001 | everything moves in circles

[shieldyourass]

[ VIDEO ]

[ When the feed turns on, it shows a very tall man, muscular, long hair half-tied back. He's rubbing the back of his head with a wince - maybe he hit his head on the way out of the cocoons?

There's a very large sword strapped across his back, but otherwise, he's dressed quite casually in black.

He smirks into the camera. ]

Interestin reading material you guys've got here. Pretty girl in that fancy projection, too. All in all? Not a bad introduction.

I'll play along for now.

...



... Once you're all done messing around, though, and have figured out a way back?

Let me know.

Comments

Video

[chocobosnap]

[Only the utmost sympathy...]

You're looking kinda old there big guy.

Video 1/?

[shieldyourass]

Says you -

Video 2/?

[shieldyourass]

Wait - you're looking kind of ...

[ Just. Peers at the video ]

Video 3/done

[shieldyourass]

[ What the hell, Prompto. ]

First of all, when did you get here?

Video

[chocobosnap]

Uh, well two months ago? Maybe three? Iggy just got here and Noct's been here alone for awhile now.

We're living together in Nova City now. He fishes for a job. I'm a photographer. I just started!

video;

[truesmiles]

That's a nice looking sword there. [A beat.] I've seen bigger though.

[Yep, that is pretty much that one out of the way, moving on to the actual subject at hand.]

I like to mess around as much as the next person, but this is one of those times where... we're really not.

Video

[shieldyourass]

...

[ He just. Stares. At the feed. ]

... One moment, Prom.

[ And the video cuts out.

Gladiolus takes a deep, deep breath. No way of telling that was actually Prompto. No way of knowing this wasn't some really elaborate, sick joke.

Think. How could it be real?

Well. There was an obvious way he could tell.

He takes a breath, and reaches with his hand, expecting what he'd always gotten over the past few months. No King, no Armiger. It was that simple.

There's a shimmer of light, though, and one of his old swords - from ten years ago - appears in his hand.

Gladiolus stares at his hand. Takes the sword from his back. Puts both back into the Armiger.

Waits again.

Takes them out again.


... Huh.


His mind is like a swarm of bees. It's impossible to process it all.

The video feed turns back on. His expression is inscrutable. ]

... Noct fishes for a job, huh?

video;

[shieldyourass]

[ Smirks ]

Sounds like an invitation. Is there some kinda club 'round here, where people can show 'em off?

[ ...

He sobers a bit. ]

Yeah. I figured - a bunch of people get taken somewhere against their will - wouldn't make much sense that they'd just sit around and do nothing about it.

Video

[chocobosnap]

[Prompto is suspicious of the break and he waits patiently for Gladio to do whatever it is he's doing.

He can probably guess and it makes him anxious as he waits, he's fidgeting when Gladio gets back to him.]

Uh huh. We have to work to live so...

Video

[shieldyourass]

[ Raises an eyebrow ]

Not like he's gotta lot of marketable skills, here. Unless actual demon slaying is something you guys can do in this place.

But, photography? I can see you doin real well in that. Good on you.

Video

[chocobosnap]

Not demon slaying, but bounty hunting criminals yeah. I tried that out and it was fine but I like taking pictures.

[Anyone who's met him knows that.]

video;

[truesmiles]

Do we need a sword-waving club? See who really has the biggest sword of them all. I'd like to see that if I am honest.

[He nodded slightly.]

True and people aren't. I can at least tell you people who have magic that could have potentially gotten one out of here seem to not work. But people are looking into various things.

Video - Private

[shieldyourass]

Heh. You're good at it, too. Usually managed to get my best side.

[ HA he figured out - toggles the video feed to private. What tiny bit of mirth which entered his face vanished - he's more sober again, serious. ]

Prom.

What's the last thing you remember, before coming here?

video;

[shieldyourass]

Be more like a guild, wouldn't it? And we can accept other weapons - lances, glaives, whatever they prefer. I'm not picky.

Be kinda nice to see how they measure up - if there are people from all over, there are probably a lotta skills I've never seen before.

Course, if you just like to watch - I can't see why we wouldn't allow spectators, too.

[ Frowns just a little, considering that. ]

"Various things"?

video;

[truesmiles]

So that would include long weapons, short weapons both short and long range?

So many weapons, so little choices.

[He paused, tilting his head as to think about it.]

I can't give exact samples but there is a science building made by Weiss Schnee for a reason.

video;

[shieldyourass]

A little variety for everyone - wouldn't want to get bored.

I prefer the classics myself.

[ He shifts the sword on his shoulder, demonstrating, just a little.

Thoughtful: ]

Huh. The girl from that projection. Makes sense.

Well. Hopefully people figure out things sooner rather than later.

video;

[truesmiles]

Classic's being a sword right? What style of sword though? I mean you have a lot of styles. I have seen a long sword and I had never seen anything so big before.

However, I myself am a fan of the unusual weapons. Bow and arrows too. My shot always hits it's target if you know what I mean.

[he is 100% going to burst the bubble here]

Maybe, but I say this as someone who's been here three years, will be my fourth around May to June.

video;

[shieldyourass]

You'll just have to watch sometime, then.

[ Grins ] What do you usually fight with?

[ Gladiolus rolls his shoulders at that, still looking thoughtful.

At least it's not ten. ]

Four. All right. I can work with four, I guess. Anyone been here longer?

(action)

[younghero]

[A small boy with blond hair, pointed ears, and sword and shield comes skidding up to the man. He's followed by an even smaller, glowing fairy.]

Hello Mister! Can I help?

Video - Private 1/2

[chocobosnap]

[Oh. Oh oh oh. That question. That question that sent a chill down his spine and a shiver throughout his body. He closes his eyes, breathing in and out for a moment, grounding himself.]

Video - Private 2/2

[chocobosnap]

[He opens his eyes and pushes an uneasy smile onto his face.]

Ah, well you know, just uh hanging out at Zegnautus!

(action)

[shieldyourass]

[ There's a little kid. A weird looking little kid, followed by a ball of light, but. He'd seen weirder.

Gladiolus is a giant of a guy, but he crouches down, so he doesn't tower over the guy. ]

Nah, just getting my bearings. I'm pretty new here.

The name's Gladiolus - but call me Gladio. Who're you?

Video - Private

[shieldyourass]

[ Oh. Oh shit. Zegnautus. Gladiolus' mask drops, and he frowns, looking concerned. ]

Damn it.

Straight from there? Did you get help once you woke up in this place?

[ He's looking at the phone intently, like he can tell how much Prompto's managed to heal on that tiny, tiny, screen. It's a bit of a lost cause. ]

Video - Private

[chocobosnap]

[His mask drops too, at least he doesn't try to look cheerful, he's a little sad.]

I, uh, yeah I'd been waiting for you guys but...

[He exhales.]

Yeah I got some magical healing so I'm great. Totally great.

Re: (action)

[listentomedamnit]

[Here was the glowing light, with fairy wings.]

Hello Gladio, I'm Navi. And this is Link. We're here to help in any way we can for new arrivals to get familiar with this world.