26th of March, M.E. 762

The Marshal was not pleased with the tardiness of Ignis' arrival. They had taken full two days' reprieve after his request to speak to him regarding the Empire. Further, Ignis had delayed even more, as he wanted Leya and Caela settled into their new accommodations, first.

Iris did secure them lodgings, and it was far better than a half of a room in the equivalent of a storage closet, as they had before. They received a full upstairs apartment over the old Fallstar shop. Both were surprised she could actually deliver on the proverbial 'room with a view', especially as Lestallum was far beyond capacity. Apparently after his declaration of disownment, in stating who he was and the position he would serve, He and Aleya finally gained something of respect. Everyone wished to butter the bread of those that would gain power in the new world, he supposed. If he had known that was all it took, he would have spoken up years before. It would have spared Aleya much grief. It did indeed feel differently upon their arrival to the city this time. Iris had said talk spread rapidly, and people suddenly were willing to offer much to curry favor. The old storage area overhead the shop was quickly unburdened, and the furnishings they could salvage from the ranch went within.

It would function as both their home and their office. It smelled of dust and the floor squeaked as if it were well over two hundred years old, but otherwise, they found it enormously appealing. The bedroom for he and Leya was small. They had to cram the bed against the window. Aleya said she doesn't mind sleeping on that side, though they knew there was no way possible for her to wake and Ignis not know about it, as she would have to crawl over him. Still, all things considered they thought it astoundingly better than our former Old Leville quarters, and were pleased.

Upon arriving in town and giving approval to the new abode, Ignis offered Wiz to stay with them, even though they'd have to give up the idea of the office. However, he refused. He planned to get other lodgings on the opposite end of the city, close to the city limits. He said there was more room to care for any wandering chocobos in that alleyway. He promised to be at their disposal for Caela's needs, should they request it.

Ignis left his busy wife and his daughter at their new home to get settled while he looked in on the Marshal. However, from the moment he walked in the door, it didn't go as he had hoped it would.

He ducked under the low doorway, and before he got a chance to express his greeting, the Marshal already had pointedly expressed his own.

"You certainly took your time."

Even without eyes, Ignis could tell the man must be glowering. "Apologies, Marshal. Urgent business that required my immediate attention."

"So I heard. And saw. I think half of Lestallum did."

Ignis frowned slightly. This wasn't the best way to start.

"Have you forgotten the world's at stake?"

"I haven't," he replied slowly and calmly, "nor have I forgotten that we must salvage every moment we can. My own small world was at stake. I had to save it."

Cor shook his head. "This is why soldiers shouldn't settle down."

Ignis chose to ignore the comment, even though he technically wasn't a soldier and it was none of Cor's business who he settled with. He wasn't here to argue. Although, it appeared it was becoming increasingly inevitable.

"I assume your time is now at my disposal?"

This wasn't going to go well. He dug deep into his old lessons of etiquette. He had always respected Cor Leonis immensely, and he didn't want to show any hint contrary to that respect. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid I must decline."

Cor stared at him, and his voice lowered to a dangerous octave that Ignis remembered well from his training days. "Is that so?"

"Yes. There is much I still need to research; New leads I must chase to completion. In fact, I need to recruit help of my own."

His hand came down on the table hard. Ignis didn't flinch. "Dammit, Scientia! This is the Empire! This is war!"

He felt the best approach was to be sympathetic. "Marshal, I understand your distaste for the Empire, and your focus on wiping out any remaining vestige. Were I to have the opportunity, I would very much like to join you, as we swore revenge upon the Empire the same day you did. However, I must stress the priority of my other tasks. It is imperative that I complete them before the King returns. Leya and I have discussed much over the past few days—"

"I bet you have."

He tamped down his impatience and continued as if he hadn't replied at all. "—and we know where to direct our efforts."

"I need men!"

"You have them at your disposal. Many, in fact, who would be more than happy to help you wipe off the last blot of Imperialism. The Empire has no shortage of enemies. However, I don't find these small outlying groups a sufficient threat to—"

"Leave your family?"

Ignis paused, reflecting on that. "I never leave my family. But you well know I am more than willing and capable of responding to any ample threat, should it be in the best interests of all involved."

"Need I remind you what they are capable of? They're the whole reason we're in this mess!"

"Perhaps they are the reason we are in this mess, but someone must focus their attention on how to get us out of it," Ignis replied, trying hard to keep his voice calm and somewhat gentle. "The King may very well be our Chosen Savior, but even he needs support. There is a much larger picture here than just the past sins of the Empire. I'm intent on learning all I can of the coming ascension. I must know everything of his ultimate enemy in order to sufficiently respond to the threat. That, as you recall, was the orders placed upon me by King Regis—to look after his son. Furthermore, it's best to learn of the Starscourge as well, as it has affected everyone, including the citizens of the Empire."

