[Video]

[ddd_zack]

[Video opens to show a boy about thirteen or fourteen years old. He looks like he might be related to Zack; he has the same dark spiky hair, albeit cut very short, and his eyes are the same colour of blue that Zack's would be without the haze of mako. He's in the awkward, gangly stage of being a teenager, with arms and legs too long and scrawny for

Comments

[company_bitch]

Zack? Where are you?

[ddd_zack]

Huh? Who're you? Do I know you?

[company_bitch]

I'm...the head of the Turks. My name is Tseng.

You're...looking to be recruited?

[ddd_zack]

Aha, the Turks! Geez, I was startin' to think I'd never find ShinRa.

Yeah, I wanna sign up for SOLDIER. I'm, uh, older'n I look. Honest.

[company_bitch]

The company isn't in great shape at the moment, but I think we can accommodate you. You'll need to do some aptitude testing, of course. Can we meet somewhere and discuss it?

[ddd_zack]

Ayup, no problem! Don't really know my way around so much yet. Everythin' looks pretty much the same to me, all streets and buildings and people. Not a tree in sight, it's weird.

Where d'you want me to go? I'm still at the entrance on the road from Junon.

[company_bitch]

I'll come meet you. Best not to get lost wandering around.

Action spam

[ddd_zack]

Zack loitered near the gate, trying not to look - or feel - too badly out of place. His clothes were more than a little travel-worn, but that actually made him fit in a little better. It was clear that people here didn't have much in the way of luxuries like new clothes.

He scanned the crowds, a little wide-eyed, looking for someone who might be a Turk.

Action spam

[company_bitch]

Tseng drove up in a car, the tinted driver's window gliding down as she pulled up beside Zack. The Wutaian woman was dressed in her usual black suit, pert breasts almost hidden by the cut, and delicate features made stronger by a calm and professional expression.

"Zack Fair? I'm Tseng. Get in," she said, her voice musical if firm.

Action spam

[ddd_zack]

Zack blinked - he hadn't expected to see a woman come after him. He couldn't remember ever hearing about any women in the ShinRa Security division. But hell, what did he know? The little he knew of ShinRa was just stories and rumours told by ShinSec people passing through backwater Gongaga.

A more wary boy might have hesitated to get into the car of what was essentially a stranger, but suspicion never crossed Zack's mind. With a wide grin and a cheeky salute he went around to the passenger side and climbed into the car. "Nice t'meet you, ma'am. Right kind of you to help set me straight."

Action spam that I just realized is more logging than action spam, rofl

[company_bitch]

Tseng smiled and waited for Zack to get into the car before driving on. She turned in the direction of home, mind working hard to try to figure out how to explain this to Zack.

"Pleased to meet you, too. Now, you may or may not be aware that the Turks are in charge of recruiting for SOLDIER. Due to some recent upheaval--" She gestured towards a ruined building. "--And natural disasters, the ShinRa Tower was demolished, but I'll be taking you to a secure location so that you can rest and prepare for your aptitude testing. I hope that's all right."

Re: Action spam that I just realized is more logging than action spam, rofl

[ddd_zack]

Zack lit up like the Gold Saucer at night, all bright eyes and smile. It was a carefree, innocent expression, and the 'carefree grin' he often sported as an adult didn't even come close to matching it. All the darkness of the last few years was gone as if it had never happened.

"That sounds right about perfect, ma'am," he said happily. "People kept tellin' me there weren't no more SOLDIER, but I knew they was crazy."

Log

[company_bitch]

Tseng sensed the difference and felt a bit of pain at the loss she now perceived. Zack really had been innocent at this age, even more innocent than he'd been by the time they actually met.

"There aren't any more SOLDIERs currently working for ShinRa at the moment," she admitted. "Several of them defected, which is a large reason why this has happened to Midgar. That's why our screening process is going to take a bit longer than usual. I'm sure you understand."

Re: Log

[ddd_zack]

"Defected?" Zack's eyes went very wide. "Say what? For serious?" He shook his head. "Well, reckon I can see why you'd all be a mite careful 'bout recruiting, then." He pondered how defecting SOLDIERs might have ended up putting Midgar in its present state, and shivered. "I can be patient. Made it this far."

He tried not to wince as he added up his remaining gil in his head, and got a depressingly low number. He'd counted on the army housing and feeding him once he reached Midgar. But he'd manage somehow. Surely he could charm a bit of food and a spot on the floor from someone, somehow.

Re: Log

[company_bitch]

"Good," Tseng said with a nod. "So under the circumstances, you'll be staying at my house for a few days. I hope that's all right with you."

Papa Reeve's taking in straaaaaays; locked from Zack.

[urbandev]

Wife, you are not hiring that boy, you're bringing him home for a meal.