ᴄᴀɪɴ. I said I was going to sleep hours ago. Posts on Ichi tomorrow… later. I have to be up for work soon, lmao.

Brows rose slightly at the remark, and he turned his gaze on her properly. Eyes roved over the slight colour against pale skin, but soon came to rest on brilliant lifestream-green. “Perhaps so,” he replied, voice soft and even, and slipped fingers into his jacket again to withdraw a small flask

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Coughs. Account in progress but hey.

𝒩𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓃… .✦ ݁˖ 𝘞𝘩𝘰’𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮? ˖ ݁✦.

What did I miss?

A small tilt of his head, a gesture that could have been a nod if it had been given more of his effort, and he watched as their server left the table to wait on someone else before speaking. “It’s been some time. Since I indulged in something as simple, easy, as this. I blame you, of course, +

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Do people here like FFXIV RP accounts? I used to write Hades, and I have a WOL/Azem that could be fun. That said I barely get time to write as is lmao.

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Someone tell me how I’ve pulled something in my shoulder… creating excel spreadsheets.

When the server returned he held an envelope out to Rufus. The Shinra President took it and deftly slipped it inside his jacket, before taking the coffee and setting it down in front of Aerith. Blue eyes met the Cetra’s brilliant green, and he offered her a coy smirk. “Nothing of importance.”

If she’d asked, Rufus wouldn’t have an answer for her. A normal life wasn’t something he’d ever experienced, after all, and that wasn’t likely to change. After a time he gave a small nod to a man serving, pushed a note across the table and ordered a coffee. Not for himself, but for Aerith.

Despite the rather rude gesture, Rufus seemed unbothered. A chuckle and he shook his head, slipping a hand into his jacket for his personal hip flask. Gloved fingers unscrewed the cap slowly, blue eyes watching the pilot with a gentle amusement. “Hmm. Here I was going to offer to share, and +

Had she been anyone else, Rufus would have found himself irritated by the intrusion. But Aerith’s company had become strangely comfortable and she joined him quietly instead of shattering his peaceful little bubble. A small curl of lips and a shallow nod approved her presence.

If he thought a level of exhaustion beyond his usual impossible, he’s been proven mistaken. Out of his office, for once, he sits outside a cafe. Not drinking or eating, simply sitting and fighting sleep while he people watches.

“Feisty, I like that. Leave a message with my secretary and I’ll be sure to neglect to schedule in a moment to feel intimidated.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. It’s been a while since my Chronic Migraine Club membership has been validated this irrefutably. Some will tell me it’s the overworking, and they’re probably right. Regardless, sorry for my absence right now.

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Don’t look at how long it took me to get to that reply.

Still heavy with sleep, it was little surprise that it took Rufus a moment to comprehend her words. Or perhaps the confusion simply came from being presented with a show of concern, care. A genuine one that is. Of course Tseng cared, but he’d known the man in many various capacities. This felt +

“A- you know what, you thinking it a band causes me less of a migraine than the fact you think throwing a band at the undead to be efficient. Is this a ‘I don’t have to outrun them, just outrun you’ tactic?”

“So, these ‘zombies’ of yours. Have you tried just… throwing a phoenix down at them? Seems to me you’re making things harder for yourself.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. If on my day off I redid my entire pinned to reorganise it how much would you all hate me for the spam? /lh

He knocks back a double whiskey over ice, leans back and closes his eyes. Then sighs a long suffering sigh. It’s been a long day. The glass is soon refilled.

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Slowly trying to come back, even though I’m exhausted. While I’m here; Leon S. Kennedy in RE9. If I wasn’t a l r e a d y gay…

Entirely unawares he was being watched, studied so intently, Rufus continued to slumber through Aerith’s observations of him. Face relaxed as it was, Rufus almost looked normal. A perfectly well adjusted, perhaps even kind, man without a care in the world. If only reality mirrored that +

For once, Rufus was asleep. Dead asleep. It spoke volumes that the Shinra President, usually so alert, didn’t so much as stir. Not that he’d made it to his bed. Instead he’d fallen asleep on the couch in his room, thankfully mostly dressed and yet decidedly more casual than most anyone ever +

Tseng makes up about 90% of my impulse control, and he isn’t here right now. I’m bulk buying Skittles.

