Time and Tides Archives

Elena came walking out a few minutes later, tugging absently at the collar of her clothes. She'd packed her suit, but she'd gone out and purchased some local travel clothes, baggy pants and a shirt and her coat, but she wasn't really used to them yet.

"Yeah, sorry, I'm here. I was trying to make this less itchy," she smiled at Reno as she moved to climb up onto her chocobo, checking the packs onc eshe had done so. Her arm was out of bandages, but she still had one on her head that she'd have to take off in the next day or two.

"You know the way?"

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"Yeah, me and Rude came from Treno. We'll just go back the way we did." Reno still wore his suit, of course, but he also had some other clothes now, too. Mostly a lot of baggy, black, grey or brown pants and black or white shirts. He tended to wear dark colours because, well, a lot clashed with his vibrant hair.

Once he was sure Elena was sat safely and comfortably, he handed her the reins of her chocobo and tucked his damaged arm against his stomach, nudging his bird to get it moving.

After a moment, a smirk came to his face. "So. Excited to see Tseng?"

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Elena took the reins from Reno and shuffled around once more until she was comfortable, and then sent her bird following after him. Chocobo riding wasn't a required sort of skill, but they'd offered it at the Shinra school and she couldn't resist. There was just something fun about the birds.

At the question, she actually blushed, if only for a second, and then nodded. By the time the nod was gone she was back to normal. "Yeah, of course. Aren't you?"

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Reno smirked a little broader at the blush he could quite clearly notice but didn't point it out verbally. "Yeah. It'll be good to have him back in charge. I think I'm done with this whole 'Acting Director' thing." He wasn't exactly cut out for it... though Tseng kept assuring him he'd make a fine leader, one day.

Really, he was content to just follow orders as sketchy as ever and drag Rude along for the ride but, well, today he was dragging Elena along and he figured that, despite the fact that she usually partnered Tseng and he usually partnered Rude, they could have their own fun on the trip.

"Man, this trip took long the first time... I guess we're gonna set up camp once it gets too dark to travel."

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"You did pretty good though, Mr. Director," Elena said with a teasing smile, though her eyes were elsewhere, looking at everything they passed. She really wasn't used to the idea of being on another world, where everything was different. She knew most of home, and now she had to memorize all this new terrain, new cities new roads...all of it. It was strange. "But it'll be nice to have Tseng back, yeah.

"I looked at a map, but..." Elena shrugged. "Not really sure where a good place to stop is. I thought I saw a river but it was kind of old." She shrugged, turning back to Reno. "Brought tents though, right?"

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"Heh, thanks, Elena." It was actually nice to be complimented, even if he didn't think he'd done all that good a job. Heck, the monster invasion had been a disaster. Elena had been injured, Rude had gotten hurt, he'd been crushed by a fucking wall... but Rufus was okay and that was what mattered.

Nodding slightly, Reno replied "I only got the one. They're expensive in Dollet and it's not like we've never slept in the same room," he murmured, smirking at her.

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Elena flushed immediately at that comment, turning to glare at him. "We have but it's never voluntary, you know!" She sighed, looking away. Reno was that sort of accident she stumbled into once or twice a year when she had too much to drink and no outlet for the various urges she surpressed whenever she was working. But it wasn't something she talked about!

"You got two sleeping bags, at least?"

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A laugh escaped him, only to be shut away fast by a wince of pain. "It's never voluntary on my part either, Elena." A smile settled on his face as he recalled how many times they'd accidentally slipped into bed before now. "It won't happen again, anyway."

Nodding again, Reno shifted on his bird. "Yeah, I got two, and a lantern. It's like... basic as Hell but I figure since it's not the two-thousand's here we're kinda stuck."

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"Pretty sure I said that last time. And you the time before that," Elena shook her head and sighed. She wasn't actually upset about it, just...embarrassed. It was the sort of thing she had once thought Turks were above (though she knew now that certainly wasn't true).

