I appreciate this wise, fatherly advice. [ —Not that she doesn’t compliment Noctis’ eyes on the daily, but something else about his message catches her attention.
...
”It’s a dad thing.”
...She hadn’t known he was a father. Which means that somewhere, perhaps, on his homeworld, is a child he’s sorely missing.
Her text comes delayed, as if she had to think for quite a bit before sending it. On his screen it’ll show that she’s typing, perhaps deleting and rewording, then typing again before she sends at last: ]
[It was moments like this that hurt the most. It wasn't anything Pyra had done wrong, but usually when he knew that topic was coming, he could brace for it or deflect it with all of his humor and sarcasm. Perhaps it was even why he'd been more of an ass lately than normal to some people.
Either way, this hits him like a brick to the sternum. It didn't matter which world he thought of either, he had painful losses in both places. He had to take a second to steady his breathing or risk a tear.]
Beyond words and then some.
[It takes him a few minutes to recover from that.]
[ At her workbench, she sets down the small engine she had been idly working upon, her eyes flitting to the communicator as it flashes with the arrival of a new message. She reads it over once, twice, and then sets the device down before picking it up again.
She's sorry that he's not there with his child. ]
Trust, love acceptance. I learned from Prompto that that makes a family, right?
[ It's not a deflection. She's only gathering her thoughts, seeing what he says in response first. ]
[That was good. The break was good. That totally gave him a chance to get that um.. eyelash- yeah, that's it- out of his eye.]
It sure can and if that's what you have, it should be treasured. Family isn't defined by blood, I agree with that. However, even with the families we have to build between friends or even those we're born into we don't always get a 'father', who should have those traits and more. It's sad how few actually have one and that I've left my daughters without theirs is what makes it so painful.
Do you have the kind of family Prompto has described?
[ If only there was a way for him to know that his daughters are safe-- the both of them. But if the deities here can send items or trinkets from one's homeworld...
[ As... heavy as the topic of family might be, she's smiling from the other end of her communicator. ] Tea sounds lovely. :) I'll bring some cookies to go with.
[ And as soon as he sends her an address, she'll be right over. Knock, knock, there's a Pyra at your door, dressed in her usual garb and with a basket tucked beneath one arm, presumably where sweet and wheaty biscuits remain within. ]
Thank you for having me. I-- [ A bit awkward, but she smiles. ] That this sort of topic... it's better in person, no?
[Tony got up and got the kettle started for them. He didn't believe in gods, as in entities he might actually pray to or anything but he might have repeated 'please let me behave this time' a few dozen times in his head at himself.
Since she'd been such a fan of his armor before, he instructed Friday on how he wanted Mark VIII to serve their tea. (Friday being his AI, Mark VIII being his suit).
He considered making Mark answer the door too, but he didn't want to startle her and have her drop her cookies. Priorities, people. He opened the door with a warm smile, as though they weren't just having an emotional conversation.]
Come in. Yeah, probably a good call. Why talk about emotional shit alone when we can do it together and embarrass ourselves?
[ Complying with either shoes on or shoes off, she steps inside, smiling at him and adjusting the basket beneath her arm. Her other hand delicately lifts to her lips as she giggles softly. She jokes softly in return, ]
Please don't tell me-- you find your family embarrassing.
[ Should he lead her further into the house, she'll follow behind. ]
[There wasn't any obvious rule for shoes. Tony was wearing loafers which had a sole so it could be worn either indoors or outdoors. Since Gladio wasn't here, his shoes weren't by the door. Tony left her to decide what she wanted to do.]
Always, sweetheart. That's how you know they're family.
[He held out his hand for the basket.]
I thought you'd find it fun to be served by Mark since you were so interested in him last time.
[He hadn't introduced anyone named 'Mark' before, so he watched with amusement as the suit came walking out of the kitchen with an apron and a tray for tea.]
[ What a gentleman! She'll allow him to take the basket, although she will follow after him to help him arrange the cookies on a plate, should he bring one out.
