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Test Drive Meme #1
Arrival


Broken Palace by Jonathan Eng
0:07 / 1:13
▶︎
During 2014 Jonathan Eng composed the soundtrack for interactive narrative experience The Sailor’s Dream, consisting of a mix of instrumental tracks and a seven-part musical story told in folk song-form.
Like all who come through summoning circle, your arrival is heralded by a dream. Waking up is a dizzying, disorienting thing... and possibly made worse by the fact that you aren't alone.
Right after you appear, so does someone else. If you're lucky*, they'll simply blink into existence by your side. If you're not, there's a chance they spawned below or above you. That's one way to make a memorable first impression. Best untangle yourselves and get things figured out.
If you're extremely unlucky*, instead of another person being brought through the summoning circle, it's a monster. The creature bobs, laughs maniacally, and immediately begins to spit flames your way.
Some welcome this is. If you aren't the fighting type, hopefully someone nearby is. Eventually, one of the local Town guards will slay the monster before it - and you - cause too much trouble or fire damage.
Right after you appear, so does someone else. If you're lucky*, they'll simply blink into existence by your side. If you're not, there's a chance they spawned below or above you. That's one way to make a memorable first impression. Best untangle yourselves and get things figured out.
If you're extremely unlucky*, instead of another person being brought through the summoning circle, it's a monster. The creature bobs, laughs maniacally, and immediately begins to spit flames your way.
Some welcome this is. If you aren't the fighting type, hopefully someone nearby is. Eventually, one of the local Town guards will slay the monster before it - and you - cause too much trouble or fire damage.
Town Tricks


After your unexpected introduction to either your fellow offworlder or monster, you'll be given a proper one from Charlie in Town. He sends you on your way shortly after to get settled in properly and deal with then next offworlder that walks in. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a revolving door right now so he doesn't have time for a more in-depth explanation or to answer too many questions.
Nor does he remember to warn you about The Fae.
Although native to Talahee Forest, which is currently off-limits to offworlders, the surge of magic from the summoning circle has piqued their interest. While the faefolk vary wildly in appearance, the ones scouting are pixies.
These tiny tricksters may be too shy to reveal themselves outright... but that won't stop them from playing pranks on all these fun, new victims. Some examples of what can happen are:
Thankfully, these Fae mean you no harm. In fact, if you react with hostility they will give you a wide berth and simply find someone more fun to play with.
Nor does he remember to warn you about The Fae.
Although native to Talahee Forest, which is currently off-limits to offworlders, the surge of magic from the summoning circle has piqued their interest. While the faefolk vary wildly in appearance, the ones scouting are pixies.
These tiny tricksters may be too shy to reveal themselves outright... but that won't stop them from playing pranks on all these fun, new victims. Some examples of what can happen are:
- ⁂ Your shoestrings are suddenly tied together and make you trip.
⁂ An object you had on your person goes missing... only to be found in an odd place. Repeatedly.
⁂ Create illusions of food and drink that disappear or turn into something else as soon as you try to consume it.
⁂ At night, they'll use dancing lights to lead people astray and turn them around Town.
Thankfully, these Fae mean you no harm. In fact, if you react with hostility they will give you a wide berth and simply find someone more fun to play with.
Rocky Talky


One of the things that was given to you in your welcome pack from Charlie was a summoning-stone. Although it looks like, well, an ordinary stone- It's actually magic! You can look through it and see someone else's face too if you're both viewing your stones at the same time. It can also record your speech and deliver that to someone else in a snap.
One of the other features is that you can scrawl on it. It will turn your writing into legible text that you can send others to read on their stones. Of course, you need to attune yourself to your stone first. To that end, it prompts a small questionnaire:
The last couple of questions might seem... strange but, surely, it must have a reason for asking. Once you answer the questions and unlock your device, you might pocket it and forget. Unfortunately, your scrawled answers were sent to the entire summoning-stone network throughout Town. Everyone can see what you put and they might even have some thoughts about it.
