[ Every day begins with a schedule. Ignis knows the schedules by heart now, knows well what he needs to spend his time on, which meetings to attend, when to see to Noctis... his entire life up to this point has been dictated by plans, lessons, meetings, training. Anything to insure that when the young prince embarks on his journey to be King, he will have the most able advisor at his side.
The days grow long on occasion, however, what with meetings with pompous diplomats with a flair for the dramatic, lessons he's already memorized, or re-reading some doctrine or legalese to put his own mentors at ease. There are a few moments in the day that provide real challenge for Ignis, but training and honing his magical abilities happens to be one.
Nyx isn't exactly like the others. He's different, and damn near a legend where the court is concerned. An enigma, at best. And so, Ignis was curious and readily accepted lessons.
Ignis hasn't mastered his magic yet, hasn't mastered his own choice of weaponry, and while it's frustrating, it rejuvenates him. Reading and studying and memorizing is all well and good, but Ignis knows that will only go so far where the prince is concerned. That and for a moment in the day, Ignis can breathe. There's challenge in the work, but the scrutiny of the entire court is locked out of the training room, doors shut tight against critical, wondering eyes.
He's a few minutes early to his lesson, looking a little more tired than usual, but he tries to mask it. ] Apologies, I've arrived early. [ Only Ignis Scientia would apologize for being early. But he doesn't want to disappoint Nyx. ]
( that he's helping train prince nocts's advisor is...not what nyx expected he'd be doing. ever. ignis is part of the crownsguard, nyx is part of the kingsglaive, those streams don't particularly cross much. not that nyx is put out by this particular assignment, just surprised. he figured they'd have someone on hand for that sort of thing. it'd make sense, they have something for everything.
and, they do this time. it just happens to be nyx.
he doesn't hate doing it, training new recruits is something he does from time to time anyway. thankfully, ignis isn't like them and already has an intellectual and critically thinking sort of mind. that helps a great deal; not only does nyx not have to start at the very beginning, but ignis is sharp. he picks up on things that nyx doesn't even have to say. he takes what he learns and applies it to fit within his own limitations. honestly? nyx is really impressed with ignis.
not that he goes out of his way to tell him that or anything. not that he suspects ignis would get complacent if he complimented him too much, but that just isn't nyx's way. he appreciates ignis's effort and dedication in other ways.
when ignis arrives today, nyx is on the floor stretching. he's just come off a short mission beyond the wall and hasn't really stopped since he got back. but, this is his normal mode of functioning. high packed action, little rest. it's fine. totally. he looks up at him, silent and studying. he gets why ignis uses the masks he does, but they don't really work here, nyx can see right through them. not that he'll comment on it, he'll just test ignis's reflexes once they get started. )
Somehow I think I'll manage to get over the slight. ( a small smile toys at one corner of his mouth. ) Might as well get started with your warmups.
[ Compliments do very little to boost Ignis' work ethic. Much of how he works is so rooted in discipline and practice that superficial rewards are meaningless. Improvement is always preferable over a kind word or two. He has a very difficult task ahead of him, and he needs to be able to handle whatever it may take to support Noctis on his journey to the crown.
Ignis begins to stretch just as Nyx instructs him to do so, as though following a checklist of sorts. He knows how these lessons are supposed to go; he knows the order. Although Nyx might not be the most systematic teacher in the world, there is a pattern and reason in everything a person does. To a point, anyway. Ignis prides himself on being able to make the distinction. ]
Dare I ask what we'll be working on today?
[ He can't quite place it, but it's easier to let his guard down a little here. It's different behind these four walls than it is anywhere else in the palace. Perhaps it's the company, perhaps the nature of the lessons, but it's a momentary breath of fresh air. He won't let on how tired he is, but he can allow his mind a tiny break during the warm ups, at the very least.
Ignis crouches down, stretching out legs and back. Magic, for all of its wonder, can be a deceivingly physical art. ]
( since he's limber enough after working his shift today, nyx leans back on his hands and watches ignis. not in a leering sort of way, but just watching. he does everything perfectly, right down to how he breathes, that sometimes nyx finds himself wondering what kind of life he's had, what lead him to being the way he is. just passing idle thoughts that won't ever go further. it's not his business, and in spite of working together during these training sessions, nyx wouldn't claim they're friends. he doesn't think ignis would, either. it's not a terrible thing, it just is what it is.
nyx lets a smile curve one side of his lips just before he pushes himself up from the floor. he makes a circuit around ignis as he stretches. )
Movement.
( thus, the stretching. he makes sense sometimes, promise. )
You're getting better at casting, but we've been very...stationary. Which is fine if all you're doing is looking to light some candles for dinner. But, you need to start learning to use it on the fly.
( gently, he knocks the backs of his fingers against ignis's shoulder. )
Never know what's going to happen out there. I know how much you like being prepared.
[ Ignis rarely lets anyone see him out of form; he's had expectations hovering closely overhead since he was very young. Any slip-up could jeopardize his work, his friendship with the prince. Those are things that Ignis is unwilling to forfeit. And yet, he's human at the core, isn't he? And even though he knows the stretches, knows when to inhale and exhale, knows what move will work which tendon and muscle, his mind isn't in it today.
