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Now that he had thought about it, Zach did not necessarily need to start with Calvin. In truth, to some extent he did owe the entirety of the group save Cyrus an apology of some kind. Calvin was one of the more obvious ones, but there was also poor Krista whom was attacked by Jezebel on his behalf. 

[i]Hmm…[/i]

Zachary, having felt he pondered the subject longer than he should, finally decided to escape the break room and move on with the plan. The first phase involved actually meeting up with someone, and since this was also to perhaps become better with people who weren't Jez, this meant he was going to try doubly hard! It was two goals in one! And with the delusional expectation of twice the EXP and GIL, Zachary decided to strike at the heart of a likely enemy stronghold --- The Dining Hall! 

With a final pun, Krista excused herself from Felix’s company. With the impromptu plan in mind, Krista felt she needed some time to figure out how to make her idea into a reality. Felix’s help was [i]not[/i] going to be enough, but who else could she ask? It felt like she was choosing her teammates for a PE class and being the picker always made her uncomfortable.

[i]Growl.[/i]

Like many others, Krista took a plate of delicious looking food from the kitchen before returning to the slowly emptying dining hall. She saw Braden sitting on his own, Cyrus ditching him immediately to talk to Bliss, even Daimyon seemed to be busy going by the way he rushed out of the room. There was still one more person in the room and after realising who he was, Krista made a beeline towards him. Standing next to his table with a plate in her hand, Krista gave him a sheepish smile. [color=6c9b8f]“Do you mind if I join you?”[/color]

[s]Jitsu wa watashi wa…[/s]

[color=0076a3]"Actually, I was looking for you."[/color] Zach replied, a rather serious look to his face. [color=0076a3]"I wanted to talk to you about the things that happened during the trial, if that's okay."[/color] 

Perhaps the most convenient scenario had come to be. She had sought him out, while he was looking for her. That surely beats sitting around for god knows how long, twiddling his thumbs. He'd heard through the grapevine that Calvin wasn't the most approachable individual while he was working, and as far as Zach knew, Calvin was probably working right now. Krista was surely easier to speak to, then. Preparation for the bossfight he might have later. 

Of course, like many things, these worries weren't likely warranted. Merely the side effect of Zach's rather discreet social anxiety. 

That was very convenient indeed. The violinist gave Zach a bright smile, almost from relief as she took a seat at the table. It had been her goal to apologise to a couple people for her behaviour at the trial: namely Zachary and Jezabel. Whilst she may not have used insults like Jezabel or Cyrus, it still ate her up inside knowing she defended Shaun so blindly without even trying to consider Jezabel’s side. 

[color=6c9b8f]“But before we do… I’d like to apologise to you.”[/color] It was so tempting to just avert her eyes and mumble a quick apology, but Krista wanted Zach to know she was sincere. [color=6c9b8f]“I… shouldn’t have been so quick to think of you as the blackened.”[/color]

[color=0076a3]"Eh?"[/color] 

Noticeably off put by Krista's apology, Zachary's rather stoic look shattered and was replaced with a worried expression. He waved his hands somewhat frantically in front of him. [color=0076a3]"Err, that's not... right. I was supposed to be the one to apologize here."[/color] He claimed. [color=0076a3]"I was acting very immature and at the time it made a lot more sense to suspect me. And I need to also apologize for Jezebel. If I had stood up for myself, she would not have needed to get so... erm, well, 'heated'."[/color]  

Krista scratched her cheek, awkwardly laughing to herself. [color=6c9b8f]“It’s not like we were so innocent either, I mean, Cyrus wasn’t so nice to you. I’m sorry for that too, I never meant for it to go so far.”[/color] She then began to play with the food on her plate with her fork, her eyes averting this time. [color=6c9b8f]“Besides. Jezabel wanted to help you, I can’t fault her for that. I did the same for Shaun, only that I was wrong to put my trust in him. So really, Jezabel was right with some of the things she said.”[/color]

[color=0076a3]"She could have been a bit more polite about it, though. Resorting to ad hominem isn't something I'm a big fan of."[/color] he said. [color=0076a3]"I think out of the entire 'heated' group, you are probably the last person who needs to give an apology. All you did was trust someone you thought to be a friend. There's nothing wrong with that."[/color] 

