teaism | [zelos' theme song blasting with 10x bass]

[zelos' theme song blasting with 10x bass]

[Things were getting crazier by the day in Meltokio and throughout the joined world. Ever since Lloyd took off with Colette to collect exspheres, Zelos was left handling things on the political side of things, and it was about as messy as he expected it would be. Even he's not sure why he's doing it, or so he'd say. But he knows it's the right thing.

Still, he tries to keep things as normal as he can. When a couple of ladies come up to him calling out his title so desperately, even when it's a title that barely matters anymore, how could he turn them away? It's just a short walk. He can look into the reason behind the jump in assassination attempts and all of the weather changes as he goes. There's always a little to learn from walking around the city.

Except, Zelos doesn't quite see what happen, but it has one of the girls shrieking and grabbing onto his arm. There's a man there, suddenly, and it's strange that Zelos hadn't noticed his presence before. He seems a little out of it, though, and whether or not he really came out of nowhere doesn't really matter when a girl is shrieking into his ears about peasants not knowing their place, and the other is crying "Chosen One, did you see him stumble like that? I thought he was going to crash into you!"]

Now, now, my sweet hunnies, there's no need to be alarmed. [Here, at the bottom-most layer of the city, he's honestly surprised these girls had continued to follow him at all. But he doesn't need a scene to be started, and he certainly doesn't want to have to listen to all of this class bullshit, either. They're in the middle of a large market, filled with crowds this way and that, stores of all varieties lining the curved street to the end. The grand coliseum can be seen just above everything, at the end of the street, and beyond that lies plenty more that's blocked by the tall rooftops of the shops here.] Your shining knight Zelos is here to keep you safe. ♥

[Or whatever. He gently waves his hand for them to stay back as he steps forward, one hand relaxed at his hip and near his sword. He ducks his head just slightly to try and peek at the stranger. It seems like he's coming out of whatever zoned out state he was in, but you can't be too sure.]

Hey, what's going on? You okay there?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ His ears are ringing. Through it he can hear sounds of life, close voices, everything like it's coming from behind a brick wall. He's covering his ears without really meaning to, instinctive — something must have happened to them. He turns in circles, wide-eyed, struck with deep and inexplicable terror. He's somewhere he doesn't recognize, and he knows with absolute certainty that he wasn't there a second ago, even in the sea of other important things he doesn't know. The cheerful brightness makes it worse, somehow, more urgently confusing.

On the next turn-around there's someone in front of him — someone who, he's aware, looks not unlike him (sans the headband; he's not wearing his bandana, but the association's automatic). It doesn't occur to him that he should answer for several seconds. Finally he lowers his hands. ]

Where is this?

[ His voice is absurdly and accidentally loud. ]

[The hair color is probably the most shocking thing about Gojyo. There are people with varying hair colors, sure, but Zelos and his sister always stand out in a crowd here. It's how it was so obvious they were related, something impossible to hide. It always feels like a little connection to meet someone with a similar color.

But Zelos is focusing on other things right now. The guy's covering his ears and even when he lowers his hands he's practically yelling. He looks lost beyond belief, and not in the way of some Sylvarant traveler.

Briefly, he turns back to the ladies with a smile.]

Leave this to me. Why don't you two go on ahead without me? We can meet again another time, hunnies.

[They make disappointed groans, tossing Gojyo irritated but curious looks before they move away, and only once they're gone does Zelos turn back to Gojyo.]

Meltokio. You look like you just saw a ghost... How'd you get past the gates without knowing where this is?

[ Of course he doesn't recognize Meltokio the name any more than the place, but hearing it makes his heart sink a hundred times worse than he would have guessed. ]

Beats the fuck outta me.

[ His voice is lower, this time — partly because things don't sound so muffled anymore, but mostly because he's semi-talking to himself, turning to stare at the space behind him for a long moment. ]

Did I— walk here?

[ He turns back again, dimly aware that it's probably going to sound like a stupid question. Thanks for humoring his stupid questions, random coincidentally similar guy. ]

Dunno.

[Huh. Doesn't seem like this guy recognizes him at all, but he's in Meltokio...? There were more and more people who didn't know him, now that the worlds were joined, but they still knew the process of getting into new cities and all of that. Plus, this guy wasn't dressed like a noble, but he wasn't dressed like some country hick, either. Zelos rests a hand on his hip, gesturing with the other.]

I just showed up, and you stumbled out looking like a mess. Lucky for you, I'm such a caring and charitable guy! Come on, let's get you somewhere that you can lie down and have a glass of water, and you can tell me everything from the top, mmkay?

[It's his job to be looking into these weird occurrences throughout the world, after all.]

[ The look on his face doesn't communicate it — he's frowning at the cobblestones — but anything sounds better than standing here, metaphorically empty-handed, with no idea what to do next. ]

Yeah. [ He rubs the back of his neck, adding belatedly— ] Thanks. [ As he starts to follow he looks at everything like it's both new and not what he was hoping to find, brow creased, hands shoved in his pockets, shoulders tense. And he talks, of course, because it makes him feel very slightly less uneasy. ]

I dunno how much there is to say, to be honest. I don't remember anything.

