nysalogs | [ OPEN ] ❝ you are a stranger here, why have you come ❞

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[ OPEN ] ❝ you are a stranger here, why have you come ❞

Who: Prompto (

punshots) + YOU
What: Questing and helping deserters.
When: January!
Where: Wyver and nearby quest locations
Warning(s): N/A for now!

I. TOMB RAIDER (QUEST: DISTURBING THE DEAD).

[ Don't worry. He's played video games.

...And, you know, has a fair amount of experience spelunking in real life, too, but that somehow seems secondary to everything he's learned about tomb-raiding from video games. Is he bound to booby right into some booby traps? Undoubtedly. But that's why he brought someone along with him! To be a second pair of eyes when he gets a bit too Prompto about things.

At the unassuming entrance to the crypt - unassuming if you use a freakin' ton of human skulls in your decorating, anyway - Prompto turns to his companion, clicking on the flashlight clipped to his vest. He also has a whip, despite not knowing how to really use it, because of course he does. ]

Remember - idols? Don't touch 'em, especially if they're on pedestals. If you see any giant boulders, run. Just - run. Oh - and if you see anything diamond-shaped, for the love of the Six, definitely - I repeat, definitely do not step on it.

[ Boy, he sure sounds like an expert, doesn't he? ]

...After you!

[ Or not. ]

II. THE CRYSTAL SHARDS (QUEST: PREACHING IN A MATERIAL WORLD).

[ Whatever man, this guy likes his shiny pieces of rock, he's not one to judge. Compared to most of the other jobs, this one seems relatively safe and, uh, legal, which makes it an immediate draw for him. He's a decent enough swimmer, too, so it should be a piece of cake!

Unfortunately, he's woefully uneducated about the enchanted pools the crystal drops are found in, so he doesn't give it a second thought as he strips down to his underwear and dives deep down into one of the many lagoons outside of Wyver to scoop up the coveted gems.

If he's down there a little longer than should be normal for a human, don't worry - that's normal (thanks, Volkkran Pact). However, that only gives more time for the enchanted waters to really get to him, and...boy, are they getting to him.

When Prompto resurfaces to dump an armful of crystal shards onto the ground, he pushes his mop of wet hair out of his eyes - and that's when he at last notices he is not alone. ]

How long've you been here?

[ Rather pointedly, nowhere near his usual warm disposition. Huh, weird. ]

III. TOUGH TO BEAR (LATER JANUARY).

[ With citizens on every corner calling for a move against Olympia, the city has gotten juuuuust a bit much to handle lately, and when he catches wind about the deserters from some gossipy guards, Prompto decides it's time to take a little day-trip outside Wyver proper to see what it's like for those neutrally aligned himself. Fuck the popo, those people are in need and if he can do something to help, he's going to.

And he's gonna get there on a bear, because he can.

He spends a good chunk of change cleaning out some vendors in the market one morning before loading up his mount's saddlebags with food and medicinal herbs before traveling to some of the neutral camps east of the city. He may have asked a close friend to come along with him, or maybe he bumps into a fellow refugee once there. Either way, he complains as he dismounts: ]

Man, that was unbearably boring! Nothin' but trees, trees, 'n' more trees...

[ Yes, even on a bear, traveling is still dull. Then, with a nod: ]

You gonna give me a hand with this?

[ Or, perhaps, you encounter him later on in the evening, after he's stayed too long helping the refugees and his mount is now beginning to become unruly. The bear starts to snarl discontentedly while Prompto pats its neck in a futile effort to calm it. ]

Th-there, there, Fuzzby! Just a bit - whoa -

[ Watch as he attempts to hold onto his saddle while the bear tries to buck him. Should be quite the spectacle. Or help him, perhaps, if you are so inclined. ]

IV. WILDCARD.

[ Have something else you'd like to do with Prompto this month? Hit me up at retroscape! I'm happy to set up closed starters for more particular plans as well! ]

