Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "It's true. I am."

Nyx Ulric (insomniashero) wrote in snapthread,
@ 2019-09-14 22:04:00

Entry tags:

lunafreya nox fleuret, nyx ulric

WHO: Nyx Ulric and Lunafreya Nox Fleuret.
WHEN: Saturday after this.
WHERE: Near the fountain in the town center.
WHAT: Nyx rescues his princess.
RATING: TBD, likely low.

Nyx sprinted. Not ran. Not jogged. He sprinted. He was in his room with Carbuncle relaxing when he opted to poke around on the network and saw that fated post from someone he thought was gone from his life. He left in such a hurry, he wore only the simple black pants that he always wore and black t-shirt. The one person that he thought he'd never see again. The one person that drove him insane with her ideals and her stubbornness. Lunafreya was here in Starklandia. She was here, and she wasn't supposed to be. Her destiny was to help Noctis achieve the end goal. Save the world and defeat the travesties brought onto the world brought on by Niflheim and more.

She was not supposed to be here.

Nyx took his turns from his house at full speed on foot, for when he rounded into the courtyard of the town and saw the blonde woman he skidded to a stop. His blues landing on the princess ripped all his breath from his chest. The way she held herself, the gaze in her eyes - her face. She was exactly as he remembered her from the last time he saw her. On that fateful night. When her face turned towards to see him he let his eyes lock with hers. She was here, and Nyx felt his knees weaken. Just as his face showed the raw emotion on seeing her, it hardened hiding the deeper feelings, and the soldier and Glaive she knew was formed up in his walls.

"Princess." His voice was raspy as if he was unsure yet if it was her. "What.. what is the last thing you remember?" This was likely going to be a jarring experience for the woman.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-15 05:33 am UTC (link)

Her eyes widened as he grasped her hands, a small shock that she didn't expect. Not because she hadn't touched him before; one couldn't be fussy about protocol when running for their lives. This time, because she thought she'd never touch him again. He died so that she could escape and protect the king. It was his duty, as much as hers.

And how grateful she could be, for even that fleeting touch.

"Don't apologize," she answered, her voice full of emotion. "Are we not...friends, more than just Kingsglaive and Oracle? You understood what we both were bound to do....even though I know I drove you crazy at first." Despite her smile, her eyes shone a hair too bright. "I'm so sorry, too. Because of me, because of the ring..." She shook her head slightly. "Are we both dead now? In this place? I can only be reassured the gods gave me a friend to see at the end."

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insomniashero
2019-09-15 05:44 am UTC (link)

The way she looked as he grasped her hands, he thought he had done wrong. Of course he did wrong, right? Though her words said different. The look in her eyes said equally different. The way she spoke to him said worlds different. Though, she called him friend. His heart faltered the slightest. Of course. Lunafreya's love was with the king, and not some Glaive. Some soldier who was bound to her. He'd sort his feelings out later.

Shaking his head. "You did drive me insane." The smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth showed the fondness of the memory, though he focused his mind on what she was saying.

"Don't." He said sternly, but not in anger, but because he'd do it all over again. "Princess. I would do it all again. That path lead me to," You. "Doing what was necessary for King Regis, and of course Noctis." He leaned forward some. "I wouldn't change my sacrifice for the world." He was proud of what he had done. He had lived a good life, mostly. "Where we died in our world, I do not believe we are fully dead in this place."

Nyx would go on to explain the basics of Starklandia and the doors that lead to new places. Ultimately ending on, "You should pick a house, so you can get comfortable." Looking from her he tried to look passive. "Here, your duties of being the Oracle are not as needed. You can do as you wish here, Princess."

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-15 06:02 am UTC (link)

"A house," she repeated, a faint echo to his words. Her thoughts spun wildly, before latching onto that small offer. A house, for herself. How strange, since she'd never been on her own, not completely. There had been no time when she was not first the princess, then the Oracle. No time she had not been a prisoner, either of the Empire or of destiny itself. She was not dead, not here and now. She lived, but no longer on Eos at all.

Her heart pounding, she looked up at Nyx again, indecision marring her face. It felt odd, unknown; she'd always known what to do next, from the moment she'd let go of Regis' hand as he fled with Noctis. The moment she'd felt the power and knowledge of the Oracle. The same knowledge that had left her. She felt.... smaller here, normal and frail and human. She looked away from him and down at her hands, helplessly.

"I wouldn't begin to know what I wished," she admitted, wry and almost despairing. "When have I ever made a decision that wasn't to bring us closer to our goals? But that's... done, now. Noctis is king, he doesn't need me now. Eos doesn't need me." She wanted to breathe deep with relief, but it was as frightening as it was peaceful a thought. "Where should I begin?"

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insomniashero
2019-09-15 06:25 am UTC (link)

Nyx nodded softly then looked about. "I'm sure there is a home close by to me, that we can find for you." He encouraged. "Though you're right. Tonight it is a bit much. I will bring you back to my house, and you can stay tonight." Nyx offered to Luna. "It is a lot to take in so suddenly, and I wish not to overwhelm you."

