☈ strike #18 (video/...action?)

[thestormishere]

ARIES
- You'll get 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' stuck in your head for the next week.
- You will find a turtle in your laundry.
- Just go sleep on the couch tonight. You don't want to know why.
- Hide it, no one saw!

[ Like everyone else, Lightning wasn't really sure what to think about the odd message that showed up at the front of her journal recently, but it's fairly late in the evening before she makes an appearance on there too-- publicly, without even any filters in place to exclude certain people! An unusual decision perhaps, but... here she is anyway, looking as mildly annoyed as ever as she brushes hair from her face and frowns deeply. Her words are clipped and serious. ]

A few things.

Anyone care to explain the reasoning - if any - of this experiment? [ A beat. ] Actually, I'd just like to know if there's a pattern between the words listed at the top and the sort of guidelines everyone's getting beneath them. Is there anyone looking into this?

[ No, she doesn't understand the concept of a zodiac or the point of astrological horoscopes, shut up. Something like that is a little difficult when nobody else from your world has seen stars or even the real sun in five centuries, you know!

But in any case. ]

Second, does anyone have information on something that's called... [ Another slight pause, this one perhaps a bit embarrassed? Naaaah. ] 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia'?

... Third, this creature...

[ And here is where she leans aside slightly, rustling in what's apparently an 'off-screen' cardboard box a moment before she lifts this handsome beastie up- just long enough for the journal to capture the slow, cautious paddle of its legs in the air, as well as the pink-haired woman's dubious expression as she stares at it.

Then-- nothing, save for a soft sigh. Even though something's obviously eating at her about this, apparently that's all she can think of to say on the matter before giving up and just setting her journal aside to wait for any responses.

Also, to continue moping on the couch, with roughly half a dozen blankets around her. ]

Comments

[Action]

[thestormishere]

[ She bends around to hook fingers under the back of the couch, fully intending to lift it back up whether he moves out of the way or not. Her response is dry and... not all that thought out- ]

What? Were you planning on sleeping on the couch too?

[ ... Question is, is he going to think ahead about his own answer? ]

[Action]

[wingenvy]

[Zack does move! Reluctantly. He reaches down to help her lift the couch, too. See, he's behaving now.]

What, do you want me to?

[Okay so he didn't really think about it, but it was so very easy.]

1/2

[thestormishere]

[ She really doesn't need the help but whatev...

...... ]

[thestormishere]

[ She smooths her hands over the top of the couch, stalling, then gives him a flat look. No no, she's still mad at you, you grabby jerk. ]

I punch in my sleep.

[wingenvy]

You punch when you're awake, too. [See how unruffled he is by this threat.]

[thestormishere]

[ -- True. But. Clearly her sleep-self fights even dirtier than she does awake, ok.

She rolls her eyes, circling around to try and sort out her goddamn blankets into a semblance of order again.

... Oh look, her own journal is here too! Except... that... is totally going right back into the depths of blanket and cushions. ]

[wingenvy]

OH MY GOD SHUT UP YOU TALK TOO DAMN MUCH

[thestormishere]

WHY WON'T YOU BEAR MY BABIES?!?!!

[ Lightning, distraught, picks Zack up and throws him through the wall and then cries a river and drowns in it.

Worst boyfriend ever. ]

and in an alternate universe...

[wingenvy]

[He can totally, totally take it. But he's not about to push the issue if she's not comfortable with it. This isn't the kind of thing you shove on girls willy-nilly.

...

Company might be nice, though.]

Well... it's your call, you know. Since you've claimed the couch.

[thestormishere]

[ Zack, y u always be making her make these decisions? Lightning hums that stupid song distractedly as she flops herself back on the couch and pulls the blankets over her legs again. Sorry, man.

Then? Have a lovely taste of the flat look treatment, chin leaned on her arm leaned on a knee brought up to her chest. Seeeeeriously?

Uh. ]

... You can sit here, but- you've got your own bed to sleep in, Fair.

[ Uncertain frown develops here, though. She doesn't want to be mad, but messed up behavior or no she was kind of weirded out there... ]

[wingenvy]

[...Small steps. Yes. He will take them. He grins and sits down beside her, hands clasping behind his head.]

I can deal with that! The company's all I'm after, anyway.

