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Apr. 9th, 2009 05:01 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
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Who: Zack and Lightning
What: Lightning meets a freshly reborn Zackypants, and the two hit it off!
Where: Midgar; Slums
When: Erm.. dunno..?
Warnings: PG-13.
She'd been fed up of Shin-Ra. Genesis was constantly busy and she felt like some damsel in distress, constantly forced to wait around for a man that was too busy for her. With a sigh, the young girl slipped into those 'forbidden' Slums, smirking just a little. That was, until, she came upon a man. With a frown, Lightning crouched at his side, half expecting him to be some sort of drunk who'd attack her. With a slight grip to his shoulder, she shook him, frowning slightly more. "Hey... hey, you okay?"
Zack had been drifting pleasantly amid the Lifestream, bathed in the voice of the Planet, and given the reward of a life well-lived. He didn't have any regrets, except Aerith, and the Planet had long since assuaged those, confirming that he'd done right by her, despite his untimely demise. He stirred when he felt a hand on his shoulder, though, and searing pain lanced through his chest and he lurched up into a sitting position, shouting once, before it was replaced with the cool, comforting feeling of Midgar's atmosphere. Zack breathed hard, his whole body tense enough to make his muscles stand out, until he realized he wasn't being shot, and he'd likely scared the shit out of his benefactor.. "I.." he fell back on one elbow, unsteady, looking up at Lightning with glowing blue eyes, "Who.. who're you..? Some kind of angel..?" even while slightly delerious, Zack was a charmer.
With a look somewhere between shock and annoyance, Lightning brushed some hair behind her ear. She was always stuck with the mouthy ones. Lightning's greeny-blue eyes rolled as she shifted to kneel, resting her hands over his chest and casting a general curative spell. With a slight sigh, she looked to his face. "I'm no angel, so get that outta your head right now." The teen girl almost glared at him, her nose scrunching at the smell of the slums. "I'm Lightning. What happened to you?"
Zack gave his head a shake as he was cast upon, his body naturally augmented to take such spells more readily than damaging ones, and he rolled his shoulders, a series of pops and cracks coming from them and his back, "Well, it ain't every day that one minute you're bein' shot in the canyon, and the next you wake up to a pretty blonde askin' if yer okay." his country accent was thick as he got his bearings, but was quickly being supplanted by a Midgarian trooper's tongue, "I'm Zack Fair, ex-SOLDIER 1st Class, and I, well, I don't know. One sec I was fighting off an army of 3rd Class SOLDIERs, savin' my friend's butt and mine, then as I was about to die, snap to here
"I... see." Lightning stood up, dusting herself off. Yep. She was a magnet to the crazies. "Well, good luck with that." She nodded once to him, her hand resting over her gunblade-like weapon as she turned, hoping to explore the slums and return to Shin-Ra HQ before Genesis found out she'd wandered this area alone. The teen girl sighed slightly, wondering what drug that man, Zack Fair, had taken to make himself seem so damn wacked out. Maybe he'd OD-ed on some herbs. With a shrug, she took her steps away, hoping not to be followed, hips swaying naturally as she walked.
Zack was surprisingly agile, if he -was- on drugs, and he slid to a halt around in front of her, the ragged remains of his shirt fluttering as he produced his ID from his wallet, along with the rest of his documentation, "See? Right there. Zaaaaack Faaaaair.." he gestured with the card, and smiled winningly, "C'mon now, it isn't every day someone saves my life. Lemme buy some new clothes, a shirt might be large on that thought, and get you something to eat, to say thanks?" he still had plenty of gil, though his ShinRa account was probably long-frozen. "Then, if you still wanna go, I'll at least have paid you back, hmm?"
Lightning flicked her hair from her eyes, looking at him rather blankly, in fact, quite coldly. "I don't need your gil, or your food. I'm an... honourary ShinRa member. I've got all I need. So, thanks, but no thanks." She turned to attempt to walk in the oposite direction, back towards the building she'd emerged from. This guy was... attractive, but full of it. He knew how good he was, and that grated on her last nerve. Lightning's fingers played on her weapon's grip, waiting.
Zack shrugged softly, "ShinRa huh? Well, I guess if you're too good t'eat with me.." he didn't have his Buster Sword, unfortunately, and probably wouldn't fare well against monsters, but he would do fine against slum-dwellers. "Then again, I know they have a habit of.. having expendible soldiers. You sure you're not down here to find something better?" he raised his brows, eyes sparkling kindly, "One date. If you don't like me, I'll understand." Sure, he was cocky and arrogant, but he was also honorable, gentle, and other good things.
Pausing, her hand lowered. Find something better? Was there better right now? Lightning looked over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Try anything and I'll cut your hands off." At that, she turned to face him, crossing her arms under her breasts and leaning her weight to one side, looking at him rather expectantly. Sure, he was cocky and arrogant... but he seemed to have a hidden something she was... interested in uncovering. Besides, with nothing else to do around this place, an evening with a crazy guy seemed kinda alluring.
"Fantastic! First thing's first, though. I'm -way- too naked for the Slums, not to mention a date with a girl who I only just met. I know a good place 'round here. Shall we?" he didn't seem to remember his death, or anything about what had happened in the Lifestream. It was as if he'd simply never died, except for the massive scarring. He also took the time to reply to her threat, while running his eyes over her once, finding her alluring in her own right.. After all, tough women who could handle themselves were appealing, too. "Trust me, the minute I try something will be when I'm sure it's okay to." he laughed softly, a pleasant sound full of good cheer. Zack felt best in the company of a girl.
Scoffing slightly, Lightning looked to the ground, to hide her slightly pinkened cheeks. Blushing? So not cool. "Let's just go." Her voice was a mutter as she took a few steps to urge him into leading the way. He was, after all, more well known to the area and she didn't have a clue where anything was. With a slight glance to the man, she tilted her head, not wanting to say anything more just yet. She wasn't one to go about talking constantly.
His hair was long, and naturally spikey, by the look of it. Zack talked as he walked, mostly about a play that used to be really big, called Loveless. It was also his favorite work, and he was particularly good at recalling it, though he was bad at singing the main theme. "Here!" he stopped at a store, and smiled, opening the door for her, "This place sells affordable, stylish clothing that will see you through a hot date, or a good fight. And the colours don't run in the wash." Zack was always cracking wise
Lightning's eyes glazed over at the mention of that damn play. It was bad enough Genesis quoted it but now this guy was talking about it, too? When would it end?! Lightning partly thought she'd have to go and see this play herself at some point. Or at least read it. With a slight smile, more a twitch of her lips to his joke, she stepped inside, half wanting to tell him she could open a door herself. "Funny." She brushed a hand over her hair. "Just get yourself sorted quick. I don't want to hang around too long."
"Sure, sure. I won't be long, just take a look around, I'm sure I'll be quick." Zack left her alone, and he was true to his word. No more than ten minutes later, a new man stood before her, dressed in pressed pinstriped black slacks, a black leather belt with a winking silver buckle in the shape of a Chocobo's feather, and a button-own collared, cream coloured shirt that fit tightly on his chest, but a little more loosely over his arms. Zack hadn't done up the collar all the way, but he did shrug into a jacket similar to his pants. The only thing remaining from his old outfit was the combat boots and materia-bangle on his arm, though it was currently devoid of the magical orbs. "Whatcha think, Lightnin'?"
The girl shifted in her place by a rail of clothing as she saw him. Biting her lower lip a little, she managed a smirk. "You scrub up well, for a crazy guy off the slums." Lightning was becoming quite endeared by his accent, finding it amusing and interesting. Brushing a hand over her white surcoat, she frowned slightly. "Well, way to make a girl feel under-dressed." She tugged slightly at the end of her mini-skirt, hoping it'd cover a little more of her bare thighs. It was useful for battles but now she felt kind trampy.
Zack laughed softly, and smiled at her, honest with his compliments when he gave them, "Hey, if I had legs like that I'd wear it, too. I'm sure it's easy to move around in, though, and y'look like you've seen yer fair share've fights, just by the way your eyes gleam when you're glaring. Which you've done a bit of, since we met. Now then, what kinda food're ya into?" he tilted his head to the side as he approached, a soft smile shaping his lips.
A blush crossed her face at the man's words. Damnit, always being so quick to blush was not a good thing!! Lightning shrugged slightly, stepping out of the store and brushing her hair from her face. "I... I don't really know. I just eat what I'm given. I'm an ex-soldier from the Cocoon Army; you know the kind of crap you get given in the army." Lightning looked to Zack, a hand resting on her hip. "Food is food, I guess."
"Heh, then you haven't had the good stuff. I know a joint around here that serves -fantastic- Choco-Gratin." he had grown up on a farm, where Chocobos were work animals, show animals, and food in the form of eggs and such. "You haven't lived until you've had some Choco-Gratin." Zack offered his arm, smiling charmingly.
With a slight mental kick to herself, she took his arm. That smile was damn hard to resist. Lightning squeezed his arm just a little, getting the feel of another man's arm. She was so used to Genesis' that it felt strange to touch another person. Not that she and Genesis did a whole lot of touching. No, she wasn't the kind of girl to go rushing into that. "Choco-Gratin. What exactly is it?" She raised both eyebrows, a rather worried look crossing her face.
"A cheese and Chocobo-meat dish with rice. It's really good, since Chocobos are rich and tender when they're raised right. Some people shy away from eating monsters, but eh, I know people that eat cuter things." Zack absolutely adored Chocobos, though. He led Lightning out of the store, setting a casual yet brisk pace that was the safest in the slums. Not in a hurry, but hard to stop.
Walking quickly to keep at his pace, she scrunched her nose up. "I don't know; Malboro steaks are quite nice... and if you're quick enough, certain serpant skins, after fermenting, make spiteful alcohol." The blonde flicker her bangs from her eyes, resting her free hand on her weapon. Force of habit, if anything. Besides, the Slums were unnerving her slowly.
Zack didn't have a weapon, but he was more than capable of kicking someone's butt if he needed to. He was a mako-enhanced SOLDIER 1st Class, after all! "True enough, and Tonberry fluid makes for some surprisingly good marinade for the same variety of meat." he laughed a little bit, "Never met a girl who'd eat monsters with me. Usually they're too grossed out, but what's the difference between a Behemoth burger and a cow patty, in the long run, besides one trying to kill you?"
