A Prince's Friend is Hard Work

[chocobosnap]

 Prompto was nervous.

That was not the least bit unusual in itself, he had some terrible anxieties that made his life complicated and challenging all at once, all the time, but he'd had a handle on things, at least, he thought so. 

He received a letter and turned his world upside down.

All of that hard work had come to fruition and he was now a new friend to the prince, someone he got along with a lot better than he used to. He'd seen and met some of his retainers, some of the people around him. They all seemed nice, if wary, and huge. 

Prompto had never been tall, and he was slightly shorter than Noct who seemed short beside his bodyguard Gladio. He was kind of hoping he'd get bigger, but he doubted it. 

The longer he spent with Noctis, they'd begun asking him questions about his skills in self-defense, because there could be danger inadvertently. Ignis had been the one to deliver the message that he should learn, and asked him to report to the Citadel one Sunday morning to meet with Cor Leonis - The Marshal - who was going to test him, or teach him, or something. 

He was on time, had been escorted to the gym and, dressed in his gym clothes, he was waiting nervously, pressed against a wall to avoid any looks from any of the Glaives around. He couldn't have looked more out of place if he tried, with his black track pants and dark purple t-shirt with a frolicking cartoon chocobo on it. 

Comments

[immortalmarshal]

"Breathe. I wasn't being serious about that." Much. Maybe half-serious at most. "Just a casual observation," he added as an attempt to reassure the lad. Really, he hadn't thought that the kid could be this easily flustered.

...unless the kid is in denial. Or just denying it to everyone. But at least the kid doesn't seem to be malicious or shady about it, and that alone is some small comfort.

After a few more moments, he finally speaks back up. "...still, I'm glad that you've been treating him as a person. He needs someone like that in his life."

[chocobosnap]

"I mean it, he's awesome. He's great to hang out with, I mean we just..." He smiled shyly.

"We play video games and eat together and just spend time being teenagers. I mean...he really likes that, I think. That's all I mean....it's really nice to have a friend."

[immortalmarshal]

"He does, yeah...the crown can weigh very heavily on one's brow, after all. So letting him get his normal time in now is probably good." Even though Cor really has started poking Regis a little more often regarding Noct's princely education recently. School and getting to know the people is wonderful, but the prince isn't going to be a kid forever...

Cor finishes off the bottle before he asks the one question he's been meaning to ask Prompto all morning: "So...do you two work at the same job, too? Or at different ones?" It's so casual and presented like a natural part of the conversation; surely, there's nothing prying about that, right?

[chocobosnap]

"Yeah, I guess so." He answered, shy and unsure, even though it sounded like their future would be short, unless maybe he could prove himself.

Prompto squirmed a little bit. "Um, no. Uh, we don't work the same part-time job? I'm s-sure he doesn't even know. It's not a big deal."

[immortalmarshal]

Part of Cor hopes that it's not short. Despite his suspicions and misgivings, he does feel that Prompto's time with Noctis has a positive impact on the latter; the prince needs someone to keep him connected to the common folks.

but now Cor now gives him a more direct look - very much like how a strict teacher stares at a student who's messing up. "Like I didn't know when you first said that you didn't have one?"

[chocobosnap]

He squirmed a little bit. "Yeah. Like that. I mean...he's never asked?"

Prompto looked uncomfortable, but Cor had a look that made him feel like he was being seen right through.

"I...I mean. I need my job? And it's illegal so, um, sorry? Yeah. I'm sorry."

[immortalmarshal]

Cor just wants to give Prompto a good, solid shaking of the latter's shoulders. Why the heck is this kid hiding the fact that he's employed--

...Oh.

"Illegal how? Is it just you being a little too young for the field it's in?" Which...Cor can't judge him for, being 'Mr. Joined the Crownsguard at 13'.

[chocobosnap]

He squirmed a little bit and nodded.

"I uh, work at a convenience store, overnight?" He smiled sheepishly.

"I m-mean they pay more if you work in the middle of the night so yeah, and not a lot of people want to do that."

[immortalmarshal]

Overnight; that's the part that bothers Cor the most. Working in a convenience store alone isn't a bad thing for a high school student - it's steady pay, even if the pay rate isn't that great. It's the shift that really concerns the Marshall.

"I can get if you family needs money..." Even though his parents didn't seem to need it much. "...but aren't you worried about getting enough sleep and keeping up with your classes?"

[chocobosnap]

"Oh, no I'm good! I don't work every night and I take naps after I'm done hanging out with Noct before I go to work, so it's all fine. And they make these energy drinks you know?"

Prompto smiled brightly, putting the best spin on it. Sure, his grades had begun slipping slightly, but he was going to work harder and pull them up.

[immortalmarshal]

There's many alarm bells ringing in the back of Cor's head. There's no way anyone could endure that kind of stress and workload for too long. Even Ignis was forced to take a few small breaks to prevent burnout during his teenage years. How can Prompto's parents let him get into this situation?

This is certainly something he hopes that Monica can help provide answers for, when he next sees her.

