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childrenofbahamutlogs2024-11-01 12:15 pm
diceofthegods) wrote in childrenofbahamutlogs2024-11-01 12:15 pm
EVENT #1: FAE FESTIVITIES
INTO THE WOODS
Click Clock Wood (Spring) by Grant Kirkhope
2:05 / 4:59
▶︎
Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.
After making your way through the tiny farming town of Ich and out towards the rim of a massive raised crater, you will find yourself being led through a narrow split in the canyon wall. Inside, glow worms cling to the ceiling and create the illusion of a thousand twinkling stars above the moistened rocks.
When you finally emerge, it is into an impossibly lush landscape of massive, redwood-sized tangling trees and a soft moss carpet. Life abounds here. It feels like an oasis of birdsong and animal activity.
A short walk leads you to the prepared party-grounds. A large clearing with quaint huts all around decorated with strange flowers for partygoers to rest or otherwise entertain themselves.
There appear to be several games and stalls set up, the sweet and savory scents of delicious food fills the air, and so do the patrons of the forest. Seemingly hundreds of Fae folk zip around and greet the newcomers excitedly by placing garlands of vines and crowns of flowers atop their heads.
Glowing flowers and toadstools light your way here. It also seems that even the animals get in on the festivities! Really, just about everything talks here. Almost everything, anyways! Talking to a tree stump might not yield many results but you're welcome to try.
Each entrant is also provided upon arrival a copy of The Rules. A rolled parchment that resists water or any other damage. It also prevents you from writing on it so you can't just do what you want.
The rules read as follows:
When you finally emerge, it is into an impossibly lush landscape of massive, redwood-sized tangling trees and a soft moss carpet. Life abounds here. It feels like an oasis of birdsong and animal activity.
A short walk leads you to the prepared party-grounds. A large clearing with quaint huts all around decorated with strange flowers for partygoers to rest or otherwise entertain themselves.
There appear to be several games and stalls set up, the sweet and savory scents of delicious food fills the air, and so do the patrons of the forest. Seemingly hundreds of Fae folk zip around and greet the newcomers excitedly by placing garlands of vines and crowns of flowers atop their heads.
Glowing flowers and toadstools light your way here. It also seems that even the animals get in on the festivities! Really, just about everything talks here. Almost everything, anyways! Talking to a tree stump might not yield many results but you're welcome to try.
Each entrant is also provided upon arrival a copy of The Rules. A rolled parchment that resists water or any other damage. It also prevents you from writing on it so you can't just do what you want.
The rules read as follows:
- DO:
- ⁂ Accept gifts from the Fae.
⁂ Sample the food provided at the party ONLY.
⁂ Play games with the Fae.
⁂ Feel at ease to rest in the provided huts.
⁂ Keep tabs on your shadow lest it wander.
- ⁂ Make a TRADE with the Fae.
⁂ Provide any personal items as gifts or otherwise to the Fae.
⁂ Provide your true name to the Fae.
⁂ Wander away from the designated party area.
⁂ Ascend any staircases you find in the woods.
- ⁂ If you see an old woman hiking through the area, feel free to stop her and lie to her. The more brazen and obvious the lie the better. She appreciates this!
GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT
Amongst the games and attractions are a variety of fun possibilities!
GAMES
- ⁂ Battleship! (Fae Style!) A number of Fae will be hiding on a large grid of flowers. You guess the locations and if you are correct then you will win a small prize! It is a cup of nectar that refills endlessly, and numbs any pains you may have. This works even outside of the forest and can be taken home.
Every time you miss though, you receive a small 'curse.' Nothing harmful! Maybe you’re just rotating in place for the next hour, your ears become daisies, or you grow a tree out of your head? (Feel free to come up with your own silly ideas!) All of the curses will dissipate after a time or upon leaving the forest and none will do any harm or cause pain. The Fae are all about fun tricks, not hurting anyone!
⁂ Dress Up Darlings! You enter a booth and allow the Fae to decide your outfit! Upon the agreement that you'll wear it the rest of the party, of course, no matter how silly or ridiculous it is.
