Wow! Thanks for all the likes and follows guys! I was honestly expecting this to just get pushed away, but here you guys go! I usually do mystery characters but I really wanna get in deep with Lexus' past here~ Enjoy!
By the way, Feb 7th is Ignis birthday! Happy birthday Iggy!
"Mommy!" Lexus called, descending down the stairs and ran over to Hilda who sat with her brother Roland.
"Hey, cupcake!" He greeted, picking her up to sit in his lap.
"What is it, honey?"
Lexus reached into her skirt pocket taking out a beige cloth, handing it to her mother. "You do embroidery, right?"
"Yup, I do. Why do you ask?" Hilda took the cloth, just noticing the rich material it was made of.
It had been a few weeks since their arrival to Insomnia, Hilda had fallen in love the city. She met a lot of kind people, and walked with Lexus who walked to the around-about where the race was being held. Everyone just waited for the return of Prince Noctis and King Regis. The wait was driving Varin crazy, and went out to where the chocobos were being held so Ferris wouldn't feel neglected. The city wasn't part of their habitat, they can't be left inside the pens for so long without getting restless.
Lexus pointed at the cloth in her mom's hand, "I want to put Ignis' name on it."
"I thought that boy said you could keep it." Roland recalled from what he was told when they brought Lexus back.
She turned to him, "It's so that I don't forget him." Lexus took the cloth, now clean from her tears on that day.
Roland chuckled, "He shouldn't be hard to forget." he placed his palms at the top of his hat covered head. "His hair was like nothing you've ever seen, right?"
Lexus pouted at her uncle, "I will when we leave Insomnia. I live in Duscae with mommy and daddy, who knows when I'll see him again." she explained, letting her head hang at the thought. "He was the first kind person to me here."
Hilda patted her daughter's head with a smile, "You can always visit Uncle Roland if you really want to see your friend, okay?" Lexus looked to him, he nodded with the same smile.
Her cheeks warmed, thinking of seeing Ignis again with her own smile. "I-I still want to have his name on it, please?"
Hilda moved her to her lap taking the cloth. "Of course, how about I show you how to do embroidery?"
The little girl beamed, "Can I?"
"Yup! What color-"
Suddenly the door to the bar slammed open, the bell near fell off. "Hilda! T-They're back!"
Roland paused at yelling about being rough with his door. "Who is back?" Hilda asked, concern about the huge smile on her husband's face.
"King Regis and his son, Prince Noctis! They just entered the citadel, I heard from the people that the race might be held in a few days!"
Everyone burst into cheers, Lexus ran to her dad who scooped her up and spun her around the room. "Ready to see your dad show Insomnia who the true Chocobo Race Master is?"
"You'll leave them in the dust, daddy!"
Later that night after diner-
"So, what color do you want to do for his name?" Hilda asked, sitting in the guest room that was Lexus'. They sat at the table looking at the threads of many colors.
Lexus looked over them all struggling to pick. She wanted a color that would help keep him in memory, but she couldn't put her favorite color yellow in there. It wouldn't work against the beige and it didn't make her think of him.
Hilda noticed her daughter's struggle. "Do you know his favorite color?" She was about to answer, but shook her head. "Hmm, well let's try this way. Close your eyes." Lexus frowned at her mother's request, "Go on, close them." The girl sighed and did as her mother told.
"Now, what color do you see when you think of your father?" She asked.
"..Red, like his chocobo Ferris." Lexus answered, still confused where her mother was going with this.
"And Roland, what color does he make you think of?"
"Uhh… Oh, blue! The sign at his work is blue, so I think of that for Uncle Roland." Lexus smiled, remembering the first time she saw those bright lights.
Hilda chuckled, "Now, think of your time with the boy, Ignis. What color does he make you think of? Maybe his brown hair?" Lexus shook her head. "Maybe black, with the amount on his clothing?" She shook her head again, her eyes closed tightly trying to see a color.
Though she sighed, opening them. "I don't see any color."
Hilda put a hand on her shoulder, "Well, how about thinking over the color? Don't want to rush good art, right?"
"Yea, your right." Lexus agreed, going to her bed and crawling under the covers.
