[ oh, dear.. alisaie might be, you know, married now, but she's actually not really the best person to ask this. she's always been terrible at People. ]
Prompto had hoped it wouldn't be, had hoped against what's been proven to him time and time again. Maybe, in some dark corner of his mind, he'd always known it would go this way, that having his best friend back and present to officiate his wedding was too good to be true, too good to last. Turns out that little, anxious voice was right, as it has been so many times about this. Noctis had been taken from them on Eos, and then he'd been saved by the Natha only to awaken and return to stasis three times now. That it has happened before does not lessen the blow when it comes. It does not take the sting from the realization, or dull the numbing feeling that overpowers him. It isn't any easier.
But it is what it is. Noctis' bed is empty. There's no note, and his contact information is no longer in Prompto's phone. Still, part of him clings to deny it, to resist the pull of the truth, and so he dashes right back to Alisaie's study where she works, throwing the door wide and startling poor Peo where he naps at her feet.
Stricken and pale, he stammers out: ]
W-we have to go to the station. [ He swallows thickly, forcing himself to breathe more evenly. It's a vain attempt. ] Do you have time now? S-sorry, I...
[ it's a quiet, ordinary afternoon when prompto comes barreling into her study so quickly that she and peo both are startled, the book in her hands slipping from her grasp to thump back down onto the desk beneath her. immediately, her heart is in her throat - gods, what has happened? is it alphinaud? x'rhun? noctis? krile? a thousand terrifying thoughts cut across her mind in the split second it takes prompto to prepare his words.
oh.
she knows what this means. someone is gone, someone has left them again, back into stasis, and given prompto's expression, it could be anyone. not all of them shared the same world, but they have become something of a comfortable little family, and losing any one of them would be difficult, especially for a boy so tender hearted as prompto. alisaie's throat tightens, but she stands nonetheless, closing the book left splayed on the tabletop as peo scampers forward, clearly concerned.
but within seconds she's there with him, her hands cupping his face to calm him, to bring him back down to earth, while she prepares to ask the question she does not know she wants to know the answer to. ]
[ Alisaie's immediate presence before him is the only thing that keeps the tears at bay for the moment, though they remain there, hovering at the corner of his eyes, waiting to be shed. She supports him as she always does, and perhaps distantly he is at least glad he doesn't have to bring her news about it being someone from her world returning to stasis. Alisaie and Noctis had gotten along, but it won't affect her the same way it will him.
If he's really gone. He can't accept it until he sees it with his own eyes. He can't.
Taking a hold of her wrists to keep the warm pressure of her hands against his skin, he breathes out a shuddering sigh, blinking fast. ]
I-It's — it's Noct.
[ Such a simple thing to say, and yet it carries such a heavy weight, as if saying it out loud is the only thing that makes it real. ]
[ alisaie's heart aches for him immediately, heavy with grief. how unfair it is that this continues to happen to him. were alisaie in his position, she would simply prefer to be without him, rather than this constant yanking back and forth that he's been subjected to, his hope flattened three times now. still, she can't help but be thankful, at least, that noctis had been around for a little while, long enough for him to get to know him, long enough for him to be a part of the wedding. that meant more to prompto than she could rightly explain, she knows.
still, that makes this no easier, especially for a heart so tender as his.
right. alisaie nods, drawing her thumb over his cheek, keeping this contact for as long as he needs. ]
[ Of course, he wants to get a move on, but it's difficult to relinquish that touch, to do anything but sweep her up into his arms and refuse to let go of her for even a second. Thank the gods she is still here, but losing Noctis is second only to losing Alisaie, and he is heartbroken all the same, no matter if this is the third time it has happened.
He sucks in an uneven breath, his expression crumpling as he buries his nose into her palm, pressing a soft kiss there, before he at last steps back. Even then, he keeps a tight grip on her hand, unwilling to abandon physical contact altogether.
Quietly, he asks: ] Can we take Chobi to the teleporter?
