[ there’s relief in having said it, thank you, after so much time having it stuck in his throat. and then there’s surprise at the reaction, a widening of his own eyes a fraction at the fact that she’s happy to have inspired him, that she doesn’t think he’s strange for having placed so much ( hope, faith ) on someone he’d never met. and to think, some of that faith is now returned, it’s just on the edge of too much. that she ( she, not the oracle. it’s lunafreya’s knees that brush against his own, skin against roughened fabric of his jeans ) thinks that highly of him. then she’s taking his hands, calloused from handling guns and machinery both, and holds them between her own in a gesture that feels weighted. that feels meaningful, despite the setting of cheap motel room, dappled sunlight filtering in through thin curtains. his mouth is suddenly dry, and he swallows. ] Yeah, of course. [ the words are fervent, overloud maybe, in the relative silence. somehow… being here with lunafreya, it seems like they’re in a bubble of their own making. far removed from the rest of the world, and it’s comforting in a way. in a stark contrast to the last couple of weeks when the thought of being alone with her had been short of nerve-wracking. now she’s offering to be his friend, asking if he’ll allow it, which is funny in a way— he’s always coveted friendship, and the challenge now is to not seem too overeager in the face of it being held out to him. ] I wanted— [ he shakes his head, wondering if he should keep this to himself, but then again honesty has gotten him this far— and he only has a limited amount of time. the guys aren’t going to stay on their supply run forever after all, though suddenly he hopes that ignis is struck with the urge to double triple check the list of things they need so he has a bit more time with lunafreya alone. ] I’ve wanted to be friends with you this entire time. I guess I could’ve done better, getting the message across.
[ he wonders what exactly she garnered, from his tentative approaches only to back away the last second. he supposes, he used the same tactic with noct, way back when. coming close to him, hiding behind a telephone pole watching him get into his car to be taken back to the citadel, but never actually saying anything. his gaze flashes to their hands, then back to her face, sheepish. ] Sorry about that, by the way. I hope you didn’t think that I didn’t like you, or anything. More like, I couldn’t figure out what to say.
[ he was pretty much tongue-tied, at the sight of her. and he almost winces, thinking on how stilted their interactions were in comparison to how fluidly she and gladio, or even she and ignis seemed to get along. but then again, friendship, it’s never come easy to him. and he supposes this new one had to have it’s own trial of nerves and his heart threatening to beat out of his chest.
the smile he gives, it’s a shade less tentative then the ones that came before. they’re friends, they’re friends and there’s no reason now, to act like a stuttering mess around her. their legs bump together, and he thinks that he should probably enjoy this, the feeling of her hands clasped around his own, because it’s not likely to be a repeat event. ] But, that’s in the past now. [ some of it is still there. the hesitance. the nerves showing still in the highlight of red across his face. ] You know, I want to support you too. [ because in his eyes… it only seems like he’s taken from her. taken her support, taken strength from her words. the itch to prove himself worthy, to help, is suddenly back in full force. though he doesn’t exactly know how to go about it. lunafreya, she’s always seemed untouchable ( a figure in the distance, the writing in noct’s journal, the message of hope on the radio ), seemed… perfect. not needing anyone’s help. but that can’t be right. ] It must be tough, having everyone look to you.
[ having everyone look at you, even. being watched, being televised. he can’t imagine it. and in a way, he guesses he’s been lucky. to be nothing special, to be graced with… being normal. he was alone sure, but he was never bothered like noct was, his actions never scrutinized. ]
[ Conciliation really drops into her that gently. Her fingers cross over Prompto's, dangling in his grasp — a good premonition of the smile that comes sailing over her face a few seconds later. Right as forecasted, it's an echo of a grin biting at her lips. Shy and hapless, despite the dignified air she puts on: the regal breeding of a Nox Fleuret in her posture, a high backing casting a deceptive calm (feigned).
She's been here before. Every time, when the crowds failed to disperse, looking on at her with too much hope. The common denominator is the weight of it — the burden struck heavily over her back where they sit, heels cooling on carpet. And strangely, Prompto hasn't wrenched away, not from her lukewarm touch or the hesitation contorting in her. She's only half-competent at the task. Only half-good, the rest of her human and pulled apart by contradictions: to guide Noctis or stand by him, to remain here or to go ahead, rousing the rest of the Astrals to pay heed to the crown prince's call when the rest of the entourage comes. ]
It's nothing so exacting, Prompto. It was merely what was required of me, and I cannot say I begrudge it. It's all I've known, and I only hope I can continue to prove myself capable. With you and the others to lend me your aid, I have no fears.
[ Odds are, she won't survive this trip. But it's not a very tender, delicate matter for someone so acquainted with death and loss, the parameters of which are devastating and far-reaching. Luna's hands withdraw, unlinking from Prompto, shaking free of the pleasant numbness of it prickling after holding the same position for so long. Reading the shift in his face in the uptick of his mouth, she shakes her head, the crease between her brows smoothing itself out. ]
Though, I must profess that it's much easier to talk in close company than before an audience. I would assume that it's the same for most people, and to have so many eyes on you can be quite humbling at times ...
