Burning Phoenix here, with Day 2: Fluff. Enjoy!
The word ‘strange’ 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 messenger’s way.
With a frustrated sigh, Lightning turned to face the fox-like creature. “What do you want? You’ve been following me around all day. And don’t think I don’t know what you are.”
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.
“Stop following me.” 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 couldn’t 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. “Why won’t you leave me alone?”
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.
“Is that you doing this?” Lightning demanded, frowning at the little messenger.
“No need to be so grumpy. Yes, it’s me. Hello, Lightning!”
“Whatever it is you want, you can forget it. I’m not up to being a pawn in any god’s game.” Lightning said, glaring directly at Carbuncle. The creature may be small but any mystical being was not to be underestimated. She knew from experience.
“No games or pawns. But I like your foresight!” Carbuncle barked.
Lightning frowned at the screen of her phone before looking down at the tiny furball. “What the hell are you, exactly?”
“I think you already know what I am. I could tell by the way your brows creased and your eyes narrowed.”
“The eidolons vanished from the world a while ago. So why do you exist, and how?” 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.
Carbuncle’s squeaky bark, and the beeping of her cellphone, brought Lightning back to reality. “Close! I’m kinda flattered you think I’m on such a high level, but I’m not an eidolon. I’m a Messenger! The name’s Carbuncle.”
“What’s the difference?” She huffed.
“Around here, there is a difference. But I’m not here to debate on that! I’m here to pick you up!”
Lightning was slightly taken aback by the odd response. “Pick me up? I don’t remember asking for a cab service from an eidolon… Messenger. Especially some furball.”
Carbuncle did not seem the least bit upset or offended, and instead just barked again, sounding a little hopeful.
“Favor for a friend. You match the exact description of someone I’ve heard so much about, and I’m rarely wrong! Besides, I doubt there’s many with the exact same looks as you.”
“You’d be surprised…” 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.
“Either way, I’m here to bring you to Insomnia. You’re on your way there, right? So am I! Might as well walk together, right? Makes things easier.”
Lightning scoffed at the messenger. “A little late to be saying that; considering you’ve been following since I got down from the train. And I’m sure you have the wrong person.”
“That temper of yours was part of the description, so I’m sure I got the right person. Though you do seem more carefree now.”
“I was until some fox with a horn on its head decided to follow me like some stray dog.”
“Not fond of the higher power, I see. I understand. That must have been some journey, huh? I’m sure glad you managed to make it this far into your new life; now maybe you can continue where things left off! I’m pretty excited myself!” Carbuncle barked and pranced a bit, its long, fluffy tail wagging a bit.
“You act as if you know me. Carbuncle, was it? I’ve heard the name before, but that Carbuncle wasn’t some miniature messenger, and I certainly don’t recall an eidolon as fuzzy as you are. Not where I came from, at least.” Lightning considered herself to have a good memory, and she knew no eidolon or fal’Cie that took the form of a furry, teal fox with a horn.
“You’re right; I don’t know you. Not personally anyway. I only know you from what I’ve heard and been told! I was hoping you convince you to pay a visit. And since you’re off to the Crown City, this makes things easier. Good thing you decided to get a phone too; I like practicality.”
“Since when did eidolons need phones?”
“Messenger. And it’s just me, really. Nobody else. They’ve all gone.”
“Then why are you still around?” Lightning questioned.
“To be honest…I’m not entirely sure. But I like to believe it’s because I managed to earn my keep and will continue to do so.”
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 Lightning’s phone in her pocket.
“I’m glad you decided to come to Insomnia. I’ve been looking forward to properly meeting you. And I know someone else who’d be more than happy to see you again.”
Lightning sighed but kept walking. “You keep saying that. Who exactly is this person you’re referring to?”
“I can’t exactly forget somebody I never met in the first place.” She shrugged, sparing a glance at Carbuncle.
“Well I know you definitely know this guy! Just come with me and you’ll see!”
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.
“Tell me something; can these people see you, or not?” She narrowed her eyes at her unwanted company.
“Well I never really paid attention. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. Either way, follow me! I promise you won’t regret it!”
Lightning crossed her arms and grunted. “I’m starting to.”
“The 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 rekindle…” Carbuncle barked cheerfully as it pranced ahead.
“Are 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 you’d go out of your way to ‘pick me up’ from the station.” By now, she was getting tired of these riddles. Lightning could not believe she was being outfoxed by some…fox.
“Please be patient and you will see.”
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!”
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. “Come on in. Don’t worry, you won’t cause any trouble.”
“I have a feeling simply walking into some kind of official building through the guards’ entrance while the guards are oddly missing, is exact opposite of ‘not’ causing trouble.” 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.
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.
“… I’m actually not sure myself,” Lightning admitted and glanced at Carbuncle.
“Tell him your name. Trust me on this.” 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. “I’m…Lightning. Lightning Farron. And I have absolutely no idea why I’m even here.”
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 with…a unique hair color, he could tell she was indeed confused. Suddenly her words clicked in his head.
“Pardon me, but did you say ‘Lightning’?” He asked carefully.
“Did I stutter?” 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 woman’s rose-colored hair and her blue eyes. These factors did not escape Ignis’ notice. Not that they were easy to ignore.
