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

[fulgency]

I do not yet know entirely what purpose we are meant to serve here, but I trust that we will be guided to it when the time is right.

For now, all we can do is explore the paths that are open to us. [Those that are meant to be a the forefront of research and those meant for exploring the dangerous edges of Aefenglom's territories will do just that.] And gather our strength. I do not believe it will be an easy road ahead for any of us.

[He mentions if he had wound up a Monster, so he must be a Witch.]

You would do well to focus on your studies. Follow your natural aptitudes and when you are ready, challenge yourself in magecraft that is more difficult for you to master.

[coherer]

(it's the most sobering response he's gotten yet. no easy roads... no, jonas didn't think so. hearing it from another person, one who's been here for far longer, just makes it that much more real.)

I will, Ozymandias. Thanks for weighing in.

–can I ask you one more question? (a pause, before continuing.) If that story about the two sisters and the True Fae is legitimate, why do you think they hated the idea of humans being able to use magic? Why wouldn't they want it shared between everyone?

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias is quiet for a moment. He, himself, is as a god, but he is a son of Ra. The gods that speak through him are not of this world. And so, it is far more difficult for him to ascertain what exactly their intent or will might be.]

It is only very rough speculation with very little information, but... [He hums thoughtfully] In this world, magic appears to require a balance. There is no telling how that action may have tipped the scales.

[And so, it may not be resentment towards humanity directly so much as resentment for whatever effect that had on the Monsters the Sisters appear to care for so dearly.]

But it is also possible that they were angrier at the True Fae mimicking them in their actions. Just as the Sisters liberated the Monsters, the True Fae were liberating humanity by granting them magic.

[And no deity tolerates being mocked or mimicked very well. The act itself is seen as blasphemous and a threat to their power. So why would they not punish as they see fit?]

[coherer]

Taking from one source gives to another... right? My science classes are coming back to me now, uh, "Energy can't be created or destroyed, only transformed or transferred." Paraphrased, obviously, but– Jesus, I can't believe I actually remembered that...

(a huff of a laugh at himself, quick to sober.)

That's pretty selfish. Still, I guess I get it. If I made something and someone else stole parts of it to take it as their own, I'd be pretty mad.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias scoffs lightly.]

It is not for a mortal to decide what a god is entitled to. I do not know how this world was created, but the Sisters appear to have the greatest claim to its creation or at least some elements to it. [You're talkin' to a God-King, bud. Sorry.] I do not recognize these Sisters as they have no place among my gods, but I would not be so brazen as to call them selfish.

[coherer]

(ozymandias: offended. THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM.

jonas drops his head out of view and mutters something unintelligible.)

Please don't bust my balls, man. I even backed it up and said I could see why they'd be mad about it. I'm just– you know... (gestures with his hands, before relocating one to the back of his neck.) ... trying to make sense of all this. Are you friends with them, or something?

[fulgency]

[Funnily enough, if he hadn't backtracked a little, Ozymandias' words would have been more reprimand than chiding as they ended up being.]

Friends with who?

[coherer]

The gods here. (propping himself back up, trying to work stress out of the nape of his neck.)

Sorry if I'm making assumptions... but you talk like you're familiar and you seem pretty defensive over them.

[fulgency]

Do not mistake caution for defensiveness.

I answer to no divine authority other than that of my own. These Sisters hold no authority over me and they do not guide my actions. [His and his gods.] But I have felt firsthand the consequences of challenging the existence of another god's authority.

[He will not elaborate further even if Jonas were to ask, but he would not have similar tragedy wrought here if it could be avoided.]

1/2

[coherer]

("other than my own."

his mother was religious and musical, two passions that rubbed off on her son. jonas respected her enough to pay homage by taking them into careful consideration, adopting her beliefs—maybe not that there's a god watching over him from on high, but the principles of it all—that being patient and kind to others can enrich one's life.

when faced with a real god, not her god or any god he's familiar with, jonas is speechless.)

2/2

[coherer]

You're...? You're what, a god? Is that like, some kind of joke?

(a great start to what'll no doubt be a thrilling conversation.)

[fulgency]

Do you not recognize the name Ozymandias, boy?

[Ozymandias noticed the admiration of his name earlier in his conversation with Prompto, but had assumed there was at least some recognition behind the remark. It is no matter. He does not mind explaining and introducing himself.]

[He laughs, entirely good-naturedly.]

I am the third king of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, the God-King of the Sun, King of Kings, and Great Ancestor, Pharaoh Ramesses II.

[Ozymandias speaks with pride in his titles, each one being unquestioning and unwavering fact of his identity.]

You may continue to address me as Ozymandias.

[coherer]

That's– it's just a little hard to believe.

I recognized your name, but I didn't know it exactly. (definitely not the specifics, only that "ozymandias" was the name of a king of egypt in some old written work.) Besides, I figured you were just some guy with the name. Why would I assume a god would wind up here with the rest of us mortal assholes...?

How did you wind up here?

(what jonas thinks is a fair question, given a god must have staggering abilities.)

And how long have you been here? Because if you haven't gotten out, how are any of the rest of us supposed to?

[fulgency]

I was summoned here through the mirrors the same as everyone else who is not native to this world. As to the length of time my time here, this is the 8th month since my arrival.

[Ozymandias is very matter-of-fact about this rather than angered by it. He's had some time to generally accept that he has been stripped of his natural abilities and adapt. Dwelling on it or stewing in anger would restore his power.]

[coherer]

Eight... Jesus.

(rubs at an eye, suddenly exhausted.)

I– alright. That's a lot to take in. I'll have to talk to you later, man. Thanks. Seriously, this was informative.

[fulgency]

[It's such casual form of address and Ozymandias as ever does not remain an entirely large fan of it, but Ozymandias does not bristle at it either. Casual though it may be, there's clearly no ill-intent to offend.]

Of course. You may seek me out for further questions should the need ever arise.