Raise a Glass [OPEN]

[lordshield]

Who: The XV Cast and You!
When: June 6th
Where: Curti Center, Jiminy's Juicery (bar)
What: After saving innocents from the Dream Width, some people just need a drink.
Warnings/Notes: Alcohol consumption, possible violence, whatever people do in bars.

Their first foray into the search and rescue business in the Dream Width had been intense, to say the least. Stressful, heartbreaking, exhausting, and enlightening were other words some might use to describe the experience. After a night of rest and a day to somewhat sort things and people out, the next evening brings about a mighty need to head to the local tavern. Some drink to forget, some drink to remember, some drink to relax. There are even representatives of the Bard's Guild providing live music. You can try to make a request, but chances are they don't know your foreign songs.

Maybe you were invited by one of the excitable young men from Lucis, or maybe you came on your own. There's enough room in the bar for quite a few people, so long as they're of age. Sit right at the bar, or pull up chairs around a table, the choice is yours.

[OoC: Make your own toplevel or tag around. Please put content warnings as necessary. Have fun!]

Comments

[chocobosnap]

"I know it was." Prompto said, looking at his glass for the moment. "I still felt a twist in my gut...still...surprised at myself because I never killed anyone before. At least, someone who wasn't an MT, and that makes me kind of sick too."

How many of them had they killed?

"Before I left, Aranea and I destroyed their weapon, the base..." At least he'd accomplished something. "It was all a game to him."

Ardyn hadn't cared if Prompto interfered with any of that, obviously, and he'd let him leave. "I was recaptured in Gralea." A game of cat and mouse, one he was destined to lose.

[charming_jerk]

I'm glad I got left out of it this time. Was so weird to have people jumpin' into mine.

[And jumping into Reno's with everyone else. Yikesaroonie.]

I really hope it doesn't become a regular thing. Feels intrusive, y'know?

[charming_jerk]

Hey man, that's not a bad idea. They got space ships, why not drones? That way we don't gotta bust in on people's private stuff.

[Johnny still felt bad about imposing on Reno's, um, private time with so many other people.]

Especially when the person has just shown up, and has no clue of what's goin' on yet.

[lordshield]

At first Clarus thought Cor was just jerking his chain, complaining about his singing because that’s just what they did to each other. But his tone and mannerism said otherwise, and Clarus switched from happy drunk to very serious and maybe mildly angry at the intrusion.

He jerked his arm away from his subordinate, returning an indignant glare. “What’s your issue now, Leonis? This hadn’t better be good.” Still, he followed Cor without much delay, aside from a little pause as he stumbled a half step thanks to the world trying to lurch while he was walking. A hand on a passing table saw him catch his balance once more, and he was right behind Cor.

[chocobosnap]

"Prob'ly not." Prompto confessed and he sighed, the water was probably a good idea, and so he sipped at it.

"I was...well I don't know where I was going just, moving around I guess."

He was trying to get away from his demons, and running away literally would be an excellent way of dealing with them, but fortunately he didn't remember that idea, because honestly he was too drunk to be out running.

[immortalmarshal]

"...didn't know that MTs were people, either." Not that Cor's quite as torn up about killing a living person than what he thought was a machine. A threat is a threat, and threats should be taken out if there's no other options.

...wait, the kid said he's never killed a 'normal' person before, didn't he? "First kills...not always easy." A gentle squeeze on Prompto's shoulder. "At least it's one of the bastards causing all the shit going on back home."

The rest of the info, however, made Cor drop a mumbled swear before he downs what's left in his glass. "Did you get out? And who thinks war's just a game?"

[immortalmarshal]

"My issue? My issue?" Cor's growling at Clarus - something that he's rarely done the last few years. As soon as they're close enough to the wall, he whirls around to glare angrily up at the other man. "What about your issue? With Prom? Prompto?"

[chocobosnap]

That was a big part of it, it had been his first kill, he'd done what he was trained to do. It was all well reasoned and rational. "I don't know how I feel about it. I-he said he was my biological father."

How was that for something messed up? "I know. I know it made sense. That we helped. It just felt.." He trailed off, shaking his head.

Prompto ran his hand through his hair and shook his head again. "....N-Not until they rescued me. The Chancellor was just playing. He- well. It was bad. So bad. He knows what I'm scared of, and he had me..." He breathed.

"They rescued me from the thing. Cross thing. I don't know. Torture device. Whatever." He was trying to downplay it, he would've stopped but it was Cor.

