(Untitled)

[talionisshinra]

Who: Rufus, Cloud, whoever feels like joining
Status: Open
When: 1:00
Where: Starts at Shin-Ra, goes elsewhere.
What: Without his Turks, Rufus has been forced to hire Cloud Strife.

Comments

[talionisshinra]

Leaning over the table covered with paperwork, Rufus barely had time to register that Cloud had even moved. When the signal made it from his eye to brain, Rufus turned, hand already going for Lucille. Cloud was already up in the rafters and on his way back down when the sawed-off shotgun cleared its holster and was in hand.

Had Cloud been attacking Rufus, he probably could have had him pinned to the wall by the time the president had his own weapon drawn. Rufus was dangerous, yes, but he didn't have Cloud's splitsecond timing.

The barrel of Rufus' shotgun lowered to point at the floor as he eyed the man Cloud had pinned. Instead of any brand of fear, there was annoyance on his face as he turned to the scientist. "I thought I told you to fire him."

"I did, President Shinra! Yesterday!"

Rufus sighed, more to himself than anyone else. He hated incompetence. "And yet you didn't take his badge or ensure that his access was cut?"

"Well, I didn't..."

The man Cloud held onto remained still, hissing breath in and out even as the remains of his weapon dropped from his hands. With his gun cut apart, he seemed to be cowed for the time being. Despite Cloud's command, he remained silent. Whatever his reasons for shooting were, he wasn't saying.

"Have him taken back to Shin-Ra, Strife. The Turks can handle him from there," Rufus said, dismissing the matter and turning back to the plans laid out.

[stoic_heroism]

Listening in to Rufus, Cloud garnered enough of the conversation to not need further explanation. Ex-employees seemed to have a wonderful track-record of going on killing sprees on ShinRa. He said nothing on that matter and his frown deepened for a moment.

He turned away from where Rufus was and regarded the man in his grip. He didn't see rope, and his position wouldn't allow him to simply up and leave Rufus here. It was more than obvious now how much Rufus needed a bodyguard.

"Sorry... nothing personal," he murmured as his sword twisted in his grip and he slammed the blunt hilt into the back of the gunman's skull, knocking consciousness away. He dropped the man in a heap and simply lay his sword on the man; no way a normal man could lift it.

Walking back to Rufus, he seemed to loom a little closer. He was on higher guard and hoped this business would be done soon. No wonder Rufus needed so many Turks around.

[talionisshinra]

Out of the cornre of his eye, Rufus watched Cloud carefully. He didn't expect the man to put down his attacker, especially knowing that the Turks were waiting for him. That in itself was generally a death sentence. It was interesting to Rufus that Strife didn't argue with him over it, merely doing as was asked and returning to his side.

It was a brand of loyalty he didn't expect from anyone but the Turks.

"I believe we're finished here," Rufus finally said, turning back to the elevator. "I'll have the limo drop you off where you wish, Strife, as well as payment made."

[stoic_heroism]

Cloud took a step aside as Rufus turned for the elevator. He moved back to the fallen gunman and easily heaved his sword and attached it to his back. With his other hand, he grabbed the gunman and settled the man's weight over his shoulder.

He shrugged at Rufus' back as he also approached the elevator. "Back where we started is fine. That's where Fenrir is," he replied off-handedly.

As the elevator opened, he looked around to make certain it was clear before stepping in. "Feel free to hire me again," he added softly as he shifted the weight of the gunman.