Take me where the angels fall, you take it all...

[fortheempire]

Characters: Ioder, Open to anyone who wants to bother him
Where: The Plaza
When: Afternoon
Style: Prose or action, good for anything!
Status: OPEN

[There was someone in the plaza today that, unless you knew who he was, seemed to really just blend in with the rest of the people milling about. Blonde, unassuming, in a brown jacket and white button down with nothing that really stood out about him.

Except maybe his expression. He seemed distantly upset, staring at some place far away from where he sat, something obviously weighing on his shoulders and bothering him more than usual.

Would anyone care to ask what's on the young emperor's mind?]

Comments

[relinquishing]

[Guy hadn't seen or heard much of Ioder lately. Not that he was up to prying into the young man's business - they hadn't even had formal introductions yet, outside of a couple conversations. He had, however, heard about Estellise's current state from a couple of weeks prior through the SFC, as well as seen how concerned Ioder had seemed. Ioder hadn't said anything since then, and Estellise certainly hadn't been up and about... so spotting the blonde in the plaza, with such a heavy look about him, was enough to grab Guy's attention.

Huh.

Whether this melancholy was about Estellise or not could wait. For right now, Ioder will find another blonde approaching him, his demeanor casual and his smile soft.]

Didn't take you as a person to do deep thinking out in public like this.

[fortheempire]

[Had he been just a fraction less attentive, the sudden approach would have made him jump. Thankfully that wasn't the case, but the slightly startled look still gave away just how distant he was at the moment.]

Ah... I'm... not. Normally.

[That was an odd way to phrase that. Ioder shook his head, forcing a tiny smile. Really, the best he could manage right then.]

I admit I went for a walk to clear my head, but I'm afraid it's done quite the opposite today.

DAMN THIS THREAD ok backtagging ahoy, then

[relinquishing]

Mmm. It's odd, how our thoughts can work in ways we would rather do without.

[The distraction was picked up easily, but Guy simply makes note of it and keeps his expression calm, a hand idly sliding onto his hip. No need to react to something so simple, after all. The other blonde seemed occupied enough without worrying about the one in front of him.]

Anything in particular troubling you?

[seablaze]

[What are your thoughts on masked guys with capes? Faris was actually practicing with the different job classes that he had gained from his ventures back at home when he stepped past the blond.

Pausing he whirled around. Was this person a local or a visitor?

Eh. Just going to help himself to the male's personal space.]

The bar is back that way.

[fortheempire]

[Well, he can't say he's ever encountered that before. But he's just distracted enough that at first he doesn't see the odd person with the cape and mask.

Not until he's approached anyway.

And that's when he actually gives a bit of a jump, blinking green eyes up at the man with a very confused expression.]

Ex... cuse... me?

[seablaze]

Pffft.

[He didn't mean to scare the kid, but it was funny.]

The bar. [A nod of his head in the direction.] Is that way. Looks like ya might need a drink.

[Rests his hand on his hip.] Unless ya want the forest. [Jerks his thumb towards the forest.] That's past the park. Follow the road.

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos had just been on his way to the store. The kitchen needed restocked after Zelda's sabbatical considering Zelos hadn't needed anything in the fridge and it had all gone bad, so he'd decided to take it upon himself to run that errand. He still felt as if he was working his way back into her good graces, after all, even despite her acting like everything was back to normal. It wasn't, not for him. Things are complicated and confusing and he's not sure what to do with it all other than shove it away and just keep going through the motions.

Oh hey, isn't that Ioder? He feels kind of poorly for how he treated him before, when all he'd done was ask for help about Estelle. Apparently she hadn't woken up yet...

So Zelos walks over and plops a hand down right on the young monarch's head.]

Don't look so glum, kid. She'll wake up soon.

[fortheempire]

Erf--...

[The grunt was partially surprise, partially a bit of annoyance at having the hand on his head. He wasn't a child, Zelos, and he didn't appreciate being treated as such.

But... he wasn't in much of a mood to argue about it either, so the next noise out of him was simply a sigh.]

I know she will. I admit to be a little impatient, though. It's the waiting that's so bothersome.

