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TDM #12
Welcome! Everything is fine.
Uploading. . . Complete!
The Lobby.
- When you open your eyes, there is quite a lot of beige to take in. The unassuming walls of the room you've found yourself in are barren save for a single motivational poster directly in your line of sight. An illuminated sign above an open door on the far wall reads 'lobby exit.'
"Welcome," chimes a polite, synthesized voice. "I'm happy you're here." A moment later comes the clarity of the situation: you have died and so has the world you came from. "This is Amani, your new reality," continues The Peacekeeper. "Everything will be fine."
At least you aren't the only one here, you'll soon find out, as others who are just as confused and concerned as you are might be mingling on the main hub's first floor. Hopefully, you find a familiar face among the crowd. If not, that's all right. You'll get to know quite a few people very well soon enough.
- If you're one of the unlucky few whose death required a bit more intensive re-coding to maintain stability in the simulation, you'll instead awaken on a bed in the infirmary. Everything is strikingly white save for the occasional string of vines with lavender growing in bursts to help keep people calm. Whether or not it works seems to be on a case-by-case basis.
While there is active medical staff, the voice of The Peacekeeper is also there to explain the situation in a more delicate manner to these individuals. It's already stressful enough having to have gone through such a violent death, after all!
If characters want more questions answered, they'll need to speak to The Peacekeeper directly. But first, it will encourage socialization in the main hub and hopefully, you'll find someone you recognize to make taking things in a little easier.
WHAT
The twelfth Amani TDM!
WHEN
July 26th, 2023 (and until the next TDM!)
KINKS OF THE MONTH
★ Voyeurism/ Exhibitionism
★ Public Sex
★ Group sex
★ Temperature Play
★ Sexual Exhaustion
★ Public Sex
★ Group sex
★ Temperature Play
★ Sexual Exhaustion
WHAT'S YOUR DTF STATUS?
If the main hub and its features don't appeal to you, that's perfectly fine. This is the perfect time to configure your Digitized Technical Friend or your DTF status. A DTF is similar to a dæmon from His Dark Materials in that it is connected to and a reflection of a character's soul. These DTFs take shape accordingly and are projections similar to the NPCs. Think of them as your own personal Clippy except less annoying. Hopefully.
Once that's set-up, there are other locations of the main hub to investigate! You can visit the training grounds, music lounge, library, and onsen. Also, feel free to leave an offering for the resident deity of sleep (Hypnos) at his shrine! You can even visit The Peacekeeper themselves on the second floor. They're always happy to have visitors! They're also conveniently where you might place a complaint about that status of the main hub and its amenities. Even if you do complain, The Peacekeeper will encourage others to set off and find their own place to live out in the simulation.
Granted, the housing market in the afterlife isn't exactly robust. It doesn't help that every place you find has a leaky roof or broken window. No, unfortunately that will need to be fixed the peaceful way. If you'd like more lighting or even cozier clothes, simulation inhabitants are reminded that 'peaceful interactions' are very important!
It might be a good idea to stick close to someone you know, for now, since even the smallest amounts of intimacy might see subtle changes occurring where they're staying. Perhaps that broken window is now fixed, the grime and dust seem a little less, or the floor doesn't creak quite as loud.
Larger changes, however, will only come after demonstrating the more powerful peaceful interactions. If you want new hardwood floors or a fresh coat of paint on the walls, you're going to have to demonstrate how well you 'get along' with others against them first.
SUMMMER OF TRANSFORMATION
One summer morning, inhabitants will be greeted not by the artificial rhythmic chimes of The Peacekeeper's announcement but instead a more natural one. It is the sound of a wind chime; specifically, the source will be a furin (or furins, for multiple-people households) that seems to be customized to suit whoever it belongs to.
The slip of paper attached to the bottom also is an invitation. Inhabitants are being invited to Hiromitsu's worldwide summer matsuri - festival, for those who might not be aware! - in mid-August. In order to help you all prepare, this invitation also provides a yokai disguise once activated by someone's touch.
