Log//Complete

[black_honor]

WHO: Zack spikeysoldier and Tseng black_honor
WHAT: A friendly chat.
WHERE: Turk's HQ office.
WHEN: Late night. (Day 90 I think)

Comments

[spikeysoldier]

For the second time, Zack made it up to headquarters with his black honda accord. He didn't care what Reno said about it. It had good gas mileage and it looked just fine. He sighed deeply ad stood up from his parked car. It was late, yeah sure, but Tseng said he needed to talk. He had some time, at least for the moment. Sure, there was that mad killer out on the loose, but so far Stark hadn't assigned him anything yet.

He stood up straight and headed inside the headquarters, almost half expecting to have Rude smack him upside again and knock him out. But he blinked to see a man at a desk. That must have bee Tseng. Politely, he stepped inside quietly and closed the door carefully behind him. He seemed to be working on something so that he didn't bother him.

Quietly he approached the desk and cleared his throat. "Ah, hey. You wanted to speak with me?"

[black_honor]

Tseng didn't bother to look up when Zack entered. And the only sound following Zack's voice was the scratching of an ink pen against paper. At length he did gesture to one of the chairs positioned in front of the desk in the universal "have a seat" gesture.

Tseng had already learned a little about the current events going on in the city. And he would learn the rest bright and early in the morning. But not all of it concerned the man in clown face that had the city running in circles. Some of things he'd updated himself on hit much closer to home.

Finally Tseng placed his pen aside and lifted his head to study the other man. His chair creaked as he leaned back in it. He needed to add taking care of that to his To-Do list.

"Is Zack short for Zachary? I rather prefer that."

[spikeysoldier]

He watched his hand movements and bowed his head in respect as he sat down in the chair. He reclined back in it, resting his hands on the arms of the chair, tapping his fingers comfortably on them. But once he saw the man's gaze, he sat up at attention and took in a deep breath of confidence.

The man's gaze almost burned a hole in him. It was intimidating. Those dark eyes gave him the shivers. But he swallowed his coward side and placed his hands in his lap, his back straight, smiling.

"Ah, yeah! Zack short... for Zachary..."

[black_honor]

The intimidation factor is made even worse by the fact that Tseng misses nothing. Even while he was engrossed in paperwork he was also making note of Zack's posture and habits and how they changed when he looked at him directly. Those dark eyes flitted over him once more before he spoke again.

"So Zachary. A little bird told me that you've struck up something of a--friendship with Elena." Nothing of Tseng revealed what he thought or how he felt about the possibility however. "So which am I. Tseng Montague or Tseng Capulet." He let that question hang in the air for a moment. "By the way. Feel free to laugh at my jokes." The real challenge is distinguishing between joke and seriousness.

[spikeysoldier]

Zack soon felt even more intimidated. He knew about him and Elena? Geez. The Turks were a tight group. Now if only the AMC was like this. He admired hw the Turks worked. But then again, Tseng was someone totally different. Stern and well challenging almost.

Zack smiled at the joke and crossed his arms, giving out a good hearted laugh. Even if it was. "Well I was hoping Tseng Capulet. And Reno would be Tybalt." He soon waved his hand and nodded, clearing his throat again. "Yes, we have a strong friendship."

[black_honor]

Perhaps some of the reason the Turks were a tight group was because they weren't just thrown together. They'd chosen one another. "He would fit the role well." Tseng agreed. He kept his eyes locked on Zack as he spoke. "Tell me more about yourself Zachary. Like how old you are. Your likes and dislikes." He stopped. And something about his demeanor became strictly serious again. "And--at the risk of sounding old fashioned--what your intentions towards her are."

[spikeysoldier]

This was like dealing with Elena's long lost father or something, Zack thought as he twiddled his thumbs together nervously. He was still staring him down. Maybe it was a good idea he didn't join the Turks. The soldier wouldn't be able to stand the man's staring. He tilted his head though as he listened o his requests. "I'm 24 years old. I like a lot of things, like meeting new people, and going out with friends. There's only a few things I don't like. Probably untrustworthy people, and people who beat down on others.

"And my intentions?" Was this some kind of trick question? "Well, I mean we're really good friends. All I want to do is be there for her and be the best I can for her outside of my job." He spoke with confidence, meeting his gaze strongly.

[black_honor]

That was sort of what he was going for. Tseng has realized the lengths that he will go to to protect not just Elena. But all of them. Some piece of information made his brows knit together. "Twenty-four. You're older than I thought." He stood suddenly from his chair and there was an undeniable grace to his movements.

Tseng retrieved a couple of small glasses and set them on the desk before bringing a bottle of brandy out of the desk drawer. He filled both without a word and picked one of the two glasses up before sitting down again. Tseng took a drink and relished it while giving Zack a chance to stare back at him. He finally exhaled.

