[Action/Video] Welcome back Prompto

[chocobosnap]

[Anyone near the dream docks would hear a desperate wail of pure anguish and might see Prompto still sitting, curled up in a ball and crying into his hands. He's dirty, he looks like he's been dragged through hell and back in his full formal Crownsguard fatigues. His gun is resting on his lap, smeared with blood.]

Video

[He's gotten ahold of himself mostly. His eyes are a little red, and Prompto looks older. A lot older, even though he's only about a decade older, and he's grown a goatee through what is a very vivid, real dream. He rubs his eyes.]

How long have I been asleep?

[It's only been a few days, but to Prompto, it's been a decade.]

Comments

(Action)

[soulsflight]

(She is visiting the dream docks, curious as to what she might find, when she finds him. Lightning knows the signs of a soldier that has seen battle and she purposefully approaches at a safe distance. It won't do them any good if he panics.)

Hey. (Baby steps. She keeps her voice calm and casual.) What's happened?

(Action)

[chocobosnap]

[It's much easier to recognize he's a soldier because he's in proper uniform, after all, there's never been a better time to wear it. The footsteps alert him, and he reacts without thinking, gun pointed in her direction even as he wipes his eyes and looks at her.

He doesn't recognize her, but in general, most people aren't the enemy. No. Wait. He's not even on Eos.

He lowers the gun.]

H-Hey. [He sounds a lot less nervous than he used to be.]

(Action)

[soulsflight]

(Her eyes narrow, gauging his intent on firing the gun. She really doesn't want to nurse a bullet hole, but she doesn't want to move too quickly either. He's on edge and she has seen it before.)

You don't need to fight. Not right now. This isn't the world I would've chosen, but it is a place where you can relax your guard. (Everything might change. Boy is she used to that, yet all that matters is the present.) My name is Lightning.

(Action)

[chocobosnap]

[He slides off the chair he's in and tucks his gun into the holster behind him. He's looking around, he remembers this...he thinks. Now it feels like it's been so long since he's seen it.]

I know it's-

[He shakes his head a little.] Prompto. Argentum.

(Action)

[soulsflight]

Hello, Prompto. (She gives him a semi-comforting smile. This isn't her forte, but she can try.) Would you like to take a walk? We can find some food or a place for you to rest. Whichever you prefer.

(Action)

[chocobosnap]

[What he'd like to do is curl up in a ball and mourn and try and figure out his future, but that wasn't one of the choices. When faced with those choices, he doesn't know what the answer is.]

Uh...

[He scratches his head.]

I guess I haven't eaten since last night.

(Action)

[soulsflight]

You'll feel better if you do. (She holds out her hand, though she has no expectation for him to take it.) Have you tried to find anyone from your world?

(They might be better equipped to help. Or maybe that's a shot in the dark.)

(Action)

[chocobosnap]

I don't know if...he's still here but...

[He's not sure if that would be better or worse right then, he'd probably cry either way.]

I fell asleep and I don't know how long. For me it was ten years.

(Action)

[soulsflight]

(She fell asleep for hundreds of years once, so she can sympathize.)

Let's try to find him. He's probably missing you. Ten years may not have passed here and, even if it did, he deserves to know you're in one piece.

Action - let me know if this is okay!

[clevermind]

[Belle isn't sure where Prompto had gone. He said he had to do something and her insides had been twisted with worry since. Something is happening in Genessia and she has no idea if he's safe. She checks by his home but no one s there...

It's days later that she finds him, curled on his side near the dream docks. She has her basket under her arm and a few books collected but they're quickly forgotten when she sees the familiar form.] PROMPTO! [Belle dashes forward, placing the basket out of the way as she gently presses her palm to his shoulder.]

No. No. No. Please. Prompto. Can you hear me? Are you alright?

[She reaches for the gun to move it and her fingers come back slick with blood.]

Prompto please be alright.

Action - All good!

[chocobosnap]

[The very small upside to the dream docks, is that the wounds that caused the blood aren't still there, just the memory of the pain lingering slightly, although that's not what has him curled up in miserable tears. His gun has blood on the handle, and his uniform, although dark, has a few spots as well. Gashes he'd have had to treat at some point.

To him, it's been a very, very long time since he's seen Belle and he raises his eyes to look at her, trying to get ahold of himself to speak.]

Yeah. No. I...[He's overwhelmed with grief at the moment.]

Action - <3

[clevermind]

Shush. [She pulls him close, her fingers gently running through his hair. She can see that time has left a mark on him but she has no idea how long it's been.] It's alright.

You're safe now and I'm not leaving.

[She presses a soft kiss to his forehead as she brushes her fingers slowly through his hair.]

You can cry. It's alright Prompto.

Action - <3!

