THREE ✻ VIDEO

[mercurio]

[shaky camera handling, this isn't prompto's best moment behind it. the recording seems to be in sections. first, the sound of crunching grass and leaves under prompto's boots, dark surroundings but for the flashlight from his phone, and the appearance of these flowers as he walks on.]

Does anyone else hear that? There's music coming from the woods...

Ah, that--

[it cuts off. some minutes later, there's another video. this time the camera is facing prompto's face; his surroundings blurry, it's clear that he's running, and the rain doesn't help in capturing a clear picture.]

They're--here!

[he pants between his words. clearly he's been running for a while. what's this blair witch bullshit? however, prompto doesn't sound scared; he sounds anxious, almost excited.]

Wait!

[the feed cuts off again, cutting short a yelp of surprise from prompto.]

[the final piece of video is the most coherent one, if only because the camera is still. it's still pointing towards prompto's face but he's not concerned in looking at the camera straight on. his hair is heavy and wet from the rain. in fact, he's entirely soaked at this point.]

[the panting between his words, this time, is not because of physical strain. he's shivering.]

My dad's calling me. [a pause, his eyes glancing past the camera towards something in front of him] He says they've been waiting for m--

[he shushes abruptly]

Just now... Did anyone else hear them?

Comments

[mercurio]

[he gulps down the shame he feels]

But I'm an adult now! That's... That would make things more difficult... How am I not being logical? They're calling for me!

[accordance]

How can you be so sure they are the ones doing the calling?

[ He's careful to keep any barbs out of his voice, the same tone he uses to calm people when they become too emotional. ]

Think about it for a moment. If they were truly your parents, then they would endeavor to find you and come to you. What sort of parent would leave their son to wander in danger?

[mercurio]

[the answer doesn't come for a while later]

...this is what I remember them as. They won't be winning any parent of the year awards, I know, but that's just how they are. What's important is that they're back, right?

[accordance]

[ Did he actually think about it? ]

Are they? How can you be sure it is not someone mimicking them?

[ How can you be sure it isn't just a trap? ]

What is more important is your safety.

[mercurio]

Why... Why would anyone do that? It's not like everyone knows about this!

[accordance]

Strange things have been happening for months now. We must reconsider the boundaries of what is and is not possible.

[ Everyone is tiny. They have visions of completely different places. Invasions of privacy are not impossible anymore. ]

Please, come back to us.

[mercurio]

[prompto likely trusts in the doctor's words unconditionally because the doctor has--technically--been there for him more so than his parents have. he's unresponsive for quite a while, but he's still on the line.]

[he speaks up his answer quietly, an incriminating sniffle or two between his words.]

I, I have to go back to take care of Rufus, a-anyway...

[accordance]

[ No child will be left in danger, if he can help it. ]

My place is always open, should you need company.

[ A pause, and softer: ]

I have faith in you.

[mercurio]

I know, doc. I'll try to show up without any injuries for some hot cocoa some time.

[look, he's trying to lift things up by being funny!!]

[not his best effort, though]

... Thanks.

[accordance]

I will await. Call me if you need anything.

[ He's careful to keep his voice level and accepting. ]

Take care.