shatteredlenses | LifeAfter Inbox

[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.]

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.

...Very funny.

[He gave Ignis a light tap on the head with something thin and wooden before pressing the object into his hand; a light walking stick carved out of a branch from the other side of the island. Inlaid in the handle was an intricate design only seen in ancient ruins under the dark of night, and on the top of it was a very small marking of three initials--A.L.C., barely noticeable but no less present for it.]

Actually, the mental image is admittedly hilarious. There's no occasion, and no need for repayment or gratitude. Just an abundance of spare time on my part.

[Ignis frowns at the tap on his head, but is spared having to ask what was used when the item is pressed into his hand.]

A walking stick.

[The words are a soft, surprised statement left hanging as Ignis' fingers travel over the many markings adorning the carved wood. A brief smile flickers across his face when he finds the initials, and then his expression becomes something a little more questioning as he runs his fingers over the other markings a second time.]

I recognize these. They're from Steyliff Grove, aren't they?

[He huffs under his breath, carefully swinging the stick out to test its balance.]

The image of you wearing one as a hat is also amusing.

[But...]

Right. It would be terrible if I thought that you did it because you cared even a little about my comfort or safety.

[Feeeeeeelings. What are feeeeeelings?]

Steyliff and Costlemark, yes--it's some circuitry for old Solheim magitek. I rather thought it might be easier to hold on to with something carved into the handle.

[Ardyn shrugged, hands on his hips as he glanced off to the side.]

...I care enough, right now. Just don't become accustomed to it.

[Ignis hums softly under his breath at the confirmation, tapping the end of the cane against the ground to start getting a sense of how the stick transfers the ground's feel through it.]

I won't.

[He doesn't look up at Ardyn as he speaks, but his words are a promise.]

Don't think I will forget it either.

I know. Ill-advised as it may be...perhaps part of me hopes that you would not.

[Ardyn laughed softly, a sound that was forlorn instead of pained and forced today.]

Ah, but that sounds ridiculous.

Edited 2018-01-03 13:39 (UTC)

Hardly.

[Ignis does turn toward Ardyn as he speaks now, cane falling still in his hand.]

I don't believe that anyone wishes to be completely forgotten, not even you on your worst days when the howling of anger and rage is all you can hear. I may only be one person...

[He laughs softly then.]

...but I am a stubborn one. I'll be sure to remind you of this.

I have been told I am horrendously stubborn myself. Some have gone so far to consider it my worst quality, though I believe myself to have gained a few worse ones since then.

[A small smile turns up the corners of Ignis' mouth. He's well aware of that. After all, he's one of those who have recently called Ardyn stubborn.]

Well, no one is perfect after all. I, myself, have recently picked up some bad habits.

[Something sly creeps into Ignis' expression as he narrows his right eye and turns its focus toward Ardyn.]

Like being unable to set down complex puzzles until I've figured them out completely.

Is that so? I've always rather enjoyed the occasional complicated puzzle or two myself. I've found they're very like building intricate machinery, and there aren't many things more satisfying than having every circuit and moving part click into alignment.

I will have to take your word on that, as dangerous a notion as that may be. Logic puzzles are more my forte than those that require actual hands on manipulation to solve. A rather regrettable lacking on my part, now that I think on it. Perhaps you can help me fix that someday.

...

[Ardyn raised an eyebrow slightly, vaguely aware he wasn’t certain how to interpret that. But in the nature of a true politician, he barely missed a step in his response.]

The practical approach is a difficult one to teach, I’m afraid. Often it comes down to a matter of either having natural talent or devoting one to tireless study and practice to make up for a lack of it.

Still, if it should be such a terrible regret, heavens forbid I should neglect to help you rectify it.

Edited 2018-01-15 14:49 (UTC)

Well, I'm sure you will be relieved to know I have no fear of tireless study and practice. I'm quite used to it in fact, so we will be just fine should my natural skill in most things fail me.

[An amused smile crosses Ignis' face, but for once, he doesn't seem like he's actually purposefully twisting his words into a double meaning. He's just enjoying the idea of leaning something new.]

Who knows? Perhaps between the three of us, we might actually get that snowmobile of Prompto's running.

[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?

[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?

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.

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.]

[Ardyn took the offered seat without an argument, raking a hand through his hair and taking a slow breath as he carefully pieced his words together.]

I only wished to...say farewell. Whether I stay here or Asch shoves me into the mana pool, this is sure to be the last time 'I' will be able to speak with you.

[You know, he's got injuries from the battle too. Death is totally an injury. Must he want something?]

I have. We'll get another island eventually.

[It's somewhat missing the point but do you really want him realising this is kind of about Ardyn]

[Ignis hums softly as he considers his reply. Honestly, when isn't their conversation about Ardyn?]

A dangerous thing to assume. We need to plan as if the resources we have now are all there is. Otherwise, we may end up regretting our actions.

[Double meanings? Double meanings.]

[Ignis blinks his right eye slowly, surprised to find this is not the line of discussion that he was expecting. Once the surprise fades, he tsks under his breath, eye narrowing at Ardyn for a moment before he looks away.]

I'm afraid it's a farewell I cannot accept. We will speak again. I won't allow you to be lost no matter how much he fights it.

Every last one of you are too damned stubborn for your own good. Would that but one of you sentimental fools would listen to me for even a moment.

I was lost long ago. A single instance of returning to the surface after endless ages will be as only a brief instant, forgotten and discarded just as quickly.

[With a shake of his head, Ignis turns back to Ardyn, one thin eyebrow raised nearly to his hairline.]

As if you could be that easily forgotten. Either of you. Besides, you have found your way home once, you can do so again. It will be even easier now that there is a flame waiting to guide you there.

Ignis, please-

[His voice edged with a desperate insistence, Ardyn raised a hand to Ignis' face either forgetting about the chill to his hand or not bothering to worry about it.]

I don't want to hurt you anymore. I'm not worth all of this. One faint and impossible chance at a forgotten fallen king is not worth any of you risking your life.

Edited (enter key) 2018-02-13 06:35 (UTC)

LifeAfter Inbox

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you pick the date / 6th onwards

~2/8ish

Time is fluid. :-D

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