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Gone Fishing

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"It was.. very strange," Tony began a little vaguely. "We had a limited stock of food that was replenished at these train platform stops that we'd come to about every couple weeks. However, each month we had a 'food of the month'. It was one item that the whole month we had to cook with. We were given a set of recipes and the ingredients to make those certain recipes along with a bit of staples."

He chuckled. "Trust me, after the third week of eating onions, you get very sick of them. Though, at least it isn't actually falling on our heads like the chocolate outside."

There was an ache in his heart to hear about Regis being separated from his little boy. It was far to similar to his own situation. "That's a really fun age. They're still discovering everything and they haven't developed much shame or verbal filters." They were genuine.

Tony just set down the bottle of soda on the coffee table when his attention is directed to the band. He reached out and took hold of Regis' hand to look closer at it. And.. stared for a long moment, barely able to breathe. He finally recalled where he was and let go. "S- sorry.. It's.. sorry. It's a beautiful ring." He tried to smile. "And of course it's black."

Regis can't help but scowl a bit at that. Giving recipes along with the food was nice, but at the same time, one can only eat certain things so many times.

Especially when those things are vegetables.

"I think I would take the odd chocolate rain over being forced to eat the same thing over and over again like that," Regis knows food is food, but at the same time, he was also raised experiencing a great many different foods and the best of those foods at that. He is, without a doubt, biased.

"Noctis certainly has no qualms about telling the chefs what they can do with the vegetables they keep trying to feed him," Regis lets the sweets join the soda on the table. "Several months ago, this place decided to play with our ages. I ended up much older; he ended up much younger. Not as young as the boy I left behind, but much closer. Six maybe? I have some pictures I can show you if that isn't too "Dad" of me."

Regis starts to laugh at the joke, but all good humor is chased away from his face when he sees Tony's reaction to his ring. To say the reaction is the last thing he was expecting would be an understatement, and he is left unsure if he should say anything or just let the topic drop once Tony himself tries to laugh it off. In the end, Regis decides to take the middle ground as he so often does, leaving room for discussion if Tony wants it but allowing him to step away from the topic if he would prefer.

"Yes, it's rather the family color. Tradition you might say. Is everything all right?" Once his hand is free again, he folds the other over it hiding the ring from sight, "If you wish, I can store it in the Armiger until we are done. No questions asked."

"It liked to play a lot of mind games like that," Tony said, as though that was a reason to only feed someone onions or eggs for a whole month. The spam month, he'd almost gone vegetarian.

The news about the quirky thing that happened here had Tony's eyebrow raising. "That's very strange. We didn't have people aging but there were a number of other.. problems that would happen from time to time. That actually puts some validity to the theory where I'm from, where Prompto is from, and here are connected somehow."

And he had to laugh at that. "I'd love to see pictures of your boy." And he really would've too, if the conversation had gone a different direction.

"Yes, the boys tried to.." He sighed and moved to sit, but the offer made him stop. He turned back to Regis. "No!" He put a hand both under and over his friend's and shook his head again. "No.. no, it's not.. it's a beautiful ring and I'd never want you to take it off. It's.." He took a breath to simply force the words out.

"I was engaged on the train and it's shocking how similar the ring I had made looked just like that one. The only difference is the color and maybe just some really minor details but.. it's complicated. The man I was engaged to is here, but it's not the one I knew." He let go of Regis' hand and finally did move to sit. "And to make things even more complicated.. the man was um.. having challenges? We were constantly arguing and I was planning how to break things off. He disappeared. A few weeks or a month later, I'm not sure exactly how long, I'm here seeing him again with someone else."

"One of my adopted daughters here has confirmed our home worlds are linked, though she didn't really give me the details as to how. If our woulds are linked, though, it stands to reason others would be. Perhaps that is why it seems like so many people from the same place end up here. For a while, there were no fewer than 10 people from Eos in the city. It got to the point, I honestly kept expecting to see a new familiar face each time I turned around."

There are fewer than that now, but not by much, especially after Gladio's arrival. What that means for the theory, he is not sure.

