caughtinanetwork | [Video] - You can blame it all on me

[It's been over a week and Zelos still hasn't been able to locate Zelda. He'd even tried Shizuo's place again but found it empty, his texts to the blonde coming back as undeliverable. He had to conclude that he'd somehow left the bubble. Fine, good for him, but that still left Zelos in a jam. He had no idea where Zelda was and now he had the additional good and bad news that he'd need to impart. He's certain Zelda will miss Shizuo..

So he makes a network post.

His expression is not one of his usual jocularity or even the irritation he normally uses to cover up any uncomfortableness. No, he actually looks downright remorseful, not to mention weary. His body may not need sleep but his mind certainly does and he hasn't gotten enough of it for awhile. It looks like he's spent at least a little of that time he could have been sleeping packing instead; a small travel bag is visible in frame behind him and the room is bare save for the furniture it had initially. There aren't even any roses in the vase on the bedside table anymore.]

[First part: Open, but filtered away from both Links (they can't see)]

Hey Vatheon. I know a lot of you know Zelda and I need your help. I know she's probably fine but we had a bit of a spat and I haven't seen her since. If you could just let me know if she's alright if you have seen her and that I'm sorry and need to talk to her, I'd appreciate it. You don't have to say where she is, I just wanna make sure she's okay. Thanks.

[Second part: Closed, filtered only to Zelda]

Look, I've packed up and I'll get out of here so you can have the house to yourself again. I shouldn't have meddled and I'm sorry for that. You do need to know, though... Shizuo's gone. I think he left the bubble, I can't get a hold of him via SFC or anything. He told me about Link, the other Link, before he disappeared though. I guess I'm sorry about that too. It's hard seeing someone you're that confused about...

Ahh, I'm rambling. [He runs a hand back through his hair and lets out a slow breath.] Just... lemme know you're okay and I'll get out of your hair after that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Best plan indeed. But it's too bad that she can play the pretend game, too.

After all, if he "can take care of it," as he says, he wouldn't be speaking with her right now. He would be doing just that. So all in all, she doesn't believe him, and she's trying not to let that bother her--

But luckily she's pretty good at pretending, so she is passively going along with it, with only a hint of irritation in her sigh. There is silence for a moment, and then changes the subject without responding much to the previous.]

...What did you two fight about?

[Passively curious, as she would be with anyone she considered a friend.]

[Even the small note of irritation is enough for Zelos to pick up on. He makes a habit of reading people; he's had to, and he's expert and deciphering subtle hints and reading the pauses between words. He doesn't want her to be irritated with him but...

Damnit, he doesn't really want to tell her all about his personal life either. What's he supposed to say, anyway? It's hard enough that he can't get a hold of Zelda, now Tsubaki on him about lying? Why does she even care what goes on with him and Zelda?]

I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me to talk about it, Hunny. Bit of a private thing, y'know?

[It hits him, in that phrasing, what all this looks like. A lover's spat, him moving out?]

Not that we're- Oh man, you don't think...?

[He laughs. Really, what else can he do? There's just no way to explain whatever relationship he has with Zelda, nor does he really want to, but romantic is not it.]

[Well, she thought that was how friendship was supposed to work. You're supposed to care about what happens to them, but hey, even she can tell when she's overstepping her boundaries. She takes the hint well enough and falls silent on her end of the line, not answering him.

Not until--]

I don't think...what? I was simply curious.

[If he's going to ask, she's going to make him say it.]

We're not involved romantically or anything. I guess that's sort of what this looks like, right? But we're not. She reminds me too much of my... eh. My family.

[He's almost said his mother. That would have probably been the most uncomfortable...

Ugh, his brain isn't working right, damnit. He knows he needs to sleep but he just can't make himself until he's certain Zelda's at least safe.]

Family...

[She repeats the word softly, almost hypnotically, not knowing; wondering if what she had with the cult could even count as such. But no...

If anything, the cult kind of killed what little family she had.]

Yes, I suppose that makes sense. But in all honesty, I did not mean to accuse you of something different.

[She's glad he cleared it up, though.]

[Mouth open to respond Zelos is suddenly distracted by something to the right of the SFC. A brief expression of surprise and relief crosses his face and he suddenly jumps to his feet with a quiet mutter of 'oh thank goddess'.]

I gotta take care of something. I'll catch you later, okay Tsubaki-hunny? Take care!

[He flips off the feed as he moves; looks like Zelda's home.]

...Tch. Goodbye, then.

[She doesn't know Zelda's home of course, but she has her suspicions. She does know he can't hear her anymore though--

So she simply shuts off the feed.]

[Video] - You can blame it all on me

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