middaeg | [closed] having the entire world at your fingertips

A good offensive is a good defensive.

[Wait no- It's the other way around. Sigh.]

Let's see what you can do then, kid.

[Despite the jab he is actually interested in seeing how Riku is doing. Witch powers must be hard to learn and he can't imagine having to start from square one in that sense. He's always had materia and there isn't much learning to that magic. It's pretty much just slot the materia in and go.]

Yeah, despite being a country boy I've always liked the city more. I like the noise.

[Home is too quiet. He got too restless too quickly.

He turns to the stand and gives a strong sniff. Growing monster senses make things smell ten times more amazing. Hmmm, meat.]

What would you like? The chicken looks great. ... At least I hope it's chicken.

Me too.

[Being alone with her thoughts is a daunting proposition and one that Justine avoids at all costs.] I don't know if it's chicken but it smells good. [She loops her arm around his and follows him towards the rows of chard meat.]

I think it's worth trying.

[This world is weird, they have weird foods here too, but Justine is working very hard not to think about it too much.]

[Yeah, you're getting a look and a raised eyebrow for that. Zack, please. You know that's not how that saying goes.]

Power isn't always everything...

[His tone is a bit distant at that, but it doesn't last long. Zack's caught him off guard and he blinks, surprise clear on his face.]

What? You... want me to show you?

[He's really hoping they don't eat monsters around here. He's had his fair share of weird gamey meats in his life but monsters? That would just be awkward now.

He gives her a wink as she slips her arms around his.]

Today is about trying new things, is it?

[He orders them two skewers each of the delicious smelling meats.]

Here you are.

Sounds like there's a story behind that.

[Just a guess. Zack certainly knows about the power-hungry types.

He grins and crosses his arms over his chest.]

And yeah, let's see what you got. You said you're used to handling fire?

Yes, it is.

[Trying new things and getting into new troubles.

Justine takes the skewer in her free hand and nibbles delicately at it's end. It's good. The meat is roasted and tender and while she can't identify the spice its akin to jerk chicken.] It's good. [She smiles up at him.]

Do you like it?

[That.... well, it's not something Cloud can't take down. Maybe.

But is it a fair fight if it's missing its head? Cloud grabs his sword and swings it forward as he watches the creature.]

Now what...

...Maybe.

[He grimaces and looks away. And that's the only acknowledgement he'll give Zack in regards to that.

Instead deciding to focus on Zack's request of sorts. He turns to the rest of the little area around them, but there's not much to use to target practice. His original intention was to come here and practice maintaining a spell, seeing how long one little bit of magic could last. But there is a small table and chairs, and with a hum, Riku decides they'll do. Someone in the Coven who's more experienced can surely conjure some more up.]

Kind of. It feels easier to use than other types of magic... [Not that he'd claim to be good at other kinds of magic. Sora was the one with the magician friend. The closest equivalent for Riku would be Maleficent, and even that's a stretch.

So Riku goes over, grabs both of the chairs and sets them up a few feet apart from one another before returning to his spot near Zack. It feels a little like he's showing off, but the older man did ask for this.

A deep breath and eye close. It's easy enough to dip down into what feels like an endless reservoir of magic inside him. A different feeling than the Darkness that usually plagues his heart. The lessons he's been taking have been leaving things a little vague, but visualizing has helped him. Thoughts of Kairi and of the warmth and sun of the islands. Remembering the last battle he had at Sora's side, utilizing his Firaga spells for all they were worth.

Sparks crackle at his fingertips and eyes open wide. Riku pulls back a hand only to thrust it forward again, a volley of dark purple fireballs launched at the chairs.]

Fire!

[Most hit the targets. There's a few that stray off course. But hey, it never hurts to do some target practice.]

Edited 2019-06-14 01:08 (UTC)

[The spicy chicken-like meat is good as he rips a bite out of his own skewer. He's not as graceful as she is about it. Perhaps that his new-ish wolf side kicking in.]

... One thing I do love about being stuck in this brave new world? It's the food. I haven't had anything I don't like yet.

[He likes it. So much better than rations or shitty Wutai take-out.]

Now ...

[Zack nonchalantly crosses his arms over his chest.

Meanwhile, the armour turns and catches 'sight' of them with a grinding sound as metal shifting against metal.]

Now you take it out. It likes sword fights, right?

[Because it's lifting that large as hell broadsword right now!]

