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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. ]
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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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.
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[ 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?
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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.]
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[ 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. ]
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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.]
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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. ]
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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.
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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?
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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.]
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[ 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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He joins Tseng, rifles in hand in just case one of the guards decides to get a brilliantly stupid idea. He thinks he knows what Tseng has planned so he nods, turning to watch the guards.]
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They'll do for now.
[ One of the soldiers offers him the discarded uniform. Tseng kicks him back down to the floor and offers it to Rufus in kind. ]
I'll help. They're a little tricky, sir.
[ The other solider lifts a hand. Tseng kicks it back down, crushes his palm into the linoleum floor with a muffled crunch, and strolls up behind Rufus to assist him. ]
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[Rufus sets the rifle well out of range of any guard, smirking as Tseng just crushes the palm of one of the guards. He starts unbuttoning his coat- a pity to lose it but he has other, nicer ones and this one has blood on it from where it dripped down from his lips.
The jacket along with his shirt is placed aside as he takes the uniform. It's going to be a bit of a tight fit but should work enough for their purposes.]
I think you might have permanently crippled his hand.
[But he's amused- for all that he's trying to rebuild Shinra's image, it's important that there are consequences for anyone who takes action against them.]
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He'll live.
[ Literally the flattest observation ever made. He has more important tasks at hand. Zipping, buckling, adjusting the president into this uniform. He lifts the helmet, but pauses.
Job or not, he's still Tseng. Before he covers Rufus's face, he wipes the blood from it with a gentle sweep of his thumb. It's not just a tender gesture; his thumb immediately goes into his own mouth, and his lips curl as he licks it down. ]
Sir.
[ The helmet comes down, snaps in the back. Now all that's left is to struggle lifting Seifer, who is the heaviest fucking person Tseng thinks he has ever met. ]
The door, please, if you will.
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Alright, focus.
He takes the helmet from Tseng and puts it on.]
Of course.
[He grabs the rifle before going to hold the door open for Tseng. He's sure that Tseng won't let Seifer off so easily but he hopes that he's able to at least enjoy the show while he can.]
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Which is exactly what happens. He steps out into the hall cautiously, slinging Seifer over his shoulders like he's carting home a drunk buddy. The moment he does, casting his gaze down the hall to ascertain whether people are going to come running up to demand an explanation, he hears a piercing scream. Several soldiers pass them by without sparing a glance their way.
Tseng wastes no time pressing the advantage. He spares a glance at the place where they're all gathered, around a door. Riotous shrieks are emanating from behind it. He sees several of the soldiers exchanging high fives.
It's very difficult to keep his eyes from rolling. ]
This way, sir.
[ He grunts under Seifer's formidable weight and leads them to the entrance. Still no guards. Tseng isn't about to shed caution now, though. ]
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Guess this guy wasn't as a big deal as he bragged he was or no one really gave a shit about him enough to see what was wrong with him now that he was knocked out. But he's still ready even though a rifle wasn't the best weapon in an enclosed space like a hallway so the faster they were out of here the better.]
I'm right behind you.
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They're not stopped at the gate, either. It's not until they get to the Galbadian armored truck that someone passes by and glances up at Tseng curiously. Without waiting to be asked, Tseng says: ]
Drunk.
[ "He even old enough to drink?" the soldier asks him. Tseng shrugs, he shrugs, and the soldier keeps walking. ]
As you can see, sir...
[ he says, opening up the door, first for Rufus, and then to stuff Seifer into the back. ]
... operations are very lax under this regime. They are guided not by a centralized power, but by their fear of that power.
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[He pulls himself into the truck easily after Tseng opens the door for him, slipping the safety back on the gun before resting it on his lap. They aren't free yet, he's not going to relax just yet.
He glances to the back seat to see Seifer stuffed there like a large stuffed toy. He hoped that if Seifer wakes up that he'll be in a great deal of pain.]
I notice the guards were scared of him but once he's unconscious, they don't seem to show any real concern or regard for his fate. I think you could dump him in a ditch and no one would even want to come looking for him.
