#maybe she wakes up in tenebrae?

[queenoffishingandcookies]

Thinking of Noctis is Tenebrae.

Specially, when he was in Tenebrae.

Noctis was born on August 30th, and was eight years old during his time in Tenebrae.

Lunafreya, who was born on September 4th, was twelve.

Considering the main game generally takes place over the course of a year (I think? Don’t quote me on this, all I know canonically is that it starts May), in the year of M.E 756 and he visited twelve years prior:

M.E 744.

I’d guess very late winter, early spring. Possibly late January through February - maybe to early or mid March, at the latest.

Why so early in the year?

In the Kingsglaive movie, the prologue when we see the fall of Tenebrae and Queen Sylva’s murder, several characters are wearing clothes that seem suited to chilly weather - namely Ravus, Lunafreya, and Noctis.

Ravus and Noctis are, respectively, wearing a padded jacket or padded vest. The puffy sort you wear when it’s getting cold out, but not big-puffy full blown winter coats.

Also, Lunafreya is wearing a shawl or capelet with a hood, and it looks like it has a fur collar(?). Her dress looks, at least to me, like a thick fabric - wool, maybe. She’s not wearing stocking or leggings (or maybe she is and I didn’t notice), so again, it’s not winter-levels of cold.

There’s no snow either, which means either it’s before winter has fallen or afterwards - and I am inclined to believe the latter.

(That’s dependent on the general climate of Tenebrae, though)

We don’t know when Noctis was attacked, except that it was after he turned eight years old - in other words, some point after august. Possibly early September 743 at the earliest, and March - July 744 at the latest, since he was out catching fireflies, which usually appear most often in spring and summer.

We know he was comatose for a period of time following the attack, but not how long.

He possibly had been afflicted by the starscourge in canon (I don’t know if this was ever confirmed).

We also know he was paralyzed, or his body was still recovering from his injuries to the point where he was still wheelchair bound in Tenebrae.

My idea is this:

Noctis is attacked some time in late M.E 743. He is rushed into emergency surgery in an attempt to save his life, no doubt after Regis had used his magic to keep the Prince alive on the way to the nearest hospital (he’d probably be transferred to the Citadel later? He woke up in the citadel in Brotherhood, at least).

Noctis is possibly comatose for a month, maybe two. As a result of lack of movement, his muscles - on top of the damage done to back and legs - begin to atrophy.

(The symptoms of starscourge infection are stymied, because starscourge adapts differently to the body of a Lucis Caelum, and makes Noct effectively asymptomatic for a time).

When he wakes up, and probably even before that, immediate therapy begins. When possible, rehabilitation in regards to spinal cord injuries begin as soon as possible, I believed.

For a time, I think it would be…not okay, not happy, but workable. Regis would be there every step of the way, and if not him - a team of nurses and doctors ever on standby.

But at some point during his rehabilitation, from the Acute and Sub-Acute phases which will stretch over into the new year, which can generally (and I mean this broadly, every spinal injury and situation is different) take around six to eight months, he begins to show signs of the starscourge.

Regis can’t do anything to help with the appearance of the scourge, and then the realization that it must have been there for a while, that this was why Noctis’ healing was so slow - even, and especially, compared to a normal person.

The crystal, the LC magic, would have been straining to heal him - but it was almost sluggish, unfocused, as it coursed through Noctis’ body.

Regis could feed Noctis magic, take the burden of how it pulled at one’s lifeforce so that his son already so close to death did not have to.

He couldn’t take away the scourge which corrupted his son’s magic, which was just as much as the family’s magic eating away at his son’s life. The doctor’s could give estimations and exams and exercises on how to help Noctis walk again, if he ever could, and even an inability to do so was not an impossible fact - not in the long history of the bloodline -

But the starscourge?

Sooner or later, it was fatal. Regis knew of no known member in the bloodline who had gotten it - most who died to daemons died outright in battle, or as a result of injuries, long before the scourge could set in and take them - but no one had ever survived the scourge.

And only one bloodline could do anything against it.

The House of Fleuret, The Oracle.

And that meant heading to Tenebrae. Even if it was an autonomous ‘kingdom’, Tenebrae had long since been annexed by Niflheim - just like Accordo.

To bring Noctis there would be like to deliver all of Lucis into the jaws of a snarling best.

If it had simply been Noctis’ back and legs maybe, maybe Regis wouldn’t have done it. It’s a big maybe, considering how much he loves his son, but maybe.

Starscourge, though?

Hell no, it’s off to Tenebrae. They have to fucking go. It doesn’t matter how dangerous it is, to go through imperial Territory. Noctis might die either way.

A route to reach Tenebrae has to be made, means for the two of them to leave the wall unknown, then travel to Tenebrae still unknown, also having Lucis ruled well - all the while, trying to keep Noctis as stable as possible? Things like that take time.

So, they arrive in Tenebrae some point in early 744. My personal headcanon is that the two are there for maybe a few months, around March, and then Niflheim strikes and everything subsequently goes to hell. It has to be before his ninth birthday.

[aelfgiure]

You were suiting up for your day job when you got the phone call. Okay, maybe not a day job, precisely, second shift security wasn't exactly DAY, but whatever. The phone call was the important thing.

"Mom? Mom, are you there?"

Your daughter's panicked voice was so quiet but so loud at the same time, it filled the room, overwhelming, it filled your soul with fire and your stomach with ice.

"Mom, I just wanted to tell you that I love you, very much, and I'm doing my best to stay safe," she quavers. You can hear the terror in her voice, the way she's trying to stay calm and be brave. You can hear the shouting and shooting in the background and you tense.

"Baby girl. Tell me where you are. Now. I'm coming to help you get out of there." Your voice is eerily calm, almost casual. "Just an address, bitty bestie, and then stay low, stay away from windows, okay?"

Bless her heart, she tells you, but then the line cuts off. You call in, telling your boss that there's a family emergency and you need to deal with it. He can fire you if he wants, but your family comes first. You'd already given up everything you ever knew to have a family, and now you'll give up everything, anything you need to, to protect them.

To protect HER.

The 'uniform' hidden in the trunk still fits. Like a goddamn glove. It feels better than the damn poly/cotton scratchy uniform given to you by the security firm. It feels... natural. Good. The tools hidden in the same compartment are still charged, as is your communicator. You don't hesitate as you punch in the emergency sequence, the one that summons your transport, sleek and deadly. You finish gearing up as the ship wakes up, shakes off the dust, and screams through the sky to you, the cockpit sliding open as smoothly as if you'd tuned her up yesterday instead of, gods, twenty eight years ago? Damn.

A double pulse of the HUD. The Stiletto greets you, your symbiote asks if they can join to you again, they checked the 'net on the way over and know what's going on. You peel back the sleeve of the outfit and set your arm into the rest, the one designed to cradle you while the symbiote merges.

As Stiletto launches into low earth orbit, blazing through the atmosphere, you get reacquainted with Tenebrae, your 'partner', your symbiote. It's like coming home after a long absence to be welcomed, like having a missing limb restored after a traumatic amputation. It's more than good, it's POWERFUL, and it's what you've been missing for nearly three decades.

"Fly by wire", you tell the Stiletto, and she does a barrel roll of joy, which you and Tenne echo. With Tenne as your 'partner', you're a thousand times faster than any normal human, hundreds of times faster than any of those damn 'heroes'.

When you drop into atmosphere and scream down on the fight, your lips curl with contempt. The Golden Knights were having a minor war with the Purple Paladins, never mind the civilians and the property in their way.

You open the communications channels, all of them. "Attention, you so-called 'heroes'," you snarl, your voice full of the eerie resonance that comes with having extra vocal folds. "I'll let you disengage and carry on elsewhere. Over a lake. Or an ocean. Nothing here is worth you dying for, trust me."

There's a pause, you can hear the shocked whispers on the lines, and you grin. "Yes. I'm back. If you don't go NOW, you'll regret it, arrogant bitches."

The two groups immediately turn to you, tacitly setting aside their differences to focus on bringing you down. "Warned you. No quarter, no mercy." you chortle, and then you fucking bring it.

The first one down was La Poisson Aubergine, her mystic energy no match for a couple rounds of sabot through the mask and armor. You jink sideways to avoid the lightning blast that was her attempt to bring you down and you laugh, watching the one who had convinced you to 'go legit' - and then betrayed you out of jealousy and spite, accusing you of things you'd never do - burn and fall apart as they dropped to the ground.

That brought the assorted bastards after you in earnest and you fled before them, occasionally turning to cut through the massed 'heroes' with your ship. Just enough to hurt them, just enough to get them away from the populated areas. Away from your daughter. To add insult to injury, you start blasting music at them, the music you use to keep you going during a long shift, a long workout. It's raucous, joyful, raunchy, and it annoys the hell out of the Golden Captain, who tries to blast you with his ion cannon, swearing at how juvenile your taste of music is, always has been.

"The secret to eternal youth is arrested development!" you whoop, as you do another 89* turn and smack him in the face with a wingtip. He tumbles, screaming and bleeding through the four inch gash you carved into his face. Tenne and Stiletto cheer you on, pushing themselves to their limits with you, FOR you. The HUD shows assorted aircraft bracketing the whole shitshow, and this fills your heart with glee. Good. Witnesses.

You've led them over the North Sea, into neutral airspace, and you let go of your control, let the killer in you take over. "Next life, don't fucking bring the civilians into it, assbags!

It takes you twenty minutes to take down most of them, bullet, or energy weapon, or impact with your ship ruining them if not outright killing them. As the survivors turn to flee, you broadcast to anyone listening "I'm back, kids. Behave and we won't have to do this again."

Tenne guides the Stiletto into a hidden fortress, one that they shyly admit they bought after you left, just in case. You love it and tell them so. They quiver with joy at the praise, and ask if you're back for good or was it just to save your daughter?

Hm. You make the call.

"Hey kiddo. You okay?" you hold your breath. You can hear rescue teams in the background, sirens. She's been crying, and is struggling to catch her breath enough to talk coherently.

"Mother. Was that you?" she demands. "I have to know. Was it you, or, or one of your interesting friends? Please, mom. Tell me the truth."

Welp. Alea jacta est, and all that. "Kiddo. Um. Yeah, that was me. I had an interesting life before I dropped out to marry, have a family, all that. I'm sorry-"

"Jesus, mom, don't apologise! Just.. can you come get me? Tell me everything! That was unbelievable, and mom? You saved my life. You saved a bunch of people's lives.

"I don't care what anyone else wants to call you. Everyone here in my neighborhood is calling you their hero."

You we’re once a well respected and feared villain, that is until you had a child. However, they’ve been caught in the crossfire of a hero fight. Now, you’ll show them why you were so feared.

[cursedbeasts]

Bestia's Wrath Chapter 24: Epilogue

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Summary:

Tying up loose ends.

Beginning Notes:

I initially wanted to write like 6 more chapters going over the Nathema Conspiracy plotline and tying up the Raptus and Old Gods of Zakuul loose ends. Maybe, maybe one day I will, but for now, this is the epilogue. 

Bestia, her family, and the other Dread Masters quickly settled in in the luxurious apartments Valkorion gave them. It took some time to get used to the opulence. 

Bestia was endlessly grateful to Valkorion for giving her a place to live, and a Zakuulan citizenship on top of many honors for saving him and his planet. Still, this didn’t quite feel like home. Neither did Oricon. 

Despite stepping away from the Eternal Alliance, Bestia found herself as busy as ever, now representing Zakuul’s interests in the Galaxy. So the search for an out of the way place to build a new home for herself and her family had to be squeezed in between other responsibilities. In the end, she left the task to Mu’hass and Rammas, trusting them to find the perfect place. 

Another thing weighed on her and the other Dread Masters: they still had no idea where Raptus was or what he was up to. He was loyal to Tenebrae. Was he plotting vengeance? Was he planning to take over the Sith Empire, being the technical heir to the throne? Well, so was Rammas. Was she in danger now? 

Rammas became sort of subdued, spending more time alone, or trying to find escape in playing hologames alone or with her friends. Bestia left her be, but assured her that she can always talk to her or Styrak. 

Bestia didn’t have a lot of time to dwell on things, as the Dread Masters busied themselves helping rebuild Zakuul. It was a slow process, as resources were scarce after the war, and Valkorion didn’t want to take more than Zakuul absolutely needed. 

So when a message came informing Bestia that it was safe to land on Iokath again, she immediately brought the news to Valkorion. The Emperor reached out to the Alliance, offering to join forces, and Bestia and the Dread Masters found themselves back on the tech planet, representing Zakuul.

What they found there were the Old Gods of Zakuul. They were trapped in metal bodies once again, forced to do the bidding of an extinct race.

Bestia found a way to communicate with one of them, Tyth. The god of Wrath found a kindred spirit in Bestia, and warned her of Betrayal. Before Bestia could free him or ask about the other gods, an explosion shook the chamber she was in, destroying the command throne.

Bestia survived, but now the Gods were waking up, and the only way to free them was the way Valkorion had taken hundreds of years ago: they had to defeat each of the gods in battle, destroying their metal prisons. 

Valkorion himself came to Iokath, to free the Gods once again. He also hoped to secure technology that could be useful in rebuilding Zakuul.

The Dread Masters joined Valkorion, and five battles were fought across Iokath: Bestia against Tyth, matching his fiery wrath with her own; Tyrans and Brontes versus Aivela and Esne, twins against twins; Rammas, Shyren, and Vaylin, cursed children against the Hated Son, Nahut; Calphayus, a gentle soul, spoke to Scyva and talked her down without even igniting his lightsaber; and, finally, Styrak and Valkorion went up against Izax in a storm of lightning.

With the Gods freed, Valkorion returned to Zakuul, while Bestia lended her assistance to the Alliance once more. The traitor wanted her dead. This was personal. 

Lana, Tyrans and Brontes looked far and wide, but didn’t find anything.

Meanwhile the resource conflict relocated to the planet Umbara, where a shipment of rare Adegan Crystals was at stake.

Bestia went there, once again representing Zakuul, along with Lana and Theron of the Alliance. A Zakuulan, an Imperian, and one of the Republic. 

Theron turned on them, revealing his hatred for Bestia and the Dread Masters. He didn’t believe in their atonement. He just wanted them dead or back in Belsavis prison.

Theron trapped them on the train rigged to explode. Lana and Bestia escaped in the nick of time, and chased after Theron through the wilderness. Even with the Dread Beast’s speed, Theron slipped away, leaving the two to return to their respective bases with the grim news.

At least they now knew who the traitor was. All that was left was to catch him.

Theron’s trail led Bestia and Lana to the Chiss planet called Copero. Theron was after an ancient star map for unknown purposes. He slipped away once again, leaving Bestia with a fragmented map. Tyrans and Brontes took up the task of reconstructing it, hoping it would give them a clue to Theron’s intentions.

While Bestia was on Copero, Rammas had disappeared.

At the same time, Alliance smugglers find an abandoned space station that transmits one word, over and over: ZILDROG.

Zildrog was one of Zakuul’s gods. He was a brother to Izax, and the first husband of Scyva, and the father to Nahut. He was an evil god, bent on destruction, so Izax and Scyva exiled him to unknown parts and sealed him away. 

Maybe what Theron is looking for is a machine containing Zildrog? 

Bestia investigated the space station alongside Brontes and Tyrans, who found encrypted recordings left behind by Theron. He joined a cult called the Order of Zildrog, to fight against the Dread Masters. However, he learned that it was led by none other than Raptus, and chose the lesser evil of double crossing him, and giving Bestia the coordinates of the order’s headquarters: Nathema.

Decrypting the recordings set the space station to self-destruct. 

The Dread Masters and their allies returned to Nathema. Theron met them there, revealing that Raptus wanted to free Zildrog and use his power to take Tenebrae’s place and build his own empire.

Bestia, the Dread Masters, and Sharack, fought through the ranks of the Order of Zildrog forces and arrived at the site of the machine, only to find Raptus there. He held Rammas hostage, planning to sacrifice her to Zildrog. She held Tenebrae’s power inside her, alongside her own, and Raptus deemed it a worthy sacrifice to the god.

A fight broke out, the Dread Masters easily overpowering the Order’s champions. But then Raptus severed the Force bond between the other five Dread Masters, causing them to collapse to the ground in immense pain. 

Styrak managed to overpower the pain, attacking Raptus alongside Sharack. Raptus unleashed Force Fear onto them, causing Styrak to relive his death on Darvannis. 

Raptus powered the machine on, and it took the lives of remaining Order of Zildrog members, including Theron and Senya, as well as draining Rammas. The machine opened up, and a grey serpentine dragon with a flowing void-black mane climbed out. Zildrog was free. 

And Sharack stood alone against a god. 

Raptus cried out in joy, only for the jaws to clamp onto him, sniffing his life out. 

Rammas came to, finding herself face to face with the dragon. Bestia found the strength to jump and tackle Rammas, saving her life. However, Bestia’s arm was lost in Zildrog’s maw. 

Rammas reached inside her soul finding the black hole at the core of her being. The same black hole she called on to defeat her father. She called onto the hunger again, and started draining Zildrog’s power until there was nothing left, and Sharack decapitated the dragon.

Rammas’s body changed, giving her a draconic appearance. She felt like a monster once again, until Bestia limped to her, smiling and leaning onto Styrak for support. They told Rammas she had a place with them, no matter what. 

Battered and bruised and exhausted, they left Nathema. 

Mu’hass found an island on Rishi that was out of the way and peaceful. 

Bestia grew a new arm for herself out of Dread vines. 

Valkorion eventually stepped down from the throne, transitioning Zakuul to be governed by elected officials, one of whom was Koth. The former emperor retired to live with his partners Heskal and Shyren and the three opened an animal shelter together. 

Calphayus and Rammas planted the sapling they had found on Oricon, in the garden of their new home on Rishi. 

[lndslorepuzzler]

Under Deepspace 03: Talented Hunter, pt 01-11

01: Order Number 85: FMC is sent on a mission to investigate and resolve a fluctuation in No-Hunt Zone 7, Zone IV, but her partner hasn't arrived.

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02: No-Hunt Zone No.7: FMC decides to make her way in without her partner. From the ground, she sees Shen Xinghui confronting a Wanderer, and wonders if he's comforting it. It explodes in a blast of light, and Shen Xinghui destroys its protocore. The red collar appears around his neck. He confronts her, and she gets caught in one of his traps while trying to explain herself.

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03: Reunion Under Moon: After wrapping up her sprained ankle, Shen Xinghui suggests that she leave, as the . He notes that it isn't the Metaflux surges she has to worry about, and that many Tenebrae who go there seeking high-grade protocores to sell are never seen again, once they've obtained them; that the forest itself is alive, and consumed them. FMC tells him not to scare her, but he directs her to leave the forest while he goes off in the opposite direction.

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04: Maze: FMC considers whether or not Shen Xinghui is her partner. There is some brief comedic back-and-forth where he comes back to check on FMC, he goes out and kills a bunch of Wanderers, he comes back to check on FMC, he goes out and kills a bunch of Wanderers. He tells her he's decided he shouldn't leave an injured teammate behind, but his identity can't be verified by her Hunter's Watch. She wants him to prove who he is. He uses his Evol, and creates a 3D pattern made of several diamonds. He asks if she looks familiar; she tells him it doesn't, and the light flickers. ("Maybe Shen Xinghui was hoping to hear something else.") He tells her to keep an eye out for the pattern, as it can appear on the Flux Nexus, a device that captures Metaflux.

When FMC continues to doubt him, Shen Xinghui drops it; when FMC asks him what a Flux Nexus looks like, wanting to compare his information to Tara's, he uses her words against her and reminds her that nothing he says can be verified, so why would she believe him? But his description of the Flux Nexus matches the description of the stele at the abandoned research base.

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05: Exit: FMC wonders why she and Shen Xinghui always seem to be trapped together every time they meet. He asks her why she always happens to be around when he's in trouble. They locate the Wanderers causing the spacial irregularities; before FMC can finish her suggestion on how to deal with them, Shen Xinghui has taken care of them.

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06: Awakened Forest: FMC and Shen Xinghui banter a bit; she wants to know what his deal is, reminding him that he said he'd explain everything the next time they met. He tells her it's a long story, and asks if she really needs to keep her guard up. She says he hasn't been honest, but they can 'work together for now.' They find the Flux Nexus, in the location of a former signal station. FMC realizes that the Metaflux is converging on the Wanderer, which is absorbing it. Shen Xinghui identifies the Wanderer as an Aeonwyrm, and that the Metaflux particles are being used to reconstruct it. Shen Xinghui tries and fails to activate the Flux Nexus, and says FMC should sense its energy and use her Evol to create the same fluctuations. She does so, and the Aeonwyrm evaporates, leaving only a yellow protocore. Shen Xinghui points out that the fluctuations prove that someone wanted to resurrect the Aeonwyrm. Shen Xinghui appears to be very in tune with the forest, claiming that 'it's waking up,' before entering combat.

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07: COMBAT

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08: Where Light Vanishes: Shen Xinghui and FMC escape the Wanderers by virtue of Shen Xinghui's Big Leap Trick. Upon inspecting the protocore obtained from the Aeonwyrm, Shen Xinghui explains that it's been modified, and the modification is the work of the organization, Onychinus, which is stationed in the N109 Zone, which carries the infamous achievement of modifying protocores. Shen Xinghui tells FMC that the moon is much brighter, so she'll be safe to head home, while he walks back into the forest on his own. As the camera pans back, there is a shot of a black, quasi-mechanical crow with red lenses for eyes sitting on a branch.*2

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09: Another Predicament: There is a flashback from the FMC about the attack on Linkon; references to the rusty rain, the ruined streets, and the red moon that slowly blackens, as though it's an eye blinking at her. Coming back to the present,*1 she reminds herself to get in contact with Nero about the eye she saw. She sees Shen Xinghui, in his hunter uniform, being accosted by journalists. ("I don't really have dreams... Also, I'm the only person in my family.") There is mention of complaints that hunters have been destroying public facilities under the pretense of eliminating Wanderers, but when FMC tells Shen Xinghui to beg her to save him, he does. So she does. She notes that it's strange to see him in broad daylight without any disaster surrounding them. Jenna arrives in the office to give them a briefing.

