faesphere | Call Me Out / Open RP Post

[ Ignis watches Cindy and Prompto for a second before turning his attention completely to Noctis, hand falling on his shoulder. Is he the same person? He knows the answer to that one without even thinking about it. ]

Of course you are. You may be without your memories, but I still see the same Noct that I know.

[ That he knows and loves. He moves to get up, wincing a little at the kinks in his legs and gently nudges Noctis up with him. ]

We'll get your memories back, both good and bad.

What if I don't get them back?

[It's pessimistic, but he wants to be prepared for disappointment in case the worst happens. While he doesn't like the idea of starting over from nearly scratch, the gods aren't exactly known for being this kind. Especially not to him.

He reaches up to wind his fingers around Ignis' hand.]

I don't want to be the one to hurt you.

[ Ignis considers that one for a minute, squeezing the hand in his. ]

Then we'll make new ones together.

[ He tugs him back inside the caravan for a minute, shutting the door, wanting privacy for this. He shuts the distance between them then, hugging him tightly. True, it had stung losing Noctis twice, then his memories poofing, but... ]

It's not your fault. I hardly blame you. Never.

It hurt yes, but I care about you, Noct, otherwise it wouldn't have hurt so bad. I'm overjoyed to have you back in my life here and now.

[ His next words coming out quietly. ]

I love you.

[Noctis exhales shakily as he's pulled into the embrace, unmoving for a long moment until his arms lift to wrap around Ignis in return, holding on so tightly it might almost be painful. He doesn't want to let go. Even if he never remembers... he never wants to lose this.

Make new memories. The promise means the world to him. They might never be the same... this might be all they ever get. But still, Ignis won't abandon him. He won't be alone anymore.

He shudders, burying his face against Ignis' shoulder.]

I love you...

[He'll be okay, as long as he remembers that.]

[ As much as he wants to keep them here, they do need to get going. And talk. But he doesn't do either, clutching onto Noctis like his life depends on it.

And well, it does.

He shuts his eyes and keeps them still, painful for him to let go as well. It feels so good to hear those three words out of Noctis too. ]

I have every faith in you, we'll be okay.

[ He pulls back a bit, shifting and moving his head to kiss Noctis on the lips, slow, soft and tender, just like before. He, no they need this, this moment and each other. Nothing else matters right now. ]

[Noctis returns it, quiet and relieved, resting his forehead against the other man's for a long moment before withdrawing fully.]

Yeah... me too.

[As long as they have faith in each other, they can do this. Ultimately that's all that really matters.]

What do we need before we go...? We should probably get ourselves sorted and get moving before we're kicked out.

[ He keeps his arms around Noctis even as the kiss is broken apart, though he's happy. At the question, he sighs quietly. ]

Prompto confirmed what I've been fearing since you rescued me, it's too dangerous for me to return home. [ He goes quiet for a minute. ]

Since this first got started in a business meeting, there may be more outside of Insomnia. [ more attempts on his life that is. ] I have you watching my back, if that should come to be. [ he prays that it doesn't, but he's not alone this time around. even if his life is at stake, he knows that Noctis will be there to save him, no matter how many attempts it takes. ] We'll need to be ready for that.

[ if Prompto is correct and that there's gil in the car, then that's their first move: weapons. ]

So... weapons. We shouldn't leave this place unarmed.

[He's 1000% determined to ruin the day of anyone who so much as comes near Ignis with the intent to hurt him, but he's not entirely sure that this wild astral magic he's relying on right now would be enough to do it. He still doesn't want to risk losing control and missing a shot, or worse, accidentally hitting Ignis. Hopefully his brain can get itself together enough to remember his training.]

What about money? Supplies? Did Prompto bring anything?

[ He opens the caravan door open then, seeing the other pair still talking. ]

I do believe that he's leaving us the car that he came in. [ He steps back outside, seeing it parked at the gas station and shakes his head in amusement. ]

I usually keep extra clothes, gil and other emergency supplies in the car just in case. [ He starts moving towards the Regalia, it's not the same one as before, but it's a copy made from Cid. He does wonder if Noctis recognizes the car.

He jumps a little as keys are thrown at him from Prompto, giving a soft thanks. Well, that takes care of that, he supposes. ]

Shall we see what's inside?

[Noctis is barely attentive enough to what's going on; he manages a small wave in Prompto's direction, but he isn't looking. His eyes are transfixed on the car, all sleek curves and Lucian black. The paint and the leather seats shine like new in the morning sunlight, and slowly he makes his way over to it, running a hand almost reverently over the front, crouching to examine the emblems peppering its design: the Lucian crest, the king's - his father's - crest. Even the familiar old Insomnian decor found on the license plate. If he'd been asked to name those numbers off by heart he wouldn't be able to, but every curve of the lettering strikes a chord in him now.

