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

[suspecteverything]

[He probably should have thrown something. It was a sentiment Jules would appreciate.]

Trust me, you don't want to see or hear an Andarion try to get through this tiny window. I'd leave half my body scraped along the window frame. Your door unlocked?

[He can manage to unlock it himself if he needs to, but it's just so much easier to confirm he needs to first. This place is way too draining to use powers unnecessarily.]

[shatteredlenses]

I wouldn't see it in any event.

[No thrown object at the moment, but Jules at least gets some sass.]

Yes, the door is open unless Leo has learned to lock it and not told me.

[Look, he wouldn't put it passed Ardyn to teach the tigerlily something like that just because he could and Leo is certainly smart enough to learn.]

[suspecteverything]

I'm sure the sound of it would be more than enough for you to picture the fiasco in your head.

[That said, Jules heads around to the door where he's confident he can make it through without too much trouble. Doors, most of the time at least, are manageable.]

[shatteredlenses]

[This door, fortunately, is also likely larger than most other cottages have. The benefit of having lived with two people who were both over 6 foot tall and one built as wide as the weapon his position was named for.]

I'm in the back bedroom.

[Not that Jules couldn't figure that out from the window or the fact that there are only a couple of rooms in the cottage anyway, but it feels weird just sitting and waiting. If he gets up, though, Leo will have a fit because he is suppose to be resting.]

[suspecteverything]

[Jules could have figured that out just by following the sound of Ignis' heartbeat or breathing even if he hadn't already known where his friend was thanks to the window, but saying something like that usually creeps people out. He makes his way into the room and settles against the wall by the same window he'd leaned against before, just on the other side.]

What kind of stupidity did you get yourself into this time to wind up like this??

[shatteredlenses]

The dragon kind. The very large dragon kind.

[Ignis runs a hand through his hair realizing how stupid that sounds as soon as it leaves his mouth. A blind man fighting a dragon? Really?]

To be fair, I could actually see at the time.

[Which reminds him. He's going to need to get those glasses recharged now before Ardyn slips off and does it for him again.]

[suspecteverything]

Oh you could see it, could you? Well that's just fantastic. It makes you into an even bigger idiot since you knew exactly what you were getting yourself into and still made the choice to do so.

Shkyte drey, I would ask if you were crazy, but I think I already know the answer.

[The tone of Jules' voice says he isn't exactly joking. The expression on his face is even more evident of that, though Ignis can't see it.]

[shatteredlenses]

In my defense, I did have an immortal with special abilities helping me.

[Not that having Ardyn there ended up changing anything. Ignis is well aware this was most definitely not his brightest moment.]

He too tried to warn me and I was stubborn and didn't listen. The fault is mine and mine alone.

[Though between that tone of voice and the gifts Jules has left him, Ignis can't help but realize how worried Jules must have been, not that he would admit it straight out. It's not the way he does things.]

Thank you for leaving those supplies. It made things a lot easier for this stubborn fool.

[suspecteverything]

I seriously doubt immortals have an appropriate rating scale for danger.

[He manages not to make that response sound too huffy. He thinks at least.]

If that's what you call a stubborn fool then every name people have called me must be far too critical.

[And no, that's not saying anything good about Jules. He's well aware of the fact that most names used to refer to him are totally accurate.]

[shatteredlenses]

Well, people have said I am sometimes far too polite for my own good.

[Why use words when burned toast for supper works just as well at making someone know they screwed up?]

Perhaps your people just have more creative ways to call someone a bloody, Astrals-damned idiot?

[There, is that a little more to your liking Jules?]

[suspecteverything]

Ah, yeah, that's more along the lines of what I've heard, and your stunt definitely fits with Jules-level stupidity.

[shatteredlenses]

[A teasing grin crosses his face.]

Watch out, I'm half-tempted to take that as a compliment.

[suspecteverything]

Damn. Now I understand why we're actually friends. You'd fit in well with the rest of the Gort idiots I hang around with.

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis grin fades into something less teasing and more genuinely happy. Is this the first time Jules has called him a friend out loud? He's not certain, but it makes him feel good to hear it nonetheless.]

For what it is worth, I am sorry I worried you. I will try to be more careful in the future.

[suspecteverything]

[The wicked smile that crosses Jules' face can probably be heard in his words.]

Try as in the same level of try that Thraix and Trajen always use?

[Admittedly he uses the word to the exact same degree, but hell, Ignis doesn't need to know that. If he doesn't already know...]

I know how far that will get you.

[shatteredlenses]

[He has a fairly good idea. It's why he used it like that. Ignis own smile widens again and he carefully spreads his hand in front of himself.]

We never know what this place will throw at us next. I figure 'try' is the best anyone can do.

[suspecteverything]

Try is the best most of us Tavali can pull off even when we aren't somewhere that likes to screw with us quite as badly as this place.

[Honestly, they barely manage to pull off try in a "normal" world.]

[shatteredlenses]

You came out ahead of me this time. I would say 'trying' worked out for you pretty well.

[He sighs, letting his hands drop back to the bed. Honestly, that simple gesture should not have taken so much out of him.]

I dearly hope we aren't going to have to deal with anything like that again anytime soon. How bad is the damage out there?

[For obvious reasons, he's not been able to go take stock himself.]

[suspecteverything]

I don't have to try to not get involved here. There's absolutely nothing in it for me to go venturing out and playing this places' games.

[He's a master and making plans that will probably result in his death to take his grandmother down or protect his family. This place doesn't have any of those things, so he has no real reason to be reckless.]

'Course we are. They minsid gods love their games and abusing their playthings.

[He shrugs even though Ignis can't see it.]

Could be worse.

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis lets out an amused snort.]

Aren't visitors suppose to help raise the injured person's moral not low it? I think you owe me some kind of pep talk now.

[suspecteverything]

What do you want me to say? Whoo hoo, you survived? Good for you. The gods will get to play with you some more. Whoopee.

[shatteredlenses]

You know,you're lucky I'm in no shape to throw something at you right now. I have two new blades that Ardyn picked up for me and I haven't even gotten to try them out yet.

[suspecteverything]

You really need to scrounge up the energy and throw one at me so I can get a new blade. Have you seriously never heard of the rule that the last thing you ever want to do is thrown a weapon at your enemy? That's basically just handing him one and leaving yourself one short. But please, go ahead. Like I said, I'd love a new blade, and I'll have no trouble catching it.

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis snickers at that.]

Oh, I am thinking of a very specific blade, but I'm not certain you will be so happy to have it as you think. Unless, of course, you happen to be craving cake at this very moment?

[suspecteverything]

[Jules' eyes absolutely light up and he starts chuckling.]

You don't know me very well if you have to ask that question. Literally the only person who would tolerate me as a child was the palace chef. I spent nearly all my time there as an incredibly overweight child, and had a profound love for all things sweet, particularly cake. It will always be my profound weakness.

[He doesn't realize in explaining all of that that he might have given away more than he wanted to with the palace comment.]