I had forgotten that I had shared this here too and not just A03. Well time to catch this site up.
It was dark as pitch all around. The only sounds where the constant chirps of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl. The leaves crunch noisily underfoot followed by heavy uneven pants or a gasp that would find its way in every so often when the snapping of a twig or cluster of leaves would be kicked up with no warning sounding like something or someone scuttling by.
"Noct, please can we go back?" The exasperated tone belonging to the young advisor as he follows behind Noctis who seems tireless as he continues to march through the woods as if he hadn't heard the other.
"Noct please! It's really dark and your father must be worried sick about you." Ignis begs not liking how far they gone into the dark woods.
Yet Noctis ignores him as he continues to march forward without a care in the world.
"Please let's go back." Ignis didn't want to admit it but he was scared. The dark was scary, he had always been afraid of the dark. To think he was ten years old and now a 'big brother' and he was still using a nightlight. But Ignis knew better than to tell Noctis for he didn't want him to see him in a different light.
Yet like before the young prince ignores Ignis, not knowing what else to do Ignis attempts to grab the other and drag him back forcefully. Sure the other may kick and scream but it was better than dealing with this. Ignis grabs Noctis by the shoulder and tries to twist him around, yet doing so did nothing. The grab and jerk of the smaller boys shoulders was like trying to move a statue with how Noctis didn't turn around. He just kept marching on.
Ignis grumbles as he continues walk after him when another idea came to him, he'd carry Noctis back. Picking up speed Ignis races towards his prince with the intention to grab the boy. In his blinded haste Ignis didn't see the protruding root causing him to trip over it, stumble, and collide with the other boy sending the bespectacled little boy onto his back.
"Noct?" He asks curiously looking up at the little boy as he rubs his now stinging nose.
Noctis was silent for a moment his back still to the other.
Ignis feeling unease opens his mouth to say something when Noctis begins to speak for the first time.
"Hey Ignis. You wanna hear a rumor about these woods?" Noctis asks glancing over his shoulder his face blacked out.
"Not really." Ignis croaks not looking forward to hearing anything scary while in the dark.
As if his opinion didn't matter Noctis proceeds to tell the story.
"You see, my father told me a story about this forest. There was once a man that would come out here everyday and sing." Noctis says causing a chill to go up Ignis's spine. Ignis, despite the story having just started already didn't like it. He knew it was going to get scary and he was already shaking from the dark he didn't need to add fuel to his flames.
"Please Noct. Don't tell me this story." Ignis begs weakly not caring if the prince can hear the tremble in his voice "I wanna go home." Ignis adds.
But like before Noctis ignores him "Everyday it would be the same song, and would be heard through here. It was always sang with passion because it was a happy song." Noctis continues his voice surprisingly cheery.
"One day a wealthy farmer noticed that his chocobo had laid a black egg and when it hatched the feathers were black as coal. He immediately knew that this was a sign of bad luck, especially when he saw and heard the man singing which caused the black chocochick to follow him. Soon every farm that had chocobos had black ones, and every farm that had black chocobos would have failing crops. And the people of Insomnia were getting sick and dying. They had enough and they knew who to blame."
Noctis pauses allowing the silence to fall over them both. It was quiet to quiet for Ignis's liking. The wind didn't blow, the chirps and songs of nightlife halted, it even seemed like sound itself left for every step Noctis took Ignis didn't hear the crunch of leaves or grass.
"They burned he man at the stake."
Ignis at this point had his hands over his ears "Please Noct, I don't want to hear this story anymore please." Ignis begs.
"The man screamed and howled asking the people 'Why!?' and 'What wrong have I done!?' yet the people only cheered on as the flames quickly consumed his flesh as the air began to fill with the smell of his death." Noctis looks towards where Ignis was standing "They tossed his body right where you're standing." The dark prince says grinning causing the other to jump and rush behind Noctis.
"Now, they say that the man's spirit haunts this forest. He's angry and vengeful. He was a innocent man forced to death by selfish people. His song now twisted and full of malice. They say if you hear his song you're going to die." Noctis doesn't look at Ignis as he continues "The older kids like to come out here so they can see who out of them can hear or spot the Chocobo Man." Noctis turns on his heels facing the other boy "You ready to play a game?"
As soon as those words left the prince he vanished.
