towerofanimus | And then I woke up with a better focus, my goal clear in the midst of the fog

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And then I woke up with a better focus, my goal clear in the midst of the fog

Characters: Elena and you!
Setting: Various! See prompts below.
Format: Either/Or
Summary: After spending a few weeks on her dead planet, Elena has finally returned to Tower. Clearly she needs to find out what has happened during her absence, as well as let those close to her know she’s returned, and start looking into a few things that were mentioned to her before her leave.
Warnings: None to speak of at this point.

[Notes slipped under recipient doors]
R,
Floor 100 at 0700h. Will be here until you arrive.
~E

S,
Just checking in; just got back. Meeting with Reno first, but then I’ll be on the 4th floor. Should be there around 11h. Come by when you’re free after this time – I’d like to get an update on the going on’s. Bring Xion if you can.
~E

X,
Just got back to the Tower after a short absence and would like to check in with you. I’m meeting with Reno first, but then I’ll be on the 4th floor around 11h. Would like a debrief from you and Shion on any recent incidents.
~E

[Prompt A – Floor 100 | Early Morning]

[Returns to the Tower always start the same way – with that uncomfortable paralysis that forced you to stare up at the ceiling above you, leaving you bored if you didn’t panic. Which Elena didn’t do, given the numerous times she’d been through the process. Once able to move, she checks on the time before writing several short notes, slipping them under the door of the recipients, then moving onwards to nearly the topmost part of the Tower.

It doesn’t take Elena long to get to the floor, though the trip was only partially paid attention to, her mind slipping back to the weeks on her dead planet. It’s what drove her to this floor. To remember what Gaia had been like before its destruction. And Elena is not left wanting when she steps onto the floor.

Walls change and shift, molding into the familiar setting of Healin Lodge. The wall of windows that overlooked the drive up to the building, properly shaded to allow just the right amount of sunlight. The couch that stretched beneath the large, framed ShinRa logo. The small coffee table with a pair of half-filled mugs. Despite herself, Elena bends over, reaching out to pick up the cup, only to watch the image flicker with her hand in the middle. Which, in turn, earned a very disappointed, if not heartbroken, expression.]

[Prompt B – Floor 4 | Mid-Morning to Early Afternoon]

[With the temperature in the Tower getting to uncomfortable levels of cold, Elena opts to not engage in too much activity that would cause her to lose body head. And seeing that coffee wasn't an option, she’s at the lounge, curled up under pile of pillows, a physics book she borrowed from the library on her way back down atop the mass in her lap. That’s what would explain the confused and perplexed look on her face as she slowly works her way through the very difficult read.]

[Prompt C – Floor 19 | Mid-Afternoon to Early Evening]

[So that physics book she got was way beyond her understanding on the subject, but Elena is determined to grasp the concept. There had been comments made to her before her little absence that had made her curious and, instead of going to the source first, she wanted to brush up her understandings first.

So she’s in the 19th floor library, a couple of books tucked under her arm: Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Biochemistry, and Introduction to Analytical Chemistry. And she’s still searching for even more books.]

[Prompt D - Floor 77 | Late Evening - Closed to Reno]

[She had told Reno to come to the sauna floor later that evening after she took care of several other items that she needed to address. Like starting her collection of educational materials that would help her get a better grasp of the situation in the Tower. Maybe find a way to help put together the bits and pieces of information she had picked up and try to make sense of it all. And given the headache that she felt coming on near the end of the day, it was going to take some time.

Elena doesn't bother with the gender specific rooms, checking the unisex room to see if there was anybody already there before slipping into the unusually large room. Even wrapped in a towel - though really she had to question whether the towel was <i>meant</i> to be barely larger than a washcloth - she felt exposed. Vulnerable. The locker with her name on it was a nice bonus, locking up her clothes and firearm from possible theft. But that meant any potential danger would have to be fought hand-to-hand and she very much did not like the idea of having to do so half naked.

