[ OPEN ] ❝ you are a stranger here, why have you come ❞

[punshots]

Who: Prompto (punshots) + YOU
What: Questing and helping deserters.
When: January!
Where: Wyver and nearby quest locations
Warning(s): N/A for now!


I. TOMB RAIDER (QUEST: DISTURBING THE DEAD).

[ Don't worry. He's played video games.

...And, you know, has a fair amount of experience spelunking in real life, too, but that somehow seems secondary to everything he's learned about tomb-raiding from video games. Is he bound to booby right into some booby traps? Undoubtedly. But that's why he brought someone along with him! To be a second pair of eyes when he gets a bit too Prompto about things.

At the unassuming entrance to the crypt - unassuming if you use a freakin' ton of human skulls in your decorating, anyway - Prompto turns to his companion, clicking on the flashlight clipped to his vest. He also has a whip, despite not knowing how to really use it, because of course he does. ]

Remember - idols? Don't touch 'em, especially if they're on pedestals. If you see any giant boulders, run. Just - run. Oh - and if you see anything diamond-shaped, for the love of the Six, definitely - I repeat, definitely do not step on it.

[ Boy, he sure sounds like an expert, doesn't he? ]

...After you!

[ Or not. ]

II. THE CRYSTAL SHARDS (QUEST: PREACHING IN A MATERIAL WORLD).

[ Whatever man, this guy likes his shiny pieces of rock, he's not one to judge. Compared to most of the other jobs, this one seems relatively safe and, uh, legal, which makes it an immediate draw for him. He's a decent enough swimmer, too, so it should be a piece of cake!

Unfortunately, he's woefully uneducated about the enchanted pools the crystal drops are found in, so he doesn't give it a second thought as he strips down to his underwear and dives deep down into one of the many lagoons outside of Wyver to scoop up the coveted gems.

If he's down there a little longer than should be normal for a human, don't worry - that's normal (thanks, Volkkran Pact). However, that only gives more time for the enchanted waters to really get to him, and...boy, are they getting to him.

When Prompto resurfaces to dump an armful of crystal shards onto the ground, he pushes his mop of wet hair out of his eyes - and that's when he at last notices he is not alone. ]

How long've you been here?

[ Rather pointedly, nowhere near his usual warm disposition. Huh, weird. ]

III. TOUGH TO BEAR (LATER JANUARY).

[ With citizens on every corner calling for a move against Olympia, the city has gotten juuuuust a bit much to handle lately, and when he catches wind about the deserters from some gossipy guards, Prompto decides it's time to take a little day-trip outside Wyver proper to see what it's like for those neutrally aligned himself. Fuck the popo, those people are in need and if he can do something to help, he's going to.

And he's gonna get there on a bear, because he can.

He spends a good chunk of change cleaning out some vendors in the market one morning before loading up his mount's saddlebags with food and medicinal herbs before traveling to some of the neutral camps east of the city. He may have asked a close friend to come along with him, or maybe he bumps into a fellow refugee once there. Either way, he complains as he dismounts: ]

Man, that was unbearably boring! Nothin' but trees, trees, 'n' more trees...

[ Yes, even on a bear, traveling is still dull. Then, with a nod: ]

You gonna give me a hand with this?

[ Or, perhaps, you encounter him later on in the evening, after he's stayed too long helping the refugees and his mount is now beginning to become unruly. The bear starts to snarl discontentedly while Prompto pats its neck in a futile effort to calm it. ]

Th-there, there, Fuzzby! Just a bit - whoa -

[ Watch as he attempts to hold onto his saddle while the bear tries to buck him. Should be quite the spectacle. Or help him, perhaps, if you are so inclined. ]

IV. WILDCARD.

[ Have something else you'd like to do with Prompto this month? Hit me up at retroscape! I'm happy to set up closed starters for more particular plans as well! ]

Comments

[punshots]

[ The fish ears are pretty cute, good to know they're still sensitive as ever. It's an alternative to tickling that doesn't usually end with him getting kicked in the ribs.