Cor fell silent for a moment as he stared at Ignis across the desk. As a younger (and sighted) man, perhaps Ignis would have found it a bit intimidating. But he calmly and nonchalantly held his ground. After all, he knew he was in the right, and he had nothing to fear if the man had any sense of reason at all. Cor stalked around the corner of the desk slowly. "You realize you are disobeying a direct order?"

For the first time in his life, yes. Yes, he was. With deep respect, he replied, "As I have just mentioned, sir, my orders come from King Regis himself." He gave him a wry smile to ease the tension. "I also realize that when the King returns, I'll most likely outrank you."

He scoffed. "Damn! You think very highly of yourself!"

"Simply drawing the logical conclusion."

"Yes, I've heard you're stretching your wings of authority a bit. I heard you already appointed your wife as the ambassador."

Ignis shrugged slightly. "Again, drawing the logical conclusion. It's ultimately up to Noct. I won't mention all of her qualifications, however, as he and she are so close, and I can't leave his side, I'm not sure why he would protest. Though, I must admit that wasn't necessarily an appointment, so much as a rebuttal to a very ignorant and contemptuous woman."

Cor shook his head as he fell into thought again, bumping the table with his knuckles lightly. "You know, I asked you years ago if something was going on between you two. You assured me there wasn't."

"I didn't lie to you, Marshal. There was nothing between us at the time. We both assuredly kept all strictly professional. Though, retrospectively, I sincerely wish there had been. I rue my years of wasted time."

Cor threw his hands in the air and walked back around the desk. "You two have changed. You were a strait-laced, obedient young man, aiming to please. Aleya wanted to learn, but she was too meek to assert herself. Now you're suddenly second to the throne, and she's the ambassador of Lucis."

Ignis nodded as if he had spoken gospel truth. "Living in an apocalypse can somewhat change a body. I for one value the changes. Would you prefer us be meek, mild, and obedient when it comes time to take back our world? Gladio's taking over the Kingsglaive and overseeing security. Prompto's managing the military outposts. It's only natural that I oversee all else."

He grunted softly. "Alright then, Scientia. What is your plan?"

"Suffice to say, I don't have the time to outlay my entire focus here. However, I can assure you my time will be devoted to learning every scrap of information I can find regarding the King's return. I will keep up with my training, and should a credible threat rise, I'll be most happy to pay it the utmost of attention. I plan to use our quarters as an office of sorts, whereby I can manage problems and disperse men as necessary to acquire information. I will need your assistance in that regard. We'll need someone inside Insomnia; A base of operations, as it were, to report back to me."

"You're giving me orders now?"

He checked himself quickly. It went without saying, but he had hoped the Marshal wouldn't see it that way. He pushed his glasses up with a giving smile. "At this point, I don't have subordinates. I would prefer to think I have friends, though."

He sighed. Who could say no to that diplomatic tact? "Alright, then. I'm interested. How are you going to be spearheading all of this? Your study, your training, your intel? The King's Hand or not, you're still only one man."

"Indeed, I am. So all details must be routed through my partner. She'll keep you posted, and she has my itinerary at all times."

Cor laughed. "Aleya? You've got Aleya heading this up?"

He visibly bristled. He was tired of everyone short-changing Aleya's intelligence and aptitude. "Why not? She's fully capable. In truth, before Insomnia fell, she did half the work. Also, as the person closest to me, she very well understands the stakes and the commitment I've made. It's time for us all to grow beyond ourselves; Beyond our expectations and our past. Don't you agree, Marshal?"

"Wise counsel...for the young. I can't let the Imps go; I've been fighting them most of my life. You have a duty to your King, and I still have a duty to mine."

Ignis nodded. He felt a bit of sympathy for the man. Cor had felt guilty about losing Regis. He viewed it as a personal failing, and he vowed—with his own blood, if necessary—to wipe every blemish of the Empire out of existence as penance. He could get no rest until he felt that debt repaid. "I understand."

"Alright, then. Any men I can spare I will send your way."

"Appreciated." Ignis reached across the table and shook his hand.

"Try to learn a little humility along the way, huh?"

Ignis grinned at him. "No promises."

"And Ignis….I know it goes without saying, but—for what it's worth, I think King Regis was wise in the choice of his son's council. I can think of no one more qualified."

And for that high opinion, Ignis couldn't help but be proud. "Thank you."

They had parted on good terms, and Ignis was in soaring spirits upon his return. Iris had already been there, to see if they were fully settled, and Prompto had come by to visit, as he was in town to deliver goods to Master Sophar. "Iggy!" Prompto stood up quickly from their second-hand settee, and accidentally bumped into Caela. She had been playing at his feet, and fell backwards on her bottom.

