Broken Wings
N.W. 83
Turning of the Century

Lloyd looked over the land he'd purchased with the experienced eye of a craftsman. Building houses had never been his forte, but he'd helped often enough, and he knew what he needed.

So, the only thing truly left for him to do was to figure out where he'd build, and get to work. He had land—outside of Luin, not so close that midnight metalwork would wake anyone up, but not so far that it would be a chore to get to from town—he had a basic idea of what he needed to do, and he had the skills he needed.

It was slow going, anyway. He regularly had to leave his construction site to go deal with the usual petty conflicts and minor skirmishes he, Zelos, Colette, and Genis were still tracking down and ending. Perhaps the only thing keeping him going at times was the fact that he could see the house and attached workshop and forge starting to take shape.

Not having to sleep was a blessing at times, especially when one or both of the moons were full, or nearing it. The light from the moons and his enhanced eyesight made it easy enough for him to get work done on his new home.

He missed Iselia at times, traveling the world and calming conflicts before they could escalate into all-out war.

But Iselia reminded him far too strongly of Colette. Of Lilia, and Paul—bless the man's soul, even as his body now rested in a grave beside his mother's—and everything he had before the Regeneration.

He could only stand to visit anymore. The memories were too painful, and Colette too distant to attempt to reconcile with.

Though... that might have been less because she was avoiding him, and more because they'd agreed to hold to an old elven tradition. It was unusual, but not unheard of for an elf to remarry if their significant other had died, but in those cases, the widow always remained such for a full century before courting again.

It hurt not to be able to reconnect with Colette, but... For all that he and Lilia had never worn rings, or been wed before the church, they'd had their vows. Promises spoken softly, fearfully, the very night that Lloyd had told Lilia he would never be growing old with her.

His relationship with Lilia had been anything but traditional, and the effects were long-reaching.

And that... That was why he stood there now, building a home and place of work outside Luin.

This was going to be his escape from Iselia. And... maybe, one day, it would be more than that. It would actually be home, not just the place he built to get away from the bad memories.

It wasn't until he found himself sanding down some of the rough edges of the wood that he realized how much time he'd spent on this project... or how close he was to finished.

Russet eyes looked around the unfurnished house, easily seeing where the furniture would be going. Certainly, he'd have to make most of it himself, but it wouldn't be much of a problem. He was used to doing furniture, really. And for once...

For once, he mused as he sat in a corner and looked around, he'd be able to make it the way he wanted it, not the way the client wanted it.

A knock on the door startled him, and he leapt to his feet, walking over and opening it curiously. Who would be...?

A shock of silver-white hair met his eyes, the young man outside the door a bare three inches shorter than him, blue-violet eyes still wide with a childlike curiosity.

Lloyd grinned. "Genis!"

"Are you ever gonna finish this thing? I mean, come on, you've only been working on it... what, three months?" the half-elf teased.

Lloyd snickered and stepped to the side, the silent invitation one Genis took without a word. "Just think. If I had to sleep, it would be taking me a lot longer. But I'd also be done already if I didn't have to keep running off to deal with stuff."

Blue eyes rolled in their sockets, even though Genis was still grinning. "So, you planning on having a housewarming party once you've got it finished?"

Lloyd snorted. "Like I'll have much time for that." The mirth faded, and he sighed. "I need to get the workshop and forge finished before I worry too much about furnishing the place. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm getting tight on gald."

"Do you need to borrow any? I've got plenty stashed away," Genis asked.

Lloyd shook his head. "Nah. The nice thing about the Irving name is that everyone's always looking for our services. But Dad specializes in woodwork. He might have taught me all he knows about smithing, but he didn't teach me everything I know. I've taught myself a lot, and that'll give me something that I can offer without taking away too many of Dad's clients."

Genis smiled. "Look at you, sounding all grown up."

He snorted. "I'm..." He stopped, blinked, counted, and then frowned. "Huh. I missed my hundredth birthday."

Genis paused, seemed to count, and then must have come up with the same numbers Lloyd had, because he looked surprised. "We did! You turned a hundred three weeks ago!"

Lloyd laughed a bit. "Well, guess I have to have that housewarming party now. Gotta make up for the missed birthday party."

They'd stopped celebrating birthdays, for the most part, but Zelos had insisted, within weeks of Sheena's passing, that they all celebrate their one hundredth.

Genis smiled. "So... Anything I can help with in here?"

Lloyd chuckled and picked up another square of sandpaper. "I'm not fighting with furniture until I've got all the rough edges sanded down. Sure you don't want to bow out while you can?"

"Do I look like I have something better to do? Gimme that!"