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Skuld flipped through the packets of cards, holding one out to Loz. “Here!” she said, bouncing on her feet. “These are booster packs. They’re perfect for if you’re just starting out with the game.” Loz twisted the packets around, looking at all the pretty artwork. “And don’t worry about the price. I’ll cover it, since it’s your introduction to the cards.”
She took about five of the packets off the shelf and walked with him to the checkout counter. She had been very adamant about showing him these Pokemon card things since their last outing together. She called them ‘dates’ and even explained the meanings behind the word. Although dates were mostly done in romantic settings, Skuld made sure to emphasize the platonic aspects as well.
So, the two of them were on this lovely, friends only, no romance involved date, looking for Pokemon cards-
“Have you ever tried a parfait before?” she asked.
Loz shook his head.
“Perfect! That’s where we go next! I know this great little food cart, and they sell the greatest strawberry parfaits. Do you like strawberries?”
He shrugged. “Never tried them.”
“Okay, then we can get one strawberry parfait to share. And if you don’t like it, we can go get something you do like! Does that sound okay?”
Loz nodded.
“Great,” she said, turning to the cashier and paying for their things.
Once the two were back out on the street, Skuld reached to grab Loz’s hand, leading him in the direction of the cart she was just talking about. With a gentle squeeze, he kept his pace close. Realistically, he could outrun her. But he didn’t want to. As they walked, their conversation drifted from food to books to, strangely, toys from their childhood. Loz openly admitted to not having much of a childhood but quickly glossed over the fact that he was never really a kid at all. Just kinda showed up one day.
She hummed in understanding anyways, telling him about an old stuffed animal she had. Skuld described it as being something along the lines of a grey and striped cat. Small, cuddly, and always there when she needed it. Loz understood the feeling. He had a favorite stick back in the Forgotten City. They continued to talk even as they approached the food stand, pausing only to order what they wanted and pay. Taking their food and a seat, Skuld held out one spoon for Loz to take.
She smiled sweetly at him and Loz could feel something shift in his chest. He didn’t quite understand it, and he might have to ask someone when he got back. But all he knew was that it felt nice. Nicer than the parfait that he was eating with her. Which was extremely good, mind you. He thought it was very very tasty. But he liked spending time with Skuld more.
He wanted to do this more often with her.
Books piled up on books, all on the table in front of him. Yazoo scanned over them, trying to find anything that might quell today’s boredom. Last night’s read was interesting for sure, and he had become slightly more interesting in this Graveyard Ghost. So, after asking the man who goes by Iezno about the story, he was directed to a few more collections that might hold some value to him. And just like last night, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Excuse me miss?” said a deeper male voice.
“Before you say anything,” Yazoo responded, shutting the book he was looking through and turning around. “Either works for me.” He studied the newcomer. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a larger frame. Bits of armor decorated his body similar to the one named ‘Ventus’, implying that they somehow had relations to one another. “How can I help you?”
The man blinked in shock and fumbled over his words, uttering out a minor apology before continuing on with what he was going to say. “My apologies for interrupting you. I’m looking for Even, or Ienzo. I couldn’t find them in their labs. Are you a new assistant here? I haven’t seen you around.”
Yazoo thought to himself. He hummed, setting down his book. “Not quite. Just researching. And no, I haven’t seen either of them in quite some time. Sorry I couldn’t be a bigger help.”
The man sighed and looked down at the books. He blinked. “Why are you looking into the Ghost of the Keyblade Graveyard?” he asked.
“Curiosity,” Yazoo replied bluntly, sitting back down. To his surprise, the armored man sat down at the table across from him, picking up one of the books himself and setting it to the side.
“Well,” he said, “you’re not going to find much in this one. I’ve read it a million times. All fantasy. No substance.” Yazoo listened as the man continued on, setting his own book to the side. This has become far more interesting.
“I assume you’re quite well read on the topic,” Yazoo commented.
The man laughed humorlessly and rubbed the back of his neck. “You could say that. It’s quite a long story though, so I can’t really explain it.”
The remnant smiled and propped his cheek up on his fist, leaning in curiously. “I have all the time in the world right now. So please, go on.”
His face fell. “I’m sorry, but I don’t. I really need to find Ienzo and Even. I appreciate the conversation though,” he said, standing up and handing the book he set aside to Yazoo. “It might just be a fabrication of the truth, but it’s still a good read.” Clearing his throat, the man looked away. Yazoo smiled and took the offer.
“You never told me your name.”
“Terra.”
“Yazoo.”
Kadaj groaned to the starry sky. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” he shouted. “It was that easy?!” Vanitas laughed beside him. Kadaj had recently suffered from a case of ‘I can’t use my phone properly’ syndrome, and considering his most recent mission of getting Vanitas to trust him enough, he turned to the other to help him solve this issue. The issue being how to unlock the damn thing.
“Pathetic,” Vanitas commented, earning a dull glare from the other.
“I’m sure you’d know all about being pathetic, wouldn’t you?” Kadaj insulted.
“Yes, I’ve seen plenty of pathetic people in my life. You three included,” Vanitas shot back with a sneer. Kadaj growled, upper lip raising in an angry grimace.
“So, do you trust me yet?” Kadaj tried.
“Not even close,” Vanitas answered almost instantly, smiling at the sigh he heard from Kadaj. “You’re not going to get me to trust you in just one day you know. Please, I’m not that desperate. Unlike you.”
Kadaj grumbled, pulling his legs up to his chest and hiding his face in his knees. “What the hell do you even do up here? I never see you walking around unless those doctors force you out of your room. Do you have hobbies?” Then a thought struck him. “Like seriously, what do you do for fun?”
Vanitas raised an eyebrow, looking over at him. Curious , he thought, words echoing through Kadaj’s head as he listened to Vanitas’ mind. “I’ll humor you this time, because I think you’re amusing. A man can’t go six years bored out of his mind. I find ways to entertain myself, even if I’m not awake during the day.”
Kadaj narrowed his eyes. So, Vanitas has been ‘on parole’ here for six years and was mostly awake at night? Good to know. “What do you do at night?”
“Watch movies mostly,” Vanitas answered rather honestly. “I go to the library on occasion. It’s not like I have hobbies or anything, so don’t get your hopes up about that.” Kadaj nodded along, confused as to why Vanitas was being so honest with him. But he wasn’t complaining. He needed this information.
“You’re pretty lonely, aren’t you?” Kadaj commented.
Vanitas scowled at him. “And you need to mind your business. Whatever. Doesn’t matter. So what if I’m lonely. I have more fun without someone trying to dig his fingers into my carcass.” Vanitas stood up stretching his legs, preparing to go back into his room. “If you’re so dead set on earning my trust, asking me about my hobbies and interests is not going to work. Find some other way.”
Kadaj leaned over the edge of the roof, watching him go. “And what do you suggest I do then?” he asked, tired of this game already.
Vanitas smirked up at him. “Find a way. It isn’t my job.” He climbed down and swung back into his room, leaving Kadaj alone on the roof once again.