Prompto couldn’t believe their luck. In his eyes, this was an award greater than any amount of gil. “You mean…we get to ride them?!” he looked the chocobos over in delight, amazed at their ability to answer the whistle call from so far away. “This is the best day ever! Ignis, snap a picture of me on the chocobo!”

Noctis’ lip twitched in a smirk. Prompto was such a child sometimes. “Sure beats walking,” he commented, approaching the chocobo nearest to him. The chocobo stood by patiently, his golden feathers glittering in the sun.

“Can’t be that difficult.” Gladiolus didn’t require instruction. He slid his foot through the saddle’s loop and hoisted himself onto the chocobo without an ounce of trouble. The chocobo chirped and looked back at him, but didn’t seem to mind his newest rider. 

Prompto, of course, was amazed. As usual, Gladiolus made everything look so easy. 

“Couple of pointers couldn’t hurt,” Noctis responded, mounting his chocobo as well. Like Gladiolus, he made the action seem effortless. 

Only Ignis and Prompto remained on the ground. Ignis adjusted his glasses, observing the large bird-like creatures with a hint of skepticism. “Agreed. Instruction would be beneficial,” he told Sarah, glancing at Prompto as he said so. Prompto had no idea what he was doing.

Prompto was barely listening. He reached to pet what he believed was his chocobo, but the creature snapped at him irritably. Yelping in surprise, Prompto drew his hand away. Something about the chocobo was oddly familiar. He didn’t realize it right then, but it was the very one who had tossed Sarah upon their arrival to the ranch.

“Prompto, pay attention,” Ignis reminded the blond. Chuckling meekly, Prompto apologized and faced Sarah, awaiting instruction. “So…what are we supposed to do, exactly?”