It was earlier than Prompto ever got up for a job, he wasn't actually supposed to be in work until nine, but here he was at seven in the morning, freshly showered with a towel hanging loosely around his waist, staring at the outfit he'd just picked out. A simple white button down, dark blue skinny jeans and checkered suspenders, but while it was very simple in theory, in practice he was scared shitless. It wasn't even the outfit that was scaring him, in truth he never put this much thought into an outfit, usually just throwing on whatever he could find, but this was his first official day of work at the Meteor Publishing offices and he needed to make a fantastic first impression. At least according to Vyv he did, according to him he'd be working very closely with the Editor of Photography a rather intimidating man named Ravus, as well as the Managing Editor another intimidating man known as Ignis. If Vyv's word was anything to go by, these two men would be the hardest to impress, Ravus less so as he'd already seen Prompto's portfolio, the one he was really worried about was Ignis. He knew nothing about the other man save for three things:
He was a perfectionist.
He was uptight.
He was, without a doubt, ruthless.
Prompto knew right off the bat Ignis would be difficult to impress, if Ravus had already seen his work it would be easy to show him his true colours. After putting on his outfit and styling his gravity-defying hair, he decided to head out early, hoping it would end up impressing both Ravus and Ignis. The entire walk to the offices he was sweating bullets, hoping against hope that his deodorant would do it's job, and that he wouldn't make a fool of himself in front of his bosses. "Okay," he sighed, "Stop being such a baby Chocobo. It's just a job, why are you so nervous?" He could clearly see the secretary on the main floor stare at him strangely, as he was just standing on the other side of the doors, with a strong push forward he strode into the building and straight to the elevators to the fourth floor. He'd decided that his apprehension was the only thing that was going to be his downfall here. Vyv's words played over and over again in his head, 'you've lost it' and truthfully he knew he had, the past year nothing had caught his heart as it used to. Prompto truly could find beauty in anything, even a floating plastic bag could catch his eye. His nervousness was only going to bring him down further, and somewhere within his heart of hearts, Prompto knew that. Nothing would bring out his A game if he went in everyday scared out of his mind to perform. As the elevator doors opened into his new world, Iris jumped up as soon as she saw him. "There he is!" She exclaimed, alerting at least a few of the journalists to his presence. "I was looking so forward to getting into you for being late, but here you are thirty minutes early!" The blond couldn't help but blush, the light pink dusting traveling across his nose, a sheepish smile growing across his face. "Here I am," he said rather quietly, a slight quiver in his voice. Iris had to raise her eyebrow to that, this man in front of him looked like a far cry from the one she'd first met. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Prompto sighed as he approached the high top desk, eventually resting his head on the surface. "I'm nervous Iris. Like I know Ravus likes my stuff, Vyv kind of told me. But Ignis sounds like a real…"
"A real what?" A stuffy posh, and slightly amused, voice came from just behind Prompto, and he froze. He knew immediately who it was and he honestly could not deal with it for the life of him.
Slowly he turned around to face his new Managing Editor in the face, slightly surprised to see a small half smile on the posh looking man's face. "I… uh… I… I'm Prompto," he fumbled as he extended his hand out to Ignis.
All Ignis could do was laugh softly as he took it, shaking it firmly. "Vyv's already told me of your arrival, if you want to follow me this way I'll introduce you to Ravus as well and we can start going over what you'll be doing." Prompto just nodded as Ignis took him away from Iris, what little amount of warmth in his voice already seeming to leave. He'd wondered if Ravus had shown him his portfolio yet, it might make this go a little smoother. Ignis pulled Prompto into what looked like a small break room, a couch sat in the center of the room with a T.V. facing it. He could see the latest generation QuickStation sitting just under it, he had to admit he would have loved to use it at some point during his time here. Just behind the couch was a four person table as well as four chairs, in one of them was sat a rather extravagant looking man. When Prompto looked at him the first word that came to mind was "extra". He just had this air about him that made it look like he'd go out of his way to surpass anything or anyone around him. "Good to meet you," his voice sounded hard at the edges and soft in the middle, "You must be Prompto right?" Another nod. "I'm Ravus, clearly you've already met Ignis."
