melodiesofeternity | [Semi-Closed] Welcome to the Shadows

The very first thing Prompto did when he got his letter, was run into their room to show Noctis. If he was having a nap, well, he definitely wouldn't be asleep anymore.

However, he wasn't going to mention it to anyone else, just tell them he was going out for a bit and leave before they asked questions.

Very smooth, completely nailed it.

He arrived, looking curious, a little nervous and then he saw Reno.

Prompto's blush spread from his nose to the tips of his ears.

"Hi Reno." He squeaked a little bit. He wasn't thinking about his memory, nope, not at all.

In hindsight, Reno realized Prompto probably didn't know that Reno was the leader here. He remembered Takeshi had been the one to reach out to the chocobo-loving boy and Reno had seen no problem in it. He liked Prompto and his heart seemed to be in the right place.

So the blush and the squeak... It was obvious what Prompto was thinking about, coming face to face with Reno again outside of the Dream Width.

"You're in the right place, yo," he assured Prompto quietly. "Try to relax."

"Oh yeah, um, I'll try." Prompto said, fidgeting a little bit as he tried to gain some semblance of calm. His friends were used to him being as he was, but new people wouldn't get it, and might not have the tolerance for it.

"So uh, here we are." He smiled.

At this point, Reno was getting used to the fidgeting. And he might have had less patience if he hadn't seen the way Prompto had been able to handle himself in his memory. Prompto had been forced to make a hard decision and, through tears or no, he'd done it. That took balls. Gladio's strong words only cemented Reno's opinion of Prompto.

"I'm glad you showed up," he said. "Takeshi invited you, right? He's got good judgment."

He was naturally anxious and neurotic, however put a gun in his hands and he was a completely different person. He normally had freakishly good aim, even though as of late, his aim was slightly less steady.

It was the strange world and the fact he seemed to have to restart everything.

"Uh, yeah he did." He grinned. "Noct too, so he should be around here."

Hopefully with the support of his friends and a new goal, that aim would be true again.

"Oh, I remember Noctis." Reno smirked and nodded. "The first time I saw 'im, he ran into the street to retrieve a doll that a little girl lost. I had a good feeling."

He raised a finger to his lips. "Don't brag to anyone else, but you two were our first picks."

"Yeah, he's always been like that, easily talked into helping people. He um, talks to them and if they need help, he's on it." Prompto smiled shyly.

He never minded, personally, but it was the talking to people that made it harder to fit into his life.

"I won't." He blushed. "Um..um thank you?"

He didn't seem to know what to do with such a high compliment.

"Thank you."

Reno's smirk became a grin. As awkward and uncomfortable as it was for Prompto to witness his memory -- for both of them -- seeing Prompto's memory was eye-opening. As terrible as the experience was, sharing memories with him was an invaluable asset for judging the boy's character.

"You've got a big heart, kid. That's something I wanna use, yo. Something tells me Noctis isn't the only one helping people out there."

He stammered slightly at that and shrugged helplessly.

"We w-work together, I mean, I'm not really..I am okay and all."

He didn't know what to do with those compliments.

When Bonnie saw the letters going around with that familiar symbol on them she was very excited. Fortunately she found one addressed to her specifically before the temptation of committing a mortal moogle sin of reading somebody else's mail set in.

Waiting out the days before the meeting was a struggle for her, but she managed. And of course when the time came she was there early.

The moogle was sat atop one of the tables in the library, quietly nibbling on a kupo nut she'd set aside for such an occasion. Her hood was up, adjusted just so for extra coolness, and every now and then she (carefully) set her treat aside to fiddle around with some sort of thing she was crafting out of paperclips and other office supplies. Hopefully nobody was going to need them.

But if anyone wanted to speak to her before the meeting began, perhaps give her a little lecture about secrecy, she wasn't putting up any particular 'leave me alone' signals.

Kenichi knew he recognized that hooded moogle from just about anywhere. Carefully he approached since she seemed so pre-occupied between her stealthy eating and whatever she was crafting.

"I thought food and drink weren't allowed in the library, Bonnie," Kenichi said as he approached from behind.

Really, with a meeting of Assassins, was there any doubt she'd be here even if she had to wiggle her own way in uninvited. Thankfully Reno either counted her among them or simply had the foresight to invite her regardless.

The moogle jumped a bit, but more at the stern tone than at any sense of being caught. In fact when she turned to look over her shoulder to reply she had a mouthful of her snack, "Mphrmmm, Hunk and his friends had cookies in here, kupo~"

He lightly shakes his head. "Bonnie, you really shouldn't talk with your mouth full like that," Kenichi's dad mode kicked in. "Just be sure to clean up after yourself before we go then."

