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[It only takes a minute or two for Ardyn's response to come through.]

I suppose I can spare a passing moment, yes. Name a time and a place, and I shall be there.

There is a little eatery in the city of which I've become fond, if that works for you. In a bell, mayhap?

Ah, an hour, I mean. I'm still not used to that.

[ And he sends along the name and location of said restaurant as well. ]

[Well, then, that's doable. And Ardyn is curious, so-]

In a bell, it is. I shall meet you there, not a minute too late.

[And so he will, when the time comes. Glancing about for that familiar face, he arrives with casual strides, as is the norm.]

[ X’rhun is already there, at a small table in the corner with a cup of coffee in front of him. He’s easily spotted by his ears this time, since his hat is nowhere to be found. Today he seems to have forgone his usual Duelist uniform for something a bit more casual, and a bit warmer thanks to the chill in the air.

The sweater he’s wearing is still red, though, because of course it is. And as ever, he has his rapier and crystal at his hips.

He spots Ardyn as he enters, ears perking, and waves him over. ]

[Ardyn, not surprisingly, is dressed in all black and layers, as seems to be his preference. The splash of color once again exists in the form of his scarf, a bright scarlet red wrapped loosely around his neck. No hat today, however!

He spots X'rhun with ease, and while he walks towards the man, he notes his casual manner of dress. To the corner he goes, and he takes a seat at the table across from his companion.]

What a quaint little place this is. Is the coffee to your liking?

Very much so. If you’ve more than just a passing moment, I highly recommend it.

[ He gives Ardyn a brief once-over; it seems they’re both going it somewhat casually. A change in the weather will prompt a change in clothes for just about anyone apparently. ]

Thank you, by the way, for making the trek out.

Now, that's hardly anything worth thanking me for. I needed a bit of fresh air, anyhow.

[He waves a dismissive hand, smiling courteously enough. Perhaps he will order a cup of coffee, but for now Ardyn's curiosity keeps his focus on X'rhun.]

Did you have something you wished to talk to me about?

[ Ah, yes, to the matter at hand. X’rhun didn’t offer up much of an explanation for wanting to meet, so he imagines Ardyn must be curious. ]

What if I simply wanted to enjoy the pleasure of your company?

[ While that is a nice bonus, that’s not the full reason, and that much is obvious by the teasing tone of his voice and the way he continues without really waiting for an answer. ]

We’ve a holiday where I come from, called the Starlight Celebration. Its origins are unique to Eorzea, but I wonder if you have something similar on Eos. It takes place in the winter, and gifts are often exchanged, mostly for children but between friends as well. Since I find myself with a bit of extra silver in my pockets, I thought I might keep the tradition alive somewhat.

So, I have a present for you, basically.

[ A present he plucks off the seat of the chair next to him, and slides across the table to Ardyn. It’s hard to come by brightly colored paper, he’s found, so the wrapping is plain brown, tied with a red ribbon. The box itself is about the size of a book, though upon picking it up it’s clear it’s a bit too light to be one. ]

[He's given no time to remark, and that's fine, so Ardyn merely listens with interest that refuses to wane. A Starlight Celebration. If something ironic decides to lurch itself up and over in his mind, it's with a practiced effort that he compartmentalizes it away for now.

Besides, when X'rhun slides this present across the table towards him, bright red bow contrasting the brown wrapping paper, he blinks down at it once. A brow arches, and he picks it up -- gently -- feeling its weight. It's light.

Eyes lift back up to his friend, and a moment passes before-]

...You're far too kind. I have nothing to give you in return.

[How strange it is, to be given a gift. There's something simple in the gesture, not overwrought by the facetious, paper-thin civility of Niflheim politics he's used to. Gifts then were weighed with the hope of garnering favor, of expectation. At best, they were seen as burgeoning opportunities. At worst? Annoying inconveniences.

Here, this is just... a present. Just because X'rhun could.

He's not... quite sure what to do with it. Outwardly, he knows how he must act. But his mind digs its heels in, asks him where those invisible strings are that must be attached. Habit. Old, old habit.]

I don’t ask for anything in return, except perhaps a chat over of cup of coffee.

[ X’rhun never does anything with the expectation of being repaid. If it happens, he’s practical enough not to turn it down, but he’s perfectly content to do what he does without reward. Ardyn is his friend, and therefore he gets a gift. It’s as simple as that.

If he notices the way Ardyn seems unsure of what to do with himself, he doesn’t remark on it. It’s just another piece of the puzzle that is Ardyn Izunia slotting into place. ]

You’re free to open it, if you like. I’ve no idea when Starlight actually is based on the calendar in this place, but we must be close enough.

[ And should Ardyn decide to peel away the wrapping paper and lift the lid, he will find… another scarf for his no doubt extensive collection, folded neatly in the box. This one is a deep blue-green, and though it looks plain, closer inspection will reveal a subtle pattern woven into the fabric. Something reminiscent of waves and swirling water. X’rhun thought it appropriate, given their little adventure with the sea creature not long ago. ]

[Whatever it was, if it could even be called hesitation, it was gone as quickly as it came. Ardyn’s movements are fluid again, unaffected, as he undoes the bow, unwraps the present, and eventually reveals the scarf within. He picks it up, feeling the soft texture of the fabric with his fingers. Simple, until reflected in the light, with swirling patterns that remind him of the ocean. Of the curling waves of the sea.

Ardyn laughs, a sound that’s barely there. Amusement threads through his words.]

A scarf. How ever did you know that I have a fondness for them?

[A hand to remove the one around his neck, and it crystallizes away with his magic, stored away as if it were nothing. He begins to drape his new one around his neck.]

