Rukia Kuchiki (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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melodiesoflife2016-06-06 10:48 am
damn_juicebox) wrote in melodiesoflife2016-06-06 10:48 am
Entry tags:
Special Military Report: Crappy Art Edition
WHO: Rukia Kuchiki, OPEN
WHAT: After receiving word of her promotion, Rukia heads to Esdham to prepare for the meeting with the president as well as to present another special report. Others in the area are welcome to hang out with her, either at the military headquarters or moving around town.
WHEN: June 7th - June 9th
WHERE: Esdham (or on the way; she went by chocobo)
Rukia arrived in Esdham late on the evening of the 7th, dismounting and leading Yuki to the stables. The chocobo was tired and in need of water and grooming, both of which Rukia was happy to provide to her feathered companion. Then she opened up the largest of her saddlebags, sticking both hands in, and removing a fluffy little black chocobo chick. Yuki trilled happily upon seeing the young bird, and the chick cheeped happily in return before the two nestled down into their stall for some old-fashioned parent bonding. It was ridiculously cute.
She would have taken the airship, but the one scheduled for a routine transfer to Esdham had departed on the 5th, and the hunt for the hamster was taking place on the 6th. True, she could have commissioned a vessel of her own, but it seemed a waste of manpower and resources. Rukia had no problem traveling on her own.
Rather than taking to her bed, she decided to stretch her legs and walk for a time. She was tired too, especially after such a harrowing battle, but she'd never really afforded herself an opportunity to look around Esdham as a city. All she'd ever seen were the the military grounds, the airship docks, and a pastry shop she'd visited to get a present for Yuffie last October. She might as well see which diners were still open, and get something to eat.
* * * * * *
The next day, she presented her illustrated report about Palitutu's letter, Ib's premonition, and the ultimatums posed by the Tarutaru.
It looked like this.
Her next step was to find out more about the Ultima Weapon. She'd never seen it before, and had no idea how it was operated. That seemed important, not only so she could draw it correctly in a future report, but because understanding what they were up against was critical in planning a strategic counterattack. One thing she knew for sure, it was going to be a tough fight, and many of them would likely die. So be it. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but better that Heroes who could be restored in a mere week fight something like this instead of soldiers who had no cause to wage war with such a deadly opponent. They had no such guarantee to restoration.
She moved around the base, talking to other military personnel to see what they knew of the weapon, and when she retired to the mess hall, she took her sketchbook with her to see what she could do with her notes. Surely there had to be some way to defeat this thing.
WHAT: After receiving word of her promotion, Rukia heads to Esdham to prepare for the meeting with the president as well as to present another special report. Others in the area are welcome to hang out with her, either at the military headquarters or moving around town.
WHEN: June 7th - June 9th
WHERE: Esdham (or on the way; she went by chocobo)
Rukia arrived in Esdham late on the evening of the 7th, dismounting and leading Yuki to the stables. The chocobo was tired and in need of water and grooming, both of which Rukia was happy to provide to her feathered companion. Then she opened up the largest of her saddlebags, sticking both hands in, and removing a fluffy little black chocobo chick. Yuki trilled happily upon seeing the young bird, and the chick cheeped happily in return before the two nestled down into their stall for some old-fashioned parent bonding. It was ridiculously cute.
She would have taken the airship, but the one scheduled for a routine transfer to Esdham had departed on the 5th, and the hunt for the hamster was taking place on the 6th. True, she could have commissioned a vessel of her own, but it seemed a waste of manpower and resources. Rukia had no problem traveling on her own.
Rather than taking to her bed, she decided to stretch her legs and walk for a time. She was tired too, especially after such a harrowing battle, but she'd never really afforded herself an opportunity to look around Esdham as a city. All she'd ever seen were the the military grounds, the airship docks, and a pastry shop she'd visited to get a present for Yuffie last October. She might as well see which diners were still open, and get something to eat.
* * * * * *
The next day, she presented her illustrated report about Palitutu's letter, Ib's premonition, and the ultimatums posed by the Tarutaru.
It looked like this.
Her next step was to find out more about the Ultima Weapon. She'd never seen it before, and had no idea how it was operated. That seemed important, not only so she could draw it correctly in a future report, but because understanding what they were up against was critical in planning a strategic counterattack. One thing she knew for sure, it was going to be a tough fight, and many of them would likely die. So be it. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but better that Heroes who could be restored in a mere week fight something like this instead of soldiers who had no cause to wage war with such a deadly opponent. They had no such guarantee to restoration.
