vatheon | 14th Combo

Entry tags:

14th Combo

Who: Lloyd, Zelos, and later maybe Angelo?
Where: Lloyd's apartment
When: Backdated to after this.
Style: [action] for speed
Status: Closed.

[Consciousness comes slowly and sluggishesly to Lloyd when the light filtering in through his blinds finally registers through his closed eyes. Groaning, he rolls over, trying to go back to sleep. He succeeds for a while...

...and never notices when Kratos slips out of the room.

Eventually, though, he can't ignore his body's demands. The pounding in his head only makes it even worse when he staggers out of bed. He feels like he crashed a Rheaird again, only this time he was under it when it happened. Ugh, what happened?

And why did the bathroom have to be downstairs?

He presses the heals of his palms to his temples, trying to alleviate the spikes of pain in his head. It takes way too long to stumble down the stairs, and he's never wished more than now that the stairs had rails to lean on.

By the time he reaches the bathroom to empty his bladder, though, he almost wishes he'd just fallen and broken his neck. The light of the noon sun coming in from the wide windows hurts. Lloyd groans again. Someone just knock me out.]

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[Zelos just lets himself into the apartment careful not to swing the bag of ingredients too much. Don't want to spill! He goes to set things up in the kitchen before even announcing himself. Tomato juice (with the label ripped off so Lloyd doesn't go running upon seeing the bottle), lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and a stalk of celery. Once everything's up on the counter along with three glasses (one for the virgin bloody mary and the other two full of water), Zelos goes to take a look around for Lloyd.]

Hey Bud? Where are ya?

[When did Zelos- You know what? He doesn't care. He flushes the toilet, wincing at the noise, then stumbles back out of the bathroom.]

'M right here.

[Ugh, even his own voice seems loud.]

What're you doing here, Zelos?

Told you I'd be over in just a bit! I brought something to make you feel better too, c'mon.

[He vanishes back into the kitchen and pours full one of the empty water glasses.]

First you gotta get rehydrated so drink this while I make the other thing.

[He forces the water into Lloyd's hand before turning back to his spread on the counter and starting to pour the liquid ingredients into a glass.]

[With a groan, he sinks onto the couch, glass in hand, and he stares at the liquid as he tries to get his mind to work. Water... Why does a glass of water seem important somehow? Like Zelos wasn't the first person to tell him he needed to drink some water if he didn't want to feel like crap.

He feel like questioning what "rehydrate" meant. He just lifts the glass and drinks.]

If you have a cure for this, I'll take back every bad thing I've ever said about you. What is it? A panacea?

Nah, the Nook was out again. It's something else. You might wanna hold your nose when you drink it though. And you gotta drink it all in one go, got it? Even if it tastes gross. You know how medicine is.

[Hopefully he can get Lloyd to drink the virgin bloody mary and then down another glass of water to wash out the taste. He knows his bud hates tomatoes but this is the only thing he knows of to make a hangover less terrible.]

What even possessed you to drink that much, anyway?

[Doesn't feel like questioning what "rehydrate" meant. ~~I can has good grammar.~~

Lloyd wrinkles his nose at the promise that this is going to taste bad, but that makes sense if this is medicine. He nods, drinking from the glass.

His mind still isn't up to full speed, though, and he misinterprets what Zelos just asked.]

Gotta drink a lot of water. I... someone... [The memory is there. He gropes for it. Someone had told him he needed to drink lots of water. Someone who'd held hom, who felt... warm. It wasn't Dirk, but he felt safe like Dirk. Not Dad, but...]

...daddy...?

[He mumbles the word before his brain catches up, catching him off guard. Wait, why did that word come out of his mouth? Daddy was always a word reserved for his father, a little boy's way differentiating between his adoptive dad and his first dad. He hadn't used that word since he'd given up on seeing his father again, contenting himself with having one dad...

Daddy...

Father...

Kratos. The memories start coming back. Kratos had been there last night. Lloyd slumps forward, resting his head against his glass, and another groan slips out, though for a completely different reason.]

Oh man...

Edited 2012-08-14 00:37 (UTC)

[Daddy. Well then. It scares him for a second into thinking Lloyd had just used that word to refer to him but that, frankly, is completely ridiculous and he forces the stupid thought out of his head. He'd known Kratos took care of it, but not exactly what had happened, and obviously the seraph hadn't made Lloyd drink enough water or he wouldn't have been quite so bad off this morning. Jerk.]

Don't worry about that jackass. Here, hold your nose and down the hatch.

