[ He heaved with a dramatic sigh at the thought. ]
The way she was talkin'..looks like she doesn't know anything about Edge. She didn't mind me and Rude stoppin' by the Seventh Heaven every so often for drinks, and gave us benefit of the doubt.
[ His nose wrinkled with a pout. ]
Yeah, it's gonna be a bitch to do it all over again, and I'm guessing that's why Rude respects her so much. I'm giving her space for now, but I'm gonna have to make a move eventually. It's just gonna be rough.
[ He rubbed the back of his neck as his head bowed a bit, eyes closing for a moment as he pursed his lips a bit in frustration. ]
I can't exactly go into details about a lot of things.
[ He wouldn't admit it, but letting them be angry at him was an apology from Reno. ]
You're talking to the Tifa here right? That might be why there's confusion! She's like- she's Tifa, but not our Tifa. She's...well, I died in that world too. I don't have all the details on how things are different.
So...don't worry about the details. By that I mean- you don't...have to give me details about things. Okay?
[ He blinked, expression going a little owlish at her sudden epiphany, but he settled back into himself and his lazy posture, letting his head loll to one side as he listened. ]
...Wait a minute. Roll that back for me, yo. I already know this place can pull people from different times, but what d'you mean that world? I won't give you details if you don't want 'em, but I'm gonna want a little clarification on that.
It doesn't happen a lot, but sometimes, we have people who are- almost the same world but not quite. Something made things different- like it's different technology, or the people are different- or just different choices.
I dunno if it'll be the same for Tifa, so it might be moot, but if you do tell her beforehand, just know they picked up their names from kids that died back in Nibelheim when the town first burned down.
[ Normally not anything he had any intention of going around and saying, and was of very little relevance in neigh any situation, but it seemed worth sharing here. ]
It's the least he can do. Angeal mentioned Sephiroth doesn't remember him, and Angeal's karma aside, if we're even on Sephiroth's radar then yeah, I'd guess it's for Cloud's sake.
[ Does he pity Angeal for that? Yes. But also is it justice? Close enough to count. ]
Tifa doesn't seem the type, and she's smart enough to suss out they're probably inmates, and have their strengths dampened, so..I don't see that bein' much of a problem unless they provoke her. Those two like to test and push boundaries, but not really provoke people.
[ But the resemblance to Sephiroth still had him a little concerned. He broke from his chain of thought as Aerith chimed in, brows knitting with a solemn little hum of acknowledgement that rumbled in his throat. ]
I dunno if he does--probably not? Hell, we only found out cause of Evan and Kyrie.
[ A small sigh through his nose. ]
Yeah, they do. Weird as fuck, but if you guys ain't throwin' a fit over it, I'm not gonna get involved. [ He put his hand atop her head and ruffled her hair a little bit. More like just scratched a little lightly at her scalp since he didn't want to ruin her hair. ] Buuuut we did promise a certain someone that we'd look out for ya, so like I said, I've got the spare pair of shades on standby.
And good. We got some of the details from Chief's report, and man..I wish we could've done a little somethin' for him, though. He deserved better than Lazard's bullshit, but we're glad he's got you. Pretty sure Angeal's waiting for me to get on his ass about it too, but y'know..place to change and recover, blah blah blah, so I gotta be a good boy.
And they're not infectious which is the biggest thing. Neither of them look for fights most of the time. Yazoo mostly...likes to do things for the thrill of it.
[Like jump off of too high cliffs.]
But I'm not going to throw a fit at him. I almost did. A couple of times.
[She smiled, not ducking away from the hand on her hair, though she did bat at him lightly.]
Oh! I'm gonna have to rebrand my hair, and you're going to have to help!
[Her laugh was light. Soft. There was so much to take on, for both of them.]
You don't have to you know. Look out for me, if you don't want to. Even if that someone can't...call you out on it.
And even...yeah. Yeah. Angeal...Zack...all of them deserved better Reno.
They were just used up and buried like they were shameful embarrassments. They weren't.
