I know, I know Noct and Prompto aren't starting off the best of friends. I promise that is going to change but Prompto needs to realize the situation he's in is not good. Luckily though he's started so it's just a matter of time and development for things to kick off.
And I know, for putting "Adventure" as one of the tags there hasn't been a whole lot of action. I promise all this dialogue is important.
Disclaimer: Plot bunny has yet to get away from me
000
Convocation
Chapter 5
000
Noctis slowly rubbed his eyes and looked around as he sat up. Yep, still in the cell. Time to think of how to better resist the Templar until either he could get someone to drop their guard or he could get rescued.
"What's the matter?" Loqi sneered as a guard unlocked the cell. "No cute tricks today?"
Okay, mouthiness it is.
"No taser today," Noctis noted, with a smirk. "I guess your ass appreciates it after the verbal kicking Ardyn gave you. Pretty telling how whipped he has you." Loqi strode over to the cot and stopped. "What?" Noctis challenged, folding his arms. "Did I do something wrong?" He sat there, smirking as Loqi was clearly trying to figure out how to punish him without resorting to violence. A loud growl sounded and Noctis quickly looked away.
"That's right," Loqi said, suddenly seeing an opening. "Your last meal was likely before your capture. How fitting. Maybe another day without food will finally shake loose some manners. Maybe no water will help it along." Now Noctis was concerned, he could last without food for a bit but no water was going to be an issue. "And don't even think about using the sink to cheat," Loqi added. "We can just as easily shut that off too." Noctis just sighed and stood.
"Alright," he said. "Let's get this over with."
000
Prompto was initially glad that Noctis's arrival in the lab had drawn Ardyn's attention from him. At least until he saw that Noctis seemed a bit more compliant. They hadn't already gotten him to listen had they?
"Ah good right on time," Ardyn smiled. "I take it there was no trouble."
"Just some mouthiness," Loqi replied. "But I decided another day without food and no water today would suffice. I also made sure to warn him that using the sink would result in us turning it off." Ardyn looked over at Noctis and studied him, Noctis glaring right back. Ardyn then gave a pleasant smile before looking over at Loqi.
"Make it two days, no food or water," he said, looking back in time to see a flash of panic in Noctis's eyes before he looked away.
"Of course," Loqi nodded and Ardyn once again gestured to the Animus. When Noctis refused to move Ardyn walked closer to him and leaned in.
"I suggest you lay down without fussing," he said quietly. "I can easily make it three days no food and allow just enough water on the third day for you to survive. But only just enough and with what you'll be putting yourself through can you really afford that risk?" Noctis dropped his gaze at that and forced himself to walk toward the Animus. "Good boy," Ardyn smirked. Noctis sighed and laid down, the restraints once again snapping in place.
"I-is that really necessary now?" Prompto asked.
"Assassins love to attack when the careless drop their guard," Ardyn replied. "It's simply a precaution."
000
Once thrown, or at least very roughly shoved, into his cell Noctis just lay there. He knew he was in bad shape: his head was spinning from lack of food and forced desynchronization and he could feel an unnatural warmth coming off his skin.
"Not good…" he hissed, recognizing that he was already becoming feverish. The lack of food no doubt had made things worse for his body. He closed his eyes, trying to force the spinning sensation to stop long enough to make it to the cot. He cracked an eye open, sensing someone approaching his cell. Prompto stopped outside the cell, a water bottle in hand.
"Didn't think I'd see you again," Noctis admitted.
"Yeah," Prompto replied. "Surprised me too." He stood there before walking closer and crouching down. "Here." He put his hand through the bars and held the water bottle out towards Noctis.
"No I can't," Noctis said, shaking his head before squeezing his eyes shut as another wave of dizziness hit.
"It's okay," Prompto said, figuring Noctis thought it was drugged. "I got it from a drink machine, it's unopened."
"It's not that," Noctis replied. "I don't want you to get in trouble." Prompto paused at that.
"Do you think they would?" he asked, figuring his position as Verstael's son gave him some protection.
