[ as tifa watches the resulting movements at the command to release, she comes to realize just how in tune darkstar has been to every word and even every motion that rufus has signaled. even without the turks positioned at his side, security and defenses low, tifa doubts she could ever actually lay a finger on rufus if it every came down to some spontaneous instinct to attack him here in his suite; she'd probably have darkstar's teeth sunken into her neck in seconds if he managed to draw her attention for it.
probably lucky that none of her intentions in being here consist of any kind of stealth assassination attempt, as tifa stares after darkstar in momentary awe before she draws her attention back to following after rufus. it's with easy curiosity that her eyes peer around the space, lingering for longer than a beat on the grand piano in that expansive room. it isn't her first time in a queen's suite, having seen plenty of other complex designs, equally equipped with their own faux beaches, but she has a more difficult time imagining rufus living within it, absentmindedly trying to picture him leisurely relaxing within it.
it's when her eyes fall onto the bar that a subtle brightness slips onto her face again, already tilting her head to get a look at the various drinks available on the shelves before rufus even welcomes her to it.
looking at him briefly, as if to reaffirm his okay, she steps forward and rounds the counter to slip behind the bar, stepping into it with easy familiarity, the way she can almost find herself within seventh heaven's walls again. fingers trace over bottles to map out the selection, mindfully counting brands she recognizes from home and some that might be more unique to this place or other worlds.
spinning around, her lips purses into something almost like a light smirk as she brings her hands down on the counter. ] So, does that mean I get to make yours too?
probably lucky that none of her intentions in being here consist of any kind of stealth assassination attempt, as tifa stares after darkstar in momentary awe before she draws her attention back to following after rufus. it's with easy curiosity that her eyes peer around the space, lingering for longer than a beat on the grand piano in that expansive room. it isn't her first time in a queen's suite, having seen plenty of other complex designs, equally equipped with their own faux beaches, but she has a more difficult time imagining rufus living within it, absentmindedly trying to picture him leisurely relaxing within it.
it's when her eyes fall onto the bar that a subtle brightness slips onto her face again, already tilting her head to get a look at the various drinks available on the shelves before rufus even welcomes her to it.
looking at him briefly, as if to reaffirm his okay, she steps forward and rounds the counter to slip behind the bar, stepping into it with easy familiarity, the way she can almost find herself within seventh heaven's walls again. fingers trace over bottles to map out the selection, mindfully counting brands she recognizes from home and some that might be more unique to this place or other worlds.
spinning around, her lips purses into something almost like a light smirk as she brings her hands down on the counter. ] So, does that mean I get to make yours too?
Challenge accepted.
[ because if there's a skill that tifa feels herself fairly adept at, it's being able to get a good read on a person's drink preferences. plus, it helps to prevent the returning of the tension in her shoulders now that she's this far into rufus' suite, at least feeling herself in a space that at least suits the kind of air that she's used to, even if it lacks the rambunctious noise of a busy night within seventh heaven, filled with the locals piling in for their nightly drinks.
she's turned back to the bottles as rufus steps away, distracting herself with the labels once more to make calculations in her head about which ones to mix, when his question catches her attention and she stills, gaze unfocusing from the bottle in front of her, feeling the threat of tension working its way back into her muscles.
of course he'd ask eventually. she just hadn't been sure if she'd really be prepared for an answer. ]
To be honest ... I'm not really sure. [ she doesn't turn to look at him, busying herself instead with the shelves, finding it easier this way. ] It's not like I'm here to make any kind of extended deal or anything. And I won't lie, I still have my doubts about ... you. [ it's not spoken with any sort of malice, but the honesty is there, to him, just as it is a reminder to herself. ] But — well, you said before you wanted to give me an opportunity to get to know you, so ... so I'm here. And that's all I've really got right now.
[ because if there's a skill that tifa feels herself fairly adept at, it's being able to get a good read on a person's drink preferences. plus, it helps to prevent the returning of the tension in her shoulders now that she's this far into rufus' suite, at least feeling herself in a space that at least suits the kind of air that she's used to, even if it lacks the rambunctious noise of a busy night within seventh heaven, filled with the locals piling in for their nightly drinks.
she's turned back to the bottles as rufus steps away, distracting herself with the labels once more to make calculations in her head about which ones to mix, when his question catches her attention and she stills, gaze unfocusing from the bottle in front of her, feeling the threat of tension working its way back into her muscles.
of course he'd ask eventually. she just hadn't been sure if she'd really be prepared for an answer. ]
To be honest ... I'm not really sure. [ she doesn't turn to look at him, busying herself instead with the shelves, finding it easier this way. ] It's not like I'm here to make any kind of extended deal or anything. And I won't lie, I still have my doubts about ... you. [ it's not spoken with any sort of malice, but the honesty is there, to him, just as it is a reminder to herself. ] But — well, you said before you wanted to give me an opportunity to get to know you, so ... so I'm here. And that's all I've really got right now.
[ though she wishes he were someone different, she imagines that if he were, this really wouldn’t be as complicated as this. because who more than the very president of the company that’s long since controlled all the tides of her life would be as difficult to endure as company? maybe it’s worse because rufus isn’t necessarily downright cruel in the way he presents himself. not that she’s finding reasons to like him, really, but … being around him hasn’t been so much of a punishment per se, either. it’s almost more infuriating because of it.
taking a few bottles in hand by their necks, she brings them to arrange over on the counter, lining them up to consider in her head how she intends to mix them. ]
Yeah, you could probably use some pointers.
[ then again, she wonders how someone who doesn’t know him would regard him, considering her own tension comes from so much that’s been carried since before they’d even met.
her fingers pause in opening up a bottle at the mention of her mother. she’s quiet for a moment before answering with a small shake of her head. ]
No, not off-limits. Just … well, she died when I was really young. She’d been sick and it hit me pretty hard when I lost her. [ she’s caught staring at her hands for a moment before lifting her head and putting on a small smile. ] But she was the most beautiful person I ever knew, inside and out. She taught how to play piano before she passed, and so I kept that up to try to hold onto her.
[ she turns, distracting herself again by looking around for glasses. ]
You know, with all that the world’s talked about you and your father, I never heard anything about your mother. What happened to her?
taking a few bottles in hand by their necks, she brings them to arrange over on the counter, lining them up to consider in her head how she intends to mix them. ]
Yeah, you could probably use some pointers.
[ then again, she wonders how someone who doesn’t know him would regard him, considering her own tension comes from so much that’s been carried since before they’d even met.
her fingers pause in opening up a bottle at the mention of her mother. she’s quiet for a moment before answering with a small shake of her head. ]
No, not off-limits. Just … well, she died when I was really young. She’d been sick and it hit me pretty hard when I lost her. [ she’s caught staring at her hands for a moment before lifting her head and putting on a small smile. ] But she was the most beautiful person I ever knew, inside and out. She taught how to play piano before she passed, and so I kept that up to try to hold onto her.
[ she turns, distracting herself again by looking around for glasses. ]
You know, with all that the world’s talked about you and your father, I never heard anything about your mother. What happened to her?
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