(no subject)
Who: Rufus Shinra, Maria Tegawa
Where: Hospital!!
Maria Tegawa, Interplanetary Attorney General, was supposed to be released by midday! Unfortunately, the staff had /insisted/ that she remain a second night so they could monitor her injuries. It's irritating because she knows she's been in far worse a place and with far more exotic wounds. They claim that she had lost a lot of blood.
Yet Maria feels fine. Bored, she sits up in her hospital bed, reading through A Midsummer Night's Dream. The television bolted to a bracket in the corner of the room is turned to one of the myriad versions of CNN. While it doesn't look like Maria is paying attention to the TV, she is, just like she's paying attention to the iPhone nestled in the blankets of the hospital bed she sits on.
She may or may not be using her divine multitasking powers to scribble thoughts down in preparation for a new novel.
Rufus Shinra, President of Shinra Electric Power Company, had been heavily occupied for last two weeks. Rather than the Hub, he'd spent much of his time on his own home plane shoring up resources and ensuring the trade lines between their world and Creation were as efficient as possible while also overseeing the construction of a new airship fleet by the World Regensis Organization and some promising new scientific research. Once he felt those tasks were running to his satisfaction the President returned..just in time to be briefed on the recent skirmish with the Black Alliance in which Maria was injured.
Really, she seemed to have a knack for winding up in such situations. The CEO was certainly not averse to putting himself in the line of fire when the situation called for it but to do so with such frequency and, in his opinion, without necessity...well, it was a frame of action he had a hard time matching with her other qualities. Still, professional courtesy called for some sort of gesture, and considering the gift basket they sent when she returned from capture was lost in the mail he might as well handle this one personally.
A knock at the door, which will open a crack to reveal the inquistive face of one of the nurses, "Miss Tegawa?" She queries, ensuring the DA is both decent and awake, "You have a visitor."
Long distance to Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric: Rufus Shinra hey no explosions!!
Though as Rufus noticed at the party in Creation, Maria usually willingly puts herself into such situations and involves herself in "field work." It was practically second nature to her after all, having harbored a double life as a slayer of titanspawn for nearly a decade of her life. It felt as if it was her duty to directly intervene in such matters rather than sending her 'minions' to deal with it. Of course, Rufus probably knew very little of her before her rise to power in the IPA.
"Hmm?" Maria answers the nurse without looking up from the play. "Send them in." She shuts the book, not even bothering to mark it because she had already memorized the page number she left off on.
Her face turns to watch the door, curious to see who tonight's visitor is. Ravi would have called.
From afar (to Ravikiran Srivastava and Rufus Shinra), Maria Tegawa (Maria) scrolls up after posing. "..."
Perhaps. In general, the President make it his business to know what he can about the major players in a given scenario. Once came to the position she currently holds, it's not far-fetched that Rufus may have made use of his considerable resources to obtain an extensive dossier on her and those she closely associates with. What he finds, of course, would depend on what's available, as he wouldn't wish to arouse suspicion by probing to deeply, for now. Still, her actions were indeed par for the course, but seemed nothing less of an incongruity to the President. Ah well, she seemed to walk away anyways.
With the attorney consent, the nurse's face vanishes and in strides the President as if he'd just come from a high-powered board meeting. As always, his professional white suit is kept immaculately clean, complementing the varied scarlet hues wrapped in a bouquet of pleasant-smelling flowers he carries. Their natural scent mixes with Rufus' own lightly applied cologne to produce an aroma most would fine pleasant, but not overwhelming.
"Miss Tegawa." Blue eyes regard her with no undue amount of fondness, his smile appeasingly genuine, "My congratulations on the successful extermination of the Black Alliance forces...and condolences on the IPA agents lost in the process. A terrible business, battle." He'll cast an observant eye about for a flower pot or some such, also nothing her condition and the TV, "I trust you won't be held here for long?"
Rufus could potentially dig up some interesting things on Maria-she appears in almost a year's worth of past reports. There are also tons of rumors floating around the IPA about what she can do ranging from the true 'Maria Tegawa can detect a lie.' to the not-so-true 'Maria Tegawa can smell fear.' Nothing definite on that exists due to Maria's intervention.
