turkweek

[turkweek]

FFVII Turk week 2024

Prompt: Human Source / Confidential

I had a lot of fun with this one. Apologies for any typos.

“Dark alleys, seedy pubs, the occasional run down cafe. These are the places that our beloved department head has scoped out as the places where all of you have met informants and he says that you are too obvious. That he and SOLDIER could do it better. What do you have to say for yourselves?” Silence reigned around the conference table until a single, slim hand shot into that air.

“Yo, none of us has any contacts any place like that,” Reno chuckled before the owner of the hand could speak. Emma scowled at him.

“As I well know, but it’s Heidegger you have to convince, not me.”

“Yay. Convince Heidegger of literally anything. That’s my favorite assignment,” Reno muttered.

“We should convince him that Reno was just an informant this whole time and not really a Turk,” Emma said, casting the stink eye at the redhead.

“Huh uh. Hell no. That tub of lard don’t need another reason to want to kill me.”

“Oh come on, when has he tried to kill you?”

“…I think the real question is ‘how often’.”

“Thanks buddy. Real helpful.”

“Enough! Sort out your personal grievances on your own time. Our task lies in the fact that he will be - ehem- ‘tailing’ one of us to find out what he wishes to know. He would not say who, he said that the knowledge that he was watching us would be sufficient warning.”

“Ya know who he’s picked,” Reno said flatly, and Rude nodded in agreement. Veld sighed, but didn’t actually contradict the red haired Turk. “You’d think he’d have some idea that maybe we’re busy.”

“He might if you didn’t have the habit of napping in the conference room.”

“It was my lunch break, and I made sure there wasn’t anything scheduled. Not my fault he decided then and there to have some mucky-muck meeting with the big wigs. Nothin’ I didn’t know about either - in case he forgot, he’s the one who told the president to tell Veld that I was the only one allowed for that mission. Think he assumed I’d fail it. Also, he would never’ve known I was there if it wasn’t for Reeve kicking me. Hell, I wouldn’t’ve known they were there, I was havin’ a great nap until he kicked me in the face.”

“All that aside, Reno -“

“Yeah, I know what informant I’m gonna let him find out about. It’s gonna break his heart - actually, I ain’t sure that guys got a heart.”

“Will I regret asking who?”

“It’s someone above plate. Below plate’s more tempting, but he might not make it back from some of those joints, and I ain’t entirely stupid.”

“Elaborate.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll have Rude record the whole thing.”

- - - - - -

Reno was not only on time, he was early. Heidegger had almost missed him, in fact. The scrawny redhead had led him a merry hunt through Midgar. If he hadn’t known better he would have sworn that the little red rat knew that he was being followed. Heidegger, however, had no doubts as to his own skills of espionage. He couldn’t be more certain that he hadn’t been spotted by the Turk. He followed the redhead into a department store, where the man ducked into a restroom and came out looking nothing like himself, with his uncouth tattoos covered over with makeup and his hair combed in a way befitting the popular styles of Midgar’s youth. Next Reno picked up a box of over-priced chocolates - Heidegger couldn’t tell whether he had used his own expense account or the company’s - and waltzed out the door, nearly spotting him. Heidegger now found himself puffing and wheezing in an attempt to keep up with the Turk. He would have required Veld to do so, only the man was biased, and besides, Heidegger didn’t have control over the Turks. Yet. How he hated those stuck up- where had the redhead gone? His gaze darted around the crowded streets of Sector Eight. That sneaky little bastard had slipped away while he’d been distracted. The meaty man ground his teeth and glared over the heads of the denizens of Midgar - ah! There he was, stubbing out a cigaret on the bottom of his shoe in a slow, pondering manner. Heidegger snorted and closed in on Reno’s position, staying far enough away that he wouldn’t be noticed. A man in a dark hat and jacket wearing gloves approached the redhead and spoke to him. The Turk smiled slyly and nodded, following the man after a few more words. He entered the doors of the most prestigious restaurant in the entire city. Heidegger snorted. At last, a reason to fire that little asshole. Meals in this establishment cost nothing less than ninety gil - and that was an appetizer. What were the odds that the Turk would be footing his own bill for this meeting? Speaking to the doorman slowed him down, but he wouldn’t risk being seen by Reno. He’d always known that the Turks were useless, and he was finally about to prove it. The host guided him to a discrete nook that he was told was generally reserved for journalists. He didn’t overly care, he had an unencumbered view of the Turk. The man in the dark clothes was still with the redhead and speaking, but Heidegger could hear nothing. He took a picture of the Turk, whose fate was almost sealed. There was no way this chauffeur had good enough information to account for a meeting place of this magnitude - and what was with the get up? The chauffeur left at last, and Heidegger was just about to confront the redhead when the other man returned, but not alone. He didn’t recognize her immediately, but the woman was tall, stately, glamorous. The lead actress in ‘Loveless’. And she kissed that filthy slum rat on the cheek.