Krista laughed again, though it was out of obvious discomfort this time. Without stopping her game with her breakfast, Krista looked up at Zach. [color=6c9b8f]“It… is a little more complicated than that I’m afraid. I… wanted to protect Shaun because I was in his shoes the trial before— except not a blackened but…”[/color] Krista stopped, forcefully digging into her pancakes as if they were a distraction. [color=6c9b8f]“I don’t know if you haven’t already guessed but I’m never in tune with what’s going on with others. Everyone else here is smart… or strong. I’m just a girl with a violin who thinks she’s funny. It was silly for me to get involved with the trial so much when it was painfully clear I knew nothing. I feel guilty because of it… which is why I wanted to apologise as soon as I could.”[/color] 

[color=0076a3]“If anything, to me that sounds more admirable. Almost like something a JRPG hero would do.”[/color] Zachary gave a small smile while trying to fight the urge to, when Krista mentioned the line about being ‘in tune with what’s going on’, ask her if that was intentional. She seemed quite serious, but maybe she subconsciously used that particular phrasing? Well, whatever the Violinists’ reasons, he thought for a moment before answering. 

[color=0076a3]“I really wouldn’t say ‘everybody else’, personally, but I do understand how you feel.”[/color] losing his smile with a sigh, he continued. [color=0076a3]“I… am afraid that if I am to be completely serious right now, I too feel inadequate in comparison to the cast, particularly after my performance in that trial. All I’m good for is shooting a bow, which was only useful in that one specific instance. I’m really in no position to give any meaningful words of encouragement.”[/color] 

[color=0076a3]“... but even so, I don’t think you need to apologize, least of all to me. Unfortunately, without a gag of some sort, I can’t exactly stop you.”[/color] 

There was a long silence from Krista before she began to laugh once again. The conversation seemed to be going nowhere and all they could do is apologise and assure the other there was no need to. Maybe they were Canadians in another life? [color=6c9b8f] “I think you’re pretty strong. Who else could have a showdown with Geina and come out alive like that? It was silly to get into a shooting competition with a [i]robot[/i]... no less a robot that is pretty much itching to kill us all…”[/color] Was this another one of her attempts to make him feel better? [i]How?[/i] [color=6c9b8f]“On a [i]high note[/i] however, I still think that’s pretty badass!”[/color]

She gave Zach a bright smile. The sudden shift in mood an obvious attempt from the violinist to lighten things up. She looked around the room once again, only to realise something. [color=6c9b8f]“Where’s Jezabel? I thought you two would be hanging around today.”[/color]

It was nice to see the mood improved between them. Honestly, he wished he was better at lightening the mood than he was. He'd long-since strayed from his character sheet given personality and become something else, but perhaps eventually he'd grow into the OC he was supposed to be? Only time would tell. For now, he gave a soft laugh at the italicized line Krista gave, having caught on. 

[color=0076a3]"I C what you did there. Don't tell anybody, but I'm quite the fan of puns, no matter how awful they are. In fact, were we characters in a novel of some sort, you'd see that I actually made a pun there."[/color] Ackerson briefly pondered whether or not he should make archery puns rather than ones related to music. Was that overstepping his bounds? Was there some sort of pun boundary he shouldn't be crossing? Oh well. [color=0076a3]"I'd like to think that when we all get out of this place, people will continue to believe I did something interesting during that conflict with Geina. It makes me sound a lot cooler than I am."[/color] 

Upon being asked about Jez, he smiled. [color=0076a3]"Oh, she told me we needed some time apart. That we should see other people and all of that."[/color] 

Someone else that has an appreciation for puns? After many days of people barely reacting or reacting poorly to her puns, it was a blessing to find somebody that actually liked them. [color=6c9b8f]“Ooh~ You’re [i]sharp[/i]! I like it!”[/color]  She faintly realised she was beginning to reuse some of her old puns again... Maybe it was time for a change. [color=6c9b8f]“Let’s be honest with ourselves. People that like puns are totally cooler than those that don’t so by that logic, you’re pretty cool even if nothing had happened with Geina.”[/color] She couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows at the wording Zachary used as Zach answered her question about Jez. It was a little disappointing to know that they were keeping some space between them, but why?

