Story of a lifetime
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
WARNING: SPOILERS!
A/N Well, here's the second chapter, so let's see what happened to Dirk! Enjoy reading!
P.S. I'll be leaving for holiday the 11/07 until 22/07, and I'll try to get another chapter up before then, and maybe I'll have time to write something on my vacation, so the update of chapter 4 will be in the week after I return, I'll try to stick to at least 1 chapter a week, and that shouldn't be a problem since holidays are coming!
Italics– thoughts
Response to reviewers:
Kiesha: Thank you! I feel sorry for Lloyd too, I'm probably just too addicted to the game xD
MoonCannon: Thanks, it's really hard for me to properly portray Dirk, as you don't really get to know him in the game, and I especially have no idea about the way he talks.
Melody of Shadow: Thanks, when I read stories in the ToS section most of them seem kind of rushed, and I rather explain everything, so I'm just taking my time xD
KratosForever: Wow, you're making me blush! I'm thinking about rewriting The Departure, cause the more I read it, the more I start to dislike it, so expect it to be rewritten one of these days/weeks xD
Chapter 2: Getting to know ----------
Dirk stopped, he could almost feel his heart beating in his throat, and slowly turned around. Lloyd looked up at Dirk and Noishe growled, staring at the Desian with rage sparkling in his eyes. The Desian pointed his crossbow at them, and raised an eyebrow when he saw the dwarf was holding a toddler.
He was dressed in shining silver armour, and on top of that he wore blue coloured clothes, his blinking helmet covering everything except for his eyes, which looked at Dirk suspiciously. There were signs all over his attire, stitched on it in yellow threads. They seemed to have no particular shape, and were highly confusing and unnecessary to Dirk.
Damned Desians! Great, now I'm trapped.
"What's tha-" Lloyd was about to ask, pointing at the crossbow the Desian was holding, but Dirk quickly shut his mouth by poking him in the side.
"Ssssst." Was all Dirk barely audible whispered to the boy, who nodded in agreement, seeming to feel how tense the situation was at that point.
"You! Dwarf! Put that axe down and empty your pockets!" The Desian shouted, his voice tripped, and in a glance Dirk could tell he was new at the Desians. He smirked barely visible, and walked towards him, gesturing Lloyd and Noishe to stay where they are.
We'll see who's the tough guy here, fella.
"What the hell are you doing? I told you to put down the axe, or would you rather want an arrow to kill you instead?" The Desian shouted, but he was getting nervous, his voice going a few pitches higher. He lightly started shaking, and under his helmet Dirk could see in his eyes he didn't know what to do. It was certain the boy, for the Desian was no older than 20, didn't want to kill him.
Poor lad, ya still need a lotta training.
"I thought ya told me to empty my pockets? I thought as a sign of peace I'd give them to ya instead." Dirk said, putting one hand in his pocket, with the other gripping his axe tighter.
"Well, uhm, just put the axe down!" The young man shouted, his voice noticeably trembling with doubt, as the dwarf was only a few feet away from him. Dirk smirked again, he just made up a simple, but effective plan.
"Okay then, if ya really want me to." Dirk bent a few inches, like he was going to obey the Desian's orders, and then he heard the man sigh and saw him raising his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead, letting go of the crossbow.
Gotcha.
He quickly stood up, threw his arm forward as if he were throwing a spear, sending his axe flying.
The weapon flew through the air, and the Desian saw it coming towards him with great speed. He froze out of fear, and when the axe hit him with its wooden handle, a loud 'thump' was heard, when the unconscious body of his hit the ground.
Strike, though I feel sorry for the lad, he's gonna get busted when he wakes up.
Dirk quickly ran over to see if the man was really unconscious, and when he lifted the helmet, with a slight dent in it, he could see the pointed ears. "Poor lad, ye could've lived a happier life than being a slave of those cursed Desians."
Dirk picked up his axe, and ran back to Lloyd, who had, as he asked, stayed at the same spot. Noishe, however, had run off somewhere when the Desian got distracted by Dirk. Lloyd looked up at him with big eyes, and said: "Wow! You're a dwarf! That's so cool!"
Dirk smiled while looking down at the boy, and said: "Sure am, lad. Heh, so where has ya animal friend gone to?" He looked around, but didn't see any white or green between the forest trees.
