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Post by noodlerface on Jan 17, 2018 23:17:24 GMT
Alliser could feel the room warming by a degree, and he glanced at Zeke, lips quirking. "Oh, believe me, I remember what a nightmare it was convincing you to sign up," he snorted. "But I'm glad you did." He wrapped his arms around his knees, biting the inside of his cheek. He finally mustered up the courage. "Zeke, how are your family?"
---
Johnny froze, hope flaring in his chest. Nico? I'm here with him right now. Torn between hopeless joy that Nico had communicated with him, and petrifying fear for Elroy, he shot a bewildered look at Sheila. He's on the cliff ledge, we're trying to talk him out of it. Are you talking to him too? Don't let up, little dude!
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Post by beffalumps on Jan 17, 2018 23:25:23 GMT
A smile began creeping on Zeke's face. The same feeling he'd felt last night was burning through him slowly. "Me too," he admitted quietly. He was about to move closer, but Alliser's next words made him freeze. The warm feeling was extinguished at once and he rested back on the floor. "They're fine," he murmured, looking back at the ceiling. "I guess. I don't really know. Who cares." He sat back up and started picking pieces up from the floor around him. "You, uh, wanna play again?"
--
Nico groaned, pacing in a tight circle. "Okay...okay..." Can't you just grab him and pull him down? He can't die!
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Post by noodlerface on Jan 17, 2018 23:45:00 GMT
Johnny shook his head numbly, watching Elroy from below. I'm on the beach beneath him, I couldn't get to him in time, he explained. But I won't let that happen, buddy, I promise. He searched up and down the beach, as if Nico would appear suddenly walking towards them. Are you...back?
---
Alliser saw the change in Zeke instantly, the room dropping to frigid temperatures. "Zeke, don't do that to me," he said, voice biting. "You must see this from my point of view. You remember why I left, you know what decided it for me." He watched Zeke picking up the pieces distantly. "I want to know what changed."
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Post by beffalumps on Jan 18, 2018 0:00:15 GMT
Zeke stared at the ground. For awhile, the only sound in the little room was the clinking of the plastic pieces. "Yeah, it was my fault, I know. Sorry I ruined everything," he muttered bitterly. Guilt welled up inside of him the minute the words left his mouth and he rubbed his face. "You know," he began finally in a soft voice, "I never understood you. You never let anyone tell you what to do or who to be. Yeah, okay, sure you could be an ass about stuff and I know you had your own problems with your dad and brother but...you still did what you wanted no matter what anyone thought." He bit his lip and closed his eyes. "I always admired you for that. Levi's the same way. He didn't care what anyone thought--what our family thought or said about him. I'm...not like that."
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Post by noodlerface on Jan 18, 2018 0:14:44 GMT
Alliser found himself at a loss for words. Frustration clawed at him, cooling his temper. "No, you never were," he murmured. "And I couldn't accept it in you." He squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. "I understood that. But you've changed. You're in a relationship, happily, more or less," he added under his breath. "I'm...proud of you, for it. I won't lie and say I'm that happy for you. I wish things had been different for us." He looked at Zeke, eyes dull with remembered hurt. "I'm glad that you've found the courage to be you."
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Post by Skidar on Jan 18, 2018 0:26:05 GMT
I'm out of the office right now I'll have to get back to you later, Kalyn.
Angel soared over the streets watching his dogs follow Johnny and Sheila's tracks in the snow, they were leading him to the beach, towards the cliffs. Dread pooled int he pit of his stomach and he put on a burst of speed flying into the harsh wind as fast as he could with only one functioning flight boot.
--
Elroy snatched his arm from Nailah's reach, frowning as he wavered in the wind, trying to ignore the voices pounding inside his head from all directions, it was almost like having powers again. Power... pfft. He had no power. He never had power. Power was an illusion. Even lightning slingers were losing their reserves, they couldn't power a building for more than a few hours let alone a kiln or a forge. He'd need a huge amount of energy. Raw energy like... A gust of wind burst against him and he staggered on the cliff edge, wind milling for balance. WIND. He turned to Nailah, raw panic in his eyes as he felt the ground shift under his feet, the cliff edge was crumbling under the snow. He reached for her arm and missed as the earth gave away, he grappled madly at the snow but he just didn't' have the strength to pull himself up. "I'm sorry Molly!" he gasped out as the earth and snow ripped through his fingers and he fell.
He plummeted through the air in terror, this was it. He shut his eys tight, preparing for the deadly smash against the rocky beach below, when a blur tackled him mid air. Angel! He spiraled out of control with the extra weight and the two shot towards the beach and crashed into a snow-covered sand dune, half buried in the fresh powder.
