vatheon | Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me

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Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me

Who: Zelos and various CR
When: late evening
Where: Plaza; later at home
Style: Action plz, but if you prefer something else feel free
Status: Closed 'scept to close CR that would be waiting at the coral. There's a network post for those who want to ~~yell at~~ talk to him after~

[The first sign that Zelos was about to return came in that his crystal and crest simply vanished. No matter who looked and how hard, the red gem set in its newly repaired inhibitor was nowhere to be found.

The second sign, only minutes after the first, was his body vanishing, leaving nothing but a small pressure indent in the sheets.

There wasn't a third sign. There didn't have to be.

Zelos reappears that evening, crest and crystal in their rightful place. He doesn't open his eyes right away, though, instead keeping them shut tightly and rolling over onto his side. It's not like the first time he activated his crystal, nothing could ever be that painful again, but it does sting and the memory of the mana distending his limbs and racing his heart as well as the blade plunging into his stomach and the aching coldness thereafter wash over him all at once.

And then they're gone.

He folds one hand over his stomach where he'd dealt that final blow as he sits up, wondering if anyone was even here for him now that he's back, wondering if he even wants to be back. And then he opens his eyes...]

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[And opening his eyes is about all the time Zelos has before there are arms thrown around him in a fierce, almost tackling hug.]

Zelos!

[He's back, he's back, he's alive!]

[There's a light chuckle at the force and immediacy of that hug from Lloyd. It's touching, really. To see how close Lloyd was to him. But it's only moments later that Guy is crouching next to the two, arms crossed over his knees, a smug but somber grin on his face.]

Heh.

Welcome back, you idiot.

[It's difficult to describe the princess's expression, but the most prevalent emotion is relief. He'd come back, he felt normal (or as normal as his mana signature ever felt anyway), and everything was going to be alright. She stayed back, allowing Lloyd to release the worry that had built up while he was gone for both of them.]

[He's... touched. He truly is. Lloyd's presence is more than appreciated, if expected, but Zelda, who he'd half been feuding with before this happened? And Guy, who he considered as close to a friend as he'd had since Lloyd but wasn't sure where the other stood? It's a little overwhelming that they'd be here for him.

He puts one arm around Lloyd as his expression shows his surprise and gratitude for only a moment..]

[...and then slides into a sheepish grin far more characteristic of the laid-back Chosen, though he doesn't move his arms from around Lloyd, not quite yet.]

Guess I really put my foot in it, huh?

[Lloyd sits back, but keeps his hand on the Chosen's shoulders, reassuring himself that his friend is definitely back.]

Yeah, you did.

[He's smiling, but he has to blink back tears.]

Don't ever scare me like that again. I thought I'd lost you for good.

Edited 2012-05-18 02:51 (UTC)

Haha, not like Zelos isn't stubborn enough or anything. I'm sure he would've found his way back eventually.

[His tone is lighthearted - a gentle tease, that smile on his face broadening, before he lets his head cock to one side in thought.]

He's right, though. You guys scared a lot of people with all that happened. Can't say we were too excited to see any of that. Or to see you go.

Does it hurt anywhere?

[There's so much more she wants to say, but that's all that comes out. She was the one who healed up his wound after all, if it was done incorrectly she should fix it as well - right?

It would be nice if she could be as honest as Lloyd.]

You won't get off that easy, Lloyd. You're stuck. Like Guy said, I'm too stubborn to go for good.

[He takes the opportunity to rise to his feet, tearing his gaze from Lloyd lest he lose his composure. 'Too stubborn' is not really the way he would put it, if he were honest. It would be more like too much of a coward...]

Yeah, I know it musta looked pretty bad. Sorry about that. Looks like I'm back right as rain though. Doesn't feel like anything's still busted.

[When Zelos gets to his feet, Lloyd does, too, and it's hard to resist the urge to reach out to him, catch his arm and reassure himself that his friend is still there, still alive, his skin still warm to the touch.]

Zelos, I don't think you can look much worse than how you looked after... after that. You were dead.

[Guy follows suit, backing up a step to give the redhead a little more room. No need to crowd him or anything.]

How's your memory? Everything still clear? Still remember where you are, where you're from, the people who annoy you; all that still good to go?

[Zelda is following along at the rear, for once having nothing to say. She'd been so angry with Zelos the last time she saw him unharmed, this feels... strange.]

[Zelos claps Lloyd on the back, leaving his hand on his friend's shoulder. He needs the reassurance as well, though he'd die again before he'll admit it.]

Yeah, yeah, my memory's fine. I was talking with Duke and pushed it a bit far, that's all. We're in Vatheon, I'm from Meltokio, and right now you're annoying me a little bit with the questions!

[And all this with a big smile plastered on his face. He's not actually annoyed Guy asked, just not exactly certain what he's supposed to do with all this. He died. He came back. It's all fairly surreal.]

[Lloyd frowns at that, more in thought than anything else. No protests at the physical contact. It's actually comforting to feel that again.]

So Duke really wasn't trying to kill you? Or, you know, destroy your Cruxis Crystal?

[Guy scoffs quietly at Zelos' comment, but keeps his mouth shut as Lloyd asks the question that was already on the edge of his mind. Anything else he could have said would have been a distraction.

