daemonized | RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

Good. That's a promise I'll hold you to.

[Though to be fair, it'd be hard for him to immediately turn away from one, too. Cactuars are cute little creatures, though he'd not say it so directly unless asked.]

Which would you like to hear about? A man or a tune?

A tune, then a man. I haven't had the fortune to recall music.

[she gives him back the picture of the cactuar so that he can keep it safe.]

[He takes the picture back, little scribbled thing that it is, and puts it back in his coat pocket. It'll be safe there for the rest of day, or evening, or until tomorrow -- however long his visit ends up being.]

It's less a full song than it is a jingle. Count your blessings, because you know the limitations of my singing talents.

[She will probably never forget his once instance of serenading with Take On Me.

But in any case, he clears his throat as if this is something that even requires clearing his throat for. And then-]

Dum-dum-dum duuum dah-dah dum-da-duuum.

[It's the FF victory theme, just let him live.]

[how could she ever forget that serenade, it was a highlight of the night. not too terrible, except for the fact that she'll never ask Ardyn to hit a high note again ever in her life.

okay, she can't help herself from chuckling some. that's going to be stuck in her head all day and night now.]

It's catchy, at least. What was it for?

[Don't tell him that, Grell, or he will purposefully pick Kiss by Prince to serenade her with next.

At any rate, he's glad it's afforded her some amusement.]

It's a tune that one hums after a victory. A battle, perhaps, or something like it. That's all I can gather from what I've remembered, which is admittedly not very much at all.

Strange, but I think I like it. It's a brief little way to celebrate your accomplishments.

[and she's filing that information away for some time in the future to definitely hum it after he's accomplished something difficult, just because she can, just because it'll probably make them both laugh.]

[It is strange, but he supposes no stranger than monsters and magic and whatever else his world might have had. An uplifting little victory tune is nothing in the grand scheme of things, and he's had it playing in his head more than once on occasion.]

You may borrow it if you like. [Not that he owns it, per se.] And that's all there really is to that. No memory to go along with me actually singing it, or anyone else. Just a tune, short and sweet.

The last one, the memory about the man -- that one is something to truly wonder about.

Why? What does this mysterious man do that keeps you wondering?

[so many questions from her, but it'll be his turn once he's done, and she'll be able to be interrogated. besides, she likes being able to ask and know all this - the puzzle of who they were is a complicated one, with so many gaps, but there are certain things that are beginning to reveal themselves.]

[He doesn't mind the questions at all. He expects them, really, for wasn't that the whole point of sharing?]

For one, he was missing an arm. [He gestures vaguely to his left arm, though a clarification is in order.] Or rather, he had it replaced with something mechanical and metal, and I can only assume that it worked as well as his original one. He was young, probably no older than thirty, and-- well, he didn't smile very much.

I don't know his name. I don't have any memory of him acting or saying anything in a particular situation. I only know that he was stern, frowning, and commanding. Not a very fun personality.

A type I've seen before. Probably no sense of humor to go along and complete his winning attitude, because that really would give him the whole package.

[you either spent time tiptoeing around them, or giving up and crashing through to weather their disdain.]

Then again, maybe it's because of the arm. Losing a limb before thirty would make anyone sullen, no matter how interestingly advanced the replacement might be. But I might just be giving your stranger far too much credit. Some people are born with frowns etched into their very souls.

[~~How Ardyn still manages to drag Ravus even without knowing who he is should be applauded, it's so impressive.~~

He laughs lightly at that. How much criticism they're giving a man they do not know, and certainly can't hope to any time soon, is probably a little unfair, but-- well. He's certainly not here to hear it, either way.]

That might be the case. Because that's the only imagery I'm presented with; no smiles, no laughter. Only that frown, directly squarely at everyone around him. I do wonder what his story was? I know he carried a sword, and dressed in white. He did appear like some kind of warrior; military or monster hunter, I do not know.

I'm giving him the monster hunter backstory, and the reason he's so stern is because he's on a quest for vengeance to destroy the thing that took his arm. Bitterness and determination have settled in him and taken away all his smiles - he'll never know peace until he slays the thing and finds himself avenged.