They deserved better. And...maybe you should get on Angeal. He needs someone to call him out.
Yeah, I was wondering about that, but there's not really a lifestream here that I know of, but good to know. It still kinda pisses me off to look at them, but they listen pretty well so far, and I can already hear the look Chief would give me if I said anything.
[ Yazoo had good taste then. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug! Reno loved to partake, himself. ]
What--fine, but if you start trying to steal my hair ties, we'll have something to fight about.
[ There was a brief flash of a playful grin that melted into something more attentive at first, but then, for a moment, it softened before he hid it behind the way he looked off to the side. ]
I know.
[ A beat, but after a moment's pause: ]
Veld and Tseng..they built a good department, and that included you two. We've always thought of you guys as part of us, despite..y'know. Things being the way they had to.
[ He shook his head a bit, then looked back at the camera. ]
Veld treats all of us like his own flesh and blood--All of us look out for each other. Doesn't matter what happens, that's just what we do.
[ Another small sigh through his nose. ]
Yeah, I know. Watching Scarlet and Heidegger die the way they deserved won't ever be enough, either. But yeah, trust me. I've got Angeal's number, yo. I got Kadaj and Yazoo's too.
[It would have made her twitchy, especially with how the Lifestream was the living memory of the planet. The Barge, at least, doesn't talk to her unless she talks to it first.]
They're okay kids. They listen and- I'm kind of...replaced Jenova for them. So...it helped them.
Also, your hair ties don't suit my hair at all. Maybe I should give them to Tifa if she wants to put her hair up...
[The tease stared and faded. The both of them...honorary Turks huh. They did take good care of her- and she hoped Zack too where they could. He deserved better.]
You were always...so together. All of you. You had a purpose. It wasn't good always but...I could envy it, a little. If I thought about it.
I'm not sure what the three of them deserve now Reno. I mean...
I wasn't there. For any of what they did. So I don't know if I can...help you get their number. You know?
Thanks, but I dunno if I'd get it--I mean, Rufus had it, and the four of us never left his side and we never got it.
[ His brows knitted and he pulled a corner of his lips back into a thoughtful little scrunch that soured a bit at the news of the remnants. ]
Better than what was going on back home and at least they're doing better, but that's gotta be weird, yo. Do they call you mom?
[ A small chuckle at the tease, but it melted away to something a little softer. ]
I wouldn't blame you if you did. It's..somewhere to belong. Nothin' to explain to anyone, no judgment or hesitation. We all just get it, and that's not exactly easy or safe for you to come by. Plus I dunno if you'd wanna do some of the things we have to do. You're still welcome to, but I wouldn't be surprised if you still felt like you're outside looking in.
[ It wasn't said in a condescending or pitiable manner. ]
Nah, I wouldn't ask you to when it's between me and them, anyway. Besides, like I said, Chief would bury my ass in paperwork if I tried, anyway.
[ Tseng knows Reno well enough that the redhead wouldn't be able to get away with shit if he were here. ]
I haven't seen it, so I can't guess. I know that...it was maybe cured by me, according to Vincent. That somehow, there was a cleansing rain.
[Which was...well. Something that she would do, more than a healing wind.]
They try not to, but yeah. Sometimes. Usually it's when they've gone under something really stressful and need the assurance. You're a lot more steady, and you hate paperwork more then people realize. I know someone here who would bury everyone in paperwork on board if they could.
[Which is a nightmare to her, really.]
And I know...maybe I would be the outsider. I was your princess for...how long? And here I am. I'm not your target anymore, but...what are we now, Reno?
Friends? Family? I don't have to be a fellow Turk, right? Even if it would be good for me?
We'd made a medicine that helped curb the symptoms, and we were handin' it out for free, but we couldn't cure it. Rufus found out it wasn't something you got like a cold..it's more. When you give up.
So, that was you?
[ A small huff of a laugh that bubbled from his chest, softly. ]
Should've known. The pool in the church had your name all over it.