Regis' offer to remove the ring is genuine. After all, he had not hesitated to leave the Ring of the Lucii in safe hands when he had attended the party Era threw for Ardyn. Her safety and comfort had been that important, and now Tony's comfort is also that important. Still, it's obvious by his friend's reaction that won't be necessary.

Once Tony sits down, Regis slowly does the same, his focus on the words that the man is having such a hard time getting out. Only after his friend falls quiet does Regis mutter a soft, "Oh Astrals."

"I've wondered sometimes what it would be like if Cor returned to the city and remembered nothing. I think if he arrived from any time other than the one he did, he would not have been ready to acknowledge his feelings for me, and what if he can from another world like you and Gladio? He might have left someone behind too."

He shakes his head, standing so he can move to Tony's side and put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "How are you handling it? It sounds like a nightmare become reality."

After all, no matter what challenges a couple might be having, love doesn't just disappear. It lingers no matter how much it hurts.

"Oh? Who have you adopted?" He asked with a grin. Whoever she was, he'd want to keep an eye out for her (or them since that sounded like multiple daughters) on Reggie's behalf. "I picked up a few strays when I was on the train. It's hard not to."

Tony had felt the sincerity of the offer. It just further endeared the king to him. It was strange how he'd initially had such a negative view of Regis when it had been just Ignis on the train. When Gladio had arrived, he'd set Tony straight and now he had an even better understanding. He wished there was a way he could help the Eos people from the portion of their story he was aware of.

"Perhaps.." Tony agreed with a sigh. The hand on his shoulder was nice. It was one of his 'go to' moves for others and he liked the feel of it getting returned.

"It isn't easy. When I left home, I didn't think I'd ever be in another relationship. However, I think it was easier for me in a way since I knew I'd fulfilled my marriage vow to be faithful 'til death do us part'. It was off by a second or two, but I will not see my wife again. I still struggled but.. Ignis was alone for the first time from his friends and duty. He was terribly proper. It was.. well, it was just plain fun to mess with him. He'd get easily flustered." He chuckled and looked up at his friend.

"He was much too young for me and I tried to keep it as a joke, but he didn't care about that. The one here isn't who I knew. I can tell and I'm getting more and more satisfied that we're just friends since some of his old 'cute quirks' are actually 'annoying mannerisms'. Either way, he- along with the other three- are always going to mean something to me."

"I hope if Cor ever comes back, no matter what point in his life he is at, you'll find that spark again. The boys always said such good things about the man whenever he came up. It might be awkward if he has someone at home, but I've learned you can, in fact, love more than one person at a time," he advised. He didn't know Will enough to comment on him, but he definitely had heard some stories of 'The Immortal' when they would spar or prep for missions. He'd been their teacher and someone all of them had looked up to. The fact the king had been in love with him wasn't as big of a surprise as it should've been.

"I have two at the moment. One is a young lady by the name of Pyra. She's dating my son and she has been very good for him. Her view on the world is very different, but I think that is why she is able to get through to Noctis when many others can't. We were all brought up to fill very specific roles on Eos, and she challenges all of that and makes us think outside of what we were taught." In many ways, that talent of hers has helped Regis just as much as it has helped Noctis, and considering how much she obviously cares for his son, is it any wonder he considers her family?

"The other is a young lady named Era. She is the one whose world is linked to Eos. Like Noctis, she bears the weight of a world's fate on her shoulders. Her experiences are different from his, but I could not help but reach out to her in an attempt to aid her with her struggle nonetheless."

Normally, he would spend more time talking about his adopted family, but as Tony begins to expand on his situation, Regis can't help but shift his full focus there. After giving Tony another squeeze on the shoulder to let him know he's listening, Regis moves around the table to take a seat next to him. Conversations like this shouldn't happen across tables; they should happen face-to-face.

It's hard to pick a place to start once the story comes spilling out. Ignis. Regis had wondered if he knew this person, but he never thought that it might be one of the boys. Maybe he should have guessed. It explains perfectly why Tony knew them all so well.

Ignis is so young back home still. He has just met Noctis and is more his big brother than any kind of advisor, but from what Regis has seen of him here, he ends up fulfilling that role and more. What had it been like to be suddenly alone without any of the things he had built his life around? What had it been like to have no idea when those things might return?

