Mm. [ Regis busied himself with the tea - he liked it, too, so it was easy - but the offer of hot chocolate had been genuine, too. He wasn't above indulging in that, either. ] And I had not known about horses until I found myself in Verens. It does stand to reason that different worlds would have different plant and animal life. When I first came to Verens, I needed help choosing what to eat.
[ He only paused a moment, there, squeezing his eyes, remembering Noctis explaining to him, roughly, what to expect with each food that was offered at that place. (He couldn't even pray to the Six to be kind to his son. He knew that they wouldn't be.) ]
So I can understand your curiosity quite well. [ Voice steady, if a tiny bit rough. ]
[He was like a man grieving, Waver deduced. He was trying to busy himself with a sense of 'normalcy' while his sorrow bubbled just below the surface. He knew that feeling well, from when his own family passed on years before-- but the reasons were still a step beyond Waver's knowledge.
There was only so much he could understand based on observation alone.]
That sounds difficult, [Waver commented, pulling out the package of books and setting them on the table while Regis worked.] And I suppose you'd find it strange that there are actually some cultures that eat horses too, if you only learned about them here.
[And, pushing the package closer to Regis, Waver continued.]
I suppose you're curious about other kinds of literature, too?
[ Waver was absolutely welcome to ask. His son had made many friends, in his year and more in Verens, and plenty of those that Regis met had met Noct first, so he wasn't sure who exactly knew Noct, so would know about him leaving, but the assumption was that most people would.
But grief was something that Regis was familiar with, and he knew that the way through was to keep going, keep living until the pain abated. ]
Mm. Chocobos are smart birds, and good for many things, from fast transport to aid in fighting, and there has always been the assumption that their meat is... chewy. They certainly have a specific aroma that would likely not easily go away with cooking. So 'tis rare that anyone would try to eat them - they have too many other uses to make it worth the while. But I can see why people may see it as an option, with horses, I suppose. Especially in areas where other sources of meat are few.
[ His slight frown was one of consideration, and, once he had given the statement what thoughts he could come up with, he turned his attention to Waver again. Then down to the package. ]
[While Waver had met many people and even befriended a good few of them since arriving in Verens in the middle of winter, he had yet to meet Noct in any sense. The man wasn't on his radar; he didn't know to ask.
A small smile warmed his features when Regis' features softened over the the thought of reading for pleasure. He couldn't help it, books were always his lifeline.]
Mm. You looked like you could use some light reading.
[Because books were a wonderful form of therapy, a wonderful and harmless way of finding solace-- at least, for a while.]
Regis hummed, his eyes flicking towards a spot on the wall where the paint seemed fresh, where Gladio had driven his fist into it when they'd returned from the exploration to find Noct gone. ]
I have been that obvious, have I not.
[ Not quite a question. Regis knew the appropriate behavior for a king, of course, but those who would look askance of him were in no better state, so he had allowed himself to... grieve. ]
...I don't know what happened, [Waver admitted in measured tones.]
But I can guess how people are thinking and feeling-- because of my schooling. And it's been plain to me that you're not... Yourself. If that makes sense.
[ Regis finished pouring the tea and set it down, motioning Waver to settle and doing so himself. He took his cup in both hands, staring at the liquid for a moment. ]
My son, Noctis. He has returned to our world. To... what I have long known to be his fate.
[ Because there was no hope or future for Noct. Not from where he had returned here from. ]
A long time, and not enough, when it is about someone very near to you.
[ A moment, then Regis shook his head, focusing again on Waver.
Then he tilted his chin towards the package. ]
Knowing that, would the selection remain the same?
[ It seemed fair to ask, lest Waver returned home to realize half of the books dealt with something like that and were like to have the opposite effect to soothing. ]
[ That little pout could get weaponized, young man. Very dangerous.
Regis tilted his head at Waver, then set the cup down and reached out to take the package and draw it in his lap. ]
All right. I shall keep that in mind, and read without getting emotionally involved.
[ But he would not only accept the present, but appreciate it, too. For giving all one had was a precious gift and a blessing of its own. He was not going to spurn that. ]
Between meeting Alexei and going on that excursion last month, there hasn't even been time to be bored. Although I haven't been here as long as you, I've already learned a lot.
