animus_network

Too quiet, if you asked me. You'd start to miss people pretty quickly in a place like that.

[Her hand on his arm gives a small, gentle squeeze, offering an empathetic smile]

I'm glad you're back safe. You had Xion and Shion in a fit when we couldn't find you.

They're babies... 'course they'd be upset.

[Shaking his head, he set his chin on the back of the chair and dangled his arms by his sides.]

Ya shoulda seen what Shion did last time I disappeared. He's gotten better if it's just a fit this time.

They were so eager to find you. When Shion found me searching one of the dorm floors, he ran towards a group of monsters to try to lure them away. Unarmed. If that isn't dedication, I don't know what is.

[Reading his shift in mood, she released his arm and turned to face him, hugging the back of her own chair wih her arm. Despite the fact that she had to end the physical connection, and losing that sense of connectivity, she was contented that she had confirmed that he was there, in the flesh.]

It sounds like these two are quite attached. And vice versa.

Yeah... that could be a problem...

[He gave her a glance, eyebrow raised.]

If I got to do something dangerous I don't want 'em following me.

Given the state of the tower, they made it work. And they both learned just how difficult it is to be in a dangerous situation unarmed.

[And she's returning his glance with a mocking are-you-serious gaze.]

Then we'll just have to instill in them that they will have to follow orders, whether they like them or not. That will teach them how to be calm and how to behave under pressure

But I hope you understand that if you've got to do something dangerous that you aren't alone. You can let me or Rusty know so we can go with you. You shouldn't be going off and doing things on your own.

There's some things I got to do by myself. But yeah... when we were breakin' into the control room, neither of 'em listened too well when I said to go back.

[He lifts his head, eyes less dull.] I got an idea, but I'm gonna need your help.

That will come in time and experience. I know mine did quickly after being hung upside down from that damn mountain in Wutai... [And she's exhaling, a low embarrassed groan riding the end of it. Gaia, that had been a horrible day.] If you're okay with it, I'd like to help train them.

Oh? [And she's wiggling in her seat a little, pressing deeper in the back of her chair as if doing so would make her scootch closer to Reno.] What's the idea?

Yeah, that'll be great.

[He grins a little. It's faint but there.]

If we want 'em to learn how to take orders... that sounds like a great job for you. Y'know... setting good examples.

[Oh, he wasn't suggesting... bad Reno.]

Sure thing. Besides, its not like we've got the President around to take care of - we've got a little more time on our hands.

[There we go, much better. She couldn't stand it when he was so serious and stand-offish. And, in a place like this, that type of seriousness was called up too often.]

Of cour- hold on... Just what exactly are you thinking of as an idea?

[The grin turned into a smirk.]

If they saw ya taking orders, it might rub off.

Seeing that you're the Acting Director, I already have an obligation to follow your orders....

[Aaannd alarm bells are ringing.]

Oh hell, what are you thinking about having me do?

Wait...

What happened to Tseng?

Hell if I know. I haven't seen him since...

[Oh. Right. The dream. Her eyes move away momentarily, fingers pulling at the hem of her jacket.]

I just haven't seen him around and I don't know what room he's in to check on his name.

But that's not the point. If you think that having me serve as a role model for how to take orders, I'll do it.

Edited 2012-09-13 21:11 (UTC)

[The smirk was back.]

Great. Mind putting that in writing?

[And in the most deadpan of tone] Nope.

But seriously...[It was hard to keep that look up, and so within seconds it was gone and replaced with a lighter, smiling one.] What did you have in mind? Or was that it - just have me follow your orders?

Nothing particular in mind... but maybe somethin' like this. We get you and the kids together, and I tell 'em to do something they won't like.

[Sitting up, he rubbed his chin in thought.] So you say, everything they don't do, you'll do in their place. Knowin' those two they'll feel bad.

Its an idea and I like it. I'd suggest emphasizing more not on the fact that they'd feel bad, but that their refusal to do what is being ordered would mean somebody else would be doing it. Like one of them if the other refused.

[Legs cross, her left leg resting atop the right knee, foot bouncing slightly in thought.]

And we'd have to be pretty brutal so they'd get the point, don't you think? I can handle whatever you throw at me, so I'm not worry about my end.

Nah, I don't think we'll have to go overboard with those two. They're still pretty soft...

[His eyes rested on the motion, and then on her legs for a little too long before snapping back up to her face.]

They'll get it real easy.

Softness may need some hardening, but I trust your judgement. You know these two better than I do. Just let me know how far to go.

[Oh, she saw that lingering look. And, when his attention is back up to her face, she welcomed the attention with a teasing, almost mischievous smirk.]

I hope so. I'll do what I can to help educate, but if they're not quick on the uptake, that might be an issue. so what are you thinking of throwing at them?

Something that's unpleasant but not really dangerous. Don't want 'em getting hurt doing it. The tower's all switched around so I'm gonna have to do some scouting around...

[There was no mistaking that thoughtful look. Resting his elbows on the back of the chair, he rubbed his face, one hand lingering over his mouth.]

Those kids... I just want 'em to survive here.

At least, not hurt too much. We both know a little pain helps with the learning curve. Perhaps we should have an investigation of a more dangerous floor - but not so much so that the risk of harm and death is minimal?

[And, for perhaps the second time in the tower, she's smiling. A true, genuine, albeit small, smile. Her hand moves, reaching over the short distance that separated the pair, and patted his lower arm.]

With you as their mentor, their chances are drastically improving. And, now, you've got me to help keep them safe as they learn.

And, you know... [Withdrawing her hand, her arm stretching across the back of her chair to serve as a resting place for her chin. Eyes followed the his hand as they drug against skin, pausing for just a moment on long fingers before returning to meet his eyes.] ...its different, hearing you talk about them like this. I was sure when I first came on that you couldn't give a chocobo's ass whether I survived a mission or not. You've must have gone through a lot to get to this point.

Edited 2012-09-14 17:40 (UTC)

[His eyebrows raised in surprise at her.]

Oh, I cared. A great deal. Hell, it's the whole reason why me 'n Rude got you off the cliff. But I sure as hell wasn't going to baby you or treat ya any different just because your sister was a Turk. You were dropped in with us at a bad position, at a bad time. We needed another Turk, and you weren't ready yet. If we coddled ya, it wasn't doing you any favors.

[A giggle, refusing to be stifled despite her best efforts, bubbled up from her chest, her hand waving dismissively]

I know, I know. I figured that out a little later on, but at the time I remember being so upset and ashamed that I ended up there in the first place. Tough love and all that.

And that sort of proves my point a little. We'll train these two, but we shouldn't coddle them either. You're pretty connected with them, if not a little affectionate by the sounds of it. So if I need to be the 'bad guy' at times I'll do my best to play the part.

Yeah... I've been bad with that. Kinda hard not to, y'know?

[Those two derps just tended to bring out the protective side of whoever they met. It was a conspiracy. Reno decided that. Yep.]

Though I got to say... ya still don't seem like the bad guy type to me.

I can see why. There's something about those two that make it hard to stay mad or angry at them for any long period of time.

[And its a conspiracy that she'll get right on board with.]

Oh, I'm a special sort of bad guy. I've had to learn to use what I've got, so I've worked on mastering the villain in disguise genre.

Though, when necessary, I can be a hard ass if I need to. And I've kind of already started down that line with them so..I can just continue down that path.

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