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It begins with the first secretary of Accordo, Camelia Claustra, extending a standing invitation for King Regis Lucis Caelum and company to visit Altissa during their next family vacation.
In Cor's opinion, the aforementioned king jumps on the idea with an undignified and quite frankly unmerited level of enthusiasm.
Vacationing in foreign countries is always filled with interesting landmines like cross-cultural faux pas and salivating paparazzi. Not to mention that training a security detail for Altissa's unique topography will be an absolute pain in the ass.
Potential diplomatic incidents aside, Cor has to admit that Regis does deserve a break and Altissa is an undoubtedly picturesque holiday destination. Prince Noctis, in particular, seems genuinely excited about spending time with his father and close friends in a city that is probably prime real estate for fishing.
Cor thinks about that a little harder and sighs. Actually, that was probably the reason why Regis was so eager about it too. And to be fair, Cor is also looking forward to catching up with Weskham and his ridiculously good cooking... not that he'll admit it with anyone in earshot.
So at the next available opportunity, Cor, Regis, Clarus, Iris, Gladio, Noctis and the rest of his Retinue, several trusted members of the Crownsguard, and what feels like an entire house worth of baggage all board the Royal Vessel from Galdin Quay. Regis planned to kidnap Cid too, but the old man has apparently got other plans.
Cid and the ridiculous amount of paraphernalia aside, the planning and travel goes fairly smoothly.
Altissia greets them with a very fancy set of suites at the Leville and a surprisingly quiet reception otherwise. First secretary Claustra even provides security arrangements that are adequate when combined with Cor's own Crownsguard force. It's an unusually pleasant surprise.
Their first few days are spent in relative peace, with Regis and Noctis going off to fish and explore the city, dragging everyone else with them. Clarus, of course, sticks with Regis. The Shield has long mastered the art of looking perfectly at ease in any environment while always being on alert for any threats. Cor is only a little envious. He can manage being alert, but not being awkward is... a challenge.
Ignis and Prompto hang around Noctis, drawing him into animated conversations while subtly trading out watch shifts. On the whole, everyone is well-behaved enough that it isn't all that difficult to keep an eye out for danger, although of course Cor ends up telling off Regis anyway when he decides to jump off a pier to help haul up a fish and slips like a flan-brained idiot.
And then there's that fishing trip out into the open ocean where they spot a jaw-droppingly massive fish with a single, spiralling horn atop its head. Thankfully, it leaves them alone after a few terrifying minutes of trailing alongside their vessel, but it leaves an impression. Especially once Wesk explains that it's some sort of sea god, at which point Cor is both more alarmed, and also relieved that Regis won't be making plans to catch the blasted thing.
But all things considered, Cor is enjoying himself. It's been nice catching up with Weskham and they've been treated to some spectacular wood-smoked fish at Maagho as a bonus.
There are, of course, things that Cor doesn't like about Altissa; the gondolas, for one. They're sitting ducks for snipers in those things, which are unfortunately everywhere - including Maagho, which feels like a betrayal of the highest order. In the end, Cor just ends up gritting his teeth and trusting Prompto and the security detail to deal with any long-range assassins.
The real headache begins four days into their stay, when Clarus comes across a flyer for the 'Moogle-Chocobo Carnival'. It is apparently some sort of annual festival inexplicably featuring both Chocobos and Moogles in a gaudy clash of pink, white, and yellow. This sounds like a fantastic idea to Regis.
Cor is distinctly less enthusiastic.
Open streets, massive crowds, and constant noise and movement? It's a security nightmare. Forget the gondolas; this is a new level of begging for trouble. Lucis may have been at peace with the rest of Eos for many decades but there is still the odd border squabble with Niflheim, not to mention the anti-monarchist groups that spring up from time to time. Risking the royal family's lives for a carnival is a terrible plan.
Of course, Regis is above considering trivial things like safety, which is why Cor is out by the docks at ten in the morning with the entire party, attempting to issue orders to his crownsguards over the sounds of ludicrously cheery music and what seems to be a hundred people talking over each other. Why is this his life?
"Come on Cor, live a little," Regis interrupts, coming round to clap Cor on the shoulder firmly. "Look, everyone here is trained to care of themselves and me, and the Crownsguard will be there too. You don't need to be on duty too."
Cor looks over at Noctis, sleepily huddled in his jacket but still observing the crowd with interest. His retinue are looking around too, although they never stray far from Noctis's side. Cor feels a twinge of pride at that. They've been trained well.
At Regis's back, Clarus gives him a brisk nod, although the man is rather preoccupied with trying to wrangle his daughter at the same time.
"I didn't ask you to come so that you could wear yourself out more protecting me. You need a break too," Regis adds. His voice is gentle but backed with enough steel that Cor knows he means it as an order and won't be budging on it anytime soon.
Still, Cor isn't Marshal of the Crownsguard for his ability to follow orders and accept the inevitable, so he sets his jaw and braces for a gruelling battle.
A soft cough behind him stops him in his tracks, and Cor turns around to find Noctis looking at him. He seems to have shaken off his sleepiness.
"We could make it a competition?" Noctis offers. "Whoever has the most choco-mog medallions at the end of the day wins."
For a moment, Cor is tempted to continue arguing with Regis anyway. It is his duty to protect the King no matter what. But... he always did have a soft spot for both royal nuisances. He gives Noctis a stern look instead.
"Are you sure you want to challenge me? I won't let you off the hook, Highness."
Noctis's mouth quirks up at the corners. "I think I can beat one old man," he drawls mischievously.
Old?! He's barely past forty!
Regis probably catches the twitch in his expression, because the bastard snickers as if he isn't practically decrepit himself. Cor is going to make them both regret their entire lives.
"I have a few conditions." He's not scowling, that's just how his face is.
"The Crownsguard will continue to monitor the area for danger and periodically check in with me. At any sign of danger, we will follow protocol and evacuate to the hotel. Is that acceptable?"
