exhale - sabrina carpenter 

https://youtu.be/3gqu8ZTEM1k

can i exhale for a minute?

can we talk it out? i don't get it

can i calm down for a moment?

can i breathe for just one second?

welcome to the first update of the year!! this took forever!! sorry for the wait!! 2021 man, glad to see it go. 

i apologise in for the angst advanced, i wrote a lot of this just after watching seabound and i took out all of my emotions on lloyd (don't we all?). 

anyway! hope you enjoy this chapter :) 

Lloyd sat in front of the small TV screen, arms resting on his knees that were pulled up toward his body. The blond undid the cloth that wrapped his fists under his gloves, turning his hand over to see the array of coloured bruises–in various stages of healing–decorating his knuckles. He had just finished another round of training with Nya and was exhausted. Put simply, he missed his powers. More importantly, he missed his brothers. Lloyd sighed.

Suddenly the television crackled to life, static filling the screen before distorted, circus-like music began to play as the unmistakable voice of Ultra Violet echoed out of the speaker on the side of the little box in front of him.

"Welcome back to Ultra-Hunt!"

The static faded to reveal the symbol of the Sons of Garmadon, something Lloyd had become far too familiar with over the last few months. He wished he could look away, turn the screen off, something. He did none of those things. Instead, he watched.

The shaky camera work tilted enough so that Ultra Violet was now on screen. She wore a wide grin so cruel it seemed to have been carved into her white-painted face with a sharp dagger. "The place where hunting traitors couldn't be more fun!" She cackled, and the way the poor audio reverberated in the even worse-quality speaker seemed to magnify her harrowing joy from the situation. It disgusted Lloyd, still, he watched.

"The game show where you, the viewer, can win cash and rewards... or even the Grand Prize!" The screen cut to a different camera, one–equally as shaky–depicting a face Lloyd recognised but hadn't seen in sometime; Ronin. He held his head down low and forced the red hat on his head even lower, attempting not to be seen. Not that it was any good, something he clearly knew well. Eventually he gave up peeking around the corner to lunge at whoever was behind the camera. Grunts could be heard as the person fell and sounds of another sharp kick to the ribs left the camera-person on the ground, camera rolling beside them. Another camera picked up the footage, showing Ronin jumping over the now fallen individual to run into the nearest alley-way. Multiple Sons of Garmadon followed him, this time on motorcycles. He wasn't going to escape. "That is, if you help us catch the Green Ninja."

Lloyd felt sick.

Another flash cut to Ronin being roughly thrown to the ground, the motorcycles stopping just shy of his head which now bled from a cut at his eyebrow. He grunted, thrashing against the Garmadon-follower who now pressed a foot into his back hard. Another person forcibly pulled his hands behind his back, securing them with zip-ties before yanking him off the concrete to face the camera. Ronin looked exhausted, defeated. His one bruised eye blinked away the blood that ran into it, his eye-patch pushed askew to show scarring of his other eye that was usually hidden under it.

'Ronin was hardly an ally of ours,' Lloyd thought guiltily, fearful of what they might do–or already be doing–to those who were known to be friends. His stomach dropped when his mind jumped to Skylor. She and Kai are–were–together and she was an elemental with arguably the most dangerous power, especially to Garmadon. He gulped, refocusing on the TV screen. He simply couldn't bring himself to think of what would happen if she was caught by the Sons of Garmadon.

The music picked up, still heavily distorted, to show a terrified woman clutching her phone beside Ultra Violet, who held the microphone under her chin. "I won! I made the call! I did that!" The woman wore torn, dirty clothing and the bags under her eyes said everything she didn't; she was desperate. Lloyd wondered what family she had, if this call was the reason they were going to be able to eat that night.

The door to the abandoned warehouse slid open at that moment, scraping the rough concrete ground. Lloyd looked up to see Nya enter. She had shielded her face with a mask and a low pulled, grey hoodie so that she wouldn't be recognised outside.

"Who're they catching today?" She asked. She wrinkled her nose–now free from the mask–as she spoke, repulsion evident in her voice.

Lloyd pointed at the television screen. "They're saying it now." He turned back around to continue watching. He could hear Nya's footsteps, resting once she was behind him to watch over his shoulder.

