Urgh, I'm sorry, guys, I keep trying to sort out this paragraph problem, but short of going through and adding a bunch of spaces I can't do much about it. Ah, well, you can all tell when the scene changes, I'm sure. I'll give you ^that^ much credit.

Apologies for my large absence! Contrary to my expectations, some of these exams (C3 Maths, I'm looking at YOU here) actually required me to do some work *le gasp*. BUT now I only have one exam left (Biology) which will be a cakewalk if the past papers are anything to go by, so I'm back to writing at my normal pace (ish).

Disclaimer: Do I still need to put this in? Don't own. From now on the disclaimer will be discontinued, as I'm sure you've all got the idea by now.

Apologies that it's so short Time issues once more.

Nightfoot: RoyxHawkeye is very much ftw. I'm currently up to ep.31. Fanfiction will be incoming once I have enough time... Symphony takes priority of course ^^

Liana: Be patient, Zelos will be there soon XD

Anon: Don't worry, things won't always be as bad as they seem ^^

SoS: ...Because I didn't think of that :p And at that point in time he's thinking that his best hope is for the Chosen. He went after Forcy for different reasons, but... Yeah. *hidesincorner*

Thanks to freaky for beta'ing again, unfortunately my writing skills fail to live up to standard :( Ack, but who knows what really goes on in Ranches anyway...

Chapter twelve: Leonazium

Ranch work. That was what Forcystus had suggested. Ranch work.

A whole day… Doing that sort of work… With people who hate me for being the spoiled one… Oh Martel… Lloyd thought, head in his hands. I hate Pronyma almost as much as Forcystus now… He'd put the chip back on his arm, in case Pronyma decided to arrive early – according to Forcystus it was just the sort of thing she'd do. Lloyd hadn't argued with Forcystus. He didn't want Forcystus to go through the same pain he had done before, not that he understood why he had, and besides, he had broken the rules.

He was already in standard Ranch clothes. He had seen the absolute distaste in Forcystus' look as he gave them to Lloyd, and the boy had figured it was because of the smell, and the bad state of them. His normal clothes, along with the Magic Lens and the printout Forcystus had done for him, were under the bed in his cell. He still had the feather in his hands, wishing that the standard uniform had pockets. Forcystus had explained that it didn't in case prisoners tried to sneak escape tools to other prisoners, or hide things. Security in the Ranch was tight. No-one got in, no-one got out, except through transfer or death. Lloyd was only just starting to understand why the woman, Harriet, had wanted death. It was her own way of rebellion, of saying to Forcystus, 'no matter how hard you tried to keep me in, I escaped.' Forcystus had known that. He hadn't been more harsh to her than anyone else, but, in the end, he had let her go. Lloyd had hated him for it then, but he understood a bit more now. Maybe he'd be able to understand better after doing a day's hard labour with Desians and humans that hated him. He shuddered at the thought. Forcystus was an idiot.

Lloyd wanted to keep hold of the feather. It made him feel safe. It was something about it, something from a childhood memory long forgotten, some instinct that called out to him even if he couldn't remember why. All he knew was that the light should be blue, not white. Sighing, he put the feather with the Lens and Printout. If Pronyma saw it, there would definitely be trouble.

Forcystus came to fetch him the next morning, and they walked in silence. All the Cardinal had said was his number, and Lloyd had to bite his lip to keep himself from protesting. When they got closer to the cells, Forcystus explained softly that there would not be any leeway today, that if he did not behave he would be hurt and Forcystus would have no say in it, not without Pronyma growing suspicious. He had also said in no uncertain terms that an escape attempt would not be helpful.

He got several glares as Forcystus pushed him roughly into the room where the rest of the prisoners were held, but none of them dared say anything with Forcystus around.

"You vermin will be pleased to note that we have a visitor today," he told them. "If any bad behaviour occurs, punishment will be unconditional, am I understood?" There was a chorus of 'yes, Lord Forcystus' from the humans. "Lady Pronyma is here to see a working, efficient Ranch and that is what she will see. Don't make me kill any of you; it's such a waste of my time." With that, he turned and walked away, the Desians on guard saluting him as he walked past. Lloyd watched him go, worried. This was the situation he had feared when he had first woken at the Ranch, this was what he hated. And Forcystus was putting him through it… He had been surprised when the Cardinal hadn't, at first. He was thanking Martel that it was only a day.

"I heard he got sick," a prisoner murmured.

