week six, tuesday

[moraled]

[...As ever, they pick up the pieces, and they carry on. A day or two does little to cushion the blows of the previous week, but they can't stay moping forever. Barnham knows that to be true, and so he's attempting to go about his business like normal, inspecting the town, looking through their supplies in the general store, and other things that were once strange but now have become mundane.

It's odd.

But... it's something they have to do, he believes.

No matter what.

They have to keep moving forward--which means in the day to day? They can't stop moving at all.]

Comments

[moraled]

[... Yeah, that's kind of hard. Even if he had proof (which unfortunately, he doesn't), he really wouldn't be able to show it.

... Well.

That's not entirely true.]

It sits ill to me to not share what knowledge I have with one I trust, Young Noctis.

[... but.

Unfortunately.

That just means--]

... Though I fear that means I truly do not have any proof for that conviction. It is... merely a feeling.

[elemancy]

[noct shakes his head—knowledge that barnham has, that catches his interest.]

It's hard to have proof for anything right now. But... the more we can share, the better. I think...

[he's not going to say "everything," because that's not really viable or fair, no matter how much trust is there. with the information all flying under the table, throwing their friends under the bus wouldn't help anything at all either.

he sighs quietly.] It might be the only way.

[moraled]

[He wishes he had knowledge to share, bro. Maybe it would make all of their lives easier.]

I understand. [His lips quirk, amused.] I know there is information that you and the others have that I do not. It does not bother me. Miss Maxwell has said much the same.

[He shakes his head, simply, and says equally simply and plainly:]

I trust you, Noctis. You shall inform me when you feel I need to know, and no sooner. If it means your safety and the safety of others, then remaining silent is wise.

[He's certainly not offended by it.]

[elemancy]

[he nods, grateful that barnham is so understanding of the situation.]

As soon as I can... I will.

[he wants to. he wants to share some of the things he knows with barnham, because he trusts barnham as well. but there is trust in other people at stake too, in ways he really can't afford to break.]

Just... trust me. Everything—it's to try and end this right. [which is to say that he wants to save people, that he's trying to live up to his title and status to be a true king.]

[moraled]

[That gets a faint, but sincere smile out of Barnham, even as he shakes his head. He'd accepted the request to be Noct's shield--but even more than that, he has faith in Noct and everything that he stands for.]

You do not even need to ask.

[He trusts Noct--with his life, at that, even.

And he trusts that Noct will tell him what needs to be said when the time comes.]

I would truly expect nothing less from you.

[elemancy]

[in turn, he smiles weakly. he's still not ready to say anything yet—

but he truly trusts in barnham. more than most people, he really believes in the ideals that barnham stands for, and that he wants to do right by others.]

Thank you. Seriously. Thank you.

[barnham is so good, he just hopes that he won't let barnham down in the process.]

[moraled]

As ever, there is certainly no need to thank me.

[The expression on his face is tired, yes, but otherwise he smiles, because...well, they have to, don't they? Noct is trying so hard, and Barnham has to respect that.

He knows that he won't let him down.]

...But even so, that faith shall remain. And so... you are most welcome.

[elemancy]

Still... what kind of friend would I be if I didn't tell you I appreciated it.

[noct can be kind of a punk, but he's not the sort to completely brush over something like that.

especially in a time and situation like this. he's got reasons—a lot of them, actually—for why he's approaching things in this way. barnham's patience and trust... it means a lot to him right now.]

[moraled]

[That's cute.

wtf Noct that's very cute.]

Indeed? Your manners are impeccable, if nothing else.

[cute]

[elemancy]

I, uh... guess so.

[don't make him feel awkward about it! he's a prince, of course he has some manner...]

[moraled]

[Well, he's still proud okay.]

Was there anything else, Young Noct?

[Or are they done here?]

[elemancy]

No... I think that's it for now.

[they're good.

or as good as it gets for them.]