towerofanimus | A Turk's Day is Never Done

Entry tags:

A Turk's Day is Never Done

Characters: [ou] Elena + OPEN
Setting: Various
Format: Brackets
Summary: Elena is doin' her Turk thing by training, and makin' herself a proper uniform before taking a breather at home.
Warnings: None yet.

[Floor 51]

[Elena was pretty decent with a needle and thread, able to close wounds and tears with little effort. Creating an outfit totally out of scratch was another thing, trying to find the right placements for different bits and pieces to come together. Add in the fact that the mannequins had an annoying affinity of taking away her machine and, well, you've got a very stressed-out Turk.

Anybody passing by would see her seated at one of the stations hunched over her machine. There's a jacket pinned and prepped on one of the mannequins, working on the stitching the inseam of the pants, uttering a creative string of obscenities.]

[Floor 39]

[Since her last training with Reno where they'd focused on incorporating her ballet background into her fighting style, Elena was determined to figure the best combination and integration of both styles into a single, powerful, fluid motion. With a metronome nearby, soundings its audible 'tick tick tick' at the predetermined speed, she's a series of movements that's part dancing, part fighting and all potentially lethal with the right speed.

Balanced on the ball of her left foot, her body turns, leg extended, twisting while bending at the knee and her upper body drops, foot kicking skyward. Hands then press into the mat and she's in a fast moving cartwheel before feet meet on the downward arch, body pushing up and she's changed into a back flip, landing solidly with knees bent, her stance wide, ready for the next movement. If anybody knew Capoeira, her movements would look pretty damn close to it.]

[Room 1-03]

[The little child was gone - the one called Wriggle - and she's not entirely sure if she's happy or sad about it. Elena had a special fondness for children and an even stronger hatred for the Tower that it would even bring them here. Siting on the edge of her bed, she's reading and re-reading the letter that Reno had left her. About wanting distance. She'd responded in kind - though she was beginning to wonder if she'd said to much in it, had put too much emotion into her words. She was trying to be strong for the both of them, but she could feel something was different. He was different, changing before her very eyes. Withdrawing. Or maybe that was just her overactive imagination.

Folding the paper, she laid it on the small bedside, eyes moving to the roughly made Turk uniform. It wasn't the expensive, professionally made suits she'd owned in the past, but it was hers. She'd feel good wearing the familiar, protective layers. She ought to probably make another for Reno, just in case. Maybe the kids too. It was something to do versus what she was doing now - listening for the opening and closing of his room's door.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Elena can't be too far away that morning, and even if he had sent the letter already it won't get there until tomorrow, so he's standing outside her door ~~which isn't too far from his really but what's the difference~~ wondering if he should knock or just leave again.

Leaving has gotten easier over the past month, but her letter had torn into him in her absence, feeling the sting of words she had never uttered but no doubt meant.

He misses her. He misses what they had in those precious few weeks after the wedding, where it was just them and the Tower was... somewhat normal compared to now.

Nervously, he paces up and down in front of her door, thumbs hooked into the back pockets of his suit pants. No. No... he would wait another day. Elena doesn't need him making her clothes salty. She only had the school outfit...

Besides, he has work to do, maps to finish, training people and plans to make. He can't afford a detour.]

[In the silence of the room, Elena kicked at the floor with the back of her heel. Seconds felt like hours and hours eternities. As much as she wanted to continue to sit and wait for Reno to return - if he did, Gaia only knew if he'd received her last letter to him and if that'd even be enough to lure him back from where he had run off to - she was anxious. There was still so much to do with so little time.

And, perhaps more importantly, she had stared at her suit long enough. She needed to wear it. The change in clothing is quick, pants modified to just barely cover brown loafers. They'd never match, but it wasn't like she had any other choice - going barefoot was a no-no. But, oh, the feel of the blouse and jacket, tie fitting snugly against her throat. She was whole again. Energized.