⁂ Bobbing For Onions! Yes, you read that right. Bobbing for onions. There are onions floating around... in water. You have to catch them with your teeth. The prize for success is a Bag of Onions. This bag never runs out of onions. They are always fresh and always onions. Not always the same kind of onion, but always onions nonetheless. This bag works outside of the forest and can be taken home.
⁂ What's In The Box? There is a box. There is something in it. Maybe it's frogs. Maybe it's slugs. Possibly bugs? Maybe apples. We don’t know. Stick your hand in the box and take a guess at what you’re touching! If you’re right, you win the contents of the box!
We'll let players decide via coin flip, rolls, or however they want if their guess is correct! Any items won though will be common, every day items like mentioned and nothing especially exciting. Unless you're really into frogs. Then it's your lucky day, apparently!
ENTERTAINMENT
- ⁂ Slayd & The Possums! Slayd is here and he’s throwing down the banjo tunes with his possum pals. Feel free to join him if you are musically inclined! The Fae will provide any instrument your heart desires! They can't grant you the ability to play it though if you don't know how.
⁂ The Crowning of the King of Misrule! Randomly chosen by the Fae, enter a lottery to be chosen as the King of Misrule for the evening. You will be dressed in a stupid outfit and granted Fae wings for the night! You also have the insatiable urge to play harmless pranks on people. The Fae will also give you a "Special Gift" at the end of the party...
FOR THE FOOLISH
Ahh, but there are rule breakers amongst us aren't there? If you choose to sneak away from the party, chances are nobody will stop you; however, you are now on your own in the Talahee Forest.
The first layer of the forest is very much similar to what you have already seen. Everything is coated in a thick mat of moss and trees wind away like a massive birds nest to form the canopy above. The faint sounds of animals can still be heard. Up here, you may encounter Fae who did not attend the party. They'll ask you your name and other personal details.
Best that you lie.
The further in that you head, the darker the forest gets. It seems you are following a downward slope. The trees get bigger here, as do the insects and toadstools. Bioluminescence rules down here it seems. You may encounter stranger creatures here. Ones that will try to make very tempting trades for your personal belongings. Things that will seem like an amazing deal to you. They offer magical items of great power, or even personal effects from home.
Don't be fooled though. These objects are cursed, and are not at all what they seem. You have the distinct feeling of being watched at all times here.
⁂ Possible Encounters: Owlbear, Displacer Beast, Giant Badger
Are you getting smaller or is everything else getting bigger? Were Slayd here, he would have told you about the concept of Deep Forest Gigantism. The deeper you go - just like the ocean - the larger that the flora and fauna get.
You are dwarfed by the mushrooms here in the pitch darkness and only guided by the latent glow of the creatures and fungi that dwell here. Bugs the size of house-cats skitter in your wake. Are you sure you want to be here? Should you encounter anything larger, you’d best stay silent. Or run!
⁂ Possible Encounters: Giant predatory Elk (RUN), Rodents of Unusual Size, Extra Large Bugs
The trees seem to clear out here as you reach the bottom of the forest. There is no light here so hope you brought a match. The landscape down here is a blanket of moss dotted with countless shallow pools. Looking into one of these pools, you will see your reflection... though it may look different in some way.
You will feel extremely compelled to reach down and touch the reflection in the water. Should you give in, you feel as though your world is turning upside down. You could receive memories not quite your own. Memories of a different version of you, even! (CRAU, Canon Update, or Canon AU!)
Yet, you will be experiencing them as your own. A long time could pass in your mind while only seconds have only elapsed in reality. Upon waking, you will find that you have been ejected from the party and the forest entirely. You find yourself at the entrance to the crater. Disoriented, and compelled not to re-enter, you have only yourself to blame as you must shamble your way home with this burdensome knowledge.
FIRST LAYER
Rak'tika Greatwood Theme ( Civilizations ) by Masayoshi Soken
4:34 / 5:15
▶︎
"Civilizations" prominently features a female vocalist. The lyrics are in the Ronkan language, and has not been officially translated.
