[Dream - Interactive!]

[chosen_gigolo]

[Cruxian angels don't need to sleep save for what little the brain requires to keep functioning properly. Zelos is no exception to this rule and schedules one day a week to rest and recharge his mental faculties, having learned the hard way that not doing so meant losing precious control over his words, so Wednesday night finds him tucked away in bed, hair braided to keep it from tangling as he moves in the night.

But of course, as is usual for Vatheon, Tethe'alla's Chosen is not left in peace even to sleep.

The Dreamberry, as the SFCs had turned into this week, clicks on and broadcasts not the usual more angular features of the adult Zelos Wilder, but instead a young boy no more than seven...]

[The scene is one of a well tended rose garden, blossoms in full bloom and reaching for the sun in every sunset shade from the lightest pastel yellow to the deepest, almost purple-y red. The young Zelos sits in the shade of one of the bushes, plucking blades of grass from between his sprawled legs, bored and neglected. Mother had sent him away, Father was away again on "business" (and Zelos, being a bright child, is well aware of what sort of "business" his father attends to, the kind with simpering laughs and too much perfume...), and even Sebastian is too busy with matters of the household to play with him today. So he sits alone in the shade and tells his troubles to the roses...]

That funeral the other day... so I'm the Chosen, now? Why would they commit suicide? It's good, to be special. Everyone has to love you, then.

[The world is an ocean of whiteness and the young Zelos sinks halfway up his shins trying to run through it, leaving little divots behind to slowly be filled up by the falling snow. He spins happily, laughing and sticking his tongue out to catch snowflakes, kicking a spray of powder into the air in front of him and watching it float back down to earth. There's something magical about the world in white this way, something pure, and the young Chosen runs here and there across the garden as if it's an entirely new place, as if he'd never seen it before.

Finally he calms in his running around, whirling to face the figure behind him with a large smile, face flushed pink from exertion and the biting cold.]

Mother! Isn't it wonderful?! Let's make a snowman!

[In the waking world, the adult Zelos tosses in his sheets, unsettled by the depictions of his unconscious mind.]

((ooc: Please specify in the comment subject whether your character is responding in video or interacting with the dream! Hopefully it's clear but just in case... other characters can interact with bitty!Zelos in the first dream as they like. The second is for Zelda to respond to, but other characters are welcome to witness it as it unfolds and say something via SFC/Dreamberry if they so choose. I warn you Zelos might flip his shit about people seeing that though...))

Comments

[zelda_hylia]

[To the Zelda in the dream, it seems perfectly natural for Zelos to call her "mother". She smiles and nods at his request, heading out after him placidly. It's a lovely day, though this much snow in Meltokio is almost unnatural. It sets her on edge. Even so, that's no reason to spoil Zelos's fun.]

Don't run too quickly, you'll slip and fall!

[chosen_gigolo]

I won't slip!

[..he says as he stumbles in the process of turning away. Whoops! Oh well, he totally meant to do that! Excitedly the young Chosen begins packing handfuls of snow into a ball, rolling it into a sturdy base for what he envisions as an epic snowman, one everyone will come from miles around to see and praise his talent at snowman building despite never having built one before. His mother will be so proud that she'll envelop him in her arms and hold him close, boasting about how her Zelos is the cutest most talented...

Well, okay, that's over the top. All he really wants is to make Mother smile. Maybe a snowman will achieve that.]

[zelda_hylia]

[She laughs a bit, moving to help him roll the base of the snowman. Why not? He's infectiously happy about it. They've made quite the large base when a flash catches her eye up on the balcony. It's a spell.

An attack spell.

Disregarding her own advice, Zelda runs as quickly as she can in the bulky winter dress she's stuffed herself into, flinging Zelos out of the way and behind the ball of snow they've created. She takes the hit, looking around frantically and seeing him laying there. He's safe.

Shortly afterwards, the commotion of the guards in the background reassures her that the threat is over for now. Her knees finally give way as she falls forward into the makings of the snowman, spraying the young Chosen with crimson-tainted snow.]

[chosen_gigolo]

[His field of vision is suddenly all snow as Zelos is shoved down and away. The flash of light and roar of mana as the spell hits drowns out the child's frightened yelp and it takes him several moments before he's cleared the snow from his face enough to see again.

See the red snow melting into his gloves.

Dying the ground.

Staining his mother's coat.

The scream that pervades the air sounds inhuman and Zelos isn't even certain it actually came from him as he scrabbles for his mother's prone form, too much in shock to shed tears or pay heed to the spray of her blood that stains his cheek and coat.]

Mother, you're bleeding! Oh Martel, that's a lot of blood... You're bleeding a lot! [A glance up reveals guards not too far off, standing over a woman they've forced to the ground. He doesn't care, all he can see is help. Help that needs to be here, not there. Help her, help her] Someone! Quickly! Come quickly!

[His voice still seems to come from someone else. It's high, panicked, desperate to be heard yet not loud enough to catch attention of the guards. Not loud enough, they're not fast enough, Mother is...]

[zelda_hylia]

Shh...