The camera cut back to Ultra Violet. Behind her, Ronin could be seen being carried away by two extra-rough looking men. He continued to struggle against their grip on his elbows. That was until one sent a particularly hard fist to the side of his head. His head immediately slumped, knocking forward and bobbing sickly. He looked to be unconscious. No one paid him any more attention, the two guards dragging him back toward the cars they were to take him away in.

"Today's fugitive is... the Commissioner!" Ultra Violet announced as though she was saying something exciting. In a way, it was to her. She shoved a photo of the Police Captain toward the screen. Nya exhaled softly, seemingly also feeling guilty for this whole mess, especially the Commissioner. He just did his best to run the city, there was no point in wrapping him up in this mess. It made no difference to the Sons of Garmadon, it wasn't as if the Commissioner had any information on them.

The screen fizzed with static before turning itself off. Nya patted his shoulder lightly before turning and making her way toward the opposite side of the warehouse. Lloyd continued to stare at the now blank screen, reeling. This wasn't the first time they had seen this sick gameshow, in fact, it had become a staple in his current daily routine. Still, it never became more bearable. Lloyd shook his head, the senselessness of it all hurt more than anything else.

Later that day, however, when that same television depicted the Commissioner being shoved into the back of a car that once belonged to his own precinct, he realised that he wasn't exactly correct. It was not senseless, there was some form of reasoning behind these daily torments.

Lloyd thought of his father. Not the man—if one might even consider him a man anymore—who terrorised Ninjago today. Not he with four arms and black, unfeeling eyes that no longer recognised his son or wife. Lloyd thought of his dad with greying hair and a gentle voice to match the kindness of his smile- one that reached his eyes till they crinkled. That man, Sensei Garmadon, his father, always found a way to teach a lesson.

These 'senseless targets' proved that anyone can and will get hurt. Even those who didn't sign up for it. And maybe Lloyd and his now fallen brothers did know what they were getting themselves into, maybe they didn't. Either way, they had long-since accepted the consequences. But the innocent people on the streets, people like Harumi's parents? They didn't even know there were consequences to begin with, not until it was too late. It wasn't fair.

Lloyd found himself laughing a cold, bitter laugh when it clicked in his mind. Maybe the Garmadon he knew now wasn't the Sensei he loved, yet he still found a way to teach Lloyd a lesson: life was never going to be fair, and even the famed Green Ninja didn't have the power to make it so.

For the first time since becoming a saviour of ninjago, the boy wondered if all this effort was worth it, if they were doing the right thing at all? And maybe it was right, but how far could these consequences go before turning right into wrong?

He didn't know.

⛰🍃🌪🍃⛰

Lloyd watched himself in the bathroom mirror, finding his own eyes before quickly looking away. He wasn't entirely sure why he couldn't face his own reflection, but a sickening mix of guilt and disappointment writhed in his stomach like an agitated serpent. Still, he couldn't help but notice the shift his appearance had taken over the past few weeks. His green eyes, usually alight with energy, were noticeably more dull and the circles underneath them were more prominent. Looking down at his hands, he was paler, making the pinks and purples of his bruised knuckles stand out more than usual.

Suddenly, a quiet tapping at the door struck him from his quiet examination of his features. The tapping was followed by a gentle voice; Cole's.

"Hey buddy, it's time to go."

Lloyd nodded before registering that Cole couldn't see him. He cleared his throat, for it was thick with pent up emotion. If only he knew which emotion. "Coming now," he replied eventually. Without another glance at his reflection, Lloyd opened the door and stepped out.

⛰🍃🌪🍃⛰

Outside the monastery, each of the ninja were dressed in their gis. The hoods that shielded their identity clutched in their respective hands. No one spoke as they waited for Wu. There wasn't much to be said.

Jay fiddled with the blue fabric of his hood, massaging it between his forefinger and thumb in repetitive circles while he sat on the steps. Nya, seated beside him, bounced her knee in anxious anticipation. Cole chewed on his nails and even Zane, ever calm, could help but mess with something on a small pad on his arm. Lloyd found himself pacing, retracing his steps over and over on the cobbled stone. Everyone seemed to be moved in one way or another. Everyone but Kai. Lloyd noticed the fire elemental was deadly still. He stared at the ground, eyes unflinching while he sat against the wall. Lloyd bit his lip, unsure if he should try and talk to him. They had hardly spoken since their argument, despite it being over a week ago now. They others had tried at first, but soon realised the futility in doing so.

