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[devwocean]

You havve reached the personal vvoicemail a Orphaner Dualscar.
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[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.

[devwocean]

[Dualscar huffs a little, his gills glubbing softly] Maybe hatin' me is a good thing for him, evven if it's not returned. Hate is somethin' trolls do. It's a selfish feeling.

[withoutasign]

It's selfish, but it's destructive. [Signless shrugs helplessly.] Sometimes, I really don't know how to help him.

[devwocean]

It may not be destructivve if it reminds him howw to feel somethin' for himself instead a just on behalf a someone he servves, or you. [Very quietly] But you're not the only one wwho doesn't knoww howw to fix him. Maybe he can't be helped. Wwhat's happened to him is beyond compare.

[withoutasign]

[Signless breathes in, a choked little gasp, and hides his face in Dualscar's chest. He starts shaking all over.]

He has to get better... he has to...

[devwocean]

[He stiffens and cuddles Signless tightly, shooshing him and stroking his hair]

Don't... don't do this. He has already started improvvin', but wwhen you havve expectations that he can't fulfil, then you hurt both a you. He'll nevver be wwho he wwas, but he wwill be better.