( ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ) ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴛɪᴅɪɴɢs | ( ɴᴘᴄ ᴘᴏsᴛ )

[acatastoria]

[ there is a sudden sparking that emits from your magical watches and a hologram appears, showing a petit woman with dark hair. her eyes seem to hold a certain amount of mischief and light, and when she speaks, you listen. it's something about her; you are captivated by her presence, and you can't help but give her your attention. ]

Hello, hello, hello~! ♥

[ it's a trill of a voice, light and airy. ]

I know you've all just arrived~♥ but I wanted to introduce myself! To those who haven't met me, my name is Astoria! I know many of you are likely unhappy with being found here, and I understand. But the need is urgent, and dire, and I am in desperate need of your help, as is the universe in which we reside. There is much darkness, in this universe . . . plenty of worlds on the brink of collapse, or at the precipice of something great. It is my job -- our job -- to help where needed. Like superheroes, but a little less flashy!

[ she pauses. ]

No offense to the superheroes. -- but anyway! I want to let you know were we're going to go first.

[ she takes in a D E E P breath!! ]

There is a city, by the name of El Minha. It's beautiful, an oasis in the desert. There are many shops and stalls and the entire city is bustling, but El Minha is facing a difficult path. Transitions of power are hard, you know? And they have a new King, who is . . . probably nice, but the people there are suffering. Crime is at an all-time high, and King Kathashun can only do so much . . . if he's doing anything at all.

[ she brushes a loose piece of hair behind her ear, and astoria smiles a little. it is obvious, by now, that she's definitely bubbly and full of spirit, but she is deadly serious about her mission. ]

I truly believe that we have the ability to help those who need it most, and those people are in desperate need. So we're going to go there, explore, and talk to them! And maybe, just maybe, we can affect some good in this world, and change the tide for the better for these poor people.

[ she pauses. ]

So that's where we're going first! But before that, I'm here to greet you, to support you, and welcome you to my beautiful Temple. Please, please, please make yourselves at home! I'll be here if you have any questions. ♥

[ astoria pauses before lifting up a single finger, as if she's forgotten something important. ]

Oh, and please let me know if you find anything interesting or important or otherwise peculiar in the Temple! The Forest of the Fey is a magical place, and I'm keeping a careful eye on all of you explorers to make sure you don't get too lost, but my dear friends within the forest may like playing with you all, so be respectful of the wildlife! It may fight back. ♥

[ is she serious? the world may never know. ]

Comments

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[reeliable]

[Noct is trying not to feel entirely uncomfortable about that entire talk of New Kings and Transitions of power, because his own situation is - touchy, to say the least. How much does she know? Did she just take anyone at random? Is this something he can't just explain his own crisis of and be returned home?

He has a harder time really gathering his words, because he listens - and decides it can't hurt, to help a little. What's one sidetrip after another to do? Shutting his eyes for a moment, like he can send a little prayer of Sorry Luna, wait for me just a little longer, Noct finally tries to speak up.]

Uh - thanks, for bringing us here. Safely. And at least explaining what's going on. [Noct hesitates for a moment, because there's a lot of other things he could say or ask and - you know, he just wants to try and not be slack-jawed about this stuff for once in his life.]

Are there... any side effects we should know about, for all this world hopping? [It isn't like he hasn't noticed his lack of magic or anything, nah, not at all- yES it's noTICABLE.]

video

[acatastoria]

[ astoria brought you all here, but how much she knows about all of you is entirely a mystery. but if noctis is paying attention, there's a certain brightness in her eyes, when he comes forward to speak to her; this one understands the delicacies of what they're about to embark on. ]

My magic will keep you safe, in transit. You won't be harmed going to or from El Minha; you'll arrive safely back at the Temple, when all is said and done.

[ pause. ]

I'm afraid I can't protect you as much on El Minha, though, so please remember to wear sunscreen.

[ :) ]

[reeliable]

[He's got this feeling that makes his discomfort increase greatly, and it shows in the slight grimace on his face - but at least he's distracted enough from that to her commentary.] That's great, I think, but where am I going to get sunscreen? Are we going to be provided anything once we're there, or do I start from scratch as an errand boy until I make a gil - or credit or whatever they're using?

[Please don't make me catch beetles in the desert, frogs in a swamp was wild enough.]

1/2

[acatastoria]

[ there's a shrug of her shoulder! ]

You'll have to get innovative! The locals are fairly friendly, so try . . . asking?

[acatastoria]

[ and then, with a tiny happy laugh: ]

You could always fish for money.

[ HA HA IT'S A JOKE GET IT NOCTIS BECAUSE IT'S IN A DESERT ]

[reeliable]

[Try asking, okay - sure. Just talk to more strangers who are probably unsure about you as a whole and. Yeah, that's going to work out great. Opening his mouth to actually voice how that's likely to go, fishing for money makes him straight up squint.]

Did I really just hear that - did you really just say that?

[The jokes, THE JOKES, are not really lost on him and he sort of wants to chuckle and let it go because it was funny, but it's so weird that a definite stranger has made a fishing joke at him.]

[acatastoria]

[ wow rude!!! ]

I let you have your fishing pole, you may as well use it.

[ but after her initial (completely faux) insulted expression, astoria seems to shrug slightly. ]

You'll figure it out. You've done so this far, haven't you? You have experience, knowledge. You've persevered. I wouldn't have brought you here if you couldn't do some amount of good, no matter how big or small. You'll be just fine in El Minha.

[reeliable]

[Noct could have felt a little guilty at that fake upset look he receives, but it's with an uncomfortable glance away that he notes yeah. He does have his fishing pole. He could handle this fine, it's just the abruptness that has thrown him off - or maybe it's his own thoughts coinciding with her explanation that attempts to calm him down.]