Regis nods, his face grave. Good, at least he's taking that seriously. "Of course."
"Yeah, all clear," Noctis agrees. His retinue make various noises of acknowledgement, although Prompto's response is a quiet squeak of dismay.
"In that case, challenge accepted, Prince Noctis," Cor says calmly. They shake on it.
Now to find out just what exactly he's agreed to.
After amending his instructions to their crownsguard escort, Cor heads over to the counter that Noctis is standing by. The counter itself is decorated along its front with more posters bearing logos of a cartoon-y moogle and chocobo and the legend "Moogle Chocobo Carnival." Looking around, most of the fluttering banners seem to follow the same trend. They certainly haven't skimped on the branding.
As Cor approaches the counter, the closest attendant to him - a woman dressed in a lot of white leather topped off with a moogle hat - calls out cheerily.
"Welcome to the prize counter! Looking to trade in your medallions?"
Cor's already been treated to the spiel courtesy of an excitable bellboy at the hotel. The carnival runs on a type of medallion which can be acquired by winning various games. The prize counter attendant seems all too happy to explain just that to them and more.
Apparently they can also exchange the medallions for prizes, the most prominent being access to the firework show and a suite at the Leville... not that they actually need that. The rest of the prizes are miscellaneous items that Cor doesn't have a particular interest in, although some of it looks like junk that Cid might take a fancy to. Which really is Cid's loss, because Cor isn't planning on buying any of it.
"Pardon me, young lady. What do you recommend we try?" Regis cuts in, leaning uncomfortably over Cor's shoulder. The aforementioned young lady gets rather flustered by Regis's regal charm.
"Erm, well, there's chocobo racing! And the Brothers Kupomazov photography contest. There's also a moogle quiz and the shooting gallery, whack-a-cactuar, waiting tables, and fishing. Plus a few other fun challenges here and there! Honestly, you should just give everything a shot and decide what you like best!"
The pom-pom on the attendant's head bobs frantically as she gets more enthusiastic with every word.
"Right, thanks for the help," Cor says slightly awkwardly. "We'll... do that."
He looks at Noctis, who has perked up immediately at the mention of fishing. Cor is probably going to lose that contest. He's crap at sitting still when it doesn't involve a life or death scenario. But every other carnival game without a fancy name seems doable.
At that point Clarus and Gladio come over from their own conversation with one of the other attendants at the counter.
"Hey, we've got a map," Gladio says, waving the item in question in the air.
"It should note all locations with carnival games," Clarus affirms.
Regis cranes his head to see the map and Cor pointedly does not do the same. "The chocobo race seems to be the closest - it's just over this bridge. This competition can start there."
It's at that point that Clarus clears his throat in a considerably pompous manner.
"To make this more interesting, how about we split into teams?" he says, an infuriating smirk on his face. Cor barely convinces himself not to punch the man.
"Splendid idea, Clarus," Regis responds with an equally wide smirk because he and Clarus both horrible enablers when it comes to each other. "I'll be on Cor's team. I hope you don't mind that, Noctis?"
Cor almost groans out loud but the prince's answering grin is fierce.
"Bring it on, old man," Noctis snarks, turning to his friends. "Guys? Who's gonna be on my team?"
Ignis and Gladio make brief eye contact with each other and simultaneously nominate the third member of their retinue.
The young man in question squawks in surprise. "M... me?!"
"I don't see why not," Ignis says serenely. "The competitions seem right up your alley and you and Noct would make a well-balanced team."
"That's right," Gladio chuckles, clapping Prompto across the shoulder. "It's gonna be hilarious to watch you and the Princess go up against the King and Cor the Immortal."
It might have been a trick of the light but Cor could swear that the kid turns faintly green.
Noctis slings an arm around him. "Welcome aboard, Blondie," he deadpans, before his tone softens to something comforting. "Hey, it's not a big deal, but if you're uncomfortable—"
"Nah dude, it's cool," Prompto answers, visibly psyching himself up. "We've got this."
"That's the spirit!" Regis exclaims delightedly. "And now that we have our teams, I believe the chocobo races await."
The walk to the chocobo racetrack takes them along the esplanade, the wide expanse of the Altissian sea stretching out on the left and a row of chocobo pens to their right. Giant plush dolls of chocobos and moogles rest against the sun-bleached wooden dock railings. Banners unfurl from seemingly every available surface, including long, yellow ones that are probably a nod to chocobo feathers. It's a miracle that no one trips over anything.
Cor scans the area for any visible threats aside from the hordes of children and makes uncomfortable eye contact with a human-sized moogle mascot. The moogle waves. Cor does not. This is apparently all the time required for everyone else to have their attention stolen by a chocobo handler by the wayside, who encourages them to pet his birds.
Noctis ends up hugging a lime green bird while Ignis provides a demonstration for Gladio and Iris on the most effective petting strategies. Meanwhile, Prompto has apparently been recognised as one of the flock and is having his hair styled by an enthusiastic chocobo. Even Regis and Clarus, the so-called responsible adults, are fawning over the chocobos and children in equal measure.
Great. Two minutes in, and they've already been distracted by birds.
A chocobo bearing a distinct resemblance to a lavender puffball reaches out from one of the pens to give Cor's jacket a curious nudge. A firm scratch behind its crest earns him a pleased trill. Okay, maybe the birds aren't that bad.
Over ten minutes later, they finally leave the pens smelling rather strongly of chocobo.
"Time for the races!" Iris cheers.
Even though they've just pet the birds, Prompto's face immediately lights up at the idea. Noctis looks somewhere between pleased and nervous.
"Whaddya say, Cor? Best racer wins?" the Prince drawls lazily, no hint of trepidation in his voice.
