daemonized | RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

His voice got lower. He was a little . . . I don't wish to say rougher, because he certainly wasn't with me. But he was far more prepared to kill those creatures than I'd thought he would have been.

But . . . overall, his personality was the same. He remained the same, though his appearance was so wildly changed. I recognized him the moment he started speaking, though I'd thought him a monster before then. Something about his eyes, or . . . well. Perhaps I'm simply so used to his personality that I would recognize him no matter what.

[A beat. She considers all this, then adds:]

He was far stronger. He's able to pick me up as it is, but he was carrying me about that day as if I weighed nothing at all. He could leap, too-- not simply jump, but leap about the place, spanning several feet as if it were nothing.

It lasted until we reached my apartment. He dropped me off, I went into the bathroom, and when I returned he was back to normal.

[At least he retained his personality, he thinks to himself. For a moment, he thought this might've been some werewolf-type transformation, where the one who changes loses all inhibitions and becomes needlessly violent. True, the only experience he had to base that in were old, fictional tropes, but what else was he supposed to expect, honestly?

Ardyn understandable still looks vaguely alarmed, though, as Rosalind explains all of this.]

It generally sounds like an advantage without any of the drawbacks. Especially if the physical changes are only temporary.

Does he have any memories of this happening to him?

Beyond the horrors of having your body change so radically. But yes, he recalls it. He remembers every bit of it.

[Rosalind, in contrast, looks almost calm. The change had shocked and intrigued her, yes, but she's had a fair few days to digest it. Which is why, after a few seconds, she's able to murmur:]

Seven feet tall, Ardyn.

Very intimidating, I'm sure.

[He watches her expression carefully, and it's reassuring to know that she seems rather calm about it. There are many ways that this could've gone much worse than it sounds like it did.]

Though I assume this hardly changes anything between the both of you.

Intimidating isn't quite the word I'd use . . .

[It's a murmur, and she glances up at him, meeting his eyes as she says it.]

But no. I think . . . truth be told, I think it helped. It was good to be in a situation that was entirely removed from academia.

[He has to laugh a little at that, leaning back in his seat.]

A silver lining to be found in our city crawling with monsters, hm? Well, as odd as it is for me to say, I'm glad that this development ended up helping. Bringing the two of you closer together -- utterly romantic, wouldn't you say?

[Teasing again? Sincere? Who knows.]

[She gives him a bit of a Look, just in case that was teasing, but . . .]

I'd prefer a waltz. But given I've his promise on that, I suppose this isn't so bad.

A waltz?

[Stop. You know he's a romantic at heart. He can't not follow up on this.]

He'll take you out for dinner and a dance?

He's going to.

[Hrhgh. It's not that she wants to keep this to herself, but also: there's something awful about facing that eager grin.]

He requested a particular dress. He's going to match it.

[That eager grin is going anywhere any time soon, sorry Rosalind.]

What does the dress look like?

[. . .]

Sleeveless. Lacy. Champagne colored. The color was his choice, and I suppose if nothing else, there's little chance of that color disappearing between now and then.

[Okay, he just has to say it. He can't not.]

How very romantic. Completely and utterly so. You must be delighted.

Eat your damn omurice. If you keep carrying on I won't tell you anything else.

Fine, fine.

[FINE HE'LL EAT]

But only because there's a promise of you saying more.

[GOOD.

But what else . . . hm.]

I don't think he quite realizes I've no intention of letting him leave until Sunday.

Oh, so you plan on keeping him hostage? Why Sunday?

[She gives him a look.]

I've waited three months, Ardyn.

[Buddy.]

I leave the task of keeping Noctis and Prompto occupied to you. They're getting used to coming by my apartment-- or, well, Noctis is, anyway, and I assume where one goes, the other will eventually follow.

[Listen, he just finds this all very amusing in a sweet way. Though if he says that much, he's sure that she'll stop this line of conversation with him immediately. HE WANTS DEETS OKAY

So he just laughs at her response.]

How you've managed to survive so far remains a mystery to me.

[At the mention of the children, tho]

Noctis told me he's known you since he was younger. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that he even visits occasionally.

He's getting used to me again, I think.

[She smiles faintly.]

I all but became his nanny, much to my irritation, when he was a child and I was twenty-two. I was working for his father at the time-- not precisely my line of work, but I needed the money. Regis asked me to watch him one day, and before I could protest, I was saddled with a ten year old. I answered a few science questions of his on a whim, thinking nothing of it, and yet the next day Regis had me entertaining him, because apparently that had endeared me to him.

[She says it fondly, though her words are irritated.]

So we began a routine. I'd teach him on my lunch break, and then I'd work while he came up with questions for me to answer. He was quite comfortable with me by the end.

And now, I suppose, we're relearning how to interact with one another. It's a bit easier now that he's grown, I must say.

[He listens, and is oddly surprised, because he did not expect the connection to run back quite that far, or be so... well. Endearing. Rosalind's words might be lined with irritation, but he can see the seed of fondness in there.]

What a small world it is. That he would still be a figure in your life even now, in some form or fashion. He'll be in my class again this coming semester, you know. He's a smart young man, though sometimes lacking in motivation.

Mm, very smart.

[And lacking in motivation, certainly, but given they're both going to be his professors, Rosalind thinks they might soon fix that problem.]

He's going to make every excuse in the world to sleep in class after all this monster nonsense. Do tell me if you find a remedy. I typically drop books when that happens, but it'll be a fair bit tiring to do that twice a week.

[His smile sharpens, ever so slightly.]

So you're telling me that I should be a bit more creative? I'm sure I can come up with something. There's only so much he can sleep when his desk goes missing.

[It's mean how she laughs, but oh, well, Noctis will survive.]

You'd be surprised, frankly. If nothing else, he'll resort to using Prompto as a pillow. But I think that may be a good start.

He may... if Prompto was still so inclined to sit in during my lectures.

[THAT WON'T BE THE CASE MUCH ANY MORE, gee, I wonder why.]

You're going to make him stand!

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