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The Mods of LifeAftr ([personal profile] lifeaftr_mods) wrote in [community profile] aftr_ooc2018-04-13 08:39 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ( 010 )

Test Drive Meme #10
Hello, and welcome to LifeAftr! We’re pleased that you’re expressing an interest in the game. Here, you can test the waters, gauge how your character may fare in the world of LifeAftr, and even gain some in-game incentives, if you so choose.

Remember that Reserves will open on April 17th, and Applications on April 24th!

Two important notes:
1. LifeAftr's test drives take place on the island of Mu, which exists apart from the real world and possesses a dream-like quality that characters are innately aware of from the moment they appear on its shores. No need to panic or fret. Dreams are odd things, after all - and anything can happen in them. Why would anyone question where their mind chooses to wander in its sleep?

2. Due to the nature of Mu, threads in our test drive can not only be accepted as thread samples in your application, but can be accepted as game canon as well. In fact, certain choices your character makes in Mu have the potential to bear in-game consequences, largely in the form of test drive reward items.

Friends on the Other Side
When you open your eyes, it is to a shadow-tinted cityscape. The buildings are clay-built and colorless, plunging seemingly infinitely onward into the sky before disappearing into a dense pool of foglike sky. The silence weighs heavily like a mantle across every inch of this place, and no matter how you squint at them, every structure seems strangely blurred, as though being viewed through distorted telescope lens, or in the reflection of a pool of water.

All told, it's probably obvious from the start that all is not well here.
From the moment you arrive in this strange nether-place, your eyelids have begun to grow heavy. Something about this city and its perpetual, misted darkness leaves you inexplicably drowsy, ready to curl up and fall asleep on the spot.

That wouldn't be a problem, perhaps, if you were alone. Mu does not boast a great deal of flora and fauna, but what it does have is a creature capable of inflicting much in the way of misfortune - clockroach. They occupy this city in swarms of wraith-like wisps, both intangible and curiously amorphous. But when they draw close, they instill a sense of terror like no other, usually igniting one's fight-or-flight response as a result. Sure, they might not be capable of actually hurting you, but why should that matter, when they have a skill for inducing a sense of utter dread in their targets?

Ever try to get some sleep with fresh adrenaline pumping in your veins?

Pretty Fly for a...Fire Guy
With indigo-blue skies, lush fields of green, and miles of rippling grass hills for as far as the eye can see, Mu has cast you into the perfect and picturesque evening. As the imaginary sun lips the very edge of the horizon and the last glow of orange fades to the purple of dusk, the fields come to life with a smattering of bright, wavering lights.
LifeAftr has its fair share of fireflies native to its many regions, but this particular kind is special. They're the size of quarters, very pretty to look at...and incredibly volatile besides. It's hard to interpret what these wondrous little glow-bugs might view as a threat or not, but at least it's remarkably easy to discern as much based on the sight of them alone: they're handily color-coded depending on their moods.

While they glow a contented amber by default, those that fireflies warm to will find themselves bathed in a green-blue glow as those bulbous, organic lanterns tint with a soft, cool turquoise. A few of them might even settle across your arms and in your hair, if they take that much of a shine to you.

Of course, those the fireflies don't warm to will be able to note as such when they light up a blazing crimson, mere seconds before the insects spit a stream of glowing orange, molten-colored acid. It stings and burns in equal measure, just as likely to scald you as it is to set the surrounding fields aflame.

Flower You Doing That?
Adventurers were both wary and relieved to discover that the next island on the horizon, known as Ziziphus, appeared to be a rather vegetation-rich paradise. They were considerably less relieved to learn that this island contained predators just like all the rest of them, despite the rich green backdrop of its meadows and the promise of lush woodland at its heart.

So it is that you, too, will learn that sometimes tufts of ferns are not tufts of ferns at all...but dangerous creatures called spindlanks.
What might initially appear to be a leafy hillock will very quickly prove to be something far more...mobile, if you get close enough. That clump of grass and red ferns will abruptly hoist itself up on six vine-like tendrils, crawling for its prey like a very large, mossy spider. While it's fully capable of swiping at its foes with its massive, leafy arms, the spindlank's favored method of dispatching its prey is simply to scuttle forth until it's positioned directly above you and drop down. If its weight does not crush you and choking on the clods of earth doesn't smother you, don't worry; the spindlank intends to eat you alive with a set of fleshy jaws set deep in its center.

