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]

[ it doesn't look like an exec, but it is one. one of the directors is sitting on that couch, looking as though he'd rather be on the moon.

by now he's met most of them. all of them come to the honeybee inn for one reason or another - not always sexual, but never far from it either. cloud's personally met scarlet's whip and spent the better part of two hours telling heidegger what an incredible tactical genius he was, the only mercy was that palmer wasn't into 'manly folk' and always went with someone more lithe. ]

Director Tuesti. [ he smiles winningly, his outfit considerably more subdued. the profile they'd gotten had requested something less gaudy and overtly ridiculous, but the form-fitting suit leaves very little to the imagination. it's abundantly clear there's nothing under it, either. ] Welcome to the Honeybee Inn. My name is Cirrus, I'll be [ ugh ] tending to your garden tonight. Would you like to start with some wine?

[ he still hasn't mastered that plasticy, 'everything is perfect' smile the other girls have. his clients don't like him for that, though. andrea has said the 'frigid bitch' angle makes him seem fearless, but the fact that they know they can have him makes it all the more enticing. ]

[plate_builder]

[Oh dear, who... which one of them arranged this? The suit is just a bit over the top for Reeve. Something tells him it was Scarlet. Scarlet running on the assumption that just because Reeve presented himself in a professional manner meant he was turned on by it. Which wasn't exactly incorrect. But the fact that Tseng in a suit was attractive didn't mean that he immediately found all suits attractive. Even if this one hugged the stranger's body in beautiful ways that were by no means appropriate.

Or respectful to the suit.]

My garden is very fine the way it is, thank you very much.

[The words were mumbled under his breath. Because he didn't know how to politely turn down the individual's, was it a man or a woman, company. He had an obligation to be here because otherwise Rude and Reno would notice he wasn't gone long enough and...

He hates his fellow directors. Dammit.]

And please, don't call me that.

[The title felt... ill fitted to a place like this. Like he was disrespecting it and his position.]

I will take that wine though.

[makopoison]

[ ... maybe he's not to this gentleman's standards. cloud's momentarily taken aback, but turns to order something fine and expensive. it's all being charged to the company's accounts, courtesy of don corneo.

which is also how he knows no one that high up the shinra foodchain is sane. it just doesn't happen. that much power, that much influence, doing that many sins has to start eating you alive inside. meaning you need another outlet.

he knows about reeve tuesti, knows that he's supposedly the most genuine of all of them, but cloud's been around the block enough times to know that usually means he's hiding a mean streak. ]

Of course.

[ the wine is delivered. he takes it and two glasses in hand, sitting down across from him. ]

What do you want me to call you?

[plate_builder]

[Reeve takes the wine and can't help the slightly grateful look over Cirrus not sitting down next to him. That would have been too much. Maybe, if he drags the glass of wine out, he can then plead fatigue, thank the performer for their time, and escape. Yes, that's a plan.

And Reeve takes a sip of the wine, and stares at it in shock.]

What... this is...

[High quality. The cost of a bottle of this could feed some slums family for a week.]

This is too much for me.

[makopoison]

[ not even giving him a name. the blonde tries to mask his annoyance, eyebrows forking down briefly before he takes a breath and forcefully schools himself back to that pleasant smile. ]

The bottle was bought for the company for company staff. It will just go to waste otherwise.

[ it's not really a lie. he works hard to keep his voice bright and bordering on vapid. ]

[plate_builder]

[Vapid is the actual worst, and just listening to it has Reeve taking a larger sip of his wine. Because if he doesn't, he might ask the person if they would not rather just work somewhere better, if the option was there for them. Intellectually Reeve understands some people WANT this work. But he has no reason to assume this one does or doesn't.]

Reeve.

[Three minutes late while awkwardly sipping his wine.]

My name is Reeve. Do you, uh, often get to just sit and drink wine on Shinra's dime?

[makopoison]

[ there's a faint snort. one that he's immediately embarrassed he isn't quick enough to cover. ]

Not usually, no.

