Prompto did it.
Not that they were doubting her. But she's a highschool girl they don't really know given an important task.
Once the machine is turned off everyone runs back inside. Most goes back to work while others go to help. There are so many who passed out, have bleeding ears, and shattered bones. No deaths but close. They find Prompto helping a pregnant woman. Cor standing by her side, specially as she gets her check up. The blonde hands the device back to the scientist who holds it like a bomb. The marshal takes her back to school himself. Then home, not seeing the logic in her staying for half her last class.
"Did I just see blondie? What was she doing here?" Gladio asks joining Ignis along with the king.
"She just saved us." Ignis says looking at his watch.
"You know her?" Regis asks.
"Met her this morning. Don't know much because Iggy and Noct are keeping it a secret." Gladio says rolling his eyes. Ignis shakes his head. Regis stands surprised.
"Noctis knows her?" he asks.
"Not knows, but we have meet her before." Ignis explains, they've known her for two days. Very short, and they hardly talked to her, though Noctis did seem like he wanted to talk to her he just didn't know how.
"So what is the secret?" Regis wonders.
"Something I can not discuss." Ignis says. "It's not mine to tell. I should go pick up Noct." Ignis says excusing himself. Regis looks at Gladio, eyes asking did that just happen? Gladio confirm that did happen. Ignis and Noct are keeping secrets. So is Cor, but it's curious if it's all the same secret. At the moment they know no one will budge on coming clean. For now Regis will focus on what is happening now.
Noct enters the car a little disappointed that the blonde isn't joining them again.
"She's with Cor." Ignis answers the question of why not.
The rest of the ride is meet with silence as Noct look out the window, watching the ordinary citizens living their ordinary lives. Passing by a group of students from the same school having fun.
His mind changing from longing to surprise at the sight of ambulances in front of the Citadel. What happened? Noct looks around as they make their way to the garage. Once parked they exit the car, Noct grabbing his school bag before he gets out the car. They make their way to the elevator, only to be stopped by workers, making sure it's safe to use. So they end up having to go around. Now more curious than before Noct asks, "what happened?"
"An experiment with the scientist went wrong. Hopefully there is no damage but many people were hurt."
"How many were hurt?" Noct asks, sad that people got hurt, even if it didn't show in his face.
"A few dozen." Ignis answers.
"Just hurt? Any deaths?"
"Luckily, no deaths but the amount of people that were hurt is going to be on record. Wouldn't be shocking if the journalist are writing an article as we speak." Ignis says.
Regis is there when they finally make it to the floor where Noctis office is. He's talking to some workers as they walk down the hallway. Regis looks up to see his son. He smiles walking towards them. The worker leaving, to do their work. "You're back." He says happily. Noct nods.
"I heard what happened." Noct says.
"It's unfortunate but luckily Cor knew that... what's her name? I don't think I got it." Regis says trying to remember. He knew Ignis announced her name but so much happened since then.
"Her name is Prompto." Ignis helps. At the blondes name Noct perks.
"Prompto was here!?" Noct asks. Regis stares at his son, this being the most characteristic he's seen his son ever.
"Yes. She helped turn the device off." Ignis says.
"It's a kind thing of her to help us." Regis says grinning. Now that he thought about it, she seemed rather calm about being here. Noctis nods, he's right, that is kind of her but he knew why she would.
"I heard you know her." Regis says, Ignis and Noct stare at the king. Is he trying to get them to spill the beans?
"Not know, I only met her two days ago." Noct answers casually with a shrug. Trying to make it seem like it's not a big deal. Well this confirmed that his father knew nothing of her. Which means Cor hid her from them. Why? Aren't they like family?
Regis looks at his son then the young advisor. Gladio is right, they are keeping a tight lid on this, whatever the secret is might be juicy. He knew these two wouldn't hide a secret detrimental to anyone's lives. He will commend them for keeping a secret. He's more curious now, about why they are keeping it, who they are keeping it for and what the secret is?
Forgetting that for a second Regis decides to share some good news, that was momentarily forgotten with everything. "Good news. I asked Cor and he says he has a perfect training partner for you Noctis." Regis smiles. Noct nods, so it's finally happening.
"Who are they?" Noct asks, maybe he's seen them around. He doesn't talk to people but he does observe people. A lot.
"I didn't get much before the incident today but he did say they are good. Very good. With a unique fighting style." Regis says.
"When will the fight happen?" Ignis asks, making a mental note to put it on the princes calendar.
"The first one is this weekend. To see if they are a match, a challenge that Noctis needs to get better." Regis says, he then looks at Noctis, "train hard son." he says encouraging, with a pat on the shoulder. Noct nods silently. Regis leaves, work needs to be done.
Noct stands there for a second then goes to his office to do some homework and his duties as the prince.
He knows his father doesn't mean anything bad by that but Noct couldn't help but feel the pressure. He failed the test last year in spring without so much weight on his shoulders and now, with so much on his shoulders he knows he's going to fail. He failed his crownsguard test, he and Luna don't get blessed and now he's got another crownsguard test. He's sure they are hiding their disappointment in him. If he fails again what would they think?
He can't fail.