recolle | December Catch-All

[ Winter break is winter break, but Noctis knows he'll have way too much to do throughout.

With how much work he needs to get done and the time he'd like to spend with those he's close to on the holidays, he's here. Studying and writing papers like mad. And of course he looks exhausted and overclocked, because he... Unfortunately procrastinated far too much.

Seated at a desk with his laptop open and a large cup of coffee next to him, Noctis is tapping his highlighter against his text book as he reads. But it's perfectly safe to approach. Hell, he might welcome a distraction ]

[ Being a doggy daddy isn't easy, is it? Something he thinks about while Rufus and Tiny yank on their leashes and rush for the dog park. Lazy as Noctis is, he kind of enjoys this part of having them. The fresh air isn't terrible, and this sort of enjoyment can't be yanked away by Retrospec, right?

Crap, don't jinx it, Caelum. ]

--! Gh... Rufus!

[ He nearly trips on the sidewalk from being pulled so hard, but they arrive at the park soon enough. Noctis opens the gate and unhooks Tiny and Rufus' leashes, allowing them to take off to run around in the grass in a secluded area.

It's then that the newest addition to the fuzzy family, a tiny siamese kitten named Orion, pokes its head out from Noctis' zipped up hoodie. Noctis keeps a pretty cool composure as he scritches idly at his head and takes a seat at the bench, sighing while he catches his breath. ]

Your big brother's gonna snap daddy's neck someday.

[ Yes, he's talking to the cat. ]

[ Ahhh, this is the conundrum. Not that his friends are all too hard to shop for, but Noctis traipses through the mall like a boy who's lost his mother because he's almost nervous.

It's his first Christmas with multiple people; his father had tried to be around as much as he could. He didn't spend every Christmas alone, but plenty of them had been small and uneventful. Most spent in a hospital bed as a child.

This year? He'd decided to do things differently, not that Prompto would have let him spend it the way he always has.

Prompto was easy enough to shop for. Noctis carries a large bag chock-full of presents he found would definitely make his boyfriend smile. Now it's Cloud's turn, then Minako's, Noahs, Lalli, Ardyn, Rosalind, Dante, Togusa...

As Noctis waltzes through the mall's walkways, he softly smiles to himself when he realizes just how many people he'll get to share the holidays with. And the list of names just keeps going the more he thinks. He never had friends as a kid, much less a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Anyone who wants to follow or run into him will find Noctis marching his way into an electronics store, he's still got a lot to look for. ]

[ Phone calls, texts, posts, or even just a random appearance at his apartment! Have at it! ]

[Minako is already in that electronics store, comparing the sound quality of two sample headphones, one side of each covering her ears. She notices him coming in, though, and waves at him.

One of the mistletoe bats is sitting on her head. It...looks like it's dozing? As much as a mistletoe bat thing can look sleepy, anyways. But when she calls out, it perks up and starts squeaking All I Want for Christmas. She studiously ignores it.]

Hi Noct~ Christmas shopping?

When Togusa spotted Noctis, he almost kept his distance, figuring he was too busy to be bothered. He knows the hunched posture of a student under deadline from looking in the mirror for a few years. But Togusa recognizes one of the books Noctis is poring over, so he quietly approaches.

"One of Ardyn's?" he speaks up.

Togusa had mentioned before that he had met Professor Izunia long before the two of them drifted into friendship. Maybe Togusa could be of some help here?

[ Noctis is currently musing over a rather nifty gaming chair, one with a full speaker system and a curved build for rocking. It’s pretty cool, and he’s half tempted to buy it for himself. But others come first.

His attention is grabbed when he hears a familiar voice, turning his head. ]

Mina. Hey—

[ He stops. Pointing curiously to the top of her head. ]

You uh...

You got something on your, er.

[ Gesturing to head. ]

[Lalli's in the same exact boat, even if his own shopping list is smaller and he's already decided that he's going to give up in an hour and order things online instead of continuing this. Really, he's been thrown for a loop enough that he's gotten distracted from the task at hand and is instead looking for gifts to give himself. He doesn't really need any of these electronics, but does anyone truly need them ever?

He's zoned out because of a question looping in his mind until...woah, hey, someone familiar. He never sees familiar people (because he never goes outside) and when he does, he certainly never thinks "woah, hey!" about it. That's kinda neat.]

Do they even have wifi?

[...Wait -- ]

I mean. Hi.

