These days I've been taking that heavy so lightly [Group text; action for Arcrion]

[photoshooter]

[The good news first: Prompto has a job!

The not-so-great news: They're still trapped in another world with no idea where they are, why they're there, or how to get back--or whether there will be anything left of the world if they do. Every time he thinks about his talk with Stella, dread churns uncomfortably in Prompto's stomach, and he can't let go of his worry for Noct, for Ignis, for Eos. For himself. What's happening back home, if Noct's springing Ardyn's trap only to find Prompto not there? Will he be okay? Will Prompto be okay, out here, with no idea how to support this other Noctis by himself?

There's also the fact that Noct appears to be turning into some kind of lion cat, and Prompto doesn't know where to even begin wrestling with that. He's choosing to pretend it isn't happening, as much as he can. As long as it isn't bothering Noct, he can deal.

So Prompto's trying to focus on the positive, for now, and he really does love his new part-time work walking dogs in the city. They're really great dogs, different kinds, big ones and little curly ones and all of them his new best friends. Dogs are so good. Mankind doesn't deserve them. And they leave him plenty of time to take photos and explore his surroundings, though he hasn't had much luck finding out more about those weird cultists who brought them to Eludalsia.

Part of the problem is he's been tired. Taking care of the city's cute puppies isn't really strenuous, but it's like the sun itself boils the life out of him; but then at night, when he could rest, he feels fine. So it's not like he's sick or anything. Reasonably, it must be stress, but he's got to keep it together. He's one of the grown-ups. And he's tired of not pulling his weight.

That said, most of his research has been limited to trawling the weirdly official-like information he can find online on his retooled phone (thanks, Yuusei!), and he hasn't found much.

Today, when the light of the noontime sun is just too much, he retreats to his favorite off-leash dog park, lies down on a bench in the shade, and sends a group text to everyone who took a phone and gave him their number:]

anybody find out anything about some group called the joyous???
when i described the people who summoned us, that's the answer i got. "that sounds like the joyous order." but the coffee guy didn't know much more than that. just that they're a cult and he doesn't think they're ""dangerous.""
if you've got any other intel pls share with the class! thnx!
- prompto a.

[Anyone visiting the park in Arcrion this fine day may come across a familiar blond supine on a bench, one freckled arm thrown over his face, looking a little washed out as a Maltese, a Dalmatian, and a big, fluffy mutt frolic nearby.]

Comments

[lostcompany]

Summoning people from other worlds seems potentially dangerous?

What should we do if we FIND one of them?

- Hallelujah

[maximumest]

People from other worlds?

If they look stronger than you don't fight them

[photoshooter]

so, don't fight anybody, ever. got it.

- prompto a.

[maximumest]

For you that might be a good idea

Though you can still learn to get stronger if you wanted to

[photoshooter]

i've got enough on my plate right now keeping a roof over me and noct's heads.........

- prompto a.

[maximumest]

Remember. Planetary demolition companies.

I'm not sure even his amazingly fluffy and soft bird is going to be able to do much about that.

[photoshooter]

some ppl just aren't meant to be strong, you know?
if i embrace my destiny as a fragile pool stick, that's a kind of strength, too. supposedly. idk i don't really understand philosophy.

- prompto a.

[maximumest]

You're wrong, everyone is meant to be strong

Some simply never make the effort to

There are different kinds of strength, if yours isn't in the physical, then try the mental, or even the metaphysical

There is magic here, you could learn it

It might be cheap shots but if it can stop even me, and I've destroyed a galaxy, then something like Frieza's employees won't be as much a danger at all

[photoshooter]

why did you destroy a galaxy

- prompto a.

[He can't even work up the energy to be alarmed, here. This is just Broly. This is Broly's life.]

[maximumest]

It just sort of happened

Anyway that's not the point here

[photoshooter]

well my mental strength's probably a lost cause too so that's out
what's metaphysical strength supposed to be?
is it superpowers
i wouldn't mind getting superpowers

- prompto a.

[maximumest]

Give me examples of superpowers I'm not sure

[photoshooter]

flight
invisibility
ooh telepathy that one's pretty neat
i don't think i'd want it but it's cool in concept
time control
the ability to turn... into a chocobo
i mean the possibilities are endless

- prompto a.

[maximumest]

In that case yes

Flying is just a matter of controlling your inner energy even I can do that

Even though father used to say it's just a matter of throwing yourself at the ground and missing

Don't try it that way it only ends in bruises

[photoshooter]

but how does controlling your inner energy counteract the effects of y'know
physics
flight isn't a thing human beings can normally do

- prompto a.

[n_octis]

Unova is crafted to be protected from anything outside, including planetary demolition and world destruction via errant wishgranter.

[ Stella is still using Noctis' phone. She stole it. ]

Then again, there are multiple gods watching over that small segment of the planet.

[maximumest]

Unless one of those gods is Beerus I wouldn't assume all is well and safe

That's how planets get blown up

[guidingversus]

I do not assume, either.

Beerus is unfamiliar to me, but deities of time, space, and dimension watch over the section of the planet. If not all of it - all of it is too much to protect.

[maximumest]

I don't really think that'll stop much

If all they can do is protect one small bit of a planet they're not very strong gods

You should rely on your own strength instead

[guidingversus]

That is what me and my friends are working on. Becoming stronger so we can defend ourselves without using gods.

[maximumest]

It's nice to here that someone's working on it

All I've heard since getting here is a lot of sad noises about how helpless everyone is and how nobody's doing anything about it

[guidingversus]

Pathetic. If nobody is doing anything about it, then why not begin with ourselves.

[maximumest]

Exactly

You sound more reasonable than most people here

When I'm finally located by my father we'll take you with us if you know the name of the planet you're from we can find it and drop you off there

Unova is the region right not the world

[guidingversus]

Thank you. That will be helpful.

Yes, it is the region. The world is named Arciion, after the dead god Arceus.

[photoshooter]

(๑◕︵◕๑)

- prompto a.