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[ The second time around, these terminal things are a little easier to figure out. Zack still hasn't gotten the hang of their finer workings (see: anything other than Record and Send), but at least he's past the fifteen minute delay stage.

And he hasn't smashed anything - there's that. Technically, he's still in debt for the last computer he touched. But that's beside the point. ]

I didn't think it'd be this hard to find a decent weapon shop around here. They're usually front and center, y'know? [ Right next to the Items Shop and the Inn, generally. This is very basic city planning. ]

But I probably should've guessed. There's not exactly a lot around here to fight... [ Which is weird, and makes life a little boring - but it definitely isn't a bad thing. He shrugs, flashing the screen a lopsided smile. ] So what I'm saying is, if anybody out there's had better luck, I wouldn't mind a recommendation or two. I can't be the only one who wound up here unarmed, right?

Oh, yeah, and uh... [ He runs a hand down the back of his neck, looking around indecisively (as if that's doing anything to hide the faint hint of color climbing in his suddenly uncomfortable expression). ] If somebody wouldn't mind holding my hand for a while, I'd appreciate it, too. I kinda let that get away from me.

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[ There's bragging about SOLDIER strength and there's living with it, and he's been doing the latter for so long that the former doesn't seem like such a big deal - until it's a matter of not hurting people, again. He hasn't been this off his game since he first started mako treatments.

Or since he dragged himself out of that basement. ]

Outside, around the market. I figured going for a walk would make me feel a little better. [ So much for that, says his uncharacteristically wan smile. ]

[Lloyd hasn't really known Zack long enough to know where he draws the line between boasting and being serious, but it doesn't take all that much to figure out that he's being serious now. The brunette nods.]

Give me a few minutes. I'll meet you there.

[Unfortunately, he'll have to turn the network terminal off. He has no handy little device that he can just carry around with him. But you'll stick around, won't you, Zack? It really will be only a few minutes before the teen makes his way to the market, dressed in his trademark red and black.]

[Building one, and friendly residents, okay... Sounds like camp, she can work with that if she has to, but- hold up. What was that about the districts and getting sick? Huh.]

Really... I wonder why that is. [Maybe a way out that they're discouraged from?]

Has anyone ever managed to get out of here before? [She's not expecting anyone to know HOW, or they wouldn't all be stuck here still. She just wants to know if they've managed.]

According to them, it's all about the power problems this place has been having.

[ Which he doesn't totally doubt holds some truth - it's just also an incredibly convenient way of keeping all of the visitors corralled while they do... whatever they're doing, outside the safe zones.

He shrugs. ]

You mean out of the city or out of the safe places?

[ Zack hasn't known Zack long enough to know where that line is, tbh.

But he's not the kind of guy who just ditches somebody who's coming to look for him, so he's still hanging around the same street-corner terminal when Lloyd happens along. He's much more obviously not feeling his usual energy, in person; Zack isn't even really trying to make conversation with the late afternoon crowd milling around him, though he makes a visible effort to be polite whenever someone approaches. More than half probably out of concern, given the way he's slumped over on the bench where he's taken up residence.

He lifts an arm to wave when he spots something big and red and Lloyd-shaped moving through the other loosely gathered groups of pedestrians. ]

Hey. That was pretty quick.

Really.

[ She's used to people underestimating her initially, so she's not at all offended by Zack's apparent skepticism. Instead of getting angry, however, she just smiles and shakes her head. Her knowledge of swordcraft is limited to what she learned about Goblin construction, especially concerning the Sword of Gryffindor, so she isn't entirely sure how useful it'll be. ] Not exactly, but I don't think I need to be for what you want.

[ The information is welcome, however, and Hermione purses her lips and think it over. She probably has a fortnight before she has to find someone to 'touch'. Apparently, hand holding seems to be enough, so she isn't too worried: surely she'll be able to make friends enough that someone will hold her hand?

That's not something she ever imagined herself thinking, but that's not exactly uncommon in her life. ]

That's... Comforting? At least there's a window of time between each touch. Enough to make some more friends before I have to ask for hands and cuddles - or 'contact'...

[She almost asks about the power problems- her letter did mention that of course -but she stops herself. At this pace she'll end up with far more questions than answers, and if he's been abducted same as her she's got to figure he's in the same boat.

Focus then.]

Out of the city.

[Man, Zack, you look like crap.

