Prompto Intro ~ OTA

[kings_knight_rocks]

Open/locked?: Open
Who: Prompto and whoever finds him
What: Arrival in Auradon
Warnings: Possibly some panic attacks/flashbacks? Nothing graphic though


The figure out on the quad stood out from the snow in the all black ensemble, neither the colouring nor the short sleeves particularly suited to the weather, though his light hair and white feathery wings did a much better job. Anyone would be able to see just how confused he himself was to be there. Confused, and none too happy either.

Prompto had no idea how he got here. Or where ‘here’ even was. The chill and the dusting of snow definitely wasn’t a Longwythe feature, neither was the- was that an actual castle? He looked around, trying not to let panic creep in just yet. But a second assessment only proved that this was, in fact, not the rocky plains near Longwythe Peak. It appeared to be a well maintained yard. From what he could see under the snow at least. He was glad for it. The weather brought memories of a different tundra, but the architecture here was all wrong.

The bigger issue, he was realising, was that Noct and the others were nowhere to be seen. He looped his camera strap around his neck and pulled his wings close in an attempt to keep warm. “Noct? Iggy?” He spun around again, squinting against the glare of the sun off the snow. “Gladio?”

This wasn’t good. He reached for the familiar pocket of space of the Armiger, looking for his phone, but all his hand met with was empty air. Oh, really really not good.

“Okay. This is fine. Totally fine. I just need to not panic. Yup. I can do that. Not panicking.” He took a deep breath and turned towards the castle. Hopefully there he’d at least be able to get out of the cold, if not find someone who could tell him where on Eos he was. He fluffed his feathers, hugged his arms over his chest, and started walking.

Comments

[kings_knight_rocks]

He'd started turning at the sound of someone approaching, but didn't have time to take in much more than a streak of blue before he was being tackled by a pair of strong arms. He startled at the contact, wings flaring, limbs locking for a split second before he managed to get ahold of himself and step back out of the hug. He pushed the arms off with probably a bit more force than necessary. Oops.

It took him a second to register her words over the pounding of his pulse in his ears. "You- I- Sorry?" He tried to place her face, but he was really quite sure he'd never met her before. How did she know his name?

[aquawayfinder]

"Oh..." She shook her head. "Sorry. I know another reality version of you. Why don't we get you inside so you can warm up, and I'll fill you in on this place, and answer any questions you have, alright?"

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Another reality? What-" Another shiver rattled through him. "You know, inside sounds good right about now."

He turned back towards the castle. "Obviously you know my name, so what's yours?" Hopefully he was headed in the right direction. The cold was uncomfortable, and it stirred up memories he'd rather not think about.

[aquawayfinder]

She led the way to the dorms, since more people was there and it was close.

"Apologies. I am Master Aqua." She wasn't going to stop to bow properly. Getting him warm was the higher priority. She did slide a hand into her pocket to touch the Wayfinder she and another version of him had made together, back on planet Speed.

[kings_knight_rocks]

"No worries miss Master." He tried for a cheesy grin over his shoulder at her, though at that exact moment it felt a bit strained. Between the cold, and the memories pushing for him to look at them, his mood was a bit tense.

"Sorry I'm not the ah... The Prompto you hoped I was?" He wondered what that other Prompto was like.

[aquawayfinder]

She gave a small chuckle. "It's fine. The Lea and Xion here aren't any of the ones I've known either. Professional hazard, I suppose. But there are people here who will welcome you, even if we don't know this you and you don't know this them. Or any of us at all. I for one would love to get to know this version of my friend Prompto. And of course you are welcome to join my morning lessons if you want."

[kings_knight_rocks]

"That's a relief." He ignored the little voice in his head that tried to ask if he was even worth getting to know. He shivered, pulling his wings in tighter around himself. It was strange to see a human without them. There were the few flightless he'd met before, but it never managed to soften the ache that bloomed in his chest at the sight. He held back the urge to ask; it wasn't polite.

So he cleared his throat and asked instead. "So uhhh, what do you teach?"

[aquawayfinder]

She opened the door to the dorm building with a smile. "A number of things, all summed up as Mastery."

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Oh cool. Mastery by the master and all I guess? Thanks," he added as he passed the doorway. It was blissfuly warmer inside than out in the wind, and he let his wings relax at his back a bit. "So, this place..."

[aquawayfinder]

"This is Auradon Prep. A school. There is more to this World than just the school, but with the storm rolling in, we're all consolidating in the dorms to ride out the worst of the weather."

