[They can tread upon the subject of X’rhun wasting the gift he gave him another time. For Ardyn could argue that it was only expected — that even when he returns life to someone waning, someone being pulled into the cold grasp of death, they shall eventually find themselves back there again. Whether it be days, months, or years, all shall be taken by it.
Nearly all, at least.
Besides, what X’rhun describes instead is far more interesting. That he was welcomed into the void, only to be met with agony. Is that what Ardyn should expect? All that he had strove to achieve, so that it might end in his death… Was it not rest that was awaiting him, but pain?
Ardyn crosses his arms, to hide the way his own hands clench into his sleeves. No, surely that was not the case. It had to have something to do with the Natha, perhaps with the Storm. There was no possible way that after two thousand years (ceaseless toil, pain, regret, sorrow) that he should strive for anything less than a great, yawning void of nothing.
Silence rose up between them, thick as weeds. He finally spoke.]
[ Maybe it’s because he knows that this is mere curiosity for Ardyn, but it’s easier to verbalize everything with that layer of distance. Like it’s some math problem to be solved, a book to be read and not a thing he actually went through. ]
Stars. Hundreds of them, each one being torn apart. One by one, they were obliterated and left to float in nothingness like so much dust, myself along with them.
Just when I thought I could bear it no longer, I awoke in my stasis pod, no worse for the wear. At least physically.
[Stars being torn apart. X'rhun himself feeling the same sensations, the same pain. A visual to add to the unpleasantness of it all.
He hums with consideration, the slightest cinch of a brow seen in his expression.]
And what, do you think, this vision of yours means? Or was it merely observation, watching worlds and universes being torn apart, much like our own homes were?
I know not. As best I can guess, I would say it was a vision of the Storm, though I have no idea why I was forced to see it, and experience it, as I did.
[ All he knows is that he would go back to that godsdamned tower a dozen times before he would want to experience the agony of dying again. ]
What a shame, that your rest had been interrupted so unduly by visions of pain and the Storm itself. This place truly takes all that it can from us, in ways that we do not realize until it's too late.
[But he unfolds his arms, then gestures at X'rhun.]
But all that simply means you shall have to avoid dying again, henceforth.
[ Fenrir opts to stay behind, burying himself in the blankets instead. X’rhun leads Ardyn out the door and away from his home for a bit, until they happen upon a rather open and little-used side street. ]
[He stands where he’s instructed, not moving from his spot, though Ardyn is hiking up a brow while he watches X’rhun. He opens his arms wide in an over the top gesture.]
Should I be concerned for my safety?
[That’s a joke. He’s hardly ever concerned for his safety.]
[ It’s just an impression he gets, you know, with Ardyn being immortal and all.
X’rhun, for his part, just keeps walking. Ten yards away, twenty, twenty-five… and he stops, at last, a full thirty yards down the street from Ardyn. ]
Ready?
[ He sure hopes so because he’s going to do the thing. Much in the same way that he’s able to reach out with his magic to a target and propel himself towards it, he reaches out. There is a thin strand of light that ties his outstretched hand to Ardyn, but it’s only there for a moment before X’rhun pulls. There is a flash of yellow light at Ardyn’s feet, just enough to take him off the ground slightly and send him shooting down the street to X’rhun’s side.
They don’t collide, thankfully, though X’rhun does keep his arm up to steady his friend as his boots settle on the street again. ]
["Ready" only applies in a limited fashion, when magic suddenly hooks into you and sends you reeling forward quite suddenly, at a very high rate of speed.
To Ardyn's credit, he's a man who knows how to warp, so moving from Point A to Point B in a short period of time isn't what truly catches him off guard. It's the momentum forward that's jarring, the way that his body doesn't disappear and reappears where he wishes it to go. It's because he has no control over it, and this magic is not something he's used to seeing. Much less seeing it used on him.
