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♥ Who: Gladio and OTA.
♥ Where: Everywhere.
♥ When: January 3rd.
♥ What: Gladio finding his feet and meeting the locals.
♥ Rating: PG-13

Another Strange Place:
[Gladio had been walking toward a small group of children, smiling as disarmingly as a man as large and seemingly intimidating as he could. The adults were nowhere to be seen, aside from some of the elderly. He'd hoped to gain some information. Anything, to help...

But between one step and the next... everything went dark. Not not a bad kind of dark. It felt... strange...

... When Gladio opened his eyes to see sky above him, white clouds, blue, clear sky... He turned his head slightly to see... nothing he expected. Instead of rustic houses, dirt paths, wooden fences and children at play, he saw white. White pillars and columns shaped like trees. Red and white ornaments. Strange looking birds. And he was laying down in the centre of it all.

He rose slowly, turned and dropped his legs over the edge of slab of carved stone he lay upon. When Gladio looked down he still wore the same clothes he'd been wearing (black leather pants, dark brown tunic, black cloak), so at least that hadn't changed. There was a sigh as he lifted a hand to scrub across his face.]

Damn train's done it again...

[Was this a side mission? Why had he been pulled away? And where was everyone else? When Gladio looked at his wrist he frowned, his SCA was gone. That didn't bode well. He was just contemplating calling out when a strange robot approached him... and that's where Gladio found out that he wasn't in Irivar anymore.

He was lead from the stone slab into another area to find more robots... he was handed a tablet, some local currency... and sent him on his way.

Gladio stepped out of the, what was it? He looked back and up. Temple... definitely a temple. He stepped out... and immediately sat himself down on the steps in the snow to try and work his head around what the hell he'd gotten himself into this time.]

A Teeny Tiny Fortune:
[Having noticed the strange booth, Gladio approached curiously. These robots were a strange thing, but so was the box that he was handed. He shook it as directed, a small, amused smile on his lips.

Then he was given a piece of paper.]

"The smallest things can bring the biggest rewards." Huh... good things in small packages, right? Thanks.

[Still looking very amused, Gladio shoved the paper in his pocket and turned to go.]

Stuck On You:
[Apparently he needed to look for a place to live. This was a big step up from a small room with a smaller bed shared between four people.

Gladio had taken his cloak off and had it wrapped over one hand. The laces of his leather tunic had been loosened and he was considering just taking that off as well, but figured near stripping in the middle of the street could be frowned upon.

He was so distracted by his surroundings that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going. Gladio bumped into someone. Automatically he reached out to stop whoever he ran into from hitting the ground... except that never happened. Wait, why couldn't he let go?]

Sorry! You okay?

Taking Stock:
[He'd found his way to the centre of the city it seemed. He'd found a fountain, an interesting structure that Gladio stood for a while, just looking at. He moved around it slowly, looking at all angles, before he sat himself down on the edge.

He stretched his legs out in front of himself and sighed.

So far this place didn't seem to have anything in common with where he had been before... He was starting to get a sinking feeling.

It was cold, there was snow everywhere, but nothing that was going to bother him so much that he was rushing to get indoors. He'd spent so much time inside over the last few months, even the snow was welcome.]

Home Away From Home:
[Houses... Small houses bunched together... And he was supposed to find one.]

Right... so how the hell does this work?

[Gladio walked up the street, then down it again, before he stopped in front of a house that appeared to be vacant. The tablet thing claimed it was unoccupied, so he walked on in.

After having a look around, he laughed to himself and did what was necessary to become the new owner... and then dropped himself down on sofa. Well and truly done.]

Wildcard:
[If you have another idea for a prompt, have at it, I'll run with anything. Though if you'd like to contact me I can be found on plurk and discord:

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[Of course it was a bit more than that. Gladio didn't push, he was getting used to everyone keeping things from him now, so he shrugged it off and made a gesture for Prompto to return to his chair.]

Iggy's good like that.

[He went ahead and moved into the living room and perched himself down on the edge of the couch.]

