Vengeful-Guard

"Hold it right there. No one sees the Don without an invitation." (Indie Leslie-Kyle from FF7 Remake) [follows back from kinjiros-quiet-corner]

[wall-market-hand]

Off Duty

(Finals are out of the way. For the next five weeks, so I shall start catching up tomorrow. Or today given it’s 2 AM right now and my mind is still wide awake. x.x)

[leorugiet]

please like or reblog if you’re interested in a cor leonis RP blog from ffxv. mild canon divergence, AUs avaliable for FF7 and Devil May Cry

[leslienkyle]

[ @wall-market-hand plotted this amazing storyline and I can’t wait to write it.]

A flash of familiar silver hair and dark attire was all he caught as Leslie passed the alley. There shouldn't have been anything amiss about it; Wall Market's alleys were a maze of activity on their own. People set up shop and made deals in the darkest of corners. He'd even chanced upon someone getting a tattoo done by one of the darkened corridors once, by the light of a dying bulb.

And yet this sighting made him pause. Something... someone was pulling him in.

Ducking back and heading into the alley, he quickly checked his gun in case something went wrong before tucking it back safely. The figure was always one corner ahead of him, but Leslie followed as quickly as he could; enough to keep sight of him but hopefully not so far that he lost the other.

Finally, a dead end.

"Hey!" Leslie called out. "There's nothing back there... how about you come back into the light, hmm?"

[wall-market-hand]

“Can occasionally be a bad thing for two people to be so alike, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.” Their mindsets were the same, that it was actually a slight concern that the other would be able to discern his movements should they get on opposite sides, but it would eventually end with the two trying to plan and prep for the other’s moves. Leslie would mainly just address to a separate Turk to eliminate him, but as long as their objectives were aligned it was a satisfactory amount of risk.

“Long and drawn out, much like pulling teeth. Except in his case, it won’t end with the part being separated. Have him suffer on both ends. He’ll lose his mind between seeing the two of us while the pain drives him insane. He’ll gradually lose all feeling in his body as he gradually closes in on losing his life. Getting the sack of shit to beg for mercy or at least the sweet release of death would make it that much sweeter, though both pleas would fall on death ears. The slow torment that he evoked on us with Merle would be happily repayed to him.” Though the degrees of their torture on the tyrant may not be exactly the same, it was fairly reasonable to assume that the extent of the pain would be excruciating and slightly maddening.

“Enfuriating when working for him, but a blessing when acting against him.” He couldn’t count the number of times that he wanted to eliminate Corneo because he wanted the results sooner than they could be reasonably acquired. It was nothing more than a headache being inquired and interrogated about when the outcome will present itself.

Returning back to Shinra HQ to present the debriefing about the established connection to Tseng to minimize any lingering suspicions about Les’s trustworthiness. Once Tseng was satisfied the grappling hooks would be given to Leslie to be sent over to Les.

Returning to the location, he would wait until the chopper was close enough to the landing point to drop down with the bag containing the grappling guns. Every possible means had to be utilized to keep the idea that Shinra was involved with Corneo’s ousting from the Merc’s cognition. The guns themselves were black market and the bag itself was rather shoddy but was able to contain the guns.

Upon hearing of the update, Leslie would chuckle and nod his head. “The Don doesn’t have the information that the merc will want. His willingness to divulge information to save his neck would spell ruin if it involves AVALANCHE or Wutai members. ShinRa doesn’t like doing executions, but the Don’s selfishness with his information makes it a necessity.”

Presenting the bag with the grappling guns, “This will get the merc and his friends their access up to meet with their friend. They will not accept ShinRa grade cause the merc doesn’t like interacting with the government. So these are high grade grappling guns obtained from the black market. It’s powerful motor allows it to be used to get to great heights, but it makes a return through its use impossible.”

[triggerxhappy]

wall-market-hand​:

Leslie was hoping for a simple answer, but the response only spawned more questions than it answered. He would listen but a lot of the information went over his head and his irritation spurned by his confusion was evident on his face. “Where did that bastard send me?” He wasn’t going to hide the words that left his tongue. For him to be thrust about in some freaky world that looked like it was stuck in a cave. 

“Listen, I have no clue what you are talking about. Thanks for the info about our location, but I have not heard about either Lucis or Leide. Nor do I know what is so important about an Oracle. I know a bit about daemons.” Though that was a different topic for him. He was tapping the front of his right foot, just wanting to see if what he was told was even true, but then again, he wasn’t that much of a fighter.

There were CONCERNS in Prompto’s features and he could feel his heart pump heavily inside his chest. How could he help the other ? He wanted to do it. No one deserved to get lost this way, and especially not in such a terrible world of darkness. He felt POWERLESS, but he refused to remain this way. He needed to think of something, and quickly.

“You mean, you’ve been sent here!?” He asked, not sure of what it implied, but that assumption from the other made him think of Ardyn for a moment. “I’ll try to help you.” He assured, forcing a smile, even if he absolutely didn’t know how to do so. “My name’s Prompto. I’m a retainer to the prince - the king, my bad - but it probably doesn’t mean much to you either.” He said as he scratched his neck nervously. 

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie would nod his head. He would notice the presense of worry and concern on the other’s features and was slightly surprised that they were reacting that way, given how newly acquainted the two were. He wasn’t that accustomed to a genuine concern, only a selfish laden facade of concern. 

“Yeah, don’t know how or why.” His brain having interpreted an earnest offer to assist was meant with an instant look of surprise. “Th......Thanks.” The offer was a far cry from the almost force assistance that he got back home that was only due to being a vassal for Don Corneo. 

“Leslie.” He felt that the other was honest enough that he should at least introduce himself. Hearing that the concept and identity didn’t mean much to him earned a light laugh as well as a nod. “You’re right, it doesn’t......but as long as I am here I’d prefer to do what I can within my means. That means I should learn as much as I can.”