Krista then leaned close on her elbows, her chin supported by her open palms. Maybe there was something going on between them? Curious… It made her realise she did not know much about the Archer in front of her. [color=6c9b8f]“If you don’t mind me asking… why were you in Axis Mundi anyway? You seem perfectly fine—”[/color] Almost realising what she was saying, Krista panicked. [color=6c9b8f]“B-but it’s fine if you’re not, we’re in a hospital after all!”[/color]

[color=0076a3]"You know, I can't really find any faults in your statement, so it must be true."[/color] Judging from how happy she seemed from his reaction to her pun, Zachary was going to take a wild guess and say that the rest of the cast did not seem to be as appreciative. How unfortunate. What kind of people was he locked up with?!

Upon being asked about his reason for staying in Axis Mundi, Zach's expression... didn't seem as bright as it was a second before. [color=0076a3]"Ah, it's okay. I wasn't here for myself. I was actually here for my father, who was undergoing a small surgery at the time all of this stuff began."[/color] he rubbed his chin. [color=0076a3]"Though I could ask the same of you, Krista. You don't seem like you belong in a hospital."[/color] 

Once again the mood shifted and Krista did not know what to do. This was supposed to be light hearted, stop making your conversational partner sad damn it! However, when family was involved… Krista nodded in agreement. [color=6c9b8f]“I’m sorry, I hope everything has gone well!”[/color] She even clasped her hands together, her utensils laid forgotten on her plate. [color=6c9b8f]“Funnily enough, I have a very similar reason actually. My little brother had his appendix taken out and was just recovering from his surgery. Do you have siblings too?”[/color] 

[color=0076a3]“...no, I am afraid I do not. But I hope his recovery goes well.”[/color] he mustered another smile. [color=0076a3]“I am sorry, I was just reminded that I don’t know what’s going on with my father, I hope he’s doing well. But, it’s kind of funny. I was worried I was one of the few who wasn’t here because of injuries or something like that.”[/color] he took a small pause before continuing. [color=0076a3]“Felt like an odd one out of the group, but I haven’t exactly asked anybody their situation and have only assumed so far.”[/color] 

Zachary let out a sigh. [color=0076a3]“You know, I think we share a trait, you and I. Not just that we enjoy puns, but I feel so far that we’re really good at trading moods. So, in a very blunt and obvious way, let's switch to something that cannot cause us harm. 

What’s your favorite kind of food? I like strawberries, personally.”[/color]

It was a good idea. No matter how much she loved her brother, talking about him or family in general made her miss him far too much to be a fun partner to converse with. The change in mood from upbeat to down back to upbeat was definitely giving Krista a mental whiplash, and so Krista gave the Archer a grateful smile at the change of topic, even laughing at the silliness. 

Until… the laughing stopped. [color=6c9b8f]“Did you just say you love strawberries too?”[/color] Was this a very… freaky coincidence or did she just find her male twin? [color=6c9b8f]“I LOVE strawberries! Oh my gosh! Oranges are just as great too but if strawberries exist, why have anything else?”[/color] [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c1/cd/9a/c1cd9a98c36450e9dbe2c8efd59e07be.gif]She pressed her hand against her face[/url] excitedly, her green eyes clouding over as she began fantasising over the taste of her favourite desserts. Speaking of favourites...

She shoved her hand into her dress pocket, pulling out her handbook and… some strawberry flavoured gum. Krista slipped a piece into her mouth before offering the package to Zach while chewing thoughtfully. [color=6c9b8f]“Have some!”[/color]

Almost cautiously, Zachary took a piece of gum and threw it in his mouth. He was a bit surprised by her enthusiastic reply. However, this would prove unnecessary, as the sweet, delicious taste of strawberries was something he could never get tired of, whatever form it took. Another person who appreciated puns and strawberries couldn't be bad, in his book. 

[color=0076a3]"This is great! Very great!"[/color] he exclaimed, throwing a wide grin at her. Could she be him from another life? A FemZach? Well, she was missing the talent with a bow... well, actually, technically she was using another bow, was she not? Good enough! No matter what happened, he was now sure this was just his alternate reality self. Perhaps dealing with other people wouldn't be as hard as he'd originally thought! 

