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

thanks! we'll make sure to call you back in soon, nikki~

[flamberge]

[It's so odd to feel himself crying. Anna's death hadn't had enough time to sink in for tears and the last time he cried had to have been millenia ago. The feeling isn't a bad one, though. It makes even a monster like him feel the slightest bit human.

Lloyd's question gets a soft chuckle from him, the smile never faltering. How can a child so small elicit so much emotion, so much wonderful emotion? It truly is a wonder.]

Because I'm happy, very very happy.

Or I'm horribly late, whatever XD

[boredallready]

Happy?

[Wait wait, something wasn't right here. Lloyd cried too, but it was only when he was sad. When he was happy, he smiled. Daddy apparently had all of this backwards.]

But you're crying. You should smile!

[He takes his hands and places them on either side of Kratos' mouth, trying to curl his lips up into a smile.]

xD eh better late than never~

[flamberge]

[The action makes his smile widen all the more. Those little hands on his face just fill him with so much joy. This moment right here is a true miracle.]

Sometimes people cry when they're happy.

Yaaaay good

[boredallready]

[Lloyd stares at him in confusion for several seconds. This whole thing is obviously still not making any sense to him, but Daddy had just said he was happy, right? One that part sinks in, Lloyd just laughs a bit.]

Ah ha, seeeee? You smile!

[flamberge]

[Laughter can't help but escape him. The boy does have a point; there is a smile on his face. It's amazing, though. Not an hour ago laughing ever again felt like a fantasy and now it comes so very easily. Though Lloyd may not realize it, Kratos truly owes his life to him.]

Yes, I suppose I am.

[boredallready]

[Lloyd continues to smile for a second before he expression turns to confused.]

What happened, Daddy? Where are all the trees?

[flamberge]

[Explaining the finer details of the situation to a toddler would be impossible so the reply is going to focus on those trees.]

We're far away from where those trees were, Lloyd. Very far away.

[Hopefully it would stay that way for a while, too. Going back there to face the place where Anna met her death... Kratos isn't sure he could handle it just yet.]

[boredallready]

[Unfortunately, that answer just raises more questions.]

But why? Where's Mommy and Noishe?

[flamberge]

Because.

[And that last question... Yup, it's time for a subject change.]

Are you hurt anywhere?

[boredallready]

Huh?

[That answer wasn't good enough, but fortunately he's easily distracted by the next question. He thinks about it for a while, looking himself over and otherwise showing he probably isn't hurt if he's taking this long to figure it out.

But he still points to his elbow after a bit. He liked the pretty lights that Daddy could make, what was wrong with that?!]

I think that Nikki can come back in now Kaito?

[flamberge]

[Although it might seem as though there are no visible injuries, it's something better left not risked. Healing didn't take much effort and no way is Lloyd going to suffer if at all avoidable. As soon an area gets pointed to, Kratos places a hand over it and casts a quick First Aid. The familiar glow follows and puts an end to any possible damage to the area.]

Better?

Yep!

[boredallready]

[Lloyd watches as he uses his magic on the spot. It always looked so cool when he made sparkly light like that! Lloyd spins around a little when he's done.]

Yeah! All better!

[sidecar]

[Kotetsu's been trying not to eavesdrop, really, but that light show is hard to miss even from the next room over. Curiosity gets the better of him and he peers out from behind the doorframe to stare, realizing too late that there's probably no chance his gaping has gone unnoticed.

Well then. He straightens up and clears his throat before walking back up to the other two, hand extended to Kratos.]

Lloyd's father, right?

[Well, yes, obviously.]

I'm Wild Tiger!

[Because that's a totally normal thing for a masked man who brings home small children to say.]