faesphere | Call Me Out / Open RP Post

The Disc... I should've guessed.

[Noctis finds himself grinning; the Disc had been such a dark time back then, with headaches constantly tormenting him, the start of Ardyn's obsession with following him around, losing the Regalia, and was the first covenant of many that had led him towards Altissia, where everything went wrong. His feelings on that hauntingly beautiful place had been soured for a long time, especially due to how it had ended. He liked the idea of revisiting it like this- peaceful, empty of everyone but them, no Imperials or covenants or expectations. Just the two of them, out on their own little exploratory adventure.]

Come on, then- I'll show you.

[He knows how this works. He hears the telltale squeak and sees the burst of crimson light at the doorway, and he knows that Carbuncle has accepted his wish. He tugs on Ignis' hand and guides him to the door; without another word, he walks through, pulling Ignis with him.

Immediately the world around them ripples like they'd fallen into a pond, warping and going dark for a few seconds, but all the while Noct's hand remains firmly around his, grounding him in the pitch black of this changing world. When the light returns, the sky no longer carries the brightness of dawn but the fading golds of approaching sunset, and Hammerhead, the diner, all of it is gone, replaced by the winding path leading up towards the Disc. They emerge not from Takka's place but a cave halfway to the Meteor, on the Imperial side where they'd been refused entry the first time they tried to go without Ardyn to grant them access. Above, the Meteor glows, endless and ethereal as ever, glimmering with the light of a million stars.

Noctis glances over at Ignis, leaning in to bump shoulders. He looks pleased with himself; even if it was technically Carbuncle's power that changed the scenery, this was still his dreamworld to shape into what they wanted to see.]

Wanna see if the big guy's still there?

[ For just a brief moment, when they walk outside, he can feel the sunlight on his skin. But his world is getting dark again, and he holds firm onto Noctis' hand, wondering and curious, but he trusts Noct.

As the colors return to his sense of sight, he takes a small breath and looks around. ]

Ah, Carbuncle's power? [ he's just guessing here.

He doesn't answer right away again, just taking in the sights. The colors and the bright golden sunset. He looks to the sky, allowing himself to really see. He's hit just how beautiful everything looks around him. After being in the darkness for so long, he's missed this. Ignis wants to remember this moment. It's almost as if someone had taken a blindfold off his face and is giving him a chance to see. His gaze trails to the Meteor and he sees it glowing and glimmering. It's gorgeous.

But all of this pales in comparison to the man next to him. Even though he doesn't regret his decision on wearing the ring, saving Noctis, he's not going to let this opportunity go to waste. He doesn't want to take these things for granted.

He looks over to the man next to him now, seeing the smug look on his face. Ignis plays a small smirk of his own, his free hand going to tuck a stray hair behind Noctis' ear. ] I trust you know what you're doing. You know how this works better than me. Lead the way.

[Noctis nods at the question, as it's as good an answer as any. He doesn't really understand how it works, only that it does. Sometimes the dream changes on its own, sometimes he has to find the exit, and sometimes Carbuncle guides him from one adventure to another. It's always been different, usually (he guesses) based on the sort of dream he was trying to escape from. Tonight is special, as he'd said already. No dark dreams to run from, only dreams of a future that will never come- and those, he'd like to follow for a little while.

He scratches almost shyly at his cheek, just under where Ignis had brushed his hair back, almost feeling thirteen instead of thirty, and smiles as he starts up the path, walking side by side with Ignis, their hands still clasped.]

The first time I had a dream like this... Carbuncle said Titan was a gentle giant. He sure didn't act like one when we finally made it here, though.

[ He recalls that one all too well. Panic and fear had griped him when Noctis and Gladio both fell over the edge, while he and Prompto were safe at the top. He'd never forget the relief when he spotted the pair. ]

Indeed. [ he muses, keeping in step with Noctis. ] He was quite the angry one. [ Their fight with Titan had been challenging, but the four of them had pulled through it. ]

[Titan's the only fight he's prepared to think or talk about right now; the concept of Leviathan's rite is a distant and unpleasant memory he'd prefer to keep buried. Battling Titan had been a tough one for sure, but in retrospect, the big guy had probably gone easy on them. He was enormous enough to have crushed them like they were ants.]

I never did find out what the covenants were for. Maybe they'll show up at the last minute and do something cool. Think five out of six is enough?

[ Ignis would prefer not to think about it too hard. About what's to come. He'd rather focus in on this and on Noctis, but if Noct wants to talk about it, then he will to. He gives their joined hands a squeeze. ]

Five out of the six covenants are on your side, Noct. That beats the odds, don't you think?

...Hm. I guess. Better than none, anyway.

[He lifts his shoulders in a shrug, expression growing cryptic, and looks forward instead of digging further into it. He never learns anything until he's required to know; that's how it's been for most of his life. Secrets on secrets. There's little sense in souring his last day by dwelling on any bitterness he might feel about being left in the dark about his own life.

Instead, he points his free hand up and ahead.]

The path winds up over there- I think we can get a better look at the Meteor if we go that way.

