.overflow post.

[calcitrants]

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[warpspammer]

( continued from here )

[ the surprise is evident on ignis' face, which makes nyx tilt his head a little. ]

He's been running the Glaives out of Lestallum after the sun went away. Said that Lunafreya died in Altissia and the Prince disappeared soon after, but Cor told him that he'd return.

[ he repeats it pretty rote, as if he's expecting ignis to know this bit. ]

[calcitrants]

[ ignis, unfortunately, doesn't know that. he's silent for a long moment, pensive. he disappeared soon after, but the marshal had told him that he would return -- ignis knows the marshal doesn't lie.

he frowns. ]

The marshal is with the Glaives? [ he pauses. ] Are they still loyal to the King?

[warpspammer]

[ Considering Nyx himself should be dead but isn't, it's at least not something that's too confusing on his end, that Ignis might not know. ]

They're loyal to Noctis. That's what Libertus said, at least. At some point, his and the other recruits magic returned as well. I guess the Marshal is heading the reformation effort.

[philoxenia]

[ from here. ]

Well... we do have quite a lot of time to get used to things, I suppose.

[ She pauses. She might hesitate to talk about herself, but... she can be vague about it, right? ]

Honestly, I'm... not quite used to having so much time on my hands.

[calcitrants]

[ okay that is really depressing, even for ignis -- who is ultimately a bastion of rational practicality. but thankfully, he has other things to focus on. ]

Is that so? Why's that?

[philoxenia]

[ She doesn't think anything of it, really. It's just how things have to be. And now she has to edit--she's not about to go being completely honest, but she's also a terrible liar, so... ]

My friend and I, we-- we've been on the road together on... business. For some time. We have something important to do, and... well, we can't really afford to slack, otherwise it could mean a lot of trouble not only for us, but... for a lot of other people.

[ She speaks carefully, because she's trying to decide what she feels comfortable saying. And she doesn't realize it, but that sure sounds familiar, doesn't it, Ignis? ]

[anbu]

[ from here. ]

[There is something so uncomfortably yielding and honest about that sentiment—Not just any stranger. You.—for a moment he is lost in a response. Thus far, their conversation has traded allowances and answers one for the other, a balanced give-and-take with the awareness of vulnerability. Ignis shares how his prince is so important to him he would bring him to a strange and foreign world, how he's given his entire life in an expectation of duty; Itachi admits there is someone he would cross any line to protect but would not want them near him here, and that he's trained in violence since he was a child.

By comparison, cooking in his kitchen is no intimate task, although he wouldn't consider himself one of Ignis' companions.

And he isn't wrong. Even if it has been a long time since Itachi has killed anyone.]

If your prince arrived, I would know he is important to you. I have the information to determine his identity easily. There's something to gain from everything. [A low, quiet admission, eyes a dark brand on Ignis' handsome face.] Then again, my motives would have to be unnecessarily malicious toward you to take advantage of that.

[And he just paid for their tea date, so it's fair to guess: probably not evil.]

So you were the protector and advisor as well as the personal chef?

[Itachi gestures ahead, indicating that the other man take the lead in direction—and that he's accepting this offer.]

[calcitrants]

[ itachi isn't wrong, either. ignis has given him enough to identify noctis if he puts his mind to it -- and from what he's learned of itachi, that the man is smart enough to know, too. but here's another thing he's learned of itachi in the past couple of hours or so that he's met him: there is a strange, nebulous sort of kindness to him when taken in context. this is a man not predisposed to unnecessary malice, a protector and guardian used to perpetuating violence, who would rather keep to himself. and he, too, is surprisingly accommodating, with a sweet tooth and a sense of confidence that's rare.

even in the face of that bleak admission that anyone else would have taken as a threat, ignis senses something that runs deeper beneath those still waters. he meets those dark eyes squarely, aware of the risk he's taken -- but there is legitimately something compelling about itachi that fascinates him, and also, itachi did just pay for their tea date, so... ]

You're not someone who does unnecessary things.

[ he takes the lead -- his home is a few blocks away, but they'll be there in a few minutes or so. ]

Driver, as well. Tutor. Accountant. Healer. [ then, most dryly: ] Occasional parent.

[ well, brother, specifically. but everyone knows he's mom. he conveniently leaves out the fact that he's the one who does the dirtiest jobs, the sword of the king instead of his shield, but eh. gotta leave some mystery in the relationship. he also does the laundry. ]

I may have cycled through every possible job description. [ he looks over to him. ] How have you been faring in this place?

[anbu]

[When the threat against Ignis' prince doesn't earn the offense he's expecting, his lips pull in a subtle frown as he's forced to reevaluate his decision to move forward, to allow this interaction to continue and follow the other man to his home. A year ago, it never would have come this far. Assuming he had even entertained the conversation at the teahouse—unlikely—Itachi fought to keep immense, secretive distances between himself and everyone else.

