everyone's re-blogging Lloyd and Zane forbidden scrolls of spinjitzu angst and this is my fucking MOMENT
Here are two snippets I impulsively wrote that were made with my AU in mind but are fairly non specific anyway of Lloyd having a Bad Time trying to find him.
In my AU, Lloyd can 'see' others' energy and sense their presence in the world. He can very easily pick out the presence of other masters because their elements give their energies a unique kind of signature that makes them easy to discern. He's especially sensitive to the OG 4 and Nya since he grew up with them, and could probably find them from anywhere, as long as they're in the same realm as him.
_____
If Lloyd had ever claimed to be cold before in his life, he'd grossly over exaggerated.
He'd experienced a great very many kinds of cold- the gnawing, algid sensation of being possessed by the dead, the damp, clinging chill of the Oni mist, the tepid, dry frost of the Underworld- just to name a few.
This, though.
This was different.
The air was so frigid, it burned where it's icy tongue could kiss his flesh. The hard packed snow beneath his feet caused the creeping frore to leech under his skin and throughout his body. The bleak world around him was so stiff, so thick with frost that at times it seemed to Lloyd he was barely moving forward at all. His breath came out in short, shallow puffs, for the very act of drawing air into his lungs made his body scream in protest at the abuse, at the sharp, frostbitten sensation that stabbed into them with every inhale.
He'd have to find shelter soon. The frost seemed to build up, to weigh upon him- almost as if maliciously slowing his approach.
It felt as if the element itself had turned against him.
The thought left a dry, bitter taste in his mouth- though, perhaps this was simply just from the cold…
Lloyd reached out again for who he'd lost, searching desperately for the light in the dark that he knew belonged to the one he was searching for.
Bile rose in his throat when he realized it was even fainter than before- even more scattered, distant… And wrong.
It was all so wrong.
Once again, he forcefully silenced the voice trying to tell him something, a truth he didn't want to hear.
"Please don't let me be too late," Lloyd murmured softly, another count to a total he'd lost track of- willing with all the might not spent trudging forward that the ones who decided their fates would listen to him just this once.
Just this once, he begged silently.
Just this once, and he'd never ask them of anything ever again.
He did not even let himself wish that the wolves would go away, when they howled almost as soon as he'd made that promise.
He was the grandson of deities that tore themselves asunder- this god-forsaken realm would have to try a lot fucking harder if it wanted Lloyd to bend to its will- a lot harder.
The howl came again, and Lloyd came to a hesitant stop.
He would not die today. Of that, he was damn certain.
______
The cold was truly near unbearable.
Even within the shelter of the Land Bounty, the frost crept in with a malicious vigor as Lloyd huddled beneath a blanket he had managed to scavenge from the wreck.
The wolf by his side seemed content to doze peacefully, making small grunts in its sleep. He was still struck by how bright the red coloring on its fur was, stark against its thick, white pelt.
'Red', as Lloyd had been calling him, seemed strangely self aware for a normal animal- but then, Lloyd is self aware, and he's like, a quarter of two animals. Mythical ones sure, but… Eh.
"I hope Zane is okay," He softly spoke aloud, mostly to comfort himself with the sound of his own voice.
Red's eye cracked open, and the wolf lifted his head up slightly.
"That's who I'm looking for," Lloyd explained, pulling the blanket tighter around his shoulders. "He's… He's kinda like a brother to me. More than that, honestly… He's the closest thing I've ever had to- to a parent, I guess."
Red huffed, and his eye slipped back closed.
"I know, I know- Everyone kept saying that if he was taken by the Emperor- …It doesn't matter. I can still sense him, I know he's alive. Even if-" He sighs, closing his eyes, tentatively reaching out one more time.
The presence that pushed back was borderline unrecognizable, scattered, and vague, but it was still there. He knew it was Zane, because as he reached further, he brushed against the others, too.
"As long as I know he's out there, I can't stop trying," He finishes quietly. "I owe him everything- and Ninja never quit. I'll find him, even if it's finally what puts me in my damn grave. He'd do that for us without any hesitation."
The wolf beside him huffed- but oddly, Lloyd sensed an approving tone within it, as if it was agreeing with his sentiment.
"You're an odd kind of creature. …Not that I can really say anything," he joked weakly, flicking the end of his tail. "…I guess I don't really belong much of anywhere, do I? Not this realm, or any other."
He looked over to find the wolf staring at him, and attempted a smile. He knew it looked more like a grimace.
