Here's chapter 3, I hope you all enjoy it!

KingPlotBunny: You are correct, this is basically the adventure frequently referenced in Piece of Tenebrae. I'm glad you like the darkness being put back into her backstory, I really wish the game never took it out. It really is a powerful piece of her past that the game would have benefited from.

Guest: I'm happy you like the changes so far, and hope you continue to like what's to come. And poor Luna indeed... but I can't imagine her life with the empire was very pleasant.

Megumeru16: I'm happy you're finding this story off to a good start :) I hope you like this chapter as well!


Ignis was greeted back to camp with taunting about how he managed to stay away just long enough to miss out on his share of having to help pack up. He told the others to blame Gladiolus for making him swim in salt water with so little time left before having to head to the ferry. But said man responded by walking up to him and dropping a pair of camp chairs into his arms, ignoring his protests that he needed to brush his hair prior to the walk back to the Regalia. Grumbling about how the Prince's advisor should look more dignified he carried the chairs up to the vehicle with his friends.

"How did you manage to talk Galdin Quay into letting you use a shower? Those rooms are expensive!" Prompto inquired, slamming the trunk shut. Their camping gear was packed, and their duffels were slung over their shoulders. Ignis felt weary about leaving the Regalia anywhere for so long, and promised himself he would text Cor to come fetch the beloved vehicle back to the Citadel while they stayed in Altissia.

"I promised to share one of my recipes with Coctura." He answered simply. Prompto seemed dissatisfied with the brief answer, and he elaborated, "I saw she was making pancakes and she was lamenting how breakfast was not her culinary forté. I supposed I bragged a bit about how I know how to make the fluffiest pancakes in Lucis so she told me to prove it. I suppose I must have succeeded as she allowed me access to a shower free of charge. As well as comping my breakfast."

"You got a Galdin Quay meal for free?! Not fair! You should have brought some back to us!" Prompto complained, the other two in the retinue echoing this sentiment. He smirked that he was now on the other side of torture, deciding that his salty swim was worth it in the end. They made their way through the Quay, Ignis giving a polite wave to Coctura but noted her flushed face was tracking Gladiolus. He sighed, rolling his eyes, and hoped that the wait for the ferry would not be long.

"Someone is bound to die on these stairs," Prompto complained as the retinue descended the steep staircase down to the pier to wait for the ferry. There was only one other man there, and the way he immediately smirked at the group set them all on edge.

"So, the rumors are true." His voice chimed, a cocky grin crossing his features. Noctis lifted a brow, and couldn't help but wonder where this strange man was from based on his distinct accent. Gladiolus stepped so he was between this man and his charge. "The crowned Prince himself, gracing us with his presence." He elaborated, and everyone bristled. So much for staying incognito. Noctis thought to himself.

"Your point being?" Gladiolus prompted.

"Well, I suppose that the Prince here wants to stay under the radar. But what would the people think if they read an article about how their shy Prince thought he was too good for them, sneaking by them all to skip away to the resort city of Altissia."

"Excuse me." Noctis interjected,

"Just hear me out," the man put up his hands. "The name's Dino. I'm a reporter by day, jeweler by night. I'm willing to make a deal. I won't run a story about ya if ya do me a solid. Go get me an Amethyst, I'll tell ya where to get one, and I don't run any articles about our Prince here." He offered.

"You want me to go get you a gemstone in exchange for not trying to turn Lucis against me?" Noctis asked. Dino looked about to reply, but the confident smirk on his face vanished when Gladiolus lunged forward, picking the man up by the front of his shirt,

"You're trying to blackmail the Prince of Lucis, the day he's trying to catch a ferry to marry the Princess of Tenebrae, per a peace treaty to keep Nifleheim from burning us to the ground. Am I understanding you right?" the large man ground out. Dino gasped as he was jerked to his feet, his hands grasping at the man's wrists.

