It was almost as if the mere mention of the Keep had the other on edge, Ardyn allowed a smile to creep upon his face as he enjoyed the moment, how long it would last is another story, but Ardyn knew, the boy was less than happy having to eat his favourite animal. The one he begged so much to see, Ardyn even granted him his wish back then by dropping them straight down to the farm, little did he know that in less than a year, he would be feasting on one of the birds.
“Ah, now that’s hurt my feelings, to compare my cooking to that of a blind person.” A person he was the indirect cause of blinding too. He wouldn’t say he was the direct cause as it wasn’t him who made Ignis put on the ring of the Lucii, and to be fair, he was quite shocked too when he discovered the man hadn’t dropped dead— still, he was no challenge to Ardyn, and all Ardyn did was play around until he got bored, he was never going to kill Noctis there; causing the man’s sacrifice to be for naught. “I mean, at least he’s good at something— he certainly wasn’t the best at decision making, and yes, I suppose you’re right, I was royalty, I had servants to do that for me, now? Now I just eat my food raw. Raw and bloody.”
He wondered, did the other know of his diet? He could notice him flinch slightly as some daemons roared in the distance, certainly on their way to the two of them. Well, one of them provided they’ll sense Ardyn, maybe they won’t even come any closer when they realise who’s there, they wouldn’t want the one who is technically their god devouring them if they got in the way of one of his many victims. “Aw, that’s a disappointment if there ever was one, I’m starving, and honestly… you still look so skinny.” Despite the man having gained some more muscle, Ardyn would devour him if he felt like it, but it’s like the other said, he would be better to him alive, broken.
But Ardyn could tell the way the other carried himself, the way he spoke up to him, the way he stood his ground— he was far from broken, he was broken back in the Keep certainly, but here? He hardly shown any fear, perhaps wariness, but not direct fear at the situation at hand. He had grown, the world being in ruins must have hardened him, or it could be because his friend is no longer with him, a quick mental slap to the face that he has to get stronger. Stronger for his friend if he is to survive this. Become a true crownsguard.
Smirking, Ardyn did the unsuspected, being able to read the other like a hawk, he quickly found his knife, and with perfect accuracy, he threw it, puncturing one of the front tires. He could hear the satisfying sound of the air releasing within it. “Such a shame I had to ruin that beauty of a car.” Words leaked with so much sarcasm, he would surely annoy the other.
Prompto winced. He was lucky to be able to stomach meat that was prepared for him now, especially when he kept trying to figure out what it was. Had someone actually started making food out of chocobos? He really hoped not. The last thing he wanted was to explain why he'd have to make his own meals. Although, a part of him suspected Ignis knew something when he'd hesitate taking a plate.
"At least the blind person isn't trying to kill me. That's a huge difference." He snorted softly. Ignis was good at a few things, more than just being an adviser, but he hoped that Ardyn wasn't alluding to something else. But eating his food raw...?
A hand came up to touch his abdomen and Prompto scowled. Yeah, he'd lost some weight but he'd also put on a bit of muscle and filled out. His body had changed enough so that he could survive. But that didn't mean that all of the changes were good.
"Might be skinny but I'm alive. That's something. There's a ton of people who are losing weight due to food shortages." But none of them had started to eat one another. That was one of the things that the Glaives had been trying to stop, especially while they were getting vegetables to grow in Lestallum.
The sound of the tire hissing tore a sharp gasp from Prompto and he glanced up at Ardyn, gritting his teeth. "I hear rumor that there's a replica somewhere," he muttered. "Such a shame I can't stay and play with you." It was painful but he twisted and threw himself over the hood, slid across it, and landed on the other side. He might not have the vehicle anymore but he could at least run off to the nearest haven. It wasn't far.
...Maybe he could make it.