02. Wider exploration [Action]

[sayslittle]

In and around Nova City
NCI. Aster Technolgies
For all he's the muscle of the Turks, Rude's always had a soft spot for technology and in particular the inner workings of technology. Granted that most of that interest has been fielded via explosives and the kinds of devices he can't very well speak about without raising a few suspicions.

But the interest lingers, and working in the most technologically advanced part of Genessia is only fuelling that interest. Which is why he finds himself at Aster Technologies, curious to see the sorts of things they're offering, the progress and advancements made to what he's familiar with. He's not really looking to buy, though even he's not entirely able to avoid eager salespeople determined to make sure he leaves with fewer bills than he arrived with. For the most part, he'll dismiss them with a simple grunt and shake of his head, though on occasion he'll ask the odd question that won't result in a sale but he can't help but ask all the same.

He doesn't let it show too obviously. But there's an intensity to how he looks at things that betrays just how passionate he is about these things.

NCII. Scrapyard
Looking is all well and good but it's given Rude that certain itch to create for himself. To try to understand the technologies around him, and where better place to start than with what other people don't want? Even if he won't be able to fully appreciate all of what's there, it never hurts to know what he can figure out with what he does recognise and he never will understand newer components if he doesn't take them apart whether they're salvageable or not.

He's aware he probably stands out, from the moment he steps foot into the yard to the moment he leaves with a box full of whatever's caught his interest. Probably not many people visit a scrapyard in a meticulous suit and tie, but Rude very rarely dresses down these days and especially with Rufus around, it feels important to him to keep that Turk mentality about him at all times.

NCIII. After Life
For all it's rather brighter than most of the dive bars Rude has frequented in his time, After Life has become something of a regular haunt for Rude. Now he works in Nova City, it's a convenient place for him to wind down when his shift ends, sometimes with a certain redhead for company but just as frequently alone. It isn't lost on him that this is where many of the shadier types tend to congregate but that's partly why he likes it - whatever else he is here, he's spent too many years as a Turk to consider himself as anything better than morally flexible.

Besides. He's come to find there can be useful information to glean on occasion. He'll even strike up conversation, such as it ever is with him, in order to do so - though always with something innocuous about the venue or the city, apparent small talk that he wouldn't normally bother with save to glean anything warranting closer investigation.

Shady a place as it is, however, Rude does what he can to remain a somewhat-upstanding patron. He's civil, polite to the staff and while he enjoys some of the more risque shows put on - he is only human, after all - he does so respectfully even if he's as quiet as he always is. And while he won't step on anyone's toes in taking someone's job from them, if he notices trouble brewing and security a little too far away, he'll quietly position himself so as to be able to intervene, to break up unpleasant and inappropriate situations before they can start to escalate.

He's no hero. But it doesn't hurt to have the staff of a place he frequents as regularly as he intends to here on-side.

In and around Genessia City
GCI. Training Regime: Firing Range and Thud's Gym
Now he has a steadier income, Rude has wasted little time in establishing his new training regime. Security for Stark Mechanics might not be quite the daily threat to his life as being a Turk had been back home but he won't allow himself to get sloppy, in any aspect of his training.

He might not seem the type to favour firearms and in truth, he usually doesn't. But being able to strike from afar has its benefits and that he doesn't tend to use guns in most of his fights means, to him, he has to be all the more careful that he doesn't let himself get rusty.

He's not a bad shot, for anyone who sees him in action. He's also very particular about weapon safety, to the point where if he sees someone holding their gun in a less than safe manner, or otherwise disregarding standard safety procedure, he'll step in with a quiet, firm correction - though with an odd gentleness to it, where he deems it to be inexperience rather than wilful ignorance or stupidity. It's been a long time since he's had to train anyone but the instinct apparently never quite left him.

He's also taken to preferring Thud's gym over the more technologically-advanced options in Nova City. Holodecks serve a purpose and he doesn't shun them completely, but there's something more honest and easier to discern in using real equipment, a certain building trust in knowing how each piece of equipment works and a more direct control. Weights are his main focus, when he's training, though he's also careful to balance his routine to ensure overall fitness as well as keeping his muscles in peak condition.

In training, he tends to become focused to the point where he barely notices the rest of the world around him. So it's perhaps reasonable to find he likes to take the time, when he can, to relax in the sauna or the jacuzzi. The sauna is also perhaps the only time most people will see that his glasses aren't actually surgically attached to his head; the steam provides enough of a mask and that's enough for him to mostly relax. He still has them in the jacuzzi, though, as well as throughout his workouts. That said, the gym is also the one place people are likely to see him in something other than the suit.

