In Box @ penancerp

[waywardscion]

Comments

text

[trapgun]

dude what are you doing

text

[waywardscion]

(Noctis stares at his phone for well over a few minutes. He's trying to find something to respond with but honestly, he's not doing anything but avoiding sleep, avoiding the hallways, avoiding everything.

He was moved again, he hasn't met anyone he's staying with and at the moment he's in the lounge of the hotel staring out the windows. He's feeling a bit hopeless, honestly.)

Nothing. Are you okay?

[trapgun]

[ San, too, is avoiding everything. But that's just his style. He likes to pretend as being alone is preferred even if it's not. ]

I'm fine.
Was wondering if you wanna do something.

There's
I don't want to

Just wanna do something?

[waywardscion]

Yeah. Where are you?

(He's nervous now, the prospect of meeting San in person was strange. For some time he's been a faceless pen-pal, a faceless comfort, and Noctis enjoyed hiding some anonymity himself as well. Now he feels like he's going to be judged - as if San will see all his pathetic failures once he sees his face...)

[trapgun]

In my room.
Figured we could hang out.

[ He didn't really have any plans but he wanted to meet Noctis. See him face to face and learn if their budding friendship, what Noctis was doing for San, could extend to a physical relationship or if it had to stay textual. ]

Kinda want to meet you.

[waywardscion]

Just kind of?

text; 1/3

[trapgun]

.

text; 2/3

[trapgun]

sorry I

text; 3/3

[trapgun]

More than kind of.
But what do I say?
That I really want to meet you and I'm afraid to mess this up?

Re: text; 3/3

[waywardscion]

(Noctis brings his bottom lip inbetween his teeth and he fingers his phone nervously. Why do I make things so awkward? Prompto came to mind, his friend was the most resilient person he knew. Things like this, hell, he'd laugh it off and spring to any opportunity to meet a friend. Maybe they both knew it'll be different once they met?)

Don't be afraid of this. We got a lot of other threats to worry about here. Let's meet.

(He was proud of himself for saying that much. He thought of Ignis to come up with that, then Gladio for having the confidence to go through with actually meeting a new friend. I'll make you guys proud.)

[trapgun]

I don't want to be.

[ Afraid. Not of Noctis. Of making a friend. Of being close to someone else. He's worried and he can't help that. ]

Come to my room.

[ It was the best place right? Easy to get to. Private but with the option of the common space he shared with his roommates. ]

Suite 8.

[ They're about to find out that they're already roommates. ]

[waywardscion]

(He read the suite number a few times to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. The number was what he recently received as his new suite as well. What a coincidence. It would have been strange to have just shown up and seen San there - not that he would know San by sight. But after the introductions it would have hit him. A new sensation of nerves washes over his body as he wonders if they'll really be able to get along as well as they have been via text. Of course they would, he has to tell himself any doubts he had was childish and San would be just as warm in person as he was anonymously.

Okay.. After his initial shock he begins to head up to the room. This probably could have been much, much, worse! He got to be in a room with a friend, where as he was previously he didn't meet any of his roommates. This was good.

Noct is in front of the door, his key in his hand. It occurs to him to knock, but, something about entering the room out of his own accord seemed to give him a boost of confidence. He also wonders if any of their other roommates were there and if it'd be difficult to discern, right away, who was who.

In a way, this was terrifying but also exciting. Noct inserts the key and lets himself in the suite. He holds his breath as his eyes follow across the floor, over the threshold where his feet cross, and then he lifts his eyes up to the room and anyone in it.)

[trapgun]

[ San has moved twice now, which was fine, because he didn't have anything to move with him. Not really. Some clothes but nothing that would really be a problem. But if they keep shuffling him around he'll have something to say. He needed the stability that permanent housing would offer him.

As the minutes tick by, he becomes more and more nervous. This was it. He was going to meet the first friend he's made on his own in years. A person who may or may not like him after. Who might take one look at his white hair and red eyes and realize that humans and goblins aren't supposed to like each other.

