[ TBA ] | ❝ i wasn’t looking for romance, just a quick slow dance. ❞

[jokerofhearts]

( Continued from here)

[ He has no desire to join forces with Noctis. There is no animosity or hostility to his long-removed cousin. No, instead, he merely knows that his path will run parallel to him. He is there to protect the people while Noctis saves the soul of the star. One deals with the temporal and one with the spiritual. Although, he has had the feeling for some time that there is more going on than he is aware of. Something that has merged politics into the great plan the Astrals made.

Is he positive that he wants to? He certainly finds Lunafreya attractive. There is a glow about her that draws him to her. But, he has to admit, that he hasn't fully committed himself to anything revolving around her. It was because he hadn't pulled off that mask. Despite her pleas and her unending questions, 'Arsène' did not reveal himself. Maybe that is what kept him from completely falling into the motions.

If she wanted it? He could provide it for her.

He tilts his head down to kiss the side of her neck. The hand holding her breast continues its soft circular motions. He's waiting on her body to react. His hand slides to her inner thigh, creeping up, then pulling back down again. ]

Comments

[jokerofhearts]

[ He raises one sly eyebrow but says nothing. Instead, he lets her continue. He's certain she'll want to stop at some point. ]

...Sure.

[ It can't hurt. Right? He may need to know the full picture in order to do his part. He shifts her on his lap and settles his hands up her skirt, resting on her hips. ]

I had one.

[luxoraculi]

[ It's cute that he thinks that, because he clearly has no idea who he is dealing with here. She'll stop when he tells her to, not the other way around.

Well. She may pause in order for story time, at least. Her lips linger against his throat for a few moments more, and she hums, trying to find a good start to a story that is, by far, way too long, especially considering where they are and what they are going to do. ]

The prophecy states that the King of Kings is to drive the darkness from our star. This, you are already aware of. The steps necessary to do so, however, are far more complicated than simply rousing Astrals from their sleep states.

[ Suddenly, she wants to back pedal just a little bit. Offer to tell this story a little later, but she's already started... and he is a comforting presence. Besides, it's not nice, nor is it fair to keep him in the dark. ]

In order for the world to see dawn, it must first go through a time of darkness. For a period, Noctis will be forced to... become one with the Crystal, so to speak. I have no idea how long this will be, but when that comes to pass, darkness will shadow the earth and daemons will rule. Certainly, you remember Chancellor Izunia?

[ The man's not an easy one to forget, and so, she goes on. ]

He will tell you his name is Ardyn Izunia. But it is in fact, Ardyn Lucis Caelum. Though these days, he is better known by the Gods as the monster known as Adagium. It is he who is destined to bring this period of darkness, to spread the scourge far and wide, until Noctis awakens from the Crystal and ascends the throne. By Noctis's hand, Ardyn shall perish. But in turn, Noctis, too, is meant to perish. And he will, unless... unless we can find a way to change that.

[ She hides her face in his neck for a moment longer, closing her eyes to enjoy the closeness and the way his hands feel on her hips. She's quiet for a moment, considering what to say next. ]

Noctis is not the only one destined to sacrifice his life. Though I would imagine he is largely unaware for what he is meant to do... I've already come to accept my part in it all. I've known, and accepted it, since I was a child. And I am happy to do so, and ready.

[jokerofhearts]

[ He pushes her skirt up to her hips and settles his fingers over the edges of her underwear. The fingers trail around the waistband, but, he prefers to see how she reacts before pushing further. He tilts his head up to kiss her jawline as she hums. ]

So, the rest of us are here to make sure there is a world for him to save.

[ Short, quick, to the point.

It certainly explains why Alexander has stepped forward.

His eyes widen at the revelation though. ]

How has Ardyn lived for so long...?

[luxoraculi]

[ This is more than a little distracting -- his fingers feel wonderful against her skin, and she is very much enjoying the intimacy of the moment and the fact that they are able to carry on a conversation in the heat of it all is something that she can appreciate, too. He works her skirt up, but she's busy unbuttoning the rest of his shirt and gently pushing it from his shoulders, shifting just enough to carefully toss it so that it lands neatly (as neatly as it can, at least) over the back of one of the hotel room chairs.

