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Space? no
I'm kind of sick of space rn
[You know, getting kidnapped for the nth time, being crowned king of space, Billy getting an Eldritch abomination virus from it, yadda yadda yadda]
besides, I wouldn't go without you <3
i wanted to scope out some sweet vacation spots
[Or maybe, honeymoon spots? For later?]
I'm kind of sick of space rn
[You know, getting kidnapped for the nth time, being crowned king of space, Billy getting an Eldritch abomination virus from it, yadda yadda yadda]
besides, I wouldn't go without you <3
i wanted to scope out some sweet vacation spots
[Or maybe, honeymoon spots? For later?]
asch ketchum (let's make this official and not handwaved)
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goldenfirefly
2019-04-11 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Well.
In the end, many had returned to their worlds, and some, those who enjoyed their lives here or had none to return to, had stayed. Stella, belonging to the latter, saw her family off while barely holding herself together. She was, at least, able to do so with a smile. No matter how faked it was, she was a master of it.
She may never see them again, but at least they were going to live the life they wanted.
It was tempting to go back herself, to finally rest for good, but... no. Not when there was a life here. Not when there were at least a few people she had to stay alive for. Not when, even with her family gone, she still had a semblance of happiness. And... perhaps, a chance for more.
She gave it a week, for everyone to recover from the loss, to adjust to life with a big portion of the population gone. Once that passed, she found herself in front of the door of Asch's house. Normally, she wouldn't hesitate, but what she had in mind... it might change things. No, it would change things. Whether it was for better or worse was what gave her pause.
Shutting her eyes and taking in a deep breath, Stella took a step forward and knocked on the door.]
In the end, many had returned to their worlds, and some, those who enjoyed their lives here or had none to return to, had stayed. Stella, belonging to the latter, saw her family off while barely holding herself together. She was, at least, able to do so with a smile. No matter how faked it was, she was a master of it.
She may never see them again, but at least they were going to live the life they wanted.
It was tempting to go back herself, to finally rest for good, but... no. Not when there was a life here. Not when there were at least a few people she had to stay alive for. Not when, even with her family gone, she still had a semblance of happiness. And... perhaps, a chance for more.
She gave it a week, for everyone to recover from the loss, to adjust to life with a big portion of the population gone. Once that passed, she found herself in front of the door of Asch's house. Normally, she wouldn't hesitate, but what she had in mind... it might change things. No, it would change things. Whether it was for better or worse was what gave her pause.
Shutting her eyes and taking in a deep breath, Stella took a step forward and knocked on the door.]
Edited 2019-04-11 02:34 (UTC)
you mean middle earth incarnate?
that's so much better than paris
[Which leads to Billy getting a selfie of Teddy on the top of the eiffel tower, looking unamused at the camera, the city behind him.]
I thought I'd see what the city of love was like
it's a lie
that's so much better than paris
[Which leads to Billy getting a selfie of Teddy on the top of the eiffel tower, looking unamused at the camera, the city behind him.]
I thought I'd see what the city of love was like
it's a lie
[The sudden, strange quietness of the village over the last week has made Asch consider more than once that maybe he should have returned to his world, after all. It's not like he's suicidal, and it's not that he hated the quiet; more often than not he thrives in it, something he's always known. That isn't the problem. It's the sharp, unexpected loneliness that bothers him, the recognition that yes, he avoided people, but the choice to do so was important to him. He liked having... options. He's had so few choices that he could make for himself, his whole life. For a while, this place changed that.
Even Star's gone back. The house is too quiet. So many of the houses are quiet, these days.
That's what makes the knock so startling, and it only takes a few moments for him to open it, puzzled that he of all people might find himself with a visitor. The confusion fades, however, as soon as he sees who it is.]
Stella...
[And now he feels like an idiot for just sitting here feeling sorry for himself- she must feel much the same way, these days.]
Even Star's gone back. The house is too quiet. So many of the houses are quiet, these days.
That's what makes the knock so startling, and it only takes a few moments for him to open it, puzzled that he of all people might find himself with a visitor. The confusion fades, however, as soon as he sees who it is.]
Stella...
[And now he feels like an idiot for just sitting here feeling sorry for himself- she must feel much the same way, these days.]
[Of course she does, especially when the house she was in was so large. Everyone who lived there, other than her, had gone. Stella couldn't take it; she had to move, find some other house that was closer to the center of the village.
Luceti itself... seemed too big now for the population it currently had.
