29th Combo

[redcladidealist]

Who: Lloyd Irving and anyone
Where: Starts off en route to the elevator, then continues up on the island
When: Morning, Noon, and Afternoon (please specify)
Style: I'll match!
Status: Open!

Warnings: Anyone who tags into the Afternoon runs the risk of being accidentally targeted by a powerful but miscast spell. If you want your character injured, go right ahead! o/ Just please, no character death.

Morning

[Today's the day! Excitement bubbles up inside Lloyd as he hauls his first load of materials in the direction of the elevator. Ugh, it's heavy, even with the boost of angelic strength his awakened Exsphere gives him, but he doesn't want to make any more trips than he has to. He wants to start working on his boat now! For over a year now, he's been working on plans and collecting the materials and making the pieces he needs and how he's finally at a point where he can begin construction and he just doesn't want to wait anymore.]

Nnngh. Dammit, Presea made this look so easy!

[Granted, Presea had been dragging just one tree, not trying to balance tools and lumber and a sackful of plans and random parts, but still! It's not like he's carrying that much!]

Come on, just... a little... farther...

[Clang!]

Dammit!

[There went the bag with his tools.]

Noon

[With nothing but crumbs remaining of his lunch, Lloyd stands back up and stretches. He... probably ought to get back to work on his boat, but... Man, it sure is discouraging to look at his boat, to think how much time he's spent on it so far, and to realize how much farther there is to go. So much work for what feels like so little progress. His enthusiasm from this morning has waned significantly over the past few hours. It's a nice day, too, cool and cloudy overhead. Maybe... Maybe just a little break. A light breeze ruffles his hair, almost beckoning him.

Well, why not? It's been a while since I practiced. Long enough for the memory of embarrassment and frustration to have faded. Besides, he did need to practice. Who knew when he might need to be able to do this on command?

Even concentrating hard, though, it takes him a minute to get his wings to extend, wispy, ephemeral feathers made of blue-green light spreading out behind him.

Okay, I can do this.

His wings spread and flap once, twice, and- Yes! He was off the ground and in the air, and this time there aren't any trees around to crash into as soon as he takes off! Just opens skies and beaches and-]

Wh-whoa!

[His wings flap too strongly and he shoots off, askew and half-cocked, and as soon as he tries to brake-

How do you stop?!

-swooshplash! Right smack into a wave.

Gah!

Anyone passing by would now be treated to the sight of a soaking wet angel dragging himself out of the ocean, mana wings flapping awkwardly.]

Afternoon

[Once he was finished with his attempts at flying, Lloyd had worked on his boat some more. His attention span could only hold out for so long, though, before he's once again working only halfheartedly, his mind wandering to other interesting things.

He's an angel now. Has been for a few months now, technically. Yuan had said he could use magic, had warned him that he needed to learn to control it before he lost control of it, and he'd meant to practice, really, he had, but he didn't have the first clue what he was doing, and Kratos had disappeared before he could ask for lessons from him, and then he'd just never gotten around to asking Zelos or Colette. Then Zelos had disappeared, but now he was back, and there'd been that curse, and- And the list goes on for why he kept getting distracted.

The last thing we need is to have you destroy half the city because you don't understand what sort of power you're dealing with.

Lloyd winces at the memory of Yuan's stern warning. The fact that he'd probably been exaggerating didn't really help all that much. Who knew what might happen if he didn't get a handle on this?

Besides, maybe he could do something cool! Cheered by the thought, he moves well away from his would-be boat, then starts gathering and focusing all the mana he can. Only one way to find out what he can do!]

Comments

Morning!

[replicatedcourage]

Woah!

[Sola rushes over and manages to make a diving catch of the tool bag, as much as it hurts his arms to do so.]

You can't carry all this by yourself. Do you want some help?

[Wincing, Sola gets to his feet, still holding the fairly heavy bag.]

[redcladidealist]

[Good thing Sola dived when he did, because Lloyd had nearly acted on instinct to try to grab the falling bag himself. As it is, he has to struggle to keep hold of what he has, nearly dropping it, before he can answer Sola back.]

Whoa, hey, thanks. Um, Sola, right?

[They haven't talked much, or recently, but he's pretty sure that's the other boy's name. Sola's appearance is pretty distinctive, even in Vatheon!]

Oh, man, that'd be great. I mean, you don't have to. I think I can manage myself, but...

[But he really did bite off more than he can chew. He'd appreciate the help!]

[replicatedcourage]

Yeah, and you're Lloyd.

