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]

I...see.

[Huh. That is strange, but that would explain why he might have been a little pale for the past few months. And...with Caren being a chimera, it might be worse for her, with the internal conflict of all of her parts.]

Thanks Elliot. I....mm. I also have a bit of a strange question, if you've been looking into medical things though...I'm not sure this counts.

[fiddlestick]

Hm? What is it Caren?

[He isn't too worried about a question being strange, because well, weird is his whole life now]

[showsnopiety]

Have you ever heard anything about...chimeras becoming one with their parts? Or evolving, or becoming insyc with themselves?

Anything like that?

[fiddlestick]

[There's a pause as he thinks about it]

...No, sorry. But I haven't exactly been looking into chimera evolution, so it's possible it exists and I haven't heard about it.

[showsnopiety]

Possibly. Thank you.

...Dragon said I could be as strong as them, if I was one. It was something they said that was bothering me.

I may have to investigate it more, somehow.

[fiddlestick]

[...]

So you're hoping to get stronger then?

[showsnopiety]

I just want to see if it's possible.

[...she sees where this is going.]

Don't start.

[fiddlestick]

I haven't started anything.

[showsnopiety]

I know. Just-

I don't want to hear how I can only get stronger by taking care of myself. Not right now. It's not you just-

[She's feeling attacked right now and she dislikes it, for once.]

[fiddlestick]

[....]

So...you'd rather I keep my mouth shut.

[showsnopiety]

What? No Elliot that's-that's not what I'm saying.

I'm...not sure what I am saying.

[fiddlestick]

But it kinda is.

You don't want to hear anyone who has a different view than your own. Even friends.

[showsnopiety]

So you're...saying I'm a hypocrite.

[It makes her want to laugh, but she shuts it down.

She wouldn't feel so hysterical if she wasn't so freaking tired.]

[fiddlestick]

I'm saying...you're scared and it's making it hard for you to see the forest through the trees.

I get like that sometimes too.

[showsnopiety]

Is...is that what this is?

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

[Can't compute.]

[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.

[showsnopiety]

That...I've never felt that. Not like this. It's so...potent.

[And she hates it so much.]

It just keeps getting worse.

[fiddlestick]

I know. The more you indulge it, the worst it gets. It's kinda like a spoiled child that way. And unfortunately, ignoring it doesn't do the trick either - then it throws tantrums to try to get your attention.

But there are ways to manage it. We can try those, okay?

[showsnopiety]

...all right.

I'm going to have to take a nap as part of it, aren't I?

[fiddlestick]

Aha...eventually, yeah.

But not just yet. Just hold on one moment- [There's the sound of him moving around, before he puts on a record with calming violin music to play in the background.

Look he'd play music himself, but it's a hard to walk Caren through this and play at the same time]

Sorry, I always find this easier to do with music. So the first thing we do...is take slow deep breaths. Inhale for ten seconds, and then exhale for ten.

[showsnopiety]

Ah-

[She does love music. So it's startling, but welcome , even as she nods.]

No, it's fine.

[But slow deep breaths? Al right. She takes in that deep breath, shaking a little as she inhales then exhales, slow and measured.]

[fiddlestick]

[Good for the love of music, as all help sessions with Elliot involve music its just a law]

Yeah...that's good. Keep going, nice and slow, a few more times.

[And after a bit, as he does some himself to lead]

Feel any difference?

[It'll be small probably, but breathing does tend to help a lot.]

[showsnopiety]

[It's the Elliot music law.

But she keeps it up, listening to the instructions, and trying to breathe.]

A little?

[She's honest, as always.]

I feel a little...shaky? Physically.

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot nods, even though she can't see it. It's a good thing that Caren is as honest as she is, because it does make stuff like that easier]

Yeah, that's pretty normal. You have been running yourself pretty hard.

[That isn't judgmental sounding, just stating the fact of it.]

Alright, so next part...we're going to talk about your fears, but first...I want you to think of someone you find reassuring. A friend, a family member, maybe even a celebrity you like. Just someone you can trust to be supportive.

Think of them hard enough so you can visualize them and hear their voice. They're gonna be here to support you, even if it's just in your head. Okay?

[showsnopiety]

[She may be a menace and a gremlin, but she's an honest one.

And a confused one. Someone she trusts to be supportive. Supportive...huh?]

I suppose you...Prompto...Ozymandias. Why would I think a celebrity would support me?

They wouldn't have a reason to care.