[center][color=0076a3][h2]Zachary Ackerson[/h2][/color] [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/301690986252206080/379378144672743424/Zach.gif[/img] [/center][hr] A familiar young boy bends his knee in prayer to a new, brilliant sun resting above him. Still plagued with an ever-present darkness, he clings to the light provided by it, worshipping it almost as if it were a god. But who could blame him? He no longer had the light of the old sun, and the encroaching darkness only grew stronger by the minute, attempting to devour anything and everything it could. Were it not for this 'savior', he knew he'd be consumed, too. It was an act of desperation, really. He no longer had any other options. The boy looked to his right, but did so knowing it was in vain. There was no longer any light there. It'd been taken from him and would not return, even despite the sun. So he turned and looked to his left. The darkness threatened to do the same to the there, too, but it had not yet claimed the area. He was simply too much of a coward to try to look behind him, and the path forwards was sealed. Almost everywhere had been corrupted, perverted, destroyed, removed by this darkness. Almost everywhere, but upwards. Upwards, he could look. It was the one place that the darkness seemed to be unable to reach, and so he had no choice to look up to the new sun. He wondered if it would be alright to reach out and touch it. Would he defile it with his unworthy touch? He wasn't sure, but he knew he wanted nothing more than to be able to dispel the darkness like it could. Perhaps if he prayed to it, idolized it enough, it would rub off on him? It was worth a try. Anything to keep from falling. Anything to keep him sane in this cruel place. If the new sun was with him, he felt like the darkness could never touch him. But if she wasn't... ... ... ... ... Zachary Ackerson had not felt particularly energetic this morning, perhaps to the surprise of nobody. He awoke with the usual morning announcments, only to simply remain in bed, almost lifeless. He knew he should get ready and go eat and start his day properly, but the life just was not in him. He wanted to say it was the fault of the events of yesterday. The outcome of that trial was rather upsetting, considering the circumstances behind the murder. But he was not especially close to anybody who had perished, so it was more likely he was simply being lazy. But a knock at his door roused the young man from his bed moments later anyway. He perked up as much as he could and hopped from the bed, making sure he was at least semi-presentable before approaching the door and opening it. [color=0076a3]"Hey Jez, what's up?"[/color] he asked the clown with a brilliant smile before realizing that was not who it was at all. His smile quickly vanished. [center][color=brown][h2]George Henry[/h2][/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/8VGDHcN.png[/img] [/center][hr] [color=brown]"'Jez'? I reckon that's one of them other folks, yeah?"[/color] was the gunslinger's response to Zachary's incorrect assumption. To any onlooker, George was currently contrasting heavily with Zachary. He appeared to be fully awake and active, and likely had been for quite some time, while Zachary struggled to look just alive enough that their robotic bear wouldn't accidentally sound a Body Discovery Announcement. Henry was wearing a smirk that suggested he was enjoying life at the moment, while Zach almost seemed horrified at the cowboy's presence. Zachary's quiet reply noticably differed from the confident tone George was speaking. [color=0076a3]"...Yeah, that's..."[/color] The archer seemed very unsure how to speak at the moment, and Henry could not tell if it was due to surprise or if his rival was simply out of it. Either way, the cowboy watched in amusement as Zach tried to continue. [color=0076a3]"Err, sorry, I'm just a bit tired. Haven't seen you in some time, George."[/color] Ackerson greeted with an attempt at more vigor. [color=0076a3]"I don't believe we've seen each other since the compet---"[/color] [color=brown]"Lets focus on talkin' 'bout the present!"[/color] George quickly interjected, frantically waving his hands. However, he regained composure just as quickly and continued, [color=brown]"...I figured I'd seek ya out, on account of us having somewhat of'a shared past an' all."[/color] he explained. [color=brown]"Folks nowadays, ya can't trust many of 'em. Learned that the hard way, ever since this darned bear showed up."[/color] George noted Zachary's complex expression. He seemed confused at first, but then he shook his head after what George assumed to be him finishing making a decision. [color=0076a3]"Yeah, I kinda understand what you mean."[/color] the Infinite Archer agreed, a bit to the Gunslinger's surprise. Being destined rivals, he was did not expect Zachary to actually agree with him. George raised an eyebrow as Zach continued, [color=0076a3]"I mean I would prefer to be able to trust everybody else, but seeing these trials and the fact that they keep happening...I've only really gotten very close to one person."[/color] pausing for a moment, Zachary looked George in the eyes, [color=0076a3]"But wait, why are you approaching me about this?"[/color] The Gunslinger gave a hearty laugh, [color=brown]"Yer a strange one, pal. I ain't got much faith in making good with folks I meet here. Liable'll stab ya in the back before long. But you? We're at least acquaintences, ain't we? Might be less of a chance of ya doing that to me, I figure. And 'sides,"[/color] he smiled, [color=brown]"We've got ourselves a score to settle once we make it outta here. If we can make it out of here, that is."[/color] George pat the Archer on the back with more force than he probably should have before finishing up. [color=brown]"'Course, if ya don't want to hang around this cowboy, I understand."[/color] George waited while Zachary presumably took a moment to think about it. The Archer then nodded, [color=0076a3]"Well, alright. I don't know what you mean about 'settling the score', but Jez did say I should be trying to make other friends..."[/color] he told the Cowboy, who took note of the name drop. [color=brown]"This 'Jez' feller must be a good friend of yours."[/color] he surmised. Henry was pretty sure that Zachary only had a father, so it was unlikely to be a sibling. Zachary's face was just slightly red. Henry wasn't sure why, though. [color=0076a3]"Oh, uh, yeah. She's my [i]friend[/i]."[/color] because of the way Zachary emphasized that particular word, George was beginning to think there was something more to it. But it honestly did not matter to the gunslinger, at least not yet. The old him might've tried to get the Archer to speak more about them, but that was... when he was a lot more innocent of the cruel and perverted nature of this world. [color=brown]"I see. I reckon I'll get to meet the missus soon enough. Wasn't much in the mood for mingling' when I left the elevator, so I reckon I'll get acquainted with people as I meet them."[/color] It was about this time that, coincidentally, the announcement from Jezebel had sounded across Axis Mundi. The two listened closely, and when it finished, Zachary perked right up. [color=0076a3]"That was Jez."[/color] he told George. [color=0076a3]"We should go, unless you aren't one for crowds?"[/color] [color=brown]"Shoot! And get blindsided when things go haywire? Nah, I ain't for remaining uninformed if I can help it."[/color] he denied. [color=0076a3]"Huh?"[/color] Zach raised his eyebrow, [color=0076a3]"What do you mean?"[/color] [color=brown]"Don't worry 'bout it. Anywho, we ought to get goin', then? Care to lead the way?"[/color] [color=0076a3]"Oh, sure."[/color] And so, the two headed to study. There may have been a significant lack of hugging, probably literally quoting Asriel from Undertale in the pacifist ending, and other such stuff, but at least now they would be available for collabs. [color=brown]"Ya know... yer friend sure has a special way of talkin."[/color]