[badassbarmaid]

wall-market-hand​:

“Works for me.” He would simply answer as he shrugged his shoulders. At least that was the immediate response, though it would gain a sequel shortly afterwards. “Andrea’s the only reason I got my gig with Corneo. Had to deal with the pig, but makes easy access for info.”

“I shall work on proving myself when I have your friend here back on her feet.” Leslie would motion toward Jessie. “It may be a start at the least.” Leslie was a lot more action than he was talk, since he had greater access to the Don’s trust then most. 

“I will direct what portion of the profits from Wall Market’s operation that comes to me to rebuilding Sector 7. I’m not one for luxury.” He was used to a somewhat run down lifestyle, plus if Merle returned, he wanted her to be able to recognize him. 

Tifa looked at Leslie, her eyes soft as she nodded. “Definitely a good start,” she said, before turning back to Jessie. “Don’t give him too hard a time, okay? I want you back to your regular self by the time we come back. There will be a lot to do once we’re done with ShinRa up there,” she said, before moving towards where Leslie was.

It was hard leaving Jessie, but she was happy to know her close friend was still alive. It would be fantastic news to Barret, too. She couldn’t wait to tell him.

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie would nod his head. “The least I can do.” He felt that even if his portion was able to finance the reconstruction on its own, he still feels that it would barely scratch the surface of making up for being partially responsible for the destruction. 

Jessie would wag a finger. “I make no guarantees Tifa. I will let him treat me, but I don’t promise much beyond that.” She would playfully retort though she was unaware of the near futility of her intentions. “Bring me back something nice so I could put it up as a trophy of our victory.” With the numerous blows that went against them, having a memento of a victory would serve to remind them that no matter how outmatched they may seem to be, that they can make a difference. 

“Anything you would like for me to do while you guys are topside outside of taking care of Jessie? I won’t make promises, but I can at least offer and see what I can do.”

[badassbarmaid]

wall-market-hand​:

Jessie had a large cluster of feelings hearing that it wasn’t her fault for the damage caused by the bombing of Sector 1′s reactor. It freed her from the guilt that had spawned seeing the damage it caused to the people AVALANCHE was meant to be helping. In it’s place was a mixture of fear, worry, and anger that Shinra was willing to hurt innocent people to maintain control of public sentiment. She knew that it was a risk, but to hear the extent was still both frightening and enraging.

“Well, the Don’s men for the most part are muscle-bound idiots. If I was loyal to Corneo, I would make them answer for going against my order. I didn’t want it to lead back to us when I sent them out. Honestly, though, I’m thankful it did and that you had the guts to risk your neck for that information. Gave me the opportunity to go against him.” Between Corneo’s control through fear of Wall Market and Leslie’s lack of connections outside of the area, he had no chance of getting the tyrant out of his palace without outside help.

Resting the fingertips of his left hand against his face, the former lackey would sigh. “If word ever gets about either of you being in my house, it amounts to nothing short of a death warrant for me. I will not just wait idly for that day to come without having a plan.”

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “Outside of children, it’s impossible for anyone to be innocent. At least, I can believe that you are all honest. I cannot say the same for ShinrRa.”

“I will see about getting Gun-Arm’s approval to join. Three reasons why I am doing so. One, my fiance is at risk of being killed should ShinRa try dropping another plate if she wasn’t killed by the plate in Sector 7. I don’t see much of a difference between going against Corneo and going against ShinRa for her sake outside of scale.” Leslie was a lot more analytical than he was emotionally driven due to having seen the more shadowy aspects of ShinRa and examined things with a fine tooth comb, coming up with his own personal interpretations.

“Two, your claims of helping the planet can be seen just within the confines Wall Market. Between the monsters running amok outside the city limits and the lack of anything able to sustain life down in the slums. The Mako that the reactors use for energy travels through the grounds, so we should still be receiving it’s benefits as it travels. A lot of people are willing to accept leisure out of ignorance but I am not.” He wasn’t very sure how well his presentation will pass over to their perception or possibility of joining. There was bits of grass, but no trees or anything that can provide food for the people living under the plate, everywhere was obstructed by bits of construction material, either concrete, metal, or some mix of the two, and only the people up on the plate actually received the benefits of the work.

“Last, I do not have any other options honestly. I took in Jessie to redeem for what I did while working for Corneo, but I doubt that ShinRa is going to take even a remote risk with anyone that has a connection to AVALANCHE.” Since of ShinRa’s way of averting suspicion away from itself through use of Corneo, the young man accounted for all of ShinRa’s actions to accomplish a task without drawing suspicion back on itself. Anyone with even a potential risk to undue that visage were a liability that Leslie felt the corporation would not even want to linger.

Tifa was quiet, listening to everything Leslie had to say. He had a lot to speak on, surprisingly, but it all made sense. Wasn’t that was AVALANCHE stood for, anyway? Taking in those wronged by ShinRa and working together to take them down and save the Planet? She really hoped his fiance was still alive, her heart sinking at the thought that the platefall could’ve taken her.

“You’ll have a lot to answer for with Barret – he’ll make sure you work for it. Seeing what you can do…what your actions are, will speak louder than words.”

This was a solid truth when it came to Barret Wallace. Anyone could wax poetry, but action was what was needed to gain trust. Tifa saw countless AVALANCHE folks burn bridges with her close friend because they didn’t take the work seriously. It was one of the reasons why they operated on their own, away from the main hub of the organization.

[wall-market-hand]

“Works for me.” He would simply answer as he shrugged his shoulders. At least that was the immediate response, though it would gain a sequel shortly afterwards. “Andrea’s the only reason I got my gig with Corneo. Had to deal with the pig, but makes easy access for info.”

“I shall work on proving myself when I have your friend here back on her feet.” Leslie would motion toward Jessie. “It may be a start at the least.” Leslie was a lot more action than he was talk, since he had greater access to the Don’s trust then most. 

