phantasmalrift | maybe i'll edit a better title in later

Who: Ignis and you!
What: Listen, it's just another catchall. Come watch the world's most underpaid babysitter get used to having more free time than ever before.
When: ICly, any day between arrival and April 27th (aka pre-Palace Adventures)
Where: Just about anywhere in the Station and Annex, but the hot spots are the hot tub (naturally), the kitchens (obviously), and the "viewing" deck (badumtsh).
Warnings: There shouldn't be any but we'll see what happens.

[Returning from the forest had Ignis just as exhausted as everyone else. It's almost like bodies aren't meant to be pushed to their limits like that, magical interference or no. Still, he's only down for a day or so. Life doesn't stop even if your problems are slightly shifted.]

[He spends a lot of his time in the kitchens. Perhaps...too much time? Nobody really needs that much food. He doesn't even seem to be eating that much of it, though he'll be quick to offer some to anyone that comes by. The most notable thing is that he seems frustrated. He's still adjusting, still having to learn how to do things without sight, and it's...]

[It's a process.]

[All of once, he can be found chillin' in the hot tub five feet away from anyone because he respects all boundaries. It's a good thing he doesn't have to suffer through the indignity of knowing he's wearing swim trunks that are just a bunch of cat faces stacked on top of each other, but they're rather incredible.]

[His preferred place to relax or to at least get a break from all of the family drama is the viewing deck. You can't really get much out of the view when you can't see it, but it's quiet and he's not too concerned about tripping over the railing. He makes himself comfortable on one of the lounge chairs, occasionally with his phone in hand reading out the latest network disasters, and all in all about as "at peace" as it's physically possible for him to be.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The sound of excited fluttering wings broke the relative silence, followed by a light weight perching on Ignis' shoulder and setting herself to preening lightly at his hair. All while making soft friendly bird noises as she went, of course.]

[After a moment or two, she was followed by her owner:]

Luscinia? Where did you--oh. I...sorry, is she bothering you?

[Oh- hello, bird. He wasn't expecting you. He can't see you, but he can offer some of the bread he has in the Armiger to you as a nice snack.

And if he's surprised you're accompanied by Ardyn, he doesn't show it.]

Not at all. [She hasn't stolen anything or pecked him yet!]

Glad to hear it.

I...can leave, if you'd prefer. She knows how to find me.

You can stay, if you want. I don't mind having company.

[But he can understand why you'd be uncomfortable sticking around.]

...alright.

[A little hesitant, he settled into a chair a reasonable distance away.]

Have you been doing well?

Nobody's died, despite the high tensions, so I would consider things to be well.

[Ardyn laughed, though it came out far more awkward and nervous than he'd hoped.]

[Nobody had died yet, at least.]

R...right. That's a start.

Seems to be all we can hope for, here.

[He runs a hand over Luscinia's feathers, gentle. She's a good bird.

After a moment-]

Have you been enjoying life in the Station?

For a given measure of 'enjoying', certainly.

[He seemed to be making an effort not to complain, at least. Luscinia fluffed her feathers up with a more cheerful sound, stretching her neck out for maximum petting efficiency.]

It's certainly been more difficult than I'd like, but I've seen far worse.

Family troubles?

[He'll leave which family he means open for interpretation.]

In several senses of the phrase, I'm afraid. Hopefully things will at least calm down soon enough.

[Some time after Goro's recovered from his own exhaustion, Ignis will be interrupted in his cooking by the sound of wings and tiny claws clicking on the counter. Then a loud voice, with a distinct bird-like quality to it.]

SHARE!

[A second later, Goro trots into the kitchen and sighs.]

Morrigan, it's rude to bother strangers for food.

It's no bother.

[It's a readily prepared answer, but it's true enough. Giving out food isn't a bother at all, even if it's to share with a feathered friend.]

Is your bird alright with eating daggerquil, though?

I don't think he minds, corvids are rather known for being willing to eat anything they get their beaks on.

[Another thing he has in common with his avian icon, honestly. The bird edges a bit closer, before letting out an impatient caw.]

In that case...

[With a flourish, he presents a piece to the bird. The taste and texture aren't wildly off from chicken, if a bit leaner and more gamey.]

Would you like to try?

[The footsteps stop a few paces away from the hot tub and Mai pauses before saying anything.]

...Cat-san.

[Sorry, she's got a one-track mind.]

[Hwat.]

Beg your pardon?

[What cats, where are the cats.]

Your swimsuit. ...Maybe cat-san swimsuits are common. In alternate dimensions people get kidnapped to.

There are cats on my swimsuit...?

Ah, I can see the confusion - it seems whatever swimsuits are available to us are more colorful than I thought.

It looks like whatever they can get. Because it's remote. And reality is fluid.

Fluidity seems to require a certain degree of thriftiness - and it could mean worse things than cat swimsuits, I suppose.

Probably. ...Have I seen you.

Should've known I'd find you here, Iggy.

[ ... Mm. Noctis frowns a little; he can tell that Ignis is struggling, because he knows Ignis better than anyone. ]

Mind if I help you out? I could use a lesson or two.

It's the heart of a home.

[And, for better or worse, this is their new home.

...]

I... think there are ulwaat berries in the armiger, if you want to try your hand at pastries.

Ulwaat berries?

[ He nods, and the berries appear in his hand. ]

Huh. There's a lot in here.

Of course.

[What do you think he is, a person with limits?]

Always best to be prepared, and it seems to have paid off.

[Especially considering a lot of the labels in the Station's actual pantry are still kind of. A mystery.]

I've never seen you not be prepared, Iggy. It's kind of scary sometimes.

[ He washes up the berries, then sets to getting the pastry dough ready. ]

So how've you been settling in, anyway?

[ There's a touch of guilt to the question. He hasn't been checking on Ignis as much as he should've. ]

Oh-- [Prompto's about to duck away from whoever's in here and come back later, but then his tone shifts when he sees who it is.] Oh. Hey, Iggy.

[Ignis is safe. Prompto wanders over to crouch and poke at the water.]

How is it in there? Got room for another?

[At least it's a familiar voice - familiar and welcome.]

It's warm. [He brushes his hair back, pushing it off his forehead.] But I think there just might be enough for you.

[This hot tub seems unreasonably big, from what he can tell.]

[♡✧( ु•⌄• )

Once invited, Prompto slips happily in and lets out a long, long sigh as the water eases ~~a week~~ twenty years of tension out of him.]

Ohhhh. Wow. I live here now. You can have my room, Igs, take care of Noct for me.

maybe i'll edit a better title in later

viewing deck

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Kitchen

no subject

no subject

no subject

hot tub

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

kitchens

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Hot tub

no subject

no subject