(no subject)

[frozenlightning.livejournal.com]

Who: Lightning, Zack and moogles
What: Hiring moogles
Where: Balfonheim
When: Daytime
Rating: PG-13


The teen wandered around the clothing store with her brow furrowed. She wasn't really sure she wanted anything different. With a sigh, she picked up a few items of clothing that didn't look exceedingly revealing and moved to a changing room. It was a little awkward for her to do this; she'd never really been clothes shopping before, she tended to just wear whatever gear she had. Obviously, her gloves would have to stay, as with her boots and her pouch but the main bulk of her outfit could be changed. That worried her a little. More change. She'd split away from Zack not too long ago when they'd went into the different gendered shops for clothing. Though, she was half wishing she'd just gone with him, instead.

Zack had gone to a men's store, and had perused their selection. He'd always favoured black clothes, because they were good for stealth, but he wanted to be a little flashier if he was going to be a pirate. His combat boots and heavy gloves, those would stay, along with the wide leather belt, with it's silver Chocobo buckle. The rest, though, could change. He hummed, selecting an outfit that had baggy black pants, and a black vest with lots of pockets, and a pair of pouches; one to hang off the side of his waist, and a smaller one for his right arm. He would also keep his spaulders, as they were one of two places for materia in his gear. All of his selections, save the pouches, were done in well-stitched, quality black fabric, with silver embellishments. Very stylish, very.. piratey.

As soon as she'd decided upon an outfit, the teen purchased it quickly and refused to wear it out of the shop. She walked out to wait outside the men's store, crossing her arms over her chest, waiting for Zack. It wasn't that she didn't like the outfit she'd chosen, but Lightning wasn't ready to just change so suddenly and present herself to him in the attire. Lightning brushed her hair back, ignoring whatever stares she got and simply glaring at any man, woman, Bangaa or Seeq that commented on her.

Zack, on the other hand, put his outfit together in the store, complete with a replacement suit of the same clothes, those wrapped up under his arm. He also thought to buy a bedspread and a couple sets of sheets for the bare mattress in their quarters. So it was that a shirtless, product-laden Zack came out in a vest and pants, looking very much like a changed man, dapper and daring, the dark clothes contrasting well with his skin. He even looked a little scary, with all of his scars on display like that.

Lightning blinked a few times when she saw him. "Well... you certainly fit the part of pirate." Her eyes were rather warm as she gave him the once over. He looked good and, if she hadn't seen those scars many times, she'd agree that the sight was intimidating but Lightning just smiled and held out her free hand to him. She'd bought a few variations on her outfit but was holding them all in a bag, refusing to change. Stubborn until the end, the girl wiggled her fingers. "Let's go back to the airship."

"Sure thing. I got a spare change, considering how often we get dirty." he smiled sweetly, "And some sheets, and a blanket, too!" the Buster Sword was still on his back, and Zack had seriously considered hanging it up, seeing as it was a treasure in it's own right, and he just couldn't use it in confined spaces. Pirating seemed to be much different from SOLDIERing; maybe he'd need something like.. fist weapons, or a dagger, or something. He smiled at her comment, "You like this outfit, then?" he needed some throwing knives for his arm pouch, as that was what it was for.

Nodding, she smiled lightly at him. "It suits you." Leading him back towards their new home, the teen squeezed his hand a little. "Those sheets will be a welcomed addition." Her eyes watched the cobbled street as they walked and she was almost instinctively heading for the Aerodrome. She was coming around to the idea of changing her style just a little bit but refused to retire her weapon. She'd hand chosen it after a lot of testing and changing. This was the weapon that fitted her hand best.

Zack was only considering changing his due to the lack of versitility and functionality in what would be a career that relied on being able to change on the fly. He smiled back at the blonde, and continued walking to the Aerodrome, humming under his breath as he went. The only problem with new clothes was getting used to them, and Zack wasn't used to walking around with a bared chest.. maybe he'd get a necklace or something, in the future.

Once they reached the airship, Lightning released his hand and slipped inside, straight towards the bedroom. She'd try on those clothes again, to get a feel for them. She unfastened her surcoat and dropped it on the bed, frowning a little. Her fingers toyed at the zipper on her sweater. Was it better to change alone in the bathroom and show Zack the finished result? It'd certainly stop them from getting distracted half way through and her ending up with no clothing on whatsoever...

Zack didn't go into the bedroom, though. Instead, he set the sheets and blanket, along with his spare clothes, outside the door, and went to check on Nora and Big Guy. They had plenty of room for cargo, even after giving the Chocobos a large storage room for their pen, and he was already imagining bringing in huge hauls of misbegotten goods. The whole idea was pretty funny, though he'd have to talk to Lightning about their prey. He was looking around, and decided that a likely place for their treasures would be the other storage room, which they could lock off. That left two other small cabins, and the infirmary, which was only really stocked with Zack's assortment of Potions and the like. It was a largish ship, and would wind up slower than the Strahl, but Zack liked her, he thought she had character.

