victory_road | Network Post 001

[It's been two days since leaving New Bark Town, and Prompto is having some trouble with - well - a lot. Mostly with his Pokegear. Apparently, it has an aversion to prolonged exposure to mud and rain. Which wouldn't have been a problem if Prompto could build a proper shelter for sleeping... and if he didn't drop it so much when trying to take pictures of the ~~creatures~~ Pokemon he sees.

Hey, the gear is nothing like his camera from back home and he's trying really hard to figure it out.]

[Network]

Aw, c'mon! I've cleaned you like, five times in the past two days. I can't use up all my clean clothes before I get to Cherrygrove City and I haven't dropped you once today. M'still not totally sure how you work so I'm not gonna take you apart until I get to the city.

[The blond is sitting on the roadside, staring into the screen of his Pokegear as he tilts it back and forth, trying to look for any places he missed when cleaning it. He clearly has no idea that the fussy piece of equipment is now working and broadcasting his monologue over the Network. A small Eevee pops up onto the boy's shoulder and bumps her nose against the camera, smudging it a bit, and she chirps as Prompto starts laughing.]

Pryna! Tryin' to help me out, aren't you? Lemme jus' clean that up ... [Anyone watching is now treated to a view of his thumb as it furiously swipes over the camera before he sighs and undoes the black bandanna from his arm, using it to more fully clean the lens.]

There, that's better. Man, I still don't even know how I got here or anything. Or where here is. But at least I've got you, little one!

[Lavender eyes re-focus on the Pokegear and narrow as he notices it seems like the damn thing is working after all.] Crap. I-is this thing working? Did anyone hear ... all of that?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Noct? I-Iggy?

[Prompto's voice is soft, full of disbelief yet tinged with hope. He didn't think he'd see his friends here in this strange place, and part of him feared this was an elaborate illusion, that he was still in Zegnautus Keep with Ardyn and that all of this was just ... a pretty lie.

Ardyn may have been able to mimic one face, but there's no way he can do two at once... right?

But what does Iggy mean? 'Quick return'? How can he come back to a place he's never been?]

Uh, hey guys. [He gives them a small wave, a tenuous smile on his face.] M'not sure how you guys got here before me, since we were all just in one of the dorms in that Keep, but I'm really glad to see you both.

[He ducks his head a little, unsure of how this next bit will go.] And - ah - Iggy? I ... I haven't been here before. I mean, I don't even know where here is.

[Something's off..

Noctis starts to come to this conclusion as Prompto replies to them--Keep? What Keep?--but then he's specifically stating that he'd never been to this place before.

That's what hits Noctis hard.

Disbelief flickers across his face before it turns into something strained, the prince clearly fighting with himself as he glances off to the side.]

So you..don't remember. Being here, I mean. Any of it?

[Prompto doesn't miss the way Noct's face shifts, shock visible before he tries to hide it. Ever since befriending the Prince, Prompto's been really good at reading him and apparently even his time in Zegnautus didn't change that.

But... why does Noct look so ... disappointed?]

I - I've ... never been here. I-I'm sorry.

[Pryna winds her way around Prompto's shoulders, nuzzling his cheek as she can tell something's ... off. Prompto absently presses into her nose, grateful for the companionship of his little Eevee. He can tell that Noct is bothered - really bothered - by something.

Could ... could Noct not want him here? He can't quite manage to keep the dejection out of his voice and he winces as he speaks.]

I'm s-seriously confused now. Can ... d'you think I can meet up with you an' Iggy? O-or do you ... do you not want to see me 'cuz I'm not the Prompto you want?

[ Ignis recognized the Keep. Zegnautus. So closer to where Ignis came from, right before... IT had to be before Noctis was sealed in the crystal with how he was reacting.

He lifts a hand and rests it on Noctis's shoulder to give it a firm squeeze. ]

It's fine, Prompto. We are glad to see you regardless and will be able to explain things better when we meet up. We absolutely want to see you.

[ He leans down, so he can speak low in Noctis's ear, where Prompto couldn't hear. ]

I can go and get him by myself if you would prefer to stay with Ash, considering the circumstances. We can meet up again later..?

No it's--that's...Prompto it's not that I don't..

[This was a lot harder than Noctis was expecting it to be and he honestly just wants to hand his 'gear to Ignis and walk away. He's not good at handling things like this.

He startles slightly when Ignis suddenly speaks into his ear, the prince having been unaware that his steward was leaning closer like that.

But he's quick to relax as he realizes what the older man is offering, nodding slightly as he reaches up to rest a hand over Ignis's.]

If you wouldn't mind...I just..don't know if I can do this.

[Iggy's words are reassuring and Prompto feels some of the tension leave his shoulders. He can't help the little chuckle he lets out - hearing Specs jump in and take charge of the situation like that makes him feel closer to home.

Prompto offers a tenuous smile, seeing Ignis lean in to say something he can't hear to Noct. Part of him wants to know what's being said, wondering if it's something he should be worried about. But Iggy just said that they want to see him, and honestly Prompto would trust Iggy with his life (and has, on some occasions), so he elects to ignore the niggling worry.]

O-okay! I should be in Cherrygrove City sometime tomorrow. Should I wait there or head to where you guys are?

[ Ignis nods once to Noctis, giving another squeeze before letting go. The situation was unusual and considering the circumstances they would need to approach it with a gentle hand. ]

I can travel faster on my own. It would be better than diverting our entire party. Unfortunately, Noctis and Ash often get distracted with chasing Pokemon into the far reaches and we would never get there otherwise.

[ A little pink paw reaches up just off screen, unhooking Ignis's gear from his belt to start mapping the direction they needed to go to meet up with Prompto. Good ole Dahlia. ]

Remain in Cherrygrove. I can get there faster than you can get here and then we can travel together.

[Thank the Gods for Ignis. Seriously.]

Yeah I..we'll all meet up later. Once Ash and I get back to the mainland.

[Because he needs time to think about all of this and figure out how he wants to approach this now. Being with Ash will help with that, especially since they're heading for the Safari Zone.

Noctis managed to look at the 'gear again, a faint, sad sort of smile on his lips.]

I'll get Ignis on his way soon. I promise.

[There's no denying Prompto's hurt; his best friend isn't going to be seeing him anytime soon and his most recent memory is ... well ... of said friend being really glad to see him alive and in one piece.

But he'll have Iggy, and that's comforting in its own way. The blond's felt somewhat drawn to the Advisor, probably from spending so much time riding shotgun during their trip, and the steady presence of the older man will likely help keep Prompto grounded.

It's not ideal ... but he can do this.]

O-okay. Can't say it'll be the same without you there, Noct, but we-we'll catch up later.

[An adventure with Ignis actually sounds kind of fun. What did he say back home a lot...? Oh-!]

Besides, it'll be a nice change of pace to wander around with Iggy. I'm sure we'll have fun! Uh, I should probably shift butt so I can get to Cherrygrove by tomorrow morning. See ya soon!

[He ends his video with a jaunty wave and a bright smile, hoping to reassure Noct just as much as he's trying to reassure himself that things will be okay. Popping Pryna on the ground with a quick scratch behind her ears, Prompto re-shoulders his bag and continues walking.]

Network Post 001

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[Video] Prompto casts Haste! Its super effective! Prompto gains another turn.

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[Video] Prompto is sorry for casting haste and will avoid it in the future

[Video] Prompto will be hogtied.

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