hugtopia_logs | lucian royalty takin over here

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lucian royalty takin over here

♥ 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...]

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Wh...

[What the hell, that's a confirmation but way more than he was asking.]

Calm down, geez! I didn't even say anything!

[He doesn't even know what he wants to say, or how he feels exactly, but Cor's apology certainly isn't what he'd been looking for.]

[You don't have to say anything, Noct. It's called projection.]

You're right.

[He's making assumptions and jumping ahead and... Cor sighs heavily, rubbing at his brow. He can feel a headache coming on already.]

I... don't want to upset you.

I'm not upset. And I'm not surprised- not on your end, anyway.

[Because yeah, he remembers some looks during that dream. And he's dense when it comes to romance, but it makes a lot of sense in retrospect. On the other hand, his father... who he knows is very much devoted to and loves his mother, even to the point of never remarrying or straying against her memory even years after her death. His restraint certainly wasn't for Noct's sake, who was neglected often enough thanks to the duties of the throne that a mother would not have been unwelcome. That's the part he's struggling with, and he leaves that as implied.

Hey, Cor, remember how you were clueless about the whole loving-multiple-people thing? Well. Your turn.]

[Ah... of course.]

It seems I was not so good at hiding it as I'd thought. Your mother had... apparently talked to him about it. Teased him for not seeing it, more like. She always was astonishingly observant.

[She knew and she teased because she thought it was cute. She was never angry or upset, Aulea knew how much love Regis had to give. It's part of why she married him.

Which is maybe a small comfort but it's what Cor can offer. His feelings have never and will never change how much Aulea means to Regis. There's not a force in all the worlds that could change that.]

[Noctis falls silent at that, his head tilting to one side, thinking those words over carefully before he replies.]

She... knew too? She was okay with it?

[ ???? what??? what is this??? people can do that?

wtf how was his mom was so cool.]

So Regis says. He'd never allow me even the small freedoms he does if she wasn't.

[He shrugs a little awkwardly.]

I can certainly see her giving Regis a hard time for it, teasing him and such. Not unlike Will's constantly teasing me about Regis.

[He sounds exasperated for a moment. They certainly have a type don't they?]

[He sure is learning a lot about his mom, here. After years of barely anything his cup runneth over. Even if a fair bit of it is... surprising, to say the least.

He trusts Cor. Hearing she might have approved makes it... easier? Less weird? He's getting there, anyway.]

Finding out all kinds of things about you these days, Marshall. Like how you're secretly a big softie.

[And who knew Cor the Immortally Gruff would be so popular.]

[For the first time there is no fear of Regis stumbling into a conversation about Aulea and either of them having to watch his heart break all over again. It was easier this way, both with more space and less demands and Regis eager and happy to talk about his perfect wife.]

I've no idea what you're talking about.

[Nope. He's still a big bad soldier, don't you know. It's not like he has an adorable purple boyfriend with a following of fluffs that demand all of Cor's attention. It's fine.

It's also far easier not to talk about it because that means talking about why he was so wary of allowing any hint of that softer side show back home.]

Yeah, sure.

[Noctis scoffs quietly, shaking his head. Not like he expected Cor to agree with a tease, anyway. And maybe that's somewhat reassuring too- that nothing's really changed, as far as he's concerned. It's not his business, they're grown-ass adults. And the less he thinks about his dad's love life, the better. Perhaps the strangest part is that he's literally never seen his dad kiss anyone before, so the thought of him actually being romantic is surreal. Cor isn't the part of the equation that makes him twitchy.

Well, whatever. They can do what they want so long as he's not privy to the details. With a shrug and a dismissive wave, he shifts from foot to foot, expression turning cautiously thoughtful; the conversation - particularly involving his father - reminds him of something else that he should... probably be taking more seriously than a kiss.]

Um... there was something else...

[Noctis you're still such a predictable teenager in so many ways.

He starts to do that awkward shifting again and Cor puts a hand on his shoulder, not hard but firm enough to still his fidgeting.]

