[The glow stops the moment he severs his focus, a hollow resignation singing in his bones. Being so cut off from his familiars, rending him both useless and (lonely) alone in a strange world where he could use their aid, it’s… upsetting, if stays planted on the thought for too long.
Prompto’s words offer a small amount of comfort, at least.]
As long as they’re still there, though… [He trails off, sucks in a slow breath. Leaning back in the chair again, V runs a finger across his arm, trailing one of many coiling designs on his skin.] It means that they’re just under lock and key. That lock being this new power, one that I’ve yet to discover.
[He’s already convinced it can’t be as useful as Shadow or Nightmare, or even loud-mouthed Griffon.]
For all the fanfare about getting new powers, not all of them are that great. [he doesn't know what kind of power v has, new or old, but it's clear that he had no desire whatsoever to exchange it.] Mine helps me concentrate better. Which, I mean, I'm the least distracted person in the world.
[his small attempt at humor, knees being jogged and his curled fists having unfurled into light, rhythmic taps against his jeans.]
[the smile craned on his face falls somewhat flat in awkwardness.]
[Maybe it’s rude to so quickly run with that joke, but he doesn’t seem to care. Prompto, who is all nervous energy, roaming conversations, and quick-fire questions; V’s impression was that he was probably easily distracted, yes. Interesting that his power should apparently correct that, and he wonders how purposeful it was meant to be.
A thin smile, hiding away the discontent for now.]
I was able to summon three different familiars. A large bird, a panther, and… something else. [lol a blob] They would aid me back home, but here? They’ve gone all but silent, like I said.
Okay, I have no idea what familiars are. Or what a panther is.
[sometimes, the earth to eos disconnect is a little too strong, especially now where only he and one more person are from eos—and the other individual isn't exactly someone prompto can go to to reminisce about a home that he misses (a home that ardyn wants gone).]
They sound like pets.
[lol]
...sucks, though. Dunno what it's like to lose that. But — when people come here, they become human. [this is the longest he's been sitting... he's starting to get a little too fidgety] Androids, two thousand year old undead royals. Clones aren't clones anymore. [he huffs, feeling a pressure in his chest. every single time he mentions it, even when he doesn't relate it back to himself.] Hey, do you want water or tea or something?
[There he goes again, going in five different directions when taking the reins of the conversation. Familiars, panthers, undead royals and clones (all very specific, he thinks.) As a result, V follows through with none of them (not yet), just looking at Prompto a little curiously.]
If you want to make me some tea, I won’t say no. Should I accompany you?
[All the way to the kitchen… which isn’t that far, really, from the common area.]
[gratefully, prompto stands up quickly and steps around the chair he had been using, pushing it against the wall where it won't get in anyone's way. he also kicks the umbrella so it rolls towards the chair. there's a skip to his steps, as if the outpouring of energy couldn't have waited too long.]
I mean! Whatever you want!
[arms crossing, he stares at v for a moment.]
Maybe you could test out your new cane? I mean, it's no biggie if you don't, so.
[V doesn’t reply immediately, but it appears he’s silently made his choice when he stands, using the cane to heft himself up and straighten. He walks evenly behind Prompto when the other leads the way; seems like the cane works well enough, as he said it would.
On the way over, though, begin the clarifications—]
A panther is a large, predatory black feline. You should look it up.
[he jumps a little at the voice behind him (he should have expected it), and turns on his heels, walking despite the twirls in his footpath]
Oh, right! I forget I can just look things up.
[which he does, taking a turn into the kitchen and going over to check out the cupboards for the tea-making stuff.]
So it's like the mount you were on at the carousel. A big, black cat. [definitely a pet] Wonder if there's any left around... [aha, tea bags!] Citrus or herby?
[The click of V's cane on the kitchen floor echoes tinnily in the kitchen, and he makes his way over to the counter. Eying the items at their disposal, his decision is quickly made.]
I'll take something herbal. [And at that, he wanders over to the other side of the kitchen, looking up at the appliances available to them.]
You're right, though. It was similar to the mount I chose for myself, but not exact.
[Shadow was not a normal panther, not by any means. It was more of a demonic entity bound to V, that took the form of large predatory cat when it wasn't turning into spikes and sawblades to cut through other demons.]
