[He asks, as he looks around. He wants to explore the room which emotion has made so familiar, but time has made not. It's... fascinating, really. The little things neatly placed away, but still visible, which would have gone into making Noctis the man he is today.
School books are neatly arranged on shelves alongside an outdated games console, little Justice Monsters II, or maybe III, figurines are on another shelf, as well as other drawings. A king with black hair and blue eyes, with two men- one with white hair cut as short as it can be, the other one with dark hair and a large katana. ]
Oh. My apologies.
[Snapped back into the present day, he enters- placing the clothes down on the bed. And he starts to pick up the pieces of the suit that Noctis had shedded before he went to sleep.]
[As if he needs to ask. But it's Ignis- he will always ask. Having him look around the room brings a small smile to his face. They spent a lot of time in here, especially when Noctis couldn't walk. He was Noct's bright spot in life when everything went south.
While Ignis looks around, Noct gets off the bed and starts dressing. He's not sure why Ignis is apologizing so he just shrugs, pulling on the pants.]
[The apology would be for the sake of standing around slackjawed while Noctis needed his clothes. Yet that was fine now. He was dressing in what was provided, and Ignis is plucking each piece of the formal attire from the floor- placing wrinkled and slightly sweaty clothes on the hangar for drycleaning.]
It has. I'd almost forgotten about your room. It brings back a lot, as well. Do you recall attempting to hide me in both your wardrobe, and underneath your bed in order to have me stay and read to you past your bedtime?
[That little task being completed, he zips up the bag.]
How can I forget? [Noctis laughs while pulling on the shirt.]
Sometimes he'd let us get away with it. For the weekends. I loved weekends. [Hat on and Noctis is done dressing. He will probably get a ton of judging looks as they leave the Citadel because of his choice of clothes, but see how much he cares.]
Here. [He picks up the book from the bed and gives it to Ignis, smiling.] I loved this book so much it started falling apart. The pages too. You really know a place that can fix it up a bit?
Sometimes, yes. And such occasions, he'd close the door but remain outside so none of the other guards would hear us.
[It was... definitely a fond memory. Despite the fact that Noctis' childhood had hardly been a good one. He accepts the book, turning it over in his hands quite carefully as if it might crumble to dust.
The term would be 'well loved.' While the volume itself wasn't that old, the gold edges of the pages had been worn away, the coverings showed various areas of damage from where it had followed Noctis almost everywhere, and as Noctis had described- the spine was in multiple fragments. Even the long ribbon connected to it to keep pages was frayed.
And it's carefully placed in his jacket pocket.]
I'm not familiar with anywhere, but I'm quite sure they exist.
[He moves to a small desk, where something's caught his eye. And he picks it up- lightly tossing it to Noctis. It's a small, carved blue figurine.]
For how strict he is, he has a very soft side, huh.
[Cor always has this very stern, firm expression on his face but then he goes and does some very gentle and nice things for them. Noct is still very grateful the man took it upon himself to ease Prompto in the Crownsguard training.]
Oh? Well, we can look for them after breakfast.
[The minimalistic breakfast his hungover stomach is demanding.
Ignis almost catches him off guard when he tosses the figurine at him from the desk and instantly it makes him smile from ear to ear.]
Carbuncle. [He looks up at Ignis-] I should bring it with me. It was always my lucky charm.
[He's certainly observed it. Sweet and soft is definitely not the approach Cor Leonis tends to take while working newer Crownsguard so hard they might actually die. But still. Prompto, more than likely, will probably be safe due to being an extension of Noctis to the Marshal. The same way he was safe when he'd decided to join.
He nods at the statement, deciding to look up book binders while they eat, but he smiles, faintly, when Noctis makes the catch.]
Yes, Carbuncle. I don't know too much about that one. I know it never left your side when you were unwell. Your father insisted upon it.
[He looks to the bed, remembering the sight of Noctis lying there, his wheelchair not far away, even after Tenebrae. He hadn't needed it, of course, but there was always such concern that he might slip back into his paralysis- especially when after Tenebrae he'd not spoken and cried so much.
Thankfully, for all of them, he'd recovered.]
If it is a charm, then you should keep it with you. Always.
