I have to apologize for Hellachopper. He's easily excitable and agitated on a good day; you can understand why he might've been particularly set on edge with all that was happening. But it isn't much of an excuse. I'll be sure to keep a closer eye on him from now on.
I hope so. You'll be willing to start fresh where first impressions are concerned, on all accounts?
Hellachopper. He certainly lives up to his name, doesn't he? No one was injured, and that's really the best that could have been hoped for.
[ugh look he'll try. he's still so unimpressed with connor but HE'S TRYING. FOR NOCT....]
Of course. Especially because I'm sure we'll all be seeing more of each other, given our various connections with Noctis. Given a less dramatic scenario, I'm certain that things would go far more smoothly.
He does live up to the name more than I'd like. He was originally created to fight in arena competitions. Sometimes he finds it difficult to overlook those tenets of his ingrained programming.
[Especially being rudimentary AI, perhaps it’s even harder to ignore.]
And good. I’d like that, and I appreciate your willingness to be open-minded.
[This man seems to have a good head on his shoulders; that is, when he’s not banging on their front door, demanding to be let in.]
You’re Noctis’ friend, of course, so that doesn’t bear repeating. But may I ask what your connection to him was beyond that?
[Again, there's a bit of a pause before the response comes. Trying to sort and organize the response, decide just how to answer. He could be blunt and formal and to the point, but--
Well. Markus, despite the situation, was a very composed, reasonable person. He had a sort of grace to the way he spoke and carried himself. Ignis can understand why Noctis may have felt safe and cared for there, loathe as he is to admit it. So he clearly can have the full truth.]
Officially, I'm an adviser to the crown. My role is to ensure Noctis has everything he may need at his disposal, and provide the support and knowledge base he may need to be successful, to assist with the burden of ruling.
In actuality, we were raised alongside one another. I was asked by his father to stay by his side and support him, and I've sworn to do so. He's a brother to me- one I've tried to look after for sixteen years now. And while he may be occasionally insolent or apathetic-appearing or outright lazy-- he's a strong, caring individual. He yearns to do what's right and help the people in front of him. And I want to help him achieve that.
[He could have given Markus an official explanation, and it would've sufficed. But Ignis delves deeper, offers something more personal, and it provides further illumination of his relationship with Noctis.
More reasoning why he had been so anxious to find him, to make sure that he was all right, and to be unwilling to trust that he would be safe with a pair of strangers he was unfamiliar with. It's context, and Markus deeply appreciates it, because being in possession of such an empathetic heart, it's difficult to not simply... understand why he acted so fiercely that day.
It's strange how easily the air can be cleared via calm and considerate communication alone.]
I view Noctis as someone with a strong heart, even if the weight of his responsibilities make it easy for self-doubt to creep in. But I've seen his steadiness, warmth, and caring just as prominently. And I owe him very much; he's the one who helped me after an unfortunate encounter with a UNA solider.
That being said, I'm glad that he has others from home to support him when he needs it. From what you've just told me, you're practically his family. I think that's important to have in this place. A small amount of stability when it seems like the world has none. Important and irreplaceable.
This might sound presumptuous, but I don't mean to be. I only want to say one thing: just because Noctis seeks out the company of others, or might need some time away, I don't think you need to view it as... a dilution of your importance to him. Of your role in his life.
[Because Markus remembers the look on Ignis' face when he was turned away at the door by the young king himself. It's difficult to forget, having left its mark on memory.]
[He hates how personal this conversation suddenly feels. But it's his own fault: he'd ventured out to openly and honestly answer Markus's question. And so he has to accept the response given.
It's perfectly reasonable- that Noctis would need more. That he could grasp for closer relationships than he already had, and that it wouldn't impact or lessen his previous ones in any real way. But for years, Noctis hadn't reached out for friendship- not until Prompto had wormed his way into his life.]
I'm glad you have such a positive impression of him. And I'm not surprised he assisted you. He's incredibly selfless, when you really get down to it.
Thank you for your understanding.
[He's not sure what else to add. It's so incredibly personal, and he's so unused to sharing that outwardly. It's very... kind. Or Markus to venture out and say those things. But he doesn't trust himself with knowing how to graciously respond due to the sheer depth of it, to avoid overwhelming the man.]