A menu screen will open up on their DTF's main screen hub that allows them to choose a yokai to present as. They're even customizable! In every way you could want. Someone can even mix and match different yokai features if they so desire. After all, hanyo (half-breeds) and hybrids are a thing in Hiromitsu so no one will even bat an eye.
The slip of paper attached to the bottom also is an invitation. Inhabitants are being invited to Hiromitsu's worldwide summer matsuri - festival, for those who might not be aware! - in mid-August. In order to help you all prepare, this invitation also provides a yokai disguise once activated by someone's touch.
A menu screen will open up on their DTF's main screen hub that allows them to choose a yokai to present as. They're even customizable! In every way you could want. Someone can even mix and match different yokai features if they so desire. After all, hanyo (half-breeds) and hybrids are a thing in Hiromitsu so no one will even bat an eye.
PROPHECY, SPEAK TO ME
Out in the ocean waves has also suddenly appeared a Tori gate and a small fleet of ships sailing through them. Between the columns of the gate, all inhabitants can see is a film of golden light that looks as though it is a portal of some kind. Swimming closer will show that the light is actually an iridescent golden sand ever-sifting and moving in intricate, organic patterns.
Passing through will have no effect other than suddenly looking like you've been golden glitter-bombed. Don't worry, it'll wash out!
If someone stares at the gate, they will start to feel strange. At first, it's nothing more than minor auditory and visual hallucinations. Of what? It depends! Someone might see someone familiar in the corner of their eye, hear a voice believed to be long gone, and looking away will dispel the effects.
Staring longer, however, will see something more extreme occurring. Rather than simple hallucinations, inhabitants will see prophetic visions* flash before their eyes. It is brief, alarming, and disorienting. Staring longer again won't bring the vision back no matter how hard someone tries.
Unfortunately, it is fleeting as the hanami of spring and gone in a blink only leaving you with only a sense of unease.
(*NOTE: If your character would stare long enough to see a prophetic vision, comment here to let us know!)
Passing through will have no effect other than suddenly looking like you've been golden glitter-bombed. Don't worry, it'll wash out!
If someone stares at the gate, they will start to feel strange. At first, it's nothing more than minor auditory and visual hallucinations. Of what? It depends! Someone might see someone familiar in the corner of their eye, hear a voice believed to be long gone, and looking away will dispel the effects.
Staring longer, however, will see something more extreme occurring. Rather than simple hallucinations, inhabitants will see prophetic visions* flash before their eyes. It is brief, alarming, and disorienting. Staring longer again won't bring the vision back no matter how hard someone tries.
Unfortunately, it is fleeting as the hanami of spring and gone in a blink only leaving you with only a sense of unease.
(*NOTE: If your character would stare long enough to see a prophetic vision, comment here to let us know!)
FREE SAMPLES
The ships that come upon shore are no more than four or five. Upon each is a yokai and their wares for sale. Although initially confused, they do take stamps as payment... and inhabitants can watch as those stamps convert to an actual form of currency after the transaction. Huh! How about that?
Although limited in what is available, they promise that their full stocks will be accessible when inhabitants visit their homeworld of Hiromitsu.
Although limited in what is available, they promise that their full stocks will be accessible when inhabitants visit their homeworld of Hiromitsu.
- ★ Food » A couple of the vendors have brought some delicious food that no summer matsuri can go without! According to them, anyway. Some are strange, others are "sensual", and then the rest seem to be just regular food!
Inhabitants will be able to find mochi, chocolate-covered bananas, grilled green onions, meat skewers, meat buns, and more! Just be warned: anything that is labeled as not safe for work will have you feeling pretty peaceful before you know it.
★ Kites » One vendor is selling a variety of colorful kites. All of them use a red string though, inhabitants can note, and seem prone to tying people up together. This seems especially true of people who maybe have interest in one another but haven't been brave enough to talk about it. Or maybe they just need to talk in general.