- - - - - -

“Ya like to make a show, huh?” The redhead said with a chuckle, loud enough that the poorly hidden executive aught to be able to hear him.

“How do you think I made it this far?” The woman chuckled.

“I always knew you were good, but I still can’t believe you managed an act that got you this high on the upper crust. Outta the slums, sure, but man.”

“I assume that you still came for a certain something?”

“Sure as shootin’. What you got for me tonight, sweet heart?”

“Rumors mostly. But you, uh, might not want to let the president go for the scheduled performance of ‘Loveless’. Too many people are in the know. I know of about five assassination plots, one’s already been abandoned - but you know how that goes.”

“Got names?” The woman opened her mouth to reply, but at that moment the waiter came and asked for their orders. Reno smirked, purposefully picking a dish that was okay by his judgement, but Heidegger would eat it every day. “You were saying?” He murmured once the waiter was out of ear shot.

“I’ve got a list,” she murmured back, ringing the edge of her flute with a finely manicured finger. “Look under your napkin - discretely, of course.” Reno obeyed and held himself back from making a low whistle at the sheer length of the list before he tucked it safely into his inner breast pocket. “Well, you have what you came for. Are you still staying for dinner? My treat.”

“Ain’t I supposed to be the one paying you?”

“Call it dinner between old friends. Besides, I make more than you do.”

“Well, you got that right,” Reno chuckled.

“Good enough intel?”

“Good enough for me. The prez just didn’t like us bein’ seen in seedy joint, and he likes to stay alive. I mean, I don’t know what his problem is, people ain’t supposed to have any idea of what we are, but whatever. Mostly Heidegger wants to catch one of us in a mistake, and that ain’t happening this time. Plus, I get to eat and make him watch. Yeah, I’ll still see this dinner through to the desert,” the Turk replied with a lazy smirk.

“And I ordered a second entrée - you know, something that you actually like. We’ll see if the tub of lard sticks around for that long,” she said with a smirk before she sipped her Champaign.

- - - - - - - -

“Sir?”

“Enter.” Reno stepped through the doors of Veld’s massive office and approached the desk behind which the chief sat, leaning back in his chair. Veld motioned for Reno to take the chair opposite him. “Excellent work, Reno. Even more impressive is how many of these threats have been verified.” He raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. “Just how long have you been sitting on this intel?”

“Oh, ya know, about two weeks. Ever since I was on duty following Rufus and heard our second favorite blow-hard bragging about how he was going to take down the Turks. Normally she just calls me - actually, she’d already called me a couple times - but this time we had to make a show. She didn’t mind, actin’ is how she made her way above plate. Plus I know how big a crush Heidegger has on her, and I know how easy it is to throw him off his guard. Was it funny when he made the report?”

“He managed to make it unfunny. Rude’s video of himself tailing the executive, of course, could not be offered as evidence, but the society papers and tabloids convinced the president that our normal means of obtaining intel were good enough.”

“Mission accomplished, then. Well, sir, I gotta see to gettin’ my paperwork done.”

“…Are you ill? Did you just say paperwork?”

“Well …. it’s gotta get done, but it ain’t like I’m doing it or somethin’. See, Emma kinda bet that I didn’t actually know the lead actress of Loveless. And, well, now she’s got four months of my paperwork to catch up on.”