He took a step but then turned towards her. The way she was speaking, was how Nyx often felt here. Little purpose in his life in this place. Back home, he fought a war. He fought tyranny. Nyx was a hero. In this place, he was just another guy who did what he did. No true purpose, or concern.

Nyx's hand placed on the upper part of her arm. "Princess. You needn't make any decisions now." He shook his head. "I understand the void. You don't know what or where you should start or what you should do." Nyx acknowledge. He started with what he knew, adventuring really. The doors were perfect for him to venture through so he could help the people here. "Perhaps, your Oracle abilities would be of use among the healers here." Nyx offered with a smile. "There isn't conflict here in town, but those who travel through the doors, at times come back injured and needing help."

A soft, and happy smile crossed his lips to reassure her. "Seems like something a certain Oracle I know is incredibly capable in helping with." Releasing his hand from her arm, he offered his arm for her to take so he could escort her appropriately to where they were going.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-15 02:24 pm UTC (link)

The warmth of his hand on her upper arm, firm and reassuring, brought back her composure. Of course there was still work she could do. Luna slipped her hand into the crook of his arm quickly, smoothly, worried he might retreat again. It felt the same as when they first met; had she ever thought twice about placing her total trust in him? No, not once. He had saved her life more times than she could count, because he believed in her. In her destiny. She wouldn't lose that now. He was her Glaive and she believed in him.

"Thank you," she said, and it rang with a sincerity few could match. Luna felt her feelings keenly, and when she spoke them, they carried weight. "Thank you for standing by me, Nyx. For helping me." The knowledge of where they were was daunting, at best, but she would find her footing. She always had. Even as a prisoner for so many years to the Empire, she kept her thoughts moving when her body could not. And with him, how could she go wrong?

"It's so odd, a feeling," she admitted, her fingers tight on his arm. They trembled a little, but she didn't notice. "It feels almost like when I walked out of the gates of Insomnia. No more prison, no guards, no more bars. I knew they were on my heels, and I was so sad-" her hand moved, on his arm, a reassurance, "-but for the first time, free."

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insomniashero
2019-09-15 08:00 pm UTC (link)

Just like that, he watched her expression come back to the steady, brave, and calculated face he knew so well. Lunafreya the Oracle. Just right. While she came back, and her hand took the crook of his arm - all was right in Nyx's world. Despite the sadness knowing that the princess had died to arrive here. That, was not the way he had hoped things to pan out for the woman. Having the woman here with him, just seemed to put perspectives in place and put him back in the mind back in the kingdom. Having Lunafreya here, he now was delivered a purpose even as light as it was. As a Glaive, he was given last order. Save Lunafreya, tend to her safety, keep her in his charge. A dying man's last request. Well King Regis made the request in the elevator, but he knew he was going to die.

His king.

"You're welcome, Princess." Nyx chimed back to Lunafreya. "Aside from King Regis' request, there is no place I would rather be, than by your side, Princess." He commented with the smile and charm he was known for. There was no doubt that she would find her place, she was incredibly gifted, and resourceful. Plus in this place, and her kindness - people would love and adore the young woman. It was hard not to with how she was. She was generally very well liked by everyone.

The tremble in her fingers was felt, and Nyx turned his body slightly so his free hand could touch the trembling hand of hers, purely for reassurance. "You are free here. The people here are good, no prisons, no guards." There was and encouraging smile. "Everyone here is in the same boat as we are," He paused. "Not quite with being dead, but coming from different worlds. The people here, help each other. Hold each up." Nyx looked off. She should meet Tony. Tony would love her. "This place is filled with people who were as we were." Dedicated.

He thought of Madison, despite her being gone. "Well, most people. Some are good with some coaxing." He laughed.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-15 09:39 pm UTC (link)

"That I find among many people," Luna answered, "when some perhaps just need to be shown a better way." In truth, they were absent words, coming from her mouth by rote, because he laughed and it went through her like an arrow. When had Nyx cause to laugh before? The moment they met, he had told her of his friend and fellow Glaive's death, the first Glaive sent to protect her and whom never made it that far. From that point on, surrounded by war and death, she'd earned his smile but never his laugh.

"Can I meet them? Your friends?" The way he spoke, they had to be friends. Perhaps not brothers as his fellow Glaives were (and betrayed him, she remembered), but held in esteem. "I want to learn about this new world." Her body didn't yet believe it, even as he led her through the quiet town. It resembled Eos enough, from the sky overhead, even if none of the styles of building where what Niflheim held. But she trusted him.

New realizations came on the heels of the previous ones. "I'm not...a princess here, you know. If there is no Tenebrae..." You could call me by my name, it was on her tongue to say, but he still treated her as his charge. Perhaps that would be too much.