Honestly, Regis can't care less about any age gap. As long as Ignis had someone to aid him through that hard time as he aided so many others, Regis can be nothing besides grateful.

Once Tony finally finishes, Regis reaches out to reassure him again, hand once more finding his shoulder, "I am so sorry."

It's a weak way to begin, but it does genuinely hurt him to know that someone with so much life and love of it has nothing to return to. Regis can't help but say it.

"Not long after arriving here, I found out that I am going to be betrayed and killed by someone who I considered family. It won't happen for for about 17 years yet, but it pains me to know I will have even less time with my son than I thought. After having so little time with my wife too."

He shakes his head. This isn't about him, though, and he's sure Tony doesn't want to linger on his own death either, "At that time, you were who he needed. What does age matter? That young man was born an old soul, and he went above and beyond what I ever imagined he would do when I asked him to look after my son. He needed someone to teach him how to take care of himself for once, and I am glad you were able to do that for him."

Regis pauses there for a moment, contemplating something before finally continuing, "Has anyone told you Ignis has actually been here twice? He is one of the people who arrived here near the beginning and then left. When the one who is in the city now showed up, he recalled nothing of the city. He is different as well from the Ignis who was here before. The first was more...aloof perhaps? Withdrawn. I think the time he came from had something to do with that. Despite my son being in the city, he remained living here with us for the duration of his stay. I believe there was some tension between them, but I never found out what is was.

"The Ignis who is here now never considered staying with anyone besides Noctis. His time may not be that far away from the first's, but it obviously made some kind of difference. I suspect the same is true for your Ignis. He may have grown a different direction on Eos than on the train, but it sounds as if you two here are finding a good balance of closeness. Close can be good too, especially when it gives you an escape from those 'annoying mannerisms.'"

His expression becomes a little distant for a moment, "Aulea, Cor, and Peter." A small smile crosses his face and Regis then shakes his head, pulling himself back to the moment, "My wife, Aulea, knew Cor was in love with me long before I had any clue. She would tease me about it. Now that I think on it, most wives would not be so accepting, but she was never threatened by Cor. Peter was someone I met here, a fellow king with similar ideals, and it made it easy for me to talk to him. Cor was never threatened by him either. Love tends to find a way, they say, and I think they are right. Perhaps if Cor returns, I will find out if that love will spark again, but even if it does not, I am glad we had the chance we did. All love helps us learn and grown no matter how long or short it may be."

Tony's smile brightened hearing Pyra's name. It did his heart good to learn she was viewed so fondly by Noct's family. She deserved nothing less. "You couldn't have asked for better than her," he agreed. He wondered if she had already started to change the way he thought too.

That thought was derailed by hearing the second daughter's name and it wiped away his smile. Wow, that had to make for an awkward family get together.

Regis might have thought it wasn't a good place to start, but Tony felt the warmth. There might have been a slight shift from Tony to lean closer to the younger father, but he'd never admit it. He wished he could feign surprise at hearing the good king was going to die, but he couldn't. He could, however, keep his features just as sympathetic as Regis was being to him.

"It isn't right." He put a hand on Regis' knee in support. It made him think about that hand and the glove he'd wear to finish his life's mission, how even for those seconds before- right before he appeared on the train platform- it had burned like nothing he'd ever felt before. Somehow, he was able to pull his thoughts back from that. "You have to hope the legacy you left behind is enough. Noct- or Noctis- as he wants to be called here-" Cue eye roll. "He isn't my biggest fan, but I hope he's taking advantage of the time he has with you now. And I'm sorry about your wife. What happened to her?"

To get support for being with Ignis was almost too much. He felt a wave of guilt that hit him so strongly, he thought he might be ill. "I did the best I could," he said, though he couldn't look at Regis while he said it. He thought he was speaking the truth. Mostly. Except for completely and utterly failing him. He'd been unable to help as the younger man clearly got more and more lost in his fantasy world no matter what Tony did. Wasn't that pretty par for the course in his life though? How many things had he done that had been well intended and he'd brought so much pain instead? "I tried," he added, belatedly and completely unaware he'd let any time pass or emotion show in between those two answers.

