I understand that. [The same had happened to Yang, after all; she lost an arm, and Nora could imagine the time it took for Yang to become sufficiently cheerful again. She holds her cup almost the same way Steven does, but her eyes are focused on him.]
But you can be there for him until he recovers. Whenever he needs someone.
[ his lips quirk into a small smile, though somewhat wry. ]
You do. He was actually quite fond of you.
[ ignis had told him about what they got up to on the airship to briarlan. it made him happy to know that two important people to him had met and gotten along. ]
He has plenty of support - I'm not worried about that much. It's the longevity of the process that is most frustrating... Despite our best efforts to prepare.
[If Steven's hand is close by, Nora will try to reach out and touch it gently.
Someone who got along well enough with her...someone who would affect Steven this much...Nora mentally goes through the list of people she knew that Steven knew.]
Sometimes, even though we try to prepare, things like this happen. There's things we can't control...so the least we can do, is focus on the things we can.
[ though he doesn't expect nora to know just from just the description he gave, talking about it does help somehow. he flinches slightly when nora touches his hand, but doesn't move away from it. ]
Nothing that I don't already know...
[ he sighs, managing something of a more genuine smile as he turns his hand in her touch. he doesn't dare impose to hold it, but it's a response that says that her gesture isn't unwanted. ]
But somehow, hearing it from someone other than myself is more reassuring.
[His reaction to her hand on his isn't negative, so Nora keeps it where it is, in reassurance. She gives his hand a pat before moving her own away again - but close enough if he needs it again.]
So you needed a second opinion, huh?
...
I want to help, too...do what I can for this person.
[She wasn't going to press for details, but this technically wasn't pressing. But if Steven would confirm her hunch, that would be peachy.]
[ he hadn’t thought about it that way, but reassurance from an uninvolved party does somehow make things feel a little brighter. it’s confirmation that they’re doing all that they can - now, the key is patience.
he thinks for a moment. it isn’t as if his relationship with ignis is a secret, nor would telling nora be an equivalent of drawing unwanted attention to themselves. he trusts her, along with her genuine desire to help. ]
I think the best thing for him is to not treat him differently. You likely haven’t seen it, but Ignis can be quite stubborn.
[ he hasn’t actually given detail to the nature of their relationship, but nora might know. the way steven looks when he says his name is similar to how she might look when she talks about ren. ]
[Nora continues sipping her tea while Steven carries on speaking. When her hunch proves to be correct, she doesn't react, although at the mention of Ignis' name she sets her teacup down with a gentle clink, and nods sagely.
She doesn't have to get any more details about Ignis and Steven's relationship; it's written all over Steven's face, and the degree of worry and care he shows for Ignis...besides, that wasn't their topic for today.]
That's right. We shouldn't treat him differently. Ignis...is still Ignis, no matter what happened to him. It doesn't change how we feel about him, either.
[ he manages a smile, hidden behind the rim of his teacup as he takes a sip of his own. speaking with ignis on the morning of his return hadn’t deferred him from their bond in the least - if anything, it had strengthened and solidified it. he loves every aspect of him, and his scars are now a part of that. ]
Though when you do see him... I’d like to ask a favour of you.
[ he's almost able to crack a proper smile at her words. leave it to nora to jump at an opportunity to help. ]
If you see him any time soon...
[ uncharacteristically, he pauses. it isn't that he wants to hover over ignis, nor does he want to use nora as some sort of spy while he's not around. it's more out of concern that ignis is hiding the extent of his pain from him - if he can, he wants to know if there's more that he can be doing. ]
I'd like to know if he seems fatigued. I have no doubt this ordeal will be taking a toll on him, but there's only so much I can see for myself.
[At first, Nora just stares at Steven. But it doesn't take long for her to nod sagely. Nora could usually figure these things out from people, and she could do it without being too invasive. She also understood how this was important to Steven.]
I'll let you know if I see him. [A pause, and Nora gently points a finger toward Steven's direction.] But you have to believe in him, too. I know he'll also do his best to keep moving forward.
[ he knows that it's something of an odd request, but the worry he holds for his partner is lately trumping his penchant for logic. he sighs, tiredly brushing his fringe to the side. ]
I do... But you're right. [ his smile is wry once more, but appreciative as well. ] Thank you, Nora.
