About Rufus, Shinra and the Turks. Facts People forget + opinions
-Rufus’ mother is confirmed to be dead and to have died on a date significant enough to him that he remembers it. He also believes his father remembers it. I’m gonna say he was old enough to remember her and have thoughts/feelings about his mom. He remembers her face and facts about her.
-Rufus is confirmed to resemble his mother. He and his father have distinctly different eyes according to Rufus himself. It’s also implied that Rufus is more fair and softer featured from her.
-Rufus’ father used his son’s (Rufus) birthday as the security pass code for all his devices. This implies that the code includes his father’s cell phone, computers and the safe room. Rufus doesn’t guess it because of some sick mind games between them and feeling he’s losing by guessing a date related to himself.
-President Shinra never promised Rufus the Presidency. Rufus was told he had to earn it from age five. However given that even as a five year old Rufus understands how easy it is to set off his father’s temper. Even at five years old Rufus is quick to flinch and admit he’s wrong to his old man and defer. I can only imagine how hard he worked. How much he tried to prove himself…
-However it can be noted President Shinra never canonically threatens Rufus with being replaceable. A perplexing fact given Rufus’ actions against him. I can only think that he finds Rufus worthy by making Rufus suffer and how Rufus endures it all. It proves him worthy, by trying to break Rufus at every turn. To make Rufus question himself and falter. The complex is unimaginable. The control and pull on his son is something very frigid. This is a sick game between father and son.
-The inference that President Shinra RARELY came home to his son, to an extent that Rufus woke up and ran down stairs to see him. Knowing he would be yelled at to get to bed. Explicitly yelled at. As a five year old that is gut wrenching. He already knows the pattern is for him to be yelled at and sent away. But Rufus wants parental affection enough to do it anyways. This is the canon content that breaks my heart.
-Rufus mentions meeting multiple half siblings of his own, all half brothers. It’s weirdly implied to be something that’s happened to him more then a few times. He mentions them feeling they are owed a slice of the shinra pie and often rambling about their own tragic backstories. This really does imply that Rufus has gone through this experience of meeting half siblings like normal people have job interviews. Well only know Evan and Lazard are confirmed Shinra boys. I do think this implies an odd truth of President Shinra possibly having a minimum of five sons. No confirmed daughters. President Shinra is a slut and Rufus has been raised as a witness to this. Grown in a house where he knows his father beds other women and that he’s the only son his father kept.
-Kyrie calls Rufus kind. She met him for all of five minutes and calls him kind. Rufus Shinra is a kind man and god I am so tired of the world pretending he isn’t.
-On that topic we know Rufus respects women. He’s always treated Elena with equal regard to the other Turks and he considers her feelings. He also meets Kyrie for all of three seconds and still expects Evan to man up and be there for her. Rufus isn’t his father, women are people and he values them, knowing they need men to support them. He drank his respect women juice and I for one live for it.
-Evan finds Tseng to be the definition of a Turk, and it terrifies him. He describes Tseng as ice.
-Evan’s fear of the Turks and inferiority complex toward Rufus is something I wish was discussed more. Rufus tries to imagine what he would be like if he grew up normal and it’s impossible for him.
-Rufus kicks Evan in the knee (lightly) and tells him to man up for his girlfriend (Kyrie). Like fuck yes Rufus Shinra, laden with geostigma and still giving hot dating tips. This implies so much about his capacity to read people’s needs. He knew Evan was panicking and knew exactly how to snap him into action. (Even if it is thoroughly embarrassing)
-Rufus’ first knife was 10-12 inches and a Shinra issue military grade blade. It’s implied he got it as a child maybe young teen at most. That’s somewhere between being heavily fucked knowledge and impressive.
-Rufus keeps Evan’s knife. he comments on it as a childish weapon yet none the less keeps it… also Evan gives it to him in exchange. Oddly sentimental given that he tried to hold Rufus hostage 3 seconds ago.
