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]

Interesting choices of statement there. Reeve doesn't know what to do with it other than nod and take it as given.

"Well then, I will leave that to you. I, however, need to get going to work."

[emovampboy]

Vincent nods softly. "Have a good day, then."

skip to their lovely evening?

[plate_builder]

He moves to kiss Vincent's forehead and heads for the door.

"I'll see you tonight."

Hope this works!

[emovampboy]

Arrangements would have been made well in advance for Reeve to come to the Ancient's Forest, something they both had already been long aware of, though much of it would have passed between Vincent and Reeve's protection unit; no reason to involve the already-stressed man any further than necessary, and besides, they would be the ones to make the final call on his being able to go - and whether they would tag along or not.

Which meant, by the time arrangements were made, it had likely been at least two to three months in which time Vincent would have stayed away. It also meant that, when the guards brought Reeve along the road leading up to the forest, Vincent would actually be visible for once instead of hiding - part of the agreement - settled on a rock and flipping through a book he had gotten somewhere along the way.

[plate_builder]

Seeing him is... relieving. It's been so long, and Reeve hasn't dared spend time for himself. And even getting here had taken some time. But there is a tension that melts off of him just from seeing Vincent and Reeve can't help but pick up his stride. The security detail doesn't seem pleased to have Reeve pulling away from them, in fact, they weren't very pleased with this whole situation, but Reeve didn't care. He hitches his bag up higher and moves to smile at Vincent.

"Vincent. IT's been too long."

[emovampboy]

Vincent seems to have no issue with the looks he is getting, subtle as they are, from Reeve's crew. He knew exactly how they felt about this, even though they had been more than cordial on the phone when making arrangements; just as they knew exactly how little he seemed to care of their lack of trust in him. All that really mattered was Vincent trusted himself, Reeve trusted Vincent, and the two trusted one another. They hadn't helped fight Sephiroth, even if Reeve was not onsite, because they were weak after all.

"Sorry it took a while to set up." He holds out a hand, as if offering to take whatever Reeve might need help with carrying. "You'll be glad to know Tifa helped me find a coffee pot you can use while you are up here, as well as some decent coffee."

[plate_builder]

Oh come now, if he was going to do all this this whole enjoying nature with Vincent, he had very little intention of offering his pack over. Which he'll regret later, but for right now he has to deal with this. Because he wants to prove he can.

"Tifa is a goddess, but I think I could probably survive without coffee for a while."

Which is a total lie that he can make because he's never had to try.

And now he's ignoring his guards to instead gesture that Vincent lead forward.

[emovampboy]

If Vincent had truly believed the man could live without caffeine, he never would have asked Tifa to hunt him out a coffee pot before he had left, and paid Cloud to deliver it. No, he knew Reeve well enough to know that caffeine would prove a necessity.

So he says nothing at the comment, though his eyes show a flicker of amusement, before turning to the guards and making a gesture they would know well enough - that Reeve was under his care, and they could go about their business.

"This way." He starts up the path the rock he'd been perched on resided in, speed slow for now to allow Reeve to keep up.

[plate_builder]

See, Vincent is a very wise man. A very wise man indeed.

The guards seem unwilling to leave, but Reeve just ignores them and moves to Vincent's side to walk with him.

"I've never actually been up this way in person. There was never time. I... would it be alright if at some point we went to the City?"

He wanted to pay his respects to Aerith.

[emovampboy]

Red eyes glance at Reeve over the question, perhaps reading his intentions, or just because the man is beside him now, before nodding softly. "After we get you settled in for at least a day, we can go there if you wish."

[plate_builder]

"Thank you," Reeve says, his voice soft and sad. But, more importantly, with a touch more energy in his step. "In fact, thank you for all of this. You've given me a chance I didn't expect to have."

In so many ways.

[emovampboy]

"I imagine it will be good for you." He says in way of 'you're welcome,' before adding. "However, I should warn you, I don't own a proper bed."

[plate_builder]

No proper bed. That was going to be hard on Reeve. Still, he could handle it once. He would manage now.

"I was a child, the last time I slept out on the ground. I think I can handle it this time. And if not, well, then I'll deal with that when it comes to it, won't I?"

And the fact was that Reeve didn't want to disappoint Vincent.

[emovampboy]

"It's not just ground." Vincent offers up. "I've gathered stuff to make a sort of bed. It's comfortable.

[plate_builder]

"Provided you are nearby, I think I'll find some comfort," Reeve muses as he keeps moving forward. "I was a farm boy, I can probably put up with it."

[emovampboy]

Vincent glances back at the initial remark, half-smirking for only a fleeting moment, so fleeting Reeve will once again have to guess if he actually saw it. However, he won't have to guess about the warmth and amusement in his voice as he replies.

"I have no need to be all too far away, so that should be no problem."

[plate_builder]

Oh yes, Reeve was going to spend the next hour at the very least analyzing the glance over and over, wondering if he really had seen the expression he thought he had. And never being able to come to a satisfactory conclusion. But the voice. Oh he almost feels like he's being embraced by that voice.

What a thought. What an interesting thought and experience.

"Well, then we shall likely both be comfortable. Now tell me, are there things I should be aware of here? Creatures we might need to fight, chores I will be able to assist with?"

[emovampboy]

Vincent considers a moment, listing off anything he thinks might be pertinent for Reeve to know, even as he turns off the path they had been following to start moving among the trees.

[plate_builder]

Well, it's definitely a list, and Reeve makes mental note of it, following along and trying not to be too shocked and caught up in the beauty of the trees.

"This place is stunning."

New icon... who dis time? Playing Remake huh?

[emovampboy]

"It's also very quiet," Vincent remarks, and knows Reeve will understand, though he continues. "As well as being away from anyone who may bother one for inane things."

Indeed. Isn't he pretty?

[plate_builder]

"Ah, my life has often been a series of inane things. So I shall appreciate that change," Reeve agrees. The silence might get to him, though.

The new designs are interesting , at least. But I still like AC designs best

[emovampboy]

Vincent nods, and indicates to Reeve to be careful as they start up a small incline. "The ground is a little loose in some areas."

If only Reeve had one

[plate_builder]

Oh dear, an incline. That is going to slow him down.

"Loose? Should I worry about slipping?"

Yeah T_T

[emovampboy]

"You should be fine if you keep an eye on your step."

[plate_builder]

Ah, but if he's keeping his eye on his step, he's not keeping an eye on where they are going. What if he becomes lost? What a distressing idea.

"I shall do my best."