[He's pretty good at remembering names and faces.]

I don't think you can manage by yourself at all.

[Here, let him help you. Sola puts the bag down and takes a weird green card from his hat. Soon, he's put everything Lloyd's been carrying into the card, captchalogging from the smallest tool to the biggest piece of lumber.]

There, now we can carry it all up easy.

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd had been expecting the elf to grab some of his load. He hadn't been expecting for his entire load to disappear!]

Wow, how'd you do that? Is that a Wing Pack?

[If it is, it's the weirdest Wing Pack he's ever seen! Not that he's seen too many, but still!]

Noon \o/

[notchosenbychoice]

[For his first trip to the island, Zelos can easily say that he's not disappointed. Trying to stifle his laughter, he approaches the wet angel with a hand over his mouth.]

First time leaving the nest, bud?

[redcladidealist]

[Somehow, despite being made of mana, Lloyd's wings still manage to drip with water. This and his soaked clothes completely ruin any intimidation factor there might have been in the scowl Lloyd shoots Zelos's way.]

It's not my first time! I just haven't gotten the hang of it yet! I bet you didn't do any better when you first flew!

[Never mind that Colette seemed to have figured it out pretty fast, outside of her natural clumsiness.]

[notchosenbychoice]

You know I can fly? [He quirks a brow.] But I'll have you know, I was much more graceful when I first flew.

[It could be that his wings aren't as big as Lloyd's, so.]

[redcladidealist]

[Or maybe because Lloyd got his prematurely, before he was truly ready. Who knows?]

Well, yeah. [He sighs.] I guess you don't remember that, either.

[He flaps his wings, trying to dry them off - and if Zelos happens to get caught in the spray, well, that's just a bonus for him.]

How long have you had your wings?

Afternoon! Gonna Risk it for a Biscuit!

[booyaka_boom]

((So, injuring Selphie might be kinda fun. She might be able to finally put up a defense shield for herself or something. But I'm willing to have her put out of action, badly hurt, etc, etc. FOR LOLZ!))

*Selphie is making a very normal wander along the island. The nice new weather is refreshing, so she allowed herself to swing her arms, singing softly to herself, really not paying attention to much of anything around her as she goes*

[redcladidealist]

[Unfortunately, that's a problem, because Lloyd isn't paying attention to his surroundings either. All of his focus is on the mana building up. He's never studied magical theory, never really listened when Genis or Raine talked about it. Why should he? It hadn't been like he'd ever thought he could use magic. Now he really wishes he had, wishes he had some idea of what to do to make mana turn into a spell.

Come on, it can't be that hard. Genis could do this as a kid. Granted, Genis was Genis, but still. Lloyd's seventeen, almost eighteen now. That has to count for something, doesn't it?

Right. So. Maybe if he just... puts the mana in the air, then makes it crash into the ground? He closes his eyes, trying to visualize it. It's hard. He's used to using his own internal energy, manipulating it from there. Doing stuff outside himself is very, very different. His brow furrows with the effort, but... yes, he can feel it. Something's forming, something's-

Gah!

His concentration slips and the mana goes wild, blasting down in explosive streams of light before he can target anything or tone it down.]

[booyaka_boom]

*Further along the shore, Selphie had spotted the little boat before noticing Lloyd off in the distance. She had smiled to herself, remembering what they'd talked about before, not that he knew who she was, of course. But it would be nice to get to know him, so she hurries along, getting closer.

Selphie is just about to lift her arm to wave at him when she first noticed the shift in the air - there was magic somewhere. And as soon as she registers this it all comes crashing down around her. Being so caught off guard, it takes Selphie a moment or two before she can cast a shield spell. Not before she's been hit by light, collding with the right side of her body, badly burning the skin of her arm and her leg. Hurt like that, Selphie has to concentrate as best as she can to keep the shield up*

[redcladidealist]

[No, Lloyd wouldn't have recognized her, but that wouldn't have mattered if he'd realized she was there. He'd thought he was alone and away from anyone and anything he could damage if he managed to do something wrong. The moment he hears someone grunt in pain, the frustration he'd felt at losing control turns into alarm, then horror.]

What-? Who's-?!

[No no no, how do you stop a spell?! He doesn't know, and there isn't any time to figure it out! Without thinking, he throws himself straight into the blast radius.]

No, get out of there now!

Noon!

[clumsyblonde]

[They'd talked about flying before, right? Back when Lloyd was drunk.