Sitting back on one of the benches along the wall, she poured water over the burning hot rocks, increasing the steam in the room, and waited. When Reno finally does show up, he might hear a soft, almost reverent tune being hummed in the room.]

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Yeah, 'bout that...

[He's looking around in confusion. The place seems familiar, but not in a way that was pinging any particular memory.

From what she says though, he got the sense it was a place special to her. Should he even-]

This is... that mountain lodge retreat for employees, right?

[The memory came up unbidden. A long time ago, they had used it during one of his rare vacations. It hadn't been a bad place to relax, but his tastes ran more to places like Wutai or Costa.

The affect it has on her, though, worries him enough that he starts to grow really concerned for her.]

Why is it showing you this place?

[His hand is warm, at least, rubbing a small circle against hers with his thumb, a reflex to comfort the hurt and pain she wore as plain as the view around them. That smile doesn't belong on her face, so he brought his free hand up to poke her nose.]

You miss it here?

[It makes sense that the setting doesn't appear familiar to him. This was still a ways in his future - what would have been his future had he'd been given the ability to live it out. Not have his home destroyed.]

Mmmm. [Its an affirmative noise, eyes moving back to the couch.] Healin Lodge. It didn't see much action during Midgar's heyday, but after Meteorfall we made this place temporary headquarters. We took care of Rufus here when he got sick with the 'stigma.

[The feeling of his hand in hers keeps her stable, keeps the emotions in check. This place meant a great deal to her. More than she would say aloud, though anybody who knew where to look could see it. In the way she looked at the large ShinRa poster. In the small, sad ghost of a smile. When he pokes her nose, its a wake-up call, earning a little noise of surprise, eyes going cross-eyed for that brief moment.]

...Uh-huh. This place was home for a long time. It was tight and cramped and we were tripping over each other all the time. There were only three rooms, one of which was Rufus' and the other two was given a set of twin beds in each. Though, to be honest, we slept on this couch together more times than I can count.

Edited 2013-12-12 00:52 (UTC)

Us?

[He doesn't really want an answer. Somehow, he hadn't gotten the sense before that they had ever done anything much beyond a friendly hug, so that couldn't have been how it sounded.]

C'mon, El, let's get some breakfast.

[He's tugging at her hand, moving toward the staircase. The sadness isn't something he could cope with yet, not when he just got her back. These ghosts darkening her face, a stark change from the moments they had shared together last time they saw each other really disturbs him. It isn't doing much to curb the hero thing she yelled at him for.]

You've been gone for weeks, Jason's in charge now, and I want to be disgustingly domestic with ya.

You, Tseng, Rude and I. Sometimes all of us if we ended up staying up late chatting or working. Most of the time one or two of us after doing reports or helping Rufus. It was always interesting to see who ended up passed out on the couch and how... I think Rufus coined it by saying we looked like a pile of kittens the one time he found us all on the couch asleep.

[The memories, while sad in that she wasn't able to experience them again, are still good ones. Of times that weren't so terrible, that were light and full of laughter. Elena gives a little laugh, giving Reno an apologetic look and following his lead.]

Sorry. I'll have to tell you some funnier stories about some of the antics you and Rude pulled while we stayed at Healin. That we all pulled on Rufus on his birthday.

[The memory that comes forward causes Elena to laugh. Slow at first before she's chuckling into her free hand. It was a story she was going to have to share the next time they had a chance to be alone. Before he can pull her further into the stairwell, she gives him a gentle pull to stop, to come closer into a loose hug.]

'M not feeling all that hungry, really. And it has been some time, hasn't it? Though I'm curious...what exactly do you mean by 'disgustingly domestic'? Have a cute little pink apron I don't know about?

[Reno's mood crashed through the floor, but he nods, listening to her talk about times they never had together. He perks up a bit when she asks about pink aprons, but he feels a little stiff in the hug, an unseen tension coiling around his body.]

Nah, I just wanted to show ya the food we got stored downstairs... y'know, maybe cook a little of it together.

