Chapter 32: The Purge
Sunlight. The bane of his existence.
Well… at least it was the bane of his existence first thing in the morning. And this particular ray of sunlight seemed to be zeroed in directly on his face, demanding he wake up. Reno grunted softly and tried to roll over, only to find himself pinned in place by his bedmate. Remy was still straddling him, passed out with her face nuzzled into the crook of his neck. The redhead grinned and ran his fingers along her spine, eliciting a faint shudder of pleasure from his lover.
“Mmm… What time is it?” she murmured, sleepily.
“Not a clue,” Reno replied, snickering. “But the sun’s definitely up.”
He felt her shift slightly, and a moment later, she slipped off of him, stretching as she rolled onto her back. The redhead took the opportunity afforded by his newfound freedom to drag himself from the bed and start hunting for his clothes.
“Any plans for the day?” Remy asked as he was pulling on his shirt. Reno shrugged.
“Rude’s comin’ by later to help me clean up my apartment. Gettin’ to be kind of a mess. He says I need to ‘purge’ some shit before I turn into a total hoarder,” he snickered, “Uh… any idea where my pants ended up?”
Remy smirked. “Check the living room. We were in a hurry last night.”
The redhead flashed her a grin and slipped out into the other room, scanning the space for the elusive garment. He didn’t see them, though he did spot his jacket flung haphazardly onto a chair on the far side of the room.
This was the third time this week he and Remy had hooked up… though it was the only time he’d actually spent the night. When they were working the next day, she preferred it if he took off after they finished… which he was good with, too. He tended to sleep more soundly on his own, anyway.
Though after the week he’d had, a good night’s sleep was hardly going to be difficult to come by. They’d just completed week two of Hell Week preparations, and Tseng had swapped places with him… having him run through the exercises he had planned for Sykes this time, making little tweaks to the process, and then having him do it again until it was perfect. He got the distinct impression that his mentor typically would have been doing everything on his own, and was taking full advantage of having a helper this time around. It was cool… but it got kind of grueling at times.
And Reno wouldn’t have traded it for anything. Since he was no longer in training himself, he didn’t spend nearly as much time with Tseng during the workday as he used to. It was nice to get back to that again, even if it was only temporary. And after his… chat… with Rude the previous weekend, he’d taken the opportunity of their increased time together to open up to Tseng as well… which had included the understanding that Reno couldn’t just avoid Scarlet forever.
They’d ultimately settled on a course of action for dealing with her. The redhead would not be assigned to her directly under any circumstances, for the foreseeable future. If he had to accompany her as part of a larger detail, Tseng would ensure that whomever else was assigned knew what to watch out for… and ideally would pair him up with either Rude or Remy, as both of them were aware of the situation already. And he would most certainly not be sent into her domain again any time soon, with or without another Turk to back him up. Not until he felt he could handle it, at any rate.
The whole conversation had been a relief. He’d already had Rude’s reassurance that Tseng didn’t hold him at fault for any of this… but hearing it from his mentor directly had helped immeasurably.
Because it wasn’t just that Scarlet had decided he was to be her next conquest whether he liked it or not. It also bothered him that the whole nightmare was causing so many problems for Tseng… and the team in general. He’d spent so many of his early days as a Turk feeling like a total screw-up, because everything he did seemed to turn out horrendously wrong and had forced his mentor to clean up mess after mess after mess… and now, when he finally thought he was past all that, Scarlet just had to come along and fuck things up again.
A pair of arms wrapped around him from behind, pressing soft fabric into his hands.
“I found your pants,” Remy said, teasingly. The redhead grinned, and turned in her grasp.
“Oh, good… ’cause it really woulda been an awkward trip home without ’em…”
“Hmph… something tells me it wouldn’t have bothered you that much,” she snickered.
“I meant awkward for anyone I happened to run into,” Reno replied, smirking, “People get really weird when they see ya walkin’ around with your dick hangin’ out, for some reason…”
Remy rolled her eyes and released him. “You have no shame whatsoever, do you… ?”
The redhead chuckled and pulled his pants back on. “Not really, no,” he said, before jokingly adding, “‘Sides… what do gotta be ashamed of? I think I’m lookin’ pretty good these days… and I sure as hell didn’t hear you tellin’ me to cover up last night.”