She'd really meant to come up here just to look around but seeing Lloyd drag himself out of the ocean with his wings makes her want to fly too...So there's a burst of pink-purple light as she summons her own wings and flies over to him, giggling.]

Hey, Lloyd! Do you want to fly together? [Since he fell into the ocean.]

[redcladidealist]

[Colette, what did he do to deserve a friend like you? He is so grateful she isn't teasing him. He knows he probably looks like something half-drowned. She's smiling, though, so he manages a rueful smile back.]

Hey, Colette. I dunno, I'm not that good at it yet. I might crash into you.

[clumsyblonde]

That's fine! The only way to get better is to practice, right?

[And she might be able to help him learn if she flies with him. Explaining a reflex is hard, but explaining how it feels when you do it is a bit easier.]

And even if you do crash into me, I don't think it'll hurt that much.

[She's crashed into so many things on the ground after all. And she might be able to dodge.]

[redcladidealist]

Hurt who? Me or you?

[His tone is joking. They're both angels now. That means they're both pretty durable teens.]

If you're sure, though... Here goes.

[He spreads his wings, flapping them once to take off. Up he goes, and then he wobbles. Hurriedly, he flaps his wings again, trying to catch his balance - only how do you catch it when there's literally nothing to catch it on?]

morning

[martelapproves]

You can't be serious.

[ Seriously, what is he watching? Mithos shakes his head and sighs at the sight. Even as a Seraph, the highest rank of angel there is and arguably the final evolution of a Cruxis Crystal, that would be too much even for him. ]

Lloyd, I'm not even strong enough to carry that much all at once.

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd glances at Mithos, then grimaces when things start to slip from his hands again. Dammit, why did he pick now of all times to show up? Right when it looks the worst for him.]

Yeah, but come on, I'm older than you.

[Lloyd, think about what you just said.]

[martelapproves]

[ He's in stunned silence. How anyone can be this incomprehensibly clueless is beyond him. ]

Lloyd... you do know that people still call me an 'ancient hero,' right? Do you remember what 'ancient' means?

Afternoon, lol sob

[relinquishing]

[Guy had been more or less avoiding the newly returned Zelos for the time being, instead taking some free time to wander to the island and do what he always did for a close friend who he knew had vanished in some way or form - write a small note on a stone and set it in a special place.

Zelos was just a bit difficult. Having been asleep this whole time, Guy felt as if Zelos had only disappeared yesterday. For him to have returned already...

To say it hurt wasn't something he wanted to voice. But it certainly was confusing. His notes were for the Zelos he remembered. Not this new one.

It's only when he's satisfied with what he's written that he lets himself wander back down the island towards the beach. He only needs a glimpse of the start of that boat to grab his curiosity, and he hesitantly turns towards it. He doesn't see anyone around... who was building this? Had they just stepped away?]

[redcladidealist]

[The owner of the boat in progress had stepped away, far enough that he didn't think his boat would be in danger - but still within range of where Guy is walking, and he's not paying attention to who might be on the beach. He'd already scanned it once before he'd started and no one had been there at the time. Focusing hard, it doesn't occur to him that he should scan it a second time.

It starts off like the calm that comes before a storm. The air goes still, thickening with mana, until the air almost chokes with it. Lloyd can feel it, feel that he's doing something, but how does he get it to form and release? Condense it more until it... until it's like rain? So much water, so much mana in the air that it has to come pouring down?

Ugh, this is hard. He can already feel his concentration starting to slip. He needs to figure out what he's going to do, and fast. Even one distraction... Rain. Think of rain.]

[relinquishing]

[It only takes a few steps forward to see the familiar red jacket, and Guy visibly relaxes. Looks like Lloyd was working on a project of some sort, then. But right now... what in the world was he doing? It looked like meditation, but the amount of concentration across Lloyd's expression was a little alarming.

The blonde takes a step forward, brows raised.]

Lloyd? Hey, you alright?

Morning

[radiantwingedone]

[ Guess who is awake and wandering around? Duke! He looks tired, though. ]

...

[ Isn't that a bit heavy. ]

... I can lighten that for you.

[ And he doesn't mean by carrying things. ]

[redcladidealist]

[Despite the fact that Lloyd's struggling to keep hold of all his supplies, he looks askance at Duke. What Duke means and what Lloyd thinks he means are two very different things.]

Are you sure you should be carrying anything this heavy yet? You got pretty hurt, you know.

[radiantwingedone]

... Meant with magic. Can levitate some of it, if not most.

[ Does he look mildly embarrassed? Maybe. ]