Lloyd Irving

[There's a huge grin on Lloyd's face, the kind of grin you only give when you're pleased and excited and everything is right in the world, or when something amazing is happening.]

Hey, everyone! Guess who's officially an adult today!

[That's right, it's his birthday - or the one that he and Dirk celebrate. The only one he's ever known, so the only one that counts as far as he's concerned.]

Oh, yeah, by the way, Kanaya, I finished that necklace for you! When do you wanna meet up?

[He... hasn't realized yet that Kanaya is gone. Late with your gifts again, Lloyd. Always late. :/ ]

But man, I've been looking forward to this birthday so much! Now that I'm eighteen, I don't have to go back to school!

( Kratos wasn't there. )

[Fishing his Dreamberry out of his pocket, Lloyd tried to find his number to call. For some reason, though, the number he thought was his mentor's wasn't there. Damn it. I must have forgotten part of it.

Undeterred, he switched to a public call.]

Has anyone seen Kratos? Um, he's tall, red hair, likes to wear dark clothes. I haven't seen him in a few days and I can't find him now.

[There's a frown on Lloyd's face as the video feed comes on, the kind of frown someone gets when they're facing a problem they haven't managed to figure out.]

During the last full moon, did anyone see anything strange? [He scratches his jaw unconsciously - is that a hint of fuzziness there?] I mean, strange lights or circles of mana on the ground. That kind of thing.

Warnings: None
Effects: Feelings of desperation, then safety.

( His feet pounded on the dirt, his heartbeat rapid, deafening. )


Nngh. [Something is tickling his cheek. The dream fades as consciousness slowly penetrates his brain, but the Dreamberry remains on, recording. He turns his face away from whatever it was touching - giving anyone still watching a very good view of the thick lines and doodles drawn all over his face. There's a feather on his pillow, and more on his shirt, stuck to... is that syrup?]

Huh? [Lloyd's eyes are open now and he's staring groggily at the Dreamberry.] Why's that on...? [He reaches out and picks it up, but he doesn't turn it off before dropping his head back onto his pillow. He might have forgotten to. He's still half asleep.] Ugh. I'm so not ready to wake up...

[A blur of red and black and a startled yell are the first things the Dreamberry picks up. The Dreamberry clatters as it hits the ground, the view spinning crazily, followed by a sharp thud and a low groan from somewhere off to the side.]

Ow...

[There's a soft scuffling as the speaker picks himself up off the ground, then...]

Man, talk about a rough landing! Is everyone all- Huh? Guys?

[Bewildered silence fills the air for a moment. Oh, look. Red boots in the Dreamberry's view.]

Where is everyone?

[The view shakes again, jostled by a careless foot.]

Huh? What's this?

[A red-gloved hand picks the Dreamberry up, then the camera comes into focus on a teenage boy's face. The worry in his warm brown eyes fades briefly as confusion takes its place. He studies the device for a moment, then frowns. With one finger he reaches out to poke something on the Dreamberry.]

I wonder what this-

[Click! The feed abruptly cuts off.]