For despite their leafy appearance, spindlanks are very much carnivorous. Their size can vary from anywhere between six and ten feet tall when their appendages unfurl entirely. They burn as easily as any plant matter would, but the size of them can make them quite difficult to topple alone.

And they are almost always hungry.

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piercetheheart: (concern)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-21 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
The tension after Iggy lost his eyesight really had nothing to do with Iggy. It was all Noct and Gladio bumping heads and Gladio feeling absolutely powerless. No way to help Iggy, no way to help Noct, and no way to move forward either. It was the same thing that drove them all apart in the end.

Ignis grabs for his hand and Gladio sighs, reluctantly letting the other keep hold of him. He doesn't want to admit it but he's missed this, the closeness of his friends. He had Iris, of course, but it wasn't the same. He watches Ignis carefully as he speaks, chewing at his cheek more than once to stop himself from interrupting. He'd let him finish at least, he owed him that much.

"You knew?" His frown is clear in his voice and he lets out a slow breath so he doesn't sound as angry as he immediately feels. "Why the hell wouldn't you tell anyone? We could've-" No, his voice was rising and he struggles to keep it in check.

"With more information we could've maybe done something, Ig." He shakes his head, exasperated but it's all so far in the past now there's no use in getting pissed about it. "At least we'd have known how long we'd be waiting. Those first months were so hard. Like Prom thought we'd wake up any day to Noct standing in the doorway like it was no big. And then six months passed..."

"By the time he'd been gone a year I was either going to punch Prompto's teeth out or make him cry. So I left Lestallum, helped Cor and the Glaive start evacuating what was left of Liede. Too little, too late."
shatteredlenses: It's Not Regret.  It's... (It's Not Regret.  It's...)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-22 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
"I wish it had been as simple as just telling you what I knew. Truly, I do, but the visions showed me no useful information aside from, perhaps, the fact that he was gone long enough to grow a beard. Besides that, I was given no specific timeframe, no indication of where or when he would be back. What it showed me was the The Kings of Old running him through with their blades; what it showed me was Noct burned to ash by the power gathered over the generations; what it showed me..." Ignis' words come to a shuddering stop and he turns away, hands curling into fists at his sides as he desperately tries to push back the pain speaking of the visions brings him. "What it showed me was his father pinning him to the throne with his own sword like one might pin a butterfly to a board. What good would telling you this do? Who would it help? Tell me, would knowing this have done anything but crush what hope you had left in your heart?"

Ignis can't say that he's surprised that Prompto had so much to do with Gladio finally having to put distance between them. While Ignis and Gladio's personalities are opposite in ways that usually complement each other, Gladio and Prompto's personalities are opposite in a way that often causes them to clash. With no Noctis there to be a buffer and Ignis himself likely focused on relearning how to do everything in the dark, those clashes would have only gotten worse. This is why Ignis can't find it in his heart to scold Gladio for his actions. They make sense, especially in such a high stress environment.

"It's never too late." This, though, he can scold on, if only lightly. "Not so long as even one person can be helped. You should know this."
piercetheheart: (heh)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-22 11:45 am (UTC)(link)
He wants to make a joke, maybe something about Noct's saddest scrappiest beard. (Still better than Prompto's goatee though, sweet Shiva.) But the more Ignis goes on the clearer it becomes how much this hurts him, pains him in ways Gladio can't understand. It hurts, seeing him like this and it hurts more knowing that the Ignis he knows, the one that's been keeping apart from him all these years, has been bearing this pain alone for so long.

There's nothing he can do for the Ignis he knows and maybe nothing he can really do for this Ignis but he can't sit by and ignore his pain. So Gladio pushes up onto his knees so he can shift himself, less beside and more behind Iggy, throwing one arm around him and crushing him against his chest in a hug, half dragging him onto his lap when he drops back down to the ground.

"You could've told us so you didn't have to suffer alone, idiot." And it's easier to focus on Ignis and how much he's hurting with all of this than have to acknowledge how many lives were lost because they didn't act sooner. Because they held out hope that Noctis would return before things got too bad. Before entire regions worth of people were lost to the darkness.
shatteredlenses: Protect this Smile (Protect this Smile)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-23 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
A soft noise of surprise leaves Ignis' mouth when the hug comes. It isn't what he was expecting at all. More anger, and heaven forbid, maybe even disappointment were closer. After all, though Ignis knows some of what happened during the darkness, he hasn't been there yet. Maybe something he saw would have helped. There's no way to know now. All he can do is add this to the list of things he wants to change if they somehow find a way to carry their memories back home with them when they leave this place.

