"This is Angeal Hewley... distinctly not here. Leave a message, and I'll get back to you when I can. If it's important, Lazard, Genesis, or Sephiroth should know where I am."
"Pff. 'Innocent.' Riiiiight." But he does seem to be marginally less cranky as he follows Prompto through the various dungeon rooms and spaces. Not nearly as welcoming a space as Rosie's, but good enough. To Angeal's question, he shoots the man a skeptical look. "Uh...yeah. Pretty much by definition."
His eyes linger here and there on certain setups or devices or toys, but only for as long as it takes to pass them by, until he finds Prompto handing the collar to him.
Noctis takes it readily, looking down at it in his hand for a moment. These really did change things, didn't they? He could never have imagined the kind of relaxing contentment he found while he was Prompto's cat, or the kind of happy satisfaction he felt when he had Prompto on a leash, full of enthusiasm and uncomplicated love for him. But he's not sure he'd be able to find any of that anymore if Angeal, or anyone else, intruded on it.
This, though, this is for Prompto. So he moves to fasten the collar around Prompto's neck, this time making sure to stand somewhere where he won't be immediately attacked by Prompto's wagging tail. Which works just fine!
...except then Prompto tackles him, leaping at him point blank, and he stumbles back before toppling over onto his ass with Prompto in his arms. "Whoa! Dude, knock it off..."
Honestly, there's a lot that Angeal could say in response to Noctis's skepticism. Things like how his presence can't ever interfere with the clear bond between the two men. On what the difference means between giving orders and actually holding the leash.
Little things like that.
But then Prompto gets that collar on, along with the most adorable little ears, and that's it. Noctis eats shit.
Respectfully, despite how very much he wants to give a practical demonstration right now, Angeal just tucks his hands into his pockets and walks lazy circles around the two. "No wonder he was yanking your arm off. You have no control over the situation, do you, Noctis?" Hmmm. If he's being this bristly just by Angeal being around because he made an offer... "Better get a handle on your bad pup, Noctis, before someone properly uses that leash on him."
If his voice does a thing, hey - don't worry about it.
Unless you're Prompto.
In which case, get fucked.
Still, Angeal is hopeful this sort of thing will work. Noctis clearly has a possessive and competitive streak, at least when it comes to the people he loves (Angeal gets it), so a little threat of someone doing better might be the kick in the ass he needs to actually respond... Along with Angeal giving a bit of a hint mixed into the faux-threat.
Noct! NoctNoctNoctNoctNoctNoctNoctNoct- is just about what is going through Prompto's puppy head as he smothers thd now-prone Noctis in kisses. See! He's expressing his love! Like the goodest boy ever, he is the goodest after all. He shows no sign of slowing down or stopping at the protest, being too engrossed in this display.
No, what snaps him to attention- makes him freeze stock-still and swivel his ears around- is the low, confident sound of Angeal calling him a bad puppy. Said puppy responds with something between a growl and a low whine, turning his head towards the source of the sound. Angeal moves with a practiced confidence and a killer tone, and the pup follows his every movement with bright blue eyes. Were Prompto fully human right now, those words would have flustered him. Okay, they ever-so-slightly do like this too. But less than they would have. His focus on Noctis is so great that it balances out. But the little shudder, sound, and immediate attention are likely enough of a tell that Angeal got to him.
As it stands, this pause gives Noctis the opportunity to do whatever he needs to do; leash him, shove him off, glare at Angeal... the works.
Noctis glares up at Angeal as he circles them and asks his rhetorical question, though the effect is a little ruined by Prompto's insistence on continuing to be ridiculous. "Gimme a break, I didn't exactly have time to do anything before he threw himself at me - gah, Prom, that tickles--"
The truth is, Noctis isn't used to taking direct control of others at all, mostly because he's never wanted to. The conspicuous power differential between him and almost everyone he's ever known was one he absolutely did not want to exploit, so he subconsciously taught himself to be more passive and let people - or animals, or weird little hiso aliens - do as they pleased so long as it wasn't hurting anyone or ruining anything. He didn't really count 'knocking him over with a barrage of affection' as hurting him, even when it was annoying. (And it's happened more than one might think!)
