I'm not sure it's a journey that should be envied...
[He gives her a somewhat halting smile, then shakes his head. It isn't as if he's full of nothing but regret, it's just... well, she's heard enough to understand the complexity of how he feels about it.]
You have seen parts of your world though. That counts for something.
[ What he says is true. And... they're not too different, she thinks. Seeing the world beyond Lucis' walls through photos could only have prepared him for so much, much like how receiving a continuous stream of data of the world as it changed isn't the same as walking upon Alrest herself.
Her world is beautiful. She loves it. And if she's reading him correctly... ]
You... would like to paint something more of my world here, too?
[He smiles and leans over a bit, bumping his shoulder against her.]
You'll have to help me out with that, then. Something you've already talked about, or something new?
[A not-so-subtle invitation: the mural isn't exactly public space, but it'll be visible to anyone who sees into his room, so anyone who sees it could ask about it. At the same time, it's their shared space, meaning she can add to it freely, and all she has to do is say so.]
[ As she looks over the mural for a third (fourth) time, she wonders just where any depiction of her world might go... Best leave that to the artist himself.]
Perhaps... the World Tree? It rises from the center of Alrest, all the way up into space. Or-- if smaller, the bioluminescent tress of Uraya, which glow pink within her. Or maybe one of the Titans...
[ One, two, three-- that's already three suggestions. Pyra's cheeks flush a bit, embarrassed by how particular and bold she (assumes she) sounds. Glancing to the side, she smiles meagerly. ] That's a bit much though, isn't it?
[He gestures towards the wall, where the rough outline of an entire continent - and an island below - waits to be painted and covered with detail. He considers her suggestions for a long moment, his gaze wandering over the locations. The World Tree would be tricky, maybe somewhere off to the side so it doesn't cover too much as it travels up the length of the wall. Other trees could go anywhere. The last, though-
He stands up, stretching a hand up to touch a spot near the center of Lucis.]
Right here is where the Meteor sits- it's where it was caught by the Archaean. Titan. We fought him there.
[He glances back at her with a pointed lift of an eyebrow. No reason why one Titan couldn't be replaced with another.]
[ Almost immediately, concerns crosses her expression, as if she doesn't wish to offend him or his world's deities. Wouldn't replacing his Titan with one of hers be blasphemous? However, he is the one who's suggesting it.
Her concern dissolves into consideration. ] One of our Titans...
[ Hm. ]
Perhaps... Torna?
[ If he depicts him and the others fighting it, that wouldn't bother her. Or if he happens to depict Torna holding the Meteor in Titan's stead, she wouldn't mind. ] It's a Great Continent, and he takes the form of a dragon.
[He broke Titan's arm off and it was no big deal. He gives zero shits about blasphemy.]
A dragon continent... I already like it better than Bahamut.
[He crouches down to his material collection, fishing through until he finds the chalk he's been using to mark off the rough spots until he's ready to sketch them out. Across the area he'd indicated, he writes "TORNA" in block letters, officially claimed for her.]
Not sure about the World Tree. There's a ton of trees in Lucis, but we didn't really have one big one. Maybe it'd work as a mountain...
[ She watches as he writes the letters of the Titan's name upon the spot on the wall, and she catches herself staring in silence at it after his brush lifts from the spot.
This. This is really happening. He's making part of his mural hers, so then it will be theirs.
Shaking her head from her dumbstruck, humbled throughts, she glances at him. ] Have you... ever climbed a mountain or giant tree before in Lucis?
No giant trees. Or- I guess the trees in Cartanica were pretty huge, but that's near Tenebrae, so it isn't on the map.
[He keeps his tone as neutral as he can as he says this part, which is a decent indication that he'd rather not get into it. Instead he shuffles to the left side of the wall again, leaning in at an angle to keep his pants from brushing up against the freshly painted winged figures, and indicates the empty spot of land above.]
This is Ravatogh, the volcano. There was a royal tomb at the top, so we had to climb up and grab it.
[ She happens to recall a conversation in which she lamented the old kings making it difficult for him to find their tombs... This is yet another instance.
Pulled by his hand as he shuffles to another part of the mural, she walks with him. ]
And if you were to climb the World Tree... you would find me there.
