Hi, it’s me again! Hope I’m not bothering you and you’re having an awesome day! You mentioned Classical Trolls and courting and I had to share this-
As part of my AU, the techno trolls can use their bioluminescent patterns to communicate and threaten, although it largely depends on context and isn’t an exact language with direct translations. Most of the time, they just use their patterns to mimic the beat of the music.
When it comes to courting, they make their patterns a little extra bright for their lovers as a way of getting their attention. Kinda like “Look at me! I have pretty colors! I can glow bright!”
I often imagine that glowing also means good health. The brighter the glow, the more active the body is, so the more the troll can provide for and protect you. Trollex absolutely lights up at least a little when Trollzart enters the room.
Not a single classical troll understands why, meanwhile every techno troll (at least Trollex’s friends) in that room is trying not to laugh at Trollzart’s obliviousness to their king’s courting attempts. In a friendly way, obviously, they feel for their king is all.
(And just so there’s no misunderstanding in this — Flashing all patterns at once either means ‘look over here now, come over’ or it’s a threat display and you’re about to get fried — oh, yeah, techno trolls can zap stuff in my AU too like electric eels, usually predators much bigger than themselves. A non-flashing, steady light is used in courting.)
(Don’t worry! I’m just really bad at time management and answering stuff lol)
I love making Trollzart and Trollex oblivious to each other’s courting. Both parties trying to court but are oblivious to the obvious signs
It reminds me that I headcanon classical trolls tend to become more ‘touchy-feely’ (read: ok with being squished next to someone) with those they hold close. Trollzart has been notorious for only letting Dante, Minuet, and ,by proxy, Forte next to him.
They’re walking (floating?) circles around each other without knowing. They think the other might not like them when in reality they aren’t putting their heads together. I can’t imagine Dante, Minuet, Synth, and Laguna trying their hardest to get them to understand courting techniques from the other then groaning when they don’t realize it <3
(Also this reminded me I have an au for soulmates and every tribe has a different way of telling, Techno trolls hearts create little designs when near while Classical trolls can taste whatever their soulmate is eating. Teen Trollzart tasting seaweed in his mouth at 2 AM after his shitass father just got done yelling at him.)