nyx "loud horny peacock" ulric (
warpspammer) wrote2020-09-17 12:02 pm
the one au where everyone's adopted and nothing hurts
OVERVIEW:
- Kingsglaive Nyx Ulric, Crowe Altius and Libertus Ostium are present as newly minted 'glaives on the Tenebrae mission.
- Regis attempts to stop Glauca from slaying Oracle Queen Sylva, which results in both their deaths, as well as that of Clarus Amicitia.
- In a panic Nyx, Crowe and Libertus take Prince Noctis, Lunafreya and Ravus with them and get them out of Fenestala Manor.
- With the death of Regis and the claiming of the Ring, the fall of the Wall, and Noctis' whereabouts unknown, Glauca leads a force into Insomnia.
- Cor Leonis manages to get Ignis Scientia, Gladio and Iris Amicitia, and his own (adopted) son Prompto out of Insomnia before the rout becomes too great. In the meanwhile, the Imperials claim the Crystal and occupy Insomnia.
- King Regis Lucis Caelum and his son Noctis are pronounced dead by the empire.
- Cor relocates the four children to Cape Caem, which is still an unknown location to the Imperials. Dustin Ackers and Monica Elshett survive, but move to more populated locations to try and coordinate resistance efforts.
- Nyx, Libertus and Crowe make their way back to Lucis via ground and train. They disguise Noctis, Lunafreya, and Ravus as Galahdian children, cutting and braiding their hair (and having Luna and Ravus dye theirs).
- FIVE YEARS PASS. MUCH HIDING, MANY FERAL AND SURVIVING OFF THE LAND. Cor works towards getting information to take back Insomnia, believing both King and Prince dead (until the return of his armiger at some indeterminate point). He raises the three other children alongside his own in the manner of hunters.
- Nyx, Libertus and Crowe informally adopt the three royals into their fold, teaching them how to hunt and track. They generally avoid settlements out of a fear of the children being recognized. Lunafreya informs them of the prophecy and destiny of both Oracle and Chosen King. All three agree there must be another way to defeat the Accursed.
- Travelling from haven to haven, the Galahdians come upon Cape Caem. Assuming it abandoned, they attempt to make away with supplies and come face to face with Cor again.
(This requires some changing of ages, aging the Galahdian trio up a bit)
- Kingsglaive Nyx Ulric, Crowe Altius and Libertus Ostium are present as newly minted 'glaives on the Tenebrae mission.
- Regis attempts to stop Glauca from slaying Oracle Queen Sylva, which results in both their deaths, as well as that of Clarus Amicitia.
- In a panic Nyx, Crowe and Libertus take Prince Noctis, Lunafreya and Ravus with them and get them out of Fenestala Manor.
- With the death of Regis and the claiming of the Ring, the fall of the Wall, and Noctis' whereabouts unknown, Glauca leads a force into Insomnia.
- Cor Leonis manages to get Ignis Scientia, Gladio and Iris Amicitia, and his own (adopted) son Prompto out of Insomnia before the rout becomes too great. In the meanwhile, the Imperials claim the Crystal and occupy Insomnia.
- King Regis Lucis Caelum and his son Noctis are pronounced dead by the empire.
- Cor relocates the four children to Cape Caem, which is still an unknown location to the Imperials. Dustin Ackers and Monica Elshett survive, but move to more populated locations to try and coordinate resistance efforts.
- Nyx, Libertus and Crowe make their way back to Lucis via ground and train. They disguise Noctis, Lunafreya, and Ravus as Galahdian children, cutting and braiding their hair (and having Luna and Ravus dye theirs).
- FIVE YEARS PASS. MUCH HIDING, MANY FERAL AND SURVIVING OFF THE LAND. Cor works towards getting information to take back Insomnia, believing both King and Prince dead (until the return of his armiger at some indeterminate point). He raises the three other children alongside his own in the manner of hunters.
- Nyx, Libertus and Crowe informally adopt the three royals into their fold, teaching them how to hunt and track. They generally avoid settlements out of a fear of the children being recognized. Lunafreya informs them of the prophecy and destiny of both Oracle and Chosen King. All three agree there must be another way to defeat the Accursed.
- Travelling from haven to haven, the Galahdians come upon Cape Caem. Assuming it abandoned, they attempt to make away with supplies and come face to face with Cor again.
