My throne of bones

I’ve seen the photo with this extremely positive man and for some unknown reason the first image appeared in my mind…

        Has he sounded bored,         disinterested, and...         i n d i f f e r e n t ?

Rufus, on the contrary, would have said it was never fast enough. Every meetings with his father was a reminder of his own lacking. This was why a moment like this with his mother seemed like a treasure to the boy. 

Of course, it seemed natural that his father would disapprove. 

“ Mother…? ” 

        “ I was informed that a planned visit to Cosmo Canyon,           may I come as well? ” 

For that one single moment, Rufus was nearly tempted to raise a quizzicle brow. He dared say all the cogs coming to construct his mind had yet to comprehend any of the relation he had with the late President Shinra in that regard. You see, that old man was simply one lousy boss and worse as a father.

No. Rufus doesn’t miss him. His only regret is that he has never gotten the chance the finish the job himself. He brushes away one straying lock. His icy orbs regarded silently the other who might as well be his twin in terms of complexion. “ Dark Nation. ” It took no more than a whisper for his hound to come to his side. the motion soon followed by one upraised arm where the length of his barrels now came pointing precisely at the intruder. 

                “ Give yourselves up then,                       and we don’t have to do this. ” 

    “ Snr’s passing was a complication.          While I regret it immensely,          I believe that he would have agreed          with my judgement that          there’s no better time than now. ”

    “ Give up, or give in – your choice. ”

So cold.

It was true that he himself thought the President’s passing was rather an unexpected surprise (he was a big snoot to him a couple of days prior anyway). But he didn’t care either way if the tycoon was still breathing or not. They infiltrated the building in search of Aeris and before they could leave, things… happened. There was even a big cat with fire on his tail – who talks, mind you – in this party right now… that, in itself should already put his internal alarm on red alert.

But as of yet, he still hadn’t had time to digest everything that was happening. He was running purely on adrenaline. They needed to leave – they needed to find the man with the black cape.

But of course, their plan was not going to go smoothly.

The young president wears his ice as effectively as he would an armour. He finds his decision to more reliable when he distances himself. ‘Giving himself a better vantage at seeing the big picture’, he often tells himself. And he thus believes so. 

Not even the plan to overthrow the former president had been conceived out of spite. Rather, it was an attempt at self-preservation. 

As Snr. once said, ‘A man who allowed himself to be stripped off his dignity is no longer one.’ Every moment spent beneath Snr.’s reign had been a struggle to maintain his own self. 

            And deep down,             Rufus knows,             it was only a matter of time             before someone missteps. 

                    He has no plan to be that man. 

A prolonged battle leads to exhaustion; exhaustion leads to miscalculation; and the weight of his father’s mercy is as heavy as the air he breathes. All things considered, it is just a natural and logical response to strike first.... 

      -- which is his plan at the moment. 

    “ She... ”, corrected Rufus. The pleasant smile that uncurled across handsome countenance as Rufus’ briefly averted his gaze toward her could be said to have mirrored closely that of a proud lover. “ -- can certainly handle you. ” Almost as if in response to that compliment would the giant hybrid nudge its muzzle against Rufus’ hand, hand that moved now to pet the crown before Rufus looked back. The brief display of affection came to a stop as the hound crouched forward, low growl rumbling forth as both lips and ears peeling back. 

Said sunglasses delicately wiped with a velveteen cloth pinched gently between gloved digits, he takes the utmost care with each pair in his possession; they always appeared to be a topic of conversation at one point or another.

Many commenting on his appearance, ranging from ‘dark and mysterious’ to ‘silly’ - the last in regards to wearing them constantly while indoors, though no one ever stopped to ask why he did so. And he never felt the need to explain himself where an explanation was not needed. Usually.

“You are correct: but these are a medical prescription, not a luxury, sir.” Momentary pause of silence as the Turk tucked the fabric away neatly in the breast pocket of his suit jacket, arms falling and hands coming to gravitate towards his back where they cradled themselves in one another.

If Rufus had to choose one word to describe the near-muted, he supposes ‘imposing’ would have been one coming to the forefront of Rufus’ mind which was why Rude and Reno seemed a perfect combination. 

            { At least to me at first glance. } 

Flame and stone – they complemented one another. It was Tseng’s decision Rufus’ no plan to override. 

                            { – yet. } 

    “ Then attach the doctor’s prescription with the request.        Otherwise, this is going to be rejected. ” 

The blond handed back the questionable paper in his hand. Tented fingers provided a resting place for chin to shift forward. Each of the the other’s movements appeared to scream the Turk’s own conscientious nature. A quiet hum sounded from Rufus’ pale throat soon resolved into another stream of consciousness. Rufus may not meet fully the eyes behind those shade but it did not mean he had not at least tried.