[ He gives their hands another firm, but affection squeeze at that response. His eyes searches Noctis' face, but he's having problems reading his expression this time. Instead, he lets it drop and follows to where Noctis is pointing. He nods and gives a slight tug on their hands, following the way. ]

After being in the darkness for so long, the world is beautiful. The colors and shapes are incredible to look at now. [ He's just talking, not even thinking about it. ]

[That makes Noct's steps falter for a moment, pausing, then starting up again, his brows furrowing. He's quiet for a bit, mulling over what he wants to say before he speaks again. Even with the pause, his words still come out stumbling.]

Iggy... I don't... I won't promise anything. There's already so much riding on what goes down back home. [In Insomnia, in the Citadel, in the throne room where that thing they won't talk about is going to happen.] But I've got all the power of the Crystal in me, now. It's- a lot. Meant to heal the world.

[His hand grips Ignis' more tightly, hesitant to say the words aloud lest they become a hope that will only disappoint him later, but...]

I want to try to heal as much as I can.

[ Now it's his turn to stop dead in his tracks for a moment. Stunned speechless. But he isn't sure if this a wound that Noct can heal. He had paid a price for it, after all.

He doesn't say anything, just grips Noctis' hand tighter in his own. He's not super hopeful in this case, but the belief in Noctis is strong. He lets a smile tug on his face, looking over to Noctis. ]

I don't know what to say. [ he finally gets out. ] But if anyone can help me, it's you.

[Noctis waits for Ignis, not pulling him forward again; he understands that it would be a heavy thing to consider, especially since he's been dealing with his blindness for ten years. It's why he won't promise anything, only give the barest of warnings that he's going to try. Whether Ignis is surprised or disappointed when the sun rises... Noctis won't know, in the end, but he wants Ignis to know that he tried.]

I hope you're right. [He hasn't felt especially successful at anything, not since Altissia. But he'd like to believe that he might accomplish this- one big thing, one small. It'd be a good way to go.]

[ He gives a slight tug on Noctis' hand again, starting to move forward. ]

I believe in you. [ His smile still hasn't let up. ] Whether or not it works, I'll be fine.

I'm more than happy with you. Out of everything in this world, the one person that I wanted to see most was you, Noct. [ He stops here, considering his next words carefully. He gives Noctis a quick glace before he speaks up. ] The last person I ever saw was you.

[ So it's fitting that the first person that Ignis gets to see is the last person that he ever saw. ]

[Noctis is equal parts touched and displeased by the sentiment, falling into step beside Ignis again with a little frown.]

I don't want the last thing that you ever see to be me like that, Iggy. You should see the whole world- places like this, everyone you meet... what if you meet and fall for somebody else one day? You'll want to know their face, too.

[He's touched if Ignis takes comfort in him being his last sight of anything (or Noctis here and now, maybe, since that moment in Altissia couldn't have been a comfort) but the thought of him being lost in the dark going forward when everyone else gets to bask in the sun again... it isn't fair. He's only here to sacrifice himself because of everything Ignis and the others sacrificed for him.

Just like Bahamut said- many have sacrificed all for the king, so he must sacrifice for all. And Ignis gave away plenty. He's earned a little payback.]

[ like that. Ignis stiffens and turns to Noctis, eyes searching his face and wondering if he knows what Ignis had meant by that. He's not going to bring up the ring, or the events that went on in Altissia.

He does admit to himself that he truly doesn't know the darkened world all that well, not by sight at least. And he's never given romance a thought. This is the first that he's given a thought to a romance life, though limited on time.

He doesn't think that he can truly get over Noctis' death any time soon, once it happens that is. It'll take time for him to heal. He doesn't have an answer if he'll meet anyone else in his life like that again. ]

You mean well and I appreciate the thought, Noct. [ he gives a sigh ] Do know that if I don't get my sight back, that I'll be okay. It'll take time. [ He doesn't have to say why here, he just gives their hands a squeeze, before he lets Noctis' hand go. He puts his arm around Noctis' shoulders instead. ] You want me happy and that too will take some time and soul searching.

Don't forget, that I've made a promise to you. To live for the both of us.

[Noctis hums a vaguely agreeable noise, not responding more directly for a bit, merely leaning into Ignis, shifting his hand to wind around the man's waist in return. Their sides are warm against one another, one more quiet, unexpected comfort. He'll take it- the comfort, and the answer that comes with it.]

You can do whatever you want, Iggy. That's the beauty of it, you know?

[He hopes the others have never felt inextricably tethered to him or his fate; they should always have the right to choose whether or not to follow him. This way, though, they wouldn't have to be pulled in two directions, if they'd ever have any doubts about what they wanted from life. He doesn't like the idea that he's being forcibly removed from the equation, but he envies and is grateful that they'll have that freedom from the crown, a luxury he'd never have.]

You know, [ he begins as he feels Noct's arm go around his waist. ] either a foolish king or a wise king told me that I was allowed to be selfish. [ then he turns to look at Noctis, showing a playful smirk on his face. ]

[Noctis returns the smirk in kind, without an ounce of shame.]

I think you mean a very cool king said that.