So it's difficult for him to adjust to the mindset of needing to control his own partner like this. What if he goes too far? What if it bleeds into their lives beyond the collars? After all, when they were kids, Prompto was too intimidated by the Prince to even talk to him. And sure, it's not like that anymore, but what if all this leash stuff brings it back? He knows all too well how these collars and their built-in instincts and physical changes can mess with one's head. He himself didn't feel comfortable speaking for a good long while even after he was done being a cat.
But...Noctis has to trust that Prompto knows what he wants. And what he wants, apparently, is for Noctis to bring him to heel while he's a dog. For Prom's sake, Noctis can do it. It's a little easier if he thinks back to the way Prompto disciplined his 'cat' because Noctis wouldn't do as he was told. It's just a normal part of this whole experience. Right?
So he reaches out to summon one of their red leashes from the Armiger. He's about to use it when Angeal follows up his question with...that. It's more of a snarl than a glare that Noctis levels at him as he clips the leash onto Prompto's collar and, indeed, pushes him off and stands back up. He holds the other end of the leash, yes, but he doesn't do anything to discipline Prompto just yet.
Instead, he narrows his eyes at Angeal, posture straightening without realizing it. "You back off, you get to stay. That was the deal." He scoffs, derisive. "Some dog-lover you are, anyway. There's no such thing as a 'bad dog.'" He rests his free hand on top of Prompto's head, as if reassuring him that he is not a bad pup, no matter what Angeal says. "Just because a good dog misbehaves sometimes, doesn't make him bad. Say that about Prom again and we're going home."
Then, without missing a beat, he turns to Prompto and arches a brow. "As for you, sit."
Angeal had figured it would get Noctis riled up a little bit, bristle some, but this is so immediately on one end of the spectrum that it can't be anything less than adorable. Angeal raises a hand to his mouth, but it's not quite enough to hide the grin on his face. "Obviously all dogs are good dogs," he says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world that everyone learns from birth. Probably from conception, if he's honest. "But if you want to be a good trainer, you have to give him what he wants... and it should be fairly clear that I think he liked a little reprimand."
Angeal almost wants to poke the Behemoth a little more, say something like And I can do that without touching him at all, but, no. That might be a little too much. He is here to help, after all, not start a trainer showdown.
Not that Noctis will let him even look at the leash long enough to actually do that.
So Angeal raises his hands up in the air, showing his innocence. "Anyway, I've been good." Debatable always. "I haven't touched him once, have I? All the power is still in your hands, Noctis. I'm just reminding you to use it properly... and have it ready." Lowering his hands, Angeal flicks a finger in Prompto's direction. "For example, why weren't you ready for him to tackle you?"
Prompto whines happily when he sees the leash come out, ears perked and tail wagging a mile a minute. Something about it being clipped onto his collar helps him slip further and further into that more playful, simple space of a puppy. It's a relief. His stress melts away, his worries, interpersonal drama- all of it. He has his Noctis and that's the best!!!! He bounces in place, trying not to tackle his trainer again. Or tear off running. So excited!!!
The way Noctis steps up to defend him makes a blush creep to Prompto's cheeks. He whines again, long and low, leaning into the pat on his head. Yeah, that's the good stuff. Then he gets a firm sit.
A battle takes place in the pup's head- on one side, his boundless energy that urges him to just hop it off and fling himself at Noctis again. The other wants so, so badly to be a good boy, just for Noct! A beat, and the latter wins over. He yips and crouches down onto his hands and knees, sitting back and watching Noctis expectantly. His tail thumps against the floor in a steady rhythm.
When Angeal points at him it sets off something protective in the blond. He bristles and growls, moving in front of Noctis' legs on all fours to bark at him sharply.
Noctis is honestly a little surprised that Prompto actually listens. He crouches for just a second to give his puppy a few loving pets that are really half-pet, half-caress. "Thanks, buddy," he says quietly, before straightening up again to face Angeal.
He liked a little reprimand. That much, Noctis thinks, seems to be true. All Angeal needed to do was say a few degrading words and he had Prompto's full attention. Noctis knows by now, of course, what it looks like when Prompto is flustered and turned on by someone taking advantage of how submissive he can be. Which...is the one thing Noctis has never, ever wanted to do: take advantage of anyone. No, he's not like Nyx, or Angeal, or that Genesis guy Prom's told him about. He doesn't really want to flex like that, especially not on someone he loves, and...honestly, he's probably not even capable of that kind of walking sex god thing.