Go on.

[Encouraging as he can be.]

[The encouragement helps, but still he hesitates. This goes deep, the words difficult to pick up and piece together.

In the end he gives up on finding them, and instead shows Cor the root of his unease more directly: he reaches under his shirt and draws out the silver chain he's been wearing for over a month now, always on his person but never revealed. Hanging from it is the Ring of the Lucii.]

[Seeing that ring in his Prince's possession immediately makes him wary. No, he's not supposed to have that. Not yet. He frowns, fingers tightening on the younger man's shoulder. There's so much implied in the very existence of that very item.]

I... am surprised to see that there are two. Your father has... unless he-

[No, no, he'd never have given Noctis that burden. He'd tried not to for so very long... Cor had half expected to find it alongside the tassel that still lives inside the jacket he finds himself wearing less and less these days.]

Come on.

[He doesn't give Noctis a choice on that front, using the grip on his shoulder to steer the Prince inside, through the back patio and into the living room proper. A fire flickers to life in the grate with the smallest gesture from Cor's hand and then he's nudging Noctis onto the couch. He's not about to make him have this conversation standing around outside in the chill.]

[Noctis offers no resistance, only a momentary hesitation borne of surprise; there's no fighting Cor, though, so he folds easily and allows himself to be guided inside and off his feet. Ever-conscious of his moods, Umbra is immediately on his heels, and as soon as they're settled the Messenger rests his head on Noct's knee, ready and waiting for whatever he needs.

Noctis drops the chain, letting the ring fall against his chest. His hands clench in his lap, pointedly avoiding touching it now that it's revealed.]

I thought... that was weird too, but Luna gave it to me when she got here. Next time I saw Dad, I checked, and he still had his. How could there be two? Was mine a fake or something?

[He pauses, half-reaching for it before he catches himself, and clutches his hands together more tightly.]

...Mine's... different, though. It's real, but it's not the same ring.

[It has another soul. One more than the ring Regis wears.]

The same item but from different points in time....

[Cor's voice is distant, thoughtful as he settles on the couch beside Noctis. Umbra settles on one side and Cor takes the other, just the slightest brush of shoulders, a reminder for Noctis that he wasn't alone. ]

Yours... [He steels himself a little, the memory of the last time he'd seen that form of his King in his nightmares all too vivid a memory.] contains The Father.

[A statement of fact but the way he leaves off any further comment opens it up for a confirmation all the same.]

[Noctis unconsciously leans against Cor just a little, quietly accepting the comfort offered. For a moment he can only nod; Luna would have gotten the ring through the death of his father, and the souls of the past kings are held within it. Somnus, Regis, every king and queen in between- they're all there. He'd known his father died already, but getting the ring was like the final nail in the coffin, the closing door of a tomb. Further proof that the city is lost, the Crystal taken, and he, the king of nothing.]

I didn't want to believe it... I didn't want it to be real. But I can feel them there. I can... hear them.

[He'd known very little about the ring before receiving it, and even now, he doesn't understand much more. His father never took it off as far as he could tell, for the wall and the protection of their country. He'd never held it or learned how it works.

He didn't know it whispered.]

[Cor can certainly relate. He hadn't wanted to believe it either but he had much more tangible proof than Noctis had. The sudden loss of the magical connection to his King had been like a knife through his heart. The warmth of that lifelong bond suddenly carved out of him had felt like it would be the end of him.

But Regis had never had the time to prepare Noctis for the weight of the ring. ]

I know... distracting sometimes, maddening others. Learning ways to ground yourself so you don't get too lost in what they might have to say is important.

Being confident enough to make your own decisions and tell them to mind their own business is another good idea. They have plenty of opinions and if you let them they will try to push you to listen to them instead of thinking for yourself.

...So... he heard it, too. My dad.

[Of course his father would have told Cor. Clarus probably knew, too. Those he trusted most in the world to keep him safe and sane.