One of the other features is that you can scrawl on it. It will turn your writing into legible text that you can send others to read on their stones. Of course, you need to attune yourself to your stone first. To that end, it prompts a small questionnaire:
- Name:
Age:
Race:
Favorite soup? Why?:
Is soup something you eat or drink?
The last couple of questions might seem... strange but, surely, it must have a reason for asking. Once you answer the questions and unlock your device, you might pocket it and forget. Unfortunately, your scrawled answers were sent to the entire summoning-stone network throughout Town. Everyone can see what you put and they might even have some thoughts about it.
Registration Questionnaire
Notes

⁂ Hello and welcome to Children of Bahamut! If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback feel free to comment here!
⁂ For the Arrival prompt, feel free to roll a d20 to see how lucky or unlucky you are.
⁂ The Town Tricks example list for pranks isn't exhaustive. If you have other silly prank ideas in mind, feel free to roll with that and have fun with it! The Fae certainly are.
⁂ There is a correct choice of favorite soup and the moderators will remember your choice/opinions. (We're joking. Mostly.)
⁂ Full Navigation ⁂
⁂ For the Arrival prompt, feel free to roll a d20 to see how lucky or unlucky you are.
⁂ The Town Tricks example list for pranks isn't exhaustive. If you have other silly prank ideas in mind, feel free to roll with that and have fun with it! The Fae certainly are.
⁂ There is a correct choice of favorite soup and the moderators will remember your choice/opinions. (We're joking. Mostly.)

no subject
And thin Iggy goes and calls this cute little cottage home and Noct's fraying control pulls taut-]
Home?
[and snaps.]
This?! [A frantic, desperate gesture over his shoulder toward the house, his voice rising with anger and something so much deeper and more powerful. A well of grief he's barely kept latched since he'd found out, those brilliant blue eyes blurring with tears he refuses to let fall.] This isn't our home, Ignis!
There isn't one. It's all gone, Iggy. There's nothing for us to go back to. The Empire- [He has to stop himself for a moment, eyes wet and wide and panicked like he doesn't trust himself to let even a single tear fall for what might follow. And he only manages to choke out one more word.]
Dad-
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[He had taken in the changes. Caught slips of tongue.]
[Understood, ultimately, that something terrible had inevitably happened, and forced growth for all of their efforts to let things happen at their own pace best that could possibly be had.]
[They were gearing up to discuss it all, he thinks. Finally getting to that point, instead of numerous individuals simply getting used to, well - the end of the world, apparently. Being in a simulation run on intimate relations between people. All the little mundane ways that people can get sidetracked.]
[And now, instead, he's here.]
[On his own.]
[And Noctis is telling him Insomnia is gone.]
[A torrent of feelings threatens to roll over him. A thousand thoughts on a thousand different things, if not more. He can feel the surge of it through his entire being, just before he forces down the emergency door to keep it from washing everything away. It locks up his longs. Stops his heart.]
[A single drop, condensation over metal.]
[Is Uncle Tan alright?]
[He wipes it away. Tries not to think about it. He can't be selfish right now. Ignis remembers to breathe, and tightens his grip on Noctis's shoulder to pull him closer.]
I'm here, Noct. I am still here.
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Everyone has been tense, strung tight enough to break. But now here's Ignis, this version of him softer and more reassuring. Somewhere Noctis is aware that yelling at him in such a way is unfair and unhelpful but he can't help it. Just like he can't help leaning into the warm arm around his shoulders.
Letting himself sink into Ignis' embrace like that, though... it's inevitable. Gradually all that anger and fear dissolve into tears that Noctis presses into Ignis' shoulder.]
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[How long since Ignis has cried? Longer, he thinks.]
[And he won't start today. Not with Noctis falling apart against him for the first time in a while instead of snapping at him and starting arguments. Not with a dismal and gray future looming overhead. As he holds Noct close, Ignis stares blankly towards the river, mind clicking and churning.]
[He has to do something.]
[He has to figure out what to do.]
[A breath. His heart, aching in his chest. Ignis pulls it all together, forces it to keep on going because what else is he to do? Simply pull away after his shirt has become quite thoroughly soaked.]
