adelphoi | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ alisaie is not quite so familiar with ishgard's street and climes as her dear brother, of course, but that did not earn her pity points.

as far as the scions are concerned, prompto is her little project. oh they like him plenty, and he's certainly helpful to their cause - for all he seems quite soft and, to a word, useless, he can actually handle himself quite well in a fight, and he's smarter than he might seem at first glance. he might have been a burden in the beginning, but he has learned, adapted, and grown into this place enough that she does not feel as if she has to carry him around any longer. she can trust him to fight by her side when she needs it, and more importantly, to do the right thing.

he is a kind soul. kinder certainly than she is.

nevertheless, alisaie seems always to be relegated to oversee him anyway. she found him, after all, he is the pup that followed her home, so she has become his de facto caretaker. it is up to her to keep him safe, to teach him as best as she can, and she supposes that is all well and good, so long as it does not interfere with her duties, but so far it has not. he seems keen to help where he can, mayhaps because it is in his nature, mayhaps because it keeps his mind and hands busy, but nevertheless, she does not much mind his consistent company anymore. suffice it to say she has.. grown used to him, even if he is foolishly idealistic and far more bubbly than any one person should ever be.

so here they are, striding over the chilly cobblestones of the foundation, toward a squat building in the near distance, where smoke rises from a sturdy chimney. ]

Nearly there, now. I daresay you shall be far more comfortable in clothing with sleeves.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ she hangs about the manufactory at first for a spell, eyeballing the firearms - it is weaponry unlike anything she has used before, and it is quite clear that this is the best possible place for him. the scions' armory has nothing remotely like what is offered here.

but the room is hot and cramped, and she does not want to make prompto nervous by accidentally eavesdropping, so alisaie takes her leave to the streets again soon enough, though she stays nearby so as not to lose him in the twisting city streets. it's quite some time before he emerges again, and she wonders whether it is a good or bad thing that he is taking so long, but she is nevertheless confident that he will do fine. he's demonstrated his skill in marksmanship plenty already, and for all he might personally behave like a bit of a blockhead, his skill in combat is heartening. she believes in him.

.. and she hardly recognizes him, when he comes striding toward her dressed in proper eorzean garments; give her a moment. ]

Oh -

[ what a nice /gpose!! ]

Well, you certainly look the part now, don't you?

[ He even does a little twirl for her, so she can see ~~his ass~~ all his angles. ]

I gotta hand it to these machinists — they sure know how to dress!

[ Even if this is far more sleeves than he is accustomed to. Oh, well, at least it's warm! And more than anything, he's excited to try out this weaponry. It's familiar and yet so very different from what he's used to. There's a lot to learn ahead of him, but he finds himself far less anxious than he would have expected. ]

I guess I'm almost like an honorary Eorzean now.

[ Though there's something a little melancholy amid the glee when he says as much. Before he can let it linger, though, he follows up quickly with: ]

Um, sooo, what now? Up for a little sight-seein', or is it back to business as usual?

[ there's a buttflap, she can't appreciate the ass!!

but she can appreciate how well he fits in, now; with any hope, he won't get strange looks everywhere they go. nor will he freeze in the coerthan climes. she does not miss that slight shift in tone, however, no matter how he tries to hide is. while she does not doubt that he is enjoying his time here, it cannot be easy to be cut off from his home. even alisaie misses sharlayan dearly at times, and she can theoretically return any time she likes.

there is naught to be gained in fretting over it, however. they are working to return him as quickly as they are able, all she can offer is patience and sympathy. ]

Well, we needn't return for a few days, still. Have you anything in mind?

[ From what he understands, Ishgard isn't exactly a place known for it's...fun leisure activities, but there still might be some sights worth seeing, and, of course, photograph. Maybe they could even visit the dragons (or the MOOGLES) but there's one thing in particular about this region that stands out to him that he would like to see... ]

Soooo, I've heard there's a...chocobo forest somewhere in Dravania?

[ Yes, this is what he wants to do. If they have enough time to get there and back, of course. Peons like them can't teleport whenever they please like SOME people... ]

[ too bad he's a weirdo who can't manipulate aether and anima very easily!! what a noob.

she does not mind the foot travel, however, and sees no reason to deny him this request. the forelands are not terribly far from here, and the chocobo forest is close to the edge of the highlands. at least that is what the maps have told her, she has had little reason to travel too far beyond the city, in the past. ]

I believe that could be arranged.

[ she says, smiling. ]

Granted, we shall have to pass through the icy Western Highlands. I'll hear no complaints about cold toes.

[ A hearty salute. ]

Yes, sir! I'll be silent as the grave! ...About cold toes, anyway. These boots are thicc!

[ Yes, he means that kind of thicc, even if there is no audible difference between that and thick and Alisaie doesn't know what "thicc" is anyway. This is what happens when I tag you when I should be sleeping...

But anyway, Prompto will inevitably come to regret this request in more ways than one, when he's freezing his ass off only to get his butt kicked by a wild chocobo in the forest. ]

You just point the way and I'm there.