But... not him. Not the one who was to wear it next. He was to stay safe and clueless in his tower, as usual.

Another pause, as Noctis lets those words sink in. Perhaps comforting isn't the right word, but there's something tangibly calming, even if the fact that he'd never been taught leaves a bitter taste in his mouth- to hear that it isn't just him. That he's not going crazy or hearing nonsense. Voices in his head have become more commonplace since leaving Insomnia- the Astrals, Gentiana, even Carbuncle occasionally chirping in his ear, so the experience isn't as jarring as it ought to be, but... there's something different about the ring. It sinks in, like fishhooks on his skin, digging deeper the longer he holds it. Whispering allusions of destiny, power, the future, words he doesn't understand but can recognize are important.

He's the Chosen. It's his duty. This is where his journey is leading him.]

I think it... or they... want me to put it on. Use it. But I...

[He trails off, glancing down, unable to force the words out of his mouth. It's predictable but weak. Cowardly. He's terrified.]

[Cor nods, further reassurance that Noctis is not losing his mind. Though he's sure it feels like it.]

There is no coronation or ceremony to stand on here, or even back home anymore. When you decide to do it have an anchor, something to split your focus on. They'll test you, push your boundaries, try to see if you'll be the kind of King to be manipulated and guided or one that has his own ideas.

[Cor reaches into his jacket and it takes him a moment to unclip something from the inside. Then he's holding out the delicate chain tassel that was an ever present piece of his father's raiment. The one from his jacket is badly damaged, rusted with some of the chains kinked and bent into odd angles, too fragile to be unwound.]

I got this for him just after his coronation... something to keep his hands busy when he wanted to strangle a councilman but also something to keep him from getting too wrapped up in the conversations in his own head.

[He sighs heavily, letting the ragged chains roll over his fingers, still smooth as silk where they haven't been damaged sitting in blood and ice melt for years.]

Whether it's Lunafreya or Ignis or Prompto... talk to them, don't try to take on the burdens of a hundred by yourself. Give yourself something to keep you present.[Here he sets the tassel aside to instead put a hand over Noctis', moving his hand to Umbra's fur.] And know that there is no shame in waiting until you're ready.

Or in taking it off when you need to. I don't think your father wore it constantly for a few weeks. Taking it off at night, [An obvious eyeroll.] Spending exorbitant amounts of time in the bath. He never really stopped that part.

[That tassel. Of course he'd know it- even if his time spent in council meetings was limited, he'd know just about any part of his father's usual raiment on sight. He'd spent enough time watching the man, wishing he could do more, that he were stronger. That they had more time. He doesn't know why Cor has it.

(Or: he knows. And he does not ask, because he knows.)

So the voices don't stop, then, and he needs to keep a solid head on his shoulders to endure it. Maybe the chain will continue to be a staple of his wardrobe, then- both to fiddle with and to keep the ring with him when he's not wearing it. It's comforting to think that his father may have taken it off at times, because he must have, of course he must have, but Noctis can't remember a single time it wasn't persistent on his finger. It's part of what frightens him about it; it's like Regis was never allowed to not be the king, even for a moment.

This... helps. More than he can admit.

He does blink in surprise at that the names Cor'd listed, momentarily shaken out of his miserable stupor to consider them. Luna, Ignis, Prompto...? Those aren't the people he'd first thought to bring this up to. Luna's already carried this burden long enough, Ignis and Prompto would support him but what would they know of the ring that he doesn't? The obvious choices are right there, and yet.

He glances down at it again, his fingers scratching listlessly through Umbra's fur to let it soothe him.]

...You didn't... suggest my dad.

[Is he not supposed to...?]

[Cor lets out a slow breath at that observation, brow furrowing, uncertain how to express the reasons he had not at first. He has to admit some small, selfish part of it first. Even if it is not the primary reason.]

Perhaps in some ways I am... a bit more protective of him here than I might have been at home.

[And dealing with the ring is always a burden, no matter how accustomed to it one becomes.]

