January Open Log

[cess]

🧙 WHO: Noctis, maybe you!
⚔️️ WHAT: Event & Miscellaneous threads
🕒 WHEN: All through January
🗺️ WHERE: All over the place
⚠️ WARNINGS: none yet, will update as needed.



FATHER SON BRUNCH ( with lucere)

It wasn't unusual for his father to invite him out to brunch - the time being a far safer choice for the both of them, given Noctis' inclination to sleep in. The message had been left on his phone, and once he was up he'd agreed and gone to meet his dad at the cafe they usually met up at for these.

Noctis is still smothering a yawn - Cor had called and cancelled their training early this morning, so he's been able to sleep in for quite a bit. In deference to the chill, he's wearing a thick jacket lined with fur as he steps into the cafe. Spotting his dad, a fond smile crosses his face as he heads over. He's always glad to see his father, alive and well.

"Hey," he greets, irreverent as ever. "Sorry I'm late, didn't have training this morning."

Comments

[lucere]

'Breathe in, breathe out.' There's no feasible reason why Regis feels this nervous right now. His relationship with his son has never been better despite the manner of their arrival here in Avalon. He was given a second chance to make amends for how things ended, given a second chance to say goodbye to his son. However, Regis never thought he would be given more than just one chance to claim the happiness he often denied himself. That's why he's nervous now. While he would hope his relationship with Cor wouldn't interfere with his relationship with his son, Regis realizes it's possible.

He greets Noctis with a cheerful smile, one that hides the sheer anxiety that grips him now. He promised Cor that he would speak to Noctis about this and vowed to do just that out of the respect and love he has for them both. However, Regis couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that washed over him once Noctis arrived at the cafe. While he does his part to stay as calm and collected as always, Regis secretly wishes a black hole would just appear under his feet and swallow him whole.

"Good morning, Noctis!" He says with a grand smile, clearly overjoyed to see him. "I hope you don't mind having brunch at this time. I know how much you loathe mornings." Regis chuckles before escorting his son inside. He's dressed warmly in a navy-blue wool coat with a handsome black pinstriped suit with a black tie. It shouldn't come as any surprise that Regis tends to dress a little fancy. Not by much but he wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of jeans.

"This cafe happens to be my favorite in town. They have the best omelets."

[cess]

Noctis isn't oblivious; he can tell his father is a little nervous, for some reason. But there's plenty of reasons for him to be so... he's still used to his father as the King, bearing the weight of the country on his shoulders. He was always nervous, for one reason or another, during the time he's known him. It's only noticeable now for how long he hasn't been bearing that weight in Avalon.

But Noctis politely doesn't comment, letting his father escort him inside. In contrast to his father's rather sharp style, he's wearing a pair of jeans with his normal crownsguard boots. The shirt under his jacket is likely either his crownsguard attire or something similarly irreverent, picked up for him by Prompto before his disappearance.

"Hopefully omelets without broccoli in them," Noctis teases his father. While he truly hates vegetables, he never misses out on a chance to remind his father about it. "And it's fine. Cor normally gets me up earlier than this," he reminds him. "And if it's not Cor, it's Ignis. Today was actually a treat for me," he continues as they're lead by a waiter to a little table, right next to one of the windows that allows them to look out over Avalon.

[lucere]

See, Regis isn't aware that his son is this conscious of his mood. He always assumed that he managed to pull the wool over Noctis's eyes and give off a very confident stance. However, Regis isn't aware of how he displays his anxiety at all. There are little things that he does and says that gives him away. While he does his best to seem confident and self-assured, Regis honestly has the worst poker face.

"Of course, of course," Regis chuckles knowing full well about his son's aversion to anything leafy and green on his plate. "You're lucky I'm letting you off the hook for picking all the olives and peppers off of our pizza the other day." He teases in return right before Noctis mentions Cor. Regis couldn't help but smile a little. It makes sense that Cor would cancel today's training. However, knowing that Cor willingly setup up this makes Regis even more petrified.