Alright then. We're quite done there, aren't we? [And he does mean we in this moment, even if he seems as rigid and professional as ever.]
Things are not as clear cut and miserable as they may seem, but it is best to handle the essentials for now. So, up now. [And he's helping with this, pulling Noctis along while rising up onto his feet, mindful of his back and bad knee.] While it is certainly not home, it will do more than well enough as shelter, and a base of operations. More than enough for four, and any others we may want to keep close in the future.
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Somewhere he understands how unfair this is to Ignis. The teenager beside him doesn't have the same emotional fortitude as the man that had been at his side this morning. This version of his friend must be so confused. If he hadn't been fighting back the emotional tidal wave that's been building for quite so long he'd maybe even been able to keep himself collected and... do anything other than what he has.
The need to continue, to keep driving forward, was the thing that had kept that dam in place. Here, now, he's been sitting with no purpose, spinning his tires for hours, watching more and more fractures appear in the dam wall. All it took was the slightest pressure to crumble.
Which is why there are soft apologies mumbled into Ignis' shoulder once those tears slow to a manageable level. And why he does not argue or fight when Ignis draws him up to his feet. It isn't until they're halfway to the cottage that he sniffles... smearing tears and snot all over the silk sleeve of his jacket with no concept of the work he's making for Ignis in doing so.]
Four? So- Gladio? He's here too? I saw Prom but-
[At least they're all together.]
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[For now, better to focus on what he does have.]
I haven't found him as of yet, but I have no doubt that he is around. [If he's confident enough, then it should be true.] I would rather have things set up before we do find him, however.
It's good that you still have access to the Armiger. That will make things easier.
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[Of course Ignis is planning for the eventuality. He hopes Gladio is here. Desperately. At least if they're all together they can... who knows. He has no idea what the hell they can do about this place, this Charlie guys is sure no Astral, but anything they can do will be more effective together.
The Armiger is, however, not the boon Ignis might be thinking it is.
In a flash of crystalline light Noctis withdraws a pair of daggers, simple by the standards of most royal weaponry. These he holds out to Ignis. Then he pulls out a rather ridiculously oversized sword. Clearly Gladio's. Well. No, actually this was the one Noct himself had been using to help with crushing the stupid stoneshears Coctura had asked them to take care of. Not even as nice as the one Gladio himself had been using.
And then his own engine blade, the greatsword's tip buried in the grass and the blade in his hand carried through an idle swing to his side. Then his shoulders slump.]
My fishing gear and a case of potions. That's it.
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[But something about daggers is far more comforting.]
Even so. The existence of the Armiger is an utter boon just by itself. [He raises an eyebrow at Noctis.] Or would you like to haul around both of those swords constantly all on your own?
Well, by all means.
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Yeah- no.
[He flashes a flat, unamused look at Iggy but the corners of his lips tilt up ever so slightly after a moment, grudging amusement even if he is being huffy. Only to wrinkle his nose, staring at Ignis for a long moment.]
It's... so weird seeing you with your hair down again.
[Noct reaches out a hand, pushing his fingers into Ignis' neat bangs to shove them back as though there's any hope of his hair doing what it's as yet untrained to do without some sort of product.]
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[Who knows?]
[All that can really be said is that this sticks in place even in regards to the person who he adores so much like Noctis, where he weathers the finger in his hair for just a second before sighing and lightly swatting them away.]
And it shall stay down, since I am unlikely to find any hair product in a place such as this.
[Sure, he could try and make up some things himself, but... Anything made here wouldn't have the same effect as in a modernized world. And there are more important things he should be focusing on than just his appearance.]
[...Generally speaking.]
Although it's good to hear that I do change my appearance in the future. I've been pondering it for a short while now, truthfully.
Well, that can be gossip shared over dinner tonight. For now, we should get a new look at this house and make sure that it is to our standards, although I recognize grabbing it or something similar to it immediately.
Proximity to water is a rather high commodity, you know.