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insomniashero
2019-09-16 03:24 am UTC (link)

There was a nod. "Yes, Princess." Hie eyes went to her. "You are absolutely correct. Some people just need a little guidance down the right path." The laugh was real, and since being here and finally being free of his duties back in Insomnia, there was a weight taken off his chest and shoulders. There was that moment where he was rocked when he received the box of Crowe's things. The different items in there that reminded him where he failed her. There was not going to be another failure now that Lunafreya was here with him. It was his duty to make sure of that.

There was a side glance about meeting his friends. "Princess, I will be thrilled to introduce you to everyone." He nodded. "I actually live with a warrior woman. Her name is Valkyrie." He thought for a moment. "She is fierce and from another realm or world. She is strong, honorable, and very courageous." There was a low smile. "I believe you'd like her." He thought some more. "Then there is the defacto mayor of this town, Tony." He thought for a moment. "He's so smart, and kind. Generous in his help, and eager to keep everyone here safe. Never one to wish to see pain in other's eyes." He smiled. "There are many here, and I can't even speak of them all." Nyx had a low smile. "You will learn of this world quickly. You are so strong willed princess, nothing will slow you down."

With her realizations, Nyx looked to her. "Tenebrae is not here, but you'll always, always be my princess." The pointed on the two was to encourage it was more than her his princess, and he her Glaive, but more that no matter what, he just wanted to be there for her. Though, naturally he was still very dutiful, and she was still betrothed to the young king and how could she ever see herself with just a simple soldier. A common soldier like him.

Duty. Focus on your duty to the princess.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-16 03:49 am UTC (link)

Still warmed by the laugh, Lunafreya listened avidly as he described the others. She would be meeting new people, and from what he told her, what the strangers on the the odd network told her, none would know who she was. No one would look at her as the Oracle first. She wouldn't be their princess.

Only his.

The mention of Valkyrie brought a soft smile to her face, but she fretted a moment later: "Wait, will she be upset to have me in your home? She won't know me." No one will. And if there was the small twist of an unfamiliar pain at the realization that he lived with someone now, she dismissed it. Nyx had only ever treated her as his respected princess. Still, another question plagued her. "How long have you been here?" Had he been alone? Had he suffered when the ring burned him? The thought wiped the smile from her face, replacing it with concern.

The reassuring confirmation from his lips both warmed her and stung. You will always be my princess. She let the words soothe her rather than hurt. She wanted that, wanted to know that she could always look to him. He was telling her that, now. And if there was a small part of her that wished she could hear him say her name, well, that part would have to give way to loyalty instead. "You'll always be my Glaive," she echoed, with the conviction she was known for.

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insomniashero
2019-09-16 04:16 am UTC (link)

There was a thought about Valkyrie and her reaction to Lunafreya. "She's very free willed" There was a small chuckle. "Also, where I am putting you up for the evening, is quite spacious." Considering this place had decided to change his simple bedroom into his apartment from back in Insomnia. His entire apartment. "I would not fret about her reaction on you being there. You just tell her, you're with me." He nodded with a soft smile. Of course, not with him, because that was impossible.

How long had he been here. There was a thoughtful look while he thought about it. Time sure passed quickly. "I'd have to say, close to six months." There was a shrug at the thought. "I had awoken in that same courtyard as you." Nyx had sighed softly. It was a weird thought thinking he had been here already almost half a year.

Looking to her, his heart swelled while she echoed his conviction to her. Belonging to her, he smiled a sad smile. Only her Glaive, but nothing more. There wasn't room for him in her heart next to Noctis. He knew it, and how could he have competed with that? Naturally he couldn't.

Pointing ahead to a modest home, there was a giant sleeping Pokemon leaned against the wall. "That big guy is Snorlax. Sleeps a whole lot." There was a smirk. "Real nice. Tomorrow I'll wake him up and introduce you." Then he brought her into the house, opening the unlocked door. The house was simple and efficient. No clutter, other than a couple books on the coffee table in front of the couch. Immediately they were greeted by a green ball droid beeping and whistling a greeting, but stopping looking Lunafreya, and whistling a low whistle before beeping at Nyx. Nyx laughed lightly at the droid as he seemed to agree with the droid. "I agree, she is quite stunning." He looked to her, and back to the droid. "She is very important to me, we need to look out for her and keep her safe. Can you help with that?" BB15 looked at Luna and back to Nyx with a solid beep and whistle. Nyx laughed and looked to Lunafreya. "This is BB-15. He's a droid from another world. He's a little sassy and.." He paused. "Vulgar, but he's a good boy too." BB15 whistled at Lunafreya happily and tooled around her and then rolled away from them.

Standing, Nyx nudged his head up the stairs. "Lets get you comfortable and settled for the night." Walking up the stairs, he lead to his bedroom, which opened to his apartment in Insomnia. Once inside he shut the door for the time being. "And you'll sleep in here tonight." Nyx commented letting her look around the surroundings.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-16 05:49 pm UTC (link)

"Six months.." It was more a near whisper than a statement, and Lunafreya exhaled slowly. It had not been so long in their world, but close. She had thought of him every day, wishing there had been some other alternative than to have him take the ring and perish. For the good of Eos. As he said, he would do it all again, but Luna dreamt every night of his face as he told Libertus to get her out of the city, even as the power from the rings started to consume him.

