Let's See What's In The Cards (Mmhm)

[missrecalled_mods]

The weather was still bitterly cold, and the snow was still thick on the ground, but it was finally possible to at least go outside by the front doors. The King and Queen have still forbidden anyone from staying overnight at the museum district in case it started snowing again. But the King could be seen outside trying to shovel snow enough to make a path to the castle at the least.

The snow was still too thick to get easily anywhere not shoveled, and the snow was so heavy that even beasted out, Ben needed to take constant breaks inside to sit down and dry off. This wasn't going to be a fast task.

It was only made harder when it started. For those who slept, it would start after they have fully awoken for the day. For those who don't sleep, they'd find that they had fallen into a pleasant daydream, even if it wasn't normal for them to do so. When they came out of it, that was when it would start for them.

But what is it, exactly?

Small snippets of memories, playing for anyone who was with the person remembering to see. But the thing was, these memories... were memories the person had not yet made. Memories of the future.

Not enough to give answers, probably not enough to give reassurances for much other than "oh hey, I do have a future after all," but generally pleasant, and short. Hey, it will give people a thing to talk about, at least. Especially since this will go on for the next two weeks or so.

Comments

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

"Exercises? Like... training?" He shifted uncomfortably at the word, just a bit. It was probably a good idea, there just weren't a lot of good memories tied to the term.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

She nodded. "I am a teacher after all. Don't worry though, we'll start slow. And I promise I'm not half as bad as Rren told people I am," she added with a small chuckle.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

"I'm sure you're a great teacher, Master Aqua." He smiled, a bit teasing. "What would you suggest we even do though?"

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"First some stretching, followed by some jogging to wake your body up to the training. Then we will work on some upper body strength, and I will try and come up with some exercises specifically to strengthen the muscles your wings work as I get a better view of how they mov with you. When we both feel that you are ready, we will start slowly and carefully, lifting off from the ground. We will not start at any height you cannot get to under your own power," she assured him. "And of course meditation twice a day, once a day with me and once a day on your own."

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

He pursed his lips. "Seems like a lot of work for flying. Why meditation?" He was mostly teasing still. Mostly. It worked to cover the slight discomfort at the idea of her observing his wings so closely though.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"Training is a lot of work. But it is well worth it. And meditation is an integral part of practicing any new technique.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

"I don't think meditation has ever been a part of any training I've done."

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"I do my best to teach things correctly." she said with a small smile. A little too innocent.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

"But meditation?" He sighed. "Fine. I'm terrible at it though. Warning you now."

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"I have faith in your capacity to learn," she said with a warm smile, patting his arm gently.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

That set a warm ache in his chest. He vaguely remembered a similar sentiment said to him years ago. He didn't remember which doctor or Kingsglaive or minder it had been, but he remembered the words.

Before he could dwell too long on that memory though, the light around them changed once again.

Ardyn

It was bright in the way an overcast day sometimes tended to be, sunlight bouncing through the light cloud layer and the whole sky casting a bright clear light over everything. It made shadows stark, colours pallid, and the scene that materialized over the library unsettlingly clear.

Gladio, grim faced but fierce, even as he was shoved back into the side of the Regalia. The man doing the shoving was a new face. He looked angry, and he didn’t flinch as Noctis stepped forward with a growl, summoning the king’s arms around him, blue crystal light refracting across both their faces at their distance. The man’s white hair and long white coat fluttered in the wind caused by Noct’s magic. He had a metal arm and a gleaming metal wing, his one remaining feathered wing a dusty tan.

“Wanna go? Let’s do it.” Noct narrowed his eyes.

The man’s grip on his sword flexed. “Should the chosen king fall, that too is fate.” His eyes narrowed, a fight seemingly imminent. But then-

“I’d say that’s far enough.” Ardyn, the same flamboyantly dressed man who’d arrived via dropship in the earlier vision at the volcano, stepped into the scene. “A hand, highness?” Though his gaze slid over Noct even as he asked the question, settling on where Prompto stood supporting some of Gladio’s weight. It was unnerving, his smirk seemed to reach through the vision to where Prompto and Aqua sat in the library.