"I'm glad to know." He says with a smile once he takes off his coat. "It's quite warm in here, isn't it? Perhaps we should order a pitcher of water and some orange juice first."

[cess]

Noctis gives a little scoff. "I put them on your half, didn't I?" he asks with a grin. The small smile his father has when he mentions Cor is also familiar. His slip of the tongue in calling the Marshal his father Marshal was barely one, after all.

But before he can ruminate on that too much, his father is talking about ordering something to drink and Noctis nods, taking off his jacket and sitting down.

"And maybe some tea?" They both know Noctis would prefer to have an energy drink to that, but he doesn't like coffee at all and he'll make the concession of tea during brunch with his father.

[lucere]

Regis can't help but playfully roll his eyes at Noctis. "Yes, and while I appreciate the generosity, that was too much even for me." He laughs while recounting all the peppers and olives he had on his half of the pie. Goodness, it was a bit nightmarish since green peppers aren't exactly his favorite veggie. He honestly prefers mushrooms but the local pizzeria ran out of mushrooms that day.

"Tea would be delightful," Regis confesses with a smile. He could use a nice hot cup of tea right now. A cup of tea would help calm his already frayed nerves. "You don't mind rosehip tea, do you? It has a hint of tartness to it despite the fruity notes. However, I suppose jasmine tea could also work or maybe even chamomile." He's rambling again.

[cess]

All right, something is definitely up. Noctis loves his father, loves that he gets into weird things.. but he doesn't usually ramble about tea notes to Noctis. Noctis' smile stays on his face, but eyes eyes flick over his dad's face in concern.

"Rosehip sounds great." It doesn't, but Noctis isn't about to tell his dad to pick one and watch him work himself up into a tizzy trying to pick it. Once they get the drinks ordered, he waits for the waiter to leave before he looks at his dad.

"Are... Is everything okay, dad? I know you like tea but you usually don't like tea that much."

[lucere]

The sudden question catches Regis off-guard but he quickly schools his expression. He doesn't want to worry Noctis any further than he already has. “Of course, I'm fine,” He answers sweetly despite still somewhat wringing his hands. That's another nervous tick of his.

Regis likes to claim he doesn't worriedly wring his hands whenever he's nervous but he does. He always has. This is something even Clarus noticed about him in his youth. Regis is more animated than his late father. King Mors was as steadfast as stone, a man who didn't wear his emotions. Regis is quite the opposite in some regards but he would vehemently deny it.

“Noctis, I heard about Prompto’s disappearance.” He quickly states with a worried glance. “While I'm certain he's somewhere safe with Gladiolus and the others, I do realize that his disappearance is quite unfortunate.” Changing the subject is the best idea for now. The last thing Regis wants is to blurt out such news regarding Cor and him without addressing Prompto’s departure from Avalon.

[cess]

His dad is lying about being 'fine', and Noctis glances to his hands, which are wringing each other. It's not like Noctis doesn't have his own tells - he tends to rub his nose or mess with his hair if he's nervous - but it's not often his father's usually come through. It usually precludes bad news.

In what's good luck for Regis, though, the mention of Prompto quickly diverts Noctis' attention. He sobers a bit more, ducking his head.

"I hope he and Gladio are okay," he settles on. "And if not, it's up to us to make sure they'll be fine by helping out here, right?"

[lucere]

Bless the stars! Regis managed to ease the conversation off him for now but at what cost? To be frank, Regis is worried about Gladiolus, Iris, and Prompto. The same goes for Lunafreya who suddenly vanished a few weeks prior. While he's certain Gladiolus would keep the others safe but what about poor Lunfreya? She has already--

“Yes, we must remain steadfast in our goals here to ensure their safety.” He answers with solemn nod. “We mustn't fail them, Noctis. If there's anyway to undo the tragedies that have yet to come, then we must strive for it.” Regis gives his son a reassuring smile once the waiter returns with the tea. Unlike more modern cafes, this establishment uses handcrafted antique tea sets to serve their clients. It's one of the reasons why Regis simply adores this place other than the economically friendly prices.

