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Username: ~~JoshuaRosfield~~; ~~Praeclarus~~;
Phoenix

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{ TEXT // VOICE // VIDEO // ACTION }

Hey Joshua. I dunno if you saw the post about getting fakes names for the mission yet? Or if you use this at all, 'cause you haven't texted.

I'm getting everybody to call me Vesper. I figured I should let you know. Cause I'm letting everyone know.

Also I didn't hack your account name. It starts off as your real name and the system'll always send to that so. Hi.

It's Prompto btw.

[ Dammit. ]

[When the ping comes in Joshua sits up and taps into the interface. Somehow…through all of his questions with Clive and Dion it seems…he neglected to ask about the network. And hasn’t touched it…since he got here…Whoops. Time to deep dive into that. Well. In a moment, Joshua has priorities.]

Greetings Prompto,

Thank you for the missive, it brings me joy to hear from you. I hope you are finding yourself faring well. I haven’t seen the post yet, no, but I’ll go immediately to check it out next. I am a little embarrassed to admit I haven’t taken the time to explore this medium of communication yet. It is very foreign to me. We have nothing akin to it in Valisthea, my home world. Rest assured I will do my utmost to grow accustomed to it.
Vesper is a fine name and I think it suits you. Might I ask where you got the inspiration from? I’m uncertain where to begin on finding a new name. Turns out the last fake name I went by wasn’t nearly as clever as I had originally thought.
Worry not, I hadn’t thought you’d hack’d my account. Seems I’ll be thinking long and hard about two sets of names. I’m open to suggestions if you have any. They would be most appreciated. Would you mind solving the mystery behind your account name? I’m curious to know the story behind that one.

Sincerely, Joshua

[Joshua feels confident in his first text missive…even if he doesn’t know what ‘hack’ means in this context. Or btw. Is that some sort of signature post-script? But that’s fine, he’ll probably be able to find a dictionary at the library and surely that’ll hold the answers.]

» Don't take this in a bad way, but you really ARE cut from a different cloth. Never gotten a whole letter by text.

» Maybe it's a world thing, but I think most people are gonna be lazy and say less. First time I read it I thought you were teasing me about forgetting to say who I was until the end.

» Oh - Vesper's from the old language. I just thought it sounded slick, but it actually means evening-star? I dunno. I liked the dichotomy, sound to meaning?

» If you meet Noct, don't tell him I know the word dichotomy. He'll make that face he gets when I try to sound smart, but juxtaposition comes up in photog.

» You could do something like Procerus, Luteus or Mitis? Nah skip Procerus. I don't want anybody using anything that starts with Pr- or my head's gonna whip around every time somebody says "their" name. But that's stuff I'd pick for you - you tell me what you'd want it to mean and maybe I know something like it.

» Clicksandgiggles? Oh - it's a photography pun. Not all that deep.

» You’ve arrived at the correct conclusion— I was not teasing you. I think you’re right in that it’s a world thing. The speediest communication we have are owls, but they are generally only used in times of emergency and the common people don’t have any. Next is handwritten missives sent with a running messenger, or sent along with tradesmen and their carts when they come through town. And I am afraid this too isn’t as accessible to the common folk as most don’t have the skill to read or write.
Am I to gather that not every missive is to be addressed then? It would get repetitive, I imagine, at the speed these deliver at. And are multiple texts instead of one long one preferred?
Evening-star. That sounds ~~beautiful~~ cool. I think it suits you even more now that I know what it means. As for my name’s meaning…perhaps something about a fire bird? Or Warden of Fire? I should probably steer clear of roses since the post says to not leave bread crumbs. Oh, then I probably shouldn’t use anything with fire either. What do Luteus and Mitis mean?
Is Noct a friend of yours? Does he not like it when you sound smart? I’m uncertain as you didn’t describe the face he makes.
This is my attempt at saying less, although it doesn't feel as if it is working.

» Owls? Oh boy, you must be having a TIME here. If you need help with any of the tech, you can ask me. I'm good with machines. And I mean good for my world, so if I sound cocky about it, it's not because I think I'm better at it than you.

» And - common folk can't read and write, but you can? So you're *uncommon* folk hanging out with a pleb like me?

» Most people hit send as soon as they finish the thought. If they're using a small screen, a paragraph doesn't fit unless it's real short, you know?

» Look at yours and then look at mine. It's like - you wouldn't write a letter with oil paint. You adjust to the medium. I'm still saying as much as you, but you can see each whole thought at the same time.

» And no - unless you're messaging somebody who's never seen your username before? Most of the time, I don't even say hi unless it's been a couple days since the last text.

» I'm definitely not a star dude. A vesper gar's also a type of fish, so I figured Noct'd have an easy time remembering it. And yeah - he's a friend. Best friend, really. It's not that he doesn't like it when I sound smart - I think he gets a kick out of it when I am.

» Luteus means... sorta golden? But it's more of a shade. Saffron. Like your hair sometimes. Mitis is harder - I'm not great with this, it means mild. Not spicy mild. Like if someone's mild-mannered?

» If Rosfield or Joshua mean fire, Warden of Fire, or roses, then yeah, you shouldn't use those. That's why I'm not using anything that means fast or silver.

» Still said less than me.

Edited 2025-11-08 22:46 (UTC)

» Specifically Stolas owls. They’re the fastest, most reliable, and best if you need the words contained within kept a secret. And you didn’t come off as cocky, but instead confident. So, I shall place my confidence in you should I need any help with such things.

» Some may define me as uncommon, but we’re striving to change that. No one deserves to be discriminated against because they were born different.

» Very well, I shall adapt to this way of writing then. It’s sort of like the difference between short hand and long hand. With the added benefit of me not mulling my words over for too long.

» I find you to be bright like a star. You’re also proving to be a guiding light.

» I see. And Noct is here in Etraya as well? It’s fortunate you have him. It’s my understanding that not all universes have multiple champions to represent them. I shudder to think what it would be like navigating all of this alone.

» Rosfield basically translates to: field of roses. Joshua doesn’t mean fire, but Warden of Fire is my title, which is a name by another term, don’t you think?

» I don’t suppose you have any other suggestions from your ancient language? I don’t mean to be ungrateful for the prior suggestions, I’m just not entirely sold on them.

»Is that a challenge?

» I'll keep an eye out for Stolas owls for you if you tell me what they look like. Wouldn't want you to leave you without your favorite way to pass notes.

» Might not be a bad idea either, people are suspicious of what Aurora can read. Sometimes low tech's the way to go.

» Yeah I'm not holding it against you cause you're a noble or whatever. You grew up in a bigger house. Big whoo.

» Please. You mull like wine I can smell it from here.

[ Ignoring the next one. There's a lag in his normally very quick responses, and whatever bouncing ellipses appear linger the whole time. ]

» Noct's here. So's Gladio - not sure if I mentioned him yet. If you meet them before the mission, you can tell them you know me. If you meet Navyth and Heliodorus on the mission, that's still them. And if I introduce them, it's 'vyth and Hel.

» Warden of Fire? Dude. That's so hardcore.

» Uh yeah, there's a lot of names out there. You could do Altus? It means high on a literal level, but like folded into it's tall, lofty, deep - deep like profound. Praeclarus is - yeah, that'd fit. It's one of those words that has ton of different meanings, but they all kinda work for you. So it's ... I guess it's splendid? But also clear, bright, striking, beautiful, excellent, distinguished, noble. You can pack so many adjectives into one name.

» Fair warning: you pick Praeclarus one, I'm shortening it to Prae and rolling the shit out of the R.

» Yeah. Yeah, it's a challenge. I can out-text you.

[It’s the first text that causes Joshua to stall. He doesn’t begin writing, not immediately like he has before, but when he does the ellipses come and go.]

» Thank you. They are small- around a foot in height. Their plumage is snowy white; their eyes large and an aquamarine shade. The most notable feature is the glowing blue crystal they all have on their forehead.

[The slight pause after the first text is sent seems more related to what came before as Joshua’s timing seems consistent throughout the rest and similar to what he’d been doing before.]

» Why are people suspicious of Lady Aurora?

[He does skip the next one though, doesn’t linger like before, doesn’t try to compose something, just doesn’t touch it.

The wine comment makes him chuckle though. Prompto is sharp of wit.]

» Oh? Familiar with my scent already, are you?

» I’ll commit these names to memory. I don’t think my brother or my friend Dion have picked names yet. I’ll have to check with them and ensure they’ve seen the post.

[ ‘-ton of different meanings, but they all kinda work for you.’ Maybe Joshua reads this message over a few times before responding.]

» Well, I think I must go with Praeclarus then, just to hear you roll the R. You move pretty fast, already giving my fake name a nickname. What does one shorten Vesper to? Ves? Per? If Vesper means evening-star what’s the word for star? What’s the word for evening?

