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

[scourgingstars]

That's good to hear. I might even look forward to see what comes of it, eventually.

[carbungle]

There's no might about it. I am 100% going to drag you into at least one game with me.

[In other words, no choice.]

[scourgingstars]

Alright, very well.

[Ardyn laughed softly, not putting up much of an argument.]

If you insist, then I'll be happy to play a game with you.

[carbungle]

Good.

[That's one down. At least this brother doesn't put up a fight.

Leaving the tablet where it is, he slips off his chair and walks over to the kitchen area, intent on helping himself to a drink. May as well, if he's going to stay a while.]

You'll have to pick a class- I'm still working on the player characters. What do you think, would you wanna stick with healer, or try something different?

[scourgingstars]

I don't know...probably? I really don't much care for fighting at all, but at the same time it would feel wrong without my sword.

[carbungle]

[HMMMM.]

...Slasher cleric? It'd work as a normal sword on enemies, but if you swing at your allies you heal them instead.

[Violent healing seems kind of wild to imagine in practice and he suddenly really wants to see it.]

[scourgingstars]

I-...maybe? That seems slightly unsafe.

[carbungle]

It's just VR, it isn't gonna hurt anybody.

[If they were smashing potion bottles on one another's heads that would be a different story.

Drink acquired, he leans back against the counter to face Ardyn again, right leg lifted so he can rest his foot on the side of the cabinet rather than the floor. Sorry for your furniture, family.]

[scourgingstars]

...A fair enough point. I suppose that's as useful an approach as any, for a healer with a sword.

[carbungle]

Plus it'll keep people on their toes. You should be in something flashy- bright colours so they know not to dodge.

[scourgingstars]

I'll leave that up to you. Never cared much for bright colors, myself.

[as evidenced by the 'entirely shades of off-white' wardrobe]

...I do like red, though.

[carbungle]

Red? Wouldn't have guessed. I can do red.

[One more distinction between this Ardyn and the one in the future, then. Good to know. Though that would explain his general wardrobe. Not like Noct is one to judge considering his normal black ensembles.

He kicks off the counter and heads back over to sit with his tablet, adding to his notes and opening the sketch program Pyra had introduced to him. He has a pen for it now so it won't just look like a bunch of messy scribbles, hopefully.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn glanced down briefly, then back up at Noctis himself. He didn't...think he was imagining things, but it might not hurt to check.]

...If I might ask you an odd question, is your leg bothering you?

[carbungle]

[Noctis pauses, brief but long enough to be noticed, then shrugs.]

Just a bad day. Usually gets wonky when the weather changes.

[Part of what makes this place an occasional nightmare is how often the weather shifts abruptly here, but lately since it's been consistently cold his body has been more sensitive than he's used to back home. He tries not to focus on it- not like he can do anything about it, and he's not about to just stay home all day unless it's especially bad.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn frowned slightly, raising a hand to his face in thought. After a moment:]

Do you think-...that is to say, I might be able to help, even only temporarily.

[carbungle]

[???? sorry what]

How? It's been healed for a long time already.

[Chronic pain is chronic pain, there's very little to be done about it besides suck it up and develop some tolerance, or live on painkillers.]

[scourgingstars]

True, I can't repair old injuries, but a simple matter of alleviating pain isn't of particular difficulty. If you wish it, I may be able to do that much.

[carbungle]

...Wait, like- you've got painkiller hands or something?

[He can't help but feel intrigued, sitting up in his seat a little. Pain relief without actually taking drugs for it is incredibly enticing.]

[scourgingstars]

Well...somewhat? It's true that my healing is more intended for ailments and the like, but I can usually get it to work for things like these. It shouldn't prove a problem.

[carbungle]

[He opens his mouth to agree, then hesitates.]

It doesn't hurt you, does it?

[Ardyn has already suffered through his healing enough, he doesn't need to endure more.]

[scourgingstars]

Not enough to be so concerned about. I would not have offered otherwise.

[He would have, but that was beside the point.]

[carbungle]

[He frowns. That isn't a no, full stop. He doesn't like that, and there's no reason he should he asking someone to bear his pain for him.]

You don't… have to. It's not that bad.

[scourgingstars]

I know I don't have to, and I have little doubt you can manage perfectly well.

...But I would like to, if you would allow it. There is no shame in letting others bear a little burden alongside you, or so everyone keeps telling me.

[carbungle]

[There's still some resistance; there's a big difference between allowing people to help you, and shoving your burdens onto them instead. He doesn't mind accepting help, he's well aware of how he stumbles when left alone. This just feels like an unfair trade, handing pain over to someone who already has enough to deal with.

He feels another painful twinge in his leg, grimacing. He really sounds like he wants to try… it's not often that Ardyn asks for things. It may be self-serving, but… ugh.

After a long moment Noctis finally sighs into a hand and nods his head.]

Fine… but only if you promise to be honest about how you feel after.

[If he allows this more than once and then finds out it's only passing the pain gil along he'll be super annoyed.]

[scourgingstars]

I promise to only be completely honest with you, Noct. You have my word, and I shall not break it.

Now, if you wouldn't mind telling me a bit about it that I might help--where does the pain originate from, for example?