[ Gladio was discovering that this return to quarantine was nothing like the initial settling in. He remembers coming in alone through that portal, but it was easier then. His friends came soon after, bringing with them a certain satisfaction in knowing his faith wasn't ill placed. He had nothing to put his faith into except for the certain finality of their story, the last chapter read and book closed on each one of them.
Adapting to all the sunlight was difficult, a decade in the dark with only artificial light to guide you and keep the daemons at bay meant paler skin and darker hair and crows feet at the corners of his eyes from squinting into the dark. It meant dressing in warmer attire, swapping skin bearing clothes he was known for (or the absence of them more like) for long sleeved uniforms. Riverview is bright and vibrant and everything he remembers it being - which is strange, because he remembers the last ten years pass uninterrupted by this alternate reality, and yet knows he's been here before. The memories are fresh and they shouldn't be. It only adds to his disorientation, but honestly starting off his mornings with a stiff drink probably isn't helping. But it helps him steady his nerves and distance himself from the sharp absence of his friends.
Who, incidentally, are also here. 10 years younger and short a Prompto. It's good and also unsettling. They're young, he's old (well, older) - and wiser wouldn't be the word he'd use so much as a hollowed out version of himself. He's not sure if coming home is a good idea, even if just to crash or drop off the sword and shield he doesn't want to take up again for at least a week.
But here he is, standing in front of the door and hopes Ignis is inside. He lifts his hand to knock, hesitates, and then pounds it. ]
Ignis... [ Six, this is going to hurt, he knows it. Not nearly so much as his pride when he has to shout through the walls like a lost roommate. ] I - I don't have my keys.
[ Gladio winces and shakes a longer lock of hair from his eyes as he shifts his burden in his arms - shield and greatsword and a small bag containing his 'medication' in liquid form - As if adding insult to injury, his homecoming already feels awkward as hell. ]
ii. Coming Home (Closed to Ignis)
Adapting to all the sunlight was difficult, a decade in the dark with only artificial light to guide you and keep the daemons at bay meant paler skin and darker hair and crows feet at the corners of his eyes from squinting into the dark. It meant dressing in warmer attire, swapping skin bearing clothes he was known for (or the absence of them more like) for long sleeved uniforms. Riverview is bright and vibrant and everything he remembers it being - which is strange, because he remembers the last ten years pass uninterrupted by this alternate reality, and yet knows he's been here before. The memories are fresh and they shouldn't be. It only adds to his disorientation, but honestly starting off his mornings with a stiff drink probably isn't helping. But it helps him steady his nerves and distance himself from the sharp absence of his friends.
Who, incidentally, are also here. 10 years younger and short a Prompto. It's good and also unsettling. They're young, he's old (well, older) - and wiser wouldn't be the word he'd use so much as a hollowed out version of himself. He's not sure if coming home is a good idea, even if just to crash or drop off the sword and shield he doesn't want to take up again for at least a week.
But here he is, standing in front of the door and hopes Ignis is inside. He lifts his hand to knock, hesitates, and then pounds it. ]
Ignis... [ Six, this is going to hurt, he knows it. Not nearly so much as his pride when he has to shout through the walls like a lost roommate. ] I - I don't have my keys.
[ Gladio winces and shakes a longer lock of hair from his eyes as he shifts his burden in his arms - shield and greatsword and a small bag containing his 'medication' in liquid form - As if adding insult to injury, his homecoming already feels awkward as hell. ]