originallutece | (no subject)

[ Noctis finds it a bit easier to relax as more time passes. He reaches over again for his cocoa, resting back against the couch and taking a sip. At her comment, he dwells on the routine with his friend. Weird as the last two sessions were for him, he didn't hate it.

So, he softly smiles, staring into his cup. ]

Yeah.

I'm okay with it.

And it's a fair sight healthier than those video games-- which, by the way, I can now beat you on at least one of them.

[ He perks a brow, looking at Rosalind. Obviously amused. ]

Oh yeah? Which one?

Mortal Kombat. I'm officially better at it than my assistant, which is saying quite a bit.

[That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but whatever.]

[ That makes him lean forward a bit. Noctis is clearly in disbelief here. ]

Mortal Kombat?

[ There is no way. ]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Anytime you'd like. I'm getting quite good at ripping out spines.

[ Noctis snorts. ]

You do realize who you're talking to, right? I've played every single one since childhood.

Yes, but it's me.

[Like, buddy, have you met her, she's a genius, and clearly that extends to all areas.]

[ SIGH ]

Good point.

[ She's probably researched how each character works in great detail. ]

Still, I'm the seasoned veteran here.

[YOU BETTER BELIEVE SHE DID]

Shall we bet on it, then?

[ He reaches his hand over in an offer to shake hers. ]

Oh, you're on.

[They've sealed their fate with one handshake.]

Hmm . . . a bottle of wine, I think, should I win. And you?

[ They shake on it, and Noctis purses his lips to stare up at the ceiling in thought. ]

If I win, I get...

One "Get out of an essay" free card. When school starts.

Absolutely not. There are five over the course of the semester, and I'm making this deal with you as your friend, not your teacher.

[Friend. Mum-like figure. Whichever.]

[ BUH. Fine. ]

Blegh.

[ Yes. He just said "blegh". Like a child. ]

Alright, alright. I win, and you go with me to laser tag sometime.

Laser tag . . . good god, I haven't done that in a decade.

[But that's ethically acceptable, if not a little embarrassing to her dignity. But whatever, there are worse things, and it's not on to keep refusing.]

All right. Laser tag it is. No photos, though.

Oh come on.

[ He holds a single finger up. ]

One selfie. Or Prompto won't believe me.

Prompto believed you had a tail, Noctis.

[ His expression changes to one of surprise. He looks up, suddenly remembering. ]

Oh yeah, you're right.

He did.

[ He snorts. ]

Forgot that.

He was quite worried, too, it was very touching.

One selfie. And you only send it to Prompto. Professor Izunia doesn't need another thing to tease me on.

Yeah, I actually still feel kinda bad about that.

[ Prompto didn't take to the entire prank very well. Even if Noctis was trying to make a point about his privacy.

That was long enough ago that he feels pretty stupid for being irritated about in the first place. ]

Deal. Ardyn'll never catch a whiff of it.

Well done. If he and I ever end up fighting, I'm glad to know you'll be on my side. Prompto's fond of me, but Ardyn is worryingly charismatic.

[ He laughs, sitting back again with his cocoa and taking another sip. It's then that he gets somber. It's just been such a tough week for a number of reasons, none of which Noctis seems to feel confident in communicating. Except why else did he come here?

Still, he quiets down a bit. As he does. ]

[She goes quiet as he does, her gaze focused on him. Something's on his mind, clearly, and though she's quite fine with asking questions, perhaps it's better to just let it come out naturally.]

[ The silence is helpful, mostly because Noctis never really knows where to start when it comes to conversations. Or even just being honest. It's right that he has a lot on his mind; he's pretty certain it's the same for her. What Rosalind has over others here is that she knows Noctis better than most. They have a history, a foundation of trust. Talking is always beneficial to get one's head cleared, but his options in who he's comfortable doing that with are few.

His finger bends along the rim of his mug, sliding it front and back idly as a fidget. ]

Do you...

Remember anything about what I did here before my coma?