"I'm not your typical girl. I'm not a damsel in distress; if something wants to eat me, I'll damn well eat it first." She squeezed the handle of her gun-sword, watching a few of the slum dwellers nearby as Zack led her away. Part of her mind was cursing her for being reckless enough to hook up with a guy off the streets but a bigger part of her was enjoying the little excitement she was getting.
"Well, good. I like a rough and tumble gal, means I can be myself." he'd liked other girls well enough, but had to pass on some of the more hardcore stuff, like fighting monsters for fun, 'cause they didn't like it. "So, what branch does ShinRa gotcha in now that yer in Midgar?" he raised his brows, free hand resting on hers for a moment.
"I... I'm not technically working there. I'm there because my... friend is there. He's the one they need. I just lend a helping hand now and then." Lightning twitched her nose a little. "But Genesis, my friend, he's too protective of me. He doesn't like me getting involved in missions." The eighteen-year-old's eyes fell on the hand on hers, her fingers twitching slightly.
Zack's hand passed soon enough, though his eyes went a little hard at the mention of Genesis. His memories before his near-death were a little hazy, but he thought he might know the man. No matter, though, he figured he'd enjoy Lightning's company instead of going off half-cocked, "Ah, well, I'm sure he'd be glad to know you're in such good company."
“Probably not." She shook her head a little, her eyes moving to scan every detail they met. It was good to see so much of the world but, in the back of her mind, she was still cursing Cocoon and the Holy Government. With a slight noise, she looked to Zack's face. "So, you were a SOLDIER? Genesis was... I guess he is again, now." She shrugged a little.
"Yeah, I was one of the best of the best, until whatever happened in the canyon. I'm assuming that was ShinRa's equivalent of a discharge, so I'm not about t'go back to them." he laughed a little, "Gotta comission a new sword when I lay hands on some gil, but that can wait I guess."
"Mm. If I had my way, I wouldn't be with ShinRa, either. I have a certain... bitterness to authority. Of that kind, at least." Lightning shook out her strawberry blonde locks before looking to Zack, still almost jogging to keep up. "Much farther?" She tilted her head, greenish eyes almost shining up at him.
"Well, hey. If you like me enough, you're welcome t'come hang with me. I'm sure we can find someone willing to pay for our services." he shrugged, and continued walking, slowing down a little when he noticed her trying to keep up, "Not too much further. They have good ice cream, too, if you like that sorta thing."
A smile crossed her face, showing exactly how young she really was. "I love ice cream." Soon enough, the smile faded and she pouted in thought, eyes flicking over their surroundings once again. "I... I don't know... I kinda made some promises..." Lightning shook her head. "Forget it, I'm going to try to enjoy this."
"Well, the offer's open if you want to come with. Just leave a note, say you'll keep the promises when you get back." he laughed a little, and nodded as they approached a small cafe, well-kept for being in the Slums. A gentleman, Zack got this door for her as well, "Not too shabby for a crazy dude on the street hmm?"
With a slight laugh, Lightning stepped inside, looking over her shoulder at him. "For all you know, I'm just some crazy chick on the street," she all but purred before turning her head, slinking inside the small cafe, pulling her fingerless gloves off and stuffing them into the pouch strapped to her left thigh.
"And for all I know, you're the one that got me out of that canyon. Dunno for sure, but what I do know is that I was getting shot at, and the next thing I know I'm looking up into bright greens that are either worried, or angry, at the same time maybe." he chuckled, and followed her in, signalling a waiter and taking her to an open table with good lighting, pulling the chair out for her.
Seating herself, Lightning brushed her hair from her eyes. "Nope. Wasn't me. I found you out there, half-dead. I cast curative magics and now... this." She waved a hand in gesture to the room, before setting her hands on her lap, lacing her fingers.
"Well, just goes to show that helpin' someone out is a good thing t'do." he seated himself and smiled across at her, resting one arm on the table before the waiter arrived, a well-dressed (for the area) older gentleman.
"May I take your drink orders?" he passed a menu to Zack, and another to Lightning. Zack ordered a simple glass of water with ice. The waiter then looked expectantly to Lightning.
Lightning scanned the menu for a brief second before handing it back, not even looking at the man. "Water; sparkling. Ice; crushed." She ordered. Her eyes didn't even flicker any sort of emotion.
The man didn't seem all that phased by it, though, and went off to wherever it was he would get their drinks. Zack perused the menu halfheartedly, already sure of what he'd be having, "Not a fan of the help?" he snickered softly, winking one glowing aqua eye, before raking his fingers back through his hair, a mischievous look on his face.
Giving a slight glare, a rather playful one, she crossed her arms on the table, resting her chest on her forearms. "I'm just a woman who knows what she wants and doesn't care for the fussing." Raising an eyebrow to his mischievous look, she felt a little wary now. Those sort of looks usually meant trouble.
"But of course." Zack let his voice go low, folding the menu and setting it aside, leaning on the arm he'd put on the table, nodding to her, "So, I know your name, and whatcha do for a living. Kinda. And that you'll eat monsters and ice cream with me. So. What do you do for fun?" Zack smiled broadly, figuring he'd treat the date.. like a date.
Lightning tapped her fingers on the table, watching them. What was she supposed to answer that with? The truth was as good as anything. "I don't. I'm in the process of a mission. I'm part of a group, Team Nora, but we got split up... things are too busy for fun." She tucked some hair behind her ear, keeping her gaze down.
"Seriously? Too busy for -fun-? Man, you guys sound like you need someone around t'getcha in the mood to make a mission a good thing." he seemed somewhat disconcerted by the evident lack of morale for the task at hand. "I can show ya back to H.Q., if you can't stay out too late.." he was poking a little bit of fun at her, "'Course.. there's always a silver lining. If you're bored of work, that's why there's play, hm?" Zack grinned boyishly, always country at heart.
Giving a genuine smile to his grin, Lightning shrugged a little. "I'll stay out as long as I want. I'm no one's dolly." She removed her weapon from her side, laying it on the table, resting her chin on her hand. "So, country boy, you're going to show me a good time? Show me what fun really is, huh?" She raised an eyebrow. He was certainly interesting and poking at something she hadn't felt awake in a long time; her sense of humor.
"I can do that, if you're game. We'll finish dinner first, get some ice cream, then hit the grounds around Wall Market. Most SOLDIER's first swords come from the monsters around there, and I need a new blade anyway, and one's bound to have a good one." Zack smiled faintly, "The Bomb population was on the rise last time I was around, and too many Bombs ruins the flowers." there were flowers in the Slums? Yup, and he knew where.
Lightning nodded slightly. "We'll see how good you SOLDIER boys are up against a real fighter, too, hm? A little one-on-one, maybe?" Her words couldn't have sounded any more like a proposition if she'd tried. Not that she did try. Usually, anything that came out sounding remotely seductive, never was meant that way. The girl glanced across the room, looking for the waiter.
Zack chuckled softly, and raised his brows suggestively, "I'll have you know I'm one of the best SOLDIERs ever trained. I'll take you one on one, and even give you the option for a rematch when I'm done showing you the ropes." Zack wasn't sure whether she meant it as a proposition or a challenge, so he answered vaguely enough to satisfy both. The waiter arrived moments later, and deposited their drinks, taking Zack's order of Choco-gratin, and looking to Lightning for hers.
She ordered the same; giving the waiter the brush-off again. "I think I'll spare you the embarrassment of getting yourself beat by a girl. Just give up now, hm?" She sipped her drink, setting it down and leaning slightly across the table to him. "I've got skills that would blow your mind." Of course, she was referring to her manipulation of gravity and electricity for her advantage. Not that he'd know that.
Zack shrugged softly, and smiled, "I'd be honored to face a girl that could take me to town. But a proper SOLDIER is trained to handle any circumstance, and I'm more than adequate." he took a small drink from his drink, and smiled pleasantly at her, enjoying the exchange, "Heck, there's a Materia shop down in Sector Seven, too, so we'll head that way, and I'll really show ya some magic fingers." he wiggled his right hand suggestively, his smile becoming a good natured smirk.
Lightning gave a slight laugh, shaking her bangs from her eyes. "Mm, I have pretty... magical fingers of my own." The teen girl looked to the almost invisible markings on her right index and thumb, smirking slightly, raising that hand to return the suggestive gesture. "But, I guess if you have to get Materia to give you a boost in that department, we're talking an easy win for me, here." She quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Heh, I'd be makin' it fair. Materia drains away a SOLDIER's innate strength and vitality, making him less physically able, while giving him more.. mystical attributes to use as he sees fit." he smiled faintly, "If you'd rather I used my hands, there're much better ways than fighting in the street to test a person's limits." his glowing eyes danced merrily in the light, raising an eyebrow in a similar fashion.
Lightning gave him a look that basically said 'in your dreams', but she spoke differently. "I'm not so much of a free agent in that department. Besides, you'd want a girl with ziltch experience?" She tilted her head, resting her chin on her right hand as she brought her glass to her lips.
Zack shrugged a little, "It's not the end result that matters, as much as the entire process. Same thing as any mission, you have to pay attention to all objectives, not merely the final result. Sure, I asked you out, but it's that you came out with me that matters." Zack smiled good-naturedly, "I could pick any number of people in Midgar for a 'good time', but that's not the only thing I want in my life. I like a good time to encompass things like this, horsing around at a restaurant, waiting for some good food." he paused a moment, and tilted his head, "Besides, I'm not a free agent so much as someone lookin' for the right person to spend my time with." Zack was concerned that she'd gotten the wrong idea about how he was, ultimately.
Lightning smiled sincerely to that, seeing in his blue eyes that he wasn't just spinning some old lines. "Hmm... you've got a good head on your shoulders, considering the fact that you're an ex-SOLDIER." Lightning shifted back from the table a little, swinging one leg up and resting the other over it, on the tabletop. The blonde was far from a classy broad. Crossing her arms under her breasts, Lightning chuckled a little. "Maybe I'm taken, did you not think about that? And anyway, who says you're my type, Zack Fair, ex-SOLDIER 1st Class?"
