Fear is only temporary

[faithfulsupport]

Who: Ignis Scientia & Tony Stark
What: A meeting
Where: Dining carriage
When: Soon after the new passengers are settled in.

Ignis had plans and his mind was always working. Meeting new people had been interesting to say the least and why he was here on a train with all of these people was beyond him. But he decided that since the dining carriage was unoccupied, he'd have himself a quiet cup of coffee and keep to himself.



He needed something to do and something to take care of, and the kitchens had been his target. If it were up to him he was going to find a way to work on taking it over when they weren't deployed who knows where to do who knows what. And as he made himself food that resembled one of the ones he'd made back home, Ignis found that there was still plenty left over a habit from having to take care of three other grown men besides himself.

His back was turned to the door and he was finishing up drying off one of the pans he'd used to make the food. Everyone else was pretty much asleep at this hour, or at least not out prowling the cars. So he figures he's pretty safe, until he hears an unusual noise.

Comments

[faithfulsupport]

He shook his head because all of that sounded so painfully familiar about the heart and sleeping in. Apparently Noct had a twin that he wasn't even aware that he had. This made Ignis infinitely glad that the king had been an only child.

"Should I run into him, I'll see what I can do."

Everyone needed a party to help raise a Noct.

The last question caught him off guard so he paused for a moment. Fatherhood was something he could never have and could never have time for. He was too busy raising Noctis and trying to get him to where he needed to be to think of himself and anything he personally might want. King and country came first on Ignis' list.

So he shook his head again. "Not since I've been on this train." But then he paused again. "Is Peter your son?"

[runs_on_batteries]

He'd specifically asked about children Ignis was entrusted with not necessarily his own. He understood by now that not all sons and daughters were theirs by blood. It was something Sarai had been helping him see, even if he still resisted the notion.

Tony chuckles at the response. "Yes, well, I wasn't assuming this would be someone on board with us. There is one father/ son combo that I know of, however random that is. And no, that combo isn't Peter and I. He worked for my company back home and we've developed a bit of a bond. I've yet to fully determine if we're from similar worlds or the same one though. It's hard to know for sure."

[faithfulsupport]

He shook his head. "No, there aren't any children to speak of on my behalf." This was him not wanting to talk about Noct. Prompto was the King's sidekick so Ignis and Gladio seemed to be the parents of the other two when they couldn't behave.

"I'm sorry, I should have refrained from asking such a personal question." Ignis replied, with another shake of his head. It was just the way that Tony was talking about Peter it sounded as if that was the situation. And since the advisor hated ambiguity, he had asked instead of guessing. The comments about not being sure if they were from the same world or not puzzled him though. "I'm sure there must be some way to find that out."

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony shakes his head. "No, really. I don't mind. And.. it's been assumed by several people on the train so far. He.. uh, he doesn't have a father figure in his life anymore so I've been doing what I can to encourage him." He gives Ignis a sincere smile. "I really don't mind the questions, though."

That other part though, that was tricky. "I'm about five years in his future and the war we're fighting has gotten very ugly. I keep hoping I'll hear something from him that might indicate he isn't from my universe so he won't have to go through what.. I've seen. I'm trying not to tell him too much in case he never has to experience it."

He waves a hand, like he can physically push away those darker thoughts. "But enough about me. Tell me more about you, Ignis. You have a very calming presence. I might have suspected you were a bartender, not a chef."

[faithfulsupport]

At Tony's reply, Ignis turned away before he could smile. In this sense the other man reminded the advisor of Gladio. Gruff seeming on the outside but he had a big heart and a tender side on the inside. It might not have been the best comparison as he didn't know everything about this man and in fact had barely scratched the surface he was sure. But he loved to analyze and so the comparison so far wasn't hurting anyone.

The not wanting to tell the other something that might be hurtful wasn't Gladio though. That particular hulk of a warrior could be blunt, drect and as sharp as the huge sword that he carried. Still, the kindness and caring that Tony bore for the boy certainly had wasn't lost on Ignis.

The advisor's gaze returned to the other man when he wanted to hear more about him. What was there to tell? A light laugh escaped him as the bartender comment came out and Ignis shook his head. "I find remaining calm is the best way to handle most situations. However, I'm afraid bartending is beyond my current capabilities. I was merely an advisor and a chef along with being able to wield both weapons and magic."

[runs_on_batteries]

There was a time, not so long ago, that Tony would've hated for someone to know his heart wasn't actually made of iron like he preferred people to think. Times had changed and even how he wished to be perceived had changed with it. Who would want to be made of iron when they had young eyes looking up at them for role models? He couldn't do that to either Peter nor his daughter.