“I will direct what portion of the profits from Wall Market’s operation that comes to me to rebuilding Sector 7. I’m not one for luxury.” He was used to a somewhat run down lifestyle, plus if Merle returned, he wanted her to be able to recognize him. 

[wall-market-hand]

“That so?” she asked, eyeing Leslie curiously. I do owe that man some pain. “What can you share?”

“This is all heresay from the guards I have seen. The Don has been taken to Shinra HQ.” Leslie would adjust his cap to keep a number of his features hidden from view. He was not in charge of the Don’s men and thus did not want to be discovered by one of his lackey’s to be giving this information out. 

“Don’t know the reason. He will probably return to his mansion after agreeing to give a larger portion of his profits to Shinra.” He honestly could care less for the reason why the Don had been taken to the center of Midgar. 

@badassbarmaid​

[wall-market-hand]

Jessie had a large cluster of feelings hearing that it wasn’t her fault for the damage caused by the bombing of Sector 1′s reactor. It freed her from the guilt that had spawned seeing the damage it caused to the people AVALANCHE was meant to be helping. In it’s place was a mixture of fear, worry, and anger that Shinra was willing to hurt innocent people to maintain control of public sentiment. She knew that it was a risk, but to hear the extent was still both frightening and enraging.

“Well, the Don’s men for the most part are muscle-bound idiots. If I was loyal to Corneo, I would make them answer for going against my order. I didn’t want it to lead back to us when I sent them out. Honestly, though, I’m thankful it did and that you had the guts to risk your neck for that information. Gave me the opportunity to go against him.” Between Corneo’s control through fear of Wall Market and Leslie’s lack of connections outside of the area, he had no chance of getting the tyrant out of his palace without outside help.

Resting the fingertips of his left hand against his face, the former lackey would sigh. “If word ever gets about either of you being in my house, it amounts to nothing short of a death warrant for me. I will not just wait idly for that day to come without having a plan.”

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “Outside of children, it’s impossible for anyone to be innocent. At least, I can believe that you are all honest. I cannot say the same for ShinrRa.”

“I will see about getting Gun-Arm’s approval to join. Three reasons why I am doing so. One, my fiance is at risk of being killed should ShinRa try dropping another plate if she wasn’t killed by the plate in Sector 7. I don’t see much of a difference between going against Corneo and going against ShinRa for her sake outside of scale.” Leslie was a lot more analytical than he was emotionally driven due to having seen the more shadowy aspects of ShinRa and examined things with a fine tooth comb, coming up with his own personal interpretations.

“Two, your claims of helping the planet can be seen just within the confines Wall Market. Between the monsters running amok outside the city limits and the lack of anything able to sustain life down in the slums. The Mako that the reactors use for energy travels through the grounds, so we should still be receiving it’s benefits as it travels. A lot of people are willing to accept leisure out of ignorance but I am not.” He wasn’t very sure how well his presentation will pass over to their perception or possibility of joining. There was bits of grass, but no trees or anything that can provide food for the people living under the plate, everywhere was obstructed by bits of construction material, either concrete, metal, or some mix of the two, and only the people up on the plate actually received the benefits of the work.

“Last, I do not have any other options honestly. I took in Jessie to redeem for what I did while working for Corneo, but I doubt that ShinRa is going to take even a remote risk with anyone that has a connection to AVALANCHE.” Since of ShinRa’s way of averting suspicion away from itself through use of Corneo, the young man accounted for all of ShinRa’s actions to accomplish a task without drawing suspicion back on itself. Anyone with even a potential risk to undue that visage were a liability that Leslie felt the corporation would not even want to linger.

[greatxgospel]

wall-market-hand​:

Leslie felt that there was little that would make Aerith any weirder than she already was. Though it was probably that weirdness that helped her to draw so many people toward her. “That makes two of us. It was cause of Corneo that we are apart at all. We were engaged before Corneo picked her as his bride.” He would remark with a bitter tone as he spoke Corneo’s name.

“There’s not much, but there’s a subtle difference in Wall Market with him no longer in charge.” Leslie remarked a lot more level headed about the subject of Wall Market. It was probably the closest thing that he could get to an actual victory against Corneo. 

“Trust me, you do not know how bad I feel about Sector 7.” After all, it was his imput about AVALANCHE’s location, though mainly Barret’s sect that led to the entire sector’s destruction. “Glad to hear that there won’t be a repeat, given how bad the damage is. I don’t know any better use for the Don’s ill-gotten gains.” There wasn’t any certainty about the occurence not happening again, but the likelihood was small.

There was SADNESS in Aerith’s features as he talked about his ex-fiancée. She hated when people who loved each other had to part, maybe because of what she had been through herself with Zack. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you’ll see her again.” She smiled a bit before she added, “I’m glad Corneo lost his influence. He did enough.” Of course, it didn’t erase what he had done, just like Shinra or Sephiroth, but the world was FREE now, which was a good thing.

“I’m sure it’s different. Not necessarily the people, but the general atmosphere.” Don Corneo had always been a CREEP, after all. There were still creepy people around, but at least, no woman was in danger because of him anymore. They didn’t risk to be trapped in his manor again.

Her smile saddened once again. “I’m sure you do. Shinra isn’t the same anymore. The dangerous people were defeated.” Of course there were the Turks, but they had never been the most dangerous ones when it came to themselves and how they truly were. They had joined forces before, and the Turks had even refused to fight them the last time they had seen each other. 

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie wasn’t expecting Aerith to say she was sorry for his situation. He hadn’t really seen that much of the other’s softer side to consider the occurrence to be probable. “He did too much as soon as he took control honestly.” Power had a way of corrupting those that had it. The more power that was held, the more it could corrupt. Shinra was an excellent example once the truth came out. It was that mind-blowing information that instantly turned the people’s adoration into hatred.

