~Five years before~
The smell. The smell is horrid. God-awful. Disgusting. I don't know how anyone can breathe this in without gagging. I personally feel sick to my stomach. Ignis's nose is crinkled the tiniest bit in disgust. If this is Noctis's idea of a joke, it's not funny. But he's grinning, and so's his blonde friend. Pronto was it?
"Noct, this is great!" he cries, jumping around and shaking his friend excitedly.
"Let it be said that…" Ignis starts.
"The smell of wet chocobos is aboslutely disgusting," I finish, grimacing.
"Hey, chocobos aren't disgusting," the blonde snaps back. Noctis pushes his friend off him.
"Ignore her, Prompto. She's always in a bad mood." Nope. It's Prompto. Not Pronto. Got it.
"I wouldn't be in a bad mood if I didn't have to be here. Where's that Gladio guy?"
"Sick," Ignis replies, straightening his glasses. "Though he refuses to admit it."
"Pneumonia," Noctis nods. "He kept going out in the rain like a stubborn idiot." Half-smiling, he turns to Prompto. "But Cor didn't bring these all the way out here for us to stare at 'em." Prompto cheers, pumping a fist into the air.
"Let's go!"
"Don't scare them," I huff, following after the two. "Ignis, permission to kill them both."
"Only if necessary."
"Well frick." I reach out to touch the slick feathers of the giant bird to my right. It squawks loudly, stomping on my foot. "GODDA…"
"Language, Rayne."
"SHUT UP, IGNIS!"
"Maybe if you were nicer to it…" Prompto's voice trails off. He clears his throat. "So your name's Rayne? Like, rain falling from the sky?" He laughs nervously when I shoot him a dirty look, quickly hopping onto the back of his bird.
"Yeah, haven't heard that one before," I grumble.
"C'mon, love birds," Noctis calls to us, already waiting at the gate of the courtyard. Ignis's chocobo trots up behind his. The advisor looks back at us expectantly.
"Perhaps another time, Rayne," he calls to me.
"What, it doesn't fit into today's schedule?" I shout back, hopping onto my chocobo and steering the uneasy animal toward the rest of the group. "If anything, it'll clear it up."
"Someone has to clear the evidence," he replies smoothly. Prompto looks between us uncomfortably.
"Noct, what're they...?"
"Don't worry about it," the prince chuckles, motioning toward the gate. "Let's go."
They slip through the gate one by one, leaving only me while they wait. But my chocobo won't budge, stubbornly shuffling every time I dig my heels into its side or snap at its reigns. Prompto snickers as I groan in frustration. "Are you freaking kidding me?" I grit, trying harder. The bird squawks loudly, shaking its feathers while I cling to its neck. Noctis hides his laugh, Ignis suppressing a smile. "How hard is it," I grumble, digging my heels in harder. "To move your #$ out the door!?"
"Pretty hard when you're yelling at him like that," Prompto points out. I glare at him; he smiles sheepishly.
"Perhaps you should try being kinder," Ignis suggests. I take a deep breath leaning down to whisper by the chocobo's face.
"Okay, look. We've just gotta get through here and then you're home free. So let's just…"
The bird rears up, throwing me off its back into the mud. Oh you've gotta be joking. The bird sprints past me, blasting me with even more liquid dirt and skidding to a stop in the stable. I hear laughter erupting from the other side of the gate, Noctis and Prompto cracking up at my muddy face and clothes. Huffing, I sit up and scowl at them, wringing the water out of my ponytail. Well, my hair used to be blonde.
"Ignis, please, I really need…"
"No, Rayne," he says through his amused expression. "Not today."
"Dear Shiva, kill me," I grumble, hopping the fence and approaching the group of birds.
"You just staying behind then?" Noctis asks, watching me walk toward them. "You won't be able to keep up on foot."
"Oh I know," I answer innocently. Prompto shifts uncomfortably when I smile at him sweetly. "I'll just…" He doesn't have time to move his chocobo before I hop on the back of the saddle, settling myself against the kid's back quite comfortably. I laugh at the squelching noise the mud makes when I tightly wrap my arms around his waist. "Aren't you having so much fun, Pronto?"
