Nyx Ulric (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hardbargain) wrote2018-11-08 08:23 pm
hardbargain) wrote2018-11-08 08:23 pm
[Sometimes the Fissure you live on top of gets ridiculously unstable for no good reason and throws a cute guy at you, or something.
On this particular morning - for it is indeed morning, contrary to popular belief Izunia is the twin who is sometimes awake then - Izunia has a mug of coffee in one hand and his cat supported by the other, Verity's front paws up on his skinny shoulder to watch the area around them. She's in a big kitty harness to ensure she doesn't go too far, the leash wrapped idly around Izunia's wrist.
And then he comes around the corner on his way out of the building, for it is morning and more specifically it is dawn and he'll come watch it even with the chill in the air - and there he stops dead.]
Oh, come on. Now? I'm not even wearing the shirt.
[The coffee cup vanishes into his Armiger in a flutter of crystal, and please let that be enough to at least raise questions rather than jumping straight into murder-dodging today.]
On this particular morning - for it is indeed morning, contrary to popular belief Izunia is the twin who is sometimes awake then - Izunia has a mug of coffee in one hand and his cat supported by the other, Verity's front paws up on his skinny shoulder to watch the area around them. She's in a big kitty harness to ensure she doesn't go too far, the leash wrapped idly around Izunia's wrist.
And then he comes around the corner on his way out of the building, for it is morning and more specifically it is dawn and he'll come watch it even with the chill in the air - and there he stops dead.]
Oh, come on. Now? I'm not even wearing the shirt.
[The coffee cup vanishes into his Armiger in a flutter of crystal, and please let that be enough to at least raise questions rather than jumping straight into murder-dodging today.]
[Watching the sun rise is definitely the thing to do this morning. Though Nyx isn't entirely sure how he's watching this. No walls in the way, no wreckage, no rumble of destruction settling around him while the city burns.
There's the dull roar of waves, water rushing up to the shore below, a clear view as far as the eye can see. It reminds him of Galahd, sitting on the beach with Selena when she was little, before things started going downhill. Crystalline sea and clear skies and he tips his face up toward the rising sun, waiting for the heat burning, dull and aching through his left side, to consume him now in the light of day.
But it doesn't come, time stretches slowly on and Nyx, so certain of his coming death, hadn't paid any mind to the voice behind him at first. What threat could any mortal hold over him like this. On death's doorstep with the power of Kings rushing through him.
But he's here, he's still alive, the ocean view is not some sort of final mercy of the Kings. So he turns to look at the person behind him. Pale eyes go wide and he grits his teeth as he takes in the sight before him.
Perhaps this is why they've gifted him more time.
He's on his feet in a moment, jaw clenched hard, body aching with the strain of so much abuse and so very much magic that he's not built to endure.]
Didn't expect the Chancellor himself.
[Bemused and exasperated in equal measure.]
There's the dull roar of waves, water rushing up to the shore below, a clear view as far as the eye can see. It reminds him of Galahd, sitting on the beach with Selena when she was little, before things started going downhill. Crystalline sea and clear skies and he tips his face up toward the rising sun, waiting for the heat burning, dull and aching through his left side, to consume him now in the light of day.
But it doesn't come, time stretches slowly on and Nyx, so certain of his coming death, hadn't paid any mind to the voice behind him at first. What threat could any mortal hold over him like this. On death's doorstep with the power of Kings rushing through him.
But he's here, he's still alive, the ocean view is not some sort of final mercy of the Kings. So he turns to look at the person behind him. Pale eyes go wide and he grits his teeth as he takes in the sight before him.
Perhaps this is why they've gifted him more time.
He's on his feet in a moment, jaw clenched hard, body aching with the strain of so much abuse and so very much magic that he's not built to endure.]
Didn't expect the Chancellor himself.
[Bemused and exasperated in equal measure.]
Wrong twin, though I do appreciate the lack of knives. I'm the one in a ring you told to fuck off.
[Beat.]
You were right, by the way.
[And with that he's just gonna... Pet this kitty whose attention has immediately flipped to watching Nyx. Is that a new friend? Dad why won't you let her go meet?]
[Beat.]
You were right, by the way.
[And with that he's just gonna... Pet this kitty whose attention has immediately flipped to watching Nyx. Is that a new friend? Dad why won't you let her go meet?]
