(4/2, morning.)

[erythristic]

To the users of Retrospec:

This message comes from both Grell Sutcliffe and Lucian Trevelyan. There’s been discussion recently of certain changes coming over our userbase. Changes that come in different forms, from certain unexplained moments that feel like dreams or perhaps memories, items showing up without cause, or certain physical attributes undergoing shifts in inexplicable ways. It’s to the latter that we address ourselves.

We are both medical professionals, and as such we’d like to say that if you undergo such changes and would like someone to take a look at what’s happened to you, for any reason, we’re capable of doing so and willing to provide you with what information and care you need. Anyone that comes to see us will be treated with the same standards as we’d give any patient - your information will remain confidential, and your visits will be at your discretion.

[ Here is the address to an establishment in Chata, along with the phone number. ]

If you’d like to make an appointment for your visit, contact Dr. Trevelyan, and standard clinic hours will apply. Weekend morning appointments can also be arranged. If you require care outside of office hours or need things to be looked at immediately, contact Dr. Sutcliffe.

We are here to help you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us should you have any sort of question or concerns. Feel free to comment to this post as well if you see fit.

[[ooc: since they co-wrote the post, either or both Grell (erythristic) and Lucian (accordance) will reply to threads - if you want one in particular, just say so in your thread header!]]

Comments

[daemonized]

[His ridiculous display name is going to offset the rather serious curiosity of his following question. But he sends the message through anyway.]

I know I cannot expect precise details if this is the case, but to your knowledge, have there been occurrences of /painful/ physical changes?

That being said, I believe this post will have the effect of putting many at ease; professional opinions to rely on, should... oddities strike.

[erythristic]

The potential of pain exists and cannot be ruled out. Though to my knowledge, there have not been any shifts or instances of pain that would hinder a person severely. Pain seems to be limited to memory alone.

[she speaks on this because of her own memory, how she'd felt the sharp sting even when she wasn't there in her head and there was no wound to be found.]

[daemonized]

Then there's solace to be had in the smallest of reassurances, I suppose. But, as they say, "knock on wood".

[Let's not tempt fate any more than necessary.]

[erythristic]

with luck, that part of it won't change. i'm only sorry i can't give a full reassurance to people that it won't hurt at all. but if it does, we'll handle that too.

[never mind that she's not the exact sort of doctor that should be doing this. two people that know something is better than one attempting to shoulder it all.]

that much i can promise.

[daemonized]

[That exact type of doctor or not, Ardyn knows that it's more comforting to hear this from individuals who understand what it might be like to go through these rather confounding changes.]

Then I certainly know who to go to, if such a thing should happen to me one day.

[He is hoping that it doesn't, but he'd have to be willfully ignorant to not notice a slow but growing trend.]

Though where purely aesthetic changes are concerned, I wonder if there's anything really to be done about them. Other than to find a clever way to conceal them.

[erythristic]

it depends on how greatly the change bothers someone. should they be fine with simply adapting and moving on their lives, then even concealment may be unnecessary, in time. certainly something like the changing eye colors talked about can't be permanently changed back without incredible risk involved. leaving only contacts or sunglasses as the options.

[she looked this up in a fit of panicking over her own change.]

if something does happen, which i pray it won't, please do let [and she types me before realizing and deleting] us know. we can't assist the unwilling.

[daemonized]

Of course. I wouldn't be unwilling. Confused and eventually annoyed at having to adjust for a change that I did not ask for, definitely so, but I'd have no control over that, would I? The theme of helplessness continues.

[erythristic]

helplessness? certainly i've felt and heard from others of a deep frustration, but not to the point of being helpless.

[daemonized]

Too strong of a word? How would you choose to describe changes being wrought upon someone, with no say in the matter? With no scientific reasoning as to why, and barely theoretical ones at that? No way to reverse it, no way of knowing when it may happen.

[He certainly doesn't have the misfortune to speak from experience. And yet Ardyn thinks that frustration and helplessness can go hand in hand during times like these.]

[erythristic]

[at that, she debates a moment before moving to just text him instead of publicly reply.]

i didn't realize the changes upset you that greatly. and before you can say "they don't upset you?", they do.

[daemonized]

[The text only surprises him briefly, but as always, it isn't unwelcome.]

Is it too suppositive of me to say such a thing, when I've not experienced physical changes myself?

[Always answering a question with another question. A bad habit. But to his credit, he continues.]

I don't mean to be overdramatic. But yes, this does bother me. I've mentioned the feeling of stagnancy to you before, haven't I? All of this -- the idea of being changed physically, without recourse -- is an extreme representation of everything that ails us right now. Of everything that has affected those that I care about.

[An oddly sincere statement from Ardyn, but not one completely out of the blue. Between his conversation with Dante recently, and even what had happened to Prompto (related to the former), he finds it difficult to reconcile the fact that he's really no help to them at all. Even to his own nephews, and though that might have been less of a worrying example, the fact that it still existed was issue enough.]

[erythristic]

[there's a pause as she considers this.]

hardly overdramatic, i'd say. though i've been accused of being such before, so i might not be the best to measure it by.

the most i can say right now is that in my opinion, this state of affairs isn't apt to be permanent. if we can be changed like this, then there has to be a way to make our own changes, even if it means we rip up the foundations of that building to find it. this is the beginning, and if all we can do right now is refuse to dwell in willful ignorance and silence, that's doing something, even if it doesn't feel like enough.

the only true stagnation would be to not talk about this, to not discuss what was happening and to not think about it. but heaven knows i understand the feeling of wanting to do something more for those you care for. to give them some sort of answer, some certainty to hold on to, instead of more questions.

[daemonized]

[It's a minute or two before Ardyn's response comes through. She's not wrong, of course -- he knows that. It is comforting to read the words, to indulge himself in someone else's advice for once, even if his doubts threaten to tilt the scale askew again. Ardyn is never optimistic for optimism's sake, after all. He trends towards realism, never allowing himself to fall into willful ignorance or extreme cynicism. Such is the curse and the blessing of man trained in law.]

Yes, of course. I don't expect anyone to merely accept these changes as permanent, or to not feel indignant that something would do this to us. It's feeling as if it's never enough to help others is what frustrates me most; that will always be unsatisfactory. In all aspects.

[But for the sake of not treading down this line of conversation too far, Ardyn redirects slightly.]

What's the best sort of unwavering certainty that someone can offer another, in this case? A constant support, no matter what happens down the line, isn't it?

[erythristic]

[what he says, she's going to remember, but she won't say more. there's not really much more to say, at least on that part of it. besides, there's pride to think of.

so instead, she'll answer the question.]

more or less. even if the world is in flux, one can support another, and be a steady point in their lives. the choice to say that, and then to take action and mean it, that's one thing we do still have control over.

[daemonized]

[He knows the answer to his own question before her text makes his phone buzz again. Sometimes, though, it's reassuring to hear confirmation of it from an outside source. Silly a thing as it may be. Indulgent as it may be.]

Then I'll continue to offer said support for all to lean upon if they want or require it.

[One message sent, another filters through moments after.]

Yourself included, of course.

[erythristic]

and i to you, changes or no changes.

[hadn't she already promised? he wouldn't have to worry alone, and he'd said the same to her. this is another extension of that - she doesn't want to see him crumble from supporting and getting nothing for himself.]

[daemonized]

[Previous promises or otherwise, who says there's no comfort to be had in reiterating them? It's nice -- reassuring -- to read.]

Thank you. Sincerely.