Cor rolls his eyes. He's probably been on more chocobos in his career than Noctis has even seen... Not that it amounts to much since Cor doesn't travel long distances for missions anymore, but he definitely has more experience out of the two of them.
"You're on," Cor says.
Their path leads just over a bridge that spans a small canal. The marble of the bridge is draped with a cream, yellow and blue carpet, intricate swirling patterns somehow making the bright colours look classy instead of jarring.
And of course, to complete the scene, there's a young child alone in the middle of the bridge, eyes shining with tears.
Cor can practically hear the Dad Mode switching on in Regis as he kneels in front of the child. Cor keeps a sharp eye on their surroundings, but otherwise doesn't intervene. Clarus moves forward to bring up Regis's six.
"Hello, little one," Regis says softly. "What seems to be the matter?"
"My balloon floated away!" the child explains, her voice shaky. She's pointing almost straight up.
Cor looks. It's less a balloon and more a small cloud of balloons tied together, topped with a big moogle that's probably also a balloon. That actually does look like it would be a shame to lose, but it's too high up to exactly do anything about it...
He's just about to offer to purchase another balloon or - even better - ask the child where her parents are, when Regis says: "Oh dear, that's unfortunate," in a deceptively mild tone, pulling a single gil out of the armiger.
Cor has a second to panic internally before Regis throws the coin in the direction of the flyaway balloons and warps. He's up and back down in a second, almost faster than Cor can follow, handing the balloons to the little girl with a flourish. The child looks somewhere between awestruck and confused.
"My balloon! It came back?"
Regis offers her a short bow. "It would have been a shame to lose it. Take care of it this time?"
The girl nods vigorously and proffers something in her hand to Regis. She then promptly runs off into the crowd near the dock, balloon bobbing cheerfully above her.
Somehow, none of the people around the bridge have noticed anything amiss.
Cor levels his king with a vicious glare as soon as the child is gone.
"That was not safe."
Regis has the nerve to shrug. "There were balloons at stake. And also she gave me some of those medallions. That's good for our team isn't it?"
"Do not do it again."
Regis makes a noncommittal sound and shrugs again like the asshole he is, electing to keep walking. Cor follows with a sigh, tapping his earpiece to check in with his team. In the absence of an actual disturbance, there's no point in extracting everyone back to the hotel. And despite appearances, Regis can take care of himself.
That didn't mean that Cor has to be happy with his antics though.
Noctis and his retinue appear to have been looking on at the scene that Regis is making with interest, but as they reach the opposite side of the canal, their attention is quickly drawn by another prominent wooden counter. It reads 'Chocobo Races' in big, blocky text.
The man behind the counter - wearing what is probably the signature yellow jacket and chocobo-themed hat of the carnival - waves at them.
"Chocobo racing is the national sport of Lucis, you know?" Regis says mildly, reappearing next to him. Cor rolls his eyes.
"Sure. But the aristocracy is only interested when they don't have to do any of the tough riding."
"Well, I'm sure my son will set a great precedent to the contrary," Regis chuckles, clapping Noctis on the shoulder. Noctis seems less confident under the weight of Regis's arbitrary expectations, but he does give Cor a determined look.
"Still feel like a race, Cor?"
"Always, Highness," Cor responds dryly.
The chocobo man at the counter perks up a little as they get closer.
"Say, you look like you've been around the chocobo racetrack a few times. Care to give ours a once around?"
"Could he and I have a race on the course at the same time?" Cor asks bluntly.
The attendant thinks about it for a minute before waving over another man with a chocobo by his side. His hardy manner of dress marks him as a chocobo rancher of some kind.
Cor repeats his question.
The rancher gives him a once over, humming in consideration.
"Well, you don't look like the sort to cause trouble so I'll allow it, but mind no pulling any foolish stunts that'll injure the birds."
"We'll be careful," Noctis vows solemnly. Cor nods his agreement.
"Alrighty then, let's get y'all saddled up."
Riding a chocobo is kind of like wrestling a cactuar - you never really forget the experience. The chocobo's bright green plumage is soft and warm, although Cor knows that a couple hours in the saddle will feel a lot less comfortable. Fortunately, he plans to beat Noctis in a good deal less time than that.
The wooden race track creaks lightly under the weight of two chocobos, but otherwise appears solid. Cor and Noctis take their places side by side behind the ornate - and flamboyantly decorated - starting post.
"Ready!"
Cor hunkers down on his chocobo as they're counted down by a referee.
Light skips over the falls and Altissian marble, scattering rippling reflections and lending the atmosphere a sense of surrealism. The giant moogle staring at him from atop a platform doesn't help either.
"Go!"
Twin jets of water spray up on either side of the platform and Cor is off like a shot, Noctis not far behind. Briny air blows into his face and his bones feel like they're rattling with every massive stride. His chocobo eats up the distance, turning smoothly at the slightest hint of pressure.
The first hoop comes up, the thin metal fragile in the face of the speed and power of his bird. Cor ducks low as they practically fly through it. This is one very well trained mount.
And then they pass under a balloon with a bundle of something green tied under it. Cor can't quite make out what it is, but his chocobo apparently recognises it as a signal, because it accelerates sharply and without warning. If Cor thought they were flying before, he was apparently wrong. This is flying.
He quickly corrects their course into the next turn but not before Noctis pulls ahead of him by a head. Cor curses under his breath and urges his chocobo on.
Thankfully, Noctis doesn't keep his lead for long. The boardwalk ahead has a break in it, with a hoop directly afterwards. Noctis and his chocobo miss their landing, end up in the water and take precious seconds to pull themselves back up.
Cor, as an experienced rider, clears the jump - with enough room to spare, no matter what spectators may say - and pulls ahead for the last few meters of track.
They pass through the finish line in a whirl of feathers, jet spray, and confetti. Noctis is barely three seconds behind him. Maybe Cor is rusty.
"Nice racing, you two," the referee says, clapping enthusiastically. "Con-kweh-tulations."
