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[ctrl_z]

"This is Ekko. Get back to you when I can."

Comments

before first Flood

[ctrl_x]

[She crouches near him, watching him work on... whatever that thing is.]

What're you working on, anyway?

[ctrl_z]

Just a lil' something for the Barge's greatest Warden.

[He looks to Jinx for a moment, then back to the apparatus, leaning down as he carefully tweaks it.]

She needs the ability to get around the Barge unhindered, after all.

[ctrl_x]

[She blinks and then grins at him, lightly patting his shoulder.]

Aw, look at you! You absolute softie!

[Despite the words, the teasing tone is mild.]

Not a bad idea, though. If anyone around here deserves getting around easily, it's definitely her. How else will our glorious queen be able to mind all her humble servants~?

[All of that is said with a dramatic tone, clearly being played up for the sake of (maybe... hopefully) a bit of a laugh.]

I'm guessing it'll function kind of similar to a prosthetic. Where do you plan on having the base?

[ctrl_z]

[Pfff.] Please...

[At least he's not jumping at her touch this time.]

You said it.

[A tone of agreement before he looks to Jinx.]

Figured the back was the best. Sort of like a bit of a harness. Easy to fold against her length-wise when it's not in use and mostly out of the way.

[He looks back to it.]

I'm still puzzling out the controls, though.

[deuceoftears]

[4-5 days after the Sebassacre]

I hope you haven't been trying to work since all that.

[Not that there would be any way into the Engine Room, with Jedao busy and Vash losing his key.]

How are you feeling now?

[ctrl_z]

Ha ha.

[Very funny, Jedao.]

I've been keeping busy.

[Because like probably a grand majority of the Barge, Ekko is allergic to sitting around doing nothing even when unwell.]

Mm, I've been better, but at least I'm not feeling dead on my feet.

[ha ha]

[deuceoftears]

I'm not gonna make you turn up even when you're better, but if you want the distraction -

[ctrl_z]

[A softly amused sound.]

Do I.

[The response comes out a touch more hollow than he means it to.]

No worries, boss, I'll be there.

[major_rawne]

Hi. How are you, after the flood? I know those can be tricky, the first couple of times.

[ctrl_z]

[Rawne? He definitely hadn't expected this.]

I've... been worse.

[He looks very, very tired.]

You?

[major_rawne]

[Rawne cares about Jinx, Jinx clearly cares about Ekko, therefore Rawne cares at least a little about Ekko.]

I've been worse, as well. I've been a hell of a lot better, too.

[He doesn't look quite as tired, but he does look like he hasn't been sleeping well these past few nights.]

[ctrl_z]

Yeah, I feel that.

[He rubs at an eye.]

Got blindness later on.

[So that was fun. Especially the not being completely sure if it was just something he'd have to Deal With after the flood or not.]

Private Text

[anashthetic]

[At the exact same time as they're sending Jinx a very similar text:]

So. What's the deal with you and Jinx?

[ctrl_z]

[???]

what do you mean?

[anashthetic]

Well, you see, I've got eyes and have seen you two interact more than once?

[ctrl_z]

[smdkghss]

i mean
i don't know

post-pairings, text;

[modestpurpose]

[He gives Ekko a couple of hours to get settled with the new listing, and decides on a written message as it's less demanding of an immediate answer.]

It seems we are partners for the next month. I shall be looking out for you as ever.

If you'd like to talk, you know where my cabin is. Consider the door open for you.

[ctrl_z]

[...oh.

Ekko's just now reading this after having gone after Jinx and then some.]

didn't expect for it to be so literal.

how long was i out?

[modestpurpose]

[Heh heh. Better late than never.]

By my reckoning, close to two weeks. There was a 'Breach' in the second half, so you may have been there instead.

[love_and_peace]

[ Right after John's announcement to the network about Jinx. ]

Hi, It's Vash. I heard about Jinx... are you doing all right?

[ctrl_z]

Hey, Vash.

[A small noise of frustration escapes.]

Yes... maybe...

... not really...

[love_and_peace]

I'm sorry.

[ It doesn't matter that death doesn't last here -- it's still horrible, every time. And 'falling off the ship' sure sounds like somebody looking for a way out, doesn't it? He doesn't have all the details and won't ask for them, but he doesn't need to know the nuances of what happened to be symathetic to his friend's pain. ]

Do you want to talk about it?

post-pairing (again!)

[modestpurpose]

Let me know when you'd like to meet up.

There's no hurry. Take your time.

[ctrl_z]

[So... it's happened, huh...

Ekko spends a long time staring hard at that list, fingers rubbing over his phone. It's not long until he sees a message from Hythlodaeus.]

i'm good with now.

[...as good as he'd get, anyway.]

[modestpurpose]

Would you like to choose where?