this is gospel

[scourgingstars]

Who: Ardyn, Jaune, a new companion, and otherwise open.
What: [muffled chocobo theme in the distance]
When: The 26th and onward, I can count.
Where: Islet #4, Storyteller's temple, and a wildcard!
Warnings: None apart from blanket XV spoilers, will update if necessary

[a; islet 4 shack 1]
[By the time Ardyn got back to the islets with Jaune in tow, his immediate rage at the situation had calmed into the usual undercurrent of fury he always felt. Gods were the same no matter where you went, even if this one had rightfully called out the Astrals as hilariously incompetent. Something would have to be done here as with Eos; that little white nightmare had made things personal as far as Ardyn was concerned, and he couldn't let that stand.]

So, we'll want to begin by experimenting with that sigil. Leaving it in various places, perhaps having it drawn on our hands in some measure, see if that produces any notable results.

[First things first; upon walking in he snapped his fingers to light the usual small fire only for nothing to happen. He frowned at his hand before holding it out; had he actually run out of fire magic? No--that wasn't it, the power just wasn't responding. Thunder next, then Blizzard; he tried both for the same lack of results. Held out his hand for the Blade of the Mystic...nothing.]

Side-effects indeed, you smartmouthed little-

[Whatever complaint he was about to lapse into under his breath was interrupted by the sound of sudden cracking from a corner of the barely-repaired shelter, followed rather swiftly by a telltale kweh that changed Ardyn's tune rather quickly.]

...My, isn't that late.

[b; storyteller's temple]
[Eventually, Ardyn's usual habit of wandering near sunset found him back around the Storyteller's temple; observing it as if he was examining for anything out of the ordinary or perhaps hoping to see a glaring weak point.]

[Perhaps breaking up the slightly menacing illusion was the softball-sized black bird sitting in the hood of his scarf like she nested there.]

[c; wildcard]
[anything else! Ardyn usually spends the brightest part of the day at home, coming out closer to sunset/night/early morning now with his round bird-shaped companion either in his scarf or following behind him.]

Comments

A

[aurabble]

[Jaune hadn't spoken for the duration of their trip. Other than his initial snark, he was still coming to terms with being proven that he had unwillingly been taken from one situation where he was being used, and thrown into another, arguably worse one.

And he had died. Oh yeah, that too.

He nodded once, to acknowledge he was listening. He was pretty sure he remembered what that stupid sigil looked like. Ardyn snapped his fingers, Jaune assumed it was for dramatic effect. But then he kept looking at his hands and and was mumbling something.]

What? Should I start now? [He could just tell him instead of snapping at him like a do--]

What was that? [He jumped, expecting the worst and drawing his sword. It felt heavier somehow. Weird.]

[scourgingstars]

Not much point in wasting time, but it seems as if the situation's been complicated--I can't use magic. [Sighing, he knelt down and gestured in the direction the sound had come from--still talking as he did.]

Either way, we'll have to get started soon. Just in case this should fail and we'll be forced to seek alternate paths to deal with our falsely benevolent host.

[As if it was a totally normal thing, a black bird about as large and round as the average softball came ambling over to Ardyn's hand as he spoke.]

...Do calm down if you would, there's not exactly enough space in here to be swinging a sword around and I'm slightly attached to the idea of keeping my head on my shoulders.

[aurabble]

[Jaune narrowed his eyes, recalling the Storyteller's last feeble explanation he had. He was hoping that had just been a nightmare. If Ardyn was experiencing some consequences, that answered some questions.]

I can make a fire.

[And he would, but there was an adorable fluff of feathers heading their way and distracted, Jaune dropped his sword, totally on purpose, and knelt down to get a better look.]

Is that one of those chocobos?

B.. Mah Fweend?

[esper_magic]

[ She didn't like the implication of what the Storyteller told them. Those that were still alive. A cold knot formed in her stomach - she had only come across one or two people she felt familiar with, one in particular she was still feeling... kind of sick to the stomach at the thought of someone she had grown fond of being killed.

She's probably put other people in that position herself, to think about it. Only she was the one doing the killing, and not some kind of twisted monster that was roused because of their presence in there. She was still on the fence regarding the Storyteller though. But she also didn't know enough about him to form a real opinion. She should rectify that sometime. And her pensive, uneasy wandering inevitably drew her near the temple, where she saw a familiar face. Relief on her own - he must have been okay, right? Terra pads on over towards him. ]

Ardyn..? [ Relief changes to puzzlement. ]

What are... did you lose something...? [ He's looking so intently at the temple, she found herself glancing at it as well, trying to see what had caught his interest. . .even though there was something far more interesting and cute in the hood of his scarf. ]

[scourgingstars]

Hm...no, not at all. I was just thinking.

[Mostly about how best to get vengeance for being pushed into dying stupidly, but so it went. The chocobo nesting in his scarf perked up at Terra's voice, greeting her with a chirpy kweh.]

