Prompto and Ignis turned to the large-wolf. They couldn't believe what they just heard.
The younger-blonde was wide-eyed stunned.
"...Did-... Did you just say-?"
"Mate." Gladiolus cut him off, saying the same word that made the younger-males go quiet, keeping his eyes on the small-female riding her Chocobo to the Citadel.
He may not be able to see, but Ignis could pinpoint the scent of the female that caught his friend's attention.
She didn't smell like what he would expect most females would carry, that being thick perfumes or body lotion... She, actually, smells like her brothers. Like the dirt, the grass, the trees, the rock, even the scent of water. He even detect the scent of white-sage coming off of her and her brothers, a plant that can only be found in Eusciello... A Region, that resides in Niflheim.
'Cor wouldn't entrust an important task to anybody that he made a thorough check over, if he already knew if they're residence of Niflheim or not.' He thought, keeping himself calm and to not just to conclusion. 'However, Hunters gather every source of information about their members, which includes their nationality and where they're born in, when recruiting hunters to their organization. And Cor never informed me nor Noct about them being native to Niflheim, and they don't seem to match the description on being Niflheim Residence. So, we shouldn't be too concerned on anybody to cause conflict, should they make assumption of them being 'threats' to Noct.'
When the last of the truck came into the city and could no longer see her over the crowd, Gladiolus immediately took off running the way they came from, taking a quicker route to get to the Citadel.
"Hey, Gladdy! Wait up!" Prompto called out, running to catch up to the larger-wolf.
Ignis smirked at his friend's sudden change of behavior, his drive to immediately get to the Citadel and see the Life-Mate he's been looking for.
He let out a sigh, before following his Brothers-in-Arms' scents to use as his guide.
Gladiolus ran like his life depended on it. And he wasn't going to let anything or anybody to stand in his way... And if anybody dare to get in his way from being with his mate, they'll have his fangs to deal with.
'She's here... She came!' His mind chanted, making his heart take a few extra beat.
His beast felt free, happy. As if neither of them were just depressed and was screaming at the sky for having him be mateless and not enjoying being a husband, let alone a chance at being a father.
Now that she's here, his life felt like it was going back on track... Even better.
He had to see her, up front. He has to see her, before him. To know everything about her: From her name, to her likes and dislikes. From her family, to her deepest desires.
He wanted to know everything about her. What made her as she is. That his beast was able to find that she's his Life-Mate. His Soulmate. The future mother of his pups.
Many thoughts ran through Gladiolus' mind, but one thing is for certain: Now that his Life-Mate has entered his life, his territory, he wasn't going to let her go.
"I knew we would be getting some form of welcoming when we get to the city, but I didn't expect to have a welcoming like this." Vitalis said, waving his hands to some of the people around them, giving a flirtatious wink to a small-group of females that were very excited to meet their providers for the party.
He earned himself a few girly giggles.
As usual, Sarai didn't say anything. She remained quiet, occasionally stroking the right-side of her Chocobo's neck, keeping her eyes straight ahead. All the while, she would lay her left-hand on top of her hat... The hat that once belonged to their father...
...
...
...The same hat he wore, when he and his wife were killed... Murdered, by daemons.
She uses this method to tip the western-hat forehead, giving her a chance to quickly look around her surroundings, without anybody to see her eyes scanning all around.
It was a method of hers she does, whenever they enter a town, village and/or city... She had some bad experiences with populated areas. And, from her time being constantly on high alert for monsters, creature and/or daemons, it wasn't easy for her to lower her guard and not be on a lookout for any sign of danger.
Vitalis took notice of her action. He slightly leaned to his right, touching her shoulder, with his fingers grazing her ponytail that rested next to her face.
"Relax, Ra." He gently told her, flashing his carefree smile. "There's no need to be on high alert. Security here is very tight, much more improved after the defeat of Niflheim."
Sarai gave him an unease look, before she slightly jerked her head towards the citizens of Insomnia.
Vitalis already knew what she was implying.
He let out a deep sigh.
"I know. You're not comfortable being around other people. But, maybe, this'll be different. They won't care about your sc-"
"Vitalis, Sarai, get up here!" Cephas called out from up ahead.