[ Fitting, given that that is exactly the way Amalthus had found her crystal and her brother's atop of the World Tree, taking them both from their perches, and bringing them down to the world.
But if she could imagine, if even for a moment, that it had been Noctis instead finding her... ] I'd like that.
[He looks sidelong at her, once again gauging her mood about it, then, seemingly satisfied, he quietly writes "tree of ravatogh" in the space he'd indicated, with an arrow pointing upwards to show the route towards the ceiling to be left clear.]
...Okay. That's one more, then.
[he's actually pretty pleased; progress on the mural's concept is good, and all he'd really had planned were landmarks anyway. The nice thing about having it span the whole of Lucis is he could add new details whenever he wants, if an idea comes to mind. Just lay down a bit of colour and fill in the blanks over a stretch of empty land. It's... very free and random, as far as designs go, and that's fitting as a representation of his journey.]
You'll have to help me design them. Gotta get it right.
[ Meanwhile, she cannot stop looking at him as he seems to map out more of the mural within his mind. It's a canvas only he has the creativity to see with her hopelessly trailing behind, but she can follow instructions and the templates he lays out for where a Titan or Tree should go... ]
I will...
[ So she says, but her arm just hooks around his more.
And then she begins, as ususal, with a-- ] Mm, Noct?
[ --to call his attention to her. ]
That expression you have right now, as if you're seeing something only you can see... [ She leans in a bit, standing on her toes to give him a kiss. ] I like it.
Mm-hm. [ She insists with a small nod of her head, the corners of her lips turning further upward.
Always so clueless to his own moods, this one, especially when he's focused or when his imagination is working.... Which is fine, because this gives her the opportunity to point them out to him, and tell him that he's cute. ]
Like-- you're drawing, erasing, and redrawing in your mind... [ She lifts up her hand to his chest. ] And doing what you want.
[ Or maybe it's more than that, maybe it's the prospect of having a canvas all to his own to paint that allows him to wear such an expression, a story and future he can dictate all by himself, whether or not he plans or improvises his brushstrokes across the wall. It's his choice, and those choices, manifested upon his expression, are nothing but beautiful.
[He looks thoughtful for a moment, considering that, then reaches up and curls his hand around hers at his chest, using it to tug her in a bit so he can wind the other arm around her back, leaning in to dip her playfully. There's chalk on his fingers.]
My lady. [He adopts that same mildly formal tone she likes as he speaks.] Are you telling me you're into... artsy royals?
[Are there now benefits to his recluse lifestyle of being tucked away in his room with like .5 friends and a sketchbook?]
[ While a new blush spreads to her cheeks as he pulls her closer, feeling secure as his arm finds its way about her back, she doesn't shy away. Lifting her chin upward, her head tilts towards him as he dips her, and her hand raises to press gently to his chest.
She had thought that he would be embarrassed. His forwardness isn't unwelcomed, though, as she moves one leg back to support the slight dip. At this angle she doesn't have much leverage, but she makes do with wrapping her other arm over his shoulder. ] Only those whose name is Noctis...
[ That hand upon his chest lifts up to his chin, pressing two fingers to his lips. ] And only those whose name is Noctis and who have such a beautiful smile.
Our Noctis has a wonderful smile... [ She withdraws her fingers after he kisses them, and, hand slipping from his shoulder, she parts from him. Wherever the jar of glowing paint might be, she walks to it and brings it out between them, uncapping it with a soft pop of its lid. Dipping into the glowing, crystalline paint, she brings out a modest dollop atop of her two fingers. ]
From this corner of his lips... [ She presses a finger to one corner of his mouth. ] to the other one... [ She mirrors the same marking on the opposite side of lips, and then slowly connects the two with glowing paint, streaking his lower lip slowly between the two with paint. It effectively makes a smile upon his face. ]
[Her painting of his face nets her a quirked brow, recognizing the glow of the paint on her finger. Purposely he shifts his lips into an exaggerated frown, just as a tease.]
Well, it's not bad, I guess. Comparatively I'd say our Pythra's smile is... glowing.
