Ravus may not be the most observant creature ever to walk the breadth of Eos, but he likes to think he knows when to take a hint. The Lucians all crammed together on a bed only meant for two hits him between the eyes. He'd known this might be awkward. He had not expected it to be this awkward. One thing he is not is vain, and it occurs to Ravus that Ignis has been through a lot. They all have. It is only natural for the Lucians to gravitate toward each other. With a sigh, Ravus gathers his things and goes out into the hall.
Lunafreya's room has a living area with a sofa. It's too short by half, but it will do. No one will fuss at him for staying with his sister, and anyone who suspects him of unsavory designs toward Iris deserves the punch in the face he will give them without hesitation. Let like remain with like. The Lucians do not want or need him getting in the way, and he will not make things any more difficult for them than they strictly needed to be.
Now that Luna is here, the city becomes even more crowded. Aside from the locals, people come from all over to seek her healing touch. She stands all day, hours on end, blessing and laying hands on those afflicted by starscourge. Iris stands at her side, acting as both aide and bodyguard. Not that the crowds of ill and injured are likely to cause much damage, but Luna is all that stands between her hapless subjects and death, and so she pushes herself. Iris is there to make sure Luna doesn't overdo it, more than she is to beat back any over-enthusiastic fans.
It doesn't look like a difficult job, but the mechanics of magic are largely unknown to the general public. Few have any idea how exhausting healing a non-stop line of afflicted people can be. The warm climate and hot sun of Duscae add an extra degree of difficulty.
Winter is late, brief, and mild in Duscae, mainly consisting of a few weeks each year that have been dubbed the 'rainy season'. The gathering clouds overhead and the dimming of the sun is not entirely unexpected. Anticipating a cloudburst, those in charge of crowd control try to urge everyone to shelter. No rain drops fall. Instead, Iris has to lunge to catch Luna as she waivers where she stands. No one sees her fall. Everything's gone dark.
A shriek goes up, followed by several more. Some of the light-sensitive street lamps flicker to life, staving off some of the panic. The crowd surges and shifts, confused and terrified. All over the city- indeed, the world- people stop, look up, and swallow back a sudden sense of dread.
Indoors, Ignis', Gladio's, and Prompto's phones all go off at once. Ignis is first to pull his out and thumb the lock screen. His phone speaks the message in stilted syllables: "From Chick-ab-zero-zero. Luna fainted. Sun gone. Help."
Gladio's already rushed past, leaving only a swirl of displaced papers in his wake. Prompto takes Ignis' arm and the two of them hurry after him. Outside, the little sliver of daylight left to Ignis vanishes. It's only 10am and yet the sun is gone.
"Oh shit," Prompto breathes. "Okay stay calm. We're probably gonna have to say something to keep everyone from freaking out."
Ignis did not plan on giving a speech today, but if that's what it takes…
"How bad?" he asks.
"I dunno, most of the street lights haven't come on yet. There's people everywhere, but nothing's on fire yet." The patter of keyboard sound effects suggests Prompto is madly texting someone. "I've alerted Holly, though she probably already knows."
"I advise lockdown for the time being," Ignis says, feeling his Chancellor Brain boot up and grind to action. "Keep everyone off the streets and in their homes. Deploy the MTs and local troops but only as crowd control. No riot gear, no weapons. Have Holly prepare a statement. I'll call her myself once we know a bit more."
"Okay." Prompto types frantically and then grabs Ignis' elbow again. It isn't far to the storefront that Luna has commandeered. Someone's had the good sense to bar the doors and post a guard; Prompto and Ignis are forced to stop and flash their IDs before they're admitted.
"Princess!" Prompto drops his hand, leaving Ignis to feel his way forward on his own.
"Someone please tell me what's happened?"
"Iggy!" That's Iris, her voice strained but steady. "It's Luna, she just fainted! She's breathing and everything, I just can't get her to wake up."
