melodiesofeternity | Crystalline Chill

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Crystalline Chill

Who: Residents of house C-01 and friends!
When: All throughout May, see prompts and individual threads
Where: House C-01
What: Monthly catchall for the XV House shenanigans
Warnings/Notes: There's likely going to be spoilers for Kingsglaive and the main game up to Chapter 13 somewhere in the comments.

A. Sometimes you just want to ride...
Late in the morning of the 1st, there is a low purring sound of an engine going down the street. One that wasn't accustomed to travel aside by foot or chocobo claw. Yet, somehow, a certain man manages not to clip a single thing. And it sits there, in front of House C-01, black, shiny, and very much a wonder to a few moogles. Especially since the convertible's roof is airship-grade plexiglass.

B. [Insert "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" joke here]
There was one upside to living with the once-deceased leader of the Crownsguard, and that was one didn't have to go far for a training enthusiast. There was also one downside to this: not having to go far for a training enthusiast. It's the crack of dawn when the nice little symphony of insects and kwehs get interrupted by the sounds of wooden weapons clashing and spells being practiced.

Rest in pieces, light sleepers. They apologize in advance.

C. That's it!
Of course, no one can train or go through the day on no fuel. And one person in particular has taken upon himself to at least ensure a few others can eventually cook eggs without burning them. The real question is: Will Ignis come up with a new recipeh involving that jar of kupo nut butter?

D. I want to ride my chocobo all day~
If anyone is surprised at the fact that there are two or three (depending on the date because Chocobo Eater event) lovely birds, then they clearly don't understand at least 50% of the household's love for the magnificent creatures. The black one in particular seems to be particularly happy with their nice little stack of shiny objects...

There may or may not be a pair of glasses on the top of that pile. Sorry, Specs.

E. Hold my Ebony
(Feel free to come up with your own prompts, guys; these aren't the limits to our zaniness.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Well, looks like we both got packages from them." He jerks his thumb over towards B housing where a pair of red wings jut up over the buildings. "So this is the car you talked about." His eyes sweep over it and he takes a step back to truly appreciate it. "Beautiful."

He idly notes the glass is thicker than he'd have expected out of a car. "She in complete working order?" He asks while glancing again towards where the red wings stick up. "The Black Lion is completely powered down. For now."

"Let me guess. The Lion you mentioned?" Holy shit, that thing is HUGE. Especially if he can see part of it from over here. "Yeah. Better than what I remember. Also a bit different, because pretty sure there weren't flight controls when the Niffs blew it up."

Who the hell repurposed his dad's car like this and how can he thank them? But the moment he said that, Ivory is squealing at the thought. "I-it can fly, kupo!? Show us!!"

Noctis laughs. "It can. I can't." He only knows how to recognize the new controls from the time a friend showed him. So, he didn't bother trying.

Edited 2018-05-10 19:58 (UTC)

"Mind if I have a look? I won't touch anything. I just want to see how the car was repurposed for flight." That makes the window glass make sense. He studies the car with a thoughtful frown as he puts together what he can see into a mental image of the open sky. "Wonder why its shifted from what you remember." He adds, still thoughtfully studying the machine.

"And yes, that is the Black Lion. The Yellow Lion is still somewhere out there." He can't keep the concern out of his voice and doesn't bother trying. Noctis will get why he's worried.

"Sure thing." He gets out of the car, key in his hands as Ivory flies out behind him and rushes back into the house to excitedly chirp at anyone still there and will listen. Whoo boy. "Don't know, but... kind of glad all the same."

Anything's better than a flaming wreck. At least, that's what he thinks. He stretches a little, mentally preparing himself for the inevitable 'what the Six did you do to your father's car?' questions he's likely to receive in the next hour or so.

Though he gets why that concern and downright worry is in Shiro's voice. He really does. Just as much as the other likely gets why there is a certainty in his voice when he answers with a, "We'll find it." Because it's a promise.

He slides into the car smooth and easy. "We will." He agrees, with equal certainty. He folds his legs under him, looking his age as he studies the controls and gauges. He turns his head to take it in and laughs, quietly. "This is brilliant!"

He grins at Noctis as he gestures to the controls. "It operates similar to the car is on the ground. The shift in controls seems routed through those basic systems. I'd have to actually fly it to see but, that's what it looks like. I'm just a pilot, not a tech expert. So take this with a grain of salt."

Shiro exits the car carefully. "I wonder if functions so smoothly and the Lion doesn't is because the Lion is partly...it has a life force of its own."

"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."

A moment of silence passes before Shiro speaks up. "That would shift the sound of the engine. There's likely a difference in fuel consumption." He doesn't say anything about the last thing Noctis said. That is his private business. But he moves slower, letting the moment last so Noctis can savor it.

