Midnight

Disclaimer As usual, I don't own any characters from Tales of Symphonia. /Disclaimer

Cling, clong, clang, cling, clong, clang...

The church bells chime off into the distant darkness, signaling midnight. Snow continues to fall from the skies above, and the whiteness continues to build up around Flanoir. Lloyd's door opens, and he walks out, apprehensive about seeing Zelos. As he walks past Sheena's room however, he freezes. "Eh!"

"I love you." Colette says sweetly, all the while looking at Sheena. "Come on, say it after me! Oh, I love you too! You've got to practice both parts!" Colette reprimands.

"I...I... love..." Sheena mumbles, quite embarrassed. Colette pouts, and narrows her eyes somewhat.

"Just think of me in my underwear, Sheena." Colette says. "I hear that works if you're embarrassed!"

Outside, Lloyd walks quickly to Zelos' room, all the while breathing heavily. "...What... what did I hear back there?" Lloyd contemplates. He shakes his head violently, trying to rid himself of inappropriate (Writer's Note:however exciting) images. At that moment, Zelos' door bursts open, and a few woman rush out. Zelos soon follows, with several puffy marks across his face.

"Yo!" Zelos says, rubbing his face with one of his hands. "I see you're on time. Good, good, come on in... We have much to cover." Lloyd makes to walk in, but stops for a moment.

"Is... is everyone doing...except for m-" Lloyd's thoughts are abruptly cut off as a hand hits him in the back of the head. "Zelos..." Lloyd mutters, as he walks into the elaborate room. "My room isn't like this!" Zelos shrugs, laughing. Inside is a large bed with crimson bed coverings and fluffy pillows. A sparkling chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and many arched windows rest at the end of the room. In the center of the room is an oaken table. Cushioned chairs are set at both ends. Zelos gestures for Lloyd to sit down, and Lloyd hastily complies.

"Perhaps it has something to do with me being a Chosen, wise one." Zelos says knowledgeably, pulling out a chair for himself. "It's pretty useless, if I do say so myself... But I won't be rude to these people."

Ignoring Zelos' answer, Lloyd quickly gets to the point. "So, what am I doing here?" Lloyd asks nervously. "Hope he doesn't try anything odd..." Lloyd thinks to himself.

"Well, you seem pretty inept with romance issues, so I thought I'd help you out a bit! After all, I'm the number one lady player in both Sylvarent and Tethe'alla!" Zelos boasts. Lloyd scoffs.

"So, why would I need help with that?" Lloyd asks. "I... I'm into one woman at the time. I think that's the right way to do things!" Zelos grins.

"Well, of course it's the right way to do things, but hey, before you settle down with one, you should have fun with several to get some experience. Valuable learning right there, my young friend." Zelos explains. "I mean, for someone with as much experience as me, it's easy to tell Sheena is love with a certain someone..."

"Yeah, but she beats you up all the time! Why would she like you?" Lloyd asks, thinking about a recent event. "I mean, why would she like Zelos when she likes Cole-"

"No, Lloyd. Not me! As much as I hate to say it, I've been beaten out by someone who's mind is oddly innocent..." Zelos begins.

"Colette!" Lloyd shouts, not really thinking much. Zelos blinks. Then he blinks again.

"Man, he IS slow. I guess that twerp Genis knew what he was talking about... Well, at least I'll be having some sweet dreams tonight..." Zelos thinks to himself. "While that's a pretty interesting thought, certain-someone-who's-oddly-innocent Irving, it's actually you she likes." Lloyd blinks. Then he blinks again.

"Wha?" Lloyd says, surprised. "...M-me? But what about wh-"

"Did you see how she was looking at you when she hugged you? That's a look of passion only a woman in love can give! Trust me, I know!" Zelos flashes his glinting smile, and throws his hair back. "You were too embarrassed to look, weren't you?" Lloyd looks down, his ears red.

"And judging from the look you had when she hugged you... I'm pretty sure that's something only a man in love can have." Zelos explains. "Trust me, I know that feeling, too, even more so."

"Zelos..." Lloyd whispers. "... I... I actually have some respect for you now, man."