Zack smiled casually, "You're out with me, after wandering around the Slums, probably bored out of your head. Now, either you're single and need someone to take up some of your time, or you're taken and he doesn't appreciate what he's got. And you need someone to take up some of your time." Zack didn't care to let a man keep what he didn't seem to care for, "Besides, if I knew everything about you and what you liked, would I have needed to ask before bringing you to a place that served monster meat?"
The girl shook a foot repeatedly, almost like a nervous habit, yet she wasn't nervous. "If you knew everything about me, we wouldn't be sat here so casually, honey." She gave him back his wink from earlier, trying to seem a lot less uptight than she really was. Lightning reached a hand down to scratch her knee, shifting to get more comfortable with her long legs sprawled over the table.
Zack shrugged, "Or I'd know enough to be able to wrap you around my finger. But that would ruin the chase. Right now, I'm having a good time, and at the end of our time together, I'll ask if you want to see me again." he shrugged softly, "I might act like I'm from the city, but I didn't grow up here. I know how to take care've a girl, when I've got one." he seemed a little distracted, but it was likely him trying -not- to admire her legs, seeing as they were up on the table.
Lightning watched his eyes, wondering vaguely how long it'd take him to ogle her legs. He'd already made a comment about them earlier. "I guess I'll have to stick around, to see exactly how it is you treat a girl." She tilted her head, keeping her eyes fixed on his. They were also a bright blue, like Genesis'. What was it that made the SOLDIERs have eyes that color? She pouted slightly in thought.
A few moments later, Zack's eyes lingered on her legs for a moment, before he modestly tore his gaze away, back to her eyes. "Ahem.. er.. I won't be complaining about having you around, though this boyfriend you may or may not have might have something to say about it." he sounded like he didn't care, really, and was only concerned that she was considering him less a jerk, and more a second-date calibre man.
"I don't know... he seems like a pretty jealous guy. If he was pushed to it, that is." Lightning smirked as he looked to her legs. "I'm not sure where we stand anyway. We had... a moment, on an airship, and now he's busy and I'm... I'm doing what I am. We don't get much time together." Lightning brushed a hand through her hair, half wondering when this damn meal would be served.
"Yeah, well, even when I was in SOLDIER, I made time for the girl I was with." he vaguely recalled Aerith as a sweet young girl with a thing for flowers. He'd built her a wagon, once.. "Regardless, though. If he's too busy, he's not interested enough. And if he's jealous, well, I suppose he'll learn from it." Zack smiled faintly to her, somewhat jealous himself, but it was that same jealous streak that kept him interested in someone.
The girl lowered her legs, shifting to sit up more in her seat. She didn't want to hear that; it just made her think Genesis might not really feel the way she thought he did. With a soft swallow, she rested her hands on her lap, eyes on her fingers. "I suppose he will." Lightning shifted in her seat. "Mn... where's that waiter got to, I wonder..." She lifted her head keeping her gaze from his.
The raven-haired man hadn't been purposely hurtful, though he changed veins when she readjusted herself, "So.. Sector Seven after this? I doubt I can requisition Master Materia from ShinRa anymore, heh. I'll have to work it up myself, of course." Zack's good-natured smile was infectious, and he tried to get it to flow to her again, "I'm sure he's busily hurrying the chefs, telling them what a fine couple is here, waiting patiently."
Lightning looked to him, that smile slowly spreading on her lips, too. "Mm... I guess. If he doesn't hurry soon, though, I may just up and leave." Scooting closer to the table, her chin rested on her hand once more. "And I bet you'd follow." She smirked a little, not wanting to hint at anything, even though she really was.
The ex-SOLDIER grinned back at her, "Just throw me a bone, I'll come along for the ride." the waiter chose that moment to artistically sweep their dishes onto the table, and said something in Wutaian that Zack raised a brow to, before departing. "Weird that he'd try to tell us to eat well, with this sorta food, in Wutaian.." Zack was a man of many talents.
"W-Wutaian...? I see. I guess I should tell you I'm not from around here. I have no idea what that is." She lifted her fork, poking at the food she'd ordered. Now... she wasn't so sure she wanted it. Her bravery seemed to have worn down a little and her stomach was already aching at the very thought of eating it.
"There's another continent, that ShinRa put a Mako Reactor on and turned into a tourist trap. There was a big war involved. I served in that war, directly.." he sounded like he regretted it, "Picked up the language, and while useful, I also know what the locals were calling us." he chuckled softly, and took a taste of his food, giving an exaggerated moan after swallowing it. He also kissed his fingertips, "Divine. Go on, try it, it's like chicken, only richer."
Giving an expression of dislike already, she frowned, taking a bite and soon smiling. "Mm... okay, you win. It's really good..." She murmured after swallowing, laughing slightly. She was open to new things, sure, but this was a little extreme for her. Food wasn't exactly a big thing for her. Taking another bite, she gave a soft laugh as she looked up to him.
Zack smiled brightly at her, "See what I mean? I know what I'm talkin' about. Wutaian's good too, really. All noodles and raw fish and vinegared rice." he laughed as well, enjoying Lightning's company. He was glad she'd been the one to find him, and not some Slum bum, rifling through his pockets or something like that.
The girl was a fast eater. Soon enough, she was more than half way through, most of her drink gone, too. Sure, she looked ladylike, but she was far from it. Lightning smiled almost all the way through the meal, save for opening her mouth to insert more food. It seemed so long since she actually enjoyed a decent meal. Actually sat down and enjoyed it.
The man matched her pace at eating, with all the gusto of a country boy after a long day's work, but maintaining the military elegance that had been drilled into him since enlisting. Zack wasn't one to talk much once he was eating, unless it was a meal that involved the phrase 'Pass the biscuits, please.'.
As soon as her plate was empty, Lightning gave it a light shove, away from her. She finished her glass of water then swung her legs onto the table again, a thud sounding. She smirked at Zack, always being a lot more contented and friendly on a full stomach.
Zack didn't put his feet on the table as she did, but when he was done, he stacked his dish on hers, and smiled faintly, leaning back on his chair and letting out a content sigh. "Phoo.. one helping of that always gets me good for dessert." he winked an odd eye at her, and chuckled.
"I bet it does, country boy." At that, she slipped her feet to the floor and stood. "Forget the ice cream. I'm in the mood to see this finger magic you were telling me about." The blonde gave his cheek a gentle tap before she turned to leave the cafe, her hips still swaying attractively, yet so naturally it was impossible to fake.
Zack couldn't help but watch the sway of her hips as she left, and he stood, folding several bills out of his wallet and dropping them on the table. "Oh yeah? Well, it's a bit of a walk to Sector Seven, but we'll make it just fine." Zack hitched his pants up somewhat, as they tended to slip when he sat anywhere.
Lightning instantly curled her arm around Zack's, looking up to him. "Well, lead the way. I'm new to these parts." She smiled slightly, not wanting to seem as cocky as she was beginning to get. Soon enough, she expected to get her butt handed to her during battle. Sure, she was trained incredibly with a secret weapon to boot but the best way to go into a battle, was to expect to lose. Then you're not disappointed.
Zack would have liked to hear that philosophy, really. "Sure thing, it's down this way." he kept her arm on his as much as he could without physically holding it there, humming under his breath as he strolled along with her. Sure, the odd person gave them a look, but Zack wasn't one to dwell on them, or even stop to gratify them. He was enjoying this little date, and intended to end it on a good note.
Lightning was used to the stares by now. She didn't fit in here, and she was stared at for a whole other reason back at Cocoon... and in Pulse. The teen shook her head slightly. She was having a good time. She didn't want to ruin it by thinking about the places she had been. Instead, she kept focused on the place she was headed to.
Zack pointed out interesting things along the way, a playhouse here, a theatre there. A restaurant one could get a great bowl of chili at, and a bar to never go into, ever. When they got to Sector Seven, though, he missed a step, and nearly tripped. "Whoa..! This is all new!? Since when?!" he sounded completely surprised by it.
Tilting her head, she paused. "Ah... Genesis told me about this. Something happened... I can't remember the details... but this place was rebuilt. It'd be destroyed. You wouldn't know that with your little dip into the afterlife." She smiled sympathetically, trying to make him feel a little more at ease but knowing she probably wasn't.
Zack gave his head a shake, and continued walking. The layout was pretty much the same, but all the shops were different. A little asking, and he was directed to the new Materia Shop, directly funded and stocked by ShinRa, so they had a wonderful selection of goods for sale. Zack wound up buying Fire, Ice, Bolt, and Restore materia, and slotted them into the bangle he wore, the little orbs twinkling prettily. "Hmm.." he sighed under his breath, and winked to Lightning, "There we go, good to have the basics again."
She chuckled a little. "Mm, I suppose it must be." Lightning stroked a loose bang away from her eye before biting her lip a little. "Where shall we do this?" Of course, she meant fighting this little duel but it did come off a little suggestive. "Hey, since you don't have a weapon, I'll fight empty handed." She murmured her words as she slid on her fingerless gloves once again.
"You don't have to." he smiled boldly, "I can handle myself, and if you knock me around too badly, I'm sure you can patch me up." he laughed a little, and looked over at where the old playground used to be, and wondered if it was still there, "There used to be a playground over there that'd suit us fine."
With a shrug followed by a nod, Lightning walked in the direction Zack mentioned. "I think it is still here." She murmured, pushing the rickety old swing with her foot. "Well, would you like a headstart? A free punch?" She grinned at him, resting a hand on her hip. Her right index and thumb rubbed together lightly, causing a tiny gravitational pull between the digits.
Zack leaned over as he passed, and kissed her cheek, "There, now if I die, I still have no regrets." he snickered softly, and turned around when he was a good ten feet away from her, falling into a simple fighting stance, "Who calls go for us?" he called over to her, grinning mischievously again.
Her hand instantly rested over her cheek and she blushed lightly, turning to face him and assuming her own fighting stance. She couldn't will away the flush to her face as her fingers fell on her gun-sword. "We go on three, okay? One..."
Zack focused on his materia, waiting for the go ahead to let a bit of magic fly, the light in his eyes brightening with his mood. He was rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, his weight light and in constant motion, sort of a mix between classic boxing, and the rumbling maneuvers one would pick up in a bar brawl.
