victory_road | FOURTH WALL MINGLE LOG

[Of all the people he had expected to run into here, it hadn't been Ardyn. He didn't want Ardyn to be here. This place was far too nice; too pure for someone like him.

So imagine Noctis's surprise and instant anger as he warped onto the sidewalk before said man, having been searching around the city for other familiar faces, only to freeze in momentary shock.

The Larvitar in the backpack he was wearing started to squirm, obviously picking up on something being wrong but Noctis was already in motion, summoning one of his swords and lunging at the man before him.]

What are you doing here?!

[It was probably a good thing his powers were back on. Ardyn moved as soon as he saw someone coming at him with a sword; throwing the blade that manifested in his hand and warping a few feet to the left in a flash of red.]

Wait, did you--? [He sounded genuinely shocked, the sword disappearing as he took another step backwards.]

...You just warped, who are you? You can't be Crownsguard, none of them would have actually come at me like that.

[Okay whoa hold up.

Noctis whipped around as he realized what just happened, torn between still being angry and the shock of what he'd just seen Ardyn do.]

Why are you asking me that? You know damn well who I am! How did you do that? How can you--since when can you use the Crystal's powers?

I think you'll find I have no idea who you are, and I feel I should be the one asking that question.

[The immediate danger apparently having passed, Ardyn regarded Noctis with a critical stare, hands on his hips as the Absol came to sit beside him--bristling slightly, like it didn't even need to predict an imminent disaster.]

I've been able to access the Crystal's power for most of my life, but I would certainly like to know how someone I've not even seen before can do the same.

[Before Noctis could answer two soft clicks signaled two of the Pokeballs on his belt opening and in a flash two of his Pokemon made their appearance.

Bean, his Snorlax, towered over the group and glared down at Ardyn, uncharacteristically hostile because of how Noctis was acting. The second flash of light faded to reveal his midnight Lycanroc, Shepard, who had her ears back flat against her head as she let out a low growl.]

Easy..

[Even as he said it, it was clear Noctis didn't really want them to back off, his gaze still fixed on Ardyn.]

Every time I've run into you, you've never mentioned having those abilities and you seem like the type of guy that likes to gloat. [Can you hear how dry his tone is, Ardyn?] The Crystal's powers can only be accessed by the line of Lucis and those that the King deems worthy and I know my father would never have deemed you worthy and I sure as hell don't!

I am not going to fight you. And quite frankly, I'm not one for baseless arrogance either.

[Yellow eyes narrowed as Ardyn folded his arms, standing his ground despite the clear display of power in front of him. Getting out of a difficult situation could be simple enough, even if this teenager could warp just as well as Ardyn himself.]

[But he would much rather have determined why someone seemed to actively hate him so much. His voice was even and steady, lacking the heavy note of mockery that was usually hanging on his every word as far as Noctis was concerned.]

You've clearly some reason not to take me at my word, but I find I'm having potential memory loss problems at the moment. I haven't the faintest clue who you are or what I could possibly have done to make you so clearly want to kill me--much less what you're talking about.

My name is Ardyn Lucis Caelum, current king of the Lucian people and healer chosen by the Crystal itself. So I ask again: who are you?

Edited (it's too early in the morning for correct puncuation) 2017-05-27 13:58 (UTC)

[God the way this guy talks is the most obnoxious--

Noctis goes still which causes Shepard to look at him, ears perking a bit in a worried manner.]

Lucis..Caelum..

[No, no that was impossible there was no way--]

What kind of game are you playing right now? There's no way in hell--you're not king of anything! My father, Regis Lucis Caelum was king before you helped Niflheim kill him! [His anger is creeping back in again and unknowingly his eyes are starting to turn a bright purple.] My name is Noctis Lucis Caelum and I'm the current heir to the throne that Niflheim forced me to take early!

You actually think I would craft such a blatant lie as all that? I should hope I don't look so stupid as to try something that careless.

[Still, he didn't back down. If things got dire enough he was going to be forced to retreat, but right now...it seemed like they needed to figure this out for Noctis' sake as well as Ardyn's. ~~hope you're ready for 'this is probably inaccurate and gonna get jossed to hell someday' tier headcanon~~]

I inherited my father's throne scant generations after the Crystal was granted to the Founder King by the gods themselves. I travel the continent healing those afflicted by the scourge which turns living creatures to daemons, and my younger brother Izunia Lucis Caelum maintains the capital whilst I'm away. I've hardly even been to Niflheim, much less worked with them to commit regicide.

I am sorry to hear about your father, I truly am. And if that was actually something I had some hand in, you've every right to despise me. But I am telling you, right now: I would never wish to endanger Lucis or its people.

Yeah, yeah I do think you would. It seems like something you would definitely enjoy.

[Yeah, sorry, Ardyn. He's got absolutely no love for you whatsoever, even if he's a little miffed right now by everything you're saying.

Noctis is shaking his head before the other can even finish speaking, refusing to accept any of this as truth.

It can't be.]

Stop lying! I don't know what's going on right now but this is absolute bullshit, all of it!

Tell me this, then: what do I have to gain from lying to you here? If I was trying to save my own life, I can think of far better ways to do that.

[ardyn has no idea he has done Everything Wrong Ever]

I've not raised a hand to defend myself since you came at me with a blade, and I've no intention to.

I don't know, getting your hands on the crystal? Completely ending the line of Lucis? Anything you've already done?

[There's a laundry list and it's only going to get longer--not that Noctis knows that.]

You've done nothing but manipulate my friends and I ever since Insomnia fell so this act isn't going to do anything, Ardyn!

I'm telling you, Noctis, I have no idea what you're talking about. End my own line and destroy my own kingdom...? It's unthinkable.

[Ardyn raked a hand through his hair in frustration, sighing.]

You clearly can't believe a word I say, so what's to happen now? Do you truly wish to kill me that badly?

It's not your kingdom!

[It's shouted rather fiercely, Noctis's free hand clenching into a fist while the other tightens around his sword.]

We are not related and Insomnia is not your kingdom! You work for the people that destroyed everything I know so yes, yes I want you dead just like I want the Emperor dead and everyone else involved!

Fine, because if I'm truly someone who would put Lucis at risk, I would rather die!

[...Okay, well this escalated. Ardyn scowled, the Absol bristling as she placed herself between him and Noctis' team.]

I am not going to fight you. If you really want to kill someone that won't defend himself, it falls to you to make that choice.

[Gods this was--why was--

Noctis let out a frustrated sound and his sword suddenly disappeared, the hand that had been holding it raking back through his hair as he looked away.

His Lycanroc moved to take the front position when he did, standing it's ground against the Absol as she flexed her claws, ears flat to her head again.]

I don't..whatever you're trying to do..just go. Go away.

...Very well. [The Absol disengaged at hardly a word, moving back to Ardyn's side as he turned to leave.]

But should you change your mind, I doubt very much that I'll be hard to find again.

I'm not going to change my mind. I don't want anything to do with you.

[It's said firmly--or, at least, that's what he attempts. This is messing with him, badly, and his voice definitely cracked a bit there.

Bean let's out a rumble and reaches out to pick her trainer up despite his protest, turning to carry him off.

Nope. Play time is over.]

FOURTH WALL MINGLE LOG

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HI BUDDY

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