towerofanimus | That which does not kill me better leave me incapable of returning fire or hiring council.

Entry tags:

That which does not kill me better leave me incapable of returning fire or hiring council.

Characters: Elena and YOU
Setting: All around the tower
Format: Can do whatever
Summary: Elena has been on her dead, broken planet for several weeks and suddenly finds herself back in the Tower. Its not really easy to decide which of the two locals was better.
Warnings: TBD

[Posted Notices]

X/S – You two better have been behaving while I’ve been gone. Come see me in the cafeteria at 4pm today. - E

R – You were right about the silence. - E

H – Item is almost at 100%. Perhaps a training session or two will push it over. Interested? - E

[Around the Tower|| Afternoon]

Clean. Clean felt so good. She had forgotten just how good clean could feel. Her trip to her dead, barren planet had reminded her of what horrible loss that they had narrowly escaped – and not once, but twice. If it hadn’t been Meteorfall, it could have surely been the Geostigma. That slow, painful death could have (would have) killed off the rest of the people living on the injured planet, the infliction from the Lifestream its last attempt to purge the world of Jenova’s cells. If you believed the hype from those...

Thoughts came to a screeching halt, an instinctive and natural reaction to prevent the thought or even reference to unpleasant thoughts. Instead, she moved to the Tower and those within it. It was necessary to meet up with several people, with one in particular under the guise of everyday activity. If Reno were to have found out that she had partnered with Cloud to keep an eye on him. It was all purely for his own good, especially if he was really brainwashed, which was something she also had to confirm was still true.

Not only that, but she had to check in with Shion and Xion to make sure they were still doing well. With her being absent, she was curious how their training had been progressing so she could jump in and assist where Reno needed the help. Then then there was Hei and Sou – two men with potential to be good assets against the demons of the tower. Demons like Ganon.

So many thoughts, so many questions, so many contingencies. It’s easy to understand how Elena could easily get wrapped up in her own mind, as she walked slowly – if not aimlessly – through the tower’s halls.

[Cafeteria|| Evening; 4pm]

Hunger came slowly. Having gone several days without, she hadn’t realized the severity of her appetite until she passed by the cafeteria and her stomach all but roared at her. Scowling down with mild-embarrassment at the offending organ, she patted her stomach sympathetically before looking back in. The room was unusually empty – as were the halls. Was there something going on she wasn’t aware of yet?

She’s utterly disappointed when she finds out that the only thing to eat are those dry, bland nutrition bars, picking up a good handful and heading over to an empty table next to the window. It’s clear by the look on her face that she’s utterly miserable as she chews through the first two bars, creating a carefully folded and stacked pile of wrappers on the table. Gaia, what she wouldn’t give for a nice, thick filet mignon with a port wine glaze, sautéed asparagus and wild rice, accompanied by a nice glass of red zinfandel on the side. Her stomach grumbled up at her, the mental image of the meal not coordinating with the cardboard flavoring of the bar, thus upsetting taste buds and stomach alike.

“...I know, but it’s all we have right now,” she murmured to herself, leaning back against her seat and staring out the window. Clouds moved lazily, her eyes slowly following as she got more comfortable, right left resting across left knee and arms folding lightly across her chest, and allowed her energy to return.

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This day was just getting better and better. For the first few days back, when she hadn't seen hide nor hair of him, she had thought he was gone. Or worse, he was avoiding her - angry because she had disappeared without saying anything. But now, not only had she seen him smile and made him laugh, they were....together. And that's all that really mattered.

"Wine? Wine! Yes, I think this deserves a celebratory drink!"

Without hesitating, she reached around behind her, fingers knocking over two empty bottles before finding a heavier container and brought it around. Presenting it to him, a hand holding it up by the neck, the other making a slow circle around where a label would have been, she offered a playful grin.

"I present to you, sir, a vintage bottle of Tower Berry wine. Aged several months in our home-made casks until the makers were out of previous casks and broke it open for a party."