Hearing his stern tone, it was urgent and there was no room for arguing.
After a few pat on her shoulder, Vitalis coaxed his Chocobo to run ahead.
Sarai let out a tiring sigh, pushing her hat back down to cover her face and, with a few clicks from her teeth, her Chocobo ran to the front of the trucks to her brothers.
There, in the middle of town square, more civilians of Insomnia appeared, circling the middle of their city with their presence... In the middle, there was Cor Leonis. Also known as, "The Immortal". The very man who hired them to bring the ingredients and food for their multiple days celebration.
...
...
...Behind the middle-aged male... King Noctis Lucis Caelum, himself. Standing beside him, his queen: Lunafreya Nox Fleuret.
The four siblings, after standing in front of the first truck that contains the meats from Behemoths and getting off of their Chocobos, all keeping a grip on their steeds' reins, kneeled on one knee and bowed.
Being polite, Sarai removed her father's hat from her head and held it to her chest with her left-hand... She made sure that her ponytail remained next to her left-cheek.
Their Chocobos remained standing, shuffling their feathers and make small chirping sounds, having no intention on leaving their humans' sides.
Because they're in a very important kingdom, they all are wearing their best clothing for the meeting.
The boys wore long-sleeve dress-shirts, with Cephas having a black-shirt, Lupus a grey-shirt and Vitalis a red-shirt. They, also, wore jeans, with Cephas wearing black, while Lupus and Vitalis had dark-blue. All three of them had combat boots on.
Their clothes are similar to the choice of clothes their sister wore, showing their taste of similar fashion.
Cor walked up towards the siblings, going to the eldest of the group. He extended a hand to the young-man, offering him to help get back on his feet and to stop kneeling.
Cephas, staring at the hand, slowly took the hand and, feeling the tugging, got to his feet.
Cor smirked at the young-man, before turning to the three siblings.
"Rise, friends." He said, before he turned to his king. He nodded his head to the thirty-one year-old male. "My King, my Queen, -He nodded to Luna, as the two walked over to get a better look at the siblings.- these are the hunters that have been given the task for hunting, gathering and delivering the ingredients for the royal feast to celebrate your celebration."
The remaining siblings got to their feet, and silently started at the raven-haired ruler of Insomnia and his queen... His left-am coiled around her waist, his hand resting next to her stomach.
...A wind blew against his cape, revealing a metallic right-arm... The sign of the price he made, in exchange for wearing the Ring of the Lucii, in his fight against Iedolas Aldercapt.
Once he stood before Cephas, the four siblings lowered their heads, with the three brothers folding their right-arm over their chest and resting their hand against their last-shoulders, while Sarai kept her hat in place.
"Your Majesty." Cephas spoke in a calm, respective tone, lifting his head up and removing his arm from his chest. "My siblings and I are happy to report to you, your Queen, your Marshal and all Citizens of Insomnia that we've succeeded on our task on gathering every single ingredient that was needed for your feast."
Cor walked towards the head driver of the truck, took a clipboard that the driver had given to him and, after looking through the entire list of items the four siblings brought with them that's been recorded and written, he turned to Noctis and gave him a firm nod, a smile of approval on his face.
Noctis nodded his head to his Marshal's approval, before turning back to stare at the eldest-siblings.
"Please, tell us your names." He requested.
Cephas, being respectful, bowed his head to the king and queen. Lupus, Vitalis and Sarai did the same thing.
"I am Cephas Thalassius (Aquamarine), first born son and eldest child of the late-hunters: Lapis and Lazuli Thalassius. -He held his right-arm to the side, still holding the reins to his Chocobo, signaling his brothers to raise their heads.- My brothers: Lupus Thalassius, and Vitalis Thalassius. -After the introduction of their brothers, Sarai raised her head.- And, the youngest and our only sister: Sarai Thalassius."
Unlike her brothers, who all turned to stare at Cor, the king and queen, as she sat her hat back on her head, her eyes looked ahead at the crowd... She already wanted to get back on her Chocobo and leave the city.
...She can hear some of their voices.
"Who is that kid?"
"Are they for real? Is anybody really going to fall that this little girl helped bring down the Behemoths and Zus?"
