005 | Video

[clickclickbang]

Name: Prompto Argentum
Date: 2/8
Format: video

[In the background of this video, there's the (relatively) hushed sounds of a certain Sun King's voice, trying to get someone to stop and rest, as she should. He's being met with growls of "I'm busy!" along with some pots and pans clanging and chopping as she’s clearly trying to make Something. It might be a stew? There's still the remains of a varied breakfast and food packages that were just set on the table. Pointing this out does not appear to be much of a deterrent.

While all that’s going on, Prompto just sort of. Gives the camera a Look.]

So, I was going to let everyone know that hey, I'm back, Insomniac Delivery is back up and running, please do not try to eat my chocobo, photos will be back soonish, et cetera et cetera, but Caren dropped some interesting information at breakfast this morning and that takes priority. So.

[Pause for effect. An effect that is likely somewhat spoiled as more extreme measures of putting things on higher shelves is met with highly vocal protests decrying it as an unfair move.]

Apparently Dorchacht used to be a monster city.

[Yet another pause for further effect. And also a drink of coffee because boy, does Prompto need the (sugary, creamy, mostly everything but coffee) caffeine this morning.]

So, according to Caren's...contact? Before Drummond or whoever came around, witches lived in a separate part of the city because they were considered the dangerous ones. They said they treated the witches fairly and I'm pretty sure it'd be hard to treat people worse than how Dorch was when we got there, but, uh, maybe take that part with a grain of salt?

[And of course, in the midst of Prompto trying to explain, he’s interrupted by the menace in the background.]

This also could have been centuries ago so- no, I don't want tea. I don't feel like being drugged today, thank you!

That's not what-- [He lets it go. It's not that important right now. He plucks a ladle away from Caren.] It sounds as though they avoided the consequences of full moons without Bonds, but still engaging with one another.

[Prompto is just gonna ignore all that going on in the background. This is important. And also Ozy can handle Caren better than he can, let’s be real.]

They also told Caren about where Monsters and Witches came from, according to Dorchacht's lore, and what the Cwyld is...sort of. At least why it's a thing.

It's different from what they tell us here. According to their story, the Sisters freed the monsters from the True Fae and...Ozymandias! Don't put my knives there!

[And there she goes, back into the background. Specifically, onto the counter to save her knives. Her efforts are near-immediately spoiled as Ozymandias loops an arm around her middle and tosses her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.]

You're only going to confuse everyone worrying about something like that right now. If you’re not going to rest, at least focus. [He brings Caren back into view, setting her down, but keeping a firm arm wrapped around her. It would probably be a very nice hug under other circumstances.] What Caren was trying to say is that the True Fae then angered the Sisters by teaching humans magic. Thus, they created the Cwyld as punishment for their insolence.

Prompto, I trust you can manage from here. I'm going to remove the temptation to continue trying to cook.

[He barely waits for an answer before opting this time to at least princess carry Caren.

Prompto, meanwhile, stares in utter bafflement as they go off because that sure is a Witch princess carrying a freaking Chimera. Just for a moment, though, before he turns back to the watch.]

Yeah, what Ozy said. Anyway, uh. That was a lot, but there were other things Caren’s contact mentioned, but this is already pretty nuts so...any questions?

[[Prompto, Ozymandias, Caren. All three are available for questions!]]

Comments

[showsnopiety]

Oh no, I don't believe it at all. Especially when she's supposed to be so powerful and managed to take a city for herself.

We'll have to keep as good of an eye as we can. Not as easy as it sounds, but we can at least keep contacts, perhaps help train and encourage the Wilder branch out there.

Voice

[getting_better]

Thank you. Well, perhaps a brief background of the city and what led to it's current state would be a good place to start if that's not too much trouble. The known or documented history first, since it sounds like you have a different version of the story.

audio; un: sasukeuchiha

[eyeforaneye]

[ ... ]

I won't tell you what a terrible video this is. You all already know, so I'd suggest rewatching it in order to improve later.

Regardless, the difference in lore isn't a surprise given the factors of both distance and time. What I will say is that separating a group of people from the rest will never constitute fair treatment. It should be taken with more than just one grain of salt.

[fulgency]

[He doesn't understand what her issue is with the word "consort," but he's not going to ask. She is agreeing to rest and so, finally, he relaxes considerably.]

I am holding you to that. Do not break your word to Pharaoh.

[showsnopiety]

Is...is that what this is?

Fear? I don't- I've never-

[Can't compute.]

[showsnopiety]

No, but I was a subject of his work once. Something called a...photoshoot?

[She's still new to the world of photography tbh.]

And what's that?

[coherer]

No, definitely. I totally will.

(that catch and carry, though. ozymandias would make a great american football player.)

I read in another one of these threads that the Sisters are like, moons? Is that why there are such negative effects when the moon's full? ... guess that's conjecture, huh?

[sealeted]

I wonder if he plans on making an album, or selling a book... Or, heck, maybe even a calendar.