For now, she could banish those nightmares, hopefully forever. He was here, and alive. And perhaps they could be here together for a long while yet. A respite from the war and destiny.

Her thoughts were derailed by seeing the strange creature, and she smiled, enchanted by the furred Pokemon. "He looks soft," she murmured, this time a true whisper, so she didn't disturb Snorlax. She followed Nyx, quiet, until they were inside the apartment proper. She didn't have a chance to look around before a small mech rolled over to her, bright green and white, whistling and beeping. She didn't know what to make of it until Nyx translated it's low whistle, and her eyes went to him right away, her eyebrow raising even as a wry smile threatened her lips. She felt a small blush color her cheek, creeping down her throat, but she hoped he didn't see it as he turned to the droid to keep talking.

Kneeling down a moment to be on the droid's level, she said, "It's a honor to meet you, BB-15." She chuckled as the droid circled her, and she rose to her feet again, smoothing her skirt as she did. "Sassy and vulgar, where have I met anyone like that before?" she asked, with a rhetorical air, even as she smiled and studiously did not look at him. "Hmm, very unusual."

She followed him up the stairs, but when they entered the supposed bedroom, she was shocked to find an extensive apartment. And it looked... "This reminds me so much of Insomnia," she said, perplexed. The styles, the colors, it looked like so much of the city. At least, before it was destroyed. But she could have been mistaken. A lot of Lucii she walked, and it had been ruins later. Still, Luna wasn't stupid, and the outside of the house didn't correspond very well to the interior. "More magic?"

She was going to ask more, but then a white foxlike creature leapt onto a table near her, startling her for a second before Luna recognized the small messenger. "Carbunkle?" She immediately went to the guardian, touching him reverently. "What are you doing here? I....I can't talk to you here, I'm not the Oracle now."

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insomniashero
2019-09-16 08:00 pm UTC (link)

Yes. The six months had been long, especially considering it was so far away from everyone and anyone he knew. Some would have been sad from that notion where you had no one, but the cause in which caused his death and bringing him here, it was all worth it. Just to give those who were innocent a chance at the future.

"He is incredibly soft." Nyx told Lunafreya with a smile while they passed Snorlax. He patted the big guy's stomach which caused it to grunt and shift and continue snoring away. Then of course, once they were in side and passing through and past BB15, he shot a glance at her response on who it was like. Of course he caught the Princess' rhetoric and it was insanely adorable. If the princess could hear some of the things the droid said - that faint blush would be much more crimson than previously.

Though she caught the room. "It's my apartment from Insomnia." Nyx's words were almost grim. It was a weighted statement. "the magic of this place is lost on me. The rewards it gives it's people.." If she looked next to the door, the sheathed blades that were his chosen weapons were hanging. On the desk were pictures and news articles from Insomnia, along with the finer details of the Crown City. "Of course it came with it's own weight." Which was the box of things that were Crowe's or memories. The placed failures of his past. Which brought his mind to the obvious thing. The thing that he had to break, which Crowe was supposed to deliver to the princess.

While moving to the desk, he heard her suddenly speak to the adorable little fox god. A faint smile on his lips he opened the drawer and there it was. The hairpin. Pulling it from the desk he turned to see her talking to little Carbuncle. "Yes, he's here too." There was a shrug. "He arrived shortly after I did. No rhyme or reason, but he stays here with me. Or where ever he wants really." How did you stop a god after all?

"Princess." His hand held out that familiar hairpin. "I do believe this is yours." Nyx commented towards her to see. "This is also something that showed up." There was a small shrug. "Give me some time, I might be able to remove the tracking device in it, if you like." Though, Nyx admitted there was a small sense of security knowing that he could find her if she was taken, or lost through the doors.

"You still should have this. It did look radiant in your hair." That fateful night.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-16 08:27 pm UTC (link)

Lunafreya pet Carbunkle a moment longer, almost willing her powers back just for a moment. What if the small messenger god had something vital to impart to her? She couldn't let go that easily, even though she understood that her part as the Oracle was done. All the Oracles were done, she thought, bleakly. With her death, there were no more women of the Fleuret family line. Noctis, and Eos, wouldn't need them once the King banished the Starscourge, but she had carried that burden so long, it was impossible to just let go.

However, Carbunkle just yawned and looked at her with an unconcerned air. Lunafreya straightened up, not sure if she should feel relief or disappointment. Both were chased away as she turned to see what Nyx held out in his hand. A bit reverently, she reached out to touch the jeweled hairpiece, before she took it in her hands. "How..." her voice trailed off as she turned it over in her hand. She could see the tiny tracker. "I thought it was destroyed when we were escaping. I threw it into that engine, so all the mech would follow the tracker." The jewels winked in the low light, and she softened, before looking up at him again.