» Oh, sweet Prompto, do not promise that which you cannot deliver.

» Definitely haven't seen one. They sound pretty unique. Small, but my eyesight's way better than it was when I was a kid. Any white owls with a glowing blue crystal in its head, you'll be the first to know.

» Second. Technically *I'll* be the first to know.

» Because she's an AI? She's a disembodied mech and I don't know who made her. And don't say Echo, I'll scream cause I don't know Echo either, and I know at least 3 people counting me who have every reason in the world to not trust mechs. Right now? I'm making that every reason in EVERY world.

» She also has access TO the network. Not trying to sound paranoid, but she could be reading this right now.

» I didn't mean it like that, it was a joke - I don't know what your scent is.

[ The great mercy about doing this by text is that Prompto could flail in private over the suggestion that he knows the man's scent which is both deeply personal and now something he is in fact curious about, when he would have happily gone along not noticing it. ]

» Oh! Yeah obviously make sure the people important to you can remember and say it. Doesn't really matter what it means if they have trouble with it.

» It's not "fast". Is it? Never really thought about it - I kinda just ... do it? If you DON'T want a nickname, just say the word.

» And go with Ves for mine. I like Ves better than Per, but lbr we're going to be lucky if I answer to it at all.

» Hold on, I'm not fluent. I just know some pieces - roots and suffixes and prefixes I mean - because they make us learn them in school. So the ones that turn up in a lot of names? Or that helped with standardized testing? I know those and I can kinda disentangle what a name means.

» I know stella's star, though. No clue on evening. I know night's nox? Like equinox means equal night?

[ Another brief lull. He has to reassure himself that it's just a callback - to Prompto's own joke. It kinda hits different in text, like it was one of those "you had to be there" moments for it to be lighthearted and less significant. But he was there, so. ]

» ... my dearest Joshua, please say that you have something better to do besides counting up my words and your words. I wouldn't want you to waste your time.

Edited (Missed a period & html fix) 2025-11-09 15:04 (UTC)

» They are a rare breed; in all my years of travel I have never come across one in the wild…but, then again, I hadn’t been looking for one. I’ve never used one myself. I’ll have to make certain I still know the incantation. My brother still knows it, of that I am sure.

[Joshua thinks it’s incredible how much he can hear Prompto’s voice in his texts]

» Oh. She seemed rather kind when I met her. She patiently answered all of the questions I had for her, at least to the best of her ability.

» Isn’t it her network we are using? I would think it makes sense that she can access it.

» Admittedly the only other being I met who did not have a body was…less than stellar. Very much a large problem, actually. But Lady Aurora doesn’t seem to have the same machinations that he has. Although there is a Mothercrystal present here… I should ask her if she knows why that is.

» Bit of a tangent, apologies.

» Don’t worry, I was just teasing you, Prompto. I met your joke with my own.

» I’m certain they’ll be capable of the pronunciation. Although, now that I say that I realize I can’t be certain of the correct way to pronounce it, what with having never heard it before. Can you send one of those sound recordings of yourself saying Praeclarus for me? I don’t wish to butcher it, especially if you and your friends were taught by a tutor.

» I was teasing you again. Although, giving someone a nickname for a name they haven’t used yet seems like it would be a record breaking speed.

» Should we practice? The warnings seem pretty dire in regards to what happens if someone’s true name is revealed. I don’t want that for you.

» You call yourself common yet you attended a school? I also feel compelled to point out you are also literate. If you hadn’t told me you’d not lie to me I might doubt your claimed socioeconomic class.

» I hadn’t known there were root-words in equinox… Vesper, that is fascinating.

» Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t.

» Suppose I could use a companion to go owl hunting. Or would this be tracking since we don’t plan on killing the animal?

» Or maybe everyone's already scooped them up for pets. They sound useful... and totally adorable. If they're not, don't ruin this for me. They're adorable in my head and we're probably not going to find them anyway.

» And it's tracking. I don't have a problem with hunting - and since it's apparently a big deal to some people, now's when I'm going to point out that I *have* hunted animals. But not for fun, if it matters. And if anything toothy charges us in the woods, I'm going to shoot it. If that's a problem... better pick something indoors.

» What else was she going to do but seem kind and patient and answer your questions? She's tasked with greeting people and answering their questions. It's built into her source code. It might even be baked into the hardware, who knows. Mechs do what they're made to do. They don't consider doing anything else. And I don't know what else she's made to do.

» Right, you haven't texted before. There's an expection of privacy with DMs - direct messages - like this. Usually they're encrypted and the people who own the -

» Actually, let me try it this way. So the device is a Stolas owl farm or whatever. Columbarium, that's it. They rent owls for you to send fast and private messages. You expect them to NOT read your messages, y'know? I expect her to not read our messages. But - apparently that's not something I should trust.

» Gonna need an explanation on Mothercrystal, but I don't think that's a text topic.

[ The next one is actually sent as audio. As for the pronunciation, Google Translate will pronounce it for you. ]

So I know it looks like it's gotta sound like "Prayclaris", but it's more like Praeclarus. Almost like Pry-clar-oose. And I'd do Prae. Also? Not record-breaking, maybe record-matching. Noct, Gladio and me worked out what we'd call each other for short when we figured out what names we were going with. It's just what my friends do. Get used to it.

» Yeah I know. You're allowed to tease, and I'm allowed to defend myself or build on the joke so I own it. That's how it works.

» I don't want that for you either. Or for anyone. So hurry up and run it past your boys, or else I'm gonna practice calling you "hey you".

» Are you saying that commoners don't - no you did say that. I got distracted by the birds. Sue me, I like chocobos and birds smaller than Zus. You know it's - not a great look if the proletariat can't get an education? Not saying it's on you, but... I did okay at school. Kinda think I deserve to be literate.

» You do now. We're going tracking.

» Admittedly, Vesp, I do not know where to begin on tracking animals. Does that change your willingness to help? I do think Stolas are fairly cute, but I shall let you be the judge if we ever come upon one.

» Why do people have a problem with hunting? Do they only eat vegetation? Where do they think furs and leather come from? Is their climate too warm for such things? What do they wear for protection? The idea of someone having a problem with hunting is baffling. I agree it isn’t something to be done “for fun”, but…?

» I’m moving on, there are far too many questions to ask if I don’t cut myself off.

» …I think I am going to skip the questions about Lady Aurora for now too.

» But the Stolas owl will only deliver the message to whomever you send it to. That’s why they are prized and used, generally, for emergencies only. If one gets shot down the message cannot be stolen.

» But I think I understand. If one were to rent a regular owl, tie a message to it and send it on its way… Well, that’s a silly example, I don’t know of any who have trained an owl for thus. Perhaps it’s more like hiring a caravan to ferry your goods across the continent. One expects the caravan not to go snooping in your parcels. Is it like that?

» Mothercrystals are not a topic suited to short form communication, no.

» Thank you for the demonstration. I would not have gotten anywhere near pronouncing it correctly. I’ll send them a voice missive to them if I don’t see them before we go.

» I am also a fan of birds. How big is a Zu? Why don’t you like larger birds?

» I feel like I am sending you a hundred questions, but what is the proletariat?

» My brother and I were not able to attend a school.

[The previous text sure took a long time to send to Prompto despite how small it is. The ellipsis were going the entire time too.]

» I feel like we might benefit from planning out the tracking before we go out and make an attempt…

» Vesp, huh? Hadn't thought about that one, but I like it. You gonna cycle through all possible nicknames until you find the one that fits you best?

» Why would it change my willingness to help? Sounds like you need me even more, if you want an owl. Why do you need an owl?

» NO IDEA. I was asking about target practice on the network, and it turned into a discussion about weapons of choice and - cutting out the long story, somebody thought *I* was the jerk for killing animals, but *they* think killing people is "awesome".

» I know some people eat vegetarian all the time - so yeah, vegetation only - but if that was their problem, they didn't mention it. I could see some people refusing to wear fur if they didn't need to wear fur. You could put me in that category, I guess? I'm not gonna wear a hat made out of something fluffy for style. But leather's got practical uses.

» Also I am favor of eating meat. For the record. Definitely not a vegetarian.

» Yeah it's exactly like that. In fact, sometimes the data packets are called "parcels". The data packets go from your device to a server - a bigger device - to my device to deliver the message, and nobody's supposed to see them on the way.

[ Aurora and mothercrystals? What? Who knows them? He'll save it for in-person, especially since Joshua also seems to think it's the right call. ]

» Hope it's not disappointing. If it is, I'm not going to be insulted if you wanna go with something else. You probably want something that sounds more like home.

