And they go on and on [Active]

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

Character(s): Zidane and Dagger / closed for now
Content: Over the hills and far away~ the lovebirds will explore today~
Setting: Actua Are... and through the floors. :D
Time: Starts early morning week 32
Warnings: None for now


Compared to some of the inns they’ve stayed in throughout Gaia, the Actua Are could be considered five-star. Certainly not Alexandria Castle, but for the duo it was their home-away-from-home.

That morning Zidane greeted Dagger with a more unique approach than normal: by quite literally pouncing her from across the room, a bundle of glee bouncing over, wide grin on his face. “Dagger!” he said, swaying side to side. “I’ve got the best idea! Let’s go exploring!”

It was about time, he decided. And with Kuja in the city now, well, maybe it would help keep any potential violence down if they were exploring. It wasn’t that Zidane was hiding Kuja’s presence from Dagger… - she could easily see him on the journals – he just… didn’t tell her. It wasn’t the best breakfast conversation, he thought: “How about some scones? Oh, and by the way Kuja is here. I don’t think he’s going to try and kill us, but, you know, it’s Kuja.”

Although he couldn’t brush it off the same as the Osaka-Incident (speaking of which, he wondered how she was doing…)…

Maybe he should just come out with it.

…Eh. Later. For now, he continued to grin down at Dagger.

Comments

[jewelsummoned.livejournal.com]

If it had been any time earlier in their journey, Dagger would have sidestepped Zidane's pounce and let him fall flat on his face. But not now. She couldn't help smiling as his arms circled around her, his chipper attitude so infectious that his excitement was almost a tangible wave.

"Exploring?" It was a good idea. Not just for practical reasons, but for the pure adventurous feeling of it all. She had been here long enough now that finding something new to see was well in order. "Yes, that would be fun."

Needless to say, she was not aware of Kuja's presence in the city. She had not checked her journal, and even if she had planned to today, she now had a reason to put it off until later. If she did find out about him, it would leave her in a rather bad place. Dagger still had not found it in her heart to really forgive Kuja.... regardless of his reasons for doing any of the things he had done. So for now, it was better she remain oblivious.

"Where should we start?

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

Oblivious was good. Zidane liked oblivious. It meant maybe, just maybe, he could play oblivious himself for a bit longer (not that Kuja would probably let him get away with that act, but hey, a guy could dream).

Pleased to not be flat on his face, Zidane impossibly brightened more now that she agreed.

"Shockingly enough, I have not been far beyond the gates." He leaned back just a little, face scrunched in thought. "I think someone mentioned some sort of teleporting device between floors, but where's the fun in that?" He winks. "Why not go for the whole shebang?"

[jewelsummoned.livejournal.com]

It was good to see the bright smile on Zidane's face. It was something she had missed greatly over the year he had been gone from her, so she was quiet for a beat as she simply took it in.

"I think seeing everything we can is a good plan," she answered finally. "The whole 'shebang'..." she giggled at the word and made tiny air quotes with her fingers, "Let's do that."

*slowly tries to get back into it*

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

He hops away towards the door, holding it open. "Shall I pick you up something for breakfast while you wash up?" He sort of doubted that she wanted to head out asap after he just woke her up so suddenly. It wasn't like it'd take him long to grab something and be back.

*Is even slower*

[jewelsummoned.livejournal.com]

She moved to smooth the sheets of her bed, tossing long dark hair from her eyes and patting her night dress down, "That would be wonderful. Anything they have is fine, I am not picky." It would be nice to clean up and make herself ready for the day before setting off.

"I'll just wash my face and find something comfortable to wear."

<3!

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

Zidane returns with a box in his arms of funny funnel shaped pastries that he hadn't tried before, and half a danish in the process of being munched awkwardly between his teeth.

He announces a muffled "I'm back!" at the cost of almost losing his danish, but skillfully manages to keep eating it (look, no hands!), and slide back inside, nudging the door closed with a tap from his rear. The remainder of his danish slips out of view as he licks the remnants from his lips and he peers to see if Dagger was ready.

"They're cheese and raspberry filled." He holds up the box.

