[Video]

[soldierpuppy]

[ Hello, world! Everyone, meet Zack, though... you may need to lock your screens and turn them around in order to do so, because someone decided to set the phone upside down. Still, that didn't keep Zack from beaming at the screen, waving enthusiastically. ]

Hey guys, Zack here!

So, this place gave me a job as a fitness trainer, and it seems pretty on brand for me.

[Suddenly, for seemingly no reason, he dipped below the range of the camera, popping back up almost immediately, before dipping back down again. ]

I'm in really good shape, and I'm pretty sure I can get just about anyone doing squats on the regular easy.

[ On the latest pop back up, Zack paused and glanced behind him, just as Sephiroth passed by, unaware of what was going on. ]

Ain't that right, Sephiroth?

[ If crazy powers were not involved in this place, Sephiroth would have pulled his face out of his morning coffee long enough to let out a confused noise as Zack gave him a friendly shoulder jab. Instead, that friendly jab suddenly knocked the legendary SOLDIER completely off his feet, sending him flying out of view of the camera and -- if the subsequent crash and Zack's utter and complete look of horror was any indication -- through a wall. ]

Wha-- that-- Sephiroth?! Oh man, are you okay?! Please tell me I didn't kill you-- AUGH!!

[ Zack stumbled back out of the camera's view, but not before everyone could get a good shot of his spiky, possibly over gelled hair being set on fire. For a moment there's shouting and the sound of running water, before Sephiroth came back into view, brushing plaster dust off his coat. ]

I'm fine. Fix the wall.

[ He paused, glancing over to see the phone was upside down. He rolled his eyes, grabbing it and setting it right side up, leaving the call on long enough so everyone could hear: ]

And no more squats in the house.

Comments

action;

[hero_of_wutai]

[ Casting had been an automatic reaction to finding himself blown backwards and Sephiroth followed Zack into the kitchen after turning off the camera. He found his SiC with his head in the sink, water streaming through his hair.

Sephiroth placed a hand on Zack's shoulder, murmured ] Hold still [ and directed the spray to put out the smoldering hair at the base of Zack's neck. A quick check showed that there wasn't any major damage to Zack himself and Sephiroth turned off the water before grabbing a towel for the younger man. ]

I apologize, I didn't mean to set you on fire.

[soldierpuppy]

[ Zack let out a breath, before pulling himself up, shaking his hair out like he was a puppy. His hair was fine, thankfully, but his shirt was... definitely going to end up in the bin. He glanced down at it forelornly, before he just shrugged, pealing it off. ]

No worries; I had that coming.

[ He paused, glancing at Sephiroth. ]

...how the heck did I do that though?

[ He hesitantly reached out, gently poking Sephiroth's arm, barely even touching him, to no effect. ]

...hunh.

[hero_of_wutai]

[ Sephiroth eyed Zack's finger warily as it approached, and braced himself in preparation of a large amount of force. That nothing happened was a bit of a surprise but Sephiroth quickly moved on. ]

Where is the folder you were given when you arrived?

[soldierpuppy]

Uhh... one sec.

[ Zack shuffled off, heading into his room. The sound of rustling and something hitting the floor a little too hard followed a moment later, before Zack finally came out with the folder all rumpled looking, like he just shoved it somewhere and promptly forgot about it. ]

Here y'go.

[hero_of_wutai]

[ The crashing and banging from Zack's room has Sephiroth briefly placing his head in his hands out of pure despair, why had he been assigned to the same house as Zack? What had he done to deserve this torture? But he raised his head and wiped his expression clear when he heard the other First's footsteps approach.

Catching the folder that was tossed at him, Sephiroth opened it and began flipping through the pages, only giving a cursory scan to the biological information as he looked for Zack's powers. On the last page of the folder he found it and slowed his reading.

Zack's enhancements taking a 'power slot' was to be expected, his did the same after all, as was the 'digital mind wave' once he'd read the details. Zack's abilities taking on characteristics of those he was close to had been an interesting conversation starter back home and it looked like it'd be the same here. The final power had Sephiroth's brows shooting up in shock. This was... strangely fitting for Zack. ]

It appears as if this world has improved upon your squatting habit, instead of simply being a way to burn energy they can lead to increases in your strength here. Doing one hundred squats here increases your strength ten times over.

[soldierpuppy]

Hunh... for real?

[ Zack let out a curious noise, trying to peer over the folder and read it upside down. ]

That's kinda cool, actually. Guess I gotta be careful how I exercise from now on.

[hero_of_wutai]

Please do. I don't want to be replacing more things in this house already. I imagine the wall will be expensive enough.

[ Zack's attempts to pull the folder down and read upside down quickly grew aggravating and Sephiroth simply passed him the folder before going to grab his own.

He placed that in front of the other man too so Zack knew what he was capable of. ]

[soldierpuppy]

[ Zack let out a curious noise as Sephiroth's was plopped in front of him, peering over it curiously. Most of it seemed to be on brand, except for... ]

[ ...for... ]

[ Zack sputtered, trying very, very hard not to bust out laughing and failing at it miserably. ]

You-- that-- your hair!?

