snowblindrpg | [Log] I'm Not Dead Yet! ...Only Mostly Dead [closed to Sad Losers]

[ Faceplants r'us. ]

[ Leaving hadn't been an easy thing. Leaving had meant leaving Cloud to go off on his own once more. But with the Joker out there and Tifa only with that one guy, he understood. Or maybe it was more a matter of reminding himself that those two years had really passed. That time could change a lot of things. It and this town had certainly changed he, himself.

But still, he's stubborn that day. Still, he's avid to take the back and sandwich the boys between he and Kunsel. He's not crazy about the idea of his best friend running into Joker first thing were he to be traversing through the tunnels, himself, but he can't imagine Joker would find that a good plan knowing how narrow travel is there. That leaves Zack weaving through his muddled thoughts. His thoughts that have been slowly starting to spin since the last evening when Kunsel had gotten there finally.

He's just tired though, he thinks. Just didn't get enough sleep the night before. Or the night before that. ...Really, it's been days since he last slept well and he can't see his sleep patterns getting any better any time soon. That's all it is. But he has to focus, regardless. Has to keep an eye out for that anomaly. Just because it seems like it was lured away doesn't mean there's no chance that it could backtrack. Doesn't mean they couldn't have attracted something else either.

It's that will power from that thought alone... It's what keeps him swinging the light of his tablet back behind them, eyes narrowed. Even as he uncharacteristically stumbles over his own feet. He rights himself soon after, eyes darting to look at the group ahead- wincing as his vision dances and he touches a hand to his temple. A shake of his head later and he drops that hand before he starts again, calling out from behind them: ] You see it, Kuns?

[ He's... really hoping they're close. ]

Edited 2016-04-08 01:27 (UTC)

[Leading at the front, Kunsel knows he's supposed to keep an eye out for anything up ahead. After the monster that morning, though, he's taken to casting quick looks back, just in case. Just in case. The narrow tunnels make it easy to take that risk. If anything dangerous intends to approach from ahead, there's only one direction it can come from, and he should have plenty of time to see it and prepare. Plenty of time to double check to make sure they don't get attacked from behind. Zack should be keeping a watch behind them, too, but it's hard for Kunsel to shake his paranoia.

At least he acknowledges it for what it is. It means he can stamp down on his concern when he sees Zack weave, his movements just a little off.

Stress, he reminds himself. He's just stressed, like all of us are. He won't appreciate if I try to hover right now. And he does have a job to do up here. Turning his attention to the front again, he squints his eyes, once again wishing for SOLDIER enhanced eye sight. Just because he's adjusted to having ordinary vision again doesn't mean he doesn't miss what he once had.]

Ask me again in a minute. If the maps we've seen are right, we'll probably see it after we clear this bend. If we don't, we'll need to pick up the pace a bit if we want to make it before nightfall. [He thinks they can get away with it, now that they've passed those deadly ceiling icicles.] Jim, Zell, you two up for that?

[He had meant to talk to Kunsel about how much like shit Zack has looked lately. How he managed to be more paler than normal and has been out of breath, but a lot has happened since Zell has realized something was up. Hanging with Brian, the day things were screwy, and a couple of monsters tend to flip things upside down.

Right now, Zell's concentration has been on keeping a hand on Jim in some regard. Holding his hand or applying gentle pressure against his shoulder. Sure, the last monster was slower than shit, but it could come following them.

Keeping his tablet in his other hand and shining it's light onto the ground in front of them to give some more light for no reason at all as he glances back to the Soldier taking up the rear. Kunsel's words distracts him thinking too hard about the fact Zack was again worn out sooner than normal. Looking at Jim a moment to assess him before looking forward.]

I'm up for it. I can keep going all night.

[Giving a confident grin. He was okay and they haven't even done training yet, so he's good to go. Giving Jim a squeeze.]

[ Jim's trailing a few steps behind Zell. His hand is tight in Zell's but he'd too distracted to notice what the other two have seen with Zack, the same way he's been too distracted since they woke up alone. First it had been the separation, and then the hospital, and then Brian and fallout of the madness he'd slept through. Then, just when everything seemed to be getting back to normal, Morph -

Morph.

He's not thinking about it. Instead he's bouncing his tablet light around the cavern, catching the glittering ice here and there while casting the shadows into even sharper relief. The monster had been slow, and chasing Cloud in the other direction, he reminds himself. It's not chasing the, it's chasing Cloud, who ran from monsters all the time back home. He'd be fine. They'd be fine.

