grandspark | [aefenglom] ic inbox

[ What he would do without Rude, the only one person on this crapsack world he can truly count on? He continues writing, trying to narrow down the area that he is in ]

i took a turn left after leaving the main street [ As you would always do when getting back from the entertainment district, only instead of lights of a pub street he noticed the light of a damn lighthouse and realized he fucked up the route ] it's roughly hundred, maybe two hundred? meters down the road

[ He clicks sends and tries to discern anything more specific out of his surroundings. ]

i can hear the river nearby, but i haven't crossed it

[ So at least, he's on the right side of the river ]

[Though it was nice of Reno to try and help, Rude had his doubts as to the validity of the directions given considering Reno had thought he was making it back to their place. He considered the information though and started to head in the direction that would get him close to the water.

Once he was over there it wouldn't be that hard to find the redhead, right? Sure.]

Stay put. I'll find you

yeah i'm not moving from here

[ And that's where he should have ended, but... nooo... he just keeps writing, because there is really nothing else to do as he waits. And it both keeps him occupied and provides a sense of connection. Not to mention takes thoughts of this, frankly upsetting fact, that he's blind during the night.

Granted, he sees sharper and further than ever during the day, but ironically, he has always liked nightlife ]

can you believe they kicked me out when they saw feathers? it was a good game! and in the middle of the round someone pointed that out, oh look what he is, and the bouncer just threw me out.

someone got salty i kept winning

asshholes

[ At least they didn't take his earlier wins. Hopefully, he isn't blacklisted from the den or what ]

[Well that was troublesome. Rude thought Monsters were generally accepted here due to how normal it was for them to just be people rather than mindless creatures like back where they were from. But he supposed there was always bias of some sort everywhere. Midgar had its own. The poor of the slums were always looked down upon.

And, hey, Reno was good at certain kinds of bar games. He wasn't surprised someone decided they had enough of losing their money to a smartass bird.]

Why am I not surprised.

[He wrote the reply quickly even as he continued to move. Even the smallest response would keep Reno happy and if he was typing out long explanations for Rude to read then hopefully Reno really was staying in one place to do it.]

[ He's being good! Staying in place!! And it would have been a manageable night, knowing that his partner is on his way, knowing that soon they'll be able to just hit the bed and forget

And then—

]

fuck this shit it started to rain

[Because of course it did. Rude heard it before he felt it, walking right into the drizzle as he continued down the street. A small, moving storm centered around the watery area of the city for the moment. Rude chuckled to himself even as he shook off the rain (not that it did any good as it continued to rain on him but at least it didn't bother him like the cold or wind). He felt sorry for Reno with all those now wet feathers...]

You'll live.

[Almost to the river... just had to figure out where Reno had wandered off to by mistake.]

[ Reno doesn't grace that one with an answer. Mostly because, just in case, he wants to keep the watch out of the downpour. He's not that trusting when it comes to this technology.

His back hugs the wall as he desperately tries to get a bit of protection from the rain, but there isn't much in terms of a roof over his head to grant that.

If he can't use his eyes, he could count on his ears, but now with the rain hearing the steps is going to be much harder. A miserable night, turned worse. The water clinging to the feathered areas in much different, and quite distracting ways ]

[It took a few minutes but Rude eventually found his partner huddled uncomfortably near the walls of the buildings next to the river, trying to get out of the rain no doubt. But the little awning over the doorstep wasn't very large and it barely did anything at all.

Rude didn't have much but his already wet jacket to offer Reno in way of protection but he offered it to the redhead silently as he approached anyway. He probably should have said something in greeting but Rude wasn't used to having to announce his presence to Reno, his partner usually already well aware of his arrival long before they were close enough for a friendly conversation.]

[ It comes late when Reno finally notices the movement, and what's more, there is a brief before he correctly identifies the incoming person as his partner. In that break, he assumes more vigilant and then visibly relaxes when he realizes it's Rude.

And despite being sober it takes him another moment to notice the offered jacket. He dives into it, gratefully. Both into the warmth and protection against the rain it offers. ]

My saviour...! [ Damn, Rude was always the chivalrous one. ]

[Reno was in luck then that the water hadn't soaked all the way through yet. Give it a few more minutes though and it might not have any protection left to offer. Still, better than being pelted directly at least, maybe.

Rude tried not to draw attention to the fact that he noticed Reno was off his game a bit. Was it just the weather? Visibility was reduced a little with it and it was harder to hear with the splashes but--well, it didn't matter. He was here now. He'd watch Reno carefully.

He chuckled without sound and shook his head in amusement at Reno.]

You looked like you needed it more than I.

[The protection from the rain that is. Rude's own feathers were held tightly against his head but he didn't seem to mind. The rest of him didn't care either way. As long as it wasn't cold the water didn't seem to matter.]