[Okay, so it was a fantasy he'd been having the past couple weeks since their fight. There hadn't been any time to get it in before she left.]

If you're not feelin' up to it, it's fine. I just got to go get started on the missions today.

[Eyes narrow minimally, having watched his body language shift and change over the course of just a few minutes. It was odd, his reaction to her explanation about Healin, but understandable. There was the slightest feeling of guilt too. For wanting to show him this place. For making him feel uncomfortable about being there and hearing about things he had not experienced himself. Even in her arms she could feel that unusual tension and it was almost enough to make her question it.

Almost.]

.....Food?

[She hadn't been hungry because of his mentioning of Jason and remembering that the admin had a gross affinity for nutrition bars. But the idea that there was an alternative piqued not only her interest, but her stomach. Which voiced its complaint in her initial assessment with an audible 'aaaaaaarrrrroooooooo'.]

Ah....apparently I've been out-voted on the subject... I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a peek at what you've got stored.

[Because clearly the mention of actually having something close to a decent meal besides those tasteless-as-cardboard-bars was enough to make anybody go from total portion control to ravenous hungry in less than three seconds.]

I'm still curious to know if you got an apron, though...

Yeah. Food. C'mon... I know that sound.

[He beckons her to follow, a faint grin on his face and trying to guide her off the floor onto the steps. As soon as his feet hits the first few, he starts to relax, unable to see the image she had taken in to her heart.]

I don't have an apron, but I got some new clothes. Y'wanna see, El? I got a tanning workshop set up in the kitchen. Xion made a cloak for me, but I've been using some of the bad pieces to make gloves and bags.

[If she asks, he would deny feeling uncomfortable at all. They were her memories of a time and place that is dear to her, he just doesn't want to ruin it trying to remind her he wasn't her Reno.]

Just wait til ya see all the meat stored down there.

[It was a noise that wasn't really meant to be acknowledged since it pulled rank on her and embarrassed her to boot. Hence the bit of warmth coloring her cheeks and the pressing of her lips together. But she wasn't about to deny herself the opportunity to eat a freshly cooked meal. Especially once that they got to cook together.

It was all too obvious he wanted off the floor, either from discomfort or from perhaps wanting to pull her out of the emotional mire that the holographic image of Healin stirred up. Whatever his reason, Elena doesn't fight the gentle pulling to the stairwell. She's attentive to the words he says, though she does throw a look back over her shoulder at the image before it flickers out into nothingness.]

....You put a tanning workshop. In the kitchen. [The face she's giving him. Its asking if he's serious. Because that's all sorts of unhygienic.] You get an A plus for creativity, I'll give you that but...I hope you're at least keeping the kitchen clean...

[Oh, but new clothes sounds lovely. As much as she liked her Academy Uniform and could manage in her hand-made Turk uniform, there was never any good reasons why she couldn't add to her collection.]

Yeah, lets take a look at what you've been doing the last few weeks. Maybe I can commission you guys to make me a little something to keep warm...

Yeah. There's been a lot of butchering going on up there, and it's got all the tools I needed. Didn't think it'd hurt too much. Asch went crazy on some of the meat.

[He notices the last look, waiting for her to finish before trotting down the stairs cheerfully- until she mentions about keeping warm.

Pausing on the steps, he carefully took off the leather cloak and wraps it around her shoulders, tying the laces in front.]

There... that better?

You really have been busy. [Which was a good thing, actually. She had been worried that her disappearance, especially after their last little fight-turned-tentacle-boss-battle, would have left him in a worse state. Thankfully it was winter, which meant there were little time for moping.] You'll have to bring me up to speed on what all has been made so I can help. I can put my needlework skills to work.

[Because she's following him, she senses his stop in movement and matches his action, pausing on the step above him. Which really didn't make her taller than him even then. Honey-colored eyes blink in surprise as he takes off her cloak and ties it around her, the sudden warmth and smell intoxicating.]

