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

[Back home Zack’s original idea was for them become mercenaries when they reached Midgar together. They were going to live a nomad-like life and make fat stacks of gil off random work they would run into. At the time he made up this dream just to keep him and Cloud going. To have something to look forward to while they were on the run. A dream to think of simpler times…

So, it’s kind of surreal to think that they actually have a chance to do something similar to that. Quests for random people around town to help people out and make some cash because it seems like a pretty decent deal to him. Especially without the caveat of Shinra on their tail.

They’re heading out towards the main walls to look for some random piece of enchanted armour that had been sighted walking around and swinging a sword at random.]

Hopefully, we find this random walking disaster quick. Before it hurts someone. Which way did they say to look?

[Zack is wandering around the Coven grounds that day he comes across that mouthy kid he met on his first day here who seems to be minding his own business. Zack can’t help but greet him with a small cheerful wave. Which almost means he is butting into the said business. Right?]

Yo! Still alive, I see!

[Despite the jabs that were exchanged between them before Zack still likes the kid. Good to see he’s still hanging around.]

Edited 2019-06-02 17:07 (UTC)

[There is just something nice about getting a casual date with a pretty girl that cheers Zack right up. It’s nothing serious of course, they have just met each other, but he’s more than happy to get to know her and see how it goes.]

Hey there. Ready to go?

[The Entertainment District seems like the best place to go. As he’s still learning the city and finding great places to be and it seems like it’ll be an adventure on its own. It’s a loud set of streets and various curious establishments and things to see.]

Heard there are a ton of street performers and good food down in The Entertainment District.

[Her life before hadn't lent itself to going on dates but there is something exciting about experiencing one now. It's fun and light and she'll get to learn more about her new friend.

It's also an excuse to dress up, which is by far one of Justine's greatest vices.

She has her hair up in a messy bun with curling silky strands of raven hair framing either side of her cheeks. Her corset is white, hemmed with lace framing her chest and hips. A skirt wraps tightly around her thin waist and then drops to her ankles, showing off a decorated pair of boots.

Justine looks up as Zack arrives and smiles.] Yeah.

That sounds perfect. I admit, [Her head tilts thoughtfully to the side.] I haven't spent a lot of time there. I'd like to see what they have. [She follows at his side with her fingers laced together in front of her.] I am surprised that the street food here is similar to what I would expect.

[That made up dream was a reality for Cloud. A reality he still isn't 100% sure he wants for Zack with everything that has become attached to it. There is still so much he hasn't told the other, but finding the will to do so along with the right time? It'll get shoved off for at least another day.

He shakes his head as they walk.]

They didn't. Just said it's been wandering around, and from the sounds of it? Challenging people. [He puts a hand on the hilt of his sword.] Might be easier to draw him out if I have this unsheathed.

[Damn. He smiles at her warmly, appreciating her appearance with a nod. She looks great and Zack looks feels like he might be under dressed. He's got a simple pair of black pants on and a white shirt with the sleeves folded up to his elbows. It's muggy out lately because summer is fast approaching and all.]

You look great.

[Off they go towards that area of the city. He has a (literally) monstrous appetite so food sounds like a good plan first.]

Yeah, the food is great around here. This city really knows how to do it. The music, the lights, the food. What are you in the mood for?

[He glances at the weapon Cloud carries. He misses the weapon- only a little- but he still finds it appropriate that it stays with Cloud now. It makes him think of Angeal with a small pain in his heart. But those are thoughts for later.]

Challenges, huh... Guess I'll get to see just how much you've improved.

[Give him a good show, Cloud.]

Let's go this way first.

[Cloud isn't sure he would ever give it back, even if asked. The sword is important for a lot of reasons. He plans on making it the sword that takes Sephiroth down once and for all. Maybe then he could give it back...]

Want me to show off?

[He can. If he feels like it. With a nod, he starts heading where indicated.]

Thank you.

[Justine accepts the compliment with a warm smile and a light rosy blush spreading across her cheeks. She doesn't expected Zack to dress up but it is something that she enjoys, along with turning heads when she walks down the street.] A little bit of everything.

I am more interested in getting to know you. I don't think it matters where we go. [Her smile widens.] So lets start with the food stalls and if pass a store or bar that we want to explore further, we can stop inside.

[She brushes her fingers along the back of his hand.]

Let our impulses run wild.

[That is exactly what's happening. Riku's been able to find a small secluded space on the Coven grounds, far enough away from the main hub and distracting noises. It's been easy to attend the classes here, but finding a safe place to practice alone was a little different.

He's been concentrating on some evocation magic the past few days, hoping to master some of the fire he wielded back during the dreams. It's been easy enough to conjure a few flames, but harder to direct the fire and maintain it.

Which means as soon as he hears Zack's voice, his concentration is broken. The little ball of dark fire in front of him fizzles out of existence, and Riku turns to face the older man.]

...Could say the same for you. [Zack certainly looked better. More alive and less likely to collapse on the ground. But despite that, some things seemed new and different in places. His hands for one.

