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[He pauses, quietly thinking that over for a long moment, then closes his eyes and nods, subtly leaning into her hands. Right... okay. She'd seen a different vision than him, with Ardyn- witnessed more than just death and dawn, but a flicker of him, who he was in that future. Like before, he doesn't need or want great detail. A vague reassurance... did he speak? Did he sound and act like himself? If he's still recognizable after a decade in the Crystal, with those visions and memories mingling with his own...

"Enter into Reflection-"

So maybe... that reflection isn't just about the world's past, but his own, too. He can live with that. It isn't so frightening.]

Right... okay. [Inhale, exhale. He can manage this, somehow. Just another set of voices to learn how to manage, like learning when to listen to and when to ignore the ring. That's fine.

Opening his eyes, he musters a tentative smile.] If it's a new recipe, we should at least sit down and try it while it's hot. Don't know if I'll ever reproduce it.

[Looking at it, he honestly doesn't know what he did to make that, even with some ingredients spread across the counter. It would be silly to waste it when it does smell tasty, and intended or not, he'd made it for her.]

[ Time to enjoy whatever he’s made. Regardless of the origin of this breakfast pastry, she’s able to enjoy breakfast with him. Pyra parts from Noctis, giving him one more glance before she moves over to the counter to begin serving them both, a generous portion for him and another for her. The cake-like meal unfolds with aromatic steam as she slices the pieces with a knife, revealing the rich golden dough within. ]

It would be a waste to ignore perfectly good, freshly baked breakfast...

[ She hands him his plate with a smile, taking a seat at the table to sample her first bite.

..... ]

Oh, ......that’s good. [ She looks up at him. ] That’s really good.

It’s like you secretly became a pro-baker overnight. [ Maybe that’s where the memory came from, a pro baker. Or maybe a mother preparing breakfast for her children. ] Just how magical are you?

[Noctis helps himself to a couple of bites, grateful for the distraction, though the recipe itself is still an unsolved puzzle.]

Not magical enough to remember the name, looks like. I have no idea what this is.

[She's right, though- even with the often-weird replicated ingredients, it is pretty tasty.]

Any guesses? Or should we just name it ourselves. "The Inexplicable Breakfast Pie of Eos".

It’s.... like a popover, only larger to me. [ Not a fun name, so— ]

But I like that name better. [ She helps herself to another bite. ] Breakfast pie, as recreated by Chef Lucis Caelum.

[ Try as she might to keep the mood lighter, though, she continues to wonder about the influence these memories have upon him... ] Even if you hadn’t made this, it’s sweet of you to make our breakfast. Thank you.

Kind of unusual, right?

[His expression is somewhat in conflict between the lingering unease and a bit of pride in such a simple accomplishment, but the pride is winning out right now. He likes being praised by his girlfriend, so sue him.]

Couldn't get back to sleep for once. I figured if I was gonna be up anyway, I might as well do something useful. Maybe some dream brought along an inspiration to bake, who knows.

[Certainly not him, and it's not like Bahamut's on speed dial.]

[ She wants to talk about this! But she doesn’t want to ruin wonderful breakfast pie with a sour topic, not if he doesn’t want to. ]

And you... don’t remember your dreams all that often, do you? Perhaps next time you’ll wake up with the a new talent— like playing a new instrument.

That one sounds like it'd be more frustrating than good. We don't have instruments lying around.

[Unless it was drums. You can use pretty much anything for drums.

And he's... tentative? It's an innocuous enough subject, just with a vaguely discomforting undertone. Like he's got some upload link of historical data and skills from years past. That's... the potential for messy is strong for that concept.]

[ She continues to tread carefully around the subject. ]

...Oh, that reminds me. [ Forgetting her manners, she waves her fork at him. ] I've still yet to hear you play piano.

[ Because, he did mention it one time that he does play! Ignis plays the same instrument, too, she recalls. Perhaps they could even pick up playing together again, if they have the chance. ]

Oh, right. I forgot about that.

[His sheepish expression kind of implies that he'd hoped she would forget, too.]

Is there even a piano somewhere in town?

[ ...That expression, though. Her brow raises. ]

I'm guessing it's been a very long while. Are you worried about picking it up again?

Kinda, yeah. It's been years, and even when I played it's not like music was ever a focus for me.

[He lifts his hand, flexing his fingers a few times.]

I started playing with Luna, and for a while I kept it up for physio. One more angle in getting mobility back, back practice for sitting up straight... that sort of thing. Once I got into real training, and I didn't know when I'd see Luna again, it was more of a waste of time.

[ Ah. ]

Would you want to try playing again? [ Although she wouldn't mind hearing him play, she wouldn't want to push a suggested new hobby to him if he truly isn't interested.

And besides, even video games can technically increase one's dexterity and hand-eye coordination with gaining mobility, too.

However. Luna is here. And so is Ignis. ]

Hm.

[Does he want to... a fair question, and not really one he's considered much even since the subject was brought up months before.]

I'm kinda ambivalent? It's not a passion or anything, but I don't hate it. If you really want to hear me play, it's no big deal to give it a try.

[She's interested enough to ask more than once, so... even if it's a little embarrassing, should he fumble through it, he's willing to try it to show her.]

Just once, though. And no audience!

[ Interested? Bingo. She lights up, quickly asking-- ]

--What about recording you?

[ She'll treasure it forever....! ]

[.....hrngh....]

If you promise not to show anybody. And if it's too embarrassing I get to delete it.

[ Immediately, responding in order: ] I promise! And no!

[ Oops she probably meant to say 'yes' as in, yes you can delete it, but in such an excited state... the truth slips out. ]

[HOW SUSPICIOUS.]

....Nope. No deal.

[ She's already clapped a hand over her mouth at her impromptu outburst, but at his refusal, that hand lowers, and she promptly backpedals. ]

--Ah, wait... no, I mean, yes! I'll delete it!

[He lifts both hands, forming two fingers into an X.]

There will be no recording devices allowed at tonight's performance.

[ She pouts, although at this point she's exaggerating a bit. ]

Ooh, no fair.

I think you'll live. Just cherish the memory forever in your heart.

[He's trying (and failing) not to smirk over his victory.]

[ And should he ever vanish from this world before she does? That's just what she'll have to do. Softly, ]

You know I will.

[ Maybe they can recreate the memory within Elysium. That's a way around it--...

More playfully, ] Buuut, I know you're open to bribes.

What about a cake?

A cake for a recording of me playing the piano?

[It's... not a no.]

[ She nods, not intending to leave a bribe at just any cake. ] Three layers. Angel white, a glossy, mirror chocolate pour for the icing... and with a fluffy, chocolate-raspberry mousse filling in between.

[ She eyes him expectantly. Well?? Does she have a deal? ]

[....

Oh no.

Oh no, that actually sounds really good.]

You want to record it that badly?

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