She nodded her head at his comments, turning to look out again at the scenery. "I think I'm getting used to it. Well, maybe just 'cause Dollet still has a lot of modern type things, but...it's...prettier here, somehow. There's no smoke from mako plants or the new coal plants, no cars or motorcycles rushing about." There was a little pause. "I really miss my hairdryer though..."

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"And the time before, but I think that time I said maybe it shouldn't happen again." Reno felt pretty much the same way she did. It was embarrassing that anytime they were left alone and drunk they'd fall into bed with each other. He was sure it had been about seven times now but he tended not to keep track of those sorts of things.

It wasn't like it affected his reputation at all; he just didn't think repeatedly sleeping with a co-worker (and technically a subordinate) without being in a steady relationship would really help improve the company's reputation. Not there was much of a company at the moment, of course. Still, time would tell and maybe they could work from the ground up. Sure, Rufus had slid easily into the role of President when his father was murdered and, considering the shit that went down, things had been pretty simply for him.

However, here, they only had the five of them now and things weren't exactly going to explode into action like it had done.

Elena's words pulled Reno out of his thoughts and a slight nod came. "Yeah; it's kinda tough to even think about memorising any of this place... but I think I prefer home. I like the smoke and the vehicle fumes." Laughing slightly, he ran his fingers through his red hair. "Me and you both, pal."

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Elena just made a non-commital sort of noise and let the matter of the matter of them drop, distracting herself by leaning forward to give her chocobo a scratch on the neck. She just didn't much care to dwell on something that didn't really mean anything right now.

"I always hated the smell of cars. Well, not the inside, just...the everything else." She shrugged a bit, turning back to Reno. "So how long is this going to take, anyway? I know money's kind of an issue but we could've just taken an airship to pick him up..."

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"It'll be about one and a half days if we set up camp. An airship might be faster but with everyone making a scramble to go kick Kefka's ass, we're kinda stuck for a flight." He would've loved to have his helicopter but, apparently, Gaia didn't think a helicopter was something he needed with him when he came. Stupid Gaia.

Wrinkling his nose, Reno grabbed his sky phone, looking it over as they travelled. "Besides; it ain't often you and me get to talk like this, right? It's always the three or four, or sometimes five of us." Reno gave a shrug, kind of trying to brush off the fact that he really did like talking to Elena and make it sound a lot more casual.

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"Kefka..." Elena shook her head. "He really...he creeps me out. I'm glad he isn't anywhere near here..." At least, she was fairly certain he wasn't. Elena had never had an issue with clowns, but after seeing him on the network, she was sure she could develop one.

"I suppose that's true," she let the conversation change naturally, turning to consider Reno again. "How are you handling....all of this, anyway? I mean, being stuck here, and...Midgar, and all that..."

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"That guy's asking for an ass-kicking..." Shaking his head slightly, Reno put his phone away a moment later. He really didn't like Kefka. He'd talked to the crazy clown and developed a severe dislike for him. Frowning as they rode, he tugged slightly at the reins of his chocobo.

As Elena spoke, Reno glanced to her, pulling a face for a moment. "I... don't know, y'know? It's like some crazy ride that I kinda wanna get off of... but there's something about it that makes me wanna see it out to the end." He sighed slightly.

"Midgar... well, that was a whole other thing. You haven't seen it yet, have you?"

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"I flew over it," Elena said, her voice distant. "It looked like there were plants and trees everywhere and everything was a mess. Haven't...gone to look at it yet."

Elena wasn't really sure if she'd do that, honestly. She liked the memory of Midgar better than finding the ruin, somehow..

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Reno nodded slightly, frowning as he did. "It sucks... the place is overgrown; it's just..." Reno fell quiet, shaking his head, his blue eyes focusing on the path ahead of them.

"I didn't handle seeing it very well... I'm just lucky Rude was there to get me out of the place..."

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Tseng had found the proposed inn easily enough - and more than his fair share of trouble along the way. Now he waited in the common room, nursing a local drink more for appearance than personal pleasure and watching for the arrival fo his Turks.

