SIDON

When Prompto had thrown the idea out to Noctis and the others of throwing the prince a quieter, more intimate sort of birthday party, especially to make up for the extravaganza that had been the Insomnia celebration, he had to admit that this was not what he had in mind. But, at the same time, Noctis could barely complain, because how many Lucian princes could say they got to celebrate their birthdays on a completely different world, hanging out with cool new aliens, and diving down waterfalls at amazing heights? He'd take that over a parade and a fancy ball almost any day. And it was fun, hanging out with Prompto's friends from school, getting to finally meet that other prince, being able to just get away from Insomnia for a change and just soak of the sun of a different land and wonder if this is what it was like for most seventeen year olds when they had birthday parties held by their friends who went to weird multidimensional high schools in a far distant galaxy.

Well. It was probably about as close to normal as he was going to get, anyway.

And when they were all finished running around and just having fun and taking in the splendor that was Zora's Domain, they settled in the Seabed Inn, there there were actually beds they could all sit on and was relatively the driest place in the joint, to sit down with some food that the Zora had gone out of their way to actually cook for them (good thing none of them were allergic to seafood!), as well as the sad attempt at a cake that Prompto had made that at least managed to taste better than it looked (not that it would be that hard). And then? Presents.

Even though Noctis has insisted that no one needed to get him presents, because he had, like, anything he'd need.

Of course, any sort of modesty about it went right out the window once he'd carefully opened the gifts that had been so beautifully wrapped by Nina, taking care not to disturb all her effort in the process, and he saw what it was.

"....is this a....fish?"

"And it sings, too, dude!" That was Prompto, leaning over to push the button and treating everyone to a rousing rendition of 'Take Me To the River.'

There were...no words. Literally. No words. Noctis may have tried, but it just sort of came out in confused little sounds and murmurs. "P...Prom....uhhh...wha...?"

"And there's more!" he added, shoving the much squishier present at him, the one that held THE ROMPERS.

"...whu?" said Noctis, eloquently, as he unrolled one of the rompers and took a look at it, while Gladio nearly had to cling to Ignis from laughing so hard.

"Oh, man, Noct," he managed to get out. "You are gonna look great in that."

And that's when Gladio got hit in the face with a romper-missile, as Noctis pulled out another. "So are you, big guy. There's four of them."

"...four?"

"Four."

There was...a pause.

"Prompto! What the hell!"

Ahhhh, good times. Prompto was fairly certainly that if Gladio got within an inch of him, he was definitely getting tossed over the side of the waterfall again, but, oh, the look on their faces, captured perfectly, of course, with a click of his camera....woooorrrtttthhhh iiiiiiiittttt!

[[ *mods all the NPCs from a different account, mwa ha ha!* I promised a reaction post, and so voila! Mostly establishy, but definitely open for those getting their party on with the princes, if'n they like or are able. Thanks a lot, work, plague, and hurricanes!! >:0 ]]

Well, Vette had detention today, but while she was engaged in that (and Sidon, try as he might could not understand exactly what it even was for the life of him) had his own task to pursue in the meantime. So, just as Vette was expected to be at detention at...'ass o'clock,' Sidon was at the Portalocity Office at pretty much the same time, bursting in and greeting them all with far too much enthusiasm for...'ass o'clock.'

But he was just so charming, with that smile of his, that they didn't seem to mind too terribly at all once he got started, complimenting everyone on how lovely and competent they all looked on this fine, fine day. And, surely, they were the only ones on the island that could help them with planning a lovely little last minute trip to this place he'd been hearing so much about, Nar Shaddaa, and, oh, have they been there? No? Oh, that seemed like a shame, perhaps they should consider going some day, where was the last place they had gone on their free time? Oh, yes, that place sounded absolutely wonderful, please tell him more! Oh, you had slides? Oh, fantastic, yes, of course he would love to see and hear about every single one...!