"Who in their right mind would have a kid, most likely in middle school or even starting high school, to be a hunter?!"
"She's too skinny and small to even wield a small-sword that's strong enough to even take down a Reapertail! There's no way she could even scratch up a Behemoth!"
"Why is she wearing that hat? Looks old, and it's scratched up. Makes her look more like a Chocobo Rancher, than a hunter."
Sarai let out a tiring sigh. Hearing the same old thing, was really getting on her nerve... However, because of her high tolerance of patience, she isn't anywhere near close to snapping.
...
...
...
...Then, taking notice of three other males standing behind where King Noctis and Queen Lunafreya were at when meeting them, she identified them as being the King's Brothers-in-Arms/Shields and Protectors.
She was stunned to be seeing them. Compared to her brothers, Gladiolus was taller than her big brother, by three inches. While for Ignis and Prompto, Lupus and Vitalis are the exact same height as those two. They, also, wore black-clothing. Ignis clothes looks to be more dressy in a dress-suit, as Prompto looked more like steampunk-style and Gladiolus wore a short-sleeved jacket, that was left open to show off his chest and stomach.
A low groan left her lungs, annoyed by the way the King's Sworn Shield would choose to dress in public. What was it with males, wanting to display the top-half of their bodies out in the open? Was it to show off how strong and muscular they are, to attract females and get them to fall for them?
She did find him attractive, but wasn't going to fall for physical appearance... Plus, he's a werewolf.
...
...
...She knows that their beast, their wolf-blood, knows who their mates are. They may not know who their mate will be, in person, but they always find their Life-Mate... There was even a slight chance that their mate is a human, a rarity that they consider to being unique and the true sign that humans and werewolves are meant to coexist.
...
...
...Sarai doesn't care about finding her soulmate... She knew that no man would want a scarred-covered, petite girl as their wife... And she already accepted that truth, since she was eight.
The only people she needs in her life, are her brothers, her Hunters Family and the Chocobos... Her only source to her meaning in life, besides taking on hunts to putting down the monsters and creature that are threatening innocent lives and/or causing habitat destruction.
"Wow! That's a lot of trucks." Prompto whispered, a long-whistle slipped through his lips. "...Okay, I'm beginning to believe that they pulled it off; there's no way they could afford to pay for all this."
"I did told you of the perfectly, fresh state of the ingredients." Ignis reminded, keeping his face staring up ahead. "Though, I am still amazed that they, actually, finished their task, just three days before the festivity is to take place. -He then turned to face them... A smile on his face, which he sent to Gladiolus, who stood to his left.- Seems Cor made the excellent decision on picking who would bring the meal to the city. Aye, Gladio?"
The large-male didn't make a response to the blind-man's words... His whole attention was on the small-girl.
...Yep. It was pretty clear... He was lovestruck, by the one who is his Life-Mate.
Ignis chuckled at his friend/Older-brother figure's happy and joyful behavior; if not for the skipping pattern of his heart beating, didn't tell him just how happy Gladiolus truly was.
The thirty-four year-old male didn't want to remove his eyes off her. Not even for a second. While it was a little odd that the four siblings are wearing long-sleeve clothes on a warm Spring day, he found the clothing she wore looked absolutely beautiful, and cute. And, with the hat to go with the clothes, made her look like a cowgirl.
Though, he wished for her to take it off of her head, again... He needed to see her eyes, again... He wants her to look at him, with those eyes that are the windows to her very soul.
Prompto, looking to his right and seeing Gladiolus still staring at the small-girl, snickered at his non-response to Ignis' comment. He jabbed him in the side with his elbow.
"Seems Cor, somehow, made the right choice for them to come here. Huh, Gladdy?" He asked.
Finally, responding to the jab and being pulled from admiring his mate, Gladiolus glared down at the blonde... Though, it changed to a proud-smile, when seeing how the youngest of the group truly was happy for him on finding his mate.
"My people!" Noctis called out, bringing the three back to their king, who slowly walked to his spot, with both of his hands raised in the sky. "The necessary ingredients for the celebration of my mate and I expecting our first litter of pups, have been brought to us, thanks to these four hunters!"