» Zus AREN'T Stolas owls or chocobos. I heard one burned down an entire village once 'cause somebody stole an egg. Not cute, not fluffy. And they're HUGE - oh hang on. I got you.

[ two photos come through between texts. ]

» That is a Zu and was a Zu. With Noctis for scale.

» Oh you're like noble noble. Shit.

[ There's a brief delay because Prom needs a sec to ask himself how he manages to make friends with people with titles, if that's what this is. ]

» The proletariat's the lower classes. You have those, yeah? Can't have the upper without a lower.

» You didn't miss much. School was... it sucked, until I really met Noct.

» I can ask around for where the best place is. Forested, but high. Grassy ground. Undergrowth. If you want owls, you need rodents.

Edited (HTML fail) 2025-11-11 00:18 (UTC)

» Vesp sounds the best in regards to you, I think. It has more punch than Ves does, which I find fitting. And if I call you Per I’ll just end up imagining a cat.

» Most people, I’m told, don’t wish to go tromping through the woods with someone inexperienced, potentially for days on end, searching for something they are uncertain they can find.

» If I am being honest, I don’t need an owl. It was merely the first thing to come to mind that we might do together— what with you saying you’d keep an eye out for them for me.

» …They do not sound as if they are someone I would be taking any cues from socially, or morally. I think that might be all that needs saying on the matter.

» There are some locations whose winters are harsher than others and the fur can make the difference between surviving the season and not. I cannot imagine using something as such purely for ‘style’ alone.

» We are alike in this, I too am in favor of eating meat.

» And the text missive is within the data packet parcel? How do they go from my device to this server? I don’t see any aether whisking it away, or anything of the sort.

» What do you mean? Vesp, I quite like the way Praeclarus sounds. I’ve decided to go with it regardless of what they think. It’s my name, is it not?

» By the Founder. And there are multiple Zus? More than one? It lays eggs, of course there are more than one. Wait, it burned down a village? How did it manage that? The Phoenix should be the only bird capable of fire.

» I’ve never heard of the word proletariat before, I’m uncertain why this makes you believe I am of the nobility.

» Yet you are not wrong, I was born of noble blood.

» ~~Is that a problem?-~~
» ~~Though it doesn’t matter now-~~
» ~~I haven’t been connected to-~~
» ~~It’s not-~~
» It is not something I have been a part of for a long time.

» I’m glad you met him, then.

» I’ll understand if you don’t ~~-get back to me-~~ find anything promising.

[ OOC Note: I was looking for pictures of a Zu when I wrote my previous tag and saw that the official bestiary says "Some say it once razed an entire village in pursuit of a man who stole its egg." My dumb ass went "oh Prom wouldn't say razed, he'd say burnt to the ground", ignoring that that's not what razed means. As this is player idiocy, not character idiocy, this is now my attempt to spin it. ]

» OK. YOU can call me Vesp. And I'm definitely not a cat - I promise the only time I've ever meowed it was cause I was joking about somebody else being feisty. And I don't purr. I don't think.

» Wait - wait - *what*? Most people *don't* go tromping around the woods... and the desert... and the beaches... and the caves for weeks on end with somebody inexperienced searching for something they don't know how to find? What has my life *been*?

» It's me I was the inexperienced one.

» I'm still gonna keep an eye out, because they sound useful - and cute. But we can definitely do something else. I just wanted to help you out. I still owe you one.

» Ugh. Yeah. I know I shouldn't listen. It just bugs me so much. I'm kinda having a real hard time stopping arguing with them. I mean - I haven't stopped arguing with them.

» I never lived anywhere you had to wear fur to stay warm. Coats yeah, but I'm hoping it doesn't get that cold here. I'll wear fur if it's that cold, but I'm pretty sure I'm cold-blooded and would freeze to death in extreme cold.

» I'm not really cold-blooded. I just don't wanna wear sleeves.

» You got it. I don't know what "aether" is and it's not like anybody's given me the specs on these devices, but... if I had to guess, it's probably a short-wave UHF radio signal somewhere up around 2.4 gigahertz? Aaaaand I've lost you. I'd lose a lot of people back home, too. I don't know how to -

» you ever hear a sound so loud, you feel it in your chest? Soundwaves? Or signal someone with a light, covering it and uncovering it? Radiowaves - radio signals are made up of waves - are between those two ideas. But not ACTUALLY between them - soundwaves are mechanical. They need to travel through matter. That's how you can feel them if they're strong enough.

» So that's how electronic devices talk to each other and carry messages when there's no cables connecting them. Put enough waves together and you've got a signal. How frequent/long the waves are - the devices know how to read that. Like a code. Actually, it IS a code. So your device takes what you input, encrypts it into a wave, and my device takes the wave, decrypts it back to sound or text or images, and outputs it to me.

» Now I'm the one sending huge walls of text. Anyway, you'd need more devices in between to repeat the signal so it carries farther, but they can be smaller and wouldn't have the HUD interface.

» Yeah. Guess it is now, Prae. I like to get other people's opinions on things, but I wish I could just decide nah that's the thing I'm doing and then just do it.

» Zus lay eggs so big you could use a shell as a bathtub if you wanted! I've got a picture of that too - the eggs, not a bathtub.

[ Another photo comes through. Prompto actually loves sharing his pictures, so the floodgates have opened. ]

» I dunno how it did it. Never seen one use fire, but... it's a rumor, man. Zus kick up a *lot* of wind when they fly. I could see it blowing a campfire toward a building or something and everything eventually going up in flames. Gotta be careful with wind and fire.

» It's not just because you didn't know the word proletariat. It's because you're all - I don't know. *Measured*. Noct's kinda like that too. He'd know what the word proletariat meant without me telling him, but I just figured not knowing it - plus the whole tutors thing? Your whole vibe.

» Besides - you told me you had a title. Dead giveaway. I don't know where warden fits into the hierarchy though.

» When you didn't know the word, I thought it made more sense if it wasn't something you were taught was important, which wasn't fair. I'm sorry.

» Actually, I wanna be *really* clear about this. I don't care about your noble blood. It's how you are, but it's not *who* you are. So don't expect me to start with the proper forms of address and styling you your blondness. I reserve all deference for the rightful king of Lucis.

» I am too. Not to get all sappy, but everything good in my life's because of him. Including still having a life. I never would've left Insomnia without him.

» So no pressure when you meet him, but I need you two to get along.

Edited 2025-11-11 16:33 (UTC)

» How are you not certain whether you purr or not? Should I try petting your hair, for the scientific pursuit of it?

» It sounds as if you keep good company. Do you consider yourself experienced now that you've had practical application?

» Thank you, Vesp, that is very kind of you, but you do not owe me anything. I was and am happy to help.

» But I would still like to do something with you, if you are amenable.

» You haven't stopped engaging with them? Is that wise? Let me know if you need any help. Or if they decide killing you might be 'awesome'.

» You don't want to wear sleeves? Whyever not?

» Aether is what is used to cast magic. It is everywhere and is in every living thing. So, in my not seeing any aether, I'm left mystified as to how it functions without magic.

» That is, until you've just explained it. Using soundwaves to code out messages...this is fascinating, Vesper! That someone would use not the sound but the wave of force a soundwave makes to encode messages... And that someone was able to build something to receive and translate those messages... That kind of discovery and invention must have been revolutionary. To think, then all one must do is build a device to send and receive... I don't imagine it being so secure though, but if the devices are rare...

» Apologies, it seems like this is all old hat to you. Thank you for taking the time to explain it and in a way that is easy to comprehend. I appreciate it.

» What holds you back from deciding it is the thing you wish to do?

» How would one even steal an egg that size; they must weigh a significant amount. Honestly though, whomever decided to steal the egg does not sound like someone who has a strong sense of survival. Most animals are very protective of their eggs.

» Oh, I see. My mistake. I thought you had meant it could rain fire down upon the village. I'm glad it has no such capabilities, nothing and no one should have that much fire power. The damage that could be done if one were to get out of control is catastrophic.

» It brings me some comfort to know I still give off the air of a noble, in a strange way. It means I'm not so far from my parents as I feel.

» Oh, no, that title isn't related to nobility. Well, mine is, sort of, but it wasn't originally. It's complicated. I'm not sure if it is a topic best suited to text missives. It wasn't something I was born with, but it came to me when I awakened. One doesn't have to be born in a noble family to awaken and inherit this sort of title. I am not the only Warden- there is one for each element. There used to only be eight in total for generations, but now there is a ninth. I digress, it's just my family before me chose to ensure it would remain in the royal dukedom lineage so that it may be used to protect the dukedom. So that the warden would have a duty to keep their people safe.

