#FORGIVE ME FOR REPLYING TO THIS SO LATE... i didn't exist in december or january

[twohundredpower]

When Kay pulled out her staff, laying it out for Lloyd to examine, there was a moment where his excited smile suddenly dwindled into something darker; a frown pulling his previously upturned lips downwards, as the night at the art gallery replayed in his head, clear as day.

"Yeah. I remember him." Even though it wasn't actually him, the mirror image of Kay's grandfather had still hurt the girl immensely; the way she cried that night forever burned in his memory. Absentmindedly, a hand fell towards his stomach; brushing against the surface of his jacket.

Still, Kay held all of Lloyd's attention as she continued, and while she spoke, he couldn't help but feel a sweeping pride wash over him at her words. In the three years that Lloyd had been in Spirale, the little girl before him had changed so much; sometimes, he couldn't believe that she was still so young, that her infinite wisdom didn't somehow make her grow older quicker than the rest of them. Though no one should have experienced what she had gone through at her age, he knew that it was her experiences that led her to think this way; the people in her life that showed her how much she was worth, how she deserved a life of happiness, no matter who tried to tell her otherwise in her past. Her fathers, he knew, played a significant role in doing that; but a lot of it was Kay realizing it for herself.

She was worthy of a weapon she didn't have to earn. To not have to live up to the expectations of someone who barely looked at her like she was her own person. Kay was who she wanted to be now, living the life she deserved to-- and hearing that she wanted to be like him, to be brave and kind to all around her, made Lloyd feel more honoured than he could ever put into words.

The smile had come back to his features, though this time remained gentle, softer than it had before. Silently, Lloyd rounded the front desk of the forge, kneeling before Kay before he pulled her into a hug.

"You don't have to try and be like me, Kay. You're already a good person, and you're braver than anyone else I know. I think that's something you'll always be a natural at, even as you get older."

He pulled away, just enough to raise one of his hands to ruffle the top of her head; careful not to mess up her buns too much.

"You've given me strength when I needed it, you've made me smile so hard-- sometimes enough to make my cheeks hurt--" He laughed a bit at that, easily able to recall all the good memories they shared together. "-- and you've never left my side, no matter what we've gone through. I know your dads are proud to have you as a daughter, and I'll always feel the same way about you being apart of my family-- so now, I'll make a weapon for you that makes you just as proud of me!"

Without warning, Lloyd suddenly scooped Kay into his arms; hoisting her up to sit on one of his shoulders.

"But if I'm gonna do that, then I'm gonna need some inspiration! C'mon-- let's head over to the drawing table! You can show me everythin' you've ever imagined for your own staff and help me bring it to life!"

Her face lights up as soon as she realizes he's taking her seriously. Part of her knew he would, but this is important to her. She wanted to make sure she did it right!

She draws the staff from her back, placing it on the counter. It's well made, but it's clearly old, and has seen better days. Not to mention the wear at the bottom from it dragging on the ground as she walked. And no wonder-- there's no way a staff meant for a grown man would fit well for a young girl. At first, Kay thought about asking him to repair it, but...

"This is the staff I use now," she says. "I got it from my grandpa. You remember him, right?" A grimace as she remembers that night in the museum. Her statement is carefully worded; it was his, but he never gave it to her. For practically her whole life, she's been dragging a weapon around that she stole.

"Grandpa said it would be mine someday. When I took over the family 'legacy' or whatever." Her ears droop, and she sighs. "That's what I thought I wanted, so when he died, I took it. I wanted him to be proud of me, but I knew I never earned it. I thought if I could just work hard enough, I could still be worthy to carry it someday."

But lately, things have been different, haven't they? She's spent so much time away from him now. With her parents, and her friends, with Lloyd, with all of the wonderful people she's met here. They're the ones who believe in her. More and more she's come to realize that she doesn't care what Grandpa would say anymore, or whether she's earned the staff she carries.. Not when she's found her own group of people that love her for who she is now.

"This staff doesn't really fit me. It never did, but I never wanted to believe it. It's too big, and too clumsy," she shows it off with a few practice swings. She's obviously practiced with it, but her movements would be much faster if she used a weapon that was lighter, and smaller; something made for her. That's what she's asking for, isn't it?

"I want a weapon that's really truly mine. And one that I don't have to worry about earning. All that stuff Grandpa wanted me to be... I don't want that anymore. I get to choose what I want! And I want to grow up to be brave and nice like you, Lloyd!" She looks up at him, eyes practically sparkling.

"That's why I want you to be the one to make it! You've always believed in me no matter what, so I just know you can make something that fits for me! I know it!