Twin...?
[Hold on... What!?]
All of the Kings of Old can fuck off so far as I'm concerned.
[He lifts his hand, looking at the way the skin's gone ashy and pale, cracks fanning out over his body.]
Not gonna change anything now. But... how d'you know...?
[A long suffering sigh and he drops his hand, shaking his head.] You're no ones twin, Chancellor... especially not a man dead for centuries. Nice try but we're not all that ignorant of Lucian history.
[And in the space of a heartbeat he's grasped the blade at his thigh, flinging it at a point above Izunia's head as he lunges forward, meaning for the attack to send him rushing at the redhead to plant his good foot in the center of his chest with all the momentum of that warp behind him.]
[Hold on... What!?]
All of the Kings of Old can fuck off so far as I'm concerned.
[He lifts his hand, looking at the way the skin's gone ashy and pale, cracks fanning out over his body.]
Not gonna change anything now. But... how d'you know...?
[A long suffering sigh and he drops his hand, shaking his head.] You're no ones twin, Chancellor... especially not a man dead for centuries. Nice try but we're not all that ignorant of Lucian history.
[And in the space of a heartbeat he's grasped the blade at his thigh, flinging it at a point above Izunia's head as he lunges forward, meaning for the attack to send him rushing at the redhead to plant his good foot in the center of his chest with all the momentum of that warp behind him.]
[Oh, there it is - well, thanks for the warning, Nyx, because Izunia - cat and all - side-steps in a phase that leaves behind an afterimage as blue as any Noctis might produce.]
And we would have burned you like near all the rest had Regis not stood for you, and that I would have regretted, and you rode on my shoulder for fuck's sake, please don't make me do the armor thing to prove it, it scares Verity.
[Loud meow! She doth protest!]
There are more gaps in Lucian history than you will ever know but we can start with 'the Ardyn you knew was a two thousand year old incarnation of loathing powered by Starscourge, where the hell did you think Niflheim got all their daemons and magitek from?'
And we would have burned you like near all the rest had Regis not stood for you, and that I would have regretted, and you rode on my shoulder for fuck's sake, please don't make me do the armor thing to prove it, it scares Verity.
[Loud meow! She doth protest!]
There are more gaps in Lucian history than you will ever know but we can start with 'the Ardyn you knew was a two thousand year old incarnation of loathing powered by Starscourge, where the hell did you think Niflheim got all their daemons and magitek from?'
[A nice and unassuming man in simple black clothes rounded a corner in the Station with a yawn stifled behind a gloved hand...]
[...then took one look at Nyx and did an instant 180 on his heel.]
Oh, fuck that, I'm not dealing with that today, that's all Izunia's problem.
[...then took one look at Nyx and did an instant 180 on his heel.]
Oh, fuck that, I'm not dealing with that today, that's all Izunia's problem.
[It's the phasing, the blue light left behind, never mind Noctis, he's never really paid much attention to the Prince's training but the blurred movement is so similar to Regis that it leaves Nyx crouched on the ground, collecting himself after the failed attack, watching Izunia carefully, considering.
And also breathing through the pain that still rages through his body. Not that it matters. He'll be dead soon enough, he knows that.
A soft hum, almost a snort, acknowledging the words and giving the faintest of nods before he smirks, pushes to his feet and through will and pride alone stands evenly balanced despite the way his left leg bows out unnaturally.]
Regretted? That so?
Is that what this is? [A sweeping gesture with the arm that's still intact. This place, his existence here, his life.] Consolation prize for the fight you were too much of a coward to start?
And also breathing through the pain that still rages through his body. Not that it matters. He'll be dead soon enough, he knows that.
A soft hum, almost a snort, acknowledging the words and giving the faintest of nods before he smirks, pushes to his feet and through will and pride alone stands evenly balanced despite the way his left leg bows out unnaturally.]
Regretted? That so?
Is that what this is? [A sweeping gesture with the arm that's still intact. This place, his existence here, his life.] Consolation prize for the fight you were too much of a coward to start?
The power of Kings requires a living power source for things such as the Old Wall and - I'm not going to explain any of the technicalities to you until you get your weight off that leg, you absolute dumb bastard.