» Sorry for just dumping that information on you when you did not ask for it. I hope you know that you may feel free to disregard or ignore anything I say, please. It's not as if I am in charge of anything here. Titles and lineages mean nothing in Etraya, right?

» Just know that no one need treat me any different from any other here.

» Oh Founder. You already said you weren't going to treat me any different.

» Feel free to just ignore the last four text missives I've sent. Please.

» Moving right along... I'm really happy to hear you won't be treating me any different. It's honestly nice that I can be just Joshua with you. I don't want that to change.

» Confound it. See, it's a good idea we're practicing now, isn't it? Praeclarus. It's nice that I can be just Prae with you. I've never had that before, so I don't want to ruin it. But perhaps that's unfair. I do not mean to imply I wish to be rid of my duty, far from it. I will do as I must as I always have.

» I think hand writing and sending the missives are better, I fear I needlessly ramble in these smaller text missives and include things I would sooner edit out.

» You needn't worry, I don't mind sappiness. I hope you two are able to watch and defend each other's backs.

» Oh, no pressure felt! It's only the one thing Vesp has mandated and required of me, to get along with a beloved companion.

» If you think highly of them I am certain they will be someone whom I can get along well with.

[ Admittedly, he looked away from the HUD for a moment. To get a drink or something. He didn't take it off; he just wasn't paying as much attention to it as he should. He can see the texts bouncing up on the display, and after a couple of minutes, he rewinds them to catch back up. Little habit he's calling the Joshua-method, so that the man can build up his text-epistle and yet still get it in good text format.

He drops the can of pop, which spills everywhere, but at least that gives him an excuse. The first message comes in as voice. ]

Sorry! G-Gotta, gotta give me like - five minutes! I-I dropped a soda and it exploded all over the apartment!

[ A few minutes and countless paper towels later. ]

» Okay - you can pet my hair. For science. But don't be disappointed if I don't purr.

» Rapidfire: Yes, yeah I do, you know we don't have to have a plan right? We can just hang out.

» That Vigilante guy fake threatened it but he hasn't tried anything. It's fine.

» Because I actually like how my arms look?

» Technically it's a light wave. I just used sound waves for the example cause you can feel them and you can't feel light, but now I'll just slide that correction in there so you can sound even smarter when you quote me.

» And the devices aren't rare, but they've got precautions built in so the right message goes to the right device. Like your username. That's how it knows that this one's for you.

» If I knew that, I don't think it would anymore.

» Four guys putting their backs into it helps.

» WE DID NOT STEAL THE EGG THAT CAUSED THE VILLAGE TO GET RAZED IN THE RUMOR.

» ... yeah. I miss mine too.

[ He's already hit send and there's several ...s that come and go, but the normal pace of texts eventually resumes. ]

» I'll HALF ignore them. That work? Cause I can't tell you I'm ignoring them if I'm ignoring them? Also not telling you what's in the half I'm not ignoring.

» You do gotta give me the other two elements though. I've got earth, wind, fire, lightning, water, ice...

» ... actually I don't want to know.

» Huh. Just realized I ruled out Procerus because it starts with Pr- and then gave you another Pr- name. Too late, you're Prae now to everyone but you. You could always make everyone you know get a "PRAE" tattoo. See if that helps you remember.

» Ha, anytime. I specialize in treating everybody the same, duty or not. I AM going to use "Confound it!" on you every chance I get though. If that's supposed to be cursing, it's adorable.

» I like ramble. And I like faster texts, so MAYBE there's a chance that other names I might've been called are appropriate.

» Yep. Part of the whole Crownsguard deal - but I'd watch his back for free. Someone's gotta make sure he can be just Noct.

Edited 2025-11-15 15:51 (UTC)

[Joshua is surprised when he receives the voice missive, but after listening to it he finds he is further confused, almost concerned...but he figures if his friend's apartment were on fire he'd have sounded a lot different. He remains (mostly) patient in his waiting for the missives.]

» I shall be so very tragically disappointed if you don't purr. I am uncertain if my heart will withstand such a blow.

» Of course I know that. Why wouldn't I know that? That would be a silly thing to not know.

[Joshua winces. He definitely did not know that.]

» You are certain it is a fake threaten and not a when-next-convenient threaten?

» That seems a reasonable reason. You need not read into why I wear so many layers.

» Much obliged, Vesp. I'll be certain to give credit where credit it due.

» They aren't rare? How common are they where you are from?

» It is my hope that you find yourself more trustworthy than you currently do.

» Admittedly that had not crossed my mind, but I appreciate the confirmation.

[It's...probably too early in the friendship to admit to having failed in saving them...isn't it...? Joshua feels like it probably isn't the type of thing you admit to over written communication anyway.]

» That hardly seems fair, not telling me that which you would remember and that which you willingly ignore.

» Are you certain you do not wish to know the two you are missing? I do not mind sharing that knowledge.

» Oh! I had not caught that. Although, the other name did start with Pro, so it is closer to your real name which might be the reason it stood out to you.

» But I will not be telling anyone I know to be getting a tattoo of my name. Absolutely not.

[The bouncing dots cease momentarily. Adorable??]

» I am always in favor of one expanding their vocabulary.

[He's just going to smoothly not acknowledge it. Perfect.]

» ...I do enjoy reading others' musings.

» Pardon my prying, but is Noct of royal decent?

» Oh - I... guess I better practice then. I don't want to disappoint anybody.

» Hard to tell, dude (??) was only texting. Refused to go on video.

» Yeah I wasn't gonna...? Your body your clothes your choice.

[ He is wondering now, because it's a weird thing to say if there really isn't a reason for it. Prompto's just going to keep an eye out. This is like the fifth eye he's trying to keep out. He really should make a list. ]

» Earpieces like this with heads up displays? Not very, but smart phones can do everything these do and *more*. If you hold up your hand and look at the overall size of your four fingers and thumb? Little bit smaller than that; it'll fit in your pocket.

[ Another picture follows, this one of Gladio with a cell phone in his hand. He's mobile gaming. ]

» The thing in his hand's a smart phone. Kinda guessing you don't know if you have to ask if they're common.

» Hey! I'm plenty trustworthy! And making you guess which ones I'm ignoring's half the fun. Gotta keep you on your toes.

» Totally not random subject change. I found out ~~Bahamut~~ Dion's a friend of yours. So you're - that world. And the elements align with the Astrals where I'm from? Just

» Like I was talking to Clive too and I dunno if I can fit "redefining the powers that be" to fit two more into my understanding of Eos? Dance card's kinda full already.

» Not that I've ever had a dance card.

» Shame about the tattoo though. I'd be down for getting new ink. I can settle for teaching you how to curse.

» Yeah you must cause you haven't told me to buzz off or left me on read yet.

» ... yeah. Gods, please don't get all uptight about it. He's just a guy and he's got *enough* people who're on his back and I WILL cockblock you if you make him feel like he's gotta button up and meet anybody's expectations.

» So there's your first lesson. Cockblock.

Edited 2025-11-15 17:23 (UTC)

» Vesp, you must know I was joking— right?

» Please keep yourself safe. I can do more than heal should you find yourself in need.

» Correct, I am not familiar with smart phones either. Perhaps you can tell me about them another time? I feel a little guilty having asked as much as I have already.

» We call our world: Valisthea.

» You are losing me again, I am afraid. Can you tell me what Eos is and what dancing has to do with it?

» You cannot want a tattoo of my name, you must be joking.

» And why is it you wish to see me utilize foul language?

» If you wish to read something and I am distracting you all you need to do is tell me and I can stop responding.

» If he does not wish to be treated as such I shall refrain. As I said earlier, titles and lineages avail us not here.

» Oh yeah. Obviously. I know you're joking. You're too - I can't see you doing that.

» I'll be fine. I'm staying with Noct and Gladio tonight, like I told Clive. They've got my back - I literally could not be safer if you put me in a safe.

» Why would you feel guilty? Everybody's world's so different - I can ask more questions. Try and make it even?

» Eos is what we call our world. Lucis is my country, and I'm from Insomnia. That's the crown city. Capital city?

» Dancing's got nothing to do with it. I was trying to be all metaphorical. Dance cards are little bits of paper they used to use a looong time ago. You'd have people sign up to book you for a dance in advance instead of just asking. Kinda more and less awkward and you'd have proof of how many people didn't want to dance with you.

» Not you you. Pretty sure you'd have no problems.

» Yeah okay you got me there. I dunno if I'm a name tattoo kinda guy. I'd draw it on with a marker though. That oughta count for something.

» Cause I like seeing people who are too polished get a little scuffed up. Makes me feel like I belong in the same space, ya know?

» I'm reading your texts? Leaving somebody on read means you read what they say and don't answer them.