"Bastard got what's coming to him if he did. Should've died, Desian scum," another prisoner replied. Lloyd bit his lip, wondering what they would think if they found out he'd saved him. He'd saved him! A human saving a Desian… A prisoner saving his captor…

But Forcystus is… More than that… He's almost a…Lloyd cut himself off. Forcystus was an enemy; he had to think of him as an enemy!

"Even if he did kick the bucket, we'd just have some other Desian lording over us. Cocky little gits, every one of them," a third prisoner cut in. "They think they're so tough. If we could only get our hands on a weapon or two…"

"Keep talking like that, you'll go the same way Harriet did," the first one cautioned. "She nearly got a lot of us killed. Don't do the same." The third prisoner shrugged. "Hey, you. The Cardinal got bored of keeping you as his little pet?" The first one continued, turning to Lloyd, who flushed. He hated that.

"I'm not a pet," he replied instantly. "I'm just a prisoner." They laughed harshly.

"If you were just a prisoner, he wouldn't have had you follow at his heel like a dog. Did you have fun, being the Desian's puppy?" The second asked patronisingly.

"I-I'm not a dog!" Lloyd replied. This is going to go so badly, I can feel it… "Forcystus just had to keep an eye on me. H-he had orders!" The prisoners glanced at each other, looking worried.

"Hey, no need to get us into trouble!" The third one told him in a hissed whisper.

"You don't use the Cardinal's name without a title! What are you, stupid?" The first reprimanded. Lloyd hung his head. Yesterday's events and Forcystus' detachment had made him careless! He was an idiot…

"Hey, we can use this," the second realised suddenly. "If he was a pet… D'you know anything about this illness rumour?" Lloyd but his lip.

"It passed. It wasn't anything serious," he replied, seeing the looks of disappointment on the prisoners' faces. "But I'm not a pet. Martel, no. F… Lord Forcystus told me that he despised the idea." The first raised his eyebrows.

"He talked to you? In a civilised manner? Now that I can't believe," he remarked.

"The Cardinal hates the lot of us. You know what they're like with us humans. No way did he treat you like a person," the second added.

"They simply need an excuse for why I treat you like a hum… Like a person," was what Forcystus had said the other day. Lloyd sighed.

"…It's hard to explain…" He murmured. The third laughed.

"Hey, but you're in with us now. Got an Exsphere and everything." He indicated Lloyd's hand, and he covered his Exsphere protectively. "You ain't getting out of it."

"…It's just for the day… Lord Forcystus promised…" Lloyd protested. They all laughed then.

"You believed a promise made by a Desian? Get real," the first ridiculed, and Lloyd hung his head. Yes, today was going to be bad.

So, they had to push rocks cut from the cliff into the courtyard. That wasn't so hard for Lloyd with the aid of his Exsphere – the aid of his mother – but for the rest of the prisoners whose Exspheres were raw and powerless, it was a very demanding task. Lloyd decided quickly that acting as though it was just as hard for him would be the best idea. It was still fairly tiring.

He saw Forcystus with Pronyma quite early into the day. Neither of them looked particularly happy, and he saw Forcystus spit insults at her several times. She looked as though she wanted to roast him over a spit. Lloyd wondered absently why none of the Cardinals got along. Surely one of the most important things in any organisation was teamwork and trust? None of the Cardinals had any love for each other, much less trust.

"Your humans are filthy," Pronyma remarked as they passed close by Lloyd.

"Go to Kvar's Ranch then come back and say that," Forcystus spat. "Get working, don't stare!" Lloyd hadn't dared, in case Pronyma recognised him, but some of the others had. "Inferiors…" Forcystus murmured, but Lloyd could feel his gaze on him for a second, worry in his eyes as he looked up only for a second. "Come, Pronyma. I'm sure you don't wish to spend time out here with the humans. You might catch something." His voice was full of bitterness; clearly she had poked fun at his illness earlier. Lloyd felt sorry for him. He was a good person inside, but he hid it. He was hated by the prisoners for good reason; he was constantly in battle with almost all of the other Desians… He had been a hero, now what was he…?

One of the prisoners was whipped for disobedience halfway through the day. Lloyd had to work hard to keep a hold on himself, just carrying on and ignoring it went against all his beliefs. Never abandon someone in need. Although, last time he had tried to stop it, Iselia had been… He shook his head. How could he have known they had security cameras? He hadn't even known about their existence at the time! He had only been trying to do what was best… But he had made a mistake. He sighed absently, making those working near him give him a strange look. He had to make up for his mistakes. He had to atone for what he had caused Iselia to suffer.