"Whoa whoa ya making it sound worse-"

"Worse than it is?" Gladiolus finished for him. "Well do tell how you would describe how this 'do me a favor or I write a scathing article' isn't some asshole trying to blackmail the Prince." Fear flashed in Dino's eyes, and Gladiolus seemed satisfied at his apparent terror, releasing his shirt and letting the man drop to the ground and scramble to his feet, backing away. "That's what I thought. Tell you what. I'll do you a solid. You pretend you never even thought of your damned article, and I won't write to King Regis that some shitty reporter in Galdin Quay named… Dino was it? Tried to blackmail his son into missing the ferry to his wedding that the entire future of Lucis relies on for peace." After several seconds of tense silence Gladiolus took a step towards him, the man quickly back stepping.

"Uh… you got it big guy."

"So, sir, I think you mentioned you were catching the evening ferry? Gives you plenty of time to get to that Amethyst node you were talking about wanting to mine."

"Right you are!" he gave Gladiolus a thumbs up gesture, side stepping and palming his surroundings until he found the stair railing, quickly sprinting up them and out of sight.

"Way to go big guy! Saved the day!" Prompto laughed, walking up to him and slapping him hard on the shoulder.

"Yeah, thanks man." Noctis added. "Knew I kept you around for a reason." He added with a smirk. He walked over to the bench where Dino had been sitting, dropping himself into it and pulling his phone out of his pocket to fire up some King's Knight until the ferry arrived.

"Was that even real?" Prompto asked, joining Noctis in thumbing his own phone on and the game's music blasted out of his speakers, Noctis almost immediately telling him to turn the volume down before he deafened him again and echoed his question, laughing a bit as he thought about it.

"Nerve of that guy… if I ever see him again I swear to the Six he'll be too busy trying fishing his precious Amethyst out of his ass to even try and remember Noctis's name let alone have the balls to even think about him again." Gladiolus grumbled. He turned to Ignis, and asked about the ferry learning that it was due in a half hour. They played King's Knight to pass the time, and eventually started joking about various imaginary tabloid articles.

"Lucian Prince: Royally Aggressive. Word has it the shy Lucian Prince assaulted a reporter earlier this week by placing a gemstone inside the man's colon. The reason for this act of violence is not known, but the reporter states he has yet to be able to retrieve the object despite medical assistance." Ignis recited, his tone convincing enough it sounded as if he had been reading an actual article.

"Lucian Prince: Will we ever have an heir? Rumors have it that the Lucian Prince, newly married to the Oracle, has been suffering from performance anxiety and has been unable to perform his husbandly duties." Gladiolus added, earning himself a hot glare from Noctis.

"Funny. Real funny." He remarked, rolling his eyes and turning his attention back to his phone, shoulders slouched.

"Could you imagine the look on Lady Lunafreya's face?" Prompto burst out laughing, "Exclusive interview with the Oracle: are the rumors true? Read next week's article to find out!"

"I'm going to kill all of you." Noctis mumbled. The ferry's horn warned of its approach, interrupting the conversation and the four men looked up. "I should have asked this before, but you have our tickets, right Ig?"

"Codes are on my phone." He reassured the prince, gesturing with the device. They waited for the boat to dock, the passengers to disembark, and the subsequent horn announcing they could board. Ignis showed their ticket codes and the retinue boarded the ferry, and made their way to the back corner on the top floor of the ferry where they could enjoy the sea breeze and maintain an illusion of privacy.

"I hear Altissia is a sight to behold, the waterfalls are rumored to even put the floating islands of Tenebrae to shame." Ignis remarked, gazing across the sea where their destination lay just beyond the horizon. Noctis doubted anything could match the beauty of Tenebrae. The sprawling fields of sylleblossums, the floating islands that appeared to defy all logic, the distant mountains. He swallowed hard at the thought that the next time he saw Tenebrae it would be with Luna by his side as his wife.

"Guess we'll see."