Soon, Wu emerged from his meditation room. His head was bowed ever-so-slightly, still, his voice was strong as ever while he spoke. "You, ninja, have not done anything wrong. We have acted with nothing but good intentions and have done much good for Ninjago City." Sensei Wu sighed. It was only then did Lloyd notice how old he truly was. The lines on his face seemed deeper and the beard he currently stroked looked to have started thinning. "However, with the confusion and fear that has overtaken the city from recent events, that is no longer as clear as it used to be. Hence, I wish to emphasise that the term 'trial' is being used very lightly. It already has a determined outcome. This is not to judge us, merely to provide some reassurance to the people. We are not there to defend ourselves, there is no point."

"This isn't fair at all," Kai growled. He didn't remove his gaze from the ground, but his hands shook with anger. "Since when could they just decide we were villains and refuse to give us a way to show them they're wrong."

The Sensei tilted his head slightly. "They always could, for we technically never had jurisdiction. It is only now that they have decided to act."

Kai shook his head, rolling his eyes. Lloyd faintly heard him mutter, 'bullshit'.

"We will not be taking the Bounty, nor our elemental dragons into the city," Wu said. "It will cause more hassle than it is worth. Instead, PIXAL has organised for cars to meet us at the bottom of the Mountains of Impossible Height. We may take our elemental dragons to reach that point."

"Why can't we just take them all the way into the city?" Cole questioned, brows pulled together in confusion.

"We are already the most famous people in Ninjago, for better or for worse. They will draw too much attention. We will not need more media coverage, especially after today."

A solemn silence set over the group as the reality of their situation set in. While everyone continued to hold hope that this new attitude toward them would calm down, it saw no signs of ceasing. Maybe this was it, maybe this was the end. And as with seemingly everything else in their godforsaken lives, they didn't even get a say.

⛰🍃🌪🍃⛰

The ninja were used to blocking out the rest of the world in order to maintain focus. They had done it a thousand times, for no one was able to correctly aim an arrow or strike an enemy with force if all that ran through their mind was the closeness of their own impending doom. The vitality in Wu's lessons on meditation had proven itself a hundred times over, enabling them to keep a clear head in even the most dire of situations. Still, Lloyd struggled to stay calm as they exited their vehicles.

Lloyd was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people that surrounded him. They crowded against the barriers that lined their path from the cars to the building ahead of them, shouting words he was unable to make out from all angles. Cameras flashed violently, jarring his vision in a way that was almost entirely unfamiliar to him. Hands with microphones were shoved as close as they could get to him and the others.

He held his head high, determined to keep his posture tall despite the confusing mess of emotion that hid behind his mask, both figuratively and literally. The boy forced his green eyes to remain focussed on the open door in front, rejecting both shouts of criticism and of support that bombarded his senses.

Though it was one shout in particular that broke through the endless wave of sound. Lloyd turned his head instinctively, watching over his shoulder as Nya's arm was grasped by someone who had reached over the barrier. She attempted to pull her arm away, but the man, who clutched a microphone in his other hand, only strengthened his grip. Before Lloyd, Cole and even Kai were able to so much as process the events, Jay–who was walking behind Lloyd–stepped toward them. He was scarily still, almost as though he was calm. But as he trained his eyes on the reporter, Lloyd realised that he wasn't calm, he was just so angry that any shred of the anxiety Jay usually presented had dissipated.

"Get your hands off of her." His voice was quiet, yet somehow cut through the noise.

The man was so surprised by the dangerously still response he automatically released Nya's wrist, which she tugged away with a glare of equal intensity to Jay's. Jay returned to his original spot behind Lloyd and Nya stepped behind him. They continued to walk as though nothing had occurred at all. The stretch of path in front felt as though it was a million miles long and only getting longer.

When they eventually entered the foyer of the tall, white building, two guards pulled the giant doors closed. They slammed together with a deafening bang, leaving a noticeable quiet in their wake. Just like that, the shouting and pushing and flashing had ceased. It was... silent.

