hugtopia | Like thunder screaming out for a flash of lightning

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Like thunder screaming out for a flash of lightning

[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?]

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I can't quite recall, truthfully. It's been a long while since I was able to celebrate much of anything, either way.

[ She watches him for a moment longer-- "It's been a long while". His past, he certainly cannot celebrate; his future? Not that, either.

That leaves one aspect of time remaining. ]

Ardyn... [ She smiles softly in a way she hopes is gently encouraging. ] Do you believe you cannot celebrate your present? [ Look at all who are here. She sees a good number of what she believes to be a part of his family (distant or not), and members of his world, the extended friends they have made. If he cannot celebrate his time being with them, then she wonders if there's something else she is missing. ]

...To the contrary. I think there's nothing more worthy of celebration.

[ And hearing that--

Her eyes widen for a moment, and... ]

[ She takes a small half-step closer to him, smiling ever more brightly-- for his own in this moment is with all the sincerity and beauty of someone who loves, heartfelt, appreciative. How it reminds her of early autumn upon the earth, there as if he has gathered a bounty unexpected for the harvest, one that he might not believe he entirely deserves.

These words, she is happy to hear from him. Her hand squeezes his. ]

Your smile.... Your family is blessed, to know it.

[Ardyn himself hadn't been fully aware he'd been smiling--the gesture wasn't one he was used to, and most times it was still an awkward and half-formed expression. But it seemed like the less he thought about it, the easier it was to do.]

O-oh--I don't know about that, truly.

[ And, of course, she just had to point it out.

A soft giggle escapes her lips, her hand swinging happily in his. ]

[ Then, softly: ] Might I offer a suggestion?

Er...c-certainly? What is it?

[ Lifting her hand in his, she pats over his knuckles. The scars upon his palms are ever more apparent.

She understands his response-- his multiple responses up now, diminishing his value-- to be quite grave. ]

If not with me... then whoever compliments your smile next. [ And here, she smiles at him. ] Consider just... trying to say "thank you".

It is okay, to let yourself have something nice. [ Even if it is only a compliment, just words, and nothing more. ]

A bit easier said than done, I'm afraid. I have never been of particular skill at such things.

[ She nods; easier said than done, indeed. She hopes he'll be able to, in the future. As if to express her hope for him, she brings her free hand to her chest. ]

But... you have smiled here. Maybe those smiles will come again, only easier than before.

[ He's surely smiled before, of course, but she wishes the trend will continue upward and into the future. At least in this world. ]

Perhaps. I don't quite know that to be entirely likely, but it may yet be a possible thing.

[ Suddenly, her eyes light up. Perhaps a sort of exercise would do him well? ] ...Do you want to practice?

[ She asks this after a pause. ] Saying thank you to compliments, I mean.

[ Don't test her brah she has so many more she can give!! ]

I-I do not think I would be entirely comfortable with that.

Do you know what homework is?

...I am aware of the concept.

You... can do this, Ardyn.

You can get better... [ At receiving compliments? At believing that he can have nice things? Happiness? She does not clarify, but it's most likely to be a combination of all of the above. ] But-- I think that-- [ How does she put this. She means to be gentle, she means to be kind. That doesn't always work.

So with a renewed sincerity, she continues: ] Practice might help you. [ Like starting with the small things, like smiling, she hopes. Or saying thank you for even the most innocuous of compliments. ]

...With someone you trust, if it helps. [ And she is not that person, as they've only known each other for perhaps a few weeks. ]

...I can only promise to try. [The smaller and more awkward smile returned, sincere but unsure.] That's the best I can do.

[ And trying is the most wonderful thing he can do, too.

She continues in a more playful tone, ]

Noct is succeeding on his homework of hugging others. [ A tilt of her head. ] Do you believe you can do better than him?

I don't often make it a habit to compete with family, my dear.

[somnus,]

Ah, then helping each other?

[ Yes? No? Maybe? ]

Hm...a bit more likely, in fact. I might even enjoy that.

A group project, then.

[ And with that settled...

Her eyes turn back to where most are gathered in the party. Some of those here, she's only seen through the network but has never met. Others, she's gotten to know quite well during her short stay here. Another, she lives with.

But none of them are her family. ]

...They really are beautiful, aren't they. Your family.

I'm...very fortunate to have met them.

[A faint, tired smile.]

It seems I missed out on quite a lot these past ages.

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