Ready to head back? [Or they could wait to see if the rain let up...]

[ There are more and more feathers and Reno has to stop himself from the instinct to fluff up and shake off the water. It wouldn't help any with the rain still going on anyway. ]

Let's go. I just want out of these wet clothes— [ he nearly whines, echoing similar sentiment Rude had days (or weeks) ago. The problem is, despite how tall Rude is, how familiar he is— Reno worries he'd lose him if he as much as taken a faster step.

He could wait on that, and worry about it only if it happened but— fuck this, he's tired ]

Be careful not to lose me!

[Well that spoke volumes on the state of Reno. Rude tried not to let his concerned frown show.]

I won't.

[He grabbed Reno by the back of the neck and forced the redhead to his side with a firm but gentle guidance, tucking Reno next to him before throwing his arm around Reno's shoulders.

Then they started on the trek home.]

[ Well, that almost earns him a squawk. Reno was expecting that he could ask, for example... to grab at the material on Rude's arm, or back and just walk like. Useless overthinking, Rude just snatched him—

He let out a chuckle, made some stupid joke, but overall ended being far more focused on just walking through bouts of what to him was absolute darkness. There were moments where he stumbled and cussed and rested his weight on Rude already holding him.

It was easier on the well-lit streets, but to get back home as fast as they could, shortcuts required some navigation through dark alleys. ]

Thanks, I really owe ya for that rescue... [ They're probably close to the apartment building, and the rain finally starts to subside ]

[Rude didn't mind Reno's small weight against him, even when the redhead stumbled and used him as a point of balance. He was concerned though. His grip on Reno tightened slightly and he began to steer them carefully around obstacles of any degree.]

No you don't.

[Remember his promise? It was unconditional. He didn't need anything from Reno in return. All Rude cared about was the fact that Reno was safe and that he could keep him that way.]

...Is everything all right?

[He dared to ask now that they were almost back to the apartment. He didn't want Reno to get defensive but he wanted to know what was up. He didn't seem drunk just.... awkward. Very off his balance. ........blind???]

[ It was obvious that he can't keep it from Rude for too long. Especially not after calling for help. Reno had hoped he might have taken care of the problem, he took steps to get something, an amulet, enchanted googles, whatever— if Rude asked what the new accessory was, he could then just casually drops that he got it to offset some problems brought by the transformation. And call it a day.

Yes, there might be a problem, but I got it covered, no big deal!

No chance. ]

Just peachy— [ That does come off as defensive, but he softens his tune by taking out a fat wallet and adding with pride ] Shit went sideways, but I earned us some nice gil— er, cunes.

[ If they were taking on dangerous missions, and the like, it would be downright foolish to not warn Rude about his problem. Partners look after each other, and he'd want to know Rude's weakness to cover for it so— They're already getting into the apartment and as he looks for the cheap magitek lamp to turn on he nearly crashes because of chair along the way.

Eh, damn it. ]

Tch, I hoped I'll deal with it before it became a problem.

Deal with what?

[Immediate response even as he reached past Reno to get the light turned on. It was too dark in the apartment for him to see much more than shadows but it seemed his night vision was a lot better than Reno's. He was pretty sure it was better than most people's night vision at this point.

Nifty, but still weird. At least he wouldn't need a flashlight most nights.

He started to head for the bedroom to get out of the wet clothes but he paused to wait for Reno's response first. He hated dripping inside more than just standing out in the rain itself. It could wait though. He wanted to know what had Reno in a bind. He was pretty sure he knew what it was now but...he wanted Reno to say it for him.

He could always find a way to help out.]

[ Well, Rude's seals the deal.

The moment the lamp is lightened— Reno's eyes accommodate surprisingly fast. Flash period reduced to a minimum, quite on the opposite— he finally can see, and his vision is sharp. He takes off the jacket, planning to hang it somewhere so it can dry, and kicks off his soaked shoes. When he walks close to the window he tilts his head as if he was pointing at it. ]

If someone leaves their newspaper at the end of the street, four-floor down— I can read the small text from over here as if it was lying on the table. [ Sounds like a humblebrag, but in reality, he just wants to underline that this change has its perks. A sigh. ] But night comes, and I can't see shit.

[ So his excitement over super-sharp-sight got quickly didn't last long ]

Huh. Better than mine.

[The comment was said off-handed. It didn't mean much. Rude was more concerned with the downside anyway. He frowned slightly.]

I noticed. I wanted to be certain. [That Reno wasn't drunk or had some other thing going on at the moment.] It seemed...pretty bad.

[No more nightlife for his feathered friend. Except he knew Reno would never conform to that sort of thing. That was worrisome. He was going to have to watch his partner's back more carefully until they figured out a better solution to Reno's problem.]