Jay immediately turned to Nya. "Are you okay?" He was still uncharacteristically quiet, but there was an ever-so-slight quiver in his voice.

The water ninja shrugged nonchalantly, but her widened eyes showed that she was shaken.

"I don't understand, you were definitely stronger than him," Cole asked. He wasn't being accusatory, his tone was just genuinely confused.

Nya shrugged again, seemingly at a loss for words. "I didn't know what to do... I-

What if I accidentally hurt him? Or not even that. If I so much as looked like I hurt him, that would have been his headline for tomorrow."

"We are currently compromised by the opinions and perspectives of the citizens of Ninjago. If we act too vulnerable, or too aggressive, they will only use it as more evidence in their case against us," Zane chimed in dully.

"So you're saying no matter what we do, they'll twist it into making us villains even more?" Cole crossed his arms. Lloyd noticed that all of his muscles were tense.

Cole usually would have made a joke at that moment, something to crack a smile from Jay or spark a sarcastic comment from Kai. No jokes were made, however, as Zane nodded his head and his bright blue eyes dimmed. "Affirmative."

Kai's eyes were still alight with irritation. He had carried a similar expression all morning, and while Lloyd was certainly observant, he didn't have his brother's talent for deconstructing even the slightest of mannerisms, so he wasn't able to determine what he was feeling, especially not while most of his face was concealed behind his hood. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but he didn't get the chance because at that moment, a police officer opened the wide door at the end of a hallway heading off the middle of the foyer. He took note of each of the ninja and then Wu, before beckoning for them to follow him. Everyone obliged silently, ending their conversation.

This room wasn't exactly a courtroom but it held the same purposely tense and invasive energy of one. The white tiles echoed their footsteps, not to mention the whispers of those who sat in what could only be referred to as 'audience seating'. At the very front of the room was a large wooden desk and beside it, a podium. The officer ushered the group into the front row of seating across from the desk before disappearing behind a door at the front of the room.

The ninja waited for the beginning of the 'trial' without conversation, very aware of the people who watched them from behind. They had literally fought robots with laser eyes, but only then did the term 'eyes that shot lasers into the back of their heads' feel true. So, they remained stoic and unfeeling.

By the time the police officer had re-emerged from what Lloyd assumed must have been a back room or exit, the rest of the audience spots had been filled with numerous reporters and representatives from across Ninjago. A low hum from people talking had continued to brew as more people entered the echoey room. It began to quiet when the officer tapped the microphone positioned on the podium.

"Um, good morning everyone. I ask that you please stand."

The rumble of conversation started up once more as everyone stood, preparing for a judge(?) or some kind of legal representative to exit from the front door. What they were not expecting was the new Empress of Ninjago. Immediately, the room silenced and nothing but the clicking of the woman's green heels on the tiles could be heard. Another officer followed in her wake. When she reached the back of the chair, she bowed her head respectfully, signalling for everyone to sit, before sitting down behind the large desk.

She surveyed the room, eyes falling over each of the six ninja before landing on Lloyd. They seemed to linger, an indistinguishable expression behind her heavily made-up face. Lloyd stared back stubbornly, taking the time to note the similarities between her and her late sister. Her hair was darker, not quite blonde but not quite brown. Her face was more angular, made up of higher cheekbones and a stronger jaw compared to Empress Adela's rounder face. Apart from that, they looked remarkably alike. At least from what Lloyd could see behind her traditional makeup.

Eventually she spoke, addressing the room at large and Lloyd was surprised at how different their voices were. She had a much lower voice, but she spoke faster and her tone was uneven. He wondered how many times she had been in public. He had hardly looked at the news in the past few months.

"Ninjago City has faced much turmoil surrounding the torment of Lord Garmadon and former Princess Harumi. In light of the recent events that have taken place, the Royal Court of Ninjago alongside the official Ninjago City Police Department decided that a shift in our current nature of dealing with similar situations, should they occur again, must be considered. In recognising this, a key determiner in our decision making process happens to be the Ninja of Ninjago and Master Wu, brother of Lord Garmadon."

Lloyd clenched his fists, disgusted that they would even mention the two as if it made Wu evil by relation. His stomach twinged with hurt, for the suggestion also applied to him, not that the Empress knew that.