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10: Invitation: Jenna explains that the protocore has both red and blue protocurves, proving that it's been modified. She calls it 'a gift from Onychinus,' and that they clearly know more about the protocore than they do. She says they'll need to use FMC's Evol to locate and obtain more information. She says Onychinus' goals are unknown, but given Qin Che's track record, it's not about money. She instructs FMC to take the next two days off.

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11: Selection: Shen Xinghui and FMC eat gross dry bread and discuss the plans going forward; he advises her to not join the project. FMC says she'll take Shen Xinghui as her partner, because his teleporting ability is useful. He reminds her that her Evol might not be the only option, and to keep her options open. ("You might enter a world that's beyond your wildest imagination.") He expresses his worries that she might have just said yes without thinking it over, that she might not be fully informed about any dangers that lie ahead. He was also worried she wouldn't choose him as her partner.

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*1, This event occurs the next morning. *2, In hindsight, we know this is Mephisto.

[sparklecryptid]

secret-engima replied to your post “me: what if i threw ffxiv’s warrior of light who happens to be a white...”

Well I'm no one apparently because I'm here to gleefully announce I would ABSOLUTELY READ THAT. If you felt like making it, of course. :DDD

oh i absolutely feel like making it!!! just.... probably a WoL that can shift between their miqo’te form and their human form at will and just-

goes around as a cat person. helping people. healing them of the scourge. making sure the local fauna and flora have a safe haven to grow and probably lives in a grove and welcomes all the travelers to it if they cant find a haven while out in the dark. known for showing up unexpectedly and saving people.

has fangs and also cat pupils even when in human form so they wind up wearing sunglasses around other people so they dont get stared at. they also have a hand in yeeting noctis back to life after he dies (BUT ONLY FOR A LIL BIT) after defeating ardyn.

listen if lil ol’ white mage has to deal so DO YOU KING OF LIGHT YOU ARENT GETTING OUT OF THIS

OH

maybe I could name them Rhea!

Lady Rhea of No Importance is how she introduces herself to Ignis and Ignis hates it because he cant find any info on who she was before.

@secret-engima

[berrydoodleoo]

the world waking up, 1/2

When Noctis does not die fulfilling the prophecy, the gods rise up against Bahamut and the Six destroy each other. Their aether returns to the world, perhaps never to be contained again. For the days immediately following the dawn, everyone is too preoccupied with the return of the sun and the absence of demons to notice much. The first few sprouts prompt excitement and hope, of course, but it isn’t until a week has passed that everyone realizes that the plants are growing fast. Too fast.

Noctis has been recovering in Hammerhead. He made it back to Insomnia Base under his own power -- his father’s long-ago parting words ringing in his ears -- but was bedridden for weeks after. When Insomnia’s citizens begin gathering at Hammerhead to return to their home, Noctis insists on leading them himself. The trip takes longer than they’d planned, as the return of the sun also meant the return of the weather, and many of the roads have become impassable. They don’t reach the Citadel until late at night. In the uneven beams of the flashlights, the strange shadows in the heart of the city could be anything, even demons -- Gladio grabs his arm like he’s going to shove him behind him -- but Noctis raises his hand and calls to the Lucii with a simple request: light. The power of the ring sings, briefly, rising in waves like bells. And so he’s the first to see the blooming trees sprouting around the base of the Citadel, responding to the Ring with their own soft glow.

Prompto agrees to help explore Leide and the Duscae a few months later, to see how things are recovering. Without Noct and the others’ eyes on him, he finds himself dragging, the dark lethargy of the past ten years clinging to him like dirt that won’t wash off. He drives from location to location, taking photos and trying to feel something, anything, other than anxious dread. It’s as he explores a cluster of blooming trees that a friendly little bluebird flies up to him, chattering and dancing in place. It wrings a smile out of him, but only briefly. When he lapses back into grim silence, the bird divebombs him -- twitters laughingly at his yelp -- and then leads him further into the trees, only re-appearing to swoop and dive whenever he falls behind. Maybe it’s hurt? he thinks. Or has a nest trapped under a branch, or.... Wait, are bluebirds carnivores? Is he about to be someone’s lunch? A flash of light sends him jumping back and then spinning in place, guns materializing. But he doesn’t shoot. Instead, he watches in amazement as a phoenix -- extinct for over a century, disappearing as the Scourge spread -- spreads its wings and takes into flight. The bluebird lands nearby and watches him, seemingly satisfied at the amazement and hope rekindled in his eyes.

Luna left Noctis to his recovery before he even left Insomnia, called back to Tenebrae as a flood of refugees desperate to reclaim their homes threatened to overwhelm their food stores. She promised she would return soon, but finds herself pulled endlessly away. And then, as normalcy begins to reassert itself, she finds herself hiding instead, feeling unworthy to exist in the world when so many have died. When she almost led Noctis to follow a prophecy that would have killed him. But a strange dream of Gentiana awakens her one night, and she finds herself drawn to the sylleblossom fields. She gathers some fallen blooms, marveling at how fast they’ve grown but despairing, too, at what this victory cost them. Sorrow has carved itself on her bones, she thinks, and she will never be free of it. As if in response to her thoughts, a cold wind blows in from what remains of Niflheim -- now referred to mostly as Shiva’s Wrath, as the frozen wastes of the Ghorovas Rift expanded over the years. Luna turns her face to it, wondering if she’s to receive a message from her old friend. And if so, what kind of message will it be? No more prophecies, please, I am so tired of fighting.... Around her the mist begins to lighten, and the blossoms to sway and glow. She looks down at the collection resting in her arms and is nearly blinded by the light. With her eyes closed, she swears she can hear them murmuring in Gentiana’s voice: a soft song of memory and love.

[tenebraevesper]

Digimon Ghost Game Analyzer, Episode 09: Warped Time

Well, I guess it's time for the next episode. *notices the weird looks everyone is giving him; gives an assuring look* Don't mind my state, I had been going through some battles.

*gives Impmon a worried look* Maybe you should tone the fighting down.

*waves Tenebrae off* Nah, I’m fine... Unlike Hiro.

We literally start off with multiple cuts of him sleeping, then him floating above his bed while watching himself sleep. It’s... confusing.

*looks at Impmon worriedly, then continues* Hiro wakes up, just as confused as we are, only to realize he overslept. Considering the title of the episode, as well as the constant clock imagery, we already have an idea what is going on, but for now, I’d rather talk about the feeling the whole situation is giving off.

I guess we got to the reveal sooner than expected. Rest assured, Clockmon is back and he is here to mess Hiro’s life up, warping his sense of time.

Hiro meets up with Kotaro, but is 30 minutes late, and Kotaro even makes the observation that Hiro had been weird lately, meaning this had been going on for a while. He then returns back to the dorms, with an annoyed Kiyoshiro and worried Gammamon waiting for him.

I’m surprised Hiro didn’t return past midnight. Or in the morning of the next day. Or even next month. However, I guess Clockmon just wants to minorly inconvenience him.

I guess Hiro is lucky that that Clockmon wasn’t using your ideas. He manages to realize that something is off with his sense of time, checking every clock in his room. We even have a moment where Gammamon asks him what is wrong, but then it cuts to Gammamon being asleep, with the time changing to 00.04 AM.

There is no way that this isn’t unnerving or even outright creepy.

And the clock just keeps ticking: Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock...

Hiro’s time is running out.

The next morning, Hiro talks to Ruli and Angoramon, revealing to her how he stayed up all night, wondering when the time would skip again.

Unfortunately, this isn’t something they can help him with. Hiro admits how he’s scared of what is going on, which is an understandable reaction, as his whole life has been turned upside down, worrying Gammamon.

What a cutie!  (≧◡≦) ♡

*sighs* Moving on... Angoramon thinks its because of stress, so Ruli suggest to go to a library, where you can read in nature. Hiro mentions how he hadn’t been solo camping for a while, so he’d...

It didn’t take long for this guy to reappear.

Hiro meets up at the library with Ruli, apologizing to her for being late again. Angoramon notes that they should’ve picked him up, which would’ve been a good idea, and we also see that Kiyoshiro and Jellymon tagged along.

We also learn that Jellymon likes to study human culture, which is why she’s familiar with libraries, although Kiyoshiro isn’t happy to be here.

‘‘This library is haunted.‘‘ There we go.

I’m not surprised that she dragged him here. After all, she dragged him also to the karaoke place. *smirks* So, Jellymon explains that one can hear clothes rustle when no one is there or how pages are flipping when there is no breeze.

Just as they keep questioning her for more information, Hiro gets a headache, falling on his knees. He notes how he hears a ringing and then...

What the-?! Okay, this is freaking me out.

Fortunately, the distortion stops, but one can only think back to the out-of-body experience Hiro had at the beginning of the episode. Of course, everyone is worried, even after Hiro tells them everything is fine now.

However, Hiro knows well that nothing is fine until he figures out what is going on. Meanwhile, we see a woman looking at the books, only to find several floating right next to her.

What is this, the library from Harry Potter? *smirks* May I suggest this book, Ma’am?

You can make fun of this situation as much as you want, but you too would freak out when you suddenly see books flying at you.

Tch, I would just torch them. *crosses arms*

*gasps* Don’t you even dare!

*smirks, giving the audience a glance* I guess we forgot to add just how much you love reading books and how you treat any damage to a book as a war crime.

*pouts* No I don’t. *shakes head* In any case, the Tamers are alerted to what is going on, only for a stack of books to fall over them.

Move out of the way, people... ah, forget it.

Well, they did survive the avalanche of books, so points for that, I guess. Now, who is this library ghost?

Woa, Bokomon and Bakumon! We haven’t seen these two in a while, especially Bokomon, who was one of the companion Digimon in Digimon Frontier alongside Neemon (who also appeared in Digimon Adventure 2020). Also, Bakumon appeared in Digimon Adventure tri. as Himekawa Maki’s partner.

It is nice to see both of you again. Also, it appears that Bokomon was given the title of a Professor (or rather, -sensei). It seems like this Bokomon, while also helping humans, has a bit of a different personality than Frontier!Bokomon.

While Frontier!Bokomon was someone who greatly admired the Ten Legendary Warriors, this Bokomon is more of a scholar. He is also unfamiliar with Gammamon (we’ll leave that for later), but likes his spirit. Hiro also figures out that, if Bokomon has the title of a scholar, then he could tell them more about the Digital World.

Bokomon explains how usually, Digimon are invisible in the human world, but that there are stages to the Digimon’s invisibility. The first stage is the invisible stage, where a Digimon cannot be seen by a human unless they carry a Digivice. The Digimon can walk through things with ease, but cannot touch them. They can’t interact with humans, but have no issues being seen or interacting with Digimon. They can also go into digital devices, data and the internet. In the next stage, they are invisible, but they can touch things and hold them, but they cannot go through walls.

The next state is the Hologram Ghost state, where they can be seen by humans and interact with them, as well as go through wall, but they have to remain calm and do it carefully. Finally, there is the Digimon materialization (or as it is called here, realization) where a Digimon fully manifests in the Real World.

According to Bokomon, emotions factor into Digimon materialization, where, unlike the Digital World, feelings are more important than data. 

Unlike in the Digital World, emotions are more important than data for the Digimon to function in the Real World. This is essentially the same as what happened in Digimon Tamers and especially Digimon Savers, where Digimon were influenced by human emotion, best seen when the Tamers summoned their DigiSoul, emotions manifested in data, and allowed them to digivolve. Of course, there are also Digimon who feed of negative emotions, which they then use to speed up the materialization, like Dracmon. We also saw the same in Digimon Savers.

Unfortunately, Bokomon doesn’t know why Digimon are suddenly appearing in the Real World, noting how he and Bakumon were transported here via a Gate, but he notes how there may be greater forces at work and how there are some Digimon who can move freely between the worlds. Hiro then mentions his father, who is also currently in the Digital World.

Bokomon considers it strange that a human passed into the Digital World, as he believes that humans passing through may burn up when their bodies Digitize, which leaves us with the question on how Hokuto travelled there. While Hiro keeps questioning Bokomon, the rest of the Tamers and Digimon decide to go out for a snack.

*eyes glitter* Aaah, that looks so delicious, my mouth is watering! *turns to Tenebrae* Hey, when are we going to eat? I’m getting really hungry!

*smiles* Once we’re done with the review, we’re gonna eat. In any case, it turns out that the only reason why Ruli dragged them all to the library was because there were sweets shops she wanted to check on. Typical Ruli.

As for Hiro, Clockmon once again messes with him, considering how Hiro didn’t even realize that his friends left. Things get worse when the hallway he is in starts to warp.

The time on his smartphone is also messed up with Hiro hearing a familiar voice...

This is basically Clockmon’s way of saying “I’m back, sucker!’’

Honestly, it is also creepy seeing how there are flashes before Clockmon comes closer to Hiro, warping time and space in order to mess with him. However, one can’t deny that Clockmon doesn’t know how to make an entrance.

He has Hiro cornered, making us wonder what the latter is going to do to get out of this situation. Hiro’s answer to this is to use his Digivice and enter an AR-Field.

Hiro is a really smart cookie, as the AR-Field immediately alerted everyone that something is wrong, with the Tamers and Digimon charging in to save him.

Clockmon is obviously confused by this sudden development, but he still attacks Hiro, leaving the latter on the ground in pain. However, he does get saved.

Way to go Bokomon and Bakumon!

However, it is still only two Rookies, one of which isn’t much of a fighter, against a Champion.

It didn’t matter, though, as this attack gave them enough time to wait for the reinforcements to arrive, with Gammamon tackling Clockmon.

Now the real battle can begin! Clockmon also remembers his previous encounter with Gammamon, where he saw a glimpse of GulusGammamon, and notes how he doesn’t want to mess with him, but he still goes for it, believing he has no other choice.

To quote Gammamon, this gives me bad vibes.

We also get an analyzer screen for Clockmon, explaining to us how he feeds on time and how he messed with Hiro’s sense of time and space.

We already know that, but what’s new is that Clockmon is here for revenge, wanting to devour all of Hiro’s time. Unfortunately for him, he messed with the wrong Tamer.

His statement angers Gammamon enough for him to unleash GulusGammamon, even if it’s just a shadow. Clockmon, you’re dead... Or at least thrown against the wall.

Gammamon is fine, unlike Clockmon. It appears that GulusGammamon reflected Chrono Breaker, causing Clockmon to be affected by his own attack, draining his time. According to Bokomon, there is no way of telling what will happen to him, but we see rust appearing and his limbs breaking off, as he’s a machine.

Clockmon begs pitifully for someone to help him, with Hiro and Gammamon agreeing to help, despite the trouble Clockmon had caused. Gammamon digivolves to BetelGammamon and even Angoramon and Jellymon join in to help.

Their attacks manage to slow the clock hand down, leaving BetelGammamon to rewind the clock.

Under Bokomon’s instructions, BetelGammamon starts to strike faster and harder at Clockmon, looking as if he is forming CPR on him.

I assume that Chrono Breaker caused Clockmon to have his own version of a cardiac arrest and BetelGammamon is trying to revive. Fortunately, it works.

With one final strike, BetelGammamon breaks through, reviving Clockmon, who is as shocked that he was saved as the rest of them.

We are also going to remind those who are watching the episode and/or reading this review to not try this on a human person. Digimon are capable of enduring much worse, while humans will suffer from broken bones if you try this kind of technique on them.

The now materialized Clockmon thanks them for saving him and promises them not to attack people anymore and decides to leave.

Bokomon then points out the obvious, how he can’t walk around like this as humans will see him and freak out. It is pretty much an unspoken rule among Digimon with Tamers that you should stay hidden from the rest of humanity, as one never knows what kind of disasters can happen if authorities find out about the Digital Monsters living among them.

*side-eyes Impmon* Yet, you keep pranking humans.

*grins in response*

*sighs* In any case, Bokomon tells him how he’ll teach Clockmon how to become invisible, with the rest of the Digimon joining in.

Bokomon also comments on Gammamon’s digivolution, noting how it was a combination of Gammamon’s and Hiro’s feelings. Basically, the same as for any other Tamer and Digimon from the previous seasons.

Still, Hiro is left wondering what that dark shadow surrounding Gammamon was. With that thought, the episode ends.

Overall it was a solid episode. We had the mystery around Hiro’s time perception, Bokomon giving us more information about how things work, Clockmon returning and getting beaten up - I liked it.

Me too. There is also the mystery of GulusGammamon, but that is for a later episode. Anyways, how about going for a meal?

Alright!

*turns to the audience* See ya next time!

[bamon4bamily]

TVD 10x05 - The Devil You Know. Enjoy! =)

Stonehenge, England. Sometime around the first century; an ancient Druid ceremony. A triad of the most powerful witches at the time are standing outside the structure, forming a perfect triangle. In the middle, stands Veritas Dracul. As the blood moon rises to a full splendor, the witches begin to chant.

WITCHES CHANT:

O dea tenebris

mater immortalibus

puer tuus fac me sicut renascentur

mea lux vestra absorbere

 Liceat mihi locus ad tenebras

sicut ex utero immortales

filios tuos in ulnis

quibus invocaverit te frater

 O lunae lumen

puer tuus fac me sicut renascentur

me duce tenebris sunt

i ita erit renatu

 Veritas takes a chalice filled with the witches’ blood, raises it in offering and drinks from it. His eyes turn completely black, blood tears dripping from his cheeks. The witches chant louder and louder. At the most cathartic moment of the ceremony, he takes a dagger and stabs himself in the heart, instantly falling to the ground. He lies there, lifeless, covered in blood. A herd of crows begin to circle his body, the numbers increasing by the second, until his body is completely hidden with their presence. The witches, now levitating, are in a trance-like state, chanting franticly as the crows cawing overshadows their incantation. A dense fog covers the creatures, as if protecting them from any disturbance. Suddenly, absolute silence. The fog slowly dissipates, revealing the presence of a breathtaking woman wearing a crown with a crescent moon.

The witches, still levitating, seem to be in deep sleep; the crows now standing peacefully on the stone structures. The woman approaches the lifeless body and gently takes it in her arms. She begins to hum, emitting a hypnotic sound, like a siren call. Soon after, another woman appears and walks towards them, spellbound. The woman kisses Veritas’s lips; moments later, he abruptly opens his eyes, his veins irradiating from the blood flow. 

He’s agitated and scared, she caresses his cheek to sooth him into the transition. She then withdraws, and offers the dazed woman’s neck for his taking. The blood pumping from her jugular is an irresistible sight to him. He hasn’t even touched her, and he can already savor her blood. He moistens his lips with his tongue, and without further hesitation, sinks his fangs into her neck, draining every drop of blood within seconds. His transition, now complete. 

The woman smiles, kisses his forehead, and with a second breeze of heavy fog, disappears along with the crows. 

The witches wake, and slowly descend to their original position. Veritas bows and kneels upon them, in utter respect and gratitude for the gift they have granted him.

 Whether a blessing or a curse, it had been done. A new supernatural species had been created, and a new unnatural species of its own, vampirism. Veritas Dracul, once one of the most powerful psychics in the world, was now the first psychic vampire in existence.

Cut to – Present day, the Bamon home master bathroom. Damon and Bonnie are taking a bath.

 DAMON: I have to admit, I thought our little rendezvous would inevitably end up in a blood bath, or at least with some casualties. We did good!

BONNIE: Guess a common purpose helps keep the ego in place. I’m worried though…

DAMON: I know many of them are not the most trustworthy, but I really think we’re all on the same page.

BONNIE: It’s not that, it’s Elena. Care and I have been trying to reach her for a while now, and nothing. It’s not like her to keep out of contact for so long.

DAMON: She’s probably busy with school.

BONNIE: Still, something doesn’t feel right, and knowing where this is heading, I don’t think it’s a good sign. Maybe we should go check on her…

DAMON: It’s not like she’s a drive away, and we have our hands full here. Are you sure?

BONNIE: I could try to teleport. Test how far I can take this power.

DAMON: That could be dangerous, Bon. You don’t know how it works yet. I think it’s best to take it one jump at a time, and this is a big one.

BONNIE: I’ll never know if I don’t try it. I mean, I did it in Vegas.

DAMON: You were plastered and incredibly lucky that nothing happened. With everything that’s going on, it might not be a good time to experiment. If we’re gonna do this, let’s do it the old fashion way.

BONNIE: They’ll track us for sure if we do. I don’t think there’s another option.

DAMON: In that case, I’m coming with you.

BONNIE: You said it yourself, I still don’t know how this works for long distances. I don’t think taking anyone along with me is a good idea.

DAMON: If anything goes wrong I rather we’re together, than risk you being stuck somewhere alone.

BONNIE: And I rather not be responsible for something happening to you, if it does go wrong.

DAMON: I’ll take the risk. Sorry, Bon, but I’m not backing down on this.

BONNIE: Neither am I…

DAMON: Are we having our first lover’s quarrel?

BONNIE: Seems like it.

DAMON: We’re both very hard-headed; we’ll see who gets their way.

BONNIE: Want to put some money on that?

DAMON: Bon, come on. Let’s not do this. Ride or die, remember? You jump, I jump.

BONNIE: Okay; let’s conciliate. We’ll leave it up to chance. One game of Monopoly, whoever wins decides.

DAMON: You got yourself a deal (they shake hands).

BONNIE: Huh, not bad for a first fight.

DAMON: (Proud) Not bad at all.

BONNIE: Make up sex?

DAMON: (Mischievous smirk) I love the way you think… (they kiss, and you know… 😉)

Cut to – The Powell mansion. Edward and Tamara are in the study.

 TAMARA: I think it’s best you don’t return. Augustus said something could go wrong if you two were in the same place.

EDWARD: It was so uncanny…

TAMARA: I can only imagine. Seeing your child-self, and knowing it’s not really you, must be rather confusing.  

EDWARD: More like disturbing. But not going back is not an option. It’s much worse than I thought. They need to be shut down, and those things destroyed.

TAMARA: “Those things”? You speak of them as if they had no thoughts or feelings of their own. If they are anything like me, I can assure you, they do.

