"And that wraps up this year's annual chocobo races!" Lorelai announced into her microphone. "I'm your host, Chocolai, signing out with a 'kweh'."

Prompto stared dreamily at Lorelai up in front of everyone. He paid more attention to her than the actual races. His best friend stood beside him, grumpily muttering to himself. The prince had come in fourth place, just out of reach of the third place prize. Although he did happen to notice Prompto hum in content as he watched Lorelai.

"Look at you," he said, catching the blond's attention. "You've been in a rather good mood today."

Gladio chuckled from behind them. "Whatever happened with you two last night must've been real special."

Prompto blushed in embarrassment. "I guess you could say that."

"I think you two should spend more time together," Iris added with a smile. "I'm sure she'd like that."

"You think so?" the gunman asked.

"The two of you do seem to have excellent chemistry," Ignis pointed out.

Prompto smiled. "Yeah, I guess so."

The crowds began clearing out. Lorelai rode Eclipse over to walk alongside her friends. "Well, now the races are officially over," she said. "Sorry you didn't win, Noct."

He crossed his arms, still a bit angry about the subject. "I was so close too."

"Cheer up, Noct," Iris chimed in. "There's always next time."

The prince continued to sulk all the way back to the caravan. Iris called Dustin to come pick her and Talcott up. After Lorelai took Eclipse back to her pen, she changed and returned the chocobo costume to Wiz, who thanked her and paid her for all the help. She then went back over to her friends, noticing that many people were beginning to pack up and leave since the races had concluded.

"Hey, I'm going to go get a smoothie. Anyone want to come with me?"

Prompto immediately jumped up with a grin. "I'll go!"

They looked to the others, but they all had an excuse. Gladiolus was going to spend time with his little sister, Talcott wanted to chat with Noctis about the royal tombs, and Ignis claimed to have some shopping to do. So Lorelai and Prompto walked over to a table and sat down, both ordering a Green Smoothie. Prompto knew that the others were mostly making something up just so he could be alone with Lorelai. He wondered if the girl saw through their plan or not. After getting their smoothies, Prompto thought it only right to say something.

"Too bad the others couldn't join us," he said, trying to make small talk.

Lorelai sipped a bit of her smoothie and smiled. "Oh, I don't mind either way. I enjoy spending time with all of you, but to tell you the truth, you're my closest friend."

The blond grinned happily. "Really? I'M your closest friend?"

She giggled. "How could you not be? Look at all you've done for me." Her expression turned a bit more serious. "You've helped me move on from my past. You've shown me that I gained as much as I lost, and that I can always count on you guys. Even now, you're helping me conquer my fears and get stronger. Granted, the others did have a hand in all this too, but you've been the biggest help."

Prompto smiled briefly before frowning and holding out his arm. "Aside from the guys, you're the only one I've ever told of my birthplace." He moved his arm bands up slightly to show her the barcode on his skin before covering it again. "I still couldn't believe how easily I let it slip. It's not exactly something I like for people to know. Just goes to show how easy you are to talk to, Lora."

"Aww, I'm flattered," she teased lightly.

Prompto chuckled at her. "I guess after you were brave enough to tell us where you came from, I got the courage to do the same." His faint smile faded. "I know I asked this before, but are you really okay with what I am?" She stared at him with slight confusion. "I was... created... to become one of those... things, the MT's. I was meant to do nothing but cause harm to all of you. If I hadn't been kidnapped by Lucians, then I'd be one of them." His voice was cracking and he sounded as if he may cry.

Lorelai's gaze softened and she reached across the table, placing a hand over his wrist where the barcode was. "Prompto..." He looked at her soft, smiling face. "I know what you are. You're a Lucian - a living, breathing person like everyone else in this world." Prompto stared at her, dumbfounded. "And you know what I think? I think that, even from the beginning, you were different from the rest. Whether you were created for such a purpose or not, I can't even imagine you hurting any of us. You are NOT an MT and you never were. So please, don't ever think of yourself as one of them, because you're definitely not."

A smile tugged at the corners of Prompto's lips. "Thanks, Lora." He shifted his hand underneath hers so that he could take her hand in his own. "You always know what to say. And for the record, I consider you a Lucian too."

She laughed lightly. "I wouldn't go that far. I wasn't raised here like you. But... I do consider this my home now."

The two smiled and sipped their smoothies. Despite their conversation ending, their hands stayed connected atop the table, lightly clutching onto each other. Lorelai's eyes suddenly darted past the blond, catching sight of a familiar redhead approaching. Her smile instantly dropped and she narrowed her eyes while retracting her hand from Prompto's.

"We've got company," she muttered.

Before Prompto could turn and look, Jax came up behind him and lightly shoved his head down. The blond's face smashed right into his glass, spilling the smoothie while getting it stuck all over his face.

"Oops, I didn't see you there, blondie," Jax said with a smirk.

Lorelai gasped and shot the redhead a glare. Prompto growled under his breath and began wiping his face with napkins. Jax went over and made himself at home next to the girl.

