LifeAfter Inbox

[shatteredlenses]

 

This is Ignis.  Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.  Storyteller willing, I may actually be able to read messages left for me soon.
...
And, no, your Highness, this doesn't mean I will be too busy to make sure you eat your vegetables. 

Comments

[scourgingstars]

[Not too long after the Storytelling, when next Ignis was around Camp Solheim, he'd be confronted by a familiar voice. Unsurprising, since Ardyn literally never went anywhere else.]

Do you have a moment? Here--there's something I wanted to give you.

[Ardyn placed one hand light on Ignis' arm for just a second to illustrate exactly where he was, the other holding something out to him.]

[shatteredlenses]

If what you wish to give me is a hard time, I'm afraid my last available moment for the next few weeks just got snatched up. Teaching mobile vegetables to stalk one's prince is quite time consuming, you understand.

[How Ignis manages to say that with such a straight face is a mystery for the ages, but he doesn't pull away from the touch on his arm.]

To what do I owe this kindness? My birthday isn't for a couple of months.

you pick the date / 6th onwards

[crosslaced]

[He is drawn to the Chocobro cottage by the unmistakable smell of cooking. So Ignis is back- and his disappearance in the past months stings. It shouldn't. Laurent's getting soft, seems like.

None of that internal drama shows as he leans in the doorway closest to the cooking area, watching. The blonde’s voice is his normal casual tone, almost feline in its ease.]

And I thought you'd forgotten about this place. How was Monsun?

Time is fluid. :-D

[shatteredlenses]

Hardly.

[Ignis isn't sure what's brought Laurent visiting today, but he can't afford to let his mind wander in speculation either. He's still fighting off the effects of his injury during the darkness and there is a lot of repair work to do.

He takes a moment to remove the meager meal he's prepared himself from the fire before answering the blonde's second question.]

Less balanced than it once was. I'm sure you've heard the warnings.

~2/8ish

[scourgingstars]

[The island wouldn't last much longer; all of them had heard as much in dreams from the Storyteller and just about every source which knew enough to warn them. The camp was being transported to the islets, and perhaps it was only a matter of time before a hand chilled by death found its way lightly to tap on Ignis' shoulder.]

It's only me. Do you have a moment?

[shatteredlenses]

Of course.

[Ignis can't say he's surprised that Ardyn's sought him out. With the island soon to vanish and everyone moving back to the islets, it was only a matter of time before the resident immovable object would once more attempt to find a way to be left behind.

He motions for Ardyn to take a seat next to him and then waits patiently for the man to begin.]

backdated to early april

[encircling]

[ Hello there, Ignis! It's ya girl here to knock on your door. ]

[shatteredlenses]

[Hello? New door. Who dis?

Okay, so not really, though oddly enough the first thing to greet Mira as the door is pulled back is not Ignis but the curious gaze of a rapidly growing firebird.]

Whoever it is, please don't set them on fire, Rory.

[Well, at least that slightly not at all concerning comment proves that Ignis, is in fact, home.]

a few days after the event

[nightcure]

[ It's been... a hell of a time, as of late. Between Bliss and everything, Noctis hasn't had time to really rest. He's feeling restless, mind racing with a million subjects and things he needs to talk about. He has a few people he needs to talk about, too.

Ignis is at the top of that list. He seeks him out in the afternoon, and he clears his throat lightly. ]

Hey, Iggy, do you have time to talk?

[shatteredlenses]

Hello Noct. Do you even need to ask? I always have time for you.

[Ignis looks up from the dish he's working on, smile on his face as it so often is when his prin--no, king now--is around. There's a tiredness underlying that smile though, also showing through in the way his hands work just a little slower than usual over the food he's making. Truth is, he hasn't had much sleep since waking from traveling through Bliss' dream fantasy worlds. It doesn't matter that he awoke late on the 17th feeling as if almost all his life had been drained from him, his mind has been too busy to care, and, as it has been all his life, his mind has overruled his body.]

I can't quite manage a pie yet, but I figure I should be able to create something sweet out of these apricots we found. We all deserve a little treat after that battle. Are you hungry?

late May Post-Bliss Post-Laurent!?

[piercetheheart]

[After a very confusing and painful start to his day Gladio is finally using this stupid stone thing.]

