jikan_network | video | un: kingfisher

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video | un: kingfisher

[ Only the top of his perfectly styled bedhead is visible on the screen as he stares at nothing in particular, trying to take in everything around him.

He doesn't like that the ugly little phone he's holding is called a magi-tech.

Noctis isn't sure where to start, isn't 100% sure that the explanation he received upon his arrival wasn't the result of Ardyn continuing to fuck with him despite being on the cusp of reaching the Crystal. The man is, after all, capable of so much. He left his friends behind, overwhelmed by daemons, and stepped foot on the elevator... over and over and over again, Ardyn's voice ringing in his ears, taunting him. That's why he went through the door, that's why he's where he is now.

Admittedly, he didn't fully pay attention at his orientation. He's tired, and he's used to other people (see: Ignis) paying attention for him when it mattered, but he's still almost 75% sure that this is Ardyn's doing. Somehow.

He clears his throat, not bothering to adjust the camera. ]

I'm--

[ He pauses for a second, rethinks asking for more info on his current whereabouts. He's a little wary and he doesn't want to say too much, so he ends up sighing, scrapping whatever he was going to say, and mutters to himself instead. ]

Man, I could really go for some of Iggy's cooking right now. Or a soft bed.

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Anything close to that rice bowl that Specs makes? You know, the one he got the idea from in Lestallum. [ He realizes Ignis came up with several recipes in Lestallum ] With the chickatrice.

[ Noctis misses just being with his friends, getting food, taking 1000 pictures, riding chocobos. He misses that more than anything, misses the times when Ignis wasn't blind as a result of his own failures, misses when Luna was still alive, misses when Ardyn wasn't breathing down their necks and leading them to (what will, he thinks, likely be) their demise. He tries to hide it, though, not wanting to make this second reunion with Prompto any more difficult than it already is.

They're best friends! This shouldn't be hard.

But... It is. It's so hard because everything that has happened to Prompto, like Ignis and like Luna, is his fault. He pushed him off of the train. His actions led to everything that happened at the research facility, being kidnapped and tortured by Ardyn. So, even casual conversation feels a little strained to Noctis, but he's trying to hide it, keeps telling himself to just act like they did back in Lucis, before going to Altissa. ]

I know asking for something close to his cooking is asking a lot. Just... nothing with vegetables, I guess.

If it's the one I think... they call it Oyakodon here.

[He gave Noct a sideways grin. He'd had to look around for places to eat and he'd found a place not far from where he lived that sold noodle dishes. Including that 'mother and child bowl' that Noct had taken a liking to. If it was the one he meant. Iggy had so many meals he made it was hard keeping them all straight.]

Gotta take a detour... but it'd only a minute outta our way. Just up here.

[Prompto reached out then and grabbed Noct's wrist with barely a look, pulling him along and turned down a street to the left. He ignored the people milling about, scooted past some and eventually stopped outside of a little ramen shop.]

Here! C'mon, we'll order some to take away. We can eat back at my place.

[He let go of Noct then and ducked into the shop, calling out his order as he did.]

[ Before he can say anything in response, Noctis is being dragged off by his best friend into a crowd of people, down a random street or two, and then left outside of a shop that sells ramen noodles. And he wonders, briefly, if that’s the same thing that the street vendor in Lestallum sold in the cup, the kind that Gladio really likes. He’s not sure if he should follow Prompto inside, so he settles on waiting awkwardly and watching the people mill around.

He wonders if all of this is truly the work of Ardyn Izunia, if the man is capable of something so grand as to create an entire reality, complete with a full population and Prompto… And, if he’s being honest with himself, he’s not sure. He doesn’t know if this truly is some other world he stepped into or if this is Ardyn’s handiwork. Noctis is just glad that he’s not alone, that he has his best friend here with him to make the blow a little less harsh.

It doesn’t take long for Noctis to be lost in thought, his mind filled with what-ifs and thoughts of what his future may or may not hold now that he’s no longer in Eos and doesn’t exactly know how to get back. Hell, he doesn’t even know what his future holds there, either. He hadn’t even made it to the Crystal before stepping through the door that led him here.

