Everyone gets a shot

[shinra_dog]

Who: Reno and You
Where: Around Aqures Ixen, etc.
When: March 1 to...
Summary: Reno reacts to the the loss of the Other Heroes, and Cid's Mognet Letter -- not to mention dealing with everyone else's reactions toward him.
Warnings: Language, surely. No others yet.

The Streets of Aqures Ixen

It had been awful. The death, the sharp pains all through his body, just like in the vision. Except it wasn't three months from now, it was yesterday. Heroes who had done their damnedest to help and do their part, had fought for six months and who had finally made it here -- gone. No warning, no nothing, just gone.

Badou was gone. They'd just found each other again, after all that time, a real face from Atia. And frankly, Reno was sick of the losing game.

He stopped walking, fists clenched. With a frustrated yell, he kicked the nearest wall.


"Cheating"

Reno had had quite a few choice words to write back to Cid after that accusation of rigging the Mognet election. Testimony? Hair? Cid was either a lying sack of shit, or someone had actually planted some very specific evidence to get Reno caught. And on his life as a Turk, Reno had been especially careful. The worst was Cid's threat to open his file on Palitutu's computer and use it against him. What kind of trial system let that sort of history in? Unrelated incidents, only meant to bias people against him, it was hardly just! Reno wasn't one to stomp his feet and whine "it's not fair," but in all honesty, this was ridiculous.

Reno could only think of one person -- or rather, one moogle -- who had had any inkling of his plans. Life was going to get a lot harder for that little four-eyed pipsqueak Reno was so lucky to call his own. In the meantime, it would seem that everyone and their mother was out to make Reno's life harder.


The Pub [Closed to Johnny]

It wasn't hard to understand the volatile feelings in Johnny's note. Reno just hoped the bigwigs got their own copies. Whether or not they could actually do something about it... well... it seemed like something more important to choke on than Mognet, or airships, or hunting T-Rex.

He didn't bother writing back. Johnny wouldn't answer that. He knew where to find the other man, and that was better. Sliding in across from the slumped over half-demon, he ordered another round. By the looks of the table, he had a lot of catching up to do.


Wildcard

[Have another idea? Go for it!]

Comments

[charming_jerk]

[Johnny only moves enough to look at whoever it was who just sat down without opening their mouth first. He was about to give them an earful when he sees who it is, and his expression grows complicated. He wanted to know what the hell that letter from Cid was about today, but it seemed like such a far-off problem, inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. But it'd be a good way to deflect his own problems away for the moment.

He manages to pick up his head a little, but he looks away from Reno, embarrassed over being such an emotional wreck and trying not to show it.]

...Hey. Heard you got into some shit today. 'The fuck were you doing?

[shinra_dog]

Which part, at what time?

[Because he wasn't admitting anything in a public place.]

Lemme tell ya, I wrote Cid back tellin' him to put his money where his mouth is. Otherwise, he knows where else to put his bullshit.

[charming_jerk]

[Johnny's too drunk to have the foresight about not talking about this in public. Whoops.]

Somethin' about rigging the election. Which seems really pointless. Who cares about the mognet election, of all goddamn things?

[Oh good, the waiter comes by with three new shots, all for Johnny. He shoots Reno a look while he does so in the hopes that maybe Reno can talk his friend out of all of this drinking as he does so, but says nothing before walking away. Johnny sits up and knocks back one of the shots immediately, grimacing slightly at the burn.]

'S all bullshit. Everything they say and do. All we're doing here is spinnin' our wheels until the world comes to an end.

[shinra_dog]

[Of course he catches the waiter's look, but there's not much he can do. Especially not when he'd be dealing with things the same way -- and was. What he could do, at least, for both himself and Johnny was take two of the shots and slide them to his side of the table.]

I'd say that's an accurate assessment a' the situation here.

[He slammed back one shot and shook his head, keeping his other hand firmly on the other glass. It certainly did seem hopeless. They were all here for a "reason," yet nobody knew what it was for sure -- if they were here to save the world, or if there presence was what was dooming it. And no one knew how to save the world anyway. They were just wandering in circles. Why not get wasted?]

[He took the other shot, only waving for the waiter to bring more. When they were safely alone again, he admitted quietly,] Yeah, I cheated. I wanted us t' have more of a connection here, information, and I wanted an actually decent candidate to make that happen. Like hell did I trust Mograma. And... if he was tryna' manipulate people t' get him into office with his promises, I was afraid more heroes would be cheating for the wrong reasons.

