boxofkururu | new cmo

[ The soft, chirping chorus of the Royal Aviary floated in through the open window, bringing with it a cool breeze that smelled of sweet lilies and jasmine buds. Spring was in full form, and the whole city of Insomnia appeared to be shedding the dreary cloak of winter to welcome it with open arms.

All save one precious soul, it would seem.

Sighing softly, the young Queen turned her gaze to the boy sprawled out across the bed she shared with her husband, lethargic and almost melancholic with his head resting in her lap despite the clear skies and good weather that greeted the city. And with smooth, soothing strokes, Aulea slowly worked her fingers through his golden-yellow locks, trying her best to calm whatever nerves or agitations he was battling. Because it had been years - not since he was a young boy of twelve and still prone to following her around the Citadel like a tiny little shadow - since Prompto had come to her in such a state. Since he had needed her to chase away the demons under his bed and assure him that the world was still good.

Whatever the reason to break such stubborn barriers of teenage pride, the Queen said nothing and merely remained quietly observant, waiting for the right moment to inquire about his sudden visit. ]

[ Prompto knew he had to be grown up. He wasn't the young shadow who followed his mother dearest anymore - no. He was part of the royal family, even if his nightmares told him differently. They'd been quieter for quite sometime - nightmares of a life he could have had. He had woken, and needed his mother - glad to see his father was not there. (Not that he didn't love him. But living up to a Lucii - being half as good as his adoptive brother? It was more and more pressure on his life. Prompto never complained, however - not anymore. No, he tried to hide this deep inside.)

But by the Six, wasn't this embarrassing? Even now, he hoped he wouldn't be called out for how this was. He was grown up now, strong and tough like his dearest mother. His body was still endomorphic - even if the boy tried to keep himself as thin as he could, to show his muscles. (He wanted them to like him and see him as strong. It was tough, but it was the sunshine boys' life. And he was strong. He'd made sure of that. Honestly, he could lift so many people, even if he was still smaller then most of them.)

Letting his eyes close, Prompto let out a sharp sigh. He didn't seem like he was going to begin the conversation - even as he fussed with his loose wristband, fingers paler then his usual skin. (Loose only because he had come from when he'd been sleeping. They'd all already seen it, but hiding it was... natural.) His soft blue eyes fluttered open again, expression strained. ]

[ Admittedly, despite her calm outward demeanor, her patience was starting to grow thin. It was especially so because her youngest son seemed to get more and more upset and agitated with each passing moment that passed in silence. Granted, it was something of a common occurrence in his younger days. He, for longer than any of them, still felt the pressure that came with his adoption. Tried - was still trying - for years to live up to the reputation of their family. There had even been nights where Prompto would wake up in tears from it, only managing to be consoled when she spent an afternoon chasing away his fears.

Similar to how he was acting now.

And so, with a determined knit of her brows, the young Queen reached across his torso and very firmly gripped at his fidgeting fingers. It was not a harsh or hard hold, but it gave a distinct impression and indication that there would be no dancing around the subject matter. The Guard in her was still a lot more direct than that. ]

Prom. Tell me what happened.

[ Though he tried to hold back the sounds of tears nor anger in his voice - anger at himself, at his pain - an inhuman growl came though, as he spoke. The fact that she was serious? Prompto still wanted to avoid this - he'd wanted to ever since he'd first began to feel strange in his skin, strange in both the sun and night. ]

...I'd never...

[ Damnit. The words seemed to get caught in his throat, as he tried to finish the sentence. There was so much he could add, his gaze turning towards the ground. Letting his hands bundle into fists - the question hurt him more then he let on. ]

I'd never hurt you, right? Or Dad, or Noct.

[ His dreams were so vivid. A hunger filled him, one which seemed to focus on them. Even if the idea of eating humans was really gross, it seemed to appeal in those dreams - devour them all, continue to become stronger and stronger, shed his skin (the last bit, really, was one of the biggest things which spooked him). Before the last one, he'd been able to hide the perverse satisfaction deep inside. The softest of guttural growls came from inside him as he flinched.

He'd tried to suffer alone. And now, he wouldn't be able to hide it - his mother would find out about the strangeness around him. Even as the sounds continued from him, Prompto did speak up a little more, trying not to appear as pathetic as he was sure he did. ]

It's just... bad dreams.

[ And just as quickly, she released her hold on his hands, straightening her back to a more refined posture; a more Queenly one as she turned the information over and over in her mind. True, bad dreams and nightmares seemed to be the few things from his past that Prompto could never seem to escape, even after spending this many years as a child of the Royal Family. But even so, it had been years since he had ever seemed trouble by them. And never before had it ever been this severely.

That he would ask such a question of her in light of his strife over the matter, as well... it was a foreboding feeling that sent shivers down her spine at the thought. ]

No. I don't think you would ever hurt us if you did not wish it.