» Uh. Gotta disagree on that one. I can still access the Armiger, you can still use magic. Looks like everything's still availing for everybody. Gods're still on your side - or whatever they'd say in Valisthea.

» No, I do plan on petting your hair, that wasn't the joke, the joke was how heart broken I would be if you didn't purr.

» Yes, if it were more even then I would not feel so bad, I think. You've explained much to me already, I do not wish to seem ungrateful.

» Valisthea is our world. The Twins is what we call the continents of Storm and Ash. I am of Storm, from the royal dukedom of Rosaria.

» I see, so you were metaphorically saying you wished not to expand your Astrals to have two more elements because you were already reworking your understanding of them? The Eikons of my world may not have any impact on your Astrals- why do you link the two?

» I'm certain your dance card would be full as well.

» I have to admit, I'd like to know what you would like temporarily inscribing your body with my name to count for. Do let me know, please.

» Far be it for me to cockblock you from being around me.

» We call that ignoring where I am from.

» I was referring to our socioeconomic classes, magic isn't tied to bloodlines in Valisthea, but you are right. I am still a Dominant. I apologize for being insensitive.

[ The ellipses come, bounce, go, come bounce, go several times in a row for more than a minute before one sentence comes through: ]

» God has never been on our side.

[ The only lag comes on the first response. ]

» People don't really pet my hair?

» Okay. So tell me what a day's like for you. And I don't mean when the sun rises and falls or what you did yesterday.

» Storm and Ash *sound* sick as hell, until I start wondering why Ash is *Ash*.

» Ros aria. Ros field. Typos deliberate. So you're a duke? ~~Bahamut~~ Dion said you were a prince, but I kinda took it like *prince of a guy*.

» Half of the ones I've got have the same names as the ones running around here. Your Eikons. And the Astrals don't *exactly* align with the elements cause do you put Earth with iron or stone and there's no air Astral - told you I'm not the one to explain it - but it's enough that I don't know if I wanna deal with the existential dread of what it means for *us* if we get done and there's 8 instead of 6.

» I told Clive I don't think he's the same Ifrit. Can't that be enough *deep thoughts* for... ever? Or a week? Nah what's a long time and old? A score.

» Yeah... right. Always got a packed social calendar. Uh huh.

» It'd count if made you laugh.

» Maybe we shouldn't have started with cockblock. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

» Ignoring - the other person doesn't know if you read their letter. Smart phones indicate if someone's read your text. So it's like - they *know* you saw it, but you don't answer.

» OIC. I don't talk about that one 'cause I really don't care? Like the only things that he gets outta being a prince are the things that fucking suck or the things that KINDA suck because he only gets them to deal with the ones that fucking suck.

» You said lineage doesn't avail us here. In my world, the magical ability *is* from a lineage. Either you're born into or if you're extremely lucky they toss you a bottle of lightning and tell you to blow shit up. So lineage? Is availing some of us.

» Yeah. Was wondering when you'd get around to that one. Guess it explains the phoenix down feeling.

» Well they better fucking be on Noct's.

Edited 2025-11-19 23:56 (UTC)

» Oh? But it looks like it could be soft. You may pet my hair in exchange should it suit you.

» Do you mean an average day of mine? Here or back in Valisthea?

» I am also fond of their names. Easier to make poetry about them. Admittedly, I do not know why the continent is called Ash, it has always been called such even before the fall of Veldemark. Which was the kingdom there prior to Waloed. It is a mountainous region and it has marshlands as well as plains. It has no volcano that I am aware of.

» Dion told you this?

» Technically I would be the archduke had my inheriting have come to pass. But, yes, Clive and I were the princes of Rosaria. That stands for little now.

» Understood. I want not to add to any dread to your plate.

» The use of ellipsis has me doubting your statement. Were we to attend a dance I would ask to be put on your card.

» The thought of it has me smiling, but I implore you to not write my name on your body, whether it be permanent or not.

» Need I remind you that it was you who chose the first lesson?

» That sounds a bit dreadful then. I would not leave you hanging in the wind, Vesp. Well, unless I happened to fall asleep, then I might accidently leave you on read? But I would respond in the morning.

» ...That sounds like a lot of sucking.

» I apologize, that was an attempt at levity. It sounds as if your friend has not lived an easy life. Clive, too, rarely, if ever, benefitted from his royal status. It was not just the weight of duty he had been burdened with in spite of him not being the one whom was supposed to inherit father's throne.

» All that to say I shan't bring it up to your Navyth.

» Do you mean to tell me your world gets all of its slaves from one bloodline? Vesper, that is horrifying. People don't breed for them do they? Have they been liberated? Are they in hiding? Are they safe?

» You knew?? ~~-How did you-~~ Dion told you, didn't he. I see. I apologize for keeping that from you until now. I only meant to spend as much time as I could being *just* *Joshua*. You're the only person who has gotten to know me without first knowing who I am— *because* of who I am. It was a terribly selfish wish to want that to continue.

» How long have you known? Has it been this entire time?

» I don't know what a Phoenix down feeling is.

» I hope so too.

» You always let people pet your hair? I'm not saying no but - most of the time it's full of hair gel. It's not as soft as you think.

» I MIGHT'VE been told it looks like a chocobo butt before.

» In Valisthea. I figure that's a big enough question that I can get more questions about you outta the answer.

» I only like volcanoes from a distance.

» Yeah. He kinda told everybody? He commented on my vlog, guess he was feeling chatty. Where I'm from, princes turn into kings, not archdukes, so... I dunno how THAT one works. Titles are all made up anyway, don't bother explaining it.

» lol Clive already beat you to it? No actual cards involved. I got a little drunk at the party - I think he was trying to make sure I didn't help knock over ANOTHER table.

» Yeah... please don't. My old phone's got a lot of unanswered texts

» Forget I said that. ~~they weren't read.~~ Doesn't really count.

» It's not like that. It's too big for a text. And it's not MY life. I'm just the best friend. Gotta double duty to protect him.

» Wait. Wait. WHAT? Who said anything about slaves?? The only people who can do magic are literally the kings of Lucis? They can share it with the Kingsglaive and the Crownsguard. That's it. Nobody's enslaving anybody.

» Couple of days. After the party and the whole shopping trip. So... I already knew you before I found out. And I get it? Or - I get not telling me. But I'm pretty good at treating people normal even when I DO know who they are. How else you think somebody like me ended up friends with Prince Noctis? I treated him like a person.

» I think it's easier 'cause we don't have a Phoenix god. That helped. And - if I'm being honest, YOUR bestie is Bahamut and your brother is Ifrit. I was already starting to suspect something was up. ANYWAY yay you aren't Ramuh.

» Phoenix downs are curatives. They can bring you back from the brink of death. Kinda feels like your being reignited? Flash of fire too, after you crack open the vial and use it.

» Guess that means they don't pluck ya for them.

» For the record, I like Joshua. Almost as much as I like Prae. It's never about WHAT someone is. And you can be picky about the people who get to know you. If they argue, smack'em around with a white glove.

Edited (Ugh typos) 2025-11-20 03:56 (UTC)

[ Originally Joshua thought he might step away from the missives...conversation? This communication. Because he found himself to be more upset than he might have guessed— had he thought this could have happened to begin with. He was too used to The Undying and their ways of secrecy.

He had thought to take some breathing room...but he just got done saying he wouldn't leave him hanging. And then the messages started rolling in and Joshua isn't sure he could have resisted responding if he had tried. ]

» I didn't say that. I said I would let *you* pet my hair. And I shall be the judge of how soft it is for myself.

» Is that with or without this hair gel of yours?

» This past year has been rather eventful so I am afraid a large portion of it falls outside of what used to be my regular. But before I reunited with my brother I filled my time with chasing shadows. What I mean to say is that it what it felt like. I traveled the continent with my attendant Jote looking into anything we could find on a being known as Ultima.

» It took me and my associates years to uncover his name, much less anything definitive. Most information on him seemed lost to time. To say it was a lot of rumor chasing would be disingenuous for rarely did we even have hearsay to work off of.

» So, Jote and I would travel the realm undercover in search of old ruins to investigate in hopes that we might catch even a sliver of knowledge. We would do so on foot as individual travelers were not often a point of scrutiny, at least not before the fall of the Mothercrystals.

» That was the life I led for years, yet it seems like it happened a long time ago.

» I have surprisingly complex feelings about volcanoes for someone who has never visited one.

» Dion told *everybody* I am a prince by talking about some wood you own? I don't understand the connection.

» Is that your way of refusing me a dance? My brother beat me to it and you only wish to dance with one Rosfield? I hope you know you can simply say you don't want to dance with me. I won't be terribly offended.