"Hence, the Royal Court and the Police Department have had much discussion over what might be the best course of action to benefit the city and citizens we all love. We believe we have reached this decision. To announce the new guidelines is one, Commissioner Michael Donovan, head of the Ninjago Police Department." The Empress looked to the podium which the Commissioner then made his way toward.

Lloyd couldn't help but feel slightly betrayed by the Police Captain. They had worked together for so many years they were essentially allies. Yet here he was, proclaiming them the new villains of Ninjago.

He cleared his throat before beginning, glancing between the paper resting on the podium and the Ninja team. "Ah- as the Empress has stated, we have worked hard to determine the best course of action for our city. After considering all that might be in the best interest of Ninjago, all parties have come to the conclusion that the right decision is to terminate all working relationships with the Ninja, Sensei Wu and any other known or unknown Elemental Masters." He glanced momentarily at the Ninja. "While we greatly appreciate all the work you have done for our city, we believe it is now time for you to retire. Thank you." Lloyd could have scoffed. He wasn't even twenty and they were telling him to retire?

The Commissioner looked up again, and this time his gaze was firmer, confident. He shuffled to the side of the podium and another officer led him back through the door from which he entered. The Commissioner did not so much as glance backwards as he turned from them all.

The Empress continued speaking, this time, specifically addressing the Ninja. "As Police Commissioner Donovan has stated, you are no longer required by your city. No matter your good intentions, it is simply no longer safe to risk the integrity of the Ninjago people. Throughout your contributions over the years you have opted to remain anonymous. We intend to respect that, and you and your identities will not be pursued should you comply with these new terms. However, should you fail to halt all action immediately," the Empress leant forward and her voice steadied, "we will find out who you are and you will be imprisoned."

Lloyd shook his head, reeling from the mere idea of having to go to prison. He couldn't imagine going to Kryptarium Prison with the very people he was responsible for locking up.

"Thank you for your service, Ninja. Our city will forever remember our brave heroes," the Empress finished sternly. Her tone said it all, there was no discussion to be had, no moment for objection or even conversation.

Lloyd understood their perspective, he truly did. He would be lying if he said he didn't have similar doubts surrounding their 'contributions'. Still, banning them, threatening to unmask them and lock them up? It made him feel sick.

Lloyd had lived a very black and white life as a ninja, as had his teammates. There was always the 'right thing' to do. Maybe it sacrificed a part of himself, perhaps his leisure time or even his literal childhood. Still, that right thing was always clear, underlined and bolded so that all that was left to make was a choice between right and wrong. Perhaps it was a difficult decision to make, yet it was a simple one.

But now? Everything was a blur of grey, black and white contradicting each other in ways he was entirely unfamiliar with. And no matter how much he searched, he couldn't find options. As Lloyd watched the Empress finalise their fate as Ninja, he realised why that was. It was not because he wasn't searching hard enough, it was simply because he was no longer being given any options to choose from. Ninjago thought him too dangerous to have them.

Lloyd could have laughed at the irony of it all; the true nightmare this situation had spun to become. He did not laugh, however, nor did he weep or shout or anything else as he rose from his seat and began to exit the room. Everything was just... numb.

⛰🍃🌪🍃⛰

Among the many stresses of being a new princess of Ninjago (especially when my previous occupation was entirely based on my talent in bingeing shitty reality TV), I struggled to find time over the next week to practice my new-found escape artist skills. It was on the next Friday evening that an opportunity for fresh air presented itself to me and I was especially eager to leap at it after the morning I had.

I pulled my hood lower as I made my way along the streets of Ninjago. This time, it was considerably more live with activity for it was Friday night. While every time I had been put on show for the public I was covered in a moderate seven-thousand layers of face-paint and makeup, I was still conscious of being recognised. I had seen the TikToks and tweets attempting to figure out my exact appearance under the literal mask, and while some were hilariously inaccurate (seriously, I wish I looked like Zendaya), some were a little too close for comfort.

I caught bits and pieces of conversation shouted outside bars as people of varying levels of sobriety stumbled through the exit. Many spoke of the Ninja trials that had occurred that very morning. Some defended the ninja, determined to protect the image of their heroes. "I'm tellin' you, we're making a mistake. They're our greatest protection!" Others shouted of their vigilante danger and the disgrace that was the government allowing them to roam free still. "Can you believe 'em?! They destroy our city, act like they save the place and then go around doing as they please!"

