Chapter Text
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF “GRIMA TAPES”
TOP SECRET
This document details the contents of what was found on the video camera of Robin [REDACTED], as well as text and instant messages between him and the other parties (or on the subject of him between other parties). It contains video and audio of Frederick [REDACTED], Gaius [REDACTED], Robin [REDACTED], and the exalted Prince Chrom himself, all of whom are currently under investigation with the exception of Robin [REDACTED], whose whereabouts are unknown. It is only to be viewed in the case of necessity. Thus, only those who are directly working on the case may read it.
Any others found viewing or attempting to view these documents will be prosecuted under full force of Ylissean law.
Such has been approved by the Exalt herself.
---
[The camera turns on. A shot of the torso of Robin is visible, as well as part of his room. He adjusts the camera carefully before sitting down in front of it.]
ROBIN: Uh, so…
[He adjusts the camera angle again.]
ROBIN: So. Uh, this is my attempt, at, uh, a diary. Well, more of - just, just proof, I guess, of what’s...happening to me. Uh, well…
[He clears his throat and pushes up his left sleeve, to above the elbow. He holds his arm towards the camera and points at skin there that looks scaly or possibly diseased.]
ROBIN: This started, uh, a week or so ago. Thought it was eczema or whatever. The thing is, well, nothing I do to it - well, does anything. And my hair - my hair used to be black. But now -
[He tugs at his bangs.]
ROBIN: Pure white. Pure white. And I’ve - I had to lie, tell everyone that I bleached it. And that, that was an interesting conversation to have with just about everyone I talk to...Look, I’m not...I don’t know what’s going on. And I just had this camera lying around, so I figured I would-
[There is the sound of the door opening. Robin jumps up in his seat, knocking his camera over. Footsteps approach.]
ROBIN: Shit -
GAIUS: Yo, Bubbles.
[The camera is picked up by Gaius, who examines it.]
GAIUS: Huh. What’s this?
ROBIN: It’s - it’s nothing. How did you get in here? Everything’s locked. Gaius, it’s like midnight.
GAIUS: How do you think?
[He hands the camera back to Robin, who sets it on the desk. Only their hips and slightly below are now visible in the frame.]
ROBIN: God damn it, Gaius. One day they’re going to bust your ass for constantly breaking in to the dorms after you left the school.
GAIUS: Mhm. Well, tell them to get better locks then.
[Gaius’ hand gestures at the camera.]
GAIUS: So?
ROBIN: I was just...vlogging.
GAIUS: You.
ROBIN: Yes.
GAIUS: Vlogging?
ROBIN: I know it sounds silly.
GAIUS: You’re damn right it does, Bubbles.
ROBIN: Look, why’d you come here? Was it just to mock me?
GAIUS: Well, I did want to give you some cake, but-
[Gaius stops suddenly. His hand goes to Robin’s arm.]
GAIUS: What happened? This looks-
[Robin pulls his sleeve down and backs up.]
ROBIN: Nothing. Nothing happened.
GAIUS: Bubbles, that looks bad. Did you burn yourself, or-
ROBIN: I didn’t! I didn’t. What were you saying about cakes-
GAIUS: [speaking at the same time] -if you’re hurt, we should go see Libra or Maribelle, you know? They’re pre-med, don’t charge-
ROBIN: Gaius!
[An approximate 10 second silence.]
GAIUS: I’m sorry.
ROBIN: It’s fine. I shouldn’t have yelled.
GAIUS: I’m just worried about you. You should be flattered. I don’t tell anybody that.
ROBIN: Fuck...
GAIUS: Robin. Tell me about it.
ROBIN: Did you just call me-
[Robin sighs. He sits on the bed, directly across from the camera. His face is visible in frame again.]
ROBIN: It started with my hair, you know, and...
GAIUS: Wait. Here. Let me-
[Gaius turns off the camera.]
