[ 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.
[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.
[ There's one thing good about layers. It hides the damage, whatever it was. It certainly doesn't hide the occasional moment where he's paused, stiff, before recovering and moving onward, but he certainly hadn't said a word about it since then. Had coaxed every voiced concern with an 'okay' and 'fine' and otherwise had taken it easy. All the squats from the night before certainly hadn't helped his cause, but he wasn't about to complain about that either.
Instead, his attention's full on Zell. The one who while he might not be struggling with so much physically (or so he thinks), he's definitely not been okay in other ways. A way he quickly acknowledges. Zack opens his eyes to watch the young man curiously. ]
A hallucination then. [ He nods just a bit in recognition not really seeming surprised in the least by this revelation although a foul look does cross his face. ] Well, that would explain things. [ There's a short pause before he shakes his head with a softer expression. ] I know it's easy to wanna blame yourself, but it's not your fault. It can be hard to figure out what's real here sometimes. I've got the bruise to prove it. [ A meek smile touches his lips. ]
[He knows his fist connected pretty hard. Zell does have the urge to pull at Zack's layers to check himself how bad he hit the soldier, but they were outside. And Jim could come out and peek at them any time or try to look. Zack made sure Zell knew it was important no one else knew about what was lurking under those garments. Shifting from foot to foot and keeping his hands closed tight as he continued to stare just a bit longer.]
I know it's hard to believe, but it was like I was some where- [And he halts his words as he realizes what Zack says. He's not blaming him. He gets it was a hallucination. It also sounds like this isn't anything new hear.]
Buwah? [Making a rather weird surprised sound as he looks at Zack with a mixture of surprise and confusion. He also flinches at the words figure out what's real here sometimes. Zell resists the urge to look behind him.]
[ Zell, no strip searching him now. That wouldn't go over well with your boyfriendo and it'd be a little weird. Only not really, but it might scar Jim's life just a little more. Let's not do that. So, Zack'll be thankful when he doesn't try even though he's making it... pretty obvious he wants to check on things. The SOLDIER only shakes his head a bit at that.
Then a bit at that counter-argument which at least gets a sliver of an amused smile out of him. He believes you, he believes you, Zell. Has a little more faith in you than maybe you realized. And yeah, also... there's a more solid nod this time although he turns his attention away then, watching the snow fall faintly in that moment. ]
It was months ago, back when... Well. [ He narrows his brows, tone falling a bit more distant. ] Me and Lancer got hit with something pretty bad. We ended up getting into a fight thinking we were other people and knocking each other clean out. [ He gestures to his forehead in emphasis. ] If you think this was bad, you should'a seen the chocoboegg I got back then.
[ The joke admittedly falls somewhat flat, but the point still stands. He gets it. ]
[Zell's belief in himself usually covers his fighting capabilities, his knowledge of geography back home, and then being dependable.
The last belief is on shaky grounds more and more. Especially since he was stupid enough to let himself be controlled. If he didn't give Jim his knives...
The joke might fall flat, much like Zack did right before being brought here, but Zell understands the reference. Chocobo eggs are frickin' huge. He's trying to imagine an actual bump that sized on Zack's head. Squinting a moment or two before a corner of his mouth lifts up.]
Good thing your head is hard then. [With the amount of beatings it probably gets... He reaches up to touch his own. It's gone down a lot thanks to actually keeping snow on it on and off and taking care of himself.] I don't think I met Lancer. [Before he probably died.]
[ Even if he hadn't given Jim his knives, there's no doubt Zack would have still forgiven him. ...Granted, he would probably be in a lot more pain and that might have required some bandaging, but details. And besides, it didn't happen.
...Still doesn't make Zell any less of a shit for making that smartass remark about his head, but in the end, Zack just rolls his eyes and shakes it. His own isn't nearly as bad as it had been. Still well bruised but not swollen like it was even just a few days ago. The retort he considered ends up forgotten in the face of Zell's admittance. Didn't meet him. Likely hadn't known him either. How long had it been since...? Zack hums and crosses his arms with slightly furrowed brows. ]
We traveled together a while. He was... Well, he was definitely a good friend of mine. [ Like a brother in arms. His smile's mixed at the thought. Funny how the death of someone that matters paints a painful view of once pleasant memories, that feeling translating quickly into his expression. ] Kind of an ass, but I think you would'a liked him.