[kings_knight_rocks]

The phrasing threw him a bit. Of course there was more to Eos than just one school. And it seemed a bit strange that the oncoming storm would keep them all inside; surely they could get more resources before it hit? Unless... "Are you all refugees from Insomnia by chance?" He didn't think there was a place this cold near the city, but he also had no idea how he'd even gotten here so-

"Oh! And have you seen any other guys dressed in all black like me? One's about my height, black hair, emo. One's got glasses and a posh stick up his arsenal. One's a human slab of beef with a tattoo on his back."

[aquawayfinder]

"We are from various places. As for dressed in black, I'd presume you meant Lea, Xion, and Roxas, except you didn't seem to recall their names. So I am guessing your reality’s version of Noctis and Gladio and the others?"

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Yeah that's them. I'm guessing they aren't here then?" His wings and shoulders sagged a bit. "Just to clarify, this is alternate reality Eos right?"

[aquawayfinder]

"I'm sorry, but no. This is a hub world. It is broken into parts. We are in the part called Auradon."

[kings_knight_rocks]

"How did I even get to another world?" This was truly the worst day ever, and he'd had some down right horrifying days. "A hub world? What does that even..." He sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. He had to get it together.

[aquawayfinder]

"The welcome station has an info packet that Lea put together that explains it all," she said, heading that way. "But the short version is that there was a collision of magics on this world that led to most of the population being sent elsewhere, and a lot of people from elsewhere being pulled in to fill the void they left behind. The King and Queen of this world are working hard to figure out how to bring their people home and send those of us who have a home to return to and who wish to return where we came from."

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Wow... But there is a way home? Eventually?" He couldn't imagine living the rest of his life on some other world than Eos, without the guys... Gods, he had no way to let them know he was okay. He hoped they weren't worrying for him too much. He needed to get his hands on that pamphlet, and then he needed to find a dark corner to have a private freak out session.

[aquawayfinder]

She put a hand on his arm and gave it a small warm squeeze. "They are working on it, but I promise you, I have been to hub worlds before. We will get out of here at some point. And there is every possibility in this case that time moves much faster here than on your world. It may be that you will return in the exact moment you left, even if you are here for years."

[kings_knight_rocks]

Oh. Feathers and whiskers. Deep breaths. Okay. "Years is like... A really long time." His voice was very high. Despite his anxiety, he could still picture Noct's judgy expression. Hear Iggy's dry voice saying 'rather astute observation Prompto'. It made him feel both better and worse. It did help to calm him down just a bit though.

He stared at Aqua's hand on his arm. "There's- There's no guarantee right? About the time thing?"

[aquawayfinder]

"None at all, other than that we will do our best," she said, gently. "Many of us here have been to hub worlds before, including the Queen. You might want to speak with her, as she arrived back home at the moment she left, it seems, and seemed to have no memory of any of it until something awakened the memory in her heart. As for me, my..." she had to think back, "second time," she said finally, "in a hub world was in a place called Ruby City. And my memories were... incomplete when I arrived, though I did not know it at the time. Interacting with people I knew" or more specifically, their Keyblades, "helped me regain much of what was lost. Everyone reacts differently to the hub worlds, though generally by the time one returns home, they are better for the experience not worse."

Generally. She knew of two major exceptions, and she herself was one of them. But she didn't show any of that in her expression or poise, and none of it escaped into her voice.

[kings_knight_rocks]

Okay. He drew a shaky breath, and then another, slightly steadier one. "Sorry, just a lot to take in..." He cleared his throat and dug deep for an only slightly strained smile. "You said something earlier about a pamphlet right? Could I get one of those? Please."

[aquawayfinder]

"It is alright. I understand," she said kindly, "and we're on the way to get you a pamphlet and phone now. Then I can help you find a room so you can warm up and rest."

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Oh awesome. Thanks. I get a phone?" Not that it would let him call Noct or the others... Or even have King's Knight for that matter. If it at least had internet though, he could maybe figure out a little bit more about this world without having to pester Aqua with questions. "Is there internet here?"

Having his own room would also be nice. At least if he was going to be stuck here, he could have a private space to retreat to. He could definitely go for a nap right about now.

[aquawayfinder]

"Everyone gets a phone, and there is a limited internet." She offered a small amused smile. "Or perhaps I am just too old to figure it out at this point."

[kings_knight_rocks]

He looked over her again, a bit surprised by her words. Then realized he was probably being creepy and looked sharply away, cheeks warming. His wings pulled in even tighter to his back. Someone less familiar with wings might be a bit surprised how small they seemed to be able to appear, or perhaps wonder about the comfort a position like that would afford. Prompto on the other hand didn't seem to really notice or be bothered. "You? Old? Coulda fooled me. I woulda pegged you for like, twenty-something, no?" It was a relief to hear there was internet though.