((A/N: This was a hard chapter to write... I tend to struggle with transitioning when writing. . Anyways, apologies for the shortness.))
The sun had just risen and Lloyd was already pacing around the room impatiently. He glanced worriedly out the window, using the location of the sun to check time. Growling restlessly, he turned to the first bed he reached and pulled off the covers. Apparently, Zelos liked sleeping by the window, for Lloyd called out the man's name in annoyance, and threw the covers aside. Zelos grunted and then squirmed around, reaching for the bed sheets, finally curling up in a tight ball against the cold. He opened an eye slowly, squinting up at the blurry image of… Whose face was that again? Oh, right! It had taken a bit of effort, but he managed it.
"Aha! Lloyd! It is you!" Zelos announced pompously.
"Uh…yeah, it's me. Now get up you lazy…" Lloyd trailed off slowly, thinking maliciously of all the evil names Zelos was entitled to.
"Hey! Wipe that stupid grin off your face! And besides, I'm up now, alright? I care about Sheena, too!" he snapped back indignantly. Geez, Lloyd was pretty ignorant sometimes. Sometimes? He took that back. All of the time. Well, at least most of the time.
Well, at least he was hard-working. Zelos sighed and got up, trudging lazily to the hotel entrance. The rest of their party were already waiting for him to show up, apparently, and even the kindly hotel manager was among his friends. Raine gestured to the man and explained.
"He offered to come with us on our search for Sheena. I can't thank you enough for such an offer. Are you sure that the hotel will be fine?" Raine said, turning back to the man.
"Yes, of course. It is a great honor to travel with the Chosen One himself, and my son knows what to do. He can take care of it himself. It's time he took up some responsibility," he replied, puffing up his chest.
"Excuse me, but I don't believe we've introduced ourselves yet. I am Regal Bryant, this is Presea, Genis, Raine, Colette, Lloyd, and Zelos," Regal cut in politely.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" the man said with a slight jump. "I haven't introduced myself either. The name's Tom. I am a simple man, and thus, a simple name." Tom bowed slightly.
Lloyd nodded impatiently. "Can we start heading out yet?"
Genis shot back, "Lloyd! We should stock up on items first! After coming back from Dirk's place, we've nearly emptied all our supplies."
"Yes, he has a very good and sensible point, Lloyd. You could learn a thing or two from Genis, you know?" Raine commented with several nods, her hands folded matter-of-factly across her chest.
The swordsman again. As much as he wanted to get going again, they had a good point. And so they'd have to wait until they finished restocking to leave. "Okay, okay, we can go," Lloyd grumbled resignedly. "Just make it quick, alright?"