jikan_network | 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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[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.

Uh, sure. Yeah I can put all this away for later.

[Prompto scrambled up to his feet and walked over to the door to Noct's room and pushed it open.]

You can get some sleep in here, Noct. It's quiet enough.

[ Noctis gets to his feet and follows Prompto to the open door. Looking inside, it's nothing much - sparsely furnished with a single futon... But Noctis can sleep anywhere. If he can sleep a full night's sleep in a camping tent with three other men, this will be just fine. ]

Thanks, Prompto. I guess just don't let me sleep too long. [ A pause ] And let me know if you you decide to go out. The last thing I want to do is wake up and have no idea where I am... You know, nightmares and all of that.

I'm not going anywhere, I'll be right in here if you need me, okay?

[Prompto understood nightmares. He'd struggled to sleep the first few nights he'd been in Nippon and even now he couldn't get more than a few hours at a time.]

Promise. I won't leave you, Noct.

video | un: kingfisher

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