Intro Log: None Hadriel With Left Shark

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for February
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: February 10th-16th
Warnings: Shark week

Once more, new arrivals will wake up on the ground level of the ruined colosseum. There isn't anything particularly comforting about it, either- everything is a bit cold and impersonal and there is, of course, the fact that nobody remembers just how they managed to wind up here in the first place. That can all be explained in time, though- until then, you've got quite a bit on your plate already.

And why is that? Well, that may be because you're also surrounded by sharks.

Yes, on land.

It doesn't mean that they're totally incapacitated though- you still have your two headed sharks, your giant sharks, and your sharktopus that are more than capable of flopping in your general direction before taking you into a death roll. And don't forget the (far more dangerous) sand sharks, capable of swimming through the ground as if it were water itself. You might want to start to find a life raft high ground soon.

But hey, if you manage to get away from the sharks, feel free to help yourself to one of the odd food shaped blankets. These cozy comforters are perfect for your new bed, but they tend to carry a faint scent of the food they represent, so be sure not to sleep on an empty stomach!

Listen to the Jaws theme, grab a harpoon, and get cozy! On your way to safety, make sure to explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers February 10th-16th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

[kittycaterer]

[ He can't get to him fast enough. There's this sense of relief that just washes over him knowing that his best friend is safe, alive. And after the month he's had? Seeing someone who exists without complications attached to it is both comforting and grounding. ]

[ That is likely why Noctis walks with large, quickened steps as he shoves his phone in his pocket and practically sweeps towards him. ]

Shit.

[ It's a word sighed out in relief and pure happiness to see the guy, despite the almost monotone way it falls from his lips. Noctis holds out his arms and very quickly pulls Prompto in for an embrace. ]

1/2

[mercurio]

[prompto was expecting something different in the hundred scenarios he had thought of upon meeting noctis face to face again. getting pulled into an embrace by his oldest friend was not one of those scenarios he had envisioned. it drags a choked sob from him, tired (emotionally, physically) as prompto is.]

[he drops the phone by accident (sorry gods) and returns the embrace; a tight pull into his arms, onto the flat of noctis' back]

[he can't really choke out the words right now. he's tense, but relieved; noctis is here, and he isn't reacting like a man betrayed by one of his closest friend. he isn't acting like a man disgusted, like someone who doesn't want anything to do with him.]

[(it's probably a good thing noctis can't see prompto's face right now)]

[mercurio]

[when prompto steps back, right arm still holding onto noctis', not wanting to separate the connection between them, he looks a bit more composed--if not confused and anxious and overall like shit from the injuries and torture he's sustained.]

[still, looking at noctis, the other also looks like shit.]

[it draws a short cough of laughter from him]

What the hell, Noct. You look worse than what I last remember.

[the vulnerability is there in the strained trembling of his words, but he's keeping himself steady.]

Man... I missed you. I'm sorry.

[kittycaterer]

[ He's cried enough since getting here. Being exposed to his revived father and Lunafreya have taken a toll on his capacity for holding things in. Noctis has never been one to shy away from his emotions, but gods, he's never had to deal with such a torrent of them ever in his life. But that doesn't stop him from feeling that very same pain and hurt in the face of the friend he'd betrayed. Unintentional or not, that mistake has been tearing at him since the moment it happened. ]

[ In silence, he holds on to this best, closest friend. Committing this feeling to memory, knowing that it's fleeting and realizing just how close he was to losing another person he so greatly cares for. Prompto doesn't deserve any of this, he never deserved to get caught up in the complicated and destructive fate that he was born into. Yet the dope stays around, even after everything that's happened. ]

[ There's a sharp, shaken exhale signifying just how relieved Noctis is. The guilt hangs on his breath, and he doesn't dare get too far when Prompto even gently pulls away. ]

[ His lips part to express an apology, but they're cut short by the wonderful observation Prompto makes. The prince scoffs, visibly smirking as he delivers a closed-fist shove at his shoulder. ]

Right. Go on and ruin this then. See if I do that ever again.

[ Noctis' voice cracks, strained and fighting back those very same tears. It's extremely difficult when taking a look at Prompto. The young man is covered in bruises and scars, disheveled and visibly pained and he can only gather that Ardyn is somehow at fault for it. Coliseum aside. He would comment on how shitty he looks, but it seems to be in poor taste. Instead, his smirk fades, replaced by something bearing guilt and worry. ]

You're sorry? Are you kidding? I'm the one who should be apologizing.

[mercurio]

[it comes hard to prompto to be on the receiving end of apologies issued by others, especially by noctis. their friendship has never been about either of them fucking up; they've always understood each other well, known that whatever they did was always with the best intentions in mind. even when things became all sorts of fucked up after altissia -- with lunafreya, with ignis, with gladiolus' temper -- and bringing the usual cheer to the group was nigh impossible...]

