[Narrative] No More
Who: Zelgadiss Graywords
What: Zel's computer finally gives him a question he can't answer.
Where: The Tenements, Building Five, Room 409
When: During the quiet period following the plague
Rating: PG, at the highest.
Open: No.
- So, you really aren't ever planning on telling her, are you? -
The message flashed mockingly on the computer's screen. Zel stared at it morosely.
- Honestly, I can't say I'm surprised, with your self-image. Who could ever love a monster, after all? -
"Shut up," Zel muttered.
- Even her. Not that she'd be capable of thinking of you that way anyway. Never seen a more oblivious teenage girl. All she goes on about is justice and friendship. Enough to make anyone ill, am I right? -
The chimera glared. "Don't talk about Amelia like that!"
- And you talk about chivalry like it's offended you personally. Strange, that. You know, for someone who doesn't like showing emotion, you're awfully easy to read. -
"What do you know anyway? You're not even alive!"
- That's all you know. Oh, yes, I forgot. She's Princess Charming for you, isn't she? -
"Shut up!" Zel hissed. The computer waited a moment, as if it was thinking.
- So you can't decide whether to be the knight in shining armor or the damsel in distress, hmm? And I suppose you think true love's first kiss could break your curse, too? -
Zel realized he was flushed - from embarrassment or anger, he wasn't sure. "Why do you always come back to this, anyway?"
- Because you've made yourself an incredibly easy target. Honestly, you'd think you'd learn to cover their weak points better. "Wah, wah, my grampa turned me into something, I can't protect my friends, I can't work up the courage to tell the princess that I love her..." Sound familiar? -
Zel didn't have an answer for this. I'm being outsmarted by a glass-fronted box. Maybe it's right... He scowled. No. I will not give in. I won't! It was almost as if the computer could see his expression.
- Stubborn, aren't we? I wonder how far we can push you... -
Zel blinked. "What?"
- How would you react to something you can't defeat on your own? When your friends can't help you? Maybe something threatening your precious little princess... -
An unexpectedly smug look crossed Zel's face. "You're telling me all your plans, you know."
- Only in the vaguest terms. And you react so well to them, too... What if something was controlling her? No doubt you could destroy the controlling intelligence, but could you do it without harming her mind in the process? -
Zel didn't speak for a moment. Finally, he practically growled, "Leave her alone."
- What's the matter? Afraid of not being able to do anything? But there's nothing you can do already! Face it, Graywords, you're helpless here. -
"Shut up!" The computer managed to type - Oh? And what do you inte before Zel hit the thing hard enough to shatter its screen and send glass flying all over the room. He stood panting in the middle of the shards. "No one," he muttered, glowering at the twisted lump of metal and plastic on the desk, "threatens my friends." He hated this side of himself. That was probably why the computer worked so hard to bring it out.
He paused and thought. What would he do if he came up against something he couldn't destroy with his friends' help? Back off and live to fight another day? Sacrifice himself... or his friends? Finally turn to the Church for help?
What scared him most was that he couldn't answer.
What: Zel's computer finally gives him a question he can't answer.
Where: The Tenements, Building Five, Room 409
When: During the quiet period following the plague
Rating: PG, at the highest.
Open: No.
- So, you really aren't ever planning on telling her, are you? -
The message flashed mockingly on the computer's screen. Zel stared at it morosely.
- Honestly, I can't say I'm surprised, with your self-image. Who could ever love a monster, after all? -
"Shut up," Zel muttered.
- Even her. Not that she'd be capable of thinking of you that way anyway. Never seen a more oblivious teenage girl. All she goes on about is justice and friendship. Enough to make anyone ill, am I right? -
The chimera glared. "Don't talk about Amelia like that!"
- And you talk about chivalry like it's offended you personally. Strange, that. You know, for someone who doesn't like showing emotion, you're awfully easy to read. -
"What do you know anyway? You're not even alive!"
- That's all you know. Oh, yes, I forgot. She's Princess Charming for you, isn't she? -
"Shut up!" Zel hissed. The computer waited a moment, as if it was thinking.
- So you can't decide whether to be the knight in shining armor or the damsel in distress, hmm? And I suppose you think true love's first kiss could break your curse, too? -
Zel realized he was flushed - from embarrassment or anger, he wasn't sure. "Why do you always come back to this, anyway?"
- Because you've made yourself an incredibly easy target. Honestly, you'd think you'd learn to cover their weak points better. "Wah, wah, my grampa turned me into something, I can't protect my friends, I can't work up the courage to tell the princess that I love her..." Sound familiar? -
Zel didn't have an answer for this. I'm being outsmarted by a glass-fronted box. Maybe it's right... He scowled. No. I will not give in. I won't! It was almost as if the computer could see his expression.
- Stubborn, aren't we? I wonder how far we can push you... -
Zel blinked. "What?"
- How would you react to something you can't defeat on your own? When your friends can't help you? Maybe something threatening your precious little princess... -
An unexpectedly smug look crossed Zel's face. "You're telling me all your plans, you know."
- Only in the vaguest terms. And you react so well to them, too... What if something was controlling her? No doubt you could destroy the controlling intelligence, but could you do it without harming her mind in the process? -
Zel didn't speak for a moment. Finally, he practically growled, "Leave her alone."
- What's the matter? Afraid of not being able to do anything? But there's nothing you can do already! Face it, Graywords, you're helpless here. -
"Shut up!" The computer managed to type - Oh? And what do you inte before Zel hit the thing hard enough to shatter its screen and send glass flying all over the room. He stood panting in the middle of the shards. "No one," he muttered, glowering at the twisted lump of metal and plastic on the desk, "threatens my friends." He hated this side of himself. That was probably why the computer worked so hard to bring it out.
He paused and thought. What would he do if he came up against something he couldn't destroy with his friends' help? Back off and live to fight another day? Sacrifice himself... or his friends? Finally turn to the Church for help?
What scared him most was that he couldn't answer.