An eyebrow lifts as the ShinRa president decides to make an appearance with flowers no less. "Mr. Shinra." she greets with the slightest hint of confusion in her voice. "Mmm, yes, that. Very unfortunate indeed. To be honest, I'd hardly consider it much of a victory. Our opponents were undead and I know that Millennium is fully capable of producing more if needed."
She seems lightly bandaged with gauze wrapped around a hand and several places on her arm. Otherwise, she's in one piece and in good health. Rufus, unfortunately, will be a bit out of luck if he's looking for a vase. There is one resting on a windowsill but it's a small thin-necked vase best suited for single flowers and not a whole bouquet. "Frankly, I was supposed to be released this afternoon but the doctors insisted I stay the night. I made them swear that they would release me tomorrow morning."
Rumors and word-of-mouth were troublesome at best as sources of information, some of what was said about Maria could be obviously discarded, but Rufus had run afoul of enough people with superhuman abilities in his own world, much less others, not to treat everything else with a respectable sense of caution. If possible, he'd prefer the attorney as an ally (Which shouldn't be hard in theory, considering they are members of the same organization) but would accept her as a foe if necessary, however formiddable she might be.
For now, though? It was time to play nice.
"No..." The President concurs with a thine flattening of his lips, noting there is indeed no receptacle for the bouquet, "Nor would I, to be honest. Victory is measured not in how much of the enemy you destroy, but what advantages you obtain over them. They are not always one and the same." And from what Rufus read of preliminary reports, the IPA had not gained much of anything relevant over the shadowy organization besides depriving them of personnel; A mutual achievement. "Nonetheless, I am glad to hear you will be discharged soon. I've never enoyed overlong hospital stays, myself." And boy, does he know them. Absent of anywhere else to play the, he'll prop the bouquet against the wall atop a nearby nightstand, "A get-well token, though I suppose it was unnecessary with you being released so soon.."
Playing nice is definitely a valued approach for Tegawa, especially if she is in a bad mood. Right now that fortunately is not the case. Tired, a little annoyed, but not in a /bad/ mood.
"Alas, we did not obtain many advantages aside from destroying what I assumed to be higher level soldiers." The lack of true victory obviously bothers the woman especially since these were apparently the people that had tortured her. That connection is easily apparent to Rufus based on reporting on the incidents involving the vampires. "Flowers." she remarks, reaching over to pick them up and give them a delicate sniff. "I must say I am a little surprised seeing them come from you. Nevertheless, my house could use some fresh flowers."
Gently, she sets the bouquet back down and makes a note to bother a nurse for a vase later so they will keep better. "Thank you."
Maria Tegawa has partially disconnected.
There were perhaps even less rumors circulating about the President of the Power Company, the one thing everyone seemed to agree was that no one had ever seen him bleed or cry. There is certainly a definite amount of aloofness to the man, a professional guise that never seems to wear off..some might call label it as cold, even. Thus, it's perfectly understandable to Rufus that a gesture like this would be seen as odd. He offers a smile nonetheless; All the more reason to do so, no?
"Even I cannot win every time. In fact, I have lost more often than not.." Though the CEO seemed to have no personal life to speak of outside his role as the President of his company, his history was completely open and transparent; His role in the calamity that struck his home planet and preceding actions were a matter of public record, painting the picture of an exceedingly ruthless young man. However, it is just as true that the ensuring years after that crisis marked the development of a man seemingly turned over a new leaf, dedicated to making amends and restoring a more positive image.
Still, no matter what reality he called home, Rufus was Rufus.
"I'm glad you will find a use for them, and you are welcome." He'll pull up a chair, assuming an oddly casual position, "Your surprised to be expected...I do seem to have engendered that kind of reputation, after all." He shrugs dismissively, as if he were utterly helpless to prevent that kind of thing, "But I am...concerned for your safety given your importance in this organization, much in the way my own board of directors are concerned for mine when I wander around without bodyguard." A small laugh, "I suppose I understand their point of view a bit better now, but it doesn't matter."
"Really." Maria would believe it, given what she has heard about his history in his own world. Not only that but she's had the opportunity to examine worlds like his that had taken alternate timelines. The world where Sephiroth came from, for example, had an entirely different Rufus and ShinRa Power Company.
