Vacation, all I ever wanted

[starless_sky]

 Who: Noctis and you!
Broadcast: No.
Action: Yes (Planetside)
When: February

Well in this new system you might find yourself exploring. And if you do you might find two fluffy dogs Umbra and Pryna or their brooding owner Noctis. He's trying to get over his missing and now... late wife. He has his best friend and roommate to help him with that. But he's got to do his part and get out and try to enjoy life again. SO that brings him out to the planets. You may run into him so feel free to approach him, come bug him even!

The dogs will be happy to see you if nothing else. They are suceptible to petting, scratching, or any suggestion of treats. In fact if you have food on you they'll already be nosing around your pockets for it.

Comments

Fishing

[starless_sky]

Obviously the 'King of Fishing' isn't going to turn down a chance to go ice fishing. What was that? You saw him ice fishing on the last planet?

What was that? You live on his ship and you are sick of fish all the time? Nonsense. It's delicious and it's good for you! And good for his mental health.

But if you can brave the cold and come out to the frozen lakes you will find a bundled up prince and two content dogs running around. Come play with them or make your case to Noctis to please lay off the fish.

[humene]

Did somebody say fishing? Because Eleanor is definitely up for that.

She's not the fondest of cold weather, to be sure, but she does hold a certain fondness in her heart for fishing. It's something that she's used to relax since she was a small child, and not even the cold can keep her away.

To her surprise, she's not the only one who shows up at the lake. There's a stranger (but one she recognizes, so most likely from the Fleet) who brought his own adorable entourage.

"I hadn't expected to see anybody else here. Are the fish biting?"

[starless_sky]

Sure, it's freezing and unbearable out here. People have died in warmer weather than this but that won't stop Noctis or the dogs. Well, they're fluffy enough they are having a lovely time in the icy climate. He dared not take them to the hot planet, he took one look and knew that wasn't going to work.

The dogs notice Eleanor first. Of course, they've seen her around on their regular walks so they aren't shy about bounding over for a sniff and a silent request for head scratches. They are good doggos! Pleeeease?

Noctis looks up. He knows her face... "Well hey there, didn't expect to have company." but he is thrilled. He loves another fishing enthusiast. "As a matter of fact, they are. I've got some in the cooler here if you want to take a look." there is a long Pike and a couple Walley and a yellow perch inside.

"I might stick around and cook a few up if you like. Have you fished long? I don't get to meet other fishermen often." his eyes sparkle with joy.

[humene]

Well, it's not like she can say no to the dogs if they're being that good. Pets for all it is.

And while she's at it, Eleanor is going to sneak a look in the fishing cooler. Noctis isn't lying, but she has a feeling he might be downplaying his own skill. This is quite impressive, even for a skilled fisherman. Eleanor will happily take a seat next to Noctis as she settles herself in.

"I've been fishing since I was a child. My hometown was by the sea, so learning was a rite of passage."

She smiles as she thinks back. It's not really often that it comes up, but on a trip like this the nostalgia really sits in.

"It's been awhile since I've had the opportunity to actually fish, though. I'm afraid I might be a little rusty."

[starless_sky]

GOOD. They love it when people pet them. They really are good dogs. If a bit spoiled. They will push against her hands and Pryna wags her tail so hard it smacks the snow.

Noct is glad for the company, honestly. He's needed to make a new friend ever since Luna... well anyway. He lights up as she starts talking.

"Really. That sounds incredible. You must have been surrounded by the culture. Were you excited to take your rite of passage?" he grins. Oh to have a seaside hometown where fishing is the norm. Sounds like paradise.

"I'm a weird one for fishing. I grew up in a dense city and I wasn't close to a beach to fish at. None of my friends get the art of fishing... but here, take my rod. I bet you remember more than you think you do. You never really forget."

[humene]

"Thank you." Eleanor happily takes the fishing rod; it feels like it's been ages since the last time she's gone out, but it still feels right at home in her hands.

"The rite of passage wasn't formal, but almost everyone learned to fish once they reached a certain age. It was a popular hobby among everyone."

And just as she's about to say something else, something nips at the lure. Something big.