[Noctis never thought much about that, but now when he stops to contemplate, Ignis is right. Marshal really is softer with him than with the others. And Noctis knows Cor is not a man that cares much about titles- many times he made Regis stop and think about stuff, saying them as bluntly as they really are. It makes Noctis very grateful
Noctis grins-] Ah. He's... well, according to stories [that his father told him,] he's the protector of dreams and guide through nightmares. [And it's the reason why Regis brought the figurine over when he was in a coma after that attack.]
Good idea, [he nods and places the figurine in the inner pocket of his jacket.]
[That was interesting. He listens quite attentively as Noctis speaks of the messenger, smiling a little as Noctis finishes.]
Quite a fitting guardian for someone that spends at least 12 hours per day in varying states of sleep. [A small joke, of course. He takes one last look around the room before he turns to Noctis once more- raising his hand to squeeze his shoulder lightly. Couldn't ruffle his hair while he wore that hat.]
Yes, let's. [At that, he picks up the zipped bag, and holds it over his shoulder.]
Hey! [Noctis gives Ignis a playful push but is actually smiling all around. The man is right- he does have a tendency to fall asleep anywhere at any time. He does lean into him a little, tempted to sneak a kiss from him but he doesn't- getting Ignis into trouble is not on his list today.
He leads the way out of the room and through the Citadel, fighting the hangover with Ignis' presence. Most of the servants are giving him a look because of the hat.
When they are outside, he looks at Ignis-]
You got here with car? Lead the way. [To the car and that coffee shop he mentioned earlier.]
[He smiles at the push, even though it doesn't really send him that far, looking over his shoulder at him, and pressing back, just gently, when he's leaned into. He'd not do anything here. Definitely not- he was familiar with where all of the security cameras were in the Citadel. Too familiar.
He walks past the main hall and then through the entryway, not paying the servants much mind despite the looks they so happened to be giving Noctis for his more casual choice of clothes.]
Indeed. Yours actually- though I'd rather you didn't drive. Not yet.
[The trunk is popped and the suit is carefully placed inside. He moves around to allow Noctis to enter by opening the door for him, once he's in closing the door behind him and entering himself. Before he does anything else...]
May I see the totem once more?
[Most would see the idea of Messengers as nothing but fairy tale. But he believed- He was too close to Noctis not to do so.]
[Noctis just shrugs- he doesn't mind when Ignis drives. In fact, he prefers when he does. Noctis doesn't trust himself with driving even when he's not hungover.
He just feels safe when Ignis drives okay!? Stop judging him...]
Huh? Oh yeah, sure.
[He comes over to where Ignis was packing their things and pulls out the figurine from his pocket and hands it over to him.]
[He accepts the little carved figure in a gloved hand with the hint of a smile on his lips, looking to Noctis as he raised it's little carved head to his lips. He touches them to it once and then lowers it to speak, lowering his eyes from the prince.]
Thank you for keeping Noctis safe.
[He half-wanted to perhaps ask if this Messenger might do the honours of waking Noctis up at a better time in the morning, or perhaps making sure his dreams weren't too deep alarms could be missed, but no- a joke would spoil the thanks.
And indeed, he did feel thankful. For both the miracle of Noctis coming out of his coma back then, and however Carbuncle had helped him since. He hands the item back, carefully, to Noctis- before starting the engine.]
[What Ignis did surprised Noctis completely. He thought the advisor wanted to see if there were any cracks for repairs, the totem is kinda old, but he didn't expect this. And if Noctis wasn't smiling earlier, he's grinning from ear to ear now.]
And the advisor will keep Noctis safe while he's awake.
[He takes the totem back and pockets it carefully, getting comfortable in his seat.]
[He waits until the seatbelt is clipped in before he lifts the handbrake and checks the mirrors before setting off. As the car moves through the city, he looks to Noctis every so often, his arm moving toward him to eventually move his hand to his, resting over the top of it as he drives.
Eventually, he drives into a small carpark, finding a place relatively easily. And he parks.]
It's just up this street. Have you decided what you're going to order yet?
[Craving for coffee aside, he'd be... surprised if Noctis took it the way he did.]
[The hangover wants what hangover wants. And if it wants black as night coffee, then Noctis can't really fight it. And there's this very sensible voice in his head with Ignis' accent that's saying it's not smart to drink it on empty stomach. Hence the toast.