[ He makes it sound like they're gonna leave right this second... ]

[ yeah she... doesn't understand that reference. or even know that it's a reference at all. ]

Now?

[ alisaie is generally the first to jump into things headfirst without thinking, but even she's not so foolish as to go skipping off into the hard wilds of coerthas without thinking it through. ]

Hold your chocobos, we'll need a little time to prepare.

[ He halts in his step. Right, that...makes sense. They can't go galumphing off into the wilderness without any preparation. Sometimes he still forgets he's not on Eos where everything was easily accessible in the Armiger. Here, they actually have to carry their gear on their backs (or do they???? how does the WoL carry all that shit anyway). ]

Alright, alright! Sooo...can we head out tomorrow, then?

[ In the meantime, there's certainly plenty more of Ishgard to see, and even if it's a bit of a stuffy place, there's a lot of neat architecture just begging to be photographed. How does Prompto keep his camera running in Eorzea? Not important. ]

Tomorrow, yes.

[ he's like an excitable little puppy.. he has been since she first stumbled across him, and every day since. gods, where does he find the energy? it's uplifting, though; more than once he has made her smile when she was sure she was far too tired to accomplish it, and there is something to be said for how easily and readily he can keep moving forward. it's a strength unto itself.

for now, they're walking. he has new boots to break in! ]

I suppose I shall see to our supplies if you would secure us a room.

[ Y-yes, they'll need to do that...sharing a room with Alisaie!! It's not the first time they've shared a space, and they've done their fair share of camping together, but still, Prompto's heart races just a little faster at the thought...he might see her cute nightie... /////

ANYWAY, enough dwelling on that!! Even if his cheeks might be a touch redder now. He can just blame that on the cold. ]

You got it, Ali! [ He levels her with double fingerguns. ] I'll meet you at the Inn? I'll get some dindin ready for us, too!

[ Which isn't to say he'll be cooking, heaven forbid. He'll hit up the inn staff and see what they have on the menu, rather. ]

Din.. dins?

[ he says such weird things.. what kind of weird world is eos???

whatever. she shakes her head. ]

Nevermind. Take care, we shall catch up soon.

[ FAREWELL ]

[ It's not Eos, it's just Prompto, mostly...

But okay, BYE, the two of them go their separate ways and Prompto secures them a room for the night at the Forgotten Knight. He definitely blushed at her nightie and tried to hide up. He also slept under, like, six blankets, because it's freakin' cold here!

But anyway, moving right along because blanketfic is important, they depart for the Dravanian Forelands, to see dragons, sure, but mostly wild chocobos. A forest full of chocobos...it truly sounds like a dream come true. Of course, to realize that dream, they must cross through the Western Highlands of Coerthas, which is Prompto's least favorite local in Eorzea yet. And he thought Ishgard was bad...this is unreal.

But travel through it they must. It's not a terribly long trip, but it will take them a couple of days. Which means camping. In a frozen wasteland. Where monsters like to roam.

Good thing chocobos are worth it...and the company's not bad, either.

Prompto is just putting the finishing touches on the tent while Alisaie tends to the fire and the meal. The weather is calm enough for the moment, only the occasional flurry falling from the sky. Still, it's cold as hell, and Prompto is thankful his machinist gloves are as thick (thicc) as his boots. ]

How's the dindins comin' along?

[ Yes, he's using it again. ]

[ THERE IT IS AGAIN, with the dindins!!!!!

for her part, alisaie does not seem to mind the cold. she does not love it, sure, but neither does she seem overly perturbed. they packed warm clothes, thick coats and gloves, and they shall make due, though she knows full well that this region is prone to cold snaps and sudden blizzards.

truth be told she has never navigated it herself - she has never before been here, ishgard proper is more or less the most of what she has seen on coerthas, so these lands are unfamiliar. but alisaie is quite used to trekking across unknown lands alone - she has a map, a compass, and plenty of confidence. they're making good time, and should like as not reach the forelands by tomorrow evening.

for now, she is leaned over the merrily cracking fire, stirring the contents of a small cast iron pan with a wooden spoon. it's a thick stew of sorts, and it might not be particularly pretty - alisaie would not consider herself an expert culinarian - but the smell is decent enough, and nothing has burned. ]

I have never in my life heard of such a silly sounding word.

[ Don't worry, Prompto isn't expecting Ignis-level cooking on this little camping trip of theirs, but the smell of the food is enough to make his stomach grumble. As he checks the pegs of the tent to make sure it isn't going anywhere in a storm (uttering the requisite "that isn't going anywhere"), he grins over at her, unperturbed by her declaration. ]

Never? Alisaie, you flatter me! You free to use it, bee-tee-dubs. Oh — that means "by the way". You can use that one, too!

[ He is awfully cheery for being out in the cold, but present company is...certainly nice. Camping with a cute girl is, uh, notably different than camping with his bros.

At last he determines his work with the tent complete and he plops down next to her in front of the fire. ]

Smells great!

[ she does not want either of these words thank you!!

she's gotten used to it, really, that he says some.. real weird things, but she just chalks it up to him being from, you know, another planet. too bad that she doesn't realize that prompto is an idiot even by eos standards, that not everyone from eos talks like him. she'll travel there and assume dindins is just the usual term for dinner.. ]

I shall pass, thank you..

