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.

[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.

[fiddlestick]

[So that's what's been preying on Caren's heart. It's hard to know what to say at first, so there's a pause]

...I've never seen you that way.

To me, you've always been a friend. You're sarcastic and guarded, but you're always thinking of others. You make tea and like making clothing. You tease people, but I know you care about them a lot. And you've always been so kind to me...

How does my view of you fit into all that? Are there conditions to your kindness towards me, Caren?

[showsnopiety]

I returned what you gave me Elliot.

I warned you I'm not a good person. I'm just...trying not to be the person I could be.

My kindness is spite to the person I could be. And...if I said the rest, you'd only get upset.

[fiddlestick]

I really don't remember doing half the nice things you did for me, Caren. [Tea? A sexuality talk? Nada]

And you know ... always trying to do the right thing? Trying to be better than the dark parts of yourself?

Those all sound like qualities of a good person to me. No matter what your motive is.

I ...wish you could see that too.

[showsnopiety]

I...as I said before, my motive is suspect.

So I may never see myself like that, no matter how much you or anyone else wants me to be.

But I don't try to change to please others. If nothing else...

I am, always, myself. Even if it is a sarcastic, sassy, and self aware sort of person.

[fiddlestick]

It's not to please me, Caren. I just wish you could see that so you could be a little easier on yourself.

But, I think we found one of your root fears. Let's pause and take some more deep breaths okay?

[showsnopiety]

No...no. If I thought you needed me to be anyone else, then this call would have ended . If it makes sense.

But yes. Please. This was surprisingly exhausting.

[fiddlestick]

It makes sense. Just thought I'd be clear.

Haha...I know. Emotional work can take a lot out of you, but you're doing really well.

So...breath in...breath out... [He repeats the deep breath exercises a few times, trying to be soothing as possible]

How're you feeling?

[showsnopiety]

Of course.

[To the first thing, not the second part. She feels weirdly wrung out. But she still follows the instructions, breathing in and out. And...]

Weirdly hollowed out? Not the usual hollow out.

[fiddlestick]

That's not unusual. It gets easier the more you do it, but...the first few times are rough.

[Because you know, there's a lot of baggage to unpack]

Do you want to continue, or do you need a rest?

[showsnopiety]

I can see that.

[Yeaaah...Yeah. There is a moment of hesitation, before she speaks.]

Rest, I think. I might get more defensive.

Sorry. For yelling.

[fiddlestick]

Alright, rest it is then.

And it's alright, I wasn't upset by it.

[showsnopiety]

Thank you.

Good. I don't...like the idea of snapping at you. Especially when you're just trying to help.