Either way, the line won't untangle without a little bit of good ol' fashioned healthy communication. If you want to make-out first though just to be sure, well, the vendor isn't going to judge any.
★ Goldfish Scooping » Known in Hiromitsu's native language as "Kingyo sukui," this game translates to goldfish scooping. Some inhabitants might remember it from their time before but for those who are new... The object of the game is simple! Using a small paper net, you have to scoop out a goldfish gently but quickly enough to transfer it to a separate bowl before the paper breaks.
These goldfish come in different colors that denote different levels of prizes. Gold earns five (5) stamps, silver earns three (3), and bronze gets one (1). If you fail to get a fish, there is still a consolation prize!
(Please comment here to have your catch RNGed if you'd like to play the game!)
★ Katanuki » The last vendor has a game prepared called katanuki. This game is a lot more difficult than it appears at first glance but not complicated! Using a special candy, the vendor will have shapes pressed into it. Inhabitants have to try to carefully cut out the pressed-on picture with a small needle or pin without breaking it.
If they succeed, they win a prize! These images can be something familiar, sexual, or bizarre! There's no telling what you'll get. Literally. If an inhabitant succeeds in not breaking their picture, it will pop into a real construct rather than the image before their eyes. That phallus you were just carefully carving out? It's now a nice, new dildo in your hands. Enjoy!
SURF'S UP
Remember those baby turtles from a couple of months ago? Well, they aren't babies anymore! Although not as big as their parent, these turtles are now large enough to ride on. In fact, they seem to encourage it! That's right, it's time for some turtle surfing.
As with anything, there is bound to be a learning curve. Each turtle will attune to its rider... just give it some time! Being thrown off or wiping out is to be expected in the beginning. After a while, a bond will form between you and your aquatic pal and you'll be riding the waves in no time at all.
You might even be able to do some fancy tricks as a fun duo with enough practice! Just make sure not to wear your new friend out since they'll need their stamina for the trip to another world with you.
Why can't inhabitants use the ships to sail to Hiromitsu? These ships are only big enough for the yokai and their wares, that's why! If anyone attempts to sneak on or insist, they'll find that it isn't just because of the boat's size though. The fleet is outfitted with anti-theft and anti-yokai measures. What does that mean?
It means that the very boat itself is a yokai and will come (more) alive should anyone it doesn't recognize set foot on its decks. Floorboards with teeth will open up to try and eat someone's feet. Or they might instead shoot up to smack or launch someone into the cold sea water below. Whatever they do, the point should be clear: you aren't their owner or a yokai so get out of here.
As with anything, there is bound to be a learning curve. Each turtle will attune to its rider... just give it some time! Being thrown off or wiping out is to be expected in the beginning. After a while, a bond will form between you and your aquatic pal and you'll be riding the waves in no time at all.
You might even be able to do some fancy tricks as a fun duo with enough practice! Just make sure not to wear your new friend out since they'll need their stamina for the trip to another world with you.
Why can't inhabitants use the ships to sail to Hiromitsu? These ships are only big enough for the yokai and their wares, that's why! If anyone attempts to sneak on or insist, they'll find that it isn't just because of the boat's size though. The fleet is outfitted with anti-theft and anti-yokai measures. What does that mean?
It means that the very boat itself is a yokai and will come (more) alive should anyone it doesn't recognize set foot on its decks. Floorboards with teeth will open up to try and eat someone's feet. Or they might instead shoot up to smack or launch someone into the cold sea water below. Whatever they do, the point should be clear: you aren't their owner or a yokai so get out of here.
SEXY STAMP CARD
If you're wondering about these 'peaceful interactions' that keep being mentioned or what the kinks of the month are for... Here's your answer! Upon arrival, all characters will receive a digital copy of their very own sexy stamp card.