It was easier to focus on this other Ignis. He frowned, but nodded. "I'd only heard there was one, but I hadn't heard anything about him. That's very strange. Honestly, I can't imagine a version of Ignis that wouldn't want to be at Noct's side." His Ignis would've said it was for duty, but Tony knew the real reason. "I hope we can continue to be friends. It's not this Ignis' fault that my relationship with him is so complicated. Anytime you go through a break up you're more sensitive to those mannerisms and such. It's a way to distance yourself from them too." It was better than remembering how much he loved that wonderful, four-eyed, bastard.

He listened, slightly in awe of Regis' view on love and those who had touched his life. "Are you sure you're only thirty? You're wiser than most immortals I know."

Edited (Typos omg so many) 2021-03-18 04:03 (UTC)

Regis has to admit the sudden change in Tony's expression as he speaks of who he's adopted gives him a little pause. There is something definitely going on there, but with everything else they are talking about, is it right to bring that up now? He knows Era has not been herself, something a newcomer like Tony wouldn't know, but if she has hurt him, not being herself isn't an excuse.

When Tony moves back to their other topic of discussion without making a comment, Regis decides speaking of Era will need to wait for now. It is something they can speak of when there aren't so many other serious topics at hand.

"If all things in life could be right or fair, there would be so much less grief in the world," Regis may sound far too accepting of his fate, but at the same time he knows that death will not be an end for him. Not like it is for others. He will go to the Ring of the Lucii like the ruling Lucis Caelums have done for so many years, and that ring will rest with his son, aid his son. It is not a lot, but it is something.

"Aulea had no problems leading up to Noctis' birth, but he came early. None of us expected it to happen for a while," Regis pauses a moment, glancing not at the ring Cor had given him, but one near to the size and shape of the Ring of the Lucii. His wedding ring.

"Cor and I raced to her side since we were away from the Citadel at the time, but something went wrong...something no amount of magic could fix," he can't help but close his eyes for a few moments, his voice softening without him even knowing it. "She never recovered from the birth and passed before Noctis reached his first birthday. He has no memory of her aside from pictures and what I have been able to share with him here."

Will it ever be enough? Regis has no idea, but he is glad to have this time with Noctis. Even when he makes a mistake, he doesn't mind. Back home, he never even had the time to make those mistakes.

Despite the lingering pain that talking about Aulea always causes him, Regis can't help but be drawn back to Tony when he starts to talk about his relationship with Ignis. There is something there, something that is hidden, painful, and somehow far too familiar in the vague, drawn out responses.

I did the best I could but I failed.
I tried but it wasn't enough.

There is so much guilt in those few words and it pains Regis to hear it. Pains him enough he can't stand it. Perhaps that is why he can't even bring himself to give Tony a warning before he takes action. He just moves closer and pulls him into a hug. When he finally does speak, there is a fierce tone despite the softness of his words.

"You did everything you could in a difficult situation. No matter how much we want to, we can't fix everything."

There is more to say. If nothing else, Regis should point out that he is technically 35 now and maybe those five years are why he is so wise, but there are some things that come before jokes and attempting to help heal undeserved guilt is one of them.

"It would. Good people wouldn't have to die to save their worlds, but.. there are worse ways to die, right? I hear they make a statue of me." Tony said, attempting again to put a little humor in his situation.

That humor fades as it becomes more clear through Regis' story what happened to his wife. It doesn't make the most sense to him if these potions are supposed to be such cure-alls, but then again, they haven't been have they? Gladio has scars and Noct has his back injuries- that he probably doesn't know Tony knows about, awkward. Either way, he hated hearing about this pain Regis and Noctis had to endure. He'd been close to losing Pepper a few times and if luck his luck had been just a smidge in the other direction there'd be no Morgan. "I'm so sorry, for both of you. That had to be so hard."

He didn't see it coming. In retrospect, he should've. It was the most obvious time for a hug and they'd already bonded enough where that sort of thing would've been completely allowed. He just.. wasn't thinking. So he's stunned for a moment, but between the action and the words, Tony smiled and turned in his arms to hug him right back. He just wished he could believe him.

