[ It's strange, hearing his full name. "Noct" always felt more natural in relaxed situations like this, because there are so few people he would be relaxed around. But Noctis... and without a title attached to it? He could get used to that too. ]
My old man? [ He asks bluntly, no point in beating around the bush any longer. ]
Or... stuff in my life I feel sad or guilty over? [ There's almost a hint of amusement there; you either laugh or you cry and he doesn't want to cry again, not after what he went through earlier with Connor. ]
[Markus almost offers a quiet shrug, despite the solemnity of what they had been talking about. His father, or what makes him feel sad. The stress of this new world, that all of them are fumbling through day-to-day to understand.]
My door is always open, whatever it happens to be.
[Figuratively, of course, because guess who DOESN'T KNOW NOCTIS IS GOING TO BE LIVING WITH THEM??]
[There are two (2) things mentioned that he can reply to. The first is the notion of fashion, in which Markus might be surprisingly quick to offer advice or discuss.
[…No. He definitely doesn’t remember this discussion. Connor sometimes just does his own thing, with Markus being surprised by it later. This appears to be another instance of just that.
Not that it’s much of an issue, either way.]
…I think that’s a good idea, too. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to recover.
[As if Markus is going to say ‘no’ after giving the boy a concussion.]
[ Well... this is a little awkward, but given the soul-baring conversation they've just had he can push past it without too many difficulties. And given how shitty the beds are in the safehouse. ]
I don't take up too much space. I guess I can clean some too, if I get a few pointers. [ What kind of guard doesn't know how to clean an apartment. ]
[To be fair, it’s not like Markus is personally familiar with the lifestyle of a guard. But the expectation that one would know how to clean up after oneself seems… universal. Weird.]
It wouldn’t be anything outside the normal upkeep of a modest living space. That being said, you’d be a guest. [A lift of a brow.] I’m not going to saddle you with a list of chores to do.
[ Eloquence, first and foremost, above all else. It's more important to get his meaning across as quickly as possible so that he's not locked into indentured servitude. ]
I can pick up after myself or maybe help cook a few things, like I did with you... [ Was that really helping or just keeping him busy, though. ]
[At least he's honest about it. But the unwillingness to be locked into servitude or otherwise, there's still a ghost of an offer there. Picking up after himself, willing to aid with the cooking...
It counts, as far as Markus is concerned.]
I always need a second pair of hands in the kitchen.
[It's a statement that'll make a nice enough epitaph on Markus' android gravestone one day. Famous last words and all that.]
[It’s Markus’ job to support the other android, not to fling criticisms around behind his back. Uttering “Connor is a shitty cook” seems to just go against what he’s hardwired willingly into himself, for good or ill.
Also, he’s just too nice for this, so he doesn’t look completely sold on the idea. He meets Noctis halfway.]
Connor is a less-than-mediocre cook on an average day. Sometimes I have to step in and salvage what’s gone wrong before it turns into a fire hazard.
Ahh... "less-than-mediocre", that sounds worse... But that one sounded pretty real, so I guess that's just how you talk. I'll take it.
I picked up a few tricks from Ignis, the guy I told you about before, but he'd probably say the same thing about me. His cooking's just too good, though, so he's got high standards. [ as if Noctis himself doesn't ]
[He was trying to be nice about it, even if it was a frank statement all the same. But it seems to satisfy Noctis well enough, and his shoulders ease a bit.]
Oh, you mean my competition. [—he says, jokingly, with the sort of ease the belies he doens’t think that at all.] Tell me about him. Why do you think we’d get along so well?
No, I mean the guy that's just a better cook than you are so you're not in that league yet at all. That's not competition. [ SAVAGE ]
Let's see... You both can get pretty serious, and you're both smart. He's always thinking about the best plan for how to do something... and he likes to lecture me. Gives me advice.
[NEEDLESSLY SAVAGE. He's lucky that Markus is generally good natured and won't take too much offense to that. (But it might be taken as something of a challenge in the future, a little seed that Noctis has now indelibly planted. Way to go.)]
If he cooks you vegetables, do you eat them?
[This is the first question that's being asked, because it's important.]
