...before the world bows at your feet.
Indie Rufus Shinra roleplay blog.
{No art is mine unless stated otherwise. }
What?
Was this an illusion? Some nightmare? A prank? Rufus could not figure out what had come over the Remnant when he felt the youth’s hand on his chin, tipping it up. He locked eyes with the man and froze as the other completed his action. A mix of confusion, disgust, and sheer curiosity cycled through him as Kadaj pulled away. He cleared his throat and pushed himself back away from the Remnant a few inches.
“What…?”
“No, I don’t believe that would be necessary. But, thank you, sir.” He let out a soft laugh before shrugging.
“Then may I know why you are standing in my office?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice, though? For this all to end…”
The young silver suddenly went quiet, his thoughts drifting. His life, his entire meaning was to find Mother, to end the world. Not only would he cease to exist, but so would everything else. How distressing it became, having such a purpose.
“The Lifestream is a rather quiet place, Rufus. Sometimes, I wonder if I would return there, were He to be revived.”
“Wouldn’t it be nice, though? For this all to end…”
“No-“
Yes. No more pain. No more sadness. No more anything. Just silence…
“-we humans have so much to live for, having only begun our journey. To stop now would be a waste of all our efforts,” Rufus concluded, leaning back in his chair. Somehow, it all made sense. He could sens Kadaj’s darkened thoughts and looked down at his hands, his dying skin.
“I wouldn’t know. I have never been to the lifestream, and I really don’t know how it works save what I have read….”
“I’ve got a rough idea where we’re going. Just stick close and we’ll get out.” The sounds of the ride were getting louder, Reno could distinguish from the sounds of the cackling ghosts and the creaking sounds of the ride.
Rufus nodded, though he knew Reno could not see him, and stepped closer to the red-head, not intending on getting left behind again. He held firm on Reno’s hand, his eyes slowly adjusting as he heard the whir of the machines around them.
We’ll get out….we’ll be okay.
“King and Queen, a pair.” She noted aloud, shrugging a shoulder at the blond. “When we put it like that the melodrama is already expected.” Part of her wanted to hold her tongue, considering that she had just called the Director and herself a pair, especially a pair such as a king and queen. There was no kingdom here, the kingdom of childhood had been dead for a long time— but she would not dwell on such thoughts, no. She would enjoy her afternoon with the Director, even if she had to force a smile if and when he became incredulous. Part of her, yearned for him not to be the man the papers wrote on so often— in her time spent with the man she’d come to the sad realisation that her own dislike and hatred for this man’s father had disillusioned her and had not allowed her to get to know the man that he possibly could be.
After all he did fund the WRO— there would be no shame in being friends with the WRO’s benefactor.
“All three of them need bells, I make too much noise and they not enough. Swanning into my office and not making a peep, sometimes Reeve will scare me half to death, but I suppose that’s just how he’s always been— childlike, quiet, intelligent and exuberant.” Lips curved at the mention of her employer, her infatuation for the man becoming more of a deep respect. Part of her always would care for the man who’d give so much to see prosperity in the world, but perhaps standing by his side would be the only thing she could do. Tugging the duster into place she finally scooped up the black bag by the door and took up the arm that was so graciously given. She had tensed at the brushing of his fingers across the bare nape of her neck, pale skin that was sensitive and while she had let go some of the tension, she could feel the unease rising in the pit of her stomach.
Perhaps he still wasn’t the best choice in escort, but there was no reason to not give the man a chance. There were a few looks, Doctor Rui on the arm of Director Rufus Shinra would be something to turn heads, but she paid it no mind. It simply wasn’t their place to gawk— and she knew when they were behind the closed doors of the lift more of her tension would fade away and the prying eyes would be gone and privacy restored for the briefest of moments.
The sliding of the metal gate eased her mind until Rufus spoke up, and she was put on the spot. “The back of my neck, when you helped me into my coat, it’s a tactile response along with the prying eyes of the company— tension is on the rise, I’ll be just fine.”
“What is life without a little drama? When you fall from buildings, get shot at, and are required to have body guards to keep you from dying on a daily basis, it seems getting coffee with a co-worker might need to be spiced up.”
Though….normalcy…..
“But, a pair is much, much better-“
Than being alone….
He fell silent, starting to feel something he hadn’t felt in a long time around someone else. He felt like an idiot. He should have something to say, something intelligent or clever, but he just stared at the paneling on the sides of the elevator. He wondered if this was why he had no friends.
“Maybe it’s something we can invest in,” he murmured, “bells for silent employees.”
He felt out of place, like an observer who got too lonely and now wanted to be the center of attention because he was tired of hiding on the sidelines. He wondered if she was just humoring him, and began to ponder why she had not just turned him down right off.
“Reeve is a good man,” he said, watching the numbers tick down, “smart, understanding, though a bit timid some days when it comes to making critical decisions…”
He closed his eyes, listening to her speak. He sighed, nodding his head.
“Well, I apologize for the discomfort,” he said simply, “but the contact was merely coincidental. I just wanted to help you get your coat on.”
I sound like an idiot.
