snowblindrpg | [network] Event: Long & Lost [NIGHT 217]

And how do you know that, Zell? How do you know these nanomachines don't just have me on life support and the moment I'm gone and back, I croak?

[ His luck's just not that good. Not anymore. It's been getting worse and worse as years have gone by and in the end, no matter what he's done all in the name of SOLDIER honor... Zack shakes his head sharply as he ends up leaning against the doorway. ] There's always something we can't see about this town. This isn't any different. I don't think it's that simple.

Edited 2017-05-11 16:09 (UTC)

Because Steph asked! She talked to the admin and was told no one is dead. Not the people in the morgue and not the people brought here! The nanites fixed it all!

[ Like magic! A cure spell and a phoenix down that fixed it all but in the form of little tiny machines. It made sense to Zell. It had to make sense to Zell considering Jim was suffocated by a monster and Zack was covered with bullet scars. ]

It can be that simple. Marching forward with the belief you will die at the end of this and not get another adventure after this isn't fair! It's not fair to you or Kunsel or Jim or anyone.

Since when was anything supposed to be fair! This place sure doesn't give a shit!

[ Anger trails those words, making him clench his fists tight at his sides and he's almost tempted to hit a wall or overturn some furniture, but neither will do any good. And neither will help. None of this is helping, is it. No, it's just making things worse. And even for as hotly as those words come, he's not stupid. Him or Kunsel or Jim. There's a specific reason for those words. At least that's what he thinks.

Maybe it's simply because it's what he's thought about, too. That maybe that kind of thing will also apply to them as well. That maybe they're only on life support, too, from these nanomachines, but only until the town's been saved. Maybe they won't be able to-

Zack takes in a shaky breath, looking away. Just because he's running away with that thought, doesn't mean he has to put it in Zell's head, too. ]

But maybe... Maybe you're right.

You're already writing yourself off without even trying!

[ Zack. The one who's been stubborn about so many other things and hellbent on getting everyone else back. Zack, the one who would tell others they will make it to the end. They will get home! Discounting himself from it all of this time. All the plans they made, dreams they had... ]

What about your dream? What about striving for more?

[Maybe you're right. It doesn't really set in Zack is cooling off or relenting in his direction. There's something else that's making it hard for Zell to swallow back the tide of emotion. ]

What would that mean for anyone else who died? What would that mean to anyone else who died here? If you're saying there is no hope for you, the you're saying there is none for Jim, Hiro, Angel, or anyone else. You're giving up on all of them.

Zell.

[ His tone's a sharp warning and maybe at first it seems like the anger's back, that they're onto another argument. But Zack's eyes are on the closest doorway. It's one thing for them to have this conversation. It's one thing for him to think of that or Zell. Even Kunsel- because Kunsel went into SOLDIER knowing it might one day cost his life, too.

But Jim... If Jim were to hear this... Zack's frown doesn't dissipate as his gaze returns to his friend, his voice lowering to something quiet but firm. There's something different to his tone this time though. Something forlorn. Almost longing. ]

I don't want that for them and I don't want that for me either. And I'm not writing myself off either 'cause if that was the case, I would'a given up and let myself die here already. I haven't- at least not without purpose, but that sure as hell wasn't planned, you know? You really think I want it to be that way?

Edited 2017-06-11 02:08 (UTC)

[ Zell realizes what Zack might be warning about. His gaze follows to the door and he makes a sound as he lowers his voice ]

You already decided you were going to hide this from everyone and make sure we, not you, get out. How is that not writing yourself off?

[ He remembers the conversations and Zack sharing doing his all for Cloud. All those wounds... he can already out the pieces together to figure out what was Zack's last stand. It explains so much as everything falls into place. ]

We'll find a way. Find a way to get us all out of here alive. [ He's leaving the even you unsaid, but it should be obvious from how he waves his hand and looks at Zack. ] You still have dreams and things to do after this.

[ There's so many answers he can feel riding at the top of his tongue. So many reasons why- but nothing seems like enough anymore. Nothing. Or maybe he just doesn't want it to be enough. Maybe it's better off unanswered. There's so much Zell has fiercely denied before.

Zack just hopes this time- this time he'd be right to. That he's right, here and now. But even holding onto that thought, it doesn't change the look in Zack's eyes as he finally goes from looking off to the side to looking back at Zell. ] ..Never said I didn't. But if I made it out of here without even one of you, I'd never forgive myself.

That's what it sounds like, Zack. It sounds like you're okay so long as everyone else makes it.

[ Running his hands through his hair to muss it up as he tries to calm down. He's mad at a lot of things, and this whole situation doesn't sit right. Nothing about any of this sits right. ]

We'll find a way for all us to make it. Even if one of us wind up at the morgue, we'll get to the center and fix all of this. All four of us will make it.

[ In a way, it almost feels ironic listening to Zell. Zell talking about everyone, no matter what. Zell talking like it'd be that easy. In some ways, it's like looking himself in a mirror when he was younger. Younger and stubborn and so very confident that if he just did the right things, if he just kept pushing forward, then he would definitely get everyone through and definitely complete the mission, no sweat. No sweat, no problem.

When he became this jaded, he doesn't know. But he can't shake that feeling, no matter how much Zell seems to reassure as much as he seems to plea to himself that that will be what it will really be. And maybe that's what Zell needs at the end of this conversation. Maybe not what Zack, himself, needs, but thinking on Zell's terms...

Zack takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly before walking over and carefully wrapping his arms around his friend. ] I hope you're right, Zell. And I'm sorry- for hiding this from you.

[ He puts a hand on Zack's back, relishing in the token of comfort for a moment. Then he's shaking his head. ]

It's not just me. I'm worried about Jim. If anyone deserves the truth, it's him.

[ He still thinks about the time when they first met up and how he could see the shift in their relationship. How they fought and it took Jim dying to mend it. They both have come a long way since then, but the worry is still there. Gripping Zack's shoulder. ]

We'll take it one step at a time, right?

[ He wants to say he already knows. That he already took it just about as well as Zell did. But Zell will find out in due time, won't he. And in the end, that's something.. something Zack's going to have to work on mending or at least finding a way past this with Jim. Just as he had to work this through with Zell, too. And Kunsel, too, soon enough. He doubts this will be the end of conversations about this. That this will probably haunt them all until the end.

But... Gently, he gives Zell a squeeze. ]

Right... One- One step at a time. [ It's easier than thinking of the worst case scenario. Easier than weighing more ugly feelings on his heart. There's already enough ugly feelings to go around. Why add to it? ] In the meantime.. I'm gonna take what time I have here. Live in the present.

[network] Event: Long & Lost [NIGHT 217]

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