San inhales and brushes his hair back from his forehead. He exhales and straightens his pants and shirt, standing in the middle of the room with his hands out like he's confused about what to do next. He's alone in the room when Noctis comes in. Which helps but he uses a key and San has to take a second to figure that out. They're roommates?? For how long? For...

Oh. Their eyes meet. San has seen him around but only in passing. Which is his fault. ]

Noctis? It's me. I'm San.

[ Now what? ]

[waywardscion]

(Noct's lips push into an easy smile at San's introduction. The door shuts behind him and he lifts his hand with the key, showing his friend the reason he'd let himself in. He then lowers his hand and pockets the key. He exhales and he looks over San. He didn't imagine San would look like this, though he didn't spend too much time picturing who San was - what he looked like, because..

Because San was his friend no matter what. It only occurs to him now that he had been all too comfortable with keeping their relationship through texts only because of the familiarity he had with his secret journal with Lunafreya. For years they communicated via pages on a journal and hadn't seen one another for so long. This was normal. This was comfortable.)

Hi, yeah.. it's me too.. I'm ..

(What does he say? The realization of the comfort in something familiar from home here only just hit him and his mind was up in the clouds about how comfortable their encounters have been thus far.)

I.. I'm going to be your roommate if that's alright?

(He steps closer to San and his eyes begin to take him in. The red eyes, the snow-white hair, the height, and seemingly human appearance didn't much match anything he knew about "goblins" in his world. Was it selfish of him to appreciate how San looks? How comfortable he is with San as he is now and not as he imagined him to be?)

[trapgun]

[ It's that smile. All easy and soft, that does it for San. It feels... familiar. Like them. The way it's felt while they've gotten to know each other through text. Good. Yeah, that's the word. It felt good. The way it did when he'd go outside after being in for way too long. San exhales a breath he'd been holding and looks at Noctis, really gets to know him.

His hair is black, no blue? Blueish black. He can't tell but it's a nice color. He's shorter than San and he looks cool. His clothes, everything. San can't help but think he's attractive. He could blame it on his goblin heritage but it has nothing to do with that. San likes people after he likes them. It's how he is. He should've been worried about that but it's too late now.

He'll just have to like Noctis as a friend and like the way he looks, too. ]

Yeah, sure it is. I just didn't know.

[ Why didn't San say something? A quick they changed my rooms are we close? But no, he'd been to afraid to meet Noctis to even get close to that topic. ]

Would you? [ His cheeks go red as he looks down. ] Can I touch you? Doesn't feel like this is real.

[waywardscion]

(Noct's heart hammers in his chest, a wind of familiarity brushes across his face and makes his flesh feel suddenly clammy and cold. It was the question, the permission he would give with a small nod of his head. Yes, touch me. He thought about that act and how much he craved it. How much he missed it. He was always in physical contact with the guys and being here without it something he'd been mourning. A nudge, a playful punch, a fist bump, wrestling, hugs, all of it seemed so distant, so far away.

He craved the intimacy of touch, he craved his friends, and San was willing - wanting to touch him.

Noct steps closer to San. His eyes focus on the red orbs that peer back at him and he feels himself drifting in the sight of them. The depth is cozy and he feels another brush of breath against his face; this time it's San's breath and Noct's lips part as he lifts his arm up between them and with a clenched fist he pushes his knuckles against San's arm. He initiated the touch first.

Both of them were real.)

We'll keep each other grounded, right?

(An insecure hope seething through an innocent question. Hold onto me. Noct's eyes move to his fist against San's arm. I'll hold onto you. As if this was some pact they were about to make, an unbreakable promise, no matter what happens they were going to endure this world together.)

[trapgun]

[ San's never had any of that. At least he can't remember having friends or anyone to offer that playful and well-meaning contact. He's wanted it but hasn't had it with anyone. Something about Noctis makes him hopeful. Reluctant, but confident that this could be a good thing.