[ But with a deep breath through his nose, following by wrinkling said nose at the thought. ]
Eugh..keep me away from 'em. I can't stand paperwork, it's mind numbing. But..you wouldn't be an outsider to us, nah. Hell, if you knew half the places everyone else came from, you'd fit right in.
[ But he figured it must be hard being the only one left. He couldn't imagine, but he tried not to be completely oblivious to her situation. ]
Mmm..I mean you'd have a spot if you wanted. Some aspects I wouldn't trade for the world, but part of your job would be hurtin' people that don't deserve it.
But..friends, family.
[ His voice lowered to something of a rumble. He drawled as well, struggling to push the words out. ]
I mean. I'd call you both. You and little bit...might as well be my kid sisters.
That must have cost a fortune, even if it slowed things down. But...does that mean...Rufus and Cloud had given up...?
[She smiled a little, but her gaze was...distracted. Unhappy. No wonder things had been so hard for Cloud here. He had been fighting against something that had encroached on his mind, perhaps, much like Sephiroth had before. That does make things much clearer- like why he's here as an inmate.]
It wouldn't have been there before so...likely. Guess I work in mysterious, spooky ways from the Lifestream.
[Spooky! But...it is nice to have a group of friends. A group of people who understood her, and embraced her. She had that with Cloud and her friends. But Reno and everyone else...they were friends and family too.]
Your little sister...huh.
[She is thoughtful, thinking that. Family. It's a warm, comforting feeling. A sad feeling too, at the thought of losing them all.]
So does that mean...I could call you my big brother?
Normally it would've, but ShinRa was done and dusted at that point, 'long with the rest of Midgar, so we were doing everything pro-bono. It was just diluted SOLDIER serum, and there wasn't anything else we needed it for any more, so we just pushed the rest of our supply into that.
[ He hummed in acknowledgement. ]
Guess so. About what, hard to say. Rufus got kidnapped during meteorfall, and by the time we got him back, he'd got Geostigma. He changed a lot after that--for the better. I barely saw Cloud around the Seventh Heaven, so you'd have to ask him about that. But I know after that pool showed up in your church, he moved the Buster Sword in there.
Finally fucking polished it like he should. I could practically hear Angeal when I first saw the state that thing was in.
You doing spooky shit from the Lifestream is fine. Maybe do spooky shit and say hi to us sometime too. Angeal doesn't get to if his spooky shit is just that goddamn wear, tear, and rust spiel like a bad commercial jingle.
[ He scrunched his nose and pouted about it. But asking to call him a big brother seemed to snap him out of it with a jolt. A small sound--something confused and uncertain--was strangled in his throat. He didn't mind telling Aerith otherwise strictly confidential details due to the given circumstances, and he knew she was good with secrets, but the sudden poke at something (platonically) intimate made him falter a bit.
Normally he could brush it off seamlessly and go with the flow, but. Well. He was trying--a little bit--to reach out in turn. ]
Well..yeah, guess so. How many do you have here now? I'm sure like half this barge would kill a guy for you.
[She doesn't know all the details of what's in it- who does and who would understand it if they weren't educated about it? But pure SOLIDER serum would be like drinking bleach to a normal person. Mako poisoning was no joke- and it was serious if they restored to the serum as a stop gap.
At least it helped Rufus. Hopefully, she thinks, it pulled his head out of his butt.]
I didn't know Cloud let it get that bad. Zack wouldn't have liked that, even if he understood. Angeal...well, that was his sword first, right? He would have hated for his sword to go that way.
I'll do some spooky hellos if I can. Heck- I won't even make a dumb rant at you. That's not fun.
And...
[She looks at him. Really looks at him, eye candy and all, with soft eyes.]
We're just giving what we have a name. I do have a few adopted brothers- one who's gender fluid so I call them a brosis sometimes- and three uncles.
Plus the kids. It's a lot of family for someone who was an orphan, huh? From mom, to the Turks and friends, to this.