"Prompto," he corrects weakly. Noctis laughs again, Ignis smiling.
"Shall we?" I motion toward the small area designated to riding the birds. We start moving slowly, Prompto grimacing when I reach up and rub some dirt into his blonde hair. "So, Prompto, what's your favorite color?"
I slide out of Gladio's side this time because Noct takes a bit too long to stand. I can't blame him. While I relieved that at least half of my remaining family is alive, I can't help but feel a sickening worry over the other. That, and the images of Insomnia keep coming back. Destroyed. Demolished. Reduced to nothing but a pile of rubble and dead bodies.
"Hey," Gladio says, waving to Cindy. She waves back with a half-hearted smile.
"Glad y'all made it." Prompto laughs nervously when she turns her gaze to him. "No weather for drivin', that's for sure."
"Our thanks," Ignis nods.
"Where's Cor?" Noct asks, getting straight to business. She pulls her hat down tighter over her wild curls.
"Left to see to business, and left y'all a message with Paw-paw."
"Yeah?" Noct's voice is flat, dry. Numb.
"Boss ain't sat still one second since he heard y'all were comin'," Cindy shakes her head, crossing her arms.
Cid sighs when he sees us enter the garage, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Crystal and the king's ring… What they been after all along." He shakes his head. Ignis straightens his slightly fogged glasses.
"So all talk of peace was merely a pretext," he concludes.
"What did you expect?" I ask dryly, shedding my uncomfortably moist jacket. "With how quickly and unofficially it was proposed, I'm surprised it was even accepted. It was so obviously a trap, and yet we all..." I turn to give Noctis a softer look. "Not that your father was oblivious. He's not stupid."
"Are you saying he threw away his life then?" he snaps, eyes darkening. "They played my father for a fool."
"Don't kid yourself," Cid shakes his head, pushing one hand up onto his thigh and reaching the other over to pick up an old framed photo. "Reggie wasn't born yesterday, just like yer girl Rayne was tryin' to say." He stares at the photograph, something stirring in his old eyes. "Lucis got dealt a losin' hand, and your old man played it the best he could." He looks up at Noctis with sharp eyes.
"He saw this comin' a mile away, and he wasn't gonna go down without a fight." Noctis stares back at him, absorbing every word. But wasn't it obvious that the king knew? Just not back then… I make it sound like we weren't in the castle with Regis less than a week ago. Looking back, it was so painfully obvious that he knew something was wrong. So he sent Noctis away, sent him to safety. Sent him to a place he could become fit to overthrow the empire.
"In the end, though," the old man sighs. "Well, it just wasn't enough." He reaches down, picking up his wrench and setting it on the table beside him. "You need somethin' else, you talk to Cor." He stands, staring into nothingness. "I can't even remember the last time I saw Reggie. Feels like a lifetime ago." He turns to look up at Noctis. "Cor left a message. Said he'll wait for ya in the tombs. They're to the northwest of here, just a short ways past the outpost. Find that first."
"We should rest before we go," Ignis warns, eyeing the setting sun. Noctis stares back at him for a long moment, chewing hi lip. Then he nods.
"Yeah. Okay."
"I'll pull the Regalia up closer," Ignis replies dutifully, taking the keys out of his pocket.
"Cor said he'd be here," I huff, crossing my arms. Noctis shakes his head, walking toward the local camper. He veers into the diner, most likely to pay Takka for our stay. I don't think any of us have an appetite right now. Our homeland, our kingdom, our king. All gone in a few hours. Already, I miss the stained floors and peeling walls, the suffocating smell of men's cologne emitting from the hallway, and the hot air filtering through the windows of my cheap apartment.
"He can't be everywhere," Gladio sighs, giving me a pointed look. I roll my eyes.
"He could have at least called us so we didn't have to stop and waste time."
"You just want to know about Arma," he grumbles, giving me a sharp frown. "What part of your purpose do you not understand? You're in charge of protecting everyone else here. You can't go off only looking out for yourself now."
