boredalready | IC: Empatheias Mailbox

Heyyy, Lloyd. You know when I said I'll stop by to check your stuff?

Yeah, make some time today. [ It isn't even asking at this point. ]

Uh, sure, but you know we're supposed to head out with Kor, Emil and the others to fight the slimes today, right?

Right... That's a thing. [ He remembers! ]

Then what about after or before that?

If you don't wanna come, that's okay with me. [He understands. Things happen.]

But later, I think. I know that Ludger was asking about the elemental cores and I'd like to have the time to look it over before I try to add it to a weapon.

Wow, counting me out already? I am still coming! [ LLOYD... ]

Elemental cores... Like your weapon being on fire and using it like that?

Nah, I'm just not the type to drag anyone around if they don't want to come. [Zelos doesn't count. He's the exception to nearly everything.]

Yeah, pretty much. I just wanna make sure I can add it to your sword or axe or whatever and not have the thing blow up in your face.

I'm coming and you can't get rid of me that easily. [ HE SAYS IT ANYWAY. ]

That's... [ Mentally spits. ] That's touching, Lloyd. Where would I be without you?

Axe-less and fire-less for sure.

Fine. I'll see you out by the city gates then.

[What? Did you not think about that? You should.]

Better those than faceless.

[ He's used to being shot at, slashed at, collapsing roofs, and all that stuff. He just wasn't expecting it to be... said. Y'know. Just a mutual understanding. ] You're right. Either way, I don't mind testing them out for you.

Here's to hoping we don't burn a forest.

[Is he so delicate that the truth has to be withheld from him? Lloyd didn't get that feeling before~.]

That'd be great. And there are enough monsters outside the city to test them on that I don't think we have to worry about any forests. Unless you're thinking about taking out trees.

[ STOP MAKING HIM BLUSH LLOYD HE'S NOT USED TO HONESTY?! Just kidding. It's just different. ]

I don't want to provoke a pride of monsters, so why not we spar instead? Let's see how well you do with a flaming axe.

[Right, of course it is. Weirdo.]

Yeah, that's doable. We can talk about it more while we're out. I can get started on it once we return though.

[ They're both weird. ]

All right. See you soon.

[He'd mulled over this for over a month now. While he'd been given the summary of information of future events, it felt strange to come from the middle of his decision and have it no longer be an issue. It doesn't feel like forgiveness so much as a lack of concern, and with Zelos' insecurities... he wants to be certain.

Plus, he misses hanging out with Lloyd constantly, whether he admits it or not. Lloyd had been busy though, working on that cure for Colette, and Zelos hadn't wanted to interrupt so he'd only pass vague invites like "come over some time!" or "later we can do something!" Maybe it's about time he reached out again.

He works so hard at not letting any of his concerned emotions slip through the amulet, but it only makes that forced cheer even more obvious.]

Hey, hunny! It's me. Do you have a minute to talk?

[As much as Lloyd likes his friends, all of them, a part of him has really missed the rest of the ones he had back home. Colette and Sheena were great and he couldn't ask for more from them, but the arrival of Zelos had been more than welcome in the swordsman's eyes.

Except he'd been strange since his arrival. Well, stranger. And considering when he's from, it's not that surprising to Lloyd. And he's tried to be understanding and more open about it. But with Colette's cure weighing him down until now, he's put it out of his mind and let Zelos handle it as much as he would, which isn't that much honestly.

So, when his friend contacts him, he's almost relieved to hear from him. Even if the dummy is trying to act like everything's okay, when it's obvious it's not.]

Hey, Zelos. I have some time, sure. Off today.

Great! Then I'll get right to it.

[Should they meet up, or should he risk his emotions coming over through the crystal? He decides the latter for now, fidgeting with his hands as he pauses just long enough.]

Do you really still trust me after everything I did? How do you know things are going to go for me the same way they did for you?

[If Zelos wanted to come over or meet up, Lloyd would've been okay with that.]