[hero_of_wutai]

Someone's idea of a sick joke I'm sure.

[ His lips do twitch into a hint of a smile at Zack's laughter. ]

I'll admit I do find it amusing though.

[Video]

[lux_ex_tenebris]

Squats gave you strength like that? [What - even - did she just - witness?

The silver haired one must be made of tough stuff too - definitely not a regular human - to look so unaffected.] So what's the secret?

[soldierpuppy]

I guess they do!

[ Zack paused a moment (thankfully, the video was right side up when he answered), absently reaching out to fidget with one of his spikes. ]

I dunno, honestly. I couldn't do that at home.

[lux_ex_tenebris]

You might want to hold back...a little.

[Just a tad. She remains caught between amusement and awe, however.]

It must be one of your new powers.

[soldierpuppy]

[ Zack? Hold back? Sounds fake, honestly. ]

I guess so... but what a weird power, hunh? I mean, I guess that's why you work out, but it's not... supposed to be that immediate, y'know?

permavid

[killtime]

[ The woman on the other end of the feed raises her eyebrows almost imperceptibly towards her hairline. After a second, a bit dryly: ]

How do I send this post to my partner? He needs squats like sinners need Christ.

[soldierpuppy]

[ Oh, oh, oh! Zack is more than happy to answer this, just barely restraining himself from hopping back and forth on his feet. ]

Hey! Just have him call me, or you can sign him up secretly, and I can give you a meeting place.

[killtime]

Better lay an ambush. He'll probably need some convincing. I trust you don't have any issue with that?

[soldierpuppy]

Ambush, hunh...

[ Zack paused, folding his arms over his chest, an almost pout on his face as he mulled it over. ]

...yeah, okay!

[ He grinned broadly at the screen. ]

Just give me details on where he likes to go. I'll be sure to lie in wait for him.

[killtime]

[ The corner of her mouth quirks up in return — sly and amused. ]

He goes for a run around our neighborhood in the Falls every other day on a practically militant schedule. We're at house number four. I can send you an address.

You want to talk about compensation now or later?

[soldierpuppy]

Ohhh, is he a military guy? I can relate.

[ Just don't think too hard on the fact that he's eighteen. ]

Well, we'll see if I'm successful first. What's the guy's name?

[killtime]

It's Rex. But he'll respond to "Captain" or "sir."

[ Funny, how she says that. Lacking a certain gravity that such titles might usually demand. Like maybe she calls him those things herself — but only to tease.

Wryly then: ]

If you really want to catch him off guard, you could also try "dad."

[soldierpuppy]

Captain, sir, or dad. Got it!

[ Poor Rex; what did he do to deserve this? ]

I'll be sure to let you know when I've got him in on working out.

[killtime]

[ You're a good sport, Zack. Bless. ]

Sure. Come around the house after, if you want.

video.

[ambitiousblond]

[He winced when heard Sephiroth going through the wall but even despite the fire he can't help be amused, stifling a laugh.

He has no idea how his older brother managed to survive being around these two in one piece.]

That is unfortunate. Perhaps Mr. Fair needs somewhere more suitable to train.

[soldierpuppy]

[ From somewhere off camera, Zack managed to shout: ]

I'm fine, Mr. President sir!

[ambitiousblond]

I'm glad to hear that, Zack. But I believe that Sephiroth may be right. It seems dangerous to train in your apartment.

[You're adorable, Zack.]

[soldierpuppy]

[ Zack finally poked his head into camera view, treating him to a pout. ]

C'mon, Mr. President! I can't always train at the gym all the time.

[ambitiousblond]

Just be careful then. I would hate for someone to go through a wall again. Or get set on fire.

[soldierpuppy]

Hey, the wall can be fixed! And I totally earned that burning.

video;

[ze_uwu_jun]

[ Have the clip of someone with hair long enough to be coming close to Sephiroth, although not entirely loose, head tilted to one side slightly. ]

Did either or both of you receive additional powers in this place?

[ That seems like a reasonable guess. Considering young master Wei was suddenly turning into a dog and all. ]

[soldierpuppy]

[ Zack didn't answer right away, mostly because he was too busy getting swatted upside the head with his welcome packet wielded by his roommate. ]

Uh. Well. Seems like we both did. Because Sephiroth's hair is always fabulous, and I can squat to gain power.

video

[photografist]

[ Donna stares on, uncertain. ]

Uh... well, your friend's right; you gotta make use of the space outside if you want to work out.

[soldierpuppy]

H-hey, I work out outside of the house too!

[photografist]

Maybe invest in home insurance?

[soldierpuppy]

Uh... what's that?

[photografist]

Property insurance?

[ Donna pauses, then adds: ]

For damages and losses to the building.

[soldierpuppy]

...that's a thing?

[ There's a pause as he looks off camera. ]

Hey, Sephiroth, did you know that was a thing?

[ He doesn't wait for an answer back before turning to the communicator. ]

I don't think there was something like that back home. Just mostly people taking care of their own stuff if things went bad.