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]

Relative peace and quiet. Edge could be noisy in its own way, even at night. A lot of things were about relativity in fun ways. Like Reeve being important. He maintained that importance by trading in on the more known names of important AVALANCHE members. And Reeve being able to finance changing the world. He maintained that by cashing in on the will of Rufus Shinra to try and positively impact the world. But those were little asides for the head of the WRO to consider in other moments.

Truth was that he was no more pleased to be a peacekeeper in his offtime than Tifa was. Sure he had built an organization with the express purpose of peace and rebuilding, but that didn't mean he intended to put himself between Barret and Cloud more than needed.

Even he slipped outside while Tifa went to town inside, Nanaki with her as he'd been in the errand at her side. He hadn't come here to do business, but to connect with friends. And here was one that he never really knew how to approach. And who had ignored previous attempts to reach out. Perhaps that should mean he should leave the man alone, but really, when had he ever left well enough alone?

"Lovely evening," he said to the man who he was certain had said precisely two words to him all night, both of those used in the greeting.

[emovampboy]

Tifa going to town was not something Vincent liked to see, excepting when it was on monsters, Weapons of Sephiroth. The rest of the time, the woman was scary when she entered that mood, and Vincent was sure it was the tone - that of a mother who never intended to be one to grown men - a terrifying sight.

He supposed it was good that Marlene and Denzel had run off to play with some of the girl's gifts, and thus didn't have to listen to the arguments. It also made it a little harder to sneak away on his own, since Reeve's assistance meant he had a line on Vincent; not that he entirely minded.

Reeve, for all the excitement he exuded, was serious enough and, in Vincent's opinion, the smartest of the group. He also had knowledge of ShinRa up close, just as Vincent did, and this meant no awkward questions or discussions about the place. Any talk of it had a reason.

Of course, this didn't mean he would be much more social than normal, turning only enough to nod at Reeve and speak a few words. "Thanks for your help in there."

[plate_builder]

"If only my word carried any weight with them," Reeve shrugged. Even now, even with them willing to work with the WRO when it was needed, he still could hardly get either of them to pay attention to him. Barret was worse, so Reeve was always careful before putting himself into any argument Barret got involved in. The man, after all, was aware of Reeve's role in the Mako Reactor refinements and improvements. So he wasn't really popular there.

And the advantage of being around Vincent was that he wouldn't get ShinRa brought up either. Which made him welcome company. Even if the silence was... frustrating. Reeve had never been good at it unless he had actual work at hand.

"Thank you for joining us this evening. The children looked pleased to see you."

They weren't the only ones. They were just the ones allowed to show it.

[emovampboy]

"Once they are in that mood, they don't listen to anyone really." He seemed to still be speaking of Cloud and Barrett, even though he was aware Reeve had, with or without intention, meant the comment in a much broader sense.

After all, despite what Reeve probably thought, Vincent had read everything sent to him, knew about Reeve's group, and about the fact the former ShinRa employee had been trying hard to recruit him. He just didn't see much reason in joining, and so never bothered to contact him back. It was just his personality.

The same personality which made him give Reeve a quizzical look at the second part of his words, his tone more question about why would he not have than anything. "Marlene asked me to come."

[plate_builder]

Reeve raised an eyebrow at that. Really, that was what Vincent was going to use to defend himself?

"I have it on good authority that she wasn't the only one to ask you. She wasn't even the first," Reeve counters, a touch of amusement in his voice. But Vincent could hide behind that if he really wanted to. Though Reeve knew he was doing that, just saying. "Regardless, since I doubt Tifa has had a chance to say it, thank you for coming. It does us all good to see you're still around."

[emovampboy]

Honestly, his first instinct is to comment about the fact he's quite used to letting down adults, but not so much children, except Reeve handily makes sure he can't. Which leaves Vincent with his backup; shrugging.

"I don't know where I would have gone." He wants to add his usual morose sort of comment, doesn't, instead continuing to speak in as normal a fashion as he seems capable of. "I think there are few of us who stay still, besides."

[plate_builder]

"That isn't quite what I meant," Reeve counters. He expected morose from Vincent, could be prone to it himself. But he was used to it from Vincent, and had meant more than that.

Meant that he was surprised Vince kept going, given how Vincent clearly saw himself. Blamed himself. But that was just how he felt about it.