"Nice seeing you again, Lora. Too bad you had to return that costume. I quite liked 'Chocolai'." He wrapped an arm around her.

Prompto abruptly stood, a bit of smoothie still stuck to his face. "What the hell's your problem?! Why don't you just beat it already!"

Jax angrily stood as well. "Oh yeah?! How about I just beat you instead?!"

"I'd like to see you try!" Prompto spat, summoning his gun.

Jax unsheathed the knife on his hip. Lorelai quickly got up and pushed between them, placing a hand on each of their chests. "That's enough!" She narrowed her eyes at Jax. "You, get out of here! I don't know if you've noticed, but I don't like you! The very sight of you makes me sick! Now leave me alone and quit harassing my friends!"

Jax stared at her in silence, still processing what she'd said. Lorelai calmly sat Prompto down with her and took a napkin, finishing cleaning the rest of the smoothie from his face. Jax's face flushed red out of anger and he turned and stormed off without another word. Lorelai sighed, scrubbing her friend's cheek.

"I'm sorry, Prompto. That's guy's a real jerk."

"I'll say," he mumbled. "But it's not your fault, Lora. Not like you asked him to hit on you."

Lorelai finished cleaning his face and reached across the table, taking her smoothie and sliding it closer. "Want me to order you another?"

"Nah, I'm good." Prompto deviously grinned. "Seeing that son of a bitch storm off was satisfying enough."

Lorelai smiled and rolled her eyes. She finished up her smoothie and the two headed back to the caravan. Dustin had also arrived to pick up Iris and Talcott. The group saw them off, and it wasn't long before the sun began sinking lower in the sky. The five friends talked for a bit until Gladio got an idea.

"Hey, Lora, how'd you like to go camping?" The girl stared at him with a puzzled expression. "We haven't camped together for a while now and it'd be great practice for you to get used to the dark."

Lorelai thought on it momentarily before finally answering, "You're right. It'll be good for me. I say let's do it."

The group packed up and drove to the closest haven. Gladio pitched the tent, Noctis and Prompto set up the chairs, and Lorelai helped Ignis get his cookware set up. At that point, the sun had almost disappeared beyond the horizon. Lorelai was getting jittery as she watched the darkening sky.

"Why don't we train?" Gladio suggested. "Maybe it'll help take your mind off it."

Lorelai eagerly nodded. "Okay."

The two summoned their weapons and moved out onto the grass. The others watched from their seats. Lorelai was mostly looking at her surroundings when the shield charged toward her. She immediately turned her attention to him and readied herself. He swung his greatword, but the girl ducked under his swing.

"Eyes on me," he ordered. "I've seen you fight. You're pretty good. Why don't you show me what you can do now."

Lorelai quickly swung her scythe. It clashed against Gladio's greatsword. The two were at a standstill momentarily, Lorelai trying to overpower her opponent. Gladio smirked and shoved her back, his strength much greater than hers. He let his sword rest on his shoulder.

"You should know better than to try and overpower me," he told her.

She separated her scythe into two. "I may not be as strong as you, but I bet I'm faster."

She charged toward him. He swung his sword downward at her, but the girl easily moved to the side. She circled around the shield and he swung around at her. This time, Lorelai jumped up and onto the flat of his blade. Gladio's amber eyes widened in surprise, and before he could react, her foot came in contact with his face. But as soon as her foot hit him, he snatched her ankle, causing her to gasp in surprise. He tried throwing her down onto the ground, but she quickly slashed his arm with one of her blades to make him let go. As soon as she was free, she grabbed his shoulder and vaulted herself over his head.

The entire battle, Prompto was snapping pictures, his camera hanging around his neck. Noctis and Ignis took notice of the strap fastened to his camera that wasn't there before.

"Nice strap for your camera," Noctis said. "It looks as if it was made for you."

Prompto grinned. "Thanks. Lora got it for me back at the Chocobo Post."

"Ah, that explains it." Ignis adjusted his glasses and smiled lightly at the blond. "She seems to have your tastes figured out."

"Great job, Lora!" Gladio yelled, catching everyone's attention. "You're completely disregarding the dark!"

Right after he said that, Lorelai's gaze went to her surroundings. It was nearly pitch black, the only light coming from the haven's runes and the campfire. The girl went into a panic and formed a barrier of light around herself. She then sprinted back over to the campfire and fell to her knees, dispersing her light barrier. She stared into the fire. Prompto immediately stood and went over to her, crouching beside her.

"You okay?"

She swiftly nodded. "Y-Yeah. I think I just need to keep busy. It takes my attention away from the darkness." She looked back at Ignis. "Mind if I help cook, Ignis?"

The advisor smiled. "Not at all. A little help would be much appreciated."

While the two began preparing a meal, the other three quietly talked. "Now we know that Lora can face her fear if she's focused on something," Gladio said. "She was doing great until I mentioned it."

"Yeah, way to go," Noctis replied sarcastically.

"We'll keep this up every night," Prompto added, "until she's no longer afraid." His blue eyes landed on the girl standing by Ignis in front of the table. She was chopping vegetables while Ignis stirred a pot. "We'll help her through this."