His suit had gained another layer of grime and dirt, and there was a bruise forming along his temple - but his pocket now had a decent amount of gil in it, and he'd taken the offender's bag more out of frustration than need - gaining himself several items of interest. It now sat at his feet, and he watched the room to see if there would be any reaction to it. So far, it had been rather pointedly ignored- which was telling in itself. A matter worth investigation, if only to prove his theories right - but not now. Now was simply waiting, for his Turks, and for that connection to Rufus to be remade.

Tseng had work to do.

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The journey had taken long enough and Reno was thoroughly exhausted. However, there hadn't been any issues with wolves this time so at least he only sported the injuries he already had, though they were healing pretty fast, thanks to the small amount of mako coursing through his system.

His wrist, in fact, only bore greenish-yellow bruising, and no swelling.

Remembering where he and Rude had stayed, Reno led Elena to the inn, keeping a sharp eye for anyone about to attack them. While they were both Turks, they weren't superheroes (no matter how much Reno wished he was) and any muggers or thugs could harrass them.

Reno was sure Elena could take care of herself but he was still protective over her. She was just as important to him as any of the others.

Stepping inside the inn, completely ignoring any opportunity to be a gentleman and hold the door for Elena, the redhead strode in, eyeing the patrons before spotting Tseng. His smirk came in rather a feline manner and he sauntered over, resting his hand on the table, the other in his pants pocket.

"Heeeey~ how you doin', Director?"

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"Reno." There was warmth in Tseng's voice and eyes as he greeted the other (he'd allowed his attention to drift and had missed their entrance, something that he shouldn't have allowed. This wasn't a secure place in the least). It was a show of how anxious the older man was, even if he did well to hide it otherwise, that he stood almost immediately. His eyes took in the injuries, old and healing as they were, and seemed to come out with an appropriate total; he only nodded instead of berating the Turk for his appearance. "Good to see that you made it in something resembling one piece, Reno."

He frowned a moment later, looking over the red-head's shoulder. "Where's Elena?"

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Elena was, in fact, outside. Giving the stable watcher an extra gil, with the promise of another if the chocobos were still there when she got back. She was...familiar...with Treno. She didn't like it much, but at least crime was an easy system to deal with.

She headed into the inn a few moments after Reno, dressed once again in her Turk uniform, though it was starting to show signs of wrinkling. She didn't think she'd get many chances to wear it, but she felt it was necessary when meeting Tseng again.

When her gaze fell on Reno and the Director, her legs hurried her over to them, and just as she reached them and her brain said 'now be polite and say hello', she found herself suddenly wrapping Tseng in a big hug. As close as a human being could probably get to an actual glump to be honest.

"It's so good to see you, sir!" She at least managed the sir! After four or five seconds of this, her brain seemed to realize what was going on though, and she quickly took a step back, a faint flush on her face, looking suitably embarrassed. "I mean, ah...sorry, sir..." My, what a lovely knot in the floor...

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"Oh, she's just dealing with the chocobos," he replied, glancing at the door just as Elena stormed in. "Hey, there she is!"

His placid attitude vanished within seconds as Elena flung her arms around Tseng and Reno gave a snort before his hand flew up to clasp over his mouth and stifle his laughter. Okay, now that was funny! He was well aware of Elena's crush - she was kind of obvious sometimes - and seeing her react like that was absolutely brilliant.

"Smooth, Elena," Reno muttered, his gaze finding Tseng's for a moment, his lips pursed to withhold any extra laughter.

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Tseng hadn't quite expected Elena's exhubrent reaction - but he took it in stride, allowing her the few moments to cling without attempting to extricate himself. He gave Reno a glare that told him, wordlessly, to make no further comment - and didn't feel the need to embarass Elena any further himself. "Elena. It's good to see you as well - and healing, it seems."

It was, indeed, good to see them both. It had been an impressive change in his mood when he'd found his men were here, even better when they had a way to get him to the president. No matter how offbalance Tseng might have felt about this world, with the Turks on hand he knew it would be simply a matter of managing the situation properly.

It couldn't prove worse than Edge, after all.