[About the history of this realm. About magic. About making friends.]
The chocobo chick I'm taking care of for Mister Kreiss.
[On cue, Alexei let out a little Kweh from Waver's bag and popped his downy head out from under the flap. He was an uncommon silvery color-- and Waver had no idea what the different colors meant.]
[ Regis smiled, and carefully set aside the package, to go do what he had meant to do from the beginning. Get some berries for the other guest. He sets them in a tray all on their own, so the chick could stand on it and take its time.
Of course, between the kweh and the sound of familiar treats, an inconspicuous box ended up with a little blue-feathered head peeking out of it with a soft chirp. And there was another baby running across the floor towards them. ]
The little hostess.
[ He set the tray down and sat down, reaching to pick up the chick and cuddle her in his lap, petting gently. ]
They seem to be making up for the absence of them until now. [ Softly, fondly. ]
[Waver asked innocently, watching as Alexei scrambled out of his bag with a series of chirps and kewhs to go see his sibling. In the weeks they had been together, Waver had yet to schedule an actual play date with one of the others who had taken on a chick.]
I had no idea you had one of these babies in your home.
Ah. There were no chocobos in this world until but a few months ago.
But as they do exist in our world, and one of the residents of the house is very fond of them, he got one as well.
[ And then Prompto had disappeared, but the little one was very much loved in the household. Regis watched the two siblings a fond look, then simply relocated the tray to the floor, so they could peck at it at their own pace. ]
It is almost like another piece of home around us. Adding to having people from there.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Are you more a tea or a hot chocolate person?
[ Regis would offer coffee, but he wasn't very good at actually making that, so he was going to offer what he could do.
Then he paused and smiled slightly.
Still sadly. ]
You got one of the young chocobos, too, I see.
[ Regis hadn't, but Prompto had. And they were certainly not going to turn the little girl away, now that he had also left the island. ]
I can have some seeds for it, too.
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[He was definitly a tea person. Brits had tea stands at every corner.]
I...I had never heard of these birds before, [he confessed, patting the wyvern on the head.] And I was curious about them.
[It was hard to resist academic curiosity.
The sorrow in Regis' demeanor was easy to see-- he was glad he had brought along some books for the King.]
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[ He only paused a moment, there, squeezing his eyes, remembering Noctis explaining to him, roughly, what to expect with each food that was offered at that place. (He couldn't even pray to the Six to be kind to his son. He knew that they wouldn't be.) ]
So I can understand your curiosity quite well. [ Voice steady, if a tiny bit rough. ]
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There was only so much he could understand based on observation alone.]
That sounds difficult, [Waver commented, pulling out the package of books and setting them on the table while Regis worked.] And I suppose you'd find it strange that there are actually some cultures that eat horses too, if you only learned about them here.
[And, pushing the package closer to Regis, Waver continued.]
I suppose you're curious about other kinds of literature, too?
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But grief was something that Regis was familiar with, and he knew that the way through was to keep going, keep living until the pain abated. ]
Mm. Chocobos are smart birds, and good for many things, from fast transport to aid in fighting, and there has always been the assumption that their meat is... chewy. They certainly have a specific aroma that would likely not easily go away with cooking. So 'tis rare that anyone would try to eat them - they have too many other uses to make it worth the while. But I can see why people may see it as an option, with horses, I suppose. Especially in areas where other sources of meat are few.
[ His slight frown was one of consideration, and, once he had given the statement what thoughts he could come up with, he turned his attention to Waver again. Then down to the package. ]
Literature. [ Softly. ] That... has been a while.
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A small smile warmed his features when Regis' features softened over the the thought of reading for pleasure. He couldn't help it, books were always his lifeline.]
Mm. You looked like you could use some light reading.
[Because books were a wonderful form of therapy, a wonderful and harmless way of finding solace-- at least, for a while.]
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Regis hummed, his eyes flicking towards a spot on the wall where the paint seemed fresh, where Gladio had driven his fist into it when they'd returned from the exploration to find Noct gone. ]
I have been that obvious, have I not.