Completing peaceful interactions (i.e. kinks) will reward characters with stamps that they can turn in for re-gains and many other things! While the example one here is the standard issued card by The Peacekeeper, players are more than welcome to customize it how they see fit. Have fun with it!NOTES
Completing peaceful interactions (i.e. kinks) will reward characters with stamps that they can turn in for re-gains and many other things! While the example one here is the standard issued card by The Peacekeeper, players are more than welcome to customize it how they see fit. Have fun with it!
★ Please comment to the appropriate threads with your character if you'd like them to receive a prophetic vision or get a reward from the goldfish scooping!
★ The motivational poster in the beginning is of a daruma and the text translates to fall seven times and get up eight! This means, when life knocks you down just get up again and keep on trying!
★ We are currently at 30/40 slots taken! Anyone wishing to claim a character must have an invite from someone currently in the game and follow the proper rules in place to be accepted into the community!
NAVIGATION
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He readily wraps an arm around Prompto when the younger man hugs him, embracing him tightly enough to lift him slightly off the ground. But since Prompto doesn't let the hug linger, neither does Gladio, following him into the shop and up the stairs to some kind of apartment. He certainly doesn't need to be told Prompto and Noct are living together; it's obvious everywhere he looks. It doesn't surprise him in the least. He doesn't draw any immediate relationship assumptions from this - roommates don't have to be lovers - but he won't be surprised when he finds out how deep it goes, either. Prom's never been subtle about his devotion to Noct.
"That soul patch of yours. You look better like this. There's worse things than looking young, you know." He sits down beside Prompto on the couch without a second thought, stretching his arm along the back of it behind Prompto's head. "So what's eating you, anyway?"
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"Wait a second-" His eyes narrow as a few dots begin to connect themselves. "How many years was Noct gone for you, before you ended up here?"
His expression of curiosity falls a little at the pointed question. There he is- the Gladio he knew so well. He can lie, but there's no escaping the guy once he has eyes on something. He especially was good at chasing Prompto's insecurities down, no matter how hard he tried to hide them and simply cope.
"I...Oh, man. Where do I even start?" He looks genuinely lost, even a little frightened and small. "You just got here, this is a lot Gladio. I dunno..."
Halfassed, but a final attempt to escape.
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He nudges Prompto when the kid tries to shrink into himself. "Just being here is a lot. But whatever's going on, you need somebody to talk to. And since you haven't been talking to anyone else about it, apparently..."
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"Ooookay, that's weird," Prompto muses with a frown, lookikg Gladio over. "That explains you claiming I had facial hair. Or even that you saw me...My memory of home ends at two. I hadn't even seen you since Noct was taken away. So you're um...ahead of me?" Not the first time that happened either. Ardyn- oh, shit. Ardyn. Nope. Not touching that one with Gladio yet.
He huffs at the nudge, eyes moving back to focus on the floor. "Well, first thing for context is Noct and I are together together. Been for a while now."
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Besides, why on the Six's green earth would Prompto lie to him about something that weird? Or anyone? (After Noct's experience with Ardyn on the train, the possibility that
Ardynsomeone could disguise themselves as somebody they care about and mess with them has stayed uneasily at the back of all of their minds.) Gladio can't really see an angle from which anyone would stand to gain."Maybe I've been sent to stop you making horrible facial hair mistakes," he says, choosing to keep things light - partially because there's no point getting upset over something they have no control over, partially because he's not even sure how he feels about it so it's easier to keep the idea at arm's length while he digests it.
It may be best to drop that subject entirely, for the moment. Especially since it seems like there's more important matters at hand. At the news Prompto and Noct are a couple, he grins. "Seriously? So which of you finally nut up and said something?"
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Trust Gladio to have absolutely zero shock at this particular development concerning him and Noct. Of course not- Iggy, he would be just the same, saying something along the lines of Well, that simply was a matter of time. He feels a small pang, thinking about his friend. If Gladio is somehow ok, Prompto can merely only hope Iggy is too, somewhere out there. He shakes his head, getting back on task.