GCII. Garden Park
Even above-Plate, there hadn't been a whole lot in Midgar that had been green space - and what had been there had been carefully contrived and often artificially encouraged. Beyond that, Rude had never much been in a position to stop and truly relax in such a space, when his work had been so much of his life to the point where he'd almost forgotten what having time to himself is.

Which is perhaps what draws him to the park in Genessia. It's a space in which he can relax, enjoy his surroundings and a little peace where so much of his time even here has become about keeping an eye on Reno and Rufus. It's a subtle thing and barely perceptible to most, but his posture here is just a little less rigid, his countenance just a little less stark in its inexpressiveness. This is where he comes when he needs to well and truly switch off for a little while, even if he's never so oblivious to his surroundings that he couldn't defend himself from anyone thinking his guard might be lowered.

((OOC: Brackets or prose equally welcome. Am happy to throw up more specific individual starters if needs be, just let me know roughly the what/where and I can put something together))

Comments

GCII. Garden Park

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy doesn't see Rude outside of work and at work they're both working which leaves little room for conversation. Not that Rude is a big talker but it'd been interesting running into him at the carnival and she wants to get to know him better.

Today she's run to the library to pick up a few reference books and say hi to Nathan. When she leaves she decides to cut through the park on her way back to the office. It's late but Airy ends up working at odd hours to keep up with Tony.

Rude's figure is easy to spot and even easier to recognize amongst the trees and plants. A smile touches Airy's lips and she turns to head towards him, careful to make plenty of noise so it isn't a surprise.]

You look like you're enjoying yourself. I'm not interrupting am I? [She doesn't mind leaving but she wants to say hello because it's polite.]

[sayslittle]

[He may have only worked for Tony for a relatively short space of time but Rude is already coming to learn certain habits and traits of the people he works around. Even if he doesn't speak much, even if he seems otherwise occupied, keeping track of those around him is all but second nature to him by now.

He isn't so accustomed to knowing gaits in green spaces as opposed to more solid floors. But it's enough that he knows who's approaching, even as he's carefully picking a path through the trees to a little spot he knows tends to be quieter than most.

Possibly more so since he's started spending time there. But perhaps that's old paranoia talking.

Even as he's still not entirely sure what to make of her, he shakes his head a little at the question on if she's interrupting. He rarely needs much time to centre himself enough to get back to dealing with whatever needs to be done and civility in an organisation goes a long way.]

It's a nice space. Obviously well looked after.

[Of course, he's still going to stick to neutral topics. It's less surprising that she knows how to read him a little now they work together and she knows what his on duty demeanour is, but for all he doesn't normally go in for small talk it feels the safer option for the time being.]

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy smiles a little bit brighter and moves to stand closer to his side. He makes her feel very short but then most of the people who she works with make her feel very short.]

It's the only green place in Genessia. I think that they want it to be a place for people to relax. I thought about trying to set up a movie here, like projector and lawn seats. It'd be fun.

[She hasn't gotten around to it nor does she know what to show.]

How are you doing? ...in general.

[sayslittle]

Mm. Better job of it than some I've seen.

[Which again could largely be down to him not having to worry so much for who might find him here. Still, there weren't many natural green spaces around even when he was growing up, at least not where he spent most of his time, so he'll appreciate this for what it is.

He doesn't comment on the movie idea. It's not for him, but that's not to say it shouldn't happen and in that case, better to say nothing at all.

There's a very subtle twitch of his eyebrow as she clarifies her question, nothing he's going to draw express attention to but he has to wonder how else he might have answered the question. Then again, he's not unused to those kinds of slips or making people nervous in general when that very thing has been part of his job description for so long.]

Could be worse. Busier now but at least I'm getting to know my way around.

[Including the roads less travelled, just in case. Rufus might not have power here yet but no sense in getting sloppy just in case.]

Firing Range

[inquisitor_lavellan]

Alleyana didn't have a gun, had never used one, and wasn't attempting to use one now. The one-armed elf lurked in the background, well behind the shooters and out of the way, surveying them. The staring, while harmless, could get a little intense. A few with weaker resolve left the range shortly after the Inquisitor's arrival. Others looked askance at her armor, and the huge spiky shield on her back, and the mace at her hip... in a place like this.

Alley didn't care. She was learning what guns were, and what they did. She folded her good arm with the dragonbone bar that made up her other forearm, and observed.

Like archery, but faster. Or more like Bianca, but with gaatlok. These guns didn't seem all that complicated from an outsider's perspective.

[sayslittle]

It doesn't take Rude long at all to know he's being watched. Even with eyes trained front and centre on the targets up ahead, he's too familiar with the feeling of eyes on his every move and in a place where he doesn't know exactly who's around him, it can't help but set him on edge.