[Markus doesn’t need more than that. His point being made, the android is always willing to pry more deeply into the thoughts and emotions of others — but only if allowed. He doesn’t overstep bounds, only sometimes gently pushing, but never careening headfirst into uncomfortable territory.
So Ignis’ reply, polite as it is, is hardly disappointing. If nothing else, it marks the start of a more amicable relationship between himself and his one-time home intruder.]
Of course. Thank you for your honest answer, by the way.
If you need anything, like I said, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m sure we’ll talk to each other again soon.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I hope so. You'll be willing to start fresh where first impressions are concerned, on all accounts?
[Because that definitely includes Connor.]
no subject
[ugh look he'll try. he's still so unimpressed with connor but HE'S TRYING. FOR NOCT....]
Of course. Especially because I'm sure we'll all be seeing more of each other, given our various connections with Noctis. Given a less dramatic scenario, I'm certain that things would go far more smoothly.
no subject
[Especially being rudimentary AI, perhaps it’s even harder to ignore.]
And good. I’d like that, and I appreciate your willingness to be open-minded.
[This man seems to have a good head on his shoulders; that is, when he’s not banging on their front door, demanding to be let in.]
You’re Noctis’ friend, of course, so that doesn’t bear repeating. But may I ask what your connection to him was beyond that?
no subject
Well. Markus, despite the situation, was a very composed, reasonable person. He had a sort of grace to the way he spoke and carried himself. Ignis can understand why Noctis may have felt safe and cared for there, loathe as he is to admit it. So he clearly can have the full truth.]
Officially, I'm an adviser to the crown. My role is to ensure Noctis has everything he may need at his disposal, and provide the support and knowledge base he may need to be successful, to assist with the burden of ruling.
In actuality, we were raised alongside one another. I was asked by his father to stay by his side and support him, and I've sworn to do so. He's a brother to me- one I've tried to look after for sixteen years now. And while he may be occasionally insolent or apathetic-appearing or outright lazy-- he's a strong, caring individual. He yearns to do what's right and help the people in front of him. And I want to help him achieve that.
no subject
More reasoning why he had been so anxious to find him, to make sure that he was all right, and to be unwilling to trust that he would be safe with a pair of strangers he was unfamiliar with. It's context, and Markus deeply appreciates it, because being in possession of such an empathetic heart, it's difficult to not simply... understand why he acted so fiercely that day.
It's strange how easily the air can be cleared via calm and considerate communication alone.]
I view Noctis as someone with a strong heart, even if the weight of his responsibilities make it easy for self-doubt to creep in. But I've seen his steadiness, warmth, and caring just as prominently. And I owe him very much; he's the one who helped me after an unfortunate encounter with a UNA solider.
That being said, I'm glad that he has others from home to support him when he needs it. From what you've just told me, you're practically his family. I think that's important to have in this place. A small amount of stability when it seems like the world has none. Important and irreplaceable.
This might sound presumptuous, but I don't mean to be. I only want to say one thing: just because Noctis seeks out the company of others, or might need some time away, I don't think you need to view it as... a dilution of your importance to him. Of your role in his life.
[Because Markus remembers the look on Ignis' face when he was turned away at the door by the young king himself. It's difficult to forget, having left its mark on memory.]
no subject
It's perfectly reasonable- that Noctis would need more. That he could grasp for closer relationships than he already had, and that it wouldn't impact or lessen his previous ones in any real way. But for years, Noctis hadn't reached out for friendship- not until Prompto had wormed his way into his life.]
I'm glad you have such a positive impression of him. And I'm not surprised he assisted you. He's incredibly selfless, when you really get down to it.
Thank you for your understanding.
[He's not sure what else to add. It's so incredibly personal, and he's so unused to sharing that outwardly. It's very... kind. Or Markus to venture out and say those things. But he doesn't trust himself with knowing how to graciously respond due to the sheer depth of it, to avoid overwhelming the man.]
no subject
So Ignis’ reply, polite as it is, is hardly disappointing. If nothing else, it marks the start of a more amicable relationship between himself and his one-time home intruder.]
Of course. Thank you for your honest answer, by the way.
If you need anything, like I said, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m sure we’ll talk to each other again soon.