Fortunately, Lloyd remembers what Zack looks like well enough that even with him slumped like that, he still manages to spot him on the bench. He's already headed over when Zack waves to him. Lloyd lifts his hand to return the greeting.]

Hey. Yeah, I was already pretty close by, and I came right away.

[He plunks himself down unceremoniously on the bench, then holds his hand out to Zack. He offers a lopsided smile along with it.]

What kind of guy would I be to make you wait? You don't look so good.

Well, maybe not similarity...

[But she certainly wasn't talking looks-wise, so.

Also Zack no that's ridiculous that is too much sword.]

Yeah, um... Got any place in mind?

I'll take your word for it.

[ Though that makes even less sense, in retrospect, than the initial offer. It's small consolation, these days, but he's lived weirder - and she seems to know what she's talking about, even if he doesn't.

Zack shrugs, trying on a faint smile. ]

You make it sound so serious. Is it that big a deal to be close to people once in a while?

I guess people might've been out, yeah. But there's not much to see, if you ask around.

The locals say it's nothing but a wasteland.

[ Gee, Lloyd, you sure know how to make a guy feel better. ]

Lucky me.

[ And that's an entirely unsarcastic remark, in this situation. Though his smile turns into a plainly amused smirk at Lloyd's offer. He may be down, but he's not feeling ill enough yet to not make fun. ]

I thought you didn't want to hold my hand?

[ Say it with me now

There is no such thing as too much sword. ]

How about that Beachside place? I'll buy dinner.

Okay... um...

[Man, should she even bother changing out of her armor? What is even the etiquette for this kind of thing?!]

Meet you there in twenty?

It's - well, it isn't hard to explain, really. I have magic and I can make you a sword, if you have something similar or can find the materials that are similar enough to transform it. It might take a while, but it's possible.

[ She's the Brightest of her Age for a reason and a transfiguration spell should be easy enough to manage, with enough preparation and forethought. It's just based on the formulas she learned and she has some textbooks with her if she get stuck - and a challenge would probably be nice anyway.

She has the decency to look a little sheepish, cheeks painted a light red. ]

It is when they're all people I've never seen before in my life. The only person I know tried to get my best friend killed for years.

[Just saying it like it is~]

Who said I'm holding your hand? [Lloyd's willing to tease right back.] This is just warm-ups so you can practice trying not to crush my hand for our arm wrestling match! Unless you want to back out on that.

I have yet to find a single smith. It is unfortunate, not to mention infuriating. Should my hammer ever need replacing, I doubt I would find a suitable replacement.

As for your pathetic need for companionship, I fail to see how that is any concern of mine.

[She knows exactly why he's asking. She's just mean. And, from time to time, enjoys it.]

Edited 2013-09-23 05:26 (UTC)

They weren't exactly a big thing back home, but… I dunno. It'd be a pain to lose the edge on your skills, though. [and… well. He bites his lip, and tilts his head a bit.]

It's really something you've got to think about, huh.

I'm not a civilian. I'm just a superhero.

I'm Kara. Nice to meet you.

Yeah, right? I don't want to get lazy, now, just because things seem pretty chill, here.

Let the ordinary people do that! A SOLDIER's job is to protect the peace, not to enjoy it.

[ As much as he sympathizes with her first point, it's already tough enough maintaining a good mood without being belittled for trying to meet much more basic needs, in this backwards world. ]

Unless you just got lucky, we all need each other - it's not pathetic to admit it.

I can do that! I mean, finding enough metal might be kind of hard, but if you can just use anything for it...

[ Her magic doesn't sound particularly precision, when she puts it like that, but maybe it's better that way. It might be easier to lump together a bunch of sort of similar junk, and see what comes out - if nothing else, it'll give him something to do.

Thoughts of keeping busy mostly fall by the wayside at her less than cautious admission, though. Zack winces sympathetically. ]

Killed? Are you serious?

[ Armor is totally appropriate. Probably. It's not like he knows protocol, either. Is there protocol for meeting up to awkwardly hold hands with a complete stranger? ]

Sure. I'll see you there.

[ If he's smiling, he's doing it while rolling his eyes. ]

All right, fine. Warm-ups. [ And he claps his hand on top of Lloyd's - carefully, because while this is funny, actually hurting someone would not be. ] For when you lose.

A super hero? And just what does that mean?

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