(no subject)

[a_violent_end]

Who: Shizuo gets around Vat these days and Zelda
When: Evening on the 15th
Where: Zelda's place
Style: Action's turn!
Status: Closed

[Shizuo hadn't seen Zelda since the night the curse ended. She had been so kind to him, and so instrumental in what what followed, that he knew he shouldn't have just disappeared in the middle of the night, no matter the excuse behind his actions. And while his Valentine's Day gesture was nice, he should have paid Zelda a visit. Especially after Sola's video. His priorities are getting screwed up by everything that is going on in his life, and that doesn't sit right with him. He's therefore glad that Zelda wants to see him, because he wants to see her, too.

And Shizuo has something to ask her. Something important, in light of Vegeta's dose of motivation. It worked - Shizuo feels more motivated than ever to improve his self-control - but it also worries him. A lot. He has never before been able to control himself, and if he fails - if he somehow screws up -

It can't be a possibility. It just can't. But if it is, Shizuo is going to make sure he protects Zelda.

Once he knocks and Zelda lets him in, Shizuo takes a seat.]

How are you?

[Then, before she can respond.]

I'm sorry I just left like that the other night. I kept waking up. I should have left a note or something.

Comments

[zelda_hylia]

[She's quite relieved to see him when he arrives, leading him to the living room couch and settling in quietly. About to respond when he asks how she is, she has to laugh a bit that he blurts out an apology right away.]

It's alright. Many people woke up in a different place than where they began. I figured if that was not the case, then you simply had wanted to clear your head a bit.

[Her shoulders raise in a slight shrug.]

I am well enough. Worried. Everyone is so horribly strained after the curse. It was absolutely vicious this time, though hearing that it was a "fairy tale" curse makes it sound like a joke.

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo is glad that she isn't bothered by his late-night departure, but he can't shake the guilt. Of course he can't. He's essentially endangered her life, however indirectly.]

It was.

[He frowns. This curse certainly screwed up a lot of things for a lot of people.]

Even though it's over, it doesn't feel like it's finished.

[Because everyone is still dealing with the consequences - them included.]

[zelda_hylia]

[She worries at her lip with her teeth, an undignified habit from her childhood that she's mostly broken.]

I know what you mean. I am glad that Signless is there to care for Sola, though with his son having been...

[Taking a breath, she continues.]

Murdered, his time is limited as well.

[Zelda looks at Shizuo carefully.]

Have you been alright?

[a_violent_end]

[When Shizuo first arrived at Vatheon, he thought it seemed relatively peaceful. By now, his opinion has changed a lot. There are aspects of Vatheon that can be considered darkness disguised as peace.

He nods solemnly. Curses, murders - Vatheon seems uglier than ever in the wake of it all.]

I know. [Pause.] He did sound a little better though. I think he'll be okay.

[At her inquiry, he gives her a small smile.]

I'm fine. I've - tried to work things out with Izaya. It's really because of you. Our talk. You helped me a lot.

This was mfw, too.

[zelda_hylia]

[She looks very startled, but not in an unpleasant way.]

You spoke with Izaya? You two didn't fight?

:D

[a_violent_end]

[He shifts uncomfortably. He's not even exactly sure how to go about explaining this.]

No. Well. A little. I threw something at him.

[A sheepish shrug.]

But. Um. He - We went on a date.

[Having to explain that out loud makes it seem much more real. Shizuo looks away, a little embarrassed by the confession.]

MAMA'S SO PROUD SHIZUO ;o; *ignores the part where she's younger...*

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda clasps one of his hands suddenly, looking genuinely happy, maybe even a little proud.]

I'm so glad! I know it must be strange to be friendly all of a sudden, but I could tell that you two mean a lot to each other. I think this is a good thing.

Aw Zelda <3 best

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo nods, then smiles a very small, personal smile.]

I hope so. It's weird. Really weird. But. Nice, too, I guess.

[Or maybe even more that just guessing. But there's something else he needs to bring up - something that would make Zelda a little less proud if she knew all the details.]

Hey. I need to ask you something. It's something we've talked about before, a little.

Next tag after this will be in an hour unless my appt cancels <3

[zelda_hylia]

[The sudden need to preface a question has her a bit concerned, but she nods.]

Go ahead, I'm listening.

No worries! I'm slow because I'm at work anyway.

