[ He's placing his bets that Zell's already told him this. Hell, he can hear their chatter from where he's at and that's alright. It seems to settle Zell's nerves and no doubt Jim needs someone to talk to. Someone to distract him from where he is and how he is and... It's still. Really unnerving knowing he's by himself, blind and alone, but... But they'll keep moving forward. They'll get there. It'll... be alright. Hopefully.
Reassurance never hurts. And that might be why he leaves the message he does. Now that the initial panic and urgent feelings have declined though, it... feels hard for him to think of what to say. But only for a passing moment. Priorities. Take to them. ]
Hey, Jim. It's me. I.. figure you already heard this from Zell, but we're right at the entrance to the tunnels now. Gonna head out first light tomorrow. From what we figure... with any luck? We should be there by nightfall. Maybe sooner. We'll see.
Anyway... Just figured I'd give you the update. We'll be there before you know it.
[ Jim is shocked to see Zack's network handle when he next checks his messages. He isn't sure what to expect anymore with how their relationship stands. Things had been been bad before he - died, he can think it now even if he can't say it - but Jim doesn't want them to be. Once again an apology rises and makes it as far as his lips before it dies in his throat.
[ Jim keeps half an ear on his messages for the rest of the morning as he dozes on and off between trying not to think about food. he's not sure why he even expects an answer; it's not as though he'd actually said anything that required a response. Alone, miserable, and hungry he can admit that maybe he just misses Zack. That's why, when he's finally given up hope for a response, he sends a second message: ]
Zack? It's - you know who it is. Me. I wanted to - check in, I guess. See if you were okay. But I can just ask one of the others, it's okay. I'll see you later.
[ It's... Wow. To find these messages so belatedly... No wonder Jim had been so shell shocked to see him act the way he had. Poor cadet must'a thought he'd been ignoring him. And while they're on the same page now, while they're okay... Zack can't help but turn these messages over his in head, regardless. Can't help but sit and think on them.
It takes him a little bit to find a corner to himself, undisturbed. In contrast, it doesn't take long for words to come to him. He'd always been one to wear his heart on his sleeve. He starts out with a soft expression to his features. ]
Jim...
Hey, it's me. I just wanted you to know you can always check in with me. No matter what. I still don't blame you for being mad at me. But I'm glad we've finally talked things out. If you haven't figured it out already, I might have missed talking with you. [ There's a distinct pause for effect before he tags on with a hint of a smile touching his lips. ] But you know. Just a little bit.
[ As in a hella lot, you little shit.
Zack clears his throat. It doesn't entirely alleviate the bit of hoarseness in his voice when he starts again, but that only lasts the first few words before his voice goes solid again. ]
Look... No matter how mad or upset we get at each other sometimes, I wanna know you're okay. I wanna help get you back home. And no matter what happens, that's never going to change. Or at least- it'd take a lot to change. Because we're friends, right? So, we look out for each other like that.
So, don't be afraid to check in with me... you hear?
[ Turns out you can roll your eyes even if you're blind. Which Jim does, even if he's tearing up a little. He's glad he asked TIfa to step away for a second and give him some privacy, even though there's a part of him that wants a description of exactly what Zack's doing in the video too. He just... missed him,, not just in that time they were physically apart.
He's smliing when he turns on the camera. ]
You could've just walked upstairs. [ Not what Jim meant to say, but ... well, if Zack couldn't take a little gentle teasing, he wouldn't be Jim's friend, and he was. He said so, Jim had a reccocrding for proof this time. ] You know, if you missed talking to me so much.
[ His face does fall into a more serious expression after that, but it's just such a relief to be talking again that he can't be too upset. ]
I'm not afraid to message you - even if we're mad at each other. Just afraid you wouldn't answer. [ The last is a quiet confession, not a bitter one, and Jim gives a little shrug. Obviously Zack would, eventually. ] I want us both to get home. If anyone deserves to...
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Day 74 night; audio; @dreamsnhonor
Reassurance never hurts. And that might be why he leaves the message he does. Now that the initial panic and urgent feelings have declined though, it... feels hard for him to think of what to say. But only for a passing moment. Priorities. Take to them. ]
Hey, Jim. It's me. I.. figure you already heard this from Zell, but we're right at the entrance to the tunnels now. Gonna head out first light tomorrow. From what we figure... with any luck? We should be there by nightfall. Maybe sooner. We'll see.
Anyway... Just figured I'd give you the update. We'll be there before you know it.
[ It cuts out right after. ]
pre-dawn 75; video
Instead, all he can do is rasp out: ]
Thanks, Zack. For the update. I'll see you soon.
mid-afternoon 75; video
Zack? It's - you know who it is. Me. I wanted to - check in, I guess. See if you were okay. But I can just ask one of the others, it's okay. I'll see you later.
mid-afternoon day 76; video
It takes him a little bit to find a corner to himself, undisturbed. In contrast, it doesn't take long for words to come to him. He'd always been one to wear his heart on his sleeve. He starts out with a soft expression to his features. ]
Jim...
Hey, it's me. I just wanted you to know you can always check in with me. No matter what. I still don't blame you for being mad at me. But I'm glad we've finally talked things out. If you haven't figured it out already, I might have missed talking with you. [ There's a distinct pause for effect before he tags on with a hint of a smile touching his lips. ] But you know. Just a little bit.
[ As in a hella lot, you little shit.
Zack clears his throat. It doesn't entirely alleviate the bit of hoarseness in his voice when he starts again, but that only lasts the first few words before his voice goes solid again. ]
Look... No matter how mad or upset we get at each other sometimes, I wanna know you're okay. I wanna help get you back home. And no matter what happens, that's never going to change. Or at least- it'd take a lot to change. Because we're friends, right? So, we look out for each other like that.
So, don't be afraid to check in with me... you hear?
a few seconds later; video
He's smliing when he turns on the camera. ]
You could've just walked upstairs. [ Not what Jim meant to say, but ... well, if Zack couldn't take a little gentle teasing, he wouldn't be Jim's friend, and he was. He said so, Jim had a reccocrding for proof this time. ] You know, if you missed talking to me so much.
[ His face does fall into a more serious expression after that, but it's just such a relief to be talking again that he can't be too upset. ]
I'm not afraid to message you - even if we're mad at each other. Just afraid you wouldn't answer. [ The last is a quiet confession, not a bitter one, and Jim gives a little shrug. Obviously Zack would, eventually. ] I want us both to get home. If anyone deserves to...
[ Wait, too sappy. Jim clears his throat. ]
Anyway. Thanks. For saying something.