#Ignis looks so offended lol

[moonraccoon-exe]

(33) Ignis’ pick-up lines.

Ignis: Excuse me, you all, there’s something wrong with my eyes. Prompto: Myopia? Noctis: Astigmatism? Ignis: ... Ignis: I was going to say I can’t take them off Gladio. Gladio: ... ❤ Ignis: But actually, yes, I have both myopia and astigmatism and, despite how horrible it sounds, my vision is passable without lenses. Still, I would be grateful if you all stopped trying to snatch them away when you think I’m not looking.  

[vrainsrewatch]

episode 9 thoughts

revolver vs playmaker round 1 hype! i somehow took another 19 screenshots this episode, even though it was mostly dueling. i guess these are just getting longer as the plot picks up, lol. 

so first off:

this line, plus the little montage that follows it, i love. i love how they demonstrate what is going on in his head without telling us straight up yet. i love the air of mystery vrains managed to keep for it’s first season. we didn’t learn about our protag’s backstory until episode 20 or so. that’s so cool! 

but yeah, yeah, mr. emissary of revenge.

i’ll talk a bit more about yusaku later. this is our first full episode with revolver, so he’ll be what i talk a lot about for this one. first off,

this line makes me laugh so much now that i know what’s to come. yeah, you didn’t care who he was at first, but later on you care so much that you risk eeeeeeeverything because of it, you absolute fool. i love you.

he also brings up the ignis, to yusaku’s surprise.

more so he acquired it and gave up trying to figure out what it is. again, i love the mystery here. how this line gets you questioning what is it? what do you know? and for me, originally, it also had me wondering are you really the bad guy here? 

i love that shit. arc v has some amazing foreshadowing, but i feel like nobody really talks about how vrains actually had some and some really cool set ups, too. i don’t think it tops a5′s, no matter how... ridiculous, we’ll say, it got at the end, but this sets up the 43 reveal really nicely, because he doesn’t really explain anything else other than ignis bad here lol.

this also sets up revolver as a character pretty well, and also i did kind of laugh bc it sets up the rest of vrains, as well. everything in this show is so high stakes lol. a lot of people complained that it made some of the death scenes feel cheap, because every fuckin duel was life or death, and while i agree to an extent, it also is kinda cool when you think about how yusaku’s perspective on dueling was only challenged once, and that happened in the first 10 episodes lmao. dueling really is life or death in vrains, and i like that it doesn’t try and prove yusaku wrong for the most part on that.

moving onto everyone’s favorite meme speech:

i know people meme this to death, but i think it’s a good look at who revolver is, and sparks the beginnings of why part of the fandom thinks him an anti hero. because what he’s saying isn’t... it isn’t an evil thing to say, he’s even saying he wants people to wake up so they don’t destroy themselves and the world they’ve built, but i digress on the anti hero thing.

for another thing, though, we don’t really know right now that AI can have free will. i talked about it in my episode 1 thoughts, but vrains is a series that asks a lot of questions regarding free will, and what it means to be a human -- or to be real. revolver talks about breathing and having a heartbeat, but does that mean you don’t have emotions? your own thoughts and feelings? does that mean you can’t connect to others? revolver thinks yes, because he’s been conditioned to think of the ignis as evil and world destroying. had ai not gone off the deep end after s2, i think he would’ve come to accept that free will means that you can choose for yourself whether you’re good or bad, or whether you want to do good or bad things.

the other thing that’s interesting here is him referencing fake bonds. i think he’s talking about the KOH lackeys that they utilize throughout this season. they don’t really understand, they don’t believe in his cause, they just think he’s cool or they’re doing something cool or whatever. it’s a fairly thoughtless existence, and revolver recognizes it for what it is.

it also calls to question his relationship with his father -- the internet world is fiction. yes, the KOH were able to recreate his father’s brain into LV. but he’s essentially a dead man in the real world. he obviously understands this well, considering he’s the one that takes care of his father irl. i wonder if he holds some resentment, since it really seemed like he didn’t get to spend much time with his father until he was recreated in LV.

also, he apologizes here. you could not think much of it, but because i’m me, and clearly i like thinking way too much about everyone in this show, i’m going to do just that.

this is a stark contrast from the finale of s2, where revolver has completely lost himself and doesn’t care about anything else but fulfilling his father’s wish. it’s also a stark contrast to how he thinks of playmaker after he says his three things speech and revolver starts putting the pieces together on his identity. 

he’s enjoying himself a little here,

but ultimately, he doesn’t care who he’s dueling. he himself doesn’t ever go after anyone he deems unnecessary -- hence the amount of lackeys. watching him lose himself this season all over again is going to be fun, lmao.

anyways, though,

honestly, much as i loved s3, i missed ai’s little quips like this lol. vrains has such a serious tone to it, which i love, but i also love these quick little moments of fun.

as a filthy shipper, i could go on and on about this, but i won’t. all i’ll say is i love how they are two sides of the same coin, and i love how vrains paints that picture here for us.

all we really know about yusaku so far is 

1) he’s awful with people/doesn’t care about making friends 2) he’s got a strong, but self centered, sense of justice and 3) he will fulfill his mission at all costs

the reason all the revolver vs playmaker duels were so enjoyable for me, at least, was because of how determined they both were. i love a5, it was my second fave series for a long time, but reiji vs yuya never felt like this. i haven’t watched zexal yet (i know, shame me), but in 5ds, jack vs yusei had a bit of this, but they were friends at their core. best friends. and gx was a mess with the rivalries, lol, so we won’t go there. anyways, my point here is that i really, really missed that. these two felt like actual rivals.

anyways, though, then we get this:

to which ai asks how long have you been able to do this? and after a quick shot of yusaku during the lost incident, he says:

this is the biggest thing i wish they hadn’t dropped or just starting ignoring for the most part in vrains. was this why yusaku was the sixth child??? i know takeru doesn’t really have this, or at least not that i remember, but do any of the other children? spectre could sense when earth was erased -- is that because earth was born from him, or is it because of link sense to some degree? or is the LI why yusaku developed link sense? if that’s the case, what made him different? ryoken’s interference?

and speaking of ryoken when it comes to link sense,

is that where his ability to control datastorms comes from??? i know he does one single thing with the storms in s2, but is that like, it? do we ever get to hear about why he can do this? i don’t remember oof. you’d think for how much i write about him, i would know this off hand lol. but seriously, i wonder if his influence in the LI caused yusaku to gain his link sense, and if it somehow effected him, too. that would’ve been so cool to see as a mini arc, or plot point, in s2, but kmoney had to shill a certain deck LOL (i kid i love takeru a lot)

moving on again, though,

if this was how this card worked in the TCG i’d actually still have it in my rokket deck, probs LOL

i love how vrains uses the link summoning chants as a way to get into character’s heads. not as hype as other summoning chants from other series or even vrains, but i really like them.

this is obviously a reference to stardust road. it’s subtle, but it’s there, and that’s so nifty. i didn’t even realize until i was rewatching this episode today that it was a reference to stardust road, or could at least be taken that way.

also,

this. this is so funny to me. ai is so offended that revolver somehow ripped this program. also, does this imply that windy, too, ripped ai’s program? or that he gave it to windy, back before he went all corrupt-y?

then there’s more duel stuff, but this is getting really long again, so i’ll stop myself there lol. i’ll probably watch another episode or two later since it looks my tentative plans have been cancelled lol. that’s fine by me tho, i’m sleepy, and there’s nothing more relaxing then getting to watch my favorite show~

[chocobostrinket]

Chirp chpt 4: Departing

Link to AO3

Rating: General

Word count: 3115

Chapter Summary:  Prompto gets to go home and pack his things. It quickly goes downhill when they end up with a van full of people, and a surprisingly emotional farewell to a neighbor.

Notes: Holy crap I've been wanting to get the next chapter of this out FOREVER. If you're still reading this I applaud your patience and love you because HOLY CRAP. Seriously this hasn't been updated forever. I'm sorry for taking so long! And Thank you for reading. 

Also, who thought it'd be a good idea for a bunch of teenager's and barely adults to go on a trip together? LOL

~

The king gave them permission to use one of the cars from the royal fleet to fetch what Prompto would need. He figured it would be just a simple short trip to Prompto’s home and back. Easy right?

It ended up being anything BUT easy.

First, Prompto and Crowe were going to be the only ones going, along with Libertus and Nyx as their guards. But then Noctis actually woke up early to go with them, and refused to take no for answer. Naturally, with the Prince going, Gladio likewise got up, because where he goes his shield follows and all that. And there was no way in hell that Ignis was going to leave the three on their own. Who knows what sort of trouble they could talk the three glaives into?

So, they had to change their plans from taking a car to taking a van. And even then, it was a little cramped with seven passengers. They were actually a little worried that they might not have enough room to do what they were supposed to. But with Ignis’s help they arranged everyone in such a way that they would have enough room in the back, even with the tight space. It was only going to be a short trip after all.

However, Prompto had issues figuring out how to sit with his wings, now that they weren’t pressed against his back as tightly. Noctis kept getting wacked in the face by them when he’d move, completely on accident of course. He’d apologize every time, and eventually Noctis started mocking him in his own voice for it, which lead to him being wacked on purpose instead. And of course, Noctis retaliated by poking his side, which only lead to Prompto pinching him.

“I take it back! I’m not sorry!” Prompto said when Noctis poked his sides again.

It would be eerie to hear his voice coming from Noctis’s mouth if he hadn’t been used to it, “I’m not sorry! I just have feathers for brains and can’t figure out how to control my wings!”

“I do too know how!” Prompto said, mildly offended. His face was pulled into an almost exaggerated frown, which was the least threatening thing anyone in the van had seen. He then managed to push Noctis’s hands off him and pinched his arm.

