Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated

[chosen_gigolo]

[Well look who it is back on the network, Vatheon! None other than Zelos Wilder, looking very much alive but perhaps slightly off. Not upset, not angry, just a little... off.]

Ah, hey there. Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm fine and all and, uh... to anyone who actually saw that broadcast, well. It was just a big misunderstanding, alright? No need to look more into it, just me sticking my foot in my mouth.

So what'd I miss?



[Filtered to Duke]

Hey, uh. No hard feelings. Let's just try and keep out of each other's hair or I think Zelda's head might explode or something.

Comments

Filtered to Zelos; Video too

[radiantwingedone]

[ He doesn't turn the feed on right off the bat. He's... staring at the SFC like it was going to animate or something. He uh. Kinda caused you to kill yourself. He's.. not sure why 'no hard feelings'....

He just looks tired, when he flicks the video on to respond. At least he doesn't particularly look like he hasn't been eating, thanks to Zelda and persistent squirrels. ]

.... Unsure why you would have none.

... Likely for best. Will avoid shared residence. Do not wish... further pain upon... [ Yeah. That's mostly what he feels bad about. Sorry Zelos. ]

video; filtered to Duke

[chosen_gigolo]

Well it's not like you tried to hit the damn thing, right?

[He shrugs, not making eye contact with the screen.]

And I was there to apologize in the first place for threatening you. Pretty, uh... pretty hypocritical I guess.

voice

[bufudine]

Welcome back. It's good to see you.

[ Filtered to Zelos ]
[Zelos' transformation had startling similarities to people whose demons had gone out of control. He can't help but wonder... Serph cuts to the chase.]

Does your crystal keep that creature you transformed into quiet?

voice; filtered to Serph

[chosen_gigolo]

Thanks, man.

Uh, no, the crystal actually causes the transformation if it gets busted. Nothing like your demon.

[It's a little surreal to think of it that way though. Was the monster transformation some comment on the inner demons of humanity?

...nah that's too deep to be thinking about right now.]

[Voice]

[needsmoregreen]

Zelos, you're okay!

I'm so glad that you're getting better!

[Voice]

[chosen_gigolo]

Bianca-hunny! You were worried about me? I'm flattered! I haven't talked to you in ages, how are you?

[Why yes, he does remember Bianca even though he's only talked to her once before.]

[action!]

[fistfullofmagic]

[As soon as Zelos finishes speaking, a certain blond pokes his head into the room. While his face seems as stoic as usual, there's something about it that suggests that he's less than pleased with the Chosen.]

Zelos. I must have words with you.

[action!]

[chosen_gigolo]

[The Chosen turns in his chair, propping his elbow on the top of the backrest to look over at Dhaos. His tone is flat and even, like he'd been expecting this, whatever "this" is.]

Oh, so we're having words, are we? Go ahead.

[Video | Filtered]

[closedcircuit]

Are you actually okay?

What happened?

[Video | Filtered]

[chosen_gigolo]

'M fine now.

[He leans back in his chair, that jovial smile he's put on for everyone else not present for Ky; he doesn't really care how he presents himself to Ky considering he doesn't much care what he thinks.]

My crystal isn't gonna go out of control again, if that's what you're worried about. I'm not gonna be a monster, I'm not gonna hurt anyone like that.

[action]

[zelda_hylia]

[It's only after Lloyd calms and leaves Zelos be that the princess finally heads to talk to him, watching him in his chair quietly. What is there to say?

I was worried about you.

I'm sorry. I didn't want to fight.

Don't make that face, I know it hurts.

Don't go away.

All that comes out is a single word.]

...Zelos.

[action]

[chosen_gigolo]

[He'd known he'd have to talk to Zelda alone sooner or later, but he's not sure what she wants from him. Honestly he's not even sure what he should be feeling, or how he is feeling even if he shouldn't be. Or should be. Or.. whatever. His conversation with Lloyd had been exhausting...

So he just reverts. The old standby, the smiling idiot. It's easier, it doesn't hurt as much as long as he has that facade between himself and the rest of the world.]

Hey Zelda-hunny. Can't contain yourself with joy now that I'm back, can you? I totally understand~♥

video;

[ofthefullmoon]

[ She knew he would come back. She knew that he was going to return, and that he was going to be fine. If she hadn't known herself, her conversation with Zelda would have confirmed it for her.