To the declaration and announcement, many of the people clapped and cheered for the four siblings. Some even whistled, and a few hollered out praises to the siblings.
...
...
...Gladiolus stared at the girl, again... Sarai, a name he'll always remember for the rest of his days... The name of his Life-Mate.
He noticed, as she turned to her Chocobo and gently brought the bird's face to her own, a blush appearing on her right-cheek. He chuckled at her display of shyness.
...He had a thing for shy girls... Just as much, as he has a thing for small-females. It puts him in a role that he, alone, had always known to do: Provide, and protect. So, for her to be small, barely reaching to his chest, really made his beast growl in approval and covet to have her body against his own. Especially, in his wolf-form, which he would then cover her body with his scent and fur, marking her.
Lunafreya, staying in her spot, held up her right-hand, silencing the cheers and applause.
"To show our appreciation and our eternal gratitude, we wish to extend an open invite to these hunters to take part in our celebration!" The queen announced.
To their queen's announcement, everyone within the crowd cheered in approval.
...
...
...The four siblings were stunned by the invite the Queen of Insomnia extended to them... They looked to be at a loss for words.
Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto are more than pleased by the announcement on having the hunters stay for the festivities. Gladiolus. especially... Which means, he'll get the chance to, properly, meet with his Life-Mate, for the five days festivities and, once she gets to see him for who he is and is comfortable around him, he'll reveal to her as being his Life-Mate and request of her to live with him.
Of course, he could request of her to come with him, right now, in front of all these people. But, he wants to make his den presentable, first. To make it more homey and decent for his Life-Mate to see the future of them living together... For them, and the pups they'll be having.
...Their den... Their pack.
Cephas bowed his head to Noctis.
"...Thank you, King Noctis and Queen Lunafreya." He thanked, sounding so honest and truly humbled. "My brothers, my sister and I would be honored to be welcomed to celebrate your good fortune of the both you becoming parents."
Vitalis nodded his head at amazing speed, getting all excited that they'll be joining the party, as Lupus nodded his head in respect and with a smirk of approval on his face.
Luna beamed at the three males... Then, she turned her attention to Sarai.
...
...
...
...She didn't really show much emotion on being as excited as her big brothers about the party. In fact, the eighteen year-old's full attention was on her Chocobo, slowly stroking the bird's feathers with her left-hand and staring into the eyes of her steed... Then, slowly guiding her hands to travel down and keeping a firm grip on the reins with her right, she kneeled in front of the bird.
Her eyes showed clear concentration and focus on the bird's legs, not noticing the queen slowly coming over to see what the younger-girl was looking at.
...
...
...
...
...Then, after gently and slowly running her hand down the bird's leg, the Chocobo let out a small chirp of discomfort and jerked her legs up a bit.
Sarai immediately got to her feet, gently running her fingers through the feathers of the bird's face... Then, gently pulling the bird's head down, she rested her face against the bird's.
...
...
...Luna gasped lightly at the whisper of the girl's voice.
"...You're okay, Liliana (Lily). I got you. It's going to be okay."
...
...
...She sounded sad... And alone...
...
...And yet... There was love and kindness within her soft, gentle tone.
Luna smiled at the girl's display of love and affection to her steed, as the Cerulean Chocobo let out a few chirps and rubbed her face against her human's.
'She must truly care about her Chocobo, if she isn't showing that much interest on being invited to a special party.' She thought, as she laid her elft-hand on her still-flat stomach... Where her pups will be growing.
Once the bird had calmed down, Sarai pulled away from her steed and, guiding her steed to follow her, she tapped on Vitalis' right-shoulder. When the older-boy turned to her and leaned his head towards her, she whispered something important to him in his ears.
"We need to take them to a stables to rest up, and to trim their claws. Their legs are getting scratched up."
His eyes widened by the news and, nodding his head to his sister, Vitalis stepped out from his line and, with his left-arm out and bowing his head to Noctis and Cor, he turned to his brother.
"Cephas, we need to take the Chocobos to a stable to rest up." He repeated the message. "Ra found cuts on Liliana's legs and, no doubt, our Chocobos' legs are in similar conditions, from how long ago their claws were last trimmed."
