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primamchorus · 3 months ago

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Side Story: Empty Seat

When life is meant to be served at the future king's side, what is life when the prince is not present? Perhaps the answer is one that the Chorus twins learn. Perhaps the answer is one they will not figure out at their delicate age of eight. Perhaps it is an answer that will be revealed at another time.

Word count: 2,181

FFXV: Reimagined Table of Contents

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It had been a couple of months since Regis had gone away with Noctis to Tenebrae. Routine had to be kept in mind as the Chorus twins were made to adhere to their training and chores. Noctis not being at their side was greatly felt between them. More so were the harsh training sessions that left both Primam and Tandem winded and exhausted by the end of the day.

Still, they had to persist. After all, they were not the only ones who felt the missing presence of not just the prince, but the king as well.

The halls of the Citadel were often empty… Silent, mostly. Only the occasional staff member would walk through, seeing to what needed tending to in the king’s absence. Any time that Primam and Tandem were made to come to the Citadel so that their parents could see to their duties in the wake of Clarus Amicitia’s absence as well, they often wandered close by, sometimes making their way out into the royal garden.

It was here that they found Ros of House Viridis at one point, tending to some of the plants alongside his uncle, Arbor. However, once both Primam and Tandem caught sight of the older man, smiles spread over their faces as they hurried over.

“Master Arbor!” The address came at different intervals from the twins. It had been some time since they had seen the familiar man of House Viridis.

“Not with your parents?” Arbor asked once he looked up at the garden's new visitors. He offered as much of a warm smile as he could, only momentarily wiping the sweat off his brow as he did. Locks of light brown hair clung to his face -- same as Ros. It seemed the two of them had been out here for a while.

“Mother and Father have to fill in for Master Clarus while upholding their own duties…” Primam said as she slowed and walked toward Arbor and Ros both, her smile faltered slightly. Both of them had dirty garden gloves on their hands, but it seemed like Ros was in the middle of using the garden trowel to make room to move one of the new flowers into the bed.

Primam reaffirmed her attention on Arbor. “Mother’s left for the Glaive HQ to meet with Captain Drautos, and Father’s tending the things Master Clarus entrusted him with.”

“Mm… Ever the diligent ones, I suppose…” Arbor commented, his attention returning to the garden bed as he took one of the potted flowers and got it fit into the hole Ros had dug. His expression was relatively unreadable for the most part.

“Do you know when everyone is coming back?” Ros asked, taking his trowel and digging another hole. He looked up at the twins with an expectant and hopeful look in his eyes.

“No… Why would we?” Tandem asked as he finally meandered closer to stand not too far from the garden bed himself.

Ros shrugged in response,his attention going back to the help he was providing. “Mother never usually leaves so abruptly… The two of you are Noct’s future Arms of the King. You’re always with him. Thought you’d know something.”

Primam glanced from Tandem back toward Ros.

“All we know is Noct’s been hurt…” Primam slowly revealed. She brought her hands together, fidgeting. “Mother mentioned that it may be some time before they all come back.”

“And how have the two of you been in that regard? At home without having to trail after Noctis?” Arbor asked, moving another flower to the newly dug hole while Ros scooted aside and worked on a new one. “Well, I hope? I know Gratia can be a bit of a--”

“She’s been making us train harder,” Tandem cut in, squatting down next to the rest of the flowers that had yet to be moved from planter to garden bed. His eyes were glued onto them, noting the slightly glittery texture of the petals. “Said that we need to be stronger for Noct. Said that we can’t allow him to be hurt like that again.”

Arbor stayed silent for a while before sighing and then taking his gloves off. Patting Ros on the back, he offered a small smile and said, “Take a break. Go get something to drink and wash up. I’ll meet with you to take you out for lunch.”

With a nod, Ros rose and removed his own gloves, placing them next to the rest of the flowers yet to be relocated. Once Ros had disappeared out of the garden, Arbor looked over at Tandem and Primam, standing. His form loomed over them as he neared.

“Knowing your mother since we were kids, I know she can be a bit…difficult,” Arbor sighed. He watched as Tandem rose back up onto his own feet to give his full attention to the words being spoken. “And the two of you don’t have it easy, not by a longshot. Not with how you two are expected to carry the title of Arm -- Arms -- of the King. Should you two need it, know that House Viridis’ halls are open to you both.”

Primam’s shoulders relaxed as she grinned up at Arbor, Tandem also smiled, his hands going to his hips.