---
(The following was taken from Gaius [REDACTED]’s phone. It details a conversation between him and Robin [REDACTED], dubbed ‘Bubbles’ in these logs. This has not been edited, in order to preserve the authenticity of the document.)
Bubbles (3:24AM): hey
Me (3:24AM): hey
Bubbles (3:30AM): Im sorry for tonight
Me (3:30AM): dont worry abt it
Bubbles (3:30AM): No. I’m serious
Bubbles (3:31AM): You got dragged into this now
Me (3:32AM): i wanted 2 be dragged into it
Bubbles (3:32AM): I didn’t want you to be.
Me (3:32AM): i wouldve found my way in anyway
Me (3:33AM): u cant face this alone
Me (3:33AM): im goin 2 be there 4 u even with yr freaky dreams and scales and hair as white as snow
Bubbles (3:34AM): you don’t have to be
Bubbles (3:34AM): What if this is dangerous, gaius???
Bubbles (3:34AM): I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to anyone because of me
Me (3:35AM): nothing will happen.
Me (3:35AM): bubbles. Come on
Me (3:36AM): its not as bad as it seems im sure
Bubbles (3:39AM): the dreams are really vivid.
Bubbles (3:40AM): someone doesn’t make it every time
Me (3:42AM): bubbles ffs theyre dreams and if anythin they give us time to stop the shit that happens in them
Me (3:42AM): trust me.
Bubbles (3:50AM): i trust you.
(The conversation then turned to what chocolates Gaius [REDACTED] should buy for a suitor he was considering courting.)
---
[The camera is turned back on. Robin’s torso is visible, arms leaning on what looks to be a mess hall table. What appears to be Frederick’s arm rests next to his. Chatter is audible in the background.]
GAIUS (off-screen): Is it on?
ROBIN: Yes.
GAIUS: I think you were right. To film all of this.
CHROM (off-screen): Wait. I don’t really get this.
GAIUS: What’s not to get, Blue? Something’s up with Bubbles.
FREDERICK: I have to agree with Chrom. You didn’t actually tell us what was going on. You just sat us down and said we had to film because something was up with Bu- Robin.
GAIUS: Alright, fine. Why don’t you tell them what’s going on, Bubbles?
ROBIN: I don’t know. Is this a good idea? I don’t know. I don’t want anyone to get-
GAIUS: (speaking at the same time) Bubbles. Dude.
ROBIN: - concerned about me, think I’m in trouble. I’m not.
GAIUS: Bubbles. Come on. Show them your arm.
[Robin shifts, pushing up his left sleeve to reveal the scaly patch. It appears to have gotten darker and more disfigured, more similar to the scales of a snake or crocodile. The scales (?) are a purplish grey.]
CHROM: What the fu-
FREDERICK: Good Lord.
ROBIN: I know. I know.
[Robin pulls his sleeve back down and shifts some more. Frederick seems to pat his back before withdrawing his hand.]
ROBIN: My hair, too...I said I bleached it, but I just woke up one morning and...
CHROM: Well, it...it looks good on you, at least.
ROBIN: (laughing) Ah...thank you, Chrom, that...
GAIUS: Business, Bubbles. The dreams?
ROBIN: Right. Right, I’ve been having these.Nightmares. Where there’s my dad, and this...dragon, and lightning, and.
GAIUS: Someone dies.
ROBIN: Yeah. Someone dies.
CHROM: Who?
ROBIN: Usually...I don't know, it changes a lot.
GAIUS: But we think it might all be related.
FREDERICK: And what do you propose we do about this?
GAIUS: Bubbles said there's always that one place. That-
ROBIN: The abandoned putt putt place. In Plegia, right across the border.
FREDERICK: Minigolf?
ROBIN: Yeah. My dad used to take me there all the time.
GAIUS: So let's go.
CHROM: Go to Plegia? You're kidding. I barely convinced Emm to let me go to public college. You've got to be kidding.
GAIUS: Don't you want to help Bubbles?