Ignis' tense shoulders relax and he lets his forehead rest against Gladio's shoulder, fingers curling into the Shield's jacket. A soft chuckle affirms his friend's statement. Ignis is an idiot; he's been told as much by many people since arriving here, yet somehow it has more staying power when it comes from Gladio. Mira may know the pain of fighting a predetermined destiny and Prompto may know the pain of missing and wanting to protect Noctis, but only Gladio understands the duty that has been laid upon their shoulders since they were children. No matter how much they may have butted heads about the exact details of taking care of Noctis, they understand each other in a way no one else can.

"You have no idea how much I've missed having you around."
piercetheheart: (concern)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-23 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
A complete fool who tries so damn hard to bear everyone's burdens and that is one of the many things they've disagreed on over the years. Ignis should not take so much responsibility for all of Noctis' actions. It wasn't fair on him or on Noct really. And now here he was trying to protect them all from a future only he knew about.

It was so stupid and so very Iggy for him to think it was the only option.

Ignis curled into him and Gladio left one arm slung loosely around his shoulders, not holding onto him exactly but the weight of his arm pushing him against Gladio's chest. "Yeah..." And it feels so stupid to say it when it's his own damn fault Ignis wants nothing more to do with him back home. But he says it anyway. "Missed you too, Ig."

It might be his fault everything fell apart but he can't just pretend like the distance between them hasn't hurt. "Guess we're both pretty fantastically stupid... 20/20 hindsight and all that."
shatteredlenses: A Closer Look (A Closer Look)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-25 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, there's nothing wrong with being in such good company," Ignis chuckles softly, knowing he should probably pull away before he overstays his welcome, but with Gladio's arm wrapped around him--even so loosely--he finds it hard to convince himself it's worth the effort to move. Hopefully, the Shield will forgive him for lingering a little longer. Much like his moment with Noctis earlier, Ignis finds himself not wanting this one to end. There is a little voice in the back of his mind that says, 'What if he doesn't show up on the island? What if this is it?' Ignis doesn't want this to be it. There is still so much for them to talk about, but especially with Gladio, he knows he can't put out too much all at once. They are both too tired to handle much more than they already have. Covering more will only lead to misunderstandings and anger.

A safer topic then.

"Aside from the sunlight, what is the one thing you are looking forward to the most when you get to the island?"
piercetheheart: (♔doubt)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-25 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
It has been more years than he cares to admit since he was able to just casually touch someone. Not frantically addressing wounds, not desperate hugs to assure himself that friends were still whole and alive, not adrenaline fueled romps scattered between months of loneliness. Just... touching because he could, because they were close, they were friends and he didn't need an excuse to be physical with someone.

Especially with Ignis. So many years since the other man had been comfortable like this and the last thing Gladio wanted was to let him pull away. Unless Ignis made a move to escape he was perfectly content with having the warmth of his friend pressed against him once more. It felt like finally coming home after too many years away, even more so than it had when they'd stepped into Insomnia once more.

The question surprises him and he huffs out a breath, not quite an answering question of his own but a sound of curiosity. He hums as he thinks, leaning forward a touch to rest his chin lightly on Ignis' head.

"Meeting Coco." He finally says, nodding and removing the weight of his head from Ignis'. "Wiz got run out... hell, nearly 8 years ago. I doubt there's anything, even the most stubborn of birds, that could've survived." Gladio pauses, bites his lip, offers Iggy a half shrug that he can feel. "Pretty sure there aren't any left back home, I mean."

He'll never be able to tell Prompto that.
shatteredlenses: Dirty Boy (Dirty Boy)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-25 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Ignis draws in a startled breath when he hears that, fingers unconsciously curling tighter in the Shield's jacket. The answer is completely unexpected and when Gladio lifts his head away, Ignis finds himself looking up at his friend as if he might be able to read his expression even though he can't. Sorrow is etched into Ignis' own expression as he thinks about the probable fate of the birds who had kept them company through so much of their journey.

"So much lost. I can't even being to imagine the pain you've been through," he unwraps one hand from Gladio's jacket so he can brush his thumb over the Shield's cheek. "This island is no paradise, but I hope you can rest a little and heal so you may return to the battle stronger."

