#'ᴛʀᴀɴsᴍɪssɪᴏɴ ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ' II Inbox Replies

[cookignis]

@rexcrystallis​ left a message:  Smooch.

The suddenness of the kiss takes Ignis by surprise. His mired thoughts within the realm of city planning proposals are quickly dispersed thanks to the warmth of affection that fills him instead. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee finally hits him as he presses back, ever willing to return the kisses from his beloved. 

“Hmm? Coffee and a kiss? You’re spoiling me, Noct. Anymore distractions and I won’t be able to get these to the council for tomorrow’s meeting.” His actions betray his words by means of the arms that encircle around the king’s waist. Ignis pulls him closer and plants another kiss on Noctis’ cheek. 

“Whatever would we do then?” He grins with a teasing warmth to his voice. 

[cookignis]

@pyrrhicpaths​​ left a message: talcott vc: Brother

It was good to see Talcott again. As the youngest of his siblings, Talcott was like the YOUNGER BROTHER Ignis never had. Never had the advisor felt such FAMILIAL ties to another. It was as though the two had been separated from birth.

Talcott thus was his BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER. 

“It’s good to see you again, BROTHER Talcott.”

[cookignis]

@rexcrystallis​​ left a message: Ignis is home and cooking spaghetti? While dancing? Best! Naturally, the prince will set the table in the background, dancing along. (The best spaghetti is Ignis' spaghetti!)

His hips sway to the music Noctis had chosen to play this evening. A step back. Now forward. To the left. Wrist move to shake the salt and pepper into the sauce pan. The browning garlic sizzles to the beat of the song. When Ignis deems the pasta ready, he drains it and tosses it into the saucepan. 

Ignis playfully bumps into his charge while serving the dishes. His lips twitch into a grin as he turns to pull Noctis into an impromptu dance.

[cookignis]

@ravusnightblossom​​ left a message: “  why do you feel like you need to punish yourself so much?  ” deep sentence starters. / accepting !

The words strike a chord in him. Idle fingers unconsciously grip at the fabric of his sleeve. It’s like he’s a child being scolded once more. Could one even call this a punishment? No, this isn’t near enough. There’s nothing he could do to make up for his own ineptitude. It wasn’t only once but twice that he failed Noctis despite the vow he swore so many years ago. 

“I’m not, Lord Ravus.” His cadence slow, almost uncertain. The title and reverence comes back so easily, as if he’s falling back in line to their younger days. When his mere innocent admiration was only that, unmarred by the reality of the world around them. It’s difficult to put the past behind him---difficult to forget their days spent in the libraries of Tenebrae while Noctis was given care by Lady Sylva. 

“I just need to be ready when Noct returns. I won’t fail him again; I’m going to be stronger.” Ignis stands and smooths the wrinkles he made into his own sleeve away. He picks up his polearm once more. 

“I’m going to protect Noct this time. I won’t let anything happen to him anymore. For that to happen, I need your help. Please, pick up your blade again, Lord Ravus. Let’s have another round.” 

[cookignis]

@royalbratprince​ left a message: Too hot to sleep was not a condition that Noctis ever thought possible, sitting out on the Leville's balcony, overlooking a still-bustling Lestallum at night. Thinking. Then trying to be quiet while simultaneously trying to get attention, "Iggy. Wanna sneak out and look at the stars?" It felt like it'd been-- Too long.

It’s not often that they stay in the Leville. Between conserving their funds and needing to lay low from the likes of Caligo, they couldn’t afford such luxuries. Ignis appreciates the proximity of the night market, lush with fresh ingredients and exotic spices. 

He ignores Gladio’s snores and Prompto’s sleep talking and focuses on the task at hand in trying to figure out the best route to the marked Royal Tombs. He glances up when the balcony door closes and Noctis’ figure nears. His own lips curl into an amuse smile as he thinks back on their younger, more mischievous days. 

“We might need to go beyond the city limits. Light from the crater will obscure most of the stars. The closest Haven isn’t far so we can spend some time there.” Ignis fetches the car keys. 

“If we leave now, we can make it back before Gladio goes for his morning jog.” 

[cookignis]

Anonymous left a message: Places a flower crown on his head

It’s a rare occasion that he’s caught off guard, but by the time the floral redolence hits him it’s already too late. The weight of the garland resting upon his hair is already there. Gloved hand gently reaches up towards the flower crown to inspect it briefly. 

Ignis turns to the other. Not sensing any malicious intent, he allows his shoulders to rest and expression soften. A gift is a gift, he supposes. “Thank you. It’s lovely.” 

[cookignis]

@stonecoldmeme​ left a message: "Hey, Igster." Prompto was all smiles, coming to a casual stop a decent distance away from the adviser's workspace. "You need help with anything? Dishes or, uh. Stirring, I can do that. Unless you're breaking down nasty bits, then I'm just going to be a hindrance, I gotta be honest here."

Help during dinner comes sporadically. Usually whenever it suit the mood of his friends. Not that Ignis ever minded. After all, he had been the one to volunteer for the task when mention of this trip came up. Ignis recalls Iris’ scolding words before they reached Caem and smiled to himself. She has always been a kind soul, always looking out for those she cared about. A lovely young lady---one who had to grow all too quickly. 

