entranceway | 001; Voice//Text

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001; Voice//Text

[Angeal is recovering nicely, much to Zack's insistence that he not do anything. However, he has opted to keep his post to just voice- There are still bandages needed for his back, over where the wound from his wing is, would be something he isn't intrested in talking about, at least right now.]

Wonderland, huh? This is quite the place. I suppose to many, this place has taken them away from their homes. [A pause, and he seems to consider how to put this delicately, the right way.] But to others, like myself it is a second chance of sorts. Another chance to make things right, another chance at life...

[He chuckles, a soft noise as a smile catches on his face, small but genuine.] A chance to get some sense of penance, to start over, and do the right thing.

[Now that he is convinced that it could be possible, even for a monster like him. If the others could find it in them to forgive him, then perhaps he may be able to find it for himself.]

But for the others... why do you want to go back? What is waiting for you? And most importantly of all, how can I start to help?

[After checking with Zack for a brief moment to make sure that these devices worked much like their phones, he composes a few private messages to send out to a few people he really needed to reach out to.]

[Genesis:]
I know you are here, don't shut me out.

[This one takes even longer to write out, considering that the only thing that keeps coming to his mind is 'I'm sorry'- A sentiment that is not meant for a simple text.]

[Sephrioth:]
Can we talk? Zack might let me up for longer than a few minutes now.

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Kind of. [ He smiles faintly, though there's a hint of sadness in it. ] Events aren't always harmless, though.

[ His first experience with them left much to be desired.

It's maybe slightly less awkward than the topic of Genesis. ]

...No, he's here. I think he's from the last time I saw him, but I'm not really sure.

He kind of blew me off.

Events? [Now that was an interesting term for things, one that makes Angeal curious, even as he looks at the other.]

...I will have to go find him at some point, Zack, if he isn't willing to show his face.

[And...No, pretty awkward. Though it really should not be much of a suprise. Angeal had left everything behind for Genesis once before, after all.]

[ He nods once. ]

Things that happen every two weeks or so. The mansion draws on the memories of the people it brings in and causes changes, in the scenery or behavior. Sometimes both.

[ He sighs and rubs the back of his neck. ]

I know.

[ He's smart enough to expect Angeal to pursue his friend. He just hopes it goes well, and that Genesis doesn't try to push his teacher away. ]

What kinds of things? Attacks, or something like that?

[Angeal couldn't leave Genesis like this- not knowing how he was, what kind of condition he was in. If his state of mind was harmed once more. This time, if it came down to it...

He would not make Zack do the work that was meant to be done by his hands.]

I know that isn't what you want to hear, and I apologize for that.

...it depends? People were acting out some pretty strange things for the last one. Kind of silly and harmless. [ He pauses, maybe a second or two, too long. ] The first one I was here for inspired people to experiment.

[ On themselves, as well as others.

Zack looks at the other, not exactly conflicted but...concerned. He understands, but that doesn't make it any easier. He shakes his head. ]

I'd worry more if you said you didn't want to look.

I suppose I would just have to see it to understand it.

[At the explanation of that one, he falls quiet, then reaches over to put a hand on Zack's shoulder, reassuring, for both the experience the other had here without him, and for his next words.]

Mm... I can't leave him like that. Not knowing how he is. But I will come back this time, Zack.

[Of course, not that he has much of a place to run away to, but that isn't what the promise was about.]

Yeah.

[ The weight of the other's hand on his shoulders makes his face...not really crumple, but crease. There's a knot in his throat, and though he can't really articulate it at the moment...he missed this.

He takes a quiet breath. ]

I believe you.

[ It's not about the physical distance; it's about the emotional one -- the hurt he felt when Angeal all but shut him out of his life, without much in the way of an explanation.

He lived through it once; he doesn't think he could again. ]

Zack...

[That look, it was one much like before, when he had first shown up here, the look on his student's face of hurt. Shifting, he moves to put his feet on the side of the bed, leaning in closer, and letting Zack do the same.]

I shouldn't of left like that in the first place. [Hindsight, of course. They both know why he did it, and had learned why he hadn't come back, but at the time, Angeal could of handled things better...

Hindsight again, of course.]

I'm sorry, Zack.

[ The knot in his throat doesn't diminish, and for for a long moment, he can't say anything at all. He's heard that apology before, accepted, and forgiven Angeal in his heart a long time ago.

He knew why the other left, and it became that much clearer to him after Angeal was actually dead. More than that, though, he can't honestly find fault with his teacher's willingness to sacrifice everything for his friend when he did the same for Cloud.

It just hurts, and he wishes more than anything that things could have been different.

Eyes burning, he blinks and bows his head. ]

...I missed you.

[ His voice cracks. ]

[That heavy guilt still weighs Angeal down, increased by how... how defeated Zack looks like this. It hurts him, and if only he had not done what he did, if he had stopped and thought about it...

