[ A pause, and she lifts her eyes to meet his again. The only blue that can rival his power are that of his own eyes. They stand out even in the night for how she can see his determination.
She had been intent on letting her suggestion stop then and there, but she realizes something then-- something that urges her to speak more. Her hand squeezes his, and in a hushed tone she speaks: ] And... I think I you're already on that path.
[ She lets that linger, swallowing something in her throat, and then starts again. ] Somnus built a kingdom, your father built a wall... These bring safety.
[ He wants to keep those he cherishes safe. That is why he needs this power. But he's different from the both of those previous kings in that manner, not for the physical safety they bring, but something quite intangible. And she feels he needs to know this, how he diverges from them, surpasses them in his own way before he ever even donned the ring. ] I think that those whose lives you have touched don't need you to make them feel safe, Noct.
Because you make us feel brave... and that's even better.
[He tilts his head to one side, just watching her quietly for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The kind of king… he hadn't much considered that that might be his choice, either. Everything was pre-determined, so he wasn't sure if his kingship was part of it as well. It wouldn't make sense for his title to be King of anything if it didn't involve how he sat the throne. But after all of that is said and done, what then? Can he rebuild his country, his home, with his allies to help guide him and figure things out as they go, just like they always have? As partners, friends, family?
It reminds him of what Luna had said, not just recently but also when they were children: they were meant to work together, as a team, the king and his Oracle. Just as the king is always meant to have a Shield at his side, through the Amicitias. Just as a leader can't lead without a council or friends to support his decisions. Just as the Chosen has always been watched and guided by his Messenger. He's never truly been alone, even in his darkest moments. Those who support him make him feel brave, even when terror floods his heart, when the threat of death creeps up on him in waves.
"Remember- those ain't your bodyguards, they're your brothers. Trust in 'em. Always." "Please, come back soon! We need our king!" "I hope you will not grow too tired of constantly having me at your side."
If they make him feel brave, maybe the opposite really could be true.]
You too? [He finally asks, his voice quiet, edging on cautious. He knows the answer already.] Feeling brave?
[ She nods quietly, holding his hand. If all the kings and queens of the past had their own way of ruling and ways of what it means to be royal, then he can certainly make his own.
The way in which he is strong is the way he makes others strong. Perhaps that can be literal, but it's also this: by way of influencing and inspiring others through his goodness and courage. ]
When I'm with you, always.
[ This is very true-- he's gotten her to actually be brave enough to speak a little of her past with him. And that takes an immense amount of courage on her part. Furthermore, just knowing that there are those like him in the world with that goodness within them only makes her want to protect the world more. It pushes her to be more determined in her own goal, of trying to preserve the future for those like him to have.
...And that he still wishes to understand a power that can hurt him truly speaks to her. ]
[For once his reaction is not fluster and embarrassment, or denial, not even so much as a blush. He doesn't deny her words or her answer, or protest her ability to admit things so easily to someone like him. He takes in the words, turns them over in his head thoughtfully, and instead he looks serious, very serious. His expression shifts as if considering something for the first time, his gaze fixed on her.
He opens his mouth once, reconsiders. Does it again and clams up tightly. The words in his head wrestle with his mouth's willingness to say them; once they're out, he can't take them back.]
I want cake, [is what he says, finally, his gaze shifting away from her and looking ahead into the dark of the street beyond where they're sitting.] Some really irresponsible and disgustingly sugary cake for dinner. You in?
[ For the few moments where he appears to be about to say something, she looks on at him attentively, but patiently, waiting for him to speak...
In the end, he moves on from whatever had crossed his mind, and she decides to respectfully follow. It's a bizarre suggestion, however, and she takes a moment to consider his suggestion. ] Cake....for dinner?
[He accepts her hand up without hesitation, a little wobbly on his bad leg for the first few steps after sitting still for so long, but otherwise undeterred. He gives her hand a squeeze - hopeful that it might convey the whole... everything of what he's feeling right now, knowing it to be insufficient but lacking a way to express it otherwise - and tugs lightly, leading the way back to his place.
Strawberry cakes, he's decided, are definitely on the menu right now. Everything else can wait. They've got time.]
