those rebellious teenage years come a-calling

[carbungle]

♥ Who: Noctis and Ardyn
♥ Where: Regis & Ardyn's place, woo
♥ When: /NONCOMMITTAL HAND WOBBLE, some time in September
♥ What: Some talking! About important things! AKA: "would you like to try a little blasphemy, as a treat"
♥ Rating: idk PG at least, probably


[It's well after his birthday - and post-afterglow of what a damn good day he'd had, because he'd wanted to ride that wave as long as he could without ruining it - that Noctis finally resolves himself to have a talk he'd been rather anxious about for... well, probably a few months now. It had started out as just a theorized thing between he and Pyra, something to work on in the background. But the truth is, if they really want to go for it - really, really make a solid effort - they'll need extra help. They'll need Ardyn on board. And he doesn't know what that means, he doesn't have a plan or a method or anything, but.

But.

He really wants to try, turns out.

And so, one particular afternoon when he knows Regis will be manning the potion shop, Noctis ventures over to the house and knocks on the door (rather than letting himself in, which might indicate things are more serious today). Should Ardyn open the door to invite him in, he'll be greeted by an awkward shuffle and an offered bottle of some of this really nice fruit wine from Shoremere, almost like an apology.]

Hey. You free for one of those talks?

Comments

[carbungle]

If... you're sure. [He'll have to trust Ardyn to know himself well enough and recognize his own limits, though admittedly their family isn't great at that.] I'm not alone, though, if that helps. Pyra's always with me when we do this.

[scourgingstars]

I admit I don't like the idea, but I'm willing to try all the same. As I said--I want to help however I can.

[A pause, then:]

...Besides, if there are Solheim ruins out there and it is possible to see them, I'd like to.

[carbungle]

You might not be saying that when we're neck deep in stupid puzzles, but sure.

[At least one of them might enjoy it. Ruins nerd.]

[scourgingstars]

I'm...sure it'll be fine?

[He said, with all the confidence of the one who was regularly bodily pulled by his arm through stupid puzzles.]

[carbungle]

[Meanwhile Noctis is always the one who has to drag himself through it because he's expected to lead. We'll see how this goes with the two of them together.]

Probably. In theory. This is assuming we even find anything- it's really hit or miss with this stuff. [He reaches for the bottle to refill.] Hey, did you ever go to Ralmuell with Aera? The Oracle training ground? Or was that just a thing for them.

[scourgingstars]

[super well.]

Hm...the name does sound a bit familiar, but I don't think so. I never had the chance to travel beyond Lucis, so if it was in Tenebrae I'd not have seen it for myself.

[With a long suffering and mock-annoyed sigh:] It wasn't as if it was easy to go quite so far out at the time.

[carbungle]

Can't exactly criticize. I only went there twice in twenty years, and transportation's way easier in my era.

[He would have gone back to visit, if not for... everything.]

I saw it, through the crystal. It seemed pretty ancient too, and the Oracles know a lot about the prophecy stuff. Might be a good option for later.

[scourgingstars]

...I wouldn't mind coming along if you do, if you'll have me. I always did want to see Tenebrae, even if the reasoning and method is certainly...well, unexpected.

[carbungle]

Hey, we're nothing if not unorthodox in this generation.

[Him and Ardyn, technically.]

[scourgingstars]

I'd rather be that than boring. Being a little unorthodox may well work in our favor.

[carbungle]

It's done wonders so far, so who knows.

[He checks his communicator again, typing a few responses, then leans back in his seat and finishes his wine, sliding the glass away from himself.]

Pyra says she can bring you in. If you're up for it, she'll come over now and we can give it a shot.

[scourgingstars]

...Well, there isn't much point in waiting, right?

[it's fine it's fine it's cool it's fine.]

I'm ready whenever the pair of you are.

[carbungle]

[Noctis studies him a moment, trying to determine whether or not he's really okay with it, but ultimately opts to trust the answer he's given.]

Okay, she's on her way then. We can leave a note for Dad, in case he comes home before we're done... think we'll all fit on one of the beds, or should we take the floor?

[scourgingstars]

[He was about as fine with it as he was going to be, which was going to have to work.]

We can take up space in my room and I'll deal with the floor, gods know I've slept in worse places.

[iustaegis]

[ Noctis had asked if she could bring others into her crystal-- to which she had answered yes. Imagine her surprise when Noctis had replied by naming his very own uncle!

Not too long after that, she meets them at the (senior) Lucis Caelum household. ]

So... The plan is... what, again?