Lightning was grateful he didn't come into the room. It was difficult enough to part with this outfit. Removing each piece, she placed them on the bed, until she was down to her underwear. She picked every new item of clothing out and began to dress. Once clad in her new clothes, she inspected herself. A small black skirt with a choppy hem and a large belt that her weapon hung from. She had on a white top that was laced up across the front with blue ribbon and corseted down the bodice of it. Each detail of both the corset and the skirt had hints of blue and she had decided to keep the arm guards and shoulder guard she wore. The very shoulder guard that showed her Team Nora rank and held her burgundy cape. Her pouch remained strapped to her thigh but her other thigh held a smaller pouch with a dagger inside.

Zack smiled, and fed both Chocobos, "Sorry y'don't quite have good nestin' stuff yet guys. Once we get to a good place with nice, tall grass, Lightnin' n' I'll bring ya enough for a little place t'sleep." he wasn't aware, yet, that Lightning had finished changing, so after he'd scratched both birds' necks, he went back out to the hallway, leaning against the wall. The man idly checked his PHS, noting the time and wondering if he should bother keeping it handy anymore. You never knew when you wanted to make a call, and, well, he was just used to having one. The man unzipped a pocket on the inside of his vest, and slipped the case inside, zipping it back up. "How's it goin' in there, Lightnin'?" he was well aware that she didn't really like change, but he thought that letting go of some things might be good for her. She could just store the old clothes, in a drawer or something..

The door swung open and Lightning stepped out,, shifting on her feet as she looked at the floor. "I feel exposed..." Her top was low cut, her skirt was short. It was hard not to feel a sense of undress. Lightning brushed her hair back with her semi-gloved hand, the same coloured gloves as the details of blue in her outfit. She felt unsure of herself and shuffled on her feet. It was obvious she felt like the awkward teenager she was, even with the various parts of her old outfit still on her.

Zack chuckled softly, and smiled at her, "Well, that's because you're more exposed than you were before." he shrugged a little, "You didn't have to change your outfit Lightnin'.. I just thought you might want to." he stepped closer, and put a hand on her arm, smiling slightly, "It looks very pretty, really. The lace is a nice touch, I'd say." in fact, his body language said more; he could barely keep his eyes off her before, but now Zack was watching her avidly, without realizing it. She had such sway over him, really, it wasn't even funny.

Lightning blinked up at him, tilting her head. "I get one comment from anyone and I'm going back to my normal clothes." She chewed her lower before smoothing down her corset, almost as though she was looking for the little pockets from her surcoat. "Well... what now?" She fidgeted on her feet before taking a deep breath and relaxing herself. It was obvious she relaxed as her shoulders loosened and she lay a hand on her weapon, the other staying by her side. The teen kept her gaze up at him, oblivious of the way he was so captivated and simply giving that almost-smile she always gave him.

"Well.. erm.. now I guess you go back in there and change back. I mean, you were already gettin' looks in that other outfit. People're gonna be a might more.. forward, I'd assume, if yer in that." he laughed a little, and kissed her cheek, looking around, "I think besides that, we should hire someone t'clean this thing out, it looks like it's been gatherin' dust for months. Then we need t'find a mechanic, and a pilot. I'm sure I can fly it, but I can't fix it, and I can't fly it if I'm jumpin' into someone else's ship t'steal from 'em."

"That's why there's two of us, country boy." She gripped his vest and pulled him down, kissing him. She was expecting more comments now her body was more exposed. It just meant that she'd have to kick more ass first and ask whatever questions later. Skimming her hand down his chest, she smiled. "A cleaner and a mechanic sound like a good idea, though. I don't like the idea of anyone living with us onboard this ship, though. How am I supposed to walk around naked with another pirate here?" It was sarcasm. And a joke. Mostly sarcasm.

Zack smirked a little, after the kiss, and reached behind to pinch her backside for that remark. "I've got the perfect idea, though." he moved his hand and winked, using his other to keep her hand on his chest, "We can get a couple of Moogles on board. One fixed up my sword no problemo, so I bet there're a couple that have the skills we're lookin' for. As for naked, well, I guess yer gonna have to limit that t'the bedroom. Or bathroom. Or.. behind closed doors."

As he pinched her, she slapped his hand. "Moogles. I see... well, they'd need to be moogles from Ivalice. Since this is an Ivalice ship. We'd also have to convince them that we're not going to just rob them blind." Lightning paused for a moment before shrugging and picking up their bedding. Having already put her old clothes away, she moved to the bed, opening out the sheet and getting onto all fours to straighten it across the mattress. She began to tuck the sheet in, leaning to reach.

Zack bit back a startled cough as he watched her, then averted his eyes with a blush. Yeah, he might have done plenty of things with her, but peeping on her when she likely wasn't aiming to tease him? He wasn't sure that was right. Then again.. Well, Zack could sneak a peek or two, but he wasn't going to ogle her or anything, nope, no way. "Y-yeah, well, I'm not sure what we could promise a coupla Moogles besides a place t'live and work. We have a place they could stay, which would leave us one more room for any odd passengers, unless we put someone up in the infirmary.

