Action | Open

[this_loser]

Who: Prompto + Open (+private to Noctis)
Broadcast: Nope
Action: Open Iskaulit, Closed Planetside
When: Present

ACTION - Iskaulit

[The planet is a great distraction. But it's not quite enough. Sometimes the stretch of a white field is a little too familiar, and he expects to see the blocks of a Niflheim base over the crest of the next hill. Sometimes Pryna races ahead of him through the trees, and he has to stop himself from tripping over his feet and looking for MTs laying in the snow.

Getting back into a routine helps, and a big part of that is heading over to the Iskaulit every morning and running.

His music is up louder than usual, and he's a bit lost in his head. But he'll offer up canned, smiling, greetings to anyone he does happen to notice.]

PRIVATE to Noctis

[It's a good thing, Prompto thinks, that this planet has fishing. Because getting Noctis up and out of the ship was a must. It still hurt to have Luna and Ignis gone. Some days, he still expected to wander out and find Iggy working on breakfast. He couldn't imagine how much harder it was for his friend.

The dogs were happy to lope around and stretch their legs as well. Gods, he was ever so happy to see Pryna. What a bittersweet gift that had been.

He's happy to play with Umbra and Pryna in the snow while Noct does his thing with the fish.]

Comments

[axi]

It's going well. [She smiles at him then reaches for her towel, pulling it off and offering it to him. It's pretty much dry.]

And you? It looks like you're making good progress.

[this_loser]

[He stops his in-place jogging to take the towel - what's a little sweat shared between friends? - and pats the back of his neck.]

Ah, yeah. Gotta keep in shape somehow, right?

[axi]

That's true. But I think you're doing just fine as it is. [Now she's downright teasing him. Noting the ear buds, she becomes curious.]

Hm? What're you listening to?

[this_loser]

Um. Haha... Okay. [He doesn't really know how to, um, respond to that. He rubs the towel over his face, because it's sweaty, not for any other reason.]

Oh. It's some generic alien rock, I guess? Pretty good though?

[He plucks up one of the buds and holds it out for her, if she wants to have a listen.]

[axi]

[A chuckle escapes her as she moves in to take the offered item. Kaname holds it up to her ear for a few moments before she finds herself humming along with the melody.

But she catches that soon enough and grins.]

It's definitely catchy. I wonder what Freyja and I could do with it...

[Her words trail off as she thinks about it, still holding the bud to her ear.]

[this_loser]

Really? You think you can perform something like that?

[He draws back a little - as much as he can without pulling the bud away from her.]

Um, while I have you here, I wanted to thank you, for the gift. And the letter. So...thank you.

[axi]

I don't see why not? It'd require some rearrangement, but I've got faith in our skills.

Oh, sorry. [She catches him drawing back, so she releases the bud with a sheepish smile.]

You're very welcome. I hope it works like I thought it might. But like I said, if it doesn't, let me know.

[this_loser]

Yeah, you guys are pretty good.

[He shakes his head.] It works great. I really like it.

Um, oh, here. You can borrow the music if you want. [He doesn't know if she's got her own. He was lucky enough to have found this set at a waystation.] I've got a head full of my own.

[axi]

We're very good, thanks. [His statement causes her to look a little relieved.] I'm glad. Honestly, you were a little difficult to shop for.

[Kaname momentarily looks taken aback before she smiles and shakes her head.] Thank you, but it's all right. Freyja has hers from home, and we use that often. It's how we got the backing tracks for our little show on your ship.

But I do want to know what's in your head.

[this_loser]

Really? [That's surprising. She could have given him a rock and he would have cherished it. He's that easy to please.] You... you didn't have to get me anything at all.

[A nod and he rolls the length of the earplugs around the playing device to tuck away in his pocket for later.] Anything. Everything. Game show jingles, commercials, video game battle music and the victory songs, stuff I've made up... Lots of stuff!

[axi]

Yes, really. [She gives a small huff of amusement.] I know, but I wanted to. Who doesn't want to see people they like happy?

[Kaname watches the player disappear as she considers all that.]

