Good luck, Noct. You have about ten other threatened 'savage beatings' on your docket that you've yet to actually accomplish.

Rinka's eyebrows pinched together worriedly, something about the way he was fidgeting and fussing and avoiding her gaze worrying her more than giving her any kind of hope. Because, really, why would she continue to hope after all this time?

"Noct... ?" she started, feeling like she wanted to reach out for him but unsure how he would react in that moment.

But then her hand was in his before she could pull it back fully and she was being dragged, letting out a confused noise that became even louder when he picked her up easily in his arms.

"What--?!"

Oh Astrals that was disorienting. She'd never been warped with him before and it wasn't exactly a great sensation to get sprung on her so suddenly.

She clung to Noctis tightly, actually shaking with wide eyes.

"W-was that necessary?!" she yelped, burying her face in his chest.