caughtinanetwork | Video, filtered away from the Grand Highblood

[Zelda had waited for an entire day for one of the trolls to post a general warning for the populace before realizing that Signless was currently unconscious and Dolorosa was no longer in Vatheon. It was likely that the other trolls were too caught up in planning a defense to remember to warn everyone, she decided. Far be it from her to leave people uninformed. Zelda will simply take care of it herself.]

Hello, Vatheon. One of the new arrivals this cycle is extremely dangerous and capable of inflicting a sort of mental attack on those that stand against him, bringing their fears to life. He is very unstable. I am speaking about the Grand Highblood, the one who posted a video just yesterday saying "I can see you".

[No, she won't add the "motherfucking".]

I have not experienced his powers personally, but I was warned against engaging him very strongly the last time he was present. I now pass this warning along to anyone who was not aware. Be very cautious if you choose to do so anyway.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And when someone comes along that doesn't fit that mold, you avoid them. Like Colette. She is your friend, but you were so desperate to protect her from yourself that you imposed on someone who was almost a stranger at the time.

Or I just decided I'd rather live with someone easier on the eyes. Colette's cute, sure, but I prefer someone more mature~

[He smirks at her and there's an easy believability to his words that's been perfected over many years. He knows how to tell women what they want to hear, convincingly, and while this may not be what Zelda wants to hear, his practiced ease should be enough to sell it, or at least cast doubt, and that's the point he's trying to make; he's the biggest kind of heel and she doesn't want to be like him.]

I'm sure the same thing applies to Lloyd, then. I am not stupid, Zelos. There is a reason you don't invite them here even though I have said I would not mind. The way you look at them, it is as if you are afraid that you will somehow corrupt them.

[Zelda looks cold as she regards him.]

In my case, it was alright, though. I think perhaps you sensed that the work had been done for you, to some extent. Congratulations, you have taught me to be like you.

Don't be an idiot, I told them they could come by any time.

[He had, too. It had been a big deal for him, and for them judging by their reactions, and sitting here listening to Zelda belittle that bothered him enough to comment without thinking.]

And you're nothing like me. [He stands and faces her, facade cracking and aware of it but too far now to care.] Whether you ask for it or not, people love you. 'Oh boo-hoo, people do stupid things I didn't ask them to!' Well maybe they just want to protect you because they can see you're a good person. You're even just gonna cry about this later, aren't you? 'Oh I hurt Zelos too, boo-hoo-hoo.' Do me a favor and don't bother.

You know, you're right, there's genuinely good people out there, people like you who sort of worm their way in and make assholes like me feel like shit just for existing but also providing that comfort that maybe not everyone is a two-faced jerk. I'm telling you now to knock it off. Drop it. You're not fooling anyone with that crap.

[Zelos folds his arms, looking at Zelda with a stony expression. He's pissed, to be sure, but not for her calling him out. He's angry that she's trying to hide herself.]

[Though inwardly she does cringe at all of that, some of his words help her keep that carefully blank expression. Feel like shit for existing? She definitely doesn't want him to feel like that. Torn between the desire to pull him down into a hug and the more immature need to not lose this argument, she simply does nothing.]

[He can tell he's getting through to her, that her resolve is crumbling, just from the fact that she says nothing rather than shooting back a retort. She doesn't trust herself to speak, not in the face of his honesty. Good.

He turns his face aside, arms crossed tightly over his chest in his insecurity.]

Don't make yourself like me, alright? It's not any better and I'm sorry I even brought it up. The world needs the people that openly care, even if it hurts.

This is not my world, I should not waste my energy here. Besides, even if it were my world, there is no place for an overly sympathetic princess.

[She inclines her head to him slightly.]

I appreciate you trying to help, Zelos.

[Geeze, for someone so smart she really is thick...]

...forget the world, then! I-

[He paces back and forth for a moment. If he says this, he can't take it back. He knows that. And it risks putting more pressure on her, but... he's come to depend on her. She understands but doesn't push. He never thought there would be someone on his life who could even partially get it and not get all weepy or dismiss him but then they'd had that exchange during the curse and...

He didn't want to lose it. He needed Zelda to be Zelda. And he's pretty sure Zelda needs to be Zelda too, or she'll just make herself suffer through denial.

He sets his jaw and ceases to pace, looking directly at her with a gravity not usually present in his demeanor.]

I need you to.

Edited 2012-02-24 21:21 (UTC)

[She waffles between continuing to be cruel to him and accepting the offer of friendship for a solid, tense minute before she finally just smiles, sighing.]

You can be endearing too, can't you? Well, I am clearly out of my league trying to escape the Great Zelos Wilder.

[The amusement only grows as she continues.]

You might want to watch your wording, though. Another woman would have mistaken that for a love confession.

I think the word you're looking for is annoying, not endearing.

[The energy he puts into being honest is far more draining to him than anything he puts behind his grand performance and after a display like that, Zelos is pretty exhausted. He grins and winks at Zelda, making exaggerated kissy-lips.]

How do you know it wasn't~♥?

[Please throw me out now so I can go wallow in self pity, thanks.]

Yes, yes. You are quite annoying, I'll do anything to get you to be quiet.

[Zelda gets up and moves behind him, gently pushing him out of the room. Or she intends to, at least. She hugs him from behind briefly before continuing her original plan.]

[!]

Alright, alright, I'm going!

[The Chosen whirls around in the doorway and flicks Zelda's forehead gently. He doesn't have to tell her to keep all that to herself, he knows she understands.

He morphs his smile into a licentious grin, leaning over her a bit.]

...you sure you don't need any more comforting~♥?

[Why yes, he is trying to get the door smashed in his face! How ever could you tell?]

[Zelda is quite a kind woman, she'll indulge. She grabs Zelos by the ear and deposits him outside her room, shutting the door.]

[Mission accomplished! Now excuse Zelos while he retreats to his own room, locks the door, and makes a pillow fort to hide in while he wallows.]

Video, filtered away from the Grand Highblood

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[Action] /end. I just wanted to use this icon.