"I wouldn't so much say 'met', but yes I suppose that is true." Ignis took his seat next to Ravus, gesturing for Prompto to sit down as well, to which he rapidly complied. "I believe Ravus was just showing me your portfolio, but I'd much rather see you present it. After all an artist can always present his own work best."
Both Ravus and Ignis left his portfolio sitting on the table, waiting for Prompto to pick it up, but he didn't. Instead he smiled, trying to calm his nerves, and spoke, "Y'all look through it, I'll narrate. How about that?" It certainly was unconventional, but the two men supposed it worked well enough. Prompto told his story as the two men flipped through his work, keeping an eye on where they were to keep up with the story.
"It starts off simple enough, when I came here I was alone most of the time. My mom was always working, we were always pretty strained for cash. When I got into photography I always took pictures of things that exemplified my own loneliness. There's a lot of pictures of my neighborhood, and the people in it. And I believe it's fairly obvious now, but at the time I often used muted tones or black and white filters, just to really hammer that 'sad kid' vibe home," he laughed softly before he continued, "I applied for internships, apprenticeships, fellowships, actually anything I could get my hands on that would bring me closer to the world of photography. That's when I interned under Madame Costaura at Roen Modeling. She was a lot like you Specs, perfectionist. But when you're a photographer, it's instantaneously harder. Lighting, models, clothing, setting, everything is so hard to get right, especially for her. It was under her I learned about lighting, composition, and all that other technical stuff. But it wasn't for me you know? I hate telling people what to do.
"The next few places were the same for the most part. Just learning more about the craft, editing photos, photoshop. Each of my fellowships and apprenticeships all taught me different things every time. How to talk to people, how to set up a good shoot, how to convey other emotions in my work. Something was still missing though, it was that sense of control that was killing me. When it came right down to it, each place taught me most of all that staging was one of the most important things. Until that is, I started at Eos Geographical. I started off as an intern, learning under Master Jared. He was an old man, but very learned in the art. Had it not been for him I might have never found out what it was I liked. Photographing animals is so different from photographing people. You can't direct a wild animal, y'know? I started with things like dogs, and squirrels, small things, but then that Old Man… He believed in me. He took me out on one of his shoots, to scout out a pack of wild Cactuars. It was then I learned the most important lessons. Timing and patience. All the other places I went to kinda told me that the photographer is the one who calls all the shots, but goddamn man you just can't tell these things what to do. Jared died just after I got taken on as a regular photographer, I knew he was proud, but I still wish he could have seen my best stuff." Prompto got wistful at the mention of Jared, he always wanted the Old Man to see him where he was today, somewhere he knew Jared was looking down on him, proud of who he became.
Before he could continue Ignis and Ravus got to his pièce de résistance, he knew immediately by the gasps they took. Ravus looked scared and Ignis looked bewildered. "How did you get this close?" Ravus piped up, really eyeing up the details.
"I waited in the brush for maybe two hours? I scouted the place for about a week though, I knew this is where a small pack of them liked to come. I figured out what times would be the best to come over the course of the week, and the day of the shoot I came two hours beforehand. Just to get myself settled and all that. I knew it'd be a long wait."
"And how was it that you disguised yourself?" Ignis was staring at Prompto, not at the picture, as if trying to gauge if he was lying.
"Camouflage and foliage mostly. I had also got one of those leaf nets? The ones that you drape over yourself to make it look like a bush or something. And before one of you asks I used a long focus lens, and held it up the whole two hours I was waiting. Just in case one came by early."
Both men seemed fairly impressed, Ravus moreso than Ignis by the actual photo. "Man did Vyv tell you that you're too good for this place?" Ravus asked him, finally looking Prompto in the eye. "Because you're way too good for this place." Prompto smiled, a small blush creeping across his face again.
"I agree, which makes me ask the obvious question. Why did you come here?" Ignis' eyes were squinted at him, which made them very hard to read, but Prompto did anyway.
"Well a few reasons. Right after I took that picture, I was attacked by the fucker." Ravus' look positively scared shitless, "So I quit Eos Geo after that. Spent this past year freelancing for fun, and set up a blog for my stuff. Just to calm down. After an experience like that you don't really want to head back into the fray so easily. And yeah, with my portfolio and resume, I could definitely try for somewhere larger. But I just don't think that kind of corporate structure is for me anymore. I wanted something quieter, more intimate. Somewhere I could really get to know the people I work with you know?"