Lightning hummed slightly, straightening and smoothing out the sheet. "We could always promise them a share of the spoils. I'm sure if we're going to be sky pirates then we could always have our crew partake." She chuckled slightly at the very idea. A soldier from the Cocoon Army becoming a sky pirate?! How honestly uncouth. She smiled to herself as she spread the blanket out atop the bed, smiling lightly. "When we're better off, we'll maybe get pillows... though, you were comfortable enough, last night." She smirked at him, sitting on the bed with her legs crossed.

"I was, yeah.." he rubbed the back of his head and smiled, "I don't know if you were, but we can get you a pillow, provided I have the same place to lay my head every night." he walked over to the bed and smiled down at her, one hand on his hip, his shoulders back a little. "I think I need to get a new weapon, too.. I mean, I know I just got the Buster Sword repaired, but it's too darn big for what we're gonna be doin'. And I can't go barehands if we're fightin' monsters. As for crew shares, that makes sense. We'll have t'count the ship as crew, too, maybe several members, so we can squirrel money away for new parts and whatnot." he smirked back at her, not quite falling into her trap.

Quite proud of him for not just walking blindly into her trap, her smile broadened just that little extra. "Mm, I suppose you can have the same sleeping spot." She stood, flicking her pinkish blonde hair over her shoulder before laying her hands on his shoulders and tiptoeing to kiss him. "So, what's our first order of business, captain?" She smiled, brushing her hair from her eyes. It wasn't that she expected him to take the captain position but she expected it'd be simpler if he did.

Zack returned the kiss softly, and grinned, "Well, I suppose the first thing we need to do is figure out what position you're gonna occupy, if I'm Captain." he rested his hands on her waist, an affectionate smile on his face, "Then we need to name this boat've ours, and then.. into town for a drink, and maybe some information on Moogles, 'cause really, I have no clue where t'go lookin' for 'em." the only Moogles in his normal area were mythical, forest-dwelling critters who had a tough video game based on 'em.

Lightning chuckled, toying with his open vest. "Well, I'll do what I do best. I was Team Nora's strategist. I'll be our strategist." She nodded once then hummed in thought. Moogles? Where would they find ones willing to be pirates? Sure, she'd seen some in town but wouldn't that already make them pirates? If not, how would they approach them? Lightning frowned slightly. "Mm... a name. I..." She shook her head a little, not really able to think of a name suitable enough for this airship.

"Strategist eh? Well, that would do.. we could use one of those to plan our daring escapades!" he knew Moogles liked Kupo Nuts, at least in that video game.. did they like them in Ivalice? Where could they get some, anyway? Right, the name! He'd picked up a variety of language-pidgin from his campaigns, so he thought for a moment, "Why don't we call her the Binah. It means understanding." he wasn't sure what language the word came from, really.

Binah? Hmm... Lightning paused for a few moments of thought, drumming her fingers lightly against his chest. "The Binah. Our airship, the Binah. Hmmm... I like it." She gave a nod then tapped him on the chest. "Well, let's head into town to go and look up some moogles." The girl moved past him, straightening her corset and smoothing it down as she left the room. Of course, no matter how awkward she felt in these new clothes, she'd only show it in front of Zack, not anyone else. Outside, she'd hold herself high, as usual.

Zack wasn't awkward in his outfit, really; he'd been in public in far less, many times, drunk and sober. Of course, he seemed to have kicked his old habits since dying, but he just didn't feel the desire to act the way he used to. Humming softly, the Buster Sword on his back as he left the Binah, he patted the ship fondly, "This is home, wouldn't'cha say Lightnin'?" he stood near the ramp, the Binah at his back, looking quite... Captainy.

The girl turned to face him, her arms crossing under her breasts. "Hmm... I'd have to agree." Her eyes held a warmth reserved for Zack. The sight of her lover in front of their airborne home was rather a pleasing and calming sight and the thought that no matter how bad things were, she'd always have home... it was as good as perfect. She nodded slightly before slipping on her cold gaze and turning to head out of the Aerodrome, her face as stoney as it usually was.

Zack chuckled, grinning at her as he walked backwards in front of her, hands behind his head, "Ooh, that's gonna give someone nightmares. Beautiful girl like you with a glare to knock 'em dead, heh." he turned, now walking beside her, his eyes keen and almost predatory, the gaze he used to pin people when he was less than thrilled. Setting it off, however, was his normal friendly smile. It was a rather intriguing persona that he thought might work nicely for pirating.

Lightning bumped his hip with her own as he stood to walk beside her. "At least I don't have a goofy grin on my face." She was playing with him, of course, but that didn't take away from the fact that her face remained cold the entire time. She rested a hand on her weapon and a slight smirk graced her lips as they each received whispers. Of course, now that they'd changed attire, they stood out more. They looked like pirates and... not particularly friendly ones at that.