He stands up again, to get a better look at the vehicle from front to back, and when he speaks his voice is a little breathless, awestruck.]

This is... the Regalia.

[I know this car.]

[ He takes a step back away from the car, letting Noctis examine it. Is he remembering...? ]

Indeed it is, though it's an exact copy of it.

[ He gives Noctis a concerned glance, he knows that the Regalia has emotional attachment here. ]

Noct...? [ Are you okay? ]

[Noctis doesn't answer right away. He moves to the side of the car, still trailing his hand along the surface, and stops at the driver's seat, moving to climb in. He pauses before the door is even half-open, reconsiders, then goes to repeat the motion in the seat behind it. He settles in quietly, leaning back against the leather, and glances around- first to the right, the unoccupied space there. Then to the front, both left and right sides. He takes a deep breath, and a deeper exhale.]

I was... here. [He sat in the back. He always sat in the back, on the left side. Even as a kid, when he was in the Regalia with his dad, this is his spot.

Gods. He remembers his dad's face-] ...I sat here. And you were- [He gives the top of the driver's seat a quiet thump of his hand.] -here. When this was home.

[ Ignis is just quietly watching Noctis move about the car, he's remembering. That should squash any fears that they both might have about Noctis not recalling anything else.

Instead of answering, he moves to the drivers side and slips in, letting the keys drop to his lap. He sets both hands on the steering wheel, at ten o'clock and two o'clock. He spares a glance at Noctis again through the side mirror. ]

This look correct?

[ Home, it was this way for these two, on their journey, they had two more people in the car with them. Prompto and Gladio. ]

What else do you recall...?

[Noctis leans forward, resting his chin on Ignis' seat from behind, taking in this new view. Things have changed a little, but there's no denying that sense of right that rushes through him, like a sudden burst of adrenaline. He leans further so he can get his arms partway around Ignis' shoulders, holding him gently.]

Yeah... that's right. It's almost there.

[One hand lifts briefly to touch near the corner of Ignis' eye.]

I remember you used to wear glasses. [And then, more quietly, a subtle remorse about forgetting something he's lost and should never have forgotten,] I remember... Dad's face.

[ At the hands around his shoulders, he lets himself shut his eyes, listening quietly.

He still wears his glasses, but he can see fine without, his capture had left him without them. Noctis remembers him from the shared dream they had and he'd been without his glasses then. He'd preferred his world to be crystal clear. ]

That's right... [ he says softly, at the touch near his eye.

His blood runs cold at the mention of Regis. Noctis' dad is dead, at the hands of an enemy that is no longer a threat. His breath hitches in his throat for a second, pulling his hands off the steering wheel to shift his body to look at Noctis. ]

Noct... I'm sorry... [ He doesn't know what else to say, but he remembers the anger and grief from all of them. He lifts his hands to place them gently onto Noctis' arms that are around his shoulders. ] He's... gone...

[Noctis is quiet for a long moment, bowing his head. "He's gone." Those words aren't a surprise to him, though they should be, as he has no memory of being told that his father died, or witnessing it happen. He doesn't know the when, or how, or why. Just... the quiet ache of loss, and a fleeting memory of sitting in the backseat with him, his father's smiling face and a hand gently stroking his hair.]

I know, [he finally murmurs.] It's okay.

[So many people from his old life must be gone. There's holes in his heart that memories can't fill, he knows this instinctively with no logic to back up that belief. Still... he's not alone. He'll be alright as long as he remembers that much.]

[ He's quiet after that, thinking on what to do here. He doesn't want to explain Regis' death, that's a memory that will have to come on it's own. And when it does hit Noctis, he'll be there for him.

Finally, he shifts forward a bit, finding the switch to pop open the trunk of the car. ]

... Did you want to see what Prompto left us? [ He asks hopefully. He needs to get of these clothes he's in and he hopes that he can find Noctis a jacket to help cover his arm. ]

Yeah, I do.

[He's immediately grateful for the distraction, politely extracting himself from Ignis' hold and nudging the door open to get to the back. Not waiting for Ignis, he lifts it open... and blinks down at the note, half-crumpled and tossed around amidst some fabric and equipment he doesn't immediately recognize.

Don't get yourself killed. -Gladio]

I think he left a note for you.

[ He follows Noctis out of the car quickly, picking up the keys from his lap. He head tilts a little at the note, reading it. ]

Ah, Gladio. I see he has us prepared.

[ Well, more like him, but. Ignis spies out the camping gear, a tent, folded chairs, the coolers (which he suspects has food in them for him to make), sleeping bags rolled up and his cooking camping gear. Fishing gear is also stuffed in the trunk, a pole and tackle box. Ignis had kept up with Noctis' past time, once a year, to keep his memory alive.

