caughtinanetwork | 32nd Combo

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32nd Combo - [Video]

[You know what's a really bad way to wake up? Waking up inside of a coffin is what's a really bad way to wake up! In his initial panic at waking up trapped in that small, tight space, Lloyd doesn't even register the pendant hanging around his neck, or the picture lying in the coffin with him. No, Lloyd's panic means he's slamming against the walls, the lid-

Oh. The lid isn't locked. It slams open, allowing Lloyd to sit up and gulp grateful breaths of air.

Grateful until he realizes just what it is he's sitting in. With a yelp, Lloyd all but flies out of the box. Wait. Holy crap, those aren't his arms! That's not his body!]

What's going on?!

[...that isn't his voice, either!

A few minutes later, after Lloyd's spotted his reflection...]

LAHARL!

[Vatheon, that's one angry face shouting through the SFC. One angry demon face, not an angry teen.]

I don't know what you're up to now, but I swear I'll put a stop to it! Now give me back my body!

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[Lloyd eyes the scarf like it's a live snake, but even with Laharl holding it, it doesn't seem to react. When it doesn't, he's not sure if it's a relief, or if it's just prolonging the sense that the scarf is just 'playing dead.' He decides to focus on Laharl's comment instead.]

Your mana? [He frowns. Laharl probably means the mana that Lloyd has access to right now. Brow furrowing deeply, he concentrates, no stranger to dealing with his body's energy. Even if this isn't exactly his body, it can't be that different, right? Concentrating, he gathers all the mana he can.] Okay, what do I do with it?

[For a second there he thought he'd have to explain mana. At Lloyd's question, he still wants to snap 'Just get out of there!' but he stops himself.]

Nnnh... [If only he was in his own body, he's sure he could figure this out. Of course then he wouldn't have to figure it out.] Can you feel what doesn't belong? Can you try to force it out?

[Lloyd just gives Laharl a look at that question. From Lloyd's point of view, everything doesn't belong. Without any better ideas, though, he holds his tongue.]

I'll try. Hang on.

[Gathering mana and actually using it are two completely different things, especially when he doesn't know what he's doing with it. All he has is a rough concept: get himself out and back into his body. Okay. He can do this. Focus on Laharl. Focus on his mana. His expression settles into one of fierce concentration as he wills every fiber of his being on forcing all of his energy out!]

[FWOOM!

Mana flares and there's no warning before it suddenly erupts, a fiery blaze headed straight for the demon. Lloyd yelps, but it's too late.]

Laharl!

Woah!

[Laharl jumps back from the fire, but not far enough, and his instinctive attempt to move his scarf... doesn't make it do anything. Luckily he is still holding it in front of himself, and it takes the brunt of the flames. The brunt, not all.]

Ow ow ow!

[He is not used to this burning! Hurriedly batting at Lloyd's clothing with his scarf to tamp down anything that caught fire.]

What the hell are you doing!?

I was just doing what you said! I pushed my mana out!

[Panic still clings to the edge of his voice even after the fire goes out.]

I didn't mean to do that! I've never used magic like that before! Judgment's about the only thing I've had practice at!

[Probably not a good idea, telling his weaknesses to a demon, but Lloyd's not exactly thinking clearly right now.]

Are- are you all right?

Edited 2013-08-18 22:16 (UTC)

What, that's the only spell you know? You could've told me that!

[He gives a growl that doesn't sound quite right in Lloyd's throat and checks himself over.]

I think your body has some burns.

H-hey, I've been working on it! It's not as easy as it looks!

My body...? [Oh, right. Laharl's talking about his body, not him. Man, this curse is throwing everything off. His eyes go to the burns and he winces. Ow, those don't look good. Lloyd swallows at the thought of feeling those burns if they switch back.] We should get you to the coral. I don't know any healing spells.

[Laharl gives him a look as if to say it's totally as easy as it looks.]

Tch. I guess that's the only option. I don't trust you to cast anything in my body.

[He takes the scarf and... tosses it around his neck. Even if he can't control it right now, it feels strange to just leave it lying around.]

Let's go.

Are you even able to use healing spells? I mean, if you were still in your body?

[Lloyd eyes Laharl doubtfully. Would a demon really know healing magic?

