Burning Phoenix here, with Day 2: Fluff. Enjoy!
The word βstrangeβ would be an understatement.
Those big brown eyes just kept staring at her, no matter where she went or what she did. In fact those eyes were staring at her so intently, she wondered what the owner of those eyes even wanted.
Carbuncle tilted its head slightly and its ears twitched as it observed Lightning. The rose-haired woman was pacing, and kept sending glances the little messengerβs way.
With a frustrated sigh, Lightning turned to face the fox-like creature. βWhat do you want? Youβve been following me around all day. And donβt think I donβt know what you are.β
In response, Carbuncle blinked and tilted its head the other way.
It was an adorable sight, but Lightning did not think so. The creature had been following her like a stray looking for scraps, but she knew that it was no ordinary animal. Not only did its fur have a strange tint and shine to it, but the singular ruby horn on its forehead gave it away.
βStop following me.β Lightning frowned at Carbuncle and turned away.
As soon as she began moving forward, the fox creature began to shadow her again. Lightning rolled her eyes and opted to ignore the miniature stalker. She had better things to do than acknowledge the magical being.
And here she was thinking it was the end of the age of gods. Yet here she was, fresh off the train and heading to her new destination, and was now being followed by what she was certain was a new form of eidolon. An eidolon that was not being at all subtle if it was just walking around in its true form for all to see.
Carbuncle just continued to toddle behind Lightning, its big brown eyes still on her.
It couldnβt believe its luck when it first sensed a strong presence, only to see the subject of that presence step off the train. Not what it was expecting, but Carbuncle was convinced once it saw Lightning head in the direction it was planning to head towards as well.
Carbuncle decided to pick up the pace and walk beside the woman, now facing its eyes forward.
With an irritated sigh, Lightning glanced down at her unwanted company. βWhy wonβt you leave me alone?β
Carbuncle blink and tilted its head yet again. Its tail wagged in response.
Before Lightning could turn away again, the little fox creature let out a high-pitched bark. A rather endearing sound, but the former savior was not affected. However, the moment Carbuncle barked, her cellphone vibrated in her pocket.
Pulling the device out, Lightning stared at the screen. It was a message consisting of what looked like a sticker of a happy cartoon chocobo surrounded by confetti and holding maracas in its wings.
Lightning raised an eyebrow. Who sent her this message? Once again, Carbuncle barked and the phone vibrated and beeped with a new message. With actual text this time around.
βIs that you doing this?β Lightning demanded, frowning at the little messenger.
βNo need to be so grumpy. Yes, itβs me. Hello, Lightning!β
βWhatever it is you want, you can forget it. Iβm not up to being a pawn in any godβs game.β Lightning said, glaring directly at Carbuncle. The creature may be small but any mystical being was not to be underestimated. She knew from experience.
βNo games or pawns. But I like your foresight!β Carbuncle barked.
Lightning frowned at the screen of her phone before looking down at the tiny furball. βWhat the hell are you, exactly?β
βI think you already know what I am. I could tell by the way your brows creased and your eyes narrowed.β
βThe eidolons vanished from the world a while ago. So why do you exist, and how?β She still remembered the moment her own eidolon, Odin, had knelt down to bid her farewell before he and the other eidolons vanished into scattered light. They were gone now.
Carbuncleβs squeaky bark, and the beeping of her cellphone, brought Lightning back to reality. βClose! Iβm kinda flattered you think Iβm on such a high level, but Iβm not an eidolon. Iβm a Messenger! The nameβs Carbuncle.β
βWhatβs the difference?β She huffed.
βAround here, there is a difference. But Iβm not here to debate on that! Iβm here to pick you up!β
Lightning was slightly taken aback by the odd response. βPick me up? I donβt remember asking for a cab service from an eidolonβ¦ Messenger. Especially some furball.β
Carbuncle did not seem the least bit upset or offended, and instead just barked again, sounding a little hopeful.
βFavor for a friend. You match the exact description of someone Iβve heard so much about, and Iβm rarely wrong! Besides, I doubt thereβs many with the exact same looks as you.β
βYouβd be surprisedβ¦β Of course she was not the only one with her description. There was also Serah, her younger sister. Someone she hoped to reunite with soon. Another reason for her trip by train.
