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[ She perks up a bit. ] Oh, is that rare? I would have thought you'd be used to having your picture taken, even before Prompto, with how you use your magic...

[ Like some sort of look-at-the-royal-family's-magic type of publicity. ]

Uh... yes and no. I've had plenty of publicity shots and stuff, but not much for magic showcases. We were still kind of at war, and it would be bad if Niflheim found out I couldn't do what Dad or the Kingsglaive could. Most of my training was kept under wraps in the Citadel.

[He pauses, and then adds more thoughtfully,]

Guess in retrospect it's kind of moot- Drautos could've told them everything right from the get-go.

[ She's not sure who Drautos is... Someone who betrayed him, perhaps. But this is not the time to ask.

She scrounges up a segue. ]

Ah, I see... So. [ She brings a hand up to her chin. ] "Unfairly Handsome Prince Cares for a Chocobo"-- [ She eyes him. ]

Those were more of the headlines, weren't they?

[He grins at that, setting free a faint chuckle.]

Something along those lines, yeah. I'm sure somebody's saved a few over the years.

[Maybe Ignis, or his unfortunate high school fan club.]

[ Pyra would have unironically been a part of that fanclub. ]

It's a good title, don't you think? We could come up with one for you in Havenwell, too.

"Dazzling Man Still Top Scorer in King's Knight"...! [ Okay, so, she might be laying this on intentionally thick. ]

[Maybe a little thick, but somehow he doesn't mind. He's in a very good mood.]

That's the kind of reputation I want to hold on to. And what about you? If we're taking all these photos, it may as well be for a title or two.

N-Noct, you can't expect me to write a headline for myself...! [ She laughs, but she's definitely more curious as to what he'd put as a title! ]

Up to me then, huh.

[He leans back, arms crossing as he considers.]

How about... "Mysterious Magical Mechanic makes First Flying Motor"...

Oh....

[ Oh. She raises a brow. ] I'm mysterious?

You can be. I mean, there's plenty of people in town who know a lot less than I do about you.

[And he knows there's a lot she hasn't told him yet, which is fine! But there's little sense in denying it- everyone has secrets.]

People love mystery, anyway. Adds to the allure.

[ It's nice to be considered alluring (even jokingly) in relation to something that doesn't have to do with the alluring quality of her crystal or the power it promises.

(And also, here she thought a mystery to her would push people away.) ]

Mm... You're not going to publish the very, [ She leans closer to him, titling her head towards him. It's okay, they're still on autopilot. ] very classified way in which I made this car fly, are you?

It's a trade secret!

Considering I don't actually know the very classified way you made the car fly, I can't give anyone much intel.

[He's got the barest of barebone details at this point. She added wings? Did something to the controls? If he had to explain it he'd have to make up 90% of it.]

So your secret's safe with... you, technically.

[ She chuckles into her free hand. ]

A...ah. At this point, I wonder that if I was asked, I could say it was magic!

Is it not at least a little magic?

[He'd kind of assumed, actually. The only flying machines he's familiar with are literally called magitek, so...]

[ ...A good question, actually.

Still holding her hand, she settles back into her seat. ] In my world... I suppose it would be considered magic, too.

But to me, I understand it completely.

[ Not so much 'magic' to her, but colloquially, sure. ] How our world works... [ She pauses, thoughtful. ] I simply... know.

Huh... in that case, you're probably the only one who could reveal your trade secrets. Congrats on your newfound monopoly on the flying car industry.

[He can't help his curious look; for her to just know sounds incredibly useful. Maybe that's why she's always asking about other worlds? If she knows all about the nature of her own, it might be less interesting to talk about over ones she's never heard of...? Though she very clearly loves her home.]

[ Distracted by whatever thoughts are running through her mind, she doesn't catch his curious glance at first.

But she then glances at him and sees the look in his eyes. ] And what are you thinking about?