[chosen_gigolo]

Yeah, it can get that way, but sometimes it's necessary.

[He eyes Ioder, wondering for Estelle's sake if he's been taking care of himself in her absence. People like that, people that care, they let their own needs go by the wayside when someone close to them is in trouble.

He grins a bit ruefully, fully aware that he'd done the same thing with Zelda gone the previous week.]

You hungry? You look like you've been sitting here for awhile.

[radiantwingedone]

[ Well.

That's an interesting expression on the noble's face.

Don't mind Duke bending a little to blankly study it in a somewhat creepy fashion - probably because he doesn't have any real expression on his face while doing so. ]

[fortheempire]

Gu--!

[He really did not see you there, Duke. And that is a little creepy to have such a blank expression so suddenly in his face.]

... Duke... you started me.

[To put it lightly. That hand to his chest isn't because his heart is calm.]

[radiantwingedone]

.... Hmn? [ Duke secretly takes amusement in watching people's reactions when he does something strange. He did do that well enough that if Ioder had been distracted there wouldn't be any awkward facial contact. But he'd stopped so Duke straightens.

Noted; Ioder is surprised easily by personal space invasions while in thought. Makes some odd noises. ]

Thinking hard. [ Somewhat questioning, he'll pretend you don't need to calm your racing heart or that even if Ioder hadn't been distracted, Duke still might have managed to sneak up on the noble. ]

[fonmaster]

[Ion has only ever seen Ioder in passing, but he recognizes the young man easily... and not just because Izaya'd had a file on him. He walks over, looking concerned.]

Are you feeling alright, sir?

[fortheempire]

Hm?

... oh.

[Well, he must look interesting if some one is approaching him just to ask that.]

I'm... I'm fine. It's nothing, really. Just lost in thought.

[Not exactly the most convincing dismissal, that's for sure.]

[fonmaster]

...has your friend not awoken yet? I had some friends who were in sleep comas for extended periods of time as well.

[He smiles kindly down at the older boy. He can't help but want to be nice to him, he looks so lost.]

[oursomalink]

[Admittedly, Shing himself was out; after the whole argument with Kohaku a while back he really didn't feel like talking much to people. Even though he knew that bottling it up would make things worse, he still felt listless enough to head outside and wander town for a bit.

In any case, when he spots Ioder he blinks, wondering what was going on. Was he new? Perhaps; Shing hadn't seen him before until now. Before he knew it he found himself approaching the blonde.]

Hey... you okay?

[fortheempire]

[Ioder wasn't new, but as little as he was around no one really could of guessed that at first glance.

The question earned a bit of a slow blink as he realized he was being spoken to, head tilting up to look at the person.]

Oh... I'm fine...

[sadly he didn't sound nearly as convincing as he wanted to]

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

*A little later in the afternoon, a certain redheaded roommate of his suddenly sat down next to Ioder.*

Hey. You there?

[fortheempire]

Hm?

[More of a distracted noise than anything else. Almost as if he doesn't realize she's there.

So the answer would be no, Rita. He's not there.]

[demonicbookworm]

_{[Seeing Ioder looking like this, Ruca can't help but ask:]}

Are you... okay?

_{[and yes, he looks worried.]}

[fortheempire]

Ah... Ruca...

[he almost didn't notice him there!]

I'm... quite alright. It's nothing, I assure you.

[Except it really is, and he's not lying very well]

[redcloakedthief]

[This is a thief perched on the very edge of the top of a market stand.

That's a normal place to sit, don't mind him.

But he does call out--]

You look gloomy!

[fortheempire]

[Where is this mysterious voice coming fro--

Oh. Up there. That's... odd.]

Do I? I wasn't trying to.

[He tilts his head slightly, obviously confused]

What are you doing up there?

[ex_diplomacy861]

[Of course she would, and Shelly made no effort to conceal herself, her incoming presence loud and clear by the clicking of the heels of her boots against the pavement. While approaching, she called his name.]

Ioder. Care to share what's on your mind?

[fortheempire]

Shelly...

[Well, at least she didn't scare him like everyone else seems to want to today.]

It's nothing of importance...

[But it is and he's a terrible liar.]