"Thank you," Cor says dryly, hopping off his chocobo and pretending his legs aren't stiff from the abrupt ride. Behind him, Noctis groans under his breath as he dismounts.
The stall attendant hands him five medallions.
"Normally you'd only get three medals for this one, but seeing as you won the race it only seems fair."
He gives Noctis three medallions as well for his 'good time'. Apparently they both finished in under a minute. The prince looks torn between disappointment and pride.
"Aw, cheer up Noct!" Prompto says, giving his friend an enthusiastic slap on the shoulder "It was super close!"
"A fine showing indeed," Ignis agrees.
"Not half bad," Gladio interjects gruffly.
"Good work, son," Regis says with a proud smile. Iris and Clarus chime in with congratulations as well.
Cor snorts under his breath as Noctis's ears go red.
"... Thanks," he mutters, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly and looking anywhere but at his well-wishers.
"It was a good race, Highness," Cor concedes. "But you're a fair way from beating me yet."
"We'll see about that," Noctis says, rising to the challenge with a grin. "What's next guys?"
The map is extracted from the Armiger again and Gladio traces his fingers along it.
"There's a fountain plaza called Fontana Padigli nearby. We can get over to where most of the other events from there," he says. "There's a gondola line over to a park with some kind of limited-time event too."
The fountain plaza doesn't appear to be far from their location, but when they loosely form up to leave, one of the moogle mascots by the water grabs Noctis by the arm.
Everyone instantly tenses up, but Cor quickly determines that the mascot isn't carrying any weapons and apparently only wants to pull the kid into the most jerky, ridiculous dance he's ever seen.
Noctis - after getting over his initial shock and wariness at being pulled over by a person-sized moogle - attempts to copy the dance. This involves a lot of shuffling and hand flapping and Regis clearly trying not to choke on his laughter. Gladio doesn't even pretend he isn't laughing.
"Nice moves, Princess."
"Can't believe I just did that," Noctis mutters, ducking his head, but accepting the medallions that the mascot holds out to him.
Cor huffs quietly in amusement but the urge to comment on Noctis's dancing skills quickly vanishes as Regis shoves him into range of the moogle and a surprisingly firm grip closes around his hand.
Cor glares at both Regis and the mascot, but suffers his public humiliation with dignity. Nobody quite laughs at him which is the only reason they get to keep their teeth.
The three medallions are not worth it.
Everyone else has the good sense to keep away from Regis and the moogle, except Iris, who wants a dance for herself. The mascot eventually waves them off cheerfully.
The fountain plaza is up a set of stairs and over a bridge past yet another canal. Cor takes the opportunity to check in with his team over comms. Thankfully there's nothing to report and none of them mention anything about dancing. He might have to give them a bonus after this.
Ignis provides commentary about the architecture until they finally come into sight of the fountain plaza... which is definitely something to behold.
The fountain is practically exploding with chocobo and moogle dolls, massive gift boxes, and giant lollipops. The center of the fountain has been taken over by a ring of pastel balloons. It makes Cor's eyes water just looking at it. Attendants in chocobo hats and yellow jackets stand around the fountain, holding balloons and greeting people who walk by. With the exception of one man, who has a lone chocobo chick sat peaceably at his feet and immediately flags them over.
"S'cuse me, fine folks? Have you seen any baby chocobos like this one trotting around?"
"I'm afraid not," Ignis answers with a frown.
"Well, I brought my prized chicks to the carnival… but they kinda flew the coop," the attendant explains, oddly sounding more embarrassed than worried. "If you fellas see any, could you catch 'em for me?"
"We shall try," Clarus tells him and is thanked profusely.
"We can't let those baby birds go it alone..." Noctis says quietly under his breath like he's quoting someone and then shakes his head in surprise. "Where did that come from... ?"
"Well obviously!" Prompto exclaims. "They must be all alone and really scared. We've got to save them."
"If we can find them in the first place," Ignis reminds him gently.
"We'll keep an eye out," Cor agrees.
He doesn't particularly want to spend time looking for chocobo chicks, but a bunch of stressed out birds underfoot at a carnival sounds like a bad idea.
It doesn't take them too long to find the first one, seeing as it's on their way to the gondola stand. The chick is hiding in the corner of the staircase landing and barely resists beyond a series of squeaks when Prompto picks it up.
"Best run back to that man. We haven't gotten too far," Regis says thoughtfully.
"Y... Yes, Your Majesty," the kid stammers, sees Noctis nod in agreement, and flees in the direction they came from.
He's back in a minute, babbling something about thanks and offering Noctis some coins that the attendant has apparently given him. Suddenly the awkward behaviour of the man makes a lot more sense; this is probably a planned event. That's a genuine relief, although Cor is still not impressed with the use of live birds.
The timing is good though, since the empty gondola pulls up into the stand just then. The crownsguards that Cor sent to scout ahead also radio in confirming a lack of visible threats.
"We're clear to go," he tells Clarus.
Five of them manage to cram themselves into one gondola, leaving most of Noctis's retinue and Iris to make the second trip.
The gondola ride is admittedly among the most scenic Cor has experienced. The canal for this particular line is high on an aqueduct, leading to a spectacular view on the ocean falling away below them. Water of the brightest blue shimmers all around them even as they approach the imposing pale walls and arches of the park.
Noctis is staring with wide-eyed amazement like a little kid. Regis, who has been to Altissia before, merely watches his son with a fond smile that has a hint of wistfulness to it. Cor understands - Noctis who has spent most of his childhood sheltered by necessity, is finally seeing something of the world.
Cor and Clarus spend the ride keeping an eye out for danger, even though they're a good distance from land and the only crownsguard who could actually do much about a ranged attack is Prompto, who is currently twitching with nerves but still paying attention to his surroundings.
