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Entry tags:
TDM 003
| TDM 003: #BEACHBUMS |
I. BEACH  Welcome arrivals, new and old! The skies on Erku may be perpetually gray, but the weather has taken a sudden turn to summertime heat. Fortunately, soaring temperatures have chased away more of the strange fog that conceals so much of the island, unveiling a charming, sandy cove dotted here and there with rustic love shacks. These shabby little lean-tos are dusty and sparse, but they provide everything one (or two, wink wink) might need for a little relief from the sun. Just don’t wander too far... that fog has memory-loss properties. II. DRINKS  The 'bots are very apologetic about the whole fog incident, and they are trying to get on the new arrivals' good sides by giving out fancy drinks. Of course, they still haven't mastered the art of making things properly, so each drink has a little something... extra.
III. SNACKS  Lo! As you ask, the Augur shall provide. Thanks to the efforts of your organic predecessors in restoring the planet’s Eros energy, edible fishes and seaweeds have returned to the ponds and the shores of Erku. If you fancy yourself savvy to basic survival skills, why not fashion up a fishing rod and catch yourself dinner? Just be careful if you happen to hook one of the octopus creatures from the deeper waters - they can be quite forward with their tentacles! Or, if primitive angling isn’t in your repertoire, you can always trade some credits for a tasty catch from one of the food stalls along the coast. Most stalls are manned by 'bots, but there’s nothing stopping an enterprising arrival from setting up shop. No credits? No problem! The robots have also provided a bit of entertainment, and any volunteers to man the kissing booth, get dunked in the wet t-shirt dunk tank, or grill up some fish - among other opportunities - will find credits automatically loaded onto the payment app of their bracelet devices. The 'bots are recruiting especially hard for participants to work in the gloryhole tent! IV. SPARKLES  As dusk descends, the white sands of the beach suddenly come alive with glittering lights. It’s as if the darkened waters have carried a thousand shining stars from the depths of the sea to the shores of the cove. In actuality, each little twinkle is a bioluminescent plankton or jellyfish! Feel free to wade among them and admire their shine; even the sting of the jellies won’t hurt you... though they do pack a different punch. The tentacles of the jellyfish elicit a powerful aphrodisiac response, which gets the heart racing and the blood pumping for an intimate touch. The effects come on within a matter of minutes, and last for a few hours. Only time will relieve the symptoms, but a partner will help to make it more bearable. N A V I G A T I O N |
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He owes Tseng a great deal. He owes him his life. Tseng had stayed by his side when they both knew that Rufus wouldn't survive the next six months as the disease slowly claimed his life. Tseng had been there doing things for him that certainly were not in his job description when he could have easily walked away with the others.
But they both know what's coming next as Rufus takes aim. He has had so few pleasures in life these past years, he's sure Tseng will understand.]
Forgive me, Tseng.
[And the ball leaves his hand- there is no doubt that he'll hit the target with precision. Even Dark Nation lunging after the ball doesn't stop it from hitting the button, she manages to catch it only after it hits the ground.]
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holding himself up is no use: the walls of the damn thing are wide, impossibly so, that even when he jerks out both palms as though to catch himself, his fingers grapple at air, instead. there's the lurch of the bench beneath him, when the ball makes contact with the button, and there's a curse beneath his breath, nearly loud enough to be heard over the distinct splash of the water when he hits it. waves of it rush over him, cold and chilling, until he sweeps his arms out and gains his balance again.
the water hits, about mid-waist, when he finally brings himself to stand in it: when his hands come up to push and sweep his hair out of his face, brush tendrils of it away where it's come loose from the band holding it together. he should have tied it all up beforehand, but he hadn't expected-- )
Are you quite satisfied? ( he says, one hand coming up to start to loosen the knot on his tie; his eyes narrow, but he can't glare at rufus as much as he would like to, so his voice sounds vaguely amused; his shirt sticks to his skin, showing the way his breath makes it flex slightly with movement. ) Or would it please you to do it again?
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He's getting the sleeve of his coat wet but he doesn't seem to notice as he brushes Tseng's hair back until he's pleased.]
You're safe for now, I promise.
[Dark Nation has the ball anyway and is currently laying on the grass ripping into it happily. There won't be much left of it soon.]
I'll buy you a drink as an apology. It will give me a chance to catch you up on everything here.
[There was a lot to fill Tseng in on. Tseng seemed slightly different and he remembers Vincent Valentine mentioning that others from their world were from different points in time. Reno and Rude knew him as the young President who had taken the throne, he wants to know if it's the same with Tseng.]
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it doesn't take much, to work himself out of the pool of water--he braces his palms against the edge, hauling himself up to swing a leg over it, and then the next, though he finds he likes it all even less when he's out of the cool waves, clothes weighed down by water he can't possibly try to wring out like this. gingerly, he snatches an arm out for his jacket, holds it out away from himself--at least that much is dry. )
Lucky for you, sir, the drinks are free.
