[open] if you could only see

[exsoldier]

Who: Zack & YOU, plus some closed prompts!
When: Throughout Aguril
Where: Throughout Aefenglom and the Wilde
What: August catch-all: quests, Zack going feral, red string spell stuff
Warnings: Violence due to going feral

[ prompts are in the comments below! if you want a specific starter for anything, you can pm me or hit me up over at demonology! ]

Comments

[exsoldier]

[ As frustrating as it might be for Zack to have to hear about all of this and have not the slightest bit of memory jogged, he'd still rather know than remain in the dark about it. He's relieved that Lightning is comfortable with telling him now, though he can understand why she didn't lead with any of this during their first few talks.

Odd as it is to know he did something without being able to recall it, he takes the words to heart, nodding firmly before he collects his now empty bowl and takes it to the sink. ]

And I'd do it all again, if it came to that. But I'm hoping it won't. [ After depositing the bowl, he turns himself around to lean up against the counter and pins Lightning down with his gaze. ] Hope you can figure out a bond soon. Even if it's with another witch, it's better than nothing.

[ A temporary bonding potion would give her some relief too, but it's temporary for a reason. She's going to need to figure out something more permanent, and while he isn't going to put her in an awkward position by making any offers now, the fact remains that they could both benefit from a bond.

Actually going that extra step to suggest it or ask for it is the hard part, though. ]

[sparkstrikes]

[Any bond would be better than no bond, but she isn't ready to take that kind of leap of faith. For now, it's enough that Zack knows that Lightning can trust him, and maybe further down the road, she'll muster up the courage to do something with that trust, but in her own eyes, it's delicate and she wants to treat it with as much care as possible. No matter what he says to reassure her, she did almost screw it up once.

Lightning remains seated while he wanders over to the sink, and somehow manages to level her gaze with his when he turns it back around to her, a smile trying to emerge at the corner of her lip.]

Glad to hear it. [Genuinely. And she would do the same, but thankfully, she isn't planning on letting it get that far this time.] You ever need anything... even if it's just a real good bowl of soup, all you gotta do is ask. Hope I can do the same.

[There's an awkward second of silence that hovers over Lightning, weighing down on her even as she tries to push herself up from the chair, and her eyes dart to the sink, searching for something else to talk about with all that said.]

How was it?

[exsoldier]

'Course you can.

[ Zack's nature of doing everything in his power to help others probably goes without saying at this point, and while he's the sort who'll offer aid even to strangers, his bond is that much stronger with friends. Of which Lightning is one, and he really hopes he doesn't have to spell that out. Acquaintances don't stop by with offerings of soup, after all.

Before he can make some sort of derogatory comment about his own cooking skill or lack thereof, Lightning asks what he thought of her soup. His mouth twitches and he casts a glance at his bowl, sitting in the sink, almost not looking like it needs to be cleaned at all given that there's barely a trace of anything left in it. ]

Oh, I hated it. That's why I licked it clean, right?

[ He grins, then heads back over to sit at the table again. ]

Seriously... If there's any leftovers, I'm shameless enough to ask if I can take 'em off your hands.

[sparkstrikes]

[It doesn't need saying, but it still is nice to hear that not much has changed. Knowing that for certain makes this all easier for her to navigate, and maybe she doesn't need to be as sensitive or careful about it anymore. There isn't much else to share, though—that was the biggest reason for her trusting him—so besides that, the reasons for their unlikely friendship are mostly obvious.]

Thought you said that you hated it. Guess this'll be the last time I ever feed you.

[Oh no. What a shame!!!

With all of that out of the way and aired out between them, Lightning feels a little more at ease, relaxing her shoulders and slumping back against the chair.]

Too bad, I always make too much for a house with three other women... [If anyone's even home. Well, maybe Rikku is the exception... They're all a bunch of busybodies, never sitting still for long.] Who's gonna eat all the steaks or drink all the beers?

[exsoldier]

[ Lightning taking his teasing comment and running with it is the last bit of proof that Zack needed when it came to feeling at ease in their friendship, and he slaps a hand over his heart as if he's just been struck, playing along with the ruse.

This talk of steak and beer is too tempting for him to just pass up, though. His eyes glint, somehow managing to still work up an appetite after polishing off a bowl of soup. ]

Maybe I'll just have to swing by out of the goodness of my heart and help you out with that, sometime...

[ Though before he gets too deep into inviting himself over to Lightning's place for dinner, he remembers himself. Straightening in his seat, he holds one finger up. ]

Gotta take you out for a few drinks first, though! I haven't forgotten. Just... [ He heaves out a sigh and drags a hand back through his hair, freezing when his fingers brush over feathers. That's going to take some getting used to. ] When I don't feel like I got run over by a truck, all right?

[sparkstrikes]

[He'd be doing her a favour, and out of the goodness of his heart too!? If they're not careful, they may just find themselves falling into an endless spiral of owing each other drinks for things that they'll bleed their wallets dry before they're done.

She had forgotten about the feathers for the time being, reminded only when his fingers rustle them in his hair, and her smile fades into a worried frown. It must not be easy... and if it were her, she'd have plucked them all out the moment they started grow.]

You look like you got run over by one, too. [In the sense that he looks tired, just like every other monster she's talked to after the full moon.

Her chair squeaks as she pushes it out from the table.]

Better start resting up. Those drinks aren't gonna drink themselves.

[exsoldier]

[ Zack doesn't take any offense at Lightning saying it how it is. He'd stared in a mirror for long enough this morning to know what he looks like, and in some ways the extra feathers are not the most alarming thing.

If he gets enough sleep and rest, though, he's sure that he'll bounce back in no time. It'll take more than transforming into some eagle-lion thing to keep him down.

When he realizes that Lightning is planning to excuse herself, he's quick to also stand, wanting to make sure to walk her out. ]

Yeah, fair enough. I do appreciate you coming by, though. It means a lot.

[ He shoots her a smile, then turns to lead her back to the front door. ]

[sparkstrikes]

Least I could do.

[She follows behind, making sure to toss her bag in the trash on their way out of the kitchen, but she pauses at the front door as they swing it open, letting the cool night air drift inside. Lightning isn't sure why she hesitates to leave, opening her mouth to say something more than just a goodbye, but she promptly shuts it with a grin.

And then, just as she walks out, she holds up three fingers over her shoulder.]

That's three now, Fair. Don't forget.