[The authority of kings is a grandpa holding a cat who conjures a folding chair out of his Armiger to put Verity into. Stay, kitty.
She blinks as he puts her down and meows again before jumping off to give Nyx's foot a sniff.]
Prioritize not dying for a moment and give me your hand, I might be able to do something and I can't not try.
[The authority of kings is a grandpa holding a cat who conjures a folding chair out of his Armiger to put Verity into. Stay, kitty.
She blinks as he puts her down and meows again before jumping off to give Nyx's foot a sniff.]
Prioritize not dying for a moment and give me your hand, I might be able to do something and I can't not try.
[Ardyn you really shouldn't talk to yourself. It alerts people to your presence.
There's a flash of silver as a blade soars past Ardyn's head and then a flash of light and embers and he's a heartbeat away from being slammed against the nearest wall.]
There's a flash of silver as a blade soars past Ardyn's head and then a flash of light and embers and he's a heartbeat away from being slammed against the nearest wall.]
[It wasn't a blade that flashed in Ardyn's hand but a pen; launched down the hallway with Ardyn following in a streak and flash of magenta light completely opposite Regis' blue.]
Don't. I'm only going to say this once, I'm not going to fight you, Nyx Ulric.
Don't. I'm only going to say this once, I'm not going to fight you, Nyx Ulric.
If you are who you say you are-
[Which he's not saying he believes.]
Then I'm no worse now than I was last time we talked and you demanded my life. So [Another smirk, the barest hint of an eye roll. Insubordination? Him? Never~.]
Sorry if I'm not too focused on self preservation at the moment.
[Which he's not saying he believes.]
Then I'm no worse now than I was last time we talked and you demanded my life. So [Another smirk, the barest hint of an eye roll. Insubordination? Him? Never~.]
Sorry if I'm not too focused on self preservation at the moment.
Less fun that way but if you insist~
[There's something dark and almost feral in his expression, a savage kind of near-smile as he rushes to follow Ardyn. But he doesn't warp again, despite that being second nature for him. His blade is sheathed but he's definitely still coming for the redhead.]
[There's something dark and almost feral in his expression, a savage kind of near-smile as he rushes to follow Ardyn. But he doesn't warp again, despite that being second nature for him. His blade is sheathed but he's definitely still coming for the redhead.]
Be dashingly rebellious later, please.
[Bitch he'll just grab for your stupid burned ring hand, then. Nyx can probably even feel something, some exertion of power and focus, but - ]
No? Fine. The next five minutes are going to be extremely stupid.
[And after that flippant comment... Well, Nyx, you're not going to get much more proof than the fact that you are now facing down a much less ghostly, familiar suit of armour. Surprise?]
[Bitch he'll just grab for your stupid burned ring hand, then. Nyx can probably even feel something, some exertion of power and focus, but - ]
No? Fine. The next five minutes are going to be extremely stupid.
[And after that flippant comment... Well, Nyx, you're not going to get much more proof than the fact that you are now facing down a much less ghostly, familiar suit of armour. Surprise?]
Edited 2018-11-09 03:29 (UTC)
For fuck's sake, Ulric, this isn't what you think--
[He phased to the side in the same magenta afterimage, not countering despite being at a perfect angle to land a strike.]
I'm not the Chancellor anymore!
[He phased to the side in the same magenta afterimage, not countering despite being at a perfect angle to land a strike.]
I'm not the Chancellor anymore!
[Izunia grabs his hand and Nyx's cocky attitude falters into a snarl for a moment, pain, fear, rage all flicker across his face before he settles back into his mask of neutral arrogance.
Only for the man in front of him to shift and change and then he's staring at The Mystic. There's a moment of awe, of surprise and wonder and then it buried under bravado all over again.]
What do you expect me to do? Kneel?
[And his tone says precisely how likely that is.]
Only for the man in front of him to shift and change and then he's staring at The Mystic. There's a moment of awe, of surprise and wonder and then it buried under bravado all over again.]
What do you expect me to do? Kneel?
[And his tone says precisely how likely that is.]
Finally grow a conscience?
[Ardyn phases to the side but not to the other end of the hall and that makes Nyx hesitate, briefly. He's gotten the spiel. No murder, no death, a place of peace and of healing, blah blah blah.
How he can be expected to sit idly by while this man exists he's not sure. But he agreed to try.]
