Noctis shrugs at her soft criticism - that's how it's always been presented to him. If he didn't rise to every occasion, if he made excuses, if he complained too much, he was told he had no sense of responsibility. And that he needed to be responsible for the whole world. What good is a Savior King who doesn't save anyone?
He bites his tongue rather than tell her he didn't have a choice but to answer. Speaking of excuses, he gives that one a lot, but technically he could have chosen to give up. Sure, everyone would hate him and curse his name and he would be the literal worst king to ever live, but he could have. In fact, he almost did. After Altissia, he was very close to giving up. He might never have drummed up the courage to wield the Ring if it hadn't been his only means of survival. There but for the grace of his friends goes Noctis, or something.
He shakes his head. "Nah, don't apologize. I think...it was a good thing, for me to tell someone. And to be honest, your perspective is a lot more valuable to me than platitudes would have been. So thanks."
He pauses, taking a long sip of water to stall just a little. "Hey, um...you sure you're okay?" He knows the potion did its work well - he doesn't mean physically. "Just, if you need anything, or you...I dunno, decide you need to talk more about it after all, or punch me back or something, you know where to find me. Unless..." He sighs. "I don't know how long it'll take before the Scourge decides to rear its head again. Not sure if I should stick around here some more or go home. Or somewhere else."
no subject
He bites his tongue rather than tell her he didn't have a choice but to answer. Speaking of excuses, he gives that one a lot, but technically he could have chosen to give up. Sure, everyone would hate him and curse his name and he would be the literal worst king to ever live, but he could have. In fact, he almost did. After Altissia, he was very close to giving up. He might never have drummed up the courage to wield the Ring if it hadn't been his only means of survival. There but for the grace of his friends goes Noctis, or something.
He shakes his head. "Nah, don't apologize. I think...it was a good thing, for me to tell someone. And to be honest, your perspective is a lot more valuable to me than platitudes would have been. So thanks."
He pauses, taking a long sip of water to stall just a little. "Hey, um...you sure you're okay?" He knows the potion did its work well - he doesn't mean physically. "Just, if you need anything, or you...I dunno, decide you need to talk more about it after all, or punch me back or something, you know where to find me. Unless..." He sighs. "I don't know how long it'll take before the Scourge decides to rear its head again. Not sure if I should stick around here some more or go home. Or somewhere else."