...Ah...yeah...good... [Sorry, Reno. She'll English in a second.] Won't you get cold, though?

[Grinning, he slides his arms around her and presses a kiss to her forehead.]

...Nope.

[Releasing her, he starts going down again, one step at a time.]

Careful, babe, I'll make ya tan some of those hides with me.

[She would have complained more, but the inevitability was that any attempt would end in the same way if she didn't. And, honestly, it was pretty cold. She'd get her hands on one for herself in the very near future.

She's falling in line with his pace, despite the obvious differences in leg length, fingers grabbing a small handful of his shirt.]

...Why are you making that sound like that's a bad thing?

You'd get to make brain soup.

[And that right there is his evil little chuckle, the one he does whenever something particularly appealing is up for a mission.]

....Oh that sounds delicious. You do spice it up right, don't you? Black pepper and salt and garlic. Garlic is very important.

[It doesn't even matter if he's being serious or not. Because if she doesn't make a joke about it, she might actually dry heave.]

[That's why he made it sound like a bad thing.]

Don't worry, I got a secret recipe. Ya still hungry for breakfast? I have a box of berries hidden away with your name on it...

[Okay, so maybe she really was going to dry heave. Because her stomach was twisting a little.]

I don't doubt you do.

[Oh god, he mentioned food. And despite her stomach making another protest for attention, Elena might be a touch paler.]

How about we take our time getting there to see what you've collected and we'll see then?

[He stops again, aware of her discomfort, and reaches up to offer her a hug.]

Sorry, babe. I guess I'm real used to the gore around here I forgot, tanning is pretty awful... how 'bout you take care of yourself and we'll meet up later?

[Despite the paling, she can't help but laugh and look apologetic]

Its fine. Really. Didn't think I'd be squeamish, but I guess after being on a dead planet for a few weeks with nothing but dust to look at can make you a little bit...sensitive. Give me a day or two to re-acclimate and I'll be happy to help.

[And she really is apologetic, Reno. Really. Because she just got back. And its not like they had lots of time together.]

Tonight. At the hot springs. Be there.

Sure. Sorry about that, babe... will ya be all right on your own?

[He sounds like he didn't really want to leave her, but if she hung around there would be at least hunting to deal with.]

Hot springs. Got it. Dorm Five later?

Its not like I've got anybody trying to kill me, so yes. I think I'll be fine. [Even on a step higher, she still needs to get up on her toes to put a kiss on his forehead.] Unless there's something else I can help with. Need any more food to be collected?

[Her head gives a quick nod.]

Of course.

[A happy grin lights up his face when she kisses him, making him want to lean into her and forget the whole day.]

We're good on food for once... Shion's been taking care of the reports, so ya might check in his room or with him for the papers. Ya might want to read 'em all over. That's... all I can think of unless ya want to go through the network. I've been meaning to, but...

[But food had been a higher priority.]

Love ya, El.

Oh good. I would hate to think I'd have to go through all of the month - Jason's month - chewing on cardboard.

[That was much better. Both of them couldn't be looking miserable at the same time. So obviously she had to sneak in another quick series of kisses, moving from his temple and across his cheeks before planting a final one on his lips.]

I'll check on the comms and sneak into Shion's room to review the reports. I ought to get up to speed so I can better help you and the team.

[And she's giving his nose a little press, a silent encouragement to start walking again.]

Love you too, Reno. Anything major I should know about before we divide and conquer?

[Giving her an completely innocent look, grinning...]

Yeah, just one thing before I go. You're the hottest babe in the Tower.

[Yeah, like she's going to believe that face. But surely he had something major up his sleeve that she ought to know about.

...Or maybe not. But the ego boost was welcomed nonetheless.]

Fuck yeah I am. [And she's got just a hint of a smirk.] Which would make you the sexiest fella in the Tower, you know that right?

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And then I woke up with a better focus, my goal clear in the midst of the fog

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