[ Normally he have no issue taking both of their birds, but Chobi is the two-seater, and...Prompto doesn't want to be farther from her than absolutely necessary right now. ]
[ there's really no rush to leave, this isn't that sort of emergency, and though it would likely be better than not to simply get to confirming it more quickly, like tearing off a bandage, she will wait as long as he needs.
which doesn't turn out to be long at all, of course. he pulls back, and she offers him a warm smile, peo also leaning against his leg in quiet support. ]
Aye, of course we can. He could do with a bit of exercising.
[And a harrowing few days it has been. Safe on the station they all may be, but no one who made the sudden journey from the surface to Thesa was left unmarked. Krile has been busy, between healing and outright telling people to sit down and take a break and trying to keep up the spirits of her friends as well as her own.
And Alisaie kept the damn door locked even after the first time she worked her way in.
At least...well, she's seen Prompto, and spoken to him, and if he's with Alisaie then she won't be alone and left to worsen in despair. He's not here now, though, when a quiet knock comes at the door to Alisaie's room at Lalafell level.
If she isn't awake, Krile can turn and go, but she's lost her sense of day and night like many others have, and it would do her good to at least see that her friend is healing.]
[ though prompto has returned to her, inexplicably, it has nonetheless been a trying week. grief is not so easily reversed, and it had taken some time for her to even accept that he was well and truly back, and not simply some figment of her fatigued mind and despairing heart. the wound still needed time to knit.
even now, it still heals.
but compared with how she looked when krile last laid eyes upon her, alisaie may as well be the picture of health. she looks tired still, and mussed, but she is awake and aware, the shine back in her eyes where it had previously been dull and hollow, and she greets krile with.. something like a smile. weak, and weary, yes, but a smile nonetheless. ]
I should think not. I'd be all sorts of disappointed in myself if you had.
[Krile likes to think she does not do such work by halves! It is most reassuring to see Alisaie on her feet, willingly come to the door, and passing for smiling.]
You look much better. [Honestly, she wouldn't have been at all surprised in the girl was actually ill by now. Krile is smiling, too, just as weary, and the shadows of perpetual exhaustion linger beneath her eyes.] Have you eaten? I came to see if you felt up to the task.
[And to...apologize for more than a day passing since last she came in. Prompto returned, well nigh bowling her over, and she thought it best if she left the two of them to the business of seeing to one another for a time first.]
[ krile looks about as exhausted as alisaie feels, but no doubt every refugee feels much the same. it will take several days of rest, like as not, before any of them feel like themselves once more.
but onward they must march. alisaie is done with grief and pain and hurt, and what better way to fight it off than with distraction, and companionship? already she's turning back into her room long enough to find her boots, and sit to pull them on. the room is.. markedly neater than it had been when last krile visited. ]
I've not yet, no. I may be willing to accompany you, should you tell me the story behind those wounds.
[ even though she's already agreed, considering how she's already getting her boots on.. ]
[For her part, Krile has put aside her standard dress and yellow cloak for something a bit simpler - and less restrictive to fall asleep wearing. The scratches that once bloodied her face are quite faint now, and one more set of spells ought to see them gone entirely, when she has the strength again.
Still, she presumes Alisaie means to ask about those, and one hand touches them gently in response.]
An unfortunate encounter with a much smaller dragon of sorts. I can't say whether it was young, though.
[Meanwhile she's assessing the room. Someone cleaned up. Good. It's no recovery at all, spent in the midst of the aftermath of pain and rage.]
There isn't much story to tell, none of substance.
[ it takes alisaie only a few moments to tug up her boots and stand again, smoothing down her skirts, ready to go. out the small door she goes, tugging the door gently shut behind her so as not to disturb the snoozing prompto. ]
No heroic, dramatic tale, then? No dashing out of the way at the last possible moment?