“Atmosphere can make all the difference at times. Can’t change people, but can change how people look at things over time.” The place wasn’t expecting to still be a gathering ground for those seeking reprieve from work or the ne’er do well types, but at the least there wasn’t a ne’er do well at the top of the food chain.

He would sigh and shake his head. He wasn’t going to bring up the facts about the situation unless it was unavoidable. “Let’s just hope it stays that way. Given Shinra, it’ll take a long time to uncover all of their secrets and shut those down.”

[leslienkyle]

wall-market-hand​:

Leslie wasn’t going to argue with the logic that his status offered the other a job with a red carpet welcome. He’d let that topic roll off the table as there wasn’t much left to discuss about it. Tseng had already briefed Leslie that the order to assassinate Corneo was given and was set to be executed after Corneo had put enough distance between himself and Midgar so that any potential onlookers looking from atop the plates would be unable to tell that it was Turk killing him. 

The Turk would break from his much more reserved and professional mannerisms to address the concept of dealing with Corneo. “I would’ve much preferred to have been personally present to see that cowardly sack of shit be put in his place. Put it off as being with the Turk allowed for greater access to information for Merle.”

After resuming his professional demeanor, he would respond about the mercenary. “If they cannot acquire the information, then they will still have what I will be providing that you will be giving them. Mercenaries prefer not to receive from the government, so I cannot give it to them personally, besides they also do not like a free meal, as they would prefer to earn it through work.” 

He wasn’t going to comment about the money siphoning. It was neither his place, nor was it really wrong to take from a tyrant. As long as the sequence with Corneo didn’t reincarnate itself with someone new, ShinRa couldn’t care less where the money went. 

The concept of anything from Corneo’s stash that he would personally want would be small given that it would mainly just be reminders of the spineless glutton that would talk as long as he felt he was in control. That being said, he would give thoughts to what other departments would potentially want and there was only one that would hold even remote interest in the Corneo’s possessions: The Weapons Development Department. Leslie would consider the topic of Materia as to provide Scarlet more subjects for her experiments regarding the objects. 

“If there is any Materia that Corneo holds, that will be all I ask. We do not want them falling into the wrong hands. As for transfer of possession, that can be done when I arrive with any information I get hold of.” Leslie could remember the layout of the area well enough to vsualize it as he passed over it from a helicopter, though there would be some distortions. “I am not sure how many of the other Turks will come into this sector. We are not told who will be handling what jobs. I shall arrive by helicopter to the veranda in front of Corneo’s mansion.” 

“Leave it to me,” Les reassured. “Maybe I’ll send you a finger or something, for you to incinerate to finally let go of all the shit he’s put us through,” he said darkly. His distaste for Corneo had grown exponentially from the day he’d met him, and Merle’s disappearance only sought to fuel Les’s distaste and disgust with him. 

He didn’t know how yet, but Les very much intended to right all the wrongs he’d done under Corneo by using the man’s money and resources for the people of the slums. There were many projects he could fund, with many resources and people he could tap to see them through. 

“Materia it is, then,” Les nodded in agreement. “Last I checked, those were spread across all four of the caches I have sight of. It’s a good thing he trusted you to manage his inventory lists,” the lackey noted. Now that that work fell to him, it was easy to see exactly which of Corneo’s stashes to go for first. The don wouldn’t touch them, over-confident that he was of their safety. One entire stash sat right out in the sun, protected only by the flimsiest of fences. Materia, although not usable by most folk, was still incredibly valuable, and Corneo collected it like it were some kind of gold. 

“I’ll be waiting for you on the mansion’s veranda then,” Les said as he turned to leave. “If there’s anything else, I believe you’ll know how to reach me. Nice meeting you… Leslie,” he threw over his shoulder with a grin. 

[wall-market-hand]

Hearing the offer, Leslie couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head seemingly dismissing it, but his words would contradict his gestures. “That works for me, has to be something small so my superior doesn’t get suspicious. If I had the say in how he should die, I’d have it be a slow painful death.” Leslie had an idea that he felt best manifested that belief to serve as Corneo’s effective punishment. Just like the long drawn out suffering Corneo had done to countless people cause of his auditions, Leslie would have Corneo’s death be long and painful. The glutton’s anguished cries of pain and potential pleas for the sweet release of death from his pain would amount to nothing less than music that the Turk would only savor for the tone and would ignore the words. 

That being said, the death could be just that, but Leslie doubted it would match the particular image he had in mind, in either method or duration, so he would be satisfied with the slimy sack of shit’s removal either way. He had a death warrant signed for him in either situation. 

“Good thing the Don is arrogant to a fault, believing the fear he held over the slums would suffocate the fires of hatred that have festered and stoked toward him. 

“I will return in about an hour. I have to give you the items the mercenary will get as the reward regardless of if the pig squeals about what he knows.” He would let the other know about the shortcoming return. Leslie wasn’t going to simply come with the items until he had made sure the point of contact was willing to assist in the job. “Nice meeting you too, Les.”

[leslienkyle]

[ @wall-market-hand plotted this amazing storyline and I can’t wait to write it.]

A flash of familiar silver hair and dark attire was all he caught as Leslie passed the alley. There shouldn't have been anything amiss about it; Wall Market's alleys were a maze of activity on their own. People set up shop and made deals in the darkest of corners. He'd even chanced upon someone getting a tattoo done by one of the darkened corridors once, by the light of a dying bulb.

And yet this sighting made him pause. Something... someone was pulling him in.

Ducking back and heading into the alley, he quickly checked his gun in case something went wrong before tucking it back safely. The figure was always one corner ahead of him, but Leslie followed as quickly as he could; enough to keep sight of him but hopefully not so far that he lost the other.

Finally, a dead end.

"Hey!" Leslie called out. "There's nothing back there... how about you come back into the light, hmm?"

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie wasn’t going to argue with the logic that his status offered the other a job with a red carpet welcome. He’d let that topic roll off the table as there wasn’t much left to discuss about it. Tseng had already briefed Leslie that the order to assassinate Corneo was given and was set to be executed after Corneo had put enough distance between himself and Midgar so that any potential onlookers looking from atop the plates would be unable to tell that it was Turk killing him. 