Hilda stood from the desk, walking over to kiss her daughter's head. "Sleep well, Lexus." She turned and shut the light off, letting the lamp by her bed engulf the room in some golden light. She wasn't all that scared of the darkness, but Hilda did it just in case.
Lexus sighed, and turned to one side of her bed staring at the cloth that sat at her desk. A small smile was shown as her eyes closed to drift into dreamland.
Few days past, and it was the day before the race. Lexus was with her father, watching as he helped set the gates up for the race track. From what she remembered her father told her, the race would be taken place starting here, and through the roads of Insomnia. It might cause traffic, but looking up at the highways made her think differently. She sighed, Lexus was bored as she sitting on a higher wall by the Calex Velum. She kicked her legs, looking around seeing people watch behind the work gates. She heard them talk about the race, they looked excited making her smile. Lexus turned toward the building, clapping excitedly to herself.
"Daddy's gonna wipe the floor of those other racers, and be more famous than the king himself." She told herself, grinning ear to ear.
"That so?"
Lexus jumped at the voice and looked down behind her finding Ignis staring up at her. "Ah! Ignis! I found yo- woah, woah!"
It was then Ignis realized she was losing balance to fall backwards off the wall. Before he could move, she fell backwards crashing right on top of the boy. With groans of pain, she got off finding she landed on his back as he laid on the pavement in pain. Lexus gasped, she got off and shook his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry! Are you alright? Ignis?"
"Ahh.." He groaned sitting up, rubbing his back. "Just some bruises.."
Lexus gave a good look at him, he looked over noticing she was staring closely at his face. "Oh no!" She cried, and covered her mouth seeing she made him jump. "Your glasses, where did they go?"
Glasses? Oh no! She was so close he hadn't noticed a difference in his eye sight. Ignis got to his knees and looked around for any dark frames on the cement. Lexus went to work looking around, hoping they didn't get broken or lost.
"Found them." He informed, picking them up a few feet away from where she crashed.
"Are they okay?" She asked, going over, both now kneeling on the pavement.
"No scratches, and are still wearable." He told, putting them back on and looked to her. "At least I know they can handle flying off my face." He joked, getting to his feet and dusting himself off.
Lexus was expecting him to be angry, first for crushing him and second for almost breaking his glasses. A smile crossed her features as she jumped to her feet, hands behind her back. "That's a good pair then. I'm so glad I got to see you again, Ignis."
"That so?" He asked, seeing his clothing wasn't damaged either.
"Hm-hmm! Oh, what are you doing around here? This area is closed off for the chocobo race." She asked, realizing this was a bit weird to find him here.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." He told, hand on his hips looking down on her. "You're not lost again, are you?"
Her cheeks puffed out, "No, I learned my lesson!" she told stomping her foot making the boy want to chuckle at her childish charm. "My daddy's in the chocobo race, he's the best racer in all of Lucis."
Lexus pointed across the roadways, Ignis followed. He saw the same man that was looking for her that day Ignis met her. Well, if her father was here she was alright being here, he guessed. "So good, he'll be more famous than King Regis, I believe you said?"
The pine haired girl didn't back out on her words. "That's right! He may be a great king, but even he can't beat my dad at a race."
Ignis could only imagine what Noctis would say to this statement. Then again, chocobos weren't seen about the city. People who have been outside mentioned the free reign riding chocobos give, maybe this race would be good for deeper connections outside the city and to the rest of Lucis, he thought.
"So, why are you here, Ignis?" She asked, looking up at him with her smile returning.
He turned his attention back to her, "I was… you're bleeding."
"Huh?" Her eyes followed his gaze down to her open knee, where her pants were ripped. Indeed she had a cut there, small blood was staining the jeans. "What? I didn't even notice."
Ignis sighed, not exactly annoyed. More like a mother sighing at a forgetful child. He knelt down and gently pulled her leg out to see better. He reached into his back pocket taking out a tissue to clean the cut. Lexus winced, now feeling the pain in the open wound. Once clean, Ignis pulled a band aid from his pocket as well, and patched her knee up with it.
"There, it'll have to be properly cleaned when you get home." He stood, balling up the bloody tissue and band aid packet before tossing it into a nearby trash can. The boy checked his wristwatch, his brows knotted. "I should get going, it was nice seeing you again, Lexus."
