[open]

[activatingcombatmode]

WHO: Zackary Fairweather + YOU
WHERE: Various locations around the city
WHEN: The month of November
WHAT: Buildings are messed up, there’s a blue mailbox thing, catching turkeys, chilling at the hospital and kickboxing!
WARNINGS: TBA

one: tachibana comics

[One is never too old to like comic books, right? None of that weird anime crap, though. Zack occasionally likes the classics and on his way back to his apartment that afternoon he decides to swing by Comic Corner to pick up one or two just for the hell of it. Maybe because recently learning about all these strange occurrences in both the town and with the people in it has made Zack a little on edge and confused. He feels like he’s stepped right into a comic book to be perfectly honest so think of it as some backwards research. Or a coping method.

Swinging the door open Zack strolls in and then abruptly stops. His eyebrows furrow as he glances around and noticed that... This isn’t Comic Corner.]

Wait- Where am I? Did this place get renovations?

[He’s been in here before but now it looks like a totally different shop. He glances at an overhead sign.]

Who’s Tachibana?

two: box formally known as the retrospec building

[Zack hasn’t received any mail from Retrospec (yet) but that doesn’t mean he’s not curious about the entire thing. He’s heard so much about it from others and it’s hard not to wonder what the hell they mean by a giant blue box that passes out otherworldly packages to people. So here he stands with his arms crossed over his chest as he peers at this large box.]

So, they say this is the thing that acts like a giant alien mailbox? Looks dumb if you ask me.

[He then lifts his boot to kick the thing. Just to see what happens. He’s gonna kick it.

What will happen? Will he be teleported or changed pink? Or something else...? Feel free to stop him or just watch to see what happens too.]

three: mayor’s front lawn

[Zack loves turkey. But only when you can eat turkeys. So, he’s more than willing to volunteer to wrestle some turkeys down in order to get them ready in time for the potluck. After all, what’s Thanksgiving without turkey dinner? And hey, what a quick fifty bucks.

Zack observes the gaggle of turkeys that are spread across the large lawn and then cracks a fist against his palm. He’s ready to fight some turkeys to the death with his bare hands.]

Oh yeah, let’s do this!

With a whoop, Zack breaks into a sprint and starts for a turkey that’s sitting on top of a nearby cop car. He leaps at the creature and tries to grab it but it suddenly gobbles (?) loudly and beats its wings enough to escape on to the top of the car. Beady eyes stare at him...]

Come on, bird. Time to make you dinner...!

[Zack moves around the car... Maybe help him out? Or don’t- That’s cool too.]

four: recollé general hospital

[It is that time of the week that Zack has to make a trip to the hospital for his physical therapy treatments and for general diagnostic tests. He is here about once a week sometimes twice so he’s a familiar face to the hospital staff and for other usual patients.

He can usually be seen dropping off fresh donuts for the ladies working the reception, taking a minute or two to chat them up. Or he can be seen in the waiting room clicking through his phone (and lately wondering why his mom isn’t texting him back...) or playing Candy Crush.

Is it strange to see such a tall, in-shape and healthy-looking guy at the hospital so much? Probably. But a glimpse at the scarring on his right shoulder under his tshirt when he pulls off his jacket might tell a different story.]

five: recollé recreation + fitness center

[Zack can also been seen at the recreational center on almost a daily basis. Early mornings are his high times where he can be found either lifting weights or using the fitness equipment.

This morning he’s taken to kick boxing. But there’s only so much he can do with a stationary bag.]

Hey! Looking for someone to kickbox with? I need a partner!

wildcard: ???

[Got something else in mind? Give me what you got!]

Comments

closed to cloud strife

[activatingcombatmode]

[Despite the weird week he’s been having Zack manages to snag a job interview at a local automotive shop. He’s been living off savings and meager military wages for the last six months and as much as he loves noodles, cheap beer and pizza he figures if he’s going to be in the city longer than he first expected he might as well start making some better cash.

He’s a pretty great talker so he nails the interview with no problems. On his way out of the office he can be overheard talking about working on his dad’s farm and fixing the tractors on the regular and then he shakes the man’s hand and he’s out the door with plans to start on Monday.

On his way out he spots a potential new co-worker and he comes over with a wave.]

Hey! Do you work here? Just got hired on, name’s Zack. Heard this place was short handed so I threw my hat into the ring. Would love someone to be able to show me the ropes around this place.