[a_violent_end]

[It isn't something Shizuo would ever have brought up again on his own, were it not for the circumstances.]

You said that if I wanted, I could live here. With you. And Zelos. And - I was wondering if I still could. After the curse, and everything that happened, I thought about it and maybe it would be safer, that way.

[That is the truth, but not the whole truth. Shizuo would never want to impose on Zelda, and given the fact that he was prone to having a temper, it seemed better to avoid living with her, just in case. But after his discussion with Vegeta, Shizuo wants to be closer to Zelda. Just in case he fails - something he'd never be able to forgive himself for.]

[zelda_hylia]

[Usually, Zelda would have commented on his slightly tense manner, but considering that they hadn't kept track of each other during the last curse, she simply nods and smiles gently.]

That's perfectly alright with me. And to be quite frank, if there is a crazed murderer running about, I would rather have you here.

[a_violent_end]

[Upon hearing that, Shizuo relaxes.]

Okay. Good. If anything like that happens, I want to be here, too.

[And since it might actually happen, that's even more important.]

Thanks. I won't be in the way.

[Because it would still be her home, and he didn't want to impose upon it any more than necessary.]

[zelda_hylia]

[Nodding, she smooths her skirt and stands. Having something to do cheers her up significantly.]

I'll prepare the room you were in before, then? I'll be between you and Zelos that way.

[An awkward pause.]

Ahh, Zelos and I do have some rules though. No bringing... "hunnies" home or walking around shirtless.

[Does Izaya count as a hunny? Zelda wouldn't mind if Zelos brought someone who he was in a dedicated relationship with home, but...]

[a_violent_end]

Okay.

[He says it without hesitation. He wouldn't think of walking around shirtless like that, and, well, thinking about bringing Izaya home just isn't something he is ready to do.]

I won't smoke inside either.

[That'll be a change. A big one. Shizuo is used to smoking whenever he wants which, when not under a curse, is pretty frequent. But he can adjust.]

[zelda_hylia]

Oh! I didn't even think of that. I appreciate it, though.

[She smiles happily.]

Go ahead and go back to get your things. I'll just speak to Zelos while you're out. Usually I would consult him a bit more, but considering...

[Zelda is fairly certain that Zelos will be all for having a crazy strong guy around with some murderer roaming Vatheon - or that he at least won't complain about it.]

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo stands.]

Okay. I'll be back in a little while.

[He thinks about telling her that if Zelos doesn't like the idea, they can call it off, because he doesn't want to cause her trouble...but this is too important. Instead, he gives her a small smile, and heads out to get his things.]

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda heads up to Zelos's room, knocking on the door.]

Zelos, are you in there?

[chosen_gigolo]

[Usually Zelos would still be making up for all the Valentine's dates he couldn't keep on the 14th when the next day rolled around, but since he'd only had two this year, he had decided to take the day off from caring about anything else and just relax for the sake of his own mental health.

He'd taken a long, luxurious bath complete with bubbles and was in the process of mixing a night mask. Most were not privy to Zelos' careful beauty regimen and he liked to keep it that way, so there's a small clatter and other noises of movement as he stashes the beauty supplies before he calls out to Zelda, though he leaves the towel wrapping his hair on his head intact.]

C'min.

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda opens the door and steps inside, looking uncommonly serious. True, she was almost always serious, but there was still obviously something more to it.]

Did you hear about the murder here recently?

[chosen_gigolo]

I heard something but it seems isolated to those Troll dudes. [He stretches languidly out on his bed. He had been a little worried, but nothing else had popped up since and from what he could tell, that Karkat kid was pretty abrasive. He'd probably just mouthed off to the wrong person.]

[zelda_hylia]

[What a selfish view. Zelda doesn't scold him for it though, she simply folds her arms.]

I am worried regardless, as is Shizuo. He would like to stay here.

[chosen_gigolo]

Oh I see how it is. Damn Zelda, you've got quite a few boys wrapped around your little finger. I'm afraid that no booty-calls rule goes both ways though, fair is fair.

[Zelos is in absolutely no mood for company, apparently.]

[zelda_hylia]

[She looks at him flatly, then brings up the video of Karkat's murder and holds it out. He had heard about it, but he obviously hadn't seen if he was teasing her. It was beyond brutal.]

[chosen_gigolo]

I already saw that. [He pushes the SFC back towards her, not roughly but enough to get it out of his face.] That one with the squiggle horns killed the one with the stubby horns. It's got nothing to do with us. Just tell Shizuo to relax.