As of right now, though, he can only sigh and finish off his bottle. "I'd recommend asking Ignis as to which brands of Ebony to use during study sessions. He could also be willing to help with tutoring if you need it."

[chocobosnap]

"Oh n-no I'm fine really." Prompto smiled. "It's slow, I do my homework at work."

He didn't need tutoring, at least he didn't think so. "Yeah, Ebony though, maybe." He admitted with a shy smile.

[immortalmarshal]

But he may not be getting as much sleep, Cor suspects. Still, he feels that he's pried enough into Prompto's private life for the moment. At least the kid isn't doing anything else that seems illegal....

He stands and does a few stretches. "Alright, you ready to give it another go?"

[chocobosnap]

"Got it!"

Prompto worked hard during the entire session and even though he was exhausted afterwards, he still smiled. He was ever the optimist.

All the digging in the world couldn't seem to explain why he had to have a job like that. His parents made good money, worked in Accordo. A lot, by all accounts. It was hard to see where they returned or minded their child.

[immortalmarshal]

Being optimistic is...good, Cor feels. At least, it seems to fit Prompto well enough. He concedes that there's a little progress made today, and made a few adjustments on the training schedule to better accommodate Prompto's part-time job.

Still, Monica's further findings made no sense. Two parents who were always away and making money, and their kid is forced to work night shifts just to get by despite said parents making a lot of money... Cor asked Monica to let him know the moment his parents come back to Insomnia.

Until then, he splits his focus roughly between he duties as Marshall, and his training sessions with Prompto, hoping to use the latter to get to know the blonde better.

[chocobosnap]

Prompto was a chatterbox.

When someone paid attention to him, he could speak a lot, even though strangers were still very much a no go, but he could manage people he knew just fine. Mostly, he didn't have people to listen to him. He chatted about school and work to Cor when prompted to on their breaks, but never about his family. There was never even an offhand reference to something his parents said or did.

That was unusual.

A month into training, Prompto arrived on time, but he looked like he was dragging his feet, and he had beads of sweat already on his brow even though he hadn't done anything yet. He sat down with a grimace that he turned into a smile for Cor.

"Hi Marshal."

[immortalmarshal]

At first, Cor only got him to speak in hopes of learning more about him and his family. But slowly, he started to look forward with their chats during training breaks, and even offered the rare piece of advice when needed.

But the lack of any mention of his parents is ringing sirens in Cor's mind, ahd he's mentally preparing himself for potential talks with them. If, that is, they come back to Insomnia.

But the day Prompto comes in looking like that? Cor immediately put down the wooden practice blade and walked over to him. "Are you alright? You look like shit warmed over."

[chocobosnap]

"Oh y-yeah, great!" Prompto said cheerfully. "I just walked over here, it's so hot out today."

It wasn't, it was a very cool, windy day.

"Just some indigestion you know?" That, or his insides were trying to explode but he couldn't let Cor down.

[immortalmarshal]

"You do know that I won't hold it against you if yoh called in sick. I'm not that big of an asshole..." He stands in front of the other man ahd puts the back of his hand to Prom's forehead to see how warm he is.

"...was it something you ate yesterday? Or this morning?" And has he been eating enough, outside of school and whatever he gets to eat over at Noct's place?

[chocobosnap]

His skin was hotter than Ifrit's and he seemed a bit more breathless than usual, but he just smiled.

"I know, it's okay, I've got everything under control!"

Prompto shook his head. "Didn't eat then, but only because I'm so full from lunch yesterday? Or....or something."

He felt mildly nauseous, and extremely pained honestly, but he could handle it, it would go away eventually. He just had to persevere.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor's concern grows more evident as he removes his hand from Prompto. "You're burning up, and you said you haven't eaten since lunch yesterday? Sounds like you're sick to me."

Evem withour knowing about the pain, he moves to put the gear away. "You stay right there until I'm done with this. Then we'll head towards the medical wing."

[chocobosnap]

"Oh no, I'm fine really. I can just go home. Really. Medical is just...expensive." Prompto said nervously. "But I'm sure some sleep will be fine. Just fine."

He rubbed at his stomach absently.

[immortalmarshal]

"Like hell, I'm letting you go home in that state without at least a check-up. And knowing Noctis, he would try to kick my ass if I ever did." Especially since the young prince is starting to get the hang of warping...

He finishes putting things away, not yet aware of how Prompto is vaguely focused on his stomach. "Besides, the medical wing is for those who are part of the government. I can always tell them to put it on mh tab..."

[chocobosnap]

"Yeah but..." He got up with a little groan.

"N-No it's fine. I can pay for it. I'll work more!" Prompto protested.

[immortalmarshal]

"Prompto, sit back down." The tone's sudden change into a command may be sharp, but Cor wasn't trying to be cruel here. He doesn't want to risk the kid collapsing on the floor at the most inopportune moment.

He does stop what he's doing, though, and softly thunk his forehead against the door of the wooden weapons rack. Shiva give me tranquility and patience...

"...you shouldn't have to work so hard and bear such a burden at your age - not when there are those willing to help you."