And once that was over and the gnomes were just a little astonished that not only did someone ask them about their travels for a change, he actually seemed genuinely interested, and even asked after their children, their ambitions, all sorts of things! But lest they not get distracted, since he had come in planning on a trip, they started to arrange for the details. There was the matter of which Nar Shaddaa, naturally, since there were many different portals and pathways to that particular galaxy, which opened the door for Sidon to mention that, well, he was actually planning to take this trip with someone else, his most wonderful and incredible girlfriend, who was from there, and she was hoping to show him around. Perhaps if they just checked the records, that would leave them to the correct time and destination.

But therein, of course, was the problem. It was all very complicated, and Sidon listened carefully to the details of why it was, quite frankly, impossible, but he was clearly not here to take no for an answer. "Oh, but there must be some sort of mistake!" he declared. "Surely, a capable and brilliant team such as yourself would not be so quickly dissuaded by such a small little blip? Perhaps, if we try our hardest, we can work through it together. I know you can do it! I believe in you!"

Well, with that vote of confidence, they could hardly deny the prince at least the effort, and, while they were looking into it, he regaled them with more stories and asked them about their own stories, keeping the mood just so bouyant and pleasant, and when their next attenpts reached more of the same problem, he kept his encouragement strong and determined. "You can do it!" Sidon pumped his fist again and again. "Never give up! I believe in you! We can get through this together!"

And how could they stand to disappoint their bold new friend now? So they doubled-down, started to explore new avenues never before considered, flying through all the portal-problem-possibilities. There was a big board with photos and documents, theories strung together with string and pushpins, phones were ringing off the hook, memos passed from one hand to the other, all while Sidon kept cheering them on with unfaltering faith.

"I did it!" a small voice eventually chirped up, beaming as she stood from her station. "I cracked it! We can get her through!"

"Ah-ha!" Sidon beamed, practically bouncing over to her and pumping his fist once more. "Wonderful! I never once doubted it! I knew you could do it! How absolutely clever and incredible you are! Truly remarkable! Yes!"

That poor little gnome was going to be floating on air for a week after all the unabashed abulations.

So now all they needed was the person herself.

Sidon glanced at the clock to see just how much time had passed since they had all started working on it.

...however long did this detention thing even last??

[[ mostly for that most incredible, wonderful, magnificent girlfriend, but he is there literally all day so if anyone's coming on through the portalocity office and wants to say hi, please do! ]]

A challenge had been issued. And if anyone thought someone like Sidon would do anything but fully rise to meet that challenge with aplomb and gusto....well, then, clearly, they did not know Sidon. He supposed he could have waited a little later in the day, understanding that it was the weekend and some people (very rarely him!) liked to enjoy not having to be up early for classes or jobs or whatever else they had, but it took a great deal of willpower to wait even as long as he had. After all, each second that passed was an opportunity to lose that challenge.

And that simply would not stand.

Which was why there was a very large Zora at the door of Room 221 that morning, giving it a strong and hearty knock. "Vette!" he called out, before delivering another rhymthmic rapping on the door. "Vette! It is I, Sidon! The Zora Prince!"

She could probably hear that sparkling grin through the door, really.

"You must come quickly! We haven't got a moment to spare!"

[[ for that girl he kinda likes, though feel free to grumble. and NFB for distance after they hit that sweet, sweet portal, natch ]]

Swept away bright and early that morning from the convenient (and thankfully snow-cleared) Portalocity office, Sidon and his guests arrived with ease at the base of the Ne'ez Yohma shrine, nestled behind the main courtyard of the magnificent Zora's Domain, nestled in the mountains of the Great Lanayru Spring and gleaming in the morning sun after a light rain.

"Everyone here?" Sidon asked, looking around before drawing in a deep breath of that fresh Lanayru air and sighing happily, pleased especially to see not even the slightly hint of snow. "Excellent! Welcome to Zora's Domain! Please, make yourselves at home! I shall go let my father know we've arrived; I trust those of you who've been here before can assist our newest guests in getting settled and finding their way around! Come on, then, don't be shy! Though...I suppose you might want to remove your shoes, unless you'd prefer soaked boots!"

With his typical dazzling, sharp smile, Sidon pumped his fist, and swung his arm to encourage them to follow him as he hurried up the steps, splashing through the shallow water that was literally everywhere. "Let's go!"

[[for the royal guests! OCD incoming is up! Have at it, for great Honda Days SP justice!]]