[video] what a happy nerd

[carbungle]

[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.]

Comments

[carbungle]

Of course! She's a long-distance racer, she's gotta be.

[Still technically not his chocobo, but it is his chocobo, so he's very proud. Captain fluffs her feathers and lifts her chest, medals on display.]

[pinkmin]

[Definitely his chocobo. No one here was going to challenge this.]

Ohh. That is very impressive, Captain. [Let her get to her feet to give this good birb well deserved pats.] Thank you for the ride.

[carbungle]

[Captain tucks her legs under herself and settles back down to nest like the overgrown chicken she is, head bowed so Vianca can pet her as she pleases. She's always up for getting her feathers pampered.]

So, you made it. What do you think?

[pinkmin]

[Pat pat pat-- but yes! Fish! Having paid Captain the proper respects, Vianca moved to join Noctis and properly look over his glorious new lake. It is somehow bigger than she thought, and so wondrous. It had been a very long time since she had seen a lake.]

It is very pretty.

[carbungle]

Yeah... feels kinda like nature's reclaiming the place more than ever.

[Between the lake, the greenbelt, and the expanded territories beyond the wall, nature sure is busy.]

[pinkmin]

It is trying.

[It was doing its very best, taking baby steps just like they were. A part of her wondered how wild it would be when it finally started running and truly flourishing, recalling how Noct had said the outskirts were still dangerous.]

Which means that we've been doing a good job, right?

[With the touches, like her reaching over to hold on to his jacket as she looked up at him.]

[carbungle]

[He grins down at her, reaching down one hand to briefly ruffle her hair, minding the flower. He needs both hands to fish properly, but there's no rule against leaning on one another or clinging to jackets.]

I think we've been doing okay. It's sure come leaps and bounds from where we started.

[pinkmin]

[Every rule being abided here. Vianca kept holding on fondly, though she was ready to let go whenever it seemed like the Action was going to happen. Was it soon? Was it later? Fishing was very mysterious.]

Yes. It is good progress.

[Carefully, she leaned forward a little to address the lake itself.]

Thank you for your positive feedback, nature. It is very helpful.

[carbungle]

[Noctis just smiles, watching the lake intently - he's got a bead on his target - and when a sharp splash ripples across the clear surface of the water and something tugs the line, he pulls it back with a laugh.]

I think the lake's saying "you're welcome"!

[pinkmin]

...!!

[There it is! The action! Vianca reeled back with big eyes, already doing the opposite of what she had been ready for by clutching a little tighter.]

Is it a big "thank you"?

[carbungle]

Feels kinda hefty. See for yourself-

[He crouches down, offering the rod out to her as he tilts it towards the fish's struggling. He definitely won't let go! But there's space for her to hold on and feel the fierce pull.]

[pinkmin]

[Oh gosh he better not. Vianca felt a momentary panic at this sudden new thing, but she still reached to take hold of the rod.]

--oh!!

It is-- very feisty.

[carbungle]

Seriously. This might just be the heaviest one yet.

[He'll keep the rod low for a while if she wants to, uh, help. Though considering how strong she is, her extra hand might be exactly what they need. He still guides the direction and reeling-in, slow and steady; the fish is determined to make it quite the battle.]