[ Why would he talk about it when he can avoid it entirely? It's far easier to shrug his shoulders and pretend that nothing's wrong, to fall into the mantle of being the joke and the one that breaks the tension - and gets himself slapped for it - than it is to admit that he has real, human feelings. He wants to pretend he's nothing but a fabrication, that all the things he wanted weren't hidden deep down inside, but he can't. Standing here in front of Dezel... He feels weak, suddenly, and stupid, and it feels like he's falling apart. ]

There's nothing wrong with me! You're just trying to start a fight, just like always!

[ They're getting at each other, getting under each other's skin, and it's because Dezel doesn't remember. Zaveid can remember talking to Sorey after, asking how Dezel had been just before the end, and he'd been smiling. He'd remembered so much, but at the same time he hadn't remembered the one thing Zaveid had wanted him to. It infuriates him and that's because he knows it hurts.

He steps to one side, darting out of the way of the pendulum before he shakes his head. ]

I'm not going to fight you, Dezel. Not today.