here at the honeybee inn. / open

[makopoison]

[ they tell him he won't make soldier. no amount of training can fix a weakness of the soul. the mako doesn't agree with him - he's bedridden for three days after the initial test, and upon discharge, told he'll nnot be allowed to apply again. on the very same day he'd tendered his resignation, apologizing to his squadmates for letting them down, and left a message to the turk who had helped him on the trains as well as zack fair, thanking them for their belief in him, however ill-placed.

he was left with no choice but to improvise. there was nothing to return home to in nibelheim, no reason to quietly endure further ridicule and a lifetime of being ostracized, but no way he could live on the plate with the sky-high rent and the soul-sucking jobs requiring more skill than country boy can provide. he isn't the first SOLDIER washout to be too ashamed to go home, and he knows he won't be the last. the slums are full of them. he'd found himself lost, wandering lost in the shadow of the plate. sector five was bright and flashy but he wasn't equipped to deal with pickpockets and gangs. the better part of the day was spent utterly terrified, certain he was going to die here tonight and no one would ever know because he'd been too damn stupid to tell them his plans.

don corneo's men saw an easy mark for the coliseum. promising big money and a place to sleep - but a hand on his shoulder, a whisper in his ear, i could make you a star, darling - offered him something better.

andrea rhodea had smiled so charmingly and with such faith he'd decided he was in before he even heard the offer.

( they'd suggested claudia for his stagename, not knowing it was his mothers. he'd balked, almost shouting no, because while the rhinestones and glitter were rapidly becoming just another part of his world - he couldn't imagine the humiliation of anyone he knew knowing this. shame had consumed so much of his life, dictated so much of what he enjoyed - he refused to let it ruin this too. )

so cirrus was born. and cirrus was a fucking hit.

and he hadn't been lying. cloud's androgynous features were a smash with the customer-base. he was a quick learner, a hell of a dancer, and not too bad of a fighter. he was a star - and it came with glitz, and glamour, and gil, but no glory.

the usual showstopper was done for the night. cloud, center-stage, dancing to a flashy new routine in a uniform somewhere between the men's snappy suits and the women's bulky bee costume. he's fanning himself in the changing room, huffing out a breath as he counts down the minutes until the end of his shift, when one of the girls tells him he's been requested for a private show. ]

Seriously? I'm almost off the clock. Can't someone else -

[ it's someone important, she says, shaking her head. classified. you know what that means.

the blonde pulls a face.

don't worry, it doesn't look like an exec. she adds hastily. but you better move.

he sighs. turns back to the mirror to wipe away any evidence of exertion and heads for the room. ]

Comments

[makopoison]

Andrea isn't going to punish me for not having sex with you.

[ and there's that bluntness. ]

Andrea won't punish me at all... But your colleagues are also customers.

[plate_builder]

Oh.

[Reeve cringes at the very idea. The negative repercussions on Cirrus and this place would be unacceptable.]

This, if you must know, is why I dislike my colleagues.

[With a sigh he sits back down, reaching for the wine again and stopping.]

It's... not that you're not attractive. If that's your concern. I'm sure many people would revel in the position I'm in. It just seems disrespectful to you.

[makopoison]

I think I can decide what is and isn't disrespectful, thanks.

[ that vapid edge is entirely gone, replaced with something annoyed. he stops himself, takes a breath. it's not cute to be a prick and he does it so often he's honestly surprised no one's hurt him over it. ]

Is this your first time in Wallmarket?

[plate_builder]

Yes. I am... not allowed down under the plates very often.

[A strange way to put it, but Reeve knows the truth to the statement. To lose him is to lose a lot of Shinra's secrets. More than that, it would mean losing a serious tool in their toolbox.

At last he takes the wine up again. When were those other drinks going to arrive? Not soon enough for Reeve's opinion.]

It has been deemed an unnecessary risk for me to be in the slums. I'm not sure I agree with the assertion, but my trip down today has been heavily escorted.

