Lucent: "Sav?"
Savoulain: "Yes, Lucent?"
Lucent: "Would you still love me if I was a worm?"
Savoulain: "No matter which form you choose to take, you will remain forthmost in my affections."
Savoulain: "...However, I am obliged to remind you - for your own happiness, if not for mine - that worms do not have opposable thumbs."
Lucent: "Hmm."
Lucent: "Well, they don't right now."

my static is just going to have to deal, I have much more important thoughts right now

sge!lucent's emotional needs are complex. most of the time the boy needs someone to extensively discuss aetherial phenomenon and disturbing medical science with. but sometimes the boy needs to Stop having so many thoughts. this is usually accomplished with the application of a hug.

there are two major indicators that the latter is the case. one is if he talks at you instead of with you, a stream of increasingly wild and incomprehensible thoughts that drowns any attempt you make to reply. the other is if he barely talks at all

sometimes Lucent breaks into Savoulain's room at three in the morning and begins feverishly talking about fluctuations in corporeal aether and all the ways its delicate equilibrium could be disrupted and all the ways one could disrupt it more in their attempt to rebalance it and and--

and Savoulain, with the air of one long-practiced, closes his book, stands up, and gently takes one of Lucent's wildly gesturing hands in his. Lucent's fevered ramble trails off.

"Would a hug help?" Savoulain asks. Lucent just nods. Savoulain steps closer and pulls him into a tight embrace.

"When did you last sleep?" he asks Lucent.

The reply is muffled against his shoulder. "About 74 hours. Give or take."

"I am going to make you a tisane, and then you are going to sleep," Savoulain tells him. "And in the morning, you may share your thoughts with me."

"Okay." A pause. "Sorry for breaking into your room."

"A kind sentiment, but an unnecessary one." Savoulain's voice is as fond as it is gentle. "I left it unlocked for a reason."

it is a Character Feature that despite being probably the kindest and most chill of our FFXIV OCs, Naberius has Extreme Resting Bitch Face that is only compounded by their general reserved awkwardness

at some point they asked Alaude how they could be less intimidating, and Alaude was like, hmm, well, a smile usually sets people at ease!

Naberius: "Like this?" *attempts to smile. their expression doesn't change*
Alaude: "Not quite... push it a little further, perhaps?"
Naberius: "How about this?" *makes a horrible grimace*
Alaude: "...On second thought, I think that there's something to be said for allowing your deeds to speak for you, and ignoring the people who are unable to look past, erm, external impressions,"

(at some point Lucent makes the suggestion that Naberius should just drape their carbuncle around their neck. surprisingly for one of RDM!Lucent's suggestions, this actually helps)