"We gonna get to see Tenebrae?" Prompto asked, foot bouncing as he sat in his seat, eyes locked to his phone. Ignis answered him in the affirmative, stating that after the wedding Noctis and Lunafreya were to tour around Tenebrae briefly as a symbol of the peace between nations under the flag of Nifleheim. The Prince pulled his phone out of his pocket when he felt it buzz, and furrowed his brow as his father's name appeared with an unread message icon. He thumbed the screen and opened the message,

Son. I know what I have asked of you in this marriage was a lot. I am more proud of you than I can say. Good luck. I wish I could be there to see it.

He sighed, slouching deeper into his chair and crammed his phone back into his pocket. He rested an arm on the railing, looking out across the sea, curious if Altissia looked as beautiful as he was told.

"Dude, it's your turn." Noctis was pulled from his thoughts by Prompto,

"Huh? Oh." He pulled his phone from his pocket and thumbed the game open, half-heartedly playing against his friend. By the time the ferry began to pull away from the Lucian coast with a loud bellow of its horn Noctis was losing horribly while Prompto complained about him not even trying. Not in the mood to argue he simply asked for a rematch, assuring him he would pay closer attention as Galdin Quay began to vanish into the distance. The second round of the game was going smoother, Noctis winning by a margin when Ignis announced he could see the first signs of the Accordian coast.

"You're being awful quiet, even for you." Ignis remarked, moving to sit next to Noctis after Prompto had moved on to challenging Gladiolus to a round of the mobile game.

"Just tired," he offered as an excuse. "Gladio dragged me out of bed at the crack of dawn to jog."

"Hmm… he sure wanted to make sure none of us forgot that disastrous hunt. Was far from our most shining moment." Noctis hummed his agreement, and leaned against his fist as he watched details begin to emerge as the city of Altissia slowly came into view. "Noct." He turned his head to meet Ignis's impatient look.

"Sorry Ig, what?"

"Not important…" he sighed; realizing Noctis would not be the best conversationalist at this point. "I can almost see the waterfalls." He changed subjects, looking at the growing view of the city. He let his friend sit beside him in silence as the city approached, and it was Prompto who was the first to remark on it.

"Wow! Look at that!" he pointed, leaning over the railing and pulling his camera out, shutter clicking madly as he took pictures. "How can Tenebrae beat this?" he asked, smirking at Noctis, his thumb gesturing at the approaching coast.

"Just wait until you see Tenebrae!" he answered back with a smile of his own. He had to admit he was excited to bring his friends to the country. He sat taller in his chair, stretching his limbs and feeling his back crack in a couple places. His left leg was beginning to grow numb, a dull ache forming in his lower back motivating him to stand, resting against the railing beside Prompto. Ignis was reading aloud from a pamphlet in his hand, it sounded like something about the history of constructing the water-bridge that the ferry would take to the docks, but Noctis always found himself unable to pay attention to such subjects. As future King, you need to know your history. He could hear Ignis's voice in his mind chiding him for not paying attention to his history lessons.

"I dunno man, hard to beat this." Prompto answered, talking over Ignis who halted his reading, glaring at his friends. "Sorry… keep reading specs." Ignis sighed and made a dismissive gesture, reading the rest of the pamphlet to himself. "I mean look at this place! How do they manage this?" he went back to clicking his camera, Noctis feeling his heart begin to race as the dock came into view.

Lunafreya clicked the buckle on her luggage shut, her palm resting on the top of it for several seconds. She glanced up at her bed where Pyrna slept, Umbra having been sent ahead with her latest message for Noctis, likely to reach him only hours before they were to reunite.

I can't wait to not wait to see you anymore

She smiled at the thought before placing the book she was reading atop her luggage, though she doubted her focus for the story with the other thoughts vying for her attention. Pyrna yipped, causing her to look up.