"I'm sure they'll understand why you went off without telling them. This place is safe and the reason was important. You didn't go all that far." If it had been Allura he'd have given her a look but let it go. No one was put in danger.

"I'm not too worried about the Black Lion. It's been powered down like this before. It will power back up given some time."

He didn't need to, but he appreciates it. He'll likely have his own moment later, when no one's around. Because letting himself break down completely in front of the others from his world was something he didn't allow. Hasn't for years. So, just like that, he's back to the usual.

Besides, just feeling that similar hum beneath his fingertips on the way here was enough.

"Noticed that, too. There wasn't even a minute change on the gauge." Which... surprises him, really. "No exhaust, either." This was entirely weird to him, but he's not about to look a gift chocobo in the mouth. Not after everything so far.

"Honestly... Didn't want to get their hopes up." This car means a lot to more than just him, but to Cindy and his entire retinue. Even his father's Shield, considering their own road trip used the same car before them. Even if it's... different. He wanted to be sure it was the real deal before telling them. "They've been worried about letting me out of their sight lately. More than usual." He means the disappearances, and considering what happened back home... he doesn't blame them.

"Hopefully Black wakes up soon, then."

Edited 2018-05-11 04:31 (UTC)

"I hope so. We've been through a lot together." There's a world of emotion there as he puts slightly more emphasis on together than he otherwise would have. His eyes drift back to the red wings. Yes, he and Black have fought long and hard together. He to earn the Lion's trust, and the Lion against...so many things.

Shiro turns back to Noctis. "I understand your reasoning. I did the same thing for the same reasons. I didn't want to get Hunk's hopes up. The fact the lions are coming here too and what that might mean...is my burden to bear as his leader. Not his." It makes him worry about his universe. Is Voltron without a Lion...maybe even two? By all rights if he vanished, the Black Lion must go to Keith.

Only he can pilot it and bind the team together. "Anyway, we'll sort everything out. This is a big step forward even if it's a confusing one."

He caught that amount of emotion there, but he doesn't comment on it right away. Instead focusing more on the longing for what feels like an old friend coming back. That, he understood. He even was that friend to Prompto back home. After everything they fought for...

"Now that one is, might wanna talk to him about it." Pointing out the obvious, sure, but sometimes the obvious needs to be said. He leans against the car for a moment, staring at the red wings in the distance as he crosses his arms. "Times of uncertainty like this, we have to lean on those we know. Even if it's hard to let some of it slip."

It's been something he's been considering, telling them what his fate will be if they do manage to get home. What it means that he's here, not at home and doing his best to keep the darkness at bay. "But if it's a living entity like you say, could be the Lion's way of saying it's needed here. Even if it's taking a longer nap than I normally do."

For a long moment he's quiet. "Yes, I intend to talk to him. I just needed time to process. He's taken very well to our situation and I...while it seems like I have. I haven't." He leans back and crosses his arms. His eyes are back on the red wings.

"It's been a long time since anything outside of war even entered my head. It's a vacation to my team. But to me..." He shuts his eyes. To him, it's torture. They have a mission and a battle that needs finished. As a Paladin he has a purpose. Here he has to make and reshape the world to start again. Without anyone he could lean on.

"He worries a lot and it would be too much to put on his shoulders to express my worries to him." If it were Allura or even Coran, they'd quietly talk it over. Hunk is a strong guy with a big heart. But... "They've always relied on me to keep my head. So that's what I'm doing."

"...So's Prompto, save his usual anxiety." Not to mention the nightmares he knows he's experiencing because sometimes, he's awake because of one himself, trying to will sleep to let him embrace oblivion for a few hours. "Clarus, too. No idea about Ulric or Cindy, but Ignis and I..."

They both weren't doing well, either. Torture is one way to put it, but save the people he's met, it's more like hell than anything. He sighs, shifting his weight slightly. "...It's like waiting for that other shoe to drop, or someone pulling the rug out from under you and you can't stop falling. Powerless and aimless." He glances at Shiro from the corner of his eye, understanding shining in his eyes. "It's overwhelming."

"Yes." Powerless and aimless. That's exactly what it feels. His hands clench on his arms. "If I knew why we were here it would be easier. I can't fix anything if I don't know what needs fixed." Shiro rubs at his face and lets his hands fall. It lands on the Black Bayard. He runs his fingers over it.

That had become a habit. It was meant to be in his hand all along but it had been in the hand of the last Black Paladin. Now. He can't even use it. "...but at least even if all this is almost too much all the time. At least we know we're not alone in that feeling. Whatever else happens...there is that." Even if he can't and won't say all of it.