She needed to go out and do something. After a few hours she would come back and see if Reno had returned. Until then, she had to get out and get that adrenaline pumping in her system. She's quick to get to the door, all excitement and energy, and threw it open, stopping in mid-step in the doorway.]

....Eh.

[Honey colored eyes blink, staring at the figure in front of her. Silence settled for just a moment before she finally finds the ability to speak again.]

....H-Hey, Reno. You just getting back?

[CAUGHT. Dammit. What is that she's wearing? Is that a suit? Where'd she get that? It's just his luck Elena would find someone or make the suit herself... just when he was getting used to being in charge with her in the school outfit.

Forcing a smile on his face that he doesn't really feel, he shakes his head.]

Hey El... I was just debatin' on getting you for breakfast or bringin' something up for ya.

[Hands wrap around her waist, pulling her into a hug and a kiss on her forehead.]

[Well surely he should have expected that she'd get one of her own. She was a Turk and it was only fitting she make one. Granted, she freedom of movement that came with the Academy uniform was greater and she'd likely stick to that for more than 90% of the time, but she wanted it for those occasions where she would need that extra level of influence.

Eyes narrow just slightly at the smile, the feeling off, but she doesn't get a chance to say anything when she's pulled forward into a hug and she's more than happy to feel his warmth.]

...This is better than breakfast. [Arms tighten around him, pressing her face into his chest after he kissed her forehead.] Welcome home. I missed you...

[That's because Reno can lie if he needs to, using all of his training to try to put the effort into something effective. He laughs softly, rubbing her back along those scar lines of hers.]

I missed ya too... Startin' today I'm not usin' the disguise anymore.

[The implications were there, he didn't really have to say he would be around more often, even if he did feel the need to be alone sometimes.]

El... d'ya think we should have one of those solstice bonfires like... like the others had last year?

....Good. Didn't like it anyway. [Her voice is a little clipped, muffled against his chest, and while there's a touch of truth to her words she's mindful to say them with a tone of joking indifference.] The suits better.

[There's something different about the way she's holding him, the firmness of her grip and the fact it had not eased in the strength behind it. If anything, she's trembling beneath the layers of her suit. She is at least able to keep the raw feelings from her voice, so long as she doesn't say too much.]

....Yeah. That'd be good...

El?

[Reno looks down at the top of her head, a slight frown crossing his face. A thousand thoughts flit his mind on what happened to her to make her so antsy, not one of them to do with the game.]

You all right?

...... [Nope. Words weren't going to come. Couldn't come. Not when she so vividly remembered her failure in figuring out the riddles, the realization that she was unable to keep an eye on Reno, give him candy that he might have needed, of her own slow, painful death.

To say she was a horrible when it came to riddles was a gross understatement. Each riddle she got she answered wrong - one at least she got right, she just didn't have the right amount of candy. The last one was the final straw and she had felt so full it hurt to breathe. Her entire body shook with her coughs, the vile mixture of sweets that she coughed up threatening to make her retch from its taste. After the first hour, blood added to the mix.

Breathing grew increasingly more shallow over time, each breath a struggle, and her lungs and throat burned until she collapsed on the floor from lack of air]

....I didn't....I couldn't figure out the riddles. [There's a hitch in her breath.] I wanted to keep you safe but I....I couldn't even... Did you figure them out? The riddles?

Edited 2013-11-08 19:22 (UTC)

[He's pulling at her, taking her away from the safety and comfort of being buried against him, trying to lift her face up so he could see what was going on.]

...Yeah, 'course I did.

[Even though he hadn't, and the lie is complete from the fact he suddenly has long hair- something that only death would have altered.]

Don't worry about me, worry 'bout Shion... He's good at logic and stuff but not abstract thinking.

Edited 2013-11-09 03:05 (UTC)

[She didn't want to let go, didn't want to see the potential lie that he would tell. Because she would know, she would see it in his expression. See it in the way he carried himself. But she doesn't - can't - stop him when he moves her away, and she doesn't even bother to fight fingers against her chin, eyes rising up to look at him.

