[ She nods in agreement. ] Your land is one of many traditions, I've noticed. [ She's assuming that Insomnia was named for Somnus in some way; might as well keep that "somn" part in it somehow, even if this is all play-pretend. ]
But this PJ tradition can be started with you, and I [ A total outsider. ] like it!
[Some traditions are better than others; a name would be a small concession for all of the silly proclamations being made in this fantasy reality they're crafting. Plus it sounds cool. His city should be cool.
He holds his hand out to her, fingers clenched into a fist. Bump! And when he speaks, his voice is a bit melodramatic and formal, playfully so.]
[ With a fond look in her eyes, she raises her hand to bump her fist against his, letting her touch linger... enough that she brings her hand to place it over his, breaking the little character charade they've been playing up until this point.
More than one hundred kings of Lucis have come and gone before him, and this one has such a wonderful smile. He's not untouchable, he's there with everyone in the moment.
He does not know it, but inscribed upon her very core is a psalm: iustorum autem semita quasi lux splendens..., the path of the righteous is that of the dawn. ]
....You know, Noct. [ She says softly, as if confessing something. ] Even without being a crownsguard... I want to protect you.
[He glances back at her, really looking this time, his head tilted curiously at her words. Protect... there it is again, that idle thought he's been considering. Not so she can protect him, because it's hardly necessary here, but... because the idea of sharing isn't as frightening as it might have been months before, when the betrayal of the Kingsglaive was still so close to his heart, an open wound and the source of his grief. When he'd closed ranks and shared his strength only with the men closest to him.
He wants to start trusting people again, to not let what happened at home ruin it for him or anyone else who might benefit. For his own sake, but also...
With a thoughtful expression, Noctis turns his hand in hers to clasp it, more of a pledge than a handshake or hold, and he smiles again, soft and cautious.]
[ For the few tender moments when his hand comes to clasp over hers, her attention falls to their touch. When he speaks, she lifts her head.
To protect each other...?
She wants to. She wants a lot of things. But that is the purpose of her wording: she wants to, but she will not use her own power. What a hypocrite she is, declaring something like that to him but knowing she will not lend her full aide when the situation calls for it.
She smiles anyway, her voice light. ] ...In King's Knight, I'll be able to. [ Surely that's what he means? ]
[There's that thoughtful look again, and he purses his lips, looking down at their joined hands. So often when they do this, it's followed by a calling of magic, a combination of power. She's fueled his magic over the course of an entire night, replenishing his stuttered supply and keeping him from Statis, like a steady drip-feed of elixir straight into his veins. He'd never felt a bottom in that wellspring of power. You have so much, she'd said, but hers felt neverending to an even greater degree than his. Yet somehow she always seems... impressed by him. And he doesn't get any sense of mockery or condescension from her, it's just how she is.
He doesn't get it. And she's so secretive, so he wouldn't, but...]
Hey, Pyra... maybe I never thought to ask this before, but what does your magic do? Like, what's it for?
[He's only ever seen her charging up other people, more of a conduit of energy than he'd said of himself.]
[ Then, she giggles softly again as if to recover for her surprise, giving her time to think of an answer. When she draws a breath, she looks at him. He really has to ask after everything they've done? They've trained every practically every week together. Certainly that's enough proof for an answer: ]
Support.
[ She smiles. ]
My power... supports your power. [ A pause, and then a look. ] Or... it's supposed to. Does it not...?
[ --Good, she thinks to herself. The question of does it not had been meant in an attempt to divert him. She knows it supports. She knows what her power does.
[ "Not that that's not enough! That's plenty. It's so much."
Her fingers brush over his knuckles, expression softens for a moment. Her tone resumes its airiness from before, but there is a new cautiousness to it that slows her delivery. ] What... does my power... feel like to you?
[He furrows his brows, thinking back. They've been working away at it for so long now that her magic has become familiar to him, to the point where he doesn't give it as much consideration anymore. It meshes well with his own power, supplements what is used, feeding into what is used. Perhaps that's the best analogy after all.]