A fine color. You have my gratitude. How do I look?

[And it does indeed stand out amongst the otherwise dark hues of his clothing.]

What can I say? I have impeccable intuition.

[ There’s a moment when Ardyn stows his current scarf away that X’rhun finds himself unsurprised that he keeps his wardrobe in his magical pockets. In fact, he might be a bit jealous, considering the convenience of it.

He grins as Ardyn loops the new one around his neck, amusement creasing the corners of his eyes, something that may share a relative with fondness in the curve of his smile. In coming to this place, they have all lost so much, but even for X’rhun who has very much been a solitary creature for years, it’s so very good to have found friends in the wake of that. ]

Very dashing. Happy Starlight, my friend.

[The smile he returns is just as generous, just as affected. It comes practiced, and he'll not show the tired strain at the corners of his eyes, because such does not belong in an exchange of gifts between friends.

But a muscle works at his jaw, regardless, even as he reaches up to adjust the scarf a bit more, to wrap it in a fancy little knot with deft fingers.]

Happy Starlight, X'rhun. I should hope that the spirit of such a holiday continues to treat you well, and I thank you again.

[In the long, complex file cabinet of All Things Ardyn Lucis Caelum, he will have trouble figuring out where to place this gesture. At the bottom lies a drawer labeled "friendship and other miscellany", but it's rusted and he's lost the key to it long ago. What a terrible reality of his state of mind, that he should have to think on it, whereas others would simply be able to accept it.]

[ He waves his hand in a dismissive gesture. ]

No thanks necessary. It is the least I can do for all the amusing banter you’ve provided me with.

[ Among other things, but it seems best to keep the mood on the light side of sincere. His eyes track Ardyn’s hands as he reaches up to knot the scarf. ]

I nearly got you a red one. I’m glad I managed to tamp down on that urge.

[It’s a French knot, or whatever the equivalent term is on Eos. He finishes it quickly, neat and nigh perfect — but to his credit, he’s had a lot of practice.

He huffs out an amused sound.]

You, my friend, have an unhealthy obsession with the color red.

[He’s joking, of course.]

[ He breaks into a wide smile, teeth flashing, accompanied by an amused lash of his tail behind him. ]

I have no idea what you mean.

[ Says the red mage in a red sweater talking to his friend about buying a red scarf. ]

[Mm-hm.]

Must just be my imagination, then.

[Though who's he to say anything? Ardyn's almost always seen wearing black.]

Have you bought presents for very many of those you know? Spreading the Starlight spirit, and what not?

[ There’s a saying about pots and kettles that’s applicable here, though would they be red or black? ]

Only a small handful. Those of us from Hydaelyn that remain awake, yourself, and one other from your Eos, actually.

[Black, on a searing hot stove gone red, maybe.]

Oh? [He raises a brow, and forces his hands to do something. Ardyn leans forward, lacing them together while his elbows rest on the small table before them.

Someone from Eos, someone close enough to (at the very least) be considered a friend to X'rhun. His mind kicks into gear, though outwardly it only appears as a moment's consideration.]

And who might that be?

A young man by the name of Prompto.

[ As far as X’rhun knows, he has no reason not to share this information with Ardyn. Ignorance, as they say, is bliss. ]

I do wonder if you know him, but then he has never spoken of you, either.

[Prompto.

Of course it would be Prompto. The boy who would have the most to say against him, the one from Eos that he'd harmed the most. All for purpose, of course, but to say that their relationship -- if it could even be called that -- was a tense one was the understatement of the century.

So, Prompto was close enough to be friends with X'rhun? Ardyn begins to craft a web of acquaintances in his mind, little connecting dots of who knows who. How strange that they would still fall into the same circles. Fate, or misfortune, perhaps?

A quiet moment, then a tilt of his head. A snap decision.]

I've never heard of the boy before. Eos is a big place, and there are a multitude of people who could've been brought here, but... perhaps I'll seek him out, sometime.

[The lie slips out with such ease, nothing betrays it. But why bother lying, he asks himself, when the truth will rear up and tear all these little connective tissues apart? Well, the lie is easier. It'll keep it everything even keel for longer. For now.

Ah, there it is. Suddenly he feels bitter again, his old friend coming up to meet him, as it always does. But the casual air remains.]

Describe him to me?

[ He knows it’s purely by chance that a couple of them from Hydaelyn have a connecting thread in the form of the Warrior of Light. He knows it’s purely by chance that he awoke to find Alisaie and not a complete stranger instead. After all, Sidurgu and Ysayle and Sadu had been strangers to him at the start.

So, when Ardyn says, easily as anything, that he doesn’t know who Prompto is, X’rhun has no reason not to take him at his word. ]

Oh, probably about twenty summers or so. So tall— [ he lifts a hand to illustrate ] –a bit lanky. Blonde hair that rather puts one in mind of a chocobo with the way he styles it. Fond of puns.

[He listens, feigning an interest as if he doesn't already know what Prompto looks like, what he acts like. As if the description of the chocobo-headed young man was anything new to him.

Fond of puns, though? Ardyn and Prompto don't have... that kind of repartee with each other for him to know that, to say the least.]

Puns?

Oh yes. It’s almost criminal the way he goes on.

[ X’rhun gives a little roll of his eyes, but there’s something undeniably fond in his expression. He could have far worse candidates for an adoptive son-in-law. ]

Cringe-worthy, I imagine.

[He notes that fondness in X'rhun's expression, though. It's hard to miss, for a man as observant as Ardyn.]

I hope you return the assault tenfold when it happens.

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