Suspicion starts to settle in over the flowers and visit. Perhaps he was trying to 'butter her up' for future purposes? They only deepen as Rufus decides to actually hang around and keep her company.
"You are not the first nor last to be concerned about my safety." she says with a laugh. "But I am a woman of many duties and too often do the circumstances give me the choice to not intervene. It is the way the world works for my....'kind', I suppose. You yourself hardly seem to need a bodyguard when you have that odd animal with you."
She, of course, alludes to the 'fateful aura' that all scions possess that literally draws trouble into their laps. Granted, many cases Maria simply sought it out but she believed she was /strong/ and could easily hold her own in a fight. It would be a shame to have her die, though.
"Really." Rufus repeats the word with more certainty than Maria ascribed, his sly smile as always suggesting some private joke that he and he alone was in on, "But I find there a few non-victories you cannot learn from...i'm sure you do not need me to tell you, but I would value what could be taken away from this incident in approach, tactics, coordination. Of course, my company is willing to lend a hand in whatever way we can."
Was the President trying to gain her favor? Certainly possible...but as yet he'd not tried to ask anything of her, only offered his counsel and his help. It might be difficult to discern what the President's motives are in this instance, or if he even -has- any. Indeed, no one could claim that knew precisely what Rufus Shinra's true aims were beyond increasing profit margins and expanding market share.
"Be that as it may, you shouldn't try to burden all the responsibility yourself. No one can do that, it's okay to rely on other when the situation is appropriate." Idly turning towards the television, he'll glance at her askance, "..to trust in others. This also I am sure you know, of course." Mentioning his unusual guard brings a chuckle, "Ah, Dark Nation? She has her uses..and her loyalty cannot be doubted."
Regarding her 'kind' the President can only shake his head somewhat. He didn't believe in Gods, as they were typically understood. He believed in powerful entities and energies that had yet to be properly defined by science, and individuals capable of tapping into this unknown power source...that is what Maria's 'kind' were to him, "Are you content with that kind of explanation, Miss Tegawa?"
It's funny, Rufus would not be the first person to tell Maria that it was fine to trust in others once in a while. Such an action was not something the lawyer immediately jumped to, of course, and there were definitely things he could do by way of reducing her own stress. Rufus must be observant in that regard, she realizes.
She also suspects that yes, this may very well be a move to gain favor. Whether that favor meant a blind eye to an activty or an actual genuine interest in Maria had yet to be seen. She finds herself briefly smmirking at the fleeting thought that Rufus had a hand in reassigning Sephiroth so he could move in on the lawyer. Cute, but probably not the case. "Well." she folds her hands, lacing her fingers together, "I will just have to keep this in mind the next time there is an incident."
Good luck expecting her to stay back herself. "It is an explaination based on personal experience and observations of my colleagues. I am not content with the way things are in these regards but I accept and anticipate that this is the case."
Ever enigmatic, Rufus wouldn't answer one way or another on the re-assigning of Sephiroth. It may be possible he had the kind of pull but...really, such a move would be totally unprofessional, wouldn't one think? The sheer notion of the President trying to court someone would be mindblowing to those who knew him, anyways. There were never any report or tabloids of him canoodling with various starlets or other high-profile affairs; From all indicators, the businessman didn't have an amorous bone in his body.
Still, he -did- come with flowers. Personally.
"Hmm. I wonder." Not looking at Maria, he instead raises an inqisitive brow at the newspot on TV, something about a disaster in Ivalice. He'd have to look into that, given the odd dimensional proximity of that world to his own. "Well, far be it for me to argue with direct lifetime experience." The President will stand, realizing he has other appointments to attend do, "But I will say this: I believe that the world can be changed, that nothing is set in stone and the future remains unwritten. Otherwise, I would not be doing what I do." Perhaps it was something a 'mortal' could afford to say, or perhaps not. "Regardless, I must be going." He inclines his head with a final smile, "Do take care of yourself Miss Tegawa, and don't hesitate to call on me. For you, my office is always open." Obviously, he was talking about business. What else could he be talking about?
With that, the CEO makes his exit, carefully shutting the door behind him. All in all, he'd say it went rather well.