The mention of moving faster startles him out of the rut his thoughts were falling into. He blinks at Kunsel and then at Zell. The stalagmites hanging above head creak occasionally, and he can just imagine what the vibrations of their feet might do.

Doesn't matter. Better than freezing to death. ]

Yeah, we can do it. C'mon - ?

[ Now he turns to look and notices that Zack is several paces further back than he'd usually let himself be, almost out of the light. ]

-Zack?

-huh? Yeah- can do. of course.. [ The words jumble out in a stilted stagger. Distracted. His gaze swings to the cadet, vision blurring one moment and clearing the next. When did he get so far from the group again? He needs to catch up. They need to move. A little voice in the back of his head reminds him of that time limit again. One moment, his arm's outstretched with his tablet as a flashlight. The next, it's jarringly in front of him. The brightness sears his eyes and makes his head ache more than the dull throb it's been under since that morning. He's wincing at the sight of the clock on it, barely reading three... no, five-thirty something?

Wait, what was it again..?

-Right. Catching up. That's what he'd been in the process of doing. They need to get to that building- post office. Post office. Gotta get there. Get there before lockdown. Get there. Gotta move though. They don't know if... How long did Kuns say..? He forces his legs to move again, to try and carry himself faster to make up the difference of the distance he lost. Is it...? He's pretty sure no one's ever said anything about it, but... ]

Is it just me.. or does it seem warmer down here?

Edited 2016-04-08 03:20 (UTC)

[Warmer?

That's enough to get Kunsel's steps to falter, and to pull his eyes away from the front yet again as he casts a concerned look back at Zack.]

Not in the slightest. [Even the warmest temperatures they've been feeling the past few days still feel like they're at the freezing mark at best.] Zack, are you feeling alright?

[Now that he's looking again, Zack really doesn't look too good.]

[Hearing the tone in Jim’s voice as he says their friend’s name and then Kunsel asking about the Soldier, causes Zell to look at each of them, before settling his attention on the lead.]
He’s been getting worn out quicker lately.

[Let’s talk like Zack isn’t within earshot, yes? And totally tattling! Gesturing to Kunsel and jerking a thumb backwards towards the slow poke.] I can take lead if you want.

[Pausing a moment to search Jim’s face to ask if he’s coming with as he gives him a light tug forward.] We’re almost there. [Doing his best to sound reassuring to his boyfriend, while keeping his voice low.]

-Running out of breath really easily. [ Jim remembers it abruptly as he stumbles forward from Zell's tug. There'd been a simple explanation for it when they'd been running to meet each other, so he'd written it off, but now there's no reason for Zack to sound the way he does unless he's coming down with something at the worst possible time.

Jim glances down at his tablet flashing with the nightly warning. Get into shelter, and they still don't know how long they have before they reach the safety of the post office. Casting a wary look in the direction they're heading, his brow creases deeply in worry. ]

Is he going to be able to make it? [ The question's either directed at Zell or only meant to be heard by Jim himself. They have the tent, but Jim knows it's too small to shelter all of them. ] Zack? C'mon, we've got to hurry.

[ Everything seems distorted. Every voice like it's underwater. But the underlying tone he gets. Enough that there's something unintelligible grumbled under his breath. Something that gets lost in translation as the words dim and slide in his head. Nothing more than a mumble before he shakes himself back into focus with a: ] -good. I'm...

[ Hurry.

They need to hurry.

So, he needs to move- and he can. He will. He's got this. No sweat. Emphasis comes in the way his pace quickens as he tries to prove himself. Tries to outpace them in that moment. He's fine, he's fine. They'll make it, they'll make it.

He takes one, two, three strides before his vision goes dizzying, tablet slipping from his hands. Before his head pounds angrily and his foot lands crooked. He fights to catch himself, but the pain snaps all the way to his temple. One moment screaming agony. The next all he can feel is cold cushioning cheek and forehead while breath after panting hot breath escapes him. A voice, a reason echoes far away in the distance. But fight as he does to hear it, darkness slowly veils his mind until he can think no more. ]

Edited 2016-04-09 05:00 (UTC)

Zack!

[Kunsel was already in the process of switching places with Zell, eyes focused with worry on his friend, so he sees the moment when Zack's footing goes wrong. Kunsel lurches - too slow, not close enough! He can only drop into the snow next to the fallen man, heart racing with a panic that even the monster hadn't been able to induce.]