[She tries to smile up at him, though she can't see his face anymore. Zelda reaches up to stroke his cheek, trying to soothe the hysterical edge to his voice. Why is he so upset? It's alright. She doesn't mind if it hurts as long as he's okay. Finally her hand makes contact with his face. Unbidden, words that aren't her own start to come to come to her lips.

"You shouldn't have been born."

That doesn't seem right, does it? It's not his fault he was born, that someone tried to hurt him, that she shielded him.]

It's not your fault...

[And then her hand drops to her side, eyes going blank.]

[chosen_gigolo]

M-mother..? Mother! MOTHER!

[The scream rips not from the child but the adult as Zelos jolts to wakefulness, panting upright in bed with fingers tangled in his blanket as if curled around someone's hand. Her hand.

It was a dream he'd had before, replayed over and over by his mind like some morbid film reel but never so vivid, never so real save for when it had happened...

Never different...

It's not your fault...

Instead of slowing, his breath hitches, heart pounding.

It's not your fault.

That isn't... She couldn't have. She couldn't have said that when he knows, he knows what she'd really felt, that he'd ruined her life, that he was a symbol of everything she hated, everything she couldn't abide. Those weren't the words he knew, the words that had been etched into his psyche for nearly his entire life. He shouldn't have been born.

It's not your fault.

A weak, tortured sob chokes out of him and Zelos hunches over, forehead against his knees and shoulders shaking.]

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelos crying out wakes Zelda too, still disoriented from acting as someone else inside Zelos's dream. What was that? Why was she there? She can't even bring herself to make sense of it before tearing into Zelos's room to check on him, residual feelings from the dream muddling her mind. Her hand reaches out and rests on his head, voice filled with relief.]

You're here.

[Interactive]

[redcladidealist]

What's soo-cide?

[The voice that comes from right behind Zelos is young, maybe younger than him. A little boy in a red shirt and dark shorts is standing there, looking at him with curiosity and childlike innocence.]

:KFHSKFH BITTY LLOYD YOU ARE SO CUTE I CAN'T

[chosen_gigolo]

[The tiny Chosen turns around and blinks quickly at the newcomer. There's not supposed to be anyone else in the garden, and the walls are too high for someone to climb, though there's a spot down near the corner where a few bricks are loose. Zelos can't fit anymore but this other boy is smaller and maybe he did...]

How did you get in here?!

[He keeps his voice down, though, even as surprised as he is. Maybe this kid will play with him and Zelos doesn't want the staff to overhear and make him leave.]

You have no idea how long I've wanted to pull these icons out on you. 8D

[redcladidealist]

I flew!

[As cheerful and simple as Lloyd's response is, it sounds like he's serious. But hey, for some reason, it makes sense to him!]

How'd you get in here?

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[chosen_gigolo]

I live here! How could you not know that?

[That's him looking ever so confused. Everyone knows the Wilder house, geeze.]

...did you really fly?

Hee~

[redcladidealist]

I guess I never saw you a'fore.

[What's to be confused about? You can't know everyone.]

It was easy! I did it like this! I runned back and jumped an' held my arms real high, and whoosh!

[He holds his arms out like the birds of a wing and runs in a circle around Zelos as he speaks. At the end, he gathers himself and jumps with all his might!

And lands after less than a second. He didn't jump very high.]

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos laughs in spite of himself. What's this kid's deal? There's no way he could clear the wall like that! But... he's funny and he's actually talking to him without all the formal flowery words that make everyone else seem so fake.]

That wasn't very high.

voice

[bufudine]

[He's seen the whole thing. Serph guesses Zelos is one of those people who prefers to keep things to himself, and Serph is never one to force people to speak when they don't wish to. However...]

The forest is quiet at this time. Would you like to join me?

voice

[chosen_gigolo]

[There is complete silence on the line for some time after Serph speaks. Zelos hadn't known the damned thing was on and the last thing he wanted was someone asking if he's alright. But Serph's voice is calmed and unconcerned and give Zelos no reason to believe he'd just been caught crying, of all things. As to his dreams being shared, he has no idea.

The Chose reaches over to the device and clears his throat once before answering, sounding perfectly normal and unperturbed.]

Sorry man, I didn't know you'd called. Is there a reason you're saying it's quiet or are you just bored and need someone to liven things up?

[A small knot begins to form in the pit of his stomach.]

voice

[bufudine]

[Hmm. It's harder to read people with voice as his only guide, but he respects that some people don't wish to show weakness. And Zelos is especially hard to read.]

A walk in company of a friend is calming, especially after a difficult night.

[That could refer to either of them, really.]

voice

[chosen_gigolo]

[Something may have happened to Serph, then. This place, damnit! Even so, a walk did sound good, and helping Serph with whatever was bugging him could get Zelos's mind off his own bullshit for awhile...

He would just need a little time to pull himself together better first.]

Gimmie a bit and I'll meet you at your base, alright?

voice ->

[bufudine]

That's fine.