EDWARD: They are nothing like you, trust me.

TAMARA: Would you destroy me?

EDWARD: If you had asked me that a few months ago, my answer would’ve been yes. But now,  after everything we’ve been through, I couldn’t hurt you.

TAMARA: Do you really mean that? You know I come with a lie detector.

EDWARD: Then you should know I mean it. But I can’t say the same thing for mini-me.

TAMARA: (Smiles) I never really liked him. Augustus might have thought he did an impeccable job programming him, but I always knew he was not you.

EDWARD: He could have fooled me for a second there. The way he looked at me… as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

TAMARA: We might be able to process information at incredible speeds, but we can’t read minds.

EDWARD: Wouldn’t be surprised if those things can.

TAMARA: I insist, it’s not safe for you to go back. We need a change of plan. Release Darius, have him do the dirty work for us.

EDWARD: I would need to have something on him to make sure he does exactly what I tell him.

TAMARA: You’re the only one that can kill him for good; that should be enough to ensure he does.

EDWARD: It’s not that simple. I can’t always control my thoughts when I get like that. I didn’t even know I could do that until The Madame broke the block and I started remembering.

TAMARA: You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. The more I get to know you, the more I’m convinced you are your own worst enemy.

EDWARD: I suppose that’s what makes me human.

TAMARA: I suppose it is…

EDWARD: Maybe it’s time I came out of my cave. We could use Mayor Donovan’s help on this.

TAMARA: How can he help?

EDWARD: The prosthetic eye my father implanted in him. I am not sure what it can do, but you can figure it out.

TAMARA: Even if I can, how would that serve our purpose?

EDWARD: I have a feeling my father was testing something when he did that. What if he encrypted information in the prothesis code?

TAMARA: It’s unlikely. Knowing your father, he would never intentionally program a loophole into something he could not control.

EDWARD: You are evidence that he would.

TAMARA: I outsmarted him, which was an obvious outcome, but Matthew Donovan is a human. The probabilities of your father encoding valuable information into an unsecure source are 0.009%.      

EDWARD: And it’s because of that that it’s genius. Think about it, it would be the perfect place to hide information.

TAMARA: Your assumption may be assertive. However, I don’t trust anyone besides you to execute the plan accordingly.

EDWARD: You are willing to trust Darius.

TAMARA: No; I’m willing for him to take the fall, should anything go wrong.    

Cut to – Munich, Germany. Veritas’s mansion underground vault. He’s holding a black box, very similar to the one Elena found with the original serum. He places it in a safe which is equipped with a freezer system. Soon after, Lucinda walks in, holding a glass of wine.

 VERITAS: Love, how many times have I told you not to come in here, unless I invite you to.

LUCINDA: Forgive me, my dear. I was feeling rather lonely. It won’t happen again.

VERITAS: Well, now that you are here, I’d like to show you something. Come with me… (he leads her into a room filled with ancient artifacts).

LUCINDA: (Amazed with the grandiosity of the place) Darling, this is breathtaking! She approaches one of the showcases, which holds a very ancient chalice). My god… is this it?

VERITAS: It is. I like to come here from time to time and admire it. Be reminded of the gift I was granted, and worship the kind souls that thought me worthy of such.

LUCINDA: As I worship you for sharing it with me.

VERITAS: Your loyalty deserved rewarding.

LUCINDA: And you, a devoted life companion.

VERITAS: That will no longer suffice.

LUCINDA: What do you mean, love?

VERITAS: However strong, we are not unassailable.

LUCINDA: We are immortal, of course we are.

VERITAS: How many vampires have we killed? We may be less vulnerable to death, but we are by no means immortals.

LUCINDA: Still, we are Gods among men. Perhaps having a way out of this world is not such a bad thing. Who knows, one day we may grow tired, or feel utterly alone…  

VERITAS: You speak nonsense. True power only comes with immortality. That is what makes a God.

LUCINDA: We can only be grateful for what we have, and resign to the desire of what we don’t.

VERITAS: The woman I fell in love with used to be much more ambitious than that. The worst sign of weakness is resignation.

LUCINDA: Or the best sign of wisdom.

VERITAS: (Laughs) I think that wine has gotten to your head, love. Maybe you should take to rest. I have some matters to attend to. I need my privacy.

LUCINDA: You promised me we would make love tonight. You haven’t touched me in days.

VERITAS: Desire is not a thing to be forced. If you grow impatient, satisfy yourself, my dear. Have a good night (kisses her, she walks away).

Cut to – Munich, Germany; the Faculty lab. Elena has been locked down for days now. The military medical staff have her under close observation.

 MILITARY DOCTOR: (Through an intercom) Miss. Gilbert, are you presenting any symptoms today?

ELENA: Same as the days before, nothing! I’m telling you, I’m fine! Can you please get my father here?

MILITARY DOCTOR: As we have told you before, that is not possible. Only authorized personnel is allowed.

ELENA: Can you at least contact him, let him know what’s happening!?

MILITARY DOCTOR: We’re not authorized to do that.

ELENA: This has to be illegal! What the hell is wrong with you people! You can’t keep me locked up in here like some lab rat!

MILITARY DOCTOR: I assure you, we can (slides a tray of food and water through a door hatch). Push the panic button if you present any type of symptoms, or feel strange (he leaves).  

ELENA: (Banging on the glass door) Let me out of here! Let me out of here! I swear I’ll sue the shit out of this school, this lab; the whole country if I have to!

Cut to – One of the operating theatres in the school. Sam and Alex are performing a practice autopsy.

 ALEX: Isn’t your sweetheart supposed to be in this class? Or did she completely change her schedule to avoid us.  

SAM: I doubt it; she loves this class. She wasn’t in Biotech either. Something feels off. All these strange things that are happening can’t be a coincidence, right?

ALEX: Who knows, but that thing with the search results sure was suspicious as fuck.

SAM: You’re the conspiracy theorist, any theories?

ALEX: (Teasing) Well, I’m not saying it’s aliens… but it’s aliens.  

SAM: Come on, man, I’m serious! This shit is not normal. Also, I’ve been having some brain fog, struggling to remember simple things. I feel like everything before New Year’s is somewhat of a blur...

ALEX:  You too, huh?

SAM: And I’ve been having these weird dreams about being with Elena, before I even met her. It’s messed up…

ALEX: (Teasing again) Maybe you two met in another life.

SAM: Can you drop the bullshit for once?

ALEX: Sorry, just playin’ around. But listen, if there is something going on, this is definitely not the place to talk about it. Let’s get some drinks tonight, outside campus, we’ll brainstorm.

Cut to – The Salvatore School, Alaric’s office. Radka, Ric, Iker, and Katherine are talking.

 RIC: I don’t know about you guys, but between the school and our “team-up” the other night; I’m a bit overwhelmed. That had to be the most bizarre meeting, ever.

KATHERINE: I for one, was more than entertained knowing that the so called “Originals” story, was a load of crap. Watching their ego shatter into pieces made it all worth it. Talk about karma!

IKER: Yeah, that was insane. All this time I’ve been freakin’ out about my sireline. For all I know, it’s none of them.

KATHERINE: Unfortunately for me, I’m stuck with Klaus.

RIC: If you think about it, it does make sense that the story was bullshit. Just one spell, from one witch, to create a whole new species? Pisses me off I didn’t even question it, or dug deeper.

RADKA: Didn’t the mother make you like some super original vampire? I’m so confused!

RIC: One of her ancestors was involved in the original spell, that’s probably why she could.

KATHERINE: Who cares! The point is that the Mikaelson’s were not the first ones. Ha-ha, bitches!

RADKA: Judging from this Veritas guy; it might have been better if they were.

KATHERINE: Not likely.

IKER: The thing that still ain’t very clear to me, is how we’re supposed to stop what Bonnie saw. Too many ideas were thrown around all over the place.

RIC: I’m not quite sure either. The only thing I know is that I agree with my future-self. Kai’s plan to shut it all off and practically go back to the stone age, is absolutely insane.  

RADKA: Would it really be that bad? We are overly dependent on technology, might do us some good.

IKER: Hell no! I love me my Fortnite!

KATHERINE: I had a perfectly good life before it, so all the same to me. But I’ll do anything to avoid being stuck in some bizarre 20’s memory with my archenemies. (Margo walks in, visibly upset).

MARGO: I’m glad you are enjoying a time out, but we have a problem.

RIC: What’s going on?

MARGO: My Magic-101 students are dead.

RIC: What?!!

MARGO: The classroom is a slotter house. Wonder who could be responsible for that?  

RIC: Margo, don’t jump to conclusions. It could’ve been a vampire student that lost control.

MARGO: And that’s comforting to you? Twelve students are dead!

RIC: I’m only asking that we don’t make assumptions until we know what happened.

MARGO: The blood bags, the dead rabbits, the “accident”… How long are your girls and Hope going to cover for him? Either he goes, or Sergei and I go. We tried, he’s a lost cause.  

RADKA: He’s a three year old child, how can you say that?!

MARGO: He’s no child. Who knows how long he’s been around. He’s killed more than twelve people, that we know of. How can you be fine with that!?

RADKA: I’m not; but if it was him; what he needs is help, not condemnation.

KATHERINE: (To Margo) I can understand you being clueless as to how vampirism works, but Sergei? Shame on him. All that kid needs is guidance, and with people like you around, clearly some survival skills.

MARGO: Don’t you dare talk to me about shame. You are the worst of them all.  

KATHERINE: Them, honestly? With your age and experience, it blows my mind that someone whose ancestors were burned at the stake would think like that. Let alone someone who is supposedly in love with one of us. I truly am intrigued as to what Sergei sees in you.

RIC: Guys, please, let’s calm down and figure this out. We’ve dealt with much worse. The whole purpose of this school lies on the hope that we can find a way for all of us to coexist as peacefully as possible.

MARGO: Well, it clearly failed. Sergei and I will be gone by the end of the day.

Cut to – The Mikaelson’s mansion living room.

 REBEKAH: Everything we believed to be real, turned out to be one of mother’s lies. I feel like such a fool.

KLAUS: Such a pity she is dead; I would have loved the pleasure of killing her all over again.

ELIJAH: Why deceive us? To what purpose?

KOL: You know mother, always had a direful sense of humor.

ABBY: Maybe she didn’t want you to know you came from such evil, and that’s why she rooted your story on her love for you. A mother can do just about anything to protect her children.

REBEKAH: That’s ironic, coming from you. Also, ridiculous.

FREYA: I’m actually not bothered by her lying. I’m more intrigued as to how our ancestors did it.

DANAE: Knowing the Bannion’s, we can be sure dark magic was involved.

KOL: It’s a Mikaelson witch signature mark as well, so I’m certain.  

ABBY: Bennett witches are known for earth magic; I’m genuinely surprised they would’ve been involved in something like this.

KLAUS: They have been tempted before, love.

MARCEL: Why do it, though? And why him?

ELIJAH: You of all people should know just how far the thirst of power can take us. It is in our nature to test the limits of what we can do.  

FREYA: I wonder which spell they used, and if there were more witches involved.

KOL: A triad of the right witches is more powerful than a hundred. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did it on their own.

MARCEL: And isn’t Veritas one of the most powerful psychics? I’m sure that helped too.

DANAE: Undoubtedly. He was probably one of their energy sources. My guess is that they used a triquetra. In ancient Celtic traditions it was used during rituals to represent the three stages of being: life, death, and rebirth. An extremely powerful symbol.

FREYA: Wasn’t it also used to summon Brigid, the Goddess of Healers? They may have taken a different approach and used it to summoned Selene. After all, she is known as the mother of all vampires…

REBEKAH: Isn’t she the moon goddess?

KLAUS: She is, love. (Turns to Freya)Your imagination is as vivid as mother’s, sister. But it’s nice to know you know your mythology.

DANAE: Our kind was thought to be a myth; some still do to this day. It’s not outside the realms of possibility.

KOL: We can spend all night theorizing about it. Fact is, we’ll never know; unless he tells us himself. 

 ELIJAH: I doubt he ever would. But judging from Bonnie’s vision, we know someone that could be forced to tell us…  

KLAUS: (Smirks) And that is why you are my favorite, brother.

REBEKAH: Emphasis on brother. Anyway, what makes you think Pietro knows what really happened? He could’ve made the whole thing up. Wouldn’t make a difference if we compelled it out of him.

KOL: He knows more than we do, that’s for sure. I say we give it a shot.

ABBY: I know this is important to you, but don’t you think we have other things to focus on right now? Like a pending apocalypse…

REBEKAH: Don’t be such a fatalist. You heard Bonnie, many of us survive.

ABBY: What she saw was only the beginning. Nobody knows who, or if, anyone makes it to the end.

REBEKAH: And if I don’t, I’d like to know exactly how we came to be, before it’s my time to go.

ABBY: All I’m saying is, let’s not lose our focus.

KLAUS: And we won’t, love. But we don’t have a defined plan yet. There is no harm in using this time for something of value. Doesn’t it bother you knowing that what you believed to be real was nothing but a farce?

ABBY: To be honest, no. But if it bothers you that much, and you think compelling Pietro to tell you what he knows will bring you closure, I’ll support you. Just as long as we stay on track.

KLAUS: We will. Who knows, maybe Pietro can give us more insight into Veritas, and his role  in all of this.

ELIJAH: Looks like we have ourselves a lovely plan. May the truth set us free (holds up a glass of bourbon) Cheers.

Cut to – The Powell’s mansion dungeon.

 DARIUS: I gave you everything you asked for; why am I still here?

EDWARD: There’s been a change of plans.

DARIUS: You gave me your word.

EDWARD: And I intend to keep it. But it’s going to take longer than I thought.  

DARIUS: Time is not in our favor. This goes way beyond those prototypes.

EDWARD: Care to elaborate? You keep saying things without saying anything.

DARIUS: I’ve been having visions, and you are right about something. Matt Donovan is a key component, but you’ll need someone as tech savvy as your father to crack the code.  

EDWARD: Do you know what it does?

DARIUS: From what I saw, your father encrypted the fountain code within the prosthesis.

EDWARD: What the hell is a fountain code?

DARIUS: Do I look like someone who would know? I’m just repeating what I saw. Whatever it is, it’s important. I’m sure Tamara knows, ask her.

EDWARD: As much as I trust her, she’s still one of them. If it’s something that can potentially imply a risk to her, she’ll make sure to destroy it.

DARIUS: Then I suggest you recruit Kai Parker. If anyone, he understands this tech, maybe even better than your father did. It was thanks to him that I was able to take the project to another level. Something I now deeply regret.

EDWARD: Anything else I should know about; from these visions of yours?

DARIUS: I made another terrible mistake.

EDWARD: Tell me something I don’t know.

DARIUS: Dr. Greyson’s original formula, I modified it; more like enhanced it. And I ended up making something much worse…

EDWARD: How worse, exactly?

DARIUS: I still don’t know the full spectrum of the potential affections. From my preliminary tests, I can say that reactions vary according to the species.

EDWARD: Go on…

DARIUS: In humans, the test subjects presented a severe autoimmune reaction, leading to antibody suppression, making them contract disease very easily, resulting in their death. On witches, it seemed to have affected their psyche. Some went insane, to a point of power overuse, also resulting in their death. Werewolves presented an inability to control their transformation, turned involuntary, regardless of the full moon. They had to be put down. As for vampires, it was not pretty. The serum put their immune system into overdrive, making them extremely bloodthirsty and violent. With higher doses, some went into such a frenzy that, in isolation, they ended up eating themselves.

EDWARD: Stop… This is heinous. Even for you. How could you?!

DARIUS: It wasn’t my intent for that to happen. I only wanted to make the formula stronger so we could have the ultimate weapon, should we ever need it one day.

EDWARD: I’ve heard that story before, it never ends well.

DARIUS: I know. That is why I will do anything in my power to revert what I have done.

EDWARD: There is no turning back from that.

DARIUS: There is. I know a way to fix everything.

EDWARD: And you think I would trust you after everything you’ve done?!

DARIUS: I’m not asking you to trust me; I’m asking you to trust Bonnie.

EDWARD: What does Bonnie have to do with this?

DARIUS: She’s the only one that can change what is to come, but she can’t do it alone.

EDWARD: You’ve done enough damage. Leave her out of this. Take responsibility for once, and find a way to fix this on your own.

DARIUS: Trust me, if I could, I would. But there is no other way.

EDWARD: We can destroy my father’s facility, the prototypes, your serum, everything. That would put a stop to this.

DARIUS: You are speaking as if you had never been part of the Liberatus. You know well that the order’s operations expand much further than that.

EDWARD: We’ll destroy them all.

DARIUS: (Laughs) You are being rather naive. I’m on the board, and not even I know how many there are. You used to be on the board as well, remember?

EDWARD: That’s a part of my life I wish to forget. Anyway, figure out a way to put an end to this; one that doesn’t involve Bonnie, and maybe I will trust you enough to help you. In the meantime, you are not going anywhere.

Cut to – Pietro’s mansion. He’s indulging in lust with some unknown woman. At the peak of the moment, the doorbell rings. At the insistence, he finally stops, clearly frustrated with the interruption.

 WOMAN: Don’t you have people to attend to that? Let’s finish what we started…

PIETRO: It’s their day off, and it’s also very late. I don’t overwork my employees.

WOMAN: (Frustrated as well) Fine… go. I’ll wait, but I can’t promise I won’t finish on my own if you take too long.

PIETRO: (Smirks) Then I will be ready for a second round, and make you feel why I’m worth the wait. 

(He puts on a robe, goes downstairs, and opens the door).

KLAUS: Hello, old friend…

PIETRO: Niklaus Mikaelson, as I live and breathe. This is an unexpected surprise. I’m sure you can understand why my landlord won’t be inviting you inside.

KLAUS: I think that’s what they call, déjà vu…

PIETRO: You might want to freshen up on your French.

KLAUS: Mon français est parfaitement bien.

PIETRO: Impeccable accent, I’m impressed. So, what brings you here? More importantly, how do you know who I am? You are not supposed to remember me…

KLAUS: Who could ever forget a Salvatore.

PIETRO: Consider me intrigued. What is it that you want?

KLAUS: I was asked to bring someone to you… (The Madame steps out of the shadows).

THE MADAME: Hello, love.

PIETRO: Aletheia, it has been a while. To what do I owe the pleasure?

THE MADAME: I’ve gotten myself into some trouble, and you are the only one that can help. Please, dear, I need you to come with me.

PIETRO: (Smirks) Aw, Aletheia. Your trickery might have worked on me some years ago, but I know better now than to trust you. 

Have a lovely night (shuts the door, as soon as he turns around, he sees Freya).

FREYA: You should have trusted her, she’s much nicer than I am...

(she uses her power to weaken him, opens the door, and propels him out. Klaus then snaps his neck, he drops unconscious).

KLAUS: Too easy, every single time.

FREYA: Now what?

KLAUS: We take him for a lovely night in the woods; all gathered by the bonfire while he tells us his bedtime stories. (The woman, probably hearing some disturbance, comes running downstairs, catching them in the act).

WOMAN: (Freaking out) Oh, my god! We’re being kidnapped! Help! (As she tries to make a run for it, Klaus grabs her and compels her to forget. She calmly walks back inside and shuts the door).

KLAUS: (To The Madame) Thank you for your help.

THE MADAME: I always expect something in return, dear. (Flirtatious) When the time is right,  you can buy me a drink.

KLAUS: (Staring at her in intrigue) I must insist, I feel like I know you from years ago… Certainly before we met.

THE MADAME: (Smirks) Maybe from another lifetime, dear. 

Now, I suggest we get going before he wakes up. He can get rather violent. You can drop me off on the way to wherever it is you are going to.

Cut to – Augustus’s underground facility. Little Edward, who has been increasing his erratic behavior, is in the tech maintenance ward. SA Connelly and the tech team are running a system check to try and figure out what is happening to him.

 TECH TEAM MEMBER: I’ve updated his system, ran all antivirus programs, he should be fine…

SA CONNELLY: He still thinks he saw Edward; clearly, he’s not.

TECH TEAM MEMBER: Software and hardware-wise, there are no issues. We’ve inspected it multiple times. Maybe we should ask Darius to run some Bio tests; that’s in his court.

SA CONNELLY: He’s not here right now, so keep trying.

TECH TEAM MEMBER: He’s been gone a lot lately. Does he have a girlfriend or something?

SA CONNELLY: That’s none of our business, but unless it’s Bonnie Bennett, I doubt it. That man is obsessed with her.

TECH TEAM MEMBER: Am I sensing some jealousy in that tone?

SA CONNELLY: That’s ridiculous. I couldn’t care less who he dates. Now, get back to work. 

Cut to – The Lockwood mansion. Tyler and Matt are in the living room having a late-night snack and a couple of beers.

 TYLER: This shit is insane, man. I feel like we’re in an action movie.

MATT: Tell me about it. Has Mad Max vibes written all over it.

TYLER: I know! Did K and Anthony make it to the cabin okay?

MATT: Yeah, she called me a couple of hours ago. They’re fine, her mother is with them too.

TYLER: Good, she’ll need that.

MATT: Did I make the wrong decision? Not going with them?

TYLER: I’ll be honest, it would’ve been the safest choice. But the Matt I know would never forgive himself for not fighting for what he believes in. Plus, you’re the Mayor now! This town needs you.

MATT: As long as we’re being honest, I’m not sure it’s for me. Too much political correctness and pretension. I like to keep things real, get my hands dirty.  

TYLER: It figures; you’ve never been one to put up with bullshit.

MATT: I thought that with that kind of power I could actually make a difference, bring some actual change. But it’s all a chess game to them, no one is in it for the good of the people, they all have their own agendas.

TYLER: I know that world, all too well, bro. Trust me, it’s all a farce. Real change comes from the common man, not from the elite. They couldn’t give a shit about anyone but themselves.

MATT: Well, there’s always time to go back to basics.

TYLER: What about Sheriff Jackson?

