Raise a Glass [OPEN]

[lordshield]

Who: The XV Cast and You!
When: June 6th
Where: Curti Center, Jiminy's Juicery (bar)
What: After saving innocents from the Dream Width, some people just need a drink.
Warnings/Notes: Alcohol consumption, possible violence, whatever people do in bars.

Their first foray into the search and rescue business in the Dream Width had been intense, to say the least. Stressful, heartbreaking, exhausting, and enlightening were other words some might use to describe the experience. After a night of rest and a day to somewhat sort things and people out, the next evening brings about a mighty need to head to the local tavern. Some drink to forget, some drink to remember, some drink to relax. There are even representatives of the Bard's Guild providing live music. You can try to make a request, but chances are they don't know your foreign songs.

Maybe you were invited by one of the excitable young men from Lucis, or maybe you came on your own. There's enough room in the bar for quite a few people, so long as they're of age. Sit right at the bar, or pull up chairs around a table, the choice is yours.

[OoC: Make your own toplevel or tag around. Please put content warnings as necessary. Have fun!]

Comments

[warpstriking]

[Noctis simply stares back for however long it takes for him to remember what he was going to say. Ravus did ask to speak with him in private, in his own way. But when he finally opens his mouth...


Ah. So that's why.]

I know, it wasn't.

[He gestures at the two empty glasses in front of him, the third still half-full. He's trying. Even if it's just for the night, he knows... After all, she never once spoke of her treatment by the Empire in her responses in their notebook.]

Gentiana shared- some of their last conversation, in Tenebrae.

['-where prying eyes cannot see the tears in mine.' That she only wanted to be with him, but fate and callings would tear them apart just as they reunited. His gaze falls upon the Ring she'd given everything to see returned to him, along with the blessings of their gods. He can feel the emotion knotting up in his throat, but he swallows it back down.]

So... it was already mine. Just not as clearly defined.

[His breath isn't shaky, either. It's just the air quality (shit, he thought he got this out of his system on the airship).]

Besides, [He says, in a far softer tone than he's ever used before Ravus since his brief stay in Tenebrae.] It- isn't a burden to me.

[He just wishes she'd lived to tell him herself.]

[sonoftenebrae]

[It takes a moment before Ravus can respond. He bows his head, letting his hair cover his face.]

You...truly cared for her. [He hadn't been sure before. There had always been the possibility in his mind that Lunafreya was sacrificing herself for one who only considered their betrothal an obligation.

It almost makes it worse, knowing Lunafreya could have had everything she'd wanted, could have been happily wed to a man who loved her, if not for the Gods' and their plots. He is not actually crying now. It is raining, on his face, inside.]

I promised her...I would return...your father's blade to you. [His fists ball up, and he slams them down on the tabletop.] Now, I cannot do even that for her.

[warpstriking]

Of course I did. [It's far too easy for his eyes to hide behind his long bangs as he lowers his head.] I still do.

[If he were honest with himself, he always had. Not a day had passed when he hadn't waited for Pryna's, and later Umbra's, presence to see her responses. When he awoke from that brief dream, to see the Ring pressed into his hand and the notebook with a sylleblossom perfectly pressed where her response would have been...

He only slightly jumps at the fists suddenly on the table.]

I know... it doesn't help much. But by the time I last remember, you did give it back. [What a terrible time for the bar's roof to spring a leak over their table.] But just like my family's magic and our... our notebook...I awoke here without it.

[And yet, he sounds even more heartbroken at the lack of that little orange-colored book.]

[sonoftenebrae]

[It should not be a surprise to Ravus- who could meet Lunafreya and not love her? Only someone devoid of humanity like the Emperor or his Chancellor could be corrupt enough to wish her harm.

In his quest to protect her, Ravus had missed so many opportunities to be kind to his sister. Now they are beyond him, even more out of reach than the king's sword or Noctis' magic. His only hope now is that kindness to her love will somehow reach her spirit and bring her peace. It makes since to his wine-addled brain, anyways.]

I failed her so many times. But you...You brought her happiness. That stupid notebook...whenever the dogs brought it back...she radiated joy.

[The news that the sword reached its destination is more than a weight lifted from his shoulders. It is salvation from the darkness devouring him from within. The tears fall openly. In the next life, Ravus can face his sibling without regret.]

Maybe now...she can find peace.

[warpstriking]

[He can't think of anyone other than Emperor Aldercapt and Ardyn, either. She always had a way of brightening everyone's day and life just by walking into their vicinity and smiling.

Yet to hear that his stickers and few words had brought even a smile to his beloved's face, like hers had to him... It both brings a smile to his face and felt as though a knife had cut him. Because he knows. He knows that pain of having so many opportunities to be kind, to show how much he loves and cares for not just his father; but for those around him.]

It's... good to hear.

[Even if it took Ravus an entire bottle of wine to say it.]

I hope she does. Luna... she more than deserves it.

[She deserved the world.]

[sonoftenebrae]

[He lets a moment of silence pass between them, and another, before he swipes at his eyes and pushes himself up from his chair. All that he needed say has been said.

...perhaps not all. He pauses, taking a deep breath.]

I misjudged you, Noctis. If aught can be done to make amends, or to fulfill my family's pledge to yours, I shall see it done.

[It is a promise made by a drunk, grieving man, but he means it. His duty is all he has left to cling to, and the Noctis he has spoken to, here and in the false Altissia of the Dream Width, has the makings of the king his family has sworn to serve.]