week 5; sword

[elemancy]

[it's more than he can handle, honestly.

noct didn't really expect to hear that sara would leave her sword to him. it had seemed like such a joke when she'd offered to let him borrow her sword in an earlier week—an offer he politely refused.

and while the notion of having a weapon definitely makes him feel a bit more secure, everything else about this sucks.

he didn't stick around for felix or harry's executions. once sara was laid out, that's when noct took his leave, because he felt like he'd be sick if he had to see anymore bloodshed right after that. he doesn't even go that far away—closer to the hotel, outside the entrance and crouched near the ground.]

Get a hold of yourself. Walk tall. [he's muttering the words to himself quietly. convincing himself it'll be okay. he can't cry, he can't be that weak. he has to be strong, for everyone else—for people he knows need it more than he do, even as the sound of the other executions ring through the town and filter to his ears.

now. is. not. the. time.]

Comments

[moraled]

[... Can he?

Admittedly, he doesn't really want to do much at all right now, but wallowing in his guilt and distress after such an earnest request from Noct doesn't sit right with him. He thinks of Sara, and how much she'd loved her class, and how much she'd wanted to take care of them and everyone else here--

And he nods.]

I do not "think" so, I am quite certain of it.

[He snorts softly under his breath. He's a knight, he's definitely capable of handling that. He's the most knightest of knights, really, and so he draws himself up and turns to step beside Noct instead of remaining turned away.

It's a start.

A step towards...something. Recovery, perhaps.]

[elemancy]

[it's definitely a start towards something—whether it's recovery or anything else, it's probably a step in the right direction.

there's visible relief in his expression though; hearing barnham agree, and be willing to do that much for him really helps.

it helps a lot, because barham is someone he has an incredible amount of trust as respect for. even as they mourn, even as they suffer, even as things get more and more questionable with who may be in what role, and what they may have to do—

noct still believes in the notion that barnham will do the right thing.

and he trusts in that, which is why he'll trust in barnham to the person to act as a shield in what ways he may need it.]

Thanks.

[he says it quietly, following it up with a sniffle.]

You... should get cleaned up. We can talk about the rest later.

[probably not until something in the next week, but it's fine. for now, he thinks they both should clear their heads, and that barnham should likely wash the blood clean.]

[moraled]

[... Right. He certainly should. He should probably toss these clothes entirely, and get new ones, because... they'll always have Sara's blood on them in one way or another.

Noct will be fine, he thinks. With Sara's sword at his side, and with determination... he'll be fine.

That's enough for Barnham.

He draws in a slow breath, straightens his posture and squares his shoulders, and nods to Noct.]

Indeed. I believe I shall do that.

Until then, Young Noctis.

[He's off, turning on his heel and walking away with certain, determined strides.

For now--he'll be okay.]