Working the cork with her fingers, she laughed again, looking down at him. If she hadn't known any better, they were back in Edge and there was no trouble or strife. It was easy to forget where she was when he was with her.

"Do I ever... I don't want to know what made you think that the cake was appropriate. And those streamers..." She shook her head, still wiggling the cork free. "If you're all right with it, I think something small would be nice. Just with those we trust..."

He tried to keep a straight face, but it failed and he laughed again. "That wasn't my fault... I'm gonna blame the party shop for that."

Taking the bottle from her, he popped the lid off and held it for her to take again. It was a bottle of the sweet berry wine he had made last summer, with a tiny bit of mint mixed in.

He had never been to Edge. That city didn't even exist for him. It was more like those moments when the Turks were all together in the headquarters having downtime. Teasing and drinks were his favorite memories. Being with Elena made him forget everything that had happened.

Lifting a hand, he trailed her nose with a finger. "Not a bad brew, huh? Yeah. Small's good. Not many people I want around."

"You still bought it, though. But the look on Rude's face was totally worth it. I even got it on camera!"

Having no success with the bottle, Elena was more than happy to have him take it from her and open it, hands eagerly taking the returned drink between them. Taking the first drink, she paused, breathing in the aromatics of the wine before swallowing.

Eyes went immediately to the finger at her nose, going cross-eyed momentarily before trying to nip at the digit. "Its very good, yes. I like the bit of the mint - it isn't too overwhelming."

Offering the bottle back to him for a taste, blonde hair bobbed with a nod. "I can think of no more than three or four that should, but we can make that list a little late. And since I'm sure the Tower isn't exactly equipped with much for a proper ceremony, I'll find creative work-arounds."

He took a sip from it, relaxing with a sigh, and laughing when she went cross-eyed. It was a cute look on her.

"Creative work-arounds... huh. Who're you gonna get to do the ceremony?" It was a good question. "Lots of things we haven't thought about."

He almost suggested skipping a ceremony, but he wasn't going to rob her of the excitement of planning it. That was half the fun, or something like that. "The kids will probably strike on us if they don't get a part."

Wiggling her nose post touch, she rubbed the tip with the back of her hand. It was one of the few places that she was quite sensitive.

"That is our specialty, isn't it?" She, in return, pressed her finger lightly into his cheek. "I have no idea who we can ask to help. I'll have to get a notebook to put everything together and make sure that all the bases are covered."

Taking the bottle again, she took another good swig. Oh yes, the ideas were coming to her - both big and small. Yes, she would keep things small. Simple. "Oh god, they would probably not talk to us for months. I'm sure we can think of something for them - like a bridesmaid and groomsman! What do you think?"

"Yeah... I'll ask Shion to be my best man. I think that'll help him straighten things out." Poking her nose again, he snickered. He still loved teasing her, more than anything.

"How about I plan the honeymoon?" Said with a wink and what could only be described as a leer, leave it to Reno to come up with the most romantic one in the Tower.

"Awww! I think he'd love that!" And a heartbeat later. "Wait, straighten things out? What do you mean by that?"

Oh god, there was that finger on her nose again and she's batting at his hand, giving an audible squeak in protest.

"H-honeymoon?" Nope. Elena did not turn another three shades redder. No she did not. "Sure, you can't but... Do you think its safe enough to have one? Who'll watch the kids while we're away? Cloud?"

The way she sounded, and blushed, he just started laughing helplessly, possibly fueled by the fact he didn't want to answer that about Shion.

"Elena, ya sound like we got a family already. They're safe enough on their own... but... actually yeah, I might ask Cloud to keep an eye on 'em." If he could find the blond terrorist. Everything was messed up because of the cold, including his routine. "How far could we go in this place?

Its hard to have a serious look on her face when he's busy laughing, the sound encouraging him to join him. There was no stopping the inevitable laughter, arms pulling his head tightly against her chest. However, she was making a mental note to press the issue about Shion in the near future.