[Given that kind of an ass applies to a lot of his friends from home, then yeah he would have gotten along with Lancer well enough. He's setting aside whatever weighing on his mind and heart to move closer to Zack. Going to forget the dumb idea that something could control him any time to hurt his friends and place a hand on Zack's shoulder.
Zack has been here longer. The list of Zell's friends who were no longer here is much shorter than Zack's. He lets silence settle between them for a few moments. Zack looks a lot more tired and some how looks more pale than normal. It's not just sadness and bodies weighing heavily on his shoulders and heart, but something else. Something Zell can't really translate yet. He's still learning Zackism. Kunsel will probably get it though. They just have to be patient for him to get back to them.]
I get along with you just fine. [Attempting a cheeky smile as he gives his shoulder a squeeze. Not going to hug because he is being super mindful of the bruise Zack probably has on his stomach.] Any friends of yours, man. [Would count as a friend or an ally at least.]
[ The fact that Zell seems to drop his guard, that he seems to approach him again without hesitance once more and touch his shoulder... That's more than enough of a relief. Perhaps more than Zack, himself, realized initially. Instinctively, he goes to reach up in turn. To lightly clap a hand over his friend's and give it a squeeze as his smile grows just a little more real.
And then realer at that comment. It's still not easy to think about it, no. But... still. To think of Lancer and Zell... what they would have been like together? He can only imagine the kind of dynamic they would have had. And it's a good thought. A good feeling even in the bittersweet moment. And even better knowing, well... He shakes his head just a little. ]
Get along just fine, huh. I guess. [ Just gonna be a bit of a butt here. Never mind it's true. ] Anyway, look, seriously. Don't worry about it. Though I gotta ask- you know what brought that on by chance?
[Zack being up set trumps any hesitations on touching or bridging the space. He might be wary or putting a distance between them next time Winter chats though.
Concentrating on the inquiry because it's pretty important.] A light. She showed me the room she was in and there was a light flashing on and off. It kept turning on and off until I felt like I was there. I don't know if I was seeing something related to her or if was just this place messing around, you know?
It's hard to say... [ And honestly makes him feel something between curious and just plain uneasy. She showed him something... but then she had been acting strange. So strange that day. He didn't have to talk with her personally to get that impression. The conversations he had read, well. They had told him enough.
He peels his hand away, but it's only so he can cross his arms in thought as he looks out to the distance. ] I'd just be more careful next time. When things go haywire like that, you never know what's gonna happen.
You better be. I mean I can handle a hit like that. But you end up catching the wrong guy off guard like that... It won't be pretty, you know?
[ As much as he doesn't intend to scare Zell, well. They gotta be realistic, too. And the fact of the matter is if it'd been Jim... Well.
It's a good thing it wasn't. It makes his eyes flicker for a moment in a passing thought but- no. Not the time. Not in such a small house. Which might be why instead he starts back into the house... if not reaching out to pat his shoulder in the midst of his stride. ] Take care of him.
[ There's a weight in those words like there's something more. But he's already ducking back inside to join the others. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Day 101 afternoon; action at House 126
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.
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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.
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Instead, his attention's full on Zell. The one who while he might not be struggling with so much physically (or so he thinks), he's definitely not been okay in other ways. A way he quickly acknowledges. Zack opens his eyes to watch the young man curiously. ]
A hallucination then. [ He nods just a bit in recognition not really seeming surprised in the least by this revelation although a foul look does cross his face. ] Well, that would explain things. [ There's a short pause before he shakes his head with a softer expression. ] I know it's easy to wanna blame yourself, but it's not your fault. It can be hard to figure out what's real here sometimes. I've got the bruise to prove it. [ A meek smile touches his lips. ]
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I know it's hard to believe, but it was like I was some where- [And he halts his words as he realizes what Zack says. He's not blaming him. He gets it was a hallucination. It also sounds like this isn't anything new hear.]
Buwah? [Making a rather weird surprised sound as he looks at Zack with a mixture of surprise and confusion. He also flinches at the words figure out what's real here sometimes. Zell resists the urge to look behind him.]