“And yet, you don’t deny the feathers for- Owch!”

It only escalated from there.

The others were pointedly ignoring the small fight going on way in the back, as they had their own issues. Gladio complained the whole time about how little room there was, which was a fair point. With him, Libertus, and Nyx all crammed into the middle section, along with their wings, there was no room to be had at all. They were shoulder to shoulder. Nyx couldn’t sit still, simply because he wasn’t used to people being in his space. Libertus in turn decided to shift over and squish Nyx against the wall to try and get more room, and to stop his fidgeting, which lead to him shoving back. However, that only ended up with Gladio nearly falling from the edge of their seat. Which led to arguing amongst the three guards.

“Will you quit it! It’s already cramped over here, scoot back over!” Nxy had nearly turned sideways and was pushing against Libertus’s arm.

That only made Libertus laugh, though it was very sarcastic, “You think you have it bad? Try sitting in the middle!”

At this point in time, Gladiolus was once again barely on the seat, “If you guys don’t stop I’m going to squish you both!”

“Try it and we’ll shove you all the way off the seat.” Nyx answered, leaning forward to glower at the young man.

Crowe and Ignis were up front, with Ignis driving. They were the only two who had any form of comfort. Aside from the blooming headaches they had creeping up on them from the antics in the back. Ignis was resting his head against the steering wheel. They hadn’t even started moving yet was the worst part.

“I should have just stay behind, but no. I had to go, didn’t I?” Ignis muttered. No one but Crowe heard, and she offered a pat on his back as consolation for dealing with her friends.

Eventually, they did leave, and more than once did Ignis ‘accidently’ push on the breaks too sharply at stops when they got too rambunctious in the back. Crowe seemed to know when he was about to do it and always braced, laughing when at one point, Nyx’s face was mashed against the back of Ignis’s headrest. He made a note to figure out a way to get back at the young adviser in the future, perhaps when he was training with the glaive. Ignis was fully aware of what he was inviting on himself though and had already weighed the pros and cons of his petty revenge for this ride from hell.

Finally, though in reality it had only been about a thirty-minute drive, they arrived. Ignis was the first out, and had to walk off a little ways so he didn’t snap at the people who were supposed to be as sensible as he was. Crowe got out and chuckled to herself when she realized, upon seeing the boys struggling to open the door, that Ignis might have left the child locks on. Thankfully, Noctis and Prompto had calmed down, and just watched the three older guys struggle. Crowe eventually took pity on them and opened the door from the outside.

“Well, here we are.” She said, looking at the small house whose driveway they were in.

It was smaller than what most people were used to, but hey, she wasn’t one to judge. Her and her friends had certainly made do with worse. Prompto ended up being the last one out, having waited for everyone else. And looking at his house, he felt like he didn’t want to leave. He briefly entertained the idea of going into his house before everyone else and then immediately locking the door, but then Noctis had stepped back over to him. He’d wanted to make sure Ignis was simmering down, but then caught sight of the look on Prompto’s face.

“Are you okay?” He asked quietly, following Prompto to the front door.

He only nodded in response before pulling his key out of his pocket. Before he could unlock it though, Noctis grabbed his wrist to stop him and grinned. Instantly Prompto knew that look and braced for whatever was about to happen.

In Prompto’s voice again, Noctis, while still facing away from everyone, said, “Oh no! I forgot my key in my bag back at the citadel!”

Prompto’s eyes widened, and he turned around, looking like a deer in the headlights. Everyone had fallen silent, and to varying degrees were staring at him in horror. The sight sent him into laughing fits, and Noctis joined in as well. He’d wanted to cheer him up, and he guessed it worked. Seeing the look of dismay on Ignis and Gladio’s face was a bonus. The two kept laughing until they were wheezing, and the others relaxed because Prompto, even though he was still struggling to catch his breath, managed to hold up his house key.

“Noctis Lucis Caelum, what have we said about using your ability like that?” Ignis said, and, if he were younger, probably would have stomped his foot. He was still tempted just to get his point across.

“You shouldn’t abuse your abilities, Noctis. Please be responsible.” Noctis said, this time in Ignis’s voice, and started laughing again, this time escaping into the house with Prompto, who had unlocked the door.

A huff of annoyance left Ignis, recognizing his own words, and he shook his head, “Magpies. The prince just had to be a magpie.”

But even he couldn’t stop the slow smile from trying to creep its way onto his face.

After the trip there, everyone was sort of flitting about in his home, not knowing what to do. Honestly, Prompto had warned them that not only did he not have a lot that he needed, but there wouldn’t be much room for everyone. When he heard the sound of glass on the floor, he flinched but didn’t turn around. He didn’t want to know what they’d broke. Ignis rolled his eyes, and followed Prompto up to his room to help him pack.

“Nice going, you over grown chickatrice,” grumbled Libertus to Nyx, who’s wings had knocked over a decorative bowl.

Nyx shrugged helplessly, “It’s not my fault! Crowe’s hogging the-“

“Finish that sentence Nyx and I’ll wallop you,” Crowe cut in, smiling sweetly as she put a hand on his shoulder.

Nyx knew better to reply, and stayed out of the way after that. Noctis meanwhile was looking at the pictures that were on a corkboard by the entrance. Some were of him and their friends. Others were of scenery. There was the odd cat, dog, and bird too. All of them had little notes attached to the bottom of them, and none of them were Prompto’s writing. It made him smile as he read the notes, realizing that they were from Prompto’s parents.

Unfortunately, he knew Prompto’s situation, and was very familiar with it. Having a parent that cared for you, but you hardly got to spend time with, was tough. But finding little ways to stay in each other’s lives made it hurt a little less. He sort of wished he had something like this with his father.

Suddenly a loud thud from above them made everyone look up, as if they could see Prompto and Ignis through the ceiling. There was silence, which was concerning, but Ignis called down, “Gladio? A little assistance please?”

They all shot each other questioning looks, but didn’t ask. As it turned out, Prompto’s dresser had fallen over onto him. How it happened both him and Ignis didn’t know. Thankfully, he hadn’t been hurt. It hadn’t fallen all the way over, it’s edge catching on part of the bed, and Prompto had been small enough to fit in the small area without being squished. Though he was a little bit more rumpled. But after that, packing was simple. Prompto really didn’t have much, as he’d tried to be as unobtrusive to his parents as possible, even when they were away.

The very little he had didn’t sit right wit some of them, but they remained silent. And soon enough the boxes he packed of things that he’d wanted to bring to the citadel were placed in the back of the car. King Regis had assured him, that if he needed anything else from his home, he could go back. Provided he took an escort. Which, upon his things being packed into the car, he double checked to make sure he had everything he wanted. He knew that if he had to come back, the likelihood of everyone piling into a van again was very high. Something that he wasn’t looking forward too, even though it had been kind of fun.

“I call dibs on the front seat!” Yelled Nyx as they began to leave the house.

“In your dreams, chicky!” Crowe called, actually flapping her wings, using them to glide forward at a fast rate. However, Nyx looked like he’d been expecting it, as before she got too far, he grabbed her around the waist, which caused her to let out an upset chirping noise as she tried to wiggle away. It was entertaining, and seeing how Libertus was edging toward the front seat while they were distracted was hilarious. Prompto smiled as he watched them for a few moments more, seeing how Ignis and Gladio had joined the fray, trying to organize seating arrangements again, but then turned back around to shut the door.

Before he did though, he paused. The house was empty as always, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of his parents being there. Watching him leave their home, a place they had tried to make as warm and safe as possible for him while they were gone. The thought made him sad. He’d left a note on the corkboard, explaining what had happened, and where he was. But it startled him to think that when his parents came home this time, they’d be coming home to an empty house. That hadn’t happened since…

Before him.

He didn’t notice it, but behind him, his wings were slightly folding around him, as if he was trying to give himself a hug. Noctis noticed his mood once more, but didn’t try to intervene this time. He felt like Prompto had a right to be sad right then. It wasn’t every day someone left their home after all.

A voice to the left of him suddenly startled him.

“Prompto? Is that you dear?”

He looked over and saw one of his neighbors, standing by the fence. Out of the corner of his eye he saw everyone freeze, and had to keep himself from laughing. But he did smile at her. She was older than him, and like him had been on her own for a while. She had just turned 18 if he remembered correctly.

“Hey Rhea!” He practically chirped, and after looking back into the house once more, pulled the door shut. He decided that there were new memories to be made, and that the old ones would always be there inside. He then walked over to talk to her, almost cooing when he saw her cat in her arms.

“It’s been a while Prom, how’ve you… Your wings.” She started out happily, and then slowly slid into an almost starstruck look.

“Oh… y-yeah! Surprise?” He said, his face turning red.

She looked them over, a soft smile settling on her face, “They’re gorgeous Prom. Are they better then?”

It was then that Prompto recalled that she had been one of the kids nearby when he’d sprained one of his wings, back before the pattern issues came in. So he gave her a small laugh, and smiled, extending one them out so she could see.

“Yeah! In a way. I can’t fly, yet, but no more wing binder.” He felt horrible letting the lie slip from his tongue, but at least it was better than saying that he’d been lying to her for years.

She nodded her head, glancing down the length of his wing before returning her gaze to his face. “Good for you.”

There was a moment of silence then, as if she wanted to let those words sink in before she spoke again, “So, what’s with all the ruckus? Blue here was meowing up a storm to come out and see.”

She tilted her arms a little, so her cat was looking over at him. Prompto liked cats well enough, and Blue was very sweet… To Rhea. Sometimes he felt like the cat was sizing him up to eat. But he reached over and scratched under his chin anyways, because he was super cute looking. The little rebel nipped at his finger tips before allowing him to continue scratching unhindered.