Lupus and Cephas looked over to their sister, who continues petting Liliana... She made certain that her left-cheek is shielded by her hair, along with having Liliana's neck rest next to her face.
Cephas turned to Cor, rubbing the back of his head.
"If it's possible, will you show us where the stables are, for us to take our Chocobos to for their rest and grooming?"
The Marshal turned to Noctis and, seeing what the king seems to know and wants him to do, he nodded his head to his king, before turning back to the siblings.
"Prompto can take your Chocobos to the Royal Stables, himself." He informed the siblings. "Our workers will give them the grooming they'll need."
...
...
...
...The brothers paled at his words, as an excited Prompto heard his name and, that he would be taking their Chocobos to the Royal Stables, immediately ran over to take their Chocobos.
Immediately, Lupus pulled the reins of his Chocobo down, keeping the bird's head down.
"Sir, you mustn't let anybody take our Chocobos!" He replied, urgency in his tone of voice.
Before he, Noctis or even Luna could question his response and request...
...
...
...
"Ahhh-ha!"
Liliana, who was calm and enjoying herself at being pet, was flapping her arms and leaned forward to snap her beak at Prompto, when he tried to take the reins from Sarai's grasp, startling the poor girl when he came up from behind her, while she was focusing on calming her steed.
The Cerulean Chocobo hissed at the stunned blonde, stomping her claws into the ground, jumping within her spot to better spread her wings and frighten him with her jumps to reveal her claws at him.
The entire time, Sarai kept a firm grip on the reins, using her right-arm to shield herself from being whack with Liliana's wing, as she silently stayed firm where she stood and get the bird to stop moving.
The crowd around them were taken back by surprise to the bird's reaction to Prompto's attempt to take her away from her human... Ignis and Gladiolus were just as shocked by what they're watching; being a Chocobo lover and, an animal person, the thirty-one year-old always had a thing with animals and is able to bond with any animal he makes friends with and/or gathered information on.
So, for Liliana to freak out and get wild up, almost causing the other Chocobos to panic, if not for their humans to force them to stay still and calming them, it was very puzzling for the four males, Cor and Luna.
It took nearly thirty seconds, before Liliana, finally, calmed down and Sarai and her brothers regained control over their Chocobos... Unfortunately, the damage was already done.
...
...The voices within the crowd, are spreading words, again.
"What the hell was that all about?! Why did that Chocobo freaked out, when Lord Prompto went to take it away from that girl?"
"Do you think she had something to do with it?"
"Obviously, she doesn't know how to keep that thing under control! I mean, look at them; not one of them Chocobos have a saddle strapped on to them!"
"That's so weird."
"They must be wild; no way that a domesticated Chocobo would flip out from Lord Prompto grabbing it by the reins."
"Someone needs to take that thing away from her! It almost attacked Lord Prompto! It could've attacked King Noctis, or even Queen Lunafreya! It could've harmed their pups!"
Sarai buried her face against Liliana's neck, her right-arm wrapped around the bottom of the bird's throat, as her left clenched tightly at the reins... Her left-hand trembled... They were getting sweaty.
The brothers winced at their sister's struggle to keep calm, knowing that the warning bells are going off.
Cephas quickly took action, bowing low to Noctis and Cor, then bowing towards the still stunned Prompto.
"Forgive us," he begged. "Our Chocobos aren't violent. We assure you. They just aren't fond with strangers they don't know taking them away from us... They're very overprotective of us, on account that we saved them from abusers and/or illegal auctions. They won't allow anybody, but us, to take them. Let alone, grab their reins."
Vitalis went over to their sister, leaving his Chocobo with Lupus, resting a hand on her right-shoulder with his right, as his left slowly stroked Liliana's beak. He laid his head beside her, not saying anything... He knows that they won't get to her, when out in public, in front of so many people.
Prompto, feeling awkward and nervous at the reaction he caused to happen, looked over to Noctis. He didn't know what to do.
The thirty-one year-old king, knowing it would be best to wrap this up, nodded his head at the siblings.
