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

Chicago. Weird name.

[Not any weirder than Midgar... Her following return of the question makes Zack wonder how he should reply. He didn't really have a home-base at the end of it all.]

I was originally from a small town called Gongaga. Backwater place in the middle of the country. Nothing really special. I moved to the big city when I was younger and joined the army there.

[He says army only because it makes more sense to most people than 'super soldier faction for an electrical company powerhouse' and all.]

We do have magic and monsters where I'm from. Kind of like this place. But more advanced.

It's a weird place.

[She assures him with a warm smile.]

So you're used to all of this. [Justine likes learning about others worlds. There were so many of them and they were all different but still with their own similarities.] Do you like living in a city?

[She walks at his side, easily matching whatever pace Zack had set for them. Justine slows when they reach the food and points to some vendor selling meat on a stick. It smells amazing.]

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.]

[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.

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?

[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.]

[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.]

[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.

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.]

[She's too quick! He would have paid- But here they are with some of this questionable stuff. He gives it a curious look before he nods.]

Yeah. There's one close to here I think.

[Or someplace that will work. They head that way and when they get there it seems that it's pretty calm and quiet. Maybe some weird looking geese swimming around a tiny pond.]

You do anything like this before?

[She loops her arm through his as they head towards the nearby park. Justine isn't sure what she's expecting to gain from the potion in her hand but she's curious. It might be a solution to her problems, even if a temporary one.]

Nothing exactly like this. [She began as she gently glides Zack towards a patch of thick dry grass.] But I like new experiences. They keep things interesting.

[Justine uncorks the potion and sniffs at the liquid inside. It smells earthy and grassy.] Would you like to drink some first or should I? [She doesn't have a preference but it's a date and it's polite to offer.]

[He's not new to drugs and strange coloured mind altering liquids. Being in SOLDIER meant that he had to have somewhat of an open mind about these sorts of things. Regular mako injections were a normal occurrence for him for some time. And not to mention the time he got to experience being Hojo's little test tube baby after that...

Best not to think about that.

Zack takes the potion gently with a small sniff.]

How about I go first and if I pass out dead you'll know not to drink the rest.

[It's just a joke-! But also he's sort of serious. Better him than her. So with that he takes a fairly decent taste of it. It tastes metallic on his tongue.]

Ah! Zack! [She quickly speaks as if to scold his train of thought but it's too late to stop him. The thick liquid is out of the bottle and down his throat. He appears fine though his features don't give Justine much hope as to the taste of the potion.]

I'd rather you not die on our date. [It'd be unfortunate.

Justine takes the potion and downs the remaining liquid. Her tongue laps gently against the roof of her mouth as a little tingle glides down her throat and settles in her stomach. She has no idea how long they have to wait to feel it's affects.

Her dark eyes glance up at Zack and then gently take his hand in hers, running the tip of her finger along his palm.]

So? How do you feel?

[All he does is give her a proud grin when she fusses at him and when she reaches for his hand he gives it a squeeze back. Honestly, it's nice to have some companionship like this. Even if it's just for the moment it's nice since being so far away from the people he's worried about can make him feel heavy.

But the affects of the potion makes him feel... lighter? Something makes the grass seem greener and the dark of her eyes shimmer. He blinks and tries to focus but it seems like the world suddenly tilts...]

I feel... like I'm gonna float.

[Justine smiles and shifts so that she's leaning against his side with her head resting lightly on his shoulder.] What if I hold you down like this? [Her fingers intertwine with his as the affects of the potion wash over her.

Her chest feels lighter as her thoughts calm to a lazy slow hush of thoughts.]

What do you think that cloud looks like?

Over there.

[He lets her curl against him and even shifts to pull her right close. He can't really help himself. Or can he? Everything feels fuzzy and light. Slowly growing warm and languid. Lazy. His limbs feel like they're full of air.

He looks up with glossy eyes and grins lazily.]

It's a bear. You see it?

[Justine laughs softly, her voice and breath close to his ear as she spoke.] Not a bear. It's a badger. See. It's tail right there. It's too long for a bear. They have short nubby tails. [She points and then lets her arm drop against his chest.

It's comfortable and she's suddenly lost the will to move despite the warm feeling she feels bubbling in her chest. Her fingers trail across Zack's chest, noticing the curve of his muscles as she searches the sky.]

That one is a dragon. just there. See the wings?

[closed] having the entire world at your fingertips

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