victory_road | [Log] Reunion

Who: Noctis and Thida
Where: Violet City
When: August 26th/27thish
Summary: Noct and Thida reunite after his return
Rating: G FOR FLUFF

[The trip from New Bark to Violet normally took about seven days. Noctis had managed to shave off almost a day by getting himself a bike to use and pretty much going non-stop. (Okay, no, that's a lie. He had stopped to sleep but he had limited himself to normal amounts of sleep!) He had blown through Cherrygrove and kept on going so he could get to Violet in a reasonable amount of time, training both Bean and his new Pidgey, Mac, as he went while keeping tabs on the network for the contest results as he went.

Needless to say when the results go up, he's so damn proud of Thida that it's a really good thing he's a few hours out from Violet.

When the prince finally arrives he heads to the Pokemon Center and collapses on a bench outside of it, letting Bean out of her ball so the Snorlax can stretch as Mac the Pidgey drifts about in the air above her. Noctis grins and pulls his 'gear out as the two chat with each other, shooting off a message to Thida.]

We just got to Violet. Outside the Pokemon Center.

Congrats on your win!!!

[Message sent he sets his 'gear on the bench beside him and let's his head fall back as he slumps on the bench.

It's going to be so nice to have Fly back. He really doesn't want to ride a bike again if he can help it.]

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[The win itself had been a dizzying, unexpected experience. The numerous warps in a row back to Violet City likely didn't help with the feeling of reeling, of disbelief, but they would still be there even if Thida hadn't booked it back to wait for Noctis, turning down Lusamine's attempted offer to take her shopping in a single brusque "Nope". Her 3rd place trophy is in her backpack (because everything fits in backpacks here), the shiny Sableye she'd chosen as her prize an interesting new friend and Oku's presence offering a strange sort of comfortable peace, but what was most important was that Carbuncle be with her - he needed to know what had happened that was more important than winning.

Noctis was back. He was really back. And he remembered.

She's been in the Pokemon Center in Violet since she'd arrived, mostly resting on the couch and petting an eager, restless Carbuncle, eyes closed because her vision still swam - but she hears her 'gear ping and checks it, squinting slightly to make out the words.]

-!

[Thida straightens up immediately. Carbuncle perks up, following at her heels as she goes to the door, exits, and-]

N...Noctiiiiiiis!!

[HE'S REALLY BACK and he's real and sleeping on the bench and there's Bean, oh sweet Bean, and while she's at least sixteen by now she feels tears in her eyes, and all the battle-hardened secret missions and near-death experiences can't hold up against the relief at seeing someone she knows return.

So few people in her life ever come back from leaving.

And, of course, Carbuncle is bolting for his boy. He's back in your capeable hands, Prince Noctis.]

[Noct barely has a chance to open his eyes before he's hit by Carbuncle first, the Espeon having darted past Thida to launch himself at the prince and pounce on his chest. It gets a breathy laugh out of Noct even as he winces from the sudden weight, Carbuncle twilling and chirping as he nuzzles against Noctis and crawls over his shoulders--

Noct Noct Noct!!

--and then the prince is off the bench and dropping to a knee so he can grab Thida in a hug as soon as she's close enough.]

Thida.

[Yeah his voice may crack slightly when he says her name, smile wide as he holds her close while Carbuncle twills from his perch on Noct's shoulder. Behind them Bean rumbles with her paws up in the air because yes. Yes this is how it's suppose to be!]

[A hug. A tight, warm hug - when was the last time Thida had received one, or given one? She can't remember, or perhaps doesn't want to think it might have been far too long ago. You can keep going, after all, if you don't think about the sad things.

She's definitely crying into his shoulder.]

Noctis...y-you're back...f'real...

Yeah...yeah I'm back.

[It's okay because he's most definitely crying as well, as hard as he was trying not to let tears fall.]

It's so good to see you again, Thida.

[Because of all the people he knew here, she was one of the few that he considered family after all.]

[Her hug tightens just a little. It might be too much if he says that aloud, so it's good he didn't.]

...Missed you...was okay, had Krieg, but...was still lonely...

I'm glad Krieg was here with you. Really glad.

[He's never met the guy personally but he's going to have to make a point to send him a message and thank him for looking out for Thida all the same.]

Now that I'm back we have to hang out a lot, especially once I get my place back. You can come visit me and I'll come visit you. We'll make up for lost time okay?

Y-Yeah!!

[She'd like to visit Noctis more! And show him her badges! And her Pokemon! And see him rebuild the Karp Squad and everything he wants to do! Because Noctis is awesome and good.]

Y'better visit me, 'kay? For whatever - Squidmas too!

I will, I promise. I'll definitely come visit for Squidmas. There's nowhere else I'd rather go.

[He pulls back enough that he can smile at her properly.]

Family have to spend the holidays together after all.

Y...

[That last sentence makes Thida's words slow and mush together. She blinks once, twice, her mouth falling open slightly.

Did...did Noctis say...]

[His expression softens and he leans in to bump their foreheads together, smile still in place.]

I mean, as long as you don't mind me calling you family. I've never had younger siblings but I think if anyone fits the bill its you.

Uh...

[Does she mind? Is this something she could mind? Thida is speechless for a good half a minute before she shakes her head.]

D-Don't...don't mind, just...me?

Why would I mind having you as my little sister? That makes me the luckiest person out there.

[Seriously, Thida, you mean the world to him.]

Ah...

[This is

How do you even respond? How does this ever happen? Thida.exe is unable to properly respond for a moment or two.]

O...Okay. [She swallows, nods, a little red in the face but. There's a lot of emotions going on, and none of them are negative.] So...you're...big brother, now?

[He didn't mean to break Thida but it's kind of adorable seeing her all flustered.

The prince nods.]

Guess so.

[It's tricky to really accept the idea of more family in her weird, human life full of Pokemon and travel and the outdoors when it's still a hurdle to accept the idea of extended family in her normal, squid kid life.]

...Never had one.

That's alright. We can figure it out together, this family thing.

[He had a family back home but that was there and this was here. It was different with Thida.]

O-Okay...yeah. Okay.

[She nods. So long as she's not the only one who's lost, it does feel a little more reassuring.]

[Log] Reunion

NOOOOOOCT

LIL SIS

;A;

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