[That gets him to fall quiet a minute, keeping his eyes on his pan as he stirs it and pushes the food around inside, and only at length does he begin to elaborate, thoughtfully.]
You're right that I chose a name that wouldn't immediately be associated with the Lucian royal family or its cohorts — "Amicitia" would arguably have drawn just as much attention as "Scientia", if not more. The same goes for "Leonis".
[He hums softly, still staring at the pan.]
But I wanted a name that would immediately alert you or Gladio to my presence. It wasn't just about ensuring that no one could associate me with the crown. I also wanted the both of you to be able to tell that it was me, if you somehow heard it.
[It's a satisfying answer and a warming one, too, that his name could be useful like that. It even worked that way with Dave, sort of--got him to tell Prompto "Tellus" was there. Prompto nods and bounces a little on his heels.]
You wanna keep using it? I don't mind. [He leans over and smiles up at Ignis.] It's kind of fun, actually. I always wanted a big brother, Telly.
[But he's hiding a smile, himself, and disguising it carefully behind a supposed preoccupation with his work.]
'Twas not a subterfuge long for this world, I must say, with Noct around. I suppose it might be best if I simply embraced my real name again; I may as well, with how often he gives that away.
He calls me "Telly", as well. Which means that either you've picked it up from him, or I was right in my opinion that the two of you are almost unsettlingly alike.
[Stepping a little to one side, he goes in the cupboards after a small plate, and deposits a piece of venison bacon and a small pile of hash onto it, which he holds out to Prompto without preamble.]
He lamented to me once that no one understands his pop culture references and I assured him that I had exceeding amounts of practice in pretending I do, regardless.
[FOOD. Prompto accepts the offering immediately, distracted for a delightful second before he looks back up.]
Heeey! You mean you don't care about the backstories of every character in Justice Monsters V? Iggy, you're killing me!
[He's kidding, though. He tries a bite of the bacon with happy, appreciative noises and an eventual thumbs-up, but minds Ignis's manners and doesn't speak again until he's swallowed.]
I didn't notice that we were that alike, though. I mean, beyond hair color. He's a lot... chiller than me? Even if he is younger.
[Speaking of which, he's rummaging for another few plates — full-sized this time — and lines them up near the pans on the stove in preparation to begin plating them.]
He's also fairly joined at the hip to his own best friend, and if memory serves, boasts a certain interest in photography.
[His serving utensils clink softly against the plates as he starts distributing out portions of the food.]
You might say he offered a certain...respite, of sorts. I had no antidote to missing you, but spending time with him reminded me enough of you to soothe the ache a bit.
[Ignis always knows, somehow, how to gracefully turn away from Prompto's vulnerable moments, busy with plating breakfast while missing you catches him just under the ribs. It allows Prompto a second to stare, little plate in his hands, before he blinks and nods and pulls himself together again, crossing behind him to go get silverware.]
E-everyone likes your cooking, Iggy.
[A fork for each plate, arranged neatly along the side.]
It hasn't been that long. Two months, right? ...I guess it probably feels longer if you've just been stuck here the whole time.
[He taps Ignis's elbow lightly.]
Don't worry. I won't leave you guys hanging again, long as I can help it. I'm not going anywhere.
Two months is a long time to go without your particular brand of disarming chatter.
[His eyebrows raise slightly as Prompto automatically goes to fetch the silverware for the meal, but he doesn't remark on it. At least, he doesn't at first — not until that light touch to his elbow, which is presumably for the sake of affirming what he says following it, but still, he wonders.
Prompto said he'd been getting a great deal better at navigating without the benefit of his eyes. Prompto went without being asked to assist, identifying a way that he might help out and seeing to it without preamble. Prompto touched his arm when he drew close again, giving him a tangible means of telling where he was.
He wonders.]
Do you...help me cook often, these days? From...what you remember.
[Aw, Iggy. Prompto's hands still momentarily, then carefully rearrange the last fork, like there's some perfect angle to get right.]
No. Not really.
[There isn't really a way to spare Ignis those several bleak weeks between Altissia and now, not if he keeps asking, not if Prompto's going to answer honestly. He chews his lip a little and goes to search for mugs and glasses.]
We've been eating a lot of canned stuff and Cup Noodle. Nobody really needs my help with that.
[Nobody wanted his help with anything, either. But Ignis was always gracious about it, even though Prompto knew how awful it must have stung.]
But I can still set the table, like I told Iris back then. You remember that, in the car to Cape Caem? She noticed you did all the cooking, and all the... you know, everything for us.
[He sighs and picks some more at his little plate of hash.]
[It's so hard to change that one quirk of his speech patterns, adjusting it so that the conversation doesn't turn horribly ironic or just plain uncomfortable when his automatic response is a quiet I see.]
Not altogether ideal, nutritionally.
[He tries to keep the remark light, and devoid of self-admonishment. It's all he can do not to let on how he catalogues that tidbit and stores it away as just another failure caused by his own shortcomings.]
I appreciate the help today, however. With the limited edible supplies and a shortage of people who know how to cook, my skills in the town have proven to be in high demand — and as such, I often find myself cooking for several more than just four, these days.
Heh, I bet. How do you find time to do anything else, with the hungry masses beating down your door three times a day? Just goes to show you a-meal to a wide audience.
[If disarming chatter is what Ignis craves, Prompto Argentum is here to deliver.]
Anything else I can do to lighten your load? I wouldn't trust me with anything more complicated than boiling water, but maybe, like, chopping, or... throwing out vegetable peels?
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[THANKS FOR BEING PEDANTIC, IGNIS. THANKS.]
But you may certainly ask another, if you like.
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[Like Aubumbrie or Hester.]