[zelda_hylia]

You are not stupid, Zelos. Look at "squiggle horns"'s face. He didn't do it.

[Her voice is firm. She doesn't know Eridan, but she saw that he was grieving. And besides, Signless didn't think that he had done it, either.]

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos looks at Zelda sourly. There's the difference; she believes the best in people and he's a realist. If it looks, feels, and tastes like an amango it's probably an amango and not an apple, but here's Zelda metaphorically waving one in his face and saying they should make apple pie.]

Crime of passion. Probably rubbed him the wrong way and he snapped, even if he feels bad after the fact. I hear these Trolls are pretty violent, it makes sense, including why he's got that expression.

[No, stupid Zelos is not.]

[zelda_hylia]

[Well he evidently IS if he didn't survey the whole scene!]

Most of those that know him don't think that he did it either. And did you see the weapon? It was a kitchen knife. Trolls have far deadlier weapons available to them. The angle the recording device was set at is strange as well. If it had turned on accidentally, it wouldn't have been such a perfect shot. I believe he may have been framed.

[chosen_gigolo]

[People "knowing" someone isn't great evidence with himself as an example, and the weapon could have easily simply been handy in the kid's rage at the other Troll.

But the camera... That realization gave him pause.]

...huh. You have a point there.

[He stands and removes the towel holding his hair up, letting the still-damp curls tumble down with a careless air.]

I still don't see how some Troll being framed translates to Shizuo having to move in, though.

[zelda_hylia]

There's a murderer on the loose and no one's certain who it is. Excuse me for wanting to keep someone that I know is adept at fighting nearby.

[She frowns slightly.]

He's very quiet, you know. I doubt that you will notice he is there, most of the time. And he and I do not have that sort of relationship, we wouldn't even be sleeping in the same room.

[chosen_gigolo]

[Something about the way she'd said that just rubs him the wrong way. Maybe it's that he doesn't feel needed here in Vatheon. No one cares that he's the Chosen, no one cares just how good he is at anything he attempts. It's acknowledged sometimes, sure, but it's not celebrated like he's used to and now Zelda's implying she doesn't feel safe enough with just him there.]

He's not the only one with skills here, Princess. I'm perfectly capable of providing protection, thank you very much.

[zelda_hylia]

I can tell that you're magically adept, certainly. So am I. Not all threats are vulnerable to that, though. It makes sense to have a more rounded-out group. Is there any reason in particular you are against him being here?

[chosen_gigolo]

Not just magically. I'm trained in swordplay and I'm plenty capable of taking on anything that happens along. 'Scept maybe that Vegeta guy, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't bother to frame someone. Or use a knife.

[Pause. There were rumors Vegeta liked to possibly eat people.]

...Or leave a body.

[Zelos shakes his head to rid it of that incredibly unsavory mental image before he starts to feel sick.]

I just don't want some guy coming here! Not unless he's a butler or something.

[He folds his arms in an obstinant gesture, quite certain he's going to lose this little fight after the comments he'd just made regarding Vegeta. Shizuo had proven he could stand up to the guy and live, that was reason enough for Zelda to want him around.

It's quite clear Zelda's just going to do whatever she wants. Her talking to him was a courtesy, nothing more.

Princesses, seriously.]

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda senses that the tide has turned in her favor and just looks at him with a raised eyebrow before unfolding her arms.]

Yes, Vegeta is certainly something to be concerned with. Thankfully, Shizuo is capable of standing up to him long enough for us to cast something.

[She starts to turn to close the door, then shifts awkwardly. Maybe being honest with Zelos would make him feel a little better.]

...I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, though. I am just... not accustomed to having friends. I didn't really have any before coming here, actually. And... he's been through a few rough patches as of late, and I want to look after him. I would do the same for you, but I think that you would not appreciate it.

1/2

[chosen_gigolo]

[What the...?

How could she even...?]

2/3 (not 2, whoops)

[chosen_gigolo]

[...]

3/3

[chosen_gigolo]

[......damnit, Zelda.]

Fine. Fine, whatever, you win. Just tell him to stay out of my space.

[zelda_hylia]

[What was that exaggerated reaction for?! Now she's kind of embarrassed...]

A-alright, I will. Thank you for understanding.

[She dips her head to him and slips out, closing the door quietly.]