"Me, actually. Crazy, I know. You probably won't beleive me, right?" A tired laugh escapes his parted lips. "We've been together for a while now. Amani, this place- it's pretty dangerous. I'm-" he hesitates, trying one more futile time to brush it off with a brief summary.
"I got messed up protecting Noct in some kind of attack and it messed him up pretty bad. That's all."
The hell it is. But he might as well give a hail mary before spilling it all to Gladio.
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By Gladio's own point in time...well, he and Prompto had been an occasional thing. Even though Prompto's told him that he's only two years into the long night, and Gladio could put the pieces together from there that he and Prompto had only started hooking up after three years...well, Gladio hasn't quite extended the thought that far yet. He's still adjusting to the idea at all. More than that...well, some overly familiar habits are hard to break.
Truth be told, he'd been flirtatious enough with Prompto for years that Prompto may not notice too much of a difference in his behavior anyway."Course I'll believe you." The more suggestive touch to Prompto's jaw turns into a much more playful hair-ruffling. "Mostly because you'd never pull off a lie that big with a straight face. But I know you've got more nerve than you give yourself credit for."
Words that carry all the more weight when taken in context of Prompto's remark of getting hurt protecting Noct. Gladio feels a stab of guilt - that's his job. And Prompto had gotten hurt doing it for him while he wasn't around to do it himself. (Not that Gladio kids himself Prompto did it for him - Prompto did it for Noct, without a single other thought in his head. Gladio knows that as surely as he knows his own name. It had been love, not duty - even if, in Gladio's case, the two go hand in hand. With Prompto, duty doesn't even need to enter the picture. Gladio's sure that had always been what appealed to Noct the most about Prompto - knowing the bond between the two of them was love and nothing else, never needing to doubt or question why Prompto stayed at his side.)
He slides an arm around those skinny shoulders, squeezing Prompto against him a little in a one-armed hug. "You shouldn't have had to do that." There's a quiet undertone of regret in Gladio's voice, but while he can't hide that feeling, he's not trying to make this about him or his feelings, either. So he doesn't let that sentiment linger. "But I'm glad you were there looking out for him."
A beat.
"That bad, huh?"
Gladio doesn't need to be led by the nose here. Noct was never thrilled when they got hurt looking out for him, but with healing spells and potions, he'd never let it get to him that deeply...as long as he could fix things. They'd all been on the brink of death more than once, only to be hauled back from the edge, and while none of them had ever exactly been delighted about it, Noct hadn't exactly been inconsolable. It had been a measure of the odds they were up against, and they'd never dwelt on what could have happened much. It had been serious things, things that couldn't be undone - like Iggy's blindness, or Lunafreya's death - that would shatter Noct into jagged pieces of himself.
If Noct was 'messed up pretty bad', Gladio can't imagine how messed up Prompto must have been. He seems okay now, but...well, he's hiding behind vagueness for a reason, no doubt about that. Gladio's bracing himself for the worst, here.
(Well, not the actual worst. But only because he doesn't know the actual worst is possible with Prompto still being here, warm against his side.)
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Gods, he missed Gladio so much. He's missed him more deeply than he could ever put words to- so instead he makes a soft, choked sound, and slumps into the strong, sure hug. Even with one arm, it makes Prompto feel grounded. Lets him think a bit more, without his anxious thoughts buzzing and crowding out reason. Deep down, he knows the reasonable conclusion to all this. It just needs to be coaxed out. Gladio's always had a way with that. He can lean on the man with no fear.
He doesn't miss the tinge of regret in the Shield's voice either. "Hey. What, gonna say it had to be you?" He looks up, flashing a weak smile. "C'mon, big guy. You're here now, and that really counts."
Prompto's expression darkens. He swallows the lump in his throat, then finally, says what he's been so terrified to say aloud.
