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[There’s a brief moment of silence before this particular newcomer speaks up. Though he’s generally familiar with Traverse Town (and may be a familiar face to some of those already present), he takes a moment to carefully choose his words before he speaks. First impressions are important, after all, and more so in somewhere relatively unknown.]

I would be interested in knowing more about this realm. The moogles have already mentioned the Nightmares; is there anything else I should be aware of?

In addition, I would like to offer my services in dealing with the same, should anyone have need of such things.

[Dream Eaters or no, he knows better than to assume everyone is willing to get into combat, and if his strength can offer something of a shield, surely that’s better than nothing.]

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[There's silence from Aeleus, then. It's not an uncomfortable silence, on an awkward one. Simply a moment of silence as he turns the pieces over in his head, fitting them into what he knows of both Ienzo and the situation. With Riku having manage to defeat him, seeking to go after Riku would almost be a suicidal mission... except for how Zexion's ability could interact with the Castle itself. Thus, that would have been his primary method of attack.

One that... may have had unintended outcomes, given Ienzo is standing whole and complete in front of him. Eventually, he nods, partially to himself and partially to indicate his understanding. Zexion must have truly been desperate, in the aftermath of his loss, even with Axel's goading.]

There's more to it, isn't there?

[He's not sure he wants to ask, even as gentle as the question is, but... it doesn't quite sound complete as he's been told.]

[Ienzo starts to pace.]

Riku saw through my illusion and injured me badly, but I managed to escape. That was when Axel cornered me; he had recruited the Riku Replica and convinced it that if it killed me and drained my essence, it would become a real person.

[Ienzo reached up and touched his neck lightly.]

It strangled me to death while Axel watched. I...don't know how I feel about Lea. It's almost as if he didn't even remember.

[Or that it wasn't important enough for Lea to care.]

A real--?

[It's a ludicrous suggestion, and Aeleus isn't all certain he approves of the misuse of Vexen's Replica. He can't even think of a reason why Lea wouldn't at least apologize for the matter, a fact that he might need to speak to him about should he ever find himself in the realm of dreams.

For once, he honestly doesn't want to give Lea the benefit of the doubt though he knows he should. Extenuating circumstances or no, he could have least offered more than the complete disregard of anything Ienzo had had to say.]

I'll speak to him about it if he arrives.

I would prefer that you do not. It should be a matter between Lea and myself. And for that matter, I...would personally prefer to be forgiven for my former actions, even though I don't have the right to expect it.

[If he'd known what it would take to come back to himself, he'd have slit his own throat when he was eleven. He hadn't minded what he was doing, even when he knew it was morally dubious, because of course his duty was to his own people. And once they had Kingdom Hearts, they could fix the rest, he'd supposed, but that had been a minor consideration. But all it took was death, it seemed, and so all of those evils had been perpetrated for nothing.]

Very well.

[He's still not pleased with Lea's actions, but if Ienzo wants to take care of it then Aeleus is more than willing to let him do so.

The question of forgiveness, on the other hand, is a harder question and one he feels so keenly it almost aches. He'd been meant to serve as a protector and yet he'd been drawn into destroying the very world he'd sworn to protect. He can stand as protector again, yes, and the clothes he wears already announces him as the very same, but is right for him to take up the mantle of so long ago, now that his hands are so very stained?]

Even it were given, would it be enough? Can forgiveness be atonement enough for what we did?

Edited 2012-11-19 00:15 (UTC)

No. It would just make me feel better. The only way to atone is through actions. I think. I'm not sure that I ever learned about...this.

[And yet, even actions won't undo what's been done. Ienzo doesn't really understand how this is supposed to work; can one make up for something if one can't actually repair the damage?]

[No, it won't. What's done is done, and they may be attempting to atone for their actions until they die in truth. But they will gain nothing if they don't at least try to make amends.]

Correct. If we are to make amends, then it will need to be through our actions.

[He's silent for a long moment.]

I feel as if I should feel worse about what I did. But when I think about being Zexion, most of what I think about is...being separated from you. I was afraid because I hadn't been alone like that since just after my parents passed away.

[The admission is... less surprising that Aeleus would like to admit. Throughout everything that had gone before that moment, he'd always been there. A rock in the wayward path of life, and he won't deny that Ienzo had seemed to very much need that sort of stability.

