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[ Jim picks up on the images and his eyes widen and dart around. Did anyone else -?

They're not reacting, which just leaves Jim to be flustered.

He clears his throat loudly. ]

You got to see my place. Take me to yours.

[ Whoops. Looks sheepish as Jim glances around flustered. On one hand very worth it, and he's trying to keep his thoughts on super innocent things when Jim says take me to yours. Licking his own lips to chase the taste there as he nods. ]

Y-yeah. [ He's up and fumbling with slipping his shoes back on deciding to skip the socks. His socks are shoved into a pocket and then he's reaching for Jim. Hesitating for a moment and then deciding to change his mind and offer the crook of his elbow to him instead. ]

Come on, Stars. [ Not quite meeting his eyes. ] Your turn to meet my Ma.

[ Zell's attempts at innocent thoughts are only sort of working, judging by the look on Jim's face as he takes Zell's elbow.

That lasts until Zell mentions his Ma, and then Jim turns pale. ]

I - Zell, look at me.

[ He makes a gesture with his free hand that encompasses his unwashed hair, clothes that still have blood spotted here and there, everything - ]

You want me to tell your Ma I'm courting you like this?

[ The confusion is pretty clear on Zell's face as he tried to figure out what the issue is. He looks him over carefully. ]

I am looking at you.

[ Letting go to put his arm behind Jim and rest his hand on his waist. ]

You're amazing. [ A pause. ] We can wash up before going. There is a hotel next door. [ He would gladly help the boyfriend out. ]

[ Jim rubs his face and reminds himself it's only a dream - he thinks. Zell's dream-Ma will like him because ... well, because it's Zell's brain, and Zell seems pretty confident about it. ]

Alright, alright.

[ Deep... nervous breaths. ]

Show me.

[ Think of it as a trial run, Jim! Not that their first meeting could go as bad as Zell's encounter with Mrs. Hawkins.

Giving his hand a squeeze as he starts walking up the path that winds around the hotel to get back to the main street. ]

Did I tell you about Galbadia's invasion?

[ He knows he missed it when they were sharing stores when Jim was blind. ]

Don't think so.

[ Jim looks around curiously. The place seems peaceful, maybe even as sleepy as Benbow. ]

There was really a battle here?

When they were searching for Sis. Remember that Sorceress from the future? She wanted Ellone's powers. She ordered a search of every coastal town. They already hit up a few smaller towns and burned them to the ground.

[ Towns without a name. ]

Balamb was next on their list. My Ma kept the town calm when they were invaded. Kept the peace and all of that until I got back with my friends.

[ For a moment, Jim can see the Galbadia army wandering the streets and standing guard outside of the hotel's entrance. ]

-Your mom sounds so cool.

[ Jim blurts it out without really thinking, but it's true. Keeping a whole town from burning down while they were under attack? Pretty impressive. ]

Nothing was destroyed?

She is pretty cool. [ She did manage to raise a rowdy kid, and help out with the neighbor's handful! ]

Nothing but fishing gear and my Ma's oven. [ There is a grin as he looks back towards the docks. ]

Raijin was trying to catch a fish, but he caught the wrong kind. Decided during the occupation to use a random frickin' oven to cook it in. That's when he used Ma's. The fish is actually how the dog helped us out.

Not exactly an adventure novel, but that makes a pretty great story.

[ Jim pauses at an intersection, looking around to remember which way they'd come. ]

Raijin sounds like an idiot.

[ Laughing as he pulls Jim along towards his door. There's an older man sitting on the bench looking over. He seems to nod at them as if in approval that they are heading to his Ma's. ]

You got that right. Though I do have to admire his loyalty. See, him and Fuujin stuck with Seifer through thick and thin. [ Oh maybe he should touch on the whole Seifer working for the Sorceress thing. Before he does though they are at the door. There is a balcony above with ample plant life, and the whole building seems to curve away with the street that heads around to the inn and docks. Looks like there a window that is just above the street. There is a small window directly to the left with herbs growing in pots. ]

Ready? [ Ducking close to press a peck against his cheek for courage. ]

[ Jim's questions about Seifer - and he has a few - will have to wait. He takes a deep breath and straightens his posture and nods back at the old man.

The kiss for courage seals the deal and he nods, once. ]

Ready. This is it?

[ He nods. Jim might be able to smell fish baking from outside of the door. Zell opens the door into the front room. ]

Yo, Ma! I'm here! [ It's weird being back.

To the right spans a large, curving bureau. There's a small radio, framed photos, plants, and a large shell with glass orbs sitting inside.

To the left is the kitchen. Other than the sound of the oven, it's pretty quiet in there.

There are stairs next to the kitchen, and straight forward seems to be the living room. ]

Zell? Is that you?

[ The voice sounds like it's coming from the living room. Zell puts a hand on Jim's shoulder to give him a squeeze. Then he'll go ahead. ]

I brought someone I want you to meet.