"Gladio, I- I died. It was terrifying. When you die here, you're brought back, but it feels real. I took a blast from a dragon, meant for Noct and Nyx. The last thing I remember is fading out in his arms with him looking at me in a way I never want to see again. Then I woke up, and went back to where I fell. Noct was there, but it wasn't him. It was like he'd come from another version of our world. Didn't even know who I was. He was...so angry. He- uh-" Prompto stops, opting not to describe what the two got up to. It was raunchy. Violent. Equal parts exhilarating as it was terrifying. "Anyway, when the real Noct came back, he didn't remember anything. I haven't told him. What happened. I'm really scared to, Gladio. I just-I don't know how. I left him. I left him behind."
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He can deal with his guilt on his own time. As Prompto says, he's here now. So if he wasn't there for Prom and Noct then, now's the time to start picking up the slack.
But his resolve on this - and his resolve when it comes to bottling up his feelings
at least temporarilycan be formidable - nearly falters at Prompto's next words. Forget getting hurt - Prompto had died while Gladio was missing from his post. And if he hadn't...then Noct and Nyx probably would have. That's a whole new level of guilt, filed under 'worst nightmare'.Gladio's face doesn't quite go blank, but one can almost see his emotions go on lockdown. A slight widening of his eyes, some tense muscles in his jaw...but any other emotional reaction seems to be getting locked away. Either he doesn't want Prompto to see how he's feeling, or he doesn't trust his emotions getting loose.
They've all seen how poorly Gladio handles a mixture of guilt and grief, but he's grown a lot in four years. (And, well...the long and short of it is that his relationship with Prompto is very different from his relationship with Noct. Even four years back, he probably wouldn't have lashed out at Prom, because the two of them just don't butt heads the way Noct and Gladio do. Or...perhaps more likely is that he would have, but Prom wouldn't have pushed back and Gladio's anger would have fizzled out.) He's not going to let his emotions get the better of him again - not without a fight, anyway.
"Prom..." What the fuck does he say? 'I'm sorry'? Even if Prompto accepted his guilt, which he's made clear he won't, it wouldn't help anything. Just make it about Gladio. So he squeezes Prom against him, tight, as though that'll help. Maybe it will; it's certainly about the only help Gladio's qualified to offer here. And since he doesn't know what to say...he takes refuge in a subject he can handle a little better. "What about Nyx? Does he remember?"
Practicalities. There's one obvious conclusion here - Prompto needs to tell Noct. Noct will hate it, and there's not really a positive outcome to doing so, but...it's not the kind of secret Prompto can or should keep from him. Besides, there's always the chance Noct will find out from someone else...like, say, Nyx. Gladio doesn't think Nyx would tell Noct - he thinks Nyx would push Prompto to do the proper thing before he'd go around him - but it's good to be clear on who knows what. It'll tell him how flexible, or inflexible, the timeframe for Prom coming clean is likely to be. Because if Gladio knows anything, it's that Nyx would hate having to keep this secret from their king.
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Perhaps it is familiar because Prompto is no stranger to bottling everything up. He's seen it boil over more than once, with lasting scars to himself and Noct to show as consequences.
Were this a few years earlier, Gladio probably would have blown up. It took time, but ultimately Prompto realized it was from things far deeper than anger after his found family started to fall apart during what now feels like another life.
He takes a steadying breath, but the part that truly grounds the anxious boy is when Gladio holds him tight. Prompto always associated the big guy with feeling safe. No stupid dragon could ever best them- not with their combined strengths. His body instinctively melts against his solid muscle, and just like that, maybe things will be ok. The heart fluttering bit is most definitely just part of the relief. Absolutely.
"He um, remembers enough to know something went to shit. Sharp enough to know I'm hiding something big. He isn't a huge fan of it." Prompto sighs, shaking his head. Best to keep talking and not think about the trauma that came with, well, dying. Even the thought makes him shudder before he forces his mind back on course.
"He thinks I should spill. But... If Noct knows, he'll never forgive himself. I don't know what to do. I've been paralyzed over this for weeks, and there's no way out."