Zack chuckled, "The grin's t'fool people into thinking you're not behind 'em with a bomb." he gave her hip a casual swat with the back of his hand, and stepped into the bar again, holding the door aside for his female companion. The whispers they were getting were gratifying; at least people were starting to think they were pirates, and not some folks in need of lighter purses, and less breath in their lungs.

"I'd rather they worried I might be." She stepped into the inn, her eyes scanning the area. Lightning was glad there wasn't another bar fight for her to navigate around but the place seemed quite dead. She did, however, spot a pair of moogles at a table towards the back. Elbowing Zack, she nodded in their direction. "What do you suppose they'd be interested?" The small winged creatures were seated, drinking ale at the table, obviously being full grown moogles.

He rubbed his chin, and tilted his head to the side, "Best we can do is ask, worse that can happen is a no, right?" he signalled the barmaid, "Coupla drinks for my strategist'n I, if ya would, and top up these fine gentleman's." he crossed the room, and pulled out a chair for Lightning, keeping one hand on the back of it, and smiling to the smallish creatures, "Howdy, d'ya mind if we join ya?"

The moogles, being friendly creatures, offered out the seats to the Humes. Lightning slipped into her seat and crossed her arms on the table, looking at the small creatures. "My name is Lightning. This is Zack." She gestured to Zack, smiling a polite smile that never really reached the rest of her face. The moogles just nodded and squeaked a little at first then answered. "I'm Kiri and this is Xaon, kupo!" the obviously female moogle replied, smiling.

Zack slid into his seat, and shelled out the gil for the drinks when they arrived, sliding the new ones over to their tablemates, and nodding. "We're lookin' for a coupla Moogles that know their way 'round an Airship; one that can pilot it, and another who can keep 'er in the sky." the man smiled warmly, and glanced to Lightning, "I'm the Captain of the Binah, and this is my Strategist." it was obvious they planned on being dangerous pirates, and not simple merchant-class fliers, so he left it unsaid.

Kiri eyed the two Humes before looking at Xaon and expelling a series of squeaks and growls. He would reply with similar noises before nodding once. "Well, meet your new pilot and mechanic... for the right price, of course." Xaon smirked a moogle smirk, patting the table with his little paws. Lightning raised an eyebrow. "Hm, well, we're willing to share the spoils; equally of course. Aside from that, a generally safe place to live and the promise of adventure."

"'Course, you'll have to get used to two Chocobos on board as well, but I'm sure we can put together meals that'll agree with all of us. I dunno how t'cook for Moogles, but if either've you wanna handle cooking some nights, we can have some fun with that, too." he grinned, extending his hand across the table, "Glad t'have ya aboard, Xaon, Kiri." really, Zack was more thrilled than he let on, though he also didn't know what to provide the Moogles for sleeping on and whatnot.. but he was sure he could give them some gil for such things out of what he had in reserve, as well as getting the ship up and running. "The Binah's in need've a bit of fixin', but she's a lovely ship."

Kiri shook Zack's hand with both paws befor batting her pompom from her eyes and straightening her red pirate outfit. "Well, I'll get to fixing! As for us, we'll need just a small, warm area with blankets to sleep in. Food isn't trouble, we eat what you Humes eat. Moogles in Ivalice aren't so different from Humes... outsiders." Certainly, the female of the two had realised they were not from these lands. Lightning twitched an eyebrow before nodding once. "We'll see to your sleeping area."

Zack chuckled softly; they still showed how green they were to Ivalice, huh? Well, it'd pass eventually. "Well, while you two're gettin' to that, I've gotta see about a weapon." he obviously wore one, but he didn't elaborate, "Either've you know a decent purveyor of such things'n this town?" he supposed they could fly out to Wutai or someplace to have something made, but if he was going to be an Ivalician pirate, he'd need a weapon from Ivalice.

Xaon downed the rest of his drink and jerked his paw at Zack. "Follow me, kupo!" He pounced from his seat to reach the floor and began to scurry for the door. At the very same time, Kiri finished her own drink and looked to Lightning. "To the Binah?" Lightning gave a nod and stood, tilting her head slightly and resting a hand on the back of her chair as Kiri escaped her seat. Holding her paws up, she blinked up at Lightning with an adorable expression and, of course, the blonde girl weakened. She was weak to animals, even sencient ones, such as moogles. She scooped Kiri up and headed for the door.

Zack followed Xaon with a chuckle, as he'd looked back in time to see the exchange between the Moogle and the blonde who professed to a heart of icy stone. Shaking his head softly, he followed the little Moogle, looking around with the same predatory glare, despite his friendly, unassuming grin. Really, he expected people to be put off by the combination, because he appeared to mean business while putting off an air of danger.

Rushing through the streets, Xaon led Zack into the weaponry store, waving a paw to the sales assistant. "Got a customer for ya!!" He squeaked happily then turned to Zack. "Well, pick your weapon, kupo!!" He bounced on his toes a little, looking up at him happily. In the meantime, Lightning had carried Kiri to the Binah, smiling as she did. It was odd how easily a furry creature could soften and warm that cold heart and gaze. Ascending up the steps, she carried the small creature to the engine room where repairs were instantly began.

