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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. ]
no subject
He would always trust Tseng's judgment but he couldn't just sit and watch things play out since he had set everything in motion.]
I know it's not ideal but we may not have a choice eventually. I already identified myself as a SeeD operative with Evan's name. If we have someone else pose as Evan it could arouse suspicions that could endanger our plans.
[But he looks at Tseng, waiting for his reaction.]
I'm aware it's risky but I started this, I'm not going to sit by again if I can help it.
[He hated feeling helpless after being practically bound to a wheelchair and bedridden. He was still regaining a lot of his strength and endurance so sitting still was difficult for him.]
no subject
[ Tseng goes quiet. The issue is this x-factor, the sorceress. Much like Rufus purported that he would in the beginning, she rules by fear. There is no patriotism uniting her forces, no ideals, no ethical impetus. It is survivalism and that alone keeping her in power.
They have no idea the extent of that power. To put Rufus in her crosshairs is... And he's only just recovered... This is the first time in so long that Tseng has seen him so alive.
His fists clench around the steering wheel, audibly. Rufus is correct; there is nothing much that they can do now that he has already set all of this in motion. But that does not mean that he still can't be angry about it, even if his anger is just quiet and solemn and still. ]
no subject
So he let Tseng have his angry silence, not looking at him when he heard his fists clench on the steering wheel. Instead, he watches the desert pass by, he didn't remember the drive being so long when he had done it but circumstances had been different. He frowns to himself but winces when the movement pulls at the wound, apparently, Seifer had put more power into that hit than he had thought. He wondered who would win in a fistfight, Mütton or Seifer.
He would let Tseng break the silence first, slouching in the car seat to try to get comfortable.]
no subject
And then he realizes what Rufus is doing. Not speaking, not looking. He has known his president for long enough to know for a fact that everything he does is deliberate. Which means that he is serving Tseng's silence right back to him, on purpose.
That's fine. Two can play at that game. Tseng slams on the brakes, hard. ]
no subject
What the fuck-
[His eyes almost water from the sharp pain just above his eye. He reaches up to feel blood there as well. Only then does he try to figure out why Tseng would have slammed on the brakes only to find nothing around them.
He turns towards him slowly, blue eyes narrowed.]
What the hell was that for?
no subject
Cactus.
[ At least the president's talking now. Don't smile. Don't smile. Don't fucking smile. ]
You should put your seatbelt on, sir. Visibility is poor out here.
no subject
[Rufus doesn't have a mirror to see how bad the cut on his head is, his head feels like it's splitting open.
But he glares at Tseng as he yanks his seatbelt and clicks it in place.]
You did that on purpose, didn't you?
[He had the answer to that already and he could practically feel Tseng's inward smile.]
no subject
[ He reaches into his jacket for his handkerchief, offering it to Rufus. A little blood never hurt anyone, he'll live. "Any concussion you can walk away from," as the old Turk adage goes. ]
Shouldn't be much longer, sir. I've taken the liberty of gathering our forces for your arrival. As you might imagine, I found it pertinent to assemble and take stock in the wake of your brief departure.
[ He's going to shake ranks the fuck down for failing so badly in his absence. ]
Nothing you need concern yourself with, but you are free to join if you so desire. I'm sure the Renos will be happy to see you.
no subject
I'll join you, I want to see what we're working with. [Rufus with one Reno had always been bad enough, multiple Renos make things even more interesting. He's sure Tseng is going to have words for at least a couple of them though.]
Just give me a chance to clean up when we get back.
no subject
[ That's good. Tseng was worried for a second there. Not enough to not do it in the first place, but alas.
His gaze flickers, eyeing Rufus out of the corner of his periphery. ]
I assume you've nothing scheduled for the rest of the night.
no subject
[He's sure that Tseng can arrange that easily enough as well as some time for them to catch up when things have calmed down later.
After what seems to be forever the desert is starting to be broken up small trees then buildings appearing in the distance. Rufus holds the handkerchief to his head, trying to get the bleeding to stop.]
I'm sure you have a suggestion on how to spend this free night off?
no subject
Visibility must be improving, because Tseng is barely looking out the windshield anymore. He's got the steering wheel propped up against a knee to keep them coasting forward while he busies himself with something on his phone. Work shit, don't worry about it.
This time, he does smirk. Doesn't look up, but Rufus can plainly see the expression on his face. ]
I'm sure I do.
no subject
Should I drive if you're going to work?
[Rufus knows that there is a very slim chance that Tseng will actually let behind the wheel, nothing good came from that, but that wasn't his intention. It was mostly just a not so subtle hint that the last thing he wanted was for them to crash before they got to Midgar.]
no subject
I'll see you home safely, sir; no need to worry.
[ The phone is replaced in his pocket and he drapes one hand over the wheel, casting a skeptical glance at Rufus. Better? ]
You must be famished.
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I know, I was just ensuring that.
[Because of course he did.]
I am, actually. I haven't eaten anything in hours now that I've thought about it.
no subject
So I'd figured, sir. I took the liberty of ordering a banquet.
[ It would do well to leave it there, to not betray his own excitement, but he cannot. The prospect is too tantalizing. It feels like it has been an eternity since they were able to enjoy these small comforts. ]
Real food. [ He says quietly. ] Not salvaged cans and wilted jerky.
no subject
And after the last two years, he knew how exciting it would be for Tseng. It was how he had felt the first time he had been able to eat cheesecake here.]
Strawberry cheesecakes and champagne. And I assume you got that stir fry dish just as you like it.
[It wasn't just about the food, it would be sharing it with Tseng after everything they had been through.]
no subject
[ Finally, finally, they are hitting actual roads. There's pavement and sidewalks. The bridge to Midgar looms up ahead. Tseng cannot hide the grumble of his own stomach while they discuss what is on the menu. ]
I had a cheesecake delivered from that bakery on West 25th.
[ It's been two years, but Tseng still remembers that it's the only bakery that Rufus hasn't voiced a complaint about. It's also excessively expensive, but such extravagances are fine by him. He thinks that after all this time, he would like to see Rufus truly enjoy himself. ]
Gloria vetoed Wutai. She wanted that imitation Costan place. I've no inclination to argue otherwise.
no subject
He actually laughs, his mood already improved despite the mild concussion. Just the mention of his favorite cheesecake was enough for that.]
Of course, she did.
[He doesn't know anyone who argues with Gloria.]
I like that place. They have those little fried like crab dumplings that are so good.
[And which are definitely not Wutaian.]