boxofkururu | new cmo

[ Nero was frustrated.

And when Nero was frustrated, it was not a pretty sight. However, this sight was... odd. He was on a farm. Working part-time - but why? He needed to get more food, honestly, and this was the easiest way. And he could work though how much he rambled about to that damned Hero.

But his hands were still spasming. Breaking down. He'd gotten into a fight the next day, and he had also a need for Gil. And materials. At this rate, he'd have a week until they fully failed. If he could make rudementry hands - but this was his first time doing this outside of Garlemald. Hm. Perhaps he'd need to get back in contact with one of those others.

But for now, he was helping harvest carrots. For Chocobo, he'd heard. Who spoiled their birds like this? ]

[Well- people who care about their birds very much. Which K'pandolu does, among other things that some people might say she probably shouldn't. Doesn't matter- she's decided she's concerned and set out to track Nero down.

It's her bird- Typhon- who pokes his beak over the fence first, letting out a curious trill- K'pandolu's off asking around first, although that's likely to get her attention soon enough.]

[ And it was the bird which made Nero pause. A lot of Chocobo HAD been trying to get in here. His expression moving to a dull acceptance, Nero shook his head. ]

Get. I'm not afraid to shoot intruders.

[ He knew, of course, the bird wouldn't understand. But hopefully, it'd be distracted by him tossing a carrot over the fence. ]

[Typhon chirps again, crest rising for a moment as he considers Nero before going for the carrot. This definitely brings K'pandolu over, sighing as she gets closer.]

It's been a long ride, but you couldn't hold off a little longer?

[she rubs her hand along his neck anyway, and glances over to apolgoise- but then blinks and grins, ears coming forward.]

Nero! This is unexpected. You're managing well enough, I hope?

[ At least the bird is distracted...

...Shit. Just one of the people he didn't want to see. (That was, of course, a lot of people.) But he'd poured his heart out to her. A bit before his hands started to mess up, in fact.

Nero gives a small grunt. ] What are you doing here, hero?

[K'pandolu looks pleased, on the other hand. Her expression stays bright as she leans forward, arms on the fence.]

Looking around! Wondering how you were doing, by chance- what fortune to actually find you here!

[ Nero grunts again, almost trying to hide his hands. Even though they're gloved, they're... still moving so oddly. Damn it. ]

'm fine. Shouldn't you be off doing more important things?

[ ...Weird, then, that he does look... sort of in his element here? In fact, he's gotten back to harvesting while talking, inspecting the carrots to make sure they're sellable. ]

[ So what if I wanted an Ivalice AU what then.

aka lemme go wiki diving either tomorrow or this weekend and let's figure something out because this sounds fun as heck. ]

[It's difficult to be certain, but… she's almost sure something's up. She keeps watching for now, making a vaguely disgruntled sound as Typhon decides to watch too now that he's done with the carrot and puts his head on hers.

She shrugs, tail swishing.]

It's actually a little quiet for once. Best to take advantage of it.

[she tilts her head, taking this in.]

You look as though you're doing quite well here. [there's a curious note in her voice. was he a botanist in another life… no that seems unlikely.]

Of course I'm doing well. I was a Bas as a child.

[ There's a slight sigh, as he then frowns again. She wouldn't know that term... ]

An agriculturist. Yes, believe it or not, I wasn't born into greatness, like a certain Garlond.

[ And then he tosses another carrot to the bird. Go-- shoo, stop distracting him. Damned Chocobo. But after tossing, his hand won't seem to move more, stuck open. Damnit... ]

Oh- I see. [she nods, ears flicking- it makes a little more sense to know, now.] It's impressive to have come so far, then.

[he's just hanging around because K'pandolu is here! But he shifts, going to fetch the carrot and bringing it back. See, see, he's a good bird! K'pandolu reaches out to pat him absentmindedly, frowning.]

Has that been acting up long?

...Since that night we... talked, so to speak. [ He regrets it. ] I woke up and... that was that. [ He says, between beating it against the ground angrily. ] And so, I came here. Why not? Before now, it was secret.

[uh. They both look worried at that, and K'pandolu moves forward, fully intent on hopping the fence if she needs to.]

At least it hasn't been long- [she's. kind of hoping it doesn't have anything to do with the drinks, but. probably not anyhow.] I'm not going to tell anyone, certainly if you don't want- Let me see it.

[not that she's a specialist in hands, but this is the kind of thing she was concerned about.]

[ Nero hopes it isn't from something which happened when he was blackout drunk - he didn't wake up in his tented bed that morning. He'd been sleepwalking a lot recently - excited about finding Omega? Or something else. ]

What would you know about Magitek, Hero.

[ It's odd, but his voice doesn't sound... to angry. No, instead, it's a genuine question from the Garlean for once - he's looking at the bird and Miqo'te both. ]

[they both… basically shrug? Typhon's equivalent is fussing with his feathers but if he could say anything it would probably be along the lines of why do they keep picking fights with metal things…]

More about using it, but I'd often wondered what actually went into making it work. [she keeps a hand outstretched, ears up.]

[ 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. ]

[ ...Oh. He does approach, leaning over the fence as he lets out a soft grumble. His hands are still spasming - letting his expression drop a little. A little more then usual, that is. ]

The mechanics behind it are quite fascinating. It took us three many years to develop movable fingers, not to mention the devices to control them - made of corrupted crystal.

[ ...oh no he's nerding out. But is that a little... happiness in his voice? ]

[she makes an intrigued sounds in turn, leaning closer to see.]

Corrupted crystals… that must have been interesting to work with. But that means they can move just as they should? That's excellent. How does it work- a pulse of energy, perhaps…?

[it's nice to hear.]

They were quite interesting - though still dangerous. It's why we had to remove more then simply what was broken. For we keep [ - Nero said, pulling up one of his sleeves to show the lower arms were mostly metal as well - ] the crystals conducting inside here, to connect with our lowered Aether. It's quite complex, but dumbing it down for you? It connects with not just our Aether, but our brains and re-interprets the messages given.

[ Nero is sounding so happy to explain! Even with a little bit more snark to her, it's sounding a lot more affectionate. ]

If I was an Eorzean, I doubt it would be so dangerous.

Yes. I remember… we had to get a specially sealed container…

[she whistles, and nods.] For the space, of course… and the connection must have been a task in itself, wouldn't it? Fascinating…

[Definitely enough that she doesn't mind the snark.

She shrugs, straightening a little, ears flicking.]

Maybe… I'm not so sure. Best not to stray too close, really.

Ah, so you're familiar with them. Perhaps that was back when I was busy with dear Ultima Weapon? [ He says, leaning up against the fence. Smirking. It's so rare to get Nero in a mood like this. ]

The connection - actually, Faegyln figured that out quite quickly. Of course he did - he was from far across the sea. Explains those rabbit ears. [ ...Yes, Velas'a is a Viera. Nero snorts a little, however. ]

...Believe it or not, hero? I don't want you dead right now. Plus, removing the crystals would stop these arms fully.

[ 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.

I think it might have been, yes. [ah, that was a while ago… long enough she just snorts at how he refers to the Weapon.]

Oh- Thavnair…? Or somewhere else? I've been wondering, ever since we heard even a little… [she perks up, curious. tell her all the things about other places, yes yes.]

I didn't think so. [she smiles, a little, soft, before her ears flick up again.] They would-? Oh- that makes ense, of course. So- perhaps it's something to do with the pathways…? A burst…?

new cmo

nero and k'pan, few days after TFLN

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gimme dat squire

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C'MERE SUNSHINE BABY

SOFT MOTHER OVO

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The softest ;~;

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