"The madness of that place.. it.. he just wasn't well." He gave Regis an affectionate pat on the back before drawing back from the hug. "Unfortunately, he's not the only one I've been having trouble helping recently. Your daughters couldn't be any more night and day. Pyra is one of the most lovely people I've ever met and Era.. I can't seem to get through a single conversation with her without wanting to strangle the girl. We have a similar.. problem, but she won't listen to a word I say and is constantly looking for ways to be offended. I'm concerned if how she treats me is how she treats others.. who I just now realize must be your son, that can't be good- she must be torturing them emotionally. I'm not sure what to do there."

Regis takes the attempt at humor and adds his own spin. They can use it right now, "Does your statue move? Because the ones dedicated to the Kings of Old in Insomnia can be called to life to protect the city. They should definitely have made yours do the same."

But then again, that would probably mean calling his soul back from the afterlife and that's not really all it's cracked up to be...

Potions are a double-edged sword. They are great for immediate treatment. Phoenix downs can even return life to the recently dead in some cases, but like all magic granted to humans like themselves, there are limits. Illnesses. Lingering or old wounds. Starscourge. All of those are beyond the realm of human healing magic, though at least the Oracles can help with that last one.

...At the cost of their own lives, that is. For generations the Oracles have suffered right alongside the Lucis Caelums. It is no wonder they are so closely aligned.

"As horrible as it sounds to say it, perhaps it is better she went before he could remember her. At least then he did not have to suffer through both the loss and then me not being able to fill in the gap as well as I should have. The council wanted me to remarry, but all they cared about was heirs and politics," Regis shakes his head. At least he was finally able to get them to leave the subject be. The last thing he wanted was to have a new wife pressed upon him only to have her treat Noctis poorly because he was not her child.

Once the hug ends, Regis lets his arm fall so it is still resting against Tony's. It's a grounding and comforting gesture, one he is grateful he can actually act on here. Back home, he would need to distance himself as king no matter how much he may wish to act otherwise.

"As calm as this place is, it creates its own kind of madness. I can't even imagine how much worse the atmosphere there was," Regis tilts his head listening as Tony circles right back around to the topic he had let slide before. He can't help but nod as he listens. Ah, that explains so much about Tony's earlier reaction.

"Era is precious, but she is also difficult. When she is caught up in her emotions, it is hard for her to listen, even to me," he pauses a moment and then asks a question. "You say you have a similar problem to hers? Was there a time when you were not ready to reach out for help with it? I believe Era may be in a similar place. She is just starting to realize she needs help, but she is not completely ready to accept that help when it comes. Indeed, in her darkest moments, she may not think she deserves it."

"Does what now?" He asked, and laughed. "No, but that's a fantastic idea. Next person I meet who is still alive and from my world, I'm putting in that request!"

He made a face at that. He would have hated with a passion anyone trying to tell him who he could or couldn't marry. He could perhaps understand a close friend encouraging it if the king had felt lonely and maybe it was complicated with his position, but that was a lot of maybes and extra nonsense. It would be better if somehow Regis could take some of what he learned here and took it back with him. There had to be some level that believed that was possible or he'd be plagued by the pointlessness of everything.

Tony almost made a rude remark about the term 'precious', but managed to hold his tongue. It was a good thing as he needed to hear the rest. He sighed as he was called out for his hypocrisy.

"I still struggle with it. I'm constantly getting in my own way and I know I cause more headache for my poor roommate than I would if I just let him help me. That man deserves a damn medal for all he does for me here and on the train." He sighed again.

"It's frustrating because I know my ability to help her is so limited because I'm going through it too, but at the same time, she's from a world less advanced than my own. She's even told me her world understands mental illness less than mine does. I know she at least has what I have. But I think she may have more. I'm not sure though. I've never had to mentally diagnosis someone- particularly someone who won't listen to me and I can't get to physically talk to me face to face. She acts like a child, so sometimes I can see a few of her habits in what I remember from other teenagers or kids, but I'm not a professional."

