idealistic | IC INBOX {eachdraidh}

[Zelos leaves a message, not sure if Lloyd will even respond. From the background, it sounds like he's outside.]

Hey Lloyd, it's me.

Listen, I'm at the Drabkeeper's Castle...or what's left of it. Don't remember how much I told you, but the place was apparently some neutral turf that recorded the history of this world -- kind of like the Storyteller of Heimdall?

Anyway, it got destroyed somehow, so Flora and I went up to investigate. She said she had some way of viewing the past with her magic so we could see what happened.

[There's a pause]

Well, we saw something alright. There was a man named Fox, and his daughter. I only got a good look at the daughter- pale, intense green eyes, hair almost as red as mine - she'd be pretty cute if she wasn't such bad news.

[He clears his throat; moving on alright] Sounds like they were looking for something - or maybe someones. They were threatening the Drabkeeper to "tell where they were hidden" or they'd take out his eyes. And-

[He hesitates]

I don't know if he told them, the vision got blurry at that point- or rigged, more like. It looks like the daughter had set up some kind of trap just in case someone tried to do what we did. I'm fine, but Flora....

Flora lost her eyesight.

[Another pause]

Sorry, wish I had better news.

[ he remembers Zelos mentioning something about the castle. it was probably around that time he was getting antsy, though, so it's not by much.

still, the name does ring a bell and Lloyd listens on with interest. it isn't often that Zelos would sound so serious-- usually those moments meant Something Was Up and that he should listen, so despite what he told himself months ago about cutting ties with his friends for their sake, he listens on.

of all the things he expected, though, he didn't expect to hear anything quite like this.

magic was not his field of specialty, that was more Genis's or the Professor's shtick, so he had no idea how Flora would have been able to view the past. as he listens on and he hears what happened at the castle and to Flora, he grows more and more upset and angry until he's holding the locket in a vice grip. his anger, however, is not directed to Zelos or Flora or even the person who set the trap at the castle; it's directed at himself.

dammit... he's such a screw-up. why did he decide to leave Zelos behind again when he didn't have any point to? he could have been there with them, he could have done something — anything — to stop what had happened to her, but instead he chose to turn to solitude. good job, Lloyd Irving: you really do suck.

the feed is quiet for several long minutes until this finally sounds through Zelos's locket: ]

You guys need help?

[Zelos wasn't sure if he had expected a response from Lloyd or not. Not because Lloyd might not care- he knew Lloyd always cared. But simply because well, trying to get anything back from Lloyd lately was so difficult.]

[But sure enough, right before Zelos was about to close up the locket, he hears his friend's voice. Which...makes him feel both relieved to hear his friend and fretful about bothering Lloyd at the same time. Even if he's gotten better about it, Chosens were never great at knowing what to do with offers to help]

[And so, he tries a more joking response.]

Ha-...not unless you've got some magical way to fast travel that you've forgot to mention to me too.

[LIKE FLORA. Jerk fairy]

Right now I've been trying to get her to rest a bit before she tries anymore magic.

[Doop doop. There will be packages and a card waiting outside Lloyd's bedroom. The card is green and red (emphasis on the red because Lloyd), with touches of gold, and of excellent quality.

Many of her letters have been written with a more formal tone--it's not hard to do, formal comes and is natural for her to be in a lot of ways, actually--but for Lloyd, she writes more casually. She doesn't think of it, it just feels very natural to do.]

Dear Lloyd,

Hey, there! I really hope you're doing well. Granted, it perhaps hasn't been too terribly long since we've last seen each other, but a few days can be a bit of a while when it's someone you like, and a lot can happen in a few days, especially in a place like this. So, I'm not certain if you have either Yule or Christmas--we don't where I'm from I've actually just come to learn about them recently myself--but I can't help but really like what Christmas seems to be about (even if it's only tangentially related to trees). But seeing the wonders of life, showing goodwill to others, and appreciating those in your life are all so important. There's a lot that I don't like about this place, and it's all rather complicated, but not all of it is bad and I think something like Christmas and Yule are all the more important for when things aren't going so well.

I wanted to thank you again, for fighting beside me on that day. I owe you so much. You're a great friend, a wonderfully brave, strong, and kind person, and I'm very happy and lucky to know and have you in my life. I hope you and Noishe enjoy the gifts. Don't be too mean to him, and please tell him I say "hello".

Sincerely,
Flora

[There's a written flower next to her name that will materialise into an actual one after he's finished reading the letter, because she's actual nerd like that.

For Lloyd: Dwarven-made smithy tools, a sword maintenance kit, and a note that there's been a line of credit opened for him at a steakhouse in the Cothromach.

