Chapter 13:

"So, kid, where do you live?"

Prompto barely heard Nyx ask the question. He'd been too busy shuffling his feet, walking slowly, putting off going home. He couldn't get Inertia out of his head. Why were there Niffs here in the city? Why had they blown up the Roadhouse? How was she involved? And what else was she setting out to do tonight? Would she be safe?

"Huh?" He blinked, a little confused. "Uh, I think I'll probably go to Noct's place, actually."

"Ah, got it," Nyx nodded. "I've been a part of the Prince's escort there several times before. Nice apartment complex."

"Yeah… it's… great," He trailed off, pulling out his phone. Better make sure his friends were there before he showed up. He decided to send a group text; someone had to answer him eventually.

You guys OK? You at Noct's?

He waited for a response, unsure how to make conversation with a freaking Kingsglaive. It was one thing to train with them; another to talk to them. He was excited they would be training with the Crownsguard next week. He needed a break from all their warping and magic mumbo jumbo. He already felt inadequate, but this was just ridiculous.

"You a part of the Prince's retinue?" Nyx rambled on, checking every alley they passed for who knew what. "I've seen you training with Cor."

"Ha… yeah," Prompto rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm no Ignis or Gladio, though."

"Doesn't matter," Nyx shook his head. "The Prince chose you. If you work hard, and put your heart in it, you're just as good as the rest of us."

Huh. That was the first time he'd heard a soldier say anything like that to him. Normally they were eager to give him combat advice, or lecture him about three months' preparation being impossible to get him to a level comparable to the Prince or his Shield or Steward. But here was this guy, this Glaive, nicknamed the Hero, telling him he could be whoever he wanted to be. He could be just as good as anyone else.

"Wow… thanks, Nyx," Prompto was at a loss for words. What else could he say? He was in awe of this guy, and this larger-than-life warrior had just told him he was worth something. There weren't enough words in the English language to thank him for that.

His phone buzzed, distracting him.

Yes, we're at Noctis's apartment. Where are you?

Of course Specs would be the one to answer.

I'm on my way there. Nyx is with me.

"So, that Inertia girl… she's some kinda woman," Nyx observed. Prompto choked, taken aback by the statement. Oh, great, did he have competition now? Not like he'd actually have a chance with her in the first place…

"Yeah, she's something alright," Prompto laughed nervously, staring at his phone. He didn't dare sneak a peek at Nyx, afraid his face might give something away.

"You like her?" Nyx asked. Well, Prompto liked every pretty girl he met. But that was besides the point.

"I mean… sure," Prompto fumbled for an answer. "I mean… I like every pretty girl though. That's what Noct would tell you."

"I was like that too when I was your age," Nyx laughed. "But Inertia's not like every other girl. She's something special."

"Well, if you're so into her why don't you ask her out," Prompto spat, a little angrier than he meant it to be.

"Easy, tiger," Nyx laughed. "I'm not interested. But why don't you ask her out if you like her so much?"

Prompto laughed, then. A real, genuine belly laugh. It was a nervous, embarrassed, awkward thing, and it probably gave away his insecurity. "Me? She's out of my league, dude!"

Nyx grabbed him by the shoulder then, spinning him around so they were face to face, man to man.

"Ok, kid, let me teach you a few things," He raised a finger in his face, counting off his hands. "Number 1, nobody is ever outta your league. You're good enough for anyone, and anyone is good enough for you. Number 2, if you think Inertia's shallow like that anyway, you've got the wrong idea of who she is. That girl saved my life tonight, and she didn't know me from a hole in the ground. She's a real decent sort. So don't equate her to everyone else you think looks nice."

He patted him on the back and continued on, like nothing had happened at all. It was a lot to process, but a big, handsome guy like Nyx telling him no one was outta his league was both awe-inspiring and a little insulting.

"So why aren't you interested in her?" Prompto spoke up, unable to hide his curiosity.

"She reminds me of my little sister," Nyx answered curtly. Well, that was a good reason.

"Ohhhh, I get that," Prompto scuffed his feet along the sidewalk, a little uncomfortable. "How old is your little sister?"

"She's dead."

