[Zack sends a simple thumbs-up in response, and off he flies. And... he's not bad, actually! He doesn't practice all the time (not near as much as he should, really) but after over a year in Folkmore, he's got the gist. He comes sailing in on blue and white cloud-patterned wings, sweeping around with a wave (and a curious, excited look at the bike, if Sephiroth can spot it) before he fluffs his wings to hover down for a landing.]
Hey! Just in time. Where'd you nail this beauty? It looks awesome!
[Not even questioning if Sephiroth is old enough to drive it, tbh. Zack's not his dad or his supervisor, so whatever!
One curious difference Sephiroth might notice, however: Zack's eyes are distinctly Jenova-esque - or in other words, like his own - while the wings are out.]
Edited (OH SHIT I FORGOT THIS PART) 2024-06-04 21:53 (UTC)
[Does Folkmore even have an age limit, on anything at all? Who knows, Sephiroth never bothered to ask. The only limits he's endured so far are the ones he put on himself. Nobody's called the cops yet!
..Are there even cops?
The staggering variety of colors and shapes other legends' wings came in were truly astonishing, aside from being wings there seemed to be NO uniting factor. Blue and white, rather like the sky right now, suited Zack well. And instead of answering the question he's ASKED, he poses one of his own, promptly.]
Do you like it?
[..Speaking of blue, aren't Zack's eyes normally supposed to be--]
[No, he's definitely not mistaking it, Zack's eyes look a lot like his own. Exactly like his own. There's no connection to that eerie appearance and Jenova automatically in Sephiroth's mind, but he does know the look he sees in the mirror every single day.
It's very distracting from the wings, though seeing Zack with those too is a bit strange; he has the built up image in his head of Zack looking a very specific way and this is not it. But nobody had eyes like his. Not a soul. It should have been the first tipoff that he wasn't human, honestly. And now Zack.. he had them too.]
It should be a faithful copy of a 1985 Hardy Daytona FLR; its primary claim to fame being able to reach ninety two miles an hour in fourteen seconds and being suitable for off-road and paved. It's supposed to be notoriously difficult to handle for the average rider.
[That's a problem that's going to plague the entire line of Hardy Daytonas right up til the modern era; it's just NOT for normal people.]
It's been converted off running on mako charges though. How long have your eyes looked like that? .... Catch.
[The question alone might draw Zack's attention, but all that's tossed at him are a pair of gleaming silver keys.]
[The Hardy Daytona... he'd seen the model practically every day of his life at Shinra, and it never got old. The bike before him looks shiny and brand new, gorgeously sculpted, every curve looks like a dream. If his eyes didn't already glow on account of the mako, they'd be practically glowing now. He loves it instantly.]
Huh? [Instinctively he lifts a hand to catch the keys.] Looked like what? Wait, keys?
They look like.. [His. He doesn't finish the thought, instead shaking his head with a low 'nevermind'. It's not important. Well yes it's VERY important, at least it was to him, but that's not why he's risking being this close to people who may or may not want to kill him on sight.]
It's for you. Lately things have probably been pretty stressful, so I thought maybe it would help.
[Know what he never manages to pull off comfortably, ever, his whole life? Getting people gifts. It's weird, it's awkward, it requires a level of social interaction he just ISN'T used to.
Sephiroth is very aware of at least part of the problems he's caused. He's pretty sure that's not something friends keep doing.]
[Oh, right, the eyes. He'd been about to answer properly, but immediately he's distracted (again) by the explanation for the bike. What? For him?]
Wait, you're serious? You're giving me the bike!?
[Dude. Duuuuude! This is so cool, though! Hardy Daytona for him!? He could never in his wildest dreams afford this back home. Not on a SOLDIER's pay, that's for sure. Sephiroth may feel awkward about it, but there are some very obvious hints that this is an awesome gift, so. He nailed it.]
[Made just for him, odometer still nicely and perfectly 0, to be changed as soon as Zack drives it anywhere! Untouched and pristiiiiine. It's a relief that Zack actually likes it, this is a first shot at this gifts thing and he's pretty pleased he's apparently gotten right.