The way he tenses is almost hilarious, but also quite telltale of a man who knows how to fight. Muscles coiling just underneath the surface, fingers twitching to summon a weapon out of habit and instinct. But because it's X'rhun, no such thing happens, only that he staggers forward a little when he suddenly stops in front him, pushed into his extended hand to steady himself.]
A little... warning would not have gone amiss.
[By the Six... there is a moment where Ardyn is trying to compose himself again, running a hand through his hair in his attempt to pull himself back together in what was a startling experience.]
[ This is probably not what Prompto meant when he asked X’rhun to be careful around Ardyn. In fact, this is probably the exact opposite of what Prompto meant. He sees the way Ardyn tenses, and he tenses himself, ready to displacement away if he must, but thankfully it doesn’t come to that.
He breathes out a little sigh, grinning a bit. ]
It would have been worth it, seeing you flustered like that.
[ There probably aren’t many things that can take Ardyn off his guard. It seems X’rhun found one. Would that he had the thought to take a picture. ]
You’ve seen the spell I use to zip to an enemy, yes? We call that corps-a-corps. After our little… incident with the chimera, I began to wonder if I could tool something to do the opposite – pull a target to me instead of pulling myself to the target. I’d say it worked rather well.
Ha, flustered? There’s a difference between that and being surprised, my friend.
[Whether or not flustered applies, now Ardyn has to deal with the buzzing thrum of adrenaline that had shot through his veins. His fingers flex, but he is well adapted to pulling himself back together in a matter of seconds — X’rhun gets to see that happen in real time, the way he straightens and then just shrugs shoulders, then makes a move to adjust a lapel of his dark coat.
The explanation makes sense, however. (A warning would not have gone amiss, as he said, but Ardyn is hypocritical on that front. He would not have warned someone, either.) But it is the last line that has Ardyn chuffing out a laugh in that low tone of his.]
And who’s the one oh-so-dramatically pulling me in their direction? If you’re looking for a reason to be close, you need only say the word. Being subtle is not your strong suit.
You have met me, correct? I’ve all the subtlety of a brick to the face.
[ Not entirely true, and they both know it, but his flamboyant manner of dress and even more flamboyant magic definitely lend some credence to that statement. ]
Besides, you’ve no room to talk after that stunt you pulled at the winter gala.
[They both could be described neatly (though not wholly) by the word “flamboyant”. And it’s true that Ardyn often feels that subtlety is overrated when it comes to daily conversation and mundane activities; or maybe he’s just a man who likes attention from time to time.
No matter the reasoning, he seems increasingly amused. X’rhun, bringing the winter gala back up? That was one night difficult to forget, for a multitude of reasons.]
Now, now. If you recall, it was that rather inconspicuous plant that pressed its influence into me. Otherwise, that sort of boldness on its own crosses into the territory of impropriety. Do I seem like that kind of man to you?
“Inconspicuous” my tail. You waltzed us over there on purpose.
[ He knows, now, why Ardyn had been so keen on avoiding the subject of his immortality, messy and dark business that it is, but surely there had been other ways to change the topic at the time. ]
So yes, I would most definitely call you that kind of man.
[He just laughs again, unhelpfully. It probably just reaffirms X’rhun’s accusation, that he wandered that way for the sake of a distraction. It was the best, most effective sort he could think of at the time.]
You have no absolute proof of me waltzing in any direction on purpose. But even so… are you complaining? In retrospect, do you regret that I had allegedly been so forward? Dear me, do I owe you an apology?
Mm, well. I can be, if desired. [When it comes to carefully pulling bits and pieces of machinations together, or gently tugging at one end of the spiderweb to make everything fall apart on the other. But that’s not the sort of subtle that X’rhun is probably referencing.]
Still, be careful with a confession like that. A man might take advantage of it.
[ Oh, he knows full well how capable Ardyn is with subtlety. Here they are, having known one another for half a year and X’rhun only knows all he knows thanks to a fortunate – or unfortunate – series of small clues and happenstance. ]
If he does, I shan’t complain.