One of the things we can do is make potions, like you've seen, but we can make ethers, too- where we store excess magic instead of healing. So when I'm feeling drained, I can use one and boost myself up again. Your power feels like an ether, except it doesn't run out. It's just... there, every time it feels like I need it. Does that make sense?
[ What she had hoped he wouldn't say-- that it is painful, straining, burning, or worse-- he does not say. Instead, he conveys everything that she intended to give him.
She's sure that if it ever would be too much for him, he'd let her know; however, with each of their training sessions (ring aside), it's likely to be the opposite-- he's needing to use less of what she gives. He's making progress, he's becoming efficient. He's growing. The goal is, after all, to make her be obsolete, that one day he might warp with others on his own. When or if that might happen, she doesn't know; but she'll be proud of him when he does accomplish it. ]
Mm. [ She nods. It makes sense, yes. ] But... you'll let me know if it ever becomes too much, correct?
Yeah, of course. Assuming I see it coming, anyway.
[The concept of having too much power is somewhat unfamiliar to him; normally it's the opposite. He's felt it in fits and bursts, like when summoning one of the Six, but he doesn't feel that power in him so much as around, and those experiences drain his energy rather than flood or replenish it. And the ring had felt something like that when he put it on the first time, but the pain had prevented him from really noticing it, and it, too, would drain from him should he attempt to use it. His body isn't really used to receiving, rather than the constant take, take, take. Hard to know the limits when it isn't the norm.
That isn't his focus right now, though, and the fact that she might be worried about overloading him after all she'd commented on is... suspicious, in truth. Particularly about how much power he has and already knows how to wield, because she doesn't know what he'd actually felt. He's channelled the power of multiple gods, why would the magic of one person be a concern after that?]
How much is too much? Because you've got... a lot. [He focuses on her again, watching her more carefully this time.] Seriously. It's a lot of power you're packing.
[ Under his more watchful eyes, he’ll notice, first, that her gaze drops from his. Then he will see a glint of light— the sway of her crystal earrings catching the sun, showing that she has adjusted her weight.
Her eyes raise to meet his. The real answer is if he becomes lost to it, but that would invite more questions. Quietly, ]
Ah, no, it is not infinite...
[ In this form it is not, and he’s seen it, too, that she becomes tired from supporting him at times. Both his warping and the ring demand a lot; it’s astounding that he’s expected to use any of that on his own.
It may seem as if she is finished speaking, but then— ]
Besides, I can say the same thing about... all of your power. [ Her smile returns. ] “Packing”? You’re packing gods in your arsenal.
[There's that evasion again. It's growing less subtle each time he notices it.]
I'm more impressed if all that power is coming from just you. Even if I've got gods on my side, there's still so much I thought was impossible for me- but when you're supporting me, I can do it. That's noteworthy, you know?
[And she has a dragon robot back home. Hers. She might not say it, and he won't force her, but she can't stop him from asking when he gets the chance. She's gotta be something special where she comes from.]
[ She’s tempted to put a finger to his lips to silence him, to give him vague answers instead as she’s done before. When is too much, too much? He will know. Her power is noteworthy? Nonsense, all of his accomplishments are his alone, the power is already within him.
But.
That’s treating him as if he cannot handle her answers, isn’t it? Infantilizing him in a way, not trusting in him, being among others who may continue to not reveal anything to him when he is a king. Unfortunately, her hesitation is more internal. And speaking more of her power to him when there are those close to him who readily disregard gods... She doesn’t know how much they influence him. It’s safer this way, she tells herself.
So, she chuckles softly. ]
Now you’re flattering me. I’m only trying to help... you!
[Flattery? To tell the truth? She's not just trying to help him, she is helping him. And even if her power isn't infinite, there's enough of it that he can tell she has more than him.]
Yeah, I am. But you're not denying it, either.