She moved around the base, talking to other military personnel to see what they knew of the weapon, and when she retired to the mess hall, she took her sketchbook with her to see what she could do with her notes. Surely there had to be some way to defeat this thing.
no subject
"I wasn't ever the joker-" Internally he took a sharp breath in. Genesis. How easily, even though it had been months -potentially even over a year now?- since his once-friend had fallen into the stasis. The friendship that was broken but could well have been mended if he'd made a bit more of an effort- "-but I take your point well enough."
As the atmosphere between the two of them continued to loosen, he did indeed seem to come around to what had been the true nature of her folded arms. Casual, really...the gesture lacked the stiffness that would associate it with negativity. Perhaps he'd just gotten so used to seeing the world through a darkened lens?
Quite likely, given how his pessimism had been running rampart for a while.
"Careful." He warned, but with a definite mock of an edge to his tone. "I'm certain you wouldn't want me treating you as your age."
no subject
Besides, it might help her troll that Santa youth more easily, as he didn't seem to know about her ageless quality and believed her merely to be a kinky old woman.
"But if you truly wish to push my buttons, you'll have to be observant." Rukia smirked, swiveling back to the table. If she didn't, he might not do the same, and then he'd never be able to finish his meal before it went cold. "I'm certain you'll find ways to get under my skin soon enough."
no subject
What he wouldn't give for true mako-infusion to be brought into this universe.
"I'm surprised it hasn't all dried up, even given your age in comparison to other shinigami." The concept of living for so long was quite outside of Sephiroth's current scope of experience, despite the fact he knew well enough that immortality was something that he would also come to achieve. Kind of.
Another flash of a grin and an almost-wink later and Sephiroth too turned back to face what was left of his meal. Slowly loading up another fork-full in preparation to make himself finish it even if he didn't really have the desire to.
"I'll be on the look-out then."
no subject
"Are you seeking another moonlight duel once you've finished eating?" she asked, her eyes still on her notes. He'd just showered, so perhaps not, but she did enjoy their sparring sessions.
no subject
Given a moment, he composed himself and continued to finish his meal. It was mostly gone by the time that Rukia had finished her doodling and asked him another question. Indeed, if only he'd not already had a long day and freshened up for the evening. There was the small pile of paperwork that was sat back in his office as well...waiting for his attention. It wouldn't do, to go into a meeting with the President of Esdham, with the affairs befitting his rank not already squared away.
"Perhaps not tonight. But we must do so again, soon." With a deft push of the tray away to the other side of the table, Sephiroth took a longer sip from his drink to wash the rest of his food down with. He lowered his eyes, for the first time in a while, to those notes before Rukia.
"You look like you've been busy..."
no subject
She paused in her doodling when he called attention to her notes, and she exhaled heavily. "Not as busy as I wish I might be. I spent several weeks sick in bed last month." She'd accomplished quite a bit before that, such as defeating the behemoth along with her friends, and helping to discover Palitutu's secret laboratory in the sewers beneath the city.
But she'd fallen ill halfway through that last adventure, sick enough that she'd confined herself in her room. She tucked a lock of black hair behind her ear as she frowned at the paper. "Because of this I fear I have not been able to keep up with current affairs. I've fallen behind rather shamefully."
She laid down her pen, but kept her chin propped up in her hand. "What of yourself? What occupies your time and attention lately?"
no subject
It was a sure sign of ego-deflation, how Sephiroth had not presented any interest in beating the behemoth when he'd once upon a time taken great pride in being able to single-handedly fell such strong monsters all on his own. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he hadn't gone for it, out of potential weakness?
"The sickness took weeks away from many people, you aren't alone." He tried to encourage, yet sympathy really wasn't his strong point. He hadn't been ill, at least not physically...mentally...well it was good perhaps that people had gotten sick so that less attention was paid to the state he'd left the Saloon in one night. As if to make it up, a short time later Sephiroth had offered his help to Jade, in the pursuit of a cure.
He often felt like he'd do anything to erase that day, still.
"Work, mostly. As boring as that sounds you know just as I do how over-stretched resources are since Mysidia's discovery..." He paused for a moment and if Rukia were looking she might be able to spot a slight movement at the corner of his face as Sephiroth chewed a little on the bottom-inside corner of his mouth.