[it's an adorable sight, the tiny fuzzy head peeking out of his hoodie. she hadn't expected something that cute when she went for her walk - christ, work was sometimes stifling - but it still was there. she doesn't know the young man, but that's never stopped her from commenting or saying hi.]

If the two of them don't team up to ruin your life with mischief.

[if he looks up, she'll wave hi.]

[ Noctis drapes one arm against the back of the bench and leans his head back in a sigh while Tiny and Rufus get to tackling each other in the grass. They’re ridiculous, but this will at least wear them out so he can nap when he gets home. Orion simply purrs while seated in Noctis’ warm hoodie.

He hears a voice address him, and Noctis perks. ]

Mm?

[ His head lifts, eyes meeting with the red-headed stranger. He’s at least not completely uncomfortable with strangers talking to him, even if he always seems to feel lost when he has to engage.

Noctis greets her with a soft, sleepy smile, and a little wave of the hand resting on the bench.]

As if they don’t already. They keep me on my toes.

[You are not helping her studiously ignore it, Noctis :c]

You haven't seen one of these guys yet? So lucky. [She raises a hand to flap it uselessly at the mistletoe bat, but it just dodges her swipes, still squeaking cheerfully.] They're this month's weird Retrospec thing.

Don't they always. Even full grown I'd swear they have as a goal in life to make sure we never get too cozy. Though my experiences are more of the feline variety.

[nodding towards the little one in his shirt.]

They're fine with being carried like that?

[remarkably chill, for a cat.]

[Zack happens to be taking the long way through the park that day when he spots those two dogs take off. He lets out a chuckle as how happy they look to be out and about even in this weather.

He just barely catches that comment and he can't help but say,]

It's hard raising kids, huh?

[ He can’t believe he’s still out of breath. Noctis exhales heavil, head leaned back while he splays his arms out lazily.

He does, however, sit upright when he hears someone talking to him. He nods, wearing a lopsided smile. ]

Should have listened to all those after school specials. Being a young parent’s rough.

[ Noctis tilts his head and takes a step forward, brows furrowed. ]

It's got a mistletoe on it.

[ He snorts. ]

This another weird Retrospec thing? Wonder why it's following you around.

[ Noctis peeks down to little Orion, who proceeds to mew at him in return. With a little pat to his back, he looks back to Grell. ]

More like expects it. He hasn't left me alone since I found him.

[ He's been stuck on this particular portion of his studies for hours now. It's stressful, given that he still doesn't get it, and it's not like he wants to call Ardyn for help. He has to figure this out on his own.

Noctis halts when he hears a familiar voice, but he doesn't do much to turn his attention. ]

He's insane. There's no way I'll have this done by the end of the break.

They choose random targets as far as anyone can tell. I had a swarm following me the other day...and today just this little guy.

[Who squeaks in Noct's direction, waving its mistletoe bits around.]

They're not so bad when it's just one or two, at least.

Togusa's eyebrows raise, and the smile on his face turns amused. "You won't find me disputing that first point." But Togusa is more used to Ardyn's specific brand of insanity. So maybe Noct won't have to do this 100% on his own.

Togusa pulls out a seat and invites himself down. "Even without looking at it, I can guarantee you what Ardyn's looking for. You don't have to try to come to the same conclusion he would. He's far more interested in seeing what kind of argumentation you come up with to make your point."

[Zack laughs at that response, head going back slightly before he nods. He remembers all of those "specials", too.]

Ahh, you'll get through it. Everything just takes hard work and elbow grease.

[He grins and looks off at the pups again.]

They sure don't get tired of the snow though, do they? What's their names?

[ Noctis sits up a bit, now engaged with someone so it’s best to have his posture reflect it. Little Orion has his head poked out to watch his big siblings play, and Noctis is the sucker petting his little head.

With his free hand, he points to them individually. ]

The big doofus of a lab is Rufus, and the smaller, white fluff is Tiny.

[ He knits his brow in thought. ]

Think she’s a mix between a Samoyed and a Shiba Inu. Either way, they’re both handfuls.

[Guy's brave toting around three animals at once on his own. Zack grins at the names choices.]

Nice. Been thinking about getting a dog, myself. Maybe something like a husky.

[Once he moves into a bigger apartment, that is.

Zack points at the little cat too. He's still pretty amused he's got a cat in his shirt.] And that little one?

Huskies are pretty cute. Loud though.

[ And he would likely adopt one in an instant, especially if Prompto brought one home.

Noctis looks down at the little kitten, who proceeds to mew at him loudly. He smiles and scratches at his head. ]

This guy’s Orion. Think he’s a Siamese? He followed me home a few weeks ago.

