[More fire against Noctis' calm, more sharp edges against his malleability. The skepticism, it doesn't quite fade, but it recedes just enough to give this other young man the benefit of the doubt -- the way he spoke, with such directness and confidence, deserved at least that much.]

Don't think anyone here expects anyone to coddle them. I'm just saying.

[Noctis isn't sure what hasty impressions this newcomer has already gotten, but he seems fairly set in them, one way or another.]

So what's a professional hero? You mean like... [He's reminded of the bright, colorful pages nestled within a comic book. Heroes toppling villains in feats of strength and good versus evil. Explosions and fight scenes that would make any young teenage boy grin ear-to-ear.]

A superhero?