[IC Contact]

[devwocean]

You havve reached the personal vvoicemail a Orphaner Dualscar.
Leavve a message.

Comments

[withoutasign]

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.

[devwocean]

[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.

[withoutasign]

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.

[devwocean]

[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?

[withoutasign]

[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.

[devwocean]

[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.

[withoutasign]

[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.

[devwocean]

[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.

[withoutasign]

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

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

[devwocean]

[Oblivious] Wwhat are you afraid of, then?

[withoutasign]

[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.

[devwocean]

[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.

[withoutasign]

[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.

[devwocean]

[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.

[withoutasign]

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

So do I.

[devwocean]

[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?

[withoutasign]

[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.

[devwocean]

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

I'm alwways ready to listen.

[withoutasign]

Thank you.

[Signless stays quiet after that, stroking Dualscar's fins, lost in thought.]

You know... Psii is my oldest friend, but you're my moirail. I'm not pale for Psii.

[devwocean]

[Dualscar squirms just a bit]

I'm not tryin' to accuse you a anything, but it doesn't look all that different.

[withoutasign]

It is, though.

[Pap pap pap]

I tell you things I don't tell him; I depend on your counsel more.

I just wish the two of you got along better.

[devwocean]

[He starts a bit. He can totally believe that there are things that Signless can't tell Psiioniic, and that he can't really depend on Psiioniic's counsel, especially compared to Dualscar. And finally, he feels a great deal better]

I'm tryin' to get along wwith him. He's been comin' to me and I'vve been real kind - I swwear, as kind as I knoww howw to be. But it's not an easy thing for him to forgivve, I'm sure. He told me he hates me.

[withoutasign]

[Signless picks up on the change in Dualscar's mood, and he relaxes a little more himself.]

I know you are, and I really appreciate that. But.... hmmmmm.

[Pause]

Do you hate him back?

[devwocean]

No.

[The answer is without hesitation, and calm. He can't imagine Psiioniic as a rival to him. There's no way that Psiioniic could challenge him the way a kismesis must. And honestly, Psiioniic hasn't done anything to inspire hatred in Dualscar]

[withoutasign]

I didn't think so.

[Still, Signless is relieved. He didn't fancy having to find an auspitice for the two of them.]

I'll talk to him about this. I know you're making an effort to get along, and he needs to meet you halfway.