kittycaterer | Recolle AU/OU COMBO BREAKER PSL

Recolle AU/OU COMBO BREAKER PSL - Prompto, Ignis and Noctis

[ Often times, Noctis would wonder when he would become like the normal citizens of Recolle. When he would become blissfully numb and unaware of the oddities that often fell upon those who lived there. With the Retrospec app comes the strange awareness of everything, and when it's taken away? Nothing.

He watched Gladio go from being in disbelief to the world around him to being completely unphased. As if he didn't even notice anything. Often times, Noctis wishes the same would come of him. The second he opens his eyes to an unfamiliar apartment and equally unfamiliar bed, he realizes he's not even one step closer to that.

The alarm buzzing from the cellphone on a nearby nightstand is unfamiliar as it yanks Noctis from a dead slumber. His eyes open to the morning light spilling through the windows, and he rolls to his side to turn off the offending sound.

It's not his phone.

Noctis sits up quick to try and figure out how to turn it off. It's a smart phone, but not at all like the one he has. When it shuts off, he's met with a wallpaper. Himself and Prompto; not weird, but...

They're wearing uniforms in it. Prompto grinning his usual, stupid grin with his hair matted down, a green-striped tie loose around his neck in a blueish blazer. Noctis' hair is significantly shorter in this picture. Prompto and him never went to school together. He's only known him a couple years at best. It's then that a text message comes through, the name not unfamiliar but.

Definitely unexpected.

Dad:
Noctis, it is 12:30.
You were to be here for briefing at 10, as we discussed.
Son, I understand you are newly graduated, but please remember your duty.
You are two days from 20 years and no longer a child.
I've sent Ignis to retrieve you.
- Message sent Sunday, August 28th M.E. 755 12:30PM ]

What?

[ Noctis' eyes go wide, looking at the phone as if something has started to crawl through it. Not only is he being told he's 19 years old, but duty?

What?

He rips the blanket off of him and jumps out of bed. He's only in his boxers, but he doesn't think about that when he yanks the curtains open to see that this is not the city that he is familiar with. This obviously isn't his penthouse in Recolle, and this...

This looks like... ]

... This... Isn't right...

[ Oh god. Oh no. Oh no, this is Insomnia. ]

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[ Noctis is about as nervous as ever when they leave the apartment. But he manages to follow Prompto closely, relieved that he isn’t questioned on his lack of direction. And when they get to the shop, the milkshakes are just about as good as Prompto claimed.

They’re out for a few hours. And weirdly enough? He’s at ease for just a moment, hair tucked in a hat so he isn’t too obvious to citizens. He keeps a low profile as they walk out. Noctis isn’t at all surprised that Prompto manages to easily make him smile in this existence too. There’s plenty of guilt, plenty of uncertainty.

He should tell him... ]

Yeah, I’m stuffed. Feels like my brain is half-frozen after sucking that down.

[ He should tell him.

Noctis stuffs his hands into his pockets as they turn around the corner. He at lest as a decent enough memory of where they came from. ]

Hey, think we can go hang at an empty park or something? Feeling kinda smothered after being around guards all day.

[a light smack at noctis's back, and prompto's smiling]

Dude, I know just the place.

[it's hard to find empty places in insomnia, but prompto lives in a pretty quiet neighborhood. there's an empty lot behind some buildings, and prompto leads them there, climbing to the top of the bleachers of the what-was-once a softball field]

--empty enough for you?

[ What a relief. Not a single soul is here, leaving them at the top of the bleachers with the Insomnian skyline. The glittering dome above them that he still doesn’t completely understand the point of.

He’s alone with Prompto.

Noctis.. Feels the safest he’s felt since he was last in Recolle. He sighs as he sits down beside his friend, looking out. ]

Could probably hear a pin drop. So yeah.

[ He exhales, allowing silence to clear over them. Noctis eventually looks to Prompto, then away. ]

I’m acting weird. I know.

