The memory opens Absinthe walking through a sunny beach-side restaurant, open air -- he doesn't really seem dressed for the weather, though, in clothing that wouldn't look too out of place on a court jester. He strolls towards four men; one short, with spiky black hair, a taller one with blonde hair, a bulkier man with black hair and a finely-groomed man with brown hair and glasses (Noctis, Prompto, Gladiolus and Ignis respectively though they're not named in this memory).
Absinthe: I'm afraid you're out of luck.
Noct: Are we?
Absinthe: The boats bring you here.
Prompto: What about 'em?
Absinthe: Well, they'll not take you forth.
The men evidently grow a bit suspicious of Absinthe; Gladio seems to check him out a bit before asking --
Gladiolus: And what's your story?
Absinthe: I'm an impatient traveler, ready to turn ship. The ceasefire's getting us nowhere.
Absinthe strolls past them as he speaks and abruptly turns, flicking a coin towards Noctis. Gladio catches it in his fist and then opens his hand to look at it.
[ It's a short scene. At one moment -- Absinthe is standing in a field of grass. In front of him is a towering pile of bodies; a mix of both monster and man, burnt to a crisp, and (appropriately) smelling of death. He flinches, and walks away.
Cut to Absinthe, hooded, walking along a country road, vast expanses of yellow grass on either side of him, walking along with a man old enough he's hunched over and using a cave. Absinthe stops for a moment, viewing from afar another pile of bodies. ]
Old man: "Are you unwell, Lord Caelum?"
Absinthe: "Tis nothing."
[ They keep walking, and the old man keeps talking. As they walk they enter a ruined town, wreckage of buildings and burnt trees around them. They head for what seems to be one of the few remaining standing buildings. The construction all looks rather ... medieval, not modern. ]
Old man: "You know, your dear brother did unspeakable things. He rounded up those afflicted by the Scarcsourge .. even those he merely suspected of infection, and burned them all alive."
[ They enter the building; there's a woman there with her daughter -- her daughter is tied to a wooden bed. ]
Woman: "Lord Caelum! Please, you must save my daughter!"
Absinthe: "But of course."
[ Absinthe pulls off his hood and steps closer to the afflicted girl. The girl has streaks of black taint on her skin; her scleras is completely back and her irises are yellow. She growls more like an animal than a human being as Absinthe draws near.
Absinthe sits beside her bedside and reaches his hand forward. As he does the sickness and corruption seems to leave her in a cloud that goes into Absinthe's hand; she thunks back down to the bed after a second, looking normal -- healed.
Absinthe abruptly looks at his own arm in alarm; some of his veins pulse with the same black ichor that had been on the woman and his sclera's turned black, as well -- the old man speaks, questioning; ]
Old man: "Lord Caelum?"
[ Absinthe hurriedly tugs his hood back over his face, as he gets up and starts to head out. ]
Absinthe: "She's all better now."
Old man: "Oh, thank the gods. And thank you, milord!"
[Noct sits in silence for a moment looking out the window; as the train begins to pass a snowy mountain range covered in mist, Prompto comes running by, then tries to stop and slips when he realizes he’s passing Noctis]
Prompto: Whoa! There you are, buddy! Did you see this? It’s unreal! Noct: Yeah. Never seen anything like it. Doesn’t make any sense.
[Noct looks around the dining car and suddenly realizes that no one else is moving; everything is blanketed in grey and everyone is frozen in place; Prompto is missing; Noctis stands] Noctis: What’s going on?
[Noctis suddenly hears Ardyn’s voice behind him] Ardyn: It’s a real mystery.
[Noct turns to find Ardyn standing in the dining car-- noteably, "Ardyn" has Ardyn's voice but the intonation, the manner of speaking is all wrong. He sounds more like ... well, a casual teenager than Ardyn/Absinthe usually does. The bit starting at 2:56 is a very good demonstration of this. ] "Ardyn": I’m not liking that snow cloud. Kind of gives me the chills. Like, who comes up with this stuff? I couldn’t dream something like this if I tried. It’s a wondrous world. Noctis: The hell are you doing here!?
