Charles nodded. Disgusting. That was a good word to describe the Masked Merchant. Him and all his sick trials were just that - disgusting. And he nodded to the apology. He didn't say something stupid like "It's okay." or "It's all in the past." because it wasn't okay. And it obviously wasn't all in the past, because their memories still haunted him today. He had been alone for much longer then he'd even known his family, but the trauma of their deaths, of the darkness, still woke him in the night with screams of fear.
He swallowed heavily.
There was something that occurred to him, then. Rainstorm, obviously, hadn't been a part of the family. But still they ran the Trial. Willingly, apparently. He remembered, distantly, his anger and hatred, his tantrum that he'd raged through the tunnel at those that had willingly took part. That anger was long gone, now, but the curiosity remained. He tiled his head at Rainstorm.
Luckily for Charles, Rainstorm wasn't expecting an 'its okay' out of that conversation. If he'd said it, Rainstorm might've been confused. There's nothing okay about hosing trials to feed... Something. Nor was it okay to raise children to become food for some creature that shouldn't exist in the first place. Who created it? Why has it not come back yet? It's a worry, and Rainstorm will never be stepping a foot back into Hydra if they ever have the choice to.
They couldn't think of ever putting their children to do something like that. Even if they never hatched, and may never hatch - Rainstorm could never do it. Not even if the kids ended up being their worst enemy. At that point just give them a quick and easy death, free from fear or anything else.
Rainstorm's been wanting to go out of Eridanus more... But it feels so dangerous.
And both of them know what came of the darkness.
@Charles
Charles snorted, almost amused. Keyword: almost. The fact that Rainstorm had just so happened to wander into the place where the Trial was being held, just as the metaphorical doors closed behind them, while a small family who'd never had the chance to wander from their birthplace before was forced across the threshold, was almost comical in its tragedy.
He swallowed heavily, suddenly nervous as he looked up at the other bird's sightless eyes.
Rainstorm probably would've laughed, too, honestly. It was a horrible coincidence and if Rainstorm had knew, they never would've stepped a claw into that place. The mutations they've gained from it do not overshadow the bad the place had, nor does it make the trauma irrelevant. Charles probably has the same opinion, based on the things he's saying.
Rainstorm doesn't mind questions - skies above know that they've been asking all kinds of personal questions here, and it wouldn't be fair for them to not answer.
Rainstorm knows Charles is watching their eyes, the fact that they can't see out of their eyes makes it feel a little bit eerie. They get detailed images through sound, enough that it basically completely mimics sight, but it's not entirely the same. It feels a little off, but they're used to it at this point.
The curiosity made them get over the shyness, or the rudeness - as some say. But still.
@Charles
The bat-like ears on Charles turned up a bit - the first time in the conversation where hope seemed to run in him.
He shrugged.
Rainstorm isn't really sure if that's true, really, but they're going to believe until the chrysalis shatter. Surely that would mean the actual death of the stones. They're going to wish and keep wishing for them to come out safe and sound, without damage, and when Rainstorm is home to see it. They wouldn't be able to find the kids easily if they hatched and went somewhere. Losing them is the last thing Rainstorm wants.
Surprised at the question - Rainstorm hasn't had proper company in a long time. Sticking around... Would probably be a good idea wouldn't it. Birds of a feather stick together, as some say.
It's a little embarrassing, they think, to be so attached to an image of someone they barely know. But they understand each other, and that's really the only thing Rainstorm's ever wanted. No one they've met really understands. How many from that trial were still here, anyway? Not many, at least.
Then again, the whole conversation has been very personal.
Rainstorm blinks - that... Sounds painful. They've never had a proper family to know what that would feel like.
Rainstorm looks around.
@Charles
To be honest, he wasn't actually certain that Rainstorm would let him stick around. Most likely since he'd been looking at himself for the past many cycles as wholly unlikable and too much of a burden to keep nearby for very long. Although, he supposed Rainstorm just hadn't gotten to know him yet. He was sure that this would be a temporary arrangement once they got wind of exactly how much of a downer he could be.
Still, he couldn't stop the trill of excitement and the strange flash of heat that ran across his body. He immediately perked up, even if it was just a little bit.
He shrugged, trying to be nonchalant...again.
But - ah, a distraction! Ears immediately perked and he almost stood right then and there.