She looked confused for a moment, and then broke out into a wail, as children do when they are scared, slightly offended, or have received even the slightest of potential injury. Prompto froze for a moment, noting the tears that immediately started falling down her adorable rounded cheeks. "Oh Em Gee! I'm so sorry! I—"

Ignis responded before Aleya could, crossing the room quickly and snatching her up. "Caela," he drawled in a soothing, slightly chastising manner, "Aw. What is it, dearest? Did your uncle turn clumsy again? I shall have to punish him severely." He kissed her cheek. In her father's arms, she had already forgotten what she was crying about, and the tears dried up. She hiccupped as she clung to his shirt. "Meanwhile, I've just the remedy! Sweets, perhaps? Sweets for the sweetest? What would you prefer, darling? Chocolate? Strawberry?" He was already walking towards the kitchen.

The overwhelming majority of children at Caela's age could not express themselves quite so well as she could. Then again, Caela was a Scientia. "Beh-wy."

"Ah yes. Refreshing and sweet, like my little bread loaf." He bounced her on his arm, and they disappeared into the kitchen.

Iris grinned. "Ignis is such a good daddy."

"Well, he had lots of practice," Aleya said, smiling at the door they just retreated through.

"With Noct?" Prompto asked, guffawing.

"Actually, with all three of you." She swiped his hair backwards playfully.

"Dude! Not the hair!"

Iris giggled. "Did he call her a bread loaf?"

Her smile changed a bit, turning soft. "He says when he first held her, she was so tiny, like a little roll of bread. As she got older, he said she had turned into a little loaf."

"Aw! That's cute!" Iris said.

Prompto kept swiping at his hair as they spoke. "Aw, now I'm never going to get it back the way I had it," he complained, trying to cup it in his palms to capture the perfect point.

"I wouldn't worry about my hair if I were you," Aleya replied, gravely. "After what you did to Caela."

"Iggy looked pissed," Iris added.

"You...don't think he'll hurt me, do you?" He added a nervous chuckle.

Aleya looked right into his eyes. "You saw all those things he was willing to do for Noct?"

Prompto's eyes went round with her serious expression. "Yeah…"

"Noct was his brother. Caela is his baby."

"Oh. Oh! Oh, boy."

"Better make up for it, now. Go get her a toy or something."

Prompto jolted and went for the door immediately. "Right! I'm on it!"

Iris giggled again as Prompto fled the scene. "Is this how you score her free stuff?"

Aleya shrugged, sipping a glass of water. "She lost all her toys at the ranch. She needs new ones."

They were both startled as Ignis suddenly strode out of the kitchen in an irate huff. "Caela and I are going out," he announced, firmly. "We've nothing in the kitchen."

"Really?" Iris mused aloud. "I thought for sure we stocked the basics before you guys got back…"

"I don't mean dinner," he answered impatiently as if she were incompetent. "I meant dessert! I've promised Caela a proper dessert! I'll be back shortly." He left with a slight slam of the door.

Iris caught Aleya's eye, halfway startled and halfway amused. "Wow. Maybe you were right to send Prompto to get toys. I think you might have saved his life!"

Aleya smiled wryly around her glass of water. "I might have."

11th of July, M.E. 762

The home office had been working out beautifully. They had fallen right into problem-solving and fact-finding. Ignis found it wonderful to have his charming little sidekick with him, again. For the life of him, he couldn't imagine why he had ever thought it was a good idea to deprive her of such things.

It wasn't always hot tea and sunshine, however. There were days that were remarkably glum, as they fell into sudden and unexpected memories of all that had transpired. There were days that Aleya cried for no apparent reason, and others where Ignis would be very stoic. But for the most part, they were slowly getting their lives back on track, and Ignis was remarkably relieved at the fortunate turn events had taken.

He was on his way back from his training session with Iris, per the Marshal's request. She was becoming remarkably proficient. It must be the Amicitia blood; It all came to her very naturally. Pretty soon she would be going on official missions. She was also dating a hunter by the name of Jaysen. 'Gladio will be over the moon,' Ignis mused with some sarcasm. If Gladio had come around Lestallum recently, he might have found out, and the young man might be dead, by now. But Gladio had not come around. No one had heard anything from him in quite some time. Ignis would be worried if he hadn't known him so well. Gladio was too stubborn to die.

He cradled his half cup of coffee that he had retrieved from the Marshal's office as he walked into his new kitchen area. There she sat, the little green blur that he knew as his wife. He put on his best smile, despite feeling overwhelmingly exhausted. "Good evening, Mrs. Scientia."

Aleya looked up from a stack of books, as she had been copying notes feverishly. Even so late, she was working as if the day had only begun. She had managed to take a shower, at least—she sat busy at work in a long nightshirt and a thin robe, hair down. She held a piece of toast in one hand as she wrote with the other, under the lamplight. She was only disturbed by her notes and her dinner of dry toast by the sound of his voice. She broke into a delighted smile, the weariness fleeing her features immediately. "Ignis!"

"You're up rather late." He rounded the kitchen table and planted a kiss on the top of her scalp. "Is there so much to do?"

