Silent waters - Zack

"We've got so much to learn about one another then," Zack replied. "And plenty of time in the world." He stepped up onto the board walk and helped her up to the main level. From where they were standing they could see the many shops and kiosks that lined the boardwalk. He used to take Xion to places like that when she was younger and much more receptive to his affections.

"Oh that surely are great news aren´t they!" She said while he helped her on the main leven where they had quite to good view. Looking around she again got a little amazed by the place. Sure they had to spend months and even years here but they definitely knew what to offer to make their agent trainees happy, at least for some time.

"Where to first?" Zack asked as he gestured to everything they had to do. It would even take a few days to go through absolutely everything the beach had to offer. That was perfectly fine by Zack. The company was good. It was even on someone else's dime for now since the school provided it for them.

"Hmmm actually quite the good question. Wow they surely have a real lot to offer here right? Well right now I have to say everything looks good the same so why don´t you pick?" She replied with a smile.

"Let's just see what's closest to us right now and then go from there?" Zack suggested. "I don't mind wandering around, do you?" He had time to kill but he wasn't sure about her. She might have soemthing to do later and it was always a good idea to be close to the school in case someone had to leave in a hurry.

"Oh that´s sounds great!" Astrid replied. "With you? Tzzz that I could never mind as you actually could have noticed already." She teased him playfully though it definitely was sure she didn´t mind spending time and even lots of it at all. Also it wasn´t like she had any real plans for the day anyways and he sure was really good company.

"All right. So as we go, tell me about yourself, Astrid," Zack requested. He began to walk once again. As he went, he passed a few kiosks. He wondered how many people were here if they had this sort of stuff or if this was just for the families of people who already worked/studied here.

Suddenly she started to chuckle which eventually turned into a laughter. "Didn´t we already went through this?"

"I'd like to know more," Zack shrugged. He already knew a few things that she had shared but really he just wanted to keep the conversation flowing. "Like... where you you like to eat? What's your favorite color? Long walks on the beach kind of stuff Cause we're walking straight out of a tacky romance novel if you're asking me."

His answer only made her laugh a little more but shortly she eventually it came to an end. "Dawh you´re just such a cutie. Anyways, well I usually prefer to eat at home but every now and then I also love to go to a restaurante or caffee or anything like that. A favorite food I guess I don´t really have but I definitely do love pizza. My favorite color is blue aaaaaaand ... now it´s your turn I guess."

Zack rubbed the back of his neck. "Guess I like to eat at my mom's place. Enough food for an army. Or well me and the family." Zack said. In his opinion nothing beat home cooking or even got close. "I like my mom's Hot Pots. I like blue too and... guess we're done."

Astrid just couldn´t keep herself from laughing because of Zacks last words. Not really because of him though rather because of her first thoughts.

"Oh yeah, then you do better Miss Social Butterfly!" Zack challenged with a grin to show he meant nothing harsh behind it. He moved his wing back and looked down at her rather expectantly. Since she was making fun of him it was only fair she try to do the same.

"No it wasn´t ... oh well nevermind. Nice nickname you got me by the way." She replied at first which a sigh but eventually ended up smiling again. "Can you cook yourself too though?"

"I can. But my sister... She's a real master in the kitchen. Give her a recipe, any recipe, and she can do it. Show her how you make it and she'll up you one and make it even better the next time." Zack laughed. "Me? I get lazy sometimes. Instant ramen and all that saved my life when I moved out on my own."

"Ah yes I know what you mean. For me it varies to my mood if I actually want to really cook something or simply heat my meal up. However I´m not that good at cooking anyways. Not that I let everything burn or drown in whatever but well ... it good be better." She said with a chuckle. So far she didn´t hear anything too bad about her cooking but also she hardly ever cooked for someone else than herself and maybe her mother or friends like once a month or even much less. "Sooo you have moved out before Elite?"

"I was in the military. Of course I moved out before Elite." Zack said. "Different bases here or there. Barracks for a while but I got high enough in the ranks I got my own separate room." Zack had taken care of his mother and sister for quite a while.

Immediately she started to blush ... very very heavily. Whoops. "Eh ... uhm ... yes ... of course ..." She just mumbled before coughing. "Well for me it´s the first time living somewhere without my mother ... well permanentely I mean."

"Make sure you write her, Astrid," Zack said, growing serious. "I'm sure she misses you as much as you miss her." Zack had learned that very quickly about his mother and while she never said anything, Xion reported back to him so that he made sure to keep in contact better. "It also makes things a lot easier on you, having that little bit of home..."

"Oh don´t bring up my mother! I still have blue spots all over me from all her tight hugging." She replied laughing. It surely has been hard for the two women to seperate, especially for her mother but Astrid was sure they´d survive it. However they haven´t been parted for mor than a few days so far so she missed her mother just a little bit.

Zack nudged her side. "She'll want post cards and pictures and details! Especially anything on hot guys!" he waggled his brows as he grinned. "She won't stand for just any guy dating her little girl." He jokingly made pinching gestures at her cheeks. His mother had been the same way. No simple girl could do. She had to be extraordinary.

"Mhm and I already know who will be the first I will tell her about." She replied rather serioues than teasing as she smirked at him. "Oh well ... I think she would be fine with anyone I like and is good to me. Sooooow how about your mother? Anything prepared for her yet?"

Zack smiled. "Got a letter I'm mailing out tomorrow," he said. "Might have to revise a bit but it's ready. You know how moms are. Did you get in okay? Is the food good? Are you comfortable? Are you settling in all right? How is your sister? Is she enjoying it there?" He had made sure to cover his bases and answer each of those questions and more.

"Wow you really are a good son!" She said with a smile. She herself on the other hand was still rather happy about her freedom of her mother so she kept messages rather short so far.

"I try." Zack said. He sighed and ran a hand over the back of his neck. He then smiled. "So! Getting hungry yet? I'm pretty sure there's a stand around here that sells hot dogs. Or pretzels if you like those."