» I'll do my best to respond in a timely manner then. I would hate for you to get the wrong idea. Really, I'm rather enjoying our text exchange for the most part. Save for the bits where I wish I could edit them out as if it were a draft of a letter.

» We never need to talk about anything you do not wish to.

» Oh... My misunderstanding. Forget I mentioned...all of that.

» Thank you, Vesper. I would greatly appreciate it if your behavior didn't change towards me because of this. And even if it does, thank you for giving me a taste at what it is like to be normal.

» Why would you think I am Ramuh? No. Never mind, I am not certain I want to know.

» Is that what my healing felt like? Although, I don't think you were on the brink of death.

» I would like to see someone try and get that close to me.

» Then let the record also state that I like Prompto almost as much as I do Vesp.

» If they argue with my I shan't give them the time of day.

» Oh

» With. Without hair gel, it's all over the place. But it's fluffy either way.

» I'm glad you found your family again. Or he found his. Whoever was missing - that's. That's amazing.

» What, is everyone here on a quest for really important things that're lost to time even though writing down these things would've been really godsdamn important? Or drawing a freaking map?

» Not a lot in there about what you like to do when you're not investigating mysterious beings or suggesting people have special permission to pet your hair so that they start spiralling on why they're different...

» What exactly are "surprisingly complex feelings about volcanoes"? You don't have to answer if complex means depressing and not just deep. If you don't answer, you'll never hear - or read - the v word from me again.

» Huh? Oh! Nah, I don't own property. A vlog is a video posted online. So it's like you can see and hear what the person is doing? Sometimes, it's a livestream, so there's no time to edit. I did mine as a livestream - I don't know if there's an edit function on these.

» I don't actually know if I own property.

» No! I mean - it was a stupid joke I made to have a, like, verbal escape hatch for when it doesn't happen. Can't be disappointed when you've already set it up like that. Cause then you can say you already danced with the better one, and it doesn't matter that you're lying because better's subjective anyway, as long as you make it funny.

» I only promised not to lie to *you*.

» Not terribly offended's not good enough. I don't want you offended at all. How do I do that? Kinda feels like half the things I've said are going to offend you. I don't want that.

» He's *not* better.

» Thanks. I just would ... I'd worry something was wrong. Can't answer wrong; won't is fine.

» That's kinda a big ask. We never need to talk about anything *you* don't wish to, either, but now I'm worried something *else* is wrong that I never had to consider before. Because you use magic?

» I dunno if I want to ask, because there's nothing I can do if the answer's yes, and if the answer's no, then I just wasted all of this time texting about something that you said to forget about instead of actually pretending to forget.

» I don't think it's changed? I can't forget what I heard, but this - all these texts? This is how I'm treating you. And this *feels* like normal to me. From me? Whatever, this feels right. You deserve to be normal. Everyone does.

» The Ramuh thing's not *bad*. TWhen I heard about the ~~Astrals~~ Eikons, those were the three names I knew go together. That's all.

» Kinda? It's the closest analogy I've got, but I'd just gotten hit in the head, so I don't know how much I trust me on that.

» You *did* say I could pet your hair. I'd say petting range is plucking range, but honestly? That'd be creepy.

» Vesp is way cooler than Prompto.

» Hm. Guess I shouldn't argue with you. Maybe I wish I could go back and edit a bunch of stuff too, but I think it's worth losing the extra thought to get the texts out faster. Make it more like an actual conversation.

» You mean to say your hair requires taming? I think I would like to see what it looks like when it is unruly.

» Truth be told we were both missing. I'd found him before he found me, but distance was needed at the time, due to Ultima and his malign machinations. We were ripped apart when I was only ten.

» Are you suffering from an unseen hand as well? Perhaps we both should endeavor to write out our stories so that if anyone need follow in our footsteps they may have an easier time of it.

» It would make a certain kind of sense, I suppose, for Echo to choose people whom are already on quests to fight for their universe's survival.

» I was trying to give you ample material to ask questions about; I felt that if I sent you a novel it might not be 'text' worthy. But in sooth I really do enjoy exploring the ancient ruins. Walking places people haven't been in nigh one thousand years; seeing what they left behind, what they found value in. Even the architecture is something that captivates me.

» I wish I had one of those polaroid cameras in my world; I would show you some of the places I have seen. They are truly beautiful and captivating. All I have are the sketches I've made whilst I was there.

» You need not spiral on such things— if you don't wish to you need not worry yourself over it.

» It isn't so much depressing as anger inducing. There is a volcano on an island just west of Rosaria and it is home to the Mothercrystal Drake's Breath.

» I know I said I wouldn't go into detail about Mothercrystals in this text format, but suffice to say they are mountain-like structures made of pure crystal and they were an important resource to all nations.

» For generations Rosaria had been at war with the Iron Kingdom over ownership of Brake's Breath. The Iron Bloods are a cruel and brutal people who delight in bleeding Bearers −those who have the ability to use magic who are not Dominants− as they believe magic use to be profane. To them Dominants are abominations, but they were not above using one as a weapon of war.

» So, while the volcano itself was never a problem, the Iron Kingdom were occupying that island and always come to mind.

» Oh! Is vlog jargon for video-log, like a log book, but made in this video format? I took a look at the network and I can see what you mean about seeing and hearing. It captures life in motion, like a photograph, but even more... How utterly incredible.

» If only there were videos detailing the information we need for our quests.

» I don't own any property either.

» Is this where I spiral wondering why I am different? Why I get the privilege of you not lying to me? You don't have to say anything, just know that I feel blessed that you would make an exception of me. I shan't take advantage of it.

» I can understand wanting to dodge disappointment. However, I rarely say something I don't mean. I think you would make an excellent dance partner; your energy and zest for life would surely make even the dullest rhythm fun.

» You not wanting to offend me is more important to me than you never offending me. I'd much rather that the case because it means were it to happen I know that you would be willing to work through the upset.

» At least I hope you would. I know I would. It is my wish to not offend you, but I feel mistakes are bound to happen when getting to know someone. Just know it is never my intention to disoblige.

» He *is* better. I am very proud of him.

» What do you mean by "Can't answer wrong; won't is fine." ?

» Right. Of course, that would be a big request for anyone, I imagine. I'm just embarrassed that I had inferred your royals to be slaves.

» It wasn't my intention to give you such an impression of me. Our realm holds Dominants in a higher position of respect, at least for the most part. Still, our fates are similar in the end. But no, I was never enslaved.

» Reading that is like a balm to my soul. You have my immense gratitude. I am enjoying conversing with you as thus; it also feels right. Well, it is new and far faster than I am used to with written communication, but it's good. The way you compose your texts is most similar to how you talk; I can hear your voice when I read your missives. It's easy to imagine.

» As you wrote, it feels much more like a conversation one would have when in each others' presence.

» I trust you not to pluck me. Besides, for you to be able to pet my hair I wouldn't have any feathers out. You would get burned otherwise.

» They are both someone I happen to be fond of.

» Why would you want to see it messy? Do I have to wake up at 5 to do my hair because you're gonna come over earlier and earlier before you wake me up knocking on the door? It's really not great and usually goes with me being barely awake.

» You know I've got questions, but I think for now, I'll just say I'm sorry that happened to you. And to him.

» I don't know if "unseen hand" is the right word. Maybe there's not *one* right word. we've got the current known problem - the Niffs - and the lost to time mysteries. Not really an unseen hand there either? Everyone who could've helped us more is dead or long dead.

» Yeah. It just feels like - when is it going to be enough? Which isn't really a question I want answered, and OBVIOUSLY I want to help however I can. We've already lost so much.

» Texts are supposed to be for lighter things. Your autobiography should one of those handwritten leatherbound books. *Tomes*. As illuminated as it is illuminating.

» Oh, see. You could totally put together an illuminated manuscript. I bet your sketches are beautiful and captivating, too. You should show me them sometime. I'd let you look through my photos, too, if you wanted.

» I don't have to spiral, but I want to? I don't understand what I did different, with you. There's gotta be something I did right with you and Noct that's like - the missing piece.

» Your crystal's the size of a mountain? That must be hard to protect.

» I hate the Iron Bloods. For the record. I'm allowed to judge them on hearsay cause I'm never gonna meet them.

» Yeah, a vlog is - exactly that actually. You're not gonna need me to explain tech much longer if you keep putting it together like that. But I think text is superior to vlogs most of the time. It's not as much pressure.

» Videos would make things easier, maybe, but you'd be at the mercy of the cinematography and narration skills of the person who made the video. It could leave you more confused than you were when you clicked play if they explain everything in metaphors and all the metaphors fell out of use 1900 years ago.

