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[His hands clench together more tightly, knuckles going stark white; the ring presses into his skin like a branding mark.]
When I go back... I'll be in Altissia, for the trial of Leviathan. Luna's waiting for me there. But- something- I don't know what, something goes wrong, Cor told me she doesn't-
[The last words are choked out, far harder to acknowledge than her disappearance from this place. His hands unclasp only to lift and cover his face instead.]
I won't see her...
[He fails. He fails, and he loses her forever. And he's been trying and trying to think what he could do, how he could prevent it- he's been training and struggling to do better, be better, forced himself to wear the ring and learn magic that might save her. He's too weak, though, too slow. All that power and he's still scared that it isn't enough.
It all comes back to the one thought that keeps haunting him: there couldn't possibly be a future worse than the one without her in it.]
When I go back... I'll be in Altissia, for the trial of Leviathan. Luna's waiting for me there. But- something- I don't know what, something goes wrong, Cor told me she doesn't-
[The last words are choked out, far harder to acknowledge than her disappearance from this place. His hands unclasp only to lift and cover his face instead.]
I won't see her...
[He fails. He fails, and he loses her forever. And he's been trying and trying to think what he could do, how he could prevent it- he's been training and struggling to do better, be better, forced himself to wear the ring and learn magic that might save her. He's too weak, though, too slow. All that power and he's still scared that it isn't enough.
It all comes back to the one thought that keeps haunting him: there couldn't possibly be a future worse than the one without her in it.]
[ It's when he buries his face into his hands, hiding his expression from the world as if in defeat for things that haven't yet come to pass, that it clicks: Luna perishes. Wearing a ring as a symbol of his becoming king is one thing, but this is the reason why Noctis had asked her for her help for how to be brave. He needs this power to fight for Luna, to save her.
Months ago, gathering the small lights within his heart, he had focused over and over again upon protecting them all, all of them he could try to save. Some kept on slipping from his grasp, falling from his fingers, but he tried, he tried, until he was exhausted. He will never be satisfied, knowing that Luna's light may be forever out of his reach... No, she had been in his reach. She had been here with him. Now she is gone back to her own world, where she will expire. Whether or not he recalls what he's learned here, it will be as if he's experiencing her loss twice over.
It's... cruel, and what she said just now, in her ignorance, must have only driven that knife into him further. ] Noct...
[ She starts again, as if to apologize, but in the end she brings a blanket up with one hand to drape it over them both. His father will be obscured form his line of sight, but they are here beneath it. If he doesn't want the world to see his frustration or his tears, then they will be hidden by this cover. She doesn't know if this will comfort him, but she tries. She tries. She tires to work in ways that may make him feel safe to express himself. ]
I... That's what you've been training for. To become strong enough to change her future.
Months ago, gathering the small lights within his heart, he had focused over and over again upon protecting them all, all of them he could try to save. Some kept on slipping from his grasp, falling from his fingers, but he tried, he tried, until he was exhausted. He will never be satisfied, knowing that Luna's light may be forever out of his reach... No, she had been in his reach. She had been here with him. Now she is gone back to her own world, where she will expire. Whether or not he recalls what he's learned here, it will be as if he's experiencing her loss twice over.
It's... cruel, and what she said just now, in her ignorance, must have only driven that knife into him further. ] Noct...
[ She starts again, as if to apologize, but in the end she brings a blanket up with one hand to drape it over them both. His father will be obscured form his line of sight, but they are here beneath it. If he doesn't want the world to see his frustration or his tears, then they will be hidden by this cover. She doesn't know if this will comfort him, but she tries. She tries. She tires to work in ways that may make him feel safe to express himself. ]
I... That's what you've been training for. To become strong enough to change her future.
