melodiesofeternity | Event || Once Upon A Dream

Event || Once Upon A Dream

Who: All characters who signed-up!
When: May 31st - June 04th
Where: The Dream Width (+ Curti Center & Airships)
What: Event log for the Once Upon A Dream Event! Should your character have their own memory, start your own top-level with said memory. If not, then tag around in other characters's memories! Furthermore, feel free to use the Mingle threads at the Curti Center and in the Airships for non-memory related CR. Please refer to the OOC Post for details and plotting. Plot Memories and the second Airship Mingle will be unlocked on May 25th.
Warnings/Notes: Memories with specific warnings will be marked as such by their players.

Please use the following form for your memory's title line:
CHARACTER'S NAME | MEMORY TITLE | WARNINGS (IF ANY)
We will add links to your memories here as the event progresses!

Mingle: Curti Center | Airships #1 | Airships #2
Plot Memories: The Dream | The Nightmare | The Premonition
Holographic Messages

Adrien Agreste | Then and Now
Aqua | Thorny Pathway | cw: spoiler for kh 0.2
Castor | Lord of the Inferno | cw: fire, mind control
Ena | Zera Hamlet, Reprise | cw: mutilated corpses
Futaba Sakura | Early Days | cw: references to verbal abuse/neglect and auditory hallucinations
Ignis Scientia | For The Life of the Chosen | cw: spoilers, violence, death
Irhya Pendhula | The Parting Glass | cw: violence, amputation
Johnny D'Amico | United Earth Prisoner
Kanji Tatsumi | You're a BOY, you know! | cw: bullying, mild homophobia
Lelouch vi Britannia | Julius Kingsley
Monika | Just Monika | cw: spoilers, possible horror, possible deletion
Nanamo Ul Namo | A Good Memory
Noctis Lucis Caelum | Light of the Crystal | cw: chapter 13 spoilers
Okuyasu Nijimura | Lending a Hand | cw: blood/injuries
Prompto Argentum | I'm not one of your experiments! | cw: episode prompto spoilers
Selphie | The Answer | cw: gore/death
Takashi 'Shiro' Shirogane | The end of the beginning | cw: end of season 2 spoilers
Tidus | A Broken Dream | cw: death, bullying

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I know." He knows, because he... "Prompto told me, when he tried confirming whether I knew or not." About his future. About having to die for all of them. He wanted to bring it up earlier, planetside and away from the risk of them being trapped in a memory, but every time he tried... he clammed up.

Curse his inability to say how he feels eighty percent of the time. Yet despite admitting this, he doesn't pull away. Instead resting his forehead on Ignis' shoulder.

"But, to see it like that," In Ignis' memories, knowing that Pryna had shown him that on her deathbed... "I'm sorry, Iggy. You'll try to stop me, and I won't listen. Not after all their sacrifices to see us that far."

Including yours. he doesn't say, but it's there. In his voice, in the way his grip tightens slightly as his shoulders sag. After a couple moments, letting it sink in, he adds, "...Can't help but think she showed you that for a reason, though. Pryna always did."

Ignis should've expected that Prompto would bring it up. He should've done it first though and not let others do things he's responsible for. There was a plan of bringing it up after the trip, maybe with Gladio around to tell him as well but- this happened. "Did you know?" Ignis asks quietly.

He can see why he would try to stop him- out of worry or something along the lines. Especially because he has no eyesight in the future. "I suppose I tried to stop you because of my state..." the image of himself with scarred eyes flashes in his mind. Perhaps, there was a way deeper, personal reason, but that doesn't matter. "My powers to protect you at the time were extremely limited."

Pryna... Ignis still doesn't know why she showed him that. "A reason... I can't seem to find it." His hold on Noct only tightens. "If... if there is a reason for it then why... why can't I change it?" his voice breaks.

"...why can't I keep protecting you from everything?"

He really should have. Though to Prompto's credit, he took over an hour to tell him how he found out himself. It should have been him. He should have told Ignis and Prompto, and yet Pryna, sweet Pryna who likely hated having to show Ignis that in the first place had...

Noctis pockets Carbuncle's totem before he wraps his arms around Ignis again, even tighter this time. "Yes," he answers, just as quietly, fingers grasping the back of Ignis' shirt in a vice. "It's the last thing I remember: The Draconian telling me how to stop Ardyn then letting me fall deeper into the heart of the Crystal."