So Noct just shrugs as he takes off the seatbelt-]
Not sure. The sound of toast and coffee feels like a cure right now.
[...he might up the eating game once he's settled down a bit.]
[If the hangover wanted black coffee, the hangover would get black coffee.
As the engine is switched off and Noctis moves his hand to take off his seatbelt, he moves too- slipping his hand off Noctis' own in order to see to his own seatbelt. Once he's out of the car he steps out- moving around the side of it again to open the door for the prince. Once he's out, he locks the car and walks alongside him in longlegged strides, hands in his pockets, head tilted to regard him as he does.]
Did you see His Highness at the event?
[He asks, as he holds the door of the small shop open for Noctis. The shop, indeed, is small- mostly deserted, only three or four people, including the serving staff, inside.]
[Noctis loves when Ignis finds small, not crowded places like this. The place is quaint but very pretty and it makes him wonder how come no one visits it. He follows Ignis out of the car and inside, giving him a small nod and smile when he opens the door for him.]
Y-Yeah. I did. We were greeting the guests together.
[As the protocol orders. It was a chore, too many strong perfumes- both from male and females- and after just fifteen minutes Noct wanted to take a bath to take them all off.
He takes a seat in a small booth, away from the window just enough not to be seen but enough to be able to look out.]
[The answer would simply be that it was on the wrong side of town. The area around them was hardly rough- but compared to the main thoroughfare of the city, it had... nothing, near enough. There were a few residential apartments, a few tiny little shops, but it was a far cry from the mixture of classical stonework and neon that Insomnia was.
He watches as Noctis finds somewhere to sit, choosing to move to the counter and make the order. Once that's done and paid for, he makes his way to the small booth, folding his arms on the table before him as he regards the marginally younger one.]
[Ignis better be ready when Noctis asks to come here again. He likes it. Much better than those fancy, crowded restaurants. He might be living on high end, but when it comes to food and drinks, he likes it simple.]
It was... [a small smile twitches on his lip]...it was nice.
...To be honest, when we got bored, [he lowered his voice] we started gossiping about Council members.
[The smile fades away a little and he leans forward a bit as well-]
Back in my room, when you arrived, you looked worried. Something wrong?
[He much prefers it too. It's a nice place to spend a few hours, as he tends to do when he can, basking in the sunlight some of the windows afford with a newspaper and his thoughts. He keeps his eyes on Noctis as the smile almost breaks across his mouth, that really saying it all.
Even the smallest time spent with his father seemed to make Noctis glow, and it was heartening to see. Very much so, especially considered how the prince seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders almost all of the time.
He can't help but smile and lean forward as well when Noctis lowers his voice, a small smile showing on his lips, as well as his eyes.]
How scandalous. I expect to know every word.
[Except, not. Coffee and toast soon arrives, and Ignis sits back to allow the server to place the items where they should be. When she's left, he takes his cup between both hands, wrapping his fingers around it and holding it close to himself. He waits for the woman to leave before he speaks, lowly- keeping his gaze out of the window.]
Nothing much. There was a report this morning. Apparently, Chancellor Ardyn Izunia of the Empire of Niflheim has made contact with the Citadel early this morning. Apparently, they have a sudden desire to suggest peace. I don't know the terms. Not yet.
[Noctis loves his father. His grumpiness when it comes to Regis stems from the illness, from the Ring that constantly drains his life, bit by a little bit. The Wall he has to hold up now is smaller than one in the past, it's true, but that doesn't mean that there are no consequences. And Noctis hates it. Hates to see that his father is ready to walk to his death sentence like that, so soon, and that he can't do anything about it. Because Regis is... doing it for him. And the rest of the Crown City.
His lips quirk in an amused smile] Really? Apparently, Mrs. Borrous forgot pot on the kitchen stove and half of their East Wing caught fire. [Noctis is overexaggerating, only the stove caught fire, but he always does it. For the shock effect.
The real shock, however, comes from what Ignis says. Chancellor from Niflheim? Noctis felt his stomach fall through the ground.]