Everything in Ignis' life is formulaic; he knows how the court works, how to talk smoothly through politics in the King's favor, how to do exactly what his mentors and tutors expect of him. It's second nature. But days upon days of relentless meetings, chauffeuring the prince, and keeping up with his own studies and training? He's exhausted.
The knock of knuckles at his shoulder draws him up, the softer edges of his fatigue momentarily straightening. Nyx has a way about him that puts him at ease, in a way that's both dangerous and welcoming. It's an intriguing learning experience. ]
Better to be over-prepared for even the simplest tasks than under. It serves no one to be caught off guard in a moment of need.
[ He pushes himself up to his feet and adjusts the hem of his shirt. Physical combat and magic training, and he's still worried about presentation. Some things will never change. ]
But perhaps the candles will light the way to victory. [ Humor? Yes. Bad humor? Definitely. ]
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The days grow long on occasion, however, what with meetings with pompous diplomats with a flair for the dramatic, lessons he's already memorized, or re-reading some doctrine or legalese to put his own mentors at ease. There are a few moments in the day that provide real challenge for Ignis, but training and honing his magical abilities happens to be one.
Nyx isn't exactly like the others. He's different, and damn near a legend where the court is concerned. An enigma, at best. And so, Ignis was curious and readily accepted lessons.
Ignis hasn't mastered his magic yet, hasn't mastered his own choice of weaponry, and while it's frustrating, it rejuvenates him. Reading and studying and memorizing is all well and good, but Ignis knows that will only go so far where the prince is concerned. That and for a moment in the day, Ignis can breathe. There's challenge in the work, but the scrutiny of the entire court is locked out of the training room, doors shut tight against critical, wondering eyes.
He's a few minutes early to his lesson, looking a little more tired than usual, but he tries to mask it. ] Apologies, I've arrived early. [ Only Ignis Scientia would apologize for being early. But he doesn't want to disappoint Nyx. ]
no subject
and, they do this time. it just happens to be nyx.
he doesn't hate doing it, training new recruits is something he does from time to time anyway. thankfully, ignis isn't like them and already has an intellectual and critically thinking sort of mind. that helps a great deal; not only does nyx not have to start at the very beginning, but ignis is sharp. he picks up on things that nyx doesn't even have to say. he takes what he learns and applies it to fit within his own limitations. honestly? nyx is really impressed with ignis.
not that he goes out of his way to tell him that or anything. not that he suspects ignis would get complacent if he complimented him too much, but that just isn't nyx's way. he appreciates ignis's effort and dedication in other ways.
when ignis arrives today, nyx is on the floor stretching. he's just come off a short mission beyond the wall and hasn't really stopped since he got back. but, this is his normal mode of functioning. high packed action, little rest. it's fine. totally. he looks up at him, silent and studying. he gets why ignis uses the masks he does, but they don't really work here, nyx can see right through them. not that he'll comment on it, he'll just test ignis's reflexes once they get started. )
Somehow I think I'll manage to get over the slight. ( a small smile toys at one corner of his mouth. ) Might as well get started with your warmups.
no subject
Ignis begins to stretch just as Nyx instructs him to do so, as though following a checklist of sorts. He knows how these lessons are supposed to go; he knows the order. Although Nyx might not be the most systematic teacher in the world, there is a pattern and reason in everything a person does. To a point, anyway. Ignis prides himself on being able to make the distinction. ]
Dare I ask what we'll be working on today?
[ He can't quite place it, but it's easier to let his guard down a little here. It's different behind these four walls than it is anywhere else in the palace. Perhaps it's the company, perhaps the nature of the lessons, but it's a momentary breath of fresh air. He won't let on how tired he is, but he can allow his mind a tiny break during the warm ups, at the very least.
Ignis crouches down, stretching out legs and back. Magic, for all of its wonder, can be a deceivingly physical art. ]
no subject
nyx lets a smile curve one side of his lips just before he pushes himself up from the floor. he makes a circuit around ignis as he stretches. )
Movement.
( thus, the stretching. he makes sense sometimes, promise. )
You're getting better at casting, but we've been very...stationary. Which is fine if all you're doing is looking to light some candles for dinner. But, you need to start learning to use it on the fly.
( gently, he knocks the backs of his fingers against ignis's shoulder. )
Never know what's going to happen out there. I know how much you like being prepared.
no subject
Everything in Ignis' life is formulaic; he knows how the court works, how to talk smoothly through politics in the King's favor, how to do exactly what his mentors and tutors expect of him. It's second nature. But days upon days of relentless meetings, chauffeuring the prince, and keeping up with his own studies and training? He's exhausted.
The knock of knuckles at his shoulder draws him up, the softer edges of his fatigue momentarily straightening. Nyx has a way about him that puts him at ease, in a way that's both dangerous and welcoming. It's an intriguing learning experience. ]
Better to be over-prepared for even the simplest tasks than under. It serves no one to be caught off guard in a moment of need.
[ He pushes himself up to his feet and adjusts the hem of his shirt. Physical combat and magic training, and he's still worried about presentation. Some things will never change. ]
But perhaps the candles will light the way to victory. [ Humor? Yes. Bad humor? Definitely. ]