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[scourgingstars]

Comments

[carbungle]

[........ah.

That... sure is Ardyn's voice. There's a soft intake of breath, and then silence on the other end.]

[scourgingstars]

[...Well, this was fine. Ardyn didn't dare say anything else; he partially expected Noctis to tell him off for one thing or another that he hadn't done yet.]

[carbungle]

[The silence extends a little longer, carried between the pair of them while they each wait, until Noctis exhales that breath in a frustrated huff and muffled curse.]

Hang on-

[-and disconnects.]

[scourgingstars]

[so all in all it was going less than well for all involved!]

text;

[carbungle]

[yep, going great.

A WHILE LATER-]

ok so test #1 was a super bust

sorry. i wanted to try. i have to keep trying

can you help me with something instead

text;

[scourgingstars]

it's alright. you don't need to rush things if it makes you so uncomfortable.

if there is something i can do, you need only name it.

[carbungle]

if i just ignore it, it'll get worse. or at least it won't get better. i don't want to be like this.

can you send me voicemails or something, even just one. it can be anything, narrate what you're doing or tell a story, whatever

[scourgingstars]

i can try, certainly? i'm not fully certain i can come up with anything right away, but it shouldn't be a problem.

[carbungle]

whenever's fine. it's a work in progress we both know that

i thought hearing your voice might help. the way you talk is different.

hell just read a book. i bet even the way you read is different from him

[scourgingstars]

if that's what you think will help, i can do that.

[carbungle]

tbh i have no idea what im doing

im throwing shit at a wall to see what sticks. if i try enough eventually somethings gonna do it

[scourgingstars]

it's okay, noctis. i don't expect any of us to have any easy answer for what to do about this.

[carbungle]

yeah well it sucks and i hate it

this is why im better at problems i can hit with a sword

[scourgingstars]

regrettably, those are few and far between lately

[carbungle]

used to think that was a good thing.

[It's so petulant. Deep down he still does, for the sake of everyone who can't fight or enjoys a peaceful life, but right now he can't help wanting the relief that comes with doing what he does best.]

[scourgingstars]

it is, to be sure

but with the loss of the familiar comes a wealth of complications.

[carbungle]

that's a real polite way of describing it.

[Not much to be done about the things they can't change, though... maybe he'll just drown in King's Knight, when he feels like he needs it again. It isn't the same, but at least he can still get that thrill of smashing a few heads.]

did you move back, are things ok with my dad's place

[scourgingstars]

everything seems fine, so far as i am able to tell

[carbungle]

good, that means dad's not crying bc i stole my car

[THAT'S RIGHT HE SAID HIS]

[scourgingstars]

oh that, practically inconsolable. i didn't dare tell you he's utterly crushed. devastated. ruined. other such words.

[ardyn, please]

[carbungle]

maybe he won't take her for granted next time then

have you seen the scratches? shameful. king or not my mechanic would wring his neck

[bonding through dad-razzing, this is how they heal.]

[scourgingstars]

how terrible. unthinkable, utterly awful.

[carbungle]

yep

im a very disrespectful son in case no one told you

[scourgingstars]

this must be that thing called a 'rebellious phase', is it not?

[carbungle]

some people call it that. or attention-seeking, or pushing the limits...

mostly just thought of it as keeping him on his toes