hugtopia_logs | (no subject)

♥ 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:

JustAnotherUsername | Theo#4816 - poke me as needed![

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Shields are still human and any human can get tired of fighting all the time.]

The only time since arriving here that I felt we were in real danger was when something from the outside managed to break through the barrier.

[Regis motions that they will be turning the corner here and then continues with his story.]

These large spider monsters poured through the hole in what seemed like an unending stream. I was able to patch the hole but it was only a matter of hours before the effort drained my magic completely. Fortunately, the gods were able to repair the barrier a short time after. I'm not certain what would have happened if they had not been able to.

Heh almost wish I'd been there for that. That's the kinda think I've been used to these past months.

[But at the same time a break would be more than welcome. Gladio was kind of looking forward to it.

He followed Regis, keeping pace with him still]

It's been good for you? Being here?

The danger still exists out there somewhere. I am sure we will run into it again someday.

[Though, if it takes some time to get to that day, Regis isn't going to complain. It would be nice if the battle was on their terms this time.]

I...

[Regis looks uncertain for a moment before nodding.]

I don't want it to sound like I am trying to escape what will happen back home, but this place has given me and a lot of other people a chance to do things they would never have been able to do otherwise. Ardyn is getting a chance to heal. His lost fiancee was even here for a while! Noctis and I are getting more time to just be father and son. Every moment of that is priceless no matter how hard it may be for us at the time.

Regis? You're well within your right to want a bit of peace. Whatever happens back home, at least here we get some kind of respite.

[Even on the Voidtrecker he'd felt the same. While it had been cramped and dangerous, it had still been a relief to not have to worry about the future of his own world. The down time helped him sort through his feelings, his own losses. Had allowed him to help Noct and Prompto through theirs... It had given him time to make friends. To love.]

You guys deserve time to relax.

[Regis takes a deep breath and then nods.]

Thank you. I know you are right, but it was easier when I had more people here to remind me. Now with so many gone, it is easier to listen to the doubts my mind throws at me.

[He takes a few more steps and then turns and gestures to the door of the building they are standing in front of.]

Here we are. Valeo.

Well, you've got me to tell you now. And I'm not goin anywhere.

[At least, as far as he knew. It was hard to really make a promise of that since it wasn't in his control, but for while he was around he'd be there to reassure Regis. Since it sounded like he needed someone in his corner.

When he was stopped outside of a building, Gladio took a few steps back to get a good look at it and whistled softly, impressed.]

This is it, huh? Love it already! [He grinned and moved forward to open the door and step inside to check it out. Though he did mind his manners enough to keep hold of the door for Regis.]

Thank you.

[There is genuine gratitude in his eyes. Regis knows as well as Gladio he's not in control of when he comes and goes, but outside of that he knows his son's shield means every word of that promise.

Regis has to chuckle softly when Gladio holds the door for him, but he bows his head in thanks before moving inside. Out of habit, he makes his way toward the counter while waving for Gladio to take his pick of seats if he wants to sit down.]

Do you have any requests for that warm drink and snack? We do have a replicator here, though it's more focused on the supplies that we need for the shop than the ones at the houses are.

I'll have whatever you're having.

[He replied while dropping himself down into a seat with a groan. Comfortable seating, a warm atmosphere. It was damn close to perfect. Already a massive upgrade from where he'd been previously.]

This place is amazing.

I'm glad you like it. Take a few moments to relax. I am going to step into the kitchen and throw together some hot chocolate.

[It's warm and it is sweet. That means it is perfect!

...It is also all he can make without risk of burning the building down.

Try not to fall asleep while he is gone, Gladio.]

[No promises, old man! Gladio was now warm and cosy and the seat was real comfortable... he could have fallen asleep.

But the lure of a hot drink is what kept him from doing so, even though he did let his eyes fall closed. Just for a moment. Regis had told him to relax, after all.]

[The nice thing about making hot chocolate is that it takes just the right amount of time to make. Not long enough to get bored, but just long enough to relax and recover. Sure enough, soon the smell of chocolate fills the air. The smell is followed shortly by soft footsteps signaling Regis' arrival with the cups.]

I would offer marshmallows, but the replicator spat them out a very unappealing green color for some reason. I thought we best pass.

[Gladio only opened his eyes once he heard Regis was close enough and smiled up at him, reaching up in the same moment for the cup.]

Yeah, good call. [He chuckled and did his best to sit up and not spill any of the got chocolate.] Thanks for this. Looks great.

[Regis lifts his mug in a toasting motion before taking a sip and settling down into a nearby chair.]

You're welcome. Hopefully, it is enough to chase away the chill and to give you a little protection once you venture out again.

[Gladio raised his own mug, smiled and took a sip of the hot chocolate. It was as good as it looked and even better than it smelled. He curled his hands around the mug, warming his hands.]

This'll do just fine.

As far as welcomes go, this isn't a bad one.