Ignis claims he acts precisely and efficiently, yet here he is, pursuing an unnecessary companionship. The grim self-reflection distracts Itachi as they walk; it's only Ignis' voice that draws him out of the slump of his thoughts.

His expression is more difficult to read as he studies the other man.]

So the expectation is that you fulfill his every need. [Get a job and learn some responsibility, Noctis, come on.] … I've fared well enough. Perhaps better than others, given that arriving in another dimension isn't new to me now.

[Itachi’s gaze drifts away, ahead.]

Syncing feels similar to the principle of another world I visited. The emotional connection is significant as well, when it's successfully managed.

MESSES THAT HAIR UP

[naotorious]

( from here )

[ Jeez, Ignis. If he hadn't just told Nao his occupation he would ask if he was a mind reader. ]

Not...nothing solid, except to move out. I haven't completely thought out what I wanted to do as a career so I'm just a part-timer at a restaurant right now. And you can't expect me to hear a job title like yours and not ask more about it! What do you mean? [ "Royal advisor" sounds way too fancy to be a simple retail job. Or club bouncer. ]

SNUGGLES NAO

[calcitrants]

[ he's perceptive that way! but he can't help but smile faintly. ]

I serve as advisor to the crown prince of my kingdom. I don't suppose you have kingdoms in your world?

1/3

[naotorious]

[ Prince. Kingdom. What? Not that those don't exist where he's from but...for real? Nao's obviously surprised, mostly in the sense that he's like, "oh shit am I talking to someone Super Important?" rather than a monarchy being a completely unknown thing to him. ]

U-uh, yeah! Though not all countries work the same way back home...different kinds of government, you know? [ Meanwhile, he's trying not to make a total ass of himself by asking dumb questions like ]

Is it a big kingdom?

network mingle.

[calcitrants]

[ overflow from here ]

@anbu

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

[ well, this particular personal detail about his world has the very real potential of fucking a lot of shit up in this city. ]

Of course, not without a little reciprocation.

[ it sounds a little flirty but ignis' meaning runs deeper than that; he wants to know more about itachi, and how capable he is of protecting himself (he has no doubt he is). if the worst happens and noctis needs help --

-- when itachi brings up the attention thing, however: ]

Yes, it does seem a lot of them are keen on sparring.

@demonrebel

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

[ oh no, dante's definitely doing it for him. ignis can't help but smile at the message and tease. ]

Is that right? You seem absolutely delighted.

Not at all, I'm rather interested in your incredibly talented tongue, amidst all your other gifts. Busy tonight?

@fromsnezhnayawithlove

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

[ oh, someone else who is in service to a monarch. common ground, so to speak. ]

I see. I serve as advisor to the Crown Prince of Lucis. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr...?

@philoxenia

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

Oh, they can be sore from time to time.

[ what's losing? ignis has never lost in a video game once he's figured it out B') ask all the high score screens in the lucian arcades. ]

Perhaps we should play a game sometime.

@sonoftenebrae

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

[ sentiment, then.

ignis can see it in the relaxed set of the former prince's shoulders, the ease in his expression. he had never seen tenebrae, personally, but it's not difficult to imagine that a garden like this would bear some similarities to the manor.

the memory of ravus going for an unconscious noctis in rage-filled grief still lingers in his memory, but so did the rawness of his pain, the depth of his loss. and still, ravus has always been one of his word, and ignis is aware that they're going to need all the help they can get. ]

Lord Ravus. Of course.

[ what a strange turn of affairs, being in a whole new world, walking in a garden with him. he takes in ravus' demeanor, the serenity of the space they're in. ]

This place is indeed a marvel. Has it lived up to your expectations?

@knightofthecart

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

Perish the thought. Some of the finest combatants I've met were women. I will be glad to spar with you, Ms...?

@bottombitch

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

It sounds delicious, I would appreciate that.
Perhaps you should tell me some of your interests as well.

@hipshoots

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

[ lmpasdhf ASHE PLEASE ]

I see. Of course, I would be happy to teach. What are your favourite dishes?

@naoandthen

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

Nao, nao. You've done quite well with the puns, haven't you?

What are your favourite dishes?

@andthatscalledjazz

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

[ ...he's still wrapping his mind around what seems to be an entire ecosystem of talking bipedal animals, because this is totally a thing that happens now. ]

I see, perhaps I might. Are there more of you here?

@penpoint

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

Dice and cards. With money?

[ there are two types of people who like those kinds of things: gamblers and people who like observing others. ]

I rather prefer the works of Expressionists and Fauvism, myself, although I've haven't the opportunity to visit galleries of late. I wonder if the paintings in my world are similar to yours.

@immortalmarshal

[calcitrants]

[ continued from here ]

I see. Has everything been civil so far?

[ nobody threatening anyone? ]