#twohundredpower 04

[lalaluuz]

@twohundredpower

Luz encouraged Stringbean to duck into the hood of her coat, hoping to keep her a surprise until after she'd surprised Lloyd with her presence alone. Her palisman safely tucked away, Luz wasted no time in busting through the door of the forge.

"Llooooooyd! Hello, you in here?!" she called out, already unzipping her coat, though not removing it just yet--that would defeat the purpose of Stringbean's hiding place! "I'm back and I need a hug, now!"

[minimeteor]

@twohundredpower​

“Lady Seles, you have a visitor.”

“...I wasn’t expecting anyone. Who is it?”

“He, ah... well, perhaps you should hear for yourself.”

Seles gave Tokunaga a cautious stare, before sighing and going to the entryway of the manor. The person who showed up was... not exactly someone she would’ve expected to see walking around this district, put bluntly. Not to say he was a slob, or she was judging him (though she maybe was), but rather that he didn’t hold that general air about him that most people of ‘high society’ seemed to carry.

“Yes? Who are you, then?” Her eyes were cold, ever-cautious about someone new showing up. She doubted Tokunaga would ever try to trick her, he was the only person she could trust- but then, why wouldn’t he give her a straight answer? “I am Seles Wilder. I presume you wished to speak with me.”

[spiderstaff]

@twohundredpower​

“Lloyd!! Wait up!”

Normally she’s used to having to jog to catch up with him, but now she can cross the room in a few strides... she could get used to this. She’s got the pin that he fixed pinned proudly to her lapel-- a matching golden harp symbol can be found on her belt buckle, and embroidered on the back of her tailcoat.

“Oh! I’m Kay by the way-- if you couldn’t recognize me.” She points to the scars almost automatically; that’s how most people have identified her so far.

“Have you danced at all yet? I’ve been meaning to, but I didn’t want to go out there by myself.”

[divineshadows]

@twohundredpower​

Even as things had changed, Emil still wasn’t a fan of Lloyd Irving. However, if there was something he disliked most, it was feeling like he owed him something- and as confused as he was about it, Lloyd had absolutely helped him out. Which meant it was only right that Emil did something for the other in return, right? 

Which was why he’d found himself at the Forge, a number of carefully packaged containers balanced delicately in his hands. He couldn’t say he was particularly artsy in any ways, but Marta and the others always seemed impressed by his cooking... so that was something he figured would be a decent enough thank you. The only remaining problem was that his hands were too full to actually knock on the door... a problem that his wolf decided to solve by scratching at it, whining to be let inside.

“H-Huangdi, no! Down! You’ll scratch it!”

[lalaluuz]

Nerves made Luz's spine stiffen as Lloyd pulled from the hug and looked her over, but she relaxed at his offer. "I... I'll definitely take you up on that, probably soon."

Noishe received a delighted final head scratch before Luz revealed Stringbean.

"Yeah! She's my perfect little baby~" Luz nuzzled the side of Stringbean's head, encouraging her to leave her perch and meet her friends.

Permission received, the Palisman floats off Luz's shoulders, approaching Lloyd first. She circles the man's head, flicks her tongue once, before zipping in and nuzzling his cheek--Her Luz loved this person very much, and didn't need any more reason to offer him her own affection.

The larger, furry creature was something Stringbean was far more unfamiliar with, but her witch was also incredibly fond of them. Stringbean circled their head as well, stopping in front of their nose and giving a curious sniff. Appeased, Stringbean floated up to curl up on the top of their head--Noishe was warm and soft, both things the palisman liked very much.

Luz giggled as she watched her palisman greet her two friends. "She's something called a snake shifter--once she gets all her powers back, she'll be able to change her shape. I bet she could transform into a small Stringbean-version of Noishe, when she's got it back! I'll also eventually be able to fly with her."