[He hunches down, almost resistant for a moment before he leans into it, clutching at the blanket's edge, his body trembling against her as he lets the tears fall. It's pathetic, isn't it? How all he can do is wait and hope for things to get better, stand by uselessly while instead it only gets worse for everyone else. Luna vanished, first Cor and now his father trapped in these strange comas- back home Ignis lost his sight and Prompto separated from them, Gladio absent from their group this whole time-
Who else is he going to fail to protect?]
...I wanted to. I tried... but I'm still too weak. It takes too long. I can't... I can't think of how...
[Just hearing that she'll die almost made him fall apart, that first time. The thought of asking for specifics had made him feel wretched, but no one else even knows. Their future selves were the only witnesses, so... it had to have been him. His failure.]
Who else is he going to fail to protect?]
...I wanted to. I tried... but I'm still too weak. It takes too long. I can't... I can't think of how...
[Just hearing that she'll die almost made him fall apart, that first time. The thought of asking for specifics had made him feel wretched, but no one else even knows. Their future selves were the only witnesses, so... it had to have been him. His failure.]
[ With the blanket suspended over them like a tent it's not so dark that she cannot make out his expression under the cover, and her crystals lend to a dim, constant light beside. But she doesn't need to see anything at all to know that he's...hurting, he's hurting and she doesn't know how to help him. Someone so strong, and with such power, now trembling from grief as if he's not enough.
Even now, he's struggling, thinking, frustrated with the great progress he has made and dismissing it as too little. Maybe it is too little, that he sees where he wants to be-- the wall of his father, the shadow Somnus casts, the rest of the kings-- and knows that he is not there. But he has gods, he has the ring now, and still it seems that it's not enough. She understands. Architect, she understands, and she only understood it when she was stolen down to the earth. Power: what good is it, if it cannot protect those one loves? It does not automatically grant control, and without that control over everything, it only feels more helpless.
She pulls him into her arms, careful of his back where the scars lie, and brings his head to her shoulder. One hand splays up the back of his head, tangling into his hair, and she-- holds him. That's all she does.
She wants to tell him it will be okay, she wants to reassure and comfort him... but she doesn't know. She can't agree with changing the future, not with so many uncertainties, not with any permission to glimpse into his, not without a want to, but to see him as upset as this-- that feeling of helplessness, she does not want him to ever experience it, ever again. He doesn't need that. ] It's.... not your fault.
Whatever happens, I'm sure. I'm sure, Noct, that it isn't your fault.
Even now, he's struggling, thinking, frustrated with the great progress he has made and dismissing it as too little. Maybe it is too little, that he sees where he wants to be-- the wall of his father, the shadow Somnus casts, the rest of the kings-- and knows that he is not there. But he has gods, he has the ring now, and still it seems that it's not enough. She understands. Architect, she understands, and she only understood it when she was stolen down to the earth. Power: what good is it, if it cannot protect those one loves? It does not automatically grant control, and without that control over everything, it only feels more helpless.
She pulls him into her arms, careful of his back where the scars lie, and brings his head to her shoulder. One hand splays up the back of his head, tangling into his hair, and she-- holds him. That's all she does.
She wants to tell him it will be okay, she wants to reassure and comfort him... but she doesn't know. She can't agree with changing the future, not with so many uncertainties, not with any permission to glimpse into his, not without a want to, but to see him as upset as this-- that feeling of helplessness, she does not want him to ever experience it, ever again. He doesn't need that. ] It's.... not your fault.
Whatever happens, I'm sure. I'm sure, Noct, that it isn't your fault.
[He desperately wants to believe her; it's something he's been quietly telling himself when his thoughts grow too dark, when he remembers what awaits him whenever he goes back. It's not his fault. It's not something he did. It's just a mistake that needs fixing, some foe that he can defeat or shield her from, or retaliation from Leviathan that he can quell during the trial. It's not too late, he can still fix things. He needs Luna, and... the world needs its Oracle, too.