Zack! What happened? Wake up!

[His hand darts to check for a pulse - blessedly there - but Zack's eyes remain closed, his breathing ragged.

And hot. Way too hot. Even through the insulating material of his gloves, Kunsel feel the heat.

He curses loudly.]

Dammit, we need to get him to shelter. Someone grab his tablet and his pack!

[He's already working to slip that pack off of Zack's shoulders.]

If he doesn't we can always carry-

[His response to Jim abruptly stop as he hears the sound of Zack eating snow and Kunsel yelling. Faltering in his steps as he turns to look. Oh shit. Maybe he shouldn't have jinxed it. Kunsel is already upon Zack in no time, and Zell can tell from his expression that Zack is okay, but just passed out.

The lack of sleep, getting tired, the stress, and talking about how hot it is slot into place neatly. He's sick. Probably gave himself some kind of cold. Who even knows how long it's been incubating for and maybe they should have shoved some fruit his way to help combat it.]

I'll get it.

[Giving Jim's hand a squeeze before placing his own tablet into his hands as he leans close to press a kiss against his cheek.] You're the leader, now. [Giving a reassuring smile as he nudged Jim's back.] Light the way, Stars.

[Jogging back to Kunsel and Zack to grab Zack's stuff and slide it on over an arm. Snagging his tablet as well.]

I'm good here. [They should be right on the post office, so carry this much for a short distance is nothing. He can hear Mochi meowing from the pack.] You good? [Asking Kunsel as he watches him with Zack.] I should have told you earlier...

[ Jim was glancing over at Zell when Zack actually went down, so one minute he's standing - tall if unsteady - and the next he's just laying there in the snow and Kunsel's shouting directions that Jim doesn't quite catch because Zack - Zack -

Jim blinks owlishly at the kiss and the tablet that's now in his hands without him really remembering taking it, but shakes off the confusion quickly. Right, lighting the way isn't really the most useful thing in the world, but it's not like he can help carry Zack or anything. Instead he hovers, biting back the 'How long has this been going on?' and waiting for Kunsel and Zell to adjust to their new burdens before he starts moving again, leading the group forward in the tunnels.

The building looms out of the darkness again pretty quickly, and Jim's grateful even as he tenses for the possibility of an ambush. Nothing stirs in the snow, though, so he darts forward to open the door wide for Kunsel and Zell. ]

[It takes Kunsel a moment to readjust his own packs, then another to get a good grip on Zack before hauling him up with an arm hooked around Kunsel's neck. He grimaces to himself, thinking of the days when he could have easily carried Zack's weight on his shoulder, but there's really no use wishing for enhancements he's not likely to get back anytime soon. For now, he'll settle with his own arm wrapped around Zack's waist, grateful for the lack of snowdrifts on the ground to catch his feet as he half-carries, half-drags his unconscious friend.

Shiva, he's burning up. I can feel him even with gloves on!]

Let's worry about "should haves" after we're safe.

[Even with the post office rising up out of the dark, Kunsel's heart races with the knowledge that any second could be too late, that a single second had been all the difference it took for Tadashi-

He forcibly cuts that thought off.]

Alright.

[Just going to focus on getting there. He lets the pair go ahead first before following after with tablet and bags. His attention is locked on the leader with two tablets. Just making sure nothing swipes him from no where or drops from the roof of the looming building in front of them. As soon as he sees Jim opening the door and nothing happening, he lets out a breath of air he didn't know he was holding in.

Just following closely behind Kunsel and Zack to make sure he doesn't need help in the end.]

[ Jim's still bouncing the light around inside, not letting himself stop to check on Zack. It's no good bringing him in here if they're just going to get ambushed, and considering everything else that's been happening he's not even sure if monsters should be all they're worried about.

That's why Jim's doing a quick walk around the perimeter of both rooms, checking in any cranny he can think of before he rejoins the others. ]

-Is he...? What just happened?

[It doesn't escape Kunsel's notice what Jim is doing, and at some point when the teen passes by, Kunsel gives him a grateful nod of approval. Making sure they're safe inside this building is just as important as making sure they're inside before lockdown.

Freed from that worry, he focuses his attention on Zack, and on scanning the post office for someplace he can settle him and check him over. It's with a grimace that he comes to the conclusion that there is no comfortable place to sleep.

