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

[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.]

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[ 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. ]

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.

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. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[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.'

We could not handle each others' jobs.

[ Stella says - with a hint of sarcasm, and a hint of truth. If she can barely handle her role, she's glad it's her taking it. Her voice is soft as she adds: ]

Do you think I would strike these beings? No, they're okay.

[ And... honestly, Stella is good at play. She's just gonna go around to the dogs and boop and soar just out of catch. Noctis can't help but smile, beginning to slowly move back towards the bench, his voice dropping to a whisper. ]

...Not even an apology.

[Prompto murmurs back:]

Good thing I wasn't expecting one, huh? Look at her, though.

[He plunks heavily (for him--though maybe not so heavily as all that; the bench hardly registers his weight) back into his seat and makes a small, unobtrusive gesture in Stella's direction.]

I think I was right. She needs some downtime. She's wound up too tight, no wonder she gets snippy.

[He was just warning her about Silvia's adventurous spirit, not preempting an attack. Stella needs to locate some chill, dang.]

When Pokemon meet others, it's common to begin combat with each other. [ Noctis says, as he's watching and flopping back onto his friend. ] Animals are weird.

[ ...Yeah, he's assuming they're the weird things. ]

But I guess she's just like anybody. [ But Noctis wouldn't get as snippy as her - he's more the kind to sulk away and take everything on himself. He sighs a little. ] This isn't good for any of us.

...Yeah. You're right. It's way too much for anybody, really.

[Leave it to Prompto to voice the complaints of the whole party. He sighs, too.]

Trying to make the most of it, but it's hard. Still. I'm glad you're here, at least.

I'm glad... we're not alone. I've got you. [ He says, with a little headbutt. ] We'll find a home here, if we don't escape.

[ ...If he can stay here and not need to become a Hero and become friends with this Prompto. He likes him. He doesn't want to leave him. He knows he has another waiting, but he likes this one and his cute tired face. ]

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

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