He shook his head. "I don't want to hurt her. I don't want to harm her relationships with others. I just want to hold her accountable. I suspect she is hurting others- Pyra and your son in particular- as she metaphorically flaws around with her claws out and biting anything that moves. I know I sure as hell did." He looked at Regis, knowing this was asking a lot of someone whose only experience with kids was a three year old, but he was running out of ideas. "I don't know how to get through to her."

Regis grins, glad his joke as brought levity to a far too serious situation, but all too quickly they are back into the serious topics. This is, perhaps, worse than he could have imagined, though he probably shouldn't be surprised considering how hard Era is pushing people away right now. That plus Tony's own over-ambitious approach to things could only have ended badly.

"The Amicitias are a very special family. They have protected the royal line for years untold and they have always done it of their own free will. I have never felt more honored to have someone by my side than I am every time Gladio's father, Clarus, stands with me. They have an amazing sixth sense for knowing when their "charge" is in trouble and I don't just mean from outside forces. He will never ask for thanks, so make sure you find a way to do so. He really does have your best interest at heart, even if you feel like throwing him out a window now and again," Regis smiles, his expression fond and a little sad. He misses Clarus. The man has always been a part of his life--every part of his life--except for that here and it just feels wrong.

"Does your world have the phrase 'The path to hell is paved with good intentions?' I think the problem here is that you what to help so much that you are pushing too far too quickly. This is especially dangerous with how close you are to this. If you are not careful, your good intentions may not only affect her badly, but also affect yourself badly. Do not take this the wrong way, my friend, but it may already be happening. Listen to how upset and frustrated you are already. It is causing you to not approach the situation in a logical manner. It may be that you cannot get through to her. If someone who she considers a father cannot get through to her right now, what makes you think someone who is basically a stranger will?"

He holds up a hand just in case Tony tries to take this a step farther than Regis means for it to go, "I am not saying I want you to give up. After all, I will not be giving up either, but if you want your knowledge of these kinds of mental illnesses to help her and not hurt her, it may be best to pass the information through another source. Me, perhaps? I would be happy to talk to her about things that you feel may help her."

He knew how important the Amicitias were to more than just himself, but as he listened to Regis he felt pride swell up in his chest for his dear friend. Gladio was absolutely special and he knew that honor. He wondered what Clarus must be like to have produced such an amazing son- not that there had to be a correlation between great sons and great fathers. Whatever the case, he was smiling softly and already plotting another way to say 'thank you' to Gladio.

Unfortunately that cliché was sobering. It made him shudder with how real and painful it could be. It would've been easy to let himself fall into his own tragedies and situations there but he managed to hold back. The goal was to help Era and keep his focus there.

He took a moment to really think that question over. "It felt like we had a connection when we began and the fact I'd been through what she had before." That had been his rationale as to 'why him'. Although the rest, he couldn't argue against. He was letting this get to him and it was clearly upsetting him. "And who is going to protect you? Yes she means something important to you but you're.." Okay, he needed to find the right word. He should pick something that was respectful but still got his point across- maybe something clinical or..

"You're a pansy."

Nailed it.

"You've such a kind spirit and you've connected with her story. I worry what kind of power that gives her over you. I want her to get help but I'm concerned too." Although, since there were very few options here. "I can give you the papers I have and talk to you about the condition if you'd like though."

Edited 2021-03-31 16:46 (UTC)

Regis nods as Tony comments about how he felt they'd had a connection at first. They must have because otherwise Tony wouldn't have gone to such efforts to try and help her, especially after she lashed out the first time. At least he does recognize the risk there is to his own mental health if he pushes too hard.

Of course, leave it to Tony to point out the very obvious flip-side of that coin.

Regis can't help but laugh when his friend finally settles on the word 'pansy' to describe him. In fact, he laughs hard enough that he ends up resting his forehead against Tony's shoulder until he gets control of himself again.

Well, he isn't wrong.

"I appreciate the concern, but I think the big difference is that I am also a king. I am used to having to set aside my feelings and address things disconnected from them. Now, I'll admit, I have not had to step back and make that disconnect a lot lately. The skill is rusty, so I do need people to keep an eye on me. I had a whole inner circle to do it back home, after all."