[He brings over a glass of something red with a celery stalk sticking out of it and another glass of water in his other hand.]

Just drink it all in one go so you don't really have to taste it.

[Daddy. He'd called Kratos daddy, and he'd curled up against the man. He'd thrown up in front of him, had had to have Kratos walk him up the stairs like a toddler! If Lloyd could die of embarrassment right now, he'd probably do it and be glad. As it is, he can only be grateful when Zelos hands him a distraction.

Medicine. Right, medicine. He takes a breath and starts drinking without question-

-and two swallows later he's spitting it out, spluttering and coughing. All thoughts of Kratos are gone from his mind.]

Ugh! What is this stuff?! It tastes like it's got tomatoes!

Edited 2012-08-14 01:03 (UTC)

[Cue Zelos, covered in spit out tomato juice. Crap, this is never coming out of his jacket...]

It does but it'll make you feel better! Geeze Lloyd, it's not like I'm trying to poison you!

[~~Again~~]

[~~Yet. At least from Lloyd's perspective.~~

Lloyd shoots him a look that could melt steel, despite his bloodshot eyes.]

It's tomato juice! How's that supposed to make me feel better?!

[Nope, not a single ounce of remore for spitting tomato juice on him.]

Medicine is always made of stuff you don't like. It's like a rule!

[He's just gonna go trot back in the kitchen and try to get this out of his clothes before it sets. White pants Lloyd, WHITE PANTS.

As such he's not feeling terribly charitable anymore.]

What was all that whining about "daddy" anyway?

Edited 2012-08-14 02:11 (UTC)

Tomato juice isn't medicine!

[Ugh, he wouldn't be surprised if he's sick again after this. And Zelos should have known better than to stand in front of him after giving him something like that.

Shuddering at the taste that still lingers in his mouth, he takes the other glass of water and starts downing it.]

I wasn't whining. [He is so tempted to bang his head on the table, but his head hurts enough already. He just settles for hunching his shoulders and scowling.] Ugh, I just... I feel like an idiot now.

[There's a long pause as Zelos attempts to scrub at his coat and pants in the kitchen sink with a sponge full of vinegar. (Yes Lloyd, Zelos is standing in his tank top and underwear in your kitchen. No shame.) At least it's helping.]

Drinking'll do that.

[Granted Zelos had long used it as an excuse to be an idiot, as if he needs an excuse, but who's keeping track?]

I wasn't drinking. I'm not supposed to. I just had these rainbow drinks last night that were made from juice and gin.

[Said with the straight face of someone who doesn't realize that gin is alcohol.]

Dammit, Zelos, do you have to do that in my kitchen? I have a roommate, you know.

...Lloyd, Gin is alcohol. And yes I do! I can't let the stains set or I'll never get it out!

[As for your roommate, there are definitely going to be words had in that department...]

Angelo gave you the booze, right?

What? It is?

[A startled look crosses Lloyd's face.]

I just thought it looked cool! I told Angelo to get me one. I didn't realize-

Oh man, no wonder I feel like crap.

Yeah, no wonder.

[He snorts. Seriously how can you live with a Dwarf and not know all kinds of things about alcohol?]

How much do you even know about this Angelo guy, anyway?

[He lived with a dwarf in one of the most remote, backwater places in his world. A variety of alcohol wasn't easy to come by. Lloyd only knows about some of the basics.

Lloyd rubs his temples, trying to get his headache to go away.]

I met him a month or so ago. He's the brother of someone else I know, and he needed a place to stay. It was just going to be for a few days, but we kind of just got used to it. Why?

Trying to get a read on him. I mean, I talked to him for the club, but I didn't take much from the interview other than he's charismatic and not a crazy psycho murderer or something.

[Zelos pauses in his scrubbing to bring Lloyd another glass of water, completely unabashed at wearing only his tank top and skivvies.]

Don't worry about him, Zelos. He's a pretty good guy. He kind of reminds me of you, only a little more quiet and serious. Well, sort of. He still likes to have fun, too.

[He might have said more in his new friend's defense, but his head is pounding. He takes the water gratefully and starts drinking it. Pounding headache or not, though...]

Come on, Zelos, can't you put something on? I can loan you a pair of pants.

[The second the words "reminds me of you" are out of Lloyd's mouth, Zelos' opinion of Angelo drops dramatically. If that's what started that friendship then Lloyd may very well need protection from this guy.

The Chosen doesn't let on though, instead rolling his eyes theatrically.]

Alright, alright! Not sure I can fit in your pants though, Bud. You're a bit smaller than I am.