[Meaning he hadn't had a choice.]

Tell me, did you recognize me, or was there someone in this place who was told who exactly I was?

[makopoison]

[ right, there it is right there. cloud supposes hed been the same when he'd first come down here. he takes the wine in hand himself and glances towards the doors. ]

I wasn't told, exactly. The only people who can afford services of this level are Shinra elite - and yours is the only name I haven't been able to put a face to.

[hero_of_wutai]

[ He'd almost walked out a hundred times since he was put into the private room and told 'Cirrus will be in shortly', and honestly he wasn't exactly sure why he was here.

Genesis had been gone for months and he'd been fine, but then Banora had happened and it was driven home that Genesis wasn't coming back. That he'd been abandoned by his first and best friends and he didn't know why.

Why hadn't Genesis told him he was leaving? Why hadn't he asked if Sephiroth would come with him? Why hadn't he trusted him?

How that knowledge had resulted in Sephiroth visiting the Honeybee Inn and seeking out Genesis's favorite dancer he didn't know. Yet here he was, waiting for the dancer that Genesis claimed had the voice of an angel while reciting LOVELESS.

Why was he doing this? ]

[makopoison]

[ general genesis has been one of his first private clients. if not the first client. he remembers because he'd been so petrified, afraid of what this man who was capable of destroying armies would do to him behind closed doors. genesis had touched his chin, turned his face this way and that:

and then had asked if he'd ever heard of the gift of the goddess. if anyone had ever told him he looked like the goddess minerva given life. he wasn't a very well read boy, and he wasn't accustomed to compliments, so when he'd blushed and looked away the older man had known it had been genuine.

genesis had remained a regular. he'd taken other clients, ones who did want more than to hear his pretty voice and watch his body sway, but genesis had never looked down on him for it. weird, as the man looked down on practically everyone.

and so when someone books him and cites his knowledge of loveless as the reason, he thinks - maybe the news had been wrong. the general hadn't been KIA after all and had finally come back, but - what's waiting for him isn't the familiar red of genesis' cloak and hair, but silver standing starkly against black leather. his heart hammers in his chest, character broken before he even has a chance to establish it, because his childhood hero is standing before him after asking for him.

he thought he was over this crush. that it had died when he'd turned in his resignation to save the shame of being let go. all it takes is one look to know that's not true. ]

G-General Sephiroth, sir. My name is Cirrus, i-it's my pleasure to serve you tonight.

[electroburst]

No "mister," just Reno.

[ it's so contrived, this stuff. that's why he doesn't make a habit out of it. it can be fun, but what's the point in all the fucking pretendy funtimes when you can just jump straight to the point and get laid and call it good? eh, because sometimes it's fun to fuck around and pretend. and maybe he's just—curious. what it's like now.

also, cirrus (totally not a real name, but still cute) is pretty damn hot. he picks up his glass and gestures for him to do the same. ]

You're right, though. I don't gotta flatter you. You're a hot ticket commodity here, gotta be special even just to get to talk to you.

[makopoison]

Reno.

[ he offers a smile. gag him with a fucking spoon, the whole ritual of this is stupid and cringeworthy, but he lifts his glass and offers it out to toast. ]

You do. [ reno is good looking, at least. easy on the eyes, oozing charm, he'll take this over the rest of the shinra regulars any fucking day. they're all sadistic freaks - except for palmer, that one's just a gross, harmless night that'll put you off butter for as long as you live.

of course the redhead's pretty face doesn't mean his soul is pretty. he's a turk after, after all. no one knows a damn thing about them other than the fact that you don't get that far by being gentle.

cloud honestly doesn't remember hearing any stories about what they like in bed. no warnings about how they don't know their own strength and can hurt you, like a soldier. or the insane, dehumaninizing kinks of the science department.

this is a total fucking mystery. so he'll just smile and nod, bumping their knees together. ]

You must be extra special, because I feel like actually talking back.

