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

[carbungle]

...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.]

[flawed_immortality]

[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.

[carbungle]

[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...?]

[flawed_immortality]

[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.

[carbungle]

[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?]

[flawed_immortality]

[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.]

[carbungle]

[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.

[flawed_immortality]

[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.]