These days I've been taking that heavy so lightly [Group text; action for Arcrion]

[photoshooter]

[The good news first: Prompto has a job!

The not-so-great news: They're still trapped in another world with no idea where they are, why they're there, or how to get back--or whether there will be anything left of the world if they do. Every time he thinks about his talk with Stella, dread churns uncomfortably in Prompto's stomach, and he can't let go of his worry for Noct, for Ignis, for Eos. For himself. What's happening back home, if Noct's springing Ardyn's trap only to find Prompto not there? Will he be okay? Will Prompto be okay, out here, with no idea how to support this other Noctis by himself?

There's also the fact that Noct appears to be turning into some kind of lion cat, and Prompto doesn't know where to even begin wrestling with that. He's choosing to pretend it isn't happening, as much as he can. As long as it isn't bothering Noct, he can deal.

So Prompto's trying to focus on the positive, for now, and he really does love his new part-time work walking dogs in the city. They're really great dogs, different kinds, big ones and little curly ones and all of them his new best friends. Dogs are so good. Mankind doesn't deserve them. And they leave him plenty of time to take photos and explore his surroundings, though he hasn't had much luck finding out more about those weird cultists who brought them to Eludalsia.

Part of the problem is he's been tired. Taking care of the city's cute puppies isn't really strenuous, but it's like the sun itself boils the life out of him; but then at night, when he could rest, he feels fine. So it's not like he's sick or anything. Reasonably, it must be stress, but he's got to keep it together. He's one of the grown-ups. And he's tired of not pulling his weight.

That said, most of his research has been limited to trawling the weirdly official-like information he can find online on his retooled phone (thanks, Yuusei!), and he hasn't found much.

Today, when the light of the noontime sun is just too much, he retreats to his favorite off-leash dog park, lies down on a bench in the shade, and sends a group text to everyone who took a phone and gave him their number:]

anybody find out anything about some group called the joyous???
when i described the people who summoned us, that's the answer i got. "that sounds like the joyous order." but the coffee guy didn't know much more than that. just that they're a cult and he doesn't think they're ""dangerous.""
if you've got any other intel pls share with the class! thnx!
- prompto a.

[Anyone visiting the park in Arcrion this fine day may come across a familiar blond supine on a bench, one freckled arm thrown over his face, looking a little washed out as a Maltese, a Dalmatian, and a big, fluffy mutt frolic nearby.]

Comments

[guidingversus]

Pathetic. If nobody is doing anything about it, then why not begin with ourselves.

[maximumest]

Exactly

You sound more reasonable than most people here

When I'm finally located by my father we'll take you with us if you know the name of the planet you're from we can find it and drop you off there

Unova is the region right not the world

[guidingversus]

Thank you. That will be helpful.

Yes, it is the region. The world is named Arciion, after the dead god Arceus.

[maximumest]

I'm not familiar with that one but I also don't know what a lot of planets are called by their natives

That's what star charts are for

[photoshooter]

(๑◕︵◕๑)

- prompto a.

[guidingversus]

we cannot linger, prompto.

[ (meanwhile noctis is unaware his phone is being used for this tyvm) ]

[photoshooter]

[And so is Prompto. Somehow.]

i know that, but you don't have to be mean about it, dude （´＿｀）

- prompto a.

[n_octis]

If it gets you motivated, it works.

[ And then Noctis actually speaks up and looks at the screen. ]

...Is that my number?

[photoshooter]

Uh. [Prompto looks from Noct to his phone and back.] Yeah? Yeah. That's weird, huh?

[...]

hey noct
are you time travel texting???

- prompto a.

[n_octis]

no. i'm regular texting. time travel texting doesn't make sense.

[ Hey Prompto look at Noctis suddenly looking deadpan. He doesn't even have words, he's just gonna flop his head back down and continue reading over your shoulder. ]

[photoshooter]

You don't even have your phone on you, do you, bro.

