[Noct should know the patrol routes by now. He's surely walked them with Ignis enough times, keeping him company. Ignis finds a spot to sit beside the track, watching his fingers clenching loosely around his knees and closing his eyes now and then to avoid the flickers around the edges of his vision.
He stands up every few minutes, paces back and forth a few times, then sits down again. This kind of thing isn't something he's ever faced before and he can't stay still, feeling unsettled and fidgety.]
[ He definitely knows the patrol routes, and about ten minutes later, he shows up, making a beeline straight for Ignis. He's concerned, and when he draws close enough, he greets. ]
A startlingly astute observation, Noctis, thank you.
[The waspishness, while not entirely out of character for Ignis, is entirely out of place after such an innocent observation and this fact is quickly realised. The young man sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose and adjusting his spectacles.]
[ Noctis looks stung, shifting back as something in him closes off out of instinct. He's no stranger to the waspishness, but not when he isn't looking for trouble. ]
Yeah, no shit. [ He says plainly. But then he continues, more placid -- he has to be the calmer one in this situation. So, carefully, he says: ] You gonna tell me about it, or bite my head off for no reason again?
I apologised, Noct. [Ignis is quick enough to point out, flashing a quick frown in his friend's direction. Two days of all but jumping at shadows has left him far more short-tempered than he'd ever like to be, but he won't snap for no reason without following it up with an apology.]
And I've already told you the most of it. Hallucinations, like... [He pauses, waving his hand in a small, vague gesture.] Like nebulous shadows in my periphery. They come and go.
[But it's distracting, and unsettling, and a dozen other things that he doesn't yet want to open the box on discussing openly.]
[ Apology accepted, it still doesn't mean it didn't hurt. Still, Noctis is quick to forgive, and he nods. He doesn't see any of the shadows, and isn't quick to discount that it's the town fucking with them all the same. ]
Okay.
[ He's racking his brain to figure out what to do, and he comes around beside him. Ignis is unsettled, and Noctis is quick enough on the uptake to know that everything about this place is getting under his skin for reasons he doesn't yet grasp. ]
[His answer is immediate, calm, but with an edge of that kind of forced calm that Ignis so often uses when circumstances are beginning to trouble him. He shakes his head, clasps his hands together for a moment then stands, letting a breath out sharply.]
I can't forgo my duties because of their ridiculous games. [He won't.] But... I'd welcome your company, if you'd join me.
[ Noctis smiles, acutely aware that Ignis is struggling with his emotions. He'd know that edge anywhere, and it seems like this thing, whatever it is, is hitting him hard. ]
C'mon, let's go see if there are things we can kill.
[ Noctis makes a small noise of amusement and reaches out to give his shoulder a firm squeeze. It's nice to see a change of expression, but more than that: ]
Hey. You know I won't let anything get you, right?
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you okay?
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[But then--]
No, in fact, I don't think I am.
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what's wrong
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At first I assumed I was tired, but they haven't stopped.
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im coming over.
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There's nothing to be done about it, though if you're offering company I won't decline.
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the last thing you need to be is alone
stay where you are, yeah?
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Very well.
[Noct should know the patrol routes by now. He's surely walked them with Ignis enough times, keeping him company. Ignis finds a spot to sit beside the track, watching his fingers clenching loosely around his knees and closing his eyes now and then to avoid the flickers around the edges of his vision.
He stands up every few minutes, paces back and forth a few times, then sits down again. This kind of thing isn't something he's ever faced before and he can't stay still, feeling unsettled and fidgety.]
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Hey. You don't look great.
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[The waspishness, while not entirely out of character for Ignis, is entirely out of place after such an innocent observation and this fact is quickly realised. The young man sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose and adjusting his spectacles.]
Sorry. I'm feeling a little out of sorts.
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Yeah, no shit. [ He says plainly. But then he continues, more placid -- he has to be the calmer one in this situation. So, carefully, he says: ] You gonna tell me about it, or bite my head off for no reason again?
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And I've already told you the most of it. Hallucinations, like... [He pauses, waving his hand in a small, vague gesture.] Like nebulous shadows in my periphery. They come and go.
[But it's distracting, and unsettling, and a dozen other things that he doesn't yet want to open the box on discussing openly.]
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Okay.
[ He's racking his brain to figure out what to do, and he comes around beside him. Ignis is unsettled, and Noctis is quick enough on the uptake to know that everything about this place is getting under his skin for reasons he doesn't yet grasp. ]
Do you wanna head back?
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[His answer is immediate, calm, but with an edge of that kind of forced calm that Ignis so often uses when circumstances are beginning to trouble him. He shakes his head, clasps his hands together for a moment then stands, letting a breath out sharply.]
I can't forgo my duties because of their ridiculous games. [He won't.] But... I'd welcome your company, if you'd join me.
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[ Noctis smiles, acutely aware that Ignis is struggling with his emotions. He'd know that edge anywhere, and it seems like this thing, whatever it is, is hitting him hard. ]
C'mon, let's go see if there are things we can kill.
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[He smiles faintly in return, even if his words come out slightly grim, and gives Noctis a pat against the back of his shoulder.]
Come on. There should be something along this way, if the reports from the last patrol were accurate.
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Hey. You know I won't let anything get you, right?
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[But he also knows that here, more than anywhere, Noctis can't always keep that kind of promise. Still, it's a nice thing to hear, regardless.]
Thank you, Noct.
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All right, lead the way.