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[Dualscar grabs two large bowls, two spoons, and then goes downstairs into the room where the spa is. He sets everything down, then reaches for Signless and paps his cheek light as he drags him into an embrace]

Tell me wwhat happened.

[Never one to turn down a hug, Signless wraps his arms around Dualscar and holds tightly, turning his face towards that pap.]

Summoner's back. He's back, and he's different, and I don't know what he's going to do to the Grand Highblood, or what he's going to turn about Darkleer, and I am really, really tired of highblood politics.

[He glances up.]

Present company excluded, of course.

[Wow, that wasn't quite what Dualscar expected, and his fins flatten a bit until Signless glances up and says that last bit. He sighs and tugs Signless towards the water. Water always makes everyone feel better!]

I kneww he wwas back, an he doesn't seem that fuckin different to me. I don't give a flyin fuck wwhat he does about the Highblood, but wwhat's wwrong wwith Darkleer?

[Yes, water does make everything better, and Signless slips into it with a contented sigh, although he doesn't let go of Dualscar when they do.]

Darkleer dumped Psii. They broke up before they were even completely together. Psii is taking it really hard, and now Darkleer is trying to get back together, I think, and I have to keep running interference and telling him no.

[Dualscar had assumed that whatever the problem was, it had to do with the Summoner's death, not Psiioniic. He frowns and tucks Signless closer]

I don't understand. Wwhy are you against this, noww? That blue-blooded carthorse is an idiot wwhen it comes to romance, there's no question a that. But if he's got his thoughts in order, I'd say that the b-- Psiioniic needs a steady moirail more than just about anythin' I can think of.

[Besides, maybe that would mean Signless wouldn't have to palecheat >( ]

[Signless isn't a palecheater, gosh! He just has an unusually close relationship with Psii, okay?]

I agree, he does need a steady moirail, and that's the problem. When Darkleer was going off to attack the Grand Highblood and avenge Summoner, Psii was begging him, pleading with him, not to do it, and Darkleer ignored him. And now Psii is completely convinced he can't do quadrants at all, and having Darkleer trying to get him back into one isn't helping.

[Not okay :<

But Dualscar tries to set his own feelings aside and address this. Signless needs him as a moirail, and if he doesn't do a good job, he might choose someone else.]

You havve to admit that there's a realistic chance that Psiioniic isn't capable a bein' a moirail to anyone. [He draws a breath, pretty sure that wasn't a good thing to say] But, in this particular case Darkleer wwent homicidal ovver the death a his matesprit, like highbloods are prone to. The same thing could happen wwith me under the same circumstances, and you might wwell be incapable a stopping me. So that alone is no reason to believve he's an especially bad moirail. Darkleer must not think so, if he's pursuin him again.

I know.

[It hurts him to admit that, and he cuddles closer against Dualscar's side.]

You should have known him before, Dualscar. He was so strong and so brave, and so very, very proud... he seemed invincible, the strongest of us all.

[No, there's no point dwelling on that, focus on the problem at hand.]

But Dualscar... if you'd done that, and I wasn't able to stop you, or help you, I'd question whether I was the right moirail for you, and I know I'm capable of having quadrants.

[Dualscar cuddles him close readily, but is silent for a long moment]

I remember howw bravve an stubborn he wwas.

[He lets out a breath, some bubbles coming from his gills as they open and close in a glub]

Evveryone makes mistakes sometimes. Wwhat if he wwere to spend time wwith Darkleer as a moirail and havve a success or twwo? That's the only wway he can learn that he's all right.

If he was the way I remember him, I'd suggest that. But I think that if Darkleer hurts him again like that--if he continues to fail--that will be a greater setback, one that he might not recover from.

[He laughs sadly.]

Besides, you remember how stubborn he was. That's a trait he didn't entirely lose.

[Dualscar grimaces. Psiioniic might not recover at all. He turns and rests his chin on Signless' hair, between his nubby horns]

I'll agree wwith that... [After a long moment, he reluctantly admits:] I don't knoww howw to help him, though. Does Darkleer recognize wwhat he did, before?

[Stop that, Dualscar, Psii is going to recover, Signless knows he is!]

I don't know either, and that's the frustrating thing. I think Darkleer realizes what he did, but it's too late.

[He's just being realistic, okay. He hesitates, then tightens his arms around Signless]

I knoww you havve a lot a protectivve feelins about your friend, Signless. And he's fragile in his owwn wway. He needs your help. But has it occurred to you that you might hold him back a little by shielding him so much?

[He lets out a sigh] There's no one in the city I knoww of wwho wwants to make him more of a slavve or exploit his wweakness.

[Signless bristles a little.]

You don't know that. And what if She comes back?

[He latches on to Dualscar suddenly, his arms tightening in a deathgrip.]

I'm not losing anyone else to her. I'm not.

[He stiffens, but Signless only latches on tighter] She's not here, Signless. [He strokes his moirail's hair, his stomach roiling] You'vve got my promise that I'll do wwhatevver I can to protect him if that wwere to happen.

[Signless just holds on tighter, burying his face in Dualscar's chest.]

I'm not just afraid of losing him, either.

[Oblivious] Wwhat are you afraid of, then?

[Signless groans a little, and although his face doesn't leave Dualscar's chest, he reaches up and paps Dualscar right on the nose.]

I don't want to lose you, either, you silly fish.

[Dualscar flinches just a bit at the pap, wrinkling his nose. How did he ever get into this situation - where he was actually considering working against Her Imperious Condescension, for the sake of a mutant who called him a silly fish?

He clears his throat uncomfortably.] Wwell, you wwon't. I don't wwant to lose you, either, at this point.

[You are a silly fish, Dualscar, don't even try to deny it.]

[Signless nods, his grip loosening. This is a sensitive topic, he knows, and it's best to tread lightly.]

Good. I'm... thank you.

[He can deny it if he wants!

Dualscar isn't really sure how to handle this situation. He feels his words are inadequate, and it's not like him to be wishy-washy, but this is so difficult for him. He tightens his own hold on Signless, his stomach clenching. Is he a traitor, now? How much longer can he convince himself that it's only the unique situation he's in, that it doesn't count in some way because he's in Vatheon and things are different here?]

I hope she doesn't come...for all a our sakes.

[Signless nods, and when he answers, his voice is small against Dualscar's chest.]

So do I.

[Stroke, stroke... he rubs gently at Signless' scalp, trying to soothe him as best he can, though his own stomach is still twisting with anxiety.]

Is there anythin' I can do to help wwith the Darkleer an Psiioniic situation?

[Signless can feel the tension radiating off Dualscar, and he reaches up and strokes one fin. After a short time, he moves his head, looking up at the seadweller.]

No, I don't think so. But I'll let you know if I come up with anything.

[He smiles tiredly.]

Thanks for listening.

[Dualscar manages a wan smile, but it doesn't last long. He nods and cuddles Signless close again.]

I'm alwways ready to listen.

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