Karkat had still not awoken by the next night. Signless, however, had done the exact opposite and had barely slept. He didn't want to risk being asleep if Karkat's condition took a bad turn. Fortunately, no such trouble arose. Dolorosa was the first to wake up, and she approached Signless with slight concern once she had seen he was awake. "Signless, did you get any rest at all?" She whispered, not wanting to wake up the others. Signless didn't respond, his tired eyes shifting away from Rosa's inquisitive green gaze. Rosa sighed, shaking her head slightly. "I understand your concern for Karkat, but you need sleep just as much as the rest of us." Signless echoed her sigh, looking back up. "Are you sure he'll be okay?" Rosa looked at the young troll for a moment, then back to Signless. "As I said before; so long as he gets enough rest and there isn't any infection, he will recover in his own time." Signless didn't appear comforted by this. He chose not to say anything, and simply redirected his attention back to the young troll. He had questions he wanted to ask, things he wanted to say- but he couldn't. He has the same blood color as me. The thought still came as a surprise to him, even though he had seen it with his own eyes. I suppose that explains why he feels the same way about the hemospectrum as me. He doesn't even have a place in it. How can you agree with something you can't even belong to? Signless felt the same wave of protectiveness he had felt the night before resurface. Karkat was his responsibility, he had been from the moment he met him in the forest. It was his job to make sure that no harm came to him, and he felt disappointed with himself that he hadn't done that. But now he felt it was more important than ever that he remain vigilant, that he made sure Karkat wouldn't be harmed in the future. Who knows what might happen if some troll saw his blood color? If a highblood saw? They'd cull him on the spot, no mercy. I can't let that happen, I can't. He thought bitterly, picturing the horrific scene in his mind. The idea of some highblooded troll murdering an innocent infuriated him. Rosa must have noticed the anger appear on his face, as she rested a calming hand on his shoulder. "It will be alright, Signless. Nothing bad is going to happen." Signless looked to her with disbelief. "Something bad has already happened. Plenty of bad things have already happened." Rosa looked away, her eyes darkening briefly. "That is true. However, Karkat is still alive, as are we. Is that a bad thing?" Signless felt the anger in him leave as quickly as it had arrived, the combination of his exhaustion and Rosa's words settling him. "No, I suppose not. We could be in a much worse state then we are." Rosa nodded, smiling slightly. "Exactly. Now please, stop worrying so much. Karkat will be fine, just give him the time he needs." Signless nodded, looking over as he heard the others begin to stir. His concern had still not left him, how could it? But Rosa's words had left him with some comfort, and he hoped he could share some of that comfort with Karkat when he awoke. Perhaps if he knows he's not alone, he thought, looking back at the young troll again, then he'll realize that not everything in the world is against him.