--Or, at least, that would be her intention, because suddenly she spots another figure stalking the kitchen. ]
Mark...? [ She repeats, tone vaguely questioning, but excited. Another person for her to meet, oh, wonderful....! ]
[ Okay, yeah, no, her mouth is wide open. Yes, he had mentioned that his suit has an autonomous function, but she had guessed it would have autonomous capabilities for, say, defense, or targeting, or assembling to his body, not--
Not like this! ]
Wh-- Tony-- [ She looks back to him, then to the suit, then to him again, then the suit. Hadn't he mentioned it was synced to his brain or something of the sort? The technology is incredible, far beyond what she had initially thought it to be. ]
It can do that? [ Another double take. ] He has a name? [ And it's not "Iron Mark?" ]
[That was so worth it. He took delight in her reaction, watching and grinning like a proud fool till she was ready to speak. At the last part he laughed and was sorely tempted to plant a kiss on that cute red head of hers. (He won't, he does have *some* sense of boundaries).]
It's actually just an acronym I use for distinguishing my suits from each other. Which.. hasn't been a problem in a long time with only the one suit here. The real 'person' you should meet though, is Friday.
Friday, this is Pyra. She's one of our new friends here.
[A light blue beam of light was sent out from the helmet and runs over Pyra very briefly with a brrrzzz sound. Afterward, a female voice speaks in a friendly tone.]
Pleasure to meet you, Pyra. Tony, she looks similar to Madoka Kaname-Scientia- Stark.
[Tony's cheeks flush slightly and he puts a hand over his face. Whoops..]
[ She goes still as soon as the line of light scans over her, her expression flickering from one of surprise to one of apprehension...
And then one of a bit of shock.
"Pleasure to meet you, Pyra. Tony, she looks similar to Madoka Kaname-Scientia- Stark."
There is much to unpack in this single statement. First, the AI. Second, this Madoka Kaname-- one of his daughters? Third, Scientia-Stark. Fourth, that she apparently looks like said daughter. ]
[ Drawing in a breath, she steps forward and... gingerly holds out a hand to the suit. She puts on her best polite smile for the AI, speaking. ] Friday, is it...? It's wonderful to meet you, too.
[ From her periphery, she catches Tony covering his face. Smiling quietly to herself at that, she addresses the AI again. ]
[The suit/ Friday politely shakes her hand, careful to be gentle and keep the grip loose enough that if the girl became afraid at any point she could pull away.]
Yes, it is an acronym but also used as my name.
[The AI laughs softly and the suit shakes its head.]
Though Mr. Stark has often referred to his machines as 'baby' it has never been in a parental sense. I'm more of a personal assistant, than biologically linked. There is still bond-
Alright, alright, that's enough Friday.
[Tony interrupted and came over to take the tray.]
Go do something useful before I make you vacuum in pearls again. Sorry about that, Pyra. Uh.. let's get this stuff out of the way first. What do you want for your basket? A plate or..
[ There's still a bond, even if Tony doesn't consider his AI that he created a daughter... Interested, she smiles, but doesn't inquire more. Another day, perhaps.
When Tony interrupts and dismisses Friday, Pyra turns back to look at him, bringing out the basket and nodding. ] A tray would be nice. [ And whenever he gets that, she'll go ahead and bring out the various cookies for their liking. It's probably more than either of them can eat, but she doesn't mind.
Once that's settled-- ]
Wherever we sit... do you mind if we hold hands? To help this world. [ As awkward as touch can be, making it casual... with the belief that they will help the world-- it's obvious that it's important to her. ]
[Tony gets her a tray and because she's fussing with the cookies, he finishes making their tea. He gestures for her to follow him back to the living room where it was more comfortable, but her question throws him off and with a shrug, he offers his hand.]
Sure, if you'd like. I'm sorry for all of that, I didn't realize Friday was going to be such a blabber mouth. We were talking about something important and I don't want to derail us from that.
[Settling on the couch, he would normally take one side and would expect her to take the other or even the loveseat, but that wasn't very practical with their hands tied together.]
[ She places the tray of cookies beside his platter with the tea, sitting down upon the couch with him, and it's then that she takes her hand in his. ] Oh, I don't mind...
It's tangentially related, isn't it? Of what is considered family and not. I've found that... my own definition has evolved since coming here.
