I plan to petition to go beyond this barrier with Somnus. I wished to know if you would come with us.
However, Besithia wishes for samples. We will be collecting some for him. [ Well, besides just exploring as a goal, collecting is a good idea in general to do, and what she would have done anyway. But since Verstael already has plans for some application of those samples... might as well hand him some.
Anyway, she tells him this because she knows that Verstael is of the empire that ruined his kingdom and took the Crystal, and who knows what else. It would be terrible on her part, to invite him along without telling him to whom the samples would go. To think that she would have not told him before...
(It's because he called her a F r i e n d.) Then again, would a friend still go along with something like assisting that friend's enemy, knowing that they are on opposing sides of war? Not that they in that war in this world, but she recognizes how betraying she's being to Noctis. ]
If you are uncomfortable with this, you do not need to come with us.
[Another pause, longer this time, as he considers those words before the floodgates open.]
what kind of samples whats he going to do with them do you know about his "projects" or whatever is somnus ok with it you think they'll let us out there?
Samples of whatever we can find for testing! Yes, I do know about this project. Somnus has agreed to help with collection. I’m not sure, but that is what the petition is for.
We are something like collaborators.
[ At least for now. Does Verstael actually believe in friendship.... ]
[He wonders if he's really the right choice for this. Someone wiser, more tactical, stronger maybe- surely they'd be a better fit. Exploring, he's pretty good at, but a proper investigation? Collecting samples for some kind of research? And to help that man? There's at least a half-dozen names he could offer that'd be more suitable.
He's not sure if "collaborator" is that much better either, considering what he knows Verstael is capable of in the future. He's keeping the peace, but the idea of cooperating when the man could absolutely be lying or hiding things, testing out his weird experiments here just like he had back home...
It's difficult to imagine saying no, though. This is his family, his friend. And she's trusting him with it. She was honest with him; if not for the admission, he'd have agreed immediately. Whether he'll be useful or not, and whether the end result goes towards helping his enemy (or at least a guy he doesn't like, considering the war hasn't followed them here)... still, he owes her something. At least the benefit of the doubt.]
im not interested in helping that creep
[Another pause, shorter this time, but still with some difficulty committing, and then,]
[He has no idea how public she or Somnus will be about the trip, if it happens, but his family needs to know, and Luna and Prompto would notice his absence and he won't have them needlessly worrying.]
Yes, please do. The world beyond the barrier must be rife with a few of those arachnid beasts found at the breach, and its atmosphere is hazardous.
[ She's about to write in something along the lines of, who would be his emergency contact-- a Honerva had brought up to her for something else-- but then she recalls:
Prophecy. Light. King. Noctis is very, very important. Why didn't she think of this before? Maybe because Somnus didn't seem all that opposed. But it's hard to read that man, so perhaps he had been, and she simply didn't catch it. ]
Oh I should have thought of this before, would your father allow you to come along?
im 20 years old i don't need to get his permission
i doubt he'd say no tho, i can take care of myself
[Honestly he'd expect a bigger objection from Ignis or Prompto, since he's never gone on any dangerous adventures without them. Regis is king, though he could try to forbid it if he wanted, but that carries very little weight here. Noctis is technically king too, anyway.]
Your safety cannot be guaranteed, and you’re very important, aren’t you?
[ Or maybe nothing bad will happen, and the worst is that they’ll all catch some strange illness alleviated by touch. She doesn’t know, but she wants to be certain he understands there can be risks— ]
my safety has never been guaranteed, i'm used to it
[Considering the assassination attempt that happened inside the wall years ago, it's not like keeping him tucked away behind closed doors was even enough to spare him. That's the reality of war.]
anyway dad doesn't know the chosen stuff
you don't have to worry. this is important too, right?
luna might be better, she's the best healer i know
[Though it's a difficult choice either way- if he's in such a bad state that they have to bring him anywhere, he doesn't like the idea of them seeing him like that.]
[ Good to know of a local healer, because Architect knows she won’t be healing anyone. Somnus, luckily, has also shown her his ability to make potions. That can potentially help on their journey. ]
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Would you ever consider assisting an enemy?
