Rosalind Lutece (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
originallutece) wrote2017-09-22 05:41 pm
originallutece) wrote2017-09-22 05:41 pm
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[ dutch's brows draw together for a moment, though there's nothing wrong with the question as such. she just never had childhood friends. for a long time, she'd refused to even think of people as her friends, with the exception of johnny who'd jumped straight into family. ]
An old lover. [ dutch finally settles on, though that doesn't nearly capture all that alvis is. ]
An old lover. [ dutch finally settles on, though that doesn't nearly capture all that alvis is. ]
Be careful, now. [He seems to grin at that, too, not so hesitant to hide his ever growing amusement.] A rather dangerous stance to take. But we'll see how much of an advantage it may truly give you, in the end.
[And in that moment Ardyn is still again, until the darkness dissipates from her eyes and they appear normal, as they should be.]
For me?
[Careful, Rosalind. That is an admission that means more to Ardyn than it would to most people. That someone would be there, suffering, for his sake, for his own comfort. He's been without that, forcefully deprived of it, for so long. It's enough for him to immediately want to push it away, because how he is supposed to parse that when she says it so casually?
Well. In the end, he knows it won't matter. She'll be rid of it soon enough -- there's only so much that she'd be able to take, as strong or stubborn as she was. Ardyn knows it.]
Do what you like, of course. But you're certainly under no obligation for my sake.
For me?
[Careful, Rosalind. That is an admission that means more to Ardyn than it would to most people. That someone would be there, suffering, for his sake, for his own comfort. He's been without that, forcefully deprived of it, for so long. It's enough for him to immediately want to push it away, because how he is supposed to parse that when she says it so casually?
Well. In the end, he knows it won't matter. She'll be rid of it soon enough -- there's only so much that she'd be able to take, as strong or stubborn as she was. Ardyn knows it.]
Do what you like, of course. But you're certainly under no obligation for my sake.
I know.
[She might rid herself of it just to be contrary if she thought it was solely for his sake. She isn't a bleeding heart and she's most certainly not about to suffer solely to soothe a man she's known less than half a year.
But . . . for me, he asks, and yes, she'd meant precisely what she'd said. For him, because she might not know him well, but she knows enough. She knows she's never met anyone like him before; she knows that they're more alike than either of them want to admit.
Immortal and inhuman, something corrupted from humanity and looked at with a distrustful eye; something eager to destroy the world, for no other reason than the world had hurt them. Something different, even here, where supposedly all differences are to be wiped clean. Oh, yes, they're alike, and despite herself, despite her constant irritation with him, Rosalind feels something akin to kinship with him.
Her husband. God. For all they'd banked on gaining one another's powers, she suspects neither of them were prepared for this.]
. . . for you. Is that so impossible to believe?
[She might rid herself of it just to be contrary if she thought it was solely for his sake. She isn't a bleeding heart and she's most certainly not about to suffer solely to soothe a man she's known less than half a year.
But . . . for me, he asks, and yes, she'd meant precisely what she'd said. For him, because she might not know him well, but she knows enough. She knows she's never met anyone like him before; she knows that they're more alike than either of them want to admit.
Immortal and inhuman, something corrupted from humanity and looked at with a distrustful eye; something eager to destroy the world, for no other reason than the world had hurt them. Something different, even here, where supposedly all differences are to be wiped clean. Oh, yes, they're alike, and despite herself, despite her constant irritation with him, Rosalind feels something akin to kinship with him.
Her husband. God. For all they'd banked on gaining one another's powers, she suspects neither of them were prepared for this.]
. . . for you. Is that so impossible to believe?
I've seen you fight. You could do just as well solely with your fists, I've no doubt, unless you were up against someone truly spectacular-- and even then, you could give them a run for their money.
. . . but you carry it anyway, for-- among other reasons-- insurance. It's best to be overprepared than risk anything, correct?
[She had a point, okay, she hadn't just asked him that for fun. Rosalind pushes her wet hair back, one arm then crossing over her chest just a touch self-consciously.]
