#this is ARR but what if we made it bad xd

[charulein]

Right, I wanted to do like a liveblog of shadowbringers but honestly I kinda forgot

Anyways, it's looking worse by the minute lads

I have cleared the third lightwarden by now, and well, the story continues, does it not? Tbh the lightwardens just don't really do it for me, design-wise. The sin-eaters seem to be such a cool concept and then you blow it on the bosses, making them less than memorable...

Il Mheg was annoying, the dungeon was annoying, and Titania had the most annoying boss music I've ever heard. All in all, I didn't enjoy this at all, and with how the story was weaving by then, and how fake Minfilia correctly assumes that her presence hurts everybody around her because she's not Minfilia - I have an inkling that we won't be bringing Minfilia back, but that this fake one will prevail.

But that is not our decision to make now, is it?

Raktika went off with the music and the bunny guardians and the kinda aztec-y ruins of the Ronkan people, and thankfully the buns didn't bore one with all the history of their ppls and such - unlike the religious group Y'shtola chose to join. I never liked her much, and I believe that I never will. Then she threw herself off a cliff into the lifestream and not five minutes later she was back. Woo. Thanks for that Emet, great job.

Also, the idea of Hydaelin being a primal to destroy Zodiark...? Dunno, either they're both primals or neither are. And this very Ascian-biased story of the evil light? I'm not buying it - Hydaelin was probably summoned because Zodiark would have doomed the world or some shit - though, regrettably, I really don't care about this plot...

Then we see the black wolf and uhhh dragoon buddy talk, and zenos returning..............................................................................................

Then sin eaters attacked, people died, thancred was sad, emet talked too much etc. I'm REALLY hoping we'll bring back Minfilia now after fake minfilia finally saw reason, but I have a hunch we won't.

And so the snoozebringers speedrun continues...

[elizabethrobertajones]

Ignoring 'pinnacle' because I have a lot of Frog ships :P I think Frogmeric is a good example of what brings me to a wolship though because it got so teased to the point of Thancred straight up saying he thought Aymeric was in love with the WoL, and it's always fun to go "so what do we make of all this then?" and think about filling in the gaps of story we already have with canon wol happenings, and put in how Frog runs with it.

I thought it was interesting that the dinner date gets cut off and you end up yanked away back to duty which is just so tragic for what looked like a blooming love story with the character I *already* had a crush on (and like... this happened to everyone?? nah this was a cutscene only for me :P), but things spin on from that disaster to the point of sending you off to war in Stormblood and you never really get a chance to make it up to Aymeric in that whole part of the story... I thought it was probably for the best that she break his heart a little and tell him this was clearly not working out even if they were obviously pining for each other.

And then after Shadowbringers I was caught up to the story and downtime started to feel like downtime and events seemed to move much slower in the story too, AND Frog had a much more adventure-friendly partner in G'raha now. But like... also the stakes seemed different and better for relationships in general than zipping around the globe for war.

Then it didn't seem quite so weird at all to think that G'raha would be royally upset that she was so cruel to Aymeric after one bad dinner incident. So it was literally the idea of Frog and G'raha that made me think about Frog and Aymeric again just because I couldn't bear to disappoint G'raha by being mean to the most beloved elf who I thought was perfect in all respects except being stuck behind a desk :') I decided they'd done their trial by fire and seen it through some hard times and could give it a real go.

(I mean likewise, Frog thought G'raha was so annoying right up until the very last second in ARR so that was a reprieve there too XD I thought he was rather funny but he really hit romantic hero status only the moment Frog realised she was losing him. She did then instantly recognise him in ShB and played along very diligently.)

Another random WoLQotD/OC question

I thought I'd ask this while I worked on my other questions. :)

If you're a WoL x NPC shipper, what drew you to that ship and why? What makes that ship the pinnacle for you and your oc? Is it that you love the canon character you write them with, you find their dynamic interesting or something in between?

If you're not a WoL x NPC shipper, but you have a ship with another person, how did that come about? What makes that ship fulfilling for you? Has the ship impacted your relationship with that other person? Feel free to gush, I wanna hear it!

Oh, and pictures are a must (if you have them).