"I did swear that I would wear it forever," she said, gently. "For her memory." She hadn't known Crowe, but she knew of his fellow Glaive's death, and how it affected him, and Libertus. "I don't think the tracker will be an issue here." She reached up to put it in her hair, before she stopped, and held it out to him so he could place it better. "Can you...?"

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insomniashero
2019-09-17 05:32 am UTC (link)

The disappointment in Lunafreya's face was clear for Nyx, but it was mostly a look he'd likely have if he didn't maintain the abilities he had from before his death. It was those things, where, when you had something or did something for so long it was incredibly odd being without it.

"Well, it was brought here via magical means." Nyx commented as he looked down at the pin in his hand. "This place is incredibly odd with how it brings things to you. Some of it is just torturous." Shaking his head some Nyx's eyes trailed away. "When this place delivered my apartment from Insomnia, it also gave me a box of Crowe's possessions." Shaking his head, the sadness in his eyes, Nyx still blamed himself for her death - respected and honored her, but he couldn't help but believe there would of been a chance she'd still be alive if he had gone instead.

But then he might have been dead, and never having met Lunafreya.

Snapping his attention to the princess, Nyx smiled a weak smile and nodded. "You accomplished your mission. That honors Crowe enough. It made her death not pointless." Nyx told her, but then froze slightly. She wanted him to put the pin in her hair. "As you wish, princess." Nyx commented keeping his voice cool and his gaze solid. Manuvering himself, he stepped closer so he could part her hair ever so slightly, and used the pin in her hair to secure her hair. Once placed, he took half a step back looking down at her.

"Exactly where it belongs." Nyx admired.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-17 02:52 pm UTC (link)

Her heart clenched as he mentioned Crowe's items, and Lunafreya wished fiercely she'd been here for him when he got the box. She knew from his tone, from the hollow timbre of his voice, that six months wasn't nearly enough to come to peace with what happened to Crowe. She could only imagine how he felt being here, alone, with no one who knew Eos or the Glaives or what that all meant. It weighed on her now. It was one thing to think of him as being dead, and quite another to know that he'd come by himself to this unknown place.

Her thoughts derailed as he moved to put the pin in her hair, and Lunafreya shivered just a little as his fingers parted the strands. The cool metal slid against her scalp, fastening in place, and when he stepped back, her fingers automatically went up to touch it. She wasn't quite sure why it affected her, his hand on her hair, except that she was unused to anyone else doing so. She lifted her eyes to his, and saw the lingering sadness there, alongside the admiration. "It's very important to me," she said, softly, "because she was important to you."

She knew her words carried a heaviness, maybe too much, and Lunafreya instictually reached out to grasp his hand, squeezing his fingers to reassure and lighten what she said. She didn't care right then about the formality of their roles. They were speaking of a beloved friend.

Her eyes traveled down to where she held his hand and her gaze noticed the torn cap sleeve from her dress, slid down to her wrist. She'd come here wearing the same thing as when she died, the white now dirtied and torn in many places, and a thought had her releasing his hand and moving her palm to her waist, almost compelled. She remembered Ardyn's knife, how it cut, but there was no blood on her dress, not now. Still... "I'm used to traveling light," she teased, though her voice was slightly uneven, "but not this light. I don't have any clothes with me, just what I wore. I don't suppose there is somewhere around here I can get something new?" Her smile grown crooked, like she had not just had a small flash of her death.

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insomniashero
2019-09-17 04:46 pm UTC (link)

The thing was for Nyx, he never really took the time to see how alone he probably was in the place. Nyx just did what he did best, which was keep pushing forward. Instead of dwelling on what could have, he saw the place he was at now needing his talents here. So he moved forward with that. The doors could be incredibly dangerous, but he was capable. Why risk the harm of others, when he could risk himself. After all, it was what he did. It was a way he could honor not only himself, but Crowe. She was gone, and he blamed himself, but she wouldn't of wanted him to stop doing good and mope about her. She'd want him to fight, and fight his heart out. So that was what he did. He fought for the people he could here.

Not that it didn't hurt. Crowe's death would likely haunt him for a long time.

Nyx caught the faintest of shivers from Lunafreya, and Nyx tried to keep it from his mind. There was nothing there. She was cold. She was thinking of Noctis. She was anything but there for or with him. The pin in place, it brought it's own flood of memories. It was where it belonged, exactly as it was supposed to be. Speaking of things and people of importance, Nyx bowed his head slightly to the princess. You're important to me, princess. tugged at his tongue but never left his mouth. Except he spoke. "You honor both of us, princess."

With her fingers clasping his hand, his heart seized. Eyes diverted to where their hands were connected. It was a different feel from when he was just trying to get her out of the city. Keeping her safe. Pulling her this or that way. This hold was soft, loving, and caring. Just as the Oracle should have been. How his Lunafreya was.

