snowblindrpg | [network] Day 045 Evening; Audio; @dreamsnhonor; Embrace Your Dreams!!

[ It's curfew. He's shut in. And he's got a lot he's been turning over in his head since that fateful night. A lot that started off with frustration at himself. But sitting on feelings like that's never done anything for him in the past. It won't now. So, he takes a page from one of his old books. And perhaps a page from his late friend's.

It takes him a while to decide on how to approach this. It isn't the first time he's tried to bring up morale despite trying circumstances. But the difference here? He's no First Class well known SOLDIER. He's not talking to a batch of starry-eyed cadets. He's got a few friends here- both from home and from elsewhere -but so many people are still strangers to him.

But even so, they all have something in common. They all have suffered. And they all have a lot they could lose- if they haven't lost a lot already. So, when he finally starts, he tries to keep his tone solid. If there's a sense of authority ringing in his words, there's at least an equal amount of empathy, too. This isn't a demand but a beckoning of something more. Something understanding through the sorrow and the fear. And the frustrations that may come of that. ]

Hey... [ The first word lands softly and he clears his throat. ]

So, I know it hasn't been easy lately. There's been a lot going on. And I'm not going to pretend things are just going to suddenly be okay any time soon. [ There's a creak in the background as he shifts his posture. The next part's not so easy to address, but. It's true and he's not going to act like it isn't. ]

Some of us have lost friends. Even -family. And when that happens, well. It's... It's easy to blame yourself. Easy to lose hope. Or want to give up. And I wouldn't blame you if you did at some point. But as long as you're able to get back up on your feet, that's what I think really matters. [ Another pause. He stands there on the other side of the tablet closing his eyes. Opening them and leaving out a short hum. ]

I don't know what'll help you. Maybe it's some kind of dream. Maybe it's not. I'm not going to ask if you don't want to share. But whatever it is, if it's something that will get you back up, you hold onto that. Whatever reason you have, embrace it.

We're gonna make it out of this, you hear me?

( ooc: GROSS SHOUNEN POST. I'M NOT SORRY. Tell him your dreeeeams, guys. Or mock him. Or roll your eyes at him. Whatever your preference. /thrown off cliff )

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[ That admittance.... gets him to pause there. Perhaps a long, drawn out pause at that. In earlier context, it could have simply meant getting out of Norfinbury. But knowing going home wasn't an option... Remembering that smile from only moments ago. He... hums at that. It's something that hits... pretty close to... ]

How's that silly? Or lame for that matter? I mean if you ask me it'd be pretty nice to be able to choose where you wanna go and what you wanna do or... you know. Anything like that. [ His voice goes soft a note. ] It's not dumb.. [ She seems so uncertain... ]

I don't know, it. Maybe it isn't that silly, then.

[ This smile is considerably less brittle than the last one. He doesn't sound mocking at all, so she's instantly more at ease. HE GETS IT. ]

I mean, you're correct! Just little things people take for granted, like - like choosing who to talk to, or when to sleep. They're important, even if we don't always acknowledge it.

Of course. [ It's a response relatively milder than the way he'd usually go about encouraging people, but he pushes to try all the same. Move forward. Give the others a little push in a better mental direction, perhaps. He doesn't know how well this will all work out in the end... but he has to try. ]

They might seem... tiny. But that doesn't make them any less important. [ He pauses for a beat... Then carefully: ] You could always write them down to remind yourself, too.

Oh, like a diary? To record things I'm grateful for and prompt myself to stay grateful?

[ Yes, good. She likes this idea. A+. ]

That should help quite a bit. So many people here seem so sad and tired, I don't want that to be me.

[ Not again, anyway. She's had enough of that, thank you very much. ]

Heh. To be fair, I don't think most people want that to be them. [ ...You know, except for that one asshole. ...Or two now. Maybe three? He hasn't been keeping as much track lately of who's been around. But can he really be blamed considering all the monster mashes?

Either way... ]

But yeah... Something like that. If you think a diary would work for you, I'd say go for it. [ Whatever helps her keep moving forward! ]

Oh - oh, well, yes, I didn't mean... Oof. I know trying to stay positive is easier said than done. I didn't mean to imply sad people are sad because they want to be!

[ FLUSTERLIMIT BREAK!! ]

But - it's easier to make other people happy and remember the positives if you're doing that yourself, right? That - that's what I meant.

[ There's a short pause on this end. ...Then a brief hint of something in his voice as he speaks. Maybe she can hear a vague smile in it. It's hard to say. ]

Heh... It's okay. I got it the first time. It's not a bad way to look at things. Think we could all use that here. [ Even if sometimes... no doubt he knows it can be a really hard thing to do. ] By the way, I can't say I've seen you around before. Someone already fill you in?

[ He might as well if they haven't. Even if it's belatedly. Yeah, he kinda... wishes he had done a better job of that. But... yeah. About that. And Tadashi dying the night before then... ]

I'm glad you agree! And, um, right. I'm new. But people have been really helpful, so I think I'm all caught up! I got advice from a whole bunch of people. And I read the guide Clarke wrote. And I have maps. And I've been skimming the old network posts a little.

[ GIRL IS THOROUGH. ]

Did you get Kain's survival guide? He showed how to open cans around here, too. Hold on. [ Even as Zack says this, he's already digging around his tablet. It takes him a moment... but soon enough, she'll see be getting a few links. ]

Those should be it. If you need help with anything else, let me know. [ There's a brief pause followed by a small, sheepish smile she can't see. ] -It's Zack, by the way.

Thank you so much! I'm going to be a pro at all of this in no time.

[ She totally means it. LOOK OUT, SNOW. ]

And, um, I'm Angel. Great to meet you!

[ There's a different between meaning something and it being a thing, but... He's going to hope for the best for her here. She's optimistic and sounds pretty set on surviving this hell hole. That's a lot going for her already. He just hopes she can keep that up. ]

Same. [ A pause and a scratch of his head later.. ] Anyway, there's some things I need to take care of before I hit the hay tonight, but keep in touch. Any time. [ Seriously, he's terrible with the sleeping thing... ]

[network] Day 045 Evening; Audio; @dreamsnhonor; Embrace Your Dreams!!

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