*small wave* Hi friends. Well… I've tried to avoid it, but things with work just really aren't getting better, and I'm literally losing sleep trying to get these chapters out in time at this point, so I regretfully am dropping back to monthly updates until I can get a better handle on things. *cry* I refuse to stop completely, but I just can't keep going with things like this right now. I am so sorry. Updates will be the first Friday of each month and I'm gonna try to have less filler than there has been lately. I really do feel like the story has lost some quality with my time restrictions, so hopefully this will help with that too.


Ignis was not even the slightest bit surprised to get the call he did from Ravus. He had full confidence in his friend's ability to lead, but given the situation…

Well. Ignis has suspected they might find other, more key duties for him eventually since his return from the "dead."

"You're certain you'd rather me not be here? I have far less experience in Crestholm than Lestallum. I fail to see how I could improve the situation more than you." Ignis leaned against the wall of his room, attempting to towel dry his hair and keep his phone sandwiched between his chin and his shoulder at the same time. It probably would have been best to wait, but the heat of Lestallum was bound to make him feel as though he were in a sauna if he left warmer water on the back of his neck be for too long.

"You misunderstand." Ravus sounded irritable. But that was normal. Perhaps it was a tad further than irritated this time. Stressed. "I do not wish for you to take over a position here. Loqi is our greatest asset when it comes to getting matters back on track in Crestholm. We just need to help him. Ease his duties."

"Understood," Ignis finished with his hair and tossed his towel over the back of a nearby chair so it wouldn't get his shirt damp. "So, what would you have me do to assist, then?"

Ravus paused, yelling something indistinct at someone where he was before returning to their conversation. "The trade route."

Ignis felt his eyebrows shoot up. "Ah."

Ravus sighed. "We need Loqi here specifically. You are the only potential replacement I can think of for those particular duties. You have well more than enough experience in the wilderness, and your connection to the boys is already established. I won't deny it would be an adjustment, but–"

"But it would be far less of one with me than with anyone else," Ignis finished.

"Correct," Ravus agreed. "And I can trust you not to fail under pressure and get everyone killed."

That was true. After all his time outside the city, it would be difficult for him to even find anything that made him blink. He'd likely fought daemons many of the others didn't even know existed.

"Well I'd certainly try to keep everyone alive, yes." Ignis switched the phone to his other hand, moving over to sit on the edge of one of the several chairs at the table. They'd missed poker night again lately. Unfortunate but understandable. It was a shame the things that lifted their spirits were usually the first things they abandoned in times of crisis.

"Your version of trying is far better than most others'," Ravus grumbled. Somehow, he still sounded annoyed even when giving praise.

If that had been praise. It might have just been praise by default since he was insulting others.

Ignis chuckled. "Indeed. And how would you like me to go about getting there initially? I'm confident I could find my way on foot if needed, but I suspect you had something more immediate in your plans."

"Don't be asinine," Ravus said tiredly.

Ignis cleared his throat. "Apologies. Merely trying to lighten the mood."

"I don't need a mood lightener," Ravus groused.

"I can think of many people in Lestallum and Crestholm who would likely disagree with that statement."

"Scientia," Ravus sounded even further irritated and distressed at the same time.

Guilt rising a bit, Ignis cleared his throat and changed his tone to a more serious one. "Apologies again. I know well enough by now that humor is not a coping mechanism which you often use."

Ravus sighed. "It's certainly not one I intend to use right now. As for your transportation, perhaps you could undertake one of the hunters or Glaive's more outlying missions with them? I could send the Argentums part of the way with an extra chocobo. You'd likely want to train your own if you're to run the trade route regularly, but that should work for getting you here at least."

Ignis hummed. "How are your current supplies?"

Another sigh. "…Very less than ideal, if I'm honest. Those damned apples just don't grow here like they do in Lestallum."

Of course not. They thrived on heat.

…Speaking of heat, Ignis was going to have to dig out some warmer clothes if he was going to be spending a lot of time in Crestholm.

Ignis leaned back in his chair. "Perhaps I needn't join a hunt or rescue. We most likely could do a full supply run with the Glaive or hunters since our normal trading operations are unavailable. I don't imagine Cor would protest."

"Marvelous. And he best not protest. I don't care if he is the Immortal and almost crippled, I'll come up there and fight him all the same."

Ignis spluttered on a chuckled. "And here I thought I'd heard you just say you weren't going to use humor as a coping mechanism."

"Where in my last statement did you find humor?"

"Nowhere at all."

"Good."

Ignis shook his head fondly. "I'll go speak with Cor promptly. Before your hair goes grey."

"…I hate you."

"I'm certain you do."


As Ignis suspected, Cor did not protest to his plan. They needed only form a team, round up the supplies, and head out when everyone was rested and ready.

This was such a large change to Ignis' current routine, and it was happening so quickly. He doubted he'd even have time to speak to everyone here before he left, but there were a couple of people in particular he knew he need to fill in before they dragged him back into the city by his ankles.

If they thought he was ditching the cities again for even a moment they'd track him down and make his life hell.

Fortunately, it appeared he'd lucked out in the regard of speaking to them both, as Aranea and Gladio were in the same place at the moment.

Sparring again.

Ignis shook his head. It appeared they'd become quite fond of each other in that regard.

Aranea was the first to notice him walking up to their outside training area, and she flipped away from one of Gladio's strikes and raised a hand to pause the fight. "Specs!"

"Iggy?" Gladio dropped his sword back into the Armiger, swiveling around. "Hey! You don't come see us out here very often."

"Indeed not." Ignis folded his hands behind his back. After all his time outside the city, he wasn't very keen on unnecessary fights. It had been exhausting being on guard every single moment of each day for almost two years. He didn't need extra practice with how many missions he did anyway.

Aranea tilted her head, narrowing her eyes in the way she did when she was suspicious. "So why the visit?"

Ignis came to a stop just before them. "Just keeping you updated. Ravus is requesting that I have a position transfer."

"To Crestholm?"

The alarm in Aranea's voice warmed Ignis' heart a bit. He knew she cared for him. Even if they still hadn't crossed over into a full relationship yet, their feelings were well known. But it was still nice to know she'd miss him.

"Not entirely, don't worry." Ignis smiled softly. "But I appear to be his only option when it comes to filling in Loqi's spot as leader of the trading endeavors."

"Oh." Gladio blinked, hands moving to rest on his hips. "So, back out there for long stretches, huh? You okay with that?"

Ignis nodded. "Having a team is thankfully very different from my previous isolated experience, but that experience will no doubt prove helpful."

Aranea gave a slow nod. "Right. That's smart. No one else is on your level in that regard."

Ignis winced internally. He knew he was forgiven, but there was definitely still edges of hurt around the topic of his fake death. He hated that, but there was nothing he could do about it. It would likely be a long, long time before the hurt there was completely gone. If it ever was.

"When do you leave?" Aranea switched her lance over to her other hand, propping it up on the ground and leaning on it.

"Soon. Almost immediately, actually. I already cleared the matter with the Marshal." He just needed to do a bit more packing to be ready himself. Then he could help with whatever remained in terms of loading up supplies.

"Got time for dinner?" Aranea wondered.

"I… suppose I do." He needed to eat before leaving anyway. He might as well not dine alone.

Aranea stood up fully, dismissing her lance. "Then I say we hit the town, boys. Can't let you leave without a proper send-off."

"Heh. I'm in," Gladio agreed, clapping his hands together with a grin.

Ignis smiled softly. "Sounds wonderful."

There was likely a lot of stress and activity in his near future, but right now was for his friends.