[ Reno runs his hand up the nape of his neck, into his hair— finding feathers everywhere. That's a tangible thing he can get annoyed at, at least. He grabs one of them and pulls until it plucks off. He twitches in pain but makes no sound. ]

Nothing escapes you, huh? [ A rhetoric question, they're Turks. Trained in noticing things. Makes sense they notice them about each other too. He twirls the reddish-brown feather between his fingers, inspecting it curiously. ] I'm still trying to figure out where the limits are—

Turns out, overcast nights are the worst. [ He sighs ] I'll get it sorted out.

[Rude frowned at the feather plucking but made no comment for now. He let Reno finish speaking first.

Then he moved closer and took the feather in both his hands. In doing so, his larger hands covered Reno's small ones in the gesture. (It's what he wanted to do, wasn't it, hold Reno's hands in his own and gently tell him to stop that, but instead--) He avoided touching Reno directly except the tips of his fingers where he grabbed the feather directly.]

If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask. I'll do whatever I can.

[Whether it was going out to fetch a lost bird and bring him home, or ~~stalk him every night to make certain he was safe~~ finding a way to give Reno his eyesight back at night through some magical means, Rude would help with it.]

[ Talk about precision... For a split of second Reno is so sure Rude is aiming to take his hands into his, but instead, he takes the feather. Internally he almost scoffs at himself, it's not like he's disappointed! That would be— childish, yeah, which isn't out of line for him sometimes, but mostly— soft.

So instead he focuses on what Rude says, instead of his action, tilting his head on the side. ]

I know, and hey, that's exactly what I did. [ Sending "plz help" signal. He was fine mostly dealing with this trouble on his own, but now since Rude's involved, he owes his partner a bit more of an explanation. ] I'm simply waiting for a commissioner to do the job. A portion of that money I made today is also meant for the enchantment. Guess I'm gonna follow your suit, partner. Wear shades during the night...

[ At least only the night part ]

Hmph.

[The sound was almost half amused, a light huff of air rather than a scoff. One corner of his lips twitched slightly upwards.]

Good. Long as it works. Without side affects.

[Rude carefully pried the feather from Reno's grasp and held it in his own hand, twirled the feather once in either direction, then stuck it in his breast pocket. The action caused him to remember the dampness from the light rain.

He looked up and pointed a finger at Reno.] Stop doing that.

[And then just as abruptly he left the room to go change into dry clothes.]

[ That's where he... where he feels scolded?? Ah, rude, how Rude. ]

Right, right... there's too much to get rid of them anyway. [ Reno blows a half-amused huff himself, quiet enough that Rude probably can't hear him from another room. He takes his partner's cue in getting into something dry, and preferably warm.

Wait, did Rude just—

Did he took that feather and hid it? ~~Almost as if it was something precious~~ ]

[He not only tucked it away somewhere safe to begin with but hid it away in his room once he started to undress. It wasn't the first feather Rude had hidden away but it was the first he'd taken directly from Reno. He didn't need his partner knowing that just yet though. So the small collection stayed hidden for now.

A few minutes later he reemerged from his room. It was late night, he should have been tired, but after the excursion outside to fetch his ~~dumb bird~~ blind partner he wasn't feeling very restful at the moment. He needed a distraction for a bit. It was a pity there weren't televisions in this world.

He was careless though, only half dressed from the waist down, not used to hiding his physique from anyone much less his partner. He probably should have been conscious of that right now though considering their awkward relationship currently. It wasn't a big deal though, right? They were getting on just fine. (And if a certain redhead wanted to enjoy the view, why would Rude object to that?)

He headed straight for the kitchen. There was nothing better to do but make a midnight snack in a dumb place like this. It was either that or work out, and he may still do that later yet. One or both may help him sleep eventually.]

Right. They're not that bad looking anyway. And, bird's can't regrow their feathers forever. They're not like hair, all right? Remember that.

[He picked up the conversation right where it left off when he next caught sight of Reno again.]

[ Reno probably should be more mindful about staring and admiring, at least until something definite happens— but ah, it wouldn't be the first time where he did that. It's no different than observing Rude in a gym. Only now the impressive physique also includes— well, changes. Rude is still Rude though. ]

So you got a very good hearing too, got that. [ Since Rude heard his grouching despite them being in different rooms.

Technically, Reno is also shirtless, but one couldn't notice that with how wrapped in blanket he currently is. It was originally Rude's blanket even, but at this point, Reno just claims any he comes across as his own. Because yes, he did follow his partner to the kitchen ]

Hey, you'd fancy a game of cards? [ It's the middle of the night and neither of them seems to be particularly tired. ]

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i can't sleep so you get one more tag

another tag, yay! but you get to sleep now...!

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