TOTAL 7 (FFXV)

Instructions

Noctis ducked into the tent, and the first thing he saw was Ignis. Ignis’ eyes were open, but they were unfocused. He laid rigidly on the ground, his body trembling faintly and his breathing rapid and shallow. He looked like he was about to cry. “...Astrals, /he’s having a panic attack/-” /Oh, Six-/ Noctis knelt next to Ignis as Prompto and Gladio came in behind him. “Hey, Iggy, can you hear me?” Ignis didn't respond. “/Ignis/.” His eyes flicked to Noctis, struggling to focus on him. “Can you talk? Can you tell us what you're feeling?” “N-” Ignis swallowed, closing his eyes. “Nhk-” His hand twitched, like he wanted to move it but couldn't. Prompto knelt and took his hand, staring at him. Ignis opened his eyes again, looking at him. His hand twitched in Prompto’s grip. Prompto blinked, then moved Ignis’ hand slightly. It twitched again, and Prompto continued to move it. He ended up resting it on Ignis’ chest. Ignis closed his eyes for a moment, his mouth twitching. Noctis watched, his brow furrowed in worry and confusion. Ignis took a shaky, deliberate breath, his face twisting with the effort. Halfway through, his breath caught, then became shallow again. Noctis opened his mouth to ask what in the Six was going on, but Prompto held up a hand, silencing him. Prompto looked back down at Ignis. “Ignis. Blink once for yes, twice for no. Got it?” Ignis blinked. Yes. “Okay, now blink three times so I know you heard me.” Three blinks. “Alright. Are you able to speak right now?” Two blinks. No. “Does anything hurt?” One blink. Yes. “Is it your back?” A hard blink. Yes. “Anything else?” Ignis closed his eyes, his hand tightening its grip on Prompto’s. He let out a soft hiss, then opened his eyes and blinked once. “Is it the wound?” One blink. Yes. “Are you feeling anxious?” A very strong blink. Yes, very. Prompto stayed silent for a bit. “...do you feel as if you are about to die.” Ignis twitched, his grip tightening until his knuckles were white. He blinked once. Yes. “Listen to me.” Prompto softened his voice. “You are currently laying in a tent in Cleigne. You are safe and sound, and there are no enemies nearby. You are safe. Do you understand?” One blink. Yes. “Are you having difficulty breathing?” One blink. Yes. “Okay. I’m gonna need you to try to follow mine. It's alright if you don't get it immediately.” Prompto took a slow breath, then let it out. Ignis stared at him for a moment, his shaky breathing slowing a bit. Eventually, Ignis managed to take a full breath and let it out. His trembling stilled, and his grip loosened. “...” Prompto carefully helped him sit up. “There we go, buddy.” He grinned. Ignis rubbed at his sternum. He opened his mouth, swallowed, and closed it again. “It's alright, take your time.” Noctis smiled gently. Ignis nodded slightly, then reached up and plucked a notebook and pen out of the Armiger in a flash of blue light. [/I apologize if I caused you all to worry. I did not mean to./] Ignis’ writing was elegant as always, though his hands shook slightly. Gladio snorted. “We’re just glad you ain’t dead, Specs.” Ignis hesitated. [/I’m not sure why my voice isn't working at the moment. It should have come back after a few moments, but/] He tapped at the paper for a minute, brow furrowed in concentration. [/It feels as if my vocal cords are currently inactive./] Noctis raised an eyebrow. “Inactive?” [/Yes. I am currently mute, I believe/] Ignis stopped writing, making a face, then set the notebook and pen down and turned, holding up a finger. He rummaged in the pile of sleeping bags they'd heaped for him, and his hand came out in a fist. “Uh... Whatcha got there, Iggy?” Prompto leaned forward. He seemed to be somewhat back to normal for now, but Noctis wasn't sure how long that would last. Ignis opened his hand, immediately pinching the thing he was holding between two fingers. It was a small silver bug with no mouth and a set of wicked looking pincers. Prompto shrieked and scrambled back, into the far left corner of the tent because Noctis had already taken the far right. Ignis wrote something down with his free hand and showed it to Gladio, then tossed the notebook over to where Noctis and Prompto could see it. [/It is a Silenscarab. I've only seen it in books, and then only scarcely. It isn't native to our continent./] [/From what I can remember, a single pinch (for it has no mouth and makes no sound) can cause a person’s vocal cords to stiffen, rendering their voice useless. It must be why I cannot speak./]