- fin -

[turkweek]

FFVII Turk Week 2024

Since last year was a bit of a bust, we're reusing the excellent prompts from case-of-traxits for our new date as we "redo" the event. You are of course welcome to use your own new prompts as well.

Turks. The Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department. The Department of Administrative Research. Whatever you call them, they know who you are, and what you’re doing there. You don’t want to be on their bad side, and unless they’re working for you, you don’t want them following you, not that you’d notice them unless they wanted you to. They’re an interesting bunch, full of secrets, their own and others. Below we have the list of prompts. Feel free to be as creative with those as you want to, and take your time working on your entries, but please don’t forget to post them on the right date if you can. (But remember, late is better than never!) Don’t like the prompts, or need MOAR PROMPTS? Make up your own! Or pull from a previous year! The 2022 post here also has links to the previous years as well.

Mar 24 - Day 1. Unauthorized Disclosure / Compromise / "It's strange what desire will make foolish people do."

Mar 25 - Day 2. Intelligence / Secrets / "Why do you smile like you've been told a secret?"

Mar 26 - Day 3. Dead drop / Exchange / "Refuse is our inspiration; terrorism is our trade."

Mar 27- Day 4. Evasion & Escape / Runaway / "Run me down and race away from me."

Mar 28 - Day 5. Human Source / Confidential Informant / "You've got such a fetching smile, but my what sharp teeth."

Mar 29 - Day 6. Multi-Level Security / Safeguarding / "Dirty my hands, steady my feet; send out the message."

Mar 30 - Day 7. Surveillance / Security / "Staring down the barrel of a .45"

Bonus prompts for switching out or mixing in:  Cipher / Puzzle / Classified / Deception / Handbook / Electronic Warfare / Downtime / Bar / Sparring / Alcohol and/or Cigarettes / Self-Medication.

Please remember to include the week’s tag (ffviiturkweek) within the first 5 tags or else we might be unable to find your work! We will NOT accept/reblog anything containing Character/Ship Hate, so avoid including those in your entries. Also don’t repost anyone else’s work as your own! You are welcome to reblog other’s posts, but credit where credit is due. You can submit your works on AO3 to the event collection at https://archiveofourown.org/collections/TurkWeek And if you have any questions, don’t be afraid of sending an ask, or messaging the mod (link in the menu sidebar). We hope it turns out to be a fun event for everyone!

[turkweek]

We will be starting March 24th! There was some discussion of re-using the prompts from last November but if there are other prompts folks would like, now is the time to send them in!

[turkweek]

Looks like we’ll be moving to the last week of March (starting March 24th).

Moving Week

Alright alright, we're going to move this thing! Pack yer boxes yo!

We're moving to March starting in 2024, but what week in March do we want to muscle in on?

Place yer votes!

[turkweek]

Moving Week

Alright alright, we're going to move this thing! Pack yer boxes yo!

We're moving to March starting in 2024, but what week in March do we want to muscle in on?

Place yer votes!

[turkweek]

Turk Week 2023

Prompt: Unauthorized disclosure

I don’t know, man, it seemed to follow the prompt until I reread it - it was at least inspired by the prompt? Eh, hopefully it’s at least fun to read.

“Give it back.”

“Hmm….. Nope,” the older woman answered, staring at the item in hand and deftly keeping it from Reno at the same time.

“Oh come on. No one else is gonna give a shit about it, okay? Just give it back.”

“If no one else is going to care about it then why do you care if anyone sees it?” She smirked. Reno scowled and ground his teeth.

“I just do.”

“Well, it’s fair game.”

“You don’t even know what’s goin’ on in that picture,” Reno snapped.

“Nooo, but apparently it was something embarrassing, even for you.”

“I swear Vi, if anyone sees that -“

“Sees what precisely?”

“Boss!” The two chorused.

“Boss, she won’t give me back my picture,” Reno complained.

“You’re a Turk, take it from her,” Tseng muttered, looking at the papers in his hands rather than the squabbling Turks.