Zack wandered around the store, thankful that Xaon knew his way around the town, until he came across a pair of light handaxes, each with a curved haft of hard, dark wood. "Ahh," the man behind the counter crowed as Zack picked them up and gave an experimental slice. They weren't plain, no, not with the embellishments and etching on the blades, and the way the wood was carved to fit the hand comfortably, "You certainly have a fine eye, good sir. Those are a specialty of Rabanastre, the Flying Axe of the Southern Sirocco style of combat." Zack wasn't familiar, but they were fine weapons, and he listened the the man play them up for awhile.

Xaon just stayed at Zack's side, silent save for the odd squeak or two. He was more than contented to just make sure Zack wasn't swinddled by the pirate store owner. At the Binah, Kiri was hidden under the engine, fixing it with ease. Lightning, however, had began on clean-up duty. She'd started on the bathroom, finding it disgusting. She had a plan; bathroom, bedroom, cockpit, spare room, Chocobo room, infirmary, everywhere else. Well, that'd be... she'd start until she was unable to continue from exhaustion.

Zack eventually bought the pair of axes, and a thick leather strand that would allow him to hang them from his wide belt, which he did so. Picking an open area, Zack flicked the axes off his belt, into a ready position, a few times, to be sure they were for him. He also selected a large, curved knife, which he placed behind his belt, in the front, in a way that would allow it to be viewed while he walked, and a multitude of light knives for his arm pouch. All in all, Zack had bought three melee weapons, and some throwing knives. Then, he turned to smile at Xaon, "Just in case, right? Anyway, wanna get goin'? We can stop on the way'n get you two some blankets and pillows." maybe some pillows for his and Lightning's quarters as well. There would also have to be a small trip for groceries and simple toiletries, but he didn't want to get it all done before they'd cleaned up a bit. Or a lot.

The moogle gave a few squeaks and moved to follow along behind Zack. "Been in Ivalice long, kupo?" He tilted his head to flick his pompom aside, rubbing at his nose a little with his paw. The girls back at the airship were working well. Lightning had almost finished cleaning the bathroom, realising it wasn't as grimey as she'd thought originally. Once it was done, she moved to the kitchen, to get a glass of water. Thankfully, that area was generally clean.

"Hmm? A couple of days. We originally were looking in Rabanastre." he stopped in at a store that sold linen, and other things, and selected several nice pillows for himself and Lightning, then looked to Xaon, "Anything in particular you two'd want for yer room?" he wasn't gonna pretend to know much of anything about Moogles, really, so he was looking to his smallish companion for guidance in that regard, "Just learnin' that folks 'round here ain't always speakin' the same words with their mouths as they are with their minds, if ya catch my meanin'."

A laugh came from Xaon and he shook his head slightly. "As is the way of Ivalice. We're all too prim and proper to say what we mean; even some of the pirates." He perused the selection of pillows, wondering what his mate would want. "Though, there are some pirates who'll give you their word and mean it. Though, they're pirates of legend, kupo!" He chuckled and pointed to a selection of large pillows. They were bigger than normal pillows, more like the ones you'd find on furniture. "Those!!"

Zack took two of them, two large, soft blankets, and one larger one that was heavier, but breathed well, for the Moogles' bed. He was unsure if the pair were friends, relatives, lovers, or what, but he meant to give them a nice place to stay. "Yeah, well, Lightnin' and I.. we're more th'type t'keep our word once we've given it, though I doubt we're all that liable t'take a life if we can avoid it. Both seen too much've that in my opinion."

Xaon nodded a little. "Kiri and me used to be aboard an Imperial airship as worker moogles. It was good; well paid and fun... until the war." He shook his head, pompom swinging on its thread until he sighed, ears drooping. "Well, we escaped and became pirates, kupo!!" He beamed at Zack, holding out his paws to carry anything small enough for him. Not that he wasn't aple to carry heavy things.

He handed over the bag with their blankets, carrying the large, but pleasantly soft and light set of bags that held all the pillows. "Well, Lightnin' and I've seen our share've wars, and killin' folks. We just wanted t'be the ones who said what we'd do and when we'd do it." he smiled to himself, "So we took off from Midgar," he left Genesis' name out of it, and ShinRa's, "And toured around Fort Condor awhile, 'till we came to Ivalice."

"Midgar...? Fort... Condor?" He blinked up at the Hume, shaking his head a little. "Moogles don't often get out of Ivalice. Me and Kiri have never left Ivalice." He bounced along at Zack's side, glad to be carrying something, rather than just leaving it all to Zack. At the Binah, Lightning had began on cleaning the bedroom, having removed her boots, gloves and cape, sporting only her skirt and corset now. The small female moogle had fixed a lot of the faults in the airship, able to mend parts without needing to replace much. Thankfully, she carried small nuts and bolts on her person... just in case.

Eventually, the small male and Zack returned to the Aerodrome, and the Binah, "Where I come from, Moogles aren't as common as they are here, heh. The only time I ever encountered one was in a videogame at the Golden Saucer's arcade, Wonder Square." he smiled down to his companion, and gestured to the Binah, "There she is, the Binah." she wasn't the Strahl, but the Binah held her own bit of grace and wonder for him, and he was slightly biased, now, since it was home.