βEither way, Iβm here to bring you to Insomnia. Youβre on your way there, right? So am I! Might as well walk together, right? Makes things easier.β
Lightning scoffed at the messenger. βA little late to be saying that; considering youβve been following since I got down from the train. And Iβm sure you have the wrong person.β
βThat temper of yours was part of the description, so Iβm sure I got the right person. Though you do seem more carefree now.β
βI was until some fox with a horn on its head decided to follow me like some stray dog.β
βNot fond of the higher power, I see. I understand. That must have been some journey, huh? Iβm sure glad you managed to make it this far into your new life; now maybe you can continue where things left off! Iβm pretty excited myself!β Carbuncle barked and pranced a bit, its long, fluffy tail wagging a bit.
βYou act as if you know me. Carbuncle, was it? Iβve heard the name before, but that Carbuncle wasnβt some miniature messenger, and I certainly donβt recall an eidolon as fuzzy as you are. Not where I came from, at least.β Lightning considered herself to have a good memory, and she knew no eidolon or falβCie that took the form of a furry, teal fox with a horn.
βYouβre right; I donβt know you. Not personally anyway. I only know you from what Iβve heard and been told! I was hoping you convince you to pay a visit. And since youβre off to the Crown City, this makes things easier. Good thing you decided to get a phone too; I like practicality.β
βSince when did eidolons need phones?β
βMessenger. And itβs just me, really. Nobody else. Theyβve all gone.β
βThen why are you still around?β Lightning questioned.
βTo be honestβ¦Iβm not entirely sure. But I like to believe itβs because I managed to earn my keep and will continue to do so.β
Deciding that she had wasted enough time already, Lightning continued on her way. Carbuncle yet again fell into step with her.
During her walk to her destination, Carbuncle kept silent for a good while, aside from mentioning a few factors like how the lands outside the Crown City used to be a bit more desert-like and barren but had now developed with more life in terms of nature and civilization. But the moment the end of the road seemed to be in sight, the messenger perked up again and began barking, setting off Lightningβs phone in her pocket.
βIβm glad you decided to come to Insomnia. Iβve been looking forward to properly meeting you. And I know someone else whoβd be more than happy to see you again.β
Lightning sighed but kept walking. βYou keep saying that. Who exactly is this person youβre referring to?β
βYou donβt remember?β
βI canβt exactly forget somebody I never met in the first place.β She shrugged, sparing a glance at Carbuncle.
βWell I know you definitely know this guy! Just come with me and youβll see!β
Carbuncle ran off ahead but made sure to slow down to make sure Lightning kept up. She frowned as she continued on; should she even listen to some fluffy creature that was obviously not a normal animal? And just when she thought she had put her days of following gods, behind her.
In the end Lightning managed to reach Insomnia with Carbuncle still at her side. Somehow nobody seems to be reacting to the strange little messenger.
βTell me something; can these people see you, or not?β She narrowed her eyes at her unwanted company.
βWell I never really paid attention. Maybe they do, maybe they donβt. Either way, follow me! I promise you wonβt regret it!β
Lightning crossed her arms and grunted. βIβm starting to.β
βThe two of you sure have been through a lot, even if you were both so far from each other. But now that things here have turned peaceful again, you two can rekindleβ¦β Carbuncle barked cheerfully as it pranced ahead.
βAre you going to keep playing games or are you going to tell me who the hell you think it is I know so well that youβd go out of your way to βpick me upβ from the station.β By now, she was getting tired of these riddles. Lightning could not believe she was being outfoxed by someβ¦fox.
βPlease be patient and you will see.β
Once again, Lightning found herself unfortunately following Carbuncle in the end. The messenger was surprisingly friendly company at least, though she was not going to admit that. No matter how adorable and endearing the messenger was. Especially that bark.
Finally, Carbuncle stopped at some large gates, and barked.
Well, here we are! The Citadel!β
Lightning stopped walking and looked up, only to realized she had been led far into the city and somewhere rather important-looking. The Citadel, Carbuncle had called it. And despite the fact that it seemed like the place should be heavily-guarded, nobody seemed to be manning the gates, which struck the former savior as odd.