[He paused.] I guess I should have more faith in our comrades, if no one else cheated but Deadpool.

Private Letter to Reno (Cheating)

[bloodypast]

[This'd be delivered directly to Reno from Ophelia, and she'll wait around for a response. "I didn't open it kupo, and I was told not to let anyone see it but you. She's not wearing her scarf either, to be just a bit more discreet.]

Reno,

As much as the Company went to hell in 30 years, I doubt the Department of Administrative Research's standards became more lax. Which, since you're not an idiot, means something happened. Grudge and frame-up? Candidates?

~~Valentine

[shinra_dog]

[While most moogles pretty much looked the same to him, Reno was actually starting to get used to Ophelia. He practically lived over at Vincent and Yuffie's place, after all. He ushered her in quickly, checking to see if anyone was watching. And even after she was inside, he looked over his shoulder for his own furry snitch. It was probably wrong to lay all the blame on Sohma without proof, but Reno was annoyed and maybe a little paranoid.]

[He fetched Ophelia some cookies and milk in his gratitude while he sat down to write Vincent back.]

Of course not! Problem is, I dunno who hates me enough here to actually go through all that work. Cloud wouldn't, I don't think Tifa would have, even Sephiroth and I are civil! And no one outside Gaia knows my past... or should. I think.

I hate being so fucking blindsided. But there's no way I would have left anything obviously leading back to me if I was gonna do anything shady. Hell, we've kidnapped people cleaner than this, I wouldn't bungle something as simple as ballot-stuffing!

Starting to suspect my own moogle.

-- Reno

[He carefully sealed the letter and handed it to Ophelia with the same instructions.]

[bloodypast]

[It's not too difficult to go unnoticed, considering how close the houses are and that Ophelia's gotten rather skilled at being sneaky lately. Doesn't take long for a letter to find its way back to Reno, same instructions as before. She is thankful for the cookies and milk, and patient.]

So no likely suspects at this time--even among the new Heroes? Have you encountered Barret yet? Is your suspicion of your moogle founded, or paranoia?

--V

[At this rate, Vincent might end up just sneaking over to do some investigating himself.]

[shinra_dog]

Oh yes -- definitely met Barret. Happy to still be breathing. Doubt he'd do this though, he'd just shoot me.

[If it was Vincent, Reno would be honest.]

Sohma was the only one I told about wanting to get in my own "votes" -- roped him in to help me. I couldn't plant all those in broad daylight, it would be too obvious! So if there's actual evidence against me, I wouldn't be surprised if the fluffy asshole double-crossed me.

I'll do some digging and let you know.

Cheating

[acceptedoblivion]

[The last month or two had not been the best for him. First he'd awoke to his one close friend who he had trusted with the truth of his existence back on their worlds had gone into stasis. Had met with another he'd arrived with, finding a strange kindred spirit in them. Now, with a pain that had been far too familiar having just recently, watching two of his closest friends from another lifetime─yes, even despite his own behavior towards them─turn to crystal in before his eyes and vanish without a trace...

His fuse was even shorter than it usually was.

He thought that, maybe, he could have been a bit amused that Ganondorf had joined the dead or crystallized. Yet all he felt was empty─like the shell containing fake memories he'd always been─despite technically being human, now. Maybe that only worsened his anger issues, who knows? What he does know however, is that the last face he wanted to see right now was the guy quickly approaching on the same side of the street.]

Make a habit out of trying to fix things to how you want, huh. [He hissed through a sneer. He just couldn't help himself anymore.]

[shinra_dog]

[Having lost three people in two months himself, Reno was not in the mood to deal with this twerp again either. But he couldn't say he was surprised that Ira would lash out as soon as he was within eyesight.]

Seriously, kid, you don't even know what yer talkin' about. Get lost.

[Because he wasn't going to cross the street.]

[acceptedoblivion]

[Well, tough luck. Because he'd done so well at avoiding the redhead up until he saw the guy quit the voting scene.]

Do I? [He raises an eyebrow, not budging in the slightest.] Hard not to, when you witness it firsthand.

[The last part is almost said as a warning.]

[shinra_dog]

[That stopped Reno. His lip curled into a snarl, eyes hardening dangerously.]

What?

"Cheating"

[ninjainviolet]

[ Sheena doesn't try to contact him by letter or note. Instead, she looks for him, and when she sees him--after kicking a wall, no less--she gets in his path, hands on hips. ]

Why are you being accused of this?