̵𝐓̵𝐇̵𝐄̵ ̵𝐒̵𝐔̵𝐑̵𝐕̵𝐈̵𝐕̵𝐎̵𝐑̵ ⇢ I couldn’t save them. But I can stop bastards like you. ⠀⠀❒ rp account. ⠀⠀❒ spa / eng. ⠀⠀❒ Resident Evil. ⠀⠀❒ by ismere — mun is +29 #RESIDENTEVILRP #MRP (Please no exclusively lewd accounts ✌️)

“Is this because I made fun of your name? Touchy, aren’t we.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Big/serious replies as soon as I can. I’m still struggling, tbh, but I want to get back to writing. It helps, for one thing. ❤︎⁠

“So now there’s a Squall as well as a Cloud? Did their parents attend a group discussion concerning weather-based names?”

One long sip of coffee. A small wince, and a rub at a temple. He didn’t sleep very well, as usual, no matter how much he tries to hide that from others.

For once he’s not at his desk. Instead he’s on the couch in his office in just his shirt and trousers, asleep. One hand clutches a book.

ᴄᴀɪɴ. I’ve had some personal bad news. I’ll be back in a day or so.

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Got like. An hour of sleep. Work time. On the plus side I managed to bookmark a bunch of replies scrolling back through my notifications, it took forever but I found a lot of them lmao.

“That’s putting it mildly,” he replied, dry as sand. A pinch of finger and thumb at the bridge of his nose and he gave a short nod, and a crooked little smile. “I’ll come with you, as to if I drink anything? Well. That might be a foolish idea. Still, where to then, hmm?”

“Hmmn.” Taking a few steps back Rufus looked Tseng over slowly, contemplating. Sure, the man could simply remove his jacket and instantly look a little less conspicuous but that would mean one less place to hide a gun. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he finally replied with a shake of his head.

She does make quite a valid point. Though he doesn’t need dragged, he leaves his office. Sometimes. He’s just busy. He’d make time for her, however. Why? He’s not questioning that, it doesn’t need questioned.

She really should join him for a drink sometime, although drinking in his office from his own selection isn’t particularly thrilling and dragging someone along to taste everything somewhat spoils the mood. A pity.

Oh, he didn’t think she had it in her. …tens across the board. Flawless form.

Eyes closed and he huffed a sigh, jutting a hip and folding his arms. “Of course I can, it isn’t my first time doing something like this Tseng.” He strode over to take the man’s tie in hand, tightening it. “Besides, having you with me is going to some draw attention anyway.”

“Repeating insults I’ve thrown at you isn’t very impressive. Now. Find the nearest toilet, stick your head right on in there and flush seven times.”

Rather thinks that if Zack wants to take a swim, Aerith should let him swan dive right on in. He’ll score it.

“You should find it quite relatable, then, hmm?”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. If anyone gets that reference, amazing.

“Forty-two.”

“Options are limited, considering I’m hardly popular any more.” Rufus shrugged off his jacket and the hakama-like outer trousers, folding them and setting them aside to leave himself in naught but a vest, shirt and the regular pair of suit trousers. “Hmph. Inconspicuous enough, do you think?”

“You’re a sad, strange little man.”

“Someone sedate Zack and give him back to Hojo, the damage is clearly already done.”

“I’ll decide what I call you.” A devious little smirk and he tilts his head. Then waves a hand, not dismissively just carelessly. “That said, I was going to suggest a drink tonight. Join me.” It’s not a request, and he wouldn’t go anywhere without Tseng. It would be foolish.

“Oh please, Tseng. We’re alone, you can call me Rufus. Just for that perhaps I’ll stay awake all night.” As if he didn’t just call him Director.