hugtopia | [video] what a happy nerd

[The video opens with the camera up close to Noctis, where he's trying very hard to look serious while fighting off what can only be considered giddiness.]

Hey, question for Havenwell at large... I'm pretty disappointed right now.

[He turns the camera, revealing a little lake, sparkling blue-green in colour and surrounded by lush foliage. There's a soft splash just off the shore, and Noctis utters a muffled, "there you are!" fumbling with the communicator for a moment until a lure goes flying towards it, attached to a fishing line.

When the camera returns to Noctis, he is grinning like an absolute fool, holding his fishing rod.]

Why did no one tell me about this place? Or am I the first? I hope I'm the first. Can I name it? [His voice lowers, conspiratorial.] There's fish here.

[The video cuts off, but included in his message are the coordinates to what one might assume is the pond in question, where Noct can be found fishing all. Day. Long. There's a blue chocobo curled up on a nearby rock, waiting patiently for him to finish as she's done dozens of times before.]

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[True to his word, Ardyn showed up shortly after--he had enjoyed their VR fishing trip, and he was a little excited at the prospect of the real thing.]

Caught anything else interesting yet?

What, a rainbow screamer isn't interesting enough for you?

[He flings the lure back towards the pond, gesturing a hand towards the bucket that Captain is currently 'guarding'. (She's dozing, so not very effectively.) Inside, the rainbow fish is accompanied by three others, all of decent keeping size but carrying no special physical characteristics. They're just tasty fish.]

I reeled up one that looked like an alien a while ago, but it didn't seem, uh, edible so I put it back. Probably too small anyway.

Bit alarming, but perhaps not too much of a surprise.

[He leaned over for a better look into the bucket before sitting down beside Noctis and watching the line with interest.]

It's good to see that your fishing's going well, at least.

Considering that it's been like, two years since I got to do this for real? It feels amazing.

[Noctis turns the rod carefully, watching for shadows in the lake and slowly reeling the line in again. He doesn't even seem bothered by the idea of nothing biting or chasing it, as if the act of casting itself is an incredible joy.]

[Ardyn rested his head on both hands with a small smile--the peace and quiet of it was appealing in itself.]

That's wonderful to hear. I hope you won't be spending all your time here from now on, though.

Not... all my time, no.

[Just a whole lot of it, frontloaded, because god if he hasn't missed this feeling for ages. VR really does not cut it.]

Well, I'm certainly not going to stop you. Just so long as you remember to eat and sleep now and then.

If there's anything I'm good at besides fishing, it's eating and sleeping.

We do all have our own talents, it would be a crying shame to neglect any of them.

Exactly! So I'll spend as much timing fishing as I can, and not a minute more or less.

[Or maybe just a few minutes more.]

Anything you say, nephew dear. I'll simply have to hang about to make sure you don't work too hard.

You sure you're not just hoping for a fish dinner?

Not at all, I'm content to just be in good company. Besides, our last fishing excursion was something I enjoyed a great deal, so I'm quite excited to see the real thing.

You're missing out, if that's all. I make awesome sushi, and Iggy's grilled fish is heaven wrapped in batter.

[A beat, and then-]

I guess if you want to try, though, I can let you cast a few times.

I certainly wouldn't argue if it were offered. I just wouldn't expect it, that's all.

[He looked over, glancing from Noctis to the fishing rod.]

...I suppose it can't hurt to try, though I suspect it won't be as easy in reality.

[Noctis finishes reeling in the latest cast, taking a moment to examine the line and the lure for stability (can't be too careful, with such limited supply) before offering the rod out to Ardyn.]

Sure. Take it for a swing, see how you do.

[Casting itself isn't rocket science, but the refined technique of fishing is a little more than that.]

Well...alright. [It took him a minute to determine how to hold it correctly, adjusting his hands on the fishing rod a few times before settling on something secure enough to cast passably without accidentally launching the whole thing out of his hands.]

[Noctis lifts a hand to shield against the sun as he watches the lure fly. He'll try not to feel antsy about having the rod out of his hands; it's just for a bit!]

Feels nice, right?

...it does, actually. I don't think this was ever something I did just for the entertainment of it, but I think I can see the appeal.

Yeah... I barely remember how I got hooked on it. [Heh.] Gladio took me on a camping trip outside the city limits, for some survival tricks or whatever. The rest of it wasn't my thing at all, but fishing? I could do that all day.

[Ardyn hummed quietly, with the telltale furrowed brow and tilted head of trying to recall a long-distant memory.]

I don't remember where I learned it. Gilgamesh, more than likely. I never used to enjoy it much, but perhaps that was just because I was doing it only for survival's sake.

Welcome to the world of hobby fishing, then.

[Noctis crouches down and moves to sit at the edge of the stone 'dock', unlacing his boots so he can stick his feet in the water.]

As ever, you are a terrible influence on me. Whatever am I to do but be perfectly content with fishing?

Who am I to impose my will upon you? If you like it, you like it. If not, that's fine too. I'll just be crushed, heartbroken, ruined for life...

I wouldn't dream of hurting you so. I will simply suffer in silence and endure such a charming way to pass the time.

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