And he did want to touch Noctis. For the intimacy and comfort of a simple act of affection.

The bump to his arm makes him smile. They were both real. ] Forever. [ San meant it, his words were genuine and honest. As long as he was around, he'd keep Noctis grounded. He'd make sure he always knew that San was there for him. To affirm the sentimentality, he takes Noctis' fist and pushes his fingers open to link their hands. ]

Yeah, we'll keep each other grounded.

[ He didn't know how to be a friend but he understood it began with kindness and trust. He could offer that much. ]

[waywardscion]

(Noct's lips curve into a smile. Their sentiment strengthened his confidence and Noct exhales as he unburdens the haul of worries he dragged up to this point. Meeting San like this was better than keeping that anonymity. Perhaps part of him knew this prior, but he's glad it worked out this way.)

So, we're roommates too, huh? That's good. I'm glad. What should we do?

(Noct steps back his hands settle on his hips. Like a child he thinks of all the fun things he wants to do with San. He wants to play video games, fish, camp, even shop around with him. The only problem is they were here, in Hell. There were things they could do together, however, and maybe it'll even get better. After all, there were some weird alright things that popped up every so often like.. the Ball.. thing, and the maze wasn't all that bad. Weird, but not bad.)

What do you like to do?

[trapgun]

[ San had never really known how it would go between them but it was good now. He's already forgotten why he was afraid in the first place. It's the same as when he was afraid to go outside and then he did and instantly forgot why it was frightening in the first place. Fear was overwhelming until it was met head on. ]

We are. [ He was glad, too. ] Uh.

[ There were a lot of things they could do together. San doesn't know what's appropriate though. He isn't human and never was. He didn't do things humans their age did. All he knows is the life of a Goblin and the few things he's picked up the past few years.

Somehow, it doesn't matter. Noctis makes it easy by switching the question. ]

I like to cook for others. And play on my phone.

[ He'd like video games but he's never played them. ]

[waywardscion]

Me too! ... Well, not the cooking thing. I'm pretty good on my phone though.

(It's easy to see Noctis become excited at the mention of some common ground. He interprets "play on my phone," as playing mobile games and before he knows it his pupils dilate just a bit with excitement and his body moves in toward San.)

I love all sorts of games.. the ones that are my favorite are King's Tale - which is a little weird, being that it's about my dad and all, and the other one is like a pinball machine one and it's called Justice Monsters Five.. It's simple, difficult, but a classic.

How about you? ... What sort of games are you into?

[trapgun]

[ Then San would just have to cook for Noctis. It was a hobby that he really enjoyed and the best part was watching other people enjoy something he'd created for them. ]

I've never played those. I have a pinball machine game. [ San's reaching into his pocket for his phone as he speaks. ] There's a game about your dad? That has to be weird.

[ Too personal maybe but what did San know. He didn't have a dad. ]

Well, I like games with a story line. Romance, drama, mystery. The kind where my choices decide the outcome. And I like any game that you can play without thinking a lot. Sort of like the ones that distract you and keep your hands busy? Do you like those?

[waywardscion]

(Noctis moved to stand at San's side, he wanted to get a good peek at what San was going to pull up on the phone - he was assuming, of course, his friend was retrieving a game.)

Ah, yeah.. it wasn't weird until I really thought about it here. Actually, probably just now explaining it to you. (This wasn't likely to be the last time something came up here that seemed strange about his life back home. It certainly wasn't the first.)

I like the kind that I can get lost into. Almost like I'm living it, you know?

I also can play other games like cards or board games or whatever. You like any of that?

text

[burstmodes]

[ He doesn't want to say he's been avoiding Noct because he hasn't. Not exactly. But there's a lot he hasn't told him or explained, and he's honestly terrified of what he'd say if he tried. Still, he misses him more than usual, and unable to ever sleep properly in this place, he sends Noct a text, hoping that he won't see it until later (even if he's never that lucky). ]

have you ever thought about kissing before?

text

[waywardscion]

(Noct had a new room change, one of his roommates he was lucky enough to know and befriend, it's a great comfort in a place that had little. Prompto being here was among the greatest comforts he could have ever wished for and it was difficult not to want to spend all of his time with the blond. Prompto was his home here.

