Like thunder screaming out for a flash of lightning

[flawed_immortality]

[Cor's not great at this whole party thing, especially as this time it's not just a family gathering but intended for the friends they'd made here as well. The video starts with Cor sitting in a cushy white and grey striped armchair, a stone fireplace beside him glowing warmly. It's a classy set up and far above the townhouses they've been in.]

It's New Years, celebrations are in order. His Majesty, Ignis, and I have obtained a larger space and we'd like to offer our home for the festivities. Feel free to stop in, have some snacks, and await midnight with us.

[Locked from Regis]
[He looks a little paranoid at first, double, then triple checking that he's done this right.]

It's also his Majesty's birthday. He's always eager to sweep it under the New Years celebrations but he has no reason to shy away from any such celebrations here. Don't let him.

[Action - Party Start~]
[The new house is really very nice. It's nothing compared to the Citadel but it is very nice. Clean and homey with the accents of warm wood that, if Cor didn't know better, he'd have thought was reclaimed.

There's a fire in the hearth, hor d'ouerve trays laid out on the kitchen counters. The replicator is of course available to anyone who wants something specific, though you might be surprised to find she responds to voice commands and is distressingly cheerful to talk to. The house is open for examination! Go on, explore folks, mingle away.]

[Action - Midnight]
[As chill as the night is Cor makes a point of slipping through the crowd throughout the evening. There's a number of Lucis Caelums and other magic users as well. So when the time comes near he does his best to usher everyone into the backyard, or at least onto the back porch.

He's certainly not the one to lead the countdown, no someone more energetic can do that, but at the final count a series of spells get fired into the night sky. They may not be traditional fireworks but a few Flares, Thundaras, and spells he has no names for will work well enough, don't you think?]

Comments

[scourgingstars]

Truly terrible. I hope it isn't a fate too objectionable.

[promittere]

I wouldn't change it for the world.

[scourgingstars]

No, of course not. Your commitment is deeply admirable, my friend.

[promittere]

[Awww, he called him friend...]

It's the least I can do.

[iustaegis]

I... am grateful, for allowing me to come with you.

[ As if that hadn't been established already, she reinforces it as she keeps her arm linked with his. It had been especially nice to see his family and their friends of friends, gathered so closely and intimately to welcome the new year. How wonderful it is, that he has them. ]

And to welcome the new year. [ Even if she had experienced the exact moment alone.

They continue to walk for the time being, taking the same back to return to their townhouse. She thinks again of his family, of his circumstance, and what it must mean for him to have lingered for millennia, working and fighting for the future despite what guilt he might feel, knowing what that future might mean for those he loves. (Whatever it may be.) She wonders if it is tiring; no, it must be tiring, it must wear his soul. Five hundred years of her own solitude is nothing compared to his thousands of years. Yet he still strives towards that future. For a man who rises at dawn daily, he hides it well.

He is inspiring as well. Yet she wonders if... he would allow himself a small indulgence for the few year. ]

For... this first day of what was once our future, but now our present... would you like to rest?

[iustaegis]

[ Properly in position now to begin the dance, she begins with a step outwards. ] In counts of three and...

[ And here are the instructions of the dance, her gently guiding him along for the first few steps slowly. She allows them space between them so that he might look down between them at his feet if needed. If they ever get to actually performing the dance, she will step up close to him. For now, however--

It's after repeating the first turn that she smiles at him, her hand still holding his to keep their leading arms in position. ] It's not... too difficult, isn't it? [ Basically a series of turns, counted in three-fourths time. ]

[scourgingstars]

[he's warming up give him time]

Nonsense, it's effort worth praising no matter how you try to underplay it.

[meridio]

[His breath caught when he was seized by the collar of his tunic. Staring wide-eyed at the night sky over his brother's shoulder, he stood slack in the unexpected embrace.]

[No, the gods had been under no obligation to tell them anything. Somnus' face went slack, and he continued to gaze into the darkness with half-lidded eyes. As unwilling as the others might be, he wasn't. Since the day he'd received Bahamut's revelation, he'd been a willing participant of the prophecy. That meant he was culpable. Reflecting on all of this, his expression took on a mournful turn.]

[His hands twitched at his sides. The hug wasn't warm. But these arms wrapped around him and those hands on his back—they belonged to his brother, who gave them willingly.]

[What could he say?]

Brother . . .

[scourgingstars]

...I meant every word, alright? I'm still angry, but...I should have been looking out for you, and our falling out was something we're both accountable for.

[There was still resentment and pain from having been cast down and left in the dark to be forgotten, to be sure. He was exhausted beyond measure and for now, beyond forgiveness. But ultimately, that didn't change the heart buried under shadow and fury.]

I don't know what will happen from here, if things will unfold and I'm told or if there's any better outcome to find for all of us. But regardless of where our next steps lead, I swear I won't fight against you any longer on the matter even if we should disagree. A monster I may be, but I am not yet what the future claims I will become. And this person with you now...yet loves you, little brother.