[he never blamed noctis, not once, for the cold shoulder treatment, for chasing him down the train, for pushing him off. it's all a blur, if he's honest.]

[so prompto bows his head, feeling torn that their lives have been so screwed with to the point where the norm is no longer the norm. where apologies get to flow between them and they both end up looking like they're about to cry despite their attempts at their usual banter and humour.]

[his fist tightens into the fabric of noctis' sleeve]

I was... I was afraid I wouldn't see you again. [his voice is thick with emotion, the obvious movement of prompto squeezing his eyes shut (but the evidence of tears, still rolling down his cheeks), his chest heaving. it's too much to bear.] I thought... Noct, I thought I couldn't let myself die, not until I could see you again...

[it's messy, because prompto waited--and waited, and waited. he was sure noctis was going to find him.]

I wasn't sure... if you'd be angry at me.

[kittycaterer]

[ With that base of understanding has come with a sort of natural wall that blocks any sort of major emotion. At least on Noctis' end. He's always felt that Prompto could never do any wrong with him, never capable of finding a single quality of him that he disliked. Yeah, Prompto's always been a bit of an odd kid, but he never once treated Noctis like a prince. And for that, he's been eternally grateful. Prompto has always seen him as a normal person, as a friend and brother, and it's because of this that he could never see any negative side of him. ]

[ While emotions are usually hidden in the face of what they share? Now isn't the time or place to try hiding it. That pain is very much there. After losing Luna and Regis, after getting them back only to realize they'll eventually be ripped from him again... Prompto is the only absolute and solid thing he has right now. He has yet to find Gladio, but the very same will apply to him. ]

[ His brows furrow a moment, lips pursed as his throat tightens much the same as Prompto's grip on his sleeve. ]

Hey.

[ Prompto has been through some hell-- That much is evident in his body language alone. Noctis has no idea why Prompto would ever think he could be angry with him, and he's not sure if he should even ask. That doesn't stop him from reaching with his free arm to grip at Prompto's shoulder. ]

I'm here. You're here. We've got each other's backs, and you're safe now. Okay?

[mercurio]

[prompto chokes at noctis' words, finally letting out a long-withheld sob as his hand connects to his shoulder. prompto's reaction is kind of predictable, as he leans in and presses his forehead against noctis' chest. he isn't openly crying, but he won't stop shaking.]

[relief, worry, but happiness that noctis does not hate him. he didn't take long to find him not because he wanted to, but because he couldn't get there. what he underwent in niflheim during his captivity, the things he had to do, sometimes he didn't feel like himself at all. noctis is that anchor--that he is himself, and now, away from the clutches of the empire, he's safe. he's with his family. his real family.]

[he nods profusely against noctis' chest, before lifting his head up again]

Together. Until the end.

[he wants to believe that--he is going to believe that, with everything he's got.]

--sorry for being a mess. It's just...

[noctis ought to know how prompto is about these things]

[kittycaterer]

[ Ugh. Shit. It's so obviously clear here that Prompto is on the verge of hysterics, and Noctis can't handle it. His throat tightens, eyes welling over with hot tears that threaten to overflow down his cheeks. And the instant Prompto comes close, they do. Thick lines of wetness pour from the corners of his eyes, framing his pale features and gathering at his chin as his hand delicately rests itself at the back of Prompto's head. ]

[ Noctis takes a deep breath, shaken and strained as he pats at Prompto's back reassuringly. ]

Yeah.

[ The word is breathed out, almost choked on as he nods. ]

I know it took forever. I know you probably thought we bailed, but I'd been in that hell-hole of a Keep so long, I lost track of time.

I'm sorry, Prompto. I'm sorry I kept you waiting.

[mercurio]

[prompto actually feels sorry he had to make noctis go through that to begin with. on top of that, there's the fact that noctis is here and not in eos. that any of them are not in eos, and instead there was noctis' dad, supposedly dead, texting him and then facetiming (?!) him. what the hell kind of screwed up world has noctis been in all this time?]

[prompto can't help but feel for his friend.]

It's... alright, Noct. [he manages a smile, because it's unlike him not to; it's unlike him to not try and make the best of the situation, especially for the sake of his best friend.] Like you said, I'm here now. [and even with more tears threatening to spill from him, prompto blinks enough times to keep them from doing so. he shakes his hand a bit over noctis' arm when he says the following,] With you, both of us looking like shit, but in one piece nonetheless, right?

You're my hero Noct in any case. Aren't you?

[their usual humour, trying to bring some familiarity to this fucked up thing]