Does it help in the end, to think like that? He's still not sure. Whether it's something he does or something he fails to do, she still dies regardless. A death caused by inaction is still blood on his hands and guilt on his conscience. He can't dismiss that, not when it's someone so dear to his heart.
He doesn't argue, though, even if he can't agree with her words. He doesn't want to fight this, he just doesn't want to lose her at all. When Pyra pulls him in he does not resist, merely bends to lean against her, eyes clenched, silently allowing his grief to pour out. And if she doesn't move, he'll stay like that for a while, until he's run out of tears to shed and is too exhausted to even cry anymore.
He wishes it made him feel better, but in truth he just feels more pitiful. He's not strong enough, even for this.]
Does it help in the end, to think like that? He's still not sure. Whether it's something he does or something he fails to do, she still dies regardless. A death caused by inaction is still blood on his hands and guilt on his conscience. He can't dismiss that, not when it's someone so dear to his heart.
He doesn't argue, though, even if he can't agree with her words. He doesn't want to fight this, he just doesn't want to lose her at all. When Pyra pulls him in he does not resist, merely bends to lean against her, eyes clenched, silently allowing his grief to pour out. And if she doesn't move, he'll stay like that for a while, until he's run out of tears to shed and is too exhausted to even cry anymore.
He wishes it made him feel better, but in truth he just feels more pitiful. He's not strong enough, even for this.]
[ What she wouldn't have given for someone to have done the same, when she lost those she loved. To hold her and listen, to be there even if they neither would be able to understand her grief nor herself be able to voice her sorrow properly. But this feels different, this feels... as if what she is doing isn't enough for him. Why does it feel that way. In truth, suddenly she feels quite helpless herself in the face of his grief.
She continues to embrace him anyways, because-- Do you think there are any exceptions? --What a hypocrite she is. She won't help him. She can only hold him.
Pyra allows him to rest against her shoulder, holding him to her but not enough that he cannot move away from her or adjust if he so pleases. She wishes to facilitate, not to stifle. Only occasionally does her hand move against the back of his head, flatting out his hair in soft, smooth pats; another time, she repeats in a whisper: it's not your fault. And should he still be listening, she will also say: it hurts; I know, I know. I'm sorry.
When it seems that grief has passed, no matter how long it is, she loosens her embrace to draw somewhat away, moving to press her forehead against his. Just as when they had first met, she'll guide him, breathing with him, to usher in a calm. Her warmth is shared in their proximity beneath the blanket, but should he break away to meet her eyes, he'll see they're misting. ]
...Ah. Noct?
She continues to embrace him anyways, because-- Do you think there are any exceptions? --What a hypocrite she is. She won't help him. She can only hold him.
Pyra allows him to rest against her shoulder, holding him to her but not enough that he cannot move away from her or adjust if he so pleases. She wishes to facilitate, not to stifle. Only occasionally does her hand move against the back of his head, flatting out his hair in soft, smooth pats; another time, she repeats in a whisper: it's not your fault. And should he still be listening, she will also say: it hurts; I know, I know. I'm sorry.
When it seems that grief has passed, no matter how long it is, she loosens her embrace to draw somewhat away, moving to press her forehead against his. Just as when they had first met, she'll guide him, breathing with him, to usher in a calm. Her warmth is shared in their proximity beneath the blanket, but should he break away to meet her eyes, he'll see they're misting. ]
...Ah. Noct?
S-sorry.
[It's automatic, tired and a little embarrassed that he let himself do that. She's been so kind and patient, and all he's managed to do is snot all over her shoulder, probably. Wiping at his eyes, he draws back and tugs up the blanket a few inches, intent on checking on his father, but before he gets that far he catches sight of her and pauses.]
Pyra...?
[Is she crying, too? He hadn't meant to drag anyone into misery with him.]
[It's automatic, tired and a little embarrassed that he let himself do that. She's been so kind and patient, and all he's managed to do is snot all over her shoulder, probably. Wiping at his eyes, he draws back and tugs up the blanket a few inches, intent on checking on his father, but before he gets that far he catches sight of her and pauses.]
