sunset_horizons | Catchall Post ☼ 01 | ❝Where faith and fear collide...❞

Yeah! [Prompto beams before he looks around the apartment slowly. He's been here - twice, even - but it feels so... sterile. He's not used to this level of clean and pristine and does someone even live here? Maybe not, Ignis is always busy. Really, to him, the only thing that softens it all are the bookshelves with a multitude of books there.

And now... a whole host of bitty chocobos! He starts pulling them out and cradling the lot of seven chicks in his arms. No wonder he looked so big again -- the chicks aren't small! But they start happily peeping (hungrily peeping!) for noms as soon as they get out into the light.]

They eat greens, right?? And Iggy actually eats veggies...

[Noct is about to open the fridge when he hears that last bit and just stops, hand floating over the handle, to give Prompto a look. Was that supposed to be a burn, Prom? Because he could just leave you here...]

Why you guys would eat chocobo food is beyond me.

[Shrug. And he's going to open the door and- well, there's one head of the stuff, and carrots. (/shudder) Those should do. He'll just pull them out and do his best to not seem disgusted about it because it's for the chocochicks.]

[N-No way! Just a statement! Because Ignis actually does eat veg and Noctis doesn't hence why they're not going over to his apartment and Prompto just doesn't have any right now stop giving him that look?

It was kind of a good accidental burn, though.]

Because Ignis makes 'em kinda good? [The few times he's had dinner with them oh man does Ignis make good-- uh, everything. It's a way better answer than 'because I don't want to get fat again'. Prompto's pretty sure that magic makes someone burn all that junk food off that Noctis eats. Yep. Perfect sense.

The chicks spot the greens and immediately start peeping very loud, clustering around Noctis' feet which gets a burst of laughter out of Prompto.]

Let's feed 'em, Mama Noctis!

[He will stop giving you that look when he damn well feels like it. Or, well, at least until the chicks start peeping even louder and he sees them all cluster at his feet.

... He just can't stay mad in the face of such cute. Though he does groan, annoyed, at that nickname before ripping a few leafs off the greens and handing them to Prompto. No way is he feeding them all by himself, dude. You found them in the first place.]

What does that make you then? Their dad?

[Because think of the implications, Prom. Think of them. He smirks, before ripping up another leaf and bending down - holding the shredded veg in his open palm for them to eat from.

... And as they start eating, it's like that mask of perpetual snark and quips slips. Animals were and always will be his greatest weakness.]

[Prompto happily takes the leaves and crouches down, breaking the leaf apart to let the chicks take pieces from his palm. Clearly Prompto is completely and utterly taken with the peeping chicks, crooning to them and trying to make sure they all get their fill.

That doesn't mean he misses Noctis' expression. It makes him smile even more when he catches it from the corner of his eye and, as long as Noctis isn't looking, he'll keep trying to watch both utter cuteness and ~~more utter cuteness~~ that rare look in Noctis' eyes. The chocobo chicks are eagerly eating as they're obviously hungry if Prompto just found them...]

Where do you think they came from? How could a whole bunch of tiny chicks get lost in Insomnia?? I've never even seen a chocobo in the city!

[Luckily he is super distracted by the peeping chicks as they eat from their hands so he doesn't even notice Prompto's gaze on him. Even as he goes ahead and takes another leaf for the tiny things to eat.

...He'd have to pay Iggy back for this, somehow, but that was a problem for later.]

Don't know. We don't have any at the Citadel, either - not enough room for them in the royal gardens.

[Plus their caretaker would be livid if any animal touched her precious plants. That attendant in particular was one of the few that had terrified him as a kid. He frowns at the thought.]

Chances are some collector thought it'd be a novel idea to have them but never looked up how much care or space they'd need. I'll make some calls later.

[Both to see if they can find a place to keep them, and find out who'd abandon such cute, innocent little things. He won't be nice about it, either.]

You think someone can figure it out? I mean, who would just let them out like this? Maybe they accidentally got out somehow and someone's looking for them...