But what if that means he isn't giving Prompto what he needs? Six, he can't even get it right when he's given responsibility for just one person. It's not that he thinks Prompto isn't attracted to him or anything like that - obviously not the case. But watching the way Prompto just immediately melts into a puddle of arousal and eagerness with people like Angeal and Nyx, it's a bit disheartening.
His snarl only deepens when Angeal speaks again. "You think this is about power?" His words are laced with disgust, which may strike Angeal as somewhat of an overreaction. "This is about...about sanctuary. Ugh, forget it." He huffs out a breath, trying to expel the anger with it. It...sort of works. "I wasn't ready because...I don't know, we've only done this once before and I'm not used to it, okay?--whoa."
Prompto is defending him, just like he defended Prompto a moment ago. Which is nothing new - ever since Prompto joined the Crownsguard, he's been looking out for Noctis just like the others - but in this context it feels somewhat different. A bit of the tension drains out of his shoulders as he watches Angeal for his reaction.
It'd be a lie for Angeal to say he doesn't know how to get under people's skin. For one thing, he's spent his life with Genesis, and Genesis has made it a point of pride to antagonize people to the extreme. Very arson of him. But it's also just a matter of fact that as a confident person, that seems to grate on other people, and Angeal doesn't usually mind that... especially when he intends to tease as well.
But in this case, he really had been trying to play nice. A token of good will, showing Noctis that he didn't intend to step on toes by taking Promptis from him here.
So what's that reaction all about.
Angeal raises an eyebrow as Noctis snaps at him, near bristling with revulsion at a simple word. If he's reacting like that to a mere turn of phrase, then Angeal is starting to suspect he knows why he needs a little help in being a proper trainer when it comes to a troublesome and fussy pup.
He's about to suggest something, as a matter of fact, when that same troublesome and fussy pup actually moves forward and growls.
Immediately, the reserved and contemplative expression on Angeal's face just melts away, and he smiles down at Prompto. "Aww, do you think I'm bullying your owner? I'm sorry, pup." Is he using a baby voice? Yes. Get God to judge him, he doesn't care. "Just a little rough patch between trainers, buddy. We'll give you all the right attention soon, and it'll be alright." Well, probably just Noctis will give the attention, but maybe if this eases up just a little, he can get away with a pet. Just one pet. He won't be greedy and ask for anymore, but just the one.
Still, that means getting back to what they came here for, and Angeal looks back up to Noctis. "Anyway, it looks like he's listening pretty well right now, don't you think? So why don't we do a short little walk around the place and see how well you can get him to heel. And while you do that with him... You and me can have a bit of a trainer talk."
Prompto wants to keep growling at Angeal- and he does. However, the way his voice pitches up tickles at some kind of instinct in the pup, landing him in the hilarious position of growling whilst his tail wags to and fro. Annoying. Despite that he holds his spot protecting Noctis, growling away. He leans his body back against his boy's legs, grounding himself. Noct is saying a lot of words that don't make any sense to one this deep in a puppy space- but tone and body language are enough for Prompto to know he's upset. That just won't do. He looks up at Noct after another round of growls at the now cute-talking Angeal, like he's checking on him, waiting to be told what to do.
Should his trainer decide to try and walk him, Prompto will respond with glee- at first leaping up, running and pulling, but eventually slowing down to keep pace with Noctis. He would rather stay close as he can right now...
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His eyes linger here and there on certain setups or devices or toys, but only for as long as it takes to pass them by, until he finds Prompto handing the collar to him.
Noctis takes it readily, looking down at it in his hand for a moment. These really did change things, didn't they? He could never have imagined the kind of relaxing contentment he found while he was Prompto's cat, or the kind of happy satisfaction he felt when he had Prompto on a leash, full of enthusiasm and uncomplicated love for him. But he's not sure he'd be able to find any of that anymore if Angeal, or anyone else, intruded on it.
This, though, this is for Prompto. So he moves to fasten the collar around Prompto's neck, this time making sure to stand somewhere where he won't be immediately attacked by Prompto's wagging tail. Which works just fine!
...except then Prompto tackles him, leaping at him point blank, and he stumbles back before toppling over onto his ass with Prompto in his arms. "Whoa! Dude, knock it off..."