-In exchange for a shitty pen knife Rufus gives Evan: a car, his own gun and several cartridges of bullets and orders the Turks to let Evan go. The man is generous.
-Elena hugs Tseng when she finds out he’s not dead. There is nothing implying Tseng doesn’t hug her back. So I’m gonna say Tseng hugged her back. Let Tseng give hugs.
-Tseng’s reaction to the confusion of this is simply that they will be briefed later. He’s not upset about the misinformation about his death or angry at anyone. He’s very business as usual.
-Reeve rescued Tseng from the temple of the ancients, he says he’s going to contact Shinra but (apparently) never does, instead calling the ex-Turks. (Veld and co.) Tseng passes out and wakes up on a boat on route to a hospital with said Turks. It’s implied that he recovers in Junon before heading to Midgar to help with the city evacuation and meet the other Turks.
-Tseng reflects on Aerith’s death without implying any of his emotions over it. He reflects more emotionally on meeting her as a child and failing Infalna (the events leading to Infalna’s death).
-Tseng plays up being an evil asshole with Aerith because he believes that’s how she views Shinra and it makes his job easier. His coworkers openly mock the shit out of him for this.
-Tseng as a young Turk is openly told he’s too soft for human lives. As much as he is told to put the mission first he keeps valuing the people around him. He makes this same mistake over and over. Veld, random soldiers, Zack, Aerith, Tseng doesn’t stop caring for others.
-Veld may tell Tseng to toughen up but he’s equally self interested and soft. It’s all about Felicia for him. His daughter is what matters, as much as he cares for people and the job he’s a family first man.
-Rufus Shinra is held in the Turk’s office for (apparently) four years. I’ve been recently brushing up on the details and need to offer my two cents on them.
-Rufus Shinra didn’t see sunlight for four years and only saw the Turks for four years. I think our current world situation should tell you that Rufus has the mental stamina of a tank. I see many people viewing his relationships with the Turks as one with power imbalance. But for four years he was their charge. They know Rufus well, they understand him and honestly I feel he is accepted as one of them by the end of it. Given that he didn’t go mad down in the dark I can only assume that the Turk’s assured he had enough social interaction to stay sane.
-Rufus’ father didn’t visit his son at all well he was imprisoned. He only releases him when he feels that Rufus being in the Turk’s care is a threat to himself. This one is really a hard one for me. Rufus is an investment, which leads me to think this brutality toward his son is another test of worthiness. I wonder if they talked on the phone ever… I suspect they didn’t because President Shinra is brutal on his son.
-Tseng often has private chatters with the captive Shinra. Many of these includes Rufus’ giving harsh advice and telling Tseng to be smarter and do better. I’ve noticed a lot of people taking this in an odd direction. Rufus is sharp with Tseng. But he’s also gearing Tseng up for leadership. He is pushing him to be BETTER. Do BETTER. This may come across as a harsh boss to some. But my knowledge of Japanese business culture tells me there is more to this. There is an exchange here, give and take. Tseng respects Rufus’ advice and keeps seeking it. They are never angry with each other in these scenes. They value each other’s advice, opinions. Rufus trusts Tseng to act on his behest. He is his right hand, no questions asked.
-After meteor Rufus straight up offers Tseng retirement. I can’t talk enough about the fact that Tseng says no. He has no debt to Rufus, no reason to stay or say yes. No gun to his head, no pressure. He says yes. His reason is that there is still much for Shinra to accomplish. None of the Turks are made to stay other then by free will. Rufus is not their master and they are not his slaves. This relationship between them is a choice. It isn’t toxic or forced. There is true sense of being comrades at play here.
-Rufus genuinely cares about the populace. His immediate argument when faced with guns is economic. How do we take care of everyone in a crisis? Rufus is a man who confronts these questions and takes action. He’s never passive, always moving forward.
-Rufus has fears, nerves, personal doubts. They are plainly stated. I don’t know how some people try to give him the emotional range of a rock. He’s humorous and at times harsh and angry. He’s strange, clever and unpredictable. He’s a full person, not empty. He’s so calm in the face of chaos, so determined and defined in his choices. He’s not afraid of pain and death because he’s been through so much. It must be overwhelming to be him. There is a well of feelings and experiences that he hides behind cool indifference.
