Only the Good Die Young
Who: Scarlet West gunnin_for_ya, Reeve Tuesti animus_inspire, Elena puisne_turk, Rude tacit_turk, and anyone I might have forgotten?
When: MORNING, Day 45
Location: WRO HQ
Rating: PG-13 for, um, Scarlet?
Summary: The gang from ShinRa arrive at the WRO, and go about their work from there. Let's get the ball rolling!
( you mighta heard I run with a dangerous crowd // we ain't too pretty we ain't too proud )
When: MORNING, Day 45
Location: WRO HQ
Rating: PG-13 for, um, Scarlet?
Summary: The gang from ShinRa arrive at the WRO, and go about their work from there. Let's get the ball rolling!
( you mighta heard I run with a dangerous crowd // we ain't too pretty we ain't too proud )
During the trip, Elena had stolen a few moments to doze, just hovering between awareness and sleep. She'd managed to stay upright the majority of the time, but had once or twice - she couldn't quite remember - she found herself leaning against Rude, who had unfortunately become a makeshift pillow. After mumbling a short apology, she'd brush the wrinkles out of his sleeve and then straighten her own jacket in an embarrassed flush.
In what felt like forever - and yet still too soon - the shifting and the decent of the airship brought all five senses back up and running. Not that there was really that much she would be doing on this trip, besides surviving the insufferable Scarlet. Really, this had to be some secret punishment from Rufus. Even though her hand was bandaged and said bandages were hidden beneath fingerless gloves, it appeared that more people knew about her injury and how she acquired it than she had initially planned. And, much to her misfortune, Elena was beginning to suspect that Scarlet was one of those people.
There was no missing the slight contempt that the blonde held for the other, and the feelings were mutual. Elena had to bite her tongue as Scarlet motioned for her to pick up the bags. Every ounce of her being demanded that she say something, anything. She was a TURK damn it. Not a damn bellhop. Before she could taste blood, Elena released the hold on her tongue and rose, moving to the bags. There was no hiding a slight wince, pain bursting from her side as well as her left hand as it gripped the handles.
This was going to be one hell of a trip.
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He didn't bother to wake Elena when she fell asleep on him, and she had been there probably longer than she realized. When she awoke, clearly embarrassed, he gave her a nod and a hint of a smile. He hadn't minded; he figured she needed the rest.
Once they had landed, he slung his own small duffel bag over his shoulder and grabbed a large box of assorted weapon parts that Scarlet had brought. Elena grabbed the other woman's suitcase with an obvious wince, and he paused a moment before setting the box down again and moving to take the bag from Elena's straining hand. He could come back for the rest.
He was well aware that the action might annoy Scarlet, but if she wanted everything moved in one trip, she was perfectly welcome to carry her own stuff.
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It had taken many, many long days (and some sleepless nights, she would admit) to come up with the specifications. So much so that her pets had started to pine for attention. Odd then that the answer lay in a children's toy... one she had found planted in her desk after discussing the logistics of the turbine generator with her boss.
It seemed even more odd that her boss had gone off on some tangent about the toys he so loved as a child before asking her to go meet some damn broad woman and "likely a couple of very smart looking people in suits".
Rema was not the secretary for the Commissioner to the WRO (that particular honour, if you could call it that, belonged to a man Rema had the hots for... not that she would ever dare say, or refer to her feelings in that manner) so why by King Cactuar's needles had she been tasked this welcoming duty?
Well, there was Mr. Tuesti's explanation... this woman, Scarlet. Apparently sending out a hot-blooded young man like his secretary (and Rema had felt a flush crawl over her cheeks as Mr. Tuesti had said that, which was mightily embarrassing) was not a good idea when meeting Ms. West.
Though it was a bit presumptious? How was Mr. Tuesti to know that she was not attracted to women?
Ohhh...
The red flush crept back onto her cheeks as Rema realised how transparent she must have been for even Reeve Tuesti, who usually had his head buried in paperwork, to notice her feelings.
Damn it Rema.
So it came to pass that a slightly flustered looking woman reached the landing crew, sidestepping hastily as a large man in a suit strode forwards with a piece of luggage. Going to put her hand up there were awkward (and horrifyingly tense for the young research engineer) few moments as the file was shifted from under one arm to the other without everything blowing three sheets to the wind, until finally Rema had got it all sufficiently under control and her hand thrust out towards Scarlet.
"...Uhm. Ms West? I was sent here to take you..." her soft voice began to be drowned out by the noise coming from the airship.
[[ooc: No, Reeve hasn't become a crossdresser <3 and whoo thanks for starting the log ^_^ I thought it would work this way as I didn't know if you were waiting on Reebles! Come on into HQ for a very pissed off Reeve the party yay!]]