To see that his hair was no longer short.]

...O-of course you did.

[He was lying to her. Blatantly and outright lying to her face without apology. Without even bothering to make sure that, with the lie, there'd be no evidence of it.

Elena just blinks up at him, expression vacant, unsure of how to respond. She ought to be angry, furious even, that he even had a single iota of thought or feeling that it would be okay to tell her any sort of misinformation. She ought to be upset that he felt the need to lie - even if he was maybe trying to protect her as if she were a damsel in distress, which was certainly the role she was playing at. She ought to rant and rave and berate him at the top of her lungs that he was not behaving like a partner should.

Instead she just reaches up, the back of her fingers brushing against his cheek before pushing a long, stray hair back behind his ear. Elena would take some time to fully consider this situation and approach him in private to discuss it. And by discuss, she might have to tie him to a chair and force him to tell her everything.

Taking a deep breath to steady her own breathing, hands moved to rest on her hips, giving a concerned frown.]

...Well, hell, I'm a horrible mother - I didn't even know Shion was involved. I didn't see him looking for any candy. We need to find him asap, Xion too. Make sure they're okay and help them through whatever sort of punishment they were given if they didn't get the riddles right.

[Shaking his head, he just kissed the top of her forehead, rubbing her shoulders.]

You're not, babe. You two were probably just runnin' around getting that candy... y'know, he saved my ass and dumped a ton of it in my bowl. The kid's gotten fast enough to keep up with me.

[There's a hint of pride in his voice, trying to dispel the sudden, uncomfortable feeling that she had seen right through his lie. Long hair... when did he get long hair again? Oh. Oh damn. That... was going to be hard to explain.]

I'm sure Xion's fine, she's right there if ya want to check. I can get Shion, and we can all go down to breakfast together.

I was, yes, but...I was so focused on just getting the candy because I had this feeling...

[One that told her she had to hurry, that she couldn't slow down. Collect as much as she could without question. Reno had. She hadn't. Both had ended up dead. What was the point of all that effort then?

She gives a heavy sigh, eyes turning upward at him when he kissed her forehead. An eyebrow raises and she gives an audible chuckle.]

That fast? I might have to see you both in a race before I believe it. But good on him, checking in on you. I came by once or twice but you weren't home.

[Its a question now of what was scarier: the fact that she saw right through the lie and wasn't reacting to it like she probably should or the fact that he was continuing the lie without any visible sign of guilt. Maybe the scariest thing was the way Elena was smiling. So sweet and so innocent, like there was nothing wrong in the world.]

That sounds like a good idea, I'm sure a little quality time would help calm all our nerves. [Hands move from her hips and her body turns slightly, pointing back at the door behind her.] Just give me a second to change back and then I'll go get Xion.

[His hand grabs at her wrist before she can pull too far away, face falling into a less perfect mask. Her smile, her letter, everything felt wrong somehow, like it's a leftover from the Halloween game. Here he was lying to her again, and underestimating her. She knew. She has to, that letter...]

El... I'm sorry. ...I just-

....Mmm?

[His hand around her wrist isn't wholly unexpected and, despite the internal anger that was being carefully held in check, more comforting than she cared to admit. She was getting good at the whole managing her facial expressions, because she has the look of somebody who is confused and unsure. The only tell that something might be off is the way fingers of her free hand plays with the fabric of her newly made jacket.]

What are you apologizing for? Go on and check in on Shion. Xion and I will meet you there in a bit.

Elena...

[His tone is frustrated, warning. Not using the pet name he started calling her. He knew her as well as she knew him, and he isn't all that certain it is a facade, but he would prod at her regardless. If she wanted him to be open, she had to be as well.]

After that letter, don't you dare. If you want me to be honest with ya, you sure aren't doin' a good job of it yourself.