For Noishe: There's a bag of little blue spheres. They're a little squishy, and there are instructions to break one over Noishe, step back, and wait three seconds whenever he needs a bath. It can be done anytime, any place, not just outside or in a bathroom. Once Lloyd does, Noishe will be covered in warm, relaxing, magical suds and bubbles that won't make a mess or get anything else wet. Then they'll pop and disappear away, leaving his fur very soft, shiny and healthy.

There's a huuuuge package of treats, with an explanation that they should be delicious as well as good for him, and will keep his teeth healthy.]

[ it's a little after he delivered his present to Flora that he finds his presents, and when it comes to looking like a kid at Christmas, boy does he look the part. when he shows up on the "feed", he has a wide smile, wider than any he's had on since in his arrival in the Drabwurld. Noishe is behind him, looking equally happy, and his coat is especially shiny. looks like they already used one of the spheres. ]

Flora! Flora, you there?

Lloyd! Hi! Yes, I am. I'm so glad to see you!

[Oh gosh, but that smile is just so terminally infectious, and Flora beams right back at him!]

[ did you know his smile can get even bigger? because it just did. ]

Same here, I'm so glad I caught you! Noishe and I got your presents!

Where did you even find this stuff?!

[Don't do that, it's just going to make her smile more too.]

Well, the tools, I bought. [They cost a bit. How much? Hella. Hella much, but she won't tell him that, obviously. And he's worth it, naturally.

She doesn't bother explaining the steakhouse thing, it seems self-explanatory.]

Everything else I made, myself.

[ nope too late. ]

You bought these? [ his attention is more focused on the dwarven tools. ] It's so hard to find these kinds of tools where I'm from...

[ his attention diverts between the tools, the cleaning kit, and the presents for Noishe, and he's at a loss for words. he also feels kind of cheap because all he got her was a homemade necklace and a small bouquet. ]

Flora, this is... this is incredible.

There're dwarves at the Cothromach. Elsewhere too, but it was easiest to get them there. Ah, well, I'm glad you like them! I hope they'll be useful to you.

[lloyd seems like a practical kinda dude!!!!]

But hey, I have your present, but I haven't opened it yet...would you mind if I did that, now?

[She sounds shyer than she should about it, honestly.]

Oh man... I must have missed them when I was there last time.

[ note to self: visit the Cothromach again.

but man, to think he told himself he didn't want to see another smithy for a long while; now he's itching to try these tools out. but that thought's foregone when Flora mentions his present to her. ]

Oh! Yeah, definitely, I don't mind at all. [ wow this is exciting! but it's also a bit nerve-wracking considering how much stuff she got him... ] It's probably not as great compared to yours...

Well, we were kinda busy with other things at the time. [You know, fighting and trying not to die and all that.] There's also Troichean Beinn, but I've not been there.

But hey, it's the thought that counts. I really appreciate that you took the time to get me something when you didn't have to. That's more than enough, so thank you, Lloyd.

[Which she means very genuinely, but everyone loves presents!! So she is carefully unwrapping and opening the box while being very excited.

When she opens it she gasps audibly with wide eyes, putting a hand to her mouth. She carefully lifts the necklace up to the feed like the precious gift it most certainly is.]

Lloyd it's...it's beautiful. Did you make this?

[ he hums in agreement, especially considering his memories of the Cothromach were... less than pleasant. thankfully it's doing better (as far as he knows), so he pushes that out of his mind in favor of watching Flora open her present. which is... a little more intimidating than he'd like.

at least her reaction was a nice one. it helps him to relax some. ]

...Yeah. I did.

[ he rubs the back of his neck, an embarrassed flush on his cheeks. well, she likes it! that's definitely a plus, though it's not his finest work. ]

It's kind of rushed since I was making something for another friend that was taking a while. It could probably look better, honestly.

[ no, it could definitely look better. ]

Stop that. It's lovely and I love it. It's very me. But! [She shuts her eyes, raises a finger and pauses for a long moment, because maybe watching Lloyd squirm is very cute to her. Then she opens an eye in a sort of reverse-wink.]

I'm not going to wear it until you put it on for me. Please.

Huh?

[ if this was supposed to be flirting, it went right over his head. sure, his cheeks are still a little pink from earlier flustering, but he's more surprised than anything.

he shrugs. ] Umm, okay. Sure. Come on by and I'll put it on.

[Wow, Lloyd. Who's flirting!!!

Anyway.]

Alright!

[Green-black sphere of light in your room, Lloyd, and boop, there she is.]

Hey! Hi, Noishe!

