[After a few patient moments, Vianca had definitely peeked. Just to make sure! She hadn't been missing any cues! It wasn't cues though, just this softly pulsing light show. Oh. Her eyes went very round in awe as she watched. She'd seen his warps, of course, but it was much different to see it this close and feel something there in her fingertips.
When he was there again, Vianca gazed at him with a very mystified nod.]
Okay.
[She held on as tight as her tiny hand would allow.]
[Okay. Okay! She said okay. Moment of truth. With their hands joined, he halfway winds his arm around her so she's tucked in close, because if this does work, he doesn't want her to get jerked too abruptly into it. His free hand stretches out to summon his sword, pulls back his arm, flings it, and immediately phases his body into a warp to follow the sword's path. What he hopes will happen is that her body will phase with him, transferring into a beautiful thread of blue light until they re-materialize together, hanging off the tower of the nearest building...!
...And what actually happens is that he phases right through her and - THUNK - dangles alone at his destination.
He looks down at his now-empty arm, then over his shoulder at her, still standing on the ground with his translucent after-image above her. He lifts an arm in a one-handed shrug, the universal sign of, "what the heck?"]
[She very much appreciated the careful tucking. She was already 100% on board, but it just made the whole thing that much safer feeling. It did, however, leave her feeling a little tingly when he ended up going through her rather than whisking her away.
She gasped at this sudden now you see him now you don't, wide blue eyes looking up at the ghost left behind before looking around for the real thing. Ah, there he was.
What the heck indeed. She blinked, following his motions with a double-handed shrug of her own. "I dunno."]
[It was more business as usual, with how this went back home- or any time he'd tried aside from that night with Pyra lending her power. He isn't about to give up with only one attempt, though.
He flings his sword in her direction (carefully off to the side, of course) and warps down, reaching back for her hand.]
Okay, just... I'll try again. Keep as still as possible, maybe...?
[There was a another little jump from her at the sword-- she wasn't entirely used to that just yet. Which was probably good for her overall health, honestly. She was quick to cross that small distance to him though, eagerly taking hold of his hand with a nod.]
[If she's holding her breath, it's a good thing he doesn't take as long on round two. We're doing speed run strats this time! His magic pulses fast and bright, focusing on her, on himself, on their joined hands, and before even half a minute has passed he calls back his sword and flings it, trying for a shorter distance to use up less energy. It lands with a thunk into the wall of a nearby house, and in an instant he too is there... alone, again. Of course.
He dismisses his sword and scuffs a hand through his hair, trudging back towards her, unable to help his discouraged expression. He'd been so hopeful, after it went so perfectly the other day.]
I don't get it... what else am I supposed to do? I know how it works, and how it feels... do I just not have enough power on my own?
[Ah, it was another stumble. Vianca frowned slightly, but it was more worry than anything else. He looked so down about it, but she didn't want him to give up. He'd been so excited..!
Vianca crossed her arms a bit, putting on a thinky face. He'd probably tried this lots of times back home already, so what was different about here?]
[She'd dodged the question when he asked directly, but she'd absolutely done something that meshed well with his powers.]
It's like she was funnelling energy into me, and when I tried to warp with her, it worked on the first shot. But if I can't do it without her power, then I'm just back to square one.
[He needs this to work anywhere, with anyone, or it's basically useless.]
I see, like an extra boost to show you how it goes when it is right...I guess it will just take more practice.
[Rhys had done something similar, when he was trying to show her the proper way to use staves. She knew how it had felt when it was going right, so she knew that all of her attempts after that had been missing... something.
For her, that had just been the innate ability to perform the act. If she'd had years more to practice, maybe she'd have gotten something, but time hadn't been on her side. It seemed like this was something Noctis should have been able to do, but just hadn't gotten there yet? Hm!
If only pocket pikmin battery packs was an actual thing, maybe this would have been going smoother.
...
... HM. ]
... Maybe you need to work your way up to people-sized people?