But that wasn't important right now. Though she worried all the way here, seeing Asch melted some of it away, and she can't help the smile that comes up - a genuine one this time.]
Hello, Asch.
[She tilts her head a bit,] Can I come in? Or we could talk in the doorway.
Luceti itself... seemed too big now for the population it currently had.
But that wasn't important right now. Though she worried all the way here, seeing Asch melted some of it away, and she can't help the smile that comes up - a genuine one this time.]
Hello, Asch.
[She tilts her head a bit,] Can I come in? Or we could talk in the doorway.
[He does nothing but stare for a couple of seconds, as if her very existence is suddenly a mystery to him, but quickly it fades and he shakes his head- then corrects to a nod, stepping aside to let her in.]
No, uh- that would be ridiculous. You want some tea?
No, uh- that would be ridiculous. You want some tea?
[What was that about?
...
Hm. She knows him well, but there's still plenty about him that's a mystery.]
I'd love that, thank you. Do you have any fruity flavors?
[As she heads inside, she brushes her fingers against his forearm, like it's second nature.]
...
Hm. She knows him well, but there's still plenty about him that's a mystery.]
I'd love that, thank you. Do you have any fruity flavors?
[As she heads inside, she brushes her fingers against his forearm, like it's second nature.]
[His cheeks go slightly pink, but he doesn't pull away from the touch, which is something only few people are allowed to do. He leads her towards the kitchen, stopping at a cupboard just outside the doorway.]
I... think I might have strawberry. I don't drink fruit tea that much.
I... think I might have strawberry. I don't drink fruit tea that much.
Strawberry sounds delightful.
[She'll have to get some fruit tea to stock -
Wait, she doesn't live here. Brushing that thought aside, Stella sits at the table nearby, back straight with her hands on her knees, and takes in a deep breath. She's nervous about this for sure, even though she's not planning on saying the words just yet. She'll have to soon, she knows, but she's looking for the right opportunity.
... Hopefully that opportunity will at least make itself known to her before she leaves.]
How have things been for you here?
[She'll have to get some fruit tea to stock -
Wait, she doesn't live here. Brushing that thought aside, Stella sits at the table nearby, back straight with her hands on her knees, and takes in a deep breath. She's nervous about this for sure, even though she's not planning on saying the words just yet. She'll have to soon, she knows, but she's looking for the right opportunity.
... Hopefully that opportunity will at least make itself known to her before she leaves.]
How have things been for you here?
Quiet, mostly.
[He joins her inside, going about setting up the kettle and making the tea. After years of living here he's gotten used to the casual domesticity of this place, but sometimes he can't help feeling strange and self-conscious about it. Like he's not supposed to be doing this, or he's somehow doing it wrong. He wonders if that will ever truly go away.
...That's not important now, though, and he shakes it off.]
I'm not surprised by the number of people who chose to leave, but to actually see it in practice is different. This planet isn't empty by any means, but...
[He shrugs his shoulders.]
You know what I mean.
[He joins her inside, going about setting up the kettle and making the tea. After years of living here he's gotten used to the casual domesticity of this place, but sometimes he can't help feeling strange and self-conscious about it. Like he's not supposed to be doing this, or he's somehow doing it wrong. He wonders if that will ever truly go away.
...That's not important now, though, and he shakes it off.]
I'm not surprised by the number of people who chose to leave, but to actually see it in practice is different. This planet isn't empty by any means, but...
[He shrugs his shoulders.]
You know what I mean.
[ Thanks... Thanks for everything, Iggy.
Ignis knows what's to come and he doesn't like it one bit. His heart hurts and swells at the same time. Ignis is generally touched by those simple words. Yes, there had been days where it was frustrating taking care of the prince, no King, that's standing before him, but he wouldn't change a thing.
He can't help but let the tears roll down his cheeks, a small smile on his face. It's sad.
So much has changed in the past ten years. Ignis had found his footing in battles and cooking again. He waited for the day for Noctis to come out of the crystal, but while he knew he'll get to say hello, but he had to also say good-bye. He doesn't want to say good-bye to his dearest friend.
Sometimes he curses that vision he had gotten. There were times where he didn't want to know this. Noctis' fate. It's been ten years since then and he still hasn't accepted it. He tried to find a way to save both Noctis and the world, but he'd failed. Now that the final night is here, he can't help but feel like a failure in that regard. His sworn duty was -is- to protect Noctis and he took that role seriously. Perhaps a bit too seriously. He's a failure.
He exhales a breath as if to calm himself, but it doesn't work. Another tear runs down his face.
