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Backdated to Mid-June - First half action open for Rufus, Reno, and Rude, second half network for anybody else who wants to reply!

[ Tseng's first night in Nippon did not go at all as he initially thought after leaving the orientation provided to him upon his arrival. He spent the first few hours walking around Tokyo, trying to get the layout of the land, take in as much as he possibly could before retiring to his assigned housing for the night... He didn't expect to run into Rufus Shinra. And that chance encounter changed everything.

They spent the night together, getting reacquainted, relaxing, and Rufus telling him everything he has yet to experience in their own world. The things Rufus told him sounded positively ridiculous, but he knows Rufus wouldn't lie to him... It was overwhelming and will likely take Tseng a while to process.

He wakes mid-morning, pulling on the pajama pants he was given the night before and a t-shirt, and leaves Rufus asleep before heading downstairs to bring some coffee and breakfast back up to their room. He quietly descends the stairs and sees the Turks. ]

Reno. Rude.

[ He offers a small smile and a nod as he passes by, disappearing into the kitchen. ]

----

[ Once he's back upstairs and settled on the bed, he pulls out his magi-comm, studying the device before turning it on. It's certainly no smartphone, but it will suffice. ]

I'm looking for a few individuals and was told this is the best and quickest way possible to get their attention. [ He looks over at Rufus, who is off-screen, briefly ] If you know Zack Fair or Aerith Gainsborough, please tell them I'm looking for them and would love to talk.

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[ He looks at Cloud for a moment, weighing his options, thinking about how much or how little he wants to tell the other man. And the answer? Not much. As of right now, he doesn't see what Rufus sees in Cloud, hasn't experienced the same things he has. ]

I don't see why the last thing I remember from our own world is important here.

[ And Tseng knows, without looking to his side, that Rufus is giving him a Look. But, again, Tseng isn't at the point Rufus is in trusting and cooperating with Cloud. Isn't at the same point his Turks are, either. It will take some work on his part... And he's willing to put in the effort, just maybe not right off the bat.

Were this the same Cloud he knew years ago, the one that was with him when the helicopter crashed outside of Modeoheim? It would be easier. But years have passed, mako was involved, and Cloud has been a thorn in his side since then. ]

[ ... Rufus? Remember what you said? Don't make him regret trusting you. Cloud looses a sigh, shaking his head a little. He has a hunch, based on those words, alone. If not from his time? A very close approximation to it. ]

Guess that means I won't be passing the message along.

I'm sure I've other methods of reaching both Zack and Aerith than relying on you to pass the message along, Cloud.

[ Frustration isn't the word that would describe how he's currently feeling. It's a combination of frustration mixed with pure irritation. And, added to that, is the glowering and disappointment from Rufus at his side. He knows Rufus told him Cloud is okay, that he and his friends did a tremendous amount to help save the Planet...

But, in Tseng's eyes, Cloud is the pathetic infantryman who befriended Zack, who maybe wasn't so bad. He suffered from mako poisoning, was one of Hojo's failed experiments, went through some shit, and then came back to be an absolute thorn in his side years later... And it's hard to cooperate with that. ]

Good luck with that. With your ample resources.

[ Cloud is towing the line very hard right now. Whereas Reno and Rufus were at least approachable as he now believed them when they claimed to be from the future? Tseng has already told him all that he needs to know. It takes all of his willpower not to warn him that Rufus better keep that leash tight, not knowing that the man was actually listening in on this conversation.

It's hard. Very hard. ]

Watch your ass.

[Alright, this is going south faster than he had expected. Rufus hadn't intended for anyone to see him off camera and know that he's listening.

But he takes Tseng's device from him before the Turk manages to respond, turning it so Rufus comes into view. He's still in his robe, a bit disheveled but there is nothing to be done for it now.]

Cloud.

[This is going to take some diplomatic skill but Rufus is not going to let this go any further.]

Forgive me for interrupting but I'm going to have to pull Tseng away something, I'll let you have him back in a few moments.

[And with that the device is shut as he sets his gaze on Tseng.]

[ Tseng reaches over and plucks the magi-comm from Rufus's hand, not bothering to hide his irritation from the other man. He doesn't appreciate Rufus stepping in, though he knows the situation with Cloud was going south and quickly.

Rufus knows the things Tseng experienced shortly before his arrival in Nippon, he knows what time period Cloud comes from, too. So this? Tseng is sure he has some reason behind it. ]

Explain yourself.

I'm sure if I was coming from the same time point that you are that I would feel the same as you do now.

[Rufus lets Tseng have the comm back without resisting, taking a moment together his thoughts.]

