Can't stay in one place 📷

[crowncitizen]

WHO: Prompto and you~
WHAT: Various shenanigans
WHEN: Throughout the month of Solace
WHERE: Throughout Kirkwall; see prompts for specifics
NOTES: Will update as needed, but none anticipated

A) But first, let me take a selfie

If one finds themselves in the Gallows, or even the docks nearby, they may see a peculiar sign:

WANT A PORTRAIT? DON'T HAVE THE TIME, MONEY, OR PATIENCE FOR A PAINTING?

THEN YOU'RE IN LUCK!! SEE PROMPTO IN THE GALLOWS FOR A PORTRAIT YOU CAN HAVE IN AN HOUR! FIVE SILVERS ONLY!

**Supplies limited, so first come first serve! Will take reservations if all remaining spots for this month are filled**

Curious now? In the Gallows, if you look in the right places, you'll see signs pointing to where Prompto is in the Gallows. Follow those signs and eventually you'll come across his little set up. He's staked out in front of the supply closet he commandeered for a dark room. In front of is him in an old stuffed chair, fiddling with his camera. When he hears someone approach, he looks up and grins.

"Welcome!"


B) You gotta snatch and sneak, or your future's bleak

So Prompto's made the mistake of walking through Lowtown alone. At night. Yeah...

Needless to say, even though he's trying to hurry, he inevitably finds himself being tailed by some, uh, shady characters. It's the Carta or the Coterie; Prompto doesn't know who is what yet, he's just heard the names get tossed around. He grew up in a city, and while Insomnia is far safer than Kirkwall for the most part, he's no stranger to watching his back at night and knowing when he's being followed. And that's definitely what's going on.

Worse yet, since the city's a maze, Prompto gets himself a little turned around trying to lose his tail. As he emerges out of an alleyway, his heart slams into his ribcage when he comes face to face with a small group gathered loosely in front of him. So much for losing that tail, he just got corralled into a trap.

"Heeeeey guys," he says nervously, glancing around for an escape route. "Look, I got a few silver coins on me. But that's really all I have, I haven't been here long." He digs them out of his pocket. "Don't want a fight, so I'll just lay them on the ground and walk away, okay?"

"Nah," one of the thieves says. "If nothing else, those clothes are worth something." He motioned to the others. "Get 'em."

Prompto breaks out into a run, gunning for another small alleyway. He barely misses being grabbed by them, but he can hear his pursuers' pounding footsteps behind him. "I could use a hero in shining armor right now!" he yells as he sprints through the streets. "Or a good Samaritan! That'd be great, too!"


C) Is it worth the waiting for if we live til eighty-four, if all we get is gruel?

Prompto's not one to bite the hand that feeds you, but... well, what he's being fed is so not great.

He's been relying on the Inquisition's food provisions to get by, but after being spoiled for so long by Ignis' cooking, he's developed a particular palate that no longer allows him to enjoy mediocre grub. Today he's finally hit his limit. With a scrunched nose, he shoves aside his plate of... some kind of stew, and sighs. "What I wouldn't give for Iggy's cooking."


D) Let's be alone together

In a corner of the library in the Gallows, one might find Prompto hiding amongst some books. It's clear he's been reading, but the books have been pushed aside for now in favor of something else. Anyone who's not a Rifter from a technologically advanced world won't recognize the device he has in hand. It's not his camera, which he happily flaunts. No, this is something much more personal.

Prompto doesn't often look at it, and with good reason. He's reminded why when he looks at the battery indicator, and it shows as 50% charged. The reality sinks into his stomach like a cold lead weight. Once his phone dies, there's no turning it back on. When it goes, he'll lose his last remaining tie to his home. Sure, he'll still have the device, but what good is it dead?

Not that it's much good here, what with no reception and no means to access, well, almost anything. Save for his photos. The photography hobbyist in him rarely uses the phone as a camera, as he has a much better one at his disposal. But occasionally he did snap some pictures on it, when it was convenient or when his camera was charging. Those photos are now all he has of his friends and life in Eos. He only uses his phone to look at them; using it otherwise drains too much battery. He shuts it off when he's done, but all his battery conservation techniques only delays the inevitable.

