[It'd be easy enough to avoid this. Never mention it. But that's not how a friend should behave. ...Still he can't say he's well-versed in handing these things out. Not this bluntly.]
I put you in a spot. It was pretty uncool of me; I'm sorry.
[Ah. So Zelos hadn't forgotten about it. Guy nibbles some more on his fish, taking care to leave no part of its flesh untouched. After a moment or so passes, he speaks up.]
... if I was still mad at you I wouldn't be sitting here. [He sets down the leaf. There's nothing but bare bones left.]
I accept your apology. Just don't do it again, you hear?
[He tilts his head, hair spilling over his shoulder like red water. Or blood of one wants to be pedantic. His hair color certainly suits one of those images better than the other.
He's not ready to commit to that request just yet.]
[He didn't expect there to be two choices. In his mind it'd been straightforward, just one. The distinction being made isn't exactly something he likes. Guy lets his hands drop in his lap, expression becoming something a little more serious.]
If you're going to sign me up for something, I'd like to know ahead of time. [He keeps his tone amiable, pleasant.] That's all I'm asking.
[There are a lot of options. And a lot of pieces on the board. Still it's "tell me in advance" not "ask me". He's not sure how he feels about that or how he's meant to interpret it.]
You realize this is hard for my ego.
[What the shit? He's just buying time while he thinks. The pros. The cons. What he wants. What the situation calls for. What he's willing to give up for what Guy wants. It's not as simple as "yes" or "no". Most importantly of all: if Guy knows in advance, without the guise of plausible deniability... How can Zelos protect him from the consequences? To be an accessory in a plot is one thing. To be caught plotting is so much worse.
Nothing is easy and everything is hard. As always it all revolves around what you're willing to lose.]
[Guy looks at him, long and hard. Dragging out an apology from Zelos was a feat in itself. The man was never direct about anything--it was as though being clear was too much trouble for him. Even now, Guy's still shooting in the dark, hoping he's reading the emotional static he's receiving correctly.
It's all so frustrating. Zelos is trying at something, but at what, he can't quite grasp.]
What are you talking about? [If he can't tease it out, he'll ask. It's up to Zelos whether or not he wants to give him a straight answer.]
[That sounds important, right. He's just saying whatever's most convenient.]
How often do you think I ask anyone's opinion on anything?
[Never.... Really. Though not entirely for the reasons he's presenting. ...Damn it. He guesses when it comes down to it things depend on how much he trusts Guy. His eyes flick Guy's way again, having wandered, watching from the edge of his vision. ...How deep is he willing to let this go.]
[Basic courtesy, hm. He looks down at the platforms below. ...He's not the guy he was two years ago. He doesn't know what kind of person he'll become while with the CDC. But until there's a need he shouldn't revert back to giving up on people so easily.]
You're right. You're a living being. Not an object for me to play around with.
[Guy's choices are his own and Zelos needs to have faith in them. He can't simply control the situation to his liking and try to keep Guy in the dark. Okay he's done rudely having a whole secret second conversation with himself. Maybe.]
[He doesn't know what's exactly running through that head of his, but he's got a good enough idea to know it's probably something troublesome. Guy rests his cheek against his hand, sighing.]
Having to make you say that only makes your image even shadier. [How'd he end up friends with a guy like him, anyway. Enough of that. He's reaching for another fish without asking, though he's courteous enough to hand it to Zelos.]
... what do you mean by that? [There's no need to pretend Guy hasn't read Zelos's file. He understands he's not 'human,' but he has little idea of what being an angel meant.]
Hm? Did you think I lived among angels or something? [The idea is weird to think about. He's more surprised Guy is even asking for clarification though.] I live with humans. I'm the only angel in Tethe'alla in fact. It's about what you'd expect.
[Fear, discrimination, idolization, all that good stuff.]
Are you going to eat that or what? I slaved pretty hard over it, you know.
[It's more the "lifeless being" deal that catches Guy's attention. By all accounts, Zelos seems like he's alive. Obnoxiously so. He remembers the colorful wings he saw way back on the Neheda, how he hasn't seen them again since. He tilts his head, hand on his chin.]
[His laugh doesn't hold an ounce of restraint. Really...? it seems to say. In actuality he feels worried; it's only self-awareness of his situation and his company that keeps him from touching his keycrest.]
