boredalready | IC: Empatheias Mailbox

Yeah, they are. I mean, people aren't just one thing. Why should they?

[Our intrepid hero's also had more dealings with them. Time to meet some godlike creatures, bud.]

Yeah, like what happened at the end of the festival last month. There's a lot of stuff about this place that sucks and a lot of questions that need to be answered, but rushing in unprepared gets us in trouble.

Bud, this isn't the same thing as someone having differences! These are extremes! [He gestures with his hand to try and express his concern over this.] And these are extremes that affect the people around them! The whole island is at risk because these things are just sitting and waiting for us to fix things. Doesn't it sit wrong with you?

Of course it does! I'm not some stupid kid that's just let stuff happen to me. I've asked around and talked to people. I've checked out stuff when I could, but forgive me that main concern was making sure my best friend didn't die while we were stuck here with no way back!

[If he wanted Lloyd angry, then he's succeeded.]

Dammit, Zelos, I've been stuck here half a year. A lot of people have been here way longer. Being scared's not gonna help us figure out what's going on! If I stop too long, I miss home and I resent a lot of crap. Which isn't useful either!

[Zelos listens quietly through all of that yelling, even if his eyes do widen in surprise at first. He's quick to make that settle down, looking ahead as they walk and resting a hand on his hip.]

Don't get mad, bud! [Rather than express any of his actual feelings, he acts as carefree as usual.] I'm not trying to discount all that you've been through here. I was just... you know, trying to talk about it. There's got to be something we can do about all of this.

Don't give me that bullshit, Zelos. I don't want you to act like you don't actually have an opinion on all of this, because it's obvious you do. Stop lying to me. Stop lying to yourself.

And what we can do is try to find out what happened and how to fix it. Which is what a bunch of people are already doing. I help when and where I can and if you're so worried, maybe you should talk to Milla, Jude and Alvin. Those three have been here for a long time and have helped discover a bunch of crap.

I'm surprised you haven't tried to tear apart the library and weedled your way into the Enforcers. They keep a lot of records on the events that happen.

[Lloyd blows out an exasperated breath, runs his hand through his hair and lets his shoulders slump.]

Now that Colette's cured, I can focus on other things more.

[He's so angry... Zelos isn't really sure what he did to piss him off so badly, but he's not so sure he doesn't deserve it, either. Maybe he was right and this was all leftover from his betrayal. Or maybe he slipped up somewhere else in this conversation? Either way, they still have a little ways to go before they get to their destination, so he can only look to the side and keep walking.]

I'm not saying I don't have an opinion. I've got plenty. I've been through the library multiple times, I've spoken to everyone I know, that Alvin guy included, and I've already decided that the Enforcers aren't my kind of group.

[He lets silence fall for a few more moments before he drops both hands to his sides, tucking them into his pockets.] I thought you might have a plan you're already working on. I wasn't trying to criticize you if you've been too busy with Colette.

[He's annoyed about everything because he just feels like he should've done more but Colette was way more important the time. Zelos just poked is own open sore. He doesn't blame his friend.]

I'm not saying join them. I'm saying talk to them. And I don't mean the pricks that run them. There are plenty of people who are members of the group but are decent.

[Lloyd looks over at Zelos and smiles before nudging him.]

When've I ever had a plan that wasn't thrown together at the last moment? Especially without the Professor and Genis around.

Haha... Maybe I've been meeting the wrong members.

[He sways a little bit with that nudge, bumping Lloyd right back as they walk.] I'm... tired of just running away or waiting to see what happens. I think I'm going to try to see what I can do to make things right. I don't really have a plan either, but... maybe I can figure something out.

Kor is an Enforcer. [That's the end of that little story, since Lloyd trusts Kor like he does his friends from home.]

I'm sure you'll figure something out, Zelos. You aren't dumb. Besides, you've got friends to help you. Just so long as you don't forget about us.

[He laughs at that, reaching over to wrap his arm around Lloyd's shoulder and tug him closer.]

Who's forgetting, huh? Just because I've got such a lively and active social life—! Hahaha, next time, I'll take you on one of my nightly outings! [He always jokes about this.

Oh, but there is some faint rumbling beneath their feet now... The mimic must be near.]

[And just like that, their little tiff is over. Mainly because Lloyd doesn't keep a grudge and he wants Zelos to forgive himself.]

That's not what I meant and-

[He stops and looks around, hands sliding to the hilts of his swords without a second thought. The ground's definitely moving under their feet and he pulls away from Zelos to find out where it's coming from. A few yards away, and he literally is lifted off the ground by all the rumbling.]

How big is this thing?

[The ground shakes again, and beyond the trees, Zelos thinks he can see a movement that must be it.]

It must be huge! You ready to take this thing on? Come on, let's go!

[Lloyd's body is as tense as coiled spring and he immediately zones into the movement. He starts in that direction, quick and sure, knowing that Zelos is probably only a step or two behind him.]

What are you waiting for? An invitation?

[The second that the monster peeks over the top of the trees, Lloyd comes to a stop, pulling out his swords in a smooth gesture of long practice. The top of the monster's head almost looks like the trees, but the color's off and there are like a million eyes all over what looks like the thing's 'face'.]

Fire or lightning, right?

You try fire, I'll try lightning. Go ahead and take the front lines and I'll try to hit it with some of my magic!

[So, that's what he's going to do unless Lloyd has a better idea, running to get into a good position to start casting a spell.]

Just don't get hit!

[Zelos is the only one who can heal! If something happens, Lloyd doesn't have any gels or life bottles, not anymore.

As it is, he runs forward with his fire sword in his right hand, making a full arc with the weapon as he jumps up to strike. The weapon sort of sticks in between two eyes as the dwarven-imbued fire element strikes at the same time.

The monster lets out a ferocious yell and tendrils like vines pop out on either side of the things face.]

What the hell is this thing supposed to be copying?!

Nothing pretty, that's for sure.

[With the end of his spell, a large sword falls from the sky to strike it, electrocuting it shortly after.]

Maybe we should do a combo!

[Lloyd jumps back, out of the reach of the tendrils to stand a few feet away from Zelos. He's crouched, in case he has to run and he looks at his friend from the corner of his eye.]

What did you have in mind? We need to do this quick or I think our time in the Shadow Temple is going to be more fun.

IC: Empatheias Mailbox

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