CHROM: Of course I want to help Robin!
GAIUS: So we’ll go to Plegia! It's not far away-
CHROM: (inaudible) joking. Gotta be.
GAIUS: And we’ll help Bubbles. It’s our only lead.
FREDERICK: It shouldn't be hard to get there. Robin is a citizen of Plegia still, and we all have valid passports.
CHROM: You think they're just gonna let me in after the war? That was only a few years back. You think they're not gonna say anything? I mean, really.
FREDERICK: We could always sneak you in the trunk.
ROBIN: (laughs)
CHROM: Don't smile when you say that stuff, Frederick. Don't.
ROBIN: No, no, he's right. It's foolproof. Just two Ylisseans and a Plegian going to putt-putt. There's a punchline here, I know it.
GAIUS: The punchline is the exalt is in their trunk!
[Several of the men laugh.]
CHROM: Are we doing this? For real, doing this?
FREDERICK: I will make some preparations to be sure we’re well stocked for the trip. This weekend should be convenient for us all, correct?
ROBIN: “Well-stocked”? Frederick, it's a day trip at best.
FREDERICK: It counts to be prepared.
CHROM: Alright. Let's get going, then.
[Robin turns off the camera.]
---
(The following document was taken from Frederick [REDACTED]’s phone notes. It appears to be a list of supplies for the trip to Plegia.)
NEED
Passports x
Water x
Gasoline for car x
Spare tire x
Candy for Gaius (extra) x
Water x
Snacks for everyone x
Portable phone charger (at least two, one for iPhone and one for Android) x
Aux cord x
WANT
DVD of Night In The Museum (for Chrom+the car player) (think I lost it)
---
[The footage resumes in the car. Robin is apparently filming. The camera is focused on Chrom.]
ROBIN (off-screen): And how are you feeling today, dear Exalt?
CHROM: (snorting) Not the Exalt yet, Robin.
[The camera turns to the front seat, where Frederick is driving and Gaius is seated shotgun.]
GAIUS: (in an affected imitation of nobility) Ah, but our noble prince, have you no thoughts about the fine and sunny day we are currently experiencing in the blessed land of Ylisse?
[Robin and Chrom laugh.]
ROBIN: (quietly) We’re in Plegia, actually.
CHROM (off-screen): You sound like my advisors.
[Robin turns the camera back to Chrom.]
ROBIN: You have ADVISORS?
CHROM: Yeah?
GAIUS (off-screen): I can't fuckin’ take you, Blue.
CHROM: Yes you can. You take me all the time. To seedy bars and strip clubs-
FREDERICK (off-screen): Excuse me?
CHROM: (laughing) I’m a young man, Frederick. I have urges.
GAIUS: Urges that only I can satisfy.
[Robin laughs as Chrom hits Gaius’ shoulder.]
GAIUS: Ow! The hell?
FREDERICK: Thank you, milord.
CHROM: You know what they say about talking shit...
GAIUS: Whateverrrrr. Bubbles, give me the camera.
ROBIN: OK.
[There is audio distortion as Robin hands the camera to Gaius. Gaius turns the camera on Robin, and Robin alone, when he gets it.]
GAIUS: Are you nervous?
ROBIN: For?
GAIUS: Me to kick your ass at putt-putt.
ROBIN: (laughing) A - a little. Go, go easy.
GAIUS: I’d rather die than lose at minigolf.
[Robin laughs for a few seconds more. The men stop talking. There is a period of five seconds where nothing is said.]
ROBIN: I am. I am nervous.
CHROM: That’s why we’re here.
FREDERICK (off-screen): I’m certain they were only dreams, Robin. Nothing bad is going to happen.
GAIUS: Yeah. We got you, Bubbles.
[Chrom puts his fist out to Robin. Robin smiles and gives him a fist bump.]
ROBIN: I believe you.
GAIUS: Damn right, you believe me.
FREDERICK: Turn off the camera. We should save battery for this haunted golf course.