"You excited for Alitissia as well?" she inquired, smiling when the white dog barked again. "I haven't left Tenebrae in many a year." She remarked. Save for her tours into the local towns, her world was a very small bubble. Her only views of a world outside the Manor were the postcards Noctis would place inside their notebook, or the rare broadcasts she was allowed to watch. "And we shall finally see Lucis." She sighed, allowing a small smile at the thought of the places she would see. Noctis would often tell her of the places he wanted to bring her. Either during his painfully brief visits or in the words he bequeathed her in their notebook. Favorite fishing spots, restaurants, his favorite beach, a place to ride and race chocobos. A knock on her door jarred her, and she tried to control her racing heart as she approached the door, not trusting in her voice to call out that she would be but a moment. She had one hand resting protectively over her ribs before forcing her arm down to her side and reached for the door to pull it open.

"Good morning my Lady Lunafreya." Caligo's smooth voice greeted her, walking past her into the room. "Are we ready to depart?" he glanced at his wrist, "It is oh-eight-hundred- hours, I had told you to be ready by this time."

"All ready." She replied simply, and walked up to her bed, picking up her luggage with one hand, her book with the other. She felt a tug on her arm as her luggage was pulled away from her, and she let go of it hesitantly, and her arm found itself guarding her ribs, Caligo standing on her injured side. Heat rose in her cheeks, her throat felt tight, her pulse throbbing in her ears.

"Please my Lady, allow me." He insisted. She looked up at him, her muscles tense, tightening the arm wound about her chest. "The airship awaits. As you know Aldercapt and Verstael are not patient men." She nodded at him, a wave of nausea rolling through her stomach at the name Verstael. She failed to suppress the dark images that rose to her mind at the name. "Once we drop you in Altissia they will be going to Insomnia to sign the peace treaty. A pity they cannot see the wedding, I have heard just how lovely the dress is." He remarked. The aforementioned garment had been brought to the airship the previous night, along with her shoes, the involved documents, and the ring she was to give to Noctis. "Nervous?" he inquired after they got through the doorway and into the hall. Pyrna was following Lunafreya closely, her tail tucked between her legs.

"As any bride-to-be would be."

"Quite the handsome man to be betrothed to." She lifted a brow as she walked a couple paces behind him, gripping her book tighter.

"Indeed he is." She answered.

"A childhood friend, the Crippled Prince." She bristled at the words, but refused to take his bait.

"Shall we go now?" The rest of the walk was spend in tense silence, the sound of their shoes clicking against the floor of the Manor and the grinding of Caligo's armor the only sounds to keep them company. Lunafreya held her head up, but refused to meet the eye of any soldiers they passed, and she couldn't help the thought of wondering which were human, which were clones, and which were mechanical creations. Pyrna remained close to her side, and once they were outside the small dog dashed ahead,

"Pyrna!" Lunafreya called, but halted when she saw the reason for the dog running the way she did. "Ravus?" her eyes met the form of her brother, standing tall in his white uniform. The dog sat at his feet, tail wagging wildly as the man bent down to scratch behind her ears, mumbling something that she wasn't able to hear from her current distance.

"Yes, Ravus is to escort you to Altissia, I have business to attend to an cannot waste my time babysitting." He answered her. She allowed him to get several more steps ahead of her before she resumed her walk. Keeping herself further than arm's reach after catching up, watching him carefully as he dropped her duffel to the ground.

"Brigadier General Uldor."

"Commander Fleuret."

"Are we ready taking off shortly now?" the taller man asked in a brusque voice. His shoulders were squared, fingers tensed as he stared down the brunet man who's eyes were locked with his own.

"Yes. So do see to keep my Lady Lunafreya entertained now Ravus. Nervous about her upcoming nuptials. Only polite to help her feel more relaxed before we bring her to Altissia." He turned from Ravus, and Lunafreya could see the tension in his posture now that Caligo's attention had shifted. "It is a short journey my dear, do try to relax and enjoy it." She flinched as he reached out to pat her shoulder, and walked into the airship. Her cheeks flushed at how strongly she reacted to the harmless gesture, releasing a breath she was hardly aware she was holding. Her heart was again throbbing in her ears, but the sound began to fade when the next hand on her shoulder was Ravus's far gentler grip.

"Good morning," she greeted him, managing a smile. She felt Pyrna brush up against her leg, drawing her gaze away from her brother's piercing stare.

