daemonized | RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

Naturally. Though I've had any number of animal companions over the past few days-- did you know Baren has a giant raccoon for a pet?

[She steps forward. She's long since grown out of being afraid of the dark, but there's something about the eternal night that sends a shiver down her spine, and she feels all the better for being indoors.]

I wanted to ask if you'd accompany me down to the subway system.

I didn't realize that, no.

[A giant raccoon. Well, he's heard stranger.

There's a hesitation in his step, ever so light, as he walks out onto the porch to meet her, closing the door behind him. This darkness remains unsettling, but it isn't enough to stop his aid -- or his questions.]

Given that your mind must be set on it, I think I have no choice but to accompany you, to make sure you don't run into too much trouble. [And he knows of the trouble that subway systems can garner, from both his experience and others'.] What are you hoping to uncover?

Anything, really. But . . .

[She pauses. She'd noticed that hesitation-- minute, yes, but still there. But he's a grown man, and he can make his own decisions as to whether or not he wants to undertake this journey.]

There's a subway car down there that shows people their memories. Almost as if it was playing on a movie screen, really. I want to test it for myself. But naturally, I don't want some stranger or student seeing my memories. So . . .

And so you'd like for me to come along with you, since I'm neither stranger nor student.

[Well, here he is, then. Though the idea of a screen showing people's memories is a bit... disturbing, there are a few people he would entertain being in the company with if such a thing did start happening to him spontaneously. He trusts Rosalind, even with his less than flattering memories.]

You've an impossibly bright flashlight, I see. Shall we bring anything else other than ourselves?

[He's armed, of course, and she knows it. It simply isn't visible.]

You're rather more than those.

[He's one of her closest friends, in fact; there's few she'd prefer to have at her side if a strange memory starts to play.]

But mm . . . if you've your usual defenses, I think we'll be all right. Perhaps some food; I'm perpetually wary of being trapped underground after the summer's events.

Fair enough. Shall I go back inside to raid the kitchen before we set out, then?

[Food into his hammerspace. Thanks to Prompto, it has been proven to be just fine and completely edible when he summons it back into reality.]

[THIS IS WHY YOU EXPERIMENT, ARDYN]

Please. I trust your taste.

[And she'll just follow him into the kitchen as she does. Rosalind waits until he's busy at the fridge and counter before adding casually:]

I, ah . . . I saw something in one of the cars already.

[EXPERIMENTS ARE FOR SQUARES]

You saw something? What "something"?

[He's busying himself by whisking food items into his magic; it has a limit, though, so he chooses carefully, but still listening to whatever Rosalind's reply might be.]

My death.

[She says it gently, her gaze locked on Ardyn. Her expression is neutral, but he'll be able to read the weariness in her gaze and tone.]

[And that warrants him stopping everything that he's doing, turning around to face her properly. He is, obviously, looking quite concerned.]

You... [Well, it's no revelation, but it is still something surely shocking to see. Ardyn steps forward.] Are you all right, Rosalind?

As all right as can be expected.

[She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, shrugging as she does. It isn't that she's blase, exactly, but nor does she look as though she's about to burst into tears.

Taking a step forward, she comes to his side, picking up where he left off, rummaging through his fridge.]

. . . it's like having a recurring nightmare. It isn't that it gets easier or less frightening, but . . . at least I know what to expect each time I see it.

[He turns to watch her rummage through his fridge like it was nothing, but Ardyn knows her better than that. He's watching her, closely, before responding.]

Was it different, this time? Did you glean more details from it?

[Or rather... maybe she did not wish to speak about it more. He mentally kicks himself once before adjusting his statement.]

...If it's something you wish to speak more of. It can always wait until later.

I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't wish to speak of it.

[But she isn't looking at him, so it isn't as if she's entirely comfortable with it. Rosalind rummages through his fridge.]

. . . but no. I gleaned no more details from it, save perhaps how we stood. But no, I . . . it was nothing more than a repeat of what I already knew. The man, the-- the feeling he inspired, the explosion . . .

[She finally straightens up, holding a bag of leftovers.]

I really did love him. That isn't a revelation, but . . . I did.

[He can tell. He knows her well enough to see if there's any sense of discomfort there, and given what she's told him just now, he can't blame her.

He steps forward, offering his hand out to take the bag of leftovers.]

Do you feel... grief, over him not being here with you now?

Yes.

[She says it simply and quickly, an answer that takes no thought at all.]

But it isn't a grief that's new. And so I can push it away.

[A beat, and she offers him a smile.]

Come, now. You know the English. Stiff upper lip. I shan't fall apart just because of this, Ardyn.

RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject