☼Inbox

[swatsflies]

@ZD
Yo! I'm not in right now. Leave me a message.

((OOC: Zell may show messages to Jim Hawkins. If you do not want Jim to see/know, then please let me know.))

Comments

Day 58 night; private audio; @dreamsnhonor

[heroproceeding]

[ Honestly? He's not really in any kind of mood to talk. He's kept kind of quiet on the tablets in general. But that doesn't mean he hasn't been paying attention. Especially with all those weird logs from what he's guessing are from past... residents.

Which also meant digging through the conversations there to pass the time (and possibly meagerly hope Cloud would show up in one of them? Though if there's anyone Cloud would contact first, wouldn't it have been him...?)

It's one specific conversation that has Zack opening up a private mail to send along to Zell though. ]

Hey... Don't go trusting that M-nemo-sign guy. He tried to convince a friend of mine to let himself get possessed by some ghosts here.

Private!!! audio; @zd

[swatsflies]

((PLACEHOLDER FOR IDK)

not here

[rattlingthestars]

not here either- better?

[swatsflies]

text, @totheark, Day 62 evening

[0thingsonmymind]

ilooked hosp ital basement mor gue
no NIMA no MN

only dist ort ions
but notsure why

text; @zd

[swatsflies]

[Zack did make a point to say this guy was bad news. He kidnapped and hurt someone. He had a knife. But wouldn't ceasing all communication be even more dangerous?
It also helped keep tabs where the guy was.
WHOA. Distortions???]

What kind of distortions?
Did you record it?

@dickcheese; Day 66, morning, voice

[headjacked]

Heeeeey, uh.

Not dead, got my tablet back. Which you probably could've guessed by now, b-but just in case you wanted to hear my beautiful voice.

[ He attempts something like a laugh, but it just dissolves into coughs. His beautiful voice sounds absolutely hideous. ]

@zd; voice /o

[swatsflies]

Hey! You're alive! [Hopefully Rhys was expecting a loud and excited greeting back. He was seriously getting worried with all of Angel's vagueness and answering about how she was in one piece. :<]

You sound like shit, man. What happened? Are you okay?

Day 70 afternoon; action bitches

[heroproceeding]

[ The first time everything had come to a standstill like this, Zack had thought he'd been hallucinating again until everything was back in motion and everyone was staring at him like they'd seen a ghost. The second time, he'd been unnerved with the new information that he'd gone and disappeared without a trace during that time and there he was doing it again. And it wasn't just him. Kunsel seemed to be suffering from the same thing, too.

But as the pattern continued between the two of them... at least seemingly without consequence, his attention had turned to the others traveling with him. Or well... more specifically in that moment, to how... odd Zell was acting since shortly after they had managed to direct Tifa and Jim into the house for their own sakes. They'd discovered earlier that morning that Zell's hearing was gone, so it didn't surprise him when Zell didn't react when he had instinctively tried to call out to him while he seemed at odds about something. So, he'll be putting a hand lightly on his shoulder. That should work well instead, right? ] Hey.

BURIES YOU

[swatsflies]

[On today’s episode of fucked up in Snowhell, Zell can’t feel Zack’s hand on his shoulder. He’s planting a hand against the wall to keep himself steady as he stares at the floor. It feels like there is something alive down there. He can smell and taste something metallic and gross. It reminds him of all the deaths and injuries that came from the Battle of the Gardens.

He really, really needs to move. Needs to get off the floor. The couch might be a good place, or maybe upstairs? Or even the attic? Should he get the others up there too? He’s not sure if Jim and Tifa could navigate the steps while trying to chase or interact with imaginary people.

The couch will do, and he starts to turn and finally sees someone behind him from the corner of his eye. Instinct kicks him and he jerks to the side, already forgetting the WALL WAS RIGHT THERE. He’ll hit the side of his with a loud thud against it, but he doesn’t react to the impact as he turns around to look at Zack with wide eyes.]