Pyra...?
[Is she crying, too? He hadn't meant to drag anyone into misery with him.]
[ For her, it isn't about feeling awful; it's about feeling for him, or-- feeling at all. She'll take these emotions to whatever qualifies as her heart. (And to be sure, she is very empathetic.)
She's teared up, yes, but she doesn't seem bothered by it. It's not she who has lost anyone this day. It's not she who will have to face losing another in the future. ] ...You know it.
You know you're strong, still, alright?
[ She lifts her hand from his shoulder, up to his cheek. With a thumb she wipes over his skin, softly, as if she could say that she doesn't think any less of him for expressing his sadness in front of her. ]
She's teared up, yes, but she doesn't seem bothered by it. It's not she who has lost anyone this day. It's not she who will have to face losing another in the future. ] ...You know it.
You know you're strong, still, alright?
[ She lifts her hand from his shoulder, up to his cheek. With a thumb she wipes over his skin, softly, as if she could say that she doesn't think any less of him for expressing his sadness in front of her. ]
[Strong... she says it with such confidence that any objection he might have dies in his throat, words he's not willing to voice. To deny it would be like calling her a liar, and that feels wrong, in light of all she's done.
Instead he lowers his eyes, swallowing hard, and raises one hand to press it over the fingers on his cheek, quietly holding on for a long moment.]
...I'll... keep trying. I'll try to live up to that.
[He's used to high expectations; she makes it sound as if he's already achieved them. Even for all he has yet to do, even for his failings, what he's just admitted will come in the future, she can still look at him and say that. He feels unworthy, but so, so grateful for it.
"I won't let you down."
"I know you won't."
Luna believed in him, too. He won't dishonour her by simply laying down and giving up.]
Instead he lowers his eyes, swallowing hard, and raises one hand to press it over the fingers on his cheek, quietly holding on for a long moment.]
...I'll... keep trying. I'll try to live up to that.
[He's used to high expectations; she makes it sound as if he's already achieved them. Even for all he has yet to do, even for his failings, what he's just admitted will come in the future, she can still look at him and say that. He feels unworthy, but so, so grateful for it.
"I won't let you down."
"I know you won't."
Luna believed in him, too. He won't dishonour her by simply laying down and giving up.]
[ It's his touch of his hand over hers, securing the seal of her palm to his cheek, that gives her the confidence that he will get through this, whether that be staggering or sprinting into the next battle. ]
You won't be alone.
[ She might not be of his world, his family, or Luna, but she is here. She, and-- a number of others here, for him.
Then, she tugs at the blanket over them, offering a small smile. ] You can stay here, if you like. We can... talk about anything. Your father. Luna. Or not. Whatever you wish.
You won't be alone.
[ She might not be of his world, his family, or Luna, but she is here. She, and-- a number of others here, for him.
Then, she tugs at the blanket over them, offering a small smile. ] You can stay here, if you like. We can... talk about anything. Your father. Luna. Or not. Whatever you wish.
[He does nod this time, acknowledging the truth of it. He has so many people around him, supporting him- and even those who are gone or might leave him in the future still believe in him, he knows. He's never truly been alone. Even when he thought he was, Carbuncle was there the whole time. And... she's here. She came, at a moment's notice, all because he asked her. He was an asshole about it, too, but still she came.
He gives her hand a small squeeze, pondering her offer for a long moment. There's probably plenty that he could say, but he doesn't trust his voice, and too many of his stories about them are sad. Broken promises and shattered dreams, a long-distance friendship and longing over too many years apart. So much of what he'd hoped for, taken away by the Empire under false pretenses. The Tenebrae visit. The treaty. The wedding. Silly ideas about happy endings or holding on to what he loves, torn away from him. He'll fight for everything he has left, but... there's no guarantees yet.