[Prompto wants, so badly, to believe that someone couldn't actually be cruel enough to throw these babies out. It has to be an accident of some kind, right? He keeps ripping up bits of leaf and offering it over, then snaps some carrots and smiles when two try to fight over a piece.]

Hey now, none of that... [He nudges a second carrot to the beak of one of the two combatants to get them to stop as they both nibble on their treat.]

So, uh, what if we can't find anything? What'll happen to them? [His babies...!]

Why not? All shipments into the city are checked for anything illegal, after all. [A pause.] And honestly? I hope you're right. We could set up posters, if you want.

[Which he'll let Prompto handle. Because he's far better at that sort of thing while he has connections. He's just... seen too many cases like what he described at the animal shelter. Had to help so many cats and dogs learn to be social again and trust human handlers.

He can't help but chuckle at the two fighting over the carrots.]

...I don't know. I know there's a chocobo post over in Duscae, but...

[Damn it. He's growing too fond of the little guys and gals. Especially after he hands a carrot to a third who had been peeping at the carrots; wanting one too, clearly.]

But we need to make sure they're legit! Like, if someone just comes saying the chicks are theirs, they have to have proof somehow, right? ...I think I got all the chicks but I dunno. I looked around but these ones were hungry... [There's doubt in his voice, looking over the peeping lot of feathery babies.] I don't want some jerk trying to take them just because they're chocobo chicks.

[And valuable. Seven of them? Very valuable indeed. Prompto doesn't think about the value, just that they need to be somewhere safe and warm and happy. ...Okay maybe he wants to keep one-- no two so he and Noctis can have handsome matching chocobos, right??]

Duscae? That's pretty far... oh! [His head comes up.] Maybe these guys were going there? Or sent from there? We could contact them and find out? Oh man.. a whole bunch of chocobos! I'd love to go there!

Fair enough. Especially with how rare they are in the city... [A sigh.] I don't, either - which is why I suggested trying to follow a paper trail.

[He's already texting a few people at the shelter about this, leaving the rest of the greens on the counter for Prompto to keep feeding them. Asking about any chocobo stables in the city, if anyone reported any missing, and the number for that chocobo post he mentioned. It'll likely be a few minutes before he gets a response. So, he checks in with a trusted attendant to see if they can discreetly look into it, too.]

I asked the ladies at the shelter if they have the number, or if they know of any stables in town. Hopefully we'll have something soon. [Though with the way his eyes light up, it's probably pretty obvious he wouldn't mind going to Duscae for that reason, either.]

[The shelters don't have any knowledge of what's going on, no reports going to them of missing chicks, but that attendant... soon enough, within a few minutes, Noctis will have his information: a batch of chicks had been stolen from a chocobo ranch in Duscae.]

...I wonder if we could keep one... [Clearly Prompto is dreaming as he makes sure all of them are fed. Now they're calming down both physically and vocally, looking around the kitchen curiously, peering under cabinets but much too big to get under one.

They already have a bit of a mess in two spots to clean up.]

You know, just-- okay two, one for each of us? Come on, there's gotta be somewhere in the Citadel, yeah? [The grin is a mix of joking and hopeful.]

[Stolen.... Shit. He looks to Prompto, before asking for clarification on how many were stolen. With a heavy sigh, he waits for news from the attendant before shaking his head.]

...I doubt it. [He really wants to, but, if these little guys are the ones who were stolen from the chocobo ranch, then that would be impossible.]

While we do have somewhere... [He shows the message he got from the attendant to Prompto. Grimacing.]

[There's a bit before the reply - 7. Seven stolen chocobo chicks. Seven chocobo chicks chirping happily around Ignis' kitchen right now, making a mess but generally looking quite pleased and plump.

Prompto looks to the text message and his face rapidly goes through a series of expressions - confusion, then surprise, then briefly to sadness, before settling on determination.]

So, trip to Duscae, huh?? Go deliver some babies back to their moms! [But no getting to keep chocobo chicks for themselves, sadface. Still, that isn't about to stop Prompto from doing the right thing, not even for a second.]