Similarly, it's telling that the most memorable part of being Zexion was the part without him, even after spending so long without their hearts.]

It's... a hard thing to know. What we did - what we were - isn't the sort of thing that makes it easy to judge.

[They were misguided monsters, apparently. And yet the most important thing to Ienzo is that he has Aeleus back, that this source of stability is in his life again. He had not quite realized how difficult it had been to go on without him. Ienzo ducks his head; it feels as if he's starting to cry again.]

I felt the loss of you keenly enough.

[Misguided, certainly. Monsters is a term Aeleus would be less certain about, although he'll readily agree that some - if not most - of what they had done was monstrous. Either way, he's not about to address the point, when he's not even really aware of Ienzo's thoughts.]

I shouldn't have started that fight, I know. But I'm here now.

[Ienzo breathes out a shaky sigh.]

I'm sorry, I shouldn't...I should show you the apartment.

It can wait.

[If there's things Ienzo wants to say, or if he simply wants to take a moment or three of silence, that's perfectly fine by Aeleus. It's not as if there's any rush; neither he nor the apartment are going anywhere.]

It isn't fair to...dump this on you.

[It isn't fair and he's an adult; he should be able to take care of how he's feeling on his own and not start crying again out of sheer relief that he isn't alone. Which is also quite unfair of him, but Even has never been particularly supportive and Namine isn't Aeleus.]

[It might not be fair by Ienzo's perspective, but he's always been willing to listen. Even adults sometimes need a bit of support from time to time. Besides, surely it can't be considered to be dumping anything on him if he's all but offering the broad expanse of his shoulders?]

Does that need to mean I can't still be willing to listen?

[Ienzo relaxes fractionally at that.]

No. However, you've been suddenly relocated to a completely different place and then Even and I were quite free with our emotions towards you. I don't ever wish to be a burden, or to discount that you also have...concerns.

We have been suddenly relocated before.

[Admittedly, the first time they'd also been significantly less emotionally inclined, but he'd consider waking up to Radiant Garden to be much similar in concept, if not in scope. Either way, his estimation is that he's managing to hold up well enough, even if Ienzo is correct to doubt his ability to withstand all he's been asked to already and more besides.]

And... my concerns can wait. I've made both of you wait too long as it is.

[It isn't really the point. For there to be balance, there has to be give and take. Even if Ienzo would appreciate most just being able to bask in Aeleus' sheer presence, which he will not admit to. Ienzo steps forward and hugs Aeleus awkwardly; at least it's better than when he tried at the age of ten.]

You can talk to me too, you should know. I have missed you very much.

[And that's what matters, not all the ethical questions and might have beens.]

[Awkward though it is, Aeleus takes it for what it's meant to be. He knows that Ienzo isn't often inclined to tolerate physical contact of any sort; for him to actually offer something of his own will is rare indeed and he smiles softly at the gesture. A brief moment later, he carefully returns the gesture. This, too, is a rare occurrence, but he can think of no better time than this for such a gesture.]

I know.

[Even when they'd been shells of who they'd been, Zexion had been the one person he'd truly trusted; that hasn't changed despite the return of their hearts.]

[Ienzo pulls back, shifting his weight uncertainly. Well. Now that they're past that, maybe they can not talk about such distressing things for a while.]

I really should show you the apartment; we need to get more furniture now, I suppose.

[There's still more things that will likely need be discussed, but Aeleus is willing to leave them by the wayside for now.]

Presumably the moogles would know where to acquire furniture.

They did provide us with the furniture for this shop and for the upstairs area. I hope you do like the shop.

[Aeleus would probably appreciate the effort he'd gone to; Even did, even if he wouldn't admit it.]

[Well, that certainly solves that question. They'll need to speak to them at some point soon, but there's nothing saying it needs to be now. For the time being, he's perfectly content to simply enjoy the simpler things.]

I do. It must have taken no small amount of work to get it started.

Quite a lot of people pitched in to make it possible. Most people in town are varying levels of helpful, though many are also disinclined to share all their secrets.

[He's too busy to go digging, unfortunately. No one has seemed overly dangerous aside from the mysterious voice, however.]

[Aeleus would have been surprised to hear it were otherwise. Especially given that most people tended to prefer to keep the majority of their secrets, well, secret. Still, he nods his understanding all the same.]

I'm glad to hear it, even if they're inclined to keep their secrets.