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seasonsgreetings2023-04-14 10:33 am
seasonsmods) wrote in seasonsgreetings2023-04-14 10:33 am
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme #2
Test Drive Meme #2
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.
The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:
An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.
All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.
Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.
And it looks like you're not alone.
After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.
Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.
The Message [ Click to Expand ]
Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.
Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.
This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.
We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.
That's where you come in.
All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.
These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.
Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.
That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.
The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
Part 3
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
April is the time for a strange weather effect that affects all of the districts, save for the one in the middle and Frostreign. It's not weird that it rains, but it's what the rain does that has been dubbed as the Rain of Affection.
Anyone who stands in the rain will feel the need to get close to someone. It starts with a need to gently touch someone gently, but can escalate into needing to hug someone. The ultimate craving of the rain is kissing in the rain but that's the most it can make happen. It's a very Safe For Work Rain Effect.
After a successful kiss in the rain, the cravings slowly become less urgent, but the effect can start all over again at any given time.
Of course, there are individuals who don't get too affected by the rain (at all or not as badly) and it only works if it directly hits someone. So staying in a shelter or being in Nightwake Center or Frostreign is definitely a way to avoid this whole phenomenon. Even avoiding the worst of the effect is easy by just going under a shelter or purchasing a nice, maybe even a color changing, umbrella.
It's raining very often until the end of the month at different times in each districts.
After the rain, a rainbow usually appears. Rainbows formed by the Rain of Affection are special, wish granting ones. The natives will explain that if you hold someone's hands and make a wish that wish will come true in some capacity.
Someone wishing for wealth may win a gift card for a shop while someone wishing to see a loved one they're missing may get pictures sent to their mobile devices (how? magic). Those wishing for world peace may find their very presence be calming to others. But the biggest prize is a free regain of a non-magical item or an animal companion. If someone asks for a magical item it will come as a non-magical item and the magical part of it would have to be purchased by a magical-regain, so it's cheaper to just not.
Be careful what you wish for, as each character only gets one wish, no matter how many rainbows they end up seeing during the rainy season.
Solarpeak has a new way of battling against the hot summer days (you know, when it isn't raining). Many shops along the streets sell ice cream mochis of varying flavors. You have your very normal flavors like different berries, fruit and chocolate, but also some very excotic and weird ones.
There's even a flavor called random mystery that is literally that. A randomized flavor that is a mystery to all. It can even be a flavor that no one has thought of before or even something that definitely should not be in any kind of food. Anyone who buys a pack of two mochis will get a free mystery one if they want it (and sometimes even if they don't).
Other districts also have some treats out for different climates. There are various flavors of hot cocoa in places like Amberfall and Frostreign, and nice light treats like macarons in Blossomcrown. Of course various restaurants have their own menus that fit their own season, so you could definitely have a gourmet journey all over the city of Nightwake if you wished.
One morning, on all of the bridges leading outside into the segments, round gates appear. They're portals that bring in monsters. They look normal from the outside looking in, like portals to a lovely garden. But the gardens are the problem as they are infested with different monsters, waiting to attack the city. This isn't the first time natives have seen these portals and before they had people to deal with them, but now? They need otherworlders.
All of the monsters inside need to be defeated for the portal to disappear. No one knows exactly how many there are, but with the defeat of the last one, the portal will disappear from around anyone inside of it, leaving the characters on the bridge.
The portal can be entered from both the city and the segment side and it looks flat when looked from sideways. Like it's just a random 2D structure in the middle of the world.
Those who explore the portal further will notice that they will loop around. It's very similar to the place they started in, back when they arrived, as it doesn't seem to have an end, no matter how you explore the place.
For noncombatants, natives have set up stations to help with first aid and making food for the fighters so they can occasionally come back from the portals to take a much needed rest.
Anyone helping with the fight, either in the portals or outside, will receive a hefty 5000 Moon Coin reward for their hard work. A good way to earn some starting funds!