“O-oh. Well…” He stopped petting her cat and turned around then. Behind him, he could hear Rhea gasp upon seeing his pattern, “My friends were helping me pack… Because I guess I’m moving?”

“Wow, Prom.” She said quietly, “That’s amazing! Some people go their whole live without seeing your pattern!”

He then turned back to face her and tried to fight down the blush on is face, “I- uh… Thank you?”

“Well. If I’d known… I don’t know.” She looked down at her cat, petting his head as if to distract herself. “I would have made you some cookies or something!”

Before he could say it wasn’t necessary, Crowe called out from behind him, “Prompto? Are you ready to go?”

She peeked out from behind the van, clearly having won her fight for the front again. Everyone else was loaded in already. He waved back and then turned to Rhea, “Well, I suppose…”

“I’ll see you around, yeah? Not goodbye.” Rhea said with another soft smile. She was very particular about that, believing that saying goodbye was bad luck. As it implied forever.

“Not goodbye.” He answered back with a smile. “Until next time.”

If they had been closer in age, he was sure that she would have been his friend. As it was, they were painfully alike. They were alone. Rhea because her parents were… Well, to put it lightly, they hadn’t really cared for her, despite adopting her young. The house was promised to her by her grandmother sure, because she had been the only one to care for her, but her parents used her as it’s housekeeper rather than a daughter. They were constantly travelling. But she bore her loneliness well, he thought. A lot better than he had at first.

But of course, his parents had always been kind to him.

Through the years when he’d needed help she’d been there. Teaching him how to get along alone. How to cook. How to fix the broken things. Guiding him through grocery shopping and keeping an eye out for him during the winter. He had always helped her when her illness got the better of her, by taking out the trash and helping her clean when needed. Or cat sitting the devil cat. Occasionally, her hands wouldn’t work, and he’d be her hands when those very rare times happened. Of course, now that he thought about it, he could have almost called her his older sister. If their own hang-ups hadn’t help them back. Two lonely kids on the same block.

In a rather surprising decision, he kind of held out his arms for a hug, slightly expecting her to shoot him down. However, she only smiled and leaned in, holding him tightly for a few seconds before letting him go.

“You be good Prom, okay?”

He laughed instead of replying, using the laugh to hide the knot that formed in his throat. He was feeling oddly sentimental, even if he could visit at any time. He gave her a wave and she watched as he got into the van, and used her cat’s paw to wave to him as they started the van and drove away.

“Who was that?” Noctis asked, his face nearly smooshed against the window. Somehow he’d ended up against the wall this time, with Gladio in the middle, and Nyx at the end. Libertus was in the back with him.

“Just a neighbor.” He answered with a sigh. “She’s not much older than us.”

The ride back this time was silent, allowing him to settle his feelings…

Except for when Nyx said, “She was cute.”

Libertus rolled his eyes and smacked him from the back seat.

[kindly-creatot]

always the keys

so @ithinkicanwritesometimes sent in a prompt and omg this was so fun to write lol 

hope that you like it, hun! and thanks for letting me take a crack at it :)

“Dude, seriously? Why is it always my keys?” Noct is (well not quite) ashamed to be crawling around on the floor of his apartment, sneezing at the dust and dirt as he looks for the car keys that seemed to find a new spot every day. He had to meet Gladio for training soon and last time he was late and the wolf had told him that if he was late again then he’d ‘kick his little vamp ass’.

Noctis knew he was being serious too. Gladio always was when it came to training.

“Noct? Why are you crawling on the floor?” the Prince looks over his shoulder to see Ignis, his adviser and friend with his nose pinched between two fingers. Ignis gives a sigh when Noct motions him closer, setting himself back on the heels of his feet to lean closer to the Prince.

“I’ve lost my keys again,”

“Really, Noct. You need to take more care with your belongings.” Ignis looks put out more than Noctis but Noct is almost used to them going missing now.

“I really don’t think that’s what’s happening, Iggy. I think I’m being haunted,”

“Really?” Ignis doesn’t look convinced.

“Yeah, really.”

“Mm, well, nevertheless we need to find those keys.”

“Ugh, Gladio’s gonna beat my ass into pavement for being late,” Noct bemoans his untimely demise by werewolf with a groan and just barely hears a chuckle behind him. “Did you just… chuckle?”

“What? No. I don’t chuckle.” Ignis looks slightly offended and Noctis just shrugs.

“Thought I heard a chuckle…”

---

“Gladio! Come on! That was my garlic bread…” Noct complains when he walks into the apartment and sees the wolf on his couch, eating the last of the garlic bread Ignis had made.

“You shouldn’t even have any,” Gladio shrugs and gives a lopsided grin to the smaller male before he stands. “Not good for you.”

“So? It’s tasty,” Noct sniffs at the air, still scenting the garlic bread smell lingering in the kitchen area.

“You’re like the worst vampire ever, Noct,” Gladio is laughing at Noct and leans his head back against the sofa. Noct watches as his damn keys appear out of seemingly nowhere and pelt Gladio on his forehead. “What the- fuck, man,” Gladio is growling and his hair is standing on end as he glares over at the vampire. “You threw your keys at me?”

“Ah, no. I didn’t do that,” Noct shakes his head and lifts up the laptop he had in his hands. “I honestly didn’t even know where those went until just now.” Noct glances up at the ceiling, noting the slow spin of the fan before looking back at the wolf.

“Bullshit. Whatever, eat your damn bread…”

“I seriously think I’m haunted…” Noct mumbles and sets about googling how to talk to a ghost.

---

“Okay, seriously… I’m haunted, aren’t I?” Noct is laying in his room, blackout shades drawn and listening to the jingle of keys as he nurses the sunburn he got from falling asleep in the garden earlier.

Iggy looked disappointed but it’s not like this hadn’t happened before. So Noctis was confined to stay and heal in his blacked out apartment. Noct sits up and groans as the burn on his neck itches.

He hears it again then. The chuckle.

“Seriously! Who are you and why is it always my keys?!” Noct feels slightly dumb yelling into his empty apartment but he’s tired and sunburned and haunted.

“-cause they’re the only things I can move…” the gentle voice is close and Noct looks around for a moment before he could settle his eyes on the ghost. He’s a sort of see-through visage and it makes Noct’s head hurt a bit to try and focus on him. He’s blonde, has blue jewel eyes, and almost too pale skin. Noctis guesses that as a ghost he doesn’t see the sun much. Hah.

“What-” Noctis shakes his head, decides that was a bad idea as his sunburn kicks in and reminds him of its presence. “Who are you? Why are you here?”

“Ah, that’s a good question.” The ghost gives a grin, full-toothed and slightly crooked but endearing to the vampire. He sits at the edge of the bed, legs crossed and hands on knees. “Um, I guess you can call me Prompto?”

“Is that a question or..?”

“Prompto, yeah that sounds right… and I’m haunting you!” he says it so cheerily that Noctis has to take a moment to think about it. He blinks twice.

“No.”

“What do you mean no? You don’t have a choice!” Prompto gapes at Noct as the sunburnt vampire tries to hold back a laugh. The ghost boy gives him a pout and Noct actually feels the corners of his lips turning up a bit.

“You’re kinda new at this, huh?” Noct leans his chin on top of a knee and stares at Prompto.

“Well, I mean… yeah, I guess…” Prompto wiggles his nose a bit, crossing his arms over his torso before he looks back at the vampire. “It’s not like you’re the best vampire I’ve seen… I mean, look at that sunburn…”

“I fell asleep in the garden, ok?” Noctis rolls his eyes and scoffs.

“What a pair we make, huh?” Prompto laughs and Noct finds the sound infectious.

“Yeah, what a pair.”

[ff15trashgoldenslumbers]

3 Second read

Still, no laptop, but got some ideas... I’m gonna run out of seconds soon, lol  ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

~~~~~

Noctis

“You okay, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Noctis stated, not that, that was too far off considering that quite a few of the Kings of the Past would make appearances from time to time.

You turned towards your boyfriend, “I call your Dad, the King, His Royal Highness...”

Noctis stared in confusion at your pause, almost as if you were about to cry. You were always polite to his Father, yet then again you were polite to anyone around his Dad’s age, often referring to them as Mr. Amicitia or Mr. Leonis. “What did you call him?”

You turned large tear-filled eyes to your boyfriend, you often forgot that he was a Prince, but you were always certain to call his Father by the rightful title, no matter how much he requested other. “I called your Dad, Dad.”

Noctis blinked, before shrugging, “That’s not that big of a deal.”

You cried, “I called his Royal Highness Dad. It just slipped out! “Thank you, Dad” I’m an idiot.”

“You’re not.” He replied, only for you to stand and move away, “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to go ask Ignis to run me over with the car.” You whined, only to stop as the door opened. 

“There you are, Noctis,” Regis called, only for those blue eyes to turn to you. “Hello, Sweetheart.” 

You bowed, not catching the new nickname “Your Highness.” 

Regis chuckled, “I was hoping to catch you before you left, I had some space open in the schedule and would prefer to have dinner with my son and daughter.”

You did catch that and turned to Noctis who just shrugged.

“Why not.” He shrugged again, happy to see the two most important people in his life get along so well, even as he followed the two of you outside, your arm linked with his Father’s, he didn’t attempt to hide the smile.

~~~~~

Prompto

“You okay, Pompom?” You called, to your Sweetiepie, currently laid on the couch with a large icepack on both his cheeks. He had just gotten his wisdom teeth pulled and those adorable freckled cheeks had ballooned like a chipmunk. Yet he looked so miserable.

“Mmh.” He muttered, those blue eyes unfocused from his pain meds. 

