melodiesofeternity | Sister Searching

Who: Gladiolus Amicitia and literally anyone
When: July 14 and July 16-31
Where: Yun'Ashia then literally everywhere
What: The Actual Worst - Where's my sister?
Warnings/Notes: Distraught older brother; CW/TW: some threads may contain references to self-hatred and self-harm (self-harm induced by seeking out injury at the hands of others), tumultuous emotions, fits of rage, depressive episodes, if you see something in a thread that needs to be added here I will do my best to amend this or add it in the tags if that's possible.

I. July 14th - Yun'Ashia

Gladio figured Iris slept in when she missed breakfast, thought maybe she wasn't feeling well when she missed training, and started worrying when he couldn't reach her at all. Every text went unanswered. Every call straight to voicemail. Her room was devoid of any sign of her and even her Moogle was missing. Frantic, Gladio began asking everyone in the house - and then anyone he saw when he went into town - "Have any of you seen Iris today? Or heard from her?"

II. July 16th thru 23rd - Worldwide

His boss had been miraculously understanding when Gladio begged for the next week off. He'd have to work insanely hard when he got back, but he wasn't about to write Iris off as gone until he'd scoured the whole of this world. As it was, he spent the entirety of the 15th searching as much of Yun'Ashia and the surrounding land as he could. He'd returned home sometime pre-dawn on the 16th and grabbed maybe an hour or two of sleep before making an iMog video that he'd post publicly. Once that video was made, he packed a few essentials and prepared to set off on a hunt of his own. He knew his father was out looking too, but the more eyes the better, right? Everyone he met would be greeted with a photo of Iris on his iMog as he asked them, "Have you seen my sister?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's just one problem with that whole 'going home before leaving again on a world-wide search' bit, and that's inevitably having moogles gossip about it behind one's back while you're asleep. As it is, he'd been woken up to a flurry of worried and frustrated kupos not an hour before the video is made. He glared at Ivory, but noting Prompto was already out for his morning jog, he sees why Ivory waited. He sighed, telling her to pack his things because if Gladio wasn't going to ask him then he sure as hell was going to follow. If nothing else than to ensure his safety.

He'd only been here a month, after all. While he had some skills under his belt now, it didn't mean he was adept at handling large groups on his own (unlike at home). And, unlike Gladio, he at least left a message for Ignis, Prompto, and Ravus. Along with the travel agency in Safer Osu stating he'd need to take time off even sooner than expected due to a family emergency.

It isn't until he slows down to purchase an airship ticket that the Ninja made himself known, sighing as he stepped up to walk beside him. "You know, you could have asked to take the Regalia at least."

Busted, but at least it isn't Ignis. ...Yet.

Edited 2018-07-19 00:01 (UTC)

Gladio didn't jump, but he definitely cracked something in his neck when he turned his head to look at Noctis.

"What are you doing here? How did you even know where I was?"

He hadn't planned on anyone other than Noodle being with him, and even that was a battle. He'd tried to convince his Moogle to stay home but she insisted that he needed her.

She was probably right. But now he also had Noct and Gladio wasn't sure how that would work out.

"In case you forgot, I'm studying to become a pilot," he informed the Shield, before nodding towards one of people at the ticket counter. "Besides, even if they hadn't called, Noodle told Ivory and she woke me after Prompto left for his jog."

He crossed his arms, staring at Gladio expectantly. Well? What's your excuse for not even talking to him before rushing off to the gods know where?

Gladio had forgotten about that pilot bit, not that he'd ever tell Noct. And he should have known Noddle would blab, but he can't blame her too much - she'd loved Iris too and honestly sometimes Gladio wondered if the Moogle saw him as less of a companion and more of a family member.

The blabbermouth Moogle was currently passed out on his shoulder, so he couldn't even give her a half-hearted glare. Instead, he gave Noct a look. "I didn't wanna drag anyone else on this search. I'm not wasting any time, Noct. This isn't some sight-seeing thing or a fun little trip - this is a search and rescue."

His voice was hard when he spoke, the tone hiding barely-there control. "Don't come along if you can't keep up, 'cuz I'm not slowing down."

Not when it's Iris on the line.

