faesphere | Call Me Out / Open RP Post

...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.]

[ Ignis is looking for strawberries himself now that Noctis brought it up and he gives a snort in response in amusement. ]

... Noct? [ He stops in his tracks and squeezes Noctis' shoulder while he tries to word this carefully. He heard what Noctis said at camp about finding peace, but the last time they were here, he wasn't able to grieve properly, with Prompto being captured. He shifts his eyes to look at Noctis'. ] Have you found peace here?

[At peace...

Noctis glances down as they walk, his expression pensive, pace slowing down a little. It's harder to hide how he feels, with Ignis able to see him again here. He hadn't thought about how much he must have gotten away with after Altissia; once again he's an open book for Ignis to read.

He said he'd made his peace, last night. (Or earlier tonight, strictly speaking.) The truth is, ten years had passed him by in a flash, and there'd been little time to really consider it. He didn't want to consider it fully, lest he find some excuse to not go through with it. The world can't wait on his indecision, so he'd rushed into it, cornered by the guilt that every minute he holds off on fighting Ardyn and taking back the throne is another life that could be snuffed out by the daemons, another grieving family, another friend lost. He makes his peace so he can bring true peace to everyone else. A king is charged with the weight of protecting his people, no matter how heavy the burden is for him to bear.

Being here... is helping. Not just Tenebrae, not just walking through the beauty of Eos, but a dream built to remind him of what he's sacrificing for. He'd agreed to die for the world of ruin and dark because of the people he met and were depending on him; now he'll agree to save this world of light because he remembers how things used to be.]

I think so, [He finally responds, his tone not quite certain, but not lying, either.] I hope so.

[ He's not sure what to expect out of Noctis here, he slows his steps to match the other man's pace and he keeps an eye on his expression as it shifts and changes. He can't even begin to guess what's on Noctis' mind though, but his expression concerns Ignis a bit.

Once he does answer, Ignis lets his hand fall off Noctis' shoulders and takes his hand in his own, interlocking their fingers and squeezing them. ]

I'm with you every step of the way. [ he gives a tug on their joined hands to get Noctis to stop walking. Ignis gives Noctis a comforting smile. ] If there's anything I can do to help you keep finding that peace...

... I'm here.

[Noctis only nods, swallowing hard; he's grateful that Ignis can see again for a very selfish reason, suddenly- he doesn't have to speak if he can't find the words, Ignis can look at him and know an inkling of how he might feel. He can't express all of it, especially since his heart is still so conflicted, but it's a comfort to feel Ignis' hand in his, and hear the words of reassurance. He wasn't alone; it isn't like before, when he'd first learned the truth. It's... safe, to share how he feels.]

When I was told what I had to do, I... wanted to run away. [His voice is stilted, hesitant, but he tries to forge on for Ignis' sake.] I was terrified of it... of dying. I didn't want it. But I was inside the Crystal, so there was nowhere to run.

[The Crystal and the Draconian were without mercy, overwhelming him with the planet's inscribed memories, connecting the balance of his life with that of every living creature on Eos, every human soul, every ounce of suffering. He didn't want to die, but if he refused his calling, all of them would perish instead. The guilt would eat him alive.]

It's natural, right? To not want to die. I'm supposed to save every life on the planet, but I'm one of them too, aren't I? I thought- why can't I be saved?

[He grips Ignis' hand a little more tightly, his gaze focusing on the woods ahead, not able to look his friend in the eye. He knows it can't be easy to hear, especially in light of it being impossible to change the fate he's so frightened of.]

'A king pushes onward always, accepting the consequences and never looking back.' I remembered those words. And I thought about you, too... how you never hesitated. Even if there was a chance your life would be forfeit, you stepped up, ready to save me.

[His thumb rubs subtly over the middle finger of Ignis' held hand, where he'd set the Ring of the Lucii in place.]

I... can't stop. I can't let any other lives be lost. So I guess I don't need help finding peace, just... help me be brave, Iggy.

[Brave enough to go through with it, terrified or not. Brave enough to die for the world.]

[ He wasn't expecting a whirlwind of emotions to come out of Noctis like that. He has to fight hard to just... pull Noctis into a protective embrace and hide him from the world. But that's not what he needs right now. No, what he needs is strength and a hug alone isn't going to solve it.

