The Beach, Thursday Afternoon

[studyingfear]

The weather was pleasant and Dark Nation was antsy, which had led to Rufus leaving his work and taking his dog out for a long run around the island and then, since Dark Nation had still been energetic, Rufus had found himself on the beach, throwing a Frisbee for Dark Nation to race after like a maniac as the waves lapped at the shore.

The pollen still wasn't bothering him. Too bad, island.

While Dark Nation was chasing the Frisbee, Rufus sent off a couple of texts.

A text from Rufus of all people was likely not what Zack was expecting while out on holidays.

Fair. An associate and I are doing something exceedingly hazardous this weekend. Might I borrow a summons or two?

That was about as polite as Rufus ever got. Be impressed, Zack. Rufus had asked.

The other was much more his usual speed, and to his babysitter: I’m invading a hostile world this weekend to steal a computer.

Then he had to wrestle the Frisbee away from Dark Nation to toss it again.

[Open, yo!]

Comments

[puppy_fair]

As fate would have it, Hawaii was great and Zack wasn't completely certain he ever wanted to leave. He could go to the beach for a swim and not have to beat away shahagins with a beach umbrella! It was great!

So when he got the message... well.

He was confused, to say the least.

"Hey, Ino? What do you do when a baby version of the President's son wants to borrow a summon materia?"

Meanwhile he was texting back, ... What are you doing, exactly?

[studyingfear]

Rufus took a moment to figure out how to reply to that.

My acquaintance your friend, Rufus, friend, was branded as a traitor to her people for free-thinking and needs to obtain some personal belongings of great import. There will be significant resistance.

Ergo, summons materia. Please.

[puppy_fair]

That... that was a very compelling argument.

It hit a little too close to home for Zack, to say the least.

What sort of resistance? I have a few summons, but I don't want to send you with something that won't be useful.

[studyingfear]

It took Rufus a moment to answer that, as he was trying to get the Frisbee away from Dark Nation, who pranced away from him, wanting him to give chase.

"Not going to happen," Rufus said dryly. "I'm busy."

Near invincible resistance; they have one real weakness and hitting that point is going to be difficult in a running battle. Even for me. Rufus was a damn good shot, after all. Furthermore, we'll be on their home ground and hopelessly out-numbered.

[puppy_fair]

Zack frowned a little bit more at that.

Phoenix. Sounds like Raise could come in handy in a situation like that.

That was his best offer. If Rufus wasn't going to tell him what that weakness was, that was really about all he could do.

[studyingfear]

Rufus was trying to avoid IDing Peridot.

Mostly because he was still denying they were friends.

I was considering stocking up on Phoenix Downs. That... would be appreciated.

[puppy_fair]

"That bad, huh?" Zack sighed. "Man oh man."

I don't have any Phoenix Downs to give, unfortunately. I'm going to need that materia back when you're done with it.

Because he wasn't in any immediate danger of dying these days, but that Materia was pretty much the only good thing to come from Nibelheim, so.

[intraspective]

Ino was definitely not keen to ever, ever leave Hawaii. Ever. She was lounging on a chair and basking in the sun.

She glanced lazily at Zack.

"Honestly, I'd probably let him have it," she admitted.

[puppy_fair]

"... Yeah?" Zack looked at her sidelong, reaching down to give Girl a scratch under her chin. "You trust him enough to hand him access to a god and see what happens?"

[intraspective]

Ino laughed, settling herself a little more comfortably.

"I ain't never said that," Ino said, since she hadn't. "But I'd give him one 'cause Rufus, the one I know, he ain't never move without reason and 'cause it'd be interesting to see what'd happen. It might be amusin'."

[puppy_fair]

"You have a weird idea of amusing," Zack accused lightly, smiling faintly. "I'm thinking... Phoenix, maybe. Something more protective than Odin or a Bahamut."

He grinned faintly.

"Or maybe Chocobo."

Maybe not Chocobo.

[intraspective]

She snickered.

"I ain't never used gods much," Ino admitted, glancing his way. "But letting him get himself killed ain't the best idea, I don't think. You ain't fond of ShinRa, I know, but the little one is better than the President."

Which wasn't saying much, really.

[puppy_fair]

"I doubt he'd be willing to stomp along with a chocobo anyway," Zack noted, smiling faintly. "Phoenix, then. I don't know if fire damage will do them any good, but Raise is always a good idea."

[ponytailedturk]

Tseng's reaction to Rufus' text was far, far more straightforward.

You're doing what?

Only the fact that it was Tseng saved Rufus from getting an all-caps reply with exclamation points and bonus question marks for good measure.

[studyingfear]

Rufus wasn't the kind to laugh, but he did smile at imagining Tseng's expression.

Precisely as I said.

[ponytailedturk]

Tseng could feel that old familiar throbbing sensation, just behind his eyes. He reached up a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

And you have a plan for getting out again in one piece?

He wasn't actually holding his breath.

[studyingfear]

I've asked a SOLDIER for access to a god or two?

Rufus was usually a planner, but recklessness got into him now and then.

[ponytailedturk]

That isn't a plan, sir.

Tseng was going to murder Rufus. He was going to kill the President's son and then he'd have to answer for it, but it would be so satisfying.

So, so satisfying.

[studyingfear]

The fact I've put forethought into it makes it a plan.

Not a very good plan, admittedly, but it was one.

[soniaroadsqueen]

It was kind of hard to sneak up on someone when you wore ATs and they had that electric motor whine going on all the time. And when you weren't naturally very sneaky anyway. So, you know, when you were Ringo.

When she realized who it was, she half-wondered if he'd even look over at her before she got close enough to make fun of talk to him.

[studyingfear]

Nope.

The answer was 'nope', Ringo.

Rufus was going to ignore her (it was either Ringo or that black haired girl that rode around on the same things) and he had no desire to talk to either.

He was going to throw the Frisbee for Dark Nation again and hope she went away.

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo grinned once she got close enough. "Ha!" Yeah, she said 'ha'. "I knew it! You really are boring even when you're at the beach!"

That was a serious accusation there, Rufus. You should feel super-insulted.

[studyingfear]

She... wasn't going away, was she?

"Your point?" he asked dryly.

[soniaroadsqueen]

It was possible that Ringo wasn't the best at taking subtle hints. You know, 'subtle' like aggressively ignoring her.

She rolled her eyes. "You're supposed to run around, have fun, not just, you know, stick to one place and let your dog do all the running."

[studyingfear]

He looked at her like she was crazy.

"And who decided upon that bit of nonsense?"