WHOA! Man, you scared me! [And just like that, all phantom senses of something being really wrong and terrible were gone. Most of his senses were still on a vacation though.]

Day 80

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim sees the obituary about the same time as Zell, but his response is quieter. He stares at the names in quiet shock - Al, who's been here as long as any of them, who had tried so hard to keep everyone together. Ed, Jim's friend. It hurts like a punch to the gut that leaves him curled up and teary-eyed before the numbness can set in. Another friend dead. Maybe they'll be back in a few days. Probably they won't.

The sound of Zell going to town on a wall startles Jim out of his thoughts. He missed the meltdown last time, which means he's half panicked as he goes to find the source of the noise. ]

-Zell?! What the h- what are you doing?!

[swatsflies]

[He freezes as soon as he hears Jim. It's Jim this time, not Tifa.

Gripping his fists tight before he turns to look at Jim. He's trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill out as he swallows hard.]

They are gone. [And not really waiting to get any indication that it's okay, Zell is taking quick strides over to invade Jim's space and wrap his arms around him. Hopefully he doesn't mind the feeling of gelled hair against his neck because he's trying to bury his against Jim's shoulder.]

Ed, Al, and Greed. They are gone. [No more checking in randomly. No more plans about catching monsters or trying to figure out Ed's automail. No more Al's big heart trying to care and protect everyone.]

Night 90 and 91; @totheark, video

[0thingsonmymind]

*Each night Brian sends a separate video. Clearly they don't need any set-up*

Night 91
*Tonight Brian and Jade are exploring what appears to be a souvenir shop. Its pretty packed with shelves of touristy things, mostly Native American (Iñupiat) stuff. There's also a small backroom that's free of tourist-trap-ness. Its not very exciting and the only distortions are Brian's normal ones.*

Night 92
Provided event'd up for your concenience

Day 92, shortly after noon, @totheark, text

[0thingsonmymind]

what hap pen ed
?

@zd; text

[swatsflies]

Dropped my tablet and Jim decided that's enough for me.
It was pretty messed up.
A friend was removing his parts
and there were monsters and blood on your end.

093; Evening; Text; @fenrir

[meteorrains]

[With everything that's gone on within the past two days, he's definitely starting to realize why they shouldn't have split up. Even so, Zell had taken time to check in on him (and give him some very vital information on a certain Sonic wanna be) so now it's time for him to return the favor.]

Hey, you guys doing okay?

text; @zd

[swatsflies]

Honestly?
No, but we'll be fine.
We're all meeting up in a couple days or so anyways. Right?

Night 92; @totheark; text

[0thingsonmymind]

*Tonight's video features snow, rubble, and what appears to be a home decor store. The shelves are basically empty, but damn there are a lot of them. Lots and lots of aisle of...creepy. Most of the video is quiet, but sometimes footsteps (other than Brian's) can be heard and at a few points giggling (?!) happens. The source of the giggling is never seen, but when its heard the picture has mild, rippling distortions. Those happen sometimes for the extra footsteps too.
Brian's normal distortions also happen. Thankfully none of those ripple.*

Night 94/Morning 95 sometime

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's creeping back into the master bedroom after sneaking out earlier to get some of his restless out. The house with the giant sinkhole is quiet and Norfinbury-dark, with only Jim's tablet lighting up the place; he keeps it shining even as he pushes his (now muddy) boots off and climbs carefully back into the bed with Zell, trying not to disturb him. ]

[swatsflies]

[He's getting better at sneaking, but the light gives him away. It lets Zell know he can actually relax and breathe easy as he noticed the room wasn't as dark anymore. He's not alone anymore.

The blankets probably already lost most of their heat. Zell's back was towards Jim's spot, and his breathing wasn't even like it should be. If Jim touches him, he'll probably feel closer to room temperature instead of warm from being under the covers. There's a rattling sound of pills rolling in a bottle as the blankets are shifted. Whoops, he forgot he left that on Jim's side.

