[He words jolt him out of his ruminations and he gazes down at her as if he's not entirely present. Like the request just hit the ear wrong and he can't parse it.]
[But when the request registers and his eyes flicker with recognition, he nods.]
Y-Yeah...yeah, of course. I'd...I'd like to light one as well. If you don't mind.
[He's being intentionally obtuse as to whether he means he wants to light one for Sonia or for his own loved ones. Darin's trauma and grief are hard to express and he's been trained by his world to tamp it down. But the cracks are forming. Zelda's uniquely special in that she's seen more of what's behind his mask than anyone else.]
[He leads her to the recess where the candles line the wall in different heights. Small groups of candles flicker while others stand cold and lifeless, waiting for a flame of remembrance to ignite upon them. Darin finds a long, ornate piece of metal holding a wick that can be used to light one candle with the flame of another and he dutifully holds it out to Zelda.]
[He licks his lips as if his mouth were suddenly dry. As if he wants to say something but holds his tongue.]
no subject
[But when the request registers and his eyes flicker with recognition, he nods.]
Y-Yeah...yeah, of course. I'd...I'd like to light one as well. If you don't mind.
[He's being intentionally obtuse as to whether he means he wants to light one for Sonia or for his own loved ones. Darin's trauma and grief are hard to express and he's been trained by his world to tamp it down. But the cracks are forming. Zelda's uniquely special in that she's seen more of what's behind his mask than anyone else.]
[He leads her to the recess where the candles line the wall in different heights. Small groups of candles flicker while others stand cold and lifeless, waiting for a flame of remembrance to ignite upon them. Darin finds a long, ornate piece of metal holding a wick that can be used to light one candle with the flame of another and he dutifully holds it out to Zelda.]
[He licks his lips as if his mouth were suddenly dry. As if he wants to say something but holds his tongue.]
H...Here.