The following morning, the guys fixed themselves up before heading out to breakfast. Before Noctis could leave the room behind Gladio and Prompto, Ignis placed a hand on his shoulder, halting him. "A moment, Noct?"

"What's up, Iggy?"

"There's something I'd like to clear up," the advisor said. "Highness, I swore an oath to uphold my duty, and I have no intention of ever breaking it. But now, with Angelica involved..."

The prince smirked, resting his hands on his hips. "Say no more. I get it, Specs, Angel means a lot to you. I have no objections to you two hooking up."

"Do know that it won't distract me from my responsibilities," Ignis swiftly explained. "A relationship will not keep me from fulfilling my duty." He sighed, pushing up his glasses. "I simply... find it difficult to suppress my adoration at this stage."

A faint smile tugged at the prince's lips. "No need to explain. I trust you and Angel. If anyone can balance a job and a relationship, it's you two. And besides, it's not like I need you guys at every waking moment. You're free to go out and do your own things."

Ignis smiled lightly. "I suppose you have a point. Out of curiosity, when did you figure it out? Did Gladio inform you?"

"To tell the truth, Prompto and I only picked up on it recently. But Gladio did mention that this has been going on for years."

"That's correct. Now, I suggest we join the others for breakfast."

The two hurried out, catching up with Gladiolus and Prompto. The four men entered the diner, spying the two girls sitting at the bar eating. Iris saw them and waved them over with a cheery grin on her face.

"Morning, guys!"

"Hey," the prince greeted. His eyes quickly landed on Angelica. "Angel, you okay?"

She looked up at him, smiling slightly. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry I avoided you all last night. I just... didn't want to bring harm to anyone. I just feel like a danger sometimes."

"Nah, you're no danger to us," Gladio said. "We know you better than that."

"Yeah," Prompto agreed. "We're all friends here, and friends trust each other."

"Indeed they do," Ignis added.

"As long as they don't go all 'devil mode' on us,"Prompto added.

Angelica raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Devil mode?"

"Yeah. Y'know, it's when you go all murderous and bloodthirsty." The gunman held his hands up as if they were claws. "Because you go from an angel to a devil." The others simply shook their heads at his ridiculousness. "Whatever, I'm calling it that."

"Don't you think you're being a bit insulting?" Gladio asked.

"It's fine," the redhead interrupted with a neutral expression. "It doesn't bother me." Though she didn't really care, a small part of her deep down was a bit hurt to hear herself referred to a devil.

"Don't take it to heart," Noctis told her. "He's just joking around."

Iris stood with a bright smile. "Don't worry, Angel, we'll always be the best of friends no matter what!"

She wrapped Angelica into a tight hug, much to the redhead's discomfort. "Yeah, yeah, everything's happy and bursting with rainbows." She squirmed in the brunette's grip. "Could you please let go?"

Prompto grinned his usual goofy grin. "Aww, there's that sarcasm we know so well. Come here, you." He, too, got in on the hug.

Angelica was squished between the two. "By the Stars, not you too." She struggled to get them off her. "What do I look like, a moogle plushie? Get off me and let me finish eating."

Noctis laughed lightly as the two finally released the girl. "Yep, she's definitely back to normal."

The group all talked while they ate. Once they finished their breakfast, they left the diner and went straight to the Regalia. The group set out once more for Caem. On the way, they stopped to venture into the Malmalam Thicket. Another royal arm was obtained within. They then continued onward, finally reaching Cape Caem. There, they met up with Cindy, who explained that Cid was repairing Regis's old ship docked below the lighthouse.

It would take a while for repairs to be done. In the meantime, Talcott welcomed them to stay at their house. It was nearing dusk, and Gladio and Noctis were eager to get in a little training. The shield even invited Angelica to give them a real challenge. Ignis, Prompto, Iris, and Talcott stood on the porch, watching.

"Hey, wait a minute," Noctis interrupted before their training could begin. "You expect me to fight Angel? How is that fair?"

Angelica smirked, placing her hands on her hips. "What's the matter, Noct? Afraid I'll kick your butt?"

He clicked his tongue. "No. I'm just saying that fighting you is like fighting a damn ninja."

Gladio raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And you can warp, Noct. Don't be a wuss. You can't expect her to hold back."

Knowing the argument could go on forever, Angelica intervened, "Boys, boys, enough. I tell you what - I won't hold back, but I will make this easier for you." She undid the short, red tie from around her collar. She tied it snugly around her head and over her eyes. "I bet I can still beat you both, even blindfolded."

"You're on," Gladio said.

They all summoned their weapons. Noctis and Gladio slowly circled the girl in silence. Remembering her training, Angelica slowed her breathing and listened. She picked up on the quiet footsteps of the two men, pinpointing their locations. But she waited patiently for them to make the first move.

From their place on the porch, Prompto leaned over toward Ignis and whispered, "This is intense, and the fight hasn't even started yet."

