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[Stones of Farspeech] A Request or Two

I realize most of you are busy with the new island, but if I can, I'd like to borrow a moment of your time. This shouldn't interfere with new explorations, fortunately. It's actually rather dependent on them.

[Ignis has been very absent since Gladio was sent home last month. Even now, it's hard for him to reach out and exploring in this mindset is not the best of ideas, but he also can't allow himself to idle any longer.]

Shion and I have been discussing the creation of a list of questions we can ask each new deity we run across so we can compare answers to look for patterns and other things that may help us begin sorting out the greater mystery of this place as we learn about each island we come across. There are obvious general questions we can ask, but we wanted to see if there were any more specific ones people would like added to the list. If you have anything, can you let me know? Your help is most appreciated.

[There is a momentary pause where the only sound is Ignis softly drawing a deep breath as he steels himself for the next topic.]

For those who aren't aware, Gladio has been returned to Eos. Prompto and I are going to do our bests to keep the lighthouse workshop stocked and in good shape. We're also going to try and keep his projects on the farming islet going since they are of benefit to us all. We could use some help, though, if anyone can volunteer.

Also, if you were working on a project with him, can you let either Prompto or myself know? We don't want any of those to fall by the wayside.

[His voice gets a little softer as he finishes the communication.]

Gladio wouldn't want that either and I want to do this for him.

Thank you.

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One could always open with 'first of all, how dare you', but then again one shouldn't take my advice on speaking to gods. I tend to shout at them.

[That was apparently what passed for a joke in an attempt to distract Ignis somewhat.]

...I suppose I could be convinced to assist you. I've little else to do at night.

Ummm...

[He bit his lip. He wanted to ask some things, but he didn't want to make it too obvious what he was asking out of fear of Ignis getting hurt. It was silly, really. He should just talk straight to Ignis about his theories, but he really wanted to protect him.]

Maybe ask if Mu is really a dream space, or if all of the islands are actually like that?

I am sorry to hear that.

[He is - Gladio was only an acquaintance, but a friendly one.]

I was not working with him on anything, but I would be happy to help with the farming, if you need anyone.

(Quiet sad chattering.)

We were not working on any specific projects though we have assisted in stocking the lighthouse and various tasks.

We would like to continue assisting with farming tasks and would also be willing to assist in the completion of projects.

...Each new deity? As in. You guys have run into more than just Peter Rabbit. You just fuckin'...talk to random gods?

Thank you for doing this Ignis. [Shion sounds, if anything even more tired than the last time they had spoken. Aster, Ceej, Gladio and now Nezumi. It was hard, draining to keep going, to not give in. Either to the despair threatening or the anger.]

I can help keep up the projects, I wouldn't want any of his work to go to waste.

Of course. I might not be able to do as much as I would like over on the farming islet, but planning and organization I can do with my eyes closed.

[It's a small joke, made at his own expense, but hopefully Shion will still find a little humor in it. He sounds far, far too sad. Lonely even. It's a feeling Ignis knows very well at the moment.]

Right now it looks like he may have had most of the projects wrapped up when he left.

[A small positive in among everything else.]

There is still plenty to do, though. Have you ever baked clay?

They generally refer to themselves as avatars, but they are the closest things to gods we've met so far so I feel the word fits.

[Okay Mr. Semantics.]

So far, most of the islands we've been to have had a deity much like the Storyteller on it. We even had to kill one. Fortunately, most encounters are calmer than that one was.

[RIP Bliss.]

Your assistance would be most welcome, especially with farming. I have my own small garden near the cottage, but my experience taking care of plants is very limited. Fields the size of what is over on the islet are much harder for me to find my way around in than a little garden would be.

[His garden has a system of markers in it to tell him where he is should he lose his place. Ignis hasn't bothered to set up a similar system in the fields. He's not had to before.]

Thank you. He's going to be sorely missed by everyone. I never was quite able to figure out how he made friends so easily, but he was truly talented at it.

[Gladio was always the most social among them, so it's not too surprising to Ignis to hear from a few people Gladio knew that he didn't.]

Honestly, taking care of the farming is the area we need the most help in. I'm blind, so you can probably imagine how difficult it would be for me to keep track of where I am in a large, mostly flat, area like a field.

[Ignis thinks over what Prompto is asking for a long moment just trying to make sure he completely understands the question.]

So you are wondering if the other islands are also dream-like realities, just more completely developed? Do you think Enso is the same as them, then or different?

[The distraction is a success if the soft laugh that proceeds Ignis' answer is anything to go by.]

So you're saying you would be better suited for the role of chocobo wrangler than interviewer?

Unless we want every deity we meet to be quite irritated, yes.

Oh, yes. I was temporarily blinded for a month after the trials - my own garden rather suffered for it.

[Not to compare the two situations or anything? But like, he Feels That.]

What sort of crops are you growing?

I was just thinking how I usually describe Mu as a dream place to people, and it got me wondering if the truth is this whole thing is a dream place.

I mean, what kind of place has islands pop up and leave out of nowhere like this? None of the people or whatever we've seen have been normal. If we tried to describe this to someone back home, wouldn't they think it was a weird dream?

[At least he managed to keep it from going morbid.]

If it's all the same to you, I'd rather avoid that until we know for certain we actually need to fight them. After that, have at. I'm hardly going to stop you.

[And then, for a sudden change of topic...]

You know, if you feel the urge to do anymore carving, there is plenty of wood stored in the lighthouse.

Oh? Is this some roundabout way of asking me to craft something for you?

I certainly can't argue that describing it all as some kind of strange dream would be an easy way to explain it, but what would be the point of trapping so many in a dream?

[He's going to pick your brain about this. Sorry, Prompto. It's what he does.]

Unless Mu itself is more than it seems? We have already seen it acting almost as if it has a kind of sentience of its own, after all.

It's not something I would wish on anyone for any length of time. I'm sorry to hear you had to experience it.

[Fortunately, Ignis isn't the type to take offense easily. He can tell genuine empathy when he hears it.]

In my own garden? There are some apricot trees, witch hazel and other herbs more suited for cooking, but for the most part it's coffee plants.

[A soft laugh comes over the crystal.]

I rather had an addiction before coming here, so Prompto got me some coffee plants not long after we arrived. I think I may finally be getting close to a decent brew.

It just might be.

[Can you hear that smile in his voice, Ardyn?]

After all, I still count that walking stick as one of my most prized possessions.

Your sentimental nonsense is revolting.

[The half-joking eyeroll was similarly very audible.]

Perhaps I could consider it. I may have an abundance of time to spare, but that scarcely means I'm to be at your beck and call.

Oh, isn't it though? I should be ashamed of myself.

[So. Much. Sarcasm.]

Why, I would never assume to think you so tame as to be at my beck and call. I'm just fortunate I occasionally catch your attention for some reason.

As it happens, I'm bored out of my mind and yet haven't reason enough to set the islands all aflame. It would seem the middle ground is to focus my attention elsewhere. Aren't you lucky.

Actually, in all honesty, I do consider myself quite lucky, beloved.

[Oh dear. Here he goes being all sentimental again.]

[...oh, ew]

And what, precisely, do you find so fortunate here? I'd not call much of this an ideal situation.

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[Stones of Farspeech] A Request or Two

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