That... doesn't sound good. [Noctis takes a sip of the coffee, feeling it kick his brain into gear. Huh, so that's why Ignis drinks it so much.] I mean, peace- that sounds good. But Niflheim suggesting it? That sounds fishy.
[Ignis knows that servant. Wasn't she the one who (in her youth) chased Noctis down regarding this vegetables? There are a few things he'll likely never forget- one of them being the looks of horror on both a very small Noctis' face, as well as her own when the prince warped to avoid her, over and over.
But that was almost 15 years ago. He tuts, faintly concerned. Sorry, Noctis. Probably not the response you were looking for.]
I do wish she'd see a physician. She is forgetting quite a lot as of late, but insists on serving your father until she cannot any longer.
[Poor Regis too. Still grimacing through her pea soup. But, more importantly.]
The details aren't known yet. It's set to be discussed by the ruling council within a few hours. I imagine his highness is viewing it first.
[It did. He couldn't fathom why they'd press for peace now. Still. Pondering what they didn't know wouldn't help. He only takes a small sip of his coffee, bringing his eyes back to Noctis.]
[Noct shrugs since, yeah, it wasn't the response he expected but Ignis did have a point. He likes the woman and her patience but he'd also appreciate if she didn't get herself hurt.]
Maybe we suggest she doesn't do stuff in the kitchen anymore?
[His minds goes back to what Ignis told him and he sighs, frown etching between his brows.]
I don't know, Iggy. This doesn't feel good... [Noct mutters and turns to stare outside- as if he'll magically get the answers from the Citadel that's standing still in the distance.]
[Ignis looks around the mostly-vacant coffee shop. At finding no-one looking their way, he moves his hand across the table to lightly rest on the other's. It stays there for a few seconds, before he moves it- pretending to adjust Noctis' sleeve. That way, he could keep the closeness, but look mostly unassuming in case any eyes wandered their way.
He disregards the conversation about the servant. Not out of a lack of caring, just of prioritisation. That, and he really doesn't like the look of that frown.]
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♥
[He asks, as he looks around. He wants to explore the room which emotion has made so familiar, but time has made not. It's... fascinating, really. The little things neatly placed away, but still visible, which would have gone into making Noctis the man he is today.
School books are neatly arranged on shelves alongside an outdated games console, little Justice Monsters II, or maybe III, figurines are on another shelf, as well as other drawings. A king with black hair and blue eyes, with two men- one with white hair cut as short as it can be, the other one with dark hair and a large katana. ]
Oh. My apologies.
[Snapped back into the present day, he enters- placing the clothes down on the bed. And he starts to pick up the pieces of the suit that Noctis had shedded before he went to sleep.]
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[As if he needs to ask. But it's Ignis- he will always ask. Having him look around the room brings a small smile to his face. They spent a lot of time in here, especially when Noctis couldn't walk. He was Noct's bright spot in life when everything went south.
While Ignis looks around, Noct gets off the bed and starts dressing. He's not sure why Ignis is apologizing so he just shrugs, pulling on the pants.]
It's been a while since we've been in here, huh?
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It has. I'd almost forgotten about your room. It brings back a lot, as well. Do you recall attempting to hide me in both your wardrobe, and underneath your bed in order to have me stay and read to you past your bedtime?
[That little task being completed, he zips up the bag.]
The Marshal would always catch us.
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Sometimes he'd let us get away with it. For the weekends. I loved weekends. [Hat on and Noctis is done dressing. He will probably get a ton of judging looks as they leave the Citadel because of his choice of clothes, but see how much he cares.]
Here. [He picks up the book from the bed and gives it to Ignis, smiling.] I loved this book so much it started falling apart. The pages too. You really know a place that can fix it up a bit?
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[It was... definitely a fond memory. Despite the fact that Noctis' childhood had hardly been a good one. He accepts the book, turning it over in his hands quite carefully as if it might crumble to dust.
The term would be 'well loved.' While the volume itself wasn't that old, the gold edges of the pages had been worn away, the coverings showed various areas of damage from where it had followed Noctis almost everywhere, and as Noctis had described- the spine was in multiple fragments. Even the long ribbon connected to it to keep pages was frayed.
And it's carefully placed in his jacket pocket.]
I'm not familiar with anywhere, but I'm quite sure they exist.
