★ changing opinions -- [grantus]

It was never time to enter the Velvet Room in Noctis' mind, rather, it was always waiting for the time to leave back into the world of humans whenever he showed up. But to him, it was quite good to remember his home, and visit to see the Attendants there, and more importantly, help the guests that may show up. He himself had not come across any guests, only those in the human world with the potential to be said guests. He would walk into the Velvet Room, pulling out a piece of candy from his azure coat, and opening it to pop into his mouth, in order to satiate his urges for junk food. 'Velvet, oh Velvet. I need to think of a song that is not as boring....' he would think in tune. That song that the other Attendants would sing, soon becoming boring to his ears. But he was getting distracted once more.

He would soon notice someone who was dressed unlike the guests in here. Once more, his skin as black as ebony. He always found that fascinating about humanity, how they come in all shapes, sizes, and apparently, colors. He would have to see if that affects how relationships form. Though, this was also new to him. He had never encountered one with potential walking in here before; not that he didn't know they could, but he has never come across one. He wanted to speak with him the moment he saw him. That in mind, he would walk to him slowly, still chewing on the candy that he had received from the other world, before swallowing it right when he made it to the man. He would give a slight bow, with a wide grin on his face. "Hello sir. Are you well?" he asked. During that time, he would pull out another piece of candy to eat, which by chance, happened to be a lollipop. He would open it, and put it in his mouth. ".....Cherry. Perfect," he would say allowed, nodding in confirmation.

Noctis would be relived at the man's response. But he sounded so worn out the way he would speak. Seeing as how he used his potential, otherwise he would not have been able to get here, maybe he had fought the Shadows at some point? He should probably get some rest when he could, though being here means he might have actually needed something. And right now, no other Attendant seemed to be available. It struck him as odd, almost as though it was planned this way. But if anything, this would help him in learning, whether it be learning how to help guests, or learning more of how to interact with them. Then again, he did just happen to notice that the man was rubbing his neck. So maybe he really was in pain?

"Are you hurt? You seem-oop!" he was interrupted, by the lollipop that fell from his mouth as he spoke. He quickly moved to catch it, and succeeding, but catching the candy part of it with his left hand. So now, after continuing to eat it once more, his left hand would end up being sticky later. 'The only downside to candy, if you eat it poorly...' he would think, flexing his left hand at his side slightly, already feeling the annoying sensation on his hand. Though, he remembered there was a guest in front of him and reverted his attention to him. "S-Sorry sir! Being sticky is not enjoyable. I sympathize if you ever get those issues," he would say. His train of thought would end when he asked about him and the room, and he would nod. "Oh, right. Yes, I am an Attendant. Welcome to the Velvet Room. I have actually never spoken to someone who has realized their potential before. Is there something you needed?" he asked.

"Anya Satoshi? Is she alright? I had heard of another man who was looking for her, is she still missing?" he would continue not really stopping to answer his question, getting distracted by his own. He finished his lollipop, but the stick remained in his mouth as he pursed his lips in confusion. It was one of the few times where his face would be anything but content, happy, or curious. "Sorry sir. I really do not have much to say on her. I do know that I did seem to sense her in Limbo. It is not often people without the potential arrive there. As for her current condition, if she is out, I daresay she should hopefully recover from all the stress it probably caused her. But that is truly all I know. Forgive me," he said rubbing the back of his head with his non-sticky hand.

He hadn't felt guilt before, but he knew that was what he was feeling, based on what he had gathered from human interaction and their vocabulary. It corresponded with his feeling of wishing he was able to do something. It was his job, nay, his duty to assist the guests, and once more, aside from his research's sake, protect those who cannot fight themselves. Perhaps he would have to learn if he could find a way to assist the ones with the potential in other ways. "Is there anything else I can help you with sir?" he would ask, his smile returning halfway.