[ he lets out a short chuckle. he's assumed the duty of a role model for so long that being on the receiving end of a pep talk almost feels foreign. he's spoken to nora like this before; clearly the tables have turned. ]
It's odd. Usually I'm the one giving this kind of reassurance.
That's okay. Everyone needs some assurance, sometimes. Even the ones who usually give it.
[Nora's smile brightens as though she has found a perfect solution to Ignis' problem. Then, she extends her arm a bit more, and if Steven doesn't avoid it in time, he is going to be on the receiving end of a gentle:]
[ though he doesn’t move, he’s incredibly confused as to what nora is doing when she extends her arm. he is indeed booped, and it leaves him with a bemused expression. ]
“Boop”...? [ weird, but silly. ] Should I know what that means?
I can’t help but feel as though I’ve joined a group of elites...
[ that... actually means a lot. though he isn’t sure if he can find the words to express as much directly, the connotation that nora thinks of him as highly as her teammates is incredibly flattering. the feeling that it brings is warm, reflected in the atmosphere of the room - the apprehension he was feeling only a short time ago has settled in favour of it. ]
[ they spend the next while chatting over tea and croissants, and it seems like steven's mood has lightened considerably. for the first time since ignis' return, he's able to take his mind off of more sullen matters and enjoy the company of a friend. nora seems to be good at things like that, and he's more grateful for it than he's willing to express.
it's close to dinnertime by the time they've finished up; his guest understandably has to take her leave. at the very least, he walks her to the door. ]
I've said it already, but it bears repeating. [ his smile is still tired, but far more relieved. ] Thank you for stopping by.
[Nora is glad to have been of help in making Steven feel better. They can't change what happened to Ignis, but they can at least move forward, and Nora can reassure Steven that no matter what happens, she's there for him, and Ignis will be fine. They'll all be fine.
She walks to the door with him, nodding in response.]
It's no problem. Whenever you need someone to talk to, or a box of pastries, or well, someone to kick monster butt, you know who to call.
[After giving the door one look, Nora turns to Steven, opens her arms, and embraces him - not so tightly, but just tight enough for him to get the message.]
[ nora has proven herself time and time again as someone that steven can rely on in this world. though he needs a reminder of it every so often, she’s been nothing but kind and understanding in both the best and worst of times. it’s one of his more odd friendships, but one that he’s incredibly unwilling to give up.
the embrace that they share is different from last time - when they had last shared one before his departure to elios’ domain, it was strong, quick, and fairly awkward for him considering that she had lifted him off the ground in the process. things have changed now, and the way nora hugs him is far more tender. he’s half expecting it when she does; he’s actually able to return it properly, punctuated with a gentle smooth out of her hair when they fall apart. he feels comfortable doing as much, and her message deserves to be acknowledged and reciprocated. ]
Tell the others I say hello. [ he’s aquatinted with almost everyone at remnant house, after all. ] I’ll be in touch.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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But you can be there for him until he recovers. Whenever he needs someone.
...And me too. I-If I know this person.
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You do. He was actually quite fond of you.
[ ignis had told him about what they got up to on the airship to briarlan. it made him happy to know that two important people to him had met and gotten along. ]
He has plenty of support - I'm not worried about that much. It's the longevity of the process that is most frustrating... Despite our best efforts to prepare.
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Someone who got along well enough with her...someone who would affect Steven this much...Nora mentally goes through the list of people she knew that Steven knew.]
Sometimes, even though we try to prepare, things like this happen. There's things we can't control...so the least we can do, is focus on the things we can.
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Nothing that I don't already know...
[ he sighs, managing something of a more genuine smile as he turns his hand in her touch. he doesn't dare impose to hold it, but it's a response that says that her gesture isn't unwanted. ]
But somehow, hearing it from someone other than myself is more reassuring.
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So you needed a second opinion, huh?
...
I want to help, too...do what I can for this person.
[She wasn't going to press for details, but this technically wasn't pressing. But if Steven would confirm her hunch, that would be peachy.]
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[ he hadn’t thought about it that way, but reassurance from an uninvolved party does somehow make things feel a little brighter. it’s confirmation that they’re doing all that they can - now, the key is patience.
he thinks for a moment. it isn’t as if his relationship with ignis is a secret, nor would telling nora be an equivalent of drawing unwanted attention to themselves. he trusts her, along with her genuine desire to help. ]
I think the best thing for him is to not treat him differently. You likely haven’t seen it, but Ignis can be quite stubborn.