[theimperialnuisance]

FFXIV Write 2022 //ffxivwrite info//prompt list//character info//master post//

Prompt twenty-six: Break a leg | Theater slang: Good luck! | Word count: 665 Characters: Syren Ligeia, Bijou Myste (belonging to Tokki Yue) and Cailin Brume (belonging to circusredmage) Cw: None Notes: Adfskj I got so excited when I saw this one! You’re speaking my language now <3 I say this every day! Working in theater is my passion and quite literally what pays the bills XD this will loosely mention the ARR Hildabrand quest line but no major spoilers.

—-

The Eorzea Players present:

The Warrior of Light and the battle for the Mythril Cup!

Come see the Warrior of Light challenge her greatest foe yet! There will be drama, action, adventure, and above all, romance!

Tonight’s show: 7pm on the stage!

—-

“Her greatest challenge yet?” Syren raised an eyebrow as he re-read the flyer that was handed to him as he and the others entered the small outpost just outside of Ul’dah. He couldn’t help the snort of laughter escape as he handed the flyer back to Bijou and Cailin to look at.

“Oh! Do they not know that you’re the Warrior of Light?” Cailin asked curiously, her tail and ears twitching playfully. “I’ll go tell them they made a mistake!” She turned on her heel to go find the girl who gave them the flyer but Syren grabbed her arm lightly to hold her back.

“Let’s not.” He stated flatly. “If they want to believe Bijou over here is the Warrior of Light, let them.”

Bijou on the other hand was still staring at the flyer with wonder in her eyes, her smile growing wider by the second as her eyes flew over the words again. “That’s right!” She laughed, throwing her arms into the air enthusiastically. “I am the Warrior of Light! They made a play about me!”

Syren quickly lunged forward to cover her mouth with his hand. “Bijou! Not so loud!” He shot a glare at the few people who gave them looks as they passed, waving them away awkwardly.

“How accurate do you suppose it’ll be?” Cailin asked, finally released from her hold as Syren was too preoccupied keeping Bijou at bay. “Were any of these actors actually at the coliseum to witness it?”

“Who knows and who cares,” Syren said, finally removing his hand from Bijou’s mouth, who let out a dramatic breath of air. “We’re not sticking around to find out.”

“Aww, why not?” Bijou whined playfully. “It’ll be fun to see what they came up with and besides, I want to know who you’re supposed to be romancing.” She playfully bumped shoulders with the viera, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively. “And besides, we’ve got a day before we need to be anywhere so might as well relax and see the show tonight!” She leaned in closer to Syren, looking up with a pout. “Pleasseee?”

Syren scowled at her for several seconds before letting out a heavy sigh, knowing it was futile to even try to say no to her. “Fine.”

“Yay! I’ll go get us tickets!” And she was off. Syren rolled his eyes and made way for the Inn to secure them rooms for the night while Cailin followed behind, humming happily.

That evening, the three of them made their way down the path to the stage. Syren was surprised to see the audience was pretty much a full house and wondered just how good or how bad this play could be. As Cailin and Gimiq made their way to their seats, Bijou motioned for Syren to follow her to behind the stage.

Syren stared at her, raising a skeptic eyebrow. “What are we doing back here?”

Bijou smiled innocently at him. “So I overheard them saying they needed someone to fill the role of the Phantom thief cause their actor got sick at the last minute. So I thought since you didn’t want to see the play, you’d be in the play!”

Syren stared at her for several seconds of silence. “…Come again?” He finally managed to ask.

Bijou clapped her hands excitedly. “You’ll be the notorious phatom theif for tonight’s performance!”

Silence. And then…

“WHAT?!” Syren groaned but didn’t have much of a chance to react as Bijou pushed him toward the people who had been waiting patiently to put him in a costume and makeup. “I refuse! Absolutely not!”

“Too late!” Bijou giggled as she waved him away. “I already said you happily accepted! Break a leg, O Warrior of Light!”

Syren groaned.

[autumnslance]

Lmao I got three I'm particularly curious about for you on the character meme. Thancred, Lahabrea, Igeyorhm. XD Feel free to do as many or as few as you'd like of course!

You asked for it. We’ll start with That Damned Rogue. The Ascians will be below.

This of course got long, so behind a cut it goes:

Thancred

First impression: I started in Gridania and took like 2 years to finish ARR 2.0, was already spoiled on the possession angle (I spoiled myself, no big), and had just @erickgage‘s affectionate joking summary of Thancred being the guy who shows up 5 minutes late with Starbucks to all the early battles. So I didn’t really get to meet the guy ‘til the Waking Sands.