She stood quite still, counting. "...two... three." At that number, she immediately took the offensive, putting up an electrical shield, a gravity bomb swelling in her palm, ready for attack. Lightning was a fast fighter, and had no intentions of being slow for him.
Zack, on the other hand, was an expert in improvised combat, so when he sped forward with all the enhanced agility of a SOLDIER, he didn't come right for Lightning. No, he channeled his Fire spell into his palm, and threw it down at the ground as he flipped his legs over, keeping his arm stiff so the force of the spell flung him high into the air. Throwing one arm out to stabilize himself, he cast Blizzard where he expected her to stop and look up at him, wondering if she'd fall for the ruse, and perhaps slip up.
Lightning almost giggled, using the bomb she'd created in very the same way, pushing herself up off the ground and destabilizing her own gravity to allow aerial combat. She drew her weapon, shooting at her new friend, another gravity bomb swelling in her hand as she threw it towards him. She wasn't one to fall for ruses easily, especially concerning flying fighting.
Zack drew back his magic when she flew into the air, and conjured a wall of ice between himself and Lightning, to keep the bullets from scoring on him. He tucked his limbs in and fell after the apex of his leap, charging a crackling bolt of electrical energy, and aiming it for her weapon, wondering if it'd work like a lightning rod. Lightning's lightning rod, heh.
Lightning raised both eyebrows, laughing slightly. "Sorry, sweetheart. It's in the name," she purred, the lightning being absorbed by her electrical shield. Right away, she lowered it, expecting a water spell soon enough. Her eyes stayed sharp as she began to repeatedly toss gravity bombs at Zack, a frown coming over her face as she moved her arm swiftly.
Zack hadn't bought the materia for anything more than the three basic spells, and Cure, so instead, when he hit the ground, he flung himself to one side, scrambling over the jungle gym that was there for the kids, and leaping off the other side. He was a tricky guy, really. Then, grinning, he began to intercept her bombs with his spells, though he wasn't sure just how long he could keep casting like that. Mage burn was nasty stuff, and he'd only experienced it a few times..
Gravity control was her speciality, it wasn't even a kind of magic, it was engrained in her. Fending off the spells, however, proved difficult. The teen slipped her weapon away, back-flipping to settle her feet on the ground as her free hand began work on lightning spells, her right hand still providing those bombs. It was difficult to work double handed like this, especially on the ground; she had to keep moving.
Zack's arms shortly began to itch, though, so he dropped the spellcasting, jumping around and kicking off of things that most people would have gaped at, wincing when a network of purplish bruises appeared on the backs of his hands. Yeah, he'd overdone it a little, but he'd be fine. Zack couldn't keep dodging forever, though, and grunted when a spell finally landed, the electricity coursing through his body for a moment, spiking up his already spikey hair. "Nng.."
She took this as an opportunity; Lightning rushed in as fast as her name would predict and swept his feet from under him, gripping his shirt and lowering him to the ground in a single move. Drawing her blade, she held it above him, grinning.
Zack smirked up at her, and raised his eyebrows, "Argh, I am slain!" the words were intoned playfully, and while he felt that, properly outfitted, he would have fared better, he felt proud enough that he'd managed to hold out as long as he had. "Phoo.. alright, so.." he wasn't sure what she planned to do from there, really.
Setting her weapon away, she held a hand out to him, laughing softly at his playful words. "Yeah, I told you I was badass," she joked, wiggling her semi-gloved fingers at him.
The man reached up and seized her hand, dragging her down with him and moving to pin her with a knee on either side of her hips, two fingers pressing into her side, just beneath her ribs. "Basic SOLDIER training; always disable your enemy, because he might be named Zack Fair, who is a cunning, handsome, dashing figure of a man. Seriously, it says that." he winked, and couldn't help laughing a bit.
Lightning squealed slightly as she was pulled down and her hands landed on his chest. A bright, painful blush crossed her face and she laughed, both at his joke and nervously. "You're an ass, you know that, right?" She smiled, a little out of breath and very out of sorts. The teen blinked a little, chewing her lower lip.
Zack shrugged softly, and, noting her blush, smiled pleasantly. "I do my best, Lightnin'." his own voice was somewhat breathy, and he leaned down a little, kissing her other cheek, "And you're very sweet for not killing me before I got to get the other one." he wanted to give her a more intimate kiss than that, but he wasn't sure if he'd wind up with a gunblade in the ribs just yet. Then again, he hadn't made much of a motion to move, so maybe he was still thinking about it.
A slight laugh came out again and she curled her finger in his shirt a little, her mind really not where it should've been. It should've been with Genesis but she was enjoying herself far too much. Far more than she had in a long time. Lightning moved a hand to brush aside some of her hair. "Yeah, well, I can't exactly grab my blade like this, can I?" She bit her lip slightly again before laughing lightly once more.
Zack laughed softly, and leaned down a little more, mumbling, "No, I don't suppose you can.." his free hand slid along her cheek, and he kissed her lips softly, without really thinking about it, or anything else, because it felt right to do so. He had been having a great time, and he really liked this girl, so the natural step would be to show that. Maybe she'd like it.
Smiling still, she didn't mind the touch to her face, in fact she leant into it. A slight gasp came out at the feel of those lips, however, and she felt her eyes widen a little. She couldn't even get her words out; they would definitely get tangled and stuttered out. She wasn't sure what she felt; she'd been having a great time too, this guy was funny and made her act on impulse...
After a long moment, far more than what would have been proper, and well into romantic, Zack broke the kiss, still cradling her cheek. His own cheeks were slightly flushed, and while he didn't say anything, his eyes spoke volumes about how he was feeling just then.
Lightning reached her own hand up, running her thumb over the colouring to his skin. He really was so attractive and he made her smile. "You're a cunning, handsome, dashing figure of a man, hm?" She spoke in barely a whisper, moving that hand to touch his hair.
"Indeed, or so the stories go.." he chuckled softly, and nodded in a modest fashion, "What do you think? Is there any merit to that?" he traced his fingers over her jawline gently, well aware that not only were they in public, but they'd just been fighting. He wondered if someone had been panicked by it..
“Maybe a little." She smiled up at him, bending one knee up, between his legs. "You're certainly a charmer. And a risk-taker." Her eyes stayed on his face and her thoughts didn't even cross that they were outside, the battle all but forgotten for the moment.
"Like I said, I'd try something when I thought the time was right." he raised a brow at her when he felt her knee against him, and cleared his throat gently, "Why don't we call this one a draw, hmm?" he chuckled, and let his hand drift down along her throat, though it was more of an affectionate touch than one to choke her or something, so she needn't have worried.
"I think that's wise." She ran her fingers over the hand at her neck, a slight noise coming from her lips. "You up to a rematch?" She reached that hand up, lightly petting a finger over his lower lip. She wasn't sure what was happening but she was feeling less shy, now.
Zack nipped her finger playfully, and laughed, "I don't think I'm up for another fight just yet.." he sat up a ways, still straddling her, and rolled up his sleeves to show that the backs of his arms and hands, especially around the bangle, were bruised and somewhat burned, "Think I flung one too many.."
Drawing her hand away, she blushed a little again, but at the sight of his hands, she reached up, curling her hands around his wrists and murmuring a curative spell. "You shouldn't have done that... I'm sorry, this was a bad idea..." Lightning lowered her arms to the grass, looking up at him.
The black-haired man laughed softly, shaking his head and taking her head in both of his, leaning in close and being serious, "I haven't had fun like this in a long time, so I don't regret a bit of it." he finished it by planting another, quicker kiss on her lips, "It's just a bit of mage burn. Happens when you overextend yourself on materia, among other things. Ether rubs, and cure spells work wonders on it, and it's not like something that minor is fatal, just painful. And I've had worse." Zack slid his hands down over her shoulders, and smiled sweetly, still resting atop her for the moment.
A noise escaped her lips at the second kiss and she only just managed to take in what he said after it. Her hands came up and she curled her arms around his neck, her eyes locking on his face. "It's still my fault. I should've gone easier on you. You're hurt, after all." Lightning smiled in reply to that sweet expression.
Zack remained where he was when her arms went around his neck, and punctuated the things he said by kissing her lips, always chastely lips-only, but still, he was making more contact, and being more passionate about it as time went on. "If you go easy on me, and give me false pride, I'd learn nothing. This time, I learned that while I have the training, I currently lack the ability, and if I wanted to protect you from something big and bad, well, I couldn't do it to the best of my ability. Now I've got something to work towards."
Lightning squirmed beneath him, gently pressing her hands to his shoulders. "Zack... let me up?" She wriggled a little more. The guilt was setting in now. She had said she'd wait for Genesis and, here she was, beneath another man, letting him kiss her. "I... I have to go back to ShinRa. I-I'm supposed to be meeting G-Genesis." Her mouth could hardly let out that name.
Zack was quick to respect her wishes, though as he helped her up, he frowned softly, "Lightnin'.. you'll hafta forgive me fer sayin' so, but.. you don't sound all that sure thatcha wanna." he stood near her, but had let her go entirely for the moment, not wanting to be presumptuous.
"I'm... having fun out here. ShinRa is all missions and meetings. I'm tired of that; all I've done for years is fight or talk about fighting and I'm only eighteen." Brushing her hair back, she sighed. "Walk me back? I'm kinda lost..." She smiled, slipping her hand into his and leaning up to kiss his cheek.
Zack squeezed her hand softly, and smiled at the kiss, "Then come with me. There ain't much for me here in Midgar right now, 'cept you, and I just metcha t'day. Even so.. the world's a big place, with all kinds of places t'see and visit." he began to walk her back to where they'd met, figuring she'd know the way from there, "I mean, there'll be fighting, there's always monsters, but heck.. it'll be fun. I promise."
"I... Zack, I..." Huffing slightly at her own lack of words, Lightning tensed her free hand into a fist. "It sounds... so good. Just going wherever... but I made promises. I have to keep them. I've got a boyfriend; a home... a half-job." Lightning looked up at the sky. "Stick around in Midgar, Zack. Give me a chance to think about everything. Like you said, we met today, and I haven't known my boyfriend long either..." With a slight pout, Lightning looked ahead. "I need to think."
