(no subject)

[makopoison]

.[ the official reports neither specimen was recoverable. specimen a fought brutally to the death, and specimen b was doa. succumbed to the elements, they say, the body mostly eaten by wildlife by the time someone had discovered where specimen a had stashed it.

it wasn't the truth, of course. not a single soul who read that report bought into it. but specimen b had been a failure, tracking it down would be a complete waste. there wasn't anything of value to be found in that skinny, wretched body or those empty blue eyes.

except those eyes aren't so empty now.

he still isn't coherent, not completely. it comes and goes, but he hasn't been since he was delivered, practically gift-wrapped, to the young vice-president of the shinra corporation courtesy of a helicopter and a pair of turks with downcast eyes. he'd gotten his hands on one of them, snapped his arm clean in two, fought like a fucking demon before he simply stopped and lapsed back into a near catatonic state. they figure he's probably fucking done for - there isn't a scratch on him, but they've all read the reports. who the fuck can survive that? better men than him died under hojo's scalpel, and he's just a little nothing.

but that little nothing did kill sephiroth.

its almost a week in before he actually wakes. turning his head, blue eyes unfocused as he pulls at the restrains keeping him strapped to the bed. ]

Mmm.. Nngh... ?

Comments

[ambitiousblond]

[It had taken all his resources to be able to gain this new asset. He may have been Vice President but Rufus really held no power and he was given very little information about what was going on or any kind of company operations. His father thought to isolate Rufus and keep him from gaining power once more but Rufus hadn't been idle during his house arrest.

What he did have was the Turks who were loyal to him. They kept him informed of what his father tried to cover up and it was through them that he was able to obtain Cloud. An unconscious Cloud had been brought to him and he had taken a moment to examine his features which were not unlike his own.

His father had certainly had kept himself busy.

When someone brought him word that finally Cloud was stirring, Rufus dropped what he was doing to be at his bedside as Cloud opened his eyes. He didn't flinch when Cloud pulled at the restraints even though he knew what Cloud was capable of. He smiled softly as he leaned over.]

Cloud. You're with us once more.

[makopoison]

[ cloud?

... that's right. his name is cloud. cloud strife. the pain that lances through his skull is unfamiliar and unwelcome, sharp and stinging and bringing with it a terrible sense of clarity. the blonde squeezes his eyes shut and tilts his head, muffling a groggy groan into the pillow.

the voice is familiar, but only distantly. one he'd heard on television or during a ceremony, far removed from the every day drudgery that had been... had been.. ]

Where...? [ is zack? am i? he isn't sure what he's asking, he hasn't fully formed the question before it's slipping through grit teeth. ]

[ambitiousblond]

You're with me, Cloud. You're safe now.

[Rufus reached out to rest his fingers lightly on Cloud's cheek. He had only met Lazard once, his other brother hadn't given him the courtesy of making an alliance with him to take on their father. He could understand not contacting the kid in the slums he supposed he was the one who posed the greatest threat to Lazard.

Anyway, their older brother was gone now.

He would do better for Cloud. It would work to his advantage in the end though they had a lot of work ahead of them. ]

I'm going to take care of you now. All you have to do is rest and I'll answer any questions you have.

[makopoison]

[ rest.

how long has he been out? what has he been doing...? he remembers the cliff, the sound of gunshots. rain on his skin. we're friends, right spoken with a friendly smile and a hand gently ruffling through his hair. someone else had been taking care of him, guiding him to safety, making sure he kept going.

his head hurts when he tries to scratch beneath the surface of that thought.

after a moment he forces his eyes open again. that mako glow is bright, bright, bright, making the color of his eyes pop. ]

Who are you?

[ambitiousblond]

You don't recognize me?

[Rufus wasn't offended and he gave a laugh, amused. He supposed he should have expected it since his father really only brought him out for publicity events. Rufus was a prop to be used when needed and then locked away when his father was done with him.

Cloud had been discarded as well. Abandoned. Only used when necessary.]

I'm Rufus. I'm going to be your family now.

[He had always wanted to get to know Lazard, to seek out some kind of family connection wherever he could but he had been disappointed. The boy in the slums was a lost cause though, Cloud was where Rufus was going to put his hopes.]

You're home.

[makopoison]

[ he isn't well. that's plainly obvious by looking at him. emaciated and dehydrated, too disoriented to even really struggle.

he knows rufus shinra. but he doesn't associate the kind of gentle touch or voice with him. maybe this is all still a dream. and he has family, doesn't he? a new one. a reunion. rufus says 'i'm going to be your family now and he believes it because that's what was intended.

but then he's simply horribly confused, the pain in his skull intensifies. ]

Mo... ther?

[ and then he's out cold again. ]

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus nearly laughed at Cloud's statement but didn't move or say anything until Cloud passed out. It would take a lot of work to put Cloud back together again but he wasn't going to back down from a challenge.

