Final Fantasy Main Story RP ARC VIII

Reno stowed his bag under one of the beds in the other room, pulling off his shirt and sunglasses and tossing them on the bed to show Zack which he'd chosen - if only because it was where he'd gone to first, and put his bag under.

He nudged off his boots and put them beside the bed, going into his bag for a moment and pulling out a pair of slippers. He had felt bad enough traipsing through the house in his boots that he wasn't going to keep them on as he pottered around the small building.

Once they were secure on his feet he went to the next room, silently watching Tseng and knowing that as difficult it was for himself... it was much harder for his boss to be back in his home country.

"We won't be here long," he said softly in Wutainese. "Which is a blessing, I would guess. It feels wrong that I've come to dislike a country that is so beautiful... maybe one day there will be peace between Wutai and ShinRa and I can enjoy being here without wondering if I'm about to lose a few inches off my height."

He cautiously moved towards Tseng, knowing that now they were in the country things were different. "Oh, and his Wutainese is a little above atrocious, so I figured it would be... safer... to speak if eavesdropping were made a little more difficult."

Zack looked up at Sephiroth as he spoke his name and grinned. "Seph?"
He tilted his head to the side to look at him. "Something up?"
Zack really didn't want things to be awkward between them.
But there was something there that he didn't want to deny for much longer.

It was hard enough as it was, to keep the light hearted goof facade on.
He hoped they could have a moment or five just to themselves even if it was just in silence.
Zack didn't care at this point, he just wanted to remain close to Seph.
He felt safe with him no matter where they were so long as he away from her.

So long as he had control of his thoughts and true feelings.



[I'll be vacating this state in about 5 hours, I get the feeling I'll be up most of the night doing my laundry and crap though T-T]

"Oh..." He guessed it made sense ShinRa still didn't trust them.
"I guess I can stay here if you think it's best, but I'd be juggling my boredom."
He laughed. "We all know how well that goes." Zack smiled at Seph.
"Whatever you think is best though, your the boss. I won't argue not about this."
He understood the importance of the sword being fit and if three drew less attention than two.
He completely understood. "But if you take to long I will come out and find you."


[okay and I'm off for a few days I'll try to post when I can folks.]

Reno gave a soft sigh because he knew that Tseng was right - two would be better than four of them if they want to go about unnoticed.

"Is it safe to walk around town with a man who is clearly not Wutain? You know that can cause a stir faster than two men who are not native to this land. I trust you, and I trust that the General would not harm you... but it is true that I do not trust others. You know what they will do to you if you're caught - I can't risk that, Tseng. You're the useful one of us, after all."

It was a convenient truth. Two tourists could be looked down on and otherwise ignored - a Wutain man seen with an outsider was a scandal.

"And I'd like to think I'm a little more discreet than that," he chuckled softly, in regards to the glaring. "I can't help that seeing him puts certain images back in my head... things I wish I could forget." He gently cupped Tseng's face and brushed his thumb over his cheek, needing to feel the warmth of his skin to drive away another memory. "It's my job to watch out for you, to ensure you're safe. It will take time for me to be comfortable at the thought of him near you - and I won't apologise for that."

Reno turned after the kiss to his cheek, catching Tseng's lips with his own. "If it's an order then I have no choice but to obey," he said with a hint of a smile. He pulled back, not wanting to come on too strongly or for Tseng to feel trapped by him.

He moved and sat on the edge of the bed with another sigh. "It shouldn't be this difficult... behind here. I've been on the brink and death back again so many times, all around the world - and yet it is here that I fear. Here is the only place that has affected me."

"I tend to follow your orders... to a point," he replied with a cheeky smile. "I don't think I've ever really, completely, outright defied you..? I don't know, we've been working together for so long now, I've probably done more than my fair share of defiance."

He turned a little in order to face him as they talked, trying to keep touching him to a minimum because while he was definitely one of those people who likes to be in contact with the person of their affections, he was sure that Tseng wouldn't appreciate it.

"I don't know how to tune it all out," he admitted quietly. "Every sakura tree we passed sent a shudder through me and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Every fibre of my being is telling me that we need to get out of here, and I don't even know how I'm still sat here. I've only ever been truly scared three times in my whole life... and right now I am terrified. I don't like having to admit it but... you need to know. As my boss if nothing else."

He sighed and rubbed his forehead, hating that he needed to say it at all, but Tseng was right - it would affect his performance.

"I'll stay here with Zack tomorrow... don't expect to find more than a nervous wreck when you get back, ok?"

Denzel took it but then jerked his head up. "Don't Marlene! This is what I wanted! It was my choice!"

Rufus was just giving him the strength he so desperately wanted. Denzel dropped his head slightly. "You should never hurt anyone Marlene. You're not the type of person who hurts and once you start you can't stop."

Blue eyes shifted down as he stared at his empty hand. He had killed deepground troops already and they wouldn't be the last, and what's worse, he had liked it. That had scared him, and now he couldn't stop it. He wanted this so badly.

Zack let out a sigh. Sephiroth had the whole protective thing up again, it did bug him.
But he understood. Orders were orders. He stood up slowly and moved to Seph's side.
"I understand... sir. But know that I will wait as long as I can."
He wrapped his arms around Seph from behind just holding him.
"I can't hide my concern as easily as you can. But just be safe. Find way to tell me to get the hell out."


[Got to Queensland fine.]

Reno squeezed the hand with a smile and reluctantly released it as Tseng stood. "Sometimes I think you know me too well," he chuckled, standing and following him out of the bedroom.

"I'll see what we have in way of food," he said, switching back to Common again. "See if I can't manage to cook us something for when you're back. Be careful, ok?"

He lightly squeezed Tseng's shoulder and moved past him, remembering the layout of the house well. He didn't expect to find much in the cupboards, but the kitchen had a clock and he would be counting the exact seconds until he would go after him.


((Glad you're there safely, Zack <3))

Finally Denzel gave a brief nod in response. "Don't worry too much about me," he said as he sat down at the edge of the bed. His head was still pounding, but that he could deal with. Zack had promised to be back by the fourth or fifth treatment but he had also send the second through the fifth were the worst. That meant it was going to get much worse.

That was something Denzel had to face.

"I'll be okay Marlene," he could promise her that but what he really wanted was someone who understood to be there. He knew Cloud wasn't going to come. He hated him now. Marlene shouldn't be there anymore. He was a danger to her and in the end he wasn't her family. Not when Cloud didn't want him any longer. Not when Cloud hated him.

((And this shall be my last post until I get home. See you all on Wednesday.))