Crystalline Chill

[warpstriking]

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.)

Comments

[warpstriking]

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).

[spaceforged]

"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.

[warpstriking]

"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.

[spaceforged]

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.”

[warpstriking]

"Funny. So are most airships back home." At least, what they once thought were just robots... He wasn't about to bring that up, though. It was already weird their worlds had that much in common, along with some vegetables. Thanks, Hunk.

"Teleporting?" Now that got him even more curious. That something this large had the capability of teleportation was more than a little fascinating.

[spaceforged]

"Yeah. I've only used it once but I've seen it in Black's memories. I'm not entirely sure how it works." He's not about to bring up how he passed through a mental space and ripped the bayard free from Zarkon's hand. That belongs to early morning thoughts while he exercises. It's good food for thought on a long run.

"It's wings change. The red part there has bladed feathers of what looks like energy. It's possible I won't be able to use it...but if I could. That could be a huge advantage if we ever need to cover ground fast."

[warpstriking]

"If I could see it, I might be able to come up with an idea." He crosses his arms, thinking. "One of the ways my family's magic manifests is short-range teleportation, or 'warping.'" He doesn't really talk much about it, here. Considering how it's tied to his feelings of powerlessness. Yet, Shiro deserved an explanation after he said that.

The wings changing was interesting, though. And he'd be lying if something in his eyes didn't twinkle a little at the idea.

[spaceforged]

Shiro’s eyes widen in surprise and then his own eyes twinkle. A teleporter. “It felt like we passed through things when we ported once. We passed through the previous Black Paladin and I snatched,” He reaches for the Bayard and holds it up. “The Bayard that no longer belonged to him. He lost that right.” His voice is hard by the end of it.

“He betrayed his team and the universe has been paying for it for over ten thousand years.”

[warpstriking]

A flicker of something crosses his face; understanding, maybe a little too much so. Losing the right to a power that was once yours... Yeah, he knew someone like that.

Noctis looks thoughtful for a moment, carefully considering the phrasing Shiro uses to describe the act as he studies the bayard. "So not only teleportation, but phasing..." Something he is also acutely familiar with, considering his tone.

[spaceforged]

He slides the bayard back into its clip on his belt and nods. "Yes, I agree. I appeared in reality behind him." He notes, almost as an afterthought. "When the Black Lion showed me its memories, that's what it looked like from the outside too." Zarkon had phased through targets and shot them from the other side.

He glances up at the Lion. "Each lion has a special hidden power. And they're constantly evolving and growing stronger. Give it another ten thousand years and I'm not sure what they'll be capable of then."

[warpstriking]

"Uh, 'in reality'?" Sorry, Shiro. You lost him there for a moment. Not to mention showing others memories. That seemed to resonate a little close to home.

Still, ten thousand years? That's an oddly specific number. "Too bad not many get to see that long."

[spaceforged]

"We phased through a mental space? I'm not sure how to describe it. When the Lion was sharing memories with me the previous Black Paladin interfered. He said that, 'When you die in this realm your body dies as well.' It couldn't be normal reality. I woke up in the Lion after it saved me."

Were it anyone else outside of the team he wouldn't have to said so. But Noctis has earned his trust. And he has experience that Shiro needs to draw on.

[warpstriking]

Noctis blinks at that, crossing his arms as he thinks about it. Ignis would probably have a better grasp at it than he does, but... a mental space? He remembers two places similar in description. One more so than the other. "Sounds more like a different plane than an entirely different reality. But then, history and literature were my thing; not theoretical physics."

Says the last in a line of kings and queens who tend to warp after the weapons they throw.

Noctis gazes down at the space between them for a moment, before removing the ring from his right middle finger and holding it up for Shiro to see. "...A similar 'scape ordinarily exists in this, and in it... untold power. Yet if one is found unworthy, they burn in both."

And with that said, he places the ring back on his finger as though it were nothing.

[spaceforged]

"...I assume that's to prevent that power from being misused and not for the sake of it." It puts more emphasis on why Noctis keeps the ring on him. The lives of anyone who approach that ring are in question. Whether they use it to protect the kingdom or not. "...what happens to the worthy?"

He hadn't said they burn. But he hadn't said what happens to them either. He places his hand back on the Lion. "Lions only power up for people they deem worthy of their trust. That's the basis of being a Voltron Paladin. Trust and respect the Lion and your teammates."

