Altissia. A city that just seems to radiate romance, a city that should bring the boys happiness, but will undoubtedly continue to bring them pain.
Noctis, Gladiolus, Prompto, and Aranea arrive in the afternoon at the lively city, however getting inside seemed to be a bit of a problem.
"So how do we get in? I didn't think we need passports." Noctis says peeking at the booth that stood near the docks. Prompto looks towards the booth and makes his slow way towards the man behind the window. "How can I help you today?" The man asks.
"Uh, me and my friends here are college students who are way into photojournalism. We heard that Altissia was a beautiful town with breathtaking sites and we are interested on doing our final exam on the places that are must see here." Prompto says holding up his camera.
His little boasting about a city he never stepped foot in seems to do the trick for the man let's them all in telling them of the best sites to get great pictures from. Noctis smirks once they are out of earshot, he elbows Prompto grinning "Nice one, that sounded like something Specs would say." Noctis says causing Prompto to smile a bit "Oh you know, who doesn't like to hear positive stuff about places like this?" He jokes.
"Okay enough you two. You said something about and acquaintance of Cid's? Do you guys know anything about him or what he looks like?" Aranea asks crossly.
Gladiolus sighs "Well we know his name is Weskham. I think if we ask around we should be able to find him." He suggests "Well it's a start at least can't guarantee that folks will know him."
Noctis nods with a sigh his tired blue eyes ghosting over the city before they land on the gondola "You think they would know where to find Weskham?" He asks.
"Well they do go all over the city so I think they might." Prompto says "Not to mention if they do that means we get to ride on a gondola!" Prompto says happily. With that the four of them walk towards the gondola and gondolier "Excuse me" Noctis says getting the attention of the gondolier "Do you know a man named Weskham?" Noctis asks. The gondolier raises an eyebrow "Oh Weskham, yes, I know him he runs Maagho. A floating restaurant." He says "Are you four interested in going there?" He adds.
"Yeah, we want to head there. We need to speak with him." Noctis says "Well, allow me to give you a lift." The gondolier offers helping Aranea into the boat. Gladiolus helps Prompto into the boat who was still a bit stiff and achy despite being able to walk.
With them all boarded they make their way to Maagho.
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They docked at the floating restaurant and the four friends step off of the small boat "Weskham is the fellow behind the counter." The gondlier says "I'll be waiting here for you to return." He adds.
With a nod the friends make their way to elderly man running the restaurant, Weskham had just finished preparing a dish for a couple when he spotted the ragtag group. His eyes widen at the sight of Noctis and Gladiolus.
"Well, look at you two. How have you grown. The last time I saw you two you were only babes." Weskham says with a grin as he wipes his hands on a teacloth. "You two must've made your fathers proud." He says making Gladiolus and Noctis look away feeling embarrassed. "Anyway, what can I do you for?" He asks.
Noctis takes a deep breath "We need help with finding a friend of ours. You see he was kidnapped by Magitek Troopers. And we were hoping if you would help us, Cid said you would." He explains. Weskham looks thoughtful for a moment before speaking "What does your friend look like?" He asks.
Noctis turns to Prompto who is already scrolling through his camera where he finds a photo of Ignis. In the photo, the four of them are in a motel. Ignis is watching television (based off the glare reflected in his glasses) and is looking rather serious. The angle of the shot looks like Prompto stood right in front of the tactician and snapped the picture.
Prompto prints out the photo and hands it to Weskham. "That's our friend, his name's Ignis." Prompto explains making Weskham nod in understanding. "So this is the one who is lost." He studies Ignis's features before looking up "Well as of late I haven't heard anything regarding Niflhiem, but I will keep an open ear for you. If anyone mentions him or anything about the Magitek I'll inform you. Not to mention a lot of Nifs come through here, if one of them says something or recognizes his face I'll get them to talk."
Weskham tapes Ignis's photo to the table "When I close up shop, I'll work on a flyer with the young man's image and post it around town. I'll make a special bounty for him." Weskham adds "But my advice is to search the lands over leading to Niflhiem. The Nifs could have him anywhere and you want to search everywhere just to be safe. Though I do believe that he is in Niflhiem."
Noctis, Gladiolus, and Prompto each were shaking, each one of the brothers far to grateful for the help of Weskham. "Thank you." Noctis says his eyes misting "You don't know how much this means to us." He says softly.
Weskham only chuckles "Now don't think that. Don't forget when I was in my prime I too ventured with your fathers and Cid. If this would've happen to one of us trust and believe we would be doing the same thing." He smirks. "But rest assured we will find your friend."
:5
"It was kind of Weskham to give us dinner and dessert for free." Prompto says picking up a pastry from its container that sat on the coffee table.
The four of them took up residence in the luxury suit of the Leville, which more or less at the request of Aranea.
Taking a bite of the treat Prompto chuckles a bit catching the attention of Noctis "What's so funny?" He asks. Prompto smirks "I've come up with a new recipeh!" Prompto playfully mocks doing his best Ignis impression.
Gladiolus smirks "You sound just like him."
Noctis sighs "To think that there would be a time where we will not hear that phrase..." Noctis sighs again "I hope he's alright. I hope that they aren't hurting him." He says his voice strained.
Aranea shakes her head "Hoping and praying are just ways to be blind to the truth. Look, whoever it was that took Ignis took him to get at you." She says looking directly at Noctis "Now do you really think that they will treat him kindly?"
The boys were silent.
"If he was with me and we weren't close then maybe he wouldn't be hurt. But he's with people who want to spill your blood. Meaning that they are making his life a living nightmare. I don't know what they are doing to him but I know he is probably suffering." Aranea says "Now I agreed to getting you three sorry logs here to Altissia. But because I know the guy I will help you look too."
Noctis bites his tongue nodding. He knows that Ignis is most likely to be broken and bloodied when they save him but he couldn't help but want to be positive.
The boys had assembled a team to help find the daggersmen. It may be small but for them it was better than nothing. Looking at the silver haired woman Noctis nods.
"Thanks Aranea."