That's not fair, Lloyd. Echoing a statement from their childhood days like that? That's deliberate, Zelos knows. And he hates how much it works on him, too, how the grin and his words reflect a time of confidence and trust well enough for all the whispers in Zelos' mind to quiet down for a moment, making way for the tell-tale sounds of night passing around them instead.
God... damn it, Lloyd.
Zelos takes a deep breath and holds it for a few seconds. Fine, then. Fine.
Without another word he takes Lloyd's hand in his and nods.
Truthfully, it's all kind of a dream-like blur for Zelos from there on, guided as he is by Lloyd's determined pull. They open the trapdoor and cross the threshold between the manor and the outside world, and somehow the air feels colder and fresher out here than it ever did before. Distracted as he is, Zelos' mind wanders to the scenery around: the moonlight washing down from above in small doses for its current phase, with stars glinting and titillating, the grass crunching delightfully under two pairs of boots. An early spring breeze that gently plays with Zelos' hair, making him shiver.
Protected by the darkness of night they get to finding the supplies Lloyd packed. Zelos digs into his and puts on the cloak for safety, and meanwhile, Lloyd finishes up with last minute checks. As he does so, Lord Wilder takes the time to spare one last look back to the manor's walls. The weight of his own pack and his personal bag, the sight of the building under the spare moonlight, the chill air in his lungs--it paints a picture in Zelos' eyes like straight out of a dream, something surreal in its connection with reality. Because it's... strange, looking at it from the other side again. He hadn't expected to do so ever again since the first time Lloyd left.
Well. This is it, isn't it? It's the beginning of the road ahead, and the end of Lord Wilder and the younger Sir Aurion. They're just Zelos and Lloyd now, once more.
It continues to dawn on Zelos how Lloyd planned this as a trip for two, how this, this is a choice neither can back down from anymore.
Oh, boy.
Zelos only takes his eyes off the manor when Lloyd calls out his name, bringing him back to the moment at hand. The disconnect between his mind and body is still intense, but Lloyd's worry and urgency is a good enough anchor for Zelos not to lose himself in it. Instinctively, then, Zelos offers him a cocky smile and takes his hand. "Let's get going," he says. Maybe his voice feels distant, but at least it's steady.
Thread title change to reflect the current plot
God... damn it, Lloyd.
Zelos takes a deep breath and holds it for a few seconds. Fine, then. Fine.
Without another word he takes Lloyd's hand in his and nods.
Truthfully, it's all kind of a dream-like blur for Zelos from there on, guided as he is by Lloyd's determined pull. They open the trapdoor and cross the threshold between the manor and the outside world, and somehow the air feels colder and fresher out here than it ever did before. Distracted as he is, Zelos' mind wanders to the scenery around: the moonlight washing down from above in small doses for its current phase, with stars glinting and titillating, the grass crunching delightfully under two pairs of boots. An early spring breeze that gently plays with Zelos' hair, making him shiver.
Protected by the darkness of night they get to finding the supplies Lloyd packed. Zelos digs into his and puts on the cloak for safety, and meanwhile, Lloyd finishes up with last minute checks. As he does so, Lord Wilder takes the time to spare one last look back to the manor's walls. The weight of his own pack and his personal bag, the sight of the building under the spare moonlight, the chill air in his lungs--it paints a picture in Zelos' eyes like straight out of a dream, something surreal in its connection with reality. Because it's... strange, looking at it from the other side again. He hadn't expected to do so ever again since the first time Lloyd left.
Well. This is it, isn't it? It's the beginning of the road ahead, and the end of Lord Wilder and the younger Sir Aurion. They're just Zelos and Lloyd now, once more.
It continues to dawn on Zelos how Lloyd planned this as a trip for two, how this, this is a choice neither can back down from anymore.
Oh, boy.
Zelos only takes his eyes off the manor when Lloyd calls out his name, bringing him back to the moment at hand. The disconnect between his mind and body is still intense, but Lloyd's worry and urgency is a good enough anchor for Zelos not to lose himself in it. Instinctively, then, Zelos offers him a cocky smile and takes his hand. "Let's get going," he says. Maybe his voice feels distant, but at least it's steady.
And hand in hand they run off to the south.