“Oh, just get out of here,” Remy laughed, shaking her head. Reno snickered and grabbed his jacket from the chair before heading to reclaim his boots by the door.
“Yeah, yeah… I’m goin’,” he teased. “Later, Remy.”
He slipped out the door, and headed out into the parking lot, climbing behind the wheel of his car. He was just about to turn the key when his PHS rang. It took him a moment to dig it out of his jacket pocket, and he glanced at the caller ID before he answered.
“Hey, Rude… what’s up?”
“Thought we were purging today,” his friend’s voice replied. Reno glanced at the clock on his dashboard, and swore softly.
“Crap… Sorry, I didn’t realize it was already after ten. I, uh… just woke up.”
“Hmph… Not in you own bed, I take it…” the older Turk snickered.
“You over at my place already?” he asked, starting the car and pulling his seatbelt across his body.
“Yeah.”
“Go ahead ‘n let yourself in… I’m on my way home now. Be there in like.. fifteen minutes or so.”
“See ya in few,” Rude replied. Reno ended the call and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat before putting the car in reverse and pulling out of the parking space. A short while later, he was on the freeway, bound for Sector 3.
“Hey,” Reno greeted his friend as he slipped through the door and into the kitchen, intending to put on some coffee before they got started. To his surprise, he found it not only already made, but a plate bearing a large cinnamon roll waiting for him, as well. “Geez, man… ya get bored or somethin’ ‘n just decide to make me breakfast while you were waitin’?” he snickered.
“Well, I would have… but all you’ve got in your fridge is half a carton of milk and a six pack of beer. That came from the cafe down the street.”
“Yeah… Guess the kitchen’s gettin’ a little bare,” the redhead said, somewhat sheepishly, as he poured himself a cup, “Haven’t been able to unlazy myself long enough to go shoppin’ after work this week. I’ve just been orderin’ takeout.”
Rude shook his head, but didn’t comment.
“… Have fun last night?” he teased, instead.
“I’m walkin’ into my apartment at almost ten thirty in the mornin’,” Reno answered, grinning, “What do you think? So where do’ya wanna start?”
“I’m probably going to regret it… but we’d better start with your bedroom. Something tells me that’s going to need the most work.”
Reno laughed and downed some of his coffee before turning his attention on the baked good.
“Yeah… That sounds like a good plan. Closet’s gettin’ to the point I almost can’t even open it anymore. Um… what do we… ya know… do with all the crap I don’t need anymore? I kinda don’t wanna just throw it out if I don’t have to.”
Rude smirked. “Already thought of that. Found a place that’s always in the market for donations. They’ll find it all a good home with people who need it.”
“… I can live with that,” Reno nodded.
A few short minutes later, the redhead had finished his breakfast, dropped the dishes in the sink, and was following Rude into his bedroom.
“Uh… open it slow…” he cautioned him, as the older Turk reached for the closet door. “The last time everything avalanched outta there, I just kinda shoved it all back in wherever I could, so… it’s probably not gonna stay there.”
Rude cocked an eyebrow, but took the advice, inching the folding door open. It only made it about halfway before it got hung up on something. A pillow tumbled down from the top shelf and landed at his feet… followed by a wrinkled pair of jeans and a shoe. He shook his head in dismay.
“I think we decided to do this just in time…” Rude deadpanned, “How bad’s the rest of it?”
“Eh… the drawers ‘n shit aren’t so bad. Relatively speakin’. But the closets are all pretty much like this.”
“Start unloading it all…” he sighed, “I’ll go grab some boxes from the living room.”
He slipped out of the room, and Reno set to work trying to force the closet open the rest of the way. He had to yank an old sock out of the track on the floor to do so… and the moment he freed it, whatever was holding up the load on top gave way as well, showering him in any number of items. Something hard landed on his head, and he yelped in pain, staggering backwards and stumbling over a towel he’d left on the floor the previous morning after he’d showered. He landed awkwardly at the foot of his bed just as Rude reappeared.
“… Guess that’s one way to do it…” the bald Turk snickered. Reno rubbed the sore spot on his head and clambered to his feet.
