12th Combo - [Video]

[redcladidealist]

Damn it, I think Zelos is in a sleep coma again. He's not the only one, either. Colette's still asleep- [At least that's what he thinks. He's a little out of the loop, completely unaware that he'd been in a sleep coma, too.] -and Dino was in one, and Zack's friend, and other people. It's like they're contagious or something.

Is that what's really going on? Are people just getting sick with something we've never heard about?

[Man, now he really wishes Professor Raine was here. Even if she didn't know how to heal it, he knows she could figure out what it is. Then maybe they could figure out what to do from there.]

Comments

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

Something like that, yeah. [It's...close enough. Zack doesn't get all the details himself, anyway, so...he'll just take that little explanation!]

It would be, if we were back home. But there's no Mako here, so I'm not sure what to do if that's the problem.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

I dunno about Mako, but there's definitely mana here. If mana is like Mako, maybe it would work if you gave him some of that!

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

I don't think that would...actually work, Lloyd. Mako has to be injected into a person for it to work, and I've never seen mana work that way. Not the stuff from our world, anyway. [And injecting an ether wouldn't help if they had any!]

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

Injected? [That is the look of a very disturbed Lloyd.] That doesn't sound like mana at all. [Was that even possible?]

How long does it take Mako to wear off?

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

Like I said, it's...kinda complicated. [Sheepish look. He doesn't know how to explain this. The one time Hojo would be good for something---.] Let's just say that Mako is mana's evil cousin and leave it at that.

Depends on the SOLDIER and on the batch. It can take about six month for it to wear off in Seph, but it wears off in me in about two months. [Siiigh.] Which might be a problem if I'm still here then.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

[No. Hojo is never good for something. Even this. Simple explanations are better for Lloyd. Anything more complicated tends to go above his head. The teen still looks more than a little disturbed, but he can accept what Zack said.] ...got it.

[But now he really looks troubled.] I've been here five months, and I know people who have been here longer. If you guys don't find a way home before then... Isn't there anything you can do?

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

Not without Mako and people who know how to handle it. [Catching sight of the look on Lloyd's face now.]

Hey, we'll be fine even if it wears off. We don't need the stuff to stay alive, it just makes getting through fights unscathed a lot easier.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

Oh. [His relief is plainly visible. From the way Zack had talked, he'd thought it was worse than that. But not being quite as strong... That's something that can be tackled.] But you can keep training and keep getting better, and it's not always how strong you are that matters. It's how well you fight.

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Zack grins sheepishly; worrying Lloyd had not been his intention!]

You're right, but after four years of having the stuff, it'll just be tricky to adjust to not having it. [...snicker.] Especially if I might have trouble picking up my sword without it.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

Then you just need to train now so you'll be ready when it happens.

[Stare.] ...you can't pick up your sword without Mako?

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Griiiin.] You sound like my mentor when you say that, you know?

[Aaand there's part of the sheepish look back.] I...don't actually know. Never tried before. But it's pretty heavy for a normal person to carry, so I'm guessing it could be hard.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd grins, though he looks a bit sheepish, too.] It's something my mentor would say to me. I guess maybe our mentors are a lot alike.

Huh. Do you think you should find another sword just in case?

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

Sure sounds that way. [Still grinning, even as he tilts his head in thought. Another sword...]

Yeah, that would probably be a good idea. I'll have to head out and look soon.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

Just imagine if they met up and compared notes. [He doesn't know what Zack's mentor is like, but he's envisioning the idea of two Kratoses. Man, that's scary.]

If you find one, do you want help getting used to it? We could spar!

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

We'd probably get the lecture of the century if that happened. [Angeal and Kratos....yeah, that would be a terrible mix for their students.]

Sounds great to me! We'd have to do it outside, though. I don't want to risk us taking out a wall or something. [Sheepish laugh. Yes, Lloyd, he's speaking from experience!]

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd cringes at the thought.] Oh man, if your teacher's like mine, we'd be dead.

Outside's okay with me, but what if we said no powers? That's what you're practicing for anyway, right?

...did you really take out a wall?

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

And if yours is like mine, they'd bring us back to life and do it again. [Quite possibly more than once. And that is a terrible thought.]

Right, but while I've still got Mako, I've got a lot more strength than a normal person. Don't want anyone getting hurt because of that.

.....maybe once or twice.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd shudders and meets Zack's eyes, gesturing fervently.] Okay, we have to swear we're never, ever going to let out teachers meet. What's your teacher's name?

There's no way for you to turn it off or just... not use it?

[That might be a stifled snicker there.] Did you leave a hole shaped like yourself?

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

Angeal Hewley. And he's here now, so...[Zack shakes his head violently. It will not end well if teachers meet!] What's the name of your teacher?

Not that we were taught. They trained us to use everything the Mako gave us at all times. We'd just be well trained army grunts if we didn't.

[Zack snickers out loud at that; it would be funny, but...] Nah, I just knocked the whole wall down. Nearly brought the roof down on my head after that.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

Hey, I think I've met him! Is he the guy with a wing? [Fortunately for both of them...] My teacher was here, too, but he went home. His name is Kratos Aurion. [Which means Kratos and Angeal can't meet.]

[For now.]

Huh. I guess I'll keep my Exsphere in when we spar, then, at least until your Mako wears off. [He grins.] I don't want to become a Lloyd pancake!

Too bad. My friend Colette's made a hole shaped like herself twice. People visit the one in Triet.

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

One white wing on his back, yeah. [Excuse the tiny sigh of relief there, Lloyd. Angeal's lectures are bad enough; Angeal and Lloyd's teacher? Would be worse.] Guess we got lucky for now. Until Kratos shows up again, anyway.

[Nod and a grin. Pancakes, Lloyd?] That's not gonna happen unless I fall on you, man. I'm not that clumsy.

[Blink. Blink. ..oookaay then.] I guess that's one way to leave an impression on somebody.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

Heh... yeah... [And now he suddenly hopes it takes a while for Kratos to find his way back.]

I dunno. [He lifts a finger.] If you knock me into a wall, I might feel a little flat then, too.

Maybe we should just stick outside for now. Just in case.

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Zack does think it would be nice for Lloyd to get his teacher back, but the idea of a lecture from both...well, it's not a fun one. So he'll be joining Lloyd in that hope, though he won't be saying that aloud.]

That's a...good point. [Sheepish chuckle. SOLDIER's do have tremendous strength and it would be easy to flatten someone against a wall...]

Yeah, that's probably a great idea. Less chance of anyone getting really hurt that way.

[Video]

[redcladidealist]

[Which is exactly why he's going to keep his Exsphere in until Zack's Mako powers wear off. Hey, it'll just make the fight more fair if his own abilities are boosted up a bit. So long as he avoids using techs...]

So it's a deal, then? You'll call me when you've found a lighter sword?

[Video]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[So long as he avoids using techs, it'll probably be a fair fight. And if not, well...Zack's long since perfected a dodge roll.]

It's a deal. Thanks, man. I appreciate it. [Grin. He really does appreciate it.]