[log] No sheets were given [open]

[swatsflies]

Characters: Castiel, Ecks, Jim, Kunsel, Zack, and Zell.
Location: 262
Date: 240 (Evening)
Summary: Delivery and hanging out.
Warnings: Ecks' fashion, Sad Losers, etc...

262: This was probably a single-story office building in the past, but at some point it seems to have been converted into a rough-looking infirmary. There are a few rod-iron beds in several offices, all of which have mattresses but lack bed sheets, while an area that probably once held cubicles now holds a couple of heavy metal tables. The tables are clean, but the carpeted floor beneath them is stained with blood.


(( Backdating/Coming late is fine! ))

Comments

[heroproceeding]

[ Ecks is- an odd one from what little he's spoken to her. But still not the odd kind to deter him and it's been a while since they've run into anyone. At least in better circumstances or at better as you can get in an abandoned infirmary. Not really his choice of places and it shows in the mild tension that seems to follow his posture everywhere. It's not long after the switching of the guard at the sealed door that he comes across her and decides to make his presence known with a short nod, standing at the doorway. ]

Looks like you've got quite a collection.

[ His hand motions to the stuffed animals among her. ]

[ecks]

[By now she's unpacked them, feeling safe enough to build her nest for the night. Two new creatures have just been added to the collection: a rainbow dog and a strange sea creature Zell has probably been carrying around for quite some time. Those two get to sit close to her because they are new, but Red Cat (an abomination stitched together from multiple stuffed animals) still holds the place of honor on her lap.

Ecks looks up from her tablet when she senses his presence, mouth stretching briefly into an unnerving smile before her face drops back into inexpression.]

Zell gave me more of them today. Doctor House will be angry when he finds out, but that is okay.

[heroproceeding]

[ The smile really is offsetting- enough for Zack to twitch at the doorway. He's never seen her smile at him before. He'd almost prefer not to see it again. Still, he's already started making conversation. He's not about to duck out on her and he is curious. ]

Why's he gonna be angry?

[ They look pretty harmless, after all. Can't say he knew that's why Zell'd been holding onto them for the longest time, but... they're nothing like the dolls that have been circulating around that look like them. Or the ones that they'd apparently needed to collect and Ecks was stealing, right? So, Zack's just frowning at that. ]

[ecks]

[Ecks would be embarrassed if she knew Zack remembered the part about her stealing a doll from Doctor House. That's not the issue, though, and not what comes to mind.]

They aren't useful. I could carry more useful things if I did not have them.

[She carries quite a lot, though, regardless. She's a regular pack mule, with all her extra bags.]

[heroproceeding]

Well, House also tends to have a stick up his ass.

[ There's nothing necessarily harsh to his tone as he says that, but it's definitely accompanied by an eye roll as he leans a bit more heavily against the doorway. Doesn't stop him from seeming to think a little more on that though before he just shrugs. ]

I know you can't keep everything, but sentimental value isn't a bad thing if you ask me. I think it's stuff like that that reminds of us of what we got past all of this, you know?

[ And possibly just mementos of people they've lost, but the weight of that isn't really something he wants to think too hard on that night. ]

[ecks]

I never had things like this back home, but I think it would be good to live in a world where having nice things is normal. Also I do not think there is a stick in Doctor House's rectum. I would have noticed.

[heroproceeding]

[ There's a distinct pause there as Zack just stares at Ecks for maybe more than one reason. Stares and then huffs out a chuckle abruptly as he shakes his head. ]

Figuratively speaking. I know he doesn't actually got a stick stuck up there. It's more like.. I think if it's not something helpful to the cause, he doesn't see the use in keeping and enjoying it. Does that make more sense?

[ Granted, House had taken those requests on piano that once and he thinks he's done similar another time, but it's not like he could carry that giant instrument around with him. ]

[ecks]

[She hesitates, but nods slowly.]

It makes more sense but it is not true. Doctor House also likes to have nice things. He does not like fake animals, but he likes other nice things.