Still, he can't help but scroll through the photos he has, lingering on the expressions of his friends. The sights around them comfort him too: cars and paved roads and cities, all against the natural backdrop of Eos.

49% now. Prompto knows he shouldn't linger much longer, but he just needs another minute or so, just to get him through. Of course, being so absorbed in his phone, he might not quite catch anyone walking up to him until they say something.

E) Wildcard

Hit me with your own starter!

Comments

a

[sulena]

Curiosity has always gotten the better of her at times. It was what has led her to follow the signs posted at the docks to the Gallows. After all, it isn't like she was the sort to ever have the time or money for a proper portrait and it could make a lovely present to send her father. He did always say he wished he had more to remember her mother by.

Peeking into the supply space, she spies a familiar blond and lights up with a smile.

"Prompto! Hello, again."

[crowncitizen]

Prompto's not sure how popular this little side business will get, but he figures it's worth a shot. It's been quiet so far today, so he's catching up on some reading when he hears someone approach. He looks up, and her smile's met with a matching grin.

"Hey Saoirse!" He gets to his feet, setting the book aside. "Welcome tooooo... actually, I don't really have a name for this yet." Whoops. Should have thought that one through before he opened his mouth. "But whatever. Welcome! Coming by to have a photo taken?"

[sulena]

Saoirse cannot help but laugh with his greeting, covering her mouth but nevertheless continuing to smile brightly as she approaches. Her gaze shifts around the area, taking in the unfamiliar sights before focusing back on Prompto.

"I am sure you'll come up with a fine name in time." She says, nodding. "But thank you, I am very interested. I thought perhaps it would make a fine gift for my father to keep while I am away."

[crowncitizen]

"A portrait then. You have definitely come to the right place." He makes a gesture to wait just a moment as he ducks into the closet. He's out a moment later, camera in hand. It's big and clunky, and he handles it delicately. Back home, his camera could take a beating, and he was gutsy enough to sneak in selfies and shots during battles. But this thing? Nuh-uh. It's too big, and if it breaks, there's little chance he would be able to fix it. Even just accidentally dropping it could spell disaster.

"I don't think I had this on me when we met." He holds it out to show her, if she wants to take a look for herself. "So, for the simplest explanation, it's a device that's capable of capturing a still image. Like a painting, but without all the, well, paint."

[sulena]

At his gesture, she stands quietly with folded hand until Saoirse can't help but reach up and fiddle with her hair slightly. It is done up it the simple braids that she usually wears but cannot help wondering if perhaps she should have dressed in nicer robes. This was something she hoped her father would keep while she was away... so it should be nice, right?

Thankfully, Prompto returns with his device and holds it out for her to see. She does not take it from his hands, simply observes and listens to his explanation with wonder.

"It sounds incredible like... magic, almost but this sort of thing must be common place for you back home."

C

[aforethought]

She snatches out to swipe the plate before he’s even finished the sentence. Melys might not be a beggar at the moment, but here’s the thing about being a chooser: You’re only ever a few choices away from running out of them.

“Delicate palate?”

The deliberate way she pronounces those words makes it absolutely clear that she knows how to say them — and that she’s purposefully fucking it up.

[crowncitizen]

Well, okay then. Guess it's better if someone eats it, rather than it going to waste!

"Sort of. Might be more accurate to say I had gotten kind of spoiled. Still haven't readjusted to not having well cooked meals." Iggy really had spoiled the lot of them. It's been a long while since Prompto's had to fend for himself in the culinary bleakness of the universe.

[aforethought]

A snort.

"Shit kid, you say that any louder, cooks’ll solve the problem for you neat-like."

By slimming his portions considerably, if she had to guess. Then again, maybe the servants here come from more charitable stock than her own blood; it’s not exactly a career anyone’s accused her of being all that well-suited to. There’s only ever so long you can scrape and bow before something in you snaps and comes up swinging.

"Sure beats the slop we used to get. Real meat. Potatoes. What d’you need, a silver spoon stuck in it?"

For all this, she sounds in good humour about it. Giving her (more accurately: letting her take) free stuff seldom fails to endear.

[crowncitizen]

Prompto makes a much wilder leap of logic at her words, and his eyes widen in horror. "You don't think - they wouldn't put something in my food, would they?" Please tell him they're not that vindictive here. Gods, he's going to get himself poisoned isn't he? What a way to go (and way to let his imagination go wild with that one. Yeesh).

