𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 🗲 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sparkstrikes) wrote2023-01-01 12:11 pm
sparkstrikes) wrote2023-01-01 12:11 pm
empatheias IC contact. (archive)
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No. To you. And Snow.
[But not Noel. Never that jerk.]
I was trying to find a way to keep Lady Serah and Izana here, but I haven't come up with anything conclusive yet. And now it's too late.
[But not Noel. Never that jerk.]
I was trying to find a way to keep Lady Serah and Izana here, but I haven't come up with anything conclusive yet. And now it's too late.
You don't have to apologize for anything.
[It's given firmly, leaving little room for debate.]
We've all been trying, but haven't found any answers. But thank you... for that.
[Lightning has a feeling admitting that might not have been as easy for someone as Machina, but she appreciates it all the same. The fact that he cares enough about Serah to do that speaks volumes.]
[It's given firmly, leaving little room for debate.]
We've all been trying, but haven't found any answers. But thank you... for that.
[Lightning has a feeling admitting that might not have been as easy for someone as Machina, but she appreciates it all the same. The fact that he cares enough about Serah to do that speaks volumes.]
[It's not wholly altruistic, not truly. Machina has a very vested interest in making sure that Izana doesn't go back. At least, not without a contingency plan in place.]
I'm not giving up on it. But I'm going to work harder with Apple to try to find a way to change history. Especially now.
I'm not giving up on it. But I'm going to work harder with Apple to try to find a way to change history. Especially now.
[Wait, rewind. Something in what he's said makes the pit of Lightning's stomach turn uncomfortably.]
Change history? What do you mean?
Change history? What do you mean?
Apple has a theory. Since people from here from different points in time, maybe it's possible to return to a different time. If we can figure out how to do that, we can change the past. I can stop Izana from being deployed and killed. Maybe I can even warn my country that an attack is coming and prevent the war totally.
We could stop Lady Serah from dying.
We could stop Lady Serah from dying.
Not directly.
[There was certainly combat involved, and he'd cut his way through countless MTs and other imperials in order to reach his goal, but no attack had been responsible for how he had changed.]
Noct was in danger. Lady Lunafreya, I fear, was beyond saving, but it wasn't too late for him-- he was in Chancellor Izunia's grasp.
[It's not often that he speaks of Ardyn, but the same low, seething tone always threatens to surface when he does.]
Ever since I was a child, my sworn duty has been to remain alongside Noctis. To protect him, no matter the cost.
[There was certainly combat involved, and he'd cut his way through countless MTs and other imperials in order to reach his goal, but no attack had been responsible for how he had changed.]
Noct was in danger. Lady Lunafreya, I fear, was beyond saving, but it wasn't too late for him-- he was in Chancellor Izunia's grasp.
[It's not often that he speaks of Ardyn, but the same low, seething tone always threatens to surface when he does.]
Ever since I was a child, my sworn duty has been to remain alongside Noctis. To protect him, no matter the cost.
[Her stomach makes an uncomfortable turn again, and she grimaces, letting the silence between them linger a little bit longer. With a very audible and loud sigh, her face appears in the connection, and she looks very unamused.]
I don't think that's a good idea.
I don't think that's a good idea.
[Lightning continues watching him, setting her cup down on the table as quietly as she can so as not to interrupt. She holds her breath, anxiety and worry getting the better of her as if this is something that hasn't already happened. She has no idea where this is going, or what protecting Noctis has to do with all of it. Sworn duty or not, hearing that makes her churn on the inside, even if she would have done anything to save Serah. It's hypocritical, but she hates seeing the people she cares about get hurt.
After a few more moments of silence, Lightning lets out that breath she's been holding in, sounding more troubled than she intended.]
What was the price you had to pay?
After a few more moments of silence, Lightning lets out that breath she's been holding in, sounding more troubled than she intended.]
What was the price you had to pay?
[He shifts in his seat slightly, lifting one hand with his fingers spread, gesturing vaguely towards his own face. Of course, that much goes without saying, given the way this conversation had started, but his lips pull into a thin line as he considers how to explain the rest.]
Noct's bloodline has been entrusted with the Ring of the Lucii-- a weapon to be used by the chosen king in order to save our dying star.
[He has to tell her that much before he says the rest.]