MATT: She’s one of the best Sheriffs this town has ever had! I’m not talking about going back to that. What I’m saying is that, if we succeed at this, I’m moving back to Peru. The humanitarian work K and I did down there has been one of my life’s best accomplishments. It’s the happiest I’ve ever been.

TYLER: I’ll only allow it if you guarantee I have a room for myself when I go visit.

MATT: (Smiles) I’ll even decorate it myself!

TYLER: Please don’t! I’m already having nightmares about the puppy theme!

MATT: It’s crazy to think that not so long ago we were just a couple of dorks whose biggest problem was who would play center field. Look at us now…

TYLER: We sure have come a long way. For better or worse.

MATT: I’ve never been the religious type, but I have faith that whatever comes, it will lead to good things for all. Humans, witches, werewolves, vampires alike.

TYLER: Matt Donovan, embracing the supernatural… Now I’ve seen it all. I think I’m ‘bout to cry!

MATT: (Teasing) You’re a dick…

TYLER: Hey! You’re gonna be a father soon. Better watch your language!

MATT: I love you, man.

TYLER: I love you too. And whatever does happen, I’mma be with you till the end.

MATT: That makes two of us (they hug).

TYLER: (Looks at his watch) Shit! I’m running late.

MATT: It’s midnight, where are you going at this time?

TYLER: Okay, grandpa, if you must know, I’m going stargazing with my lady. Gonna give me a curfew too?

MATT: (Smirks) Fuck off.

TYLER: Yeah, that’s the plan, if  I get lucky (winks).

MATT: I’m gonna forget I heard that. Have a good night, bro. I’ll see you in the morning (as he is walking upstairs, his cellphone rings. Much to his surprise, it’s Edward).

Cut to – The Bamon home. Bonnie and Damon are playing Monopoly. Kai is in charge of being the bank.

 KAI: I’m starting to think you only invited me so I could be the bank! Smart move, Bonster; Damon always steals from the bank; but still...

DAMON: Not at all, pal! We love having you around! And for the record, I don’t steal!

KAI: Come on, I saw you do it multiple times in the prison world! You really need to learn how to lie better, Damon. But why go through the trouble? Couldn’t Caroline, Stefan, or that hot chick that is staying with you do it instead?

BONNIE: Sage is doing research on the serum. Stefan and Caroline are in the distillery, it’s their date night.

KAI: That’s a thing? You people are so weird. Have to say though, the three of us together again, it’s nice! Without the murdery stuff, of course. We have to treasure every moment; in case we don’t pull this off.

BONNIE: True (awkward silence for a bit).

KAI: Okay, I’ll be the first to address the elephant in the room. What’s up with you two? I’m sensing some tension, and I don’t think it has anything to do with our Stranger Things team-up.

DAMON: I’m glad you asked, buddy! Bon, care to tell Kai what’s really going on here?

BONNIE: Damon, we had a deal… You’re just feeling threatened ‘cause I’m whooping your ass.

DAMON: I have the two blue ones, so…

BONNIE: And no money to do any real harm with them, so...

DAMON: Don’t underestimate the pink ones, Bon. They’ll get me there, slowly but surely.

BONNIE: One land on my block, and you’re bankrupt.

DAMON: Good thing I’m feeling lucky today…

KAI: Uhm, are we still talking about Monopoly? I’m totally lost with this conversation.

BONNIE: And I have to go to the lady’s room. (Turns to Kai) Make sure he doesn’t cheat! (She walks away. As soon as she is out of sight, Damon leans in to talk to Kai).

DAMON: Listen, Kai. Bonnie is attempting to teleport to Germany to check on Elena.

KAI: That’s insane, and potentially dangerous. She doesn’t know how it works yet.

DAMON: My point exactly! But you know how she is. We made a deal, whoever wins this game gets to make the decision. So, I’m gonna need your help to change my luck…

KAI: She’ll know we’re cheating if you miraculously pull money out of “nowhere”.

DAMON: I know! But she won’t know if the odds turn in my favor… You know what I mean?

KAI: If you’re referring to magic, I think you’re forgetting she bound my powers. I’m all dry.  

DAMON: Shit! Forgot about that! Well, my plan is clearly screwed!

KAI: You lack ingenuity, Damon. Monopoly might be a game of luck, but it’s also about patience and making wise investment decisions. You’re too greedy, always going for the high-end properties. Procure the second block, and the tables will turn.

DAMON: How the hell am I supposed to do that!

KAI: With patience, and yes, a little cheating. I’ll make sure to slip a small amount of cash flow from time to time, so she doesn’t get suspicious. 

DAMON: That’s it? That’s your master plan?! Might as well end the game now!

KAI: Patience, Damon. You really need to work on that. Now, if you let me finish. I might not have magic, but I’m a wizard with rapid hand movements and distractors, so I’ll make sure the dice rolls in your favor. And when I blink you buy, or put in a house if you have the set; understood?

DAMON: I’m trusting you with this, Kai. If I lose, I swear I’ll tell Bon-Bon about your Vega’s Whitney Houston bride.

KAI: I knew you would use that as leverage against me someday!

DAMON: (Smirks, sarcastically) See how well we know each other? That’s some bro love, my brother!

KAI: Ooh, yeah; no. Let’s not do that.

DAMON: I knew it the minute it came out of my mouth…

Cut to – Stefan and Caroline in the distillery. He’s cooked a delicious dinner for them, and set a romantic picnic setting for their date night.

 CAROLINE: As always, you never cease to amaze me. This is beautiful… 

STEFAN: Who would have thought a distillery could be so romantic?!

CAROLINE: Don’t know about others, but this one surely is. At least when it’s not the meeting spot for a bunch of crazies (they laugh).

STEFAN: Can’t say we lack imagination…

CAROLINE: Not in the slightest. Are you really okay, though? After seeing Silas?

STEFAN: I’m fine. I was actually pleasantly surprised. I know he did some terrible things to all of us, but he seemed genuinely willing to right his wrongs. Guess everyone deserves a chance to at least try.

CAROLINE: And that is why I love you so much. You never give up on anyone.

STEFAN: I will admit, though, I couldn’t help but feel a little pleasure at Klaus’s reaction to the true original story… Man, was he pissed!

CAROLINE: (Grins) I know, right?! That was epic! And Rebekah’s reaction, I think was even better!

STEFAN: Have to say, out of all the awkward moments I’ve lived through, that was definitely in the top five. The whole thing was so strange…

CAROLINE: I know… Okay, just between us, do you really think we can do this? This is above and beyond what we’ve ever done.

STEFAN: Just between us, I don’t know. What I do know is that if we don’t, and if what’s to come is inevitable, I’ll be thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to have you in my life.

CAROLINE: Me too… And I always find comfort in knowing that, wherever and however, we’ll always find a way to each other.    

STEFAN: You, me, and the girls; that’s how we roll.

CAROLINE: About that… I’ve been thinking. As much as we love them, I don’t think it’s the healthiest thing for their parents and their respective others to live under the same roof. I know we get along great, but as couples I think we need our own space.

STEFAN: Are you talking about moving out of the mansion?

CAROLINE: If this all works out, yes. Unless you don’t want to… I know how important that house is to you.

STEFAN: It is, which is why I left it to you. But it has its own purpose now.

CAROLINE: My thoughts exactly. I think it’s time we had a home of our own...

STEFAN: What about the girls?

CAROLINE: We don’t have to move far; they can stay with us whenever they want. I was actually thinking we could remodel the cabin…

STEFAN: I do love that cabin…

CAROLINE: So, what do say?

STEFAN: I say we do it!

CAROLINE: (Giddy) Really?

STEFAN: I do have one minor condition…

CAROLINE: Whatever you want!

STEFAN: We get the girls the exact same model bicycle you had.

CAROLINE: (Touched) How did I ever get so lucky to have hitched you?

STEFAN: I ask myself that same question in reverse, every single day…(they kiss). 

Now, I have one last surprise… 

But I swear, Caroline Elizabeth Forbes, if you tell anyone about this, I’ll file for divorce! 

(He takes out a karaoke machine, and sings to Selena Gomez’s, “Love You Like A Love Song”).

Cut to – Bamon’s bedroom.

 BONNIE: I can’t believe you won! You swear you didn’t cheat?

DAMON: You heard Kai, he said fair game.

BONNIE: But I was kicking your ass!

DAMON: You got too greedy, Bon. Told you, slowly but surely wins the game. Now, a deal is a deal, so I guess it’s a no on the jump.

BONNIE: But that wasn’t our deal. The jump was never in question. Only thing that changes is that we’ll be doing it together.

DAMON: Bon, come on… Can’t Ric or Matt go? They’re not looking for them, they’ll be safe to fly.

BONNIE: Do you trust me?

DAMON: Of course I do. Why would you ask me that?

BONNIE: I need to be the one that goes. I can feel it in my gut.

DAMON: (Hesitant) Just promise me that if anything happens, and we lose each other for some reason, we’ll find our way back to one another.

BONNIE: I promise… (kisses him).

DAMON: So, what should I pack?

BONNIE: (Smirks) I don’t think we’ll need any luggage.

DAMON: Then I’m ready when you are…

BONNIE: Okay, for this to work, I think I need to see the place where we’re going to first. Elena mentioned she found out that her father did some research at the university a while back. She sent me a pic of him in front of the main gate with one of her post cards. Should have it somewhere around here… (she starts looking around in one of  her drawers). Ah, here it is! We’re good to go.

DAMON: We’re doing this now?!! I thought we’d wait till morning?

BONNIE: The sooner the better. Ready? (Holds her hand out).

DAMON: Wait, no… I need to get something (he vamps into his walk-in closet, opens his safe, puts the ring box in his pocket and vamps back). Now I’m ready (takes her hand, looks into her eyes and teases…) 

Do you think it'll hurt?

BONNIE: (Smirks) I don’t know… (she opens a portal, and off they go…)

  TVD 10x06 - Blast to the Past. Hope you stop by, read, and enjoy! =)

[sullustangin]

Socrates and the Echoes of Oblivion

After re-playing Echoes of Oblivion, I’m thinking that this part of the patch is a massive Socratic Problem.

Disclaimer:  I think the Flashpoint was under-written (not enough time/money/vocal talent due to COVID) which led to no major new revelations about any of the characters.  If we had found out new stuff, then I think I would be more inclined to say it is what the game says it is: an adventure in Satele’s mind.  But since we didn’t, it wasn’t.  This is me going off on a lark again, so enjoy the theorycrafting.

What is the Socratic Problem?

So, when Socrates was condemned for 'impiety’ and ‘corrupting the young’ -- aka, stirring sedition and civil unrest against a corrupt government - not only was he put to death but all of his works were destroyed as well.  Essentially, all we know today about Socrates and his philosophy come through his students.  Plato is a biggie.  He claims many times throughout his works that a certain opinion was Socrates, and he also used him as the ‘hero’ or main character in his philosophical dialogues - Socrates almost always wins. 

Here’s the Socratic Problem:  is this a true representation of Socrates, as he was?  Or is this the fond memory of a dear student of a lost master?  Is Plato telling the facts, telling the truth, or making  Socrates fan fiction?

....what the hell does that have to do with Echoes of Oblivion?

I think we’re dealing with the same problem here when we supposedly go into Satele’s mind.  I don’t think we do.  I think this is just another exploration of the mind of the player character and their trauma from the last 10 years.

Is Satele sick with a virus?  Yes.  Is the Emperor trying to grow a collective being that he can manifest in?  Yes, preferably Satele-shaped and powered by her students’ life force. 

But the second that the player goes into that trance with Kira and Scourge, everything is only happening in the player’s mind.  Nobody else is in there.  Darth Marr suggests as much.  When the player chooses “You seem very insightful,”  he replies, “I know only what you know.”

It’s like writing your own fan fic -- your characters know what you know, as the author. If they make a mistake about their own biography, it’s because you lacked the knowledge.  In turn, if they are aware of something other characters are not, it’s because of you.  To me, that line says that everything we see happen is the Alliance Commander’s ‘mental fan fic’ about killing the Emperor. 

There is no revelation of information about the characters that the player works with.  We learn nothing new about Scourge, Kira, the Emperor’s family, Revan -- we’ve met all of them, but there’s no ‘secret past’ uncovered....

Not even for Satele... whose mind we’re supposedly in. 

And indeed, the only things the character sees are their own memories.  Remember that little padawan on Tython?  That’s not Satele; Satele re-discovered Tython -- she was never a student there. 

Why do all of the possible player character classes have memories of Tython?  Because of the Tython/Korriban incursions.  (I know mechanically, this is skippable in game, but work with me here.)  The Outlander becomes the Outlander because they caught the eye of the Emperor at Ziost, which only happens because of Yavin 4, which only happens because of Rishi, which only happens because of the conspiracy discovered at Tython and Korriban.

This makes me want to conclude that we’re never in Satele’s head, actually; there is nothing revealed about her that we don’t already know. So who is the padawan?  Maybe the player saw one of the little kids cowering after the incursion -- maybe that stuck in their minds for good or bad.  But historically speaking, that is absolutely not Satele.

And Marr let us in on that secret... but that’s not Marr. That is our memory of Marr.  Marr the realist.  Marr, who confronted the truth that his approach to the Force had been wrong in life -- and admitted it.  Marr, the truth teller.  Marr the Socratic Problem.

In fact, all the people we see in that dream/vision/mind adventure are our Socratic images of people we’ve encountered before. That includes Revan, who the player met during the Yavin 4 op and appears as a Force ghost before they go into a trance. 

...ok.  So what was the whole flashpoint, by that logic?

The flashpoint isn’t Satele’s mind.  It’s the playable character’s mind.  Everything that happens?  Essentially the player’s fan fic about how they really killed the Emperor.  Everything is representative and completely controlled by the memory of the player.  Remember, “My mind, my rules” in the finale of KotET.

That is, until the very end when Satele ‘wakes up’ and reveals that she and her students have been playing dead, essentially; they let the Emperor think he had consumed and dominated them.  They let his arrogance think they had toppled easy, with Satele barely hanging on by a thread.  While she dangled, the Emperor turned his attention to the player character.  The second that the player entered the trance, Satele, the students, and the Emperor all ‘changed instances’ to the player’s mind, not Satele’s mind.  The only things there are things that that the player knew. 

What purpose does the Commander serve? 

Remember that the door swung two ways on the whole Emperor’s occupation of the Outlander’s mind.  Not only could the Outlander not get rid of Valkorion, but Valkorion could not get out. He never does regain the power to use the Outlander as a meat puppet; the Outlander fights too hard for Valkorion to get up off that throne and kill Lana/Theron/Senya/Arcann. 

Basically, Scourge and Kira are using the Commander as a cage.  Remember that the imprint of Tenebrae (the so-called virus) doesn’t know anyone.  Valkorion, Vitiate -- they’re manifestations of a personality that is currently running on a backup file that was made once and not updated.  Valkorion ‘knows’ thanks to Kira’s memories that he lived in the Outlander.  Vitiate ‘knows’ he controlled Kira and the Jedi Knight in the past... but neither of them remember how that worked.  They have the facts, gleaned from sources after the fact, but they have no active memory of doing these things.

That means Valkorion doesn’t necessarily ‘know’ or ‘remember’ how trapped he was in the Outlander’s mind.  He sees this powerful person, he wants that powerful person to control... and can’t remember what happened last time.

The Emperor is all too keen to run into the trap that is the Commander’s head.  Another big powerful creature like Satele Shan he can dominate and control -- and off he went to try to consume the player’s mind.  But he forgot what happened at the end of that story! 

But Satele says it’s her mind and her trap.

And so it is.  I do think Satele was containing the Emperor until Scourge and Kira arrived with the player character.  As I say above, I think there’s a moment where everyone ‘changed instances’ into the player’s mind, which is the cage of Valkorion.  Otherwise, I think we would have seen things and done things that would reveal more about Satele.  We only see and hear things that the player knew before they went into a trance. 

Ultimately, the spirit/essence/soul/whatever of the Emperor is defeated by the Jedi Force plan thing that Scourge and Kira and Satele cooked up. They just use the player as a holding pen, essentially; worked before, so why not now?

Also, the end scene of the the flashpoint (the one with Satele) can be very self-indulgent.  Want to kill Satele?  Oh, if only you could.   You want to confess how you regret your decision regarding exiling/killing Theron?  Forgive me, Mother, for I have sinned.  Want your mother-in-law’s approval, if you romanced Theron?  Here you go.  Want a Grand Master to say what a great and powerful Jedi/Sith you are?  You get a compliment, you get a compliment...  It’s whatever the player wants Satele to say to them.  So again, this is all a happy coda to the flashpoint that the player in their own mind dreams up. (Granted, is that not the function of video games?  Us being the hero?  Us getting a little wish fulfillment?)

Can that still be real, if we 'change instances’ back into Satele’s mind once the Emperor is defeated?  Sure. If you believe Dream!Satele is real (and reusing her campground on Odessen), go for it. 

**

As I said at the top, I have a feeling this is more of a product of under-developed writing than a deliberate deep dive in to Socrates.  I wish we did find out more about Satele; Theron indicated he didn’t want to go in because he didn’t want to dig deep into her psyche.  He didn’t know what we would find -- turned out to be nothing, but... there could have been something. 

[morningmaple]

FFXV Official Works is Embarrassingly Bad

The English version, anyway.

I'm convinced the people who translated this book have never played the game and had no idea what they were talking about like, at all.

I’ve only been through the first section (story retelling) and so far I’ve found incorrect facts, bad translations, and awful printing:

I'm convinced the people who translated this book has never played the game and just went did a plain translation job which just hasn't worked. Whined? I'd love to see the original Japanese. Maybe "whine" is one of the possible translations but it certainly isn't the correct one.

Also er, he hadn't even complained that way? So I don't know what the writers are on about. He was angry about his dad and then basically went, fine, I've got no choice. But there was no whining or complaining or any sort? Or is my memory failing me?

"....Umbra appears. Umbra runs off...." For a professionally printed book that’s an awful paragraph.

Gentiana was apparently "lying in wait"?  To shiv Noct, presumably?

SYLVA, not Shiva.

I think they mean Niflheim. I'm dying of second hand embarrassment.

Thirty years ago, when Regis was both prince and king. It was a confusing time indeed.

That's not how it happened??? Or is my memory failing again??? She went to him, he was unconscious, but by then his battle was done, he didn't wake up to finish off the Hydraean???

A kingdom, certainly, but not his kingdom. Or did Regis become king of Tenebrae?

Gentiana is the sole deity clinging to power? I’m so lost?

I think "rejoicing" is taking it a bit far. Just a tiny, tiny bit.

"Shrinking in disgust?" Did they?

AFTER saving the world? But it's the eve of the final battle? I mean even if you don't know the game you'd know that doesn't make sense?

Someone needs to get to the altar quickly! So the tactician ponders his next step.

And lastly let’s talk about quality. Look at these massive patches of black. Look at Aranea’s armour. I get that these are console screenshots not high res Windows edition but even on my PS4 the screen didn’t look like THIS:

And this is only the first part of the book.

I don’t know if I dare to read the rest of it, or if I should just return it for a refund now.

[secret-engima]

So the Demons Verse is inhabited by fantastical races, yes? Not, I assume, JUST humans and daemons? What other races are there, and does each kingdom have it’s own main race? ie. demons for the Night Kingdom, humans for Lucis, such and such. (Maybe merpeople for Altissia, can we please have merfolk in Altissia??) And how do these other kingdoms react to the new Accursed?

Yes actually! Lucis is actually the most mixed kingdom for Historical Reasons my brain is too tired to make up on the spot rn. The original population was primarily Human, but that was back in like- Somnus’s time. By now everyone in Lucis is so used to seeing Elves, Dwarves, Fairies, hybrids, and the occasional Mer that no one bats an eye. That said, the other kingdoms are more heavily biased toward one fantasy race or other, even if the other races are scattered throughout.

Yes, Accordo is a kingdom of Mer. Altissia, the capital, is their only above-water city, meant to facilitate trade and communications. The canals are their primary roads but there are all sorts of waterpark style lanes and pools and things on the level of the stone streets so people can chat and be eye level.

Tenebrae is a kingdom of Fairies, deceptively delicate looking beings who are about the height of a human (not teeny thank you) and with razor sharp teeth. The Oracle is a Fairy Queen btw.

Niflheim is an Elven run kingdom, because I said so and because having humans be the evil empire dudes is boring. Of course, because of all the territory they’ve conquered, there are a LOT of other members from different races in there (barring merfolk, because the Niflheim continent is traditionally Desert and that was before they managed to tick off the Glacian and get cursed to nigh-on eternal winter).

Then of course, because fantasy world, there are other kingdoms that weren’t there in canon. Galahd is it’s own kingdom for one (inhabited by humans who hoard the magic art of skin-changing to themselves) that is a long-standing ally with Lucis, if an aloof one. There’s also a teeny kingdom up around the Rock of Ravatogh primarily inhabited by dwarves. Supposedly because they’re too stubborn to leave despite the semi-active volcano right outside their capital but mostly it’s because nobody ELSE wants to come near the semi-active volcano and they like their privacy and the lack of invasion risk this gives them.

Up in Niflheim, mostly by the shores or way up in the mountains, there are still human-run kingdoms btw. Niflheim leaves those scattered kingdoms alone (for now) because frankly all of those humans stubborn enough to live in first a desert and then a SNOW covered desert (and/or near the choppy waters of the ocean) is a bit too stubborn to be worth crushing (yet). Nobody is entirely expecting the uneasy non-aggression treaty to last up there, since the new and young (by elf standards) Emperor Aldercapt is not the relatively reasonable type his father was.

Also there’s a kingdom of humans who claim to be Solheim survivors by the way. Not sure where, probably way up past Vesperpool where you can’t get to in FFXV.

Nobody likes to talk about them.

They’re arrogant and nuts and only leave everyone else alone because the Night King’s kingdom would be right on their doorstep if they caused any trouble.

Speaking of, Insomnia’s kingdom isn’t just the city, it’s the entire island on which the city is founded and also a little bit of the mainland besides.

Anyway, on your other question: FICLET TIME. 