[warpstriking]

Noctis' eyes narrow slightly, lips pursing together. Yet he simply slips into the same mindset he did for when he needed to share with Prompto the nature of the Messengers all those months ago. Sometimes, he still can't believe it'd only been months.

"...To safeguard the future of my world." Maybe it's simply a trick of the the light, or because of how they lingered beneath the shadow of the Black Lion, but for an instant, it's as though his eyes faintly glow crimson. Sometimes being a black mage has it's advantages. "A price is demanded. For those of royal blood, our lives are shortened with each use. But for those who aren't..." He shakes his head, adding, "It differs, but their blessing is always temporary. One way or another, they who wield the light of the Lucii have to face the fact that they will burn. One way or another. Even me."

Especially him, the last of their line. Though at the explanation of the Paladins, he can't help a faint smile. It reminds him of how he'd share his powers with those he trusts.

[spaceforged]

Noctis is going to have a potentially short life. The realization pours ice through his veins. They haven't been friends long but the thought... His eyes narrow just a hair. A price has to be paid. He leans more to one side and his hip makes contact with the lion. He shouldn't judge the powers of another world. They do what they must to protect what they hold dear.

But he doesn't like it. "I see." He doubts the Lions are doing that to them. He'd felt tired in that last battle because Zarkon was constantly attacking him. It had been like trying to hold back a storm. Shiro tips his head up to stare at the Lion one more time. "As far as I can tell nothing like that exists in my universe. Even the Galra and their harvesting quintessence they haven't literally burned for using it as fuel."

[warpstriking]

Oh, if only Shiro knew. Still, he felt as though he should reassure him of one thing. "Yeah. It's why I don't take it off often. Even if it's power is sealed."

The idea that it could potentially awaken again stopped him from ever carelessly placing it somewhere another could grab it and they'd find the hard way that it was awake again. He wouldn't wish that fate on anyone, and at least for him... it would only be if he was actively using it.

The look on his face likely said it all, though: he didn't like it, either; yet he accepted his role with as much grace as he was allowed.

"There's always a price," Noctis mutters, his gaze following Shiro's. "Even if they aren't the ones who pay for it."

[spaceforged]

His gaze darkens. "Yes, and the universe has paid that price too many times." His blood runs cold at the thought of anyone picking up that ring. Countless lives could be snuffed out. Shiro doesn't like the light of the Lucii but he'll respect it. His respect for Noctis shows in his eyes as he turns his head to look at him.

"I understand the risks. We both have things that absolutely should never be misused or picked up carelessly." He shuts his eyes and sighs. "Like I said before. I'll help as much as I'm able to."

[warpstriking]

Welcome to the club, Shiro. He doesn't like it, either. Though he's glad that the truth doesn't seem to change his perception of him. At least, that's the feeling Noct's getting as he turns to look at him as well.

"Gonna have to second that," he replies, gesturing to the Lion with a slight nod of his head. "Anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask."

[spaceforged]

"I think the only thing we can do for Black is wait. When its ready to rise again we'll know." Shiro glances one more time at the Lion and turns away from it. He gestures for Noctis to follow him. "Until then best to study hard for our pilot licenses." They don't have classes they have to attend.

Or instructors. Yet he still feels compelled to add. "Built a study guide, yet?"

[warpstriking]

"Yeah. Been a while since I had to make one of those." Yet he still remembers how. Like the diligent student he pretended not to be the latter half of his teen years, despite being in college level courses in the third year of high school. "Though can I just say how weird it is they don't have a course?"

Only the materials they sent and a schedule to observe other pilots in action... Yeah, that'll do a lot of good. "Even my driving lessons were more involved. And Cor had the pleasure of teaching me on the side because they didn't trust my dad beyond the back seat of anything with wheels."

[spaceforged]

"It's really strange. Back at the Garrison we had to test to even quality to attend. We had courses, flight simulators, practice flights, and you were competing with everyone else in your year for a slot." It was a gauntlet and he climbed to the top of it. Sometimes he looks back at that time and wonders how many have made it since he left Earth.

Who kept throwing themselves into it? But it's a passing idle thought. "I brought this up to Hunk...but we're going to look into what technology they have available and see if we could develop flight simulators."

[warpstriking]

"Huh." Yeah, see? That makes way more sense than what is here. He thinks about it a little longer before sighing in frustration. "I'd ask Cindy if she wanted to help out, but haven't seen her yet."

He keeps missing her and it's annoying. "She's our mechanic. Fitted the Regalia once to go off-road." More like "turned it into a damn monster truck," but details~