The first layer of the forest is very much similar to what you have already seen. Everything is coated in a thick mat of moss and trees wind away like a massive birds nest to form the canopy above. The faint sounds of animals can still be heard. Up here, you may encounter Fae who did not attend the party. They'll ask you your name and other personal details.
Best that you lie.
SECOND LAYER
Click Clock Wood (Autumn) by Grant Kirkhope
1:12 / 4:11
▶︎
Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.
The further in that you head, the darker the forest gets. It seems you are following a downward slope. The trees get bigger here, as do the insects and toadstools. Bioluminescence rules down here it seems. You may encounter stranger creatures here. Ones that will try to make very tempting trades for your personal belongings. Things that will seem like an amazing deal to you. They offer magical items of great power, or even personal effects from home.
Don't be fooled though. These objects are cursed, and are not at all what they seem. You have the distinct feeling of being watched at all times here.
⁂ Possible Encounters: Owlbear, Displacer Beast, Giant Badger
THIRD LAYER
Saint Mocianne's Arboretum (Hard) by Masayoshi Soken
2:50 / 5:10
▶︎
...hordes of aggressive plant life exposed to the strange substance stand between you and the information you seek.
Are you getting smaller or is everything else getting bigger? Were Slayd here, he would have told you about the concept of Deep Forest Gigantism. The deeper you go - just like the ocean - the larger that the flora and fauna get.
You are dwarfed by the mushrooms here in the pitch darkness and only guided by the latent glow of the creatures and fungi that dwell here. Bugs the size of house-cats skitter in your wake. Are you sure you want to be here? Should you encounter anything larger, you’d best stay silent. Or run!
⁂ Possible Encounters: Giant predatory Elk (RUN), Rodents of Unusual Size, Extra Large Bugs
FOURTH LAYER
Poison Tree by Grouper
0:30 / 3:16
▶︎
'Poison Tree' is a meditation on the complexities of anger and the internal conflict it causes. It draws inspiration from William Blake's poem of the same name.
The trees seem to clear out here as you reach the bottom of the forest. There is no light here so hope you brought a match. The landscape down here is a blanket of moss dotted with countless shallow pools. Looking into one of these pools, you will see your reflection... though it may look different in some way.
You will feel extremely compelled to reach down and touch the reflection in the water. Should you give in, you feel as though your world is turning upside down. You could receive memories not quite your own. Memories of a different version of you, even! (CRAU, Canon Update, or Canon AU!)
Yet, you will be experiencing them as your own. A long time could pass in your mind while only seconds have only elapsed in reality. Upon waking, you will find that you have been ejected from the party and the forest entirely. You find yourself at the entrance to the crater. Disoriented, and compelled not to re-enter, you have only yourself to blame as you must shamble your way home with this burdensome knowledge.
Notes
⁂ For the game prizes, we're using the honor system here! So long as you clear the roll then you can receive a prize with no mod permission needed.
⁂ The plotting post for this event/November is up!
⁂ Additionally, we have a state of the game post available to people read about updates, clarifications, and a poll to participate in!
⁂ If you have any further questions or feedback about this event specifically, please comment here!
⁂ Full Navigation ⁂
- - Battleship: If you roll a d20 above a 13, you can receive one of the nectar cups.
- Bobbing For Onions: If you roll a d20 above a 10, you can receive one of the bag of onions. En...joy...?
⁂ The plotting post for this event/November is up!
⁂ Additionally, we have a state of the game post available to people read about updates, clarifications, and a poll to participate in!
⁂ If you have any further questions or feedback about this event specifically, please comment here!
Layer... 1.5?
That too, is a novelty. Just leaning casually against a tree, not needing to alter his stance to accommodate the steady ache in his back or the throb that runs down his left leg. There's a soft flicker of crystalline blue as Noct withdraws the delicate glass that Ignis had gifted him, turning it over in his hands and eyeing the rich liquid within, not quite the color of honey, fragrant and floral.