Tilting his head curiously, he crosses his arms. So much for practice right now.]

How are you feeling?

Yep. You're the one with the sword.

[He gives Cloud a quick wink. To be honest he's really interested in seeing how much Cloud has actually changed and improved. He's not the bright-eyed boy he used to be. Especially not the one who failed to get into SOLDIER anymore.

The path they go is pretty deserted so far. But it shouldn't take them too long to hear some odd clanking armour marching about.]

[Turning heads is definitely what she's going to do. She should be proud as she is a very pretty woman. And when she brushes her fingers against his hand he grins widely. She's a witch, clearly, because it makes a tickle in the back of his head. Impulses, huh...?]

Yeah. Sounds like a great plan. The food stalls are just up ahead. I can already smell the baked apples. After that, we'll follow our senses.

[He's been keen on baked apples lately. They can chat along the way.]

So, tell me more about yourself too. What's your homeworld like.

Edited 2019-06-04 00:04 (UTC)

I'll try not to disappoint.

[Don't wink and make things weird... It should be obvious he's improved somewhat since he can actually lift the damn thing. But hey, bioenhancements does that to people.

Cloud slows down as he listens.]

...... it's close.

Whoops. Sorry about that. Whatever it was you were doing.

[He gives a slight shrug as he watches that fire magic fizzle away. He honestly didn't mean to interrupt. He just happens to have that effect on things sometimes.

Zack's hands have very real wolf-like claws now where his human nails used to be. They're annoying and he's ripped a few shirts already but it's a process. There are faint little nubs of growing horns hidden in his hair but luckily his dark and wild hair hides them for the most part. For now.]

I'm better than I was on my first day, that's for sure. What about you? Kicking it off fast with the magic from the looks of it.

[She follows at his side, a light smile playing across the sweet curve of her lips. Justine isn't sure what to expect but she likes Zack so far and that's a good start.]

Apples? I'm more of a fan of strawberries.

[They are her weakness, if he gets close enough to smell her shampoo he might notice that Justine also smells like strawberries.] My home? I was born in Chicago but I'm not sure I would call it home. It's a city like this but more modern and most people don't believe in magic or monsters.

What about you?

[It wasn't much anyways. Riku's been trying to focus more on concentration and maintaining spells, and seeing just how much magic he can use on a daily basis. Testing his limits as it is, now that his own magic and powers have vanished.

Riku turns to the spot where the fire once was, frowning a little to himself. Fast, yes, but if there's one thing the past few years have taught him is that it's better to be prepared than not. Classes have been helping with the few that the Coven has been offering, but it's always better to practice.]

I guess so... Gotta do something while we're here. [He shrugs, feeling a bit sheepish as he turns back to Zack, as if he was caught doing something worse than practicing. Riku's eyes trail on the claws for a minute or so, but doesn't acknowledge them more than that.]

Things have been alright so far. Classes are interesting.

[He's not making things weird!! He's being. Cool. He, honest to goodness, wants to see how Cloud has come along as a fighter. He has high hopes and expectations. Angeal would probably comment on him acting like this.

There is a clunking noise in the distant. It's rattling and noisy and easy to find out which direction it's coming from. Zack gives a nod and points.]

Let's give it the jump before it notices us first.

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.

[Cloud holds an arm out.]

I'll give it the jump.

[You're not exactly quiet, Zack.]

[Zack gives a small nod as he rolls a shoulder out. He can agree with that. It's better to keep busy and look into this whole Cwyld issue or learn something new than sit around waiting to think if they'll be going home anytime soon. He's worried about home and the people he left behind but the more he dwells on it the harder his head hurts.]

Learning how to make explosions? That's handy. Maybe you'll be good enough to take on some Cwyld soon.

[W O W]

... Alright, hot shot. Go for it.

[Hey. He's got practice now against stuff like this. Let him work.

Cloud nods and starts heading towards the noise, hand on the hilt of his sword. He's hoping Zack stays back. Hoping. Not going to put it past the other to try and follow.]

[He can agree with that. At least magic training is giving him some focus and purpose, but his friends and his home are always in the back of his mind. He Hope's with all his heart that Sora at least made it home. That's all he really needs to know.

There's something of a laugh and a hint of a smile.] Not exactly, and I'm hardly good enough to do something like that. [He focuses again, this time in the area between them, and some sparks flicker into existence. Bright and golden until they change into a purple.]

Fire is just something I'm familiar with. Gotta have some offensive... right?

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.]

[Zack can't help but grin as he watches Cloud get so serious. He's still so used to Cloud being the one following him instead of the other way around. Honestly, it's a breath of fresh air. He's good about it too, hanging back with his hands on his hips.

Meanwhile, the clunking noise gets louder but it's an even slow pace as it hasn't noticed anything yet. Then the armor comes sauntering around the corner with a very large broadsword hefted in its empty gauntlet.

Zack let's out a small impressed whistle. But it's quiet and doesn't get the thing's attention. More than likely because it doesn't actually have ears.]

[closed] having the entire world at your fingertips

Cloud Strife

Riku

Justine

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