Will you pray for me?

Cor isn't surprised that she doesn't recognize it, though he is a little disappointed that he didn't get to talk to Ignis over the phone himself. Still, from her reaction, it's obvious that the person on the other line really wants to meet him.

Which is probably a good thing, considering who they're heading to meet.

"That's fine. Is he meeting us at the station, or at some other place in the area?"

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Robin doesn't like the phone, and continues to prioritize face to face interaction and finds the whole thing odd. It's not particularly her first thought when it comes to conversation, so she doesn't think much of Iggy's rush.

"He'll be meeting us at the station. It sounded like he was already on the way out."

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Cor nods in contentment. "Good."

He waits quietly for them to reach their destination, willing to follow her as soon as she signals that it's time for them to get off.

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As soon as Ignis heard that name, his stomach dropped. He never expected Cor a Leonis, of all people, to be here. Not only that, but he ran into Robin, of all people. Hopefully, their meeting had not been antagonistic.

He's waiting at the station, pulling at the sleeves of his coat, trying to look his best. He's thinner than he was when he arrived, he looks more ragged. He wouldn't be surprised if Cor barely recognized him.

When the train pulls up, he stands at attention, back straight. He spots them and raises his fist to his chest in respect. "Marshall."

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Robin points out their stop, then leads the older man off the train into the familiar station. She has mixed feelings about this meeting. On one hand, it's always good to have an ally with you in a strange place. On the other, it means they're trapped in Duplicity and subject to it's untoward whims just like everyone else.

"Ignis!" Robin spots Ignis first and points him out, then waves to get his attention. She glances up at Monsieur Leonis to gauge his reaction. The man is so stern, she can't tell what his opinion of her friend is.

Marshall?

She hadn't expected the military greeting. Which is, she immediately realized, was rather foolish considering he told her they were fighting a war, and he was close to the royal family. Robin isn't exactly sure what to do right now, so she simply steps aside so the two man can work things out.

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Cor does indeed spot the younger man, about the same time as Robin does. And his eyes widen just a little bit before his face grows even more stoic. Which is just an external measure of just how worried Cor is about his younger companion.

Ignis is...thinner. And not as well-kept as he normally is. Both of which are very troubling signs. But he nods formally in response to Ignis' salute and greetings. "Ignis...it's good to see you again. Your friend here--" He nods to Robin. "--mentioned that you may have been here longer than I have."

Aka, 'I need a report on your status ASAP.'

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Ignis relaxes his posture some and gives a curt nod, though when he looks at Robin, his expression softens. "That's correct, Marshall. Daresay I've been here about four months now. Let's not debrief here, however."

He motions for them both to follow. "My home is not far. Please, follow me."

[ooc: this is Ignis' home, in case you're curious. https://coffeeandfire.dreamwidth.org/774.html]

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Robin offers Ignis a small smile and an awkward little wave, not really wanting to draw much attention to herself at this juncture but not wanting to be rude either.

"Would you rather I leave you to it, then?"

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((OOC: Iggy's house looks wonderful <3 I look forward to Cor dropping by in the near future!))

Cor gives a curt nod of agreement. "Let's do that, then." Better to do so in private, away from prying eyes and ears.

He turns to look at Robin for a few moments. "...I wouldn't mind it too much if you did or didn't, but Ignis has the final say."

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Ignis looks at Robin, smiling gently. "I think your input would be valuable in the debriefing, unless you have somewhere else to be?"

Ignis thinks that having Robin's perspective would give Cor a better picture of the situation at hand. He rounds a corner as they talk and soon they are at his house. He takes his keys out and goes to unlock the door. He holds it open, motioning for them to head on inside. "Make yourselves at home."

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Robin blinks up at them both and offers an awkwardly executed smile as she itches absently at one of her stitches. "I'll do my best to help!"

She lets the two men take the lead, sliding back into her old apprentice habits for the time being, trailing a few steps behind while the two.. friends? Comrades? Start to catch up with each other.

When they reach the house, Robin lets Cor go first before following inside. She's trying to stay out of the way for the time being, since it's become more than obvious this man is Very Important.

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Cor simply gives her a small nod of thanks, even as they follow Ignis back to his place. As soon as they step in, Cor feels himself relax, even just for a little, at the aesthetics of the place. It's very fitting for the Advisor's tastes - very nice and chic, but not opulent in any way.

Still...there's the fact that this young friend of his still looks a little more ragged than before, and there's a small frown of concern as he slowly sinks into the couch. "I hope you've been able to afford having a place like this, Ignis," he comments. "How bad are things here - for both sides?"

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"I am well-employed." Ignis reassures the Marshall, turning to Robin with a sheepish smiled. "I would hate to ask this of you. Dear Robin...but could I have you make coffee while I catch up with my friend?"

At Cor's question, he sighs softly. "Submissives certainly have it worst." He starts. "However, there is pressure for Dominants to keeps their Submissives in line. We are required to provide for them and keep them in line. We've been through some nasty things and...well...there are repercussions for not following the system."

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She does a very good job at hiding her flustered exasperation at being called that in front of someone else for the first time ever. Instead she just smiles and nods. "Of course!"

And with that she trots off to the kitchen. There is no way she could know Ignis for any length of time without learning how a coffee maker works. She even fusses about, gathering items to set up a tray with cream and sugar to bring out with their cups when it's done.

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"So it's enforcement on both sides? Huh...that's new." Disturbingly so. Normally, the ones who are supposed to be in charge tend to get away with a lot of things. Unless, of course, there's someone above even them...

But as soon as Robin slips into the kitchen, though, Cor quietly asks, "They don't punish Dominants for acting outside their roles, either, do they? Because you look like you've been stuck on the streets for at least a few weeks." The last words are spoken with the familiar tone of semi-parental concern - a tone that Ignis may or may not recognize from his childhood days.

