audio

[stayb100ponyboy]

[The audio feed crackles for a moment, like whoever is going to start speaking has to psyche himself up to do it. Then there's a deep sigh, and...]

Feferi Peixes is no longer in the bubble. I guess... I guess she went home.

[There's another moment of silence, and then the feed cuts out.]

Comments

[stayb100ponyboy]

[Equius stares, fascinated.]

There's so many...

[He doesn't touch any of them, and he knows better than to ask about the platform with the quadrant symbols on it. But he recognizes the gravity of this moment, of what Darkleer is sharing, and he's very, very grateful.]

Can you help me make a chest like this?

[aim_exorable]

[Darkleer doesn't answer immediately; he's a bit preoccupied. His glasses are moved to rest against his horns, and he's staring down at the chest with unguarded eyes. Everytime, it always makes him think. Not in a bad way. Simply... contemplative.]

[Things like this... are a reminder. In more ways than one.]

It would be simple enough. If you needed my assistance, I'm sure I could help.

[stayb100ponyboy]

[At least Equius knows he's not alone in not being able to hide anything with his eyes.]

I'd like that.

[It's not just a chest of his own that he wants; it's the time spent with Darkleer, making one together. He already has a small collection of things to go in it... a feather from Pounce, for the first Nepeta; a pair of brass knuckles that had belonged to Armstrong, too large to fit on Equius' hands; the book Rainbow Dash left him; and soon, something from Feferi as well.]

[aim_exorable]

[It's simply something they're both doomed to, apparently.]

Sometime soon, then.

[He holds Equius a bit closer, honest in what he says.]

[stayb100ponyboy]

[There are worst things to be doomed to.]

[Holy crap, is Darkleer actually taking some initiative and hugging Equius back, instead of just allowing his descendant to cling to him? Equius latches on to that show of affection, holding tighter himself, his shaking and lamenting done for now as he turns over plans to make his own chest in his head.]

[aim_exorable]

[People keep hugging him! Darkleer doesn't understand, but he figures it must be for a reason, and apparently, if Equius' reactions are anything to go by, it's a good thing.]

and the first Vatcanonical appearance of Dadleer in 3, 2, 1...

[stayb100ponyboy]

[It's totally a good thing, and for someone who acts like an emotionless brick wall most of the time, Darkleer is surprisingly comforting to hug. Although it would be a fair point to call Equius somewhat biased in this regard.]

Thanks, Dadleer.

[He's so emotionally exhausted right now that he doesn't even notice that slip of the tongue.]

and history was made

[aim_exorable]

You're welc-

[...Wait what.]

[Oh.]

[Uh that is not how his name is pronounced... what is he supposed to do... someone send help...]

[Not quite knowing what to say, Darkleer just stays quiet and busies himself with putting his chest away.]

now he just has to realize what he did

[stayb100ponyboy]

[Equius notices that change, both in how Darkleer cuts his word off abruptly, and in subtle changes in his body language. He looks up, his brows knit together in confusion and concern.]

What? What happened?

Darkleer isn't going to admit it even happened

[aim_exorable]

Nothing. Don't concern yourself.

[Also, yep, glasses sure are coming back on. Darkleer's favorite tactic: deny deny deny.]

and now Equius is sad again

[stayb100ponyboy]

Oh.... okay.

[Equius watches Darkleer's shade descent, and he can't keep the sad expression off his face. He doesn't know quite what he did, only that he screwed up somehow.]

[Awkwardly, he peels himself off Darkleer and moves away, his head bowed, feeling miserable and not knowing why.]

okay maybe they are both kind of really bad at this.

[aim_exorable]

[...Wait, he thought they were hugging?]

[Darkleer doesn't stop Equius from moving away and occupies his hands by holding them together, elbows against his knees. Things were progressing well, he thought, but now they're back to the beginning. Maybe he realized what he said and is just as embarrassed? No, that isn't it... Darkleer can tell that much.]

...You still have others here. Take some consolation in that, if nothing else.

[Because the original problem is the one this is about, right?]

emotions are really hard, gosh!

[stayb100ponyboy]

[Dangit, Darkleer, make up your mind! Equius would have kept hugging you if you hadn't gotten all moody and withdrawn all of a sudden!]

[Equius keeps his head down, but he nods.]

Yeah...

[Then he takes a deep breath, and looks up at his ancestor.]

What did I do?

they are so so hard.

[aim_exorable]

What?

[Darkleer stares back, not even realizing he's done anything wrong.]

You did nothing.

[stayb100ponyboy]

But we were... and then you...

[Gosh, emotions are hard!]

Never mind.

[aim_exorable]

[This awkward silence is going to kill them before anyone higher on the spectrum will. ]

[Darkleer simply stares, not sure what to say before he shakes his head.]

...Very well.

[They are not good at this.]

[stayb100ponyboy]

All I did was say thank you, and then you got all weird!

[... whoops, outburst! Well, at least it's out there now, even if Equius is bowing his head again and feeling like he wants to die.]

And... and I don't know how that was wrong...

1/4??

[aim_exorable]

[...Oh.]

[Oops.]

2/3

[aim_exorable]

[Well he is something of a social fool.]

[Completely and utterly.]

[aim_exorable]

You didn't do anything wrong. It was a simple slip of the tongue that I didn't know how to respond to. If you cannot recall it even now, than it is nothing to worry too much over.

[stayb100ponyboy]

[ . . . . ]

What did I say?

[He wants to make sure not to do it again!]

[aim_exorable]

[...Equius. Bb. Pls.]

You simply mispronounced my name. Considering how draining the day must have been for you, it isn't surprising. I'm sure it won't happen again.

[stayb100ponyboy]

Oh.

[Now Equius is wracking his brain, trying to remember what he called Darkleer, and... there's really only one thing he could have called him, isn't there? Only one thing that would make him freeze up like that.]

[Dammit.]

I'm sorry.

[aim_exorable]

[Darnit, Equius, you were supposed to forget!]

It's nothing. I was simply... caught off guard.

[This parenthood stuff is coming on too hard and quick.]

[stayb100ponyboy]

... I won't call you that again.

[Even though he really, really wants to. Come on, Darkleer, look at this sad face! Can you really deny him?]