[shinra_dog]

What?

[He was exasperated and tired and, quite frankly, in a bad mood. So he lashed out a little, even if he could guess what Sheena was actually asking.]

[ninjainviolet]

[ He's not the only one in a bad mood. The Zelos who had been here had been...different...dead...killed by her and the others. So, yeah, not exactly a good day for Sheena, either.

And she has no idea if he's ever seen her mad in that other place, but he sure as hell is now since she had merely asked a question out of curiosity, not malice. Or accusingly.

Responding to his lashing out by gripping his collar, she pulls him towards her. ]

I said, why are you being accused of this? Of cheating? Who did you piss off?

[ She doesn't believe he did it. ]

[shinra_dog]

I don't know!

[He grabbed her by the upper arms, but didn't push or shake her. He just held her for awhile, as she did him, with matching aggressive scowls on their faces.]

So I cheated a little! [He hissed the confession under his breath.] But there's no way should've gotten caught!

Cheating

[needsteaplz]

[Saori was on her way home from the police HQ when she crossed paths with Reno. She didn't look upset at him, but rather concerned. Quite honestly, she wasn't sure to believe in the accusations towards Reno. Quietly, she looked over shoulder and then at others passing by before signalling him to the side.]

Just thought I'd let you know, I'm definitely going to be barred from any investigations regarding this at work. You know, conflict of interest and what not. So um...I can't promise anything but if I hear something, I'll let you know.

In the meantime, do yourself a favor and lay low for a bit if you can.

[shinra_dog]

[Good ol' Saori. Such a kind heart. Reno hadn't even thought about her potential involvement, but he was glad she'd have to recuse herself -- not for his sake, but for hers.]

[Her concern for him brought out a tired smile.]

It might be a bit late for that. I kinda already sent a bunch a' angry letters back to Cid.

[needsteaplz]

[Give her brain a second or two to compute this. Her jaw dropped in disbelief and maybe a touch of disappointment. Palm meet face.]

Reno, why....

That's definitely going to add more ammunition he can use against you. Just don't anything more reckless then, alright?

[She's definitely giving him the look a mother would when that was her final word. No ifs ands or buts, Reno.]

Starting with the streets prompt but could include cheating stuff too

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud was leaving the hospital after checking up on Zack and Tifa when he heard the shout. More than the voice, he recognized the anger and meaning behind that yell. If someone was that loud and angry in Aqures Ixen right now he could easily guess it was a fellow Hero.

Quickly running around the corner to see what was going on he wasn't entirely surprised to see Reno there.

"Reno...hey." He wasn't going to bother asking how he was or how he was feeling. The gloom around the city was pretty palpable. It was like this place was cursed to never have happiness for long.

[shinra_dog]

Oh. Cloud. Reno softened when he saw the younger man.

"Hey..." He wasn't sure if Cloud had read Cid's letter yet. Or if he had, how he felt about it.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean ta' freak you out an' make you run an' stuff. I'm okay, just... frustrated."

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud did need to take a moment to catch his breath, downshifting from crisis mode to running into a friend.

"No...it's fine." He looked at Reno critically for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to bring up Cid's letter. Nor did he know about the shouting match that he had through the post. If Mako was here the moogle would probably scoff at him though.

"Do you...want to talk about it?" Reno had been there for him with his own troubles after all.

"Cheating"

[forcegalactic]

As a Seer, there was a quick an easy method for Mordecai to find out if Reno really did put in that cheating vote. Melrose would have won anyway, so the punishment didn't matter as much than if Mograma won the vote because of it. But he put their reputation in danger, and that was reason to be a little disappointed in him.

He easily found the bright haired main on the streets of Aqures Ixen. Whatever his motivations were to cheat, they were sure to be interesting.

"Afternoon, Reno." There was no hint of malice in his voice. It was as if nothing special happened earlier that day. "Surprised to see you outside today or all days."

[shinra_dog]

Reno looked at Mordecai uncertainly. The other man being so nice, he wasn't sure whether to be relieved or suspicious.

"Yeah... Well, still gotta get places an' all. Can't hole up an' hide just because of one stupid letter." And the way he said "stupid" totally wasn't bitter at all.

[forcegalactic]

"Ain't that how it is," he shook his head in response. "You know you're gonna get chewed out for what you did, right?"