Word of the new Accursed spreads ... slowly. Most don’t believe it, only notice something is up because the daemon attacks have stopped (daemons can travel through shadows all around the world barring warded areas like cities and Havens, they just don’t LIKE to, apparently it makes them feel slimy and tired, but the original Accursed made them do it so the attacks were worldwide things). At first they think like Mors did, that something is Up and everyone privately bids a sigh of relief that Lucis is the next door neighbor to the Accursed and not them (Barring Galahd, who is the oceanic next door neighbor, they all begin battening down the proverbial hatches).

Only the Oracle suspects something drastic and unseen has changed, because she ... she FELT something. Unexpectedly in the night, as if the entire world had cried out in surprised relief. She had woken up with a start and all of Tenebrae had woken up with her to gawk as their magically grown, softly glowing trees and flowers all lit up until it was as bright as day and then just as quickly faded back to their normal soft glow. But she has no idea WHAT happened, just that it was after that the daemon attacks stopped.

And then stay stopped.

For a year. And then a year and several months. No sound, no sight, no word, no whispers of black magic trying to build in the dark places to form the cursed Night Clouds that let daemons roam free in the day (note: daemons in this world will not die if subjected to sunlight, but OH BOY will they get sunburn and will get sick from it. Moon, starlight, and greatly diffused sunlight is okay, but cloudless/mostly cloudless days? Not even the Accursed could force them out of their homes then).

And then, just when everyone’s nerves are at their tightest-.

Lucis is overthrown.

Oh, OFFICIALLY it is fine, King Mors still reigns, there weren’t even any casualties, but all the spies and witness reports and shaky letters to family in other kingdoms say the same thing. The Accursed marched on Insomnia with a horde of daemons that were incalculable, Night Clouds rolling out all the way to the capital of Lucis, covering the city sky as if the wards meant to prevent that exact event meant NOTHING. Then, just as quickly, the horde turned and left and the clouds retreated.

They took the Crown Prince of Lucis with them.

Ohhhhh boy the gossip and panic. The disbelief and fear, because what has happened, what has changed to give the Accursed that much power? Surely something MUST have changed or else he would have done that and more long ago. Even the Empire quails from the implications, ceasing its tentative pokes at it’s sister continent for fear of stirring Insomnia.

But four more years go by and the attacks never resume. Hunters and travelers report daemons spotted at night, wandering by doing who knows what, but they ... are non-violent. They do not attack travelers or try to chase down caravans, they just go about their night as if they had never had a bloodthirsty thought in their lives (until someone attacks, and then suddenly the bloodlust is back and the offender is torn to shreds). People learn fast to just leave the daemons alone and be left alone in turn, but it Freaks People Out.

Finally, FINALLY, the tension cannot be born, and Queen Sylva herself leaves to investigate, her husband in place as regent and her daughter safe and sound, a new Oracle in case ... she ... well. Hopefully that won’t happen.

She flies alone, hidden from view with magic, and lands respectfully at the border of the Night Kingdom. Her magic flares, not enough to be anything like an assault, but enough to be noticed. A greeting of sorts. No Oracle has done this since ... centuries at least, more perhaps, but legends speak of this ritual, of a date and time and way for the Oracle to meet with the Accursed and be let free afterward (for amusement, not honor, but everyone knows the Accursed likes “playing by the rules” just to prove that the rules cannot stop him from winning). She hopes the legends are right.

An hour later, her escort arrives. She holds her head high as the daemons lead her into the dark.

The city is not anything like she imagined. It is dark, yes, but not nighttime black. This is the dull light of dusk and twilight, sunlight filtering through the clouds just enough to support the curling greenery reclaiming the ruins of the ancient city, not enough to burn the skin of the inhabitants. Foreign magic weaves through the air and ground, but it does not reek like the black arts Sylva has encountered in the wake of the unseen Accursed. This feels different. Old and wild and ... calm. Dangerous, incredibly so, but passive. A predator watching her pass by, too relaxed to bother tearing her apart.

More than the magic, the city is ... ALIVE. Daemons flit to and fro, not screaming and bloodthirsty like she has always seen, but calm. They chatter and warble in a tongue she doesn’t know, haggling in marketplaces and gossiping as she and her escort pass by. A few small ones that could only be called children scamper by, pausing to blink at her in awe and Sylva feels just as surprised. She didn’t know ... she didn’t know daemons even HAD children. No one did. Most assumed the Accursed just ... created them when he needed more using his black magic.

Then she sees the human and the world stops. She jerks to a halt without thinking and her escort stop with her, growling angrily at her pause but she does not care. Her wings flick out from her back in an expression of shock before settling.

The human looks just as surprised. He gapes at her, clean and well dressed and healthy, if pale from such low light. Then, to her increasing shock, he bows and falls in step with the escort, bossily pushing a daemon out of step to take its place with a low, inhuman chatter noise that sounds like a coarse imitation of the daemon’s tongue. He tentatively smiles at her after taking his spot in the escort and she cannot think of how to react. Especially when she spots MORE humans lurking in the streets alongside the daemons, talking and haggling and pausing to stare at her.

What are ... what are humans doing here? The Accursed hated all the races, but the fairies and the humans were easily the ones he hated most. How had they survived?

She does not get a chance to ask, because by now they are approaching what must be the Accursed’s home, a towering building untouched by the ruin of the others. She is led inside and straight to a throne room that fits all her expectations (dark, ominous, with furs and trophy racks lining the walls, lit with will o’wisps) save for the inhabitants. Especially its king.

The Accursed is nothing like she expected. He is human. Physically he looks only about ... oh perhaps his late twenties or thirties, only a little older than her little Luna, who is only just now learning the rites and spells of Oracle magic. His hair is black and neatly kept, his clothes are fine, if a bit worn, and his skin is pale, but not unhealthily so. More strangely, she sees none of the signs of black magic she knew she should have been. His skin is not bloodless white, there are no patches of thick black stones from where the evil magic has managed to break free of his body and crystalize and a hundred other symptoms that are all ... not there. She thinks it’s an illusion until he straightens up on his throne and meets her eyes. They are blue, blue and clear as a summer sky. There is no hint of acidic yellow, no smoky swirls of black-grey where whites should be, no slitted pupils. His eyes ... are normal.

No black mage, no matter how skilled or old or cursed, could cast an illusion on their eyes. That was the price for using that magic. That was an unbreakable rule of magic itself. Magic had its colors, and those colors effected the eyes of the wielder and those effects could NOT be hidden (especially not while using spells, but even just passively. It was why Lucis Caelums always had blue eyes, and Oracles always had white-blue).

She stops, barely notices the daemon guards calmly filing out, as if she was not even a threat to be watched anymore, and tries to understand what she is seeing.

There is movement at the Night King’s side and she is startled to see Prince Regis, King Mors’ missing son, the one captured and dragged away as the price for Lucis’s continued existence. He is not a tormented, enslaved wreck she would have expected, he is dressed well, his face is unmarred by pain, his eyes, too, are clear of any curse or enthrallment as he bends down to whisper something in the Night King’s ear, almost like an ... advisor of some kind?

She reaches out with her magic, just a tiny tendril, out of sheer disbelief, looking for the spell that must be placed on the human prince no matter what her eyes are telling her. Before the magic can reach the prince, the Accursed’s gaze sharpens and his own magic snaps out. But instead of the biting pain of black magic meeting white and both burning the other in a flare of agony, her magic is given the equivalent of a light, scolding rap on the knuckles. A teacher warning a child to mind their manners and Not Touch and her wings flick as she tastes the unmistakable ozone-rainy texture of crystal magic on her tongue. Old and deep and far more powerful than she’s ever known it, not since the original rites and spells for it were lost, more powerful than any in written history even, but unmistakable.

The man on the throne is a Lucis Caelum.

“You have journeyed far,” says the Night King, the impossibility, on his throne as his magic settles down again, his lips twitching in a gentle sort of amusement she cannot comprehend, “to grace us with your presence, Queen Oracle. You come alone, as well. Are you not afraid?”

“Have I need to be?” She asks cautiously in return, “Has the hospitality of the Night King on this honored day and night, upheld since the times of the Fall, been rescinded?”

It is not her Oracle senses, or even her Queen sensibilities that spot the flicker of surprise and lost confusion on the man’s face, but those of a mother who is used to seeing her children pretend to be wiser and more mature than they are to impress her, only to stumble when they encounter something unknown. Another whisper from Prince Regis and the expression clears and his eyes light with understanding that is so innocent and fascinated that she cannot stop or shake the new, terrifying and fascinating, realization from her bones.

“It has not,” says the Night King smoothly, “yet I must ask, for what reason do you come?”

“I come,” she says slowly, “to greet the newly crowned Night King, and, if it pleases His Majesty, to receive answers to some questions.”

There is a frozen silence where the humans lurking in the shadows all gape at her. Then-.

Laughter. Soft and short and weary, but honest and not unkind, “I was wondering,” says the man (boy, for although age clings to his bones like a heavy cloak, she does not think he is a man by Immortal standards, not yet, or at least he shouldn’t but is, just like all children forced to grow up too fast) as he stands up and begins limping (limping and what blow could permanently injure an Immortal? Those who survive even burning to ash on the wind? She can think of only one answer, and the surety of her realization grows) down the stairs to meet her on even ground, “if anyone on the outside would figure it out.”

He stops before her, amusement mixed with only a thread of wariness in his eyes, a human too old to be natural, an Immortal too young to be ruling, “What gave me away?”

She stares into his eyes and feels the ancient power of her bloodline, the intuition that marked them as seers, stir. For a moment she tastes memory and pain, a curse willingly taken to spare the lives of others, a price willingly paid as blood weeps free of should-be mortal wounds. For a moment memory not her own whispers poisonously in her ears “The throne sits only one.” and in her blood another voice responds, “Off my chair, Jester, the King sits there.” She pushes it away, those are not her memories to keep or her burdens to bear. Those belong to the young Night King standing before her, looking at her without fear, but instead nostalgic fondness, as if he looks at her and sees the ghost of another at her shoulder (one of her ancestors perhaps, and the thought gives her pause).

“Your eyes,” she settles on finally, “the original Accursed had yellow eyes.” She has never seen him to know of course, but all practitioners of the Black Arts got them before the poisonous magic killed its own wielder, and the Accursed would have been no different despite his stubborn survival in the face of the death curse Black Magic gave all its wielders.

There is a flicker of surprise, then sadness, “Yes,” he agrees with a knowing that comes from experience, “they were.” He blinks as if to banish a memory, then dips his chin in greeting and gestures a hand toward one of the side doors of the Throne Room, “It is far too early for dinner,” he says politely, “but I am certain Ignis would be able to make something light to help you relax from your journey. Will you talk with me over tea?”

Feeling off balance and aware he could tell despite her calm facade, she dips her chin and flicks her wings in a return greeting, one monarch to another, “I would be honored.”

[cryxmercy]

post tenebras lux || mercy & arthur {flashback}

Mercy gets her sight back. And as usual, everything is fine. 

When: About one month ago, during one of the last days of the carnival.  Where: Carnival grounds; Arthur’s house Who: Mercy and Arthur @arthurjdrake​

TW: blood (non-medical), injury, body horror, eyes

Mercy loved carnivals. The lights, the games, the sideshows, the laughter and screams of kids and their families out having a good time (and getting the hell scared out of them on occasion), and the food. Especially the food. So it was a small blessing that Mercy hadn’t lost her senses of taste and smell along with her sight. Sight that hadn’t shown the slightest hint of returning. 

She knew Arthur was worried; so was she. To the point where she was starting to slip into a state of mind that did little to help things. She’d felt angry, depressed, frightened, and even wondered if staying ‘dead’ would’ve been better. For Arthur at least. Though she hadn’t voiced that last one. It was just a brief thought anyway, and nothing she really believed. Tack on bouts of insomnia mixed with nightmares about black water that saw her waking suddenly, gasping for breath and terrified when everything was still dark, and it hadn’t been the best of times. For either of them. 

So even if she couldn’t see the carnival lights or anything else, that hadn’t stopped her from doing her best to have a good time. And make sure Arthur - whose idea it was to come out tonight, even if Mercy was fairly sure he was just trying to cheer her up -  was having one too. 

She held his arm as they walked through the midway towards the exit, a bag of cotton candy and a hard-won stuffed cow dangling from her free hand. “You’re sure you don’t want one of those giant stuffed animals before we leave? I bet I could still win you one.” 

While Arthur wasn’t certain about any kind of event or carnival in White Crest of all places, the idea of getting Mercy out of the house if only for a few hours seemed like a good idea. So they’d walked down from his house and Arthur had taken the time while they’d meandered around stands to describe the things to see while figuring Mercy’s other senses would help build a picture for her in her mind’s eye.

The stuffed cow was a given, as soon as he’d mentioned it he’d been unscrupulously directed over towards it by his companion and the fishing game beyond. It had taken several unsuccessful attempts to catch a plastic frog with the tiny fishing stick he’d been given but eventually he’d snagged one and the cow was the obvious choice.

Cotton candy (he hated the stuff) and toffee popcorn had come next, and he was just shoving a handful of popcorn in his mouth when Mercy spoke. “Dun’mind” his words were a little garbled by his mouthful of sweet-treats “m’not fussed.” He was just glad to see her a bit brighter.

Mercy laughed a bit at his muffled answer. “You can share mine then.” She waved the cow in his direction. It had been a fun evening, the best they’d had in awhile. And Mercy was loath for it to come to an end. But all things did, and she tried to make the best of it as they took their time walking back towards Arthur’s house. 

It was still disconcerting, not being able to see. And in a place like White Crest, it could also be dangerous. But Mercy chose not to think about that right now. Or what might happen if her sight never returned. They would simply have to find a new way forwards. Whatever that might mean. And Mercy would have to find a way not to feel like a burden. 

“Thank you. For dragging me out,” Mercy said as they left some of the noise behind. “I had a good time.” 

“One cow s’enough f-- us,” he said around another mouthful of popcorn, the toffee sticking his teeth together a little and he made a strange face as he tried to work the fragments free with his tongue mildly concerned he might pull out a filling or two. But hey, that was all part of the fun.

The music faded behind them as they walked away from the carnival, the mist clinging a little around their legs not that Arthur mentioned it considering it was more than a little disconcerting. But nothing had jumped out at them and that was the big thing.

“You’re welcome,” he said after a little while of walking, “I’m glad… That was the aim.”

“For now…” she said, grinning playfully. But left it at that. She really was happy with her new prize. She just couldn’t help but tease him, even now. The music was replaced by the usual sounds of the evenings. Nightbirds, crickets, the far-off hum of light traffic, and the water that wasn’t that far off the closer they got to Arthur’s house. Mercy couldn’t see the mist that trailed after them, breaking away like gossamer once it was clear they weren’t returning to the carnival. 

She gave a small hum and let her hand slip into his. “Did you?” she asked quietly. “Have a good time?”  

“You’re not getting a cow, it’s absolutely not happening,” he certified once again just to make sure that point truly was driven home. “Why’d you want a cow anyways? Why not a goat?” Arthur shook his head at the sentiment of keeping cows. So much effort for one animal it truly wasn’t worth it. He’d rather get a horse or something generally purposeful.

“Yeah,” he answered after a little more walking down the street. All in all it hadn’t been the worst, and watching the carnie’s face at the axe throwing when he’d had to give Frey the directions on how to throw the axe to compensate for all the rigs put in place. It had been a nice afternoon all things considered. “I’ve missed this… Just us, spending time together doing stuff… just normal stuff you know?”

As usual, Mercy sighed when Arthur (as usual) said no to the idea of a real cow. “Goats are little bastards who get into everything. And they’ll eat my flowers.” It was a fact as far as Mercy was concerned. “But they are cute.” 

She smiled at his answer. “Good. You deserve a nice time. Especially after putting up with me.” Mercy was mostly kidding about herself, but there was still a part of her that felt like a burden. But she didn’t linger over it as they walked on. She tipped her head sightly in Arthur’s direction, smiling again - a bit softer this time - as he said he’d missed them spending time together. A humorous quip sat on Mercy’s tongue, but it faded away. She didn’t have the heart the joke about such a thing right now. 

“Me too,” she said quietly. “Maybe we should… do it more often.” 

“Goats are cute, and take up less room than cows do.” Why Mercy wouldn’t let this one go was beyond him, but perhaps that was just going to be one of the many things he simply didn’t understand. “But anyway, you’ve got a cow now so you can’t complain at me anymore.”

“Bah,” Arthur gave her a small nudge as they walked, “it’s hardly the first time I’ve had to look after you. D’you remember that time you got so drunk you got in an argument with a lamp=post ‘bout it getting in your way? I’m the one that had to drag you away before you punched the damn thing and broke your hand.

“We should. Where else do you want to go? And don’t suggest a mime place… I’m certain our ban stretches across many of their establishments.”

“What if it’s a mini-cow?” she asked. “There not any bigger than a dog.” Honestly, as much as Mercy wanted a cow - she liked cows, okay? - it was starting to become a running joke between them. Though Mercy wasn’t quite sure how funny Arthur thought the whole thing was. Regardless, he was right. She did have her cow. “I do,” she nodded, giving the fluffy toy a hug as they walked. 

She nudged him back, laughing at the memory. “I do remember. But that lamppost knew damn well what it was in for. It provoked me.” Mercy was kidding. Mostly. “But… thank you…” she said a moment later, sobering slightly. “For always being there…” Unlike Mercy, who had been the one to run away. But she didn’t want to think about that and ruin a nice evening. 

“Oh… um…” Her brow furrowed in thought, but it softened as she laughed at the mention of mimes. “Good. May their children’s children’s children fear our wrath.” She held her cow aloft in emphasis, but dissolved into laughter after that. “How about… that music store that sells old vinyl and vintage instruments? And maybe the axe throwing place? I bet we can get our names on the leader board.”

“No cows. You’ve got your cow, end of,” Arthur side-eyed her at the plush toy she hugged at present. If he was honest he didn’t know where the joke ended and actual seriousness on the topic began. But here they were and Arthur wasn’t getting her a bloody cow no matter how many times she asked. “What’re you calling him?” Arthur asked after a moment, unable to help himself considering if you had a plush toy cow… Well, you had to give it a name didn’t you?

“Mhm, sure it did. Just there minding it’s own and it got in your way…” he tipped a brow in amusement but the look softened into something more subdued. Quieter and more thoughtful. “Welcome… But you don’t need to thank me when it’s what I’ll always do.” No matter the life or time.

“You’re a menace to society,” he grumbled but again it was spoken in jest unable to help himself from smiling at the memory. “But sure… Vintage records and axe throwing… What could go wrong?”

Mercy held up the plush in A Very Serious Way as it came time to give it a name. “Let’s call him… Milk. Milk the Cow.” She laughed at her own joke and tucked the toy back under her arm. The subject had run it’s course for the evening, and thoughts of cows slipped away as they neared the house. 

“Your sarcasm has reached Dungeon Master levels, sir,” Mercy teased. Though she sobered after that, holding his arm just a bit tighter. “I know…” She wanted to ask what would happen if she stayed this way. If she couldn’t protect him any longer. If she was nothing but a burden. But she didn’t. Again, not wanting to ruin what had been a nice evening. “As charged,” Mercy grinned brightly. “But I’m never boring,” she pointed out. They entered the yard and Mercy waited patiently while Arthur unlocked the door. “Nothing could go wrong,” she said with confidence as she felt her way along the hall once they were inside. “But think about all the things that could go right.” 

She felt her way into the kitchen to put her cotton candy away, but had barely reached the island when she felt a throbbing in her head. It wasn’t unusual at this point, but Mercy couldn’t help but frown. It hurt. So she sat down at the bar and closed her eyes, laying her head against her plushie cow as she waited on Arthur to join her. 

“Milk?!” it was a little incredulous and Arthur couldn’t help the snicker that escaped him at the name “of course you’d call it milk.” Really he shouldn’t have been surprised, it was such a Mercy type response to the question he’d posed having expected something like Clarabelle or the like. “Milk it is. Just know I’m never going to forgive you if I ask for the milk and you hand me the cow instead.”

“Well that event was a critical fail, come on, declaring you wanted to fight a lamppost just because you’re the one that couldn’t walk straight…” His grin was fixed as they neared the house, “no, I’d never dare call you boring that’s for sure.”

When they were back, Arthur shut the door and slipped his shoes off, pairing them neatly away in the cupboard a little further in following Mercy deeper into the house. Seeing her resting on the plush his head tilted a fraction, “do you want a coffee or anything? You look a little peaky tonight...“

“What else do you call a cow?” Mercy laughed, happy to hear Arthur doing the same. It was a good sound. And she wished he would do it more often. She gave a dramatic sigh as he called her out on something that hadn’t even happened yet. “I’d never dream of it.” Even though she totally would. 

“It was the wine’s fault then,” she said matter of factly. “You know I’m a lush sometimes.” Sometimes as in wine almost always went to her head. “And I always knew you were a smart man…” Mercy was many things, but boring wasn’t one of them. 

Back at the house, she wasn’t quite sure what had brought on the sudden headache this time. But they were more frequent over the last couple of weeks, so Mercy tried not to let them bother her too much. She didn’t want Arthur to worry any more than he already was. She hummed at his question, giving him a small, genuine - if slightly tired - smile. “Do I? Maybe I ate too much…” But something to drink sounded perfect. “Tea maybe? If that’s alright? There was some chamomile I think…” She pushed up in the chair, trying not to frown as the throb grew exponentially worse when she stood. If she grew more pale, it wasn’t as if she could tell. “I think I’ll… maybe take a quick shower too. We could… put on a film in a bit? If you like?”

“Clive,” Arthur answered decisively, the answer apparent in his mind that there would be no other option. But this was Mercy’s cow so the final buck stopped with her he supposed. He chuffed, shaking his head in fond amusement at a situation he could foretell was absolutely going to happen at some point down the line.

“Clive? That’s… that’s like… a serial killer's name. Clive.” She snorted a laugh. “We’ll call the next one that then.”

“I’m sure there’s a Clive in the world that’s super offended that you’ve dubbed him a serial killer,” Arthur chided with a small laugh.