And honestly, he was stereotypical generic bland anime prettyboy competent guy. His 1.0/ARR model is…just sorta there. He was a flirt, also generic as heck. Really didn’t register too much, until I finished 2.0 finally and then went hard on the MSQ through the patches and into HW and StB 4.0, when I finally caught up to content.

Impression now: Godsdammit.

My first replay through the game was on PunchyCat, starting in Ul’dah, which meant I got to meet Thancred much earlier. I was immediately amused by his nickname for Nanamo, and Papashan’s assessment of the witty Archon. I was more into the lore, getting the first lorebook and reading the short stories on the main site, and playing through all at once instead of piecemeal over months/years made things make more sense. Thancred hits a lot of tropes I commonly like in a lot of characters, so he jumped up to being a favorite.

Gunbreaker suits him as a tank job (thank goodness he can stop trying to tank warmachina as a rogue, ffs Thancred), and tanking in general suits him when it comes to fighting for those he cares about.

I’m interested in the ShB story mentioning why he wears white in all his gear iterations; I’d previously made a post about his color choices and that aspect of character design, but having a lore explanation for his affinity for that color was interesting. I didn’t think his HW model suited him, honestly; way too rough mountain man hobo. His model in ShB is closer to his ARR model, but different enough, and imbued now with actual character, that he’s a bit more visually interesting and while still pretty typical handsome anime protagonist in appearance; his true personality just comes through a lot more.

I’m still forever mad about the unintentional character ‘ship with Aeryn, tho. It took a 3rd playthrough for it to happen.

For myself, mind, when I got into playing and learned his canonical age, it was at the time the same difference between myself and my younger brother. My assessment of the Scion “family” with Thancred being the middle child (esp his behavior pre-HW) maybe helps that. I’m getting to a point, really, where I look at the characters under 35 and think “OMG disaster children, all of you.”

Favorite moment: Oh goodness. There’s some good ones.

‘How was I supposed to know all my girlfriends would track me down and show up at HQ all at the same time: a master class in how to not to deal with multiple paramours by Archon T. Waters.’

His dramatic reappearance and duel with Ardbert in HW 3.1.

Taking out his frustrations by soloing the Coerthas cyclops boss so we can get on with the Tournament and fight Raubahn. (Side Bonus: pre-tournament when he jokes about fighting for the other team to even up the odds, and then: “It looks to be a veritable who’s who of the Eorzean Alliance. The only question is: who came to watch and who came to fight? Hmm…Nanamo. Definitely Nanamo.”)

Making sure Urianger knew he was still part of the team post-Soul Surrender climax.

“All right, which one of you triggered the obvious trap?” Also learning he can hold his breath for 10 freaking minutes–but still gets to be jealous of the WoL, Lyse, and Alisaie for their kojin blessing.

That dramatic teamwork with Urianger to knock Ran’jit down the pit in Rak’tika.

That frickin’ Trolley duty and it’s aftermath with the completed checklist of anime death markers and then just sitting there battered and bleeding and smiling and then giving Ryne a name and a headpat and “You’re family.” Bastard.

Idea for a story: Have you seen my Ao3 account? *grumbles*

Unpopular opinion: While he likely used drinking as a bad coping mechanism at times in ARR’s patches, I doubt he ever really went to blackout, as losing control to that extent, after having been controlled and probably losing a lot of time while possessed, would be awful. We see him drink a few times, but I don’t think he is/was an alcoholic.

I also agree with @ahlis-xiv that his flirtatious persona was mostly adopted. While he probably does have a healthy libido and enjoys time with paramours (that Urianger keeps a handy list of), there’s a lot that’s likely exaggerated, allowed to be assumed, and otherwise used as a cover, given his specializations. It’s also noteworthy how he’s mostly acting the same even after being lost in the wilderness, right up until our foray into the Antitower. The wit/humor gets toned down a lot, but the flirting is cut out entirely after that. He still charms some ladies in the First, based on incidental dialogue, but that seems a general reaction to him being a handsome hero type rather than any intentional flirtatious act on his part.

