Aria dusted the sword rack for the fifth time that morning. She'd cleaned nearly every inch of the shop in her effort to find an outlet for her nervous energy in the hours before Ignis would show up and tell her what was so important. The customers had been few and far between, mostly regulars who wanted to talk about the upcoming treaty rather than buy anything. It didn't surprise her; this was the biggest news in Insomnia, and everyone had something to say about it.

For her part, she wasn't sure how to feel. Ceding all the lands outside the city to Niflheim... she had friends out there. Her whole job was based on being out of the city. But at the same time, the war had claimed countless lives, and to see it end... She tossed the dust cloth aside and rubbed her forehead. "Politics are dumb."

"But necessary," her mother answered from behind the counter. Sabine had been occupying her time by polishing and sharpening Aria's battle swords. Aria knew it gave her mother comfort to know the weapons, once belonging to her father, were in top condition to aid her in battle. The level to which she was caring for them today told Aria that Sabine was just as unsure of the treaty as she was. Still, the elder woman didn't show it, instead smiling at her daughter. "Isn't Ignis coming to see you today? Why don't you get ready?"

Aria waved off the concern. "Don't think he cares about a bit of dust on my clothes, Mom. I'm ready now."

The bell over the door jingled. "Well, that's good to hear." Ignis smiled as Aria turned to face him.

"Were you just waiting for me to cue you in or what?" she asked, a wry smirk on her lips.

He almost looked affronted. "No, I only just arrived." He turned to her mother, ever the gentleman. "Mrs. Victoris, might I have the pleasure of your daughter's company for a while?"

Sabine smiled. "Of course, Ignis. Not like I could stop her even if I wanted to."

"Oh c'mon, I listen to you. Sometimes." Aria grinned at her mother before sidling over to Ignis. "So, you said you'd explain."

"Of course." With a last nod to Sabine, he led Aria out of the shop and to the car, opening the door for her as usual before circling around to get into the driver's seat.

As he started the car and pulled from the parking lot, she studied his face. He was as hard to read as ever, but she could still tell something was up. Something personal.

The drive was silent, and she let it be. She watched out the window as the landscape of Insomnia passed them by. Skyscrapers, little nook shops, the cafe they spent so much time in...

When he pulled into the lot for one of Insomnia's larger parks, she followed him out of the car and across the grass to a little deck that overlooked a man-made pond. They were mostly alone, a few kids were feeding grapes to the pond's ducks on the other side, but no one was near them. And finally, one hand on the railing of the deck, Ignis spoke. "I'll be leaving the city for a while."

She blinked. Not how she'd expected this conversation to start. "Why's that?"

Ignis turned to her, his expression business like, though there was something in his eyes that belied the look. "As you know, a tenet of the treaty is that the prince is to marry Lady Lunafreya. His Majesty has decided that the wedding should be held in Altissia, and has asked that I, along with Gladio and Prompto, escort Noct there to meet his bride."

"... Okay." She stood next to him, leaning against the railing. "Why Altissia, though? If the treaty's gonna be signed here, why not have the wedding here too?" She had to assume that the marriage would mean the Oracle would probably be living in Insomnia when not on her travels, after all. But Ignis only shook his head.

"The king didn't say. I also don't know how long we'll be gone, but..." He paused, gaze sliding away from her as one gloved hand rose to brush through his hair, stopping at his neck to scratch.

"... But?" she pressed when he didn't continue.

His hand returned to his side. "But I wanted to talk to you before we left tomorrow. I wanted to... see where we stand."

"In a park," she quipped, though immediately grimaced when she saw the frown that crossed his face. Not the time for jokes, then. She shrugged, looking out at the water. "Well... I don't know, Ignis. You've got a duty to attend to, but... y'know, when it's done..." She shrugged again. "I'm not really going anywhere."

That brought a smile to his face. "I suppose not." He followed her gaze out across the pond. "I won't pretend this trip will be easy, but I'll do all I can to see this treaty fulfilled."

She watched him from the corner of her eye. His face perfectly combined apprehension and determination, now, and she wondered if he knew how obvious he was being. Or how handsome, because damn, the way the noon sun hit him was just gorgeous.

And this would be his first time out of Insomnia? Now she frowned. Ceasefire or not, the lands outside the city weren't exactly safe. She had the scars to prove it. Pulling away from the railing, she turned to him and stepped close to his side, wrapping her arms around his waist. She felt him stiffen, but didn't let him go. "Y'know... I know you Crownsguard are taught to protect the prince above all else, but... make sure to take care of yourself too, okay?" One man in her life dying far away for a noble cause was quite enough for her.

Ignis stayed still for a few seconds, and she wondered if she'd overstepped the boundaries. But just as she was about to let him go, he moved, his arms rising to encircle her, one hand against the back of her head to cradle her to his chest. "I've no intention to do otherwise," he murmured against her hair.

She drew back just slightly and tilted her head up at him. He leaned down in response, and their lips brushed in the most chaste of kisses. When he smiled at her, she couldn't help smiling back, leaning into his chest once again and squeezing her arms around him. "Good. 'Cause if you die out there, I'll kill you myself."