When her hands return to him, she smooths her palms down his chest, considering how to respond. ]

Something like that. When the final rite is complete, the world will fend for itself. I will no longer be of this world, and Noctis will emerge from the Crystal when the time is right. It will be up to you, and those who are able to, to make sure things don't completely fall apart.

[ Ardyn... is a condundrum, to say the least. Her fingers trail lightly down his stomach, fiddling with the buttons and zipper at the front of his pants. ]

Ardyn is the Starscourge incarnate, so to speak. He was cursed with immortality when the Crystal deemed him unworthy of ruling Lucis as it's Founder King. Ardyn and I were similar, at one point -- he, too, was a healer of the people. Unfortunately, the Scourge proved to be too much.

[jokerofhearts]

[ He moves with her to help discard his shirt. Although, she might see several scars across him. Broken windows, fights, maybe some time abuse in prison. He fully intends to let her mind run wild and wherever she wants with it.

Then his hand snatches her wrist. ]

What do you mean no longer of this world?

[ He knows what she means. That's obvious. Dead.

That's something he doesn't intend on happening. To the point where he doesn't even really listen to the rest she has to say. ]

[luxoraculi]

[ Scars or not, he's a handsome man. Scars are just extension of people and personalities -- stories to be remembered and told for years to come. She'll have to ask about them, later. If he's so inclined to let her know.

But right now, something else has been put on the table, and for a split second, she wants to panic. But this is only fair -- he needs to know. Because it wouldn't be fair to him, to get romantically involved with someone only to have to say goodbye sooner than later.

Now, he knows, and now he has the choice to continue pursuing something temporary, or to let it go and cut his losses. He deserves this choice.

When he takes her wrist, she doesn't pull away or move, but instead meets his gaze, pushing her panic back down. ]

Each time Noctis successfully completes and forms a Covenant, my life force is significantly drained. This is part of the Rites -- my life, in exchange for Noctis to gain the approval of the Gods. This was always meant to end in my demise, I've been aware of this since I was a little girl, and I am ready.

[ She forces herself to take a real good look at his expression, trying to gauge his reaction properly, before she lets her shoulders sag. ]

It's already begun, and cannot be stopped. Even now, I can feel it. There will come a time that I will do nothing but slow you down, which is why before we get to Altissia, I would ask that we part ways. It would be silly for you to continue on with someone who would only hold you back.

[ That, and she doesn't particularly want to see her in whatever state she's going to be in. It's bad enough that Noctis may see her at her worst, though she doesn't plan on that. But with Akira at her side, he will, and she doesn't want that. ]

[jokerofhearts]

There is no way for the Oracle and the True King to exist at their full strengths at the same time?

[ He wonders if she's ever considered the possibility that there might be a way. Of course, the goal of the True King cannot be changed. However, there must be room to make things flexible if key components change. Had the Draconian expected or planned for Alexander to step forward? ]

That isn't how I operate.

[luxoraculi]

No. The Prophecy states that Noctis and I are to be the final King and Oracle, and that with both of our sacrifices combined, dawn will return. I don't care about my life. I'm ready for the end.

[ She's considered, day dreamed, mostly. But she's never cared much about her own life -- she still doesn't. She cares for Noctis's life, however. He's been her one and only friend for many years, and she can't stand the thought that he, of all people, has to die for this cause, too. ]

You're going to have to learn, then. Because I won't take no for an answer this time.

[jokerofhearts]

[ The look on his face says he doesn't quite agree. No, in fact, he very much does not agree. He won't say anything for now. No, things have to progress to a certain place. It seems all roads are truly leading to Altissia. ]

And neither do I, Lady Oracle.

[luxoraculi]

[ She knows he doesn't agree and she also knows well enough that likely, he's going to fight her on this until the bitter end. But... at least, now he knows the truth. ]

This is only going to end one way... it's easy to accept things as they are, and move on. But I felt it would be unfair to you to withhold that information. Even if it isn't for long... for what it is worth, I'm glad that I get to spend these last few weeks at your side. Thank you for that.

[jokerofhearts]

It's easier. That doesn't mean it's right.

[ Short, simple, to the point. The right way isn't always the easiest way. Most of the time you have to fight for the right outcome. The problem is when fate and destiny come into play... but he's been told he has a strange way of rewriting both those things. ]

We'll turn those weeks into months.