Private to Zack

[telecosmetic]

[It's Thursday night, and Eliza is returning to their room to sleep. In her arms, she's now carrying a plush frog dressed in a wizard's outfit and cloak. She's hugging it quite tight, as if it might disappear if she lets go.

The room has already been set up with various other things she's received. The photo of her and her extended family is up on the desk, and the rather large dog has found a place on the floor to curl up as well. She blinks a little as she hears the door open.]

Oh, hey, Zack.

Comments

[zackthekiller]

[Zack's leaning the newly recovered scythe on his shoulder as he walks in... Another thing he's received along with the weird body pillow of himself he's tossed on the bed for use as any regular pillow. Clearly, Eliza's gotten more stuff than him, but since when has he ever needed that many things? Speaking of...]

Oh... Hey.

[He glances at the picture on the desk, feeling a knot in his throat as he lays eyes on the image of Recette... He'll do his best to save her, he feels that as he turns to face Eliza.] I'm gonna try and watch the door tonight. You got everything you need?

[telecosmetic]

[Eliza blinks a little at the sight of that body pillow. Huh...apparently someone knew about Zack's magical form. Well, it looks comfy, at least.]

Yeah, I do. [She holds up the stuffed frog, a smile on her face.] Mithos even found this! He technically belongs to Luce-[She gestures at the smallest, winged kid in that photo]-but I'll hold on to him for now.

[zackthekiller]

[Eh, he figures it could be weirder.

He tilts his head and squints at the frog.] Luce, huh...? [He glances at the photo again...] Another one of your friends in the Meadous?

[telecosmetic]

Yeah, well...he's like a little brother to me by now. Blade and I have been giving him flying lessons, too.

[zackthekiller]

... Huh.

[Well, she means well enough... How much has she really changed since she's been gone?]

Blade is... The pidgey, right? You got him back from Recette?

[telecosmetic]

[She's made even more murderous friends who she loves deeply. Let her tell you about her sort-of son Gabriel sometime. Though Luce does fall under the category of "cinnamon roll who must be protected," similarly to Recette.]

Yeah. He helped me out a bit when I first got my larger wings too. [He might notice the difference in size from the photo.] I really wish I could be flying around right now... [She doesn't like being confined to the ground, now that she has the ability to fly.]

[zackthekiller]

[He does.] Smart bird. And I get how ya feel... Goddamned bastards giving me that eyeball bullshit instead of letting me have my damned phone...

[Crown, who had been chilling on one side of the bed since Zack let him into the room, jumps on the bed at this point and trots right on up to Eliza. Gonna also protect the human. Didn't get to be with human long enough last time.

Meanwhile, Zack's shooting a glance at the floor for a second... Someone usually dies tomorrow, right? Isn't that how it works? Then what if someone-]

... Hey, sis?

[telecosmetic]

[Eliza's heard enough of Zack's story to know why eyeballs are such an uncomfortable subject for him. The one thing she's grateful for is that the power has given them an in to spy on the Conductor-and maybe some of the other people they meet.]

Hm? [She looks up at Zack's question, blinking slightly. She's adjusted her grip to carry Frog in the crook of one arm while continuing to pet Crown on the head. Good deer. She loves this deer.]

[zackthekiller]

[Deer loves you too.]

I have no idea how this night's gonna end, but... In case one of us dies over the weekend... I just wanted to thank you for... Uh... How do I put this? Everything? Like, letting me be your brother and all. Don't think I ever knew anyone who cared that much for me before you and Recette came along.

[telecosmetic]

[Oh...that gets Eliza's expression to soften. She moves forward to hug Zack tightly.] You're welcome...and thank you for being my big brother. Thank you for looking out for me and Recette, and looking after Crown. I love you so much...

But neither of us are going to die, alright? We'll be safe in here, with everyone looking out for us. [She gestures at Crown and the dog.]

[zackthekiller]

[Another hug. By now he's gotten used to her random hugs. In fact, he's bold enough to lower his blade away from her as he returns the gesture with his free arm.]

Heh... No prob. I might as well try my best after everything you've done for me.

[He glances over to the giant dog first, then to Crown.] ... Whelp. You never know. Someone might try something stupid.

Deer! [Crown seems to retort. It's almost as if the pokemon is judging Zack for something he did a long time ago.]

[telecosmetic]

[Eliza's not going to point out Zack's tendency to do stupid things here. After all, they've both done some stupid things themselves.] Well, if they do, I'm sure we can outthink them. Or at least surprise them enough we don't have to outthink them.

[zackthekiller]

[She doesn't need to, he knows his own idiocy.]

Pretty sure the last part sounds more doable for me.

[telecosmetic]

Well, either way works for me! Either way, I'm going to try and not worry too much, okay?