"He hurt you again." He stated. She kept her gaze on the dog, bending down to pick her up so she had reason to avoid his eyes.

"It matters not." She answered. "Come, we should go in before they take off with us standing on the ramp clinging for our lives." She heard him sigh but he turned and walked up the ramp, her following close behind. Caligo had vanished behind a set of doors leading to one of the aft cabins, leaving the siblings alone as they made their way into a small room on the port side of the ship. The room was sparse but was comfortable enough for the journey to Accordio. It sported two small beds, a table, and two chairs. Once the door was shut the unmistakable sound of grinding drew near as an MT was stationed outside the door. "I guess they don't trust you alone to keep me… entertained."

"You are truly going through with this?" he asked, his voice retaining his previous anger as he took a seat. Her ribs still tender Lunafreya decided to recline on one of the beds, Pyrna leaping up and lying beside her leg. The dog whined a little as she settled, and she suspected that it was because of Umbra's absence.

"If this is the price of peace I'm more than willing to pay it." she answered him.

"That boy is not worthy of you." The vitriol in his tone nearly frightened her, and she shifted in the bed, trying to find a comfortable way to lie that put the least pressure on her side. One hand found its way into Pyrna's fur, absentmindedly petting the dog. Would you rather I be wed to Loqi, or Uldor, or some other psychopathic entity from Nifleheim?

"His worthiness has naught to do with this. This was the price the Empire laid out to bring peace to Eos. Would you rather continue war?" she inquired.

"You deserve better!" he snapped. "Not to be, pawned off like some possession to that… boy." Ravus saw the way his sister flinched at his tone, and he forced himself to relax, taking several deep breaths as she let the tense silence hang between them. "You deserve to be happy Lunafreya." He admonished.

"I can find that happiness with Noctis." She answered him. "We will never see eye to eye on this. Please. This is my choice. This was what the empire offered in exchange for peace. I took it. I'm doing my part for peace. Set your feelings for Lucis aside." She pleaded, her gaze finally meeting his. He pursed his lips, darting his eyes away from hers.

"And what did Uldor do to you this time?" he changed subjects to his other concern. He was no fool. He saw her slow deliberate movements.

"I'm alright Ravus. Honestly." Her brother sighed; realizing arguing with her during the flight was going to prove fruitless. He shoved a hand into his pocket, finding a small medication bottle and rattling it to gather her attention, and tossed it to her when she looked his way again. She caught it, flipping the lid off, and swallowed two of the pills inside. Ravus had come into habit of carrying the pain killers in his pocket, and she had come into the habit to stop arguing with him when he offered them.

"The gods give you mother's curse, but don't allow you to benefit yourself from it." he sighed.

"It's not a curse Ravus. I help people. I keep the blight tempered-"

"Tempered?!" his previous anger returned, standing up and knocking his chair over, gazing down into Lunafreya's wide eyes. "The blight has all but wiped Nifleheim off the map! Every time you heal people twice as many show up the next time! The days are getting shorter, the nights longer. Last winter I thought would never end! All this curse does it sap you of your strength. Why should you give your life like this?"

"It is my life!" she snapped, brow furrowed. "I will perform my duty as oracle! Gentiana came to me last night, and it is time for me to awaken the Six." She told him in a whisper, trying to control her own rising anger. "Noctis and I-"

"That boy cannot help you! He will lead you to your doom!" She sat up, a hand clutching at her side, failing to control the pained groan that escaped her throat as she stood, walking towards her brother.

"The Oracle and-"

"The Crystal's Chosen, yes enough you've recited it to me a thousand times."

"Would you rather I resign myself to Nifleheim's control for the remainder of my days? To sit back and watch as the blight overtakes our world, the Starscourge saps it of all it's light?" She asked, tears burning her eyes.

"I'd rather see you happy. To live your life as you choose."

"I am choosing this!"