[Though yes. Many may kill for her in the right circumstances. She hopes to never put someone in that position, so she's careful.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ He heaved with a dramatic sigh at the thought. ]
The way she was talkin'..looks like she doesn't know anything about Edge. She didn't mind me and Rude stoppin' by the Seventh Heaven every so often for drinks, and gave us benefit of the doubt.
[ His nose wrinkled with a pout. ]
Yeah, it's gonna be a bitch to do it all over again, and I'm guessing that's why Rude respects her so much. I'm giving her space for now, but I'm gonna have to make a move eventually. It's just gonna be rough.
[ He rubbed the back of his neck as his head bowed a bit, eyes closing for a moment as he pursed his lips a bit in frustration. ]
I can't exactly go into details about a lot of things.
[ He wouldn't admit it, but letting them be angry at him was an apology from Reno. ]
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Oh! Oh, I think I know what's happening!
[She ends up slapping her fist against her palm.]
You're talking to the Tifa here right? That might be why there's confusion! She's like- she's Tifa, but not our Tifa. She's...well, I died in that world too. I don't have all the details on how things are different.
So...don't worry about the details. By that I mean- you don't...have to give me details about things. Okay?
Maybe I should talk to her.
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...Wait a minute. Roll that back for me, yo. I already know this place can pull people from different times, but what d'you mean that world? I won't give you details if you don't want 'em, but I'm gonna want a little clarification on that.
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It doesn't happen a lot, but sometimes, we have people who are- almost the same world but not quite. Something made things different- like it's different technology, or the people are different- or just different choices.
It's really weird.
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So like a multiverse for our world? And Tifa's from a different...
[ His head bobbed side to side as he looked for the right word. ]
Timeline? Does she know that?
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And...I'm pretty sure there's a lot she isn't telling me. It sounded like...she's still on the journey to stop Sephiroth.
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[ A small sigh through his nose. ]
That's gonna make it even more a pain in the ass if I don't even know what she's pissed at me for and plate drop's still that fresh on her mind.
How'd she take knowing Seph is here and finding out about the remnants?
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I didn't really get around to telling her about the kids. But Sephiroth...
As well as expected. I think the fact that he's an inmate, and we're wardens, is the only thing really keeping him safe.
Sephiroth avoids me, and likely is avoiding her too, for peace of mind on our parts. But...most likely for Cloud's sake.
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I dunno if it'll be the same for Tifa, so it might be moot, but if you do tell her beforehand, just know they picked up their names from kids that died back in Nibelheim when the town first burned down.
[ Normally not anything he had any intention of going around and saying, and was of very little relevance in neigh any situation, but it seemed worth sharing here. ]
It's the least he can do. Angeal mentioned Sephiroth doesn't remember him, and Angeal's karma aside, if we're even on Sephiroth's radar then yeah, I'd guess it's for Cloud's sake.
[ Does he pity Angeal for that? Yes. But also is it justice? Close enough to count. ]
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But we...oh. Oh no.
[Yeah, that...that's bad. That's really, really not good. They'll have to warn her about it before someone tells her.]
If Cloud doesn't know about it, you need to give her a heads up. Otherwise it...I don't know what'll happen.
[Break Tifa's heart, most likely. Those names...they could have come from friends. Siblings of friends.]
But...yeah. I think it's...Sephiroth lost any control over sanity. We know that. And...they both have a lot to work towards.
Angeal made Zack cry. So when we met...I threw crab apples at him.
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[ But the resemblance to Sephiroth still had him a little concerned. He broke from his chain of thought as Aerith chimed in, brows knitting with a solemn little hum of acknowledgement that rumbled in his throat. ]
I dunno if he does--probably not? Hell, we only found out cause of Evan and Kyrie.
[ A small sigh through his nose. ]
Yeah, they do. Weird as fuck, but if you guys ain't throwin' a fit over it, I'm not gonna get involved. [ He put his hand atop her head and ruffled her hair a little bit. More like just scratched a little lightly at her scalp since he didn't want to ruin her hair. ] Buuuut we did promise a certain someone that we'd look out for ya, so like I said, I've got the spare pair of shades on standby.