Unfortunately, he’s not paying a bit of attention by the time Prompto emerges with their food. ]

[Prompto had actually figured Noct would follow him inside, but was okay with his friend staying outside if it made him feel better. The inside of the ramen shop was pretty small. There was room enough to get in and a line of stools to sit on to eat at the counter, but he planned on getting their food to take away so none of that mattered.

Once their food was made and paid for, Prompto stepped out with a paper bag and looked left and right for Noct, then smiled. That dark head was lowered and Noct looked to be deep in thought. Not wanting to scare him, Prompto stepped a bit closer and ducked so he could try and catch Noct's eye.]

You with me, buddy? My place isn't far, if you're tired...?

[Though he had a feeling that wasn't what was going on here, Prompto was doing his best to keep things light. At least for now.]

I got the food. C'mon. Lets get outta here.

[ The sound of Prompto's voice pulls Noctis back to the present. He looks over at his friend, blinking a few times, before giving him a small smile. And he knows that Prompto knows he wasn't just sleeping - they've been friends for far too long - but he doesn't offer any details on what he'd been thinking about and why he didn't follow Prompto into the little restaurant. ]

What kind of question is that? [ He gently elbows Prompto in the side ] You know I'm always tired.

[ He holds his hand out ]

Want me to carry that?

Yeah I know. [He grinned and straightened up.] Sure, uh... how about this?

[Prompto handed over one of the bags. He held the one with the meals, but he'd ordered a couple of sides to go along with it and that was the paper bag he offered to Noct.

When the load was shared out, Prompto started them walking in the direction of his home away from home.]

Kinda takes some getting used to, this place. But it's got charm! Weird charm, but it's there if you look!

You’re talking like you’ve been here for weeks, but I know you’ve—

[ He trails off, not finishing that thought. Noctis doesn’t want to say that he had been held captive by Ardyn, though he’s sure Prompto knows where that sentence was headed. And it makes his heart ache, trying to hold all of this in and not immediately crumble in front of his best friend. That’s not something that Kings do, right? They have to remain strong, stoic for their people… best friends included. ]

Nevermind, it’s not important.

[ He offers a small smile, knocks his hip into Prompto. With a flick of his wrist, blue sparkles materialize a camera in his hand - the perfect distraction from where his mind was headed moments ago. ]

Here, this is more important… Thought you might like this. Call it a thank you for getting me food gift or something.

Edited 2022-04-28 21:00 (UTC)

I kinda have. Least a couple weeks.

[Yeah, Prompto knew what Noct was going to say and dodged it like it was on fire. He didn't want to think about any of that, at least right now. Noct had just arrived. He was going to get a chance to sit down with him and eat a meal. Couldn't he have just one day where he didn't have to feel like he was a burden and an imposter and he could just enjoy Nocts company for old times sake? Prompto knew it was selfish... But after the last few weeks, he wanted to be a little selfish.

And then Noct did something that brought a bright grin to Prompto's face.]

Dude! My camera!

[He reached out for it, laughing, and looked it over with nothing short of glee. He'd thought all of his things had been taken from him... But Noct had them. With that same bright grin, Prompto took a step back, lifted his camera and snapped a picture of Noct.]

You know I’m never serious when I suggest you take pics of me! I never look good in any of them.

[ Noctis can’t help but laugh, shoving his hand in front of the camera and blocking Prompto from taking another photo. Despite everything, he missed this. He missed Prompto taking his photo, taking selfies together, taking unnecessary photos in the middle of a battle. He just missed Prompto. ]

I’m just not photogenic like you are. You never look bad in photos, even the ridiculous selfies you take.

Who're you kidding? You look good in every picture!

[Laughing, he stepped closer and turned the camera to show the screen to Noct. The lighting wasn't the best, but Noct still looked as good as he ever did. Pretty as a picture. And it was no Prompto's favourite. The first picture he'd taken in this new world. At least a decent one on his own camera.]

See? You look really good, the camera loves ya, buddy!

Don't make me take the camera away from you, Prom!

[ He will take the camera, Prompto! He'll put it back with all of his weapons!! ]

How much longer do we have to walk before we get to your apartment? I feel so sluggish... I've been through a lot today, don't know the last time I had a full night's sleep or a good meal.

