[He's still smiling at that, though it's a little awkward. Somnus isn't here, she'd told him when inviting him over. She's probably misunderstood the nature of their relationship, so he figures he should address that... but carefully. He doesn't want to ruin the casual conversation, it's just that he'd rather she not feel concerned with whatever lies between them.]
I, uh. I don't dislike him. It's just that this is the first place we've met, so we're still strangers.
[At least, that's how it is on his part. Somnus knows an awful lot about him, and if he was still sentient while in the ring then any time he was around his father growing up... yeah.]
[Even he's a little weirded out by it, honestly. But that doesn't make it any less true- he would.]
It's fine, though. He wouldn't do anything to hurt me.
[It's not the same kind of trust that he has with Gladio, or Ignis, or Prompto, a connection born from bonds of growing up together, fighting side by side. It's not the familial kind of love he has with his father. It might get there someday, but as he said, they're strangers- it's too soon to know.
He does know this: Somnus is deeply devoted to his duty, and to the future of their world. And for now, this world, too. He tried to kill his brother for the sake of fulfilling his calling, for the prophecy of the gods (whatever that may be). He would never do something that would seriously risk the life of the Chosen King.
Not the most sentimental of truths, but one he can depend on for now.]
[Yep, there it is. Not a bad question, but one meant to keep him on his toes as usual. And one he needs a moment to consider.]
It's... kind of two-fold. Family's family- bloodlines, the usual stuff. It's easier to recognize with mine, since we all share the same power.
[If they weren't family, Somnus wouldn't have the Armiger. He wouldn't have access to the man's sword as a Royal Arm. And they certainly wouldn't share such a similar face.]
Before I got here, someone told me that Ignis, Gladio, and Prompto aren't my bodyguards, they're my brothers, and that's true. That makes them family, too. That kind of thing, you get over time, when you know them and they know you, when- [he stumbles a little,] -when you... love each other. It's like that.
[He shrugs, scuffing a hand through his hair.]
So you can't pick some family, but you can pick others? If that makes any sense.
[ Family is blood, and family is more than that. Yet his "brothers" won't ever be able to claim Noctis' power for themselves.
She appears to consider something along with his words, and she offers him a smile when...-- he says that: "When you love each other". That, too, is also important for family. But this question isn't about her, as always. She voices a concern that had occurred to her prior to this conversation: ]
Would... it be better if Somnus lived with his family...? [ She's seen how he's had multiple visitors over for him, not her: they all care for him, worry for his well being and know about him in a way she won't ever know. Even unprompted, they stop by. Wouldn't it be better if he stayed with them instead, for his sake? ]
[Oof. That isn't one he's much qualified to answer, unfortunately.]
I don't know... now? Probably not. Things're too complicated and messy. I don't know what he's told you, but even if one of us would have him, I doubt he'd feel welcome.
[He glances sidelong at her.]
He seems pretty comfortable with you, though. I think this might be a good place for him.
[Visits are one thing, but it doesn't seem fair to have to live with discomfort and hostility just because they're family. Like with the case of Prompto or his own actual grandfather, sometimes familial relations can be bad for you, or better kept at arms length for a while. And considering how Ardyn (rightfully) gets riled up when Somnus is so much as mentioned, that's not a bond easily mended.]
[ Not now, then, but later he might leave. Whatever is best for him, she will oblige. If this means living alone in the future, she will submit in silence.
While she won't use this opportunity to ask further about his familial circumstances, she will say: ]
I am glad that you and he have others from your world-- Eos, correct?-- here. As well as family.
[ Family is quite important. It is that upon which the both of them should focus, too. Much like how she withdrew her hand from the two of them during the sunrise, she will withdraw as the outsider. She considers: perhaps this activity should be better shared with his family and extended family, instead of her.
"I shouldn't waste the chances I've got."
