Yadrolla System Mingle

[lacyprincess]

Who: EVERYBODY
Broadcast: Yeah, sure, I guess
Action: The Fleet and the Yadrolla System
When: 4/29 - 6/8

[Hey, hey, look, we have a new system! Let's go compete in stuff and root for sportsball teams! System info is here!

GO WAVES!]

Comments

[moseyin]

[Wades closer so he can get a closer look, because...that is...so much color and detail that wasn't there a couple months ago.

And then he notices the placements and the awe on his face fades into something a little more somber.] ...You covered it all up.

[wingenvy]

[Zack doesn't miss the shift in expression, but he holds fast to his smile, even if it wavers a little. Less excitement, more... contentment? Well, something like it, anyway.]

Yeah, I did. They're kinda ugly, not the cool looking scars like this- [He points to his face] -and I was tired of looking at them. I think this is way better!

[moseyin]

[Maybe it says something that Cloud can tell what that pause, that second of hesitation, means. Maybe they really are getting to know each other better; or at least, maybe Cloud is finally starting to figure out (remember?) Zack.

He reaches over to thump Zack on the chest firmly, open-handed.] It looks really good. Counters that wild-man hair.

[wingenvy]

[The smile becomes a grin, bright and toothy. He's got the approval of the two people who matter most to him, so now he can really have no regrets about it.]

Says you, chocobo-butt!

[moseyin]

Hey-! [SWATS, holds up hands like he's a karate master] Don't start a fight you can't win. We're on my turf. [ask him why its his turf]

[wingenvy]

[OK!!]

Why is it your turf?

[moseyin]

All turf is my turf, [with as much seriousness as he can muster,] cuz I'm a gold chocobo.

[And then Cloud grabs Zack and heaves his ginormous body up unto his shoulders to wade further into the water. U gon get tossed into an oncoming wave buddy my guy]

[wingenvy]

Waagh-!!

[gurgle, down he goes

and then

stays down!?? hey where did he go, cloud

it's awfully dark down there.]

[moseyin]

[LIKE ZACK IN ALL HIS SKILL AND TALENT WOULD DROWN.

Cloud is booking it to shore before Zack can drag him under too, HE'S NOT FALLING FOR THAT]

[wingenvy]

[TOO LATE YOU LITTLE SHIT as soon as Cloud starts to move his legs are tackled from under the surface.]

[moseyin]

[Lets out a very undignified and suspiciously-chocobo-sounding squawk when he's dragged under, before grabbing for Zack to wrestle him under the water.]

[wingenvy]

[Zack tries to climb up his body underwater to get him in a headlock. It's incredibly clumsy, so it's hard to get a grip, but damn if he isn't trying.]

[moseyin]

[Okay but this is 1) difficult and 2) drown-y. GONNA DROWN. After a moment Cloud gets his feet back under him and just heaves them both up over the surf again with a gasp.] Okay okay! Geez!

[wingenvy]

[Zack surfaces and floats on his back, kicking to stay afloat as his chest heaves with laughing gasps.]

Hahahaha, oh man, that was fun... you used that move I taught you! I didn't know it worked underwater.

[moseyin]

Well now we know. Trial by...not fire, water. [Bobs there, trying not to look out of breath but totally is. Man, up close the tattoos look so much more vibrant, and Cloud can't help but stare.]

[wingenvy]

[Zack is quiet for a bit, just enjoying the sun, but when he glances over to catch Cloud in the act he smiles, the expression more thoughtful than it usually is.]

It's nice, yeah? I never saw the appeal before, but I think I could get into it, now.

[moseyin]

It really does look good on you, [Cloud repeats, treading water with the least amount of effort, kicks and arm movements lazy.] It's like...I dunno how to say it.

[What does it remind him of? Of that horrible day obviously, in the rain and the mud and Zack's blood all over his face and knees, but it also reminds him of Aerith's little church, quiet and creaky and the only sweet-smelling place in Sector 5 besides Aerith's house.] ...like if all the fields around Midgar started growing grass again.

[wingenvy]

Wouldn't that be a sight, [is Zack's returned murmur, eyes drifting back towards the beautiful blue sky. In a lot of ways, this planet feels like a missed opportunity- a taste of how the land and people can thrive when powered by something that doesn't kill the world as it's used. This is probably the kind of world that those people from AVALANCHE would always yell about.

One hand drifts idly over the inked skin, unconsciously tracing the vine pattern connecting all of the flowers- he knows its path, he'd chosen it for the way it weaves through each and every old bullet hole. Maybe he can't see their world change, but he's got an imagination doesn't he? These wounds can't take that away from him.]

Maybe I'll get more, later. Could add some sky, extra colours, little bits of home all over...

[Cover them all up and make something beautiful. Something that maybe, one day, will stop hurting.]

[moseyin]

Just don't lose the guy underneath it, [Cloud says, splashing a little bit of water up over Zack's chest and hand.] There's good stuff there, too.

[wingenvy]

[Zack chuckles and rolls over, treading in place to stay upright.]

Don't worry, I think I've got a pretty good hold on that guy. He's very memorable, y'know.

[moseyin]

[Goes a little quiet, then:] Yeah, he is. [One way or another. Even Cloud's breakfast scramble of a brain couldn't completely forget Zack Fair.

Maybe it's sunstroke or something, but now seems like a great time for Cloud to blurt out,] Did you know you were my phone background when I was in basic?

[wingenvy]

What, seriously? Everybody I knew had Sephiroth on their phones. Big damn Wutai war hero, talk of the town.

[FOREVER SALTY ABOUT THAT. He fought too, okay!!]

Why me?

[moseyin]

I did at first. [Sorry buddy] But after a while...I dunno. I don't remember what I was thinking. [And that is a l i e] But I remember cuz my mom- [pause.] ...my mom asked me who that was on my background, and that's when I invited you over to meet her.

[wingenvy]

[Shrugs. It's normal to want Sephiroth, that's why this is so surprising.]

Y'know, usually when you take somebody special over to meet your parents, you'd have asked them out already!

[moseyin]

Shut up, maybe I was workin' up to it! How about that! [Reaches over to try and dunk Zack's head under the water]