Ah... no, um. [He scratches at a cheek, looking sheepish at being caught.] I was just thinking, you ask a ton of questions about other worlds. Wondered if it had anything to do with you already knowing so much about your own.

[ It's time for his question to cause her to pause again in thought.

There are a few reasons why she asks after others' world. One is that... often, speaking of her own is simply too sad an event, and she can only do so in small amounts while maintaining her smile. She's gotten better at it, but only just recently. Since then, it's become a habit not to speak of her own. Another reason is that she is curious of others' worlds, and the reason for that primarily being-- ] ....Mm. [ Softly, then more firmly: ] Yes.

[ She looks out ahead of them, allowing the wind to flow freely through her cropped hair again. ] Ah, our world... [ Wistful, she smiles. ] I think of the way we made our world and then of others'. I often wonder who or what designed those forces in others' worlds, created those physics, imagined and then made real how a force would behave or not behave.... [ That a world could be without an initial creator doesn't occur to her-- but she would be equally flabbergasted to hear of it. ]

Like the energy here that's generated from touch. [ As they continue to fly, she continues to speak, her tone growing in anticipation and awe. This realm might just be one world, but she'd be speaking of another person's world with just as much awe. ] Which of the deities created that force and how it would behave? Or did it exist from this world's dawn of time, when there was no one to give touch? It's such a beautiful idea...

[He nods along with her as he listens, thoughtful. He can see the appeal. This world annoys and frustrates him plenty (at least a few times a month, 100%) but it's also given him plenty of opportunity for joy, for reunion. All the touches he's able to share with Pyra, hugging the father he thought he'd never see again, accepting the healing touch of an uncle he didn't know he had, hanging out with his friends shoulder to shoulder- it's a much gentler way to save the world than anything he's ever known before. A gentler sort of magic.]

I feel like that about you and your world sometimes too, y'know.

[Or maybe she doesn't know, and that's the problem.]

[ At that pulls slightly away, sacrificing some warmth in order to look up at him. He feels that way-- what way? The awe she has for other worlds? The quiet respect she has for other creators? The idea that other worlds are beautiful? ]

What... do you mean?

I mean... your world has some amazing stuff, too. You can share your power so easily. Your crystal can protect people- you can save someone's life with it. [She'd offered both to him; protection from death, protection from the chaos rolling around threateningly beneath the surface of his mind. He has yet to accept the offer, but that she could (and did) make it at all is significant on its own.] And don't think I haven't noticed that, um. Connection we get sometimes, in bed. [Oops, and he's blushing again.] Where it feels extra intense... that's... it's a lot, is all.

[Hastily he straightens up and gestures at the car, dodging past the somewhat embarrassing confession.]

Plus- look at what we're doing! You made this? And it's just something you can do in your world. Lucis isn't even close to flying tech, and the Niff dropships are slow and nowhere near this fancy. How could anybody not be impressed by that?

[ She stares at him in silence as he speaks about her, blushing faintly as well when he mentions their more intimate connections, but overall unable to say anything immediate in response.

Is this what it feels like when she comments on things others impress her by? A fluttering, fuzzy, fun feeling that's light and simultaneously humbled and proud within her chest?

It's strange to think, but she's never really been thanked for making anything in her own world. Then again, no mortal there truly knows what they call "Aegis" truly is; moreover, they'd first thank the Architect first without knowing better. And, truly, she never made anything, only caused more destruction... ]

[ She brings her free hand up to her cheek, feeling it warmed. It's probably pink from both embarrassment, shyness, and happiness. She's smiling softly. ]

Making things... I enjoy creating things for others. We're very proud of our world, too.

[ Even with all of its flaws. Maybe that's part of the reason why she wishes to see it thrive so much, or why she would sacrifice all for it. ]

Well, you should be. You've got some cool things going for you there.

[At least, most of what he's heard is pretty neat. That must count for something. And it's quickly becoming apparent that he does not compliment her enough, so... file that away as one more thing to fix.]

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