[You walked right into this, Caren.]

For you to at least take a nap so he doesn't have to rearrange your kitchen.

[showsnopiety]

Just to clarify, which city? Since what I do know varies between the two.

[coherer]

Yeah, enslaving all those monsters... that'd take one sick, devious– (was going to say "bitch," but decides against it.

there's no sense in getting too worked up, so he exhales hard through his nose instead.)

Anyway, I'm in. I can at least help out by keeping my eyes peeled.

[showsnopiety]

[Just consort sounds so...Binding. Not that she likes the word girlfriend much either.]

I won't. But I can't promise it'll be restful.

Also...Giorno may be coming by. He may go to your place.

For my sake.

[clickclickbang]

Nah, this was more important than everything else. Still should have maybe not done it in the kitchen.

[showsnopiety]

I have no idea. But I'm sure he'd get excited about any of them.

[Grimace. SHE KNEW IT!!!!]

He may do it anyway so I'll take a longer nap.

[Grumble pout.]

[sealeted]

Get the terms in writing. Isn't this technically a hostage situation?

[HAKUNO, NO.]

[coherer]

Guess not.

For what it's worth, I wish this wasn't your guys' responsibility—especially yours, since you seem to be going through something.

i am so sorry this happens when people ask for his thoughts/opinions

[fulgency]

It has been an adjustment to grow accustomed to the magecraft of this world, particularly as I was never a mage myself in my own lifetime and my abilities did not appear to carry over into this world.

But that is rather insignificant compared to what some have experienced since their arrival.

[He cannot and will not pretend as though the changes to his own body truly compare to what the Monsters among the Mirrorbound experience. There is a stark difference between frustration over the loss of strength and durability, and losing control over one's mind and form.]

I am, however, not immune to the attitudes towards the Mirrorbound. I was fortunate enough not to experience what Caren and others had to endure, but it was divine intervention and luck, not station or status, that protected me.

[Witches were among those taken after all. The only thing that mattered to the kidnappers were that they felt the Mirrorbound did not belong. It did not matter if they were Monsters or Witches.]

I think it is a shame that so much knowledge in this world has been lost, however. I imagine much of the answers that the natives seek lie within what they have lost. Perhaps even some of the answers the Mirrorbound seek as well. I believe the journey for all has been made much more difficult for it.

All I can do at this juncture is to offer my wisdom and abilities as Pharaoh.

[To protect and guide, inspire and lead as needed. What he does not specify is that his interests lie more with the Mirrorbound than the natives of this world. He cannot afford to make such statements, not with the council in its infancy, and in the end, there is only so much in which he can discriminate so long as the Mirrorbound find themselves in this city. He must not think with his emotions and see beyond that for a greater good.]

[...And, in the end, he would not deem the natives worthy of suffering under the Cwyld either. Those responsible for the kidnappings perhaps, but not even those who remained complacent are inherently deserving of such fates.]

And, of course, look after those I deem friends.

[showsnopiety]

It can't hurt.

[A beat. And:]

In any case...I would have a way for you to slip in, but I have no idea of your current baking skills, so.

You could just use the teleporter and visit the city yourself. I'm not sure how a patrol would go though.

[clickclickbang]

Someone has to do it. Caren's the one who did all the befriending and asking questions, anyway.

[coherer]

Right. Well... I'll leave you to it.

[showsnopiety]

More like negotiating the terms of surrender.

[And there's that growl in the voice again.]

And discussing tribute.

[In NAPS of ALL THINGS.]

[sealeted]

Well, that just means you get a blank check to cash in the next time they do something reckless you oppose, doesn't it?

[What a sweet summer child.]

[showsnopiety]

If that's the case for these two, it won't take very long.

[The sass on this one!]

[fulgency]

[He is confused for a moment as to what the connection between Giorno's presence in his home might have to do with her sake. But it is only a moment, passing quickly as it slots into place. Ozymandias says nothing immediately though, despite the understanding, as he weighs out what he might say to that.]

[On the one hand, he genuinely finds such concern to be unnecessary. The gods have protected Ozymandias thus far, why would they not continue to do so now? He is also not particularly helpless, well-versed in a number of ways of protecting himself. But on the other, he knows that these are... Well, these are different circumstances than usual. His charisma and confidence may not be as well-received or create confidence within her as intended. Not after her experience and the frank reality that no one was truly exempt from being among the kidnapped.]

[So, he decides to say nothing of whether her fear is reasonable or unreasonable. Instead, he quietly offers his assent to be watched.]

If it will put you at ease enough to rest, I shall allow it for now.

[fulgency]

In truth, I don't believe there is much or universal understanding of the moons and their effect beyond what's easily observed.

For now, we can only guess.

[fiddlestick]

Yeah, it's fear.

"Something really bad will happen if I'm not on guard." That feeling is fear.

It's a useful emotion, it helps you survive. But sometimes? That feeling will keep going even when you're out of danger. And that can be really bad for you.