[heroproceeding]

[ That's actually enough to catch his interest. Enough for him to step off and linger more on the inside of the room with his arms crossed and his weight leaned to one leg as he raises a brow. ]

Like what? I mean he sure liked that piano, but he couldn't exactly carry it around with him. And that makes him a hypocrite anyway for carrying around stuff he likes but saying you shouldn't.

[ecks]

Doctor House liked the harmonica I gave to him before Alfie Solomons stole it. What's a hypocrite?

[heroproceeding]

[ Zack, for a minute, has to wonder about two things. One: what kind of dick move did House pull to make Alfie decide to steal it? Not that he thinks Alfie's got a halo over his head. He's seen his own shady doings back when he was actually paying better attention to the network.

And two- ]

You really don't know what a hypocrite is?

[ecks]

I am two and a half years old. There are many things I do not know yet. That is why I asked what a hypocrite is.

[heroproceeding]

Two- and a half years...? Just when I thought I'd seen everything...

[ It's more of a mumble to himself as he stares her down again. In the end, probably better off not thinking too hard into that one except how it does explain the odd behavior he's seen out of her when he's gleaned through some of what she's said in the past. Zell makes some interesting friends.

After a moment, he clears his throat and reaches to rub at his temples. ]

Well... A hypocrite is someone who tells you not to do something or say something for whatever the reason. But then they do it, themselves. It's like the rules they set don't apply to them. Does that make sense?

[ecks]

That does not make sense.

[Wait, that answer is probably misleading.]

The definition makes sense but the behavior does not make sense. But also yes, Doctor House is a hypocrite.

[heroproceeding]

[ That answer was very misleading, but at least she picks up on that fast. There's Zack nodding again with a soft hum and make a bit of a weary smile. ]

Yeah, it doesn't make much sense at all sometimes, but people do it.

[ Like House. And honestly, himself sometimes. But you know. Technicalities. Still, as he stares down at the stuffed critters and things, he can't help but wonder. ]

So, having stuff like that from where you are really isn't anything normal at all?

[ecks]

I had only things that I needed where I was from. All of us had only the things that were needed, and only the people that were needed.

[heroproceeding]

Well... I guess it's not a bad thing to know what you need, but... [ Zack kinda- sags all the same at the thought as he rolls it around in his head. Belatedly, he kinda eyes her with maybe a bit too much scrutiny. ]

Though.. whatcha mean by "people needed"?

[ecks]

It is necessary to be necessary. If a person is not useful they are a waste of resources, and then the person becomes a resource instead.

I know now that is not the way it is in all places.

[heroproceeding]

They become a- [ Resource.

A sample.

Suddenly, all the strange stitches across her face make sense. Make too much sense. Not some other world cultural thing, but she's... Zack swears under his breath and tries not to stare much longer. Looks away instead. ]

..Is that what you were? A resource?

[ecks]

[She has to think about it.]

No. I was proof of concept, and then I was useful because I was taught to do things.

[heroproceeding]

Taught to do things like what? [ He's already scrunching his nose. "Proof of concept" sounds odd enough alone but with other things connecting, it's- maybe he shouldn't have asked, but it's too late. ]

[ecks]

Things like finding things, and also murder.

[heroproceeding]

[ ...Well, that's-

That might explain some things. Like how incredibly indifferent she seems to the situation when she's saying that so casually. Zack sucks in a slow breath. Releases it. ]

...And why were you taught to do these things?

[ecks]

I do not know. I stopped wanting to do those things because I did not know why I was told to do them. I think it was useful to other people but I think it was not always justified.

[heroproceeding]

[ Useful. The very word digs a bit under his skin and he has to bite his lip to keep from blurting out something. In the end, he finds himself clicking his tongue and folding his arms. ]

...Well. I'm glad you did stop 'cause yeah. There's no point in going around killing people like that, especially if it's not for any good reason you know of. One thing if it's to defend people and protect 'em and whatever and you know what going in, but...

[ But ShinRa had been an awful lot like that in some ways, too, hadn't it. Except the people under it had known better. Ecks, not so much. It's a parallel that leaves him feeling a little sick to think too hard on. ]