Lexus hands knotted together tightly. But, she wanted to see him again- maybe at the race? It seemed all of Insomnia was going to be there, even the king and prince themselves. Her lips quivered watching the boy walk further and further away. Her cheeks burned, and heart raced as she yelled out, "Will you be at the chocobo race?!"
A bit stunned by her way of asking, Ignis turned adjusting his glasses with a smile. "Indeed." He waved and turned to leave once more.
Lexus' face beamed and her eyes twinkled with excitement. "I get to see him again! I get to see him again!" She cheered, then seeing the stares the adults gave her, she covered her mouth. Lexus whispered the cheers to herself, so full of glee that she'd get to watch the race with her new friend.
When Lexus arrived home, she ate her dinner and went straight to her mom to make the stitching for her handkerchief. Of course, got her leg cleaned up as well. "Hurry mom! I don't want to forget the color!" She urged, pushing her mother into her room toward the desk.
"Careful, sweetheart." Hilda chuckled, and sat down looking at the colors she laid out days ago for Lexus to choose. "So, you figured out a color for him?"
"Hm-hmm!" Lexus looked at the colors, and picked up a spindle showing her mother. "Green!"
Hilda chuckled, "Green, huh? Mind I ask why they this color?"
Her eyes sparkled, putting her chin in her hands as her smile widened. "I saw his eyes, they were such pretty green eyes. I wish I had those eyes."
Hilda watched her daughter daydream, reaching over to teasingly pinch her cheeks. "But you already have such beautiful ocean blue eyes, sweet cake."
Lexus whined at the pinch but laughed, rubbing her cheeks. "He said he'd be at the race tomorrow. Can I show him the embroidery then, and watch the race with him?" She jumped up and down in her night dress. "I want him to see daddy win."
Hilda patted her head until she stopped jumping. Seeing her daughter make a friend made her heart soar, Lexus was so happy. Back in Duscae, Lexus always interacting with the chocobos and never any other kids she met. Hilda prayed the Gods that Ignis kid would be the key for Lexus to have a life in Insomnia; A normal, safe, and carefree life.
"Well, once you get to bed I'll get right to work on it." She told her daughter who frowned.
"But you said you'd teach me." Lexus whined, shaking her mother's arm.
"It's gotten late, honey. I promise to put it right on your bedside once I'm done, alright?" Hilda leaned down and kissed her daughter's forehead and shooed her to the bed.
Lexus did as told, crawling into the bed and kept her eyes on her mom as long as she could, but soon fell to sleep. Hilda noticed her daughter curled up in the bed asleep once she had gotten through the 'g'. The mother paused letting out a sigh, and looked out the window seeing the starry night sky. Though she knew untouchable, they were safe within the city walls thanks tho King Regis. Hilda wanted her daughter to have a protected and happy life here. Make friends, live a normal life, and even have her own family to raise here.
She thought too far for Lexus, but ever since this war stuff started growing too close to home what choice did she have?
"Please," Hilda whispered in a prayer, "let my daughter find happiness in this dark world."
The next day, was the long awaited chocobo race! Everyone gathered to the circle of the city, the gates were being loaded with the racer's steeds and people walked to find good spots to watch the race. All that was to be waited was King Regis and Prince Noctis' arrival.
Whispers of the son recently recovering from a coma and being in a wheelchair spread through the crowds. Lexus held her mother and uncle's hands as they passed through the people. The little girl had her hair in a french braid, loose strands and bangs swept to the side with a hair clip keeping them in place. Black turtleneck and black leggings under a red short sleeve dress, the red representing her support to her dad.
"Should we go to the front to see the start or the end see the photo finish?" Roland asked, trying to look past the crowd.
"The start and end are at the same point." Hilda explained to her brother.
Roland chuckled to his sister, "Oh right, seems I forgot."
Lexus looked around at an opening where she saw a small stand, the sign read 'Choco Balls'. Her eyes sparkled at the chocolate sweets, and shook her mother's hand. "Mommy, they have chocolate over there, can I get some?"
Hilda looked down to her daughter, then over where the stand was. Her expression showed some hesitation to answer, but Roland beat her to it. "Sure, Lexi, make sure to get me some." He told, handing her some currency.
"Thanks!" Lexus nodded and ran off over, making sure to be careful of bumping into anyone.
