It's not the quip he was expecting, which- It's rare that anything really catches Ardyn off-guard these days. The man gives a small snort of amusement at the comment. That place really did re-wire a lot of brains, didn't it? Not like he's one to speak any on that particular topic. "Well, now I'm just terribly curious what you do think I'm into if not that."

As for the question, well... It's complicated. That's too vague of an answer to truly give even as true as it is. "I suppose because I'm not used to being around," he admits, a surprising touch of genuine truth. "I traveled a lot when younger, you see, and never stayed too long to any one place. Then, when I did... It wasn't mine to have a say in how it looked." The Empire had a strict aesthetic it adhered to which was: gray, drab, and depressing with the occasional flare of imperialism to remind people of their places.

"And who knows how long this little stint will last? We could all get whisked through the summoning-circle back home tomorrow for all we know."