Izunia sought this ring, considered himself to be the rightful bearer. To keep it from falling into the wrong hands, I seized it in a moment of desperation. [Though he wishes that he had been that altruistic. In truth, it had been somewhat more selfish, panic driving him to do whatever it took to protect the person he cared for most.] To protect Noctis... I attempted to wield its power. Even those who are favored by the ring and the past Kings of Lucis lose themselves to it, bit by bit.
Noct's bloodline has been entrusted with the Ring of the Lucii-- a weapon to be used by the chosen king in order to save our dying star.
[He has to tell her that much before he says the rest.]
Izunia sought this ring, considered himself to be the rightful bearer. To keep it from falling into the wrong hands, I seized it in a moment of desperation. [Though he wishes that he had been that altruistic. In truth, it had been somewhat more selfish, panic driving him to do whatever it took to protect the person he cared for most.] To protect Noctis... I attempted to wield its power. Even those who are favored by the ring and the past Kings of Lucis lose themselves to it, bit by bit.
[Her jaw tightens and without realizing it, her drink begins to heat up and the steam thickens, but she's paying far too much attention to Ignis now, watching for any signs of his expression shifting, and her eyes fall on the scar along the side of his face.]
And so that's what that power did...
[It's not a question as much as it is seeking confirmation that she's following along.]
And so that's what that power did...
[It's not a question as much as it is seeking confirmation that she's following along.]
Why not?
[It's a genuine question. Not a hint of his typical belligerence. Not argumentative. Not even a touch of surly grump. He appears earnest enough but his tone is edging towards calm. At least he's not afraid that disagreeing or having a different opinion will inevitably end with a broken friendship anymore.]
[It's a genuine question. Not a hint of his typical belligerence. Not argumentative. Not even a touch of surly grump. He appears earnest enough but his tone is edging towards calm. At least he's not afraid that disagreeing or having a different opinion will inevitably end with a broken friendship anymore.]
[She thought the whole "don't play with time" warning was a universal thing... Not even the gods gave Lightning the power to bend time that much at will and even her own ability to do so is limited...]
There's nothing good waiting at the end for anyone who tries to mess with time. Trust me.
There's nothing good waiting at the end for anyone who tries to mess with time. Trust me.
I do trust you. But, if there's a chance, I have to try. I can't sit back and do nothing at all.
[If there's any kind of hard evidence about this, he'll respect Light's judgment call. Otherwise, it's full steam ahead, consequences be damned.]
[If there's any kind of hard evidence about this, he'll respect Light's judgment call. Otherwise, it's full steam ahead, consequences be damned.]
[ It isn't, but it is, at the same time. Feeling "special" isn't exactly his strong suit - at least, not in the way she implies, but it's something he's been working on and gestures like this certainly help, no matter how undeserving of them he may feel.
So without delay, he takes the fork from her, his grin quirking. ]
Hey, thanks. Seriously, I mean it.
[ And his tone carries that sincere weight that leaves little room for doubt. But not a moment later, he picks up his usual cadence again. ]
You're gonna have some, too, right? You know what they say about eating cake alone!
[ ...Don't ask him what "they" say, he doesn't know. ]
So without delay, he takes the fork from her, his grin quirking. ]
Hey, thanks. Seriously, I mean it.
[ And his tone carries that sincere weight that leaves little room for doubt. But not a moment later, he picks up his usual cadence again. ]
You're gonna have some, too, right? You know what they say about eating cake alone!
[ ...Don't ask him what "they" say, he doesn't know. ]
Then don't.
[She's not sitting back and doing absolutely nothing either. Lightning hasn't exactly made it public knowledge that she's been looking into the hows and whys of people coming and going the way they do, but this? This isn't the answer she would ever seek.]
But you know what'll happen if you mess with time, Machina. We all do.
[She's not sitting back and doing absolutely nothing either. Lightning hasn't exactly made it public knowledge that she's been looking into the hows and whys of people coming and going the way they do, but this? This isn't the answer she would ever seek.]
But you know what'll happen if you mess with time, Machina. We all do.
Don't thank me.
[Lightning owes Prompto a lot more than he thinks she does.