Maybe there's something to all of this after all. It's nice seeing someone light up like that.]
If, um. Chrome and black and such isn't good colors, it's probably pretty easy to paint, I had to guess and this was the default.
Nah, nah! I wouldn't change the finish, this one's classic.
[He can tell just by looking at it. It may be brand new but it has the air of classy. Or at least super badass. With the confirmation of ownership, Zack immediately climbs on board, shifting position a bit to get comfy, and just. Vibes on it for a few seconds. Doesn't even turn it on yet. It feels really good to be on a bike again, after so long. He loves bikes sooooo much.]
...This is so awesome. Thank you, seriously! You didn't have to do this, y'know. I was helping for free.
Well, I'm not gonna disagree there, but I'd say the same for everybody.
[All people should get what they want! Except like, evil people. Hojo. Mostly Hojo should not get things he likes.
He turns the key, closing his eyes as the engine purrs to life beneath him. The noise is probably going to turn some heads at the station, but he doesn't seem to mind.]
[Hojo's already getting everything he wants, all he gets now is horrible demises, if all goes well.
And for Sephiroth, there's another moment of relief when the motorcycle actually starts exactly the way it's SUPPOSED to; he wasn't kidding about it never being run anywhere. That first start, it had to be important. The first mile. The first everything.
In a town like this, with more ponies than vehicles, the sound of the engine starting has definitely drawn some attention!]
I don't know what the roads are like here, but why don't you give it a try? It probably won't bother the horses too much.
[They have to be used to worse, right?? The train comes through all the time!]
[He (mostly) doesn't even care if he scares the horses a little, they'll get over it. Besides the initial startle, the ones at the station don't even mind; they're probably used to the train anyway.
Zack twists the gears a bit, letting it rev in place a moment, just enjoying the thrum beneath him. And then, perhaps unexpectedly, he offers his hand out, scooting forward in his seat a bit to make room.]
[It is a surprise, by the way he is for several moments visibly riddled with uncertainty. ..But it must be okay or he wouldn't be offering, right?
He's still cautious when he nods after a moment and takes the offered hand. Motorcycles are NOT a common form of transportation for him, and there's wings in the way, but he knows his way around a wing enough to move feathers around so they're not uncomfortably pinned, and try to settle himself in such a way where the long blue and white primaries don't get scorched by the engine or mufflers.]
[Zack laughs, and he won't have to worry about those feathers for long, because with a moment of focus, they are phased into his back, leaving just a scattering of stray feathers in the air (very Angeal-like, not that Sephiroth would know). When Zack tilts his head around to grin at him, the change in his eyes are gone, reverted back to their original mako-blue. It gives him the extra space to get more settled, as well as let him hold on to Zack without a mouthful of feathers.]
[Angeal is a complete unknown! .. For now. That would change quickly if he was sent home and stayed there long, but until then, he is a mystery, and the wafting stray feathers gleaming white and blue in the light are purely a Zack thing, and strangely fascinating. One hand reaches to catch one gently, even as it's noted that once more Zack's eyes are once more luminous blue, with ordinary round pupils.
That. How? What? Maybe he was hallucinating it? Wishful thinking maybe--
But the warning to hang on does get immediate obedience, captured feather still held onto as best he can regardless. He's keeping that, if it doesn't get blown away.]
Just warn me if there's a hole in the road or something!
[The feather is all his, if he cares to keep it. Zack doesn't even notice him grabbing it, already turned forward. Rather, he laughs at the request, the asshole.]
Only if I notice it first!
[No promises he will! He fears no road holes! With another rev, he kicks in the acceleration, and the bike starts moving, thunking noisily off the station platform, taking off at an unreasonable high speed down the road. Good thing for SOLDIER reflexes, he's dodging the poor Gram residents like a pro.]
[Know what's entirely not comforting: THAT. It's certain there's a protest somewhere under the roar of the engine beyond the yelp that can be heard as the motorcycle and its passengers crash right off the platform and into the street, but it's hard to make out.
