[he keeps going, not answering her question. he's thinking on it -- because it's hard to try and put together the thoughts he wants to convey into words that make a semblance of sense.]

It's not that it's so important, even when it is somewhat important. You went through some stuff that you say I was there for, too.

Raiding the labs, right? Fighting together. Fighting Verstael. Did I change? I don't know if I'm changing right enough here, right now. But I'm trying.

[it's not so much about what aranea thinks of him, but she did see him change -- from feeling so lost over his origins to embracing them, is what he'd assume. he wants to get it right -- not flounder with the wrong concept to try and grow on.]

[he swallows as he tries another door, but it's locked, too. feeling frustrated over his thoughts, he jams the butt of his gun into the keypad, the panel giving way. he holsters the gun back again and uses his free hand to mess with the cables. every other door is going to be locked; might as well save them the trouble of being disappointed by breaking and entering.]

I should've told Noctis before Ardyn did.

[an admittance]

Not a day goes by that I don't feel like I betrayed him, even when he says otherwise. [the pad goes from glowing red to glowing green, a beep-beep coming from the circuitry, the door sliding open.] I'm doing what I can to not fuck up anymore.