Lloyd tugged Dirk's sleeve, and said: "Noishy ran that way!" He pointed somewhere between the dark tree-trunks, and Dirk groaned when seeing the direction the little boy pointed. Noishe had probably run back to the woman's body, and that place would be swarmed by Desians by now.
"What's wrong mr. Dwarf?" Lloyd asked when he groaned. "Is there something wrong? Are you sick?" His eyes grew wide. "Did that scary man make you sick?"
Dirk smiled at Lloyd once again, and said: "No one's made me sick, I ain't sick at all. Let's go find Noishe." The toddler smiled at his words. "Yeah! Let's go get Noishy and then wait for daddy!" Dirk almost flinched at the word daddy.
The man probably thought both his wife and son had died, there's no way he would still be here without me or the Desians having seen him! How am I going to tell the poor boy his dad's gone?
Dirk shook that thought off his mind, he would take care of that later, first he had to find the animal Lloyd adored so much. But that was going to be one hard task though, if the Desians were still there.
Dirk firmly placed his feet in the soft ground, and still he held Lloyd's hand, just to make sure he wouldn't get lost or anything. The tiny hand in his was something he had never experienced before, and before all of this happened he wouldn't have wanted to. But something changed him, either it was the boy's innocent look or the fact that he promised he would take care of him.
Ridiculous, how can I grow attached to a human child? And an annoying one as well.
As he paced forward, Lloyd happily chattered about all kinds of stuff.
"Mr. Dwarf, what's that? Do you know when daddy's going to be back? You know, Noishy will let me ride on him sometimes. That's really fun! You should try it too. I bet Noishy can carry you, you don't look very heavy. I bet that's going to be fun if we both sit on him. Do you like playing tag? I do! It's so much fun! And when..."
Lloyd's voice trailed off as they had almost reached the area close to the foot of the cliff. Dirk gestured him to be quiet, and Lloyd did so, staring in awe at Dirk, who focused and then heard voices, a lot of them, disturbing the once tranquil area.
"Damnit, where has that Exsphere gone! Haven't you found it yet? It can't be too far off! Someone must've taken it! Immediately kill everyone you see, we NEED that Exsphere if we don't wanna get our heads chopped off by Lord Kvar himself!"
Dirk kept listening, not knowing what to do. From what they said it didn't seem like they've seen Noishe, so he wasn't there, but then again, he had been afraid of the Desian that found them, so it wasn't logical if he had come here anyway.
He was about to turn around when he heard something and froze. "Damnit, what's with that stupid animal? Let's just kill it! It's only getting in our way anyway!" And after that an all too familiar whine followed.
Damn that animal! I should've tied it to a tree or something!
Dirk doubted what to do, would he just have to leave Noishe behind and get Lloyd to the house, or try and save Noishe and risk himself and Lloyd getting hurt, or more likely, get themselves killed? For some strange reason he chose the latter option.
As stealthy as a dwarf can be he approached the place, which was, as he had expected and heard, swarmed with Desians. They were everywhere, searching behind every rock and corner for the Expshere in his pocket. And there, in the midst of all, was Noishe, faithfully sitting next to Anna, who had cold-bloodedly been covered by a blanket of some sort, since everybody was getting nervous with the dead body around, although they had to deal with deaths everyday in their human ranches.
Dirk stared, and didn't know how to get Noishe out of there without drawing everyone's attention. Lloyd was staring at Noishe, and at all of the Desians. "So many scary people!" He pointed at all the Desians and looked up at Dirk. "What's Noishy doing?" Dirk raised his shoulders slightly, indicating he didn't know. Lloyd looked at Noishe again, and opened his mouth, about to scream something to the animal.
Fortunately Dirk just looked down at him and quickly slapped one gloved hand against Lloyd's mouth, pulling him backwards, as Lloyd almost choked. A few feet further he let go of Lloyd, who instantly started spitting on the floor and stamping his feet saying: "Blegh! Your glove is really smelly and it tastes really really bad! Gah! Do you ever wash it at all!" He kept on muttering about Dirk's glove, his voice seeming to echo between the trees, along with the sound of his stamping boots.
"Sssst! Do ya want the scary people to come here and get ya and then take ye off to the ranch? I promised ya mother to take care of ye, not practically hand y'over to the Desians!" Dirk said in an angry tone, he was getting frustrated with this boy around.