GAIUS: You're the boss, Freddy-bear!
FREDERICK: I told you not t-
[The camera is turned off.]
---
[Filming resumes outside the abandoned minigolf centre in [REDACTED], Plegia. Robin is holding the camera, walking behind the other three men.]
FREDERICK: This is illegal, isn't it?
GAIUS: Shit, Freddy-bear. Someone broke these locks long before we got here. Look, the gate’s wide open.
FREDERICK: That’s a yes.
CHROM: This place is giving me the chills.
ROBIN (off-screen): It's exactly how I remember.
GAIUS: Good to know Plegia was a shithole even when you were like five.
ROBIN: The war was going on. Teachers were on strike all the time. This was what I did that entire year instead of go to school.
GAIUS: So...yeah. A shithole.
FREDERICK: Have some tact, Gaius.
GAIUS: What? It's true.
[They continue walking. As they enter the complex, the camera begins to shake. Video and audio corruption starts at this point in the film.]
ROBIN: [inaudible] feel like something is [inaudible] can't move right.
CHROM: [inaudible] look pale, you okay?
GAIUS: Wait. Did you [inaudible] that?
ROBIN: I can't move, oh my God, I’m fucking [inaudible]
[The camera falls out of his hands and onto the ground. The lens cracks, distorting the visuals further.]
GAIUS: That sound is [inaudible] Robin, Jesus, look at his [inaudible]
[There is a loud roaring noise. All dialogue becomes inaudible.]
[The feed cuts out.]
---
(The following texts were recovered from the exalted Prince Chrom’s phone, between him and Frederick [REDACTED].)
Freddy (6:21PM): Milord, how is Robin doing?
Me (6:23PM): i just checked on him
Me (6:23PM): because you asked that is. he’s okay. his breathing has calmed down
Me (6:24PM): what the fuck was that? that sound and his eyes
Me (6:24PM): and the vomit stuff???
Freddy (6:27PM): I have no idea. But we got him back to his room safe. That's what's important.
Me (6:27PM): i know you said you thought the eyes would go away but they haven't. i think there might even be more of them
Me (6:28PM): just...all around his eyes. his normal ones i mean
Me (6:28PM): and the scales are gone but there's this purple tattoo on the back of his hand? kinda hard to see bc his skin is dark but definitely there
Freddy (6:29PM): Stay calm, Chrom. We’ll work this out.
Me (6:30PM): oh fuck
Me (6:30PM): hold on
Freddy (6:30PM): Milord?
Freddy (6:32PM): What's going on?
Freddy (6:37PM): If yoi don’t reply soon I’ll come over
Freddy (6:37PM): you* goddamnit
Me (6:42PM): sorry he woke up
Me (6:42PM): the eyes are gone but the tattoo is still there
Freddy (6:42PM): I’m just relieved he's awake.
Me (6:43PM): me too :(
Me (6:46PM): hey frederick?
Freddy (6:46PM): Yes?
Me (6:48PM): were you really worried about me?
Me (6:48PM): just now i mean not at the golf place
Freddy (6:49PM): Forgive me for saying it, but
Freddy (6:51PM): I always worry about you.
Me (6:52PM): it's okay
Me (6:53PM): consider yourself forgiven :)
Freddy (6:53PM): I’m honored, milord. :~)
(The two stopped texting at this point for an unknown reason. Communications in later texts were off-subject until a few days later.)
---
[Footage resumes on a new camera with markedly improved video quality. The same SD card is being used as the previous camera. His exalted majesty Prince Chrom is adjusting the camera, blocking most of the frame.]
CHROM: OK. I think I got it.
[Chrom moves back, away from the camera, and walks to sit on a bed next to Robin. Filming appears to be taking place in Robin [REDACTED]’s dorm room.]
CHROM: You still want to do this, right? This whole ‘tape for posterity’ thing?
ROBIN: I do. I do. Thank you.