Noctis doesn't even remotely flinch under Gladio's gaze. Instead, the stare only grew sharper at the admittance. Almost as if he felt insulted. "You think I don't know that?!" He hissed under his breath, hand itching to grip Gladio's shirt but restrained himself. Instead, his now-glare leveled at his Shield. "Look, I get it, but you running off without a word, only leaving that message on the linkshell does not excuse it."

"You're not the only one who's worried for her. We all are. Denying us the chance isn't just reckless, it's exactly what got me in the situation back home." He was never given a chance to really grieve. Never got to speak in depth with Prompto about what happened until they were here. He blindly acted and it led to Prompto being captured, and them being lured into a trap that got them separated.

It's almost as if Gladio was acting as though he were already dead.

"I'm not leaving you, so you'll just have to deal with it."

"Denying you the chance to what? To leave your jobs and basically abandon our house and our Chocobos to help me look? What would that have accomplished?" Gladio thinks it all makes sense - that the only option was for him to leave by himself.

"This is Iris, Noct. I'm not stopping for anyone or anything. If they don't have information I'm moving on." He's eyeing the airship, itching to get on so it can take the hell off, and Gladio looks at Noct with blazing eyes.

"Besides, I can handle myself just fine. Managed to survive Gilgamesh after all. So enjoy following me around because I'm not slowing down for your always-tired ass."

Maybe later he'd regret what he's saying, but right now he just wants to get moving and all this standing around is wasting precious time.

That did it. The last of Noctis' restraint snapped and he reached out to grab his close friend and Shield by the shirt to pull him down closer to his level. Getting right in his face.

"And you think your low level ass can keep yourself and Noodle safe? Because in case you haven't noticed, we don't exactly have our old skills here. Surviving the Blademaster means shit here if you can't even think straight." There is anger burning in his eyes, but beyond that... there is fear and concern. "Where would that put us if something happened to you out there, huh?!"

Think, you Six-damned idiot!

"Considering I apparently didn't do shit in your timeline to save Iggy or Prompto or you I'd say it puts you in a better fucking position. So back the hell off and help me find my sister or go the fuck home." Absolute anger drips from every word and Gladio's eyes hold nothing but wild desperation.

He needs to find his sister. He can't fail at this too - he won't let himself. And if that means leaving everyone else behind so be it.

He tugs himself out of Noct's grip as he pushes his friend away. "Get out of my way and let me get on this damn ship so it can leave."

Edited 2018-07-23 04:30 (UTC)

A lot happens in a short amount of time. He blinks, mouth agape as his eyes widen.

He knew.

Noctis' eyes narrow again, but this time, the pain is far more evident in his gaze. His jaw sets. Hands trembling from all the emotions that rush to fill the void where white-hot anger singed away aught else.

"... So, that's how it is." Noctis' voice turned cold, distant. Like he's trying to protect himself all over again but this time, from the person who'd sworn to protect him. Gladio didn't need to shove, because he lets go on his own. "Go then. I'm not stopping you, but please. Think about what you're doing here."

Running away like a coward. Acting like they're all dead or that he doesn't deserve their help. Yet he doesn't say it. He swallows what's left of what he was going to say and walks past him to the counter, asks something of the teller, then disappears into the EMPLOYEES ONLY door to the left. Mainly to grab the duffel bag he always kept here for when he was going to stay longer in Safer Osu.

Because if Gladio thought he'd seen the last of him, no. He only gave him space. He'll fly himself to the destination in the Regalia.

Gladio watches, stone-faced, as Noct goes from angry to surprised to hurt and, finally, to something else. Something distant.

And as Noct storms off, he realizes that he might have shattered whatever friendship they'd had. Or at least fractured it. Part of him wants to follow his friend, the Prince-turned-King he's sworn to protect, but Iris is out there. She has to be. And Gladio won't let her down the way he's let everyone else down.

So he boards the airship and starts mentally mapping out where he wants to go and how long he'll search each area before moving on. Nothing else can matter right now.

His first stop: Min'to.

Sister Searching

July 16th

Re: July 16th

Re: July 16th

no subject

no subject

Gladio is ... not going to be good company ... at all

Nope. He expected this.

He's not going to expect this...

No, no he really wasn't.

R I P [also, wanna jump to them seeing each other after landing?]