[log] A MERRY MEETING [closed]

[armoured]

Characters: Zack, Kunsel, Zell, Jim, and Alphonse
Location R19 - 150
Date: Night of 112
Summary: Al runs across a group of friends.
Warnings: None

[Even though he knew that Zell and the others were heading for this house that evening, it still makes Al's stomach twist in concern that they might not make it. Either due to excessive weather, or a creature coming after them, or--

So it's with intense relief when he does eventually spot four figures on the horizon.

He flings the door open wide and begins waving both his arms enthusiastically. He cuts quite a figure, bright and shiny against the snow, huge metal spikes practically vibrating with his excitement. He has been deliberately avoiding people too long, something he's ashamed of now, and to spend a night with friends is exactly what he needs right now.]

HEY--! HEY, OVER HERE!!!

Comments

[deus_ex_phs]

Al!

[Al's not the only one cutting a figure in a shiny helmet, but at least part of Kunsel's face can be seen lighting up at the sight of his tall, young friend. The SOLDIER shifts his bags on his shoulder enough so that he can wave at the teen in return.]

Don't just stand there blocking the door! Let us in!

[He grins, showing he's just teasing there.]

[swatsflies]

[With Kunsel in the lead, it's a little hard to see Al at first. That is until the Soldier said something. Looking up to see a figure he really hasn't seen in over a month.]

Yo! Al! It's Al!

[What was that Kunsel? Help block the door? Gladly! Zell is going to break out of formation to make a run for the toy store. He's going to try to pretty much tackle the suit of armor with a hug. There is a protesting meow in his bag from being jostled again. Mochi is having a rough travel day today.]

Hey, man! How are you? Did you wait long?

[heroproceeding]

[ So much for not blocking the door. There goes Zell, of course, not listening. At all.

Not like he can really blame him though. The smile that breaks across his own face is likely just as ridiculous as he watches the young man go to tackle the familiar suit of armor. He chuckles to himself before cupping a hand to his mouth at the back of the group shouting: ]

Hey! Kuns said out of the way of the door! Then, you can hug it out all you want! [ And that hugging out might also include a hug from him, too, Al. It's been so long. Far too long. ]

orz

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's occupied by the tablet but looks up when he hears Al's voice. His face splits into a grin and he only pauses for a moment before loping after Zell. He definitely doesn't help the group hug/door pileup situation by trying to fish Mochi out of Zell's bag while Zell is hugging Al and Zack is arriving on top of them.

He does, eventually, succeed and hold the cat aloft SIMBA before thrusting it in Al's direction. ] Hey, man, think fast!

[armoured]

[Al can't help but laugh as he's essentially dogpiled, allowing himself to be knocked over in a crash of metal onto the floor. He looks much the same as ever, except for a pink scarf wound around his helmet so completely that it's almost as though he's wearing a second helmet on top of his first one, concealing his face from view.

One huge arm scoops around Zell to hug him tightly, while the other one juts out to catch Mochi and settle the fat cat on his stomach for ear scratches.]

Hey guys.

[His spirits have already lifted tenfold just from these few moments.]

I'd love to get out of the way of the door, but I kind of have this heavy lump on me.

[And no, he's not talking about Mochi. How many rations did you eat, Zell?]

[deus_ex_phs]

Come on, be considerate, you two!

[Kunsel's still grinning as he shouts at Jim and Zell, following behind at a pace that's less than their run.]

There's not enough room for a group hug while you guys are in the doorway.

[No, seriously, get out of the way. It's kind of freezing out here.]

[swatsflies]

[What a manly fashion statement Al is rocking! Not that Zell has any room to judge with his incredible space leggings under his board shorts.]

Mochi isn't that big. [Totally taking it like he's talking about the cat. He hasn't eaten that many. With everyone being butts, he'll get off the younger teen and offer a hand to help him up.]

You didn't wait long, right? The toys are pretty creepy in there.

[heroproceeding]

Creepy's an understatement. [ That's right. Shots being fired at those things already.

But it doesn't make that smile waver in the least. It doesn't change the way he's glancing around here and there, perfectly aware that they're not out of the woods yet. They're good so far though. A few more crunching footfalls take him to the doorway where Zell's helping to collect Al back to his feet and he gives their mutual friend a once over before shaking his head. ] Nice scarf. Going for a new fashion statement like Jim?

[ That newspaper cap's ridiculous, kid. Says the one wearing an equally ridiculous bandanna on his head. Look, Zell! They match! ]

[rattlingthestars]

Hey!

[ Jim scowls and puts a defensive hand over his newsboy cap and elbows Zack in the ribs. ] You're gonna make fun of my hat in that kerchief? Really?

[ He turns a pleading look on Al as he squeezes past, into the toy shop proper where it's slightly warmer and far less crowded. ] You don't have to take this from him, Al, you're bigger than he is.

[armoured]

[Hauling himself to his feet, only partially using Zell's offered hand so that he doesn't pull both of them back down again, Al finally gets out of the way of the door to let everyone in. He may also have appropriated Mochi for himself.]

I guess we all look pretty stupid, huh?

[Not that he's moving to take his scarf off, considering it's disguising his acid burns from the fight with Joker.]

As long as they keep us warm, what does it matter what they look like? Come on, don't fall out over something as stupid as this. [He's chuckling, nudging Jim on the shoulder.]

[deus_ex_phs]

You all do. I'm just an innocent, good-looking bystander here.

[Despite the quip, Kunsel is eager to get inside and out of the biting cold. Three months here means he's gotten somewhat used to it, but he'd still much rather be inside. As soon as Al moves aside, Kunsel slips in past him and around the others.]

Who's hungry? I still have some oranges from our last stop at the grocery store.

[swatsflies]

Nothing wrong with pink, man. You're just jealous they can pull it off.

[Slipping off his bag to place it by where the cash register should be. Pulling out the cat food and bowl for when and if Al is ever finished with Mochi.

Don't worry, Al. Only one of them will do any kind of falling here. At Al's words, Zell does look over at Zack immediately after the word "fall". He's very subtle. Whoops.

Moving over to Jim to drape an arm around him as soon as he gets his own pack off.] I'll take an orange. [They are the best]

Zack has cat toys if you want to play with him after he eats. [Looking at Al as he talks, before canting his head to the side.] Why are you wearing it like that, anyways?

[heroproceeding]

[ The well deserved elbowing gets a grunt out of him. And Zell's comment? A roll of his eyes. But he can't help but smile anyway as he finally is able to scoot into the house, too. He shuts the door behind him first 'cause damn, it's cold. But after that, he's already making a beeline to wrap his arms around the kid in the suit of armor.

He's freezing cold, granted, and that just totally negated the whole point of closing the door, but... hell, is it ever good to see him again. Especially after the last time they'd ever seen each other? This... This is much better. Absently, he nods towards Kunsel. Sure, he'd like an orange in a minute- but

..huh? Zell's comment gets him stepping back and tilting his own head to the side. Almost too thoughtfully, he adds: ] Hey, Zell.. I thought you said there was nothing wrong with pink.