3 ♐ Text/Action ♐ Hermit-mode, activtate!

[aim_exorable]

[Text]

D --> I apologize to anyone who had to deal with me while I was under the influence of the curse
D --> I was not myself
D --> Normally I am not so
D --> Outgoing

[Translation: "Normally I do not try to get into the metaphorical pants of everyone I interact with. Oh good lord, strike me down now please."]

D --> I do hope you can all forgive me for the foolishness which occurred

[Action at the Highblood Hive]

[Hey, Gamzee, Equius. Guess who didn't come down to make breakfast? Guess who hasn't even come out of his room? Guess who even locked Dural out so that there is now a very aggravated lusus sitting outside of it, her feathers puffed up?]

[Daddy is not feeling well, kids. He knows you can take care of yourselves.]

Comments

[aim_exorable]

D --> I am relieved for that
D --> I'm afraid I was acting rather foolish as the week progressed

D --> It is a relief yes
D --> I am glad the curse finally came to an end
D --> It was bothersome to make do without some of the things I am used to

[p2iioniicii2t]

[ There is a faint electric crackle in the air when the Helmsman is pulled towards Darkleer, like he doesn't entirely have complete control of his psionics. After an entire week without them, it isn't particularly surprising. ]

Functhional.

[ His voice is very small, but it's fairly amazing that he's managed to snap out of the blank state his emotional turmoil had knocked him into to begin with. ]

Functhional. Everything ith. Glory to the Empire. To Her Imperiouth Condethenthion.

[aim_exorable]

Yes. [His voice is quiet and careful.] Glory to the Empire and Her Imperious Condescension.

[The crackle of psionics is ignored. The fact that Signless or any of the other hivemates the Helmsman live with is ignored. None of that matters. Darkleer stays focused on the troll in front of him.]

Have there been any recent changes in your routine, Helmsman?

[Gently, he runs his hand across his cheek, cradling his head.]

[hexywitch]

It often happens, during the curses. We become the parts we were picked to play, physically and mentally. I wouldn't worry too much. Life goes on and next week Vatheon will be overrun with puppies or we'll all grow wings and think we're birds. It's...rather horrifying when you think about the complete control they have over us here...but. We're all in this together, at least. And they give us a break between things.

I had all of my things still, actually the apartment felt a bit more homey once the curse settled in. It felt a lot more like the magical world I'm from than this place usually does.

[p2iioniicii2t]

Reacquired all thionic capabilitieth...

[ He bites the inside of his cheek hard enough that he makes a pained sound. He couldn't explain himself fully, physically incapable of going against her wishes.

There's a hint of yellow tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. He's not sure why he's having such a sudden breakdown, but he can't stop it now that Darkleer was there. The other man had this strange ability to make him open up even when he didn't want to. ]

Nnnnngh need to ask if he can figure it out /flees to plurk

[aim_exorable]

[That cannot be the only change to his routine. It can't. Just reacquiring his psionics would not make the Helmsman cry. The last time he had done this, it had been about his programming beginning to fail as more and more of his independence came back. But if the greeting he gave was any indication, he was regressing...]

[Stewing over the dilemma, Darkleer shifts his hand again, thumb ready to swipe away any tears.]

I'm here, Helmsman. I'm here.

[What would make him completely shut down from him when they've been so open before...?]

[aim_exorable]

D --> I am afraid it will not be so easy for myself
D --> Still you are correct
D --> Life goes on
D --> And we move with it

D --> That's right
D --> We were discussing the differences between human culture and Alternian culture before
D --> I am still interested in such a topic

I think it needs to stay on the dl a little longer!

[p2iioniicii2t]

[ There's another crackle and the Helmsman flinches this time, perhaps startled by his own powers. Facing this issue makes him feel distinctly unwell, and he's terrified that the blueblood is about to see right through him. It had taken so much of his energy to suppress the emotional turmoil that came with everything changing once more, too much energy given that he broke down under the faintest of pressure.

He's not sure why he's crying. He knows he should be pleased that he is Her Helmsman once again. So why was there that part deep inside of him that is screaming to fight and to be free? ]

I sent a PM so we'll see!

[aim_exorable]

Quiet, now. Quiet.

[Just repetitions of the same meaningless words. But perhaps the routine will bring some sort of reassurance, so Darkleer just focuses on that and that alone. Settling himself further on the ground, he moves his hands to take the Helmsman's.]

Remember the mental exercises we have done with one another? Remember those. Go through them.

I will stay with you.

[hexywitch]

Oh, it never is. But I hope you can find comfort in the fact that none of us were ourselves, and that now we are all ourselves again.

Of course, I'd be happy to answer any questions or explain anything you might be curious about. I offer a bit of a unique point of view on human culture as I was born into one society and then found that I belonged to another, kept secret to those of the first. Most things of interest are most likely universal between these two cultures, but some things are very different.

[ex_fintastic398]

W)(ale I'm just glad no one got )(urt.
Did you )(ave fun?? It was pretty cool being somet)(ing else for a w)(ile!
I kind of miss it already!

[aim_exorable]

D --> Perhaps you could tell me the differences between these two societies first?
D --> Or perhaps what would be easier would be the similarities

[aim_exorable]

D --> Any fun I had was too ridiculous and embarrassing for me to take much pride in
D --> And I would not say no one got hurt

[ex_fintastic398]

T)(ere is NO SUC)( T)(ING as too ridiculous w)(en it comes to fun!

...but w)(o got )(urt, is everyone okay??

[aim_exorable]

D --> If I may disagree, Heiress?

D --> Well
D --> Some of the quests were dangerous
D --> And I cannot imagine a pair reluctant in love to want to kiss before a crowd

[the_demonmaid]

Are y0u well n0w, Expatriate?

[ex_fintastic398]

I can't stop you!

You didn't )(AV-E to go on a quest t)(oug)(
And I can't imagine a kiss is t)(e end of t)(e world!

[aim_exorable]

D --> I have recovered well enough from the curse
D --> Yes
D --> I apologize for how I acted towards you

[the_demonmaid]

Y0u remember what happened.

[Fffffuuuu-]

[aim_exorable]

D --> To break the curse
D --> And retrieve the royalty
D --> Then yes
D --> Some were mandatory

D --> No
D --> It isn't
D --> But sometimes an event like the end of the world can be easier to deal with

[aim_exorable]

D --> I am working on forgetting

[the_demonmaid]

G00d.

[Oh she was glowing red right now. Good thing it was text instead of video]

Is there anything you need help with, Expatriate?

[ex_fintastic398]

It's not a big price to pay, for not staying t)(at way forever!
I would )(ave done it myself, if I could )(ave.

[knightime]

how about we pretend
that was a really bad dream
a really awkward and terrible nightmare more like it
and pretend it didnt actually happen
ill forget if you forget
sounds good???

[aim_exorable]

[Wow, you drive a hard bargain, Dave Strider, he might have to think about-]

D --> Deal