If he's being honest, he's surprised the recollection of that argument didn't come into play. Which makes this even harder. "You said," he begins, "that it was because we lost so much. Too much. I wouldn't hear it." He doesn't go into how he broke down into tears after he pushed him away having all but yelled at him, the guilt he feels for having done so when his closest friend was just opening up to him. He didn't even implore farther as to why.

It's one of his few regrets. Along with not having been there when... Luna needed him most.

His eyes start to sting again and he buries his face into Ignis' chest. "Wish I knew," is all he can say before his voice cracks as well. "I keep asking myself that."

Every time Prompto looks at him and, for a brief second, it looks like tears are going to form again. How Clarus tried to get him to take off the Ring their first day here. How his father always looked so sad whenever they both neared the throne room.

Why can't he protect the ones he loves from the heartache caused by what he's been instructed to do?

He knew... probably not at the time but the Draconian told him. At the last moment, when Noct had no other choice but to go through with it. All of them praise the Astrals and their age and wisdom and yet- what kind of Astral prays, asks for someone's death?

Ignis felt, for the longest time, like a child lost in the woods. Just wandering around, trying to find a way back, something to help him. But the only things he ran into were wild animals and chasms, so deep you can't see the end.

"I won't stop looking..." Ignis says firmly, his eyes stinging as he feels Noct trembling in his hold. Dammit. Damn it!

No other choice indeed, and while he likely would have gone through with it without question... There is a reason he swore more using Shiva's name or the stars in general instead of Bahamut's. Unless it was to curse.

Because he will do anything, anything to save his people; their Star. And it tears him apart inside knowing what's likely happening without him there and the Oracle line being snuffed out completely. How they're likely suffering an eternal night with little hope of day ever returning. He tries not to think about it, but at night... it all comes back.

Why does he get to enjoy the sunlight when his people suffer in the dark?

Yet like with many things, he keeps his mouth shut. Only continues to hold onto Ignis and the reminder that he isn't alone. That something other than him is solid. He's silent for quite some time save the shaky breaths that don't quite become a sob, yet as he starts to calm...

"...Ardyn's boot is the last thing you remember, right?"

Ignis knows all of that. Noct is too selfless despite his outward appearance of being lazy and disinterested. He worries about everyone and everything- which is probably why he is royalty and not Ignis. The only thing Ignis worries about is... something he can't save from the destiny that's rapidly approaching his way.

Noct will never be alone. And if Ignis isn't around, Prompto will be. And Gladio. The only way any one of them would leave Noct's side is if they die.

"Yes... he knocked me out." Ignis doesn't even stop to feel embarrassed before admitting that. He was exhausted from running, fighting, yelling that he's not too surprised for being knocked out. However... "Why do you ask?"

Won't be alone until the last moments, maybe. He saw that vision, Ignis. He saw him alone on the throne, surrounded by his ancestors.

"...Because that's not his style. Not without some ulterior motive." He frowns, loosening his grip enough to look Ignis in the eye. "He killed Luna in front of me. Ran her through with a dagger while I could only watch. And tricked me into pushing Prompto off a train, before knocking me out with Prompto's own pistol so I couldn't undo my mistake. He doesn't just stop at knocking someone out."

Not unless they need to be stopped. But why? He can't think straight, not like this, but he feels like there's some kind of clue there. He just can't see what it could be. It earns a groan of frustration because it's right there.

The look in Ignis' eyes is thunderous when as Noct lines up everything that Ardyn did that he didn't know about. Luna, Prompto, the illusions, the tricks. Noct is right- according to this Ardyn was after something. But what?

"Alright, calm down. We will think through this slowly." Ignis pauses. There's a patch, a blank space - according to Noct's and Prompto's story- where he lost his eyesight. How did that happen? Hm. Maybe he should start from the obvious thing and then try to draw some conclusions from that.

"At the Altar- people present were Lady Lunafreya, me, you and Ravus. He assaulted Lady Lunafreya already and Ravus had to follow his orders. I hardly matter in any grand scheme of things so- he was after you. That is the only conclusion I can come to. Especially with the fact that I... lost my eyesight." Prompto mentioned it happened while they were in Altissia.