He doesn't need to take another sip of the liquid but he is still trying to identify the taste so he raises it to his lips regardless, just the barest taste, really. Only to fumble with the long, draping fabric that loops over his arms. A soft noise of frustration, pushing the swathe of delicate fabric back over his shoulder where it belongs again. He'd never argue with Ignis, and the outfit is truly beautiful, all bright whites and the palest blue, something that is accented well by the dark blue leather that anchors it to his shoulders and forearms. Not his wrists, not with the freshly sprouting feathers there. That his nails have begun to darken to match that rich blue is a happy coincidence, really.
But even just barely in the forest things are not nearly so safe as the party grounds proper. There's little time to fuss with his outfit before the boy is dismissing the cup back to the armiger, turning to eye his surroundings carefully when a small noise catches his attention. But instead of some nefarious fae or improbable creature he finds something far worse.
"Izunia."
no subject
He has all the time in the world to wait, after all.
Although, the man has to admit: he didn't think that Noctis could hurt him worse than he did already. Clearly, he was mistaken. Before he really recognizes who it is addressing him, he sees a strange blend of cloth and colors that are reminiscent of both the phantoms past that regularly haunt him. Blue was the color Somnus always preferred to adorn, regal and proud. White was the color of The Oracle though, soft and illuminating, just like she was. It causes something in the dark, rotted depths of his heart to stir and remind him briefly of being a man himself once upon a time.
It disgusts him. Not that he'll let it show on his face, of course, and other than needing a brief moment of processing the scene, Ardyn hardly misses a beat. "Yes, your Majesty?" he asks, before following up with: "Ah, I suppose there's no need for such formality. Old habits and all that though, you know."
no subject
"It's not a habit." He almost continues with you're just obnoxious but his royal diplomacy training wins out over the fae wine he's been sipping at all evening. This time.
no subject
"What would you know of my habits, anyway?" the man questions, not stepping closer or letting down his guard just yet. He doesn't believe Noctis will do anything to (physically) harm him again, but he also doesn't want to be caught off-guard (again). "You don't know me at all," the man practically bites. It hurts him to admit even if he's trying to prove a point.
"You know I'm chancellor, yes, but what else? I imagine by now your boyfriends have told you every wicked thing about me, hm?" The use of 'boyfriends' here is a bit pointed, he concedes, but it's in
The Scourge'shis nature to push that extra bit.no subject
It's to protect him, he's sure. It's always to protect him. Everyone keeping things from him like it will somehow make the end result less painful. If anything it just makes it all worse, knowing the people he loves have been lying to him. There's a sense of betrayal there, no matter how well meaning. Something that shows in the hint of distaste on his features. For a moment those crystalline blue eyes dart to the side, a flush on his cheeks from the pointed way Ardyn says boyfriends, but something darker there because nothing else he says is true.
"I know enough to know I should've broken more than your nose." It's a sharp snap but there's enough of a delay to make it clear there's more going on than just his dislike of the other man.
no subject
Yet, Ardyn can read Noctis just as well as before. He has that advantage over the boy, which he won't feel bad about using. He pokes further, sharpening his focus. "Is that so?" he asks, stepping in a little to test the limits both metaphorical and literal. "Well, I'm right here," he offers, opening up his arms slightly to encourage the boy to strike if he'd like. "You could do worse," the man continues, another step forward. One of his sheer-sleeved arms snaps to Noctis' side against that tree trunk to challenge him a little. He hasn't really registered the way he has claws now nor that they dig into and break apart a bit of bark.
"So why not? I can see that you want to, angry as you are about being kept in the dark." Yes, he's aware of just how much everyone in Noctis' life withheld from him. Interesting that even here, they're continuing to shield their king under the guise of protecting him. That's fine. Ardyn can easily say all that they don't want to, take that hate from Noctis if he must to help him become the king he needs to be- His king.
"I can tell you any and everything you want. All you need to do is ask."
no subject
"Back. Off." He snarls, gaze hard but a little more controlled this time than their last confrontation. There's still so much turmoil in those blue eyes but the incandescent, helpless rage of the immediate aftermath of the Fall of Insomnia isn't there. Closer to the surface than he'd like to admit, maybe, but not right there in his every movement.