And that was why he didn't try talking to any glaives he met. He swallowed the foot he'd shoved in his mouth, and was quiet the rest of the way to Noct's.

La Traviata was more upscale than Nyx had led on.

It sat atop a skyscraper overlooking the rest of the city. She had to take an elevator to the 51st floor to even get a look at it. A pool and outdoor bar sat atop the roof, a modern set of stairs leading to another indoor venue, presumably for dancing and light shows. Tables, chairs, and couches all lined the inside and outside alike. What a place.

A set of bouncers stood by the elevator, and a line of people were crammed inside, waiting to get "in," and by "in" it was really "out." Inertia tried not to laugh at the irony.

She waited in line, hoping against hope there wasn't a list she had to be on to get in.

"Name?" A bouncer asked her when she finally reached the front.

"Cecilia Martin," She lied, hoping no one recognized her. He checked an iPad he was holding. Crap. There was a list.

"Sorry, you're not on the list, lady," He jammed a thumb towards the elevator. "You gotta go."

"I'm a plus 1," She lied again. She didn't even know if that was a policy here, but she had to try.

"To who?" He pulled up his list again, waiting for an answer.

"Barrick-" Fuck! She'd never gotten a last name from Nyx. And just when she thought she'd catch a break.

"Stroud."

Alarmed, she tried to see where the voice had come from, and the bouncer in front of her opened the door for her, nodding her way.

"Go on in, don't start any trouble," He allowed her entry, and she chanced a glance over her shoulder to see another man just behind her. His light brown hair was slicked back, his face grizzled, though he was dressed to the nines. Something about him looked slimy, and she tried not to shiver at his close proximity to her.

"You a regular here?" She inquired of him, wondering why the bouncer hadn't stopped him at the door for his name.

He nodded. "I practically live here, my dear." He took her hand and kissed the backs of her knuckles. "Luche Lazarus, at your service."

"Very nice to meet you," She curtsied a little, skin crawling at his lips on her skin. "Cecilia Martin."

"Barrick should be somewhere at the bar," He offered, putting his hand on the small of her back and leading her forward through the bodies crammed into one another. Apparently no one here had been deterred by the smoke she could still see rising in the distance. Maybe news of the Empire's attack on the Roadhouse hadn't reached the club yet.

"Would you care for a drink?" She offered out of politeness, wanting to thank this man for helping her gain entry to the club, even though something about him rubbed her the wrong way. Maybe also he could tell her about Barrick - anything. What he looked like, what made him tick.

"No thank you, I've a date to keep," He smiled at her, all teeth and menace, and it made her nauseous. "I hope to see you again, Cecilia."

With that, he was off, and she was alone amongst a sea of people once more. With newfound determination to be out of here as quickly as possible, she made her way towards the bar. She was so close to Barrick now, she'd be damned if anyone stopped her again.

She found a seat at the bar, unsure even what he looked like. She hoped, though it was a convoluted hope, perhaps he'd be wearing his KIngsglaive attire. Maybe then she could pick him out of the crowd.

She tapped her fingers on the bar, trying to get a look at the TVs mounted above the shelves of alcoholic drinks. It was impossible to hear in here; the bass from the speakers made the floor shake, and bodies were in constant motion, voices everywhere. But she could see the news bulletin plastered across every TV - Terrorist attack at the Roadhouse, 13 killed in the blast. Thirteen innocent lives she'd been unable to save, all because she hadn't gotten to the bomb fast enough… she wondered absentmindedly that maybe if Loqi hadn't ever been attracted to her in the first place all those years ago and held less of a grudge, if maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe she could have talked him down, or he wouldn't have felt the need to detonate a bomb. But it was too late now for what ifs; time to move forward.

"Barrick, you need to slow down on the drinks, man."

Barrick?

The bartender, a pretty young thing who wasn't really modest about her curves, was taking a glass from the countertop and wiping the space underneath. Seated before her was little more than a kid, a young 20-something guy who looked three sheets to the wind. His lids were heavy, his back hunched, and he was nursing a shot glass, looking at the same TVs she was, looking morose. If this was Barrick, he didn't look like a traitor. But they never did, did they?

