middaeg | [open] i was just guessing at numbers and figures

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[open] i was just guessing at numbers and figures

Who: Zack Fair & YOU
When: First two weeks of the month of Aguril
Where: Outside of the city, The Wilde, The Residential District, The Harbour Disctict
What: Open log for the month of August after returning from a hiatus! If you would like something specific please feel free to find me at

michrure or drop down a starter!
Warnings: TBA

[A: wilde quest #1: outside of the city]

[Zack has been outside of the city walls several times now finding he’s better off when he’s doing something active and keeping himself busy outside of the hustle and bustle of magical-city life. Out in the Wilde, he can feel the heaviness in the air that the Cwyld brings due to his new sensitive senses. Having heightened hearing and smell has its uses being a part-wolf chimera.

He’s stationed at one of the smaller temporary camps outside of the city's Bright Wall where a group of infected people are trying to seek medical attention from Cwyld infected wounds. It seems some sort of creature has run amok in this area and left people injured or even killed in its wake.]

Any idea what the creature looked like when it came through?

[Some of the injured mumble and whine and only turn away from Zack and his questions. They look sickly with black patches of Cwyld scoring their skin. He frowns and runs a hand through his hair and over his ram-like horns in exasperation. He needs to find out some more information about what has happened here so he can help.]

The faster we find the issue and kill it, the better.

[B: wilde quest #3: supply runs]

[The job is travelling through the Wilde and to Smugha Cave to transport supplies and provisions to the Smugha Cave Reclamation Group. In his hand, he has three scrolled spells (minor healing, icicle, and paralysis) but being a monster he really has no clue how to use these temporary spells and will more than likely rely on his own strength and wits to get the supplies through the darkened cave.

They are encouraged to travel the caves in pairs and Zack is more than happy to work with someone in order to not only have someone watching his back but to talk with on the trip. The cavern is old and downtrodden and he hopes there aren’t any rockslides or sinkholes inside.]

So, we’re working together to move these goods to the group working inside?

[He greets whoever is going with him on this trip (maybe it's you?) with a smile and a friendly wave. Don’t mind the claws, wolf-tail and ram horns he has. Zack is a chimera and he looks strong to boot. Any creatures or shades they run into should be easy work for Zack. In theory.]

[C: a bird of a different feather]

[Somewhere in the early morning around the cottages area of the residential district Zack is minding is own business and going for an early morning run to the markets. It’s chilly for a morning in what is supposed to be summer. The weather has been fairly cold for this apparent time of year.

He turns the corner and suddenly lets out a painful yell as a sharp pain runs up his spine. He nearly stumbles and grabs onto a nearby fence post as this sudden pain rockets up his back and through his shoulders. It feels like hot shears are cutting into his bones.]

Aaaaughghhhh!!!

[He yells and drops to a knee which makes him drop the collection of food he has with him, apples and eggs toppling to the ground... Zack yells again as the pain become unbearable. Something is happening to his back and he’s not sure what. It feels like his bones are splitting from his shoulder blades so rapidly that he feels like he might pass out.

Just what he needs right now... More monster parts growing? This time out of his back? What is happening? He could use a hand.]

God... damn it!

[D: the sly seadog]

[Zack is fond of The Sly Seadog, a run-down tavern out in the harbour district. It reminds him of a lot of home or at least the run-down streets of the lower plates and slums in Midgar. Some of the best people and information can be found in places like these and the drinks are usually strong and great for the pain he occasionally feels in his head.

The chimera can be found in this tavern enjoying a drink and open to lively banter or meeting some new friendly faces. Zack looks fairly human aside from the monster traits he has gained such as the thick black ram horns on his head, the claws and wolf-tail...

And he seems to be growing wings now as well. A few sleek black and brown feathers litter the ground around the seat that Zack is sitting in. His wings are small now and obviously very new and look painful. Regardless of that Zack seems to be in a great mood. Why not get day-drunk to forget how much it sucks to have wings?!]

Hey, another round here!

[E: wildcard]

[got something else? throw it down!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Zack should be renamed Walking Heater.]

Not really. Tea and rest mostly. It's what the witches at the Coven who got me sick recommended.