"You didn't see me lecturing you for calling your sister," I scowl, backing up a step when he moves to get in my face. It does nothing; he just grabs my shoulders roughly.
"I'm not letting my sister get in my way. This is about Noct, Rayne. What's it take to get that through your head?" He shakes his head, eyes closed. "He might as well be the king already. Don't you know your place in this world?"
"Of course I do," I grit, shoving him off me. "I'm bound to those who serve the king and the king himself. I'm not stupid, Gladio. I was raised for this."
"Then start acting like it," he growls, glaring at me. "Because right now, you're acting like you're on vacation and some little accident happened back home."
"I'm well aware of where we are!" I snap, my voice raising as my nails dig into my crossed arms. "You think I'm here to enjoy myself?! I wouldn't be here if my brother wasn't deaf!"
"Might be better if you weren't," he scowls. "Now get your #$% together and go inside."
"And if I don't?" I challenge, purely for the sake of being difficult. He stares me down for a moment, but I stand my ground. Then he reaches forward, lifting me up and over his shoulder. "Put me down!" I shout, punching at his back. "Gladio!"
"You're acting like a child," he huffs, grunting when my knee slams into his muscled chest. He starts walking toward the camper that's parked across the Hammerhead from us. Several people stare at us while I yell, kicking, punching, and trying to wiggle free from his tight grip. Ignis merely raises a disappointed eyebrow as we pass by.
"Gladiolus Amicitia!" I beat against his tattooed back one last time before giving up on that, instead reaching over to yank on the end of his damp hair. He feigns dropping me, making me grip onto the back of his tank top with a panicked yelp. "Seriously?!"
"Stop fighting," he shrugs, kicking the trailer's door open and throwing me into the ragged couch. I wince as my head slams against the wall, holding the aching spot before looking up and glaring at him.
"Was that really necessary?" Ignis scowls upon entering the camper. "You two caused quite a scene."
"I could ask the same thing," I grumble, raising an eyebrow at Gladio.
"It was," Gladio leans back against the wall, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrow back. "You were the one causing a scene. You're the problem, and that's not how it should be."
"I'm not trying to be a problem!" I snap, sitting up angrily. I'm already getting riled back up. "You're the one picking fights!"
"Calm d…" Ignis starts as Gladio straightens.
"You're going to hold us back," he argues. "So you need to change and you need to do it now."
"I'm not…!" I start, getting my feet quickly.
"Enough!" Ignis thunders, slamming his hands down onto the counter. I scowl, looking away from Gladio and crossing my arms tightly. "You're both acting like children!" He turns to burn us under his hard eyes. "We're all already tense from today's events. There's no need to make matters worse with your constant bickering." Ignis straightens his glasses. "And since you insist on being children, I may as well ask what you have to say to each other."
"Ladies first," Gladio growls.
"I wish I'd gauged your eye out when I had the chance," I hiss, turning on my heel and locking myself in the bathroom. I can hear the quiet sounds of Ignis and Gladio conversing in hushed tones, but I honestly don't care.
I glare at myself in the dirty mirror, staring back at my inner rage. Why does he insist that I'm going to hinder Noct's journey? Why does he think I'm going to be a burden? I'm only worried about my family, for Shiva's sake! He was worried about Iris, and now he's pissed because I care about my own siblings? It makes no sense. The door's lock clicks, Ignis pushing the rickety door inward. "I could've been trying to shower," I huff, scowling at him.
"You didn't take your things," Ignis points out, crossing his arms and blocking the doorway. "Gladio's left."
"Good," I roll my eyes. "What do you want?"
"I want you to understand his frustration," he touches his glasses lightly. Are they ever not sliding down? "He is not angry because you care about Arma."
"Seems like it," I scoff, leaning back against the counter. "Looks like it's only acceptable for him to care about loved ones."
"No," he shakes his head, leaning his right shoulder against the doorframe and crosses his ankles. "He's only concerned that your family will become your main focus."