[Chrom puts an arm around Robin’s shoulders. Robin closes his eyes and leans closer in response.]
ROBIN: You didn’t have to buy me the camera.
CHROM: Please. I’m rolling in dough. You deserve it.
ROBIN: Chrom, I-
[A brief period of silence. Robin seems to struggle for words. He sits up, eyes opening again.]
ROBIN: I know a lot of things are weird and scary right now. After what happened in Plegia.
CHROM: I don’t care about-
ROBIN: No. Chrom, listen. Listen to me.
[Another brief period of silence.]
ROBIN: I think I’m putting you in danger. And I don’t want you to disagree with me. I don’t want you to tell me we can work it out. I think something is wrong with me. Like, fundamentally. With my body. With my everything.
[Robin holds up his hand to Chrom, and then shows it to the camera. A bright purple mark is there. It is made of up six eyes, three on each side. He looks between the camera and Chrom at semi-regular intervals.]
ROBIN: This is not normal. This is - look, I looked this symbol up. I knew I’d seen it somewhere before. It’s some ancient Plegian cult. The Grimleal? They worship some...some, I don’t even know. It’s called Grima. It’s like, a dragon.
CHROM: Your dreams.
ROBIN: Right.
[Robin takes a few deep breaths. Chrom seems to rub his back.]
ROBIN: It’s this dragon. And in Plegia - and Ylisse, too, before the introduction of Christianity from other countries or whatever - they used to worship this other dragon, Naga. This, all of this - it’s like basically forgotten. But Naga, she was like, a life giving dragon. She made the universe, I think.
CHROM: Like God.
ROBIN: Yeah. So Grima is like-
CHROM: What does the devil dragon have to do with all of this?
ROBIN: Wait. Let me finish. So Grima is like the devil. And the Grimleal, they used to like, worship it. And sacrifice to it. And I realised, when I was researching, where I’d seen this symbol before.
[He takes a deep breath. Chrom rubs his back again.]
ROBIN: In my house, Chrom. It’s all over my house in Plegia. Or it used to be. When the war was over, my dad got rid of all of the stuff with it. He never said anything about it. He just hid it. Back then, Ylisse was investigating people a lot, people who had been really involved in the war effort for Plegia. My dad was a top advisor, on our side. So obviously Ylisse was coming by all the time to look into us. And sometime before they started doing that he just got rid of...everything.
CHROM: Your dad is in the dreams, too, right?
[Robin nods. There is a third pause.]
ROBIN: Chrom, I think my father did something to me when I was a kid. I think something happened at the golf place that I don’t remember.
CHROM: Why would it be there?
ROBIN: I don’t know. I think I have to go back.
CHROM: Wait. That’s a bad idea. Robin, last time we went there you started vomiting that black sludge and-
ROBIN: (speaking at the same time) Chrom, I have to. I have to.
CHROM: -spoke in tongues and grew a bunch of eyes and no, you don’t have to! We can put this behind us.
ROBIN: It won’t stop. It won’t stop unless I-
CHROM: Unless you forget about this.
ROBIN: Chrom...
CHROM: I can’t. I can’t let you go back there.
ROBIN: You’re my best friend.
[Robin stops looking at the camera at this point.]
CHROM: And you’re mine. Which is why-
ROBIN: Chrom, I’m going. I need to-
CHROM: You don’t!
ROBIN: I’m doing it for you.
CHROM: How?!
ROBIN: I have to make sure you’re safe.
CHROM: God damn it. God DAMN it.
ROBIN: Chrom, you’re such a good person. You’re the only reason I’m still here.
CHROM: I can’t let you...
ROBIN: (speaking at the same time) If you hadn’t talked to me...
CHROM: (speaking at the same time)...let you go. I can’t let you.
ROBIN: ...who knows where I’d be right now? You pretty much saved me.
CHROM: Please. Don’t say that...