[Noctis springs to punch Ardyn in the face, but he dodges] "Ardyn": Whoa, what’s going on!? Easy there, buddy. Didn’t see that coming. You alright?
[Noct conjures a sword and swings it at Ardyn, who steps back just out of range] Noctis: Shut up! Ardyn: Be careful there! Wait—is this for real?
[“Ardyn” begins to run away; Noctis pursues him into the cabin car; Ardyn runs into one of the cabins and shuts the door; Noctis jerks the door open] Noctis: Show yourself!
Suddenly, Ardyn leaves over from behind Noctis] Ardyn: Uh…Noct?
[Noctis swings around with his fist, hitting nothing but air; Ardyn has vanished again] Noctis: That son of a bitch…
[Noctis runs to the next car, where he sees Ardyn backing away] Ardyn: C’mon, Noct. You’re scaring me! Seriously, man, cut it out!
[Ardyn passes to the next car, where Noctis continues to doggedly pursue him] Ardyn: It’s not safe. Plus, you’re causing a scene. Quit playing around, okay?
[Noctis catches up to him and conjures a sword once again, which he immediately takes swing with, attempting to bisect Ardyn horizontally] Noctis: You think this is funny!?
[Ardyn ducks the blade, then quickly scrambles to his feet, and runs toward the next car] Ardyn: Dude, are you seriously trying to kill me!?
[Noctis follows him into the space between these two cars] Noctis: Why wouldn’t I!? I’ve got you now.
[Ardyn is barely able to stand, so out of breath is he; he’s holding one hand out, trying to convince Noctis to stop] Noctis: What’re you after, following me around this whole time? It’s all YOUR fault—
[Noctis puts his elbow against Ardyn’s neck and shoves him against the door to the next car] Ardyn: What are you talking about? Do you really mean that, Noct?
Noctis: What—are you saying it’s not? Ardyn: Yes! What good would it do me to hurt you!? Noctis: Who cares!? Ardyn: Noct, please. Can’t we talk for a sec? Noctis: Never.
[Suddenly, Noctis is thrown violently to the floor as the train’s brakes bring it to a screeching halt]
[Note: The reason “Ardyn” is talking like Prompto throughout this scene is because the person Noct sees as Ardyn actually is Prompto; Ardyn is using his powers to swap appearances with Prompto, which continues into the next scene where Noctis thinks he’s now talking to Prompto but is actually speaking with Ardyn]
---
[Noct comes to on the floor with “Prompto” awakening him] Prompto: Noct! Are you okay? Noctis: No. Where’s Ardyn? Prompto: Wait—he’s here? If he is, that would explain all this weird stuff happening. I bet he’s behind the train stopping. Ignis and Gladio went up to inspect the engine room. I say the two of us go check out the rear. Noctis: Yeah.
[Not runs back the way he had come while in pursuit of “Ardyn”; in the car before the cabin car, the train suddenly shakes and windows shatter all around; Noctis falls to the floor, but quickly gets back up] Prompto: Did they bomb us!? Noct, we have to protect the people!
[Noctis runs onward into the cabin car, where a magitek trooper jumps through the glass and pursues several people; the civilians run past “Prompto” and Noctis] Prompto: Head to the next car! Noctis: Leave these guys to us!
[Noctis destroys the magitek trooper] Prompto: So much for a safe ride. More of ’em might be on board. Let’s check the rear! Noctis: We need to get the train moving again. Prompto: I’m sure Ignis and Gladio will come up with something. Noctis: Hope so. Let’s go.
[Noctis runs onward, moving through the dining car] Prompto: How bad do you think it is? Hope nobody got hurt.