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[ it's been moons since they formed their pact, but still they learn more about it every day, find new ways in which they have been connected. it's mostly subtle little things, but it's been entertaining to find what they have shared.

today, it seems, is another experiment. alisaie is always happy to swim, and she has traversed these pools before the last time there had been a call to gather these crystals. she'd been ready to dive right in when prompto had stopped her, and insisted on trying himself, to test whether or not he had inherited the blessing of the kojin.
fair enough.

so she waits, stripped down to her smallclothes and seated comfortably on a warm stone at the side of the lagoon. the water is clear enough that she can see him moving down there, so she's not worried about him drowning - it seems he has inherited it, how convenient! when he bursts from the surface though, she turns to watch him unload an armful of crystals. nice haul.

but hey, who do you think you're talking to, bub?? ]

What? The entire time, you fool, you know that.

[ Still halfway-submerged in the water, he gives her a long, distant stare, like there's something he can't quite parse in what Alisaie has said. She's been there the entire time? That doesn't seem right. Hadn't he come alone? Had she followed him?

This isn't good.

Pulling himself quickly out of the water, Prompto crouches down at her side, meets her eyes directly, and whispers: ]

Did anyone see you?

[ THIS ISN'T SOME WEIRD ATTEMPT TO ROLEPLAY, HONEST ]

[ Duo's unsure what the whole whip thing's about from the get go, but then again, who the hell is he to tell Prompto what to bring along? He's pretty content with the usual trove of hidden weapons he keeps on his person, hands casually tucked in to his pants pockets as they move a little further in to the dark space, his trusty pen light long since removed from it's hiding place in the base of that thick braid and placed behind his ear.

The skulls are a nice touch - though not a bother. After seeing so much gore and the typical scourge of war Duo's not too plussed about a couple of old, clean human skulls. Occasionally he stops to look at one in particular, pushing his bangs out of his eyes so he can maintain a better line of vision in the dim light.

He has no problem taking the lead, casual as ever in his observations from behind, but on closer inspection blue eyes flicker over every surface quicker than is maybe normal for most people, checking for traps and anything that looks even remotely suspicious. ]

First of all, I'm from space, man, I don't even know what those references are.

Second of all, who the hell are the Six?

[ she... wait, what? is this some weird attempt to roleplay? alisaie looks entirely flummoxed. ]

Err.. possibly? I have no idea, I wasn't looking. Why would I?

[ she glances over her shoulder briefly, but the woods around them are comfortably quiet and unremarkable. ]

[ Were it something like that, Alisaie would notice the telltale grin at the corner of his eyes, the playful turn of his mouth even when he was playing a "serious" character. But such signs are conspicuously absent. In fact, Prompto looks rather...spooked, goosebumps rising on his arms. ]

I-I dunno. I just...can't shake the feeling someone - or something - is watching us.

[ He scans the trees opposite the lagoon, the far edge of the water, even the sky - but...no. Nothing.

So...what is it? ]

[ uh..

it's a little chilly for swimming, but other than that, it is a perfectly lovely day. they met no resistance, or nasty beasties on the way here, and the atmosphere is calm and comfortable, absolutely no different than it had been when they arrived. what is he even going on about?? ]

You.. what?

[ she is SQUINTING!!.. into his face, a deep crease in her brow. what the heck, prompto.. ]

Nothing is watching us, we're fine.

[ It's for the best for both of them that Duo takes the lead, and Prompto is quietly relieved that he isn't going to have to talk the other boy into it. This is hardly his first rodeo into a hole in the wall full of traps and proooooobably monsters and daemons out for blood, but all those times, Prompto took his lead from Noctis. He feels much more suited to this role as he trails a pace or two behind his friend. ]

We gotta get you some movies, man. [ A beat. ] Well, first - we gotta get you a TV, and then some movies. After your sky high space robot, natch.

[ He knows Duo's priorities!!

There's the sound of something skittering up ahead. Mice, probably, but a chill runs down his spine nonetheless. ]

The Six're...kind of the gods of my home world. Of Eos. Guess they're not around anymore, buuuuuut still gotta swear by someone, y'know?