Ignis doesn’t look up from the Meat-and-Beet Bouillon boiling in the pot. True to the other blond’s word at the time of Iris’ chastisement, he does offer to help more often than not, He thinks a moment. 

“Could you grab me the bowls and spoons?” Ignis asks. “It should be done pretty soon.”

[cookignis]

@novuscaelum​ left a message: "I can't sleep." the three-year-old mumbled as he rubbed his eye having woken up around midnight still feeling rather groggy. "I'm gonna go eat some ice cream, okay? Okay. Bye."

Why Novus decided to walk into his office on the way to the kitchen is beyond Ignis’ understanding. Still, this won’t do. The long legs of an adult easily reaches the pace of a child’s. Ignis gently scoops Novus into his arms despite the toddler’s squirming protests. 

“Ice-cream will give you a tummy ache,” Ignis says as he redirects them back to his own quarters. His voice, kind and patient as always when dealing with the young prince. “How about some hot cocoa with lots of marshmallows?” He suggests instead. 

The matters regarding the throne room renovations will have to wait a bit longer. 

[cookignis]

@rexcrystallis​ left a message: He isn’t budging from bed this morning; curled up under the sheets. “Hey, Igs? Take care of court for me today. I don’t think I can function.”

As he does every morning, Ignis wakes before his beloved. Dresses and starts on breakfast within their kitchen nook in the king’s suite. He hears the rustling of sheets and walks back into their bedroom. Though before he’s able to say anything Noctis mutters out words from beneath the bundle of sheets.

Ignis sits down onto the edge of the bed and looks his beloved over. “Another migraine?” He asks sympathetically. Ignis digs through the nightstand for medicine. Concern etches itself on his face as he hands Noctis a glass of water and medicine. 

“I’ll handle the court today,” he promises with a kiss to Noctis’ cheek. “Rest some. There’s breakfast on the table when you’re hungry.”

[cookignis]

@drakainaea left a message: ❝ ok. so, this has been my hang-up for a while: how blurry is your vision without those glasses? ❞ without so much as asking, she snatches the spectacles right off of his nose & plops them onto her face, pushing the metal bridge along aquiline bone structure. ❝ hm. these are like reading glasses. i was expecting 'cola bottle' thick lenses. ❞ 

His guard is down a second and the spider strikes. Her deft fingers snatch away his glasses, turning the world only slightly less clear. Vision passable but not perfect. 

“I can see just fine,” Ignis says while watching her peer about with his glasses on. “I just like being able to see everything clearly.” A breathy chuckle leaves his upturned lips. His mind briefly wanders to a cartoon character from his childhood who would flail around on the floor searching for her glasses when they’d fall. 

“Not to your expectations? If my vision was that bad I’d opt for contact lenses instead. Would be bad if I lost them and became blind as a bat mid-fight.” 

[cookignis]

@rexcrystallis​ left a message: He’s cleared out his agenda just for this, unfailing, every year. This year he drives them to their beach date— toward the royal port, as they’re going to Corix for a week. “I can’t wait to raid the fish market with you,” he tells Ignis excitedly. “Make all the chirashi bowls.” Here, Noct steals a kiss off of Ignis’ cheek. “Happy Birthday, my love~.”

Every year, Ignis knows to clear his schedule on his birthday. Lest he faces an annoyed king as he did some time back. Despite not being a fan of surprises, the chamberlain allows Noctis to do all the planning without peeking in. He’s pleasantly surprised at the agenda. 

The kiss lands on his cheek as they pull into the parking lot. Joy bubbles from his chest as it usually does whenever he thinks of his beloved. “Thank you for planning all of this, Noct.” Warmth colors his inflection as he looks to Noctis lovingly. 

“I’ll look forward to it.” His reply is accompanied by a kiss. “And to another wonderful year with you.”

[cookignis]

@theplagueofstars​ left a message: “You mentioned to the young lady at the counter you were looking for something. I might be able to render my services. I am something of a well—traveled individual.” The smile he gave while animated did not quite reach his eyes. A nagging sensation like an echo of something unpleasant thrummed in his being. Something that was once a more driving factor than the whims of his nature.

Death followed in his steps, lingering in every molecule of his body as though it had been sewn into his flesh. Like a morbid patchwork the lives of others slain before his eyes remain embedded into his blood. Like the unwashable stains on his hands. The age of humanity has fallen into depravity, far beyond the help of the once worshiped Hexatheon.

With the end of Oracles and Kings millennia ago, the world is left desolate and godless. From Darkness comes the Light; Life borne from the decay of Death. As such the world will start anew. Fresh and pure like an unsullied babe. 

Or such is the belief of Lux Mortuum, an insidious cult that has spread through whispers in the dark. With the goal to bring about the End Times by calling forth the Anathemian from the depths. Feeding off of scraps of scribbled pages left behind by the annals of time. Rumors that lingered on the lips of the wizened women called mad. 

It is through Anathemian that they will cleanse the world. It is through his Finality that the cycle will start anew and humanity will be saved. 