(This requires some changing of ages, aging the Galahdian trio up a bit)

@immortalmarshal
Which meant that Libertus, Ravus and Nyx were turning their focus towards the land. It'd be easy to swing by Lestallum to pick up supplies they were starting to lack - but that meant roads, which meant Imperial patrols. They could send one of the glaives in instead to hopefully pass by unmolested, but they were all loathe to split up. It was Ravus who'd spotted the old lighthouse, and the ramshackle house nearby. Hopefully abandoned, but they'd all, by this point, stolen from the occasional house or garden to make ends meet.
Which meant, once darkness fell, they'd gone creeping up the side of the cliff to see if there was anything to be had. Someone was staying here - someone with a hell of a garden, and vegetables were in short supply for them.
Someone with a penchant for traps, unfortunately. It was Noctis who got caught in one, and then there was the sound of someone in the house. Lunafreya couldn't get Noctis out, which meant Nyx and Libertus were going to have to deal with whomever might be about to see them.
They weren't intending to kill them, but then there was the flash of a long sword, which meant that Nyx was pulling out his kukri's. It was only when Libertus barely blocked a powerful swing with his axe that Nyx realized the shape of the person wielding it.
Nyx's "Marshal?!" rang out across the darkened field like a gunshot, halting all movement, until Crowe had the damn sense to nudge Lunafreya and the girl raised her hand, casting the field in bright, white light.
Time for shocking reunions
Like tonight, it seems. Cor had heard the yowl of pain, and was more than willing to be out there first with blade in hand. Good thing, too, since these would-be thieves were armed. But they were only a few blows in when someone actually recognized him. He froze, slowly backing away with his katana raised as if expecting to be surrounded by imperials - or worse, MTs...
But then came light - golden light glowing from a young lass' hands, and it quickly became obvious that these were not imperials, but Galahdian scavengers. Cor looks warily at them for a moment longer, and then his brain catches up to him. "...Magic? You actually have magic? How...?" He seems stunned as he lowers the blade, examining their faces more closely. The only two lines to have emagic were fully killed off five years ago...were they? And if so, how in the Six did a group of Galahdians came to have it? Could the older ones be remnants of the Kingsglaives, perhaps...?
shock and awe!
Nyx swallows quickly, keeping his blades out but speaking up.
"We're Kingsglaive, sir. We were with the King on the mission to Tenebrae-" he starts to explain, but there's someone else with them who definitely remembers Cor. And it's why, once Ravus has Noctis freed, that there's the flash-pop of a warp, and then arms flinging themselves around the Marshal's waist.
"Cor!" And that's definitely the Prince of Insomnia, Noctis Lucis Caelum. His hair's been shaved on the sides and there's braids and beads cascading down his shoulders - but even that does little to hide the truth of who he is.
"... reports of the Prince's death have been greatly exaggerated," Libertus finishes up for Nyx with a gruff tone. "As well as the Oracle's kids."
no subject
But then came the last noise he expected to hear - the flash-pop of warping, the voice of a now-older Noctis as he's hugging him. "--Noct?! You're--how--?" His blade drops as he instinctively hugs his long-lost 'nephew'. For there's no way this could be any kind of fraud posing as Noctis, not when the warp alone is proof enough.
"...Astrals," he nearly sobs in relief, feeling as if there's a tensity in his heart that is finally loosening. "When there was no proof to counter the Imperials' claims, I...I thought you really..." In the back of his mind, he knows now that the girl with the light may very well be the missing daughter of the Oracle, Lunafreya. Could the younger man be her brother, then...?
no subject
Noctis clings harder to Cor. It's Nyx who answers this time, as Crowe and the others move in closer. "The king had asked us to watch over the children. When Glauca attacked he ordered us to get them away," Nyx explains.
"They lost their powers when Dad died," Noctis mumbles into Cor's chest. "I couldn't figure out how to..."
"We had bigger things to worry about than getting that back," Crowe finally says, reminding Noctis of an old argument.
"We got them out of Tenebrae by disguising them," Nyx agrees, gesturing to Lunafreya and Ravus, and the red-brown dye in their hair. "But by the time we got back into Lucis, Insomnia was already occupied..."