"You have nothing to apologize," he said. "In fact, we should be sorry; Prompto never learns to wait, when Chocobos are around. -Prompto gaped at him for that mentioning... Though, he knows that he's right.- If you want, Prompto can take you four to the Royal Stables. That way, you four will be able to find them, whenever you need to see them. Then, he can take you where you four will be staying during your stay in Insomnia, for you all to rest up for the three days before our celebration starts and to better prepare yourself for the festivities."
The three brothers turned to each other, having a silent conversation with each other... Then, they nodded their heads.
Cephas and Lupus bowed to the king.
"We would appreciate it, your Highness." Cephas informed. He then turned to Prompto. "Please, lead the way, Lord Prompto."
From oldest to youngest, the siblings walked in a line, following the, once again, cheery blonde that couldn't help but tell them about the Royal Stables that their Chocobos would find themselves to enjoy grazing and playing in.
...
...As they walked away from town square... Sarai felt many eyes fall upon her and her Chocobo. Their words continue to whisper on in the air, just enough in hearing range for her to hear their disapproval of her Chocobo's behavior.
She kept her head down, pulling her hat down to cover the top-half of her face, as she silently guiding her Chocobo to follow her.
...
...
...
...She felt an unfamiliar pair of eyes staring at her... It made her skin crawl. she never experienced a sort of odd feeling, before... She doesn't know what to think of it, let alone how to react to the mystery stare that she couldn't see.
...Only, that it makes her feel uncomfortable... Scared, even. Ever since she came into the city... And now that she and her brothers will be staying for eight days, she was ready to leave Insomnia, as soon as possible.
Cor beamed at the four siblings, happy that they would be attending the celebration and be given the chance to rest... From the reports that he read on them, they hadn't had a decent time to rest, in over ten months.
...Especially, the youngest sibling.
He turned to Noctis, nodding his head to his king.
"I'll go with the delivery trucks to the Food Storage, to make certain that all the necessary ingredients have all arrived on time and to double check, to be certain that they truly did get everything on the list."
In agreement, the thirty-one year-old king nodded his head to his Marshal. Then, turning to his queen and extending his right arm for her to wrap her own around, he raised his left-arm in the air.
"My people!" He called out, drawing their attention from the hunters towards him. "Just as it's been planned, we shall commence to celebration of our roles as parents, within three days from now! Starting of right now and during the five days celebration, I ask of you to make our guests feel welcome in Insomnia and give them the proper respect they so deserve, for bringing in the meal that we shall feast upon to celebrate are cherished occasion of the lives of our pups... That is all."
Giving his blessings and calling off the gathering on meeting the hunters, the Citizens of Insomnia took their leaves and continued on to their daily chores and/or activities, before the announcing arrival of their guests from the guards' howling.
He turn to Luna, giving her a soft, kind smile. Clearly, the arrival of the hunters, made him more than happy and pleased, knowing that their celebration of their pups will be perfect, now that the arrival of the food they brought are taken for the five days feast are here.
The king and queen started heading back into the Citadel; Luna needs to get her much-needed rest before the celebration begins and for any other business that Noctis has to attend to.
When he walked past Ignis and Gladiolus, the blind-man tapped him on his shoulder.
"Pardon me, your Highness." He whispered, leaning in to keep his voice low. "But, there's some important news Gladiolus and I need to tell you."
Curious by his friend/older-brother figure's revealing it new information, the king turn to Luna, who was just as curious and surprise like him.
Noctis turned to Gladiolus, who removed his gaze from his Life-Mate when she and her brothers blended into the crowd... There was a spark within his Amber-eyes.
This was very surprising to Noctis.
"Gladio?" He questioned, wondering what his Sworn Shield needed to tell him about.
...
...Neither him, nor his mate, were prepared what the new was going to be, when the thirty-four year-old werewolf answered their curiosity.
"...Noct... I have found my Life-Mate." He whispered, smiling big. His eyes held many emotions, all reflecting on how truly happy and in peace he was.
Lunafreya gasped lightly... If for a smile of her own grew on her face. Tears of joy sat at the edge of her eyes.
...Noctis, stunned by his Sworn Shield's revealing on finding his mate, seems to still be processing the information he was given.
Luna removed herself from Noctis' hold on her arm, walking towards the large-male and laid a gentle hand on his right-arm.