“Right, well… At least it’s an improvement that you admit to it these days. The amount of times I’ve had to bundle you into a carriage just because you can’t walk straight...” he clicked his tongue in mild disapproval. 

It was hard for Arthur not to worry right now, the situation was hardly feasible for anything but worry considering what was going on right now. “Cotton candy… I keep telling you that stuff’s hellish. I don’t know how you can eat it.” But he worried his lip as he looked at her, moving over to touch her forehead with his hand as if he might sense… something off. Though he was hardly the one that was ever going to detect someone else’s temperature considering. “I’ll make some up. But okay. Will you be alright? I don’t want you to slip or anything.”

Still, talk of a film earned a nod not that she could see. “Sure. We could put Lord of the Rings on… Or something else if you fancy?”

She hummed, turning her head in his general direction. “And it’s called personal growth. But remind me to tell you the story of how much you used to love schnapps. Total lush, you were.” Mercy was slowly telling Arthur about the part of his life he couldn’t remember. It usually came in bits and pieces, stories relevant to whatever was happening at the moment, but they’d talked about it at length here and there too. 

“What can I say?” About the cotton-candy she’d consumed so much of. “I’ve got no sense of self-control.” She gave him a wan smile as the peakish feeling didn’t pass. His worry was palpable, even without her sight. And when he pressed his hand to her forehead, it felt nice. Warm and soft against her cool, clammy skin. Mercy hummed quietly at the sensation, leaning into it just a bit. “I’ll be careful. Promise.” She felt for his arm, giving it a squeeze. “Lord of the Rings is perfect.” 

“Yes, I’m aware. But very well, just…” he stopped himself from saying be careful, but knew the implication carried even if he tried not to hover and fuss. The lingering worry something he couldn’t help, especially as he took in how ill she really seemed to look now they were home and he could see her in the light. “I’ll be here, shout if you need anything.” And with that he watched her turn and leave, worrying his lower lip in concern but reminding himself that she was a grown adult and didn’t need him holding her hand. She can take care of herself.

“I will be.” Mercy finished his sentence for him. She knew he was worried. If the situation were reversed, she would’ve been doing the same thing. And Arthur would’ve likely been telling her he was fine too. What a pair they were. But she wasn’t going to fuss at him for it. And it wasn’t that she didn’t want help. She just… needed to do it herself. If this was permanent-

No. Mercy pushed that thought from her head as fast as it had appeared. The consequences were too much to think about right now. Only the irony was worse. And she didn’t want to think about that either.

After that, Mercy made her slow, careful way down the hall to the guestroom she’d been staying in. After finding some pajamas - which consisted of a pair of cotton shorts and an old t-shirt - she padded into the bathroom where she ran the water in the sink and splashed some on her face. The trip to her room had made the throbbing in her head ten times worse. For a long moment she stayed there, bent over the sink, letting the steam rise up into her face and willing the growing sensations of vertigo and nausea to leave. Mercy pressed a hand to her eyes as her head throbbed again. Only this time it was accompanied by the feeling of something wickedly sharp pressing into the back of them. The pain was sudden and intense, and so different from what she’d been experiencing that it caught her off-guard, and she made a muffled sound of distress as she felt the world tilt. 

The cold tile was unforgiving as Mercy fell to her hands and knees, bruises forming and healing in a matter of moments. She managed not to crack her skull open, though the pain and pressure was enough that she felt like her eyes would burst and her head would follow. She didn’t know if she had called out for Arthur, or if her voice had just been in her head. But by the time she heard footsteps coming up the hall, all the pain and the pressure was gone as quickly as it had come. Mercy was left with a ringing in her ears, and a cold sense of dread in her belly - like a lead weight - that wondered if she had imagined the pain and the lingering scent of copper in the air. 

Or if this was the moment she lost her sight for good. 

She can take care of herself. And yet five minutes later when the panicked cry came from upstairs, Arthur practically tossed the coffee mug he’d been sipping onto the side and bombed down the hallway and up the stairs. “Frey?!” he yelled a cold fear gripping him once more as his socks skidded on the wooden floor barging into the bedroom she’d been given and then hurrying to the bathroom where she currently knelt. 

“Hey-- Hey I’m here… What happened?” it was only as he knelt down that he saw it, the same as before. Twin tracks of crimson. “Oh no no no-- not again... “ wildly he searched around, grabbing a towel and pulling it down much as he had before. “I think we need to get you to a doctor or… Something. You’re… This happened before. Oh Gods.” Once he had the towel pressed to her eyes he fumbled for his phone almost dropping it and cracking the screen in his panic trying to dial with his thumb.

All Mercy’s previous thoughts had been consumed by the piercing throb in her head that had her on her hands and knees… red and white spots flashing across the darkness… and then Arthur was there and she was shaking her head that she didn’t know what had happened. 

“What is it?” she asked, leaning back against the counter as he pressed the towel to her eyes. She still felt a bit dizzy, but the pain was… gone. “Arthur?” He didn’t answer, but Mercy could feel his panic rising. Her own heart felt like it would beat out of her chest, and she reached for the towel, for the hand that held it to her face, and pulled them away. “Arthur! What’s… happening? Why’s there so much... blood??” Mercy froze, her grip on Arthur’s hand tightening. Blood. Red blood. Soaking one of Arthur’s white towels. “Oh-” She made a small sound, and blinked. Once. Twice. On the third blink she looked slowly in Arthur’s direction. 

Some things would never change and his proclivity for worrying and fretting overly so about people made it hard to focus on the best thing that could help at any time. “Your eyes, it’s happening again” Arthur answered, hastily thumbing in the number for an ambulance and ready to foot the bill for the call because this was what had happened the night she’d lost her vision. For it to happen again it must’ve been a sign that some complication had arisen. Gods they really should’ve asked a professional’s opinion.

“I don’t know!” he yelled, panicked, hitting dial and pulling the phone up to his ear half-ready to speak to the operator and explain whatever the hell was going on here. Not that he knew how to explain my friend’s eyes look like they’ve just exploded after several weeks of probably magic blindness over the phone. But he could improvise. The phone rang, Arthur worrying the sleeve of his jumper in fret right before a question that would change everything.

“Blo- What?” he questioned, shock striking any colour from the pallor of his cheeks staring at her in bewilderment. “You-”

“How can I help you with your emergency?” a bright voice chimed from the speaker. “Hello? Hello there?”

On her third blink, Mercy looked slowly in Arthur’s direction. “Hey you…” she said, swallowing past the lump in her throat as she tried to focus on his blurry face. “Long time... no see…”

“Oh shit-” Arthur had half-forgotten about the phone, jamming it to his ear he hastily mumbled a rushed apology “sorry- wrong department, sorry- bye.” The joke fell flat as Arthur opened his mouth and shut it several times trying to process just what was going on. “You… You can see? Holy shit.”

By the time Arthur had realized what she was saying, Mercy was trying to wipe her face with her hands. But she only succeeded in smearing the blood into long, erratic streaks across her ashen skin. Her fingers came away scarlet, and she huffed a bit as she realized - again - that she could well and truly see. 

“Yeah… yeah, I think-” She swallowed, finding Arthur’s face again. “I think so…” The relief in her expression was clear as day, but so was the lingering haze of fear. That she would never see his face again. Slowly, Mercy reached up to touch Arthur’s cheek, smearing a bit of blood across his skin in the process, but paying it no mind. “Hi…” 

“Here… Here, careful” Arthur raised the towel again to try and help with wiping the blood away, little care for how many of the white towels they might ruin and permanently stain. It hardly mattered in the face of this flooding realisation. She could see. Holy fuck she could see. The relief crashed over him like a wave, enough to threaten tears of emotional relief from a month of turmoiled fear that this was a newfound reality they were going to have to live with.

The soft brush of her hand and the dazed focus was enough for an unexpected sob to rise up. A choking tightness in his throat and chest as his hands raised to grip her shoulders “hey...” He pulled her in then wrapping his arms around her without any precedent and hugging her with an intensity that he couldn’t put into words burying his face against the crook of her neck. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

Mercy let him wipe her face, not caring one bit about being fussed over or what linens they were ruining. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered. What mattered was that the nightmare of the last month finally seemed like it was over. Not just for Mercy herself, but for Arthur too. And if Mercy were honest, she was more relieved for his sake than hers. 

But when she saw the tears that threatened as he realized she was well and truly able to see him, Mercy felt her own throat tighten. The feeling of knowing she’d caused Arthur pain, even without meaning to, was always a visceral one that made her feel physically ill. But she had no time to sink towards guilt as Arthur pulled her in, hugging her more tightly than he had in a long, long while. Mercy hugged him back just as hard, sucking in a breath that was close to becoming a sob as she turned her face into his hair. When she spoke, her voice was muffled, and shook just a bit, but her words held a quiet intensity that didn’t need an explanation. “I won’t. I swear it.” 

Arthur was a highly emotional person at the best of times, it didn’t take much for something to affect him emotionally. Highly charged situations and tense scenarios were the worst in trying to steady a mind easily distracted by worrisome thoughts. Thoughts that could snare him up and drag him deep into their depths where they’d eventually drown if he wasn’t pulled out from them. Just as it didn’t take all that much to move him to the threat of tears. So it was easy to sink into the wrap of her arms and inhale the scent of her hair and skin and remind himself that she was here. His hand lifted, combing his fingers affectionately over the braids in her hair and pressing her head close the rush of her breath warm against his skin. The shake that tremoured through her was enough to cause him to tighten his grip, holding her even tighter than he had moments prior. “Good. Because next time this happens it’ll be me that bloody well does you in. Never ever scare me like that again.” 

Or else Gods knew what might become of him.

~

[ravusnightblossom]

“ i’ll still be here when you wake. ” //v; ashes to ashes

Prompt Meme for the Feels | @cookignis | no longer accepting

Ravus didn’t want to sleep. It had been three days since Niflheim had taken Tenebrae, the imaged still scorched into his mind of the terrors he’d witnessed. Even if he shut his eyes for a few mere moments, the images haunted him. He hadn’t yet allowed himself to, but he was afraid to sleep. 

He didn’t even know where those people had taken Lunafreya, even though they had assured them that she was safe. If was difficult to believe that when he couldn’t see her with his own eyes. Realistically, it was possible that the only person who had kept him from having any degree of a mental breakdown was Ignis. Ravus hasn’t even known the other was going to be present for the visit, but he found himself grateful that he had been, because that meant he wasn’t alone, right then. Lucis had abandoned their prince’s closest friend, just like they had left behind himself and Lunafreya. Of course, that revelation only succeeded in making Ravus feel selfish and angry at himself...  

Casting a conflicted and pained look to the boy he had come to know as a friend, Ravus hesitated. Ignis knew exactly what to say, though. If Ravus fell asleep, he’d been worried that they would take Ignis away, too. They had taken his mother and maybe his sister; he should have fought harder to protect them... but, he hadn’t. He could make up for that with Ignis. If Niflheim tried to hurt him, Ravus would fight. 

He couldn’t do that if he was asleep, though. 

However, he was so tired... Maybe just a few moments. 

“Al.. Alright,” Ravus finally whispered, reluctantly. “Just for a little while. You wake me if anyone comes in.” A nervous glance around the room, then he breathed out a quiet sigh and let himself climb onto his bed for some much needed rest. 

[laqualassiel]

Oh my /god/, Sola and Gladio are great. What about the other Chocobros? -Nani

XD Glad you liked it!

Alright, the other three are under the cut because this is gonna be STUPIDLY LONG.

Noctis:

-Sola loves her brother from the moment she learns that she’s going to be a big sister. It’s a fierce, unending love and it’s almost terrifying how easy Sola loves Noctis with her entire being.

-After Noctis’s birth, Sola drives the nannies up the wall spending every moment of her free time with her little brother. On one hand, they DO know where she is - just look for the Crown Prince and there’s Sola right next to him, napping or playing or - later - reading to him. On the other hand, they would like it if Sola would Stop disappearing with Noctis and let them do their jobs. (Regis and Aulea find Sola’s insistence on caring for Noctis too adorable to really help the nannies out in this case.)

-Noctis also doesn’t speak until late, and when he does, he also speaks clearly and skips almost directly to full sentences like Sola did. This is due to Sola communicating with Noctis almost solely with magic unless she is reading to him, in which case she’s often reading closer to her level and patiently explaining everything Noctis doesn’t quite grasp yet.

-Noctis gets all the piggyback rides. Regis is worried about Sola and Noctis hurting themselves (at least, when he isn’t getting ALL THE PHOTOS and Dying From The Cute) but Sola is Determined not to hurt Noctis and so takes great care when carrying her brother.

-Aulea dies when Sola is nine and Noctis is two, having never recovered from giving birth to Noctis. Sola doesn’t blame her brother. She could NEVER blame Noctis. No, Sola blames herself. Not for asking for a little sibling (because she can’t regret having Noctis as her little brother) but because she couldn’t save her mother. Even though her magic is able to heal, it was all but useless in helping Aulea. Sola deems her magic useless and decides to become strong enough to protect Noctis without it.

-Sola all but abandons using her magic, even learning to speak rather than communicate via magic. The only exception is with Noctis, the only person she will still tangle her magic with without reservation. Noctis follows her example - speaking to everyone verbally but using his magic to talk to Sola.

-It physically hurts Sola that Noctis forgets Aulea as he grows. Because it’s not fair that he won’t know how amazing their mother was, that he won’t know just how much she loved them and that he can only hear about her from stories and pictures. And it’s not fair, because Noctis deserves to have known her.

-Then Noctis finds a hurt kitten when he’s six and Sola thirteen, and his magic is so distressed and begging Sola to do something that Sola cannot bring herself to say no. She reaches for magic she hasn’t touched in almost five years, but it’s not enough. She doesn’t have the skill. She doesn’t have the power. (Sola was never meant to have deep reserves of magic. After the Healer King, no LC with golden magic would ever be born so powerful.)

-But Noctis mingles his magic with hers out of desperate need to help, and the sheer power that floods through Sola’s soul cracks her skin and turns her eyes to burning embers. When Regis comes running, Cor and Clarus hot on his heels towards the flare of desperation-pain-help-help-help, Sola and Noctis are unconscious. Noctis is pale, practically shivering with magic depletion. Sola on the other hand is flushed and feverish and just about burning up from channeling more magic than she was ever meant to wield.

-Noctis wakes first, and he bursts into horrified tears when Regis explains to him why he and Sola can never do that again. He hadn’t meant to hurt his sister, he just wanted to help. But Sola’s still unconscious and seeing his strong sister so helpless only makes Noctis feel worse and almost vow never to use his magic ever again.

-When Sola wakes, she learns that she has far more magic than she honestly knows what to do with. She doesn’t care much, because she’s more concerned about comforting a sobbing Noctis and reassuring him that she doesn’t hate him and she knows he didn’t mean to do whatever it was he did.

-Sola and Noctis are thrown into magic lessons. Noctis takes to magic easily. Sola hates the lessons but puts up with them because, well, it’s Papa teaching them. Sola’s lessons with Cor increase as well, Cor pushing her to use her magic in combat until it’s reflex no matter how much Sola loathes it.

-Then, when she’s fifteen and Noctis eight, Regis takes Noctis out to Galdin Quay for a day trip as a reward for how well he’s doing in his lessons. Sola’s own reward comes in the form of Cor presenting her with her own katana and a day of purely physical training, beating each other into the training room floor until Sola can hardly move and grinning ear to ear for it. Then flopping on top of her Uncle for a well deserved nap despite Cor grumbling half-hearted about him getting too old for this.

-Noctis comes home in a coma. All Sola can do is sit by his bedside and curse her magic for being useless. Again. She doesn’t know how to use her odd healing ability - it’s hard enough using it to heal herself from the odd training injury but she’s never really figured out how to use it on others for more than the basics. The only reason she healed Abyssus was because Noctis overpowered her ability and forced it to work when it shouldn’t have.

-Sola sobs when Noctis finally wakes, crawling up into his hospital bed and carefully curling herself around him. She wraps her magic around him, all her relief and love and guilt for not being there.

-Regis takes Noctis to Tenebrae to be healed. He refuses to allow Sola to come with, and Cor helps Regis keep Sola in the Citadel until they are far enough Sola can’t catch up. Sola Rages. That’s her little brother. She failed to protect him once already, failed to heal him, and now she is not allowed to help him again. (And part of her wonders if she’s not allowed to go because of her failure. Because she’s not good enough to be Noctis’s Sword.)

-Sola refuses to fail again. If she’s not good enough, then she’ll work until she is, with both her weapons and her magic. And there’s only one place she can push both past her limits, where they won’t try to stop her.

-The Kingsglaive.

-Cor forged her into her brother’s Sword. The Kingsglaive tempers her into a living weapon. Where Cor trained magic into reflex, the Kingsglaive pushes until it is instinct to reach for the power humming in her veins, to wield it as easily as she does the steel in her hands. Sola learns to heal her own wounds until she can do it without thought, learns to take the wounds of others with a mere touch, and learns to take the pain and keep going.

-They push Sola until she doesn’t merely use her magic, but embraces it.

-Sola doesn’t intend to enlist with the Glaive at first. She only joined their training for Noctis and had every intention of leaving after. But then the assholes grow on her, and it’s Noctis who points out that Sola is happy whenever she talks about her day with ‘her idiots,’ even if she’s griping about them. Noctis tells her with wide blue eyes (not their father’s shade, but their mother’s) that he likes Sola spending time with him, but he wants Sola to be happy too and giving up the Glaive would make her miserable. Then he brightens and adds that Sola can be his Captain of the Kingsglaive like Titus is Dad’s. Sola blinks and teasingly asks if she shouldn’t take over the Crownsguard from Uncle Cor. Noctis solemnly says that’s Gladio’s job, since the crownsguard protect the King, while the Glaive attack. Much better for a Sword. Sola hugs the stuffing out of her brother and asks when he got so smart.

-Noctis is there when Sola comes back from her first tour outside the Wall, frazzled and shaking from the sheer level of stimulation against her senses. He doesn’t hesitate to drag her to a sun patch and curl up beside her, wrapping his magic around her in comfort-safety-love, practically drowning out the world with the sheer strength of his magic.

-Once Noctis clears his physical therapy well enough to start combat training again, Sola is put in charge of training Noctis and Gladio. Sola pushes both of them as hard as she can, keeping close watch on them via her magic and stopping once Noctis or Gladio’s pain levels get too high, forcibly stopping Noctis when her little brother tries to push himself further.

-Noctis is the only one Sola ever tells about her dates, because while Noctis is protective of his big sister, he only wants her to be happy and knows Sola can take care of herself. Therefore he never threatens any of Sola’s dates - not even the one idiot that made Sola cry - only asks Sola if he can take a crack at whatever she leaves behind. Sola laughs and ruffles his hair and only promises a ‘maybe.’  Noctis will take it - it wasn’t a no.

-Sola worries about how isolated her little brother is in the public school system. She knows he doesn’t really have any friends, and while Noctis pretends he isn’t bothered by it, pretends that Gladio and Ignis are more than enough, Sola can see right through him. She can tell that Noctis wants what Sola has - friends that treat her as Sola first, and not royalty.

-For Sola’s Coming of Age, Noctis presents Sola a masterfully crafted glaive (that he may or may not have commissioned from a Bellum weaponsmith instead of the usual Insomnian ones, shhhh) as he Officially appoints her as his Sword. (And if every single Glaive in the room recognizes Noctis’ unspoken support of Sola staying in the Kingsglaive, well, Noctis all but verbally named Sola the King’s Glaive.)

-The first time Sola lands herself in the hospital with serious injuries, twelve-year-old Noctis is not happy. He and Cyrus curl up on her hospital bed next to her and then throw the mother of all tantrums once she wakes up. It takes Sola promising Noctis that she will not die on him for Noctis to calm down, sniffling into Sola’s shoulder.

-After that first scare, Noctis actually handles Sola’s other hospitalizations - of which there are a few, to the Glaives’ exasperation - with remarkable ease. When questioned, he simply says that Sola promised. And his sister doesn’t break her promises. Ever.

-Noctis teases the hell out of Sola when she and Lib finally start dating. He loves his sister, he really does, but Noctis tells Sola that her boyfriend is Oblivious. He also insists on meeting Libertus properly if the two last longer than she and Crowe did (who Noctis did meet, and took an instant liking to).

-(Noctis does in fact meet Libertus. Noctis decides that he Approves and agrees to help keep Dad and their Uncles from finding out and Overreacting. Noctis also sits back with a bowl of popcorn when Regis and Cor try to threaten Libertus and Sola Is Not Having It.)

-Then Noctis meets Prompto and for the longest time doesn’t introduce him to Sola. Sola somewhat overreacts out of worry, before Cor helps her realize that Noctis doesn’t want to share his Best Friend with Sola. And is probably nervous about Sola approving of Noctis’ best friend. Sola promptly goes to give her little brother a noogie and reassure him.

-Noctis is Pleased at being the Ring-Bearer for Sola and Libertus’ wedding. It also means he gets to sit at Sola’s table for the Wedding Dinner as part of the Wedding Party (along with Prompto as his plus one, though his best friend had laughed at his desperate plea because the only other option was 12 year old Iris and Gladio would skin him alive) rather than at one of the other tables with stuffy nobles and their - shudder - eligible daughters. No thanks! He’ll leave that to Gladio and Ignis to represent him! Six, Gladio will enjoy it!

-Then Noctis has his own Coming of Age and Sola just about face palms when a messenger shows up and names Noctis the True King, Bringer of the Dawn. What the Pyre. Little Brother why does ridiculous stuff like this always happen to you?! Noctis just wants to sink into the floor already as Sola, Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto all tease the hell out of him.

Ignis:

-Ignis, like Gladio, was originally meant to be Sola’s Hand. Also like Gladio, Ignis was never told this because he was all of three years old when Sola removed herself from the line of succession in favor of Noctis.

-Unlike Gladio, Ignis did eventually piece together why he is not serving as Sola’s Hand when she is seven years older than the Crown Prince. After asking Sola why she gave up the throne when he’s eight, Ignis accepts the answer she gives him and instead focuses on getting to know both his Prince and fellow member of Noctis’ Retinue.