Not that he's hiding, but he doesn't want him to worry. After a second longer, he'll roll over and put his tablet under the covers between them in case Jim needed extra light. Pulling his arm out from under the covers to rest on his boyfriend to feel his warmth and get bit of reassurance this wasn't a dream.] ...hey. [Whispering. Even the house is large, he still didn't want to alert the oldest of the three that he's also awake.]

a handwritten note, tucked into Zell's things on evening 94 to be discovered any time later

[rattlingthestars]

☼
Shouldn't have said that about you on the network. Or at all. I'm sorry. Don't think it bothered you, but the thing is... it should. You deserve better than that. The truth is, you're not a bad judge of character. Your plan with Brian is solid. You know what you're doing.

You've just got a big heart. Thanks for trusting me with it.
✨

morning 95- response note is tucked into Jim's coat pocket

[swatsflies]

✨,
I was worried you were counting yourself in that. You know you aren't terrible, right? You're beautiful.
Thank you. ❤

I don't think I have a big heart, but I do trust you with it and everything else.
☼

@totheark; video; Nights 93-95

[0thingsonmymind]

Night 93

*Tonight Brian and Jade are touring a small book store, an accessory store and a large library.

The bookstore's shelves are mostly empty (surprise, surprise) but there are a few books still there. They mostly seem to be fictional and range from novels to picture books. None of the books have dates or prices on them.
The building itself is dark, as there are clearly not enough windows to light everything. There's a back room that's locked but Brian doesn't spend much time at it once discovering the door can't be opened.

The accessory store was once brightly colored but is now worn, damp and slightly moldy. There are still some scarves, bags, costume jewelry and other accessories in the store but most of it seems ruined.

The library is large, consisting of two floors and has sections that one'd normally expect in a library and a few study rooms. There are also some lounge areas, including a children's libary and a teen's library, both of which have beanbag chairs. At one point Brian cuts open a beanbag chair in the teen's library but there's only normal beanbag chair stuff inside of it. Occasionally there are tables and chairs that look like they once had computers but, like everywhere else, the electronics have been removed.
The library, like the bookstore, is mostly empty of books. The books, and few magazines, that exist are once again void of dates and suggested retail pricing. The magazines also lack address labels. There's also a section for movies and video games but it's completely empty.*

Night 94

*Much less of interest this day as most of the area seems to be snow and rubble. (Brian thankfully doesn't send ALL of their rubble wanderings, just bits here and there. Enough to get the idea that there isn't much else to be found.) The only building the pair find is a storage unit that is sadly lacking in lighting. Brian explores it by tablet-light and discovers only illegible and/or crumbling books.*

Night 95

*More rubble, more snow, and eventually a return to the building from the night before. Brian and Jade go through the storage unit again and gets much of the same results.
They do find a book cover that looks interesting, something about miniaturization in technology...but the book itself is completely missing.*

@totheark; text; Night 95

[0thingsonmymind]

*Shortly after the video is sent, he sends a text message.*

ifound s d card
itsays can re store used card
on ly once

tucked into zell's pill bottle the night they reunite

[rattlingthestars]

This is all real.

The bad yeah but especially the good.

The way I feel about you.

The family we have here.

It's real.

Here is fine \o/ Let me know if this is okay.

[swatsflies]

[This one won't get a written response. When they are settling down to sleep that night, Zell is going to slide an arm under Jim and drag him over until he's partially on top of him. Pressing a kiss against his cheek, before pressing his mouth against Jim's ear.] Love you, Stars.

Day 101 afternoon; action at House 126

[heroproceeding]

[ Operation get the others distracted for the moment, check.

Next part? To tug Zell out of his shame corner. Seriously, he's been acting weird since that morning, even edging away from Jim of all people. That's not normal- and he has a very good inkling as to why. It's the same why that had him retreating from Jim and Hiro that once so long ago.