“Thanks, Master Arbor,” Primam said.

“Yeah, thanks,” Tandem followed up. “And it’s good to see you back at the Citadel!”

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On the fifteenth day of August, both Primam and Tandem were approached by none other than Mollis of House Somnium. She was attempting to keep a smile on her face as she presented them both with neatly wrapped gifts.

“Happy birthday!” Mollis said as cheerily as she could manage. The only reason Primam and Tandem themselves had not forgotten their own birthdays was because Mollis always made the effort -- not just for them, but for all of their noble peers.

It was touching how their birthday was not forgotten by her…yet, neither was the prince’s as she produced another present, just as neatly wrapped.

“Make sure Noctis gets this when he returns?” Mollis asked. “Besides Ignis, you’re the only two I know see him often since…well, since you go to school together.”

The present became just one part of many that was expected to see its way into Noctis’ hands when he was back from Tenebrae. As the school year really started picking up, Primam took on the responsibility of accepting Noctis’ assignments to bring back for him. His seat remained empty for a number of weeks, and the question of when he would be back became a tired answer from the twins: “We don’t know.”

It was around this time that whispers and rumors began to travel, student to student. These little rumors took no time to reach Tandem nor Primam’s ears, either. How students began to snicker and gossip: “They’re just like my grandparents -- white hair and everything. Bet they just forgot when the prince is supposed to be back.”

“Ew! Who would let old people come to school that isn’t a teacher?”

Without the prince to make their own status as his future Arms of the King something of a novelty, the twins had become a target of ridicule and teasing. The weight of his missing presence left a sizable gap, and the weight that bore down grew more and more on the twins’ shoulders. It was Primam who felt it more, many times biting her tongue as she usually did. Tandem recognized it, though… The way her eyes watered and her cheeks flushed -- it was the same as when they were being scolded by their mother.

There was one particular day when the twins were picked up by Silex and Ignis where Ignis seemed to notice the change in Primam’s general disposition. Looking back behind his chair once he was settled, he said to her about Noctis’ assignments: “You should let me handle those.”

“It’s for Noctis,” Primam replied defiantly, her cheeks still red from that day.

“He’ll need them completed and turned in. I can help,” Ignis pressed. “You’re clearly handling too much on your own.”

“I can give you my homework if you want!” Tandem chimed in with a grin, leaning forward and pressing a hand against the back of the passenger side chair. He had been doing everything in his power to remain as unshakable as Gladio when it came to holding himself together. As far as Tandem was concerned, he needed to remain strong for his sake and Primam’s.

“I am to be Hand of the King, not ‘Hand of the Arm’...” Ignis said in response, narrowing his eyes at Tandem.

“You can’t do these for Noctis, Iggy…” Primam said, furrowing her brow. She clutched her backpack a little more protectively. “If we gotta do our own homework, he’s gotta do his, too! You can’t do everything for him!”

“I don’t do everything for him!” Ignis’ tone became laced with a hint of annoyance. “What does that say about you, anyway?”

“Now, now…” Silex spoke up at the wheel of the car as he drove them back. “How would the king and the prince react when they came back and saw that the future Arms and future Hand are bickering? You are all meant to be at Noctis’ side, caring for him and ensuring he becomes the best King of Lucis as can be. Like me, you will become part of his Royal Council.”

“I’m not bickering…” Tandem quietly said, settling back into his seat and crossing his arms over his chest with a bit of a pout on his face. Indignation welled up within him.

Silex sighed, the barest audible hint of annoyance of a guardian having to deal with three kids within. He glanced up in the rearview mirror to have a look at the twins, and then reaffirmed his gaze upon the road. “It is…amazing that the three of you manage to look out for and care for Noctis already.”

Ignis settled back into his own seat, looking out the window. With a bit of a pout. He already knew the scolding was on its way.

“Ignis, Primam is right, though. There are some things the young prince must do for himself, and it may be harder for him to take care of when he’s back. You can help him with it, just don’t offer to do it for him. He must come into his own as our future king.” Silex looked over at Ignis briefly and reached over, clapping a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Again, he looked in the rear view mirror, his gaze settling on Primam as he reaffirmed both his hands on the steering wheel.

“And Primam…” Silex started, eyes going back to the road. “You have to know when to distribute the weight you carry. Every day, you bring back stuff and hold onto things. It’s okay to ask for and accept help from others. Especially when it gets too much to take care of.”

