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]

...murder isn't reasonable?

[CAREN.]

[fiddlestick]

No, that's definitely a crime.

[showsnopiety]

It's just a reasonable presumptive self defense.

[fiddlestick]

So you're going to murder any local that looks at you funny or says something mean?

Is that really reasonable Caren?

[showsnopiety]

No.

That's why it's a joke.

[fiddlestick]

Caren...

You're trapping your friends in their rooms at night. It's a little hard to tell what's a joke right now.

[showsnopiety]

Ah...Prompto told on me, huh.

[Killjoy. Well, she's more subdued now.]

I don't really know what's a good idea. Because...locking them in during the night is a delay tactic.

So...if someone breaks in, I can ensure they can escape.

I'm not a mage. I can't make wards or magic traps.

[fiddlestick]

[Yeah people tend to rat you out when you lock them up against their will. Go figure]

Sure. Except even if we don't go into the ethical issues .... what if there's a fire and you can't reach them? They'd be trapped in their rooms.

[Not unreasonable scenario considering that's how people got snatched last time]

Ozymandias is a witch isn't he? Wouldn't it be better to have him make an alarm system?

[showsnopiety]

[Especially on an open call. Go figure. She can't even get mad at him for doing it.]

They have windows but...I know. It'd be worse if I just watched them all the time.

[It'd be creepy.]

Ozymandias is a witch, but...he's mostly a conjuration witch. I wouldn't want to impose.

[Says the person who's been cooking for him for months now.]

[fiddlestick]

Witches can learn from other classes. I'm sure he can figure out a spell for it.

And if he can't, why don't you ask another witch? You could even pay them so it's not imposing.

[showsnopiety]

I suppose...it still feels like a hassle, somehow.

It's like...asking for a security blanket. I never do that. I've always been fine.

[fiddlestick]

No, I'd say it's a rational precaution, given the circumstances. I'm likely gonna do the same for my house, once I figure out the right spell.

[Though her resistance to this does make him wonder. She's willing to go so far as to barricade and watch people, but just asking for a reasonable alarm system?

...]

Caren, is this...about keeping the others safe, or you saving them?

[showsnopiety]

I...see.

[She was going to lapse into thoughtful mein, but the question had her head jerk up as if slapped.]

What kind of question is that? That's ridiculous. They need to be safe, no matter what I have to do.

[fiddlestick]

Unless it's asking Ozymandias or someone else for help?

[showsnopiety]

It's just...easier that way, all right?

[fiddlestick]

[Uh huh. Excuse him as he slaps that doubt button right now]

How is this easier?

[showsnopiety]

It is, all right?

If I don't grow dependent on anyone, then I won't be-

[She snapped her mouth shut.]

[fiddlestick]

[Oh. Oh we're getting somewhere.]

Caren? If you don't grow dependent on anyone, then you won't be...what?

[showsnopiety]

....Disappointed.

[fiddlestick]

Caren...

[Of course. she's always guarding herself. It's not like she had a very supportive upbringing, from what he remembers]

Asking for help sometimes doesn't mean you'll be dependent. Sometimes it's just the best course of action.

[showsnopiety]

To most, it is.

Not to me. Not after everything. It'd just be foolish and repeating the same mistakes.

Not after- [She sucked in a breath, stifling what she was about to say.] after everything.

[fiddlestick]

[....]

Caren, is that what you fear? Being dependent on someone who lets you down?

Is that what happened before?

[showsnopiety]

I don't- I don't know what you're talking about.

I don't depend on anyone.

[fiddlestick]

You just said it yourself Caren...

"Not after everything. It'd just be foolish and repeating the same mistakes".

[showsnopiety]

You...

[She hissed slowly, closing her eyes tight. How could he. Ugh urgh ugh.]

I know better the to expect goodness and kindness.

Not without conditions. Not without something going wrong. I was just some girl too delicate to do anything but to be worshipped like a statue before.

And now I'm just a freak of a monster who's seen as nightmare fuel for children and pumped for information without gratitude.