It only makes the flicker of uncertain curiosity that much more obvious when it happens, brows lifting slightly before he grits his teeth against the urge to demand those answers here and now. "So you can lie to me? Pull more of your manipulative bullshit like you did to my dad? Fuck you."
no subject
Although the boy doesn't know he couldn't actually cause harm to Ardyn in any way that matters, the man does wonder if he could still be cut. Just a little, maybe, to sting so nicely. No. No, he shouldn't. "Threatening me with a good time won't work," he teases, unable to stop himself in the end. "But what if I don't?" Ardyn questions next, not moving despite the warnings. "Move," he continues, "or lie to you."
Of course, he's lied to Noctis. He can't claim that he hasn't. Still: "I have nothing to gain from lying to you here. You can take that or leave it, but I do mean it when I say I will tell you anything that you want me to." There. There, that has to count for something. "I want to tell you anything." Those claws flex and scratch away more bark. "...Everything."
no subject
And it's that knowledge, that they are guests in what is essentially a neighboring kingdom that stays his hand now. They're not supposed to be walking around with weapons at all never mind actually attacking each other. Gods know what the Fae might consider an acceptable punishment for such violence. So Noct lets himself recoil at that implication, that Ardyn would enjoy it if he did follow through with the threat of that blade. Disgust and a hint of confusion he tries not to let through twists his features but the dagger returns to the armiger with a flash.
The temptation is still there, especially as Ardyn insists there's nothing for him to gain by lying. It makes his stomach turn, thinking that he might get more out of this bastard than his own friends, people he loves so dearly. But then there's that almost manic glint in golden eyes as he offers how much he wants Noctis to know. It hardens the prince's expression and has him huffing a breath, rolling his eyes as he leans back against the tree again, pretending for all the world that Ardyn isn't right up in his face and falling back into the familiar sullen disinterest that he's used like a shield for so much of his life.
"Tch- whatever." He's biting his tongue behind that look, torn between wanting to know and desperately not wanting to hear out a single fucking thing Ardyn has to say. Clearly Ardyn wants him to know so he can get under his skin- that seems to be all he tries to do whenever they have the misfortune of running into each other. So the best he can do is make sure he doesn't give the fucker any of the reactions he wants. Now if only he can keep his own temper in check.
no subject
The moment and his grotesque enjoyment of it ends though thanks to that simple click of his tongue and single of word. Whatever. "Whatever?" Ardyn echoes, venom dripping off each letter. It's such a simple thing, but so dismissive that it's downright infuriating. It doesn't work to shield Noctis like he hopes though. "I am offering you whatever you want, but that still isn't good enough!"
Despite the fire behind Ardyn's eyes suddenly as he roars in frustration, it's frost that he ends up spitting. This close, it's an impossible spray of biting ice to avoid entirely. His claws drag in kind across bark towards Noctis - almost unbidden, and he will regret the strike later - with a snarl. In the moment though, he can't stop himself from lashing out. Angry, yes, but once that settles there's clear hurt in his expression too. Both at what he's said and what he realizes he's done.
Ruining everything, like always.
no subject
What he doesn't expect is the burst of ice, something that frosts his bare skin painfully but that he is quick to turn his face from. The bulk of it falling on his side where there is at least some of that thick protective fur. The arm he raises to shield his face makes it even easier for Ardyn though, makes certain Noctis does not anticipate the claws that come at him. It means he doesn't have time to phase away from them before vicious claws bite into his side, tearing open fine lines along his ribs, just above the protective fur.
Noctis snarls a sharp sound, pained and startled before he's phasing away from the other man. It doesn't take him far, half a step away, able to duck out from under the space where Ardyn has had him blocked in against that tree. The pale draping fabric of his cloak is swiftly stained bright red as he pulls the material close to stop the bleeding as much as he can. "What the fuck is your problem?!" Noctis snaps and this time it's his sword that comes to his hand.
Ardyn can look as hurt as he wants, it's not something that Noctis pays any mind to. Maybe later when he looks back on this he'll wonder about it but right now, in the moment, he's just pissed.
no subject
Even worse, the blood tinting that white fabric reminds him too much again of those long gone. Of holding Aera dying in his arms. For him, of all people. The last man who deserved her kindness, her sacrifice- Just like Noctis is the last person he really wanted to draw his ire.