Nothing as in nothing-nothing, or nothing as in your head's hurting and you can't think about it right now?

[Zelos leads Gojyo to the side of the market, to the stone steps leading up the center of the city. They pass a quad of some sort with paths leading to the coliseum one way and more standard houses the next, and as the stairs continue up, the church becomes immediately visible. Behind that, completely centered in the city, is the castle. For now, Zelos ignores both of these and takes him down a pathway to the right, leading past various large mansions— and towards the largest of them all.]

Either way, don't worry about it too much. If you're out on the street, you're only going to get harassed, looking like that. It'd just be sad if I left you out there when you don't have a clue what's going on.

[ He peers at the mansions they pass more carefully (and with more suspicion) than anything else. ]

Do people seriously live in these? [ He hasn't drawn any connections yet; his tour guide seems too chill to be One Of These Douchebags. It's a rhetorical(ly scornful) question, so he doesn't wait: ]

I mean I don't remember anything. My head feels fine. [ A beat. ] What's wrong with how I look?

You bet they do.

[It's honestly kind of funny that this guy doesn't know who he is, so he's going to keep it that way for as long as possible. But, it won't stop Zelos from making comments in amusement now. Honestly, he wonders the same thing a lot. He hates this stupid caste system, and seeing the difference in the poor beggars in the slums versus this.]

And I wasn't gonna say it, but since you're asking... you look like the type of guy who might mug someone on the streets, with a harsh looking face like that. If you were in some nice clothes, you might be able to pull off the cool tough guy kind of look, but otherwise, you're just asking for trouble.

I don't mug people! [ And he won't listen to any hair-splitting about how that's not what was said!! ] And this— [ he looks down at himself, indignantly self-assessing for the first time. It's not bad, right? Right?? Is it bad? It can't be. ] I don't look that much different than you! There's just less...fancy shit.

[ He's still not making that connection. ]

Heheh, now, now, don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful! I've got a prettier face than you, anyway.

[He's being insensitive about scars right now?? Or just in general. But, he barely leaves time to respond to that, since he's already making his way up the steps to his mansion and swinging open the doors. A butler greets them right away, bowing his head just slightly to each of them. "Welcome home, Master Zelos. I see you've brought another guest. Who might this be?"]

Come on, don't make it sound like it's some regular thing. This is, uh...

[He pauses the gesture of his hand, turning to look over his shoulder at Gojyo.] Do you even remember your name?

[ GOOD THING ABOUT THAT TIMING BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO probably shoot back a line that'd hit weirdly between more indignation and flirting ("pretty" isn't a word he'd apply to himself anyway, and the guy's not not pretty.............), but instead he stands in the doorway, staring, very slightly betrayed, until the question. ]

Gojyo.

[ He doesn't hesitate, and after it leaves his tongue he blinks at himself. He'd almost said he didn't remember, but it came back easily. Preoccupied with that thought, he won't say anything rude to the butler (immediately). ]

Edited 2017-12-17 05:52 (UTC)

Great! [Something remembered, that's a good sign! Probably.] This is Gojyo.

["Welcome, Sir Gojyo. If there is anything you need, please speak to me." The butler replies politely as always.]

Thanks, Sebastian. [Zelos waves him off, turning to Gojyo to continue with him, but it seems his butler isn't quite finished. "There is one more thing, Chosen One." When Zelos turns only to give him an expectant look, he continues. "The King requests your company as soon as possible. The message said only that he has something he wishes to speak to you about."

That gets a frown, but again, he waves him off and thanks him.]

Sorry about all that. Anyway, the name's Zelos. You remembered your name, so is there anything else you can remember right now?

[He's going to talk about this right in the doorway, but that's fine, considering how big everything is. The entrance room is large and tiled, with a fancy carpet near the running fireplace, a large portrait of a blonde woman above it labeled Myleen Wilder. There's a grand piano on the other side, some fancy seating, a table with a half-finished chess game on it, and strangely enough, a large amount of wrapped presents in the corner. Beyond that, the kitchen can be seen through some clear and elaborate doors, but the other connecting rooms aren't as clear. The grand staircase is off to the side to allow for a more open area down here, but that leads up to its own large section of the mansion as well.]

Not really.

[ He's moved a little farther into the room and turned away from Zelos, looking everything over, clearly impressed (although he's trying not to let it show too much). ]

Pretty sure I didn't live anywhere like this. [ A PAUSE. He whips back around to give Zelos the stinkeye. ] That don't mean I mugged people, though. [ Get it straight!! Anyway. He runs his fingertips along the back of an armchair: even that's almost obscenely nice. ] So what do you even do? You a politician, or somethin'? Mayor Chosen One? [ It's a dumb title, nerd. ]

Yeah, something like that.

[Just like that, he waves his hand in the air to brush it off, taking those few steps closer.] But we're not talking about me right now. I'd know if a guy with hair anything like mine was walking around this city, so I can tell you you're not from around here at all.

[He says that casually, bringing his hand to his chin now.] But then where are you from? You have any gald on you? What about any items?

No idea what "gald" is.