Nyx shifted his hands to pull her hand from where her hold was on her wrist. Something had to have happened. Nyx knew the look all too well. He knew he wore the same distant stare at time when he thought of burning from the magic. "Yes, I agree." Nyx commented as he shifted holding one of her hands in each of his. "We will have to get you clothes. Gwen in town has a place called Van Dyne's where she has an astronomical amount of clothes available to pick from. Also, I will go through the doors and see what I can bring back for you." There was a nod and a faint smile. "Though tonight, my closet is yours. It will provide you something to change into in the mean time until we can get you over to visit Gwen." With that, he stepped away from her. "I'll be right downstairs, if you need me." Nyx walked towards the bedroom door. "You should get some rest." Just one final glance at her. His princess. His Oracle. She was here with him, and he shouldn't have been as happy as he was about that. Nyx removed himself from the room so she had her privacy.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-17 06:08 pm UTC (link)

He knew, he had to have known. The way he tugged her hands back into his, how he changed the tone of his voice to distract her from maudlin thoughts. He knew what she was thinking of, how she fell into that dark memory. His words, his touch, drew her back out of it, and she released a shaky breath in gratitude.

"Thank you," she said, again, to all of it. Her smile this time managed to be warm again, collected, just as she always was. New clothes, and she could set aside the dress, the memory of it. He released her hands, stepping back, and Lunafreya curled that remaining warmth from his grasp into her palms, her fingers closing around it like she could keep the sensation. She could do this. She'd handled so, so much more.

The door closed behind him with a faint click, and she took a deep, fortifying breath. Left alone to explore, and to change, she moved through the space, touching the newspaper clippings on the small board. Lucis Withdraws, said one headline. Niflheim Attack on Galahd. Pictures, of him and the other Glaives. A child's drawing. A letter. A picture of a family, and near that, an older woman with a younger one. His sister? Lunafreya let her fingers drop, feeling intrusive suddenly, a foreign witness to his private pain. Other than the board, there was little. An incense burner next to the board. A table, chairs, a small vidscreen, a couch. His bed, sheets rumpled. Sh walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly feeling so tired. As if once freed of the coiled energy he gave off, she gave in to the emotional toll. Eos was gone. Noctis, the others, her brother....far away from here. Safe, she knew. She told herself, safe. She'd seen Noctis survive, saw him with the ring, the power of the awakened gods. But this was so far beyond her scope of understanding. The absence of the power inside her felt like a wound, as if Ardyn had carved out the connection from her body.

She picked up Nyx's pillow, hugging it to her for something to hold. His scent permeated it, and she buried her face there for a moment, just breathing and trying to let her jumbled thoughts settle. It felt comforting, as if she could be protected by just the scent of him, even when he was not there. She'd traveled alone for months, curing the Starscourge and talking to the people and doing everything she could to help bring the prophecy about. Now, she had only herself and Nyx.

She couldn't rest, not yet, not while she still wore the torn dress, the reminder. Now that the memory rose up, she couldn't banish it until she took off the white material, until she escaped it. Standing again, she left the pillow there and walked over to the closet. A lower drawer yielded up a black t-shirt, the front decorated by a silvery emblem she didn't recognize. Peeling off the dress and her shoes, she slid the shirt over her head and tugged it into place. He wasn't going to have any pants that she could wear, but the shirt was long enough on her that she didn't care about that right now, grateful to be out of the stiff dress. Like the pillow, it smelled of him, and the material was soft. She hugged herself a moment, glad for it, glad for the comfort, and then opened the tall door of the closet.

(to be continued)

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-17 06:13 pm UTC (link)

Hanging on the inside hook, his Kingsglaive uniform hung, the long jacket studded with the matching buttons, the chain from one pauldron to the other, the silvered wrist guards. Lunafreya sucked in a pained gasp, before her hands flew to cover her mouth, smothering the next sound from her lips. One sleeve was completely burned away; the chain tarnished with ash and the lapels cracked and jagged. She sobbed once, her wide eyes traveling over the once-pristine black, the proud emblem of the Glaives under soot and dirt. Singed threads hung heavy, everything charred and burned. He died in this, her mind supplied, and the memory of him standing in his uniform when she saw him that first evening, tall and imposing, tried to overlay itself over this, over the terrible tombstone that this uniform was now. Her hands eased away from her mouth, going to the fabric, shaking fingertips touching the edges. She remembered him digging the ring out of her hands, where she would have put it on herself, risked the fires to save him and Eos.

You have a destiny to take care of here, remember? Besides, didn't anyone tell you...I'm the hero around here.

She swallowed hard, and again, but she couldn't keep back the emotion swelling up, her throat tight. Hot tears spilled over, scalding her face, as she gathered up the remnant of the uniform and pressed her cheek against it. His scent was obliterated here, the black reeking of smoke and char. She'd known he had died, known even what it must have looked like, from how she'd seen others consumed by the flames. But she'd always had to put it out of her mind, how he suffered. They'd tried so hard to escape the city, to get free, only to have him sacrifice himself so close to freedom. To save her. And faced with the incontrovertible proof of what had happened to him, grief overwhelmed her.