Still, Estelle can't help the wide eyes and the relieved smile as she sees such a familiar face on the network. And, of course, after spending so much time being emotional over his death, she's going to be be emotional over his life now. Whoops. Those sure are tears in her eyes. ]

Zelos!

video;

[chosen_gigolo]

[He's... just... gonna pretend he doesn't see those tears. All this outpouring of emotion at him from coming back is a bit too much, honestly. He vaguely remembers trying to comfort Estelle on the SFC as he lay on the forest floor but for the life of him he can't recall what he'd said.

Still, overwhelmed or not, he smiles his usual smile at Estelle.]

Hey my sleeping beauty♥

[Text]

[grandhealer]

... Don't do it again.

[ Despite the fact it would probably have more impact if she did voice it's not. ]

[Text]

[chosen_gigolo]

Don't really plan on it!

[Geeze Raine, it's not like he just went and offed himself. He didn't want Lloyd to have to kill him after turning into a monster!

It's a testament to how out of sorts he really is that he doesn't ask after Raine's health, though.]

video

[angelicvoice]

[ Of course Fuuka has no idea what Zelos is talking about, so she peers curiously at him ]

Oh, I hope you didn't run into trouble Zelos. I'm glad to see you're well though ...

video

[chosen_gigolo]

[Oh, she didn't know? Well, that's fine, no need to explain. He just hopes she doesn't go back through the network and see any of it.]

Maybe a bit but everything's fine now, Fuuka-chan~ How are you?♥

;video

[fortheempire]

[Ioder had, of course, doubted Zelda's words. People don't come back from the dead. They just don't. At least that's all he's ever known, and being in an entirely new world-place-underwater city-whatever wasn't going to change his mind on that so easily.

At least until he sees Zelos' post.

He doesn't even get to have a moment of disbelief - he goes straight in to 'omghappy' reaction.]

Zelos!

;video

[chosen_gigolo]

Hey there half pint, how are ya? Taking care of your cousin for me?

[video]

[vulgarwoman]

[Oh hey, it's that guy.]

Got into trouble, huh? I know how that is.

[video]

[chosen_gigolo]

[Oh, the blue-haired chick with the boyfriend.]

Yeah, well, the pretty ones always have it rough, right?

video;

[clairvoyancies]

[Luckily-- or maybe not, Tsubaki managed to miss that broadcast. So hearing him speak in that manner is a little surprising. She blinks once, raising an eyebrow as she initiates a feed.

Which is video, for whatever reason.]

...Zelos. Did something happen?

video;

[chosen_gigolo]

Nothing to worry about. I just pissed someone off. How've you been, Tsubaki-hunny?

[He smiles that ever present smile but so many people have now been clamoring for his explanations, his attention, to give him a scolding or a 'feel better' that he's getting a little tired of it.

Or a lot tired of it.

But he'll put up with it for Tsubaki. It's his own fault anyway that he made her care about him.]

[action] Let me know if this won't work chronologically-speaking

[relinquishing]

[He'd waited until Lloyd had calmed down - given it enough time for Zelos to talk things out on the SFC, busying himself with helping Zelda to rearrange Zelos' room for the time being. Re-making the bed, getting the sheets ready to wash, cleaning any of the clutter left behind from Dhaos and Lloyd's work.

It's only when the redhead takes a little bit of a pause that Guy walks up to him. He waits for that moment of recognition, before raising a hand and giving the back of Zelos' head a good, firm thwap.]

[action] It works!

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos needed the pause. Finally Lloyd was off getting an overnight bag (because apparently he's staying..? Zelos has mixed feelings about this but telling Lloyd no is about as easy as kicking a puppy; it's possible but you'll feel like a complete asshole the second you do), Zelda was giving him some space for now, and Dhaos had lurked off the radar after his ultimatum (how does someone even make friends that quickly? It's beyond him.) All the messages from well wishers and the curious and Ky have been answered and Zelos finds himself in the kitchen wishing he hadn't sworn off alcohol because damn could he use a drink.

Especially after Guy lays a smack on the back of his skull. It didn't hurt, or if it did the crystal absorbed the feeling, but Zelos reacts boisterously anyway.]

Ow! The hell?! Haven't I been through enough!