video;

[sidecar]

[The video opens on a three-year-old Lloyd Irving, peering curiously at the tablet with a "What's that thing?" before Kotetsu turns the camera back around to himself.]

Anyone recognize this kid? He says his name's Lloyd, and he knows someone named uh...Noishe?

[Yeah, that's all he's got and he's probably butchering the pronunciation, but there's only so much info you can get out of a toddler, okay.]

I found him wandering around the Hold by himself, so if there's anybody here from his world it'd be a big help to hear from them.

Comments

[ex_lecturing315]

Of course I'm okay! Why would I waste time talking to you if I weren't?

[sidecar]

You're still having some trouble getting used to your powers?

[ex_lecturing315]

Not really.

( HUFFY )

Mr Maverick says....

( it's not very common for such small children to develop their abilities, so maybe they take longer to master than for someone older to start with. maybe it's those volatile emotions he's always chided on. )

...it doesn't happen that often.

[sidecar]

[He doesn't react as badly to Maverick's name this time, but it's still enough to get his attention and make him look a little more serious.]

It's not a big deal. Hundred power's really hard to get control of.

[If Barnaby hasn't considered becoming a Hero yet then it makes sense that he hasn't done much training with his powers. Still, it's a surprise somehow; another addition to that increasingly long list of reasons why Kotetsu doesn't know Barnaby as well as he thought he did.]

[ex_lecturing315]

( that's...really not the kind of response he was expecting to get, honestly, which maybe flickers in his expression for a second. it usually is a big deal because it means something or other has been destroyed, someone's been inconvenienced, and it's his fault. not that mr maverick would blame him, of course! but mr maverick expects better of him where he should expect better of himself, and a lack of control isn't going to get him anywhere closer to fulfilling his goal. it's only the truth; he trusts mr maverick more than he trusts himself.

so he maybe tenses a little at that, considers an answer, and then says flatly: )

Like I said, it doesn't happen very often.

[sidecar]

[Shrugs.]

So a little more practice and you'll get the hang of it. Even if you don't wanna be a Hero, it'll be good for you to know what you can do.

[ex_lecturing315]

Yeah, I guess so.

( maybe hero academy will be good for something after all... )

[sidecar]

[That doesn't sound very confident, Mister.]

Don't worry so much! People from the future are always right about these things.

[ex_lecturing315]

We're all technically 'from' the future right now.

( or in it anyway )

[sidecar]

That's different!

[Stop being smart, ugh.]

Look, I've gotta keep an eye on this kid for now, but you wanna meet up later? You can at least check out some stores for yourself and see if there's anything you like.

[ex_lecturing315]

( :/!!!!!! )

Alright. You can let me know when you're free.

[sidecar]

[Later, through the magic of timeskipping!

Watch out, Kotetsu's feeling cheerful now. So cheerful, in fact, that he just shows up and knocks on Barnaby's door without bothering to call ahead.]

[ex_lecturing315]

( opens door! and oh ugh it's you. )

That's not really calling me.

( puts a hand on his hip and FROWNS. )

[sidecar]

[It's not that he means to take a page from the How Not To Deal With Teenagers Handbook, but when he looks (down!) and sees Barnaby in person for the first time, there's only one thing he can say:]

You're so little!

[ex_lecturing315]

( SLAMS

THE DOOR

IN HIS FACE )

[sidecar]

[Somehow he didn't anticipate that and nearly loses his balance.]

Hey! Wait a minute--! Bunny!

[ANNOYING KNOCKING.]

[ex_lecturing315]

( NO!!!!!! )

[sidecar]

[It's like dealing with Kaede, only he doesn't have anything to bribe Barnaby with. Damn it. Is this what she's going to be like as a teenager?!

Kotetsu steps back and tries to sound friendly without slipping into that condescending tone his daughter hates so much. He doesn't quite succeed.]

Barnaby? Uh. I'm sorry if I offended you!

[ex_lecturing315]

( he seriously considers not getting the door.

but the jacket is still ripped and he's getting cold.


UUUUUGGGGHHHH pulls it open with a scowl in place. )

Let's just go, already.

[sidecar]

You got it!

[Kotetsu perks up, not about to argue, except--. Well. There is one more tiny thing. Please don't kill him.]

You have an umbrella, right?

[ex_lecturing315]

( WITHERING LOOK.

he probably does but he doesn't know which is his and which is someone else's and he doesn't want to steal an umbrella god. )

I'll be fine.

[sidecar]

Are you sure? The weather here gets pretty bad sometimes!

[He's bringing one along, of course, but that's not going to be enough for both of them if the rain gets too strong.]

[ex_lecturing315]

I said I'll be fine.

( closes door and pushes past him into the hallway, hands stuffed into his pockets. )

[sidecar]

[Kotetsu grumbles something under his breath about stubborn teenagers, but really has no choice but to follow along. How many arguments has he lost to this kid already?]

Don't start complaining if you get soaked.

[Except he's already resolved to find Barnaby a raincoat that isn't several sizes too big.]

[ex_lecturing315]

( he goes to the elevator and presses the down button without looking at kotetsu. )

I won't.