"Not necessarily. I just wanted to get this done for you while you were away." She frowned at her incomplete effort. "Guess I missed the deadline."

He rolled a strand of her hair between his forefinger and thumb as he sipped at his coffee. One of the advantages of living in Lestallum is that no one had to take a three-hour chocobo ride to procure coffee grounds; Except, of course, for the suppliers. "I do hope you're not over-exerting yourself."

She beamed up at him, in delighted, excited contentment. "It doesn't feel like work at all. I feel like I'm finally doing something for you, again. Thank you for trusting me to handle all of this."

"I would trust no other." He sat in the chair next to her and rested his arm on the back of hers. "Though, you may want to save some of your energy, as I have another project for you."

"Really?" She dropped her toast on a napkin and turned to him. "What do you need?"

"I'd like to do a more thorough dive into the environmental shifts as of late. It may be very important. If nothing else, to keep this world limping along until Noct returns. There may be something we can do for conservatory measures." He leaned closer to her. "How would you like to work with Ms. Yeagre?"

She gasped slightly with delight. Ignis smiled, imagining her eyes going wide, sparkling with joy. Her eyebrows would lift and her mouth would part to a smile, revealing charming little dimples in her cheeks. "Ignis!" She grabbed his wrist. "Are you serious? Sonia Yeagre? THE Ms. Yeagre?!"

He chuckled. He well knew that his wife had always idolized her work. "One in the same."

"Really? Really?! Tomorrow?"

"Indeed. Though, she's a bit eccentric, if I'm honest. I'm not entirely sure she'll be here on a punctual schedule….Or even if she'll remember to come at all."

She grasped his face between her hands. "I love you! Love you, love, love, love, love you!"

He laughed. "I thought it might please you."

"You're the best!" She gave him a little hug. "Really, you are."

He smiled to himself. They were once again becoming the envied, proficiently perfect team. He was beginning to see her evolve into the cheerful girl she had been; The girl he had stared at across the room with amused interest. He felt that warm, pleasant magnetism return. He was equally happy. "I do try. How do you intend to repay me for my kindness?"

She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thanks, Boss."

He grabbed her wrist. "Hardly adequate." Just before his mouth met hers, though, there was a loud knock on the door.

"Oh, no, no, no!" Aleya fretted, jumping to her feet quickly. "They'll wake Caela!"

"Don't trouble yourself," Ignis told her, right on her heels. "I'll check the door."

"No, I'm already up."

"Then maybe you should sit down."

"Don't be silly. I can get it!"

"I said I would."

They went on that way in their dialogue for a moment before both realizing how perfectly ridiculous they sounded, and then it became sort of a game. Ignis was in high spirits these days, and in her presence, it was easy to fall into flirtation. Once the pain of past trauma had been tempered a bit and they settled into a routine, life had become much easier. They were living together again, interacting as they had in their earliest years—with effortless method—yet they had the fringe benefit now of shared intimacy. That did much to elate them both. Even the burden of Lestallum had dramatically improved; The populace had come to generally accept Ignis as a governor of sorts, and treated he and his family with appropriate respect. After a long span of grief and misery, they were finally joyful again. They were still young, after all-Ignis thirty and Aleya only six months older. With youth and joviality, who could blame them if they suddenly turned into giddy teenagers as they both raced for the door? They both tried to grab, block, or otherwise impede the other from their route to the doorway. They wrestled and feigned argument within their merry laughter. Suddenly, waking Caela was completely forgotten, as Ignis wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her away from the door before she could grab the handle. She shrieked with girlish delight as he did so, turning to push him away; To which he responded by attempting to reach past her to grab at the handle himself. She tried to pull his hand away from the doorknob behind her, to which he gave a playful bite to her neck—just a pinch between his teeth. She poked a forefinger in his stomach and when he instinctively jumped away, she spun quickly opened the door, Ignis trying to pull her away by the elbow. They were both laughing at the time, but as she saw the visitor, her laughter died. Ignis was slightly delayed in belaying his own chuckle.

"Gladio!" Aleya said in surprise, more than shock.

"To what do we owe this honor?" Ignis asked. Everyone had thought he had fallen off the face of Eos.

Gladio looked a tad uncomfortable, no doubt hearing their giddy laughter and general noise-making on the other side of the door. "Hey, Iggy!" He replied, ignoring the question. He shook his hand.

Aleya's eyes fell slightly behind him, lower to the ground. "Who's this?" She asked, leaning down to make herself more eye-level to the toddler behind him.

"This is Emerie." Gladio picked up the shy little raven-headed girl. "Her mom was a hunter from Maldacio. Apparently there was a raid, and…well, you know…"

"Tragic," Ignis replied, and he sincerely meant it. There were far too many orphans in this world. "Have you just recovered her? Do you intend on taking her to the Care Center? Perhaps they could find her nearest relative."

