[If he's sure about wanting to hear it, then Lightning will happily oblige, not questioning it any further but assuring him with a nod. She'll need another sip of her drink before talking about it because she found it left a bad taste in her mouth. Best to start washing it down now...]
Old friends of mine were captured by some group of xenophobic nobles. A family, I think. Locals.
[She tacks that on at the end, just in case. It's important for her to distinguish them from the Otherworlders like them that are here, so it's more for herself than it is for Zack.
Her gaze wanders away from his and down to the table, eyes glazing over while they stare at the lines in the polished wood as she continues.]
Said they started a riot... tried to burn down a refugee school. When they got taken, they were tortured.
[ Zack can see now why Lightning had wanted to warn him before sharing this information. It's not the best topic of conversation to be had over a drink, if he's honest, but that doesn't mean that he regrets hearing her out.
Getting captured and tortured? Yeah, he's got some experience with that. If the people who live here are willing to do that to them just because they come from a different world, it doesn't leave Zack with much reason to give them the benefit of the doubt.
His expression darkens and he takes another sip of his drink -- a longer one, this time. He sets the glass down and then wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand. ]
Was that the only reason that they abducted them? Because they were from somewhere else?
[ It seems like there might be something else going on here. ]
Tch... I'm guessing so. [She pauses to take a sip of her drink, downing as much as she's able to in a single gulp.] Bunch of xenophobic assholes. Nobles, too.
[Not that she's surprised. It reminds her a little bit of the relationship between the people of Cocoon and the Gran Pulsians – the better off were taught to fear and hate the ones who weren't simply because they lived on the world below and had a different way of life. This kind of shit exists in different forms across the universes, apparently.
To his second question, she nods, as she continues to fiddle with the bottle between her fingers.]
There was a rescue party. The family was caught. They ended up being tried and executed in the end. Can't say justice was served in the end.
[ Nobles. Zack catches on that word in particular, as it's not really a thing where he comes from. There are the super-rich, the people who work high in the ranks of Shinra and line their pockets with gil, but the idea of a noble family doesn't exist on Gaia as far as he's aware.
Then again, what does he really know? Country bumpkin and all.
The point seems to be that these people are snooty at best and hateful towards those not like them at worst. At least they got punished for it, though full-blown execution seems a little extreme. Zack raises an eyebrow at that, taking another sip before he responds. ]
That's some pretty intense justice. Kinda makes you wonder what they'd do to one of us if we stepped outta line.
[Her eyes shut as she deflates with a sigh. She hasn't heard anything about what happens to the Mirrorbound who break the law but he's right – if that's what they'll do to their own people, then she doesn't think they'd be judged fairer just because they were from another world.
Lightning's expression softens, going from displeased to worried with a single, swift sip of her beer, and she sets it down with a gentle clink.]
Just take my advice and be careful out there. Don't do anything stupid to draw attention to yourself.
[ Zack's not in the mood to find out either. Already got executed once, he'd rather not have to go through that again.
Though when Lightning expresses what seems to be like genuine concern to him (masked by implying he might do something stupid, but still, it's there), he can't help but grin. ]
What, worried about little old me?
[ He leans back in his seat, resting his arms up on the backing of the booth. ]
Can't make any promises, but I'll do my best. So... how'd we meet, anyway? The first time.
[ He's doing his best to be chill about the whole memory loss thing, but he also can't help but be curious. ]
[The expression she gives him conveys a very vehement 'no', but in truth, she is worried. Not just of him doing something stupid which is in the realm of possibilities, but because there are people out there who will do bad things just because they think they can, and what's going to happen if she isn't around to save his ass if he gets into trouble?
His question, however, sparks some surprise in her. She hadn't expected him to ask, and she had some reservations around the subject, intending mostly to tiptoe around it in case it was more sensitive, but maybe she was wrong about that?
She mirrors him in her own posture, leaning back and stretching out to relax.]
We met in a dream, believe it or not. [Sounds crazier saying it out loud.] You were real annoying about telling me where to go, and I thought you were just some figment of my imagination. Kept hitting me with the big wings on your back.
[ In a dream? On top of that being a strange statement on its own, it's tempting to crack some sort of comment about that. Thankfully Lightning continues to talk, which saves Zack from himself.
The rest of what she describes checks out, and Zack doesn't look too bothered that he's been called annoying by proxy. His small smile disappears when she mentions wings, though. ]
Wings, huh? [ He frowns, gaze dipping down for a moment. Well, it figures that he'd end up getting them eventually, even if it's not at all how he would have expected it to happen. ] What kind of wings?
[ Should he expect a repeat of that now? He's got the sinking feeling that he's a Monster rather than a Witch, having heard descriptions of both from Aerith. He sits up a little more straight in his seat, fighting the urge to try and look over his shoulder at his back. ]
[It was Zack's tenacity that eventually won her trust over in the end. Why is it always the persistent ones who find their way into her life?]
Big feathery ones.