[meridio]

[He would never be forgiven. What he did was, after all, unforgivable. Somnus had accepted the resentment long before the fact.]

[Closing his eyes, he raised his arms—so numb to the point they nearly trembled—and, after another moment of hesitation, rested his hands on the broad, all too familiar back he'd been chasing since childhood. He'd stopped chasing it millennia ago, and he wouldn't be chasing it again. But now, perhaps, he could look at his brother's face and see something other than foreboding contempt, even if he wasn't summoned to this world for self-indulgence.]

I'm sorry.

[scourgingstars]

I know.

[Ardyn's voice was quiet--sincere and honest, his own hold on Somnus loose enough for his brother to step back if he wished it.]

I am, as well. I can't answer it yet...but it means a great deal to me that you would say as much.

[meridio]

That isn't necessary.

[Apologies weren't obligated to be answered. They were meant for the receiving party, not the offering.]

[The hold loosened, serving as cue for Somnus to do the same and step back. Despite his fanciful thoughts earlier, his gaze impulsively dropped to eye level at his brother's chin.]

What I did to you was unforgivable. I'll apologize as many times as you want, but a reply is unnecessary.

[scourgingstars]

...I only wanted to hear it once. We've both suffered enough for lifetimes upon lifetimes; punishing ourselves further will accomplish naught. Unforgivable or not, I'll care about you regardless.

b; wanders in late with fantasy starbucks

[carbungle]

[It's at the tail end of the show that Noctis finds him, shuffling over and trying to look less sleepy than he feels. He's not a kid, he can stay up late at a party. It's just that his socializing spoons are running low. Doesn't stop him from approaching Ardyn, though, because this is kind of an unusual party, as far as their family goes lately.

He does have the decency of looking vaguely apologetic, considering his attire: he's got this angled pallium-style halfcloak pinned at the shoulders, and it looks vaguely Somnus-esque. Though maybe apologetic is no longer appropriate, with the actual Somnus in attendance.]

Hey, you look pretty cheerful tonight.

[They're in the same room! He didn't witness a single fight! That's impressive.]

[scourgingstars]

Do I? [He tilted his head slightly at Noctis, glancing over his attire briefly. There was no mistaking descendant for ancestor this time, and for once Ardyn did seem a little less on edge than usual.]

Hm, I suppose that I'm alright. What of yourself, are you enjoying this?

[carbungle]

Sure, I guess. Better than a fancy party back home.

[He feels overdressed, in truth, but he hadn't really worn it for himself, so he's enduring it. He's relieved when Ardyn doesn't react poorly to it, though. That had been among his chief hesitations.]

Been a long time since we got to really celebrate his birthday together. It's nice.

[scourgingstars]

That's good to hear. I'd say it's well deserved for the pair of you.

[And...really, he did kind of enjoy this whole thing.]

[meridio]

[ The Light of the First sounds startling like the darkness that plagues Eos. But of course—the true origins of the Scourge are shrouded in mystery, and his isn't the only world out there. It reasons that others might have suffered similar afflictions, related or not. Era's hands tremble against him and he says nothing of it, listening instead with an expression of neutrality.

That she's connected with his brother by way of the Echo in the past doesn't surprise him. It would explain how his brother knew to take care of her in the interim and aftermath. "Brother," she calls him. Perhaps her attachment to his brother is more than that of friendship.

Naturally, he understands what divine duty can do to a soul. She and he are similar in that respect. But no matter how similar, they are not the same. ]

That is not for you to decide in my stead.

[carbungle]

I don't know about that, but I'll take it.

[Not so much a protest as an awkward deflection. Whether they deserve it or not, he's grateful for second chances, for sure.]

Feels kind of weird for things to be peaceful enough to celebrate. Until we got here, I can't remember the last time I saw fireworks.

[scourgingstars]

I can't say I ever have, myself. But I am considering myself lucky to finally see things peaceful enough to warrant celebration at all.

[carbungle]

That's a good thing.

[Especially with all of the grimdark conversations that have been had lately, by chance or by necessity.

He glances sidelong at the other man.]

Doing okay? With everyone here?

[scourgingstars]

...I think so.

[He understood the unspoken meaning, but...for now, things were alright. Better than he expected, certainly.]

Thank you. I think perhaps...your advice may have helped a bit.

[carbungle]

[There's a pause for a moment, as those words sink in.]

...Huh. First for everything.

[He's certainly not the one usually giving advice.]

S'good to hear, though. Everyone's kind of rooting for you guys, you know?

[scourgingstars]

I'm sorry?

[he was aware that family drama was kind of everyone's problem, but didn't realize it was currently everyone's problem.]

What do you mean?

[carbungle]

...Dude, come on. You think we don't all know what's going on?

[Maybe not in great detail - and to varying degrees, depending on who you talk to - but you'd have to be a fool not to assume there'd be lingering conflict. And their family can be idiots but they're not stupid. ...Which definitely makes sense if you know them.]