“I’ll have dinner ready shortly, you rest yourself.”  You called warming up the soup Ignis had left you for the blonde. 

“Waana halp.” 

“You’re fine on the couch.” You giggled, you’d more than likely have to feed him, as his coordination was not 100% there at the moment. Only to look up and see the blonde trying to navigate the living room and get to the kitchen, seeing the coffee table in the way. “To the left”

“Take it back now yall.” 

You looked up in enough time at the most coordinated sentence he had muttered since Gladiolus plopped him on the couch. Only for Prompto to hit the coffee table hard, and then immediately look offended at the furniture 

“ ‘Sue me.” He muttered. 

You quickly moved into the living room, moving Prompto back to the couch, pressing a soft kiss to his swollen cheek, “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

“O’her.” He muttered as you cleaned the drool that spilled from his lips, as he seemed to have trouble swallowing after you had removed the cotton. ‘O’her!”

You finally realized what he meant as you pressed a kiss to his other cheek, “Try not to get hurt anymore.” You called, as you begun to move the coffee table out the way.

“Luff you!”

“Love you too.”

~~~~~

Gladiolus

“You’re so good at everything Baby.” You purred laying on his back as he did his set of push up. “Is there anything you can’t do, you’re so smart, strong and sexy, what are you insecure about, what makes you human and not the god I think you are.” You giggled playfully.

Gladiolus stopped his set, motioning you to get off, you moved off, only for him to sit up cross-legged before you, taking your hand in his own, looking you in the eye, before glancing away. 

“I can’t cartwheel.”

You blinked confused, “Wha...”

“I can’t cartwheel, what am I suppose to do when I’m happy? Just stand there like an idiot. I just can’t do it.”

You opened your mouth to respond, thinking it was a joke, only to see the serious look on his face with a hint of sadness. Instead, you moved to your knees, pressing his head against your shoulder as you scratched the back of his head. 

It honestly left you speechless, poor Baby. 

~~~~~

Ignis

You weren’t normally the type to celebrate, but tonight was a nice time to celebrate. Besides, it would be rude to not let loose, you had finally finished your studies and managed to ace every test and exam. Not from your lack of studying, and Ignis had been the one to pull this little get together, together. 

He was with you through each cram session, every stress study and with a pillow for you to scream into when it became too much. You could not have wished for a better person by your side. 

“Congratulations Darling.” Ignis smiled, pressing a kiss to your temple.

You looked around the room, finding that quite a few of your friends were already starting to lose the fight to the booze, well Prompto, Noctis, and Prompto’s girlfriend, who were the lightweights of the party. 

“I think we should call it a night.” Gladiolus chuckled. 

“We still have like 5 bottles of wine, Y/N you should take them, they’re La Romantica.” 

You glanced toward the wine bottles, only now realizing that you had yet to have a glass of your favorite wine in months as you were studying, and now would be the perfect time to catch up on all those galas where you were drinking carbonated water. 

“I don’t believe we’ll be able to take them all, we may have to leave some” Ignis stated.

“If you both carry two.”

“That still leaves one.” 

“Iggy, Iggy watch.” You called, moving over to a bottle, before taking a corkscrewing opening the bottle, before proceeding to chug it. Only stopping once the bottle was empty and you were feeling rather lightheaded, a rather pleasing sensation as appose to the crushing feeling you had when jamming useless facts in your head. 

Ignis quickly shoved the other four remaining bottles into a gift bag you received, telling the others goodnight, before leading you toward the elevators. Finding it empty, as he pushes you in, waiting for the doors to ding shut before he pulled you into a kiss. 