[ Not quite a question. Regis knew the appropriate behavior for a king, of course, but those who would look askance of him were in no better state, so he had allowed himself to... grieve. ]
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But I can guess how people are thinking and feeling-- because of my schooling. And it's been plain to me that you're not... Yourself. If that makes sense.
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[ Regis finished pouring the tea and set it down, motioning Waver to settle and doing so himself. He took his cup in both hands, staring at the liquid for a moment. ]
My son, Noctis. He has returned to our world. To... what I have long known to be his fate.
[ Because there was no hope or future for Noct. Not from where he had returned here from. ]
A long time, and not enough, when it is about someone very near to you.
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[It was also his intelligence and wits, but they had no bearing as he listened to Regis'words over tea.]
For the record, I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds... Terrible.
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Please do not. Grief eases, and I have had more time granted to us in this world. Plenty of reasons to let go of the sadness, with time.
[ That, and who knows how that would work on Regis. Man has the willpower to be impressed at. ]
But I am grateful. 'tis not what would have chosen for him.
For anyone.
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[Even if it probably made the pain worse.]
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[ A moment, then Regis shook his head, focusing again on Waver.
Then he tilted his chin towards the package. ]
Knowing that, would the selection remain the same?
[ It seemed fair to ask, lest Waver returned home to realize half of the books dealt with something like that and were like to have the opposite effect to soothing. ]
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[Waver flushed lightly. He had brought a set of murder mysteries-- something he found comfort in, but unlikely to help in this matter.]
But I didn't have anything else...
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Regis tilted his head at Waver, then set the cup down and reached out to take the package and draw it in his lap. ]
All right. I shall keep that in mind, and read without getting emotionally involved.
[ But he would not only accept the present, but appreciate it, too. For giving all one had was a precious gift and a blessing of its own. He was not going to spurn that. ]
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You will? I-i hope you like them. I found them very thrilling reads.
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[ He did mean that, too.
Another sip from his tea. ]
How are you liking this world this far, Waver? I know the one thing it hasn't been is boring.
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[Waver took a sip of his tea, contemplating.]
Between meeting Alexei and going on that excursion last month, there hasn't even been time to be bored. Although I haven't been here as long as you, I've already learned a lot.
[About the history of this realm. About magic. About making friends.]
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[ Not very confused, merely curious. But Waver had not actually introduced the bird to Regis, so his question was warranted.
And those were all good things. ]
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[On cue, Alexei let out a little Kweh from Waver's bag and popped his downy head out from under the flap. He was an uncommon silvery color-- and Waver had no idea what the different colors meant.]
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[ Regis smiled, and carefully set aside the package, to go do what he had meant to do from the beginning. Get some berries for the other guest. He sets them in a tray all on their own, so the chick could stand on it and take its time.
Of course, between the kweh and the sound of familiar treats, an inconspicuous box ended up with a little blue-feathered head peeking out of it with a soft chirp. And there was another baby running across the floor towards them. ]
The little hostess.
[ He set the tray down and sat down, reaching to pick up the chick and cuddle her in his lap, petting gently. ]
They seem to be making up for the absence of them until now. [ Softly, fondly. ]
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[Waver asked innocently, watching as Alexei scrambled out of his bag with a series of chirps and kewhs to go see his sibling. In the weeks they had been together, Waver had yet to schedule an actual play date with one of the others who had taken on a chick.]
I had no idea you had one of these babies in your home.
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But as they do exist in our world, and one of the residents of the house is very fond of them, he got one as well.
[ And then Prompto had disappeared, but the little one was very much loved in the household. Regis watched the two siblings a fond look, then simply relocated the tray to the floor, so they could peck at it at their own pace. ]
It is almost like another piece of home around us. Adding to having people from there.
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[Because the chocobos were already here when he arrived, he just thought that they were a known part of the landscape.]
Well now there's the parents and fourteen babies. That's a good start.
I'm glad you've found something that reminds you of your home.
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[ Regis nodded, smiling ever so slightly. The chocobos were definitely a welcome addition.
Unles you were Cor, but that was a detail not quite relevant. (Except that he was thinking of other losses, here, so maybe a little relevant.) ]
And thank you. Do you have things that remind you of your world, Waver?
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