"...and Terra, when there is not work."
It felt a little strange, saying that out-loud, like he were shouting it rather than having a normal conversation. It made it feel more tangible, like the words meant a lot more than he was putting into them.
Sorry, this one is short!
But she was surprised to hear him speak of Terra. It seemed this time that he truly wanted to express himself with words, else he wouldn't have mentioned her at all.
"I trust your romance is going well, then?" she smiled, pushing away her notes and pivoting on the bench to face him with one leg tucked in front of her. There was a teasing hint to her grin, but there was genuine happiness too. Congratulations to him for finding a place for his heart!
Short works!
Excusing his various fitness regimens which he'd only stepped back up to above-human levels with the acquisition of the custom job he'd probably never take off.
Romance. Sephiroth pulled a very strange face, almost as if in immediate disgust at the word. As hard as it was to find the exact words for those feelings that had taken root in him over Terra, using 'romance' felt formal, old-fashioned yet totally immature. Like something Tempest would use to describe it...like something out of a badly written novel or a poem. Like Loveless.
He tried to smooth his face out as Rukia turned on the bench to face him.
"Now you're showing your age." Eventually came out in a light-hearted attempt to, once again, divert attention from his private life. A couple of dry huffs of a chuckle followed.
"I like to think we're happy enough, yes."
no subject
She gave a sharp nod of approval at his report. "I'm glad to hear it. We must take the opportunity to enjoy happiness where we are able." Heaven knows there seemed to be little time for it otherwise, and the cruelties of this world could sometimes be too much to bear for one person alone. Rukia didn't like to think of how she might have coped without any of her housemates to stand beside her, particularly Raven. His steadfast companionship had proven to be a true bright spot in ways she never could have anticipated.
"Do you expect you'll propose soon?" she asked in all seriousness. For that was how a courtship proceeded, was it not?
no subject
He only nodded alongside Rukia's further comment. Still, there was something about a certain h-word that she used that seemed to bypass all of Sephiroth's self-discipline entirely. The light smile he seemed to have adopted while talking to her over the last few minutes grew not so much wider, but seemed to reach further behind his expression, putting something of an extra glint into his eyes. He daren't ever admit that he might have achieved it, this happiness, lest something happen to destroy it - but it's there all the same.
"What-" The frown had returned, as Sephiroth was somewhat taken aback by the next question. Having gotten to be involved with anyone in the way he was with Terra was simply unprecedented for him and in a lot of ways they were both still learning what it was to love. But to go to the next step? As if they were any other couple in the world-"-no."
"Are you serious?" Was he? Rukia was clearly thinking further ahead into the future than Sephiroth ever dared to.
no subject
"Marriage is the ultimate goal of courtship," she pointed out. "I merely wondered when you planned to reach that goal." And maybe she wanted to hear how he would have planned to propose, too. Human customs were incredibly interesting, and as she didn't think Raven was the type to marry a dead woman, she would have to settle for hearing about it from people who were actually alive.
no subject
But now they'd started talking about Terra, he felt he was drawn along into continuing the conversation out of some growing need to justify himself and how immature he was potentially appearing to be in Rukia's eyes.
"We've never really planned it, like that..." It had just, well, happened.
no subject
So she had her answer regardless; there were no thoughts of marriage in the near future. But the seed had at least been planted, now that she'd mentioned it to him. It was up to Sephiroth if he chose to water and nourish that seed into something bigger.
"Well, I'm pleased to hear that you're doing well. Congratulations," she smiled.
[Ok to end here, or the next!]
There was no denying the glow that seemed to spread out over the rest of Sephiroth's face, for only a moment with the flash of a wider smile. At the same time, it seemed that reality was about to catch up and he cleared his throat as that workaholic streak could only be kept at bay for so long.
"I- I- should get going. Paperwork waits for no one." It was a very inexperienced way to abruptly change the subject before embarrassment might start to creep in. Already he was starting to worry that perhaps he shouldn't have mentioned anything. Sephiroth was sure that Terra wouldn't mind, might even be happy at the fact he was starting to share but-
-he wasn't sure how right he was for having done so.
"It's been great to catch up, Rukia."
With that, Sephiroth pulled the tray back in to his side of the table, loaded the empty glass on top of it and slipped out of the seat beside her.