[Every shop is different and it’s been a while for Zack since he’s worked in one.]

[embraves]

[He turns to look at the man who called out to him; it's a face he only barely recognizes, but the familiarity is there nonetheless. Cloud remembers seeing him in passing, coming in for an interview. He hadn't spoken to him beyond that, but it appears like this is a trend that's going to be broken sooner rather than later. Looks like he's expected to show him around the place.

Not that he has anything against that. Cloud shifts around to face Zack, and ignores the temptation to bring a hand up to rub at the back of his head.]

Yeah, I work here.

[From the first sentence alone, it's obvious that his personality is not quite as bright, not quite as energetic, as Zack's. There's a small thread of awkwardness there, but not enough to be an obstacle.]

I don't have a problem with showing you around. [A pause, and then... right, a name.] I'm Cloud, it's nice to meet you.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack catches on quickly to that lesser, slightly awkward energy but it doesn't make the warm smile on Zack's face falter one bit. He easily rolls with it. There's something nice about it, honestly.]

Nice to meet you, Cloud. And thanks, that'll be a lot of help for a returning newbie like me. It's been a few years since I worked at shop first hand. Looking forward to getting back into it.

[The last few years leaving him preoccupied with other duties, that is. But he's excited to get his hands greasy again.]

Five!!!!

[maidhem]

I'm probably the only competition you'll find this time of day.

[Felicia said, taking a break from her own reps before she bounced off to class for the day, refreshing herself with a bottle of water and tightening the ponytail that was tied high up on her head. She grinned up at Zack, recognizing that face as one of the regulars during her shifts actually working at the gym.]

More people like to swing by after class and work up a sweat then. Getting up early isn't for everyone.

[activatingcombatmode]

[He grins in return and bounces on his heels a bit to loosen up his muscles.]

I like sleeping in just as much as the next person, but sleeping in too much gets me really antsy. Glad you're an early bird too, though!

[Probably from all the early mornings on base. Nothing like being up before 5am every single day.

He recognizes her too from passing and going.] What's your name? I see you around a lot.

[maidhem]

I totally agree-- I can't stand the thought of sleeping too late. And, you get more done when you're up bright and early!

[She was one of the rare few who was a natural morning person, complete with being super peppy and wanting to chatter the moment she woke up.]

My name's Felicia. I work here-- and I like to train here, too.

What about you? I've seen you around a lot, too.

2

[fiddlestick]

[ Elliot got one of those messages saying that he had a package to retrieve. Letting his curiosity get the better of him, he heads to the mailbox.

Just in time to see his cousin prepping to kick the heck out of the mailbox. He yelps. ]

Z-Zack what're you-?!

[THIS SEEMS LIKE A BAD IDEA. THEY SAID NOT TO MESS WITH THE MAILBOX. He reaches out to try to pull Zack away- but considering Elliot is both slow and a total weakling- it's more likely he just ends up hanging on uselessly as Zack kicks that mailbox and gets transported to who knows where]

[activatingcombatmode]

[It's almost like it all happens in slow motion. One second he's moving to kick the thing and the next he's got his cousin hanging off his arm and then next--

Whoosh.

Everything distorts and phases out and Zack feels a very real lurch in his stomach with the motion and when things come back into focus...

He and Elliot are right in the middle of the Recollé Zoo. Particularly, the lion's den.]

What the- ... Elliot? What just happened.

I thought I hit send I'm smart

[fiddlestick]

[Okay Elliot had no idea what happened if you messed with the mailbox- only that bad things would happen. So this whole whooshing thing? Is just as surprising and distorting to him. ]

I-I don't know...

[Looking around. This is NOT in front of a waffle house what the]

W-Where are we?

Four

[blind_badass]

[Snake doesn't need to appear nearly as often as Zach, but occasionally when his prosthetic gets stuck that Felicia can't fix or now that he's exercising more and needs to figure out what he can do safely, he'll be here.]

How badly did you mangle your shoulder this time?

[Clearly the friendliest of fellow patients. There's a reason why, with that dead eyed stare he occasionally employs, why most of the hospital calls him Snake instead of Light.]

[activatingcombatmode]

[He looks up from his phone and gives Snake a wry smile.]

It's about as mangled as it was before, bud.

[He's pretty used to Snake's tone, honestly. Being on the military base 90% of the time growing up, he's used to snark attitudes.]