Carbuncle then led her around to much smaller gates, likely for the guards. βCome on in. Donβt worry, you wonβt cause any trouble.β
βI have a feeling simply walking into some kind of official building through the guardsβ entrance while the guards are oddly missing, is exact opposite of βnotβ causing trouble.β Despite her words, Lightning found herself going after Carbuncle. She had come too far now.
They made their way to the center of the enormous plaza and Lightning had to pause, staring at the huge fountain. It was a rather intricate piece, and the water flowing from it was cool and clear.
βCan I help you, maβam?β
Lightning whirled around to face who had spoken. In front of her stood a man dressed in a black uniform, his brown was styled into a slight up-do and his eyes had a distinctive scar around them. Yet by the fact he was wearing ordinary, clear spectacles, it showed that his eyesight had not been affected by whatever gave him the scars over his eyes.
ββ¦ Iβm actually not sure myself,β Lightning admitted and glanced at Carbuncle.
βTell him your name. Trust me on this.β The messenger barked.
She gave a doubtful look at Carbuncle; why should she trust the instructions of this messenger anyway? But a part of her was rather curious. Somewhat.
Finally, with a defeated sigh, she looked to the bespectacled man again. βIβmβ¦Lightning. Lightning Farron. And I have absolutely no idea why Iβm even here.β
Ignis raised an eyebrow. People often liked seeing the palace up close; at times to admire the view and at times to try and worm their way inside to see the king himself. However, by looking at the woman withβ¦a unique hair color, he could tell she was indeed confused. Suddenly her words clicked in his head.
βPardon me, but did you say βLightningβ?β He asked carefully.
βDid I stutter?β She crossed her arms.
Carbuncle began to feel the excitement bubbling up, but it behaved itself for now. The scene was getting rather interesting, and Lightning was quite good at hiding her surprise. But the messenger noticed it.
Ignis thought for a moment. He eyed the strange woman carefully; she was dressed in a white shirt with a white cardigan on top; her pants were brown and she had a suitcase in her hand. What was most striking was the womanβs rose-colored hair and her blue eyes. These factors did not escape Ignisβ notice. Not that they were easy to ignore.
βWell then, Miss. If I may be so bold; please follow me.β Ignis said and walked around Lightning and the fountain, towards a grand set of stairs leading up to the palace.
Lightning frowned. What was going on? She sure as hell did not know who that man was.
As if sensing her unspoken question, Carbuncle walked up beside her feet. βThatβs Ignis. Heβs a friend. Heβll take you where youβll want to go. This sure is exciting!β
Lightning followed Ignis, still unsure if this was even a good idea. At least if things went wrong, she knew she survived worse than walking into a wrong building and causing a disturbance. And sheβs done even worse. Not that it was a good thing to consider, but better than feeling unsure.
Once inside, Lightning looked around the large halls, seeing paintings decorate some of the walls. Ignis led her to a hall with elevators and called one down, stepping inside and inviting Lightning to follow. Carbuncle kept close to her.
As they rode to the upper floors, Ignis thought to make light conversation. βIβm unsure how you managed to find your way here, and quite frankly, Iβm surprised to see you in the flesh. I admit I thought you were a figment of the imagination.β
βThatβsβ¦a weird thing to say to someone you just met.β Lightning commented.
Ignis nodded in acknowledgement and pushed his glasses βMy apologies. Not to worry though. Iβm aware of what happened, and Iβm sure youβre eager to catch up as well.β
βCatch up? You act as if you know me, and you havenβt introduced yourself.β She had said that to Carbuncle as well. Why does it seem as it everyone around her may know what was going on, while she was left in the dark?
βAgain, I apologies. Ahem. I am Ignis Stupeo Scientia; I am royal advisor to our king.β He said politely.
Lightning gave him a dubious look. βKing? A city this advanced and civilized still need age old traditions and leaders like kings?β
βYour words confirm my suspicions that youβre not from Insomnia. Or Lucis for that matter,β Ignis said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose again.
βThatβs an understatementβ¦β Lightningβs mind spoke. βNo. Iβm not. I just got here, actually. And somehow I wound upβ¦here. Iβm not even sure why.β
Carbuncle looked up at her; its face the definition of innocence despite its clear above-human intelligence.
Ignis said no more as they reached the desired floor.