"I'm not really an unreasonable man. I'm unoppossed to anything Elena wants to do--as long as it is something she wants to do." Tseng leaned a little forward then. "What do you know about women Zachary?"

[spikeysoldier]

Zack stared at the brandy in front of him,, but he made no move to take it. He watched Tseng though, keeping a careful eye out. He felt his eyebrows furrow as he took in that he was much older than Elena but... Zack stared hard a the man again.

"I know my boundaries and I would never press Elena to do anything she didn't want to do but..." He shook his head and continued with the question instead. "Women? Well I know most of them are generous and kind." He wagged his finger though. "But that's where they get'cha. They swoop in and take out all the food in your fridge, leaving you with tea and bread for weeks!" The soldier paused. "...But my mother always told me to respect women, and all people alike for that matter. And I do. At least I think I do."

[black_honor]

Tseng had no evidence to prove that Zack would do otherwise. But he didn't take his words completely to heart either. After all. What else would he say sitting here in front of Tseng? He likewise said nothing to the comment about most women being generous and kind. It was a chivalrous statement to be certain.

He lifted his own brandy for another sip. Tseng nearly choked when Zack presented the tea and bread scenario. He managed to get the liquor down and then coughed into his hand. And when he looked back up again he was actually smiling. He didn't need to ask what woman would do something like that. He knew one.

"They are a mystery. You're a fortunate man if you manage to figure even one of them out. But when they're still young and haven't been hurt enough they're easier to read. That's why the first time Elena spoke your name--." He took another sip of his brandy. Dark eyes glimmering as he studied Zack over his glass to see if his interest rose with those words.

[spikeysoldier]

Zack was surprised to see Tseng smiling. The man came off as a stone faced one. But Zack's own smile widened, just seeing his smile. He reminded himself to not judge people so quickly. This guy was probably the life at some parties, for all that Zack knew.

"I just take time to know them. In this city, it's different," Zack shifted uneasily, "but I always take what my mom and dad taught me. I know it sounds silly but--" he paused and perked up. "Elena told you about me?" Zack sat up straight again, his brandy still untouched. "Well... what did she say about me? I mean if you don't mind me asking or anythin'. I'm just curious is all."

[black_honor]

Not at any good parties. But Tseng was too old for certain kinds. The Asian man watched him again as his smile widened. The longer he was in Zack's company the more he was believing that he was sincere. "How is it different?" Tseng noted his body language when he said that. It made him curious.

He kept a tight reign on his amusement but it did grow when Zack perked up. "It was less what she said and more the way she said it." Will he go into detail? Tseng gestured to the untouched brandy. "Aren't you joining me?"

[spikeysoldier]

"The paid pleasure and all." Zack felt uncomfortable with those situations. He was committed to anything that he worked for, especially relationships. Taking note to his gesture, he turned to the brandy and grinned sheepishly. "I'm not much of a drinker but..."

Reaching a hand out to the glass, he took a small sip and set down the glass on the table. He didn't want to think of him as a bad guest or anything but he turned his attention back on the dark eyed man and tilted his head to the side curiously. "How did she say it exactly?"

[black_honor]

"Ah that. It is a temptation." Tseng nodded and watched as Zack took such a small sip of the brandy. Either what you see is truly what you get or Zack was an excellent actor.

Tseng glanced away as he recalled back. A hand lifted to loosen an otherwise perfect tie. "There was something in her voice. I couldn't identify it at first. Which was a surprise to me. But then I realized what it was." His eyes returned to Zack then. "Longing. For the first time Elena was wondering about how her life might've been different if fate had allowed. Oh I'm not saying that Elena's unhappy with her life now. Not in the least." Tseng refilled his own brandy. "But you did represent something unnattainable and forever lost to her."

[spikeysoldier]

Zack itched at his neck and nodded, staring at the brandy still in his glass. He tilted his head listening to Tseng. Zack stared at his reflection in the glass, to see his face contort into one of surprise. He was flattered... if that was what Elena truly said. He lifted his head to stare up at the man and laughed lightly.

"I'm glad I met her. She was the first woman I could really connect to. Have a nice time with, and I can relate to her. She's really sweet and kind, and then again she has her humorous side, which is charming in itself. But then again, she never puts her guard down and-- What am I doing, talking about her like that. You already know about all that!" Zack waved his hand, laughing again. "Here I am, sounding like an idiot."

[black_honor]

Tseng studied him especially closely in the moments that followed. In many ways his actions were boyish. And slightly unsure.

He arched a brow when Zack started talking about the blond Turk. It was both revealing and surprising. "No." Tseng leaned forward and crossed his arms on the desk. "Please. Continue. You say she never lets her guard down. Explain that. I can assure you this conversation will go no further then this room."