[Dad has started taking Lloyd outside of the base for short trips to Triet. Once, he even took him to Flanoir. This time, because Uncle's in a delicate spot with the festival and making friends with Zelos's bodyguards, Uncle can't get away to check in at the base -- or that's what Dad told Botta. Lloyd overheard it.
[Lloyd doesn't even care he got caught eavesdropping because he gets to visit Zelos in Meltokio.
[They come in with a lot of other people preparing for the festival in a couple of weeks, early-goers and labourers. Dad's here as a mercenary helping guard one such caravan, which is easy enough work that there's nothing strange about Lloyd coming with. Not many bandits try for caravans that large. Lloyd spends most of his time with huge eyes and excited exclamations, and training with the wooden swords Dad gave him for his eighth birthday.
[By the time they reach Meltokio, Lloyd can't decide if he wants to take the rest of the day to see the city or go straight to see Zelos and Uncle. In the end they get there late enough that he sees some while escorting the caravan through the city, and that evening they stay at one of the inns low down on the hill.
[The next morning, they head to the castle. Lloyd barely notices how Dad gets them inside the walls; he's too busy jumping from foot to foot until they get moving, skirting the castle proper for the courtyards. Lloyd hears familiar voices long before he sees them. Throwing his bag at Dad with a grin, the nine-year-old in red pelts around the corner and flings himself on Zelos with a delighted yell.]
no subject
[Lloyd doesn't even care he got caught eavesdropping because he gets to visit Zelos in Meltokio.
[They come in with a lot of other people preparing for the festival in a couple of weeks, early-goers and labourers. Dad's here as a mercenary helping guard one such caravan, which is easy enough work that there's nothing strange about Lloyd coming with. Not many bandits try for caravans that large. Lloyd spends most of his time with huge eyes and excited exclamations, and training with the wooden swords Dad gave him for his eighth birthday.
[By the time they reach Meltokio, Lloyd can't decide if he wants to take the rest of the day to see the city or go straight to see Zelos and Uncle. In the end they get there late enough that he sees some while escorting the caravan through the city, and that evening they stay at one of the inns low down on the hill.
[The next morning, they head to the castle. Lloyd barely notices how Dad gets them inside the walls; he's too busy jumping from foot to foot until they get moving, skirting the castle proper for the courtyards. Lloyd hears familiar voices long before he sees them. Throwing his bag at Dad with a grin, the nine-year-old in red pelts around the corner and flings himself on Zelos with a delighted yell.]
ZELOS!