But it was the past, and Angeal can't change the past. No, he is here and he has to make things right here in the now. His other hand reaches for Zack's shoulder, words soft as he looks at Zack, quiet and reassuring and there for him.

Ever his mentor.]

I could tell you I'm sorry again and again, Zack, but that isn't all I want to say. [Zack knows that he is already, and now Angeal has to make it up to him, to prove he could earn that forgiveness, even if Zack gave it to him so freely already. The smile on his face is small, and Angeal's eyes only on the other, as he gives his shoulders a soft squeeze.]

I'm proud of you.

[ He's not defeated -- not really. It's more the weight of everything he's carried for so long crashing down on his shoulders. The arrival of so many faces from his past, being pulled from the peaceful, eternal existence of the Lifestream to be flesh and blood once more, and the heavy burdens he bore prior to his death -- it's a lot all at once, and when he really needed it, he had no one to lean or cry on.

I'm proud of you.

The tears spill over finally, and he can't stop them. Shoulders quaking, he sobs quietly, breaking finally after so many years. He knows Angeal won't think less of him for it. ]

[Zack... Angeal doesn't say anything. He doesn't need to. He stands, coming closer to Zack as he wraps his arms around the other to let him hide his face against his chest- no longer a boy now, but still his student, still someone who needed him at times for guidance.]

It's okay, Zack. It's okay. [His words are soft, letting him know that he could let it out, that Angeal was here to be strong for him, just like Zack had been strong for him in opposite a few days ago.

And he was right, Angeal will think no less of him. For Zack to have held it all back, then know it was okay to let it out once things were safe, make him only realize all the more how much the other had grown.]

[ He doesn't answer.

He just leans against his teacher and cries. Every hurt, every heartbreak, everything he's ever had to hold inside for the sake of being strong pours out of him without restraint.

His heart aches for more reasons than he can count, and though he's never allowed it to hinder him (nor will he ever), for once, it helps to just let go.

It's a long while before he stops, but when he finally does, his arms come up and around the other, giving him a squeeze. Though Angeal can't know everything that happened after he passed, he should be able to tell, by this display at the very least, that his student has been through a lot since Modeoheim. ]

[And Angeal is there to weather Zack's storm, as he always had been- When the other had first been a teenager with a brash additude and big dreams, and now, when the man needs someone to be strong for him while he lets everything go.

He does not try to stop Zack, only just let him have the time he needs, fingers combing though dark hair softly and slowly, tears soaking into his shirt. His words are soft and do not interrupt him, he just lets Zack know that he was here for him, that he would stay with him and to just let everything out, because Angeal has him.]

I know it had to be much, [He finally says, when Zack returns soft and sincere affections with a squeeze.] I'm here for you Zack, when you want to talk. When you are ready to.

[ He doesn't answer at first, holding fast to his mentor as he tries to pull himself together. His tears are spent, and he feels lighter than he did before.

The burden of sharing the truth is still his to bear, of course, but right now, it doesn't really matter. He has more here now than he ever dreamed was possible, and right here, in this exact moment, he feels something he hasn't for a long time.

Like he's finally come home.

Taking a breath, Zack leans back finally, wiping his face with the back of his hand. He's better now, and it shows in the faint (if watery) smile he offers. ]

Thank you.

[As Zack pulls back, Angeal's hands fall back to his side, and he sits at the edge of the bed facing Zack, a bit of a smile on his face.]

Don't thank me for something like that. [It is just what he is suppose to do, be there for his student though everything he learns. Unfortunately, he hadn't, and Zack's moment before showed such.]

After all, you've been taking care of me for a couple of days now.

You took care of me plenty of times.

[ Back in the old days, when he was barely out of basic training -- a feisty teenager with more spirit than sense. Looking back, he can see his faults readily enough...and just how much Angeal's teachings helped him. ]

I don't know how you put up with me.

[ Bratty young thing that he was. ]

Well, I can't say that you didn't test my patience more than once.

[He jokes quietly, moving to sit back down on the side of the bed again, a smile on Angeal's face. If they didn't get to the important stuff today, that was okay- Making progress like this was a start, something they needed and something he is glad to do.]

But I knew you had it in you, and that is why I pushed you hard.

[ He smiles, just a little, at that. Angeal always had faith in him, and it's that faith that kept him going difficult times, even after his mentor was gone. ]

I know.

I'm glad you did.

[Zack's strength in times of hardship is what Angeal is is most proud of. He had not been able to handle it, of losing everything close to him, even his own identity, but Zack had been able to overcome all of it.]

Sit for a bit, Zack; I'll make us some tea to go with dinner.

[ Tea? Zack smiles, more properly this time. Amused. ]

Sounds good.

[ Still a mom, huh, Angeal? ]

[He's the biggest Momma Chocobo you know Zack, and that isn't changing anytime soon!

...And yes, he said he was going to go get it so he will do so, ignoring al the fun bandages and ache in his back that is from the last of his wounds. It is your turn to be spoiled for a bit Zack, and there is no arguing on this one- Angeal knows you need it.]

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