“Once we managed to restore the magic of this realm, we'll hopefully be able to restore Eos to its former glory.” He pauses momentarily before adding the following. “And I certainly hope we’ll be able to end the Empire’s reign of terror.”

oh no it's time to get derailed

[cess]

"Yeah," Noctis says quietly when Regis mentions ending the empire's reign of terror. All he can think of is Zegnatus Keep; finding the Emperor's throne room empty, of Ravus, twisted and changed by the scourge. By Ardyn. And Bahamut's final message to him - that in order to defeat the scourge, the cost would be a life. His, like how his father's life force had been drained in order to serve the wall.

After a moment he takes a sharp breath. It's only after Regis has poured the tea that Noctis comes out of his gloom to look at his father seriously.

"Did you know what the Ring was doing to you?" He asks.

choo choo! all aboard the sad train!

[lucere]

Regis just took a sip of his tea when Noctis suddenly pelts him with that question. He stares at Noctis for a moment with a look of surprise before the grief settles in. While he hoped to have had this talk with Noctis a bit later, he knew that putting it off until next time would just be foolish. There might not be a next time for them. Who knows how long they'll be here within Avalon? Regis could end up vanishing tomorrow or worse, Noctis. He places his teacup back within its saucer before answering the question honest and true.

"Yes." He answers quietly for Noctis's ears only. "I knew the moment I put on the Ring that my life was forfeit much like my father before me." Much like Noctis, Regis watched as his father withered away right before his very eyes. While the Ring of the Lucii is indeed a blessing bestowed upon their family line by the gods, it's also a curse.

"All that lives must someday die." He quotes from some unknown poem. "However, I...lamented nonetheless because the thought of leaving you so soon grieved me more than anything else."

this train has no braaaaakes

[cess]

Despite himself Noctis gives a small sniff, reaching up to rub at one of his eyes. He's not crying, per se, but it's difficult to reconcile his father suffering in silence to keep everyone safe, with the youthful man he also remembers taking care of him, doing his best to keep them safe in Tenebrae.

"Then.. we should focus on helping, but it's my responsibility to see Ardyn defeated," he points out. He squares his shoulders a bit, the way that he always does when he tries to shoulder a new burden. "I'm not going to turn down your help but... you should focus on being happy, here. Without a wall to maintain or a prophecy to fulfill."

it's gonna derail!

[lucere]

His throat tightens a little as he mulls over what Noctis said. While it's not as if the boy knows why he brought him to brunch today, Regis cannot help but feel somewhat relieved to hear such words but also stressed. He wants nothing more than to free Noctis from this dreadful prophecy and let his son live the rest of his days in peace. No father should have to watch their son suffer and while he would willingly aid Noctis in his journey, he does understand what Noctis means.

"You want me to focus on my happiness?" Regis asks with a look of disbelief. "...That's quite kind of you, Noctis." He mutters, uncertain how to feel right now. He loves his son dearly but he doesn't want Noctis to feel abandoned. That's why he hesitates to speak. He doesn't want Noctis to feel as if he's taking Cor away from him. The Marshal is a worthy ally to have after all.

"Of course, that doesn't mean I won't help you." Regis states with a faint smile. "You are my son, Noctis. I will always be with you even in spirit."

@reigniter

[cess]

Prompto's disappearance is a bit of the last straw. He doesn't have Gladio here with him - who, while he'll never admit it, is someone who's strength he's come to rely on. Waking up and finding Lunafreya gone had been one thing; it seemed cruel to bring her back only to have her vanish again.

But he'd already lost her, once, back home. It's waking up and realizing Prompto is no longer with them, his side of the apartment they'd been staying in cold and quiet, that makes Noctis draw back into himself a little. There's still so much guilt about being tricked on the train, and then finding him being tortured inside Zegnatus.

After a few hours, he finally picks up his phone to call Ignis, hoping he'll answer.