[It isn't a question this time. Non-answers can carry truths with them, sometimes; he feels like he learned something like that in a diplomacy class, ages ago. He doesn't have to pry, and she can't be forced to tell him. The mood is so light that he hesitates to sour things by delving into business he doesn't belong in, either. She's always been so gentle with him, asking difficult questions, yes, but never forcing or dragging answers from him, accepting the information he's been willing to share. That doesn't give him the right to drag equal answers out of her.
But. What she's trying to do every time she responds like that, evading around a real answer one way or another... maybe it'll be important one day, that he knows. And that she knows he knows.]
[ He's... got her there. She's not denying that she has immense power to share. In retrospect, it had been a mistake of hers to ask her initial question of "too much", even if it had been asked only in concern for him, if it's led to this.
She wonders what is going through his mind, what he's starting to think, if he's putting all the bits and pieces she has told him over the course of these months together.
This is what she was afraid of.... and what can she say to that. ] You're... very curious today. [ She shakes her head. ] I'm only glad to be able to support you.
[He's certainly often curious about her, it's just that she rarely actually answers his questions in a satisfying manner. Getting hints here and there is encouraging him to keep trying, though.
He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, tapping his toe on the floor.]
...Anyway, part of why I was asking- what about weapons? You know how to fight?
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[AKA needs more fantasy Latin.]
Hypersomnia?
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But this PJ tradition can be started with you, and I [ A total outsider. ] like it!
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[Some traditions are better than others; a name would be a small concession for all of the silly proclamations being made in this fantasy reality they're crafting. Plus it sounds cool. His city should be cool.
He holds his hand out to her, fingers clenched into a fist. Bump! And when he speaks, his voice is a bit melodramatic and formal, playfully so.]
Let it be decreed, by order of the king.
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More than one hundred kings of Lucis have come and gone before him, and this one has such a wonderful smile. He's not untouchable, he's there with everyone in the moment.
He does not know it, but inscribed upon her very core is a psalm: iustorum autem semita quasi lux splendens..., the path of the righteous is that of the dawn. ]
....You know, Noct. [ She says softly, as if confessing something. ] Even without being a crownsguard... I want to protect you.
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He wants to start trusting people again, to not let what happened at home ruin it for him or anyone else who might benefit. For his own sake, but also...
With a thoughtful expression, Noctis turns his hand in hers to clasp it, more of a pledge than a handshake or hold, and he smiles again, soft and cautious.]
I want us to protect each other.
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To protect each other...?
She wants to. She wants a lot of things. But that is the purpose of her wording: she wants to, but she will not use her own power. What a hypocrite she is, declaring something like that to him but knowing she will not lend her full aide when the situation calls for it.
She smiles anyway, her voice light. ] ...In King's Knight, I'll be able to. [ Surely that's what he means? ]
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He doesn't get it. And she's so secretive, so he wouldn't, but...]
Hey, Pyra... maybe I never thought to ask this before, but what does your magic do? Like, what's it for?
[He's only ever seen her charging up other people, more of a conduit of energy than he'd said of himself.]
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Support.
[ She smiles. ]
My power... supports your power. [ A pause, and then a look. ] Or... it's supposed to. Does it not...?
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[wait.]
Not that that's not enough! That's plenty. It's so much.
[Too much? Gods. He presses his palm against his face.]
...I'm just gonna stop there.
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.... ]
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Yeah?
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Her fingers brush over his knuckles, expression softens for a moment. Her tone resumes its airiness from before, but there is a new cautiousness to it that slows her delivery. ] What... does my power... feel like to you?
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[He furrows his brows, thinking back. They've been working away at it for so long now that her magic has become familiar to him, to the point where he doesn't give it as much consideration anymore. It meshes well with his own power, supplements what is used, feeding into what is used. Perhaps that's the best analogy after all.]
One of the things we can do is make potions, like you've seen, but we can make ethers, too- where we store excess magic instead of healing. So when I'm feeling drained, I can use one and boost myself up again. Your power feels like an ether, except it doesn't run out. It's just... there, every time it feels like I need it. Does that make sense?