[ Sounds like money, probably, and it's a good question (if only to satisfy his brand-new curiosity), so he digs into his pockets. There's nothing there but a lighter and a box of cigarettes, and now that he's looking at them, he's absolutely going to light one right here. Accordingly, he doesn't answer after he's taken a nice long drag. ]

That's it. [ He holds up both and stuffs them back in his pocket. ] I told you, I don't remember anything.

Seriously? Gald is currency! It's been the same for both—

[But as he turns to explain this, he cuts himself off completely, staring at what Gojyo is holding up, and then at the cigarette between his lips. What.]

What the hell is that?

What? It's a cigarette. How can you not know what a cigarette is? I almost didn't remember my name and I know that.

[ A terrible realization cuts his next smugly superior drag a little short. ]

Wait — you've never seen one of these? Ever?

[ He's not panicking!! He suddenly looks kind of alarmed, but it's not panic!! ]

Nnnope. Never heard of them, either.

[Cigarette? What the fuck? He's been all over two worlds and a weird comet planet, so he's pretty sure he wouldn't have missed this. Especially with that strong smell.]

But it's regular to you, huh? [What does it MEAN... Man, he needs to find the Professor or Regal and see what they think about this, but he knows they're too busy with their own work.

He doesn't know how he'd even begin to calm Gojyo down, so he's not being very helpful with that just yet. Instead, he's staring at him like knowing that cigarettes are different might bring on memories he didn't have before, or something like that. No pressure, Gojyo.]

[ Just to confirm, he takes a (too-) quick look in the pack to recount: there are three. Three. ]

I'm gonna fuckin' die.

[ He's sort of calm, outwardly, but this is having a disproportionately bad effect on his heart. He stares at the remaining three like a few others might materialize. ]

Uh. I guess I'll...go smoke this outside, then.

Are you kidding me? Someone's going to think you're trying to light a fire in front of my house. Come on.

[He doesn't get what Gojyo's worry is about, but he can worry about it inside. Reaching over, he loops his arm around his shoulders with a rough pat, guiding him up the stairway before he lets his arm drop away.]

I'll let you use a guest bedroom for now, but until we figure out what's going on here, this is kind of my responsibility. [He guesses.] Take your time and relax however you want. If you need something, there's Sebastian or any of the maids.

[ Sure, he'll just ash in an expensive vase and never mention it!! He can do that. There are other considerations, but suddenly he's distracted: ]

You have maids?

[ Ayyyy, maids. He cranes his neck to look around, in case any of them are conveniently nearby. They're obviously all youngish and cute, right? Obviously. ]

Uh, have you seen this place? Of course I have maids.

[And they are all pretty much young and cute... They fight for the position to work for the Wilder family, after all. It's Sebastian who's remained constant more than anyone else. Unfortunately (or fortunately), there are no maids in the hallway right now as Zelos pushes open a guest bedroom door and gestures for Gojyo to enter.]

Look, I've got to go see what the King wants, so I'm going to be leaving you here for a bit. Try not to make me look bad for letting you in, okay? [He rests a hand on his hip, smirking to himself.] Remember what I said about looking like a mugger.

[No maids are gonna dig that. They're his hunnies! And they're hopelessly shallow.]

[ HE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A MUGGER. HE'S SYMM— OKAY H'S NOT SYMMETRICAL BECAUSE OF THE SCARS BUT HE LOOKS PRETTY GOOD

he thinks

he hopes

Anyway, like it'll hurt some gazillionaire people actually refer to as "the chosen one" who's apparently buds with a king if he just talks to a maid. Harmlessly. Non-flirtatiously.

Of course he tries it, and of course the maid in question gives him a polite brushoff and continues to do her job while he stands in the hall feeling stupid and wondering if he does, in fact, look terrible.

He kicks around the mansion, afterward. Thinks about smoking another cigarette and makes himself stop. Almost breaks something, but doesn't. Attempts small talk with the butler. Picks through a pile of gifts before he decides it'd be good to not look like he's trying to steal anything, since apparently that's how he comes off. Finally, he flops into an armchair near the fire to give up and smoke again. Two left. He is going to die.

He's still sitting there when Zelos comes back, staring into the fire (though he perks up a little when the door opens; he was bored). ]

Your house has nothin' to do.

[ What does he even like doing?? He doesn't remember, but that's beside the point. ]

I'm hooooome! [This is what he cheers when he walks in, so being greeted with that comment makes him draw it out even more.] What, no "welcome home?" Talk about cold.

[He gets a welcome home from Sebastian, of course, but that doesn't count. Closing the door behind him, he moves further inside and past the ridiculous, over the top animal rug to find a chair near Gojyo.]

You're doing that again? [He gestures at the cigarette, clearly not understanding.]

Yeah; if you couldn't remember anything and you knew what the hell smoking was, you'd be doing it too.

[ Already having to defend himself for this perfectly normal thing, god. He blows smoke in Zelos's direction and tosses the butt in the fire. He's a great guest. ]

Welcome home. [ He props his chin in his hand and flutters his eyelashes. GREAT GUEST. Anyway, more seriously: ]

What was the deal with the, uh, king?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject