[Vague and evasive, but he'd expected that. If he wanted a better answer he'd have been more specific. He does wonder if he'll be starting at ground level with her the way he'd done with Pyra, though- having to coax answers out of her slowly over the course of several months, or through gentle bamboozles the way he'd found out about Mythra in the first place. Maybe some things he'll never hear about.
That's fine. Everyone has secrets they'll never share; even with all he's given her - them - in the end it won't be everything. People are tangled nets like that.]
I'm glad you do. Both of you. And I'm glad I finally got to meet you, too.
[ In reality, although she makes it seems as that-- that she feels alive now is all that matters-- she cannot deny the past effects her. If it didn't, she wouldn't have such a difficult time speaking of it. He knows that sign. He also knows about this place, a place like a dream, a memory so far gone she can hardly remember it. He knows the name of it: a paradise. He knows she is old. He knows her name.
Throwing too much at him at once is a lot! She just revealed herself! ]
You--... [ A stutter. ] you can come back again, you know. Anytime you would like.
[That answers at least one of his unspoken questions... that the way to meet her is here, and here alone, probably. That's why Pyra had him come here, rather than have Mythra come out. It's not that he'll object to the idea, since the experience wasn't unpleasant and first impressions of her are good, so he could see himself enjoying her company more over time. There's just something really unfair about it, and he can't shake that feeling.]
How come... you're stuck in here?
[He's probably not allowed to know; this feels like Big Secret territory. But he doesn't like the idea of ignoring it, either.]
[ Mythra falls silent. The question comes at last. What does she say to it? She could answer him. She could not answer him.
...
Her lips part as she draws a breath. To not tell him feels as if she's lying to him. Despite all that he's done, she cannot shake the thought that once she does tell him all, he'll want nothing to do with her. Is that irrational? Is it not? She tells herself she can trust him, yet fear rarely ever is rational.
This is the barrier through she must push through, on her end. He's come this far. She ought to meet him half-way, at least.
Her hand tighten in her lap. ] Sealed. Self-imposed, if you're wondering.
[Having not expected a real answer, he's equal parts touched and saddened by her words. It's true that he would have wondered, had she not told him. Sealed... stuck in a crystal for an unknown amount of time. It sounds familiar while at the same time much worse than what he knows; he imagines it would be so much harder, to be an unknown witness to the world around him. To be unable to help anyone he cared about and see them struggle. He'll sleep through the world of darkness back on Eos, but he won't witness ten years of his brothers fighting, longing, suffering. How long has she been watching the world like this?]
Pyra said... people wanted her, for her power. Is it something like that?
[ She lets out that breath. That's not the whole truth. ] A part of it. There was fighting, over us. There will be more.
[ Her gaze flicks down to her hands, realizing the tension in them. Relaxing them upon the grass instead, she looks up to Noctis. ] The seal is Pyra. She is a construct I made. Whatever she can do, is a trickle of what leaks through that seal.
...It's... funny. When he'd found out Pyra's body was a construct, when he found out that someone else dwelled within her, he'd never actually considered that she... might not be the one who came first.
He sits in stunned silence for a long moment, allowing that new reality to sink in, and as the seconds pass he exhales a held breath and tries to figure out a way to phrase one of several new questions that spring to mind.]
Are you... are you both... [--real? No, that's not right. He grimaces and tries again.] Is she a separate person from you, or- a part of your personality?
[This is so outside of his normal wheelhouse, and he's trying not to let himself sink before he knows how deep the water is. For so long he'd spent time with Pyra, shared himself with her, danced and trained and fought alongside her. Kissed her, welcomed her into his bed. And it was real, all of it. Wasn't it? But who was it?
"Aren't I your girlfriend too?" she'd said. Too, as if they're separate- but also as if what Pyra does and feels, so too does Mythra. It's as equal as it is contradictory. He doesn't understand.
[ Her answer is as straightforward as it comes, as if this concept of having two personalities is as simple as that. ] I made her. And she's a part of me. We're the same.
[ Same motivations, certainly. Same feelings as well. Same feelings for him. ]
[Both... and the same. It's not something he can easily make sense of, nor is it something he's experienced before. One person, one body- that's the norm for him, and anything beyond that is outside of his comprehension. Even the ring, a singular object containing over a hundred souls, isn't comparable; each soul is separate, their own person, with very little crossover beyond a shared heritage and duty. This is unique, and undeniably confusing.
He can certainly try to understand, though. He owes her as much, and he wants to make the effort.]
It... might take me a while to wrap my head around this. You both seem so different from one another.
[He says it a bit hesitantly, not sure if saying that is offensive to her - them - in some way. But she should get an honest answer from him, too, and he can't deny that looking at Mythra isn't the same as looking at Pyra, to him. More than the physical- her personality isn't the same, either.]
