Hadriel IC Inbox

[claritatis]

"You've reached Ignis Scientia. Leave a message and I will endeavour to get back to you post-haste."

Comments

[dedikated]

( And then, when it's been just long enough that it might seem that Kate isn't saying anything else, another message pops up. )

Been thinking about what's changed since I was here last.

( After all, the last time she was here, she was thirty. So much changed at home over the three - nearly four - years she was away from Hadriel. )

[claritatis]

Have things changed that much?

[dedikated]

Here or back home?

( Though the answer is the same regardless. )

[claritatis]

Here. Tell me what's on your mind.

[dedikated]

( Hmm. That's a lot of things that'll need explaining, but she'll start at the beginning - or at least the answer to his question. )

Not underground any more. All the gods are back. Had a bar, bar was blown up, new bar made. Didn't even know the Null existed when I first got here. People used to try and attack the gods. City got split between planets. Person after person appears and disappears.

Used to spend our time thinking the gods were the enemies and trying to fight them. That could ruin us now.

[claritatis]

I can't imagine that attacking them ever ended particularly well, though I can understand the motives.

[dedikated]

Saw that yourself.

( That part of the city exists as much due to their anger as it does because they wanted to leave. )

[claritatis]

I did.
But I doubt you sent me a message to talk about that.

[dedikated]

No.

( That much is true. )

Just thinking. Felt like the best person to talk to.

[claritatis]

Well, then. I'm honoured.

You can talk to me about anything.

[dedikated]

Know that.

( And it's strange just how much she feels comfortable talking to him about. How easily he comes to mind when she starts thinking for just a fraction too long. )

[claritatis]

I've had some difficulty in settling my mind of late, as well.

[dedikated]

What's up?

[claritatis]

[It's several minutes before he replies at all.]

Things have felt strange between Noctis and I for some time.
But I can't put my finger on precisely why.

[dedikated]

( That's... not the response she expected. Not that Kate's really sure what she expected. But it isn't it, anyway. She frowns at her phone, at how lacking text feels in this moment. )

Strange how?

( Lord help her, what would Faith do in this situation? Any of her friends? They're the ones who are better at this. Her skills lie more in distraction, in getting people drunk, keeping them busy, rather than actually giving advice. )

[claritatis]

[In Ignis' mind, whether or not someone is 'better' at this would be entirely moot. He's talking to Kate about this because she's Kate, and because he knows she cares about what's on his mind.]

I'm not certain.
Things are different here. He doesn't have my entire attention as he once did.

[dedikated]

( She does, and that compels here to wish she was better at this. To try and think about the things her friends might say in this situation. It's why the reply takes a bit longer than Ignis might expect. She takes her time, idly pacing her small home and tapping the screen of her phone, forming messages that are quickly deleted.

Once again, the thought comes to mind of what she'd do if Marc arrived here, how different would things feel with him after more than ten years without his presence, with all her time and experience in Hadriel giving her more priorities, more people she cared about. )

Your relationship's changing.
Might not be a bad thing.

( And isn't she a hypocrite for thinking it when her life had boiled down to nothing but keeping Marc safe for all those years, but maybe living without Ignis' entire attention is a good thing for Noctis.

Never mind for Ignis himself. )

Guessing you haven't talked about it?

[claritatis]

It's a difficult thing to bring up.

[But Kate's thoughts would be right. That Ignis' attention often moves elsewhere has been good for him in many ways, even if it often (inevitably) strays back to Noctis now that the young man is here.]

But you're right. It may not be a bad thing at all.

[dedikated]

Being drunk helps.

( .......... K a t e. )

[claritatis]

[She can't hear it, but he does laugh at that.]

How is it that you always know just what to say?

[dedikated]

( Good. )

Good with people.

( ... well, she might have been. Once upon a time. In another world, another life where she didn't lose her parents quite so brutally or so young. )

[claritatis]

I suppose you're not terrible.

[Ignis has a slightly higher opinion of Kate's people skills than Kate does.]

[dedikated]

No need for flattery.

( But thanks, she guesses. )

[claritatis]

Did you want company?

[Since, you know, you're texting him at 1am.]

[dedikated]

( While she wouldn't say no, just how much time does it take to get anywhere in Hadriel now? Even Kate can't make her way across the city as easily as she used to thanks to all the water. )

Tomorrow.