[Noctis quickly replies to the attendant, informing her of why he was asking and that they would like to see them safely back home. Prompto wouldn't be in danger of being accused. Neither of them would be, as they never left the crown city. Not since he was eight, anyway. His father had forbidden it since.

Speaking of... That was going to be a fun conversation between him, his dad, Clarus, Cor and Drautos later. Totally not looking forward to that.

Noctis looks to Prompto, the same emotions flickering in his own gaze as he nods. Who knows? Maybe their real owner would let them visit when they were in the area again? At least he hopes so.]

Trip to Duscae. [He nods, smiling faintly. Though that doesn't mean he won't miss these fluffballs.] Ugh, gonna have to call my old man on this one.

[Mainly to get permission to leave the city, but... He's older. Capable of defending himself. It shouldn't be that hard, right?]

[It's still bizarre to hear Noctis call the King 'my old man' enough that it briefly boggles Prompto before he gives a little laugh, rubbing the back of his head.] Oh, yeah, that's probably true. Not exactly like you can play hookie or something without uh, setting off a national disaster or something.

[Scenarios play in his head like being killed on sight for 'kidnapping' the crowned prince, enough to wipe the look off his face and replace it with 'oh Six no'.]

Do you think you could talk to him soon-ish? [Is it hard for a son to talk to a father when the father is the king?] I'm pretty happy to keep these guys for a while, though!

[One day you'll get used to it, Prompto. One day. Until then he will try not to smirk at the awkwardness at hearing that. ~~This is what you get for befriending the Crown Prince, Prom.~~]

Not really, no. [And excuse you, he takes his classes seriously! Not... that he ever really shows it, but it's the principle of the matter! Also, if he knew his friend was thinking up those scenarios, he'd point out there was a very low chance of that ever happening.]

Depends on if his schedule's filled or not. [He's already texting one of his dad's personal attendants to explain the situation.] Sure your parents won't make a scene about it?

[Look somehow it really didn't occur to him that maybe at some point he was going to have to actually deal with the King! But uh, yeah! Not yet! Noct just has to go talk to the King (THE KING!) and get some permissions and they can go out, right? No big deal?

Except he's never been outside of Insomnia and basically has no idea what's going on out there... but who cares when they'd be going to a chocobo ranch!?]

Uh. [He swallows but quickly gives a little laugh, hiding the twist in his stomach.] Nah, pretty sure they'll be cool with it. You know how busy they are.

[It's such an easy, easy lie. Noct, if he can help it, won't know how little his parents are involved in his life. Little meaning basically none, but hey they send some money! So, it's all good. He can deal.]

[You say this as though the King isn't actually a teddy bear in a human disguise. (Noct, that's literally to you and your friends-) Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), the attendant replies saying that his dad's actually free at the moment, so he starts dialing the number but stops short of pressing send.

Mainly because he can't help but stop and give his close friend a look.]

Prompto. Unless my dad says 'no' and has a Glaive escort the little guys home instead, we'll be leaving the protection of the New Wall.

[~~Have fun with that mental image, btw.~~ Does he even need to say how weird it sounds that any crown citizen would be that flippant when there is little protection from daemons at night outside Insomnia's borders? But then, maybe it's just his dad that's overprotective ever since the attack.

... He'd better call before the window of opportunity closes. He presses the button, subconsciously straightening despite the constant soft 'kweh's and 'wark's of the baby chocobos around them.]

Noctis?

Yes- Your Majesty. [Well, if Prompto ever thought he'd never see his buddy even vaguely nervous, congratulations. He just hinted at it with that little hesitation.] Sorry to call unannounced like this, but there's something I have to ask about.

Not at all. It is well to hear your voice, my son. [Man, even he can hear the smile in his dad's voice, and it's hard not to mimic it.] Now, what is it you required?