A pout grew on Primam’s face, and she clutched her backpack more tightly to herself. She sniffled slightly and nodded. “I…I can try, I guess…”

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Tension hung thick within the Chorus estate whenever Primam and Tandem observed their parents as the days dragged on and the king had not returned with everyone else. It was more palpable outside on the training grounds of their estate. Despite the sweat that trickled down their brow down to their jawline, despite the aching muscles and the exhaustion, Primam and Tandem were made to continue. Their mother still barked out orders.

“Again!” she would command.

And so the twins would, training weapons in their hands as they put to practice what they were taught. Thrusts and parries, swings and swipes, guards and blocks, punches and kicks.

“Again!”

Calluses formed on their hands. Tandem spent a night wrapping Primam’s blistering hands and tending to them with antiseptic as she cried. He looked on as her hands shook from the sheer exhaustion and pain -- how they shook with the sobs she bit back.

“Again!”

Tandem could see the worry in Primam’s eyes. In all of this, she was no match for him. She was slower…she might still have put some of the others to shame with her training, but Tandem could read her movements before she could even strike. She was weaker, too, unable to break past his physical defense.

“Again!”

‘Left side open…’ Tandem mouthed as subtly as he could to Primam before he pressed an attack toward her.

As soon as Tandem swiped the wooden blade, Primam parried and then kicked him where he said he would be open.

It was not satisfying. And why would it be? This was not indicative of real combat -- combat that the two of them were training for. Primam knew this. She knew that if they ever saw combat with actual daemons or others out there that wished to do the Crown or her people harm, they would not mouth little clues or hints at her to take advantage of.

“Again!”

It was a word that echoed through both their heads.

#ffxv #ffxv writing #my writing #ffxv oc #oc: primam chorus #oc: tandem chorus #oc: ros viridis #oc: arbor viridis #silex scientia #oc: gratia chorus #ignis scientia #oc: mollis somnium #ffxv: reimagined

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primamchorus · 5 days ago

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Impatience

Having arrived at the Citadel, Noctis and Ignis come to learn that things are not to go quite as they imagined it would. With the peace treaty on the horizon, it seems there is plenty there to throw wrenches into everyone's plans.

Word count: 2,119

FFXV: Reimagined Table of Contents

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It was a matter of minutes before Ignis was parking the car in the underground car lot and both he and Noctis were making their way toward the towering image of the Citadel. It was always such an awe-inspiring visage, especially when gazing toward the top of the building. One could never miss the font of magic that connected to the protective dome that encapsulated Insomnia. It was here where the dome, known as the Wall, was anchored.

Atop the stairs into the Citadel was a rather burly man. At a glance, he could have been mistaken for Cor…which Noctis had been guilty of having done in his youth.

The man was adorned in a coat of black — the revered color of Lucis, and so worn by royalty and those that worked for the royal Crown more times than not. His brow was set in a rather heavily set furrow, a stern frown upon his lips. Yeah, it was easy to have mistaken this man for Cor were it not for how much broader the man's shoulders and chest were these days.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Your Highness,” the man said, offering the bare minimum of a bow to Noctis.

“Haven’t seen you in ages, Drautos,” Noctis said, offering the bare minimum of a wave in turn. He had seen Drautos around, but sometimes even a week could feel like it dragged on for months if Noctis had any pressing matters to take care of. It was rare, but there was quite a bit of paperwork piling up along with actually having a job and doing schoolwork in the past.

Shrugging off Noctis’ flippant greeting, Drautos looked at Ignis with a stiff nod. There was an exchange of keys as Ignis relinquished Noctis' car into Drautos' care. Looking down at the keys momentarily, he then turned his attention to the young Prince. “After your business is finished, will you be returning home, Prince Noctis?”

“That’s the plan,” Noctis replied. He lazily brought his hands over and rested them in his pockets.

“Understood. Then I’ll have someone drop you off.”

“Thanks.” Noctis frowned with thought. Looking back up at Drautos, Noctis asked him: "Hey, while we're here… How are Primam and Tandem?"

The corner of Drautos' mouth twitched as he glanced back down at the keys in his possession. "The…former Arms-in-training are doing well enough. They've adjusted to their new station at the very least."

His words were stiff. The words used were enough to make Noctis bite back a grimace.

"For a mercy, they've been good about following instructions. That's more than I can say for some of the other Glaive I have under my command." Drautos finally pocketed the keys and then shifted his attention over. “Ignis.”

