[Nyx's place is on the front lines beyond the Wall, but this isn't his first time working security in the city amid high-profile guests. He's trained to keep his composure no matter what, and no matter whom in front of.
He manages it with a nod that comfortably straddles the line between necessary deference and polite indifference, his greeting to Niflheim's chancellor schooled.]
Chancellor Izunia.
[... He manages it, but barely. His instincts are prickling, stirred to life by the subtle cues coming off both parties--the way the Chancellor has his fingers locked about her arm, the way he flippantly tries to intercept Nyx's "message" in a move that'd be unforgivably impertinent if done by anyone else in Insomnia. Or the way the princess in turn holds onto the paper the way drowning men hold onto floatation devices, looking for all the world like Ardyn is the riptide pulling her down.
Nyx risks a glance at her, at her bloodless features. He doesn't miss her trembling and he'd bet the Chancellor doesn't, either. What the hell did he just walk into?
He's here to protect the king and his company, not get involved in Nif politics--it's what Drautos would say if he could, it's all but what he'd tried to say before news of Crowe hit--but then Lunafreya's reaching for his arm instead, desperate enough to forgo all the usual etiquette between guest and guard, and Nyx already knows what he's going to do before he does it.]
Excuse me.
[His dismissal follows hers--firmer, a clean cut, denying the Chancellor an invitation to follow in one seamless move, turning on his heel to put Lunafreya on his left and the Chancellor slightly behind him on his right. Ardyn would be ballsy to try reaching around a glaive while he's leading the princess off--he's almost sorry the Chancellor doesn't make the attempt.
When they're far enough away that they can speak without being overheard, Nyx risks another glance.]
What was that all about? [And secondly:] Are you all right?
[Because she sure doesn't look it. Even for dealing with Ardyn Izunia, her reaction is a bit more than he would've expected.]
no subject
He manages it with a nod that comfortably straddles the line between necessary deference and polite indifference, his greeting to Niflheim's chancellor schooled.]
Chancellor Izunia.
[... He manages it, but barely. His instincts are prickling, stirred to life by the subtle cues coming off both parties--the way the Chancellor has his fingers locked about her arm, the way he flippantly tries to intercept Nyx's "message" in a move that'd be unforgivably impertinent if done by anyone else in Insomnia. Or the way the princess in turn holds onto the paper the way drowning men hold onto floatation devices, looking for all the world like Ardyn is the riptide pulling her down.
Nyx risks a glance at her, at her bloodless features. He doesn't miss her trembling and he'd bet the Chancellor doesn't, either. What the hell did he just walk into?
He's here to protect the king and his company, not get involved in Nif politics--it's what Drautos would say if he could, it's all but what he'd tried to say before news of Crowe hit--but then Lunafreya's reaching for his arm instead, desperate enough to forgo all the usual etiquette between guest and guard, and Nyx already knows what he's going to do before he does it.]
Excuse me.
[His dismissal follows hers--firmer, a clean cut, denying the Chancellor an invitation to follow in one seamless move, turning on his heel to put Lunafreya on his left and the Chancellor slightly behind him on his right. Ardyn would be ballsy to try reaching around a glaive while he's leading the princess off--he's almost sorry the Chancellor doesn't make the attempt.
When they're far enough away that they can speak without being overheard, Nyx risks another glance.]
What was that all about? [And secondly:] Are you all right?
[Because she sure doesn't look it. Even for dealing with Ardyn Izunia, her reaction is a bit more than he would've expected.]