Top Floor (Ryugexu!!)

[Ryugexu]

"I do my best..." The woman said, pushing her long hair behind her ears.

She cast using a 'curaga' materia, which made Rufus glow momentarily and the look of pain on the President's face subsided.

"Mr. President. It is advisable you return to the hospital for further evaluation." she said.

Rufus sighed at the nagging coming from both sides. On one side, though, it ended with a guilt trip, while the other predictably stuck to 'good ideas'.

"I need to run the company. I am fine." he spoke in a low, irritable tone. "I will stay here. That is all, Dr. Lionheart."

"But sir-" she attempted to argue.

"Leave." Rufus glared, causing the weak willed doctor to look disappointed but reply, "y...yes sir."

[alexandra]

L.A. watched in awe as the woman took to her leave. Her mouth hung open and she felt an odd sense of anger build up inside of her. That jerk! She helps him and he treats her like that with no thank you or anything! She stuck a hand on her hip, momentarily letting her emotions get the best of her judegment.

"She was just trying to help you, you know. You didn't have to be a....a....a jerk!" The word slipped out of mouth before she could catch it and she bit her lip, watching her boss carefully. Would he fire her, for that?

[Ryugexu]

The President's blue eyes glared at the low-rank Turk. Though his eyes were the color of moving water, they felt more like sharp ice needles.

How dare she. Stupid kid.

"Are you trying to stand up to me?" he asked, giving her one carefully worded chance of survival.

[alexandra]

She found herself in a coughing fit as she eyed him nervously. "N-no sir," She choked out after the excess coughing died down. "I merely meant that.....one with power like yourself does not NEED to be a....how should I put it...asshole." She composed herself long enough to pause and envision him strangling her with her tye. She gulped and put a hand to her neck self conciously. "I mean. In all respect sir. Can you tell I'm new at this? You probably can. I'm a good Turk though sir. I just...I don't know how to say stuff sometimes." She rubbed at her neck. "Please don't fire me, sir. I like my job. I like working here. I like my co-workers."

[Ryugexu]

Rufus picked up the file LA had brought him- checking to see if her attitude was worth her occupation or not.


Certainly, though, her success was quite significant. To Rufus, annoyingly significant. She was quite unfortunately worth the poor attitude and obviously shaky state.

"Tell Reeve you need to take some sort of public relations class. Your manners are atrocious." Rufus stated, as though acting his little brush with blood loss hadn't happened and also acting like he wasn't tense or annoyed at all. "And listen- whatever you do, if you present yourself to me like this again, you will be shot."

[alexandra]

She choked in mid swallow as her eyes buldged out of her head.

"To be shot would be most unpleasant..."She stammered out with a blank look on her face. "But I don't really think a public relations class is worth it, really. I mean. I don't go out in public often....much less relate to anyone....if anything I shoot people when I go out in public. I mean. I'm nice, sir. Really, I am. In fact, Reno says I'm too nice sometimes, but I dunno what the hell THAT'S supposed to mean. OH MAN." She smacked herself in the forehead. "I'm ranting again! I'm sorry,sir. I'm not normally this bad. I mean. Tseng mostly locks me away in the basement to do paperwork and stuff and I'm pretty quiet, with the occassional conversation with myself...." She chewed on her lip savagely, drawing blood. "Sorry, sir." She cringed. "I'll be better, swear it."

[Ryugexu]

Rufus, even though he was angry at this woman for exposing his humanity, decided quite randomly he was highly amused with her.

"Really?" he commented with a somewhat sarcastic expression.

Note to self- offer her 200 Gil tomorrow to wear a straight jacket and walk around my office while I work.

[alexandra]

She wiped at her lip with her sleeve and nodded at him. "Really!" She paid no attention to his sarcasm and simply went on. "I can show you! What do you want me to do, sir? I could uh.....get you coffee! Or.....torment Reno for you! Or give you a relazing massage. I'm good at those. Isn't that weird?" She was a combination of nervousness, excitement, and horror (the horror of being shot by Rufus plagued her mind since she stepped foot onto this floor.) She chewed at the inside of her cheek, realizing how dumb she must've sounded. It seemed unfair, to go through so much for her job every day, and yet she couldn't impress her boss. Not that there was anything impressing about her, other than her aim. She ran her fingers through messy hair and looked at him helplessly.

"I'm......sorry, sir. I shouldn't have....came in here like this." She gestured to her appearance. "It's throwing me off. I mean, I'm a little rattled from the mission. I haven't had much time to unwind. Not that I'm complaining."

[Ryugexu]

Rufus sighed.

"S'pose if I would have fired every TURK who presented themselves so barbarically when I first met them, we wouldn't have Elena."

He seemed to chuckle under his breath, perhaps remembering Elena's not-so-graceful first impression.

"Next time, feel free to take a few hours off to make yourself presentable before reporting in. The only person you must immediately communicate with is the head of TURKS, Tseng."

[alexandra]

She ducked her head, nodding, pulling back her wet and dirty hair. "I'm sorry, again Sir. If.....if that's all. I should get back to clean myself up." She suddenly felt so embarrassed with her presentation, as if she'd failed Tseng in some way. "I....hope we can meet under better circumstances." She kept her head ducked, hoping to rid herself of any further unappreciative Shinra glares. She stood idle, waiting for a dismiss and prayed he would allow her the chance of impressing him. She knew she could've done better.

[Ryugexu]

"Move along." Rufus simply commanded, turning back to his paperwork.


Outside the office, Tseng had been watching. He always watched the 'younger' TURKS attempt to present themselves in order to help them get better. For this one? It seemed he had a lot to teach LA.

[alexandra]

She held back a sigh and turned towards the door, keeping her head low. She walked back to the large doors she had no less than a few minutes ago been afraid of approaching. Walking through, she jerked her head up in surprise to see Tseng's stern face watching her. Chewing her lip, she let the heavy door shut behind her and she ducked her head again. "Uh.....the papers have been delivered.....sir...."

[Ryugexu]

"Yes- you've done very well, LA, especially considering this was the first time you turned in the mission files to Rufus alone." Tseng said respectfully, trying to cheer her up.

"I'm going to let you take the afternoon off. Please feel free to use your company credit card on something to help you relax tonight. Tomorrow, I'd appreciate it if you would accept some counseling from a fellow TURK, however that is entirely your choice. You may sleep on that decision." Tseng spoke with his usual professional sound, but he always seemed to be entirely sincere when it came to matters of caring about his underlings whenever there was trouble- even in the office.

[alexandra]

She looked up at him, tilting her head. Even if Tseng was only trying to cheer her up, it did help, and she couldn't help but be a little touched at his words. She let a small smile spread across her lips. "Thank you sir." A small portion of her usually cheerful voice returned although it was still soft. "Thank you very much, sir. I'll.....I'll uh...." She swallowed, nodding. "Maybe try, the counseling thing. Even though I'm a fabulous public speaker." She couldn't help but smile, still red from embarrassment.

[Ryugexu]

Tseng smiled, "really, LA? You should have floored him in that case."

He knew it was only part of her training. Turk rule number 33- Look bigger than you actually are.


((Lol Tseng <3))