▶ 001. video

[anti_altruisms]

Good evening.

[ The video flickers on, and there's a very pale, very fatigued-looking Archer sitting in his apartment. A dragon egg is also visible, nestled in a bundle of blankets next to him. (Is he nesting??)

In any case, he doesn't mince words. ]

Since we're all likely experiencing similar symptoms, I'll be brief - I'm looking for moonlacing partners, specifically hand-holding and basic physical contact. Anything more than that is subject to discussion.

[ He moves a hand, and just for a moment, it almost looks translucent. Or maybe, it's just the crystals staring to form on his skin. ]

Thank you for your time.

[ With that, he ends the feed. ]

Comments

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer sighs. ]

It is, yes. I truly was not expecting it to be like this.

[ He wasn't planning to be a parent, either, but he feel compelled to care for this egg all the same.

A little more awkwardly: ]

It would...be nice to see you.

[hoasen]

[She laughs a little at how reluctant he is. Admittedly, while it's surprising, she has always liked to be a parent.]

To be a parent? And here I thought you were considered one of the best. [He's just so responsible! But she's jesting at the same time.

She clears her throat.]

I'd...like to see you too, actually. Would you like for me to come over...now?

[anti_altruisms]

I've never been one.

[ A bland sort of answer. It's really weird being an egg daddy. ]

...if you have time in about an hour or two...yes.

[hoasen]

You have the skills already.

[And the strictness, honestly.]

I do. I'll meet you at your place then?

[anti_altruisms]

You think so?

[ That's news to him. ]

And yes, that would be fine.

[hoasen]

[She nods firmly.] Absolutely. And I will see you soon.

[And soon enough, as she told him, she will be there at his place, just in time, already knocking to notify him of her presence.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ And of course, he is there to greet her when she arrives. Archer opens the door, looking a bit...frayed and fatigued, but he's holding up. ]

Ah, Sen. Come in.

[hoasen]

[Seeing his condition, now she wonders if she should've brought him something to eat as well.]

Thank you.

[And she steps, her eyes not once leaving him.]

You look tired, let's quickly go sit down.

[anti_altruisms]

[ Eating probably wouldn't help that much, really, so it's just as well she didn't put in the extra work.

He lets out a sigh and shuts the door. ]

The fatigue doesn't really go away.

[ He can rest, and it doesn't help. Still, he gestures towards the couch. ]

[hoasen]

[She nods in acknowledgement, because oh boy does she know.]

It doesn't, not until one...ah, moonlaces.

[She offers her hand. So the purpose of her requesting him to go sit was mostly so the two could get comfortable.]

Do you need me to do anything?

[anti_altruisms]

[ There's a brief moment of hesitation before he takes her hand, and as they're walking over to the couch, he can't help but look awkward when she asks him that. ]

Sen, I-

[ I don't want to ask? I don't know how to ask? Do you even want to? All questions he fails to verbalize. ]

...I'm not very good at this.

[ Well, he's honest at least. ]

[hoasen]

[She holds his hand warmly as they walk to the couch, sitting down as he voices his concerns.

Really, she's not good at being too open about it either.]

Likewise. I don't think there is a way to be "good" at it. I...rather some honesty.

[And then she laughs softly.] But I'm no good at saying what I would like, either.