He cares very, very deeply for Noctis. His whole life has been wrapped up in Noctis that it's just hard for him to accept a life without him. He can't do it. As both of Noctis' hands clutch his own, he's taken back to the first day they met. Ignis was only six years old, Noctis a fair bit younger. Ignis squeezes one of Noctis' hands in his own. ]
... Noct. [ voice almost a whisper, cracking at the edges. His own voice betraying the way how he feels right in this moment. He can't think of anything else to say. Noctis doesn't know that he knows what's to happen to his friend. No, brother. Six, he can't do this. He needs Noctis' strength if he's going to be able to move on.
Gladio and Prompto had protested when Ignis had gotten up, but he ignored them. They didn't put up too much of a fight when Ignis made his way to where Noctis was standing.
Ten years without Noctis at his side, he buried himself in hunts, cooked for Cid and did other things to try to make time fly faster when he wasn't looking into saving Noctis.
"Looking." He still can't see, it's a price that he had paid in Altissia all of those years ago. Noctis still doesn't know about that one either. So much that he's keeping from Noctis....
Another sharp breath escapes him. He knows Noctis is ten years older now, but he can't help but see him as the twenty year old from years ago. He wishes he could see his brother one last time. But this will have to do.
Ignis stands before Noctis, trying to put on a brave face, but failing. Tone of voice and tears giving him away. ]
Ignis knows what's to come and he doesn't like it one bit. His heart hurts and swells at the same time. Ignis is generally touched by those simple words. Yes, there had been days where it was frustrating taking care of the prince, no King, that's standing before him, but he wouldn't change a thing.
He can't help but let the tears roll down his cheeks, a small smile on his face. It's sad.
So much has changed in the past ten years. Ignis had found his footing in battles and cooking again. He waited for the day for Noctis to come out of the crystal, but while he knew he'll get to say hello, but he had to also say good-bye. He doesn't want to say good-bye to his dearest friend.
Sometimes he curses that vision he had gotten. There were times where he didn't want to know this. Noctis' fate. It's been ten years since then and he still hasn't accepted it. He tried to find a way to save both Noctis and the world, but he'd failed. Now that the final night is here, he can't help but feel like a failure in that regard. His sworn duty was -is- to protect Noctis and he took that role seriously. Perhaps a bit too seriously. He's a failure.
He exhales a breath as if to calm himself, but it doesn't work. Another tear runs down his face.
He cares very, very deeply for Noctis. His whole life has been wrapped up in Noctis that it's just hard for him to accept a life without him. He can't do it. As both of Noctis' hands clutch his own, he's taken back to the first day they met. Ignis was only six years old, Noctis a fair bit younger. Ignis squeezes one of Noctis' hands in his own. ]
... Noct. [ voice almost a whisper, cracking at the edges. His own voice betraying the way how he feels right in this moment. He can't think of anything else to say. Noctis doesn't know that he knows what's to happen to his friend. No, brother. Six, he can't do this. He needs Noctis' strength if he's going to be able to move on.
Gladio and Prompto had protested when Ignis had gotten up, but he ignored them. They didn't put up too much of a fight when Ignis made his way to where Noctis was standing.
Ten years without Noctis at his side, he buried himself in hunts, cooked for Cid and did other things to try to make time fly faster when he wasn't looking into saving Noctis.
"Looking." He still can't see, it's a price that he had paid in Altissia all of those years ago. Noctis still doesn't know about that one either. So much that he's keeping from Noctis....
Another sharp breath escapes him. He knows Noctis is ten years older now, but he can't help but see him as the twenty year old from years ago. He wishes he could see his brother one last time. But this will have to do.
Ignis stands before Noctis, trying to put on a brave face, but failing. Tone of voice and tears giving him away. ]
[It's hard to watch Ignis cry. He can probably count the number of times he's seen it happen in their lifetime on one hand; Ignis was never fond of showing his pain like that, wanting to be the strong and stalwart supporter of his charge, even when they were both still children. He was just... Iggy, always Iggy. Supportive to a fault, indulgent without being unreasonable. They didn't always get along flawlessly, they had plenty of differing priorities, but no one knew him like Ignis. He'd been there for everything.