"Whoa!"

[starless_sky]

"I wish I could live there. It sounds amazing." he is so charmed by the mental image. He has no idea what her hometown really looked like but he's in love with it already.

"Everybody fishing together... a big community... what could be better? Do you miss it? Oh--" he got very quiet as she gets a bite. No need to scare the fish off with loud talking.

Umbra and Pryna stand on either side of Eleanor watching for the catch. Maybe if they're good she'll feed it to them??

Hiking

[starless_sky]

These dogs have to get walked and he needs it too honestly. Being in the winter wonderland from last planet and the cramped ships makes even Noctis hunger for the great outdoors. So he and the floofs are trekking through the trees and along a particularly lovely hiking trail.

Umbra catches the scent of a stranger and makes a beeline toward them. Noctis notices and frowns at the dog.

"Umbra come back. Umbra stop... they don't have treats for you, sit!"

[aspearing]

"A dog?" Alisha can't help but blink a little at the sight before she smiles slightly. It was cute, to say the least...

When Noctis speaks, Alisha looks to him, that smile on her face changing to a more polite one.

"Is this your dog?"

[starless_sky]

Oh what an adorable girl. He loves the curls... waaaait he knows her face. From the fleet. He relaxes a bit.

"Yeah, his name is Umbra. Sorry, he's just excited by people. Umbra. Stop. Sit." and the dog does sit down but he still wags his tail and pants in Alisha's direction. His gold eyes stay on her. Can he has a head pet or something? Pleeeeeease?

"I've seen you on the fleet. I don't think we've met. My name's Noctis."

[aspearing]

... Ah. She recognizes him. Not just from the fleet, but from the wedding, as well. Though, it is a little strange that they haven't met up until now...

"We haven't. It's nice to meet you, Noctis. Though -- this may sound a little odd -- I was invited to your wedding. Allow me to offer a belated congradulations."

She looks to Umbra, then to Noctis once more. "May I?" It seems polite to ask before you pet someone's pet...

[starless_sky]

There were a lot of guests he didn't actually know at the wedding. That was the fun part, he supposes. It was such a big party and he loved it all. He just wished his love was still here...

He smiled and nodded. "Right, I remember filling out the invites with Luna... you're... Alisha." he had so many envelopes then, they were overrun with them but everyone was invited and he was glad for that. "Thank you for coming, it was such a great day. I know Luna really loved that everyone had a good time."

Umbra looks excited and leans up to meet her hand... but then she has to ask Dad something. ugh. Noctis smiles and nods. "Sure, he's a friendly boy."

[aspearing]

"Yes, that's correct. ... I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. Is Lady Lunafreya doing well?" It's only proper to ask, but she does hope that she's been doing alright.

Alisha reaches to pat the dogs head. "The wedding was lovely. I was happy to attend it. ... And I'm grateful that you would have me there, as well."

[starless_sky]

"No no, it's fine." he smiled... and then his smile faded into a sadness he tried to veil. He looked away.

"Luna... was sent home." but he was trying to get through it. He wanted to forget it but he knew he had to go on and try to survive. He had to or else he'd be letting Luna down.

"She loved the wedding though, I did too. We're glad everyone came and had fun. It was something we didn't get to do in our world so we got to have it here. And... we had each other for longer here than we ever did at home so even our short time was worth it."

[this_loser]

"Don't listen to him, Umbra!"

Prompto's no stranger. He's also not immediately visible, his voice floating down from somewhere above the trail. In the trees. Because he's in a tree. He's got his legs dangling from either end of a thick branch, his back pressed to the trunk. It's a little nerve-wracking, being up high when he hates being up high, but the view was awesome.

He snaps a few shots of Noctis and the dogs from his vantage. "Fancy seeing you here!"

[starless_sky]

Umbra has a very good eye and a very good nose. He bounds over to the tree Prompto is in and completely ignores Noctis. Noct groans and follows him. He thinks Umbra is harassing someone until he hears that voice.

"Prompto?" he has to search for him up in the tree but... there he is. He's stunned.

