[ 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.
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
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. ]
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.
[ It slips out without thinking it. After it's out, he decides to keep going on that train of thought. ]
Everyone keeps deciding what makes them feel better.
[ Which doesn't sound like a partnership and it's frustrating. Zack can probably hear the concerned trilling from Morph as he tries to figure what's up. ]
[ He can hear it, but he's not listening. He's too busy frowning down at his tablet. ]
Zell, I'm SOLDIER. I have training a lot of people don't have around here. I get mixed in with the wrong crowd and I'll hurt people, whether I want to or not. It's not a matter of what makes me feel better. It's a matter of better safe than dead.
And I'm SeeD, Zack. Between Kunsel and I, we could have...
[ And he lets out a sigh, all fight dropping from his tone immediately. ] It's not you. I know why you're worried. I get it. I just don't get why he couldn't have even said anything before he left. We're supposed to be partners.
[ He can hear the concern sounds from the pink blob as he moves to rub his face against Zell to cheer him. He probably doesn't understand. ]
[ Now, it sticks. Now, it does and Zack's deflating with a sigh of his own. ]
And we were supposed to have a plan and stick with it. But sometimes things just don't work out the way you'd like 'em to. Jim's been dealing with his own monsters as it is. Now, just imagine him becoming the thing he's so afraid of, Zell.
[ Bad enough he was suffocated by now. But now he might do something like that to someone else? It makes sense he'd leave. For the same reason it makes sense to keep those failsafes in mind now that something's happening. ]
[ They never really had the chance to sit down, all of them, and talk contingency plans together. Something that everyone would be okay with. They have been busy with exploring and living in the moment to actually pause to do that. And it's easier just enjoying the present instead of worrying about what's to come.
Shaking his head. ] Still doesn't make it right to break promises and leave like that. I get it's scary and he doesn't want to hurt me or anyone else. I know him, Zack. I know why he thinks he's right.
[ He'd spoken with everyone about one back at the maze though. Thought they'd all follow through. But in the end, a plan's just a plan. Doesn't guarantee they'd stick to it in the end. They haven't. So, now they have to work with what's on hand. He knows they can't look back. ]
Sometimes fear capsizes everything else, even promises. You'd rather lose yourself than lose anyone else, even if you're afraid. Just keep talking to him. See if you can convince him to come back.
[ It's all they can do really. The best that can be done. Jim's as stubborn as the rest of them. But can he really give him shit for it given the situation? No, probably not.
Zack pauses for a long minute, almost hanging up right there and then but lingering as his mouth works to form words. ]
Yeah. [ He breathes out a sigh and pushes himself to get moving again. Giving Morph a gentle pet to reassure him. He has to be strong for the critters at least. ]
Yeah, I will. Thanks Zack. I'll see you as soon as I can.
[ Saying that doesn't stop the way he lingers with the call. Doesn't stop him from trying to think of something- anything else to say. But there's nothing more he can do to help. He just has to actually follow through with those words and part of trusting is hanging up.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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[ 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?
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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.
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[ It slips out without thinking it. After it's out, he decides to keep going on that train of thought. ]
Everyone keeps deciding what makes them feel better.
[ Which doesn't sound like a partnership and it's frustrating. Zack can probably hear the concerned trilling from Morph as he tries to figure what's up. ]
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Zell, I'm SOLDIER. I have training a lot of people don't have around here. I get mixed in with the wrong crowd and I'll hurt people, whether I want to or not. It's not a matter of what makes me feel better. It's a matter of better safe than dead.
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[ And he lets out a sigh, all fight dropping from his tone immediately. ]
It's not you. I know why you're worried. I get it. I just don't get why he couldn't have even said anything before he left. We're supposed to be partners.
[ He can hear the concern sounds from the pink blob as he moves to rub his face against Zell to cheer him. He probably doesn't understand. ]
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And we were supposed to have a plan and stick with it. But sometimes things just don't work out the way you'd like 'em to. Jim's been dealing with his own monsters as it is. Now, just imagine him becoming the thing he's so afraid of, Zell.
[ Bad enough he was suffocated by now. But now he might do something like that to someone else? It makes sense he'd leave. For the same reason it makes sense to keep those failsafes in mind now that something's happening. ]
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Shaking his head. ] Still doesn't make it right to break promises and leave like that. I get it's scary and he doesn't want to hurt me or anyone else. I know him, Zack. I know why he thinks he's right.
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Sometimes fear capsizes everything else, even promises. You'd rather lose yourself than lose anyone else, even if you're afraid. Just keep talking to him. See if you can convince him to come back.
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[ If is the thing. ]
I'll keep in contact.
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[ It's all they can do really. The best that can be done. Jim's as stubborn as the rest of them. But can he really give him shit for it given the situation? No, probably not.
Zack pauses for a long minute, almost hanging up right there and then but lingering as his mouth works to form words. ]
Zell... I'm trusting you with this.
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Yeah, I will. Thanks Zack. I'll see you as soon as I can.
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[ Saying that doesn't stop the way he lingers with the call. Doesn't stop him from trying to think of something- anything else to say. But there's nothing more he can do to help. He just has to actually follow through with those words and part of trusting is hanging up.
So, he ends the call. ]