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[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.))

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[swatsflies]

it was only when we touched

[ Which doesn't make it much better. A lot of things race through his mind as to what he can say. He can't really think between his emotions running high.

Taking a deep breath and he concentrates on what he feels like he can actually do. That he wants to do. ]

I'm going to find a way to fix this.

[heroproceeding]

[ It's the chest fallen tone of his voice that really carries the answer before what Zell actually has to say. ]

No sign of him. [ And then he'd probably gotten even more worried and then he probably hadn't thought to say something to them. Rushed ahead on into finding Jim, but considering the state Jim's in, Zack only has to roll back his sleeves a bit to catch the odd color his skin's turning and swallow hard. ]

He's changing like me. S'why he left, but.. that's why you gotta find him. I know this stuff scares the shit outta him and I don't want him facing it alone. But I go with you and the risk's even bigger. Kunsel can handle me if worst comes to worst, but no one's got Jim's back right now.

[swatsflies]

[ What Zack is saying is confusing initially, and his head is full with catching some sign of the brown jacket below, that he initially misses part of what the other is saying. ]

Yeah I know. I know he's changing. [ He sounds a little frustrated at that. ]

He sent me a message a bit ago... [ Moving to the glass to check below. All the snow is making it hard to even see prints, especially from above. ] Was hoping he would change his mind- [ Then his thoughts come to a screeching halt as it connects what Zack is saying. ]

Whoa! Wait. You too?

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim shakes his head. ]

Don't think we got that far.

[ The conversation had been too rough and raw-edged for that. Seeing the wounds that killed him really might have put Jim over the edge. ]

He showed you?

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim holds it up, aiming at a window but making no move toward firing it. Even the weight balance is different from back home. ]

They look a lot alike, but the firing mechanism's completely different. There's nothing here to heat the plasma.

[ The mention of Jim's room changes the sp]ace around them. For a moment, they're in a burning building, a single open window ahead the only escape. Jim blinks and it's gone - it never happened. ]

My room's... messy. You'd hate it.

[swatsflies]

Then it's good that you have me to remind you. [ He's a helper. ]

[spoileralert]

Yeah. You're a good friend, Zell. Seriously.

[swatsflies]

[ There is something amazing watching Jim handle the old gun. Watching his expression change and aim it. He leans forward as he listens. ]

The plasma?

[ And then he nearly jumps at the fire that appears around them for a moment. It's gone pretty quickly and there was no heat or smell to it, but it's enough to get him looking at Jim incredulously. ]

Did you see that?

[rattlingthestars]

If anyone can, I think it's you.


[ There's a long pause, a blinking '...' on the other end as Jim writes and erases and rewrites something, but he never sends it. ]

[swatsflies]

Not intentionally. [ Pulling Jim tighter against him as he settles his chin on his shoulder. ]

I walked in on him while he was changing.

[heroproceeding]

[ It's only belatedly that it hits Zack that maybe he shouldn't have been so abrupt in telling Zell that. That maybe that was too sudden. Too late now though, so he chews his lip a few seconds and then powers through. ]

Yeah... I only figured it out not too long ago. It wasn't very noticeable at first, but Kunsel felt sick last time he touched me. You know what that means.

[swatsflies]

[ He watches with anticipation to see if anything else comes. When nothing comes and the blinking ceases, Zell finally sends a response. ]

I want to wake up next to you soon.

[ So he has pretty strong motivation. ]

[swatsflies]

You're a good friend, too. You make things a whole hell lot more fun here.

[spoileralert]

[ She snorts a laugh. ]

When I can remember to.

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim replaces the gun and sighs quietly. ]

My room's gone, Sunshine. It all burned.

[ So the fire had come from Jim's mind. He moves over to the larger punching bag and touches it, palms open, before giving it an experimental jab. ]

[rattlingthestars]

It was bad, wasn't it?

[ Jim reaches up to run a hand through Zell's hair and ends up just holding on to the back of his neck. ]

I think I saw it happen.

[swatsflies]

what are your thoughts on swiss cheese

[rattlingthestars]

Me too.

I didn't want to leave.

[swatsflies]

[ And it hurts that he didn't want to leave, but less than him wanting to. Zell knows Jim left because of him. ]

You can come back.

[swatsflies]

Yeah. Yeah, I know what that means.

[ It's what tipped off Jim to shit being wrong. ]

You sure it's not leftover sickness from the last buildings? Or any bodies near by?

[ This is all happening pretty fast and he doesn't like it. It hasn't been that long since Jim decided to leave for everyone's safety and now Zack is feeling it too. ]

Think it's something we got exposed too?

[swatsflies]

[ He's quiet for a moment as he tries to remember the scars scattered across Zack's torso.

Then what Jim says he him balking. ]

Whoa! What? You saw it happen?

[ Boyfriend, pls explain. ]

[swatsflies]

Oh yeah...

[ He says it lamely.

Hopping up to stand behind Jim. Putting a hand on hips hip as he helps him get into position for punching. Pausing a moment to press a kiss against the back of his neck. ]

What did it look like before?

[rattlingthestars]

No, I can't.

Not gonna risk it.

[swatsflies]

[ Leaning against the wall of the skywalk as he looks to Morph as if to defer to the blobs' opinion. Said blob is making worried chittering sounds as he keeps looking through the glass for any sign of Jim below. ]

What if I think it's worth the risk?

[heroproceeding]

In a way. I've been thinking about it. [ And trying not to overthink it or get Kunsel worried in the meantime. He can feel the tension rolling off of him already to know of that very real fear. Feel the denial that might be wanting to roll off his tongue, but there's no chances to be taken here. Nothing of that sort. ]

Everything ties in around here. We know that much. Me and Jim had our "lights" or whatever taken away from us, but you two didn't and neither of you are showing signs like we are. I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with that. Doesn't matter one way or the other right now though. The point is we're dangerous- the both of us. Especially if things go as sour as I think they're gonna go.