Broken Wings
N.W. 68
Of Little Sisters

Lloyd Irving had a habit.

It wasn't the best habit in the world, but he knew Zelos had worse habits.

And if racing through the upper atmosphere at ridiculous speeds just after waking up was what it took to keep himself sane... well. That was what he was going to do. Though...

He only took a moment to contemplate landing before dropping into a dive.

Thus was it that Lloyd landed in the clearing around the Yggdrasill with the ease of a veteran flier and shot a grin at Yuan. "Morning!"

The blue-haired half-elf shot him a look. "It's going on sunset, Lloyd."

Which just had Lloyd laughing. "Do I look like I care? I just woke up, like, twenty minutes ago. So far as I'm concerned, it's morning enough."

Yuan rolled his eyes. "Whatever." A pause, during which Yuan was only somewhat pretending to ignore him. "I noticed you've been spending a lot of time around Iselia."

Lloyd shrugged. He'd had a feeling that would come up. Yuan didn't approve of his approach to his potentially endless life, but then, the half-elf hadn't approved of Colette's initial approach, either. Lloyd wasn't changing his tune now, though. And anyway... "A lot of the last few decades has just been working in the forge," he pointed out. "Honestly, when I started learning to smith, I was still human and needed some means to maintain my livelihood." He stopped there and sighed. "Well. Mine and Lilia's. And you know why I didn't leave after..."

"I know," Yuan said, voice soft. "For all that the two of you never married, you were very much Paul's parents." Lloyd nodded and then sighed, looking around a bit.

"I was actually supposed to be headed out to Mizuho this evening. Sheena said she needed me to come get something. Do you want me to grab something for you, since I'll have to fly back this way to get home?" he asked.

Yuan was quiet for a few minutes. "No, thank you."

Lloyd nodded and started walking away, only for another voice to ring out in the clearing.

"It's been quiet without you, big brother."

Lloyd turned and smiled at the green-haired spirit who'd appeared out of the trunk of the Yggdrasill. "You say that like it's a bad thing. Besides, you've been asleep most of the time," he teased. Yuan snorted.

"Reminds me of someone else I know, before he became an angel," the half-elf said. Amusement faded as Yuan gave Lloyd a worried look. "You're not overworking yourself, are you? I may not get out much, but I know you've been running around shutting down conflicts when you can."

Lloyd sighed. "No. Zelos likes playing the worrywart, too."

"You shouldn't stress yourself, big brother. Angel or not, you'll just burn yourself out." Martel stopped and got an almost mischievous look on her face. "And then where will I be with no one but Yuan to talk to?"

Lloyd snorted. "Funny, sis. Not that it would slow you down, any."

"When did this start, anyway?" Yuan asked suddenly, looking baffled.

Lloyd looked up at him, confused. "What? The brother-sister thing?" Yuan nodded, and Lloyd glanced over at Martel, frowning. "Not totally sure. We've been at it for years now, though."

Martel looked sheepish. "Well... 'Father' didn't feel right, but you're still sort of family because you germinated the Seed, so..."

Lloyd hadn't realized Martel could turn that shade of red. As it was, he was pretty sure he was red, too.

Yuan chuckled. "Well, that's fitting, I guess."

"I'm sorry... I'll stop if you want..."

Lloyd sighed. "Martel... If I'd had a problem with you calling me your older brother, I'd have said something earlier." Wide, hopeful green eyes rose from the ground. "And besides... I kinda like having a little sister."

Martel grinned, only for the expression to fade instantly, eyes locked on something behind Lloyd.

He turned just in time to catch Colette, clearly upset. Red, puffy eyes and tear tracks made it obvious the blonde had been crying, and she held onto Lloyd like a lifeline, like she hadn't done for decades.

"Colette?"

"It's Marta! She's... She's gone!"

Oh.

Lloyd closed his eyes and held Colette tight as her tears redoubled, silently offering support to the woman who'd just lost her sister in all but blood. The two of them might still be a bit iffy to each other, but he wasn't going to abandon her right now.

Not when he knew his own brother in spirit, Emil, would no doubt be following Marta shortly.

'Farewell, Marta...'