It's probably nothing. The bike handles it with ease. It's not made for the average citizen, designed for a tougher breed and the nonsense that would inevitably result in, and little things like dropping off a platform and pelting down a road not made for motorcycles is child's play, there's barely a squeak from the suspension.
Another good thing for being SOLDIER, Sephiroth clings like a startled barnacle and his grip would probably be incredibly uncomfortable without anyone of their durability involved. He'll probably relax a bit soon.]
[For all his silly posturing and laughter and reckless speeds, Zack is actually a pretty decent driver. He makes it through the more crowded zone without so much as clipping any poor pedestrian, he does avoid the worst of the road bumps. He's noisy, mind you - having the time of his life, he's whooping over every sharp curve, as the bike turns like a dream, revving with enthusiasm - but out in the more open area of Gram, riding down the road through the woods, it's really nice. Just a fun ride on an awesome motorcycle. Who could ask for more?]
[This is .. all a first. He hangs on like his life depends on it and does his best to not throw anything off balance.
Zack's obvious glee is infectious, but he's ever subdued in showing any of it, ticking a box in the back of his mind to add a third thing to the tiny list of things he could call 'fun' and finally loosening his grip somewhat and sitting back a little. There's no point in saying anything, it wouldn't be heard anyway with the way the wind whips past. Using Zack as a windbreak, he can look around a bit as scenery goes by; he hasn't been in this area much. Visiting it like this..
It.. is nice. More than he thought it'd be, noise and wind and all. For a moment, his hold (sans the feather still clenched in one hand) tightens again, a brief light squeeze of silent thanks. For bringing him along? For everything else? Maybe all of it.]
[At some point Zack reaches a crossroads, and rather than pick a direction, he slows the bike down to a halt, allowing it to rumble comfortably idle beneath them, and turns back towards Sephiroth.]
How you doin' back there, holding out okay? I was thinking I'd drive you home, but if you'd rather go somewhere else I can switch to that.
[The third option of "get off and get yourself to wherever" does not appear to be in his cards.]
[He is! .. Utterly windblown, and he probably has a leaf stuck in his hair from some tree or other they passed, but otherwise he seems to be doing fine!
Okay maybe he gets the bike thing now. He's not planning on getting one of his own, not yet, but Zack's delight is no longer a mystery and he's glad he decided to go with one as a gift. It worked!]
...Oh. Um, do you know where I live?
[Did that ever come up? Sephiroth doesn't seem immediately against the idea of Zack knowing, he .. he could be trusted, right?]
I don't mind here if you don't, it's not that bad of a flight back.
Huh... not really. But if you tell me the neighbourhood, I can at least take you there.
[If Sephiroth doesn't get to know where he lives - which, fair, honestly he'd rather the kid not end up accidentally lurking around where Cloud and Aerith take shelter - he's fine with not getting an address in return to keep the playing field even. Whichever Sephiroth chooses is fine.]
[As long as Aerith and Cloud didn't show up at his house, it's probably fine. In turn he really, REALLY doesn't plan on going anywhere nearer Gram than the train station unless it's some dire emergency, but his only real objections would be everyone knowing where he lives.
Zack is probably fine knowing. It wasn't like he was going to be constantly dropping by, and thus potentially luring Cloud to see where he's going.]
Oh, Lapine. The Burrows, not far from the river. It's not a bad place, people leave you alone.
[For the most part. There was an endless parade of spirits that realized he's living there by himself and 'just happen' to make too much of this or that and he'd be doing them such a favor if he just took it off their hands..]
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Hey! Just in time. Where'd you nail this beauty? It looks awesome!
[Not even questioning if Sephiroth is old enough to drive it, tbh. Zack's not his dad or his supervisor, so whatever!
One curious difference Sephiroth might notice, however: Zack's eyes are distinctly Jenova-esque - or in other words, like his own - while the wings are out.]
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..Are there even cops?
The staggering variety of colors and shapes other legends' wings came in were truly astonishing, aside from being wings there seemed to be NO uniting factor. Blue and white, rather like the sky right now, suited Zack well. And instead of answering the question he's ASKED, he poses one of his own, promptly.]
Do you like it?
