DUNGEON LOG: KEYSTONE SHORE

[phantasmods]

The morning of the 9th, everyone will get a message sent to their communication devices -

Okay, guys! I think we have enough stabilizers to try and get the shoreline stable. If you want to help out, grab your supplies and come on up to the roof!

When characters arrive at the roof, they'll find Top - with a wheeling table full of many copies of the same odd-looking device - the two exploratory drones, and a ramp down off the roof to the ground. (The latter looks a little hastily constructed.)

"Okay," Top says, picking up one of the devices. "Here's the stabilizers. Stick them to walls and stuff - mostly out of the way places where they're not going to get knocked off - and then press the buttons along the side."

They demonstrate, unfolding the set of legs at one end of the device before showing the buttons to anyone who's close enough. "Go ahead and take a couple, especially if you've got one of those space-saving inventories going on, I know there's like four of you with those? Strange got some first aid kits together, too, if you want."

Sure enough, another table nearby has the med kits... As well as traditional paper bag lunches, courtesy of Bottom. Don't question it too much.

"We'll be staying back here to keep track of the stabilization progress and work the drones," Top says, "but don't hesitate to call if you get in trouble! We'll send one of these guys down to get you an evac if you need it."

And with that, you're free to go down the ramp... Or to make for the beach however else you might choose to go.

Comments

[photoshooter]

Huh? Well, sure. Go ahead and look!

[He pulls the camera strap over his head, but before he hands his precious baby over to Astolfo, he points out the controls.]

You use that one to go forward through the pictures, and that one to go back. Try not to delete anything, okay?

[Assuming Astolfo goes back instead of forward, there are photos galore of the growing chickens on Level 2, along with some candid shots of Keystone Station's current inhabitants--including a possum. There's a selfie here and there--one in front of a snoozing Izunia Lucis Caelum, for instance--but more of the others, or alien foods, or the broken sky.

But going back far enough will take Astolfo to photos of unfamiliar locations, people he won't recognize. A woman and a snowy landscape, and further back, some young men about Prompto's age.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He swaps one precious baby for another, thrusting the crab at Prompto in exchange for holding the camera. Going through the pictures, the ones of the animals get various "awws" from him, and the selfie with the napping Izunia elicits a snort of laughter.

Getting to the older photos, Astolfo's curiosity is piqued. Some of the people there look similar to those in Izunia's drawings. Still holding the camera, he shows the screen to Prompto.]

Hey, who are these?

[photoshooter]

[Prompto is absolutely smitten with the crab, cooing and baby-talking to it, when Astolfo asks the inevitable question.]

Hm? Oh. [His mood drops for a moment, but then he shakes his head and puts on a smile.] Those are my friends back home.

[He points to a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aSksBMc5yFo/maxresdefault.jpg">each young man in the photo in turn.]

That's me, obviously. The big, beefy guy, that's Gladio. Mr. Dressed-for-Success is Ignis, he's the smartest guy in probably the entire universe. And that... that's Noct.

[The dark-haired one in the middle.]

My best friend.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[So these guys all knew each other. Small world. Small worlds.

The drop in Prompto’s mood doesn’t go unnoticed, but Astolfo figures it’s most likely out of longing to see them again.

He responds with a gentle smile, upbeat as ever.]

They all must be pretty special, huh? Especially that guy- Noct. He’s gotta be if he’s your best friend, right?

[photoshooter]

Uh-huh. He's basically the best. Uh, don't tell the others I said that, obviously, but they'd probably agree with me. Secretly. So he doesn't get a big head.

[Prompto Argentum love him friens.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

I promise, your secret is safe with me.

[It's not.]

What's this guy like? Aside from being the best.

[Here's your invitation to gush, Prompto.]

[photoshooter]

Mmm, growing up, I always kind of admired him from afar, you know? We went to the same school, but he was always surrounded by people asking him questions about his house, or his servants, or... oh. [Prompto interrupts himself with a laugh.] He's the prince, so. Sort of unapproachable, right? He seemed impossibly cool to someone like me.

[He quiets fondly, looking down at the bottle crab in its helmet.]