Glad you're feeling better, Prompto.

Yeah. Thanks.

[He scoops up Q-lulu as he settles back on the chair. The only indication the mercat is a real animal and not some weird stuffed toy is her half-hearted stretch before plopping back into sleep-mode. He's still clutching his tea in his other hand, but it's forgotten in favor of watching Gladio just a few feet away.

He looks different. Not in a bad way. But not how Prompto remembers.

It's been three years since home, but Prompto's made the deliberate decision to change as little as possible. There's a stark black chocobo tattoo where a barcode used to be.]

I guess the guys have filled you in on what's what around here?

Give or take.

[Some had been more forthcoming than others, but he was starting to work it out.]

Still learning. It's only been a few days...

[He gave the meerkat a strange look, but a slight shake of his head later and he turned his attention back to Prompto, and smiled.]

But it's good to see you.

[No doubt Gladio would pick up on things pretty quick. It was fairly peaceful.

He nods quickly, instinctively leaning forward with a smile of his own.]

You too. You have...no idea.

[Smiles... he liked those. He'd not gotten many from the others, so it was a bit of a balm for his soul to have someone actually seem happy to see him. Gladio had to grin.]

Noct said it'd been a while? It was outta my hands, Prom. Sorry about that. But I'm here now and I'll stick around a while.

[Or until something else thinks he's too damn happy and yanks him away and drops him down in some other unknown world. But he hoped that wouldn't be for a long, long time.]

Few years, yeah... [He smile drops some, but he shakes his head quickly.] It's not your fault. Not anyone's fault.

[Except maybe the powers throughout the multiverse (because that's a thing that definitely exists now) that keep yanking people around as if they don't have their own worlds to save.]

I'm just really happy you're here now. [He's getting a little misty-eyed. Best drink some tea real quick.] This world's pulled in all types from home. I'm honestly surprised it took this long.

[Gladio shifted back on the couch and settled down, he crossed his legs, ankle to knee, a hand resting on his booted foot.

A few years... That's a long time. He almost made a joke at his own expense, no way Prompto had actually missed him, but the look in the others eyes told a different story. So he pushed that thought aside, and just smiled.]

Yeah, the gangs back together.

I've seen a couple... Ardyn and the King were a shock.

[So far he hadn't run into anyone else, but he had nothing but time. At least here he could meet people at his own pace, rather than being forced to due to proximity.]

[It's been so long since all his friends have been in one place. It makes him feel unreasonably giddy.

He laughs into his tea.]

I know, right? Wait til you meet Besithia. I think everyone's had the urge to punch him at least once.

[Would Gladio even know about that? Back home, Prompto's last memory with the others was Zegnautus, after telling them about his origins. But he has no idea when this Gladio was pulled from, or how much he might know.]

... He's here?

[No, wasn't that the strangest sensation... Gladio very much wanted to leave and find him. And hurt him. He'd never met the guy. Only heard of him through his Prompto, the one he'd left on the train, the one who had told him all about... that. He hadn't met an alt to change his mind about him. So his feelings remained.

He would have happily caved the man's face in for what he knew he'd done to Prompto.

He blinked, realised he'd stopped smiling and that he'd gone quiet, so forced the smile back.]

... Where I was before here. You were there. You.. ah.. explained some things. I wasn't there though. My last memories were of Lastallum. And the reactor. After my trail.

[A nod, and a worried frown.]

He is. A young version. If you see a guy that looks just like me, but way more arrogant, that's him.

[At least he won't have to explain. He doesn't mind - would rather Gladio hear it from him than someone else, especially Verstael. But it's not an easy conversation, no matter how many times he tells it.

He perks up with interest.]

Where you were before?

A young version. Right.

[He'd keep his eyes peeled. He hoped the guy did too. Gladio couldn't be held responsible if the bastard wasn't paying attention and ran into his fist, right? Right.

He gave a little shake of his head, forcing himself to mentally change gears.]

Yeah, last four months I've been stuck on a train. Saving worlds.