Well, you see- [He starts to explain, when suddenly one of the chicks realizes how Noct's actually a bundle of nerves and decides the best way yo try and cheer them both up is to suddenly climb up his back and roost on his head.] Ack-! E-easy there, little guy!

Noctis?

[... He sighs, opening the camera function and snaps a selfie. Of the top of his head. And the chick. ~~Please don't laugh at his terrible aim, Prom, it's just a quick one.~~

And judging by the laughter on the other end, it does more than enough to convey what happened. Though he does go into a quick explanation of what led them to this point, and what he knows from the reports the first attendant sent him.]

I'm not asking to keep one, much as I'd want to. But, I'd like to go with my friend to return this little guy and his brothers and sisters. To the ranch in Duscae.

...That is quite a distance to travel, Noctis.

[He winces slightly.] I know.

-and a trip I would not have the two of you going on your own, nor at this hour. Cor?

[Wait king say what???]

Edited (html fail, i have) 2018-03-02 05:36 (UTC)

[First things first: Prompto, for some reason, finds it really weird that Noctis still calls his father 'Your Majesty'. Is that how they always spoke or is someone listening? He isn't sure what he expected but formality wasn't it, not when Noct always talks so informally about his dad... but Noct sounds, looks, kinda nervous about this call! Why? His brows come together, trying to figure this out, but the nerves don't last because Noct breaks out into a smile.

Then Prompto bursts out into a laugh as one of the chicks nestles right into Noctis' hair like he's a nest. He covers his mouth with both hands, thinking it's probably somehow rude to be heard laughing by the King or something like that.

But the laugh dies completely when Noctis' expression falls completely.

In the back, Noctis will hear the reply that suggests, just by luck, Cor is in fact in the same room as his father at the same.]

Yes, your Majesty?

[Considering either Clarus or Cor were always by his father's side, he didn't want to take the chance of making it seem like he'd forgotten royal protocol. If it had just been Gladio or any other guard or attendant, he wouldn't have cared. He puts a hand over the receiver to mutter an explanation to Prompto—]

Clarus or Cor are almost always there with him before nightfall.

[—which is literally the only reason he so much as slips out of his normal informal speech. Either one could tell Gladio to up the intensity of his training, if not take over for a day themselves. It looks like he's about to say something more when he stops, listening to the two converse.]

I would have you and Gladiolus escort my son and his friend to the chocobo post in Duscae. Consider it a part of the young Amicitia's training as the Shield of the Future King.

[There is something more there that is unsaid, but very much apparent between the two men and the son: Regis was as nervous about allowing his son out of the city as the son was to request it of him after what occurred all those years ago.

Noct kept the hand over the receiver until he's spoken to again, glancing at Prompto.]

Sounds like he doesn't want a repeat of last time.

[He'll tell Prompto about it later, if he doesn't realize it already. They had been elementary school at the time, and neither had really talked to each other then.]

['Before nightfall'? Is someone there with him different after nightfall? Who's Cor, anyway? Clarus... Prompto's pretty sure, if he's remembering right, that's the King's Shield, kinda like Gladio's supposed to be Noct's? Familial connections aren't quite known at this point (or, more likely, remembered) but he's got the basic idea on that, but Cor doesn't crop up as a name he can remember. Then again, he's not sure what either of those people have to do with the conversation at hand!]

Understood. [Cor's brisk reply, though Noctis isn't there to see the complex, if subtle, expression on the Marshal's face as he looks to his old friend and king, asking without words if he's certain. Still, he isn't beyond knowing that someday, at some point, the young prince will have to go out into the world and meet his destiny and he's already older than he was when he had left with the lot of them back in the day.

Not as if going to a chocobo ranch is quite meeting destiny...]

Last time? [The words slip out of Prompto's mouth in confusion before he really thinks about it. It's not like Noctis talks about what happened that terrible night, though there's been brief mentions of having stayed in Tenebrae before. Prompto gives Noct the 'we can talk about it later' expression.]

[No, that's just when Regis tries to tell them to go home and get some rest/spend time with their families. Something that occasionally works with Clarus, but Cor... He can almost hear the sigh that is on his lips but he doesn't want to talk over what the other two are saying.