"I'm sure you have a family somewhere," he says absently. "…Or maybe you lost it in the cold, like I lost Zane. …But you're a pack animal, right? And even if…" Lloyd sighs, closing his eyes.
"Nevermind. No matter what happens, what matters is that we don't have to face it alone. …I don't want to face it all alone, not again. Not ever again." If he thought his tears wouldn't freeze as soon as they fell, he might've started crying.
Red must've known that, because he let out a low whine, tentatively moving close enough for his head to rest on Lloyd's tail.
"It'll be fine," he murmurs, mostly to himself. "It's fine. Zane's gonna be there, right? …And you, I guess. For as long as you want to travel with me. Where are you going, Red?"
The wolf did not respond, of course.
Lloyd reached out again. He took no comfort from the strange, uncanny presence that greeted him, and eventually fell into a fitful sleep, plagued by unpleasant recollections of the creeping sensation of cold.
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i really liked my tags on this post so i wanted to touch them up and post them as a stand alone! i ended up adding quite a bit to this ''':)
What artistic skill does Izzy possess?
I think he has a lot of 'practical' artsy skills. he’s decent at sewing (mending your own clothes isn't just useful, it's almost a requirement at sea with limited possessions and resources) he's probably decent at braiding hair from having to splice rope- simply anything with roots in being useful I think he has done enough to be decent at by this point in his life.
Singing comes into this as well, holding a rhythm is important for certain sailing tasks, and while I think he can sing in ways that don't translate to shanties, I don't think he has utilised this in a long long time (so excited that we are apparently getting an Izzy singing scene in s2!!!! I need him to know he can have fun)
Another thing is I think he was a really good tattoo artist! I don't actually see him as having the creativity to come up with interesting and unique designs but I do think he is excellent at the act itself, and at copying requested designs. you need a swallow? an anchor? a ship? any common sailors tattoo? he can absolutely do it and it will probably be the best tattoo you have. it was always a mark of honour if you could convince him to do yours on the Queen Anne- he was very busy and didn't often do them, and definitely wouldn't do them if he didn't respect you. He's done a lot of Ed's 'quality' tattoos (though I think Ed also does a lot on himself), he's done tattoos for Fang, and Ivan, and he will do them for the rest of the kraken crew in the future. (he will even do one for Lucius one day, one of his own pieces of art as long as its not an Ed face or a dick. They understand each other now)
anything else? I don't know, I see him very much as, he won't let himself do things if they aren't practical. his canon whittling is as close as he gets and that's more of a 'thing to do with your hands while watching the deck' kind of thing. have knife will whittle
I think ultimately, Izzy doesn't let himself do things for himself. if you love something, if you have a soft spot, it can be targeted, taken away.
I do think he maybe dances though. He always plays it off as something Ed forces him to do when they're drunk/on shore but... he loves it- the motion; the reliance on another partner and the intimate understanding of exactly what they're gonna do next? I think he would love that actually.
I think dancing might be the one thing he always does for fun. He never lets himself have it, but if Ed demands a partner? Yes, of course, anything for his Captain.
(Ed always demands a partner. he likes dancing well enough but he likes seeing Izzy do it more- he knows Izzy will never do it on his own, he understands why, but Ed is Blackbeard. Nobody fucks with Blackbeard- and if he wants to dance? if he wants his first mate to dance? they're fucking dancing.)
but that's not the truth of the situation, really.
It always takes him a second to let his guard down, but he relaxes into it. He lets himself loose in a way Ed only sees when he's deep into the rhythm of a swordfight. And perhaps it's the same, to him- finding the flow of the battle, of the music. Feeling his partner, understanding them and being understood in return? It's all the same- but dancing is safe. Dancing is fun. In a swordfight there are stakes- and he loves the stakes, he loves that this thing that means everything to him matters, but sometimes, just sometimes, it really is nice to move like that in a way that doesn't matter.
And when they really get going- all twirls and jumps and frankly being a little ridiculous, Izzy laughs. A deep belly laugh, a kind of joy you didn't think was possible from him. But here he is, letting go at last. He laughs and he smiles and he feels such joy, the rest of the world melts away, and it is just him and his partner, dancing.