Ig? Iggy? [Fuck, he only just left. This is so fucking stupid. He sounds mad and scared and his breathing is high and sharp.]

So... you only just left but... something happened. I uh...

Y'know how I haven't wanted to let you guys heal me? I'm not gonna argue this time.

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis has only just stepped into the Storyteller's temple when he hears Gladio's voice. His intention had been to leave a small offering for their harried local god, but that plan is abandoned as soon as he realizes how bad the Shield sounds. He's halfway back to the mana pool before he even has the communication stone in his hand.]

Gladio? What happened? Are you still at the cottage?

5/30 - a letter for Iggy

[piercetheheart]

Hey Iggy,

I know, this seems like something we would've done when we were kids. It's stupid, really, cowardly. I know that but I just want to be able to get everything down once and for all, clarify what needs clarifying and then we can all move on. We can put this behind us and I'll be better. I swear, I'll be better.

Where do I even start?

I never wanted to hurt you. Gods, that's the last thing I'd ever want. I'm sorry that it's exactly what I did. I needed to be away, to have time to think. It hurt, I'm not going to lie. With everything we have between us to find out that you were mooning over Ardyn of all fucking people. Which isn't fair.

I'm glad there's someone out there you care about like that. And, I mean, shit's fucked up with him, I know that much, but the guy I talked to in that dream seemed like he wanted to do the right thing at least. So maybe he's okay, maybe he'll stop being so scared of getting hurt again that he can trust you. I don't know. Things are so much more complicated here but I trust you. If he was what I thought then you'd never care for him.

I'll always support you. No matter what. Even when you don't want me to and don't want me around I'll always be there for you. I'm not gonna pretend I'll sit back and let him hurt you but I'm not going to just fly off the handle. Again.

Fuck I've got a great track record so far, huh?

I guess I just have one request. Don't keep me in the dark? It's been so long, so goddamn long, since you trusted me with the big things, the important things. Which is my fault, I know that. If I kept my head and I didn't react so badly then you'd be able to just tell me things and not have it all blow up like this. I'm sorry. I thought I was doing better.

I guess I just thought I was because I'd been alone for so long. Which sounds pathetic and like I'm looking for pity or something. I'm not. We both had things to do, things that were important. Even if neither one of us could really understand where the other was coming from.

Right. You don't know about any of that and I can't ask you to be honest with me if I'm not willing to do the same so. Here it goes.

The reason we drifted apart wasn't just because you were on a mission and wouldn't hear a word against your tomb raiding. And it wasn't because Prompto and I kept fighting. It's because I couldn't deal. I spent so long looking at the future in this limited time frame of just however long it takes before I die for Noct that I'd never really let myself see anything else. Then suddenly Noct wasn't there. And it wasn't a week or a month or even a year. It just kept going and going and I finally kinda sat back and had a think on what if. What if my future wasn't already determined? What if I could do something about it?

What would I even WANT?

And I came up with one answer, no matter what the future brought, no matter what scenarios I could dream up it all came back to one thing. You. By my side, always. Until the end of days. When darkness swallowed the world and we had nothing left to keep hoping for I was okay with it. I was content.

Because I had you.

Stupid huh? So many years and I never realized, never really let myself acknowledge it. I tried. After that, I tried. To do things for you, to help, to make things a little easier. Shit I stole you away and cooked you dinner once. But it always came back to the work, to Duty. And when I asked if, maybe we hadn't earned a little time to ourselves, and that maybe running ourselves into the ground wasn't going to save any more people any faster...

Well you can imagine how well that went. Explosive argument and accusations and knowing why you did what you did now it makes more sense. But it hurt. Being near you after that hurt. I couldn't just go back to pretending that-

Fuck I can't even write it.

I couldn't pretend I wasn't in love with you anymore. In the end that's why we all split up. It was so selfish, I know that. I should have just dealt with it. My stupid feelings don't have any place in what we do. Noct needed us, the people needed us. And now we're here and I'm screwing it all up again.

I'll be better. I promise. I swear it. I don't want to lose you again, not over this. I'll find a way to make sure it doesn't interfere again. Just, please, give me the chance to prove that to you.

I love you too much to let you walk out of my life again.

I'm sorry. I know this is the last thing you need with everything that's been happening here. Please don't shut me out. Let me help, it's the least I can do. You deserve so much more but please let me do that much.

