Chapter Two :: Aegean's First

[Jax Ridean]

As soon as Gemma had finished her awkward departure from the cockpit, Jax immediately snatched the opportunity to release a loud groan. A sort of therapeutic release to calm his frazzled nerves one could describe it as. The stupid mission hadn't even started yet, and already the much dreaded inkling of frustration was eeking up his spine.

Happy thoughts man...happy thoughts...

/Rainbows....baby chocobos...\


Yes those are all good...


/Moogle pops...sunshine butterlillies....\

/...Greasy fingerprints on the intercom...\

The harsh tension accumulating in his chest suddenly shot up his throat and escaped into the open air.

"AAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Slamming his fists onto the control panel, Jax jerked his chair around. Forcing the sides of his mouth into a grin, albeit posessing a slight look of pyschotic mirth, he exclaimed, "Ok co-pilot. Let's do this."

Sharply swiveling his chair to the ready position, he firmly set the headpiece over his head and adjusted the tiny microphone so that it fit comfortably over his mouth.

"First things first." He announced to himself. Clearing his throat once, he tapped down on the intercom buttom.

"Attention all passengers. I just wanted to let you guys know that we'll be taking off in a few minutes. Due to turbulence, I would strongly advise most of you to remain in the main hall and to find a seat to strap into. Also, I'd like to make a request. Stella, Hadrian, Deo--based on your experience with firearms and explosive mechanisms, I'd feel most comfortable if you three take control of the secondary and tertiary firing cars in the situation that we encounter hostile forces--aka, we run into some deep shit."

Before switching off the intercom, Jax turned his chair towards Zacke and sullenly asked, "Anything else thing you want to add?"

[Zacke]

Zacke watched with mild interest as Jax did a stiff 'blah blah, we're taking off, blah blah, everybody get buckled up' type of thing. He went on for a while and actually went so far as to pinpoint who exactly he wanted on the turret... things. Zacke arched an eyebrow and looked away.

Jeez, this guy is seriously uptight about his airship. It was nothing like Gone. I guess all pilots aren't the same...

"Anything else thing you want to add?"

Zacke perked up immediately, and his gaze shifted over to meet Jax's. He's going to let me touch something?! He was actually grinning a little, almost like an eager child who'd just been given a rare treat. He sat up and promptly put his headset on before Jax would have a chance to change his mind.

He couldn't really think of anything important he wanted to add, but that didn't matter. When did he -- Zacke Mercutio -- ever pass up an opportunity to open his big mouth and share his thoughts with the world? Especially over a cool intercom system. It took him a second or two, but he ultimately thought of something.

"AHEM." He pressed down on the intercom button. "I'd just like to make the personal announcement that if you have to take a leak, now is a really bad time for that. If you're a guy, you might lose your balance and piss all over the wall, and that's disgusting. So just don't try it. If Jax finds piss on the wall he will probably rip someone's face off in barbaric rage. Umm... over."

Technically, his little announcement wasn't totally pointless. Still, he knew it was stupid enough to annoy at least a few people, probably including the stiff next to him. The mental image of Jax ripping off someone's face was kind of cool. He sat back, smirking at his own stupid sense of humor.