"Trust me, I know th- Wait, what!" Zelos grunts. "Ugh, better late then never, I guess. The important thing now... Is what you're going to do with this new knowledge."

"Well..." Lloyd thinks aloud. Zelos looks at Lloyd, and resists laughter.

"Ah, I remember when I was this age..." Zelos thinks. "Tell her, perhaps?" Zelos puts out. "Just a suggestion, of course."

"That's it!" Lloyd begins. "... But how?" Zelos once more flashes his sparkling grin, and he places his two arms onto the table. Interlocking his fingers, he places his hands in front of his face, and begins to fiddle with his fingers.

"My friend, this is what we shall be discussing tonight." Zelos' face is hidden, but behind his hands is a happy smile. "Hope everything's working out on the other end..." He thinks. "First, we need to start off with the mood..."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"...Lloyd, I think it is you for which my heart desires..." Sheena mumbles. "Ugh, that's not right!" She fiddles with her hair out of nervousness.

"I'm glad you know that, so I don't have to tell you!" Colette teases, trying to lighten the mood. Sheena looks up grumpily.

"Why don't YOU try it, if you're so good?" Sheena grumbles. Colette giggles, and closes her eyes, and puts her hands by her chest.

"Lloyd...I-I think I might l-like you..." Colette fumbles cutely, before bursting out into giggles. "Oh, it's so easy when you imagine people in their underwear!" Colette continues to giggle, and a few tears form about Colette's eyelashes.

"Humph. It's no fair, you're cuter then I am..." Sheena murmurs, admitting defeat.

"Fortunately for you, Lloyd isn't looking for cute!" Colette declares, winking at Sheena. "I think he's looking for Sheena, actually..." Colette adds, stopping her laughter and wiping at her tears. "So you have to get it perfect for him!" Sheena begins to giggle as well.

"You're right, Colette. Thank you for helping me out..." Sheena replies. "Even though it doesn't seem like you're helping much, you're making me a bit more confident. I mean, I couldn't even say 'I like you, Lloyd!' Not until you helped me, anyways." Sheena says, smiling herself. "I don't think imagining him in his underwear will help things, though..." She jokes nervously.

"Yeah, you might not be able to handle that yet..." Colette says. "Anyways, lets continue. Pretend that I'm Lloyd, you can do it, Sheena!" Colette encourages.

"Yeah! Lloyd, I-"

Knock, knock.

Sheena proceeds to fall out of her chair, and Colette runs to get the door.

"Did Professor Raine tell you to come too?" Colette says happily. "Come on in, Presea."

"That is unnecessary. Professor Raine did not ask for me to enter, I was merely... taking a walk when Zelos ushered me to his room." Presea begins. "I have come to pass on a message from Zelos."

"Zelos has passed Phase one of advanced 'Combat Training' with Lloyd." Presea says. "That is all." Presea bows and walks back into her room.

"I believe that is what I needed to do." Presea thinks to herself, as she begins to hum a silent tune.

"Why would Zelos need you to know if Lloyd was training with him?" Sheena asks suspiciously.

"Oh, you know his fight with Kratos is coming up. I thought he needed some extra practice to hone his skills a bit more, and Zelos and Kratos fight similarly!" Colette lies.

"...Ah..." Sheena answers. She gets up and rubs her backside gingerly. "This might hurt in the morning..."

"So, what were we doing again?" Colette suddenly asks.

"Oh, we were talking about my confession to Lloyd." Sheena replies.

"...Really? Your confession about what?" A familiar voice asks.

"Well, how much I-Lloyd!" Sheena looks up, and sure enough, Lloyd is standing by the doorway. "...My confession... my..." Sheena promptly faints.

"Jeeze, what's up with her?" Lloyd asks Colette, winking.

"I have NO idea!" Colette giggles, winking back, as she picks up Sheena, and lays her into bed.

"Well, whatever it is, she should get more rest. It's…going to be a big day, tomorrow."

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I'm working on it, readers of my fanfiction. I realize my writings are still a bit short, but I'm working on lengthening my pieces. Anyways, I hope you liked it, and please rate and review! Thanks for your help!