Yours, Always yours.
Gladio

[shatteredlenses]

When Ignis had scribbled--and as much as he tries to make it neater, that's all his writing amounts to these days--the one line note and left it with the meal he made for Gladio, he really hadn't expected a response. That's what makes the letter he holds in his hands all the more remarkable.

'When you're ready to talk, come to me.'

It was a desperate offer he made, an outstretched hand. He did want to talk and it was obvious Noctis wanted them to talk as well, but it couldn't happen in the jungle as their king had probably hoped. They were both too upset. No, pushed beyond that even. Shut down. Needing space. Needing time.

If Gladio was this torn up over realizing the truth depth of feeling between Ardyn and Ignis, then Ignis was just as torn up by the realization that there was a proper name for the feelings he'd had for Gladio all these years and just pushed away because of duty.

Duty. Ignis almost hisses when he thinks the word, fingers tightening on the letter causing it to crinkle. He forces his fingers to relax before the letter rips. The last thing he wants to do right now is damage such an intimate view into his best friend's feelings for him.

Ignis sighs and lets his head drop against the rock at his back. Not that far away, the waves of the sea rush up over the sand. Perched at the very top of the rock, Rory ruffles her feathers before falling still. Ignis had not even finished the first paragraph of Gladio's letter before knowing he needed to be away from the cottage. His friend's voice was so strong and so pained even in just those few lines it made the need to hug him and hold him close almost unbearable, and yet that was the last thing Ignis knew the Shield needed. If he had been ready for that, he would have come to Ignis in person instead of leaving him the letter.

The letter. It had taken him so long to finish reading it. Not because of the tears in his eyes, naturally, but because his fingers would start shaking so badly, he'd miss the braille as it scrolled across the gem on his bracelet and then have to start the line again. Several times he'd had to literally put the letter aside--weighted down by the worn shell he'd gotten from Luna so long ago when they first arrived on the island--and walk away to get his emotions somewhat back under control.

It never worked for long. Not that it should have when Gladio was baring so much of himself to him.

After finally finishing the letter, Ignis isn't sure what to do next. The way things were going, he honestly expected to feel numb right now, but he's pretty sure he hit emotionally overloaded a while back, slid right into numb and then back out again leaving him where he currently is--awash in emotion he can do nothing to control.

He has to respond; he knows that much. There is no way he can allow this foolish notion of Gladio's to continue. What kind of person would he be if he expected his best friend to hide so much of himself? He's doesn't want Gladio to 'be better;' he wants him to be himself! And then there is their Astrals Forsaken Duty. The duty that has taken so much from them and left them with what? A king sacrificed like a lamb to the slaughter. A world left in chaos and ruin. Hearts that are missing more pieces than they still have. All because the Astrals had to hide their mistake. All because Bahamut just had to be the perfect savior.

His hand curls into a fist and he drives it into the sand next to him. How different would things have been if he and Gladio had felt they could have things beyond their duty back then? How different would Ignis himself had been if he'd been able to see the world as he sees it now after being on the island for so long?

Love. Love and doing his duty to Noctis. He can have both. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

One or the other or the other even since his heart cries out for more then one person. Perhaps, it is making up for lost time. Ignis honestly has no clue. It seems of all the things he knows, the thing he knows the least is his own heart.

Shaking the sand from his glove, Ignis slides his hand into his pocket and pulls out his communication crystal, turning it over and running his fingers over it. He's honestly not sure how he will react to hearing Gladio's voice right now, but it's the only way he has to communicate with the Shield considering face-to-face is out. There is no way he will be able to write a letter to match the one Gladio left him.

Ignis takes a deep breath, squeezing the stone tightly in his hand as he does, and then raises it to his ear, activating a private conversation to Gladio.

"Gladio, please. I...need you."

[savedbyasong]

It's been a very busy few weeks, exploring the last parts of Ziziphus, exploring the far reaches of Enso. Helping save animals and plant life from the crumbling island.

He had mostly avoided Monsun, apart from very quick trips to take creatures there. He knew from what Aster had told him how the island played with your mind, the idea was... Awful. Even the part of the island that apparantly brought out the good in you. It was still manipulation, their mind used against them. The part that brought out the worst... Shion had feared to go anywhere near.