He was in bed when the text came through. He eyes it for some time before he responds.)

Sure.

There's a lot of that going around too. The drinks or food could be drugged to feed the succubus or incubus or whatever. Weird, right?

[burstmodes]

[ ...shit. He was awake. And replying. Prompto reads the messages several times and takes a deep before slowly typing out what feels like a novel. ]

i don't think it's all that weird
i mean the demons thing is but

there's something i wanna tell you
and i wasn't sure how to bring it up cuz i thought you'd think it WOULD be weird
but uh
before i came here i was in a place called duplicity for almost a year
stuff like kissing and the drugged stuff and sex was kinda normal
like every day normal
it's kinda what i had to deal with

[ And now, being here... He runs a hand through his hair. ]

but i wasn't there by myself
iggy was there and cor
gladio for a while too
and you
you were there

[waywardscion]

(No.

This is too upsetting.

Noct reads the message over and over again and finally he sets his phone down and pushes himself up to sit. His elbows are on his knees and his hands in his head. Prompto wouldn't say this sort of stuff, Prompto wouldn't mess with him like this. It wasn't funny.

It wasn't funny. Prompto was a funny guy, he was the light-heart friend, the guy they could all go to and expect to leave feeling lighter, happier, freer. Prompto wasn't a trickster, he wasn't a deviant, he wasn't a liar.

Noct moves his hand to retrieve the phone again. He reads the message over again and holds his breath before he turns his screen down to the floor. His other hand moves to hold his temple and he shakes his head into his palm. He rubs his eyes into his hand and huffs before he drops his hand and looks at the message again. This time a spike of anger rises.)

What was the last thing you remember from home?

[burstmodes]

[ He doesn't know what he's expecting, and he knows – he knows – he should have told him this in person. Because then he could see his face and Prompto could touch him in an effort to ground him. He could do something that isn't cowering in his room hoping Noct would just accept it and be okay with it. He could tell him about everything that had happened there, even if it hadn't actually been this version of him that remembered, and he could meet Nero. He'd know he wasn't lying then. But...

That question spikes fear in his chest, his hand going to his wrist to rub at the barcode.

Did Noct know any of that? How would he react if he told him he knew about the prophecy and how much he and Ignis had promised him that they would do everything they could to stop it, to change fate? He squeezes his eyes shut. ]

dunno if it means anything but
zegnautus keep?

[waywardscion]

(The answer calmed his anger and he was more sure this was Prompto and not some demon messing around with him. Still, he has some doubt in his heart about all of this, and perhaps that's just because of what Prompto is saying. That there's a possibility where he's been to a place he can't remember, even before coming here.

It shouldn't be out of the question, it shouldn't be a surprise for him at all, but believing his best friend about this was difficult with all things considered. However--)

No matter what, keep believing what I told you then. You're the real Prompto, you're my Prompto.. no matter where we are.

[burstmodes]

[ Something in him starts to break because... he doesn't remember that. All he remembers is the torture, not being rescued and learning the hard way that he'd never been more alone than in that moment. He doesn't remember, but some part of him is grateful that Noct hadn't left him there to rot, that he still believed in him.

He curls up in his bed and presses his face against his arm, trying not to cry. Everything felt too hard and so overwhelming. Why had everything gotten so complicated. ]

i know noct
never doubted you for a second

i know all that stuff i said seems out there but uh
if you ever wanna ask me anything...
you're my best friend
that hasn't changed

[waywardscion]

(Noctis is feeling more and more confident that this is Prompto. Which makes it easier to reread the initial message that shocked him. He scrolls up on the text and gives it another few goes. There's questions, hell yes, there's a lot of questions.)

You left Eos and was in Duplicity for a year? A place where you were forced to have sex and drugs?