“Not from you.” Came Noct’s immediate reply. He dismissed the arms, but he still stood tense, eyeing Ardyn closely.

Ardyn’s smile twisted, lips pulling up in an expression that should have been reassuring, but somehow missed the mark. “Oh, but I’m here to help. An old friend of mine…” He reached out, for a second it almost felt like his hand would pass into the library with them.

Where the Prompto in the vision had frozen, in the library with Aqua, Prompto flinched. Violently. The vision shattered apart, and Prompto was left reeling. Pulse racing. Breath jagged in his lungs. So it had been the man from the training facility all those years ago. And worse, he had definitely recognized Prompto.

He didn’t know what that meant if these really were some sort of snapshot of the future. He was desperate to know what happened next, but the vision was gone, and he was left with only what-ifs. Would Ardyn reveal something to the guys they couldn’t forgive? Would he not, but just plant a seed that would turn Noct against him slowly?

As if his racing fears weren’t enough, he could feel the phantom hands from that day. The instructor pinning him by his wings until he saw red. The scientist’s instruction- the weight of his pistol against too-steady hands. The resistance of the trigger under his finger-

He’d curled into himself again. Eyes on the floor at his feet, unseeing. Arms wrapped around his knees and wings tight to his back.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

She knelt beside him. "Breathe," she said, gently. "Breathe. Feel what you are feeling and we can work through them, together. You only ever have to be as alone as you wish to be." Without intending to, Aqua found that she was starting to hum comfortingly, a song she used to sing to Ven when he had nightmares. With a small soft nod of acceptance, she moved from humming to singing. She didn't know where she first learned the song from, which world, which version of her. But she remembered singing it to Ven. Not just to Ven, to some of the younger kids he had helped to teach as well. Had she ever taught it to the Weenie Squad? She couldn't recall. But she was singing it now, to another wounded heart connected to hers. To another friend she wished to protect.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

He could still remember the fear on the instructor's face. The mess his insides had made across the floor. Ardyn had cheered, praising the scientist for Prompto's obedience. He didn't like to remember this part.

Aqua's words were distant, but the reminder familiar. He forced a breath in through his teeth. He shook his head. He didn't want to feel this, to remember this memory. He tried to focus on her voice instead. Forced himself to stop thinking, stop remembering.

She had a nice singing voice. He didn't catch most of the words, but the intent of the song made it to him. Which he thought was maybe the point.

"I-" The words didn't come, he didn't know what he was trying to say. Apologize? Thank her, again? He couldn't bring himself to look over at her. He just shook his head again, mute. What was there even to say?

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"Take all the time you need," she said softly. "I'm here with you."

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

It was both reassuring and discomfiting. He didn't like people to see him like this. He wanted to hide away, keep this ugly part of himself a secret, but he couldn't stop finding comfort every time somebody stayed. Cor, then Noct and the guys, Aqua. He didn't deserve it, didn't know how to see in himself what they saw in him that was worth staying for.

He sat for a long moment in silence. Eventually, with his forehead rested against his knees, the word barely loud enough for her to hear, he asked; "Why?"

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"Why?" she asked gently. "Why what, my friend?"

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

He didn't look up at her. "Why are you still here? Why do you care? I don't-" He shook his head into his arms.

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"I care because we are friends," she said gently. "Which is why I am still here as well."

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[kings_knight_rocks]

"I... I'm glad we're friends, Aqua. Even if Noct and the guys aren't here... I'm glad I got to meet you. I just- I miss them so much."

Re: Prompto ~ OTA ~ FFXV spoilers??? vague and AUed ~ CW: panic attacks, violence and death, flashba

[aquawayfinder]

"Missing friends that are not here in no way detracts from the friends that are. I miss Ven and Terra and so many others as well," she said, gently. "But I think that they would be glad that I have you and Lea and Mallia and so many others to take comfort from when they cannot be with me."