What brings you out here?

[esper_magic]

[ She absently brushed her hand against her arm, ill-at-ease with her own thoughts, but she gave him a small smile. ]

The same. Just... thinking. I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going.

[ Just letting her feet take her where they wanted. She tilted her head at the adorable ball of fluff in his scarf. ]

Is that... a baby chocobo?

B

[prettypurpleparlor]

Oh my.

[Muffet pauses as she heads down the path towards the mana pool, noticing something interesting about Ardyn as she passes him- or, rather, about his new accessory. She smiles delightedly.]

What a darling little creature. Won't you introduce me to your companion, dearie?

[scourgingstars]

Hm? [He glanced to Muffet as the bird crawled out of his scarf, ambling up to perch on his shoulder with spindly legs and too-large feet that an almost perfectly round body settled on top of.]

Ah, yes--her name is Hresvelgr. She's a chocobo.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Oh no, she's so fluffy and round, it's too cute.]

It's lovely to meet you, Hresvelgr.

May I pet her?

Cish we all know what I'm here for

[alittleditty]

[At some point during his evening activities, Tataru ends up stumbling upon him. It may not have meant much - she might have just kept walking, continuing with her efforts to investigate and familiarize herself with the area. But, well. His companion caught her eye.]

My goodness, is that a chocobo?

[It looks a bit different than the ones she's seen in Eorzea. And yet it seemed to be fairly clearly an infant, and if that was it's infant size, one could only presume the adult form was far bigger.]

oh boy

[scourgingstars]

Why, she most certainly is.

[...and you're very small, but he's seen stranger.]

[alittleditty]

[She puts her hands together delightedly.]

It's like a nice slice of home, right here.

[Look, there's been so many unfamiliar things that even this one is greatly welcome. She wishes she could pet the small bird but Ardyn is... much, much too tall for her to reach and besides, that would be rather rude.]

They're yours, I'm assuming?

b

[encircling]

[ She's not even particularly sure why she's here, since it's out of the way and it takes so much effort and energy to do much of anything but, uh. Here she is, resting against a nearby tree, a small, light bag of food next to her, hand curled loosely around her bow just in case.

... And probably a good thing, since she hears footsteps. She quickly draws her bow and arrow, and her hands shake badly from the effort. When she sees Ardyn, she lets her arms fall, heaving out a low breath. ]

... Oh. Hello.

[ Wow, awkward. ]

[scourgingstars]

...Do try not to shoot me, if you would.

[Been there, done that.]

You're looking much better.

[encircling]

I'm not even sure I have the strength to, if I wanted to.

[ mmf. ]

... Yes, thanks to you. You're looking much better, as well.

B

[crosslaced]

[They're on their way back to the islets, yes at this awkward hour, because fuck the sun honestly. It's his horse who notices it first- likely because of some kweh he mistakes for birdsong- and she turns her head to stare, ears pricked in curiosity.

So it’s his horse that alerts him to it, though when Laurent glances over it seems like ‘it’ is just Ardyn. In the dimming sunset he misses the Chocobo chick completely, because a little bird in a number of layers that can only be described as extravagant is…. not easy to spot, actually? His eyes are only human eyes.]

(What's wrong? Sssh, it's rude to stare.)

[He’ll gently try to nudge his pony onwards, but Maribelle has been spoiled by the company of Ignis’ Burdocs and wants more friends. She whinnies, getting quite excited.]

[scourgingstars]

Hm...?

[Another one of those weird not-spiracorns. Horses, or whatever. Weird looking things.]

Can I help you? [The bird in Ardyn's scarf perked up at his voice, adding in a questioning wark as she did.]

[crosslaced]

[birdie!!!! neighs hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[He notices the fluffball now, as he holds his horse back from immediately trying to nose at it. It’s so small.]

If you're willing to entertain us about your bird, yes. How… long have you had her?

[Subtext, from the slight shock in his tone: How old is she? Does she still need- what do infant birds eat? Do infant birds need a lot? Do they?? Oh fuck it’s so small.]

C. Birds of a Feather...

[want_to_belong]

[When times were calm Prompto was often out and about trying to take photos of things. Some aggravation came along with this since his camera didn't always work, but regardless of the troubles it was still a form of stress relief for him. Of course, he was running out of things to photograph on the tiny islets. They were only so big.

Normally he avoided Islet #4, the starscourgy islet. Something drew him there that day, though. He wasn't quite sure what he saw at first. He took some steps closer to get a better look, and by the time he was paying attention he was pretty much on the islet, because there it was. Something feathery and black and there was no way it could be there. It looked just like an adorable bird back at home.

As soon as it hit his mind that this was totally real, he excitedly crept forward and knelt down in front of Ardyn's place to take a pic of the super awesome cute bird.

Click.