[ Flirting with Ardyn is also probably not what Prompto meant by “be careful”. ]
[Somehow, somewhere, a feeling of dread if probably descending swiftly upon Prompto.
Too bad, though, because Ardyn can be something of a flirt when he decides to indulge himself. It runs too parallel with being a frustrating tease, which is something he enjoys just as much, if not more.
He steps forward, closer, to place a two fingers gently under X’rhun’s chin, attempting to tilt his head upwards.]
X’rhun is aware that this is likely a bad idea, all things considered, but he’s been through hell and back in the space of a few days, and he’s feeling especially indulgent right now. This may well have consequences down the line, but he’ll deal with them when he gets there.
Ardyn tips his face up, and X’rhun regards him with an arched eyebrow and a slight smirk. ]
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Nearly all, at least.
Besides, what X’rhun describes instead is far more interesting. That he was welcomed into the void, only to be met with agony. Is that what Ardyn should expect? All that he had strove to achieve, so that it might end in his death… Was it not rest that was awaiting him, but pain?
Ardyn crosses his arms, to hide the way his own hands clench into his sleeves. No, surely that was not the case. It had to have something to do with the Natha, perhaps with the Storm. There was no possible way that after two thousand years (ceaseless toil, pain, regret, sorrow) that he should strive for anything less than a great, yawning void of nothing.
Silence rose up between them, thick as weeds. He finally spoke.]
…And what else? What did you see?
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Stars. Hundreds of them, each one being torn apart. One by one, they were obliterated and left to float in nothingness like so much dust, myself along with them.
Just when I thought I could bear it no longer, I awoke in my stasis pod, no worse for the wear. At least physically.
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He hums with consideration, the slightest cinch of a brow seen in his expression.]
And what, do you think, this vision of yours means? Or was it merely observation, watching worlds and universes being torn apart, much like our own homes were?
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[ All he knows is that he would go back to that godsdamned tower a dozen times before he would want to experience the agony of dying again. ]
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[But he unfolds his arms, then gestures at X'rhun.]
But all that simply means you shall have to avoid dying again, henceforth.
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[ And neither does he wish to think about it much longer. This seems like a good a place as any to shift the subject. ]
… Actually, I have a little trick I’ve been working on to that end, if you would care you indulge me a moment.
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Indulge you? Well, since you asked so nicely.
[Show him this trick!]
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[ A pause, as he casts around his small house. ]
We should probably step outside.
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Then outside we go.
[He’ll stand and gesture at the door, only to follow X’rhun out when he’s ready, wondering what this could be.]
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Stand here, if you will. I need some distance.
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Should I be concerned for my safety?
[That’s a joke. He’s hardly ever concerned for his safety.]
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[ It’s just an impression he gets, you know, with Ardyn being immortal and all.
X’rhun, for his part, just keeps walking. Ten yards away, twenty, twenty-five… and he stops, at last, a full thirty yards down the street from Ardyn. ]
Ready?
[ He sure hopes so because he’s going to do the thing. Much in the same way that he’s able to reach out with his magic to a target and propel himself towards it, he reaches out. There is a thin strand of light that ties his outstretched hand to Ardyn, but it’s only there for a moment before X’rhun pulls. There is a flash of yellow light at Ardyn’s feet, just enough to take him off the ground slightly and send him shooting down the street to X’rhun’s side.
They don’t collide, thankfully, though X’rhun does keep his arm up to steady his friend as his boots settle on the street again. ]
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To Ardyn's credit, he's a man who knows how to warp, so moving from Point A to Point B in a short period of time isn't what truly catches him off guard. It's the momentum forward that's jarring, the way that his body doesn't disappear and reappears where he wishes it to go. It's because he has no control over it, and this magic is not something he's used to seeing. Much less seeing it used on him.
