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

[emovampboy]

Vincent seems content to take the long way, at least, since the short way would probably require using some of his super-human skill. And leave Reeve behind, which is very much not the intention.

It doesn't mean he won't easily keep pace with him, of course, walking only the barest bit behind Reeve as he leads them up, finding some conversation as he does.

"How did you find such an out of the way place, anyway?"

[plate_builder]

"We broke down near here once," Reeve answers. "I'm not as useful for changing tires apparently. Ridiculous. So I was given the task to climb this hill and watch the road."

It had been a bit tedious. Since then he had come to enjoy the hike, given the look at the end.

[emovampboy]

"Tires aren't an easy thing to change." It's matter of fact, and whether it means Vincent has issues with it or not is open to debate. "Not a bad idea to send you to higher ground, either. A good scout is important."

[plate_builder]

"I'm an engineer, I know the process," Reeve points out gently. But yes, he can understand why they did it even if he didn't agree. But soon they are cresting the hill and yes, from here the city of Edge is visible. Spires and scaffolding etched like lines against the shadow of Midgar, and they glint in the light. It's nice.

"I like it here. It's... beautiful in a strange way. Of course being me, I tend to find this sort of thing beautiful."

[emovampboy]

Process and execution are two separate things, aren't they? Like before, when Reeve was being more perverted than suave; completely different. And just as unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Vincent's eyes scan the view instead as they arrive high enough for it to present itself. His eyes aren't as trained as Reeve's in this matter, but he can see in the mix of built and un-built buildings a form coming into shape.

"It flows. An up and down rhythm, like the Lifestream." Tilting his head, he continues. "It looks like care has been taken that nothing is more, nor less, important to the skyline."

[plate_builder]

That wasn't perverted. He can be truly perverted. Vincent has no idea.

"Life from death. Creation from destruction," Reeve agrees. Order from Chaos. That's just what life is. And he likes it. But he smirks and shakes his head at Vincent. "It's more than that, a bit more complicated. There will be taller buildings, things important to the skyline together. My own hand over Edge has become very light. I selected an old friend to take over in guiding the city. My responsibilities are elsewhere. But I know that there will be good from this."

OR so he believes.

[emovampboy]

Vincent would very much like to find out, eventually.

"Key word, together. I can't see you letting one building become a centerpiece, like the ShinRa building was." Moving, Vincent sits near the edge, dangling his legs over as he does so and indicating Reeve to take a seat nearby. "If you did allow one, I could see a hospital. Something hopeful."

[plate_builder]

"Perhaps you shouldn't come see the WRO HQ then," Reeve chuckles. It's large, because large is what is needed. But there isn't anything else around to argue for space or attention. Reeve moves after a while to sit with Vincent, though he does hesitate for half a moment.

"Again, it's not me that decides anymore. Edge needs to guide itself some, and I passed the task over to a friend of mine. He's very good at what he does, and he will help them."

His words are followed by an ominous rumble of thunder and Reeve turns his eyes skyward, as if annoyed by the clouds filling the sky.

"Sounds like the weather wants to make me sound dramatic. I'm normally not."

[emovampboy]

He smiles a bit behind his cloak again, amused at Reeve's comment. "Is the HQ so bad?"

His own eyes shift, however, taking in the quick-moving clouds, noting the obvious. "These weren't so laden with rain just a time ago."

[plate_builder]

"It's not in any city so we can truly be part of none and there for all. Which means it's also required to house a portion of the staff and the military we are building up for peacekeeping efforts."

People fear the idea of him with a military. He more fears Godo taking advantage of the loss of SOLDIER to avenge himself. Not to mention bandits and other, unexpected surprises.

"That means it has to be offices and homes and a storage for supplies. R&D, many other things. So yes, it's a bit large."

His eyes return to the clouds again and he shrugs. "Storms come and go quickly around Edge. Some meterologists suggest that the Lifestream upset the natural weather patterns around here."

[emovampboy]

Oh, well, it seems big buildings will always be a thing. At least with Reeve it probably is mostly necessity, and less trying to make a statement.

The explanation of the storm also makes sense enough, and Vincent moves to stand as he feels the first drops of rain. "Should we head back?"

[plate_builder]

Reeve evaluates the sky for a moment then sighs and stands. "I suppose we must. I'm sorry. I was hoping to give you a better chance to appreciate this place."

And perhaps a bit more time away from the city and the people in it. Reeve could use that himself. "It doesn't normally rain much here."

[emovampboy]

"It's alright." Vincent offers Reeve a hand. "We'll come back another time. We can find something else to do for today."

[plate_builder]

He would be hard pressed to give another suggestion. Reeve takes Vincent's hand and lets himself be pulled to his feet. It's then that there is another crack of thunder and the clouds rip open. Instead of a few sprinkles it's practically a sheet of rain falling over them. Reeve half curses at the chill that is most definitely running through him now.

[emovampboy]

It isn't quite fast enough, but Vincent moves to pull his cloak up to guard them from any more of the rain than they have already been exposed to, clicking his tongue. "Well... guess avoiding the rain isn't a possibility now."

[plate_builder]

Now a rather wet Reeve, nearly as tall as Vincent, is forced to just curl down a bit to be covered by the cloak. Oh dear. Which is going to strain his legs a bit. The upside, he's damn close to Vincent, has to be.

"Give it a minute or two. Abigail will be up with an umbrella.

[emovampboy]

Vincent shifts their positions a little, finding something to step on and give him just a little height over Reeve so the man isn't having to squat as much.

"Will she be ok coming up in the rain?"

[plate_builder]

"That's... A really good point," Reeve chuckles, because man, this isn't the best situation. But with Vincent a bit taller he can be closer to standing. He does like this, though. Being this close. Maybe the gods like him. "I suppose the best thing to do is head back down."

It's raining hard, though. Can he safely get down?

[emovampboy]

"Mm." He agrees, looking at the path even as he draws the cloak a little closer in, blocking the rain on Reeve and getting a better look. "It will be slippery. How is the traction on your shoes?"

[plate_builder]

"Don't tell anyone, but they're construction worker boots."

Better for work sites. "I should be relatively good."

[emovampboy]

"Good." He moves again, freeing his cloak and placing it to cover Reeve directly. "Best you don't catch cold. Grab onto me if you slip."

He steps down, in front of Reeve, ready to act as his guide if it proves necessary.

[plate_builder]

"I'll resist the urge to pretend to slip," Reeve deadpans. They are going to have to live with him getting soaked really. Reeve awkwardly shrugs out of his coat and pulls it up over his head. This will at least keep him a bit better off.

"Lead on then."

Reeve's mostly going to be focused on his feet.

[emovampboy]

Between cloak and coat, Reeve should keep warm enough, and although Vincent glances back with a faint smile, he isn't sure Reeve catches it while looking at his feet.

[plate_builder]

No, there is no smile caught. Vincent has his secret a bit longer. Right now Reeve is working to carefully pick his way after Vincent, not even questioning the path the man chooses.

Almost halfway down the hill there is finally a clear line of sight on not only the car, but Abigail working her way up the hill with one umbrella over her head, another tucked under her arm. There's a momentary flash of gratitude and relief in her eyes. Clearly her employer can be troublesome about considering things such as rain.

[emovampboy]

Vincent is careful to pick paths that seem the most stable, and least mud-ridden, though with the rain coming down as it is, some of the ground may just not be good at all. It makes him a bit glad Reeve is wearing work boots and not something like loafers or dress shoes.

On spotting Abigail, he stops Reeve and moves quickly down to her location to retrieve the spare umbrella, sure she understands his silence as he grabs it and darts quickly back to where he left Reeve, working the umbrella open.