Ignis was rooted to the spot he was standing stiff as a board. His eyes were wide and wild as he looks around himself "Noct?" He squeaks as his body was starting shake violently "Y-Your Highness?" He tries again but once again he was met with silence.
Snap!
Ignis jumps twisting around hoping to see Noctis, but instead say a twisted shadow shaking along the gray grass.
Ignis musters up enough courage to run away from the spot. He ran screaming out to Noctis, to the Heavens, to anyone willing to listen and save him from the monster of the forest.
The little advisor would've kept running but was soon tripped up by an uprooted tree root sending him tumbling to the ground spiraled out on his belly bruising his chin and biting his tongue when he hit the ground. Ignis was frighten, he was lost and all alone in the dark forest with a monster and scary story still fresh on his mind. Scared Ignis shifts a bit to sit on his knees. Ignis felt his eyes sting and his throat burns, he was shaking all over as he tries to piece together why Noctis had down this.
Was he mad at him?
That's all Ignis could think "I'm sorry Noct." Ignis whimpers his voice breaking as tears well up in his eyes "Please forgive me. I'm sorry." he sobs covering his eyes with his hands as he begins to cry.
That's when he heard it.
The low gargled rasp, the voice like bubbling mud and nails on a chalkboard. It was low at first and in the dark Ignis could easily make out what was being sang "I...want...to..." the voice fades leaving in it's wake silence.
Ignis looks around the large tears that had welled up in his eyes as he looks around his surroundings shaking.
"Ride...my..."
Was that a tree in front of him?
How did it get there?
Was it always there?
Ignis noticed that the song sounded louder telling him that the one stalking him was much closer.
"Chocobo..."
Did the branches just move?
Ignis watches as the strange structure standing inches before him moves slowly with jerky movements like an old rusty animatronic. With no warning the figure springs forward screeching at Ignis it's voice like claws on a chalkboard and gears grinding to a halt "All day!"
The monstrous being was illuminated as if producing a light all of it's own. Its body like black as the forest it dwells in, it's flesh like bark, where it's eyes should be were empty sockets, it lacked lips exposing it's yellow teeth and it lacked a nose. It had blonde hair which still kept it's shape and it's clothes despite being old and worn look painfully familiar.
Ignis was rooted to the spot his eyes wide with fear. The creature hisses his name as it reaches for him it chants one word over and over and over again.
"Traitor!"
"Traitor!"
Each word increasing in volume as it shakes Ignis. The corpse hisses as it lifts the boy up and holds him by one arm, Ignis could feel violent winds whipping him in the face as the smell and taste of sea water floods his mouth and nose. Stealing a glance below Ignis sees that he his dangling over a cliff "I'll get my revenge. It should be you six feet under!" The corpse snarls its voice all to familiar but Ignis couldn't remember where he heard it.
"Say goodbye Specs!"
With that the figure drops Ignis. The advisor, now his regular self screams as he falls towards the churning sea where-.
Ignis wakes with a violent jerk with his heart pounding in his chest as if a jackhammer was taken to it. Unable to steady his breathing nor calm himself Ignis sits up shaking so much to the point that his belly begins to churn. Feeling cold, clammy, and weak Ignis covers his mouth feeling it flood with water as he tears himself from his spot on the mattress and rushes to the bathroom. Once inside he flips the lights one, slams the door and drops to his knees in front of the toilet where he begins to heave.
Gladiolus was awoken upon hearing Ignis scream. The sudden action at first having irritated him for disturbing his sleep but when the oldest stole a glance at him from the couch he was sleeping on he could see the younger one shaking. Ignis looked sickly as he sat there trying to compose himself before leaving the bed seemingly unaware that Gladiolus was awake.
The Shield didn't dare move not until he heard the door slam shut. He sat up trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with Ignis he was worried about him after all. The usually level headed tactician hadn't been sleeping like he should and it was upsetting Gladiolus. When Ignis did sleep however, it wasn't for long and it was always accompanied by nightmares.
Swinging his legs over the side of the couch he pads over to the bathroom wanting to make sure that the other was alright. From his side of the door Gladiolus can hear Ignis retching. He tries the knob which to his luck is unlocked allowing him to step into the bathroom, ignoring the gestures Ignis throws at him to leave Gladiolus sits down on the tub and begins to rub Ignis's back in a attempt to comfort him.