[chocobosnap]

[He takes her words at face value, he brings his arms around her and cries into her shoulder, trembling from the emotion and sadness. He needs to get it out and be incoherent for a little bit.

He rubs his eyes as he starts to wind down, taking shaking breaths.]

I...Noct. [He says his name mournfully.]

Action

[clevermind]

[Belle is patient and kind, her fingers gently trailing through the short messy blond hair as he cries. She doesn't know what had happened but now isn't the moment to press.

Once he quiets, she turns him and meets his gaze.]

He's still here. I haven't seen him but we can go find him. I bet he's at home waiting for you.

Action

[chocobosnap]

[He shakes his head and presses the heel of his hands into his eyes.]

No. I mean...I-

[He breathes.]

Noct died. He's- [He swallows, he doesn't want to remember what they saw when dawn broke.]

Action

[clevermind]

[Her brow furrows together and Belle gently shakes her head.]

But he's here Prompto. He hadn't left. [She isn't sure what's going on but Prompto is in distress which is enough to get her moving.] Can you walk? We'll go find him.

[Or at least take Prompto home and let him lay down. Worry and uncertainty knot and gnaw at Belle's center. She doesn't know what's happened and she really doesn't know how she can help.]

Action

[chocobosnap]

I...[He's not actually sure he can. Now that the grief is settling and the adrenaline is fading, he's reminded that he's not twenty anymore and fighting through the night is not the kindest to his body. He's healed, but his body remembers where he took every hit. He groans and gets to his feet, stumbling a little bit.]

Yeah. I...we can do that. Sorry, I'm...how long was I asleep?

Video

[youfool]

Good evening Quicksilver!

[That's his sidekick nickname now. He'd better appreciate it.]

I haven't been keeping tabs on you, but I'd say...hah, well, long enough to get some stubble. Not nearly as much as mine, but one can have too much of a good thing. Well, welcome back.

[Also Ted's a werewolf now. Probably better he doesn't ask.]

How are you feeling?

Video

[chocobosnap]

[He doesn't, not really, thanks Ted gosh.]

Oh yeah. [He rubs the goatee on his chin.]

Not-Not great. [He presses a hand to his forehead, he's getting a headache.]

Been better. [He looks a little lost, actually.]

Re: Video

[youfool]

[Shoot down every nickname he makes, why don't you! Y_Y]

Ah, my condolences. 'Tis a familiar drama: you've been through hell and aren't in the mood to speak of it.

[That's pattern recognition at work for ya. Not the first time someone's popped out of the Dream Docks worse for wear.]

Well, I can lend a furry ear if you're otherwise inclined, though I understand completely if you need solitude for thought. Are there any openings for courtesy? Anything you'd like brought? Anywhere you'd like brought to?

[St. Bernard's wish they could be this handy.]

Video

[chocobosnap]

[What's wrong with Prom? Very good nickname Ted.]

I...yeah, I don't know. Something like that.

[He runs his hand through his hair, he's still shell shocked above all else, he never thought he'd see this place again - the fact he just fell asleep, he hadn't remembered at the time.]

I don't- [He sighs.] I don't want to be alone. And, yeah, I don't know. I should eat something.

Re: Video

[youfool]

[Promeranian it is]

Then I'm on my way.

[Prompto had said that before, hadn't he? Not wanting to be alone. Wanting someone, anyone just to keep level. Ted's on all fours, briskly running to the Docks. If Prompto's patient, he'll hear the sound padded feet trotting towards the entrance. A large, yellow werewolf had arrived. Not the most chivalrous steed, but it'll have to do.]

Didn't keep you waiting long, eh? Want a ride, or a walk?

[He does like walkies...]

Video

[chocobosnap]

[He's always had that problem, but he doesn't make a fuss about it. He can be alone if he has to - and definitely has more than he should've had to, but it's better right now because he isn't sure what he's going to do.]

You're so cute like that.

[It's a lot less of a squeal and just an observation that brings a small smile to his face.]

We can walk.

Re: Video

[youfool]

Haha, glad you approve. Pity you can't get used to it.

[Yep, roughly seven feet of fuzzy, lumbering, canine cute. He'd completely missed the memo on Halloween needing to be scary. It's pouring outside, so Prompto can enjoy that wet dog musk.]

As you like; make sure you've your plastic bags handy. I promise not to stop by too many fire hydrants.

[Still, he likes the rain, and it's a nice night. He knows where to stop first: the Genessia Tribune office.]

Video

[chocobosnap]

[Dog musk isn't worse than chocobo musk while riding around in the rain.]

No? Why not? [He's not bothered that his wolf friend is bigger than he is, lots of people are.]

I don't have any, so you'll have to behave. [He smiles slightly at that too and starts walking with him, first steps unsteady, hands in his pockets. The smile is strained and his body language is tight and compressed.]