For a moment, he really wishes Cor was still here so he could ask him what he thought of all this, but wishes aren't going to help them through this mess, "I will be happy to see the papers you have, but I think talking about it will be the most useful. Personal perspectives are often more useful than clinical ones. We don't have to do it now, though, if you don't feel ready to. We have already spoke on a lot."

Tony grinned. He was very pleased that Regis took his remark so well. They both needed a little tension relief while he also genuinely was worried about his friend. He ends up laughing too and puts an arm around Regis' shoulder to hold him there. No hard feelings. He loves you, you pansy.

"If you say so," Tony relented, though there was still doubt in his tone. He knew Regis was a wise man and a good king. It was possible that he could disconnect from his emotions and make decisions from a more objective than what the older man could, but Tony doubted it. He didn't think being a king vs a man of science were too different. The part that separated them was that this mental condition had sank its fangs into Tony's psyche and that made it personal.

"You're getting an inner circle back. If Gladio can't be the prince's Shield, draw him in more as yours. He'd love to feel useful again and have a place among his people in a way he doesn't currently. And just because the boy band of choco-brains are young and were supposed to be for the next generation, that doesn't mean anything now. They'd step up if you even implied it was needed. Ignis was a leader on the train and so was Gladio. Listen to them, they're almost even smart sometimes." He grinned at the end, trying to make it clear that was just a joke. He knew they could be very smart.

"Are you doubting me? How dare you!" Regis chuckles and then shifts to lightly punch Tony in the ribs. His amusement lasts only a moment, though, as something else Tony says catches his attention in a different way.

Yes, he is trying to rebuild his inner circle, and it's going better than he had ever thought it might, but that isn't what has caught his attention.

He sits back, gently detangling himself from Tony's grip.

"What do you mean 'if Gladio can't be the prince's Shield?." Is something going on between them?"

As happy and honored as he would be to have Gladio at his side, the young man is suppose to be Noctis' Shield. If they are having issues getting along well enough to work together, then something is very wrong.

Tony laughs with a slight 'oof' when he was struck. It wasn't hardly hard enough to warrant that sound, but he was teasing. "Of course I doubt anyone saying they can do anything better than I can or is this the first time we're meeting?" He joked back. "Just.. also, don't underestimate the power of a daughter- of any child, even as a king. They're little gremlins in pigtails." And he loved them.

When Regis drew back, he watched his friend confused before realizing his mistake. No, he'd promised to back the hell off. He glanced at his friend and knew immediately he needed to come up with something or he'd end up having to admit had he'd screwed up with Noctis too. Unfortunately, he'd already hesitated too long for any of that. He ran a hand over his beard before settling it over his mouth and he continued to think what to do here a moment longer. Finally, he glanced away again, sighed and asked, "Got anything stronger on tap?"

He'd screwed up.

Tony is, of course, right about how much power children have over their parents. There is nothing that Regis wouldn't do for Noctis, after all, and he is about to say so when he notices just how badly Tony reacts to his questions about Gladio and Noctis. A knot of worry starts to twist in his stomach.

"I should be able to find something," Regis says, concern on his face. "Dare I ask how much stronger I should go?"

Tony sighed again. "You know what, no. I need to let them handle it. I promised to butt out. It's not the way I would handle things and that's likely for the best," he huffed a brief laugh, turning so he could look at Regis more directly.

"Gladio made it clear the issue is really between me and Noct and not the two of them, but I think it's shitty how Noct has treated Gladio before and since I've gotten here. I told him as much too." He at least had the sense to give Regis a guilty look at admitting that. "I uh.. I went off on him like an asshole.. but in my defense-" He began and then cut himself off and lifted a hand in surrender. "Okay there is no defense to that."

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Sorry Tony talks so much

Never be sorry! :-D Now just watch Regis talk even more...

Love it!

Why do you think I spend so much time editing before I post? LOL

You're supposed to proofread before posting? WTF?!

Well...maybe that is just an English major thing. ;-P

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Apologies for the delay! I apparently didn't get the notif for this one. X.x

Sure sure, I know you don't really love me

Pffft....

Re: Pffft....