[As that fire magic crackles in the air and the chair takes a serious firey beating Zack can't help but twitch at the smell of it. It assaults his senses out of nowhere and he suddenly puts a hand over his nose. The smell of magic is so strong that it leaves his head spinning with a strange tingly pleasure and he growls out under his breath because of it.]

... Great. Yeah. Good job.

[He's still holding his nose as if he's trying to get that sweet smell out of it. Magic. Especially a witch's magic. Is this what it does to monsters?]

[Luckily, Riku is pretty good at conjuring flames, but they haven't had too many lessons on what to do if you miss your target. The few stray fireballs snuff out against the walls of the area, but the chair is left burning under the flames. He wouldn't mind snuffing it out himself, but a half toasted chair wouldn't be of use to anyone anyways.

No. Instead he turns to Zack, looking a little concerned. The older man sounded a bit distracted, and holding onto his nose like that just confirms it.]

Hey... you okay?

[There's always been a few monsters around in the classrooms, sharing space with their bonded partners. But he's never seen a reaction like this from one of them. It is just because of the bonds?]

You make it sound like it'll be an easy fight. The thing has no head.

[Which would be a great way to see where it might swing. Cloud gets ready to defend himself as he looks the armor over.

Could go for the legs. Let's see how fast this sucker will swing, first.]

[Justine smiles as she tugs the meat from the skewer with her teeth. She eats slowly but quickly. She can't keep up with Zack but she tries so that he isn't waiting for her to finish.]

Me too though I don't know how I feel about blue strawberries. [She licks her fingers, her tone sounding disappointed. Strawberries are Justine's favorite and she doesn't like that this world has messed with them.]

Mmmm [Justine hums softly as she spots a shadier area of the city stretching out in front of them.] How do you feel about exploring in that direction Zack? [She might be looking for something but she isn't sure what or where it might be. It also might be very illegal.]

Yeah.

[Zack says this quickly and sharply as he rubs his nose like he wants to sneeze.]

Just the smell of magic... It's pretty damn strong.

[Zack has to jump to the side as the large walking armour takes a heavy swing at Cloud! It is a horizontal slash intending to take Cloud out at the waist. Luckily it's fairly slow but if it hits it might be pretty lethal. IT favours strength over speed, for sure.]

Yeah, but it's just a pile of scrap in the end!

[Zack feels his fingers twitch with a want to fight. But for now, he'll let Cloud handle it. He's watching!]

Don't be afraid to use a spell or two as well, Cloud!

[He finishes his treat quicky but at least he doesn't make a mess of himself doing it. He's got an image to keep in front of a woman, after all.

Zack glances off towards where she indicates and he raises an eyebrow.]

... Sure. Let's check it out. Why not.

[He's open-minded, at least.]

[Justine smiles.

Open minded is good.]

Thank you.

[Her arm loops around his and she follows at his side towards the streets hidden by shadows. There are still vendors along the streets, some selling foods and different odds and ends. One person looks to be selling recreational positions and Justine gently pulls Zack to a stop to listen to his sales pitch.]

Have you tried something like this before?

[At first Zack seems pretty content to look at all the little vendors along the streets. Even eyes up a few things he think might amuse Cloud. But when she stalls them for that particular one he glances at her.]

What is it?

I'm not sure but I think it's supposed to be a hallucinogen.

[Like weed.]

Do you want to try it?

Drugs?

[He tilts his head to the side. Honestly, his body has gone through so many chemical onslaughts over the years that drugs aren't really that big of a deal to him. They fade just like meds do...]

You know what? Sure. [He grins a bit.] Who knows, maybe it'll even help with the headaches I've been having.

[Cloud uses the sword to take the hit, letting the flat of it act like a shield. He slides to the side with the force till his feet stop. Okay... so this thing has a hefty hit. Pushing back at the blade till he can shove it away, Cloud steps forward to slash upwards.]

If you know what magic to use, I'm all ears!

They might. [Justine agrees with a warm smile. She digs some money out of her pocket and pays the sketchy man before turning back towards Zack.]

We should probably find a comfortable place to sit. A park maybe?

[She doesn't really know how this will affect them.]

Have you learned anything with thunder or fire yet?!

[Zack picks the moment that Cloud strikes the armor and makes it stumble backwards to jump up at the creature and grab onto its non-sword arm. He yanks with unusually high strength which pops the arm right off.

But then it starts to blindly swing at Cloud again. Zack quickly lands on his feet and throws the arm piece down.]

[closed] having the entire world at your fingertips

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