What: Lightning meets a freshly reborn Zackypants, and the two hit it off!
Where: Midgar; Slums
When: Erm.. dunno..?
Warnings: PG-13.
She'd been fed up of Shin-Ra. Genesis was constantly busy and she felt like some damsel in distress, constantly forced to wait around for a man that was too busy for her. With a sigh, the young girl slipped into those 'forbidden' Slums, smirking just a little. That was, until, she came upon a man. With a frown, Lightning crouched at his side, half expecting him to be some sort of drunk who'd attack her. With a slight grip to his shoulder, she shook him, frowning slightly more. "Hey... hey, you okay?"
Zack had been drifting pleasantly amid the Lifestream, bathed in the voice of the Planet, and given the reward of a life well-lived. He didn't have any regrets, except Aerith, and the Planet had long since assuaged those, confirming that he'd done right by her, despite his untimely demise. He stirred when he felt a hand on his shoulder, though, and searing pain lanced through his chest and he lurched up into a sitting position, shouting once, before it was replaced with the cool, comforting feeling of Midgar's atmosphere. Zack breathed hard, his whole body tense enough to make his muscles stand out, until he realized he wasn't being shot, and he'd likely scared the shit out of his benefactor.. "I.." he fell back on one elbow, unsteady, looking up at Lightning with glowing blue eyes, "Who.. who're you..? Some kind of angel..?" even while slightly delerious, Zack was a charmer.
With a look somewhere between shock and annoyance, Lightning brushed some hair behind her ear. She was always stuck with the mouthy ones. Lightning's greeny-blue eyes rolled as she shifted to kneel, resting her hands over his chest and casting a general curative spell. With a slight sigh, she looked to his face. "I'm no angel, so get that outta your head right now." The teen girl almost glared at him, her nose scrunching at the smell of the slums. "I'm Lightning. What happened to you?"
Zack gave his head a shake as he was cast upon, his body naturally augmented to take such spells more readily than damaging ones, and he rolled his shoulders, a series of pops and cracks coming from them and his back, "Well, it ain't every day that one minute you're bein' shot in the canyon, and the next you wake up to a pretty blonde askin' if yer okay." his country accent was thick as he got his bearings, but was quickly being supplanted by a Midgarian trooper's tongue, "I'm Zack Fair, ex-SOLDIER 1st Class, and I, well, I don't know. One sec I was fighting off an army of 3rd Class SOLDIERs, savin' my friend's butt and mine, then as I was about to die, snap to here
"I... see." Lightning stood up, dusting herself off. Yep. She was a magnet to the crazies. "Well, good luck with that." She nodded once to him, her hand resting over her gunblade-like weapon as she turned, hoping to explore the slums and return to Shin-Ra HQ before Genesis found out she'd wandered this area alone. The teen girl sighed slightly, wondering what drug that man, Zack Fair, had taken to make himself seem so damn wacked out. Maybe he'd OD-ed on some herbs. With a shrug, she took her steps away, hoping not to be followed, hips swaying naturally as she walked.
Zack was surprisingly agile, if he -was- on drugs, and he slid to a halt around in front of her, the ragged remains of his shirt fluttering as he produced his ID from his wallet, along with the rest of his documentation, "See? Right there. Zaaaaack Faaaaair.." he gestured with the card, and smiled winningly, "C'mon now, it isn't every day someone saves my life. Lemme buy some new clothes, a shirt might be large on that thought, and get you something to eat, to say thanks?" he still had plenty of gil, though his ShinRa account was probably long-frozen. "Then, if you still wanna go, I'll at least have paid you back, hmm?"
Lightning flicked her hair from her eyes, looking at him rather blankly, in fact, quite coldly. "I don't need your gil, or your food. I'm an... honourary ShinRa member. I've got all I need. So, thanks, but no thanks." She turned to attempt to walk in the oposite direction, back towards the building she'd emerged from. This guy was... attractive, but full of it. He knew how good he was, and that grated on her last nerve. Lightning's fingers played on her weapon's grip, waiting.
Zack shrugged softly, "ShinRa huh? Well, I guess if you're too good t'eat with me.." he didn't have his Buster Sword, unfortunately, and probably wouldn't fare well against monsters, but he would do fine against slum-dwellers. "Then again, I know they have a habit of.. having expendible soldiers. You sure you're not down here to find something better?" he raised his brows, eyes sparkling kindly, "One date. If you don't like me, I'll understand." Sure, he was cocky and arrogant, but he was also honorable, gentle, and other good things.
Pausing, her hand lowered. Find something better? Was there better right now? Lightning looked over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Try anything and I'll cut your hands off." At that, she turned to face him, crossing her arms under her breasts and leaning her weight to one side, looking at him rather expectantly. Sure, he was cocky and arrogant... but he seemed to have a hidden something she was... interested in uncovering. Besides, with nothing else to do around this place, an evening with a crazy guy seemed kinda alluring.
"Fantastic! First thing's first, though. I'm -way- too naked for the Slums, not to mention a date with a girl who I only just met. I know a good place 'round here. Shall we?" he didn't seem to remember his death, or anything about what had happened in the Lifestream. It was as if he'd simply never died, except for the massive scarring. He also took the time to reply to her threat, while running his eyes over her once, finding her alluring in her own right.. After all, tough women who could handle themselves were appealing, too. "Trust me, the minute I try something will be when I'm sure it's okay to." he laughed softly, a pleasant sound full of good cheer. Zack felt best in the company of a girl.
Scoffing slightly, Lightning looked to the ground, to hide her slightly pinkened cheeks. Blushing? So not cool. "Let's just go." Her voice was a mutter as she took a few steps to urge him into leading the way. He was, after all, more well known to the area and she didn't have a clue where anything was. With a slight glance to the man, she tilted her head, not wanting to say anything more just yet. She wasn't one to go about talking constantly.
His hair was long, and naturally spikey, by the look of it. Zack talked as he walked, mostly about a play that used to be really big, called Loveless. It was also his favorite work, and he was particularly good at recalling it, though he was bad at singing the main theme. "Here!" he stopped at a store, and smiled, opening the door for her, "This place sells affordable, stylish clothing that will see you through a hot date, or a good fight. And the colours don't run in the wash." Zack was always cracking wise
Lightning's eyes glazed over at the mention of that damn play. It was bad enough Genesis quoted it but now this guy was talking about it, too? When would it end?! Lightning partly thought she'd have to go and see this play herself at some point. Or at least read it. With a slight smile, more a twitch of her lips to his joke, she stepped inside, half wanting to tell him she could open a door herself. "Funny." She brushed a hand over her hair. "Just get yourself sorted quick. I don't want to hang around too long."
"Sure, sure. I won't be long, just take a look around, I'm sure I'll be quick." Zack left her alone, and he was true to his word. No more than ten minutes later, a new man stood before her, dressed in pressed pinstriped black slacks, a black leather belt with a winking silver buckle in the shape of a Chocobo's feather, and a button-own collared, cream coloured shirt that fit tightly on his chest, but a little more loosely over his arms. Zack hadn't done up the collar all the way, but he did shrug into a jacket similar to his pants. The only thing remaining from his old outfit was the combat boots and materia-bangle on his arm, though it was currently devoid of the magical orbs. "Whatcha think, Lightnin'?"
The girl shifted in her place by a rail of clothing as she saw him. Biting her lower lip a little, she managed a smirk. "You scrub up well, for a crazy guy off the slums." Lightning was becoming quite endeared by his accent, finding it amusing and interesting. Brushing a hand over her white surcoat, she frowned slightly. "Well, way to make a girl feel under-dressed." She tugged slightly at the end of her mini-skirt, hoping it'd cover a little more of her bare thighs. It was useful for battles but now she felt kind trampy.
Zack laughed softly, and smiled at her, honest with his compliments when he gave them, "Hey, if I had legs like that I'd wear it, too. I'm sure it's easy to move around in, though, and y'look like you've seen yer fair share've fights, just by the way your eyes gleam when you're glaring. Which you've done a bit of, since we met. Now then, what kinda food're ya into?" he tilted his head to the side as he approached, a soft smile shaping his lips.
A blush crossed her face at the man's words. Damnit, always being so quick to blush was not a good thing!! Lightning shrugged slightly, stepping out of the store and brushing her hair from her face. "I... I don't really know. I just eat what I'm given. I'm an ex-soldier from the Cocoon Army; you know the kind of crap you get given in the army." Lightning looked to Zack, a hand resting on her hip. "Food is food, I guess."
"Heh, then you haven't had the good stuff. I know a joint around here that serves -fantastic- Choco-Gratin." he had grown up on a farm, where Chocobos were work animals, show animals, and food in the form of eggs and such. "You haven't lived until you've had some Choco-Gratin." Zack offered his arm, smiling charmingly.
With a slight mental kick to herself, she took his arm. That smile was damn hard to resist. Lightning squeezed his arm just a little, getting the feel of another man's arm. She was so used to Genesis' that it felt strange to touch another person. Not that she and Genesis did a whole lot of touching. No, she wasn't the kind of girl to go rushing into that. "Choco-Gratin. What exactly is it?" She raised both eyebrows, a rather worried look crossing her face.
"A cheese and Chocobo-meat dish with rice. It's really good, since Chocobos are rich and tender when they're raised right. Some people shy away from eating monsters, but eh, I know people that eat cuter things." Zack absolutely adored Chocobos, though. He led Lightning out of the store, setting a casual yet brisk pace that was the safest in the slums. Not in a hurry, but hard to stop.
Walking quickly to keep at his pace, she scrunched her nose up. "I don't know; Malboro steaks are quite nice... and if you're quick enough, certain serpant skins, after fermenting, make spiteful alcohol." The blonde flicker her bangs from her eyes, resting her free hand on her weapon. Force of habit, if anything. Besides, the Slums were unnerving her slowly.
Zack didn't have a weapon, but he was more than capable of kicking someone's butt if he needed to. He was a mako-enhanced SOLDIER 1st Class, after all! "True enough, and Tonberry fluid makes for some surprisingly good marinade for the same variety of meat." he laughed a little bit, "Never met a girl who'd eat monsters with me. Usually they're too grossed out, but what's the difference between a Behemoth burger and a cow patty, in the long run, besides one trying to kill you?"
