Fujin
Lvl 2
Even though I've lived clumsily until now, I'll still try to do what's right.
Posts: 207
|
Post by Fujin on Oct 19, 2008 17:56:30 GMT -5
Fujin listened, but seemed to get nothing out of it. This man, Tseng, spoke almost entirely in unfamiliar terms. Midgar and ShinRa, Turks and whatever "Sector Five" was - it all made about as much sense as Shumi literature. At least, she assumed it would if Shumi literature existed, which she couldn't be certain that it did. That thought sparked a series of responses in her mind - literature not withstanding, she did know of the Shumi, when most people in the world weren't even aware of their existence. So if all or any of these things Tseng had mentioned were half as important as he made them sound, she should have known -something- about them. That was, unless the same force which had taken her to Balamb had also done something far stranger than she had expected.
Did that "time compression" really put me in the future? Fujin's mind raced to find some kind of answer as to whether it might have been the case. When she'd first arrived in Balamb, Fujin expected that Time Compression might have played a role in her appearance, so it seemed plausible that she was the victim of some kind of "glitch" during the compression or decompression of time. She shook the idea off at first, deciding that the situation required more investigation before wild theories of being thrown into the future were given any merit. Tseng had motioned toward the window, so Fujin took a cursory glance outside. She quickly ducked out of site though when she found a pair of what appeared to be Galbadian soldiers casually patrolling the area.
"What are soldiers doing here? Is this 'ShinRa' a Galbadian company?" Panic began to tighten Fujin's chest as her heart rate spiked. She didn't know what her standing with the Galbadian army was after her desertion at Lunatic Pandora, and finding out here and now that she was not on good terms with them wasn't likely to improve her circumstances any. Suddenly she remembered what Tseng had said about being authorized to arrest her, meaning that he also might have been Galbadian. The decision to give him a false name seemed to be getting better by the second.
|
|
|
Post by Tseng on Oct 19, 2008 18:30:31 GMT -5
She even had the same clueless expression. He really had begun wondering if this Yuki wasn't a distant relative of Elena's.
"First, I have no idea what you mean the term Galbadian. Before you assume that is because I might not have access to information pertaining to the history of ShinRa or Planet, let me assure that such is not the case," Tseng's expression remained neutral though he was quite bored on the inside. He did enjoy coordinating missions and giving order but speeches like these were better left to the Board of Directors or that overwinded Hojo. However, the situation seemed to call for details as the girl obviously had little to no familiarity judging by the way she spoke the name ShinRa. He knew that she at least didn't know enough to be more afraid of the Turks over simple soldiers. "As the leader of the Turks, I have access to records not even upper level executives on the Board of Directors would know about which, consequently means you are safe as long as you're in my company as I outrank any of the simple soldiers you might see patrolling the streets."
Tseng took a second to glance out the window as the soldiers continued past. "In any event, most of the soldiers you'll find down here in the slums are either off duty or are fairly lax in their duties. ShinRa prefers to assign more diligent guards to the Reactors and the corporate headquarters on the city above us."
As Tseng turned back to face Yuki, he allowed himself to smile on the inside. "I'll assume for a moment that you are also from some distant island and have never heard of ShinRa. The ShinRa corporation is the only only such organization to exist. Every nation-state that decided to rebel against the corporation was defeated by it's standing army consisting of genetically altered, Mako infused troops known as SOLDIERS. No one can stand against ShinRa's might; no one bothers. If it's confusing to you that a business controls Planet then I'm not surprised."
A bad taste began to develop in his mouth as he continued speaking. He really hated have to divulge this much information and personally dispised having to even spend this much time explaining anything. Not to mention, he hated having to explain his position to anyone; Tseng really had grown used to all his opponents knowing that vital bit of information already.
"In any event, you're free. Do whatever you wish. As I said, the soldiers won't bother you; no one really will if you keep to yourself down here," Tseng stepped towards the door. "The case next to you probably has some gil in it you can use to buy yourself food or a place to stay."
