revivalproject | [Open] The Daring, Dashing, And Dating

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[Open] The Daring, Dashing, And Dating

WHO: Gladiolus, Noctis, Any Starduck Crew (or visitors), Open
WHERE: Starduck, Ul'Dah, Limsa Lominsa, Gold Saucer, Costa del Sol Dungeon
WHAT: Shipboard Times, Questions, Gladitorial Work, Dungeon Crawl, and Dating
WHEN: During Event, from June 17th - August 10th
WARNINGS: Violence/Injuries Possible in the Dungeon Crawl
NOTES: Unless otherwise noted, assume Gladio is dressed Like This on the planet

1A - A New Star | Starduck | [Crewmates Only]

Turned out that flying a ship in atmo and in space were not quite the same. Gladio may have had some practice at the former, but fuck, the latter wasn't easy. He grit his teeth as he focused on the whole thing. After a thought he flips a switch and speaks, hoping the PA system really does work.

"This is your Captain. Feel free to come on up to get a fucking view of a glowing hole in space. And some planet with it I guess. Anyone got any Ifrit-Damned clue what's going on here? Come up to the cockpit and explain shit."

1B - Captain With The Ship | Starduck | [OTA, visitors from other ships welcome to fly over]

No one could be on the planet all of the time. Okay, maybe they could, and go and spend their money on nice restaurants or plush inns, but not Gladio. No, he had other things he should be doing, and honestly, he felt safer bunking down on the Starduck. So in the evenings it was always a touch to a crystal and being whisked back onto his ship. Once there Gladio groaned and started to shed his gear right there in the hold. Simple enough to tuck it all back into his chest and then dress in his normal gear.

"Nice place, like to visit. Fuck I wouldn't wanna stay."

He wasn't used to people being that much larger and stronger than him. The Hrothgar were getting to him.

"Time to chill.

2 - King of the Ring | Ul'Dah Coliseum | [OTA]

They had him at 'battle monsters for a purse of money'. Gladio was a monster hunting machine back home, and he was more than happy to prove it here. Granted he wouldn't be able to change his weapons on the fly in the battle, but he still didn't mind. He's doing great.

It's easy to run into him here. Gladio's often in the back prep areas, stretching and doing warm up exercises, eyes sparkling with excitement. Any might approach him then as he warmed up for a nice round of monster fighting. Of course there was always the chance that someone might want to set up a nice little spot of one on one competition, may the winner take the spoils. All it would take is someone approaching him to start a conversation for that.

But a guy couldn't be fighting all the time. And after fights even Gladio found himself up in the stands, stretched out and catching his breath as he watched the action. Maybe he might not linger as long, but hey, it was nice to see who all was a good fighter, right?

3 - Stocking Up For Later | Limsa Lominsa Markets | [OTA]

It felt it had been so damn long since Gladio had been in a bustling port down, since he could see the sun on the water and in the sky and on the beach and not see ruins along with it all. It was... Fuck, it was one of the most beautiful things ever. And so he didn't mind coming back here time and time again. First he kept stopping in to check up on Noctis (fishing, predictably). Then he moved on to gather quests for the day, intending to head out to do what he could to build up gold, earn rumors, and go seeking the secrets the Agrii needed.

He spent a lot of time moving between shops to pick up potions and other supplies, and of course he popped in and out of other ones to look over weapons and armor. But in the end the thing that gave him the most pause was any time he caught sight of someone he recognized from Temba.

"Hey! Over here!" he shouted, waving. Better to let them know he was around, and swap intel. Had to know what was going on, right? They were all in this together.

4 - Old Hand At Dungeons | Costa del Sol Dungeon | [One Thread Tony & Jon, OTA one on one otherwise]

Seek Rats, huh? Well, if Gladio knew anything, rats and all that sorta shit were in underground caves. Sure, they were other places too, but who was he to judge? Besides, they probably meant secrets, and from Gladio's experience, some of the deepest and most important secrets of his own world were in fucking caves. Sure there were daemons there too, but they'd found answers to stop the will of Bahamut in caves like this.

So, once he'd heard the cave was a thing, that it was new, well, it seemed like a place to go searching. Gladio's earlier meeting with Tony had brought him to the decision of working with others for this, and once he was pretty sure they were sufficiently geared up, he'd boarded a boat, and gone with Tony to find the entrance to the cave.

"Alright," he said, eyes casting about to make sure there was no one around before using Tony and Jon as cover to summon his sword to his hand. Better safe than sorry. "Time to go in. Your job is to stay back and be my eyes, and solve any puzzles. Keep a mental map of where we're going. And if you feel confident fighting, join in. Just make sure you get back if I order you to, okay?"

