imatreenow | eighteen [action]

[Friday afternoon finds Mithos dragging a granite statue through the streets of Luceti. It will look familiar to those who can claim Aselia as their home world, carved adoringly in the likeness of a young man wielding dual swords. The figure is planted atop a base that bears a plaque engraved with the simple honor, "The Hero Lloyd Irving." All together, it stands at about three and a half feet, scaled down from the original model.

For Mithos, it's a bitter reminder of things that could never have been. Its sudden appearance in his house had been an elbow nudging him sharply in the ribs, an obnoxious stage whisper prompting, "Hey, remember that time all your hopes and dreams were crushed?"

Yes, yes he remembers.

Which is why he had to get rid of it. The first day, he dragged the statue behind the house, let it topple into the river, and watched the determined stony face sink below the surface. The next morning, it found its way back to his living room. Each day, he drags it farther away, and each morning it proudly comes back.

His route today takes him up from the south end of the village through the north end and into the woods. The farther away, the better.]

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[....Oh. Well, that certainly is an interesting set of conflicting emotions he's experiencing. Human, huh? Tsuzuki ends up smiling warmly.]

It's not contagious, I promise.

[He walks over to the other side of the statue, as if to give him some space (and besides, it's easier to handle something heavy if both sides take one side each.)]

Where did you want to put it?

[He lets go of the statue as soon as Tsuzuki takes over the other side, stepping back as if burned.] What are you doing?

[Sorry, but calling him human isn't a good way to get on his bad side. Tsuzuki simply beams, grabbing hold of the statue.]

What does it look like? I'm trying to move it.

[He stands straight, stiff, glaring the man down.] I can do this on my own. Do not think me helpless, or you will come to regret it.

[So angry. It's almost like looking at Hisoka.]

I never said you were helpless. I don't think so, either.

Then you should have no problem leaving me alone. [Actually, he should have no problem regardless, which is why his persistence is so grating.]

I didn't mean to step on your toes.

[But that doesn't mean he's going to stop helping. :|]

[He takes this to mean that the human will get smart and back off, and he waits for this to happen. When it doesn't, his glare becomes colder.] Why are you still here?

I live nearby.

[He shifts his weight from one foot to another.]

Why are you pulling a statue around?

Because I intend to dispose of it, far away.

What's wrong with it?

I don't need any reminders.

So this is someone you used to know?

[What a labyrinth of a question. Someone he used to know, because he saw parts of himself – or the person he used to be - in Lloyd. Someone he used to know, because he met his death on Lloyd’s blade. His answer, though, is simple.] Obviously.

[He looks up at the statue. He can't help but wonder.]

Is he family? Old lover?

[He returns Tsuzuki's guesses with a cold look, cutting in before he can add anything else.] He's the reason I have no world to return to.

[Oh damn! He gasps, covering his mouth. That's certainly not something to joke about. Tsuzuki glances at the statue again, trying to add the face to his memory.]

I'm so sorry.

That means less than nothing to me.

Let me make it up to you. I can help you get rid of it.

Make it up to me by leaving me alone. [His mind is on the knife hiding in his coat, and his fingers twitch.]

[There's something about Mithos' body language that makes him want to take a step back.]

I'm sorry. I didn't know I was bothering you that much.

[He takes one more look at the statue. Maybe he should leave, but then who would help Mithos push the statue around?]

Why do you have a statue like this, anyway?

It must have been the Malnosso's idea of an amusing joke. [His voice cuts scornfully. The statue had appeared on Christmas - that holiday he would have forgotten about if not for the obnoxious elves, and other undesired visits in the past week - and the Malnosso seem to have a fondness for leaving gifts behind in celebration.]

They do have a pretty mean sense of humor sometimes.