[ MONTAGE of "Prompto" and Noctis destroy a lot of magitek troopers swarming the train; "Prompto" fights with guns while Noctis uses a mix of sword and magic. ]
[ Cut to -- ]
[Down below, on top of the train, stand “Ardyn” and “Prompto,” the former holding one of the latter’s own guns on him (they both have Prompto's appearance); Prompto’s hands appear to be up; Noct point-warps down to the train near them] Noctis: Prompto!
[Noct takes a swing at the gun “Ardyn” is holding, knocking it to the roof of the train, and then another swing at “Ardyn,” causing him to fall backward off the train; at this point, Noctis becomes able to see that it is Prompto who is falling; so horrified is Noctis at the realization, he doesn’t even look behind him to see Ardyn standing there, holding up one of Prompto’s guns]
Ardyn: How long were you in the dark?
[Noctis turns to look at Ardyn but is left completely open to the blow to the back of his head that Ardyn administers with the butt of Prompto’s gun; Noct falls to the roof of the train, unconscious]
You're walking looks like what through a mix of a medical facility and a military one; you're wearing loose white clothing and the walls are harsh and white. Guards with guns eye you as you approach a sealed concrete door that opens up with a metallic whir.
On the inside is a lavish dining room, with a long dining table covered with full plates. A man in a military outfit sits at the head of the table and makes a sweeping, inviting gesture. "Come, take a seat."
You step slowly to take your own seat at the table and clasp your hands together in prayer. You start to murmur: "Gods above, we thank you for the bounty you have laid before us -- "
"Don't want your food getting cold, do you?" The man interrupts, drawling. You stop speaking and he continues. "Are you enjoying your stay?"
You reply bluntly: "No."
The man doesn't seem offended. "You've been asleep for years. Learning to appreciate the waking world will take time. Perhaps I can help enlighten you while we dine."
You choose to ask first about the time. "How long has it been since you brought me here?"
"Two hundred and four days. Roughly seven months or so. Then again, the Lucians had you locked away in that prison for nearly two millennia. I'd be more surprised if you hadn't lost all concept of time. You must loathe the Lucians for what they did to you."
You sigh and drop the bread roll you were holding, not seeming very enthused to eat and not terribly interested in replying to that.
"What is this food?" You ask.
"Meat, cloned in this facility." He replies.
"'Cloned'?" The word seems foreign to you.
The man starts to ramble; "We cultivated somatic cells, used them as donors to fuse the nucelus transplant cells to the recipient oocytes, and then we --"
"Enough. I've no ear for the ramblings of a lunatic." It's your turn to interrupt, cutting him off mid-explanation. You divert to another topic. "Was your examination of me ... A fruitful one?"
The man enthusiastically replies. "Oh, yes. You've proven far more fascinating than expected. No wonder they kept you locked away. To think the powers of a daemon could dwell within the heart of a man. It's incredible! The Starscourge doesn't sap your life force. It gives you more! Your cells can regenerate themselves, and you can daemonify other life forms as well. There's no doubt. You are -- "
"A monster." You reply weakly.
"Not a monster. A marvel." The man corrects, and then laughs. "I can't wait to unravel all your mysteries."
You inquire further -- "What is it you want from me, anyhow? What about me interests you so?"
"You said it yourself, didn't you? You were chosen by the gods. And frankly, with powers like yours, I'd say you're nearly a god in your own right. We need those powers that you possess. With your strength on our side, we could finally put an end to the gruesome war with Lucis." Here, the man gets up, leaning into your space. "You, too, must desire the fall of the kingdom that cast you into exile?"
You sigh, heavily, and move to stand. "My desires... are all in the past."
The man stands himself. "The man who wronged you may have died long ago, but his descendants live on to this day! Surely you must bear them some feelings of ill will?"
You pass him an unimpressed look. "My feelings are none of your concern."
[ The setting; a very modern-looking, grand city, with tall buildings and skyscrapers. One that looks devastated though -- lamp posts are torn down and half of the buildings are crumbling as if some great force wreaked havoc through it. Any visible vegetation is dead and the streets are absolutely empty of people. Also of note; the sky is completely, ink black. Not even stars show.