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"I'm sure you've only really heard about things on the submissive side, but yes. Dominants have many responsibilities." Ignis is surprised that Cor thinks he's acted out.

"Ah, do I? I've actually been following the rules. I just have a lot of work." Ignis says, fussing with his hair. "Do I really look that bad?"

Edited Date: 2019-01-23 02:58 pm (UTC)

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Robin has apparently been a very good submissive, as her mark is still a solid black. She'd been an apprentice exorcist before coming here, and as with most apprenticeships, it came with a lot of servile duties to her master. It's practically her default mode to try and take care of things that need doing around her.

She's doesn't have a contract with Ignis, but he's been an invaluable friend even despite how they met. Ignis tends to get a degree of fussing himself while she's around.

So while the coffee is brewing, she starts peeking around to see if there's anything to serve with the coffee. In France it would generally be a croissant or a bit of bread, though people here tend to drink coffee with just about anything. Are they hungry? Should she make sandwiches? She can't cook to save her life, but she can handle a sandwich.

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Cor's own line has become purple over the last few days, with a faint hint of grey around the tips. An obvious sign that he's not quite adjusting to his new societal role as well as the city leaders may have hoped.

"You look like you're either not eating enough, or you're getting sick. Either way, I do recommend trying to remedy that by actually taking care of yourself." Which one can see as being rich, coming from Mr. 'Really, broken bones aren't bad; I've been thru worse.' A pause, though, before he quietly adds, "Neither of us know when I would next need your help."

He then speaks a little more loudly. "I do have another question, though...'My Dear Darling Robin'? Never heard of you describing someone like that before..."

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Ignis' kitchen is, of course, well-stocked, and has anything that Robin may need. He does have croissants, but he also has things to make sandwiches.

Ignis sighs, shaking his head. "I've just not been sleeping well. Sometimes, I may forget to eat. It's been... Stressful."

He flusters at the next line of questioning. "Marshall! You added an adjective... But I stand by it. He's very dear to me. We've been through a lot."

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Robin decides to go for sandwiches right now. Neither of them are from Earth, let along France, and Marshall 'Horn' may be hungry after everything he's been put through already.

So she pulls out some meats and veggies and sets to making a handful of sandwiches while the coffee pot steeps and percolates, at least mostly oblivious to how this behavior is why her mark is the way it is.

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"It proved my point, didn't it?" Ah, the deadpan tease. But then a small smile appears briefly as he adds, "Still...I'm glad that you've found some measure of happiness with someone. Even one such as him."

He then sighs and continues. "What exactly has been going on here to make you so overworked? You're normally not skipping on food so mucb, either, even after all the shit that's been going on back home."

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"I've actually found a couple of people who bring me happiness. And there is nothing wrong with Robin. Don't say it like that." Ignis scolds. Robin doesn't deserve the modifier. Robin does deserve happiness. "But thank you. As for my health..."

Ignis sighs.

"I have taken on a bit more than I ought to, but there have been some things that have happened. Everything from mind control, to murder...this last four months has been harrowing."

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Robin can hear their voices, but not what they're talking about, not that she would blame the Marshall for his opinions. She just doesn't always think of herself as a proper person. Even without knowing what she is, her stitches are garish and off putting. Not to mention she's often mistaken as being unfortunately young.

So for now she's going to fuss with sandwiches and debate on whether or not to bring the whole pot or only mugs full, clueless as to what is actually appropriate. At least the coffee is well on it's way now, and she'll bring everything in once the other men are settled.

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Cor's nose can smell the coffee, and it's a soothing scent, considering whose house he's currently in. Just like Ignis to have a fresh pot on hand for any guests....

But the news makes Cor tense, especially the murder part. "...I hope you weren't forced to commit the other - not without good cause." He can understand killing a threat - that's what soldiers and protectors do. "But still, you really do need to take better care of yourself, even a little bit."

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"I haven't killed anyone, no... Not... Not with my own hands..." Ignis starts shaking. The memories of Stefano and that whole ordeal, seeing that poor girl butchered and strung up in flowers, rush back to him and he goes cold.

He can't even address the second half of Cor's statement before he doubles over, just barely able to stop himself from vomiting. He starts hyperventilating, the scene flashing over and over in his mind.

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Robin is setting the plate of sandwiches with mugs and napkins on a tray with milk and sugar as the coffee finishes up, unfortunately oblivious to the goings on in the other room. She has no knowledge of the incident at hand or that anyone has been murdered, or even that Ignis has been suffering over it.

So she pours the mugs of coffee when it's ready, lifting the whole tray with ease as she finally starts to head back to where the other two men are, pausing in the door with a look of shock and confusion on her face.

"Ignis? What-?"

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Cor's seen enough people deal with 'war flashbacks' - aka, PTSD - to immediately recognize what's going on with the younger man. "...shit. Ignis, listen to me." He grabs the younger man's shoulders, keeping his voice even and calm. "You're safe now. All the crap you've been thru before? That's past now. You're here, with friends..."

He looks up to see Robin stepping back into the room with coffee and food. "He's having a flashback to what I presume to be a bad time. Set the tray down slowly...and try and wave some coffee beneath his nose." Damn, Cor wishes that one of the others were here - Noctis could always get thru to his advisor, and Gladio could always bear-hug him as necessary...

But Cor's trying to help. Whether that's successful or not remains to be seen.

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Ignis goes rigid in Cor's cold, going deathly pale. His eyes are unfocused, but as Cor speaks, his breathing steadies. Tears streak down his face, and he isn't looking at Cor, even if his eyes are facing him.

He's trapped.

He knows Cor is there and his body is safe, but his mind is trapped, the flash of Stefano's camera blinding his vision.

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