FFXV: After the Fall

Chapter 24

   "Yes!" Noctis grinned as he looked at his phone.
   "We got her?" Nyx asked.
   "Hook, line and sinker." The Prince nodded as he put the phone away and carried running on his treadmill. These ones weren't as good as the ones at the Gym in town- and also constantly occupied by the castle's guards, usually- but they would do.
   "We need to work together more often." He added.
   "She'd never have come if I'd sent it." Nyx smiled.
   "Cos' you keep windin' her up too much."
   "She shouldn't keep takin' the bait so easy, then."
Noctis then stopped, needing a quick break and some of his bottle of water, and Nyx also decided to stop so he followed him towards one of the benches. Noctis handed him another bottle, then paused to drink some.
   "And Roc." He said afterwards, wincing slightly at the cold water. "I know you two go way back, but one of these days I swear you're gonna come to blows."
Nyx shook his head. "Don't worry, man. I know how far I can go. It's Elle that I've still gotta find that level for."
   "You're lucky she's so patient. Girl like that? They'd go off you real quick if you push too hard."
Nyx chuckled. "Mm-mm." He shook his head again while he was drinking. "That's where my charm comes in, bro."
   "...you've got some?"
   "Cheeky bastard, sure I have. I can charm any bird, out of any tree." He said with a voice that dripped confidence. "And if you've got your eye on anyone, I can help you do it too."
   "Uh...I'm waiting for Luna."
   "That sounds like love to me." Nyx gave him a nudge.
Noctis chuckled. "Yeah. Still...I might be a little nervous when I talk to her again. I mean..." He then paused.
Nyx put a reassuring hand on the man's left shoulder. "I'm here for you, bro, you know that. You ever want some help? You let me know, and we'll do lunch."
   "Thanks, man." He beamed at him.

Helena then walked in at that point, spying the two men sharing a brofist on one of the benches, and took a deep breath before closing the door and walking over to them.
   "And there she is." Nyx smiled. "Our crazy third member."
   "Wanna work out for a bit first?" Noctis asked. "We can wait."
   "Ah...no thanks." She smiled at him. "I'll be fine."
   "Savin' it all for the main event, huh?" Nyx grinned. "Don't come runnin' to me when you get all stiff from no warmin'-up."
She gave him a slightly cool look. "I won't." She replied.
   "Do a pretty good massage, though." He lifted his head up a little and put the mouth of the bottle to it, keeping his eyes on her, and she averted her own after a couple of seconds.
   "...I'm sure you do." She then looked at Noctis. "What sort of stuff did you have in mind?" She then asked. "More hoops?"
Noctis shook his head. "Don't think I've got the right mind for hoops right now, I'd launch 'em through the fuckin' door. Maybe...how about some kinda sparring? Nothin' too brutal, though, I don't wanna end up gettin' stiff either."
I do, Nyx thought with a small smile.
   "Didn't bring any knives." He told them.
   "Not your metal ones, you mean." Noctis grinned. "Think there's some dummies in that cupboard over the way. They'd do the job just for somethin' like this."
Nyx then looked at Helena. "Would you like to be an absolute angel right now, and go get some for us?"
   "What, can't feel your legs?"
His mouth hung slightly open as Noctis laughed.
   "Did you hear that?" Nyx said in a tone full of false indignation and shock. "Fuckin' hear it? This is what I have to put up with. I asked in a perfectly respectable manner- even gave her a fuckin' compliment- and this is what I get back."
   "You are not gonna pin all our fighting solely on me." She said as she folded her arms. "You're responsible for at least half of it...then you can't take it when it's dished back out?"
   "So is this that charm I keep hearin' about, bro?" Noctis grinned. "Sure looks like it's workin'."
Nyx then pointed at Helena. "You need to get laid." He stated.
   "And you need to watch your mouth before I start takin' my ten Gil back." She said with a pleasant smile.
   "No refunds." Noctis chuckled. "That's the rules."
   "Okay, enough playin'." Nyx said as he gave her a look. "We'll start first while you get rid of your peeves- if- you'd like to give me some wood. Please."
She then went to the cupboard in question, found three wooden knives from among the assorted items, then gave them to Nyx with her own little smile.
   "Thank you." He replied. "Now we're cookin'. I'll give this bro a few pointers, while you hopefully take some notes. I'll come back for you later." He grinned at her, then went over to one of the mats with Noctis to start some practising.
That...could have gone a little better, she thought to herself.