[ At first she thinks he has some sort of restaurant or cafe in mind, but instead he leads her towards the residential distract. Has she ever been to where he lives before? No, but that makes it all the more exciting. ]
Um, Noct. [ Her tone is one he's heard before: that of her having a question. After a beat or two passes, she voices the lingering intention: ] I have a question.
[ Knowing that he'll allow her to speak, she does. ]
What we did... just now. Was it helpf-- it's... not hurting you, is it?
[A fair question, considering everything they just talked about. He only wishes he had a better answer for her.]
I don't know, [is instead the truth he can offer.] I don't... think so, though. Talking to the ring isn't the same as using its magic, and even if it was it's small enough that I don't feel it.
[And Somnus wouldn't tell him to try it if it was harmful, right? ...Probably.]
Either way, I don't think it's a good reason to back off. You've helped me a lot, and I'm learning stuff I never thought would be possible- that's worth the risk.
[ Since they're holding hands as they walk, he might just feel her grip relax some. It seems a tension had been there up until she received this answer, and not without a good reason. If her helping him with this training would hurt him in any way...
She would still do it, since this is what he wants. His answer only brings relief to her. Nodding to his last words in agreement, she considers those who are still within the ring, recalling how eager the power-- no, they had been to reach out to Noctis. They all must have been trying to speak to him at once, hence the noise. She, too, thinks it is worth it for all of those souls to be heard.
[The easing tension is palpable, and he feels a little better for it, some of the worry in his own posture settling in response. The last thing he wants is to worry her enough that they stop training, and all his tiptoed progress goes right out the window.
He halts when she does, glancing over his shoulder at her.]
[His immediate expression makes it apparent that he's not thrilled with this request, and for a long moment he looks like he might refuse. Pyra usually has a reason for asking for the things she does, though, and she more often than not seems to know what she's doing, so... reluctantly he pulls the chain out from around his neck again, holding it as directed with the links curled around his fingers to keep it from falling.]
[ Step one, complete. That he's complying already earns him a wider smile. Now onto step two-- ]
Now curl your fingers inward, like you're holding it within a loose fist. [ She'll wait for him to do so before moving onto the next instruction, this time mimicking him by making a loose fist with her own.
She also steps away from him, releasing her hand from his. Whatever she's trying to get him to do is apparently so important that (gasp) it's supersedes contact! ] Then... bring this hand with your ring to your chest, and with the other arm... overlay it. [ Which basically makes a loose "X" over his chest with his arms. ] And... just hold it there.
[Stiiiiill not a fan. But he follows her instructions anyway, until his arms are crossed over his chest, and he's looking at her with a quiet plea to please explain what the hell she's making him do, here.]
Yeah, that's about the level of seriousness he'd expected, and he sighs heavily, holding the posture for a couple of seconds to indulge her before dropping his arms back to his sides.]
Can I un-hug at least one of them? Not sure they all deserve it.
[ He must be joking with that not all of them deserve it comment. He must be. She's going to choose to believe that, because obviously, everyone in his family should be hugged.
Aaand she'll also go right back to holding his hand when he's ready. ]
[He's not joking, but she doesn't have to know that. She does get a slightly sardonic half-smile though as he puts the ring-necklace on and accepts her hand, starting them back down the path to his home once more.]
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She had been intent on letting her suggestion stop then and there, but she realizes something then-- something that urges her to speak more. Her hand squeezes his, and in a hushed tone she speaks: ] And... I think I you're already on that path.
[ She lets that linger, swallowing something in her throat, and then starts again. ] Somnus built a kingdom, your father built a wall... These bring safety.
[ He wants to keep those he cherishes safe. That is why he needs this power. But he's different from the both of those previous kings in that manner, not for the physical safety they bring, but something quite intangible. And she feels he needs to know this, how he diverges from them, surpasses them in his own way before he ever even donned the ring. ] I think that those whose lives you have touched don't need you to make them feel safe, Noct.
Because you make us feel brave... and that's even better.
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It reminds him of what Luna had said, not just recently but also when they were children: they were meant to work together, as a team, the king and his Oracle. Just as the king is always meant to have a Shield at his side, through the Amicitias. Just as a leader can't lead without a council or friends to support his decisions. Just as the Chosen has always been watched and guided by his Messenger. He's never truly been alone, even in his darkest moments. Those who support him make him feel brave, even when terror floods his heart, when the threat of death creeps up on him in waves.
