Week 14.

[azumods]

WEEK 14 Sunday is a rough day all around; it's for the best that you remain where you are for the day, for the sake of regrouping and recovering, and perhaps getting some sleep - assuming that any will come. However, as difficult though it may be (and as futile though it may seem) Monday is likely best seen as a day to depart - a day to start to take whatever actions can still be taken, and to assess where to go from here. A good place to start is Canalave City; it's where you were going to meet with Cynthia, and where you were planning on looking into the legends of Sinnoh. The city itself is beautiful, a massive port town split down the center by a large canal system filled with boats and clear water leading out to sea; however, the recent changes to the world have affected this place as well, perhaps making it a bit difficult to enjoy the city in its entirety. However, the library is here, as are several other points of interest; as difficult though it may be to see the world like this, the trip here will hopefully be worth your while in the end... CURRENT LOCATION: CANALAVE CITY POKEMON AVAILABLE: WITHIN CITIES SURROUNDING ROUTES: PLAINS/FOREST / NEAR WATER MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY [OOC: Welcome to week fourteen of Azume; feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget that a write-up is due this weekend!]

Comments

[discutio]

[she will absolutely accept petting because it's been A Day alright, as evidenced by her trainer leaning slightly on the table in front of him like he rather wanted to sleep for a week.]

I hope I didn't worry anyone too badly by disappearing like that; I know Noctis was upset, obviously.

[anythingforyou]

[Then she will get much pettings, goshdarnit. Gods, though, it's certainly a sight to see.]

What...what on earth happened? I'm quite certain it gave others a scare, but I'm pretty sure anyone's more worried that you're alright, Ignis. I know I am.

[discutio]

I don’t...quite know. I was investigating that abandoned inn, and I must have run into something. I woke up there this morning as though I’d passed out on one of the beds.

[anythingforyou]

...What?

[Oh. Oh, that's just fucking disturbing?]

...Well, I suppose it simply cements the fact that we shouldn't go in there alone, but...that's rather horrific. You must have gotten knocked out--do you have any bruises or bumps?

[discutio]

No--no, I'm not injured. And I think you of all people understand I'm not one to fall victim to a surprise attack.

[Ignis folded his arms, looking restless and withdrawing in the brief silence that followed.]

I had...terrible nightmares, worse than I've ever had before. Which unfortunately I'll admit is saying something. What I suspect happened...I think I may have encountered something like a local deity. And I believe it knows we're here now.

[anythingforyou]

...Forgive me; I had no intention of belittling your own ability.

[And she does seem genuinely sorry about that much, at any rate. Though, that's...definitely disturbing to hear about, and while Camilla herself is no stranger to them and she's certain Ignis isn't, that is concerning.]

Do you believe that the creature may come after us, then? Now that it knows that we're here, and it's been disturbed...we may need to watch over the others.

[discutio]

I know you didn't mean it like that. I was only pointing out that it seems unlikely I was attacked, though I...genuinely can't remember.

[Deep breath. Yeah, he's handling this Great.]

I don't know. It may be what we came here in search of, or it may be something else. But I think keeping an eye out and staying away from the inn is a good idea for the time being.

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla gives a small noise of confirmation; that's understandable, and more than fearful enough, and he definitely doesn't look like he's handling this well at all. And who can blame him, good god?]

...That would be our best option, yes. Whatever is in there clearly has a way of ensuring that it takes it's toll from whomever decides to go in there...

[That's just skin-crawling, really.]

Those nightmares...do you wish to talk them over, or would you feel it most prudent to try and forget them?

[discutio]

It's...nothing I haven't dealt with before. It just caught me off guard, it won't happen again.

[anythingforyou]

Ignis.

[She's at least willing to take that much, but it's the way he answers it that she doesn't like.]

There doesn't need to be an assurance that it won't happen again. It's not as if you're not allowed to be afraid.

[discutio]

[Ignis didn't answer right away, but the implication that was exactly what it meant hung very clearly in the air.]

...I'm alright. It was only a nightmare.

