kittycaterer | Ic inbox

same for me
i've got a laptop and a desktop computer at home
both of which have done the same thing
havent told my old man yet; he'd lose his mind

He wouldn't believe you, I think.

I had a friend - have a friend, I should say, you might see him around campus. Professor Jack Dawes. He had the app a few months ago, and then quite suddenly he didn't. And he thinks Professor Izunia and I are playing some kind of elaborate joke on him whenever we mention it.

its like the program has a mind of its own
ive had to mess with the default settings of the wall program to basically let retrospec do its thing
otherwise i get a dozen alerts every five minutes and my computer lags out
the software's supposed to block or remove untrustworthy programs

At least something recognizes the app isn't all it seems to be. Though speaking of that, you're going to have to change the settings on my computers as well, if the program reacts so poorly to it.

might be the best idea
whenever youre free, i can come by and make those changes

Come by this evening. We'll have dinner afterwards.

sounds good
how about 7?

Seven it is.

[Does she just live at her desk? Maybe. Certainly that's where they keep meeting up, and Rosalind looks as comfortable as ever, writing down a few notes here and there. There's a flash of concern in her eyes as Noctis comes in, though, and she sets her pen down.]

[ Seems like this is becoming a habit, but Noctis is finding himself enjoying how empty the halls of the university are at this time of year. Kind of odd, but weirdly interesting. And there's a sense of nostalgia in spending time with Dr. Lutece. Much like the time they had spent when she would watch over him while working for his father.

He arrives on time, as usual, still wearing a sleepy look when he allows himself in. ]

Ah.

[ She looks worried. He closes the door behind him. ]

Evening, Doctor.

Just woke up?

[Her tone is teasing, or at least attempting it. Rosalind stands, nodding at the chair in obvious invitation; it'll be easier for him to work on her computer from there.]

I, uh--

[ He laughs, despite himself. ]

I had a short nap, yeah.

[ Always the sleepy one. Noctis takes the signal from Rosalind and has a seat. He accesses her desktop, going right to work. ]

I was meaning to contact you about the issues I had. Kinda just dawned on me today, honestly.

[ A pause, he looks to her. ]

You okay? Looks like something's bothering you.

I'm perfectly all right.

[She glances down at him, meeting his gaze, but waits until he's turned back to the computer to quietly add:]

. . . merely concerned for you.

[ Fussing with the way the program functions alongside Retrospec is a bit difficult, so this takes a little bit of time. Noctis carefully goes through Rosalind's settings, accessing the innermost parts of her operating system with ease.

At her reassurance, he only feels a little better until she turns the subject back on him. Likely leftover feelings from the conversation they had, and it's still heavy on his shoulders, too.

Speaking quietly and level-headed, Noctis shrugs his shoulders. ]

Not sure if that's old news or not. Everyone's concerned for me. You don't need to be.

[ He keeps his attention to the computer. Noctis is pretty open, for the most part. But with this? He isn't all that keen on opening up about his thoughts and feelings on what he saw. ]

I uh.

Don't mean that disrespectfully.

[Most certainly there'd be days when she reprimanded him for that bit of cheek. She'd never tolerated it back when he was a child, but then again, they'd never spoken about emotional matters like this.

Still. He's not a child anymore, and if he doesn't want her worrying, she'll keep it to herself.]

Who's everyone?

[ He types away at her keyboard, monotone, but he doesn't ignore the subject entirely. ]

You, Dad, Prompto.

[ Noctis leans forward, still focused on the screen. ]

Everyone since I was eight.

And it chafes.

[It isn't a question. Rosalind smiles thinly for just a few seconds, because oh, isn't this a familiar topic? She and Ardyn had just spoken on it.]

Pff.

[ Almost done, Noctis clicks a few things, closing out a few windows. ]

I'm... Getting there.

Being fine, I mean. It was a bad memory, maybe there's an explanation for it.

You're under no obligation to tell me, Noctis.

[Which is only the tiniest bit passive-aggressive, but she also means it.]

. . . but you're right. There is an explanation. And with more memories comes more information, and in time, understanding.

[ Noctis had certainly had his moments of petulance as a child, but he's far from being disrespectful towards Rosalind. He eventually sighs, not at all feeling right by any of this. Once he's finished, he leans back in her chair a minute, finally standing up. ]

Doesn't really make me any less horrified.

No, I would imagine not.

[A beat, and she nods towards her door.]

Come along. It's been a decade since we shared a meal. And distraction isn't such a bad idea in times like these.

[ A pretty good idea, considering that it at least gives him a chance to adjust to what he wants to say. He's not at all that great with talking, and Rosalind is probably one of the most well-spoken people he's ever met. He might be slightly intimidated at the prospect, but he follows nonetheless.

Honestly, being around her is the closest he'll get to being around his father. They're equally level-headed, and it reminds him a lot of when he'd go to her as a child. ]

Sure thing. Pretty starved.

I'll drive.

[ With that, he guides her to his car. A fancy sort of thing, clearly a gift from his father. It's a slick, black sport's car with a convertible top. Solid. But given how late it is, he keeps the top up.

Once they're in the road, there's a bit of silence, and Noctis sighs as they hit the first red light. ]

That uh...

Wasn't the only memory I got, by the way.

No?

[She glances over at him.]

Tell me what else.

Mm-mm

[ He taps at the steering wheel. ]

I fought a giant demon-lion called a Behemoth. Named Deadeye.

I had a giant sword and... Prompto was there.

[Ah. Rosalind's eyes widen, and she stares over at Noctis for a long few seconds.]

. . . anyone else?

[Are they all from the same place, then? Ardyn and Prompto and Noctis? But why them? What makes them different? Rosalind's fingers curl and uncurl against her lap.]

[ He flips on his signal for a left turn, careful on the road. Noctis nods. ]

Yeah, but I couldn't really make them out. There were two other guys.

Prompto was the only one I could see clearly. I heard someone calling out for him, but I couldn't put the voice to a face.

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