--you're always acting weird.

[prompto, for his part, leans closer, shoulders bumping]

It's okay. You're still Noct, and whether you wanna talk about it or not, I won't mind.

[ You’re still Noct...

This is just. It’s almost too much. Because Noctis doesn’t feel like himself. He feels severely displaced and out of control for his life. He’d known for a long time that he was royalty, or another version of him was. And now it’s suddenly been forced upon him. Noctis looks across a city he doesn’t remember, and what little he does remember was shrouded in darkness and destruction. Walking through a Citadel that was whole, not in shambles...

He feels like he’s looking at ghosts.

His fingers curl over his knee, the words on the tip of his tongue but he’s too afraid to say anything. Prompto is opening himself up to this, wanting for Noctis to let him in. He should. He has to. For Ignis’ sake and his...

He bites his lip before speaking. ]

I’m... Gonna tell you something. But you can’t tell anyone else.

[ And he looks to Prompto, expression serious. ]

And it’s gonna sound crazy. Okay?

[prompto blinks several times, especially at the seriousness of noctis's expression]

Yeah, of course. Anything I can do to help.

[a pause]

Even if it sounds crazy.

[ Noctis sighs, trying to mull over his words. He can’t look at Prompto for this, staring out. ]

I don’t... Belong here.

I don’t know if this is some weird glitch or... What. But I grew up on a planet called Earth. I grew up in another country entirely. I wasn’t a prince, I didn’t have any memory of this place until I moved to a town called Recolle. They used this weird app called Retrospec that delivered.. Memories. Of an alternate life.

This one.

I know where I am but I only remember bits and pieces. Of you, of Insomnia, of the Royal line—

I somehow woke up here with no extra memory. And I’m just... I’m so out of place and this sounds insane, but I barely know where I am and I—

[ Okay that’s about as much as he can let out. Noctis covers his face. ]

[noctis probably looked away and into his hands because of the look that prompto gave him--of disbelief and of "you're pulling my leg, dude," only to grow more concerned as noctis goes on--too convinced and serious for this to be a prank.]

[instead of going for a funny quip, prompto instead puts a hesitant hand over noctis's shoulder]

So, let me get this straight. You're Noct from a parallel universe, from this place called Earth, and your life was pretty wacky after moving to a new city. And now you've replaced the Noct from Insomnia, meaning that he-- must be in Recolle...?

Sounds a little hard to believe.

[but]

...next step is: how do we get you back, yeah?

[ Christ, he hadn’t even thought of that. Of the other Noctis winding up in Recolle...

Noctis jolts at the hand to his shoulder, looking up and over to Prompto. Bewildered because he instantly seeks out a solution rather than just outwardly questioning him. ]

You—

... You believe me?

[he pulls back, a bit offended at the question]

[then gestures at the apartments and houses around the field]

Which one's mine?

[ Noctis looks out, absolutely clueless. ]

Uh—

You live out here?

Yeah. You've been at least twice to my place.

[but it just shows that he's right]

--dude. Buddy. Of course I believe you. You still are Noctis, different universe or not.

Last thing I want is for you to feel that you can't even trust me.

[ Noctis takes a heavy exhale, feeling the first bit of relief since waking up here. His posture slacks as he leans forward, rubbing at his face. ]

Sorry, I just—

It’s been... Hard.

[ His Head turns, looking to his friend. Of course he’s understanding. That’s just classic Prompto, and Noct’s heart aches to the reminder of that. He chooses not to tell him about their relationship, because there’s still so much. ]

What am I supposed to do?

Don't take this the wrong way, but you're... actually a lot softer than the Noct I grew up with.

[he smiles, nudging noctis lightly on his thigh]

As for what to do... hmm... Iggy? Don't think this is something you could go to your -- your? Dad? Is it your dad?

Softer?