Eventually when nothing else came up Ignis closes the lid and flushes the toilet as Gladiolus fetches a towel from the cabinet and wets it before bringing it over to Ignis "Wha'cha dream about?" He asks softly handing the cloth to the other who thanks him "I...I don't want to talk to talk about it." Ignis admits softly as he wipes his face and mouth "It was...scary." he adds. The way he said that reminded Gladiolus of Iris when she was little and would have a nightmare.
Mentally smiling and thanking the Six for blessing him with a younger sibling the older male knew exactly how to go about getting the other to talk. Though it would be a bit trickier to get Ignis to talk because of his nature. He just had a tendency to keep to himself and bottle up everything.
But Gladiolus wasn't going to go back to bed nor let his friend go back to bed without helping him first.
Watching as the other picks himself up from the floor and moves to the sink where he proceeds to wash his hands Gladiolus finally speaks "What made it scary?" He asks yet Ignis remains silent.
"Was Prompto in it?"
Ignis stiffened.
Should've known...ever since we revived him that's all he dreamt about. But I didn't know they were getting worse.
"What was he doing?"
Ignis remained silent the only sound was of that coming from the sink as the water runs from the facet over his hands and down the drain gurgling. His eyes widen and a look of fear crosses his face for a moment "He..."
The images of the rotten horribly burned and deformed Prompto reaching out and screaming at him return just as clear as the moment he saw them in his sleep. Ignis lowers himself onto his elbows resting them on the sink his head in his hands as he hides his face from Gladiolus not wanting him to see just how scared he was "Please Gladio, please don't make me talk about it." His voice was full of pure genuine fear and Gladiolus knew better than to push him any further.
Gladiolus nods as he makes a move to rub Ignis's back but was beat by Ignis embracing him instead his face hidden in the crook of the Shield's neck. Gladiolus was surprised at first mostly because Ignis was never one to initiate hugs. Gladiolus simply held him closer not saying anything for he felt it was probably best to let Ignis work himself down from this upset.
That is until he heard the hitch in his breath and felt the tiny splash of tears on his shoulder. Ignis was for a lack of better words miserable and Gladiolus hated that he didn't know how to make him feel better. Surely hugs weren't enough right now for Ignis, at least that's how Gladiolus saw it. He needed more like an anchor of sorts to reassure him, to keep him steady when he feels like he is drifting away.
Another hitch in Ignis's breathing and the oldest of the two feels more tears running down his shoulder. He needed to calm Ignis down and settle his mind so he could get back to sleep, Ignis not him. Gladiolus wasn't tired at this point, Ignis hadn't been sleeping and he would occasionally nod off whilst in the Regalia when he wasn't driving though there had been times when he was behind the wheel and nodding off resulting in him swerving to gain control when shouted at snapping him out of his trance. Though those times Noctis chewed him out.
Gladiolus honestly felt that what Noctis did wasn't called for. The older brother was worried for he knew the nightmares were the sole cause of Ignis's insomnia.
Nightmares.
The only thing that Ignis fears for he has no control over them. His nightmares weren't normal either, he would have ones that were lucid making them too real for him. They played on his darkest fears leaving him to wake screaming, flailing, and upset. Gladiolus recalls times in the past while they camped Ignis would wake from a nightmare and wouldn't go back to sleep. Those days he could be seen downing many cans of Ebony. It happened from time to time when he was a small boy too. Those nights whenever Gladiolus and Ignis spent the night at the Citadel they would watch movies, play games, or tell stories. So naturally if a scary story, show, or game was the last thing to be heard or said by Ignis he had a nightmare of it leaving him to seek comfort from his friends.
His nightmares hadn't been this bad since Insomnia's fall.
Yet, Gladiolus was always the one to comfort him. And now was no different.
"Look I ain't gonna make you talk about something that you're not comfortable with alright. But know this, if you ever want to vent or find the courage to talk about what you dreamt I'll always be here." Gladiolus say softly.
With that said he could feel Ignis nodding, for the tactician knew Gladiolus was being honest and he knows without a doubt that the Shield wouldn't humiliate him in the process. He didn't need to fear being judged or laughed at.
And in his current time of need, Noctis had shown Ignis he couldn't trust him to not hurt him even more than he was. Now Ignis knew Noctis and Gladiolus were hurting but Noctis was being harsh about it.