Monster List [ Click to Expand ]
All of the Monsters listed here will be in all of the portals and there will be several of each to fight.The danger level is indicated with Stars. The lowest level threat is 0 while the highest is 10. From 7 and above, the likelihood of a beast going for a kill increases significantly.
| Name | Description | Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Bubblefish | Bubblefish are lumbering, two-legged creatures, with fins for arms, a long, muscular, finned tail, and a big fish face. They are fast, dangerous predators while in water, but do not count them out while on land, as regardless of whether they are above water or below it, they can blow large bubbles which capture their targets. Once inside the stretchy bubble, victims begin to go numb, their body feeling like it's on pins and needles as the Dragonfish begins to cast various debuffs on them. The bubbles are tough to escape despite their appearance, but the debuffs are lesser when shared, and can be escaped with the propper application of mint or minty treats! Mint has the effect of weakening the bubble to allow it to pop, although you may then find yourself being charged as the Bubblefish goes wild trying to get that minty goodness. | 5-8 |
| Bugboars | These are really more like rhinocerous beetles, but they are the size of wild boars, and they act similarly, roaming about in family groups together, rooting through the ground to unearth any edible material. They are highly territorial, and charge at anything or anyone who gets close. Their eyesight might be poor, but they make up for it with their antennae and the fact that these massive beetles do have wings, and they possess enough control over wind to lift themselves off of the ground at great speeds, or send powerful gales at those who come too close to their young. | 6 |
| Crockodile | Crocodiles with elemental powers of earth, leading to them being able to travel through dirt and stone as if they were water, these large reptiles often hide beneath the earth with only their eyes and nostrils peeking out, resembling the stone they hide within. They are ambush predators, popping out of the ground, large stony jaws open to crush their prey, but even once dragged out of hiding they are hardly easy to defeat. These crocks are stony in appearance and their hide is just as hard to pierce. In addition, they're a little closer to the size of a small car than your average crocodile. | 6-9 |
| Flurry Flock | White birds acting like a swarm that may deceive you into thinking they are harmless doves at first. Upon closer inspection, they more closely resemble a vengeful murder of crows with pure white feathers that they can use to reflect light so brilliantly that one can be blinded, leaving the flock's victim open to attack as they descend upon their prey like a group of voracious piranhas, claws and beaks as cold as ice as they try to tear their foes apart | 3-6 |
| Lavapotamus | These large hippo-creatures seem to be either made of or covered in molten rock that hardens over time when in the air. Usually they prefer to soak in lava and be left alone. Pulled through portals in an environment far too cool for their liking and with people so nearby has them aggressive and dangerous, charging down anyone who gets too near and leaving a red-hot trail of lava in their wake. | 3-8 |
| Minosaur | This creature seems to be a horrific mash of other creatures, similar to a traditional chimera; it possesses the body and horns of a bull, a head like a Tyrannosaurus, the plates of a stegosaurus all the way down it's powerful back and becoming spikes as they trail down it's tail, which ends in a very angry snake head. There is no end of this creature's body which is not hard, sharp, and completely pissed off. If you manage not to get bitten or gored at it's head, you will still need to contend with the powerful hooved legs attempting to stomp down on you, and take care to dodge as the snake head on it's tail spits fire. | 8-10 |
Even after the defeat of the Portals, there's still a lot of things to do! All of the Guilds are open. There's a good training space outside of them to test our powers and computers where you can learn all about what kind of powers you can unlock.
All guilds also have the same Questboard open! Why not take a look and see what adventures await?
- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.
- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you're not a friend of the mods and want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible!
- Feel free to visit the EMP/ATP - meme!
- New characters can add TDM on their subject line to indicate they're new! They can also comment HERE to promote their new top levels.
- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a top level as well.
- Current characters cannot access the starting area again to meet new arrivals. They can, however, be at the Research Center when the newbies are teleported in.
- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.
- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!
- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open. Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.
- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary.
- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.
