08 ❄ ( TEXT )

[wintershepherd]

[ After dropping by to see his fellow Guardian and give him the good news about the lifted rationing for kids, Jack's good mood completely deflates as he discovers Bunny's suite empty save for the warren-like growth inside of it and several caches of chocolates and other sweets left around. It's a while before Jack wants to do anything other than sit among the greenery and tell himself this is all right and that it's probably for the best.

Eventually he rouses himself, gathers all the edibles he can find and brings them back to his own suite. He'll disperse them between the kids and the food bank when he feels like he wants to deal with anyone else, but he has to at least let people know. ]

Bunnymund has gone back home
he was...
someone might need to take over caring for the wood sector
sorry.

Comments

text;

[demon_brat]

[Well. That's probably not a good thing. Especially if Jack is using text, which he barely ever does.]

I'm sure there are people who are already making an effort and will be able to take over.

Do you need anything?

[Because 'are you all right?' is a difficult question. And probably completely pointless.]

Re: text;

[wintershepherd]

yes he just wouldn't...
he'd be mad if all his work went to waste
no i'm good thanks.

text;

[demon_brat]

They won't let it go to waste.

[As to the latter...]

I would not be above checking that personally.

[Sending Zatara again might also be an option, but Damian rather thinks he won't have to. Plus, the text is as Damian, not Robin.]

Re: text;

[wintershepherd]

okay good.

you can if you want
i'm learning with the east wind.

[ Because it's something to do, and something he needs to do on top of that, so it's a perfect distraction. ]

text;

[demon_brat]

[Paaaause.]

That is not the wind that you usually talk with, is it?

Re: text;

[wintershepherd]

no that's the north
it needs a break in this weather too
have to teach the east how to carry me
beats walking

text;

[demon_brat]

[Yes, good, at least his powers of observation aren't off.]

I understand.

I would be curious as to what you find the differences to be, after you both learn.

Re: text;

[wintershepherd]

[ That's kind of a surprise, and Jack stares at the message for a moment as though wondering if he's supposed to catch a metaphor. ]

sure no problem.
how come?

text;

[demon_brat]

I may not be able to use such knowledge directly, but it is never clear when having it will turn needed.

In case you are in need of assistance that I cannot provide, for example.

text

[backwordscompatible]

[Well...crap.]

[And Jack was texting. That wasn't a good sign.]

You have no reason to be sorry, Jack.

Re: text

[wintershepherd]

sorry like bearer of bad news

text

[backwordscompatible]

It's still not your fault.

Want some company?

Re: text

[wintershepherd]

okay sure

[ Because everything is fine, and there's nothing for her to worry about. And if he keeps repeating that, it will be true. ]

come to the field outside the wood sector
going to be learning with the east wind.

text > action

[backwordscompatible]

be there in 5.

[She shuts off her console, closing the window on her way out. As a last minute thought, she grabs one of her hair ties and pulls her thick, black locks into a high ponytail. He mentioned Wind, so she figured she might as well come prepared in case this one was a playful as the last.]

[True to her word, she made it to the edge of the field in only a few minutes. Pausing just long enough to scan for any sign of his usual blue hoodie.]

action;

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack actually hadn't arrived yet, having needed to answer a few more replies on the console, but he came flying overhead and touched down lightly on the grass near her. He's smiling, not forced but somehow not as free as it usually is. ]

Hey Zatanna.

action;

[backwordscompatible]

Hey yourself.

[He was smiling, period. Considering everything, she'll take what she can get from him.]

So, what's all this about the East Wind? I thought you said you usually prefer the North?

Re: action;

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack gives her a totally scandalized look because they're both right there and you are going to get him in trouble. ]

Not prefer! Just more familiar with!

T E X T;

[build]

You okay, Jack?

[ yes, she is sorry about his friend. but there isn't much she can do to change that, so she really would just hope he is doing okay here. ]

Re: T E X T;

[wintershepherd]

hi ariadne
i'm fine.
he'll be happy to be home.

T E X T;

[build]

You can be fine, and yet still sad, you know that, right?

Re: T E X T;

[wintershepherd]

I know
lots of practice with that
thanks though.
how have you been?

T E X T;

[build]

Well, I'm willing to listen if you want to talk about it.
And I mean that, Jack.
I'm a good listener.
And I'm okay. Dealing with the typical: I don't belong here syndrome.
How's your tree doing?

Re: T E X T;

[wintershepherd]

thanks. I might take you up on that later
hasn't that worn off yet?
well I don't think it's about to fall down so that's good

T E X T;

[build]

Has what worn off - my feeling that I don't belong here?
No, not exactly. I may have grown fond of a few things here, but I know there is a place I should be instead.
Don't you miss home?

Re: T E X T;

[wintershepherd]

maybe none of us belong here
but we don't have to feel like we're outcast.
I hope you don't, ariadne.
I

[ Here Jack stops typing, looking at the words on the console screen dumbly as though he hasn't quite figured out how to process them. Slowly he presses three buttons that seem to make sense. ]

y e s