[Zelos has about twenty pounds and two inches on Lloyd, after all.]

[Whoops, sorry about that, Angelo. And here Lloyd was thinking the comparison was favorable.]

I bet you could fit the pants Dad made for me. I think he kept expecting me to put on a little more weight, so he made the waist a little loose. Hey, you might not even need the suspenders to keep them up.

[The suspenders aren't just decorative!]

Come on, it's got to be better getting in my pants than walking around like that.

Edited 2012-08-22 20:38 (UTC)

[Angelo having been up for a while eventually got bored of sitting in his room even after having a nice but short relaxing shower, not to mention he now was hungry. He also had been hearing voices from the kitchen for a while and decided to get up to hear what the commotion was about. At the moment he opens his door quietly enough, he had heard Lloyd and what sounded like his boss Zelos talking about him. Every word that had been spoken was heard by his ears, so he at last makes his presence known by walking into the kitchen where they two are. Though thankfully he's fully dressed in his casual white shirt and red pants, but he forgot to tie his hair up.]

Oh hello Lloyd and Mister Zelos, I didn't know you two were here. I was taking a shower, so I suppose the running water drowned out your voices.

[That pun was bad and you should feel bad.

Despite what it looks like, Zelos keeps his cool. In fact, the undercurrent rolling off him is downright frosty, though his usual chipper smirk remains in place.]

Thanks Lloyd. Why don't you go grab those?

[He and Angelo might need to have a little chat...]

[Lloyd doesn't catch the frosty undercurrent coming from Zelos at all. Sure he sees the smirk, but he just figures that that's just Zelos disagreeing with his taste in clothes yet again but realizing he has no choice. Oh well, it's not like Zelos will have to wear them for very long anyway. Just until he gets back to his own apartment.]

Okay, just hang on a minute while I go find them. I'll be right back.

[He gets up, leaving his glass behind, and heads out of the kitchen. It might take him a few minutes to get back, though, because his head is killing him and his room is a mess.]

[He pours himself a glass of wine before sitting down at the kitchen table, quietly sipping his wine without saying a single word. Savoring the moment and the wine were all he wanted to do right now.]

[Wine? In the morning? After you got his best friend drunk and he almost fell off a roof? You're really not winning yourself any points here, Angelo.

Zelos makes sure Lloyd is out of earshot before speaking.]

So we didn't get to talk near enough in your interview. What did you say you used to do for a living?

[Well Angelo had a bit of a feeling this was coming, kind of. But he decides to answer slightly truthfully since he'd rather not lose the job he earned.]

I was a member of the church and apart of their religious order of holy knights. I thought I mentioned this during the interview.

Indulge me, I interview a lot of people.

[Church man, huh? That doesn't really win him any points here.]

Y'know the club serves alcohol but we've got a pretty strict policy not to give it to minors. You do know how old that is, yeah? And besides that...

[Zelos crosses his legs and arms, leaning against the kitchen counter.]

Lloyd and I go way back, so y'know, I worry. He's pretty oblivious sometimes so if anything were to happen to him... Well.

[He leans forward to make his point.]

You will help make sure nothing happens to him, right?

[There's an implied threat behind his question, promising consequences if Angelo's answer isn't exactly what he wants to hear.]

[Angelo sets his wine glass down on the table and stares back at Zelos. He can tell very well there's an implied threat behind that, his tone of voice makes it very clear. He's heard things like this before back home from people he's dealt with or others in the church order. Usually he'd be protesting or ignoring his duty, but even he could see there was serious consequences behind ignoring this.]

Of course, I even had a few ideas for him and I do activities together. Shop for clothes, furniture, maybe go out for lunch. Relatively harmless things, I assure you.

[Zelos can tell his warning's hit home. Honestly the guy's manner is so similar to his own that even he can see it and it worries him to no end. Even if Angelo's gotten the message, Zelos is still going to keep an eye on the situation as it develops.]

Sounds like fun! Lloyd does need something other than red in his wardrobe if you ask me~

[Angelo feels as if he is staring at someone with a personality very close to his own and it troubles him. The templar never even realized before this how close him and Zelos were in terms of personalities. They most certainly had their differences, yet even he could see the similarities.]

You seem to be more aware of Lloyd's tastes, perhaps I may have some suggestions of what he would wear?

[Angelo's not the only one who's noticed the similarities and Zelos doesn't like it, not one bit.]

He's got a pretty terrible sense of fashion so just go with the opposite of whatever he tries to get.