( there's a faint hint of amusement in his voice. )
Perhaps I should dry off a little, first. I don't think anyone will appreciate me making puddles all over their countertops.
( still, he keeps his eyes on rufus--though they flicker, once, to ensure that dark nation is sufficiently entertained. )
You're alright? Unharmed?
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[The best they are able to at least. Rufus has experienced a bit more freedom than he's used to since arriving here and while he's been looking for a way back to their world he's also been having a bit of fun where while he could. He wants to experience life while he was able to after the last two years.]
We have towels back at the apartment you can use. Rude just did laundry so they're clean.
[Because it's not like he ever learned hot to do laundry. He's not sure what he would do without Reno and Rude to help him survive since he never learned how to do anything practical for himself aside from the time he taught himself to use the coffee machine once. He was rather proud of that still.
He's quiet as he leads Tseng through the crowd, Dark Nation following by their side with the ball still held proudly in her mouth. Rufus's expression shifts to something more serious as he glances at Tseng, his voice low.]
And before you ask, it's gone. All of it.
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( there's a question in his voice, but he doesn't quite say it. it stands to reason that if they've been here awhile, they would have to find some sort of accommodation; and he has to put all of his trust in rude for keeping rufus safe, at least, because surely reno's been no help. perhaps with a few of the chores, but--he considers this all in silence, trailing after rufus at his somewhat usual gait, neatly at his heels, shoulders tilted to avoid knocking into anyone as they make their way through the crowd.
his hands are working silently at the hems of his shirt, dragging them out from the way they've been tucked into his pants, wringing water out from them as they walk. that's when rufus' soft voice breaks through, confusing enough that his eyes dart up to look at him, as though he's missing something.
rufus is someone he can read almost instantly. so why does he have no idea what he's talking about? )
What's gone, sir?
( softly, though his voice jolts a little when dark nation nudges at the back of his legs to keep him walking steadily. )
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[But Tseng's question has thrown him off. He knows that Reno and Rude are from a different point of time and the question Tseng asks hints that he is as well. It explains why something about Tseng was just slightly off He's quiet for a bit until the crowd around them thins.
When there wasn't anyone who could listen in on their conversation, Rufus finally speaks again.]
Tseng. What is the last thing you remember before arriving here?
[He hadn't told Rude or Reno much about the future so far. He hadn't decided how much they needed to know or how much he really wanted to elaborate on. But Tseng was different, he knew that he was never able to hide anything from Tseng. The other man had the uncanny ability to uncover anything he tried to conceal.]
We may not come from the same points in time.
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it's an option, at least, as he glides his gaze firmly over rufus' face, checking pointedly at his hairline, the back of his neck, anywhere he can manage to covertly look for any signs of wounding, any needle pinpricks or any indication that he's been physically tampered with. the only conclusions he can come to are that there is, in fact, something a little different about rufus, as though he looks, just slightly, older and more matured, but perhaps that's by virtue of being in this place and nothing else at all.
he drops his gaze back down to where his hands are still struggling to try to wring himself free of as much water as possible without unbuttoning his shirt in public. )
You mean to say that we're not... That you're not... the man I left behind in Midgar? You're another version of him?
( it's not entirely unbelievable, with all of the insanity of the science department. he's surprised that something like this hasn't happened sooner, honestly.)
The last thing I recall is that you had become the president of the company, sir. Is that not the case for you?
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There are others from our world here as well.
[See how carefully he deflects from his own personal experiences though he's sure it won't be enough to distract Tseng for very long. Perhaps he would buy himself a few minutes to figure out what he wanted to disclose. The last two years had not been easy for him and he knew that it wouldn't be easy for Tseng to digest.]
Some are from my point in time. Some from before yours.
[Yes, it does sound insane but Tseng will soon learn that soon enough.]
There is a lot to catch you up on.
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rufus delivers it all with a relative calm, meaning he's been here long enough to grow used to it all. still--two years? in the future? it seems a little terrifying to wonder what rufus could know, what could be waiting for him. at least rufus hadn't seemed shocked to see him; that must mean he lives at least that long, right? )
I would like to hear about your...experiences. Whatever you think is pertinent to share with me.
( if there's anything he should know, to still be able to keep rufus safe--then those are things he needs to know. he won't go sticking his nose into anywhere it doesn't belong.
still--he spares what could be considered a smile, small and playfully pained. ) Perhaps after a change of clothes, sir. If that's alright.
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[He lets his gaze linger on how Tseng's wet clothes cling to his body just a bit too long to be strictly professional but he can't help himself. But he notices how Tseng's smile is slightly pained, there is a lot he has to tell Tseng and a lot of it will be difficult for him to hear.
He lets Tseng in when they get to the apartment, Dark Nation rushing in ahead of them to run to her dish, ignoring them now. Rufus heads to the bedroom, pulling out a pair of Rude's pants and one of his shirts before returning to the living room.]