Xaon nodded slightly to the commonplace appearances of the moogles in Ivalice. It was true that they were an exceedingly friendly race. As he saw the Binah, he squeaked a few times. "She's glorious!" Without another word, he hugged his bag of blankets tighter and bounced towards the steps. He was more than happy to be pilotting again but to get on board a ship so pleasant, he was ecstatic!

Zack breathed a little, satisfied sigh, figuring that that must be what Balthier felt like when someone complimented the Strahl. Already, the ship was developing a personality of sorts to him, aloof, yet comforting and cozy.. He followed the happy Moogle in, and showed him to one of the two spare rooms, before taking the pillows he'd bought for the captain's quarters into that room, being sure to knock first.

Xaon skipped happily into his new quarters and began to set up bed for he and his mate. In the bedroom, Lightning was stood on a ladder she'd found in storage, cleaning around the lighting fixture of the room. "Come in." She was stood with one foot on the top step and the other on the step second from the top but her hands were far away from supporting her as she practically clung to the light fixture to stop herself falling.

Zack blinked, and tossed the purchases on the bed, moving to put one hand on the ladder, and reach way up to put a solid hand just beneath her belly, in case she slipped. A gentleman, he didn't look up. "Gotta be a little more careful without someone t'spotcha. I got Xaon and Kiri some pillows and blankets for their room, and some pillows for you." he hadn't misspoke, and Lightning might have caught the nuance there.

Lightning laughed dryly. "For me, huh?" She didn't press the issue. She was fine with him sleeping as he had the night just passed. It was comforting to have someone so close and his warmth kept her asleep, rather than her waking early as she was so prone to doing. Reaching back further to clean more, she lost her footing, dropping her cloth on the floor to attempt to grip whatever she could to stop herself from falling, finding it to no avail as her feet slipped from the ladder.

Seeing as Zack had one hand on her, he sprang into action, so to speak. Shifting his weight, he slid the ladder aside so she wouldn't get tangled, and caught her in his arms, albeit she was facing the floor at that point. "Hey now, this ain't exactly a floor made've feathers." he grinned, and turned her in his arms, holding her like a proper maiden, "Though any time you want to fall for me.." he winked playfully.

As she fell, a rather unattractive squeal came from her but as soon as she was safe and facing Zack, she gave him a glare. "I won't be falling for you any more than I already have, country boy." The pure fact of the matter was that you can't fall when you're already at the end of the drop. She wasn't able to fall for him any further because she'd already reached the bottom. With her words came a sharp bite to his earlobe.

He groaned a little, and turned, sitting smoothly on the bed before her wicked mouth dropped his legs from under him, and they both fell. "O-oh.. well then, I suppose I will have to stay here to catch you physically instead of metaphorically." the man's cheeks were a bit rosey just then, "Mmh, the place is startin' t'come together, though. Want me t'get anything else, or clean somethin'?"

Leaning in to nip and bite his neck, if only to wind him up a little, Lightning hummed softly. "You could begin on the cock...pit." She smirked, entirely teasing him now. She loved playing games with him like this, even if she had no intention of following through. Of course, she needed to get the cleaning done. It was enough to sleep in a filthy bedroom one night but she couldn't do it again. Especially considering how cold it must've been for Zack with no real way to keep warm other than laying on top of her.

He hadn't raised a fuss over it, though, just glad to be with the blonde, but as she teased him, he chuckled softly. "Mmph... W-well, yeah, I can get started in there, get a.. feel, for 'er." his hand drifted along her hip for a moment, before he kissed her sweetly, and set her beside him on the bed, standing, before they were both distracted.

Lightning laughed and nodded once before continuing to clean, her focus being on getting the bedroom done now. The spare room was important, too, but she was sure Xaon was going to begin on it; which he had. The little moogles each worked tirelessly on their own tasks. Xaon tidied and neatened his and Kiri's room, until he was sure she'd be glad to occupy the room. The female of the two moogles had herself covered in motor oil and grease, working with great effort to get the Binah in working order.

Zack, on the other hand, took enough time to lean the Buster Sword against one corner of their room, then took off into the central meeting room, where there was a table, a kitchenette, several chairs, and some cupboard space. Through there was the cockpit, and Zack set his tasks to cleaning both places and making them livable, and classy to boot, as well as marking in his PHS what he thought they'd need, supply-wise. As pirates, he thought, they'd do well to -steal- their supplies! Beyond basics, that is.

Having swiftly finished with the bedroom, the blonde moved to the Chocobo room, getting distracted for a good few minutes by petting and coddling the two large birds, sitting on the floor as they both settled down with her, pecking at the food she'd brought and the Gyshal Greens she'd smuggled from the supplies to treat them a little more. Once she'd finally gotten up the effort to begin cleaning, she'd made more mess with their meal. Sighing, the teen just began cleaning, cursing herself for wasting time.