[ he hasn’t actually given detail to the nature of their relationship, but nora might know. the way steven looks when he says his name is similar to how she might look when she talks about ren. ]
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She doesn't have to get any more details about Ignis and Steven's relationship; it's written all over Steven's face, and the degree of worry and care he shows for Ignis...besides, that wasn't their topic for today.]
That's right. We shouldn't treat him differently. Ignis...is still Ignis, no matter what happened to him. It doesn't change how we feel about him, either.
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[ he manages a smile, hidden behind the rim of his teacup as he takes a sip of his own. speaking with ignis on the morning of his return hadn’t deferred him from their bond in the least - if anything, it had strengthened and solidified it. he loves every aspect of him, and his scars are now a part of that. ]
Though when you do see him... I’d like to ask a favour of you.
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What is it? Anything.
[That last word tumbles out before she could think. It's true though; Nora had come here to do whatever she could to ease Steven's pain.]
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If you see him any time soon...
[ uncharacteristically, he pauses. it isn't that he wants to hover over ignis, nor does he want to use nora as some sort of spy while he's not around. it's more out of concern that ignis is hiding the extent of his pain from him - if he can, he wants to know if there's more that he can be doing. ]
I'd like to know if he seems fatigued. I have no doubt this ordeal will be taking a toll on him, but there's only so much I can see for myself.
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I'll let you know if I see him. [A pause, and Nora gently points a finger toward Steven's direction.] But you have to believe in him, too. I know he'll also do his best to keep moving forward.
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I do... But you're right. [ his smile is wry once more, but appreciative as well. ] Thank you, Nora.
[ he lets out a short chuckle. he's assumed the duty of a role model for so long that being on the receiving end of a pep talk almost feels foreign. he's spoken to nora like this before; clearly the tables have turned. ]
It's odd. Usually I'm the one giving this kind of reassurance.
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[Nora's smile brightens as though she has found a perfect solution to Ignis' problem. Then, she extends her arm a bit more, and if Steven doesn't avoid it in time, he is going to be on the receiving end of a gentle:]
Boop.
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“Boop”...? [ weird, but silly. ] Should I know what that means?
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[She giggles softly. Yeah, it's weird and silly, but does the trick.]
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[ he just wants to make sure he understands the full context of a boop. it's very important, and he is treating it as such. ]
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[YES, A BOOP IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT. TREASURE IT.]
But besides them and Ren, there's no one else. [Nora shrugs.]
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[ that... actually means a lot. though he isn’t sure if he can find the words to express as much directly, the connotation that nora thinks of him as highly as her teammates is incredibly flattering. the feeling that it brings is warm, reflected in the atmosphere of the room - the apprehension he was feeling only a short time ago has settled in favour of it. ]
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Don't worry, there's no initiation or anything. But...whenever I boop, I always mean it.
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[ they spend the next while chatting over tea and croissants, and it seems like steven's mood has lightened considerably. for the first time since ignis' return, he's able to take his mind off of more sullen matters and enjoy the company of a friend. nora seems to be good at things like that, and he's more grateful for it than he's willing to express.
it's close to dinnertime by the time they've finished up; his guest understandably has to take her leave. at the very least, he walks her to the door. ]
I've said it already, but it bears repeating. [ his smile is still tired, but far more relieved. ] Thank you for stopping by.
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She walks to the door with him, nodding in response.]
It's no problem. Whenever you need someone to talk to, or a box of pastries, or well, someone to kick monster butt, you know who to call.
[After giving the door one look, Nora turns to Steven, opens her arms, and embraces him - not so tightly, but just tight enough for him to get the message.]
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[ nora has proven herself time and time again as someone that steven can rely on in this world. though he needs a reminder of it every so often, she’s been nothing but kind and understanding in both the best and worst of times. it’s one of his more odd friendships, but one that he’s incredibly unwilling to give up.
the embrace that they share is different from last time - when they had last shared one before his departure to elios’ domain, it was strong, quick, and fairly awkward for him considering that she had lifted him off the ground in the process. things have changed now, and the way nora hugs him is far more tender. he’s half expecting it when she does; he’s actually able to return it properly, punctuated with a gentle smooth out of her hair when they fall apart. he feels comfortable doing as much, and her message deserves to be acknowledged and reciprocated. ]
Tell the others I say hello. [ he’s aquatinted with almost everyone at remnant house, after all. ] I’ll be in touch.