#turks balto

[stygiovictoria]

Katana

[lightningdrawn]

Balto of the Turks AKA Katana

This guy! I'm probably going to try to do portraits in this style of all of the Turks (ha ha oh no ambition). Who should be on my list?

[ko1ko1f1sh]

I’ve nothing to say ehe ╮(￣ω￣;)╭

[rottenpumpkin13]

OK NO ONE talks abt how many fingers he has in the Turk pie. He has a cousin in the Turks, he’s friends with the head, he friends with several of the employees, and he has a double agent friend(Kuns). One of his special moves is calling and air strike. The some of the Turks almost went against shinra to retrieve him.

Ignoring most of that, how does ags react to Zack like, being ig involved w them. I feel like the SOLDIERS would kinda hate the Turks lol. Especially meeting a Fair relative would be fun

*Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal are on a walk through the building with Zack*

Cissnei & Kunsel: Hey Zack!

Zack: Sup, besties!

Reno: Wassup, Fair *pats him on the back* Are we still on for Saturday?

Zack: You bet!

Tseng: Hello, Zack.

Zack: Tseng! My man!

Balto: Hey, cous!

Zack: Eyy, fam! *they embrace briefly*

Rufus: Good evening, Fair.

Zack: Shinra Jr! My guy, how's it going? *they pat each other on the shoulder*

Genesis: Who in the goddess's name are you???

Zack: What? I'm popular!

Sephiroth: Suspiciously so...

Zack: What does that mean?

*Elena walks passed him*

Elena: Hey, Zack! I need 30 grams tonight. I'll pay you tomorrow. Thanks!

*She walks away. Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal are left there, all of them thinking the exact same thing*

Zack: ...

Zack: ...

Zack: Oh! I'm the local bird food supplier—

*Angeal faints before he can finish his sentence*

[case-of-traxits]

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 )

[eaymtb]

This will never stop being funny to me:

"Originally, Lazard was going to flee. As soon as Veld confronted him later on in what ended up being chapter 9 about the money, Lazard was going to save his skin and run. And then Veld actually happened, dear gods, he’s so fucking hot??? I have issues and I don’t even care. Anyway, Veld was supposed to be Threat, not Daddy, and Lazard was supposed to skedaddle and I’m really glad that didn’t happen, because I thoroughly enjoy their interactions.

Also my self indulgence created a whole ass tag on AO3 for this crack ship."

Anyway, the Turks are one of the very few things where I intentionally ignored the FF7 timeline. Several of them are recruited during the events of Before Crisis, which doesn't even start until the end of Feb 2001 (Or [v] - εγλ 0001), but I didn't want to make up characters for the Turk investigation when there are a whole bunch that already exist and that I really like. So I just decided this was going to be one of those rare instances where I would say fuck it, canonical accuracy (or as accurate as one can be with the mess of incomplete and contradictory lore that compilation has) can take a hike, and they're all magically already Turks. And then I went ahead and also named Nunchaku Tamaki (Because his character and design instantly made me think of Tamaki Suoh from Ouran High School Host Club) and Knife got named Chau (Because of Scott Pilgrim, despite not having anything remotely in common with the character otherwise, lol.) I also just decided that Chau and Tamaki were on Aerith rotation for September so I wouldn't have to try and explain who they were in text, which is why neither of them ever get mentioned, ha. And probably ~never will~ either. They just get to live in my head.

And the head-canon notes below that, because that's actually something I can just copy paste out of that tab in the spreadsheet, read:

Reno is in his head, extremely intuitive but flighty, chatty, distract-able. Rude partners well with him because Rude is grounded and pragmatic, he keeps them focused and directed and notices details. Alvis and Freyra work well together because Freyra is enthusiastically determined to prove herself but she’s a country girl, while Alvis can be lackadaisical about protocol and is a city boy. Freyra makes sure they dot their I’s and cross their T’s, and Alvis isn’t competitive about being the best so he’s really happy to cheer on and support Freyra, and gives her credit for keeping him on task. Juget and Ruluf are what Tseng considers his heavy-hitter team. An ex-mercenary and an ex-mob enforcer, they’re both ruthless and pragmatic. Ruluf also genuinely treats Juget as one of the guys which they appreciate. Together they have a ranged combatant and a close combat combatant. Ruluf is very familiar with Midgar and it’s slums, and Juget is familiar with hunting down a target out in the world. Maur and Cissnei pair really well for canvassing and investigations that require speaking to people. Cissnei covers the innocent pretty young girl and Maur the older, respectable and polite hard working man, which covers most civilians really well. Maur also treats Cissnei respectfully, and can be protective of her, which Cissnei finds sweet (and also secretly appreciates). Emma’s strengths lie in forensic accounting and researching. She works best alone. Balto and Chau pair well together personality-wise. They both appreciate beauty and wish for the world to be a better place. They are surprisingly idealistic for Turks.