My familiars gave me a fighting chance. Now I'm as weak as I look, until I can discover just what my new power is supposed to be. [A look over his shoulder.] Was it difficult to figure out yours?
So... a familiar is like a pet. A weaponized pet? [he glances at v, knowing how stupid that sounded, then pushing away from the topic. he grabs a water bottle and gets it in the electric kettle.] It's hard to picture you fighting, or whatever.
[quickly:] No offense.
[let's the water heat up; it'll take a minute. have u got cups, buddy]
[this is when he leans against the counter, hands holding onto the edge.]
It took me a while to figure out my powers cuz I've never had powers in the first place, so it was hard to try and tap into that. Someone told me to meditate for a bit, and it worked.
[lmao or, astrals... he thinks. maybe pryna and umbra? yeah, those sounds more like it. no offense taken however, because prompto realizes he is, in fact, that worst at meditating.]
Magic and gods and monsters, yeah. Only the line of the king can use magic though, and the Oracle's, to some extent. Graced by the gods and all that.
The friend you mentioned, he was royalty too? [That's interesting, if what Prompto said prior is true. V opens up the cupboard fully to reveal a row of mugs.] Are you some kind of noble?
[Mouth stretches up in a smile at that. Now there's a lark, given how this young man acts, but... who knows, maybe.]
[did he mention a friend? oh, right, he did! what with the whole powers being nerfed down and all. this is how distracted prompto gets and how obvious it is that he tends to forget what exactly he's said within half an hour.]
Yeah! He's king now. Back home, anyway.
[mugs!]
[he moves on over to reach for the mugs, just so v doesn't have to do that. one in each hand, he twirls them around and sets them down on the counter. a tea bag in each.]
I'm just a pleb, though. We're best friends. [a squinty look at v] We went to school together and spent the last five years pretty much inseparable for a while. Then life happened, and the war, and — stuff. Now I'm here. He was here, before, too. For a bit.
[And there go the mugs, given a little twirl and set on the counter, prepped to have hot water poured in them. He watches briefly before his eyes move back to Prompto.]
Best friends with a king. That's impressive. [It sounds so very... mundane. Go to school, becomes best friends with royalty; then again, what did V know about normal human life? Much less one that existed in another world? None of his viewpoints on the matter come from actual experience, so who is he to question it?
There's a lot he could latch onto now. "War". "Stuff". But V decides to go a different route-]
[the hot water's ready and so prompto pours it into the cups and lets the tea bags sit in it a while before picking one up and carefully walking over to hand it over to v.]
You'd think! But nah, it didn't. Noct didn't exactly like being the center of attention so he kept to himself a lot, and being prince meant that he couldn't exactly hang out with people whenever without security detail shadowing him.
[he picks up his own cup and blows on it, staring at the steam rising with ever huff of cooler air.]
Anyway, [this kind of talk sucks; it makes the upset crawl up from where it's contently festering inside him.] he can use magic and ask the gods for assistance. The Oracle can speak to them. That's the gist of it.
[Interesting. While they’re on the subject, V is reminded of a passing phrase of Prompto, something to do with undead royalty, but deigns not to ask just yet.
A hand to reach out and take the mug, feeling the warmth emanating and the scent of herbal tea catching in his nostrils. V blows out a breath across its surface, making steam wisp in the other direction.]
But here, in this place, he could not. Because this world ‘humanizes’ them, for whatever reason that might be.
[As applied to him, that’s increasingly ironic. But it meant that his powers were tamped down and inaccessible, any sliver of demonic power V still possessed now asleep.] I wonder if that’s a… purposeful choice.
[prompto shrugs, ultimately, having taken a sip of the tea (it's still super hot)]
They keep whatever powers we may have under lock and key, but then they give us a new one. Most of them really lame and weak in comparison. All I can think of is that — uh, it'd be pretty bad if people could use their actual powers here. It might disrupt how things are if someone could just, I dunno, summon a bunch of swords to attack someone.
Or a panther—?
[okay, finally, an actual sip from the tea]
Magic and any derivative doesn't seem the norm in this kind of place. So, maybe that's why.
[A long sip of his tea, warmth running down his throat. He doesn't say anything for a moment, considering this.]