"Remember- those ain't your bodyguards, they're your brothers. Trust in 'em. Always."
"Please, come back soon! We need our king!"
"I hope you will not grow too tired of constantly having me at your side."
If they make him feel brave, maybe the opposite really could be true.]
You too? [He finally asks, his voice quiet, edging on cautious. He knows the answer already.] Feeling brave?
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The way in which he is strong is the way he makes others strong. Perhaps that can be literal, but it's also this: by way of influencing and inspiring others through his goodness and courage. ]
When I'm with you, always.
[ This is very true-- he's gotten her to actually be brave enough to speak a little of her past with him. And that takes an immense amount of courage on her part. Furthermore, just knowing that there are those like him in the world with that goodness within them only makes her want to protect the world more. It pushes her to be more determined in her own goal, of trying to preserve the future for those like him to have.
...And that he still wishes to understand a power that can hurt him truly speaks to her. ]
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He opens his mouth once, reconsiders. Does it again and clams up tightly. The words in his head wrestle with his mouth's willingness to say them; once they're out, he can't take them back.]
I want cake, [is what he says, finally, his gaze shifting away from her and looking ahead into the dark of the street beyond where they're sitting.] Some really irresponsible and disgustingly sugary cake for dinner. You in?
[Next time. Maybe, next time.]
1/2
In the end, he moves on from whatever had crossed his mind, and she decides to respectfully follow. It's a bizarre suggestion, however, and she takes a moment to consider his suggestion. ] Cake....for dinner?
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Absolutely!
[ Here, she scoots away from him, standing before offering him a hand to help him up. ]
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Strawberry cakes, he's decided, are definitely on the menu right now. Everything else can wait. They've got time.]
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Um, Noct. [ Her tone is one he's heard before: that of her having a question. After a beat or two passes, she voices the lingering intention: ] I have a question.
[ Knowing that he'll allow her to speak, she does. ]
What we did... just now. Was it helpf-- it's... not hurting you, is it?
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I don't know, [is instead the truth he can offer.] I don't... think so, though. Talking to the ring isn't the same as using its magic, and even if it was it's small enough that I don't feel it.
[And Somnus wouldn't tell him to try it if it was harmful, right? ...Probably.]
Either way, I don't think it's a good reason to back off. You've helped me a lot, and I'm learning stuff I never thought would be possible- that's worth the risk.
1/2
She would still do it, since this is what he wants. His answer only brings relief to her. Nodding to his last words in agreement, she considers those who are still within the ring, recalling how eager the power-- no, they had been to reach out to Noctis. They all must have been trying to speak to him at once, hence the noise. She, too, thinks it is worth it for all of those souls to be heard.
.... ]
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In that case, there's one more part of this training session you have to do before we reward ourselves with cake.
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He halts when she does, glancing over his shoulder at her.]
What's that?
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[ She quickly clarifies. ]
To hold it in your palm, not to wear it.
[ If he can do that much, she'll be happy. But this is only the first step to... whatever it is that she's planning. ]
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Okay...?
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Now curl your fingers inward, like you're holding it within a loose fist. [ She'll wait for him to do so before moving onto the next instruction, this time mimicking him by making a loose fist with her own.
She also steps away from him, releasing her hand from his. Whatever she's trying to get him to do is apparently so important that (gasp) it's supersedes contact! ] Then... bring this hand with your ring to your chest, and with the other arm... overlay it. [ Which basically makes a loose "X" over his chest with his arms. ] And... just hold it there.
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She beams. ]
And that is how you give over a hundred of your family members a hug all at once!
[ Got 'im. ]
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Yeah, that's about the level of seriousness he'd expected, and he sighs heavily, holding the posture for a couple of seconds to indulge her before dropping his arms back to his sides.]
Can I un-hug at least one of them? Not sure they all deserve it.
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[ He must be joking with that not all of them deserve it comment. He must be. She's going to choose to believe that, because obviously, everyone in his family should be hugged.
Aaand she'll also go right back to holding his hand when he's ready. ]
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