He had to find Colette.

He didn't cause trouble.

The work at the Ranch clearly didn't feature breaks. Forcystus hadn't really told him all that much, other than that more suffering made a more powerful Exsphere. And the more powerful the end result, the better. Just after midday – Lloyd made an educated guess by the position of the sun in the sky – Forcystus came out into the courtyard on his own to watch the work, obviously having managed to get rid of Pronyma for a while. He noted those around him shoot the Cardinal poisonous glances, but he did nothing of the sort. He knew full well what Forcystus had put himself through for Lloyd when Kvar had come. How could he hate him after that?

Pronyma arrived a short while later, a disk in her hand, and had a talk with Forcystus that Lloyd was too far away to hear. Forcystus was waving her away irritably, clearly not happy with whatever she was suggesting, and Lloyd bit his lip when she indicated the prisoners working. That included him, and at this point he was exhausted despite his Exsphere. He could feel its warmth rushing into him as he worked, but it wasn't enough. He was surprised the other workers managed to stand it.

Maybe I'm just weak? He wondered miserably as Forcystus shouted at Pronyma. He couldn't distinguish words, but he could tell by the tone of the Desian's voice that he was barely concealing anger. When he dared to glance up again, Pronyma was walking across the courtyard, Forcystus stalking after her, still angry. The prisoners had been exchanging glances, clearly they found it amusing to see their overlord put down and ignored.

"…See why Lord Yggdrasill should mind if I take one," Pronyma was remarking, a slight smile on her lips. Lloyd swallowed. This was like the situation with Kvar all over again.

"Lord Yggdrasill would kill it in an instant! He hates them!" Forcystus replied. Pronyma sighed.

"But they're such fun to play with," she replied, her eyes falling on Lloyd, who ignored it. Forcystus had gone slightly pale.

"No, Pronyma. It would be pointless, a waste, and the Exsphere would never…"

"Leonazium." Lloyd cried out as dark energy hit him and he crashed to the ground. What the hell?

That was like Beast, only more painful, he thought, struggling to his feet, deciding that arguing would be a very, very bad idea.

"Pronyma, you idiot!" Forcystus shouted. "You do not attack my prisoners without reason! What in hell was that for?" Lloyd felt slightly reassured by the worry in his voice.

"It's fun," she replied absently. "I liked the look of your little pet. Kvar wants that inferior to play with, doesn't he?"

"Kvar's not having him," Forcystus muttered. "Leave them alone, let them work. If you've injured it badly enough it might not be able to work as effectively. I will be very angry if it dies because of that." Pronyma just laughed. Lloyd wanted a sword or two; he'd show her a Beast.

"And I do not care. I am here on Lord Yggdrasill's orders; surely you do not dispute the will of our Lord?" Pronyma replied with a false sweet smile.

"If you bring that up one more time, I swear…" Forcystus muttered, stalking after Pronyma as she walked off, shooting a glance back at Lloyd, who risked smiling slightly. He was fine. A small smile touched Forcystus' face, which turned instantly to intense irritation as Pronyma demanded something.

Pronyma was still in the Ranch when the sun set and the siren sounded for the end of the working day.

"That was a little rough on you, young 'un. You alright?" One prisoner asked him. Lloyd nodded. His Exsphere meant he could take things like that, even if it had hurt considerably.

"Heh, that Desian sure wiped the smirk off Lord Forcystus' face!" Another remarked. "Not often we get to see that. Happy days, eh?" Lloyd just nodded again. Pronyma was only just below Kvar now on the list of Desians Lloyd would like to kill. The list wasn't all that long. It included Kvar, Pronyma and Yggdrasill, and that was pretty much it.

Lloyd curled up in a corner, trying to ignore the snide 'pet' comments shot in his direction every so often, and waited for Forcystus to come and get him. He didn't know why Pronyma had decided to stay so long; she and Forcystus clearly didn't get along. He knew Forcystus wouldn't just leave him… Well, he was fairly certain. He didn't have a raw Exsphere, and the orders from Cruxis…

When silence fell over the prisoners, Lloyd looked up, hopeful.

"I'm glad you've learnt how to behave, you inferior insects," Forcystus remarked, and Lloyd stood up, hopeful.

"Out of Lord Forcystus' way!" A guard spat, and the prisoners parted.