» I won't let you spiral. I promised you I wouldn't lie because you were kinda crashing out about some nonexistent thing you'd done or said wrong. To me. I know how that *feels*, so I told you I wouldn't lie to you. Because then you never have to wonder where you stand with me. It was... I thought it was the only ammo I had for making you trust me when I said that you hadn't done anything wrong.

» When I say "lie", I don't mean that I *lie* to everyone. I filter. Like I do to a photo. Make a picture into what I want it to be. Like you do with a sketch, I bet you pick just the right perspective. Go in from the right angle. Change the lighting.

» But I'm trying not to do that with you. Even if it gets awkward.

» Like... now. You can ask me to dance if we're ever at the same party again.

» Good thing for you I'm already totally housetrained in working past accidentally upsetting people and not offending them. Pretty good at being minimally invasive, too.

» I wish I could say it's never gonna happen, but - we both know that your world and mine are more different than alike. It's gonna happen eventually, I give you a thumbs up or something and it turns out that's the most offensive you can do in front of a Rosarian.

» You can be proud of him all you like. Opinions are subjective, and I say you're better. Maybe it's vanity. At the party, when you thought I was afraid of you? Or that you'd offended me? I... do that too? I do something like that. I don't handle indifference great - sorry I just got done saying texts are for inconsequential things and that I won't filter, but does it count as filtering if I just... can't stop deleting things before I send them and maybe this is better for an actual conversation, if ever.

» I meant you can't answer me wrong, and if you won't answer, that's fine too. I... it's just more things I wish people would tell me. But maybe you're not like me and it's all just wishful thinking.

» I wasn't *offended* - I just didn't want you to embarrass yourself by asking HIM if he was enslaved. And I was really confused, like I said - they're the only ones with inherent magic. To hear about a place where it's *not* locked up in one bloodline favored by the gods? And that they're treated like shit? I like to think of myself as an egalitarian monarchist - and no, that's not an oxymoron - I was offended *for them*, too. The ones being enslaved and *bled* for something that they were born into. Like - they didn't ask for that. Maybe it's too much for them, even before everyone else starts piling on, but I guess I'm the only one that bothers with empathy.

» What do you mean, similar in the end? If you weren't enslaved, you're clearly educated, you're nobleborn and other nobles think highly of you so - is this some philosophical "we all die eventually" thing?

» Dion's not an Iron Blood, is he? Bahamut's associated with iron in Eos.

» A balm to your soul? You missed your calling as a poet, traipsing around through archeological dig sites. It only reads like me because I do it fast - so what you read is what's in my head, as fast as I can get it out. Plus - I use voice-to-text.

» Big fan of not getting burned? ...right, Warden of Flame, Phoenix. I follow. Bigger fan of not over-aggravating my friends, though. It's one thing to needle someone to get a rise out of them, but only if everybody's laughing at the end. If anybody's not, then it's not a friendly joke: it's just mean. I think plucking'd cross a major line.

» Is it so strange to want to see your hair in its natural state? But thank you for telling me how I might stumble upon such a fine visage.

» Thank you, Vesp.

» I have questions also, but I think you are right in that I too will say I'm sorry you and your friends are going through such a difficult time.

» They're supposed to be for lighter things? Oh...I had not known that. I'll be certain to keep my missives' contents to less serious discussions.

» Handwritten...as opposed to foot?

» I never felt like I had time to write an autobiography before, perhaps that is something I can do with my spare time here in Etraya. But, when you say "illuminated manuscript" are you referring to some sort of glowing tome?

» I would be happy to show you my sketches, although I am uncertain if they do the sights I visited justice. But I'd be more than happy to see the photographs you've taken.

» Your words are mysterious, but I wish you luck in this endeavor.

» For both good and ill they are hard to protect. There is one that has darkened Etraya, actually.

» Hopefully you never encounter them; each of them that I have come across has been very unpleasant. Which is mainly warriors and priests, mind you.

» Really? I would imagine video communication to be less pressure...not as much time to think and doubt what I have written.

» ...What year is it where you are from?

» It worked. I do trust you. And I understand what you mean by filter, I think. You are referring to the removal of inconvenient truths and darker emotions...?

» This may be treading terribly close to heavier topics, but I do have a habit of filtering out my sadness, or things which others may find upsetting.

» Would you...prefer it if I did not do that with you? I could try and match you in being filterless. But I warn you now to truly consider it. You may find what I carry to be more heavy than you imagine it to be. There would be no shame or judgement from me if you didn't wish to hear of such things.

» I look forward to that dance.

» Oh! Should I be minimally invasive with you too? I feel as if with all the questions I ask I must be at least mildy invasive.

» This is where I admit to not knowing what a "thumbs up" is.

» Texts are for inconsequential things and not just light subjects...I am indeed not very good at this...

» I'm uncertain I would call that vanity but rather finding comfort in having this in-common with each other.

» What you describe might've counted as filtering, but since you followed the question up with expressing it being a difficult topic I think it renders it more genuine. You can always opt to not speak of something if you do not wish to; it is my hope that I have not pressured you into disclosing something which you'd rather not.

» Oh. It's a more succinct way of saying what I just attempted to in my previous text missive. This is what I get for not reading ahead of what I am answering, I suppose. Anyway, I appreciate and share the sentiment. Can't answer wrong; won't is fine with me also.

» I'm glad I didn't offend and I thank you for saving me from making a fool of myself in front of your friend.

» And your shock must be similar to my own, hearing the bearers of your world are the royal line. I'm relieved to hear they aren't treated ill just because they were born with magical abilities. The term 'egalitarian monarchist' has a nice ring to it, although I think I fall more on the egalitarian side.

» Would that others had your depth of empathy.

» I speak of the price of wielding magic: the crystals' curse. You must not have many examples of it being that magic usage is very limited where you're from. If you have wish to know more it's better explained in person.

» No, he isn't an Iron Blood. Dion is from the Holy Empire of Sanbreque, making him Sanbrequois.

» I know not what you mean by "dig site", but I do not think I could have made it as a bard around old ruins- for many reasons. I don't think I have the voice or the lungs for that, not to mention most ancient ruins tend to be abandoned and thusly no one to perform for.

» And how does one utilize their voice for drafting text missives?

» I like your philosophy about jokes, although I must admit I make some exceptions. Namely when teasing my brother, but thus is my right.

» I don't know?? No one's ever asked before and - fine, I'll go without gel next time I see you just please don't wake me up at 5 am.

» Thanks, Prae.

» No, don't. I don't mind. I just didn't want to dump on you.

» As opposed to typed. Like what you see on the HUD. There are machines that will print it on paper. Machines to bind the books too.

» No, they don't glow. They're illustrated. *Heavily* illustrated - borders, ornate colored letters at the start of new chapters that are like 10 times the size of the rest of the writing, basically anything you can do with ink on paper. Actually, I think they're vellum or something fancy?

» Great news: I haven't seen the places you've visited. I'm impossible to let down.

» ... there's a crystal *here*? Where?

» If you're doing something on video, you gotta watch out for your expressions and movement and tone. It's not just the words.

» M.E. 756? But how would our modern era line up with yours, if Rosaria doesn't exist to joing Lucis and Tenebrae in adopting the same calendar?

» Good. And - yeah, that. It makes some things easier because - like you said. It avoids upsetting others.

» I'd prefer you do what works for you. Just because *I'm* doing sit doesn't mean you have, but just because I'm saying this doesn't mean I don't want you to talk about what you need to talk about. I'm not gonna balk if things get heavy. That'd be such a shitty thing to do to a friend. My door's always open.

» Metaphorically. My door is actually always locked.

» No shame or judgment if you talk about them... or if you don't. But now that I know that you do the same thing - kinda need you to tell me now if I should let it slide if I catch you at it, or if you want me to call you out on it?

» ... yeah. Yeah, me too.

» Why would I want you to be minimally invasive? It's more than not asking questions; it's about... I never really tried to explain it before, but I try to know where the boundaries are and keep well clear of them? Like I know what my role is in people's lives and stick to it. I wouldn't wish that on anyone - invade away.

» Incoming.

[ An image with a thumbs up follows. ]

» So the hand sign I'm doing there? It means like hey good job, nice one, or generic approval? Sometimes it's just yes, or an acknowledgment? But it's either always positive ... or it's sarcastic.

» You're doing great. I'm not gonna judge you and nobody else can see this.

» It's a *little* vain. Finding comfort in having that in common means finding comfort in someone suffering through the same same hangups. I don't want to be like that.

» You didn't pressure me into disclosing anything because ... I didn't disclose anything? We're good.

» Psst. It's just "previous text." You don't need to add missive. 😉

» Anytime. I'm the only fool around here.