This much is enough to push forward into the unknown.

"Things usually are when there's a goal in mind." Instead of, you know, being stuck in a holding pattern but not really able to land. Worried you'd be running out of fuel and come crashing down before you can land safely.

He might be a little too familiar with this.

Noct lightly tugs on the bangs in front of his face, fussing with his hair out of habit like he always did. "...Yeah," he agreed quietly, gaze falling to the ring on his finger again as it passes his field of vision. Without it's power, sometimes he just forgets that it's there. "'Least there's that."

They need to move somehow. Some direction. He stares at the red wings. "Come see the Black Lion." Even if it's just showing the machine that has saved him so many times and he it. It's a way to go. "It won't take long and we aren't going far."

Maybe it's grasping at straws. But it's a way forward.

Noctis froze slightly at the thought of leaving without a word, despite his moogle likely searching for someone in there to tell he was back with a surprise. Yet he quickly seems to thaw, nodding stiffly. "Sure thing."

It is grasping at straws, but it's something. And something was better than being stuck in the past and being unable to see the horizon. He lightly kicks off the Regalia, moving to follow Shiro.

He turns on his heel and strides for the Lion. With it here he can feel that instinct that tells him which way to go. Even if the Lion is powered down he is still its Paladin. He'd charted out the streets and distance the moment he'd thought to go for it. They cross over into B territory and he walks straight to the back. There the Lion lies.

One massive metal paw rests out in front, the other settled farther back, closer to the head. He makes right for the snout. Shiro places one hand against it and something inside him that had been stirring into an unease and almost panic settles right back down. "They were built ten thousand years ago, by King Alfor of Altea. Even today, Altean technology...it's a mix of science and, I guess, magic."

He turns back to Noctis with his hand still on the Lion. "It's still more advanced than anything that exists today."

Noctis knew that it was massive when he could see its wings from his own temporary residence. Yet to see it up close, he couldn't help how his eyes widen in both shock and awe. While much of his family's iconography are skulls and wings with a bit of draconic influence, he can't help but be amazed at the massive Lion.

That something so old could be in such good shape, he didn't know what to say to that. Other than, well,

"Whoa." Yeah. Real elegant, Noct. Might as well start introducing yourself as Noct Gar again at this rate. "Definitely out of the league of most of the stuff back home, too."

"The Black Lion is the biggest." His lips twitch in a small smile. "All the others are smaller but it takes all of them to form Voltron." He pats the lion. "Head and chest. Hunk's Yellow forms a leg." His eyes spark with a hint of mischief.

"We'll be a little lopsided if we were to try. Not that we can without all five." There's a faint feeling in his mind like the brush of a nose against his back. Powered down as the Lion is. It's still there.

"It's kind of a good thing the Lion is powered down. I don't think they could have retrieved it otherwise. They put up a barrier when their Paladin is absent."

Noct lets out a quiet 'huh', resting his hands on his hips as he looks up at the mechanical beast. The thing ate its Wheaties, that's for sure. But head, chest, and-? ...

"Well, at least you have a leg to stand on," he says in a matter-of-fact tone, shrugging. He couldn't help it. The joke was there and he had to take it.

"Now we just need a hand." He flashes a grin, his tone just as matter-of-fact. Lance isn't around to hide the puns and jokes from. He doesn't have to always be so serious. His grin grows wider as he looks to Black. "Then we'll be ahead of the game."

Good, because he's fairly certain that being serious all the time is bad for one's health. Only had to look at Ignis' coffee addiction for proof of that. But, it was good to hear him joking around. They both needed that.

"Yeah, so hop to it." Because one leg, how else would it get around (aside from flight).

"I dunno maybe I'll lion around some more." His smile lasts a little longer than it settles. "Anyway," He lets his hand finally fall away from the beast. "Feeling a little better? I know big machines always brighten my day."

Another joke. They need it.

"Just don't come growling to me when that doesn't work." He shrugs it off, but grins. "Little bit, yeah. Though usually spend more time wrecking them, myself."

They did indeed, and that glint in Noct's eyes says he isn't kidding about the last part.

That gets a laugh out of him. “Usually that’s our job too.” He leans back against the Lion. “I fleet ships are piloted and manned mostly by robotic constructs. Mostly.” And they take them down. They have to. There is no other alternative for now. But that could change if Zarkon is removed from power. But he may not live to see that.

A fact he has kept to himself the entire time. No one needs that problem on their doorstep. He looks up at the Black Lion. “When it can fly again...there was a power I unlocked just before I woke up in the dream Width. I want to see if I can use the Black Lion’s teleporting again.”

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