So silence and patience it is for now.]

[Zelda bristles at that, but doesn't immediately leap to Duke's defense like she wants to. It's difficult, though - he might be powerful, but there are so many things he just doesn't understand, and he would be incredibly easy to take advantage of. She feels rather protective of him.

It would be unwise to say that right now, so she continues to remain silent.]

[Have a heavy sigh, guys.]

No, it was a lucky shot, that's all. I pissed him off; one of my very extra special talents, you know. He even said he didn't intend for it to go down like that.

[Oh how easily he could have just blamed Duke and watched this all turn into a witch hunt. He does resent the guy a little; he did kill him after all, but that look of surprise on his face was real enough, and it would cause so much trouble for Zelda. None of them want to do that. But mostly he just doesn't have the energy.]

[That matches up with what Duke said, too. It's still hard to forgive him for causing Zelos's death, even if he didn't intend it, but with Zelos vouching for the other man, it's easier for something inside Lloyd to relax.]

I guess I can't really blame him for wanting to hit you, I guess. There's times when I want to hit you, too.

[Guy, in contrast, remains a bit tense in his posture. He hadn't been around to talk to Duke, or to hear exactly what others had found out. He only had that small broadcast to work off of. And, well... he didn't quite know Duke well enough to know if he would attack someone deliberately like that.

Even if he hadn't been aiming for Zelos' crystal... Mmm. But he keeps his doubts quiet.]

Might wanna be more careful, if you're gonna get into scuffles like that. Just because you can piss people off doesn't mean you have to.

[Blah blah mother mother; really, Zelos, he's just glad you're alive.]

Yeah, yeah, I know.

[Tethe'alla's Chosen runs both hands back in his hair, turning to start for the interior of the city. Right now, he's feeling smothered even with just these three, as glad as he is to see them and as much as he does care. It's such a strange feeling, knowing he'd died, that everything had stopped and the he'd been pulled back here. He's glad his friends won't continue to be upset, but...

Does he really want to be back?

The terrible thought comes unbidden and he shoves it away. Of course he does. He must. He's got people who want him around and that's his purpose as things are.

As exhausting as it is sometimes.]

H-hey, wait up!

[Having just lost, then regained, his best friend in this city, Lloyd doesn't want to just let him walk away. There's still an unconscious fear that if he loses sight of the man, he'll die or disappear again. He follows after him, lengthening his pace to catch up to Zelos's side. He's not thinking about the fact that he might be smothering him.]

So, what're you going to do now?

[Such a simple question with no real answer. There's nothing he can do. Can't even try to apologize for something stupid without it resulting in his death, which isn't even permanent and yet apparently freaks people out anyway. Not that he's in a hurry to do that again or anything, but knowing for certain the option of death is truly taken away... he doesn't feel like doing much of anything.]

Probably just lay low for awhile. Coming back was a little draining.

I imagine that it would be. Like most healings, you'll probably feel tired for awhile. You should rest when we get home.

["Alone" is quietly implied, but she's not sure Lloyd will pick up on it. Sorry, Zelos. But oh, the things he must be thinking right now...]

[Lloyd? Pick up on subtle hints? Hasn't Zelos told you about Lloyd, Zelda?]

Yeah, I guess I can understand that. How about I come with you? I can make you something to eat and we can catch up.

[Guy tries to hide the wince that crosses his face at Lloyd's words, his posture tensing slightly.]

I'm sure food would be a good idea. But hey, remember, he just came back. I doubt he's going anywhere for a while - why not leave him the evening to rest, and save the catch-up for a different night?

[Not that any of them were still shaken by this whole mess or anything. 8|]

[A small frown crosses Zelos's face but he quickly replaces it with a shrug and another grin, clapping Lloyd on the shoulder again before continuing on out of the plaza.]

It's fine, I don't mind. I'd like to hear what I missed.

[He's lying through his teeth, for as much as anyone can ever tell, but Zelos can't tell Lloyd no. Not when he still seems so desperate to keep Zelos in his sight. He'll just show Lloyd he's fine, make him feel better enough to go off about his business, then deal with sorting through whatever mess is roiling around internally.]

I'll start some tea when we get home then. Will that be alright?

[For Zelos's sake, she'll make it something that's apt to make Lloyd sleepy. She won't drug it, but certain blends are known for calming people down. After how much Lloyd has been stressing over the past week, chances are a drink like that would put him to sleep.]

[Lloyd misses the frown. It's far too easy to see what he wants to see and hear what he wants to hear. He's just so glad. So glad to have Zelos back with him.

Smiling happily, tension easing, he speaks. Everything spills out, most of it minor, meaningless things, but it feels good to talk about normal things. Still chattering, he follows Zelos all the way home.

Yes, tea will probably be a very good thing.]

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Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me

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skipping Zelda since Mandie said she'd be quiet

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Skipping all y'all because I'm boss

Slipping back in because I am also boss

Makes you all wait LIKE A REAL BOSS

Showing up out of order like a BOSCH /shot

Still on hiatus and yet tagging. Such a boss I'm a CEO!

I think we all know what the pecking order is here. Bend over, boys.

Zelda just wants to cement her position as the manliest of men.