"Without the crystal, the arms, or the ring, there was little we had in order to work on fulfilling the prophecy," Lunafreya murmurs, while Nyx and Ravus express simultaneous noises of annoyance about the prophecy coming up again.
no subject
"I can help you there," Cor reassures his dear 'nephew'. "I've witnessed it enough times to know the basics, and I managed to snag a few books from the royal archives that might help you get a better grasp of your magic." He huffs and adds, "Carbuncle wouldn't let me leave Regis' study until I took them..." At the time, he didn't question the Messenger's insistence, being in such a hurry to grab any and everything he thinks he would need to preserve while fleeing with four kids in tow. Now, he's grateful that he did...
He raises an eyebrow at the mention of the Prophecy - though it was more to Nyx's and Ravus' reactions than anything else. "We can discuss that later, young lady - much later. For now...may I know your names, Glaives? So that I don't accidentally call you by the wrong one later on..." His tone is immensely grateful to the three Glaives, as well as relieved. Thanks to these three, there's still hope left in this bleak world...
no subject
Noctis, meanwhile, leans into Cor more when he hears Cor can help him. He adores the three that are taking care of him, but they're not familiar with the magic beyond using it, for a short period of time.
"I'm glad he didn't," Noctis says after a second, a small smile on his face. He draws back slightly, not far but in order to look at the three glaives and Lunafreya and Ravus - his little found family.
Nyx, meanwhile, seems ill at ease a little - like he's not sure how to handle having to deal with all the formality suddenly thrust back upon him.
"Nyx Ulric, sir," he says after a second. "Libertus Ostium," his brother adds, raising his hand and hooking the axe back onto his belt. "Crowe Altius," Crowe finishes it off, the only one of them who moves forward to offer her hand to Cor.
"And I'm sure you've figured that out, but this is Lunafreya and Ravus Nox Fleuret," Nyx adds, gesturing to the two older teenagers in their care. Lunafreya bows slightly to Cor and Ravus imitates her a moment later.
"Sorry about, uh, trying to steal from your garden? Not like we've had a lot of options these last five years," Nyx tries.
no subject
He huffs at the apology, finally letting go of Noctis if only to step back and sheathe his blade by his side. "I presume you were avoiding even the Hunters, then? Regardless, you're forgiven. It's a good thing you didn't try for the cabbages first - Prompto tends to put his more experimental traps over there..." There's a touch of pride in his voice on that last bit, the kind that only a father would have over his child's genius creations.
no subject
"I think it might be a good idea if we stick together," He murmurs. "Noctis has been looking for you for awhile - as well as the others."
The comment about the hunters, though, has all three of the glaives exchanging glances.
"...Do you know who General Glauca is?" Libertus asks after a moment, his expression pained. "There's a reason we couldn't trust anyone even if they claimed to be affiliated with the king."
But Noctis is derailing the conversation, looking more excited. "Prompto's the one who set the traps?" he asks, eyes bright. He and Cor's son had been close before he'd had to go to Tenebrae.
no subject
"If I had realized that he was still alive sooner, I probably would've sent out some kind of message - likely thru the Messengers - to try and reach you sooner..."
The apology's cut off, however, at the mention of Glauca. A dark, furious look clouds over Cor's face, remembering very well that it was that monster who slaughtered his brothers-in-arms and the Oracle. "No, though the underground resistance is working on finding out. They're getting close, last I heard from them, but he's not making it easy for anyone outside of the upper imperial ranks to know."
The turn around to Prompto does lighten the mood, and that dark look is replaced with a warmer smile. "Yeah, he did. Wanted to help keep us all safe from the first month of our stay here, so it ended up helping us catch some rabbits and other intruders. He's here, of course, along with Ignis, Gladio, and Iris - Gladio's sister." He then looks at the others and explains. "Gladio and Iris are the Lord Shield's children - the former is technically Noct's Shield - and Ignis is Noct's Advisor-in-training. I've been raising them here with my son for the last five years, doing my best to teach them everything they needed to know while keeping them safe."
And then the screen door opens, showing a 15-year-old teenage boy with glasses and suspenders poking his head out. He seems to be carrying a butcher's knife in his hand the same way Nyx carries his kukris. "I hate to interrupt," the lad speaks calmly, as if keeping his emotions in check, "but might we not continue this inside?"
no subject
"Ignis!"
Granted, one might expect that reaction not to happen, given Ignis had often been, as Noctis put it, 'nagging' him; but he's clearly missed all of his normal companions, if the way he tears off of Cor and heads towards Ignis is any indication.
