The Haunted Sound... (2 Closed & 2 OPEN)

[shatteredlenses]

Who: Ignis and Ardyn, Ignis and Jules, Ignis and OPEN!
What: The aftermath of almost becoming a dragon snack! Treasure, repairs, and napping in no particular order.
When: First couple of weeks in October
Where: Mostly Islet 1 (Cottage 2) and the Farming Islet
Warnings: Mention of injury and violence because of a certain dragon. Watch subjects for warnings should anything else come up.

A.) A priceless glory... (Closed to Ardyn)

[In a way, the severity of Ignis' wounds work to Ardyn's favor. If the advisor is sleeping off his pain, then he is not trying to fight Ahidalga again. It also means there is no one there to be a restraining factor.

RIP Ahidalga.

About the time the looting starts, Ignis is finally starting to regain a little of his strength. Just enough to be annoyed at the fact that both Ardyn and Leo are several steps ahead of him, because he's not going anywhere with a tigerlily's head resting on his chest. Leo might have twitched when the last of the little dragons got too near the cottage, but as none actually attacked it, he never moved from Ignis side and appears bound and determined to remain there until his partner in crime returns to make sure Ignis stays put and rests.

It's really not fair.

Ignis' first clue that Ardyn has returned is when Leo finally lifts his head slightly from his chest, ears turning toward the bedroom door. Ignis huffs softly, trying not to breath too deeply and then calls out to the redhead.]

Have you come to release me from my captivity?


B.) Memento mori...  (Closed to Jules)

[If it had not been for Leo, Ignis might have missed the little gifts that start showing up at the cottage. A bit of food here, some supplies there, but the tigerlily seems to enjoy bringing him the little tokens everyday. At first, Ignis is puzzled. Who would be leaving things for him when so many of those he once knew are now gone? Finally, he realizes it can only be one person.

Well, at least that is confirmation that Jules is still around. As much as the man keeps to himself, Ignis had wondered.

Once he feels up to meeting with someone, he sends a very messily written note with Leo in hopes that Jules will come back with the tigerlily to speak with him. He's not really surprised when Leo returns alone, though.

He gives the tigerlily a scratch behind the ears with his right hand, careful not to jolt his injured left side.]

He didn't feel he could trust a note, hu? Maybe in a week or so, I can try to track him down myself.  I need to thank him for all he has been leaving.


C.) All for nothing now... (Open!)

[This is a bad idea.  Ignis really shouldn't be up and moving around already, but he also needs to now how bad the damage to the resources on the farming islet are.  So many people worked so hard to get these resources--Gladio worked so hard to set up so much over there--that he wants to know what will be needed to get things up and running again.  He won't be able to fix it all himself.  Not with how hurt he is, but someone has to take the first steps.  Perhaps another call for help across the crystals is in order?  He'll have to see how much damage there is first.

It is going to take days to make note of all the losses, but during those days Ignis can be found leaning heavily on Leo and doing his best to catalog the state of the buildings, fields, and animals   Not an easy task when one is blind, but he's determined to do it anyway.]


D.)  I know... (Open!)

[Even with Leo and Ardyn trying to make sure Ignis doesn't push himself too hard, it's inevitable that he will over-extend himself.  That is why he occasionally will be found outside the cottage, fast asleep with a tigerlily curled around him, both to keep him warm as the temperatures start to drop, but also to make sure no one threatens him while he rests.  Whatever his current task is--be it preparing seedlings for replanting, trying to find the best way to cook dragon meat, or maybe working on simple repair tasks--it has been forgotten.  Now is time for naps in the sun.

It's not a horrid way to spend the afternoon.]

Comments

[scourgingstars]

Now, now, don't be so dramatic. I would never dream of actually confining you.

[Ardyn.]

As a matter of fact, your dragonslaying hero comes bearing a veritable abundance of gifts.

[shatteredlenses]

Gifts?

[Ignis raises an eyebrow, then groans slightly and Leo helps him pull himself a bit more upright on the bed.]

And here I was just going to be happy knowing the accursed dragon was dead.

[scourgingstars]

Oh, we both know there's only one accursed allowed on these islands.

[Clearly, Ardyn was in a good mood--he even said that in what passed for a joking tone, sounding as though he was setting some things aside.]

Let's see...I pulled a few teeth for good measure, that'll make for some interesting crafting materials. There's a sword that appears to be on fire, that one made me think of you. A knife....well, it rather just looks like a knife, but one can never have too many of those. [A shrug.] But most importantly, I did bring you a fair supply of dragon meat. I'd wager it's even edible, looks a bit like Midgarsormr or something in that vein.

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis would be a lot more concerned about Ardyn's good mood if the redhead had not just come back from looting a dragon he helped kill. As it is, Ardyn's excitement makes him want to laugh because it's, quite frankly, adorable. He resists, though, because he knows laughing will hurt. Instead, he focuses his attention on something less painful.]

