"Something to test out, after the inevitable freaking out from the others." He says with a bit of a conspiratorial smirk. "Didn't exactly tell them I was going to pick this baby up." And Shiro probably more than knows how royal retinues tend to act when their liege decides to wander off on their own or unannounced entirely. It's not like he left the safety of this place, though. "Though Cindy'll probably be able to tell more. She's our mechanic."

The bit about the Lion having a life force of its own gets Noctis to pause and raise an eyebrow. Really? Huh. No wonder they were so concerned about them. Though he wonders silently if it's more a pet or partnership sort of deal. He isn't sure with all this otherworldly tech.

"Could be," he finally says, humming thoughtfully. "Though I noticed the purr of the engine was a bit different. Probably to make up for the new parts."

Noctis pets the hood of the Regalia, that smirk fading into a sincere smile. "Good to have a part of you back, Dad."