At her comment, though, he raises his hand to point to his hair. Look, he may be a chatterbox, but let's be real about this. Had something happened to his hair, he would've been devastated. ]

[adelphoi]

[ ah. of course. wow. he actually prefers his hair over the ability to communicate.. your priorities need some rearranging, prompto, and alisaie rolls her eyes emphatically. ]

Silly me. So you are telling me that you would rather not speak for the rest of your life, then have bad hair?

[punshots]

[ But is she surprised? No, of course not. Also, his priorities are just fine when his locks look this good!

In response to her question, he gives a noncommittal kind of shrug. It wouldn't be an easy choice, but...his hair... ]

[adelphoi]

[ prompto.. you are an embarrassment to your species ]

You know, it really is not that important. I would take your voice over your hair, always.

[punshots]

[ BUT CONSIDER: letting him live

At her comment, however, his cheeky grin softens into one more sentimental and genuine. Aw, she actually likes hearing him talk! Sometimes, at least.

So he leans over, pressing his lips against her cheek, but not in a kiss, exactly. Instead, he mouths the words "I love you" upon her skin. Don't push him in the lake for being cheesy again!!! ]

[adelphoi]

[ mmmm... nah.

but she does not miss the shape of those words against her skin, and a shy smile tugs at her mouth, her tail curling almost demurely down against the water - here's hoping that doesn't, uh, reset her progress. ]

Yes, I love you too, you great sap.

[ she says, bumping her nose against his, her cheeks flushed a rosy pink. ]

Even if your priorities are heinously skewed.

[punshots]

[ He breathes out a huff of laughter at that, eyes half-lidded and adoring as he winds his arm around her shoulders. The scales in her arm are still a bit strange to the touch, but his fingers trail over them all the same, just as they would if it were her skin.

He can't exactly argue, but he probably wouldn't, anyway. Instead, he presses fluttering kiss to her ear-fin before nuzzling against her again. If he can't talk, he might as well be grossly affectionate, and he doubts she's about to complain. ]

[adelphoi]

[ ugh they're so gross!! even alisaie is aware of how disgusting they're being. but no one is around to see it which means she can glut herself on it without shame.. what have you turned her into, prompto?? she used to be so respectable and tough, now she's a sappy cuddle machine.

alas. rip her terrifying persona. don't tell anyone.. ]

Mm.. a shame I cannot keep you like this.

[ she says through a grin, her hands resting comfortably against his chest. ]

Mayhaps I should bottle some, for the future.

[ remember when you said you loved her, like, ten seconds ago ]

[punshots]

[ She can still be respectable and tough and also a sappy cuddle machine! They don't have to be mutually exclusive...but in any case, her secret is safe with him.

(It's not. He talks about their relationship to anyone who will listen.)

But even tough she's leaning close and smiling, that's a deep cut, man! Of course she likes him when he's unable to sass her right back when she sasses him...but he has other powers at his disposal.

So instead, he frowns, eyebrows drawing together, as he gives her the best pathetic puppy dog eyed look he can muster. ]

[adelphoi]

[ talk about foul play!! pathetic is what got him a girlfriend and evicted his v-card, she is clearly weak to the puppy eyes. though to be fair, the more justified and genuine the patheticness, the better it works, so puppy eyes over voice-stealing water don't have quite the same effect that, you know, existential life crisis puppy eyes have.

still.. he looks so darned cute when he pouts like that.. ]

Oh I see, playing dirty, are you? It is hardly my fault that you occasionally require a verbal time-out.

[ but she kisses his nose anyway, don't give her that face, puppy!! ]

[punshots]

[ It's still marginally successful, and Prompto can't help a laugh that's all air as Alisaie kisses his nose, tipping his chin to find her mouth with his, warm and soft and lingering.

When he breaks off, he doesn't go far, either, pressing his forehead to hers. Since he can't talk, they may as well cuddle and kiss to pass the time, you know??? ]

[adelphoi]

[ okay look, just because he's getting kisses doesn't mean she's not going to bottle some of this water anyway, to use at the opportune moment..

but hey, just because he can't talk doesn't mean they can't talk!! he's communicating just fine. but i mean.. she can't say no to kisses either, even if she is totally going to make fun of him for it. ]

Ah, I see. So since you can't speak, you think you can spend all of your time kissing instead?

