Video: There's an old voice in my head

[flawed_immortality]

So it seems the coeurl is out of the bag.

[For those of you that haven't seen Cor since he escaped the Temple Priests care he's looking... well... quite a bit less haggard. As a matter of fact he looks better than he has in months. No less worried or stern but the harsh weathering has faded from his skin making the light smattering of freckles clearer, his hair is a little darker, the lines in his face a little lighter.

As a matter of fact he looks more like a man in his early 40s, not one teetering ever closer to 50.]

There's likely a whole mess of time paradox concerns but as we have more and more people from Eos arriving it is becoming harder and harder to keep track of who knows what. Anyone that has any input on how to handle these potential paradoxes I'd appreciate it.

[He sighs, lifting a mug of coffee to his lips, and offering the tablet a resigned shrug.]

Of those here... I believe I have the most complete picture of the future. It was August ME 758 last I knew. If you'd like to know what your future holds rather than tripping into it. Come see me.

[He reaches out to kill the feed, hesitating for just a moment.]

Mmm, Ardyn, I've a favor to ask when you have a moment, as well.

Comments

[flawed_immortality]

There's no time limit on the offer, Highness.

[And oh the relief at being able to openly call him that.]

There's... much that lies ahead. It is not a decision to be taken lightly and I will respect your decision whatever it may be.

[carbungle]

[Poor Cor. He owes him some proper coffee for being so patient and cooperative.]

...Thanks, Cor. [A beat, and then-] Don't push yourself. You don't always have to be that guy.

[flawed_immortality]

[He bows his head, brow furrowing, not able to look at his Prince for a moment.]

It is a role that needs to be filled.

And it is one I am used to.

[No matter how much he hates it.]

[carbungle]

Come on. We both know that answer sucks.

[Quit trying to be the cool guy who suffers alone.]

[flawed_immortality]

[That's just the role he's always had, Noctis. Quit trying to make him change things.]

Perhaps, it hardly negates the need for such a role, however.

[carbungle]

Do you think we can change things? Would that work?

[Because it's a logical reason for doing this, and he'd like to believe that all of this is not for nothing - because otherwise what's the point? - but if they can't...]

[flawed_immortality]

I have to believe that's possible.

[Because otherwise the future is just too bleak to consider.]

[carbungle]

But how far back do those changes go? To Ardyn? A lot of us weren't even born yet. What if we, like, undo ourselves?

[he likes existing, Cor!!]

[flawed_immortality]

It's all a series of paradoxes, there's no way to know, really.

If no longer existing would give generations of humanity the chance for peace? I... I'd be willing to accept that.

[carbungle]

...That's grim.

[But fair, and he offers no real argument; his voice is quiet and uncomfortable. He's been fighting and fighting and fighting to save the world, to help people, to do his chosen duty. It's hard, a perpetual uphill battle. Even with the nightmares that were thrown at them recently, coming here has some of the best rest he's had in months.

If him no longer existing was the price for changing the world for the better, how selfish would he have to be to fight against that? He's not sure he could, even if he wanted to.]

[flawed_immortality]

Most of our prospects are, sadly.

[He hates hearing his Prince so dejected.]

It is one thing to accept such a fate for myself but... I would do all I could to ensure a brighter future, not just for you but your parents as well.

[carbungle]

[Why is their world so broken? It isn't fair at all. But then, neither is what Cor just said.]

I don't like that. Nobody else would, either. [Cor might not see it, but he has value in the eyes of all of them- and they wouldn't be happy to see him die for them.] Instead of focusing on who has to make sacrifices, let's figure out a way for all of us to see that future, huh?

[And yeah, it's kind of idealistic, but he's the goddamn Chosen, the King of Light, the many-titled-monarch at the ripe age of twenty. If anyone should be zeroing in on a bright future, it's him.]

[flawed_immortality]

[It is idealistic but it's also more hope than he's seen from anyone in a long time. The darker things get back home the harder and harder it is for people to hold onto hope. As much as they hope he and Gladio are cut from the same cloth, hope for the best, plan for the worst and while he sees plenty of Prompto and Ignis it is the Shield that is at the front lines with him and Libertus trying to improve things. ]

Of course, Highness.

[As formal as it is the tone is soft, appreciative, proud. Accompanied by a faint smile and a distant look.]

It's hard, sometimes, to look for such a bright future. You might have to remind me from time to time.

[carbungle]

[They must be in pretty rough shape if Noctis is the one offering hope to the people. But whatever, at least he can manage this much somehow.]

Yeah, well. Blame the clueless optimism of the younger generation. It'd... be nice to have good news for once.

[flawed_immortality]

It... really would.

[Look at him trying to look at the bright(ish) side.]

That seems far more likely here, however.

[carbungle]

[Shocking, yet admirable, and Noct quietly appreciates it.]

Do you think they're pulling us on purpose? I mean, the group we ended up with is pretty... specific.

[Kings and guides and oracles, Besithia... a concentrated group of very significant and important people across the history of their world.]

Kinda like- help us, help you, kind of thing.

[flawed_immortality]

It is possible...

[It is also possible they're pulling people that would prevent the continuation of any of their timelines. Key players that the world cannot be complete without. But... Noct did just try to get him not to be so morbid. Best not to say that part.]

It feels odd that they wouldn't say as much from the start if that were the case, try to use that information to further encourage compliance.

[carbungle]

That part doesn't feel as weird to me, if it's really the gods who're pulling people on their own and the citizens here don't have anything to do with it. When's the last time you got to have a chat with a god?

[Even he, the oh-so-important Chosen of the Six, could barely exchange a few sentences with one while trying to make a covenant. Even if you ignore the language barrier, they don't make themselves very accessible.]

[flawed_immortality]

A fair point, your Highness.

[How can they ever expect to know the will of the gods?]

[carbungle]

...Anyway, at least keep me posted on whatever you find out that I should know. Or... if there's anything I should be doing. I may not be in the know yet, but I still want to help.

[flawed_immortality]

Of course. For now we have no idea if anything we learn here will even be able to be carried over when we return home. That is a major point to consider. There are those who seem to think otherwise.

[carbungle]

[.....ah. That's... not a good thought.]

If... we don't even remember, then what's the point?

[Why would it be them? Is it random? Because it doesn't feel random. If they wanted people more inclined to get physical, they could have chosen a very different group from Eos.]

[flawed_immortality]

Just another point to investigate, Highness. Unfortunately we don't have any answers just yet.

[He hadn't meant to distress him but they have to look at this from every angle.]

[carbungle]

Ugh...

[He's not an investigator, Cor, this is the nightmare scenario.]

Would be better if they'd just give us something to hit.

[flawed_immortality]

Things are rarely that simple, as you well know.

[Don't complain, Highness. It's unbecoming.]