Urban Development

When the man - Reeve - started talking, all Rufus could think was, ‘At least he didn’t kneel down.’ Sure, that was probably something that he planned up - something to make him feel more comfortable. But it really didn’t seem like he wanted to deal with this either - honestly. The little argument with his father was more than enough proof of that. Maybe…just maybe Rufus could afford to let his guard down a little bit. 

“Alright, let’s leave. But the moment you begin to treat me as some sort of child, I will leave on my own.” As if he had that capability. Of course, it might just get this man fired too - the thought at being able to have even a little power over an adult filled Rufus up with glee, though. So, he would be fine, this time. This man would be just good enough. 

Without any further hesitation, Rufus turned heel and began to walk himself to the elevator, head held as high as it always was. He hardly wanted to seem even the slightest bit weak. He wanted to give off that impression of adult elegance and knowledge. “So, Reeve. What is it that you do? Father hardly lets me know any of the business that occurs here, even though I want to. So, you should tell me, if you want to attempt to be friendly.” 

He was doing his best to sound like a young businessman, not a child. He hoped it didn’t come away as silly. 

Reeve had heard rumors about Rufus Shinra. From secretaries and assistance who had been paid to babysit him when the President brought him to work and inevitably decided he didn’t want the kid around. Most of the women went home incredibly angry or sobbing. Some of them had been fired, he knew, having consoled them. Why him?

But this was a child. Who was trying to seem older than his age. He could handle this. Probably. “Of course.” He let him lead. Maybe he was humoring him a little bit, but he was 13. It was probably fine.

She nodded quietly and listened to him speak. It was odd to have so much in common with a man a good deal older than her. But she supposed she had always been an old soul. At least that’s what her grandparents used to say. Though that could be due to her growing up much faster than a child should have to. 

Isae was going to be really honest with herself for a moment. She wished Cait Sith would come sit on her lap so she could pet him herself. There was something about the cat that brought a comfort to the home which by all means should feel uncomfortable. 

Oddly enough, she felt the most at peace than any other living situation she’d been in thus far. 

“Oh yeah. Of course I can do that. It shouldn’t be too difficult, as long as he doesn’t absolutely hate the harness.” She responds softly, looking forward to the one on one time with the cat. “So around 6 or 7 in the evening? I tend to take a walk around that time anyways.”

“He doesn’t mind at all. I think I trained him well enough.” Reeve laughed gently and smiled as Cait Sith grumbled at him. He watched the cat get up and move to the quieter of the two, curling up in her lap and purring to get her attention.

“It seems he likes you more than me right now.” Reeve leaned forward just a bit, resting his elbows on his knees. “Early evening, yes. I know I tend to work later than I usually plan to, so I appreciate it.” He clapped his hands on his knees and stood.

        Sephiroth took a moment to weigh his level of hunger and found, to his surprise, that he was. The SOLDIER took great pains in dehumanizing himself that he was always startled by natural, human bodily reactions. He took a sharp intake a breath and weighed his options; he could be caught if he spent too much time outside the labs. On the other, he no longer cared and he had suggested the trip.

No backing out now, he had fought far more challenging battles. A late dinner with a perfect stranger would hardly be a struggle. It would provide him with company, a living breathing human and not some hulking monstrosity in a cage. 

“I could use a meal,” He concluded, the variables in his head rolling around like demented marbles. It made him wonder, even briefly, what his mother would do in the situation. Would Jenova gracefully reject Reeve and insist on the fast coffee break? What would her laughter sound like?

He stood slowly, his languid motion from years of training, silver hair quick to fall from his face and over his shoulder like a waterfall. “I can pay, Director.”

Reeve could tell by the pause before Sephiroth responded that the boy had indeed not eaten. Goodness, if only Reeve could get him away from Hojo. No one deserved to be treated as the scientist treated Sephiroth.

He stacked his papers carefully, tapping them against his desk to align them properly, and set them aside. “Perfect.” He smiled and stood, not nearly as gracefully as Sephiroth, but at least there was no cat robots trying to trip him up this time.

She pulled her knees up to her chest and looked at the man now cradling the cat. Isae contemplated how strangely well their living situation ended up being. Neither of them bothered the other terribly, she liked having a cat around. And they both kept odd quiet hours. She propped an elbow up on the arm of her chair and rest her chin on it.

“Most people don’t but I’m not really most people. And neither are you so it seems.” He moved to the couch and her gaze followed quietly. Her well loved copy of The Secret Garden now tucked between her side and the chair. 

“Yes it is. Its an old favorite of mine. I tend to reach for it when I find myself in new places. Helps me grow accustomed to them.” 

“Work keeps me late sometimes. It’s the curse of working where I do but at least late nights are quiet in the office.” The other department heads didn’t like staying late, barring Hojo. But Reeve was pretty sure Hojo lived in his labs so that was kind of a moot point.

Reeve nodded as she spoke. “It’s good to have something familiar in an unfamiliar situation. Cait Sith does that for me. Once he gets acclimated, I know that I’m home. Of course, he doesn’t take too long to do so. As long as he gets fed I don’t think he cares where we live.”