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What Rufus says is perfectly on point. Seifer's people fear him, but they don't care for him. He is as powerful as he is erratic. Likely difficult to control, but this sorceress has managed somehow. For any power to deploy him would be a great risk.
Tseng is very interested in great risks. ]
No reason for him to uphold previous loyalties then, is there?
[ He casts a quick glance at Rufus. This is something that he is quickly learning that he cannot live without. Their collaborative efforts before their abrupt arrival in this place, it'd always felt like they were running out of time, like each moment brought them closer and closer to their last. But here, with Rufus's skin clean and clear and under control? At last, they are free of that looming threat to the one thing that makes all of this worth it, the one thing left fighting for when all they've ever known has been reduced to ash and rubble. ]
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But now- he saw a look from him that he hadn't seen in years. Not since before he reached a point where he couldn't hide his illness from Tseng. He had been living each moment as if it were the last for the last two years because there was a very real possibility that could be the case. Every cough, every time he threw up black bile, every seizure- he had held onto each second.
Looking at Tseng, he saw unspoken possibilities between the two of them.]
No one will be coming to rescue him.
[After all of Seifer's bravado and boasting, it was rather pathetic and actually sad but Rufus didn't pity him.]
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[ Tseng agrees. However important Seifer thinks he is, however important he believes he is to the cause that he serves, he's little more than cannon fodder. Tseng himself has seen it a thousand times. It is one of the foundational tenets of the SOLDIER program, after all—a siren song of glory and renown that quickly crumbles away once their use to the company has been thoroughly expended.
He wonders if that puts himself and Rufus on par with Heidegger. Another look at Rufus and he cannot think anything of the sort. What they are, it is as solid as it is unique. ]
When he has been properly rebuked for his misconduct, perhaps we will see about redirecting his passions. Had it not been for the serum and a false sense of security, I believe your extraction would have been a sight more difficult.
[ Which. You know what. He's not going to be pissed about the fact that he had to come here alone. He'll let the glacial rage in his eyes simmer, breathe out the fog of frustration and disappointment. ]
We can utilize that difficulty.
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He raises his eyebrows, curious.]
How so? At the very least, he can be a useful source of information whether he intends to be or not. He said his name was Seifer along with a whole bunch of other things I really didn't pay attention to.
[Since it had been clear that Seifer was just bragging for the sole sake of bragging and none of it had meant anything to Rufus.]
He asked me about being something called Seed-Seeds? I lied and told him I was Evan and that my brother Lazard was running the operation.
[Considering what happened with SOLDIER, he's pretty sure Lazard's capabilities of running any kind of operation was almost non-existent.]
He had no idea who I was.
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[ That's Tseng's response to that. Let's not talk about how fed up he is with his men's shit right now. It's a project he's going to dive right back into the second he's free. And here he thought he'd be able to sleep off some of these fucking torture wounds. Oh well.
He'd rather listen to how Rufus played Seifer—under extreme duress, at that. Sure, he's been kidnapped and tortured enough times to not really be fazed by the whole process, but it's still something to hear it like this. It truly drives home for Tseng why he made that decision two years ago, when everyone thought him dead and he could very well have left that hospital bed for literally anywhere else.
But he'd come here. And this is why. ]
Excellent work, sir.
[ It's really the least he could do as far as affirmations go, but he's driving. He'll show Rufus how much he really appreciates him when he's not concerned with blowing out the tires on a stray cactus. ]
SeeD is the Garden's military force. As far as I have been able to understand it, they operate independent of any government. They are, essentially, a mobile army of mercenaries. You can imagine how that might prove valuable.
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Since neither Lazard nor Evan seems to be in this world, we can use their identities for some time. We can let him believe SeeD is really here and pulling strings under Lazard's command.
[This is most likely the only useful thing his brother has done in his entire life and he wasn't even alive.]
He was trying to extract information from me but I'm sure we'll get far more use out of him in the end. It will be interesting to see how far he's willing to go to stop SeeD for this sorceress of his.
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