It doesn't take long to spot her, either - the giant shield and weapon at hand means he'd have noticed her sooner or later even without her staring, because those things mean potential threat and Rude is too used to homing in on those just in case. She's at ease now, perhaps, but that doesn't always count for much.

Never mind that he's armed too. It's just that, outside of the gun he's using for practice, he's not broadcasting that so openly.

In the end, he knows he's not going to concentrate while such an unknown quantity lingers, in the room and at the back of his mind. So he sets down the gun and steps away from the range for a moment, glancing towards the range's overseer to confirm that he's not quite done yet, that this is a break rather than an end. That done, he makes his way over, remaining a safe distance away but not so far away as others might be.

"Need something?" Even if watch is all she's done so far, he can't let himself believe that's all she's hear for without a little digging. This isn't somewhere people come without a reason, after all.

[inquisitor_lavellan]

Alleyana watched the human approach, unconcerned. "Observing," she stated, and then elaborated, "these things don't exist on my world, but I've had one pointed at me. I'm seeing exactly what they do."

Not much, in her estimation. Certainly not enough to take her down, even on a bad day, not with what she was used to tanking. But the Inquisitor was nothing if not... well, inquisitive. It didn't pay to ignore the unknown weaponry of others.

[sayslittle]

"Not sure this is the best way to learn." Not that he doesn't see logic in her reasoning - a large part of dealing with a potential threat is knowing how and why the threat exists in the first place.

It's just that to his mind, an environment like this only tells half the story, if that.

"Controlled environment here," he offers, by way of elaboration. "Reality can be very different, depending on the shooter." And the type of gun, but Rude knows enough to know how to put people down efficiently with his own, even if he's not a firearms specialist like Gun or Shotgun, and he's not about to rule out that the same might be true for anyone else who frequents this range as often as he does.

NCIII. After Life;

[orlokbutterfly]

[With frequenting After Life, Rude has more than likely seen the one man in the purple piloting suit and butterfly mask around most of the time, doing every manner of job in the place. Tending the bar, on the stage and dance floor, and tending to the general ruffians. Gale's one that'd be able to spot frequent club goers, and Rude was certainly no exception.

When Rude interposes himself between some trouble, it gives Gale the chance to grab the main rabblerouser by the collar and yank him back, giving him a rather stern taking to with a broad grin on his face. Once he's satisfied, he shoves the guy away, watching him as he scampered off in a hurry. When he was gone, Gale would turn to Rude, putting his hands on his hips with a smirk.]

I see you around a lot. You sometimes seem like an unofficial bouncer in this place. I almost feel like I should be paying you for it.

[sayslittle]

[Rude certainly has noticed the man around before - hard not to, with such bright attire - and he's also aware that his role seems to be a little of everything. Especially when part of that everything is dealing with the troublemakers and that tells Rude in turn who he needs to be most aware of. Partly so trouble can be stamped out quickly, partly so he's not stepping on toes and upsetting the people who could make things very uncomfortable for him here. He's not out to take anyone's job, after all, he just doesn't take kindly to disturbances to his down time.

At least, that's how he'd sell it.

With the main troublemaker caught, this time, it doesn't take much for the rest to scatter. One or two seem fit to try to defend their friend until Rude blocks them with a low growl that promises nothing but trouble for them if they do. By the time Gale is done, Rude's already of a mind to go back to his drink as though nothing happened.

But of course, he's getting himself a reputation. And not a bad one, for a change, now his suit doesn't come with certain connotations attached. Still, he shrugs off the comment about paying him, shaking his head a little in response.]

No need. Just sometimes hard to switch it off, you know?

[He's so used to being bodyguard (amongst other things) and protecting Rufus and the other Turks and not really having set hours that half the time he's stepping in to break up trouble before he even things about it. At the same time, he's not going to pretend it's heroics over simple instinct, hence his honesty now.]

[orlokbutterfly]

Did similar work back where you came from, I'm guessin'? You sure got an intimidating air about ya.

[And he's certainly not saying that in a bad way. Hell, having a guy with this kind of presence frequenting the club was a pretty welcome thing... so long as he never turned out to be the direct cause of any trouble. But given what he's seen, Gale wouldn't expect him to.]

Still, I appreciate you steppin' in when ya do. Sometimes the bouncers can get preoccupied with other things and can't break up minor scuffles.

[He lifts the butterfly mask from his face and extends his hand.]

Gale Reinhardt, I run this joint. 'least I can do is offer ya a drink.

[sayslittle]

It helped, back home.