“Yes, sir?” Ignis straightened his posture reflexively.

“Make sure you’re available at all times. I can’t say for sure when King Regis will be able to see you given his schedule having been rearranged.”

Much as Ignis tried to hide it, he could not help but furrow his brow with surprise at the update. It was not often that he was taken unaware — much less left in the dark to changes in plans… Especially ones of this nature. Pursing his lips, he went on to say: “I had no idea.”

“Seriously? Whatever happened to meeting us now?” The impatience made itself more than evident in Noctis’ tone. Drautos, however, elected to ignore it whilst keeping his eyes on Ignis.

“His meeting probably dragged on longer than anticipated.” Drautos informed them. This elicited a somewhat exasperated ‘ugh…’ from Noctis.

“I hope His Majesty is able to see you before your departure tomorrow.” There seemed to have been a finality to the discussion after Drautos spoke and silence lingered between everyone. Of course, this pleased Noctis little as he folded his arms over his chest, kicking at the ground with some agitation.

“Captain.” Ignis broke the silence.

“Yes?”

“Is the date of the signing still undecided?” At Ignis’ question, Drautos seemed to glance uncomfortably between both he and Noctis.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

A troubled sigh escaped Ignis. “Unfortunate, indeed."

“I understand your anxieties — both of you,” Drautos looked at Noctis to acknowledge him as well in that moment. “But Regis has said he’d like to proceed with caution.”

“Of course.” Noctis could tell from Ignis’ expression after he spoke his affirmation that there was more at hand to have been concerned about. However, the Prince kept his mouth shut, electing to shove his hands into his pockets with further annoyance.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything,” Drautos said, placing his free hand on Ignis’ shoulder briefly and looking him in the eye.

“Much obliged.” Ignis concluded the discussion, pulling away from the Captain and heading into the Citadel with Noctis close behind.

Noctis’ expression only grew sour once they were inside the building. There were a lot of concerns and questions that raced through his mind about everything. More than anything, he was just frustrated that it was his last day in Insomnia before he was to get on the road with three of his trusted allies to make way to Altissia. Annoyance rose thinking that his own father had been trapped in meetings and discussions that prevented the two from having the chance to at least see each other off properly.

Thoughts were about to form out of Noctis’ mouth to word vomit at Ignis until he caught the familiar voice of someone — Iris of House Amicitia.

“Any chance I could see him?” Noctis heard Iris say. She was close, but nowhere to be seen for now.

“Not at present… Your father is still in a meeting.” Another familiar voice.

Turning the corner, Noctis and Ignis were able to see who Iris was conversing with. Silex Scientia — the current head of House Scientia following the unfortunate events that took Ignis’ parents when he was a child. It was always a nagging thought at the far back of Noctis’ mind whenever he saw Silex, the man that acted as not only Ignis’ uncle, but as a father figure since the attack at Cape Caem.

“Prince Noctis. You look well,” Silex said in greeting once he caught sight of both Noctis and Ignis. His words were the cause for Iris to turn on her heel suddenly. A large smile spread across her face as she looked at Noctis.

“Noct!” Iris brought her hands behind her back, lacing her fingers together.

“Hey Iris,” Noctis greeted before looking at Silex. Given what he had overheard from the two, a question bubbled forth: “Mr. Scientia, is my dad around?”

Silex’s chest and shoulders heaved with a silent, weary sigh before he glanced at Iris and then back at the Prince. “As I was just telling Iris, the King and Clarus’ meeting has yet to adjourn. You both have my sincerest apologies.”

“No…No worries…” Noctis said, already beating himself up mentally for failing to hide the disappointment in his voice. Also for allowing that question to slip past his lips when he already knew the answer prior to asking it. Maybe he was hoping for a different answer from a different person.

“I’m…sorry for the delay,” Silex apologized, drawing his hands together.

“It’s not your fault, Uncle,” Ignis said, attempting to assuage any discomfort or feelings of guilt at this time. “I’m sure that whatever is going on right now is far out of anyone’s hands. Unfortunate as it may be.”

“Yeah…” Noctis started, barely adding to what Ignis said. “We’ve got other things to do anyway.”

“Like getting ready for your trip?” Iris inquired, looking up at Noctis as she neared him.

“Yep.”