Of course I still trust you. I mean... [He sighs, heavily.] Look, I know what it's like to have your family used against you and to feel like you have no choice in what happens. It's not like Cruxis gave us, any of us, options.

You, me, Kratos, Celes, Colette, we all did what we thought we had to do to survive.

And I know you. And the rest of our friends.

Besides, if I can forgive Kratos, why not you?

No matter what you say, I definitely had a choice. I was weighing all of you, and... I mean, I still was! Before I came here.

[His whole chest tightens at his own negative feelings, but at least Lloyd's words start to help against that. But it's hard to beat so many years of insecurities and worries balled into a big issue like this.]

It feels like I'm skipping over all of the work to earn your forgiveness. I don't deserve it in the first place, so why should I get it when I haven't done anything right yet?

[Even though it's a serious subject, he can't help but be amused at his dumb friend's words and actions.]

What makes you think it took more than me punching you? I mean, if it makes you feel better, I can punch you. Or let Sheena do it.

And even as early as the stuff with Kate, the half-elves on Tethe'alla and the stupid Pope, you were thinking and acting differently.

So, stop being stupid.

[The feeling that comes across in response to that is a muted sort of embarrassment. He noticed something like that...? But still, that way of saying it!]

I mean, you can punch me if you want...

[There's a bit of a pause after that answer, a sort of mental fidgeting.] You've got a real harsh way of saying things sometimes, you know that?

[He doesn't want to be a burden or an uncertainty in any of their lives. It sounds like Lloyd is sure of it, he thinks... So maybe that's all there is to it? But he still feels like he cheated out time. Maybe all of his thoughts are what's really troublesome. He struggles with this for another moment.]

So, then, do you want to... go somewhere? ...With me? You know, like hang out.

[Of course he noticed it. It was Zelos's slowly changing way of thinking and his willingness to help out Raine and Genis get free, despite the way he was raised to considering half-elves lower beings, that had really solidified Lloyd's own loyalty to the redhead. And after meeting Seles, he could see that Zelos was full of crap but was really a good guy, deep down.]

I don't want to punch you. And I don't think you really need it. We're friends and you've got good and bad points, just like anyone else.

And if you wanted someone to tell you things gently, you've got Sebastian for that.

[Honestly, Zelos, do you expect him to hold your hand? He doesn't want to hurt your feelings, but he also doesn't really know how to be sensitive either.]

Did you have some place in mind? Or, you know, we could do one of the tasks on the task board. I could use the extra sylvs.

Sebastian, right...

[Nevermind that his butler only says things in the most serious and official way possible. It's not very personal! But, if he's looking for sensitivity, he's got someone here he has in mind. Maybe he'll talk about it later.

For now, he's just feeling pretty stupid and not knowing what to do about it.]

Let's meet up at the task board, then. It's what we do best! I'll head there now.

[Sure enough, he does head there. He manages to get there first, so whenever Lloyd arrives, he'll be able to spot Zelos tracing over requests for the right one.]

[But Sebastian obviously cares for him and wants the best for Zelos. Stop being so selfish. Besides, when has Lloyd ever been the guy that people come to for comfort?

Well, anyone but Colette?]

Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can. Do we need Noishe or should I leave him here?

[He's packing a few things into his pockets anyway and takes the Protozoan with him. If they don't need him, he can send the creature to wherever Sheena or Colette are until they return. And it takes him all of ten minutes to reach the board and his friend.]

Anything good?

It should be fine with just us.

[By the time Lloyd gets there, Zelos has already pinpointed one of the only tasks available that he thinks might help. Fighting. There's no way they're going to work out proposal ideas or sell beer, so...]

How about this? It looks like some big guys are going nuts and they need people to take them down.

Lloyd, are you there? Ah, right I should ask if you're free as well.

Edited 2016-06-01 15:14 (UTC)

IC: Empatheias Mailbox

TODAY OF 4/6--a private message

TODAY OF 4/6--a private message

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5/16 over crystal

5/16 over crystal

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[Voice --> Action]

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Today 6/1 Crystal