He knew that Ignis had been there, which was the only reason he hadn't been to speak to his friend yet. He had been worried since Gladio had contacted him to ask for paper. He knew something had happened and though he didn't want to be nosy... their deal went both ways. Shion was to talk to Ignis about things that upset him but Ignis was to do the same. Neither of them were very good at it, and so Shion knew he should seak him out.

So he was at Ignis' cottage, two bowls in hand. "Ignis? Are you home?"

[shatteredlenses]

"Inside!"

Shion will probably notice things look a fair bit different around and inside the cottage as he comes in. Gladio's obviously been hard at work and in addition to the outdoor projects, there is a much more functional roof and the start of what appear to be walls meant to divide the cottage into rooms. Currently, Ignis is sitting with his back to one of those partially created walls sorting through a pile of what look to be cactus needles, though some are long enough it's probably best not to think about the cactus monster they came from. Noctis obviously went above and beyond when it came to filling his request for needles from the walking cactus population on Monsun. Now Ignis just needs to figure out which of them will work best for the projects he had in mind.

June Solstice event

[piercetheheart]

Ignis was still asleep when Gladio rolled out of bed, woken early by the demands of his bladder. It's not until he comes padding back into the bedroom that he notices the little nest of hay tucked in beside Leopold's bed. He grins, winks up at Rory on her perch and crouches down to stroke a finger over the eggs.

"Hello little ones..." Prompto is going to be so excited. But first...

He crawls back into bed, careful and quiet, propping himself up on one elbow to watch Ignis sleep for a moment. He's beautiful, absolutely breath taking and Gladio's struck by how impossibly lucky he is all over again. Eventually he leans down, pressing a kiss first to Ignis' nose, then to his brow. He doesn't want to tickle him awake so he tries not to let his beard drag over the sensitive skin of his face. One more kiss, this one to his cheek, then light as can be, a brush of lips against lips.

"Iggy...? C'mon, spark... time to wake up."

[shatteredlenses]

The first answer that Gladio gets is little more than a soft, sleepy sigh as Ignis tilts his head into what serves as his pillow and curls his hand a little more tightly under his chin. Ever since he and Gladio started sharing this little room sectioned off at the back of the cottage, he's been sleeping better. Oh, the nightmares still come--sometimes bad enough he sits bolt upright in bed with a scream on the tip of his tongue--but when they don't plague him, his sleep is more restful. Perhaps it's finally having everyone here that does it or maybe it's sharing this small space with Gladio guarding his back that is enough like them sharing the tent back home that he can relax more than he could before. Either way, it's harder for him to pull himself from sleep now. Any other time, he would scold himself for being lazy. Now, a small smile curls his lips as he responds to Gladio without making any move to get up.

"It's too early. Leave a message or try again later."

All those years of teaching Noctis things. Perhaps, for once, he'll take a page from his charge's book.

End of August

[piercetheheart]

(( Continued from the clothing log))

Ignis was going to scold him for it and he knew it but it was so very worth it. Gladio's grinning and laughing by the time the step out of the mana pool on the island, so close to their home. His arm slides around Iggy's waist, tugging him close. He crashes their lips together in a heated kiss, breathless and hungry.

Even when he steps away to start heading for the cottage he can't keep his hands to himself, skimming lightly over the advisor's body, sliding down over his hip, thumb pressing in firmly where he knows the tattoo starts. Ignis would murder him if he just grabbed his ass and hauled him up to carry him across to the cottage. But Godsdamn it is tempting.

[shatteredlenses]

Honestly, Ignis is so amused by the sudden turn of events that scolding is far from his mind. It's certainly not where he intended things to go when he'd teased Gladio, then again, perhaps Shield already had something in mind considering how much bolder his own teasing was...

Probably not. He was just being Gladio, and as the picnic that Gladio had set up for him proved, things have a way of getting out of control fast between them. Not that he had minded the results at all.

Ignis laughs between kisses, pushing Gladio away slightly, "We are never going to get to the cottage like this."

And don't you even suggest carrying him or you're sleeping with the chocobos big guy.

sometime after storytelling-ish

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn usually avoided the comfortable little farm built on this particular islet; he preferred to avoid Prompto and Gladio as much as possible, for varying reasons. But...sometimes he just felt the risk was worth it. So close to sunset, he stayed near the shadows to avoid the other more irritating residents, moving near-silently as perhaps only a daemon really could.]