I ever tell you what I did to mangle it up so bad?

[blind_badass]

No, although given your background, I imagine it was some kind of exercise or accident. Enlighten me if I'm correct or not.

wildcard

[mercurio]

[prompto was eating with his brother the moment zack went in for an interview. he was here for his sometimes-daily lunches with cloud, and he had seen the exchange happen over the window separating the lunch room from the office. some minutes later, he's saying bye to his brother before his lunch break is over. he makes a quick stop in the bathroom to wash his hands, and is now ready to move out.]

[he doesn't miss the exchange of who is cloud's boss and the younger man shaking hands, bidding each other a good day.]

[prompto tilts his head as he opens the door to exit the small office and keeps it open for the other to walk out]

Hi!

[big smile] Job interview?

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack stops when it seems he's the one who's being addressed and he flashes his own smile at the blond. Wow, what a nice bunch of people around here! Nothing like NYC. Really, nothing like NYC.]

Sure was! Looking like I'll be starting on Monday. Do you work here too?

[Even if that's a mistake assumption, Zack holds out his hand for a handshake anyway.] Name's Zack.

[mercurio]

[oh]

[prompto takes the offered hand, immediately feeling the enthusiasm ooze out of this person--zack.]

Prompto. My big bro works here, just came in to have lunch with 'im. It'll be nice for him to have young people around here though. He's like an old guy himself.

two!!!

[usurpers]

Zack—

[ when eren jaeger is about to say zack no, there is something incredibly wrong with this picture. the responsible adult is not supposed to be eren jaeger. the air force may want you to think so, but he is not supposed to be a responsible adult. so when zack gives the mailbox a kick, all eren has time to do is hold his hand out in an attempt to stop him, but.

teleportation happens. nice to be completely grappled onto you, bro. lets enjoy that tumble into the great mystery. ]

[activatingcombatmode]

[Jokes on you, Eren-- Zack is about as responsible as most other eighteen year olds despite being twenty-six. Most of the time he just pretends to adult.

And ... WHOOSH. Away they go!! With a really loud yowl from Zack too.

Then suddenly the two of them are falling...

... Falling...

Falling...

And crashing into a plastic ball pit. There's a sudden storm of children laughing too...]

What the hell-?!

3

[courageofheart]

[She will catch sight of it and giggle at the racket. She walks to the other side of the turkey's path, holding out her bag to block off its escape.]

Don't run, just follow it. It'll run itself into a corner.

[activatingcombatmode]

[OH GOOD, someone wants to help! Zack looks a little relieved but also a little wary. He doesn't want anyone getting hurt, he's sure he can somehow manage to wrestle a turkey or two on his own eventually.]

You sure? Have you caught turkeys before?

five

[complementing]

[Minako turns and lets her hands fall from her high ponytail, giving Zack a quick smile.]

Actually, I need one too! My usual one had to cancel on me.

[activatingcombatmode]

[He grins. He wasn't quite expecting Minako!]

Really? Didn't think you were the kick boxing kind!

two

[wordcarvings]

[ Koutarou has been going back and forth between the box and the places he's usually at during the day, and though he's seen people at the blue box just about every time he's dropped by, not every person is kicking the thing all of a sudden. ]

Ah--maybe you shouldn't do that?

[activatingcombatmode]

[Well--- He does stop mid-kick. Luckily. His leg hovers there.]

Huh? Why? You really believe all that alien mumbo-jumbo?

[Zack is new so he still thinks a lot of these things are all just giant hoaxes...]

4

[missingache]

[Look, Shiori is only here because he's never seen a living turkey in his life. You don't get them in Hawaii and they only had chickens at his last school. So seeing one and taking a picture is his goal. Maybe show it off to his brother when they're speaking again.

Instead there is a full grown adult chasing one of the things around like a kid and it manages to get onto the roof.

Adults... should Shiori start filming this.]

You know that they respond better to calmness than trying to grab them like a predator would, right?

[Smol blond is judging you.]

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack looks over his shoulder at some kid who's peering at him and all he can really do is shoot the kid a mildly annoyed raised eyebrow and give a shrug.]

Didja know if you cut their heads off they still run around for a few extra minutes?

[Yeah, he's seen that. Done that. Had to chase a headless turkey down a hill once. Farm lyffffe.]

These buggers tucker out faster than you think they would.

[In... Most cases.]