[ JUST. Double checking. She thinks she heard them right-- enter crystal, access remote memories, only together, and also with Ardyn's own knowledge and guidance. ]

[carbungle]

We're looking for more memories, or clues, or whatever- in some ruins of Solheim. Ardyn said Aera knew about a ruin around Ravatogh, and I thought I saw something when I was up the mountain, and it's connected to the Astral War, which is when a lot of people think that the daemons first appeared. So it's a place to start.

[He gives her a light but meaningful nudge.]

I told him... about what we're trying to do. He's in.

[scourgingstars]

Wholeheartedly, of course. I can't let my dearest nephew run about doing something reckless without me, that wouldn't be any fun whatsoever.

[we joke to cope in this house]

I don't know how much help I can be, but I'll do all that I'm able.

[iustaegis]

[ She looks from one to the other, the smile forming on her lips becoming hopeful, lighting up her eyes. That they're working together brings no small amount of joy to her (nonexistent) heart.

And, she rather likes the idea of them working for an alternative within the means and myths of their own world, rather than relying on an off-worlder, whether her or someone else. Because if no one is able to travel to someone else's world... at least they'll be able to return to their home with a solution native to it. ] It's worth a shot, I think.

[ She steps forward, lifting up a hand to gesture to the crystal that sits upon her chest. ] But, alright... Place your hand here, I'll make the connection with Noctis' crystal, I'll take the both of you in.

[carbungle]

[Noctis takes out his communicator and sends a quick text to his father to give him the heads up - shenanigans at home, they're taking over the living room, everything is fine, nothing too specific - and gets them settled on the biggest couch. No sense in causing a ruckus and worrying his dad when he does inevitably come back, in case they're still at it and unconscious. He gives Ardyn a grin that is trying to be relaxed, but in truth, his bravado hides plenty of his own nerves. Delving into the crystal memories is always a little bit frightening.]

See you on the other side.

[He gives the crystal on his own chest an idle tap, ready to go.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn hesitated, the smile on his face turning uneasy. He was about as committed to this as he could be, but being confronted with it was still unsettling at best. Gods forbid he end up corrupting something without meaning to.]

[...But surely that wouldn't happen, right? Pyra knew what she was doing, and she wouldn't have offered if she found it dangerous. Which just left Ardyn to be worried about what something like this could theoretically do to his own head, as disorganized as it was already.]

[Not like there was any turning back now. He took a slow breath and gently touched the glowing crystal, looking for all the world like he was bracing himself for being thrown clear through the wall.]

[(Probably because he was.)]

[iustaegis]

[ What a nice couch they've all cozied up on!


The crystal upon her chest responds to the tap of his fingers with a gentle pulse of cool light. In a matter of seconds, he'll be somnolent, his consciousness temporarily taken into its realm. Concentrating further, she gathers her strength, building a tether of her crystal to the one spliced upon Noctis. Wispy, golden tendrils flow from her as a source, braiding in the air to form a lock between her and him. Lifting her hand, she reaches out and taps the smooth surface of his crystal, solidifying the bridge, and waits for Noctis to do the same with hers.

With the connection made, all three will be transported into a realm unique to Noctis, his personal soulscape.

Once her form manifests completely, she looks over to both of them, asking lightly: ]

Everyone make it in one piece?

[carbungle]

[The journey into the crystal - or the crystal's memories, what have you - is always a little jarring, but having done it a handful of times now makes Noctis more immune to the effects. He glances around at the scenery (or lack thereof, what with the empty, sweeping blue void of nothingness around them) then focuses on Ardyn. Even though Pyra had said it would work, he can't help feeling surprised to see the other man here. It's the first time someone else has come along, after all.]

Looks like it. You okay?

[scourgingstars]

I-I think so?

[Disoriented and more than a little nervous, sure, but anyone would be when floating in an empty blue void. Ardyn looked at his hands as if to be sure he was as close to 'really there' as things got in this situation, then raised his head to look around.]

What...is all of this?

[iustaegis]

This is… inside of Noctis’ soul— or a conceptual, subconscious representation of it. [ She looks at Noctis, giving him a small smile. ] It’s rather beautiful, I think. It reminds me of a nebula.

[carbungle]

[Noct's brief returning smile is bashful, and he scuffs a hand self-consciously through his hair.]

It just looks like the inside of the crystal. Probably echoing all the stuff going on in there.

[What with him absorbing all the crystal has to offer- he has no way of knowing if it always looked like this, or if it's been affected and now echoed the changes occurring in him. It... doesn't technically matter, in the long run. What his soul looks like is only relevant when they come here, before the memories manifest themselves.]