"I'm not your typical girl. I'm not a damsel in distress; if something wants to eat me, I'll damn well eat it first." She squeezed the handle of her gun-sword, watching a few of the slum dwellers nearby as Zack led her away. Part of her mind was cursing her for being reckless enough to hook up with a guy off the streets but a bigger part of her was enjoying the little excitement she was getting.
"Well, good. I like a rough and tumble gal, means I can be myself." he'd liked other girls well enough, but had to pass on some of the more hardcore stuff, like fighting monsters for fun, 'cause they didn't like it. "So, what branch does ShinRa gotcha in now that yer in Midgar?" he raised his brows, free hand resting on hers for a moment.
"I... I'm not technically working there. I'm there because my... friend is there. He's the one they need. I just lend a helping hand now and then." Lightning twitched her nose a little. "But Genesis, my friend, he's too protective of me. He doesn't like me getting involved in missions." The eighteen-year-old's eyes fell on the hand on hers, her fingers twitching slightly.
Zack's hand passed soon enough, though his eyes went a little hard at the mention of Genesis. His memories before his near-death were a little hazy, but he thought he might know the man. No matter, though, he figured he'd enjoy Lightning's company instead of going off half-cocked, "Ah, well, I'm sure he'd be glad to know you're in such good company."
“Probably not." She shook her head a little, her eyes moving to scan every detail they met. It was good to see so much of the world but, in the back of her mind, she was still cursing Cocoon and the Holy Government. With a slight noise, she looked to Zack's face. "So, you were a SOLDIER? Genesis was... I guess he is again, now." She shrugged a little.
"Yeah, I was one of the best of the best, until whatever happened in the canyon. I'm assuming that was ShinRa's equivalent of a discharge, so I'm not about t'go back to them." he laughed a little, "Gotta comission a new sword when I lay hands on some gil, but that can wait I guess."
"Mm. If I had my way, I wouldn't be with ShinRa, either. I have a certain... bitterness to authority. Of that kind, at least." Lightning shook out her strawberry blonde locks before looking to Zack, still almost jogging to keep up. "Much farther?" She tilted her head, greenish eyes almost shining up at him.
"Well, hey. If you like me enough, you're welcome t'come hang with me. I'm sure we can find someone willing to pay for our services." he shrugged, and continued walking, slowing down a little when he noticed her trying to keep up, "Not too much further. They have good ice cream, too, if you like that sorta thing."
A smile crossed her face, showing exactly how young she really was. "I love ice cream." Soon enough, the smile faded and she pouted in thought, eyes flicking over their surroundings once again. "I... I don't know... I kinda made some promises..." Lightning shook her head. "Forget it, I'm going to try to enjoy this."
"Well, the offer's open if you want to come with. Just leave a note, say you'll keep the promises when you get back." he laughed a little, and nodded as they approached a small cafe, well-kept for being in the Slums. A gentleman, Zack got this door for her as well, "Not too shabby for a crazy dude on the street hmm?"
With a slight laugh, Lightning stepped inside, looking over her shoulder at him. "For all you know, I'm just some crazy chick on the street," she all but purred before turning her head, slinking inside the small cafe, pulling her fingerless gloves off and stuffing them into the pouch strapped to her left thigh.
"And for all I know, you're the one that got me out of that canyon. Dunno for sure, but what I do know is that I was getting shot at, and the next thing I know I'm looking up into bright greens that are either worried, or angry, at the same time maybe." he chuckled, and followed her in, signalling a waiter and taking her to an open table with good lighting, pulling the chair out for her.
Seating herself, Lightning brushed her hair from her eyes. "Nope. Wasn't me. I found you out there, half-dead. I cast curative magics and now... this." She waved a hand in gesture to the room, before setting her hands on her lap, lacing her fingers.
"Well, just goes to show that helpin' someone out is a good thing t'do." he seated himself and smiled across at her, resting one arm on the table before the waiter arrived, a well-dressed (for the area) older gentleman.
"May I take your drink orders?" he passed a menu to Zack, and another to Lightning. Zack ordered a simple glass of water with ice. The waiter then looked expectantly to Lightning.
Lightning scanned the menu for a brief second before handing it back, not even looking at the man. "Water; sparkling. Ice; crushed." She ordered. Her eyes didn't even flicker any sort of emotion.
The man didn't seem all that phased by it, though, and went off to wherever it was he would get their drinks. Zack perused the menu halfheartedly, already sure of what he'd be having, "Not a fan of the help?" he snickered softly, winking one glowing aqua eye, before raking his fingers back through his hair, a mischievous look on his face.
Giving a slight glare, a rather playful one, she crossed her arms on the table, resting her chest on her forearms. "I'm just a woman who knows what she wants and doesn't care for the fussing." Raising an eyebrow to his mischievous look, she felt a little wary now. Those sort of looks usually meant trouble.
"But of course." Zack let his voice go low, folding the menu and setting it aside, leaning on the arm he'd put on the table, nodding to her, "So, I know your name, and whatcha do for a living. Kinda. And that you'll eat monsters and ice cream with me. So. What do you do for fun?" Zack smiled broadly, figuring he'd treat the date.. like a date.
Lightning tapped her fingers on the table, watching them. What was she supposed to answer that with? The truth was as good as anything. "I don't. I'm in the process of a mission. I'm part of a group, Team Nora, but we got split up... things are too busy for fun." She tucked some hair behind her ear, keeping her gaze down.
"Seriously? Too busy for -fun-? Man, you guys sound like you need someone around t'getcha in the mood to make a mission a good thing." he seemed somewhat disconcerted by the evident lack of morale for the task at hand. "I can show ya back to H.Q., if you can't stay out too late.." he was poking a little bit of fun at her, "'Course.. there's always a silver lining. If you're bored of work, that's why there's play, hm?" Zack grinned boyishly, always country at heart.
Giving a genuine smile to his grin, Lightning shrugged a little. "I'll stay out as long as I want. I'm no one's dolly." She removed her weapon from her side, laying it on the table, resting her chin on her hand. "So, country boy, you're going to show me a good time? Show me what fun really is, huh?" She raised an eyebrow. He was certainly interesting and poking at something she hadn't felt awake in a long time; her sense of humor.
"I can do that, if you're game. We'll finish dinner first, get some ice cream, then hit the grounds around Wall Market. Most SOLDIER's first swords come from the monsters around there, and I need a new blade anyway, and one's bound to have a good one." Zack smiled faintly, "The Bomb population was on the rise last time I was around, and too many Bombs ruins the flowers." there were flowers in the Slums? Yup, and he knew where.
Lightning nodded slightly. "We'll see how good you SOLDIER boys are up against a real fighter, too, hm? A little one-on-one, maybe?" Her words couldn't have sounded any more like a proposition if she'd tried. Not that she did try. Usually, anything that came out sounding remotely seductive, never was meant that way. The girl glanced across the room, looking for the waiter.
Zack chuckled softly, and raised his brows suggestively, "I'll have you know I'm one of the best SOLDIERs ever trained. I'll take you one on one, and even give you the option for a rematch when I'm done showing you the ropes." Zack wasn't sure whether she meant it as a proposition or a challenge, so he answered vaguely enough to satisfy both. The waiter arrived moments later, and deposited their drinks, taking Zack's order of Choco-gratin, and looking to Lightning for hers.
She ordered the same; giving the waiter the brush-off again. "I think I'll spare you the embarrassment of getting yourself beat by a girl. Just give up now, hm?" She sipped her drink, setting it down and leaning slightly across the table to him. "I've got skills that would blow your mind." Of course, she was referring to her manipulation of gravity and electricity for her advantage. Not that he'd know that.
Zack shrugged softly, and smiled, "I'd be honored to face a girl that could take me to town. But a proper SOLDIER is trained to handle any circumstance, and I'm more than adequate." he took a small drink from his drink, and smiled pleasantly at her, enjoying the exchange, "Heck, there's a Materia shop down in Sector Seven, too, so we'll head that way, and I'll really show ya some magic fingers." he wiggled his right hand suggestively, his smile becoming a good natured smirk.
Lightning gave a slight laugh, shaking her bangs from her eyes. "Mm, I have pretty... magical fingers of my own." The teen girl looked to the almost invisible markings on her right index and thumb, smirking slightly, raising that hand to return the suggestive gesture. "But, I guess if you have to get Materia to give you a boost in that department, we're talking an easy win for me, here." She quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Heh, I'd be makin' it fair. Materia drains away a SOLDIER's innate strength and vitality, making him less physically able, while giving him more.. mystical attributes to use as he sees fit." he smiled faintly, "If you'd rather I used my hands, there're much better ways than fighting in the street to test a person's limits." his glowing eyes danced merrily in the light, raising an eyebrow in a similar fashion.
Lightning gave him a look that basically said 'in your dreams', but she spoke differently. "I'm not so much of a free agent in that department. Besides, you'd want a girl with ziltch experience?" She tilted her head, resting her chin on her right hand as she brought her glass to her lips.
Zack shrugged a little, "It's not the end result that matters, as much as the entire process. Same thing as any mission, you have to pay attention to all objectives, not merely the final result. Sure, I asked you out, but it's that you came out with me that matters." Zack smiled good-naturedly, "I could pick any number of people in Midgar for a 'good time', but that's not the only thing I want in my life. I like a good time to encompass things like this, horsing around at a restaurant, waiting for some good food." he paused a moment, and tilted his head, "Besides, I'm not a free agent so much as someone lookin' for the right person to spend my time with." Zack was concerned that she'd gotten the wrong idea about how he was, ultimately.
Lightning smiled sincerely to that, seeing in his blue eyes that he wasn't just spinning some old lines. "Hmm... you've got a good head on your shoulders, considering the fact that you're an ex-SOLDIER." Lightning shifted back from the table a little, swinging one leg up and resting the other over it, on the tabletop. The blonde was far from a classy broad. Crossing her arms under her breasts, Lightning chuckled a little. "Maybe I'm taken, did you not think about that? And anyway, who says you're my type, Zack Fair, ex-SOLDIER 1st Class?"