Gladio hesitated for a moment. Aleya read his face. "Come in, Gladio," she told him, opening the door wider.

"Are you sure? Sounded like we were kind of interrupting something."

Aleya flushed. "No, no. We'd love to have you, wouldn't we, Ignis?"

Ignis paused as if he were debating it. "Of course we would."

"Alright, then. We are kind of parched anyway, aren't we, Emerie?" The little girl responded by hiding her face in his neck.

"Have a seat. I'll get you both something."

"Don't trouble yourself, Love," Ignis told her. "I'll get it myself. I'll be back in a moment."

"It's alright, Emerie," Gladio assured the little girl as they walked in. "They're my friends."

Once they were seated, Aleya tossed Emerie a smile, handing her one of the pieces of chocolate candies Ignis had made the night before. They were sitting on the second-hand coffee table, in easy reach. Emerie took it cautiously, and popped it into her mouth whole. Her lips and cheeks struggled with the large morsel in adorable fashion.

Gladio looked around the room. "This is where you guys are set up now? What did you do to earn this?"

"Oh, Ignis might have possibly mentioned his position in the government. More than a few people overheard him."

"And now you're living like royalty, huh?"

She would have hardly described it that way. It was stuffy and small, ancient, and at least half a dozen insects visited every day. Still, she knew it was far better than what others in Lestallum had. "It's not just our home. It's our base of operations. Ignis and I are back in business."

"No wonder you look so happy. You live to make Specs look good." He tossed her a somewhat wistful look. "You always did." He reached for a tissue and wiped at Emerie's sticky fingers.

She smiled. "That's my job. My contribution. I knew who he was going to be. To secure his position, and to reflect well on both King Regis and King Noctis, in order for people to put faith in him, he had to be immaculate. Anything I could do to help was my pleasure. Ignis puts in all the hard work. I just spit-shine his shoes every now and then."

"I remember a girl who stared me down and dared me to say he was disabled."

"That seems so long ago."

"I ran into Aranea the other day, and she says you begged her to train him, too."

She put a finger to her mouth with a warning glance. Apparently, it was a secret she kept from her spouse. She then caught Emerie's eye again. "How old are you, sweetie?"

She dove under Gladio's arm again like a startled animal. "Tell her," Gladio urged, and then realizing she would not speak up, he sighed and relented to tell her himself. "She's three."

"Very close to Caela's age." She retrieved a stuffed moogle toy from between the seated and handed it to the shy little girl. "Is she anything like her mother?"

He sat stoically, staring directly ahead in awkward silence. Ignis entered the room and handed him a mug of coffee and a sippy cup of juice before sitting next to Aleya.

Aleya nodded knowingly. "She's your daughter, isn't she?"

Ignis started in surprise, and Gladio almost perfectly matched his expression. "How can you tell?"

She smiled. "She reminds me of Iris."

"Your daughter?" Ignis questioned. "When did this happen?"

"Almost four years ago," he replied, with a twinge of sarcasm.

"And we're just finding out about her, now?"

"Don't feel bad. I didn't know about it myself until a few days ago. I didn't even know Giza was pregnant. All of Meldacio knew who the father was, though. They looked me up when…well, when Giza died. When she was gone, they tracked me down and delivered the message."

"You weren't in contact with her mother?" The disbelief didn't seem to wane from his voice.

"I was kind of busy," Gladio defended. "Not all of us have a chocobo farm we can retire to."

"I'm far from 'retired'!" He testily replied.

Aleya put a hand on his knee, patting it gently, as if to tell him to calm down. "That's got to be hard for you. What are you going to do?"

"That's why I'm here." He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. He stared at Aleya, trying not to glance at Ignis' expression. "The Marshal, as you know, is training me to take over the Kingsglaive. Monica only keeps animals. I asked her already. Iris is busy with her own training, and besides, she's still just a kid, herself. She hasn't even gotten a chance at her own life, yet."

Ignis frowned, knowing where all of this was leading. "Are you asking us to raise your child for you?"

"The word 'raise' is a little overexaggerated, Iggy. I just need you to watch her while I'm away, that's all."

"Have you forgotten how busy we are? I'm quickly assuming management of Lestallum. I'm out and about every day, and I'm also still training, myself."

"Actually, I sort of meant Allie."

"Oh, grand! You're asking Aleya! She's got her hands full, as well. She's my right hand. I came in only a few moments before you showed, and she was toiling over books while making a meal of dry bread. We barely have enough time to manage our own child!"

"Ignis, I can't settle in one spot, and I can't take her with me…"

"Maybe you should have thought of a thing like that before lying down with her mother! Although, to be fair, it's common practice for you. Who knows how many other children you might have crawling about?"

"Igs…" Aleya tried gently reprimanding him, but Gladio spoke over her.