-Sola likes Ignis. The kid’s a genius and absolutely devoted to her little brother. If Sola sometimes brings her own homework over to where Ignis is studying... well, Ignis is really good at explaining whatever she’s stuck on and picks up the material stupidly quick for all that he’s four years younger than she is.

-If by the time Ignis is nine he’s joined thirteen-year old Sola in her own lessons, well, Ignis finds the material much more interesting and Sola is quite the attentive student whenever he tutors her. Ignis doesn’t mention how pleased it makes him that Sola treats him like an equal despite the age disparity.

-Then Sola and Noctis end up in the hospital after healing a kitten, and Ignis gets a front row seat to Lucis Caelum Drama. Because while Sola is unconscious, Ignis deals with a horrified and despondent Noctis (and manages to talk Noctis out of never using his magic ever again, because Ignis has literally just read up on what can result from that and None of them are Good), and caring for the kitten they saved. As such, he’s the first one to realize that the kitten is by far Not a Normal Kitten.

-If he happens to hunt through the royal library for past examples of animals exposed to high levels of magic, stumbling across stories of Gilgamesh’s eagle companion that suggest said eagle was not in fact an eagle at all... well, Ignis is at least Prepared when the newly named Abyssus starts getting up to Shenanigans.

-Ignis is also the only other one in Noctis’ Retinue that Abyssus will listen to outside Sola. Ignis is not ashamed to admit that it is solely due to plying the massive cat with gourmet meals of meat and fish. And the occasional cream. A smart man knows to pick his battles.

-Then Sola joins Ignis’ magic lessons, and Ignis’ practical lessons are instead taught by the King. Ignis... needs a moment to adjust to that. But he adjusts and focuses on the lessons. As is the norm for his and Sola’s lessons, Ignis spends a fair amount of time tutoring Sola because, as the Princess once put it, Ignis is ‘a damn genius.’

-Something Sola would definitely appreciate more if it didn’t mean Ignis noticed things. Like how different her magic is to both Papa’s and Noctis’. Or how inexperienced she is using her magic and how much she honestly would prefer Not To. And well, Ignis is polite enough not to ask when clearly it’s a topic she’d rather not talk about, but Sola can FEEL Ignis’ curiosity like an itch between her shoulder blades and it’s driving her nuts.

-Sola tells Ignis how her magic is able to heal others by taking the injuries onto herself, but how she’s never been all that strong. She tells him how useless her magic is when it’s needed and how she decided that she never wanted to have to rely on it since she can’t afford to. Not with her little brother.

-And ooh, Ignis is curious about Sola’s magic. Curious and speculating on the exact measure of her abilities, but Ignis respects Sola’s boundaries and keeps his speculations to himself. Sola is trained enough that her magic is not a liability. Anything beyond that is Sola’s prerogative and Ignis will respect Sola’s wishes not to use her magic beyond the necessary basics.

-Then Noctis comes home from a day trip to Galdin Quay in a coma.

-It is Ignis’ first time seeing Sola look so fragile. Like the slightest touch will shatter her into hundreds of shards. It looks wrong. Ignis keeps a close eye on Sola. He cannot do anything to help Noctis, but he can hopefully help his fellow Retinue until Noctis - their Prince, their brother, their King - recovers.

-Ignis is there when Sola Rages at being kept from Noctis’ side. He is there when gold magic erupts from her, turning the air thick with pain-anger-betrayal. He notices how her magic skips over him even as it barrels into the Marshal with the full force of her fury.

-And if Ignis helps Abyssus make the Marshal’s life somewhat... difficult for the next couple days so Sola can join the Kingsglaive training without interference... Well, Ignis is no less pleased at being kept from Noctis’s side. And it’s not like anyone but Sola knows of Ignis’s involvement. They might suspect, but they cannot prove anything.

-Sola appreciates Ignis’ help in the days following Noctis’ injury more than she is capable of expressing with words. She also deeply appreciates just how much of a sneaky little shit he can be when pissed off, because wow. Sola didn’t think anyone could pull one over on Uncle Cor and Ignis managed two weeks. Sure it was mostly Abyssus, but Sola could see Ignis’ fingerprints all over some of her cat’s actions.

-Sola can’t wait to see how much better Ignis will get when they’re all older. Maybe she can suggest he practice on the old codgers that still insist Sola needs a Shield?

-She also really appreciates how much talent Ignis has for magic. Practically, Ignis’ specialty leans heavily towards Elemancy, but theoretically Ignis is, as usual, an utter genius. Ignis helps her work out how to use her odd healing ability, so that her injuries - and damn Tredd to Ifrit’s Pyre, the asshole - are fixed by the time she has to report for training the next day.

-Ignis wants to get revenge on Sola’s behalf, but Sola’s called dibs so Ignis takes his satisfaction in hearing about the utter disbelief when Sola shows up to training fresh as a daisy no matter her injuries the night before. If he also helps Sola come up with increasingly inventive applications for other spells to test on Sola’s victi- erm, volunteers, Ignis says nothing. Plausible deniability and all that.

-When Crowe demands to know how Sola comes up with half the spells she does, Sola takes great glee in introducing Crowe to Ignis. Because Crowe’s face at meeting the twelve-year old genius is hilarious.

-The two get on like a house on fire, and Crowe pouts when Ignis flat out refuses to consider joining the Glaive when he’s older, reasoning that Sola can just as easily convey the results of their magical experimentation. His place is at his Prince’s side.

-Sola decides Ignis is Terrifying when he manages to wrangle her into a dress for her Coming of Age Gala. She still doesn’t know how he managed it, and is more than a bit miffed that she has to actually wear the damn thing. At least until after Crowe escorts her back to her quarters after the party and her girlfriend demonstrates how much she liked the dress. 

-Ignis reads Sola the Riot Act the first time she lands in the hospital. It’s also ten times worse than Uncle Cor, Uncle Clarus, Captain, or even Papa scolding her because Ignis figured out how to communicate the same way Noctis and Sola do so she can feel every ounce of Ignis’s disappointment-worry-relief.

-That Ignis then goes out and procures a supply of Phoenix Downs and Hi-Elixirs for the Kingsglaive tells Sola exactly how much he appreciates Sola getting injured as well as how much he believes in Sola’s ability to stay out of the hospital. Sola just really wants to know how on Ifrit’s Pyre Ignis managed it, because Phoenix Downs and Hi-Elixirs are expensive. (The Glaive also would really like to know and may or may not be in Awe. They also ask Titus where they can get an Ignis of their own.)

-(Ignis is Smug. Then again, helping Noctis sneak down to Little Galahd to discreetly commission Sola’s Coming of Age gift was far more difficult. If less expensive in the long run.)

-When Sola goes head to head with the Council over the conditions of Little Galahd, she takes vindictive pleasure in securing Ignis’ help. Because Ignis sees it as experience for when Noctis becomes King and is absolutely vicious in tearing apart the nobles Ignis sees as taking advantage of his King’s people. Especially when a number of those same people are responsible for keeping Sola alive on the battlefield. 

-Ignis is seventeen going on eighteen when he finds out about Libertus and Sola dating. By seeing the rather distinct bruising on Sola’s neck during one of their training sessions and Ignis blue screens. Just, nope. Ignis did not, at any point in time, want to consider the fact that his Big Sister might have a sex life. (Him telling the Marshal and watching the subsequent Chaos as Cor and Regis Overreact is Ignis’ Petty Revenge. Noctis, pass the popcorn.)

-(Ignis and Noctis also dig out the popcorn when Gladio tries to threaten Libertus and Sola kicks his ass around a training room.)

-Ignis absolutely helps Sola and Libertus plan their wedding. In which he helps Libertus mediate between Sola and the Royal Wedding Planners and finds convenient excuses to drag Sola away from the preparations whenever it’s clear she’s about to strangle someone. (Though he does come to the aid of the Royal Tailors if only so Sola will have a not-dress that doesn’t sear the eyes of every non-Lucis Caelum present. He’s picked up enough of the Galahd Color Code from the Florist Debate to be able to argue the basics with the Walking Fashion Disaster that is Sola.)

-(Ignis even manages to wrangle Regis and Noctis into Decent Suits, at which point the Royal Tailors probably cry because it’s a MIRACLE-)

-Ignis repeats his miracle of dressing Sola and Noctis (not Regis this time, he leaves the King to the Royal Tailors who don’t quite manage to get rid of the pinstripes) for Noctis’ own Coming of Age Gala. Sola compromises with Ignis for an outfit cut similar to her wedding not-dress because ‘I’m going as Noctis’ Sword, not as Princess.’ Ignis is just thankful that Libertus is so easy going when it comes to formal occasions requiring his presence as Prince-Consort and can help Ignis with his wife. 

Prompto:

-At first, Sola is concerned about Noctis’ new friend. Because her little brother has been friends with this kid for weeks now but hasn’t said so much as a word to her. Sola Worries. And Overreacts.

-Sola ends up doing a full background check on one Prompto Argentum, digging up every little bit of intelligence she can find as far back as there are documents for.

-She even breaks into Uncle Cor’s files, because some of the files she’s found has her Uncle’s fingerprints all over it and why the Pyre are the Crownsguard watching Noctis’ civilian friend?

-The reports Sola steals from Cor’s office nearly make her throw up out of horror. Because how could someone do that to a baby?! Cor finds her later as she’s doing her level best to trash a training room and Sola confesses to the documents she stole from his office. Cor reassures her that they’ve been watching Noctis and Prompto, and it really is just friendship.

-Prompto is honestly terrified the first time Noctis introduces him to his older sister. Everyone knows how protective the Princess is of her little brother, and Noctis adores his sister. If Sola doesn’t approve of him, Noctis would probably drop their friendship like a hot potato.

-He’s... not expecting her to be so short. From Noctis’ stories, Sola seemed to be larger than life so meeting her and realizing that he’s actually taller than her is jarring.

-Noctis introduces him, and Prompto can see how tense he is as the two siblings somehow hold a whole conversation in one look alone. But then Sola smiles at him, then she’s hugging him and thanking him for being Noctis’ friend and Prompto would really like it if the ground could swallow him now. Noctis’ face is so red that he could probably cook an egg on it but he’s also relieved so Prompto decides he can put up with a bit of embarrassment at being thanked by the Princess.

-Sola feels any lingering concerns about Noctis’ friendship with Prompto disappear the first time she meets him. Because while Noctis hasn’t realized it yet, he’s already slotted Prompto in as his Heart. And Prompto, for all that they’ve been friends for a few short weeks is whole-heartedly devoted to Noctis.

-But Sola can see the insecurities dogging Prompto’s heels. He’s not of noble or royal (or even Lucian, but Prompto doesn’t know Sola knows that) birth, he’s not had a day of combat training for all that he’s in decent shape for a civilian, and at sixteen he’s the only one not Officially part of Noctis’ Retinue. Or even unofficially, because Noctis is Protective and doesn’t want to seemingly drag Prompto into the Drama of Court against his will.

-So Sola goes to talk to him. Because she knows what it’s like, feeling like she isn’t good enough for Noctis. And Prompto is just as wrong as Sola was at fifteen.

-While Ignis distracts Noctis, Sola drags Prompto off to a corner of the Citadel she knows will be absolutely free of anyone trying to eavesdrop.

-Prompto is blindsided when Sola tells him, dead serious, just how much Noctis values his relationship with Prompto. That for years Noctis has longed for a friend that sees him as Noctis first instead of the Crown Prince. That Noctis doesn’t care that Prompto isn’t noble or combat trained or a genius like Ignis, because face it, no one’s as smart as Ignis - Sola grins when Prompto can’t hold back the snort at the way Sola complains about Ignis’ intelligence.

-Then Sola tells Prompto about the four positions of the King’s Retinue. The Sword, the Shield, the Hand, and the Heart. And Prompto feels his heart thunder in his chest because he knows where this is going. Noctis already has three Retainers. He sits, wide eyed and breathless as Sola tells Prompto that the Heart is someone who protects the King, not from physical harm, but emotional. Someone who supports the King through life as his friend. Good times, bad times, everything.

-Prompto chokes out that Sola makes it sound like marriage. Sola snorts, but states that it’s not uncommon for a King’s Heart to also be the King’s Consort. Her grandfather King Mors’ Heart was her grandmother Queen Vita. Papa’s on the other hand... Papa’s was Uncle Cid, and after their falling out Mama tried her best, but it wasn’t the same. Just like how Ignis’ father is the Royal Advisor but not Papa’s Hand because Uncle Weskham lives in Altissia.

-Prompto thinks about that, thinks about having a fight with Noctis so bad that he never talks to him again and something in his chest clenches. Prompto wants to say that it will never happen, but the secret of his origins weighs down on his shoulders.

-He asks Sola why her Uncles left the King, if they were part of his Retinue. Sola fiddles with the end of her braid as she sadly says that Uncle Weskham was injured and they had to leave him in Altissia so the Empire didn’t catch them during the Great War. Uncle Wes told them to do it, but apparently it really hurt Papa to leave him. Uncle Cid, something about Grandfather, she’s never learned the full story there. But them leaving broke something in her Papa, and it’s why Lucis Caelum’s don’t bond with just anyone. Because when it goes wrong...

-Sola looks at Prompto, and she tells him that Noctis chose Prompto as his Heart before Sola ever met Prompto. Prompto gapes at Sola, because, what? Sola’s mouth quirks into a half smile, and she tells him that Noctis hasn’t offered the position to Prompto because being recognized Officially comes with Expectations and Noctis doesn’t want to force that on Prompto.

-Prompto protests, Noctis wouldn’t be forcing Prompto into it, Prompto would be happy to take the position! Sola grins and says that she knows that, but her little brother can be a bit Dense. He also worries, because it’ll make Prompto a target and he doesn’t want Prompto to get hurt. Hence why she’s telling Prompto all this because Astrals know Noctis won’t.

-Prompto has to sit there, dazed as he considers everything Sola just dumped into his lap. Then he turns to Sola and says that Retainers are Officially appointed at 18, right? Sola nods, and Prompto says that he’s got two years then, can she teach him self defense? Because he wants to protect Noctis too.

-Sola beams at him, and Prompto can’t help but grin back.

-Sola teaches Prompto self defense, which Gladio takes over when Sola is busy with the Glaive. Ignis keeps Noctis from finding out about the training, because Prompto wants it to be a surprise.

-Sola helps Prompto find a weapon he favors, and then proceeds to join him for firearms training and the two bond over guns. Sure, Sola’s interest is in weapons in general rather than guns specifically, but she is able to keep up with him when he goes off on a ramble about whichever model’s caught his interest and it’s nice.

-It’s also nice when she finds out about Prompto’s photography hobby and Prompto learns that she weaves tapestries. The first time Prompto helps Sola prank the Glaives by taking a series of photos for Sola that she then makes tapestries from to secretly hang in Glaive HQ, Prompto is practically giddy as the Glaives all but lose their minds trying to find out who the artist is. (Apparently the inclusion of the photographs completely threw off all their previous assumptions, leaving them back at square one.) He and Sola exchange fist bumps.

-Prompto ends up revealing his training to Noctis earlier than expected, because Noctis frantically comes begging for Prompto to be his plus one to Sola’s wedding so Gladio doesn’t kick his ass for asking Iris. Sola overhears and dryly tells Noctis that him taking a member outside of his Retinue will give everyone the impression that he and Prompto are dating. Iris doesn’t count because she’s twelve and his Shield’s little sister.

-Noctis freezes like a spiracorn in the headlights and Prompto watches with some amusement as Sola rolls her eyes and tells Noctis to just ask already. Because as funny as everyone’s reactions would be to thinking Prompto and Noctis were dating, he really doesn’t see Noctis like that. Nuh uh. That’s his brother. 

-Noctis stammers so bad trying to ask Prompto to be his Heart that Prompto takes pity on him and accepts. Then, while Noctis is gaping, Prompto points at Sola and says that his sister explained the whole thing, like a year ago. Noctis shoots a wounded look at Sola, who is completely unsympathetic when she tells Noctis that he’d bonded with Prompto at fifteen. She got impatient. Now go drag his Heart to Ignis so he can get outfitted for this shindig.

-Alongside the professional photographers hired for the wedding, Sola asks for Prompto to take photos beforehand because she wants some photos that feel more candid and she really likes Prompto’s work. Prompto is over the moon. Especially when he later sees one of his photos (of Sola and Libertus, flanked by Nyx and Crowe) being turned into a tapestry on Sola’s loom and Sola confides that it’ll be placed in the Hall of Arts with all the other Official Royal Art.

-Sola complains when Noctis’ Coming of Age Gala comes around, because as Prince he doesn’t need an escort, and Prompto just laughs at Sola. Sola throws one of her warp balls at his head but Prompto catches it and whips it back, starting a game of catch/dodge ball until Ignis comes in and tells them to take it to a training room before they break something. Again.

-As a civilian, there’s no pomp and circumstance for his eighteenth birthday. Even his appointment as Noctis’ Heart is a much quieter affair than the rest of the Retinue (though considering Sola’s Appointment was during her own Coming of Age Gala, everyone else’s was quiet comparatively).

-Prompto is more than fine with that. They celebrate his birthday with presents (Sola gets him an absolutely gorgeous camera) and then he and the guys go out downtown while Sola tells them to have fun.

[platonicone]

Devotion - Story of the Oracle and her Shield

Chapter 26 - The invisible wall

What is more important? The comfort of the body or the heart? I wonder…

Leon lay there stiff as a tingling sensation ran through his body. The blur in his eye slowly started to take shape. He saw someone peering down at him.

“How are you feeling?” asked a feminine voice.

“My head hurts,” he said, placing a hand on his forehead.

“No kidding,” she replied. “Looks like your eyes are focusing. You should be fine.”

For the first time, Leon was able to make out features of the girl he was talking to. She had fair skin, green eyes, and shoulder-length silver-blond hair. She wore red and black leather armor that had a scaly appearance to it. She had a long white cape with a red symbol. If he had to guess, she must be a dragoon type warrior. A distant memory resurfaced. If only she had blond hair and wore glasses, she would look very similar to someone he used to know from his world.

“Say your name for me,” she asked.

“It’s Squall.”

“Oh boy, it looks like you must have hit your head pretty hard to not even remember your name. I was told that your name was Leon.”

“Only Luna calls me that.” Suddenly all the alarms started going off in his head. “Where is Luna?” he asked, trying to sit up.

“Relax,” she said, pushing his shoulder and making him lie down again. “She is safe with us.”

“And who are you?”

“The name is Aranea Highwind. I am a friend,” she revealed, putting Leon at ease.

For the first time, he had a look around his surroundings and it looked like he was in some sort of a cabin. He noticed the rhythmic movement of the train and pieced this together. “How did I get here? What happened to me?”

“We found you knocked out in Fociaugh Hollow. We rescued you and Luna just in the nick of time. We are on the way to Tenebrae now.”

“How is Luna doing? Last I remember, she lost her consciousness soon after forging a covenant with Ramuh.”

“I don’t know what happened there, but by the time I got there, she had woken up and you were knocked out.”

“Hmm, so it worked, I guess. Can I see her?” he asked.

“No, she is resting right now. You should do the same,” she suggested.

“Yeah, my head feels like it is about to explode,” he admitted.

“I’ll be over there,” she informed, pointing at the opposite berth. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” he mumbled, as his eyes got heavy and he drifted back to sleep.

The rest of their journey was rather uneventful. The train stopped at Fodina Caestino. They used this stop to get out of the train to get some fresh air. However, Luna and Leon’s path never crossed even once. After a day of travel, the announcement ringed through the train. “Next stop is Tenebrae.”

From what he had heard, Tenebrae was supposed to be a very beautiful place and he was secretly excited to see. He peered out of his window as Tenebrae approached quickly. Tenebrae’s beauty was breathtaking and beyond his wildest imagination. The whole city was established on what seemed like floating islands. There were multiple waterfalls cascading from the floating islands, giving it an otherworldly look. The many shades of green covered the entire visible spectrum. The lush green trees, shrubs, vines flourished uninhibited. The beauty of Tenebrae seemed straight from some artist’s canvas.

A knock on his door forced him to look away from the window.

“It’s time to pack up. We should be at the station shortly,” Aranea instructed from the door. They had become good friends in a very short time. She took great care of him ever since he woke up. The fact she was the only person who talked to him also became the catalyst in their budding friendship. For some strange reason, Aranea never felt like a stranger to him. Their conversation often revolved around a military and political strategy and combat. Every time he spoke with her, it felt like he was reconnecting with an old friend.

She waved him goodbye from the door and quickly retreating to her cabin.

“All I have is a backpack. Not much to pack really,” he muttered to himself, putting his toiletries in the front zipper of his bag. He inspected around the cabin to make sure he did not forget anything there. He swung his backpack over his back and exited the cabin. He moved close to the door to get a better view of Tenebrae.

As he was admiring the view, the cabin door close to him slid open, but he paid no mind to it.

“How are you feeling now?” asked a familiar voice.

His heart skipped a beat as he knew who it was. He turned around in the direction of the voice and for the first time since Fociaugh Hollow he saw Luna. He noticed that her eyes seemed puffy and bags under her eyes indicated she hadn’t slept much. “I am doing better now,” he said. “You don’t look so good.”

“It will take some time for your wounds to heal so please take it easy,” she said ignoring his last comment. “I will inform our medics to take care of you. Please let them know of all your symptoms.”

He noticed that she had still not made eye contact with him.

“Luna, I wanted to speak with you about--” before he could finish his sentence the overhead speaker announced, “Welcome to Tenebrae. Please make sure to take all your belongings. Please watch your step as you get out. Thank you for choosing to ride Magna Fortia. We sincerely hope to serve you again on your next journey.”

Aranea, Gentiana and a few other passengers had joined them as well in the corridor.

“Squall, we should exit from different compartments. All the attention would be on Luna, so we should be able to get out undetected with all the pilgrims,” Aranea advised, opening the door to the connecting compartment.

He looked at Luna one last time before following Aranea. He was disappointed that he was not able to speak much with Luna.