"They won't," I grit, glowering at him. He sighs.
"Yes, but, what happens if you find that Arma never comes back?"
"What are you saying?"
"There's always the chance that he didn't make it," he catches my eye, refusing to let go. "And what happens then? Do you manage well or do you seek revenge? You could easily lose your purpose if your brothers become your sole objective."
"He's not dead," I force out. "I won't lose my purpose. I know what I'm here to do. I'm here for Noct, just like you guys. Just give me a little time so I can stop thinking about it."
"Very well," he gives in, straightening. "You should know that you may be sharing a bed again."
"Keeps me warm," I shrug indifferently, refusing to meet his eyes any longer.
With another sigh, he leaves me alone, moving to the kitchen to attempt to cook something we'll find appetizing. I'm not hungry, though, so I grab my bag and change into a pair of black shorts. It's much too hot out here, even when it's raining at night. I toss my wet jacket over the shower rod, stepping out of the bathroom to hang my bag over the top rod of the bunk bed. I then grab a dingy towel that's folded up on the counter and ruffle it over my wet hair before tossing it back down and pulling my hair back up.
"That was Noct's," Ignis notifies me. I shrug, folding it back up easily and setting it back down.
"He'll survive."
"Hey Rayne," Prompto greets, offering a weak smile from the couch. I make myself smile back, forcing it to reach my eyes so it seems genuine.
"Hey. How're you holding up?"
"Alright. Could do without today though."
"Me too," I nod, settling beside him and pulling my phone out. "How 'bout some King's Knight?"
"Okay."
We play for at least two hours, mumbling insults and advice back and forth. I have my feet kicked up on Prompto's thighs, head laying on the end of the couch with my ponytail dangling over the edge. Ignis tries to offer us food; the smell makes me gag. Not that it stinks, I just can't even think of eating right now. Giving up, Ignis cleans up his small mess from making the simple soup. Gladio converses with the advisor while Noctis slumps on the top bunk across the small space.
"I think I'm done for tonight," Prompto yawns, shutting his screen off and standing. "Me and you, Noct?" The raven haired prince doesn't answer for a moment before finally sighing.
"Sure."
"Gotcha," Prompto grins half-heartedly, but even he can't lighten the mood tonight. We're too tired, too worn down. Too upset. He sighs, pulling himself up to the top relatively easily. "You want the wall?"
"… No."
I sigh, shaking my head and standing. "I'm gonna turn in too. Whoever's up for a kick-fest can join me." It's no secret that I can kick like a chocobo in my sleep. The evidence is on Prompto's legs and ribs. Don't ask me how I managed to kick his ribs. It just happened.
"I'll take the couch tonight," Gladio huffs, tossing his jacket to the side and flopping onto the couch. It makes a loud cracking sound, all of us turning to stare. Thankfully, the piece of furniture doesn't cave it, but we're still a bit uneasy as Noct's shield attempts to fit onto the small couch without damaging it further.
"Perhaps you should let me have the couch," Ignis suggests, watching Gladio uncomfortably as if the loveseat is going to snap any second. It probably will. "If you can bear to put your misconduct behind you for the sake of Takka's property."
"Misconduct." I snort, tugging the blankets over my shoulders. "Gladio's a living, breathing furnace, Iggy. I'm gonna melt."
"Most women do," Gladio replies smoothly, standing. "You sure, Iggy?"
"Quite certain," Ignis nods, stepping around Gladio to take his pace on the couch. "It's plenty warm in here," he says as our resident big guy reaches into the linen cabinet and pulls a thin blanket down. Gladio shakes his head, chucking the blanket at Ignis.
"Temps'll drop later, you know that."
With that said, I slide over until I'm pushed with my back against the wall. Gladio sighs heavily, sliding into the small amount of remaining space, rolling onto his side to face me smugly. "Well isn't this a predicament?" he teases. I roll my eyes, sliding an arm under my head and closing my eyes. The lights flick off eventually; probably Ignis. Slowly, I can feel the fingers of sleep dragging me down into torturous unconsciousness.