"You want to condemn me for getting a girl pregnant? You got Aleya pregnant right away!"

"Aleya and I were properly wed," Ignis retorted with an air of superiority.

Gladio snorted. "Don't give me that! If Allie's 'tradition' hadn't stopped you, you would have knocked her up long before that. You had to have a wedding so you could let loose. Don't pretend you wear a halo when she's moaning for you."

Her face lost a bit of color in her mortification. She hadn't expected the conversation to spiral into she and Ignis' personal lives; And certainly not in such a crude way! She got alarmed as Ignis came to his feet. She grabbed his hand, pulling at him.

"Don't say such a thing about Aleya!" He raised his voice louder. "She doesn't deserve such a debasement! I had many chances, long before she came along, should I have wanted them. I chose to ignore all such advances. I never married Aleya for—for…" He was struggling to finish his sentence, especially with a child in the room.

Gladio rolled his eyes. "That's not even comparable. You didn't like any of those girls. We all thought you were asexual. But you liked Allie, didn't you? Her body got your motor running. You chased her, and she convinced you to pay up before you rolled her in the sack. What's the difference?"

Ignis' face went stark white in the state in his fury. How dare he say such a thing! Saying Ignis paid by marriage as if she were some sort of prostitute?! His temper could take a lot, but he could never tolerate such language about the blood in his heart. "I won't warn you again! Don't speak of her that way!" After all, he nearly had murdered Alvor, and he had disowned his mother. He wasn't afraid to take a good solid swing at his best friend.

In the back room, Caela began crying. Emerie had cowered back in the seat next to her father. Poor dear, this was probably terrifying her. She didn't even really know Gladio that well, and here they were shouting at one another. Aleya noticed and quickly scooped her up. Both men halted guiltily, realizing how the conversation had gotten out of hand. Ignis moved to walk towards the back room, but Aleya held out her hand and went to check on Caela herself, Emerie in tow.

The two men were completely silent for a few minutes. Ignis was the first to give in, out of decency more than desire. "I suppose you didn't mean disrespect? And my emotions were a bit high as well. This is all very unexpected."

"Yeah. Unexpected for you. Imagine how I feel."

He sat down with a slight growl. "One would think by now you would have learned I won't tolerate that sort of language about Leya. If you ever dare speak of her that way again…!"

"Sorry."

He didn't sound very sorry. Ignis clamped down on his back molars and his nostrils flared as he tried to let the insincere apology slide.

"Look, I just don't like your high and mighty attitude. It's all well and good if you want to buy the car before you know how she rides. I wanted to take a little test drive first."

Ignis was struggling hard to keep his temper at his appalling euphemism. He decided to take the route of diplomacy, and to appeal to him as a friend, even though he seemed more of an enemy at the moment. "That's really not the point of this discussion. We simply cannot raise her, Gladio. But not for our own sakes; For hers. It was a lesson I've learned the hard way. She'll suffer in your absence."

"The kid doesn't even know me."

"And when she's older—would you rather her remember you as an attentive father, or one who handed her off and is a virtual stranger?"

He sat glumly and thoughtfully, pondering on Ignis' reproval. Long minutes passed before he worked up the nerve to speak. It was right about the time that Caela stopped crying. "It's just…a bad time. We have to be ready for Noct. Everything has to be in place. I can't afford to side-line my training." He held up a hand as Ignis opened his mouth to protest. "And I know you can't either. That's why I thought maybe Allie could do it."

Ignis' face registered something of regret. "Gladio," he replied quietly. "Didn't you think of how Leya might react? She lost her own."

Gladio frowned. "You're right."

He leaned forward slightly on the arm of his chair. "If we lived a normal life, I'm sure we'd regard it as simple baby-sitting. Nothing is normal, alas. Aleya is, quite frankly, overloaded. Though she likes to stay busy—and I know part of it is to keep her mind directed onto more useful things than her own anxiety—I can't allow her to take on a scrap more than she can handle. I can't allow her health to suffer in any way, or in any form. You simply can't understand. No one can."

"I know she means a lot to you, Iggy."

"No, Gladio, she does not. She means everything to me. I have lost my home, my uncle, my King, even my eyesight. Noct seems to be delayed in returning. She's the only functioning piece of my heart. If it weren't for her, I would have lost my soul. Certain events have…made me realize—realize how fragile she can be. I need her fully and blissfully happy. If she falls, I'll fall with her."

"I didn't ask for a manifesto…" Gladio muttered under his breath.

"You have no idea!" Ignis snapped back, angrily. "You were gone by the time—" He stopped short, remembering that fateful day on the roof. "She—I fear what she might have done had I not prevented it. I've seen her break, Gladio, and I'll never allow it again."

He looked at Ignis in confusion. "'Prevented it'? What did she do?" Ignis' face again turned the color of chalk, this time more from trauma and worry. He stood slowly and walked to the window, and Gladio noticed his hands were shaking. Gladio's own face wrinkled with concern. 'Allie', after all, had been top of his list years ago as well. He still cared about what happened to her, even if she was married to his best friend.