Gladio didn't ask for for a break, Ignis knows that for certainty. He never would ask for it. Perhaps that is why whatever is in charge of bringing them here chose to bring him when they did.
piercetheheart: (hurt)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-25 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
There have been times over the years where he thought that he might not be able to continue if something didn't give. A glimmer of light, some sign to remind him of what they were fighting for. He's needed a break for years but he would never dream of actually taking one, even if it was offered.

Asking? Out of the question.

Ignis touches his face and Gladio leans into the contact just a little, breathing out tension he wasn't even aware he was carrying. Even if he didn't know all of it just knowing that he could share some of that burden with Ignis eased his heart.

"No such thing as paradise." And the worst of it was, he truly believed that. "But maybe... Maybe it could be close."
shatteredlenses: It's Come to This (It's Come to This)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-25 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Noct certainly enjoyed being able to fish to his heart's content before, and I can't say I minded the supply of fresh fish," Ignis had intended to pull his hand away after just a moment, but when Gladio leans into the touch, he changes his mind and lets it remain. Touch is such a powerful grounding force, after all. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid we're short on romance novels. I do hope that won't be a deal breaker."

No Cup Noodles either, but they work with what they have.
piercetheheart: (gosh)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-25 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
"That's nothing new. Pretty sure I've read everything left in Lestallum at least twice." There were only so many shitty novels he could get his hands on and it was as close as he ever got to down time, reading a chapter or two while he was waiting on food, a few more when sleep eluded him which was all too often.

He smiles a little, though, only just realizing the implications of what Ignis has said. "Fish." And it's said with such awe that it would be hilarious if it weren't so sad. "Gods I haven't had fish in-" He has to stop, to think back and even then he's frowning with the effort of recalling. "What... 7? 8 years? Before Ollie was born at least." Because once they lost Cape Caem they lost a huge portion of their food supplies as well.
shatteredlenses: Cooking (Cooking)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-26 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
"I shall make you the finest fish feast when we get there," Ignis lets his fingers drift across Gladio's cheek once more before finally letting his hand fall away. "After all, it's been some time since we were all together. I think we have much reason to celebrate."

Plus he has all those herbs that Mira just gave him, though he has to save some to make her a feast of her own. Still, what perfect timing.

At the mention of the name Ollie, Ignis' expression becomes curious. Obviously, a child born after the darkness fell, but to who?

"And Ollie is?"
piercetheheart: (how you doin)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-26 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
Gladio sucks in a breath, hopeful and eager and before Ignis draws his fingers away entirely he'll feel the way Gladio's cheeks round as he grins. "Celebrating sounds like a plan to me." Real fresh food, not something out of a can or a jar, not made mostly of plastic.

"Right." This Ignis has never met Ollie, doesn't even know he exists, and for a moment it is strange all over again, the vast time differences between them. "Oleander Amicitia." He's just enough of an ass to let it settle for a moment, let Ignis ponder, just so he can see the beginnings of whatever expression would follow the conclusion that Gladio has a kid before he chuckles softly and puts him out of his misery. "My nephew."
shatteredlenses: He Said What (He Said What)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-27 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
[When he feels Gladio's smile against his fingers, an empty part of Ignis fills for the first time in a long while. There is so much he can't do right now to ease the pain in his friend's heart, but at least there is this.

Ignis' smile gradually fades into surprise and confusion--perhaps even a little disbelief as well--as Gladio leaves him just enough time to ponder Ollie's full name. Honestly, he has a hard time imagining any of them settling down and having a family with the Prophecy still hanging over their heads. Yet, at the same time, ten years of constant fighting with death around every corner changes people in a lot of ways.

When Gladio finally lets him off the hook and explains who Ollie actually is, Ignis' smile returns though it's still tinged with surprise.]


Gotten old enough that you're starting to let Iris beat you in things now, are you?

[Okay, he needs a few more moments to process this. One of his patented terrible jokes will just have to do for now.]
piercetheheart: (♔ easy)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-27 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Iris could beat me in a lot of things now." There's so much pride in his voice as he says it, still grinning. "She could probably kick Noct's ass."

That was pretty similar to her fighting style too, longswords and sometimes daggers. It meant they complemented each other well, all of the moves he'd spent so many years practicing with Noctis now applied to his sister. "They call her Daemon Slayer now."