Quietly, he's glad that Ignis can't see him like this. He'd only seen himself in the mirror at Hammerhead briefly, when he'd been given one last chance to clean up and make himself presentable before he marched himself towards the end. Poke at the beard he doesn't remember growing, brush the hair that falls past his shoulders in strange waves, study the tired lines of aging beyond his years the way his father did as the ring sapped his strength. He envies the others a little, for getting the chance to grow slowly and witness their changes over time, even if it all occurred in a horrible hellscape of a world. His father used to joke that he grew up too quickly, in a voice fond and sad in ways that Noctis didn't understand. Staring into the mirror and seeing a stranger stare back at him with only ghosts of familiar features... it's ironic in retrospect, with a painful little twinge in his heart. Ten years had come and gone in a fraction of time for him, too fast, with little time to reflect on everything he's missed: a full third of the lives of his dearest friends, probably half-forgotten by the people he was meant to protect, a king in name only. Stretched to fit into a body he no longer knows, a face he barely recognizes. The whole thing felt like overnight while at the same time an eternity, but here he is at the end of it all.
Ignis didn't get to see himself grow, either. But it means that in their hearts they can still be as they were- young, and wild, and stupid in ways that no one else understood. And it's only the end for him- he's here to make sure that everyone else has a future.
He doesn't acknowledge the tears, but he doesn't let go of Ignis' hand right away, either. Letting go means that this moment is over, and he's not sure if he's ready for that yet. His feelings on what's to come are... complicated, understandably. He's made his peace, but that only means he'll follow through with his duty, as he always has despite complaints or the grief that made him falter at times, despite how it has never once brought him joy. He'd also said he had no regrets; that's true, but only because he'd been forced to let them go, lest they overwhelm him and make him falter. That doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt to think about everything he's about to lose. The brothers who gather around him here and now, Ignis at his side, Gladio and Prompto at camp giving them some space. His life, any chance he might have at being a proper king. Any adventures they might have together, exploring the world, helping people, discovering incredible new places none of them could have ever imagined. The love he carries for this world and everything in it.
He'll let the last of those regrets go, before it's over. But... right now... he doesn't want to move forward. Just a little longer. They've waited ten years- just a little longer-]
Ignis... sit with me for a while?
Quietly, he's glad that Ignis can't see him like this. He'd only seen himself in the mirror at Hammerhead briefly, when he'd been given one last chance to clean up and make himself presentable before he marched himself towards the end. Poke at the beard he doesn't remember growing, brush the hair that falls past his shoulders in strange waves, study the tired lines of aging beyond his years the way his father did as the ring sapped his strength. He envies the others a little, for getting the chance to grow slowly and witness their changes over time, even if it all occurred in a horrible hellscape of a world. His father used to joke that he grew up too quickly, in a voice fond and sad in ways that Noctis didn't understand. Staring into the mirror and seeing a stranger stare back at him with only ghosts of familiar features... it's ironic in retrospect, with a painful little twinge in his heart. Ten years had come and gone in a fraction of time for him, too fast, with little time to reflect on everything he's missed: a full third of the lives of his dearest friends, probably half-forgotten by the people he was meant to protect, a king in name only. Stretched to fit into a body he no longer knows, a face he barely recognizes. The whole thing felt like overnight while at the same time an eternity, but here he is at the end of it all.
Ignis didn't get to see himself grow, either. But it means that in their hearts they can still be as they were- young, and wild, and stupid in ways that no one else understood. And it's only the end for him- he's here to make sure that everyone else has a future.
He doesn't acknowledge the tears, but he doesn't let go of Ignis' hand right away, either. Letting go means that this moment is over, and he's not sure if he's ready for that yet. His feelings on what's to come are... complicated, understandably. He's made his peace, but that only means he'll follow through with his duty, as he always has despite complaints or the grief that made him falter at times, despite how it has never once brought him joy. He'd also said he had no regrets; that's true, but only because he'd been forced to let them go, lest they overwhelm him and make him falter. That doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt to think about everything he's about to lose. The brothers who gather around him here and now, Ignis at his side, Gladio and Prompto at camp giving them some space. His life, any chance he might have at being a proper king. Any adventures they might have together, exploring the world, helping people, discovering incredible new places none of them could have ever imagined. The love he carries for this world and everything in it.
He'll let the last of those regrets go, before it's over. But... right now... he doesn't want to move forward. Just a little longer. They've waited ten years- just a little longer-]
Ignis... sit with me for a while?
[ The sound of Noctis' voice snaps him out of his grief for a second. He's a bit surprised at the request, but he doesn't mind. Hell, Ignis wants to be selfish and spend time with Noctis as much as he can. ]
O-of course. [ His tone is still betraying his emotions, always a deep sadness hidden there. ] Away from the others.