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A faint sigh escapes him as he pulls away. Maybe this is the end. Everything is said and done now. There’s nothing else Regis wishes to say now. If he died here and now, he would be happy. However, what happens next honestly catches him off guard. Instead of being met with disbelief and perhaps hatred, he’s greeted by another kiss initiated by Cor himself. He freezes for a moment, shocked to feel those unyielding lips against his as they kiss like long lost lovers in the middle dreary street.
Regis could feel his face burning now. Is this some sort of prank or some sort of joke? It couldn’t possibly be. Cor would never jest about something so serious. However, the idea of Cor honestly reciprocating his feelings seems just as absurd as everything else. That’s why he peeks up at her, his tired gaze searching for anything to confirm what he’s feeling.]
For…a very long time. [He admits with a sheepish smile.] I dare not say when.
[This is awkward enough, isn't it? Regis glances away again in hopes of sparing his already wounded pride.]
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Cor feels a tear starting to run down his cheek as he cups Regis' cheek with his hand, leaning his head down until their foreheads almost touch.]
I didn't dare say anything, back then. Not when I feared that it would ruin our friendship, and our relationships with Aulea. I never wanted to ruin your marriage, either, with my selfish desires. I cared about you two too damn much to do so.
[He then got a thought in his head, and he couldn't help but chuckle in a self-deprecating manner. He's hoping that he's not blushing much, but there'sno denying how pinkhis cheeks are starting to turn.]
Look at us, being like lovers in some romantic film...how embarrassing. We should...move to a dryer spot. Or inside...
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Why wouldn’t he? Cor willing tossed himself at the immortal Blademaster in hopes of becoming like the shields of eld. That entire disaster worried Regis to his core but he was immensely flattered. Everything Cor ever did for him was out of this unspoken devotion he rarely sees in others. It stuck with him throughout the long years.
A faint sigh escapes him as he leans into Cor. The rain be damned. He wants to stay like this forever.]
Let us enjoy this moment. [He whispers against Cor’s ear despite the soaking rain.] I never thought I would get a chance to feel anything ever again.
[His joy was taken from him the moment that horrific prophecy was told. Regis did everything in his power to ensure Noctis had a future that he forsook his own.]
Although, I wouldn’t mind going someplace dry.
[He pulls away slightly so he could smile at Cor.]
You lead the way.
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And he didn't begrudge Regis for marrying Aulea. The kingdom needed an heir, it's true; but Cor himself knew that there was no better woman than their dear friend Aulea to be his queen. She was like a big sister to him, and a part of him wonders if she ever suspected that her husband had unspoken feelings towards their friend and Marshal.
But for now, he is happy to be here, with Regis alive and whole...and kissing his hand. There's no hiding that flush now, nor how it makes Cor's eyes shine with joy at finally having his true feelings not inly voiced, but returned as well.]
Then...let me help you feel again, in every way possible.
[It's a whispered promise, one as much to himself as it is to the other man. After all, much of Cor's heart died that awful day, and it was all he could do to focus on his duties: help set Noctis on the right path, make sure the imperials were hobbled as much as possible, find as many leads on the royal weapons as he could... But here, on this star, they have another chance to be together. And he'd be a fool to not take it.
Cor nods and smiles back at Regis, reaching down to pick up the umbrella. He must've dropped it in his surprise, but it seems to be alright, the inside being soaked aside. He then glances around them for a moment.]
...where did you drop your cane? [He sees the other man's umbrella, but no sign of the cane that Regis had come to rely upon in the last few years...]
/bear with me, i don't have all my icons yet lol
Oh, the cane? [A cheeky little smirk curls onto his lips as he regards Cor with such mirth.] It’s somewhere, I suppose. Hopefully, in the nearest trash receptacle.
[Before Cor could question him further, Regis takes a step back and performs a courtly bow without the aid of a cane or leg brace. It seems someone granted Regis’s wish or at least one of them. He struggled in the last few years of his life to even stand and walk. That cane symbolized the end of his freedom and life both. The Crystal was bound to kill him in a few years time as it siphoned his lifeforce. It’s nothing short of a miracle that the effects of the Crystal have been reversed but even so, Regis’s strength hasn’t entirely returned to him yet.]