He can give you insight, yes. And I know he would be all too happy to support you. But it is something that, when we find a way to return to Eos and better our destiny, I do not know that there will be a way to-

[It's been years, Noctis. How can he really think that they could reverse so much of what had already happened.]

Ignis, Gladio, Prompto... they will always be by your side, there to defend and to support. In ways that your father may not be able to. It may be wise to share that burden with them as well. To perhaps spend time learning how they can best help you here without the threat of war and prophecy looming over every moment.

[He does at least give it some consideration. Protective... it makes sense, of course. Especially considering the recent revelations, but it's always been Cor's job, and one that he takes with utmost seriousness. Protecting Regis from the possible pain of whatever happens with the ring when (or if) Noctis puts it on makes sense. He tries not to let it hurt him, that Cor's more conscious of that than his own needs. It isn't personal, nor is it a competition, but they don't have the history that might earn him that kind of loyalty. It would be like expecting the guys to choose his father over himself. Still... kind of stings, anyway.

Eventually, though, he shakes his head. Cor's point is fair, but he can't agree.]

People keep telling me not to waste the chances I've got. To spend time with the ones here that I won't be able to see or know back home. Dad... Dad's gone. [And they both know it, they both feel that ache, but the words hurt all the same.] Everything I ever wanted to ask him or learn from him, I can't have that anymore. Not for magic, or the Crystal, or the ring, or even just his life... I don't know what'll happen when I get it back home, but I know I'll want him to be there with me and he won't.

[He leans back against the plush of the couch, lifting his free hand to toy fingers idly over the cold, smooth surface of the ring. For once it's mercifully quiet, like it can sense his indecision and wavering resolve.]

No one else knows what it's like to wear it, Cor. Not like this. Somnus would understand, I think, but... it's not the same thing. It's gotta be Dad.

[Somnus wore the ring first; he was the first soul to dwell inside it. Millennia later, over a hundred souls have joined him, and while he existed with them he didn't wear them. That difference must be tangible. It's what he believes, at least. And... he doesn't want to ask Somnus. He likes the man, wants to understand him and get to know him better, but that conversation isn't for him. The passing of the torch from one king to the next- isn't that something one should do with a father?]

[Cor watches Noctis consider his options, turn around and repeat the things that others have said, things even Cor himself has told him, and he can't help but smile softly. It's reassuring in so many ways to see Noctis confident enough to make a decision for himself and hold to it.]

Then there's no question left, is there?

[It's a neutral question but Noctis has heard these non-questions often enough from Cor. Repeating his statements back to test the Prince's resolve, to make sure he's really thought it through. The smile that he doesn't bother to hide tugging at his lips is more indicator than Noctis usually gets of Cor's approval of such a decision.

This is exactly what he meant when he said the Lucii would test him. Noctis may be uncertain in some things but given time to talk it out, to think through his concerns, he will come to his own decisions. Not the quick surety of his father but similarly unshakable in his convictions.]

[Noctis isn't quite sure he can smile back right now - he doesn't have the confidence or pride that Cor has in this moment, still stumbling, still so cautious. But it's... a step forward, kind of. At the very least, he thinks he might be facing the right direction.

Umbra whines quietly, tail thumping against the floor to remind him of the present, and with a nod he tucks the ring back into place under his shirt and sits up properly. He brushes a hand through his hair and turns to face Cor properly.]

...Let's work on magic today.

[The shift in attention back to the present, to things more physical and immediate than the whispers of the ring. It makes Cor smile, nodding in agreement. He moves to his feet, patting Umbra's side as he does.]

Whatever you need, my Prince.

[He might think of Noctis as his Prince regularly but actually calling him "my Prince" has the same connotation as Regis saying "my son". And as Noct climbs to his feet as well Cor reaches out to ruffle his hair lightly, a brief affectionate gesture before he nudges the younger man towards the yard and their training space.]

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lucian royalty takin over here

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