The black-haired man moved from task to task without pause, either tireless, or driven, and was currently on his knees on the floor of the room with the kitchen, scrubbing the floor with a cloth and bucket of soapy water, moving on into the cockpit as he went. His fingers were starting to get pruney, the more time he spent washing, the worse it'd get, he'd imagine.

It was difficult to clean the room with Nora and Big Guy constantly nudging her off her feet to gain her attention, but Lightning worked well, hardly feeling the aching pains she knew she would do, eventually. Knowing there was only the Infirmary left that needed desperate attention, she worked swiftly, hoping to get done soon enough, in hopes of a rest of some sort.

Zack snuck into the bathroom when Lightning had made her way to the infirmary, his own rooms clean. Refraining from letting out a whistle at the job she'd done. Instead, he began drawing a hot bath, bringing forth a small vial of frothing scented soap from his pouch. When it was half-full, he dribbled half the soap into the water, where it began to bubble up fragrently. When it was all ready, he'd go get the blonde, figuring she deserved a break.

The teen huffed again as Nora nudged her over and sat on the ground, on her knees at first before sinking between her legs and blinking up at the bird staring her in the face. "You're more trouble than you're worth, lady..." She brushed her hair from her eyes and attempted to stand, only to be knocked back down. "Nora!" She grumbled and crawled out of the bird's way, deciding on working on the floor, now she was there.

Zack left the bathroom, to check on Lightning in the Chocobo's room, leaning against the doorframe with a small smile. She was somethin' else, considering all she'd done that day, and the last, and every day really.. "Hey down there. You almost done in here? I think there's somethin' in the bathroom y'ougghta see." he'd crossed his arms, but his voice sounded full of mischief.

Lightning sank between her knees again, looking over her shoulder at him. "If you've made a mess, I'm not cleaning it. I ache..." She shifted to her feet, with the aid of Big Guy nudging her up, and walked to Zack, sighing softly. If he'd done something to make the room a mess again, she'd damn well rub his face in it. Her muscles were tired from all the cleaning and she was rapidly producing a headache that she honestly didn't think would go away anytime soon.

The black-haired man just shrugged, and when she got to him, gently put a hand around her waist, kissing her cheek. "Thanks for pitchin' in so much Lightnin'." it wasn't like it wasn't her home, too, but he wanted her to know he wasn't taking her for granted. So, he led the blonde to the bathroom, and opened the door, holding his hand out, "Take a break, we're just about done." the scent wafted out, refreshing and relaxing, steam having fogged the mirrors and other reflective surfaces in the room. The view of the outside of the Aerodrome was nice from that angle, as well, though that window was closed to keep the warm, moist air in. The bathtub itself was nearly overflowing with mounds of bubbles. The only thing missing was candles, and really, Zack hadn't ever understood why one brought candles to the bath. He could understand a nice hot soak though.

Lightning leaned against him, sighing softly. "Zack..." She smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I'm bathing alone then?" At that question, the teenager began to unlace her corset, more than willing to just relax in a hot bath. Once she'd freed herself of her tight fitting clothing, the young girl climbed into the tub, a few sounds escaping her before she relaxed into the water. It burned at first, as it would to sink into hot water, but soon enough the warmth and the soap began to evaporate the very tension from each muscle in her aching body.

"Yeah, there ain't exactly room for two in there for anything that'd soothe your aches. I'll be in our room. I love you." he closed the door with a chuckle, and after stopping in the engine room to say hello to Kiri and nab some tools, he set about hanging up the Buster Sword on one wall, though he had to consult the Moogle about the best way to do so, considering it was heavy, and the wall wasn't exactly wood, so he wasn't sure what to use at first. All was done quickly though, and he let the oily Moogle get back to work in short order.

The girl sank into the water, closing her eyes. It was odd for her to just relax like this. All the manual work she did made her unaccustomed to relaxation and, while it was obvious she took care in her appearance, if she was a bit muddy or roughed up, the teen usually never minded. Stretching her legs, Lightning gently began to clean herself up, performing whatever grooming techniques a young teenaged girl would wish to do whilst bathing.

Zack, after hanging up his sword, began to practice drawing his axes, even going so far as to juggle them, just to get a feel for the weapons. He went to the storage room for a bundle of the grass they'd brought on board for spare bedding for the Chocobos, and set it up, practicing drawing and throwing both his knives and his axes into the bundle, so as not to score or gouge any of the room's surfaces.

As soon as she was relaxed and clean, Lightning redressed, heading to find Zack. Once she found him, the teen stood in the doorway, hair wet and dripping, watching him work with his new weapons. "...you've skill in most weapons then?" Lightning still didn't know everything about him and, seeing any available opening, she'd take it as an opportunity to find out more from him.

"SOLDIERs are trained to be able to use any weapon available to them, from a broken chair," he paused, his form perfect as he snapped his arm forward, sweat flying from his bangs, the knife blurring as it slammed deep into the hay, "To a proper throwing knife." the man certainly put his all into things, not half-assing a task. He glanced over at her, smiling warmly, "I'm just at my best with a bastardsword. Kinda doubles as a shield when it's that big." the man jerked a thumb over his shoulder, at the gleaming, deadly sword on the wall.

