IC CONTACT FOR HUGS

[iustaegis]

IC CONTACT

[ Text ♢ Video ♢ Voice ♢ Action ]

[ Pyra ♢ Mythra ♢ Pneuma

[ new post here.]

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[iustaegis]

[ ...This is the first time he's said this.

Thus, there is a pause before she replies, reflecting. ]

Guess that means we've found a good reason to smile.

[ Many good reasons. Pyra's smiled many times with him and others before. The first two months of being here, very few were genuine or without melancholy. Torn from the safety of a sunken tomb, fear and sorrow had been the predominant emotion. That fear... has lessened since then considerably, or it's been pushed further back from being at the forefront of her mind, with no small thanks in part due to him. ] It's bee easier to, too.

[carbungle]

Yeah?

[It's... kind of warm, to hear it from her. Feels a bit different than with Pyra, but there's a familiarity to it even so. Like he might over time be able to see more of an overlap between them, like the "you" might become collective as "we" already is for them.]

Glad to hear it. You deserve it, so... keep it up.

[iustaegis]

[ They definitely don't deserve it, but they won't be countering him here. Breezily, ] Hah, thanks. I'll keep that in mind to practice smiling every day.

[carbungle]

So, I should expect a significant improvement the next time I come back?

[...Which is... more or less a proper acknowledgement that he will. Like with Carbuncle, the inclination is there.]

[iustaegis]

[ She makes a face, cringing as if she's just been handed a chore. It's for fun though. ] Mmm, exactly what would you consider significant improvement?

[carbungle]

Don't know. I'll have to wait and see how it goes.

[Who is he to judge the quality of a person's smile? Really, what he'd like is if his presence here can get her to smile more, not better.

...But she doesn't have to know that part.]

[iustaegis]

[ "--wait and see how it goes--" ]

Noctis, come over here. [ She waves, nonchalant. ] I think I smell something.

[carbungle]

What's that?

[He sniffs the air as he heads closer, trying to figure out what this is all about.]

[iustaegis]

[ Mytrha dips her head forward, lowering her voice.

She smells.... ]

Bullshit.

[carbungle]

Wh- hey!

[That's very immature, Mythra. He tries to look offended, but it only comes across halfway with him also fighting back a smile. Dammit.]

[iustaegis]

[ She straightens, placing a hand upon her hips as she gives a proud smile.

In the midst of soft laughter she manages to speak: ]

You-- you even sniffed the air!

[carbungle]

Well- what else was I supposed to think, with you saying that? I don't know anything about this place, maybe random smells do crop up.

[He huffs and turns away, arms crossing. So affronted. ...Except that it is a nice smile, so... she's got that going for her.]

[iustaegis]

[ While her laughter dies down, her smile remains. ] You... almost had me believing you, too.

Because, you know, you're the type to make things up as they go.

[carbungle]

...So I'm predictable in my unpredictability?

[Is this really the kind of reputation he's been cultivating...]

[iustaegis]

I think there's a saying for it-- you never stop surprising.

[ Yep, that's his image. ]

[carbungle]

[....

Well, he doesn't hate it.]

Guess you surprised me this time.

[iustaegis]

[ She tilts her head, but smiles. ] In a good way, I'm hoping.

[carbungle]

It's not a bad way.

[Some things are difficult to define, and he's still learning how to navigate this. He likes it, though. He thinks he likes it.]

...You're kind of foulmouthed, you know that? That's a surprise, too.

[iustaegis]

[ She seems to take it as a compliment. ] ...Mm, that's right. Pyra doesn't curse much. [ If ever. ]

Consider it a form of trust. Like what we've talked about before, about changing how we behave in front of certain people. You won't hear any formal talk from me, rich boy.

[ Never once had Mythra ever addressed Addam with his title, save for a ceremony or two. She's not going to start doing it to Noctis. ]

[carbungle]

I think I'd qualify as ex-rich boy. Especially since I'm pretty sure you guys have more money than I do here.

[Deposed broke royal and all... funds from hunts and odd jobs only get you so far, especially when daemons and Royal Arms chew through his health faster than Ignis goes through Ebony so they're constantly stocking up on energy drinks and flasks for magic. Here, he's obviously kept a steady supply, but he's also paying for a house...

His words are in jest, but it's hard to fully contain the little thrill he gets at something so simple as an honest foul mouth out of them. Like getting the more dutiful types in his life to call him by name rather than Highness or something. It's pretty clear he's got no issue with her sticking to informal.]

[iustaegis]

We have more money because we don't spend it on hair gel. [ BOOM, roasted.

Anyway. ] You're the one we hold hands most with.

[ It's almost second nature at this point. ]

[carbungle]

Wow, tell me how you really feel.

[See if he accepts any more of her style compliments at face value again!]

Though I don't know if you can take credit for Pyra in this case... you haven't reached for my hand once the whole time I've been here.

[iustaegis]

[ Aaaaaand she's caught. Here she thought he wouldn't bring it up! ]

That's--....

[ Clearing her throat. ]

It's. It's kind of a big deal, right? Besides, you two are in contact outside of this dimension! We don't need to. [ Yet, her fingers twitch at her sides. ]

[carbungle]

Sure, sure.

[Don't think he's not watching her very closely.]

I just figured I'd ask, in case you wanted to. Didn't want you to feel left out.

[iustaegis]

[ She seems slightly awkward.

And flustered-- not enough to make her blush, but enough that her voice carries a small trill to it. ] Did.... you want to hold hands?