Zack smiled casually, "You're out with me, after wandering around the Slums, probably bored out of your head. Now, either you're single and need someone to take up some of your time, or you're taken and he doesn't appreciate what he's got. And you need someone to take up some of your time." Zack didn't care to let a man keep what he didn't seem to care for, "Besides, if I knew everything about you and what you liked, would I have needed to ask before bringing you to a place that served monster meat?"
The girl shook a foot repeatedly, almost like a nervous habit, yet she wasn't nervous. "If you knew everything about me, we wouldn't be sat here so casually, honey." She gave him back his wink from earlier, trying to seem a lot less uptight than she really was. Lightning reached a hand down to scratch her knee, shifting to get more comfortable with her long legs sprawled over the table.
Zack shrugged, "Or I'd know enough to be able to wrap you around my finger. But that would ruin the chase. Right now, I'm having a good time, and at the end of our time together, I'll ask if you want to see me again." he shrugged softly, "I might act like I'm from the city, but I didn't grow up here. I know how to take care've a girl, when I've got one." he seemed a little distracted, but it was likely him trying -not- to admire her legs, seeing as they were up on the table.
Lightning watched his eyes, wondering vaguely how long it'd take him to ogle her legs. He'd already made a comment about them earlier. "I guess I'll have to stick around, to see exactly how it is you treat a girl." She tilted her head, keeping her eyes fixed on his. They were also a bright blue, like Genesis'. What was it that made the SOLDIERs have eyes that color? She pouted slightly in thought.
A few moments later, Zack's eyes lingered on her legs for a moment, before he modestly tore his gaze away, back to her eyes. "Ahem.. er.. I won't be complaining about having you around, though this boyfriend you may or may not have might have something to say about it." he sounded like he didn't care, really, and was only concerned that she was considering him less a jerk, and more a second-date calibre man.
"I don't know... he seems like a pretty jealous guy. If he was pushed to it, that is." Lightning smirked as he looked to her legs. "I'm not sure where we stand anyway. We had... a moment, on an airship, and now he's busy and I'm... I'm doing what I am. We don't get much time together." Lightning brushed a hand through her hair, half wondering when this damn meal would be served.
"Yeah, well, even when I was in SOLDIER, I made time for the girl I was with." he vaguely recalled Aerith as a sweet young girl with a thing for flowers. He'd built her a wagon, once.. "Regardless, though. If he's too busy, he's not interested enough. And if he's jealous, well, I suppose he'll learn from it." Zack smiled faintly to her, somewhat jealous himself, but it was that same jealous streak that kept him interested in someone.
The girl lowered her legs, shifting to sit up more in her seat. She didn't want to hear that; it just made her think Genesis might not really feel the way she thought he did. With a soft swallow, she rested her hands on her lap, eyes on her fingers. "I suppose he will." Lightning shifted in her seat. "Mn... where's that waiter got to, I wonder..." She lifted her head keeping her gaze from his.
The raven-haired man hadn't been purposely hurtful, though he changed veins when she readjusted herself, "So.. Sector Seven after this? I doubt I can requisition Master Materia from ShinRa anymore, heh. I'll have to work it up myself, of course." Zack's good-natured smile was infectious, and he tried to get it to flow to her again, "I'm sure he's busily hurrying the chefs, telling them what a fine couple is here, waiting patiently."
Lightning looked to him, that smile slowly spreading on her lips, too. "Mm... I guess. If he doesn't hurry soon, though, I may just up and leave." Scooting closer to the table, her chin rested on her hand once more. "And I bet you'd follow." She smirked a little, not wanting to hint at anything, even though she really was.
The ex-SOLDIER grinned back at her, "Just throw me a bone, I'll come along for the ride." the waiter chose that moment to artistically sweep their dishes onto the table, and said something in Wutaian that Zack raised a brow to, before departing. "Weird that he'd try to tell us to eat well, with this sorta food, in Wutaian.." Zack was a man of many talents.
"W-Wutaian...? I see. I guess I should tell you I'm not from around here. I have no idea what that is." She lifted her fork, poking at the food she'd ordered. Now... she wasn't so sure she wanted it. Her bravery seemed to have worn down a little and her stomach was already aching at the very thought of eating it.
"There's another continent, that ShinRa put a Mako Reactor on and turned into a tourist trap. There was a big war involved. I served in that war, directly.." he sounded like he regretted it, "Picked up the language, and while useful, I also know what the locals were calling us." he chuckled softly, and took a taste of his food, giving an exaggerated moan after swallowing it. He also kissed his fingertips, "Divine. Go on, try it, it's like chicken, only richer."
Giving an expression of dislike already, she frowned, taking a bite and soon smiling. "Mm... okay, you win. It's really good..." She murmured after swallowing, laughing slightly. She was open to new things, sure, but this was a little extreme for her. Food wasn't exactly a big thing for her. Taking another bite, she gave a soft laugh as she looked up to him.
Zack smiled brightly at her, "See what I mean? I know what I'm talkin' about. Wutaian's good too, really. All noodles and raw fish and vinegared rice." he laughed as well, enjoying Lightning's company. He was glad she'd been the one to find him, and not some Slum bum, rifling through his pockets or something like that.
The girl was a fast eater. Soon enough, she was more than half way through, most of her drink gone, too. Sure, she looked ladylike, but she was far from it. Lightning smiled almost all the way through the meal, save for opening her mouth to insert more food. It seemed so long since she actually enjoyed a decent meal. Actually sat down and enjoyed it.
The man matched her pace at eating, with all the gusto of a country boy after a long day's work, but maintaining the military elegance that had been drilled into him since enlisting. Zack wasn't one to talk much once he was eating, unless it was a meal that involved the phrase 'Pass the biscuits, please.'.
As soon as her plate was empty, Lightning gave it a light shove, away from her. She finished her glass of water then swung her legs onto the table again, a thud sounding. She smirked at Zack, always being a lot more contented and friendly on a full stomach.
Zack didn't put his feet on the table as she did, but when he was done, he stacked his dish on hers, and smiled faintly, leaning back on his chair and letting out a content sigh. "Phoo.. one helping of that always gets me good for dessert." he winked an odd eye at her, and chuckled.
"I bet it does, country boy." At that, she slipped her feet to the floor and stood. "Forget the ice cream. I'm in the mood to see this finger magic you were telling me about." The blonde gave his cheek a gentle tap before she turned to leave the cafe, her hips still swaying attractively, yet so naturally it was impossible to fake.
Zack couldn't help but watch the sway of her hips as she left, and he stood, folding several bills out of his wallet and dropping them on the table. "Oh yeah? Well, it's a bit of a walk to Sector Seven, but we'll make it just fine." Zack hitched his pants up somewhat, as they tended to slip when he sat anywhere.
Lightning instantly curled her arm around Zack's, looking up to him. "Well, lead the way. I'm new to these parts." She smiled slightly, not wanting to seem as cocky as she was beginning to get. Soon enough, she expected to get her butt handed to her during battle. Sure, she was trained incredibly with a secret weapon to boot but the best way to go into a battle, was to expect to lose. Then you're not disappointed.
Zack would have liked to hear that philosophy, really. "Sure thing, it's down this way." he kept her arm on his as much as he could without physically holding it there, humming under his breath as he strolled along with her. Sure, the odd person gave them a look, but Zack wasn't one to dwell on them, or even stop to gratify them. He was enjoying this little date, and intended to end it on a good note.
Lightning was used to the stares by now. She didn't fit in here, and she was stared at for a whole other reason back at Cocoon... and in Pulse. The teen shook her head slightly. She was having a good time. She didn't want to ruin it by thinking about the places she had been. Instead, she kept focused on the place she was headed to.
Zack pointed out interesting things along the way, a playhouse here, a theatre there. A restaurant one could get a great bowl of chili at, and a bar to never go into, ever. When they got to Sector Seven, though, he missed a step, and nearly tripped. "Whoa..! This is all new!? Since when?!" he sounded completely surprised by it.
Tilting her head, she paused. "Ah... Genesis told me about this. Something happened... I can't remember the details... but this place was rebuilt. It'd be destroyed. You wouldn't know that with your little dip into the afterlife." She smiled sympathetically, trying to make him feel a little more at ease but knowing she probably wasn't.
Zack gave his head a shake, and continued walking. The layout was pretty much the same, but all the shops were different. A little asking, and he was directed to the new Materia Shop, directly funded and stocked by ShinRa, so they had a wonderful selection of goods for sale. Zack wound up buying Fire, Ice, Bolt, and Restore materia, and slotted them into the bangle he wore, the little orbs twinkling prettily. "Hmm.." he sighed under his breath, and winked to Lightning, "There we go, good to have the basics again."
She chuckled a little. "Mm, I suppose it must be." Lightning stroked a loose bang away from her eye before biting her lip a little. "Where shall we do this?" Of course, she meant fighting this little duel but it did come off a little suggestive. "Hey, since you don't have a weapon, I'll fight empty handed." She murmured her words as she slid on her fingerless gloves once again.
"You don't have to." he smiled boldly, "I can handle myself, and if you knock me around too badly, I'm sure you can patch me up." he laughed a little, and looked over at where the old playground used to be, and wondered if it was still there, "There used to be a playground over there that'd suit us fine."
With a shrug followed by a nod, Lightning walked in the direction Zack mentioned. "I think it is still here." She murmured, pushing the rickety old swing with her foot. "Well, would you like a headstart? A free punch?" She grinned at him, resting a hand on her hip. Her right index and thumb rubbed together lightly, causing a tiny gravitational pull between the digits.
Zack leaned over as he passed, and kissed her cheek, "There, now if I die, I still have no regrets." he snickered softly, and turned around when he was a good ten feet away from her, falling into a simple fighting stance, "Who calls go for us?" he called over to her, grinning mischievously again.
Her hand instantly rested over her cheek and she blushed lightly, turning to face him and assuming her own fighting stance. She couldn't will away the flush to her face as her fingers fell on her gun-sword. "We go on three, okay? One..."
Zack focused on his materia, waiting for the go ahead to let a bit of magic fly, the light in his eyes brightening with his mood. He was rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, his weight light and in constant motion, sort of a mix between classic boxing, and the rumbling maneuvers one would pick up in a bar brawl.