Finally he closes his eyes, shaking his head. He can't.]
Not yet. Not... right now.
[Glancing over at her, his eyes faintly pleading, he whispers,]
Can you tell me something? Anything? Distract me...
[Just let him think about anything but what's threatening to slip between his fingers.]
He gives her hand a small squeeze, pondering her offer for a long moment. There's probably plenty that he could say, but he doesn't trust his voice, and too many of his stories about them are sad. Broken promises and shattered dreams, a long-distance friendship and longing over too many years apart. So much of what he'd hoped for, taken away by the Empire under false pretenses. The Tenebrae visit. The treaty. The wedding. Silly ideas about happy endings or holding on to what he loves, torn away from him. He'll fight for everything he has left, but... there's no guarantees yet.
Finally he closes his eyes, shaking his head. He can't.]
Not yet. Not... right now.
[Glancing over at her, his eyes faintly pleading, he whispers,]
Can you tell me something? Anything? Distract me...
[Just let him think about anything but what's threatening to slip between his fingers.]
[ When she looks at him like that, there's no way she can refuse, even if she wanted to. She'll do anything for him, including to try to take his mind off of the present with something else. She debates between a story or talking about the stars, as she finds easy enough to do. However, knowing that she can become quite technical with the latter, and that he's not too keen on science, she decides that a... story will be more suitable.
But first, it's time to become more comfortable. She moves, pivoting her body so that she's sitting alongside him again, so that he might lean against her if he chooses. Might as well become comfortable, she thinks, as she tugs the blanket down from their heads, letting it fall across their shoulders instead.
This also grants her some time to think. A story? A story. She does not know many, unfortunately, but she knows that he holds some interest in her world, so it'll have to be one from her own. ]
We call our continents Titans... but a long, long time ago, they were once referred to as Divine Beasts. [ She starts out slowly, her voice soft as if recounting an old folktale. ] The people worshiped them. Festivals in the spring, festivals in the summer, the fall, the winter... Whatever the Titans gave, they would honor in return.
Millennia ago, a great empire arose called Regideria, and among their kings was one named... Dagas. [ Here, a small smile forms upon her lips, as if she's recounting something amusing. This is a story told to children, one that is meant to be entertaining. ]
Dagas was an arrogant man. His definition of strength came in two brands only: the way in which he could swing his greataxe, and the swift manner by means he could crush unclaimed provinces beneath his foot. [ She continues as if crafting a caricature of him, making him pompous, prideful. ] It's said that he had a very, very boastful laugh, one that could shake the very mountains of the Titans or awaken just about anything from their slumber. Mice, insects, people... and even slumbering beasts.
"Ha, ha, ha!" [ Why, yes, she draws out the ha in a staggered, theatrical laugh. ] "There is no foe I cannot slay! Revere my strength!"
[ What would be come of Dagas? Tune in to the next part of the story. ]
But first, it's time to become more comfortable. She moves, pivoting her body so that she's sitting alongside him again, so that he might lean against her if he chooses. Might as well become comfortable, she thinks, as she tugs the blanket down from their heads, letting it fall across their shoulders instead.
This also grants her some time to think. A story? A story. She does not know many, unfortunately, but she knows that he holds some interest in her world, so it'll have to be one from her own. ]
We call our continents Titans... but a long, long time ago, they were once referred to as Divine Beasts. [ She starts out slowly, her voice soft as if recounting an old folktale. ] The people worshiped them. Festivals in the spring, festivals in the summer, the fall, the winter... Whatever the Titans gave, they would honor in return.
Millennia ago, a great empire arose called Regideria, and among their kings was one named... Dagas. [ Here, a small smile forms upon her lips, as if she's recounting something amusing. This is a story told to children, one that is meant to be entertaining. ]
Dagas was an arrogant man. His definition of strength came in two brands only: the way in which he could swing his greataxe, and the swift manner by means he could crush unclaimed provinces beneath his foot. [ She continues as if crafting a caricature of him, making him pompous, prideful. ] It's said that he had a very, very boastful laugh, one that could shake the very mountains of the Titans or awaken just about anything from their slumber. Mice, insects, people... and even slumbering beasts.