[Zack lets out a snort.]

They got you sick? Don't tell me you were playing guinea pig and were testing out new potions for them or something.

[The coven halls are just up ahead which are as busy as they usually are. Students and monsters alike using the grounds for learning and growing. The towers are tall and birds fly overhead. They'll head towards the main building where bonds can be established.

He's never done this before and he's sure there is a way to do this without having to be here but this is his best guess. Some guidance from a random NPC will help.]

It was an accident. It was supposed to be a healing potion, but someone didn't mix it right.

[Magic practice came with risks. Something that Cloud was more than well aware of.] A hazard that comes with being a Witch.

[Or just ask Cloud. Who's been doing quite a bit of studying. But if Zack seeks out an NPC, the blond won't stop him.]

And here I thought the hazards of being a monster were worse.

[He gives a shrug and then looks around.]

So, what are we supposed to do now?

[Enlighten him, Cloud.]

You still have it worse.

[Cloud looks around till he finds the place they need.]

We find the master of ceremonies, essentially. They'll make a magic circle, we read vows, and are tied together. It's like marriage but with less paperwork. [He raises a hand.] No. Don't call me wife. We're just friends who are sharing a bond.

[Even if deep down he'd be happy to be more than that. But it's not something he thinks will happen with how much of a flirt Zack is. Cloud wouldn't be surprised if one of these days Zack came home parading a girlfriend or two.] And don't make sappy vows. Just straightforward and simple is fine.

[Wow, Cloud took the thought right out of his head.]

Ah!? You don't wanna be my wife?!

[He pretends to look offended. He gives Cloud a sly grin and ruffles his hair with one clawed hand affectionately.]

If that's what you want, Cloud.

[He's a dumb ass, Cloud. If you have a crush on him and want more just say it to his face. "Just straightforward and simple is fine."]

No. You have less chances finding an actual wife if you call me that.

[It's affection like that that makes Cloud not want to tell Zack anything. Affection you'd give a child or family. They're just friends and it's better than possibly being rejected.

He swats the hand away with a huff.]

It is.

Pfft. Fine. Maybe marriage isn't for me.

[Zack gives a lazy shrug. He's heard enough of that sort of talk from his own mother back home.

The swat is met with another attempt to noogie Cloud. Little does Cloud remember that Zack used to do this a lot while he was stricken with mako-poisoning too.]

Alright. If you still want to do this, let's try it out.

You might still find someone you won't say no to that to.

[And people call Cloud a downer.

He ducks away and gives Zack a look of challenge. Try that again, mister, he'll use magic.]

If I didn't, I would have stayed home. You're making it sound like I'm trying to back out of this.

I guess we'll see.

[He gives a dry smile. Come on, Cloud. He was only joking around.

They are soon ushered into the ceremonial area where Zack claims they want to bond with each other and one of the young female witches who's working gives them a knowing wink and smile. Zack just laughs.]

Just checking you're sure about this, Cloud. It's not something that can be reversed that easily. It also means we'll rely on each other a lot more. Your magic's going to get stronger, it's going help my changes along, things like that.

[That smile and wink from the young witch makes Cloud's cheeks flare up for a moment.]

All that matters is that it'll help you cope better. I don't care about what it does to my magic.

[Well, that's not true. He knows he'll stop feeling like he has to dispell it or overheat. Zack doesn't need to know that.]

[That has Zack raise an eyebrow. He knows Cloud has already said he wants to do this to help Zack and he's grateful but still...]

Well, I care. If I can help you get stronger in what you're doing that's great too.

[He smiles optimistically. They're lead into the chamber and sat down across from each other. They're told to put their hands out on top of each others.]

We'll see what happens.

[Cloud manages a small smile before they're led in. Sitting across from Zack like this makes this so much real...]

...... You start. I need to think about what to say.

You getting shy now? After everything we've been through together?

[Zack gives him a sly smirk. But he'll stop teasing as that red chord is tied around their hands. Zack can already feel some sort of magic in it. The tingle dancing across his skin.

He takes a deep breath in.]

Cloud. [Marriage vows. Really.] We're far away from home right now. A lot of things are changing for both of us. There are people I'm worried about and things I want to fix. Promises I want to keep.