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He doesn't answer right away. What a goddamn loaded question.]
depends
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However, Besithia wishes for samples. We will be collecting some for him. [ Well, besides just exploring as a goal, collecting is a good idea in general to do, and what she would have done anyway. But since Verstael already has plans for some application of those samples... might as well hand him some.
Anyway, she tells him this because she knows that Verstael is of the empire that ruined his kingdom and took the Crystal, and who knows what else. It would be terrible on her part, to invite him along without telling him to whom the samples would go. To think that she would have not told him before...
(It's because he called her a F r i e n d.) Then again, would a friend still go along with something like assisting that friend's enemy, knowing that they are on opposing sides of war? Not that they in that war in this world, but she recognizes how betraying she's being to Noctis. ]
If you are uncomfortable with this, you do not need to come with us.
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what kind of samples
whats he going to do with them
do you know about his "projects" or whatever
is somnus ok with it
you think they'll let us out there?
wait are you friends with that guy too
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Yes, I do know about this project.
Somnus has agreed to help with collection.
I’m not sure, but that is what the petition is for.
We are something like collaborators.
[ At least for now. Does Verstael actually believe in friendship.... ]
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He's not sure if "collaborator" is that much better either, considering what he knows Verstael is capable of in the future. He's keeping the peace, but the idea of cooperating when the man could absolutely be lying or hiding things, testing out his weird experiments here just like he had back home...
It's difficult to imagine saying no, though. This is his family, his friend. And she's trusting him with it. She was honest with him; if not for the admission, he'd have agreed immediately. Whether he'll be useful or not, and whether the end result goes towards helping his enemy (or at least a guy he doesn't like, considering the war hasn't followed them here)... still, he owes her something. At least the benefit of the doubt.]
im not interested in helping that creep
[Another pause, shorter this time, but still with some difficulty committing, and then,]
i'll help you though. i'll go
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She sees no issue in collaboration.
.......But she privately agrees that Verstael is odd. ]
Thank you. I'll contact you again to let you know if we're allowed to head beyond the barrier.
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is that ok
[He has no idea how public she or Somnus will be about the trip, if it happens, but his family needs to know, and Luna and Prompto would notice his absence and he won't have them needlessly worrying.]
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[ She's about to write in something along the lines of, who would be his emergency contact-- a Honerva had brought up to her for something else-- but then she recalls:
Prophecy. Light. King. Noctis is very, very important. Why didn't she think of this before? Maybe because Somnus didn't seem all that opposed. But it's hard to read that man, so perhaps he had been, and she simply didn't catch it. ]
Oh I should have thought of this before, would your father allow you to come along?
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im 20 years old i don't need to get his permission
i doubt he'd say no tho, i can take care of myself
[Honestly he'd expect a bigger objection from Ignis or Prompto, since he's never gone on any dangerous adventures without them. Regis is king, though he could try to forbid it if he wanted, but that carries very little weight here. Noctis is technically king too, anyway.]
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[ Or maybe nothing bad will happen, and the worst is that they’ll all catch some strange illness alleviated by touch. She doesn’t know, but she wants to be certain he understands there can be risks— ]
I’m only worried!
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[Considering the assassination attempt that happened inside the wall years ago, it's not like keeping him tucked away behind closed doors was even enough to spare him. That's the reality of war.]
anyway dad doesn't know the chosen stuff
you don't have to worry. this is important too, right?
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[ And she’s seen a bit of his incredible powers himself. Between him and Somnus, they might be able to take on anything...
Just in case: ]
If something should happen, is it Regis of your family that we should contact and bring you to?
[ Coincidentally, when she had asked Somnus this question, he had named Regis to inform. ]
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[Though it's a difficult choice either way- if he's in such a bad state that they have to bring him anywhere, he doesn't like the idea of them seeing him like that.]
...either would be fine i guess
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Luna or Regis, understood.
I’ll be in contact with you soon.
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[Time to start restocking potions on his side as well...]