The Turk would break from his much more reserved and professional mannerisms to address the concept of dealing with Corneo. “I would’ve much preferred to have been personally present to see that cowardly sack of shit be put in his place. Put it off as being with the Turk allowed for greater access to information for Merle.”

After resuming his professional demeanor, he would respond about the mercenary. “If they cannot acquire the information, then they will still have what I will be providing that you will be giving them. Mercenaries prefer not to receive from the government, so I cannot give it to them personally, besides they also do not like a free meal, as they would prefer to earn it through work.” 

He wasn’t going to comment about the money siphoning. It was neither his place, nor was it really wrong to take from a tyrant. As long as the sequence with Corneo didn’t reincarnate itself with someone new, ShinRa couldn’t care less where the money went. 

The concept of anything from Corneo’s stash that he would personally want would be small given that it would mainly just be reminders of the spineless glutton that would talk as long as he felt he was in control. That being said, he would give thoughts to what other departments would potentially want and there was only one that would hold even remote interest in the Corneo’s possessions: The Weapons Development Department. Leslie would consider the topic of Materia as to provide Scarlet more subjects for her experiments regarding the objects. 

“If there is any Materia that Corneo holds, that will be all I ask. We do not want them falling into the wrong hands. As for transfer of possession, that can be done when I arrive with any information I get hold of.” Leslie could remember the layout of the area well enough to vsualize it as he passed over it from a helicopter, though there would be some distortions. “I am not sure how many of the other Turks will come into this sector. We are not told who will be handling what jobs. I shall arrive by helicopter to the veranda in front of Corneo’s mansion.” 

[leslienkyle]

[ @wall-market-hand plotted this amazing storyline and I can’t wait to write it.]

A flash of familiar silver hair and dark attire was all he caught as Leslie passed the alley. There shouldn't have been anything amiss about it; Wall Market's alleys were a maze of activity on their own. People set up shop and made deals in the darkest of corners. He'd even chanced upon someone getting a tattoo done by one of the darkened corridors once, by the light of a dying bulb.

And yet this sighting made him pause. Something... someone was pulling him in.

Ducking back and heading into the alley, he quickly checked his gun in case something went wrong before tucking it back safely. The figure was always one corner ahead of him, but Leslie followed as quickly as he could; enough to keep sight of him but hopefully not so far that he lost the other.

Finally, a dead end.

"Hey!" Leslie called out. "There's nothing back there... how about you come back into the light, hmm?"

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie wasn’t surprised that the other was shocked to see that someone that mirrored them existed and for them to actually have met. Though he was surprised that the response was diluted down to such an inhale, though he couldn’t hear it that well, the presentation and visual image accompanying it made it apparent.

“I won’t say that I didn’t find it peculiar when they said that someone that mirrored my prior appearance was resuming my former post.” He would retort having had more time to digest the information and grow accustomed to it, though he would still visually accentuate the fragment of the shock that still lingered.

“I appreciate the gesture and the thought, but I do not feel right taking the thanks. It was not an intentioned effect nor was it honestly foreseeable. But it is a good thing that they helped you to ‘resume’ your post.”

Observing the approach and the extended hand in his direction. He would extend his gloved right hand to shake the hand. “The pleasure is mine Les.” He would present a firm but considerate handshake.

Hearing the inquiry, he would assume a much more professional stature. “You may have heard that Don Corneo has released information to the eco-terrorist group of AVALANCHE. If not, you now know. Shinra is seeking to make Corneo answer for his breach of trust, but he has gone into hiding. Shinra is gathering the resources to rebuild sector 7 and thus cannot spare troops to explore the entire city for Corneo to apprehend him.”

“Corneo has assumably trusted you enough building off of my former relationship with him to let you know where he has gone into hiding. Even if you were to tell me, Shinra would not offer troops, prioritzing rebuilding efforts over apprehension. I cannot personally go in to apprehend him as I lack the authority.” Though he could kill him, that had a separate issue. Tseng did not want the information to be tied back to the Turks issuing the assassination.

“I want you to sever his connection with Midgar. Either by killing him or scaring him out of the city. I have to act within regulations and would apprehend him, but you do not work for Shinra and thus you are free of that restriction.” The Turk would save a moment. “Before you comment about the danger, you will not be acting on your own. There will be a mercernary seeking to get information from Corneo and later seeking to get to Shinra to visit a friend that has agreed to travel to Shinra Headquarters but lack the clearance.”

“I have procured the means to get them to Shinra Headquarters. You can get their assistance to oust Corneo by offering the items to get them topside in return.” Though some of the presented information was worded to direct any suspicion away from Shinra, it was still technically true.

“You stand to benefit as well. With Corneo unable to return to the city, you would be free to explore the mansion. There is a possibility that Corneo has some medium that might reference Merle. My duties is limited to recruiting potential soldiers and attending to matters for Midgar’s well-being, thus I cannot get approval to examine his belongings for that information.”

“In addition, I can at the least discuss with the Public Security Division to look among the other sectors for her and relay any information I get to you.” He wasn’t going to inquire about the feasability given how fresh the information is.

[triggerxhappy]

wall-market-hand​:

He was glad that he had some way of defending himself, but why the hell was the area so dark. There was no fucking way that this was due to clouds. “True.” He still can’t figure out how he got here. Last thing he could recall was some guy that looked like they belonged in a horror movie saying he knew a way to help him to find the person he longed for. Next thing he realized he was in this pit. 

“Where am I? And why is it so dark?” Did the entire planet go goth? Was the first assumption he could make, but he doubted that the cause was anything natural to cause such a phenomenon. 