“Yeah, we ain’t allowed to kill our own,” Reno grumbled as she stuck her tongue out at him.

“Sir, Reno won’t tell me what the picture was about. He keeps saying that it’s none of my business.”

“…Let me see it,” Tseng sighed, rubbing his forehead with one hand and holding his papers out for the photo. Violet triumphantly slapped the photo on Tseng’s stack of papers and took a step back with a flounce, holding her hands behind her back. Tseng took his time bringing the photo into his line of sight. Vi hadn’t been with the Turks long enough to notice the subtle nuances in the man’s behavior on the rare occasion that he found something humorous, but Reno had and he wasn’t amused. It hadn’t been his most glamorous mission after all - if you could call it that. Who knew he’d even fit in that cramped space until Rude had forced him in. He’d gotten several second degree burns and four third degree burns, but they had accomplished their mission, like usual. Tseng’s mouth lifted very slightly at one corner and he handed the photo not back to Vi, but to Reno. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything about it. That mission is classified above your current pay grade.”

“Hey, but-“

“Reno outranks you, you may recall. Actually had he not been a part of it even he wouldn’t know anything about that particular mission.” Lies and bullshit, but Reno let out a relieved breath as Tseng walked off. He’d thank him for thatlie later, when Violet wasn’t around.

“Okay fine,” Vi pouted, crossing her arms and sulking against the wall, letting her ash-black hair fall half way over her face. “But seriously, Reno, how did you manage to fit under the hood of a running car?”

[turkweek]

FFVII Turk week 2023

Day 3 Prompt

Dead drop

There they were, right on time. Reno couldn’t have asked for better. The bush didn’t even move as the money was slipped out and the package put into place. He couldn’t have done it better himself.

“Ya see that, buddy? This guy’s good.”

“…”

“Yeah, I know, right? Smooth as silk. Maybe we should recruit ‘im, huh?”

“…Then who would do your dirty work for you?”

“Hey, it wasn’t just me. You were in on this too.”

“Whatever.”

“Any sign of the target yet?”

“…”

“Hasn’t moved? What does this guy do for a living anyway?” Reno muttered, shifting in his seat and peering up toward the tenth floor. “Either that or he’s got a secret tunnel. Eh, whatever. Guess I can’t break an arm or leg or anything like that if I’m just sittin’ here.”

“…You might if someone rear ends us and the airbags go off.”

“Shit,” Reno hissed, yanking his feet off the dash. “Why’d you ever have to show me that picture? That was downright disturbing, man.”

“…Don’t want to do all your work for six months.”

“Yeah. I love you too, man,” Reno snorted. “Say, whatever happened with that, uh, what was her name? Ya know, that chick?”

“…Didn’t work out.”

“What? Why?”

“…”

“Oh come on man, it’s me. You don’t gotta be shy.”

“Wanted me to grow hair.”

“What?” Reno cackled. Rude side-eyed him, and Reno saw it, but he kept going. “You with hair, man? Can you even grow hair? I mean, I never seen you with it, I never thought about it - it gets more disturbing the longer I think about it. Do not ever grow hair, man. Glad ya dumped her.”

“It was only the second date.”

“Eh, dodged a bullet. I mean, have you ever had hair? I always assumed you were born without it and maybe like you were just the skin head all through school and everything. What would we even do with hair on ya? We gotta find you a girl who likes chrome domes. Hey, maybe next time we hit up Goblins we can-“

“You gonna get your pizza before it gets cold out there? You didn’t exactly pick the best drop spot.”

“Yeah I did. It’s the only spot I can get a pizza delivered on a stakeout that Tseng doesn’t see it.” Reno sighed and cracked his shoulders, easing his door open. “Hope ya like onions.”