...I want to see you again, though. I'll come back, if you'll have me.
[ No offense is taken, and she seems to understand as well. Of course he thinks she's different. Mythra had created Pyra to be a better version of herself. Someone weaker, but able to connect with others more easily. Someone who she had based off of the good traits she had witnessed and admired in others. Addam's patience, Jin's compassion, Lora's understanding and sympathy. All of their kindness, too.
Did she do good, making Pyra as another part of herself? She'd like to think so. Noctis doesn't have to feel the same way about Mythra, but so long as Pyra is worthy of Noctis' affection, then... she must have done good. She must have finally done something right. ]
Anytime. [ If... he can tolerate entering her crystal again. ]
[Well, he's committed now, so it's bound to happen. He thinks for a moment, considering his lingering issues - because yes, it had been more pleasant an experience overall, but being sucked into a crystal still isn't great and he has no idea how to leave - he won't make any elaborate promises, but... hmm.]
You should have Pyra tell me when you want a visit, then, if you get lonely. I can be kinda forgetful, so I'll be counting on you both to remind me.
[It's hard to think of Mythra as "girlfriend", admittedly. Not right now, not with the concept being so alien to him. He's still learning how to navigate with Pyra herself. But if they both feel as if they're a singular person, just in a different way than he's used to... it would be wrong of him to enjoy Pyra's company without at least getting to know Mythra better. Experiencing a different side of her might be nice, too.]
[Noctis pats around at his pockets, searching for a phone. Can you keep physical objects in dreamworlds?? Carbuncle always gave one to him in the dreams they'd shared.]
Not sure anybody but me could bring it along. Is Pyra still, like... awake? If it's in the house it might be willing to try.
[On Pyra's end, all is quiet for a few moments, but before too long Carbuncle makes its presence known; a soft, fluffy weight curls up on Noct's sleeping chest, but it makes no move towards Pyra or the crystal. A soft trill is heard as Pyra's communicator chimes, and the message is a little thought bubble:
💭
Perhaps another time.
Meanwhile Noctis leans back, glancing up at the sky as he waits for an answer (if any), equally curious. This seems like the sort of place Carbuncle would like, at least.]
Worth a shot anyway. I'll ask later, so... maybe next time.
[He's not especially surprised- Carbuncle is his guardian, first and foremost, but it's also a servant of the Astrals. Unless Noctis was in danger, he doubts it would be keen to dive in head-first into an unknown dreamworld. Like the Astrals themselves, it usually only intervenes during potentially dangerous situations when he's close to death.
With that out of the way he stretches, arms up over his head. There's no aches and pains, but habit keeps him moving so his bad limbs don't get too stiff.]
You want to show me around? ...How big is this place, anyway? And what do you do here?
[ Her head tilts upward to look at him as he rises, and after a moment she stands up, brushing her hair over her shoulder.
She'll begin heading down the hill, which leads toward the town. She links her hands behind her back, glancing at him. ]
Big enough to fit a lot of people in here, if I wanted. [ All of Alrest, actually. ] Although... we're the only ones here. So if you're thinking we can stop somewhere for a snack, I have bad news for you.
Damn, that sucks. I've never eaten in a dream before.
[At least, not that he can recall. He hadn't been hungry with Carbuncle, and most dreams are either not food-related, or better left unremembered. He follows along a half-step behind her, mostly beside, looking around with the occasional glance in her direction.]
Are you the one whose cooking gives people the runs?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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That's fine. Everyone has secrets they'll never share; even with all he's given her - them - in the end it won't be everything. People are tangled nets like that.]
I'm glad you do. Both of you. And I'm glad I finally got to meet you, too.
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Throwing too much at him at once is a lot! She just revealed herself! ]
You--... [ A stutter. ] you can come back again, you know. Anytime you would like.
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How come... you're stuck in here?
[He's probably not allowed to know; this feels like Big Secret territory. But he doesn't like the idea of ignoring it, either.]
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...
Her lips part as she draws a breath. To not tell him feels as if she's lying to him. Despite all that he's done, she cannot shake the thought that once she does tell him all, he'll want nothing to do with her. Is that irrational? Is it not? She tells herself she can trust him, yet fear rarely ever is rational.
This is the barrier through she must push through, on her end. He's come this far. She ought to meet him half-way, at least.
Her hand tighten in her lap. ] Sealed. Self-imposed, if you're wondering.
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Pyra said... people wanted her, for her power. Is it something like that?
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[ Her gaze flicks down to her hands, realizing the tension in them. Relaxing them upon the grass instead, she looks up to Noctis. ] The seal is Pyra. She is a construct I made. Whatever she can do, is a trickle of what leaks through that seal.
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...It's... funny. When he'd found out Pyra's body was a construct, when he found out that someone else dwelled within her, he'd never actually considered that she... might not be the one who came first.
