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

Angst Alert (not that he wasn't already)

[kings_knight_rocks]

His smile pulled tight, threatened to break. He held on for dear life. They were poking the edges of things he'd barely even managed to struggle through with the guys, and recently, he couldn't do it again. Usually, he avoided these subjects and memories when he could even in his own thoughts. "Some things are better left under the floorboards. If you know what I mean." He crossed his arms protectively over his chest, fingers tight on his arms. He couldn't look at her.

Re: Angst Alert (not that he wasn't already)

[aquawayfinder]

"We can leave it for now," she said, kindly. "But when you are ready... I am here, and I can help," she said softly.

Re: Angst Alert (not that he wasn't already)

[kings_knight_rocks]

In his experience, this wasn't the type of thing to be helped, but he didn't say that. Instead he did his best to push the heavy thoughts away, and instead return to focusing on the matter at hand. "Thanks." And that was that.

He cleared his throat, suddenly aware of how effectively he'd killed what good mood had been in the air. He pulled the smile back, smaller this time, and truer. "Shall we get back to the welcoming parade?"

Re: Angst Alert (not that he wasn't already)

[aquawayfinder]

"Alright," she said warmly, resuming the walk again. "At your pace."

[kings_knight_rocks]

Walking side by side with her in the hall required him to keep half a thought on his wings to keep them from bumping the wall, but it was a welcomingly grounding distraction. He once again eyed the empty space at her back as they walked and fought down the urge to ask. Her outfit left no room for the possibility she was concealing her wings. Which meant she didn't have any. The thought occurred to him slowly; perhaps she'd never had wings. She was from a different world right? He wanted desperately to ask. He wouldn't though.

He needed a distraction. "Would you tell me about the friends you mentioned? The one's that, uh, alternate-me knew? You said they were here too right?"

[aquawayfinder]

She smiled and nodded. "Of course," she said. "As much as is fair to, anyway. Xion is the small quiet one. You'll see her around, trying to not be seen. Long black coat, keeps her hood up. She's scared of pretty much anyone and everyone. This version of her, anyway. Then there is Lea, he's tall, redheaded, very outgoing and friendly. The version of you I met before hadn't met him, I hadn't met him yet at that point either. But Xion and Roxas loved to talk about him. Their best friend. And then there is Roxas. Right between them in height, spiked hair. Adorable. Very sweet, over eager. Spontaneous. If Xion over thinks everything, Roxas leaps before he looks. And he is never ever allowed to drive or fly. Anything." she shook her head.

"The other version of you and Noct and everyone were driving a car. Off a cliff. For fun," she said. Her voice grew serious. He jumped into it. Once I was sure you were all alive, I was furious," she admitted. "I hope that this version of you will please be less reckless. There are children here who do not need that as an example. And I want to know that you will be safe as well. Understood?" her voice was quiet, but firm. And even with her Mastery she was a little pale, and worry was in her eyes.

[kings_knight_rocks]

He smiled as she described the trio. It was easy to tell how much she cared for them by her voice.

He started to laugh a bit. Off a cliff? Well, he could definitely see him and Noct doing something that crazy, maybe even convincing Gladio, Ignis would never let it happen though. It made him wonder a bit how different the other versions of him and his friends might be. He sobered with the end of her little rant though. He nodded. "I can't promise anything, but I'll do my best. Don't sweat it Master Aqua."

[aquawayfinder]

Her eyes narrowed slightly, though there was still warmth there. "Why does that not relax me?" she asked, dryly.

[kings_knight_rocks]

He laughed, rubbing at the back of his neck sheepishly. "You know, in a weird way you almost remind me of Iggy a bit right now. I really will try though!"

[aquawayfinder]

"I hope you don't mind that I chose to take that as a compliment."

[kings_knight_rocks]

His smile dimmed just a bit. "We give him a hard time but... He really keeps the wheels on, ya know?" He turned towards Aqua, eyes sincere. "It is a compliment, is all I'm trying to say, heh."

Let me know if this needs editing

[aquawayfinder]

She nodded and gave him a small kiss on the temple. "I know," she said warmly.

[kings_knight_rocks]

He flinched away from the contact, wings flaring in surprise, which knocked into the wall and sent a twinge of pain down into his back. He barely felt it, too busy trying to calm his heart, which now beat out a rhythm behind his ribs like a trapped bird. He choked out a strained attempt at a chuckle, trying to play off the overreaction. A pointless attempt, probably, but he tried all the same. His feathers and skin tingled. "Sorry-" He took a half step away from her, not nearly as subtly as he'd have preferred.

"Sorry. Caught me by surprise there." Another slightly less strained chuckle.

[aquawayfinder]

"I'm sorry," she said, softly. "Are you hurt?"

[kings_knight_rocks]

He shook out his feathers as minutely as he could manage. In part to help release some of the tension from the startle, and in part just to double check there was no lingering pain. All seemed fine, he tucked his wings back in tightly. It took a little more effort to fish his smile back out, but he managed. "I'm fine."

He felt bad. He knew Aqua hadn't had any ill intent, it was just his body's reaction to someone a little too unfamiliar in his space. He sighed, exhaustion pulling heavy at his bones.

[aquawayfinder]

"Are you sure? I can heal you if you need."

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Really, I'm fine Master Aqua. Just tired. It's been a long day." His smile was authentic, if small. Fingers fidgeting with the bands on his wrist.

[aquawayfinder]

She nodded. "Then let us get you settled in so you can pick a room and get some sleep."

[kings_knight_rocks]

He nodded, relieved to be back on task. "Sounds like a dream."

[aquawayfinder]

"A good one, I hope," she said with a smile.

[kings_knight_rocks]

He didn't say what he was thinking; that he'd had nothing but nightmares for as long as he could remember. He hadn't meant it literally anyway. He returned the smile. "After all your help? I'm sure I'll sleep easy."

[aquawayfinder]

She smiled warmly. "I'm glad. And here we are, the welcome booth. Let's get you a phone and a pamphlet, then we can find you a room and you can take the rest at your leisure."

[kings_knight_rocks]

He looked towards the makeshift stand. "Sounds like a plan, thanks."

[aquawayfinder]

She grabbed him one of each. "I can show you how to use the phone after you have rested, if you want. Or I can ask someone who is better with tech than I am if you prefer. Rooms are this way," she said, leading him towards the individual dorms.

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Thank you. I think I can figure it out on my own, we have phones too, in my world." Oh that was going to take some getting used to. His world, because this was a different world. It was still hard to wrap his head around. "I'll let you know if I need a hand though."

He fiddled with the pages of the pamphlet as he followed her once again. The stress was making his skin itchy, but the halls were still just a bit too narrow to properly shake out. Hopefully his room would be spacious enough, or maybe he could find somewhere quite, a library or some unused room...

The train of thought made him wonder, "You said there were others here, right? Are there a lot?" Would it... be possible the other guys might also end up getting brought here..? No. Hopefully not. Better it was just him. He was expendable, if the worst happened, if he got stuck here... Eos needed Noct, and Noct needed Iggy and Gladio.