"Ha, ha, ha!" [ Why, yes, she draws out the ha in a staggered, theatrical laugh. ] "There is no foe I cannot slay! Revere my strength!"
[ What would be come of Dagas? Tune in to the next part of the story. ]
[He moves with her as their positions are shuffled, and starts out shoulder to shoulder; as she speaks, though, he sinks lower and lower, tired both mentally and physically. He'd rather focus on her words than staying upright, and he's only got energy enough for one of those, so he ends up with his head on her shoulder instead. You'd almost think he dozed off, he's so quiet and still, but when she pauses he speaks up,]
That's a pretty good evil laugh. You should do voices in cartoons. [It's almost a joke! Consider him mostly distracted, even if one-half of his misery is still right in front of his eyes.] Let me guess, he wanted to fight the Titans, too?
That's a pretty good evil laugh. You should do voices in cartoons. [It's almost a joke! Consider him mostly distracted, even if one-half of his misery is still right in front of his eyes.] Let me guess, he wanted to fight the Titans, too?
[ Have a softly shocked look. Although Regis isn't actually sleeping, her exclamation is quickly lowered into a whisper. ]
Oh, ...how did you guess! [ She shifts her head, angling so that she might glimpse some of his face.
While she does pout a bit, she doesn't seem at all upset, however. ]
Noct, that was supposed to be the bizarre and comedic twist to this story.
Oh, ...how did you guess! [ She shifts her head, angling so that she might glimpse some of his face.
While she does pout a bit, she doesn't seem at all upset, however. ]
Noct, that was supposed to be the bizarre and comedic twist to this story.
[He exhales a huff, not a laugh but... well, it's something. His expression is intentionally neutral, the only way he knows how to control it right now. Better than grief, right?]
Yeah, I'm a bad listener. Ask... Iggy.
[Not his father, which had been his first impulse before he'd caught himself.]
Yeah, I'm a bad listener. Ask... Iggy.
[Not his father, which had been his first impulse before he'd caught himself.]
[ Oh, phew, looks like he's still interested, even if he's already called the plot point. That's all she needs to continue! ] At the time, though, Dagas’ pride was absurd! How could he dare challenge a Titan? The people worshiped them, all those millennia ago. Declaring that he could fight one of the Great Continents was the equivalent to saying he could challenge the Architect himself!
[ A pause. ]
Well. Maybe in your world that is not so absurd... seeing as you went though the Astrals’ trials. But in ours, Dagas was seen as pompous and reckless.
[ Aaaaanooother pause. ]
O-oh, not that I’m saying you’re reckless, either! [ Then again, she recalls how ready he was to fight a monster when they left the barrier. Where was she going with this... Right. Ahem. Anyway. ]
The story goes that he never ended up fighting the Titans; it would be like challenging a mountainside and expecting it to accept a duel in return. However, his boastful laughter did end up waking an awful, fell beast within the continent... to which he lost his life. [ Her shoulders rise and fall against his, in what could be a shrug. ] And so ends the tragic tale of Dagas. [ Lesson of the story: don't be too prideful! ]
[ A pause. ]
Well. Maybe in your world that is not so absurd... seeing as you went though the Astrals’ trials. But in ours, Dagas was seen as pompous and reckless.
[ Aaaaanooother pause. ]
O-oh, not that I’m saying you’re reckless, either! [ Then again, she recalls how ready he was to fight a monster when they left the barrier. Where was she going with this... Right. Ahem. Anyway. ]
The story goes that he never ended up fighting the Titans; it would be like challenging a mountainside and expecting it to accept a duel in return. However, his boastful laughter did end up waking an awful, fell beast within the continent... to which he lost his life. [ Her shoulders rise and fall against his, in what could be a shrug. ] And so ends the tragic tale of Dagas. [ Lesson of the story: don't be too prideful! ]
[Her hasty corrections do actually get him to smile- small and uncertain, but an improvement on none at all.]
