Bonds and Talks and Chocobros, Oh My! [closed]

[clickclickbang]

Who: Prompto Argentum, Noctis Lucis Caelum, and Ignis Scientia
When: July 6th onwards
Where: Prompto's place and Noct/Iggy's place
What: Bonding needs to happen stat, but so do some important conversations.
Warnings: TBD

Starters below because there's a lot of threads about to happen here.

Comments

Prompto and Noct

[clickclickbang]

[For once, Prompto has left Primula in her stable while he heads out and does things. This is mostly because of the damn snow, but also because he's heading to Noct's and there's no reason to let her freeze outside when she has a nice cozy stable!

He doesn't bother knocking when he gets there--he hasn't knocked on Noct's door in years, not unless he's not sure where he is.]

Noct?

[eluci]

[Prompto is a very good bird dad. He'd be welcome to bring Prim over, though, when it's not randomly freezing out. Speaking of, he's also not going out just yet, and has decided to greet Prompto in the guise of some blanket creature.

That is, he's a grown ass adult and is walking around wrapped in a blanket. Don't judge him, he's cold.]

I'm here. [He's not immediately visible, until:] What's up?

[clickclickbang]

...dude, are you using a blanket for a robe?

[That is adorable and totally distracting.]

[eluci]

...Maybe.

[At least he's accomplished something.]

It works for now.

[clickclickbang]

[Nope, noogie time.]

Dork. Don't you guys have a fireplace?

Ignis and Noct

[quickrecipeh]

[He has to get it over with, and today's the day. They've been back from the brutal, unnerving dream for a few days, and Ignis has made his peace with what he has to say. Breakfast was normal, and Ignis is just finishing up the dishes while Noct sits alone at the table. He looks like he might be about to go out, so Ignis pauses in what he's doing and dries his hands.]

Noct, can you stay for a few minutes? I'd like to have a word with you about something.

[eluci]

[Damn, his plan's been foiled.

Not really, though. He is planning on going out, but he's stayed because he's considering what he needs to go out and do and the best way to go about it, and Ignis has just caught him before he's had a chance to actually get up.]

Uh, sure? I don't need to be anywhere right away.

[quickrecipeh]

[Ignis takes a seat back at the table. This is going to be hard for him, but for Noct's sake and the sake of their friendship, he needs to do it. So he takes a sip from his water and looks Noct over carefully.]

Thank you. I'd prefer not to beat around the bush about it, and I'd prefer not to leave you in suspense, so I'll come out and ask this first: How much do you know about what happened to me in Altissia?

[eluci]

[Didn't they already talk about this? And he remembers Ignis was the one who waved his concerns off at that time.

He looks a bit worried at where this conversation is going, but isn't making any moves to try to escape yet.]

I already told you--not much. You've never said a word to me about what happened, so I just assumed you just...got hurt helping evacuate the city. Why? Is there something I should know?

[quickrecipeh]

As much as I wish the answer was no... There are some things I'm compelled to tell you.

[He's just checking. Maybe Prompto told him something else, he doesn't know, he just... if he has to tell the whole story from the beginning, he wants to know that. But Noct hasn't learned anything else, it seems, so Ignis takes a deep breath.]

During the siege on Altissia, while you were otherwise occupied, I fought my way through the army to try to recover you. I came across Ravus Nox Fleuret, and he offered--demanded, really--to assist me in reaching you. Glad of the assistance, we made our way to the Altar, where we found Lady Lunafreya dying beside you; you were unconscious. She did something, though I don't know honestly what, but soon after she passed, and Ravus insisted upon killing you. I fought him alone, and was victorious.

[A pause to check for reactions, understanding...]

The Bonding

[clickclickbang]

[This is...this is a Lot. They've had plans for this since the other two arrived, but there's a huge difference between making plans for something and actually doing it.

Are Ignis and Noct going to need to move in with him? He's not going to abandon Paris, so it'd have to be them moving. Or will they be able to live apart? Will they want to? How is this going to change everything for them?

Needless to say, Prompto is in a Panic(tm) and is pacing outside the Coven as he waits for the other two to get here. This is so stresseful.]

[eluci]

[Those are things that are better addressed after the fact. For the record, Noctis is willing to move in with Prompto if necessary, because the house they picked was picked for proximity to him, but it's clearly made for more than two people and feels a little empty.

He's a little less panicked than Prompto, at least outwardly, and is just hoping that it all stays internal. Bonds aren't marriage but they remind him enough of that, and he's also reminded that he was barely prepared for his actual wedding back home.]