"What did you think was going to happen, brother?" asks Somnus, condescending.
"You want him to hurt," says Aera. "Both of you to."
"Shut up," hisses Ardyn, shaking his head as he goes from looking years away to back to the now. "Not. Not you," he attempts to correct, realizing Noctis. "As for my problems, too many to count." And Noctis is one of them, but not in the way the boy probably thinks after all this.
"I'll..." he starts, trying to think. He probably wouldn't be trusted to help him, would he? Does he even remember how to heal, after all these years? Is it something he should even show to Noctis that he's capable of? No, it's all too risky. "I'll get help," he decides on.
no subject
The fact that the man attempts to correct that sharp hiss, almost apologetic is only more confusing, every action seeming to conflict with the one before it. And then he finally settles on..... getting help??
Noctis' face twists up in confusion, the surreal nature of the whole mess finally outweighing the anger. As much as he will one day surrender to it he's not, by definition, an angry person. Perhaps he simply gave up on being angry about all the things he cannot control despite his "privilege" a long time ago. (When he was 8 years old and wailing into his dad's shoulder, furious with his father, with his own traitorous body, with Clarus and every single glaive that stood in the way of him getting back to his best friend as Tenebrae burned around them.)
"Help?" He echoes, this time his turn to be exasperated and indignant. "Yeah that'll go great. Do fairies seem like the type to be chill with guests tearing each other up during a damn welcome party?" Why is he arguing? Why isn't he letting Ardyn run off and get himself in trouble?
Maybe cause the redhead looks just as lost as he feels. After another tense beat Noctis dismisses the engine blade as well, eyeing the other man cautiously. "Look... is there a stream or something around here?" Because the actual damage he can deal with, as evidenced by the... can of
monsterenergy drink that appears in his hand. It says a lot about how familiar he is with this that he manages to summon it from the armiger in precisely the right position that he can crack the top and shift his grip to chug the damn thing in a heartbeat.no subject
He scowls a little at the scolding. Partly because Noctis right, but mostly again at himself for fumbling so. The Fae don't seem the sort to really care about a little bloodshed between guests; so long as they follow their silly, arbitrary rules then it should be fine. Hopefully. He may have to get a lecture from Charlie (again) but he almost just anticipates that being a regular occurrence.
"I just thought..." he starts, but stops. Does he need to finish that, really? He thought he'd be the last person Noctis wanted to help him, considering the last five minutes, but apparently he thought wrong. His weapon being dismissed confirms it, even if he can't quite understand why.
He clears his throat, dismissing the previous thought and trying again with: "There should be." More assured than before, somehow, but he still seems a bit lost in all of this. What he should or shouldn't do. His clawed hands curl tightly at his sides, not wanting to put them near Noctis again just in case.
no subject
"If you wanna go explain to Iggy and Gladio why I'm covered in blood, go for it. But I am going to try to clean this mess up." Huffed with a shake of his head. It's been a nice night so far. The last thing he wants to do is worry any of his boyfriends over something that is, in the end, pretty minor.
no subject
"I'd rather not have Ignis take my head for a trophy this time," he remarks, cool and detached from the reality of his own murder and subsequent decapitation. It was smart, honestly, to do so in the attempt to ensure he didn't return. A shame it didn't stick for all involved. As for Gladio, well- He thinks he could take the man, sure, but doesn't want to.
And that's a strange thing in of itself, really: he doesn't want to. Where he might have jumped at the chances before to snarl and gnash his teeth at those who stood in his way, now and here he's just... tired. (Jhank Troth wearing him down, even if only vaguely with the sense of 'you fucked up now fix it,' doesn't help matters either.) "If your potion didn't do enough, I can also heal." It's been a while, he's rusty, but he can still do it. Taking some of that pain into himself wouldn't be unwelcome either.