Ah, a thousand apologies. [ but he's smiling when he says that, tone teasing still, but happy to coax Noctis into their playful banter. He's tugging Noctis into his side a bit closer, but not enough to where they're tripping over each other.

Ignis glaces ahead for a second. ] How much further?

I think we're close.

[The Meteor is so big that it never seems to change size no matter how close or far they are from it, but there's a thrum of electrical energy in the air that he hadn't felt when they started, reminding him of the elemental deposits he'd drawn from near havens for his elemancy. They follow the path up a few more minutes, though Noctis doesn't count how long it takes, until finally they reach a small outcropping that resembles the ruins where they'd found the Mystic's blade, the spot that had crumbled and he'd fallen far below. This time, the tomb is gone and the ground is stable beneath their feet, and Noctis halts at the edge, free hand lifting to shield his eyes as he peers out at the glimmering crystalline light of the Meteor, with Titan as still as an enormous stone statue beneath, eyes closed as if in sleep.]

Damn... it's beautiful. Just like back then.

[ Even he has to shield his eyes against the bright light coming from the Meteor. Ignis spies out Titan and is thankful that the giant is sleeping. It's quiet too, unlike last go around. It's just him and Noctis and he relishes in the fact that there's no fear or danger either. ]

Indeed. [ he agrees quietly. he enjoys the silence for a couple of more minutes before he gives Noctis a curious look. ]

I'm in no hurry to leave, but where do you want to go next, Noct? [ It's Noctis' turn to pick a place in Eos and Ignis already has an idea of where he wants to go next himself, and an idea pops itself into his head for Noctis later too. He stores that one for later, feeling pretty pleased with himself. ]

Me next, huh.

[Noctis considers his options for a moment, genuinely torn between what he'd like. What was his bucket list for sight-seeing? What places in Eos would he like to see before tomorrow? There were a few good options - so much of their world was beautiful - but many of them he'd already seen in the last year, his memories of them still fresh.

When he makes a decision, he hears it: a soft and familiar squeak below them, and a glimmer of red light, and he smiles, that same playful spark in his eyes. He lifts a hand to cover Ignis' eyes, pulling him up to his feet.]

Close your eyes... and trust me.

[That's all the warning he gets before Noctis pushes him off the edge, dropping down with him, hands still tangled; the ground rises up to meet them, but they fall into soothing darkness, not death.

When clarity returns to them, they're laid out in a field of lush green grass, surrounded by enormous trees. Stonework stairs line paths leading upwards in the distance, where a vast and intricate castle rests on an island so precariously supported by the earth beneath that it almost appears to be floating. The true beauty around them is the forest itself, though.

Noctis sits up, his smile soft and nostalgic at the sight. The last time they'd been here, it had been half-destroyed and on fire, an entire city razed as vengeance for the betrayal of Ravus nox Fleuret. But this is the place he remembers from his childhood. He reaches out, his fingers carding through Ignis' hair.]

It's Tenebrae.

[ and trust me is the last thing he hears before he's pushed off the edge. His heart jumps to his throat, but he doesn't yell. He trusts Noctis, he really does, but he wasn't expecting that.

His own hand grips Noctis' even tighter than before as they fall together. The next thing he knows is that he's on his back and as his vision clears up, he starts to get a feeling that he should know this place.

Tenebrae. The last time he'd been here himself, he'd been blind so it's nice to see it with his own eyes. He also knows how much this place means to Noctis as a whole.

As he sits up, he can feel Noctis' hand in his hair and gives a soft smile himself. He looks over to the other man and sees the childlike wonder on his face. A hand reaches out to give Noctis a gentle push, small smirk on his face. ] You gave me quite the scare.

[ He stands up, dragging Noctis along with him. Just like before, lets his arm go around Noctis' shoulders. Ignis own heart has calmed back down in the process. ]

Shall we? [ As he looks to the path before them. ]

[Noctis grins, no apology at all in his expression, and starts walking with Ignis down the path- except rather than towards the castle, he heads outwards, deeper into the trees. He's not here to remember the buildings of Tenebrae, those winding floating relics and the empty halls where people once existed. It would be like visiting the Citadel and letting himself be disappointed by the lack of family and friends. No, he's here for the scenery, the woods where Luna used to wheel him through, showing him all her favourite places, sewing flower crowns in the field of sylleblossoms. That's where he wants to be with Ignis, now.]

I remember now... they used to grow strawberries here, not far from the manor.

[ Honestly, he's not expecting an apology. Noctis just wouldn't be Noctis otherwise. Ah, they're heading deeper into the woods now. He takes in the scenery around them now, marveling at how beautiful this place looks. He knows that deep down that Noctis always wanted to come back here and get some sense of closer after losing Lady Luna. So, he walks quietly, listening to the sounds of grass with each step with each breath he takes. It's calming and peaceful out here that Noctis' voice startles him a bit. ]

Would you still like them if they were a vegetable? [ in the most teasing tone ever ]

[Noctis scoffs inelegantly at that, casting his gaze across the ground to see if he can spot any red amongst the sea of green.]

Maybe if no one told me... and if they still tasted the same.

[Some vegetables are acceptable, if cooked and arranged properly. He loved fries after all, and they used to be potatoes.]

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