“That was the most recklessly beautiful thing I have ever seen you do.” He called, before diving back in again, to get more of the sweet wine on your lips. 

~~~~~

Umbra

He had seen a lot and had known that by carrying this journal back and forth was the only way that this relationship between his two friends would be anything. No matter how anyone who had met either one of them would know that it was extremely platonic. 

After all the Oracle was so far in the closet she was finding presents, and the Prince had his own little romance, and that person was his absolute favorite! He knew it was rude not to greet his old friend first, but you were so nice. 

So as his paws moved him closer to the scent, he sorted through the scents of a dark roast coffee, the scent of musky nature, along with sunflowers, and the scent of the ocean on a spring night, but his favorite was the scent of clear full moon bright moonlight. 

“Is that Umbra?” 

He trotted up to the group, making a beeline straight for you, as you knelt opening your arms to the dog before pulling him into a hug. 

“Hi, Umbra.” You cooed.��“So handsome, such a good boy.”

Umbra’s tail wagged quickly, as he felt your nails scratch at his back and around his ears, praising him, as he nuzzled at your face, practically sitting in your lap.

“I think he likes Y/N more than you, Noct.” Prompto laughed. 

He never got to stay too long, just long enough to drop off the journal, have Noctis respond then the messenger would be on the way back to the Oracle. Yet he would always get the same send-off.  You’d knell down, pressing a kiss to the space between his eyes and give him a good rub. 

“Tell Lunafreya and Pyrna I say hi.” You cooed to the dog. “Be safe!”

Umbra gave a bark, he would turn and begin his way back home. He enjoyed your scent, and he enjoyed the kindness, plus there was the whole factor that you also seemed to be really putting a wrench in the Gods plans to kill two of his friends. Lucky no one seemed to catch on to that, and he wasn’t going to tell anyone. 

He was a good boy. 

[afaye1999]

Merry Christmas [A Chocobro Christmas Special]

So, I'm doing Christmas Specials for each of the Chocobro's. Up first would be Prompto.

I know this is posted way before Christmas, but I figured it'd be better to post now than to not post and forget about it later lol.

~

Merry Christmas : Prompto

This was it. The twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month of the year. The day all the nauseating, overly happy, Christmas lovers have been waiting for.

You were definitely not one of them people. You liked Christmas of course. The holiday candy, Christmas dinner, and especially the gifts, but you hated the unreasonably joyus holiday and the unreasonably joyus people made you sick.

That being because you were an introvert.

You groaned loudly hearing a banging at your bedroom door of your small apartment.

"[Y/N], Open up its me, Prompto!"

You groaned out again and pulled the pillow over your head, huffing into the pillow.

"Go Away!"

"No, Now let me in! You need to get up, its Christmas!!" He shouted in an excited tone.

Prompto on the other hand, although your best friend since like ever and also your little ray of sunshine boyfriend, is one of the nauseating, overly happy about the cold season, people.

You rose out of the bed, very slowly, and 'zombie walked' towards the front door, undoing the latch chain and stwitching the deadbolt, allowing him to enter. He immediately swung the door open, nearly hitting you in the process.

"Sometimes, I wonder how we are even together." You grumbled rubbing your eye. 

Prompto laughed and shoved a cup of coffee in your face.

"Drink up and get dressed! I got something to show you!" He said with a huge grin on his face.

"You know that I don't like going out! Why don't you just shoot me now and call it a day." You whined and kicked your bare legs like a toddler. Prompto gasped and looked at you like you had just offended his whole world.

Which you did by telling him to kill you, even if it was a joke.

"[Y/N]! How dare you!" He yelled out, causing you to groan once more.

"Fine, fine. I'm going." You stompped out of the living area snatching the coffee as you left, like a child, and slammed your bedroom door behind you.

Prompto smiled at the fact that he won and he pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to the group chat between him and his friends.

-

Prompto: Operation [Y/N] is ago. I repeat Operation [Y/N] is in motion.

Gladio: Got it.

Ignis: Picking up Noctis now.

Noctis: Just woke up. Running late.

Prompto: NOCT, REALLY? You're worse than [Y/N]!!

Noctis: Yeah, Yeah. Don't worry! Everything will go as planned.

-

"Who are you texting? The guys?" You asked as you walked out of your room, pulling a sweater over your now neatly fixed hair.

"Yeah, They said Merry Christmas and that they have things to do so it's just us." He said slightly blushing and locking his phone.

You nodded your head then looked at the time nearly losing your mind when the digital clock read 7:00p.m. exactly, "Oh my gods! I can't believe I slept in this late!" You said slightly freaking out causing Prompto to laugh.

He wrapped his arm around you and started to pull you towards the door, "C'mon, lets go."

"Wait!" You yelled, tugging on his arm pulling him back. You walked over to the small tree you had in your living area and pulled a square box out from behind it.

"Merry Christmas, Love." You said sweetly, handing the box to him.

He took it quickly and smiled at you. He ripped the paper off and gasped.

"A new camera! Just what I needed, my other one got broke when we were fighting a daemon." He stated and kissed your cheek. You giggled and let him drag you out of the door quickly after.

Even with it being winter and a light dusting of snow covered the ground, it wasn't all that cold out. You guys arrived at the center of the city, a giant Christmas tree in the center.

Of course, Prompto made you wear a blindfold so you couldn't see anything, but you heard the faint sound of music playing.

"Okay, now take off the blindfold.." He said in a somewhat nervous tone. 

You obligied and untied it, letting it slowly fall towards the ground. Behind a knelt Prompto where Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis holding up a handmade banner with the words "Will you Marry me" across it.

"Will you, [Y/N]?" He started with his arms somewhat extended out towards and a goofy smile on his face. A small black box that held the prettiest ring inside presented to you by the love of your life. 

Tears filled your eyes as you covered your mouth and vigorously nodded your head yes. Prompto stood quickly and slowly started to slide the ring on your finger when a camera flash caught your attention.

Noctis had taken a picture of the moment for the blond with the new camera you had gotten him.

You giggled and quickly turned your attention back towards Prompto, "How did you manage to get them to help you with all this?"

"Oh you know.." He trailed off rubbing the back of his neck. He then pulled you in for a short, but sweet kiss.

"Merry Christmas, [Y/N]."

-The End-

First one done, three more to go. 

Hope you enjoyed and Prompto wasn't to out of character. I've never written for him or the others. Only for Noctis lol.

Feedback is most welcomed and don't be afraid to reblog if you want too! Thank you for reading!

-2.6 pages, 913 words-

[missmonsterlegs]

Thanks bunches for the tag @izukusfreckles! :> Had lots of fun reading your responses! 

Rules: answer the 20 questions and tag 20 amazing followers you would like to get to know better.

Name: “My name’s Sprite Pepsi and I’m abstinence until I die” (but for reals I don’t... actually use my real name on here, just nicknames eheheee)

Nickname: Reggie, Leggy, Legs, Egg, other misc. variations and words

Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Height: 6′0″ (I’m  t  o  l) 

Orientation: I believe I’m het across the board

Ethinicity: White

Favourite fruit: Strawberries, pineapple, bananas, apples (gotta be crisp though), grapes.... I really love fruit man.......

Favourite season: Mmmmm probably summer? I’ve always enjoyed winter too though

Favourite book series: Oh goodness. This is tricky. I’m pretty dang partial to Lord of the Rings because I’m a big fantasy nerd, but the Seraphina series and The Looking Glass Wars series are right up there too

Favourite flower: Roses!! We have a big rose garden in front of our house and there are so many different varieties?? And they all smell amazinggg. I love lavender too though!

Favourite scent: Books! Old books, new books, you name it, I’m sure I’ll love it haha

Favourite colour: Pretty much any shade of blue 

Coffee, tea or cocoa: Tea for sure, though I feel like some people might be offended by what I call tea ehehe. Earl Grey is my favorite black tea (but since I have such a sweet tooth, I always have to put lots of cream and sugar in...) and I’m also basically in love with chai tea

Average sleep hours: Don’t Worry ‘Bout It :^) (aka it fluctuates wildly and I honestly can’t give you an accurate approximation)

Cat or dog person: Both! Are! Wonderful! (though I appreciate how laid back and chill my cats are... my barky boys hurt my ears sometimes lol)

Favourite fictional characters: I.... I have too many...... so I’ll pick a few from some of my recent obsessions >>;; Toshinori, Izuku, Aizawa, Tsuyu, Ochako, and Iida from BNHA, Ignis from FFXV, Reigen and Mob from MP100, Maxie and Guzma from Pokemon, Azama from FE: Fates, Wilson from Don’t Starve, Zelda, Midna, Sidon, the Happy Mask Salesman, Beedle, Linebeck, Link, and Ganon from LoZ, etc etc etc etc there’re wAY TOO MANY OF THEM HELP ME

Number of blankets you sleep with: Usually two, unless it’s a particularly warm night

Dream trip: I really want to travel around Europe! Japan’s always been high on my list too 

Blog created: Eeeeehh a little over a year ago, I think! Was my one year anniversary in.... April?? Maybe?? Can’t remember hahaaaaa

Number of followers: 108 on my main, 313 on my ask blog (I honestly never expected it to get so many aaaahhhhh ;u;)

Bear in mind that anyone I tag is under no obligation to do this! <3 And if I didn’t tag you, please know you have my love and I think you’re amazing too!

@punch-a-bunch @krazy-kaitie @kiriami-sama @mediocre-trashcan @inigoazur @ask-space-bendy @dorito-brows @anonymusblader123 @sunsetsorceress @pineapples-wear-crowns @cinnamonnebula @monsieur-sangoire @finni-blogs @theimaginarylord @fishfu @azymic @sevi007 @hathelian @raggedypanda @phancravings

(Also if I tagged anyone who’s done this before I’m sorry! I’ve been kinda on and off tumblr lately so if you did, I probably missed it ahahaaaa ^^;;)

[lhugbereth]

Yakuza!Ignis fic update!

Hey there, lovelies! Here’s the second half of the first chapter of this thing (the first bit can be found here)

It also now has an official title: Death Fears Not the Reaper (it will make sense in later chapters, just trust me okaaaay) and can be found on AO3 here!

As always, feedback is GREATLY appreciated as this is my first time attempting a full-out AU with more plot than smut.... Let’s be honest, I have no clue what I’m doing lol *flails* On with the show!

-----------

It was only a short drive from the main complex to the penthouse apartment where Noctis, son of Lord Regis L. Caelum and heir to the family’s veritable underground kingdom, lived alone. It had been a compromise of sorts between him and his father; while Noctis wanted nothing more than independence, Regis wanted him close at hand to keep learning about the family business. Getting him his own place nearby seemed like the perfect solution, and Ignis himself had been asked to scout the area for suitable living arrangements. As such, he knew the place like the back of his own hand, and even had his own access code to get him through the heavy security.

Stepping up to the front entrance, he ignored the cameras that tracked his every move and punched in his key code by heart. The doors swung open and he was inside. It seemed easy, perhaps, but he knew that one false step, one suspicious move and he would never even hear the bullet coming. Regis took no chances when it came to his only child.

Ignis rode the elevator to the top floor as he’d done countless times in the past. As he waited, he withdrew his phone from his shirt pocket and skimmed through the various messages he’d received throughout the night. There was one from Cor, undoubtedly in regards to Gladio’s half-assed reply after the warehouse fiasco, and a few updates from other members of the Glaive whose names he’d never bothered to learn. Surprisingly, there was a message from Noctis as well; this was the only one Iggy bothered to read. He swiped the notification next to the familiar icon to see only two words:  