I suppose this was a gift from our most hospitable hosts.
[Regis mentions as he straightened himself. He’s all smiles now.]
That's okay~!
So when Regis stepped back, walking freely and bowing in perfect, courtly manner without even the hint of the old brace? It made Cor gasp just a little in hopeful surprise.]
...so it would seems...
[And Cor finds himself smiling in joyful relief in return. If Regis is well enough to walk, maybe he is well enough to do everything freely? Maybe even join him on the battlefield again? That's a rather comforting thought for the Marshal, to know that his dearest friend - or rather, 'friend' - may actually be free of the Crystal's accursed drain.
And he's still smiling as he bows in return, all 'proper' about it, before he straightens up to offer his arm.]
I believe I passed by a cozy cafe not far from here. They were advertising some rather interesting drinks. Shall we...?
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[He hums in a question reaching for Cor's arm. Cane or no cane, Regis is simply glad for the chance to enjoy a pleasant evening with his dear friend. He won't take something as mundane as this for granted ever again. It's also nice that they no longer have to worry about the paparazzi anymore. Those gossip mongers made his life hell when he was king. While there's certain things he'll miss, Regis is quite eager to enjoy his early retirement from politics.]
My, that sounds suspiciously like a "date", Cor. [He teases with a little smirk.] You move fast.
[Regis lets out a chuckle as he gives Cor's arm a gentle pat. He's just teasing him a little.]
I’m impressed.
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[And that they don't have to worry about any snooping reporters would be a delightful bonus. Truly, it feels like they both have a second chance at a somewhat more normal life. At the mention of it being a 'date' and that tease of him moving fast, however, that normally calm and collected air about Cor vanishes, leaving behind flushed stammering and him deliberately looking away from Regis as they walk.]
Th-that wasn't exactly my intention! I just w-wanted a nice place for us to c-catch up on things! Truly!
[Six, Regis still knows how to leave him in a flustered mess after all this time. It's like thirty years vanish and he's a teenager that's green to all things romantic all over again. It's more like brotherly love than romantic and Cor would claim to hate it...if he didn't secretly feel so happy about it.]
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Then let's catch up!
[He gently tugs Cor along with such cheer. It's been a long time since Regis has been this carefree and jolly. A very long time. He can't help but tease Cor, especially since the poor Marshal makes it so easy.]
Come now, shall we be on our way?
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Except he did. So very badly that he forced himself to move past it or shove it aside for months. Which is why, after one last harrumph, Cor finds himself with a tiny smile sneaking back onto his face as they begin to walk together.]
Yes, let's.
[After all, how can he stay mad at his old friend when he's smiling so wamrly, so happily? It's been so many years since he smiled like that, and it only made Cor's smile grow more noticeable as he leads Regis towards that cafe he mentioned.]
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He’s having far too much fun teasing the Marshal but he simply can’t help it. Regis feels oddly giddy right now. He wouldn’t be able to keep his hand off of Cor even if he tried. He’s not normally this clingy but he’s certainly enjoying the attention.
As the pair reach the café, a curious gleam settles within his gaze.]
This must be the place judging from the small crowd.
[It seems everyone else in Nightwake had a similar idea today. That explains why there's so many people crowding inside this quaint little café. Thankfully, there's seats by the window nearby.]
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As for the clinging? A part of Cor chalked it up to Regis needing the touch as a form of physical comfort, given the circumstances of the latter's last days on Eos. Still, this is starting to seem a bit more than necessary...
Though those thoughts are pushed to the side upon seeing the small crowd in that cafe Cor was leading his friend to. He glances around, spotting a spare table by one of the windows, and gestures towards it.]
But it seems like it's not quite booked up yet. C'mon, let's get ourselves seated.
[...yes, Cor will indeed wait until Regis is inside first before closing his umbrella to follow suit. Old habits die hard, okay?]
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I hope this won't turn into a poetry slam. [He mutters to himself before gesturing for Cor to grab the chair across from him.] As fond as I am of literature, I'm not in the mood for beatnik poetry.
