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002 ✗ video.

[ 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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Hopefully it's not in the part of the city we're not allowed inside. I tried to go in there once, and man, if you think you're feeling bad right now, you'll feel ten times worse after just a few minutes.

[He's not kidding, and he hopes Zack takes his warning seriously.

Speaking of warnings, though...]

How strong are we talking about here? I'm stronger than I look, you know. [He lifts his hand for Zack to see the gem on the back, trying to remind him of their conversation about Exspheres and materia.] But if it's really a problem, we could just thumb wrestle!

Yeah, yeah. I know all about that.

[ He does, and he's been warning others not to mess around with their borders, himself.

Looking momentarily sheepish, Zack shakes his head at the screen. He's not thinking of materia or Exspheres or even mako enhancements, for a second - just of the few little things he's broken or smashed (and the big things he hasn't been able to lift at all), since this withdrawal began to set in. ]

It's not the how strong that matters. It's that I can't keep it in check. Being careful around normal people - or not so normal [ yes he sees that weird materia ] - is just a part of being a SOLDIER.

...But right now, I feel like I could break somebody's hand just trying to shake it. [ So he doesn't want to know what he'd do trying to arm-wrestle, in this state. Or not do - the weakness has been getting steadily more prevalent than the accidents, in the past few days. But admitting to that would only make him feel worse. ]

[As much as Lloyd would like to think that nobody could break his hand just shaking it, his pride isn't so strong that he'd just disregard Zack's real concern about this, especially not with it becoming clear that Zack isn't just boasting about his strength. Sobering up, Lloyd tries to get a better look at him. How bad off is he if he can't control himself for even just shaking someone's hand?]

I'm still probably strong enough that you don't need to worry too much, but... [But he's saying that more to reassure Zack now.] Where are you at?

[ 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.]

[ 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.

[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.

[ 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?

[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.

[ 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.

[The warm spread of energy that comes each time Lloyd touches someone is still strange, but slowly becoming something he expects. This time is no different, even though Lloyd doesn't need the contact as much as Zack clearly does.]

You know, I could take advantage of this. I could beat you before you were ready to try fighting back!

You'd really kick a guy while he's down? Where's your honor?

[ OFFENSE. ...Or, well, clearly feigned offense. Maybe it's only the placebo effect, the psychosomatic surety that this will help, because it has to, but Zack's already feeling a little higher in spirits a few seconds after taking his hand.

Either way, he's not going to question it as long as it works. ]

I didn't say I would. I just said I could.

[His honor is pretending to take a back seat while he tries to get a rise out of Zack.]

But you know, someone told that these things work better the more contact there is. How do you feel about headlocks? For your own good!

Sounds great.

[ As an offer. ]

Thanks for volunteering. I won't mess your hair up too bad! [ WATCH OUT LLOYD Zack's taking his hand back to throw an arm around his shoulders, clearly menacing. There may be collateral noogies coming. ]

[Alaskjafsks THAT WASN'T WHAT HE WAS OFFERING, ZACK! Lloyd squawks and tries to dodge - but not fast enough!]

Wha- Hey, cut it out! That wasn't what I meant! Zaaack, let go!

[ IT TOTALLY WAS and it's too late to take it back, now, Lloyd. Total hair destruction is coming. ]

Uh-uh! You gotta say 'Zack's the best,' if you want your head back! [ Or struggle a little harder. Really, Zack's not trying to chokehold him or anything, here. Being careful is still at the forefront of his mind. ]

[No way! Lloyd's hair is indestructible, Zack! Or, you know, just messy enough by itself that even gravity has a hard time fighting it. Not that this keeps Lloyd from flailing when Zack's knuckles meet his head.]

Ack! Zack! Come on, no way!

[He's not really struggling that hard, to be honest. They are trying to make contact for a reason, after all. Still, it's the principle of the thing!]

You can't just blackmail me! Ack! Okay, that's it! You asked for it!

[Hey, Zack, are you ticklish? Because Lloyd's about to find out! Fingers going straight for Zack's ribs!]

[ It is a pretty unique exception to all the laws of physics. So it's a good thing Zack has plenty of experience dueling with hair of this caliber.

He does not, however, have an exit strategy in case of retaliation. Definitely being ticklish isn't helping, either. ]

H-Hey! Cut it out!

[Ah hah! A weakness!]

You first!

[Better think up that exit strategy fast, Zack! Because Lloyd's not backing down! It's just, okay, maybe it's a little bit difficult to aim his fingers for the best tickling spots. Zack does have him in a headlock, after all. But he's trying! That counts for something, right? Trying means getting a few lucky tickles in. How many of those do you want to take?]

No way!

[ His resolve to keep this up is clearly weakening, though; it's entirely too much effort to both lean away from and continue to faux-chokehold a body. ]

This can aha-ll end painlessly if you just- Just admit I'm great!

Ow! Hey! Okay, you're great!

[Come on, Zack, give his head a break! A guy can only take so much.]

But I'm not gonna say that you're the best! [Aiming another shot right under the crook of Zack's shoulder and arm!] Maybe you should tell me I'm the best instead!

Not a chance!

[ Though he does stop harassing Lloyd's hair, at least for the moment, when that last attack briefly incapacitates him. It's hard to laugh and remember to be very, very careful at the same time. ]

I will be the bigger man and offer you a truce, though.

[It's almost on Lloyd's tongue to make a quip about how Zack's only offering this truce with Lloyd's fingers threatening his ticklish spots, but you know what? Maybe a truce isn't such a bad thing.]

I guess I could be just as big a man and accept it. I'll drop my hands if you let go of my head. Deal?

[ After a moment of sincerely affected consideration, Zack nods, and releases his hold. ]

Deal. I'm glad you could see things my way.

[Once Zack lets go of him, Lloyd pulls his hands back and straightens up.]

Heh, I'm just going easy on you until we have our match.

[Grinning, he runs a hand through his hair in a vain attempt to ruffle the locks back into place. Underneath the teasing, though, there's a hint of genuine concern still in his eyes.]

You feeling any better?

002 ✗ video.

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