noctis catch-all

[fessus]

WHO: Noctis and others!
WHERE: All over the city
WHEN: Throughout late August and September
WHAT: Catch-all log
NOTES OR WARNINGS: TBD

Comments

[daemonized]

[Eyes remain locked on Noctis, the two of them not unlike predators ready to tear each other’s throats out. It doesn’t matter if Prompto and Aranea go tumbling to the ground next to them, doesn’t matter that the both of them have their own versions of protests to fling at him like stones. Hardly even matters that X’rhun has made his presence known, stopping beside him, pressing his hand hard against the chest while careful to avoid the blood. He won’t be able to avoid all of it, when it soaks so deeply and spreads across his shirt like oil.

He barks out a laugh, letting the young king’s glower merely glance off of him. Reaches out with his own arm to push aside X’rhun’s hand in a thoughtless manner, as if he were no barrier at all — he isn’t, not right now, Ardyn not feeling generous enough to relent.

Not seeming to care whose body that knife becomes embedded in, he merely makes an attempt to step forward and close the perilous gap between them.]

You’re more than welcome to try if you think you can.

[verflair]

[ Ardyn bats his hand away, and brief though the contact is, it sends a spike of anger through him as brilliant crimson as the blood staining his palm. X’rhun realizes then that mere words are not going to fix this, and he gets the feeling that he may as well be tossing a bucket of water upon Ifrit for all the good mediating will do him. Briefly, he wonders if he could take Ardyn if he had to. He doesn’t have his magic or his blade, but neither does his friend. He could probably manage it if he really had a need, or else he would provide a nice distraction for a moment. Still, he would rather not have to turn on one party to protect the other.

Gods, what can he do? He surges forward once more, as if he means to slot himself between Ardyn and Noctis again, the knife in the latter’s hand be damned. ]

I said enough!

[ Crimson light blooms suddenly in the little side street. Not born of the fireworks overhead, though they are still bursting in the distance, but from a single, simple shape springing into being between the prince and the chancellor. A square of translucent red light, half as tall as Ardyn on all sides and no thicker than a piece of paper, but surprisingly solid. It sits suspended in the air between both their faces.

X’rhun needn’t wonder too long where that came from, thanks to the bright blue light pouring out of his own chest, showing even through the fabric of his clothes. Thank the gods he’s the pragmatic sort and just sort rolls with it, allowing this strange projection to run interference while he steps up to grab a hold of Ardyn’s arm, for all the good that will do at staying him. His focus is split, somewhat, between the situation at hand and the apparent manifestation of his power. He can’t put an end to this alone.

So, to Prompto and the woman flanking Noctis, he says, ]

There are two of you and one of him. Get him out of here.

[mercurio]

[honestly? it's a good thing that at least one of them reacts faster than prompto's own attempt to stop noctis or land himself between the two (least noctis got hurt more). his eyes are wide as x'rhun's new power shoots forward -- a shield?]

[he tries to gather context but finds himself falling short. what truce? he supposes there's no way it'll keep on, after this.]

[one thing he knows for sure is that no matter on whose side x'rhun is on, it looks like he doesn't want ardyn and noctis to gut each other. the words are purposeful and commanding enough that they kick prompto into action, however, scrambling to grab hold of noctis and pull him back.]

Noct, we should go. C'mon.

[he manages, although without noctis agreeing to move, it'll be difficult work. he isn't like gladio who can easily lift the prince, but he'll keep pulling him back by his shirt and shoulders. if he can't get the knife, hopefully noctis will put it away or dump it or something.]

[merced]

[ Well, that all happened. She gives X'rhun a quick glance - not knowing him, unsure if she trusts him - but she also knows she doesn't want to stick around where Ardyn is, nor does she especially want to follow Noctis and Prompto wherever they're going. There's grief there to be dealt with, omissions of truth, drama - she hates this, she suddenly has a great deal of sympathy for Ignis and his omni-present headaches if he has to deal with this so often. ]

Whatever. [ It's quietly said, huffed under her breath in a truculent tone.

She doesn't even say goodbye to any of them as she shifts off, heading in a direction she hopes none of them are going. ]

[fessus]

[ Prompto's grip strains seams and causes the collar of that shirt to pull uncomfortably against a tight throat but Noctis's eyes only stay fixated on Ardyn... on the new magical barrier that appears between them. X'rhun...? The blue light from his chest is a giveaway; this is the magic that he's been granted and it's more physically impressive than any he's seen so far. It's just one more reason to walk away from this, another being his best friend at his side, his new injury, the threat of police intervention...

His teeth grit as he hears Aranea's immature dismissal, briefly flicking his gaze to X'rhun again as if trying to gauge where he stands on all of this before he's locking eyes with Prompto. The flicker of anger, confusion, and distrust is obvious.

There's nothing to say as he rolls his shoulder and jerks away from his friend's grip, feeling a strong desire to keep any of his other feelings quiet as he hurriedly tucks that knife away just so he can carefully support that newly swelling arm with a quiet hitch in his breath. He turns on his heel then, having no idea where his destination is but a beeline for a nearby alleyway, with good cover and more seclusion, seems like an instinctual choice. ]

[mercurio]

[he spares aranea but a glance and she's gone, his eyes quick to return to meet noctis's. his feelings are plain to see even if he says nothing. the roll and jerk is enough to make prompto let go, feeling at a loss on what to do. looking at x'rhun and ardyn, he says nothing. he has nothing to say, as much as he's appreciative that the man that has claimed friendship to both himself and the chancellor is giving them a chance to move away from his violent mess.]

[his loyalties are with noctis, regardless, and he just ends up following after his friend despite his uncertainties.]

Noct, wait up! We gotta get you to a hospital for your arm.