And good. We got some of the details from Chief's report, and man..I wish we could've done a little somethin' for him, though. He deserved better than Lazard's bullshit, but we're glad he's got you. Pretty sure Angeal's waiting for me to get on his ass about it too, but y'know..place to change and recover, blah blah blah, so I gotta be a good boy.
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[Like jump off of too high cliffs.]
But I'm not going to throw a fit at him. I almost did. A couple of times.
[She smiled, not ducking away from the hand on her hair, though she did bat at him lightly.]
Oh! I'm gonna have to rebrand my hair, and you're going to have to help!
[Her laugh was light. Soft. There was so much to take on, for both of them.]
You don't have to you know. Look out for me, if you don't want to. Even if that someone can't...call you out on it.
And even...yeah. Yeah. Angeal...Zack...all of them deserved better Reno.
They were just used up and buried like they were shameful embarrassments. They weren't.
They deserved better. And...maybe you should get on Angeal. He needs someone to call him out.
I can't. Not properly.
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[ Yazoo had good taste then. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug! Reno loved to partake, himself. ]
What--fine, but if you start trying to steal my hair ties, we'll have something to fight about.
[ There was a brief flash of a playful grin that melted into something more attentive at first, but then, for a moment, it softened before he hid it behind the way he looked off to the side. ]
I know.
[ A beat, but after a moment's pause: ]
Veld and Tseng..they built a good department, and that included you two. We've always thought of you guys as part of us, despite..y'know. Things being the way they had to.
[ He shook his head a bit, then looked back at the camera. ]
Veld treats all of us like his own flesh and blood--All of us look out for each other. Doesn't matter what happens, that's just what we do.
[ Another small sigh through his nose. ]
Yeah, I know. Watching Scarlet and Heidegger die the way they deserved won't ever be enough, either. But yeah, trust me. I've got Angeal's number, yo. I got Kadaj and Yazoo's too.
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[It would have made her twitchy, especially with how the Lifestream was the living memory of the planet. The Barge, at least, doesn't talk to her unless she talks to it first.]
They're okay kids. They listen and- I'm kind of...replaced Jenova for them. So...it helped them.
Also, your hair ties don't suit my hair at all. Maybe I should give them to Tifa if she wants to put her hair up...
[The tease stared and faded. The both of them...honorary Turks huh. They did take good care of her- and she hoped Zack too where they could. He deserved better.]
You were always...so together. All of you. You had a purpose. It wasn't good always but...I could envy it, a little. If I thought about it.
I'm not sure what the three of them deserve now Reno. I mean...
I wasn't there. For any of what they did. So I don't know if I can...help you get their number. You know?
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[ His brows knitted and he pulled a corner of his lips back into a thoughtful little scrunch that soured a bit at the news of the remnants. ]
Better than what was going on back home and at least they're doing better, but that's gotta be weird, yo. Do they call you mom?
[ A small chuckle at the tease, but it melted away to something a little softer. ]
I wouldn't blame you if you did. It's..somewhere to belong. Nothin' to explain to anyone, no judgment or hesitation. We all just get it, and that's not exactly easy or safe for you to come by. Plus I dunno if you'd wanna do some of the things we have to do. You're still welcome to, but I wouldn't be surprised if you still felt like you're outside looking in.
[ It wasn't said in a condescending or pitiable manner. ]
Nah, I wouldn't ask you to when it's between me and them, anyway. Besides, like I said, Chief would bury my ass in paperwork if I tried, anyway.
[ Tseng knows Reno well enough that the redhead wouldn't be able to get away with shit if he were here. ]
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[Which was...well. Something that she would do, more than a healing wind.]
They try not to, but yeah. Sometimes. Usually it's when they've gone under something really stressful and need the assurance. You're a lot more steady, and you hate paperwork more then people realize. I know someone here who would bury everyone in paperwork on board if they could.
[Which is a nightmare to her, really.]
And I know...maybe I would be the outsider. I was your princess for...how long? And here I am. I'm not your target anymore, but...what are we now, Reno?