It's a relief when their boat makes land without incident, although the park pales in comparison to the ride there. The masonry of the walls is a sort of faded red that contrasts with the white columns and arches that support them. Right in front of them is an alcove with a fountain sculpture of a woman, water pouring out of a pot in her arms. A female attendant stands in front of it, a selection of brightly coloured boxes at her feet.
Gladio, Ignis, Iris, and the remaining two plainclothes crownsguard emerge from the next gondola.
"So this is Listro Park," Gladio says, looking around.
"Impressive, although the destination is rather less spectacular than the journey," Ignis says, echoing Cor's own thoughts.
"Is that the game?" Iris wonders. Cor follows her gaze to the colourful gift boxes. There's also a small pile of chocobo and moogle dolls nearby.
"Hey there, dark and mysterious strangers," the attendant says as soon as they get within speaking range. "You look like a crowd with a strong sense of aesthetics. Mind helping me decorate the park with these adorable dolls? There'll be a prize in it for you of course. "
Her facial expression does not change from dead-inside customer service.
"Um sure," Noctis ventures. "How exactly do we... do that?"
The explanation is apparently that they need to decode riddles and arrange the decorations correctly.
"Pardon me, but could we make this a competition by any chance?" Ignis asks. The attendant's brows quirk up.
"There are a couple more decorations to be arranged," she says thoughtfully. "You could compete on who can solve the riddles faster."
"Sounds good," Regis says. "We'll need one more set of riddles then."
The next set of gift boxes at the foot of an impressively wide stairway very reminiscent of the one outside Insomnia's castle. The stairs lead up to a massive sculpture which looks like it's been made from the thickest metal wire on this side of Niflheim. Noctis is left with his retinue to solve the riddles near the gondola stand, while Cor and Regis tackle the one at the staircase. A second - and far too lively - female attendant hands them their riddle, which looks like absolute gibberish with the words "kweh" and "kupo" thrown in occasionally.
"For every 'kweh, 'there is a 'kupo'," Regis mutters. "I presume that means there are an equal number of chocobo and moogle dolls?"
"Seems like it," Cor agrees dryly.
Line by line, they decode the clues, which doesn't take long between him and Regis. Although Cor hasn't decided yet if placing dolls on top of giant boxes makes him feel more ridiculous than dancing with a mascot.
"We're done!" Noctis yells from below them.
"Too bad kid, we've been waiting on you a while," Cor calls back with a smirk. He gets a bitten-off curse in response.
"Not quite accurate," Regis observes quietly, but he's smiling too.
Clarus and Gladio end up helping to hoist the decorations into place on the stairway, but once they're done, Cor has to admit it looks surprisingly good. Well, it's certainly festive at the very least. It'd probably look better at night though, with all the string lights and delicate glowing stars strung along the balustrades lit up.
"It's beautiful, breathtaking, opulent, magnificent! You must be so proud of yourself!" the second attendant says with so much enthusiasm that it has to be sarcasm. Probably. Her smile is a mile wide.
Once they've collected their medallions - with extra for Cor again - Gladio decides that it's time for the Arena, a circular, open-air building decorated with yellow flags that flutter in the ocean breeze.
It's specifically called the Arcade Galviano and hosts two carnival games called Whack-a-Cactuar and the Galviano Gallery. One involves hitting things with swords and the other, shooting targets. This is the kind of game Cor can get behind, even if they're decorated with ridiculously bright cardboard cutouts.
From the look on Noctis's face, he understands his impending doom. But like a true prince of Lucis - which is to say, like a man possessed of an exceedingly thick skull and a proportionate lack of common sense - he takes up his sword against Cor anyway.
Well, takes up a pair of squeaky hammers actually, because pulling swords out of thin air would probably be very alarming to bystanders. The owners would also likely prefer no permanent damage to the monsters running around.
"Chase down monsters and give 'em a whack! The more you bop, the better the prize!" The attendant at the entrance cries, his voice drawing in a small crowd. "But the baddies won't stay still for long."
Cor eyes the pair of sabertusks and the single cactuar that are already racing wildly around the stage and raises an eyebrow. No kidding. He hoists his own long squeaky hammer. The length is comparable to his own sword, Kotetsu, but the weight is off. Strangely enough, he's fought with worse.
He charges in as soon as the first shrill blast of the whistle pierces the air, leaping over sabertusks to bring his weapon down on the cactuar - which produces a loud squeak and also makes the creature go rigid, allowing it to slip out from under the hammer like a sentient bar of soap.
Cor chases after it. Someone in the crowd whoops in a loud and undignified manner - it sounds like Regis.
After a solid twenty or so seconds of violence against sentient plant life, the biggest cactuar he has ever seen bounces into the arena. For a second, they size each other up almost warily. Then Cor lunges. The gigantuar flees.
Half a minute of merciless cactuar-whacking later, Cor is the new owner of five chocobo moogle medallions and is watching Noctis duck into the arena while he sips from a bottle of water that Ignis handed to him.
Noctis does quite well. His training has clearly sunk in, because he's quick and agile despite the lack of reach on his hammers. The sabertusks fail to bowl him over, though Cor catches him subtly phasing through some of the near misses. Noctis also remembers not to warp since they are very much in public, but the sudden imbalance to his fighting style seems to be tripping him up.
Next to Cor, Regis shouts encouragement to Noctis like the proud dad he is. So does Iris, apparently like the teenage girl she is.
In the end, Noctis doesn't get as many points as Cor, though he makes a valiant effort.
"Four medals," the prince sighs. "I'm always a step behind, huh?"
"It's okay, Noct! We can still turn it around," Prompto says cheerfully, gently nudging Noctis with an elbow.
"Next event's up to you then, Blondie," Gladio says with a laugh.
Prompto makes eye contact with Cor for a split second and looks like he's regretting all his life choices. Cor tries to look neutral - his mouth twitches at the corners anyway.
