Prompto browsed through nearly everything in the shop. He eyed several things and picked up a small box of assorted chocolates, examining it. He couldn't figure out what to get. He looked over to Noctis and Ignis for assistance.

"Hey, guys," he called, earning their attention. "What do you think?" He held up the box in his hand.

His two friends walked over to him. "Well if you wish to put on weight, then by all means, go ahead," Ignis told him.

"It's not for me," the blond explained.

Noctis crossed his arms and smirked. "It's for Lora, isn't it?"

Prompto sheepishly nodded. "I just want to get her a little something. Except... I don't really know what kinds of things girls like."

"Depends on the girl," Ignis replied. "Though for someone such as Lorelai, I don't think sweets would be the right gift for her."

"Plus, things like candy and flowers are way too obvious," the prince added. "Those are the kinds of gifts you buy for your girlfriend. You and Lora aren't quite that close... yet."

Prompto placed the chocolates back on the shelf. "Then what would you recommend?"

Before Noctis could speak, Ignis placed a hand on the prince's shoulder, halting him. "That is something you must figure out on your own," the advisor answered. "But here's a tip - give her something that shows how well you know her."

Ignis ushered Noctis out of the shop with him, leaving the blond alone. Prompto sighed and began looking around again. He thought back on Ignis's words. He knew the advisor was right. He had to find something that suited Lorelai. But what could I possibly give to a girl who once had it all? he asked himself. His mind immediately went to jewelry. Prompto walked over to the small selection of accessories.

He looked over everything, groaning to himself out of frustration. None of the items on display were befitting for a princess. Despite his negative thoughts, his eyes landed on a simple, black band of a bracelet studded with numerous silver stars. He smiled to himself and picked it up. It was so... plain, yet it reminded him of Lorelai. He knew that this was it, he only hoped she would like it. He had just enough extra gil to buy the bracelet and slipped it into his pocket as he exited the shop.

He went over to the diner where Noctis and Ignis stood outside, waiting for their two comrades to return. Prompto approached them, opening his mouth to speak when he spotted a figure heading toward them from the desert. He squinted, recognizing Gladio. But he was shocked to see Lorelai sitting on the tattooed man's shoulder. He instantly frowned, feeling his heart ache at seeing them like that. But as the two got closer, the blond could see the pained expression on Lorelai's face.

"Geez, Gladio, could you walk a little gentler?" she complained to him. "Every step is killing me."

"Kinda hard with this rough, rocky terrain. Suck it up, we're almost there."

With Noctis and Ignis now standing with Prompto, they watched the two approaching. "What's going on?" Noctis questioned the two. "How'd the hunt go?"

"It was a success," Gladio replied. "Unfortunately, we had an unwelcomed visitor join us."

He turned around, showing them the needles embedded in Lorelai's back. Prompto gasped. "What the hell happened?"

Gladio faced them again, showing the disdain on Lorelai's face. "A cactuar, that's what. Little monster ambushed me."

"Bring her to the caravan," Ignis ordered. "Seems we'll have to remove those needles."

The group piled into the caravan. Gladio slowly and carefully pulled Lorelai off his shoulder and sat her on one of the beds, causing her to wince in the process. Ignis seated himself beside her and carefully removed her vest, sliding the material past the needles that pierced right through it. After folding it and laying it aside, he gestured for her to lie down. It took her several moments to slowly shift around onto her stomach, but she managed. Gladiolus left to report to Takka while Ignis worked.

With Prompto and Noctis sitting on the other bed, they watched in silence. "Forgive me, Lora, but this will hurt," Ignis warned, taking hold of a needle.

He swiftly plucked it from her skin, earning a small yelp from her. "Ow! Is there any less painful way to do this?!"

"I'm afraid not," Ignis replied, plucking another needle.

Lorelai responded with a flinch and another yelp. "I... hate... cactuars!" she shouted between her sounds of pain with each needle removed.

The process went on. Lorelai's yelps slowly turned into small squeaks and whimpers. She finally buried her face in the sheets, stifling the pained noises that came from her mouth. Prompto could only watch. He wished he could take away her pain and make her smile. But he was incapable of doing that at the moment. Gladio soon returned, splitting the gil earned from the hunt between him and Lorelai.

