07-28-2016, 12:41 AM
Zack’s journey through the Ashen Steppes had come to an end, for now. He wasn’t sure how he’d found the portal back to the Nexus, but he was glad beyond words to trade the fire and brimstone for the blank canvas of white. It wasn’t to be, because he’d made the hike towards a new gate, hoping for a nicer and more peaceful destination.
He was thoroughly pleased to have his wish granted. The gate he’d passed through led him to a bustling beach city known as Costa Del Sol, at least according to the signs nearby. He couldn't help but chuckle. There had been a vacation resort with a matching name in his home world, from before the Omniverse. The name and a few minor similarities seemed to be the extent of it, however. The place he’d ended up in was a large, bustling town that evolved into a metropolis if one went the proper direction. The resort town he knew had some great night life, but this place appeared more than capable of putting it to shame.
That was something he wanted to experience for himself though. He’d spent a large chunk of time in a lava filled wasteland, which was preceded by time on the run after his ill-fated mission to Nibelheim. It wasn’t until he tasted the salt in the air of this verse that he realized how desperately he needed to just relax. If he'd been fortunate enough to stumble into the vacation destination, he'd take advantage of it.
Despite the fact that he was still shedding ash and soot as he walked, he happily strolled through the bustling city, looking for the party district. He’d dealt with enough quiet and solitude over the past year or so, and now he simply wanted to have a nice drink in the middle of it all. Soon he was on the party strip, and despite it being the afternoon, things were already going. Music blared from several bars and restaurants, and drunks filled the streets. The Imperials were present, mostly just to keep things moving and remove the more dangerous party animals. Luckily, Zack wasn’t the only one carrying a weapon, and his massive sword went unmentioned. He simply walked the streets in awe, taking in the sight of people and civilization once more.
He pushed his way into a moderately crowded tiki bar, eyeing a seat in the corner. He’d have a perfect view of the floor from there, as he didn’t like to keep his back to a door, but also because he enjoyed people-watching. His first stop, however, was the bar itself, where a young bartendress was quickly making drinks while simultaneously dealing with a rowdy group of men occupying the seats right in front of her.
The lady gave Zack a warm smile when he stepped up next to one of the drunks, and simply held up one finger towards the woman running the bar. The man, meanwhile, turned and looked him up and down, unsure in his stupor if Zack should be treated like a hostile or an old friend.
“One of whatever’s your strongest,” Zack requested with a smile to match the lady’s, but decided to drive the point in. “I’m on vacation.”
The girl gave an understanding smile, especially after noting that Zack hadn’t hardly taken the time to brush the Ashen Steppes’ most plentiful resource from himself with any real effort. Zack ignored the mumblings of the drunks beside him while the girl poured him a strong drink.
“Plate of nachos, too, please,” Zack said as he took the drink and pointed to the table he was destined for. “Make it a tab. I’ll be over there.”
The girl rushed off and Zack went to turn, only to have the nearest seated drunk grab his arm. He held the drink up to prevent himself from spilling any, then looked curiously at this boozed up obstacle.
“She’s fine, isn’t she?” the man slurred out, grinning uncontrollably as he spoke.
Zack rolled his eyes, and pulled his arm free to pat the man on the shoulder. “Yea, she’s doing fine. You’re the one we’re worried about.”
The man stared blankly, not understanding Zack’s joke. The young super soldier laughed to himself and moved right along, paying the boozed up fools little mind. Instead he took the Buster Sword from his back and leaned it against the table, so he could easily sit in the chair.
He took his first sip of the drink and all of his worries seemed to wash away. He savored the burn on his throat as much as he could, even closing his eyes for a second. It sure hit the spot. It was going to be good to take some time to himself, so he could recharge his batteries. So much had happened so fast.
Now, though, it was just time for a break.
He was thoroughly pleased to have his wish granted. The gate he’d passed through led him to a bustling beach city known as Costa Del Sol, at least according to the signs nearby. He couldn't help but chuckle. There had been a vacation resort with a matching name in his home world, from before the Omniverse. The name and a few minor similarities seemed to be the extent of it, however. The place he’d ended up in was a large, bustling town that evolved into a metropolis if one went the proper direction. The resort town he knew had some great night life, but this place appeared more than capable of putting it to shame.
That was something he wanted to experience for himself though. He’d spent a large chunk of time in a lava filled wasteland, which was preceded by time on the run after his ill-fated mission to Nibelheim. It wasn’t until he tasted the salt in the air of this verse that he realized how desperately he needed to just relax. If he'd been fortunate enough to stumble into the vacation destination, he'd take advantage of it.
Despite the fact that he was still shedding ash and soot as he walked, he happily strolled through the bustling city, looking for the party district. He’d dealt with enough quiet and solitude over the past year or so, and now he simply wanted to have a nice drink in the middle of it all. Soon he was on the party strip, and despite it being the afternoon, things were already going. Music blared from several bars and restaurants, and drunks filled the streets. The Imperials were present, mostly just to keep things moving and remove the more dangerous party animals. Luckily, Zack wasn’t the only one carrying a weapon, and his massive sword went unmentioned. He simply walked the streets in awe, taking in the sight of people and civilization once more.
He pushed his way into a moderately crowded tiki bar, eyeing a seat in the corner. He’d have a perfect view of the floor from there, as he didn’t like to keep his back to a door, but also because he enjoyed people-watching. His first stop, however, was the bar itself, where a young bartendress was quickly making drinks while simultaneously dealing with a rowdy group of men occupying the seats right in front of her.
The lady gave Zack a warm smile when he stepped up next to one of the drunks, and simply held up one finger towards the woman running the bar. The man, meanwhile, turned and looked him up and down, unsure in his stupor if Zack should be treated like a hostile or an old friend.
“One of whatever’s your strongest,” Zack requested with a smile to match the lady’s, but decided to drive the point in. “I’m on vacation.”
The girl gave an understanding smile, especially after noting that Zack hadn’t hardly taken the time to brush the Ashen Steppes’ most plentiful resource from himself with any real effort. Zack ignored the mumblings of the drunks beside him while the girl poured him a strong drink.
“Plate of nachos, too, please,” Zack said as he took the drink and pointed to the table he was destined for. “Make it a tab. I’ll be over there.”
The girl rushed off and Zack went to turn, only to have the nearest seated drunk grab his arm. He held the drink up to prevent himself from spilling any, then looked curiously at this boozed up obstacle.
“She’s fine, isn’t she?” the man slurred out, grinning uncontrollably as he spoke.
Zack rolled his eyes, and pulled his arm free to pat the man on the shoulder. “Yea, she’s doing fine. You’re the one we’re worried about.”
The man stared blankly, not understanding Zack’s joke. The young super soldier laughed to himself and moved right along, paying the boozed up fools little mind. Instead he took the Buster Sword from his back and leaned it against the table, so he could easily sit in the chair.
He took his first sip of the drink and all of his worries seemed to wash away. He savored the burn on his throat as much as he could, even closing his eyes for a second. It sure hit the spot. It was going to be good to take some time to himself, so he could recharge his batteries. So much had happened so fast.
Now, though, it was just time for a break.