Mask Or Menace - IC Contact

[looking_sharp]

[The sound of silence for a measure of five seconds. Then a beep.]

Comments

[ambitiousblond]

Excellent. I'll be expecting you then.

I'll have coffee ready.

[looking_sharp]

Of course. I’ll be there then, sir.

[And sure enough, he’s there, at nine-fifty even. A Turk that is on time is late.]

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus answered the door after only a moment, not surprised that Rude is early. He's still finishing getting dressed, his tie still untied around his neck as he buttoned the cuffs of his shirt on the way back to the kitchen.

He actually did make coffee and even left a mug out for Rude.]

I know mornings are usually Reno's time on detail but I wanted your advice about something.

[looking_sharp]

[Rufus was just lucky that Rude didn’t have his other job that morning.]

Advice, sir?

[ambitiousblond]

[His expression turned serious as he leaned back against one the kitchen counter, a mug of coffee in hand.]

With everything that happened after Meteorfall with breaking my ribs, foot, and then the damage Geostigma did to me-I'm not in the shape that I used to be.

That's what I need your help with, Rude.

[looking_sharp]

[Interesting. Very interesting. And here he would have expected Rufus to turn to Tseng for this sort of assistance. Rude’s form of training and fitness wasn’t something that he thought the other man should keep up with.]

Tseng is closer to your body type.

[ambitiousblond]

He is, that's true.

[There was no not awkward way to explain why Tseng wasn't able to keep him focused when it came to things like this.]

I'm sure you have some recommendations nonetheless.

[looking_sharp]

[After a moment, Rude gets it. He really gets it. There was the attraction factor. Right. Rude would have the same problem training with Reno. Except, you know, never having been intimate with him.]

My training regime is for a brawler. Very intense. For now, maybe we should start you light. Could hire a personal trainer to get you fit again.

[ambitiousblond]

I'm not even going to attempt to keep up with your training. I prefer to not get punched again, thank you. I'll trust you to pick out a suitable trainer then. Someone who won't go easy on me.

[He took a drink of his coffee, pleased. He hated being weak in any way- the last two years had been frustrating being practically bed-ridden for a lot of it.]

Help yourself to the coffee. It's something called a French roast- I have no idea what that means but it's better than anything I had in Midgar.

[looking_sharp]

[Rude does sip at the coffee and considers it before shrugging off the experience. He was Costan, he had opinions on what coffee should taste like.]

For today, since you asked me to come over so early, we’ll start with you learning with me. I’ll go easy on you. First rule? No coffee before exercise.

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus downed the remaining coffee in his mug before setting it aside. He leaned closer, his eyes on Rude's with fierce determination.]

Don't go easy on me, Rude. I mean it.

[looking_sharp]

[Easy on him? In this, the one thing that Rude knows he’s very, very good at? Not likely.]

You’ll need gear to work out in. Which means no suit. Got something like that?

[ambitiousblond]

Yes, I believe so. Hold on.

[Rufus smirked as he pulled off his tie on his way back to the bedroom, just letting it drop the floor as he went in to change.

He came back shortly in loose, white linen pants and a light gray t-shirt.]

This should work.

[looking_sharp]

[It isn’t what Rude would suggest, or even what he’d use himself. The white would cling too much, go slightly transparent. But he isn’t one to judge.]

Do you have a water bottle? We’re going for a jog. Light. Simple.

[ambitiousblond]

No but I'm sure it will be fine.

[He hadn't done any running since breaking his foot so he knew he was out of shape. He was willing to go however far Rude decided to go this morning though.]

I'm ready when you are.

[looking_sharp]

Come with me.

[Rude has to go back to his apartment to change. If the guy had told him before, he would have been prepared.]

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus followed Rude back to his apartment, making himself comfortable on the couch as he sent a message to Tseng and Reno letting them know about the change in his schedule.]

I have the next two hours free.

[looking_sharp]

[Once they were safely closed away in Rude's apartment he immediately started shedding his clothes. Why should he be self-conscious of changing in front of the boss? Before he even makes it down the hall toward his room his coat had been hung up on the back of a hook on his front door, the gloves were tossed on a counter with his tie, and his shirt was half unbottoned.]

Go into the kitchen. Middle hanging cabinet has water bottles. Fill two with cool, not cold, tap water.

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus only let his gaze linger for a moment on his way to the kitchen to find the water bottles. It would be nice to go for a run- he hadn't had the chance to do this since before he became President. After that night, everything changed and he had very little time to do anything, let alone have time like that for himself.]

It's been a while since I've had the time to do this, it will be good to get out again.

[looking_sharp]

The neighborhood isn't too bad.

[Rude's voice comes from down the hall toward his bedroom as he changes. Soon enough he's returning in workout pants that both managed to cling to his legs, but allow him to move easily, and in a t-shirt that didn't cover too much. He moves to join Rufus, reaching into a drawer and pulls out some protein bars.]

You listen to me while we're running out there.

[ambitiousblond]

Deal.

[Rufus handed Rude one of the water bottles, pleased. He was willing to make that concession since it meant regaining his lost strength.]

Lead the way- you know the neighborhood better than I do.

[looking_sharp]

I've been out exploring.

[Which wasn't to say Rufus hadn't been as well. Just that Rude was abundantly trained in the practice of seeing things. Which was what led him to pocket his keys and guide Rufus out and to the sidewalk.]

Show me how you jog.

[ambitiousblond]

It's been a long time do I'm sure I'm out of practice.

[but Veld and later Tseng had taught him the importance of staying in shape so even though it had been years he knew mostly what he was doing.]

[looking_sharp]

[Well, yes, he at least knows how to move well. And when Rude has appraised that, he jogs quickly to catch up. He has to adjust his stride to keep a pace that Rufus would be able to match.]

Drink when your mouth feels dry. Otherwise, regularly. You never drink as much as you should. Most don't.

[ambitiousblond]

I'll try.

[Rufus appreciated that Rude adjusted his pace for him. He knew he had to start slow at first. He would get his stamina back soon enough. He fell into his stride, letting his thoughts drift for a bit.

After 40 minutes he was starting to feel a bit winded, annoyed that he was so out of shape.]