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"So he's not even going to bother greeting me himself." Had she said that out loud? Loud enough to be heard? Oh, oops. Fine, then.
Sweeping past the outstretched hand, dress whirling and fluttering madly about her in a wild dance, the thigh-high slit meaning most of her long legs were bared, she called on her most impressive sashay to press through the wind toward the meagre cover of the open-air hangar.
"Then take me to him!" she shouted back. "And hurry it the hell up! I'm not standing around here all Shiva-damn day!"
[[ooc: Awwww, man. Way to get my hopes up XP *runs for teh party*]]
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So she gave in a little, passing off the bag to Rude with a thankful smile. Even in all the years she'd been around the quiet Turk, she still hadn't quite pegged him. Perhaps it was because he said so little - even when relaxing - about himself and whatever else there to learn about him was kept close to the vest. It made the Turk mysterious, sometimes cold, and nearly always serious. For nearly a year Elena was afraid to talk to Rude or ask a question of him. It wasn't until she learned the slight changes in facial features, the raise of an eyebrow or the quirk of the corner of his mouth, that she became more comfortable and confident. And it was good that she did, Rude was a wealth of knowledge that she eagerly tapped whenever she could.
Once Rude had moved on, Elena threw her own duffel bag over her shoulder and selected a few choice pieces of luggage she could carry without trouble or issue. There was really no need to be entirely useless. Besides, Elena had the distinct feeling she was being watched and wanted to give the harpy-bitch nothing that could be later used as ammo. Arms laden with what items she could muster, Elena followed in suit, hardly surprised to hear Scarlet's sour mood at not being met directly. Really, just how high and mighty did she thinks she was? Didn't she learn from the last time when Rufus sent Elena to pick up the ex-Weapons Development Director instead of coming himself? You aren't as important as you assume, you arrogant, bottle-bleach-blonde pre-maddonna scarpy*
Jogging the few yards to catch up to Rude, she gave the poor woman getting the verbal assault from Scarlet a sympathetic glance before moving onward. Something had to be done about that woman's attitude, and fast.
((OOC: *A scarpy is a hybrid of a skag and a harpy. A very unhappy combination, as it is a fusion of all the negative connotations, images, and symbolism and none of the good. Yar! Fear my Shakespeare-I-can-make-up-words-too skillz!))
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As if picking up on Elena's discomfort with the thought of being helped, he made a brief, quiet comment once they were out of earshot of Scarlet and the woman unfortunate enough to greet her.
"Just don't strain your injuries, alright?" he nodded toward the belligerent woman in the red dress as he set down the bags he had been carrying. "She isn't worth it." That said, he went back for the box he had started to move the first time and whatever other luggage was still laying around.
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To her knowledge the Commissioner followed protocol and pulled rank when he felt it was needed. Didn't he always get Gabriel to meet VIPs? So what was this woman's problem?
Automatically, heckles rose in the young lady assigned the task of meeting Scarlet and the Turks. Very briefly Rema wondered if she had done something to annoy the Commissioner as Elena moved forwards, casting a sympathetic look her way. No... Mr Tuesti was not that cruel, was he?
Swallowing tightly and resenting the thought that Gabriel could find this plastic-whore attractive, Rema approached Rude who was picking up a box of what looked like scrap metal. "Are you alright?" She asked before chewing on her bottom lip. "Uhm- I'll just be showing Ms. West where to go... let me know if you or your partner need anything..."
With that she scooted off in front of Scarlet, passing a very curt "Follow me." to the blonde, punching in the first access code and biting down the temptation to bitch anything back about Shiva not needing to be there with Snarky Ice-bitch already making everybody's lives miserable it seemed.
A few more door panels, a lift and a swipe card key and the party was at Reeve's office. Rema went a bright shade of crimson as Gabriel opened the door, letting Scarlet and the other people in the suits in, resting a hand on her arm to keep her back.
Reeve looked up from his desk and stood, keeping the grimace that was about to form away from his features. It was good in some ways to see Rude and Elena again, and briefly the brown-haired man wondered how their boss or the irrepressible Reno were before his concentration snapped back. Warm eyes cooled and narrowed slightly.
"...I don't think we need to spend any more time than necessary, so we should get started."
With that Reeve glanced over at the Turks then back to Scarlet, motioning for her to sit.
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Someone held the final door open, and Scarlet shoved her purse, the only thing she'd bothered to carry herself, into his arms and focussed on Reeve. She didn't bother hiding her grimace.
"What, no hug? Here I thought you were into the whole 'feel-good' thing." She was almost content just to glare at the man, but then she remembered there were other people in the room. Her grimace shifted into a full-on pout, to hide a wicked grin. "It's okay, Reeve," she cooed, batting her lashes, "you don't have to be shy just because we have company."