/Bring pizza./

A long-suffering sigh escaped him. Yet as the elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open, he had no choice but to step forward into the vast expanse of the ohji ’s suite.

From the foyer, he could see past the kitchen and into the drawing room that Noctis had furnished with plush grey sofas and a gigantic flat-screen television against the far wall. Noctis was there, too, as far as he could tell from the mess of black hair bobbing rhythmically above the edge of the couch to some music only he could hear.

Approaching, Ignis cleared his throat twice before the young heir, finally noticing him, yanked out his earbuds and turned around. “Oh! Hey, Iggy,” he grinned, and set his game controller on the cushion next to him. “Didn’t hear you come in.” He got to his feet and circled around the edge of the sofa.

“You should take more care. Lucky for you I’m not an enemy of your family, but the next time….”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Not like this place isn’t harder to get into than a maximum security joint.” Still smiling, Noct folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the sofa. Dark blue eyes roamed up the length of Ignis’ body, taking in the sight of his suit, his gloves, the way his hair was beginning to fall out of place where he’d slicked it back much earlier in the day. Fresh off work, then, and decidedly not carrying dinner. Noct feigned a pout.

“All out of pizza at the pizza store?”

He almost laughed aloud at the way Ignis stiffened. “Apologies, your Highness, I only just received your message. If you’d like I can call for delivery, or -- “

“It’s fine, I’m kidding. Anyway, I’m sure I’ve got some ramen or something around here.”

As he brushed past his advisor on his way to the kitchen, Ignis released another sigh. “Highness….” No response. “Noct, please. At least let me prepare something for you.”

“It’s fine ,” came the reply, Noct’s voice muffled inside the half-empty pantry. “C’mon Igs, you’ve gotta be exhausted. Don’t worry about me.”

A firm hand closed around his shoulder, causing him to jump half out of his skin in surprise. He hid it as smoothly as he could behind a cough. Above him, Ignis’ eyes softened. “Noctis, you are the one and only son of the most powerful man in the city. You need to learn how to let others serve you. Trust me, cooking for you is a pleasure, not a chore.”

The red tint that started at the bridge of Noct’s nose and spread slowly over his cheeks was impossible to hide. He swallowed, dropped his eyes to the gloved hand on his shoulder, and nodded. “...Then, uh, thanks. I guess I’d like that.”

“Very good.” Ignis shifted, moving instead to the refrigerator to inspect what little his ward had in the way of ingredients. “Hmm. How does a simple stir-fry sound to you?”

“Yeah, fine.” Mostly recovered now, the dark-haired heir to the criminal underworld hopped up on the edge of the kitchen counter and stared his advisor dead in the eye. “But no veggies.”

“...H-highness….”

In the end, Noctis acquiesced to the addition of green peas to the stir-fry provided Ignis double the serving of potatoes and smother the whole thing in sauce. While certainly not the most balanced meal, it was a far cry better than what Ignis normally got him to eat, so he accepted the deal without much argument. Noctis watched as, stripping off his gloves, Ignis stepped up to the sink and began to rinse his bare hands under the warm water. He noticed, of course, the dried blood under the other man’s fingernails, and the subtle red tint as the water washed away the rest, but he knew better than to comment. Ignis never talked about the details of his work with Noct, and now was hardly the time to press.

They ate together in relative silence. The dining table in Noct’s penthouse was large enough to seat eight guests comfortably, but more often than not it held only one. Dinner for two was a rare treat for the young ohji . Perhaps that was why, when Ignis got up to collect the tableware and, inevitably, excuse himself for the night, Noctis jumped up to stop him before he even knew what he was going to say.

“Wait a sec.”

Ignis paused, a plate in each hand, and glanced over his shoulder. “Something the matter?”

“No, I just, um.” The young crime lord shook his head, thinking quickly. “Don’t you want to grab a shower or something before you go?”

The look Ignis gave him made him instantly regret his choice of words. But never one to back down from even the scrappiest of fights, Noct straightened his back and continued. “I mean obviously you have a perfectly good shower at home and all that, but, well, it’d be a shame to get your car dirty on the way, right?” Open mouth, insert foot , he chided himself, though he managed to hide his grimace behind a convincing smile.

Ignis glanced down at himself -- his pristine suit jacket, his pressed pants, his polished shoes -- and arched a brow. “Do I offend ?”

“N-no, no!” Kicking himself mentally, Noctis decided to spare himself further humiliation by instead sidling up to Iggy and very gracefully snagging the plates from his grip. “I just mean, why don’t you take it easy for once, hm? Relax, pamper yourself. You go shower, and I’ll take care of the dishes.” That dark green gaze narrowed in suspicion until he was forced to add, “Well, I mean, I’ll at least put them in the sink for you. Go on, stop wasting time.”

Though his mind was spinning a mile a minute trying to catch Noct’s angle, Ignis couldn’t very well ignore a direct order. He padded down the hall to the bathroom, stripped and folded his clothes, and placed them neatly on the counter. While waiting for the water to heat up to an adequate temperature, he stole a glance at himself in the mirror.

And frowned. He had served for the Caelum family his whole life, just like his father and grandfather before him, and from a young age he’d gotten accustomed to the plethora of scars and injuries that came with the territory. But something he had never quite learned to accept were the tattoos. A mark, a brand even of his history with the yakuza, his irezumi were colorful, exotic, covering nearly every inch of his body from waist to neck. His chest was a menagerie of gruesome beasts with great, open maws. On his left arm, lotus blossoms scattered on the surface of a blood-red stream. On his right, falling leaves burned and blackened in a fiery wind as great, winding dragons ascending to the heavens. His back held the largest piece of all; the most fearsome skeletal figure imaginable, a Reaper, surrounded by the anguished souls of its countless victims.

Horrors, all of them. Noctis had never seen the tattoos, and Ignis was determined to keep it that way.

He tore his eyes away from the mirror and stepped into the hot water, letting it burn away the filth and rot of the day’s unsavory work.

When Ignis returned to the living room, hair damp but not a button out of place on his suit, he found Noctis once again on the sofa with his headphones. This time, however, he was nose deep in a comic book and, much to Iggy’s chagrin, had his shoes propped up on the arm.

“ Really , Noct,” he started, swatting his feet down and snatching the comic from his hands. “Is this all you do in your free time?”

“No. I play videogames, too.”

A resolved sigh before Ignis was taking a seat on the sofa at his side. There was a stack of black, sealed files set on the table in front of them, and he swiped up a few to pass forcefully to his companion. “Why not read up a little about the state of your family’s current investments? This is going to be very important for you one day.”

Noct accepted the files, glanced at the title on each, and tossed them back onto the table without ceremony. “Money comes in, money goes out. Got it. Hey, here’s a question,” he said suddenly, shifting a little closer until he could pick up the scent of lilac soap on his advisor’s skin. Ignis leaned back a few inches out of instinct. “Why don’t you tell me about those Glaives? Y’know, the ones who died yesterday.”

Behind his glasses, green eyes widened in surprise, then just as quickly narrowed. “Where did you hear about that?”

A shrug, and a smirk. “Y’know, around . ...Actually, it was Nyx.”

“Of course it was.” Ignis pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose with one gloved finger and sighed. “How much do you already know?”

“Not much. I heard it happened in broad daylight, that three of them were attacked and -- “ He paused, drawing his thumb across his throat in a meaningful gesture. Ignis’ mouth twitched.

“Beheaded, yes.”

“Right, that. So they’re dead, and now my father thinks someone is trying to start a turf war, or whatever.” He looked at Ignis for a long moment, his deep blue eyes searching for answers, for affirmation, anything written in his stoic expression. “Is that what you were doing today? Why you had blood on your hands?”

For once, Ignis wasn’t sure how to respond. As much as he wanted Noctis to someday successfully fill his father’s shoes, he was also loathe to drag him down any further into a world he didn’t yet belong. Still, he supposed this counted as studying in its own right, so he was willing to let both the comic book and the economics issues slide for now. “Yes. And no,” he added quickly, not missing the curiosity piquing on Noct’s face. “Nyx isn’t entirely wrong, but your father knows this is no mere turf war. The killings were sudden, unprovoked. Neither the Niffs nor the Nox Fleurets have stepped forward to claim the acts, and we haven’t been able to find any witnesses or reliable….informants.”

The young heir let the words sink in for a moment before asking again with renewed interest, “So who did it? What’s your theory?”  

He shrugged. “A couple of rogues? Or a mistake. Even a fool wouldn’t pick a fight with the Caelum family without some kind of deathwish. Still,” he sighed, reaching forward to lay a gloved hand on Noctis’ shoulder. “Until we sort things out, it isn’t safe for you out there. Noct, you’re going to need to stay here for a few days.”

Anger flared to life almost instantly in those usually calm eyes. “Stay here, alone in this glorified prison?” Noct spat, suddenly raising his voice. “The tournament is this weekend, Father promised he’d let me go this year!”

“Noct, calm down. I’m sorry, this isn’t my decision.”

“But you agree with it, don’t you?"

"For your safety, yes, I do." His reply was met with rebellious silence as the dark-haired nineteen-year old folded his arms over his chest.

It wasn't that Ignis didn't understand. Of course it was only natural that Noct was lonely, of course he wanted a taste of freedom. The boy had spent his entire life under constant surveillance, after all, under lock and key by an overprotective father who was doing what he thought best against the dangers of the cruel world. But no teenager ever understood that. And Ignis, for his part, would have given the world to see Noct happy, if only that choice were up to him.

"If it helps," he offered, voice quiet and soothing in the space between them. "Once this all blows over, I promise to take you fishing. Outside of the city."

"...Really?" Noct’s tone was a mix of hope and incredulity, but if nothing else the thought got him talking again. "And you think Father would allow that?"

A warm smile, one that made Ignis’ eyes crinkle as he patted the other’s cheek. "It may just be our little secret." That was the kind of thinking that would likely land his head on a spike someday, but he wouldn't really be Iggy if he wasn't risking his own neck to please the prince.

Although still somewhat reluctant, Noctis managed a smile up at his advisor. His gaze faltered for a moment, then before he lost the nerve he leaned forward and pulled the taller man into a hug. "You're the best, Specs."

Few things made Ignis the Reaper’s heart thud in his chest. Danger, the adrenaline-fueled thrill of a fight, was one. Palming a brand new set of knives was another. But perhaps more than either of those was the feeling of holding Noctis Caelum in his arms.

Only five years apart, Ignis had quite literally grown up alongside the young would-be boss. They'd been friends once, back when the innocence of youth had allowed such things, and even as they fit piece by piece into their ever-shifting roles, Ignis had wanted nothing more than to stay by Noct’s side. Selfish, perhaps, given the sheer amount of secrets he kept to preserve their relationship, but it was a feeling that gave him strength all the same. And, at times, had him questioning his own sanity.