“Why are we existing from a different compartment? It’s not like anyone knows me here,” he asked, catching up with Aranea.

“Oh, you will be surprised at how good Imperial surveillance is. Any time you engage with any Imperial troops, your image is uploaded to our database. And based on the number of units you have destroyed by now, I can assure you, you are very famous,” she explained, cutting through the crowd and moving on to the next connecting compartment.

“Combat and surveillance in the same unit is ingenious. I am impressed,” he confessed.

As they entered another compartment, he grabbed Aranea’s hand, “Aranea, wait.”

“What is it?”

“We are being followed at 6 o’clock,” he warned her. He had noticed that a small girl, about 8 or 9 years old, and two middle-aged soldiers had followed them through every compartment so far.

“Oh, they are with us. They are my people,” she revealed, putting him at ease. He nodded and they continued their journey.

The train slowed down and came to a complete halt and the doors slid open. All the travelers poured out of the door.

Aranea had told Leon earlier that in the wake of Luna’s “passing,” thousands flocked to the Fenestala Manor to pay their respects, pilgrims traveling from afar by boat and train. Based on that conversation, Leon was expecting a crowd, but the scene in front of his eyes quite surreal. As far as the eyes could see, the whole station was filled with people.

Leon, Aranea and her crew got out of the train. They blend in with the crowd and made their way towards the only exit from the platform. Even among this crowd, Leon’s eyes were searching for Luna.

Luna got out of the train and was followed by Gentiana. Many other passengers got off behind them.

It didn’t take long for people to recognize Lunafreya. A quiet murmur spread in the crowd as people were still skeptical of what they saw. Luna was announced to be dead, but here she was in the flesh, standing at the train station. One person started cheering and the whole crowd erupted in cheers. People were clapping, whistling, and screaming Luna’s name.

‘Wow, she a celebrity wherever she goes,’ he thought.

He noticed there was a lady dressed in professional attire accompanied by a few soldiers.

“Welcome home, Lady Lunafreya,” greeted the lady dressed in professional attire.

“It is good to see you again, Polisci,” Luna greeted her with a hug.

Leon was at some distance from them so he could not hear them. A royal entourage escorted Luna through the crowd, as the crowd cheered Luna’s every step.

“Now that these many people have seen Luna wouldn’t Empire be alerted of her presence and location?”

“Very perceptive. We want Empire to know that.”

“Why?”

“Circa M.E. 359, when Niflheim invaded Tenebrae for the first time, they did not invade Fenestala Manor, where the royal family resides, due to the masses’ faith in the Oracle. We are using the same strategy here. As long as Luna is here in Tenebrae, in front of the public’s eyes, the Empire would not dare attack her. Did you not see the reception she got just now? Any harm to the Oracle now would cause a huge uproar in Lucis and Niflheim alike. Every faithful in the Eos is now her defender.”

“Using public as her protector is a very cunning strategy indeed.”

“It was all Ravus’s idea,” she confessed.

“Couldn’t we have done it sooner? Maybe like when we were in Lestallum?”

“No, timing is everything. The Empire used the chaos during the treaty signing to declare the death of Lunafreya. Once the world thought that the Oracle was dead, they could kill her without any consequences. It was a brilliant strategy on their part. Revealing herself in Lucis would have either gotten her killed or captured with little public awareness. We had to wait for public support to build up. You were exceptional in shielding her from public eyes in Lucis. Had her location been revealed, Ravus would have been forced to capture her and bring her to Niflheim. God knows what they would have done with her there.”

“Makes sense,” he acknowledged the plan.

“Well, here we are at the much revered Fenestala Manor,” she announced at the entrance of the famous manor.

Squall looked at the building and it looked like a castle right out of a fairytale. He looked at the barbican flanked by the tower on either side. Multiple towers were built on various tactical spots for an ideal defense and were connected by strengthened, solid walls made of gray stone. Crude windows were scattered generously around the walls in fairly symmetrical patterns, along with overhanging crenelations. It was a multi-layered castle with ramparts on each level. He could see a huge purple dome structure at the center of the castle which he assumed was the great hall. The entire castle was built with ashlar masonry.

The guards saluted them as they entered the building. They came to the main hall, which had a spiral staircase leading to the upper floors.

“We’ve been expecting you,” someone said, descending from the staircase. It was the same lady who had escorted Luna from the train station.

“Hello, Lady Aranea. You must be Squall. Lady Lunafreya spoke very highly of you,” she spoke, walking towards them. “My name is Polisci Xuan, but people just call me Xu. I take care of all the administrative duties for Prince Ravus and Princess Lunafreya.”

‘Xu, somehow that name sounds familiar.’ He wondered.

“Follow me, I’ll show you your room,” Xu stated, leading the way. Aranea and Squall ascended the staircase as they followed Xu to the second floor.

Xu opened a huge mahogany door leading to a large room. “This will be your room.”

“Thank you,” he said politely.

“Lady A, would you be staying with us?”

“No, royalty is not my style. I’ll stay in the town as usual,” she respectfully declined.

Xu acknowledged and looked at Squall. “If you need anything, just alert any of the staff. Lady Lunafreya has instructed the staff to attend to all your needs immediately.” Xu waved at them and went to attend her other duties.

“Aren’t you treated like a prince here?” Aranea playfully jabbed at Squall.

“Whatever.” He shook his head and entered the room.

It was a nicely decorated room with teal-colored walls. Sofas and chairs were placed close to the window. There was a lone bookcase on the opposite side of the sofa. A king-size bed was in a secluded corner of the room. Every piece of furniture in the room had intricate carving embossed in it. There were two doors on either side of the bed, which he guessed were for a closet and a bathroom. A crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room tying the appeal of the room nicely. The crystals in the chandelier bounced of soft white light.

“Fancy,” Aranea noted, looking at the room. Squall just shrugged in response.

“I am just happy to get a bed here. Ever since I got to this world I have never slept on a bed.”

“Beds are overrated. They are only worth it if you have someone to share it with,” she remarked with a mischievous wink.

“Where is Luna?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Missing your girlfriend already?” she teased.

“She is not my girlfriend,” he said with a facepalm.

“Whatever,” she said mocking Squall.

“You are so annoying,” he complained.

“Shut it, scar-face,” she chastised him playfully. “Alright, I have to go attend to my monster. Why don’t you rest up now? I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning. I’ll show you around the town. We can even train if you are feeling up to it.”

“Sounds good.”

“Later.” She waved, walking towards the door.

“Thanks,” he whispered.

“For?” she stopped and asked without turning.

“For,” he started but couldn’t come with the right words. “For being there for me.”

“Luna asked me to,” she replied and exited the room, shutting the door behind her.

“Luna...” he said to himself.

Ever since she got back, she was bombarded with information. “The number of pilgrims is increasing by the day. At this rate, we would run out of our medical supplies in two weeks’ time.”

“Can we send out more gatherers to get herbs from the forest of Piztala?” Luna inquired.

“All units are already deployed. Speaking of the forest of Piztala, there was a sighting of a strange white colored alien-like creatures. The report says it kept saying, ‘Hiso.’ Our medic and research units have set out an expedition to learn more about them,” Xu reported.

“Please call them back. Research can wait, we must prioritize healing the faithful first with our medicines,” Luna urged.

“I think we should call back just the medic unit and let the research unit continue,” Xu suggested.

“I disagree. The forest of Piztala is dangerous at this time of the year. Should something happen to the research team, without medics, they would not survive for long. We cannot risk our brightest minds like this.”

“As you wish. Also, there was some unrest because of the Empire in Zoldara Henge province. We tried to defuse the situation as best as we could. But their leader wants to speak with either you or Lord Ravus to share their grievances,” Xu informed.

“Call them tomorrow morning.”

“Also, some merchants have arrived from Altissia. They want to negotiate the trade agreements with you.”

“Let’s meet with them tomorrow evening,” Luna instructed.

“In the evening you are already scheduled to meet with--” as Xu was reporting further, but Luna cut her off. “Xu, can we please talk about everything in the morning? I am exhausted from our travels.”

“My apologies, that was very inconsiderate of me,” she apologetically lowered her head.

“No, you have nothing to apologize for. You are just doing your duties. I can’t thank you enough for taking care of our kingdom in mine and brother’s absence.”

“No need for thanks. This is my home too,” she replied humbly. Luna nodded appreciatively.

Just as they were wrapping up their conversation someone knocked on the door.

‘Who is it now?’ Luna thought wearily.

She looked at the door, and her face lit up. She ran and gave a big hug. “Maria! How have you been?”

“I am doing well my lady. But I could hardly say the same for you. Look how much weight you have lost,” Maria noted, inspecting her closely.

“Now that I am back, I am sure you will make me eat till my stomach is about to explode,” she said cheerfully.

“What would you like to eat my lady?”

“Surprise me. I have missed your cooking so much. I’ll eat anything you cook,” she asserted with a smile.

“In that case, I’ll make your favorite--” Maria was about to say something when Luna interrupted her. “Oh, one more thing. Please make sure in whatever you make there are no olives in it and make it a little spicy.”

“I don’t understand my lady. You love olives and you don’t like spicy food,” she asked, confused.

“Let’s just say that my taste has evolved since,” she replied, scratching her head.

Maria had known her since she was in her crib, it was hard to fool her. Before Maria could ask anything, else Luna changed the subject, “We have a guest staying with us for some time. Why don’t you ask him what he wants to eat?”

“But my lady, you have returned home after such a long time. Shouldn’t you get to pick what you want to eat?”

“Anything he picks is fine with me.”

Maria again eyed her curiously.

Once again Luna pivoted to avoid interrogation, “Matron, can you please deliver this to our guest?” She handed an envelope to Maria.

“Get going. I am very hungry; I can hardly wait. I’ll take a shower and freshen up,” she urged Maria and Xu to get out of her room.

Once they were gone, she shut the door and exhaled loudly. “Can’t catch a break.”

Squall stopped by the window and looked outside to admire the beauty of this town radiating in the sunset. It was a bustling town with traders on the street, kids playing in the open square, families taking a stroll, and worshipers singing hymns. It was hard to imagine such a peaceful town in these chaotic times, yet here it stood against all odds. The street lights had started illuminating the town. Even though his body wanted to rest, his eyes refused to move.

He heard a soft knock on the door, forcing him to get out of his trance.

It was an elderly woman with long gray hair in a ponytail and blue eyes. She wore old-fashioned gray and blue dress with a striped pattern.

“My lord, I am one of the retainers of house Fleuret. My name is Maria, but people often call me Matron.”

‘Matron, that sounds very familiar.’ His mind tried to recall the details, but it failed. His memory of the past was like looking at a blurred image. You could make out the shape, but cannot see any details.

“I will be at your service. Please let me know if you need anything,” she said with a bow.

“Could you do me a favor, please?”

“Anything my lord,” she offered politely.

“Please don’t bow to me or call me my lord. My name is Squall and you can call me that.”

“That won’t be right my lord,” she politely refused.

“I thought you were supposed to do what I say?” he tried to trap her.

“Well, but it would be odd to refer to you with your first name,” she spoke hesitantly.

“It is odd to see such an elderly lady bow down to me. Please, I insist,” he urged.

“As you wish, my lor—umm, Master Squall,” she said with her tough in check.

“I give up,” he said, shaking his head.

“What would you like to eat tonight?”

“Anything is fine,” he replied with a shrug. “If possible, have more olives and make it less spicy,” he added as an afterthought.

“Strange, she just said the opposite,” she whispered under her breath.

“What?” Squall asked, not being able to hear her.

“Oh, please don’t mind me.” She reached out in her back pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Here, Lady Luna asked me to deliver it.”

“What is it?” he asked curiously taking the envelope.

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “Is there anything you need my lor—umm, Squall?”

“Yes, can I get a towel please?” he asked, after thinking.

“Of course. I shall have one of our retainers bring it to your room. Is there anything else you need?”

“No, that’s all for now,” he concluded as he couldn’t think of anything else.

“I shall call you when the dinner is ready,” she informed before taking her leave.

Squall opened the mysterious envelope and founds lots of gils in it. There was a note along with it which said:

Your backpack can carry only so much. Please use this money freely to buy anything you need. We are not on the run anymore, so please make yourself comfortable here. I shall do my best to make you feel at home. - Luna

“How thoughtful,” he said with a smile, upon reading the note.

“Sir, your towel,” one of the retainers said from the door. Squall took the towel from his hand.

“Is there anything else you need, Sir?” he asked politely.

“I am good for now, thank you,” Squall thanked him and closed the door once the retainer left.

He grabbed his essentials and stepped into the bathroom. He turned the faucet to check for hot water, and he was not disappointed.

“A hot shower, first time after leaving Lestallum,” he said gleefully. “I am going to shower until the water runs out.”

After a hot and relaxing shower, Squall felt like he was born anew.

They had gathered for dinner in their family dining room. Luna sat at the head of the table while Leon sat on the chair next to her. It was only two of them.

Squall waited patiently for her to say something or at least look at him, but she did not.

Even though they were the only two people eating, they were barely alone as her staff constantly kept going in and out of the room bringing warm food.

He waited for the opportune time to talk with her, but every time he started someone entered the room.

Their entire meal was spent in utter silence. This was the first time they had such an awkward meal.

Even though the food was amazing, his mind just wasn’t into it.

Ignoring everyone around them, Squall finally asked, “Is everything okay?”

“Mhm,” was all she said.

There were no other words in the English dictionary he hated more than ‘Mhm.’

Before he could say anything, Maria burst through the door with a container in her hand. “My lady, here is your favorite dessert, Pineapple orange ice cream.”

She served one scoop to Luna and two scoops to Squall.

Xu entered the room and announced, “My lady, some nobles have come to visit you. I have them waiting in the audience chamber.”

“I’ll be right there,” she said immediately. She was looking for an escape, and this was it.

“No, you don’t have to come at this very minute. I was just informing you that after your dinner you have to meet them.”

“It’s not polite to keep them waiting,” she urged and proceeded to quickly finish her ice cream. She got up and left in a hurry.

Squall’s hunger had all but died. He too got up, without even tasting the ice cream. He retreated to his room slightly upset.

He did not have any proper clothes to change into so he had to improvise. He tossed his T-shirt in the corner and lay on the bed.

After all these hardships, he finally got a chance to sleep in a bed. It had just the right amount of softness to it. His body felt like a feather suspended in the wind.

He did not know what heaven was like, but he was sure that sleeping in this bed was the closest thing to it right now.

His mind tried to figure out what was wrong with Luna. Ever since he woke up, she has been acting differently. She was ignoring him and he did not know why. He barely thought for a couple of minutes before he, unknowingly, succumbed to sleep.

Author's notes:

Three new FFVIII characters were revealed in this chapter; Hope you caught them all.

Please leave a comment and brighten my day. Thanks :)

PS: I forgot to mention that I recently wrote a short Harry Porter story about Harry and Hermione called Love is the ultimate risk. Please Check it out if you like Harry Potter lore.

[tarotdeckshuffle]

Hello! First off, I love your writing, your stories are so great!

🥰 thank you so much, Anon! That means so much to me!!

I love this request!! I’m so excited! It should be so cute! 

And I love including everyone! It lets me know that everyone gets a little something, regardless of what tags you’re trolling lol (I’ve been there…)

Noctis

Would simply want to relax after all of the stress of a royal wedding.

Somewhere tropical and soothing.

The two of you spend a lot of time in chairs on the beach taking naps.

And get up late everyday...spending much the rest of the morning in bed.

Just a place to get away from it all.

There would be regular couples’ massages.

Tons of fishing and snorkeling.

Noctis wants to try to spear fish!!!!

And tons of walks on the beach.

Everyday has the most perfect sunset and each morning you relax in your husband’s arms.

Prompto

Whatever theme park has chocobos is where you’d go!

Don’t get me wrong, you’d have a romantic hotel and go to amazing dinners and all that jazz…

But you’re going to have so much fun with the chocobos!!!

Everything is so cute!!

Especially you, Prompto would say!

But, to you, Prompto is the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.

You’d spend late mornings in bed with your new husband.

But you’d both be so eager to get to the chocobos each day!

SO.MANY.PHOTOS!!!

The two of you would find trouble, but you’d run away laughing.

Just like the whole relationship, your honeymoon would be fun!

Ignis

Ignis would want to take you somewhere historic and romantic.

Somewhere you can relax but also learn.

This man has a love for Altissa, so he’d take you there (when the city is in its prime, of course).

During the mornings, you’d visit the historic sites of the city.

You spend your days shopping at all of the best stores.

Your evenings are spent tapa hopping and visiting the best restaurants.

Ignis spares no expense for his new spouse!

Anything you want is yours!

He would get a few new threads, as well.

He’d make sure there are plans to relax.

Massages, facials, hair treatments.

Anything you wanted to do.

But his favorite thing are mornings spent staying in late with you.

Then sitting on the balcony watching the sun rise over the harbor while drinking coffee.

Life is perfect with a sip of coffee and you in his arms.

Gladio

Gladio would sweep you away to an alpine escape.

Somewhere high above the world where the evergreens grow.

You two have a cabin all to yourselves.

Where each day you go out to take walks together, hand in hand.

You see nature outside each day, possibly for the first time in your life.

The wind sings through the pine needles, lulling you to sleep.

You’ve never seen Gladio so relaxed!

He’s so attentive here!

Every moment he can, he sweeps you off somewhere alone.

You’d also learn something new.

Possibly skiing, possibly rock climbing.

You have never felt so free in your whole life, as you admire your new husband.

Together, you are on top of the world.

Ravus

If you married Ravus, it would be as low key as he could manage.

For him, a honeymoon is more of a state of mind than a place.

But if there was a place you wanted to go, this man would take you.

Every minute he’d spend with you.

And he’d want you all to himself.

You’d see him more relaxed than you can even imagine.

One of your fondest moments is dancing with him in the middle of the room, both of you in your socks, to an upbeat song. You started it, but the song and your joy were infectious, so he joined in.

From then on, he’ll always smile when you play that song and dance with you if he has the time.

You’re just ordering take out because you’ve found yourselves in bed...again.

You see him smile more than you ever have before.

Maybe you’re halfway across Eos, maybe you’re in Tenebrae, but wherever the two of you are will make it the best place in the world.

Luna

The wedding would be one of the biggest events in Eos.

You’d take an “official honeymoon” to a beautiful palace, but it wouldn’t be special.

After it all died down, you’d go somewhere, just the two of you.

To a cottage outside a small town on the coast.

Listening to a cold ocean break across the rocks below.

Humming songs together.

Waking up to soft mornings.

Becoming rosy cheeked on wine in the evenings.

Your days are filled with laughter and kisses.

Taking walks along the beach.

Bundling each other up against the winds.

Buying flowers and sweets in the village for each other.

Here, she finally relaxes,

And you can breathe.

Time moves just a bit slower.

The world waits beyond the shore,

But for a few days, you’re just two people, deeply in love.

Cor

Two words: road trip.

Cor has an old motorcycle that he hasn’t gotten to use in years.

The two of you would pack a backpack with the simple necessities and just...take off!

You’re going to see Lucis with your love!

You spend some nights in old motels, some at campsites.

But you see the small towns and cities of the country.

You meet the most wonderful people, sharing in new foods, songs, dances, and stories you’ve never heard before.

Spending each night in your husband’s arms.

Sure you don’t always have the most privacy, but that’s part of the thrill.

The complete freedom the road gives you is invigorating.

Cor even lets you drive, sometimes.

You’d get into trouble, but never enough to worry either of you.

Together, you feel unstoppable.

Nyx

Nyx doesn’t get a lot of time away from the Glaives, so he’d try to make his time away as special as he could.

It’s not the most romantic getaway, but he’d take you to Galahd and show you what was left of his home.

He’d show you the river he played in as a child and the bar he and Libertus ran.

You’d visit his sister’s grave and pay your respects.

You’d set up camp on the beach and play in the water with him.

He never realised you hadn’t seen the ocean.

He’s a fish in the water, holding his breath for what seems like ages before popping up to scare you.

What was once a source of heartache for Nyx returns to a place of fondness and laughter in his heart, thanks to you.

One day you’ll return here, together, and start something new.

Ardyn

“Oh, my darling, the whole world is ours. So, where shall we begin?”

You may not yet know the truth to Ardyn’s words, but he does.

He doesn’t like places that are “too hot” (sunny).

“Well that wouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t wear ten layers of clothes.”

“Oh, getting eager to undress me, darling?”

You’d head to the great, dark North.

No one else is here and no one else can reach you.

The base is prepared thanks to Ardyn setting up everything before your arrival.

It’s even...posh.

He’d make sure this outpost feels absolutely luxurious, decorated in lush fabrics and dark reds.

You can bet he’d be a clown around you.

Like when you walked in and found him on the lounge, only wearing his hat strategically placed and a rose in his mouth.

But you’d be treated as royalty the whole time, often carrying you off at his slightest whim.

Delicious food is ready for you and your every need has been seen to.

Every night you watch the Northern Lights dance outside.

One of your greatest gifts is watching Ardyn’s awe at seeing such colors wash through the sky.

Ardyn has prepared the base for a “few extra days” in case your visit should run over.

It does.

You never want to return to the daylit world.

But you know that the comforting darkness will return to you in your husband’s arms.

Aranea

Aranea is actually very romantic after getting married.

She’s still so thrilled that you’re with her that she’s on cloud nine.

A candy apple red Niflheim airship is parked outside a bamboo shack on an island somewhere.

Aranea’s armor is replaced with a swimsuit and skirt.

You’d go swimming in the ocean together, getting into splashing wars.

She can’t cook so she brought lots of ready made meals with her.

But you can so you make campfire grilled fish on the beach late at night.

Watching from each other’s arms as embers drift up to join the stars.

You’d spend loads of time in bed...if you actually made it to the bed.

The snide comments still come, she wouldn’t be your love if they didn’t,

But Aranea laughs more than you’ve ever seen, before.

You share kisses of salt and love in the ocean.

After a blissful time, you must leave.

But when hard times end, Aranea will steer her ship for that little shack, bringing you back to one of your favorite places.