[Which is his agreement to Gale's question and acknowledgement that he isn't offended by what is, after all, a true statement all rolled into one. He isn't the type to cause trouble unless that's what he's been paid to do but he can certainly finish it, and he can probably thank many years working alongside Reno for at least part of that.

The rest gets a simple nod of understanding - Rude knows it's tough to be in multiple places at once and most people are smart enough that there never ends up being too much of a scuffle when he does intervene.

He takes the offered hand with a grunt of thanks - from anyone else he might think to refuse but if it's the guy who runs the place, he figures he can't get into trouble with anyone else for making it.]

Rude. Appreciate the offer.

[And hopefully that's enough to make clear that he's introducing himself in kind.]

garden park!

[invigorates]

Between exploring the cities, researching at the library, and better adjusting to actually living in Genessia — Lioriley hasn't really had the time to check in on those she met upon her arrival. It's unfortunate, because she liked most of them, and what with her never-ending quest to learn about everyone and everything around her — not seeing them again for so long only makes her more curious.

Which is why she's both surprised and elated to see Rude below her. Below? Yes. Lioriley sits upon a high branch in one of the trees in the park — high enough that one would actively have to crane their neck to see her, but low enough that getting down wouldn't pose too much of an issue if she was in a hurry. As he moves into her line of sight, the elf calls for him,

"Rude!" She says cheerfully, already moving to lift herself off the branch and make her way down to the ground.

[sayslittle]

Very rarely does Rude tend to hear people calling him from above and when he does, he's usually already heard the helicopter before he's hailed. It's enough to see him tense, even, for the brief moment it takes him to remember that he knows that voice and that it's not a voice he's sorry to hear.

He steps a little closer, then, leaving enough room for her to get down but close enough to step in if the landing goes awry. Once she's down, he grants a nod in greeting before speaking up.

"Good view up there?" It's mostly joking, though not being a climber himself Rude is a touch curious all the same. Even scrambling to keep up with Reno only gets him so far in that respect.

[invigorates]

Thankfully, the trip back down goes extremely well and it's obvious in her nimble, practiced movements, that she's probably done this hundreds - if not thousands - of times before.

With the lightest thump, Lioriley lands beside Rude - smiling and nodding as she idly brushes leaves and such from her dress. Yes, she was climbing trees in a dress shhh.

"Mmhm. A little higher and I would have been able to see the entire park, I think." She's hums, "What brings you here today?"

NCIII. After Life

[highprices]

Crystal was used to sleazy people coming into After Life but it was usually taken care of by one of the bouncers. It was a surprise when she saw one of the customers step between her and a very short drunk business man. The man was quickly deterred by Rude's size and turned to leave.

A smile played across Crystal's lips as she looked over at Rude. "My hero. I didn't think you worked here." She was teasing though happy all the same. She liked flirting and talking with people but some people didn't realize that her job was only to be a hostess.

"What are you drinking? I think I can get it on the house for lending me a hand there."

[sayslittle]

In general, Rude only intervenes when he knows security is otherwise occupied or too far from a situation to get there before it explodes. He doesn't work here, after all, and he doesn't want the actual staff to think he's treading on toes or muscling in on their work. It's just a matter of never quite switching off from potential trouble in his vicinity, even when he's supposed to be off-duty.

At least the businessman was easily dissuaded. Not that Rude tends to find many of them aren't once they're faced with someone who's willing to stand up to them. Not that he'd presume her or anyone else to be incapable so much as he knows how some of these places tend to run and the general need for staff not to make a scene even in putting people in their place.

He also knows there are ways around that, based on what he's seen from some of the other Turks. But assuming gets no-one anywhere, in his experience, except usually dead or injured.

The offer of a free drink is appreciated, but he shakes his head all the same. "No need. Just still not quite out of work mode, is all." Which is the most honest way he can sum up his involvement, because "hero" is overstating it to his mind and he doesn't want to start getting preferential treatment that might make him more of a target.

Even if he's sure he could put down anyone who tried, if it came to it. But that's a rep better kept outside of somewhere he wants to be able to come back to.

[highprices]

Crystal studied him for a moment before tilting her head to the side. She hummed softly though the sound was drowned out my the steady thumping of music that echoed from the loud speaker.

"Well there must me something I can do." A smile teased her lips. "I've seen you doing similar things around here in the past. I'm wondering if it's just a character trait of yours."

She knew that a lot of people didn't want to talk about themselves so with her comment made she changed topics. "Can I at least have your name? Maybe at another place and time I can repay your efforts." Not that he's the sort of person she'd be able to help but you never knew. She counted it as an IOU.