He was the experienced on in this after all.

Of course Tony and Jon weren't the only ones he went in with either. Gladio was always happy to go through places extra times, because honestly it was easier to do a thing multiple times. And hey, he was making good money from hunting these monster parts. So he didn't mind clearing the beach while he waited for additional partners to go dungeoning with. In fact, he thought he had caught sight of someone right now. Gladio stood a little taller, leaning his giant sword against his shoulder, and he nodded.

"Yo. You looking to head in? Could use another set of hands."

5 - Charm Goes Arm In Arm | Gold Saucer | [Closed to Noctis]

It had taken a week and a half before Gladio had finished the plan. He'd told Noctis he had an idea, that he'd let the guy know when it was ready. Seeing as they shared a ship, he could keep Noctis appraised at night if Noctis came back to the ship to sleep. Six knew that Gladio sure slept on the ship, liking how safe and secure it felt. And the night before Gladio had asked Noctis to make sure to reserve the day for him.

All the time had been investing in building up the Gil for this. With a heavy pouch filled with the money he'd need for the planned evening, he had awoken, dressed in an outfit he'd gotten expressly for the day, and then he had awoken Noctis. Once he had his King up and moving he guided Noctis to the crystal, and then through it, dropping them in the entrance of the Gold Saucer.

"Alright," he said, smiling as he held his hand to Noctis, "today is for us. I've got a lot of ideas, and some set plans. But you're welcome to overrule stuff."

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Dustin's face pales as his eyes catch Gladio's from the opposite side of Hawkers' Alley. He tries to brush off the brief connection as a mistake, promptly looking away to resume his transaction with the merchant trying to buy from him a recently-crafted bronze cuirass. Unfortunately, it sounds like the simple act of meeting Gladio's gaze was enough.

Maybe I can ignore him? This doesn't work, either; the merchant gives Dustin his coin and points out that he should go see what his friend wants. His shoulders slump in exasperation. Goddammit.

Thoroughly annoyed now, Dustin snatches up the pouch of silver and stalks his way over to the waving Gladio, a scowl plastered on his face as he slides up--

--and keeps going down the path. "Walk with me," he instructs as he passes, voice quiet and curt. "Too many listeners here."

There wasn't such a thing as a 'Dungeon' on Earth, as far as Tony knew--not the way everyone here kept seeming to use it, not to refer to the basement at the Hellfire Club or Sunset's house, but similar; a dangerous place with treasure in it. There probably were dungeons, just not how Gladio seemed to recognize what it meant, that he would need armor, that this was where they would find what the Agrii were looking for. So, Tony had to concede, a little, tiny bit, that Gladio was the authority here, and he was willing to do that as long as he was making what he thought it would take to keep them safe, but less so when he was being told to 'stay back' and listen to 'orders'.

"Sure, let me know how that goes," he dismissed, sauntering on ahead immediately. He could handle surprises, he had his armor. Not the Iron Man, but there were whole institutions in this place dedicated to the craft, who knew exactly what he was talking about--up until autonomous functions were involved, at least. He looked more ready for a joust than the sleek, aerodynamic lines of the Iron Man, sharp edges and warning spikes along the plates of the gloves and pauldrons that covered his arms and were leather-strapped around his chest. There was still a distinctive glow in his palms, and winking at his heels as he walked, that created a cool blue bloom around them as they entered the dark of the cave. He had to push his goggles up to see better there, squinting through the tinted lenses meant to face the fire and not a muggy cavern. This was eerie. And made him feel overdressed. He had been in this passage, and hadn't yet needed a giant sword to survive it.

Dude, don't make eye contact with him if you don't want to talk to him. Your own damn fault, Dustin. Could have just ignored the wave and acted like they didn't know each other. Still, it's not something he's turning away.

"You sound a bit paranoid kid."

Days were filled with fishing and that meant a shower right after. He was fighting one on one too just to test his skills though why he'd been driven to do so he couldn't say. But Noctis was more than ready for this date (if not a little nervous) that they'd spoken of more than a few times and it was nice to be able to see those plans in motion now.

It made him feel like a little kid again and this place was just bursting with entertainment and things to do. In a way, it reminded him of the Chocobo Festival and all the fun that had been had. The fireworks had been beautiful and the whole thing had gone pretty damn well.

Here he had Gladio with him and while he might wish the other guys were here, dating the shield would take no small amount of explaining and Prompto would no doubt endlessly tease them.

The king just smiled up at the shield and wished he had a nicer set of clothes. A suit would've been nice, but he hadn't been able to find one as of yet. He had no plans to veto anything, but he'd have to wait and see. "Well Captain, let's just get going on this date and see what you have in mind."