"You found her, at last?" She asked, meaning to be certain that she wasn't hearing things and that her big-brother figure truly have found his Life-Mate. "Who is it? Where is she?"
A small-blush spread over Gladiolus' face, but his smile remain strong.
Noct can tell that he wishes to speak with them, in private. No doubt, to prevent the other werewolves from hearing the name of his Life-Mate and to spread the word, before he would reveal to all of Insomnia that he finally found her.
With a silent jerk of his head towards the Citadel, Noctis, Luna, Gladiolus and Ignis head for the largest building of the city... Which, also, happens to be the kingdom, itself.
Twenty Minutes Later...
"Well, here we are!" Prompto, happily, presented the room that the four siblings will be living in for the eight days they remain in the city.
They were completely in awe; having to be in different hotels, during their travels and hunts, they found that this room was the biggest they've ever been in.
The main room/living-room, itself, was basically the size of a two story house. The floor was smooth-wood. There was a sixty-four inch plasma widescreen TV, with a large black-sofa in front of it and a coffee table. The kitchen was neat and tidy, with a propane stove and oven, along with a microwave hanging over the stove.
To their left, a hallway that leads to the two bedrooms... They have a hunch, that those rooms and the beds, even the bathrooms, are going to be bigger than the rooms they would sleep in at the other hotels.
The siblings entered the room. Immediately, Vitalis went to the TV, turning it on to see if there's anything good to watch. Lupus head for the kitchen, surprised to see that there's food in the fridge and freezer.
Cephas turned to Prompto, a raised eyebrow of suspicious written on the thirty-two year-old's face.
"...This isn't a hotel," he pointed out. "...Why are we staying in an apartment building, that's too expensive for us to afford to stay for a few nights, let alone eight days?"
The thirty-one year-old werewolf gave him a sheepish-smile.
"His Highness and Cor wanted you four to have a great time in Insomnia. Plus, it's to show his gratitude for getting us all the food for the party." Prompto explained. "As for you expenses, it's been taken cared of. So, for the remainder of your stay in Insomnia, you'll be given a proper treatment and the time of your life."
As the two males talked, Sarai went to towards the kitchen. She went to Lupus, who pulled out pots and pans from the cabinets and setting them on the stove.
The older-brother turned to his sister, smiling softly at the quiet girl, who kept her head down and stared at her feet.
"Ra, we'd talked about this." He gently scolded, kneeling down to look up at her face. "You don't make dinner, when we're not camping and are sleeping at a hotel."
She gave him a blank look, before raising her hands and forming words.
We're not staying in a hotel, though.
He gave her a blank look in return, knowing what she's trying to do.
"Staying at an apartment, even when it's temporary, counts as a hotel." He replied, before laying a hand on top of her hat... Their father's hat. "Why don't you go watch something, with Talis?"
...
...
...
...A blush spread on her face, as she raised her hands to form more words.
Can't I help you make dinner? Please?
Almost immediately, Lupus took in the signs that told him something wasn't right.
Then, seeing her eyes looking towards their big brother and Prompto, who was talking about giving the four of them the tour of the city tomorrow, did he, also, got an odd feeling going on from the blonde.
He didn't know why she was getting nervous around King Noctis' Brother-in-Arms/Protector, but his presence seems to be making her feel uncomfortable... And, catching a glance of him staring at their sister, he wasn't going to send her off.
He got to his feet, moving his hand to rest on her back, pulling her towards the counter that the wall that shows to being the pantry blocks her view.
"Come." He said, a bit louder, so that Vitalis and Cephas can hear them. "You can help me with the meat, for tonight's dinner. You always know how to season it, just right. Especially, when it comes to spaghetti."
Hearing the announcement and, seeing the disappointment within Prompto's gaze when he could no longer see the girl, Cephas' stoic face came on.
"You sure that you can give us a tour of Insomnia?" He questioned. "Don't you have a duty to keep watch of King Noctis and Queen Lunafreya, like Lord Gladiolus and Lord Ignis? And what of the preparations?"
Prompto gave him a reassuring smile.