Ignis shakes his head. They can't think like this and his brain is almost completely melted from diving into those memory nebulas. "Come on, let's get some tea."

And to think those were just the things that involved him directly. He has no idea if Prompto told him what happened after he was pushed from the train, and that's something for Prompto to tell; not Noctis. Though Ignis likely already had an idea considering how roughed up everyone but Gladio was in his memory.

Noctis takes a few steadying breaths. It's... hard. It became an instinct to swing first, ask questions later whenever his... very much removed uncle came into the picture. He isn't here, Lucis Caelum. He isn't here.

"You matter to me," he mutters, and really, that likely was all there is to it. Why else would he use Gladio's image to get Ignis to drop his guard? Not that he can completely think what he's seen through, his own head swimming as he recalls how Ardyn seems to know just who to use to get to them most. The fact of his friend's later vision loss gets a wince out of him, for more reasons than one. "...Right."

That means letting go, though.

Ignis doesn't know all the details but he knows the synopsis of it. He didn't want to push their friend more than he was comfortable with- he looked in a lot of pain just remembering the events.

"But not to him," Ignis says, his chest swelling up when Noct says that. From all the information he heard about future and Ardyn, Ignis can only conclude that the man would just toy with him before killing him. But... how did he live?

Ignis helps Noct stand, not letting go of him. He has hand wrapped around his middle as they slowly make their way to the lounge area. Or maybe they should go to the medical wing."Are you alright? Can you walk?"

Yeah. He wonders if the only reason he got the full story is because he already knew about the nightmares, or the fact that he'd accept him no matter what. (Or it could be that love confession; who the hell knows anymore. He's still not sure if he imagined that or not.)

"Hope you're right," he honestly replies. Noctis hopes beyond all reason that Ignis is right, because that bastard is dead set on making their lives miserable from what he remembers. And is getting exactly what he and Bahamut both want.

Were it not for him now being able to call bullshit on the Draconian's words on them 'abiding in hope', his blood likely wouldn't be boiling as much at the thought. But his gratefulness to Ignis right now far outweighs that anger. He doesn't even complain that Ignis keeps an arm wrapped around him as they walk.

"I'm fine," he replies as they make their way to the lounge area. At some point he should probably contact the others on the ship he's supposed to be on to let them know he's alright. "Just- shaken up."

Like they both are, not to mention who knows how many others who got thrown into a nebula, and it's moments like this he misses Gladio even more because he could really use someone else thinking for him right now while he gets his shit together. Not to mention his back is going to be sore in the morning. Again. Good luck to whomever has the pleasure of trying to get him out of bed tomorrow. But, he'll attempt to lighten the mood somewhat with: "Starting to think Clarus had it right by sneaking alcohol into meetings."

"And I hope I'm not," Ignis says honestly as well. He'd rather have Ardyn chase him across the world, trying to kill him or anything else in between instead of him going after Noct. About this- he will hate if he's right.

There is a heavy sigh as he lets Noct take a seat, "It seems 'fine' has become a relative term since we arrived here." He seriously needs to stop muttering, it's not really like him, unbecoming of his status as the advisor. Still- he can't help himself because of the images he saw, because of the reminder of what will happen when they go back and that Draconian, apparently, gives little care through what Noct is going through.

He walks over to the coffee and tea stand, grabbing few bags of calming chamomile tea and pours hot water into the cups then goes to take a seat next to Noct, handing him over a cup. "Just let it steep for a minute," Ignis says gently, leaning back.

Noct doesn't have to worry about getting out of bed. Sleeping in is in order for all of them. But before that- they need to find Prompto.

The fact that Ignis is muttering doesn't sit well, but they are both exhausted so he lets it slide. They have a lot to process and still have to find those who were sensed floating in the Dream Width. Not to mention finding Prompto.

"Starting to wish I'd left that bastard as an ice statue." But damn, if it wasn't cathartic to run him through with the Trident. He'll leave that mental image for Ignis to ponder as he goes to get the tea prepared, instead focusing on trying to reach Prompto and hoping he isn't caught in a nebula of his own; then a message to those on the airship he was supposed to be on.

He doesn't look up right away as he takes the cup, glad he has practice texting one-handed. He also doesn't mind if Ignis looks over his shoulder.