[ And with a lopsided smirk, ]

You have a name?

[ Noctis is currently fussing over whether or not Prompto and Cloud need another television. They just have the one in the living room, right? They could use small ones in their bedrooms. Ah, but would that be too much?

He ponders, scratching at his chin until he hears a familiar voice. ]

Ah—

Lalli. Hey.

[ He looks around, as if that does anything. ]

Don’t... Doubt it. But I don’t trust open connections.

And it’s just been following you around?

[ Noct gently shoos at it, but it doesn’t seem to budge. ]

And then your argument is wrong.

[ Or at least that’s how he predicts. Not that he’s right. But Noctis sounds pretty exhausted and stressed out over all this. He sighs, leaning back in his seat and rubbing at his eyes. ]

I’ve been at this for hours now. Feels like decades.

"Mm," Togusa makes a noise of doubt, but he reaches a hand out. "Let me see. Look at the same thing for so long, you're going to start second-guessing yourself."

"It's way less about memorizing facts than you'd think. Some corners of the law change so often, the skills he's trying to get you to pick up are about building an argument with whatever is sitting in front of you right at the time. But you do have to be decisive, at the end. Pick a conclusion and stick to it."

Yeah. Just like me, according to friends. [A joke at his own expense. He cracks a grin. That's why huskies are perfect for him. It would be true companionship. Like a mini howling wolf pack.]

Hey there, Orion! [He gives a small wave.] Looks like your owner is a real animal whisperer.

Name's Zack, nice to meet you.

Ehn?

[It takes a beat for him to realize that of course Noctis hasn't been looped completely into his mental conversation. That'd...be weird.]

Um. I...meant Prompto. And his brother. I don't...know why.

[He just kind of, uh, got on that thought tangent.]

[She nods, the little mistletoe bat clinging to her hair as she does.]

Yup! I know how to get rid of them, but he's been nice and quiet for most of the day for me, I thought I'd let him stay a while. He's a good shopping companion.

That's because you're the closest thing to a mother he probably knows. Keeping him warm doesn't hurt. He have a name?

[she can't help but smile, seeing the little one there.]

[ Noctis smiles thoughtfully at little Orion, rubbing at his head with his thumb. ]

Guess I’m okay with that.

And his name’s Orion.

[interesting choice for a name, but what can she say, given her cats?]

And yours? Sorry, I have such a habit to forget to introduce myself - I'm Grell.

Hm?

[ He tilts his head. ]

Ah, Noctis. You're Grell?

... Ardyn's fiancee, right?

[ Noctis keeps his smile. This guy seems pretty alright. ]

Noctis.

Haven't seen you around before-- Been here long?

[Noctis. she's heard that name, never had it given a face, and is about to say something before he reveals that he knows, and she nods.]

Yes, I am. To tell the truth I was hoping one day I'd get to meet the mysterious Noctis he's brought up a few times. It's a pleasure.

Noctis, huh? That Latin or Greek or something?

[Just sounds kind of rare for a name.]

And nah, I'm kinda new. Just moved into the city about six months ago. Home town is a few hours outside of the city but I'm here working part time before I go back up to Fort McCoy to be stationed.

[Military guy. He's here on medical leave but he leaves that part out.]

You a local?

Uh, Latin, actually.

[ You should hear the rest of it, Zack. It's even weirder of a name. Also it means "night light". But he won't get into that.

Noctis adjusts in his seat, where Orion adjusts to simply crawl on Noct's shoulder. He's small enough that it's comfortable, and he buries his face just below Noctis' ear. Nice and warm. ]

Actually, I've only been here like a year or so.

[ Give or take. ]

Came from England. You're... Military?

Hey awesome, didn't think I'd guess that right.

[He smiles. Zack moves to sit down as well, might as well take a load off while they chat.]

Well, you're a far ways from home. Yeah, military. Born and raised.

[ Noctis smiles and stands up. He’s at least a good kid where he knows how to properly introduce himself. Orion stays in his little pouch. ]

Been wondering when we’d cross paths. Hey.

[ He extends his hand, softly smiling. ]

Good to finally meet you, Grell.

[she takes his hand to shake it, her smile turning into a grin.]

Fate has a way of aligning things at the exact right time, if you believe that sort of thing.

December Catch-All

Recolle Library

The park

Christmas shopping!

Wildcard!

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Yessss omg CR with Zack

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yaaa! \o/

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I THOUGHT I TAGGED THIS IM SORRY

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ALL GOOD

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