#liifestreams

@turkoftheslums​ asked: You know I *have* to pick B1. Reno deserves to feel happy and to laugh @liifestreams​ asked: 1B, because just. Laughing Reno

[Pinning meme from @liifestreams’ Rude.]

Send “NO” to pin my muse against the wall to PROTECT THEM.

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Thera ... disliked when the Turks interfered with her work. As it happened she disliked it when anyone from the upper echelons came poking around where they had no clue, but the Turks ... well, the Turks had a reputation, didn’t they? Several reputations, depending on who you talked to, ranging from elite soliders to the President’s mindless drones.

But still ... it was better than an Exec. And at least this one was quiet, seeming to listen to her instead of preferring the sound of his own voice. Even if he wasn’t going to like what she was about to say.

“It’s a fake.” She was standing with hands on hips, studying a wall somewhere in the subterranean tunnels beneath Sector 4. “I mean ...” A hand waved at the symbols scrawled in the concrete wall, “whoever did this learned the figures from a modern translation rather than an original text.” She peered at a particular squiggle and gave a snort. “I can name you the textbook they got it from and probably which edition - !”

It was at that exact second - later on she’d realise she’d seen a shadow moving where one shouldn’t be, but in the moment that connection between eyes and brain didn’t have time to link up; instinct flared DANGER, and she was moving - only to be caught by the Turk’s gloved hand and bundled back between him and the wall.

He watched the President fidget.  Rufus's eyes were distant, and Reno could see the gears turning behind them.  He couldn't imagine the kind of strain he was facing.  Oh, he knew damn well how to work under pressure, but it was of a completely different sort.  The Turks worked in the shadows.  The only public face of their work was the suits, which meant that standing around looking intimidating was all that was required for “public appearances”.  No fancy speeches required.  Reno might be good at shooting his mouth off on the fly, but he doubted he'd ever be able to stand in front of a crowd and say anything coherent or inspiring.  Well, he might be able to do it better than Rude, at any rate.

Rufus suddenly changed posture, causing Darkstar to look up quizzically. Finally, he began to speak, an attempt at some sort of greeting. Reno considered suggesting my dearest fuckos, but that probably wouldn't go over very well.  Instead, he made himself comfortable against the railing, storm-gray hues still flicking from the President to the surroundings ever so often.  Below, the waves continued their unending crashing.

   “More than I am, yo.”  It was, an honest assessment.  “The only thing I remember 'bout speeches and shit is beginning, middle, and end.  And uh... supporting examples.”  He shook his head.  “Or maybe that was essays...”  Rufus turned away again, and soon his voice rose above the sound of the ocean below.  The more he spoke, the more he seemed to change right there in front of him.  Had it been anyone else, Reno would have rolled his eyes, knowing the words to be written by someone who didn't actually give a damn.  But Rufus was speaking from the heart, and the words were his own.  That was clear.

Hell, he almost felt inspired or something.  The idea of a Shinra that was out to help, really help... Reno knew he wasn't a good person.  He knew, when he signed up for the Turks, that he'd be doing terrible things, though never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined how terrible.  And yet... given the choice, he'd rather help than harm. Picking fights had its charms, but hurting innocent people... He hated it.  Working in the field, collecting intel, that was the Turks he knew and loved.  The crap the old man and his cronies had forced on them made Reno's blood boil.  Maybe Rufus really would change things.

Once Rufus's voice had died away, Reno straightened, tucking the EMR beneath his arm to clap his gloved hands.  “Heeeey, that wasn't too bad, yanno?  I think I got like, a feeling or something.”  He grinned.  “That sounds like the kinda thing people'll eat right up, yo.”  He paused, mulling over the words.  Health, education, housing, food.  Hell, it sounded fantastic.  But would Rufus follow through?  Could he?  Fire flashed before his eyes, and he could hear the sound of grinding metal.  Reno flinched suddenly, though he pulled himself together swiftly.  “Yeah...”

A voice made Andrea stop in his tracks in the entryway to the Honeybee in. It wasn’t as though the voice called him by name but something in the tone stopped the six foot man in his tracks. He turned slowly and caught the eyes of a little woman. Eyes that looked oh so familiar to him. He balked, he wasn’t going to lie. He actually back-stepped slightly.

The resemblance between her and the man he went home to most nights was absolutely striking. Though himself and Reeve hadn’t been together that long, Andrea found comfort in his presence so preferred to be with him rather than on his own in the evenings when he wasn’t working. This woman though, Andrea could tell she’d be a little fire-cracker. 

“Y-yes Ma’am. “

Was what he answered, damn near doing a salute. One of the bees whispered something about him getting ‘mum’d’ while the receptionist laughed about the over protective mother telling Andrea Rhodea off. Or rather giving him his orders at any rate.