[His eyes widen after a moment as it clicks, and he lifts a hand to point at his pocket.]
You think?
[That thought honestly hadn't occurred to him, but actually, it makes a lot of sense. He's warped with frogs in his pocket before, and he'd never had to stop and think about how it would affect them or whether he could even do it. It just... happened.
Frogs are not people, and Vianca is whatever form she takes, but maybe the size would make a difference.]
[Well... the good news is, if he warps around her, she can fly and hopefully won't just fall. For a little thing like the Pikmin form, that must be a long drop, even if he isn't that tall.
Nodding quietly, he stands still and focuses again. When he warps, he brings his belongings with him- clothes, accessories, jewelry, anything in his pockets. They're extensions of his body, and therefore a part of him. For the moment, Vianca should be included in that. Not separate, but with him. His body pulses blue, and she should feel that pulse, too. A buzz of energy, light reflecting off a thousand tiny crystals and winking out again.
Calling his sword, he flings it, pulses, and pulls, his body phasing through reality and warping to where the blade strikes home.
And this time, the tiny Pikmin in his pocket is pulled right along with him, transformed in the span of a second into pure energy, rushing through time and space and suddenly existing once more. Exhilarating, frightening perhaps. A little nauseating. But once it's it's done he glances down at his pocket, eyes wide, to check for her.
[Luckily for everyone, there were no mouths with which to be sick with. Hooray! Even more luckily, she was right where he was hoping she would be.
The stem of her flower was straight up in surprise, quivering lightly as if it were discharging some extra energy. There had certainly been more coursing through her than she could have ever imagined. Was that what being made out of light felt like? After a moment her flower started to settle down, gently swaying down as Vianca's thoughts stopped buzzing at high velocities.
... Only for it to shoot back up again a second later as she whipped her head up to gawk at him with those big eyes and hum at him enthusiastically. It worked! Look! Here she is!!!]
[So, Noctis usually tries to be the "cool guy", with the cocky lopsided smile and calm eyes. He thinks it fools everyone, but success varies. Real smiles are more rare, though they are growing progressively more frequent since his arrival here, since he more or less escaped the steady stream of awful going on back home.
The grin he gives her in this moment, looking down and seeing her chirping from his pocket, is huge and a bit goofy and probably the most genuine, unreserved smile he's ever given her. His eyes are bright and gleaming, absolutely dazzled by the idea of- of something so simple as success.]
[Vianca bobbed her head excitedly, flower dancing all around. She did!! And look how radiant it made him. She'd seen him smile before, and that had been very nice, but this was on a whole other level of special. She was just going to tuck that away, thank you. Even if she couldn't do much else, she had at least helped with That.
She held up her itsy bitsy hands towards him and gave them a little push motion.
[Heck yeah it is! His free hand lifts without hesitation to bump it lightly up against hers, letting her do most of the lean-in so he doesn't accidentally send her flying backwards. He then dismisses his sword and lets them drop back to the ground off the wall, still very much blown away.]
That's... so cool. I can't believe it. [He's gotta tell Pyra later. ...Oh, but first-] Wanna go again?
[He's got plenty of magic left, no reason why he can't give her a proper ride.]
[Pap-pap and away we goooo. Vianca held on to his pocket cup as they dropped, her flower floating up like they were on a power-drop ride. whoooOOOOO--!!
Vianca wasn't exactly what one would call a 'thrill-seeker' in any way. There was something to be said for thrills that could happen from the safety of a luxury pocket though, and even more for the opportunity to Help. This was a helpful thing, right? They were building confidence and practicing! Very important things to do. And also, that had been... fun.
So his question was met with another positive nod and a squeak. Yes!]
[Hell yeah. With a big grin and another flash of blue light, he flings his blade- and whoosh, off they go. He's gonna take her on a wild romp all the way around the plaza, rooftop to rooftop, until they get dizzy or he runs out of magic.
