[ Now that Zack thinks back on it, the vibe is pretty similar to how it had been when they'd walked into Nibelheim. Not that he could really blame any of those folks for viewing representatives of Shinra with disdain, given their track record. Still, it comes down to the same thing: being judged based on a general belief rather than on the substance of your character.
Zack nods and sighs, though before he can say anything, Cloud grabs his wrist and curls his arm around, returning the favor. It's not what Zack would have expected, but as he realizes that they're being glared at yet again, he understands where it comes from. Cloud wants to make it clear to these people that he isn't going to shun him -- and is even going to make a point of the fact that they're in this together.
All done in silence, without outwardly calling these people out, but that's enough. They don't need to make a scene.
And the words Cloud speaks, not to mention the conviction with which he says them -- that touches Zack most of all. They walk a few more steps, and then a warm smile tugs at his lips. ]
You know, after going on about the vows, isn't that pretty much what you just did? [ He winks at Cloud. ] Not so hard after all.
[ As much as they might be gawked at, Zack refuses to just go hide away beyond the city limits. They're just as entitled to go out for a meal on the town as anyone else, and he won't let the people here make him believe anything different.
A pause, and then he clears his throat and adds: ] Thanks, though. It is nice, to hear it. [ Even for someone as geared toward being positive as Zack, all of the prejudiced behavior does wear him down at times. ]
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Zack nods and sighs, though before he can say anything, Cloud grabs his wrist and curls his arm around, returning the favor. It's not what Zack would have expected, but as he realizes that they're being glared at yet again, he understands where it comes from. Cloud wants to make it clear to these people that he isn't going to shun him -- and is even going to make a point of the fact that they're in this together.
All done in silence, without outwardly calling these people out, but that's enough. They don't need to make a scene.
And the words Cloud speaks, not to mention the conviction with which he says them -- that touches Zack most of all. They walk a few more steps, and then a warm smile tugs at his lips. ]
You know, after going on about the vows, isn't that pretty much what you just did? [ He winks at Cloud. ] Not so hard after all.
[ As much as they might be gawked at, Zack refuses to just go hide away beyond the city limits. They're just as entitled to go out for a meal on the town as anyone else, and he won't let the people here make him believe anything different.
A pause, and then he clears his throat and adds: ] Thanks, though. It is nice, to hear it. [ Even for someone as geared toward being positive as Zack, all of the prejudiced behavior does wear him down at times. ]