They could get to work in a minute. To Scarlet, it hadn't been that long since she'd seen Reeve, but he, apparently, had had years of peace, and that just wasn't okay.
[[ooc: fuck computers and fuck computer problems, because I had to retype this three times *cries* I really liked the first versionnnnnn DX]]
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Elena liked working with Rude. He wasn't as loud or whiney or just plain annoying like Reno, and he wasn't all business, no time for any fun or social life, like Tseng. And it helped that he didn't well like Scarlet much either, which made for much easier bitching later on at the bar. She could connect and understand Rude easier than Reno - and mostly because he didn't play some of the stupid mental games Reno did.
After going back to help Rude with the remaining luggage and boxes that Scarlet deemed so necessary to bring - and Shiva help her if they were filled with nothing but shoes, makeup, and hairspray - Elena blinked curiously as the poor woman sent to take them to the Commissioner spoke to Rude. For a moment, a protective sense of possessiveness overtook her. It was obvious that she was put off by Scarlet's, well, she was put off by Scarlet in the same way that most women are and was hoping to find some kindness, some sort of kinship that she wasn't the only one that thought Scarlet was an utter bitch. Or, maybe, she was just thought Rude was handsome - which he was - and could use a little attention from an equally attractive and much less bitchy female than Ms. West.
And, in that moment of possessiveness, Elena merely huffed and paid attention to the lopsided luggage that she carefully stacked together with the rest of the items the pair of them had brought, making sure all the labels of what was what were easy to see for whoever was to come later to get them. Adjusting the sleeves of her jacket, Elena glanced over to Rude and gave a little shrug, motioning with her head that it was probably time to get going. The secretary and Scarlet were hardly going to wait for them and Shiva knows they would be needed to keep Scarlet from mauling Reeve.
Speaking of Reeve, Elena leaned slightly to one side to see past the curvature of Scarlet . He looked anything but pleased to have them - or at least Scarlet - in his office. She made a mental note to get him aside for a quick chat. She had called him before the planetquake for assistance and had not ever gotten back in touch with him. It was rather mean of her to have not gotten in touch since then. If things continued this way, she would offer to take him out for drinks.
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A moment later, all the luggage had been gathered into a neat pile, Elena making a last check of all the labels, and they were on their way to meet Reeve.
Rude frowned at the first exchanges between Reeve and Scarlet, tensing ever so slightly. To be honest, it didn't seem out of the realm of possibility for the two of them to be at each other's throats in less than a minute. While his face remained impassive, he sighed inwardly. This was going to be a long trip, even if it only lasted a few days. And he could only hope that it would be just a few days.
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Oh dear, indeed. Reeve could feel his very lifeforce wince inside hearing Scarlet speak after all these years. Whilst it most definitely had not been a particularly peaceful time; what with Geostigma, Deepground or the lifestream phenomena to name but a scant few things... not hearing that blasted tone had been one ray of positivity amidst the asphalt gloom in which he currently resided. And now he had to listen to the "Scarlet Siren" gabble once again. Which, of course, was about as attractive as Palmer on the prowl. The Commissioner leveled as much of a blank gaze as was manageable in that damn woman's direction. It was rather difficult when her tone scraped down his every nerve. And she hadn't even cackled that damn laugh yet. By Midgar's End. The lifestream phenomena and the rebirth of every damn threat to Gaia... well, that you can handle... but what the hell have you done to deserve this, Reeve?
"If 'feel-good' means wanting to create a sustainable environment for the future of Gaia, you are correct. Last I looked however hugs were not on my to do list..." Least of all when you visit, he added internally, before adding out loud in a slightly less than flat tone "I seem to remember it was you who was the nature hugger... if vomiting in gardens during those 'mandatory' functions is any indication." Oh Reeve remembered those charity events or those 'holiday' celebrations at ShinRa, and he most certainly did not have a selective memory of those times. Somewhat unfortunately. Huh.
A light snort masked what sound actually threatened at the remainder of Scarlet's initial conversational attempt and the sound of his first name falling from her lips. Ifrit's damned flaming balls. There was no doubt Rude and Elena had dealt with more uncomfortable situations than just two ex-Executives talking, no matter how much Scarlet disliked Reeve and no matter how much the feeling was undoubtedly mutual. But then, Scarlet had barely deigned herself to talk to the Turks whereas Reeve still felt a tie to the department of administration & research, one which had remained since before that name had been coined.
"...Hn. As I said, best not to spend more time than is quite necessary." With those words Reeve ignored Scarlet's little comment and cleared a space upon his desk.
