42;

[cruxified]

[Kratos isn't doing anything particularly interesting as usual, just sitting in the field under the stars with a fuzzy green and mint puppy in his arms. Occasionally, the pup gets a little tired... then perks back up and licks lazily at Kratos' face.]

... four thousand ninety-six... four thousand ninety-seven...

[ooc: Open post!]

Comments

[cruxified]

[Iota's floppy ears appreciate it. He's all tongue now. Kratos watches them, amused.] ... I was under the impression it was the other way around.

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

[djfklafjs doggy kisses] Nah, nah. I mean, look at him! You're big and strong enough to protect Dad, right, Iota?

[cruxified]

Oh, yes, of course... how could I assume otherwise?

[Iota just pants obliviously. Maybe the Noishe-brain will kick in at some point. Maybe.]

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

Don't worry. I don't think he'll hold it against you. [He laughs and gives the puppy one last ear-ruffle before settling into a more steady petting pattern.] What are you guys doing out here, anyway?

[cruxified]

Good. [He pulls one knee to his chest.] I was exercising him, then decided I didn't want to go back inside.

Can you sleep?

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

... Not really. [He finally succumbs to sitting, and looks up at the sky.] I wasn't really tired.

[cruxified]

You must have slept in late. [Not that Kratos blames him.]

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, kind of. ... I took a nap earlier, too. [Since he's still a little too antsy to get a really restful night's sleep.] I figured a walk or something would help.

[cruxified]

... Is something bothering you? [Crazy teachers, perhaps?]

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

Well, I mean.... After everything that happened last week, it's got to be hard for everybody.

[cruxified]

... They will recover with time.

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

... Yeah. Yeah, I know. We're all helping each other out, after all.

[He picks at the grass some.] Doesn't really make it easier to sleep, though.

[cruxified]

... Lay down, then. If you find a way to relax, you'll be able to sleep easier.

[This may be a hairruffle of encouragement. Iota sniffs at the newly-plucked grass.]

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

[That gets him to smile again, even if he is trying his very best to make it look like he still cares about dodging it.]

If you say so. [And he'll be putting his arms behind his head and flopping backwards on the grass. He did come out here to relax, after all.]

[cruxified]

[Since Lloyd can't do much to stop him, Kratos continues the hair-ruffling at a slower, more loving sort of pace. Definitely parental. Iota sees fit to snuggle into Lloyd's side.]

[simpledoes.livejournal.com]

[Dad such a saaaaaaap. He fidgets for a little while (he'll never quite be used to Kratos being so openly affectionate), but the whole arrangement is doing wonders to calm him down. He drapes an arm around Iota and gives him a lazy sort of scratch between the ears.

Now that he's on his back, though, the stars have his full attention, and it's a remarkably long time before he says anything else.]

-- Ah, shoot.