It'll have to be the floor, then. Good thing we have our own bedding.]

Not sure, Jim. He's sick, obviously, but... Zell, what did you mean by you "should have told me earlier"?

[He'll get the front door and place the bags carefully down in a corner of the lobby. At least the lobby looks clean. He opens his bag to let the cat out before looking to see where Jim was. Scanning over his body to assess how he's doing since he knows Zack is in good hands. Frowning a bit as he returns his attention back to Kunsel. Rubbing the back of his head as he looks guilty for a moment.]

He doesn't sleep when he's with me and Jim. We tried. It didn't help that Brian was there for a couple nights with us. [Now he's holding up a hand to count down.] He's been out of breath more often. He's been looking pale, and I don't think he's been eating as much as he should. [Looking over at Zack for a moment.] I thought he would get once the group was back so he'll get some sleep, you know?

[ Jim returns the nod, seriously, and takes up a position where he can see the front and back door rather than hover close to Zack. He wants to be in the middle of it, but ... he can't do anything anyway except watch the door, and with what's been happening on the network today it needs someone standing guard anyway.

He's tense and pale as Zell lists out Zack's symptoms, and has retreated completely into his jacket by the time he's done. ]

I thought - back when we first joined up, you talked to him about that, didn't you? [ This addressed to Kunsel. ] I thought he was doing better.

I did talk to him. He knows losing sleep isn't healthy, but it's not necessarily something he can control. Especially if he's worried.

[And he's certainly had reason to be worried of late. Kunsel can't quite blame him here.

First things first, though. He settles Zack gently down onto the floor in a space that's out of the main walkway, equally distant from either of the doors. Then he slides out of his packs, grateful to be relieved of the weight, and gets to work on freeing the patchwork quilt from where he's tied it and wrapped it in plastic to keep it dry. The plastic gets saved for later, for when he wants to wrap it back up, but the quilt gets immediately draped over Zack.]

Maybe we're lucky and that's all it is - just Zack worrying himself literally sick. He'll just need some rest and food, and to get warmed up.

Speaking of which, which one of you wants to volunteer to be the other half of a Zack sandwich?

[Yeah, Kunsel might be climbing under that quilt with Zack now. He wants to get him warmed up ASAP.]

[Their motives might be different completely, but Zack did remind Zell of someone he knew. Someone who tried to keep everything to themselves to try to be strong.

At the question of Zack sandwich, he'll think it over. He doesn't want Jim doing it. Jim hasn't been sleeping well either and is already stressing out.]

Give me a moment.

[Pulling out a blanket from his bag and cat food. Placing the food down before moving to Zack. Draping the blanket over and plopping down to lay on his other side. Patting the spot next to him as he looks at Jim.]

We can listen for the doors from here. [It's almost time for everything to lock up tight for the night. They'll have to figure out something come morning to help watch the doors.]

I'll keep an eye out here.

[ Jim's just going to stubbornly plant himself at the door, thanks. Someone has to be Zack while Zack is suffering the consequences of being Zack.

Or something.

Anyway, he doesn't want to get close because he's afraid of looking too closely at his friend just then. ]

You two try to get some rest, I'll wake you when it's time to switch for watch.

[Maybe Jim has his own reasons for wanting to stand guard right now, but Kunsel still gives him a look and a nod that says he understands.

But he's also grateful.

They can't just drop caution because Zack's ill.]

Thanks, Jim.

[And now to get to the serious business of tangling his arms around his friend, pressing as much of himself against the other man as he can. He'll take other measures in a few minutes, but first he needs to get Zack and the blankets around them warm.]

[Zell feels a little apprehensive about leaving Jim to guard the door. He knows enough from their lessons to be able to keep himself safe in case the Joker was stupid enough to come back this way. The issue is leaving him to stew in whatever thoughts that are troubling him. He was already on edge before Zack ate snow.

He'll get to him as soon as Zack warms up though. Sitting up to shrug out of his coat and drape it over the sick Soldier. Going to lay back down as he watches the entry way into the back office.

He's not going to sleep. Once Zack was at room temperature, Zell is going to go talk and distract the boyfriend, while keeping an ear open for anything Kunsel might need. He's pretty sure none of them are really going to sleep tonight.]

[Log] I'm Not Dead Yet! ...Only Mostly Dead [closed to Sad Losers]

Evening of Day 102

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Sorry I suck <3

o_o

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sorry

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orz

Shhh, you're fine.

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