[burstmodes]

yeah pretty much
well i mean not the drug part unless it was by accident
but it was kind of this thing they made you do i guess?
sex i mean

and not only that uh
ok this part is probably gonna sound super out there
but there were people with marks on their throats called submissives
and then the dominants who kinda contracted with them?

i was a sub when i got there
you pretty much don't have any rights for doing anything unless you have a dom
it sucked for a while but it wasn't so bad after i met ivy

[ She'd been so nice to him, the first girl he'd ever felt that big L word for that wasn't just some wishful thinking, but thinking about her makes him too sad. So, he tries not to. ]

anyway i ended up a dom somehow months later
i know that's a lot but it is what it is you know?
couldn't really change it

[waywardscion]

(This was lost on him. Some of this talk didn't make any sense at all and Noctis was lost with it. Although he did understand that it was difficult and someone named Ivy made it more bearable.)

I don't understand most of what you're saying. I want to though, Prompto.

Whatever it is, I want you to share it with me.

I was there. Did I protect you? Was I .. a good friend?

[burstmodes]

[ Of course he doesn't understand. What had he been expecting? ]

i get it it's okay
i was there a while and still didn't get a lot of it

dude you were always a good friend
we spent literally almost every day together
i don't think i would've made it without you there

[waywardscion]

(He's relieved to hear that. It's weird to question himself, but he just needed confirmation that he was "himself" even in another world - which he didn't remember. If he ever left this world and went some place else, other than back home, he would want to leave still as "himself," not changed for the worse.

Now.. about those contracts..)

You mentioned doms and subs and contracts.. was it like money? Or bartering? What do you mean like you weren't able to do much when you first got there?

[burstmodes]

kinda?
i dunno subs had it pretty rough
they couldn't buy anything or do much unless they had a dom

[ And he's already putting so much on him already, but... ]

i actually came here with a guy who was my sub there
his name's nero

[waywardscion]

What?

(It's not like Noctis couldn't understand what he was reading, but.. hell that sudden drop in the pit of his gut made him feel awfully uncomfortable.)

someone came with you from Duplicity? How.. how did that happen?

[burstmodes]

i don't know
i thought i was the only one
none of this stuff makes any sense

[ He doesn't know what to say to any of that, and for some reason, he feels like Noct is mad at him? Prompto chews on his lip for a while. ]

sorry
i know it's late and i probably sound crazy
we can just talk about it tomorrow?

[waywardscion]

No, it's okay. I don't mind talking about it.

Is it okay that Nero's here?

[burstmodes]

[ ...oh. Well, now that's awkward. ]

yeah um
we're kinda together?
if you know what i mean

[waywardscion]

(Noctis tries to understand the dynamic between Prompto and his subs/doms experiences. He doesn't really know though, what it's like to be in either of those roles and what it is one's meant to do in those positions?)

He's your sub and your his dom, right? What if another dom comes like, someone you were a sub to? Is that a problem?

[burstmodes]

nah it's not like
i dunno
you hear those stories about weird bdsm stuff and you're like YIKES
people could do that
but i never did
i mostly just used my dom powers for good haha
like if anybody needed something or whatever

anyway we're not in duplicity anymore so...
it kinda doesn't matter anyway?

[waywardscion]

dom powers?

(No, he has no idea about bdsm stuff ... or powers related to subs or doms. Noctis feels a bit foolish.)

I bet you helped a lot of people, I know that much though.

[burstmodes]

just a joke i swear!
i never really had any powers

yeah i tried
you...
you were a sub there but you were in a contract with iggy
so we could all kinda be together

[waywardscion]

So you didn't have "powers" as a dom?

Are you kidding, I could never handle the guns like you do. I'd say that's some real power!

I'm happy to hear we kept close there. Like we'd do here, right?

Gifts

[styxtoshadows]

At his door Noctis will find a small silver flask taken from one of the hell guests.
"from Styx" says the tag.