He returned the hug gently, almost reverently, and willed his mind to focus on the present. "It's late, Noct. Would you like me to help you to bed?" Because that didn't conjure up any vivid images at all.

Against his shoulder Noctis shook his head. "Nah. Not tired yet. But...you don’t have to go right now, do you?”

Once more Ignis checked the clock on the wall. He had a meeting first thing in the morning, and Regis would be expecting results that he didn’t yet have. What he should be doing was making his report to Cor and checking that his men had properly disposed of the evening’s evidence.

What he did instead was pull Noctis closer and settle into the cushions of his sofa while he watched him play videogames for several more hours.

The young ohji had fallen asleep against him sometime just before midnight. Ignis carried him to his room and laid him out on his bed, at least taking the liberty of removing his shoes if nothing else. In sleep his face was so peaceful, so beautiful that tearing himself away from the sight was almost physically painful. Yet it was as he turned out the lights and made his way back toward the foyer that he finally retrieved his phone once more from his pocket. Now that Noctis was settled, it was time to get back to business. He pressed a single key on his screen and the line was ringing before he even stepped into the elevator.

Cor answered after only two beats. “Scientia, where the ever-loving fuck have you been?”

“Working,” he replied politely. It wasn’t entirely a lie.

“You’d better be. Now that our last informant is sinking in about twelve different parts of the Crestholm -- and I suppose I have you to thank for that? -- we’ve got nothing to show the boss. He isn’t going to be happy. You and Amicitia have exactly seven hours to fix it.”

“Overtime again, then, I take it?” His answer came in the form of a dial tone, and Ignis raked his gloved fingers back through his hair before switching to text.

/Be outside in ten/, he warned Gladio, letting his head fall back against the wall of the elevator as he continued to descend.

On the bright side, at least he’d already had a shower.

[themusesofmars]

Happy Birthday, Ignis!

Happy birthday, Ignis! <3 I had the best intentions, I promise. I really wanted to write a worthy birthday fic for Iggy, but between work and Elder Scrolls Online releasing player housing this week, I just let time get away from me. Still, I would really hate to miss Iggy’s big day. So here’s the rough draft of “Happy Birthday, Ignis,” posted exclusively to our blog and Tumblr accounts. Eventually this will be edited (read: FIXED) and posted to fanfiction.net and archive of our own, but it’s too late tonight and we’re out of time. I understand this is probably full of typing errors and completely out of character, but it was a rough draft written between 11:30 last night and 12:30 this morning. So...take it or leave it. lol ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prince Noctis had a bad habit of chewing on pens.

He wasn’t even aware he was doing it most of the time, but as he sat at the study desk in the palace library in the Crown City of Insomnia, his teeth found familiar grooves on the end of his writing implement and he had to frown at himself. Ignis was always chiding him for doing it, but he couldn’t seem to stop.

But Ignis wasn’t here now, so Noct had to mentally scold himself and get back to the task at hand. He had a planner open in front of him with the date of February 7th circled in red. Ignis made him carry a date book to keep track of his lessons and royal obligations, and though he usually only did so to appease the older man, this was one day he had been looking forward to and couldn’t forget. No, not looking forward to, but keeping an eye on. For weeks he had been trying to decide just how to handle today, and he still wasn’t sure. So here he sat in the palace library, the one quiet place where he could think in peace and not be bothered.

“Here he is, Gladio! I found him!”

So much for that plan.

As his friend Prompto came galloping into the room at a charge, Noct quickly slammed the planning book shut and reached for the nearest book, stealing a tome from the stack someone else had left on the desk.

“Whatcha doin’, buddy?” Prompto asked curiously as he stole a chair from another table and placed it facing backward directly across from Noct, then straddled it as he sat down.

Gladio rounded the desk and came up behind Noct, snatching the book from his hands. “Hmph. When the chamberlain told us you were in here, I couldn’t believe it. Now,” he said, waving the closed book in the prince’s face, “I know you’re up to something. ‘Prevailing Theories of Lucian Crystal Matrices’? Yeah, right. You probably couldn’t read the title of this book, let alone explain what it’s about.”

“Back off,” Noct grumbled, waving the book out of his face.

“Whatcha got there, Noct?” Prompto reached out and took hold of the planner.

“Hey!” The prince grabbed for it, but Gladio got his larger hand on it first. “Give that back to me, Gladio,” he demanded, standing up quickly.

“What is it, your little black book?” Gladio taunted, opening the planner and flipping through its mostly blank pages.

“None of your business, damn it,” Noct growled. “Just give it back!”

“What’s this?” Gladio had found the page with today’s date and was eyeing it critically.

“What is it, big guy?” Prompto was kneeling on his chair, trying to lean over Gladio’s shoulder.

“I dunno. What is this, Noct?” Gladio turned the planner around to face the prince, and pointed toward the block where he had circled the seventh day of February and written… “Why is Ignis’s name written here?”

Prompto gasped. “Ooh, I know!” he said excitedly. “It’s Ignis’s birthday, isn’t it, Noct?”

“Yes,” Noctis admitted through gritted teeth. This time he succeeded in ripping the book free from Gladio’s clutches. “Not that he wanted the whole palace to know about it.”

Gladio snorted, sounding offended. “I hardly think telling two of his friends counts as the ‘whole palace’,” he grunted. For good measure, he tacked on, “Drama queen.”

Noct tucked the book under his arm and grabbed his pen from the desk. “Doesn’t matter. Ignis doesn’t like it when people make a big deal about it, so he likes keeping it to himself.”

“So why’d you circle the date on your calendar?” Gladio challenged, his arms folded over his chest.

Noct didn’t answer.

“Dude!” Prompto slapped Gladio’s chest with the back of his hand to get his attention. “We should totally throw Ignis a killer party!”

To Noct’s chagrin, Gladio’s eyes lit up. “Yeah…” the muscular man agreed. Noct could practically see the wheels turning behind his eyes. “We could have it right here in the library! Nobody else will be in here tonight, and there’s plenty of room. And Ignis loves this place, so it’s perfect!”

Noct’s pulse was racing. “He loves it here because it’s quiet,” he felt compelled to point out. “I don’t think this is a good idea, anyway.”

“Why not?” Now Noct had offended Prompto.

“Because I just got finished telling you Ignis doesn’t like it when people make a big deal out of his birthday!”

“Pfft,” Gladio scoffed. “Everyone likes getting presents and feeling like a king for a day.”

The prince gave him a wry look.

Gladio ignored it. “And nothing makes a man feel more like a god than strippers.”

Noct gasped with wide eyes. “What!”

“Dude!” Prompto cackled. “That’s hardcore!”

Gladio looked at him analytically before deciding, “I guess you’re old enough to be invited.”

“Aw, come on!” Prompto complained. “It was my idea, so I have to be invited! Besides, I’m the one that’s going to help you plan this thing.”

“All right, then it’s settled.” Gladio slammed a fist against his open palm. “You go to the kitchen and take care of the food; I’ll call the girls and buy the booze.”

“Woohoo!” Prompto sang, throwing his arms up in the air. “Partay!”

“I think I know a guy who can hook us up with some strobes…” Gladio said thoughtfully as he led the way toward the exit.

“I can DJ!” Prompto offered.

They were so excited about their party planning they forgot all about Noct, who had his face in his hands as he wondered how he had let this happen and how to break the bad news to Ignis. It was after five o’clock when Gladio found him again. This time Noct was sitting on the balcony outside of his room, his legs dangling over the edge. He was still toying with the idea of what he wanted to give Ignis as a birthday gift, but warring with himself over whether or not he should, when Gladio walked out onto the veranda.

“You’re hiding in weird places today,” Gladio complained as he joined the prince. “I saw you from the East wing and had to jog all the way over here.”

“You didn’t have to do anything,” Noct retorted, not turning to look at him. Gladio had interrupted him twice too many times today and he was getting annoyed.

“Okay, smartass, so you’re mad we came up with the idea to throw a party for Ignis first. So get over it and give us a hand. We could use a little help.”

“You think I’m jealous?” Noct snapped, now giving Gladio his full attention. “I told you Ignis hates parties! Especially the kind you’re planning, so I want nothing to do with it.”

“Nobody hates parties, punk,” Gladio bit back at him, grabbing his shoulder and yanking him down from the ledge. “Listen, all we need you to do is get Ignis to the library at nine o’clock.”

Noct’s temper flared when the larger man forced him from his perch and insisted he partake of their nonsense. “I said I don’t want to. Why are you involving me in this?”

“Because Ignis will do anything you tell him to. He’s crazy about you, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Noct inhaled sharply but said nothing.

“You’re his best friend. Just tell him about your crystal matrices textbook and get him in there, all right?”

There was just no poing in arguing. “Fine,” Noct grumbled. “But don’t blame me if he doesn’t show.”

Gladio just grinned at him. “Oh, he’ll show. If you’re the one doing the inviting, he’ll show.” Noctis had never felt so guilty as he did leading Ignis to the the gallows. Surprise party. Whatever. The palace hallways were deserted, all the councilors and dignitaries having concluded the day’s business, and the lights were dimmed. Their footsteps echoed too loudly in the silent corridoors. As they approached the palace library, the prince thought he could hear the pounding of his own anxious heartbeat reverberating off the walls.

Suddenly Ignis stopped walking, and turned to face him. “Noct,” he said, sounding hesitant.

Noct slowed and stopped, hardly able to meet Ignis’s eyes. He had to swallow before answering, “Yeah?”

Ignis gave him a small smile. “You’re not really leading me to the library to look at a book, are you?”

The prince sighed. He hated lying to Ignis. Even for a supposed good cause. “Well, not really for a book,” he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck as his gaze dropped to the floor.

“Ah. Didn’t think so.” Ignis sounded amused, however, and began walking again. “Well, let’s continue. Chop-chop! I’m eager for my birthday gift.”

Noct’s eyes widened as he hurried to catch up to Ignis’s now brisk and eager pace. “You—you are?” he asked with surprise.

“Of course,” Ignis replied, placing a hand on Noct’s shoulder as they reached the library door. “I have an idea of what it might be. And I might have something to give you in return.”

“But, Ignis—”

“Shh. Not until we’re inside and have a little privacy.” Ignis reached for the door handle.

“No, you don’t understand. Ignis, wait!”

It was too late. Ignis had pulled open the library door. He guided Noct into the darkened room and turned to face him as it closed behind them.

Suddenly the lights flipped on.

“Happy birthday!” sang a chorus of dozens of mostly female voices.

Ignis blinked in the sudden glare of flashing colored lights as the deafening bass of unpleasantly loud music began shaking the floor beneath his feet. He turned to look at Noct with surprise.

Noct couldn’t read Ignis’s expression behind the glare of strobing lights reflecting on the lenses of his glasses. But he could imagine the betrayal there.

He couldn’t have apologized if he’d wanted to, because Ignis was being dragged away by Gladio and Prompto, each tugging on one of his arms and leading him toward a circle of young girls in bikinis who were holding a large birthday cake, twenty-three candles ablaze.

