this place might of been pretty, if there weren’t people counting on him back home. it’s hard to enjoy the snow with the weight of their star sitting upon his shoulders; with the weight of the ring in his jacket pocket; the weight of the engine blade in his hands — unable to be dismissed back into the arsenal.
there’s a thought, not-so-fleeting, that maybe his ancestors have decided enough is enough and merely stripped him of the caelum magic. wouldn’t that be the cherry on top?
a bark breaks the serene picture the winter landscape was trying to paint. the dog that rushes up to him is familiar — umbra. even in the cold weather, he’s panting and wearing what might very well be a smile.
" Hey, boy.. " noctis knelt in front of umbra with the ghost of a smile and provided him with some overdue scratches behind the ear. " Been a while since I've seen you. “ the messenger barks and wags his tail, tapping his paws excitedly in the snow. “ What’re you doing.. “ but before he could finish his sentence, umbra turns and trots off towards someone else. noctis’ eyes follow the dog, trailing up and up until he sees just who he’s with.
" Luna.. " his voice, barely above a whisper, cracks under some unseen pressure.