You actually brought me dragon meat to cook?

[Is it any wonder he loves you?]

[scourgingstars]

I most certainly did. It'll keep until morning, especially if I freeze it a bit. So you've plenty of time to put that devious mind to work. I do hope my efforts are appreciated.

[shatteredlenses]

As if you even need to ask.

[Ignis crooks a finger of his uninjured hand at Ardyn.]

And if you come closer I might even show you how much.

[scourgingstars]

Oh, my. Is that flirting that I hear?

[Ardyn walked over, leaning in close, and...]

[...promptly gave out entirely and collapsed on the bed. He'd been using magic excessively with no sign of slowing down, and in a place like this that tended to catch up to him before long.]

Ah...damn. I was hoping to hold out a bit longer.

[shatteredlenses]

Have you not rested?

[The question is rhetorical, of course, since the answer is staring him in the face, or more accurately, laid out flat at his side. Ignis shifts carefully, eventually finding Ardyn's shoulder so he can rest his head near the redhead's.]

You know, this is not quite how I imagined getting you into bed with me.

[scourgingstars]

I'm afraid that fight was a rather stunning display of reckless use of magic.

[With a tired laugh and a fair bit of effort, Ardyn put an arm around Ignis' shoulders.]

...If only it were so easy.

[shatteredlenses]

Considering you were fighting a dragon, I believe I will forgive you the recklessness.

[Besides, him getting hurt didn't help matters any.

Ignis settles in under Ardyn's arm, lifting his uninjured hand to stroke the redhead's hair.]

It's all right. You know I prefer challenges anyway.

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn answered with a vague hum of agreement, pulling Ignis closer.]

I'm...glad you're alright.

[shatteredlenses]

I should have listened to you, but I left myself get carried away with the fight instead. It's been a while since I was in one like that.

[All the more reason he should have listened.]

I was lucky you were there.

[scourgingstars]

Out of a thousand fights, one is bound to make mistakes a time or two. It's naught but a mere faltering of one's fortunes and chance that sees the occasional strike land.

...I know you more capable than that. So I see no reason to hold such minor things against you. That's all I mean to say.

[shatteredlenses]

Of course.

[Ignis leans forward to press a kiss to Ardyn's cheek and then settles back with a small, sheepish grin on his face.]

That doesn't change the fact I still should have listened.

[scourgingstars]

Should have, yes. But there's naught to be accomplished by laboring upon the point, my little flame.

[shatteredlenses]

No, I suppose not, though it does give you a chance to say 'I told you so,' if you really wish to.

[scourgingstars]

Hm...not this time, my dear. I'm far too tired to revel in my small victory.

[shatteredlenses]

A nap sounds like a wonderful idea, actually.

[He hates that he's hardly done anything and yet he is already tired again. Ardyn is the one who has right to be sleepy, not him, but here he is nonetheless.]

Perhaps a little sleep is in order? We can talk more once we wake again.

[scourgingstars]

That sounds like a good idea. I think...in the morning, perhaps there's something I might wish to ask of you.

[Whatever it was would have to wait, because Ardyn hugged him a bit more securely and was out like a light.]

[shatteredlenses]

[When Ignis realizes just how quickly Ardyn has fallen asleep, he can't help but smile gently and snuggle just a little closer.]

Of course. Sleep well, beloved.

[It doesn't take long for Ignis to fall asleep either. He may be curious about what Ardyn wants to ask him, but it can wait until they wake again.]

[scourgingstars]

[It was incredibly likely Ignis would wake first despite his injuries; on top of his dislike for daylight hours and general exhaustion, Ardyn still slept like a Lucis Caelum.]

[Good luck with that.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Well, this feels strangely familiar, though this time there are no chocobo chicks to pile on Ardyn to get him to wake up. It's tempting to just fall back to sleep, honestly. Who would blame him as injured as he is? But, the dragon meat still needs to be dealt with and...well, there is a whole list of things he will need to work on slowly, not to mention that question Ardyn was talking about asking him.

Nope, they need to get up.

With a sign, Ignis manages to wiggle just free enough he can lean forward and press a kiss to the top of Ardyn's ear before he whispers into it.]

Beloved. Time to get up. At least for a little while.

[scourgingstars]

Mmn.

[In true House Caelum fashion, he wasn't a fan of the idea. Ardyn grumbled incoherently under his breath, cracking an eye open.]

...must we.

[shatteredlenses]

Only long enough to take care of the treasures you brought back, I promise.

[Because that is probably about how long his energy will last, unfortunately.]

[scourgingstars]

Hm...as you wish, then. Don't get up, you'll only aggravate your injuries.

[Ardyn yawned, stretching in a way very much like an inconvenienced housecat.]