"Otherwise," he starts, looking towards the direction of where he remembers there being water, "once you're up, I can lead you to where you can clean up."
no subject
The whole reason he's wearing the damned thing is to veil his back from any prying eyes. What he's wearing is more than a little skimpy but he's honestly not that concerned by it, not with how much of the plush white fur covers. The sort of halter top of delicate indigo fabric is enough to cover what needs to be covered from the front. He's perfectly decent it's just that-
He finally huffs again, steeling himself to not give a fuck what this asshole thinks of him, unclasping the ruined cape and balling it up. Once that's done he finally lifts his gaze back to Ardyn and makes an exasperated gesture, clearly meant to encourage the man to, indeed, show him the way to this stream. Even taking a step forward.
It's only once they're moving and Noct has fallen in step slightly behind him, still not willing to let the man see his back if he doesn't have to, that he finally asks a question. One that occurred to him only after a delay to think back on what the man had said. "What do you mean you can heal? Luna's the only one that can do that. Unless you count potions."
no subject
"I do count those," he acknowledges since, well, yes. He can also make potions like Noctis is able to. Jhank tells him to be honest though. Surely, Noctis deserves that much after being torn open by Ardyn. And while he doesn't necessarily agree, if it gets the dragon to stop nagging at the back of his mind: "But I can heal like the Oracle can. Not... exactly the same, mind you, but similar." Aera and him had bonded in part over that, after all. They were both healers, but she was blessed by the gods to have her line carry on the responsibility of healing those ailed by The Scourge. Ardyn just did whatever he could to ease that burden of hers.
At least, he did once upon a time. Now? She'd hate him now, he thinks, and rightfully so. Spreading the very disease they vowed to try and cure their people of. Would she even recognize him if she saw him these days? Probably not. "Obviously, it's not something I try to advertise." It might put into perspective though why this man came out of seemingly nowhere to become chancellor of Niflheim apparently overnight. There are a lot of reasons for that Noctis doesn't yet know, but his 'unique' abilities certainly didn't hurt his standing.
no subject
He's still wary, not entirely sure he believes it... but in the moment the best he can think of to test it is to simply call his bluff. So, after a few more steps he draws up short. "Fine. If you really can..." Noct trails off, stuffs the bundle of his cloak under the opposite arm, and holds out the one he'd raised to block his face from Ardyn's breath. It's not a lot of damage, mind. A patch that is a bright, angry red on the edges and unsettlingly pale in the center, small blisters from the needling frost peppering the skin.
"Prove it."
no subject
When he's given permission - or rather, told to 'prove' his claims - he does step up to inspect that wound. Not as bad as the claw marks, of course, but there is still a flicker of something behind his eyes briefly. It isn't entirely remorse; he does feel bad about losing his temper, sure, but there's also an unfortunate sick satisfaction deep down he can't deny seeing Noctis in pain.
He doesn't dwell on it though. Instead, he gives a small hum of a sound to signal his starting the healing process. There is no light or indication that it's happening. Rather, Noctis will simply feel as if the pain of that frostbite is being pulled from him. And that's because it is. Beneath the sheer fabric of his sleeves and even over other scars, the same wound will be reflected onto Ardyn's arm. It 'heals' after almost immediately after appearing on his body.
"There," he says, giving his own arm a small shake from the brief discomfort, "like it never happened."
no subject
And if not for those absurd fairies he'd never know the price of that healing. Blue eyes narrow, suspicion shifting to confusion as he watches Ardyn shake out his arm as though he isn't wearing a completely sheer top so that Noctis can see exactly what just happened there. "I dunno that it really counts as healing when you're just.... transferring it." The wound changes places but no actual healing of the wound happened. Someone else just has to suffer it for him.
Story of his life, really.
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"Semantics, I suppose," he offers, with a half-hearted shrug. "I am able to heal it from myself," or rather The Scourge is, "but it needs to get to me first. I can suffer far worse than most people can due to my unique circumstances so- Why not? I don't make a habit of it though. Too charitable and people would take advantage of it, so! Better it was kept secret."
While there is some truth to that, it was also just giving away too much to both The Empire and Insomnia. He needed to remain as unconnected, unattached as possible for things to work out right. And even if he doesn't need to be here, well- Old habits die hard. Also difficult to adjust to still is reverting back to a Noctis who barely knew him versus the one he was ready to face at the final hour.