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King of an entire country. He can't be doing that, letting his emotions get the better of him. He really can't. He knows that. Never mind that it's just outright embarrassing that he can't keep his shit in check.
And maybe all of that feels a little less awful if he can drag Ignis into suffering with him. It's such a small thing but it makes him feel a little bit less like a disappointment, knowing even someone as impeccably put together as Ignis can be embarrassed about things as well.
Not that Noctis really thinks about it that hard. It's just nice to have a moment where things are more normal, despite Ignis being younger, their world being on fire, this world being strange and unpredictable- Gods it really just never stops, does it?]
Yeah... sorta like how you used to do it when you were like... 13? And Gladio's hair is a lot longer so it's not like you both have that hairstyle like you did back then.
[Gossip for dinner. Right. Which will probably need water... which there aren't pipes for. So the stream really will be for more than just fishing, huh?]
I guess it would be if this place is as ass backwards as it looks.
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[They're not really places he's had a chance to visit yet. Just what he's heard from others, like his uncle, or Cor, or Nyx. People who were expected to go out and about.]
[It's fine. He can adjust for this. Ignis always expected he would be sent out into the world eventually, and made plans even this young to learn everything that he could. This is honestly far better than some of the worst-case scenarios he thought he would have to take into consideration. Those never thought that he would have access to a roof over his head like this, and food, while basic in ingredients, does seem to be plentiful.]
[Speaking of things that may be for the better... Trying the back door and opening it, Ignis holds it for Noctis.]
You know... There is a possibility that this land may not have daemons to trouble it. In fact, I would say that it is incredibly likely.
At least, not daemons as we would be familiar with.
DW ate the notif for this
At least the hunters have lights and phones. Radios, guns, all of that.
[He pauses a moment before stepping inside to look around, peek inside, and give Ignis a pointed look that clearly says "unlike this place". Then he steps inside, looking around the little cottage properly.]
That'd be nice. I'll believe it when I see it though.
[a beat]
Ugh they better not have them, there's no lights.
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[Well, whatever one wants to call the power of Havens anyway. But Ignis knows that Noctis doesn't particularly care about the fiddly little details like that.]
[He may be older, but Ignis suspects Noctis hasn't changed that much when it comes to such things.]
[Carefully inspecting everything, Ignis goes about so slowly. There's a lot to investigate, things he needs to make sure are up to snuff as much as they can be.]
We shall have to use candles at night, if we wish to move about the house at all... Which means we will have to be careful on our supply of them. I wonder how good oil lanterns may work here...
[All things to consider, and he glances back to Noctis from the window.]
I can see about finding out ways to make the bed and pillows more comfortable. I suspect that they won't be in the sort of condition we're used to, although perhaps better than sleeping bags.
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Some things do, however. Ignis moves through the house to examine what he might need to make things suitable for them but Noct doesn't let him get too far away. The way Ignis immediately falls back into the practicalities of the situation, the fact that he's already thinking on how best to make sure Noct is comfortable just drives home what he'd already known. As soon as he'd broken down he'd known.
Noct puts a hand on Ignis' arm, pulling his attention away from the latest detail that he's adding to his mental to do list.]
Ignis... [He glances away, guilty but determined.] Sorry. Y'know... for snapping at you. And for- that was a shit way to tell you.
[There's a measure of self-awareness in the apology that the Noctis Iggy remembers would never have been capable of. Something he'd struggled for years to admit to. Even with things falling apart the way they have been. Even though he's only now realizing that they'd left the resort in such a rush that he hadn't taken his meds and by the time they caught up with Cor it was just past dawn. And then he showed up here.
Damn. No wonder he's a fucking wreck.]
Whatever we've gotta deal with here, though. It's fine, Iggy. It's going to be enough of a chore covering the basics from the sounds of it. It can't be worse than sharing the tent with Gladio's snoring, right?
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[So he isn't prepared for an apology. A recognition of things more mature than he would have ever expected from his prince, when they were grinding against one another like sandpaper not all that long ago. Not long ago in the grand scheme of things, anyway.]
[Ignis's lips part in surprise, just a moment, before a soft smile actually creeps its way there. Just for a second.]