[ For all it's been a little frustrating to be stuck up here on the Station, it's also been...nice, in a way. Neither Prompto nor Alisaie are exactly layabouts, and it isn't easy for them to slow down. But in the wake of the events they have been through recently, it's all but necessary that they take a step back. That they have a little peace and quiet, a little time to reflect and heal and put back together the pieces of their lives that were shattered so suddenly, unexpectedly. It would have been difficult after the battle even if both of them had made it through unscathed. That one of them did not only makes things more so.
But they have already come so far. The distance that had felt like a canyon between them after his return has already vanished, and the last couple of weeks have been....peaceful. Without jobs or other tasks to see to, they spend their days together, lingering long in bed reading books together, taking walks around the Station, holding each other close and simply talking, existing alongside one another. It isn't perfect. There's still so much turmoil stewing in both of them, inescapable though they cling to each other, and that is something they will simply have to sort through in time. They can't rush their own healing, especially here, where there are so few distractions from each other, and even fewer from the world below. Ysverai is still down there, frozen in time, waiting to be dealt with, and for now, they're just sitting tight.
Sitting tight and figuring out how to move on from their personal tragedy.
The small, simple things have gone a long way in healing their hearts, Prompto has found, and so one evening he decides to up his game. While Alisaie is taking an afternoon nap, Prompto slips out of the room to fetch them some dinner, and while Roman is happy to make them anything they request, Prompto insists on making this himself. It's important in reclaiming the normal rhythm of their lives that they do things the way they normally would, and so he whips up the best spaghetti he can manage with the ship's resources. A short while later he returns to their room with the food in tow, as well as a few other things: a couple of candles, some flowers, at least three cheesecakes, and a bottle of wine. It may seem like he's preparing to celebrate something, and that's not incorrect. He is.
Once he has the food situated on the little table in their room, the candles lit and the flowers paced in a vase, Prompto returns to the bed, sitting on the edge near Alisaie and slipping around her, pressing a soft, warm kiss just behind her ear. ]
[ much as she would agree that it has been very difficult to be idle, she would also agree that it has been completely, wholly necessary. like as not, without this forced downtime alisaie would not have taken the time needed to properly heal, would have forced herself thoughtlessly into action.
but she didn't, couldn't, and she is all the better for it - for how she has been able to think and process, to lie beside him and hold his hand and just.. talk, talk about all of the things on her mind and his, about all of the pain and devastation they have suffered, but also the joy and fun and love.
neither of them are completely healed, and won't be for a long while. but this has helped immensely.
and it is why, when alisaie rolls onto her back with a grumble of protest, she is smiling, even though she has yet to open her eyes. her voice is thick with sleep. ]
There is no oven here.. it cannot possibly be a-bakey..
[ He huffs a quiet laugh against her ear, probably not helping the case for wakefulness by the way he burrows close to her, winding his arms around her. It might seem like a nice time to fall back asleep and take a nap, but no, he's got plans! He just wants to be as disgustingly sweet and cuddly as he can with her right now. ]
Suuure it can. I mean—you don't make spaghetti in an oven, anyway. [ He nibbles playfully at the tip of her ear. ] C'mon, can't you smell it?
[ The smell is definitely starting to overtake the room... ]
[ this isn't really a very good tactic, prompto.. nibbling the ear and snuggling up against her? how is she supposed to move?? that spaghetti smells good, but she's not sure if it's enough to convince her to bother with moving just yet.. i mean, it's not like it's a cookie or anything. ]
Mmm..
[ she murmurs, low and soft, turning her head just enough to bump her nose against his cheek while she inhales deeply. ]
It smells wonderful. But if you do not make spaghetti in an over, how then can it be a-bakey at all? Your syntax is flawed.
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text; backdated to around 5/31
Sorry to bother you, but... I was wondering if you could help me with something, if you've got time.
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[ Stalling... ]
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[ spit it out, sorey!! ]
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So, say you tell someone that you love them, and they answer with "me too".
What does that mean?
[ Forgive this dumb boy. He just wants to know if he got rejected or not. ]
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Did they not.. elaborate?
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[ There were kisses before, after Sorey said his piece, but... the sentiments weren't evenly matched at all. ]
Is that bad?
