I present… The long awaited Chapter 3! Written especially for tsukasa030 because I think they really would like to know what happens regarding their review. Don't worry, you'll love it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia. If I did, Kratos wouldn't have gone to Derris Kharlan and they'd actually have told us what Lloyd named the tree.
To mimic Kasan Soulblade Hangs up sign Artistic License has been applied. You have been warned! So shall it be written, so shall it be done! Dramatically exits with cape swish
ON WITH THE FIC!
Ps: Much thanks to Selene and Mr. Eck for their help with this chapter.
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Lloyd believed he was extremely paranoid now. He lived in dread of what would happen, should one of his companions discover his dirty little secret. His back hurt all the time and the wings were now about the size of his fist. In one respect, Lloyd supposed he wanted them to grow but part of him that still held to his past was terrified. The people of Iselia had hated him for his wings, would the same hold true for his friends? As irrational as the thought was, Lloyd often wondered about it nonetheless. His trust in people had been shattered once; it was a truly difficult thing to have faith again.
'How long till someone found out?' the thought pressed heavily on his mind. He felt more tired than usual. It seemed he became more stretched both physically and emotionally as time wore on. The pressure was really starting to get to him. He sighed and stood up.
"I'm going for a walk." And without for answer he turned and went.
Lloyd's strange behaviour had not gone completely unnoticed by his all of his companions. Regal stared at Lloyd's retreating back. He had to admit he was slightly worried about the young man. It had not escaped Regal's notice that Lloyd was the only one of their small group that did not speak about his past. Regal himself had asked the boy once or twice but beyond what was common knowledge to the group Lloyd would not answer. When asked about life in Iselia, his eyes would briefly flash with an incomprehensible emotion and he would close himself off. Regal had long since decided that a great injustice had been done to Lloyd. One that Raine, Colette and Genis were no doubt unaware of.
Presea noticed Regal's stare. She too had noticed what she believed to be uncharacteristic depression in Lloyd. She had shrugged it of, believing it to be none of her business, but if Regal was seeing something similar… she had to wonder if it was just her imagination playing tricks on her. She decided to walk over and sit down beside Regal. After a few moments, she started to speak.
"…You are worried about him."
Presea has startled Regal from his thoughts. He glanced over at her. "Yes."
"I am as well. Something is causing him great pain."
"Perhaps it is something traumatic that has happened in his past."
"…Yes, perhaps it is."
"We will not know unless he decides to divulge what is bothering him."
"Then we will be good friends, and support him silently as he has often done for us."
There was a pause. Regal looked over at Presea.
"Yes, good friends. You know, I think this is the most I've ever heard you talk."
"…" Presea blinked, "Yes."
They went back to staring at the fire.
"What do you suppose they're talking about?" asked Zelos.
"I know! I bet they're starting to be good friends." Chimed Colette. Sheena wasn't so sure that was it.
"Hey… We should be good friends too my voluptuous hunny." Said Zelos as he reached toward her.
We will pause for a moment as Zelos gets what's coming to him.
"YOU STUPID CHOSEN!" exclaimed Sheena as she stood up. "I'm gonna go look for Lloyd. He's been gone to long."
"I'm sure he's fine Sheena." Said Raine, "He can look after himself."
"I'm worried anyway." Stated Sheena as she walked in the direction Lloyd had gone. He seemed so down lately. Sheena resolved to try to cheer him up.
Lloyd had wandered into a small meadow. His back was really killing him. 'I wonder why Colette never has these problems.' he thought as he took off his shirt. The two tiny wings glared back at him. He sighed and looked up at the stars and started to sing his lullaby.
Sheena had been walking for about five minutes when she heard a song filter through the trees. ' It can't be! Lloyd! Singing!' she started to run in the direction of the song. She could make out some of the words now. 'He has a really nice voice,' she thought. 'The voice of an angel really.'
"If I just had two wings, bright angels above, I would fly to the heavens, bright angels above."
Sheena hit the meadow just as the song ended. What she saw made her gasp. Lloyd had wings! Albeit they were tiny wings, but wings nevertheless.
Lloyd had finished his song. 'Well, I've got the wings,' he thought 'I just can't fly with them!' He heard a sharp intake of breath behind him and turned around. There was Sheena, staring in shock. He did what most sane people would do. He panicked and yelled.
"You saw them didn't you!"
Sheena nodded and started to walk over to him. Lloyd instinctively backed up.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Lloyd I just want to talk." soothed Sheena, keeping her voice soft. She reached out to him. Lloyd jerked away.
"No! You want to hurt me! You wan to cut them off just like they did nine years ago!"
THAT stopped Sheena in her tracks. "Lloyd, what are you…"
Lloyd cut her off. "That's what they always do. They hurt me." He stated, tears running down his face, "They always hurt me. They ripped and cut and tore them off because I was different. Now you wan to do the same." He was hysterical now. Sheena moved towards him slowly, as not to startle him.
"Stay away!" he cried, "Just…just don't touch me."
Sheena wrapped the boy in a tight hug anyway.
"You hate me, don't you?" he whispered, "You're disgusted. I'll leave.' He stated defeated. Sheena only hugged him tighter. He realized she was crying too.
"What did they do to you?" she whispered Lloyd didn't answer, he simply cried silently on her shoulder. Sheena petted his hair to clam him down. "Its okay. I don't hate you, I'm not disgusted." She said soothingly, "You don't have to leave."
"You can't tell anyone." he sobbed, "Nobody."
"I promise." She soothed.
"Swear, swear to me you won't tell."
Sheena thought a moment about she could swear on that would make Lloyd believe her. It came to her like lightning. "I swear on Corrine's bell that I will not speak of what I know this night to anyone with out your permission." She whispered, "Ninja
's honour."
The oath seemed to pacify him. "They are beautiful you know." She said stroking the tiny wings, understanding that no one had ever told him that. "What am I going to do with you chibi tenshii." Whispered Sheena as she pulled his shirt on and they walked back to camp together.
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Huzzah! I made Lloyd rather Emo! Don't kill me for this it's necessary for plot development.
R&R people
Owari
