Video @KingFisherman - During the flower festival

[brotrips]

(Noctis isn't sure when it happened, only that the flower in his hand was a trigger. One moment, he was himself, a normally-sized adult with an adult mind and features. The next, he was much smaller and the world around him much larger. Gone is the bravery and selective confidence, only to be replaced by the child that was even more painfully shy than his older self.

When the camera clicks on, Noctis is in his bed, smell legs crossed with a pillow in his lap; it hides most of his face.)

I... need help.

Comments

[coquere]

[it would be so easy to say it was about the vegetables, but he won't lie]

I believe there may be some strange magic at work. I.... well, I guess you could say I'm from the future, in a way. About ten years, judging by your appearance.

[brotrips]

The future...Ignis, you're not lying, are you?

[coquere]

I wouldn't lie to you, Noct. [he might withhold the truth, but that's a completely different thing]

[brotrips]

What am I like in the future? Am I tall like Dad?

[coquere]

[The questions make him smile a little]

Yes, you are tall. And you grow to be a fine young man. Kind and devoted to your people. And you know your father's car, the Regalia? We get to drive it all over Eos.

[He figures young Noctis will love that little tidbit]

[brotrips]

Wow, I get to drive? Where do we go? What kind of things do we do?

(Noctis seems like he's trying to crawl into the camera, but he backs off.)

Ignis, can you come and pick me up?

[coquere]

I do most of the driving. You usually like sitting in the back with Gladio. And I'll tell you all about our adventures when I come pick you up.

[brotrips]

Are you sure? He's kind of mean sometimes.

[coquere]

He can be a bit harsh at times, but it's only because he cares deeply for you and wishes you to be at your best. We all do, Noct, and we work in our own way to help you.

[brotrips]

I know you do, but he's different. He doesn't like me at all. I think his dad makes him train me.

[coquere]

[He may have to wait to explain this in person. It feels like the sort of conversation where he needs to be looking Noct in the eye, and not just through a screen.

So that is what he does: he stays silent, walking the rest of the way until he finds Noct, then kneeling down to the prince's level. It's an odd sensation, speaking to this younger Noct when he's much older]

Noct, you don't believe I care for you simply because it was what your father ordered, do you?

[True he takes his duty to the prince seriously, but that isn't all there is to what he does. And no matter the age, it's important to him that Noct knows this]

[brotrips]

(The trip isn't as long as it feels to Noctis. He crawls back onto his bed and raises his pillow, a homemade wall meant to protect him until a trusted friend comes. When Ignis appears, the pillow's discarded yet again.)

No...

(He's too young to remember the way he and Gladio become friends, too young to remember how precious a companion he becomes. Ignis, however, has always been in his good graces.)

I know some people take care of me because it's their job, but you're my friend.

[coquere]

I'm glad that you think so, Noct. And I promise you, one day you will think the same of Gladio.

[brotrips]

(It's so doubtful that the young prince has to frown. It isn't that he hates Gladio, but he can pick up on more things than people realize, and Gladio hates him.)

It's okay. I don't need more friends.

[coquere]

Forgive me, but you're wrong about that. But you have some years to go before you become friends with us all, so until then, what would you like to do?

[brotrips]

I'm going to get in trouble with Dad if I don't go back inside of the wall.

[coquere]

You won't because you're with me. I will keep you safe from any danger, I swear it.

[brotrips]

Dad said there are people who might do scary things outside the wall. It's why I'm a secret.

(Regis hasn't said all of that, really, but Noctis listened to other things that were said as he walked into rooms.)

[coquere]

We aren't on Eos at the moment, but you can still be a secret if it will make you feel better.

[brotrips]

I haven't told anybody who I am but other kids. Other kids are okay to tell, right?

[coquere]

I will trust your judgment on it. It's your secret to share, after all.

[brotrips]

So, I can do anything I want here?

(The excitement lights up his eyes.)

And it's safe? I want to eat candy for dinner.

[coquere]

You know very well that I won't make you a dinner of just candy. And I would prefer to accompany you should you wish to explore the Quarantine.

But yes, it is safe here. It's much like Insomnia, except the wall here is not powered by a Crystal.

[brotrips]

Awwww...Ignis...

(But Noctis isn't surprised. It's very true that he didn't expect his request to come through. Nonetheless, it was worth trying.)

Why is it called Quarantine? Is something bad outside?

[coquere]

It's much like the land beyond the Crown City: full of dangerous beasts and daemons. But as long as you stay with me, you'll be safe.