She didn't realize she had pulled it into her arms, from the hanger, until she heard the door open behind her. He must have heard her crying, but there was nothing Lunafreya could do about that now. Her tear-stained face turned towards the sound, towards him. "This.." she tried, her words disjointed as she wept, "You suffered, and I-...I left....I left you there. Like this."

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insomniashero
2019-09-17 07:34 pm UTC (link)

Once in the hall, the rush of emotion left him in a hurry. There was so much to unpack here, and Nyx honestly didn't know where to start with. His phone entered his hand and he punched a message in while standing against that very door he left from. There was a message being typed, but he stopped. What would he say to the man. He had talked about Lunafreya to Tony, but honestly, what was there to be said. Tick tack tick tack, his fingers tapped against the device while taking a moment to breath on his own.

His feelings raw, he sighed heavily once again.

He was going to have to steal himself and prepare for what was to come. Lunafreya was safe, but she was lost. Nyx had six months of time here, and he was more well equipped for adjusting to the craziness that this place was. Sure, she was strong willed and in credibly stubborn - but she wasn't skilled in combat or adapting situations like this. Was he even? Regardless, the princess needed a rock to lean on. She didn't need Nyx the fun loving scavanger, she needed Nyx the Kingsglaive. The man that was hard and ready to throw his life down to keep her safe.

As he had done already once. Just as his words rung out in her own head, the image of Libertus and Lunafreya escaping in the car was seared into his skull. The look of sadness in her eyes, because they both knew what was coming. Despite the kings of old granting him their power, Nyx was not about to let either of them die in his place. The look vanishing while he faced his own fate. Faced Glauca.

The noise through the door brought Nyx's attention right prominanent. His ears perked and his head turned so his left ear faced the door more readily, listening for strange sounds. He had heard it a gain, and it was subjective. There was strong case for her being emotional, coming down from the events of the evening so far. Missing her Noctis. He should comfort, it's what should be done, right? Turning, Nyx cracked the door open and stepped in. "Prince-" and she had cut him off. Her words, and the tears streaming right down her face.

She sobbed for him, and his death. Clutching his tattered coat that was stained with ash and blood. Burned and singed. Tattered and evidence to his battle fought. She blamed herself, and there was nothing further from that for things she should have been doing. Nyx opened his mouth, but it closed. Nyx said nothing, but traveled across the short span to her and pulled her into a hug. What else would he do? Nyx for a long moment let her cry. For him, for her, for it being unfair for her to die. Whatever was needed, but after that long moment, the Glaive spoke softly.

"Princess, you did not leave me." He commented as a free hand pet the back of her head. "You did not leave me alone, you did not leave me to die." He stated firmly. Nyx kept petting her softly. "You left, because you had your own destiny to fulfill, and that was mine. You left, so I could do what was needed, and I could kick all the ass I needed to." Nyx chuckled softly. "You left, to give hope to those who needed hope. You left me physically, Princess," Nyx commented while pulling back from her to grab both sides of her face with his hands. "But you did not leave me." Naturally, the underlining words were left unspoken.

Softly, with the bottom of his own t-shirt, he wiped the tears from her face, because as much as he was a hero - he was still a man and believed anything could be cleaned up with a t-shirt.

"You did not leave me to suffer. I stayed and fought for you." His statement was quite obviously finished, before he realized what he had said and added on the end. "And for young king Noctis."

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-17 08:05 pm UTC (link)

Lunafreya clung to him, the tattered uniform caught between them, one hand holding it while her other arm held tight around him. He's not dead, he's not dead, she told herself silently, while tears still streamed where her face pressed against his chest, but the fact was, he had burned, and he had died. The jacket told her, so eloquently, his final end. Back then, months ago, she'd had the strength to flee, to go with Libertus, because she'd had the weight of all of Eos on her shoulders, the forces pushing her ahead. The back of her mind full of whispers, of promises about what would come. The convictions that she could not avoid. That was how she'd left the city, and him.

But that purpose fulfilled, the true import of the failures in her past came to her all at once. She understood that she'd not hurt him, that it was the Emperior and General Glauca, they had tried to kill her and him both, over and over. Nyx's death had bought her time, and not just that, but ensured she'd survive long enough to bring about the prophecy.

"If it had been anything less," she managed, through her tears, "I would never have left. Only for Eos...for what had to happen." She let go enough for him to raise his hands to her face; his fingers wet from her tears, as her blue eyes searched his. "And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

She let him wpe away the remaining tears, her breath slowing, and she nodded to his words. "I know you did." His addition of Noctis to that barely registered; she knew he was a Glaive and dedicated to the crown. "I know you fought for me." She sniffed back another small sob. "For us. Thank you. I just.." She looked down at the jacket clutched in her hand. "I had never let myself think about what happened to you. About what must have happened. About you in pain." She smiled up at him, a watery, weak turn of her lips. "Not that you would ever admit to being in pain. Not my Glaive."