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Little things like that.
But then Prompto gets that collar on, along with the most adorable little ears, and that's it. Noctis eats shit.
Respectfully, despite how very much he wants to give a practical demonstration right now, Angeal just tucks his hands into his pockets and walks lazy circles around the two. "No wonder he was yanking your arm off. You have no control over the situation, do you, Noctis?" Hmmm. If he's being this bristly just by Angeal being around because he made an offer... "Better get a handle on your bad pup, Noctis, before someone properly uses that leash on him."
If his voice does a thing, hey - don't worry about it.
Unless you're Prompto.
In which case, get fucked.
Still, Angeal is hopeful this sort of thing will work. Noctis clearly has a possessive and competitive streak, at least when it comes to the people he loves (Angeal gets it), so a little threat of someone doing better might be the kick in the ass he needs to actually respond... Along with Angeal giving a bit of a hint mixed into the faux-threat.
The leash is there for a reason, after all.
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No, what snaps him to attention- makes him freeze stock-still and swivel his ears around- is the low, confident sound of Angeal calling him a bad puppy. Said puppy responds with something between a growl and a low whine, turning his head towards the source of the sound. Angeal moves with a practiced confidence and a killer tone, and the pup follows his every movement with bright blue eyes. Were Prompto fully human right now, those words would have flustered him. Okay, they ever-so-slightly do like this too. But less than they would have. His focus on Noctis is so great that it balances out. But the little shudder, sound, and immediate attention are likely enough of a tell that Angeal got to him.
As it stands, this pause gives Noctis the opportunity to do whatever he needs to do; leash him, shove him off, glare at Angeal... the works.
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The truth is, Noctis isn't used to taking direct control of others at all, mostly because he's never wanted to. The conspicuous power differential between him and almost everyone he's ever known was one he absolutely did not want to exploit, so he subconsciously taught himself to be more passive and let people - or animals, or weird little hiso aliens - do as they pleased so long as it wasn't hurting anyone or ruining anything. He didn't really count 'knocking him over with a barrage of affection' as hurting him, even when it was annoying. (And it's happened more than one might think!)
So it's difficult for him to adjust to the mindset of needing to control his own partner like this. What if he goes too far? What if it bleeds into their lives beyond the collars? After all, when they were kids, Prompto was too intimidated by the Prince to even talk to him. And sure, it's not like that anymore, but what if all this leash stuff brings it back? He knows all too well how these collars and their built-in instincts and physical changes can mess with one's head. He himself didn't feel comfortable speaking for a good long while even after he was done being a cat.
But...Noctis has to trust that Prompto knows what he wants. And what he wants, apparently, is for Noctis to bring him to heel while he's a dog. For Prom's sake, Noctis can do it. It's a little easier if he thinks back to the way Prompto disciplined his 'cat' because Noctis wouldn't do as he was told. It's just a normal part of this whole experience. Right?
So he reaches out to summon one of their red leashes from the Armiger. He's about to use it when Angeal follows up his question with...that. It's more of a snarl than a glare that Noctis levels at him as he clips the leash onto Prompto's collar and, indeed, pushes him off and stands back up. He holds the other end of the leash, yes, but he doesn't do anything to discipline Prompto just yet.
Instead, he narrows his eyes at Angeal, posture straightening without realizing it. "You back off, you get to stay. That was the deal." He scoffs, derisive. "Some dog-lover you are, anyway. There's no such thing as a 'bad dog.'" He rests his free hand on top of Prompto's head, as if reassuring him that he is not a bad pup, no matter what Angeal says. "Just because a good dog misbehaves sometimes, doesn't make him bad. Say that about Prom again and we're going home."
Then, without missing a beat, he turns to Prompto and arches a brow. "As for you, sit."
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Adorable.
Angeal had figured it would get Noctis riled up a little bit, bristle some, but this is so immediately on one end of the spectrum that it can't be anything less than adorable. Angeal raises a hand to his mouth, but it's not quite enough to hide the grin on his face. "Obviously all dogs are good dogs," he says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world that everyone learns from birth. Probably from conception, if he's honest. "But if you want to be a good trainer, you have to give him what he wants... and it should be fairly clear that I think he liked a little reprimand."