                “ Your codename is ‘Rude’, isn’t it?                    Do tell me, is it consider ‘rude’ around here                    to ask how did someone come to find                    themselves working for the Department of                    Administrative Research…? ”  

Who say ghosts don’t make a sound? The wraith just beyond Rufus’ door surely did. Normally, Donna, his secretary, is more adequate at keeping all the hungry hounds at bay. But again, they both know what this bout of rage was about, and Rufus had specifically instructed Donna to stand aside this time. 

He was bading his two visitors his goodbye when the event came unfolding. { Hah! Have a good luck looking like a fool then for the door was just about to be opened. It wasn’t really locked before. } “ And that, I believe, is my next appointment. Have a good day, gentlemen. “ He gave them one last shake of his hands before settled back into his seat. His curious mind cannot help but be excited at how this game is going to play out.  

 No emotion were to be shown saving for a small quirk of brow. This soon eased into a smile. 

        { Boobs. } 

            { Probably works from some expensive clinic in Junon...                Probably caused three months worth of salary for each piece too. }

Being an only son to one of the most powerful reunions in the world certainly could have such an effect. Besides, the fact that he had but all obtained his parents’ look only meant Rufus was a real golden hair and blue eyed champion.

It was a perfect Greek tragedy awaiting to happen, rather. Some days Rufus could be bored enough to entertain such a thought. The young Vice president only threw his gaze once across his shoulder in acknowledgement of the drink being served, and only when he had secured the crystalline container within his hand would the silver haired general’s name escaped his lips. “ General, or is it too acquainted of me to call you by your first name? ” Akin to the look he portrayed, the drawl out baritone betrayed no feeling.

But that was just another bite craftily placed, wasn’t it? It is a common knowledge that Shin-Ra’s most prized hero possesses no such thing as trivial as a surname. Rufus nursed the drink in his hand, keeping his gaze ahead at the crowd of fools that is his father’s associates and business partners. Seconds more passed before he took a sip.

Rufus enjoys his drama, but he doesn’t think this is yet the point of revelation.

“ Admittedly, I had not expected your presence. Your attendance records had been quite… ” At this, he allowed glance to be stolen. “ –commendable. Nevertheless, ” The languid look returned once more that he went back to nurse the drink in his hands.

    “ – you look good in a suit. ”

Ultimately, he hardly minded what Rufus might call him.  Maybe it was the fact that he wasn’t a power figure, wasn’t in direct control of him; his name on the young man’s lips wouldn’t place that tension between his shoulders that the men who gave orders were responsible for.  Particularly the president.  He wondered what kind of company they were keeping in each other, president’s sword and son.

And then the obvious was pointed out.  Sephiroth almost smirked, but resisted.  Even after the compliment.  Especially after the compliment; he found them all hard to believe, impossible to take at face value.  But with all of the effort being placed on keeping his metaphorical mask on–

If the silver haired general will not give Rufus his answer, then don’t mind him if he decided to make his own decision, hm? He raised the glass to his lips. For a fleeting moment, the glass was left hanging just fore his mouth as he, himself, was taken over by the curiosity about the transpiring situation just before his eyes. “ -- as you should call me, Rufus. Today’s a social gathering after all, and ‘Vice President’ sounds rather too formal for those who may share a drink. Do you drink? At least get a glass to appear blended in. I find that sometimes people are less incline to engage you in a conversation that way. ” 

It was probably around five seconds before he took a sip. The fold of his well-tailored suit bunched up against the counter as body fully relaxed back. He knew he probably should not have talked so much from the start. It did defeat the whole purpose of his statement just then, didn't it? Rufus contemplated the possibility of him being more nervous than he, himself, was willing to admit and swiftly dismissed it. 

Maybe he simply was transfixed by the  currently unfolding scene before him that he felt the obligation to fill the gap in this silence. 

                Scarlet,                 Reeve Tuesti,                 ...and a careless moment of stolen intimacy                 -- who would have thought? 

Rufus carefully filed that particular knowledge to the back of his mind. This was to be later explored to his use. Tonight, however, he has another to bait. The pale hue of his blue orbs reflected faintly the chamber’s ambient as gaze was stolen sideways, catching a glimpse of his companion’s amusement just then. 

        { And would you look at that, the supposed puppet is, after all, just a man. } 

He felt the ice in his glass slowly melted away, making a soft clink against the crystal container’s smooth surface inside his palm.

    “ Oh, do tell.        We have the entire night to ourselves after all.        Might as well amused ourselves to the best ability we can. ” 

Rufus tipped his head toward the all too-familiar burly form belonging to one Hiedegger. The man was always in his pompous green military suit. A flash of a smile on Rufus’ lips arrived as naturally as the gesture of his glass in silent greeting, and a whisper craftily dropped in between.