Karia grabbed one of the boxes from the backseat as Reno grabbed two and made his way into the hideout. They'd just arrived, it was now 8:30, and it had been a silent drive home. Neither had said a word to the other.
I shouldn't have done anything.. I'm such a fool. Thought Karia to herself. If I'd just kept my feelings to myself things would be ok.. but nooo.. I just HAD to go and move in.. gods I'm an idiot. I should've known he wouldn't fall into my arms. He IS a former Turk after all... what was I expecting. Sometimes it's bad to assume I guess.. but I was sooo sure!
"Dazed much" asked Vincent who'd came up behind her by surprise.
"Oh, ah.. yea, sorry," she replied as she turned to him, "mind getting that other box for me Vinny?"
He didn't respond but just picked up the last box as asked. She's definitely not ok.. and Reno seemed odd as well. "Everything alright Karia?"
"Peachy, " she stated firmly and walked past him making her way into the hideout, Vincent close behind.
Inside the building Karia looked around. Elena was making a sandwich in the kitchen, Rude and Tseng sat at a table playing cards, a third hand sat face town on the table top, which Karia assumed to be Elena's cards.
"Uh.. where do I take my stuff?" asked Karia as she looked around and waved back to Elena who was waving at her ecstatically as she chewed on her sandwich and sat down at the table and picked up her cards.
"I think--" started Vincent, but was then interrupted.
"In here," called Reno emotionlessly as he stepped out of his room for a second and waved her over.
Getting Vincent to put the box he was holding on top of the one she already had she made her way over to Reno's room and walked in. The boxes were taken from her hands immediately and she looked around hesitantly. The room was quite spacious, and to her surprise, actually neat. She'd been expecting a clutter of dirty clothes, beer bottles and an unrecognizable stench. She smiled to herself when she found none of the above. Though the smile faded just as quickly as Reno started to talk.
"You're staying in my room, we're short a room right now. There's another one, but it needs to be cleaned out. But that's not happening tonight, so you can stay here for now," he explained then turned to leave.
"Wait, where are you going to sleep?" Karia asked as she reached out and grabbed his sleeve, but quickly let go.
"On the sofa," he answered plainly.
"No, you keep your room, I can sleep on the sof--" she replied but was interrupted.
"No. That's final. Stay here."
"Fine.." she agreed, knowing it was pointless to argue. "Um.. Reno about earlier, Uh sorry, I didn't mean..."
"Let's not talk about that.." he replied, because I don't want you to be sorry.. he thought. Walking to the door he turned around, "tomorrow's the mission, make sure to get a lot of sleep, we'll be up by 7. The Wolves leaders leave at 7, we want to hit the compound asap. Just gives us enough time to get ready, and for them to leave." With that he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Karia looked around blankly, Now what am I going to do.. Walking over to the boxes Reno had stacked on the floor she opened the top one and was happy to find what she'd been looking for. Taking a shirt that was much to large for her out of the box she stripped off her pants and shirt she had on now and pulled the new shirt on. "First things first... comfort." Looking around again at the surroundings in the room, she walked over to a nearby window. There wasn't much to see. It was dusk now, but it looked completely dark, due to the fact the building was hid in a forest, the trees blocked most of the light. Quickly losing interest in the window she looked around the room some more. A closet was in the corner, the door open, various blue uniforms hung mixed in with everyday clothes. Walking over to the only other piece of furniture in the room, except the bed, she came to a desk. Various papers were stacked up, a fountain pen sat on the desk and looked like it hadn't been used much. Then something caught her eye. Under one of the papers was a small photograph, Karia picked it up and started to examine it. A young girl, a few years younger than herself she guessed, was in the picture. She had black hair, her eyes she had closed and she seemed to be giggling from laughter. Turning the picture over she read the back:
Dear Reno (big brother, hehe),
Here's a picture of me my friend took, sorry for the odd pose. Even though you're not my real brother.. You may as well be. I can't wait til you come and see me. Only a few more days! Antonio wants to meet you too! Well, I'll see you soon, take care
Love, Inertia
"Hmm..." shrugging Karia put the picture down and walked over to her things again. Opening up another box she started to sift through files. I just found these a little while ago when I searched Midgar last.. I should start to read some. Flipping through a couple more folders, one finally caught her eye, it read "specimen 1013". "Hey.. a folder on Vincent.." Taking the folder, she crawled onto the queen size bed, forest green silk sheets covered it. Flipping open the file she started to read.
"What you got?" Reno said to Tseng with a smirk. Elena and Rude were already out on this game of poker, only Reno and Tseng remained.
"Full house," stated Tseng matter of factly.
"Aw geez.. that's pretty good Tseng...But not good enough!" laughed Reno as he laid out his cards "Royal Flush."
"You lucky son of a bitch.." said Tseng as he shook his head, then laughed as Reno collected his winnings.
"Well that's all for me tonight guys.." yawned Elena as she got up, Rude following her as they went to their room.
"Rest up you two, we'll be getting up at seven tomorrow, " called Tseng. "Well Reno, we are the only ones still up. Elena and Rude are gone, Vincent went to bed awhile ago, and Karia's been out for awhile. It is eleven, we should get some rest."
"Yea, you're right, ok," agreed the former Turk.
"By the way Reno.. You might want to clear things up with Karia sometime soon.." advised Tseng out of the blue.
"H-Hey.. how you know?" asked Reno puzzled.
"Call me observative. So what happened any way?"
".. um.. she made a move and I pushed her away and took off.. just.. bad memories I guess.. you know," said Reno as he looked down at his feet.
"It's about time you stopped blaming yourself for Inertia's death Reno, not everyone is going to leave you or die.. Unless you start abandoning people. You just met Karia, but I know what you're thinking."
"And what are you now, the damn psychic? Or a dating service?" snapped Reno.
Tseng walked to his room, but stopped at his door for a second, "neither. I'm your friend." Then he walked in and closed the door to his room.
Sighing, Reno switched off the light and laid down on the sofa. And the sad thing is.. he's right.