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She's sure that if it ever would be too much for him, he'd let her know; however, with each of their training sessions (ring aside), it's likely to be the opposite-- he's needing to use less of what she gives. He's making progress, he's becoming efficient. He's growing. The goal is, after all, to make her be obsolete, that one day he might warp with others on his own. When or if that might happen, she doesn't know; but she'll be proud of him when he does accomplish it. ]
Mm. [ She nods. It makes sense, yes. ] But... you'll let me know if it ever becomes too much, correct?
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[The concept of having too much power is somewhat unfamiliar to him; normally it's the opposite. He's felt it in fits and bursts, like when summoning one of the Six, but he doesn't feel that power in him so much as around, and those experiences drain his energy rather than flood or replenish it. And the ring had felt something like that when he put it on the first time, but the pain had prevented him from really noticing it, and it, too, would drain from him should he attempt to use it. His body isn't really used to receiving, rather than the constant take, take, take. Hard to know the limits when it isn't the norm.
That isn't his focus right now, though, and the fact that she might be worried about overloading him after all she'd commented on is... suspicious, in truth. Particularly about how much power he has and already knows how to wield, because she doesn't know what he'd actually felt. He's channelled the power of multiple gods, why would the magic of one person be a concern after that?]
How much is too much? Because you've got... a lot. [He focuses on her again, watching her more carefully this time.] Seriously. It's a lot of power you're packing.
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Her eyes raise to meet his. The real answer is if he becomes lost to it, but that would invite more questions. Quietly, ]
Ah, no, it is not infinite...
[ In this form it is not, and he’s seen it, too, that she becomes tired from supporting him at times. Both his warping and the ring demand a lot; it’s astounding that he’s expected to use any of that on his own.
It may seem as if she is finished speaking, but then— ]
Besides, I can say the same thing about... all of your power. [ Her smile returns. ] “Packing”? You’re packing gods in your arsenal.
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I'm more impressed if all that power is coming from just you. Even if I've got gods on my side, there's still so much I thought was impossible for me- but when you're supporting me, I can do it. That's noteworthy, you know?
[And she has a dragon robot back home. Hers. She might not say it, and he won't force her, but she can't stop him from asking when he gets the chance. She's gotta be something special where she comes from.]
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But.
That’s treating him as if he cannot handle her answers, isn’t it? Infantilizing him in a way, not trusting in him, being among others who may continue to not reveal anything to him when he is a king. Unfortunately, her hesitation is more internal. And speaking more of her power to him when there are those close to him who readily disregard gods... She doesn’t know how much they influence him. It’s safer this way, she tells herself.
So, she chuckles softly. ]
Now you’re flattering me. I’m only trying to help... you!
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Yeah, I am. But you're not denying it, either.
[It isn't a question this time. Non-answers can carry truths with them, sometimes; he feels like he learned something like that in a diplomacy class, ages ago. He doesn't have to pry, and she can't be forced to tell him. The mood is so light that he hesitates to sour things by delving into business he doesn't belong in, either. She's always been so gentle with him, asking difficult questions, yes, but never forcing or dragging answers from him, accepting the information he's been willing to share. That doesn't give him the right to drag equal answers out of her.
But. What she's trying to do every time she responds like that, evading around a real answer one way or another... maybe it'll be important one day, that he knows. And that she knows he knows.]
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She wonders what is going through his mind, what he's starting to think, if he's putting all the bits and pieces she has told him over the course of these months together.
This is what she was afraid of.... and what can she say to that. ] You're... very curious today. [ She shakes her head. ] I'm only glad to be able to support you.
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[He's certainly often curious about her, it's just that she rarely actually answers his questions in a satisfying manner. Getting hints here and there is encouraging him to keep trying, though.
He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, tapping his toe on the floor.]
...Anyway, part of why I was asking- what about weapons? You know how to fight?
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Er...my abilities are in support, as I've said.
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