[When he did call out, it was the sort of quiet that was determined not to be overheard:]

It's just me--are you here, little flame?

[...It occurred to him that maybe the name was a touch too ironic right now.]

[shatteredlenses]

Here.

[The answer comes from around the side of the cottage and is followed a few moments later by Ignis himself, brushing dirt from his gloves as he'd just been finishing up work in his garden when he heard the soft inquiry. There is concern on his face, for he is well aware of how much Ardyn dislikes coming here. The last time had been when they were both near dead because of their foolish needs to keep everything locked up inside.

...

Right, and thinking about that really doesn't help ease his concerns, so instead of thinking more, he carefully makes his way toward the redhead.]

We're alone for now, beloved monster. Is something wrong?

SOMEDAY SOMETIME

[want_to_belong]

[Prompto was spending extra time at home to help out, since both Gladio and Ignis had been suffering some consequences since coming back to life. That meant trying to pick up any slack. Something he wouldn't complain about even if it was more than he was used to.

But, that also meant, if it could be believed, more time being with Ignis or Gladio as he tried be their hands.

It was cooking time, and Prompto was doing what he could to help prep food since Gladio couldn't do a lot of meat cutting right now. But, he had some other things on his mind while they were dealing with busy work.]

Hey, Iggy?

[He started softly. He wasn't super nervous about asking about this, but he was wondering if Iggy would think it was weird.]

I've just been thinking. Gladio, uh, thought me 'n Noct had something going on, y'know? I was just kind of wondering if you thought that, too?

[shatteredlenses]

[The most frustrating part of Ignis' current state--aside from the fact there is little he can do to hide how his face looks thanks to that constant magenta glow--is that there is really no telling when the pain will become severe enough that he is all but debilitated by it. As much as he hates the idea of stepping away from everything that is going on with the Storyteller and the islands, he's hardly going to be any use to anyone if he can't defend himself. The last thing he needs is another death on his tab, so it's just better to stay near the cottage for the time being. If nothing else, it gives Ignis a good excuse to do as Prompto is and offer his help to Gladio whenever possible. Considering how many of the Shield's skills rely on his strength, it's he who is really struggling right now.

While Prompto works on cutting things for the meal Ignis wants to prepare, the advisor works on grinding up some roasted coffee beans. So far, most of their focus has been turning the beans into coffee, but coffee has been used to season food for a long time. It's about time they tried using it that way as well.

The soft question causes him to pause in his work as he raises his head in Prompto's direction.]

There was a time or two the thought crossed my mind, but I wouldn't say I was ever certain about it.

[After all, romantic relationships weren't something Ignis gave a lot of thought before coming here.]

Does it bother you Gladio was?

Late December 4rth - Farspeech Stones

[want_to_belong]

Iggy? How are you guys holding up over there?

[shatteredlenses]

[When the call comes through, it's not Ignis' voice that is the first thing Prompto hears. Instead, it's the sound of Rory's attack call. She's obviously a bird on a mission for good or ill.

When Ignis' voice finally does come over the stone, it is a little breathless, a lot tired, but also...excited?]

And that's another one down! Greetings, Prompto. We're holding up as well as can be expected. How are things going over there? Noct found you all right?

Happy New Year!

[piercetheheart]

It's hard to tell exactly when midnight hits, tracking time by the stars as they are. But there's an excited crow from further down the beach as others that are watching the time decide Midnight is close enough and Gladio's arm goes from looped lazily around Iggy's waist to pulling him in closer. It's a tradition, after all, to kiss your beloved at midnight. He thinks briefly of Ardyn, probably alone and sulking in his cabin, before he shoves the thought away and claims his lover's mouth.

It's a slow, languid kind of kiss, appreciating the press of his boyfriend against him but not pushing for anything more. As he draws away though Gladio reaches up to gently take the arms of Ignis' glasses, sliding them carefully away from his face.

"Got a little present for you, babe." Murmured softly and Ignis will hear the gentle click of his visor being folded and tucked away. A sound promptly followed by a chuff and the rumble of a curious feline as he comes to nudge at Gladio's hip. Dad's excited about something and it's weird for him to have taken something away from Iggy.