Well. It seems you've grown up more than merely physically, haven't you?
[And what a quiet little ache that stirs in his chest. He wanted to see it happen. He wanted to be there every step of the way.]
[But that's not in his cards, is it?]
Well... For what it is worth, such information like that has no good way to be told. [A hurt that will coil in his gut for a long time, and which he'll hide away.] But better to stay busy.
A place like this will at least save you from the fate of Gladio's snoring, since it seems large enough for us to have some of our own rooms. Can you go about, do a proper count of them? I'll see what may need to be considered in here.
[Gaps in the windows for the wind, what cooking tools they'll have here, etc.]
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He's at least able to redirect pretty quickly, following up Ignis' dismissal with another squeeze to his arm.]
Hey... I know there's a lot to do and you- [He rolls his eyes] you're determined to stay busy. Always. But if... I dunno. We can just... talk if you need to.
[Okay he's improved but he's still awkward as all hell about it. It's fine. Don't worry about it. He gives Iggy's arm one last pat before muttering an affirmative and going to wander about the house while Ignis continues to.... examine the kitchen are, let's be honest.
After doing a lap of the small building though he circles back around to Ignis, pulling himself up to sit on a counter with a huff.]
Well... There's a pantry? But that means there's only two bedrooms. So I guess it kinda depends on how long we're gonna be stuck here. Me an Prom can share, obviously. I know you and Gladio will but if we can find somewhere you guys can have your own rooms that'd probably be better?
no subject
[Ignis reflects on that, even as he does a check up of the kitchen. And, indeed, it may be true that he has a predisposition towards a kitchen out of anywhere else in the house.]
[At the same time, however, Ignis can already tell that it is going to be a vital room for all of them if their stay stretches out into the months - or perhaps even simply weeks. The hearth of this place will be their heart, through which so much flows. They'll need its heat for so many dishes he'll make to make sure they're not lacking, warmth so that they can survive rapidly cooling nights, the fire which will clean their water sources... Because, without the modern plumbing they are so used to, there is not guarantee of clean water. He knows this well.]
[Will they be able to rely on Noctis's ability to make potions out of anything? Will that clear contaminated water? He's not wholly sure... and, because he lacks certainty for the time being, he relies on his own knowledge.]
[They'll need to make sure the water is clean. And that means boiling it. The hearth again.]
[All of that is simply what rises to his head first. He's sure that, given a few more minutes, and he could think of even more reasons that this room especially, out of all of them, needs to be inspected to make sure that any issues are sniffed out immediately in order to be dealt with.]
[...And perhaps it's easier this way. Easier to focus on thinking about who might know carpentry, on how to block a cold draft, various matter, than the strange floating disconnect of his home being destroyed.]
[He wants to ask how it happened.]
[He wants to ask how much is still left.]
[He wants to ask about refugees, survivors, who they know has survived.]
[He wants to feel out the shape of a monster so much more massive and harmful than any creature he's been trained to fight, as though describing it, hearing of it, might give him something to grasp onto rather than this hopeless feeling set adrift within his ribcage.]
[And yet it was only but a few minutes ago that Noctis was falling apart in his arms, encompassed by rage and despair and helplessness. How could he make him burden those sorts of questions with that so fresh and painful?]
[It wouldn't even do any good. Ignis knows that. Just picking at scabbed over wounds, really.]
[So he ignores the gaping hole that's been left behind as a result of the world being torn out from underneath his feet, walks around it just like he walks around the kitchen, until Noctis returns from his own inspection of the place, and Ignis now has a new matter to focus on.]
Two bedrooms... That will be more than enough. [Don't want to end up like the bakery's own couple, although their old simulated villa was lovely enough, he supposes.] You needn't worry about Gladio and I, however, really.
[It's just an automatic response, really. Of course it wouldn't be a problem for them. The two of them are dating. Even before Amani, they'd comfortably shared beds together.]
[...Which is when it hits him, as he looks over to Noctis and takes in the slight length to his shaggy hair.]