"Right, got it." He sends the one to the group he was assigned and sits back. Nothing else to do but hope it went through and wait for the tea to finish steeping. Please let the iMog work out here.

"Tried sending a message. Hopefully it gets through."

Prompto is definitively the priority right now. They need to catch their breath though before they go back into memory nebulas. It is extremely tasking, especially if you jump from one memory to the other, which Noct probably did.

But- that's Noct. Not wanting to leave anyone behind. And Ignis is proud to be his advisor.

Ardyn as an ice statue? That paints an interesting image and makes Ignis' eyebrows rise slightly. Is permafrost a thing? Maybe they should keep him frozen forever.

He doesn't look over Noct's shoulder, of course. Ignis respects Noct's privacy- before and now. He actually really doesn't like going through his things unless he really has to.

"Good. In the meantime, have the tea and take some rest. You could take a nap in the infirmary," Ignis says. "If Prompto is trapped in the nebula, we will need strength to get him out."

Not entirely of his own volition, at least. But, yeah. He couldn't leave anyone behind, and it's eating him up inside that he has to stop now. For their sake and his own.

"The Glacian," he explains in two words. "Should've taken a picture before I shattered him." Whoops. Ah, well. Maybe there will be a next time. That'd be awesome. Still, thoughts that can be saved for later. When it wasn't crucial he calm down.

He pockets the device, deciding instead to impatiently toy around with the string on the tea bag, watching the attached bag bob up and down in the cup. "Yeah," he knows. It took a lot out of him trying to reach Ignis, especially with how many times he seemed to just go through him. "I'd rather sit." And, well, not be alone at the moment. Much as he doesn't say it. The implication's there.

He takes a careful sip, glad for the warmth.

"It sounds like you won Glacian's favor," Ignis says with a small smile. He's infinitely thankful that some of the Astrals support them without threats. It is one thing challenging the King and putting him through trials, but it is completely different jeopardizing his life, unleashing a full attack on him and everything around him.

Ignis will forever give his thanks to Ramuh and Glacian- if the Glacian didn't trouble Noctis but from the looks of it, she didn't.

Giving Noct a look, he nods. Yes, he can tell he doesn't want to be by himself and really, Ignis doesn't want to leave his side either. Not with that vivid memory of himself telling Noct to go on alone. It still sends a sinking feeling to his stomach.

"Then you can lean on me. Your brain needs a bit of rest before taking on another memory," Ignis says gently, holding out his hand for Noct's empty cup- once he's finished with his drink.

"Yeah," he smiles faintly. "Though I'm starting to wonder if I had it since Tenebrae." And he doesn't mean a recent visit, either. Not with that nostalgic glint in his eye. Also, yeah, he still doesn't like Leviathan all that much. But he knows better than to curse Her name. Though something in the back of his mind wonders what the harm in it would be. Her suddenly appearing in Vaikuntha?

"Shiva was Gentiana all along," he finally explains, ignoring the look in favor of finishing his tea.

Though he's silently glad Ignis doesn't insist on a nap in the infirmary, handing him the cup once it's drained. Again, hating that he's right but not bothering to argue. He's too tired to do so and the type of tea in particular was already lulling him to sleep as it is.

...No word from Prompto.

Ah. Gentiana. She came to them to engage Noct in the trial of Ramuh. No wonder Noct thinks he had her blessing ever since Tenebrae. She was there when the Prince was injured and tied to a wheelchair.
Ignis doesn't curse Leviathan's name, but he doesn't give her his blessings either. Her stubbornness, even after so many pleas, got Noct to the brink of death. He can't be grateful to her for that.

"Rest now," Ignis says, putting the cups on the empty seat next to him. Perhaps there aren't many things Noct wants to dream about right now but, "Carbuncle will watch over you," Ignis adds with a small smile.

As will he.

Noctis is only grateful that the Tidemother helped save the train from the daemons. That is literally it. But instead of thinking about it more, he's already finding his eyes blinking closed.

"Get some... rest too, Specs." He said, trying to hide a yawn there and quite unsuccessfully. His eyes drift closed as he prays for a dreamless sleep, slowly leaning on Ignis as he dozes off.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Event || Once Upon A Dream

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