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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

[sonoftenebrae]

[Ravus suspected as much, but he won't ruin the illusion for the others.]

They did their best. I imagine they've had little need to practice deceiving you before now.

[It's not the worst thing in the world to have friends who are terrible at lying. The prince's retinue are all almost revoltingly trustworthy, and Ravus doesn't know how to convey to Noctis that he should count himself very lucky for it.]

That is not to say they didn't go too far. I am certain I saw someone try to put a party hat on one of the chocobos...

[warpstriking]

They did. Considering before now, mine were all celebrated at the Citadel and public knowledge.

[Save perhaps a few early birthday get-togethers, wherein it was a quieter and simpler thing. Along with videogaming into the night until Ignis put his foot down about them "needing to rest" and such. He couldn't have been luckier back then and he knows it; both because good, trustworthy friends and the Wall existing.

He smirks at the mental image of the chocobos wearing those ridiculous things.]

Aaand considering the last I looked, they were free of party hats... [They tried to put one on Felix, didn't they. That explains a couple things.]

[sonoftenebrae]

Yes, they were. [Ravus had not considered it important information, except that Lunafreya had always fretted about the timing when she sent Umbra with what he presumed were birthday well-wishes in that damned notebook.]

I didn't say they were successful. Only that they tried. I'm sure there are pictures of the attempts.

[warpstriking]

[Well, then; did whomever betray them at the signing also pass along information, or did news simply spread like that? Because while he's likely to believe the latter, he doesn't really know. Only that he'd been careful about the timing he sent Luna birthday well-wishes as well in the notebook that now rests among his belongings upstairs.]

Knowing Prompto, definitely. [A pause.] Let me guess: they started with Felix and his chocochicks.

[sonoftenebrae]

With all the mischief that bird causes, you can't say he didn't deserve it.

[He shrugs. This event is much more lighthearted than any birthday celebration he's been to.]

Is this how you wanted to spend your evening? Your birthday is not a public event here. You could do anything you choose.

[warpstriking]

I can't, no... but I do know his tendency to peck at anyone who gets close to his beak without greens.

[Anyone that isn't him, anyway. He pauses, though, listening to check if anyone is within earshot before he comes right out and says it; quietly.]

I would have preferred a nap, honestly. [He shrugs back, before he continues.] But after that visit to Sen Devadatta, they needed it.

[This wasn't his first choice to begin with, but he won't complain. They needed an excuse to laugh and enjoy themselves, even if the supposed star of the evening would rather be asleep right now. Like it isn't a common state of being for him. Noctis Lucis Caelum: prince of Lucis and king of fishing and naps. Maybe he really should pick up Catmancer, just for the excuse of sleeping during battle.]

[sonoftenebrae]

[Ravus considers that. Noctis tends to show kingly merit at the most unexpected of times. An admission of lethargy is transformed into an act of leadership.

...like the Oracle, the True King is called to sacrifice too much for the sake of his people. The hand not cradling his wine glass clutches into a fist. This boy wants so little, yet is denied even that.]

Perhaps. You should rest while you are able to, though. There will come a time, likely not long from now, when you'll not have that luxury.

[He wills his magitek hand to unball itself. His dour mood is of no help to the king.]

Have you considered a body double? An illusionist would be able to take on your likeness easily enough for you to steal away for a nap.

[Because nothing bad has ever come of someone looking like Noctis, what are you talking about?]

I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE, LIISA....

[warpstriking]

Oh, I plan on it... after a while. [When, he won't specify, but it'll be enough to say he had been there. Until he disappears upstairs. Likely falling asleep not long after.

He notices how Ravus' magitek hand clenches, but doesn't say a word about it. His mood might not be of help, but the sentiment means a lot to him. Enough that he mulls over the other's words for a moment before shaking his head.]

Sooner rather than later.

[They have a hard deadline, now. He knows this. And it will soon become all the harder to get some rest. He knows this, but what's a couple more hours now while they can afford it?]

And, no. While they easily could, they could just as easily use that to trick one of us into a false sense of security.

[Oh, if only he knew...]

[sonoftenebrae]

I suppose. [Ravus had been able to sense Ardyn's sinister presence when he passed by masquerading as Gladiolus. Surely with their instincts, none of Noctis' men would be fooled by a pretender who meant them harm. But if it was a risk Noctis is unwilling to take, Ravus will not press the issue.]

You've come a long way from the boy you once were, Noctis.

[He does not know how to convey the thoughts that accompany the observation. 'I should have trusted Lunafreya's judgment.' 'My mother would be glad to see the man you've become.' 'Perhaps there is still some hope left in the world.']

Happy birthday. [He says instead.]

[warpstriking]

[At least he managed to do that and not, you know, started to see red at just the thought of him and being unable to control it. Maybe it's time and distance, but... at the very least he's starting to think more rationally in regards to his long estranged "great"(x112, because fuuuuck typing out that many greats) uncle.

He appreciates the fact Ravus doesn't press the issue, and would gently point that out with a grateful look, but then the next words come out of his mouth and Noctis pauses; surprised. Despite this uneasy-at-times truce and their alliance, he's. Honestly a little stunned for a second, before he recovers.]

Thank you, Ravus. [And he means that in far more ways than for the simple birthday well wishes.]