Ignis Scientia

There's a brief shift as digits seemingly played along his hair a moment. Finally however, brows had knitted before lids opened. Staring a moment, it hadn't been until he recognized the young woman hovering over him that he realized where his head lingered. 

"---your highness." 

Whether features had been dashed with a shade of red or not, remained hopefully ambiguous. Trying to recollect on the situation however only had him manage up to a certain point before everything had gone dark. But he could just as well piece everything together. From the stinging pain in his head, to his stationary position, he'd taken a blow to the head. And here the other had taken it upon herself to tend to him. 

🌸 🌸 🌸

     Iris was, a little skeptical, at the very least, no idea in the slightest what he had planned. Yes, she did say that she wanted to do something special and fun for her birthday. But when it came to Ignis– To say she had doubts was an understatement.

     Still, she’d have to see what she was getting herself into. With a sigh, she made her way over finally, her eyes resting on Ignis before moving to the vehicle. It didn’t make her questions slow down in the slightest.

     ‘ Ignis, where are we going? I mean, I’m not too concerned about getting home by dinner. Though I would like to know where you plan on taking me. ‘

Of course she'd question his intentions despite the situation. But to reveal the surprise didn't seem too far-fetched of an option considering she had decided to go. 

Opening the door for her, he'd let her take the front seat.

"I was told you're a fan of chocobos. I've a friend who takes care of them. Sort of a rehabilitation center you could say. One of them recently gave birth. I thought you'd enjoy seeing them. If not---well, I could always be your personal chauffeur for the day considering I cleared my schedule. Or visiting the prince."

The last statement had purely been an aim to tease the young woman. Regardless, he soon rounded the vehicle getting into the driver’s seat.

"I'm perfectly capable of handling this myself, you know."

Merely watching the other fumble with the bandages in question, the moment he attempted putting them on his shoulder soon had him stop the other.

"You'll want to clean the wound before you put the bandages on."

Playful in a way, he began instructing him with ease aiming to lighten the others worry and embarrassment. Given how Gladio tended to be the one to provide first aid when he'd been incapable it had certainly been a change.

"I hadn't realized your bedside manner was this terrible, your highness."

The jab had been made intentionally, the others feelings on the matter more than obvious. Even as he continued to instruct the other on the best means of first aid, it had been by the prince's insistence to do it himself that deemed where the guilt rested. A leg injury, a little worse than superficial at that had encouraged a limp and a constant stinging pain.

Nyx had been in a rush- the captain changed his orders last second, so he had to hurry across the Citadel in order to get to his assigned post. He rounded a corner a little too tightly and was met with a much taller- much more… important figure.

“Ah- shit, I am so sorry..”

It seemed as if he had knocked his coffee onto them both. He tried to help, but was waved away every time. Seemed this guy was about as stubborn as he was. 

At the question, he looked down over his uniform, smoothing it over his chest and feeling the mildly damp fabric. “Yeah seems like a little bit did. But it should wash out fine.” If he could wash blood out of it, coffee would come out with no issues. 

“Can I make this up to you somehow? Maybe.. offer to get you a cup of coffee later or something?”

A brief pull removed a handkerchief from his person, rather than dabbing at the stains in question he instead relinquished it to the other for the sake of alleviating some of the sensation. After all, he himself hadn't technically been on duty.

"As I said, no harm done. Save for a shirt and a wasted cup. I may live just yet."

But the others offer in most cases would have been something to ignore entirely. However, a brief notice of the others intent mingled with sincerity also played into standing as well. Being rude or too modest had hardly been called for.

“Perhaps it isn’t the food that’s awful but your manners?”

Having interjected simply enough with the abrasive bar patron, a simple adjustment of bifocals had been enough. Granted, he imagined the young woman could fend for herself, even he found it likely that someone would appreciate another to diffuse an annoying situation. 

Gaining the man’s attention had been his initial intention while remaining seated at the bar. Having ordered a coffee, the rate of business might have been the distraction as to why he hadn’t received it yet. But soon it became more than obvious it had been the distracting and rude man.

“Come along, I’ve a surprise for you. Birthday girl.”

Spoken with such ease, the man’s gait hadn’t halted until he realized she’d failed to follow him. As for the event in question however, he’d simply turn and crossed his arms a moment longer.

“Well? I’ll have you home by dinner.”

“Seeing as you’ve consumed nothing but...these since the start of our little endeavor, I’m going to have to insist you at least try this.”

The sound of the bowl being set before the other soon revealed the dish. Similar to the very noodles he’d been eating, it however had actual ingredients in his own opinion.

“You’ve a preference for beef, right? I made certain to make it savory. The pasta is homemade as well.”

“It’s fine, really.”

The words came out unfortunately laced somewhat with annoyance. Hardly meaning anything by it, he intercepted any attempt at wiping away the heated liquid. Only pulling at his own dress shirt somewhat it had been an attempt to avoid further burning himself.

“You’d think the glasses would’ve given me an advantage to look around corners. No harm done though, you didn’t get any on you did you?”