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action; now or something waves hands
Prompto had hoped it wouldn't be, had hoped against what's been proven to him time and time again. Maybe, in some dark corner of his mind, he'd always known it would go this way, that having his best friend back and present to officiate his wedding was too good to be true, too good to last. Turns out that little, anxious voice was right, as it has been so many times about this. Noctis had been taken from them on Eos, and then he'd been saved by the Natha only to awaken and return to stasis three times now. That it has happened before does not lessen the blow when it comes. It does not take the sting from the realization, or dull the numbing feeling that overpowers him. It isn't any easier.
But it is what it is. Noctis' bed is empty. There's no note, and his contact information is no longer in Prompto's phone. Still, part of him clings to deny it, to resist the pull of the truth, and so he dashes right back to Alisaie's study where she works, throwing the door wide and startling poor Peo where he naps at her feet.
Stricken and pale, he stammers out: ]
W-we have to go to the station. [ He swallows thickly, forcing himself to breathe more evenly. It's a vain attempt. ] Do you have time now? S-sorry, I...
gently cries
oh.
she knows what this means. someone is gone, someone has left them again, back into stasis, and given prompto's expression, it could be anyone. not all of them shared the same world, but they have become something of a comfortable little family, and losing any one of them would be difficult, especially for a boy so tender hearted as prompto. alisaie's throat tightens, but she stands nonetheless, closing the book left splayed on the tabletop as peo scampers forward, clearly concerned.
but within seconds she's there with him, her hands cupping his face to calm him, to bring him back down to earth, while she prepares to ask the question she does not know she wants to know the answer to. ]
Who?
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If he's really gone. He can't accept it until he sees it with his own eyes. He can't.
Taking a hold of her wrists to keep the warm pressure of her hands against his skin, he breathes out a shuddering sigh, blinking fast. ]
I-It's — it's Noct.
[ Such a simple thing to say, and yet it carries such a heavy weight, as if saying it out loud is the only thing that makes it real. ]
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still, that makes this no easier, especially for a heart so tender as his.
right. alisaie nods, drawing her thumb over his cheek, keeping this contact for as long as he needs. ]
Let's go, then.
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He sucks in an uneven breath, his expression crumpling as he buries his nose into her palm, pressing a soft kiss there, before he at last steps back. Even then, he keeps a tight grip on her hand, unwilling to abandon physical contact altogether.
Quietly, he asks: ] Can we take Chobi to the teleporter?
[ Normally he have no issue taking both of their birds, but Chobi is the two-seater, and...Prompto doesn't want to be farther from her than absolutely necessary right now. ]
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which doesn't turn out to be long at all, of course. he pulls back, and she offers him a warm smile, peo also leaning against his leg in quiet support. ]
Aye, of course we can. He could do with a bit of exercising.
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a few days after [time stop]
And Alisaie kept the damn door locked even after the first time she worked her way in.
At least...well, she's seen Prompto, and spoken to him, and if he's with Alisaie then she won't be alone and left to worsen in despair. He's not here now, though, when a quiet knock comes at the door to Alisaie's room at Lalafell level.
If she isn't awake, Krile can turn and go, but she's lost her sense of day and night like many others have, and it would do her good to at least see that her friend is healing.]
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even now, it still heals.
but compared with how she looked when krile last laid eyes upon her, alisaie may as well be the picture of health. she looks tired still, and mussed, but she is awake and aware, the shine back in her eyes where it had previously been dull and hollow, and she greets krile with.. something like a smile. weak, and weary, yes, but a smile nonetheless. ]
I've not reopened my wounds, I promise you.
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[Krile likes to think she does not do such work by halves! It is most reassuring to see Alisaie on her feet, willingly come to the door, and passing for smiling.]
You look much better. [Honestly, she wouldn't have been at all surprised in the girl was actually ill by now. Krile is smiling, too, just as weary, and the shadows of perpetual exhaustion linger beneath her eyes.] Have you eaten? I came to see if you felt up to the task.
