Prelude - Long March Home

[comesunset]

His Royal Highness, Ardyn Lucis Caelum, took the chance to step onto the streets of Lestallum without the constant company of his retainers. Verstael had gone wandering off in search of information on the next tomb - a researcher to the bone, even at twenty, a year Ardyn's junior - and Gilgamesh had gone to meet with the Crownsguard. There were few threats in the city, the largest outside Insomnia itself, and after shedding his royal blacks in favor of a more relaxed ensemble, Ardyn practically vanished into the crowd, notable only for his red hair, his height, and the scarf draped loosely around his neck.

Three Arms down, ten to go. And the Lucian countryside hid them well - they'd found a fourth tomb, but with its relic missing, and information from the hunters pointed to a ruin that Ardyn's Shield had turned their trio away from. Ardyn, for once, hadn't argued, feeling the potency of the daemons within in practically the air itself.

For now, he takes his break wandering the streets, picking up a set of skewers from one vendor, a pastry from another, a locally mixed lemonade from a third, and making his way down to the overlook. They've only been in Lestallum a week, and he's already growing fond of the benches there, the view out over the meteor crater. The sunset provides the perfect backdrop as he recalls his meal from its brief time in his Armiger, careful to keep the royal magic out of the sight of any passerby before settling in to people-watch. It's not like he's totally reckless, Gil.

Times like this, with the crowd of the power plant's shift change bustling around him, are the times he most feels like he can relax. Rather than being the Prince, just another face in the crowd... With a smile, Ardyn sips his lemonade before taking another bite of the skewer held idly in his left hand. So refreshing.

Comments

[discutio]

I see no reason to hinder the work of the gods' chosen savior.

[Very, very, very much the opposite.]

[comesunset]

'Not hindering' and 'helping' aren't exactly the same thing.

[discutio]

Is that so? I think the sentiment is the same regardless.

[comesunset]

I'd quite disagree. The majority of people are 'not hindering' us - they simply pass by living their own lives. Even for affairs as grand as these, they just don't care enough to get involved one way or the other.

[Another spin of the ice around in his drink.]

Even when it's obvious that someone needs help - I've seen a lot of broken-down cars by the side of the road these last few weeks. And most people drive past them. 'It's not my problem,' they think to themselves.

You didn't.

[discutio]

I didn't.

What of it?

[comesunset]

I'd like to know why. And 'just because I like helping' doesn't suit with the bitterness of the rest of you, so don't try that one on me.

[discutio]

Because your goal aligns with my own. It's quite simple.

[comesunset]

Simple, maybe, but an unsatisfying answer. Especially given that my goals right now are mostly focused on 'surviving' with perhaps a dash of revenge.

[discutio]

Your purpose, then. I would wish the fulfillment of the prophecy and dispelling of the darkness as much as any other.

[Sort of.]

[comesunset]

Even if you don't live to see it, as you likely won't?

[discutio]

I find that a bold assumption. I'm quite hard to kill.

[comesunset]

There is a point when confidence hits against the realm of possibility, you know.

[And then he lets some of his emotional armor slide away again, looking down at his drink.]

Even if I am to save the world from the dark... I have a realistic view of what I'm capable of, and I won't be ready in two or three months. And that's the far outside of the time that remains for you.

[discutio]

[Ignis leaned his head on his hand, looking at Ardyn with a small smirk as if he could actually see the future king clearly.]

I also have a realistic view of what I'm capable of.

[comesunset]

[Ardyn can't keep the raised eyebrows out of his tone at this point.]

You're not very good at not raising questions, are you?

[discutio]

Others are usually less skilled at asking the right ones.

[comesunset]

I have to have some redeeming value in politics.

[discutio]

Stunning, for how you present the appearance of a carefree imbecile.

[comesunset]

Everyone cultivates a mask or three in this world. If I'm just a carefree idiot, then people don't watch what they say around me. And it makes me accessible to people off the street, who get lost in the fancy words and big speeches of most politicians.

[discutio]

Then perhaps you're more clever than I give you credit for.

And yet you entertain the company of a mysterious stranger who clearly knows more than he should.

[comesunset]

And by entertaining your company, I know exactly where you are and have the opportunity to find out more, that I wouldn't if I simply walked away.

[The risk he took is calculated, he's just dealing with bigger numbers than he knows.]

[discutio]

And just how is it you picture this little encounter will end?

[comesunset]

I prefer to go with the flow.

[discutio]

...When people say that, what they often mean is 'I didn't think an instant of this through so I'm going to make it up and see what happens.'

[comesunset]

[Royal pout.]

Yes, but mine sounds better.

[discutio]

[why is this happening]

You've already propositioned me, you can't expect me to believe you truly have any real course of action here.