[Sighing, Prompto keeps texting. There's really only one place Noct's phone can be, given the circumstances.]

k just wondering
since like
you're right here next to me and all
NOT on your phone

- prompto a.

[n_octis]

Nah.

[ He sighs out, fluffing out more. But he's just watching okay. ]

How can you be so sure of that? Are you keeping your eyes out for illusions?

[photoshooter]

[No. Nope.

Prompto freezes, then drops his phone on the bench with clenched jaw and tight throat.]

Sorry. I have to go. Uh. Relieve myself. [He swallows and starts to extricate himself from the pile o'Noct.] You talk to her. Don't let Silvia wander off. I'll be right back.

[n_octis]

[ Noctis lets out a snarl - at the phone. But he'll sit up and let Prompto... go. And yes, he will be texting her. ]

Stella. This is your King. Return my phone and stop using it. Now.

- prompto a.

Yes, my lord.

Answer me this - Prompto seemed disturbed by what you were sending. Why do you aim to un-nerve or harm him? He is my friend, Stella, and you are simply one of my subjects.

- prompto a.

I am not your friend? I am trying to help you, Noctis. If you think that is not the work of friends, then you do not know friendship. Harshness is part of kindness.

[ Noctis freezes himself, and just puts down the phone.
He's gonna go and fluff with the dogs, letting Silvia lick and bite all over him until Prompto returns. No dogs are running away, there is just a cat whining in the middle of them, covering his face. He knows friendship. He's not a freak who lives on his own small island with just Pokemon - she knows he finds it a sore subject. ]

[photoshooter]

[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?

[n_octis]

[ Noctis lets out a soft groaning sounds as he remains on the ground - letting the other dogs remain on him. He's not fighting. There is a little snort as the camera goes off, but other then that, he's looking... well, not distressed anymore. Just resigned to this. ]

...You're my friend.

[ It's an order - that's the tone of voice he's using. (Even if Noctis knows that's not how to get friends, he's feeling weird and needs this.) He glances over to the bench where he left the phone. Yeah, he just left it there, the screen still on. And another message left, because Stella realises... well she needed to leave another message, because of course she did. ]

You did not leave your location. I will seek you out, my lord. You still need protection.

[photoshooter]

[Prompto glances at Noctis at the order. This Noct may be different, but Prompto still has a feel for his moods, his needs. He smiles a little, yet his nod is solemn. A promise.]

Yup. Best friends, no matter what. I mean that.

[Whatever happens, Prompto will never walk away from Noct. He's sure of it.

He scratches behind Noct's adorable new ears once more and gets up, Silvia under one arm, to check his phone and see what kind of damage Stella did. When he reads it, he breathes out and plops next to Noct again, head near Noct's but body going perpendicular, like two sides of a square. He lets Silvia sit on his chest, but off she goes again to nose at Noct's hair, tail continuing to wag non-stop like it has been ever since she discovered him.]

What about you? [Prompto tries to crane backwards to see Noct, but it's too hard, and he gives up.] Did you mean what you said to Stella? About her not being your friend?

[Come on, buddy. He may be upset with Stella, but he sees how bitterly isolated she already is.]

[n_octis]

[ Having this pupper on him is actually helping him a bit - but he moves his gaze to focus on Prompto, moving one of his hands to rest on Silvia. So she won't run. ]

I've barely known her a day. [ He says, however, covering his eyes. ] Met her on the ride to the gym.

[ ...Which seems even creepier, with what she's said. ] 'm just saying, it's hard to befriend somebody that quickly. [ For him, at least. Even if he sees Pokemon as his friends, he's still got a very closed heart, prefering just his small group of friends. He looks as if he's to say something else - he wants to add that she quickly became friends with him, but... a different Prompto. Right. He lets out another soft sigh.

Before letting himself turn over to actually pet the dog a little. ] And she keeps telling me to think about home. How much dad must miss me. And the rest of Team Plasma. [ Let Him Relax 2k17. ]

[photoshooter]

Mmm. Got it.