-Tseng once wore a floral Hawaiian shirt as part of a disguise. Where is my fan art of Tseng in floral vacation shirts. You have all failed me.
-Rufus got chained up (fettered as the author calls it) in a sex dungeon and I also feel we don’t talk about that enough. Also don’t you dare try to tell me a basement with all red walls and carvings of chimera’s isn’t a sex dungeon. That isn’t how these things work.
-Tseng doesn’t trust gifts. This implies to me that he believes in equal exchange and work ethic. Smart.
-Kylegate is a confirmed sadist who kept Rufus in his basement sex dungeon. I’m still very upset we don’t talk about this more??? Rufus also guesses correctly from how Kylegate beats the shit out of him that he’s Shinra military. Rufus knows what it’s like to get physically beaten. Enough said, we know who hits him and it’s very close to home. I know it’s never directly said President Shinra beats him… but Rufus’ life experience makes it feel very likely.
-Rufus has a bad memory for faces and names. This is canon content and I personally quite like it. He actually apologizes to people for it. He means it. This is a part of his nature, not a put on act or disregard.
-Rufus views Kylegate calling the Turks his underlings as classless. CLASSLESS. Rufus is not here for your tacky bullshit, he treats his people right.
-Also Rufus’ reckless popping of drugs has me low key worried.
-Rufus considers straight up throwing himself off the back of a truck.
-Overall we know between Rufus’ two sets of captivity he’s held hostage for four months minimum.
-Rufus smiles at the idea of Tseng threatening people. That just warms my heart okay. He’s been captive for like four months and he still smiles when he thinks about his Turks. They matter to him, he’s proud of them.
-Rufus is shown to knowledgeable about medicine, addictions, medical care, treatments and I find that a fascinating subject. There isn’t much of a reason for him to study medicine other then a personal interest or wanting to keep tabs on the science department. Unless he’s been having to take care of his own health, which I find quite likely.
-Rufus paces, a lot. I suspect a coping mechanism. He also offers unprompted comfort to his fellow captives. Louder for the people in the back: Rufus Shinra is actually kind or at minimum well mannered!
-Back on the kindness train he tries to save five people from dying when he himself still has a neck injury and banged up ribs. He’s still walking with a cane and he carries the people who can’t walk himself. He doesn’t leave people behind or leave them for dead. In that situation in Kilmister’s cave he did everything he could. Making make shift rafts and trying his damnedest. It fucking breaks my heart again here cause Kilmister shoots the woman who helped him months ago. He didn’t know her name but he cared about her well being. I honestly believe Rufus killed Kilmister personally for Pamela. You get what you give and he gave her a bullet. Rufus only returned the favour.
-Also he spent four months in the same suit. What a fucking champ. Probably hand washed it every few days in a cave. Bless him.
-The only Turk who kinda recognized Rufus’ writing was Tseng and that’s hilarious to me. Like geez it’s either some perfect cursive that looks like it came out of a type writer or some chicken scratch that could be from anyone.
- To finish off lets think for a second about how Rufus and Tseng look at each other in the remake. Rufus checks if Tseng can see the whispers and Tseng looks concerned about Rufus’ question. They don’t push one another. They both look worried. Rufus cause he’s wondering if he’s crazy and Tseng cause well… is my boss okay?
Now I know this has been so much text and I apologise for clogging the dash. But lately I’ve seen too much negativity about Rufus and about the Turks. About Shinra. This company and it’s people have a heart and soul to me. I have so much passion about this series. The compilation, the remake. It means too much to me. I can’t let people blindly drown themselves in the idea of misery. Because Shinra isn’t all evil and Rufus isn’t all villain.
I want more positivity in this fandom, we all need it.
jbbartram-illu
vaporwave
stormborns
theartofmadeline
ellievsbear
