[OPEN] what kingly dreams

[fessus]

WHO? Noctis and you (and some other losers maybe)
WHAT? Dreams
WHEN? Whenever both our characters are asleep during this event
ANYTHING ELSE? Possible violence and trauma

[ Dream A ]

[ The decorations on the Citadel almost seem like physical impossibilities, great waterfalls of fabric draped over towering architecture and what feels like a never-ending amount of petals or confetti catching the light as they fall. It's not really all that consistent. It is a dream, after all.

Maybe that's why the crowd that chokes the plaza feels so indistinct, fuzzy background faces cheering for the wedding they're about to witness. Noctis takes a deep breath as he gathers his composure, unable to adjust his collar because fidgeting is inappropriate but it's so itchy. Nevertheless he turns his head from where he's standing at the height of the stairs, looking to what should be his bride climbing the last few. Except... ]

Wait, this isn't right. [ You are not Luna. ]


[ Dream B ]

[ The indignant cheeping of the chocobos in response to their beautiful plumage getting wet is louder at least than the steady rainfall against the rooftop of the Wiz Chocobo Post. Louder still might be Noctis's scoffing at his own hair getting wet, trying his best to smooth it down even as he ducks under the railing of one of the bird pens. ]

Easy, easy... You think I want to be out here either? [ Why is he here? He doesn't know beyond that it's definitely his job to feed these animals; that's a certainty. Did he take up a part-time job or something? One gloved hand smoothes feathers as he calls out to the other presumed worker on duty. ]

Hey, can you pass me that bag of greens?


[ Dream C ]

[ Students are whispering behind him, he can feel it. They always do. He looks younger, feels younger, and the school uniform he's wearing is as uncomfortable as it ever was.

He stares at the board, a complex math equation he's never seen carefully scrawled onto its face as his teacher tuts disapprovingly. "How can we have a prince that can't even solve something so rudimentary? You're so unlike your father," she says, and his discomfort only grows.

This is like a nightmare... How could anyone know the answer? ]


[ closed to Achilles ]

Come... on! Stay down already!

[ The bark of a frustrated yell comes from a visibly irritated Noctis, sword vanishing in an array of crystalline light before being replaced in his hands by a vicious-looking spear. He's facing down a monstrous beast that seems all too intent on slashing him open with swipes of its claws, narrowly dodging each hit. ]

Gladio! Where's-- Prompto, Ignis! Where are you?! [ That spear is hurtled at the behemoth's head as he warps in for an attack of his own, getting in a few solid strikes before he tumbles back down onto grass. Help's always appreciated. ]


[ closed to Midnighter ]

[ Noctis is unused to spending much time in the throne room of the Citadel these days, and it's even harder to remember a time when he's been in here alone. Fingers drag over the smooth surface of one of the throne's armrests before abruptly jerking back, as if he's suddenly remembered it should only be his father's right to place his hand there.

Where is he? He should be here. It's too quiet and Noctis has always loathed coming in here as an adult; there's no reason for him to linger when he expects an advisor or guard to show up and chide him at any moment.

The sudden sound of footsteps has him turning his head, however, the only warning he's given before the doors at the far end of the room burst open and another young male who looks to be close to his age -- but in much, much worse condition -- runs through them. Has he ever seen this person before? No, his mind says, but he doesn't belong in here. ]

Hey! Hey, are you okay? [ Noctis is taking those steps two at a time to move to his side. ]


[ closed to Hei ]

[ It's night.

The starscape in Lucis is stunning, too, a totally unique beauty that he could never appreciate in the metropolis of Insomnia. Out here, away from civilization... everything seems to slow down a little. Everything feels more real.

And it isn't what he wants to see; it's not his friends, or Luna, or the place that he'd most call "home". But it's what he needs to see, his world and the lands he's destined to rule over. Noctis exhales as he drags his fingers through cool grass, head turning to see the shadow of another figure only illuminated by starlight. ]

... ah. Hey. [ Again his gaze turns skyward, even if he feels a greater sense of unease now. ] It'd be good if this lasted, huh?

Comments

[fessus]

Have a couple standards for-- oi.

[ Thunder rumbles overhead as he's successfully snagged but not for long, shrugging her off hurriedly with an added roll of his shoulder afterward. ]

--wait, we're friends now? When did that happen? The second you got hungry?

[bloodings]

All friendships start somewhere. [ She... has never had a friend in her life. Shocking. ] Don't be stingy.

[ It's clear she's just going to keep following him. Confusing dream-world or not, she has her priorities. ]

[fessus]

[ He takes a moment to gather himself, adjusting his shirt and jacket with a fair amount of attitude. ]

This isn't normally how they start... [ A brief grouse before he looks over again, finally sighing out as he gives in. ] Fine, I'll buy you one sandwich. One.

[bloodings]

That just makes ours special!

[ No... why this. She lets out a pleased noise when he finally caves, slapping him on the back a little too hard. ]

I'm Saber. [ Not that she knows it, but for once, her title isn't the strangest name around. Thanks FFXV. ] What's your name, chicken-feeder guy?

1/2

[fessus]

[ His shoulders immediately lift in a tense shrug, just giving her a Look for her trouble. Why is everybody always so touchy? And the smack just makes a weird sound against his soaked shirt too, morosely sloshing his way over to one of the umbrella covered tables. ]

They're chocob-- ahh, forget it. I'm Noct--

2/2

[fessus]

--gar.

i snorted out loud

[bloodings]

[ She 100% believes him, because she's an idiot... but she laughs anyway. ]

That's a stupid name. I'll just call you Noct, okay?

