bare_my_fangs | RL with Zechs

It was only a few minutes until Zechs arrived in his fiance's rather flashy sports car (http://stephenschleicher.com/podcast/image/2007/03/05_10/Pagani_Zonda_R_side2.jpg), maneuvering it with skill but without much respect to other drivers on the road. Normally, he would do the polite thing and exit the car to greet his guest. However, considering Michael didn't want to see a fight between him and Cross ...

He waited. While he hadn't been curious about Michael before, now Zechs was merely due to Tyki's interest. Meeting in person was always the best means to gain intelligence. Few people divulged much information online - if they were smart - and merely observing the boy would likely give Zechs information Michael never intended to broadcast. Considering his previous line of work, he was a practiced observer and judge of other individuals.

And, of course, Zechs had his pistol discretely on his self. He didn't take chances with strangers, especially with the community.

Michael smirked when he caught sight of the car; looked like Zechs knew how to travel in style. He jumped down off the wall and made his way over to the car. You'd think he would have learned to be more cautious by now since his 'run in' with Tyki, but nothing about this meeting was triggering any warning bells. Despite the fact that he knew Zechs was armed.

He walked up to the passenger door and knocked on the window.

Zechs watched Michael carefully as he approached the vehicle; noting how he moved and the way he carried himself. Very causal, very ... indicative of his age. But it was unmistakable - beneath this, the boy moved like a soldier. It didn't trip any warning bells in Zechs' mind, but it did add a new dimension to his curiosity.

Considering his past, it was difficult not to be interested in others who were experienced in battle.

He reached over, and opened the passenger door from the inside. Zechs gave Michael a polite, but somewhat arrogant, smile. "Michael Trinity, I will assume? It is a pleasure. Please, do not hesitate, and have a seat."

Michael's smirk widened and he quirked an eyebrow - a polite one, but there was something else there. He was gonna have fun with this guy. "Likewise." He slid into the seat, shut the door and put on his seatbelt. The inside of the car was just as nice: all plush leather. He could get used to this sort of thing.

He subtly ran his eyes over Zechs, taking in the long blond hair (that couldn't be very helpful in a fight), the arrogant tilt to his head, the way he carried himself, trying to pick out where he had hidden his weapon. There were no tell-tale signs, however. This guy was good.

A small quirk of his lips - waiting for Michael to fasten his seatbelt - and Zechs shifted the car into gear, starting forward. He doubted Michael would object much to his particular style of driving, but then again, he hadn't thought Dark was such a coward about such things, either. Zechs handled the machine with casual ease, but drove quite aggressively and with little respect to anyone else who might be attempting to use the road.

He wasn't compensating for being unable to pilot his suit, really. Zechs glanced at Michael out of the corner of his eye, raising an eyebrow. He knew the boy was armed, but the he was skilled enough so that it wasn't immediately obvious. Very interesting. Zechs' smile grew slightly wider, but it was still well within the bounds of politeness.

"Had you any particular place you wished to travel to?" His tone was polite and even. Zechs' arrogant facade was on, full-force.

Edited Date: 2009-06-04 08:06 pm (UTC)

Michael's smirk slowly morphed into a small smile as he experienced Zechs' unique form of driving. This was the closest he'd been to feeling like he was piloting again (Cross was too stingy to buy him his own car). It was sad but true, so Michael relished the feeling.

He wasn't quite sure what to make of Zechs. He was obviously a soldier, but that didn't explain how uptight and proper he seemed. Then again, he and Nena weren't exactly normal soldiers, so he couldn't measure everything by his own standards.

"Not really. Wherever the hell you wanna go, man."

Edited Date: 2009-06-04 08:38 pm (UTC)

Maneuvering around some poor fools going only the speed limit, Zechs unconsciously gave Michael a point in his favor. The boy actually seemed to be enjoying himself, which was just as well. He wasn't about to put on kid gloves for the sake of someone like him. That, and he was enjoying himself far too much.