I don't know if I should be touched or offended. Did you ever consider maybe I'm not everything you see?
Plenty of times. [He's seen how quickly Zelos can switch between being serious and being an airhead. It must be a practiced skill of his. Guy takes a bite out of his fish, chews slowly.]
And even if I asked, I'm betting you won't give me a straight answer. Right?
[He thinks about it for a moment. ...And then just like that his wings appear behind him. He doesn't like being called out. Or maybe he truly just is contrary at heart. Feathers of light fall slowly down below at the sudden appearance before fading out of existence.]
I don't need to eat. I just do it because I like it.
[So saying he tears another piece off his portion and shoves it in his mouth. He doesn't like to talk about this.]
[The wings appear without a warning, without a sound. Guy's eyes widen. Up close, they were a sight to behold. He pays attention enough to know getting anything personal out from Zelos was a pain in the neck--he knows how important this must be.
There's a lot of questions he wants to ask. In the end, he decides on going for one:]
[He finds his wings more shameful than anything. A mark of what he is, what he's done; a burden from his own lack of morals. But he can understand at least the mystery of them. Finishing his fish he brushes his gloves together before dangling his other leg over the edge of the branch. Then he slips off, wings keeping him from falling.
He doesn't usually bother with this kind of silliness. Whether he's doing it for Guy or to prove something to himself, who's to say.]
It's not as fun as flying with a machine. But it does the job.
[He can't help startling when Zelos moves off the branch, hand half-raised in a gesture that betrays his instinct to make a grab for him. It's quickly lowered when it's clear that the other man was in no danger. He openly laughs.]
Geez, give me some warning before you do that! [Guy might be acting more excited than he actually feels right now, but he is appreciating the sight of these wings. It's like being let in on a small secret between the two of them, and he's not above enjoying it. He scoots closer to the branch's edge so he can sit closer, feet dangling.]
So you really are an angel, huh? I think that's the most surprising thing I've learned about you so far.
...I'm going to take that as a compliment and leave it at that.
[YOUR WORDS GUY... He drops back down onto the branch and looks over his shoulder at his wings. ...Just looking at them reminds him of Mithos's words. Everyome should become lifeless beings. I told you before. The only way to eliminate discrimination is for everyone to become the same race. ... His wings disappear without a trace.]
Well, well. Are you impressed~? I'm much greater than you thought, hmmm?
[He expects Zelos to get huffy or something along those lines. Instead, he's greeted by-- a noogie?!]
H-Hey! Quit that, you'll make me fall over! [Even as he's complaining, he can tell when Zelos is happy about something. It bleeds through. He waves a hand, trying to get him to stop.]
[He likes what he likes. ...And what he likes is to be considered for himself. Not for what he is. Or what he can do. He keeps noogieing for a bit, completely messing up Guy's hair. Only then does he stop.]
Haven't you ever heard of white lies! What kind of friend are you?
[GOD.... Turning away he walks to the end of the branch, looking down below.]
If we're being honest though, how about getting a girlfriend for real? You might enjoy it.
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[It'd be easy enough to avoid this. Never mention it. But that's not how a friend should behave. ...Still he can't say he's well-versed in handing these things out. Not this bluntly.]
I put you in a spot. It was pretty uncool of me; I'm sorry.
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... if I was still mad at you I wouldn't be sitting here. [He sets down the leaf. There's nothing but bare bones left.]
I accept your apology. Just don't do it again, you hear?
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He's not ready to commit to that request just yet.]
With Gliese or with volunteering you?
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If you're going to sign me up for something, I'd like to know ahead of time. [He keeps his tone amiable, pleasant.] That's all I'm asking.
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You realize this is hard for my ego.
[What the shit? He's just buying time while he thinks. The pros. The cons. What he wants. What the situation calls for. What he's willing to give up for what Guy wants. It's not as simple as "yes" or "no". Most importantly of all: if Guy knows in advance, without the guise of plausible deniability... How can Zelos protect him from the consequences? To be an accessory in a plot is one thing. To be caught plotting is so much worse.
Nothing is easy and everything is hard. As always it all revolves around what you're willing to lose.]
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It's all so frustrating. Zelos is trying at something, but at what, he can't quite grasp.]
What are you talking about? [If he can't tease it out, he'll ask. It's up to Zelos whether or not he wants to give him a straight answer.]