He was a few seats down from her, so she waited patiently for the gentleman next to her to get up, led away by a pretty girl towards the pool. No greater time than the present.

"Excuse me," She took the seat next to him, not waiting for an invitation, offering her best thousand gil smile. "Is this seat taken?"

"Uh.." He blinked at her, a little surprised. "Uh, no. Go right ahead." His hair was buzzed on both sides, like Nyx, but it was a dusty blonde, and combed over one side of his face. His green eyes were tired, and intoxicated, and bloodshot, but she wondered how much of that was from the drink, and how much of that was from the stress in his life. Some lazy stubble hugged his face, though it was so light it was hard to see.

"What can I get you, hun?" The same upbeat bartender was back. She was a cute thing, a slender brunette with hazel eyes and beautiful caramel skin. Her accent made Inertia wonder where she lived before Insomnia.

"Just a water for now, thank you," Inertia smiled warmly at her, and turned her attention back to Barrick.

"So tell me," She swallowed, preparing to put on the flirtatious, ostentatious face of someone very much not like herself. A lot of acting went into recon, and while she didn't enjoy it, she did excel at it. "Why is a handsome guy like you alone at the bar?"

His reaction time was slow, speaking to his level of intoxication, but a smile crossed his features; not a confident, hungry smile, but a goofy, surprised thing, and Inertia couldn't help but feel this man was an earnest, misfortunate soul. "Ha… you can't mean that."

"And why not?" She slapped his shoulder playfully, taking her water from the spunky bartender. "You're a fetching guy. Very nice jawline, broad shoulders. Women must love you."

"Well, thank you for the compliments, miss," He chuckled to himself. "But uh, honestly, I was waiting for someone here tonight…" He took a swig of his drink. "I think I got stood up."

"And who would stand you up?" She feigned shock, letting her jaw drop.

"C'mon now, don't inflate his ego anymore than it already is," The bartender grabbed some more empty glasses off the counter, chastising Inertia, and she laughed, a real, hearty belly laugh. She liked this girl, whoever she was.

"What was your name again?" She grabbed some more cash from her purse, offering it to the girl between sturdy fingers.

"That's Saber," Barrick hiccuped, gesturing to the bartender. "She might look friendly, but she's a real hardass."

"Only to you, Stroud," She winked, taking Inertia's money with a smile. "What would you like, darlin'?"

"Let me get an Old Fashioned," Inertia smiled back at her before turning back to Barrick. "So, who's the unlucky girl who stood you up?"

"She's not a girl, really," Barrick hesitated, unsure of where to go. Inertia prodded him, trying to push him forward.

"Are you into guys?" She gasped. "I'm so sorry, I hope I didn't offend you!"

"No, no, it's not that," He laughed, downing the rest of his drink. "I mean, it was more of a work thing."

"Was it?" Saber came back with her drink, and she thanked her briefly before taking it and downing it in one gulp. Both Barrick and Saber raised their eyebrows, impressed.

"You're new here, aren't you?" Saber took the empty glass. "I'd remember a pretty girl who could put 'em away like you."

"Are you flirting with me, Saber?" Inertia laughed.

"Back off, find your own!" Barrick threatened the bartender jokingly. With a laugh, she took his glass too.

"It's not my fault your dates always like me more, Stroud," She teased, walking away to tend to some of her other customers. Barrick nudged her, leaning in close.

"So, what was your name?" He asked, trying to get to know her. She could play that game.

"Cecilia Martin," She extended her hand. "And you?"
"Barrick Stroud," He took her hand and shook it. His grip was firm, his resolve strong, and furthermore she could sense from him great distress and anxiety, but no ill intent.

"So what do you do for work?" He continued, rubbing his bloodshot eyes.

"I'm in politics," She grimaced. Not a lie.

"Ouch," He hissed. "Sounds brutal."

"You've no idea," She stressed. "And what about you?"

"I'm a soldier," He shrugged, taking a drink.

"Oh, you're in the military?" She exclaimed. "That's incredible. You know, I always wanted to be a Glaive when I grew up. Ever since I was a little girl."

She was praying he would take the bait.

"You know, I don't run around telling everyone this, but, I'm a Glaive myself," He beamed proudly, keeping his voice low.

