lucian royalty takin over here

[carbungle]

♥ Who: Noctis Lucis Caelum + Open!
♥ Where: Just a catch-all for some stuff
♥ When: Now! + January catch-all
♥ What: The prince of Lucis has Things To Do
♥ Rating: PG? will update as needed


( a. have you met my emotional support scarf - Open to All! )

[At first glance, it's just a normal guy walking down the street, nothing to pay any mind. Getting closer however reveals that he appears to be... talking to himself? Or at least having half a conversation, glancing at the empty space by his shoulder and speaking, then looking down at his communicator for a silent response. It probably looks kind of weird, and he's quite preoccupied with it. Maybe try getting his attention?

Those who can sense magic might notice not just his, but a secondary presence at his shoulder, small and invisible. Those who can't sense magic might just hear it... squeak?]


( b. friendship is magic...? - Open to Family/CR he's inevitably harassing )

[Noctis is venturing out to find… people! People he knows. And likes. Or just wants to know and like better. Basically he's trying to visit his friends and family, in part for a very specific question but also just to try that whole open affection thing he keeps getting told to work on.

If he knows where you live, he's paying a visit! Otherwise, mayhaps he'll find you in the street or in a shop somewhere by chance.]


( c. girlfriend? girl! friend!! - CLOSED TO LUNA )

[Going out for a date is all well and good but for Noctis a night in is just as (if not more) enjoyable, and the fact that Luna feels the same and had suggested it makes him appreciate her all the more; thus, the only thing on tonight's agenda is a meal at home and each others' company. He'd helped her prep whatever dish she'd opted to make, but once it's ready to be cooked and he has nothing to do, he parks himself at the table with his tablet out, opening up the design doc for King's Knight 2.0. Prompto's not around so he can finally ask her without spoiling the surprise.]

So... if you were gonna pick a character to play, what kind would it be?


( d. those ding dang head whispers - CLOSED TO REGIS )

[A little later into the month, after weeks of stressing about it and hiding and wishing he was a hell of a lot stronger, Noctis at last makes a decision. No more putting it off- it's time to face his future, his responsibilities. Time to learn about what the hell he's meant to do going forward.

He sends a message to Regis, requesting a one-on-one meeting, while the house is otherwise empty. He's late to arrive once a time is decided, pacing and circling the house first, anxious and hating it. Coward, his mind is scolding him. Just do it already.

Finally, he steels himself for the last time and steps up to knock on the door before he can change his mind again. No going back now...]

Comments

b

[scourgingstars]

[Odds were good he'd run into Ardyn in or around Regis' house; not that he disliked his own, but he often spent time there ostensibly for helping Ignis cook and learning a few things in turn.]

I didn't expect to see you here. Is everything alright?

[carbungle]

[well isn't that convenient. Noctis raises an eyebrow, quizzical but not annoyed as he wanders closer.]

Everything's fine. What, do I look worried or something?

[Maybe his stiffness is betraying him in his expression, but that isn't that unusual, so.]

[scourgingstars]

Not at all. You've every right to be here, I was merely concerned it might be for some specific reason. Are you just after the leftovers again?

a

[iustaegis]

[ Ah, yes, she feels some sort of... disturbance in the force a strange different sort of energy just upon his shoulder, and, uh, is that him-- talking to himself?

She had just happened to be passing him by, but this seems a little troublesome. ] Are you alright?

[ Not to mention, he does appear bothered by something. Worriedly, she approaches him. ]

[carbungle]

[Noct pauses mid-sentence and glances over; sorry, Carbuncle, but he has enough sense not to ignore actual real live people in favour of talking to invisible friends.]

Hey Pyra. I'm fine, why? Something on my face?

[iustaegis]

[ .............In this moment, she wonders. Dark ether in her world has such connotations like curses attached to it. Is something happening here?

Except, she cannot see it. Out of all the times her vision must fail her, she wonders why-- ] You were talking...to yourself....

[ Her eyes flit to the shoulder she senses something upon it, then back to him. ]

b!

[indelebilis]

[ A visit from friends and family is always special. But it's made even more special when it is your favorite nephew paying a visit!

She may or may not have thrown her arms around him and nearly knocked him over at the door, but now that she's dragged him inside to settle down, she's busy making some tea for them. ]

As always, it is wonderful to have you in my presence, dearest nephew. What brings you here, dear?

[carbungle]

[Don't tell Regis he gets top billing here.

Will he ever get used to Aera being that way? Probably not, but he at least accepts it in stride and allows himself to be dragged, sitting politely as he awaits the tea.]