Nyx raises a hand to scrub it over his face, looking over the rest. "Kid has a point," he admits after a second. "Luna, cut the light before someone notices. Lib and I can head back and grab our stuff from the haven, and we'll meet the rest of you inside?"
no subject
Just seeing those two reunited makes Cor gets all misty-eyed, and releases a knot that had been tied up tightly in his heart for the past few years. He wipes his eyes with the back of his hand before turning to the others. "Just be careful when you make your way back - there's been some hobgoblins in this region lately that the Hunters haven't tracked down yet." But he happily ushered everyone inside the house.
The living room is full of old yet comfortable furniture, its walls heavily decorated with framed photos both old and new. The television is about twenty years old, but it still seems operational. Crowe and the 'kids' could, however, pick up little signs that there's some hidden weapons either underneath the couch or behind the larger portraits.
And sitting inside is a 13-year-old kid with blonde hair, lots of freckles, a thick leather band covering part of his right wrist, and a modified shotgun in his lap. "Iggy? Dad? Who's--" He starts to say, confused and curious at the same time at all these new faces.
no subject
Crowe shakes her head a little, waving Nyx and Libertus off as they head back to get their stuff. She keeps her hands on Lunafreya and Ravus' backs, wanting to support them. She knows this is a big change, and as much as Luna had professed respect for all of Noctis' family - well. It's Noctis' family, and not theirs, so there's always a bit of worry there. Nevertheless, Ignis fussing makes Ravus raise his hand to his own hair, as if he can smooth out the sides a bit to be presentable.
The house is certainly something that makes Crowe a little homesick. It's Noctis who again zips away from Ignis to launch himself at Prompto with a laugh. "Prom!" Despite herself, Lunafreya gives a small giggle at the sight of Noctis all but knocking the blonde boy backwards.
Crowe shakes her head a little, fondly, as she looks around. "I'm one of the Kingsglaive, Crowe Altius," she offers instead. "This is Lunafreya and Ravus.. and Prince Noctis. Glaives Nyx Ulric and Libertus Ostium will be joining us shortly."
no subject
Prom, however, is blown away by the apparent revival and reappearance of his old bestest friend in the whole world. "Wha--you--Noct, it's really--!?" He looks up at his Dad hopefully, his heart beating fast at what he prays to be true.
Cor smiles and nods in confirmation. "I saw him use magic...it's him."
The blonde then promptly starts breaking down into happy sobs all over Noct's shirt, bawling over how he missed his bestie and how part of him never really believed that he was truly dead and all that wonderful friendship sappiness. The gun lies completely forgotten in his lap for the next few minutes. Cor takes a shaky breath as he fights back more tears of his own. Gods, to see his son actually happy-crying, for once...!
Ignis, however, looks a little bashful as he remembers that there's other people now among their group. "Oh! My deepest apologies for my lack of proper manners," he replies to the introductions with a slight bow, being mindful of the knife still in his hand. "Ignis Scientia, at your service. Please, feel free to sit wherever you'd like; make yourselves comfortable... Would any of you like some drinks or snacks while we wait for your companions to return?"
no subject
Crowe just barely keeps from rolling her eyes, though she keeps an eye on both kids regardless. Nyx and Libertus show up while Ignis is introducing himself, both of them carrying supplies on their backs. It looks like even with six people, they tried to travel light. The glaives aren't carrying a small amount, but its still equipment they can carry themselves alone if they had to.
They go about at least setting it down as Lunafreya smiles. It seems even her time amongst the others hasn't shaken her grasp of decorum loose. "Drinks would be lovely, as we've come quite a long way. Would you like assistance?"
Nyx glances up and motions to Cor. He knows the man is going through a log, but - well, Nyx has always been the pragmatic sort.
"Figure we're going to have to help you out with some kind of supply run. And I'm assuming this place doesn't have a ton of rooms." Which is an invitation to get that sorted out while the kids are reconvening.
no subject
Cor leaves those two teenage boys sobbing in each other's arms for the moment, quite content to let them cry their feelings of reunion out with each other. Instead, he finds himself shifting closer to Nyx and Libertus as soon as they returned with their supplies. A quick look confirms what he suspected - they're traveling lighter than they should in terms of food. They're clearly prepared on just about everything, but the lack of vegetables caught his eyes first.
"Most likely, yeah. Gladio and Ignis have started taking up any runs to Lestallum needed, and I have an old brother-in-arms help bring over anything else we need safely. We can always start planning for larger plots for the garden, too. As for rooms..." He frowns in deep thought. "...either you guys sleep on the floor, or we start sharing beds until we get the lighthouse cleaned out first. And I think my only guest room is the only one fit for Crowe and Lunafreya..." He would normally want Lunafreya with Iris, but...well, Iris is still 8, and a kid's bed might be too small for the teenage Oracle.
no subject
Nyx and Libertus, meanwhile, share a look before they shrug gently.