"Variety for one thing. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting used to how they cook things here." He's used to ovens and other technological conveniences. Food cooked over an open flame is a lot different. "Also, a bit of seasoning would go a long way."

[aforethought]

"Well, seasoning," Melys dismisses, as if Prompto's just suggested they dye the soup green for novelty's sake. "Tell you what,"

She leans in, affects a look of deep solemnity,

(Or as near to it as might be offered, when she's been wearing open amusement not but a comment or two back,)

"They probably overheard you by now. Ain't nothing you can do for that. But you get worried they've got to feeling vindictive, you come to me first and I'll make sure it's alright." By taking, you know, most of it. "Got an iron stomach by now, can't get nothing bad in my blood."

There's a joke for you.

c

[wardeneructate]

Oghren gave a snort at the kid's reaction while he ate his own food. "You think this is bad you should try some of Felsi's cooking. Old girl has many talents but cooking isn't one of them." Lifting his bowl up, he drank some down then chased it with a swallow of ale before he held the cup towards the other guy.

"Try this. Have enough of it and everything tastes pretty sodding good." He even gave him a grin to go with it.

[crowncitizen]

Prompto's not one to shy away from a drink, but ho-ly crap that thing has a strong odor. He stares down the cup, glancing over at the dwarf. "Wow, she must be really bad if this is what you have to drink to wash it down." Not that he can judge; he's not the greatest cook himself.

Despite the odor, though, Prompto doesn't want to be rude, so he says thanks before he takes a drink from the cup.

....

Oh Gods he regrets everything

He nearly chokes as he sputters, his throat feeling like the inside of Ifrit's butthole. His eyes start watering as he keeps coughing.

[wardeneructate]

He laughed at the kid's reaction to the drink. This wasn't even the worst tasting thing or the strongest of things one could get on Thedas. But it never failed to amuse him when some kid tried it for the first time.

"Burns like a sodding bit of lava, don't it. You'll probably be pissing yourself if you ever try some of Hirol's Lava Burst. That stuff will put hair on you for sure."

Seriously, people who struggled with liquor would never not be funny to him.

"But you forgot the taste of the food, didn't you."

[crowncitizen]

As much as Prompto would never like to admit it, he's a lightweight. Enough of this drink and he'd be flat on his ass in no time. Fortunately, he's not looking to get drunk, and slides the drink back towards Oghren. Eyes are still watering. Just, so you know.

"Sure. Mission accomplished," he croaked out. "Remind me not to let hairy dwarves give me alcohol again." Said jokingly, though that might be hard to tell in between the subsequent coughing fit.

[wardeneructate]

"Nah. You let a lot of hairy dwarves gives you alcohol. It's us drunk ones you have to watch out for. No telling what sodding piss we're drinking down. Enough to make our ancestors hairier than we are, that's for sure."

He took his ale back and swallowed the rest down like it was water. Then again, this stuff was pretty watered down even if someone not used to drinking a lot couldn't tell. Still, booze was booze and he'd take it where he got it.

"So what are you used to eating then if you don't like this stuff?"

b

[conqueredhearts]

Iskandar had taken to patrolling around Lowtown since that seemed to be where the greatest problems were. It gave him a taste for what the people here were up to and even gave him an idea of how to deal with it as a result. Because of this, he'd noticed the young man being followed, his hairstyle suggesting that he was, in fact, a Rifter. There was no telling what sorts of skills came with that but he wasn't about to try to guess in this moment at the risk of his safety.

So he followed.

Seeing the trap sprung, he moved quickly, calling to his mabari pup. Achilles Alexander was much smaller than most mabari due to his age but he was still well trained and could at least slow people down. However, that wasn't where he was sending him. No, he sent him to run in front of the young man.

The dog barked twice then took off so he could lead him to safety while Iskandar, a man made of solid muscle and nearly seven feet tall, got between the blond and those chasing. "I think you've gone far enough," he said to the men, unsheathing his sword with a smile.

"So will it be all of you at once or one by one? I can handle you lot either way. I'm faster than I look, after all."

[crowncitizen]

Ask, and ye shall receive. Someone's come to help!