As for beating him to having kids well... he didn't really have any intention of doing that. Not when he's quite certain he's going to die as soon as he goes back. With the way things have been in the city now he'd never dream of dragging a kid into that. Ollie was something of an accident, one Iris couldn't bear to part with and he supported her completely. But he'd never intentionally bring a child into the world the way it is now.
shatteredlenses: Profile (Profile)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-28 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
Ignis can't help but grin in return when he hears the pride in Gladio's voice. The two of them always got along well and to know she's doing that good even under the worst of conditions is a load off his mind.

"Daemon Slayer, now is it? Did that come before or after she became a Behemoth Slayer?" He can't imagine how hard it must have been to allow her to go off and fight such deadly enemies on her own. It's not that he doubts her skill--Gladio himself would have seen to that--but she would have been the only family the Shield had left.

Well, until little Ollie came along that is.

"You know, I would pay a great deal to have the chance to witness her doing that. Noct needs someone to knock him down every so often."
piercetheheart: (♔ starlight)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-28 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Heh if anyone's going to end up with a name like Behemoth Slayer it'll be Elle." As much as he tries for joking there's an eye roll and exasperation audible in his tone. Behemoth tamer more like and it'll be Iris that starts the trend.

"Dunno if his pride could handle that. She'd wipe the floor with him." A pause and then he has to concede a point. "I mean as long as he didn't pull any of the line of Lucis shit. But just straight fair combat? Yeah my money's on Iris." How much of this is him bragging about his baby sister and how much is actually pretty accurate?

No one will ever know.
shatteredlenses: Sunlight and Shadow (Sunlight and Shadow)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-28 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
How much is bragging and how much is accurate? It's true no one but Gladio will know, but Ignis can make a few guesses. After all, Iris is still an Amicitia even if she isn't the one that carries the title of Shield. If someone underestimates her because of that, they deserve every bit of what comes to them.

Ignis sits back a little, though not enough to displace Gladio's arm, and folds his hands under his chin, mischief suddenly twinkling in his blind right eye, "Elle, is it? I'm afraid that's another name I don't recognize. A hunter friend?"

One, that perhaps, focuses on hunting the rare Shield Behemoth?
piercetheheart: (♔ questioning)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-28 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
It is utterly unfair that Iggy can pull of that look even without his sight. Gladio groans, bringing his hand up to push playfully at Ignis' face. "Stop that."

Even with the push he doesn't let Iggy go far, though, arm dropping from his shoulders to his waist to keep him from toppling over or moving away. He huffs out a sigh, letting himself lean into Ignis, close enough that he can probably feel the heat of his blush.

"Yeah a hunter and don't start, you'll sound like Iris and shit's complicated enough." Which was exactly the opposite of what he wanted.
shatteredlenses: Smolder (Smolder)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-28 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
A chuckle escapes Ignis as he leans back from Gladio's hand, unfolding his own to gently bat it away. For a moment, he considers trying to escape, but the arm around his waist puts an end to that notion rather quickly.

Not that he really wanted to free himself that much anyway.

As Gladio continues, Ignis' expression grows a bit more serious and he nods, "I understand." At least, as well as he can. Affairs of the heart are never easy for those in their positions in the best of times and Gladio is hardly coming from the best of times, "If you do want to talk about it at some point, just remember I'm here and I will listen."
piercetheheart: (♔ hmm?)

That icon is unfair. keywords should be "smolder"

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-28 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
It wasn't complicated, or at least it hadn't been, until Iris started meddling. He loved his sister dearly but he didn't need anyone waiting back in Lestallum for him to be happy, if anything it just made him worry even more than he already did.

"Yeah, yeah." It's dismissive because he doesn't want to think too hard about everyone back in Eos than any reason to not share things with Ignis. Not when they have this ease of conversation again for the first time in so many, many years. Strange how different it feels, being with this version of his friend, as though nothing has changed despite the years.

"I will... I-" He frowns a little but surrenders, no matter how sappy it will sound. "I've missed this." Talking to Ignis, touching him, having a friend to lean on no matter what. Sitting like this, even, was something they hadn't really done since they were teenagers, both weighed down with too much responsibility and neither willing to burden their prince with even the slightest hint that they were struggling. It was nice, to have that support again after so long without.
shatteredlenses: Smirk (Smirk)

Keyword Update: Complete! It's a better one than I had anyway! LOL

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-04-30 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
Ignis doesn't need to see Gladio's frown to guess it's there from his tone of voice. Without thinking about it, he raises his hand back to Gladio's face, finding much to his dismay he's right.