Lightning glanced to the sword then smiled at him. "I see." She crossed her arms under her breasts, watching him as he trained, yawning slightly a moment later. It seemed that the bath had not only relaxed her but made her tired. "I suppose knowing how to use a variety of weaponry is useful. I stick to my blade. I'd rather stay with her." The teen rubbed her eye a little, still watching him out of the other eye. "How long were you a SOLDIER?" She wasn't sure if they were limited to eighteen and over or sixteen. Though, she expected eighteen.

Zack chuckled at her statement, "I'd rather stick with the Buster Sword, too, but it's too big for close spaces, y'know?" indeed, it was almost taller than he was, not including the hilt. He retrieved his axes and knives, putting them away, and, looking a little sheepish, "Err.. well, I've always looked a lil older than I was." he coughed, rubbing his arm, and looked to the side, "I enlisted as a war orphan when I was fourteen. With an alleged history of SOLDIERing in my blood, they owed me a place in the company, and ShinRa isn't exactly picky on where it's meatshields come from. So.. I suppose I was a SOLDIER more than a decade, likely closest t'twelve, thirteen years or so." which would explain why he couldn't have gone to see his parents, and sent his money to them through a long, complex manner rather than simple ShinRa post.

Lightning chuckled. "I was thirteen when I joined. I was in the junior division, of course, until I was sixteen." She gave a nod, having nothing else to say on the matter. Leaning more against the doorframe, she watched him still, shaking her hair from her eyes. "Mn... well, I left not too long ago and now Team Nora is my..." She stopped. Team Nora was her home. That's what she'd been about to say but, in all actuality, the Binah was her home. Here, with Zack and their new moogle Friends.

"Ah, well, I was a SOLDIER 3rd Class almost right off the truck, 'cause I showed the right potential. Made the right friend one day when I got ticked off and challenged Angeal to a fight, and he promptly kicked my butt, and helped me throughout my 2nd Class training." he left parts out, about Sephiroth and Genesis, and how it had all gone down between them, thinking to leave it buried. "Anyway, some stuff went down during the Wutai War, and I got my 1st Class promotion, but SOLDIERS get their mako enhancement between 3rd and 2nd Class, so there wasn't much goin' back for me. But now I've got you, the Binah, Xaon and Kiri, Big Guy, and Nora t'look after, so I've got my place."

She just listened, her eyes warm as she did. It was good to hear all these words from him, it made her glad to know him just that little bit more. Obviously, she wasn't going to divulge anything more about Cocoon or Pulse; the very place made her heart ache and it was unfair to think of her goal with her new life just rising to her. Of course, if she were to meet anyone, just anyone from Team Nora, Lightning knew her life on the Binah would change and the mission would be priority. "I suppose that the things we've been through have brought us to this point. I regret nothing. Do you?"

"Eh, nothin' in particular. I wasn't able t'help Angeal or Aerith, but I'm not gonna dwell in the past when my future's right here." he used a towel to mop his brow, and sighed softly, sitting on the foot of their bed, "So, we're almost airborne, and we still need supplies. ShinRa's apparantly turned over a new leaf, even AVALANCHE's leavin' 'em alone, so we shouldn't mess with 'em.. any ideas about a faceless conglomerate we can steal from?" he supposed they could also steal treasures from ruins and whatnot, but he wanted someone to make into a 'bad guy' for them to focus on.

Lightning frowned in thought then shrugged. "There's always Cocoon... but I don't plan on going back there until my team is reassembled and we're ready to bring it down." She looked to the floor, frowning, quite obviously concerned about her team. She hadn't heard from them in weeks; all communications were down and she wasn't even sure where she was, really. Pulse seemed a distant memory now. "I guess we could just ask around; follow up some tips?" She shrugged again, her eyes still on the floor.

Zack smiled, and nodded, "We could do that. And Pulse's gotta get supplies from somewhere in the world, right? We could always hit their inbound and outbound supply lines, soon as we find 'em. That way we're messin' up that government you wanna bring down." he raked his spiky black hair out of his eyes, "We might even get word've yer team, find out how they're doin'."

"N-not Pulse. It has to be Cocoon if we strike there. Pulse doesn't deserve anymore... bullshit." She huffed, curling her arms around herself and fixing her gaze on her feet. The idea of meeting her team again; Snow, Sahz... all of them... it sounded so good. No matter how much each of them irked her sometimes, she missed them so badly. "I'm sure they've called me as MIA or dead... they better not have changed my damn plans..."

Zack really didn't know the extent of the difference, but he nodded affirmatively, "Whatever you want, Lightnin'. You're the Strategist, I'm just th'Cap'n here." he leaned over and took her by the elbows, pulling her forward slowly, gently, "I just wanna be by yer side, and we can go anywhere in th'Binah." his aqua eyes shined honestly in the light of their room.