"It chose you! Accepting a burden is not the same as choosing it!" he saw the look in her eye and took another deep breath, releasing his balled fists and carefully placing his hands on her shoulders, trying not to let her slight flinch break his heart. "I want you to have the life you dream of." he knew all she wanted was to be with that bastard Lucian Prince, and live out her life in carefree bliss. Why him? Why did it have to be him? He thought bitterly.

"You say that, but you want me to live the life you want for me." She countered, her tone far softer than her words. "I cannot change the fact I'm the Oracle. And if you approve or not, I still love Noctis."

"He's not worthy of your… love!"

"You don't get to decide that." All the talking was making the pain in her ribs flare up, and she lied back down on the bed with Pyrna. "I need your help." She implored after several minutes of tense silence. "As I told you, Gentiana came to me; it's time to awaken the Six. Gentiana believes that the wedding is a trap," she paused to hold up her hand in a stop gesture, not wanting to resume their argument. "I need help getting away from Altissia. The Empire will have soldiers breathing down my neck the entire time we're there. You're the only one who can help me get away from them."

"You want me to help you run off with that boy to-"

"Ravus, please." She implored. "I wish not to argue further on his merits. He is not why I'm asking for your help. Whether you like it or not I am the Oracle, I must awaken the Six. I will do this with or without your help, but with it I shall be safer."

"Trusting me to spirit you away rather than your Prince" The venom was thick in his tone.

"You are the Commander of the army! Do not pretend you don't have resources Noctis does not. I already told you, I do not wish to discuss his merits with you further." Ravus sighed, battling a war with himself. He wanted to go over to her and shake some sense into her until she gave up on these notions of running off with that bastard prince, this foolish quest to awaken the Six. Silence hung between them, and it was Ravus who broke it first, knowing it was impossible to outmatch his sister's stubbornness. He agreed to help her, but warned her that once she was gone from Altissia his ability to continue to protect her would be limited. They spent the remainder of the flight trying to formulate a plan of escape. He still felt unsure, and desired to talk her out of this nonsense. Once again a thick silence settled over them, Lunafreya's posture beginning to relax as the medication she took began to take hold, easing her pain.

"Where's Umbra?" Ravus inquired, having noticed the black dog's absence. He was unable to tolerate the silence punctuating their previous fight, wanting nothing more than to soothe the tension between them.

"You know how he is, vanishes on me for days at a time. Gentiana promised to look after him for me should he return while I'm gone." She explained. Ravus appeared to accept her explanation as he righted the overturned chair and sat back down in it. The airship was surprisingly smooth, having reached cruising altitude without alerting the siblings that any motion had taken place. Lunafreya rarely had the chance to travel, sitting up on the bed so she could look out the window. "The view from up here…" she remarked. Ravus stood up to look out the window with her, envying her fascination. He flew with the Empire so frequently flying had lost its wonder. He was grateful for this small joy she could experience.

"I suppose I've forgotten how… exciting it can be." He remarked, finding his anger starting to subside when he saw the smile gracing Lunafreya's face. He wished for more moments like this for her. Not their mother's burden. He was her big brother; I should be the one trying to make the world a better place for her. Her anger forgotten she asked him if he had been to Altissia before, to which he answered the affirmative. He had gotten to see much of Tenebrae and Accordio. He sometimes forgot how trapped she was, seeing little of the world outside the Manor. He tried his best to describe the city to her, but pretty words were never his forte. "You'll see it with your own eyes soon." He finally told her, as he realized his words were doing the beauty of the city no justice. She hummed in response, and her posture began to relax. Whether it was from the pain killers he gave her, or her loosened mood he could not tell. But either way, he longed for more of those smiles.