[For several moments she's silent, contemplating. Thinking. She needed more time to think. To put her thoughts together properly before they can be addressed. Lips purse for just a moment before giving a little smile, leaning up on her toes to press a kiss on his cheek.]

Its fine, Reno. Really. Besides, you're right. The kids need us more right now and as proper parents we need to check on them.

Is it really fine? [He's not so sure, giving her a once over to make sure she's being sincere.] You're not gonna say somethin' weird later? I was hoping we could stay together, y'know, for tonight.

Really. [Though, that comment about saying something 'weird' was so open-ended.] Can't promise about saying anything weird. It is the Tower. Lets check on the kids first, then we'll figure out the night. They might need more of our time...

[Oh Elena could you have kicked the puppy any harder, because he's giving you that look. Yes, that one.]

All right. I'll go rustle Shion up...

[She could have by saying 'no' to any evening time alone. But she doesn't. Because she's actually, in part, thinking about the kids and their possible need of parental affection.]

Don't be long. I'll be right behind you.

[He sticks his tongue out, and off he goes for the stairs.]

Need help?

[Xion had spotted Elena struggling with the outfit. Especially with the mannequins. It's why she tends to lay her outfits out flat or hold them in her hand while sewing. Maybe it didn't make as good of things, but... it worked.

Elena might notice the half-made pair of pants - Given that Xion wants to wear something hopefully warmer than her own, given Jason's tendency to shut off the heat during his winter month. If nothing else, layers]

Edited 2013-11-04 19:32 (UTC)

....Mmmm?

[Really, this was getting quite frustrating and she had half a mind to put a bullet in one of the mannequins just to blow off some steam. At the question, Elena's eyes move up to the speaker, a grin forming.]

Hey, Xion. Yeah, if you've got the time. [Oh, Elena does notice the pants and raises an eyebrow.] I didn't know you could sew...

[Xion smiles wryly]

I got here at the end of the January before last. That February we had a lot of really, really cold temperatures, blizzards, and were losing power near the end of the month. And all I really had was this.

[Xion indicates the coat she was currently wearing. And truthfully this was actually warmer than she'd had that time, because underneath her coat, her clothes were a bit better at insulating heat than the ones she'd originally worn.]

I've been learning to sew ever since. Before I got this back most of the stuff you saw me wearing was stuff I made.

[Except the dress she'd worn at Reno and Elena's wedding, but that's another matter.]

Edited 2013-11-09 07:46 (UTC)

.....I think I recall having a really cold winter. The power was down and everybody was clamoring to find something to keep them warm.

[Eyes move to the coat, listening to Xion's every word. Listening to intonation, to inflection, looking for anything that might indicate any jadedness from her struggles.]

You're further along than I am, I'm afraid. I can stitch up an injury no problem, but making clothes is...just a touch beyond my skills. I'm trying but..any guidance would be appreciated.

[Rick's started coming to this floor more often now, even with the unnerving mannequins--with the weather getting cooler and his sweater long since incinerated, the need for warmer clothing outweighs the strange feeling of being watched, of movement just out of the corner of his eyes, and occasionally missing sewing kits. This isn't so much of a problem considering that he can find other rudimentary sewing supplies in the workshop, except that they tend to catch on the thicker fabric needed for winter attire. The machines--and the risk--should be worth it. As long as he doesn't linger, of course.]

[The blonde man is about to make one such stop when he notices, peeking in from the landing, that he won't be alone. Worse yet is that his company seems to be in a poor mood, either from the making of that suit she's pinning or the mannequin it's pinned to. Regardless, he's anxious that he'll cause her unnecessary duress, so Rick attempts to quietly pace into the room and huddle away in a corner where he won't be a nuisance.]

[...But he does want to help. A second pair of eyes might deter the mannequins from acting up, though if that isn't her only problem, he'd feel dreadful about not offering his assistance. His own half-pinned plain sweater can wait--that suit looks important.]