[If Noishe looks amenable, she is going to give him a big doggie hug and scratch his fur and basically love him for life, and in so doing, her plan's been revealed: she didn't want to see Lloyd at all.]

Whoa!

[ yeah, he's never going to get used to that. he jumps back, nearly knocking over his gifts from Flora as she materializes before him and... goes to town with Noishe.

Noishe meanwhile is having the time of his fucking life, wagging his tail and licking Flora's face. lady friend, he missed you!! ]

I guess Noishe liked your presents too...

Edited 2015-01-05 00:18 (UTC)

[You literally asked for her to come, bro.]

I'm so glad! [~~protozoan~~ Doggie kisses! She's just going to laugh as they happen.] Noishe, you get more and more handsome and cute every time I see you! Who's the best in the world? It's you! You are!♥

[Okay, but she manages to disengage. And stands straighter, brushing herself down and tidying herself up with a snap of her fingers!]

Hi, Lloyd! Happy holidays! [Hope you like hugs bro because you're getting one.]

[ okay he really can't help it, but Lloyd wrinkles his nose at that display because wow Flora could you be any more corny?

but that's forgotten the moment she hugs him because, well. it was unexpected. it actually stuns him but he recovers from it soon enough. he even moves to wrap his arms around Flora to return her hug. ]

Hey, Flora. Happy holidays to you too!

[ though he wonders why she said that instead of Yule or Christmas. maybe because they're two holidays that deal with the same traditions? ]

[She could be, don't test her, bruh.

She detaches herself naturally, but raises a hand to her mouth in mild self-consciousness.]

Oh gosh, I'm sorry, I hope that was okay.

[It was a little impulsive of her because she is honestly incredibly ecstatic. Today is such a good day! It's Christmas/Yule! Lloyd got her something amazing! So many good things are happening!!!]

[ he has no complaints when Flora breaks up the hug when she does, though he does give a small snort in response to her apology. boy, did that sound awfully familiar... ]

Don't be dumb. Of course it was okay!

[ Lloyd is totally okay with hugs, especially hugs from friends! he steps back, though, rubbing his neck for the 105364th time that day. ]

So, uhh... You have the necklace?

[Lloyd, you're going to rub the skin off through your collar!!]

Well, you never know. Some people don't like hugs. And, yes, I do! [It appears, floating and glittering with magic when she waves a hand, before she takes hold of it and offers it to him with a smile.]

Here.

Don't worry. I'm not one of those people.

[ he has shounen hero skin, Flora, it never rubs off.

Lloyd accepts the necklace when Flora offers it to him, holding it in his palm before moving to undo the hook binding the chain together. it embarrasses him a little to see his work before him again even after he claimed it wasn't exactly perfect, but he ignores it. she said she liked it, so it's fine.

holding both ends of the now detached chain, he turns back to Flora. ]

Hold still.

Good to know.

[Flora sweeps her incredibly considerable amounts of hair out of the way to make it easier.

And yes, Lloyd, stop that, it's great.]

Holding.

[ he's thankful for her extra assistance in getting the hair out of the way. chain in hand, Lloyd steps closer and leans forward. he moves his hands past her shoulders and around her neck, clasping the hook back together while being mindful of any baby hairs that could potentially snag. Flora might be able to note how quickly he puts it on, as though he'd done this before.

he lets the chain trail against his fingers for a second before letting it fall against her. ]

...Happy Yule, Flora.

[No problem, bro, she knows she's got a lot there. Once he's finished, she'll offer a kind thank you before moving to look at herself in his bedroom mirror, touching it with gentle sentimentality. It's so lovely on its own, but also for what it represents and she's grateful that someone would think her worthwhile.]

Happy Yule, Lloyd! You're a really great friend, you know that?

[ his smile falters for the briefest second-- it could be a moment Flora happened to notice or it could have gone right over her head. it depended on whether or not she blinked at that moment.

a great friend, huh...? he was thankful for his friends and he did everything he could to show that... but what he did to them before he arrived at the Drabwurld still left a sour taste in his mouth. does he really still deserve to be called a great friend even after what he did?

now he understands why Zelos likes to wear fake smiles. ]

Heh... You think so?

IC INBOX {eachdraidh}

10/2 ; Audio

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on the 25th. jesus, i hope this is okay

video;

video; wow his dumb face

video; his entire existence is dumb

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wow that is so gay

shut up it was the only icon i had that had the right expression

points and laughs

sHUT UP!!!!!!!

LAUGHS HARDER

8(!!!!!

your pain is delicious

now who's the rude one

im nice uwu

leers at

u w u

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