[jewelsummoned.livejournal.com]

By the time Zidane had returned, Dagger had washed up completely and was just running the 100th brushstroke through the end of her long dark hair. Clipping it at the end so it didn't get everywhere, she looked over just as he came inside and shut the door. Standing up, she looks at the box of pastries.

"They look delicious," she comments with a smile, selecting one with care. Daintily, she nibbles into it, trying not to get any crumbs or flakes anywhere on the floor or on her face. Royalty and their eating habits.

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

Well, one of them needed manners, didn't they? Her presence kept Zidane more in line - or, at least when it came to flirting with other women. He wondered how Lumiere had been doing on that front, but Zidane himself couldn't really afford another "Osaka Incident" (it had been an accident, really!).

"I got some extra for the road. I'm not sure what the other floors have, food-wise."

He didn't really know a whole lot about the others floors, to be honest. Bits of information here and there. That's why they had to explore for themselves, of course. What better way to get information than a first-hand experience? "Shall we?"

[jewelsummoned.livejournal.com]

Dagger finished her danish up only a few moments later, and she patted her palms together to clean them of crumbs. "Extra? That was a good plan." Who knew what they might come across once they started on their way.

If he didn't know what was on other floors, she certainly knew no better. Arranging herself and makin sure she had just about everything she wanted with her before they left, which to say wasn't much, she nodded a reply. "Yes, let's go."

poke me if you want anything changed =O kinda... winging it lol

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

Getting out of Paixao was easy. Heck, getting to the church wasn't too bad, some Lumens here and there, but they stayed away (and for that, Zidane was grateful, having bad memories of them). "Somewhere around here..." he says, walking carefully through the church for the door people had spoken of - and then he saw it, open wide to the tropical island beyond.

He let out a whistle. "Now that's a place for a date." He winks to Dagger, stepping through the door across the sand, already charmed by the island. It's been awhile since he'd seen anything like it. "The people who've come from this place say it isn't real, but damn, I think I'm alright with that." He had to wonder what the real place was like.

Seems fine so far!

[jewelsummoned.livejournal.com]

Content to follow behind Zidane and let him lead the way, Dagger's heels tapped lightly on the floor as the made their way to the church. She looked at it with interest and intent before they headed inside, and glanced back over her shoulder just in case. Even though they had avoided the Lumens, she was never sure what could be following.

And then they were walking through a door onto a tropical island. The scenery took Dagger's breath away. The glittering sand, the swaying palm trees, and the swoosh of water off in the distance. It was truly amazing, and it took several seconds for her to think of something to say.

"Real or not... it is certainly a sight to see."

*bounces*

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

"Isn't it?" He walks across the sand, eyes bright. He'd gotten so used to Paixao that the change of scenery was amazing. "I wouldn't mind staying here for awhile," he admits. Maybe pitch a tent, see if there were any stars at night? If other floors even changed time of day. He really didn't know.

But hey, Zidane wouldn't mind the wait, and he did make the date comment -

Before Zidane was able to speak again (and it would've been romantic, trust him!), an inky darkness spreads across the ground around them, and claws reach out, climbing and pulling out the forms of several Neoshadow Heartless.

Crap.

[jewelsummoned.livejournal.com]

"N-Neither would I." She meant it too, even if his date comment had indeed made her cheeks turn a bright shade of red. This place certainly would be very peaceful, and to sit with Zidane and simply drink this all in would make for an amazing day.

But her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Heartless. Since Dagger had not seen the creatures before, she gasped and grabbed at the back of Zidane's vest.

"Zidane.... wh-what are those?" she asked in a strained whisper. Nope, she wasn't scared.

[theherotail.livejournal.com]

He jumps back several steps away from the Neoshadows, standing alongside Dagger with his weapons drawn and taking the defensive next to her, his expression looking a little strained. He hadn't seen Heartless in... a long time, it felt like. Wolf... Scar. Whatever mess had happened with that, he didn't remember it very well. They unnerved him more than he would ever admit, certainly more than the Lumens.

"Heartless," he says through gritted teeth. He forces himself to relax, grinning quickly over his shoulder at Dagger. "Hope you're not out of practice," he jokes.