Such were the bedtime stories he was raised upon. The beliefs that led to the death of many cult members and innocent souls alike. “They were all saved and sent to the Anathemian’s embrace,” his father would reassure the boy who would step back from the stretching pools of blood. The deathless eyes that stared back with a morbidly peaceful grin twisted upon now cold lips of worshipers. 

No matter how much his parents or the members prayed, the end never truly did come. No matter how much blood they spilled, no man or God ever appeared before them. So as Ignis grew, his belief in such stories waned with time. In this day and age, such things don’t exist. 

Neither magic nor Gods. 

Still, one does not simply escape such a far-reaching cult who had ties in the superpowers of the world. Their reach stretched across Eos, tied deep within the ruling powers. So Ignis simply went along with it as the current Oracle’s son. His pilgrimage lead him to be the top of the archaeological names in the world. Now he spends his life searching for ways to summon the so-called Dark God to forge a covenant. 

The search finds him in a small backwater museum where he will try to look through the records of old. Ignis turns to the whimsical but dull voice behind him. When had the man gotten there? Surely he would have noticed someone like this---he stood out from the crowd...didn’t he? There’s a thrumming in his head that makes it difficult to really think too hard on that. 

It’s probably the lack of caffeine, Ignis rationalizes to himself. He hasn’t had any Ebony yet today.

“Yes,” he replies cautiously while adjusting his glasses. He’s come across murderers, rapists, and all sort of unsavory ilk within Lux Mortuum; Ignis knows when something is off, even if he can’t quite put his finger on it. “There’s a certain book I’ve been searching for. Are you in the business of collecting antiques and the like?”  Someone as eccentric looking as this man must be some rich collector, right? Or just a mad man. 

Whichever he is, Ignis is certain that he’s dealt with his kind before. 

[cookignis]

@aegisregalis​ left a message: “ he tried to kill me, so i killed him.” twd starters. accepting !

Blood stained their hands. Innocence had long fled their hearts from a young age. They were taught to kill-- to protect. Any reservations or inhibitors have been removed from them. 

Kill or be killed. Eat or be eaten.

Ignis looks behind Gladiolus, into the alleyway behind him. Even in a lively town they were targets for the empire. “Did you make sure to destroy any tracking device on him?” The last thing they needed was to have the army find them in Lestallum.

“We should leave town for awhile. Get Prompto and Noct; I’ll get our things into the Regalia.”

[cookignis]

@avulsusprinceps​ left a message: “ well, i’m gonna keep calling you Iggy, all right?” twd starters. accepting !

Jade eyes blink at Noctis, curious and inquisitive. He was never given a nickname before. His parents would call him by name, the tutors called him ‘young master’ and the other children--- Ignis pauses in that thought. He never did play with the children back at Vannath, did he. Noctis is his first friend after all and now he’s being given a nickname for the first time as well.

His chest is aflutter at the very thought. The warmth spreads and pinks his cheeks. Lips lift into a grin as he nods. “Alright!” Ignis chirps back, enthused and jovial. “Then, can I call you ‘Noct’ as well?”  

[cookignis]

@stonecoldmeme​ left a message: "Hey, Ignis?" His voice was smaller and softer than he meant for it to be, clearing his throat quietly before continuing. "I didn't-- Um. Not my business, right? So, that's cool, but I was just wondering if you'd gotten in touch with anyone in the city." It felt wrong to ask. A can of worms or just rude or-- He didn't know what else. But he'd been trying and there was nothing and he just. Had to ask. ((Whoops, angst.))

The news was devastating. Ignis can still feel the way his heart dropped when he saw the headline on the newspaper. But seeing the Imperial fleet cloak the skies above the fallen Insomnia truly lets reality settle in. He hears the busy signals from Gladiolus’ and Noctis’ phones as they try to reach loved ones. Even now, back at the Haven they’re desperately trying to contact someone. 

Ignis looks up from his phone; the busy tone resounds mutely from his hand. He doesn’t take any offense to the question. Prompto has his family to worry about too. They all lost something. 

“I haven’t,” he starts tentatively. “At least not yet. It could be that the Imperial fleet is disrupting the cellular connectivity.” There’s some hope in his voice. At least Ignis thinks he’s conveying as much. 

“We should wait a little longer and try contacting them again. Give them time to get out of the interference area.”

[cookignis]

@drakainaea​ left a message: a subtle 'clacking' sound can be heard from her gloved fists. ❝ when you're done with dinner, how about we shoot some dice? i took the boys to the cleaners last time & now they feel a fifth player might tilt the odds in their favor. ❞

Company for dinner is a rare occurrence unless they were staying in Hammerhead or Caem. Still, it’s a welcomed change of pace as Aranea and her two subordinates always bring about a livelier atmosphere at camp. When she approaches him with the proposition the memory of the last time the lady dragoon comes to mind. 

Aranea certainly ‘took them to the cleaners’. Poor Prompto was distraught for days. 

“Are you planning to clean me out too, Aranea?” Ignis chuckles and gives the final plate a rinse. He’ll give it a go for at least a few rounds. Maybe with him around, the others won’t be as reckless.

Hopefully.