Charlene
*"I name you as an honored guest."*

*Her words were supportive, but her aura told a different story. It was guarded. The assumption was inevitable guilt until proof of character.*

*It's understandable. Darkness is usually evil. By all accounts, someone like him shouldn't exist. That logic, unfortunately, still didn't make the guard tracking his every move any less saddening.*

*He had been the chosen wielder, destined to seal the Door to Darkness. While that duty was thrust non-consensually onto him, it still earned him some level of respect. Now, though, he was the opposite of his former existence. Respected by few, feared by most.*

*Wait... Is that a game of pin the tail on the donkey? Zero chuckles, an idea creeping into his mind. This might be fun. Or it'll end with him dead.*

*We walks up to the person supervising the game.*

"Hey. Got any spare blindfolds?" *As he receives one, he feels the Guard's nervousness spike, then imagines his thoughts. Oh no! What does he need a blindfold for? Is he gonna try and kidnap the queen?!!*

*Smiling, he thanks them, then begins walking towards the castle. The nervousness builds. He lowers his voice, exaggerates his mannerisms, and chuckles maniacally. The guard begins pacing, practically having a heart attack.*

*He shakes his head with a smile, then stops. Okay, that's enough of that bit. He puts the blindfold on, and the difference is night and day. That's much better.*

*Now, time to practice maneuvering around town. Where should he... Oh. Oh, he has an idea.*

*He begins walking towards the Guard.*

*They frantically relocate when he gets too close. After reaching their prior position, he turns in their new direction and begins walking that way. With each relocation, the Guard's worry rises.*

*He begins walking towards the Guard one more time. They don't relocate. Their weapon is drawn, and they're waiting in an alleyway behind a corner. Yeah, maybe he went too far. Time to de-escalate.*
_ _

"Hey, you in the alley! I gotta ask you something." *Zero very slowly walks into view, hands behind his head, then pulls up his blindfold.*
Kimberly
"W-what do you want?!" *The poor guard is shaking.*
Charlene
*Ah. Yeah, he definitely went too far. A look of regret fills his face.*

"Shit. I'm, uhh... I'm sorry for messing with you like this. You're just doing your job. I shouldn't have..."
Kimberly
*The guard is still tense, but his shaking stops when he realizes Zero doesn't intend to harm him. He begins taking deep breaths.*
Charlene
"Look. The Queen asked me to make sure the refugees are okay. And I know you guys have eyes all over the city. Could you, uhh... Could you ask your coworkers to lemme know if they notice anyone having a bad day in need of a pick-me-up? Maybe point me towards a few hot spots for refugees?"
Kimberly
*The guard maintains an apprehensive look.*

"W-why the blindfold? What were you planning to do?"
Charlene
"I, uhh..." *He sighs.* "I'm sure they briefed you. Being of darkness, potential threat, yada yada. But I wasn't always like this. I used to be normal..."

"Ever since I became like this, everything's seemed brighter. This world especially is, like, *Painfully* Bright. I got a blindfold to help with it."

"And the, uhh... Maniacal villain laughter was to fuck with you." *He winces.* "Again, I'm really sorry. If I had known..." *He pauses. He did know. He felt it. He just didn't see it up close.*

*How did his empathy just turn off like that...?*

"I'm sorry."
Kimberly
"So... You're not trying to hurt anyone?"
Charlene
"No. I was just being a dick."
Kimberly
"...Thank you. Please don't do this again."
Charlene
*He shakes his head.* "Oh, absolutely not. This was a mistake. I thought it'd be funny, but now that I know how much it..."
Kimberly
"I need to report this to my boss, but I'm not allowed to leave you alone. Please come with me."
Charlene
*Zero nods, then follows the Guard.*