“Tch… Great. My crap’s officially tryin’ to kill me…” he muttered. Rude set down the boxes he’d retrieved and studied the pile.
“First thing’s first. Let’s get it sorted out a little. Clothes in one pile, everything else in another. Then you can decide what goes and what stays.”
Reno shook his head, and bent down to retrieve one half of a pair of snow boots.
“Heh… hope ya didn’t have any other plans for the weekend, pal. I think this is gonna take awhile.”
“What in Titan’s name is that?” Rude asked, several hours later. They’d made a sizable dent in the clutter, clearing out the bedroom closet, several drawers, and a large cabinet in the living room that housed Reno’s video game and movie collection, among other things. Now, they were working on the linen closet… which the redhead seemed to use for just about everything except storing linens.
Reno grinned widely.
“What? Ya never seen a wearable sauna before?” he asked, innocently. Rude removed his sunglasses for a moment and pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut.
“A what?” he queried, not sure he really wanted to know.
“A wearable sauna! Ya know… you put it on, plug it in, and… it makes ya sweat.”
“… Why do you even own this?” he asked in exasperation, holding the odd-looking device out in front of him at arms length. It was… sort of robe-like, but zipped up the front and was made of a thick, silvery material with an electrical cord hanging out of the back. To his surprise, his friend burst out laughing.
“I bought it offa one of those late night infomercials.”
Rude blinked. “… Why?” was all he could think to say, which only made the redhead laugh harder.
“You remember how freaked out I was before my Hell Week? Ya know… ’cause Tseng decided to be an asshole ‘n tell me about it like a week in advance?”
The other Turk nodded.
“Yeah, well… I don’t sleep so great when I’m nervous like that. So I started watchin’ TV to try ‘n chill out. I ended up buying it while I was half asleep ‘n not thinkin’ straight the night before Hell Week started.”
Rude snickered and shook his head. “You know… I think I actually remember you mentioning that to me, now. I can’t believe you still have it.”
Reno rather sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, and chuckled.
“Yeah… It was, uh… kinda expensive. I just couldn’t bring myself to toss it. Even though it’s a total piece of crap. Probably doesn’t even work anymore, it’s been crammed in the back of the closet so long.”
Rude snorted and set it on the discard pile. “Well… no question about where this goes…”
“H-hey… hang on,” the younger man stammered, snatching it back up. “That’s got sentimental value!”
“Reno…” he said, warningly. They’d already had this discussion. Several times, in fact. The redhead was a bit… overly attached to some of his possessions. Rude understood… after all, Reno had come from a life where he had almost nothing. So on some level, many of the things he’d accumulated really did mean a lot to him simply because they were his. But he just didn’t have room to keep it all. His friend sighed and reluctantly put it back on the discard pile. Rude snickered and shook his head.
“When we get done, you can go through that stuff again, and if there’s something you really can’t bare part with, we’ll find somewhere to put it.”
“… Yeah, okay,” Reno reluctantly agreed. He suddenly grinned slightly. “Just about anyone else would think I’m nuts, wouldn’t they?”
“I don’t think you’re nuts. I’ve known that for years,” Rude replied, smirking, which drew a laugh from the redhead. “I get it, okay? My mom was kind of the same way. Had to force herself to get rid of anything, because everything had a memory attached.”
“… Must’ve been hard, goin’ through it all after… ya know…”
Rude shook his head. “Not really. Mom was more than just her stuff. I kept a few things that really reminded me of her. Her favorite book. A cast iron skillet that’s been in the family for generations. Things that I could actually use, not just stare at or pack away somewhere. But the rest was just… stuff. I didn’t need it to remember her. Dad, though… it was hard for him. Most of it ended up in storage in the attic. He probably still has it all…”
“‘Least she left ya with somethin’ to remember her by. Best I ever had was a photo. Don’t even have that anymore.”
Rude smiled sadly and squeezed his friend’s shoulder. The redhead cleared his throat and glanced away for a moment.