[ He can't quite meet her gaze when she looks into his face like that. Gods, what is it? He can't see anything, not even birds flying from the trees, and yet that foreboding feeling remains, thick on his skin, suffocating. ]

We're not safe here.

[ And then he's quickly grabbing for his clothes, paying no mind to the pile of crystals he left lying on the ground. Something else is wholly occupying his thoughts now.

And how could she not feel it? ]

[ meanwhile, in this other thread where he is also speaking in tongues.. alisaie is entirely bewildered. it has not yet occurred to her that the water is to blame, the last time she was here its effects were physical, not psychological, so she's not quite.. thinking along those lines just yet.

and i mean, prompto is a weird guy, on any given day. he says and does things that defy mortal logic and understanding, and right now he's like a frightened horse on a frozen lake. what's even more strange is that she's.. pretty sure that he's being 100% genuine right now.

is there.. really something here?? alisaie can't help the creepy-crawly feeling down her spine at first, but she soon shakes it off, because no, he's being an imbecile. she watches him scramble for his clothes but makes no move to do the same. ]

Twelve above, Prompto, sit down.

[ He can hear the stern tone in her voice, but he...doesn't heed it. How could she sit there like there's nothing the matter at all? Can't she feel it? That oppressive weight of something that feels like it can see through his very skin?

She doesn't make a move to dress, but that doesn't stop him. If something is coming after him, he at least doesn't want to be in his underwear to face it??? Gods. ]

No can do, Alisaie. We gotta get out of here. Every second counts...

[ He visibly shudders. ]

[ oh don't you no can do alisaie her!! her face flattens into a testy little frown. excuse me ser!! ]

Do not make me make you sit down, Prompto.

[ she's starting to get the sneaking suspicion that something strange is afoot here aside from prompto's natural weirdness.. and she turns her head once more to eye the still, serene surface of the lagoon. HMMMM. ]

[ He looks at her pointedly then. ]

I'd like to see you try!

[ Which is, of course, absolutely the wrong thing to say, but he isn't exactly thinking straight right now. He's all wound up in his head, in the unsettling feeling crawling over his skin, and how they can't get out of here fast enough.

As he tugs on his shirt (the final straw, probs): ] Okay, stay if you want! But I'm getting out of here.

[ all right hot stuff you asked for it!!

.. she's not actually angry though, more just. exasperated. it's clear enough by now that this is some effect of the enchanted water - an unexpected one, but an effect nonetheless. so with a world-weary sigh, alisaie lifts her crystal focus and casts the world's laziest, sassiest tether on her ants-in-pants boyf. the aether snaps tight around his shins in a slim red circle, and while he will be able to speak and move within this small space, walking will prove impossible.

tbh she's probably used it on him before.. but just in cast she hasn't, enjoy. ]

No, you are not. Everything is fine, Prompto, I promise.

[ OH NO SHE DID NOT

He recognizes the familiar tug on his legs as he tries to move them, but is unable to. He's annoyed, but it sets the panic in even worse, and he twists around to shoot her a look. What is she thinking? Did she not hear how important it is that they get out of here? ]

Um, no, I'm really, pretty sure that it's not! Let me go, Alisaie!

[ There's something a bit pleading in his tone. ]

[ SHE SURE DID..

.. but gosh, he's being pathetic, and she's always weak to it when he's pathetic. it's like watching a puppy get kicked, you'd have to be a monster to enjoy it. so after a moment's consideration alisaie sighs yet again, and unfolds herself from her comfortable sitting position to move toward him, though she doesn't release him from the spell, lest he go bolting off into the trees like a startled buck.

her hands slip into his, warm and soft and squeezing tight. ]

You trust me, don't you?

[ if only she had a sleep spell in her arsenal.. ]

Oh, long enough.

[What does that even mean, why is he even here?? Who knows. But here stands Mephisto, hand on his chin as he looks out over the pools. And he's definitely not dressed for a diving expedition, either.]