He also would need to learn how to be an older brother. Lazard certainly wasn't a good example to follow so he would have to figure it out as he went along.]

Sleep, Cloud.

[Later, Rufus decided that he would take Cloud dinner in case he was awake. He had someone prop up Cloud's bed so he would be sitting up and Rufus himself carried in a tray. No one had ever done anything like this for him before and he doubted that anyone has done it for Cloud.]

[makopoison]

[ sleep he does. he rouses as someone adjusts the bed, too groggy to lash out but cognizant enough to be nervous when he realizes he doesn't recognize his surroundings.

he does recognize rufus. a little more aware now, there's more than pain and confusion in his eyes - now there's a wariness, suspicion... the gesture reminds him of his mother bringing him soup in bed, something oddly familial and warm.

... rufus had said they were family now.

what the hell was that supposed to mean. ]

Where am I?

[ambitiousblond]

We are guests of the Turks right now.

[Rufus sat by Cloud's bed once more, tray set on the bedside table.]

I'm under house arrest right now but I was able to have you join me here.

[There had been objections by several Turks, especially after Cloud arrived here. Rufus wasn't going to just give up on Cloud, however. He was willing to put in the work.]

I'm sure you're confused as to why we're suddenly family. I'm not being sentimental, we happen to have the same father.

[makopoison]

[ he starts.

every part of that is a bombshell. guests of the turks? rufus specifically seeking to bring him here?

and then, that last part.

he might not know a lot about the vice-president, but he knows who his father is. neopitism greases the wheels of capitalism, after all... the obvious takeaway from that statement isn't lost on him, but he can only stare in disbelief. ]

... My father is dead. [ he says flatly. ]

[ambitiousblond]

I wish that was the case but unfortunately, he is alive. For now, at least.

[Rufus intended to change that soon enough. Cloud would help him with that, they would work together as brothers. They would inherit the Shinra empire.]

We're the only family we have now. It's just each other since our father isn't exactly attentive. He won't help you.

[makopoison]

[ ... that's right. his free hand lifts too his head, memories of fire and glistening silver hair fill his mind.

a heavy sword. a smile, brave in the face of what is most likely their imminent deaths. and then nothing.

where is he? ]

How do you know this?

[ambitiousblond]

I know everything.

[Alright, maybe he actually didn't but he wasn't going to say that to Cloud.]

But right now you need to focus on getting better before we move onto other things. I had someone make food for you. Most likely better than anything you had as a SOLDIER.

[makopoison]

Soldier...?

[ SOLDIER. he was a soldier? his eyes clench shut again, hand resting against his head. his expression pinches in pain, head twisting to rest against the pillow. ]

Couldn't.... be much worse.

[ambitiousblond]

Exactly.

[Rufus had never actually cared for someone else like this but Cloud was different. It was a new challenge. Rufus had to oversee this project by himself. He took the cup of water, putting a straw it before holding it up for Cloud.]

You must be thirsty. I'll stay here with you as long as you want me to.

[makopoison]

[ yes. thirsty. he's thirsty. rufus holds it out and he tries to pull it closer, drinking greedily.

he's too fucking tired to argue much. he wants something to eat and the food smells good. ]

Are you going to send me back? [ to where, he's not sure. ]

[ambitiousblond]

No.

[Rufus's firm is firm and certain. The Turks were loyal to him, they knew how important Cloud was to Rufus now. No one could take Cloud away.

He held the cup steady for Cloud so he could drink, pleased that he was doing such a good job so far.]

You're staying with me now. The Turks will also protect you.

[makopoison]

[ mmm.

he presses the heel of his hand to his forehead. ]

... But what about...? [ there was someone else with him. someone protecting him. ]

[ambitiousblond]

About?

[Rufus was curious as he sat forward. He hadn't heard a lot about what happened to Cloud exactly but he would listen to what Cloud would tell him.]

I brought food for you as well. I didn't know what you liked.

[The tray had assortments of fancy gourmet food that Rufus had chosen at random since he didn't know what people like Cloud liked. There was even ice cream with gold flakes in it.]

[makopoison]

[ he can't remember.

the moment he says it it slips from his mind. cloud gives his head a slow shake, turning his attention to the food.

... that sure is a spread. ]

What is all of this?

[ in a very literal 'what is this' way. he doesn't recognize most any of it. ]

[ambitiousblond]

I selected some of my favorites for you to try. Some caviar that you can eat on these crackers and I made sure to bring a crystal spoon for you, don't worry. There is also lobster fritta- I wasn't sure if you liked lobster or something else so I hope that's alright. Lobster is my personal favorite.

[Rufus pointed out the dishes for Cloud, pleased with the selection he had picked out.]

We only have black truffles here though but I brought some on duck breast but it's still really good.