"...I do?" It made sense, after all. Reno was...Reno. He was part of the world she lost, even if he was from a different one. And now, he was part of her new world. And the kids were...the kids. "You did take them in, didn't you? They're part of the team, so of course they're family. You sure Cloud won't mind?"

Lips press lightly against his forehead, using the touch to give herself a few moments to think. "You know the Tower better than I do. How about you surprise me?"

"Yeah, you do... kinda cute in a way." Reno was almost purring, starting to nuzzle her in the more awkward places. "I guess I can think of something for us, babe. It won't be Costa del Sol or Icicle Inn... but yeah, I think I can work it. Cloud won't mind. Even if he did he probably wouldn't say anything."

They had a lot of things to do for the road ahead of them. It was a brand new start, making a home in the Tower. Monsters, insane admins, it was still better than the future he had heard about from Cloud, her, and the others that had come and gone. They could make a great one together.

"....Ah, well...." Words stuck momentarily in her chest, cheeks flushing at his affectionate cuddling and where his...head rested. "You're all I have here. You and the kids, you're my family."

Fingers worked themselves loosely into wild red hair, brushing the strands lightly. "I could care less if it was Junon Harbor or Wutai - as long as...you know...." Again with the coloring, and she's happy to be distracted with the mental image of Cloud babysitting.

"Seeing how good he was with his two kids before, we shouldn't be that bad off. They were able to manage all right..."

This...felt good. Nice. Being able to think about a happier, more fulfilling life here in the Tower - no matter how long that might be. Back home she'd had to keep a lot of things to herself, couldn't disclose feelings or even let it be shown, else she suffer another Tseng-crush-rumor incident occur. But here...here was an opportunity that she would be a fool to miss.

"Hey, Reno?"

He had been about to close his eyes and relax, just sitting and enjoying their time together, listening to her words, when she got his attention again. They opened again and he looked up at her, a strangely peaceful expression.

"Yeah, babe? Did ya need something?"

Then he smiled, and it was without his usual... artifice or attitude. That was just for her.

"......Ah..."

That face. One didn't see that look very often in Midgar/Edge. Especially on a Turk. And especially on him. And it was heartbreaking to even think of disrupting that - even for the words that sat on the tip of her tongue.

Giving a little shake of her head, she gave a soft, affectionate smile. One that really could surmise what she had been considering saying without having to utter a word. "....Just this."

Leaning forward, she pressed her lips softly to his, letting them linger perhaps a moment or two too long, her smile not once wavering.

His arms held her tighter, not letting even an inch of air between them. When the kiss broke, he blinked up at her and grinned. "What was that for, babe? You getting soft in your old age?" It was a gentle teasing, not meant to ruin anything. He couldn't help it.

Despite the tightness of his grip, and the little accidental chocobo chick squeak, Elena didn't protest or attempt to seek freedom. Instead, she did the best she could to mirror his strength with her own arms. At his question, she shot him a short raspberry, pressing her forbear to his and pushing slightly.

"Idiot. Do I have to have a reason to kiss you? And, I'll have you know that I'm still younger than you."

"Oh, you can call me idiot and live... it must be love." He snickered, ruffling the top of her head like she was a kitten curled up instead of an Elena. "Ouch, babe, ouch. So sharp... your words! Ah I think I'm dyinnnnggg...!"

And he clutched at his heart dramatically and went limp. Then he peeked at her from his slitted eyelid, giving the play away.

"Or you know that there won't be anybody else willing to put up with your nonsense," she returned jokingly, mouth pursing in mild, if not mocking, displeasement as he ruffled her hair. Carbuncle's jewel, getting her hair to fall exactly where she wanted it was hard work!

Giving an exaggerated puff, she blew several stray strands of gold out of her eyes, only to find her overly-dramatic fiancee putting on quite the show. Rolling her eyes, fingers removed from his hair...and went straight for his sides in a Preemptive Tickle Strike!

"Oh Gaia, you drama queen!" she groaned between laughs. "You want dying? I'll give you dying..."

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That which does not kill me better leave me incapable of returning fire or hiring council.

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