[He didn't realize they hadn't known each other that long. The way Stella talks, it's like she's known Noct forever. On the other hand, maybe she has. There's a lot Prompto doesn't understand about the story she told him. (There's a lot Prompto doesn't understand in general.)

But he does know what being lonely's like.]

Maybe you shouldn't listen to her about that. I mean, you probably already get enough of it from Iggy and Gladio. If they're anything like the versions I know, anyway.

[He can't imagine them not being huge, duty-driven, naggy nerds.]

But... I think she's kind of like them, in a way. She cares a lot about you. So, try not to hurt her feelings too much, okay?

[n_octis]

[ He manages to let out a small snort at that. ] That's them. Never a moments' peace from duty with them around. [ It's something he sort of liked. Knowing they'd be there for him. It's so weird that people no longer are teleporting in around him and training him in Pokemon Battles and talking about how the future can't be predicted. (Was that normal?) ]

...And she... should be nicer. [ ah, the classic no u ] She didn't tell me she could speak to people. [ Why don't people tell him things like that? He doesn't seem to be stressing over it, though. But then he speaks quietly. He thinks that's the oddest thing about her, honestly. ]

But I'll try. Same with you? [ But if she hurts Promptos' feelings more, he will not hesitate to yell at his fluffbird. Well, he'll hesitate a little. He had read what seemed to make Prompto leave - it's not a good time to bring up how illusions follow him. Perhaps one day, he'll be able to sit down and tell him about how he's protected by Zoroark. And... he's smiling a little.

Prompto really is still his friend. ]

[photoshooter]

Hey. I'm nice to her! I'm always nice. I'm the nicest person you know.

[Fight him in the pit! Except don't. Because he's too nice.]

In fact, to show how nice I am...

[He pulls out his phone so that Stella doesn't have to search all over the city for them.]

we're in the park. see u soon!

- prompto a.

(p.s. actually prompto this time)

Aaaand sent. Hah. So there.

[n_octis]

Hope she doesn't drop a Present on you.

[ Don't worry, he's giving a soft smile. He hasn't explained that move, but he doesn't mind. And it's soon that she soars down - giving a bow as she lands.

Before handing over the phone, Noctis giving her a bit of a glare still. Well, more like dropping it out of her fur - wait, how much can she carry in that fur of hers? ]

...I thought Noctis would have been asleep at this time.

[ Noctis doesn't reply. He's giving a pout, though. Not just because he usually would be asleep around this time if he wasn't having trouble sleeping from all this pain. ]

[photoshooter]

[Prompto gives him a confused look about Present, but anyway, here's Wonderwall Stella. Aah, man. Prompto feels a little criticism there, but also, come on, Stella. Just 'cause a dude's probably asleep doesn't mean you can gank his phone. A millennial's phone is his life.]

Well, I almost beat him to the punch today. The noontime naptime punch. Maybe he sensed that I was copping his thing and came out here to restore balance to the world.

[He offers Noct a fist-bump. Partners in crime. Nap-crime.]

[n_octis]

[ He will fist-bump back and give a little toothy grin. (His teeth are only feeling a little wobbly okay. It's weird, so he hasn't been showing them much.) But everything is weird and it's the thing he's the least worried about in a lone line of worries. ]

...Do you need it, Prompto? I can watch over your dogs.

[ Noctis sighs a little, as he grips tightly to his phone, beginning to scroll though messages. How does she text she's a Togekiss. ] They're a bit of a handful, Stella. But it's good. He's helping these friends and making some Gil.

[ ...The money is called something different, but he doesn't care. Why should he? He's got too much to care and worry about. ]

[photoshooter]

[Prompto blinks, then nods, shakes his head, and shrugs all in one motion.]

Yeah, like. I couldn't ask you do to my job for me. Kinda rude, right?

[Even if he does still seem a little low-energy, for those who know how to look. Something tired under his eyes.]

You can play with them if you want, though. They're great dogs. Ah, just watch out for Silvia. [He points out the Maltese and lowers his voice.] She doesn't know the meaning of the word 'fear.'