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But he knows full well that Prompto is better off not lingering on the trauma of dying, and wouldn't wish to, which is part of the reason he doesn't ask questions about it and is focusing on the practical aspects instead. There's very little he - or perhaps anyone - can do directly to help with that trauma, aside from help Prompto move further away from it. And, of course, offering general comfort whenever the kid needs it, which Gladio hopes he's doing already.
"Sure there is," he says, voice not quite flat but certainly no nonsense. "The only way out is through. You tell him." He lightly flicks the back of Prompto's skull with one finger, using the arm he's already got around his shoulders. "You think he's gonna forgive himself so easily for not being able to be there for his boyfriend after you went through something like that, because you thought you had to hide it to protect him? And he is gonna find out. I picked up on you being messed up about it right away, and I don't even know you as well as Noct does. He knows something's wrong already, mark my words. And sooner or later he'll corner you and have it out of you, because if he puts the pressure on you're not gonna have the heart to lie to his face when he knows you're lying. Better you tell him on your own, so he knows he can trust you to tell him important things...even if there's a waiting period. And so he doesn't have to field guilt and anger at the same time."
He nudges Prompto with his shoulder. "Besides...Noct may have more heartache than he deserves, and none of us want to add to it, but let's not pretend he's fragile. After King Regis, and Lady Luna, and even Iggy...there's a lot that Noct is never going to forgive himself for when it comes to other people making sacrifices for him, whether it was his fault or not. But he's still trucking. He'll be upset, but this won't kill him - and you're there to help him through it. And he'll be able to help you through it, too. That's where all the guilt comes from in the end, right? Feeling like you couldn't be there for the ones you loved when they needed you. So don't rob him of that chance when he's actually got it."
Privately, Gladio also thinks that a death that didn't actually last won't hit quite as hard as an irretrievable loss in any case. But, well...true and self-evident as that may be, he doesn't know and can't think of a delicate way to express that to Prompto. He doesn't want to seem like he's treating what had to have been a massively traumatic experience for the kid as inconsequential.
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"The way is through huh? The ol Gladdy Special? You're crazy."
But really, he isn't crazy. At all. He's painfully right. As he gives that perfect read on Noct and his guilt, Prompto's blue eyes grow wide. He looks like a shocked puppy, and even tilts his head a little.
"I figured he'd not wanna know about yet another sacrifice, y'know? I figured..."
Figured what? That keeping it in would make it go away? That it wouldn't blow up in his face eventually, whenever he slipped up? Prompto's brow furrows and he frowns. Finally slowing down and thinking this through really shows how little sense it actually makes. Fragile isn't a word in the guy's vocab.
"Dammit,Gladio. Why do you always gotta be so on point?"
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"What he wants is for more sacrifices not to happen, Prom. Not for sacrifices to be made for him and people to cover it up. There's a big difference. And deep down, you know it." He wraps his arm around those skinny shoulders again, giving him a squeeze. "You're gonna have to push through this bush you're beating around sooner or later, thorns or no thorns. But the sooner you do, the sooner you're free and clear on the other side."
He can't help grinning at Prompto's remark. "Y'know, the honest answer is years of screwing things up until I got smart. Although I admit, being afraid to tackle hard stuff head-on has never been one of my personal problems to begin with. I've got completely different ones."
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Prompto waves an arm to punctuate his point, before settling into Gladio's touch again.
"Thorns hurt though. How the heck am I gonna pull those all out? I dunno how I will manage, yknow?"
He sighs, before shaking his head in apparent defeat. Gladio knows what he's talking about. Always does. This too shall pass, and it needs to pass sooner rather than later for Noct's sake.
"Years of messing up? Either way, you always were the brave one of our group. Noct tries to tell me I'm brave, can you even imagine? Crazy."
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Damn, Prom, just ask Gladio questions he knows you know the answer to. He wasn't napping when you patched up that injured dog.