[it doesn't hurt, until they know more about him, to make up a story for him. she's done the same for the silver haired man in her memories, though the backstory is really that of a cackling madman who started dabbling in dark arts.]

[Obviously he's just as eager to craft this story, as wildly inaccurate as it probably is.]

I'm sure a behemoth tore it off. In a rage of fury, it took both this limb and his loyal hunting partner. [This keeps getting more dramatic, but is anyone really surprised?] It's as you said; he cares for nothing more than vengeance, allowing this to be his sole motivator throughout the long years, blinded to anything and everything else.

I think it's a fine narrative. And an end point to the memories I have to offer for your entertainment.

Oh, now that is a tragedy worth weeping over. The absence of the arm reminds him of the absence of such a friend.

[they'll probably rewrite this man's backstory a dozen times, watch it.]

But if you've concluded, then it's my turn to share in the recollections. What do you want to hear of first - something that involves someone else, or things I've recalled on my own?

[It's almost a guarantee.]

Hmm.

[He considers for a moment.]

Let's start with one that involves someone else.

[she nods, thinking over her recent memories.]

The man with the silver hair showed up again. But rather than give him attention, I'm thinking of a different memory, of me being in a strange building that was almost like an impromptu hospital wing. That man I called a demon was there, with his charge. And I remember clearly telling them "I'll be seeing you soon."

That's been confusing me ever since I remembered it.

[At the mention of the man with the silver hair, his smile does falter somewhat. Her memories concerning him prior had not been pleasant ones, and so of course his automatic response is one of worry. But she moves on, and his attentions shift focus to what she's explaining.]

That is somewhat confusing. With words like that, it sounds as if this demon and his charge were almost steadfast acquaintances of yours.

[As for the setting being a hospital, Ardyn doesn't question it. It... does seem like a place a reaper might visit. Though he sees no immediate need to voice this.]

That would make more sense if I didn't feel a deep seated disdain for them. Not so much as to make me cruel, but...I know I don't like them. I think our paths just keep crossing - death following is no surprise, I'd think. Someone has to see to the results of whatever they're doing.

[demons aren't known for being nice creatures, after all. if death and bloodshed occurred, it feels only natural.]

Up to no good, then? I suppose that's to be expected from anyone who would call themselves a demon. And yet you do not have any particular violent memories with either of them, do you?

[He must admit that he's curious. What manner of death and bloodshed was there? He wishes that he could fill the holes in her narrative just as much as his own.]

Not that I can think of. But...that may change. I can't tell when certain facts will reveal themselves.

[she's up for anything, at this point.]

For a little variety, I also remember a moment of getting ready in the morning - except for some reason, my attire was a perfectly tailored black suit. That's not really my style at all, so I've no idea why I wore it.

[Certain facts revealing themselves... Well, Ardyn can't argue against that. For good or ill, that much is almost guaranteed where memories are concerned.

Her next memory is more mundane by definition, but intriguing still. He tries to imagine her wearing the described suit.]

I bet you looked striking in it, all the same. I can only assume such carefully tailored outfits are saved for the most special of occasions?

That's the thing - it didn't feel like a special occasion at all. All I recall feeling about it was that it was nothing, like I didn't want to wear it. All black for me...that'd be too dull, wouldn't it? Not even a drop of color to change things.

[you can't reap souls if you don't look cute. why even bother in that case.]

I think you'd still look exquisite, in a suit cut in all black.

[He looks at her, and it's easy to assume he may be piecing this mental image together.]

Your hair being the only vibrant swath of color, elegant and bright against the black hues. You may call it dull, but I think you'd still draw the attention of an entire room if you entered it. You'd certainly draw mine.

[Is he biased? Of course not. It is scientific fact that Grell is beautiful and fashionable and no one can fight him on this.]

Why do I have the distinct feeling you're dressing me up with your eyes?

[black, though. she'll file this information away for future reference, for her own reasons that she will not begin to disclose.]

[The most playful of shrugs. He can't deny it.]

Better than the opposite, at least?

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