[He leans in to catch his lips against hers, kissing normally for a second or two- then tilts against her, first one side and then the other before pulling back, effectively smearing the paint against her face in return. They're both a blotchy mess of neon when he's done, but he looks pleased with the silly mess he's left her in anyway.]
[ Dammit, way to start out with a kiss that teases on being deeper and breathtaking, only to smear the paint across her lips!
She started it, though, so she supposes she can't complain. But after a small pout in his direction...
Instead, she takes another dip and paints her lips with it, pressing her lips together and parting them with a smack. Her gaze dip to the side of his neck, then meet his eyes again. ] Hold still for a minute, will you?
[ She returns to him, one hand smoothing up the barrel of his chest and over his shoulder, while the other hand-- the one that had fingertips dipped into the paint-- finds itself beneath his chin. Her fingers hook, guiding his face to her. Her breath flutters upon his lips as she speaks. ] What are you saying?
It's just paint, Noct. [ She's smiling even as she refrains from a proper kiss upon his lips, which is a battle for herself as much as she enjoys teasing him. Instead she angles his head to the side. ] It's not going to hurt you, [ Her finger with the paint drags lightly down his neck, trailing the glow of soft teal against his skin until the color stripes midway between his jaw and collarbone. "X" marks the spot. ]
I promise...
[ Her lips find that spot, plating a slow but firm kiss there. True to her word, the paint won't hurt. But the kiss might escalate to a discomfort proportionate to its pleasure, especially when she becomes a little more aggressive. ]
[He shifts his weight, his hand lifted to hover at her back, torn between wanting to touch but not wanting to interrupt her concentration, to see whatever she's doing with the paint. Somehow he manages to hold off, lifting his chin to give her space to draw. He can feel the paint on his skin, sticky and cool, half-drying after sitting on her finger to the exposed air. It's a curious sensation, not one he'd considered might be enjoyable, but her wandering fingers make all the difference.
He makes a faint noise as she presses more firmly against him, her mouth rough on him as it explores his skin beneath and around the mark she'd left, as if he were the ground she's digging into for treasure. True to her word it doesn't hurt, but it's a new twist to a familiar gesture that has him more invested in her than the mural, now. And that pressure is what at last gets him to give in and trace his chalky fingers up her back.]
[ The crystal-paint contains a hum of the background energy she sheds. It has no taste, but the more she nurses his neck, the more the paint fades and gives way to her lips and tongue being on actual skin, which is a flavor and texture she prefers upon her tongue anyway...
But if this paint causes a light, tingling sensation upon him, just where else might she streak it across his skin to make him shiver? She could follow down all the ridges and muscles of his chest... This color on him... It's beautiful. It accents his eyes, it emphasizes the paleness of his skin, it contrasts with the deep midnight of his hair.
Her hand on his torso gives him a small, but urging push towards their bed, a leg wedging between his to tip him backwards. ] Let me paint you?
[Again he quirks a brow, and he moves willingly back with her, tugging her along with him until he flops onto his back on the bed, limbs splayed. The paint twists against his muscles as falls, creating subtle new shapes along the contours.]
We're gonna have to do laundry after this.
[His tone doesn't sound especially bothered by it, and he tilts his head at her, all but inviting her to go ahead, curious to see what she'll do with him. He also lifts a leg to curve it around hers, trying to draw her in with his arms out of reach.]
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no subject
[He gives her a somewhat halting smile, then shakes his head. It isn't as if he's full of nothing but regret, it's just... well, she's heard enough to understand the complexity of how he feels about it.]
You have seen parts of your world though. That counts for something.
no subject
Her world is beautiful. She loves it. And if she's reading him correctly... ]
You... would like to paint something more of my world here, too?
[ She pauses, quiet.
Then, even more humbly: ]
I'd like that, too.
no subject
[He smiles and leans over a bit, bumping his shoulder against her.]
You'll have to help me out with that, then. Something you've already talked about, or something new?
[A not-so-subtle invitation: the mural isn't exactly public space, but it'll be visible to anyone who sees into his room, so anyone who sees it could ask about it. At the same time, it's their shared space, meaning she can add to it freely, and all she has to do is say so.]
no subject
Perhaps... the World Tree? It rises from the center of Alrest, all the way up into space. Or-- if smaller, the bioluminescent tress of Uraya, which glow pink within her. Or maybe one of the Titans...