You're going to wear a trench if you keep doing that.

[Clearly this is the best way to handle stress; dragging Prompto.]

[quickrecipeh]

[Unlike Prompto and Noctis, Ignis is relatively at peace with all of this. He's sworn one oath to Noct, so what's another? And Prompto is a dear friend, so it's not so strange to be closer to him, either. Maybe he's worried about the emotional component, but about the ceremony? About proximity? Not a single concern.

He can read Noct's nerves no matter how he tries to hide it, and he even offers a little smirk.]

You two are both acting like blushing brides over this. As close as we are, isn't this just a formality? An arrangement?

[He pats them both on the shoulder.]

They're also severable, if we feel the need. I've done plenty of research and I don't think you have anything to fear.

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto jumps when Noct appears out of thin fucking air, though he wastes no time in shoving him for that drag.]

I'm not afraid! This is just...kind of a big deal, y'know? You guys are gonna be able to pick up on my emotions and stuff.

[eluci]

[Noctis isn't entirely sure Prompto isn't actually turning into a rabbit of some sort; he just stepped out from behind a hedge. But he did deserve that shove, even if he won't admit it, and takes a swipe at Prompto even though he's been knocked slightly off-balance.]

I'm not worried. I'm--what he said, it's a big deal.

[And then to Prompto:]

As long as we don't have to feel your emotions, too.

Ignis and Prompto

[quickrecipeh]

[The full moon has arrived, and Ignis has noticed one thing, courtesy both of their Bond and his general observational skills: Prompto has been making himself a bit scarce. It's like him to not want to impose on others, but a hunch tells Ignis he ought to go check on his companion, just in case.

So, while Noct is out cold napping, Ignis packs up a few choice leftovers and heads to Prompto's residence. Bundled against the cold, he knocks on the door gently, and tries a little "I know you're here" sort of nudge through the Bond. It's not rude, just curious and concerned.]

[clickclickbang]

[And Ignis gets a little excited jolt followed by:]

B-be right there!

[A few moments and the sounds of Prompto tripping over his own boots later and the door is open!]

Iggy! What's up?

[quickrecipeh]

[A warm contentment touched with concern can be felt from Ignis, though he's amused at the scrambling. The man's a mess.]

Nothing in particular. I thought I'd bring some food by. It was too spicy for Noct's tastes, so I knew you'd like it.

[clickclickbang]

[Yes, yes he is. And?]

Ooh, really? Whatcha bring?

[He steps aside so Ignis can come in, but if Iggy's observant he might notice that.

Uh.

Prompto has a tail and it's wagging.]

[quickrecipeh]

Curry, with some local flavor. It's just so easy to make when it's cold out.

[He notices as he steps inside, and politely doesn't stare. Oh, but he'll bring it up.]

How are your changes coming along? I see the full moon has you. I feel like my own magical energy is almost nothing right now... I hope it hasn't proved difficult for you.

Noctis and Ignis round 2

[eluci]

[Things Noctis has discovered are difficult: building a fire from scratch. Back home, it was easy enough to do with magic and if necessary, a lighter. Here, the lighters are...strange...at the very least and he has absolutely no magic, nor does he have any idea how to properly use flint. That's Gladio's thing, the survival stuff.

But he's cold and a fire is better than a blanket or layers, and besides that, it's not a bad idea to warm up the house anyway.]

Hey Ignis, you still here?

[Last he checked, his friend was in the kitchen. Noctis himself is sitting in front of the fireplace, wearing a blanket and a hat and looking generally annoyed.]

[quickrecipeh]

[Ignis had been trying out a new recipe with native meat, but Noct of course had impeccable timing. He's just sliding the tray into the oven when he hears his name.]

A moment...

[He just needs to take his oven mitts off and set a timer, then he makes his way to the living room.]

You called?

[eluci]

[Noct always has the best timing, Ignis should know this by now.

Either way, it's not an emergency, so he's fine with waiting whenever Ignis gets done with whatever he's doing--something that's of interest to Noctis, since Ignis cooking is always good, no matter what.]

Thought you might've gone outside. Anyway, I need your help if you got a minute.

[quickrecipeh]

[Ignis knows. He still does nice things for him despite that.

Taking in the scene, he wonders what Noct could be about to ask for.]

I have about two hours. What is it?

[eluci]

Well, if you want to hang around for that long, I'm fine with that.

[He jerks his head toward the fireplace with it's pile of unlit logs.]

You've been working with fire magic, right? How about giving me a hand and getting this going a little faster than I'm able to?