Blaming him, and it hurts. But Ignis refused to say anything.
Gladiolus leads Ignis back to the bed once his tears stopped and his breathing was steady once again. "Go ahead and lay down." Gladiolus instructs but Ignis was hesitant "I don't want to." Ignis replies shyly earning a stern look from the Shield.
"I know you don't want to but your health says you need too." Gladiolus states "You aren't sleeping like you should and its showing on your face and in your movement." Gladiolus explains he places a hand on Ignis's shoulder "I'm only telling you this because I love you and I don't want to see my friend slash brother getting sick. I don't want to lose you too." He adds his voice was soft with a hint of sadness.
Ignis nods "I appreciate the concern, truly I do. But...I..." Ignis lowers his head in to his hands "I am afraid of what I might see when I close my eyes." His voice was tight and he could already feel the trembling in his shoulders "I long for the chance to rest easy and sleep as soundly as you and Noct...but...because of-...nevermind."
Gladiolus watches as Ignis's shoulders slump in defeat as he hangs his head. The older brother sighs as he rubs the back of his neck "How's this, you just lay down in the bed. You don't gotta sleep but just relax. Okay?" Gladiolus suggests.
Ignis nods as he climbs back into the bed laying down on his side. His eyes fixated on the young king.
Gladiolus nods a bit as he moves to the couch were he sits down and proceeds to tug on his boots, the sound catches Ignis's attention as he raises up just enough the see the other. "Are you leaving?" Ignis asks with the same level of fear that a child would upon learning that their parent was leaving them with a evil babysitter or scary step-parent.
"Just across the street. Gotta buy you some more pain meds. You're out of Tylenol and sinus medicine. I know that cryin' leaves you with dull headaches, small aches, and stuffed up. I just just don't want you hurting and miserable." Gladiolus says softly getting to his feet.
"Be back in a sec."
With Gladiolus leaves taking the motel room key from the nightstand by the door as he exits the room.
Stepping out into the quiet street Gladiolus felt like he was suffocating with how hot it was that night a drastic change from that morning which was cool. "Is it just me or does this feel like Lestallum's weather?" He grumbles to no one in particular as he locks the door shut.
He turns and makes his way off the porch when he hears a soft whine. It was weak and barely carried any volume to it, if wasn't for the fact there was close to no one outside Gladiolus knows for a fact he would've missed it. Looking down and towards the direction he heard the noise he saw the voretooth, Demyx laying near the door. The monster was originally in the motel room but upon discovering that Prompto wasn't there it wanted to go outside so it could sit and wait quietly for Prompto's return.
That had been a week ago.
Yet the striped beast refused to budge from that spot. The change in the lively beast was heartbreaking. It had gone from sitting, to slouching, now to laying down with barely a wag in it's tail. At that time it had begun to refuse food and drink. Ignis had tried many times to get the wolfish creature to eat, he even tried offering it human food but the monster would only turn its nose up to it.
Noctis had taken over when Ignis gave up. All the while he would coo and coax the voretooth into eating something but it would refuse still.
Gladiolus was sadden by this. He kneels down to pet the rough scale like fur on the creature only to have it turn shying away from the other whimpering softly. The large man sighs as he stands back up and makes his way to the small shop.
Stepping through the glass doors Gladiolus is greeted with a hello as he makes his way to the medicine section. He scans each box, picking up and reading each one looking for one that wouldn't make the other breakout in hives or swell up.
Sighing Gladiolus sets down the box he was holding "This is just fanfriggentastic." He shakes his head crossing his arms "This is the only friggin' medicine selection they got and Iggy could die taken it." Gladiolus huffs as he reaches into his pocket pulling out a prescription for a special brand of acetaminophen belonging to the tactician.
"Good thing I carry this around." The Shield looks down at the paper "Would it be weird to request another refill? I mean I did just get this refilled two weeks ago back when we were staying in Caem." Gadiolus looks out the window and to the motel they were staying in.
They wouldn't question him right?
Gladiolus bites his lip feeling tempted to just walk out and search another store. In fact he found himself walking towards the door when a sudden warmth fills his belly and a overwhelming sense of reassurance washes over him. Gladiolus stops, turns on his heels and moves to the counter.