"Wouldn't put it past them," Noctis replied. "Punish you for helping me, punish me by proxy for accepting that help. Besides, I'm surprised you didn't notice the camera."
"Camera?" Prompto asked and looked around, eventually finding it.
"You really didn't see that?" Noctis asked.
"I… I didn't think I needed to," Prompto replied then realized that Ardyn likely already knew he had been talking with Noctis. "So… You just didn't want to get punished again."
"Well it'd suck," Noctis admitted. "But truth be told I'd feel worse that something happened to you. Especially since they'd most likely rough you up a lot more than they're allowed with me."
"Really? You'd… be worried?" Prompto asked. "But… I'm the enemy."
"You're just on the wrong side," Noctis said and looked over. "But really other than our argument last night, and the fact you shot me, you're not a bad person. I mean did you really need to come here to talk with me? Or to try and give me that water?" Prompto just shook his head. "See? Not a bad person and I'd feel pretty rotten that you got in trouble or hurt because of me. That being said…" Noctis shifted so that he could properly look at Prompto. "I… I do appreciate it. The company and the attempt. So… thanks."
"Hey, no problem," Prompto said and pulled his hand out from the bars, making sure to take the water bottle too. "So Ardyn showed me your hidden blades," he continued, sitting with his back to the bars. "How they work. Are they really that fast?"
"They'd be faster in my hands," Noctis admitted. "I actually know how to use them."
"So it really is that quick," Prompto said softly. "Your target doesn't even know what you did until it's too late."
"What did he do?" Noctis asked and Prompto was surprised by the angry tone. "Did he try to use them on you?"
"N-no," Prompto replied and looked back. "I mean he showed me how they work and then set them back down." He hesitated before continuing. "Then he… He grabbed me, made sure I couldn't call out and mimed stabbing me in the neck. Said that's how Assassins kill people."
"...That's how we kill targets, yes," Noctis said. "But I promise, we don't kill innocents and from how you've been acting I'd count you as one."
"Why?" Prompto asked, now turning so he could properly face Noctis. "I said I'm the enemy."
"And I think you're someone who got pulled in with whatever sweet talk Ardyn uses in his recruitment pitches," Noctis said. "But you don't act like the rest of them. You're better than this."
"...I'm Professor Besithia's son," Prompto replied. "I… Didn't tell it to you before. My name I mean. I'm Prompto Besithia."
"And I'm Noctis Lucis Caelum," Noctis said. "And still not seeing the issue here."
"I'm the son of one of the people essentially torturing you," Prompto replied, trying to figure out why Noctis wasn't concerned with this revelation. "How are you okay with calling me an innocent?"
"Because it doesn't matter where you're born or who you're born to," Noctis replied, forcing himself to sit up. "I mean if I wanted to I could quit the Assassins and run off, I know how to disappear so that neither side finds me. But I'm choosing to stay and help my Brothers and Sisters. You can still choose your side if you want one."
"I… I don't know," Prompto admitted.
"Just… Give it some thought," Noctis said. "I still think you're not a bad person." He then winced and dragged himself toward the cot.
"H-hey I could get someone," Prompto offered.
"Nah I'm good," Noctis said. "I'd rather not deal with that Loqi asshole mocking me. Having to deal with him twice in one day is already way too much." He then carefully eased himself up and managed to roll onto the cot. "See? Totally handled."
"Try and get some rest," Prompto said and stood.
"That's the plan," Noctis replied and gave a thumbs up before trying to settle into sleep.
000
Prompto didn't immediately leave for home yet, deciding to take a walk to clear his head. So much had happened in the past couple of days, way too much information floating through his head and he was soon more lost in his thoughts than observing his surroundings.
"Hey buddy! Long time no see!" Prompto yelped slightly as an arm, a very large, muscular arm, suddenly threw itself around his shoulders and pulled him toward the bear-like man it belonged to.
"I think you have me confused with someone else," Prompto replied and started to pull away when he felt something sharp poke at a space between his ribs. He froze, suddenly remembering Ardyn's warning about the Assassins striking once their target dropped their guard.