Both Ravus and Ignis nodded in contemplation, Ravus moreso touched by the blond's words. He closed his portfolio, stowing it away in his bag as Ravus got up and stretched his limbs. "That's all for today Prompto, but I expect you to be here tomorrow at nine in the morning, sharp." Before Prompto could reply his confirmation, Ravus left casting one look back at Prompto before leaving. It seemed to go well with him, so at least he could chalk that up as a win. However…
"While photography isn't my area of expertise, I did thoroughly enjoy your work. Ravus might have more for you tomorrow, but I do today. Vyv tells me you're more like the Assistant Editor of Photography and knowing our white haired compatriot, you and I shall be doing most of the say… 'field work', as much as you can have field work at this place." The older man let out a humourless laugh, leading Prompto from the break room and towards his tasks for the day.
Nothing was more infuriating to Prompto than simple busywork. All Ignis had him do today was read over their featured articles since the start of Ignis' and Ravus' tenure here. About 3 years worth of articles, and one publishing every month, he had to say he was completely burnt out. Ignis wanted analysis of both their parts in each of the articles, Prompto would be lying if he said he didn't feel a little out of his league here. He wasn't a man of words, all of his thoughts and emotions were expressed entirely through photos, so when Ignis asked that of him ('delivered within the next month') he about walked out of the door. As he readied himself to leave the offices, the clock nearing seven with every passing second, it was a surprise to him to see Ignis come into his view, putting a hand on his bony shoulder. "What're your after work plans?" It was a benign enough question, but Prompto felt a heat crawl up his neck all the same, and it must've started to register on his face because Ignis had spoke again, "I've told my friends about you and they're all dying to see the man that made Ravus feel something." A half smile decorated his face decorated his face as quickly as it went.
"Umm I was just planning on going home, but I've definitely got time, I'm down to meet your friends." Prompto's tone sounded unsure, but he tried to mask it behind his smile. Truth be told he was excited for the opportunity to meet new people, but he hadn't expected Ignis to be the first one to approach him. The dirty blond nodded as he walked with him out of the doors and to the lower floor, walking out of the building's main entrance shortly thereafter. "Just follow me, they like going to this bar nearby, though it's absolutely beyond me why they like it so much."
He said nothing as he followed his superior down the road towards their destination, he tried his hardest to not look directly at Ignis, eyes shifting between all the stimuli decorating downtown Insomnia. Lights on buildings seemed to pop at night, so much so they blocked out the stars almost entirely, light pollution was rampant downtown and though he missed the natural beauty of the stars lighting up the inky blackness around him, Prompto was entirely happy being surrounded by the safety of city lights. Neon colours lit up the world around him like pseudo-sunlight, it was more than bright for everyone to run around to see where they were going, so following behind Ignis was no difficult challenge or anything. The only thing that made it difficult was the innate desire to stop and take pictures of everything that caught his eye, which was everything. In this strangely colourful, fluorescent light the world around them looked like something out of a science fiction comic book. This sight in front of him was completely new and it amazed him, and what amazed him more was that he wouldn't have even seen it were it not for breaking his routine.
Before he even realized it, he bumped into Ignis' back, much to the chagrin of the older man. "Watch where you're going would you?" Ignis' tone took on one of annoyance as entered the bar through the open door.
"S-sorry,"replied an embarrassed Prompto. As he followed Ignis into the bar, he found himself surrounded by a whole new kind of beauty. The bar itself was by no means a dirty or smelly place, but it had this grit to it. Like the people here were a different kind of real, almost like the animals he used to seek out once upon a time. No one was absolutely smashed or anything, everyone seemed to be having a good time, and for once Prompto got a small glimmer of what photography meant to him. It went as soon as it came however, Ignis greeted two people sitting in a low-lit booth at the far side of the bar. Prompto followed tentatively and as he got closer the two men waiting for them came into clearer view. One was a practical behemoth of a man with long dark brown hair, a beard and tattooed wings coming down his muscular arms. The other… Prompto's breath caught in his throat as he got a good look at him, he had tanned skin that seemed to glow in the light he sat. His hair seemed to frame his face like a mane, voluminous and glowing. Staring at this man was an experience in and of itself, Prompto had decided.