[electroburst]

[ yeah, wow, that is cringeworthy. reno lets the kid do his whole routine, the smiling and sitting pretty, clinks the glass with him and everything. is this how it looks like now, in wall market? at the bee, too? just pretty as a god damn wrapped package on christmas, tied with a beautiful red bow. in some ways it's not really all that different, but there's certainly a lot more class than there used to be. this place was full of fucking freaks back in the good ol' days. like, you didn't dress a pig up in a dress and call it a classy time, you feel me?

it's honestly just—funny. when cirrus sits that close and makes sure their knees touch, pretends like he's into him, reno snorts and laughs. he can't help himself. he's just never played the game all that well, walking on his hind legs in a tutu and all that. it's funny how it's almost the same shit below as it is above. ]

Aw, come on! They can't possibly pay you enough to feel like that about it. How long have you even been on the clock, huh? Bet you're sick of this shit. Tired? Feet hurt? You can kick your shoes off if you want. Don't worry, that's not a thing with me, or whatever.

[ he says it like it's all pretty funny, downs a big gulp of his wine with a grin. ]

[makopoison]

[ you can see the act drop, even monetarily. the purposefully vapid look in those blue eyes drops, replaced with something wary and all to keenly aware. survival instincts shining through in the way that he can't possibly allow.

He has nothing to fear from andrea. andrea can be, and sometimes is, a cruel man. you don't reach this level of power if you're simply kind and supportive. but he's never been cruel to cloud, and never valued the dollar more than the lives of his staff. the same can't be said for shinra, and certainly not for don corneo. the slightest whisper of displeasure could be his fucking death if it got to the wrong ears. the don likes him mouthy and able to stand up for himself so long as at the end of the day he knows the skirt comes off.

he isn't going to like a worker that's tired of being treated like shit unless he's the one looking in their eyes and wringing the confession out of him.

he tries to school himself, go back to cheerful, but that sharp look is still in his eyes. this isn't about him. ]

Its been a long day. But I'm more than happy to serve you however you want to be served.

[electroburst]

Then kick back. Let's hang out.

[ he knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that the guys who set him up for this shit will be expecting a conquest. they'd lose their fucking minds if they heard that all he did with the prettiest bee in the hive was "hang out" like a couple of dudes. and look, he'd probably laugh along with them, because this is fucking stupid. listen—listen. maybe he will still fuck the pretty blond. that's not off the table in the least. honestly, just because he's smart and whatever doesn't mean he's not a man like any other, and it's hard to look at someone that looks the way this kid does talking about serving him and not want to just bend that backwards over the gaudy velvet couch. but like... i mean...

whatever. he can do whatever the fuck he wants. that crafty look in his eyes doesn't say anything other than that if he's playing a game here, he's a long way off from showing his hand. but he does exactly what he says and settles back against the couch, puts his feet up on the table, and slugs back the bubbly like they're just gonna have a nice chill time. ]

[makopoison]

[ oh this he doesn't like. one, he was ready to go the fuck home. if this guy wants to 'hang out' he'll probably be here until morning until he actually wants to get his dick sucked and cloud can get out of here ]

Sure. That sounds nice.

[ it does not, in fact, sound nice. but he can't deny he'd like out of these thigh-highs. so, the guy made the offer, so he reaches down to unzip them nice and slow to free those shapely little legs of his.

god. okay. what act does he put on here? he's not even a 'hang out' kind of person, he's an 'awkwardly be sidelined all your life and sit alone in your room' person. ]

I haven't seen you here before.

[plate_builder]

So you're suggesting that the Vice-Execs don't come here?

[Interesting. Wait, does that mean...? Reeve grimaces, that is terrible.]

Please tell me you haven't had their dubious company inflicted upon you. If so, remind me to tip over the top because I wouldn't be surprised if they were beyond under appreciative of your presence.

[makopoison]

You really don't come down here.

[ he seems... so genuine. How the hell is a guy like this working for Shinra? and, moreover, cloud peers curiously at him. ]

I entertained at Director Scarlet's birthday last month. [ he resists the urge to say, you know, her tenth thirtieth. ]

[plate_builder]

What her tenth thirtieth?