"No," the man grinned. "I'm pretty sure I have the right guy. In fact, we should catch up, have a drink or two. I insist." Prompto swallowed, not good. If he tried to fight, run or call for help he'd likely just end up dead for his troubles but… But if this guy really was another Assassin then…
"Y-yeah," Prompto nodded nervously. "Maybe chatting will help me remember."
"Yeah that's the spirit," the man laughed and to Prompto's relief the blade was removed though he wasn't fully released. "Come on, I know a place." The "place" in question ended up being a really nice restaurant and had the situation not been so tense Prompto was sure he'd have liked to try it out. The staff must have recognized the man because the owner soon walked over.
"Ah, Gladio," Weskham smiled. "Ignis told me you might be dropping by so I reserved your usual table. And who is your friend?"
"New friend I made," Gladio replied. "Figured I'd introduce him. Is Ignis here?"
"Already seated," Weskham replied and led the pair to what seemed to be a private dining room. It was quiet and very cozy though that really didn't help Prompto's nerves. He noticed another man already seated and looking at the menu while having a coffee.
"I was wondering what was taking so long," Ignis said and looked over at Prompto. "Is this him?"
"Yeah," Gladio replied, finally removing his arm from Prompto so the blonde could sit. "Finally wandered off where I could grab him."
"Did you happen to explain why you grabbed him?" Ignis asked.
"Figured that was a conversation for closed doors," Gladio replied as he took his own seat.
"It's about Noctis, isn't it?" Prompto asked, causing the two Assassins to face him in shock.
"You saw him?" Gladio asked.
"Is he alright?" Ignis added.
"He's alive," Prompto replied. "But he's not doing too good. He's getting sick and they're denying him food. They… Also aren't going to give him water tonight or tomorrow." Gladio leaned back in his chair, hands over his face. Ignis rested his head in one of his hands in thought.
"I thought we'd have more time," Gladio finally said.
"Either they're desperate," Ignis replied. "Or Noct is resisting and getting punished for it."
"It's that," Prompto replied. "He tried to escape the first time and mouthed off this time. And… I think they're trying to break him. The punishment was just supposed to be for tonight but Mis- Uh, Ardyn changed it to two days."
"Of course he would," Gladio growled. "Bastard's probably getting a kick out of it too."
"Do you know where Noct is being kept?" Ignis asked.
"Yeah," Prompto nodded. "A special cell on the 50th floor but there's a keypad and a security key needed. There… Is one other place. There's this big lab with an Animus where they hold his sessions. Except for when they bring him in, there's only four people there, including him and me."
"And I'm right in assuming Ardyn and Verstael are the other two," Ignis guessed to which Prompto nodded.
"Pretty gutsy only having one person to guard an Assassin," Gladio said.
"I'm just there for observation," Prompto admitted. "And… He's tied down during the sessions and when he comes out he's too weak to really fight back."
"So a surprise attack in a very lightly guarded room," Ignis mused. "Yes, that could work."
"Trick is getting up there before he's moved back to the cell," Gladio said.
"Tell me what to do." The pair looked at Prompto in surprise but he was able to hold their gazes. "I… I joined Abstergo because I wanted to help people. I… Even volunteered for a new program my… My dad is developing."
"So I was right," Gladio said. "You are Verstael's kid." Prompto could only nod to that.
"Why help us then?" Ignis asked. "You must know by now what we are. Why help your enemies?"
"Because… I'm not like them," Prompto replied, remembering Noctis's words. "And I can't sit back, watching someone slowly kill themselves because they're trying to protect something. And… Noctis said it shouldn't matter where I came from, just what I chose. So… I'm choosing to help get him out of there. I'll already be in position, I'll know when everyone's guard is dropped and when to spring him. It'll just be… You know, actually getting him out of the building." Ignis thought this over.
"I think it'll work," he said.
"Are you sure?" Gladio asked. "What if he chokes or sells us out? If one of us gets caught then-"
"I won't," Prompto said. "I want to do this and I will. I know I'm asking a lot but trust me."
"I have a call to make," Ignis said and stood up, leaving the room as he pulled out his phone.
