#zackoftrades

“The [SOLDIER] floor.” He repeats in confirmation.

The wandering android looks around at his surroundings, looking at the rooms that Zack had gestured to, every ounce of his curious AI wanted to continue exploring but he knew that this was outside of his usual areas. The android paused at Zack’s question, unsure of how to answer, he’s never been asked such a thing.

Aerith knew something was wrong. She had seen all those soldiers running in the streets in Midgar while she was selling her flowers, but it wasn’t as she could really do something about it. She had sold a flower to a man who shared Zack’s eyes. She hadn’t seen him in so long; she was pretty sure he had just decided to stop things between them. She only wished he would have talked to her about it, instead of just vanishing. 

A few days later, Aerith was taking care of the flowers in her church, choosing the ones she would get to sell soon. She heard the door opening, but it only made her sigh. The only people who visited her were members of Shinra, usually the Turks, and even if she kept teasing them, she was quite exhausted to see them all the time.

He looks away for a moment, contemplating his answer. A SOLDIER death count was typically a thing of pride. It was common knowledge that someone who belonged to SOLDIER was someone who had obviously done the task more than a few times, especially a 1st class SOLDIER.

He had to take a moment before reminding himself that Kadaj just wasn’t going to be familiar with the concept. Would Zack have to explain himself like he would have to a child?

“Yeah…” He says, drawing out the word as he thinks more about it. “To protect the people that I care about, I did.”

The remnant seemed to mull over the information for a while, taking it apart with his stunted understanding of such things. The older man seemed to have come to terms with it. He wasn’t as bothered as others could be.

“So if the ends justify the means... it’s okay?” He reasoned a little hopefully. There was a glint to his eyes as he regarded Zack. Right before another questioned spilled from the inquisitive youth.

“I'm Zack..too" 

He replied and hesitated a moment before shaking what it seems his other's self hand, confusion was written all over his face as he stared at the other, since when was there a Zack copy? Did he let his guard down and allowed one of those mad professors create copies of him? Are there more? 

He's not getting over that. No. Not ever.

Cloud's fairly new and that did little to nothing for his case. Everyone one was dressed the same exact way except for Sephiroth (before they were off) and Zack. The Turks were dressed the same way, but not like SOLDIER. Those guys were in all black and they seemed far too secertive for his liking or comfort.That's right. He wouldn't be forgetting anything about his training. With as harsh and grueling that was--it was something enough to make anyone wanna ask ‘are you sure about this’? But no one would dare. Maybe it was best that he did remember. Even if his nervousness ended up nearly killing him, he’d still live to tell about it.

That came so suddenly, the questioning did. He was unprepared for it. He guessed that he could’ve handled how he delivered it better than he did. He couldn’t help it because nervousness swamp over him like an unforgiving sea ready to pull him under. Or maybe hit him like a freight truck. Whichever is first. And as many times as he's been asked his name--you'd think that he'd be prepared for it. Apparently not. That’s how it feels. His first day. And what does he do? Forget his name. Smooth. Real smooth.

Questions starters.

IS THIS A CALLOUT POST?!

IT FEELS LIKE A CALLOUT POST!

“I’d wager you’d probably like something like this yeah?”