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My old man? [ He asks bluntly, no point in beating around the bush any longer. ]
Or... stuff in my life I feel sad or guilty over? [ There's almost a hint of amusement there; you either laugh or you cry and he doesn't want to cry again, not after what he went through earlier with Connor. ]
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[Markus almost offers a quiet shrug, despite the solemnity of what they had been talking about. His father, or what makes him feel sad. The stress of this new world, that all of them are fumbling through day-to-day to understand.]
My door is always open, whatever it happens to be.
[Figuratively, of course, because guess who DOESN'T KNOW NOCTIS IS GOING TO BE LIVING WITH THEM??]
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[ Either? Again Noctis is plagued with the thought of Regis leaning heavily against his cane, watching his son leave--
No, he can't do that, not yet. ]
Does that include problems with the fashion here? I guess I can talk to you about that when we get back to the apartment...
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The second, a little more derailing, is—]
When ‘we’ get back to the apartment?
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Ah, well, he wouldn't have asked his retinue either before inviting someone in for a bit, probably. More like warned them. Then warned the person. ]
Connor said I could rest up there. Figured it was a good idea, with the arm.
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Not that it’s much of an issue, either way.]
…I think that’s a good idea, too. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to recover.
[As if Markus is going to say ‘no’ after giving the boy a concussion.]
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I don't take up too much space. I guess I can clean some too, if I get a few pointers. [ What kind of guard doesn't know how to clean an apartment. ]
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It wouldn’t be anything outside the normal upkeep of a modest living space. That being said, you’d be a guest. [A lift of a brow.] I’m not going to saddle you with a list of chores to do.
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... hah? Seriously?
You just want me to hang out there?
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Like I said, I want you to recover from your injuries.
[His look turns a shade skeptical.]
Unless you were looking forward to keeping the apartment clean. There's only so much enthusiasm that I'll turn away.
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[ Eloquence, first and foremost, above all else. It's more important to get his meaning across as quickly as possible so that he's not locked into indentured servitude. ]
I can pick up after myself or maybe help cook a few things, like I did with you... [ Was that really helping or just keeping him busy, though. ]
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It counts, as far as Markus is concerned.]
I always need a second pair of hands in the kitchen.
[It's a statement that'll make a nice enough epitaph on Markus' android gravestone one day. Famous last words and all that.]
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Just you? [ It's a little funny, for some reason, as he follows that line of logic to its natural end. ]
So... hm, I guess Connor's not too good at it, huh?
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He’s… learning.
[A beat.]
He has less experience with cooking than I do. But he’s eager to help, so I can’t discount that.
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Markus... Remember what we talked about? Being one way around the people you have to lead or inspire, but taking it easy around people like me?
Pretty sure you can think of this as a first test. All you need to say is "Connor is a shitty cook", just like that. Not like I'm gonna' tell him.
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Also, he’s just too nice for this, so he doesn’t look completely sold on the idea. He meets Noctis halfway.]
Connor is a less-than-mediocre cook on an average day. Sometimes I have to step in and salvage what’s gone wrong before it turns into a fire hazard.
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I picked up a few tricks from Ignis, the guy I told you about before, but he'd probably say the same thing about me. His cooking's just too good, though, so he's got high standards. [ as if Noctis himself doesn't ]
You guys would get along.
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Oh, you mean my competition. [—he says, jokingly, with the sort of ease the belies he doens’t think that at all.] Tell me about him. Why do you think we’d get along so well?
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Let's see... You both can get pretty serious, and you're both smart. He's always thinking about the best plan for how to do something... and he likes to lecture me. Gives me advice.
I dunno, you're similar.
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If he cooks you vegetables, do you eat them?
[This is the first question that's being asked, because it's important.]
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... why's that your question... This is bigger than that.
But yeah, I guess I eat a couple when he does it right. But if I can taste them I don't. [ ... ] Or if it's enough to trigger my allergy. [ why ]
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Two words, uttered in the most skeptical way possible. Look at how Markus has mastered the art of arching a single brow.]
Your allergy.
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[ Don't arch your brow at me. ]
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Do you expect me to believe that's true?
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