There was still time before the meeting started and he hadn't kept in touch with the moogle much after reliving his memories. "By the way, have you figured out where you're going to live yet?"

Edited 2018-06-25 07:16 (UTC)

Bonnie nodded in much the same way the twins did when they got caught out for such behavior. It looked like for all the roughhousing the three could get up to with Bonnie as the poor fluff caught in the middle, it seemed she picked up some of their behaviors too. Maybe things had been evening out between them.

"Oh. Um, no, kupo." She shuffled sheepishly in her seat, "I meant to look into that but I got a little distracted by guild training and working for mognet." She supposed she could ask if she could live with him, but now she felt bad about imposing.

"I don't blame you at all really," Kenichi nodded. "From what I understand, back in Crystallis, the heroes didn't have to deal with housing issues like this. To be honest, this is a first for me too."

For Kenichi, the Inari manor had been his home for most of his life. Unlike his godly peers, he did explore outside the district where they resided though he mostly experienced that through crashing couches of his friends.

"I'm embarrassed that it's taken me this long, but I was thinking about moving to Sparks Golsaucia. As much as I'd love to live in Nakagawa, it's rather out of way from major cities. So you're welcome to come live with me if you like." Given the fact Bonnie had her fair share of hardship since she came to the Inari manor, this was the very least he could do to help her and keep an eye out on her.

Bonnie shook her head. The city of Aqures Ixen made arrangements for the Heroes, and while that did cause some unrest when the city came under attack by the Empire, the Heroes did their best to make sure that the people of the city weren't left behind while they were being pampered. All of this on the other hand felt a bit like they were being treated like unexpected but also somewhat unwanted guests.

"I, um, I'd appreciate that, kupo. As long as it doesn't interfere with my own job. I'm working as a postmoogle in Tark Varentain, kupo." She pouted, rocking back and forth as she dabbed her paw on her chin. "Do you think they'll let me commute, kupo?"

The idea sounded nice though. The people she was staying with were nice but it wasn't the same as it was back in Crystallis. She had to admit she was feeling a bit lonely. Maybe that's why she was acting up so much. Like trying to will a change into being by wishing loud enough.

"Hmm that is quite a distance if I'm remembering the geography right," Kenichi scratched his chin as he mentally visualized a map of the world.

"If they're uncomfortable with the idea of a long commute, you could always suggest a transfer? Also, I hope you don't mind if Ira drops in now and then. I did offer him a place to crash if he needs it."

"Hmmm, I can try doing that, kupo. I picked that location because that's where my guilds are." She frowned as she chewed it over. She wanted convenience but she also wanted to be diligent at everything she was trying to do. Really, she wasn't worried about gathering up too much at once. She wasn't there yet. But the world WAS a big place.

"I'm sure we can find a way to make it work, kupo. Um...thank you for being so kind, kupo." She didn't feel like she was imposing back in his world, but Saori and Mary were there. Compared to them she barely knew him. But she was happy he was watching out for her, even if he wasn't her first choice.

He nods and smiles. "You're welcome, Bonnie. It's the least I can do since you've dealt with Yae and Toshi so much. I realize they can be a handful." Not that he could blame them since they had never seen anyone like Bonnie before. There was also the fact that Saori would've easily done the same in his place.

"I may not be home often since I'm starting work in airship piloting though. Will you be alright with that?"

"Ah, well. If my guilds are in Tark Varentain then I'll be traveling a bunch too, kupo. Maybe we can travel together sometimes." She didn't mean to make assumptions or to impose but the idea of having companionship she was familiar with was running just a bit away from her.

Still, the mention of his and Saori's children made her hesitate in her own excitement. "How...how are you doing, kupo?" It couldn't be easy being separated like this. It wasn't for Saori, it seemed to her, despite the brave face the woman put on.

"Make sure you clean up after yerself after this," Reno said, nodding toward the kupo nut. "We need this place for a little bit longer, can't have them kick us out because we left a mess."

Of course Bonnie had been invited. She was an Assassin. She had just been a rather loud one lately... Reno would have to deal with that.

Bonnie nodded diligently, "Don't worry, I won't let any of this go to waste, kupo." As if a moogle would leave a kupo nut anything but picked clean. She turned her attention back to her project and frowned, "Can you get me a couple of those paper clamps, kupo?"

"... Sure..." Reno drags the word out as he looks at her... project. Handing her what she asked for, he had to know, "What exactly are you making?"

Bonnie nodded as the bits of tension readied office supplies were handed over, "Ah. I'm working on making my own hidden blade, kupo. I never got one from Mary but I want to be ready if I need it, kupo."

This...might not be the smartest plan.

"I see..." Yikes. Still, Reno did hand over another clip as asked.

"You know, not every Assassin got a hidden blade," he added diplomatically, though, hoping to convince her to change her mind by herself.

