(no subject)

[tetraslash]

[As night falls and Lloyd finishes wandering around the streets of Meltokio (man, that city is a lot bigger than he imagined, though not quite as big as Welgaia, and definitely livelier and louder and full of more people who appreciate food - just because angels don't need it doesn't mean he can't enjoy it! - and just all around more fun), he almost flies back to Zelos' mansion before remembering that it's probably a bad idea to do that.

While he promised that he wouldn't get too distracted, he can't help it. Everything's just more colorful down here and it's been so long since he's been able to dabble in the little things. It doesn't mean that he's forgotten what he needs to do down here; if he can navigate this world and figure out a way to prevent Zelos from completing his transformation, he should be set. Right?

The angel exchanges small talk with Sheena when he arrives. While she doesn't seem too happy to be accompanying the oh so popular Chosen, he can pick up genuine concern from her. He dodges all the questions about his origins with his usual grace (in other words, close to none) and bids her goodnight.

The little one wishes him goodnight when he passes and leaves it at that.

Lloyd appreciates the room he's given, but decides to spend the evening on the balcony, waiting for the Chosen to come home. He sits on the railing, letting night cloak him as he watches the courtyard.]

Comments

[tetraslash]

I'm all for that! [He settles down to sit, crossing his legs.] Who's cooking?

[meltokio]

Doesn't matter to me. [ which

is apparently volunteering. So he starts with a weary sigh. ] Man...

[tetraslash]

I'm sure it'll taste great! [Just settles onto his hands, waiting with a grin on his face.]

[meltokio]

[ Reluctant or not, he puts 110 percent into the meal. It's enough to feed everyone and he's pretty tired once it's all done, not that he shows it. ]

Come and get it!

[tetraslash]

[Lloyd eats with his usual enthusiasm, and so does the little creature. It's very good, and pretty spicy for curry!

However, the gnomelette doesn't fully understand what spicy means. It devours its meal and allows them to pass.]

It's good! But kind of a waste to feed to that thing.

[meltokio]

It's no big deal. I wasn't even trying.

[tetraslash]

Right. I could see you sweating even from where I was sitting.

[meltokio]

[ He grins, maybe a little embarrassed. ]

Hey, at least the way is open. Let's go on and get this over with.

i'm off to bed now o/ night!

[tetraslash]

Hehe. Yeah!

[They continue on, using the sorcerer's ring when necessary.

As they approach the platform in the heart of the temple, Lloyd feels that urge to fidget return to him. While the last temple was minor, just Zelos' Cruxis Crystal, this one would activate his angel powers. Yet another sign that the clock was ticking and he hadn't done anything to stop it.]

g'night!

[meltokio]

[ He's nervous. Despite herself, Sheena is excited - lamenting that she'd missed the first one. She doesn't know, he doesn't really want to tell her. She's a screaming banshee but...

But he'd rather not have people walking on eggshells around him.

He uncurls his fist and takes a breath. The monster goes down without much fuss and he ascends the stairs, kneeling to pray. Remiel appears, the speech goes on.

And then it...

It burns.

It's fire in his veins, starting at the crystal and spreading outward. It's a stunning amount of pain that extends past his body. The wings unfurl, blindly orange and glowing, fanned out far behind him. ]

[tetraslash]

[As Sheena gasps, Lloyd frowns, watching the first stage of the transformation take place. He can barely remember what it was like to use your wings for the first time. It's not very pleasant as far as he knows.

The exhaustion will settle in soon. Lloyd takes a few steps closer to Zelos, just in case.]

They look really cool. [He cracks a grin.] Does that mean you can fly now?

[meltokio]

Wings and flying usually go hand in hand. [ he gives it a shot, though, concentrating and managing a few inches off the ground. Sheena applauds, Presea just watches critically, and he lands easily enough.

Woo. He's tired.

They make their way out of the temple. The hunger he'd been feeling gives way to... nothing. By the time they reach the temple steps, he's not too sure how he's standing. And then quite abruptly, he isn't. His legs just buckle underneath him and down he goes. ]

[tetraslash]

[The flying locks of red hair give away Zelos' collapse before anything else does. Immediately after the Chosen falls, Lloyd is at his side, attempting to loop his arms around Zelos' shoulders and lower back.]

Are you alright? Can you hear me?

[meltokio]

Ngh. [ He feels awful. The Chosen lifts his head, focusing blurry vision. ] Took more out of me than I thought... Seriously not cool. [ He tries to push himself up without help, but just doesn't have the energy for that and flops back against Lloyd. ]

[tetraslash]

It's a pretty tiring process-- [Not that he should be saying that, or that anyone's listening. Sheena bends to help him, and they both lift Zelos onto his feet.]

Can you stay with us until we get to an inn?

[meltokio]

I can try. [ Meltokio's pretty far from here, and all the monsters lurking around don't make the journey seem any more pleasant. ]

[tetraslash]

[Lloyd is terribly tempted to just fly him there, but it's too soon.] Alright, that's fine. If you can't stay awake anymore, I'll carry you.

[Since Presea is too short to support Zelos, she covers their backs as they make their slow crawl back to the city.]

[meltokio]

[ He makes it. Somehow. Exhausted and sweaty as he is once they reach the Meltokio gates. ] Aw man... Still all those stairs...

[tetraslash]

I can still carry you, if you want.

[meltokio]

[ ugh... ] Go ahead.

[tetraslash]

Okay!

[He lifts Zelos into his arms with a quiet grunt, adjusts his weight accordingly, then begins a steady ascent up the stairs.]

Since we're in Meltokio, I guess we'll just head back to your place?

[meltokio]

Mi casa es su casa.

[tetraslash]

What? Is that a different language?

[He heads for the mansion anyway.]

[meltokio]

Yes, Lloyd. [ ugh. He's so wasted. That long trip didn't help anything.

Definitely going to be nodding off on the way up. ]

[tetraslash]

[While he's not sure if he was expecting anything more from the Chosen, he's not surprised when Zelos starts to doze off.

Going up the stairs requires him to adjust Zelos' position in his arms, but generally he tries not to prod him too much. Sheena hovers nervously nearby and he joins her in her confusion.

Sebastian offers to take the redhead when Lloyd appears on his doorstep, but he just asks for directions to his room. The angel places Zelos on his bed with care, then moves to his balcony to wait.]