“So… yeah. Back to gettin’ rid of shit…”
He quietly let it drop, and instead resumed helping the younger Turk sift through the piles of items. Reno still had a hard time talking about his mother… but Rude had noticed that he seemed to be bringing her up more frequently since his birthday, as if he was trying to condition himself into thinking and talking about her again, instead of burying those memories. A lot of it still centered on her death… but other things cropped up every now and then, too. And when he’d had enough, he quickly changed the subject, just as he’d done a moment ago.
Rude didn’t like to push him too hard. He knew how painful losing a parent was. And he knew that Reno desperately wanted to be able to remember his mother without it automatically dredging up memories of how she died… but it was going to take time before he got there. It was best if he found his way to that point at his own pace.
“You getting hungry yet?” Rude asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. His friend flashed him a grateful smile.
“Rude… I’m always hungry. You know that,” he joked.
“Let’s take a break and grab an early dinner. My treat.”
“Tch… my treat,” Reno insisted, laughing softly, “You’re spendin’ your weekend diggin’ through all my junk when there are probably a hundred things you could be doin’ that are a hell of a lot more fun than this. The least I can do is feed ya.”
“Reno?” Tseng’s voice addressed him the moment he stepped off of the elevator on Monday morning, and the younger Turk gave a feigned groan.
“Come on, Boss… I just got here. Cant a guy settle in before you start practicin’ torture techniques on him for the day?”
Tseng chuckled and gestured in the direction of his office, and the redhead quickly fell into step beside him.
“Actually, you get the day off from torture duty today. I’m escorting Rufus to a meeting with an investor in Costa del Sol. I’ll be leaving shortly.”
“You sure you got time for that?” he asked as they stepped into the office, closing the door behind him. “I mean… we only got one more week for planning. You’re still doin’ this next Monday, right?”
“I think we’ve reached a point where any additional details are only minor ones. There’s still some scheduling to work out, but I can easily manage that in the time remaining. Thank you for your help. It’s… a lot to do by oneself. I’m exceptionally grateful for the assistance, and if you’re agreeable to it, I’d very much like to impose upon you again when Petra’s turn comes.”
“Sweet!” the redhead said, grinning widely, and Tseng laughed.
“You… rather enjoy dealing with the rookies, don’t you… ?”
“Well… yeah. I mean… It’s pretty cool helpin’ ’em learn ‘n shit. Um… actually… I’ve kinda been meanin’ to ask if I could maybe start doin’ a little more of that?”
Tseng’s eyebrows rose in surprise, before a smile crossed his face. “That was, in fact, the reason I wanted to speak with you before I left this morning. Obviously, I won’t be available for training today, and as I had a fairly rigorous set of sessions planned, I’d like you to take my place on the schedule. And also… to begin joining me for some of the rookies’ more advanced training on a regular basis. You’re an excellent instructor. It seems a rather foolish waste not to put you to work in such a role more often.”
“Seriously?” Reno asked, eyes going wide. He’d kind of expected to have to make his case about the idea. After all… his own promotion to full Turk status had barely even been two years ago. In the grand scheme of things it hadn’t really been that long since he’d been a rookie himself. But it was something he really wanted to do… and he’d be good at it. He knew he would.
“You seem rather shocked,” Tseng commented, with a quiet laugh. “Reno… don’t for a moment think I’ve stopped paying attention. Just because you’re no longer a rookie doesn’t mean I’m not still monitoring your progress. You’re a more than capable instructor and very good with the younger members of the team on a personal level, as well. You absolutely should be more involved with their training and I’m very pleased that you were sure enough of that yourself to request it before I had the opportunity to bring it up.”
The redhead grinned, enjoying the surge of pride that shot through him at his mentor’s words. Tseng glanced at his watch and shook his head.
“I have to go and meet Rufus. We’ll discuss the particulars of the training schedule a bit more when I’m back tomorrow… and we’ll finalize things once Sykes’ Hell Week is over and I have time to devote more than five seconds of thought to something other than evaluation scenarios.”
“Yes, sir,” Reno said, enthusiastically. Tseng nodded a goodbye and headed off towards the elevator, leaving the redhead alone in his office. The younger Turk let out a quiet laugh of excitement before hurrying off to his own office. Taking over for Tseng today and getting to start training the rookies on the regular? Today was shaping up to be a very good day.
When he arrived at his desk, he found Rude already parked in front of his computer terminal, looking through the overnight messages, as usual. He glanced up when the redhead entered, and snorted softly.