"Hey! Don't lick them you jerk." Laughing and grinning he leans in to kiss Iggy one more time, an apology for the cat slobber that's going to be all over his visor when he gets it back. And then he's sliding a new set of glasses on him, wider and broader than the sunglasses that he'd modeled after his glasses and certainly not as stream lined as his visor.

But they still suit his face pretty damn well.

[shatteredlenses]

It strikes Ignis, as they stand waiting for the call of the new year, the beginning of this one couldn't be more different than the last one. Last year, they had been recovering from the first surprise memory sharing at storytelling and scrambling to prepare for the death of the sun and the darkness that would follow. There had been little hope for a brighter future, only a prayer that they would make it to the next month.

Perhaps it's too optimistic to say Ignis feels hope for the future now--there are still to many unknowns--but he can at least feel happy with all of them together once again, with Gladio at his side, with neither of them hiding from each other anymore. The lingering warmth of the kiss is enough of a distraction that Ignis doesn't try to chase Gladio down when he slips his glasses from his face. Instead, he merely tilts his head, questioningly, waiting for whatever present his lover has gotten for him.

"You didn't need to. I hope you know that."

Ignis isn't surprised when Gladio all but ignores his words, suddenly too distracted by Leo's antics to give what he will think a silly objection any response. He's pressing a hand to his lips to muffle a laugh and then Gladio is carefully sliding something onto his face. It's unconscious instinct for him to close his eyes as this happens, and a trained instinct that leads him to shift his hand from his mouth to feel the shape of what has been set on his face.

"A new set of glasses, lovely petal? I don't--"

And then he opens his eyes and...understands.

He can see!

[want_to_belong]

Gladio and Iggy were out doing romantic things, and since it was the dead of night Prompto was lazily passing time at home. They didn't have King's Knight to play anymore, so instead he was idly playing with some fronds and trying to figure out how to make something new. In the many, many months they'd been on the island he'd gotten fairly decent at it. Baskets were a breeze. A makeshift roof wasn't so bad, and it was possible to use it some amount for making furniture and other crafts.

He was sitting quietly in their 'living room' when he heard Gladio and Iggy coming back. He didn't think much of it. After all, it was dark, of course they'd head back at some point to sleep. So he continued idly fiddling with his fronds, trying to make a box, with little more than a soft "hey" in greeting.

[shatteredlenses]

Even though Gladio told him just how long he had before the glasses' magic would be spent and he would lose his vision again, Ignis can't help but want to move quickly. There is so much he wants to see. So many he needs to track down. Noctis. Prompto. Ardyn...

Gladio is right thought. When two of the three people he wants to find the most likely to be at the cottage, going there first is the best plan. Sure enough, while Noctis seems to be out, Prompto isn't.

Something pulls painfully at his heart, though, when he hears that soft, almost dejected 'hey.' He can't help but just watch the blonde for a few seconds before coming to a decision and crossing the room. Ignoring the fact that he's probably about to cause Prompto to ruin whatever he's working on, Ignis wraps his arms around the blonde and then chuckles softly in his ear.

"Prompto. I can see you!"

[scourgingstars]

[Alone and sulking in his cabin indeed. Knowing Noctis was back had been troubling enough, and that disaster of a trial had helped nothing. There wasn't much point in leaving, and so he kept to himself in silence, sitting with his back to a comfortably curled up Hresvelgr.]

[It wasn't like another new year meant a damn thing to him, anyway.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Though he won't admit it, Ignis goes to Ardyn last simply because it means he can linger with the redhead as long as he is allowed. He won't have to rush to find someone else or to see something else before the enchantment on his glasses fades taking his eyesight with it.

With a tiny bundle of light blue feathers sleeping in his arms, Ignis knocks on the door to Ardyn's shake before stepping inside. His eyes scan the darkness within and he feels a small thrill in his chest when his vision adjusts enough that he can pick out Ardyn and Hresvelgr.]

Happy New Year, beloved monster.

2/7/19

[piercetheheart]

[It was going to be hard as hell to top the glasses he'd given Iggy on New Year's. He knew that but he had to try at least. There were projects that he'd been working on and some prep he needed to do but Ignis would also have others to spend time with throughout the day. So he mostly left his boyfriend to his own devices for the day (though he certainly kept him in bed for a fair bit in the morning).