"Hey, can I get a refill of this?" Gladiolus asks unfolding the prescription as the cashier nods "Sure, who's it for?"
"Ignis Stupeo Scientia. Uh, here's his insurance card..." Gladiolus says placing the black and gold card on the counter.
The other takes it and punches in the information into the computer "Dr. Stein? For the one with codeine?"
Gladiolus nods causing the other to nod before disappearing into the back of the store. Gladiolus watches him calling out "Oh hey by the way do you have-" Gladiolus was cut off by the feeling of something being thrown at him followed by the sound of something hitting the ground with a rattle and click. Growling as he rubs the back of his head as he looks over his shoulder, hoping to see the spineless punk who hit him but he saw no one. Confused he looks around the shop but saw no one, however as he looked around he saw what it was that had hit him.
It was a square box laying face down on the floor where he had been standing. Moving back to the spot he picks up the box only to learn it was a brand of nasal strips that helps with snoring. Gladiolus was about to put them away when he felt like someone or something was staring at him.
But like before as he looks around he saw no one.
Meanwhile, Ignis lays on his side with his knees drawn up and camera in hand. He lays there scrolling through the saved images only stopping on those of Prompto by himself. This current one was of the photog sitting behind the wheel of the Regalia.
Ignis simply smiles at the memory. He recalls how Prompto was set on driving the regal car, despite the constant string of 'no' from both Noctis and himself it was Gladiolus who finally got the king and advisor to agree.
"You were so pleased...and you drove so well...my only regret is...not allowing you to drive more." Ignis sniffs. He wipes at his eyes his hands going up to his face for a moment, the coolness of his palms comfortable against his puffy eyes.
That's when he heard it happen. A soft tick followed by the sound of static all telltale signs that the motel's television was turning on. Ignis, being the sensible man that he was figured that one of three things happened.
The first being Gladiolus had returned and turned on the TV. Yet, the larger man would've spoken to him upon arriving and the other flaw was Gladiolus hadn't returned.
The second was that Noctis turned the TV, but the prince was still fast asleep.
The last being that the remote control was rolled on, but like with the last two it was quickly debunked for from where he was laying down he could see the remote on top of the TV.
Ignis would like to claim that he didn't believe in ghosts or ghouls but he fought the things that go bump in the night and on top of that he had already caught two ghosts on the Lokton.
Those ghosts of course were of their friend, Prompto.
The television, now on was playing a news broadcast on the same station that had been playing a football game that Gladiolus had watched when they stepped through the door seven hours earlier having returned from a hunt. Ignis watched as the channel flipped by itself. The channel surfing lasted for a mere minute before landing on a anime. The scene showing two characters chained to each other by the wrists, fighting one another.
"Prompto?" Ignis whispers.
The second the name left Ignis the television shut off and all was quiet once more.
Reeeee-click!
Ignis jumped, sitting upright and staring down at the camera Ignis was one hundred percent positive that this phenomena was Prompto's doing. Picking up the camera he turns it on being met with the image Prompto holding a thumbs up and the television displaying the words "Hi guys" using caption mode. Something Ignis didn't see happen when he was watching it unfold live.
Was Prompto trying to communicate with them?
Ignis looks back towards the television only to see that it was still off.
"Prompto...is that you?" He asks softly.
He sat in silence for a full five minutes only to have the silence disturbed by the sound of the motel room door unlocking "Uh, sorry for the wait" it was Gladiolus having returned "...something weird-" he starts only to quickly change his mind deciding it was best to not bring up the weird experience he had at the store.
"Anyway I you some medicine." He says setting the bags down in front of Ignis "I also bought you some soup from the Crow's Nest. Its a lentil soup." Gladiolus says as pulls out the small to-go cup with a lid.
"Take your medicine first." Gladiolus says watching as Ignis nods and uncaps the blue pill bottle, shakes out one into his palm, pops it into his mouth swallowing it. Gladiolus hands him the soup before reaching into the convenience store bag pulling out the breathing strips "Here, these should fix your nose." He says opening the box and pulling out a strip "Lemme put this on you, your nose is looking red." He adds softly as he applies the bandage like strip onto Ignis's nose.
"Thank you." Ignis says as he opens the soup "Don't mention it." Gladiolus says moving towards the television and turns the knob to the left turning it on. "Ah Gladio wait!" Ignis starts to say remembering how the sound was at max level.