[ ACTION ]

[And Serph'll be patiently waiting for Zelos outside the base, leaning against the wall directly facing the Lower District. He doesn't mind how long it takes for Zelos to arrive; he doesn't have too much bothering him.]

action

[chosen_gigolo]

[It takes Zelos a bit longer than it probably should have to get to the base; he'd been sidetracked at the coral and the encounter left him both more irritable and a little calmer at the same time. Don't ask him how that works, he couldn't tell you. Actually he's not really wanting to talk at all.

Hands in his pockets he approaches as a leisurely pace, expression his usual careful mask of jocularity, though toned down for whatever it is that's on Serph's mind to obviously be taken with the gravity the other man believes it deserves.]

Hey, Serph.

[Interactive] Sup, look who drove in a little late

[heirofhod]

[It takes him a few tries to gather up the courage and push himself forward through the grass and not just sit in a small heap across the garden - this place was strange, his sister and caretaker were not anywhere nearby, and the small blonde boy, close to the age of 5, looks like he may burst into tears at any moment.

But oh. Oh, there's another boy. A little older than him. Chattering to no one in particular in a soft tone of voice...

Zelos may hear the gentle shuffle of feet through the grass behind him as the younger boy approaches, hands grasping into his tunic tightly.]

Nnn... ah... [And he screws up his face a little - no, no, be brave!] ... why do you talk to the flowers?

screeeee~!

[chosen_gigolo]

Huh? [The little Chosen's head turns at the question to see the blonde boy standing across from him, clutching his shirt like a girl would clutch her skirts when scared. He's not used to company, especially not on the mansion grounds, but the company isn't unwelcome.]

I'm talking to them because no one else was here to listen. How did you get in here? [His tone with the question is not accusatory, merely curious. Maybe even hopeful. Had this boy been brought over for him to have a playmate? Finally someone to talk to when the adults were busy (and the adults always seemed to be busy...).]

[heirofhod]

Ah, I - [He glances around for a second - mnnn this was hard to do by himself.] - I d'no, I... Mary said she's taking me somewhere new today, and--

[He shuffles his feet, his gaze wandering over the ground and his face a little red. H-he didn't know anything other than that! Sure, he knew lots and lots of stuff - he was almost 5, after all, the smartest age to be! But... but being somewhere new was one thing! Where had Mary gone? A-and what was he supposed to do, being somewhere new without Marybelle their to tell him it was alright, or Vandesdelca there to hold his hand?

It was scary! He wants to be with his sister, he wants to be somewhere safe -- he can't help but bite his lip. But looking back up at the redhead didn't make him flinch and look away like some of the others did. He wasn't too scary. At least, he looked nice. Maybe... mmm...]

I - I don't know where Sis is now, though. [His voice droops, a foot kicking against the ground.] She'll get mad if I'm lost again. She never likes that.

[chosen_gigolo]

You have a sister? [Pushing to his feet, Zelos towers over the other boy. Okay well not towers, but he does have to look down slightly to speak directly to his new companion.]

I wish I had a sister. Then maybe she'd play with me. [A little sigh escapes him but he smiles genuinely at the other boy.] But you're looking for yours, right? I'll help you. Don't worry, we'll definitely find her.

[He reaches out his hand to the blonde, not shy in the slightest but aware the other must be and so he continues smiling, thinking it will set him at ease.] What's your name?

[heirofhod]

You don't--

[How sad. Having a sister is the best thing in the world...

Oh but -- oh really? Oh, this person, this new friend... he was going to help??]

Aah! R-really?

[He stares at the outreached hand for a moment, still a little flustered and caught up in surprise. Ah... oh, OH oh greetings! Right, Mary got after him a lot about this, he should be good and remember--!]

I'm Gailadd-- um, Gai-- [URK no, no that was wrong. He makes a face of disgust at himself before trying again, making sure to pronounce every syllable.]

--Gai-lar-di-a. Gailardia Galan Gardios.

[And his expression becomes brighter, pleased with himself. He gives a bit of a clumsy bow, his bangs brushing far over his eyes before he adjusts himself straight again.] It's nice to meet you! I-if we find Mary, I'm sure she'll let you play. She lets everyone play. She's really good at it ... um, sometimes kinda loud, b-but she always is nice! And I'm sure she'd be nice to you, too!

[chosen_gigolo]

I hope so! [Oh dear he hadn't meant to sound quite that excited but it had been awhile since he'd been out of play with anyone. You can only throw a ball and run after it so many times before it gets boring...

He takes Gailardia's hand and starts in for the house, assuming that because the blonde is here, his sister must be somewhere in the house as well, being busy with grown up things like papers or meetings. Even if they can't interrupt they can at least find where she is to put his new friend's mind at ease. Then maybe they could play. He did just get several new toys after all, from noblemen and women trying to curry favor with the new Chosen. He would have preferred they send over their children to play so he could make friends but thank you notes had been sent anyway. He's a sharp kid, he knows the other nobles are all afraid of insulting him or his mother and so they just send innocuous gifts instead of spending any real time.]

Where are you from, Gailardia? I've never heard of a noble house Gardios in Meltokio.