For Reeve

[emovampboy]

When it came to use of his phone, Vincent was very much like Cloud. He left it on, received messages and listened to or read them, but quite rarely responded. The few times he did respond tended to be if he deemed an actual answer to be required, or when from time to time Marlene got hold of Cloud or Tifa's phone and contacted him. Since it was so rare for her to do so, he always took it as a good thing to answer.

Which meant he had answered when she called him a few days after a message from Tifa asking him to come to a party for the girl, which he had ignored; his first mistake. Once answered, the girl had spent several minutes speaking to him, until suddenly springing the question of if he were coming to her party and making it quite impossible for him to really say no without seeming like a total heel, and so he agreed to go; his second mistake. And then he had made his third mistake - actually going.

At first, it really wouldn't have seemed to have been a bad idea. He knew everyone who was invited, how they acted around one another, and that Tifa would keep the whole group from going completely crazy over the course of the night, but he had not expected having to assist in breaking up one of Cloud and Barrett's squabbles when the woman had to leave for a short time to fetch something, and honestly he was glad that Reeve was invited and could help diffuse the situation with; especially when Yuffie and a very unhelpful Cid decided it would be a great idea to bet on who would win if they actually took to fistacuffs over whatever stupid thing it was this time which set them off.

All of this had left him rather done with company, and as soon as Tifa was back to be the adult in the situation, he'd snuck outside for some relative peace and quiet.

Comments

[plate_builder]

“Right,” Reeve answers before heading to the kitchenette. A number of bottled waters go into a bag followed by some wrapped up bagels and shmear because he hates them plain himself. But he doesn’t offer the bag to Vincent.

“If something we’re to happen,” he explains, you are quicker and a better fighter. I would rather your hands be free.”

[emovampboy]

Vincent has the urge to protest, since he's also the stronger of the two and thus would not find carrying several bottles of water an issue, but finds Reeve has a point.

There's no reason to suspect anything will happen, but on the chance something does happen, it is only sensible to allow the man with better reflexes the ability to move; though he'd be backed by three others at this point.

So Vincent nods, moving to the door to open it for Reeve.

[plate_builder]

Reeve may be a business man, but he has the strength for this much with no issue.

“Thank you for not arguing,” Reeve says softly as he heads for the door to head out again. “I am a touch more capable than I look.”

[emovampboy]

Back turned, Reeve won't see the faint smile at those last words. Yes, he's capable, but that doesn't mean he needs to be a pack mule; though admittedly, neither does Vincent.

However, Cait Sith had often taken more than his fair share of weight when with the group thanks to its Moogle counterpart, and perhaps he thinks Reeve should not do the same.

Shutting the door behind them, careful to turn the lock as they leave, Vincent slides past Reeve as if he's preparing to walk in front of him again, but stops a step down to wait.

[plate_builder]

Reeve locks the deadbolt as well before nodding to Vincent before gesturing for the man to lead him. He truly is a foolish man if he thinks Reeve would see this as being a packmule. No, this is him refusing to let others do for him what he can do for himself.

“You will recognize the car from last night, correct?”

[emovampboy]

Vincent begins down the stairs ahead of Reeve, nodding a little as he lists off the make and color of the car; his mind isn't dull, no matter how old he is.

"I imagine at least one of your detail will also be standing outside the car."

[plate_builder]

Old in years, but not in life. Reeve doesn’t consider those years spent punishing himself to be legitimate.

“Usually Abigail, the woman,” Reeve agrees. She’s less intimidating.

[emovampboy]

"Mm." He gets to the bottom of the apartment, opening the door which sections it off from the outside, and nods to the woman when he sees her standing there.

Less intimidating, perhaps, but in no way safe.

[plate_builder]

No way at all. Reeve smiles and nods his hello to the young woman and climbs in when she opens the door for him. He settles into the back and quietly informs the driver of where they are going.

Now if only there wasn’t going to be a guard in the back with them.

