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]

Ten years?

[Well. That took her aback.

Then she huffed.]

Well. You're not going to be lonely anymore. Still doesn't mean I trust you completely in the kitchen yet.

[clickclickbang]

...uh, just pretend I didn't say that part. But come on, even Iggy trusted me!

[showsnopiety]

...so you don't want me to hug you and pet your hair later?

[She's semi serious.]

If I trust you, will I get my knives back?

[clickclickbang]

Later, yes.

[showsnopiety]

How much later?

[clickclickbang]

...later.

[Or when you take a nap. Maybe.]

[fulgency]

Do not return those knives to her until she has taken time to rest.

[Yes, he just busted out his Authoritarian Pharaoh Voice (TM). It's more command than suggestion.]

[clickclickbang]

That was the plan! C'mon, she's scary but I'm not that much of a pushover.

[fulgency]

You will have worse to fear than her if you yield to her.

[showsnopiety]

Ozymandias.

Don't threaten Prompto for my sake. Please.

[fulgency]

I am not threatening him. I am merely reminding him of what is at stake here.

[Your health is important, Caren.]

[showsnopiety]

Just...gently. Please.

I know he's not going to, and that he's not going allow me to trick him.

[fulgency]

[...]

Very well. Prompto, you have my apologies for being so harsh. I allowed my concern for Caren's health to treat you unjustly and unfairly.

[clickclickbang]

Eh, we're cool. I know the feeling.

[showsnopiety]

Thank you Ozymandias.

[This isn't helping the image of them dating huh.]

[fulgency]

If you wish to truly show your gratitude to me, then you should rest.

[Probably not helping at all.]

not here

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto ships it.]

[showsnopiety]

I'm going to. Really, I am.

Between this, Hakuno, and Elliot, not to mention you using the word consort, I need a break.

[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]

[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.

[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.

[showsnopiety]

[There's a lot he could say to that. She waits. Waits for him to say something, protest. She know she would, but instead...he accepts, gracefully, like he does.

She exhales slowly, feeling something relax in her.]

Thank you. I know it's not ideal.

[fulgency]

What is necessary is not always ideal, and I've never been one to balk at doing what is necessary.

[And for those he holds dear...? Well, it goes without saying that he is more willing when he is able to be. Assuaging some of her worries does not conflict with anything else that might be asked of him as Pharaoh, so the decision is simple.]

I do not particularly mind Giorno's company either. [A beat before he adds,] Despite his frequent disobedience.

[And yet, he is still so plainly fond of the boy.]

[showsnopiety]

That...is true. Quite true.

[It is one of the things she admires about Oz. He's good to her, to appease her like this.

Still, she chuckles quietly.]

He's a sass monster. That's one of my favorite things about him.

[fulgency]

And one of my least favorite.

[Categorically untrue. Ozymandias, as it so happens, is not a very good liar.]