animus_network | oo1 [ video ]

[While he usually uses audio settings back home, this time he's going to use video. It might help if someone recognizes him, and not just by voice. Which is why everyone can see that he opted not to use the white jumpsuit (because who really would?), and instead used the clothes that he had found in the trunk. Thank god they gave him brushes, too, or his hair would be a mess.]

This connects to the network, yes? This is Tseng, Director of the Department for Administrative Research. ID Number 46952. [There's no confirmation after that, of course, and his eyes narrow.]

After awaking in room 03-04, I found the letter stating that Gaia had been destroyed. Unbelievable, of course, and whoever has decided to play this kind of prank can be assured that their pay will be docked.

[The collar, too, is a nice touch; just enough that it's annoying, and such a garish color.] I'm more concerned with someone touching my things, and somehow knowing what to pack in that trunk. They also left me without a lighter, if there is anyone willing to lend me one for a moment.

Any and all information from a reliable, spoken source, would be appreciated.

[End transmission.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's a small laugh and a shrug.]

I'm over it Tseng. Shit like that isn't what really matters, impressing people isn't what being a Turk is about and neither is life. Too much ego gets in the way of being able to do what needs doing.

Don't worry about taking the reigns, I've got things pretty handled.

[He raises an eyebrow at that.]

You have things handled? I'm sorry, but while you may have been director back in your home, I am mine in my own.

Which is to say, while your input would be helpful, I will be handling things from this day forward.

This isn't Gaia Tseng.

[There's a bite of angry venom at that, have you been paying a note of attention to anything?]

But fine. You want to deal with the bullshit and madness this place has to throw at you? You want to deal with the fact that everyone here is about five minutes from descending in to total madness and slaughter? You want to watch everyone lose their Shiva-damn mind when there's nothing you can do to help? You want to try to give the rest of us hope when there's none?

Fine.

Just say the word Tseng and I'll just walk away. I'll walk away and never look back because I don't have a reason to stay other than that they're Turks and they need someone who knows what the fuck is going on to be Director.

[He's angry, so angry Tseng.]

Just say the word and I won't bother any of you again. I know... I know I'm not who any of you want around anyway. I'm not... the person any of you think I am.

[the next part is quiet, barely breathed out.]

I'm not your Reno.

[Oh, Reno. You might not be his Reno, but that doesn't mean you don't still act like him. Not what he's going to bring up, though. Instead, he's just going to hope you'll calm down for a moment, while he checks to see if his tea has steeped some more.]

You jump to conclusions very quickly, none of which are the right ones.

[Nope, the tea hasn't, but he's thirsty enough that he'll take a sip from it anyway.]

It's not about wanting, Reno. I would have hoped that you'd come to understand that, as director. No one wants to be in that position. We don't want to be the one giving others hope, and in fact, we're not supposed to be. We're Turks, we're not Cloud Strife and his friends. Their job is to save the world. Our job is to survive it.

I'm not asking you to walk away. In fact, I'd much prefer that you don't. You may not be my Reno, but that doesn't discount what you've already done here, what you know about this place and what has happened here.

[He took another sip before setting aside the cup for good.]

You're a Reno. Which means the same thing to me as my Reno.

And you're a fucking hypocrite.

[it's a snapped response, cold and harsh.]

If our job is to just survive we would have just let Jade WEAPON destroy things. If you didn't want to give people hope you wouldn't have tried to save Zack.

[and this is where it gets even colder.]

If it was only ever about survival you wouldn't have bullshitted around for ten fucking years to avoid bringing Aerith back in to the labs.

[a snort]

You haven't been listening to a goddamn word I've fucking said Tseng, so may be I need to just fucking spell this shit out for you so it can get through your thick goddamn skull.

Gaia isn't my home anymore. I may be a Turk, but I'm not going to roll over like some goddamn dog for the company. President Fucking ShinRa could walk in to this room right now and order me to do something? And I'd fucking laugh in his face and walk away.

My goal here isn't to go back home, I don't want to and I will fight anyone that tries to force me. I know what happens and there's nothing for me there anymore. What I want is to get you guys back home, where you belong.

You asking me to step aside so you can do whatever the fuck you think I need is essentially telling me to walk away. I don't have anything else Tseng.

You don't know what you're talking about, Reno, so shut the fuck up. Just shut up. You think you've changed, that you're not much different then how you were back home.

You're wrong. And if your goal is to get us back home, then stepping aside and letting me lead my people wouldn't affect you in this way.

This isn't about you, Reno. It never has been. I'm telling you to step aside so that I can lead my people in whatever they might need. I'm not doing any of this so you stop looking for a way home. For our home. I'm just letting you know that you don't need to worry about keeping the group together. I am capable of doing that.

Fine.

[And with that Reno just turns and stalks away. He can't bring himself to care anymore, if this was how things were going to be then he wouldn't be a part of it.

He had his own survival to worry about and Tseng could just go and fuck himself at this point.]

oo1 [ video ]

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[offline] ffffff i am so sorry about this mess of renodramas you've been thrown in to.