He sits in stunned silence for a long moment, allowing that new reality to sink in, and as the seconds pass he exhales a held breath and tries to figure out a way to phrase one of several new questions that spring to mind.]
Are you... are you both... [--real? No, that's not right. He grimaces and tries again.] Is she a separate person from you, or- a part of your personality?
[This is so outside of his normal wheelhouse, and he's trying not to let himself sink before he knows how deep the water is. For so long he'd spent time with Pyra, shared himself with her, danced and trained and fought alongside her. Kissed her, welcomed her into his bed. And it was real, all of it. Wasn't it? But who was it?
"Aren't I your girlfriend too?" she'd said. Too, as if they're separate- but also as if what Pyra does and feels, so too does Mythra. It's as equal as it is contradictory. He doesn't understand.
Exactly who did he fall for?]
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[ Her answer is as straightforward as it comes, as if this concept of having two personalities is as simple as that. ] I made her. And she's a part of me. We're the same.
[ Same motivations, certainly. Same feelings as well. Same feelings for him. ]
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He can certainly try to understand, though. He owes her as much, and he wants to make the effort.]
It... might take me a while to wrap my head around this. You both seem so different from one another.
[He says it a bit hesitantly, not sure if saying that is offensive to her - them - in some way. But she should get an honest answer from him, too, and he can't deny that looking at Mythra isn't the same as looking at Pyra, to him. More than the physical- her personality isn't the same, either.]
...I want to see you again, though. I'll come back, if you'll have me.
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Did she do good, making Pyra as another part of herself? She'd like to think so. Noctis doesn't have to feel the same way about Mythra, but so long as Pyra is worthy of Noctis' affection, then... she must have done good. She must have finally done something right. ]
Anytime. [ If... he can tolerate entering her crystal again. ]
'S not like I'm going anywhere.
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You should have Pyra tell me when you want a visit, then, if you get lonely. I can be kinda forgetful, so I'll be counting on you both to remind me.
[It's hard to think of Mythra as "girlfriend", admittedly. Not right now, not with the concept being so alien to him. He's still learning how to navigate with Pyra herself. But if they both feel as if they're a singular person, just in a different way than he's used to... it would be wrong of him to enjoy Pyra's company without at least getting to know Mythra better. Experiencing a different side of her might be nice, too.]
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Forgetful? That's not too reassuring. [ She exhales through her nose, a sort of short, dry laugh, but then smiles.
Yes. It is lonely. But it's something she will endure to remain here, a very small price to pay for keeping others safe... ]
Say hi to Carbuncle for me in the meantime?
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[Hey, better she knows than if she doesn't.
The mention of Carbuncle makes him think for a moment, however. He wonders...]
Being in the crystal, um... I'm asleep here. Could this be considered something like a dream?
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[Not just for added company for her, but since Pyra's met it, he wouldn't mind introducing Mythra to his little buddy, too.]
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Er-- well, yeah. I don't see why not?
[ Carbuncle doesn't have any hang-ups about jumping into crystals, does it? ] Is it around? Do I call it-- we could even try right now.
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[Noctis pats around at his pockets, searching for a phone. Can you keep physical objects in dreamworlds?? Carbuncle always gave one to him in the dreams they'd shared.]
Not sure anybody but me could bring it along. Is Pyra still, like... awake? If it's in the house it might be willing to try.
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Alright, hold on...
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Erm... Carbuncle? Are you here? We request your presence.
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💭
Perhaps another time.
Meanwhile Noctis leans back, glancing up at the sky as he waits for an answer (if any), equally curious. This seems like the sort of place Carbuncle would like, at least.]
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No luck.... Although I think he's curled up on your chest. Watch yourself when you wake up.
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[He's not especially surprised- Carbuncle is his guardian, first and foremost, but it's also a servant of the Astrals. Unless Noctis was in danger, he doubts it would be keen to dive in head-first into an unknown dreamworld. Like the Astrals themselves, it usually only intervenes during potentially dangerous situations when he's close to death.
With that out of the way he stretches, arms up over his head. There's no aches and pains, but habit keeps him moving so his bad limbs don't get too stiff.]
You want to show me around? ...How big is this place, anyway? And what do you do here?
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She'll begin heading down the hill, which leads toward the town. She links her hands behind her back, glancing at him. ]
Big enough to fit a lot of people in here, if I wanted. [ All of Alrest, actually. ] Although... we're the only ones here. So if you're thinking we can stop somewhere for a snack, I have bad news for you.
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[At least, not that he can recall. He hadn't been hungry with Carbuncle, and most dreams are either not food-related, or better left unremembered. He follows along a half-step behind her, mostly beside, looking around with the occasional glance in her direction.]
Are you the one whose cooking gives people the runs?
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