But he can't just say that and not expect her to leave it at that? There's a second plate left out for her, and she helps herself to a humble slice. She glances up from her knife slicing through the cake to raise a brow at him.]
They say something about that?
[Can't say she's ever heard that before... she eats plenty of cakes by herself... at two in the morning... when no one else is awake, but that is her little secret. Someone's gotta eat them!]
[Lightning owes Prompto a lot more than he thinks she does.
But he can't just say that and not expect her to leave it at that? There's a second plate left out for her, and she helps herself to a humble slice. She glances up from her knife slicing through the cake to raise a brow at him.]
They say something about that?
[Can't say she's ever heard that before... she eats plenty of cakes by herself... at two in the morning... when no one else is awake, but that is her little secret. Someone's gotta eat them!]
[Waiting on Lightning's doorstep when she gets home is a pink rose with a pink ribbon wrapped around it. There is also a box of heart-shaped chocolates with a card. All it reads is:]
- From Auron
- From Auron
[ Left outside of Lightning and co's home was two gift boxes. One with the tag Snow and the other with the tag Lightning. Left beside Lightning's box was a single bright pink flower. Inside the box was a metallic figurine that looked like Odin, or rather Squall's world's version of him anyway. ]
Lightning,
As you may have noticed, feelings don't come easy to me. I just wanted to let you know that despite my complaints, I appreciate you. I enjoy the time I spend with you.
Squall
Lightning,
As you may have noticed, feelings don't come easy to me. I just wanted to let you know that despite my complaints, I appreciate you. I enjoy the time I spend with you.
Squall
[Before he speaks, he kind of gently taps on her awareness. In case she's busy doing something.]
[Lightning is doing nothing at all, since she's been spending time alone in her room for the better part of the day, but that doesn't mean the gentle tapping inside her head doesn't come as a surprise.
She's still not used to this whole telepathy thing so it's with a tentative, quiet, and tired voice that she answers.]
... Hello?
She's still not used to this whole telepathy thing so it's with a tentative, quiet, and tired voice that she answers.]
... Hello?
Hey. It's me.
[Fortunate for him that his voice (mental or otherwise) is distinctive enough that he can be recognized. It's also quiet with an emotion he might not have ever expressed to her before. Wonder.]
I just. Just wanted to say you were right. It is like falling.
And I got caught.
[Fortunate for him that his voice (mental or otherwise) is distinctive enough that he can be recognized. It's also quiet with an emotion he might not have ever expressed to her before. Wonder.]
I just. Just wanted to say you were right. It is like falling.
And I got caught.
[There's a gentle laugh from her end. It doesn't take long for her to recognize his voice at all, and not much longer than that to guess what this might be about and her suspicions are quickly confirmed.]
Yeah? I'm happy for you.
[A simple response, but genuine.]
How'd it go?
Yeah? I'm happy for you.
[A simple response, but genuine.]
How'd it go?
Absolutely terrifying. I needed about three beers to calm down afterward.
[Fortunately he was eating lunch with Regis so he didn't get quickly drunk in the middle of the afternoon.]
I have no idea what I'm doing but I guess I'll make it up as we go along.
[Fortunately he was eating lunch with Regis so he didn't get quickly drunk in the middle of the afternoon.]
I have no idea what I'm doing but I guess I'll make it up as we go along.
No other way to do it.
[And is there anyone in this world or the next who actually knows what they're doing? Lightning could have given him all the best advice she could think of, or she could have been an expert, but no two relationships are the same, just like no two people are.]
You gonna tell me who?
[And is there anyone in this world or the next who actually knows what they're doing? Lightning could have given him all the best advice she could think of, or she could have been an expert, but no two relationships are the same, just like no two people are.]
You gonna tell me who?
Well...we're...trying to figure out how to tell certain people about this so. Would you mind just...keeping it close to your chest for a bit?
[Do you know what else is a rare emotion for Auron to display? Especially for a voice so raspy and gruff? Shyness.]
...Regis.
[Which might explain a WHOLE LOT about the hesitation Auron had felt when explaining things to Lightning beforehand.]
[Do you know what else is a rare emotion for Auron to display? Especially for a voice so raspy and gruff? Shyness.]
...Regis.
[Which might explain a WHOLE LOT about the hesitation Auron had felt when explaining things to Lightning beforehand.]
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