[reigniter]

There is no reality in which Ignis doesn't answer the phone. His apartment isn't far away from Noct's either, he made sure they are at least in the same building, for emergency purposes. Prompto has always been a magnificent influence on Noct so them staying together was a given. They were just doing their Noct and Prom things which ended up not requiring Ignis to save them.

But it's unusual that Noctis calls him, he usually texts. There's a bit of a frown as he picks up and tries to keep a worried tone from his voice.

"Afternoon, Noct. Is everything alright?"

[cess]

Texting didn't seem like the appropriate way to talk to Ignis about this. Especially not when Noctis has basically been drifting around the apartment, finding it odd not to hear Prompto humming or the sound of his familiar chirping.

"It's - it's about Prompto. I think he's gone," he mutters into the phone. "Like what happened to Luna. All his things are missing and it doesn't look like he's been in his room."

The tone of Noctis' voice is flat, but it's easy to tell it's because he's doing his best not to get too upset about the turn of events.

[reigniter]

Ignis' eyes narrow immediately and the first instinct to comb through the apartment and look for Prompto fizzles out when Noct says his clothes are gone. The magic of this place is playing with people- both on the brink of death and those who are not- it's a bit too much.

"I'm coming over."

There are multiple reasons he can list why, but the most important one is that Noct shouldn't be all by himself now. Ignis doesn't want him to be all by himself. He doesn't know how much his presence can help, but perhaps a little comfort and seeing a familiar face? He will gladly go with him to ask around the city with Noct for Prompto just in case.

He's in front of Noct's door, knocking, in less than five minutes, how much it needs for him to climb two floors up.

[cess]

"Yeah. Sounds good."

The sounds good is absolutely Noctis' form of please, because he's not sure he wants to be alone right now either. Sure, he has his father back, and that means the world to him; but to lose Lunafreya and then one of his best friends smarts. He hangs up the phone and simply sits on the couch, until the noise of knocking rouses him.

When he opens the door he looks miserable. Not inconsolable, the way he'd been right after Altissia, but the edges of the composure he's tried to maintain here are starting to crack.

"Iggy," he greets, trying for a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.

[reigniter]

Ignis doesn't know how he looks after Altissia- he can only hazard a guess. Right now, it reminds him of those hours they spent traveling to the tomb to see Cor, on verge of breaking, and he doesn't know what to do or how to console him.

He quietly closes the door and places his hand on Noct's head.

"It will be alright. I'm sure Prompto's fine. He is tough, you know that." He ruffles his hair a little. "And if you want, we can still look around the town later just in case." That will probably be a bad idea if he really is gone- getting hopes up and then having them crushed but- he's willing to do it if Noct wants to.

[cess]

"I know he's tough," Noctis agrees softly, but he curls his fingers against his palms, his eyes falling closed. "What if we're not good enough, though? What if something happens and our home gets - and he's not here if that happens, and neither is Gladio, or Luna-"

Despite himself he hiccups over his words a little bit, raising a hand to scrub at one eye. This feels like after Insomnia fell, realizing all the guards and glaives he'd never see again, or the people he'd spoken to. People like Gladio's father, Ignis' parents.

"I can't do anything here other than try to help and what if that's not good enough?"

[reigniter]

"Don't rush before the dawn," Ignis says softly and wraps his hand around Noct's shoulders, guiding him back to sit on the couch. "Nothing is set in stone and we don't know, perhaps the magic of this place will bring him back. Or we will fix whatever plagues this place and return to him."

He tries to sound as convincing as he can be- this place didn't leave them completely powerless, they can find a way from here together. "It will be good enough, you are not alone here. There are plenty of people that want to fix this place and return to their homes. We will steadily work together and with them and push through this. Even if it feels like you are stuck in a corner, you are not, alright?"

His hand ruffles Noct's hair again, trying to be comforting, "King Regis and Cor are still here as well. And I don't plan to leave your side. That's where I always will be. As are both Gladio and Prompto and Lady Lunafreya, even if they are not here with us."

language is fake

[cess]

Ignis ruffles his hair and after a moment Noctis turns, throwing his arms around Ignis' shoulders. He usually tries to be more reserved than this. As much as his father had hugged him, Noctis had drawn back a bit as a teenager because of the words of the public, trying to maintain an aloof image.

