002 ✗ video.

[soldiernoclass]

[ 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.

Comments

[redcladidealist]

[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.

[soldiernoclass]

[ 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.

[redcladidealist]

[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!

[soldiernoclass]

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. ]

[redcladidealist]

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!

[soldiernoclass]

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. ]

[redcladidealist]

[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!

[soldiernoclass]

[ 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. ]

[redcladidealist]

[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!]

[soldiernoclass]

[ 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!

[redcladidealist]

[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?]

[soldiernoclass]

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!

[redcladidealist]

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!

[soldiernoclass]

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.

[redcladidealist]

[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?

[soldiernoclass]

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

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

[redcladidealist]

[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?

[soldiernoclass]

Sure.

[ It's okay Lloyd he won't tell anyone about your weakness for compassion. Or laugh too hard at the mess he made of that already confusing hairstyle. ]

Actually... I do, yeah.

[redcladidealist]

Good.

[Hey, it isn't any more confusing than Zack's hair is. He'd better not laugh, or Lloyd might have to get revenge.

You know, if Lloyd cared all that much.]

Good enough you think you won't crush anyone?

[soldiernoclass]

[ excuse pls Zack's hair is extremely sound and reasonable ]

Yeah... I, ah, might've overreacted.

[redcladidealist]

[ only reasonable if mako-spiked hair gives him a killer headbutt attack ]

Overreacted? So you don't have to worry about hurting other people if you run low on touch energy again?

[soldiernoclass]

Nah, not like that. But if I wait long enough, it seems like I just get weaker. So as long as I make sure to really overdo it, I probably won't hurt anybody.