[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.]
[The small, warm touch on top of his hand gets Noctis to look at Ignis. And give him a small smile. He dearly wishes to turn his hand and clasp it closed over the other, but that would get too much attention.
Noctis shakes his head, sighing.]
No, it's fine. It's better that we're out.
[He'd feel locked up if he were in the apartment. With his other hand, he picks up the toast and crunches on it slowly, thanking whatever it is out there that he has Ignis with him right now.]
[It would. He can only really feign fiddling with the other's sleeve for so long- and eventually has to withdraw his hand. He follows it up though, by moving a perfectly polished boot underneath the table, to lightly press against the side of Noctis' sneaker.]
It may not be any different to any threat they've made over the last decade. We should not concern ourselves overmuch with it until we know what it is.
[He moves the mug to his lips again, his gaze moving out of the window.]
You're right, [Noctis nods as he finishes off his toast. Just thinking about it and worrying won't help much. Well, at all, actually. It will just put both of them in a bad mood and Noct doesn't want that.
The discreet touches are more than welcome and lift his mood considerably.]
We will. Until then, [Noct raises his mug with coffee and takes a generous sip. He always feels like he can take on the world if he's with Ignis. Which is ridiculous, Ignis isn't a God, but- he might as well be in Noct's eyes.]
What do you want to do today? [They certainly can't spend the entire day at this coffee shop, no matter how cozy it is.]
[They certainly can't. Especially when he's already perceived that the owner seems to have emerged from the back, is being whispered to by the woman that served them, and is looking toward them.
He's certain they haven't seen anything untoward. Of course not. It's more than likely the realization of who the shorter man is underneath that hat.
He turns his gaze back to Noctis.]
If your head is feeling better, we could visit the cat cafe. If not, we could simply drive. But Noct, it's really your decision.
[It was only matter of time when the owners would recognize him, even with disguise. Hopefully, they aren't fanatics or media hungry to call magazines over. That would dampen the mood further.
At the mention of cat cafe though, Noctis perks up-]
Oh yeah! We can definitively go to the cat cafe! I bet Tux misses me, [Noct laughs. And Tux is shorter for -tuxedo- and one fluffy black cat with a white line on the middle and white paws. Properly dressed cat.]
[Hopefully they wouldn't get any ideas about taking photographs. While the fact that the crown prince of Lucis, apparently, was a fan of their toast would probably make them substantially busier, there's propriety to think of.
Just to be sure, he glances again toward the counter before checking his phone. He can't help but soften his gaze considerably at the mention of Tuxedo as he looks to his device. Such a sweet cat.]
They should open shortly. I'll book us a table for a few hours.
[And honestly, it would be worth it just to see Noctis attempt to follow the cat through the series of tunnels installed in the cafe.]
[Noctis nods and shoves the last piece of toast in his mouth and dusts off his hands.]
Sounds great to me. [Then he tugs the cap a bit more forward as he finishes off his drink and gets up-] Let's go before they call the press...
[He waits for Ignis to get up to follow after him. Noctis can't tell why, but he feels way safer when Ignis is leading in these public places. Especially when people become aware of who he is.]
We should buy some treats to bring with us... [he muses aloud.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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Noctis shakes his head, sighing.]
No, it's fine. It's better that we're out.
[He'd feel locked up if he were in the apartment. With his other hand, he picks up the toast and crunches on it slowly, thanking whatever it is out there that he has Ignis with him right now.]
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It may not be any different to any threat they've made over the last decade. We should not concern ourselves overmuch with it until we know what it is.
[He moves the mug to his lips again, his gaze moving out of the window.]
But whatever it is, Noct, we'll face it together.
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The discreet touches are more than welcome and lift his mood considerably.]
We will. Until then, [Noct raises his mug with coffee and takes a generous sip. He always feels like he can take on the world if he's with Ignis. Which is ridiculous, Ignis isn't a God, but- he might as well be in Noct's eyes.]
What do you want to do today? [They certainly can't spend the entire day at this coffee shop, no matter how cozy it is.]
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He's certain they haven't seen anything untoward. Of course not. It's more than likely the realization of who the shorter man is underneath that hat.
He turns his gaze back to Noctis.]
If your head is feeling better, we could visit the cat cafe. If not, we could simply drive. But Noct, it's really your decision.
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At the mention of cat cafe though, Noctis perks up-]
Oh yeah! We can definitively go to the cat cafe! I bet Tux misses me, [Noct laughs. And Tux is shorter for -tuxedo- and one fluffy black cat with a white line on the middle and white paws. Properly dressed cat.]
Are they open yet?
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Just to be sure, he glances again toward the counter before checking his phone. He can't help but soften his gaze considerably at the mention of Tuxedo as he looks to his device. Such a sweet cat.]
They should open shortly. I'll book us a table for a few hours.
[And honestly, it would be worth it just to see Noctis attempt to follow the cat through the series of tunnels installed in the cafe.]
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Sounds great to me. [Then he tugs the cap a bit more forward as he finishes off his drink and gets up-] Let's go before they call the press...
[He waits for Ignis to get up to follow after him. Noctis can't tell why, but he feels way safer when Ignis is leading in these public places. Especially when people become aware of who he is.]
We should buy some treats to bring with us... [he muses aloud.]