“Thought so. Bummer I don’t get to go with you and see the wedding...” While Iris’ words betrayed the remorse she attempted to feign, she did let out a sigh with a sense of disappointment that felt unrelated. Noctis opted not to press her on the matter. He figured the two of them were in the same boat: unable to meet with their parents.

Clearing his throat, Noctis shrugged and said, “I’m sure you’d just get bored along the way anyway. From what I've gone over with Dad and Ignis, it's probably gonna take quite some time to get there.”

“Well~” Iris started in a singsong tone. “Do you mind if I tag along with you? Just for today?”

“Around here?” Noctis was genuinely confused this time.

“No! Back to your place, silly!” Iris clarified with a small laugh.

Noctis exchanged looks with Ignis. Ignis seemed to have the expression that told Noctis that he was going to have to deal with answering her on his own. Suppressing his own sigh, the Prince rubbed at the back of his neck before finally saying, “Maybe…not a good idea.”

“What? Why not?” Iris asked. “It’s your last night in town; you're going to have a party, aren’t you?”

“Not…that kind of party…” Noctis said while Ignis shook his head and laughed wryly at the perceived assumption of what was happening later.

“It’s a moving-out party. Nothing but cleaning,” Ignis decided to dehaze Iris’ idea of what was going on later that evening.

“Cleaning!?” Iris asked, her voice rising a lot higher than she originally anticipated as evidenced by the fact that she brought her hands up to cover her mouth after her outburst.

“Yep. There’ll be bugs everywhere.” Noctis was honestly not sure whether or not he was lying in full. There probably were a few roaches hiding out at his apartment. Whether or not there were, however, there were definitely a couple gnats that had made themselves comfortable around the sink. Nothing extreme, thankfully, but nothing to really dismiss, either.

Iris, upon hearing some elaboration on that, scrunched up her face in a mix of disgust and disappointment to the news.

“So you’re probably better off staying away,” Noctis concluded of that aspect of their discussion before moving on. “What’re you doing here anyway?”

Iris’ expression softened before she pointed to a neat black paper bag leaning against a wall. “I brought a change of clothes for my dad. He’s been so busy lately; he just sleeps at the Citadel!”

“Not even Master Clarus has been spared from the treaty preparations, I see,” Ignis commented, adjusting his glasses. His amusement disappeared now that the topic shifted. Noctis glanced at the floor, his mouth forming into a thin line as he remembered all the pressure father must have been enduring at this time.

It certainly could not have been easy.

Turning back to Silex with this new consideration, Noctis asked in a concerned tone, “How’s my dad doing?”

“Exhaustion aside, he seems to be doing just fine,” Silex reassured Noctis.

“Can he still walk?”

“But of course.” Silex’s brow raised as he answered. He seemed surprised that Noctis would have thought otherwise of Regis. However, the relief in Noctis was palpable by all that were there as he let out a sigh he had no idea he was even holding.

“Great. I’m glad to hear it,” Noctis said.

Giving Noctis a nod to acknowledge his words, Silex moved on and looked at his nephew. “Ignis, I will contact you once His Majesty has a moment.”

An indignant scowl befell Noctis’ face, though he stayed silent. It was not as if he always checked his phone, much less answered it. Sometimes he just slept through it ringing or notifying him of anything. Still, it stung a little knowing that even he, Regis’ own son, would be less of a consideration versus the future Hand of the King. Even if he hated admitting it was for the best to himself.

“Much appreciated. For now, we’ll be on our way to the Prince’s quarters.” Ignis offered a courteous bow to his uncle before he and Noctis turned to start walking toward aforementioned quarters.

"Noct…" Iris spoke up before the two of them got too far, making both of them look at her inquisitively.

"Congratulations on your wedding," Iris said with a smile on her face that failed to reach her eyes. A twinge of sadness had been evident in her tone.

There was a moment's silence that lingered between Noctis and Iris before the Prince gave a somewhat shy smile. Turning his head away, he replied: "It's a little early for that. But… Thanks, Iris. I’ll see you later.”

Iris watched as the two turned to continue on their way. Soon, her expression fell, and matched that twinge of sadness that was heard in her tone. Not that Noctis nor Ignis witnessed it for themselves as they strode down the halls, passing window after window, and door after door.

#ffxv #ffxv writing #my writing #(extrapolated from prologue: parting ways)#noctis lucis caelum #ignis scientia #titus drautos #iris amicitia #oc: silex scientia #(tentative on that last one since he is technically canon -- i just am fleshing him out more)#ffxv: reimagined

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