[turkweek]

Final Fantasy Seven Turk Week

Prompt: Escape

The story always seems to go that the private eye, the secret agent, whatever the hell he is in the stories, is missing out on a hot date and has three shots in him - usually bourbon or scotch, they don’t seem too picky. Well here I was, missing out on a hot date who’d been waiting for so long by now that she’d probably thought I stood her up. Ah well, she wasn’t Shinra so it wasn’t allowed to go much of anywhere per company policy. Too bad they don’t let anyone be privy to policy until after you sign your soul away. So I’m missing out on a hot date and I’ve only got two shots in me, but they’re both lead. It’s started to rain now. That’s a good thing, it makes it harder to follow a blood trail in the dark, and it wets down my hair enough that I almost look like a boring mundane office worker. Some days I think I’d rather be one, but that’s never happening, not unless Shinra somehow goes belly up before I’ve hit my early retirement or they put me into early retirement. My foot slips in a puddle. Damn it, I just got these boots. Shoulda worn the old ones that are more broken in. Also, I guess the rain isn’t totally on my side, but is it really ever on anyone’s side? My foot slips again, only this time I can’t catch myself and I wind up slamming full force into the side of a dumpster. The noise splits my head - or maybe that’s the boxes falling on top of me. Doesn’t matter, I can’t see anything, and damn it, I hurt right now. My right arm won’t move and I can’t tell whether my hand is sufficiently plugging the hole in my gut. I try to be quiet and I try to breath. The hum of the city is interrupted by scuffling feet. Ah, there they are. Guess I’m done, ‘cause I’m too tired to make another move. I would pull out my sidearm, but by now I’m really pretty afraid that I’m gonna bleed out if I do. Guess retirement comes for me tonight then. A third set of footsteps joins them, these ones light, clipped, decisive. Like a snappy secretary.

“Have you two idiots chased him down yet?” A female voice shouts over the rain. Wait. I know that voice. Well damn it. I’m gonna have to do anything I can not to tell Rude about this, because I get maybe too much of a kick out of teasing him for his questionable choices in dating people who are trying to kill us. Chelsea at least wasn’t out for his blood. I gotta wonder if I did something to this chick or if she just hates the Turks or maybe she’s a serial killer who goes after redheads.

“We almost had him, but it started to rain,” one of the guys grumbled.

“Really? Rain? I came out here in stilettos in hopes of running one through his throat while he dies, and you can’t find him? Unless you incompetents hurry, I won’t get to do that,” she snaps. Boy, I’d thought Rude could pick ‘em. He is never hearing about this, because I’m never gonna live it down.

“Er, boss, ma’am? Not to seem, uh, nosy, but what’ve you got against this guy?”

“Him? Nothing specific. Do you have any idea what he is?”

“Um, no.”

“He’s a Turk, you idiots. A Shinra Turk, dumb enough to ask me on a date. I wonder if he would care that I’ve killed three of his colleagues. I wonder if any of them care. Maybe they kill each other for kicks, who the hell knows. I have another in my grip, and he’s dead.”

“Huh. Okay, boss. We’ll find him so you can finish killing him.”

“Yes you will. Now get going.”

I don’t have to hold my breath while they walk away, I can barely breath as it is. But all three of them alternately shuffle, clomp, and clip away, and they only leave the sound of the rain in my ears. I don’t even know if it’s safe to move, but I gotta do something ‘cause I don’t plan to die here. Trouble is, I’m having a hard time moving. Damn it, where’s Rude when you need him?

Footsteps. Great. Are they back or did I scare the hell out of some teenager sneaking around after his curfew?

“Reno? Is that you under there?” The voice is familiar, but for the life of me I can’t identify it. I try to answer, but the word only comes out as a grunt. A second later the boxes start floating away until I see a firmly set jaw with a hell of a scar slashed down one cheek.

“Hey, sir,” I manage to grit out.

“What on gaia? What happened?”

“You could say my date dumped me.”

“Are you alright?”

“Not really. Could use a bit of help if you’ve got a minute. Actually, might wanna hurry before they come back.”

“Who?” Veld says, grunting when he starts to pull me up. The night gets real dark for a bit, and I wake up to him slapping my cheek. I’m in his car, probably bleeding on the upholstery. “Who did this to you?”

“Promise not to tell Rude?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Just ‘cause.”

“Fine.”