"Luna's been sharing the bed with Noctis and Ravus," Nyx points out pragmatically. "Not like that, but she won't care who she's sleeping with, if that helps. Lib, Crowe and I have slept on worse - we can take the floor if the kids actually get something to sleep on."
It's clear that Nyx has taken the role of leader - or father, or elder, or a weird combination of all three - quite seriously. The children come first, and it's not just because they're royals, either.
"As for Lestallum runs... we try to avoid towns. Kids are pretty recognizable," Libertus gruffs out. "If we have to go, we usually send Nyx and Crowe; less people recognize them." And less people would question a Galahdian couple gathering a bit more than they need for just the two of them.
no subject
"I normally disguise myself as some loner Hunter taking care for some wounded relatives whenever I had to make the runs. Came from a family of them on my mother's side, so it didn't take much to adapt the clothes or the style of speech. Anytime it felt too dicey to go, Cid - my brother-in-arms - made the runs for me; he normally had to make runs himself for the outpost he mans, Hammerhead, anyway." Plus, he knows Cid to be a safe contact - the old man had been very willing to provide cover and misdirection on Cor's whereabouts over the years to help keep the children safe from harm.
Cor picks up on that feeling, and it makes it a little easier to be around the man for some reason. Being a father himself, and the automatic head of their own household, Cor's gotten way used to being protective of the children he's been raising here in Caem all these years. He can respect a man who has to deal with three growing children while being out in the wilds....
"Are you sure about that? I mean, we have enough blankets and pillows, but I'd rather not have any new members be stuck on the floor on their first night here..." It could be done, yes - having all three kids sleeping in the same bed for a few nights while the adults sleep on the floor. But somehow, the optics of having Galahdians sleeping on the floor while the royals get any spare beds left a bad taste in Cor's mouth. It reminded him far too much of some of the xenophobic crap that some of the nobility used to spout around the Citadel...stuff that, had he been younger, he might've punched them for it.
no subject
"We've got rolls," Nyx assures Cor. "If you want to try to shuffle around, we can figure that out. But Ravus is going to want to stick close to Luna. Noctis may or may not care, but Luna will want to stick close to him too, no matter where he goes. And unless you want to pile two strangers into your kid's bed..."
Because Nyx gets it. He knows Luna and Ravus might be perfectly trustworthy, but there's always that worry, as a parent.
"I'll just sleep on Lib." Nyx says it with a light tone to ease the mood, and Libertus scoffs and punches his shoulder gently.
no subject
"...alright, the kids can sleep in the same room until we get more of the lighthouse cleared out for all of you. But you and Crow can sleep on Libertus while you're on my bed. I'll take the couch tonight..." It wouldn't be the first time he's done that, letting a guest sleep in his bed while he himself slept on the couch. It likely won't be the last, either.
no subject
"If nothing else, we can help you clear out the lighthouse. With six extra sets of hands, it should be a little easier to manage, right?"
"Plus, living in a lighthouse seems pretty badass," Crowe finally drifts over, having been listening to their conversation, keeping an eye on Noctis and Prompto, and also watching Luna, Ignis, and now Ravus fuss about in the kitchen. She also nods to the second story railing, where there seems to be a young girl watching them all. "Seems like you all have an observer, too."
no subject
Any quips he would have are suddenly banished by being alerted to the little girl's presence. "--Oh, Iris. I'm sorry, did we wake you...?" His tone is immediately soft, almost fatherly in the good sense.
She nods with a pout and a concerned look, but she doesn't move from the landing just yet. Instead, little Iris just stares at all of them, wondering who on earth are all these people and why they're here at her family's home.
Cor moves towards the stairs, consoling her even as he holds his arms up towards her. "It's alright, they're friends. Good people, who are going to stay with us for a very long time. Come on down and let me introduce you to them while Iggy feeds everyone."
Iris looks hesitant until she hears the Ignis mention. Then, she peeks towards the kitchen, where the bespectacled teenager is putting the final touches on drinks and snacks. "...so...they're here to help?" She asks, because she knows that Ignis would never feed bad people; it's her way of knowing good people from bad people sometimes.