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[warpstriking]

Who: Noctis and you
When: August 30th
Where: Yun'Ashia
What: It's someone's 21st birthday...
Warnings/Notes: Just a nerd, fisher, king trying to have a quiet cake day (and none of his closest friends letting that happen)

1. Just a Quiet Day...
2. Distraction of Flight (closed to Regis)
3. The Setup
4. Surprise Party!

Comments

[spaceforged]

[He laughs quietly, giving Noctis' shoulder a gentle squeeze.] I want to protect you, Noct. The way you've protected me sometimes. You're a good guy.

[Shiro's small smile morphs into a teasing grin as he finally says right back.] And why wouldn't I side with a fellow cat? We have to stick together. There's a pack of us now but...what's one more to the pack?

[They lost one. That would rip the smile right off his face but this is about his friendship with Noctis.]

[warpstriking]

Yes, and I'm the last of my line. So, [He gestures with a hand, waving it off as a chuckle escapes him.] you'd fit right in with what the others say.

[Noctis squints back, a smirk slowly crossing his lips.] And here I thought lions created prides, and packs were a wolf thing.

[He knows exactly which one they lost, so he doesn't bring it up. Instead he jokes to keep spirits up. Even if much of it is in his usual deadpan way. They'd find out where those who were lost went. He swears it.]

[spaceforged]

[He makes a show of considering that. His grey eyes glint with amusement that can be felt when his grin grows wider and a little feral.] You're right. You've been recognized by Black as it is.

Welcome to the pride, [He pats his shoulder and lets go to rub at the connector port to his present arm. Hunk had quietly asked him on the airship about making one. They'd hashed it out in tired breaths back and forth while they sat side by side. The port is up to all the specs Hunk had talked about.

But the surgery is so recent it's still sore when he has the arm connected for long periods of time.]

Honestly, you fit right in.

[warpstriking]

[You know, that isn't exactly where he was going with that, but all the same... It's better than dragon brood jokes given what particular time limit they have hanging over their heads. He blinks, then smiles faintly.

The gears are already turning in his head. Because there is another group. One that anyone could be a part of. The blade to the Guard's shield. Yet he notices the discomfort, frowning slightly as he wishes his powers weren't completely locked. He'd ask if he wanted to get a drink and lace it with healing properties.]

Thank you. [And he means it, though he still pulls out a potion of some sort and offers it.] Crush it in your hand. It'll help with the soreness.

[And won't interfere with any of the meds they might have given for the surgery (it was a godssend when he was tailing Gladio).]

[spaceforged]

Oh, I recognize this. [He does. He always makes sure to be properly supplied when they venture out of the house. Shiro takes the potion in hand and crushes it in his human hand. The soreness eases but it doesn't fade. He knew it wouldn't. They had to remove the metal shoulder from the rest of his body. It will be tender for at least a week.]

Thank you.

[warpstriking]

[Noctis nods; yeah, he knows it won't go away in the blink of an eye. Yet he still wanted to offer some solace, at least for now.]

No prob. [He smiles faintly.] Nothing like I could bless back home, but... it works in a pinch.

[spaceforged]

It's alright, I never need much. [Being hurt or sick isn't a big deal, or he tries not to let it be. Noctis gets it.]

Anyway, it's all adjustable. If you need to hook yourself up to safety lines, there are the means for that too.

[warpstriking]

[He does indeed get it, which is why he doesn't press. Instead he listens and nods, trying to convey that without saying a word.]

Nice. [He just hopes that, you know. It doesn't detach at an awkward moment. That particular cybernetic prosthetic doesn't look well-fitted for the port.]

[spaceforged]

It’s a temporary. I get my new arm in a week or so. They want my body to heal up and get used to the shift in weight first.

[The grip isn’t as good on his right hand but...it’s better than no weight on that side. They said it has the right weight for what he’ll be dealing with.]

[warpstriking]

I remember from when Ravus got his. The one he had when I met him for the first time in twelve years didn't quite make the trip.

[...He kind of hopes it never shows up. For Reasons.]

[spaceforged]

I'm...hoping a copy of mine never shows up. Ever.

[He looks briefly very pale. Shiro shakes it off and crosses one leg over the other. He pats his boot.]

The tread on the boots make it easier to navigate if there's ice on the outer part of the ship. Basically for all terrain but. ...consider getting small picks for handling ice. Just in case.

[warpstriking]

[Noct crosses his fingers for him.] Fingers crossed it doesn't, then.

[Because, yeah. He gets the feeling he'd rather not have it. Why, he can't say. He hasn't told him and he isn't about to pry. What Noctis will say, however, is a little more lighthearted. Even if the delivery is completely deadpan:]

But Shiro. [The ever-faithful Tonberry doll pokes its head out of Noctis' pack, and a tiny bit of flame emits from its lantern. He smirks.] Black mage.

[Yeah, he's just pulling the other man's leg, but he feels like a joke's needed.]

[spaceforged]

[Shiro grins back at Noctis and spreads his hands apart. His voice is matter of fact but his eyes give away he's really amused.]

But Noctis, [Pale white light dances in his fingers and up his arms. Paladin is such a cool job.] Pay cut for damages.

[warpstriking]

[He can't help it; he laughs at that one.]

Alright, Mr. Show Off. I'll take a look later, after whatever inevitable "surprise" the others have waiting for me tonight.

[What's that? The birthday boy being aware of his retinue being Up To Something? Nah~]

[spaceforged]

I'm just illuminating the problem with Black Mage theorium here. Not all things are 'kill it with fire'.

[Oh ho, so Noctis knows. He's not surprised. But it does make him think how next time Keith's birthday rolls around he'll be very careful with the planning around it.]

[warpstriking]

[... Okay, he'd been aware that Shiro was a nerd, but this is literally his first language. Noctis grins widely.]

One of these days, I'm gonna have to show you how to YEET a sword... and follow it.

[Like he did in that memory. Only with less damage to oneself.]

[spaceforged]

[That brings him up short. His mind flashes back to seeing Noctis flow through the battlefield like a crashing wave. He's seen swordwork before but coupled with the warping like he'd used with Black...

Noctis had been like artwork when he caught sight of him. The offer of letting him be the same is no light matter. His voice comes out soft, and a little breathy in how surprised he is at the offer.]

...I'd be honored. You did say that Black warps like you do...so that might even make Black easier to use.

[warpstriking]

[He wouldn't say he's a crashing wave on the battlefield, even before the Revelation of Leviathan. It was a dance of light and fire intertwining, the spark of life unafraid to shine bright amidst the night sky but gone far too soon. Riding on the air as if the wind was solid and striking quick like lightning.]

You never know. Besides, you got to see some of it... even if half of the lightshow was the Ring.

[The blasts of light in particular; those won't be something he shares.]