The crowd was thick, the library filled with strangers, but Noct managed to push his way through and find the exit that led out into the garden. He didn’t like crowds any better than Ignis did, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave the party entirely, since it was all his fault this had happened. Ignis was stunned. He had been hoping—what with the way Noct had been looking at him lately—he might get a pleasant surprise tonight from the prince, but he’d had no idea it would be anything like this. Had Noct really had a hand in it—the women, the alcohol, the raucous music? Didn’t he know him at all?

He hardly had a moment to be disappointed before he found himself engulfed in a wave of congratulations. Before his eyes could even adjust to the brilliant lights, he was told to make a wish and blow out the candles on the oversized cake. A few men shook his hand and several women kissed him, while he stood there bewildered.

“Gladio…who are all these people?” He had to shout to be heard over the music.

Gladio shrugged. “They brought presents, so who cares?”

“But—but where will I send my thank-you notes?”

Gladio laughed, then pushed Ignis into the arms of a half-naked dancer. The music was so loud Noct could hear it plainly even from outside. He was surprised none of the palace guards had been dispatched to break up the party, but then realized Gladio must have taken care of that. He was so distracted he didn’t noticed someone had joined him until another body sat down on the stone garden bench beside him. He was surprised when he looked up and saw Ignis next to him.

His ash blond hair was touseled, his tie was missing, and his shirt was halfway undone, revealing lipstick stains on his neck and collar. But he didn’t look angry.

Noct was surprised. Was Ignis really having a good time? Even with the girls? Had he misjudged him? Had he misunderstood…everything?

“I must say,” Ignis said, “I find it difficult to believe this was your doing.”

The corner of Noct’s mouth turned up in a half-hearted smile. His elbows resting on his knees, he shook his head. “It wasn’t.” Ignis cocked his head at him. “But I guess I’m responsible, anyway. Gladio found my planner, and I’d marked your birthday in it—just for my own purposes, not for…this.”

“Ah. I see.” Ignis sighed. “That’s certainly a relief.” He removed his glasses and wiped the lenses on the hem of his untucked dress shirt.

Noct looked up at him with surprise. “It is?”

“Indeed.” Ignis replaced his glasses on his face before drawing a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbing at the pink and red makeup blotching his skin. “I had hoped we might be spending the evening alone together when you brought me here. I never anticipated what I walked into.”

“They made me do it,” Noct grumbled. “I tried to explain you don’t like parties and you wouldn’t want this, but they got so caught up in making plans they didn’t listen to a word I said.”

Ignis chuckled. “It’s all right. At least I can say I’ve had an adventure.” He tucked the hanky away and sat quietly for a while. When Noct said nothing more, Ignis gently cleared his throat. “I’m glad you know me so well, Noct.”

“Of course I do. We’ve been…we’ve been friends for a long time.”

“Yes, we have.” Ignis paused before asking, “May I have my gift?”

“…Huh?”

Ignis leaned closer, nudging Noct’s shoulder with his own. “Prompto gave me an entire case of Ebony, so since we’re so close, your birthday gift to me had better be impressive.”

Noct almost cracked a smile, but he was too nervous. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. So instead he reached up, cupped Ignis’s face, and drew him in for a kiss.

The kiss didn’t last long, but it lingered for a few breathless moments. Ignis didn’t try to resist him, and his breath didn’t taste like alcohol, so the soft compliance of his lips was no mistake.

When Noct lowered his hands back to his own lap, he said, “There. That’s all I wanted to give you.”

Slowly Ignis smiled. He took hold of the boy’s hands tenderly. “And it’s the best gift I could have ever received.”

[moonlight-at-dawn]

8, 13, 18 and 23 otp question meme with noctluna

8. Nicknames? & if so, how did they originate?Other than Noct calling her Luna, he doesn’t really have any other nicknames for her. He does use pet names on occasion (honey, dear, etc) but only in private. He can be bad about remembering to say her full name in formal settings lol

She calls him “sleepyhead” far more than necessary, and also uses pet names in private. But more often than not, she just calls him Noctis.

13. Who reaches for the other’s hand first?Honestly? They’re that super sappy totally in-sync couple. They reach for each other at the same time. If one of them needs the other, they can see that and reach out to take their sad lover’s hand before they even know they needed it.But probably, it’s Noctis reaching for her at random the most... ^^

18. Who leaves little notes in the other’s one lunch? (Bonus: what does it usually say?)Luna leaves little notes around the office for him to find, especially if she has to leave for Oracle duties. She’ll leave little notes all around. ...All too often, Ignis will be opening up some law book for reference, a piece of paper will fall out, he picks it up, looks at it, “I think this is for you...” lolNoctis will write random entries in their notebook though, even when they’re together. Then she’ll open it one time when she’s away, to look back at memories or send him something new, and she’ll find these new notes that are often things about how she was a badass and impressed him that day or how much he loves her and was thinking of her so he wanted to write about it, and stuff like that, oh my god, could he be any more sappy? :D

23. Who comes up with cheesy pick up lines?Oh. Oh my god. Okay, buckle up, Noct got taken for a ride roflEarly enough on in their relationship, Noct is trying to think of ways to make sure she really knows how much he loves and appreciates her. He’s with Prompto and Gladio and Prompto jokingly suggests some cheesy pick up line. Something as predictable as “Are your legs tired? You’ve been running through my mind all day.”Noctis scoffs at it, but Gladio doesn’t let it drop. He keeps it going enough that he actually has Noct somewhat considering it out of confusion for how, well, serious he seems.

But he goes to Ignis first.

Prompto and Gladio never got to say a word to him, but he is right on that page with them. He encourages this. Noct thinks, well, Ignis wouldn’t lie about this like that, right? Ok. I guess it’s good, here we go.

And he tries it that night.

And oh my god she laughs. She laughs and laughs and laughs so hard she’s crying and can hardly breathe and he’s so offended (not by her, but by the betrayal of his friends lol)

When she can finally breathe after that very unexpected twist to the night, she showers him with kisses and teases him.

But it becomes a running thing. If one of them is feeling down, the other can say some really lame pick up line and it’ll get them laughing. So as terrible as it was for poor Noct, it became a precious in joke in their relationship :D

[xenoblade]

2 cents about FFXV

SOOO I cleared FF15 yesterday and I’ve been meaning to gush about it for a while now (except I can’t do that on twitter because spoilers)... I have so many things to say (good AND bad) about this game we’ve waited for 10 years so here we go!

(THIS IS VERY LONG AND VERBOSE READ AT UR OWN RISK)

Basically I can’t deny I DID enjoy my ride-- combat was good (if only a little flawed), characters were GREAT (PROMPTO ARGENTUM), the music was also great, dialogue was good... I started getting comfortable with the exploration after a while too, despite the fact I was kinda eh about it at first...

That was it. That’s my main problem with this game honestly, I’m not even mad about the plot, but rather how everything was handled, from the horrible storytelling to the fact that, starting chapter 9, the game is like A FRICKING ROLLERCOASTER RIDE TO THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH???

I mean. Starting from the Not-Venice Altissia chapter, everything you’ve known about the game changes dramatically??? No more open world, no more exploration, no more camping, NO MORE REGALIA. Even the combat system gets changed in the one-man Chapter 13 (which I didn’t mind as much as people said I would lmao)... Like. This is probably due to the staff changing so suddenly in a 10-year game development cycle but. THIS IS COMPLETELY NOT COOL ON A NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW??? Up until Altissia it was a four-man bro trip on the car and then. Shit happens. People die. It becomes a ride on a train till the very end (literally) and the tone of the game shifts completely-- which is not BAD in itself but just the way it was done. Honestly it felt really “god-we-gotta-speed-this-game-up-and-finish-it” to me lol

Such a shift isn’t Bad because in the end I REALLY enjoyed the 9-14 chapters way more than the beginning lol... I’m not saying the whole “bro trip” was bad or I didn’t like it, it’s just... to keep me going in a game I need a (good) narrative that keeps you going, that makes you want more... And honestly this was one of my main gripes about this game-- at the beginning it just up and throws at you the “GO GET UR BRIDE” and. That’s it. No story, no nothing. ???????????? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET INTO THIS

But okay, okay. I get it. They wanted an easy start so the characters would be comfortable and shit. But even after Regis died, I kinda... I expected the story to pick up, but instead it was “Oh cool, this shit happened. Whatever, let’s go back to our bro trip on our cool card” over and over again. AS IF THESE PEOPLE WEREN’T FUGITIVES????? I’M NOT ASKING FOR COMMON SENSE IN VIDEO GAMES, I’M JUST. some sense of narrative here, I DON’T KNOW

Characters... I loved the main cast, but there’s a lot to be said about the way ALL of them were handled :/ I’m not one of those people who complain because “boooo no women in the main cast!” because okay, that works! But the way Lunafreya was handled was so fucking awful to me, like. She barely appears every now and then (don’t give me the “but she supports noct from the shadoooows!” bs) and even her role as the Oracle was barely explained :/ I won’t bother to comment on the fact she always looks pretty-- pretty hair, pretty clothes, HEELS (that’s mighty smart to go fight Leviathan with heels but ok)-- and that reminds me of a trophy wife but since this game wants to be ~stylish~ I kinda get it... Kinda :/

The other big offender was Ravus. I know people like to rant about this, but??? He was supposed to be a great villain, but how can we be bothered to Care if he literally appears 3 times, then up and dies OFF SCREEN and comes back as a zombie who asks to die. Um. Okay? I don’t know how Tabata plans to “fix” this shit but ???

But IN GENERAL characters and worldbuilding were treated as shit-- Cor gets some, but Gentiana? who’s Shiva? Aranea??? What about the Six? THE FRICKIN NIFLHEIM EMPEROR????? How am I supposed to care about these characters if there’s more about DAVE THE HUNTER than about these supposedly important ones? Even the whole “empire” thing went to shit, all you get to know about it is that “they all became daemons”. Uh... Cool. No lore, no world building, NO NOTHING? 

And even the main party... I know Episodes Gladiolus/Ignis/Prompto are A Thing and I would understand if those were extras, stuff that added TO the story... But this is literally a plot hole and I honestly we shouldn’t have to pay to have stuff that wasn’t explained in the first place? Gladio just up and leaves mid-chapter (”I got stuff to do” what?????) and Prompto’s final revelation about his origins... That just comes out of nowhere and isn’t further explained??? “i was a lab experiment” “okay cool let’s go”

BUT I GOTTA SAY THE IGNIS EYESIGHT TWIST WAS COOL AND BOY IT WORKED AND I’M GLAD BECAUSE MORE GAMES SHOULDN’T BE AFRAID TO DO RISKY STUFF LIKE THIS

As I wrote, I enjoyed the final chapters a Lot more because the story actually picked up and Shit happened... The epilogue was good and so was the timeskip thing (although I wish they had given us the “world of ruin” sooner and that it served more of a purpose in the grand scheme of things)... The way it ends gives this game a nice closure and it ends with what worked the most in this game-- Noctis and his three boys.

I feel BAD because this could’ve been so much more (without having A SPIN OFF GAME, A CGI MOVIE, EXTRA DLC i mean) considering it had a 10-year development cycle but yeah... It’s far from being a 9.5 game (lol...) but it has Its Great Moments(tm)