[ He’s not sure if that’s a relief or not. Noctis boggles a bit at that, looking down at their knees touching. And he’s reminded yet again that this Prompto isn’t the one he’s been dating for several months. Noctis turns a touch red, hoping that the compliment can be blamed. He sighs as he rubs at the back of his neck, still surprised to find significantly less hair there. ]

He’s the same person. Just... Not. Not here. He thought I was sick when I saw him yesterday.

And Ignis...

He’s in the same boat as me, actually.

I guess that's Iggy out for the count in this.

[he frowns momentarily]

Could you ask Lady Lunafreya? [...] You -- do know who that is, right?

[pauses]

The Nifs are coming to the city to discuss a peace treaty. If we can't figure this out until then, you should at least learn to act like Noct, you know?

Lunafreya?

[ That should answer the question. But he’s immediately diverted back to the reminder that royal duties are a thing. He hears Prompto, but the words “peace treaty” sound even more bizarre to him. Because anything he’s seen in his memories of Niflheim is anything but peaceful.

His eyes widen, scooting back. ]

Wait—

We’re discussing a peace treaty? That’s.

[ All Noctis can See is the magitek soldiers. Lifeless and cold. The dark snow and pervading darkness. Noctis winces and shakes his head. ]

Oh no.

No this is bad.

Dude, nah, hold on -- chill.

That's some months away, really.

[he frowns at noctis's reaction]

We don't trust Nifs. King Regis isn't going to make some choice to doom us all or anything. We got this.

[ Should he say something? Does he even know what the hell he is talking about? Noctis’ memories of this place are few and scattered. And his head starts to hurt because he can’t grasp any of this. He tries to keep a calm demeanor, instead running his hands down his face as he leans forward again, jogging his leg. ]

I’m gonna be sick.

[prompto rubs his back consolingly. this has got to be a lot]

You share a notebook with Lady Lunafreya. She's the Oracle, y'see. She confers with the Astrals and all that. Maybe she can get some answers over this whole situation?

[ His stomach twists, but god if he isn’t drawn to the consoling that Prompto gives. He wants so badly to tell him the full truth but he knows he can’t. Noctis rubs at his face as he tries to register what Prompto is saying. Who he’s talking about. Noctis has no recollection of anyone named Lunafreya, much less what an Oracle is.

What is he supposed to do outside of that? Sure, there may be answers in this book, but Noctis doesn’t even know where to start with all this. With a sigh, his hands drop, and he leans back against Prompto’s hand. ]

Well. You were right.

Guess we are the same people. I denied it tooth and nail, and here we are.

[ He’s talking about the Prompto in his world. ]

Where’s this book? And Lady Lunafreya...

[he stares at noctis for a moment]

This happened once. It can happen again, and you'll get thrown back. Maybe it's the Astrals having a laugh at you.

[it's not much comfort, but still...]

The book's gotta be at your place. As for Lady Lunafreya... you usually call her 'Luna' by the way-- she's in Tenebrae. Tenebrae's been part of the Empire for some years now, so she's basically a prisoner. You guys communicate through her magical dogs, though, so the Empire isn't aware of what's going on.

[ Tenebrae? Magical dogs? It’s not like Noctis is unaware of these kinds of things, he has special abilities and plenty memory of it but that doesn’t mean it stops being weird.

But what makes him the most at awe here is that he isn’t sick. He hasn’t felt the usual exhaustion he feels. Sure, he’s tired, but for something completely different. And there’s so much on his mind right now, he can’t help but sigh and stand up. ]

I need a drink.

[ One thing he’s earned from his time in Recolle: bad boy tendencies. He reaches to put his hood over his hat. ]

Any idea where we can sneak any of that?

[ since hes apparently underage now. ]

[prompto stands abruptly, worriedly]

Seriously? I don't think we could!

[security being pretty tight and glaives always be watching]

[ Noctis shoves his hands in his hoodie pockets, starting to descend back to the ground. He’s stressed, he’s exhausted, and he wants to stop caring about his situation for the evening. ]

We’ll figure it out, come on.

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