[Introduction]

[shinraco]

He was glad to have left the wheelchair behind. The geostigma had gone at last and the weakness he'd felt for some time in his body had finally disappeared, leaving Rufus Shinra feeling again like the healthy, confident young man in his twenties he'd been before that horrible disease had infected him

Comments

[shinra_dog]

At the risk of being cliche & soap-opera-y, I'm just thrilled to see this guy. Post-wolves.

Reno was suffering some serious cabin fever after his forced bedrest, and while "nature" wasn't really his thing, he couldn't wait to get some air. He bursts through the door of the Mansion as if he can't get out fast enough, then stops dead in his tracks. Time seems to stand still as he takes in a sight he thought he'd never see again.

"Boss!" he manages when he recovers, his voice filled with surprise and relief.

[shinra_dog]

The question makes Reno very uncomfortable. It would have anyway, but it's compounded by certain... special circumstances.

What am I supposed to say? I was a reckless idiot who got into a fight with two giant demon wolves, and Hojo 2 was my surgeon of salvation? That sounds awful...

"My plans were... unexpectedly delayed," he mumbles shiftily.

[ XD ]

[shinraco]

"Delayed by what?" There was that demand for proper, no-nonsense answers in his voice again.

[shinra_dog]

[Man, I love that Rufus icon for this. xD]

Reno flinches. "I got into a fight. Got pretty banged up, actually," he admits. "This is my first time out in awhile."

He's more than a little embarrassed and ashamed about the whole thing.

"Let me be the first to tell you, the stories of the demon wolves in the forest here? Totally true," he says to Rufus, very seriously.

[shinraco]

Rufus looks very disapproving. "Please do not tell me you are useless on your own."

[He has an intense eye in the original game! XD]

[shinra_dog]

"I did manage t' kill them," Reno says, a little miffed. "Gimme a little credit, yo. But it ain't like they've got 'potions' or Mako infusions here."

[shinraco]

"Demonic wolves, you say? Were they controlled by anyone?"

Rufus shakes his head slightly. "That you survived is an admirable thing but watch your tone with me, Reno. Remember who you are speaking to."

[shinra_dog]

Reno rubs the back of his neck, a little color rising to his cheeks. "Sorry, Boss," he says.

He thinks about Rufus' question, and the eerie voice that he heard comes to mind. If anyone could control those wolves, it'd be whatever that was. But Reno thinks he's in enough hot water already before he starts sounding crazy.

"I dunno. Maybe," he says. "I think I'm the only person who's even tried going out there, though. Or at least the only one who's made it. So I don't think we could really ask anyone else." He looks at Rufus apologetically.

[shinraco]

"Hm. Then there are some real dangers here," he lifted up his shotgun. "Where can I get bullets for this?"

[shinra_dog]

Reno's glad that Rufus has his shotgun. Bodyguards or no, Rufus has been able to defend himself and that's always made Reno respect him more than the late President Shinra.

He rubs his jaw thoughtfully. "The Mansion supplies everything, like it just knows people's needs. I'm sure there'll be some inside somewhere. Prob'ly in your room."

"Forgot to mention that - seems like everyone gets their own magic bedroom here, too. Or at least I did. I think the one next to mine is empty. If you want it."

[shinraco]

"That sounds most convenient - about the room and the supplies. Show me where it is," he says. It's more an order than a request, of course.

[shinra_dog]

Reno nods and starts leading the way back to the Mansion. He keeps pace easily enough on the level ground.

"You look good, sir. Is everything, y'know, cleared up?" he asks quietly, as if anyone were around to hear. He hasn't seen Rufus out of the wheelchair in awhile.

[shinraco]

Rufus looks at his hand, turning it over as if to double check that he is indeed cured. "That rain... Yes, I am fine now. As I was before."

[shinra_dog]

Reno nods, looking a little relieved. "Good. Because as you can see," he begins as he opens the door and leads Rufus into the mansion, "this place only has stairs. It must be really old, or otherwise is just accommodating the knights, princesses, an' elves that'd be frightened by a lift." He looks back a little apologetically.

"The rooms are on the upper floors," he continues. He pushes himself to climb them normally, but he begins to ache. "There's a, uh, library up here too.... you might find interesting."

[shinraco]

"Is there nothing modern here?" Rufus doesn't sound pleased by that. He was used to the latest technology being developed by his company. Something else he may have to try and change here...

[shinra_dog]

"Y'know... I'm not sure," he answers, trying keep his breathing steady. "But I vaguely remember a story about some cabinet or somethin' that'll grant your wishes. I thought it was ridiculous, but in hindsight it's worth a shot. One chick just got a brand new bike."