*10; video [open comment log]
[The light pointing directly at the camera blinds at first, the screen fading between white and odd shapes, but then slowly came into view as the camera adjusted itself.
Deadpan bleepings were almost painfully obvious to some. A heart monitor. The view was complicated but the sign could be read if their communicator was flipped around. It read;
“ ( Read more... )
Deadpan bleepings were almost painfully obvious to some. A heart monitor. The view was complicated but the sign could be read if their communicator was flipped around. It read;
“ ( Read more... )
It probably would have been worse if he had seen any of the scars and pain that Angeal had gone through, but with Angeal not telling him, the evidence healed, and possibly no one else telling him...Zack would remain oblivious, unfortunately.
Those footsteps stopped outside the door and Zack let out a breath he had been holding in, and rested his hand on the door. The memories made him stop from bursting in, however, and there was a small thunk of his forehead hitting the door, keeping it closed for now. ]
...Angeal?
[ He was coming down from the adrenaline rush that Angeal was here, he was behind this very door, he was alive and breathing..
Zack found himself unable to open the door, at least not yet. He was trembling, holding back a very sudden sob that threatened to be heard. He couldn't just..walk in, say how's it going, when he had..killed him back home. It might have been not long ago, but the memory was too fresh. ]
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You can come in, Zack. You don't have anything to worry about.
[Maybe he did. Perhaps that was why he didn't come see him. He if there was one thing he remembered about Zack was that he needed the occasional encouraging push.]
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After several long minutes of sudden silence after that failed laugh, the door creaked open and Zack peeked in. His curiosity had gotten the better of him. No, he hadn't even stuck his head in, and peered through that crack to Angeal. Zack looked like a wounded puppy, with his eyes droopy and a weak smile on his face.
Angeal looked okay. He looked like how he remembered him being. Without wings too.
Then Zack closed the door quickly, like a child playing peekaboo, and spoke very quietly, and very slowly. ]
...If you arrived here from the time I think you did, you had..good reason to leave me in the graveyard that day.
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Then what he heard next, could have broken the hardest of hearts had they known the situation and were close to it.
It wasn't so hard to think why Zack had that face on anymore. And suddenly it wasn't adorable but concerning.]
Zack come in here. Have a seat.
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Zack still hid behind that door, holding it closed for just a little longer. ]
I'm sorry.
[ He couldn't bear to go inside yet. Just a little longer, inwardly promising himself. Just a little longer, then he'll work up the nerve to open the door again.
While he wasn't thinking of how his behavior was coming off, it resembled a child afraid of the dark, hiding under their blankets with a flashlight in hand. Soon, they'd peek out and turn that light on, showering the room with light, just to be sure nothing was there. ]
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He couldn't blame Zack for acting how he did. He acted much worse. It was foolish and it could have but his student in danger. There was no excuse for acting like he did.]
Zachery Fair. [He used that tone again. The tone he used in the training room, the one he used when Zack didn't fill out papers when he needed to, the tone he used when Zack disobeyed an order.]
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What did I do now?
[ Really, that was an impulsive phrase that came with that scold with his full name. Realizing what he just did, Zack finally gave a more lighthearted laugh, and opened the door a crack to peer in again, but this time with a more comfortable smile on his face. ]
H..hey, no fair.
[ On went the flashlight, in flooded the relief. ]
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Zack get in here.
[He motioned his head over to the chair across from him. There was an ever-so-slight smile on his lips. Zack needed the encouragement and if it made any difference, it made Angeal feel a little better.
It was obvious Zack wanted to talk ever since he got back. It was also obvious that they needed to. Angeal wasn't going to procrastinate anymore.]
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If Angeal missed the brief shot of him over the video, he could now see the change in hairstyle, the scar on his face, but most importantly, that sword strapped to his back.
Reaching up to remove that precious sword, Zack had a seat in the chair and rested it across his lap, looking down at it. With the silence being rather comfortable this time, he gave the blade something of an affection pat, before lifting it (with both hands) and offering it to him. ]
I believe this is yours.
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A shaky hand hovered over the surface of the blade, barely touching it. He ran his hand over the surface while shaking his head lightly.
I'm sorry... I can't. It's not my sword. I gave this to you upon my death to carry on what I couldn't. It would be a dishonor on myself and my family if I accepted. You... are my legacy, Zack. This was given to you in hopes of ensuring a better future. [A pause as he withdrew his hand after giving a light push back.]
I hope you understand that.
[He could not accept. It wasn't his anymore. And while it was his family's honor, he didn't have a heir to take his name. But he did have Zack; his living legacy. He knew what would become of Zack, who he would pass it on to. Angeal was fine with that. But he couldn't accept his sword back. It wasn't honorable.]
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He smiled quietly when Angeal reached to touch the blade, before blinking in a bit of surprise when he gently pushed it back, but the words made him smile warmer. Nodding and resting the sword into his lap again, he gave it another affectionate pat. ]
I understand. [ He kept his gaze down onto the sword, then glanced up. ]
..I'm still sorry, for what I did. [ Zack's smile had drooped into a more somber state. ]
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[It had to be hell for Zack. Angeal -liked to think that he- knew how much he meant to his student. It was selfish, he thought, to want death more than help anyone at all. He sighed once again.]
Smile. [He did so as he looked back to Zack. Lead by example, they always said.] What happened in the past is in the past. You don't have to worry about that here.
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