Favorite relationship: Thancred and little sister types. I do wish we’d seen more of his relationship with Minfilia outside of informed moments and the short stories. I feel like he has a semi-older-brother relationship with Lyse, too, given their antics in the 2.0 patches (particularly the “Hoary’s fighting the WoL, come watch!” and Thancred not even considering how one of his girlfriends would see him sending Lyse to retrieve an item until after and going “oh yeah, whoops”). And now there’s Ryne, and she is totally running things if you watch their background conversations/body language. But that’s kind of where Thancred likes it; find a girl who needs a protective older brother and do what she asks and whatever she needs.

I do have a special place in my heart for the expanded broship with Urianger that Shadowbringers gave us, though. I’ve already spoken on that one.

Favorite headcanon: Everything people assume about how he spoils the nutkin. And really, focusing on taking care of and doting on a pet would be good therapy. Goodness knows he needs it.

Also I assume he and Hilda hooked up at least once during the HW patches. Part of that expectation and cover, sure, to immediately flirt with the pretty, tough, half-elezen guard captain. But also, he spent however long mostly alone, and then only with the Vath and a nutkin for company; the guy was probably touch-starved and lonely and just needing a connection to another person he could relate to (that wasn’t a bug).

Otherwise, again, have you seen my Ao3? Ugh. Damned snarky smart rogues…

————

Lahabrea

First impression: Laughing Organization XIII-wannabe is obvious villain. Wonder what their deal is.

Impression now: So much lost/wasted potential thanks to being stuck as the ARR villain when it was so hastily rewritten and acted, and so little was decided on the Ascians and their motivations yet. A lot of what we learn now retroactively makes him more interesting. The fact he was a workaholic who looked at the workaholic Scion and went “ah yes; that one will do, perfect” makes me laugh.

Favorite moment: I like his interactions with Elidibus. And I am actually fairly fond of his theatrical reveal in Praetorium about the Ultima Weapon, the Heart of Sabik, and casting Ultima.

Idea for a story: Maybe stuff while he’s possessing Thancred. Maybe stuff between then and the Reactor. I dunno; I’ve been enjoying a lot of others’ stories about our first Ascian antagonist.

Unpopular opinion: Dunno if this is unpopular, but some of the retroactive information is to excuse why he seemed so much less powerful than other, later Ascians, but I do think the Speaker could be quite devious and powerful, if he had better writing around him. He suffers for being from ARR.

Favorite relationship: I am not ashamed to admit I am a Lahabrea/Igeyorhm shipper and Hades Ex seems to agree with me so there.

Favorite headcanon: The Speaker likely also had a good singing voice. Another thing good about possessing a man whose primary cover was a bard–excuses to indulge that.

————

Igeyorhm

First impression: Wannabe-Organization XIII also hires women, cool. Wonder if she’ll get to do anything?

Impression now: I’m sad so much got cut from HW; as great as it was, a lot got left on the editing room floor and it shows in spots–particularly where the Ascians connect with the plot. We learn much about her retroactively as well, including how she worked for/with Lahabrea thanks to being the one to wreck the Thirteenth, and change Ascian policy on how to bring about Rejoinings. I still wanna know more about her.

Favorite moment: You beat the whale, good job–thanks, that’s my key now. It’s such a perfect dick move. Excellent timing and taunting. 

Idea for a story: Maybe some of her inner thoughts working for/with Lahabrea. She was a raised up shard, so does that mean they found the scattered pieces of her original soul and force-merged them? I doubt it, since Emet-Selch mentions raising up those who are a piece of the previous office holder, but I wonder if it came with imbuing the new title-holder with some of those memories and knowledge. Perhaps she wonders if some of her interactions/feelings/whatever with Lahabrea are her own, or her tapping into her previous life’s memories. Something to think about, anyway.

Unpopular opinion: I dunno, she shoulda gotten to stick around longer? Or been allowed to do a lot more? Should have been much more of a presence in HW, but I don’t think that’s unpopular so much as unconsidered.

Favorite relationship: Lahabrea is really the only one she gets significant interactions with. Though I wonder about her interactions with the other few women in the Ascians.

Favorite headcanon: See above with the story ideas, really; she didn’t get a lot of time onscreen so there’s a lot of room to make things up, and retroactive info from ShB to make her more interesting, or at least her situation as an upraised Ascian.

[sassycassie-s-writing]

The Prince’s Birthday Ball

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): Final Fantasy XV/Prompto Argentum

Rating: PG/K+

Original Idea: Classic Trope!