"No sweat," he answered. "Some other werewolves, who returned from the hunt, are going to take over the rest of the preparations. Plus, I needed a break, after lifting all of those tables in the hot sun. So, really, this would be a good time for me to spend time with my mate. So, really, this is a win-win."
The three brothers relaxed when hearing that he has a mate, meaning that he won't try to pull anything on trying to hit on their sister... But, that didn't answer to why he's still trying to stare at her.
Thinking that interacting with the werewolf will shed some light to his behavior, along with getting the chance to know where specific shops in stores will be while they remain in Insomnia, Cephas had agreed to take Prompto's offer on the tour.
Prompto, very please of the answer, raise a fist in the air and shouted "All right!"
Sarai flinched at the yell. She isn't a big fan of yelling, whether it be good or bad.
Lupus glared at the blonde for startling their sister, then glared at their big brother... A short nod told the thirty-two year-old that he knew the reasoning behind his decision.
After telling them that he'll be back at around right and a quick goodbye, Prompto left the four siblings to their own devices.
Vitalis was the first to respond.
"...So, we're still having spaghetti for dinner, right?"
Of course, they had to wait a few hours, before they could even begin to make dinner. So, to burn some time, they took the time to sharpening and examining their weapons.
Because they travel lightly... Basically, only the clothes on their backs and whatever they find in the wild or bought from stores, they couldn't bring everything they would need for staying over a week. Luckily, Dave resides close by to Insomnia and, giving him a call to have somebody to bring them some of their things, which won't be until tomorrow, that problem got covered.
With both working together, Lupus and Sarai were able to make that homemade spaghetti, with Cockatrice meatballs, chopped garlic and red vodka-sauce. they were even able to make their homemade garlic bread, much to their happiness.
To go with their meal, they had sodas to drink... With Sarai, not noticing, that Cephas added sleep medication into her drink, intentionally getting her go fall asleep the moment she finishes her meal.
...Less then fifteen minutes after eating, she was out like a light, resting against Vitalis, while watching a Chocobo Race.
The twenty-three year-old male carried his sister to the second room two the left, which will be her and Cephas' bedroom.
In both bedrooms, there are two beds, all being queen-sized mattresses and having grey-blankets over them. Two black dressers sat against the wall across from where the two beds faces. Another flat screen TV hung on the wall, at the perfect spot where both individuals can watch the screen. To the right from the entrance, is a doorway to is a bathroom, that has a shower and bathtub to go with the toilet and sink.
Vitalis placed her to the bed closest to the large window that shows an amazing view of part of the city. Because he didn't bring any spare clothes with them, the only thing he removed off of her, are her socks, as he placed her hat on the small-dresser to the right of the bed.
Sarai didn't move an inch, didn't make a single noise, as her older-brother lays her gently on the bed, with the covers pulled back to embrace her in warmth. Whether it was from the sleep medication keeping her asleep or her being naturally quiet when sleeping, Vitalis doesn't know and didn't really care.
He smiled at his slumbering sister... He didn't want to leave her alone in the bedroom, even if she was just fourteen steps away from him and his brothers.
He couldn't help but worry for his baby sister... He wants to make sure that she's okay... Being an overprotective brother and all, like Cephas and Lupus.
He then pulled out his phone, pressed a few buttons... Then, pulling out the eighteen year-old's phone from her pocket, it made a ding! sound.
...
...
...He got the video recording his sister recorded that occured, during the whole day that took place.
He leaned forward, laying a light kiss on her forehead, before sitting up.
Vitalis went to close the blinds shut... When something caught his eyes.
It was a blur, but he was certain that he saw something dark, and large, that leapt off the ledge of the rooftop that was next to the apartment complex they're staying in.
He glared at where he saw the blur went, before closing the blinds for his sister and went to meet up with his big brothers to play what Sarai's recording device caught today... He hoped that nobody was talking bad about her, or were giving her judgemental looks.
...
...
...He, also, hoped that the blur he saw, wasn't something that he and his brothers would have to worry about.
...
...
...
...He never bothered to go on the patio, outside of their room...
...
...
...Otherwise, he would've seen Gladiolus, in his wolf-form, staring at their sleeping sister through the gap that the blinds couldn't cover... Watching over his Life-Mate, with loved-filled eyes.
TBC