The fact that you're here and still willing to be right beside me while we're dealing with all of this shit. [Whoops, is he allowed to swear in here?] Reminds me why I value you as much as I do. Why I admire you.

With all the mistakes and all the bad I've had to deal with in my life. You're the one person I want to make right by the most. And if this bond means anything it means my willingness to do everything I can to make up for things I couldn't do for you before.

[He grins a bit wolfishly.] Please accept this bond.

[That is a much longer vow than Cloud expected. And very Zack like with it seeming to sound like weddings vows. Way to be a dick.

Cloud doesn't know how to reply at first. He takes a deep breath as he nods, letting the feeling of the magic from the red chord wash over him.]

Zack, you always have been an idiot. A strong, stubborn idiot. You left a lot of people behind, including me, when you died. Being given a chance to get back some of that stolen time here is not something I would give up for anything. So stop feeling like you need to make up for anything. You don't owe me anything.

[Wow that's sappy already. Cloud fights back the urge to let words he's not ever wanting to slip out to do so. Even if it feels like the magic is encouraging him to do so.]

I'll stick with you in this bond as long as you need me. It's my turn to take care of you if you'll accept this bond like I'll do with you.

[Maybe he's being a bit of a dick. He just likes seeing Cloud squirm because of it--

But he's not quite expecting such a return and he stares at Cloud like maybe this is a payback speech. The girl that's attending them starts to giggle behind her hand as the magic takes hold between them. There is a surge of magic at that rockets through their hands and into their blood much like an electric shock.]

"And with these words do you find a bond between two souls."

[The magic gets stronger and Zack can feel it inside of his bones. Like there's another force inside of him now. Is that Cloud's magic?]

Well. I guess that's it. That was easier than I thought it would be.

[A bit of a payback speech for sure. Cloud thinks highly of Zack, but Zack needs to hear he's an idiot. And that he really does want to be around the other in whatever way he can. To make up for that time where Cloud was nothing more than a useless lump.

The magic makes him shiver. It's a lot like what he's used to now, just stronger... and there's a feeling of something almost feral in it. He figures it's Zack's influence as he nods.]

It never seemed that complicated when I read about it. Breaking a bond... that's harder.

I don't even know what breaking a bond entails.

[Not that he really cares to break a bond anyway.

But the ceremony seems complete and the binding around their hands feels snug enough to remove now. Yet, Zack holds on for a second longer. As the bond establishes he can feel a trickle of strange magic tickle over his skin. At first, he thinks it might be more of Cloud's magic. But there's some sort of distinct feeling of wanting to be around Cloud. Maybe because Cloud was just thinking about that...?]

Do you feel that?

Don't worry about it. If it ever comes to that, I'll let you know then.

[Here's to hoping that never happens.

Cloud looks a bit confused at that question. He tries to see what Zack might mean, and starts feeling a bit frustrated.]

I don't really feel anything other than the new magic.

You sure? I swear I thought I felt something like a tug.

Zack frowns lightly, lips pressed together in a thin line before he swallows and shakes his head. As long as Cloud is happy then Zack is. He's content with that.

Although there is still one thought lingering in the back of his mind. If Cloud is still up for being ... intimate... with Zack. God, it's been a while since he's had sex. But maybe he'll ask about that in a less public place. For now, he'll let that warm thought sit in his mind.]

Ready to head back?

... I'll read up on that later. Books might have an answer if it's something other than shared emotional connection.

[Is there something more or is there already that kind of connection forming?

That thought is answered when Cloud feels a certain kind of warmth that he knows for sure didn't start with him. He swallows hard as he looks away to nod.]

Let's get going.

[On their way out Zack can't help but stare at Cloud a little ~~more than he usually does~~ as they head back out into the yard. It's like Cloud suddenly looks more vibrant in contrast to the rest of the world.

It's kind of weird.]

...

[..... Cloud has gotten used to staring, but this feels like a little much. He looks over at Zack.]

Yes?

[Zack looks away with a small smirk on his lips.]

Nothing.

[That earns the other a look and a nudge.]

It's never just nothing with you.

[Tell him!!! Else he's going to feel anxious like something is actually going on...]

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