Notes: (Masterlist)(By Character)(About Me) This one is 3,300 words... that’s longer than I intended... XD

^^^^^

“Rory, emergency!” Prompto exclaimed the moment I picked up the phone.

“What’s up, Prom?”

“Do you still have that pretty silver dress you wore to high school formal?”

“Yeah…”

“How fast can you be fancied up for a formal event?”

“Well, depending on how fancy, anywhere between a half-hour to two hours. Why? What’s going on Prompto?”

“I was supposed to be on guard duty for the prince’s twentieth-birthday gala—‘cause I joined the Crownsguard, remember?—but Noct just called and said I’d been removed from guard duty so I could go as a guest instead because I'm his friend from school. But I have to bring a date.”

I blinked. Prompto and I had been friends since we were in elementary school. Sometimes I’d joined him on his runs. I went from being able to lap him to being lapped by him in a very short span of time. When he became friends with Noctis, I did too by proxy. Sometimes the three of us hung out at Prompto’s place together because his parents were never home.

“Prom, Noct already invited me to the gala. Like three months ago. You were there. I said I didn’t want to go because it’s not my crowd.”

“I knooow but pleeease, Rory? You don’t have to stay too long. As a special favor to me. And to make it up to you I will get you ice cream or something tomorrow. Please, Aurora? Please, please, please?”

I sighed, pushing the left side of my sliding closet door to the right to find my formal gown. “Fine. But you owe me big time.”

“Yes I do! I’ll come get you in like an hour!”

“Okay.”

“Bye!”

“Bye Prompto.” I hung up and stripped my casual clothes off. “MOM! I'm going to Noct’s birthday ball after all! Prompto basically just begged me to go!” I shouted, changing from my comfy weekend bra to my nice fancy bra.

My mom appeared at my bedroom door as I shimmied into my gown. “Sweetheart if you’re going to the prince’s ball, you can’t wear a high school formal dress.”

“Uh… why?”

“It’s a bit hokey and juvenile. But I have just the thing. Brush out your hair and get started on your makeup. I’ll be right back.” Mom left—heading for the attic.

“Uh… okay,” I said, getting out of my silver gown and into my bathrobe. I brushed out my hair and dug my makeup bag out of my dresser, heading into the bathroom for the better lighting and the magnifier mirror.

Mom reappeared, holding something out. “Your sister wore this to her friend’s wedding when she was studying in Altissia.”

“My heck. It’s gorgeous.”

“I know. Put it on. She won’t mind if you wear it for a night. I don’t think she even fits in it anymore. I think she got too tall in the torso.”

I shed my bathrobe and slid into the gown. It fit me perfectly. The satin was smooth against my skin. “Wow. Thanks Mom. I’ll be sure to thank Cilla later too.”

“Are you wearing your silver heels?”

“I was planning on my black ones when I was wearing the silver dress but now I'm planning on the silver ones.”

“Good. Let’s get out the curlers.”

“Mom, we don’t have time for curlers. Prompto is coming to get me in an hour!”

“Well then, let’s bust out the curling iron. Your ends need to at least be curled under.”

“Okay,” I said.

Getting ready was a whirlwind. Hair, makeup, jewelry, heels. I was buckling my left shoe when the doorbell rang. I couldn’t get up to get it, but I heard Mom open the door.

“Aurora! Prompto’s here!” Mom shouted from downstairs.

“Coming! Just putting on my other shoe!” I called. I slowly got back to my feet so I wouldn’t tear the dress and headed for the stairs.

^^^^^

Prompto stared. Aurora had been beautiful at high school formal their last year. He remembered seeing her in the silver gown, shimmering like the ocean in moonlight and beaming behind dark-painted lips.

That was nothing compared to this.

The gown she wore was holographic satin, shifting between blue and green and purple. It flowed around her legs and had cap sleeves and a high but somewhat wide collar. The bodice was lightly embroidered with silver threads and star-shaped rhinestones. Her lips were a dark purplish pink and her eyelashes were long, thick, and painted black. The ends of her hair were curled underneath, with sections above her ears twisted back to hold her hair away from her face, clipped in place by a beautiful, ornate silver barrette with blue, green, and purple stones set in it.