"And you are brave. Isn't this whole conversation about how you threw yourself in harm's way to protect somebody you love? Doesn't exactly say 'coward' to me. You've always been stronger and braver than you give yourself credit for, Prom. The sooner you stop talking yourself down, the sooner you can start seeing it, too."
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But he sees the softness in Gladio's eyes when he talks about him. Right there, in his face for him to witness.
Right now, Prompto Argentum is in an emotional state, and Gladio speaks to him on a deeper level. Maybe he always has. Maybe that's why the words fall out of his mouth. His expression is tired, but with a small lopsided smile. Something gentler than anything he can remember tossing Gladio's way ever before, despite wanting to.
"Heh, I dunno. There's some things I'm not really brave about, Gladdy. Even with help."
Oh shit. Oh shit. Wait- what is he getting at? Deep down, Prompto knows. Probably no turning back now. Running headfirst into it seems to have resonated more than he thought.
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But the way he's looking at Gladio...well, with certain information Gladio's privy to, he has to concede that maybe the kid does. Only one way to find out.
"Oh yeah?" he says, holding Prompto's gaze. "Name one thing."
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"I um- I uh- I gotta go!!!"
Slippery as an eel, he wriggles away from Gladio and leaps to his feet. There's an agonizing pang that pulls at his chest as the blond tears his eyes away and loses that steady, solid, safe warmth around him. "Uh help yourself to anything in the fridge byeeeee!"
And thus, Prompto Argentum flees his own apartment. His footfalls on the stairs are uneven, and a following yelp and crash confirm he probably missed a step or two. The bells of the front door jingle, and there's a slam. All that's left is silence.
His DTF, Chibi, stares up at Gladio from the floor, unblinking.
My apologies for Prompto's rude exit. He appears to have become emotionally overloaded, as he is wont. Is there anything I can do to assist you, Mister Amicitia?
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"Uh, yeah..." Gladio rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe you could tell me what the hell just happened?"
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Chibi's tail wags slightly looking at Gladio. This one makes her person very happy, she can tell. She likes him. Not that anything else would give good indication with how stoic she appears otherwise, in stark contrast to Prompto himself.
I believe Prompto was overwhelmed, yes. He still has much to say to you, but he became...Concerned about what might happen after. I do not know where he is headed- he hid his location.
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With Prompto's anxiety, Gladio knows the latter is perfectly possible. But he wants to know if he misstepped. Maybe he pushed too hard, came on too strong, let too suggestive of an atmosphere build based on what he wants (and what he'd been used to, back home) with Prom when that's not what a Prom who's got Noct is looking for. And while he'd prefer to ask Prompto directly if there's an issue...Gladio doesn't think the kid would ever be honest with him if he was doing something wrong. He'd try to downplay it, or make it his own fault, or even wholesale act like everything was fine when it wasn't.
He's better off just asking the dog.
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She is weighing what might best benefit Prompto here. Of course, it is honesty. Gladio makes him happy. Their interaction right up to when he ran, made him happy, even with the difficult subject matter. Should she stay silent, that might go away. Bogged down by his worries, he might just avoid everything. That won't do.
You did not Mess Up, no. Prompto became overwhelmed with his usual what-ifs. Were I to guess, he was quite happy with your behavior. He is simply frightened of what might come next.
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Hell, even if Chibi would tell him, Gladio wouldn't ask. That wouldn't be fair to Prom. That's the sort of thing the kid has the right to say for himself, or keep to himself. Gladio's not going to go behind his back getting his own dog to rat on him.
"Well, whatever's going on, the kid needs his space, and I'm in his right now." Gladio rises to his feet. "I'm heading back to my own place. Get in contact with him once I'm gone and let him know it's safe to come back, alright? And let him know I'm not mad. Who the hell knows what he's working himself up thinking."
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Prompto will be relieved to know you are not mad, Mister Amicitia. I will message him upon your departure. Thank you for speaking with him on the topic of his death. He was harming both himself and Noctis, saying nothing."
The dog will stay seated where she is, just...Watching, as Gladio departs.
She has much to do, now.