[log] LOSERS UNITE [closed]

[armoured]

Characters: Al, Ed, Shiro, Steph, and Handsome Jack
Location F7 through to E6 (35)
Date: Day 096, Afternoon through to Night
Summary: Two groups meet up and travel together
Warnings: Handsome Jack, so possible Handsome Jack dickery

[Mingle post for the two groups meeting! Either out in the snow during the afternoon, or in building 35 overnight.]

Comments

[armoured]

F7 - Afternoon

[Although Al is overjoyed to be reunited with Ed again, he is still looking forward to seeing the others as well. After learning how long he's been gone, not a fun thing to contemplate, and hearing about all the terrible things that have happened while he was-- dead-- he just wants to see his friends face to face and make sure they're okay.

It's some time early afternoon as he's tramping through the snow that he sees dots of colour against the endless white background.

Which is when he starts waving far too enthusiastically, probably thwacking poor Ed on the head with his flailing arms.]

HEY! HEY, OVER HERE!!!

[What a dork.]

[spoileralert]

[ Steph is just as much of a dork, because she leaves Jack's side to sprint across the last few yards and dive at Al, just like she did the last time they were separated.

She just sort of yells incoherently. ]

[armoured]

[Al laughs as he's barrelled into at top speed and picks her up to swing her around in a tight hug.]

Stephanie! I'm so glad to see you, are you okay?

[They're such dorks.]

[ooc: Sorry for the wait, I was out of town at a wedding.]

[spoileralert]

[ If he weren't a giant metal suit of armor, this would be downright romantic. ]

I am now. How are you feeling? Everything okay?

[armoured]

Yeah, I'm fine.

[He sets her down, something less pleased seeping into his voice.]

I'm totally fine, don't you think that's a little weird? There's nothing wrong with me at all. Don't people who, uh-- come back, come back a little different?

[spoileralert]

That is weird. I wonder if it has something to do with how long you were gone.

[armoured]

I'm not sure. Brother wondered if that might be the case too, because he's fine as well.

[Whatever it is, it's clearly worth investigating.]

I guess I shouldn't be looking a gift horse in the mouth, huh? But I can't help be suspicious.

[spoileralert]

Just don't be surprised when you get bit.

[armoured]

I won't.

[Believe him.]

Have you heard of this happening with anyone else?

[spoileralert]

No, but people are pretty secretive here and I haven't been as good about stalking the network as I was.

[armoured]

I know it's not really a topic people want to talk about, but I think I need ask around about it.

[He hates revivals even more than most, but he will do what he must.]

If this hasn't happened before then it must mean something now.

[spoileralert]

[ Well it's mostly not a topic Al wants to talk about, but fair. ]

Everything probably means something. The question is just 'what'.

[armoured]

[He can't help a surprised sort of laugh at that.]

Yeah, I guess you're right. Just one more mystery to add to the pile, huh?

[spoileralert]

[ She manages a smile. ]

We'll figure it out. Eventually.

[armoured]

Mm. Count on it.

[He draws her into his side, but only briefly because the metal of his armour is freezing out here in the snow.]

I'm really sorry we left you alone for so long.

[spoileralert]

[ She gives him a squeeze, cold or no. ]

Just don't do it again. Come on, let's get out of here.

[armoured]

Right.

[And he lets her draw him off towards the rest of the group and shelter. What a shame they won't be a katamari for long.]

F7 - for Ed!

[spoileralert]

[ Once she's finished glomping Al, she turns to Ed so that she can grab him around the middle and bend over backwards to lift him in the air. ]

[forfeits]

[ it feels like they've been gone no time, but seeing Steph at least is enough to make him realize just how long it's been. it's nice to see her safe, though.

at least, until she has him in a huge hug. and is picking him up. lifting him off the air. he knew she always had something weird and superhuman about her but this? jeez! ]

H-hey! Put me down!! [ he flails a second but his relieved laughter bursts out of his chest and he hugs her around the shoulders, feet dangling and all. ] You're lucky I don't have my alchemy, okay!

[spoileralert]

[ She laughs, but puts him down. If it hasn't occurred to him that he can hit harder than she can with a metal arm she isn't going to remind him. ]

Lucky me. I can't tell you guys how glad I am that you're both back. I missed you so much.

[forfeits]

[ he wouldn't hit Steph anyway, but he is definitely glad to be back on his feet! he hugs her one more time before drawing back. ]

Yeah, sorry about that, but I'm just glad you're okay. I can't believe we were out that long.

[spoileralert]

I couldn't believe it either. I guess people can come back after longer than we thought.

[forfeits]

Yeah, a good thing, too. [ he grins, unable to contain just how pleased he is to see her alive and well. ]

Sorry we scared you. We'll just have to be a little more careful next time, huh? Remind us not to be heroic next time, okay? [ he can make light of it here, no matter how much the idea of dying and coming back still bothers him so completely. ]

[spoileralert]

You try it again and I'll haunt you both for all of eternity.

[forfeits]

I don't think we'll try anything like that again. You're scarier than those monsters!

[ plz don't hit him steph. ]

[spoileralert]

You bet I am. [ She puts up her fists and gives him a light one-two punch. ] Who's scared of some giant bat monsters, anyway?

[ Spoilers: She is. ]

[forfeits]

I don't know, they'd see you and run.

[ Ed holds up his hands in mock fear, but he's grinning despite it all. ] I'm not scared of them. [ except he is, in some ways, and no doubt Steph is, too. he reaches out and gives a light one-two punch of his own. ] But we're a team now, nothing's gonna stop us.

[spoileralert]

[ She rubs her shoulder where he punched her. ]

Norfinburry doesn't stand a chance.

[forfeits]

No, it doesn't, huh? Between you, Al and me, we'll figure a way out of this place. It seems like we've missed a lot, though. It's crazy how fast this place can change.

[spoileralert]

Yeah, things have been... intense.

[forfeits]

Yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't think those things -- I thought we could get away, you know?

[spoileralert]

I guess now we know better.

[forfeits]

Yeah, unfortunately. Count on us to make the stupid mistakes, huh?

[spoileralert]

Can and will, you doof.

early evening/night!

[forfeits]

[ it's strange to think they've been out very long, that they haven't always been traveling together, after all.

he's not sure what to think about Handsome Jack being around, but he doesn't let it dampen his spirits, not when he can see how safe and well Steph is. he's found a corner to bundle up into. ]

Is anyone hungry? I have a little food I can share -- we'll have some long walks ahead of us, might be good to build up some strength, huh?

[ and if no one wants to share, he'll have his own portion for the time being, enjoying the company. ]

evening/night

[youarethebandits]

[And all throughout this joyful reunion, there is Jack. He's been surprisingly well-behaved for the last day or so - a few snarky comments aside, he hasn't bothered with being too much of an asshole.

Once they've settled down for the evening, and after Jack's had his closely monitored tablet time, he just settles back quietly against a wall and closes his eyes, appearing to rest but listening to any conversations he can hear.

If anyone approaches him for any reason, he opens his eyes once again, raising a questioning eyebrow. Surely no one here has anything productive to discuss with him, so why bother talking at all?]

[forfeits]

[ Ed has otherwise left Jack alone most of this time, but he can't get his conversation with Zell out of his mind, can't shake the evidence he saw of Jack's cruelty. it leaves Edward running at a simmer, even as the house quiets down for the night. and so, when he's sure everyone else is asleep, he looks across to where Jack is settled. ]

Why'd you do it?

[youarethebandits]

I thought I made that part pretty clear. Unless you mean in a more general sense of "oh no Jack how could you resort to violence, that's so bad"?