The Cloaked Schemer

       ⊰ ≈ღ≈ ⊱  ❝How many fugglers does one have to own before it’s considered too many?❞

     ⊰ ╰ ♥ ♡ ╮⊱ If anything, the other’s proffered perch caused Ienzo to at least attempt to keep a more tidy work space, so he supposed it wasn’t all bad. There was a moment of hesitation as Ienzo contemplated whether or not to elaborate, ultimately finding no harm in the end.      ❝It’s silly really . . . but when I was a boy and first took notice of Aeleus guarding by the castle wall, I likened him to one of my favorite bedtime stories, The Selfish Giant. I’m not sure you’d be familiar with the story, but even now I feel in some ways it’s fitting for him - the latter half of the story at least.❞

            ⊰ ≈ღ≈ ⊱  ❝Actually, no, it really wouldn’t be. You see how chaotic our attempts at meetings already are. Now imagine if no one attempted to censor themselves. Nothing would get done.❞ Zexion sighed, resting his fingertips against his forehead.  ❝Of course you do. And I’m not complicating things, I’m actually doing exactly as you suggested: Saying what I want. You’re musing out loud in a common area, I’m going to give my input.❞

      ⊰ ╰ ♥ ♡ ╮⊱  ❝I’ll need a bit of time to mull it over but I will come up with one. There’s only one person to whom I’ve immediately been able to come up with a nickname for. And I’ve never actually told it to him.❞

       ⊰ ╰ ♥ ♡ ╮⊱  ❝That makes enough sense, although does this mean I have to come up with a nickname for you now?❞

        ⊰ ╰ ♥ ♡ ╮⊱  ❝I didn’t necessarily say I didn’t like it, but I’m also not the only ‘science dude’ around here.❞

        ⊰ ╰ ♥ ♡ ╮⊱  ❝Science dude? So is that my new nickname now?❞

         ⊰ ╰ ♥ ♡ ╮⊱  ❝I suppose you’re not wrong.❞ Ienzo chuckled. ❝I’m so used the associations of these new situations that I’m not always sure what to make of them. Now that I think of it . . . Dancing is just supposed to be for those involved anyway . . . What other dances are you familiar with you intended to teach me?❞  

      ❝That’s a strange thought to think someone would be carrying around salt for such an occasion. Though I suppose I have known people who simply like to aggravate others. Shame really some just can’t let others be.❞

(( So uhhh . . . My friend just showed up with a bin of nerf guns . . . I might be a just a bit busy today . . . ))

       ❝I suppose, but that would imply someone thinks me to be a demon or something, and I don’t think that’s very likely to happen. Not . . . anymore at least.❞

        ❝Right? I’m not particularly sure why that was even an option. Why would you throw salt at someone? I’m just grateful there was at least one favorable option.❞

        ❝I suppose I’m not all too surprised by that one. It’s good to see you again.❞

         ❝You do realize, phrasing like that makes me less likely to share that sort of information with you, right? Why not check a library?❞

         ❝. . . Er . . .Thank you? Although I suppose it is better than the other options.❞

         ❝. . . I suppose this could be worse, although this does still feel a bit strange. How long do you intend to keep this up?❞