Not a state that anyone should be happy with. Not one that I can abide by if I can help it.
[In other words, V needs to know what's happened to all of them; being ignorant makes one feel weak, useless, like there are machinations happening that they have no control over.]
[a deep breath, and he's looking up the list of names before reciting them.]
There's Markus, miss Peggy, Fitz, Daisy, Dick, Strange — that's his name, he was around when we collected you yesterday — and Clarke. I can't think of anyone else right now, but those should be more than enough.
[he holds his cup like he got over tea 1 second ago. he is also not a tea person.]
I'll send them to you later once you get your ID all sorted out.
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[The glow stops the moment he severs his focus, a hollow resignation singing in his bones. Being so cut off from his familiars, rending him both useless and (lonely) alone in a strange world where he could use their aid, it’s… upsetting, if stays planted on the thought for too long.
Prompto’s words offer a small amount of comfort, at least.]
As long as they’re still there, though… [He trails off, sucks in a slow breath. Leaning back in the chair again, V runs a finger across his arm, trailing one of many coiling designs on his skin.] It means that they’re just under lock and key. That lock being this new power, one that I’ve yet to discover.
[He’s already convinced it can’t be as useful as Shadow or Nightmare, or even loud-mouthed Griffon.]
I’ll sure I’ll be disappointed, either way.
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[his small attempt at humor, knees being jogged and his curled fists having unfurled into light, rhythmic taps against his jeans.]
[the smile craned on his face falls somewhat flat in awkwardness.]
What kind of power did you have before?
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[Maybe it’s rude to so quickly run with that joke, but he doesn’t seem to care. Prompto, who is all nervous energy, roaming conversations, and quick-fire questions; V’s impression was that he was probably easily distracted, yes. Interesting that his power should apparently correct that, and he wonders how purposeful it was meant to be.
A thin smile, hiding away the discontent for now.]
I was able to summon three different familiars. A large bird, a panther, and… something else. [lol a blob] They would aid me back home, but here? They’ve gone all but silent, like I said.
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Okay, I have no idea what familiars are. Or what a panther is.
[sometimes, the earth to eos disconnect is a little too strong, especially now where only he and one more person are from eos—and the other individual isn't exactly someone prompto can go to to reminisce about a home that he misses (a home that ardyn wants gone).]
They sound like pets.
[lol]
...sucks, though. Dunno what it's like to lose that. But — when people come here, they become human. [this is the longest he's been sitting... he's starting to get a little too fidgety] Androids, two thousand year old undead royals. Clones aren't clones anymore. [he huffs, feeling a pressure in his chest. every single time he mentions it, even when he doesn't relate it back to himself.] Hey, do you want water or tea or something?
[please just let him walk a little]
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If you want to make me some tea, I won’t say no. Should I accompany you?
[All the way to the kitchen… which isn’t that far, really, from the common area.]
Or just wait?
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I mean! Whatever you want!
[arms crossing, he stares at v for a moment.]
Maybe you could test out your new cane? I mean, it's no biggie if you don't, so.
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On the way over, though, begin the clarifications—]
A panther is a large, predatory black feline. You should look it up.
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Oh, right! I forget I can just look things up.
[which he does, taking a turn into the kitchen and going over to check out the cupboards for the tea-making stuff.]
So it's like the mount you were on at the carousel. A big, black cat. [definitely a pet] Wonder if there's any left around... [aha, tea bags!] Citrus or herby?
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I'll take something herbal. [And at that, he wanders over to the other side of the kitchen, looking up at the appliances available to them.]
You're right, though. It was similar to the mount I chose for myself, but not exact.
[Shadow was not a normal panther, not by any means. It was more of a demonic entity bound to V, that took the form of large predatory cat when it wasn't turning into spikes and sawblades to cut through other demons.]
My familiars gave me a fighting chance. Now I'm as weak as I look, until I can discover just what my new power is supposed to be. [A look over his shoulder.] Was it difficult to figure out yours?
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[quickly:] No offense.
[let's the water heat up; it'll take a minute. have u got cups, buddy]
[this is when he leans against the counter, hands holding onto the edge.]
It took me a while to figure out my powers cuz I've never had powers in the first place, so it was hard to try and tap into that. Someone told me to meditate for a bit, and it worked.