So, he makes a point now to get his attention, waving him over to the doorway. Talking outside isn't the most pleasant option, but it's the only one they have if they want some privacy. He leans himself against the building itself, hands resting against hips while he fights a shiver with closed eyes. ] So, what happened back there? 'cause I know you never would'a hit me like that without reason.

[swatsflies]

[He likes his shame corner, it's very comfortable.

He's been fiddling on the tablet and occasionally stealing looks at his boyfriend. He did touch on it with Jim, but he still feels like crap, because Jim wasn't the one he punched. He's GLAD it wasn't Jim, but it could still happen again.

Then he saw something waving from his peripheral vision. Meeting Zack's gaze and hesitating for a moment as he figures out that yeah he wants to talk to Zell. Getting to his feet with less energy as usual as he heads to the door. Pausing to give a final look to his boyfriend, to make sure he knows where he's going and that he's with Zack, before stepping on out to follow the Soldier.

Parking his side against the door frame as he crosses his arms and looks at where he hit Zack exactly.] Something was there. It was going to get us and I needed to stab it. [He furrows his brows as he says this.] I know it's frickin' nuts, but that's what I felt. I needed to get it before it hurt someone.

Evening/Night 100

[rattlingthestars]

[ When Jim wakes from the weird sleep, he's groggy and thirsty. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, exactly, but apparently he'd managed to sleep through whatever it was the admin was doing without too much trouble. He blinks blearily around the room, squints to make sure it's the same place he went to sleep, before blinking again and doing a second pass.

Cloud and Zack are huddled together in one corner and it looks like Zell is by himself in another corner and something seems... wrong. Zell shouldn't be by himself that way if something's going on.

That's why when Jim gets up, he's walking over to Zell and kneeling in front of him without even bothering to put on his boots first. ]

-Sunshine?

[swatsflies]

[The incident occurred in the afternoon and it's already evening now. Zell was leaning against a wall and pretty sure Cloud wasn't going to like him as much anymore. His tablet was just out of reach, but the screen was flipped up to add to the light of the room, which was becoming more of a habit now than a conscious effort.

When he spots those feet that aren't quite SOLIDER large, he looks up at Jim. At first, he's clearly happy because Jim is awake, but soon his face falls. He tries to scoot away from the other, but he's in a corner. He clearly didn't think this spot through.]

Hey...[His tone is low.] You should keep out of arms reach from me. I might hurt you.

Note to be found after day 103 sometime - for posteriors' posterity. or something.

[rattlingthestars]

Remember those monsters back at the house with the star stuff?

I think they might've come from my brain.

[ [a sketch of morph attached] ]

This is Morph. He was Silver's pet, back home. Mine now. I guess it doesn't matter where they came from.

[ What follows looks like it's been scratched out and erased and rewritten so many times the paper might be falling apart. ]

When we run into them or when I was in the hospital, I feel like I'm back there. The day I died. That it was never really over.

Note left on 104

[swatsflies]

[Between digging around in the Soldiers' bags and trying to keep the boyfriend occupied,it wasn't until the wee early hours of 104 that he found the note. Downtown was shaping up to continue the trend of little privacy, and he knows if Jim wrote this then it's not something he wants out loud.

It makes him feel bad for Jim being at the hospital again without him. Sure, he had Zack and Zell knows they took care of each other, but it's not the same as Zell being there. Zell is supposed to stay by his side.
Look at them both. Having issues discerning if an event was really over or if they are still stuck there.

Not going to harass Jim about the note as much as he wants to. He finally is mostly settled down having spoke to Zack and their noise makers being in place on the door.

With Zack being okay for travel, they started to get ready for the next stop. He waited until they were all packed before sneaking the note into Jim's pocket as he leaned in to kiss his cheek. He doesn't expect him to find it until they are at the computer store, if Brian's messages were anything to go by.]

Yeah, I remember.
Pretty sure they are trying to use things from our worlds on purpose.