It was all too easy for Zechs to pigeonhole Michael into a particular category, even if it was unconscious. Cocky, inexperienced, arrogant cadet. Obviously he was still curious, but Zechs had yet to be particularly impressed.

Bringing Michael to the apartment, despite the security there, might give the kid the wrong ideas. "There is a certain cafe I know of in Austria."

"Fine by me."

Michael let his eyes drift shut. He was, by no means, letting down his guard around someone who was little more than a stranger - and an armed one at that. He was still hyper-aware of the man next to him, but it wasn't often he was in a car with someone who pushed the limits like this, and he wanted to enjoy it properly.

He smiled, wondering if Nena would be pissed that he was 'fraternizing with the enemy'. Good thing she didn't know about him and Tyki; she'd still be bitching about it.

The silence which followed, however brief, slightly surprised Zechs. His eyes darted over towards Michael again. Was he really resting? But no - too many signs, even just the set of his jaw, showed the boy was very aware. The younger man must be relishing the way the vehicle moved.

Interesting. An average machine head, or something more? Zechs shifted again, and the car lurched with additional speed as it began to transition between two realities.

If Zechs considered Michael one of the enemy - and the jury was out on that - getting to know him was one of the wiser moves he could make. In his opinion, the more intelligence one could gather, the better he would be. And, unlike an individual such as Cross, he hadn't yet gotten the urge to strangle Michael with his own hair ... though, indeed, the night was still young.

They had arrived in a busy Austrian metropolis, still within the year 2009, but within quite a different reality. Zechs was growing quite familiar with Dark Mousey's world.

Michael eyes opened as the car effortlessly kicked into higher gear; now this was more like it. Still nothing compared to piloting a Gundam, but between having his suit blown up and needing to keep a low fucking profile, he'd take what he could get.

He now understood how Zechs got around though; it looked like the whole world had just melted away as soon as he'd sped up. Crossing dimensions had to be the most psychedelic, fucked up experience of his life.

He couldn't wait to do it again though.

He looked around as they arrived back in reality, orientating himself after what just felt like an acid trip. He didn't know why, but for some reason he expected to see the Austria of his world. "Whose world is this?"

Zechs was too used to traveling between worlds now. And this was not quite as strange, somehow, as using the Ark for him - if only because he knew the car was completely safe, and a human walking through the Ark never really was. He reduced his speed only slightly, because there was more traffic here.

This Earth wasn't too different than most upon the community, save of course for the exploits of a Phantom Thief. Zechs was familiar with it so only due the location of his and Tyki's home upon this world - a fact he was not about to reveal to Michael. He smiled, almost but not quite a smirk, as if he was holding himself back from being amused by the boy's disorientation.

"There were a few upon the community who were from this particular reality. The most prolific of those is an individual named Dark Mousey." Zechs paused, and let his expression become wry. "Considering my employer? I have become somewhat familiar with this Earth."

Michael was practically dead the last time he hopped worlds, but he was pretty sure it wasn't that trippy. At least he didn't get motion sick or some crap like that; he'd never be able to live it down.

"Heh. Makes sense." The phrase 'this Earth' caught his attention though. "How many Earths do you know? Is your world Earth as well?" It was hard to tell, but it looked like this was another Earth that wasn't as advanced as his own. He wondered if they had colonies, or even if they were space capable yet.

He sat back in the seat once again, eyes closing to enjoy the ride despite the drop in speed, waiting for Zechs' answer.

"Also, we need to stop at the nearest sweet shop."

"Most of the realities upon the forum seem to be some form of Earth," Zechs answered, contemplative. He hadn't traveled to many other worlds, in truth, but he paid attention to what others on the forum said from time to time. Of course, just because the location was called 'Earth', it didn't mean it would seem quite alien all the same.