...and that someone is stacked. Damn, and he thought Gladio was built like a tank. This guy puts him to shame easily.

Prompto skids to a halt, glancing at the mabari before glancing back at his master. He begins to walk towards where the dog went, though he's worried about his rescuer. Sure, he's got the build and a weapon to boot, but he's outnumbered...

"You sure you're gonna be-"

Suddenly, he sees someone sneak around a barrel, where apparently they'd been hiding. As the other attackers slowly back away from Iskander, the one in hiding draws out her bow and notches an arrow.

"Archer!" Prompto calls out, seconds before she draws back the arrow and lets it fly.

[conqueredhearts]

Iskandar was huge but he moved fast. With a slash of his sword, he cut the arrow before it could it him. Recognizing the target and eliminating it. With that settled, he pointed his sword in her direction, red eyes calm.

"Much as I admire cleverness, underhanded techniques will not be to your benefit against me. Now I would suggest all of you leave if you wish to keep your lives of freedom. Or your lives at all."

His eyes glanced back to the others, to the one he believed seemed to be a leader of sorts.

"What shall it be, my friend? Your lives and freedom? Or death and imprisonment for those who live? I may be but one man but you do not know the power you face."

With that, he lifted his hand, revealing he was a Rifter. Many Rifters would hide their status from the world but he refused to be one of them.

[crowncitizen]

Well, Prompto had to give the guy props. He had guts, and he had the muscle and confidence to back it.

The leader grunted in frustration. This was supposed to be an easy mark, but now it's turned into an ordeal. A deadly one, by the looks of it. And a Rifter to boot; even he knows not to fuck with 'em, if he's heard the stories right. He lets out a "tch" and signals to the others to retreat. "Blighted Rifters," he mutters as he and his comrades break into a run. Live today, prey on a different hapless bystander tomorrow.

Prompto lets out a "whoosh" of breath in relief. "Thanks. I owe you one."

[conqueredhearts]

When they were all gone, he sheathed his sword again and turned to the young man he'd saved. He blinked then laughed, waving his hand as if this was no big deal. Then again, it really wasn't to him. Just another day in the life.

"No need, no need. I am just pleased you are alright now. Come, I will walk with you back to better parts. Where is it you were trying to go, my friend?"

Might as well start there anyway.

c

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Kirk made a good enough living now between his work on the research team and his tutoring that he didn't to often need to rely on the meals the Inquisition provided its members. But he had been in a hurry this morning and forgot to pack a meal and didn't feel like going all the back to the house to get something into his stomach or fight his way through the market.

He had taken a bit of cheese, bread, and meat to make a quick sandwich (with questionable quality, as per usual, but hey beggars can't be choosers), and was making his way through the hall when he spied Prompto - just in time to see him shove away his food and do what he can only assume is a pout.

Kirk changed his angle and came over, swallowing his bite of sandwich. ]</sub>

You're doing a very good impression of a kicked puppy right about now.

[crowncitizen]

I'll admit, I know how to lay on the puppy eyes with the best of 'em.

[Prompto chuckles a little at that. He can look pretty pitiful if he puts his mind to it. Blue eyes and freckles help a lot with that, he's learned.]

Just being a bit of a spoiled food snob. Got way too used to my friend's cooking back home. It's hard adjusting to, well, less than stellar meals.

[universal_charm]

_{[ Oh, Kirk knows. He has both and the blonde hair, though of a different shade than Prompto. Prompto had the youth on him though. His puppy eyes were slowly losing their effect. ]}

Heh, don't I know it. On my ship you could get practically anything you wanted and here... not so much. You know what I miss the most?

A burger.

[crowncitizen]

[Gods, he can practically feel his heart and stomach both squeeze in longing. A burger. What a novelty that would be.]

You and me both! With all the fixings, and a side of greasy fries to match. [He groans.] Oh man. We're never gonna see a burger anytime soon, are we?

[universal_charm]

_{[ He might be salivating a little. On the inside. Sweet sweet hamburger meat.. ]}

Not unless we make it ourselves.

_{[ He paused. ]}

Which is possible, actually. I have a house now, so I have my own kitchen, and if we can get the ingredients that are close enough to the real thing, it could work....