I suppose I should start with the two years that you missed. You might want to sit down.
[That sure sounds ominous but Rufus is completely serious as he sits on the couch to watch Tseng change.]
A lot happened during those years.
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granted, he probably shouldn't ask too many questions just yet: and he will definitely have to thank rude for the clothes he's borrowing, a nod of gratitude to rufus as he takes them carefully between both hands.
longingly, his eyes gaze towards one of the other doors: the bedrooms, the bathroom, anything really, but rufus plants himself down on the couch and instructs him that he should probably sit and he doesn't think he'll have the luxury of escaping elsewhere to change. so he starts by tossing his dry jacket onto the sofa next to him, working loose his tie and then painstakingly going for the buttons of his shirt, drawing them open as he tries, with a certain level of stubborn resolve, not to look at rufus--not wanting to know if he's actually watching, or not. )
Start small. ( he says, bemused, as he peels his wet shirt off his shoulders, abandoned with the rest of his clothes and his weapons on the sofa. rude's broader than he is, a little more well-built, and his shirt comes on slightly oversized, deciding to do up the buttons of it to cover up, slightly, before he strips out of his wet pants. )
I can handle it, sir. Whatever you need to tell me, whatever I need to know.
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It made him feel something he didn't know and didn't want to feel. He could place that aside to focus on what he needed to do in order to catch Tseng up.]
I can start with the night I become president. It seemed like after that night everything fell apart, now Midgar and the Shinra Building are just rubble.
[He doesn't mean for it to sound so bleak but...well...its's pretty bleak. He looks back at Tseng, forcing himself to keep his gaze on Tseng's. He could be professional. He has to be.
He starts at the beginning. The night of his father's death, his pursuit of Sephiroth. His voice only barely hitches at the Temple of the Ancients but he knows Tseng will want the truth. He stops just after Diamond Weapon's attack on the power, pausing as he watches Tseng's reaction.]
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rubble? it's the first thing that jerks him out of his calm, that breaks the smooth mask of his features; he doesn't dare look at rufus again, afraid that he might ask questions or interrupt in a way that will stall the story being laid out for him, one that sounds so unbelievable that it has to be true. his hands, without the gloves there as a barrier, fit together, his fingers laced in so hard that his knuckles nearly crack. )
... But there's more, isn't there?
( he nods his head, faintly, as though he's answering his own obvious question--his eyes close for a moment, a faint grasp for composure, before he glances sidelong at rufus, as though it's a silent plea for him to continue, so that he can soak up as many of the details as he can. it's utterly overwhelming but he's devoted to it, now--he just has to know. )
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[And this won't be easy for him to talk about and it won't be easy for Tseng to hear. He hadn't told Reno and Rude many details about what happened after Meteor, there was a lot of information they didn't need to know. He didn't want to deal with the pity and them being even more protective even though he wasn't ill anymore.
He is starting to feel tired but he's determined to say what needs to be said, it's frustrating how often he feels like he needs to rest as his body recovers]
I survived, Tseng. It wasn't easy, there were days I had to fight for it but I survived.
[He takes a deep breath. He's not going to get sentimental but it was a lot to handle, especially since he couldn't say anything to Reno or Rude. His voice is calm as he talks about how he survived Diamond Weapon, being kidnapped by Mutten and tortured for weeks. The cave- but even now he can't speak about how he had choked on the black substance.
No, best not to think about that. His hands are only shaking slightly as he finishes talking about Geostigma and he feels exhausted both mentally and physically by the time he stops talking.]
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and certainly it's not his place: and certainly it's not something that anyone would be so bold to do. but he can't sit next to him and not do something; he reaches, carefully, takes one of rufus' hands into his own, closing it reassuringly between both of his palms, dragging it to rest neatly in his own lap. )
You survived. And you're here.
( and honestly, he thinks that's something rufus should be incredibly proud of. he's proud of him for it. )
Thank you. For telling me these things. I know it must have been...nearly impossible to have to recount it all. I can't do much about what's already happened to you, but here, I can... I can do my best to keep you safe.
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There is more to tell but he decides that it can wait for a bit- this hadn't been easy for either one of them.]
I have no intention of going anywhere, Tseng. [If he could survive Diamond Weapon, Mütton, Geostigma- it would take more than any of those to bring him down.]
I know with you by my side I'll be safe. You've never failed me.
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I wouldn't go that far.
( he's not sure he deserves that kind of praise. he's been at the mercy of his own mistakes and failures too many times to count. still-- )
You must be worn out, telling me all this... Perhaps it might be a good idea to get some rest, for now. We can talk more about all this later. I'll be here as long as you are.
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I'll take a nap and we can finish.
[Only then does he force himself to pull away from Tseng, trying to stifle a yawn. Dark Nation sits up, following them in the direction of the bedroom. He would ask Tseng to stay with him as he was used to now but he said nothing as he pulled his coat off, laying it aside.]