Not seeing much choice either, he follows the other boy out. Only because he wants to make sure Laharl gets his body healed, mind you. Not because the demon told him to.]

I know one or two.

[So they're not his forte, but it isn't because he's a demon. It's mostly because they're boring and don't involve burning people.

He heads back out of the apartment building, towards the plaza.]

Really?

[Surprise mixes with the doubt in his voice. It really isn't something he expected Laharl to be able to do.]

So maybe I could try to heal you.

[Lloyd's never healed someone before.

He has to hurry to try to keep up. Man, he never realized how long his stride is. Why does he have to be the one that's short?]

[Laharl glances back--why does Lloyd seem to be having trouble keeping up?--with a frown.]

Don't. It doesn't come naturally to me, so you'll just mess it up.

[Lloyd frowns right back. The fact that Laharl doesn't think he can needles into his pride.]

So what if I did mess it up? What's the worst that could happen? It's just a healing spell, right? So maybe it just wouldn't heal.

[Determinedly, he keeps stalking after the guy. He's not going to be left behind.]

You don't know the first thing about magic, do you? It's a wonder you cast that spell on me at all.

Come on, I told you I'm working on it! What's so wrong with what I said?

At my level, it's instinct, but for a beginner like you, there's a lot more concentration that goes into spellcasting than just throwing your mana around and hoping it does what you want.

I bet you don't even know how to channel the right element for healing, and in my body the easiest one for you to use is fire. You really want to burn your own body again?

[Lloyd flushes at being scolded about this like he's some stupid little kid, but the truth is he hadn't really thought that much about it.]

I- I could do different elements if I tried! I'm not gonna burn myself! Or you! Or- Gah, you know what I mean!

[Oh, there's the plaza. The coral's just up ahead.]

[As far as Laharl is concerned, Lloyd pretty much is a stupid little kid. Well, maybe not so little. If nothing else, it's kind of cool being this tall. He can see the tops of some people's heads!]

You aren't, because you aren't going to try. Got that?

[All right, they're at the coral. Laharl walks up to place his hand on it, feeling the sting of the burns fade. That's better.]

[Not helping Lloyd's irritation with you, Laharl. The teen-turned-demon is fuming as he follows the other to the coral.]

You can't tell me what to do, Laharl. Maybe I won't try to practice on you, since you won't need it now, but I could still practice casting spells if I want.

[Laharl wasn't exactly intending a ban on all spells ever. Just the ones above Lloyd's ability, which is almost all spells ever. He turns from the coral and folds his arms.]

Fine. Then let's see some control first. Stick with fire, and keep it small, or at least focus it on yourself. You won't be able to burn my body.

[Yeah, watch him... continue to tell you what to do.]

[Lloyd doesn't quite pick up on that, hearing the command as a challenge. Lifting his chin stubbornly, he draws himself up to his full height. (That height is sadly lacking right now, especially since he's standing near Laharl.)]

I'm not about to cast a fire spell on myself. How stupid do you think I am?

[He looks around, searching for a target.]

How about I burn that paper on the ground?

Pretty stupid.

[Sorry, was that a rhetorical question? Laharl looks over at the piece of paper.]

Hm. You might be able to manage that.

[Grrr... If such things as storm clouds really formed over people's heads, there would be a dark little scribble above Lloyd right now.]

Dammit, I'll show you! Watch this!

[If he can cast Judgment, he can definitely cast this! Furiously focusing his mana, Lloyd thrusts his hands up, then down at the paper, imagining he's hurling his mana at it.]

Fireball!

[Or... fire torch? Fire definitely forms around Lloyd's arms, but when he tries to throw the spell at the paper, only a small 'glob' actually seems to do what he wants. Mostly. His aim isn't the greatest and it splashes on the ground. But hey, the sparks from that still manage to light the paper on fire!

Now if he could get the rest of the fire to go out! True to Laharl's words, it's not burning him, but it's still disconcerting to have fire dancing on his arms! He hastily tries to bat it out.]

D-dammit!

[Play it cool, play it cool.]

There! See?!

[Laharl snorts.]

So much for not setting yourself on fire. I can see you're going to need a lot of practice.

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