What is she doing here? She is sorry to take Noctis' time from those far more significant... and those who would make him far happier, too, than how her curiosity gets the best of her to ask these questions. Questions that don't bring a smile to his face, she notes.
With one last fond look at him, accompanied by a brief pat upon his knee, she turns her eyes back to the tablet. ]
Alright, we have one robot dragon that is a contender for a final boss. [ She taps a finger against the screen. ] Is there a story to this game? Why are the heroes fighting all of these dragons?
[Her questions are usually more of a strain than that, so he's initially surprised when she so quickly moves on. It's a small mercy as well, one he's grateful for. Today's meant for games, for storytelling and working on a fun side project, not family drama that he lacks the freedom to share. There's bound to be other days for sating curiosity on both sides, and he doesn't mind indulging that for the most part, though he still knows very little about her. ...Which is why he still wants to know all of this stuff!
He perks back up at her question about the game. It's silly and not at all important, but it's still something he's passionate about so he can't help it.]
It's a pretty classic RPG, story-wise. There's this giant evil dragon, Tolfidan, who kidnapped the princess of Olthea and took her away to his kingdom. Four heroes of her homeland are blessed by the god Khalam, giving them the power to go on a quest and rescue her and defeat Tolfidan. It's a kingdom of monsters, so there's a lot of those to fight, dragons included.
It sounds like a power fantasy and an opportunity for others to feel like heroes. RESCUE THE PRINCESS FROM EVIL DRAGON. Maybe you'll get to marry her at the end, too! ]
Will you be incorporating a story into this remake? No reason you can't have a prince needing rescuing instead.
That's true, we don't have to push for cliches just because that's how it went in the old version. It didn't matter that much to me in the real game, since the best part was the missions, not the finish line.
[Something something the real treasure was the friends you made along the way.
His lips quirk into a knowing smile.]
I'd be okay with rescuing a prince, it's been known to happen. Though Prompto might complain.
[At that... his expression shifts, an uncomfortably sad kind of smile this time, and fiddles with his arm bracer as he is wont to do when he doesn't know what to say.]
Sure, once. It's a dangerous world.
[An obviously evasive answer, but the sort she might find familiar, considering how often she dodges his questions. She doesn't need more of his sad stories.
Instead he readjusts the tablet in his lap, searching for that drawing program she'd used. He can't do much without a proper pen, but he can at least get some rough sketch ideas down.]
Back home the main characters are all guys. We should add some girls to this one, at least half and half. I want you and Luna to play with us, too.
A dragon-slaying adventure to save a prince in dire need-- even with just you or Luna.... [ Her eyes shine brightly. ] There's no way the team would lose.
Yeah, for sure. [Like he'd ever disagree with praise about her. He knows his own skills but she's just- amazing, okay.] She uses a trident, so... maybe a dragoon?
[He starts roughing out a little drawing of a woman in sharp-looking armor carrying a big spear, in a cartoonish style.]
[ She looks over at his tablet. Hey, they drawing isn't half-bad. This, she did not know about him. And the way he smiles when speaking of Luna is... Hm.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. ]
Not just any dragoon. A valiant one. Peerless. And... beautiful, right?
I think that's only fair. Two of the heroes are the handsome heroic types.
[Though his capacity for drawing something beautiful is questionable; he's no fine artist. Years of communicating with Luna purely through a journal, and growing up in the Citadel with no friends his own age besides Ignis left him time alone to find ways of entertaining himself more often than not, and ample opportunity to practice. Talented, no, and his hand is too unsteady to call it art. But it's a few marks above a stick figure at least.
He tries to follow her suggestion, giving the character narrowed eyes and a cool, confident smile, with long flowing hair.]
She look at his depiction, noting the sure smile the character has. If he had not mentioned Luna, she would not have known it was her; but with her name in mind, that smile is undeniably hers. It has a quiet resolve, but a loud bravery all the same.
And.