[ One, two, three-- that's already three suggestions. Pyra's cheeks flush a bit, embarrassed by how particular and bold she (assumes she) sounds. Glancing to the side, she smiles meagerly. ] That's a bit much though, isn't it?
no subject
[He gestures towards the wall, where the rough outline of an entire continent - and an island below - waits to be painted and covered with detail. He considers her suggestions for a long moment, his gaze wandering over the locations. The World Tree would be tricky, maybe somewhere off to the side so it doesn't cover too much as it travels up the length of the wall. Other trees could go anywhere. The last, though-
He stands up, stretching a hand up to touch a spot near the center of Lucis.]
Right here is where the Meteor sits- it's where it was caught by the Archaean. Titan. We fought him there.
[He glances back at her with a pointed lift of an eyebrow. No reason why one Titan couldn't be replaced with another.]
no subject
Her concern dissolves into consideration. ] One of our Titans...
[ Hm. ]
Perhaps... Torna?
[ If he depicts him and the others fighting it, that wouldn't bother her. Or if he happens to depict Torna holding the Meteor in Titan's stead, she wouldn't mind. ] It's a Great Continent, and he takes the form of a dragon.
no subject
A dragon continent... I already like it better than Bahamut.
[He crouches down to his material collection, fishing through until he finds the chalk he's been using to mark off the rough spots until he's ready to sketch them out. Across the area he'd indicated, he writes "TORNA" in block letters, officially claimed for her.]
Not sure about the World Tree. There's a ton of trees in Lucis, but we didn't really have one big one. Maybe it'd work as a mountain...
no subject
This. This is really happening. He's making part of his mural hers, so then it will be theirs.
Shaking her head from her dumbstruck, humbled throughts, she glances at him. ] Have you... ever climbed a mountain or giant tree before in Lucis?
no subject
[He keeps his tone as neutral as he can as he says this part, which is a decent indication that he'd rather not get into it. Instead he shuffles to the left side of the wall again, leaning in at an angle to keep his pants from brushing up against the freshly painted winged figures, and indicates the empty spot of land above.]
This is Ravatogh, the volcano. There was a royal tomb at the top, so we had to climb up and grab it.
no subject
Pulled by his hand as he shuffles to another part of the mural, she walks with him. ]
And if you were to climb the World Tree... you would find me there.
[ Fitting, given that that is exactly the way Amalthus had found her crystal and her brother's atop of the World Tree, taking them both from their perches, and bringing them down to the world.
But if she could imagine, if even for a moment, that it had been Noctis instead finding her... ] I'd like that.
no subject
...Okay. That's one more, then.
[he's actually pretty pleased; progress on the mural's concept is good, and all he'd really had planned were landmarks anyway. The nice thing about having it span the whole of Lucis is he could add new details whenever he wants, if an idea comes to mind. Just lay down a bit of colour and fill in the blanks over a stretch of empty land. It's... very free and random, as far as designs go, and that's fitting as a representation of his journey.]
You'll have to help me design them. Gotta get it right.
no subject
I will...
[ So she says, but her arm just hooks around his more.
And then she begins, as ususal, with a-- ] Mm, Noct?
[ --to call his attention to her. ]
That expression you have right now, as if you're seeing something only you can see... [ She leans in a bit, standing on her toes to give him a kiss. ] I like it.
no subject
[He blinks back at her, surprised and not quite getting it. Something only he can see...?]
I wasn't really doing anything special... [Just kind of looking at the wall.]
no subject
Always so clueless to his own moods, this one, especially when he's focused or when his imagination is working.... Which is fine, because this gives her the opportunity to point them out to him, and tell him that he's cute. ]
Like-- you're drawing, erasing, and redrawing in your mind... [ She lifts up her hand to his chest. ] And doing what you want.
[ Or maybe it's more than that, maybe it's the prospect of having a canvas all to his own to paint that allows him to wear such an expression, a story and future he can dictate all by himself, whether or not he plans or improvises his brushstrokes across the wall. It's his choice, and those choices, manifested upon his expression, are nothing but beautiful.