[There's a lengthy, awkward pause before Rick manages to gather the nerve to speak up.]

...I-Is there...do y-you n-n-need...?

[...And that's about all he can manage before the awkward takes over and he trails off in a massive blush. Maybe she didn't hear him? That would be ideal.]

[She's really not that scary, Rick. Elena is just...very irritated with the fact that she's having to work harder than she really thinks she ought to just to make herself a damn uniform. She doesn't hear his footsteps through the thrum of the sewing machine, making a noise of frustration when the fabric snags, the machine stopping.

Its only then that she realizes she's not alone, turning to see the young man who was an interesting shade of red. Its pure reaction that her hands go to make sure her skirt wasn't riding too high, eyes watching him with a scrutinizing gaze.]

....Are you offering to help?

[It's probably a good thing that Rick's eyes are glued to the floor, since otherwise he might see Elena's instinctive reaction and would turn into a blubbering mess. Well, more so than he already is. This is at least somewhat manageable.]

[He opens his mouth to respond--nothing happens. His second attempt is quiet, cracked, but still successful.]

...I m-m-mean...o-only if...I-I-I d-don't w-want to g-g-get in y-your w-w-way or...

[Articulation fails him, so instead he silently holds up the half-sewn sweater he brought to work on. Rick's craftsmanship is simple but exceptionally neat, with stitching so evenly-spaced that is must be borderline obsessive.]

[Elena is just...flabbergasted. Amazed that the man had the bravado to come forward to a complete stranger and offer help, but just flabbergasted by his struggle to articulate his offer. A nervous twitch, perhaps, and it was...a little endearing, actually. Her expression shifts to a softer neutrality, putting a hand lightly on his shoulder.]

Its okay....I'm not going to bite you.

[Unless he bit first. Then, in that case, he'd learn that Turks were already ready, always prepared. Eyes look at the sweater, hands moving to hold the fabric and inspect his work. Which, compared to hers, is immaculate. Her jaw drops some, moving from the man to the sweater, then back to the man.]

...This is just.... [Nope. Rick, you're hired.] You won't get in my way, honest. If anything, I don't want to get in yours. You've got some skill here - care to teach me how you made your stitches so well?

[Oh no, so much attention! This is almost as bad--possibly worse--than if he'd noticed Elena's first reaction to him, and it leaves Rick's face and ears such a burning shade of red that they might glow in the dark. He manages to look her in the eyes and smile in thanks, but that hardly lasts before he glances anxiously away, jamming a hand into his hair.]

--W-Well I--I m-mean it's n-n-not--not that g-g-good, I--I-I just-- [BLUSH BLUSH BLUSH] --l-lots of--uh--p-p-practice, I--I guess, b-but I'd, um--yes.

[That was an awful lot of buildup for "yes I would be happy to help you" but talking is hard okay]

[Veronica had actually come here for supplies, for a little thing she was planning. The professor's clothes were still in need of repair, but that was getting done.

She stopped and watched the woman for a few moments, chuckling a little at the stream of curses that were flying.]

I-I take it y-you d-don't sew much?

[This was the fifth time that she'd gotten the fabric caught in the machine and her patience could only last for so long. Hands dig into her hair, fingers rubbing at the scalp in a move of pure irritation before she hears it. Laughter. Somebody was laughing at her expense and it was a horrible feeling of shame and embarrassment of being caught so...unprepared.

Hands lower as she turns to the voice, visibly surprised to see the young girl. The stitches are the first thing she notices before taking in the rest of her, giving a little self-deprecating chuckle as well.]

'Fraid not. And it isn't like this place makes it easy to. You have any experience with these machines?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A Turk's Day is Never Done

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

just gonna go off the idea that Elena survived long enough to see his death..

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

not my best my brain doesn't want to brain

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Floor 51

Floor 51

Re: Floor 51

no subject

Floor 51

Floor 51

no subject

no subject

no subject

Floor 51

Floor 51