Want to figure something out to remind us it's over and real
Something we can use if we're ever split apart.
The only thing I can think of runs the risk of Zack teasing.

❤

Day 111; action;

[heroproceeding]

gotta talk to you tonight. it's important. meet me in the other room when I'm done with first watch. don't tell jim.

[ The text he sent that afternoon probably isn't the best means to get his attention, but it's the only means when the whole crew's there and the last thing he wants is for something to be overheard. He spares a glance of acknowledgement Zell's way, but that's it. The rest he leaves for that night.

And it's a night that doesn't come soon enough. It's far past lockdown when Zack finally switches off with Jim for watch. Rather than going to lay down with Kunsel though, instead he heads off into another room, hoping Zell's there to meet him as asked. Really, they should have talked about this ages ago, but with all that's happened...

Well, better now than never at least. He pokes his head through a doorway. ] Zell?

[swatsflies]

[When the message comes in initially, he's going to head tilt. Distracting Jim before he can inquire over the look by forwarding weird videos from his inbox. Catching Zack's look for a moment to give a nod before they continued on like normal.

Sorry for blocking some laying with Kunsel time.

Zell is waiting in the other room with his tablet out.] Yo, I'm here. What's up?

[He has zero clue as to what this is about. He's pretty sure he's not in trouble.]

Day 119 - @standardissue; voice

[deus_ex_phs]

[He honestly doesn't know which of them had been the one to help pull him free from the glass that had speared him and Zack, and he doesn't know who helped his hand find his best friend, or lifted his visor so he could see Zack one last time. Those last few moments were a blur in some ways, tinged with gray and cold and pain.

But he knows Zell helped.

He just knows.

And he knows that two teenage boys were left with the bloody bodies of their friends, unable to do a thing to save them.

So his voice is quiet and subdued when he calls Zell, though no less raw for it.]

Zell. Are you...? Tell me you both made it out.

@zd; voice

[swatsflies]

[Later on, Zell will appreciate hearing Kunsel's voice. Right now, all he hears is is static in code. He can see the username on the screen though. He replays it to tap out the words against Jim before he responds. Using voice, because one hand is occupied.The dream after effects needs to go screw itself.]

Yeah, we made it out. Just got some minor cuts.

[Zell can't really go for the usual excitement. He's happy, but until the effects go away and he can actually see and hear the two older members of the group, it's hard for it to actually settle in as real. He's still trying to wrap his head around what had happened.]

Where are you, man? We heard from Zack earlier.

day 123; early morning; @guardian; text;

[phaseshifter]

Hey!! Just checking in to let you know everything is okay! (I know how you worry and fuss sometimes)

 

(Also I saw you being nice to Beckett so thanks for that ♥)

<3 ; text@zd

[swatsflies]

[ANGEL IS BACK! It might take a while for him to actually respond because he has to go barrel into the nearest Sad Loser to show them Angel is back.]

Yo! I'm glad you're back!
Where are you? I hope you aren't far from Rhys.

He's pretty much a friend at this point.
And I think he feels the same. I hope so at least.
He was a big help when we were checking for traps with the last place.

Night 123; action (if you know what i mean) - let me know if this is okay

[rattlingthestars]

[ It took... a really long time to haul enough hot water up the stairs to fill a tub. Not exactly how Jim had been expecting to spend an anniversary, but then every day in Norfinbury's a surprise, and anyway he's not exactly complaining. What he is doing is sneaking back up here ahead of Zell and planting a few candles around the place, along with the little starlight projector that Zell made for one of their first real 'dates.'

Jim's not entirely sure what he's doing or where this impulse is coming from, but he knows it could be ages before they get another chance like this and he doesn't want to waste it. He pauses as he strips out of his clothes, ever-mindful of the weird line they've been dancing around, and leaves his underwear on as he slips into the tub to wait. ]

;D

[swatsflies]

[At least hauling water was good enough reason to skip training for the night. Zell himself was lagging behind to grab some fruit and whatever supplies they could need before heading into the room. Shutting the door behind him and tossing the keycard on the bed as he stripped off his clothes and put on the big towel. They were going to do laundry either tonight, or the morning according to Kunsel, so all of it goes off.