Zechs turned into a much more packed street, where they actually had to sit in traffic for a moment. He scowled, clearly irritated, but his face smoothed again into something pleasant to continue answering Michael's question. "My world of origin is indeed called Earth, but far more advanced than most upon the forum. As an example, there are permanent Colonies orbiting the planet, and efforts to terraform Mars."

Raising an eyebrow at Michael, he asked, "Why a sweet shop?"

Michael sat up as they came to a stop and glared at the cars in front of them. That certainly killed all his fun. A glance at Zechs confirmed he felt the same way. Either he was anxious to get to where they were going, really enjoyed driving fast, or was used to handling something different.

But he was interested now. That was the first he'd heard of another Earth having colonies. "Same on my Earth. The colonies are owned by the Earth. Each power bloc has their own." He wondered if there were any more similarities. If there were, they might be able to use that in the future.

He was smirking as he answered Zechs' next question. "Because Nena'll expect me to bring something back for her, and she'll bitch about it forever if I don't."

As the traffic slowly began to move forward, Zechs maneuvered through it the best he was able considering those few opportunities he was given. Apparently he wasn't too hesitant to cut people off, which helped them, but also earned them some rather rude gestures. From all appearances Zechs was oblivious to them. He raised an eyebrow, also interested.

"Indeed? Such is the first I have heard of an Earth with colonies similar to my own," Zechs answered. While he didn't seem impolite before, Michael now had considerably more of his attention. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the boy. "Our Colonies are independently governed, either by democratic governments as seen on the Earth, or by corporations which had developed and constructed the colony in question. Though, it should be mentioned, they are allied with the Earth sphere."

Zechs chuckled wryly, surprised by the answer but amused. "Very well. I shall not allow our selves to forget, and disappoint the lady."

Michael couldn't help but laugh at the irate drivers, impressed that, for someone as polite as Zechs, he was all too willing to be an ass to be people. He almost wished someone was angry enough to force the issue; he'd be more than happy to convince them otherwise.

'Earth's Sphere'? So their worlds were similar but different. Which was good because it would have been really fucking weird if they were exactly the same. "So everyone's one big happy family then?" Huh. Maybe it was just his world that was fucked up then.

He snorted at the 'lady' comment - Nena was anything but - and nodded in reply. At least that was sorted.

Oh, polite behavior was all well and good when it came to a performance. When one first meets others, or merely interacting with almost everyone, such a facade often brings things along more smoothly. But when you really got down to it? He wasn't concerned with stepping on the toes of strangers. Finally, Zechs was able to turn down a side street, this one with considerably less traffic.

Zechs' smile was just slightly rueful. "There is indeed peace at current," then his expression sobered. He was absolutely serious. "As it shall remain, upon my own world."

They were nearing their destination. Zechs was pulling into one of the pricier parking garages. Hell if there was going to be a single scratch on his fiance's car.

'Peace at current'? Maybe their worlds had more in common than he first thought. He wondered if Zechs had realised how much he'd given away with that last sentence. He was sure as hell bitter about whatever happened in his war. Either he'd lost someone important during the war, or he was a soldier that fought in the war. Something was pulling him towards the latter conclusion but...

A thought occurred to him as Zechs was parking the car. "Why don't you live on your world?" He glanced at him sideways as he asked his question, attempting to gauge his reaction. Depending on what it was, there could be a third option, where Zechs felt guilty over something or was guilty and was hiding.

Actually, Zechs was going to have someone else park the car. Pulling up in front of the valet station, he waited for a moment for Michael to exit the vehicle as well, and passed the keys to some boy. An individual he spared, but for a moment, a withering glare at. Tall and imposing, Zechs could be intimidating when he wished to.

But in another moment, this vanished; the polite facade had returned again. Zechs' expression was carefully neutral. However, he had not a single idea how much information he had managed to give Michael with what little he said so far.

"There is little place for a soldier upon a world of peace," Zechs answered, raising an eyebrow as if he was slightly surprised by the question. He gave a slight, artificial smile. "As such was my occupation in the past, it only would make some sense I remain so employed at present."

