President Shinra showed affection through material means.
Covered in Chapter 13. Tseng and Rufus are going over personnel documents on Annette Townshend, Evan’s mother. Rufus mentions to Tseng that she was a secretary 20 years ago, and that only “personal reasons” were listed as her reason for resignation…and yet she was paid ten times the company’s standard retirement bonus. Tseng remarks that it seemed this particular woman was special, which prompts the following thought from Rufus:
“He always showed affection with money or gifts. So, because Annette Townshend received more money than the other women, it’s possible she received more affection as well. And what did Annette give my father in return?” I think we all know the answer to that question.
Rufus hides his emotions behind laughter.
In chapters 13 through 16, there are many instances where Rufus’ point of view and inner feelings are revealed to the reader, but are not shown on the character’s surface. Whenever he is feeling anxious, hurt, apprehensive, worried, etc., the only outward actions that betray these thoughts and feelings to the other characters is a bitter smile or laugh. Some examples:
—In Chapter 13, Tseng remarks that Annette Townshend refused to take the exorbitant retirement bonus offered by Prez. Rufus bitterly smiles and thinks,
“She hated my old man, too.”
—In Chapter 14, Reno arrives at Healin with Evan in tow. When Reno responds to Tseng’s remark that he got there fast because he is excited for the two half-brothers to meet, Rufus laughs bitterly and thinks,
“This isn’t the first time I’ve met a half-brother. There was neither excitement nor joy there. Hostility, fear, hope: either of those could come to the other person’s mind.” Seems to me this other half-brother he mentions is a reference to Lazard.
—During Chapter 15 (which is told through Evan’s point of view in the first person) there is an attack on the Healin compound. Kyrie is able to locate Evan in a room alone with Rufus, who she is surprised to see. Evan notices her asking Rufus about his Geostigma in a caring and worried manner, and out of jealousy he spits out “It’s your reward.” When Kyrie glares and Evan and counters his remark with “Can you say the same about Vits?” Rufus laughs with scorn and Evan thinks of himself as cruel.
—Also in Chapter 15, while Reno and Rude are forcibly subduing the attackers, Evan notices Rufus’ downturned face and that he’s subtly laughing. Evan is surprised by this and the fact that Rufus seems completely unshaken by the chaos, and wonders what kind of life he’s had to live.
Details on Rufus’, Evan’s and Prez’s physical appearances.
In Chapter 14, we get a good idea of each of the son’s physical features and how it all trickles down through the genetics. Rufus observes Evan when he first enters the room and thinks,
“His hair color is the same. His eyes…they’re my father’s eyes. The eyebrows, too. Evan’s profile seems to resemble our father’s while I take after my mother. Overall, we resemble each other.” Several paragraphs later, Reno remarks that he was surprised when he first seen Evan (as shown in chapter 3, which can be read in English online) because his eyes, eyebrows and stature resemble Rufus’. So, this paints a nice picture as to what physical traits Rufus (and by extension Evan) take from their father, and that Rufus does apparently have the ghost of his mother in his face.
Rufus’ assumption gives us a teaser as to what Mrs. Shinra may have looked like.
Generally, anyway. In Chapter 14, as he is observing Evan, Rufus acknowledges that they have different mothers, but if his father’s tastes in women were consistent, then they probably look alike. In Chapter 1, which can be read in English online, Annette Townshend is described as short with beautiful wavy blonde hair. So, if Rufus’ opinion means anything, this may be what his mother looked like as well.
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