"Most of us stay still, Vincent, in one way or another. Maybe not physically, but in our hearts there is a place we are tied to."

[emovampboy]

There's just the faintest shift of red eyes, a careful glance at Reeve, before Vincent lets out a barely audible sigh.

"I'm not going to disappear from the world again."

[plate_builder]

"Somehow I don't know if I believe that," Reeve says. But he really hopes that Vincent won't go and do just that. "What are you doing with yourself now?"

Everyone else seemed to be achieving something, but Vincent? Who knew.

[emovampboy]

The doubt was highly expected of Reeve, of anyone in the group really, but for some odd reason it niggles Vincent. More than anyone, Reeve should know that he hadn't emerged simply due to Sephiroth, but because of the feeling he had run away long enough from the world.

Sure, it was true he still believed he had much to redeem himself for, that the jubilee at the reconstructing world free from the madness it had been thrown into was not for him, but he had no intent to completely disappear again.

"I am..." Even as he speaks, he has this strange feeling he's going to get called out. That his words will be understood as vaguely saying he still finds himself more trouble than good. "Finding what place I have in this world."

[plate_builder]

Should Reeve know that? There is the question. Does he have a reason to know that Vincent was in it for more than the responsibility he felt for it all? Because frankly, Vincent had beaten that point like a dead chocobo in the past. But really, how distant Vincent had been since the end of things, how could he not wonder just what Vincent was after.

He holds back on the urge to point out that anyone would have a reason to believe that the thing Vincent stuck close to, connected with, was the memory of the woman he loved. Next to memories like those and Vincent's seeming obsession with his own failures...

"Always a hard task," Reeve says instead, voice a bit pensive. Even with the WRO he was having issues with finding a real place where he felt welcome. The organization was hardly met with open arms. "I wish you luck."

[emovampboy]

If it had simply been about Sephiroth and Lucrecia, he would have tucked himself back into his coffin, showing up sometimes at the cave, and certainly would not have kept a phone he could be reached at.

That he didn't respond to the phone, and kept himself to himself, well... There was something said about old habits, and his would not be easy to break; twenty some odd years did that to a person.

Which means he is grateful that Reeve doesn't push the issue, and merely nods at the remark before turning to glance at whatever is visible of the city, remaining quiet for a moment or two before deciding he should try to converse a little with Reeve. Maybe prove he isn't anti-social?

"How are things going with you?"

[plate_builder]

How should he respond to that? Honesty doesn't really seem to be the best choice here. That would be a very long conversation indeed, and clearly Vincent is trying to be polite. Which Reeve respects, there is no question about that. It's an attempt to reach out and it should always be encouraged in people you're friends with. Especially in Vincent.

"Well enough," Reeve answers, and he keeps his tone even. Almost makes him proud of himself to have pulled that off. "The WRO is doing some good work. I'm very busy. Meetings with investors, with my teams, with volunteers. So much work."

[emovampboy]

"You always seem to have your hands full." It doesn't seem he should know that with full certainty, but he does. He'd honestly had enough time to examine the others, Reeve included; even if study of him required studying a cat riding a moogle. "Is it something you enjoy?"

[plate_builder]

Being busy helps him ignore the being lonely part, not to mention the fact that many of the people here who he should rightly consider friends look at him with suspicion sometimes. Busy is easier than the alternative.

Of course, sometimes it was easy to forget, given his appearance now, that Vincent was once a member of the Turks. And beyond all of the rest of their work and training, they were meant to be good at reading people. Best way to manipulate people to the ends the old President had wanted and needed meant knowing how to read people. Or study them for vulnerabilities.

"I'm doing a lot of good," Reeve answers. Of course it isn't answering the question Vincent asked, but he hopes it will be ignored. "Edge is progressing very well now that a lot of issues have been smoothed out and funding has become less of an issue. Which means I can move on to other important matters. Extending my work beyond the immediate limits of this area."

I should check my fanart for iconable images

[emovampboy]

He notices the careful avoidance of the answer, only glancing briefly at Reeve over it, but doesn't press the issue. There are a few things he's still not sure about with the man, and why he works so hard is one of them. Only guesses.

Unfortunately, Vincent is still quite horrible at conversation, so he doesn't know what to say next; and weather is an obvious hint he is without ideas, so he just stays quiet. Let Reeve continue the conversation if he wants,

I know what you mean. I don't have a single positive Reeve. Damn somber guy.