I could teleport away, you're right. But not instantly. Not if someone snuck up on me. I've no power over time, not anymore. And all it would take to kill me is one knife or bullet I hadn't seen coming.
. . . and it's an exhausting power here. I can't travel like that forever.
. . . but you carry it anyway, for-- among other reasons-- insurance. It's best to be overprepared than risk anything, correct?
[She had a point, okay, she hadn't just asked him that for fun. Rosalind pushes her wet hair back, one arm then crossing over her chest just a touch self-consciously.]
I could teleport away, you're right. But not instantly. Not if someone snuck up on me. I've no power over time, not anymore. And all it would take to kill me is one knife or bullet I hadn't seen coming.
. . . and it's an exhausting power here. I can't travel like that forever.
[Majima stares up at the moon as he continues to drift along. The question was her being cryptic, then. He should've figured. When Ros compliments his skill, though, Majima can't stop a smirk from flickering across his face.]
You're talkin' to the wrong man about risk, but I get what you mean.
[He lifts his hand and lets it drip water on his face to keep it cool. So, if he's reading this right-- the power she had is gone, and that spooked her. She'd never acknowledge fear, knowing her for even as short of a time as he has, but he wouldn't call it weakness in that case. Losing control after feeling on top of the world; what other way is there to react?]
Wouldn't've grabbed you like that if I knew, y'know.
You're talkin' to the wrong man about risk, but I get what you mean.
[He lifts his hand and lets it drip water on his face to keep it cool. So, if he's reading this right-- the power she had is gone, and that spooked her. She'd never acknowledge fear, knowing her for even as short of a time as he has, but he wouldn't call it weakness in that case. Losing control after feeling on top of the world; what other way is there to react?]
Wouldn't've grabbed you like that if I knew, y'know.
I know.
[And she does know, actually. She might not grasp all the ins and outs of his personality just yet, but he isn't sadistic.]
Don't misunderstand. I'm not just jumping at shadows. There's two people from my world who'd very much like to see me dead again, should they wake up. I've a knack for making enemies.
[And she does know, actually. She might not grasp all the ins and outs of his personality just yet, but he isn't sadistic.]
Don't misunderstand. I'm not just jumping at shadows. There's two people from my world who'd very much like to see me dead again, should they wake up. I've a knack for making enemies.
[Majima chuckles to himself darkly.]
Now there's somethin' I'm good at.
[He lets himself sink and swims to join her on the outer wall of the cave. A few meters away, a hubbub breaks out as some other refugees manage to catch some fish in the shallows. It just reminds him how hungry he is, so he sucks his teeth and returns his attention to Ros.]
But who's puttin' scientists so high on their hit list?
Now there's somethin' I'm good at.
[He lets himself sink and swims to join her on the outer wall of the cave. A few meters away, a hubbub breaks out as some other refugees manage to catch some fish in the shallows. It just reminds him how hungry he is, so he sucks his teeth and returns his attention to Ros.]
But who's puttin' scientists so high on their hit list?
[Her eyes flit over him as he approaches, an instinctive reaction she hopes he doesn't notice in the darkness. For all she's seen and done, for all she's had her fair share of men (and women, now, too, a thought that still thrills her), it's still shocking to see Majima swimming around her with not much on. She can't help the way her gaze traces over the line of his shoulders and collarbone, the way his hair clings to his skin . . .
It's nothing more than a moment's glance, but it's still there. But god knows that question snaps her out of it; Rosalind smiles thinly.]
It's a bit of a story.
[She pushes her hair back.]
But the long and short of it is that I knew too much and ceased to become useful to a very powerful man, and I paid the price.
It's nothing more than a moment's glance, but it's still there. But god knows that question snaps her out of it; Rosalind smiles thinly.]
It's a bit of a story.
[She pushes her hair back.]
But the long and short of it is that I knew too much and ceased to become useful to a very powerful man, and I paid the price.