Tseng winced as he reached the door. He didn't really want to leave her behind, but what choice did he have? Reno's coordinates would only be good for so long, and she would only slow him down. He stopped just before stepping through the frame. His curiosity and conscience getting the best of him before he stepped through. Damn it, she reminded him too much of Elena not to ask at least.
"Why are you in Midgar," he asked curiosity softening the tone of his voice.
|
|
Fujin
Lvl 2
Even though I've lived clumsily until now, I'll still try to do what's right.
Posts: 207
|
Post by Fujin on Oct 20, 2008 8:56:16 GMT -5
Fujin had had enough of being talked down to. She jumped to her feet and stood face-to-face with Tseng, mindless of the buzzing at the back of her mind. While it was obvious that she didn't know everything that was going on, this man seemed all together too confident in his (and his company's) position in the world. That kind of arrogance tended to get people killed, which meant that she'd have to take him down a peg or two.
"You shouldn't be assuming that I'm from some backwater that nobody's ever heard of. I am a top student of a military academy that trains people even younger than myself to be the equal of any ten soldiers. I know things about the world that would make your head spin. But most importantly, I know that your corporation can't be as dominant as you'd like to believe, Mr. Tseng. Just on the other side of the mountains to the south of this city is one twice the size of this and advanced enough to make your Midgar appear laughably primitive. I know - I've seen it."
The venom in Fujin's voice masked the weakness she still felt throughout her body. Tseng had broken out the proverbial measuring stick, and it was her intent to make him put it away. It seemed a safe bet to Fujin that this "ShinRa" didn't have any influence in Esthar, because what she had said was quite true, and any corporation that had access to Estharian technology wouldn't bother building a city like this one, or at the very least would have retrofitted the existing infrastructure. Even if they had conquered the rest of the planet as Tseng claimed, Esthar suffered no trespassers and would have to be bombed into nothing before surrendering. Nevermind the holographic barrier wall.
"In fact, it's because I've been there that I am here now. For the last several days I've traveled from the salt flats to here without supplies." The former Garden student purposely neglected to mention why it was that she'd come all this way so woefully unprepared, partly because it was none of Tseng's business, and partly because she wasn't entirely certain herself.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I appreciate your help but it is I who will be taking my leave of you. I need to make plans for my next step," she said with finality while slipping past Tseng and through the doorway. As soon as she was out of sight Fujin would have to find a place to take a breather, but she certainly wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing that.
|
|
|
Post by Tseng on Oct 20, 2008 12:03:55 GMT -5
Exactly like Elena, Tseng mused to himself as Yuki angrily responded back at him. She definitely had the same fire and passion in her voice; the same look in her eye demanding respect from those who would belittle her. He just let her glare at him and explain her perspective. As he thought, the situation wasn’t quite what he expected it to be. Midgar did somehow manage to survive whatever dark fate Sephiroth had intended for the Planet, but something even more strange had been unleashed in its place. Yuki spoke with certainty and confidence about a place he had never even heard of and a military academy he had never seen. Granted, ShinRa had its own secrets and special Ops, but he didn’t doubt for a second that under normal circumstances he probably would have had to reconsider the Company’s survivability during the upcoming days.
As Yuki passed him in the doorway, he spoke his voice remaining level but gentle. “I apologize for insulting you and your intelligence. It was not my intent. However, it would seem we have a contradictory set of views on the world. Perhaps, we both know something the other does not about what precisely has occurred.”
He paused as he watched her go not really expecting her to acknowledge his statement. Tseng knew just how condescending he was to Elena and knew he had done the same thing to Yuki. Granted, it resulted in a different set of events, but nonetheless he shouldn’t have berated someone who had just managed to crawl their way to civilization through the surrounding badlands of Midgar. In either case, he hoped she knew enough to avoid Sector Six’s Wall Market at this time of day.
Tseng let out a quiet, burdened sigh. He really did need better information or at least more support right now. Hell, he’d have settled for Reno’s bad jokes and a helicopter.
|
|
Fujin
Lvl 2
Even though I've lived clumsily until now, I'll still try to do what's right.