Nothing important or anything. I was wondering, uh. If you had any interest in the VR games here?

[indelebilis]

[ Look man, you're both adorable. Just let her love both of you.

It takes only a few minutes for Aera to return with the tea, and she carefully places it down on the table in front of Noctis, along with two tea cups, of course, of which she will pour for both of them before she takes a seat. ]

Admittedly, I've not tried any yet, though they do seem fun. Lunafreya has informed me that she's tried them and enjoyed them... do you like them as well, dear?

[astralera]

[ More familiar now with Somnus, it is no surprise that Noctis catches her eye. With her newfound perspective he is interesting indeed, so similar in appearance to his great-grandfather and yet with mannerisms more akin to his great-granduncle. And... an odd gait she would associate more with her own father than with a young man, now that she's taken note of it.

His aether feels the same as the first time they met, but as Era approaches she can tell there is something else there — even if the way he speaks to seemingly nothing wasn't indication enough. The 'something else' is... Era isn't sure what to make of it, for it initially feels oddly Primal, yet not. Combined with something that seems to blend with whatever feel she had from his aether before. It is disconcerting, and while the first, reflexive instinct is to be aggressive (protective), that instinct quickly passes, shifting into wary curiosity. ]

Noctis. [ She offers polite wave in greeting. ] Who is your company?

[carbungle]

[He returns the wave easily enough, not surprised to find that she noticed. She'd seemed pretty magically in-tune with things, in a way he honestly can't fathom.]

Remember when we were talking about Carbuncle a while back? It showed up at the temple for me a few days ago. Can you see it?

[He doubts it, considering the track record so far, but it doesn't hurt to ask.]

b

[flawed_immortality]

[Noctis you know exactly where to find him. If you're willing to get your butt out of bed and come train the way you're supposed to. Sure it can be difficult because of girls and puppers but if Cor can haul himself away from Will and a fire doggo you can crawl away from Luna and the dogs.

Besides, sitting in the greenhouse effects of the back porch with a mug of coffee isn't a bad way to spend the morning. There's a real yard for Umbra and Pryna if he wants to bring them to. ]

[carbungle]

[And Noct is... definitely, definitely late. Not like hours late, but enough that Cor might be on the brink of contacting him to drag himself out of bed already. Eventually, though, there's a bark, and Umbra comes scampering from around the corner with his tail wagging, parking himself at the edge of the fence to politely wait for an invitation.

After a few moments, here comes the prince, trudging at a sleepy pace, nursing a thermos of something steamy and looking like he'd rather be back in bed. Not altogether unusual for him, but slightly more intense than the norm this morning.]

b;

[promittere]

[It's easy to find Ignis at home - he wouldn't go so far as to call himself a homebody, but there is something comforting about staying home and not getting involved in everything. It makes him antsy in equal measures to finding it relaxing, but...

He's trying to take Ardyn's advice and do things for himself.

He's not surprised when Noctis shows up, though, and he gladly lets him into the house.]

Pardon the mess. I was in the middle of something.

[Said mess is mostly in the kitchen, but, you know, what can you expect.]

[carbungle]

The mess sure smells good.

[Business as usual with Ignis. And considering the messes he's cleaned up for Noct over the years, he hardly has room to complain.]

Want a hand with anything?

[wifeacle]

[Honestly it was probably for the best that Noctis moves of his own accord to the couch instead of sticking around in some attempt to help her. Especially considering she was very certain that the food was actually done far before the smoke alarm went off. It was a warning, after all, not a timer.

Even if it was a relatively simple dish. A thick, hearty stew that matched the chill going through the air. Loaded with chunks of meat and potatoes that would hopefully mask the vegetables she had snuck in. That or they would end up discarded in a sad puddle of gravy. She figured she had an equal shot.

Thankfully it was at a point where it simply needed to be left to simmer, and she left it on low as she heard him speak, venturing from the kitchen and into the living room, taking a seat next to him so she can peak at what he's doing.]

I suppose that would depend on my choices.

[carbungle]

[Somehow her being here has made him worse at cooking instead of better, who would have guessed.

As she leans in he tilts his tablet towards her to let her see his current work in progress, though it isn't much for now; he's gotten himself a pen and a drawing program for doodling and writing out these ideas more easily, and at the moment it's a very basic anime figure, a barebones set of shapes that could in theory become a concept sketch for a playable character. Once she gives him more to work with at least.]

We're making it ourselves. Or commissioning it, anyway. You can choose whatever you want.