“You’re in a good mood…” he noted.
“The Boss is gonna let me start trainin’ the rookies… like for real, not just when they need someone to spar with or someone else is on assignment ‘n they need a replacement.”
“Hmph… better you than me,” Rude chuckled.
“Aw, come on, Rude… Training is fun.”
The bald Turk shrugged. “I just don’t like having everyone in the room watching me like that,” he said, and then smirked, “Perfect job for you,though. Congrats.”
Reno grinned and settled into his chair, leaning back with his hands behind his head.
“So… how do you like your apartment now that you can actually find things again?” Rude added. The redhead laughed.
“I gotta admit… it’s nice not to get buried under half my wardrobe when I open the closet for a change. Thanks for helpin’ me with that. I wouldn’t’ve got it done without someone makin’ me do it.”
It had taken them until Sunday afternoon… but they’d done it. Everything he could stand to get rid of had been boxed up, and either thrown in the apartment complex’s dumpster or loaded into Rude’s truck and hauled over to a local charity that helped people in the Slums. Then they’d organized what was left and put it all away, neatly, in the various closets and drawers and cabinets it had come from.
And in the end, he had ended up keeping the damned wearable sauna, much to Rude’s amusement.
“Try and keep it that way this time,” Rude snickered.
“Heh… No promises,” the redhead joked. He suddenly went silent for a moment. “I, uh… hate to keep askin’ for favors ‘n shit, ’cause it seems like that’s all I’ve been doin’ lately… but… you’re still comin’ with me in a coupleweeks, right?”
“Of course I am. There’s no way in the Nine Hells I’m letting you go down there alone.”
That was his mother’s birthday, and Rude had promised him nearly a month ago that he’d join him at the cemetery this year, both to watch his back and for moral support. He’d done so much for him recently, though… Reno was starting to feel like he was taking advantage of his friend’s generosity.
“Thanks. And if ya need my help with anything, just ask. I think I owe ya like… eight thousand favors at this point.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m saving those favors for when I really need them,” Rude replied, teasingly.
“I’m serious, pal… Every time I turn around lately, you’re doin’ somethin’ for me. So if there’s a way to pay ya back for all that, tell me.”
Rude shook his head. “It’ll even itself out on its own eventually. Always does… so don’t worry about it.” He smiled softly. “Besides… I kind of like looking after you.”
“Geez, Rude… I never knew you were such a masochist…” the redhead snickered, prompting a laugh from his friend.
The pair remained sequestered in their office for a short while until the morning briefing was about to start, and then grudgingly made their way over to the conference room. The rookies were already there, looking eager… as was Sato, who was seated at one corner of the table, fiddling with a small black box.
“Hey, Sato? Could ya maybe not blow us up before Veld even gives us our assignments for the day?” Reno said, grinning as he sat down. Sato looked up and smirked at him.
“Oh, yeh dinnae need ta worry… This little beauty isn’t one ‘o my wee toys. It’s fer my sweet Victoria. Picked it up on the way inta work this mornin’.”
“Ten to one odds it explodes before the end of the day, anyway…” Kai snickered, as she walked into the room.
“Hmph… It had better not. Cost me almost three month’s pay…” Sato replied. Kai paused in her bid for a chair and eyed the box. A moment later, her eyes widened and she groaned.
“No… Don’t tell me…”
Sato’s grin widened and he opened it… revealing a gold ring that sported a pretty hefty-looking diamond. Reno’s jaw dropped, and two of the three rookies audibly gasped.
“Holy shit… is that thing real?” the redhead asked. The thing was the size of a small grape, for Ifrit’s sake.
“Aye, she’s real, laddie,” Sato replied, “… ‘n I’m set ta put her ta good use tanight.”
“You’re not serious…” Kai deadpanned. “Didn’t you learn your lesson the last three times?”
“Victoria’s a different breed o’ woman, lass. She’s nothin’ like my exes. I love her, ‘n I’m goin’ ta ask her ta be Mrs. Sato O’Connor number four.”
Someone snorted softly from the doorway. “I strongly adviseleaving the ‘number four’ part out when you ask her…” Remy suggested, as she made her entrance. The senior Turk shook her head. “I’ll save my congratulations until we hear what her response is.”