I put that bit of thought into what Turks Tseng would assign to what activities back in chapter 4. It was some of the research and world-building done alongside figuring out Cloud and the kid's journey and the investigation itself. Ruluf and Juget get assigned to investigate the caves under Banora with a SOLDIER 2nd because they're the most effective combat team. Emma does the forensic accounting, while Maur and Cissnei canvas Hollander's neighborhood, speak to his colleagues, and investigate his home. And Freyra and Alvis came along with them to Banora because they're, in my mind, kind of like Reno and Rude 2.0: The Rookies. The fact that Alvis uses a rod weapon, has red hair and was also a slums rat; he's so obviously a baby Reno, it's adorable.

[gcldfanged]

Jae rating the other Turks, like: Tseng- Scary, but you get like horny and afraid Ruluf- That is my emotional support bastard/How dare you try to kill my boyfriend Jules- He is my homicidal little meow meow who has never done anything wrong, in his entire life/'how much could a potion cost, 1000 gil???' Freyja- Tiny bunny in love with giant girlfriend who's five times his size Ren- Like a loving Big Sis but the type who'd draw a dick on your face with sharpie when you're passed out drunk Reno- Shares food with, chill bro Rude- The bigger chill bro Elena- Rookie, Greenie, but respects because she was running a fucking bar and collecting intelligence when she was what- in middle school or some shit? Balto- Would hand him over to Satan for one corn chip Rod- Diet Reno™ zero calories Gun- Would buy her a drink, would buy her several drinks Cissnei- One minute she's all chill and normal, then bam- You wake up in a tub full of ice missing a kidney Juget- GIRLBOSS, STEP ON ME, I'LL JUST CRAWL AND BE THE GROUND THAT SHE WALKS ON Martial Arts Male- who

[villagerain]

@disentomb

continued from (x)

“Don’t mention it,” he responds flippantly.

Rather quickly, Balto had come to understand Rude’s oppressive silence not as a means to intimidate nor insult the other party but merely the method in which Rude chose to carefully, carefully curate and calculate his responses in due time. In his time, his own perception of it, regardless of how long it looked to literally any normal human being on the Planet. 

Sometimes… Sometimes Rude actually does mean to intimidate and insult. Balto guesstimates he has a success rate of identifying which Rude-brand silence he is dealing with about eighty percent of the time. Those odds change dramatically if Rude has recently emerged from some sort of harebrained discussion or argument with his redheaded buffoon of a partner.

Nothing wrong with the occasional gamble. 

Balto looks down as the pamphlet slides across the frosted glass. His expression does not change right away, settled into the usual, grim line of a vague smile ready to go full stretch for anyone willing to test his patience. Like silence, pleasant smiles are capable of variance. What he sees, drinking in crude photomanipulations with a practiced eye, earns an outright frown.

“This a joke? Their skills are terrible.” Balto picks up the appalling artwork and rotates it clockwise in his hands one way, then counterclockwise the next. He pushes up his glasses and examines the print more closely, as if unsatisfied with his own disbelief. “Hideous,” he mutters, pushing the pamphlet back across the table with a wrinkle of distaste on his nose. “Then again, I suppose that might be the whole point.”

Not everyone could be a master of their craft, after all. Biases tend stronger when personal or professional vocations are called into play.

Balto glances around the empty conference room. Complaints should be aired carefully. Eavesdroppers are not uncommon. The Turks are not even safe from themselves. Balto leans back his chair while bouncing one foot up in the air from where he has crossed his legs. “You really think Tseng wants us to waste our time busting these guys?” Might be a bunch of stupid teenagers. Might not be.

[disentomb]

∗ 49﹕ sender  brings  receiver  [ coffee / tea ]  in  the  morning . || ∗ 43﹕ sender  kicks  receiver’s  shin  beneath  a  table

whichever is easier for zack or balto! @villagerain

𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝑵𝑶𝑵𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑩𝑨𝑳 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑻𝑺 . | accepting.

"Mm," he grunted for the fifth time now, a pamphlet shielding his face from view. Propaganda against the company always made for an interesting read at the start of the day, especially the hastily reproduced kind. The rudimentary drawings, the crude language, calls to action that would certainly only end in bloodshed. A mug joins the table, the rich smell of hot coffee exciting the senses, leatherclad fingers blindly reach for the handle without so much as looking away. Grasping nothing but air. A sudden thud sends a splinter of ache through his shin. The paper manifesto crinkles subtly between his gloved fingerpads, the hand extended to the cup twitched.