"She didn't hit anything on the way down," Gladio's voice, all business, confirms. "No bumps or bruises that I can see. Her pulse is a little sluggish and she feels cold. Lousy skin snap. I'm a physical therapist, not a doctor, but I'd guess low blood sugar and not nearly enough sleep. Anybody got an elixir? All I got on me are potions."
Ignis casts back- in his brain, in the Armiger- trying to remember if… No, there's nothing there that's helpful. Their last fight with Izunia did a number on their stores. Indeed, it might have been his own broken leg in Tenebrae that had used up their last elixir.
"I'm on it," Prompto volunteers. The door swings shut behind him and silence descends- or nearly so. There's sotto muttering that Ignis hadn't noticed before. The voice is low, male, familiar…
"Lunafreya? Sister, can you hear me?"
Obviously Ravus would have been the first person to be notified. Ignis shakes himself and turns away, heading for a more distant part of the room. He can do no good here. He needs to coordinate with the mayor and figure out what to do.
It takes a moment for Mayor Teulle to pick up, and Ignis hastily relays Luna's condition. Holly is alarmed, but maintains her composure. She will make an address as soon as she can get in the same room as some recording equipment. Outside, he can hear the heavy buzz of the street lamps as they come to life. There is a collective sigh of relief from the crowd beyond the doors. The sun may be gone, but at least they're no longer completely in the dark.
The loudspeakers crackle to life and a moment later, Mayor Teulle's voice can be heard addressing the citizens of Lestallum. Since he's not going to be much help in here, Ignis pushes the door open to go outside and listen, and is nearly bowled over by Prompto.
"Sorry, Iggy!"
Ignis waves him off and edges out the door.
"Citizens of Lestallum," the Mayor's voice echoes off the brick and concrete of the city. "I appreciate your calm and cooperation. Please continue to keep your composure. Because of the power plant, we have light, electricity, and energy. You are safe from daemon attack so long as you remain inside the city walls.
"I have received word from Lord Scientia, Regent of Lucis that her Royal Highness the Oracle Lunafreya has collapsed. She's unhurt, but she is exhausted. We believe that because her Majesty has overtaxed herself, she was unable to hold the darkness at bay as well as minister to those who seek her healing touch. There is every reason to believe that once her Majesty has recovered her strength the sun will return.
"As a safety precaution, I ask that you remain indoors as much as possible. I also strongly advise against venturing out of the city itself. Extra patrols of guardsmen will be making the rounds to ensure public safety. Emergency lights will remain online until the sun returns.
"I thank you for your cooperation and your patience."
The microphone cuts with an electronic rasp, and Ignis turns to go back inside. Hopefully everyone will follow her advice. Sweeping his stick across the carpet, Ignis makes his way back toward where Luna has fallen.
"How is she?"
"Still down for the count," Gladio confirms. "She's fine, just out cold. A couple of elixirs aren't gonna do it. You remember how Noct could get after a training session."
Yes, he does. Noctis spent most of his downtime deep, dead asleep. Lunafreya probably has greater magic reserves than Noctis, and will therefore probably take a little while to recharge. Ignis absently hopes the public won't get too antsy while she recovers. Things are likely to be rather awkward until she does.
A huge, lumpy shape shifts and rises, suddenly doubling in size. It takes Ignis a moment to puzzle out the silhouette of movement: Ravus lifting his sister in his arms like a bride.
"Is there a back way out of here?" he asks. "It would be best if we could get her back to the Leville unseen."
"This way," Iris says, heading toward the rear of the building. Gladio and Prompto flit into visibility as they move to follow.
"Prompto, if you wouldn't mind?"
"Huh, oh sure, Iggy. What's up?"
"If you could escort me to the Mayor's office? I have a few other things to discuss."
The city is in lockdown for three days. That's how long it takes for the sun to come back. It's also how long it takes for Luna to awake for more than five minutes. Everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief. This, however, poses a new problem. Clearly Luna cannot keep conducting business as she has been. A triage system is put in place, and her hours of ministry are limited. She is angry at first; indignant, but sees the sense in this. She is the only thing standing between Eos and eternal darkness. Without Luna, what will become of everyone?