[He moves to a small desk, where something's caught his eye. And he picks it up- lightly tossing it to Noctis. It's a small, carved blue figurine.]
Do you remember this?
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[Cor always has this very stern, firm expression on his face but then he goes and does some very gentle and nice things for them. Noct is still very grateful the man took it upon himself to ease Prompto in the Crownsguard training.]
Oh? Well, we can look for them after breakfast.
[The minimalistic breakfast his hungover stomach is demanding.
Ignis almost catches him off guard when he tosses the figurine at him from the desk and instantly it makes him smile from ear to ear.]
Carbuncle. [He looks up at Ignis-] I should bring it with me. It was always my lucky charm.
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[He's certainly observed it. Sweet and soft is definitely not the approach Cor Leonis tends to take while working newer Crownsguard so hard they might actually die. But still. Prompto, more than likely, will probably be safe due to being an extension of Noctis to the Marshal. The same way he was safe when he'd decided to join.
He nods at the statement, deciding to look up book binders while they eat, but he smiles, faintly, when Noctis makes the catch.]
Yes, Carbuncle. I don't know too much about that one. I know it never left your side when you were unwell. Your father insisted upon it.
[He looks to the bed, remembering the sight of Noctis lying there, his wheelchair not far away, even after Tenebrae. He hadn't needed it, of course, but there was always such concern that he might slip back into his paralysis- especially when after Tenebrae he'd not spoken and cried so much.
Thankfully, for all of them, he'd recovered.]
If it is a charm, then you should keep it with you. Always.
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Noctis grins-] Ah. He's... well, according to stories [that his father told him,] he's the protector of dreams and guide through nightmares. [And it's the reason why Regis brought the figurine over when he was in a coma after that attack.]
Good idea, [he nods and places the figurine in the inner pocket of his jacket.]
So. About that coffee and toast. Are we going?
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Quite a fitting guardian for someone that spends at least 12 hours per day in varying states of sleep. [A small joke, of course. He takes one last look around the room before he turns to Noctis once more- raising his hand to squeeze his shoulder lightly. Couldn't ruffle his hair while he wore that hat.]
Yes, let's. [At that, he picks up the zipped bag, and holds it over his shoulder.]
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He leads the way out of the room and through the Citadel, fighting the hangover with Ignis' presence. Most of the servants are giving him a look because of the hat.
When they are outside, he looks at Ignis-]
You got here with car? Lead the way. [To the car and that coffee shop he mentioned earlier.]
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He walks past the main hall and then through the entryway, not paying the servants much mind despite the looks they so happened to be giving Noctis for his more casual choice of clothes.]
Indeed. Yours actually- though I'd rather you didn't drive. Not yet.
[The trunk is popped and the suit is carefully placed inside. He moves around to allow Noctis to enter by opening the door for him, once he's in closing the door behind him and entering himself. Before he does anything else...]
May I see the totem once more?
[Most would see the idea of Messengers as nothing but fairy tale. But he believed- He was too close to Noctis not to do so.]
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He just feels safe when Ignis drives okay!? Stop judging him...]
Huh? Oh yeah, sure.
[He comes over to where Ignis was packing their things and pulls out the figurine from his pocket and hands it over to him.]
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Thank you for keeping Noctis safe.
[He half-wanted to perhaps ask if this Messenger might do the honours of waking Noctis up at a better time in the morning, or perhaps making sure his dreams weren't too deep alarms could be missed, but no- a joke would spoil the thanks.
And indeed, he did feel thankful. For both the miracle of Noctis coming out of his coma back then, and however Carbuncle had helped him since. He hands the item back, carefully, to Noctis- before starting the engine.]
Seatbelt, Noct.
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And the advisor will keep Noctis safe while he's awake.
[He takes the totem back and pockets it carefully, getting comfortable in his seat.]
On it. Ready to go.
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[He waits until the seatbelt is clipped in before he lifts the handbrake and checks the mirrors before setting off. As the car moves through the city, he looks to Noctis every so often, his arm moving toward him to eventually move his hand to his, resting over the top of it as he drives.
Eventually, he drives into a small carpark, finding a place relatively easily. And he parks.]
It's just up this street. Have you decided what you're going to order yet?