[ --Which would be the 'trust, love, and acceptance' bits she had mentioned before. ]
[Tony nodded, it was even if he hadn't intended to get into that now.]
I figured when you didn't have an immediate answer. Tell me about it.
[This wasn't his usual joke of wanting to score a few tidbits of information from her as part of a game, but really asking. To be fair, even that game they played was well intended. He wanted to get to know her to be her friend and to help her out.]
[ With her free hand, she reaches for one of the cups of tea. ]
It was a few months after I arrived, with Prompto. What makes a family? Trust, love, accepting them... [ And Prompto had been away from his home for years. Surely he's had time to think of what it means to have a family, and then... given his origins, his answer holds even more weight. ] Ah, and also-- doing anything for them.
Were you from the same place as Prompto was? The Fleet?
[He wasn't taking this lightly. He had already figured out in the short period of time of knowing this girl how little she liked to give away, but here she was very slowly and cautiously setting down a card or two so he could understand her better. He knew she was like a fawn and if he pushed too hard or reacted too strongly, she would spook and likely clam up again. That didn't mean he wouldn't push a little bit though, just to encourage her along.]
Mm-mm. [ She shakes her head, then looks at him. Her smile is quiet. ]
That makes you have more in common with Prompto, doesn't it? [ Him being from a world before this one, for starters. And then, also, a good foundation of family. ]
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no subject
It's a dad thing. Once it gets started you can't get rid of it. It's like athlete's foot.
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...
”It’s a dad thing.”
...She hadn’t known he was a father. Which means that somewhere, perhaps, on his homeworld, is a child he’s sorely missing.
Her text comes delayed, as if she had to think for quite a bit before sending it. On his screen it’ll show that she’s typing, perhaps deleting and rewording, then typing again before she sends at last: ]
Do you miss them?
no subject
Either way, this hits him like a brick to the sternum. It didn't matter which world he thought of either, he had painful losses in both places. He had to take a second to steady his breathing or risk a tear.]
Beyond words and then some.
[It takes him a few minutes to recover from that.]
Do you have a family somewhere missing you?
no subject
She's sorry that he's not there with his child. ]
Trust, love acceptance. I learned from Prompto that that makes a family, right?
[ It's not a deflection. She's only gathering her thoughts, seeing what he says in response first. ]
no subject
It sure can and if that's what you have, it should be treasured. Family isn't defined by blood, I agree with that. However, even with the families we have to build between friends or even those we're born into we don't always get a 'father', who should have those traits and more. It's sad how few actually have one and that I've left my daughters without theirs is what makes it so painful.
Do you have the kind of family Prompto has described?
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This isn't a conversation to have over text. ]
Mm, Tony?
May we talk in person?
no subject
Sure, but if you like tea different than black or green, you might want to bring it.
no subject
[ And as soon as he sends her an address, she'll be right over. Knock, knock, there's a Pyra at your door, dressed in her usual garb and with a basket tucked beneath one arm, presumably where sweet and wheaty biscuits remain within. ]
Thank you for having me. I-- [ A bit awkward, but she smiles. ] That this sort of topic... it's better in person, no?
Action
Since she'd been such a fan of his armor before, he instructed Friday on how he wanted Mark VIII to serve their tea. (Friday being his AI, Mark VIII being his suit).
He considered making Mark answer the door too, but he didn't want to startle her and have her drop her cookies. Priorities, people. He opened the door with a warm smile, as though they weren't just having an emotional conversation.]
Come in. Yeah, probably a good call. Why talk about emotional shit alone when we can do it together and embarrass ourselves?
[He laughs, genuinely not minding at all.]
no subject
Please don't tell me-- you find your family embarrassing.
[ Should he lead her further into the house, she'll follow behind. ]
no subject
Always, sweetheart. That's how you know they're family.
[He held out his hand for the basket.]
I thought you'd find it fun to be served by Mark since you were so interested in him last time.
[He hadn't introduced anyone named 'Mark' before, so he watched with amusement as the suit came walking out of the kitchen with an apron and a tray for tea.]