That's a variety. Most of what I know are songs we sing and the classic famous songs from other artists in my world. Do you find yourself humming along sometimes?

[this_loser]

Ah-haha. Well, it worked. [He laughs, one hand rubbing at the back of his head bashfully.

He nods quickly.] All the time! Or just singing. I'm not all that good, but it's fun. I think I just annoy everyone though. [If the groans and sighs that typically followed were any indication.]

[axi]

As long as you're not saying it for my benefit, we're good. [She grins in jest at the comment.

Then she gets an idea.]

Sing for me? I don't think it's possible to annoy me with music.

[this_loser]

You haven't heard me sing yet! [Yet. Which means he plans to, he just needs to figure out which song is the best one. Of course, as soon as he poses the question, the answer present itself.

He draws in a breath, and belts out the Chocobo song. It's short and sweet, but on a good day he could sing it over and over until someone made him stop.]

~~I want to ride my chocobo~ all. day.~~

[axi]

[Kaname silently stares at him for a few moments after he finishes.

Before erupting into a fit of giggles. Give her a couple seconds. Once she recovers, she's smiling as widely as ever.]

That's adorable.

[And then she gives humming it a try.]

[this_loser]

[He's so happy that she likes it. His smile can't get any wider.]

Catchy, huh?

[He hums along, and then sings it again. It'll be stuck in his head for days now.]

[axi]

Incredibly.

[Only once it hits her does her smile vanish and she start to look a little embarrassed.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you from your run for this long!

[this_loser]

[The humming trails off, but smile doesn't change at all.]

Nah, it's fine. I don't mind stopping for a friend. I was just clearing my head, anyway.

[axi]

[Kaname studies him curiously at the mention of clearing his head.]

Well, what I said about being here to listen is still true. [In fact, that gives her an idea.] And I was about to go get something to eat anyway. Care to join me? Consider it my treat.

[Her smile's back, a little warmer this time.]

[this_loser]

I... [He bites his lip, briefly considering. But nods.] Yeah, okay. That sounds good.

[axi]

Good. We can meet at the Melting Pot in... an hour or so? I need to go back to my ship and shower, plus you can finish your run.

[She gives him a once over, then adds.] Hang on to the towel, too. You might need it until then.

[this_loser]

Oh, yeah, okay. [He'd forgotten about the towel, but here it was! Still in his hands! He waved it around.] Okay. Melting Pot, one hour! It's a d... A...a thing. Where we sit down. And talk. And stuff. Okay. Bye.

[He absolutely did not trip over himself as he absolutely did not run away. He was merely resuming his jog with a lot of enthusiasm.

He finished up his run, returned to his ship, washed up and changed into mostly clean clothes. They didn't smell too bad. He'd had to wrestle his pants out from under one of the dogs, but ... yes. Clean. And warm!

He's not sure how long he takes - it's the hair, perfection takes time, and a lot of gel - but he's pretty sure it's around the hour mark when he makes it back to the Iskaulit and heads over to the Melting Pot to look for Kaname.]

[axi]

[His shortened sentence fragments and hasty retreat are met with a giggle from Kaname as she calls after him.] I'll see you soon!

[Her routine isn't as rushed: a shower, freshening up, fixing her hair, feeding the mercat, and telling Freyja she'll be out for a while sans actual details. Her friend is nosy and loves to tease-- not what she needs right now.

So by the time Prompto arrives, he'll find Kaname in a booth with a drink (juice) in front of her, looking over a menu. When she looks up and spots him, she waves, often present smile in place.]

Prompto, over here.

[this_loser]

[He smiles once he spots her and slips into the booth a moment later.]

Didn't mean to keep you waiting.

[He orders a water for himself while he scans over the menu, though nothing really jumps out at him. His stomach is a little knotted up now that he's here. The idea of talking things out is a good one. Actually doing it - that's something else entirely.]

[axi]

Don't worry, you didn't.

[Once she's decided what she wants, Kaname places the menu on the table. Since she's across from, she can't help but look at Prompto and bite back a smile she hopes he doesn't see. There's something she's trying really hard not to ask him.]

There's no rush, either. You can take your time deciding.