[For a long moment, the only response that comes to her story is the slight tightening of Regis' hand on hers. It is an unconscious reaction to the terror that hits Regis all over again when he realizes just how close he came to losing Noctis. On top of that, they had been looking for him for assistance, and he hadn't been there. He had not been far away--just at Valeo--but she had no way of knowing that. Noctis would have known to check there, but he was in no condition to let anyone know that. Thank the Astrals, Ardyn had been home.
Of course, Regis realizes as his emotions begin to calm again that he is not certain he would have been much help in the heat of the moment. It is not as if he would have been able to reach into his son's Armiger. He could have explained to Pyra what was going on, helped her with the automatic defenses, and perhaps done the same as he just did--give Noctis extra magical energy to work with--but only Ardyn could have pulled away the hostile energy quickly enough to allow Pyra and Noctis to deal with the actual source of the issue. No potion, no matter how strong, could have kept up with that. A Phoenix Down may have returned Noctis from the dead, but Regis knows he has not been able to create one here yet and he is pretty sure Noctis has not either. Plus they have no idea if it would have worked correctly or not.
A sick feeling fills his stomach for a moment as it dawns on him that no matter how much of a chance this place has given him to be there for Noctis when he won't be able to be there back home, it seems like Fate still is keeping him away.
Regis tries not to hate much--hate is not a good emotion for a successful king to have--but this? This he hates.
Knowing the silence is starting to drag on, Regis takes a deep breath and shifts his focus from his own emotions to Pyra's. He understands now why she has seemed like a skittish cat ever since he arrived. There is a lot to unpack in what she has said, but questions can wait just a few more moments.]
Our family was given the power we wield to protect. We protect the Crystal. We protect our people. We protect our country. We protect our world. You cherish protecting as well. What you and Noctis tried to do were one and the same. He tried to protect others from the dangers of that Fetter and you tried to protect him. We do these things without thought of ourselves. Protecting is a part of us, no matter the outcome.
[He pauses a moment, shifting on the couch so he is facing her a little more.]
no subject
Of course, Regis realizes as his emotions begin to calm again that he is not certain he would have been much help in the heat of the moment. It is not as if he would have been able to reach into his son's Armiger. He could have explained to Pyra what was going on, helped her with the automatic defenses, and perhaps done the same as he just did--give Noctis extra magical energy to work with--but only Ardyn could have pulled away the hostile energy quickly enough to allow Pyra and Noctis to deal with the actual source of the issue. No potion, no matter how strong, could have kept up with that. A Phoenix Down may have returned Noctis from the dead, but Regis knows he has not been able to create one here yet and he is pretty sure Noctis has not either. Plus they have no idea if it would have worked correctly or not.
A sick feeling fills his stomach for a moment as it dawns on him that no matter how much of a chance this place has given him to be there for Noctis when he won't be able to be there back home, it seems like Fate still is keeping him away.
Regis tries not to hate much--hate is not a good emotion for a successful king to have--but this? This he hates.
Knowing the silence is starting to drag on, Regis takes a deep breath and shifts his focus from his own emotions to Pyra's. He understands now why she has seemed like a skittish cat ever since he arrived. There is a lot to unpack in what she has said, but questions can wait just a few more moments.]
Our family was given the power we wield to protect. We protect the Crystal. We protect our people. We protect our country. We protect our world. You cherish protecting as well. What you and Noctis tried to do were one and the same. He tried to protect others from the dangers of that Fetter and you tried to protect him. We do these things without thought of ourselves. Protecting is a part of us, no matter the outcome.
[He pauses a moment, shifting on the couch so he is facing her a little more.]
May I give you a hug?