[color=0076a3]"Okay, okay, so then... do you have any hobbies, aside from the obvious?"[/color] 

Krista hummed to herself, an acknowledgement that she was thinking about her answer. [color=6c9b8f]“Unfortunately I’ve been too busy to pursue any other hobbies because I have to take care of my brother.”[/color] She rubbed her chin, lips pouting. [color=6c9b8f]“But, I do like watching nature documentaries! I just love watching animals do their thing! It also gives me some.. somewhat useless facts about animals, but they’re pretty cool nonetheless! Like, did you know that a housefly hums at a specific key? Middle octave, key F?”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“I’ll have to admit that until just now, I did not.”[/color] he replied. 

Before she could weird out her new friend too much, Krista decided to think of another question. [color=6c9b8f]“Do you have any pets?”[/color]

Zach couldn’t help but smile. He definitely loved animals, at least the ones he considered family. [color=0076a3]“I do. I have a big, fluffy dog named Charles. He’s got some kind of lab mixed in with another breed, but I always forget, unfortunately. All I know is he’s got the weirdest habit of licking the air if you scratch on the area above his tail.”[/color] noticing he was about to go off on poor Krista about his doggo, he stopped. [color=0076a3]“Err, well, I think he might be a bit lower functioning as far as dogs go, but he’s adorable. How about you? You must have some kind of pet, yeah?”[/color] 

She shook her head at his question. Krista was almost disappointed as Zach stopped describing his dog. Their light hearted conversation gave her a semblance of normality in such a strange situation. [color=6c9b8f]“Unfortunately no. I’ve never had a pet though… I think if I do have one, I’d have a cat. I might be a dog person but they do seem like a lot of effort. Does this mean you’re a dog person too? Do I have to call you my twin after this?”[/color]

Zach put a finger to his chin and thought deeply. 

[color=0076a3]"You know what? You're probably on to something, because I am certainly a dog person. I can't help but smile around them."[/color] he was grinning almost like an idiot at this point, clearly enjoying the conversation they were having. [color=0076a3]"I don't mind cats, but... well, they mind me. I can't pet one with paying a blood toll or something. Dogs are friendly as can be with me though. I wish we had this chat a bit earlier, truthfully. It's very enjoyable to talk to you."[/color] 

[color=6c9b8f]“I like to think animals like me too, but I agree. Cats can be really moody. I guess they’re even [i]catty[/i], without the mean words... but who are we kidding? If it comes out that cats talk bad about us, I wouldn’t be very surprised at all. Dogs on the other hand? Sweethearts.”[/color] She returned his grin with one of her own, clearly enjoying herself as well. [color=6c9b8f]“Thank you for hearing me out, by the way. It was really enjoyable to talk to you too! I never expected to find my male twin here of all places! That was fun!”[/color]

She then grew quiet, pondering for a moment before asking something that was on her mind while trying to keep the lighthearted mood. [color=6c9b8f]“I’d like to apologise to Jezabel too, sometime soon.”[/color] She told Zach. From what she could tell, they were the closest to each other. [color=6c9b8f]“Do you think she’d accept?”[/color] Krista did not think Jezabel was the type to hold grudges, but Krista was not sure whether believing her instinct was a good idea anymore.

[color=0076a3]“I think… that’s a great idea.”[/color] he finally said. Zach trusted Jezebel and she trusted him, but he did not want to pretend that he knew her too well, considering they’d only met a little while ago. There were still many things they would need to speak about before he could safely say that, but he could not imagine any reason why Jezebel would really wish to keep an antagonistic attitude between her and Krista, especially when she had obviously realized the importance of having more than one ally down here. [color=0076a3]“I believe that Jezebel is mature. Much more than I am, so I can’t fathom a reason why she wouldn’t accept smoothing things over between the two of you.”[/color]

Krista released a relieved breath, giving Zach another grateful smile for the assurance. She rubbed her chin as began thinking deeper about everything else going on, making a mental checklist of everything she had to do for the day. First, and most importantly, Krista had to apologise to Zach and Jezebel. Half down, half to go. Next: [i]finally[/i] go check out Nariko’s room. Thirdly: plan [i]how[/i] she’d do the thing with Felix… wait… 

