[log] Did the devil say to you, you can make it through [closed]

[spoileralert]

Characters: Steph, Zach, Al, Church, Luna, Kesara, Watson, Quark, Tifa
Location Building 58 and environs
Date: Days 157/158
Summary: A meeting of many people
Warnings: In comment headers, please!

58: A simple single-story building, the snow weighs uneasily on it, and it creaks and groans under the strain at the best of times. It's very dark, and only the kitchen and living room are intact. The kitchen has a back door. Two snowmen have been built outside. A message has been written on the wall in blue ink: "Don't wreck the snowmen! That's super mean!" "ALPHONSE ELRIC, MAMI TOMOE, FREYA CRESCENT, GREED, EDWARD ELRIC, STEPHANIE BROWN, DAY FORTY ONE, TRAVELLING EAST." has been carved into one of the walls. The following has been written on the wall in blue pen: "This is Building 95 97 on the composite map. Contact @CaptSteveRogers for details." Underneath this is a fairly accurate map showing the house in relation to the school and buildings 29, 35, 35, 37, 40, 41, 47, 48, 50, 53. House 34 is labeled "Medical assistance; hot, clean water. Contact Dr. Epps @claytonator". The school is labeled "School. Food available in cafeteria; DO NOT STAY HERE OVERNIGHT." The shed is labeled "Shed".

Comments

[majorlazer]

[Zach's been feeling his way around for a little, just - trying to do things on his own, not just be another burden on everybody else's shoulders. It's infuriating, and frustrating, and frankly really fucking tiring to have to rely on everyone for everything - that's not something he's ever wanted to do, not someone he ever wants to be. He needs to be able to take care of himself, it's - essential.

But he's not doing a great job of it, obviously, because he's feeling his way along the walls when he almost falls over someone - at least, he's pretty sure it's someone. He catches himself, barely, hands planted on the wall and feet around the person's, who seems to be sitting on the floor.]

Shit, sorry, sorry! You okay? I'm sorry, I can't - see.

[It's always hard to say out loud.]

[brokethefirst]

[His initial tripping earns a yelp, tucking further into herself out of reflex. There's something oddly familiar about the young man's voice, but nothing she can pinpoint. But she still spares a glance at him over her shoulder, seeing how his eyes focus on a distant, nonexistent portion of space.

He really can't see her.]

N-no, I'm... i'm fine, i-it's okay...

[Her own words sound distant and metallic, clipping oddly. It's enough to make her hesitate after a few syllables, pushing herself and her items further into the corner while gently extending a hand to anchor one of his arms.]

Um... here. Here, can you... can you straighten yourself up?

[majorlazer]

[Her voice, despite sounding a little funny, is also gentle, and so is her touch when she helps him straighten up, and he nods gratefully, his jaw clenched. He's trying his best - he really is, with this stupid fucking thing happening to him. He knows others have had it worse. He knows. It still sucks massive dick to feel like a baby bird, needing constant help and attention. That's not why he wants Kesara or Steph to be doing.]

Thank you. Sorry, it's just - disorienting. I didn't realize someone else was here.

[It's lucky they haven't got an anomaly around, then. If he does a headcount, that's - a lot of people. But they're all here, and they're okay.]

Do I kn- [That sounds rude. No. Zach stops himself.] I don't recognize your voice, so...hi. I'm Zach.

[brokethefirst]

It's okay. I, um... I guess I was a last minute addition of sorts. Alphonse helped me in.

[It's so strange to be speaking to the young man directly like this without a reaction of fear. But at the very least, she can keep up her charade if their touch stayed limited to her hands and arms.

The name surprises her, but it's easily put aside. This doesn't sound like the Zack she's already spoken to on several occasions, but it was a common enough name in the 2000's, wasn't it?]

I think I've seen you around the network before, Zach. It's nice to meet you. I'm Luna.

You're not hurt otherwise, are you?

[majorlazer]

Oh. Well, that's good.

[Of course, Al would do that if she was in danger of being locked out - and thank god he did. They don't need more people getting locked out and dying in the cold. It just - that's one of these things Zach wishes would completely stop happening. It always hurts, so much, if only because it always reminds him of Steph's death.

He turns his head towards her for a moment, where he thinks she's seating, anyway, takes a breath, then focuses back. Her voice is so soft.]

Oh, right! Yeah, I've seen you too. [He smiles ruefully, offering a hand - possibly way off from where she actually is.]

I'm not hurt, I'm fine, if not for this - [He gestures at his face.] Picture of health and all. What about you? What kept you outside almost until lockout time?