[Prompto, looking hurt, pulled the camera protectively to his chest.

And then he was reminded that Noct was tired and they had places to be. His cheeks warmed and he gave an awkward laugh before he carried on walking.]

Uh yeah, it's just up here. Then you can eat and sleep all you want, Noct. You'll be safe there.

[He was quiet then, hurrying himself a bit more so he could get Noct inside. He'd had a hard day, after all. And Prompto wasn't sure if he could carry Noct back to his apartment if the Prince decided to just drop and fall asleep where he was. It wasn't long before Prompto had stepped up to a building and had the door pushed open, ushering Noct inside.]

Just up those stairs and to the right...

[He followed. Slipped past once at the door to unlock it and let Noct inside. It was... pretty basic. The living room lead into a kitchen area, there were sliding doors at either side, two for bedrooms, one for the bathroom. There was a large window taking up the far wall, and in front of that was a low table and seating mats around it. It was the table where Prompto set down their food and then sat himself down on one of the mats to start pulling out the two bowls.]

Take a seat. Make yourself at home. I'll show you the rooms after we eat, alright?

[ As Noctis steps inside of the small apartment, he slowly takes a look around, trying to take in everything. And, truth be told, there isn't much to take in. It's sparsely furnished, barely looks lived in, and especially doesn't look lived in by Prompto. He misses his apartment back in Insomnia, misses the mess and the video game consoles, the TV, all of the modern technology that isn't available to them here. ]

Yeah, that sounds good.

[ He does what Prompto suggests: sits down across from him at the low table and pulls his boots off before reaching over the table and grabbing one of the bowls from Prompto's hand. ]

This stuff compare to the stuff Specs would cook for us?

[ He knows the answer is no. ]

You know my standards are high.

Nah. But it's good in its own way.

[It was all the reassurance Prompto could give. Iggy was a law unto himself. His style of cooking had been specifically tailored to Noct and Nocts likes and wants. That wasn't going to happen here, but that didn't mean that the food wouldn't be good though. At least he hoped it was to Nocts liking.]

I asked them not to veggie it up. Best I could do, Noct. Uh... And I got those too.

[Just in case, Prompto reached for the other paper bag and pulled out what was inside. Two types of meat on skewers. Chicken and pork. He just opened up the packaging and set them on the table. Made it easier to clean up. There were two sets of chopsticks as well, one of which he handed to Noct.]

[ Noctis takes a bite of the food, chewing thoughtfully, before deciding that it was edible and worth finishing. No, it’s not specially tailored to suit his picky tastes like the food Ignis makes for them, but it will do. Reminds him of some of the restaurants in Lestallum.

He pauses mid-bite, eyeing Prompto as he pulls a skewer out of the bag. And his response is almost immediate; he sticks his hand out and takes one of them from his best friend without a word.

The food really does remind him of Lestallum. ]

So, what’s the deal with this place? [ He asks with a mouthful of food ] I was in Gralea and then… Here.

Edited 2022-04-29 14:22 (UTC)

[Prompto smiled. He had a feeling Noct would enjoy meat on a stick. Who wouldn't like meat on a stick? At least it wasn't shaped like a wang.

He pulled one over to himself and bit off a piece. The food was pretty good, if he was honest. Sure, Iggy's food was better, but he couldn't complain! And he wasn't nearly as fussy as Noct.

After he put his skewer down and picked up his chopsticks to tackle his rice, Noct asked his question and Prompto went a little still.

So... so he was from Gralea. Alright. He took a breath.]

I don't get it much... Somethin about time-loops and magic. We were brought here because time was going mental back home. It used to go mental here too, but they've something called 'kizuna' here that helped fix it? I think... [He scratched the side of his head, a lopsided smile pulling at his lips.] I dunno, man. It's crazy. I kept going back an hour or two and replaying it over and over and... and then there was this door and I walked through and I was here. They tell me our worlds broken, so I booked outta there to get help and... [A shrug]... that was a few weeks back.

[ The last thing Prompto says draws Noctis’s attention away from his food. He stops eating to look up at his best friend, the look on his face somewhere between disbelief and irritation. He just saw Prompto, just left him with Ignis and Gladio to go the crystal by himself. There’s no possible way he’s been here for a few weeks.