(later- much, much later, a man will play a battle song over their raids, a jaunty little tune that throws off everyone they fight against, and Izzy gets to dance, and fight, and feel free, unburdened by the weight that he's carried with him his whole life. They'll dance after too, and he will have finally found a place where he completely belongs)
(if you liked this, can I recommend Talking Bodies by ItsClydeBitches, i feel like that fic fits the themes of dancing incredibly well)
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(SFW) Azad deserves a break and happiness so can I request a drabble where Azad's been having a hard day and gets a lot kisses as he cuddles with the Crown?
Terribly sorry that this took forever and a half- I literally spent a good few days trying to come up with ideas for this prompt that didn't feel too close to other things I've written. It may be a tad short since I'm still very much out of practice and am currently busy sacrificing my life to Baldur's Gate 3 lol
One would think that a childhood spent around the upper echelon of Arsurian nobility and the best tutors Arsur had to offer would have made dealing with the pests buzzing around the Crown easier for Azad.
The only thing it did manage, it seemed, was make the tired Captain all the more aware of the little plots and schemes being seeded around him. Not that he'd do much about it mind you, those matters were probably best left to the General or Sorcerer.
Still, it wouldn't hurt for some of these nobles to at least try a little harder. Even a child would be able to see through their thinly veiled promises and idle threats.
The sounds of nervous shuffling brought his attention back to one of the more persistent officials. Some lackey that was sent here to pressure the Crown no doubt. A gangly, unfortunate-looking one at that. Why were they still here?
"Were my words not clear enough?" Azad tilted his head a little as he studied the shorter figure before him, his glare making the poor official shrink back as if the look alone had struck them. "The Crown is currently preoccupied with important matters."
A complete and utter lie, but a believable one.
"Well, yes, I-I understand," The official stammered, fiddling with their hands as they frantically jerked their head left and right, searching along the empty corridors of the palace. Unfortunately for them, there'd be no one else to lend them aid at this time of night. "It's simply that the Mîrs were very insistent that-"
"They can and will wait till morning. Unless the situation is dire, I suggest you heed my previous warnings." Azad corrected his head, glowering down at the official who was quickly developing an interest in his khopesh, the metal shining under torchlight. "I will not repeat myself again, nor will I allow you to disturb the Crown's peace. Now go."
Though there was really no need to, Azad made the subtle movement of resting his palm against the hilt of his blade, finding a great deal of amusement as the official swallowed.
Without a moment of hesitation and with a flurry of apologies and deep bows, the poor sod dismissed themself. And once more, the hall was refilled with a blissful, beautiful silence.
"... Are they gone?" A muffled voice called from behind him after a few minutes had passed. His Crown's voice.
"For now, yes," He nodded at an invisible guardsman, moving to enter the room just as said guard smoothly took his place outside the Crown's chambers.
"Thank goodness," The weary voice of the Crown breathed, paired with equally weary golden eyes. Azad couldn't exactly blame them either, anyone in their position would have been worn down by back-to-back meetings and a lengthy court session that, truth be told, went absolutely nowhere. Still, they managed a smile upon his entry. "I knew I could count on you to save the day."
"As much as I appreciate your thanks, it may be a little premature," Azad grinned, his posture relaxing now that he was off duty or as off duty as a Royal Protector could be at this time in the evening. "I've only postponed the inevitable. You'll have to deal with that mess in the morning."
A long groan came from his Crown, the ruler of Arsur springing up from their desk... only to wander a few steps and fall rather unceremoniously on their bed. "I need no reminders, thank you very much."
Azad stretched a little, feeling the slight pop of his joints that accompanied the familiar ache in his body from being so active for the past few days. The poor protector was so busy in fact, that the last time he could even remember being able to wind down like this with his Crown was...was...
Damn, that long, huh? He couldn't recall the last time they were together like this- being able to have each other all to themselves. The two still regularly trained together, but this was a different matter entirely.
"Have you eaten anything yet?" He then asked, clearing his mind and taking a seat beside his Crown who was now laid out on their side, facing him with a small frown on their face.
"I think I should be the one asking you that Azad," Their eyes studied him, the Royal Protector raising a small eyebrow under their scrutiny though he kept any retorts to himself. "You look... awful."
Surely he didn't look that bad, did he?
With a small laugh, he leaned against the back of the chair, glaring a little at his lover though his hazel eyes lacked any real fire. "You've got little room to speak yourself."
The Crown gave a small mock gasp, their body seeming to reenergize from the banter alone. "Excuse you, I thought I looked rather nice today!"
"Three meetings ago perhaps."