ROBIN: (beginning to cry) I’m so happy I get to spend time with you. Do you understand what I mean? You’re why I’m here. Why I did so well at school, and at making friends. No one would’ve wanted to talk to the weird Plegian kid if you hadn’t.
CHROM: God. Shit.
ROBIN: (close to sobbing) Tell me you feel the same way. I can’t-
CHROM: Jesus. You know this just makes me not want to let you go more, right? I’m not letting you go alone, because obviously I feel the same way. Obviously. You’re the only reason I made it here. I wouldn’t pass without you. I wouldn’t...
ROBIN: So let me go alone, let me-
CHROM: No, Robin.
ROBIN: (sobbing) I can’t let you get hurt-
CHROM: We’re going to do this together or not at all. You, me, Gaius, Frederick. It’s always been us. Even when Gaius dropped out and everything was haywire for a while-
ROBIN: (speaking at the same time, crying) Chrom, no. Chrom, you don’t understand.
CHROM: -we stuck together. Because we’re basically family. And they care about you as much as I do.
ROBIN: You don’t understand-
CHROM: I do!
ROBIN: It’s you! In the dreams, it’s always you!
CHROM: ...What?
ROBIN: I lied. I lied every time. I couldn’t bear it. You always die. It’s always on the golf course, it’s always me who...
CHROM: It’s...
ROBIN: I can’t risk you.
CHROM: Hold on. Let me turn the camera off.
[Chrom stands up and walks to the camera, shutting it off.]
---
(The following texts were recovered from the exalted Prince Chrom’s phone, between him and Robin [REDACTED].)
Me (3:10PM): i know i just left your room and everything but i just want to check the plan hasnt changed has it?
Robin (3:10PM): No
Robin (3:10PM): can’t believe I agreed to this.
Me (3:11PM): i’ll tell gaius and frederick
Robin (3:11PM): Chrom I know i said i lot of stuff in there and not all of it was pleasant but i want you to know I meant what I said about us.
Robin (3:12PM): And i’ve wanted to tell you for a while about this
Me (3:12PM): me too
Robin (3:15PM): Theres something else I want to tell you
Me (3:15PM): what is it?
Me (3:16PM): we’re best friends forever. you can tell me anything
Me (3:16PM): nothing you say could change how good of friends we are
Me (3:21PM): robin?
Robin (3:27PM): I just wanted to say that
Robin (3:28PM): i feel the same way about our friendship.
Me (3:28PM): don’t freak a guy out with pauses like that!
Robin (3:29PM): haha sorry. I’m gonna nap though. Get ready for tonight or whatever
Me (3:30PM): man this is all moving so fast
Me (3:30PM): ok sleep well!
(These are the last known texts received from Robin [REDACTED] before his disappearance, and the event.)
---
(The following texts are between Gaius [REDACTED] and his exalted majesty Prince Chrom, from only several hours before the event. They were recovered from the phone of Gaius [REDACTED]. His exalted majesty Chrom is referred to as ‘Blue’ in these logs, which have been left unedited for posterity.)
Me (7:09PM): the plan involves no silver
Me (7:09PM): no salt
Me (7:10PM): no iron even???? not a single devils trap
Me (7:10PM): i got a friend whos a monk he can probably come and help us
Me (7:10PM): cept wait he might be havin date night w/ his ratty blue boyfriend
Me (7:10PM): y does this have 2 be 2nite anyway?????
Blue (7:11PM): first of all those are all christian european things so they probably wouldn’t work on an ancient pagan dragon demon from this region :P
Me (7:11PM): nah this shits universal
Me (7:12PM): at least salt is im p sure
Me (7:13PM): didnt answer the other question though you fuck
Blue (7:13PM): we’re doing it tonight because robin thinks it’s best.
Me (7:13PM): arent we like
Me (7:14PM): p convinced our boy bubbles is possessed?
Me (7:14PM): how do we kno he isnt bein compelled to do this
Blue (7:15PM): it doesn’t matter. it’s what he thinks is right.