"An advisor? To whom?" Tony asks, latching on immediately to things he could burrow in further with to understand this charming man. "You can use magic?"

[faithfulsupport]

Mentally he berated himself since that the advisor part was latched onto. But it wasn't a total loss because Noct wasn't here and if he ever showed up, Ignis would protect him and his identity if that was what the other wished. He had no idea if anyone from Niflheim would show up and he had checked everyone out to see if they had. For now it was so far so good on that count.

"I was an advisor to a member of the royal family back where I'm from." Ignis didn't think Tony would present a threat to Noctis for one moment, but protecting the King was something he'd done since he was a boy, up to and including taking the fall for things the other knowingly did.

He nodded. "But yes I can use magic. It seems there's a lack of those on board who can use healing magic or at least I was so informed."

Lightning was the one who'd told him and from what he'd observed she was right.

[runs_on_batteries]

He hadn't expected such an interesting answer. Of course, now he wants to know all about this royal family and what Ignis was advising said family. However, he somehow senses that might not be appreciated. In many cases, he wouldn't care, but in this one.. he'd behave. Later, perhaps.

"Yes, as far as I'm aware, it's only Lightning." He didn't realize he was parroting what the man was already thinking, but nonetheless he was clarifying that if Ignis had had any doubts. "We do have healing potions and some antidotes if we run into problems, but I take it from that we could count on you if we were in a crisis of that nature?"

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis was grateful for the conversation that wasn't followed up on. He would protect Noctis no matter what the cost because that was who he was.

Hie eyes looked a little startled at the mention of the pink haired warrior, but he nodded. "I spoke with her when I came on board and have offered my assistance." The advisor was of course granted the use of healing potions and could manifest weapons and magic flasks from thin air due to Noct's own powers. He was also able to elementally enhance his own and the King's weapons.

Still, he nodded. "But you can most certainly count me in to help when needed." That was something he was used to, being needed.

[runs_on_batteries]

If it ever came to it, Tony would hope he would've earned enough of Ignis' trust to know he would only try and help with his ward. There wouldn't need to be any excessive protecting. However, they only barely knew each other just yet so it was only natural to not have that trust. Some day though..

"I appreciate it. During the last stop, we were given tasks to do to assist the locals. A couple of the kids ended up getting injured. We've already sorted out among ourselves the fact this was a complete failing on the adult parts, but it does mean the more assistance to medical issues the better."

[faithfulsupport]

He listened to Tony as he went on about the mission that had happened. "That must have been before I came on board." With a sigh at thinking about what could've been prevented, Ignis then shook his head.

"I do wonder how soon the next mission will be now that you've brought it up." Eventually Ignis hoped of course that he'd go home, along with everyone else. "Surely everyone on board has better places to be than on a train bound for who knows where."

[runs_on_batteries]

Obviously. And yes, those could have been avoided quite easily but there had been some rather poor communication happening between individuals that had absolutely nothing to do with him. [Lies]

"It's hard to say. Last time we didn't get much in the way of a warning. However, whenever we get it, I'm sure we'll be able to handle it better."

That last statement though, had Tony pausing. His gaze turned distant with dark memories. All this time he'd been assuming everyone would want to go home. He hadn't really thought about what he wanted. Somehow this statement here was the first to bring it fully into his mind. If he returns to the very moment in history that he was taken.. he would die. If he didn't, everyone dies. There was no 'going home' for him. There was no happy ending or getting back to loved ones. There was just.. this or nothing.

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis didn't know Tony well, but that silence was suddenly deafening. The man had been talking with no problems which the advisor didn't mind at all. But now, nothing. It made him wonder if he'd said something wrong and he turned away, thinking of some of his last memories of home before he wound up here.

He'd seen the prophecy and what was to come through Pyrna, Luna's dog at the Altar of the Tidemother. Ignis now knew of Noct's personal sacrifice and fate so it was one of the maddening reasons he had to return. He would ask to see if he could change the King's mind so he didn't have to walk that one way dark path to his painful death.

And it was only now that he realized others might have to face some sort of a similar fate.

"Preparation ahead of time is always wise." he said in a soft tone, to try and break the silence.

[runs_on_batteries]

Ignis speaking again was what brought him out of his thoughts and he looks at the other man blankly for a moment, as though he'd been somewhere for from here. Slightly dazed, he glances around, readjusting to the present.

"Hm? Preparation for.. I'm sorry, I seem to have lost track of our conversation." He glances at his watch and sees his escape. "It's geting late, I should head back to my room. I'll let people know if they want some great food to bother you."