Prelude - Long March Home

[comesunset]

His Royal Highness, Ardyn Lucis Caelum, took the chance to step onto the streets of Lestallum without the constant company of his retainers. Verstael had gone wandering off in search of information on the next tomb - a researcher to the bone, even at twenty, a year Ardyn's junior - and Gilgamesh had gone to meet with the Crownsguard. There were few threats in the city, the largest outside Insomnia itself, and after shedding his royal blacks in favor of a more relaxed ensemble, Ardyn practically vanished into the crowd, notable only for his red hair, his height, and the scarf draped loosely around his neck.

Three Arms down, ten to go. And the Lucian countryside hid them well - they'd found a fourth tomb, but with its relic missing, and information from the hunters pointed to a ruin that Ardyn's Shield had turned their trio away from. Ardyn, for once, hadn't argued, feeling the potency of the daemons within in practically the air itself.

For now, he takes his break wandering the streets, picking up a set of skewers from one vendor, a pastry from another, a locally mixed lemonade from a third, and making his way down to the overlook. They've only been in Lestallum a week, and he's already growing fond of the benches there, the view out over the meteor crater. The sunset provides the perfect backdrop as he recalls his meal from its brief time in his Armiger, careful to keep the royal magic out of the sight of any passerby before settling in to people-watch. It's not like he's totally reckless, Gil.

Times like this, with the crowd of the power plant's shift change bustling around him, are the times he most feels like he can relax. Rather than being the Prince, just another face in the crowd... With a smile, Ardyn sips his lemonade before taking another bite of the skewer held idly in his left hand. So refreshing.

Comments

[discutio]

And it scarcely makes you less careless. A short time ago you were quite insistent upon discovering who I was as well as my intent, and now you're simply leaving it alone?

I confess myself stunned your retainers ever dare leave you alone.

[comesunset]

I think they spend most of their time in much the same state of mind.

[Look, they try.]

If you're that disappointed, I can go back to putting my blade on your neck.

[discutio]

I'm not disappointed, I'm baffled. Aren't you revolted or stunned about this at all?

[comesunset]

Why should I be? The increase in the Scourge in the last few years is a known fact. It seems stupid to be stunned about meeting it face-to-face when I knew already that my people are suffering.

[If only he knew...]

I'm still very much curious and don't trust you an inch more than I must, but that's no reason to hurt someone already in pain.

[discutio]

I am not in pain.

[you know, like a liar.]

You presume quite a bit, Chosen King.

[comesunset]

Your face alone speaks of worse wounds than mine, and my hip is damn near unbearable at times. Next.

[... He is at times still 21.]

[discutio]

...

[Deep breaths, Ignis. No need to get frustrated with a foolish child, after all. Noctis expected better of him than that.]

Is that all, Your Highness?

[comesunset]

Well, if you're still intent not to talk I do seem to have run out of leverage to make you.

[discutio]

That would indeed seem to be the case. I'm afraid I've given you all the information I intend to share.

[comesunset]

A pity.

Well, other hospitality is still on the table. I admit this is not quite how I expected the whole thing to go.

[discutio]

...You're joking, right?

[comesunset]

... Is there a reason I should be?

[discutio]

Let me see if I understand this correctly.

A mysterious stranger with apparent knowledge of the divine, an archaic name, and a highly infectious disease shows himself before you.

And you, after questioning falls through, merely show him hospitality.

[comesunset]

You forgot attractive.

[He's just. He's saying it.]

But attempted stabbings aside, there's no reason to wish you ill.

[discutio]

[That earned him a raised eyebrow.]

...You are beyond unbelievable.

[comesunset]

I take the welfare of my people seriously. Both in the whole and as individuals.

[discutio]

And how exactly do you know I'm not some manner of imperial spy? Anyone could claim their name was Lucian, after all.

[comesunset]

Well, wrong accent, for one thing. Not that I know what that accent is, mind.

For another, Seer or not, the empire would have little use for a blind spy, no offense meant. You're too noteworthy, people would notice you.

For a third, you're the one trying to avoid being alone with me. That's not exactly the action of an assassin.

[discutio]

. . .


[Deadpan:] I can't tell if you're brilliant or a complete idiot.

[comesunset]

[Both can be true.]

Even if you were Niflheimir, I see no reason to reject a man based on heritage alone. I may have been raised in Insomnia, but I'm not as xenophobic as they; I am Lucian first, as a ruler should be, and that means looking out for all of my people. Even those who haven't decided yet if they want to be.

[discutio]

[what the fuck is going on.]

...I suppose you've successfully convinced me to linger a bit more, even if only from mad curiosity.

[comesunset]

[Ignis has found the most dangerous opponent of all - a genuine idealist.

May his king help him because we already know the gods ain't gonna.]

The way I see it is quite simple, really. No one should suffer needlessly if they don't deserve it, few people do, and it's a ruler's job to minimize that suffering where they can. That's what I try to live by, even if the current situation makes it difficult.

[discutio]

Such an absurd goal is liable only to cause you pain, you realize.

[comesunset]

You are terribly bitter, aren't you?

[Ardyn steps a little to the side, shifting his weight and putting his hands on his hips.]

I think that the trying is worth it, and I couldn't live with myself if I did not. That's simply the way it is.

[discutio]

Some might say so. I like to think I've a realistic grasp of the matter.