18th Combo

[redcladidealist]

Who: Lloyd Irving and friends/visitors
Where: Zelda's house
When: Please specify the time of day! Any time of day from roughly 11:00 PM the night before and on is fair game.
Style: Whichever!
Status: Open to people with any sort of reason to visit Zelda's house

[Kratos hadn't given Lloyd much say in the matter, and frankly Lloyd hadn't been up to arguing at the time. Still bloody and traumatized from being kidnapped and tortured, he hadn't resisted when his father had brought him to the safest place he could think of, the house shared by Zelda, Zelos, and Dhaos, where he'd been cleaned up and settled into a bed.

But no matter how he closed his eyes, no matter how he tried bury himself under every blanket he had, he couldn't sleep. He couldn't sleep. Every time he tried, his mind snapped back to knives and needles and pain and a smile as Kvar laughed and ripped his Exsphere out and gray-green hands reached out to slaughter all his friends.

He wouldn't get any sleep that night, and anyone who came into his room before morning would find him sobbing brokenly. Later in the day, it would be easier to talk, but it would still be rough. Nightmares have a way of lurking in shadows even when you're awake.]

Comments

[blessedbyfarore]

Nope! I got left in the forest when I was a baby, so I guess no one really knew. Zelda said it was the seventh of June.

[redcladidealist]

[He'd had no idea how much like him Link was.]

I was found in the forest, too. I was only three, so I couldn't remember when my birthday was. Dad and I picked September twentieth.

[Four days and what felt like a lifetime ago.]

[blessedbyfarore]

[Hurrah for shared experiences? Link quirks a quick smile - it's nice not having someone utterly confused at his lack of a solid birthday.]

[But September twentieth...]

That was a few days ago, right? Happy birthday.

[redcladidealist]

Thanks.

[He rubs the back of his neck.]

I guess I kind of missed it with, you know, everything. I was going to have a party or something, but...

[But it's hard to think about partying when your mind is having a hard time pulling itself away from memories of torture and pain.

Lloyd eventually shrugs.]

I guess it's a little late now anyway.

[blessedbyfarore]

You can have a late one, can't you? And have all your friends over and do nice things. [Link tries to give him an encouraging smile, although it does twist into something more sympathetic.]

Sometimes it can be nice doing something fun after something bad, so you don't think about it as much.

[redcladidealist]

[It would be nice, to do something fun.

But he doesn't feel ready yet. Only he doesn't know how to put that into words, how to admit that he's still cringing at every sound he can hear in the house - and his hearing is so much better now. It's hard not to cover his hands with his ears.

Still, Link is trying to help him feel better. That's enough to make him smile, if only a little bit.]

Maybe... maybe in a few days. Once I'm feeling better.

[A slight pause.]

If I have a party, do you want to come?

[blessedbyfarore]

[Yeah, that's an all-out grin Link gives him in return.] Sure! I can get food and everything.

[redcladidealist]

You don't have to do that, just... whatever you want to bring.

[It's still a good feeling to see someone else be excited. Not quite the same as being excited himself, but maybe he'll feel that more later on. It's enough, though, to make him look forward to this nebulous birthday party.]

I'll give you a call then, when I'm ready. Just not for a little while.

[blessedbyfarore]

Okay. [Quietly, though, Link is already determined to make sure Lloyd has a good time.] I won't be far, though, Zelda wants me to stay here for a while.

[redcladidealist]

I'll... probably stay here for a while, too.

[It's not something he wants to admit out loud, but he feels safer here with so many people around. It makes it easier to give himself explanations for all the sounds he's become hyper-aware of. It's easier to chalk up that bump in the night to Zelda or Link moving around, and not a nightmare come to life.]

Thanks again for the milk.

[Maybe he'll finish it later.]

[blessedbyfarore]

It's kinda nice here, huh? [Link straightens up a little, giving Lloyd another smile.] I should be nearby, so call me if you want anything else, okay?

[redcladidealist]

Okay.

[He sets the milk on the night stand next to his bed, then lifts his hand in farewell. Then he pulls the blankets back up around himself. Not because he's tired, but just because it feels good to be wrapped up safe and tight.]

[blessedbyfarore]

I hope you feel better.

[Link raises a hand in return, then turns to depart. Hopefully, Lloyd can find some measure of peace]