Where: Hospital!!
Maria Tegawa, Interplanetary Attorney General, was supposed to be released by midday! Unfortunately, the staff had /insisted/ that she remain a second night so they could monitor her injuries. It's irritating because she knows she's been in far worse a place and with far more exotic wounds. They claim that she had lost a lot of blood.
Yet Maria feels fine. Bored, she sits up in her hospital bed, reading through A Midsummer Night's Dream. The television bolted to a bracket in the corner of the room is turned to one of the myriad versions of CNN. While it doesn't look like Maria is paying attention to the TV, she is, just like she's paying attention to the iPhone nestled in the blankets of the hospital bed she sits on.
She may or may not be using her divine multitasking powers to scribble thoughts down in preparation for a new novel.
Rufus Shinra, President of Shinra Electric Power Company, had been heavily occupied for last two weeks. Rather than the Hub, he'd spent much of his time on his own home plane shoring up resources and ensuring the trade lines between their world and Creation were as efficient as possible while also overseeing the construction of a new airship fleet by the World Regensis Organization and some promising new scientific research. Once he felt those tasks were running to his satisfaction the President returned..just in time to be briefed on the recent skirmish with the Black Alliance in which Maria was injured.
Really, she seemed to have a knack for winding up in such situations. The CEO was certainly not averse to putting himself in the line of fire when the situation called for it but to do so with such frequency and, in his opinion, without necessity...well, it was a frame of action he had a hard time matching with her other qualities. Still, professional courtesy called for some sort of gesture, and considering the gift basket they sent when she returned from capture was lost in the mail he might as well handle this one personally.
A knock at the door, which will open a crack to reveal the inquistive face of one of the nurses, "Miss Tegawa?" She queries, ensuring the DA is both decent and awake, "You have a visitor."
Long distance to Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric: Rufus Shinra hey no explosions!!
Though as Rufus noticed at the party in Creation, Maria usually willingly puts herself into such situations and involves herself in "field work." It was practically second nature to her after all, having harbored a double life as a slayer of titanspawn for nearly a decade of her life. It felt as if it was her duty to directly intervene in such matters rather than sending her 'minions' to deal with it. Of course, Rufus probably knew very little of her before her rise to power in the IPA.
"Hmm?" Maria answers the nurse without looking up from the play. "Send them in." She shuts the book, not even bothering to mark it because she had already memorized the page number she left off on.
Her face turns to watch the door, curious to see who tonight's visitor is. Ravi would have called.
From afar (to Ravikiran Srivastava and Rufus Shinra), Maria Tegawa (Maria) scrolls up after posing. "..."
Perhaps. In general, the President make it his business to know what he can about the major players in a given scenario. Once came to the position she currently holds, it's not far-fetched that Rufus may have made use of his considerable resources to obtain an extensive dossier on her and those she closely associates with. What he finds, of course, would depend on what's available, as he wouldn't wish to arouse suspicion by probing to deeply, for now. Still, her actions were indeed par for the course, but seemed nothing less of an incongruity to the President. Ah well, she seemed to walk away anyways.
With the attorney consent, the nurse's face vanishes and in strides the President as if he'd just come from a high-powered board meeting. As always, his professional white suit is kept immaculately clean, complementing the varied scarlet hues wrapped in a bouquet of pleasant-smelling flowers he carries. Their natural scent mixes with Rufus' own lightly applied cologne to produce an aroma most would fine pleasant, but not overwhelming.
"Miss Tegawa." Blue eyes regard her with no undue amount of fondness, his smile appeasingly genuine, "My congratulations on the successful extermination of the Black Alliance forces...and condolences on the IPA agents lost in the process. A terrible business, battle." He'll cast an observant eye about for a flower pot or some such, also nothing her condition and the TV, "I trust you won't be held here for long?"
Rufus could potentially dig up some interesting things on Maria-she appears in almost a year's worth of past reports. There are also tons of rumors floating around the IPA about what she can do ranging from the true 'Maria Tegawa can detect a lie.' to the not-so-true 'Maria Tegawa can smell fear.' Nothing definite on that exists due to Maria's intervention.