[anythingforyou]

[...

ignis, friend, why are you like this]

...If you insist upon it, I will acquiesce.

[She doesn't sound very happy about it, really, but she supposes it is what it is.]

[discutio]

[Another pause. He remembered his words to Mesprit, about not knowing who he was past his own purpose and duty. Worse still he remembered the near-desperation in Noctis' voice, trying to get him to admit he wasn't completely and perfectly fine after surviving the end of the world.]

Camilla, would-...

[He could trust Camilla with that, more than he was willing to lay it on Noctis' shoulders. His voice was still hesitant, as if he had to pry the words loose before they could be spoken. Almost cautiously, he unfolded his arms and laid a gloved hand on the table between them, palm upwards.]

...would you lend me your hand, just for a moment?

[anythingforyou]

[...Oh. Camilla seems to pause a moment, but...]

Of course, Ignis.

[Her voice is a little less...explicitly irritated when she says that much, and she places her own hand atop his. She isn't...quite sure what direction to put it in, but she settles on placing her palm atop his and keeps it there.]

[discutio]

Apologies, I-...

[He didn't seem entirely certain how to address the issue or even if he could, speaking in a hesitant way that didn't suit his usual confidence at all.]

...It's been over a decade since I lost my sight. I've grown used to it by now as you can no doubt tell, but-...there are still times when it feels rather solitary. I can tell where someone is by the sound of their steps or breathing, and clearly picture what manner of expression Noct and our friends have when they speak, but...it's not quite the same as being able to look over and know who it is at my back and understand at a glance what they're likely thinking.

...My dreams being those of approaching darkness and solitude is not a new experience. But this time, I can't quite seem to shake it.

[anythingforyou]

[...Oh.

Well, on one hand, that...gets her a lot less irritated, hearing him like this. And in a way, it does tug the corner of her lips into something of a smile, if a sad one. It results in her grasping his hand a bit, listening to him some and simply ensuring that he's able to finish peacefully--and perhaps more importantly, know that he's not alone. Because she could certainly tell him, but she imagines that on some level, he does know it. And actions speak far more loudly than words.]

...It's okay, Ignis. I know it likely doesn't feel like such a thing, but you have every right to be shaken by such an experience. You don't have to be fine all of the time, especially after something like this, that has reminded you of something as deeply unpleasant as that. You can be angry, be saddened, be afraid...

Let it out, however you must.

[discutio]

I can't afford to be.

[It wasn't a complete rejection of what Camilla said; more that Ignis was pointing out what seemed obvious to him.]

I can't...allow myself to burden others with things like that. My function is to act a support and carry myself with the dignity of a glaive to the Lucian crown.

[anythingforyou]

Ignis. It's not burdensome.

[She's less annoyed when she talks like that, honestly, and it's...more sympathetic, now. And she honestly feels like a hypocrite, because she feels so similar, if only to protect her siblings. But all the same...]

A glaive you may be, but...you're still human at the end of the day. Humans and weapons alike do need to be taken care of, and surely even you must know that.

[It's frustrating to see him just neglect himself like this, good lord, even if it is for Noct.]

[discutio]

Of course I do. But it isn't...it just isn't that simple, Camilla. I can't let something like this get in the way of what we need to accomplish. I can't hesitate, and I won't allow my own fear to prove a hindrance to myself or anyone else. Not you, Noctis, or anyone else.

['A small sacrifice in the greater battle', and he'd said no more about the day he lost is sight. Noctis didn't need that burden on his shoulders atop so much more he'd already been cracking beneath back then, and what did it really matter if Ignis lost that and whatever else in the course of protecting him?]

[This was just the same. Because-]

We have larger things to concern ourselves with. This is nothing.

[anythingforyou]

That's not even close to what I'm trying to--

[Camilla stops herself short, just...sighing, forcing herself down. It's frustrating, but this isn't helping, is it.]

...Don't neglect yourself into an early grave. Consider that all I ask of you.

[discutio]

...I'm trying not to.

[And he was, honestly-- but it wasn't all that easy.]