But right now? Right now he doesn't care, and he mashes his face into Ignis' shoulder, even knowing that Ignis isn't normally the type to go for these kinds of hugs.

"I'm glad you guys are with me but - what if I'm not good enough? What if we get home and I still mess it all up, and Ardyn wins?"

What if I die for nothing, he doesn't say, can't say - he can't tell his friends what will happen, not yet. He knows they'd try and stop him, and Bahamut had told him there was no other way. And yet, desperately, Noctis selfishly wants some assurance he'll succeed.

He know Ignis can't give him that but, well. Grief has never made a logical man.

wwwwww ;w; noct crying hurts me (in game and in RP)

[reigniter]

There's a moment of surprise, but his hands come up instantly to wrap around Noctis and just hold him like that. The people disappearing must've set off something way, way worse within Noct that couldn't help but boil over and Ignis is glad to be there to help him, however, he can.

And he doesn't mind these types of hugs at all, but he did get into arguments with Gladio about babying him. Ignis probably cut down on something that didn't need cutting down. He's never listening to that man again.

"You are good enough. You've been through hell and back in a span of two months, through things some people don't experience in a lifetime. Ardyn will not win," Ignis says that with decisiveness in his voice he surprises even himself, but still on the quiet side, "I promise you that. Here or back on Eos, we'll always have your back. I'll always have your back. We will fight and end Ardyn together."

Sad truth is that Ignis... knows what will happen. He is still wishing Ardyn tried to upset him and disturb him with hallucinations, but... it wasn't. But he would, indeed, try to find another solution for it. That's just how Ignis is; he doesn't like surrendering until he knows there's no other way.

oh boy this conversation + his one with regis is just (chefskiss)

[cess]

Noctis tightens his hold on Ignis as he listens to the older man. Later he might feel embarrassed for breaking down like this, but he's not ashamed of the fact that he at least reached out to someone. It's better than what he'd done after Altissia, if he's honest... Holding it all in until he and Gladio were screaming in each other's faces the way they hadn't since they were young teens.

He takes a deep breath, trying to center himself a little. "You've all got my back. I just want to do enough to make you guys happy... to make my dad proud." Which might be a bit of the other issue here. Regis had never shied away from telling Noctis he was proud of him, but Noctis still always worries about following in his father's footsteps and living up to his memory.

"It just sucks that it's... it comes down to me, and the ring, in the end. It's not like I can share it." Ignis has put on the ring and he'd seen the results. There's no way he'd even entertain letting Gladio or god forbid, Prompto attempt it.

😭

[reigniter]

He doesn't have to be embarrassed (although that's probably easier said than done), as Ignis had seen Noct in all kinds of states up until now. From inconsolable and depressed, apathetic to the point it drove Ignis himself crazy, all states of laziness, cheerfulness, hidden sadnesses. Ignis doesn't know what happens after things settle down in Altissia, not yet anyway. But whatever he did, secured Noct's safety and that's the only thing that matters to Ignis.

"I am sure his Majesty is proud of you. Both as a King and as your father, he believes in you and your abilities, in your judgment. Just like we do. None of the kings before you had the compassion that you have, Noct. That's what makes you better than all of them. And that's why I will always choose to follow you over all of them." Sorry, Regis, but it's the truth.

Ignis shakes his head, "Perhaps. The Ring answers only to you so there is nothing much we can do about it. However, we will be there for whatever you need us. Noct, I want you to know and understand," Ignis gently pries Noct's face from his shoulder so that he can look him in the eyes as he says this- his own green are a bit glossy but express nothing but truth as he speaks.

"You are my most treasured person in the world, the closest friend I ever had in my life, and my King, and I will never let you go through hardships all by yourself. All you need to do is ask- that is not a sign of weakness."