"What are you doing up there? Don't you hate heights?" he can't react fast enough to strike a post for the first shot. But he may have been cool in the second one. He tried at least. "Well, the dogs need to get out when they can... what about you? You didn't say you were coming here, I'd have come with you." unless the point was to get some space... oh dear.

[this_loser]

"Yes! Yes, I do hate heights. To be honest, I'm not sure how I'm going to get down." Getting up had been fairly easy, as long as he didn't think about it, but doing it in reverse makes him feel a little ill.

He tucks his camera away so he can get a good grip on the branch. "I left really early this morning. Figured you would rather sleep."

[starless_sky]

"....have you been up there all day?" he looks concerned then sighs. "Hang on. I'm coming up." he can warp short distances here, not like he could at home but... usually on ships there was little need to warp and little room anyway, so it didn't matter. But he could make it up the tree to Prompto. In a flash of blue light he's suddenly at his side.

"Alright... I can warp us back down whenever you want." he perches on the branch next to Prompto and looks out at the view. Well damn... doesn't that make for a great sight? If they climbed higher it'd be even better but he doubted it would be worth Prompto's toil to climb down.

"You could have woken me..." he paused. "Next time... wake me."

[this_loser]

"Not all day. A few hours maybe?" Which was way too long to be stuck up in a tree. Bark is unpleasant and his butt went numb a while ago.

But then Noctis is there in a flash, and he worries less about falling and breaking something. He blinks the light out of his eyes, lips curving up in a crooked grin. "Okay. Next time I'll drag you with me.

Um, but now I want down from here."

Cooking lecture

[starless_sky]

Yes, he's in the lecture hall listening to cooking of all things. Sure, he had every chance to learn when Ignis was around and throughout his youth but only now that he's been alone for a month or so does he think he may want to... up his ante.

Maybe it's good to see him here. The speaker is boring as can be but maybe you can distract each other by comparing notes?

Did someone say food?

[ginger_firebird]

Mantis likes the noise of the Crafter's Hall for many reasons, none the least of which has to do with how it's a perfect ground for people watching. He taps Noctis lightly on the shoulder before taking a seat.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for a cooking type."

Uh this guy. You heard it here first, folks

[starless_sky]

Well, that's certainly a thing to do here. There are wandering children, there is a couple trying to discretely argue a few rows ahead... a man falling asleep while his partner irritatedly nudges him awake. A small girl is making her rounds up and down the rows of people and picking things out of their purses and pockets.

Noct is zoned out when he is tapped. He flinches and looks up. Mantis. Seeing him gives anybody a start but...he relaxes in a moment.

"I am not but... I'm my ship's cook. My friend Ignis was the cook and a better chef than me but... he's gone home. So I have to step my game up. What about you? Can't say I can imagine you cooking."

Food keeps the spirit high and the belly full

[ginger_firebird]

One cannot help but admire the dedication of the aspiring pickpocket. He waves his hand just slightly with the intention to trip her up as she moves on to her next victim. Thievery is all good and well, but all good thieves get put in their place at least once.

"Relax. This is a hall of artisans and bored children. No harm can fall anyone here unless they fall underfoot of the crowd." His shoulders shake with silent amusement. "As little as I eat most days, I find the best fruit pastries are handmade. You and I can both benefit from learning about the local techniques and ingredients."

[starless_sky]

She certainly tries and when she gets caught it's curtains for her today. Dang... but she learned an important lesson. Best to learn it now while people will forgive her age, then later when she could be in real trouble.

Noct smirked "fruit pastries huh? I had one I ate as a kid I loved... Ignis tried to recreate it my whole childhood but he never could get it right. I think he was missing the right key ingredient." he hummed "Maybe I should make some myself. Ignis isn't here to do it anymore."

[ginger_firebird]

If she really learns well, she won't get caught next time. No one ever said a skill learned well had to be one that was beneficial to a polite society.

Mantis lifts his head up with no small amount of pride. "You would be amazed at the sheer volume of wholesome things absolute monsters consider their true joy in life." He nods quietly. "Maybe invest in a cookbook or two. A lot of basic recipes allow for the practicing of simple cooking skills."