[emovampboy]

Vincent waits for Reeve to settle before getting in the car himself, sitting beside the man and watching as Abigail gets in; apparently the one who drew the shortest straw.

"You said this place is about a half hour away?"

[plate_builder]

“Depends on how safely Burgen is driving,” Reeve agrees and, hungry as he is, he pulls out a bagel. Might as well.

[emovampboy]

Vincent gives Reeve a curious look at that comment. Is he talking "safe" in the Cloud, Barrett or Cid sense, because each of those three have severe issues; though at least Cloud and Cid mostly bothered to drive. Barrett took his eyes off the road far too often.

[plate_builder]

“He speeds,” Abigail supplies. Figures their guest might not get it.

“Once we are out of Edge that is. We wouldn’t risk people.”

[emovampboy]

So, Cloud then. He can deal with that, and nods a little at Abigail in thanks for the heads up.

Folding his arm across his chest, Vincent then leans back to watch out the windows while Reeve eats. He hadn't paid a great deal of attention to the city when he came the evening before, so he may as well take it in now.

[plate_builder]

Most of the city is under construction so not really a concern to be thought on. Reeve himself is rather quiet. He has seen the city enough. Within time they are out of it entirely and on the road out of Edge and toward Kalm in general. If it could even be called a road.

“Was there more life around Midgar in your day?” Reeve asks, genuinely curious.

[emovampboy]

"A little." Vincent acknowledges. He recalls far more greenery, at least, before the Mako plants began to draw away the energy they needed to survive. "Some of the areas have always been barren, of course, but trees grew well in most areas."

[plate_builder]

“I have had a few attempts to grow things here. Edge still can’t really support it.”

Which is a shame. The place is gray and there is little to break that up.

[emovampboy]

"I imagine the planet is focused on its largest injuries right now." Meaning anything where Sephiroth and Meteor caused destruction, such as the Northern Cave. "Give it a few years, time to replenish, things should begin to grow again."

[plate_builder]

“Perhaps,” Reeve agrees. But he could still wish for some color. “At the very least I might see if some colorful fabrics can get brought to Edge.”

[emovampboy]

"Yuffie or Nanaki would be best for helping there." Vincent offers. "Although I would not allow Yuffie to do the decorating. Her outfit is a bit worse than mine."

[plate_builder]

“Not decoration. Clothes. They help affect how we see ourselves. And the people of Edge are always in gray.”

They need bright and hopeful colors.

[emovampboy]

Oh, that's what he meant. For some reason, Vincent was thinking of banners or something else to brighten up the metallic look for the city. Clothing would certainly be much simpler to get people on board with.

"I suppose... That would be helpful to morale as well."

[plate_builder]

Reeve chuckles. Somehow he should not have been shocked to hear that from Vincent. The man doesn’t put much thought into clothing. For now, he smiles out through the window and mentally starts to plan for that. So he is quiet for the rest of the drive until the car stops at the base of a hill. Well, the slopes side of a cliff.

“Shall we?”

[emovampboy]

He might feel just a little embarrassed, but it would be hard to tell with his stoic face. If it wasn't for the fact his eyes dart off momentarily when Reeve chuckles, it would be impossible to tell.

Which makes him content to remain quiet, watching everything as they go along, before finally analyzing where they stop the best he can.

It looks peaceful enough, out of the way enough, that there should be no one but them around. Makes it understandable why Reeve would enjoy it to begin with, and if the view he mentioned is anywhere near decent, that would explain the rest.

Nodding slowly, Vincent gets out of the car and turns to take the bag with the water from Reeve until he can get out of the car at least.

[plate_builder]

The man does relinquish the bag temporarily to get out, and then he nods to Abigail. She knows well enough to stay back a good distance normally. Today, with Vincent, there won't be any need for him at all, so she can stay by the car. With that he turns to start leading Vincent up the hill. No doubt the man can manage it faster, he's far more fit, but Reeve will take the path he knows.