The streets are empty except for Absinthe, standing fashionably on a lamp post. He turns as a man with short, spikey black hair approaches, as well as three men that follow shortly after. They're all dressed similarly in dark garbed. ]
Absinthe: Fashionably late, I see!
Noctis:Ardyn.
[ Spikey black hair man does not look happy. ]
Absinthe: Insomnia, the Crown City of my kingdom. I bid you a warm welcome.
[ He lifts his hand -- and fireworks shoot up in the sky above him, as if on his own cue. ]
Gladiolus: What the hell's he doing?
[ It becomes clear quite quickly they're not fireworks. They're fireballs, hitting even more buildings, exploding as they impact. Absinthe smiles -- ]
Absinthe: I've prepared something special for you, Noctis.
[ A shimmering, purple wall starts to rise behind him, looking like the surface of a bubble. ]
Noctis: What?!
Absinthe: Yes -- it's the same Wall your father gave his life to sustain. I thought it might serve as a lovely little reminder of your Daddy Dearest. Do you like it?
[ Absinthe laughs, and Noctis steps forward -- Gladiolus has to hold his arm out to keep him from moving any further. ]
Noctis: Sick....!
Absinthe: How could you say that to your own flesh and blood? I'll try to find it in my heart to forgive you by the time you reach the Citadel. My little pet will great you at the gates.
[ As he speaks, he disappears into a puff of dark purple-black smoke. In his wake, the city around them is left smouldering in the wake of the fires, smoke and flames rising up around them. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
1 - suspicious stranger
Date: 2019-03-28 01:51 am (UTC)The memory opens Absinthe walking through a sunny beach-side restaurant, open air -- he doesn't really seem dressed for the weather, though, in clothing that wouldn't look too out of place on a court jester. He strolls towards four men; one short, with spiky black hair, a taller one with blonde hair, a bulkier man with black hair and a finely-groomed man with brown hair and glasses (Noctis, Prompto, Gladiolus and Ignis respectively though they're not named in this memory).
Absinthe: I'm afraid you're out of luck.
Noct: Are we?
Absinthe: The boats bring you here.
Prompto: What about 'em?
Absinthe: Well, they'll not take you forth.
The men evidently grow a bit suspicious of Absinthe; Gladio seems to check him out a bit before asking --
Gladiolus: And what's your story?
Absinthe: I'm an impatient traveler, ready to turn ship. The ceasefire's getting us nowhere.
Absinthe strolls past them as he speaks and abruptly turns, flicking a coin towards Noctis. Gladio catches it in his fist and then opens his hand to look at it.
Gladiolus: What's this? Some sort of souvenir?
Prompto: -- They make those?
Noct: What? No.
Absinthe: Consider it your allowance.
Prompto: Huh?
Gladiolus: Yeah, and who's allowing us?
Absinthe lifts his arms, backing away.
Absinthe:: A man of no consequence.
He gives a little nod before he leaves them.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-24 02:29 am (UTC)1:39 - 1:52
3:13 - 4:08
[ It's a short scene. At one moment -- Absinthe is standing in a field of grass. In front of him is a towering pile of bodies; a mix of both monster and man, burnt to a crisp, and (appropriately) smelling of death. He flinches, and walks away.
Cut to Absinthe, hooded, walking along a country road, vast expanses of yellow grass on either side of him, walking along with a man old enough he's hunched over and using a cave. Absinthe stops for a moment, viewing from afar another pile of bodies. ]
Old man: "Are you unwell, Lord Caelum?"
Absinthe: "Tis nothing."
[ They keep walking, and the old man keeps talking. As they walk they enter a ruined town, wreckage of buildings and burnt trees around them. They head for what seems to be one of the few remaining standing buildings. The construction all looks rather ... medieval, not modern. ]
Old man: "You know, your dear brother did unspeakable things. He rounded up those afflicted by the Scarcsourge .. even those he merely suspected of infection, and burned them all alive."