[Though maybe he can get a sneak peek at how she looks when she sleeps... does her expression get less intense? Is she - dare he say it - cute!?]

[thestormishere]

[ She watches. Quite closely. ]

... Because I'm great at conversations, right?

[ B|

And the question should be over if she can even relax enough now to look ~peaceful~ or whatever after that little scene... and with him hanging around, potentially watching her sleep. LIKE A CREEPER. >:I That isn't in her definition of romantic, bro- this ain't Twilight, gosh. ]

[wingenvy]

Because you're my girlfriend and I like spending time with you.

[Duh Light, seriously. And for all his current silly behaviour, his tone is sincere.

...A-and he'd totally only watch her for like a minute. Max. Just to see!!]

[thestormishere]

[ W-well, duh! Seriously. ]

Hah... figures.

[ She sighs, but her lips are turned up just a little more than their usual neutral set... and she reaches out to push his shoulder with an open hand. Gently, fortunately.

Gdit she's totally enamored here. ]

Even when I beat the crap out of you?

[wingenvy]

Even when I beat the crap out of you.

[Seriously though, they have the best dates. He leans closer in retaliation to her push, letting his shoulder bump against hers. Take that!]

[thestormishere]

... That doesn't happen.

[ Preceded by a scandalized scoff! Zack, did you just admit to trying to beat up your girlfriend?? FOR SHAME.

Of course, Lightning's not an actor, so it's actually quite a bit quieter than her usual huff of indignation. And okay no, really. It's a good thing she can heal to make up for all the times she's gone tumbling end over end and gotten up dazed, huh? Stupid SOLDIERs and their super-strength!

She leeaaaaans away, twisting at the waist to push with her opposite hand this time. >:I ]

[wingenvy]

[Ha, like she isn't twice as bad as he is. He sort of shuffles sideways in response to her lean, trying to edge up against her. He is determined, don't you dare believe he isn't.]

I remember it happening a few times, actually... maybe I hit you too hard?

[thestormishere]

You're a mean boyfriend.

[ THE MEANEST SHE'S EVER HAD, UGH. And what is he even trying to do-- fhdsuaf-- ghfnjdso... ]

Don't tip the couch again.

[fairly]

[And that just makes him laugh, because dear Shiva what a silly pair they make. No wonder Aerith gets so exasperated with them sometimes.

And yes, he is a mean boyfriend. Case in point:]

You think if we put the couch outside, you'd still feel like you have to sleep on it?

[thestormishere]

[ No! ... Well, probably. But why would you even. :|

Lightning would shoot back something witty, but she's currently kind of too busy straightening and then punching Zack right in the chest- fortunately, not hard enough to bruise or tip the couch like she just insisted he not do. And never mind it was totally her fault the last time, too.

And then she crosses her arms with a sigh. >:| Definitely should have sent him to bed rather than letting him hang out with her, gawd. ]

[fairly]

[Awww yeah, it was totally worth it. Because her expressions are always hilarious. ...And kind of adorable.

She'd probably punch him for that, too, so he just shrugs, tilting back to use his hands as pillows.]

Relax, I wouldn't do that. [Even if it would be kind of funny to see for a few minutes.] Anyway, you'll probably get to tease me twice as hard once whatever this thing is hits me, too.

[thestormishere]

[ She probably wouldn't know what to think if that came out, actually...... but yeah, the knee-jerk reaction would likely be not so good.

She just tilts her head and busies herself running a hand through her long hair and smoothing it down, though the other arm mostly stays in place over her chest. About his predictions? She rolls her eyes after a moment. ]

You're not gay.

[ She... definitely knows that much, at least. ]

[fairly]

[PFFFFT that seems almost out of nowhere. He recognizes what she's trying to do, though, which is why he makes his best effort not to laugh.]

Definitely could've told you that. This thing would be kind of awkward if I was, huh?

[The whole... dating a chick that could kick his ass thing.]

[thestormishere]

[ Damn right it's not funny- Lightning is not a beard! She tilts her head, eyes closing and voice dry. ]

Just a little.

[fairly]

Well, trust me, I'm not about to change my mind anytime soon. I'd miss out on something pretty awesome.

[Awww yeah he has a hot girlfriend, yes he does.]