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And suddenly she was once again taking in the changes wrought by years she hadn't lived. It wasn't something you ever got used to. Even Reeve, subtle as the differences were, was still clearly vastly changed. The lines on his face were deeper, and there might have been a faint dust of gray at his temples, the sort that meant he would gray well, and he carried himself with more confidence than he ever had at ShinRa. Most notable, though, were his eyes: they still held the slightly blood-shot look of a man used to long nights, disasters, and coffee for breakfast, but beneath that they were... satisfied. Content. Work, for Reeve, was doing what he did best, to an end that he believed in: he was exactly where he wanted to be, Scarlet understood with abrupt insight.
A hot wave of jealousy swept through her suddenly. She pinned it down immediately, before she could wonder at it, and stepped on it repeatedly until it more resembled her usual caustic disdain for the engineer. Realizing she was frowning at the man, she shifted her expression back to mild amusement, uncrossed her arms and waved a hand vaguely, picking up where she'd left off.
"And really, Reeve," oh, but she knew how much he hated when she said his name, so she took vindictive care now to purr it, low and sultry and looking directly in his eyes. "Shame on you, bringing up a thing like that." (Scarlet, quite happily (and intentionally,) did not remember those parties-- except vague impressions from early evening, fleeting thoughts that she'd rather watch paint dry while chewing glass.) "Tsk, to think Commission Reeve of the WRO, the great Model Citizen himself, would stoop to my level." Shaking her head and looking rueful, she wondered loudly, "What is the world coming to?"
She motioned for Elena to bring forward the carryon bag Scarlet had taken on the flight, a briefcase with her notes in it.
"Fine, then, Mister Commissioner. Let's talk about making things that kill people."
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She had nearly missed the movement of Scarlet's hand, a bare flicker of a movement that commanded action. Really, Scarlet was really pushing her luck. Not even Rufus (okay, sometimes Rufus) would issue commands with simple gestures or looks. But he signed their paycheck and it was he that they served, wholly and fully. Scarlet was just a...what the hell was she really? Turks didn't really answer to executives, past or current, besides their own.
Hefting the bag up, having been brought along with her after a cobra-like snap of her jaws when Scarlet saw her walking without it, Elena moved a few steps forward, offering the case handle first. Her eyes watched the movement of the woman's hand, ready to move the case so that it would slide easily into her grip. A treatment she only reserved for Rufus and other Turks. She had to be on her best behavior now, didn't she? And we wouldn't want you breaking those precious red claws nails, would we?
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Unsurprisingly, the mental Scarlet imitation failed to actually be amusing. Oh well, it had been worth a try.
At least she's not on my case, he thought briefly, and immediately felt a little bad for it. Not like Elena deserved it. He sighed almost inaudibly.
[[OOC: Rufus says damn right he's better than Scarlet. Thank you, Elena.]]
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Eyes narrowed slightly at her sinuous movements to seating, flickering momentarily on the show of flesh before a frown settled even deeper into his forehead. Sickening that Scarlet was still using the same tactics. Despite his loathing of the woman she was obviously intelligent, and therein lay the rub: Despite having attentions like every other man, Reeve was not President Shinra and such action did not so much distract as served to make him pity her that she would lower herself to such levels.
Biting back on a retort, as Reeve was already aware that he said enough that was unnecessary and there really was no call for anything like this to be aired further in front of Elena and Rude, his brow arched at the command given out. Casting a quick look in the blonde Turk's direction as she brought the bag forwards then one to the side to see the impassive face of Rude looking on, Reeve stood up sharply.
"What indeed is the world coming to?" Again, gritting his teeth against other words threatening, Reeve instead shunted a space on the desk for the carry-all to be placed upon, which in itself would negate the symbolism of waiting hand and foot upon the witch, and carried on, reverting back to his usual polite and rich tone "Thank you, Elena... you really shouldn't have."
At Scarlet's last words he turned and nodded his head slightly towards her. "You have been briefed that we are only interested in weapons for defensive purposes, and some... more specialised arms to deal with particular threats." He rests a hand upon the desk and the other under his chin "We will get to work straight away then. I'm sure a Turk presence is not necessary whilst we go through the details. You are in WRO HQ, Cait Sith is not around... and you can't possibly be scared of being left alone with me hmm?"
After that little demonstration, Reeve felt the Turks did not need to be put in a similar position and hoped that his little taunt would be enough to annoy Scarlet into letting them go. Besides with the just the two of them in the same room, he would be freer to speak his mind. As much as he did not wish to admit it, Reeve knew that Scarlet and he had enough of an understanding of the other. They required some time to get re-accustomed to working together again for any of this to be productive. And one thing was certain: neither former executive liked to work below their capability.
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