Lloyd looked at him with big eyes, which started to tear. "You're a mean dwarf! I don't like you! Noishy is scared there, he has to come back to me! I don't care if the scary people see me, I wanna save Noishy!" One tear fell down his face, and soon others followed, coupled with loud cries.
Dirk paled. "Ssssssst! It's alright, we'll get Noishe back! If you stop crying I'll save Noishe for ya." He heard himself say.
Drat, this is the most annoying little brat I've ever seen. He must've been really spoiled by his parents. Why did I just say that? This lad's got me going crazy, that's for sure. And now I'm supposed to help his pet outta there?
Dirk sighed, and leaned against a tree trying to think of some way to save Noishe. Lloyd was just looking around him, and watched the open spot between the trees longingly, wishing to be with his friend and mom.
Suddenly Dirk heard a lot of footsteps leaving the area, though he never heard someone say anything. Astonished he jumped up and crept between the trees, making sure he was out of sight. The place was abandoned, though the woman's body was still there, as Noishe was too.
Lloyd wanted to run towards Noishe and cuddle him, but something didn't feel right to Dirk.
Why had they decided to leave all of a sudden? Could it be a trap? But that can't be, I knocked out the only Desian that saw us!
Dirk firmly pressed Lloyd against him: "Just wait a minute, lil' lad. Don't worry, ya pet will be fine, but we won't if we go out there." Lloyd was mad, that was for sure, and he let the dwarf know as well.
"Grrr, let me go you mean dwarf! I wanna be with Noishy! We will search for daddy! I wanna go there!" He kept saying, and for Dirk's luck, he wasn't saying it all too loudly, for he wouldn't want to be caught by several Desians at the same time. He could handle one, but 10 of them... he doubted it.
"Now listen lad! If ya wanna go out there and die, that's fine with me, but don't come back here crying and saying that you're hurt, cos' I warned ya! And ya mom still wanted me to protect you from the scary men, so be a good boy and wait here!" Dirk put up his most dangerous and deadly voice, which was enough to silence Lloyd, who was now scared of the dwarf, and only wanted to be with his parents again.
"Hmpf!" Was the only thing Lloyd said as he let himself fall down on the ground, covered with leaves. He looked up at the rays of sunlight that managed to peek through the thick carpet of leaves, and tried to 'catch' them. It was his way of entertaining himself, as he thought the dwarf was no fun at all.
Hmm, if I'll have to raise him, it's going to take a LOT of time and punishment!
Dirk sighed, still carefully listening to the silence, trying to discover whether there were still Desians around or not. After what seemed like an eternity to Lloyd, he finally stood up and said: "I guess it's safe now, you can go to your friend." Lloyd jumped up, and ran away. Dirk slowly followed after him.
Hmpf, so little patience, I even remember me not being that impatient or annoying.
He walked on slow paced, but stopped when hearing the child communicate with his friend.
"Noishy, why did you run away? That mean dwarf beat the scary man! It was cool, but he's really mean to me! Let's go find daddy!" Said the voice of the little boy.
"Whine!" Came the answer from his animal friend, in an agreeing way.
Wait a minute, how am I supposed to find them when they just run off searching for his dad who's long gone?
Dirk quickly stepped out just as Lloyd disappeared between the shadow of the trees on Noishe's back. Dirk ran after them, dragging along his axe, which he was too tired to hold in his hand properly, so it just left a trail on the ground.
"Hey Lloyd! Wait! Let's first go to my house 'kay lad? Aren't ya hungry?" Dirk desperately tried, really not in the mood to run after them all morning. He heard the animal stop, and turn around, running straight back at him...
"Woah no wait! Don't ta-" Too late, he had already been tackled by Noishe, who was now standing above him, with a cheerful Lloyd bouncing up and down on his back.
"Wow Noishy! That was cool! But... I'm really hungry!" He pointed at his belly and started rubbing it, to prove what he said.
"Well, if you get this... thing off me, I can make ya sandwiches!" Dirk tried his friendliest smile, and Lloyd seemed to be thinking aloud.
"I am really hungry, but you were mean to me!" He shouted so loud Dirk could've sworn it would have made him deaf.
Argh, this kid's getting me frustrated! He's so stubborn, damn it.
