“Jax, can you shut it? We’re trying to focus,” Pomni giggled, unable to stop herself from laughing. Kinger snickered. Jax had been getting increasingly funnier throughout the day - he just would not shut up, constantly cracking jokes and rambling about increasingly ridiculous things. Although no one would admit it, they were all finding it absolutely hilarious. Jax had a real sense of humor when he wasn’t being a jackass, and it was on full display today.

Still, though, they did need to focus. They were on another of Caine’s adventures: similarly to the one in Episode 6 (TAGG,) they all had guns - but this time, they were shooting a common enemy, and they were all on the same team. NPCs with weapons were everywhere, and if even one of the characters got hit, the whole team would lose. They supposed it was Caine’s idea of team-building, after the fiasco that was the last adventure. But either way, it was rather stressful for all of them - and being in such close quarters was not helping anything.

Zooble was in the lead, gun trained on an unknown spot around the corner and expression intent. They were taking this far too seriously. Gangle and Ragatha were just behind them, with Kinger, Pomni and Jax bringing up the rear. Jax was still talking quietly to Pomni, who was struggling to suppress her equal amusement and exasperation.

“Oh, Pomni, that reminds me of this guy, used to have the room right next to me. He was just like you - real funny, always walking around with this wide-eyed look, you know? And-"

An NPC ran out, pointing the gun at Zooble. Everyone instantly quieted, bracing, as Zooble shot the NPC, obliterating it instantly - everyone except Jax, who seemed oblivious, just continuing to ramble quietly - a barely-perceptible hint of a slur in his words now. He was getting progressively more incoherent, jumping from topic to topic with seemingly no pattern. Zooble - who was always rather high-strung, but was particularly wired under the pressure of having to defend the entire team - completely lost their patience with him. It had been funny for a while, and now it was just infuriating. Did he want them to lose?! “Jax, oh my f-cking God, shut up!!”

Mercifully, Jax did. Zooble was so relieved that they didn’t press the issue further, and neither did anyone else. It was honestly nice to be able to give their full attention to the task at hand again. The team proceeded onwards silently. Pomni was expecting Jax to start right back up again - after all, it wasn’t like he was scared of Zooble - but he didn’t. When the silence stretched to the point of discomfort, Pomni turned around, wondering why he wasn’t rambling anymore - only to find him slumped against the wall, fainted.