Edited 2022-07-21 06:38 (UTC)

Having entered the dungeon before by himself, Jon feels more inclined to listen and stay back, as Gladio has requested. The creatures within this cave have proven to be more dangerous than he liked and he is still nursing a few bruises under these layers of clothes the Agrii have picked for him.

Though this time he doesn't come unarmed, at least. He has been able to learn about the type of weapon his attire makes the regular inhabitants of this planet expect him to carry and it hasn't been too hard to acquire as well. Though of course that doesn't mean Jon knows how to use the scarlet rapier he now carries by his side. Or that peculiar contraption of crystal and metal that somehow is lighter than it looks. Does he know it's meant to cast spells with? He assumes. But also he isn't able to cast any of these spells.

"Right." He simply confirms even as he watches Tony march ahead. "They may be attacking us in small groups. That's what happened to me."

Understatement of the year, Gladio.

"Not like we're supposed to stay hidden and not draw attention to ourselves or anything," Dustin hisses, ducking his head. His path would take them out of the narrow, merchant-filled alley and into the plaza surrounding Limsa Lominsa's central crystal, skirting the edge to avoid the majority of the crowd. "Honestly. You people could stand to be a little more paranoid sometimes."

Sometimes those sorts of statements are what people need, or so he's always thought.

"And you think knowing other people draws attention?" Gladio asks. "You decided that being an introverted dude that flinches at being recognized is more 'normal'?"

Gladio had seen this place as very social and excitable.

"I was raised for degrees of paranoia. You have exceeded them, kid."

Gladio sighed as Tony basically ignored him and started forward. Because that's apparently what the guy does. Seriously, it's almost frustrating.

"No one respects the dude literally raised to know how to protect others," he grumbled as he strode next to Jon. He'd maybe let Tony take a punch or two as a lesson before throwing himself in the way.

"Sounds about standard for pack hunting creatures. What sorts of things did you run into? Wanna figure out best attack tactics. Better to think about that stuff earlier rather than later when you're dealing with a combat group not used to working together."

Hey, Gladio could deal with Prompto teasing him if it meant Noctis on his arm for any second he could steal it for. This was a dream he was never meant to live, and while it wasn't the Noctis he'd known exactly, he still wanted to take what he could get. Every last moment.

For now he was smiling as he offered his arm out to Noctis. Dude was getting properly romanced.

"I have so many things. First is we're going to go try some chocobo races. Bet I win this time."

Dustin's face grows a bit hot. Gladio...has a point. Not that Dustin would ever concede said point, but he recognizes that maybe his lack of social graces as done more harm than good here.

"...The merchant I was selling to called me out on it," he pouts. Then - equal parts because he's found an adequately secluded corner and because he wants to change the subject - Dustin parks and swivels on Gladio, arms folded tightly. "The hell were you flagging me down for, anyway?"

Yeah, he's got a point, and on more than just his sword. He's more than just the brawn. He's got a brain on his shoulders when he chooses to use it. Which is most of the time. He just doesn't make a big deal out of it, because he respects there are plenty of people smarter than him.

He just does his best.

"Honestly? Mistook you for someone else. But hey, you're here now, no reason we can't talk."

"Good to know I'm at least a backup option," Dustin huffs, rolling his eyes. Not that he necessarily blames Gladio for seeking out company he's actually familiar with - the two of them have never formally met, after all - but his bruised pride is making him feel a little snippy. "What about? Find something interesting?"

Noct's eyes got big as he saw the arm come out for him. He was totally impressed that his shield would even consider doing something like that for even a split second. But he couldn't resist a boyish smile as he took the offered arm.

And then he laughed. "You're still mad I kicked your ass back home at racing."

While he still definitely was not listening to them, Tony took the time to glance back and make sure they were keeping up because he also didn't have the patience to explain what they had missed while they were dawdling, only to freeze there and consider maybe he didn't have to get too far ahead. His gaze darted between the other two, trying to calculate just how much of a threat Gladio's huge shoulders were, and if Jon maybe also wondered how easily Gladio could lift him while still hauling that sword.

Tony's voice was loud, and echoed as he suddenly cut in, "Are you sure we should all be in here?" It might have been a little bit of an excuse to interrupt their...conspiring...but Tony's concerned gaze did settle on Jon for a beat then, with an inquisitive tilt of his head. The last time they were in a cave that looked just like this, Tony had carried him out of it. It was Gladio that he asked, "Have you been to the caves, on Agra 10? They mess with your systems."

Why wouldn't he? He is like that for all of his dates, and this was definitely a date. One he wanted to treat properly.

