Prompto Argentum (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hashtag_chocobro) wrote2022-06-10 12:08 pm
hashtag_chocobro) wrote2022-06-10 12:08 pm
Cape Caem; Cleigne; Eos. Friday [06/10 FT].
There had been a day for Holly to process the mithryl, and, once returned to Cape Caem, a little more time for the final repairs to be done to the boat, days that seemed to stretch out with a certain undeniable tension to them. After all, at this point, considering how much had already happened, the chocobros were convinced that anything could happen. And this late in the game, anything that could happen was likely to set them back even further than they already were.
But, thankfully, nothing did happen. At least, when it came to their plans, it was a good thing, but it was less encouraging when nothing was happening with the communicator, despite Prompto's continued tinkering with it. He'd even gained a helper in Talcott, although, really, all the boy did was prattle on with various stories, mostly about his grandfather, but Prompto appreciated the company. He liked the kid a lot, even if it did make him feel an uncomfortable twist in his chest over the fact that all those wholesome little musings of him and Liz settling down and starting their own family were quickly starting to feel like hopeless dreams.
But then the boat was ready, and it was finally time to set sail for the destination that had been their mark more than two weeks ago, and it was time to say their goodbyes. Iris seemed a little sad and nervous about the departure, her usually cheerful tone taken down to something softer and lighter, but Talcott was thrilled for their next adventure, and for the fact that even the Marshall, apparently, had arrived to see them off.
"There's something I've gotta get off my chest," said Cor, once they found him, sitting in the small lounge area just off the docks, his face drawn and serious and concerned.
Noctis, whose eyes were trained on a photograph on an end table, the framed one Cid had back of the Hammerhead, of his father and his own Kingsglaive, sighed with frustration and turned to Cor. "What's that?"
He didn't answer right away, drawing in a slow, deep breath and some how managing to find a deeper frown. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, in nervousness, in apprehension. His arms folded over his chest just to be unfolded again a moment later. Finally, though, he sighed, ducking his head one last moment before turning to Noctis with determination.
"I'm sorry," he said, gaze steady, words strong. "Sorry I wasn't there for your father."
Noctis stared at Cor for a long moment before ducking his own head.
"I swore an oath," Cor continued,dropping his head once more, in shame, in disappointment, "to protect the king, but I wasn't strong enough to uphold it."
And Noctis just stood there, speechless, with nothing to answer with except for an emotionally shaky breath.
"Ain't nothin'," Cid's cranky drawl cut through the tension like a knife, as the old man limped his way forward, "nobody could've done to stop what happened."
"Yeah," said Noct, who seemed to have regretted the harshness of his voice, because he softened it considerably with the next words, "I realize that."
"But you need to realize," said Cid, dropping unceremoniously into a seat, "just what you mean to the boys by your side."
Noctis breathed out something halfway between laugh and offense. "I do."
"Even if they can't solve your problems," Cid continued, "you can't hide what's goin' on from 'em. I hurts like hell." A silence filled the small room, and then Cid leaned forward. "Remember, those ain't your bodyguards. They're your brothers. Trust in 'em." Cid punctuated it with a wrinkly smile. "Always."
Climbing aboard the boat, they got settled in as Cid got behind the wheel, cranking up the engine and angling her toward the ocean. Talcott and Iris, a moment later, came running up the dock to see them off, shouting and waving their arms in goodbye.
Talcott's call, in particular, reached them the strongest. "Your Majesty!"
"What's up?" Noctis called back, with a faint grin on his face.
"Please!" Talcott shouted. "Come back soon! We need our king!"
Maybe it was the fact that they were finally on their way. Maybe it was the hope and confidence that the people around him had instilled in him. Maybe it was just the brothers at his side and the feeling that not all was lost after all, that Lucis still lived on, and they weren't giving it up without a fight. But Noctis nearly laughed as her shouted out his response, "Yeah! Count on it!"
[[ standard terms and services apply, swiped from Final Fantasy XV Chapter 8 - Seaworthy
Also I know what day it is. ]]
But, thankfully, nothing did happen. At least, when it came to their plans, it was a good thing, but it was less encouraging when nothing was happening with the communicator, despite Prompto's continued tinkering with it. He'd even gained a helper in Talcott, although, really, all the boy did was prattle on with various stories, mostly about his grandfather, but Prompto appreciated the company. He liked the kid a lot, even if it did make him feel an uncomfortable twist in his chest over the fact that all those wholesome little musings of him and Liz settling down and starting their own family were quickly starting to feel like hopeless dreams.
But then the boat was ready, and it was finally time to set sail for the destination that had been their mark more than two weeks ago, and it was time to say their goodbyes. Iris seemed a little sad and nervous about the departure, her usually cheerful tone taken down to something softer and lighter, but Talcott was thrilled for their next adventure, and for the fact that even the Marshall, apparently, had arrived to see them off.
"There's something I've gotta get off my chest," said Cor, once they found him, sitting in the small lounge area just off the docks, his face drawn and serious and concerned.
Noctis, whose eyes were trained on a photograph on an end table, the framed one Cid had back of the Hammerhead, of his father and his own Kingsglaive, sighed with frustration and turned to Cor. "What's that?"
He didn't answer right away, drawing in a slow, deep breath and some how managing to find a deeper frown. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, in nervousness, in apprehension. His arms folded over his chest just to be unfolded again a moment later. Finally, though, he sighed, ducking his head one last moment before turning to Noctis with determination.
"I'm sorry," he said, gaze steady, words strong. "Sorry I wasn't there for your father."
Noctis stared at Cor for a long moment before ducking his own head.
"I swore an oath," Cor continued,dropping his head once more, in shame, in disappointment, "to protect the king, but I wasn't strong enough to uphold it."
And Noctis just stood there, speechless, with nothing to answer with except for an emotionally shaky breath.
"Ain't nothin'," Cid's cranky drawl cut through the tension like a knife, as the old man limped his way forward, "nobody could've done to stop what happened."
"Yeah," said Noct, who seemed to have regretted the harshness of his voice, because he softened it considerably with the next words, "I realize that."
"But you need to realize," said Cid, dropping unceremoniously into a seat, "just what you mean to the boys by your side."
Noctis breathed out something halfway between laugh and offense. "I do."
"Even if they can't solve your problems," Cid continued, "you can't hide what's goin' on from 'em. I hurts like hell." A silence filled the small room, and then Cid leaned forward. "Remember, those ain't your bodyguards. They're your brothers. Trust in 'em." Cid punctuated it with a wrinkly smile. "Always."
Climbing aboard the boat, they got settled in as Cid got behind the wheel, cranking up the engine and angling her toward the ocean. Talcott and Iris, a moment later, came running up the dock to see them off, shouting and waving their arms in goodbye.
Talcott's call, in particular, reached them the strongest. "Your Majesty!"
"What's up?" Noctis called back, with a faint grin on his face.
"Please!" Talcott shouted. "Come back soon! We need our king!"
Maybe it was the fact that they were finally on their way. Maybe it was the hope and confidence that the people around him had instilled in him. Maybe it was just the brothers at his side and the feeling that not all was lost after all, that Lucis still lived on, and they weren't giving it up without a fight. But Noctis nearly laughed as her shouted out his response, "Yeah! Count on it!"
[[ standard terms and services apply, swiped from Final Fantasy XV Chapter 8 - Seaworthy
Also I know what day it is. ]]