...Noct, if you had to guess, how many years is the discrepancy between us?
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Huh? Where did that come from? [He tilts his head in confusion but his expression drifts as he considers it.] Well... it's been almost exactly 3 years since I graduated and you said it was something you were looking forward to yeah?
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[And Ignis tries not to let himself be too disappointed by that. The reminder that not only has he missed many little milestones, precious parts of Noctis's life that he gets to be a part of, but one of the most important as well.]
[He can be sulky over that later. For now, there's another matter to take into consideration, one that has him curling a hand at this chin.]
Three years, then. [And he knows him and Gladio have been mostly steady.
Besides a break up in a part of a future he has yet to hear about.] Has Gladio ever mentioned anything about the two of us, then?no subject
Mentioned you two....? Like what? We all talk about each other all the time?
[Perhaps Ignis is beginning to see why Noct has no idea what he's getting at. Noct is so used to them being so intimately embedded in each other's lives that the idea of it meaning more than that never occurred to him.]
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[While Ignis understands more than well enough that he and Gladio kept things under wraps in the beginning for simple reasons - Ignis wasn't even certain if it would last past a month, after all, in the start - three years seems like just a tad much to not let Noctis know that they're dating.]
[...Or for Noctis to realize that they're dating, too, although Ignis supposes that could be excused with them all living their own lives separately from each other a bit.]
[Still, it wouldn't be right to just leap ahead on this without consulting Gladio and Prompto, so...]
Hm, no, I was simply curious on if anything had changed in those three years.
As it is, you don't have to worry. Gladio and I will be fine sharing a room together, so we don't have to worry about finding another building to reside in for now. This one already has a fine location, with clearly enough room for all of us, so we shouldn't be too picky on the matter.
Running water like that is a fine resource. Someone else will surely snatch it up if we turn our backs on it.
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So in the end he just shrugs, fingers hooking over the edge of the counter so that when he leans back there's a satisfying stretch through his shoulders and, finally, a pop and he slumps forward again. It's strange, perhaps, how much he can just... let go of all the worries when he has Ignis with him. It takes a weight off his shoulders almost literally. Enough to make him able to relax a bit.]
If you say so. The rooms are next door to each other so-
[And then, abruptly, he realizes that Ignis doesn't remember all the panicking he did before he officially asked Prom out.]
Uh... right you don't know... well. No, I know you know but like... we made it official a little after we graduated. After-
[He sighs, rubbing at the back of his neck and looking embarrassed. It's not going to be the same as that first confession but he can't do it like this either. So Noct slides off the counter and puts a hand on Ignis' arm once more, making sure the other man is looking at him.]
I know, for you, we've been fighting. A lot. And I know it doesn't make it okay but... it does get better. After I finally own up to my part in it and you help me get some anti-depressants.
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[Just a little while. Really, he doesn't plan on keeping it a secret for very long, so long as Gladio agrees with him on the matter.]
[But it just doesn't seem like the kind of thing which they could really hold up in the long term.]
[Right?]
[Noctis seems to think similar, although in a slightly different direction considering he stumbles and looks embarrassed as he admits to something that Ignis knew would come a very long time ago. Still, to hear that it's come to pass, that Noctis can find some measure of happiness... It has him smiling a bit.]
[There's not quite any time to congratulate him on the matter, however. Not before there's a sigh, and Noctis's warm palm on his arm.]
...I knew that it would get better. I did. But it really does try a man's patience, sometimes, when all you want to do is speed towards the result. [He raises a hand up, fingers brushing against Noctis's knuckles.] Do I apologize, then? For suspecting there was such an issues, but never knowing how to approach it, and so doing nothing?
[Because sometimes, even with the suspicions, the knowledge he'd looked up... If he told Noctis of it, would tempers flare up again, and another argument would be had? It was something he worried about, and which none of his lessons ever covered.]
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I don't think I'd have accepted the help if you had said something. [He shrugs a little, helpless and tired.] Probably I'd've been pissed about it.
After graduation though. No goals, no schedule, no deadlines... I fell apart pretty fast.
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