Eventually I grew sick of hearing talk about the trials and opted for music instead. I pulled my headphones over my head and bopped to the chill beats, fitting for a late night of exploration of the city. Well, 'exploration' meaning going to the same place I always end up; Mystake's tea shop.

My music was too loud to hear the chime of the bell as I entered, though based on how the one and only worker looked up upon my entry and nodded in acknowledgement, it jingled merrily as usual. I beelined toward the back corner of the store and after ensuring no one was hiding in the corner of the booth (still slightly scarred after my last run in with a certain blond boy) I sat. Upon thought of Lloyd, I instinctively searched the store as if he would be there. It was a long shot at best and I was quite certain he had a million other things he could be doing right then. Sleeping being one of them, it wasn't exactly early in the night. Still, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought of him and our conversation since it happened last Wednesday. It was perplexing and by far the most entertaining thing that had happened to me in a while. Soon I dismissed thought of blondie, reminding myself that I was being stupid and he almost definitely had forgotten me by now. Besides, what weirdo remembers a stranger they spoke to for like fifteen minutes? Me apparently. I shook my head in exasperation at myself–I didn't even know his surname!–and tried to relax.

⛰🍃🌪🍃⛰

The rest of the day passed in what could only be described as a numbing blur. Lloyd couldn't say how he managed back through the crowds of people, or back to the monastery. He didn't remember if there was much conversation. If there was, he certainly wasn't a part of it. He could briefly recall his determination to find somewhere to let out his emotion and finding the training course as a result. He also remembered someone near him, Kai, hitting a punching bag so hard he was impressed it didn't fly straight off the chain.

The only thing that was particularly clear in Lloyd's mind was his need to get out. He felt trapped, claustrophobic almost. Throughout the day, the desperation to escape–from what? He wasn't entirely sure– grew stronger and stronger until nightfall. After approximately two minutes of trying to stay still in his bunk, he gave up with a sigh.

For the first time in his life, being Lloyd Garmadon was going to be easier than being the Green Ninja. Oh, how the First Spinjitzu Master seemed to enjoy toying with his life.

⛰🍃🌪🍃⛰

I settled into the comfortable, worn leather of the shop seats and closed my eyes, taking a moment to breathe and slow my ever-flowing thoughts. My heart-rate began to relax and I enjoyed the calm.

That is until I felt a tap on my shoulder and I jumped what might have been ten feet in the air. My eyes opened in an instant and I backed up further against the wall instinctively. I could try to fight, but I doubted I'd do any actual damage. The royal guards had been attempting to teach me self defence and I'm proud to say that I was spectacularly terrible at it. Fortunately enough, I did not require my horrible ability to punch. It was only Lloyd. Oh my god. Lloyd.

"Lloyd!" I blurted out of surprise, still struggling to calm my racing heart.

He raised an eyebrow, smirk only just curling his lips. "Y/n."

"You- you remembered me," I found myself saying.

Lloyd tilted his head to the side slightly. "That surprises you?"

I opened my mouth for an explanation, though I didn't really have one. Quite simply, yes. Instead of answering, I gestured to the seat across from me as I did last week. "You wanna sit?"

He obliged with a soft, amused smile, if not slightly confused. Once he sat, I noted the tension in his shoulders and jaw. His eyes were relaxed a little, but certainly not entirely. From what I could tell, he seemed to be walking the line directly dividing 'too stressed to function' and 'I'm too cool to be stressed about anything ever'. I didn't even think that line existed, yet here this blond boy was, living proof. I found it somewhat admirable.

"Have you ordered yet?" He asked, snapping me out of my momentary analysis of him. I blushed, realising I had been staring. Lloyd either didn't notice or just didn't comment, for he did not say anything.

"Um, no. Not yet," I responded.

He nodded and without another word, stood up from the booth to make his way toward the counter. My brain was struggling to catch up to the last few minutes, I was still surprised Lloyd was even here to begin with. I couldn't help but smile, glad the coincidence could occur twice.