[..Speaking of blue, aren't Zack's eyes normally supposed to be--]
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fuck da policeZack leans in to get a good look at the bike, his winds folded at his back. And yeah, weird, his eyes usually are blue-]
Love it, man! I don't know the model, looks kinda classic. I bet it rides like a dream, though!
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It's very distracting from the wings, though seeing Zack with those too is a bit strange; he has the built up image in his head of Zack looking a very specific way and this is not it. But nobody had eyes like his. Not a soul. It should have been the first tipoff that he wasn't human, honestly. And now Zack.. he had them too.]
It should be a faithful copy of a 1985 Hardy Daytona FLR; its primary claim to fame being able to reach ninety two miles an hour in fourteen seconds and being suitable for off-road and paved. It's supposed to be notoriously difficult to handle for the average rider.
[That's a problem that's going to plague the entire line of Hardy Daytonas right up til the modern era; it's just NOT for normal people.]
It's been converted off running on mako charges though. How long have your eyes looked like that? .... Catch.
[The question alone might draw Zack's attention, but all that's tossed at him are a pair of gleaming silver keys.]
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Huh? [Instinctively he lifts a hand to catch the keys.] Looked like what? Wait, keys?
[He's so distracted, he forgot they did that.]
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It's for you. Lately things have probably been pretty stressful, so I thought maybe it would help.
[Know what he never manages to pull off comfortably, ever, his whole life? Getting people gifts. It's weird, it's awkward, it requires a level of social interaction he just ISN'T used to.
Sephiroth is very aware of at least part of the problems he's caused. He's pretty sure that's not something friends keep doing.]
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Wait, you're serious? You're giving me the bike!?
[Dude. Duuuuude! This is so cool, though! Hardy Daytona for him!? He could never in his wildest dreams afford this back home. Not on a SOLDIER's pay, that's for sure. Sephiroth may feel awkward about it, but there are some very obvious hints that this is an awesome gift, so. He nailed it.]
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[Made just for him, odometer still nicely and perfectly 0, to be changed as soon as Zack drives it anywhere! Untouched and pristiiiiine. It's a relief that Zack actually likes it, this is a first shot at this gifts thing and he's pretty pleased he's apparently gotten right.
Maybe there's something to all of this after all. It's nice seeing someone light up like that.]
If, um. Chrome and black and such isn't good colors, it's probably pretty easy to paint, I had to guess and this was the default.
[Rambling? A little bit.]
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[He can tell just by looking at it. It may be brand new but it has the air of classy. Or at least super badass. With the confirmation of ownership, Zack immediately climbs on board, shifting position a bit to get comfy, and just. Vibes on it for a few seconds. Doesn't even turn it on yet. It feels really good to be on a bike again, after so long. He loves bikes sooooo much.]
...This is so awesome. Thank you, seriously! You didn't have to do this, y'know. I was helping for free.
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I know. But I wanted to. You're welcome.
[And Zack looks perfectly comfortable, banishing concerns he'd come up with something Zack would have to learn first. Motorcycles: familiar. Good.]
It's not just because of.. everything lately. You should get things you like. Just on principle.
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[All people should get what they want! Except like, evil people. Hojo. Mostly Hojo should not get things he likes.
He turns the key, closing his eyes as the engine purrs to life beneath him. The noise is probably going to turn some heads at the station, but he doesn't seem to mind.]
Awww, yeah. That's the stuff. Feel that rumble...
[It's PERFECT.]
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And for Sephiroth, there's another moment of relief when the motorcycle actually starts exactly the way it's SUPPOSED to; he wasn't kidding about it never being run anywhere. That first start, it had to be important. The first mile. The first everything.
In a town like this, with more ponies than vehicles, the sound of the engine starting has definitely drawn some attention!]
I don't know what the roads are like here, but why don't you give it a try? It probably won't bother the horses too much.
[They have to be used to worse, right?? The train comes through all the time!]
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[He (mostly) doesn't even care if he scares the horses a little, they'll get over it. Besides the initial startle, the ones at the station don't even mind; they're probably used to the train anyway.
