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!]

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[regisrex]

Regis did not hesitate before he tucked himself in, his own arms coming around the bulk of the Shield's body and fingers fisting lightly into the fabric of his clothes. How often had Clarus held him like this?

How often was he going to hold him like this in the future?

"They do need me, though. Not consciously. Not demandingly. But if I disappoint them, each of them will lose something that can't be recovered. And they already lost their home."

He squeezed his eyes and forced himself to breathe. To think. To stop focusing on himself. Even if it was difficult to forget. Ignis's change of attitude. Noct's grief. Gladio's... reaction.

"'m grateful, too, you know. Whatever this place is, it's giving you more time. It's giving you some of the people you love most." It was giving Noctis time without the weight of the Ring and all it meant. Giving them all...

"Safe. This place, at least this far, seems safe."

For many people, Insomnia had felt safe, always. But Regis and Clarus knew different. They knew the price of it, or at least Regis thought he did. But this, here. It felt different entirely, and it was only in Clarus's reassurance that Regis finally saw it.

More food for thought. But at least a realization that calmed him a little, so he finally relaxed, slightly, in Clarus's arms.

[lordshield]

Given how unkind fate had been to them, specifically to Regis, a comforting position was one they found themselves in quite often. More often than Clarus would like. If he could only hold Regis like this in times of trouble, he would have accepted never holding him again. Just so long as his king was happy.

"They're grown men. They don't need anything more than you can give them, Dearest." Clarus unconsciously placed his lips to the top of the prince's head, pressing a gentle kiss there briefly. "They know you're different. They know you've yet to experience the events that shape you into the man they know. They'll be fine."

Safe. Yes, in a manner of speaking. There were still monsters, still mysteries to be solved that made Clarus uneasy. The political climate was generally easy, but there was a tension whenever anyone spoke of the gated Empire, and the military might of the Republic made Clarus eye them warily. These weren't his lands, and he wished no part in any wars they might wage, but he'd prefer to avoid being a casualty as well.

"I believe it may be," he finally agreed with a soft sigh. A place for Regis to grow old in safety, maybe. And for Noctis.

[regisrex]

"Mm." Regis didn't point out that, no matter how adult they were, if King Mors were to show up and act like he had no care or responsibility in the world, it would break them. He either didn't need to, for Clarus was merely soothing him, or there was no use. In either case, he took the comfort.

The rest...

Regis sighed, and straightened a touch, only enough to look at Clarus and try to gauge just how different a few months longer stay turned perceptions.

"Talk to me." Not pleading, and certainly not a command. But a request all the same, green eyes clear and calm. "If not about whatever you are avoiding about Eos, then about this place."