A Letter to Home

[theheroics]

Sender: Zack Fair
To: All
Subject: No Subject (Backdated to the first week)

[ Words that begin to appear in the journals are written slowly, as if with intent. The handwriting is... coherent at best at this slower pace, but every word is coming in gradually and seemingly with more frustration.

Guess who thinks this is just a plain ol' journal to use? ]

Dear Aeir
What's up!?
Hello! Hey th———

Hey Aerith.
Hope things are going well?? good for you

[ UGH ]

Sorry it's taken so long for me to write back... I know youve been waiting a long time
I can't call right now but soon, okay?
how are the flowers? you swimming in gil yet?
Theirs theres lots of weird stuff going on that I'll explain when I get back.
So... yeah. See you soon
Regard [ No that was SO STUPID ]
bye

[ The words at the bottom of the page are suddenly cut out, as if completely disregarded or tossed away.

But seconds later another one appears: ]

Hello!

[ Nope that one is gone, too. ]

Comments

[theheroics]

what? you want me to call you a liar?

she mentioned somethin like that the last time we talked. didnt know she married such a fun lovin guy tho

[flamekthunder]

You should meet me in person. I'm a lot more "fun."

[theheroics]

be glad to
that an invitation?

[flamekthunder]

Might as well. What place are you familiar with?

[theheroics]

whoa now gotta at least take me to dinner first if were trying to square dance
im not tryin to get on tifas bad side

[flamekthunder]

Not my type.

[theheroics]

ditto.

[flamekthunder]

Then your life is safe, for now.

However that "invitation" stands.

[theheroics]

[ HE LITERALLY SAID HE DIDNT WANT TO CAUSE TROUBLE FOR TIFA WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS

His life is safe? Man, he was really pushing it

and Zack doesn't take anything sitting down ]

since it looks like ill be here awhile ive got time

[flamekthunder]

[AND HE'S SAYING HE'S FINE.

FROM TIFA.

Listen, the real person Zack should be worried is Tifa, not him—]

Then we can meet at the Plaza, north side by the cafe.

In case you still need to be treated to a meal first.

[theheroics]

as a matter of fact i do

ill be there

[flamekthunder]

I'll be waiting.

[As in like.

Right now—]

text > action

[theheroics]

[ well guess he was really going, huh?

With a loud huff Zack will push himself away from the desk, not bothering to clean up after himself and shove the journal in his pants pocket before heading out the door.

Cafe plaza, huh? He was fairly certain he knew where that was, given he'd taken the time to explore rather than read up on the magic book he was handed.

It takes him some time but eventually he will arrive. He's... not sure what Eustace looks like, but some part of him felt like he'd know if he sees him. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Indeed, it shouldn't be too hard to find him. It helps that Eustace is standing a little ways from the main crowd, leaning against a light post with his arms crossed over his chest and head down. But when Zack nears, he'll raise his head up subtly and stare at him.

Eustace had only caught glimpses of the man's figure back in one of Tifa's dreams and at the ball... But hard to mistake that black, spiky hair.]

[theheroics]

[ Zack instantly caught the gaze, as he could feel the presence of someone staring at him. Eustace's demeanor seemed relaxed at the moment, so Zack's followed in kind as he approached. Lifting one hand to greet the other. ]

Yo. I take it you're the person [ or... dog? His eyes couldn't help but linger upwards to stare at them. ] I was looking for? Eustace, right?

[flamekthunder]

[It's okay, Zack, he's used to the stares by now. Just no touching unless you wanna lose a hand—]

Correct. And you must be Zack.

[A small but polite nod.]

[theheroics]

[ He wouldn't dream of it. ... At least not yet. ]

The one and only! [ No you dummy- ] Sooo... I take it the food invitation was just to size me up? Cause I am feeling a little hungry after all that writing.

[flamekthunder]

[Just another look before he straightens from where he stands and steps towards the cafe.]

Here.

[theheroics]

[ ... Right. Strong and silent type, maybe?

He could get why Eustace was a little apprehensive, but Zack wasn't ever going to turn down food. So he walks silently behind him for a moment as they head in towards the cafe, hands settling on his hips. ]

Looks great! [ He's... still not entirely sure how this place works, but going to roll with it for now. ]

Got any recommendations?

[flamekthunder]

Not really.

[Yep, definitely the "strong and silent" type. Eustace only glances at the menu as he steps aside to give Zack enough room to look.]

The specials change often... So just choose whatever.

[For himself, he'll just get a black coffee, not really feeling that hungry.

...

COULD he warn Zack about how some of the special have certain emotion effects? He could. But he won't. Honestly it's because he doesn't even think about it since he doesn't come here too often.]

[theheroics]

[ Sabotage...

Not like Zack would have any idea, and after a moment of pursing his lip at the menu trying to read through the list of items, he finally waves his hand dismissively in the air and simple tells the person across the counter to pick for him. He wasn't a picky eater, after all.

In a few moments a tray is brought out with a simple breakfast sandwich and foamed latte flavored for the season. He takes it with a grin and finally turns his attention back to Eustace. ]

I'll find us a seat neat the back. Unless you'd rather stand and talk to me.

[ He... reminded him a bit of Sephiroth in a way. At least how he use to be. ]

[flamekthunder]

[With his own coffee in hand, he just half shrugs.]

We can go in the back.

[And there seemed to be a few tables open so there shouldn't be any problems as the two men make their way back and find a two seater table so they could sit across from each other.

And of course, Eustace doesn't make the first move, instead just quietly sipping his coffee, silent.]

[theheroics]

[ ... He actually might be worse than Sephiroth.

Zack sighs as they sit down, and in his obvious discomfort of the silence speaks up again. ]

Soooo... I take it since you haven't thrown a punch at me yet that you're an okay guy. At least if Tifa thinks you are. [ She must have seen something in him if they got together, right?

He's just... having a hard time seeing it right now. But hey, everyone's got a type. ]

Don't worry. She's someone who helped me out a lot, but I don't plan to make any moves, if that's what you're worried about.

[flamekthunder]

[If Zack only knew how his comparison is worse than he thinks—]

Not at all.

[Just a calm, plain response as he sets down his coffee with an equally quiet clink.


With more silence as he just looks at him.]

[theheroics]

[ IF ONLY....

Well, at least that suspicion was out of the way and cleared up. He expected the other man to say a little more, so in the meantime while waiting Zack will begin to dig into his meal, finding that is is actually quite delicious! Far better than the eggs he was having almost every day with Cloud...


... but when no further words were spoken he squints, swallowing the last bit of his food before: ]

What? Is there something on my face?