There was CONCERN in Prompto’s features. The other didn’t seem to know a thing about the world around them. How was it possible ? Everyone in Lucis, and even in all of Eos, knew about the daemons and the darkness. Many hunters and daemon slayers kept fighting, but it wasn’t always enough to prevent people of being hurt, or even of dying.

“You’re in Lucis, in Leide region.” He explained, doing his best to remain CALM. “Our world is surrounded by daemons. The darkness is because of them, and because the Oracle died. She can’t ease the pain anymore.” Those last words seemed to burn his throat. He kept fighting for everyone he cared for, and even for people he didn’t know, but all of this was a living nightmare.

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie was hoping for a simple answer, but the response only spawned more questions than it answered. He would listen but a lot of the information went over his head and his irritation spurned by his confusion was evident on his face. “Where did that bastard send me?” He wasn’t going to hide the words that left his tongue. For him to be thrust about in some freaky world that looked like it was stuck in a cave. 

“Listen, I have no clue what you are talking about. Thanks for the info about our location, but I have not heard about either Lucis or Leide. Nor do I know what is so important about an Oracle. I know a bit about daemons.” Though that was a different topic for him. He was tapping the front of his right foot, just wanting to see if what he was told was even true, but then again, he wasn’t that much of a fighter.

[skyfallenxsoldier]

// wall-market-hand​ //

Leslie wasn’t sure if he should believe that statement, Cloud didn’t strike him as the type to lounge around very long if at all. “You have free time, I thought you usually got dragged through one problem after another.” The former lackey would retort jokingly. 

“The Don’s men do not mainly associate you with Avalanche, so you don’t have to worry about that front. You might have to worry about the guys you beat up back in sector 7.” He would forewarn. Since Cloud had assisted in ousting the tyrant, Leslie had a bit of debt he owed, though he would keep that information to himself. He doubted that Cloud would have trouble a second time. 

Leslie could only assume that the bar he was referencing to was in Sector 7. Shinra for the most part didn’t care what happened in the slums and thus most business could go about unabated for the most part. Sector 7 was the only one where the businesses were in ruins, though the entire sector was. “Don’t remind me. I lament passing that decision when I found out they did something that drastic.” He groaned in response, though he didn’t find it entirely unplausible. 

“For one of the Corneo Cup Champions, if the owners of the bars heard that, they would all fight each other to try and get you to claim they are your favorite.” The silver haired would quip to lighten the mood away from the brief depressive one.

       “They really shouldn’t put that much effort into it.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not that picky, and you’re right that I don’t have much free time anyway.”

       Cloud let Leslie lead the way since he didn’t know the slums that well other than the key areas he had picked up on out of necessity. That list didn’t really include many places of entertainment though, mostly just trouble. Since that seemed to be his profession now. 

       Mostly he just didn’t want to be standing around in the street where monsters or customers would be unlikely to leave him alone. It was hard for him to go anywhere anymore without attracting Merc business. Living in Midgar really was that treacherous, it seemed. 

[wall-market-hand]

“They shouldn’t but they can and will.” He would guide Cloud to an out of the way bar. “Then I will make sure to not waste it with idle banter.” He would continue to traverse. 

The spot was out of the way enough that few people would be able to pass by and possibly notice the Merc who beat the entire Corneo cup, even the former ruler’s top pick fighter. It also was close enough to have several paths out of the area in case anything happened. 

The former lackey would open the door and head inside, before taking a seat and waiting for Cloud to join him. “They’ll recognize you either way, so just ignore the compliments. Or not, it’s up to you.”

[greatxgospel]

wall-market-hand​:

Lelsie would always feel that Aerith was weird and just as much the type to dive head first into trouble without a second thought and lacking any thought of a thorough plan. He was surprised at times that she hadn’t gotten herself killed, but attributed it to her strength, both of body and will, along with the wills and bodies of those she travelled with. 

“There’s someone who I want to reunite with. When I last saw her, I was working for Corneo. If she’s still alive, she might come back here. One part of me want to wait here since she is accustomed to me being here and don’t want to risk trying to stumble upon each other by chance if we are both moving around. Another side of me wants to leave immediately, this place is a constant reminder of why me and her are not together in the first place, so I can find her as soon as possible.” Unlike with Tifa, Cloud, and Barret, Aerith hadn’t earned a large portion of his trust, that lay mainly with Tifa and Cloud, but given Cloud knew Aerith and since the Cetra had assisted with ousting Corneo, directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly, he would extend his trust onto her to an extent.

“I am surprised that you are being so generous with your opinion of Corneo.” He would prod at the subject both somewhat playful and somewhat serious. Leslie could think of a lot worse things to call his former boss. “The place still runs on the same sets of business as it had with Corneo, but the money doesn’t just linger with Corneo in the end.” He wasn’t going to stop her, it was her life to live and she was free to live it the way she wanted. The Corneo’s former men were mainly under Leslie’s command, though he always sought the approval of the Trio before sending them out to do anything. Sam preferred the stable hands that worked for him already. Andrea was the same with the employees of the Honey Bee Inn and Madam M honestly didn’t want to work with brutish men, especially when it came to running a massage parlor. 

“I have gotten in contact with Marle who is from Sector 7. A portion of the profits from the businesses here that gets directed to each member of the Trio shall go to rebuilding Sector 7. The entirety of the profit that gets sent my way is going in that same direction. I’ve never been one for a lavish lifestyle.” Since she was with Cloud, who he had discerned was for sector 7, he could only assume that Aerith was from that sector as well given he never got told how they met, though at that time, he didn’t care to find out. 

Aerith knew she was WEIRD, but she wouldn’t change how she was. She had grown up being lonely. She never had much friends before she met Zack, and after he disappeared, it had taken Cloud and the others to get her out of this loneliness. All of this had happened because she was a Cetra; she had always been strange because of this, because of her special abilities. She heard things people didn’t and felt some, too. And now that, along with her friends, she had dealed with Sephiroth and Shinra had lost its control over everything. Hojo was gone; she was FREE. No one would want to experiment on her anymore, or to use her powers.