“Well then, Miss. If I may be so bold; please follow me.” 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. “That’s Ignis. He’s a friend. He’ll take you where you’ll want to go. This sure is exciting!”
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 she’s 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. “I’m unsure how you managed to find your way here, and quite frankly, I’m surprised to see you in the flesh. I admit I thought you were a figment of the imagination.”
“That’s…a weird thing to say to someone you just met.” Lightning commented.
Ignis nodded in acknowledgement and pushed his glasses “My apologies. Not to worry though. I’m aware of what happened, and I’m sure you’re eager to catch up as well.”
“Catch up? You act as if you know me, and you haven’t introduced yourself.” 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?
“Again, I apologies. Ahem. I am Ignis Stupeo Scientia; I am royal advisor to our king.” He said politely.
Lightning gave him a dubious look. “King? A city this advanced and civilized still need age old traditions and leaders like kings?”
“Your words confirm my suspicions that you’re not from Insomnia. Or Lucis for that matter,” Ignis said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose again.
“That’s an understatement…” Lightning’s mind spoke. “No. I’m not. I just got here, actually. And somehow I wound up…here. I’m not even sure why.”
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.
“Hey Noct! I’m back! You won’t believe who’s here!”
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; she’d 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 rather…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. “Hey little guy! There you are.”
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.
“Look who’s here! Someone way back when! Isn’t it great?”
“I’m sure you two would want to talk and catch up on all the things you missed out on!”
“Don’t just stand there! Say hello!”
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.
“Can’t be… Is that you, Lightning?”
That voice. It sounded so familiar, and she’d 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. “Light!”
Carbuncle got off his shoulder and sat on the top stair to watch the two comrades reunite.
“What are you doing here? How are you here?” Nocits questioned, unable to believe his former war buddy was standing right before his eyes.
Lightning smiled ironically. “If I knew that, I would have told you I was dropping by.”
He let out a laugh at that. “I haven’t seen you since…well since the whole deal with Materia and Spiritus!”
Lightning nodded in agreement. “Yeah. Been a long time, huh? Literally decades, or even centuries ago.”
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.
“You look great, by the way. Uh…nice outfit.” Noctis complimented, still smiling and happy that an old friend was alive and well.
Lightning chuckled. “And you look…different.”
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 look—which Lightning had grown rather fond of—and 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.
“I guess. A lot has happened…” The king trailed off, growing solemn for a moment.
“I know. A lot has happened on my end as well,” 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. “But hey, looks like we both made it. I bet your world issues were solved.”
“Yeah, 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 got…side-tracked.” She glared over Noctis’ shoulder, at Carbuncle.
He seemed surprised. “You know Carbuncle?”
Lightning scoffed in response. “Barely.”
Noctis rubbed the back of his neck. “So…you pretty much just got back after finishing off unfinished business…?”
She nodded. “Yeah. And I ended up here. In this building. And looking at you, it looks like you’ve…basically gone through shit.”
He let out a laugh. “Yeah, though I missed a whole ten years of it.”
His words caught Lightning’s attention. “… Ten years. How old are you?”
Nocis was taken aback. “Uh…I know it’s rude to ask a woman her age, but isn’t it still kinda rude to ask a guy that too? Kinda?”
“I mean it, Noct.” She gave him a look. One that was all too familiar to him when she was being serious.
“I’m…I guess I’m thirty now.”
“Wow. You really did get older.” Lightning smirked teasingly.
Noctis flushed at the comment. “Hey! But…yeah. Crystal sleep and all that.” He wasn’t sure what exactly she was hoping to hear from him.
Lightning nodded, expression slightly downcast. “I know how that feels, believe it or not. Twice, or maybe thrice.”
“And you? How old are you? It’s only fair I ask you since you asked me.” The last time they met they had been in their twenties, with Lightning having one year over him.
The former savior paused to think. “Right, 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.”
“Uh…what?” Noctis shook his head a bit, feeling confused.
“I guess, chronologically, I’m actually…five-hundred-and-twenty-one.” Lightning said finally, not at all phased by her war buddy’s reaction.
Noctis was silent for a long moment before he slowly reached out to hold her hand. “I guess we have a lot to talk about huh? I-I mean if you want to! And if you’re looking for your friends, I can have send some people to search for them and let them know you’re keeping an eye out..!”
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 still…
Lightning sighed and took his hand back. Despite Noctis becoming more…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.
“Thanks, I appreciate the extra set of eyes. And I got nothing but time on my hands.” 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.
“You know…I was kinda wondering if you’re still…available…?” 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. “Why? You had anything planned for the day?”
“Well, uh… I could clear my schedule and stuff. I mean…my duties for the day aren’t that… How do I put this…?” He was stuttering a bit. As if this was their first meeting all over again.
“As long as the place as good steak, why not. And no, I’m not seeing anyone. Yet.” 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. “Yeah. Steak. I know a good place where we could dine together. Maybe you’ll allow me to give you a tour of the Crown City?”
Lightning could not help but form a smile of her own. “If His Majesty wouldn’t mind entertaining an old soldier, I’d be honored.”
From the stairs, Carbuncle purred in content. “I love happy reunions.”
Lightning let out a sigh when she heard that adorable bark. “First, you need to explain what’s with the furball.”
A chuckle escaped Noctis and he hugged her close. “Sure, once we get to our date.”
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 prince—now 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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