[hashtagdaddy]

[Gladio wants to rip off that sad excuse for an arm (it's probably just fine for a prosthetic, but compared to the Magitek one Ravus sported at home the one he wears now may as well be made of plastic) and for about two drunken seconds, he really considers it.

Having just learned about most of what transpired when the group reached (reaches?) Altissia, the Shield knows exactly what Ravus is talking about and has been trying to bury his devastation and guilt in more booze and hearty tales of better times.

The stab of guilt piercing him morphs rapidly into anger and that rage fuels Gladio. Eyes blazing with fury, he swiftly snags a fistful of Ravus' shirt and tugs him uncomfortably close so he can snarl directly into that stupid, uncomprehending face.]

Fuck. You. [This close, he can see Ravus' eyes clearly - the two different colored orbs as stunning as they are accusatory - and Gladio immediately reels back, keeping his grip on the Pompous Ass's shirt.

He pivots away from the suddenly-empty table and slams Ravus against the nearest wall hard enough to rattle some of decorations hanging on it.]

Th' hell is your problem? Y'just can't leave anythin' alone, can you? Fuck where I was, I shoulda been there n' I wasn't because I trusted my King. Followed his orders when I should've ignored 'em. That what you wanna hear? [Each word is growled, low and harsh, and Gladio punctuates each question mark with another push-slam of the infuriating man against the wall.]

Makin' you feel better, asshole? [A dangerous sneer curls his lips.] But I wasn't the only one not there, was I? Where were you when your sister needed you? [That's right, Gladio, make him hurt even more. Throw his sister's death in his face in your anger.

He pulls his free hand back and makes to punch Ravus square in the face, but some force compels him to instead drive his fist into through the wall right next to it instead.]

[immortalmarshal]

Cor stares at Prompto for a few moments. Were he sober, he might see a faint semblance to Besithia. But as tipsy as he is? that's not happening right now. "...you're shitting me. You? Sunshine ray full of chocobo fluff and guns, related to that asshole? Shit, no wonder you feel messed up."

There's even more swearing upon hearing what happened between him and Ardyn. "Fuckin' bastards, the lot of 'em... First the Oracle, then you...why the fuck isn't he just going for the kill if all he wants is Noct--"

He stops cold for a few moments, and then looks a little sheepish. "...sorry. Not angry at you. You're a good kid. Man. Friend." Congrats, Prom, you're getting the rare head-pat from Cor.

[chocobosnap]

He looked like he was reveling in the affection, brief as it was. "Wow. I'm friends with The Immortal." He couldn't fight the slight pleased squee noise.

"Yeah, messed up, cause I mean like..." Prompto trailed off. "What would've happened to me? How could he do that stuff?"

He exhaled. "At least he didn't kill me." He sighed and nodded. The Oracle. "Lady Lunafreya..." He looked sad. "Always wanted to meet her."

Prompto swallowed his drink. "Apparently, according to..to Bahamut, that's what'll happen. Noct is gonna die. He's gonna die and we're going to be left behind."

He was way too drunk, he shouldn't be spilling everything like this. "He has to die to destroy him and bring back the sun. 'S not fair." But he knew now and he'd already cried all over Noct.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor snorts ruefully at that little squee. "Dun let it go to your head. Still gonna drill you guys again as soon as I get some gear." he then sighs. "...m'sorry about her..."

Anything else he had to say, though, dies as soon as he hears the part about the Prophecy. He's been told, when Noctis was little, that the young royal was the one they've all been waiting for - the one chosen by the Crystal. It's half the reason why he's been pushing Noctis hard during their training sessions back home.

But...to die? His friend's son and third king? He felt like the last safe thing in the world has just been...blown into ash. "...how? Wha...why the fuck did no one tell me this earlier?" He quickly signaled for the bartender to brink him another drink.

[chocobosnap]

"No one told me either." He slurred slightly and ordered another. He didn't care how drunk he got, just that he got as drunk as possible. "I didn't know until Iggy told me."

He sucked in a shuddering breath. "I don't know what'll do without him." He slurred and rubbed at his eyes.

"Fuck. Cor, I don't know what to do. We want to stop it. I can't...It's Noct."

[regalblaze]

"Mmm, I don't know. Don't think so." Ignis sighs trying to remember the reason WHY is the answer to this question a no.
Oh. Right. "You... you need the Light of the Oracle to activate the runes. But all our magic is useless here. So, even- even if Oracle did arrive here, she wouldn't be able to make them." Or something like that.

Horrifying things from space? That is not so surprising. And yet, Ignis feels like he will regret this. "I've seen and went through a lot of-" shit, wait he's advisor, he can't curse, "- stuff. I think I can handle one story."