You've got too much to answer for to just let bygones be bygones, Chancellor.
[Ardyn phases to the side but not to the other end of the hall and that makes Nyx hesitate, briefly. He's gotten the spiel. No murder, no death, a place of peace and of healing, blah blah blah.
How he can be expected to sit idly by while this man exists he's not sure. But he agreed to try.]
You've got too much to answer for to just let bygones be bygones, Chancellor.
There's no need for that. I'm retired.
[The echoing magical voice is... different, and nearly toneless, making it hard to tell if that was a joke or not.
And something flickers along the metal grasp and... Slowly, like poison leaving a wound, the flame is drawn out.]
Your hand is going to scar terribly. Not much I can do about that, I think. I'm no healer.
[But the magic is his, and it will obey, so help him.]
[The echoing magical voice is... different, and nearly toneless, making it hard to tell if that was a joke or not.
And something flickers along the metal grasp and... Slowly, like poison leaving a wound, the flame is drawn out.]
Your hand is going to scar terribly. Not much I can do about that, I think. I'm no healer.
[But the magic is his, and it will obey, so help him.]
Yes, not to put too fine a point on it.
[He watched Nyx warily, pen still in hand in case he needed to dodge again.]
Look...I know. I can't atone for what I've done no matter how I try. I ask not your forgiveness and barely even your tolerance. But I'm not dying here.
[He watched Nyx warily, pen still in hand in case he needed to dodge again.]
Look...I know. I can't atone for what I've done no matter how I try. I ask not your forgiveness and barely even your tolerance. But I'm not dying here.
[They called it insubordination. Hell, these Lucians call nearly everything he does insubordination.
Intelligent disobedience.
It's what made him the best hunter, made him so valuable to the resistance, why he made it out alive when so many others didn't. And for all the scolding and reassignments he knows they can't afford not to keep him on the front line.
He also knows, from subtle glances, the twitch of lips beneath a beard, a glint of humor in those pale green eyes, that their king is not bothered by his so called insubordination. No, Regis makes it obvious in his own way that he enjoys Nyx's antics.
That still doesn't mean that what he's doing isn't utterly insane and liable to get him thrown in a cell, not just wall guard for the next 2 weeks.
Despite the risk as the day draws to a close Nyx parks himself on a balcony that does not belong to him, sprawled back in a chaise overlooking the city, idly rolling a pair of dice between his fingers as he waits, keeps an ear open for the sound of footsteps outside.
And when he finally hears the steady click of Regis' cane on the glossy marble floor in the hallway he can't help it. He smirks.]
Intelligent disobedience.
It's what made him the best hunter, made him so valuable to the resistance, why he made it out alive when so many others didn't. And for all the scolding and reassignments he knows they can't afford not to keep him on the front line.
He also knows, from subtle glances, the twitch of lips beneath a beard, a glint of humor in those pale green eyes, that their king is not bothered by his so called insubordination. No, Regis makes it obvious in his own way that he enjoys Nyx's antics.
That still doesn't mean that what he's doing isn't utterly insane and liable to get him thrown in a cell, not just wall guard for the next 2 weeks.
Despite the risk as the day draws to a close Nyx parks himself on a balcony that does not belong to him, sprawled back in a chaise overlooking the city, idly rolling a pair of dice between his fingers as he waits, keeps an ear open for the sound of footsteps outside.
And when he finally hears the steady click of Regis' cane on the glossy marble floor in the hallway he can't help it. He smirks.]
[Izunia starts to pull at the magic, the fire burning under the skin. It's worst in his hand, of course but the fissures coil and splinter all across his arm, all the way up into his face. The first tug is soothing, easing the burn... but as he works, draws the power out the pain of his many injuries comes raging back to the forefront of his mind.
His breath stutters, hisses out between grit teeth, tension coils tighter through him as the pain grows worse.
Izunia may be no healer but the magic is the only thing left keeping him alive at this point, even as it kills him.]
Fuckin ironic isn't it?
[Strained and harsh and the pain is so intense but he refuses to give into it, to scream, to yield. Not while there is strength left in his body, however little there is.]
His breath stutters, hisses out between grit teeth, tension coils tighter through him as the pain grows worse.
Izunia may be no healer but the magic is the only thing left keeping him alive at this point, even as it kills him.]