Lloyd returned with two steaming cups of tea, one which he placed on the table in front of me. I inhaled it's scent deeply, discovering that I did not recognise it. I sent a look to Lloyd in question. "I haven't had this one before." I thought I had tried them all.

"This was something Mystake especially liked. She didn't put it on the menu, didn't want to run out of it to random customers," he shook his head in light exasperation. The way his eyes shone told me that he was remembering a very specific Mystake memory at that moment, probably one in which she yelled about the sanctity of this special tea and how not just anybody should be allowed to have it. I could almost hear her myself.

I nodded, sipping delicately for it was still steaming hot. I was immediately filled with a brilliant calm as though a comforting warm blanket had been draped over me from head-to-toe. Almost like a hug. It was everything I needed, including that which I didn't even know I needed. "I love it," I said emphatically. "I can see why she liked it so much."

Lloyd smiled knowingly in response, drinking his own tea. Immediately, his shoulders loosened, as did his jaw. It was especially fascinating to watch Mystake's tea literally take effect. It looked exactly how it felt. We fell into a sort of lulling quiet after that. I was concerned that it might be awkward, but from the way Lloyd had his eyes closed as he sipped his tea quietly, I dismissed the idea. He seemed to need this. Especially when the last I saw of him was him rushing away without another word, or even glance, my way. I silently wondered what life he truly led. With every new thing I learnt about him, the more intrigued I was.

I wasn't sure how long we sat like that, quietly drinking tea and saying a lot of nothing. It was comforting, strangely enough. The comfort of the quiet, familiar shop corner and warming tea allowed me to momentarily forget the trial and my mother and everything else.

That was until my phone buzzed on the table beside me. I automatically glanced down to see a news article from some shitty reporting company I thought I unsubscribed from; 'EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TRIAL OF THE VIGILANTES OF SPINJITZU!'. I rolled my eyes, muttering, "stupid trial," as I shoved the device into my back pocket after flicking it to silent mode. Looking back up to apologise to Lloyd, I noticed his body language was immediately more closed off and tense again.

I opened my mouth, then shut it, realising I wasn't sure what to say. "You okay?" I managed, though it felt jagged and awkward exiting my lips.

"Yeah- um, yes." He nodded with a slight chuckle, but it was equally as awkward.

We were quiet again, only this time the silence was tense and unnatural. I realised he had finished his tea and looking down at mine, I noted the little bit I had left. I drained the cup in one gulp before placing it back on the little saucer with a 'cling!'. "Hey," I began.

Lloyd stared at me strangely. "Hey," he replied slowly.

"Let's go do something fun," I challenged. I could feel the smile stretching across my lips as I said the words.

He looked sceptical. "Like what?"

I shrugged. "I don't know- something." I pushed myself up on the table, standing suddenly. "The city is calling to us! Waiting for us to explore it!" I said, gesturing stupidly around me.

Lloyd raised his eyebrows in an expression half-interested, half downright confused. I wondered if he thought I was crazy. Very possibly. I thought he was going to refuse. In truth, it was the saner of his options.

But then he sighed, shaking his head as a smile curled across his own lips. "Okay, let's go do something."

It took some self restraint not to start cheering like a pathetic toddler. Still, I beamed happily. "C'mon! Let's go!"

We had already paid for our tea so we exited the shop. Once I was on the footpath I did realise that I truly had no plan. Where would we even go? I turned to Lloyd as though he might have an idea. He just looked back at me blankly.

"Do you- do you know anywhere we could go?" I offered, slightly sheepish.

He thought for a second, biting his lip as he did so. I waited patiently, considering all of the places my mother or Aunt Addie had taken me over the years in Ninjago. Then, Lloyd's expression lit up as he gasped. "Oh!"

"What is it?!" I exclaimed, already matching his energy. You'd think there was a shit-ton of sugar in the tea we just drank the way we were both already bouncing on our toes like it wasn't the middle of the night and definitely past my bedtime. (Ah yes, the glamorous life of a princess where you have a bedtime.)

Lloyd turned to the right and started walking quickly. "C'mon!" He encouraged over his shoulder.

I thought for a second. Was this stupid? Yes. Did I really know who Lloyd was? No. But did I trust him?

Strangely, yes.

And with that, I eagerly ran to catch up to him.