( video | un: revanche )

[nilhilistic]

[ there is a man with very pale hair and red eyes, addressing the network stiffly. ]

Greetings. I am a new arrival to this world. I will assist to the best of my ability.

However, I must ask . . . is it true that we must be . . . touching? What does that mean? What level of touch is acceptable?

Are there tiers of touch? Surely, someone must have worked out a system.

Comments

[nilhilistic]

It is possible.

[ he can acknowledge that. ]

But I will not have hope of it.

[tireurdelite]

That's alright.

[Alcryst will befriend him. He doesn't have to tell Rafal he's doing it, if Rafal would rather not think about such things.]

-How does the handholding feel?

[nilhilistic]

. . . Your hand is warm. I did not know it could be.

[tireurdelite]

So is yours. It's nice.

[Holding Rafal's hand - fingers? - is nice.]

[nilhilistic]

There is no need to flatter me so.

[tireurdelite]

I don't really flatter people?

[Maybe the other Alcryst did, but when this Alcryst says something, he means it.]

[nilhilistic]

Then what is the point of telling me my hand is nice?

[tireurdelite]

You thought that people wouldn't want to hold your hand. But it's nice.

[nilhilistic]

[ he doesn't know what to say to that. he's not nice. there is no well of compassion, no deep seated urge for empathy. he is a worthless king of an empty throne. ]

Hm. Perhaps.

[tireurdelite]

...I'm sorry, have I made it awkward? I do that all the time...

[Clearly he is the awkward one and Rafal is fine.]

[nilhilistic]

Yes.

[ thanks, rafal. ]

But it is not your fault entirely. And your intentions are . . . pure.

[tireurdelite]

[Visibly winces, and is about to apologize again when Rafal goes on. -oh, okay.]

Well - well, the most important thing is you not turning into a statue. Awkwardness might be the price to pay.

[nilhilistic]

Oh?

You don't think I could have managed a hand hold with someone?

[ he is teasing, a little. it's not wrong to believe that. rafal is not the most personable. ]

[tireurdelite]

Th-that's not what I meant to imply! Of course you could have found someone besides me, it's just - I'm reassured since I know for certain you'll be fine for a while?

[Nailed it.]

[nilhilistic]

. . . You are a strange one, Prince Alcryst.

But not unwelcome, I suppose.

[tireurdelite]

I've been called much worse, so that's basically a compliment.

[nilhilistic]

If you wish to see it as such, I will not stop you.

[tireurdelite]

Thank you very much.

[A compliment he can actually accept even.]

[nilhilistic]

Hm. You are welcome, I suppose.

[tireurdelite]

...I wish that I could remember you. I've thought that perhaps - since there are two of Elyos that we're from, there might be three or more.

[So he may not have actually met Rafal.]

[nilhilistic]

A strange wish. I don't think the second prince I knew would have wanted that. In fact, I doubt there is anyone in any world who would.

[tireurdelite]

Really? You're a little standoffish, but that's understandable, and no reason people shouldn't know you.

[nilhilistic]

Perhaps when you remember, you'll think differently.

[tireurdelite]

I can't rule that out.

[...of course it would be easier if Rafal would just tell him what he's missing, but he's not going to do that, is he.]

[nilhilistic]

Do you want to know?

[ rafal is nothing if not an excellent self-saboteur. ]