"You didn't kick my ass. You narrowly won," he insisted, because yes, he's got pride.

"Everyone that isn't Noctis is in a fight," Gladio points out. Because the guy is from back home, and they'd fought together for years. "And I was going out for some adventuring."

"Tony respects no one that tries to give him orders." Jon offers in reply to Gladio's grumbling, his eyes roaming the cave as he crosses his arms. "And- I only got a brief glance before running from them. They were quadrupeds. Guess I was lucky-" But he gets cut off by Tony calling back to them. He doesn't miss the look he directs at him and raises a brow in return.

"The caves on Agra-10?" Why does Tony bring up those? The single raised brow morphs into a full frown and Jon hurries forward to meet up with Tony. "Have you found something? Don't tell me there are crystals here as well!" If there are, however, Jon shouldn't be the first to rush towards them, that much is sure.

Dustin arcs an eyebrow at him.

"That's...vague." He tilts his head and releases a hand, gesturing for Gladio to keep going with a wave. "Well? What is everyone that's not Noctis fighting? What kind of adventuring are you trying to do? All of it? Details, dude."

"I don't know what other people are fighting. I'm just saying that Noctis is someone I know how to fight with. We've trained together since he was a kid."

So it's just that simple for him.

"And back home, we did hunter work. Taking out dangerous beasts, and daemons, that were threatening the local wildlife or settlements. Just managing what we could."

"So he just gets himself in trouble and lives with it?"

Geeze that sounds about right for someone like Tony. Still, he rolls his eyes at Tony's question.

"Haven't been to the caves, but yeah, I'm sure were should be here. With all the rumors, this place seems like a good place to investigate. And I can do it alone if you two aren't comfortable."

If Antonio had ever given York an official middle name, it might be 'Trouble'. (Though really it would probably be the human's own middle name of 'Edwin'.) Why? Because he's good at ~~finding it~~ causing it. Sure, he had been on decent enough behavior while in the port of Limsa Lominsa.

But that decent behavior with good intentions backfired. Greatly. After picking a job of trying to keep bothersome gulls away, York had allowed himself to get frustrated and started to throw rocks at the birds. And then broke a window. Possibly hit a patron inside the restaurant. The very establishment he was trying to keep the gulls away from. When the man came out all red face and yelling, the android turned heel and ran to put distance between himself and the keeper.

Every now and then he'd look behind himself to see if the man was still giving chase or not. Which meant he wasn't paying attention to where he was going sometimes.

Until he ran right into something almost as solid as a wall.

Well, this was unexpected. There was Gladio, just minding his business, and there was a kid. A really dense kid with how fucking hard he bowled into Gladio, almost making him stumble backward.

But hey, things were what they were, so he caught the kid by the scruff to try and keep him standing.

"What's going on?" he asked, frowning.

The king had to laugh. "Ya ya ya. Still sore."

It was fun being able to tease Gladio some. It was still weird to think that there wasn't something else more important to do or go..wherever. So he was really happy that this was a thing between them.

But he hadn't let go of that arm damn it and he wasn't going to until he absolutely had to.

Dustin looks like he's about to be annoyed again, but seems to reconsider at the last moment. The guy just sounds like he's looking for work that's relevant to him. Can't be too mad about that. He pauses, looking Gladio over with a critical stare.

"...Have you checked the gathering guilds?" he asks. "They're generally looking for material requisitions, obviously, but I've run into a few jobs asking for muscle to protect their employees. Rare shit tends to be guarded by wild animals, apparently. It's a real problem for them."

"No, no crystals yet..." Tony muttered, not looking convinced that they shouldn't be concerned about the possibility. Having their own powers go haywire and turn against them would explain why this 'dungeon' seemed to be such a high risk to the locals gossiping about it, and Tony was sure he knew that particular bend over there, having paced it multiple times looking for his helmet, then several iterations of an attempt to block the surge. Nothing had worked yet. His reach for Jon was supposed to be subtle, but the metal of his gloves rattled and sang against the hardware all over him, so a pluck at his waist became a ringing chime that bounced down the cave walls.

"It's not--I just don't want to see where all of your weapons suddenly come from when you're not expecting them," Tony insisted, frowning with offence that he was the one to worry about here. He knew exactly what happened when his equipment failed, because he wasn't magical. "This is definitely the right place," he did have to agree, casting a look up like he might see something more concretely familiar on the ceiling above them, then down the nearest hall. "It's like--Maybe the erosion is different--..." Weirder things had happened, but it definitely didn't sound like a sane claim to make, so he looked to Jon with a grimace for support.

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[Open] The Daring, Dashing, And Dating

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