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[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. 

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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?

[scourgingstars]

No--I only came to see you.

[Since, you know, last he knew your eyes were on fire again. Ardyn brought a hand to Ignis' face, brushing a light touch over the scars covering his eye.]

...Does it still hurt?

[shatteredlenses]

[Despite how gentle the touch is, Ignis can't help but flinch, though he does lean back into the touch a moment later. That action, as small as it is, clearly gives Ardyn his answer before Ignis has the chance to do so verbally.]

Yes. It's not nearly so constant as it was at storytelling, but when the pain comes, it comes hard. The ash can be washed away, but it comes back just as the flames did and washing it away does nothing to reduce the pain.

[He'd tried once in hopes of making his face look a little less startlingly to people and not tried again since it had done little good in the end.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn hummed thoughtfully, taking Ignis' face in both hands before brushing the backs of his fingers along ashen scars.]

How terribly unfortunate. As usual, it seems I just have to fix what little Somnus decides to break. Typical younger brother.

[shatteredlenses]

[A small smile crosses Ignis' face.]

You don't have to, but I will be grateful for whatever aid you are willing to give. Nothing has come close to giving the relief that the blizzard spell did.

[Astrals know, Gladio's tried so many things.]

[scourgingstars]

I'm well aware I don't have to. [Still, the spark of magic lit his hands as they settled near his eyes.]

But heavens forbid I should ever fail to spite the Lucii in all things no matter how minor.

[shatteredlenses]

Mmmhmm...

[Ignis leans into the cooling touch, lips tilting up into a small smile. It's certainly all that and nothing else.]

Shall we sit so you don't get tired more quickly than necessary?

[scourgingstars]

I suppose I could entertain such a request. Shall we?

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis nods, though he remains pressed into the cooling touch for several moments before finally making his way over toward one of the seats in front of the cottage. Once settled, he turns his head back in Ardyn's direction to wait for the redhead to join him.]

I've put some thought into creating a hood of some sort to hide most of it, but I'm not sure it will be worth the effort. Not much is going to hide this glow. It may just be easier if I spend most of my time here for however long this lasts.

[scourgingstars]

It's an impressive look, in its own right.

[His tone was almost lightly teasing, Ardyn following to sit beside him and return an ice-chilled hand to the advisor's face.]

Let it never be said the line of Lucis failed to have a flair for the dramatic.

[shatteredlenses]

Forgive me if I wish to be a bit less impressive looking then.

[A small smile crosses his face despite the words and the way he leans into that cooling touch.]

I'm starting to develop a fondness for that flair, though. I wonder who's to blame for that.

[scourgingstars]

I've no idea what you could possibly mean by such a thing.

[shatteredlenses]

Don't you now? I find that hard to believe when even your words are dramatic.

[scourgingstars]

Are they, my shining little flame? I've never realized.

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis snorts softly at that, shaking his head.]

Please. As if you aren't completely aware of how each word leaves your mouth.

[scourgingstars]

Not in the slightest. I simply speak whatever might be on my mind.

[shatteredlenses]

Oh?

[There is mischief in his gaze suddenly, and while this may totally backfire, he's still going for it.]

And what is on your mind right now?

[scourgingstars]

Hm... [Ardyn leaned his forehead against Ignis', a smirk clearly evident in his voice.]

I'm thinking about how foolish I am for actually seeking you out today, and yet I did it regardless. Why is that, do you think?

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis laughs softly at the question, though his voice is quite deadpan when he answers.]

Oh, that answer is easy. You obviously came to see the chocobos and need me to distract Prompto so you can spend time with them without the continuous sound of a camera going off.

[scourgingstars]

That seems as reasonable an explanation as any. Obviously.

[shatteredlenses]

Indeed.

[Ignis' voice grows softer then, amusement becoming something closer to fondness.]

Though, if you were actually worried about me for some strange reason, I promise not to tell.

[scourgingstars]

Me, worried? Just whoever might you think you're speaking to?

[There was a faint tone of amusement in Ardyn's voice, idly wiping away ash from scars.]

I never worry about anyone.

[shatteredlenses]

No, of course not. What am I thinking? All the ash must be getting to my brain.

[Ardyn worried? Why the sun dying would be more lik-

Err...

The earth splitting beneath their feet and sinking into the sea would be more lik-

...

All right. He's just going to give up on that for now.]