Michael glanced briefly at the attendant as he got out the car, who was so pale he looked like he was about to faint. He couldn't help but add (in German, of course): "There will be severe consequences if anything happens to this car." Really, he just wanted to watch the man squirm a bit. Zechs' glare was a nice touch too.

He scowled but nodded at Zechs' answer, the picture he had of him in his head constantly changing and reforming as he gleaned more information. That reply had hit a little too close to home, reminding him, a little too sharply, of the conversation he'd had with his sister.

"Makes sense." he said, hoping Zechs didn't catch his slip up. There were just some things he really didn't want him to pick up on.

Zechs also continued to re-asses the boy the further they spoke with and avoided divulging information to one another. Michael was educated enough to speak more than a single language - not too unusual, if he were from the Colonies or perhaps Europe - but that fair attempt at intimidation? It was beyond the cocky bravado of some civilian kid, or even a cadet without experience. Someone had put a bit of effort into training Michael, though whether it was a few months or several years, he couldn't say.

Then, instead of probing for more information - and yes Zechs caught that, thank you - Michael merely offered a non-committal sort of answer. This alone tuned the former commander in to something going on. As they walked outside of the garage, he kept a subtle eye on the boy, observing and slowly building a mental picture. He would have his questions be far more subtle, he judged.

"Few other worlds may boast the same," Zechs said, just faintly solemn but very pragmatic. "It is not difficult for an individual such as my self to find such similar occupation."

To be honest, Michael didn't remember ~~any~~ a lot of his training. There were a lot of languages that he didn't actually know he knew - Russian and Chinese, to name a couple - but it looked like he and his siblings had been prepared well for their purpose.

Michael couldn't help but notice, as they walked out of the garage, that Zechs moved very much in the same way Johann did: very confident, like he was aware of his own strength. It was a strange feeling, being around someone who was so obviously a soldier - if you knew what to look for. It unconsciously put him on guard, but at the same time he could relax because he knew what to expect.

He was only half listening to what Zechs was saying, still ruminating on his reply from before. He shook it off quickly though, not wanting to draw any more attention to himself. "Oh? Because you're a good soldier? Or because people during wartime get desperate?"

Michael's response actually prompted a wry chuckle from Zechs; it was a quiet sound, but there all the same. The arrogance had crept back into his expression. Such a difference tilted his head a hair higher, made his lips curl in something which wasn't quite a smile.

"Both are true, one may conclude, when concerning individuals in general," Zechs answered. He looked down at the boy, considering. "Yet in regards to my own self? One could say without any deceit my own self served as an excellent soldier."

It wasn't too far to the cafe in question, but for now they walked on the narrow streets. It was a warm, yet breezy day within this unnamed city in Austria. Zechs' stride was very long, but he had care enough not to outpace the boy by an impolite margin, walking with him instead.

Michael smirked, more than happy to move away from their previous topic. Zechs always seemed to use five words when just one would have been enough, but he certainly had the right attitude of someone claiming to be 'an excellent soldier'. "I'll have to take your word for it then." Strangely enough, he was starting to like Zechs, beginning to see how he could hold the interest of someone like Tyki, but it was something easily gained and easily lost.

He loved being near civilians, especially walking down the streets with them. They always seemed to do their best to get out of his way whenever he went anywhere. It was an unconscious action - instinctive for people who were weak - but it never ceased to amuse him nonetheless. If he was in a bad mood, they'd be practically diving out of his way. It was more pronounced this time - both him and Zechs clearing a path down the narrow street - similar to whenever he and Nena went out. Interesting.

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Let's just cut to the quick

I'll rip you apart with my fangs

RL with Zechs

RL with Zechs

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*is being fail at tagging you quickly, I'm so sorry

Don't worry about it bb ♥

is sorry again <_>

seriously, it's okay XD

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