"Hmm... You didn't deny that I look nice though," With little effort, the Crown rolled on their stomach, elbows propping their body up while their chin nestled itself in the cradle of their hands.
Azad rolled his eyes at that one, the faintest warmth beginning to wash over his cheeks. "You're even worse than the Pale Sword somehow. Congratulations, it's no easy feat." Moving to stand and eager to change subjects, he gave his Crown a rather pointed look indicating that he was quite aware of their attempt to dodge his initial question. "Wait here, I'll go-"
"Oh no," Though still remaining playful, there was an intensity behind the Crown's words that did manage to make him pause for a moment, the ruler moving to get off their bed to push Azad back down into his seat with a gentle hand. "Stay right there. Get yourself comfortable while I go find someone to make a run to the kitchens."
The Crown didn't even wait for his answer, giving him the briefest of kisses before hurrying to the door to catch the attention of some passing servant.
Azad, knowing when to pick his battles and still worn from days of work, simply relented and carefully undid the fastenings on his weapons; getting up to leave them on the bedside table.
There were words traded between his Crown and a servant, the Captain pushing what he could hear to the back of his mind as he undid the clasps on his silver armor with practiced ease.
By the time the door shut once more, he had finished placing the last of his gear by the bed, Azad glancing over his shoulder at the Crown.
"It might take a while but I did request a small cup of mint tea for you."
"With honey?"
"Naturally," There with a hint of smugness to the words, the Crown getting comfortable once more with their back pressed against the plush pillows of their bed, only this time, beckoning Azad to join them.
The ruler of Arsur tried and failed to hide their smile when seeing their Royal Protector getting on the bed and settling by their side, his head pressed to their chest, drinking in the steady beat of his beloved's heart.
"That was easier than expected. Do you plan on saving the protests for later?"
Now it was Azad's turn to groan a little, closing his eyes to give them some much-needed rest. "Only because I'm far too worn out to argue against your wishes."
"You poor thing." The sarcasm was dripping as he felt light kisses press themselves against his cheeks and the corner of his lips. "Perhaps you want to trade with me? I could send you to tomorrow's court session in my stead, surely."
The mere thought alone could give him a headache, the Captain shaking his head. With his eyes still shut, he returned the kiss in kind. "Enticing as that idea sounds, I think the Mîrs are best left to you."
"Ughh."
"I'll be just beyond the doors if that is any consolation."
That got a laugh out of his Crown, Azad's smile pressing up against where he'd approximated the Crown's forehead would be. Another kiss traded between the two.
"Any chance I could convince you to stand guard, by my side, this time?"
Another kiss, this time from his partner, soft lips heating the edge of his jaw.
Ah.
The Captain opened his eyes with a slow blink and studied the grin plastered across his star's expression.
So that was how they were going to play it, bribery.
"Perhaps." Azad kept his voice light, resisting the urge to smile as another kiss was planted on him, this time on his brow.
"And now?"
"Still unconvinced." His voice was a soft velvet now, an observant gaze picking up the slightest shiver running down his Crown's spine.
Cute.
Another kiss was gifted to him, this time directly on his lips. His arms made their move, wrapping around the Crown. With the softest noise escaping his lover's lips, he pulled them into an embrace. The two practically melted together, a kiss the Crown had most certainly meant to be chaste and quick now slowing as the two got lost within one another.
Spirits, he truly did miss this, didn't he?
Somewhere along the sixteenth or so kiss was when Azad finally lost count, or rather, when he simply stopped bothering altogether. Time itself seemed beyond his comprehension as the Captain thoroughly savored each little reaction he could get out of his Crown. Not that he minded, of course, Azad being the type to take his time with his love.
He eventually pulled away for air, forehead pressed against his Crown's as the two recovered from their entanglement.
"Well? Have I successfully persuaded you?" The Crown's voice was lighter now, breathless, and a touch sultry, the glimmer of gold in their eyes swallowed by the darkness of their pupils.
Azad paused a moment to consider the question, weighing the bliss given to him by his love's presence with the hours of senseless prattling he'd have to endure.
"Perhaps. Though I might be able to give you a solid answer... after we eat."
The look of confusion on the Crown's face was priceless, the tender moment between them was cut off by a knock at the door. Azad seized the chance to get off the Crown and straighten himself out, though he did clock the look shot at him by his charge.
With a small turn away from his Crown who was undoubtedly disappointed by the interruption, Azad turned to answer the door feeling lighter than ever.
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