originallutece | (no subject)

I!

Um. Dr. Lutece. I'm very sorry! I didn't realize this was happening again.

Your text was hardly scandalous. You're the police officer, aren't you? The one who works with Fynn.

[And who'd lectured Prompto . . . but you know, they've only just met, probably she oughtn't bring that up.]

Yes. Officer Hitori Togusa. I didn't realize my connection to Fynn was so well-known, but, well, I could say something similar. You work with Ardyn?

He speaks highly of you.

[But she's pretty pleased by that compliment in return.]

I do, although I'm over in the physics department, not law. But he's a very dear friend of mine.

Really?

[Oh ho, might have to go rib Fynn about what good things he is supposedly saying about him.]

I could actually say the same, Ardyn has become a good friend. I used to be one of his students, years ago.

You and he just know each other from the University, or friend of the family?

[If, she knows Fynn, too?]

Good lord, how young are you?

[THE OTHER QUESTIONS CAN WAIT]

[ASDFABLE WHAT. OKAY SO USUALLY PEOPLE DON'T CATCH ON TO THAT FACT THAT QUICKLY.]

27. Somehow this simultaneously makes me 'Dad' and 'Ardyn's kid' depending on who you ask.

[IF HE WAS ARDYN'S STUDENT THIS MUST BE AN INFANT

Actually, twenty-seven isn't as bad as she'd feared.]

We live in a sea of teenagers. Though at least you're at the latter end of your twenties, that's certainly something.

Oh my god, you're telling me...

So. This puts me at 'oldest of the younger officers.' I'm older than Fynn, and Lou, Sakakura. Got more experience than them, too, we're coming up on my sixth year on the force.

I think I talked it out with Ardyn once where I fell on his teaching career, it was only his second and third year at the University or something like that?

That seems about right. Though to imagine him so young is rather difficult, I must say.

Still, you're only six years younger than me, if that gives you any comfort.

I assure you I never would have asked a lady her age.

....He really hasn't changed a bit since I met him. He talks with friends just like he lectures.

Well. Just like he lectures if he likes you.

I know far too much about law than I care to, frankly.

In any case: I'm not particularly a friend of the family, but this app has ensured I've met a fair few of them anyway-- namely, Fynn and his nephews.

Let me offer the customary pre-emptive apology for Fynn, then. He's one of my best friends, first choice for who on the force to watch my back, but I know how he can be.

The twins are great. I worry that I pay more attention to Souji than Yu, and I don't treat them the same. But they're both brilliant. Ardyn loves them both a lot.

It's a bit late for the apology, but I appreciate it nonetheless. Fynn has already stuck his foot rather permanently in his mouth.

[Like, she trusts him with a gun, but also wouldn't mind if he kept his mouth firmly shut.]

I'm afraid I don't know Yu as well as Souji, which is more my fault than anything. I ought to remedy that soon.

Yu and I were in the same group this past month. I still didn't get much of a chance to talk to him. He seems naturally quieter than his twin, though.

He's another one of the kids who have been given- abilities, for lack of a better term.

I'd wondered, given Souji's own. It would be stranger if they didn't have the same ones, frankly.

Oh, you do know. I wasn't going to spill if you weren't already in the loop.

Their abilities are similar, but different. What I saw Souji summon was different than what Yu was working with. Souji had that- thing with the four arms. He says it could create fire. But Yu brought up a big white dragon.

Yes, Souji's shown me his, though I've yet to see Yu's. I've seen Souji's create fire; it's a fascinating thing. What can the dragon do?

It's a healer. It was incredible. I got thrown around by a security robot (long story) but I was good as new afterwards, thanks to Yu and-

Hunh, he didn't give me the dragon's name.

But, I don't think a number of us would have been okay without their help.

I had no idea-- but now that you tell me, I'm not surprised.

For all I complain about Souji, he's a wonderful boy. I'm not surprised that extends to his brother as well.

They are, the both of them. Even though Yu is quieter, he never seems to mind Souji dragging him into things. I owe them a lot.

It occurs to me I don't know as much about their background as I would like to. Ardyn would certainly tell, but they might consider it prying.

You might well ask them. They're both generally open, and it's not as if they can't turn you down if they don't want to share. Questions aren't inherently a bad thing.

Okay, there's that.

Well. Looping back to my initial question, since you might actually know.

Isn't Ardyn's birthday coming up, and does he like chocolate?

It is-- November 3rd, actually, so you've plenty of time. And yes, he does, though I'd stay on the plainer side, just to be safe.

Have something planned?

Yesss. No big plans, but that'll be enough time to get something imported from home. Matcha chocolate is a thing.

....

I think we could leave the big plans to the twins. Not like we could stop them.