1/2
--Or, at least, that would be her intention, because suddenly she spots another figure stalking the kitchen. ]
Mark...? [ She repeats, tone vaguely questioning, but excited. Another person for her to meet, oh, wonderful....! ]
no subject
Not like this! ]
Wh-- Tony-- [ She looks back to him, then to the suit, then to him again, then the suit. Hadn't he mentioned it was synced to his brain or something of the sort? The technology is incredible, far beyond what she had initially thought it to be. ]
It can do that? [ Another double take. ] He has a name? [ And it's not "Iron Mark?" ]
no subject
It's actually just an acronym I use for distinguishing my suits from each other. Which.. hasn't been a problem in a long time with only the one suit here. The real 'person' you should meet though, is Friday.
Friday, this is Pyra. She's one of our new friends here.
[A light blue beam of light was sent out from the helmet and runs over Pyra very briefly with a brrrzzz sound. Afterward, a female voice speaks in a friendly tone.]
Pleasure to meet you, Pyra. Tony, she looks similar to Madoka Kaname-Scientia- Stark.
[Tony's cheeks flush slightly and he puts a hand over his face. Whoops..]
Yes, yes she does.
1/2
And then one of a bit of shock.
"Pleasure to meet you, Pyra. Tony, she looks similar to Madoka Kaname-Scientia- Stark."
There is much to unpack in this single statement. First, the AI. Second, this Madoka Kaname-- one of his daughters? Third, Scientia-Stark. Fourth, that she apparently looks like said daughter. ]
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[ From her periphery, she catches Tony covering his face. Smiling quietly to herself at that, she addresses the AI again. ]
Do you count as one of his daughters, too?
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Yes, it is an acronym but also used as my name.
[The AI laughs softly and the suit shakes its head.]
Though Mr. Stark has often referred to his machines as 'baby' it has never been in a parental sense. I'm more of a personal assistant, than biologically linked. There is still bond-
Alright, alright, that's enough Friday.
[Tony interrupted and came over to take the tray.]
Go do something useful before I make you vacuum in pearls again. Sorry about that, Pyra. Uh.. let's get this stuff out of the way first. What do you want for your basket? A plate or..
no subject
When Tony interrupts and dismisses Friday, Pyra turns back to look at him, bringing out the basket and nodding. ] A tray would be nice. [ And whenever he gets that, she'll go ahead and bring out the various cookies for their liking. It's probably more than either of them can eat, but she doesn't mind.
Once that's settled-- ]
Wherever we sit... do you mind if we hold hands? To help this world. [ As awkward as touch can be, making it casual... with the belief that they will help the world-- it's obvious that it's important to her. ]
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Sure, if you'd like. I'm sorry for all of that, I didn't realize Friday was going to be such a blabber mouth. We were talking about something important and I don't want to derail us from that.
[Settling on the couch, he would normally take one side and would expect her to take the other or even the loveseat, but that wasn't very practical with their hands
tiedtogether.]no subject
It's tangentially related, isn't it? Of what is considered family and not. I've found that... my own definition has evolved since coming here.
[ --Which would be the 'trust, love, and acceptance' bits she had mentioned before. ]
no subject
I figured when you didn't have an immediate answer. Tell me about it.
[This wasn't his usual joke of wanting to score a few tidbits of information from her as part of a game, but really asking. To be fair, even that game they played was well intended. He wanted to get to know her to be her friend and to help her out.]
no subject
It was a few months after I arrived, with Prompto. What makes a family? Trust, love, accepting them... [ And Prompto had been away from his home for years. Surely he's had time to think of what it means to have a family, and then... given his origins, his answer holds even more weight. ] Ah, and also-- doing anything for them.
[ Quietly, she tries the tea he had prepared. ]
no subject
[He wasn't taking this lightly. He had already figured out in the short period of time of knowing this girl how little she liked to give away, but here she was very slowly and cautiously setting down a card or two so he could understand her better. He knew she was like a fawn and if he pushed too hard or reacted too strongly, she would spook and likely clam up again. That didn't mean he wouldn't push a little bit though, just to encourage her along.]
no subject
That makes you have more in common with Prompto, doesn't it? [ Him being from a world before this one, for starters. And then, also, a good foundation of family. ]
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Perhaps, but you mentioned him because he's family to you, right? Or is just Noctis?
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Wrap?
yup yup