“My date. Turk exterminator by the sounds of it so, ya know, it’d be good to look into that. Can we go to the hospital now?”

“Almost there.”

“Sweet. Wake me when we get there.” I think he says my name a few times, but my eyes are closed already, and I hadn’t realized how tired I was. Maybe next time the two shots’ll be whiskey and the girl I ask out won’t be actively trying to kill me.

[turkweek]

How do folks feel about March?

It has been brought to my attention that NaNoWriMo is causing conflict for some folks. I am open to moving the dates for next year if that is the case. Open to suggestions - we just don’t want to conflict with other events if we can avoid it.

[turkweek]

Turk Week Masterlist

[Turk Week]

The World Was on Fire (and no one could save me but you)

Nov 10 || Day 1 [Tumblr Post][AO3] Unauthorized Disclosure / Compromise / "It's strange what desire will make foolish people do." Word count: 858 words. Content Notes: Post Temple of the Ancients, missing scene, hurt/comfort, medical devices. Characters: Reno, Tseng. Soundtrack: "Amnesia," by Jorge Mendez. Summary: Reno stops by the hospital to see Tseng after the Temple of the Ancients. Can be considered a paired fic to Aftermath, a ficlet wherein Tseng takes care of Reno after the Plate drop in the OG.

We're All Someone's Hopes and Dreams

Nov 11 || Day 2 [Tumblr Post][AO3] Intelligence / Secrets / "Why do you smile like you've been told a secret?" Word count: 1185 words. Content Notes: Ambiguous relationship. Characters: Tseng, Reeve Tuesti. Soundtrack: "My Protector," by Mesh. Summary: Reeve and Tseng have dinner.

I Know What I Know (if you know what I mean)

Nov 12 || Day 3 [Tumblr Post][AO3] Dead drop / Exchange / "Refuse is our inspiration; terrorism is our trade." Word count: 2265 words. Content Notes: Interdepartmental cooperation at its finest. Really. Not sarcastic there at all. Characters: Reno, Rude, Tseng, Cissnei, Emma, Alvis, Ruluf, Freyra, Maur, Juget, Balto, Tseng, Veld, Heidegger.  [Just missing Nunchaku and Knife, tbh.] Soundtrack: "What I Am," by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Summary: There's a system for getting possibly less than legal things in the Tower.  Heidegger knows the Turks are at the center of it.

I Found Myself in You (and it made me so damned scared)

Nov 13 || Day 4 [Tumblr Post][AO3] Evasion & Escape / Run Away / "Run me down and race away from me." Word count: Incomplete. Content Notes: None. Characters: Tseng, Aerith Gainsborough. Soundtrack: "In A Perfect World (Acoustic)," by Dean Lewis & Julia Michaels. Summary: Three times Aerith ran away from her feelings, and one time Tseng did.

Just Let Your Conscience Go

Nov 14 || Day 5 [Tumblr Post][AO3] Human Source / Confidential Informant / "You've got such a fetching smile, but my what sharp teeth." Word count: 1459 words. Content Notes: None. Characters: Reno, Marlene Wallace. Soundtrack: "We're Going to Hell," by Cursive. Summary: Reno talks to Marlene her first morning above the Plate. Can be considered a sequel scene to Before She Hangs Her Head to Cry, a fic wherein Reno drops Marlene off with Reeve after the Plate Drop.

Nov 15 || Day 6 [Tumblr Post][AO3] Multi-Level Security / Safeguarding / "Dirty my hands, steady my feet; send out the message."

Nov 16 || Day 7 [Tumblr Post][AO3] Surveillance / Security / "Staring down the barrel of a .45"

Bonus prompts for switching out or mixing in:  Cipher / Puzzle / Classified / Deception / Handbook / Electronic Warfare / Downtime / Bar / Sparring / Alcohol and/or Cigarettes / Self-Medication

Whoo! Turk Week! I have no idea how I'm going to do this while doing Nano. But I will figure it out. These are my babies, after all.