What he doesn't hear is his father's solemn nod, nor the look in those tired green eyes that bespeaks volumes to one of his most trusted friends and marshal of the Crownsguard. He is, and if it would help him prepare to face the world and his destiny later, when he would no longer be able to protect him...

He would go into the details of why soon as they hung up.]

Then tomorrow, shortly after daybreak? [Because he knows his son's eating habits and just how likely anything remotely healthy for seven growing birds are to be found in his apartment.] You had best be awake and prepared, Noct.

[Noctis doesn't even need to see his dad's face to know the amusement that's glimmering in those eyes of his. They BOTH are terrible at waking up earlier than noon, and Noctis can't help the groan that leaves him.]

...Yes, Dad. [Fuck formalities when he has to be up before 6AM. He tries to ignore the chuckle on the other end as he hangs up, head in hands.]

It's for the chocobos... [He has a new mantra, now. Thanks, Dad.]

[Cor doesn't have the family to go home to like Clarus does, so that reasoning rarely works with him. Still, he isn't beyond knowing that sometimes Regis simply needs some time alone, but even in that knowing, he's never too far away. There is a friendship there that runs deep, but with each day that Regis weakens, Cor wants to be away less and less.

Not that Prompto would have any notion of such things, maybe not even Noctis. Instead, Cor meets Regis' eyes, then gives the slightest nod in return. They would speak when the prince isn't there to listen to the details.

Prompto's brows lift at both the groan that leaves Noctis - what did the King say? - and the 'dad' that follows instead of 'your Majesty'. That's more like what Prompto would have expected to hear from Noct! ...or, well, to a parent, he guesses...

Then he frowns when there isn't even a 'goodbye' and Noctis drops his head into his hands. The confusing whisper that follows has Prompto just outright staring, trying to piece the parts together that he's heard.]

Uh, did... he say we couldn't go?

[Regis knew, yet he still hopes in vain that his young friend would at least take a break in the evenings. He is surrounded by attendants and guards are posted at his chamber doors when he retires for the evenings. He's fine. Or, as fine as he can get.

In a way, the king hopes this can also serve as a small vacation for his longtime friend as well. Not that he would ever admit it aloud, knowing Cor for as long as he has. He's not even upset that his son fails to say goodbye. He knows it's there in how he dropped the formalities despite knowing of Cor's presence.

The prince sighs.]

Oh, we're going alright. [He says as the chocobo chick who used his hair for a nest moments earlier hopped into his lap instead, chirping happily.] Tomorrow. At daybreak.

[He should know by now just how notoriously a heavy sleeper the prince is by now. By all rights, that should also be enough to explain why he groaned and his head remains in his hands for a moment even as the little chick pecks at his sleeve.

...Shit, he's going to have to call Ignis and let him know what's going on, too. If his father, Cor, or Gladio don't beat him to the punch.]

So, we should probably get ready... and no doubt you wanna know who's escorting us.

[Ask your questions, bro. Maybe it'll distract him from the fact he has to wake up at at least 5am to get his sorry ass out of bed in time.]

[If Cor has heard the drop in formality, his expression gives no sign of it. Instead, they will fall into planning for this trip, perhaps both of them with memories of the past playing through their minds when they were younger men.]

Whoa, daybreak?? [Look even Prompto isn't exactly happy about *daybreak*. That's so early... but he also snickers in his head about trying to get Noct up at that point.] Hey, least I'm coming, so at worse? I can drag you out to the car.

[He wraps his arms around one of the chicks and cradles it to his chest, smiling despite the early wake up call. When there's mention of 'who's escorting us', Prompto blinks, thinking about it.]

Um... huh. Gladio and Ignis? ...Except Ignis' not really a fighter, huh... umm... [He has no idea on who else to throw into that equation, honestly.]

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P.S. I would totally play out that convo. XD

You know I'm game if you are XD

Psh heck yeah.

Then let's do this :>

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