Me (7:16PM): I JUST ADDRESSED THIS BLUE cmon
Blue (7:16PM): i trust him. don’t you?
Me (7:16PM): YES i trust BUBBLES of COURSE.
Me (7:16PM): with my LIFE
Me (7:17PM): i do NOT trust the DEVIL
Blue (7:17PM): robin is robin and that’s all he’ll ever be.
Me (7:19PM): gdi
Me (7:19PM): fine but im bringing rock salt
Blue (7:20PM): whatever floats your boat ;)
Me (7:21PM): unnecessarily flirty. cruel 2 me. ill see u in an hour
(The conversation ends here.)
---
[The video resumes outside the putt-putt course in [REDACTED], Plegia. It seems that Gaius [REDACTED] is filming, as the other three are in-shot but he is not. Unlike the first visit, which was during the day, the sun seems to be setting.]
GAIUS: You guys ready to die?
ROBIN: We aren’t going to die.
CHROM: The chills are worse this time...
FREDERICK: We’re in no danger. Robin wouldn’t bring us here without good reason.
ROBIN: (turning to Frederick) I didn’t even want you guys to come!
FREDERICK: Still.
CHROM: It’s going to be fine.
GAIUS: Didn’t you just say you had chills, Blue?!
ROBIN: No. It’s okay. I feel more in control this time.
GAIUS: God, everything you guys are saying is fit for a ‘Famous Last Words’ Wikipedia list!
ROBIN: (turning to the camera) Gaius, trust me.
[Silence of approximately four seconds.]
GAIUS: I trust you.
ROBIN: Then let’s go.
[The four approach the golf course. Mild video and audio distortion begins as they enter the gates.]
ROBIN: It’s got to be around here somewhere.
CHROM: We didn’t even get this far last time. Things are [inaudible]
GAIUS: I was just talking about famous last words, and you do this.
ROBIN: In the dreams, there’s this one room...It’s [inaudible] but we can find it.
FREDERICK: [inaudible] near the back? Or?
ROBIN: When my dad took me there, it was kind of under this...I don’t know. Under the main office, I think.
FREDERICK: Lead the way.
[Robin leads the men to the former main office. The building is long abandoned and does not look structurally sound. The glass of the door is entirely shattered.]
GAIUS: How inviting!
FREDERICK: How are you feeling, Robin?
ROBIN: [inaudible]
[A low roar is audible on the tapes. None of the men seem to notice it.]
CHROM: That’s understandable. Come on. Now or never.
[The men step through the doors, Gaius following last.]
ROBIN: It’s [inaudible]
FREDERICK: I’ll go first.
[Frederick walks off camera briefly before Gaius follows his motion with the recorder. Frederick steps through a door that seems intact compared to the rest of the building. He begins to descend a set of stairs.]
FREDERICK: Looks safe to me.
ROBIN: [inaudible]
CHROM: No, I’ll go. You and Gaius go last.
GAIUS: Seriously?
ROBIN: [inaudible] sure?
CHROM: Yeah.
GAIUS: (sighs) Fine, then.
[Chrom enters the door, following Frederick down out of frame.]
GAIUS: Just you and me, Bubbles. How you holding up?
ROBIN: There’s [inaudible] behind my eyes and I [inaudible] no choice.
GAIUS: Hey...before we go in there. I just wanted you to know that I...
ROBIN: [inaudible] me?
GAIUS: Yeah. I guess. It’s [inaudible] just trust.
CHROM: (off-screen, yelling) Are you two coming?
GAIUS: Don’t tell them I said that.
ROBIN: (smiling) I [inaudible]
GAIUS: Heh. Okay. Later, then.
[Robin begins to descend the stairs. The distortion on the camera becomes worse, and the roaring increases in volume. What is on screen is now barely visible through the distortion.]
GAIUS (?): [inaudible] that?
