BEWITCHED - L. GARMADON

PREPARATION

Lloyd was conflicted.

His suspension was ending soon, which meant he had to go back to Darkley's, which meant leaving the Monastery, which meant... which meant leaving [Name]. He didn't want to leave his friend. Heck, he didn't even know how to tell her he had to leave in less than a week!

Which was why the wannabe dark lord was sitting on the steps outside the monastery, scowling as he tried to think of the best gift for his best friend, who was inside begrudgingly doing some schoolwork Sensei Wu assigned. Lloyd wanted to give [Name] something to ensure he won't be forgotten again. Choosing what to get her however, was something he was stuck on...

No doubt sensing his nephew's conflict, Sensei Wu approached Lloyd one day, his voice gentle as he crouched beside the pouting boy. "Lloyd? What seems to be the matter?" The old sensei asks, placing a hand on his young nephew's shoulder.

"I can't think of what to get [Name]!! Ughh!" The blond complained, crossing his arms with a huff, kicking his feet against the steps in a frustrated manner.

Confused, Sensei Wu furrowed his brows, "Get her something? Is it perhaps her birthday?" The confused old man asked, thoughtfully stroking his beard as he tried to recall when his students' birthday was.

"No uncle—my going away gift!" Lloyd rolled his eyes as if it were obvious. "Since it's for [Name], it's got to be special! Only the best for my best friend—I mean—best henchman!"

Sensei Wu chuckled, amused at his nephew's words. "I see, in that case.." He then smiled, a gentle and patient one, and nodded his head. "Why don't you get her something that reminds you of her?"

"Of [Name]..." Lloyd repeated, taking that into heart and nodded. "Hm..."

That interaction brought Lloyd to where he was now, the village. [Name] and his uncle started doing this training of sorts, giving the perfect opportunity to slip away. Lloyd wandered around the village, nervously tugging his hood further down the more stares he got as he looked for something that reminded him of [Name].

Lloyd walked into a store, his red eyes scanning the shelves eagerly for the perfect gift, but to no avail. Letting out a groan, he furiously walked out of the store, accidentally knocking over a stand for umbrellas on the way out.

Time to try the next one.

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He let out a groan, flopping onto his bottom in the middle of the village square. Lloyd has been searching for hours (five minutes) and he still hasn't managed to find something to give! This is unbelievable!! How dare they take everything that he could've potentially gotten for [Name], did they not know who he was?!?

A tug on his pinky shook him out of his pouting thoughts, lifting his left hand up and inspecting it with a scowl. "Not againnn!" Lloyd huffed, vigorously shaking his hand in annoyance. "Stupid finger!"

The tug came again, causing him to lean forwards with a shout, landing on his side. "What's your deal?!" Lloyd groaned, his eyes following where his pinky was so rudely pulling him. It pointed towards a store, and his eyes sparkled at what he saw in the window display.

It was perfect for [Name].

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"Lloyd?" [Name]'s voice rang through the monastery, sweating slightly due to the training Sensei Wu had her do with her powers. She longed for a nap, but wanted to search for her friend first. Once she heard no answer back, she huffed, the sound of the older blond's scrambling footsteps rushing towards her absent.