Elroy groaned, pretty sure he had at least one snapped rib, and one hell of a concussion. But he was alive. He squinted at Angel as he sat up and pushed his goggles up, eyes wide with panic.
"You alive?" Angel panted.
Elroy nodded. "Yeah..." he let his head fall back into the snow with a soft crunch, the falling snow melted on his face. "Th-thanks..."
Angel pulled him upright into a hug. "I'm so sorry." he croaked. "Johnny and Sheila were right...we're supposed to be the good guys."
Elroy's head was still ringing, he didn't fully hear what Angel was saying, but it sounded sincere-ish. He rested his forehead against his shoulder, trying not to pass out from the lack of adrenaline.
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Post by noodlerface on Jan 18, 2018 0:32:08 GMT
Kalyn bit her lip, tentatively reaching out for Kate. Kate? You there?
---
Johnny let out a wild yell as the cliff crumbled and took Elroy with it. He rushed forwards as if he could catch him, when he was snatched from the air. He let out a bark of laughter when he saw who it was who had saved his friend. "Angel, you bastard!" he called good-naturedly, running up to them. He dropped into the snow beside them, a hand on Angel's shoulder. "You alright Elly? Gave us one hell of a fright there, mate." He's okay, Nico!
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Post by beffalumps on Jan 18, 2018 0:39:45 GMT
Zeke swallowed, tears beginning to pool in his eyes. He blinked them away and turned his head, refusing to let Alliser see his face. "Yeah," he laughed bitterly. "I'm real courageous. If I'm not hiding behind Lorenzo, I'm hiding behind Levi and Layla. I never even told my parents. I just left with Levi and talk to them once a year and pretend everything's still the same." He pushed his hands through his hair and shook his head. "Whatever. It's fine." He let out a breath and, after a moment, looked sideways at Alliser. "I wish things had been different, too. I miss you. More than I should."
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Post by Skidar on Jan 18, 2018 0:43:50 GMT
Sheila was sobbing as she ran over and slapped Elroys shoulder. "Don't you ever do that shit again!" She shouted before crumbling and hugging him tight.
Angel nodded. "I know." he panted. "I deserve that..."
Elroy shivered and couldn't look his friends int he eye for several moments. "That almost happened..." he uttered after a few tense minutes. Then he sat up. "Who's got experience in converting generators?" he asked out of the blue.
Sheila arched a brow. "Uh... I do I guess? I use them on the house boat, solar and propane... why?"
Elroy struggled to stand, legs shaking worse than a new born foal. "I need as many generators as you can find." he staggered and held onto Johnny for support. "A below ground cement pool shell, a many pieces of sheet metal you can find, muscle heads and flame slingers too."
Angel arched a brow. "What are you a conductor? Sit down, you almost died and I'm pretty sure you hit your head."
"I gotta build the forge." Elroy shook his head. "A big one, and I need fuel. All the trees in the park, stoked up to 300 degrees Celsius."
"What? Who uses Celsius!" Angel blustered in confusion.
"The whole world." Elroy pointed out. "C'mon I gotta get started, I wasted too much time... oh yeah." he paused and sent out a Tpath to Nico. All ilk aside I need you, meet me at the dump incinerator office. he took a few shaky steps and fell, Angel caught him.
"You're going to rest, not assemble Zues-knows-what." Angel grunted. "We gotta find shelter."
"'M fine I just need to walk it off." Elroy fell over into a snow bank. "I can rest here..." he muttered through the snow.
--
Kate jumped and answered back Kalyn! Are you alright? The boys? I tried to leave by mom won't let me! Those goons took my dad and a bunch of other people trying to stop them! I went back for help but now its like I'm a stupid prisoner too! I can't even sneak out! Are you guys safe? How close are you? Are you staying warm??
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Post by noodlerface on Jan 18, 2018 1:02:38 GMT
Alliser smiled, his eyes swimming with unshed tears. "You fool," he laughed, wiping a hand over his eyes. "It's courage to leave. And it's no weakness to keep things cordial. I'm not doing much better than that with my father, these days." He groaned, rubbing a hand through his hair. "It's so easy to fall back into it, with you. God, it can feel like no time at all has passed." He looked at Zeke, wanting so badly to reach out and take his hand. "I think I left my heart back in that dorm room the day I left."
---
Johnny laughed, incredulous. "Trust this nerd to feel all mad-scientist inspired after nearly dying!" He made a noise as Elroy keeled over, wrapping an arm around him in support. "I'm all for it buddy, but right now, we need to get you somewhere to stay for the night." He looked at Sheila. "Are there any safe houses nearby?"