"You both look exhausted." And in need of a bath - though he didn't point that out. "I have a room booked for us for the 'night' - whatever passes for it here - to rest yourselves. We can start out as soon as you've both had a brief respite." Tseng was firm- he knew full well that they'd both get back on their chocobos if he asked them to - but it wasn't necessary, and looking after his men was now even more of an importance. They lacked the security that Shinra's money and power once held.

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Elena did what was appropriate for the situation, and elbowed Reno in the ribs. A nice, solid jab. And then she smiled weakly at Tseng for letting the situation pass, and focused on what their boss was saying.

"It was a long ride here," Elena explained about their rather tired appearances. "And we had to ride hard a few times because of the creatures out there." She was pretty sure they could've killed them, but she was still injured (as the bandage on her head would indicate) and...really, why risk it?

"Are you alright, sir? I know it can be very...jarring...to arrive on Gaia. Especially in Treno...this was where I woke up also." Yes, Elena is looking him over a bit as she asks this. While she wasn't as 'motherly' about Tseng and injuries as she was when Reno or Rude did something stupid or foolish and hurt themselves, she still had the impulses. She just...surpressed them a little more with Tseng.

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Reno winced as she elbowed him, surpressing the wheeze of pain that demanded escape. It was horrible, but he deserved it and he knew she didn't mean it maliciously.

Still, he gave her a glare for a moment before joining her band-waggon, looking Tseng over, leaning to get a closer look at the bruise on his temple. "I hope you fucked 'em up, Tseng. I mean whoever did that," he muttered, nodding towards the bruise before shoving both hands in his pockets.

"I gotta call the President and ask where we're going back to, anyway. Unless you wanna, Tseng? I mean, you're the boss, after all." Reno gave a beaming grin at that. He was so glad he wasn't the one at the top of the Turk ladder anymore.

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Tseng picked up the bag at his feet, hefting the duffel strap onto one shoulder. "The gentleman who attempted to show me the finer points of Treno hospitality will require medical care. Extensive medical care." Tseng agreed as an answer, pointing to the stairs that lead to the inn's second level and its cheap but tolerable rooms. "He is the man to thank for our lodgings tonight, however, as well as some of the basic supplies I've managed to pick up. And a few items of interest as well." The bag he'd taken from his assailant had held more than just weapons - it held what looked rather like small samples of drugs - if the brightly coloured powders labelled with words like 'euphoria' and 'fantasy' were any indication.

"I'll contact the president." Tseng promised, not missing just how much Reno perked up at the idea, and he turned his attention to Elena as they climbed the stairs. Her concern was kind, but not necessary. He was fine.

"You made good time, considering. I appreciate it." It was better than he would admit to no longer be alone - and to no longer doubt his sanity. "As for myself, I'm handling the situation well enough. It's good to have you both here, and I'm interested in what reports you can give me about this place and the state in which things are in. I can't imagine a situation where I have been less prepared, or informed." And how he hated to be at a loss for anything, to be so dependant on others. No wonder the attacker had fared so poorly - Tseng did not take to this sort of frustration well. It wasn't something that crept out at his men - but you could read it more in his actions.

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Elena couldn't help but smirk at the idea of Tseng wailing on some poor pickpocket who'd inadvertently chosen the wrong target. She'd seen Tseng fight, not often but he did, and it wasn't something she'd want to get on the wrong side of, ever. Reno's rather obvious attempts to ensure that he was no longer in charge just made the smirk grow into a real smile. It was fairly entertaining, watching him try to lead. He was good at it, but it was still pretty funny.

"It's not so bad here, once you get used to it. A little primative, except maybe in Lindblum where they build the machines and airships and such. Dollet, where we were, had a lot of them too. Wherever that city came from must have been a lot like home." Elena was mostly talking just to talk. It was easier than letting her mind dwell on the fact that Tseng was here.

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Glad that Tseng would call their boss, Reno mentally took note of the chance to maybe give Rude a call. It'd have to be quick as Elena would likely be hanging around but it would work. Maybe if he went in the bathroom to talk. Either way, he felt a little bit bad for needing to check in on his partner but things had taken a change and he felt the need to just see if he was okay. It wasn't all that different from how they usually were, as he tended to call Rude more than necessary anyway, but it still felt different.

