originallutece | (no subject)

I need your... I don't know.

Insight. On something.

[Oh, dear.]

I'm more than happy to offer it. What is it?

[ Noctis falls silent while he tries to gather the words. He fusses with his blanket, sitting on his bed. ]

If modern medicine doesn't work for an illness, usually it just means technology isn't advanced enough.

So what would it mean if magic doesn't work either?

[Ah. One of the hard ones. Rosalind leans back in her chair, frowning at the wall as she gives the question some thought.]

Well. Let's begin with: what magic are we speaking of, precisely?

[ Boy, does he hate getting into this. But he's kept it to himself long enough. ]

Back at the convention, Ardyn tried healing me. Guess he's got the ability to do that just with his hands.

I was already at the start of one of my normal, ah... Episodes, I guess. Trying only made it worse.

[ He pauses, voice tending. ]

Much worse. The pain was bad enough to make me pass out.

Edited 2017-08-28 21:57 (UTC)

[Good god. She inhales sharply, concern for both Noctis and Ardyn flaring.]

Knowing what I do about his magic, then . . .

[He can theoretically take in disease, but they only know that from memory, not practical application. He's mended bones and cuts and bruises, but never an illness.]

It may be because it's chronic, not something in passing. Or it may be because Ardyn doesn't yet know everything about his abilities.

[ Noctis' voice is smaller now. He's deflated, honestly. About what's been happening, about his declining health. It's all way too much, and while there is some relief in knowing it might just because Ardyn is not at his full potential yet? It still leaves a million questions.

As usual. ]

Guess so...

[She pauses for a few seconds. She knows words of soothing comfort are likely needed, but she's no idea what to say. Sweet lies aren't her style, and it seems insensitive to say something along the lines of cheer up, you're no worse off than you were before.

So . . .]

He was quite unhappy with me the first time he told me about those powers. I raced over, eager as anything to test them out, to his great annoyance. A papercut, he suggested, would be a good trial; I disagreed. We settled on a cut on my finger.

[ Well, she wouldn't be wrong. But it definitely wouldn't do much to sway the fear that likes to drop by every so often. You know, the fear where he's not sure whether or not he'll be alive tomorrow? It's a miracle he didn't wind up in the hospital again.

Rosalind starts a story, and at least he clings to it. Of course she'd test it out. That's her natural reaction to discoveries like that, which is why he reached out to her in the first place. ]

Hah.

And how'd that work out?

He healed me, of course. I was a bit sorry for it; I hadn't known he would take on the pain. He wanted to do the same thing at the convention, but I declined.

He takes it on himself?

[Oops.]

. . . yes. For a time. From what I understand, he takes on the pain of it for a few moments, until it fades.

[ Oh god, if he rubs at his face any harder, his skin will stretch. ]

I'm not sure if I should be pissed or relieved.

Try not to be either, or if you are, don't direct it at him. He's had a rather rough month of it.

[I mean, they all have. But Ros worries about Ardyn and his apparent willingness to heal the world.]

[ Noctis sighs heavily. They've all had a rough month for sure. There's relief in knowing Ardyn didn't take on his shitty condition, because he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy. But damn, it would have been good to know what the risk was. Even if it's noble he put Noctis first, despite how little they know about each other so far. They're good friends so far, but he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for Ardyn suffering like that.

Still doesn't quite resolve things. Not only is his condition without a cure by doctors, even magic can't do shit for it. And even if it did? It would involve Ardyn suffering for it. ]

No doubt.

I'm... Not even gonna bring it up with him. Just know now that options are back down to zero.

[ Yep. Absolutely done. ]

Again.

[She exhales softly, though she's certain the sound will carry across the phone. It's not a sigh, because she's not upset. She simply wishes she had something to offer that wasn't vague sympathy.]

How are you feeling now?

Fine now.

[ Truth be told, he's horrified. The fact that he lost consciousness at all is scary, especially considering what happened the last time. ]

Didn't wake up in a hospital this time.

[ Another pause. ]

...

Can... You keep that between us, by the way? The part about me passing out.

Of course. You hardly need ask, Noctis.

[ . . . ]

It's Prompto's off night, you know. I haven't any plans for dinner just yet. If you're feeling up to it, why not go buy us supper and come by?

[ Yeah, it's Prompto he's worried about. But it seems like Rosalind kind of knows. Noctis takes a second, quiet on the other end as he always is. Until he eventually replies. ]

Yeah, I can do that.

[ Honesty, he could use Rosalind's company. Spooked as he is. ]

I can be there in 20.

Don't buy anything greasy.

[It's honestly too much to ask he get something healthy, but she can at least stipulate that. And in twenty minutes (or so), her door is unlocked. Rosalind sits at the kitchen table, frowning at her laptop. There's a lot of papers scattered about her, though she starts gathering them when he arrives.]

[ Noctis offers just a lazy sort of chuckle before hanging up. He listens, of course. He doesn't get anything greasy, but he definitely gets his usual noodle soup. The same for Rosalind; it's his safest choice always.

He arrives in about 20 minutes as promised, knocking twice before letting himself in. Noctis has been over pretty frequently in the last few weeks, and so he's comfortable knowing that Rosalind is expecting him and keeping the door unlocked. ]

I'm here.

[ He announces casually, closing the door behind him and taking off his shoes. Noctis heads for the kitchen, where he sees Rosalind toiling away at her work. A normal sight for him. Except for the frown.

He sets down the bag of their food and starts unloading. ]

Tough going with the lesson plans?

I've had an assistant to aid me these past two semesters. I've gotten spoilt.

[Well, that and she's been fighting monsters in all her free time, but . . . Rosalind takes a deep breath as she closes her laptop and offers him a slight smile.]

But I've still another week or so.

[ Noctis takes a seat in the adjacent seat, pulling the bags over for the two of them. He sets his keys and phone down. Despite how off he's feeling, he manages a soft smile for Rosalind. ]

I could help.

[ A gentle suggestion. Even if she's going to be his professor, it wouldn't be the first time he's offered to "help". Except "help" had a much different meaning when he was a kid. Organizing tabs with color-coding makes a dent, but only so much. ]

Don't have anything else going on, so.

[ He shrugs. ]

[She smiles.]

All right. But dinner first-- I haven't eaten all day. You can have the pleasure of seeing your own work on the papers I pass out next Wednesday.

[Alas, his noodles are unhealthy, but they are delicious, and once they've heated them up, Rosalind settles in with pleasure.]

I've learnt to cook-- I ought to show you one day.

[ The idea of being able to help with assignments is pretty interesting, actually. Noctis keeps his smile when she accepts the offer. He settles down to start eating, separating his chopsticks before digging in. ]

Should I be scared?

[ He chuckles. ]

If it's anything like my attempts, I might have to be.