chosen_gigolo | Voicemail

[He sounds cold in a way he never has toward her before. Zelda pauses for a moment before managing to recover, smiling as she starts to lead him out of the inn.]

Hopefully everything is to your tastes. What would you like for dinner tonight?

[He follows without much complaint, hands bunched into the pockets of his pants. Were he at home in this situation, he would think of the most expensive meal he could and ask for that; anything to put out the noble lady considering what she was going to do. In this city though, everything is free and if he chose something difficult, her servants would be the ones to suffer. And he's not sure if she'll try to poison him, either. Better make it something he can poke through himself before eating.]

A sandwich.

[He keeps his words short. No need to talk to her, not really.]

A sandwich it is, then.

[She doesn't have any servants, anyway. Other than Zelos himself, typically... Zelda takes the silence to mean that he wants to be quiet for once, and she walks home the rest of the way without bothering him. It hasn't occurred to her just yet that the fact that the bathroom and his bedroom are all tailored to his preferences might frighten him a bit. She just heads inside, holding the door open for him.]

Please, sit down anywhere you like.

[With that, she heads to the kitchen herself. She already knows Zelos is rather fond of seafood, so perhaps tuna?]

[The redhead breezes past her and deposits himself on the couch immediately, not so much hiding as simply sitting in the corner. He leans his back against the armrest and puts his feet on the couch as if in a gesture of defiance.

And still somewhat eerily quiet.]

[Coming from the man who says he'll die if he has to stop talking, this silence is very eerie. Zelda brings out his sandwich, made neatly and with ingredients she knows he likes. She's learned a lot about his preferences after living with him for a year.

Still, he's a child right now, so he gets a nice cold glass of Lon Lon milk regardless!]

Here you are.

[Being served by an elf. That must feel strange.]

[He pokes through the sandwich without even letting her set it down first, opening the bread and prodding at the contents as if he's certain it will jump up and bite him. Which, in a sense, it might. He's had several botched poisonings come his way over his adolescence. Once an unlucky maid had even died.

At least this looks acceptable. He's not the best at judging these things, but he reasons that if he dies it won't really matter anyway. After reaching that conclusion, he takes the sandwich and balances the plate in his lap.]

I don't drink milk, I'm not a baby.

It's really quite good, though! It's a specialty from my area. Won't you try it?

[Zelda did notice the way he picked through his sandwich. Maybe he thinks she'll drug him and she's trying to hide it with the taste of milk? Well, he is nobility, and he's had his life targeted before. She picks up the glass and takes a couple drinks, enough to show him that it's not bad before setting it back down again and wiping the rim clean with a handkerchief.]

[Hm. No poisoning then. Or drugs, for that matter. Not unless it's something that only effects humans, but he's never heard of anything like that. He takes the drink too, setting it on the small table beside the couch before diving into the sandwich.

Damn but he didn't realize how hungry he was.]

[~~Surprise, it's mana poisoning!~~]

I'll let you eat in peace, then. Give me a call if you need anything else.

[Zelda heads back off to the kitchen, wondering if she should start with dessert. It doesn't seem like a sandwich is going to be enough to satisfy him. Had he seriously just been eating candy for the past few days?]

[Yeah, like he'll want to move her timetable up any further. Maybe if he pleads tired she'll leave him alone for awhile longer? Usually he'd rather just get it over with, but this elf... she looks so much like his mother. Slight of frame with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. It makes him withdraw further, it makes it harder to just shut up and play the game.

He finishes the sandwich and milk, setting aside the empty tableware, and slipping silently from the couch. He should at least get a baring on his surroundings. The house's architecture is unfamiliar, but that's to be expected from Elves, he supposes. It's smallish, nothing like his mansion or that of other nobles, but it's roomy enough. The books all along the far wall catch his attention and he takes a long moment reading titles. Reference material, it looks like. Magic, histories of places he's never heard of. It's all strange and gives him a crawling, displaced feeling.

So this really is another world, not simply a strange city under the oceans of Tethe'alla... And if that's true, then it makes sense why half-elves roam free in the streets, why the name of Martel is unknown, and why no one reacted to his position.

He looks back towards the kitchen. No one but her.