[ They enter the building; there's a woman there with her daughter -- her daughter is tied to a wooden bed. ]
Woman: "Lord Caelum! Please, you must save my daughter!"
Absinthe: "But of course."
[ Absinthe pulls off his hood and steps closer to the afflicted girl. The girl has streaks of black taint on her skin; her scleras is completely back and her irises are yellow. She growls more like an animal than a human being as Absinthe draws near.
Absinthe sits beside her bedside and reaches his hand forward. As he does the sickness and corruption seems to leave her in a cloud that goes into Absinthe's hand; she thunks back down to the bed after a second, looking normal -- healed.
Absinthe abruptly looks at his own arm in alarm; some of his veins pulse with the same black ichor that had been on the woman and his sclera's turned black, as well -- the old man speaks, questioning; ]
Old man: "Lord Caelum?"
[ Absinthe hurriedly tugs his hood back over his face, as he gets up and starts to head out. ]
Absinthe: "She's all better now."
Old man: "Oh, thank the gods. And thank you, milord!"
Woman: "Blessed be this day. It's a miracle!"
Ardyn is a Bad Man
Date: 2019-05-14 05:54 pm (UTC)THE SCENE; Noctis + main party are in a train passing through the mountains:
Transcripts are from https://thelifestream.net/final-fantasy-xv-lore/final-fantasy-xv-chapter-by-chapter-lore-exposition-and-development/final-fantasy-xv-chapter-by-chapter-lore-exposition-and-development-part-3/ :
---------------------
[Noct sits in silence for a moment looking out the window; as the train begins to pass a snowy mountain range covered in mist, Prompto comes running by, then tries to stop and slips when he realizes he’s passing Noctis]
Prompto: Whoa! There you are, buddy! Did you see this? It’s unreal!
Noct: Yeah. Never seen anything like it. Doesn’t make any sense.
[Noct looks around the dining car and suddenly realizes that no one else is moving; everything is blanketed in grey and everyone is frozen in place; Prompto is missing; Noctis stands]
Noctis: What’s going on?
[Noctis suddenly hears Ardyn’s voice behind him]
Ardyn: It’s a real mystery.
[Noct turns to find Ardyn standing in the dining car-- noteably, "Ardyn" has Ardyn's voice but the intonation, the manner of speaking is all wrong. He sounds more like ... well, a casual teenager than Ardyn/Absinthe usually does. The bit starting at 2:56 is a very good demonstration of this. ]
"Ardyn": I’m not liking that snow cloud. Kind of gives me the chills. Like, who comes up with this stuff? I couldn’t dream something like this if I tried. It’s a wondrous world.
Noctis: The hell are you doing here!?
[Noctis springs to punch Ardyn in the face, but he dodges]
"Ardyn": Whoa, what’s going on!? Easy there, buddy. Didn’t see that coming. You alright?
[Noct conjures a sword and swings it at Ardyn, who steps back just out of range]
Noctis: Shut up!
Ardyn: Be careful there! Wait—is this for real?
[“Ardyn” begins to run away; Noctis pursues him into the cabin car; Ardyn runs into one of the cabins and shuts the door; Noctis jerks the door open]
Noctis: Show yourself!
Suddenly, Ardyn leaves over from behind Noctis]
Ardyn: Uh…Noct?
[Noctis swings around with his fist, hitting nothing but air; Ardyn has vanished again]
Noctis: That son of a bitch…
[Noctis runs to the next car, where he sees Ardyn backing away]
Ardyn: C’mon, Noct. You’re scaring me! Seriously, man, cut it out!
[Ardyn passes to the next car, where Noctis continues to doggedly pursue him]
Ardyn: It’s not safe. Plus, you’re causing a scene. Quit playing around, okay?
[Noctis catches up to him and conjures a sword once again, which he immediately takes swing with, attempting to bisect Ardyn horizontally]
Noctis: You think this is funny!?
[Ardyn ducks the blade, then quickly scrambles to his feet, and runs toward the next car]
Ardyn: Dude, are you seriously trying to kill me!?