[ doesn't sound like he wants to sleep with him. he isn't sure if he should be offended or relieved. mostly, he's just confused. ]

People don't come to the Bee just to get a drink and some conversation.

[plate_builder]

[Ah, now there is a true statement. Reeve sighs and takes another sip at the wine. The young... man? Man. The young man definitely was observant.]

Are you suggesting that you would prefer something else to the wine? It hardly seems to me that you have any chance of being paid sufficiently to do any duty further than the dances this place is known for, even on the Plates.

And something tells me that my fellows have not paid you anywhere near enough for their intentions upon my evening.

[makopoison]

[ there it is. ]

I'm paid to entertain you, Reeve, and I'm paid well enough to do whatever you want to. [ not strictly true, at all. ] It's up to you what happens in this room, not them or anyone else.

[plate_builder]

[If it was up to Reeve, then he'd not even be in this room. So he can't help but scoff at the idea that his will was one that mattered here. He sighs and sets the glass of wine aside.]

If you allow me to be honest, my coworkers believe I will become more like them if I... make use of your company. I find the very idea to be disrespectful to you. Do not get me wrong, you are exceedingly beautiful, and no doubt very talented, but...

[But Reeve is now blushing for even having said that.]

[makopoison]

[ oh. well. okay. we can work with this. ]

Thank you.

[ and maybe he shouldn't pry, but. ]

Stress relief can be very good for productivity.

[plate_builder]

[Cloud's clearly thinking into routes that Reeve never would consider. Stress relief? There is little chance of that. He's anxious, and reaches for the wine again after a minute for another sip. Because he's so nervous that his mouth is dry.]

Do you, perchance, have something less alcoholic to drink?

[makopoison]

[ is he a virgin? or just awkward? maybe it's a front? seriously, how did someone this nice get that high up the administrative side? like... zack was nice, but zack wasn't someone who regularly rubbed elbows with the worst humanity had to offer.

he reaches over to the table and pulls a little card off of it, holding it out. ]

This is our drink menu.

[plate_builder]

[Nowhere near a virgin. Just... out of practice. Very out of practice.

That being said, to get into his position, one actually had to do the work and do it well. And few people went into his line of work for the power and wealth. They did it because they loved the world. Reeve really was just passionate about what he did and about helping other people.

HE takes the card and considers it and finally sets it down.]

I see you have a lemon-lime soda. Would it be too much to ask for that and water?

[makopoison]

Of course not. Like I said, it's you night.

[ okay, try to be less informal cloud. he goes ahead and keys that order in. better to get the guy comfortable and then work him. or... not. can he really just sit here and drink? ]

[plate_builder]

[Perhaps they can. Just sit and talk. But Reeve would turn it to personal conversation, which would no doubt be inappropriate. He looks up to try and ask Cirrus a non-leading question. But then there's that outfit again and he looks down at his wine glass instead.]

You need not stay in here, if you do not desire. I imagine my... situation is uncomfortable to you. And I doubt either of us will be getting anything but more stressed.

[Or wait. Reeve looks up suddenly, a bit concerned.]

Or... am I incorrectly presuming that you can just leave. Oh dear, I've put you in an awkward position I imagine. Forgive me."

[makopoison]

[ oh boy.

he could lie. probably should lie. that'd be the smart thing to do - but then he might insist that cloud leave. that wouldn't reflect well on the inn, and... ]

It would be better for my sake and yours if I stayed.

[ maybe he can... set him more at ease. ]

If you just want to sit and talk we can sit and talk. If you want to do more, we can do more. This is my work and I'm a professional. [ and then, because he's far too mouthy: ] And I don't want to be pitied for it.

[plate_builder]

Oh dear.

[Reeve definitely looks far more uncomfortable now, right up to his feet and pacing nervously.]

But any punishment dealt to you for my lack of... desire to buy company would hardly be fair.

[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.

[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. ]