"Iggy, what's wrong?"
However when it turned on the sound was soft like it had been when Gladiolus had last used it, seeing this Ignis shakes his head deciding it was best to not bring up his paranormal experience so he settles with a trivial "Thanks for the medication and soup." Causing the older man to nod "You don't gotta thank me. Just eat up and get some sleep."
The following morning as the boys readied to leave motel they were met with Pryna sitting outside their door. She looks up at them as she stands up looking to the left of the motel before returning her gaze to the three men. The first thing they noticed was that Pryna was much more thinner and the fur on her looked like it was hanging or too big for her.
Not deciding to dwell on it the raven haired boy speaks "Pryna? What are you doing here, did Luna send you?" Noctis asks looking the dog over assuming she had the journal but when Noctis reaches for the spot when the journal is usual stored on Umbra the white dog backs away whining.
"Pryna what's wrong girl?" Noctis asks watching as the dog whines more before barking and bolting to the side of the building causing the Shield, King, and advisor to look at one another and follow after the white messenger.
"Where is she going?" Ignis asks he knows that the others were as lost by her actions as he was but he felt like he should say something in the moment.
"If I knew I would tell you." Snaps Noctis earning a glare from the older man who looks over to Ignis. Much to his relief Ignis seemed unaffected by the remark.
Pryna races through the field and weaves her way through the tall grass as she moves along the fence before coming to a halt whining and barking at the boys to hurry up. Each sharp bark was full of desperation and upset that the men couldn't help but pick up speed.
Pryna leads the boys further along the fence before stopping at a large orange and black figure on the ground. She sniffs at it earning her a small whimper and a light thumping of a tail. As the boys approached they could see that the figure was Demyx.
The voretooth lays near motionless as its tail continues to wag and happy gurgles leave it's throat. Noctis was the first one to approach the beast. Dropping to his knees Noctis gently pets the rough scale like fur "Demyx come on boy...we're going home." He says softly but the monster simply ignores him as it blinks staring glass-eyed ahead.
"Come on. Demyx, let's go." Noctis repeats this time his voice was says but stern causing the wolfish creature to shift slightly. Noctis was about to say something more when Demyx lifts his head up. He blinks as a soft chirp like bark leaves him. His tail wags as his eyes and head slowly move to the left and right before stopping straight ahead. He looks up with a small shuffle in his paws, his long pink tongue licks the air twice before it lowers it's head and closes it's eyes.
The small soft grunts fade and the striped tail which was wagging seconds ago stills.
Noctis shaking places a hand on the beasts side searching for a heartbeat but finds none. Cussing, he punches the ground over and over again.
"Why!? Why me!? Why must I constantly lose the things and people I love!?" Noctis weeps pitifully "Why couldn't I keep my friend's monster!?"
Ignis looks away sadly, he hated that the one other thing they had of their friend was gone too.
"Wonder what he saw." Gladiolus says softly making Ignis look over to him "Based off of his reaction I would like to think he saw Prompto." Ignis says softly his eyes looking elsewhere.
Noctis shakes his head his eyes locked on the voretooth "We should bury him next to Prompto." He suggests weakly "It's only fair that he gets a burial too, he was part of our team." He adds.
"I agree."
"Alright, I'll carry him back."
With that Gladiolus scoops up the voretooth and carries him back to motel with Noctis, Ignis, and Pryna following after him.
The three friends stand quietly over the small grave belonging to the deviant voretooth where he lays beside his master. Noctis didn't say anything as he stares glass-eyed ahead, Gladiolus shuffled a bit, Ignis stood still with the Lokton camera in his hands, as Pryna sat at the foot of Demyx's grave blinking with watery eyes.
Ignis wasn't sure what it was that urged him to do so but he lifts the camera and peers through the viewfinder he steps back a bit before snapping the photo.
He lowers the device and looks at the display screen.
There was only Pryna in the photo but she was surrounded by what looked like yellow wispy smoke which seems to glow.
"What was the point of that? You're just wasting film." Noctis spits.
"I simply had hoped to see Prompto again." Ignis mumbles only to realize he had said that aloud. The looks he had received were mixed and drastically different. Gladiolus looked creeped out as Noctis looked ready to fight the bespectacled young man.