[Ah yes, the sweet sweet sounds of things he barely understands. He stops himself from saying something about how it's like magic, which is In All Things—he can tell, at least, that this is something a lot more... sound? Deep down? Magic is in all things but she's talking about something tangible, from what he can follow—
So. He nods.]
Sure. Did it work?
So. He nods.]
Sure. Did it work?
Yes.
[It's telling how quickly that answer leaves his lips. Not out of stubbornness, or some silly thing like embarrassment. It is spoken in haste, in assuredness, because it is drawn out from his own experiences. It is the only truth that he knows, that those who claim to help will all disappear, one way or another. Such is the life of an immortal, and before he was immortal, such was the sickening truth regarding those who had pretended to care -- his family, his people, friends that turned away so quickly at the very thought of him twisting into something inhuman. Perhaps if he had even a smallest pillar of support at the time, things would've turned out differently for him, but Ardyn no longer dwells on these what ifs. Only that what happened did happen, and it left an acrid taste in his mouth, let his humanity rot and his heart to turn cruel.
So, yes. It is impossible to believe. He doesn't believe her to be lying, but he has little faith in how long this rather novel idea of hers will last in her head.]
Wayward sentiment will get you nowhere. [The fire in his hand vacillates between flickering bright and waning, indicative of magic just left to burn raw.] But as I said, do what you like.
[It's telling how quickly that answer leaves his lips. Not out of stubbornness, or some silly thing like embarrassment. It is spoken in haste, in assuredness, because it is drawn out from his own experiences. It is the only truth that he knows, that those who claim to help will all disappear, one way or another. Such is the life of an immortal, and before he was immortal, such was the sickening truth regarding those who had pretended to care -- his family, his people, friends that turned away so quickly at the very thought of him twisting into something inhuman. Perhaps if he had even a smallest pillar of support at the time, things would've turned out differently for him, but Ardyn no longer dwells on these what ifs. Only that what happened did happen, and it left an acrid taste in his mouth, let his humanity rot and his heart to turn cruel.
So, yes. It is impossible to believe. He doesn't believe her to be lying, but he has little faith in how long this rather novel idea of hers will last in her head.]
Wayward sentiment will get you nowhere. [The fire in his hand vacillates between flickering bright and waning, indicative of magic just left to burn raw.] But as I said, do what you like.
[Well, she won't try and convince him with words. She doubts there are any that would do the trick, frankly, and she doesn't blame him. Evidence is the only thing that will work, and to that end . . .
To that end, time will be her ally. But in the meantime, she'll do as she likes, and let those words rattle around his head.]
There's never been a moment in my life where I haven't, Ardyn Izunia.
[But they've ruins to explore. Rosalind strides forward, heading towards the wall. There are runes there, carved into the stone and faded by time; she traces over them gently.]
I don't suppose you've a piece of paper and some pens, hm?
To that end, time will be her ally. But in the meantime, she'll do as she likes, and let those words rattle around his head.]
There's never been a moment in my life where I haven't, Ardyn Izunia.
[But they've ruins to explore. Rosalind strides forward, heading towards the wall. There are runes there, carved into the stone and faded by time; she traces over them gently.]
I don't suppose you've a piece of paper and some pens, hm?
[Easy enough to move on from the subject when it's already been settled in his mind. In both their minds, apparently, and Ardyn will not argue the point or bring it up again.
So he follows, his strides as even and casual as before. Though at her question, he raises a brow.]
What do I look like, an office supply store?
[He is not a walking storage space, Rosalind. Except he totally is.]
So he follows, his strides as even and casual as before. Though at her question, he raises a brow.]
What do I look like, an office supply store?
[He is not a walking storage space, Rosalind. Except he totally is.]
You look like a man with a thousand pockets and a dimension where he keeps swords and god knows what else. Do you or don't you?
I am not made of pockets.
[Because that's totally up for debate here.
But he exhales, and with his free hand, produces a notebook and a pen in a sharp flash of magic. Yes, he comes prepared with the most basic items, though there really isn't much more than that right now. (He isn't like some Lucis Caelums, who keep an entire swath of camping gear in their hammerspace.)