---
Kalyn let out a breath at the onslaught, relieved to know that Kate was safe. Yeah, we're good, she sent back. We need some help carrying Kaiser back, and we picked up some other guy too. Can you round up some hands and send them out to the Dairy Queen?
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Post by Skidar on Jan 18, 2018 1:09:30 GMT
Kate nodded then frowned realizing that Kalyn had no way of seeing that. Yeah I'll try, Angel's out right now so everyone's stuck inside but I'll see who I can convince to help me... Kate flew to the receptionist desk. "Olivia, Seda, I need help. Kalyn is still out there with Kaiser and Angani, they're hurt and they've picked up another casualty. Can you guys help me? I don't know what to do and there's no place to hide out there!"
--
Sheila gestured up the beach towards the warhouse docks. "Just that place... but who know what sort of reception we'll get." she cast a pointed look at Angel, who looked away in guilt.
Elroy struggled upright and leaned against Johnny. "No, back to the dump, there's an office building there, Nico's joining us soon. I guess he's been in contact with you too?" he squinted at Johnny, it was so dark and windy he could barely see him. "It'll be our spot. i'll need those books though, and paper. Lots of it." he wavered on the spot.
"Yes Professor Seibert." Angel steadied his other side. "But first you sleep, for like, 20 hours. You need it." he helped start their trek back to the dump.
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Post by noodlerface on Jan 18, 2018 1:18:34 GMT
Johnny beamed at Elroy. "He was, up until now." He wanted to speak more on it with Elroy, but he understood that now wasn't the time. "I can run back and see about getting those books transported, first thing in the morning. You're going to set this all up in the dump?"
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Post by beffalumps on Jan 18, 2018 1:22:17 GMT
Zeke smiled, still trying to blink away the tears. "Me too," he mumbled. He finally looked back at him. "I've told myself all this time, you were just some stupid high school crush and I need to get over you. And I'd think I was but then I'd see someone with your hair or...your smile or...anything and it was like you just left." He bit his lip, half holding back the rush of words that were battering at the back of his throat. But he couldn't help it anymore. "And now you're back," he breathed, his voice still thick with renewed disbelief. "And I can see you and talk to you. And I just. I can't believe I let myself lose you."
--
Nico had begun to walk toward the island's edge, hoping against hope that he'd somehow stumble across Elroy. And if I don't and he dies, I can throw myself off the edge, no problem. He tried to block out the battering thoughts of how Elroy had been so broken down that he was willing to kill himself. And that the reason he'd been so fragile and hopeless was because of... He shook his head and picked up his pace. He had to stay focused. He could feel Alfonse's phantom grip still. Could he be listening to his thoughts? Seeing his doubt and guilt? The thought send shivers of terror through him. I'm doing what you want, he thought, just in case. I'm not doing anything wrong.
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Post by Skidar on Jan 18, 2018 1:31:13 GMT
Elroy nodded. "Tomorrow, its dark, don't want something bad to happen to you out there. Give Nico directions to this place..." Elroy was close to passed out by the time they got back into the dump office building. It was two connected doublewides with a snack and drink vending machine, a few tables and desks and two couches, probably from the dump itself, held together with duct tape. Elroy was settled onto one of the couches by Angel and he was asleep within seconds. Sheila stayed beside him, trying to keep them both warm while Angel and Johnny were left to scour the building for food and supplies.
"I almost sent him to his death... if I'd been slower he'd be dead and it would have been on me..." Angel shuddered. "I thought he was a threat... guess we're all more threatening at this point." he scavenged a tool belt and held it up for Johnny's approval. "Think he'll want this?"
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Post by noodlerface on Jan 18, 2018 1:42:15 GMT
Alliser's chest constricted, aching as he failed to draw any air into his lungs. Without thought, he pushed himself over to Zeke, reaching out to touch his jaw, looking at him reverently. "You can't say these things," he breathed. "You're undoing all of me." He ached to press closer, his other hand coming up to rest against the back of Zeke's head. He rested his forehead against his, drinking in his warmth, aching to know that he knew him just as intimately as he ever did. "Say that you want this."
---
Johnny nodded as Elroy fell asleep. Nico? He wants to see you. He sent him images of the path they had taken from the beach front, ending it with a rush of warmth. See you soon, buddy. Johnny grinned at Angel. "I think that'll more than make up for it," he said softly. "Thanks for coming to help, Angel. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't shown up."
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sometime after ten, hope you'll be up! also.... WILL PROFILE thatisall 
