holidays call me out post

[knightess]

PICK A MUSE, COME UP WITH A SCENARIO OR RESPOND FOR ONE/USE THE RANDOM SCENARIO MEME FOR IDEAS, COMMENT, GET RESULT

A note that Ravus is Episode Ignis (plus Extra Verse) compliant, but please warn in your toplevel if you're going into spoiler territory! thank C:

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[glaivekeeper]

[The rumours Noctis had heard had at least a little truth to them. Ravus had rallied some of his troops, but not a single one of them were Magitek Troopers. Word of Ravus's betrayal of the Empire had spread rapidly amongst its ranks, and there was already a warrant for his arrest and execution. What Niflheim troops he had left to lead were Tenebraean, and therefore ultimately loyal to him. Not because he was their High Commander, but because he was their prince, and now the only survivor of House Fleuret. To that end, Camelia had allowed him to remain in Altissia and recover for a time, but he knew he could not linger for long, when any face of the Empire's was not a welcome sight here.

His crafts are stationed at the docks, ready to make the long flight across the sea to Tenebrae. Beyond that, his only concern is in making the Empire suffer for their role in his sister's death, even if that means marching into Gralea and slaying Aldercapt himself.

The last person he expects to approach during his preparations is Noctis, of all people, and the sight of the crown prince makes his insides freeze. Only a few days ago he'd wanted to hack his unconscious body to pieces, and if not for the boy's retainer, he would have succeeded. Now he can only feel a dull, crippling grief when he looks at Noctis. He still can't abide the thought that this is the one Lunafreya had given her life for... yet he has to accept the reality that Noctis had succeeded, and received the Tidemother's blessing.]

You've some nerve. [Though he tries to sound as cold and dismissive as ever, he can barely suppress the raw emotion in the accusation.] After all you've taken from me, you continue to ask for more.

[But he's neither attacking him nor flying into a rage, which is an enormous effort of self-control on his part.]

[thatgoodnight]

[His fingernails dig in a little more, and he fights against the urge to snap at Ravus. Fights but, well, he's not feeling that great, and he's worried and stressed and grieving and guilty and so his ability to fight impulses is at an all time low, so a snide remark happens anyway.]

Is that why you stole my dad's sword?

[Because a sword compares with everything else, and really Noctis gets it. Or well, he gets some of it - in Ravus' shoes, he'd be pretty pissed too. And even not in Ravus' shoes, he's angry at himself for failing so hardcore. For not saving Luna. For everything else.

But that's exactly why he grits his teeth and takes a breath and tries to cool it, because he's done with sacrifices, and he is so beyond done with losing people he loves.]

Look, I'm sorry about -- [Gods, even saying her name is hard] -- everything. I couldn't stop that son of a bitch Ardyn, and --

[ And - and what? He doubts Ravus cares about Ignis. ]

I need to get to Niflheim.

[glaivekeeper]

Stop with your childish assumptions. Just like always, you have no idea the lengths to which people go for you.

[But the apology makes him stop up short before he can fully launch into the argument he's all too happy to be provoked into. A flimsy "sorry" barely means anything, after all that's happened, but... It's a start.

He reels himself in, quelling his temper before it can flare up too far. Apology or no apology, there's no use squabbling when they should be focusing on their duties, now more than ever. He softens, his tone becoming less cutting.]

You're in luck. I'm finishing preparations to travel to Tenebrae as we speak. [He gestures to the ships behind him, where there's more than enough space to house a few more passengers.] Though if you intend to go on some noble rescue mission for the sake of your retainer, I will point out the obvious and advise that it is a trap.

[He knows Ardyn far too well than is comfortable, and he can't shake the feeling that this entire thing, Luna's death included, was orchestrated from the beginning. Abducting Ignis is just another ploy of many.]

[thatgoodnight]

[Noct lets out a frustrated noise though manages to hold in anything further. For Luna's sake - and for Ignis' - he won't rise to the bait, or so he tells himself. His ire ultimately channels its way into a scoff at the warning.]

I don't care that it's a trap! I'm not losing him, too. [He takes a breath.] Besides, it's not like I have a choice - Niflheim still has the Crystal, and for some stupid reason one of my ancestor's glaives is in Niflheim territory, too.

[ Number eleven, unless his count is totally off. And assuming that nothing's happened to it. Not that he really expects Ravus to care about that. Noct isn't even sure why he mentioned it at all except that it's yet one more thing he still needs to do weighing on his mind. It's definitely a lower priority than Ignis, as far as he's concerned. ]

[glaivekeeper]

So you're just going to blindly stumble into the waiting arms of the Empire, and hope for the best.

[Not that Ravus has much of a plan of his own besides exacting revenge against them, and against Ardyn, in whatever ways he can. He won't die a pawn of Niflheim, not after all his sister and mother suffered. But Luna died for Noctis, and so he's none too keen to watch him just charge into danger either, no longer with the Oracle to guide him.

He seems to consider something for a long moment, before coming to a decision.]

... I still have a promise to uphold, and that is this. [He summons Regis's glaive, and presents it to Noctis.] Were you successful in forging the covenant with the Hydraean, I would return this to you.

[Ravus might not have fully let go of his anger at Noctis just yet. But a promise was a promise, and he's done enough that, finally, Ravus has to accept that he's worthy of it.]