Friends? Family? I don't have to be a fellow Turk, right? Even if it would be good for me?
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So, that was you?
[ A small huff of a laugh that bubbled from his chest, softly. ]
Should've known. The pool in the church had your name all over it.
[ But with a deep breath through his nose, following by wrinkling said nose at the thought. ]
Eugh..keep me away from 'em. I can't stand paperwork, it's mind numbing. But..you wouldn't be an outsider to us, nah. Hell, if you knew half the places everyone else came from, you'd fit right in.
[ But he figured it must be hard being the only one left. He couldn't imagine, but he tried not to be completely oblivious to her situation. ]
Mmm..I mean you'd have a spot if you wanted. Some aspects I wouldn't trade for the world, but part of your job would be hurtin' people that don't deserve it.
But..friends, family.
[ His voice lowered to something of a rumble. He drawled as well, struggling to push the words out. ]
I mean. I'd call you both. You and little bit...might as well be my kid sisters.
[ Gun notwithstanding, in Elena's case. ]
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[She smiled a little, but her gaze was...distracted. Unhappy. No wonder things had been so hard for Cloud here. He had been fighting against something that had encroached on his mind, perhaps, much like Sephiroth had before. That does make things much clearer- like why he's here as an inmate.]
It wouldn't have been there before so...likely. Guess I work in mysterious, spooky ways from the Lifestream.
[Spooky! But...it is nice to have a group of friends. A group of people who understood her, and embraced her. She had that with Cloud and her friends. But Reno and everyone else...they were friends and family too.]
Your little sister...huh.
[She is thoughtful, thinking that. Family. It's a warm, comforting feeling. A sad feeling too, at the thought of losing them all.]
So does that mean...I could call you my big brother?
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[ He hummed in acknowledgement. ]
Guess so. About what, hard to say. Rufus got kidnapped during meteorfall, and by the time we got him back, he'd got Geostigma. He changed a lot after that--for the better. I barely saw Cloud around the Seventh Heaven, so you'd have to ask him about that. But I know after that pool showed up in your church, he moved the Buster Sword in there.
Finally fucking polished it like he should. I could practically hear Angeal when I first saw the state that thing was in.
You doing spooky shit from the Lifestream is fine. Maybe do spooky shit and say hi to us sometime too. Angeal doesn't get to if his spooky shit is just that goddamn wear, tear, and rust spiel like a bad commercial jingle.
[ He scrunched his nose and pouted about it. But asking to call him a big brother seemed to snap him out of it with a jolt. A small sound--something confused and uncertain--was strangled in his throat. He didn't mind telling Aerith otherwise strictly confidential details due to the given circumstances, and he knew she was good with secrets, but the sudden poke at something (platonically) intimate made him falter a bit.
Normally he could brush it off seamlessly and go with the flow, but. Well. He was trying--a little bit--to reach out in turn. ]
Well..yeah, guess so. How many do you have here now? I'm sure like half this barge would kill a guy for you.
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[She doesn't know all the details of what's in it- who does and who would understand it if they weren't educated about it? But pure SOLIDER serum would be like drinking bleach to a normal person. Mako poisoning was no joke- and it was serious if they restored to the serum as a stop gap.
At least it helped Rufus. Hopefully, she thinks, it pulled his head out of his butt.]
I didn't know Cloud let it get that bad. Zack wouldn't have liked that, even if he understood. Angeal...well, that was his sword first, right? He would have hated for his sword to go that way.
I'll do some spooky hellos if I can. Heck- I won't even make a dumb rant at you. That's not fun.
And...
[She looks at him. Really looks at him, eye candy and all, with soft eyes.]
We're just giving what we have a name. I do have a few adopted brothers- one who's gender fluid so I call them a brosis sometimes- and three uncles.
Plus the kids. It's a lot of family for someone who was an orphan, huh? From mom, to the Turks and friends, to this.
[Though yes. Many may kill for her in the right circumstances. She hopes to never put someone in that position, so she's careful.]