Hilda gave her brother a look, he caught it and shrugged. "What? She'll be fine, it's only a few feet away. Can you see her?"
"More like a few yards." Hilda argued, crossing her arms. "Should've walked with her, at least."
"Hilda," Roland sighed, reaching back to scratch his neck. "You can't keep a leash on her for so long. If you keep doing this, she'll soon want to stay further away from you."
She at first glared her brother at his lecturing, but she sighed looking toward the chocobo gates. "I just want her to have a safe normal life. Living in this city would be perfect for her."
Roland frowned. "Woah Hilda, are you planning to take her away from her happy life in Duscae?" When she didn't answer, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Does Varin know about this plan?"
Hilda shrugged, and shook her head. "Once this race is over, he should retire from racing and have us all move here."
"Sis, I know the war is getting worse. Tenebrae being taken- but King Regis would never let the empire invade the city, or Lucis. This event is to help the dark times, so let those thoughts leave you just for today, please?" Roland looked to her pleadingly.
Lexus got two bags of Choco Balls, smiling big, as she tucked one under her arm and opened the other to eat them. She made a mistake of not watching where she was going, too excited for her treat, that she pumped right into someone, almost dropping her bags.
"Whew, that was close."
"That's all you got to say, kid?"
Lexus looked up seeing some kids around their teen years, three boys- or punks at this point by their clothing. All dark torn clothing, chains hanging from their jeans and their expressions held aggravation.
Lexus gulped, "Um, s-sorry." She walked around them to continue her way back to her mom and uncle. When she got back, she found her father there, he wore his racing gear with goggles hung around his neck. "Daddy!"
Varin grinned and knelt down, "There's my little chocobo!" He picked her up and gave her a tight hug. "Oh, whatcha got there?"
"Choco Balls! Want some?" She asked, offering her opened bag.
"Oh, don't mind if I do." He plucked a chocolate ball from the bag and tossed it into his mouth.
Lexus giggled, then gasped as Roland took his bag from her arm. "Daddy, where's your good luck charm?"
Varin nodded, placing his hand to where it would be around his neck. "That's why I'm here, honey. Think you can run back to the bar and get me the necklace?"
"Varin, the race starts any second. Can't you just go on without it?" Hilda asked, bending over to her daughter and knelt down husband.
Varin waved it off, looking up to his wife. "The race doesn't start for another few minutes, don't worry. There checking the track for now." He placed his hands on Lex's shoulders smiling at her. "Hurry back and be careful, alright?"
Lexus nodded and handed him her bag, in turn Roland gave her the keys. Lexus bolted off, going as fast as her little legs would go to get her father's precious charm. Turning down some streets and almost jumping into traffic, thankfully not many people were on the streets from the event. She made it to the bar, unlocking the door and running up the stairs to her parent's room. There she found the black feather necklace resting on the bedside drawer. Lexus picked it up, and put it around her neck, she let her fingers go against the feather. Still soft, she smiled and turned to return to her dad. Locking the bar, Lexus started running back making a sharp turn only to be knocked down to the pavement.
"S-Sorry." She mumbled, sitting up to get back to her feet.
"Oh, it's you again, brat." Lexus looked up, her heart sank finding to have ran right into the teens from before.
A tall one with spiky blue hair picked Lexus up by the scruff of her shirt and put her against the wall. Lexus yelped as her back made contact in a painful manner, her tiny body shook in fear. "P-Please, I need to get back." She begged, as the teen held her tighter.
"Get back? To that stupid chicken race?" One of them asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Hey, what's that around her neck, dude?" The one with a spike collar lifted the necklace seeing the feather. "A black feather? Well, this seems cool to wear."
Lexus then started to struggle under the boy's grip. "No! It's my daddy's lucky charm! He needs it for the race!" She cried, gripping the necklace from the boy's hands to keep them from taking it.
"Is daddy gonna come and save you, little girl?"
"Haha! She's gonna cry!"
Tears stung her eyes, as they leaked in the corners threatening to fall. She wished, prayed someone would come help her.
"H-Hey!"
The group turned to see a chubby kid no older than Lexus, he looked angry but some fear could be seen in his eyes. Lexus had no idea who this kid was, his blond hair and blue eyes behind the glasses wasn't familiar to her at all. Here this kid who was just as scared as she was, trying to help.