"L025! Make yourself known," Forcystus spat. Lloyd walked forwards, uncertain. The tone of Forcystus' voice was so angry… "You have caused Lady Pronyma problems," he spat, and Lloyd met his gaze, confused. "I intend to remove them." The prisoners around him winced, giving him sympathetic looks. "Here. Now." Lloyd went up to him, as ordered, thoroughly confused and hoping that this was just part of the act. A guard grabbed him, and he didn't resist. The prisoners looked away. Lloyd shot Forcystus a terrified look, and the angry look on Forcystus' face softened slightly. "I want no fuss from you insects, understood?" He snapped at the prisoners. There was utter silence. "Good. Bring him." The guard nodded, dragging Lloyd out of the room.

"L-lord Forcystus…" Lloyd whimpered once they were away from the rest of the prisoners. Forcystus looked at him.

"Alright. Let him go," he told the guard, who nodded. Lloyd practically collapsed from fear. "What's wrong, Lloyd? You didn't think I'd actually have you killed, did you?" The Cardinal asked. Lloyd looked at him.

"…I… Wasn't sure… Because… Pro- Lady Pronyma…" He mumbled. Forcystus laughed softy.

"Pronyma is a bitch who deserves what's coming to her. She had no right to attack you, nor any of the prisoners. This is my Ranch; I decide what goes on in it, not her. She's just Lord Yggdrasill's little slut, and she loves it." The guard was dismissed with a wave of Forcystus' hand. "She didn't hurt you, did she?"

"…Not much…" Lloyd replied. "My Exsphere… I mean…" Forcystus nodded.

"She hates humans, really. She was just doing that to irritate me because she heard about Kvar's… Rather unhealthy obsession with you. You're a human! He's such an…" Forcystus shook his head rather than finish the sentence. Lloyd gave him a worried look. "No use fretting over it. Come on, I'm sure you'd like to get out of those… Clothes." Lloyd noticed Forcystus' hesitation over use of the word 'clothes' for the rags he had on. He nodded, and Forcystus smiled. Lloyd noted how very rarely Forcystus actually smiled, if the snide smiles he often had for those he didn't respect didn't count. Lloyd wasn't the only one who never seemed to smile in this Ranch.

Forcystus took him back to his cell and did something strange with the control panel so that an opaque covering slid down between the bars.

"Wish I could do that," Lloyd murmured. He heard Forcystus laugh, although he could only see the half-elf as a vague silhouette.

"If you had paid attention to Roy you'd be able to," he replied. Lloyd huffed, dressing quickly then going up to the bars and tapping the covering. Forcystus removed it, making Lloyd give him a dismayed look.

"It's just plastic, Lloyd," he told the disappointed teen, noting that Lloyd now had the feather in his hand again. "…You're quite attached to that, aren't you?" He murmured. Lloyd's grip on it tightened jealously.

"It's… Comforting," he murmured, unable to explain it properly. Forcystus nodded.

"…Yes…" He murmured. "No-one caused you any hassle today, did they?" Lloyd shook his head.

"…All the prisoners are convinced I'm your pet too, Forcystus. I hate it," he admitted. Forcystus sighed.

"Well, I can't really do all that much about it. Grin and bear it, alright? I'll see what I can do." Lloyd looked from the feather to Forcystus.

"Why didn't you want me here?" He asked suddenly, remembering what Forcystus had said through the Lens. Forcystus laughed bitterly.

"Because a Ranch is no place for a human. That's the whole point of them, right? I've exposed you to a lot of danger besides, especially Kvar. You'd have been better off with the Chosen."

"…If your orders were 'keep me safe'… Why should I necessarily be here?" Lloyd murmured. Forcystus gave him a careful look.

"Don't, Lloyd," he murmured. "If I let you out, I…"

"Someone will tell Yggdrasill about this?" He held the feather up.

"Lord Yggdrasill!" Forcystus reprimanded harshly. "I don't know what you are talking about! You're more trouble than you're worth sometimes!"

"I try," Lloyd replied with a smile. Strangely, that made Forcystus smile, too.

"…Yes, you do," he murmured. "You are… Very like… The person I used to be." He sighed and walked away.

"F-Forcystus! Wait! What?" Lloyd called, confused, but the half-elf didn't look back. What was that all about…?

A/N - It's a little shorter than some of the others, I apologise.

Can you tell that Forcy hates Pronyma? I think he hides it quite well XD

Reviews welcome ^^