"Why not, I guess," the kid sighs. "Twenty one years on Eos are enough for me. Noct can finally legally repossess my comics."
"Don't go easy on me, Prompto," Cor tells him.
"Y... yes, sir."
"Welcome, welcome! Step right up and test your aim," the jovial attendant at the Galviano Gallery yells. His eyes catch on Prompto and Cor.
"Hey, y'all wanna give it a go?"
"You bet!" Prompto says, matching the man's energy.
"Ugh, extroverts," Noctis groans somewhere behind them.
Cor snorts. "I'll be playing too," he says dryly.
The attendant is not deterred by his lack of obvious enthusiasm.
"Well then, c'mon and show me what you can do!" he says with a grin.
What Cor can do is ruthlessly mow down every target he lays his eyes on with a barrage of colourful pellets in the space of two minutes. Some of the stationary targets take a few more hits to explode, but the moving ones are the most interesting to hit and test his reflexes on.
The turret does overheat once, but it cools back down pretty quickly. Overall, Cor would not want to be the person cleaning up in there.
"You're up, kid," the attendant says, addressing Prompto. "Show us what you've got!"
What Prompto's got, is the ability to take out at least as many targets as Cor, without overheating the turret. Each shot is efficient and as precise as they get for a gun like this one. Cor is proud of how far he's come, and he tells Prompto that as soon as he exits the gallery.
"Thanks, Marshal," the kid says, sounding both awkward and pleased at the same time. "Though there was something weirdly familiar about—"
Whatever else he plans to say vanishes under the bodyweight of a Lucian royal and his Shield as Noctis all but tackles him. Gladio follows, slinging his arm around both his friends.
"Congrats on beating the Immortal at something," Noctis says with a grin. "My hero."
"Nice work out there," Gladio growls like a pleased behemoth.
"A truly smashing display." Ignis comes up behind them more sedately.
"Guys, you're... squishing me..." Prompto whines dramatically.
"A splendid showing indeed, Prompto," Regis says, walking up with Clarus from by the prize counter, hands suspiciously empty. "And to celebrate your victory, I have purchased a gift for all of you."
Cor was right to be suspicious. The 'gift' is matching, carnival-themed t-shirts and hats.
"I thought we could change into them later for a nice change in atmosphere," Regis says benevolently, tone offset by the fact that he's staring pointedly at Cor.
Cor eyes the garish t-shirt. He's seen duller colours on deadly venomous giant wasps.
"No."
"But consider this: I am the king and I declare that this is now the official uniform of the Crownsguard."
"With all due respect your majesty, piss off."
They ride the gondolas all the way back to Fontana Padigli. It's roughly lunch time and Ignis has taken charge of leading them to a nearby café.
The attendant with the chocobo chicks has accumulated a few more by his feet and waves a little sheepishly at them as they pass. The café is through an arcade, white stone arches looking out onto a wide canal.
They exit into a piazza, which feels a little less hectic, though that's probably because it's not packed like Altissian sardines with people. Cor quickly scans the area for danger and gets his team to sound off. They report nothing amiss and he gives Clarus and Regis the all-clear. Most of the area is taken up by a fenced-off dining section. There's also another one of those wooden counters halfway down the street staffed by more moogle-themed people. There are also two mascots waving at people: a moogle and a chocobo this time.
And of course, the chocobo mascot decides that Cor looks like a willing participant in this carnival and pulls him into the second most awkward dance he's ever had in his life. Cor is bitterness personified. He exacts his revenge by offering up Noctis as a sacrifice to the arm-waving bird people and they both continue on, three medallions richer at the cost of their dignity.
The entrance to the café is obvious, heralded by a bold black, white, and red logo. The stately black and silver carpets that give the open-air establishment a classy atmosphere, almost like something out of Insomnia. Even the tables are grey, the only bursts of colour being the large chocobo and moogle dolls seated solemnly in the corners. Strangely, it feels like a little piece of home.
And because it's the Moogle Chocobo Carnival, there's also another person dressed in a moogle costume swaying gently on a stage just inside the café. An elaborate arch of stars and pink and purple balloons frames the moogle perfectly. Cor just stares incredulously.
"Hey Iris," Gladio calls as one of the first in their party to set foot inside. "There's a moogle quiz over here."
Iris is at his side in a flash, bouncing impatiently on her heels.
"Let me see, Gladdy!" she demands. It takes all of thirty seconds for her to turn imploring eyes on Clarus.
"I suppose we could make a quick stop for this moogle quiz," Regis concedes. "If everyone else is alright with it, that is."
"Fine by me," Noctis says, beating Cor and everyone else to the punch. None of them want to be the unfortunate soul standing between Iris Amicitia and moogles.
The girl in question cheers excitedly and practically runs towards the platform.
"Care to take a moogle quiz, kupo?" the moogle asks cheerfully as Iris just barely comes to a halt in front of it.
"Yes please!"
"All right! That's the spirit, kupo. Okay, first question: ku kupo kupoku pokupo, kupo kupo?"
Cor frowns in confusion. Is that Mooglish?
Iris giggles. "Hey, Noct, what do you think?"
"Kupo!" Noctis says with enthusiasm, making Iris burst into laughter.
The moogle mascot laughs with them. "I love plushies too! Your question, kupo: where can you buy moogle dolls materials?"
"Ooh I know!" Iris shouts. "It's Lestallum!"
"That's correct! You truly are a moogle master, kupo," the mascot says, gently patting Iris on the cheek and handing her three medallions. The kid looks over the moon at this.
Iris looks at the medals and then turns to Noctis. "I want you to have these. I'm rooting for you!"
She shoves the medallions into Noctis's hand and then skips off to hide behind Clarus. Noctis looks a little bewildered to the amusement of pretty much everyone, but he smiles in Iris's direction.
"Thanks."
Ignis clears his throat delicately. "Perhaps we might order our lunch now?"