HE'S SO PATHETIC......

[fessus]

[ He squelches sadly into his seat but glances up when she uses that name, an odd expression briefly on his face. ]

Ah... Yeah, sure. It's not like it's that hard to say the whole thing, though. It's got the same number of syllables as Saber.

but we love him

[bloodings]

[ By contrast, Mordred just kind of... dumps herself into her seat, armour and all. It's a wonder the thing doesn't break under her. ]

Too much effort. [ Now she's just fucking with him. ] So, what's on the menu? You said two sandwiches, right? And I'll need a drink... oh, and something for dessert, too.

just like I love you

[fessus]

Don't push it. [ Not like they aren't already very far past that point. He's pretty certain that that chocobo she attacked is now staring them both down, so that's fun. ]

This is an outpost; do you think they have a ton of options? Look-- [ He snaps up one of the laminated abused menus, flecked with rainwater and showing its age. ]

Chocobo club, gysahl chips, green smoothie... and the fat chocobo triple-decker.

:*

[bloodings]

Man... all of that sounds good. A triple-decker, huh?

[ She leans across to see his menu, wanting to see if the pictures live up to the words. ]

Well, it's settled. One of everything, and two of the burger. I'm not sharing, so make sure you order your own stuff, too. [ Thanks, Mordred. ]

[fessus]

Hah?

[ Excuse you. ]

If I'm paying then you're getting two things and that's it, so you pick on your own. And this is just grace because this is our first meeting anyway. [ It isn't, but he has no way of knowing that. ]

[bloodings]

[ Already up to two things... Noctis you pushover. ]

In that case... I guess a burger and a sandwich is fine. But I've gotta have a smoothie to wash it down. [ Looks at him... expectantly... ] All that hard work made me hungry and thirsty. It's the same for you, right?

[fessus]

That's three things-- Forget it, you don't listen. If you can't narrow it down to two then I'm gonna' pick for you, so that's your only warning. Sure, I'm tired and I'm hungry but I'm not that hungry...

[ What a time for Wiz to appear, holding his hat onto his head against the wind as he treks over to them. ]

Choose quick.

[bloodings]

[ Mordred sighs. For a moment, she seems resigned to her fate... but the moment Wiz offers to take their order, the grin is back on her face again. ]

A burger and a sandwich for me. And two smoothies for Noct here.

[ See, they really are friends. She has no problem putting him on the spot. ]

[fessus]

[ A hand immediately shoots up in protest to her order, but... his eyes focus in on her at first rather than Wiz, exasperation seemingly doubled in its effectiveness by dripping hair and a sour expression. Seriously? Seriously, after all his generosity-- ]

Burger and a sandwich for her is fine. I'm having the sandwich and the smoothie. [ He nods at the idle smalltalk from the man, far too used to it by now. ]

--ah, yeah, thanks, Wiz.

[bloodings]

[ Completely unfazed: ] I guess we're sharing.

[ Remember this when she calls you a useless guy, Noctis. Remember it. ]

So how'd you get suckered into doing this, anyway? [ Since he said he was just helping out. ] You don't look like you've worked a day in your life.

[fessus]

Then have your eyes checked. [ After he's passed the money over and Wiz has left them in conflict peace. This is not ideal. ]

I've worked plenty, just not this kind. Not with chocobos, anyway... But Wiz needed help so I'm here. What about you?

this thread is so long and it's all just noctis being bullied

[bloodings]

I was passing by. Knights are supposed to help out, right?

[ Except she didn't really help out at all, and the way she says it makes it obvious she doesn't follow that rule. Far too flippant, like it's just an excuse for her being here... which it is.

Idly, she glances back over at the Chocobos. If they're a replacement for horses, then... ]

Think I can ride one? [ It doesn't sound like she's asking for permission, just contemplating it out loud. Mordred doesn't really do 'permission' to start with. ]

aggressive weeping

[fessus]

... but you didn't do anything. [ Goddamnit, Mordred, no.

Even still he follows her line of sight, pausing in a way that's all too telling. Damn it, he doesn't want to capitulate at all... ]

Yeah, a normal person can. [ nailed it. ]

[bloodings]

[ Exactly. ]

Right, so I definitely can!

[ tfw you're too stupid to be insulted. ]

After we eat, though. I'm still hungry. [ And since this is a dream... look, there's the food now. Mordred immediately reaches for Noctis' smoothie. ] Thirsty, too.

[fessus]

[ Fuck yOU, he grabs for the smoothie instantly and there might be some magic involved in how quickly he moves his hand out of her way, the glass and his arm both seeming to teleport back in a hasty retreat. He sips it, glowering at her. ]

You can't ride the chocobos. You just tried to fight one; are you crazy? None of them are gonna' wanna' deal with you. I don't want to deal with you.

[bloodings]

[ SULLENLY..... eats her food... that he paid for............... ]

Tch. That's no way to treat a friend, chicken-feeder guy.

[ Not even Noct... that's just insulting now. ]

[fessus]

I treat people like my friends when they treat me like a friend first. All you've been doing is insulting me and ordering me around. There's way more to friendship than that.

[ He has Standards. ]

[bloodings]

Then you can be my subject. That's a better fit for you, anyway.

[ She is actually kidding this time, though the arrogant look on her face makes it sounds legitimate. ]