I don't want the same conflicts from our world to be brought here. I know this isn't future Cloud, he doesn't know what I do, but I know he's not our enemy, not here.

[He knows he's asking a lot of Tseng right now, he knows that there is still anger and he doesn't blame him for that.]

I met with Cloud to ask for his trust in this world so that we can work together if needed. I know I can't ask you to trust him but please trust me on this, Tseng.

[ Tseng folds his arms across his chest, choosing to stare straight ahead rather than look at Rufus because he is irritated and, despite Rufus's reasoning behind it, he doesn't appreciate having his magi-comm taken from him like that. Like he's a damn child. ]

Rufus, I understand your reasoning behind trusting and cooperating with Cloud, however I'm not at a point in my life where I'm comfortable just accepting this as normal and moving along.

[ He takes a deep breath, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. ]

You know exactly what I've been through. Try to remember what happened two years ago when you became President and think about how difficult this is for me.

[Rufus knows he can't blame Tseng for how he feels, some things just can't be put aside while pretending it never happened.

He had time in the future to learn how to forgive and extend an olive branch, in his own way, but Tseng hadn't had that chance. He still has to take a deep breath though, reminding himself that Tseng has just arrived.]

I know, I remember that night very clearly. And I'm sure if I were in your position I would feel the same way. It has not been easy for me either.

[He sits back, frowning as Tseng doesn't even look at him. He's trying to do what he has to in order to keep peace here.]

I'm not asking you to be his best friend, Tseng.

You're asking me to put a lot aside, Rufus. [ A pause ] And before you even think along the lines of this being like a mission, it's not. I can set aside quite a lot for the sake of a mission, but not in this place where my work is meaningless.

[ Tseng slowly exhales, closing his eyes for a moment before finally looking over at Rufus ]

Less than forty-eight hours ago, Cloud was trying to kill you and Dark Nation on the helipad on Shinra Tower.

I know that, Tseng, I was there. [He can't hold back the retort before it's out there, regretting it's out as he crosses his legs as he sits back to look back at Tseng.

He knows he's asking a lot, he knows that if their positions were reversed he would be feeling the same but he doesn't want things to repeat here, not when he can make some amends.

He takes a moment to compose his thoughts so that he doesn't snap again. When he speaks again his voice is calmer, quieter.]

So what is your plan then? What do you suggest I do?

Edited 2022-07-27 05:15 (UTC)

[ As soon as the words leave Rufus's mouth, Tseng is pushing the sheets aside and getting up from the bed, unbelievably frustrated at the turn their day has taken because of a conversation with Cloud Strife.

He's across the room, nearly at the bathroom door, when Rufus speaks again, asking what his plan is and what he suggests he do. ]

Think of something. [ Tseng looks over his shoulder at Rufus ] This wasn't my idea, you're the one who wants this.

What I want? [Rufus repeats as he gets out of bed to follow Tseng, not at all going to let that comment slide.

He puts his hand on the bathroom door to prevent Tseng from closing it. He knows Tseng hasn't lived the years he has, there are things Rufus knows he doesn't understand but Rufus isn't going to let this sit and fester between them.]

This isn't about what I want. I'm not making peace with Cloud just to be friends with him. I've had to ask Cloud for help in the future and believe me, it wasn't easy and I didn't like it so don't make it seem like I'm doing this on some whim.

[Rufus lowers his hand from the door, crossing his arms. He knows where Tseng is coming from but he feels exhausted not just because he's tired but the thought of repeating history is just a lot.] I

I'm doing this because having Cloud as an ally is an asset for all of us and I would rather work together than keep playing out the same conflicts over again.

Then perhaps you need to have a chat with him.

[ Tseng looks up at Rufus, not shying away from making eye contact with him. This isn't how he expected his day would go after the night they had last night and the pleasant morning he'd had with Reno and Rude and then with Rufus.

Cloud continues to cause problems for Tseng, even here. And he wants to do this for Rufus, but he's just... not ready for that. ]

Tell him that telling your Director of Administrative Research who also happens to be your partner to watch his ass is not the best move if he's also trying to set aside the events in Midgar to work together with the Turks.

That's not what this is about. I'm just trying to tell you that before this escalates that I'm trying to maintain the peace between us and Cloud.

[Rufus crosses his arms defensively, staring right back at Tseng.]

But if you have a better plan, please, let me know when you think of something since clearly you don't trust me.

[He grabs the door and slams it before Tseng can say anything. He knows he can't expect Tseng to be where he is and he's not sure how everything just got away from so much and escalated.

But the moment passes and he remembers that his clean clothes are in the bathroom and going back now will undermine his exit even though he regrets it.