[Noctis follows him into the space between these two cars]
Noctis: Why wouldn’t I!? I’ve got you now.
[Ardyn is barely able to stand, so out of breath is he; he’s holding one hand out, trying to convince Noctis to stop]
Noctis: What’re you after, following me around this whole time? It’s all YOUR fault—
[Noctis puts his elbow against Ardyn’s neck and shoves him against the door to the next car]
Ardyn: What are you talking about? Do you really mean that, Noct?
Noctis: What—are you saying it’s not?
Ardyn: Yes! What good would it do me to hurt you!?
Noctis: Who cares!?
Ardyn: Noct, please. Can’t we talk for a sec?
Noctis: Never.
[Suddenly, Noctis is thrown violently to the floor as the train’s brakes bring it to a screeching halt]
[Note: The reason “Ardyn” is talking like Prompto throughout this scene is because the person Noct sees as Ardyn actually is Prompto; Ardyn is using his powers to swap appearances with Prompto, which continues into the next scene where Noctis thinks he’s now talking to Prompto but is actually speaking with Ardyn]
---
[Noct comes to on the floor with “Prompto” awakening him]
Prompto: Noct! Are you okay?
Noctis: No. Where’s Ardyn?
Prompto: Wait—he’s here? If he is, that would explain all this weird stuff happening. I bet he’s behind the train stopping. Ignis and Gladio went up to inspect the engine room. I say the two of us go check out the rear.
Noctis: Yeah.
[Not runs back the way he had come while in pursuit of “Ardyn”; in the car before the cabin car, the train suddenly shakes and windows shatter all around; Noctis falls to the floor, but quickly gets back up]
Prompto: Did they bomb us!? Noct, we have to protect the people!
[Noctis runs onward into the cabin car, where a magitek trooper jumps through the glass and pursues several people; the civilians run past “Prompto” and Noctis]
Prompto: Head to the next car!
Noctis: Leave these guys to us!
[Noctis destroys the magitek trooper]
Prompto: So much for a safe ride. More of ’em might be on board. Let’s check the rear!
Noctis: We need to get the train moving again.
Prompto: I’m sure Ignis and Gladio will come up with something.
Noctis: Hope so. Let’s go.
[Noctis runs onward, moving through the dining car]
Prompto: How bad do you think it is? Hope nobody got hurt.
[ MONTAGE of "Prompto" and Noctis destroy a lot of magitek troopers swarming the train; "Prompto" fights with guns while Noctis uses a mix of sword and magic. ]
[ Cut to -- ]
[Down below, on top of the train, stand “Ardyn” and “Prompto,” the former holding one of the latter’s own guns on him (they both have Prompto's appearance); Prompto’s hands appear to be up; Noct point-warps down to the train near them]
Noctis: Prompto!
[Noct takes a swing at the gun “Ardyn” is holding, knocking it to the roof of the train, and then another swing at “Ardyn,” causing him to fall backward off the train; at this point, Noctis becomes able to see that it is Prompto who is falling; so horrified is Noctis at the realization, he doesn’t even look behind him to see Ardyn standing there, holding up one of Prompto’s guns]
Ardyn: How long were you in the dark?
[Noctis turns to look at Ardyn but is left completely open to the blow to the back of his head that Ardyn administers with the butt of Prompto’s gun; Noct falls to the roof of the train, unconscious]
memory game! (screening til after game)
Date: 2019-10-18 07:29 am (UTC)On the inside is a lavish dining room, with a long dining table covered with full plates. A man in a military outfit sits at the head of the table and makes a sweeping, inviting gesture. "Come, take a seat."
You step slowly to take your own seat at the table and clasp your hands together in prayer. You start to murmur: "Gods above, we thank you for the bounty you have laid before us -- "
"Don't want your food getting cold, do you?" The man interrupts, drawling. You stop speaking and he continues. "Are you enjoying your stay?"
You reply bluntly: "No."