The last thing he sees is a couple of suitcases. Ah, that's what he's looking for. He steps around Noctis, opening one and finds a jacket on top, it isn't heavy looking, but it should work. Though due to height differences here, the sleeves may be a big long and baggy on Noctis. He pulls it out and wraps it around Noctis, giving a little smile. ]

That should help a bit.

[ Then he's quick to pull out a change of clothes for himself. ]

I think I know where the gil is hidden, it should be in the glove box, passenger side. [ He holds out the keys for Noctis to take. ] If it's there, get us weapons. My main choice is daggers.

[ He'll wait until the keys are taken before he's making his way back to the caravan himself for a quick change. ]

[Noctis accepts the jacket, pulling it on over the dark, formal Astral garb he'd been reborn in, fire-scarred arms disappearing beneath the sleeves. It still leaves his face and hands uncovered, but he'll need that to work his magic, so he doesn't mind the rest for now. It's at least lowering the chance that he'll draw too much attention. He rolls up the extra-long sleeves just enough to not look so silly, and leaves them like that.

Weapons, next... daggers. He'll look at the stock before he makes any decisions for himself. The glovebox reveals some funds, just as Ignis had said, which he pockets and heads over to the shop. The daemons may be gone, but monsters still roam the world, so ways to protect oneself will probably always be necessary.

A set of daggers are easy to acquire, but it takes Noctis a moment to pick out something for himself. He tries a few of them, and all of them seem right while he's holding them, but actual memories of wielding them are slow to surface. He settles on a longsword at last, paying the man and slinging it at his side with a belt (which also feels weird, but what is he expected to do otherwise?) and carrying the daggers with him back to the car.

When Ignis returns, the daggers are resting in the driver's seat for him, and Noctis has his sword unsheathed and is swinging it carefully in the air, focused like a new trainee scarcely a few sessions in on learning how to use it.]

[ It takes Ignis a little longer than he thought he would, the clothes are looser fitting on him than he expected. He's lost a bit of weight so he really shouldn't be too surprised. The belt helps really.

He had gotten a look at his back, somewhat. Studying himself in the bathroom mirror for a second. He pulls his shirt on after that and tries to decide what to do with his bloody and tattered clothes. Trash them or take them? He weighs his options for a moment before he moves to grab them and finding a bag to stuff them into.

Before he leaves, he picks up the blankets off the floor and lightly tosses them back onto their respective beds. He checks elsewhere to make sure that they got everything, but he discovers Noct's half eaten sandwich and gives a little shake of his head.

Bag and sandwich in hand, he steps outside spying out Noctis swinging a sword. He quietly walks over, studying Noctis as he makes his way to the trunk of the car, stuffing his old clothes in the far back. Giving the trunk a final glance over, he shuts it with his free hand. ]

Noct? How does it feel?

[ He finds his daggers in the front seat. He's careful as he leans forward a little to get the sandwich on the passengers seat. Breakfast doesn't sound like a bad idea right now really. He makes a note to get Ebony before they go too. ]

[Noctis offers just a vague hum in response for a moment, holding the sword horizontal and parallel to the ground after a lunging attack, feeling out the weight of it, the stretch of his limbs. He draws back and idly spins the blade around in one hand, looking... well, not entirely satisfied, but not unhappy either.]

I used regular swords a lot, right? I remember swords. And I'm right-handed.

[Not an entirely fruitless attempt, but he has a feeling that a proper practice session might be needed before his mind and body catch up with one another. He tugs the extra gil from his pocket and offers it out to Ignis- weapons are expensive, so there isn't a lot, but it should be plenty to get them started on supplies for a while, especially with what's already in the car.]

That's right.

Gladio is the one that trained you for combat capabilities, but I'll see what I can do to help you. [ he takes the offered gil back, they should have enough to get breakfast and his coffee.

He doesn't see Cindy or Prompto anymore, they must have taken off while Ignis was changing. He knows Cindy well enough that where she won't take "no" for an answer if he tried to repay her back. He owes her regardless.

He looks to the diner. ]

I wouldn't mind breakfast. [ and repaying back Takka after last night, but he has a feeling that'll be a "no" as well.

He picks his his daggers and slides them to the back seat of the car, on the floor. ]

[Oh right, food. He glances around, and- ah. His sandwich is in the car.]

I can just eat the leftovers... want to eat in the diner this time before we take off?

[Might be nice to sit down someplace familiar, see if it stirs anything up before they hit the road properly.]

[ He walks around to rub at Noctis' back, mostly his jacket. ]

It suits you. [ he comments idly. ] Will you be comfortable in the diner?

[ He does wonder if Takka has any hunts on the table to. He makes a mental note to check once they get there. ]

You can put your sword in the car for now.

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