Huh. He likes long hair, does he? She's going to just pull this guess out of left field, but-- ]
[Probably mostly for Luna. He thinks a moment. He's never seen her in battle, but he's seen her working, and any time she's had to travel or attend to her Oracle duties, she's kept her hair up and out of the way. It's very practical, very her.]
I think she'd tie it back. So she can focus on what's going on.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[He's still smiling at that, though it's a little awkward. Somnus isn't here, she'd told him when inviting him over. She's probably misunderstood the nature of their relationship, so he figures he should address that... but carefully. He doesn't want to ruin the casual conversation, it's just that he'd rather she not feel concerned with whatever lies between them.]
I, uh. I don't dislike him. It's just that this is the first place we've met, so we're still strangers.
[At least, that's how it is on his part. Somnus knows an awful lot about him, and if he was still sentient while in the ring then any time he was around his father growing up... yeah.]
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Her question is simple, and she leans in for it: ]
But you would still trust him to throw you towards a robot-dragon? [ Even if it's VR? ]
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[Even he's a little weirded out by it, honestly. But that doesn't make it any less true- he would.]
It's fine, though. He wouldn't do anything to hurt me.
[It's not the same kind of trust that he has with Gladio, or Ignis, or Prompto, a connection born from bonds of growing up together, fighting side by side. It's not the familial kind of love he has with his father. It might get there someday, but as he said, they're strangers- it's too soon to know.
He does know this: Somnus is deeply devoted to his duty, and to the future of their world. And for now, this world, too. He tried to kill his brother for the sake of fulfilling his calling, for the prophecy of the gods (whatever that may be). He would never do something that would seriously risk the life of the Chosen King.
Not the most sentimental of truths, but one he can depend on for now.]
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....I have a question, if you don't mind.
[
Oh boy here we fucking go.]no subject
Yeah?
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[ Before, they had talked about what makes a home. Now, she asks about family. ]
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It's... kind of two-fold. Family's family- bloodlines, the usual stuff. It's easier to recognize with mine, since we all share the same power.
[If they weren't family, Somnus wouldn't have the Armiger. He wouldn't have access to the man's sword as a Royal Arm. And they certainly wouldn't share such a similar face.]
Before I got here, someone told me that Ignis, Gladio, and Prompto aren't my bodyguards, they're my brothers, and that's true. That makes them family, too. That kind of thing, you get over time, when you know them and they know you, when- [he stumbles a little,] -when you... love each other. It's like that.
[He shrugs, scuffing a hand through his hair.]
So you can't pick some family, but you can pick others? If that makes any sense.
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She appears to consider something along with his words, and she offers him a smile when...-- he says that: "When you love each other". That, too, is also important for family. But this question isn't about her, as always. She voices a concern that had occurred to her prior to this conversation: ]
Would... it be better if Somnus lived with his family...? [ She's seen how he's had multiple visitors over for him, not her: they all care for him, worry for his well being and know about him in a way she won't ever know. Even unprompted, they stop by. Wouldn't it be better if he stayed with them instead, for his sake? ]
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I don't know... now? Probably not. Things're too complicated and messy. I don't know what he's told you, but even if one of us would have him, I doubt he'd feel welcome.
[He glances sidelong at her.]
He seems pretty comfortable with you, though. I think this might be a good place for him.
[Visits are one thing, but it doesn't seem fair to have to live with discomfort and hostility just because they're family. Like with the case of Prompto or his own actual grandfather, sometimes familial relations can be bad for you, or better kept at arms length for a while. And considering how Ardyn (rightfully) gets riled up when Somnus is so much as mentioned, that's not a bond easily mended.]
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While she won't use this opportunity to ask further about his familial circumstances, she will say: ]
I am glad that you and he have others from your world-- Eos, correct?-- here. As well as family.
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[He shifts a bit awkwardly, though he does nod.]
Me too. And I'm grateful- I know I'm one of the lucky ones. You were right about how I shouldn't waste the chances I've got.
