[ Report I ] Hearts and Stars

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

Tseng smiled thinly as he watched the surprisingly large group gathered in one of Shin-Ra's ballrooms, he'd never realized quite how many people considered him family whether they were actually related or not. There was a smattering of brothers and sisters along with their kids, people he couldn't remember seeing but were somehow actually related to him and had come to congratulate him. Turks were there, of course, new ones who were just beginning to learn how to tie their ties and old ones who'd retired before his time.

He'd given a speech; speaking of loyalty and camaraderie, that they'd only need to call and he'd put his tie back on and be out the door for them. Once a Turk, always a Turk and he'd never abandon them or the tiny group of relatives he'd recently been informed of still having.

He knew he should talk to them, approach them and say something but he didn't know a thing about any of them these days. Family had been the company for nearly twenty years now, and while blood was thicker than water he'd shed an awful lot of it alongside the Turks.

It was awkward.

[OOC: Tseng's dreaming of his retirement party, and there's newly discovered family in attendance.]

Comments

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"Easier?" Genesis raised a brow, deadpanning as she sat down. "What, trying to get information from me already?"

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

"No, easier to be a part of polite society." He replied, settling in himself. "People are always quick to assume I'm going to shoot them between the eyes, so by being polite I throw them off balance enough to be left alone."

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"And why do you prefer to be alone?" Genesis asked, crossing her legs and leaning on the table with her elbows, chin in hands.

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

"You have to ask?" Tseng replied, he thought it would be somewhat obvious.

"It's easier than being looked at like some sort of unwanted intruder all the time." he said softly.

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I do," She said easily. She wanted to hear the answer from his own lips, not just from what is assumed.

"Hm. Welcome to my world. At least you can try and disguise yourself. My eyes give me away no matter what I do."

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

He shook his head, "The only place I could ever blend in is Wutai, and I don't always feel comfortable there. I worked for ShinRa during the war." He explained, shifting upright as their food and beverages were brought over.

Aw, they're bonding. Maybe.

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"You could always change you attire and your looks, blend in better instead of looking like a Turk," She said, quietly thanking the server before taking a sip of her drink.

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

"I could, yes." He admitted, "I just don't want to be... disappointed when I go back."

He had no idea if the place he'd grown up in was even standing anymore, let alone any of the people still alive. The possibility of going home to ash and ghosts was one he didn't think he could face.

He'd rather wrestle a malboro.

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"I believe one Yuffie Kisaragi is working to bring it back to its former glory," Genesis said. "But don't quote me on it."

She began eating her food. "You will only be disappointed if you expect to much. Wutai isn't the only part of the world that ShinRa and the Lifestream ravaged since Meteor. It's going to take awhile before everything is good again."

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

"The princess has more than enough to worry about without concerning herself with a temple high in the mountains." He shrugged, "Besides, I'd have to travel all the time if I went to live there. Reno and Rufus will probably be calling all the time once they stop being angry at me."

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"Angry for what?" Genesis asked, blinking as she sipped her drink through the straw.

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

He gave her a look, one eyebrow raised. "They think I'm abandoning them because I want to take some time for myself." He sighed, pressing his face in to his palm. He didn't feel like he was abandoning them at all, he'd still be there when needed.

"Is it such a bad thing? To want something and go after it for once in my life?" he asked softly, more to himself really.

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"No, it's not," Genesis said softly. "Needing time for yourself is never a bad thing. If they can't understand that, then I don't think they deserve your friendship."

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

Tseng just sighed, "We're a family, as much as any of us have ever had." It probably something others wouldn't understand.

"We've always been together, even when we were being hunted down."

[rhapsody-onfire.livejournal.com]

"Then they should be more understanding," Genesis replied. "That's what family is usually about, is it not?"

[plotdeviceturk.livejournal.com]

"It isn't in our job description to be understanding, we're Turks not therapists." Tseng replied, shaking his head. "I don't think I can leave without upsetting people."