Has something like this happen before?
[He turns his attention back to the ground.]
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Then a bit at that counter-argument which at least gets a sliver of an amused smile out of him. He believes you, he believes you, Zell. Has a little more faith in you than maybe you realized. And yeah, also... there's a more solid nod this time although he turns his attention away then, watching the snow fall faintly in that moment. ]
It was months ago, back when... Well. [ He narrows his brows, tone falling a bit more distant. ] Me and Lancer got hit with something pretty bad. We ended up getting into a fight thinking we were other people and knocking each other clean out. [ He gestures to his forehead in emphasis. ] If you think this was bad, you should'a seen the chocoboegg I got back then.
[ The joke admittedly falls somewhat flat, but the point still stands. He gets it. ]
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The last belief is on shaky grounds more and more. Especially since he was stupid enough to let himself be controlled. If he didn't give Jim his knives...
The joke might fall flat, much like Zack did right before being brought here, but Zell understands the reference. Chocobo eggs are frickin' huge. He's trying to imagine an actual bump that sized on Zack's head. Squinting a moment or two before a corner of his mouth lifts up.]
Good thing your head is hard then. [With the amount of beatings it probably gets... He reaches up to touch his own. It's gone down a lot thanks to actually keeping snow on it on and off and taking care of himself.] I don't think I met Lancer. [Before he probably died.]
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...Still doesn't make Zell any less of a shit for making that smartass remark about his head, but in the end, Zack just rolls his eyes and shakes it. His own isn't nearly as bad as it had been. Still well bruised but not swollen like it was even just a few days ago. The retort he considered ends up forgotten in the face of Zell's admittance. Didn't meet him. Likely hadn't known him either. How long had it been since...? Zack hums and crosses his arms with slightly furrowed brows. ]
We traveled together a while. He was... Well, he was definitely a good friend of mine. [ Like a brother in arms. His smile's mixed at the thought. Funny how the death of someone that matters paints a painful view of once pleasant memories, that feeling translating quickly into his expression. ] Kind of an ass, but I think you would'a liked him.
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Zack has been here longer. The list of Zell's friends who were no longer here is much shorter than Zack's. He lets silence settle between them for a few moments. Zack looks a lot more tired and some how looks more pale than normal. It's not just sadness and bodies weighing heavily on his shoulders and heart, but something else. Something Zell can't really translate yet. He's still learning Zackism. Kunsel will probably get it though. They just have to be patient for him to get back to them.]
I get along with you just fine. [Attempting a cheeky smile as he gives his shoulder a squeeze. Not going to hug because he is being super mindful of the bruise Zack probably has on his stomach.] Any friends of yours, man. [Would count as a friend or an ally at least.]
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And then realer at that comment. It's still not easy to think about it, no. But... still. To think of Lancer and Zell... what they would have been like together? He can only imagine the kind of dynamic they would have had. And it's a good thought. A good feeling even in the bittersweet moment. And even better knowing, well... He shakes his head just a little. ]
Get along just fine, huh. I guess. [ Just gonna be a bit of a butt here. Never mind it's true. ] Anyway, look, seriously. Don't worry about it. Though I gotta ask- you know what brought that on by chance?
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Concentrating on the inquiry because it's pretty important.] A light. She showed me the room she was in and there was a light flashing on and off. It kept turning on and off until I felt like I was there. I don't know if I was seeing something related to her or if was just this place messing around, you know?
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He peels his hand away, but it's only so he can cross his arms in thought as he looks out to the distance. ] I'd just be more careful next time. When things go haywire like that, you never know what's gonna happen.
[ Like with the tablets that one time... ]
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[Sadly, as much as he means it now, he probably won't follow through with this. Whoops.]
I'll be more careful.
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[ As much as he doesn't intend to scare Zell, well. They gotta be realistic, too. And the fact of the matter is if it'd been Jim... Well.
It's a good thing it wasn't. It makes his eyes flicker for a moment in a passing thought but- no. Not the time. Not in such a small house. Which might be why instead he starts back into the house... if not reaching out to pat his shoulder in the midst of his stride. ] Take care of him.
[ There's a weight in those words like there's something more. But he's already ducking back inside to join the others. ]