[color=6c9b8f]“Hey. Random question, but we’ve asked plenty already so what’s one more, right? What sort of music do you like?”[/color]

Raising an eyebrow and looking up and to the left as he thought about the question, he answered simply. [color=0076a3]“I like music in most of its forms. I can listen to rock, metal, country, pop, and pretty much anything that isn’t most rap, really.”[/color] he didn’t look Krista in the eyes as he continued, perhaps because he was a bit embarrassed. [color=0076a3]“Lately… I’ve been listening to a bit of classical pieces, and a lot of soundtracks from games and other stuff I enjoyed. It’s a bit weird, I know, but I tend to prefer instrumental music. Don’t laugh but… to me, there’s more… well, character in the music, even without lyrics.”[/color]

A vague answer, but something Krista could identify with. Music, to her, was beautiful in every form, even if she had her own preferences. [color=6c9b8f]“My roots in music definitely come from classical. The best violin teacher I’ve ever known made me realise how powerful Bach’s sonatas were back when I was still a wee lass.”[/color] Towards the final part of her sentence, Krista used what was supposed to be her attempt at a Scottish accent with an impish grin, despite it being completely irrelevant to the subject. [color=6c9b8f]“Do you play an instrument?”[/color]

Zach’s expression went blank. [color=0076a3]“Look, Krista… we’re pretty chill and all, but that’s something you just don’t ask someone you’re not intimate with. I like you, but you need to switch gears, like, right now. Because if I answer truthfully, well, you won’t be known as the best musician in the group anymore.”[/color] he seemed dead serious, but then began grinning. 

[color=0076a3]“It’s not a publically-known fact, but I am actually the number 1 Kazoo player in the world.”[/color]

Zach’s serious tone at first threw Krista off. Intimate? Her cheeks reddened until… oh. [color=6c9b8f]“Is that a challenge, Mister Archer?”[/color] She crossed her arms against her chest, leaning on the table while playing along. [color=6c9b8f]“If that’s the case, how about we duet?”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“A duet?”[/color] he asked, curious. [color=0076a3]“Unwilling to set unrealistic expectations for the competition, I have not performed in front of an audience before. Haha…”[/color] 

He was totally not nervous about anything. For sure. 

[color=6c9b8f]“Alright, sure. You [i]lyre.[/i]”[/color] Krista giggled, teasing the Archer in front of her. [color=6c9b8f]“What about a private duet then? There’s no audience except for… well, me I guess.”[/color]

The archer thought about it for a moment, nodding slowly once he had come to a conclusion. [color=0076a3]“Alright. That seems like something I wouldn’t mind.”[/color] he told her. In truth, Krista was perhaps the worst one to have as an audience, if only because her Quirk was being good with an instrument. Zach thought pondered the horrid thought of her judging his skills with a kazoo harshly only momentarily before he realized that it was very unlikely that the Krista he was speaking to was that kind of person. 

Hopefully. 

[color=0076a3]“...Of course I have to ask, does this place even have such an obscure and priceless instrument?”[/color] Zachary was sure that if anybody were to hear their conversation starting from his last sentence, they were sure to be disappointed when they’d eventually find out he was referring to a damned kazoo of all instruments. Oh well.  

Krista pondered Zach’s question for a few moments. A kazoo was definitely a unique instrument, but was it common enough to be found in the music plaza? She faintly remembered finding flutes and all sorts of instruments at the music plaza during her last visit, so surely the Carnage Sisters had stocked a kazoo to appeal to Zach’s musical hobby. [color=6c9b8f]“We could look for it in the music plaza.”[/color] She finally answered. [color=6c9b8f]“It had everything the last time I visited, so I’d suggest we check there first.”[/color] It was undoubtedly clear that Krista seemed excited at the opportunity to duet with somebody. Would a kazoo and a violin even sound nice together? Who cares!

[color=6c9b8f]“I could go check the music plaza now! Ohh I’m really excited for this!”[/color] Krista slid out from her seat.

Zachary couldn’t honestly say he had the same enthusiasm as Krista, but if she was this happy at the thought of a duet, who was he to turn her down? Offering a warm smile, he stood up from his seat. [color=0076a3]“That sounds like the best place to start. Let's head off!”[/color] and, perhaps infected by her joy, the archer led the way towards the music plaza.