The man doesn't seem offended. "You've been asleep for years. Learning to appreciate the waking world will take time. Perhaps I can help enlighten you while we dine."
You choose to ask first about the time. "How long has it been since you brought me here?"
"Two hundred and four days. Roughly seven months or so. Then again, the Lucians had you locked away in that prison for nearly two millennia. I'd be more surprised if you hadn't lost all concept of time. You must loathe the Lucians for what they did to you."
You sigh and drop the bread roll you were holding, not seeming very enthused to eat and not terribly interested in replying to that.
"What is this food?" You ask.
"Meat, cloned in this facility." He replies.
"'Cloned'?" The word seems foreign to you.
The man starts to ramble; "We cultivated somatic cells, used them as donors to fuse the nucelus transplant cells to the recipient oocytes, and then we --"
"Enough. I've no ear for the ramblings of a lunatic." It's your turn to interrupt, cutting him off mid-explanation. You divert to another topic. "Was your examination of me ... A fruitful one?"
The man enthusiastically replies. "Oh, yes. You've proven far more fascinating than expected. No wonder they kept you locked away. To think the powers of a daemon could dwell within the heart of a man. It's incredible! The Starscourge doesn't sap your life force. It gives you more! Your cells can regenerate themselves, and you can daemonify other life forms as well. There's no doubt. You are -- "
"A monster." You reply weakly.
"Not a monster. A marvel." The man corrects, and then laughs. "I can't wait to unravel all your mysteries."
You inquire further -- "What is it you want from me, anyhow? What about me interests you so?"
"You said it yourself, didn't you? You were chosen by the gods. And frankly, with powers like yours, I'd say you're nearly a god in your own right. We need those powers that you possess. With your strength on our side, we could finally put an end to the gruesome war with Lucis." Here, the man gets up, leaning into your space. "You, too, must desire the fall of the kingdom that cast you into exile?"
You sigh, heavily, and move to stand. "My desires... are all in the past."
The man stands himself. "The man who wronged you may have died long ago, but his descendants live on to this day! Surely you must bear them some feelings of ill will?"
You pass him an unimpressed look. "My feelings are none of your concern."
for five
Date: 2020-02-11 02:37 am (UTC)[ The setting; a very modern-looking, grand city, with tall buildings and skyscrapers. One that looks devastated though -- lamp posts are torn down and half of the buildings are crumbling as if some great force wreaked havoc through it. Any visible vegetation is dead and the streets are absolutely empty of people. Also of note; the sky is completely, ink black. Not even stars show.
The streets are empty except for Absinthe, standing fashionably on a lamp post. He turns as a man with short, spikey black hair approaches, as well as three men that follow shortly after. They're all dressed similarly in dark garbed. ]
Absinthe: Fashionably late, I see!
Noctis: Ardyn.
[ Spikey black hair man does not look happy. ]
Absinthe: Insomnia, the Crown City of my kingdom. I bid you a warm welcome.
[ He lifts his hand -- and fireworks shoot up in the sky above him, as if on his own cue. ]
Gladiolus: What the hell's he doing?
[ It becomes clear quite quickly they're not fireworks. They're fireballs, hitting even more buildings, exploding as they impact. Absinthe smiles -- ]
Absinthe: I've prepared something special for you, Noctis.
[ A shimmering, purple wall starts to rise behind him, looking like the surface of a bubble. ]
Noctis: What?!
Absinthe: Yes -- it's the same Wall your father gave his life to sustain. I thought it might serve as a lovely little reminder of your Daddy Dearest. Do you like it?
[ Absinthe laughs, and Noctis steps forward -- Gladiolus has to hold his arm out to keep him from moving any further. ]
Noctis: Sick....!
Absinthe: How could you say that to your own flesh and blood? I'll try to find it in my heart to forgive you by the time you reach the Citadel. My little pet will great you at the gates.
[ As he speaks, he disappears into a puff of dark purple-black smoke. In his wake, the city around them is left smouldering in the wake of the fires, smoke and flames rising up around them. ]