originallutece | (no subject)

. . . what precisely were you two doing?

[ JESUS CHRIST, ROSALIND. ]

I-I don't remember, it was during some conversation.

[LISTEN THIS CONVERSATION STARTED WITH NOCTIS LOOKING AT PROMPTO IN THE GYM, SHE'S COVERING ALL HER BASES]

All right. Well. In that case, you have to work through it. You learn to accept that your feelings aren't returned, and let the crush die on its own.

[ See, if he's gay? So be it. That doesn't bother him much, and he's likely to come around to that conclusion comfortably soon enough. It's this whole situation with Prompto that has him a little up in arms, because he's constantly worried that he's too much anyway.

His arms cross, foot tapping against the floor. It'd be pretty shitty if this wound up with him having feelings for Prompto that are unrequited. ]

It was a hypothetical scenario anyway.

[was it

was it really]

Mm.

[Pushing won't help, not now, but she'll be keeping a closer eye on him. If Prompto truly doesn't swing that way, it'd be best for Noctis to simply acknowledge his feelings; it'll make it all the easier to work through them that way. But demanding he admit it right now won't help; he'll just deny it further.]

Well. If nothing else, you've learned a bit more about my own sordid love life. I should think the conversation worth that alone.

[ Absolutely, Ros. 100%.

He relaxes a bit, at least when the subject deviates away from him. ]

I never thought you swung that way. Actually, it's weird picturing you with anyone at all.

Kinda like when you see a teacher outside of the school. Because they live there.

[ His smirk is lopsided. Isn't he hilarious? ]

[she's cracking a rib he's so funny]

There's a lot I don't tell ten year olds who follow me around. That was only a few years after her, you know.

[A beat, and then, a slight smile on her face:]

Do you want to see a picture of her?

[ He snorts at the remark about him as a ten year old.

At the offer, he softens. ]

Ah.

Yeah, sure.

[The photos are still on her dresser, so it only takes her a moment to fetch them. There's a few there, but the one she passes to Noctis is a rather scenic photo of the lawns of Cambridge. A much younger Rosalind, sixteen and still a little gawky, sitting next to a frankly stunning young woman. They're both smiling up at the camera, but whereas Ros simply looks pleased to be there, there's something eye-catching about her companion.]

The summer of 2001. Her boyfriend-- husband, now-- took the photo.

[ Noctis watches as Rosalind gets up to grab her photos. And he quietly waits, sitting up and even going as far as scooting closer when she starts going through them. When she hands over the photo of her at Cambridge, he carefully takes it.

Younger Rosalind, even if it were a few years before she'd worked for his father, looks much like he remembers. There's a bit of comforting nostalgia in that, but his attention definitely locks on the woman she sits beside. ]

Oh.

[ He looks a little stunned. ]

She's beautiful.

Yes.

[She sounds rueful.]

Beautiful and charismatic: a dangerous combination. I did too many stupid things thanks to her.

[ Oh, that gets his attention. ]

You? Stupid?

I gotta hear about this.

You can well imagine college hijinks on your own, Noctis.

[ He chuckles, adjusting himself on the couch so one leg is resting on it, and his arm hangs over the back of it, facing Rosalind. ]

I'm not ten anymore. Come on, I'm curious.

[She pauses for a moment, trying to think of a story that'll both satisfy his curiosity and allow her to keep her dignity.]

Well. Beyond dragging me along to any number of parties, she and one other friend were responsible for my getting so drunk I blacked out.

[She doesn't look all that sorry about it, to be honest.]

He was tall, and, looking back, I think trying to impress me by telling me how much he could drink. I, ah, took it as a challenge. She encouraged me.

[ Noctis looks absolutely satisfied to get insight to young Rosalind. It indicates a side that he's not at all used to, which is both odd and weirdly comforting. And amusing.

He smiles. ]

I don't think I could ever imagine you wasted. Do you remember anything from that night at all?

[ Inquiring minds must know! ]

Perhaps sometime you and I can share a beer, and you'll get a hint of it.

Let's see . . . I remember us setting up the shots. I remember the first few rounds, and the way I assured Charlie that I'd undoubtedly emerge the victor. And then I remember him carrying me to my dorm later that night.

[ That image is absolutely hilarious. ]

I'm holding you to that.

Sounds like you can't hold your liquor, though.

[ Neither can he. ]

We... Might wanna consider a cab if this is gonna be a thing.

I can hold my liquor perfectly well, thank you. He was a foot taller than me and four years older, the odds were stacked against me. And you and I are not going to be slamming back shots, not least of which because I'm in my thirties now.

Edited 2017-08-13 06:49 (UTC)

I'm finding that pretty hard to believe.

Still.

[ Noctis shrugs. ]

Technically, I can't slam back shots with you anyway. Considering I'm not 21 for another few weeks.

[ Hasn't stopped him from drinking. That... One time. ]

[She pulls a face and waves a hand airily. He's of age at home, which is all that really matters. WAY MORE IMPORTANT:]

Don't doubt me. I can hold my drink perfectly well, Noctis.

[See, it's set-ups like this that ended in her blackout drunk and being carried home by Charlie Astor.]

Should we start another bet?

[ Have you not learned, Rosalind? ]

That depends entirely on the parameters of said bet.

[SHE'S GONNA WIN THE OTHER BET TOO DON'T DOUBT HER]

[ WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT. ]

I'm thinking... Laser tag and go-karts. Loser's the first one to pass out.

Edited 2017-08-13 06:59 (UTC)

Oh, good god . . . not until one of us passes out.

[Don't make her deal with the two of them throwing up in her apartment.]

Three shots. Whomever can successfully . . . oh, let's say pour us another round, without spilling, wins.