[ she says, while kissing him. ]

[punshots]

[ Right, she's clearly so opposed to the idea, but he still shrugs, a little noncommittal gesture that would suggest he's open to other ideas, but kissing is pretty nice, isn't it?

So he kisses her again, over her cheeks and across the bridge of her nose, on her chin and brow. She's free to stop him at any time... ]

[adelphoi]

[ apparently denying him his voice just makes him extra gross..

but okay. fine. those kisses are.. nice, and before she knows it, alisaie is closing her eyes and leaning into them with a soft, breathless hum, clearly not at all about to stop him.. ]

[punshots]

[ Well, if she's not going to stop him, he's only going to continue being gross and kissing her, his mouth finding its way to hers again, arms tightening comfortably around her. He could do this all day - and, uh, just might, if left to carry on like this.

It's some time later, as he's still kissing her, that he hums and actually makes a sound. All else has faded away in the familiar warmth of her mouth, and so he...hasn't quite checked on her mermaid status for awhile, either. He's been otherwise occupied! ]

[adelphoi]

[ fish problems or not, these are good kisses. alisaie's arms slip over his shoulders, holding to him loosely, languidly, fingertips dragging along the nape of his neck, her mouth moving against and over his with little soft, breathless sounds. all right, this is a good way to kill time, for sure.

but that little noise doesn't escape her attention, though. with a soft chuckle, she rests her forehead to his. ]

Ah, all good things must come to an end, I suppose..

[ wait!! that prompts her to glance down at her lap, and - yay! legs! ]

[punshots]

[ I can't believe the macked their way to freedom from their curses...except that I totally can believe it. He kisses her once more before turning her attention to her non-fish legs. If he didn't value his life, he would consider pushing her in again just to see what happens, but seeing as how he doesn't want to sleep on the porch tonight... ]

Huh. The scales were starting to grow on me. [ Ah, it's good to jabber again. He lifts one hand to rub her ear playfully. ] Better?

[adelphoi]

[ and so the great silence ends.. she had all but forgotten what his chatter sounded like..

not really, but it was still a definite.. experience. alisaie swings her legs back and forth almost gleefully. ]

Much better. I suppose it could have made for an interesting time, were I not so disturbed.. mayhaps we can return sometime.

[punshots]

Ha! You're just sayin' that 'cause you want me quiet again...

[ She can say it's about being a mermaid again BUT HE KNOWS THE TRUTH.

A hand lifts to his hair. Never change, hair... ]

[adelphoi]

[ look, it can be both reasons?? being a mermaid would probably be cool to play with, if she could get past the whole.. not having legs thing. ]

Yes, well..

[ she lifts a hand quickly to muss up his hair REAL GOOD. he deserves it, for being so vain.. ]

[punshots]

[ This is what he gets for calling her out, complete and utter betrayal!! Prompto yelps as Alisaie successfully musses his 'do, but he's quick to retaliate, reaching around her with one arm to secure her against him before digging his fingers into her side in a merciless tickle attack. ]

How d'you like me now, huh?!

[adelphoi]

[ this is a far worse betrayal!! careful prompto, she's shrieking and flailing, it would be all too easy to knock him right back into the water, then it's bye-bye chatterbox all over again.. ]

Aha - no, stop! It - i-it is not my fault that you - you .. haha! That you are a - a vain, silly boy!

[punshots]

[ Oh, don't worry, he's carefully angling himself so if she does send him flying, it'll be back onto the sand and not into the water. He's not going back in there!!! ]

Aaaaaand it's not my fault you're so ticklish, either!

[ He's just taking advantage of the fact, just as she took advantage of mussing his hair! ]

[adelphoi]

I don't - ch-choose to be t-t-ticklish! Ahahaha -

[ be careful prompto or you're gonna get elbowed right in the chin. ]

Y-you love your reflection too -- too -- hahaha stop!

[punshots]

[ Can't stop won't stop!!! He's tickled her enough times to know how to dodge those elbow blows, he's become skilled in the art of the tickle, even if he has to let go of her for a moment to do so. He's diving right back in for more!!! ]

Do you surrender? Do you surrender?!