It's fine, you can call it like you see it.
[He's reckless sometimes! It happens. Part of being young, or something like that. This isn't the worst way he's ever had it implied to him.]
Sounds like the beast got the last, um, laugh.
It's fine, you can call it like you see it.
[He's reckless sometimes! It happens. Part of being young, or something like that. This isn't the worst way he's ever had it implied to him.]
Sounds like the beast got the last, um, laugh.
[ And it seems that... Noctis won't be laughing any time in the near future.
Her lips purse in a pause before she speaks again. Even speaking of that much of her world is quite a bit, which makes her effectively a poor story-teller. She left a good bit out of that story. The continent Dagas' kingdom was on is now a charred wasteland, courtesy herself. ]
Noct.
I have an idea, but you must close your eyes.
Her lips purse in a pause before she speaks again. Even speaking of that much of her world is quite a bit, which makes her effectively a poor story-teller. She left a good bit out of that story. The continent Dagas' kingdom was on is now a charred wasteland, courtesy herself. ]
Noct.
I have an idea, but you must close your eyes.
[ She waits for his eyes to close, and he'll feel her hands go about his shoulder to pull him towards her, pivoting his torso, lowering him...
So that his head is now in her lap. There. Better. This is the first thing she had ever asked him-- all the way back when they first met. He had been too shy then to accept, even if he had been dozing upon the bench just before. She had thought, then, how peaceful this place must have been, to have a youth sleeping so soundly out in the open, in broad daylight.
Now, that same young man appears even more tired than he had ever been back then, yet refuses to sleep even in the safest, most peaceful portions of the temples. He either needs a distraction or rest; doing this might give one, the other, or both. Her voice comes softly, ] You do not need to sleep... But I do think you need some rest. [ Even if it's just resting his head down! ]
So that his head is now in her lap. There. Better. This is the first thing she had ever asked him-- all the way back when they first met. He had been too shy then to accept, even if he had been dozing upon the bench just before. She had thought, then, how peaceful this place must have been, to have a youth sleeping so soundly out in the open, in broad daylight.
Now, that same young man appears even more tired than he had ever been back then, yet refuses to sleep even in the safest, most peaceful portions of the temples. He either needs a distraction or rest; doing this might give one, the other, or both. Her voice comes softly, ] You do not need to sleep... But I do think you need some rest. [ Even if it's just resting his head down! ]
...oh, hell. What'd I just say...
[He could definitely fall asleep like this, whether she allowed it or not. It's weird, though... or rather, it's not weird. The position, that is. Months ago he'd be sitting up and objecting, mumbling excuses, making stupid assumptions about her intent. Now he knows it's just... Pyra. Being Pyra. And being kind, of course, her concern for him obvious even if she hadn't spoken it aloud. Ultimately a harmless act done not to get anything out of it except the satisfaction of helping someone, or helping the gods.
He sighs faintly, resigning himself to his (not unhappy) fate, and closes his eyes.]
Come a long way, huh?
[He hasn't forgotten that day, either.]
[He could definitely fall asleep like this, whether she allowed it or not. It's weird, though... or rather, it's not weird. The position, that is. Months ago he'd be sitting up and objecting, mumbling excuses, making stupid assumptions about her intent. Now he knows it's just... Pyra. Being Pyra. And being kind, of course, her concern for him obvious even if she hadn't spoken it aloud. Ultimately a harmless act done not to get anything out of it except the satisfaction of helping someone, or helping the gods.
He sighs faintly, resigning himself to his (not unhappy) fate, and closes his eyes.]
Come a long way, huh?
[He hasn't forgotten that day, either.]
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