[Craving for coffee aside, he'd be... surprised if Noctis took it the way he did.]
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So Noct just shrugs as he takes off the seatbelt-]
Not sure. The sound of toast and coffee feels like a cure right now.
[...he might up the eating game once he's settled down a bit.]
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As the engine is switched off and Noctis moves his hand to take off his seatbelt, he moves too- slipping his hand off Noctis' own in order to see to his own seatbelt. Once he's out of the car he steps out- moving around the side of it again to open the door for the prince. Once he's out, he locks the car and walks alongside him in longlegged strides, hands in his pockets, head tilted to regard him as he does.]
Did you see His Highness at the event?
[He asks, as he holds the door of the small shop open for Noctis. The shop, indeed, is small- mostly deserted, only three or four people, including the serving staff, inside.]
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Y-Yeah. I did. We were greeting the guests together.
[As the protocol orders. It was a chore, too many strong perfumes- both from male and females- and after just fifteen minutes Noct wanted to take a bath to take them all off.
He takes a seat in a small booth, away from the window just enough not to be seen but enough to be able to look out.]
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He watches as Noctis finds somewhere to sit, choosing to move to the counter and make the order. Once that's done and paid for, he makes his way to the small booth, folding his arms on the table before him as he regards the marginally younger one.]
Did it make the experience worth it?
[The question that mattered, of course.]
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It was... [a small smile twitches on his lip]...it was nice.
...To be honest, when we got bored, [he lowered his voice] we started gossiping about Council members.
[The smile fades away a little and he leans forward a bit as well-]
Back in my room, when you arrived, you looked worried. Something wrong?
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Even the smallest time spent with his father seemed to make Noctis glow, and it was heartening to see. Very much so, especially considered how the prince seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders almost all of the time.
He can't help but smile and lean forward as well when Noctis lowers his voice, a small smile showing on his lips, as well as his eyes.]
How scandalous. I expect to know every word.
[Except, not. Coffee and toast soon arrives, and Ignis sits back to allow the server to place the items where they should be. When she's left, he takes his cup between both hands, wrapping his fingers around it and holding it close to himself. He waits for the woman to leave before he speaks, lowly- keeping his gaze out of the window.]
Nothing much. There was a report this morning. Apparently, Chancellor Ardyn Izunia of the Empire of Niflheim has made contact with the Citadel early this morning. Apparently, they have a sudden desire to suggest peace. I don't know the terms. Not yet.
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His lips quirk in an amused smile] Really? Apparently, Mrs. Borrous forgot pot on the kitchen stove and half of their East Wing caught fire. [Noctis is overexaggerating, only the stove caught fire, but he always does it. For the shock effect.
The real shock, however, comes from what Ignis says. Chancellor from Niflheim? Noctis felt his stomach fall through the ground.]
That... doesn't sound good. [Noctis takes a sip of the coffee, feeling it kick his brain into gear. Huh, so that's why Ignis drinks it so much.] I mean, peace- that sounds good. But Niflheim suggesting it? That sounds fishy.
I wonder what they want in return...
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But that was almost 15 years ago. He tuts, faintly concerned. Sorry, Noctis. Probably not the response you were looking for.]
I do wish she'd see a physician. She is forgetting quite a lot as of late, but insists on serving your father until she cannot any longer.
[Poor Regis too. Still grimacing through her pea soup. But, more importantly.]
The details aren't known yet. It's set to be discussed by the ruling council within a few hours. I imagine his highness is viewing it first.
[It did. He couldn't fathom why they'd press for peace now. Still. Pondering what they didn't know wouldn't help. He only takes a small sip of his coffee, bringing his eyes back to Noctis.]
I'll find out. It's best not to worry quite yet.
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Maybe we suggest she doesn't do stuff in the kitchen anymore?
[His minds goes back to what Ignis told him and he sighs, frown etching between his brows.]
I don't know, Iggy. This doesn't feel good... [Noct mutters and turns to stare outside- as if he'll magically get the answers from the Citadel that's standing still in the distance.]
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He disregards the conversation about the servant. Not out of a lack of caring, just of prioritisation. That, and he really doesn't like the look of that frown.]
Would you prefer we returned? I don't mind.
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