This was an amazing fic! I'm starving for good gen Rufus fics. Awesome job!

Ah, an epiphany.
Rufus suddenly, finally, brutally (and is there any other way?) understands.
Well written.
Attention to the details of Rufus' ruminations (luv dat werd) gives the reader a very clear idea of just what sort of mind Shinra jr. has, without stating it outright.
"Finite resources. Opportunity cost, some voice was saying inanely in the back of his head. Words from a tutor long gone, words that he’d never really understood the meaning of."
Rufus clearly regards this moment as a lesson even before he fully understands that he has something to learn. In the end, a dying girl he never knew teaches him things expensive tutors and private lessons could never fully impress upon him.
(Wow, I'm am really TIRED right now, and I keep falling asleep where I am. I wanna get through this review, though... ghrr... must... write... vaguely intelligent... concrit...)
So, you had some really potent lines in there:
"Rufus Shinra, he thought. The boy who owned the world."
And as for devices, I really liked the clock at the beginning of the fic.
Time is running out. Sometimes the scariest thing to listen to (if you're in a philosophical, morbid mood) is a clock. Ticking. Like each second brings you that much closer to death.
"Tick, and he opened his eyes again..."

There's some more to say, but damned if I remember what it is, when my eyes keep... closing...
I also wanted to mention something about your fic on LJ, Edge of the World, but- well, we've established that my brain isn't working so hot and all I can think of to say about "Edge" is that it Roxorz seriously, that peacefulchaos did some truly kickass art to go along w/ chapter 6, and that I can't wait to read some more!
yers
hoheehum
ps. I totally fell asleep right before I hit the "submit review" button. That's what I get for being an out-of-practice insomniac. Oh, I forgot to mention that I want to add this to my C2, "1"

I'm probably somewhat late with this review, but I just watched AC and I'm getting back into the swing of things.
I knew the story would be brilliant before I even read it (always beware of authors who warn against 'bad writing'). Each character is meticulously in character, and although it might seem strange, my favorite part of it was the way you somehow made the bond between Rufus and the Turks seem so strong with so few indications.
I'd plead for more, but this seems like a one-shot. Nevertheless, if you plan to continue, I'll most likely devour it with enthusiasm.

Good fic. I like how you write Rufus

*LOVES YOU. Just SO DAMNED MUCH*

The pacing, the reactions, the characterisation, AUGH. Just about everything. I can't stop SQUEEING.