[ It's a homey smell, like nothing in Norfinbury - the inn is laid over their vision and then gone in a blink. Jim doesn't comment on it as he looks around at Zell's memories of his home.

It's pretty and Jim can imagine Zell here - younger, just as rambunctious, growing and working toward SeeD.

Jim freezes at the sound of Ma's voice, his eyes darting to Zell. Just a dream, he reminds himself as he follows his boyfriend slowly. ]

[ Jim can play spot the blonde eight year old in a photo. The framed photos around around the place have pictures of a younger Zell, his Ma, and someone much older in a uniform and a white beard.

Once Jim joins him in the living room, he'll clap a hand onto his shoulder. ]

Ma, this is Jim Hawkins.

[ The woman is stand by two desks with papers and books opened. Jim may get a sense that she helps watch and tutor some of the local kids. She smiles brightly with relief in her expression as she looks at Jim. ]

What a surprise. Are you taking care of my rowdy boy?

[ Zell rubs his nose as he ducks his head. ]

Ma!

[ The woman laughs. ]

It's nice to meet you, Jim.

[ Jim's sharp eyes pick out every one of the pictures, darting around to each. It's the same bright eyes and goofy smile that he loves, just in miniature, and he feels lighter for it -

-even as his stomach drops at being introduced. He stands up a little straighter and tries to look like a respectable person. He thinks he's probably not succeeding, but then she's laughing and seems alright.

Jim realizes he really hadn't put any thought into what to do now. ]

-Uh. Hi. It's nice to meet you too, ma'am.

[ That works, right? He's got manners. ]

I'm trying my best.

[ Zell is already getting antsy with Jim being right here in his living room. Sure, it's a dream or whatever the hell this all was, but his heart was still thumping and his cheeks were red. His hand is moving to Jim's waist as he starts to guide him away from his Ma. ABORT ABORT. ]

Let's go, Jim.

[ His Ma doesn't seem bothered by her son trying to flee already. She just beams a smile, probably in a similar vein of energy of her son's. ]

Thank you for trying. It's not often he brings people home.

[ Zell, meanwhile, is trying to direct Jim back to the first room and towards the stairs. ]

C'mon, I'll show you to my room.

[ Oh, no, Zell. You've made a tactical error in being flustered, because Jim is digging his heels in ever so slightly. Not enough to provide true resistance, but enough to call a "nice to meet you!" over his shoulder at Zell's Ma.

It had been, even if she wasn't real. It just makes him want to meet the real thing more.

-Especially if it got Zell that flustered. ]

Alright, alright, I'm coming!

[ He's screwed in the future. For a moment, he does ponder how hard it would be to just pick Jim up. He does feel the other finally giving in. ]

Up this way.

[ Finally he let's his hand drop From Jim's side. ]

My room is at the very top.

[ Jim might be able to hear a much younger Zell being amazed that he gets an entire room to himself.

When they arrive, Zell will stand close to the stairs. It's surprisingly clean. ]

So, what do you think Stars?

[ Jim's grin lights up his face at the echo of Zell's younger self as they pound up the stairs. He comes to the top, surprised to find it so open, and surveys the room.

Considering the state of Zell's pack - and Jim's pack, if Zell's allowed to touch it - he's really not surprised at the state of the room. The decorations are closer to Norfinbury than Jim's world, but they suit Zell, and the twin punching bags are an obvious touch. ]

I like it.

[ He's drawn to the guns, first, and finds himself staring up at the picture of Zell's grandfather. ]

This is him?

[ This is him?.

For a moment a girl with blue on is there. Jim would recognize her from the card of Rinoa.

Is that your grandfather, Zell? She turns to look but fades away again. ]

Yeah, that's him. Meet my grandfather! Those are his old guns he used.

[ Then he remembers something! ] They are loaded.

[ Just in case Jim wants to fiddle with his guns. Zell put his hand on the small of Jim's back as he moves past to sit on his bed. ]

[ Maybe he's getting used to this place. The echo of Rinoa feels only a little strange; he shakes off the disconcerted feeling and turns back to the guns.

Zell was right to warn him, because Jim's already taking the smaller of the set off the display before: ]

Can I?

[ Already the way they work is echoing between them, unsure if it's coming from Jim's mind or Zell's. Jim's hands dance over each part, caressing the hammer and the barrel. ]

yes you can play with my gun bb. shoot off a load ;D

[ Giving a grin as he nods. He's still on cloud nine that Jim is even in his frickin' room. ]

Yeah, you can. They probably aren't like the guns from your world.

[ Already his mind is trying to figure out how they are different. ]

What's your room like?

Day 117 (Beautiful Dreamer Continuation)

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show him, huh? ;D

:o

Re: :o

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weeeeeee

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IDK

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bullshitting something \o/

Re: bullshitting something \o/

I have an idea

:o

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