"Of course, Ignis," Regis says warmly. "Come, let us look for a place to take our repast."
The café manager greets them from behind a counter of charcoal grey and silver marble, which is where they end up deciding to sit. The menu has both Altissian specialties and standard Lucian cuisine, both of which are decent - but have nothing on Weskham's cooking. The desserts are interesting though, themed around chocobos and moogles. Cor doesn't really have any interest in the carnival mascots, but the golden chocobo tart is pretty good.
The manager turns out to be surprisingly chatty and he and Ignis seem to have an enjoyable time talking about baking and what constitutes the perfect tart crust.
"I've come up with a new recipeh," Noctis says with a laugh, mimicking his advisor who actually is jotting down some notes about the ingredients in the dishes.
As they start to leave, Cor hears a quiet chirp above the sounds of the other patrons. There's a shallow pool of water in the corner of the café area for some unfathomable reason and one of the 'lost' chocobo chicks is playfully splashing around in it.
"Allow me to handle this one" Regis says, stopping Cor and everyone else in place.
Regis walks over to the chick with slow, careful steps and then - to Cor's eternal judgement - tugs the poor creature into his Armiger in the blink of an eye. He calmly walks back to stunned silence.
Clarus sighs. "Regis, why."
Regis shrugs elegantly, "Why not?"
Noctis looks at his father with something like awe in his eyes, cementing Cor's opinion of Regis as the worst parental influence.
Somehow no one else has noticed, though Cor could swear the café manager winks at them. He makes sure their departure is a swift one.
"Where to next?" Ignis inquires
Gladio brings out the map, which appears to have changed hands from Clarus to him.
"There's some sort of photography scavenger hunt going on. And a fishing contest."
Regis and Noctis light up instantly.
"Fishing," Noctis says, no hesitation in his tone. Cor doesn't argue. For one, there isn't a point in persuading the Lucis Caelums to wait once both of them have decided on it. For another, now that Regis is on his 'team', Cor doesn't actually have to sit still and feign interest in fishing.
"Fishing it is," Cor concedes.
"Thank you," Regis says, a sudden gleam in his eyes. "But first: a costume change is in order."
Cor outright groans.
Cor hates to admit it, but the t-shirt may not be so bad. Aside from the colour, which is far too bright for his tastes, it's quite comfortable. But its greatest advantage is actually camouflage; with the carnival merchandise and battered old jackets, King Regis Lucis Caelum and his son look like a regular pair of fisherman - strong fishy aura and all.
(The hat though, is completely unnecessary, no matter what Regis's silver tongue says.)
Cor and his team divide up watches, because contrary to popular belief he does have a heart and watching two royals fish for hours is a cruel and unusual punishment. Clarus takes the first watch. A few minutes in, Regis beckons Cor over and rather sheepishly asks him to take the baby chocobo that he's stranded in his Armiger back to the fountain plaza. Cor rolls his eyes, but doesn't refuse either. He just hopes the chickling is still fine.
"Back in ten," he tells his team and heads out.
It's a scenic walk back to the fountain, passing old picturesque buildings of gleaming white stone, sunlit streets overhung with flags and banners, and even a massive water wheel churning away in one of the larger canals.
As he ducks into the arcade leading to the fountain, Cor reaches into the Armiger and summons the... the chocobo chick. He still can't believe Regis stuck a living animal in there.
Fortunately, the bird appears unharmed by its brief sojourn into a weird astral pocket dimension. It doesn't even seem alarmed, its only reaction to the sudden change in surroundings being a soft kweh as it settles into the crook of his arm.
Cor is still very relieved when he hands over the chick safely and collects his rewards. He really hopes Regis doesn't come across any more of them.
He takes the other way back and is just about to round the corner past the chocobo race course when a dark figure totters out from behind the aforementioned corner and almost slams into him. Cor reaches for his katana but freezes instead when his gaze lands on the beady, soulless eyes of a disconcertingly life-sized Kenny Crow. The mascot stares into his soul, a challenge in the tilt of his head.
If the immortal Adagium from those old Lucian bedtime stories was real, this is what he would look like.
Cor hesitates. The Crow senses weakness and attacks.
One feathery limb closes firmly on Cor's shoulder and then he's being whirled around in an almost drunken dance. A soda bottle is abruptly pressed to his lips, forcing him to chug half a pint of Jetty's.
Cor splutters and finally jerks himself away, feeling rather like a half-drowned coeurl cub. Kenny Crow laughs raucously and claps him on the back, pressing three medallions into Cor's jacket and the rest of the soda into his hand before whirling away to harass some other unsuspecting passerby.
Cor glares after the mascot that is maybe also an eldritch horror. What is wrong with these people and their understanding of the concept of personal space?
... Well, at least he's up three more medallions.
And half a bottle of soda. Maybe his common sense is being eroded but he's already had some of it poured down his throat. He may as well drink the rest.
Cor turns into the closest street, which is surprisingly quiet, and takes a moment to just breathe and reorient himself. The canal lies on one side, ornate stone arches of an arcade on the other. Rows of yellow flags flutter gently in the breeze. Sunlight turns the surface of the water to silver and gilds the roofs of shops. He can hear the lapping of water and the footsteps and laughter of people in the distance. He can even occasionally make out a few fragments:
"Why don't we take a picture here?"
"What should we do next?"
"Look at this crowd—"
"I'm so glad we came here together."
Cor isn't sure who said that last one and the reply is lost to the breeze, but those words linger in his mind.
If someone were to tell his teenage self that, in twenty-something years, he'd be in Altissa with the Lucian royal family, stopping the king from falling into canals; that someone would probably leave without a limb. But now...
Being on vacation, taking in beautiful sights, and winning a little friendly competition with his family is definitely not the worst fate that could've befallen him, Cor decides.
He drains the last of the soda and heads back to the pier, tossing the empty bottle in the nearest trash can.