Lunafreya spent much of the flight gazing out the window, and her face lit up as they approached the city. It truly lived up to its namesake of the Floating City. It appeared to be constructed around the water itself. She could make out the canals carving their way around, a larger river way leading away from the city and into the sea that separated the continents. The blues reminded her of the sylleblossums fields, allowing her to feel a flicker of hope. The airship began to descend into a small airstrip in the southern edge of the city, the young woman scratching Pyrna's ears again as she tried to contain her rising excitement at her pending reunion with Noctis. Ravus restrained himself from befouling his sister's mood with further remarks, not wanting to see her smile vanish. But her face fell nonetheless when there was a knock on the door before Caligo Uldor opened it to announce it was time to disembark. The Fleuret siblings walked past the man, Caligo grasping Lunafreya's arm as she passed,

"I do give you my sincerest apologies my Lady Lunafreya, but I will not be back in time for your wedding. But fear not, we shall return after the treaty signings to assist you and the Prince to Tenebrae after the ceremonies."

"I hear Insomnia is quite the sight to behold. Do enjoy your time there." She answered, and felt his fingertips dig into her arm for a moment. She heard Ravus take several steps closer, prompting the brunet to release her. "Try not to kill your new brother-in-law Ravus." Said man slid an arm around his sister's shoulders to guide her away from Caligo, and together they walked down the ramp and into the bright daylight of Altissia.

"You'd think you would learn to watch your tongue around him." Ravus whispered to her as they stood together with the Empirical soldiers to watch the airship depart.

"I merely wished him a pleasant trip."

"Even I didn't miss your tone."

"We best set off for the hotel and get ourselves settled." She answered back, and Ravus knew probing the subject further was a lost cause. He agreed with her plan, and led the way when she asked him where it was. She took in the city around her as they walked, her former fascinated mood returning now that Caligo was gone from her sight. The city smelled of salt and food, from the sea that fed the rivers and the various restaurants with open designs. Music sounded as if it was being played from everywhere. Chatter of people, calls of shopkeepers, accents and languages both local and foreign. The buildings had a unique architecture and she longed for a book on the history of this city that she could lose herself in. She continued to admire her surroundings, wishing she could simply explore Altissia during their walk to the hotel.

The lobby was cool compared to the summer air. The climate of Accordio was warmer than Tenebrae due to the distance from the mountains, but the nearby sea provided a pleasant breeze. Nonetheless, it felt nice to get out of the heat. She heard the murmur of voices as they entered. Whether it was a reaction to the Oracle, or the imposing figure of her brother, she was unsure. But her eyes were immediately drawn to the excited form of Umbra running at her, leaping at her knees. She smiled and bent down, ruffling his ears.

"Good to see you boy." She stood and looked at her brother, remarking that she needed to use the restroom, a member of hotel staff telling her where the nearest bathroom was. She heard the sound of someone following, but her brother's voice rang out,

"It's impolite to follow a lady to the bathroom. I don't think the Oracle will be digging any tunnels." He drolled, and she could almost hear him rolling her eyes. She walked down the short hallway tailed by Umbra, calling to her brother she supposed that the dog just missed her. Once in the privacy of the bathroom she locked herself in a stall and pulled out the notebook from Umbra's scarf, quickly flipping the pages and excited to find that Noctis had somehow found the time to read her message, and leave a new one. How Umbra had made the journey so quickly perplexed her, but she learned long ago to stop pondering the curiosity.

This will be the longest 12 hours of my life.

She smiled at the words, running her fingers over the dried ink, fighting back the tears stinging her eyes. Just a few more hours. She thought. She tucked the notebook back into the scarf, reassuring Umbra she would tend to the notebook again later. She made use of the facilities and returned to the lobby, not surprised that a soldier was waiting for her two meters from the restroom door. Upon returning to the hotel's lobby Umbra and Pyrna ran to each other, yipping and sniffing each other, rubbing up against each other, before walking circles around the legs of their mistress. Ravus led them to where their rooms were, Ravus gesturing to a room that was flanked by his on one side, and a room shared by two of the soldiers on the other. The three rooms across the hall would service the rest of the soldiers in their party, and Lunafreya couldn't help the feeling of claustrophobia at how surrounded she was, even here. She unpacked her things while she waited to be summoned. They were scheduled to meet the Lucian retinue at the mansion of Camelia Claustra, first secretary of Accordio.