A blue star rhinestone was glued to the corner of her right eye. She wore a silver star on her necklace—the same necklace she always wore—and tiny diamond stud earrings. He caught a glimpse of elegant silver heels under her gown as she came down the stairs. There was a smile on her face—but it quickly dropped as he stared.

“Prompto please say something,” she said.

“You look stunning,” he said.

Well, not said so much as barely managed to whisper because he was speechless.

Under her rouge, she blushed. The light pink spread to her ears. “Thanks. Not too bad for an hour of warning, eh?” she joked.

“No. Not too bad at all. Really good. Incredible, actually,” he rambled.

Mrs. Aubade—Mama Aubade, as Prompto had called her since he was ten—ushered the two of them together for a picture. “Mom,” Aurora complained. “This isn’t a high school dance!”

“No, it’s even more important and you both look so beautiful and handsome!” Mama Aubade said. “Now smile, Rory.”

Aurora’s smile had always been breathtaking to Prompto. Even when they were kids and she had a mish-mash of baby teeth and “grownup” teeth all crowding together. After she got her braces off in high school Prompto couldn’t help but be floored every time she beamed. She smiled with little reserve. Sometimes, when she was particularly elated, or just laughing, her lower lip would curl down and she’d smile with her bottom teeth exposed too.

When she smiled for the picture, Prompto wished he could have looked. But instead he focused on the camera. “You’ll have to send that to me, Mama Aubade,” he said.

“Of course, sweetie,” Aurora’s mom said. “Now get goin’. You don’t want to be late!”

“We will. Love you Mom!” Aurora said, already fumbling for the front doorknob.

“Baby, don’t forget this!” Her mother handed her a small turquoise clutch bag with a thin strap on it to wear as a purse. “Phone. Lipstick. Compact mirror. Tissues. Call if anything goes wrong. Or if you get lost.”

“Mom. I'm twenty and it’s a royal gala. This isn’t an awkward first date!” Aurora took the clutch from her mom—and Prompto’s hand. “Love you. Don’t wait up. We shouldn’t be too late!” She pulled Prompto out of the house. He yelped in surprise and waved to her mom as Aurora shut the door. “Sorry about that. You know Mom.”

“I thought it was fine,” he said. Awkwardly, he offered her his elbow. She took it, holding the bend so he could help her down the front porch stairs in her heels. She’d been wearing heels to special occasions since she was seventeen—he knew by now she had a hard time going down stairs in heels. She could sprint upstairs in them no problem but down was too difficult. “You really do look amazing,” he added. And I’ve had a crush on you since we were twelve. Six help me.

She beamed at him, and Prompto felt like the evening was suddenly noon for all her brightness.

He’d seen her darker than a storm cloud before, but she had starlight in her eyes and smiled like the moon.

^^^^^

“You look really handsome too, by the way. That bowtie really brings out your eyes,” I said as Prompto got the door to the car for me. He smiled, circled the car, and climbed in. Usually I was nervous about how he drove, but tonight I was confident he’d do just fine.

“Don’t you remember? You gave me the tie,” he said, adjusting it as he started the car. It was a deep indigo silk bowtie that really made the violet tint to his blue eyes pop out. He pulled away from my house and headed for the Citadel. “When we were in high school.”

“No, yeah, I remember,” I said with a smile. “But I haven’t seen you wear it in forever.”

“Well… not a lotta reasons to wear bowties in my life,” he remarked. His hands were clenching and unclenching on the steering wheel.

“Nervous, Prom?”

“Uh… to be honest, yeah. Never been to a gala as a guest before. I’ve played guard duty at a few, but I’ve never been as a guest.”

I reached over and patted his shoulder. “It’s gonna be fine. Promise. You’ve got me! Mom has me properly trained in etiquette and all that outdated junk.”

Prompto laughed—a single loud “HA!”—and then shrunk against the driver’s seat. “Sorry. That was just really funny,” he apologized, shooting me a quick glance as we passed under a streetlight. “Man. You look like the northern lights tonight.”

My ears and neck grew warm. “Thanks,” I said.

Underneath his suit jacket and shirt, I caught sight of a plain black satin ribbon wrapped around his right wrist. I knew he was hiding something under it. He never left his right wrist exposed. Not even to go swimming. Even when he wore long sleeves he had something wrapped over it. I’d asked him about it a couple times, but he always shot the conversation right down so I’d given up.

“I hope you’re a better dancer than me, by the way,” he said, distracting me from my thoughts.