I'm not afraid I won't be fine, but you've pulled a lot of people here for this. [It comes out a little smaller, with a sigh and a mild look even as it clicks in his mind - whether it's true or not - she knows. At least enough, and the situation is close enough, that Noct almost wonders if he should think of it as practice for home. He won't be able to slip around in the crowds, once his appearance is more publicly known across the country.]

[acatastoria]

It's a large mission.

[ not el minha, necessarily, but the whole of it. there are a lot of worlds, and a lot of ills in said worlds. they all need to be cured, in some way, shape, or form. ]

I picked all of you for some reason. You can all effect some amount of good, in these worlds. El Minha will benefit from you all, and I'm sure you'll all be perfectly safe.

[ sunscreen and all. ]

But don't let it all be doom and gloom! There are plenty of fun things to do, too. I think there's a big casino full of criminals and lizard races.

[reeliable]

[It's a point, that her overall plan did sound like it included multiple worlds and not just this one they're going to. Nodding briefly, internally intending to hold it to her that the people here are going to be safe, he has to give a small laugh to the very idea of lizard races.]

A big casino full of criminals doesn't exactly strike me as fun, but how big are the lizards?

[acatastoria]

They're fairly little, but I think there might be lizard races with big lizards out back. Who knows?

[ there are definitely giant lizards you can ride on for money out back. ]

There are a lot of magicians lurking around, so I'm sure someone's blown up a tiny lizard into a big lizard to make money off of it. You have to get around the desert somehow, right?

[reeliable]

I guess that makes sense, that someone would have made a giant lizard to ride.... - [Magicians, magic being far more commonplace, Noctis actually has to pause and think on it a moment before speaking up again.]

Hey, sorry for abruptness but - magic isn't so much from one source there? Or at least, it's more common, for anyone to have it?

[acatastoria]

[ they aren't chocobos, but it is close. ]

Some people might be born with it, some people might learn it . . . I'm not sure, actually! I just know that it's there; I can sense it, when I listen.

Will you tell me when you return?

[reeliable]

[Hm, he did want to ask more about it, but if she isn't all that sure herself - well, it's the least he can do, being a previous magic user. Losing his own powers isn't all that great though.]

Yeah, I'll see what I can find out. I was - [how to put this] - mostly trying to uh... [why are words hard] it's just different, back home. [I'm the source of all magic there and it is tiring with only four people able to tap into it, how not-tiring is it to have a different source?]

[acatastoria]

Yes . . . your home is unique.

[ it's said with some amount of familiarity, but the way she squints, it's almost as if she's heard a rumor, but doesn't know the full story. ]

But I think you'll be fine, in El Minha, and maybe you'll learn more about magic there, if you find the right people. You never know.

[punshots]

C'mon, Noct! You gotta hand it to her. That was a good one!

[ This was important enough to interrupt their conversation for, yes. ]

[acatastoria]

[ HONESTLY, GOOD. ]

Thank you, Prompto, I'm glad someone appreciates fish-related humor.

[ god noctis!!!! ]

[reeliable]

[Bro where are you, I need to squint at you in person]

It was, but come on - it's just. Awkward having someone else tease me about it!

[punshots]

[ Don't squint at him, this was a necessary call-out!! ]

You're right. I should've been there to make the joke first. Next time? I won't let you down.

[reeliable]

[rudeeee]

I woke up and immediately made a bad joke and no one was there to appreciate it except someone I didn't know, so the Noct'd Out joke was just awkward.

[But honestly he is relieved to hear Prompto. And see, sort of -]

Hey, come outside. It's easier than me running all over the maze inside trying to find you.

[punshots]

[ He can't help it — he snorts with laughter, and a moment later, he's on his feet and moving. Yep, heading outside immediately. ]

Got it! Just follow the sound of my voice!

[ It shouldn't be hard, since he's practically yelling. ]

[reeliable]

Are you going to sing the Chocobo song again?

[Noct is listening for him, even as he starts making a looping circle around the building like he can hear which direction Prompto is coming from. Maybe having him sing would actually help more than he thinks it would?]

[punshots]

Oh, oh - great idea! I'm on it!

[ Ah, the power of suggestion, even in jest. Prompto is absolutely going to start singing the chocobo song at the top of his lungs, which will make him much easier to find. It will also startle some nearby birds. Those are not the feathered friends he is looking for, anyway... ]

I want to ride my chocobo alll daaaaayyyy!!

[ Everyone around the temple is surely thanking you right now, Noct. ]

[reeliable]

[What have I done to all of these innocent bystanders??

It does help, it really does. Noct turns right back around to go back the way he came, because the other door is where Prompto is heading and Noct can't stop laughing. It's not out of anything mean to Prompto's singing, nah, but if there is anyone who loves those birds more than Noct, it's definitely his buddy. Coming around the corner and reaching for the door, he tugs it open with a little grin.]

Too bad it doesn't seem like we'll have karaoke contests anytime soon, Prom!

[punshots]

[ Noct is really here.

It doesn't quite hit him until Prompto hears his friend's voice in person, and turns to see the prince as he heads towards him. Noct is really, actually here, in the flesh. It's not a trick, not an illusion, impossible as it might seem. Just like that, it's like nothing has changed at all. It's not as if Prompto has had very long to digest his best friend's absence, but that doesn't mean it hadn't sunk in, hadn't filled him with dread and fear. However inexplicable this all might be, it doesn't really matter. Noct is here. They can figure this out.

Prompto barks with joyful laughter as he absolutely barrels towards his friend - perhaps...a bit quicker than should be possible - and pulls him into a half-hug, half-strange-hold, half-noogie. ]

Noct! I - I can't believe it! You're really here!

[ He sounds truly, genuinely surprised, as if he were not expecting to see Noctis again for a long, long time, because - well, he wasn't. ]