He sighed. "I can't bring myself to say. I refuse to let it happen again. You know how she is. She'll take on more than she can handle, she'll stay quiet when it becomes a problem so as not to burden anyone, but she'll suffer. I can't let her overtax herself, even for a dear friend. Do you understand?"

He nodded and sighed deeply, then walked over next to Ignis. He slapped him on the back. "Damn, Iggy. I guess you really love her, huh?"

"Of course I do!" He replied, offended. "Did you think I didn't?"

"Well, well. You are a man, after all. But who can blame you? You gotta admit-she is pretty hot." Ignis shoved his hand off of his shoulder in a jealous and protective ire. Gladio laughed. "Relax, Iggy. You're such an easy target. Still…we never thought Old Serious Scientia would ever get in this deep with a girl."

He ignored him. "And while we're discussing such things, I am informing you that I know what it is like to be an absent father. Before I realized, Caela suddenly turned a year old, shortly afterwards, she learned to say words and walk—even run—and eat mush. She was a baby that used to wail for her father. She once screamed in misery for three days until I could return and comfort her. It's only now that I realize how much she needed me, and how much I missed. I regret it. Pray, Gladio, do not make the same mistake."

A somber mood came over both. Gladio nodded thoughtfully. "Well, Specs. Any ideas?"

"I have a few thoughts, but I'd like to discuss them with my wife. You're welcome to stay here for the evening, if you'd like. We'll let you bed down in the main room."

"You sure?" Gladio questioned. "I mean, won't I be—you know, interrupting?"

He sighed mournfully. "Sadly, we're used to it. And of course, you are always welcome here. You needn't ever ask."

"Thanks, Specs."

"Now." He turned to him with a smile. "Tell me of her mother."

2nd of August, M.E. 762

Life was becoming increasingly busy. They got reports daily from Insomnia, and the situation was indeed dire. The city was only a shell of its former state. It was overrun with every sort of wickedness and destruction, but the Glaive were making valiant headway in mapping out the area. Meanwhile, Aleya was hard at work, taking on far too much, Ignis thought, leading to a reoccurrence of her anemia. Frequent meals of dried toast…? He supposed it was bound to happen.

By now, he felt as if he had traversed every inch of Eos at least three times. It would have been easier with Ebony, but alas, she had gone missing again. He hadn't met her in at least three weeks.

The hunters and glaive worked in one unit, and whatever the Marshal can spare he sent the Scientias' way. While willing, Ignis knew that these soldiers were becoming overtaxed as well. After all, when they were not hunting and retrieving meteor shards for Holly, they were engaged in quelling Imperial resurgence, and in what little free time they had, they gave up to hunt down relics and information for himself and Leya.

In addition, they had their new family member to look after. Aleya simply couldn't tell Gladio no, and Ignis hadn't really expected any differently. Iris, Talcott, Monica, even Master Cid—they helped this poor half-orphaned girl as much as possible. However, when her father is not in town, she resided mainly with the Scientia household. They couldn't determine if the girl was keeping Caela happy or miserable—it seemed to alter to the day and minute. All of this planning and coordinating, rearing children, and moonlighting at the power plant as needed was bound to take its toll on Ignis' beloved, and it did.

Ignis had most recently come home to find Iris baby-sitting while Dr. Eiler was looking over his wife. He scolded her for overtaxing herself, and to his utter astonishment, she conceded and promised to amend her behavior….And he teased her by saying, 'Now I know for a certain Noct will return, for a miracle has already occurred.'

3rd of August, M.E. 762

"Come on, fellas, you killed it but you can't haul it to market?" Alvor complained. He was working off his gloves as his men pulled at the anak calf carcass. Steele—the only girl of his group—tossed an armful of meteor shards in a pull-cart that was standing at the ready. "Get a move-on."

"We're spent," the younger of the four said, in a complaining attitude.

Alvor ran a hand through his longish hair and nodded. "Why don't you go home, Wren? Go see your mom. She's probably paced a hole under her feet by now." He reached past him and grabbed the strap around the anak's shoulders. "Go on now, kid. Give her a kiss for me."

"Thanks, Chief."

"Get." He jerked his head sideways, down the alley. And when the young man stepped away, he pitched in himself, and they were able to pull the meat off the back of the truck. He slapped the shoulder of the poor downed beast fondly. "Hook her up and drag her down to market. I reckon it's the first bit o' flesh some of these folks have seen in weeks."

He stood for a minute to supervise his crew attaching the straps to their vests like harnesses, ready to haul the meat in. And as they got underway, Alvor looked up with a satisfied smile and took a glance down the alleyway. His smile tumbled as he saw Ignis approaching him.