He picks out the nearest tree and quietly gives a tug on their joined hands. He moves them to where they're sitting against the tree, backs against it. ]

I'll be a lot more worried about you if you weren't afraid, Noct. No one wants to die. [ Ignis thought he heard it in Noctis' tone at camp, while he was talking to them. That was the original reason he'd gotten up to speak to Noctis, but...

He looks down at their joined hands, seeing the scar there. Noctis knows. By means of the Crystal, Ignis is guessing, cause he certainly didn't tell him about it. And Gladio and Prompto don't know what he'd did on the altar that day.

I swore an oath to stand with Noct and keep him safe. Whatever it takes, I will protect him.

His own words ring in his ears then. He'd been enraged, pushed to his limits after seeing Noctis' life at stake that day. And his own fear of not knowing of what he'll find on the altar that day either.

He hadn't felt brave. Not in the slightest. It wasn't bravely that pushed him into putting on the ring. No, Ignis knows better than that. Though, his and Noctis' situations are different, Ignis only wanted to protect Noctis and he has the world resting on his shoulders.

His free hand lifts to touch his own scar for a second, before he lets it drop. ]

What I did for you, it wasn't bravely that pushed me into doing it. [ he admits slowly, finally addressing that elephant in the room. Ignis locks his eyes with Noctis', to let him see the truth in them. ] It went beyond that, even beyond my oath to protect you. No, [ he says slowly, lifting his free hand to rest against Noctis' cheek. ] it was the love and care that I have for you that pushed me into doing it. [ even if it cost him his life, as Noctis pointed out.

It isn't fair for Noctis to have the world resting on his shoulders like this. Ignis had tried to find a way to save him, but... No sense in thinking about that now. ]

Let the love be the strength that you need, Noct, the love that you have for people and the people that love you back. Let love be the guide into letting you feel brave.

[Noctis sits down with him without resistance, his head tilted up so he can gaze up to the sky, watching the clouds drift, the sun shining brightly in his peripheral. The air smells sweet, like flowers and greenery, reminding him of the havens of Duscae, that warm scent of life inhaled with every breath he took.

Love... it's cheesy, but he recognizes the truth of it. Ignis had always been pragmatic, logical, intelligent beyond what Noctis could ever hope to achieve, even if he'd done well for himself in school. Ignis made it look effortless, though they all knew he'd worked hard. He could weigh the pros and cons of every course of action, determine which option would reap the most benefits. In that moment, given a choice between Ardyn and Noctis - an incredibly powerful and immortal chancellor of the army that now ruled the entire world, versus an unconscious and dethroned king who would have failed his one job had Luna not stepped in to wake his power for him - Ignis could have determined which would be the more advantageous option. Noctis had very little to offer anyone, after everything had been taken away from him, while Ardyn held all the cards. Duty only forced a man to go so far, to give up so much. Ignis could have gone with him, traded his skills and intelligence for a cushy Imperial-funded lifestyle, utilized all his advisory training for someone who actually had a throne to rule. Gladio was always duty-bound, but there were moments after Cartanica that Noct was surprised Gladio hadn't gotten fed up with him and left. A good Shield ought to have a king worthy of him. Prompto had never been tethered to him, and could have walked away at any time, vanished into the crowd of Insomnian refugees that poured out of the city after it fell, or joined with his so-called "father" after his best friend shoved him off a train and left him for dead.

But... they'd stayed. All of them stayed. Here, at the end of the world, they stood by him and were ready to face a monster with untold power, all for his sake. Because they loved him, had waited ten years for him. Ignis loved him.

He meets Ignis' eyes as long as he's able, then ducks down and tilts until his head rests on Ignis' shoulder instead, his voice hushed.]

I love you... and I love them. I love the world. That's why I chose this.

[He'd been sent out into the world so he could experience it, and learn to love it. He'd been shown the history of that world and all its people so he would recognize the scope of what would be lost if he made the wrong decision. More than anything else, though... he'd been granted, through fate or chance or the kind understanding of those who love him, precious comrades to stand by him and teach him on such a deeply personal level that dying wasn't the end of everything for him. He could live on in their memories, through the lives they led afterwards, and the love they carried for him. That was why he'd asked Ignis to live for his sake. For them, he can be brave.]

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