towerofanimus | keeping busy [backdated to before the gathering started]

Characters: Zack Fair and anyone who encounters him.
Setting: All dormitory floors; take your pick.
Format: bracketspam is preferred, but I'll match you
Summary: Trying to inform people, and keep them from panicking. ...This can only end well, clearly.
Warnings:None I can think of; will edit this if something changes.

[It's fairly clear when the power goes out that something is off. It gets clearer that something is wrong when people start disappearing, one by one, and they're not the people who were brought to this tower. It gets crystal clear that something is terribly wrong when it's impossible to find any food at all in the places where it's supposed to be. That's when Zack's training really kicks in, and he starts to do something. What might that something be?

Writing signs so others can have an idea of what to do and then putting them in easy to see places.

Like above an emergency light near the staircases on every dorm level he can get to. He doesn't block the stairs as he tapes them up, and those who get close enough will be able to read his blocky handwriting. Yes, folks, he hand wrote these babies. ...at least they're legible?]

You probably noticed by now that things aren't so good in the tower. Until we can figure out what happened, there's a few things everyone should do:

Drink lots of water and stay calm. People have survived longer than a month without food, so long as they have water and didn't panic.

Try to avoid fighting any monsters; there's no one in the infirmary to help out if someone gets hurt and blood loss or broken bones won't help anyone in this mess.

Don't go anywhere alone if you can help it. There's a reason the saying goes "safety in numbers". Travelling with a buddy's also a good way to make sure nobody gets lost alone. It's easier to find your way back with a partner.

[There's probably more he could have written on those things, but the idea is to be concise and keep people calm, not freak them out more than they probably already are. Those who find the signs are welcome to tear them down, but come on. Why would you do that? Don't you want people to have an idea of what to do?

Also, those on the Third level of dorms can find him kneeling near a terminal alcove, pawing at the machinery to try and get it to work...or trying to find something near the bottom of it. Those close enough will hear him muttering to himself, as well.]

Come on...where's that access panel...

[Yeah. He's trying to pry it open. Someone stop him before he breaks his hand or worse.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[People in this tower were far too quiet for Zack's taste, that was for sure. Francisca's murmur was just loud enough for him to hear while torso deep under the terminal, but he couldn't make out the words and it sounded rather disturbing. Hence his sudden jump, and the crack of his head against the terminal before he pulls free, blinking at the woman before him.]

Honestly? I'm more worried about a concussion right now.

[Francisca paled from his jump and the loud crack, fingers clenching her knees and lips set in a thin line to stop from panicking. Breathing slowly and deliberately, she calmed again and smiled shakily at him.]

I think you'll be fine, but would you like me to take a look?

[She's dealt with enough varieties of injuries to have some medical knowledge.]

[Zack sees how pale she is, and how tight the grip on her knees is, and shifts from a crouch to sit on his butt. He's not that scary, is he?]

If it'll make you feel better, sure. I've got a pretty hard head, though, so I'm not sure if you'll be able to feel anything.

[Anything that points to a concussion, at any rate. He's not kidding about his skull being thick.]

[She shrugged and crept forward on her knees, moving slowly closer before reaching her hand out to gently feel the back of his head where he hit it, checking to see if a lump is forming at least.]

... I'm Francisca, by the way.

[The way she says it is distracted at best, and her head's cocked as if she's listening for something else.]

What's yours'?

[Zack bends his head forward so she can have easier access to the impact point, and there is indeed a lump forming there. A small one to be sure, because he does have a thick skull and that impact wasn't as hard as it could have been, but a lump none-the-less.]

Zack. Zack Fair.

[Distracted conversation is still conversation, really, which is why he tries to keep it up. Does she wanna talk?]

You been here long?

Hmm, I think you'll be alright...

[Satisfied it was a small lump, Francisca takes her hand back and resumes hugging her knees, refocusing on Zack. Smiling openly she responds:]

Oh yes, over a year now, and you?

[Zack nods, returning that smile before he looks away sheepishly, scratching his cheek in the process. Over a yeah, huh? And he was complaining to himself about how long he's been here...]

Just under a month. Not long at all in comparison, huh?

Mm, I don't think you can really judge one person's hardships based on length of time alone. After all, within my first month here I was quite comfortable. On the other hand, you within your first month have already experienced the Tower shutting down, food being cut off, our so-called protectors missing, and several of our co-prisoners have been abducted.

[Shrugs and fiddles with the edge of her nightgown.]

Comparison is useless.

Well, yeah, I guess so, but you've had a year without knowing for sure whether your world's still there or not. This...

[He trails off, making a gesture out into the hall, where the emergency lights are all there is to let them see what lies beyond.]

This is nothing in comparison to not knowing for so long.

Time is relative and considering how long I've been around...

[She nodded at the walls around them.]

This is nothing. An old woman get's used to waiting.

Yeah...I guess you would. [Okay wait. That came out so wrong--! Enjoy the sight of him sputtering and trying to remove the proverbial foot from his mouth, Francisca; it is rather hilarious.] N-not that you look old, or anything like that!

[Blinking for a moment, she begins to laugh, looking and sounding like herself for the first time in a long time, some colour returning to her cheeks.]

It's fine, I get that a lot.

[The laughter is a good sign in Zack's mind, so he lets his shoulders fall back into a relaxed posture as he smiles sheepishly. That...could have gone very badly.]

Don't really see why, though. You seriously don't look that old.

[Tilting her head she smiled curiously at him, her question teasing.]

And how old do I look?

Twenty-two, twenty one? No older than twenty three, really.

[His tone is light, but he's still sheepish. He hopes he's right, or if he's wrong, he just said she's younger than she really is. Age can be a really touchy subject indeed.]

[She blinks and laughs, a pleased blush coming to her cheeks.]

That young, really? You flatterer.

[Now very much relieved, Zack can only grin and rock back on his hands, looking very much like the puppy that got into the treats bag.]

Hey, I call 'em like I see 'em. It's the truth, I promise.

[She's almost tempted to reach out and give his wild hair a fond ruffle for that look.]

I haven't been that young in a very long time, but thank you.

[Tilts her head and glances at him curiously.]

Is there anyone you know here from your world, Zack?

[She'd have earned an adorable sputter for her trouble, but the grin will have to do because it's not going anywhere.]

Anytime.

[He means that. Anytime she needs a little flattery, Zack can deliver...though he'll probably flail and sputter a bit at the same time if he sticks his foot in his mouth again. For now, however, the grin will shift to a warmly fond smile as he nods.]

Yeah. My best friend and a few others. I'm not alone here.

keeping busy [backdated to before the gathering started]

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Sorry for the extreme lateness TAT;;;;

no worries, no worries~ :3 stuff happens.

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