I laughed. “Prompto Argentum, I’ve been in ballroom classes since I was twelve, remember?”

He chuckled, but the sound was breathy and embarrassed. “I do remember. I remember you trying to teach me and me bruising your foot from how many times I stepped on you.”

“Well, tonight will go better. I'm not barefoot so it won’t do as much damage,” I teased. “’Sides, you’re more coordinated now. Right, big bad Crownsguard boy?” I couldn’t help but giggle. Mutual teasing had always been part of our friendship.

He snorted. “Right,” he agreed, traces of sarcasm flavoring his tone.

The drive to the Citadel felt pretty short when we filled it with talking. We laughed a lot too. Once we arrived, I checked my lipstick in the car’s mirror. I’d meant it to take just a second, but I’d smeared the corner a little and had to slightly fix it with a tissue. In that moment, Prompto came around and got my door for me. “Prom you don’t have to get the door when I'm getting out,” I sighed.

“Uh, sure I do. Don’t I?”

“Well technically yeah, but waiting in the car is so weird.”

“My lady,” Prompto said as I took his offered hand and let him help me climb out.

“You’re a dork,” I replied with a smile. He smiled back and looped my hand through his arm

where he was still holding it. He escorted me inside.

“Guys! So glad you made it!” Noctis exclaimed, weaving through the crowd to reach us when we entered the ballroom. “Seriously. Some duke’s been talking politics to me for like five minutes and he’s so boring he’s putting himself to sleep.”

I snorted, hiding behind my hand. “Sorry,” I said.

Noctis took a moment to take everything in about us. “Wow you guys look good together!”

Prompto turned red under his freckles. “Thanks,” he squeaked.

“Rory, you gotta show Ignis how spectacular you look. He’ll be über impressed.” Noctis gave me a sarcastic look. I snickered and let him lead us through the people to where Ignis was. I’d met Noctis’ retainer a couple times—usually when he was picking up Noctis from Prompto’s place when we’d hang out—and got the feeling that he was a piece of cardboard taped to a broom who occasionally made facial expressions.

Tonight seemed like a night when Ignis’s cardboard face didn’t want to move much.

“Hey Iggy! You remember Rory right?” Noctis asked.

“Miss Aubade and I have met on several occasions, yes,” Ignis said.

“Look at her dress! Look how awesome it is!” Noctis exclaimed—in his rather subdued way.

“Indeed. Altissian craftsmanship, I presume?”

“Uh… I think,” I said. “It was my sister’s. She wore it to a wedding in Altissia.”

Ignis definitely wasn’t as impressed as Noctis seemed to think he’d be. I wasn’t upset about it though because Ignis was Noctis’ friend, not mine. “I see. It’s lovely,” Ignis said, slightly deadpan.

Noctis glanced at me and Prompto and rolled his eyes.

Prompto tugged on my hand. “Hey Rory, may I have this dance?”

We both looked at Noctis. “Do you mind if we slip away for a minute?” I asked.

He waved us off. “Not at all. Have fun,” he said.

Prompto and I both giggled and rushed to the dancefloor.

^^^^^

“Look at ‘em, Iggy. They’ve been basically dating since we were sixteen and they’re literally the only two people on the planet who don’t realize it,” Noctis said.

Ignis grunted in agreement and took a sip of whatever was in the fancy flutes being passed around that no one would let Noctis touch until his next birthday. Ignis wasn’t terribly invested in Noctis’ school friends when there was work he could be catching up on.

Still, his interest was piqued when he saw the girl in the northern lights gown teaching Prompto to dance—where to put his hands and how to do the steps. “You didn’t mention she actually knows how to dance,” Ignis remarked.

“Oh yeah she’s been in ballroom classes since before I really met her,” Noctis said. “That important for any reason?”

“No. Just curiosity.”

Noctis blinked. “Did you think they were going to embarrass me because they’re from commoner households?”

“I didn’t have any preconceived notions about their behavior tonight. Prompto is part of the Crownsguard now. He’s attended these before and knows the protocols—or should. And I was unaware that Miss Aubade was coming.”

“Yeah, well, I told Prompto he needed to bring a date and I knew that his first call would be to Rory. He always goes to her in a crisis.” Noctis snickered.

^^^^^

“There you go. You got it. Waltz isn’t too hard, see?” I asked.