"I'm sorry, there, I apologized, now, get him off me!" The dwarf yelled out just as loud, growing angry with the innocent little boy and his friend.
"Well, if you'll be nice to me, okay!" Lloyd put on his broadest grin, and asked Noishy to step off the little man, which Noishe did.
Dirk quickly stood up before Lloyd would change his mind and ask his pet to charge at him again. He tried to get all the dust off his clothes, in which he didn't succeed, and then led the boy and the animal through the forest back to his house.
All the way back Lloyd kept on talking of course, mostly about unimportant stuff, like playing games and such, but sometimes he would come up with the same questions, over and over again: "When is daddy going to pick me up? Why was mommy sleeping? Why did the scary man want to hurt you? Why did the scary mans cover mommy with a blanket? It was a really ugly blanket too! I bet my mommy would think it was ugly too!" And after asking such serious question he would continue ranting about more unimportant stuff.
Dirk just kept walking, he was about to make lunch when he heard the cry, and his stomach was remembering him all the way back. He didn't say a word to Lloyd or Noishe, except for some nodding. Apparently Lloyd didn't mind, cause he just kept on talking. Noishe sometimes whined or howled, but was mostly quiet, listening to Lloyd.
Hmmm, would there ever be a time when he will shut his mouth? Geez, if I'd have to live with him like that for one day I would freak out already. How were his parents able to handle him? But then again, this nonsense may be found adorable by some humans. Humans... such strange beings.
And after a very long walk, getting lost several times because Lloyd's friend ran off and walking around in circles for ages, they finally reached Dirk's house. By that time the evening had fallen and the sky was purple-coloured, and even Lloyd was getting tired, silently sitting on Noishe's back, wagging along with the movements the animal made. When they finally reached Dirk's home, he opened his eyes, and looked at the house in awe, starting all over again.
"Wowwie mr. Dwarf! Is that your house? It's really cool, will daddy be picking me up here? How do you and daddy know each other anyway. I haven't seen you before." And there he went again. Dirk just rolled his eyes as the stream of words fell over him, he didn't even listen to him anyway. He carefully lifted Lloyd from Noishe's back, and gestured the animal to stay outside, while taking Lloyd inside, putting him down again, and go around the house lighting the candles.
Lloyd just stood in the doorway, and looked around his new environment. The place was built with wood, that was obvious. There was a platform where some chairs and a round table stood, and in the left corner was a stove and a workshop where Dirk would do his job. Right in front of him across the small building were stairs. From upstairs he could hear Dirk clattering around lighting all the candles. The candles downstairs were lit, and they gave the room a warm, cosy, appearance, dipping it in honey and yellow hues.
Dirk came down the stairs a few minutes later, and found the boy laying in the doorway sleeping soundly. He had to smile at the sight, as the infant lay there with his hands folded under his head, like a pillow, and his legs pulled up against his small body, as if he wanted to make a ball of himself.
As he's laying there right now, he don't look like he's the most annoying lil' brat I've ever seen. Maybe I'll even like the kid someday.
Dirk looked around, where was he going to lay the child? Ah well, he could live without his bed for one day. He gently lifted the little boy and with Lloyd in his arms he ascended the stairs, trying his best not to wake him. Upstairs, he lay Lloyd on his bed, covered him with a blanket, and smiled again at the peaceful sight.
After that he went outside and saw that Noishe had found a spot next to the house in the shadows, and was also sleeping soundly, his snoring sounding like a purring cat. Dirk smiled, and unconscious of doing so, he caressed the animal, who suddenly purred out of satisfaction, and then the rhythmic sound of snoring came back.
The dwarf looked up, saw the endless blanket of the night spread out over his head, stretching out over the entire world, filled with little lights that flickered as he looked up. His smile got broader, and he sat down next to Noishe, admiring the stars. While enjoying their infinite beauty and loveliness, he felt his mind and spirit closing itself, as he lay down, and they travelled to another world, leaving behind his body. And in that world, he experienced many dreams he would forget when he would get waked up by the animal next to him the next morning.
End ----------
A/N Well that's all for chapter 2, I'm not particularly happy with this chapter though. It doesn't feel good, but I'll promise I'll try to make it up to you with chapter 3! So I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter though, and leave a review!