And that gives Cor even more hope, to hear Noctis asking for help despite his own reluctance to do so. This young king already understands the importance of giving and receiving aid better than most other leaders Cor has known. And in the older man's mind, it'll help make him a good king when the time comes. Thus, he finds himself nodding in full agreement. "Of course, Noctis; whatever you need of me, you only need to ask. Just remember the usual risks of asking for my honest opinion, though." The Marshal is still notorious, of course, for his blunt honesty when he thinks it should count.

Cor isn't quite at the stage of crying, ugly or not. Not yet, at least. And he really dislikes showing this kind of vulnerability still around the younger generation. But he couldn't hide the conflict on his face, as his wary mind wars with his yearning heart. "...of course he was. Of course he...is...Gods..." He runs a hand down his face as he takes a deep, shuddering breath to keep his emotions in check. "Did he...say anything else? What did he look like? Is he--"

He hesitates, just for a few seconds, before shaking his head as if to silence that annoying paranoid whisper in the back of his head before looking away. "My apologies...I shouldn't let my personal issues overrule our current priorities." Even if he really wants to see Regis again. Even hearing his voice would be enough, just one simple phone call... But Cor hates that he's this emotional over something that might not even be really Regis - or so that paranoid whisper claims.