17th Combo - [Video]

[redcladidealist]

There! I-

[Locked from Eridan]

-did it! Good. That'll keep him from listening in on this. Thanks, Genis. I owe you one.

[Yup, somebody begged his best friend to show him how to lock. That done, he turns his attention on the Dreamberry - and Somarium in general by extension. His expression is very serious, and perhaps a little chagrined.]

Hey, everyone. I... kind of need some help. I need to get stronger, so I need to train, but I also need help learning how to fight magic users. [He makes a face.] Especially magic users that can fly.

[No, he's not talking about anyone in specific. What makes you think that?]

Does anyone want to spar? Or have any advice?

Comments

[allies.livejournal.com]

Is this about Eridan?

[redcladidealist]

Yeah, it is. At least, that's what started it. I want to be able to protect my friends. I can't do that if I can't even defend myself against someone like him.

[allies.livejournal.com]

Fine, fair enough. Just... don't go out of your way to pick a fight with him. He'll probably think you're trying to solicit him into some kind of black romance.

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd folds his arms, trying to look serious and mature and reasonable and serious.] I'm not going to pick a fight with him, but I won't hold back if he threatens me or my friends.

Ew, no way. Why would he think something like that? I've told him I don't have feelings for him, and he definitely doesn't have them for me!

[allies.livejournal.com]

There are two kinds of romance, idiot. There's red romance—pity, and black romance—hate.

[redcladidealist]

[That's right. Karkat had mentioned something about that before. Not that it had sunk in as something that dealt with him. He didn't even really understand it.]

But you're his... kismesis, right? What's that got to do with me?

[allies.livejournal.com]

Our race is known for its infidelity. I'm his kismesis but I wouldn't be surprised if he was trying to court you, too. Or he might think you're trying to talk him into it.

1/?

[redcladidealist]

[...what?]

2/?

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd stares at him. Wait, he doesn't mean-]

3/?

[redcladidealist]

[But he and Eridan-]

4/5

[redcladidealist]

[Eridan wouldn't! Lloyd's told him plain and clear that he-]

5/5

[redcladidealist]

[-hates him.

Ohgodohgodohgod.]

I DON'T HATE HIM LIKE THAT!

[allies.livejournal.com]

[ god fucking damn it. ]

Fuck, Lloyd. This is what happens when you get too close to a species you know shit all about.

[redcladidealist]

I wasn't trying to get close to him at all! It just happened and we yelled at each other a lot! I didn't think he'd-!

[This face FOREVER.]

[allies.livejournal.com]

Yelling is a kind of black flirting.

[redcladidealist]

[The horrified look on Lloyd's face becomes even worse.]

No way. No way. You can't be serious!

[But he already knows Karkat is.]

Can't you hate someone without it meaning you want them like that?! Can't you just be mad?!

[allies.livejournal.com]

That's called platonic hate and you have to make it entirely clear to him that's what it is or he'll keep getting the wrong fucking idea. [ though saying that hasn't worked so well with dave so far... ] Knowing Eridan, he'll insist that you're walking towards something more caliginous.

... Unless you actually are aiming for a black romance here.

[redcladidealist]

[Platonic hate. Platonic hate. Lloyd is going to remember this phrase and grasp onto it with all the desperation of a drowning man with a preserver.]

I don't! Augh, that's the last thing I'd ever want!

[Why would you even suggest that?!]

So, I'll just tell him I hate him platonically, then never talk to him again!

[This is clearly the only solution!]

[allies.livejournal.com]

It probably won't be that easy, but good luck. I'll try and talk to him too.

[redcladidealist]

Maybe he'll listen if we both tell him that.

[Suddenly wishing the ground would swallow him alive. Why him? Why his life? Where is a desk to pound his head against when he needs one?]

Thanks, Karkat. I owe you one.

[allies.livejournal.com]

[ he probably won't but oh well no need to burst lloyd's bubble yet ]

I'm the fucking leader, dealing with his bullshit is my job.

[redcladidealist]

[Yes, let Lloyd keep his delusions for a few more days/minutes/seconds. They'll be gone soon enough as it is.]

I'm still glad for the help. If there's ever something I can do for you, let me know.

[allies.livejournal.com]

[ oh whoa lloyd is... offering to help?? humans sure are weird!! ]

... Yeah. Sure. Okay.

[redcladidealist]

[Welcome to basic courtesy, Karkat, or at least what Lloyd has been taught as such. If someone helps you, you should help them, too. Dwarven vow number one: Let's all work together for a peaceful world!]

Great! [He pushes aside his frustration with the whole thing with Eridan long enough to smile.] I'll keep an ear out, then.

See you later, then?