Hours passed and Lorelai still kept her face hidden as Ignis plucked the hundreds of needles out of her back. After several long moments of bracing for the next needle's removal, Ignis lightly touched her arm.

"Lora, that's all of them."

"Oh, thank the Stars," the girl breathed out, finally lifting her head.

She briefly stared over at the pile of needles next to Ignis with astonishment. He suddenly handed her a potion. She gulped it down, causing the hundreds of tiny, red whelps covering her lower back to instantly fade away. She slowly lifted herself up. Prompto instantly hopped up and took her arm, helping her to her feet.

"You okay?" he asked with concern.

She nodded and smiled lightly. "Yeah, thanks." She then felt her stomach rumbling. "Is anyone else starving?"

"No surprise there," Gladio said. "It is getting late. I say we get something at Takka's."

Everyone nodded in agreement and followed the shield out. They entered the diner and ordered their food. Lorelai and Ignis got a Chili con Carne while the other three ordered Hammerhead Hot Sandwiches. The group took their food over to a table. Gladio and Ignis slid into one of the booths while Noctis, Prompto, and Lorelai squeezed into the other. Seated between the prince and the gunman, Lorelai enjoyed her meal. They suddenly heard a nearby radio mention another Oracle sighting in Lucis.

"At least we have assurance that Lady Lunafreya is very much alive," Ignis stated after the broadcast had ended.

"Don't suppose you ever caught sight of her, Lora," Gladio said.

The girl hung her head down slightly. "I'm afraid not. I heard the rumors of her sightings, but that was before I met you guys. I didn't pay much attention to it at the time." She looked over at Noctis, seeing that his usual neutral expression showed a hint of concern. "If I had known... I'm sorry, Noct."

The prince shook his head. "It's not your fault."

"Hey, let's not dwell on all this depressing stuff," Prompto chimed in cheerfully. "Lunafreya's alive and so are we. We'll do what we gotta do here, find her, then we'll take down the empire and take back the Crystal. Easy peasy."

Lorelai couldn't help but laugh lightly. "You are so right." From the nearby radio, music began to play - music Lorelai was familiar with. "This is my jam!"

She began tapping her feet to the beat and humming along with the tune. The guys could only smile at her as they continued eating. Lorelai would occasionally nudge one of the two men at her sides, trying to get them to join in. Noctis would only smile and roll his eyes, but Prompto would join in, tapping his feet a bit while grinning the whole time. Lorelai glanced out the window and froze. Her movements ceased, her eyes grew wide with horror, and a gasp escaped her lips.

In the glass window's reflection was Ardyn, his smug smile on his face. But in the blink of an eye, he was gone. Lorelai snapped her head around, scanning the diner while taking glances back at the window. She didn't see him anywhere. It happened so fast that it had almost seemed as if she imagined it. But she knew it wasn't her mind playing tricks on her. She was suddenly filled with dread and her actions had caused her friends to stare at her in confusion.

"What's wrong?" Noctis asked, looking around to try and find what the girl was searching for.

Lorelai was snapped out of her moment of panic and met the prince's gaze. "Huh? Oh, I just..." Her mind raced for an excuse. "I just thought I saw something," she quickly explained, looking down at her remaining food. "Must've been my imagination."

She hurriedly began finishing up her meal while the four men watched her suspiciously. "Uh, are you sure you're feeling okay?" Prompto questioned.

"I'm fine," she quickly lied, frowning at the blond. "Really."

"You sure about that?" Gladio replied.

Lorelai huffed in response. With her bowl now empty, she abruptly shoved past Prompto and swiftly left the diner. The four watched her leave, concerned by her sudden actions.

"What do you think's eating her?" Gladio asked the others.

Noctis only shrugged. "Who knows? Women."

"Now, now," Ignis interrupted, "there must be a valid explanation for this."

Prompto was speechless. He only stared at the doorway she had left through. He had immediately picked up on her mood change. Truthfully, the gunman had begun to pick up on when Lorelai was hiding something, and though he hadn't seen what she supposedly saw, he knew it must've been serious. Without a word, he got up and followed after her, leaving his friends in search of the girl.