[Again, said so carefully. He doesn't want to get into the same sort of debate as before, but he can at least acknowledge what she's been saying.]
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"I shouldn't waste the chances I've got."
What is she doing here? She is sorry to take Noctis' time from those far more significant... and those who would make him far happier, too, than how her curiosity gets the best of her to ask these questions. Questions that don't bring a smile to his face, she notes.
With one last fond look at him, accompanied by a brief pat upon his knee, she turns her eyes back to the tablet. ]
Alright, we have one robot dragon that is a contender for a final boss. [ She taps a finger against the screen. ] Is there a story to this game? Why are the heroes fighting all of these dragons?
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He perks back up at her question about the game. It's silly and not at all important, but it's still something he's passionate about so he can't help it.]
It's a pretty classic RPG, story-wise. There's this giant evil dragon, Tolfidan, who kidnapped the princess of Olthea and took her away to his kingdom. Four heroes of her homeland are blessed by the god Khalam, giving them the power to go on a quest and rescue her and defeat Tolfidan. It's a kingdom of monsters, so there's a lot of those to fight, dragons included.
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It sounds like a power fantasy and an opportunity for others to feel like heroes. RESCUE THE PRINCESS FROM EVIL DRAGON. Maybe you'll get to marry her at the end, too! ]
Will you be incorporating a story into this remake? No reason you can't have a prince needing rescuing instead.
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[Something something the real treasure was the friends you made along the way.
His lips quirk into a knowing smile.]
I'd be okay with rescuing a prince, it's been known to happen. Though Prompto might complain.
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She looks at the curve his lips, noting the coyness to it, the knowing smile, then back to his eyes.
Is there a story she's not getting. ] As in, you needed rescuing before?
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Sure, once. It's a dangerous world.
[An obviously evasive answer, but the sort she might find familiar, considering how often she dodges his questions. She doesn't need more of his sad stories.
Instead he readjusts the tablet in his lap, searching for that drawing program she'd used. He can't do much without a proper pen, but he can at least get some rough sketch ideas down.]
Back home the main characters are all guys. We should add some girls to this one, at least half and half. I want you and Luna to play with us, too.
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A dragon-slaying adventure to save a prince in dire need-- even with just you or Luna.... [ Her eyes shine brightly. ] There's no way the team would lose.
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[He starts roughing out a little drawing of a woman in sharp-looking armor carrying a big spear, in a cartoonish style.]
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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. ]
Not just any dragoon. A valiant one. Peerless. And... beautiful, right?
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[Though his capacity for drawing something beautiful is questionable; he's no fine artist. Years of communicating with Luna purely through a journal, and growing up in the Citadel with no friends his own age besides Ignis left him time alone to find ways of entertaining himself more often than not, and ample opportunity to practice. Talented, no, and his hand is too unsteady to call it art. But it's a few marks above a stick figure at least.
He tries to follow her suggestion, giving the character narrowed eyes and a cool, confident smile, with long flowing hair.]
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She look at his depiction, noting the sure smile the character has. If he had not mentioned Luna, she would not have known it was her; but with her name in mind, that smile is undeniably hers. It has a quiet resolve, but a loud bravery all the same.
And.
Huh. He likes long hair, does he? She's going to just pull this guess out of left field, but-- ]
You like her hair down, too, is that it...?
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Huh? Sure, though I guess it just naturally went that way...
[Noctis tilts the drawing a little, scrutinizing it. Long hair is pretty, yeah, but he's not fussy.]
Would be more practical in a fight if it was short, right? I can change it.
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Mm... This is for Luna, correct? How would she wear it, do you think, in battle?
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W-well... not just for Luna, but...
[Probably mostly for Luna. He thinks a moment. He's never seen her in battle, but he's seen her working, and any time she's had to travel or attend to her Oracle duties, she's kept her hair up and out of the way. It's very practical, very her.]
I think she'd tie it back. So she can focus on what's going on.
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