"A precaution? Well, I am always here to help if you need something," he said nodding at what he had said. The man himself looked a bit frustrated when he spoke. Maybe he was unsatisfied with the answer? He would have to think of something about her. He had to know something about her right...? But he really could not think of anything. If he saw her, he might be able to tell how she was physically, but she clearly, was not here. His smile would return upon hearing the man's name, and he would hold out his hand. "Cole it is! I am Noctis," he would say. He would shake his hand if he took it, and if not, he would pull the stick, now candy-less from his mouth and look around, but unable to find a place of disposal. "I should have a garbage can installed in here at some point. Surely Attendants come back once in a while...." he would say, putting the stick back in his mouth.

He would turn to Cole. Maybe this was a good opportunity to calm him, in some manner at least. "If I may, Cole, you seem a bit annoyed. Is something on your mind besides Anya? Or is she worrying you? Here," he would reach into his jacket and pull out a grape lollipop, still wrapped up, for him to take. Should he refuse, he would put it back and ask once more if there was something on his mind. If he took it, his smile would turn to a happy grin and he would nod. "Humans have the greatest food. I find it can sometimes help me at least, though, that is usually when I am hungry," he would say.

He would keep the lollipop in his hands, until later. He would probably need it, once he decided to break down and put the stick in his mouth somewhere. Though, he would smile a bit wider once he gave a very loud laugh. Perhaps he agreed with his statement about his food. Or did Cole find him humorous? Either way, it was comforting to Noctis. When Cole would mention being "battered and bruised", an eyebrow would raise, in curiosity. "You got hurt? Did it have something to do with Anya at all? only my assumption," he said. Perhaps he was coming to her because Anya had hurt him somehow? He was interested in some sort of explanation, special or not, as his tendency to get distracted usually got the better of him.

Though, his final comment, about how Attendants did not seem to care, actually did give him pause for thought. And it was one of the only times, Noctis could be seen, giving a slight frown. It actually did make him feel guilty. A part from his research on bonds of humans, he really was doing nothing on his own accord to help the ones who had awakened to their potential. And it wasn't like he was doing it out of malice, if anything, helping them would also help him. But that was the selfish way of thinking, and Noctis was never selfish. And essentially being told that he may be that way, was unfortunate. "Sorry Cole...." he said glancing to the side, his frown apparent, then turning to him. "The Attendants do care to my knowledge. It is why we are here. The issue is...well, I believe many Attendants are unwilling to get too involved with their guests, lest they lose sight of their duties; which to me, seems a bit ridiculous," he quickly added. Surely the best Attendants were those who did get involved, so they could have the best chance to assist their guests. "I promise, the Attendants can be trusted to assist you. Though many are unwilling to go into certain situations with you, but what we do provide is guidance. You are able to trust us, and me as well," he said. Noctis may be a little naive, but he did not want him to have a poor opinion of the people willing to help him. He would nod, his friendly smile returning. He would finally relent and pull out the stick, quickly popping the lollipop he had offered into his mouth, causing his lips to instinctively crunch together at the taste. "...Sour..." he managed to mutter with the candy still in his mouth, with a look of agony that only sour candy could give to him. It was good, but sour is always shocking at the first taste.

Noctis nodded, listening intently to his words. Cole was clearly upset about not receiving any sort of help, and perhaps rightfully so. For trying to solve the issues and discover who they are, compensation and assistance is easily within his and the Attendants grasp. "Well, once I get my Compendium, consider me an ally in combat for one," he said will full conviction in his voice. He was convinced helping the man would probably get him on the proper track. "As for information, if you wish to know anything of Anya, or anyone in the future feel free to ask. I know for sure three people are trapped in Limbo after being taken by the Shadows. They are stable for the time being, and it seems relatively safe, as safe as Limbo can be to travel near their location," he explained. It was his methods of trying to explain to him that he could tell him information. Admittedly, the information may be useless to him, but it was not without a try. "If you are worried about gambling your life, which you should be, call upon me, and I shall help you," he repeated. He had to think of some way to ease the tension, but nothing condoling was working. "Perhaps you should go talk to Anya to get a bearing on it all," he would finally suggest, hoping for something positive.