looking_sharp | Mask Or Menace

[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.

[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.

[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?

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.

[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.

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.

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.]

[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.

[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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.]

[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.

Edited 2020-05-23 01:17 (UTC)

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.]

[Forty minutes after what Rufus had been through was pretty good. In fact, Rude nodded and gestured for them to settle on a bench.]

Catch your breath. After you rest a bit, we'll head back, do cool down stretches.

[Rufus gratefully sank onto the bench, opening the bottle of water to take a drink to give himself a few moments without embarrassing himself breathing heavily.]

This is ridiculous.

[There was no amusement in his voice, his lips set into a thin line.]

It takes a lot of work to get a body to good condition. It takes more to get it back there.

[Or so Rude was told. Once he'd gotten there he worked to keep it.]

I know. I've just spent too long like this.

[His breath finally evened out as he pulled himself together, looking up at Rude standing there.]

Just give me a few minutes and I'll be fine.

[Rude reaches out and puts a hand on Rufus's shoulder, gaze weighty. For Reno it would be a reassuring gesture, an unspoken 'I'm here for you.' He had no clue if it would carry the same meaning to Rufus. After all, he doesn't know the President like the man apparently knows him.]

Small steps. Each day you get further. Go faster. Feel stronger. Some days you rest, let your muscles recover. But don't look back beyond yesterday. Yesterday is where you start from. Didn't jog at all then. Jogged some today. Tomorrow you look back at today and yesterday. See you came farther. Don't compare further back than that. Not for at least a month. Got it?

[A whole speech. A pep talk. As much as Rude ever gave.]

[Rufus didn't flinch or pull away when Rude put a hand on his shoulder. He wasn't going to tell Rude that Rude had been one of the most patient ones when it came to helping him with the bandages on the bad days. Rude had always been quiet company when he had just needed someone in the same room as him without having to talk.

He knew that Rude wasn't just telling him this to make him feel better and he nodded, his expression serious.]

Thank you, Rude. I knew I could trust you with this.

[Well, of course he could. Tseng was the big picture guy. Reno was the free spirit, as it were. Rude was the practical one. Earth to the water of Tseng, shaping the world around him. Stone to the electricity of Reno, dancing this way and that. Why he had fire he had no clue.

So he just nods. Good to know the words were taken seriously.]

We'll make a plan. Training schedule. Stick to it.

Alright. I want to do this again.

[He rolled his right foot in a circle to test if it felt sore. There was a twinge of something in his heel but it wasn't anything that hurt thankfully.]

Almost every day, if possible. Perhaps earlier in the morning before I have to start work for the day.

I'll look for a local gym for us, in case there is heavy rain.

[Which isn't going to get Rufus out of workouts and running.]

When are you expected in to work?

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