#hexforge

//Oh man. First of all, thank you. So much. A lot of my concerns revolve around this. Specially when I am dealing with things Riot don’t reveal about his character.

I constantly ask myself whether or not my bias shows, even though I go through a lot of effort to portray him as unbiased as I possibly can and it’s such a huge reward to get these messages. To get people say they can hear his voice in the replies. Even more on those I am most uncertain about and sometimes I torture myself over wondering if that was really the ‘most accurate’ way to go on about it. In worst cases I even freak out about it.

‘ art is not clean, my dear. ‘ 

it was messy, it was obscene– leaving traces over the walls and the floor, staining his hands permanently. he didn’t mind. 

THE TRUTH WAS BUILT TO BEND // ACCEPTING.

Zed’s face blanches at the question.

“Ah… Erm.”

Although the frustration of having to be honest pains him, the question hurts for more than that alone. He supposes that he once cared, but…

Well.

He swallows.

“Most people would see it as important.”

Good start, Zed.

“I suppose I tend to see romance as… Unnecessary. This isn’t to say I do not experience romantic attraction – I do – but I have only once felt it in what most people would define as, ah… ‘Healthy,’ I suppose.”

He frowns. This is too much.

“I do not personally feel it important in my relationships. I try to show respect to my disciples, and I ask that they show extended dedication to me. If they do, I reciprocate that. Romantically?”

           “ ah, es’cuse me, ” voice is sheepishly small, uncertain. she tries at a placid wave. ( how embarrassing, how she finds herself so self-conscious under the woman’s STARE. ) she slowly lowers her hand. “ ah’m... do you kno’ wh’ahr i cou’ fin’ ah hotel ah’r somt’ing ? i’m nah’t frah’m ‘ere. ”

           that much is blatantly obvious.

can you tell me about how zed responds to respect? like the utmost respect-- is he used to it? or is he indifferent? would he ever demand respect from anybody?

This is a very relevant headcanon, but it doesn’t quite answer the question. Well, kinda the last one, but -- in any case, relevant.

Zed is used to respect. He appears indifferent, but he demands it, really. Not verbally, but in the way he acts-- He is an imposing figure, and he abuses this. His armour is designed to look unwelcoming, and he constantly makes sure to use his height to assert his power. He will stand too close to someone if need be, he will make a point of looking down on others, he will speak in a way which reflects his arrogance/power. He does not make quite as much of an effort if he is being shown respect, but he still carries himself with confidence, his posture is always impeccable, and he very rarely shows any weakness emotionally.

If a disciple is disrespectful to him, he will verbally reprimand them. There is a difference between Zed as the Master of Shadows and Zed as, well, Zed. He often walks around the temple as the latter-- more down to earth, more... Human, as opposed to the untouchable, cruel Master of Shadows, but even so -- if disrespected by a disciple, he will verbally reprimand them, do whatever it takes to remind them of their respected place.

For those that he sees himself as equal with, he does not demand deference, but he does demand respect. Not the same kind of total respect, but rather the acknowledgement that they are on equal terms, and will treat each other as such.