Posts: 207
|
Post by Fujin on Oct 21, 2008 14:13:10 GMT -5
Fujin stopped short while considering what Tseng had to say. He seemed to change his demeanor a little - he even lowered that air of superiority that he'd had a moment earlier. She allowed herself a satisfied smile at that, but hid it before turning to face him. It seemed unlikely that he would be able to provide her with much about her situation that she couldn't infer for herself, but if nothing else he would be able to tell her about this city. Although it was dwarfed by Esthar, Midgar was still a colossal place, and didn't appear to be especially friendly to anyone that didn't know their way around. Then there was that company Tseng worked for - his description made it sound less like a corporation and more like a country. If that were the case, Fujin might be able to establish some kind of timeline of events.
"Records. You said you have access to restricted information, so what would it take for you to pass some along? The more information I have, the more I can tell you about what's going on," Fujin bluffed. In actuality, there was no guarantee that she could tell him anything. He seemed just as uncertain as she was though, and playing at having the high ground had worked for her so far. Besides, there are exactly two men who can see through my poker face, and neither of them would be caught dead in a suit.
|
|
|
Post by Tseng on Oct 21, 2008 15:30:46 GMT -5
Is she bluffing? The question racked at Tseng's mind as he mulled over the possibilities. Reno hadn't been able to clear up the entirety of the situation for him, so he had his doubts about this stranger.
"I've already told you about Midgar and ShinRa. Restricted files pertain to matters having to do with ShinRa internal affairs. They aren't relevant." One would hope they had little to do with the situation at least. If ShinRa was behind this crisis he'd be disappointed but wouldn't allow such considerations to cloud his judgment. He had a paycheck to collect.
"However, perhaps I could share what I know regarding ShinRa's mapping of the Planet in exchange for your information with respect to how a new city could emerge overnight to the south of Midgar," Hopefully, Yuki would accept the basic exchange while he attempted to reconcile what he had learned so far. He was mystically transported to Midgar after dying at the hands of Sephiroth who had planned to destroy the Planet. Reno was still alive so he couldn't be in too far into the future and considering the fact that his former lieutenant had sounded as energetic as ever Tseng highly doubted that he had progressed forward at all. Rather, the information gathered suggested he had instead moved laterally and merely was witnessing the effects of Sephiroth's actions.
Then why is he working with us? That was an interesting question to ask as Reno wouldn't have switched sides without a good reason and the fact that he had suggested the former SOLDIER was now on their side, rather than the other way around, shot the theory down rather thoroughly. Reno was rash, but intelligent, something else had happened.
Tseng watched Yuki mull his proposition over with his passive stare and cold eyes. However, he allowed the smile he felt earlier show on his face. There was little to gain treating this girl like he did his subordinates and the SOLDIERS who he had to deal with on a regular basis, Tseng was better off giving her the respect he'd give a fellow Turk. Maybe, he could even earn her respect in return and possibly establish something akin to friendship. It was possible to attract a fly with honey and with trust came the exchange of more important and meaningful information. Information, he could use while attempting to piece together the mystery surrounding his near-death experience and the report given to him by his fellow Turk.
|
|
Fujin
Lvl 2
Even though I've lived clumsily until now, I'll still try to do what's right.
Posts: 207
|
Post by Fujin on Oct 27, 2008 5:00:07 GMT -5
"Alright," Fujin conceded, "that's a start. But first, you and I both look like hell, so we're going to have to change that before going near anywhere even slightly official. Do you know of a place nearby that takes cash and doesn't ask questions?" It wasn't necessarily in vanity that Fujin demanded the opportunity to freshen up. If it had been her that saw a pair that looked like they did, she'd have them escorted out before they made it all the way in. That, of course, had nothing to do with why she needed to find a merchant that wouldn't ask any questions - Fujin had grown tired of getting by with whatever she could find, and desperately needed to re-arm herself with a decent weapon.
"You lead the way, and I'll tell you everything I know about this mess." Fujin was hoping that Tseng wouldn't choose now to start feeling dutiful, and figured that dangling information in front of him was the easiest way to prevent it.
[OOC: Sorry it's short, but it's late here and I think we've let this particular scene run it's course. Anyway, feel free to take the reigns in so far as leading us to Wall Market.]
|
|