It makes no sense and that makes his head hurt. ]

Somebody tried to explain everything to me while I was waiting on you and… [ He pauses, sighs ] It was overwhelming. I need Ignis here to pay attention to the details for me like he has always done.

[Prompto looked down to hide the wince. Both at the look on Noct's face and then the words. It was like a punch to the gut, a reminder... Without meaning to, his hands left the table and fell into his lap, one reaching for the strap around his wrist, twisting it slowly.

He almost wanted to thank Noct for reminding him that things weren't okay. That he couldn't just talk his way out of things. The look on Noct's face had been too similar to the look he'd had on the train. Less anger though, less fury... Prompto wasn't sure if he could handle that level of anger right now. But Noct didn't need to show his anger to hurt him. He already knew he wasn't as good as the others. He'd never really belonged. But he'd always tried his best... And he really tried his best now to explain things.

But, as always, he'd fallen short.

Still.

Prompto made himself smile. Like he always did. He laughed it off. Shrugged and finally brought a hand back to make himself eat.]

Yeah, Iggy would have been able to keep all this straight! It goes right over my head. Sorry, Noct.

Long and short of it is, we're kinda stuck here till they fix whatever's broken at home. No biggie. Just gotta make do till then!

[ Prompto... If Noctis just knew what was going through his best friend's head as a result of what he said, he would never have opened his mouth. He certainly didn't mean anything by it, and he wishes he could say something to stop Prompto from thinking and feeling these things. He knows they need to talk about what was happening in Gralea, but it's not really a conversation he wants to have so soon after his arrival.

He at least needs to sleep first. ]

So, I guess you'll have to show me around. Give me the official apartment tour and then maybe maybe show me around town tomorrow or something.

[ He takes another skewer and begins to pull the meat off. It's good, definitely reminds him of the ones you could get from the street vendors in Lestallum. ]

Glad I'm stuck here with you, though. Not really sure what I'd do if I was here by myself.

Y-yeah, it's weird being here alone... But the people are friendly enough.

[Most of them... Prompto's cheeks warmed up as he remembered things he'd rather forget and focused instead on his food. Until he realised Noct had said something else along with that, and then Prompto nodded.]

Sure sure, not much to show though. Least here.

[He put the chopsticks down and pointed past Noct's shoulder. Then over his own.]

Bathroom's there. Bedrooms back there! Mines on the right, yours on the left. It's just a futon, sorry... There's a closet and stuff in there but the beds are kinda... They're comfy enough? Pillow and blanket and stuff. I can probably get you a real bed if you have trouble sleepin.

[Not that he thought Noct would. They slept in bags when camping, so the futon was a step up in comfort levels at least!]

You know I can sleep anywhere. I slept in the Regalia, the camping tent, the caravans... I don't think a futon will be a problem, though I'd like to get a nice bed when I can afford it.

[ Since this will apparently be his home for the foreseeable future, a nice bed is a must. ]

Are we going to be expected to work here?

[ He takes another bite of his food, deciding to leave his question at that. Noctis realizes the fact that he's a prince - no, a king - means absolutely nothing here... And he's okay with that. ]

Yeah, we can maybe get a bigger place eventually.

[It had been fine for just him, but for the two of them it was going to be a little on the cramped side of things. And Prompto wanted Noct to be happy here.]

Uh, eventually? Probably. They give us a stipend to get us by, but if we want more... probably an idea to find a job. Or I can. I'm fine with that!

I can get a job, Prompto. I'm not going to just sit here doing nothing while you're out working... It's not like I've got royal money at my disposal here.

[ He can't help but smile - it's a small smile, but still a smile. ]

I did work at a sushi place in high school, remember?

[Prompto had to grin. Yeah, he remembered that. And remembered Noct hadn't enjoyed it much. Though who really enjoyed work?]

Alright, buddy. When you're more settled we can think about lookin for jobs, eh?

Yeah, that sounds good.

[ Small smile still on his face, Noctis finishes the skewer in his hand. These really do remind him of the ones you could get at the street vendors in Lestallum.

He can't hide the yawn that follows, though. ]

Right now, I just need a nap.

video | un: kingfisher

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