Ed Carver

It was what Ed needed to hear. Sense. He knew he was losing his mind, and it was why he had asked Reno to come. To talk some sense into his panicked brain.

"...What would you suggest that I do?" He asked, once he had a moment to calm himself, "I'm willing... to listen."

- How am I supposed to tell my one true biological child of this without breaking her heart..?"

- I would... kill, for her... To see her safe, from enemies of my past and that of her Step-Father's...

Reno... Make no mistake... I love you, my dear boy... That is why I came to you... I know you would talk sense into this old fool and his wild ideals....

I am in love... But I'm dying... -

"That's not true," the old man sobbed as he took the Turk's hands, "Y-You... We're the son that I always wanted... I could not expect my own daughter to live up to my expectations... But you... You excelled them...

I love my daughter deeply... Despite being absent for most of her life... -

- to part on negative terms, dear boy... Please..."

When he looked into the Turk's eyes, the pain and anguish, and indeed the fear, in his eyes was far too plain to see.

"Help... Help me...!"

- he barked out a horse, wheezing cough which knocked him almost breathless, sending the colour of his cheeks slightly redder than the rest of his skin. Carver had to force himself to calm down, taking in some deep breaths before recollection.

"I am so sorry," he began, "I'm sorry... I don't wish -

When Reno voiced his feelings, it caused the old man to fully break down.

He was scared. Not that he would outright admit to it. Scared of dying. Scared of disappointing those closest to him. Scared if what he would leave behind. It was all too much to comprehend.

Through the tears of his agony, -

- now plain to see, "I would give the whole Planet to right the wrongs I've done, just to see her go through life without any more pain and suffering.

I'm desperate, my boy. And every day I feel myself fading away... How can I protect her from this, knowing it would destroy her inside?"

- child, would you not do anything and everything to protect them?"

The old man sighed.

"The last thing I want to do is hurt her... Make her reel anymore than she has done in times past where she blamed ShinRa for the death of her family. I...

She's my daughter," he teared up. His vulnerability -

"You think I've not thought of the ramifications of these actions?" Ed said with sincerity.

"Listen to me, Reno... If she saw me like this, there is a chance that she would blame ShinRa regardless. Look at me... Degrading away from the Mako that is destroying me from within... If it were your -

//Yes, even Carver can be a deceptive little shit XD

- I know my daughter won't question it, and she knows all too well the risks of working with ShinRa, so when a few days later you learn that my mode of transport was faulty and it blew to smithereens... The blow of my death will be softened. She will perceive it quick, and painless."

- for Marguerite and I to settle in Rocket Town. I know you can pull some strings at your end... And I want you to make it appear as though I have conveniently 'lost contact'... Giving all others a glimmer of hope that I might be alright. Call it, 'a last business trip' before full retirement. -

- She knows full well of the situation and I want to enjoy what few days I may have left of my life. I know that Alina would only wish me happiness but I could not allow myself to break the news to her that my time on this Planet is short.

So... What I ask of you is this... To make arrangements -

"I know why you ask, and no," Carver shook his head, "You needn't worry. No blood will be shed so long as I still have my mind intact.

What I want from you," He toon Reno's hands, "Is for you to make me disappear in another way...

I've met someone, dear boy... And I'm going to marry her. -

- not know it, but she has witnessed the demise of her own family. And still reels in the horrors of that nightmarish memory.

That is why, she can never know.

If my passing draws near, I already have a plan. And I need you to assist in those plans."

- you in my life and good company.

I know my blood child can be quite a handful. Gaia knows she's tested my patience a few times... But if she learned of my circumstances... It would surely send her into a dark spiral. And likely her own grave.

She's lost enough in her lifetime, Reno. You may -

"Oh my dear boy..."

Carver's fatherly instincts had a moment, and placing an arm around the other man, he drew the Turk into him to lean on his side.

"You will never know quite how much you mean to me," He began, "I often feel that you were the son I never had. And I've been fortunate to have -

- time may be soon," he confessed to Reno, redressing himself, "The pain is tolerable. For now. But, Reno... I must ask that you never mention this to my daughter."

This was when the old man's eyes gave a hint of his pain, and he teased a portion of his robe to one side, exposing his chest.

On his skin, it was darkened. Bluish black. Familiar marks which looked like hexagonal veins almost covered his left-hand side of his upper.

Degradation.

"I think my -

Ed had to chuckle in amusement a little as he settled into a seat on his sofa.

"Settle down," he urged gently, "There's no need for nervousness in my company. In fact, I welcome your company. It makes quite a change from my whirlwind daughter's."

"Much lighter on the old ticker since my heart attack," Carver acknowledged, as he then led Reno inside of his home to his lounge.

"Come and sit, my boy. I feel that it's been far too long since we engaged in conversation over a coffee and some tiffin."

- forward to step closer.

Carver seemed much frailer than before. He was in a long and fully sleeved fleece robe. And oddly, his hands were gloved.

The door to the home cracked open, and the face of the semi-retired HR and Legal figure gazed upon his visitor.

It was true. Carver had aged. He looked tired.

"Reno ... Is that you, my dear boy?"

The old man cracked a smile. Shaky hands reached out for the Turk, as even shakier legs drive him -

"ShinRa Inc strive for excellence, and I along with it."

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