[As if for added effect, Lightning spreads her arms out on either side of her dramatically, and moves them like she's imitating large, swooshing wings, all while maintaining her perfectly stoic eye contact. She does have to work really hard bite back a smile though, because his shifting in his seat doesn't escape her notice.
[ Given how straight-laced Lightning has been so far, Zack isn't at all prepared for the sudden miming of wings that she does, and it's all so ridiculous that he breaks out into laughter.
Man, it feels like the first time since he's laughed in a while. Longer than he can really remember, if he's honest. Traveling with a near-comatose Cloud hadn't left much room for that kind of thing, and the years before that? Well, the less said about them the better.
Either way, it feels nice. ]
Black or white feathers?
[ There's an important distinction to be made there. ]
[As annoying as they were for getting in her way at times, they were never a focal point of Lightning's attention when they were together, or when she was with any "Monster". If it were her, she wouldn't want more interest drawn to them, so do unto others and all that. She can't recall the exact colour of his wings – they could have easily been brown or grey, or even black or white like he's asked for all it matters.
She is surprised that he's laughed at it, though, if not a little relieved that some levity has been added to their conversation. Talking about the nobles and the kidnappings was important, but a bit of a downer for her first night back in the world.]
They were big and got in the way. [She's all smiles now, or as all smiles as someone like Lightning can get. She's only teasing... a little bit.] Does it matter?
[ "They were big and got in the way" isn't really making these wings sound as cool or elegant as Zack would like them to be, but it goes to figure that they wouldn't be as fun in practice as they sound in theory. Could he even fly with them? Well, peppering Lightning with questions about how it was before won't accomplish much. There's no telling that any of it will go the same this time around.
As for her question, Zack pauses for a moment, then sighs to himself as he draws a hand back through his hair. ]
Yeah, maybe not. Wings meant something specific where I come from, but it's not the same here. And who knows if I'll even get them again?
[ As he returns his attention to Lightning, though, he's quick to return her smile. All this doom and gloom stuff isn't going to do them much good. ]
Thanks for answering all my questions, by the way. It's nice to know I've got a friend here already.
[He really does have a friend in her, much as she won't ever say it, but she's glad to know that she could at least prove it some other way. Words are too hard sometimes.
She downs a giant gulp of her beer, not minding the taste this time around. It's less bitter, sweeter somehow, though she knows it's all in her head. The change in tone of the conversation has certainly helped with that.]
[ Oh, so that's how it's going to be? Zack can't say he's surprised that Lightning is playing hard to get, but her actions speak louder than words. She wouldn't have bothered to sit down with him and answer all his questions if she didn't care.
When she names her price, Zack breaks out into a grin, which comes a little easier than it would have earlier. He nods, lifting up a hand to point to her, then balls that hand into a fist and knocks it against his chest. ]
You got it. On my SOLDIER honor. I'll make good on it, promise.
[ He'll need time to get settled and figure out to make money around here, but then he'll make sure he returns the favor. ]
[Not much of a pinky promise person, Lightning reaches over with her bottle and clinks it against his to seal the deal, a smile hidden by her lowering her head and hair drooping over her face.]
Else I might have to kick your ass.
[It's so strange to think about what a few days away from a world can do for a friendship. Zack has no idea, but Lightning's changed a lot since then, in such a short time, with things helping her to open her eyes to the kind of person she wishes to be, and it's already started to make a difference. She's sure he'll still get on her nerves and under her skin at the best of times when all is said and done, but honestly? Someone's gotta do it, and she wouldn't have it any other way.]
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no subject
Old friends of mine were captured by some group of xenophobic nobles. A family, I think. Locals.
[She tacks that on at the end, just in case. It's important for her to distinguish them from the Otherworlders like them that are here, so it's more for herself than it is for Zack.
Her gaze wanders away from his and down to the table, eyes glazing over while they stare at the lines in the polished wood as she continues.]
Said they started a riot... tried to burn down a refugee school. When they got taken, they were tortured.
no subject
Getting captured and tortured? Yeah, he's got some experience with that. If the people who live here are willing to do that to them just because they come from a different world, it doesn't leave Zack with much reason to give them the benefit of the doubt.
His expression darkens and he takes another sip of his drink -- a longer one, this time. He sets the glass down and then wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand. ]
Was that the only reason that they abducted them? Because they were from somewhere else?
[ It seems like there might be something else going on here. ]
I'm assuming they got away.
no subject
[Not that she's surprised. It reminds her a little bit of the relationship between the people of Cocoon and the Gran Pulsians – the better off were taught to fear and hate the ones who weren't simply because they lived on the world below and had a different way of life. This kind of shit exists in different forms across the universes, apparently.
To his second question, she nods, as she continues to fiddle with the bottle between her fingers.]
There was a rescue party. The family was caught. They ended up being tried and executed in the end. Can't say justice was served in the end.
no subject
Then again, what does he really know? Country bumpkin and all.
