† lost and insecure, you found me

[cruxified]

[Kratos looks less than talkative when he finally appears on the Plane-- that is, darker than usual. His recent discovery has shattered him in a way he isn't prepared for, but he has to keep going. At any cost. Can he really separate his heart from his duty

Comments

[holmes_fanatic]

[This is the first time Conan's seen anyone practicing with a sword on the Plane and he stops to take in the sight. Kratos himself is also a new sight, and Conan's quiet, trying to place him.]

[cruxified]

[He's... rather intense. His posture speaks of military experience, and there is confidence and expertise in the way he swings his blade. He finishes an tough set of jabs focused more on strength than showing off, then decides to say something.]

What is it?

[holmes_fanatic]

Ah, it's nothing!

[Conan's all set to make the childish excuses -- but something in the other's manner decides him against it.]

I was just wondering -- did something happen?

[cruxified]

[Yeah, he probably wouldn't fall for it. They're kind of similar in at least one aspect...

Conan's question makes him pause. He could lie.]

I'm fine.

[But he just ignores the question. He sounds a little tired.]

[ofunity]

[KUUUUUURATOSUUUUUUUUUUUUU

YOU BIIIIIIIIITCH

... Rather, Lloyd pauses some distance away as he watches the man go through the slashes of the sword as if he'd been practicing all his life. And it makes his blood boil, enough to make him scowl and clench his fists. Was this why Kratos was good enough to go on the journey with Colette? Because he happened to be better than Lloyd with the sword? Did they even ask Colette if that's what she wanted?

And one of the last times he saw Kratos, he called him a child. Damn it...

So he can't really stop himself from walking closer, from speaking up once he's close enough with a bitter tinge to his voice.]

Getting ready for the journey?

[cruxified]

[So deep in his thoughts, Kratos nearly misses Lloyd's approach. He sheathes his sword with a snap and regards the boy with a dark, watchful expression.]

Perhaps.

[A pause, and then he looks away. He gives a faint sigh.]

If you're looking to convince me of anything, it won't work.

[ofunity]

[Lloyd presses his lips together at that. What he'd like to do is keep arguing that he should be coming along. Him and Genis both. But... it never seems to get anywhere.

Besides, Lloyd has a plan.]

Then I won't. [He says all too casually and with a shrug of his shoulders. It's not like anyone can tie him up and lock him in the closet or anything.]

[cruxified]

[His eyes narrow at those words. He watches Lloyd for a minute, his gaze heavy and measuring. And then--] ... Hmph.

If you have the time to wander this place, you can study basic combat from the manual. Or have you finished it already?

[He doubts it.]

[lamb_of_gold]

[Kratos you have 1 (one) more fan today. Mu looks to be four or five ish now, and is sitting a safe distance away watching in AWE.]

[cruxified]

[After he's finished practicing Soaring Light Spear, he puts the sword away and glances at Mu.

... ] Greetings.

[Doesn't look like anyone he knows. It could be someone on an experiment, but... a child is a child.]

[lamb_of_gold]

Hullo, mister. You're good at that!

[cruxified]

I've trained for most of my life. [He approaches Mu slowly and carefully. Though his eyes are a deep red, they are strangely warm.] Are you lost?

[enduringwinter]

[the half-elf stands off to one side quietly watching and waiting for Kratos to finish before speaking up]

It's been a while since I've seen someone use a sword that well.

[not thinking about Decus... And he isn't sure if Emil would count, all things considered]

[cruxified]

[Interesting. Kratos can use magic, too-- that much is easy to detect. He puts his sword away and lets his hand rest casually on the hilt.]

... I'm a mercenary. It's necessary to be able to do my job.

[enduringwinter]

That would explain a lot. [he shakes his head] Then again, not everyone in the mercenary business seems to know what they're doing.

[incompetence is rampant in the world... Or maybe it's just the people who submit quests to the Katz Guild]

[cruxified]

[Possibly the latter.]

If they don't, then they won't last very long.