#silex scientia

[primamchorus]

Partial Dossier #05 :: House Scientia

VOX INTELLIGENCE BUREAU HOUSE SCIENTIA

REPORT FROM PAX VOX

FFXV: Reimagined Table of Contents

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A House of royal retainers ever at the King of Lucis’ side, House Scientia is trained in a number of duties and activities that are specifically to aid the Crown as Hand of the King. Some of the most knowledgeable of the noble families, members of House Scientia are educated on a number of things from a young age all in order to prepare them for their role. The extent of these things range from cooking, to becoming polyglots, to even subterfuge tactics to name a few.

In their understanding, learning, and application of their knowledge, House Scientia perhaps rivals that of House Viridis in terms of magical capabilities. Over generations, it has never been uncommon for the Hand of the King to show great mastery over the manipulation of elements as well as the precision of their elemancy when concocting flasks for later use. These skills have been especially useful in their martial ability.

In an unfortunate raid, House Scientia lost one of its Hands of the King, leaving the House under the care of the next in line: Silex Scientia. With Silex's guidance, however, the future Hand of the King, Ignis Scientia, has shown promising potential and understanding of what is expected of him. Already, he serves as Prince Noctis’ attendant, showing unwavering service and loyalty to him

The crest of House Scientia are two hands and a crown. One hand beneath the crown to support, and one above to show reverence. It has ever been a point of pride the lengths of which House Scientia will go through in order to service the Crown, of which their crest symbolizes wholly.

[exhaled-spirals]

Il y a en nous des semences de science (semina scientiae), comme en un silex des semences de feu ; les philosophes les extraient par raison ; les poètes les arrachent par imagination : elles brillent alors davantage.

René Descartes, Œuvres Philosophiques

[primamchorus]

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.

[primamchorus]

Partial Dossier #08 :: House Vox

FROM THE SEAT OF THE HAND OF THE KING HOUSE VOX

REPORT FROM SILEX SCIENTIA

FFXV: Reimagined Table of Contents

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House Vox serves an important role to the Crown as their informants. In the era of King Regis Lucis Caelum, Pax Vox has seen his service through into retirement, having served King Mors Lucis Caelum before him. Now, Pax's son, Aestus Vox, bears the mantle as Ears of the King…or he would, had he not ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋. The honor goes to the eldest daughter of the Vox family, Vera Vox, who is also set to become Noctis’ Ears of the King once he succeeds his father.

▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ and ▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋, House Vox flourishes with their mastery of ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋. Able to ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋ ▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋, very little is known about the Vox family as a result. This has earned the House the moniker of ‘Family of a Thousand Faces’. Though they utilize their skills for the benefit of the Crown and her people, House Vox ▋▋ ▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋.

Bearing a highly symbolic crest, House Vox boasts the image of a two-faced head; the head of a buck on the left, the head of a wolf on the right, a blade clamped down between its teeth. This crest has always been indicative of House Vox's ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋ ▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋▋ ▋▋▋, and ways they have honored the Crown in their generations of service.

Silex, did you really think we would allow such information be so easily documented?