An eyebrow lifts as the ShinRa president decides to make an appearance with flowers no less. "Mr. Shinra." she greets with the slightest hint of confusion in her voice. "Mmm, yes, that. Very unfortunate indeed. To be honest, I'd hardly consider it much of a victory. Our opponents were undead and I know that Millennium is fully capable of producing more if needed."
She seems lightly bandaged with gauze wrapped around a hand and several places on her arm. Otherwise, she's in one piece and in good health. Rufus, unfortunately, will be a bit out of luck if he's looking for a vase. There is one resting on a windowsill but it's a small thin-necked vase best suited for single flowers and not a whole bouquet. "Frankly, I was supposed to be released this afternoon but the doctors insisted I stay the night. I made them swear that they would release me tomorrow morning."
Rumors and word-of-mouth were troublesome at best as sources of information, some of what was said about Maria could be obviously discarded, but Rufus had run afoul of enough people with superhuman abilities in his own world, much less others, not to treat everything else with a respectable sense of caution. If possible, he'd prefer the attorney as an ally (Which shouldn't be hard in theory, considering they are members of the same organization) but would accept her as a foe if necessary, however formiddable she might be.
For now, though? It was time to play nice.
"No..." The President concurs with a thine flattening of his lips, noting there is indeed no receptacle for the bouquet, "Nor would I, to be honest. Victory is measured not in how much of the enemy you destroy, but what advantages you obtain over them. They are not always one and the same." And from what Rufus read of preliminary reports, the IPA had not gained much of anything relevant over the shadowy organization besides depriving them of personnel; A mutual achievement. "Nonetheless, I am glad to hear you will be discharged soon. I've never enoyed overlong hospital stays, myself." And boy, does he know them. Absent of anywhere else to play the, he'll prop the bouquet against the wall atop a nearby nightstand, "A get-well token, though I suppose it was unnecessary with you being released so soon.."
Playing nice is definitely a valued approach for Tegawa, especially if she is in a bad mood. Right now that fortunately is not the case. Tired, a little annoyed, but not in a /bad/ mood.
"Alas, we did not obtain many advantages aside from destroying what I assumed to be higher level soldiers." The lack of true victory obviously bothers the woman especially since these were apparently the people that had tortured her. That connection is easily apparent to Rufus based on reporting on the incidents involving the vampires. "Flowers." she remarks, reaching over to pick them up and give them a delicate sniff. "I must say I am a little surprised seeing them come from you. Nevertheless, my house could use some fresh flowers."
Gently, she sets the bouquet back down and makes a note to bother a nurse for a vase later so they will keep better. "Thank you."
Maria Tegawa has partially disconnected.
There were perhaps even less rumors circulating about the President of the Power Company, the one thing everyone seemed to agree was that no one had ever seen him bleed or cry. There is certainly a definite amount of aloofness to the man, a professional guise that never seems to wear off..some might call label it as cold, even. Thus, it's perfectly understandable to Rufus that a gesture like this would be seen as odd. He offers a smile nonetheless; All the more reason to do so, no?
"Even I cannot win every time. In fact, I have lost more often than not.." Though the CEO seemed to have no personal life to speak of outside his role as the President of his company, his history was completely open and transparent; His role in the calamity that struck his home planet and preceding actions were a matter of public record, painting the picture of an exceedingly ruthless young man. However, it is just as true that the ensuring years after that crisis marked the development of a man seemingly turned over a new leaf, dedicated to making amends and restoring a more positive image.
Still, no matter what reality he called home, Rufus was Rufus.
"I'm glad you will find a use for them, and you are welcome." He'll pull up a chair, assuming an oddly casual position, "Your surprised to be expected...I do seem to have engendered that kind of reputation, after all." He shrugs dismissively, as if he were utterly helpless to prevent that kind of thing, "But I am...concerned for your safety given your importance in this organization, much in the way my own board of directors are concerned for mine when I wander around without bodyguard." A small laugh, "I suppose I understand their point of view a bit better now, but it doesn't matter."
"Really." Maria would believe it, given what she has heard about his history in his own world. Not only that but she's had the opportunity to examine worlds like his that had taken alternate timelines. The world where Sephiroth came from, for example, had an entirely different Rufus and ShinRa Power Company.