“For Hades’ sake. Wife number four? Always knew you were nuts…” Kai snickered, taking her seat. Sato snapped the box with the ring shut and chuckled.
“Aye… maybe so. But it’s a right enjoyable thing ta be, sometimes,” he declared, “Wish me luck!”
Reno shook his head, somewhat disbelievingly as several of the other did, in fact, wish the senior Turk luck in his proposal. He, however, was a little too shocked to do much of anything. He’d known for awhile now that Sato had been seeing someone… but he’d had no idea things were that serious between them. Hell, Sato had, on more than one occasion, openly declared that he was done getting married altogether and would absolutely never make that mistake again as long as he lived…
Petra giggled in amusement and looked over at Sato.
“So how are you going to ask her?”
“Oh, I’ve got a lovely wee surprise planned,” he replied. “The still’s workin’ on a special batch as we speak, ‘n Victoria’ll be over fer a bit ‘o tastin’ out on the balcony tanight. She won’t be able ta resist…”
“Resist what?” Veld asked, guardedly, as he strode into the room at the tail end of the conversation, several folders in hand, and took his place at the head of the table. Kai snickered.
“Sato here’s decided that it’s been long enough since his last divorce to give it another try.”
Veld glanced over at the Mideelian Turk and raised an eyebrow. “I thought you swore off marriage forever after… she who’s name we do not speak,” he said, in a somewhat teasing tone, and Reno burst out laughing. It was true… they really didn’t refer to Sato’s third ex by name, by unspoken mutual agreement… but he’d never actually heard anyone openly acknowledge the fact. Not even Sato himself ever called her anything other than The Bitch.
Sato crossed his arms over his chest, and smirked. “Go on, then. Laugh it up yeh bastards. But Victoria’s the one. Fer true this time. Wouldnae even be considerin’ this, otherwise.”
A few quiet snickers could be heard around the room before Veld gestured for them to quiet down.
“I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say we’re very happy for you, Sato,” the Turk leader said. “I trust you’ll let us know how it goes first thing tomorrow… but right now, we have assignments to take care of.” He picked up one of the files he’d brought in and passed it over to Remy. “An updated inventory of items that may be on our Zenshou friends’ shopping list. There are a few new pieces of Shinra tech. See to it that they’re secure, and check in on the ones we already knew about, as well. It should keep you busy most of the day. More than one are outside of the city.”
“Yes, sir,” Remy replied, taking the file and flipping it open.
“Reno, I think you’ve already been informed that you’ll be substituting for Tseng on the training schedule while he’s in Costa del Sol today.”
“Yes, sir,” the redhead answered. Veld nodded and passed a second file over to Sato.
“Sato… interrogation subject retrieval. Kai… you’re in charge of Petra’s flight certification this morning, and if Sato is successful, you’ll have a new… friend… to introduce yourself to later today.”
The senior Turk rubbed her hands together, grinning. “Oh, good… I haven’t made any new friends in awhile…”
“Ya know, Kai… the way ya said that, I’m seriously rethinkin’ the whole bein’ your friend thing right now…” Reno sniggered.
“Oh, Baby Turkling… You’ll always be my friend,” the diminutive Turk replied with a feral grin and a tone that implied that that may or may not be a good thing.
“… Okaaaaay, I was only kiddin’ before. Now you really are startin’ to creep me out.”
Kai dropped the facade and laughed, as did most of the other Turks present. Veld quieted them again, and handed his remaining file over to Rude.
“Rude, I need you to have a little chat with Corneo down in Wall Market. It seems that one of his employees at the Honeybee Inn has some… compromising video of a certain high-ranking member of Shinra staff and has submitted a request for payment to hand it over. Take Sykes with you as backup, and remind him that allowing his underlings to engage in blackmail of Company personnel is a bad idea, please.”
Rude took the folder and nodded.
“Excellent. I think that covers things. If any of you need me… and for the love of Titan, please, someone find a reason to need me… I’ll be in a meeting with Heidegger most of the morning.”
A ripple of laughter swept the room before Veld shook his head.
“Dismissed.”
~end chapter 32~