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     magic had never come intwined in noctis, severed early and unwilling. a travesty to his court, and a wound for himself. burning ember reflects across his eyes, warmth dwindling down to a concentrated glow in the palm of joshua's hand before materializing into shape. lithe fingers raise the object to his eyeline, rolling the hollow pin between them to survey the haze of firelight it emits, and the curiosity that follows. " what makes this one so special, then ? "

in a pirouette between fingers holding their own power, joshua watches as embers begin to dance from the feather ; familiar heat and glow of it calling out to it's owner, as the proximity to joshua makes the feather burn hot and bright. " ... that, will protect you in ways a 'phoenix down' cannot. you will know when i am near, you will know when i am far; and should you be in danger, that part of me shall protect you where other feathers might not. "

lunafreya wasn't going to say anything. he looked peaceful, after all. the evening air carded through his hair as he slept, mirroring the sway of the grass below them. still, the feeling nagged and persisted, until she uneasily bounced on her heels at the inaction. ' excuse me --- ' she leant forward, to continue speaking in her hushed tone, careful not to startle him. ' i don't mean to impose, but, it's getting rather dark ----- '

she speaks, and as she does, her voice reaches his ears with the familiarity of a hymn. it does not scare him, the lilt of each word a gentle guidance rather than a demanding force, but it does do as intended: rousing the small boy from his slumber. jewel toned eyes reveal themselves from beneath pale lids, their blackened centers spotting and locking onto the girl before him with a soft surprise. " oh ! " raising a red sleeved arm, the boy rubs at his face with the hem; aforementioned rings of chick weed falling from his legs to the grass below. he's attempting to banish the remnants of sleep from his eyes when he asks, " do you know the hour? my mother will be furious if i've missed supper. "