Suspicion starts to settle in over the flowers and visit. Perhaps he was trying to 'butter her up' for future purposes? They only deepen as Rufus decides to actually hang around and keep her company.
"You are not the first nor last to be concerned about my safety." she says with a laugh. "But I am a woman of many duties and too often do the circumstances give me the choice to not intervene. It is the way the world works for my....'kind', I suppose. You yourself hardly seem to need a bodyguard when you have that odd animal with you."
She, of course, alludes to the 'fateful aura' that all scions possess that literally draws trouble into their laps. Granted, many cases Maria simply sought it out but she believed she was /strong/ and could easily hold her own in a fight. It would be a shame to have her die, though.
"Really." Rufus repeats the word with more certainty than Maria ascribed, his sly smile as always suggesting some private joke that he and he alone was in on, "But I find there a few non-victories you cannot learn from...i'm sure you do not need me to tell you, but I would value what could be taken away from this incident in approach, tactics, coordination. Of course, my company is willing to lend a hand in whatever way we can."
Was the President trying to gain her favor? Certainly possible...but as yet he'd not tried to ask anything of her, only offered his counsel and his help. It might be difficult to discern what the President's motives are in this instance, or if he even -has- any. Indeed, no one could claim that knew precisely what Rufus Shinra's true aims were beyond increasing profit margins and expanding market share.
"Be that as it may, you shouldn't try to burden all the responsibility yourself. No one can do that, it's okay to rely on other when the situation is appropriate." Idly turning towards the television, he'll glance at her askance, "..to trust in others. This also I am sure you know, of course." Mentioning his unusual guard brings a chuckle, "Ah, Dark Nation? She has her uses..and her loyalty cannot be doubted."
Regarding her 'kind' the President can only shake his head somewhat. He didn't believe in Gods, as they were typically understood. He believed in powerful entities and energies that had yet to be properly defined by science, and individuals capable of tapping into this unknown power source...that is what Maria's 'kind' were to him, "Are you content with that kind of explanation, Miss Tegawa?"
It's funny, Rufus would not be the first person to tell Maria that it was fine to trust in others once in a while. Such an action was not something the lawyer immediately jumped to, of course, and there were definitely things he could do by way of reducing her own stress. Rufus must be observant in that regard, she realizes.
She also suspects that yes, this may very well be a move to gain favor. Whether that favor meant a blind eye to an activty or an actual genuine interest in Maria had yet to be seen. She finds herself briefly smmirking at the fleeting thought that Rufus had a hand in reassigning Sephiroth so he could move in on the lawyer. Cute, but probably not the case. "Well." she folds her hands, lacing her fingers together, "I will just have to keep this in mind the next time there is an incident."
Good luck expecting her to stay back herself. "It is an explaination based on personal experience and observations of my colleagues. I am not content with the way things are in these regards but I accept and anticipate that this is the case."
Ever enigmatic, Rufus wouldn't answer one way or another on the re-assigning of Sephiroth. It may be possible he had the kind of pull but...really, such a move would be totally unprofessional, wouldn't one think? The sheer notion of the President trying to court someone would be mindblowing to those who knew him, anyways. There were never any report or tabloids of him canoodling with various starlets or other high-profile affairs; From all indicators, the businessman didn't have an amorous bone in his body.
Still, he -did- come with flowers. Personally.
"Hmm. I wonder." Not looking at Maria, he instead raises an inqisitive brow at the newspot on TV, something about a disaster in Ivalice. He'd have to look into that, given the odd dimensional proximity of that world to his own. "Well, far be it for me to argue with direct lifetime experience." The President will stand, realizing he has other appointments to attend do, "But I will say this: I believe that the world can be changed, that nothing is set in stone and the future remains unwritten. Otherwise, I would not be doing what I do." Perhaps it was something a 'mortal' could afford to say, or perhaps not. "Regardless, I must be going." He inclines his head with a final smile, "Do take care of yourself Miss Tegawa, and don't hesitate to call on me. For you, my office is always open." Obviously, he was talking about business. What else could he be talking about?
With that, the CEO makes his exit, carefully shutting the door behind him. All in all, he'd say it went rather well.