[Video; Locked to Ted]

[illusionarytactics]

[Zexion appears on the screen looking as uncomfortable as always, but it's a higher degree of uncomfortable now. This is kind of embarrassing. There's a determination about him, though. He will fix this. Everything will be fine. He just needs to try, and that most easily starts with Ted.]

Hello, Ted. I know it's been quite some time, but... I've changed my mind about things. If you would still like to put your plan into place, I won't be opposed to it.

Comments

[youfool]

[Now this is a surprise. Zexion's not the most sociable sort, and certainly not with him. Well, he understands how difficult this must be. It takes a lot of courage to move outside one's comfort zone and embark upon something ne--

he's going to tease him.]

Good evening, Zexion, what a pleasant surprise to see you. To what scheme do you allude?

[He wouldn't want to assume]

[illusionarytactics]

[Ted is an ass. Zexion suddenly remembers why he's not sociable with him, not that he's really sociable with anyone aside from Demyx, rarely, when Demyx has gotten sick of his excuses and dragged him out of his shell. The regret is immediate and intense. This is a mistake. Then again, how else is he going to do what needs to be done by himself? He's been doing better recently with making himself socialize, but that's not quite the same. And it's not so immediate. Suddenly Zexion realizes that he's been staring at Ted with no response for several seconds. That's awkward. He forces his expression into an all too familiar smirk. Scheming, indeed.]

Perhaps the only scheme we've discussed. However, if you've lost interest, that's completely fine.

[Even though he's merely letting Ted have the free reign on his personal life that he wanted in the beginning, it still seems like he's asking for a favor instead. It's that that makes him add the qualifier. The real truth is, it's probably a bit of both. It's something Ted wanted, but it's also Zexion's way of asking for help in the only way he knows how- by pretending that he's not.]

[youfool]

[Ted's own smile perks up at his. Zexion's isn't quite innocent, true, but perhaps that's the best a "Nobody" can manage. That does a lot to convict him of Zexion's own conviction.]

I don't know that loss of interest is ever fine. Yours, it seems, has piqued. Do you refer to the first forays into courtship?

[He wants, nay, needs to hear him say it.]

[illusionarytactics]

[Zexion frowns. He really doesn't appreciate being made fun of.]

It isn't courtship. That would require a level of feeling that I'm not capable of, as you well know. It's... simply getting to know someone.

[He really doesn't give a damn what Ted needs, to be honest.]

[youfool]

[He barely stifled a laugh.]

Yes, knowing someone. What could be simpler? And a "level"? Goodness, and here I thought whether you felt was more binary than gradient. You certainly have the appearance of emotion down; it could've fooled me!

[Emotions like irritation, anger, and resignation-as-teeth-clenching-pleasantry]

Well, you wouldn't be opposed if it came to that, would you?

[Let the radish go, Zexion! It has nothing to do with this!]

[illusionarytactics]

You'll find that Nobodies are quite adept at putting on demonstrations of emotion when it suits us, but it's exactly that- a demonstration. A tool.

[One could argue that Nobodies actually do feel very limited emotions, as Ted noted, primarily anger and fear primarily. There was evidence for that. Nothing, however, even remotely related to love or dating. Nothing that would help Ted. And Zexion wasn't going to discuss that anyway.]

If it came to courtship? Why would it come to that? Nothing would result. It would simply be leading the other person on, and I don't know what purpose that would serve.

[He can't think of how that could benefit him in any way.]

[youfool]

Nothing would result, eh? Goodness, Zexion, I didn't know you're clairvoyant. I can see why the Organization would prize one who knew the future so confidently.

Really, a simple "yes" or "no" will do. The former is more progressive. After all, Demyx went on at least one date, and despite being heartless, broke no hearts I can recall.

[He wouldn't want to be outdone by Demyx, would he?]

[illusionarytactics]

[Zexion's eyes narrow.]

I was unaware that being cognizant of one's own condition makes them clairvoyant.

[Nice try, Ted. Zexion isn't as easily manipulated as that. He sees what you're doing. Also why are you bringing up Demyx, he is irrelevant in this. :| ]

One date is a far cry from the courtship you're talking about, Ted, as I'm sure you're fully aware. If someone's heart was broken after one date, then hearts are immeasurably more fragile than I ever thought they were.

...if there comes a time where actual courtship is a possibility, then yes, I suppose I would be open to that. For now, no. At the moment, it's simply about companionship and having a relationship with a woman that hopefully doesn't involve the threat of death.

[Ted, you should know by now that you will pretty much never get a simple "yes" or "no" from Zexion. Really, what were you expecting? Basically, Zexion is a cat, and like The Last Unicorn taught us, no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer.]

[youfool]

That's talk of present; you spoke of future. I trust the difference's limpid.

[Ted, angel that he is, is only doing this purely to break him out of said condition. True love ought to do the trick, as it so often did in fairy tales. One date may be all it takes...]

Haha, well watch your words and I'm sure they'll keep their daggers in their eyes and not their hands. Excellent! I'll send you the relevant paperwork, and we can get started right away!

[It's okay, he was going to assume "yes" anyways.]