“Good.” Rufus led Nero out of the room, down a corridor and into an elevator. Even with the peaceable agreement between them and Rufus’s determination to offer him his trust until he betrayed it, he was still highly aware of how dangerous the other man in this confined space was. He mentally kept checking for the weight of his concealed shotgun, even if he kept his fingers from twitching for it. “Can you read impressions in the minds you probe, or just words?” Rufus inquired, curious.”
Nero’s own question came as something of a surprise. “Of course,” he immediately agreed. “You aren’t a prisoner, Nero,” he emphasized. “We will, of course, track your movements out of an abundance of precaution, but so long as you do not harm anything we have not asked you to, you’ll be free to move about as you wish. The halfway house we have set up is not far and it on the ground floor.” He smiled a little. “You can see the outside as much as you like, though if you find it too overwhelming we can make adjustments. I am quite serious about you reporting your requests. I would like to be as accommodating as possible during your transition.”
Rufus might not be able to atone for all of Shinra’s sins, but he could do what he could for the individuals who would accept his help. Gaia knew most stoutly refused it now.
Nero kept his silence as he followed the other male, his sanguine eyes distrusting as he observed the confines insides of the elevator, detesting such close places. Nero was a being of whom had grown to detest any variety of touch, any variety of closeness - and thus could do naught more than clench his jaw tightly shut and stare forwards as they moved floors. In the very least the conversation kept him occupied;
“-Impressions, yes - sometimes thoughts entirely if one is weak to such-” It depended per person as to how deeply his darkness could slink into another’s mind, though he’d not done much of such in a long while.
Right- so he would be able to look out of windows, he would be able to watch people come and go, he would be able to fathom his own freedom in silence and comfort. It was something he would never expect, something he could never have dreamed of - and yet he had now been given another chance at life, another chance to be useful - to repay his corrupting existence. He could be used for better instances-
“I am certain I shall adjust-” He uttered, following words with a near silent hum. One ought to adjust easily to comforts and freedom- or so his logical mind presumed. He could learn quickly enough, and often preferred to keep his mind very active; he’d start with watching and learning of the world from the inside of the window - and go from there.
“...and shall I be able to contact yourself if need be?”