"Kupo? I thought it was a rite of passage or something, kupo. Besides, how will I do my duties without one?"

She keeps on fiddling and it's starting to take shape, though that unwound paper clip is unlikely to do much Assassinating. Though it might put out an eye if one isn't careful.

Reno nodded. "That's right. I didn't even get one 'til Mary was gonna leave Crystallis, remember? No one had one except the masters and then I-- Takeshi."

Using that name instead of Ira was going to take some practice.

"I wasn't going to pass one on yet, but if I was... well, you are one of the more senior members now," he said slowly. "But I'd want you to have something a bit... well, nicer than that."

He gestured at the collection of office supplies.

Bonnie was still getting used to the new name too. Her memory of the time living with Saori and her family was still a bit muddled and the timeline was all shuffled about in her head. But as far as she was concerned, Ira, Takeshi, whatever name he was using he was family. And she'd do her best for him.

"Ah. Thankupo! That means a lot!" Her eyes were shining now, though this would reverse a bit later when she was scolded and taken aside for her more naughty behavior. She'd still want one, but she'd be in less of a rush to get there afterwards.

And besides, maybe some lessons in the less combat oriented aspects of Assassinhood and spycraft would do her some good.

"That said... As much as I'd love to, I'm not sure you're really ready yet," he finished, looking disappointed. "I actually wanted to talk to you, privately, about some stuff. I've been hearing some rumors about assassins and things, and I wanted to ask everyone -- have you said anything, to anybody, about us?"

Bonnie's face fell at the turn there. Her ears drooped and her pom sagged. This wasn't going to be easy for any of them. "I...um...I may have...mentioned things to a few people, kupo." She dabbed her paws together self consciously. The more she thought on it and looked back the more blatant it all was than she realized.

"But I was just...I mean...Mary is so cool and...um...kupo..."

"She really was." Reno smiled at the memory. "But we didn't know about it for a long time -- about her, for a long time, y'know? She was cool, but she was also cool-headed, y'know?"

Reno put a hand on Bonnie's fuzzy head. "The love you have for Mary is obvious, yo. I get it. But... I wanna see you be more like her. Not about power or daggers or makin' weapons out of office supplies."

Please. Leave the paper clips alone.

"I wanna see people be more like how she planned, how she was smart, an' collected, how she studied other people. That's how I wanna see Mary in this world -- not spread around in stories. Because that sets up obstacles to what she wanted an' what she worked for, quietly. You understand?" He watched Bonnie carefully.

Bonnie nodded, slow and uncertain but as she thought things over they began to fit together in her mind. It wasn't enough to just talk about fighting in a cool way or be able to strike swift and true. There really was a philosophy that Bonnie had to be better about following. If she wanted to be a good Assassin then she had to do it right.

Just like how if she wanted people to have a good impression of her and Crystallis then she needed to represent them right too. She couldn't just count on one of the others to come rescue her anymore. She had to be able to stand for herself!

"I understand. I'll do my best, kupo. I'll make sure you both will be proud of me~ The others too~"

Reno smiled. With Mary and Saori gone, he felt responsible for Bonnie. She was still young and learning about the darker sides of things. Reno didn't want to ruin her innocence, but...

Well, they were Assassins. And bad things were not only likely, they were guaranteed. He wanted her prepared.

"Good. In fact, I was thinking there was something you can do that no one else can."

And just like that, the cloud of worry and concern and deep thought is swept away from her in an instant wave of interest and hope.

"Kupo? What do you need me to do? I'm ready to help, kupo!"

"Remember how Saori joined the police force to have an ear on the inside for Mary?"

Reno held up a finger slyly. "Yer a moogle. An' I know you've been eyeing the mail service. Yer perfect for passing messages for us, messages that can't be hacked through the digital MogNet, an' you can see who else is sending letters to people, too. It's the perfect way to keep an eye on our neighbors. And no one'll suspect a thing since you'll blend right in!"

Bonnie nodded, happy but also with a more serious look on her face. "I agree, kupo. The iMog slates are very interesting, but I trust paper mail a bit more, kupo. Plus I think it's more personal, kupo. Ah, that's not to say I don't think people should be using the slates, but Mognet is more than just a way to communicate. It's a promise of quality, kupo!"

And the slates certainly were quality, but the symbol of her mail bag and postmoogle hats means something.

"Oh, but um, yes, I'll be sure to be diligent but stealthy, kupo!"

Reno looked around the table once everyone had arrived.

"I'm glad you came -- all of you," he began, looking from one to another. "I think it's safe to say some of you have come in with different ideas of who we are. So that's where I want to start -- who we are."

