[the message is immediately on his field of vision, and prompto pauses a moment before considering and pulling off his helmet. tucked under his arm, he pokes at anouk's shoulder with a finger to get her attention -- she sure is doing her best to keep herself from full-out sobbing.]

[he smiles]

Scary, huh?

[much like cain, prompto also has very little experience with children. but he's good with them! he remembers talcott fondly, a boy who lost so much in the war, but who kept smiling and keeping on despite the odds.]

Whenever that happens, y'know what my friend does?

[he's still going up the stairs, even if his steps are slower, walking up backwards as he is.]

He has this -- 'spirit animal,' like an imaginary friend. [anouk's paying attention to his every word, whimpering turning into sniffling. she nods against cain's shoulder] I've never seen it, but in pictures. It's small, a very, very light silver green sheen on its fur. Big pointy ears! [he hush whispers, raising his hand up over his head to denote the shape of ears] It yips and bounces around, showing him the way when it's dark and he doesn't know where to go. That's what m'friend says, anyway. I'm sure if you call its name, it will come and help us out, too.

What's its name?

[she asks almost immediately, her voice a breath of excitement.]

Carbuncle. --Carbuncle. Right! Close your eyes and picture Carbuncle in your head.

[it's hard to see, but anouk does, eyes firmly shut, and you can hear her say yip yip to herself, at least her focus elsewhere.]

[prompto gives cain a glance and a shrug of his shoulders, putting his helmet back on.]

i'm not great with kids but sure am glad that worked
the door should be after this flight of stairs