He looked quickly left and right. Realizing he was boxed in, and too proud to run anyway, he decided to move to meet him. "Just so you know," he told him, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm not staying. I'm heading right back out. So we don't have to beat each other senseless, okay?"

Ignis came to a halt just within Alvor's reach. He paused for a moment, as if simply considering him.

Alvor by now knew Ignis was the semi-official custodian of The City of Light, and he knew he had dodged his attention for far too long. But as he warily stood and observed the unofficial Governor of Lestallum, he found him changed. If it were possible, the man seemed to stand a little taller, a little more dignified. His hair had grown and it was swept back fashionably—probably his wife's doing. He wore his fancy shirts again, but kept a shoulder strap of leather with his daggers attached, and had leather gloves and boots. The man looked formidable; Especially as he was curiously calm.

"Look, are we going to have a problem here?"

Ignis moved his head slightly sideways with an almost imperceptible grimace. He took a deep breath through his nose. "No," he replied, and slowly exhaled.

"Pardon me if I don't believe you. I'm well aware of how much you want me dead. But I'm a little busy right now, so…" he turned his back and slammed the tailgate into position.

"I don't, actually."

Alvor turned in surprise.

"I did. Until a moment ago, I still thought I should probably disembowel you."

He stared at him, torn between humor and disbelief of his candor. "Really."

Ignis took another deep breath, but his exhale was rapid, as if he had resigned himself to whatever he was going to say or do. He took one step forward as he pulled back one shoulder. Alvor tensed up, ready for a fight. "I can never forgive you for what you did to her," Ignis stated, in a fierce manner.

Alvor simply watched him, wondering when he would have to fend for his life.

"However….I also will never forget what you did for her. You have my thanks."

"I didn't do it for you. You're the last person I would have done it for." His tone was flippant.

"I know. It does not matter. I am-forever grateful for what you did. I'm afraid you saved both of our lives that day."

The other looked up and to his left, shaking his head with a forward chin in disbelief. Of all the rotten luck! To have done a favor for the man—to save the life of the man—who had destroyed his! The irony was difficult to deal with. A long silence passed between them. He finally looked at the ground with a sigh and put his hands on his hips. "How is she? Is she okay?"

"She's fine." His answer was stiff. Scientia may have been grateful, but he still resented him. That much, he could tell. He didn't want him knowing anything about his woman.

"I didn't want to hurt her." He looked up at Ignis and stared at him as if he could actually match his gaze. "I thought I still had a chance. I didn't know she was married. I for damn sure didn't know she was pregnant!" His upper lip curled in an inadvertent beginnings of a snarl.

"Perhaps it's best if we don't discuss it," Ignis replied, moving to turn on his heel.

"Hey! I saved her life. You at least owe me the chance at an explanation."

"There is no explanation!" He answered back, stiffly. "Nor is there an excuse."

He bit his lip and nodded his head. "Yeah. I know. I—I don't expect forgiveness. I'm just sayin'…" He struggled a bit, and finally spat it out. "You say I saved your life by saving hers. You love her that much? Imagine if someone else took her from you. You walk up one day to find she's pregnant. How do you reckon you'd feel?"

Ignis frowned, but he appeared to be considering what Alvor said, at least superficially.

"It was too much to handle, and I drank. I drank a lot. When I found out later what I did…" He shook his head. "Again, imagine if it were you. How hard would it be for you to go on like that?"

He tilted his head slightly and considered him, but he didn't reply.

"Anyway…you're welcome." He bent over and got a strap off of the ground and began rolling it up. Ignis stood there, unmoving. Alvor would have thought he was staring if he hadn't been blind. Frustrated, Alvor rolled up another strap. Finally, he threw them both in the back of the truck and spun to Ignis. "What do you want from me, huh?"

"I don't resort to drink," Ignis said, slowly.

Alvor rolled his eyes and clenched his fist. He muttered something under his breath.

"However, I understand what you're inferring," He conceded. "If it were I; The burden indeed would seem unbearable."

Ignis turned to walk away, but Alvor's voice chased after him. "I quit drinking that day. Haven't touched a drop."

Ignis turned his head as if he were looking off into the distance, although it was technically impossible. Alvor figured he was just tired of the conversation. He wasn't that far off. "Bravo," Ignis answered. However, his tone was very neutral. He didn't spit out the word in sarcasm, but he couldn't bring himself to be congratulatory either.

Alvor nodded, looking at the ground. "Tell her I said—" He paused. "You know what? Forget that. Don't tell her you saw me. Or—you know what I mean. I think that's best."

His rival nodded slowly. "Very well."

"See 'ya, Mister Mayor."

Ignis didn't reply. He simply stood until Alvor jumped in the truck and pulled it around to the side alley. He didn't like the man. He didn't trust him. And as he said truthfully, he could never forgive him. However, for the first time in several years, he didn't entirely hate him. And that was enough personal growth for one day.