There was SADNESS in Aerith’s features when Leslie mentioned he was waiting for someone though. She knew only too much how it could feel. She had waited for Zack for years and had wanted to know what had truly happened top him and then, he had returned to the Lifestream. She knew now, but it was too late. “I hope you’ll reunite with her someday. I’m sure she will come back. Such a strong bond is impossible to break.” She didn’t know who this woman was, but she had seen in Leslie’s voice and features how important she was to him. 

She chuckled a bit. “I’ve always hated Corneo. So even if the town hasn’t changed much, at least, he’s not the one in charge.” She wasn’t fond of much people in Wall Market, but at least, Chocobo Sam, Madam M and Andrea had been RESPECTFUL with other people around, unlike Don Corneo who just wanted to use women for his own pleasure, and for money, too. 

Her smile grew fondly when he talked about how they were helping Sector 7. “Sector 7′s destruction was horrible. People didn’t deserve this, so I’m glad you do what you can to help. A lot of my friends were living there. I helped them when they were attacked, but… I don’t think the Turks would so such things again.” Aerith had always had that strange bond with the Turks. A part of her had always hated them because they were Shinra, but another one considered them as friends becauser they had been the only people she spent time with for years, before she met Cloud and the others. She only hoped they would do better life choice from now.

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie felt that there was little that would make Aerith any weirder than she already was. Though it was probably that weirdness that helped her to draw so many people toward her. “That makes two of us. It was cause of Corneo that we are apart at all. We were engaged before Corneo picked her as his bride.” He would remark with a bitter tone as he spoke Corneo’s name.

“There’s not much, but there’s a subtle difference in Wall Market with him no longer in charge.” Leslie remarked a lot more level headed about the subject of Wall Market. It was probably the closest thing that he could get to an actual victory against Corneo. 

“Trust me, you do not know how bad I feel about Sector 7.” After all, it was his imput about AVALANCHE’s location, though mainly Barret’s sect that led to the entire sector’s destruction. “Glad to hear that there won’t be a repeat, given how bad the damage is. I don’t know any better use for the Don’s ill-gotten gains.” There wasn’t any certainty about the occurence not happening again, but the likelihood was small.

[badassbarmaid]

wall-market-hand​:

Jessie would return the hug with all the emotion and energy she could muster. “Give them hell Tif.” Even if Platefall hadn’t occurred, the mere attempt by Shinra to kill an entire sector of people would still make her livid with rage and the idea of payback would still be present. 

The brownette would smile and nod her head. “I know we will if you think so.” If someone is so important and meant so much to both Tifa and Barret that they are planning to go topside, then she knows she will get along with them. “Definitely, we do have to be cautious after all.” They couldn’t afford to have someone acting for Shinra being a mole inside Avalanche. 

“Then I guess I will go to Sector FIve when I am back to normal.” She was ecstatic to reunite with Marlene, glad to hear that their boss’s daughter was safe, cause god knows how Barret’s emotions would react if that wasn’t the case. 

Leslie would push himself off the wall and walk over to the two. “Hate to interrupt. I am hoping that I have enough of your trust to ask a question that has been bugging me since it occurred.” He was no blind fool due to living his life in an area mostly free from Shinra interference. Between that and the subtle means the corporation used to get information dragged him away from that mentality. 

The platinum hair would make an almost unbelievable accusation. He would look between the two women. “Shinra was the reason the plate dropped, weren’t they?” It was his information that they acted on and knew that there would be some extreme action, but to sacrifice an entire sector was an absurd cost. 

“You know me – as if I’d give them anything less,” she murmured back, nodding. She was thankful there was at least something good to share with Jessie, so she wouldn’t feel like all was lost.

When Leslie interrupted them, she sighed, knowing she’d needed to refocus her attention anyway. 

His question made her tense, eyes darkening as she heard from the Don’s very mouth what their plan was. “Yes. They planned it to make AVALANCHE look bad, so they could reap the benefits and come out on top.”

Shaking her head, she pulled back from Jessie and looked at Leslie. “I heard it from the Don’s mouth myself, and the Turks…they knew.” Assholes–!! “But it doesn’t matter now. ShinRa will pay.”

[wall-market-hand]

Jessie knew that Tifa wasn’t going to let ShinRa off easy for what they did to their home, especially since they pinned the blame on AVALANCHE. There was still just a need for the woman to say it just so she could savor the execution of it that much more.

Though it didn’t directly address her stance, her words themselves gave away her alliance to AVALANCHE. Leslie was able to discern as much. “Then I have something I must admit to both of you.” He’d take a seat on the floor. 

Taking a breath, he thought about phrasing it subtly, but he figured to just say it outright. “It was my deduction of your location that Shinra acted on. Cloud had fended off the men I sent on Corneo’s orders to Sector 7 to look for Gun-arm. Between that interference and the fact all other sectors failed to have anyone matching his description.” He would outright state as he looks over at the two. 

“If AVALANCHE was as bad as ShinRa made you all out to be, why wouldn’t they seek out the information themselves? People would be willing to give information to help put down terrorists.” Leslie addresses the first inconsistency. “Secondly, you all have bombed two reactors, if you really wanted to have the plate fall, you could have just bombed the supports for it. It wasn’t bombed, it fell. No offense, but I doubt that information is easy to obtain unless you work for ShinRa.” He would discern the second discrepancy. “Neither ShinRA nor AVALANCHE are innocent, but AVALANCHE hasn’t done anything intentionally to hurt the people.” 

“That was why you volunteered yourself for the audition.” Given he had solidified his belief that the barista was with AVALANCHE, he could figure out that since the men were sent out that there was a purpose that the group wanted to know about, since Corneo wouldn’t care enough about other sectors to send men into them. 

[leslienkyle]

[ @wall-market-hand plotted this amazing storyline and I can’t wait to write it.]