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insomniashero
2019-09-17 09:38 pm UTC (link)

Could Nyx's heart not break with the way she clung to him. Her insane emotion for him was overly obvious, and it pulled on the strings in his chest - tightening around his entire chest cavity making it difficult to breath. Everything he did was for the greater good. Yes, obviously there was some selfish notion in that, such as making sure Lunafreya was safe and away from harms way. Besides, Nyx was the hero, and he had the heroes death he deserved.

Burning away. Watching the sunrise. Alone.

"No." Nyx told her while he kept her tears at bay. "You would have left, because I can't be the man I needed to be worrying about you." Which was true. The destruction of the city was also partially due to him and the old wall. "You would have followed my directions..." No she wouldn't have. "And you would have been escorted out." There was a smirk. "Though, you would of fought me on it." Nyx teased with a knowing smile to the time she jumped from the airship. "But I need you to not apologize." Nyx told her. "Apologizing for something, out of your control, and for a decision I made." His head dipped some so his blues were locked with hers. "I would make that decision again., in a heartbeat." There was a sly grin on his lips.

"It's what heroes do, right?" With that, he released her, now realizing she was only wearing one of his larger t-shirts. Well, now this was uncomfortable. Keeping the crimson tinge from his cheeks, Nyx spun her around. "But for now, you are not only likely physically exhausted, but menetally." He ushered her towards the bed. "You need to try and rest, and know.." He pointed to the couch that was in that single room apartment. "I will be right there." Stepping away from her, his body immediately cold missing her warmth. "Tomorrow, we will continue, and get you some clothes suited for a person your size." Not to say he really didn't enjoy her alone in his clothes.

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-18 01:50 pm UTC (link)

When he released her, near the bed, Lunafreya took the last few steps on her own, before sinking down to sit on the edge. He wasn't wrong; she felt battered, bruised from what had happened that day. Had it been only hours since she faced Ardyn, since he stabbed her and left her to die in the waters? It felt fresh and yet like a lifetime ago. This time here, with Nyx, was so far removed from all of that. As if he plucked her out of her last moments and brought her somewhere distant.

Tomorrow, perhaps, she would talk about it.

"I'll be alright," she offered, her breath hitching a moment but growing even again. She had released the jacket so he could put it away, and she didn't look again, but Lunafreya knew it still remained seared on her memory. Tonight, either exhaustion would mean no dreams at all, or she wouldn't escape them for hours. Let me wake up here tomorrow, she silently prayed. How odd, she had cause to think, that she for once couldn't be sure if the gods heard her at all. "Thank you," she said, instead, to him so she didn't have to think about it.

The bed smelled like him as she laid down, and it helped drive away the scent of ash in her nose. The sheets tangled around her almost immediately, as she didn't bother smoothing them out, but she paused, propped up on one elbow as she looked at him. "Promise me none of that here, though," she said, quiet, but serious. "Don't sacrifice yourself for me again." Even as she said it, she doubted he would promise anything of the sort, but she felt compelled to say it. You are important too. You need to live.

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insomniashero
2019-09-18 05:44 pm UTC (link)

Things were coming to an end, as he was almost sure that Lunafreya was now calming down from the last real revelation of his untimely demise. Finally having her in bed, and on her way to a slumber, Nyx shifted his weight to sit against the bed with he back against the mattress. He'd sit with her, while she dozed off. That would help. Let her feel safe, and know she wasn't alone.

Nyx thought to his sister, and how that worked for her. Before she was gone.

The coat she was previously caught up on, was discarded haphazardly, not wanting to give it anymore attention that it didn't need, and let his attention land completely on Lunafreya, where his attention should have been. "You're welcome, Princess." Nyx smiled softly up at her from his spot on the floor.

Though her request. That request she made, was one he wanted to provide her. Reality was, that request could not be made though - because if it was to be his life or hers, he'd throw his life down every time to save her. "Oh Princess." Nyx said softly. "As I would love to make that promise." He shook his head. "But don't be silly. We both know that's not happening." Shifting so his face was closer to hers. "Now rest. I'll be here when you wake and we will continue moving forward." Nyx confirmed and encouraged. "I'm not going anywhere any time soon."

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lunafreyanox
2019-09-18 06:45 pm UTC (link)

"I know." She said it with a rueful smile, albeit a sad one, because she knew that he was right. She couldn't hope to stop him. But perhaps once, she could be the one to protect her Glaive.

She swore that sleep would be elusive, that as tired as she was, there was no way her mind would quiet enough. But her body had other ideas. She lay back, closing her eyes, briefly aware of the hairpin where it remained in her hair. A thought occured to her and she murmured, "Nyx..." but whatever she was going to say was lost as she drifted off.

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