» ... there's going to be a Lucian king who can rid the world of the daemons and starscourge and they wore themselves out for generations keeping Insomnia safe. Kinda hard to *not* be a monarchist, even if you think everyone should be treated the same.

» I don't know what you mean by the crystal's curse. Do you mean the prophecy or the ... wearing out?

» No, not a bard. A bard can be a poet, but a poet doesn't need to be a bard. Some of them just write poetry. No singing or public speaking needed. Then people can read it whenever they want.

» Tell you what - you come over tomorrow morning, I won't put gel in my hair until you're here, and then I can show you how it works rather than try to explain by text.

» I wouldn't know. I'm an only child. I don't think my parents could have kids - they adopted me when I was about one. Guess I drove them nuts because they didn't adopt any more.

» Then we have an accord. I shan't awaken you at five in the morning. Do you have a strict routine you adhere to?

[Joshua, in fact, is a not an early riser; he hates waking up before the sun. ]

» It sounds as if your world has a diverse variety of machines. There are no such advancements in Valisthea, so in a sense you are correct. All books are handwritten leatherbound tomes. One must hire a scribe if their handwriting not be legible enough for the wider populace. Not that there are a great many who know how to read and write. But Clive is changing that.

» An illustrated memoir? It would be enjoyable to put my sketches and references within it, although to make any copies would prove difficult, what with the nature of it being handwritten and hand-drawn.

» Originally I hadn't been worrying about letting you down, but rather of you getting to see the beauty of the places I have been. Would that I could bring you to them, if that were something you'd be inclined towards.

» Yes, the Mothercrystal Drake's Spine is located off of the island of Purple Windy. It's hidden behind Ravenwit Walls and the castle Stonhyrr. All three of these places are from my world. I know not how they got here. Use great caution if you choose to approach that area, I am told there are behemoths dwelling within.

» That is a fair question. I only ask because you made reference to something having occurred 1900 years ago. We're in the year 878. I had assumed your world to have been around for more years than ours what with the advancement in machines it has too.

» Thank you, Vesp, you seem to be a very considerate man. Then I shall endeavor to be to also not filter with you. Speaking with you is easy and quite comfortable— I hope it is the same for you.

» With this in mind: yes, please call me out should you catch me at it.

» If you wouldn't wish being minimally invasive on others, why do you hold such skill in it? The way you wrote of it I thought it to be a desired trait of yours. Please feel free to invade upon my life as well; if I haven't made that crystal clear already.

» I can safely say that is not a gesture we have in Rosaria. In truth I've not seen it anywhere in Valisthea. Thank you for teaching it to me some of your culture.

» One can find comfort in understanding each another without it meaning you are glad they are suffering similarly to you. At least...it makes *me* feel less alone, so maybe it's that which I am finding comfort in. Maybe I am projecting.

» 🫢

» You have alerted me to the existence of these little yellow faces.

» But I haven't witnessed you behaving in a manner befitting a fool?

» It sounds like your royalty actively serve their people. That is the way it should be; those with power have a duty to protect their people and do whatever they can to ease their burdens.

» I would not have thought to describe it as thus, but the wearing out. We'd not had any prophecies on Storm, although there was one in Ash. We've only just learned of that recently though and we've been laboring to ensure it doesn't come to fruition.

» Having machines that will print your writing and bind it for you must make it a lot easier to get one's poetry into the hands of others.

» Are you certain? I wish not to interrupt any plans you might have. But if you are I shall be there. I look forward to it.

» What was it like being an only child? I can't imagine a life without Clive.

» It's not super strict, but I try to get up with the sun and get a run in. I don't wanna fall into using "but I got taken to another world" as an excuse for bad habits. I did it the first week. Didn't feel great.

» Machines'll happen eventually. Most of the people here seem to have them. Then maybe someday, someone'll finally put your illustrated memoir on a real printing press. They can do that you know - type up all the words, copy the drawings. I could probably type it up for you in a couple of weeks if I had a desktop computer.

» I'd like that. I don't think you can do it, it'd be more interesting than being stuck here.

» Gonna guess you don't mean taking me to any of *those* places, if it's being used as a behemoth lair. And yeah definitely not going by myself. We've got behemoths too. I'll get Noct and Gladio to go with me if I decide I wanna risk my neck just to find the *wrong* crystal. As curious as I am to see to part of *your* world, enh. Not that part.

» It has? Maybe. Like I said, there was a treaty between the biggest nations to start using the same calendar, so instead of picking one country's calendar and making everybody use it, they started a new one and started counting with 1.

» Yeah, it's easy talking to you. Don't worry I'm not gonna try and unpack why.

» Because it means knowing when to make yourself small and inobtrusive? Like so you won't be a bother to the people around you. "Minimally invasive" sounds like a good thing, though, but when you think about why someone'd be good at it...

» You're not projecting. Pretty much nailed it.

» Emojis and thumbs up. Yeah. I'm teaching you some real high class culture. You wanna learn about magazines and video games next?

» 🐣 There's more than little yellow faces but try not to send me more than five in a row. I'm pretty good at figuring out the meaning of strings of emojis, but I like the way you string together a sentence better.

» You haven't seen me playing the fool? Ugh I've been slacking. I'll get right on that after I finish answering your texts.

» I don't know how else to describe it. The king is was only 50, but he looked older, started using a cane not too long ago. It's gotta be a lot, keeping up a Wall around a city all day and all night. Like the dome shield they've got here, but not too much like it. I'd be pretty pissed if they've got someone powering it here. I think it's tech - made by machines. New fear unlocked.

» Probably has a lot to do with how many of us can read and write, too. I guess I kinda take it for granted. My life's probably easy compared to yours.

» What plans? I don't have plans. There's nothing to do here except wait to get a chance to prove ourselves. Prove that the world's worth saving. Or to think about how *I* can possibly do *that*. I think being from a world with an empire that's hell bent on ripping the world apart and doesn't care how many people die along the way... it's a lot to convince an AI to ignore when she's deciding which worlds get to keep spinning. Oh or practicing with a bone dagger because "faes don't like iron" so that's really gonna make me be useful and feel safe. So distract me.

» Lonely. But I don't know if it always is, or if it's all in the extenuating circumstances.

Hey Prae. You up for painting something besides skeletal horse heads?

Truly, would that I could, Vesp. I am afraid I find myself ~~a bit~~ indisposed ~~at the moment~~ and I’m uncertain when next I’ll be able to stand for long periods of time. I fear the chill is having its way with me.

» I do my best to speak Joshua, but I'm gonna need more than that. Are you:

A) Sick
B) Hooking up with somebody
C) like actually hurt and need help

» Sick and need help is also a thing

[ The ellipsis are there for a unusual amount of Joshua-texting-time. ]

E) Sick, likely to appreciate aid, and confused as to why you would think I might be hooking up with someone.

Edited (Forgot html oops) 2025-12-26 16:16 (UTC)

» It was a bad joke cause you said you were indisposed and might be unable to stand. Definitely one of those "if you have to explain the joke, it's not funny." How about you explain what kind of aid'd be appreciated instead?

[ Despite Prompto claiming the explanation kills the joke Joshua ends up chuckling. ]

» I suppose using the phrase “is having its way with me” might also lend to that impression…

[ Still, that unusual amount of time ellipsis time continues. ]

» As for the matter of aid… if you have any free time you are willing to spend procuring some food that will keep for me it would be a great help.

[ And the lag isn't going unnoticed, just uncommented on - for now. Joshua's not normally slow and brief, so Prompto's putting together a picture of a bad flu, when even texting feels like a gargantuan task.

Which is why he's taking a little longer himself, trying to keep the number of tangents and questions to a minimum. ]

» I got all the time in this world for a friend, but I need three things first -

» 1. I don't know which apartment is yours.

» 2. You got any allergies?

» 3. What do you like? Try to keep it broad - I know what a tomato is, but meats you better keep to red meat, fowl, and fish. I haven't found any dualhorn steak or cockatrice legs here so I kinda struggle on knowing what's what.

[ There's a small envelope waiting for Joshua with the name PHOENIX KING printed on it. Inside is a white feather that shimmers in the light and a card with formal, looping script. ]

Figured the least I could do is give you one of these. Not as fancy as yours, but now we match. Here's hoping there's some power in it for you to use — I hear it's magic.

Happy holidays,
The Swan Prince

[ A doodle of a tiny black swan with a crown accompanies the signature. ]

Hi Joshua, this is Vax'ildan. Or Vax for short. We met at the Halloween party.

Anyway, Dion told me you weren't feeling well.

I'm at your service if you need anything. Food, medicine, whatever. I get around fast and can deliver what might you need in no time.

Edited (because I didn't know we were keeping Clive's disappearance a secret.... ) 2026-01-02 01:39 (UTC)

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