Lunafreya failed to control her jolt at the sudden pounding at her door, placing a hand over her chest. She shouted her brother's name, inviting him in, knowing he was the source of the jarring sound. No one else knocked on her door so aggressively. A habit he'd developed in childhood and never outgrew. Once inside he apologized when he saw the effects of her startle, and invited her to join him for the walk to the mansion. She relaxed at how he invited her for this walk rather than demand it, despite the fact she had no choice in the matter. She felt herself begin to calm, though her heart continued its rapid rate at knowing her Prince was but a walk through the city away. They were flanked by most of the soldiers who had departed the airship with them, two staying behind to guard their rooms, Pyrna and Umbra left behind to guard her own.

They entered the receiving room after walking through a narrow hallway that led away from the front entrance. The building resembled one that could be mistaken for the architecture or Tenebrae. Colored in mostly white, greys, and blues. Tapestries lined the walls, as well as framed plaques bearing historical facts, or artifacts contained behind glass. The blue carpeting beneath their feet quieted the sounds of their footsteps. Lunafreya felt her heart rate increase again when the doors before them were opened. Inside first secretary Camelia Claustra sat at a table flanked by Accordian dignitaries. To her left sat the Lucian retinue, to her right a series of empty chairs. Noctis was sitting at the end of the table closest to the woman, and their eyes met. He stood from his chair, his action mirrored by the others in their party as the Fleuret party was welcomed.

"Ravus and Lunafreya Fleuret, I welcome you to Accordio." The first secretary greeted them as they approached the foot of the long table. Her voice was sharp, and Lunafreya sensed an edge in her tone that put her ill at ease.

"First Secretary." Ravus answered, bowing gently, Lunafreya matching his motion from his right side. She stood, eyes locking again with her beloved Prince, a small smile playing her features as she saw the one lighting his face. He moved from his seat, and approached. His own heart was racing in his chest, a tightness in his throat. He longed to pull her into his arms, but forced himself to follow decorum, bowing his head to Ravus first, straining to hold back the surge of animosity threatening to taint his words,

"Ravus Fleuret."

"Noctis Caelum." Both men stood stiff, eyes locked together challenging each other for dominance. Noctis turned to the one to whom he truly wanted to give his attention, and immediately felt all tension in his body vanish as he gazed upon her.

"Luna," he smiled,

"Noct." She answered. "It's wonderful to see you again." She threw her arms around him, her fingers gripping the fabric of his jacket, trying to restrain the sob she felt rising in her throat, closing her eyes tight to soothe their burning. He held her with equal strength, she winced at his embrace when she felt a sharp pain in her ribs, and was grateful for the medication Ravus gave her on the airship. She felt Noctis hesitate for a moment, but he returned the embrace when she tightened her own, a palm against her lower back, the other around her shoulders, fingers curling to grasp the fabric of her dress. She felt his nose on the crook of her neck, sending a shiver through her. They held each other for several moments longer than decorum would dictate, but forced themselves to part.

"It's wonderful to see you too." He answered her, forcing himself to drop the hands he had left lingering on her shoulders. She felt cold without his arms around her any longer, and longed to be away from this office so they could walk through the streets of Altissia together and talk. Even the thought of her perpetual guard failed to dampen her spirits. Noctis returned to his seat, Lunafreya taking hers across from him, Ravus to her left, and the rest of the soldiers taking eats opposite the rest of the Lucian party, the younger Fleuret couldn't help but notice the way they all stiffened, keeping wary gazes on the Nifleheim soldiers. A man stood behind Camelia's right shoulder, arms held behind his back.

"Shall we get started?"


I know this was a bit of a tease, I promise you a proper Luna/Noctis reunion in the next chapter! I hope you enjoyed this alternate version of how the Dino interaction would go, I certainly had a lot of fun writing it so I hope it was fun to read! The nerve of that guy trying to blackmail the Prince on the way to his wedding. Made for a questchain in a game, but seems silly when you really think of it.