[This isn't strictly true, though.. well, Lloyd does have a terrible sense of fashion, but Zelos can't help but attempt to sabotage this at least a little. Or a lot. Damnit Angelo, you're not a good influence.]

[Even he can tell what Zelos' motives are, since his words are something he'd say similar himself. Though with a small grin, he acts as if he takes heed of Zelos' "advice" and decides to do it.]

I see, thank you for the advice. I'm sure this will help me out tremendously.

[Yeah he doesn't think Angelo's going for it. Oh well, he tried.]

No sweat. Like I said, Lloyd's my best bud so I gotta keep his best interests at heart, y'know?

[Don't you forget it.]

[He's much intelligent than Zelos gives him credit for, as he's able to read other people's motives and deals.]

Yes, I'm very aware of that. I will do the same from now on.

[Their talk and those words are ones he'll never forget.]

[Completely oblivious to the conversation the two had had without him, Lloyd comes back into the kitchen, a black pair of pants in his hand, slightly rumpled as though they hadn't been folded quiet properly before being stuffed in a drawer. In his other, he's holding a pair of suspenders.]

Okay, Zelos, here you go. I brought some suspenders, too, just in case. Go ahead, try them on.

[He holds them out to the redhead.]

Suspenders?!

[Yes that was an epic whine. He can't be seen in suspenders! Still, he takes the pants and pulls them on. Luckily with his wider build he doesn't need the suspenders, though the pats do sag slightly to sit on his hips instead of at his waist.]

Well it'll work until I get home. Thanks Bud~♥

[He hears the epic whine and it makes a ringing noise in his ears, while also reminding him of a someone from home. A prince he once knew that complained and whined about everything, but he doesn't speak word and only watches the two talking.]

Hey, I said they were just in case.

[Lloyd rubs his temples. Zelos's whine makes his head hurt.]

You're welcome. Just... can you keep your voice down?

[He glances toward the stairs. He is so strongly tempted to go back to sleep.]

So mean, Lloyd! Telling me to shut up.

[Of course now he's just being annoying for its own sake, and maybe it'll get Lloyd to think twice before he drinks strange concoctions offered to him by shady gamblers.]

[Angelo is laughing to himself from where he's sitting, still watching the two in silence. He wants so badly to chime in, but it's been more amusing to watch them.]

[Look who's talking about being mean. Lloyd winces, head pounding again. He tries pressing the heels of his hands to his head.]

Ugh, I just don't want you being so loud. Can't you just be happy you're in my pants? I could have left you standing half naked, you know.

[Brain-to-mouth filter is shot.]

[Pfff. Lloyd. Lloyd please.]

True~ But then you'd be stuck with half naked me in your kitchen~ And it's totally your fault anyway! I was just trying to help. So cruel Lloyd, so cruel~

[He may or may not be having fun teasing you, whoops.]

[Yeah Angelo's just laughing right now, mostly to himself because really this is too much for him. These two are pure comedy gold.]

Just trying to help kill me, you mean.

[Okay, he's being overdramatic. Tomatoes aren't ~~quite~~ that bad. But he's really not feeling charitable right now. Loaning Zelos his pants is about as much as he can manage this morning.]

Do me a favor next time and just stab me instead. Then you can save your pants and my mouth.

[Right, he's had enough of being coherent.]

I'm going back to bed.

[Pff, oh honestly! Still, baby's first hangover can't be pleasant so he'll cut Lloyd a little slack.]

Alright, alright, go on, but make sure to drink plenty of water when you get up again. That'll make you feel better, even if you won't drink the tomato juice.

[He gathers his martyred pants and folds them over one arm.]

I'll get out of your hair. I still expect to see you at work later though, Angelo!

[He shoots a glance at Lloyd's roommate, wordlessly reaffirming everything in their previous, private conversation with cold eyes even as a grin stays plastered on his face.]

Take care you two.

[He can tell Zelos' emotions even with that smile plastered on his face, those cold eyes are very noticeable. But he's going to just act like it doesn't bother him, because it doesn't.]

Yes sir, I'll be in at the same time tomorrow.

[Lloyd grouses again about that tomato juice, but more to himself than to either of them. But he's intent on bed, so he just lifts a hand.]

Okay, see you later, Zelos.

[And with that he heads off to go stuff his head under a pillow.]

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14th Combo

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Angelo can come in any time I think

Yuss, Angelo can come in right now. >3

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Lloyd can come back at any point I think

Okay!

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I'm pretty done here, what about you guys?

Same here!

Aaand end thread! /o/