like a fancy dinner.

[ But something's... wrong about this one. The places he's talking about, for one, but more than that, Rufus is so calm. Why isn't he pissing himself right now? Inquiring minds need to know. ]

You are fancy, aintcha? Barely even blinked an eye at all these guns. Either you're fucking crazy or you've got something I don't know you got.

[ He leans his lips right up to Rufus's ear. ]

I'm gonna find out though. Breakin' fancy things is a favorite hobby of mine.

Let's go with fucking crazy.

[Which is the truth and Seifer wouldn't be the first person to call him that. In fact in his experience, being called insane wasn't exactly the worst thing someone has said about him in his life.

Bitchtits does rank up there pretty high though, he's gotta give him credit for that one.]

I don't know if I'm really 'fancy'. I'm just used to being around soldiers where I live.

[Rufus was not feeling optimistic about this meeting with the sorceress though. He had been able to talk his way to surviving Mutten for two weeks by dragging things out. He wasn't sure if that was going to work with Seifer and whatever he has planned.]

I love your optimism.

Life is fuckin' grand.

[ Seifer whips a hand through the air as they cross the dunes and come upon the Garden. His entourage scatters, shouting over the radio, rushing toward the lowering gate. Beyond, steel gleams brightly in the desert sun.

Again, he shoves Rufus forward roughly, corralling him over the ramp and in through the checkpoint. No one at the gate bothers him for ID or even makes eye contact. Seifer flicks back his hair as he passes them by, smug and proud. ]

Just wait'll you see your room. All the amenities you could ever ask for: room service, continental breakfasts, private sessions with yours truly and my new favorite chocobo prod. You're gonna love it.

[Really? Was that really necessary? Rufus stumbles slightly as he's shoved forward but he manages to stay on his feet. He's quiet as he takes everything in, committing it all to memory.

It's not going to be easy for the Turks to get him here but he's glad that he has his phone still. Hopefully, either Rude or Roche would realize that he lied to them both soon. Or Reno and Tseng would return and realize he's escaped Rude's supervision. Either way, he was own his own for now.]

Personal sessions? I'm truly honored.

[He had survived Mutten and his fists. He could surely survive a chocobo prod without breaking. If Seifer thought that he was going to break so easily then he was in for a surprise.]

You should be. Now shut your stupid ass up.

[ Abruptly, Seifer grabs Rufus by the back of his hair, holding tight as he barks orders at a few soldiers patroling nearby. They detach from their unit and escort the pair of them down the hall, leading them from door to door until they finally reach the detention center.

Again, Seifer shoves him inside, but this time, there are guards pointing rifles, ready for a struggle. One of them approaches to slap a pair of cuffs across Rufus's wrists, while the other leads him toward a system of hooks and secures him to the wall by his chains. Seifer watches the process with a smirk, pulling up a chair so that he can sit the wrong way upon it with a front row view of the proceedings.

"What's he in for?" one of the guards has the gall to ask. The others go stiff with fear. ]

The hell's it matter!? Get this son of a bitch outta my face! All of you! Get the hell outta here!

[ He gives Hyperion a few good swipes through the air before he turns back to Rufus, beaming in his own twisted way. He takes a step closer, runs his thumb over Rufus's cheek, and taps him on the nose preciously. ]

Finally. Ain't it good to be alone?

[Rufus doesn't struggle, he knows he wouldn't get anywhere with these guards. At least this place seems more tastefully decorated compared to Mutten's dungeon but this was a situation that would take more than just his charming personality to escape from.]

You make this sound like a date and not an interrogation.

[He flinches slightly when Seifer runs his thumb over his cheek but doesn't look away from him.]

So what exactly are you hoping to get out of me?

Ain't about hope. It's about what I know.

[ Seifer taps his temple. So much knowledge is stored up here. All the best knowledge. You have no idea. ]

You're one of them, aincha? The White SeeDs.

[ He's still grinning, but his lips are pulled back too far, his teeth glinting. He looks feral. ]

Might as well come right out and say it now. The gig's up, loser.

[Rufus has a few options here. He could tell the truth and say that he has no idea what Seifer is talking about and clearly he's an idiot but it would just end up with them talking in circles which would get him nowhere.

No, he was going to see what information he could get from Seifer in return by playing along for a bit. Perhaps it would backfire terribly and Seifer would just kill him. Either way, it wasn't as if he had anything left to lose, really.

His expression is serious now as he makes eye contact with Seifer.]

I was hoping to keep a low profile here while I gathered information here. I wasn't counting on you being here, though.

Damn straight you weren't, you traitorous bitch.

[ Rufus is talking. That's good. But man, Seifer's so fuckin' fired up. What'll it hurt to put a little fear of god in him for his troubles.

He strikes Rufus across the face with the back of his hand. Hard enough to draw blood. His shoulders shake with manic, riotous laughter. ]

Who sent you!? Who's runnin' fuckin' operations, huh?

[Rufus couldn't help but compare Seifer's strike with Mütton's forceful blows. Seifer didn't seem to have the same precision or force but he still felt blood coming from where his teeth had cut into his lips.

At least this time he didn't have to contend with broken ribs and a broken foot at the same time. But he still had to play this right because his life depended on holding out long enough for his Turks to find him.]