The way he tenses is almost hilarious, but also quite telltale of a man who knows how to fight. Muscles coiling just underneath the surface, fingers twitching to summon a weapon out of habit and instinct. But because it's X'rhun, no such thing happens, only that he staggers forward a little when he suddenly stops in front him, pushed into his extended hand to steady himself.]
A little... warning would not have gone amiss.
[By the Six... there is a moment where Ardyn is trying to compose himself again, running a hand through his hair in his attempt to pull himself back together in what was a startling experience.]
I could have stabbed you. What was that?
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He breathes out a little sigh, grinning a bit. ]
It would have been worth it, seeing you flustered like that.
[ There probably aren’t many things that can take Ardyn off his guard. It seems X’rhun found one. Would that he had the thought to take a picture. ]
You’ve seen the spell I use to zip to an enemy, yes? We call that corps-a-corps. After our little… incident with the chimera, I began to wonder if I could tool something to do the opposite – pull a target to me instead of pulling myself to the target. I’d say it worked rather well.
Either that, or you’re just that attracted to me.
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[Whether or not flustered applies, now Ardyn has to deal with the buzzing thrum of adrenaline that had shot through his veins. His fingers flex, but he is well adapted to pulling himself back together in a matter of seconds — X’rhun gets to see that happen in real time, the way he straightens and then just shrugs shoulders, then makes a move to adjust a lapel of his dark coat.
The explanation makes sense, however. (A warning would not have gone amiss, as he said, but Ardyn is hypocritical on that front. He would not have warned someone, either.) But it is the last line that has Ardyn chuffing out a laugh in that low tone of his.]
And who’s the one oh-so-dramatically pulling me in their direction? If you’re looking for a reason to be close, you need only say the word. Being subtle is not your strong suit.
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[ Not entirely true, and they both know it, but his flamboyant manner of dress and even more flamboyant magic definitely lend some credence to that statement. ]
Besides, you’ve no room to talk after that stunt you pulled at the winter gala.
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No matter the reasoning, he seems increasingly amused. X’rhun, bringing the winter gala back up? That was one night difficult to forget, for a multitude of reasons.]
Now, now. If you recall, it was that rather inconspicuous plant that pressed its influence into me. Otherwise, that sort of boldness on its own crosses into the territory of impropriety. Do I seem like that kind of man to you?
[(He totally is that kind of man.)]
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[ He knows, now, why Ardyn had been so keen on avoiding the subject of his immortality, messy and dark business that it is, but surely there had been other ways to change the topic at the time. ]
So yes, I would most definitely call you that kind of man.
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You have no absolute proof of me waltzing in any direction on purpose. But even so… are you complaining? In retrospect, do you regret that I had allegedly been so forward? Dear me, do I owe you an apology?
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Come now, I didn’t complain then, and I’m not complaining now. I’m only pointing out that you’re none too subtle, yourself.
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Still, be careful with a confession like that. A man might take advantage of it.
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If he does, I shan’t complain.
[ Flirting with Ardyn is also probably not what Prompto meant by “be careful”. ]
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Too bad, though, because Ardyn can be something of a flirt when he decides to indulge himself. It runs too parallel with being a frustrating tease, which is something he enjoys just as much, if not more.
He steps forward, closer, to place a two fingers gently under X’rhun’s chin, attempting to tilt his head upwards.]
Even if he did so right now?
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X’rhun is aware that this is likely a bad idea, all things considered, but he’s been through hell and back in the space of a few days, and he’s feeling especially indulgent right now. This may well have consequences down the line, but he’ll deal with them when he gets there.
Ardyn tips his face up, and X’rhun regards him with an arched eyebrow and a slight smirk. ]
Then he ought to get to it and stop teasing.
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[Ardyn is difficult in all things. X'rhun is playing with fire, and while he doesn't mind indulging the man, flirting is still no different.]
Ask me nicely and I'll consider it.
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