Garden Park

[broken_tool]

[Haku hadn't honestly expected to find something that, with a little modification, could be exactly the same as one of the outfits he'd had back home. But he'd managed just that, even down to the black choker around his throat. But around a place like this, it really wasn't necessary to wear something he considered mostly his fighting attire and it was generally nice to just be able to let his hair down and relax. There was nothing here that threatened him and no one that could tell him what to do and he certainly had different plans for his life this time.

The park had immediately drawn him in, having always been fond of plants whether flowers or herbs and it'd be a good idea to see what was available to him if he needed something in particular and the stores couldn't provide.

Thus he'd taken it upon himself to buy a small basket and went about collecting some of the flowers and herbs around the place that he could tell weren't something purposefully put there. No need to mess up someone's garden, after all.

But for now the tiny teenager is keeping his focus set on that, probably looking more out of place than he really should be. Oops.]

[sayslittle]

[After so many years under Shinra's employ, Rude has become accustomed to knowing exactly who's around him without imposing on any one of them unless he finds reason to. It's rare that he does, when he's out without specific purpose in mind, but he's still too used to being an automatic target to let his guard down far enough to not know who's around him and the risk they're likely to pose.

One individual does manage to catch his attention, however, though not for seeming particularly out of place. For the briefest of moments, his brain couples "pink" and "amongst the flowers" into something that should be impossible but is enough to stall his stride anyway.

It takes all of a second to appreciate that it's not the flower girl it had once been his job to help keep watch on. But that second still sees him paused with a very direct gaze settled on the teen, shadow casting over the flowers and Rude realises he's been heading towards what he'd thought to be the familiar without quite recognising what he'd been doing.

And then wonders how absorbed the teen is in his flower gathering and if he can make a quick exit without him being any the wiser.]

NCII. Scrapyard

[mechanica]

[ Even though going there wasn't as necessary as it had been in the beginning, Tony still found that visiting the scrapyard once in a while was both a good place to find unusual things and a way to make him feel just a bit more at ease than he did in a lot of other places. It felt like his own company building was some kind of war zone as of late, so being in a spot filled with nothing but trinkets and metal oddities felt more like home than the mech shop did for now.

He'd been rummaging around for a while, spending more time examining things than actually deciding to take them with him, but the sight of a familiar tall frame made him stand and wipe his hands off on the towel he'd brought along. ]

You come here often?

[ There was a hint of amusement on Tony's face. Rude didn't seem like the type, but it was a pleasant surprise. Maybe he just hadn't pegged him as the type because he didn't know him all that well yet. ]

[sayslittle]

[For his part, Rude is less surprised to see Tony here. Even as there are doubtless other, more reliable sources for components to be found, Rude can see wisdom in using scrap for prototypes and anything else that might mean better finances for the shop.

He can also see the appeal in having materials that are just for playing around with, rather than for anything work-related. Sometimes even the smallest divides are enough to keep that line in place, however fine it might be.

From there, it's little surprise that Tony would approach him. Seems perfectly natural to Rude that his now-boss would want to know more about him, particularly in an instance like this.]

Not often. Just curious to see what's here.

[Which he appreciates is an odd interest for someone of his demeanour to exhibit but if Tony's paying his wages, it makes sense to Rude that he should be allowed to see at least some of his hidden depths, if not the truly personal ones.]

Looking for anything in particular?

Garden Park

[bloodheels]

[Lenalee enjoyed taking a break from her jobs sometimes, take some time to herself and think about what she will be doing the next day. Housework of course was a given but she was starting to wonder what else she should do. She had a lot more free time here.

Today was just a case of having a walk and see what came up. However the walking simply seemed to be enough.

Pausing for a moment she looked over and noticed someone that worked in one of the places he worked at but not for really long periods of time since she only delivered the coffee.]

You look like your enjoying the park. [Which she figured was a good thing at least.]

[sayslittle]

[It doesn't take long for Rude to recognise that hers is a familiar face, a regular if occasional presence at work that he might not know, but at least appreciates that she's unlikely to be a threat.

He nods in greeting to her as she approaches, polite acknowledgement for a co-worker he knows little about. No reason not to change that, though, as she's seeing fit to make conversation - and while it's not something he's especially good at, he's not against making the effort, either.]

Good place to recharge. To get a little peace for a while.

[But he tries to lace his tone with meaning enough that he doesn't mean that he's opposed to being disturbed. Something she might better understand if she's ever seen the dynamic between him and Reno.]

[bloodheels]

I guess when you work in security, something like this is nice to appreciate from time to time.

[From what she had seen, it could involve having to deal with people from time to time who are causing problems, which means being in that job peace is not something that might happen. She at least thought this.]

Especially in your line of work. Must be tough.