[ Scrutinized by her next of kin for her favoritism, walking the tripwire. The truth is, she's either losing her imperfect touch on the situation, or their adversaries are gaining their own. It's much too late for her to prove her own in a fight, weak of constitution (even if not particularly lacking in spirit), but peering at Prompto now is nostalgic — like maybe she'd open her heart a bit more fully if she'd been the girl she was ten years younger with wishes of her own. That one letter. That one missed connection. Luna tips her head, softens her sorrow. ]
But I don't regret any of it. Being the Oracle is an honor. I'm glad I could reach you with those words, too. It's not something I would've been able to accomplish, had I not accepted this role. Though you've faced much strife in the past, I'm very happy I could reach you as I am.
[ Gaze limpid, Luna slides her hands down the minuscule creases wrinkling her dress, rising to her feet. ]
I suspect it must've been dreadfully boring watching me from all the way up here, though. Would you like to join me in a walk around the general area? Until the others return.
[ Perhaps that retracted grip was too premature, though, given how she outstretches her hand out to him again: an askance to pull Prompto back upright. ]
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[ he wonders what exactly she garnered, from his tentative approaches only to back away the last second. he supposes, he used the same tactic with noct, way back when. coming close to him, hiding behind a telephone pole watching him get into his car to be taken back to the citadel, but never actually saying anything. his gaze flashes to their hands, then back to her face, sheepish. ] Sorry about that, by the way. I hope you didn’t think that I didn’t like you, or anything. More like, I couldn’t figure out what to say.
[ he was pretty much tongue-tied, at the sight of her. and he almost winces, thinking on how stilted their interactions were in comparison to how fluidly she and gladio, or even she and ignis seemed to get along. but then again, friendship, it’s never come easy to him. and he supposes this new one had to have it’s own trial of nerves and his heart threatening to beat out of his chest.
the smile he gives, it’s a shade less tentative then the ones that came before. they’re friends, they’re friends and there’s no reason now, to act like a stuttering mess around her. their legs bump together, and he thinks that he should probably enjoy this, the feeling of her hands clasped around his own, because it’s not likely to be a repeat event. ] But, that’s in the past now. [ some of it is still there. the hesitance. the nerves showing still in the highlight of red across his face. ] You know, I want to support you too. [ because in his eyes… it only seems like he’s taken from her. taken her support, taken strength from her words. the itch to prove himself worthy, to help, is suddenly back in full force. though he doesn’t exactly know how to go about it. lunafreya, she’s always seemed untouchable ( a figure in the distance, the writing in noct’s journal, the message of hope on the radio ), seemed… perfect. not needing anyone’s help. but that can’t be right. ] It must be tough, having everyone look to you.
[ having everyone look at you, even. being watched, being televised. he can’t imagine it. and in a way, he guesses he’s been lucky. to be nothing special, to be graced with… being normal. he was alone sure, but he was never bothered like noct was, his actions never scrutinized. ]
I can’t imagine it.
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She's been here before. Every time, when the crowds failed to disperse, looking on at her with too much hope. The common denominator is the weight of it — the burden struck heavily over her back where they sit, heels cooling on carpet. And strangely, Prompto hasn't wrenched away, not from her lukewarm touch or the hesitation contorting in her. She's only half-competent at the task. Only half-good, the rest of her human and pulled apart by contradictions: to guide Noctis or stand by him, to remain here or to go ahead, rousing the rest of the Astrals to pay heed to the crown prince's call when the rest of the entourage comes. ]
It's nothing so exacting, Prompto. It was merely what was required of me, and I cannot say I begrudge it. It's all I've known, and I only hope I can continue to prove myself capable. With you and the others to lend me your aid, I have no fears.
[ Odds are, she won't survive this trip. But it's not a very tender, delicate matter for someone so acquainted with death and loss, the parameters of which are devastating and far-reaching. Luna's hands withdraw, unlinking from Prompto, shaking free of the pleasant numbness of it prickling after holding the same position for so long. Reading the shift in his face in the uptick of his mouth, she shakes her head, the crease between her brows smoothing itself out. ]
Though, I must profess that it's much easier to talk in close company than before an audience. I would assume that it's the same for most people, and to have so many eyes on you can be quite humbling at times ...
[ Scrutinized by her next of kin for her favoritism, walking the tripwire. The truth is, she's either losing her imperfect touch on the situation, or their adversaries are gaining their own. It's much too late for her to prove her own in a fight, weak of constitution (even if not particularly lacking in spirit), but peering at Prompto now is nostalgic — like maybe she'd open her heart a bit more fully if she'd been the girl she was ten years younger with wishes of her own. That one letter. That one missed connection. Luna tips her head, softens her sorrow. ]
But I don't regret any of it. Being the Oracle is an honor. I'm glad I could reach you with those words, too. It's not something I would've been able to accomplish, had I not accepted this role. Though you've faced much strife in the past, I'm very happy I could reach you as I am.
[ Gaze limpid, Luna slides her hands down the minuscule creases wrinkling her dress, rising to her feet. ]
I suspect it must've been dreadfully boring watching me from all the way up here, though. Would you like to join me in a walk around the general area? Until the others return.
[ Perhaps that retracted grip was too premature, though, given how she outstretches her hand out to him again: an askance to pull Prompto back upright. ]