"We are Assassins. And before the obvious question is asked, yes, we kill. But only when necessary." Reno was serious about this. "We are not for hire. The reason you are here, all of you, is not because of your skills, it is because your goals align with ours -- to protect and to carry out justice when others can't or won't. We've watched you closely and judged you carefully."

"Under no circumstances do we harm the innocent -- ever. And if I hear of anyone breaking this rule or hunting for sport, I will deal with it myself." Reno eyes were cold and radiated the unspoken fact. He had killed before and he would not hesitate.

The look only lasted a moment before he smiled. "But like I said -- you wouldn't be here if we didn't already think that wouldn't be an issue."

Bonnie nodded in agreement from her own seat atop the table. "And if you're planning on turning on us down the line, let us know now, kupo." She brandished her office supply crafted makeshift hidden blade as a warning.

But Ales was a bit of a sore point. He was given so many options in multiple timelines to not betray the Brotherhood or the other Heroes and yet...

Ignis had arrived at this... "meeting", right on time. He wasn't early, he wasn't late. His appearance probably gave Prompto and Noctis quite a fright. No, he did not tail you. He was actually invited and, since he heard that Prompto was involved (and with that, probably Noct too), he decided to check this out.

Although, this Moogle will need to do a better job at trying to get him scared of him. After fighting a literal, revived Astral, there is little that can intimidate Ignis. He doesn't get even a quirked eyebrow from him.

Instead, he turns to Takeshi:"Just "gathering information", hm?"

"He didn't lie," Reno told Ignis, standing back and crossing his arms. "Right now that's what I want to focus on -- gathering information. This is a new world here an' regardless of our past experiences with new worlds, that doesn't change the fact we dunno shit about this one. An' I sure as hell don't want anyone goin' off half-cocked while representing us."

He gave a look to Bonnie that time. He understood her feelings, but she couldn't just go threatening new members. Especially after spreading so many rumors about the Assassins herself.

"I want ears an' eyes open, a collaborative effort, before we do anything else. I wanna know more about where we are an' I don't think I'm alone in that." He was pretty sure plenty of people, if not all of the outworlders, felt the same way. "Where we go from there will be decided later. Any leads for our other purpose will be thoroughly investigated by Takeshi or myself. Nobody makes any moves on their own."

"We're called a brotherhood for a reason -- I fully expect loyalty. Not to me, not to a hierarchy, not to words -- but I expect you all to be loyal to each other." Reno paused as he let that sink in. "If anything could potentially bring harm to those around you, consider very carefully what you do. I don't expect sirs or bullshit airs, I expect discretion and care."

He looked at Ignis again. "I think we can agree on that at least." After another pause, he asked, "Does anyone have any questions?"

Takeshi placed a hand on Bonnie's shoulder, shaking his head. "Enough, Bonnie." Despite the gentle tone, there is a stern look in his gaze. They would need to have a chat later. "Mary would be appalled to see this."

Threatening new recruits and judging them based on one particular individual... How very opposite of an Assassin she aspired to be. He sighed, turning his gaze to his latest invitee. Reno covered everything he would, so instead he focused on reining in the former moogle companion of his stabmom.

Kenichi pinched the bridge of nose to stop himself from reacting to it. He will leave it to his son to talk to the moogle later. While he could understand where she was coming from, this was not a time and place to vent it.

"Understood. I'm an airship pilot but I'll keep an eye out for things in Sparks Golsaucia and Nakagawa if no one objects," Kenichi finally said. "And I'm planning to obtain an airship for the Brotherhood's use. Any support would be appreciated."

Bonnie felt she was justified in what she was doing. She really was trying to protect everyone and that included from having to fight one of her own. Nobody had been happy about what had happened with Ales and even though they wound up letting him live and go off on his own the fact that he had every chance to turn himself around and not choose to betray them was a thing that still hung sour to her. Like a kupo nut that had been left out in the sun too long.

But Reno's look, Kenichi's reaction and Ira's scolding made her shrink back, tugging her hood down to hide her face. She had a bit of an inkling she was going too far but this made it clear and now she felt bad for stepping over the line. All she wanted to do was help.

"S-sorry, kupo." She shuffled a bit in her seat.

Bonnie seemed chastised enough. And Reno did understand her feelings. This just wasn't the way to go about it. He had no illusions that there was no chance of another betrayal, but he wasn't about to sow any potential bitterness on purpose. He was resolved, instead, to simply be prepared for any contingencies -- from anyone.

"We were betrayed in the past," he explained to those from Eos. "Bonnie's... passionate... but it's really because she cares."

Reno hoped Ignis would be forgiving.

[Semi-Closed] Welcome to the Shadows

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Open Mingle

Re: Open Mingle

Re: Open Mingle

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i'm so sorry this took forever

Re: i'm so sorry this took forever

np!

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Down to Business

Re: Down to Business

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