Ignis sat down next to the larger one, directing Prompto to sit next to the hypnotizing raven haired man. "Prompto, this is Gladiolus," he directed to the muscular man beside him, "And that is Noctis." The blond's eyes went wide as he sat next to the dapper young man. "Wait, as in Noctis Lucis Caelum? That Noctis Lucis Caelum?" His tone of disbelief coupled with the fact that he whipped his head to look between Noctis and Ignis caused the other three men to laugh.
"Sure is kid," Gladiolus laughed, throwing his head back against the back of the booth. "Nice to meet you by the way." Gladiolus' voice was very deep and textured, like his words came straight from his diaphragm.
"Nice to meet you too uhh… Gladiolus? I'm Prompto." His tone was unsure as if he hadn't heard Ignis right.
"Just Gladio, kid. I'm not as formal as Iggy here."
"I prefer Ignis, as you well know," Ignis harrumphed, but the smile on his face betrayed his tone. He seemed to snuggle up to Gladio before pulling away to look at the menu.
"Ugh, could you guys get a room? I want to get drunk, not get a front row seat to the Honeymoon Show." Noctis fake gagged to punctuate his point, and Prompto couldn't help but laugh. Not just at Noctis but at the image of Ignis, who was by all accounts a very skinny man, be "mushy" with Gladio. "Good to meet you Prompto, believe me when I say you made a huge mistake coming here." Noctis laughed, but Prompto was confused by the statement. He figured it was just a jab at his friends. Prompto laughed again, immediately feeling at ease here amongst the three men. The entire vibe felt friendly and jovial, like he'd known these people all his life.
They spent hours at the bar, ordering copious amounts of both food and drink. By the end of the night Prompto had exchanged phone numbers with all of them, excited about the prospect of making friends like these. It was nearing one o'clock in the morning, and Prompto, Noctis, and Gladio were all sufficiently drunk, Ignis being the only one completely sober ("Someone has to be responsible, right?") Ignis and Gladio had left, but Noctis stayed at the booth continuing to nurse his beer. Prompto made a move to gather his things and leave, having decided he should be headed home, but Noctis pulled on his sleeve, asking, "Can you please stay? I hate drinking alone." All Prompto did was nod as he went around to the other side of the booth, sitting in front of Noctis. "I'm sorry, I'm sure you've got something better to do," Noctis laughed softly before taking another drink.
Prompto had to laugh at that as he grabbed his own cocktail, placing the straw in front of him. "Not really bro. Edit pictures or start working on that fucking essay Ignis wants from me."
A loud boisterous laugh left Noctis mouth as he sat up to look directly at Prompto. "Of course Ignis wants an essay from you! Lemme guess, he wants you to analyze his and Ravus' articles like they're some arthouse guerilla journalism pieces, right?" Prompto's chuckle in response was enough of a confirmation for Noctis who continued on, "That's fucking hilarious! I swear to The Astrals, sometimes I feel like that dude has his head so far up his ass-"
"That he can taste what he had for breakfast the day before," he completed, sipping gingerly at his cocktail.
The two men laughed in unison, reveling in their hilarity. At this point Prompto had to wonder if he'd met someone he could relate to. It wasn't before long before both Noctis and Prompto had gotten up to leave the bar as well, in no small part because it was nearing last call. As they walked out of the bar, arms slung over each other's shoulders, laughing heartily into the cold air of the outside. Somewhere in the back of Prompto's mind he had realized how ridiculous this whole scene was, here he was with a man he barely knew arms slung around each other and drunker than he had ever been before, stumbling out of a bar he'd never been to. In this moment it seemed more hilarious to him, but way down in his consciousness he knew that tomorrow he'd find this incredibly strange. Having felt like he'd gotten close to this man in such a short amount of time.
Noctis pulled away from Prompto slowly, and had Prompto not known better he would've said it was slightly reluctant. "Sorry bro but I gotta looong fucking day tomorrow. I probably shouldn't even be out right now. I'll see you around tho yeah?"
Prompto smiled widely, a deeper red flush appearing on his cheeks adding to his drunken flush. "Hells yeah bro! Text me alright?"
Noctis nodded before he pulled out his phone, calling a driver to him. "You got it bro," he slurred, waving the blond man away. Prompto walked off happily down the street back to his apartment, an excited bubbling feeling cropping up in his stomach.