"Now, none of that," his voice is gentle, as his fingers pat the corner of the Shield's frown. "You shan't have to miss it any longer. We may have no idea how long this will last, but for now you need not even ask when you need this." Ignis lets his hand slide to the back of Gladio's neck and if allowed, will pull the other man forward so that their foreheads meet. "For now, put aside your worries, fears, and regrets. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."
piercetheheart: (I - comfort)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-04-30 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
Feeling Ignis' fingers seeking out confirmation of his expression makes him want to change it, to smile for him but he knows there's no use trying to fool Iggy. Sight or no he'd see right through it. He was always disturbingly good at seeing through Gladio's bullshit. "I can try. Dunno if it'll work."

So he sighs softly, takes comfort in the reassuring words, the gentle touches. Closes his eyes as their foreheads meet until he can feel the gentle exhale of Iggy's breath. Which is when it occurs to him exactly how intimate this is, some small nagging guilt in the back of his head reminding him that, whether he wants her to or not Elle's back in Lestallum waiting for him. That, close as they were, as the are this might be half a step too far.

It's enough to make his cheeks flush hotly and he clears his throat, sitting up a little abruptly, drawing away from Iggy's gentle hands and comforting words just enough to put a respectable distance between them again. His arm loose over one leg rather than actually holding onto Ignis' waist. Iggy was still sitting in the circle of his legs but it wasn't quite so... much.

Didn't quite remind him of things that Ignis made clear were not welcome.
shatteredlenses: Troubling Thoughts (Troubling Thoughts)

[personal profile] shatteredlenses 2018-05-01 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
"That you try is all I ask." What good would demanding do, after all? Ignis doesn't want to add anymore weight to shoulders that already carry so much. He just wants to do all he can to comfort, calm, and heal instead.

There's a peacefulness that settles around the two of them then, their breathing the only sound that can be heard. How long as it been since Ignis has been able to feel so at peace? No time recently, that is for sure. There have been moments of a kind of peace on the island, but there was always the knowledge that he should be doing something else. Should be working on any number of things. There Ignis' mind is free to run a million miles a second as it always does, but here on Mu? There's not anything that can be done until they are released once more and having Gladio here to finally fill that empty place that's just been waiting? It's perfect in a way few other situations can be.

Perfection can never last though, and Ignis is startled first by the heat he feels from Gladio's face and then how fast the Shield sudden pulls away. Instinctively, Ignis is on alert, wondering if some kind of danger has snuck up on them when they weren't paying attention. After a moment, though, he realizes that he is the danger. He's become a lot more open about giving and receiving touch on the island, something he really never had time for back on Eos. For others, this isn't a bad thing, but he and Gladio have a bit of a history, if one can call Ignis insisting that duty must come before any person feelings a history. On top of that, there is someone waiting back home for Gladio. How could he be so careless?

"My apologies," the words are hardly more than a mumble as Ignis turns away, hiding the embarrassed flush on his face. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Besides, he has Soma and whatever he wants to call the weird thing that is going on with Ardyn. The time for what might have been passed a long time ago.

Longer for some than others.
piercetheheart: (♔ pained)

[personal profile] piercetheheart 2018-05-01 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
Too long. It had been far too long since he'd made motions to offer something more to Ignis. There'd never been words, never a discussion, but with their duty on hold until Noctis' return he'd tried. Tried so very hard to be there for Ignis and had only been pushed away.

Now, the knowledge of what he'd seen, why he'd been so distant, railed so hard against everything Gladio was trying to do in those early years made a lot more sense but it didn't change the fact that he- Well he'd lost that shot a long time ago, if he'd ever really even had a shot to begin with.

"Nah..." He starts off trying to play it off, casual, dismissive. But Ignis turns away from him and it hurts, seeing him upset and knowing it's his fault. "No, Ignis. You didn't." A soft sound somewhere between dark humor and disgust.

"Not you're fault, Iggy." It was entirely Gladio's. That he couldn't just accept the comfort and support without getting it twisted up with old wounds and the ache of loss wasn't Ignis' fault. Dammit.

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[personal profile] shatteredlenses - 2018-05-02 07:32 (UTC) - Expand

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