With natural movements he swished to look at his latest pic, only to see that it was corrupted. With a frustrated grunt he lifted the camera again to take another pic.]

[scourgingstars]

[The islets were relatively safe, and even as hatchlings chocobos were usually smart enough not to just wander off. So Ardyn wasn't always in the exact same space as the little ball of feathers-]

Did you get a better snapshot that time?

[-...but he was very rarely far off.]

[want_to_belong]

[The voice intruded just before he got to take another shot - which would have been perfect, damnit Ardyn - and he found himself flailing to catch his camera after almost dropping it.]

Wh-What are you doing here?

[It was supposed to sound like a demand, but he was far too surprised for it to sound like much more than pure panic. So entranced had he been by the bird that he hadn't really noticed exactly where he was.]

C: The ScourgeShack, Late

[shatteredlenses]

[It's late when the restlessness finally gets the best of him. Ignis almost wishes for once that his nightmares hadn't been so absent when he finally slipped into an exhausted sleep after the Storyteller had gotten them out of the caverns. One can't be restless when they are exhausted, can they? If he hadn't been months without it at this point, Ignis would just blame a can too many of Ebony for the incessant itch that crawls under his skin attempting to force him into motion. He's a man of both action and thought. One should satisfy as much as the other, but it doesn't. Not now. Not since he heard that those who had passed were back.

Which, of course, meant he was back.

Ignis still hasn't fully processed what happened between he and Ardyn down in the caverns. Oh, the facts are easy enough to deal with, but the feelings are much harder, and each time he tries to pack them away, they spill free of their confines forcing him to start all over again. He's angry on one hand, having had yet another of the Chancellor's offers of aid pressed upon him with no choice but acceptance. The very thought causes a violent sense of violation to wash over him though he's not sure why it causes such a strong reaction, especially since, on the other hand, that aid allowed him to stay by Noctis and Prompto's sides through this whole thing. He missed not a day, not an hour, and Ardyn is the reason no matter how he tries to spin things to make it not so.

It's the right thing to do, his mind tells him, to check on the man who died so he could live, and yet polite and proper as the action is, it's dangerous to face Ardyn in such an uncertain state. Ignis tells himself just to wait, but the restlessness is not so patient.

By the time he manages to navigate his way to the shack where Ardyn lives, darkness has fallen. Ignis won't admit to himself whether this is done by accident or design. It is some kind of concession to the fact Ardyn himself is more comfortable in the dark? Well, it's not like day or night matters to a blind man.

He takes a deep, steadying breath before finally calling out.]

Chancellor. I would have words with you.

[scourgingstars]

Oh, spectacular, just the last person I wanted to see.

[Ardyn was awake--of course he was, he never slept save for when the Storyteller apparently demanded it of them--and greeted Ignis with a sarcastic remark and heavily exaggerated sigh. He was sitting a short distance away, back to the wall and Hresvelgr sleeping on his shoulder.]

I really don't care to hear whatever further nonsense you have to say--if this is regarding payment I accept gil, sylkis greens, and leaving me alone.

B.

[mamaterasu]

[Though Amaterasu is relatively nomadic, choosing to sleep wherever she pleases - be it on the islets in the homes of kind people, or on the main island amongst the trees of the forest, tucked between the roots of a great tree - but she finds the most comfort by the Storyteller's temple ruins. She's curled up by the entrance, tucked up nice with her tail wrapped around her legs. It's...been a long few days, for everyone. While she's since regained her powers, Amaterasu is still mentally and emotionally exhausted, having slept for most of the day aside from going out to forage for food. Even in the darkness, when wolves are usually about, she sleeps.

But her rest is broken by the sound of someone lurking about, and that familiar presence of darkness - evil - that sets her fur standing on end. Immediately the wolf'd head snaps up, body stiff and ears pointed up and out. She gets up, following her senses until she finds the man prowling about. Mm, she's still uncertain of what to make of him - her instincts tell her to keep an eye on him, but then again there are several here who have the darker presence, and yet they are intrinsically good, so...she can't be bias--

OH MY GODS, WHAT IS THAT SMALL ROUND CREATURE SO COZE UP IN HIS SCARF?? So round, much soft. Wow.

Immediately Ammy's demeanor changes, and she hurries over, a massive doggy smile on her face. With her tail wagging, she hops up a bit for a closer look. It looks like a chicken, but it's pitch black, so not those colorful blue hens some people keep. Is it another species he found? Ah, she hasn't encountered another like this before...it's really cute. ♥ Ammy circles the man a few times, wiggling excitedly as her eyes never leave the lil chick he's got. Is it hungry> She still has maybe one feed bag left...]

[scourgingstars]

[hello yes hi what is this is it a new friend? The chocobo climbed up on Ardyn's shoulder, ruffling her feathers with a chirped kweh in greeting.]

And what might we be able to do for you today?