We've been watching you for a while, Seifer. I'm not the only one who was sent.

[He gives Seifer a defiant look, spitting out blood.]

Lazard Deusericus sent me. He's the head of our cell.

[Getting punched hurt almost as much as referring to his stupid older brother.]

Lazard Do-what now?

[ Now we're getting somewhere. This is some real intel that he can take back to Edea. And oh, is she gonna cream her pretty purple panties when Seifer pulls this card out.

The door fwishes open again, permitting a red-uniformed lieutenant soldier inside. Seifer's grinning like a fool, waving his gunblade around, gesticulating while he talks. ]

This cell— You there! Take this down. On the double, asshole. Lazard, what? Repeat that name, bitch. 'Less you want me to hit you in your pretty little mouth again.

[ He meanders closer. Presses his elbow up against Rufus's throat. The soldier behind him advances too. Seifer is so caught up in pressing Rufus into the wall, he doesn't notice when the soldier meticulously uncaps a syringe, depresses the air within, and slams it into the side of his neck. Too late, Seifer starts flailing. The soldier knows enough of his physicality to get him down fast, away from the president, where his soaring fists can do no harm. They go down into a pile on the floor, struggling; Seifer is clearly stronger, brutish and forceful, but the soldier is agile and clever, uses all that against him to get him grinding his own jaw into the linoleum floor. ]

[Rufus only glances at the soldier but his attention is on Seifer as the other man presses his elbow against his throat. He could feel his airway constricting and he doesn't notice the syringe being jammed into Seifer's throat until the man is flailing around.

Is this some kind of coup? He's not going to let his guard down just yet since he's not sure how this will turn out for him. At least, that's his thought process when he notices something familiar about the soldier that he recognizes all too well. The fact that the soldier's first priority is to get Seifer away from him as soon as possible confirms his suspicions.

But he says nothing, keeping his expression neutral as he watches the struggle on the ground even though he could feel his heart beating hard in his throat.]

[ At some point, Seifer stops struggling so much. The drug takes command and his movements go sluggish, drifting. That doesn't seem to matter. The soldier winds back the first chance he gets for a clear shot and thunders a fist across his face with enough force to put a regular man out.

Seifer isn't regular, but he is drugged to boot. He groans as another hit comes, and then another, and another after that. By the time the soldier is done with him (presumably), his face is indiscernible from the smears of blood pooling on the ground.

The soldier stops. Takes a second to breathe. He lifts his helmet off his head and lets his dark hair fall down his back. His face is still half-obscured by the bandage covering his jaw. ]

Sir. My apologies.

[ He doesn't offer any excuses. He should have been here. Rufus should have never made it here alone, he should have never had to waste time tracking him down. But there's nothing to do now but surge forward and relieve Rufus of his bondage, holding out a hand to steady him. ]

[It's not until it's clear that Seifer is not getting up anytime soon that Rufus finally lets his expression break into a smirk, enjoying watching the pool of blood spread across the floor. He looks up at Tseng, remaining still so that the Turk could undo the chains.

His brows furrow as he takes in Tseng's appearance. He knows where Tseng got that injury from but now isn't the time to talk that over. Not when they're in the middle of what is enemy territory most likely. He takes Tseng's hand so that he could step away without tripping. His face aches, there is still blood in his mouth but it's not as severe as the injuries he had sustained at Mütton's fists.]

I knew you would find me. We should leave quickly though and return to Midgar.

[ For a moment, Tseng is quiet. He is contemplating the blood on Rufus's lips, gone still and dark with an icy anger. But this also is not the time. Whatever he needs to do for Rufus, he is going to get it done.

He nods. ]

As you wish.

[ There is a logistical issue. Rufus needs to be moved out. He also wants to move Seifer. Now that he's gotten a better look at their enemy, he almost wonders...

But regardless of who he is or who he might be, having someone to coerce into a little more information might be useful. He just needs a plan. ]

Sir.

[ Rufus, he notes, has clear skin, free of any sickness. No sores to be seen. Which means he's at least not going to collapse, probably. Which means that he might be instrumental in pulling this off. ]

How would you feel about going covert with me?

[Rufus wipes some of the blood away as it started to abate. It was going to hurt for a bit but it wasn't intolerable. He notices Tseng's dark look but there is nothing they could do about it right now.

He glances down at Seifer before nodding at Tseng's suggestion. It seems Tseng was here without any of the other Turks so even though he was currently unarmed, it didn't mean he was entirely helpless.]

I would be fine with it. What do you suggest?

[No one knew who he was- he had given Evan's name when questioned. No one would be looking for President Shinra here it seemed.]

Hang back, sir.

[ Tseng slots his helmet back on. He lets the automatic door open again and sticks his head out, whistling sharply. ]

Get in here!

[ The cadence of his voice is all wrong for him. He must have picked it up from observing operations here. Sure enough, two blue-suited soldiers come rushing into the room. They take one look at Seifer, one look at Rufus, and their heads tilt in unison. That is, until Tseng comes up from behind and knocks their heads together, disarming them of their rifles in one fluid, snapping motion. ]

Undress.

[ He says to them. To Rufus, he jerks his chin, beckoning him over. ]

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