[And to...apologize for more than a day passing since last she came in. Prompto returned, well nigh bowling her over, and she thought it best if she left the two of them to the business of seeing to one another for a time first.]
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but onward they must march. alisaie is done with grief and pain and hurt, and what better way to fight it off than with distraction, and companionship? already she's turning back into her room long enough to find her boots, and sit to pull them on. the room is.. markedly neater than it had been when last krile visited. ]
I've not yet, no. I may be willing to accompany you, should you tell me the story behind those wounds.
[ even though she's already agreed, considering how she's already getting her boots on.. ]
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Still, she presumes Alisaie means to ask about those, and one hand touches them gently in response.]
An unfortunate encounter with a much smaller dragon of sorts. I can't say whether it was young, though.
[Meanwhile she's assessing the room. Someone cleaned up. Good. It's no recovery at all, spent in the midst of the aftermath of pain and rage.]
There isn't much story to tell, none of substance.
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No heroic, dramatic tale, then? No dashing out of the way at the last possible moment?
[ make something up next time, krile! ]
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action, why do i even pretend to put dates in these anymore
But they have already come so far. The distance that had felt like a canyon between them after his return has already vanished, and the last couple of weeks have been....peaceful. Without jobs or other tasks to see to, they spend their days together, lingering long in bed reading books together, taking walks around the Station, holding each other close and simply talking, existing alongside one another. It isn't perfect. There's still so much turmoil stewing in both of them, inescapable though they cling to each other, and that is something they will simply have to sort through in time. They can't rush their own healing, especially here, where there are so few distractions from each other, and even fewer from the world below. Ysverai is still down there, frozen in time, waiting to be dealt with, and for now, they're just sitting tight.
Sitting tight and figuring out how to move on from their personal tragedy.
The small, simple things have gone a long way in healing their hearts, Prompto has found, and so one evening he decides to up his game. While Alisaie is taking an afternoon nap, Prompto slips out of the room to fetch them some dinner, and while Roman is happy to make them anything they request, Prompto insists on making this himself. It's important in reclaiming the normal rhythm of their lives that they do things the way they normally would, and so he whips up the best spaghetti he can manage with the ship's resources. A short while later he returns to their room with the food in tow, as well as a few other things: a couple of candles, some flowers, at least three cheesecakes, and a bottle of wine. It may seem like he's preparing to celebrate something, and that's not incorrect. He is.
Once he has the food situated on the little table in their room, the candles lit and the flowers paced in a vase, Prompto returns to the bed, sitting on the edge near Alisaie and slipping around her, pressing a soft, warm kiss just behind her ear. ]
Wakey-wakey, spaghetti's a-bakey...
yeah i don't know why you bother..
but she didn't, couldn't, and she is all the better for it - for how she has been able to think and process, to lie beside him and hold his hand and just.. talk, talk about all of the things on her mind and his, about all of the pain and devastation they have suffered, but also the joy and fun and love.
neither of them are completely healed, and won't be for a long while. but this has helped immensely.
and it is why, when alisaie rolls onto her back with a grumble of protest, she is smiling, even though she has yet to open her eyes. her voice is thick with sleep. ]
There is no oven here.. it cannot possibly be a-bakey..
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Suuure it can. I mean—you don't make spaghetti in an oven, anyway. [ He nibbles playfully at the tip of her ear. ] C'mon, can't you smell it?
[ The smell is definitely starting to overtake the room... ]
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Mmm..
[ she murmurs, low and soft, turning her head just enough to bump her nose against his cheek while she inhales deeply. ]
It smells wonderful. But if you do not make spaghetti in an over, how then can it be a-bakey at all? Your syntax is flawed.
[ this is very important ]
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In a sing-song voice: ]
Did I mention there's cheesecakes?
[ Yes, that's cheesecakes, plural. ]
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but ah. alisaie's eyes snap open immediately. spaghetti and cuddling might not be enough to get her out of bed, but cheesecake(s) sure will. ]
What kind?
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