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[She'd been right, then, she'd been precisely right, and yet somehow that foreknowledge doesn't much come in handy as her scowl grows and her ears turn red. She has to be terribly careful about how she reacts in these next few seconds, she knows, because there's such a thing as protesting too much, and yes, he's teasing, but at the same time she can't simply blow him off.]

He's ten years younger than I am.

[He leans back, arms extended outward. It would be impossible for him not to find amusement in her reaction, even if she is mostly just tossing a scowl his way.]

Well, I'm not one to judge if he is!

You're missing the bloody point! He's a decade younger, he's twenty-three and he's my assistant, I don't-- I'd never-- there are a hundred reasons that's inappropriate, Ardyn!

I'm not saying anything's happened, Rosalind. I was only clarifying what you felt.

[He laughs, frustrating as he is.]

You're stuttering and your ears are red. How cute.

They are not.

[They absolutely are, and she scowls as she glowers up at him.]

And I realize that, thank you. It's still an inappropriate thing to, to even ask after-- shut up, [she adds, just in case he wants to start in on any stuttering that may or may not have occurred.]

No need to be rude about it.

[Says Ardyn, who sounds the furthest thing from offended.]

As your good friend, can you blame me for taking an interest in your love life? Trying to get an idea of who may catch your eye is the very foundation of this sentiment.

Yes, well.

[She switches to scowling down into her tea.]

Not him. If you're so fascinated by my love life, my type is typically older than me and at the top of their field. I'm more likely to fulfill all Carter's fantasies about me in one fell swoop than to go running after my assistant.

[He leans onto the counter with an elbow, chin in his hand; a funny sight, as if Ardyn is preparing himself for all sorts of scintillating gossip and/or revelations.]

The top of their field? That's a rather high bar for most to clear.

[At least she seems to have calmed down. Rosalind tips her head, a slight smile coming to her face as she watches him settle in. And ah, there's the arrogance, clear in the way she holds herself.]

If they can't, they're not worth my time, are they?

[Ardyn is not at all surprised by this rather haughty statement. He should be, but he isn't.]

No, I suppose they aren't. Your standards are about as high as I'd expect them to be. Though I do wonder how many dates you manage to find for yourself that you consider... ah, "worth your time"?

Quality, Ardyn, not quantity. I may not have many notches in my metaphoric bedpost, but I've done perfectly all right.

[And really, there haven't been very many, but Rosalind doesn't seem too bothered by that.]

And what about you? If we're going to gossip, it's got to go two ways. What is it you look for when you're eyeing someone up?

[It's reasoning that's fair enough, and Ardyn can't fault her if she seems satisfied by it. He quirks a brow when the question is returned to him, clearly entertained that he's expected to describe his own tastes.]

Ah, well- [He feigns thinking about it for a bit, though in reality the answer comes swiftly enough to his mind.] Intellect is key. Someone who can keep up a clever repartee is just as important, which in turn means that they share my particular brand of humor.

And, I suppose, they must be a patient sort. That or easily unfazed. I hear my personality can be frustrating at times, you know.

[really tho ardyn just say grell]

[Ohhh buddy just you wait til she founds out]

And we were so compatible right up until then.

[She gives a mocking little sigh, her wry humor apparently returned to her.]

I think I'd end up killing you after two weeks, but what a lovely two weeks they'd be.

[It's certainly no secret, all she has to do is ask and he'll tell.]

What a shame. [He laughs as well, good-humored as it is.]

As lovely as it might be, I can't help but think that murder would ruin the romance.

It worked for Bonnie and Clyde.

[She grins over her tea.]

Besides, don't focus on the negatives. Focus on the two weeks. We'd be wonderful together, we could annoy the entire city together.

[He looks amused at that, straightening a little.]

Two weeks of bliss? Of annoying bliss to everyone else, at any rate.

[A gesture of a hand.]

And if I were a free man, it would be something to consider. However, I doubt a certain someone would take very kindly to the notion.

[To say she's delighted is an understatement. Rosalind's entire expression lights up, because in some ways she loves gossip just as much as him.]

Who!

[His grin widens, and of course he's not going to immediately give her a straight answer only because she seems so eager.]

Curious, are you? Maybe I should keep you in suspense for a bit longer.

Ardyn.

[Don't start, buddy.]

After all that nonsense with Fawkes, the very least you can do is give me a name.

Oh, fine.

[Said with a lilt, as if he's doing her a favor by admitting to it.]

Dr. Grell Sutcliffe.

[It takes her a moment, but oh, she remembers her. They've spoken on the network a few times, and while Rosalind can't say she knows her all the well, she'd enjoyed the few conversations she has had.

Her smile has softened. It's not a grin, not anymore. She honestly just seems happy for him.]

How long has this gone on, then?

Our first date was on Valentine's Day. It was admittedly something of a joke then.

[Not so much now, but well, funny how these things work out. Regardless, he sees recognition in her features, so of course he feels inclined to ask.]

Do you know her? She's someone who's also been graced by the app known as Retrospec, so perhaps you recognize the name?

More the name than anything. I haven't yet had the chance to get to know her properly.

[But now she sure has some more motivation.]

Tell me about her.

[rip ardyn, he brought this on himself]

Well, you asked what it was I looked for in a person, didn't you? Apply all of those descriptions to her, and you've got the general idea. And then... [His eyes fall onto some nondescript part of the wall, as he explains, that amused smiles still on his features.] She's striking, intelligent, and possesses a flair for the dramatic that I appreciate. And she's been able to put up with me for an extended period of time.

Which is the most important feature, heaven only knows. I'm glad, Ardyn.

[She really is, too.]

You deserve to be happy.

*are you tho*

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are you tho