[regisrex]

Look. He's... he can move away. Probably will, in a bit. But tiny, fierce Cor has turned into a solid, fierce, coeourl-like man, and he can appreciate it for a little bit. Cat style.

"That must've been spectacular. Was I around, or did I have to find about all the fun in the morning? And by that I mean afternoon..."

[lordshield]

"Oh." The Prompto issue. Again. And here he'd agreed to drop it for the time being, but... Well here it was at his doorstep again.

"Leonis, if you're mad at me about that you're either uninformed or don't give a shit about the crown like I thought you did."

[lordshield]

Clarus was about to say something, but he had to pause and scrutinize Regis' words a moment. Here is where the drunk part comes in, as he turned fully toward Regis, looking rather.. defensive?

"What do you mean he's a flirt?" He demanded to know, seemingly disgruntled and potentially angered by the implication for... some reason. "Did he flirt with you?"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor doesn't know, either. It's one thing to outlive Mors, and it hurt like hell to find himself outliving Regis. But Noctis? The one who's supposed to save the entire world from Darkness itself? The one royal he expected to outlive the Marshall?

It felt like losing his family all over again. Except, in a way, he is.

"...there's a way," Cor growls, then downs his drink entirely in one go, signaling for another. "There has to be a way. Even if it means punching a god to do it."

[immortalmarshal]

Cor's not upset. He's just...not so sure if they should be that close right now, given the time difference. Even though a tiny part of Cor doesn't really want him to pull away...

Still, there's that little smile again. "Sadly, the latter. And I was actually up before noon...mainly because he won."

[immortalmarshal]

The very mention of Cor turning his back on the crown made him snarl as he shoved Clarus up against the wall. "Don't you dare. Don't you fuckin' dare say shit like that. If I didn't give a shit about your ass or Regis' ass, or even Noct's ass, I wuld've left fuckin' years ago."

He grabbed Clarus' collar as he added, "And I know. He told me. Told me 'ow he was tortured by that damn Chancellor, and that y'somehow think that he is th' one y'should be paranoid 'bout!"

[lordshield]

Shoving. There was something no one had done to Clarus in a while. He was a sturdy man, though, and didn't feel much more than a bump, despite Cor's strength. But when he grabbed his collar... That was the line.

Clarus's face grew hard all at once and he grabbed both of Cor's wrists and twisted them outward with a vice-like death grip and a scowl. "If you ever touch me like this ever again we'll test your famed immortality," he hissed his threat, shoving Cor back once the words were out. "I asked him questions because it's my fucking job. If you were thinking straight you'd ask questions too. Or did you grow soft and give up just because Regis dismissed you?"

[chocobosnap]

"I'd be on board with that." Prompto said, slightly desperately. "If we could punch him, I would. He's such a dick." He groaned.

"I told Noct, if they could take me instead, I'm no king...I'm not anything, just...anything but Noct." Prompto pleaded.

Noctis wouldn't hear any of that, but Cor would understand, wouldn't he?

[immortalmarshal]

Cor's shoved back by Clarus a bit, and it takes him a few moments to find his footing again. But he doesn't stop snarling at Clarus. "There's a fuckin' difference between askin' questions and inter-inta--grilling his sorry ass--!"

But that last bit made Cor's eyes widen, like a sucker-punch to the gut. He didn't. He did not just say that. Which is why any other verbal retorts is being replaced by Cor turning away for a brief moment...only to whirl back around and slugging his fist right towards Clarus' face.

[lordshield]

Even drunk Clarus had decent reflexes, just... not quite fast enough. He jerked back from the blow, but it still hit squarely across his jaw. The man took a moment to rub his jaw, glaring at Cor before lunging at him. His first action was to attempt to step on Cor's foot with the heel of a heavy boot for both distraction and to pin him. If that worked, he'd try a sucker punch. If not, then he was swinging at the air.

[immortalmarshal]

There's a stricken look settling on Cor's face as he listens to Prompto's words. Were the blonde as old as Cor is, or older, he may not be so distressed about such an offer. But...Prompto's 20, in his prime. Like their young king...other young king.

"No. If Noct's too young to die, so are you. None of you kids should have t'die...that's the whole point." He downs half the second drink in one go, even if the strength of the alcohol makes him grimace a little. "If it's just a matta of takin' a bullet, yeah. I get that. I've done it couple of times and lived. But not this...this prophecy."

He takes a deep breath, and uttered words that he once thought he'd never say: "Fuck the Six. They're not taking you, not over m'dead body."