Fuckin ironic isn't it?
[Strained and harsh and the pain is so intense but he refuses to give into it, to scream, to yield. Not while there is strength left in his body, however little there is.]
A lot can happen to a person without dying.
[You should know, Chancellor. How many Galahdians did you order murdered, slaughtered, left for dead after their villages were razed. How many of his people did you twist and manipulate and torment emotionally for years before you sacrificed them to further your own fucking agenda?
But as much as he wants it to be a threat, as much as the words hold an edge of that rage still surging through him...
There's also a measure of resignation in it.]
Your brother mentioned something about an agreement you all have...
[You should know, Chancellor. How many Galahdians did you order murdered, slaughtered, left for dead after their villages were razed. How many of his people did you twist and manipulate and torment emotionally for years before you sacrificed them to further your own fucking agenda?
But as much as he wants it to be a threat, as much as the words hold an edge of that rage still surging through him...
There's also a measure of resignation in it.]
Your brother mentioned something about an agreement you all have...
Life is very much like that, sometimes.
[The metal hands support Nyx's weight as much as he needs. No point saving him from one end just to lose him.
The Mystic is tranquil but determined. Little ruffles the kings of old. It's for the better, given what he's doing.
At last, the flame taken back as much as it will go, leaving stinging burns behind,
Izunia gently nudges Nyx into the chair. Sit, you idiot. ]
Let's see what curatives can do for the rest.
[The metal hands support Nyx's weight as much as he needs. No point saving him from one end just to lose him.
The Mystic is tranquil but determined. Little ruffles the kings of old. It's for the better, given what he's doing.
At last, the flame taken back as much as it will go, leaving stinging burns behind,
Izunia gently nudges Nyx into the chair. Sit, you idiot. ]
Let's see what curatives can do for the rest.
...mm. This isn't a place that sits well with wanton violence, no matter how deserved.
You get one free hit, and that's all.
You get one free hit, and that's all.
Yeah no shit. [He tries so hard not to lean into the support, tries to keep his feet, breathing carefully through the pain churning in his gut, restricting his breathing. Careful breaths, in and out, he won't let himself panic or hyperventilate.
If he's going to die he's going to have some fucking dignity.
But his skin no longer feels like it's on fire, there's no sharp sting of pain through his arm and neck and face. Instead it's the screaming agony of his leg that finally gives out on him, sending him toppling into the chair. He bites down on a cry so hard and so fast he tastes blood, sharp and metallic, his lip swollen and sensitive against his teeth.
And that's when his breathing starts to get a little too ragged, dark spots dancing across his vision.]
Cura... tives?
[He hadn't even thought of something like that.]
If he's going to die he's going to have some fucking dignity.
But his skin no longer feels like it's on fire, there's no sharp sting of pain through his arm and neck and face. Instead it's the screaming agony of his leg that finally gives out on him, sending him toppling into the chair. He bites down on a cry so hard and so fast he tastes blood, sharp and metallic, his lip swollen and sensitive against his teeth.
And that's when his breathing starts to get a little too ragged, dark spots dancing across his vision.]
Cura... tives?
[He hadn't even thought of something like that.]
[He flinches at that, a subtle flicker in his eyes. Wanton violence.]
Now you sound like a Lucian.
[Wild, savage Galahdians, immigrants, not like the properly civilized Lucian people. Too in tune with the magic, too willing to fight, too eager to take risks.
Because they were survivors. Because they would never step down when Hearth and Home were at risk... pale eyes widen and he nods slightly to himself.]
Tell me what you told them. What lies you whispered into the ears of scared boys that didn't even remember the home they were fighting for.
Tell me what false promises you made, what you swore to Luche and Tredd? Sonitus? Axis? ALL OF THEM!
Now you sound like a Lucian.
[Wild, savage Galahdians, immigrants, not like the properly civilized Lucian people. Too in tune with the magic, too willing to fight, too eager to take risks.
Because they were survivors. Because they would never step down when Hearth and Home were at risk... pale eyes widen and he nods slightly to himself.]
Tell me what you told them. What lies you whispered into the ears of scared boys that didn't even remember the home they were fighting for.
Tell me what false promises you made, what you swore to Luche and Tredd? Sonitus? Axis? ALL OF THEM!
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