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[That sounds important, right. He's just saying whatever's most convenient.]
How often do you think I ask anyone's opinion on anything?
[Never.... Really. Though not entirely for the reasons he's presenting. ...Damn it. He guesses when it comes down to it things depend on how much he trusts Guy. His eyes flick Guy's way again, having wandered, watching from the edge of his vision. ...How deep is he willing to let this go.]
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[Basic courtesy, hm. He looks down at the platforms below. ...He's not the guy he was two years ago. He doesn't know what kind of person he'll become while with the CDC. But until there's a need he shouldn't revert back to giving up on people so easily.]
You're right. You're a living being. Not an object for me to play around with.
[Guy's choices are his own and Zelos needs to have faith in them. He can't simply control the situation to his liking and try to keep Guy in the dark. Okay he's done rudely having a whole secret second conversation with himself. Maybe.]
I'll ask ahead of time.
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Having to make you say that only makes your image even shadier. [How'd he end up friends with a guy like him, anyway. Enough of that. He's reaching for another fish without asking, though he's courteous enough to hand it to Zelos.]
Here. Let's have a picnic.
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Now, now. Don't be like that~.
[Pulling out his kunai he uses it to cut one side off the fish, handing the fillet to Guy.]
I'm a lifeless being. We're not considered people in Tethe'alla. I'll work to be more considerate for his Lordship.
[Teasing, teasing. Cutting off the other side he picks it apart, eating it piece by piece like an uncultured vagabond.]
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... what do you mean by that? [There's no need to pretend Guy hasn't read Zelos's file. He understands he's not 'human,' but he has little idea of what being an angel meant.]
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[Fear, discrimination, idolization, all that good stuff.]
Are you going to eat that or what? I slaved pretty hard over it, you know.
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If you're lifeless, I must be beyond dead.
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[His laugh doesn't hold an ounce of restraint. Really...? it seems to say. In actuality he feels worried; it's only self-awareness of his situation and his company that keeps him from touching his keycrest.]
I don't know if I should be touched or offended. Did you ever consider maybe I'm not everything you see?
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And even if I asked, I'm betting you won't give me a straight answer. Right?
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I don't need to eat. I just do it because I like it.
[So saying he tears another piece off his portion and shoves it in his mouth. He doesn't like to talk about this.]
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There's a lot of questions he wants to ask. In the end, he decides on going for one:]
Can you fly with those?
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[He finds his wings more shameful than anything. A mark of what he is, what he's done; a burden from his own lack of morals. But he can understand at least the mystery of them. Finishing his fish he brushes his gloves together before dangling his other leg over the edge of the branch. Then he slips off, wings keeping him from falling.
He doesn't usually bother with this kind of silliness. Whether he's doing it for Guy or to prove something to himself, who's to say.]
It's not as fun as flying with a machine. But it does the job.
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Geez, give me some warning before you do that! [Guy might be acting more excited than he actually feels right now, but he is appreciating the sight of these wings. It's like being let in on a small secret between the two of them, and he's not above enjoying it. He scoots closer to the branch's edge so he can sit closer, feet dangling.]
So you really are an angel, huh? I think that's the most surprising thing I've learned about you so far.
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[YOUR WORDS GUY... He drops back down onto the branch and looks over his shoulder at his wings. ...Just looking at them reminds him of Mithos's words. Everyome should become lifeless beings. I told you before. The only way to eliminate discrimination is for everyone to become the same race. ... His wings disappear without a trace.]
Well, well. Are you impressed~? I'm much greater than you thought, hmmm?
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Not one bit.
[He's smiling as he says it, too.] You've got some pretty wings there. But you're still the same old obnoxious Zelos.
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...What the hell! Is that any way to talk to a guy who just fed you?!
[Reaching over he'll give Guy a noogie if he doesn't evade. ...Really though he's far too pleased. He doesn't even try to hide it.]
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H-Hey! Quit that, you'll make me fall over! [Even as he's complaining, he can tell when Zelos is happy about something. It bleeds through. He waves a hand, trying to get him to stop.]
I gave you an honest answer!
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Haven't you ever heard of white lies! What kind of friend are you?
[GOD.... Turning away he walks to the end of the branch, looking down below.]
If we're being honest though, how about getting a girlfriend for real? You might enjoy it.
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