( voice ) delivery

[haillenarte]

Name: Francel
Date: June 5
Format: Voice

Might I — ngh — might I trouble someone for help?

[there's a soft crackle of what might be breath on the mic, and then the shifting of what sounds like bedsheets. the voice that ultimately speaks again is low and husky, fairly deep, but there's something boyish and hesitant to it. some of francel's words come out awkward and tense, as if he is in a great deal of pain, and struggling to get the words out.]

It's been... several bells since last I took a meal, by my count, and... I'm terribly hungry. The... the man with whom I share a residence is not like to be back for some time. Could I trouble someone to bring food to my doorstep?

[really, even he can't believe he's asking for this.]

I have little coin, but I would happily pay you for your time. Please, and blessings on you.

Comments

[haillenarte]

[an audible sigh of relief escapes francel for prompto's gentle assurances.]

You're a godsend, Prompto.

[honestly, he could cry.]

I... I'm not too picky, truthfully. Our worlds are similar, aren't they? I'm not too keen on some of the local produce, but... I'm sure whatever you recognize as food will be just fine by me.

[clickclickbang]

Spicy or not spicy?

[haillenarte]

[okay, fair point.]

Er... less spicy, I think. I like cheeses and cream... and sweets.

[he sounds a little embarrassed to admit it...]

[clickclickbang]

Okay, that I can do. I just like things spicy and didn't want to scorch your taste buds. Where're you living?

[haillenarte]

You are a stronger man than I.

[and with that, francel will give prompto detailed directions to his house! he lives in an ordinary housing district close to the wall, and his house is, um, kind of a fixer-upper. he's been... fixing it up.]

action?

[clickclickbang]

Okay. I'm, uh, basically I grabbed the first place with a stable and that was a fancy house so I'll be a bit, but I'm on my way!

ye!

[haillenarte]

[by the time prompto arrives to francel's house, the young lord has at least done him the favor of, well, stepping out to answer the door. he's clad in a long linen cloak that covers most of his body dsepite the relatively warm weather; his hood is lowered, though, exposing the long, finlike horns that havegrown from behind his ears. there's something... weird on his back, too, sort of like he might be wearing a backpack underneath the cloak.

in any case, he looks up and smiles when he sees prompto coming down the road.]

There you are. Thank you again.

[clickclickbang]

Any time.

[Prompto will, politely, not stare at the horns or the thing on Francel's back. In exchange, he hopes Francel won't stare at the fur that's along his shoulders that trails down to his elbows, or the pointed ears. That's just the most visible part of what he's going through.

He holds out the (rather cutely) wrapped package]

I got you a full meal, some sort of cheese and beer soup and this chicken dish they recommended and a few rolls and half a cheesecake. [A beat as he realizes that Francel may not know what that is.] That's a cake that's made with cream cheese, it's sweet and rich and trust me it's good.

[haillenarte]

[for a moment, francel simply gapes at the package as prompto describes an incredibly appetizing meal that could seemingly be served for high house supper — the sort of thing that francel hasn't had in years, but which he has certainly craved many times over.

he holds out his (somewhat shaky) hands to accept the (adorable) lunchbox. he's quite possibly so moved that he might cry.]

Oh, that... that sounds lovely, Prompto. How much should I recompense you?

[clickclickbang]

[Look, he's no Ignis but Francel sounded awful and it's no fun going through these transformations. The least he could do was get something decent and filling.

Especially if "bells" means "hours", meaning Francel got hungry really fast like Prompto's guessing.]

Nothing! Seriously, it's no big.

[haillenarte]

Truly?

[it's tempting to just devour the whole thing outside, but at the very least, he should try to act more dignified. concerned, francel fixes prompto with a worried stare.]

Fury above, you are too kind. I pray the world does not take advantage of that.

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto just sort of smiles and shrugs.]

So far they haven't! Unless you count dogs, because I am weak to puppy eyes and not ashamed to admit it.

[haillenarte]

You really don't need anything in return? I have...

[well, not much, honestly. there's definitely no food in the house, for one thing.]

We've water and tea on hand. No treats for your chocobo, I'm afraid.

[clickclickbang]

[He can tell Francel wants to give him something and honestly, he's thirsty.]

Water'd be fine. D'you have, like, a hose or something I can use to give Prim water?

[Wait, does he know what a water hose is?]

[haillenarte]

[he definitely doesn't know what a water hose is. he literally just stands there, brow furrowed at prompto, trying to make sense of how one would use hose on a chocobo.]

...I-I'm not sure that Aymeric wears any, and I prefer socks.

[not that kind of hose, francel.]

[clickclickbang]

[Answered that question! Prompto has to bite his lips so he doesn't laugh]

No, I meant a water hose which I guess is something you don't have wherever you're from. Uh....really flexible pipe usually used for gardening?

[haillenarte]

We have... fountains? And... irrigation systems?

[francel sounds very perplexed, mostly because his mind is still hung up on the thought of aymeric wearing tights. fortunately, a sudden throbbing pain through his leg sets him straight. he winces, leaning on the doorframe as he looks out at the garden.]

Otherwise, I think the gardeners simply used watering cans when a plant needed special attention. [a brief pause.] I suppose there are more efficient technologies.

[clickclickbang]

[I mean, to be fair, it's a good mental image.]

Yeah, a water hose is hooked up to the water going to the house and just...way easier than watering cans. You okay?

[He saw that wince.]

[haillenarte]

I'm fine — [or so he claims, but the words come out of his mouth too roughly, in a half-gasped sort of way. he's plainly lying, and he knows he sounds like it, too. shaking his head, francel closes his eyes.]

I'm fine. It's only the... the changes. The pain comes and goes without warning — that's why I couldn't run out to get food for myself. Thank you again for that.

[clickclickbang]

Any time, Francel. Need some help getting back inside? Painkillers?

[haillenarte]

I would gladly drink an entire numbing potion, but I don't have any on hand.

[that's probably a joke, but he delivers it so flatly that it doesn't really sound like one. in any case, he braces himself against the wall, the lunch package in hand, and musters another smile.]

Could I ask you to help me back into the kitchen? I can eat there. And... I will remember that I owe you a favor.

[clickclickbang]

Yeah, sure. Lemme just tie Prim up...

[Which he does fairly quickly before returning and throwing Francel's arm over his shoulder.]

Seriously, don't worry about it. You're not feeling good and I could help. Obviously I was gonna help.

[haillenarte]

[even through his cloak, francel's skin is cool to the touch — not clammy, nor even just chilly, but actively cold. it's not quite like ice, but he feels as though he's come out of a refrigerator. it would be refreshing if it were not mildly concerning.]

I can't remember if you mentioned it in our first conversation. What is it that you do in your homeland, Prompto?

[clickclickbang]

[Yeah, that explains the cloak. Weird.]

Uh, technically I'm part of Noct's Crownsguard--his bodyguards. Though with everything going on it's gotten way more complicated than just being the king's bodyguard.

[haillenarte]

Ah... like a knight?