It was an extremely exciting time, and very fun, but very much not a sensation was used to. Eventually she had to concede before it started being not fun anymore, reaching up to pat at Noctis' chest. Were there comical swirls in her eyes when he looked down? No, maybe it was just easy to imagine those, but her head was bobbling around in a dizzy little circle.
[He's about to go for another warp when he notices the pat, and when he sees her wobbling, he thinks better of it and instead heads to the edge of the roof, sitting himself down to give them both a breather. He reaches up to his pocket, offering his hand to her if she needs someone to hold her steady while she climbs out- and to set her down if she'd like to change back.]
[She will do this, thank you. One newtonian liquid pikmin, sliding right out of your pocket there. There's a little bit of teetering once she's on solid ground, so when she changed back she plopped right against his side.]
...
[Give her a sec.]
... You did it! [She sounds very proud and also kind of like someone who just stumbled off a really crazy roller coaster.]
That'd be cool. Might be a while before that happens, though- I'm actually pretty tired now. Usually doesn't take that much out of me.
[Honestly he's wondering if the only reason he isn't more tired is that the theory about magic being powered in part by touch, in lieu of the Crystal being here, is actually legit. Pocket battery could be too real.
Regardless-]
I've got a long way to go. But... thanks. It's good to know I don't have to go it alone.
Of course, practice takes time. I am also a little... [She lifted her hand to make a small, wavy up and down motion. That's her.] I will need practice too.
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When he was there again, Vianca gazed at him with a very mystified nod.]
Okay.
[She held on as tight as her tiny hand would allow.]
I trust you.
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...And what actually happens is that he phases right through her and - THUNK - dangles alone at his destination.
He looks down at his now-empty arm, then over his shoulder at her, still standing on the ground with his translucent after-image above her. He lifts an arm in a one-handed shrug, the universal sign of, "what the heck?"]
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She gasped at this sudden now you see him now you don't, wide blue eyes looking up at the ghost left behind before looking around for the real thing. Ah, there he was.
What the heck indeed. She blinked, following his motions with a double-handed shrug of her own. "I dunno."]
Almost? [She called over.]
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[It was more business as usual, with how this went back home- or any time he'd tried aside from that night with Pyra lending her power. He isn't about to give up with only one attempt, though.
He flings his sword in her direction (carefully off to the side, of course) and warps down, reaching back for her hand.]
Okay, just... I'll try again. Keep as still as possible, maybe...?
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Alright. I will be very still.
[She'll even hold her breath!]
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He dismisses his sword and scuffs a hand through his hair, trudging back towards her, unable to help his discouraged expression. He'd been so hopeful, after it went so perfectly the other day.]
I don't get it... what else am I supposed to do? I know how it works, and how it feels... do I just not have enough power on my own?
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Vianca crossed her arms a bit, putting on a thinky face. He'd probably tried this lots of times back home already, so what was different about here?]
Did your friend have magic too?
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[She'd dodged the question when he asked directly, but she'd absolutely done something that meshed well with his powers.]
It's like she was funnelling energy into me, and when I tried to warp with her, it worked on the first shot. But if I can't do it without her power, then I'm just back to square one.
[He needs this to work anywhere, with anyone, or it's basically useless.]
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[Rhys had done something similar, when he was trying to show her the proper way to use staves. She knew how it had felt when it was going right, so she knew that all of her attempts after that had been missing... something.
For her, that had just been the innate ability to perform the act. If she'd had years more to practice, maybe she'd have gotten something, but time hadn't been on her side. It seemed like this was something Noctis should have been able to do, but just hadn't gotten there yet? Hm!
If only pocket pikmin battery packs was an actual thing, maybe this would have been going smoother.
...
... HM. ]
... Maybe you need to work your way up to people-sized people?
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[His eyes widen after a moment as it clicks, and he lifts a hand to point at his pocket.]
You think?