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[That gets him to fall quiet a minute, keeping his eyes on his pan as he stirs it and pushes the food around inside, and only at length does he begin to elaborate, thoughtfully.]
You're right that I chose a name that wouldn't immediately be associated with the Lucian royal family or its cohorts — "Amicitia" would arguably have drawn just as much attention as "Scientia", if not more. The same goes for "Leonis".
[He hums softly, still staring at the pan.]
But I wanted a name that would immediately alert you or Gladio to my presence. It wasn't just about ensuring that no one could associate me with the crown. I also wanted the both of you to be able to tell that it was me, if you somehow heard it.
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[It's a satisfying answer and a warming one, too, that his name could be useful like that. It even worked that way with Dave, sort of--got him to tell Prompto "Tellus" was there. Prompto nods and bounces a little on his heels.]
You wanna keep using it? I don't mind. [He leans over and smiles up at Ignis.] It's kind of fun, actually. I always wanted a big brother, Telly.
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[But he's hiding a smile, himself, and disguising it carefully behind a supposed preoccupation with his work.]
'Twas not a subterfuge long for this world, I must say, with Noct around. I suppose it might be best if I simply embraced my real name again; I may as well, with how often he gives that away.
[...Wait.]
You've been talking to Dave, have you.
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[The fluff of Prompto's hair tilts to one side.]
Why do you ask?
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[Stepping a little to one side, he goes in the cupboards after a small plate, and deposits a piece of venison bacon and a small pile of hash onto it, which he holds out to Prompto without preamble.]
He lamented to me once that no one understands his pop culture references and I assured him that I had exceeding amounts of practice in pretending I do, regardless.
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Heeey! You mean you don't care about the backstories of every character in Justice Monsters V? Iggy, you're killing me!
[He's kidding, though. He tries a bite of the bacon with happy, appreciative noises and an eventual thumbs-up, but minds Ignis's manners and doesn't speak again until he's swallowed.]
I didn't notice that we were that alike, though. I mean, beyond hair color. He's a lot... chiller than me? Even if he is younger.
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[Speaking of which, he's rummaging for another few plates — full-sized this time — and lines them up near the pans on the stove in preparation to begin plating them.]
He's also fairly joined at the hip to his own best friend, and if memory serves, boasts a certain interest in photography.
[His serving utensils clink softly against the plates as he starts distributing out portions of the food.]
You might say he offered a certain...respite, of sorts. I had no antidote to missing you, but spending time with him reminded me enough of you to soothe the ache a bit.
no subject
E-everyone likes your cooking, Iggy.
[A fork for each plate, arranged neatly along the side.]
It hasn't been that long. Two months, right? ...I guess it probably feels longer if you've just been stuck here the whole time.
[He taps Ignis's elbow lightly.]
Don't worry. I won't leave you guys hanging again, long as I can help it. I'm not going anywhere.
no subject
[His eyebrows raise slightly as Prompto automatically goes to fetch the silverware for the meal, but he doesn't remark on it. At least, he doesn't at first — not until that light touch to his elbow, which is presumably for the sake of affirming what he says following it, but still, he wonders.
Prompto said he'd been getting a great deal better at navigating without the benefit of his eyes. Prompto went without being asked to assist, identifying a way that he might help out and seeing to it without preamble. Prompto touched his arm when he drew close again, giving him a tangible means of telling where he was.
He wonders.]
Do you...help me cook often, these days? From...what you remember.
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No. Not really.
[There isn't really a way to spare Ignis those several bleak weeks between Altissia and now, not if he keeps asking, not if Prompto's going to answer honestly. He chews his lip a little and goes to search for mugs and glasses.]
We've been eating a lot of canned stuff and Cup Noodle. Nobody really needs my help with that.
[Nobody wanted his help with anything, either. But Ignis was always gracious about it, even though Prompto knew how awful it must have stung.]
But I can still set the table, like I told Iris back then. You remember that, in the car to Cape Caem? She noticed you did all the cooking, and all the... you know, everything for us.
[He sighs and picks some more at his little plate of hash.]
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[It's so hard to change that one quirk of his speech patterns, adjusting it so that the conversation doesn't turn horribly ironic or just plain uncomfortable when his automatic response is a quiet I see.]
Not altogether ideal, nutritionally.
[He tries to keep the remark light, and devoid of self-admonishment. It's all he can do not to let on how he catalogues that tidbit and stores it away as just another failure caused by his own shortcomings.]
I appreciate the help today, however. With the limited edible supplies and a shortage of people who know how to cook, my skills in the town have proven to be in high demand — and as such, I often find myself cooking for several more than just four, these days.
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Heh, I bet. How do you find time to do anything else, with the hungry masses beating down your door three times a day? Just goes to show you a-meal to a wide audience.
[If disarming chatter is what Ignis craves, Prompto Argentum is here to deliver.]
Anything else I can do to lighten your load? I wouldn't trust me with anything more complicated than boiling water, but maybe, like, chopping, or... throwing out vegetable peels?
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[Speaking of vegetable peels, he's got a small pile sitting nearby, carefully arranged into neat portions.]
Would you care to feed Spot and Aurorean? They'll be needing their breakfasts, as well.
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Would I? You couldn't pay me not to!
[He can be useful and surrounded by majestic, fleet-footed birds!]
Should I wake Noct up, too, or does he not need his breakfast? [Mock-innocently:] I can need his breakfast for him.
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How very generous of you, to take on the burden of needing his breakfast on his behalf.
[But, with a quick look in the pan, he hastens to add: ]
There's more than enough for a double portion, if you're hungry for it.
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Aw, you know I don't eat that much. I'm sure some growing teenager will want it. We've got, like, a surplus.