#gauntletrising

“We’re almost there, promise.” Of course, that’s what Nora had been spouting for the last hour or so. It was scorching hot out, as the coastline was prone to be. But Nora knew, she just knew it would be worth it. “You said you wanted good pictures of the beach and ocean, so that’s what we’re doing. Unless you changed your mind? Wanna go back?” The air had shifted then, filling their noses with the salty scent of the ocean breeze. Just a little bit more. 

"You said that, like, forever ago.”

Yes, he did want those shots, but at what cost? This was feeling like the end, his time drawing nigh. Soon he’d collapse in the sand and expire in the blistering sun, eaten by crabs and gulls and end up on some headline as Why Dumb Tourists Shouldn’t Go Wandering Out. Oh, cruel fates... but no, he must trudge onward. He must get those shots. For the aesthetic.

Prompto was exhausted to hell and back and it didn’t help it was getting dark. He needed to find a place to stay, but being the genius he was, he didn’t think to take money with him when he fled Niflheim. It was fine. Everything was fine. He’d find somewhere to stay and then haul ass to Insomnia.

(Feeling starters | Old as balls but still accepting) Restless

He is pacing when she comes upon him. The sky threatens rain at any moment and the overlook at the edge of Lestallum is empty save for him. His pleasant mask has slipped in the isolation, and he cuts a sharp glance in her direction before letting his attention slip back to the Disc. The clouds seem to build thicker there.

“Is this a hobby of yours?” he wonders, a saccharine sort of cheer coating the words, artificial and sticky. He’s not even bothering to look at her anymore. “Accosting people when they don’t want you there, that is.”

He slides a sidelong glance in her direction again, before his pacing resumes, like a cat waiting outside the canary’s cage.

(A sentence starter of...some sort)

(Soft Reaction meme | Accepting)

He wakes up to a hand on his shoulder, quickly enough that it would seem he was hardly even asleep. His eyes snap open and he rolls to face her, already forming words as he does.

“’m fine, Ig--”

He cuts himself off once he realizes Ignis wasn’t the one who woke him up. He blinks at her, wide-eyed and bemused, before his face heats and he cuts his gaze to the side.

(Nonverbal meme | Still accepting I guess)

The thing is, when His Highness’s fight or flight instincts kick into gear, they are invariably set to fight.

There’s a haze of blue and he ducks backwards, low, and her fist phases right through where he was just a moment ago. He resolidifies and keeps his momentum going as he straightens back up, sidestepping and twisting halfway around to slam one elbow into her back, like a battering ram right between the shoulders.

(Deny Help From Iggy meme | Still accepting, if you’re so inclined)

Ignis steps back a pace, hands raised as if in surrender. Though he looks more exasperated than anything else, and his eyebrows raise.