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[swatsflies]

@ZD
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((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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[rattlingthestars]

[ He thought he might not ever get to see that smile again. As twisted up as he's feeling right now, it loosens something in his chest. ]

Yeah. As long as you want me to.

[ He ducks his head, and, quietly, daringly: ]

That's what the rings mean.

[swatsflies]

[ The smile remains as he brings the ring to his mouth to touch it. It feels right. Beaming at his screen. ]

I want you. [ A pause. ] To stay on.

[ Yup that's totally it. ]

It's nice. Having proof that people are real. That there's something to look forward to remembering.
[ He's talking as he hops down from the table. He's pretty excited because not only are there people, there's this. A promise for the future. ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Oh. It still hurts; the words and the smile. Jim rubs his chest absently, unable to look away. ]

It shouldn't be long. A few days.

[swatsflies]

[ He's thinking for a moment. ]

Just through the tunnels.

[ Which Jim should know, right? He isn't sure. He remembers all of the places here. Pausing to frown a moment. ]

You know I was thinking of just giving up.

[ He's not sure why he's even saying that to Jim. It just feels right sharing. Looking away as he rubs the back of his head. ]

[rattlingthestars]

Giving up?

[ Jim thinks he knows what Zell means, even if he doesn't want to. His question comes out sharper than he meant it, the fear obvious in his voice. ]

That's not like you.

[swatsflies]

[ There's an uncomfortable feeling in his chest as he hears that fear. ]

Yeah, I know. It's just that I thought no one was here. That there wasn't any point.

[ To any of this if it's just Zell... ]

So you gave me something to look forward to. That I did something good.
[ ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ ]

[rattlingthestars]

Even if it were just you, you still can't give up.

[ That's an order. Or maybe a plea. Jim's not exactly sure which. He lets otu a long sigh. ]

You're... you're the thing I look forward to, too.

[swatsflies]

[ Is it possible to like someone you had no memories of? He's beaming again at the thought that someone is looking forward to him. That Jim is looking forward to him. He thinks about the image on the screen again, and a bittersweet feeling feeling bubbles inside. ]

I won't give up. Promise.

[ Another one. Like the ring and like something else too... ]

[rattlingthestars]

You -

[ Jim just stares, as if he's been caught off guard by something, and takes a deep breath that turns into a cough halfway through. ]

[swatsflies]

[ He'll sort through all the feelings later though. The coughing earns a concern frown. ]

Hey. Are you alright?

[rattlingthestars]

I thought I might not ever see that again.

[ He might regret telling Zell this, later, but he's going to find out anyway: ]

I almost gave up, too. You just reminded me of all our promises.

[swatsflies]

It'll take a lot more than that to take me out, baby.

[ He will just keep coming back. ]

I'm glad you didn't. Give up.

[ He wants to ask about other promises, but he also wants to remember them himself. ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim snorts, quietly, at the 'baby.' ]

You're pretty resilient. Hard head. Trust me.

[ Now that he's joined the 'headbutted Zell' club! ]

It was mine. The thing that got you.

[swatsflies]

[ Reaching up to touch his forehead to rub it.. He's not sure why, but it did make him think of bruised foreheads. ]

Yours?

[ Takes half a second for him to realize he meant the anomaly. ]

It's not your fault though. This place brought a bunch of 'em here. And I know it was worth it.

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim echoes the gesture, rubbing his own forehead, without really thinking about it. ]

Heh. Maybe you should decide that after your memories come back.

[ Not that Jim thinks the answer will change. He knows it won't. ]

You shouldn't have had to go through this. You made it so long, you know? And then boom.

[swatsflies]

I remember it was important. I couldn't let him get what he was after.

[ And seeing the messages from others, he's pretty sure the reason he did it was talking to him now ]

I don't regret it. And I know it'll be the same even after I remember.

[ Then he's thinking about it... ]

It has been a long time, huh? [ He's now part of the club, right ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ It was important. Jim looks away, unable to speak for a moment as he processes that. That the feeling was strong enough to stick with Zell even through all of this really means something. ]

Five or six months. It's a lot longer than most people here make it.

[swatsflies]

[ In some ways, the residual feelings are helping him bridge over what was actually going on with what and who. It's also making things pretty confusing because of the awareness of gaps being there. ]

Man, has it really been that long? [ There is a pause. ]

Wait. What day is it?

[rattlingthestars]

Two ninety... one?

[ Jim has to think it over; he hasn't been the most cognizant of time passing, the last day or so, even without the persistent sickness that's still bothering him. ]

It's been a really long time.

[swatsflies]

[ He looks relieved at that. ]

Alright, good. I thought I missed something.

[ He doesn't know what though? Just that it's a day or two away :( ]

[rattlingthestars]

Not yet.

[ Whatever it is, apparently Jim knows. ]

Any other questions?

[swatsflies]

Tons, but I also don't want to really spoil anything, you know? So I'll stick to a couple. [ He just has to use his questions wisely! ]
How long have we known each other?

[rattlingthestars]

Two hundred and forty-five days. Well, forty-six now, I guess.

[ It's after midnight, right? ]

It seems like way longer.

[swatsflies]

Man, that's almost as long as I've been here.

[ It's pretty impressive! ]

You stuck by me a long time, huh?

[ Which is hard to even fathom.

Clicking around on the tablet as grows even more curious about Jim. ]

[rattlingthestars]

You stuck by me.

[ Jim realizes pretty quickly that Zell might take that the wrong way. ]

I mean, I'm getting the way better end of the bargain. Or something. You're worth sticking around for.