[Meanwhile, Prompto's escaped to the closest water fountain. He splashes cold water on his face, rubs it off, and then just stands there for a moment, hands over his eyes, trying to work out the awful knot of feelings Stella's words tangled in his chest and throat.

He doesn't have to look out for illusions. Ardyn isn't here. Everything he knows and trusts and believes in isn't going to shift suddenly out from under his feet, leaving him bewildered and broken. Betrayed. If he can't hold onto that, he can't hold onto anything.

With a swallowed noise, Prompto shakes his head, wipes his face one more time, and drinks some more of the water under the lazy lunchtime sun, wishing he could feel warm beneath it.

When he returns to Noct's side, he's trying to keep a brave front up and a smile, but seeing Noct accosted by his overly friendly clients surprises a real chuckle out of him.]

Okay, hang on, hold that... hooooold that pose.

[He whips his camera out, kneels, and snaps the perfect picture before putting his camera away to retrieve intrepid little Silvia.]

Sorry, buddy. Sil, chill out, girl. Who taught you to treat royalty like that?