[Regis jokes before glancing down at the menu. It's just as Cor said, this place has some rather interesting drinks. His gaze lingers on this boba tea concoction that is apparently made out of taro pudding with whip cream. That’s a bit…a bit much for him. Instead, he turns the page and settles on a simple black espresso with a hint of sugar.]
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[They are very interesting drinks, but not many of them appeal to Cor's own palette on this day. So he orders one of the custom-made coffee blends - dark and bold with cranberry undertones, per the description. He doesn't request any sugar and cream for his. Yet.]
...Have you been on this star long? I only arrived myself just the other day.
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Not very long. [He answers tersely with a bit of a sigh.] Perhaps a few days now? It’s difficult to tell.
[Everything feels like a blur to him. It’s a little maddening, to be frank.]
Is it safe to assume…I’m truly alive for the time being?
[He questions with a hopeful gleam within his eyes. There’s an unspoken hint of apprehension in his tone.]
If so, then what about—[A pause.] Clarus?
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[Cor can echo how this all feels like some weird dream. One that may have blurred a little at points, given how much he had to adjust to so far. Wielding his own magic? Having to help save this star in order to go home and continue the fight against the Empire? It sounds crazy, and yet...
Upon the mention of Clarus, however, Cor looks sorrowful for a moment.]
...I haven't seen or heard any signs of him. Yet.
[Though he understands why Regis would be asking about Clarus; the oldest of the three, and Regis' Shield... Cor misses him as well, and knowing that he's not yet reappeared does still leave a bit of a hole in his life still. For all of their disagreements, they were still brothers-in-arms - family, practically.]
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…It’s my fault. [He mutters after a moment of awkward silence.] I told him to leave but–
[But Clarus refused and stayed with him until the bitter end.]
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[Came the curt, almost instant reply as Cor cuts him off.]
Don't blame yourself for his death. He did what he was born to do as your Shield. And knowing him, he'd rather have you alive without him than the reverse.
[He then slides a hand over Regis', giving it a comforting squeeze. He knows that his words may not be as comforting as they should be in this moment. After all, he was supposed to be the blunt voice of truth for his old king. Yet despite that, even he knows when he needs to be a little kinder. Gods know how long Clarus and Regis had known each other - longer than Cor had known either of them, for certain. Hence, his voice softening a little in empathy as he continues.]
Even with that said, there's nothing wrong with grieving his loss, to miss him so. Even I myself have had to come to terms with it eventually. So, please, cry on my shoulder if you need to. Take the time you need to grieve. Hold a memorial to celebrate his life. But don't blame yourself for Clarus' death. Not even all of the Six would've kept him from fulfilling his duty by your side that day.
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…You’re right. [He admits with a half-hearted smile as he gives Cor’s hand a little squeeze.] Clarus would surely raise hell if he ever heard me talking like this.
He took pride in his duty above all things else.
[Regis falls quiet for a moment when a waitress appears with their drinks. He gives the woman a faint smile as he takes his cup. The familiar relaxing scent of coffee is oddly reassuring. It reminds him that he’s alive despite all the violence done against him. He stares down at his cup for a moment before taking a tentative sip. The coffee here is good. Not as good as Lucian brews but good enough.]
Even so, I find myself balking at the thought of Clarus being gone forever.
[He lets out a sigh before taking another sip. It’s almost as if he’s trying to fill the metaphorical hole in his heart with something warm.]
I certainly hope Gladiolus and Iris are well.
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[But even Cor looks melancholy as he accepts his cup. He takes a sip, gives a slight sound of satisfaction, and then take another sip before putting it back down.]
It's not an easy thing to adjust to...but I'm sure you will do so, in time.
[Upon the change of subjects, a small little proud smile graces Cor's face.]
They are well indeed. Iris is safely ensconced at that lighthouse in Caem, along with Cid and young Talcott. Though I suspect she will soon want to continue her training from before the Fall. And Gladio, as always, has remained with Noctis and the others...except for a short period of time.