[network video] @JPHawkins; DAY 17, 1pm [open]

[rattlingthestars]

[ When the video cuts on, Jim isn't looking at the camera. His head is twisted around to stare somewhere over his shoulder as his chest heaves with exertion (or maybe fear.) There's a bruise blossoming on his cheek where he'd fallen trying to escape and a dried trail of blood from his nose to his chin that he's forgotten about.

The microphone picks up the noise of the monsters outside in the snow over the rattle of Jim's breath. When there's a break in the sound Jim seems to remember what he'd been doing and turns back to the tablet. ]

Please tell me someone else is seeing these things. They're some kind of - of - of shadow things.

[ Jim has seen weird. He's seen creepy, thanks to Captain Flint. But he's never seen anything like those. Still, something about them had seemed almost too familiar. It's that which makes him wonder if it's all in his own head. ]

If you are? Don't fight them. Just run.

Comments

[heroproceeding]

From what I hear, yeah. But be careful all the same.

But listen! You gotta eat at least somethin' a day. You're gonna run your body temperature even lower otherwise. [ And nuts are actually good for that, too! Go, protein! ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ There's the usual swell of defensive bristling when someone tells him what to do, but it's milder and all but lost under the feeling of relief that at least someone knows what's what. Or so it seems to Jim. ]

You, uh, have a lot of experience with snow?

[heroproceeding]

[ He might at least appreciate that Zack doesn't think he's an eight year old kid like the town's other resident. ...Though not gonna lie. If he knew where he was, he would likely be there. As it stands, he's got no leads where that is outside of maybe near the school, so getting him calmed down and more clued in on the situation will have to do. For now. ]

I've had enough. [ More than he'd like is really more accurate at this point. He hates the snow, especially after what happened years ago now. This place occasionally feels like a sick reminder and maybe a curse on him because of that. He also may or may not have avoided the worst of tundra missions since. But he's military. You need to know what you're doing wherever you land. That includes climate changes. ]

A lot of it's about keeping active and keeping warm. Especially out there. Also, I wouldn't eat the snow if you can help it. It'll make you feel even worse. Melt it down before you drink it if you can.

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's curious about what experience Zack's had - he's curious about everything - but he's not sure it's okay to ask. Instead he shuffles around awkwardly for something to say even as he's struck by the ridiculousness of feeling awkward when he's got shadow monsters swarming just outside. ]

I've, uh, been stuffing it in the empty water bottles and hoping for the best. It was working pretty well until these guys showed up.

[heroproceeding]

[ He's honestly thankful that Jim doesn't. That's a can of worms he'd like to avoid at the moment if he can help it. Zack does hum thoughtfully at the young man's admission though. ]

Alright, good. Keep it up. Maybe keep 'em close to your person while you're sleeping. Sure, it'll be uncomfortable, but it'll melt the snow and then you can drink some when you wake up.

[ There's a pause and then: ] You let me know if those things are still around in the morning. [ He figures maybe they'll give up after a while, but he doesn't know how persistent these phantoms actually are... ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim shivers instinctively at the thought of cuddling up with the frozen bottles. Ugh.

If pressed, hard and possibly under torture, he might admit that it was nice having someone worrying about his general well-being. He coughs and tries for nonchalant as he says: ]

I will. You, uh, try to stay away from them in the school. They're really not messing around.

[heroproceeding]

[ Hey, it might not be the best way to go about things, but it's better than nothing!

At this point though, he's at a lot of what else to say to help this kid without getting on their last nerve and making them feel annoyed with coddling. So, instead he ops for ending on a high note with a smile. ]

Already on it! [ A beat and then: ] I'll keep in touch.