Prompto chuckled, breathy and awkward. “Uh-huh. Uh, yeah,” he said. “If you just ignore the fact that I’ve already stepped on your feet three times.”

His breathing was getting a little heavy and we hadn’t danced that hard. I knew what that meant. The anxiety was kicking in.

I let go of his shoulder, and dropped our hands, but kept mine in his. “You look like you need some air. Come on,” I said, tugging him away from the ballroom and out onto the balcony. He leaned against the railing. I copied his position and nudged him in the arm with my shoulder. “You did great, Prom. I'm proud of you.”

He snorted derisively. “How could you be? I'm a screw-up in a place like this.”

“No you’re not. I guarantee if I went into that ballroom right now and asked Noctis for a dance, he’d be even worse. And he’s the prince. Your ability to dance doesn’t determine whether or not you’re a screw-up.”

“She’s right by the way,” Noctis’ voice remarked from the entrance to the balcony. “I suck at dancing.” He gave us a wink with some finger guns and retreated back into the party.

Noctis’ birthday was in August, but that didn’t stop a chill breeze from blowing since it was after dark. I shivered, wishing I’d brought the shawl that went with my silver gown—a black thing that looked classy and elegant and kept me warm.

“Here,” Prompto said, noticing my shiver. He slid out of his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, tugging it at the front to secure it around me. I could smell his cologne clinging to the fabric and feel his heat lingering with it.

“Thanks,” I said with a grin. My ears grew warm. I wondered why. Why was I getting a little blushy over something he’d done five hundred times?

It wasn’t rare for him to lend me his jacket. I was always colder than he was and he didn’t like sleeves anyway.

He nodded. “Y-yeah.” Quickly he turned to look out over the balcony. The moon was rising, casting its pale light on Prompto, making his freckles almost sparkle and shine against his pale skin. “Beautiful night,” he said, shooting me a quick look. He rested his hands on the balcony. I glanced at the black ribbon around his right wrist. Shaking my head, I concentrated on the sky above us.

“Yeah. Thank you for inviting me, Prompto. I know I didn’t want to come but… any excuse to hang out with you is a good one.”

“You… you think so?”

“Of course! You’re my best friend. One of my only friends, really. There’s you and Noct and that’s kinda it.” I shrugged and pulled his jacket more securely around me, absorbing his leftover body heat.

“Oh. Well. Thanks. And thanks for coming.”

I smiled. “My pleasure.”

Impulsively, I set my hand on top of his on the railing. My pinky pushed his white sleeve up a little to expose the black ribbon better.

“Prom… when are you going to trust me with what’s under this?”

“I’m not… hiding it from you. I'm hiding it from… from me,” he admitted.

“Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad,” I reasoned.

He scoffed. “What makes you say that?”

I curled my fingers around his and smiled up at him. “Because it’s you. And you’re the nicest, sweetest, funniest person I know. So anything you’re hiding can’t be that bad because it’s part of you.” I turned so that I was facing him. “Even if it is something bad, that doesn’t change who you are. You’re still Prompto.” My Prompto, I added silently.

The thought pulled me up short. Since when did I think of him as my Prompto? I mean, sure he was my best friend but that didn’t make him mine.

He gave me a smile. The lighting made his eyes more purple than they’d ever been before.

“Thanks. That means a lot to me.”

Were we standing this close before? Or was I only just realizing that he was so close I could almost brush his torso? I swallowed. I was pretty sure we hadn’t been standing quite this near a few seconds ago. I could see the glitter of the New Wall and the stars beyond it reflected in Prompto’s eyes.

“Prompto…”

“Aurora… I—”

We cut each other off in the same moment, closing the distance between us. My arms wrapped around his neck and his arms snared my waist, pulling me flush against his torso. I took a deep breath. His jacket slid off my shoulders when I lifted my arms and landed at my feet.

After a moment, we broke apart. “I—did we just…?” I stammered, trying to figure out what was running through my mind. My thoughts were spinning too fast for me to make sense of.

“We did,” he confirmed.

“Oh good.” I pushed slightly closer into his arms. He bent down and met me with enthusiasm.

^^^^^

“Finally,” Noctis hissed to Gladio and Ignis. Gladio was snickering and Ignis looked bored. “I’ve been waiting for this for years!”

[caseyweston182-blog]

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