The notebook has a few scribblings in it; mostly observations of Wyver and a sketch or two of a dragon, but that's about it. Most of it remains blank, and he feels comfortable enough handing the items to her.]
[Because that's totally up for debate here.
But he exhales, and with his free hand, produces a notebook and a pen in a sharp flash of magic. Yes, he comes prepared with the most basic items, though there really isn't much more than that right now. (He isn't like some Lucis Caelums, who keep an entire swath of camping gear in their hammerspace.)
The notebook has a few scribblings in it; mostly observations of Wyver and a sketch or two of a dragon, but that's about it. Most of it remains blank, and he feels comfortable enough handing the items to her.]
Well, well. A supply store and husband all in one. Come kneel by me, please, I need the light--
[Because she's going to sketch out these symbols. Carefully settling on her knees, she sets the pad on her thighs and peers up at the symbols. A few moments pass, and she adds:]
I like the dragons.
[Because she's going to sketch out these symbols. Carefully settling on her knees, she sets the pad on her thighs and peers up at the symbols. A few moments pass, and she adds:]
I like the dragons.
Edited 2017-12-12 06:43 (UTC)
[The way their shadows twist at strange angles reveal that he does kneel next to her after a moment or two. The flame settles back into something steady, a boon for her to work by.
He shrugs.]
They wouldn't stay still.
[They're decent enough sketches, because Ardyn has an eye for detail, but they're unfinished.]
He shrugs.]
They wouldn't stay still.
[They're decent enough sketches, because Ardyn has an eye for detail, but they're unfinished.]
How are your senses as compared to a human? Is it just your hearing that's improved? Does the tail serve any evolutionary purpose, or is it purely ornamental? Does your hair always match your tail?
[ ...is... is she being conned?
.........on the other hand, bug spray would be pretty useful in warmer climates. she hates mosquitoes and she bets el nysa has super alien mosquitoes. everything is scarier on a different planet. ]
Yeah, ok. Bug spray, that sounds like a good trade. [ even if she feels like she has lost control of this situation. ] Anyway what would you like then?
.........on the other hand, bug spray would be pretty useful in warmer climates. she hates mosquitoes and she bets el nysa has super alien mosquitoes. everything is scarier on a different planet. ]
Yeah, ok. Bug spray, that sounds like a good trade. [ even if she feels like she has lost control of this situation. ] Anyway what would you like then?
What would happen if one tried to eat you, I wonder.
[She doesn't glance over, but there's something like amusement in her tone.]
[She doesn't glance over, but there's something like amusement in her tone.]
Hot. Full of animals and plantlife, including a tree that was intent on stealing my things. But I suppose it could have been worse: there was a whole pack of us traveling, so we didn't encounter anything more dangerous than a few squirrels.
But as I said: I rather loathe the outdoors.
But as I said: I rather loathe the outdoors.
[Could she build a ship? Probably, Rosalind decides, because with enough time and research, she can do almost anything. A ship is something ordinary people can do; she can certainly master it. But she's also pleased Isabela was only teasing, because frankly, carpentry seems very boring.]
I'm working out of my home for the moment-- though you're more than welcome to stop by there.
I'm working out of my home for the moment-- though you're more than welcome to stop by there.
[Rosalind....]
I doubt I'd taste very appetizing.
[And how easily that amusement is reflected back.]
I doubt I'd taste very appetizing.
[And how easily that amusement is reflected back.]
I more meant I wonder if you'd die, actually, but you're right: far too tall. I imagine you'd end up being stringy.
Now, if I was in full command of my powers, they'd simply pass through me, as if I was a shadow. Now . . . mm. I don't know what might happen.
[The sketch is coming along wonderfully.]
Now, if I was in full command of my powers, they'd simply pass through me, as if I was a shadow. Now . . . mm. I don't know what might happen.
[The sketch is coming along wonderfully.]
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