004 - Dwarven Vow number 10: Play hard, play often.

[redcladidealist]

Who: Lloyd Irving and anyone
Where: The park by the pond in District 4
Summary: Lloyd, that's not how you're supposed to play on the playground equipment.
Warnings: None

Training by yourself was boring. Sure, he understood how important it was to stay in practice and keep himself in shape, but a guy could only hack at imaginary foes for so long, practicing the same footwork and sword maneuvers over and over, before it just got so dull it felt like his mind was glazing over. He very nearly called it quits. It was very tempting to tell himself that he could always come back and practice some more later on.

But then his attention happened to settle on a playground nearby. Swings, slides, seesaws, a jungle gym... Lloyd's eyes lit up with an idea. If training was boring...

...then do something different!

Within a few minutes, people passing by might see a teenage boy with twin swords in hand "practicing his footwork" on top of a jungle gym.

Comments

[4balls]

Yes, that looks about right. She is 152 cm tall. [ .. don't ask how he knows, it's probably for the best.. ] I only met her in this plae, but she explained quite a few things to me and was very helpful despite being fairly young.

I am glad to hear though that she has met more people here. I suppose she makes friends easily.

[redcladidealist]

[...yeah, he's not going to ask. Just marvel a little that this guy knows someone's exactly height just like that.]

Most of the people I've met here have been pretty nice. [Even the grumpier people, like Yuan, were at least tolerable enough.] But I guess if you needed people to hug each other so you could save your world, you'd want to pick nice people to help. I don't think anyone would have a hard time making friends here, if they tried.

[4balls]

[ Friends.. he can't help but smile a little at that word, even though it might look a little weird with how serious he's actually been all this time up until now. ]

It's true. Even I managed to make "friends" here.. the first ones I've had. [ Yasuho doesn't count. She's her own category. ] I'm very grateful for it.

[redcladidealist]

The first ones you've had that you remember. [Lloyd's not going to let a statement like that go uncorrected. Even if it seems horrible to him that Josuke can't remember, he refuses to believe that the guy has never had any friends, and he doesn't want Josuke to believe that either. Those friends have to be part of him still, somewhere...] I'm sure you've had other friends before. I'm glad you have new friends, though. New friends are special, too!

[4balls]

.. They are. [ But the rest of what he's saying actually makes his smile disappear a little again. The first ones that you can remember.. he actually did think about that before back home, right? ]

But I am also fairly sure they are my first friends in general. After all, if someone would go missing, their family and friends would look for them, wouldn't they? But nobody has been looking for me back there ever since I lost my memory.

[redcladidealist]

[That remark earns Josuke a startled look, then a frown.]

How do you know that? Just because they haven't found you yet doesn't mean someone isn't out there looking. The world's pretty big, isn't it? [He assumes that's true of any world that you're in.] Maybe they're just looking in all the wrong spots.

[4balls]

It'd be strange if they were looking somewhere else, considering that the town I woke up in is apparently the town I was living in already, but.. [ He shakes his head. ] I suppose I can't rule it out either. Maybe they really are out there, even if it's only a small chance.

[ He hopes so. After all, everyone wants a place to belong, right? ]

[redcladidealist]

Maybe you moved, but they didn't know where you'd moved to yet. Or maybe you were just visiting. You're sure you lived there already? [How would he know if he doesn't remember anything...?

He shakes his head, then smiles.]

Either way, a small chance is better than none. I definitely don't think you should give up hope.

[4balls]

[ Granted, their first lead to his apartment turned out that it was to someone else's apartment all along.. but then again, he's in a way strangely related to that guy too. Slowly he's starting to feel though like he might just not have any real family thanks to the revelations concerning that. ]

.. It's alright. I can't fully give up hope either way. More than anything, I have to discover who I am.

[redcladidealist]

[Now that's a sentiment Lloyd can get behind without argument. He nods with approval at Josuke's plan.]

I don't know how much good I can do, since we're not in your world, but if I find anything out, I'll let you know. Who knows? Maybe someone from your world who knows something will show up.

[4balls]

I can't say I would like that since I don't think anyone deserves to be kidnapped like this, but.. I would certainly be glad to discover anything at all about myself. [ Since he hates feeling like this, not even knowing who he is or what he's done or who's supposed to be close to him.

His gaze turns a little more towards the ground. ]

I wouldn't want to burden you with my problems though. I'm sorry that I have already told you this much.

[redcladidealist]

I'm not saying I'd wish for anyone to get taken and brought here. [Because he wouldn't. Even knowing that they're supposed to go back to the same time they left doesn't entirely reassure him, and he'd rather his friends stay where they are just in case.] But if they do show up, it's not that big a deal to ask a few questions.

[He shakes his head, then levels a finger at Josuke, his expression half reassuring, half serious.] Don't be sorry. If nobody ever shared any of their problems, then most of them wouldn't ever get fixed. I'm happy to help if there's something I can do.

[4balls]

That's very kind of you.

[ But then again, it's like he almost only runs into people like that here. Back home mostly Yasuho was the only one who helped him, but all these people already offered to help him or even just listen to him.. it's a little strange compared to the events in Morioh, but it's still nice.

After all, having support already makes you feel more and more like you really are your own person. ]

Then.. in return, if there is anything I can do for you, please tell me.

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd nods, pleased enough that Josuke is taking him up on the offer. He doesn't see anything odd about being friendly and helping each other. That was pretty much the very first of the dwarven vows he tried to follow, precepts his adoptive father had raised him with since he was three years old.

Dwarven vow number one: Let's all work together for the sake of a peaceful world.]

Alright. I don't need anything right now, but I'll let you know if I do.

[Well, actually, that's kind of a lie. Not an intentional one - he isn't used to thinking about it as a need - but after only a moment's hesitation, he sticks out his hand. It's been a while since he made physical contact with someone. He doesn't want to get sick again.]

Deal?

[4balls]

[ He smiles a little, actually understanding what he has to do when he sees that hand being stuck out (thank god, for once he gets it, probably since he had to do it before though) and he moves to grab the hand. ]

It's a promise. And I never go back on my word. [ Granted, Josuke would probably protect anyone who needs help, but Lloyd is.. a friend now? Sort of? He's not sure how the whole friendship thing works, but it feels a little like it. ]

[redcladidealist]

[A friendly acquaintance at least. Lloyd grips his hand firmly before letting it go. The contact brings a brief moment of warmth that almost seems to underscore their mutual promise.]

Me either. Not if I can help it.

[A glance at the sun tells him it's starting to get late, though, so Lloyd smiles apologetically.]

I probably ought to get going. It's about time to find something to eat.

[His stomach chimes in with an affirmative gurgle. Yes, food sounds like a good idea.]

See you later, Josuke?

[4balls]

Yes. I suppose I should get back as well. [ Maybe Yasuho will be trying to find him only to notice he's not there, after all, and the thought of that is a little worrying.. so he politely does at least nod his head (as a half-bow of sorts) at Lloyd. ]

Thank you for everything. We will see each other again for sure.

[redcladidealist]

[In turn, Lloyd lifts his hand in a wave of farewell.]

Alright. Bye, Josuke.

[One last nod before he turns to head of. Time to find something to eat~]