A plain-faced look slowly unveils from behind the pamphlet, suggesting nothing of what was going through the mind of Rude as he finally, finally addresses his fellow Turk, seated across from him. Attempts to break his focus had gone unsuccessful, it was hardly a wonder that it resorted to kicking underneath the table to grab attention. Rude took the coffee, and assessed its contents with a single, neat little line dimpled between his exceptionally groomed eyebrows, a jingle of earrings as he bent closer. It appeared, from the outside, like an intense analysis. It isn't what's inside the mug that has turned him inward, just a bid for time to find the right words to expunge himself for the crime of being so ungrateful and uncommunicative. ( Unaware, perhaps, that by continuing this quiet consideration it was only prolonging the illusion of silent treatment. )

"Sorry," he says, having chosen to start there, giving a negligible gesture the usual morning libation. "And, thanks." As if in explanation, the pamphlet is slid over across the table. The front cover was scandalizing at even a glance, depicting the most public faces of the company in hyperbolic proportions, features exaggerated and their tongues atwist together. In private, when Rude had first seen it, it got a good chuckle out of him.

[exiled-turk]

' my network isn't what it once was, ' and that was putting it lightly. his defection had seen roughly half of the turks leave with him, and while those numbers were still impressive, they were without the network they'd built - there was still a trust there between his turks and those who had stayed with tseng, but the wound was still raw.

the remaining turks would be watched - tseng was under immense scrutiny to ensure there were no doubts about his allegiance. if veld tried to tug on a few old leads, then he ran the risk of putting his former comrades in danger. for now, they had themselves and their skills to rely on in lucis.

' i have two in the crown city right now, another in lestallum, two in ravatogh and one within tollhends stronghold, ' the latter had taken careful planning, but veld had every faith in balto to play the role required.

'if i get information of an airship or contingent heading to meldacio, you will be the first person i notify - i give you my word. '

pulling the front door inwards, veld took the liberty to step outside onto the rickety porch of the house, the salty tang on the blustering wind a welcome relief to the still air within caem's main house.

"An' if yer tryin' t'do the right thing like ya say so, m'sure y'all'be able to give us heads-up if he does." Dave wasn't usually one to demand so openly, but this felt like a more than fair trade for what this feller was claiming. He'd done let Baldur be kept captive for an entire lifetime, knowin' his wife an' boys were alive. Least he could do was let 'em know if Caligo got wind o' where Sarah was.

The difference in that lady in the time she'd been freed t'now was night an' day. She smiled an' laughed, had a humour 'bout her he hadn't seen since he'd been a newly-promoted Head Hunter an' visitin' far away Galahd. An' he despised that 'playthings' term. She was a talented woman; fierce an' demandin' respect. Like so many other ladies who called Meldacio home.

"Ya done yer homework, y'know the predicament I've got on my hands. I'll do anythin' I can t'help find Baldur an' get him free if he's on this continent. I've got contacts who can gather intel, I've made that clear an' so have y'all. But if there's word o' a move on Meldacio, y'gotta let me know. I gotta get my people clear." Dave would help find Baldur regardless, but he wasn't above making this sound like a trade off. It wasn't. He didn't have the hear not to help find the man, but his friends an' family couldn't be the collateral for that.

[katana-otoko]

@iosonostanco

Rolfo stopped dead in his track upon hearing a familiar, yet unexpected voice. That guy... "Kit Kat..?" It couldn't be, could it? He turned around and acted like he was cool, all while being all giggly and delighted inside. He'd have kissed Balto if it didn't look gay. The former bodyguard went for a hug instead. "Long time no see, bro." No way Rolfo would let him go without a talk this time. Damn, TG's straight ass got the hots so bad for this man it was a shame. It was Rolfo's little guilty secret. And here he thought he had grown past it. Of course TG would never tell his friend. He opted for the easy way instead. "How have you been? Wait, no, don't answer. Let's go have a drink? Have you eaten?"

There's no mistaking Katana for any other TURK--or any other person. That scar, and his grin. He has a way about emerging from the crowds when one least expects him, even after a very long time. Noticing just how swiftly Rolfo moved, at least able to brace for impact as he's given a hug. It's a lot different to the backwater TURK, chuckling as he reciprocates a hug. "Ah," Balto doesn't get a word out before offered a drink--something he'll definitely accept, considering his recent return. Not at all bothered with being cut off, he picks up where left off. "I'll take your offer... it's been some time since I last ate, now that you mention it."