"Is that some sick joke?" Noctis growls causing Ignis to simply push up his glasses "Who do you take me for?" Ignis inquiries "I speak nothing but the truth. The last we were here I photographed Prompto on his resting place. The other time we were helping Dave. And last night he came to me." Listed Ignis the quake in his voice told the other two that he was excited about his findings.
"Oh yeah, prove it." Noctis snaps, he wasn't buying this story.
Ignis grins as he scrolls through the photos until he lands on the one of Prompto sitting on his grave holding up both hand with the right holding up one finger and the other showing all five. He lingers on page watching as Gladiolus and Noctis move closer to see. Ignis then shows them the one of Prompto looking upset while they went to look for dogtags.
"This is the one I saw last night." He says scrolling throughout until he lands on the television with the subtitles "Hi Guys" on it. Except a blurry figure was in it instead of the blonde.
Noctis frowns, he shakes his head "Yeah...real funny Ignis." He scoffs shaking his head still "Real mature."
Ignis looks taken aback "I'm not lying, why would I do something like this. These photos are proof that I saw him." Ignis fires back. Yet Noctis wasn't having it, he wasn't sure if Ignis was purposely provoking him or not but all he knew was that he was doing one heck of a job.
"You seriously expect me to believe that those photos are legit!? How do I know that they aren't just ones? Huh!? That photo of us with Demyx how do I know that's not one of the many older ones, and the one with him posing that doesn't mean it happen here. And that last one...you know-" Noctis croaks his voice tight as his body shakes violently.
"I can't believe you would do something like that..."
Gladiolus looks over at the broken king "Seriously?"
"Noct...I didn't...you see the type of camera this is...we don't even... I'm telling you that I saw Prompto-" Ignis was silenced by Noctis snatching the camera from him "Prompto is dead! He's dead and he's not sure as well going to be popping up in photos!" He screams and in his blinded anger he hits Ignis with the camera sparking Pryna to jump forward barking sharply and a visible flinch from his advisor who grabs his upper arm.
"You love to keep opening up that wound...don't you! All last week you kept bringing him up." Noctis growls his grip on the camera tightens and causing it to rattle. "You know I thought letting you have this camera was a good idea but..." he shakes it a bit and Ignis felt his heart drop into his stop "Noct, please...please no. Think about what you are about to do." Ignis says nervously.
"I know, what I'm about to do."
Time seemed to slow down as Noctis throws the camera, neither Ignis nor Gladiolus had time to react as the black and silver hit the ground with so much force that the film popped out as the camera tumbled down the hillside.
Sharp barking from Pryna soon fills the air, her barks so full of pain and heartache as she barks at Noctis. He in response looks down at her in time to see her ramming herself at his legs, her paws claw at his pants and he can them scraping his skin.
He drops to his knees attempting to console the distraught messenger only to be kicked at and nearly bitten. Noctis stands up straight as steel blue eyes lock with broken deep blues.
Pryna snarls her lips curled before barking and turning away racing off towards the direction the camera had landed.
Noctis says nothing as he makes his way to the cottage. Gladiolus simply shook his head as he watches Noctis leave as Ignis goes to pick up the black film that lays in the grass. His eyes stinging with the hope that the images on it are unaffected.
He holds it in his hands with the same gentleness that one would have with holding a small animal.
Pryna walks up with a slight limp in her stride she sits at Ignis's feet and looks up at him with the camera in her jaws which she places in his hand once he kneels down.
"Do you...do you think the pictures will be okay?" Ignis asks softly as he looks over the camera which had sustained scratches, a cracked lens, and the display screen was shattered. Ignis turns it on testing to see if it still worked.
Much to his relief it still worked. Seeing his friend visible relax Gladiolus lets out a breath as he places a hand on Ignis's shoulder causing him to wince for he had touched the spot where Noctis had hit him.
Frowning Gladiolus begins to roll up Ignis's sleeve despite the protest the other put up only to find he was developing a bruise swearing he motions for Ignis to follow him inside "Let's get ice on this. Come on."
Pryna watches as Gladiolus and Ignis walks away, she turns away this time focusing on the tombstone of the photog.
Her eyes narrow and her gaze hardens as her blue eyes turn gold.
'This wasn't supposed to happen...I didn't want this...' .