The point seems to be that these people are snooty at best and hateful towards those not like them at worst. At least they got punished for it, though full-blown execution seems a little extreme. Zack raises an eyebrow at that, taking another sip before he responds. ]
That's some pretty intense justice. Kinda makes you wonder what they'd do to one of us if we stepped outta line.
no subject
[Her eyes shut as she deflates with a sigh. She hasn't heard anything about what happens to the Mirrorbound who break the law but he's right – if that's what they'll do to their own people, then she doesn't think they'd be judged fairer just because they were from another world.
Lightning's expression softens, going from displeased to worried with a single, swift sip of her beer, and she sets it down with a gentle clink.]
Just take my advice and be careful out there. Don't do anything stupid to draw attention to yourself.
no subject
Though when Lightning expresses what seems to be like genuine concern to him (masked by implying he might do something stupid, but still, it's there), he can't help but grin. ]
What, worried about little old me?
[ He leans back in his seat, resting his arms up on the backing of the booth. ]
Can't make any promises, but I'll do my best. So... how'd we meet, anyway? The first time.
[ He's doing his best to be chill about the whole memory loss thing, but he also can't help but be curious. ]
no subject
His question, however, sparks some surprise in her. She hadn't expected him to ask, and she had some reservations around the subject, intending mostly to tiptoe around it in case it was more sensitive, but maybe she was wrong about that?
She mirrors him in her own posture, leaning back and stretching out to relax.]
We met in a dream, believe it or not. [Sounds crazier saying it out loud.] You were real annoying about telling me where to go, and I thought you were just some figment of my imagination. Kept hitting me with the big wings on your back.
... Turns out you were real.
no subject
The rest of what she describes checks out, and Zack doesn't look too bothered that he's been called annoying by proxy. His small smile disappears when she mentions wings, though. ]
Wings, huh? [ He frowns, gaze dipping down for a moment. Well, it figures that he'd end up getting them eventually, even if it's not at all how he would have expected it to happen. ] What kind of wings?
[ Should he expect a repeat of that now? He's got the sinking feeling that he's a Monster rather than a Witch, having heard descriptions of both from Aerith. He sits up a little more straight in his seat, fighting the urge to try and look over his shoulder at his back. ]
no subject
Big feathery ones.
[As if for added effect, Lightning spreads her arms out on either side of her dramatically, and moves them like she's imitating large, swooshing wings, all while maintaining her perfectly stoic eye contact. She does have to work really hard bite back a smile though, because his shifting in his seat doesn't escape her notice.
That's all he's gonna get.]
no subject
Man, it feels like the first time since he's laughed in a while. Longer than he can really remember, if he's honest. Traveling with a near-comatose Cloud hadn't left much room for that kind of thing, and the years before that? Well, the less said about them the better.
Either way, it feels nice. ]
Black or white feathers?
[ There's an important distinction to be made there. ]
no subject
[As annoying as they were for getting in her way at times, they were never a focal point of Lightning's attention when they were together, or when she was with any "Monster". If it were her, she wouldn't want more interest drawn to them, so do unto others and all that. She can't recall the exact colour of his wings – they could have easily been brown or grey, or even black or white like he's asked for all it matters.
She is surprised that he's laughed at it, though, if not a little relieved that some levity has been added to their conversation. Talking about the nobles and the kidnappings was important, but a bit of a downer for her first night back in the world.]
They were big and got in the way. [She's all smiles now, or as all smiles as someone like Lightning can get. She's only teasing... a little bit.] Does it matter?
no subject
As for her question, Zack pauses for a moment, then sighs to himself as he draws a hand back through his hair. ]
Yeah, maybe not. Wings meant something specific where I come from, but it's not the same here. And who knows if I'll even get them again?
[ As he returns his attention to Lightning, though, he's quick to return her smile. All this doom and gloom stuff isn't going to do them much good. ]
Thanks for answering all my questions, by the way. It's nice to know I've got a friend here already.
[ Other than Aerith and Cloud, that is. ]
no subject
[He really does have a friend in her, much as she won't ever say it, but she's glad to know that she could at least prove it some other way. Words are too hard sometimes.
She downs a giant gulp of her beer, not minding the taste this time around. It's less bitter, sweeter somehow, though she knows it's all in her head. The change in tone of the conversation has certainly helped with that.]
Once you're settled in, you owe me a beer.
no subject
When she names her price, Zack breaks out into a grin, which comes a little easier than it would have earlier. He nods, lifting up a hand to point to her, then balls that hand into a fist and knocks it against his chest. ]
You got it. On my SOLDIER honor. I'll make good on it, promise.
[ He'll need time to get settled and figure out to make money around here, but then he'll make sure he returns the favor. ]
I think we can wrap this here!
[Not much of a pinky promise person, Lightning reaches over with her bottle and clinks it against his to seal the deal, a smile hidden by her lowering her head and hair drooping over her face.]
Else I might have to kick your ass.
[It's so strange to think about what a few days away from a world can do for a friendship. Zack has no idea, but Lightning's changed a lot since then, in such a short time, with things helping her to open her eyes to the kind of person she wishes to be, and it's already started to make a difference. She's sure he'll still get on her nerves and under her skin at the best of times when all is said and done, but honestly? Someone's gotta do it, and she wouldn't have it any other way.]