RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

[daemonized]

ARDYN IZUNIA

Ardyn Izunia. Professor of law. Lord of law. Liege of law. The one grading your papers. Leave a message.

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( old contact post here )

Comments

[originallutece]

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.

[daemonized]

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.]

[originallutece]

[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.

[daemonized]

[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.]

[originallutece]

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.]

[daemonized]

[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?

[originallutece]

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.

[daemonized]

[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.

[originallutece]

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.

[daemonized]

[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?

[originallutece]

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.