But you know, I think I'm starting to get deja vu here! Must you always be trying to drown yourself when we meet?

[ She may not have a sleep spell, but this is a pretty good alternative, even against his enchanted mind. Alisaie's hands slip into his, warm and familiar, and it takes the edge off of Prompto's panic. The nagging feeling doesn't leave, but it's...nullified, a bit. ]

'Course I do. [ His brow pinches as he meets her gaze. ] I-I just - I dunno what it is, but I can't stop it.

[ It's like something has turned the paranoia in his brain up to 11. ]

It's the water, love.

[ why couldn't he have just like.. grown cute puppy ears? they would've been so much better. now she's got to calm him down, like an overgrown toddler. she tightens her grasp nonetheless though, keeping her voice soft. ]

You're enchanted. There is nothing here that could threaten you. Nothing but me.

[ 8) ]

[ Well.

He follows her up to a point. Hadn't he heard something about these waters being enchanted? Prooobably should have heeded that warning a bit better. And yet his brain takes her words meant to comfort the wrong way. If there's nothing here that could threaten him besides her, does that mean...the unnamed thing he's been afraid of this whole time is her?

He tries to tug his hands out of her grasp, though he's still unable to step back like he wants to. She has him trapped. ]

A-a-are you? Threatening me?

[ oh. oh no.. it's so ridiculous, but it's also so cute. part of her wants to keep up the charade, to torment him by threatening him more while he can't escape, but that would be a little too mean. tempting as it is. ]

No, dearheart. I was only joking.

[ she keeps her voice soft and unthreatening, however much she might want to terrify the pants off of him right now. he's not in his right mind, it wouldn't be fair.. UGH why isn't she villainous enough?? she even lets him pull his hands out of hers to help him feel better, though she stays close in case he wants to take them again. ]

You are perfectly safe, I promise you.

[ this is when like, a morbol comes crashing through the underbrush or something.. ]

[ Why would she joke at a time like this?? They're in real danger here! Or...at least, he thinks they are. Gods, everything feels so twisted up inside his head, tense and inelastic. If what she's said about the water is true, how long will it take to wear off?

Though if he's able to recognize it as such, maybe it has already begun to.

After a moment, he takes her hands again. ]

...Sorry. Guess whatever was in that water got into my head. I know you wouldn't ever hurt me.

[ Intentionally. :blush: ]

[ :neutral_face:

it's not necessarily true tho, she would definitely hurt him intentionally by smacking his shoulder or, you know, stepping on him in the bedroom..

.. but she wouldn't actually hurt him hurt him, no. never. when his hands find hers again she smiles, lifting them to her face to press gentle kisses to his knuckles. ]

Now, if I release you, do you promise not to go bolting into the woods? I would really rather not have to chase you down in my smallclothes.

[ He considers that a moment, weighing the paranoia still leaning on his thoughts with the promise of freedom. It's not especially comfortable to be locked up like this, and he'd like to think he won't go anywhere, and he can just tune this out... ]

Mm...doesn't sound too bad to me.

[ A cursory glance over at the still lagoon. ]

Just...hold onto me if I try to go anywhere, okay?

[ maybe not to him but she doesn't want to go tearing ass into the forest in her undies okay.. she'll probably step on a rock. man, remember the first time he saw her in her panties and almost died?? memories. ]

I can manage that.

[ casting a glance to the crystals, she looses one hand to banish the tether, the other still holding tight to one of his own. ]

Let's gather those up and look for.. another site.

[ because the paranoia effect is super annoying. ]

[ The mobility returns to his legs, and he skitters a bit - but not too much, with her hand still holding tightly to his. ]

Fine by me. The sooner we get away from this place, the better.

[ That's partly paranoia, and partly his own annoyance with being affected like this. With one final squeeze, he lets go of her hand so he can start packing away the crystals in the bag he'd brought with them. ]

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[ OPEN ] ❝ you are a stranger here, why have you come ❞

crystal shards 8)

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