[...Though hopefully she can keep in mind his skill level. It's not as if he's a pro artist, here.]

If you could be anything else in the world, instead of the Oracle, what would you pick?

A

[this_loser]

[Noctis is a dork. This is 100% a fact, and Prompto will not be convinced otherwise. Noct looking at his comm a lot? Not weird. Normal really. Must be some conversation.

It's the talking to himself that's got Prompto putting his camera away and sliding over with a curious smile.]

Hey, buddy. Doing okay?

[carbungle]

[Oh, hey, how convenient. Noct smirks at the unsubtle scrutiny - don't think he's missed that camera! - and sidles over, lifting an arm to lean it on Prompto's shoulder.]

Doing okay, sure. Just giving someone a tour.

[And as he pulls away, Prompto might feel a light skittering of paws moving from Noct's shoulder to his own, and the brush of soft fur against his neck. Surprise!]

flings self at your carbie

[unsunderworld]

[Oh, that is certainly interesting. All the moreso because the other presence seems blurred even to his eyes. Emet-Selch hasn't made much effort to interact with the youngest member of the family since that day in the archives, but it appears that today he'll be forced to make an exception.]

And what manner of companion have you there?

[No point in hiding his Sight at this point - it's been made public enough knowledge on the network to those inclined to pay attention to such things. And so that golden-eyed gaze remains right on Noctis' shoulder, where Carbuncle rests.]

awww yeah

[carbungle]

[Having people actually notice Carbuncle is kind of fascinating for Noctis, after years of being literally the only one, so he's quietly and pleasantly surprised at the question. He glances sidelong at the little creature on his shoulder, and as it shrugs, he gives it a little scratch under the neck.]

This is Carbuncle. A Messenger, for the Astrals on Eos. Can you see it?

a. Invisible Friend Bonding?? Setting this the 8th unless another day is better.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[The first few times Nita walks by this person, she assumes somewhat absent-mindedly that the communicators have Bluetooth or similar. Given the tech-level of the natives that doesn't seem too bizarre.

But eventually she picks out a muted squeak, and then suddenly the peridexis' nudgings in her own head make more sense.

It takes her enough by surprise that she stops moving entirely - which means she's in Noct's way.]

[carbungle]

[He almost doesn't catch it, his gaze still fixed on his communicator, but he's trained too long and fought off too many ambushes to be that off guard, even on such a relaxing day. Right before he's about to collide with her outright he looks up, eyes widening, and abruptly phases to stand beside her instead, leaving behind a brief blue after-image that fades as he straightens up.]

Whoa! Sorry, you okay?

d - Falls in here suuuper late

[kingkingcxiii]

[One of the benefits of having the room built into the odd space between the 'garage' and roof is that Regis' window is one of the highest in the house. He sees exactly when Noctis arrives and spends a good couple of minutes, as he treks down from his room to the main part of the house, deciding on if he should go out and coax his obviously uneasy son into the house or if he should just give him time to act on his own. Ironically enough, the answer is made for him as a knock comes just as he is a few steps shy of opening the door himself.

He gives Noctis a welcoming smile along with a comforting squeeze to his shoulder.]

Shall we go to the back room?

[Hopefully, all the windows will help Noctis not feel trapped. If Regis hadn't seen the pacing before, he would clearly be able to tell how nervous his son is now. He's all but radiating unsettled energy.]

/HAPPILY GATHERS INTO ARMS

[carbungle]

[He has the decency to look a little guilty for being so late, even though Regis doesn't appear bothered by it. Noctis knows he himself must look rough, his eyes downcast, darting left and right like some kind of frightened animal about to bolt. He can't tell if his father's gentle touch makes him more or less uneasy, but he accepts it nonetheless, nodding cautiously at the suggestion and following Regis inside the house. He'd been here not too long ago, for the party, and then for Cor's training; it's a nice house, not like the Citadel but more fitting for its occupants than the tiny place they'd had before, much like Noct's own home. It's cozy, reassuring in its own way. He hopes it, combined with his father's presence, will be enough to drag him through this.

He can't just keep running away.]

Thanks, um. For doing this. I know it was kind of sudden.

[Gods, he sounds pathetic. Like he's years younger than he is, once more an awkward, uncertain teenager asking questions of a man grown too old too fast, who is patient but has better things to do than teach him anything, surely. When was the last day, before this place, that they ever had so much time to spare for one another?

Don't waste it, the guilt whispers, the same one that pushed him into admitting the truth when it confronted him. The chance is here, and the time is now.]