15.May.13, 11:57 PM
T'lian watched quietly as Isscer struggled to find an appropriate reaction to the healer's question. T'lian was patient. Once again, he understood. He remained silent, watching modestly but hopefully, his eyes glazing over with sad nostalgia as he considered the situation Isscer was in.
I'm sorry for, you know, being distant
How familiar that sounded. T'lian closed his eyes and stifled a bitter grin. "I understand," he replied. He understood all too well. He could remember doing not the exact same thing, but something regrettably similar with his friend V'ler. Tal hadn't avoided the man after his Impression, but Veeth surely intimidated him, and it took a long time for the three to work out an understanding that would allow him to truly be close to his best friend again. Veeth was a sweet creature who didn't deserve T'lian's fear, but he hadn't known any better. It was fine now, but they'd lost time, and time was something that could never be recovered.
Like all of his mistakes, he sincerely hoped he could prevent someone else from repeating it.
He didn't elaborate on any of this, but the look in his eyes betrayed just how deep that note rang with him. Eventually, his distant and concerned expression softened just enough to allow a smile.
"Don't act so nervous," he said. "I get it. I really do...I wasn't sure what to do about it, either." He remembered being on the sands and flipping through the laundry list of anti-dragonet plans in his head, including intentionally broadcasting vivid images of his suicide attempt. Sometimes he wondered if that attracted Khaduceth. He imagined he would never know, but he did know that he loved the damn dragon right away, and there was nothing he could do about it. How could he say that to Isscer, though?
"And it's fine," he added after a lengthy pause, his voice and mannerisms alike rather stiff, but not insincere. T'lian was an emotional person, but also very closed off from most people. He only showed his more vivid emotions to the closest people in his life, but that didn't mean he wished to brush Isscer aside. He agreed with one thing, and that was their shared experiences and potential to be friends. He often wished he had more friends, and he regretted alienating the ones he'd chased away with his strange combination of neediness and distance.
He realized he'd been awkwardly quiet for a rather long time. He looked up from his lap, eyes suddenly wide with regret. "I'm...! I'm sorry. No, you don't have to be sorry...Just um, come on." He rose to his feet, instantly feeling foolish. Still, he managed a much warmer smile for the other man this time, softer and more relaxed and empathetic. "Don't worry about it, okay? I really do get it. I...did it, too. It's a mess, and it's...Eh, just come on! I suck at talking..." He motioned for Isscer to follow, then headed for the door. A sharp whistle called Fellis to his shoulder, and outside Khaduceth waited with curiosity.
I really, really suck at talking
I'm sorry for, you know, being distant
How familiar that sounded. T'lian closed his eyes and stifled a bitter grin. "I understand," he replied. He understood all too well. He could remember doing not the exact same thing, but something regrettably similar with his friend V'ler. Tal hadn't avoided the man after his Impression, but Veeth surely intimidated him, and it took a long time for the three to work out an understanding that would allow him to truly be close to his best friend again. Veeth was a sweet creature who didn't deserve T'lian's fear, but he hadn't known any better. It was fine now, but they'd lost time, and time was something that could never be recovered.
Like all of his mistakes, he sincerely hoped he could prevent someone else from repeating it.
He didn't elaborate on any of this, but the look in his eyes betrayed just how deep that note rang with him. Eventually, his distant and concerned expression softened just enough to allow a smile.
"Don't act so nervous," he said. "I get it. I really do...I wasn't sure what to do about it, either." He remembered being on the sands and flipping through the laundry list of anti-dragonet plans in his head, including intentionally broadcasting vivid images of his suicide attempt. Sometimes he wondered if that attracted Khaduceth. He imagined he would never know, but he did know that he loved the damn dragon right away, and there was nothing he could do about it. How could he say that to Isscer, though?
"And it's fine," he added after a lengthy pause, his voice and mannerisms alike rather stiff, but not insincere. T'lian was an emotional person, but also very closed off from most people. He only showed his more vivid emotions to the closest people in his life, but that didn't mean he wished to brush Isscer aside. He agreed with one thing, and that was their shared experiences and potential to be friends. He often wished he had more friends, and he regretted alienating the ones he'd chased away with his strange combination of neediness and distance.
He realized he'd been awkwardly quiet for a rather long time. He looked up from his lap, eyes suddenly wide with regret. "I'm...! I'm sorry. No, you don't have to be sorry...Just um, come on." He rose to his feet, instantly feeling foolish. Still, he managed a much warmer smile for the other man this time, softer and more relaxed and empathetic. "Don't worry about it, okay? I really do get it. I...did it, too. It's a mess, and it's...Eh, just come on! I suck at talking..." He motioned for Isscer to follow, then headed for the door. A sharp whistle called Fellis to his shoulder, and outside Khaduceth waited with curiosity.
I really, really suck at talking