She stood quite still, counting. "...two... three." At that number, she immediately took the offensive, putting up an electrical shield, a gravity bomb swelling in her palm, ready for attack. Lightning was a fast fighter, and had no intentions of being slow for him.
Zack, on the other hand, was an expert in improvised combat, so when he sped forward with all the enhanced agility of a SOLDIER, he didn't come right for Lightning. No, he channeled his Fire spell into his palm, and threw it down at the ground as he flipped his legs over, keeping his arm stiff so the force of the spell flung him high into the air. Throwing one arm out to stabilize himself, he cast Blizzard where he expected her to stop and look up at him, wondering if she'd fall for the ruse, and perhaps slip up.
Lightning almost giggled, using the bomb she'd created in very the same way, pushing herself up off the ground and destabilizing her own gravity to allow aerial combat. She drew her weapon, shooting at her new friend, another gravity bomb swelling in her hand as she threw it towards him. She wasn't one to fall for ruses easily, especially concerning flying fighting.
Zack drew back his magic when she flew into the air, and conjured a wall of ice between himself and Lightning, to keep the bullets from scoring on him. He tucked his limbs in and fell after the apex of his leap, charging a crackling bolt of electrical energy, and aiming it for her weapon, wondering if it'd work like a lightning rod. Lightning's lightning rod, heh.
Lightning raised both eyebrows, laughing slightly. "Sorry, sweetheart. It's in the name," she purred, the lightning being absorbed by her electrical shield. Right away, she lowered it, expecting a water spell soon enough. Her eyes stayed sharp as she began to repeatedly toss gravity bombs at Zack, a frown coming over her face as she moved her arm swiftly.
Zack hadn't bought the materia for anything more than the three basic spells, and Cure, so instead, when he hit the ground, he flung himself to one side, scrambling over the jungle gym that was there for the kids, and leaping off the other side. He was a tricky guy, really. Then, grinning, he began to intercept her bombs with his spells, though he wasn't sure just how long he could keep casting like that. Mage burn was nasty stuff, and he'd only experienced it a few times..
Gravity control was her speciality, it wasn't even a kind of magic, it was engrained in her. Fending off the spells, however, proved difficult. The teen slipped her weapon away, back-flipping to settle her feet on the ground as her free hand began work on lightning spells, her right hand still providing those bombs. It was difficult to work double handed like this, especially on the ground; she had to keep moving.
Zack's arms shortly began to itch, though, so he dropped the spellcasting, jumping around and kicking off of things that most people would have gaped at, wincing when a network of purplish bruises appeared on the backs of his hands. Yeah, he'd overdone it a little, but he'd be fine. Zack couldn't keep dodging forever, though, and grunted when a spell finally landed, the electricity coursing through his body for a moment, spiking up his already spikey hair. "Nng.."
She took this as an opportunity; Lightning rushed in as fast as her name would predict and swept his feet from under him, gripping his shirt and lowering him to the ground in a single move. Drawing her blade, she held it above him, grinning.
Zack smirked up at her, and raised his eyebrows, "Argh, I am slain!" the words were intoned playfully, and while he felt that, properly outfitted, he would have fared better, he felt proud enough that he'd managed to hold out as long as he had. "Phoo.. alright, so.." he wasn't sure what she planned to do from there, really.
Setting her weapon away, she held a hand out to him, laughing softly at his playful words. "Yeah, I told you I was badass," she joked, wiggling her semi-gloved fingers at him.
The man reached up and seized her hand, dragging her down with him and moving to pin her with a knee on either side of her hips, two fingers pressing into her side, just beneath her ribs. "Basic SOLDIER training; always disable your enemy, because he might be named Zack Fair, who is a cunning, handsome, dashing figure of a man. Seriously, it says that." he winked, and couldn't help laughing a bit.
Lightning squealed slightly as she was pulled down and her hands landed on his chest. A bright, painful blush crossed her face and she laughed, both at his joke and nervously. "You're an ass, you know that, right?" She smiled, a little out of breath and very out of sorts. The teen blinked a little, chewing her lower lip.
Zack shrugged softly, and, noting her blush, smiled pleasantly. "I do my best, Lightnin'." his own voice was somewhat breathy, and he leaned down a little, kissing her other cheek, "And you're very sweet for not killing me before I got to get the other one." he wanted to give her a more intimate kiss than that, but he wasn't sure if he'd wind up with a gunblade in the ribs just yet. Then again, he hadn't made much of a motion to move, so maybe he was still thinking about it.
A slight laugh came out again and she curled her finger in his shirt a little, her mind really not where it should've been. It should've been with Genesis but she was enjoying herself far too much. Far more than she had in a long time. Lightning moved a hand to brush aside some of her hair. "Yeah, well, I can't exactly grab my blade like this, can I?" She bit her lip slightly again before laughing lightly once more.
Zack laughed softly, and leaned down a little more, mumbling, "No, I don't suppose you can.." his free hand slid along her cheek, and he kissed her lips softly, without really thinking about it, or anything else, because it felt right to do so. He had been having a great time, and he really liked this girl, so the natural step would be to show that. Maybe she'd like it.
Smiling still, she didn't mind the touch to her face, in fact she leant into it. A slight gasp came out at the feel of those lips, however, and she felt her eyes widen a little. She couldn't even get her words out; they would definitely get tangled and stuttered out. She wasn't sure what she felt; she'd been having a great time too, this guy was funny and made her act on impulse...
After a long moment, far more than what would have been proper, and well into romantic, Zack broke the kiss, still cradling her cheek. His own cheeks were slightly flushed, and while he didn't say anything, his eyes spoke volumes about how he was feeling just then.
Lightning reached her own hand up, running her thumb over the colouring to his skin. He really was so attractive and he made her smile. "You're a cunning, handsome, dashing figure of a man, hm?" She spoke in barely a whisper, moving that hand to touch his hair.
"Indeed, or so the stories go.." he chuckled softly, and nodded in a modest fashion, "What do you think? Is there any merit to that?" he traced his fingers over her jawline gently, well aware that not only were they in public, but they'd just been fighting. He wondered if someone had been panicked by it..
“Maybe a little." She smiled up at him, bending one knee up, between his legs. "You're certainly a charmer. And a risk-taker." Her eyes stayed on his face and her thoughts didn't even cross that they were outside, the battle all but forgotten for the moment.
"Like I said, I'd try something when I thought the time was right." he raised a brow at her when he felt her knee against him, and cleared his throat gently, "Why don't we call this one a draw, hmm?" he chuckled, and let his hand drift down along her throat, though it was more of an affectionate touch than one to choke her or something, so she needn't have worried.
"I think that's wise." She ran her fingers over the hand at her neck, a slight noise coming from her lips. "You up to a rematch?" She reached that hand up, lightly petting a finger over his lower lip. She wasn't sure what was happening but she was feeling less shy, now.
Zack nipped her finger playfully, and laughed, "I don't think I'm up for another fight just yet.." he sat up a ways, still straddling her, and rolled up his sleeves to show that the backs of his arms and hands, especially around the bangle, were bruised and somewhat burned, "Think I flung one too many.."
Drawing her hand away, she blushed a little again, but at the sight of his hands, she reached up, curling her hands around his wrists and murmuring a curative spell. "You shouldn't have done that... I'm sorry, this was a bad idea..." Lightning lowered her arms to the grass, looking up at him.
The black-haired man laughed softly, shaking his head and taking her head in both of his, leaning in close and being serious, "I haven't had fun like this in a long time, so I don't regret a bit of it." he finished it by planting another, quicker kiss on her lips, "It's just a bit of mage burn. Happens when you overextend yourself on materia, among other things. Ether rubs, and cure spells work wonders on it, and it's not like something that minor is fatal, just painful. And I've had worse." Zack slid his hands down over her shoulders, and smiled sweetly, still resting atop her for the moment.
A noise escaped her lips at the second kiss and she only just managed to take in what he said after it. Her hands came up and she curled her arms around his neck, her eyes locking on his face. "It's still my fault. I should've gone easier on you. You're hurt, after all." Lightning smiled in reply to that sweet expression.
Zack remained where he was when her arms went around his neck, and punctuated the things he said by kissing her lips, always chastely lips-only, but still, he was making more contact, and being more passionate about it as time went on. "If you go easy on me, and give me false pride, I'd learn nothing. This time, I learned that while I have the training, I currently lack the ability, and if I wanted to protect you from something big and bad, well, I couldn't do it to the best of my ability. Now I've got something to work towards."
Lightning squirmed beneath him, gently pressing her hands to his shoulders. "Zack... let me up?" She wriggled a little more. The guilt was setting in now. She had said she'd wait for Genesis and, here she was, beneath another man, letting him kiss her. "I... I have to go back to ShinRa. I-I'm supposed to be meeting G-Genesis." Her mouth could hardly let out that name.
Zack was quick to respect her wishes, though as he helped her up, he frowned softly, "Lightnin'.. you'll hafta forgive me fer sayin' so, but.. you don't sound all that sure thatcha wanna." he stood near her, but had let her go entirely for the moment, not wanting to be presumptuous.
"I'm... having fun out here. ShinRa is all missions and meetings. I'm tired of that; all I've done for years is fight or talk about fighting and I'm only eighteen." Brushing her hair back, she sighed. "Walk me back? I'm kinda lost..." She smiled, slipping her hand into his and leaning up to kiss his cheek.
Zack squeezed her hand softly, and smiled at the kiss, "Then come with me. There ain't much for me here in Midgar right now, 'cept you, and I just metcha t'day. Even so.. the world's a big place, with all kinds of places t'see and visit." he began to walk her back to where they'd met, figuring she'd know the way from there, "I mean, there'll be fighting, there's always monsters, but heck.. it'll be fun. I promise."
"I... Zack, I..." Huffing slightly at her own lack of words, Lightning tensed her free hand into a fist. "It sounds... so good. Just going wherever... but I made promises. I have to keep them. I've got a boyfriend; a home... a half-job." Lightning looked up at the sky. "Stick around in Midgar, Zack. Give me a chance to think about everything. Like you said, we met today, and I haven't known my boyfriend long either..." With a slight pout, Lightning looked ahead. "I need to think."