"This is ridiculous," Lunafreya insists. "Really, I'm perfectly well. I ought to at least...I don't know, stand on the balcony and wave to let people know I'm alright."
"The sun is out, the people know you're fine," Ravus tells her, unmoved. "When you can stand up without blacking out, we will discuss it."
"I can stand up!" She does so, to prove her point, and almost immediately collapses back onto the bed. Happily, the sunlight does not so much as flicker, but Lunafreya has both hands over her face, clearly rethinking her actions. Ravus is at her side in an instant. Easing a hand behind her back, he helps her sit up.
"You aren't fully recovered yet. Save your strength. Rest and get well now so that you can minister to your people later."
Lunafreya grudgingly allows him to tuck her in again. She isn't happy about it, but she also sees the sense in what he says.
"I wish I could help you," Ravus says for what must be the thousandth time.
"You do help me," she returns with a smile. Ravus tries to mimic it, but without much success. He hasn't got the blessing of the Astrals and is not the Chosen King, and he feels so bloody useless. The blood of Oracles flows through his veins, for all he is a man. Surely that must count for something?
Right?
If the Lucians have noticed that Ravus has moved out of their room, they say nothing. The Leville is still beyond crowded, so Lunafreya and Iris make space for him. It's a bit awkward, but he's royal and the Oracle's brother, so no one says anything. Ravus himself feels it's pushing the bounds of propriety a hair, but Lunafreya is his sister and Iris is a child. There truly isn't anything to fuss over.
Lunafreya looks at him ascance once or twice, even opens her mouth to say something, but the words never come. Perhaps she realizes it's not worth asking why he didn't stay with the Lucians. Ignis is there, and it would be awkward indeed to have to keep such close quarters to the man who had rebuffed his affections. Indeed, it goes deeper than that. Ravus can't help replaying the phone call in his mind. Ignis had not known. Like Lunafreya, it had not immediately occurred to Ingis that he would be next in the chain of command. He had refused Ravus for other reasons, personal reasons, that had nothing to do with being regent. Ravus cannot decide if this makes his rejection better or worse?
There are other instances that nag him during the small hours of the night when he cannot sleep- which is far more often than Ravus would care to admit. The fight with the MTs when he channeled lightning through his prosthetic arm. The plastic bits are black and slightly misshapen from so much electricity coursing through it. He's slightly amazed it works at all.
Ravus contemplates the intricate joints of the wrist and fingers, watching the light play off the metal. He'd cast a spell; out of instinct, out of panic, but for an instant he had held magic in his fingertips. Ignis theorizes that there has been magic in Ravus' blood all along, he simply does not know how to use it. If only he could transfer his own power to his sister. It is useless to him, and she needs it more.
There is only one person he can think to ask for help, and it twists his guts just thinking about it. Still, this is his little sister. How can he face himself if he has not exhausted every opportunity to aid and protect her? He can't. So he will simply have to gird himself with bravado and ask. That's all there is to it.
Reality, of course, is a bit more nuanced. This isn't the sort of thing he can send in a text, or in a message via young Talcott. Going down to the office Ignis shares with Gladio and Prompto feels oddly like approaching a lion's den. In the end, he sends an introductory text. As much as he'd rather avoid it, this is something best inquired about in person.
Ignis' brows crease as his phone reads off the message:
"From Purpleprose: Did you bring any books from Tenebrae? Something I need to discuss."
Both Gladio and Prompto turn to look at him. They aren't angry with Ravus, necessarily. Rather, they've become- in Ignis' opinion- needlessly over-protective. Ignis sometimes wishes he had his own office space. This is one of those moments.
"To Purpleprose. Yes, I did. Anything in particular? Please let me know when you're free."
Gladio and Prompto are still looking at him. No one's typing and he can feel their eyes on him.
"Have you anything to add?" he asks them.
There's a flicker of movement and flurry of shuffling papers as they both return to their tasks. When his phone buzzes a second time, Ignis excuses himself and takes the message in the hall. It's better than having them listen in on every blessed detail, even if it is strictly business.
