*Arrives back at base and noticed Freddy is partaking in mischievous activities*
Dammit...
Where's Zara?
English
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"I'm here!!" I shout out down a hallway with a tray of tea. I turn the corner to a nice room off the caf and sit at the table and next to a bay window.
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*Notices you and walks over to the room* *I sit down at the table* Hello, Zara. Thank you for the tea. Sorry I was agitated earlier... Was trying to avoid dying...
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I carefully pour. "I noticed. Glad you guys made it back alive. It would not have been the same without you two. So find anything good down there?"
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*Sips tea* Anything good? No. Anything? Sort of. There are more damned bugs around. They affected my comms so they're very strange, I must say. Besides that... *Sips tea* The usual.
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I chuckle. "The usual. Yep that about sums up this entire expedition since Exalin. " I sip some of my tea as well. "I wonder what will happen when all of this is over? How many of us will go our own ways?"
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*I sit with a rather sad look on my face* I... haven't thought about it too much. I always have a place back at the dojo, I suppose... But then again... everyone here is family to me now. The only family I have left. I don't think I could leave any of you. *Looks longingly into my tea cup* What about you? What do you plan on doing after this is all over?
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"Yes I feel the same way too. I can't imagine being without everyone. Even though I was quite the loner before all of this began. I take a sip and look out the window before sighing. "I suppose it may not last forever, but we can make it last as long as possible." I smile and pour a little more tea. "For myself, well I tried to make a life out there. I could do it again. But if I could... I'd have us all on another adventure."
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I agree, Zara. You lot are the only ones I'd consider jumping head first into hell with, that I can assure you. *Smile slightly* Zara... I need to show you something. *Reaches hand into pocket* It won't mean much to you... but you need to see it.. *Anxiously awaits a response*
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"Me too Jams." I lean forward a little, my curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
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*I Pull out a picture of a girl, around 16 years old, that looks strikingly familiar to Zara. Next to her is a man, around 20, that is assumed to be me* *I point to the picture* Me... and younger sister. I found this picture awhile ago.... It's just.. this is why I've been somewhat overprotective of you... You remind me if her... I.. I'm sorry, this was stupid.. *I put my head down and sigh*
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I place a hand on yours. "No Jams that is not silly at all. I'm actually rather touched." I pause and give you a warm smile. "She's beautiful and you've become rather handsome. If you don't mind me prying... What happened to her?"
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*I look up again* Thank you. As for what happened to her... I... *I take a knife and gently slide it across the table* You can... Figure out the rest... *I look down, then I look up again, and stare at you* Can you... take the picture, Zara. Please? I kept it because it reminded me of the time before all this... but I want you to have it. She's... gone, now, but you're still here. Maybe, one day, you can give it back to me. For now... think of it as... A family portrait. Can you do this for me? *My eyes widen*
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A shiver runs down my spine as you mention the young ladies end. My heart though goes out to you. "Yes Jams, I can do this for you." I take the picture carefully, then I study your face. Family is not a foreign thing to me, but to be making such close relations under these circumstances. I am continually amazed and cherish each moment with my comrades. "Whenever you want it back, let me know."
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*I breath a sigh of relief* Thank you, Zara. This means more to mean than you can imagine. *I resume sipping my tea* I've almost forgotten what this is like. Just.... talking. Relaxing. We don't get much time off.. which isn't bad I suppose.. but sometimes you need to ground yourself, you know? Realize that we aren't purely killing machines. Sometimes... with my gear on and my gun in arms, I feel... not human. *Shakes head* Listen to me, complaining... again. *Sips tea* Anything interesting going on with you, Zara? Not with work... with you. How are YOU?
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I smile and sit back, realizing your words about relaxing are so true. "Amen, it is nice to sit and enjoy this hard won life for a bit. All those troubles fade away." I look out the window and sigh. "Yeah I'm ok. I think Gingers death got the best of me for a moment. I honestly wanted to have a fit long enough to drive everyone insane like when Lethal would cry and whine or others complain of boredom. Couldn't bring myself to be that bad though. I take a sip of tea. "If there are still friends to fight alongside, if there are still friends to shoulder the burden with then I think we are responsible to fight for life and continue on." Pausing I laugh a little. "It was though rather amusing ignoring the new Ginger and then the drama there that ensued. That was amusing in some demented way." I sip my tea with a grin.
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*I laugh* You still have your sense of humor, Zara. *I lean back in my chair* Can we... stay like this? Just stay here? Like this? It's so nice... *I laugh at myself* What am I saying... Well, it's good to hear you're doing well, Zara. And listen to me when I say this. *I lean in closer* You're our backbone. If the team is the table, you're the legs. Everything you said, everyone else agrees, one hundred percent. Just... Don't do that to us again. We were worried... *I sip my tea again*
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Joining you in laughter I really do appreciate your response. "Thank you Jams. I promise I won't. You guys are too important to me." I sip some more tea and sigh. "You know if life could be like this there would be no more war in the world. Just friends enjoying each others company. It's really nice. Being out there fighting for our lives... It really puts a new perspective on life. You never forget these subtle moments. But you are right. I do need to check on the intel Python brought back." I sigh again. "If only, if only~"
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You know what they say about war: [i]Only the dead have seen the end of war.[/i] Anyway, I won't take up any more of your time. You are busy, like you mentioned. *I finish up my tea, and stand up* Talk to you later, Zara. This was enjoyable, we should do this again. *I hug you briefly, then walk back out into the hallway* *I turn back and say:* Now, get back to work. *I smile and walk away*
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She chuckles as you go. "You are right again Jams, right again." Standing she takes her leave of the little table. The light streaming through the window is warm and castes that warmth sweetly on the tea set left behind. Sole survivors of a curious and bittersweet meeting between two friends. Never able to tell the tale, forever drenched in a timeless memory. Zara smiles at the pretty little scene before her. In turning to walk down the hallway she leaves with a new maturity, a new solemnity, a stronger character.
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*moon-walks past the doorway down the hall*
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Snorts and looks away.
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*a crash is heard and a hub-cap rolls down the hall* [spoiler]for some reason that always happens whenever a crash happens...[/spoiler]
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[spoiler]Right?[/spoiler] I ignore and keep walking on whilst shaking my head.
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*you hear a faint voice in your head... * "ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"
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I stop and close my eyes. "Get out Michael Jackson."