The part forever suspended in disconnect noted the details, the contrasts and similarities whenever Nigredo cried in front of a brother. From his observations, the twins had a need to lessen tears, to calm the younger down to outward stability. Neither seemed to want to allow a full cycle; both had yet to act as a quiet witness as Nigredo cried himself out. Albedo, however, served as a deterrent to negative emotions by being affectionate. Rubedo proved more passive, more parental. Nigredo felt young, suddenly, to be comforted by him--more so than the other.

It was due to these thoughts that he nearly missed Albedo's entrance. Only Rubedo's reaction and subsequent question caused his tears to freeze and his face to lift toward the white-haired boy. Why is he so angry? He could not place sense, not until he noticed the cool sensation against his cheeks. "I-I'm okay," Nigredo blurted out to Rubedo as he glanced over at the floor. "Sorry. I didn't mean to--" He swallowed, allowing the word to fall to oblivion.

Crying was a travesty. No one wanted to speak of it. Instead, for Albedo, Nigredo gave his explanation in silence, as absolute truth. {He didn't hurt me. We just talked about...you know.} That. That horrid fact of his existence. Albedo should know very well.