[proxnotxaxfool]

You can’t talk me out of this.

this wasn't how things were meant to go. after all the shit the turks had pulled themselves through and all the catastrophes they'd narrowly avoided, how could they not clamber back from this?

but freya wasn't backing down or flinching in her determination; she was leaving.

she was leaving the turks and abandoning her post. did he understand why? yes. of course. the whole shitshow of avalanche, elfe and veld had worn them all down and it had caused a schism in their ranks; veld was gone. as far as the president and the directors were concerned, he was liquidated and his leadership had been transferred to tseng. but among their ranks, they all knew the truth.

alvis, emma and balto had dropped off the radar a few days ago. cissnei was wavering, he could see that himself and ruluf's phone, ID badge and personal effects had been left in the rec-room ... didn't take a genius to put two and two together and figure out what had happened there.

and now freya too?

holding her steely gaze for a long, silent moment, reno blew out a shallow breath, nodding his head towards the door. if her mind was made up, then he knew better than to argue with her, regardless of their now differing loyalties.

' — i'm not gonna try. go, but i can't cover for you, freya. if you leave, you're on your own. '

@shotgunxturk

[rottenpumpkin13]

How would a pool part with everyone go?

The Pool Party From Hell

• They rent out the rooftop terrace for Kunsel's birthday pool party. (Kunsel can barely swim btw. This is red flag #1)

• I would say red flag #2 is Zack and Cloud dragging in a whole Kalua pork while chanting "Pork par-tay!" but it's actually the birthday cake Roche brought in that reads "Happy birthday Knussel"

• Lazard shows up to wish Kunsel happy birthday but stays around to chaperone after he overhears Cissnei ask Angeal when the live ducks are coming in.

• Oh yeah, speaking of Cissnei, her and a bunch of other Turks showed up too (Cissnei is besties with Kunsel and the others tagged along).

• That being said, Reno showing up with a water gun called "The pulverizer 5000" then shooting a geyser at Cloud, who's thrown into the pool, is red flag #3.

• Angeal: WHO'S PLAYLIST IS THIS? THEY'VE PLAYED WAP ON LOOP FOR 20 MINUTES NOW

Kunsel: Excuuuse me for wanting to listen to real music on my birthday.

• Genesis is the designated drinks mixer. He's working the bar in nothing but board shorts while chatting up the pretty girls who come by.

• The prettiest girl (Sephiroth) comes by, plops himself at the bar and puts his head down. (He's also wearing nothing but board shorts and the girls' eyes are immediately on him

Sephiroth: I'm not having fun.

Genesis: Can't see how. If I were you I'd be canon-balling into the pool, playing soccer with Zack or ...... *he squints at something in the distance* what's Cloud doing?

Sephiroth: Reno blasted him with the pulverizer so he's making him eat it.

Genesis: Or helping Cloud assault Reno! See? Endless fun to be had.

Sephiroth: It's hard for me to let loose.

Genesis (💡): I've got just the thing that'll help you!

• Genesis immediately turns around and starts concocting a bright red drink.

Sephiroth: I'm not sure alcohol will help me. My body has a hard time reacting to alcohol the way it's supposed to.

Genesis: Don't worry! That won't happen with this drink.

• He slides the neon red shot toward Sephiroth.

Sephiroth: What is this?

Genesis: Don't worry about it. Just drink it.

Sephiroth: ???????

Genesis: *groan* Just drink it!

• Sephiroth apprehensively downs the shot in one go.

Genesis: So? Do you feel any different?

Sephiroth: Not really.

Genesis: Don't worry. It'll hit.

Sephiroth: Yes, but how long will it take to—(⊙‸⊙)

Genesis: Did it hit?

Sephiroth: (⊙‸⊙)

Genesis: It hit.

• Meanwhile the live ducks arrived and are swimming around the pool while half the people play Marco Polo and the other half dance.

• Reno got ahold of the aux cord and is now playing his lewd music on full blast while Lazard and Tseng stand at the bottom of the stage screaming "TURN IT OFF"

• Reno's response? "What? I can't hear you the music is too loud!" *Said while cranking it up louder*

• Zack tried to pet a duck, angered it, and now Elena and Angeal are trying to pull it off his face. Cloud is actively filming and laughing.

• Shotgun and Balto (turk) start pouring gallons of soap into the pool to make it foam up.

• Red flag #4 is Roche rolling in a jet ski on some wheels in hopes to use it in the pool.

• He never gets to do that though.

• Hurricane Sephiroth rips Rude's glasses from his face, puts them on, then canon-balls into the water with Genesis. Both are clearly beyond drunk when they start sparring right there in the pool.

• All hell breaks loose after that.

• One thing I will mention is that Genesis and hyper-drunk-Sephiroth end up with their arms around each other screaming the lyrics to Mamma Mia (Abba).

[case-of-traxits]

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

[lightningdrawn]

Balto, aka Katana from FF7 Before Crisis. Just kind of a rough sketch, I’ve been struggling to finish anything lately.

[steeleidolon]

Balto / Katana flats.

Before Crisis + Crisis Core characters in Remake please?