[ Ignis has gotten good at walking around, a skilled hunter to where he doesn't need a cane anymore. He's long since trashed it. Still, he'll let Noctis lead the way. Always following and loyal to a fault. ]
O-of course. [ His tone is still betraying his emotions, always a deep sadness hidden there. ] Away from the others.
[ Ignis has gotten good at walking around, a skilled hunter to where he doesn't need a cane anymore. He's long since trashed it. Still, he'll let Noctis lead the way. Always following and loyal to a fault. ]
[Noctis leads them a little bit away, not quite beyond the safety of the firelight, or so far that he's likely to stumble on his way back - unused to the dark, unlike Ignis - but just far enough that their voices won't echo as easily back to camp, and so he can feel the dark around him, a slice of what Ignis must experience every day. They're by the edge of the cliff overlooking the bay of water near Insomnia's highway; he can see a dim glow of the city in the far distance, reminding him of the now-lost Crystal and the way the Citadel always glowed, like their home's perpetual nightlight that held at bay all the monsters of the dark. It's weird to hear only silence, now. It was always noisy, even at night.
He murmurs to Ignis where the edge is and sits down carefully with him, only loosening his grip once they're settled. He shuffles forward just enough to let his legs dangle, as he was so often fond of doing on roofs and balconies, half because he liked it and half to make Ignis sigh about perceived dangers. Though it would be ironic to endure everything for so long only to die from falling off a cliff right at the finish line. Thank the gods for the power to warp.]
I missed so much... what about you? Got one more lecture for me? Anything you'll regret, if you don't take care of it tonight?
[A kinder way to say any last words, he hopes. It's not as if they'll get another chance to talk privately after this.]
He murmurs to Ignis where the edge is and sits down carefully with him, only loosening his grip once they're settled. He shuffles forward just enough to let his legs dangle, as he was so often fond of doing on roofs and balconies, half because he liked it and half to make Ignis sigh about perceived dangers. Though it would be ironic to endure everything for so long only to die from falling off a cliff right at the finish line. Thank the gods for the power to warp.]
I missed so much... what about you? Got one more lecture for me? Anything you'll regret, if you don't take care of it tonight?
[A kinder way to say any last words, he hopes. It's not as if they'll get another chance to talk privately after this.]
[ Ignis follows without question, keeping his thoughts mostly to himself. He's used to the dark and he even though he's confident to walk around without a cane, he's still a bit on the careful side. Ten years and he's gotten a bit burned before by tripping unexpectedly.
He hears the murmur and moves to sit next to Noctis, though he doesn't dangle his own legs over the edge. He pulls a leg up to his chest and lets his eblow rest on his knee with his free arm. He can feel Noctis' grip loosen in his own hand, but he re tightens it. Afraid to let go, what if Noctis....
No. He will not think such things right now.
His heart is split in two, he knows that. While he had been happy to hear Noctis is back, on the other hand he's flat out depressed by it. And no wonder, he's kept a lot to himself over these past ten long years. He can feel his resolve to stay strong for Noctis breaking. He holds firm though, he knows that once he starts talking... it's a done deal. He won't be able to hold back.
Lecture? He wants to laugh, but he doesn't. Had he been his usual self, he would've made some smart comment back. Instead, he thinks quietly, wondering how much he should tell.
The truth? All of it.
He exhales a breath. ] I... know what's to become of you. [ he says softly, letting his chin drop to his chest. That's all he can say for right now, hopefully it's enough to explain his mood. ]
He hears the murmur and moves to sit next to Noctis, though he doesn't dangle his own legs over the edge. He pulls a leg up to his chest and lets his eblow rest on his knee with his free arm. He can feel Noctis' grip loosen in his own hand, but he re tightens it. Afraid to let go, what if Noctis....
No. He will not think such things right now.
His heart is split in two, he knows that. While he had been happy to hear Noctis is back, on the other hand he's flat out depressed by it. And no wonder, he's kept a lot to himself over these past ten long years. He can feel his resolve to stay strong for Noctis breaking. He holds firm though, he knows that once he starts talking... it's a done deal. He won't be able to hold back.
Lecture? He wants to laugh, but he doesn't. Had he been his usual self, he would've made some smart comment back. Instead, he thinks quietly, wondering how much he should tell.
The truth? All of it.
He exhales a breath. ] I... know what's to become of you. [ he says softly, letting his chin drop to his chest. That's all he can say for right now, hopefully it's enough to explain his mood. ]
Edited 2020-10-31 02:59 (UTC)
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