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

[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?

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had just let the man eat peacefully, watching him as his coffee cools a bit. Really, what could be going on in the Erune's mind right now?

So there's a beat or two before he answers and picks up his up again.]

Chin.

[AT THIS POINT IS HE JUST MESSING WITH HIM yes]

[theheroics]

[ Zack's brows begin to furrow when the silence continues to drip between them, and as he goes to open his mouth he hears the one word that instantly causes him to recoil. ]

Huh!? Wha— [ Promptly swiping at his chin several times while gazing down at his chest to see if something drops on him.

Yet when nothing came he lets out a huff of air through his nose. ]

There wasn't anything there!

[flamekthunder]

[His poker face almost cracks. Almost.]

Ah... Must have been a shadow.

[Siiiiiiip.]

[theheroics]

[ Oh my god this guy was getting on his nerves........... he takes it back he takes it all back.

But he has to be calm. Stay calm. This was some kind of test, wasn't it? ]

... Really enjoying that drink, huh?

[flamekthunder]

It's not bad.

[Sip.]

Tifa makes it better.

[Said with a straight face.]

[theheroics]

[ he's almost in disbelief. ]

Sure she does. [ A pause, his frown deepening. ] What in the world did you do to convince her to marry you?

[flamekthunder]

[....Hmm...

He actually takes a moment to appear contemplative, sipping on his coffee another beat longer before he answers.]

Why do you want to know?

[theheroics]

You can't answer my question with a question, man. Especially since you've barely been sayin' anything already!

[flamekthunder]

It's a bit of a personal question to answer to someone I've only just met.

[theheroics]

Oh, I'm sorry. I'll let you lead the conversation, then!

[ And he just sits back, arms crossing over one another.

... But for some reason, he was feeling a little sleepy all of a sudden? Almost as if he was a little more relaxed than when he first came into the cafe. Huh. Weird. ]

[flamekthunder]

[And probably to Zack's surprise, Eustace will lead—]

What happened in Tifa's home town?

[—with a heavy question.]

[theheroics]

[ ...

When he meant lead the conversation, that was not what he meant.

Zack froze. His body instantly began to tense as eyes darted to look into Eustace's. There was a sudden chill in the air and face that was once annoyed molded into something far more serious. ]

... She hasn't told you about it?

[flamekthunder]

...She has.

[Rather, he saw it himself through a dream, but it doesn't really matter.]

However, she only has her perspective of events...so I was curious as to yours.

[theheroics]

... I honestly try to forget about it. [ He huffs, crossed arms tightening over his chest. He's clearly uncomfortable just by the look on his face, and eyes dart down to his empty plate to avoid looking at Eustace. ]

It's the reason Tifa said she hated me, after all.

[flamekthunder]

Because you couldn't stop it?

[Just keeps going.

However, there's no accusation in his tone, and he phrased his question that way on purpose. He saw the memory—he suspects Zack had no active part in whatever happened. The question is, how much did he know or not know.]