[ she's trying not to smile, but she can't quite smother it. giving the pot one last stir, alisaie reaches for the small wooden bowls in her canvas bag, so she can begin to fill them. ]

Do not expect a gourmet meal, but it shall suffice.

[ excuse u he is very hip with the times (citation needed)

But at least it is meal time, well-earned after a long day's trek and the preparation that it took to set up camp. She takes a bowl from her once she offers it to him, graciously thanking her before beginning to chow down. I godmodded all of this so we can get to snuggles sooner. ]

So, you said you've never been here before? Heh, wouldn't know it, with the way you're leadin' the brigade!

[ Their two-person brigade. Unless they are riding magical horsies and have minions. ]

[ the snuggle thirst is real...

alisaie ladles herself a bowl full as well, sitting back cross-legged to tuck in. it isn't a culinary masterpiece, but it's tasty enough, and best of all, nice and warm, heating her up right to her core. ]

Well, I've some small experience meandering about the wilds. The terrain here is not too challenging, so long as we mind the map.

[ she's a master explorer, prompto!! ]

[ don't @ me the blanketfic was ur idea?!??! ]

Yeah, think I'll leave all the map-reading to you. I'm not so good with directions...

[ He chuckles through a mouthful of stew. There's a reason he wasn't the navigator in their group, and his tendency to get sidetracked didn't help. ]

You've done a lot of traveling, huh? Just...for Scion stuff? Or what?

[ fair... and yet u thirst for it even more strongly than i.. ]

Mm, yes, sometimes.

[ traveling is sort of in the scion job description - at least when concerning the acrhons. and.. grandchildren of archons, as it were. tataru remains to hold down the fort, and there are a few others who keep post at the rising stones as well, but for many of them, work is on the road.

not that that is all there is to it.. ]

Some of it was for myself. Needless to say, I am in fact no stranger to the road.

[ her gaze flicks toward him. ]

For someone who claims a poor sense of direction, and complains any time you need sleep on any surface lesser than a feather bed, you seem accustomed to it as well.

[ which is.. weird. because he seems like such a soft boy. he hates bugs, can't navigate to save his own life, complains about sleeping on the ground, and yet he knows how to pitch a tent and maintain a fire and other little, myriad things that come along with traveling. she can't entirely make sense of it. ]

[ He chuckles at her assessment, because, well...she's not wrong. For all he doesn't like it, he sure as hell is accustomed to it, and there's a part of him who is fond of it, because of how nostalgic it makes him feel. It's been a good long while since he last had a chance to camp with his friends, but...those nights were some of the best times of his life. ]

What can I say? I'm a man of mystery.

[ Yes...he is clearly...very broody and mysterious. But his chuckle makes it clear that he's only joking. Even his he does have a tragic backstory...that's beside the point!! ]

Buuut you could say I got my fill of camping back home when I was traveling around with my friends. We couldn't always stay in a room, so camping was the next best thing.

Well, that certainly explains it.

[ this soft boy has pitched a tent or two in his time. that's not what she said. alisaie leans to ladle more stew into both of their bowls; lots of food is key to keeping warm in the cold, after all, and anything left in the pot would otherwise go to waste anyway. ]

And you never got used to it? Why don't you like it?

[ He's more than happy to accept seconds, wearing a smile as Alisaie ladles another helping of stew into his bowl. For how cold he is, the meal is going a long way towards helping him forget that. ]

Guess I got used to it, but...I dunno, it's just never been my style. I like to be comfy! [ He shrugs around a mouthful of food. ] But the company was worth it.

[ Those nights brought them closer as friends than anything else, come to think of it. ]

[ alisaie shakes her head, though there's an easy smile on her face. ]

Mayhaps you simply need to reevaluate your conditions for "comfy."

[ it is a lot to ask of him, apparently..!! with her bowl scraped clean, however, alisaie leans back on her hands, lifting her eyes to the sky, where the setting sun bleeds streaks of crimson against the low, thin clouds. ]

I think it is well worth the trade for such.. freedom, and beauty.

[ Well, she's not wrong about that, exactly. For all Prompto might complain about some aspects about life on the road, he...isn't sure he could go back to just living a normal life in Insomnia now, if he even had the choice. For better or for worse, his journey has changed him too much.

Finishing off the last of his stew, he sets his bowl aside, casting Alisaie a cursory glance before turning his attention back to the sky. ]

Can't argue with that. Maybe it's not comfy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[ He has to believe he's a better person now, for all he's struggled, for all he's experienced on the road. ]

[ her bowl is empty by now as well, and she slides it onto his, wood clacking gently against wood. she feels pleasantly full, warmed by the heat of the meal and good company both, and alisaie soon leans back on her hands to glance skyward. already the stars are beginning to wink through the blanket of the sky. ]

Neither would I.

[ she exhales, soft and slow. ]

I've spent a lot of time traveling Eorzea. It has not always been easy, but I am grateful for every moment of it.