That was so easy it was almost juvenile.

"No way," She gushed. "What's it like?"

"It's hard," He admitted. "I was only inducted a few months ago. The other Glaives don't go easy on me."

"I'm sure it's a hard group," She nodded in agreement. "But what about the perks? Aren't you imbued with the King's magic?"

"Yep," His chest swelled with pride. "We can use magic, and warp-strike, just like the King and the Prince."

"And what of the weapons?" She leaned in close, murmuring into his ear. Part of her was seducing him; the other part gaining his trust. "I hear you get some fantastic weapons."

"Well, my blade is pretty wicked," He admitted, leaning into her. "And I can summon it at will, just like King Regis himself."

"You mean like this?" She conjured her shuriken then, right there between him and the bar. He jumped back, and she forced a hand on his shoulder, pushing him into his barstool. "Do you like it? It's one of the Royal Arms of the Rulers of Yore. The Star of the Rogue. My preferred armament. Isn't she beautiful?"

"Who are you," He spat through grit teeth, looking all around him. No one else had seen the exchange between them, save for Saber, who was eyeing both of them at the other end of the bar.

"I'm asking the questions," She continued in her voice, calm and smooth as ever. "Why have you been conspiring with Niflheim against the King?"

His eyes widened, and his shoulders fell in defeat.

"I… I never wanted this," He looked away from her and at his feet.

"So tell me what happened, Barrick," She pressed. "Maybe I can help make this go away."

"They got to me," He mumbled pathetically. "I have siblings. 9 of them. All younger than me… I joined the military to send money back home, so my parents could feed them. We're poor."

"I understand," She nodded, heart breaking. "Go on, Barrick." She hadn't let go of him or her shuriken yet.

"They told me they were gonna kill them if I didn't cooperate…"

"Another glaive overheard you asking for "stuff" on the phone," She began her inquiry. He blinked.

"Food." He shook his head. "If I was gonna betray my kingdom, and lose my income, I made them promise to provide for my family."

"What were they asking you to do, Barrick?" She continued.

"They wanted me to give them information," He answered. There were tears in his eyes now. "They wanted to know our numbers, our preparations for the armistice… pretty much everything related to the treaty signing, they wanted info on."

"Were you supposed to meet a representative here tonight?" She asked. He nodded quickly, close to hysteria.

"Yeah, but that was before someone heard me on the phone with them…" He mumbled feebly. She blinked. Nyx.

"You mean Nyx Ulric?" She offered. He blinked at her in surprise.

"You know about that?" He asked.

"They attempted to eliminate Nyx tonight at the Roadhouse," She explained. "Luckily, I was there to intervene."

"Oh no… so the terrorist attack… it really was Niflheim," His voice shook, his jaw rippling in anger.

"Was your contact a man named Loqi?" She asked him through his tears. He nodded vigorously. "I have reason to believe he won't be meeting you here tonight." She explained. "Now that I know he's here, and he emerged empty handed, my guess is he's fled."

"So what happens now?" He asked, looking terrified. Her heart broke; this guy was just a kid who was trying to protect his family. This was no traitor, albeit he was forced into a traitorous position.

"I have to take you to the Marshal and King Regis," She admitted. "You understand?"

He nodded in defeat, rising from his barstool.

Saber came back over, a little leery.

"Barrick, everything ok, dear?" She asked, eyeing Inertia suspiciously.

"Everything's good, Sabe," He reassured her. "You might not see me for awhile, that's all."

"Here, Saber," Inertia emptied the cash in her purse on Saber's countertop. "For all your trouble."

Inertia didn't feel the need to leave her hands on this broken man as she saw him out of the club, and neither of them spoke on the way back to the Citadel. He knew his crimes, and she hoped against hope that Loqi's interference with the Crown City had ended here, tonight. Now she need only find out how he got in.

A/N: If you've seen Kingsglaive, you know that Luche is up to no good. And that was definitely intended in this chapter! His placement was definitely "ideal" so as to allow Inertia entry into the club, but maybe, just maybe, Luche and the empire orchestrated it that way ;) Everyone's always a step ahead in this story! Haha, hope you enjoyed! Much love!