[Reeve can't resist the joke, because honestly, it was a common one in his department. And the man was definitely talking to him in a comfortable enough, or close enough to comfortable way, for Reeve to be a bit honest. Which is strange. And something he moves past it.]

As I said, I'm not really allowed. The company line is 'for my safety.' I was even escorted here by a pair of Turks.

[makopoison]

[ he cracks a smile. the first genuine one since he'd walked in the room. ]

That's understandable. The slums are a dangerous place for anyone with real wealth... and no offense, but you look like an easy target.

[plate_builder]

Wealth.

[Oh dear, what an incorrect expectation of him. Reeve chuckles and shakes his head, fingers running through his hair.]

Yes. Perhaps I have wealth. Mostly I have privilege. I have employment. I have a comfortable home [that he rarely sees which makes it even more of a privilege], and I can feed myself. But wealth? Not as much.

[Enough that he can pay Cloud and this place for the stupidity.]

But there are reasons I'm not allowed down here, and it's as much for my safety because people are upset as because they imagine I'd make a fool of himself.

[Reno and Rude had absolutely had to make sure Reeve didn't give money to everyone he passed.]

[makopoison]

The way your foot keeps finding your mouth is proof that's not a bad idea.

[ stop, dumbass, don't mouth off. ]

What you have is considered 'wealth' down here. The people of the slums live paycheck to paycheck and by relying on others. Either by their kindness and willingness to lend a hand, or their weakness in the face of a threat... if you give an inch here, people will take miles.

[plate_builder]

You're not wrong.

[Of everyone in the company, Reeve's the one that doesn't mind the mouthing off. In fact, he nods along with Cloud's point. He absolutely believes it.]

I'd give miles, if I was allowed. That's my job. To make sure the people have. Unfortunately...

[Well, there are people above him, and they don't quite agree. At all.]

And then there are moments like this. When I'm sent here. By people who think I need this to be more like them.

[makopoison]

Well.. maybe you do.

[ he crosses his legs. ]

Just not in the way they think.

[electroburst]

[ the hell it does sound nice, but at least for now, he intends for it to be. you know, insofar as anything is "nice" in places like this. you could get paid to deal with worse, he guesses. being stuck here until some shit-for-brains with deep pockets gets tired of your "company" and wants to get to the point when all you want is to go to sleep, but then again, fuck it, it's all the same shit tomorrow anyway, isn't it? he doesn't pass up the opportunity to check out his legs either way.

an even more solid case for the yeah, i'll probably fuck him later thing. ]

I don't make a habit out of it. Bees kinda creep me the fuck out. Bugs ain't sexy. Ehh, I just came because the guys wanted high-class entertainment.

[ snorting under his breath. ]

This is what they consider "high-class." No offense.

[plate_builder]

[Fair enough. Reeve concedes the point with a tilt of his head.]

Yes, the whole 'relieving of stress' you implied. Or did you mean another thing. That I'm too full of myself? Too self important?

[Please, tell him, there will be no repercussions his tone seems to say.]

[makopoison]

None taken. We're as high class as the slums go, but key word there is the slums.

[ he honestly doesn't understand why the hell you'd come here with your friends to pay for sex. don't you lose bragging rights when someone won't fuck you for free? or, in his case, when no isn't an option? or maybe that makes it better to them. a thrill of power of whatever. it's stupid. but he's still a simple country boy somewhere underneath it all.

he stretches out. this guy isn't going for saccharine sweet so - might as well be himself. ]

We get a lot of SOLDIERs and management, but... I've never actually seen a Turk here before. You were sitting left of the stage, right? I recognized the tattoos and the hair when I walked out.

[makopoison]

[ speak honestly? yeah, he can do that. he's got a smart mouth and no common sense. ]

You walked in here feeling sorry for me, making decisions about what I want before you even spoke to me.