So he sits on the bed, deciding to wait for Tseng to come out which gives him a chance to cool down, as if this was his intention instead of having forgotten that his clothes are in the bathroom.]

[ Tseng doesn't usually show his anger outwardly, but he wants nothing more than to slam his fist through the wall after Rufus slams the door in his face. And there's no avoiding Rufus, either, because he has to come out of the bathroom eventually. He's absolutely fuming that Rufus would even suggest he doesn't trust him. Tseng has spent the majority of his professional career trusting Rufus, doing what he's asked of him and rarely questioning why, choosing to risk his life for Rufus Shinra... And, for what? For Rufus to suggest that he clearly doesn't trust him solely because he doesn't think he can make peace with Cloud Strife at this point in his life?

His jaw is tight and shoulders tense, so he pulls off his pajamas, ties his hair up in a messy bun, and runs a hot bath for himself in an attempt to de-stress and think about the situation. Soaking in the warm water, Tseng thinks about the conversations he's had that day, with Zack and Aerith, with Cloud, with Sephiroth... And he doesn't know how long it will take him to come to terms with all of this, cooperating with the people who have done nothing but fight against him, with the man who he's learned will one day actually make an attempt on his life, and with those he's deeply disappointed. Tseng closes his eyes and rests his head on the edge of the bathtub.

About half an hour passes, the water finally cooling off, before Tseng's dragging himself from the bathtub, grabbing one of the towels from the counter and drying off. He puts the same pair of pajamas back on, turning to his reflection in the mirror to run a comb through his hair and pull it off of his face... And he still doesn't know what to say to Rufus when he leaves the bathroom, but he can't keep putting this off.

Tseng takes a deep breath before he opens the door.

Rufus is seated on the bed, legs crossed and arms folded across his chest, looking every bit the petulant child that he has shown himself to be ]

Care to explain yourself? [ He doesn't move to sit on the bed as Rufus is in the middle of it. ] I would love for you to elaborate on why you think I don't trust you. I've spent the majority of my life trusting you, Rufus, and you accuse me of not trusting you just because I don't see eye-to-eye with you regarding Cloud Strife?

Because you don't seem to right now, Tseng. [Rufus doesn't respond to Tseng right away, looking at him. Despite the tension, he does have to remind himself not to get distracted by seeing how Tseng's wet hair falls over his shoulder, biting his lip for a moment before focusing on the issue at hand.]

I'm not expecting you to be his friend or play nice but we have an agreement on working together when needed since I see no reason to fight each other here.

[He knows Tseng doesn't fully understand, he can't since he hasn't experienced what Rufus has.]

I owe Cloud a debt that while he may not have done yet, I can't forget. I'm just asking you to please honor the agreement we made.

[ Folding his arms across his chest, Tseng leans against the bathroom door. He still thinks Rufus is being unreasonable asking this of him when he knows exactly what has taken place in his immediate past, and he thinks it's unfair that Rufus is putting all of this on him when Cloud is just as much at fault for the direction their conversation took. ]

I said I didn't understand why what I last experienced on the Planet was important here and was told to "watch my ass" in return. [ He pauses, sighing ] You're laying all of this on me as if this is my fault, Rufus. Perhaps you need to have this same discussion with Cloud as he was the one who stepped out of line in our discussion.

[ Tseng lets his head fall back, hitting the door, and closes his eyes for a moment. ]

Please extend to me the same grace you've extended to Cloud. [ He finally looks back over at Rufus ] It stings knowing that, due to our differences in what we've experienced, you think I don't trust you.

I'm sorry, Tseng. It was unfair of me to say that.

[It was something that he had taken time to learn to say and actually mean it. Rufus never apologized to anyone but he had learned during the last few years that learning to admit when he had messed up wasn't a bad thing.

He's going to have to be patient with Tseng while he catches up over time, there is a lot he couldn't possibly tell him, many changes that would be difficult to articulate.]

I know there is a lot of difference in what we have experienced in some ways but I want to let you know that there is a reason for the truce.

Edited 2022-09-16 04:17 (UTC)

[ After a moment, Tseng pushes himself off of the door and takes a seat on the edge of the bed. He sighs, staring at the door of the bathroom for a few seconds before looking over his shoulder at Rufus. ]

All I'm asking is for you to extend the same grace to me that you've extended to Cloud. [ A pause ] I've been on this planet for less than twenty-four hours... You can't expect me to immediately act like I had not just witnessed Cloud attempt to kill you and Dark Nation.

[ And he remembers what Rufus said earlier when he mentioned this, before the bathroom door was slammed in his face. ]

I know you were there, however that was over two years ago for you. So much has happened to you during those two years, but that moment is very fresh in my mind.

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