XXVI

[wilder]

[Zelos may be different thanks to the loss...but unlike what many seemed to think with his "personality being changed"- he's still Zelos. Maybe his skills were a bit duller since he never needed to sharpen them as much- but he knew how to watch, how to listen, how to read the flipping journal. And most of all, how to put all the pieces together even when none of them make much sense.]

[From what he pieced together...he was "wrong". He didn't understand really how he was wrong (no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't see it), but in the eyes of the residents he was and that's what mattered to them. He wasn't the Zelos they knew, that they wanted. But that was alright to them, not because they'd be willing to adjust- but because eventually things would "go back to normal". He was only temporary and would disappear soon enough, whatever that meant. Even the friends he remembered...they felt that way too even if they weren't as open about it.]

[He didn't begrudge them...or tried not to. It wasn't their fault, right? But at the same time...he remembered just getting used to the idea of having a future...oh well. ]

[Today he skipped classes, as he had yesterday too. What was the point in going? This afternoon? He's simply sitting near the edge of the lake, against a tree and arms wrapped around his knees. He had been good at acting cheerful and "okay" around everyone, but during this moment he's alone? He's letting himself rest from that act. Even if it's just until someone sees him and interrupts him]

Heh...I wonder how much longer now.

[OOC: Loss continued and open post]

Comments

[impetuous]

Waiting for rain?

1/2

[wilder]

[wilder]

[He chuckles]

Nah. More like for us to go back to that castle, you know?

[impetuous]

Camp's not doing it for you? Move.

[ Gwaine drops down next to him, shoving him playfully so he can lean against the tree too. ]

[learns]

[ Twilight doesn't feel like being around people at the moment.

So why is it that when she goes to get away from them, one of the most annoying ones she knows is already there? ]

Oh. It's you.

[wilder]

[...oh no not again. He'll look confused]

Hi?

[learns]

Hi.

[ She's going to find another brood spot nearby. Maybe he'll leave her alone? ]

[inafadingcrown]

I have always found comfort in the quiet of nature.

[It's so typical of her to just drop in with an observation- no hello, no warning. Whether it's because she likes to take people off guard or simply because she doesn't see the purpose in disguising her thoughts is anyone's guess.]

[wilder]

[Whoa that takes some serious skill to sneak up even on an angel. He looks surprised as he looks up at her]

Galadriel - hi!

[inafadingcrown]

Zelos. [She just seats herself next to him without any ado.] I am not disturbing you, am I?

[selfless]

[spots him from a distance... and almost considers going the other way. But she's calmed down considerably since they first arrived. Since the incident with Sheena, she's been avoiding most people that she might 'know' (Zelos included), and it's helped her keep her even temper.

But now when she sees him looking so...morose. Ugh, she's going to walk towards him. While she's farther away she purposefully makes her footsteps louder so that he'll hear her coming, and then walks at a more normal volume for the rest of the way]

You look awfully gloomy. [haha, right to the point]

[wilder]

[Thanks darling, he does hear her coming from that and a glance out of the corner of his eye tells him who it is. This is gonna be awkward]

[SO BLUNT GIRL. But he'll smile ]

Heh...really? Maybe I'm just tired.

[selfless]

[hmmm, she tilts her head]

Are you?

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena had known Zelos longer than the others and was more confused than anything by what she had seen and heard while spending time with him. He wasn't as outrageous as he normally was--which was worrisome in itself. Until she took everything that everyone had said and pieced it together. She hadn't heard about the possibility of a second loss yet, so her conclusion was obviously going to have some flaws.

She was convinced that Once-ler was originally right. That Zelos had gone home and come back, but from a time further ahead. A time when he learned it was okay to actually show his nice side to his friends without being snarky or sarcastic about it. Although, from her point of view, he still had a long way to go, but she was ready with a head slap to help him along.

She was just grateful that Once-ler's theory that he was going crazy was wrong. She'd hate to see another friend lose their mind...

Right now, however, she was surprised to find him sitting alone by the side of the lake. Okay, maybe not surprised since he ditched the classes at the camp, which she half-expected considering his reaction to her wanting to train the moment she got here. Ironically, she had missed a few in order to seek out the green-haired tree nymph she overheard someone talking about. She wanted to see if it was Martel, but she hadn't been able to find her. Instead, she found a red-haired noble staring at the lake. However, despite not hearing his words, his posture told her something was wrong other than an acute case of laziness. Of course, that didn't stop her from taking a break from her search and going up to him to tap him lightly on the head.]

Hey there.

[wilder]

[He feels the tap and smiles when he sees who it is. ]

Hey Sheena! What are you doing out here?

[ninjainviolet]

[Yeah, she's seen that smile before, and can't help wondering what mischief he might be up to. The thought that he's waiting to meet a "hunny" crosses her mind, but he'd have told her to leave if that were true.

So, she returns his smile and gestures towards the woods.]

I heard about a tree-nymph with green hair. I thought it might be Martel and came out to meet her. I've spoken to her through that book, but... [Yeah, hard to put into words wanting to meet someone who was dead when you saw them last.]

What are you doing out here?

[both_neither]

[This satyr is wandering about near the lake. It's easier to deal with having people see him this way in small doses. Most of the people out here are alone or the water nymphs who were in much the same boat as him.

He spots Zelos and recognizes him instantly. Seeing the boisterous redhead alone struck him as odd]

Taking a break?

[wilder]

[Oh a...goat man that's new. He smiles]

Yep! I won't be here long if that's a problem.

[both_neither]

[He smiles back] No, you're fine. As long as you don't go too far into the woods. The harpies get mad, I guess...

God, that's something I never thought I'd say...

[huffythedragon]

[And suddenly, there is a Spike, here to bother you]

How much longer til what, Zelos?

[wilder]

[OH ITS THE BABY DRAGON. He'll smile at him]

Oh, just until we're back at the castle, heh heh.

[amiable]

[ The weapons classes have her a little shaken. The idea this place is possibly a training grounds for children and to mold them into warriors worries her, too. It reminds her of Damian and the things he missed out on because of the League. It reminds her that things could have been different -- better for him.

Eventually when the class is done, she takes a stroll around the place. Sort of aimless, but once she spots a familiar redhead by the lake, all her thoughts about Damian are dispelled and she makes a beeline for Zelos.

With a smile on her face:

What are you doing here, Zelos?

[wilder]

[He is seriously wondering how many people he used to know. But he'll smile politely when he sees her]

Oh I'm just enjoying the day.

What about you?

[gagaterasu]

[Pokes shoulder!]

[wilder]

Hm?

[Looking]

Hi?