He led her down the large halls until they were standing before two large doors with intricate designs. Lightning sensed that this room was rather important; given its place in the hall, and with the design of the door itself.
Ignis knocked on one of the doors, and gave it a second or two before pushing the door open. He gestured for Lightning to go ahead and enter. The moment he did so, Carbuncle made itself inside the room. Lightning watched as it did so, before she nodded her thanks to Ignis and stepped inside as well.
The door closed behind her and Carbuncle made its way to the front of the room. Its squeaky bark sounded off in the large room.
βHey Noct! Iβm back! You wonβt believe whoβs here!β
Lightning stopped and looked up the stairs at the far end of the room, where at the top, sat a magnificent throne. She certainly was no stranger to those; sheβd sat on her fair share of thrones herself. But what caught her attention was the man who sat there.
Dressed in all black, his clothing regal and his features ratherβ¦rugged. His hair was short but still had a length, and flattened down. His facial hair was more of an obvious stubble than anything. So this was the so-called king?
Noctis looked down from his throne and grinned when he saw Carbuncle. βHey little guy! There you are.β
He stood up and made his way down the steps to greet his guardian. Carbuncle happily hopped onto his shoulders and nuzzled into his hair, barking loudly, causing a string of beeping noises to which Lightning looked down at her own phone but saw no messages. She looked back up at the king and realized it must have been his.
Noctis laughed as he pulled out his cellphone and took a look at whatever it was Carbuncle had to say. Apparently, a lot.
βLook whoβs here! Someone way back when! Isnβt it great?β
βIβm sure you two would want to talk and catch up on all the things you missed out on!β
βDonβt just stand there! Say hello!β
Puzzled, Noctis adjusted Carbuncle on his shoulder and looked up from his device, finally noticing the stranger in the room. No. Not a stranger. The moment he saw her, his eyes widened.
βCanβt beβ¦ Is that you, Lightning?β
That voice. It sounded so familiar, and sheβd heard it many times before. A long time ago. But there was no way, and yet, there was no mistaking it. She looked him over again until finally it clicked in her mind. She did know him.
The king of Lucis grinned and rushed down the stairs to meet her. βLight!β
Carbuncle got off his shoulder and sat on the top stair to watch the two comrades reunite.
βWhat are you doing here? How are you here?β Nocits questioned, unable to believe his former war buddy was standing right before his eyes.
Lightning smiled ironically. βIf I knew that, I would have told you I was dropping by.β
He let out a laugh at that. βI havenβt seen you sinceβ¦well since the whole deal with Materia and Spiritus!β
Lightning nodded in agreement. βYeah. Been a long time, huh? Literally decades, or even centuries ago.β
It was especially true for her, who had slept a great deal, living through decades upon decades until she and her friends banished a god to allow a new world to be created. How was she to know she would somehow meet a familiar face from the new Dissidia War? A face she only met once in that one New War; one she admittedly never really forgot.
βYou look great, by the way. Uhβ¦nice outfit.β Noctis complimented, still smiling and happy that an old friend was alive and well.
Lightning chuckled. βAnd you lookβ¦different.β
It was true; Noctis looked a little older, more mature compared to his young and carefree appearance way back when they first met. His hair has grown a bit, no longer sporting the spiked lookβwhich Lightning had grown rather fond ofβand now he was growing a little moustache and beard, and his posture was that of a regal king. Yet despite this, she could still see that boyish charm and sweetness underneath. He was still Noctis.
βI guess. A lot has happenedβ¦β The king trailed off, growing solemn for a moment.
βI know. A lot has happened on my end as well,β Lightning admitted quietly. They were both champions and so they had one thing in common with each other and other champions. The fate of their own world.
Not wanting to sour what should be a happy reunion, Noctis perked up. βBut hey, looks like we both made it. I bet your world issues were solved.β
βYeah, it was. All of it. Funny thing, I actually got off the train and came here to meet with some friends of mine. But I gotβ¦side-tracked.β She glared over Noctisβ shoulder, at Carbuncle.