Got any ideas or characters/pairs you'd like to see? Drop them in my inbox. <3

[turkweek]

The World Was on Fire (and no one could save me but you)

So I was going for the "compromised," prompt here. Because uh... Reno is definitely a compromised Turk at this point.

Nov 10 || Day 1

Unauthorized Disclosure / Compromise / "It's strange what desire will make foolish people do."

[Turk Week] [Master Post]

Word count: 858 words. Content Notes: Post Temple of the Ancients, missing scene, angst, medical devices. Characters: Reno, Tseng. Soundtrack: "Amnesia," by Jorge Mendez. Summary: Reno stops by the hospital to see Tseng after the Temple of the Ancients.  Can be considered a paired fic to Aftermath, a ficlet wherein Tseng takes care of Reno after the Plate drop in the OG.

The hospital smelled like soap and something sharp— something Reno had never smelled before he'd become a Turk, but had long since grown to associate with blood; it was antiseptic— and there was a rush of people down the hall.  They weren't going to the same room Reno was though because Tseng had long since been deemed stable.

Stable.

As though anyone could be fucking stable after Sephiroth had gotten to them, after Sephiroth had—

Reno dragged in a breath.

His hands shook, so he shoved one into his pocket and let the other flip the mag rod between his fingers idly.  Tseng's room was just ahead, and he needed to be calm.  He was supposed to be calm.

He wasn't supposed to feel like the heat of the sun was under his skin, threatening to swallow him whole.

( Posted on AO3 )

[turkweek]

We're All Someone's Hopes and Dreams

Man, this is exactly the sort of thing I always write. Are they dating? Are they not? Who knows. They sure as hell don't.

But I tagged it as a ship fic this time. We'll see how well I like that label later. XD

Second one that's a little late, but this month has just gotten away from me. I already have my fic for the 14th written and queued, so I just have one more to catch up with. Let's see if I can get it finished, yeah?

Nov 11 || Day 2

Intelligence / Secrets / "Why do you smile like you've been told a secret?"

[Turk Week] [Master Post]

Word count: 1185 words. Content Notes: Ambiguous relationship. Characters: Tseng, Reeve Tuesti. Soundtrack: "My Protector," by Mesh. Summary: Reeve and Tseng have dinner.

Dinners with Reeve were a once-a-week thing now, and Tseng wasn't entirely sure when that had happened.  He supposed it had probably started when Reeve had been horrified to learn exactly how often he ate out.  Reeve was of the opinion that nothing was better than a home-cooked meal, and while Tseng had no interest in arguing with the idea, he certainly was not above taking advantage of it.

Besides, Reeve had a very comfortable penthouse, and Tseng could sit at the bar in the middle of the kitchen-living room thing that was so popular in Midgardian homes, and Reeve would lean over as necessary to keep his wine glass full.  To ply him with samples of whatever Reeve was cooking.

All in all, Tseng had to do very little except be present.

And figure out what to talk about of course.

( Posted on AO3 )

[turkweek]

I Know What I Know (if you know what I mean)

Omg, does this count as fluff?!  I had a lot of fun with this one, I'll be honest.

Nov 12 || Day 3

Dead drop / Exchange / "Refuse is our inspiration; terrorism is our trade."

[Turk Week] [Master Post]

Word count: 2265 words. Content Notes: Interdepartmental cooperation at its finest. Really. Not sarcastic there at all. Characters: Reno, Rude, Tseng, Cissnei, Emma, Alvis, Ruluf, Freyra, Maur, Juget, Balto, Tseng, Veld, Heidegger.  [Just missing Nunchaku and Knife, tbh.] Soundtrack: "What I Am," by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Summary: There's a system for getting possibly less than legal things in the Tower.  Heidegger knows the Turks are at the center of it.

There was an exchange system available in the Tower, not that anyone would say that.  In fact, if pressed, not a single Turk would admit to even knowing about the exchanges.  They weren't, strictly speaking, above board.  But everyone benefited, and more importantly, there was a protocol for how the exchanges worked.

