thestormishere | ☈ strike #08 (voice)

[ Lightning really doesn't have much to say about this whole Valentine's mess that's been going on. Basically yeah, what she gets from it? Everyone is celebrating some weird 'Earth' holiday again- one that's supposed to be about love, but for some reason is strangely commercialized in its traditions. Good for them, though. At least people seem a little happier today, from what she's heard in bits and pieces off the journals. She, however, is definitely not interested in... that kind of thing. What a waste of time.

... Anyway. ]

Out of curiosity, how many of you are trained in hand to hand combat? If so, where did you learn it?

[ After all, where she's from, knowing how to fight pretty much means only one thing: a position in the military somewhere, considering civilians seriously have no reason to learn. For whatever reason though, it seems that here it might actually be different... and what better way to find out than to ask? As with everybody else ever though, yes this is actually an event post. First post is taken; reply at will! ]

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[He's cool with that, "follow" was more of a convenient phrase anyway. He leads her vaguely in the direction of the rec center, if she's inclined to notice, though they're a ways away so it might take some time.]

Nope, no questions! Otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise.

[ Okay, usually that kind of thing would drive Lightning nuts, but... no wait, it still kind of drives her nuts. She draws her brow, staring at Zack as she walks...

...staring... ]

What is it?

[Zack pauses in mid-step, glancing over to look at her, then smiles secretively and pokes her forehead.]

No fishing for answers! I told you, it's a secret.

[ WHAT, WHY. There's a beat of total astonishment... ]

[ ...and then she tries to punch him in the goddamn arm for that.

Lightly.

Meaning he probably won't bruise too much. ]

Tell me!

[Wow, colour him impressed! usually something like that wouldn't even tickle. He still grins, though, even as he lightly rubs that spot.]

Hey! You can't even wait a couple of minutes? We're not even going that far!

[ Man, you know Lightning just makes the most epic indignant face at that, looking a whole lot like she fully intends to keep pulling back and hitting him until he finally TELLS HER, COME ON YOU JERK.

But then she just scoffs and pouts instead and it is seriously the most disdainful thing you will ever hear and the most intense pout you will ever see from a 21-year-old woman who wouldn't find it unusual to get up in the morning, murder a battalion of soldiers, a pack of robot goo alarms, a half-dozen behemoths with huge knives strapped to their heads, and still not call it a day. ]

[And that pout? That pout from an intense and very dangerous woman?

Makes Zack want to pinch her cheek and hug her and drag her off on a date. Because she is so cute.

He can't help but laugh at that, picking up the pace- and abruptly running away. COME, LIGHTNING, AWAY TO THE REC CENTER WITH YOU~]

[ She's not cute she's-- FFFFF! ]

Hey!

[ Prooobably should have known he'd take off, damn it! But although she's surprised, it's still only a second before she sets and bolts after him... and well, she was already going by 'Lightning' long before the onset of her ability to toss thunder spells around. She's fast, bro. >:| ]

[Mwahahaha- whoa, she is actually is catching up. Whoa, this chick is fast D8 Zack blinks, glancing over his shoulder, and tries to pick up the pace, wanting to stay ahead at least until they get to the center. Surprises are way more fun than just a boring explanation.]

[ SHE ALREADY SAID SHE RUNS FOR FUN; RUN AWAY, ZACK, RUN. Good thing she's not in destruction mode- in fact, she's not even trying that hard to catch him. It's... kind of exhilarating, actually, running with someone who has even the slightest chance of keeping up! Therefore, she just keeps at a sprint, right behind him as they blow through the rest of the village. ]

[She's not the only one enjoying herself; Zack is having so much fun, in fact, that he avoids going directly to the rec center just so the can have an extended romp around the village. Lightning is amazing- he's never seen anyone so strong (and beautiful, to boot) who wasn't a SOLDIER before. He can't help but feel damn lucky to have the opportunity to spend time with her and see how her abilities match up against his own.

They've barely started and he's already impressed.]

[ Lightning notices that they don't seem to be taking a straight path to anywhere any more, though by this point she... doesn't really care. She's practically soaring in more ways than one, reveling in the bite of the cold air and speed of the chase with someone who, despite the little annoyances, isn't at all that bad to be around...!

It's nearly a shame she doesn't know where they're going, else she thinks she could really show Zack what she can do-- not because she has something to prove, exactly, but she does want to impress him! ]

[Eventually he runs out of clever detours, and chooses instead to head right for the rec center, skidding to a halt right in front of the door and flopping against the cabin wall with a satisfied laugh. The adrenaline is still pumping, and he can't help but want to prolong that rush- the thrill of having someone chase him, keep up with him... and not be trying to kill him. It's a nice change.

Even if she's going to punch him, he offers her a playful grin as he catches his breath. It was totally worth it.]

[ There's a loud scuff as Lightning screeches into a halt alongside him, cheeks red and breath huffing out in front of her in foggy clouds. Looks like the indignation is pretty much gone though- she can't help a smirk as she rubs briefly at her face and then starts cooling down by stretching her limbs out. ]

You're pretty fast, soldier. [ Compliment! And she means it, too. Her look is... appreciative. ]

No faster than you. [Yeah, he totally recognized that she could've caught up with him. That in itself is the most impressive part; heck, she could've beaten him, from the look of things.] You are one impressive lady, Lightning.

[ Yeah... well... among the other l'Cie, Lightning might actually not be the strongest physically or magically, but she does have speed (and skill) going for her. Having it pointed out like that, however, by Zack... it turns out all that red in her face isn't just from the chill of the air any more; she'd probably outright beam at him if, you know, she were a little less stuck being a scowling brick wall with pink hair the majority of the time. That said, her smile does definitely warm up a bit, before she looks away and gets to studying where they are curiously. ]

Hmh. So... what's this secret of yours?

☈ strike #08 (voice)

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