"Whoa, wait-- again?!" parting from their embrace slightly, Lloyd did so only so he could get a better look at Luz, studying her from head to toe. Her scar was still there, and there weren't any others he could see.. but..

"Hey, yeah.. your hair's longer than it was before!" but when this happened the first time, Lloyd remembered that Luz's new memories weren't entirely pleasant. She, her friends, and the world that she loved so much had gone through so many unimaginable things.. had it gotten any better? Or were things worse this time around? He wanted to make sure she was alright, but Lloyd also knew he had to give Luz the opportunity to choose to tell him; running a hand over her head and tousling her tresses of hair around a bit as he smiled. "You can tell me all about it when you're ready."

[ Welcome back, Luz! We are so happy to see you again! ] The Protozoan chimed in, clearly elated to be receiving the same sort of affection that Lloyd had. It, as well, heard the gentle hisses rising from Luz's coat; and backed off just slightly, as if preparing to run away from a monster.

But to its, and Lloyd's surprise, it was a tiny, and very cute looking creature. Once Luz revealed what she truly was, the brunette beamed all over again; excitement forming the grin on his face.

"She came from that egg?! Really?!" moving a little closer, Lloyd leaned in to get a better look at the Palisman; offering his hand out to her. "Stringbean, huh.. heheh, sounds like the perfect name to me. It's nice to meet you!"

[ Oh..! Yes, it is! ] peeking from around Lloyd's leg, Noishe lifted their head again, giving a bark in greeting. [ She's very cute, Luz! Her body is like a snake, but she has fur, and such an adorable face! You've made such a lovely friend! ]

[lalaluuz]

Luz absolutely beamed as Lloyd bounded up to her, squealing with delight as she's lifted from the ground and thrown. Her arms wrap tightly around Lloyd's shoulders as he catches her, squeezing as hard as she can to return the enthusiastic affection. She presses her face to his shoulder as she feels her eyes sting, laughing through the urge to cry as they hug. She couldn't even care about his filth from the forge--she was just happy to see him again.

"Y-yeah, I am!" She sniffled and wiped at her eyes with her hands as he set her down. "Not that long ago, really. I uh, had a little adjusting to do because I came back with new memories again, but eh, you know." Luz shrugged that away, turning with an excited grin to Noishe and wrapping her arms around their large neck.

Then a gentle hiss tickled her ear, and she gasped. "Oh! I have someone I want you to meet!" She parted from Noishe and shrugged her coat off, revealing her violet snake shifter draped over her shoulders. Stringbean perks her head up, her forked tongue flicking out curiously as she observes Lloyd and Noishe.

"This is Stringbean! You remember my li'l egg I took with me everywhere before? While I was back in my world, she hatched!"

At first, Lloyd thought he might've been dreaming. He thought about the friends and family that went home more times than he could count; looking at the small pieces of them left behind in the forge, unable to smile when those memories came rushing back. Already that day, he repositioned the little googly-eyed rocks he and Luz had made in the window after wiping all the dust away, so maybe it was because she was already on her mind that he could hear her voice so clearly.

But that wasn't it, and that possible inkling wasn't enough not to make him double-check, anyway; bounding out of his workshop, covered in soot from head to toe, searching for her in the front of the forge.

He'd never been so happy to be wrong before.

"Luz!!!"

Of course, a big brother always had to do what his little sister asked of him-- even when he was filthy-- bounding towards Luz before pulling her into the biggest hug he could muster. His arms wrapped around her completely, gently crashing their heads together before he started laughing; picking her up under the arms and throwing her up into the air.

"I can't believe it! You're back, you're really back..!!" of course, he'd have to give her a moment to recuperate; catching her and setting her back down. It was hard not keep a lid on his emotions, especially now; tearing up in-between his bursts of absolute joy. He even heard Noishe rouse from his bed by the fireplace, trotting around the corner as Lloyd inspected the girl from head to toe. "Are you-- when did you get here?! You have no idea how much I missed you!"