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[Cups? No, V is just going to look at the cupboards curiously, though he does pry one open with the tip of an extended cane.]
You don't seem like someone who'd be good at meditating. [No offense.] You said magic exists in your world, though?
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So like a friend.
[lmao or, astrals... he thinks. maybe pryna and umbra? yeah, those sounds more like it. no offense taken however, because prompto realizes he is, in fact, that worst at meditating.]
Magic and gods and monsters, yeah. Only the line of the king can use magic though, and the Oracle's, to some extent. Graced by the gods and all that.
1/2
Like a friend.
[wHATEVER]
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[Mouth stretches up in a smile at that. Now there's a lark, given how this young man acts, but... who knows, maybe.]
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Yeah! He's king now. Back home, anyway.
[mugs!]
[he moves on over to reach for the mugs, just so v doesn't have to do that. one in each hand, he twirls them around and sets them down on the counter. a tea bag in each.]
I'm just a pleb, though. We're best friends. [a squinty look at v] We went to school together and spent the last five years pretty much inseparable for a while. Then life happened, and the war, and — stuff. Now I'm here. He was here, before, too. For a bit.
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Best friends with a king. That's impressive. [It sounds so very... mundane. Go to school, becomes best friends with royalty; then again, what did V know about normal human life? Much less one that existed in another world? None of his viewpoints on the matter come from actual experience, so who is he to question it?
There's a lot he could latch onto now. "War". "Stuff". But V decides to go a different route-]
I bet that made you popular at your school.
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You'd think! But nah, it didn't. Noct didn't exactly like being the center of attention so he kept to himself a lot, and being prince meant that he couldn't exactly hang out with people whenever without security detail shadowing him.
[he picks up his own cup and blows on it, staring at the steam rising with ever huff of cooler air.]
Anyway, [this kind of talk sucks; it makes the upset crawl up from where it's contently festering inside him.] he can use magic and ask the gods for assistance. The Oracle can speak to them. That's the gist of it.
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A hand to reach out and take the mug, feeling the warmth emanating and the scent of herbal tea catching in his nostrils. V blows out a breath across its surface, making steam wisp in the other direction.]
But here, in this place, he could not. Because this world ‘humanizes’ them, for whatever reason that might be.
[As applied to him, that’s increasingly ironic. But it meant that his powers were tamped down and inaccessible, any sliver of demonic power V still possessed now asleep.] I wonder if that’s a… purposeful choice.
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They keep whatever powers we may have under lock and key, but then they give us a new one. Most of them really lame and weak in comparison. All I can think of is that — uh, it'd be pretty bad if people could use their actual powers here. It might disrupt how things are if someone could just, I dunno, summon a bunch of swords to attack someone.
Or a panther—?
[okay, finally, an actual sip from the tea]
Magic and any derivative doesn't seem the norm in this kind of place. So, maybe that's why.
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What sense does that make?
[V's already been turning over the possibilities, enough that he finds a hole in this logic.]
The glowing chests- [He spares a hand to tap at his sternum area.] -and the powers that come with it aren't the "norm" either, are they?
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Dude, we can make assumptions and theorize all day, but we'll probably never land on a logical answer that satisfies all the questions we have.
[it's arguably the most annoying and frustrating part about all this, and he gets it, v's stubborn desire to figure out what's going on.]
We just — gotta deal. That's the worst of it all.
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Not a state that anyone should be happy with. Not one that I can abide by if I can help it.
[In other words, V needs to know what's happened to all of them; being ignorant makes one feel weak, useless, like there are machinations happening that they have no control over.]
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[people who are more focused on the task at hand than prompto is.]
[there isn't much else he can do, nor comfort that he can give. they're all on the same boat, and it's shitty whichever way one looks at it.]
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[Another lingering sip. A note to self: Prompto isn't much the investigative sort.]
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There's Markus, miss Peggy, Fitz, Daisy, Dick, Strange — that's his name, he was around when we collected you yesterday — and Clarke. I can't think of anyone else right now, but those should be more than enough.
[he holds his cup like he got over tea 1 second ago. he is also not a tea person.]
I'll send them to you later once you get your ID all sorted out.
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