Chapter Text
Cindy gets used to the sight of the Regalia, what with the way the boys are always coming and going for hunts and deliveries and constant repair work. She shudders to think of how they must handle that poor car out on the highway. Still, it’s not like the gorgeous thing is an eyesore, and they’re a sweet bunch, and they keep the shop in business, that’s for sure.
She does worry about them some, though.
“You really think this is the best place for someone with a migraine?” Cindy asks again, quite sure the prince must not know what one is. “Pawpaw’s gonna be working on that truck all day, and there ain’t much sound proofin’ in the caravan.”
Noctis grimaces at her. “I know, it’s not ideal. We were trying to get to a campsite, but we can’t keep him in the car anymore. He’s thrown up twice already.”
Cindy looks over his shoulder at the Regalia, finds Ignis crouched patiently by the passenger door while Prompto leans miserably over a bucket in his lap. A local farmer whizzes by in his pick-up, honking the horn in a routine greeting, and she looks away as the poor boy jerks forward again.
Noctis sighs. “Three times.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Maybe I can find some earmuffs out back.”
By the time she’s rummaged through several cluttered containers and come up with some a sealed pack of bright yellow ear plugs, the Regalia is empty but for Gladiolus leaning over the seats and liberally spraying the leather with air freshener. She bristles, has half a mind to give him a piece of hers, but decides her ear plugs delivery is currently more important. She shakes her head as she trots over to the caravan. Coming to an auto repair shop for peace and quiet is no better than approaching a voretooth for a game of fetch.
Ignis at least seems to have a lick of sense, as he’s drawn the blinds and shut off the lights, and turned on the little box fan on the counter. When she pads quietly up the steps, she’s glad to see Prompto already sprawled on a bunk with a wet cloth over his eyes and forehead, and Noctis in the process of taking off Prompto’s heavy boots.
“Noct, I can do it,” Prompto’s mumbling, head lolling to the side.
“I know, buddy,” Noctis replies, voice appropriately soft but filled with a warmth she’s not heard from him before, not really. It suits him. “Let me help though, 'kay?”
Ignis greets her with a polite nod, and he gratefully accepts the ear plugs. “Our thanks. These will do him a world of good.”
“Sure hope so,” she agrees, hushed. “Won’t do much for the heavy machinery, but I’ll talk to Pawpaw, see if he can’t keep it down a little. In the meantime, y’all can feel free to set up shop in Takka’s place if you like. I’m sure he’d be happy to let you use his kitchen too, to keep the noise down in here.”
“Thank you, Ms Aurum, I may do just that,” Ignis replies, smiling at her in thanks.
“Cindy’s just fine,” she tells him firmly, or as firmly as she can with a whisper. “Now, I’ll leave you to look after your friend. I need to go teach the big fella a lesson in caring for fancy leather seats.”
Before she closes the caravan door, she hears a vaguely distressed groan followed by a slurred but high-pitched protest.
“Noct!”
“Prom, you’ll be more comfortable--“
“Do not take my pants off while Cindy’s in here!”
She tries but doesn’t quite manage to stifle a laugh as she takes her leave.