It isn't until he catches a glimpse of his reflection in a window that he realises he's been smiling the entire time.
The rest of the afternoon passes in relative peace. Regis and Noctis's fishing competition ends with Noctis as the winner, having caught two barrelfish, three sea bass, and a pigeon grouper. Regis takes his loss as an opportunity to make at least five different fish puns and be obnoxiously proud of his son.
Cor offers Noctis his congratulations too; an achievement is an achievement, whether in combat or fishing. Though Cor is also glad that his team still remains in the lead for medallions. He'd never live it down otherwise.
They spend the evening trying out the Brothers Kupomazov contest until it's too dark for photographs and discover that Regis is an absolute disaster capable of only taking awful pictures, while Cor and Noctis are both equally mediocre at photography.
Prompto is disqualified for being too good at it. That, and the fact that half his photographs contain a blurry, dark-haired woman who inexplicably sends chills up Cor's spine. Ignis is also disqualified, on account of being 'too photogenic'.
They run into a final stray chocobo chick and Prompto insists on holding it far away from the Armiger ... though not before Noctis pulls a vanishing trick on it once. The sheepish expression on Regis's face only serves to compound Cor's vindication
The final counts are tallied by Ignis - as a trusted neutral party - and Cor wins by no more than a few choco-mog medallions. Noctis looks faintly disappointed but isn't actually surprised.
"I figured it would work out like that," he explains wryly. Everyone else probably did too, honestly. He may hate the title, but Cor isn't 'The Immortal' for nothing.
"It's all down to experience," Cor tells him. "But you were close. You did well, Highness."
Noctis is still flushed from the praise when Cor offers a congratulatory handshake to him. He then does the same for Prompto, who almost falls into a canal in surprise.
They head to a prize counter to finally exchange their medallions and wind up buying a commemorative decal for the Regalia before splitting the rest. Regis buys some fishing lures and so does Noctis - although the latter also manages to find a moogle doll, which he gives to Iris. Cor sees the stars in her eyes and figures her crush on the prince is going to live a little longer.
Cor has absolutely no idea what to buy. He eventually settles on one of those strange bits of junk that Cid might like after all and donates the rest of it to his Crownsguard team. Everyone else buys random things according to preference with the coins they've won off whatever events they participated in during the day.
It's been a long day and Cor is ready to eat. They ride the gondola to Maagho and Regis pays for all of them. Weskham is there and Ignis has another long conversation with him, which Cor joins occasionally because it's about seafood dishes. The food is excellent as always.
As they get up to leave, Cor locks eyes with an individual in one of the winged moogle top hats - a woman who bears a very strong resemblance to Camelia Claustra. Regis tips his own novelty cap to her. She winks at them and disappears into the crowd.
... Cor is going to pretend he saw none of that.
The Leville has apparently arranged for a gondola to view the fireworks show from, so they ride back from Maagho to the Leville gondola station. All the fairy lights and stars have been lit up and the carnival glows warmly even in the darkness. Cor's team has drawn further in due to the low visibility, but still report no trouble.
They're just in sight of the Leville's main entrance when Noctis abruptly veers off to a side, apparently making for an empty section of the esplanade... which is also not empty with equal suddenness. Standing there with one hand resting lightly on the railings, jet-black hair and pale skin shining like snow under the moonlight, is an oddly familiar woman.
Cor goes for his sword, but something makes him stop cold. Even Regis and Clarus seem frozen in place, not to mention the rest of Noctis's retinue.
Noctis doesn't seem afraid as he gives her a quick bow of greeting and she inclines her head in return. She says something to him in a low, soft voice and Noctis's hesitant reply makes her laugh, breath misting in the air. Then Cor blinks and she's gone and he can move again.
They instantly hurry to Noctis's side.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Who was that?!"
"What did she say to you?"
The Crownsguard operatives are also doing their own frantic sweep of the area over comms.
The questions overlap enough that Cor can't remember which one came out of his mouth and he doubts Noctis can either, because the prince just shrugs.
"She didn't want to hurt me. She just said: "Enjoy your reward—" and then something else that I couldn't understand," Noctis explains. "So I said "Thanks". And then she laughed at me and left."
Regis looks contemplative. "A divine Messenger perhaps?"
"Maybe?" Noctis says. "I don't think she's a normal person at least."
And then Prompto makes a sudden sound of confused distress. "A Messenger photobombed our pictures?"
Cor sighs deeply and tells his team to move back into position. Luckily, it seems to have been a peaceful interaction but he'll keep an eye out anyway. He doubts that the Astrals plan to send a supernatural hitman - or hitwoman - after Noctis, but Cor will do his best to keep him safe even if they do.
In the meantime, they all stick close to Noctis as they head into the warmth of the Leville and subsequently onto a gondola that takes them to just offshore from an elaborate display arranged around the back of the hotel. A giant moogle and an equally massive chocobo inflatable hang side by side, surrounded by flags, balloons, and a blaze of colourful lights that reflect off the inky water. Even the boat has a row of warm lights along the sides.
They're right on time. The first firework shoots up into the air with a gentle whistle and a comet tail of sparks - and explodes into a yellow sunburst. A second later, the sky behind it erupts in a riot of colour and light.
"Sure is beautiful," Noctis breathes in quiet awe and Cor agrees.
Muted whistles and bangs ring out as the flurry of fireworks continues to paint the night sky in every colour imaginable. There are even the occasional sequences arranged to resemble moogles or chocobos, and sprays of meteor-like rockets.
As the firework show rises into its grand finale with a crescendo of shattering sparks and dazzling showers of light, Cor watches over the people he's sworn to protect; the people who've become his closest family in the world. They huddle close to each other, laughing and cheering, so close that they look almost like a single entity more brilliant than the entirety of Altissa.
Cor smiles to himself in the darkness and claps along with them.
Maybe he did have fun today after all.