Once evening rolled around, though, Gladio came back to the house, dinner was had, and as soon as everything was wrapped up he was tugging at Iggy's hand.]

Come on, babe. I got something to show you.

[Just gotta follow him out to the mana pool.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis wasn't one who generally made a bit deal of his own birthday, though considering this was now the second he had spent on the island, his mind did linger on it a little more than it usually would have when he woke. How could so much time have passed? What did all the changes mean when they still knew so little about the island and those who brought them there?

It was fortunate that Gladio had woken not long after he'd started to ponder those thoughts and had given him something much more pleasant to think about.

Now, though, while he doesn't resist the pull toward the mana pool, he does give the Shield a wary look.]

Gladio, you just spend a good deal of favors on me. I really hope you didn't spend more so soon.

2/25

[want_to_belong]

It had been a long day. After exhausting every method of contact and checking all over the islands, Prompto was back home having to accept the terrible news. Gladio was gone. There was a big empty pit in his stomach that he wasn't sure how to fill. Maybe after Noct coming and going a few times he braced himself for Noct leaving again, but Gladio had stayed around for a while and it was his first time. Prompto had hoped that somehow that made it different. That he would stay with them.

Now it was back down to two in their party and the home felt so empty. But he didn't have time to fall apart. Iggy had it even worse than he did. Having skipped dinner - he honestly didn't feel hungry at the moment - he jogged straight over to their room as soon as he got home.

"Iggy?"

[shatteredlenses]

There's no verbal response to Prompto's call, but once the blonde steps into the room, he will find Ignis is indeed there, seated cross-legged in the middle of the bed staring blankly down at the pillows at the head of it. Leo is curled around him as tightly as he can be, head in Ignis' lap. The advisor's hand is twisted into the tigerlily's ruff, but is as still as the rest of him is.

At least Leo moves slightly to greet Prompto, soft, mournful sounds slipping from his throat.

Probably like the 4th or 5th? Hope this is okay <3

[savedbyasong]

Shion has his arms full of things, baskets mostly. A basket of fruit, some sweet bread that wasn't a disaster. Another basket of eggs. Being... friends or whatever with Ceej meant he had a lot of baskets. Which was good, in this case.

Laurent had told him Gladio was missing. Shion remained hopeful that his friend would return but knew that Ignis and Prompto would be missing him sorely, Shion wanted to help them.

Both of them were always so kind and had both helped him when Aster had disappeared so...

Cobweb was with him too, Leo was probably pining and could do with the distraction.

Shion pauses to negotiate knocking with all the baskets but Cobweb had no such qualms, he had been here enough and stayed here when Shion had been gone that it was practically a second home, he barged through, making a beeline for Ignis.

It's great!

[shatteredlenses]

When Shion and Cobweb arrive, they will find Ignis sitting on the floor of the cottage, Leo curled up at his back and Rory, oddly enough, in his lap. He's grooming the firebird almost mindlessly as she coos softly. All three are surprised at Cobweb's sudden entry, with Leo rumbling low in his throat as a gentle warning to the other tigerlily to calm down just a little.

Ignis himself tilts his head slightly when he recognizes the sound of excited animal's entry, "Cobweb? Is something wrong?"

He's half afraid the animal has sought him out because yet another friend is missing, no matter how paranoid he knows the thought is. Still, it's a relief when he hears movement at the door.

"Shion?"

after april storytelling/episode ardyn spoilers

[scourgingstars]

[As the sun hung low in the sky, a man all in white sat outside the cottage with Hresvelgr close at hand. Natural red hair was tied back in a quick ponytail, steel blue eyes glancing over Ignis once he came within sight.]

Could I trouble you to join me for a short while?

[At his side was one of the 'salvaged' bottles of palm wine, along with empty coconut halves in place of glasses.]

I think it's...well past time you knew the truth I've kept from you.

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis tilts his head curiously, settling at Ardyn's side. It still strikes him as strange to see the redhead like this, but then again, it's probably strange to Ardyn to see him at seventeen years old.]

You know I always have time for you. I take it you've remembered something else?

[Though, from the way he says it, it may be that Ardyn remembered this particular fact a while back and has had to work up to telling Ignis about it. He wonders what kind of horrific memory it will be this time.]