"Yeah, I heard there's a flying like... building thing. They call it a Garden or something." Reno gave a shrug, almost falling back down the stairs, grabbing the railing quick, managing to make it look pretty damn casual.

Once they were upstairs, Reno simply followed after Tseng, letting the man decide where they were going, vaguely wondering whether Tseng had gotten Elena a separate room because of her gender.

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Tseng led the pair to a room at the end of the hall, so chosen because of the window that opened above the chocobo shed. It meant the smell was a little stronger than in other rooms, but it also afforded an easy escape down to the street if necessary. There was also enough of a ledge to pull themselves up to the roof if needed - a third escape - but Tseng wondered if Reno's rubs were up for that sort of strain.

Tseng shut and bolted the door once Elena and Reno were inside, and instantly pointed to the bed. "Your bags on the floor. Reno, shirt off. I want to see your ribs; don't think I missed that slip on the stairs." But calling to a weakness in public was stupid and suicidal. Reno had held up well enough to this point - Tseng respected him to continue that illusion until they were in private.

"Elena, your bandages could use to be changed. Have either of you taken a potion? I've been informed that materia are non-existent here, and those brought are useless..." He gestured through the room - a bed large enough to sleep two comfortably, an overstuffed and ancient chair, a tube radio and small writing desk. The lodgings weren't bad, and he'd paid more for the few conveniences - such as: "This room has an attached bath, though we'll be paying for the privilege of hot water." His smirk told them what he thought about that, but they all knew they'd survived through worse.

As he waited for Reno to comply, he turned attention to their words, still trying to make sense fo this world that left him so very confused. "The level of technology in this world was limited, as far as I can tell - and the advent of new cities appearing as Wutai and Midgar have is acting to polarize the political situation, as well as providing advanced mechanics. Admittedly, outside of knowing that Wutai is here and under some sort fo threat, I'm still not much better informed. I'm hoping you both will be able to enlighten me."

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Elena looked around the room slowly, noting the single bed and raising an eyebrow as she considered it. Still, it was nicer than many of the places she had stayed.

"I took two potions, sir," Elena had discovered after her arrival that this world considered her a 'chemist'...which was a strange concept, but it meant people would sell her stuff to make potions. Which was somewhat cheaper. "And I can probably take this off completely, sir."

Elena set her back down next to the chair and sat down on the edge of it, starting to unwrap her bandage as she listened to Tseng talk. "There are other things to be worried about also, sir. People were apparently displaced throughout the world several months ago. After losing track of nearly three months of time. The whole world did." Elena wasn't really sure she believed that, but people had no reason to lie.

As she spoke she carefully finished unwrapping the bandage, shaking free her hair. There was a fairly nasty gash underneath it that was healing, but obviously wasn't done, though it wasn't bleeding or anything. Elena was just being touch when she said she probably didn't need the bandage anymore.

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Reno tossed his bag down and pulled his jacket off, hooking it over the chair. "That's true. About the displacement thing. When Rude and me got here, everything was like... layered in dust and people were freaked out about the world shifting or something." Unbuttoning his shirt, Reno wrinkled his nose at how Tseng never missed a damn thing. Sure, it was good for the job but it made getting things by him a lot more difficult. He wasn't so sure he and Rude would be able to have any secrets.

"I took like... four or something? Rude kept an eye on me." He wouldn't mention the one-armed pushups or the fact that Rude had got him off the floor by using his hair.

Once his shirt was off, Reno looked down at his torso. The bandages were wound tightly and, more than anything, they were there to hold things in place, rather than cover any cuts. There were still a few bumps and scrapes in place but none as bad as those fractured and bruised ribs. What looked the worst under the bandages was the bruising on the surface.

Beginning to unwrap the bandages, his quirked an eyebrow slightly. "There ain't much from our world here. Still, Lindblum and Dollet are pretty tech savvy and I heard there's a place called Goug or something that's good. Midgar's just... not far from here and it's a wreck. Plants and trees everywhere, mossy all over... the moogles have took over there."

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