Ignis nodded in agreement. Finally, Noctis made a move. He tossed his sword toward Angelica, warping with it. But the girl knew it was coming and moved slightly, catching hold of the sword's hilt and slashing at the prince. Noctis phased away from her and Gladio charged in, swinging his sword horizontally. Angelica ducked under his blade and kicked one of his legs, making him stumble back. The three fought until the two males were out of breath. Angelica laughed, slipping off her blindfold and fixing it back around her collar where it belonged.

"Is that all you've got?"

Noctis panted slightly. "Not a chance... just give me a minute..."

"While the two of you catch your breath," Ignis interrupted, "I'd like the privilege of training with Angel, if you don't mind."

"Go for it, Iggy," Gladio replied.

Noctis and Gladio took the bespectacled man's place on the porch. Ignis stopped a couple of yards in front of Angelica, summoning his weapons. The girl readied her daggers. "Finally, a real challenge."

Ignis smirked slightly. "Let us see who among us is the better dagger wielder."

Angelica moved first this time, lunging at Ignis. She swiped her daggers at him, but he was quick to block or dodge before countering with his own blades. Their movements were so fast that it was difficult for everyone's eyes to even keep up with them. The two seemed equally matched in combat. But Angelica was beginning to tire from her previous match. She kicked at Ignis multiple times to try and throw him off, but he expertly avoided or caught them before retaliating with even more swift attacks.

Ignis could tell his opponent was tiring. He was beginning to see numerous openings between her attacks. He exploited one and kicked her back, making her stumble. But in response, she leapt at him, tackling him to the ground. She was on top of him in an instant, her daggers pushing against his in a test of strength. But Ignis managed to overpower her, knocking one of her daggers from her grip while flipping her over. He was now on top and pinned her down, holding her wrist firmly so she couldn't use her remaining dagger.

The two both panted, completely out of breath. "Nicely done," the redhead breathed out, a smile crossing her lips. "I admit defeat."

Ignis chuckled. "You didn't make it easy, and if you hadn't already expended your energy on your previous match, you may have beaten me."

Angelica grinned. "True. But still, you won fair and square. You deserve a gold medal."

The two smiled lightly, staring into each other's eyes. They both would've gotten lost in the moment if a flash of light hadn't caught their attention. They both snapped their heads toward the house, seeing that Prompto had discreetly moved closer and snapped a picture. Ignis almost instantly sat up, releasing the girl and letting her stand up with him. Angelica glared at the gunman.

"Prompto!" Her cheeks turned a light pink out of embarrassment.

"What? Just capturing the moment of your defeat on my camera." He grinned in a smug way that said that wasn't the only reason he wanted the picture.

Ignis only shook his head. The group soon went inside, ate supper, and got cleaned up. Once she had bathed and changed into her extra clothes, Angelica made her way to the boys' room. That's where her friends were watching Noctis and Prompto compete in darts. Angelica walked over and took a seat next to Ignis.

"So, you gonna give Iggy a prize for beating you or what?" Gladio asked with a devious grin. "You did say he deserved something."

"But I seem to be fresh out of gold medals," she answered sarcastically.

"Come now, I don't require anything from her," Ignis said. "It was merely a training session, nothing to celebrate."

After winning at darts, Prompto stretched his arms and said, "I sure could go for a nice shoulder rub right about now."

Angelica's eyes lit up. "That's it. Ignis, you're prize is an invitation for a free massage."

The advisor looked at her in slight surprise at the sudden offer. "Aww, what about meee?!" Prompto whined.

Angelica frowned at him. "Oh, shut up. You didn't even train earlier."

"Angel," Ignis interrupted, "I couldn't possibly inconvenience you with a massage."

She calmly answered, "I don't mind at all. You deserve it."

"I'd take it if I were you, Specs," Noctis said. "It's not everyday Angel offers anything like that."

Ignis hummed in thought. "I don't believe I've ever experienced your massage treatments. I suppose it would be alright to indulge myself this once. Very well, I accept your invitation."

Angelica smiled slightly. "Great."

She gestured him over to a bed. He took a seat with her right behind him and removed his jacket. She placed her hands on his shoulders and got to work. Angelica could definitely tell, despite his slim figure, Ignis was well-built. He just didn't go around flaunting it like Gladio did. She massaged the muscles, easing the tension out of them. Ignis smiled lightly at the feeling.

"Now I understand why everyone makes such a fuss over this special treatment. 'Tis quite relaxing."

"What can I say, it's a gift," the girl admitted.

A short while was spent on Ignis's massage while the others played cards. Once finished, Ignis felt completely relaxed and thanked the girl. She then retreated to her own room for the night, ready for some well-earned rest. She definitely expected the following days to be dull, as they were simply waiting for the ship repairs. But it would give Angelica a chance to hone her skills. After all, the time for vengeance was inching ever closer to her. She needed to be ready.