[Time to move away from that topic. He didn't want to sour things too much.

He was more invested in the other thing - saving worlds on a train. Because, well...not same hat, but similar hat.]

Wow. And there was a me there?

[He'd seen people come and go - both here and on the Fleet. Sometimes different versions of the same people. There had been two distinct Nocts. But he'd never once heard of another version of himself. Perhaps because, unlike the others, he was never sent home - or to wherever those who disappear go.]

Oh yeah. A you. And a Noct. And an Iggy, too.

[He grinned, unable to help himself he leaned forward a bit and dropped his voice to a near whisper, but could clearly be heard.]

Iggy was engaged... to a guy. Older guy. Really older. In his early 50s kind of old.

There was two Nocts as well. One was blind. Kind of an ass.

[Prompto leaned in, eager. There's a little gasp.] No way.

[Not that it's impossible that Ignis could be in a relationship, but he's so dedicated to Noctis, it's hard to imagine anyone finding the room to wiggle in.

And then he sat back, surprised.]

No way! There was a blind Noct on the ship too. They made him a pilot, if you can believe it.

Hah, yeah, his name was Tony. Tony Stark. Nice guy. Think he had a problem with drink though...

[Gladio sat back too, a broad grin on his lips. Till the next part and a lightbulb clicked on.]

Ah, that's why Noct said that... Yeah, this guy was a pilot too. Think it's the same guy?

Huh. [The name is vaguely familiar, though he's sure he's never met a Tony Stark. (He did know Thor, however, and Loki had been his captain for a time. People talk, memories get shared.)] Well, good for him. I hope he's happy.

[His head tilts curiously. Noct said...?]

Could be. If you and I could get bounced here from some place that's not home, I don't see why it couldn't happen to someone else.

He... uh... he left. The train. No one knows why, but whenever the train stops, people come on, and people go. Iggy left about a month ago. For me anyway.

[A little quirk of a grin.]

Don't think he liked me much. He preferred Proms company. Ah... other Prompto.

Ah. That seems to be a running theme in these places.

[He'd thought a place centered on affection and good feelings would have found a way to keep people from suddenly vanishing, but no such luck. Some losses still stung.

He lets that thought go. Smiles instead.]

Well, who wouldn't?

[Gladio understood that sting all too well. He also smiled through it, though his laugh was genuine.]

True. Who wouldn't like someone so modest and humble?

[Acheivement unlocked: Gladio's laugh. You, sir, just earned yourself a fingergun.]

I heard you got your own place.

[The laugh settled to a grin, and then a nod.]

Sure did. Nice little place to put my boots.

Sounds nice.

[Though, just to be sure...]

It's...because you want to, right? Not because someone forgot to invite you stay here?

[Not that he doesn't trust Iggy or Noct or even Pyra to have extended the invitation, but from what he's heard, it's been kind of hectic lately.]

[Gladio's smile gentled somewhat.]

As I see it, you've got your hands full here. Don't need me clogging up the place.

But for now, a bit of space is what I need. I've just spent the last four months on a train, Prom. No sunlight. 160 people... on a train. Four people to a tiny room. I barely fit on the damn bunks. I'd have to line up to use the head. [He laughed.]

Maybe I'll get to a point where the silence damn near kills me and I'll come crawling here begging to crash on your sofa. Right now though? It's what I need. Just to get myself in order, y'know?

[Don't need me clogging up the place. He leans forward, mouth popping open to protest.

But the rest of Gladio's explanation quells that urge, and he slowly sits back again with a nod.]

Yeah. Totally makes sense. [The ships had been small, but he could move between them. And they were never overcrowded - at most a dozen crew, but usually even less than that. He couldn't imagine be crowded into a small space like that.]

I get to come visit, though, right?

[He laughed and spread his arms out to his sides.]

You've an open invite, Prompto. You all do. Might need space to stretch, but... doesn't mean I want to be alone.

[His arms lowered, he tried to keep his tone light. But his comment was a little more honest than he'd wanted to be.]

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