Zack twists the gears a bit, letting it rev in place a moment, just enjoying the thrum beneath him. And then, perhaps unexpectedly, he offers his hand out, scooting forward in his seat a bit to make room.]
Come with me!
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He's still cautious when he nods after a moment and takes the offered hand. Motorcycles are NOT a common form of transportation for him, and there's wings in the way, but he knows his way around a wing enough to move feathers around so they're not uncomfortably pinned, and try to settle himself in such a way where the long blue and white primaries don't get scorched by the engine or mufflers.]
.. Okay. I think.
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[Zack laughs, and he won't have to worry about those feathers for long, because with a moment of focus, they are phased into his back, leaving just a scattering of stray feathers in the air (very Angeal-like, not that Sephiroth would know). When Zack tilts his head around to grin at him, the change in his eyes are gone, reverted back to their original mako-blue. It gives him the extra space to get more settled, as well as let him hold on to Zack without a mouthful of feathers.]
You better think about holding on, then!
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That. How? What? Maybe he was hallucinating it? Wishful thinking maybe--
But the warning to hang on does get immediate obedience, captured feather still held onto as best he can regardless. He's keeping that, if it doesn't get blown away.]
Just warn me if there's a hole in the road or something!
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Only if I notice it first!
[No promises he will! He fears no road holes! With another rev, he kicks in the acceleration, and the bike starts moving, thunking noisily off the station platform, taking off at an unreasonable high speed down the road. Good thing for SOLDIER reflexes, he's dodging the poor Gram residents like a pro.]
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It's probably nothing. The bike handles it with ease. It's not made for the average citizen, designed for a tougher breed and the nonsense that would inevitably result in, and little things like dropping off a platform and pelting down a road not made for motorcycles is child's play, there's barely a squeak from the suspension.
Another good thing for being SOLDIER, Sephiroth clings like a startled barnacle and his grip would probably be incredibly uncomfortable without anyone of their durability involved. He'll probably relax a bit soon.]
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Zack's obvious glee is infectious, but he's ever subdued in showing any of it, ticking a box in the back of his mind to add a third thing to the tiny list of things he could call 'fun' and finally loosening his grip somewhat and sitting back a little. There's no point in saying anything, it wouldn't be heard anyway with the way the wind whips past. Using Zack as a windbreak, he can look around a bit as scenery goes by; he hasn't been in this area much. Visiting it like this..
It.. is nice. More than he thought it'd be, noise and wind and all. For a moment, his hold (sans the feather still clenched in one hand) tightens again, a brief light squeeze of silent thanks. For bringing him along? For everything else? Maybe all of it.]
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How you doin' back there, holding out okay? I was thinking I'd drive you home, but if you'd rather go somewhere else I can switch to that.
[The third option of "get off and get yourself to wherever" does not appear to be in his cards.]
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[He is! .. Utterly windblown, and he probably has a leaf stuck in his hair from some tree or other they passed, but otherwise he seems to be doing fine!
Okay maybe he gets the bike thing now. He's not planning on getting one of his own, not yet, but Zack's delight is no longer a mystery and he's glad he decided to go with one as a gift. It worked!]
...Oh. Um, do you know where I live?
[Did that ever come up? Sephiroth doesn't seem immediately against the idea of Zack knowing, he .. he could be trusted, right?]
I don't mind here if you don't, it's not that bad of a flight back.
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[If Sephiroth doesn't get to know where he lives - which, fair, honestly he'd rather the kid not end up accidentally lurking around where Cloud and Aerith take shelter - he's fine with not getting an address in return to keep the playing field even. Whichever Sephiroth chooses is fine.]
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Zack is probably fine knowing. It wasn't like he was going to be constantly dropping by, and thus potentially luring Cloud to see where he's going.]
Oh, Lapine. The Burrows, not far from the river. It's not a bad place, people leave you alone.
[For the most part. There was an endless parade of spirits that realized he's living there by himself and 'just happen' to make too much of this or that and he'd be doing them such a favor if he just took it off their hands..]
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[He's not sure the tires could handle deep snow or swamp. But otherwise...!]
You like it there?
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