CHROM (?): I feel it. It [inaudible]
FREDERICK (?): Robin? [inaudible] the eyes. His tattoo is [inaudible]
UNKNOWN: Glad you finally made it, my [inaudible]
ROBIN (?): What are you [inaudible]? You should be at home!
UNKNOWN: [inaudible]
CHROM (?): [inaudible] lightning? How the fuck is he [inaudible]
GAIUS (?): Shit. Blue, get away from-
FREDERICK (?): Milord!
UNKNOWN (POSSIBLY ROBIN): A weapon fashioned to [inaudible]
GAIUS (?): [inaudible] God, his eyes, his [inaudible] the tattoo is glowing and [inaudible] getting this?
ROBIN/UNKNOWN: [inaudible] Exalt [inaudible] atone [inaudible]
CHROM (?): This isn’t you! This [inaudible]
UNKNOWN: [inaudible] who he was meant to be!
[The screeching becomes higher pitched and louder before the video cuts out. When it returns, it is to the sound of what is believed to be Gaius [REDACTED] breathing and running in a panicked state back to the car.]
GAIUS: Hello?! Hello?! Police?! Ambulance?! Jesus! ...My friend, my friend got stabbed. There’s another guy bleeding out. Please! We’re at [REDACTED]
[Gaius seems to notice the camera at this point, and shuts it off.]
---
(At this point in the video, Gaius [REDACTED], Frederick [REDACTED], and the exalted Prince Chrom were taken in by the authorities. The camera was taken from them. Gaius [REDACTED] feigned losing his phone in order to record more video. The following video is from Gaius [REDACTED]’s phone, found after its confiscation.)
[The video opens with Gaius in a bathroom of the Ylissean Directorate for Internal Security, where Frederick [REDACTED] and Gaius were being held.]
GAIUS: Ugh. This thing is so unwieldy compared to your professional shit, Bubbles. I feel like it’s going to slip out of my fingers any second.
[Gaius adjusts the angle, seeming to search for something flattering before giving up.]
GAIUS: Yeah, whatever. So, I was inspired by your recording for posterity thing. Lot of good it did us, but still. It’ll prove our alibis, at least. That we didn’t kill that...that guy. Or hurt Chrom. With that...whatever it was. God, Bubbles, you were spewing shit all over. It was like you were too small for yourself or somethin’? Like, there was this aura around you. And you floated. And all your eyes, and...
[Gaius shudders visibly. He takes a deep breath.]
GAIUS: You, were, uhm. You’ve looked better. (chuckles)
[Gaius pauses at the sound of someone entering the bathroom. He waits for the sound of them leaving to continue.]
GAIUS: They’ve got us in the fuckin’ directorate, Bubbles. They’re treating us like criminals. They won’t tell us what’s going on. And I miss your advice. Mind you, me and Freddy-bear are pretty level headed ourselves. But with Blue in the hospital and you missing...
[A pause of four seconds.]
GAIUS: Well, it’s bad. Frederick is out of his head. Or he was the last I saw him. They separated us...I’m going to have to go back there soon. But all I can think about is...is you. And that aura. That feeling of just...just, despair. And you had these fangs and all - all those eyes - I’m not sure, but I feel like you grew like a tail or somethin’ too? But it was hard to look at you for too long. You were so horrible. But I couldn’t look away, either. I didn’t want to look away from you. I was afraid if - if I looked away, you’d change completely. No more Bubbles.
[A pause of 10 seconds.]
GAIUS: (quietly) No more Robin.
[Gaius adjusts the camera again. He covers his mouth with his hand, rubbing his chin.]
GAIUS: I’ll find you. I swear to God, we’re going to find you. Once Chrom is better, it’s all we’re gonna do. I’ll make sure of it. We’re going to find you. And we’re going to bring you back.
[Gaius looks away from the camera.]
GAIUS: I’m going to send this to you, because there’s no way they won’t take my phone eventually. I hope wherever you are, you understand it.
[The video ends.]