caughtinanetwork | [Text] ♉ Summoner: Be very distraught.

[He doesn't look as terrible as he knows he will later on, he hasn't had time to just dwell and waste away for a few days. So he still looks okay, so he can deal with this meeting, it'll be... all right. Just needs to keep his calm, not be triggered and do something he'll regret. Eventually he sees Signless and he quickly makes sure he's all right, not crying anymore, face doesn't feel hot, no, he looks fine. He just feels his heart beating fast and his hands shaking... A deep breath before slowly going to land a good distance away from the other. Lysunder's wings flicker and fold behind him as he starts to take a few steps towards him.]

[Smile.]

Hey Tights, how's it going? [He sniffs the air for a moment.]

I take the bag holds those baked goods you mentioned?

It does.

[Signless takes a few steps forward, holding the bag out like an offering. The Summoner looks better than he thought he would... but that's not exactly to say that he looks good, either. It's something about the way he's holding himself, the way his mouth is set, the look in his eyes; things are not right here, and it is only this knowledge that keeps Signless from strolling over and enveloping him in a hug.]

I hope you and Aradia enjoy chocolate chips cookies.

I think either of us can handle chocolate chip.

[A grin, cocking his head to the side as he reaches out to take it. Lysunder does his best to act as normal as possible; the same cocky expression, the same tone, posture, everything. But it's tough. He's not used to having to pretend in such a setting. Normally after a little episode, he has to get right back on the field. There is no light pretending there, just action that easily covers up off set appearance he might have. This? This is so quiet, this gives way for anyone to really look at him and study how he's acting. And that's really unnerving.]

I appreciate the meet up.

My pleasure.

[All right, that's it, he's contained himself as long as he's going to. Signless closes the distance between the two of them, trying to simultaneously press the bag of cookies into one of Lysunder's hands and wrap his arms around him. This is a troll who needs a hug if he's ever seen one.]

[Ah ah ah! No no nooo. Summoner's eyes widen and he quickly steps back, crouches, wings shooting out to an open position and leaps up to hover out of reach. His hand let go of the bag, now both clenched tight at his sides. An embrace initiated by someone else now would not help him at all. He knows he would just...]

Ehh haaa, heh, y-y-y-yoouu. You kidder.

[Signless stops, looking up at Summoner, his expression surprisingly closed off. He noticed that stutter, which is something Summoner normally doesn't do, and that concerns him. Then he blinks, and his face changes, becoming dejected and sad.]

I'm sorry. I'm just trying to help.

[Because there is nothing a good hug can't fix. Nothing at all.]

[...Fucking damnit.]

[He can't make you sad, of all people, he can't.]

It's, I.

Please don't make me do this.

Please, Lysunder...

[Signless reaches up towards him, imploring.]

Don't shut me out. Let me help you.

Y-you-y... You help enough people. I can take care of myself, I always have.

[He stares at the hand, wincing slightly.]

But I want to help you, too.

[Come on, Summoner, he's offering!]

[He shakes his head, remaining in the air.]

You do not need to humble y-yourself to help me, Tights, please...

What?

[Signless stares up at Summoner, completely confused.]

I'm not humbling myself, I'm just being your friend...

I know, and you... You can be my friend without helping me with this. I-I don't need your help, really.

Are you sure about that?

[Signless takes a step closer, one hand still reaching towards the Summoner.]

Because it's something I'm happy to give.

I appreciate that, but this aren't your shackles to bear.

Lysunder, helping a friend is never a burden. And believe me, I know a thing or two about shackles.

That's where the saying comes from...

[He sighs, staying to the sky, unable to look directly in Signless's direction.]

[Welp, if Summoner isn't going to look at him, he's just going to walk closer, until he's almost directly underneath him.]

What saying is that?

[Unfortunately his eyes lock onto Signless's as the other moves under him Summoner's wings still keeping him high. He stares for a moment longer before looking away.]

The...uh, the one I said, um, earlier...

The one about shackles being easy to bear?

[He'd rather not do this--it seems a little tawdry and underhanded--but Signless reaches up and slowly unwinds the bandages from one of his wrists, exposing the thick network of scar tissue he normally keeps hidden.]

Perhaps I can't bear your shackles for you, but I can help you carry the chains attached to them. Please, Lysunder... let me help you.

Yes. That one exa-- w...what are you-?!

[He watches, eyebrows furrowing, watches the bandages leave his skin and he feels himself shake just slightly, hands clenching at his sides as he stares at the scars for a moment before forcing his gaze to lock onto Signless's.]

Signless why, why...

[He breath out deep, eyes squinting slightly, trying his best to not allow himself to cry, but with those scars visible he can't stop himself from thinking about how compassionate this man is, how he has no right to not speak to him when addressed by him, Signless, someone Lysunder has respected more than any other individual that influenced his life.]

[A slight whine leaves his throat as he drifts away, and then down, soon landing softly feet infront of the other, wings buzzing a little before folding behind him. Summoner's face shows an expression of both sorrow and confusion, confusion as to why Signless would show him those, why now... Was he... was he trying to make Lysunder shed his tears?]

[Sometimes crying is a good thing, Summoner... and Signless won't think you weak for it.]

[At least the other troll has landed now. Signless looks up at him, smiling softly, and reaches out to put his hands on his shoulders. He's not going for a hug... not yet.]

Thank you. You're easier to talk to when you're not hovering above me.

[It's not necessarily about thinking he's weak or not. It's about being a burden to his friends, his friends who he is supposed to help and be a rock for. Crying? Breaking down like this? It's not something he wants to do, but Signless is making it very very hard to just leave.]

[His shoulders shrug down as soon as hands reach up, and his whole body twitches, shrinking down a bit, avoiding eye contact.]

I've never hovered above you.

Flew above me, then.

[Summoner isn't shrinking from his touch or trying to get away, but Signless doesn't step any closer. He gets the feeling that if he went in for a hug right now, it would just make the other troll rocket upwards, towards the sky. So instead, he grips the Summoner's shoulders, squeezing them firmly, before patting him on the chest with one hand.]

I'm sorry about your fairy.

[He'd be right. A hug would prompt a frantic get a way, like a antlered hoofbeast getting startled by the smallest sound.]

[Again he twitches under the pat to his chest, but he doesn't say anything for a long moment, just staring at Signless, lips slightly parted, wanting to just..respond, somehow...but nothing.]

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