[That thought honestly hadn't occurred to him, but actually, it makes a lot of sense. He's warped with frogs in his pocket before, and he'd never had to stop and think about how it would affect them or whether he could even do it. It just... happened.
Frogs are not people, and Vianca is whatever form she takes, but maybe the size would make a difference.]
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We should try.
[Maybe it was size. Maybe he was just thinking too hard. This was an option available to him though, and Vianca was gonna make sure he took it!]
I will be okay.
[With that assurance, Vianca left him no room to say no. She'd already shifted, buzzing her way into his pocket. Let's go!]
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Nodding quietly, he stands still and focuses again. When he warps, he brings his belongings with him- clothes, accessories, jewelry, anything in his pockets. They're extensions of his body, and therefore a part of him. For the moment, Vianca should be included in that. Not separate, but with him. His body pulses blue, and she should feel that pulse, too. A buzz of energy, light reflecting off a thousand tiny crystals and winking out again.
Calling his sword, he flings it, pulses, and pulls, his body phasing through reality and warping to where the blade strikes home.
And this time, the tiny Pikmin in his pocket is pulled right along with him, transformed in the span of a second into pure energy, rushing through time and space and suddenly existing once more. Exhilarating, frightening perhaps. A little nauseating. But once it's it's done he glances down at his pocket, eyes wide, to check for her.
It worked...?]
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The stem of her flower was straight up in surprise, quivering lightly as if it were discharging some extra energy. There had certainly been more coursing through her than she could have ever imagined. Was that what being made out of light felt like? After a moment her flower started to settle down, gently swaying down as Vianca's thoughts stopped buzzing at high velocities.
... Only for it to shoot back up again a second later as she whipped her head up to gawk at him with those big eyes and hum at him enthusiastically. It worked! Look! Here she is!!!]
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The grin he gives her in this moment, looking down and seeing her chirping from his pocket, is huge and a bit goofy and probably the most genuine, unreserved smile he's ever given her. His eyes are bright and gleaming, absolutely dazzled by the idea of- of something so simple as success.]
It worked... it worked...! You came with me!
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She held up her itsy bitsy hands towards him and gave them a little push motion.
This was a high-five time, yes? Yes???]
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That's... so cool. I can't believe it. [He's gotta tell Pyra later. ...Oh, but first-] Wanna go again?
[He's got plenty of magic left, no reason why he can't give her a proper ride.]
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Vianca wasn't exactly what one would call a 'thrill-seeker' in any way. There was something to be said for thrills that could happen from the safety of a luxury pocket though, and even more for the opportunity to Help. This was a helpful thing, right? They were building confidence and practicing! Very important things to do. And also, that had been... fun.
So his question was met with another positive nod and a squeak. Yes!]
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Soooo worth it.]
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It was an extremely exciting time, and very fun, but very much not a sensation was used to. Eventually she had to concede before it started being not fun anymore, reaching up to pat at Noctis' chest. Were there comical swirls in her eyes when he looked down? No, maybe it was just easy to imagine those, but her head was bobbling around in a dizzy little circle.
Breaktime? Breaktime.]
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...
[Give her a sec.]
... You did it! [She sounds very proud and also kind of like someone who just stumbled off a really crazy roller coaster.]
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Yep. Couldn't have done it without you.
[You helped! Good job, pocket buddy.]
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[Spoken as the fact she believed it was. Here is sweet low-five reciprocation though, more practiced than before! Amazing.]
But I am glad I could help. Maybe once you are comfortable with one size, we can try a bigger one.
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[Honestly he's wondering if the only reason he isn't more tired is that the theory about magic being powered in part by touch, in lieu of the Crystal being here, is actually legit. Pocket battery could be too real.
Regardless-]
I've got a long way to go. But... thanks. It's good to know I don't have to go it alone.
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Of course, practice takes time. I am also a little... [She lifted her hand to make a small, wavy up and down motion. That's her.] I will need practice too.
... But it was fun.
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