Did she kidnap him? Did she bring them both here through strange magic to have her way privately? To keep him like a pet? His stomach turns in knots.]

[If she knew what he was thinking she would be appalled on many different levels, but thankfully the princess has no idea just what's on his mind. Not too long later she heads back through the room to grab a book for Duke and notices Zelos near the shelf.]

Feel free to read any of them you like. I was just getting one for Duke - I think he's a little younger than you are, but maybe you'd like to play together regardless?

Duke?! He's here?

[As sour as it already is, Zelos' expression turns downright lemony.]

Why is he here? Send him away, I don't want to live with that tricky kid.

[Zelda scowls at him, putting her hands on her hips.]

I most certainly will not! There are a lot of children lost around the city right now, I won't be turning anyone away. Duke is a sweet child, he's just a little different. Don't you go bullying him! If you don't want to play together, I'm certain he will stay out of your way. He is very quiet.

[What?

What?

Zelos looks at Zelda like she's grown a second head.]

Excuse me? Did you just say no?

[He draws himself up to his full imperious five feet.]

You know who I am, right? I'm the Chosen. No one, not even an Elf, says no to me so do as I say and throw him out right now!

[When he draws himself up like that it just gives her the impression of a fussy little animal puffing its fur up to make itself look bigger.

Oh goddesses, she can't laugh, he might storm out!]

We aren't in Tethe'alla, Zelos. You will simply have to make do. This is a large house, and he typically stays in the adjacent one with his cat anyway. I will do my best to return things to normal as quickly as possible, I assure you. As you can see, I am doing a great deal of research on the subject. Please relax.

[Yes, she's still saying "no".]

[Fists ball at his sides, intense rage crossing his features.]

You stupid Elf bitch. No one says no to me!

[She knows she should be insulted, but Zelos' anger is just cute, and obviously defensive in nature. Of course he's upset that she seems to be ignoring his status. He probably feels that it's his only protection in a strange world.]

First of all, I see no reason to bring my race into this. I have given you my name, you should address me by it. Secondly...

[She leans over, tweaking his nose with a lightning fast movement. It likely feels uncomfortable, but she's not out to hurt him.]

If you are going to claim the status of a noble, you should act like one. Nobility exists to care for the common people, and we will not be throwing Duke out simply because he makes you uncomfortable. And don't use such language, it's foul.

[The shock on Zelos' face at being touched at all is nearly comical. He bats after her hand as if it were a stinging insect.]

Don't touch me!

[His voice is shrill and intense, giving a far more violent reaction than a simple tweak of the nose warrants.]

If you don't throw him out Elf, then I'm leaving!

[Nearly perhaps, but not to the princess. That level of fear just worries her. That worry shows up on her face, genuine worry - not the simpering sort that the nobles of Meltokio put on.]

Zelos... do you hate him that much? What did he do?

He pretended to be a girl just to trick me and gain my favor. He's a sneak!

[He folds his arms and sticks his nose in the air haughtily at the remark.]

Did he actually say he was a girl, or did you just assume it?

[She has a strong suspicion it's the latter. It seems it doesn't matter what age they are, Zelos and Duke end up with the same impression of each other regardless.]

It doesn't matter, he still tricked me! If he doesn't go, then I do!

[Zelos stomps his foot with adolescent finality. He'd never had to escalate screaming like this before. Usually anyone and everyone simply caves to his whims and this is so far from the norm it sets him on edge, making him frustrated and lashing out at everything.]

It is not a trick if he did not intend it. You should face such situations with grace and dignity. If you continue to draw attention to it, it only highlights your mistake.

[It seems like Zelda is unmoved by his screaming, and she's still trying to gently correct him. Acting as a parent for a child at this age is new to her, but that doesn't mean she won't try her best.]

No it doesn't! I don't have to do anything you say!

[He's done, he's so done. Screw this, he's heading for the door. He'll find his own damn way home!]

Zelos, please. It is not entirely safe out there.

[She sounds worried. If he turns back to look, she looks worried, in a genuine way that can't be faked. And she is worried - he's absolutely obnoxious at this age. What would happen if he ran into Mithos? The Highblood? She can't let him storm out on his own.]

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