Ignis finds his way to Ravus' office- another small room in the power plant admin building- and knocks on the open door. There's a shift of fabric and a flash of movement as Ravus stands to greet him.
"Lord Scientia," Ravus says and Ignis valiantly manages not to flinch. They'd agreed to professional distance, hadn't they? "Thank you for answering my request."
"My pleasure, your Highness. How may I be of help?"
"I need to do some research regarding magic."
Ignis cocks his head, confused. Ravus continues.
"Remember when I struck down the MTs with a bolt of lightning?"
"I do, yes. Quite impressive."
"I've not been able to do it since, but that is not what concerns me. I personally have no use for magic. My sister, however, is still sadly depleted. Is there a way to transfer magical power from one person to another?"
Behind his sunglasses, Ignis blinks. It's an ingenious idea, but he has no idea if it's feasible or not. He reaches back into his memory; mentally paging through the many thick books he'd smuggled to Noctis. Unable to walk or wield a weapon, magic had been the only offensive left to Noctis. As such, he'd studied as much as he could, and Ignis had helped.
"I'm afraid I didn't bring any volumes that would be helpful. There were some in the Citadel, but they've likely been burned to ash. It certainly sounds as if it should be possible…" He trails off, thinking.
"It's possible to draw elemental magic from rune stones and other sources, both natural and man made. I should think it might be possible for her Royal Highness to draw magical power from you the same way."
"Very well," Ravus says. "It's worth a try."
Lunafreya has never drawn magic before. She's never had to; her power comes from the Astrals. Ignis does his best to explain, aware that he's probably not doing a very good job.
"Alright, let's back up a bit," he suggests. "Can you tell the difference between Ravus and myself magically? Can you sense the difference in our energy?"
There is a pause as Lunafreya tries to pick them apart by their energy alone.
"Oh that's interesting," she remarks. "There's a little bit of magic still clinging to you. I imagine that's left over from the ring of the Lucii. Ravus, however, is difficult to miss. I'm not sure why I never noticed before."
"Well, you've never had to look outside yourself for magic. Now then, you see the source of magic."
"Yes."
"Stretch out your hand and try to pull it into yourself. You are a conduit for the Astral's power; this is no different."
"Is there a way I can offer it to her?" Ravus asks.
Ignis shrugs. "I'm afraid I only know how inanimate draws work."
"I don't think I'm doing it quite right." There's frustration in Luna's voice.
"You can do it," Ravus encourages her, reaching to take her hand. "I believe in you."
Even Ignis can see it, the sudden arc of power sparkling along the outline of Ravus' arm and into Lunafreya's in a ripple of brilliant electricity. She shouts and shakes out her hand, dancing back a few steps.
"I'm sorry!"
"No, no, it's fine! Really! I just wasn't expecting it, that's all."
"Ah, now we're getting somewhere!" Ignis beams.
Something like this, however, can not be learned in a single afternoon. It will take both of them time and practice, but at least Ravus and Luna seem to have the gist of it. Ravus, it turns out, is quite the walking battery of raw, untapped power. Luna can only draw so much off him at a time. Apparently she has to...metabolise? Filter? Process? Either way, she's got to absorb his energy slowly in order to make use of it herself. Perhaps this is something that will sort itself out with time. Ignis supposes they'll find out eventually.
The men leave the ladies to rest. Luna still isn't 100% yet, and she can only afford to recuperate for so long. She needs all the time they can allow her.
"Thank you," Ravus says sincerely. "I appreciate your expertise."
"Hardly that, Highness," Ignis demures. "I am happy to assist."
There is an awkward pause.
"I'd like to apologize," Ravus begins. "About… If I had known about the formalities of you becoming Lord Regent, please know I never would have said anything."
Ignis feels as if he's had ice water dumped over his head. It takes him a moment to shake off the cold pins-and-needles and force his composure into place.
"Think nothing of it." He's pleased with the casualness of his own voice. "All in the past."
"Yes." Now it's Ravus' turn to feel cold and shivery. "All in the past."