(Cissnei sat perfectly straight in the chair, her eyes wide as she stared up at Heidegger, who had chosen to stand specifically so that she would be intimidated.  At least, she assumed that was why he insisted on looming over the table, just like she assumed that was why he'd chosen her to start the interrogations with.  "Are you sure?  That doesn't sound like it follows protocol, sir.  What?"  She looked over at the security officer, dutifully sitting there with his notepad as he asked her questions.  "Have I ever participated?"  She looked back up at Heidegger.  "Sir, I didn't even know these things were happening.  How could I possibly have participated?")

Anything anyone could want could be obtained for a price.  And provided that the system was followed exactly.  The first step was to initiate the communication.  There was a mailbox just outside the coffee shop on the first floor where a letter with a request could be left.  After a day or so, an outdated form 86-H would appear in the paperwork that was handed out in the morning.  At the bottom would be printed the price for your request.

(Emma tilted her head, a low, tuneless hum escaping her.  "I see.  So you think these exchanges are detrimental to the cohesion of the unit?"  There was a moment of silence, and then the security officer stammered out something that sounded like a 'no.'  She nodded.  "Ah... Apologies.  I misunderstood.  So no, you don't think they're a problem at all."  Again, another set of stammers and Heidegger scowled at her.  "In that case, why are you questioning us?" she asked, and when he started to yell, she sighed.)

( Posted on AO3 )

[turkweek]

Just Let Your Conscience Go

Nov 14 || Day 5

Human Source / Confidential Informant / "You've got such a fetching smile, but my what sharp teeth."

[Turk Week] [Master Post]

Word count: 1459 words. Content Notes: None. Characters: Reno, Marlene Wallace. Soundtrack: "We're Going to Hell," by Cursive. Summary: Reno talks to Marlene her first morning above the Plate. Can be considered a sequel scene to Before She Hangs Her Head to Cry, a fic wherein Reno drops Marlene off with Reeve after the Plate Drop.

Reno sat in a chair in the living room when he heard her moving.  To be honest, it didn't surprise him in the slightest that she was awake.  Reeve lived in a penthouse apartment on top of one of the tallest apartment buildings in Sector Eight.  Doubtless, the same thing that kept him awake had woken her.  She didn't rub her eyes or any of the things he'd seen above-Plate children do when they were sleepy.  Instead, she just stood there in the doorway, quiet as even Tseng could have wished, looking past him toward the sliding glass door that led to the balcony.

The gray concrete on the balcony was dark, almost black, even with all the lights outside.  What had her attention though was the water falling from the sky, and no matter how much Rude or Tseng or Reeve attempted to convince Reno it was normal, he was never really sure he'd believe them.

The rhythm of the rain was completely different up here than it was under the Plate, and he flicked a hand in a careless motion as he looked back toward it.  Marlene crept forward then, her eyes wide as she set her rabbit toy (Reeve had bought it for her the day before when they'd gone shopping for her clothes) on the floor near Reno before heading over to the door.  She stayed half a foot from it for a long time, and Reno twirled his cigarette between his fingers as he watched her.  Finally, just as he was beginning to consider leaning forward and poking her, she turned to look at him over her shoulder.

Washed in the bright, above-Plate lights, she looked pale, even for a slum kid.  Reno supposed that was what he looked like to Rude and them.  He pushed himself up and headed over to the door with her.  She tipped her head back, following his movements, and when he stopped, she kept her eyes on him for a heartbeat before she looked back out the glass.

( Posted on AO3 )

[turkweek]

It has been brought to my attention that NaNoWriMo is causing conflict for some folks. I am open to moving the dates for next year if that is the case. Open to suggestions - we just don’t want to conflict with other events if we can avoid it.

[turkweek]

Happy Turks Tuesday! The amount of people at one of our local events who thought we were cosplaying from Chainsaw Man though, smh 😂 Cissnei: me Elena: Rabbit in the Moon Cosplay Rude: my partner Raph 📸 ZisEternal, edits by me

[turkweek]

Reminder that if you post something and it isn’t reblogged within 24 hours, please feel free to message @asylos here or on Discord (Mirintala) - we know tumblr search isn’t always the most reliable and I am not missing your posts intentionally. <3