Wings [Seven] - Video

[standing_alone]

I'm sorry if you were embarrassed by the curse the other day. I think some of that stuff is worth a laugh but not much else. The people who know you will know none of it is true.

[Obviously this is the perfect time to do some squats. Don't mind him while he does a few before continuing.]

I guess the city was just trying to get a rise out of you. [He's amused that he wasn't affected by the curse.] They probably knew it wouldn't work on me. I don't mind laughing at myself.

[A few more squats. Can't do enough of them, really.]

What I'm saying is: pick your battles. If you can laugh it off, don't bother with it. If you can't, either ignore it or do something about it.

[His smile turns a little sad.] And seeing as we're in a place where we can't do anything about it, ignoring it is your best option.

Comments

[onset]

Don't I wish I could have been this wise.

[standing_alone]

I don't know if it can be classified as wisdom, but it might have helped you more in the long run.

[onset]

I suspect I'd still feel rather upset in the long run.

[standing_alone]

I bet you'd get over it eventually.

[onset]

Of course, of course. [more wisdom he's missing out on.]

[mortemscintilla]

B-But what if the City made it seem like you were involved with underaged girls and bad cosplay?

[standing_alone]

Actions speak louder than words. [How does that...even...work, Zack?] You don't seem like the sort if that helps.

[mortemscintilla]

[ .......yes. ]

[ How. ]

[ Does that work? ]

I don't think I'd mind being the cosplay sort. [ He's nerdy enough. ] It's just the rest... [ *shudder* ]

[standing_alone]

I'd say it's time to get yourself a cute, of age girlfriend. [He'll even help!]

[mortemscintilla]

[ Let's have a round of applause for breaking Li's brain!!! ]

A...

G-Girlfriend?! [ What is this word you speak of? ]

[standing_alone]

It'd squash one of the rumors. [He's not getting the problem here.] Have someone in mind?

[mortemscintilla]

[ If Li blushes any redder he'll spontaneously combust. All that'll remain is a Li-shaped burn on the floor. ]

N-No, of course not! [ So defensive!! ]

[ (Hei's kinda sorta boning the Avatar, though. Does that count?) ]

[standing_alone]

[Zack laughs quietly and gives Li a comforting smile.]

There's no reason to be embarrassed. I'm a pro when it comes to asking girls out.

[Where's the romance, Li?]

Though I've been out of practice.

[mortemscintilla]

[ (Romance? Pft. He's better at rigging buildings with explosives than he is at romance.) ]

[ (s o b) ]

We-ell -- [ He ducks his head to hide the ferocity of his blush. ] It m-must come naturally for you. But I'm really not good with girls. I get tongue-tied and flustered and no one needs to see that.

[standing_alone]

Some girls think that's attractive, actually. [Zack is totally not speaking from personal experience. He never thought a certain soldier with blonde spiky hair blushing was ever cute. Never.]

What's wrong with making them feel good about themselves, hm? They're more likely to say yes when they're happy.

[mortemscintilla]

[ orly Zack? Do tell us moooore? :3 ]

I-I just worry they'll eventually look for someone smoother and more assertive. Someone who [ isn't a cold-blooded jerkass repulsed by the idea of commitment ] can string three words together without saying something s-stupid.

[standing_alone]

[Zack isn't ashamed of being more on the bisexual side than the heterosexual side. It's just so much fun to ask out cute girls and go on dates with them.]

All you need is confidence! Experience will give you that. [Onward!] You seem like a good guy to me.

[mortemscintilla]

[ Whatever floats your boat, isn't that how the saying goes? ♥ ]

Th-Thank you. [ He manages a timid little smile. ] But experience is easier said than acquired. Especially when you send most girls into fits of laughter.

[ pauuuuuse ]

Mocking laughter.

[standing_alone]

[Zack likes to keep his boat ready for ADVENTURE. All cute people are invited to go along for the ride. ♥]

Ah that. [Always tough.] That's when you need some back up. Someone to make you look good.

[mortemscintilla]

[ A pirate's life is a life for meeeee &hearts ]

You mean like, um.

[ derp derp what's the word? ]

A wingman?

[standing_alone]

Exactly! [He beams. Li, you know more about this than you let on!] They can make all the difference.

[mortemscintilla]

[ Look one thing; be another. His motto in life. ]

You really think so?

....Do you have experience as one?

[standing_alone]

I've got some experience. [Are you asking him, Li?]

[mortemscintilla]

[ That would only end disastrously ;; ]

Well.

If I ever, um, find myself in a fix, I'll be sure to ask for your help.

[standing_alone]

[Come on, now...]

I'll wait for your call! [He grins and winks.] Let me know if someone catches your eye. I'm pretty good at gathering intel.

[mortemscintilla]

[ Disaster! Death! Doom doomy doom! ]

Ah... [ He reddens and nods, smiling. ] I-I'll keep it in mind. Thank you.

[standing_alone]

[I think you mean awesome, awesome and more awesome.]

You're welcome. Everything will pan out.

[mortemscintilla]

[ Awesomely disastrous doomy deaths, maybe! This is Li we're talking about! ]

I hope so. It's tough being the gawky wallflower at parties. [ Except not really because Li isn't a real person. But. Details. ]

[standing_alone]

[That would make Zack a sad puppy.]

There's no reason you have to stay that way! [Even if he has to drag him into the middle of the party.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ So many sad puppies in the making of this thread. ]

I'll try to keep that in mind. Maybe read a few self-help books too. [ omg no don't do that! You'd knock the poor boy's larynx offline! D: ]

[standing_alone]

[Where's the kibble? We need kibble stat!]

It's better to just jump in and do it. I promise this is a lot easier than going to battle.

[mortemscintilla]

[ And doggy treats! 8( ]

I guess you have a point there. [ No, actually. Hei finds battle far easier than healthy human interaction. ]

[brobeforehos]

[SQUATS ASIDE,] It's the defense I've adapted against this place as well.

[standing_alone]

[Come on. Squats are awesome.] Good for you!

[brobeforehos]

[Chocolate is awesome, Mae is awesome; you know what's not awesome? Squats.] I'd say it saves me from some headache, except this last curse was - well, no-one likes tabloid trash, do they?

[standing_alone]

[But think of the muscles squats produce.

Oh yeah.]

Nah, but it's pretty easy to blow off.

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[beyourarmy]

Heh! That's pretty much how I would take it. ...there's only one thing that would be bad, but they left me alone.

Not a bad outlook.

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[standing_alone]

Why give them the joy of watching you - or anyone else - get upset? It's probably what they want.

Thanks!

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[beyourarmy]

Well, that's probably wise, but there are some things that are just over the line and I wouldn't be able to control my anger.

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[standing_alone]

I think everyone has a breaking point. Just make sure you don't step over the line yourself.

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[beyourarmy]

I've done that too many times in the past. I have no intention of doing it any longer.

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[majorcrotchgrab]

But what if you have to pick the battle?

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[standing_alone]

Make sure it's on your terms.

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[majorcrotchgrab]

Easier said than done sometimes.

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[standing_alone]

But worth the effort.