Or maybe she's reading too much into this.
So she finishes: ]
I'm saying it's attractive.
no subject
My lady. [He adopts that same mildly formal tone she likes as he speaks.] Are you telling me you're into... artsy royals?
[Are there now benefits to his recluse lifestyle of being tucked away in his room with like .5 friends and a sketchbook?]
no subject
She had thought that he would be embarrassed. His forwardness isn't unwelcomed, though, as she moves one leg back to support the slight dip. At this angle she doesn't have much leverage, but she makes do with wrapping her other arm over his shoulder. ] Only those whose name is Noctis...
[ That hand upon his chest lifts up to his chin, pressing two fingers to his lips. ] And only those whose name is Noctis and who have such a beautiful smile.
[ Which, could only be one person. Him. ]
no subject
[Like he doesn't have a neutral resting bitch face more often than not.
After a moment he lifts her back to her feet again, kissing her fingers as they move, since they're right there blocking his lips.]
no subject
From this corner of his lips... [ She presses a finger to one corner of his mouth. ] to the other one... [ She mirrors the same marking on the opposite side of lips, and then slowly connects the two with glowing paint, streaking his lower lip slowly between the two with paint. It effectively makes a smile upon his face. ]
It's the loveliest thing I've ever seen.
no subject
Well, it's not bad, I guess. Comparatively I'd say our Pythra's smile is... glowing.
[He leans in to catch his lips against hers, kissing normally for a second or two- then tilts against her, first one side and then the other before pulling back, effectively smearing the paint against her face in return. They're both a blotchy mess of neon when he's done, but he looks pleased with the silly mess he's left her in anyway.]
no subject
She started it, though, so she supposes she can't complain. But after a small pout in his direction...
Instead, she takes another dip and paints her lips with it, pressing her lips together and parting them with a smack. Her gaze dip to the side of his neck, then meet his eyes again. ] Hold still for a minute, will you?
no subject
[He will hold, though. And also brace himself for the inevitable need for a shower and laundry by the time they're done here.]
no subject
It's just paint, Noct. [ She's smiling even as she refrains from a proper kiss upon his lips, which is a battle for herself as much as she enjoys teasing him. Instead she angles his head to the side. ] It's not going to hurt you, [ Her finger with the paint drags lightly down his neck, trailing the glow of soft teal against his skin until the color stripes midway between his jaw and collarbone. "X" marks the spot. ]
I promise...
[ Her lips find that spot, plating a slow but firm kiss there. True to her word, the paint won't hurt. But the kiss might escalate to a discomfort proportionate to its pleasure, especially when she becomes a little more aggressive. ]
no subject
[He shifts his weight, his hand lifted to hover at her back, torn between wanting to touch but not wanting to interrupt her concentration, to see whatever she's doing with the paint. Somehow he manages to hold off, lifting his chin to give her space to draw. He can feel the paint on his skin, sticky and cool, half-drying after sitting on her finger to the exposed air. It's a curious sensation, not one he'd considered might be enjoyable, but her wandering fingers make all the difference.
He makes a faint noise as she presses more firmly against him, her mouth rough on him as it explores his skin beneath and around the mark she'd left, as if he were the ground she's digging into for treasure. True to her word it doesn't hurt, but it's a new twist to a familiar gesture that has him more invested in her than the mural, now. And that pressure is what at last gets him to give in and trace his chalky fingers up her back.]
no subject
But if this paint causes a light, tingling sensation upon him, just where else might she streak it across his skin to make him shiver? She could follow down all the ridges and muscles of his chest... This color on him... It's beautiful. It accents his eyes, it emphasizes the paleness of his skin, it contrasts with the deep midnight of his hair.
Her hand on his torso gives him a small, but urging push towards their bed, a leg wedging between his to tip him backwards. ] Let me paint you?
no subject
We're gonna have to do laundry after this.
[His tone doesn't sound especially bothered by it, and he tilts his head at her, all but inviting her to go ahead, curious to see what she'll do with him. He also lifts a leg to curve it around hers, trying to draw her in with his arms out of reach.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
aaand now we nsfw