[plate_builder]

What else is there for him but work? How else is he supposed to get by without something to keep his mind occupied? Unlike Vincent, he hasn't adjusted to being alone. Even when he worked in Shinra he still could reach out to his mother.

"Where are you staying these days?" Reeve asks as he looks up at the sky. Still can't see stars from here. Doubts anyone ever will be able to. Then again, after Meteor people might feel better not having reason to look up for a while. Of course after a moment he realizes how intrusive the question really is. Fact is he's not good at this silence thing. In a way Vincent would have had more peace were it Cid or Cloud, maybe even Barret out here. But at least he isn't as bad as Tifa or Yuffie.

"That is, you're taking care of yourself, right? Shelter and all of that? You strike me as someone who might just deal with rain by sitting under a stone outcropping rather than getting yourself somewhere comfortable. And again, not my business. Sorry."

Silence really isn't really his thing when other people are around.

And Rufus is 80% smirk. Must be FF7. XD

[emovampboy]

Once one knew Reeve was behind Cait Sith, the rambling of the moogle cat made more sense, though the vastly different personality was a curiosity. Not that Vincent knew much about Reeve before he met him, but it still made sense once one did.

Honestly it should be annoying, as if often is when Yuffie starts up, but it isn't as bad when Reeve does it. Probably because the man catches when he's gone a bit too far, and the girl doesn't. Difference between an adult and a child, he supposes.

Another difference? Vincent knows if he says where he is, Reeve won't tell everyone, so he responds with truth. "The Ancient Forest."

It is a very serious sort of game. Or maybe Yuffie used up all of the smiles

[plate_builder]

"Peaceful," Reeve says, and he means it. He's gone there once, on his own. It was after the war when he was trying to find... well, he couldn't really figure out a way to describe what he had been looking for. Perhaps a connection to the girl who had changed them all, and who he had never truly met. But the one thing that lingers is the fact that he had felt at peace there.

And that it was well isolated. Which he supposes makes it a good place for someone like Vincent.

"I hope traveling out here to Edge for this wasn't too much of a hassle for you. I know it's a long way."

He isn't foolish enough to think, even for a moment, that Vincent would be anything but safe. No, all he can foresee is the annoyance of traveling that far without Cid being there to swoop in and help. Vincent is one of the few of them that doesn't live in or near Edge.

Her, Aeris and Zack.... The latter who I'd love to play lol

[emovampboy]

"Mm." It's a sound of agreement, that the forest is calming and peaceful. Isolated is also true, and would have been agreed to. "The trip wasn't so bad."

That I can understand. Zack is fun to play.

[plate_builder]

Well there you have it, Reeve is out of easy topics. For all that he babbles, and he can babble quite easily seeing as he has a slew of technical jargon, casual conversation is harder. Especially when he knows someone like Vincent doesn't talk much. How far can he go before the man gets too annoyed to put up with him?

"Good," Reeve answers after a moment. "Thank you for coming."

Doesn't know if Marlene bothered to thank him.

Never tried him, but I miss his type of character - I call them happy idiots

[emovampboy]

Vincent hasn't had much trouble with the idea of silence, is very used to it aside from his own inner thoughts, but he's no fool and knows well it bothers most others; Cloud being the exception he knows in this group.

Yet as it is not Cloud he is dealing with, Vincent considers to himself for a few, probably long, moments before he speaks. "Have you made any adjustments to Cait Sith? He seemed more spry, and Marlene more taken with holding him."

Tried him and it can be fun

[plate_builder]

“Many that I was discouraged from making when it was a company project,” Reece answers, and he is smiling now. Beaming even. This is a topic he can handle for a long time. “I’ve been able to transfer him over to purely self-managed. I can provide input or the like, there are others I work more directly. But he manages himself. I have also removed some components that were needed for interface with the Mog as well as defensive measures.”

He could go on for hours if allowed. Cait is one of his favorite things.

[emovampboy]

"Must be lighter now." Finding a topic Reeve can go on about is good, since it seems this is all he will get in response from Vincent.

[plate_builder]

“I would’t know.”

He doesn’t carry Cait as much now. It isn’t as needed. Cait can handle himself. Granted he has come to like riding shoulders. Which is its own pain.

“Thank you for asking.”