Coming into the bathroom with his haul and pausing in the entry way as he look around. Beaming bright smile that seems to get bigger as he looks around. It made bath time ten times more special with the flickering candlelight and the stars scattered all over. For a moment he forgets to breathe, and seeing Jim there in the tub makes it better. Placing the goodies in arm reach of the tub as he braces the edge of the tub to lean down and give Jim a kiss.]

Hey. [His voice comes out more quiet than he intends.] I brought fruit.

after the end of the event, stuffed in Zell's coat pocket

[rattlingthestars]

i still love you even after we puked in front of each other.

<3 romantic

[swatsflies]

[ The response will come a day afterwards, while they are restocking at the grocery store. Zell gives him a smooch on a cheek, while sneaking a a note in his pocket. ]

Love you even after the morning breath we had thanks to that.

@Mnemosyne; voice; night 134; ITT vampire vicodials

[bookofnope]

[Beckett sounds... exactly as loopy as he is, actually.]

I can't remember Kain's username. Tell him to forget what I said about him and Angel. Bad idea. Very bad. But you and Hawkins get bloody well on with it already.

;-; I thought I responded to this sorry

[swatsflies]

[ He's going to cough in response to all of this. ]

It's Standardissue. His username. [ That's the important part of the topic, right? Swallowing nervously a bit. They are at what was once a good dating spot, but privacy was an issue.

He doesn't even know why he's even thinking about it while having Beckett on the line.] We're at an aquarium. [He swaps to video a moment to record the water in one of the tanks. It's calming to watch. ]

Wait, what do you mean about him and Angel? [ WHAT HAS HE BEEN MISSING? ]

action; ten million years later i mean day 133

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim had forgotten how oppressive the tunnels felt. Earlier in the day there had been something a little like sunlight, filtering down through the thick layer of ice, but now it's just the soft glow of their tablets and the sound of their boots echoing around the enclosed space.

The texture of the darkness up ahead is changing, or perhaps it's just Jim's imagination knowing that they're nearly at the hospital. He knew they would likely end up staying there tonight, but it doesn't mean he likes it. The last time had been that night with Zack in the little room on the fourth floor. He'd spent most of it cuddled up to Zack and talking on the tablet to Zell, but... still not a good memory.

Unconsciously his hand tightens around Zell's as he scans their tiny area of visibility for threats. ]

-Here we go.

<3

[swatsflies]

[ While Jim scans for threats around, Zell is looking up at the ceiling of the tunnel. Relying fully on the hand linked to his own as he tries to figure out if it's man-made or if it's natural.

When he feels the squeeze, he looks down at his boyfriend. Zell knows he's tense. Has been tense since they returned to the ice tunnels. Waking up in the hospital, separations, and monster attacks have all occurred here. On top of that, there was also the maintenance that took place further north. He remembers vividly all the reasons his boyfriend should be apprehensive, but it still worries him. Returning the squeeze as he swings their hands up to kiss his knuckles.

A glance at his tablet tells him that they won't have a lot of time to explore the lake tunnel south. It'll be risking it if they press forward after the hospital, so he's prepared for the Soldiers to call it a day when they reach it. Even with the prospect of a gloomy night, he's still in a good mood. ]

Want a ride? [ He says it quiet enough for Jim's ears only. ] Bet I can carry you and my bag. [ Tipping his towards his back to mean he'll let Jim on his back. He would have to shift his bag around to the front or hand it off to Zack or Kunsel, but he's sure Mochi won't mind. They are practically at the roof of the hospital anyways. ]

@totheark, text; Morning 142

[0thingsonmymind]

where are
?

@zd; text

[swatsflies]

East from the Aquarium.
Did they give you directions?