"Hey chubbers, why not just go find a taco stand and mind your own business?" One boy asked, giving the kid a glare.
One lifted his fist, "Maybe he wants to share a beating like this girl?"
Suddenly a flash blinded the three, one let go of Lexus to rub his eyes. Lexus herself was blinded by the random flash. Where did it come from? Getting her sight back, she looked to the blond kid seeing him with a camera. Oh, he used his flash to blind the bullies! She ran over to the kid, going behind him.
"That's it, you asked for it!"
Lexus looked at the blond boy, seeing he had just froze in fear. She pressed the flash button on his camera and blinded the teens again. With their chance, she took the boy's hand and ran off as fast as her legs and his stamina could allow.
Once found it safe to stop, Lexus leaned against the a street pole catching her breath. Though looking at the blond boy, he looked like he was about to black out laying on the pavement.. "T-Thanks." She panted out.
The kid was still wheezing to breath, he looked to her but then looked away fixing his glasses. Lexus got a good look at the kid, he was fairly big for his age but he seemed younger than her. She didn't expect this kid, whoever he was, to save her.
"Thank you." She said properly, he looked over seeing her smile. "You almost got hurt, though."
He sat up -with a big of a struggle- and got to his feet. "...I just did what I thought would be right." He mumbled looking down at his feet.
"Well, I'm glad you did." Lexus walked over to him, hands behind her back. "I'm Lexus, by the way." A hand shot out to him, wanting a proper greeting.
The boy blushed, as he held the girl's smaller hand. "P-Prompto." He stuttered, giving her a gentle shake.
Lexus giggled, "Well, what 'prompt' timing you had, Prompto." She joked, putting a hand to her chin. The boy, Prompto, felt his cheeks get warmer as he smiled shyly at her.
"I better get going. Hope we meet again, Prompto!" She turned and ran down the street to get back to the race.
Prompto watch her run off, he looked down to his hands after shaking her own. His face felt warm thinking of the girl, he then went to his camera looking at the photos taken during the scuffle. There was one Lexus in it. Pine green hair, and blue eyes, she wouldn't be hard to see again he hoped.
"Mommy! Uncle Roland!"
Hilda and Roland turned finding Lexus squeezing through the crowd that was now loud and cheering. Roland picked her right up as she held up the necklace. "I got daddy's charm!"
"Ah, honey, the race started a few minutes ago. Where were you?" Hilda asked, fixing her bangs that was a bit of a mess.
Lexus' face fell, "No, daddy needs his charm!" she struggled out of her uncle's arm and started shuffling through to the front of the race hearing her mother call her to come back.
She had to give her dad the charm! He always spoke fondly of it, how important it was to him. Lexus felt herself get tighter as she made her way through, finally felt herself get against the railing. She heard the bell ring, meaning they were coming around the bend. Lexus held out the necklace, just as she saw a red blur coming around the corner. Her smile went wide, her father was in the lead!
"Daddy!" She cheered, as he made the sharp turn.
That's when it all came crashing down- literally. The turn seemed to be too sharp for Ferris to handle on the asphalt. His claws scratched to get a grip, but fate had other plans. Ferris lost his balance, falling to the side, Varin gripped the reins to keep his balance. But he couldn't hold on, as he went flying against the ground. It only got worst from their, as the sound of the stampeding birds came closer and closer.
Before Varin to move out of the way or anyone could stop the birds, Lexus witnessed her father in the worse racing accident. This day would change the Quintin family's lives forever.
Thank you fairypaige98, SliverKitsuneGrlAngel, LurkingRoseDust, fujiwarakurosaki, Pokemon-Ranger-Aiko, asneed, gOthiCkUrOcHo69, LadyAmazon, xAlmasyx, Kate7950, Shiranai Atsune, JoceySmiles, for the follows and favorites!
- Thanks for posting the first review for this story! I assure you, I make my chapters about 10-15 pages with as many chapters as possible! Thanks, it'll take time to get chapters out as I'm also working on my Sherlock, but it'll be worth it I assure!
LadyAmazon- Thanks! I love writing past children scenes, and doing Ignis was difficult ad adorable!