A flash of familiar silver hair and dark attire was all he caught as Leslie passed the alley. There shouldn’t have been anything amiss about it; Wall Market’s alleys were a maze of activity on their own. People set up shop and made deals in the darkest of corners. He’d even chanced upon someone getting a tattoo done by one of the darkened corridors once, by the light of a dying bulb.

And yet this sighting made him pause. Something… someone was pulling him in.

Ducking back and heading into the alley, he quickly checked his gun in case something went wrong before tucking it back safely. The figure was always one corner ahead of him, but Leslie followed as quickly as he could; enough to keep sight of him but hopefully not so far that he lost the other.

Finally, a dead end.

“Hey!” Leslie called out. “There’s nothing back there… how about you come back into the light, hmm?”

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie knew the sideways and back alleys of Wall Market like the back of his hand. It was commonplace since he had spent his entire life in Corneo’s turf....at least until when Shinra took advantage of the opening generated by Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith to get Corneo to go into hiding and assume an indirect rule of the area. Rumors had reached Corneo’s former hand that Shinra was interested in recruiting him into the Turks, but the young man knew that Corneo would go as far as acting against Shinra by killing him if he showed any interest in following Ruluf’s footsteps in departing Corneo. 

So the silver haired would simply bide his time. Working for Shinra would grant him access to information that could lead him to Merle and since his inception, it was clear that the conglomerate wasn’t going to let the glutton remain in Midgar. 

Seeing Tseng come back with Aerith, Leslie picked out that Cloud would come to try and rescue her. Using the fact that Corneo has potential information allowing the Mercenary and anyone with him to access the plate, he would wait until Aerith was out of earshot, Leslie would approach his new boss with the idea of having Cloud and his company oust Corneo from the city to avoid drawing suspicion to Shinra while furthering public dissent toward AVALANCHE. Assessing that Shinra was certain that anyone that infiltrated would not reach their objective AND make it out alive gave a false sense of security that they could take the risk of providing the combative group with the grappling guns to take them up to the plate following completion of the objective Shinra would indirectly give to them. 

With the equipment procured for the group’s reward for their mission, next came securing a middle man for providing it to them without drawing suspicion to how it had been acquired. Even if the group trusted Leslie enough to accept it from him, Reno made it apparent that Cloud would easily discern a Turk’s outfit given he is a former SOLDIER and that it would leave an innuendo of Shinra involvement. Leslie didn’t have enough experience to doubt his senior’s point, even more when Rude vouched for that statement, so Leslie couldn’t give it directly. 

It was strange to hear that there was a second Leslie. He couldn’t fathom how such a thing occurred, but he didn’t honestly care. Leslie was the only person who Corneo trusted enough to relay his location to without being loyal to the tyrant. Given that the Turk knew that Leslie had ultimately severed his ties with his boss, it meant that he wouldn’t be in a single location. There wasn’t time to waste trying to wander around, so he would draw enough attention to himself to get the other’s attention. 

Hearing their footsteps, he simply traversed the alleyways to draw him away from public view, knowing full well he was heading to a dead end. When he reached it, there was neither panic nor shock, only a calm demeanor as he listend to the other speak. “About time I found what I was looking for.” A strikingly familiar voice resounded before he turned around and stepped out so several of the many neon lights illuminate his entire appearance. 

[yanagi-and-hoshi]

wall-market-hand​:

Leslie would nod his head. “Yeah, some people usually have some jobs. I can take you to them. I am well known in the area, so if I vouch for you, they will know you’re the real deal, but I will have to verify your skills prior to.” The young man stated. He didn’t earn his reputation through being at the right place at the right time, well at least not entirely. His connection ot the former ruler of the area did help.

“Shouldn’t take too long to get your name established to be able to have enough to sustain yourself for your journey even if it turns out to be a long one.” The young man would go over to the closet and grab a second blanket and set it on the table next to the couch that Ignis was situated on before he got up. 

“I do not mind assisting. I have been meaning to get out of the area myself, but I am not that capable of a fighter, so I’ve been trapped cause of the monsters. I can fight all the same.” The statement was accentuated with a light groan as the things were keeping him from searching for Merle.  

Ignis pulled the gloves down on his hands, tightening them up, as he was prepared for any battle to come at him. Then again, it’s been a day or two since he’s fought–but the monsters probably won’t be as different compared to what he dealt with at home. “I am sure I can handle myself, but having you there will be a load off my back.” Ignis mentioned, knowing that two is better than one when it comes to battling and many other things.

“I am going to assume that there is someone higher up than you who actually controls who gets what jobs around the city? Because, from what I’ve observed, everything is too orderly for a crowded place like this.” Ignis knew that in order to have an organized place like Wall Market, someone had to be the head of everything. Nothing this noisy and chaotic can be smooth like peanut butter. 

“But, lead the way. As much as I enjoy the night life here, I would rather get out of here as soon as I can.” 

[wall-market-hand]

Leslie would nod his head, keeping an eye as Ignis prepped himself for combat. Leslie would grab the dagger he kept with him containing the Master Magic Materia that he took from Corneo’s vault shortly after his ousting among other materia to maximize his efficiency. He doubted that Ignis would have less experience in combat than Leslie was. “Just so you know, I don’t brute force a fight. I maintain an eye for assessing and act on that.” Not like Leslie could brute force, something that could easily be discerned through his physique in most cases, but he still felt the need to address that matter. 

“There was. He wasn’t the pleasant type. I should know. I worked for him. He’s been driven out and his top three authority have taken over. They are a lot less conceited and generally are open to anyone taking a job.” He wasn’t going to say that they each had their own individual quirk, as anyone would expect that among three people. 

“I shall take you to a job that still requires combat but is simple enough that it can serve as a test of your abilities, though you won’t be fighting on your own.” He would walk outside of his house and wait for Ignis to follow. “First off is a store for medicine. No matter how simple the job, I do not leave myself unprepared.”