Angeal almost wants to poke the Behemoth a little more, say something like And I can do that without touching him at all, but, no. That might be a little too much. He is here to help, after all, not start a trainer showdown.
Not that Noctis will let him even look at the leash long enough to actually do that.
So Angeal raises his hands up in the air, showing his innocence. "Anyway, I've been good."
Debatable always."I haven't touched him once, have I? All the power is still in your hands, Noctis. I'm just reminding you to use it properly... and have it ready." Lowering his hands, Angeal flicks a finger in Prompto's direction. "For example, why weren't you ready for him to tackle you?"no subject
The way Noctis steps up to defend him makes a blush creep to Prompto's cheeks. He whines again, long and low, leaning into the pat on his head. Yeah, that's the good stuff. Then he gets a firm sit.
A battle takes place in the pup's head- on one side, his boundless energy that urges him to just hop it off and fling himself at Noctis again. The other wants so, so badly to be a good boy, just for Noct! A beat, and the latter wins over. He yips and crouches down onto his hands and knees, sitting back and watching Noctis expectantly. His tail thumps against the floor in a steady rhythm.
When Angeal points at him it sets off something protective in the blond. He bristles and growls, moving in front of Noctis' legs on all fours to bark at him sharply.
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He liked a little reprimand. That much, Noctis thinks, seems to be true. All Angeal needed to do was say a few degrading words and he had Prompto's full attention. Noctis knows by now, of course, what it looks like when Prompto is flustered and turned on by someone taking advantage of how submissive he can be. Which...is the one thing Noctis has never, ever wanted to do: take advantage of anyone. No, he's not like Nyx, or Angeal, or that Genesis guy Prom's told him about. He doesn't really want to flex like that, especially not on someone he loves, and...honestly, he's probably not even capable of that kind of walking sex god thing.
But what if that means he isn't giving Prompto what he needs? Six, he can't even get it right when he's given responsibility for just one person. It's not that he thinks Prompto isn't attracted to him or anything like that - obviously not the case. But watching the way Prompto just immediately melts into a puddle of arousal and eagerness with people like Angeal and Nyx, it's a bit disheartening.
His snarl only deepens when Angeal speaks again. "You think this is about power?" His words are laced with disgust, which may strike Angeal as somewhat of an overreaction. "This is about...about sanctuary. Ugh, forget it." He huffs out a breath, trying to expel the anger with it. It...sort of works. "I wasn't ready because...I don't know, we've only done this once before and I'm not used to it, okay?--whoa."
Prompto is defending him, just like he defended Prompto a moment ago. Which is nothing new - ever since Prompto joined the Crownsguard, he's been looking out for Noctis just like the others - but in this context it feels somewhat different. A bit of the tension drains out of his shoulders as he watches Angeal for his reaction.
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But in this case, he really had been trying to play nice. A token of good will, showing Noctis that he didn't intend to step on toes by taking Promptis from him here.
So what's that reaction all about.
Angeal raises an eyebrow as Noctis snaps at him, near bristling with revulsion at a simple word. If he's reacting like that to a mere turn of phrase, then Angeal is starting to suspect he knows why he needs a little help in being a proper trainer when it comes to a troublesome and fussy pup.
He's about to suggest something, as a matter of fact, when that same troublesome and fussy pup actually moves forward and growls.
Immediately, the reserved and contemplative expression on Angeal's face just melts away, and he smiles down at Prompto. "Aww, do you think I'm bullying your owner? I'm sorry, pup." Is he using a baby voice? Yes. Get God to judge him, he doesn't care. "Just a little rough patch between trainers, buddy. We'll give you all the right attention soon, and it'll be alright." Well, probably just Noctis will give the attention, but maybe if this eases up just a little, he can get away with a pet. Just one pet. He won't be greedy and ask for anymore, but just the one.
Still, that means getting back to what they came here for, and Angeal looks back up to Noctis. "Anyway, it looks like he's listening pretty well right now, don't you think? So why don't we do a short little walk around the place and see how well you can get him to heel. And while you do that with him... You and me can have a bit of a trainer talk."
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Should his trainer decide to try and walk him, Prompto will respond with glee- at first leaping up, running and pulling, but eventually slowing down to keep pace with Noctis. He would rather stay close as he can right now...