But he looked lonely, too. And when I did get to know him, it turned out he was a big awkward nerd who complains about homework and doesn't clean his room. Oh man, we skipped so much school to play video games at the arcade, but somehow, he still managed to pull through when he needed to... Those were the days.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Good thing you finally approached him, right? If he was lonely, he was probably waiting for someone like you to come along.

[He chuckles at the image of a tinier Prompto cutting class to play videogames. The youthful pursuit of enjoyment in the now is something he never let go of, and he hopes Prompto hasn't yet either.]

What do you mean those 'were' the days? Did something happen?

[photoshooter]

Heh. What hasn't happened since then?

[It's a bitterer laugh than it is happy. Prompto offers Mr. Krabs back to Astolfo.]

On the day we were supposed to finally have a peace treaty, the Niflheim Empire attacked our city and killed the king. Noct's dad. Nothing's been the same ever since.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Astolfo swaps back the camera for the crab, giving his newest companion a gentle pat on the helmet when he takes him back into his arms.]

Oh. [That's rough.] Your friends...were they okay?

[photoshooter]

Yeah, we weren't in the city when it hapened. Part of the peace treaty they were supposed to sign said Noct had to marry the Oracle, so we were on our way out of the country to go meet her. Lady Lunafreya, the youngest Oracle in history.

[He wakes the camera screen back up to look at the four of them smiling.]

That didn't end up going the way we wanted, either. This picture... it might be the last one I took where we were all happy.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Oh...

[Astolfo's face falls for a moment. The faces in the photo preserved in that moment of happiness...they don't look like they should have to face those kind of responsibilities, or whatever fate befell them.

He perks up soon enough, adopting the warm smile that is characteristic of him.]

Well, when you go back, you'll just have to take another one- right?

[photoshooter]

[Prompto's frozen for a second with the utter impossibility of taking another picture like this one. With Ignis hurt, the world in ruins, and Noct, Noct consigned to darkness, swallowed by the prophecy no one wanted for him--

He gulps and forces a smile on his own face, bright and false.]

Yeah. Yeah, guess so. Once we all get back together and save the world, it'll be the first thing on my to-do list!

[riderofcharlemagne]

Saving the world sounds like a pretty tall order.

[As wonderful as adventure on that scale is, it's surely not something he should have to be thrown into- but at least he's not alone for it.]

I'm sure you guys will be able to, but you don't have to wait until then, you know. [He looks out over the sea.] Even if things seem bleak, you can still find moments of happiness, even in the smallest of things. Keep pursuing them until you can't. [He shrugs with a light laugh.] But you probably already understand that.

[photoshooter]

It's pretty much what they keep me around for. All those precious moments of comic relief I've got to offer.

[Or something like that.]

Until then, I'll just have to keep my fun-finding skills sharp by practicing on you guys, right? Leave it to me.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[With his free hand, he lightly slaps Prompto on the back.]

You can start with making the fishing more exciting.

[photoshooter]

Ugh, don't ask the impossible of us mere mortals, dude! I'm only human.

[He elbows Astolfo right back, friendly as anything.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

Why did you try doing it if there's nothing you like about it?

[photoshooter]

So I can bring food back to the station! ...I don't want people eating the chickens.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Astolfo can't help but laugh at how sweetly innocent Prompto's reasoning is. He gently puts the crab down by his feet, and summons his lance into his hands.]

In that case, I'll lend you a hand. It might be quicker this way. Keep those babies safe.

[He looks down at the crab and points out a stern finger to it.]

You, stay.

[photoshooter]

[Prompto brightens immediately.]

Really? Thanks, dude! [Oh, but the crab.] Want me to hold him? Or her. Is there any way to sex a crab? Anyway, I can sit and fish and make sure your new buddy doesn't run off.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He nods.]

I trust you to take good care of him!

[He hesitates before setting off.]

Actually, come to think of it- the little guy will probably need food too. [He taps a finger to his mouth in thought.] What do crabs even eat?

[photoshooter]

I... have no idea. Fish?

[Crabby buddy is going to be held protectively in Prompto's lap as he casts his line again.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

It's worth a try. [Now, to the crab.] Guess we'll be feeding you, too! Hopefully you're not a fan of chicken.

[He makes his way out to the water, and calls back out to Prompto as he goes.]

Give him a name while you're there, okay?

[photoshooter]

What? Me? But he's yours!

[DON'T GIVE PROMPTO THIS POWER.]