[Once they're finally alone, Zelos allows himself a moment to draw in a sharp breath, hold it, and then shakily release it as he turns around to examine the room, for lack of a better thing to do while he gathers up most of his side of the emotional bleed and keeps it close to his core, temporarily private. Talking to his driver is the last thing he wishes to do--not just because of the fact that he's awake, but because she's human. Because she's a government official, because none of his drivers have ever given a shit about him, and the feeling is always mutual. Why should he start giving a shit now?
But, he thinks bitterly as she addresses him directly anyway, as he feels a wisp of grief and something deeply personal shaped like relief from her side of the link, he still... has to keep up appearances. No matter how much he'd rather curl up and die again, or how badly he wishes she'd just fuck off and leave him alone for the rest of eternity, in the position he is in, Zelos really can't afford to be in any way hostile to any of his drivers.
So he stops, sighs. Sets his hands on his hips as he turns to face her again, mask of friendly concern on and words dipped in a comforting, sweet tune.] "Don't look so upset, sweetheart. I am the Aegis. My death was just a temporary sacrifice meant to aid the greater good." [He grins so hard he feels like he'll be ripped to shreds.] "I don't regret it one bit. Tethe'alla's Aegis is always happy to help our country in any way possible!"
[The words feel like glass shards ripping at his tongue, all fake and disgusting and awful, but he keeps that flame of despair in his chest and does everything he can from letting it bleed into the emotional link. Zelos has no idea why she'd be so affected by the Aegis' death, but he offers her the typical propaganda expected of him, doubting she'd care for the actual truth.
Oh well, now's not the time for such things.] "Now, darling," [he says, leaning forward,] "you know who I am--obviously--but I'm going to need a name to refer to you, too. Mind introducing yourself?"
This is hurting me
But, he thinks bitterly as she addresses him directly anyway, as he feels a wisp of grief and something deeply personal shaped like relief from her side of the link, he still... has to keep up appearances. No matter how much he'd rather curl up and die again, or how badly he wishes she'd just fuck off and leave him alone for the rest of eternity, in the position he is in, Zelos really can't afford to be in any way hostile to any of his drivers.
So he stops, sighs. Sets his hands on his hips as he turns to face her again, mask of friendly concern on and words dipped in a comforting, sweet tune.] "Don't look so upset, sweetheart. I am the Aegis. My death was just a temporary sacrifice meant to aid the greater good." [He grins so hard he feels like he'll be ripped to shreds.] "I don't regret it one bit. Tethe'alla's Aegis is always happy to help our country in any way possible!"
[The words feel like glass shards ripping at his tongue, all fake and disgusting and awful, but he keeps that flame of despair in his chest and does everything he can from letting it bleed into the emotional link. Zelos has no idea why she'd be so affected by the Aegis' death, but he offers her the typical propaganda expected of him, doubting she'd care for the actual truth.
Oh well, now's not the time for such things.] "Now, darling," [he says, leaning forward,] "you know who I am--obviously--but I'm going to need a name to refer to you, too. Mind introducing yourself?"