He seemed surprised. βYou know Carbuncle?β
Lightning scoffed in response. βBarely.β
Noctis rubbed the back of his neck. βSoβ¦you pretty much just got back after finishing off unfinished businessβ¦?β
She nodded. βYeah. And I ended up here. In this building. And looking at you, it looks like youβveβ¦basically gone through shit.β
He let out a laugh. βYeah, though I missed a whole ten years of it.β
His words caught Lightningβs attention. ββ¦ Ten years. How old are you?β
Nocis was taken aback. βUhβ¦I know itβs rude to ask a woman her age, but isnβt it still kinda rude to ask a guy that too? Kinda?β
βI mean it, Noct.β She gave him a look. One that was all too familiar to him when she was being serious.
βIβmβ¦I guess Iβm thirty now.β
βWow. You really did get older.β Lightning smirked teasingly.
Noctis flushed at the comment. βHey! Butβ¦yeah. Crystal sleep and all that.β He wasnβt sure what exactly she was hoping to hear from him.
Lightning nodded, expression slightly downcast. βI know how that feels, believe it or not. Twice, or maybe thrice.β
βAnd you? How old are Βyou? Itβs only fair I ask you since you asked me.β The last time they met they had been in their twenties, with Lightning having one year over him.
The former savior paused to think. βRight, twenty-four. I guess. Last time we met, I was technically twenty-one. Maybe I still am, in a way. Or maybe I finally moved on to twenty-four.β
βUhβ¦what?β Noctis shook his head a bit, feeling confused.
βI guess, chronologically, Iβm actuallyβ¦five-hundred-and-twenty-one.β Lightning said finally, not at all phased by her war buddyβs reaction.
Noctis was silent for a long moment before he slowly reached out to hold her hand. βI guess we have a lot to talk about huh? I-I mean if you want to! And if youβre looking for your friends, I can have send some people to search for them and let them know youβre keeping an eye out..!β
He let go of her hand and mentally kicked himself. She and he may have had a deep connection years ago during the new Dissidia War, but that did not mean she stillβ¦
Lightning sighed and took his hand back. Despite Noctis becoming moreβ¦grown-up and mature, complete with a poor excuse of facial hair, he was still that same shy and boyishly charming Noctis Lucis Caelum. And after everything she had gone through, she was not going to pass this opportunity up.
βThanks, I appreciate the extra set of eyes. And I got nothing but time on my hands.β She said gratefully.
Noctis blushed and looked down at their connected hands. He suddenly felt like he was twenty again, first meeting that stoic and serious warrior who cut down her dark doppelganger with lifting so much as a finger, and then dragging him along to meet some goddess in mechanical clock dress. Neither of them knew they would bond so strongly, even in a place strengthened by the energy of battles. Thinking of those times when he and Lightning⦠It still warmed him inside.
βYou knowβ¦I was kinda wondering if youβre stillβ¦availableβ¦?β Already a king at the age of thirty and he still could not find it in him to ask Lightning out on a date without sounding like a moron.
Lightning smirked. βWhy? You had anything planned for the day?β
βWell, uhβ¦ I could clear my schedule and stuff. I meanβ¦my duties for the day arenβt thatβ¦ How do I put thisβ¦?β He was stuttering a bit. As if this was their first meeting all over again.
βAs long as the place as good steak, why not. And no, Iβm not seeing anyone. Yet.β Lightning said, a seemingly mischievous glint in her eye. It seems he was still the man she knew. In some way.
Noctis smiled. She still loved a good steak. He regained his composure, his regal side showing. βYeah. Steak. I know a good place where we could dine together. Maybe youβll allow me to give you a tour of the Crown City?β
Lightning could not help but form a smile of her own. βIf His Majesty wouldnβt mind entertaining an old soldier, Iβd be honored.β
From the stairs, Carbuncle purred in content. βI love happy reunions.β
Lightning let out a sigh when she heard that adorable bark. βFirst, you need to explain whatβs with the furball.β
A chuckle escaped Noctis and he hugged her close. βSure, once we get to our date.β
Lightning was many things. She had been a soldier, the knight of a goddess and forced to take up the mantle as a savior. At one point in-between, she had been lovers with a princeβnow a king. But of all things she was not expecting despite all this, was to be surprised that she would end up reuniting with her old flame, and possibly reuniting with her friends and sister sooner than expected.
All thanks to a persistent ball of fluff.
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