[ Not intentionally. But Aulea knew better. Sometimes intentions still led down the path towards pain and death. Perhaps Prompto knew that as well, and that was what troubled him.

She moved to resume combing her fingers through his hair, knowing how it used to comfort him when he was smaller and more dependent on her protection. And with it, the Queen tried her best to assure him that she was there when needed. That she cared and loved him deeply.

Maybe, in knowing that, he would be more willing to share whatever secrets he seemed to be keeping. ]

Will you tell me about your dreams?

[ ...He can tell her, if only a little. Not all of it - for he's terrified if it all comes out. He has to... lie, if only a little. Lie about the beast he was.

But Prompto pulls away a little, from having his hair touched. For under the fluff are tiny little horn nubs. Ones he's scratched at and tried to rip out, before managing to file them down enough to hide. He's spent so long grooming himself lately. Is that... what royals do? Probably.

If Aulea listened, she would be able to hear the softest of cries in between his words. ]

There was... a daemon. A big one, it had gotten past the Wall. [ No, it was him. It was him he was this monster - he wouldn't need to get though anything. ] It was being attacked, but-- nothing could stop it. Every time somebody cut off a head, another came back.

[ His voice drops to a whisper, hoping she wouldn't hear this. Knowing the words would still slip out painfully. Biting his lip enough so that blood dripped out... ]

...I was so hungry.

[ He ate them in that dream. Ripping them apart. Did he have to say more now? If she-- heard that last part, oh gods... he's fucked up. ]

[ She tried not to feel hurt or rejected by the way he pulled away from her comforting hands. It was typical. In reality it was expected from a young man his age to shy away from being babied in such a way, even despite how much he seemed like the frightened little boy she once knew. Still, that did not soften the sting of it when all the Queen wanted to do was hold her son and chase away his fears.

And so, Aulea settled on simply rubbing at his shoulder and arm in hopes of easing his worries. All the while, she listened to the description of his dreams, seeing the for the nightmares they were. Daemons were dangerous and the city had been protected from them for centuries. Being a member of the Crownsguard would have placed him on missions outside of the city where the lands were almost overrun by them in key areas.

It was a common and sobering concern. ]

We've hunted them for years. It was only a matter of time before they would start hunting us as well.

[ And with as much understanding as she could on the matter, she struggled to find any significant meaning behind the words that he spoke, mishearing the ones that were murmured under his breath as if they were only an afterthought. ]

Is that what you are afraid of?

...What if I told you it wasn't a dream?

[ He finally said. Adding quickly, as quickly as he could: ] N-not that it's happened. But more... [ He swore he wasn't himself last night. Luckily he couldn't escape his avery--

His avery. He recalled for a moment, the cameras set up there. Shit. Only he had access to them, but-- he can see if it did happen. Or if it was a dream for parts of it. (Seeing his mother dear proved he hadn't hurt them. Otherwise it'd be worse.)

As she rubbed his arm, however, she would notice his skin felt... strange, under his clothes. (For one, he was sleeved.) But there were clearly un-tended to injuries under his clothes - and not just that, it felt almost like there was something moving, making said clothes shift.

Prompto could feel his worries - could feel all of this. But if he moved further away, would she be mad at him? Would she punish him? ]

Take off my shirt. [ He decided to add, quietly, after considering it.

If that was a command, it seemed one dripping with fear. ]

What do you mean?

[ In this life, there were very few things that could surprise her anymore. As a former member of the Crownsguard, Aulea had traveled through most of the Kingdoms as the Royal Escort when Regis had been young. And being the first line of defense when it came to the protection of the Crown Prince, she had also gained her fair share of scrapes and scars to show for it. So the occasional rough patch or bump underneath the cloth of his uniform was something that never threw up red flags for her.

That there were sleeves in his attire outside of his Guard gear, however, was a different matter. And the mysterious edge to his disposition was not helping her anxiety, either. ]

What's wrong? [ Fearing the worst, the Queen helped her youngest son to sit up from where he was laying across the bed so she could better inspect Prompto for any injuries. ] Did something happen on your last mission?

[ And there they are - under his clothes, there's snakes. Well, snakes which seem to connect to the back of his neck, wrapping around it. And on his arms, there were spots where he had been scratching with claws and ripping out... something. (A few scratches, also, seemed to come from the fact he'd rubbed against some of the bars in his Avery.)

His expression was still serious, softly frowning. He knew his mother would be after him for all of this. Trying to hold back tears - a little fear, a little sadness - he spoke. Voice cracking, of course. ]

I don't know when or why it happened but I woke up like this and more happened and I think I actually turned into a big daemon or monster or something but I turned back? And don't worry our last mission went well nobody lied on their report...

[ ...Of course he's rambling, and the tears flow. He's so afraid. This isn't meant to happen - a person becoming a daemon? And turning back? ]

new cmo

C'MERE SUNSHINE BABY

SOFT MOTHER OVO

The softest ;~;

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