COURT: Heart Game!

[upmoving]

[Your consciousness drifts in to the sound of discordant whispers. It sounds like a hushed argument in another room, something you can't quite catch. You're cold. Your skin tingles slightly, and then...]

Comments

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

Not this part. [With a loosened grip his hands shift at least, and you may catch a glimpse of skin gone a dark, ugly purple. You certainly were never holding tight enough to remotely hurt a normal person, but this Ariel has bone-deep bruises everywhere you've grabbed, and they've already fully blossomed.]

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

[He lets go, surprised and inspecting the bruises. That shouldn't happen at all.]

Is this what you want to be?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

[He told you it was fragile Tristan! He pulls his hands close to him, avoiding any further touch and looking like he wants to run away again. But resisting got him hurt already so he'll tell, with the tone of someone fully expecting to be retaliated against for what he says.] What I'm becoming. What I could be, if I keep changing.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

Ah...

[He looks him over, and the kitchen as well, before crossing his arms and leaning against the counter.]

Tell me about yourself.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

What? [why does he get the sense he's on trial??] What do you want to know?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

About you, this you you're becoming. You're growing up, so I'd like to know who it is you are, now.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

Oh... [Well. How would he describe himself to someone who doesn't know him? That's a start. He tries, a bit haltingly, still afraid Tristan's going to erase him if he doesn't pass muster.] I-- I like sweets, and soft things, and storybooks, still. But I also like when it rains, just enough to go out in it. And snow, and watching people being happy. And I'm not very good at it yet, but I'm learning to do my housework, and I want to be able to do it all on my own, without using magic. I want to meet someone I can fall in love with properly some day. But I really-- I want to... be better. Than I was. I want to make things better as much as I made them worse, before. And I wish I could do that for you... but I don't think I can.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

Ah...

[He listens, with just a slight, faraway smile. An expression as frozen and obscure as possible, but not harsh. Just exceedingly closed off.]

[To be honest it breaks his heart. But it feels deserved as well. If Ariel is to be anyone happy, giving up on Tris is probably a good step. And if he damages this fragile part what power will it give the brother he thought he'd unmade? His chest aches, the worst of him protests this, Ariel should never leave him or give up on him. How dare he. How could he. But all he does outwardly is touch his own lips in a vaguely thoughtful gesture.]

You sound like someone I'd be happy to know. What will make you stronger?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

I have to make myself stronger. But-- Outside, having friends helps.

[Tristan's distant look keeps him nervous, but at least it's an apparently positive reaction?]

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

Try not to be so isolated, then. I worry about you.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

I can try.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

Mm. I take it anything I do here will ultimately harm you?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

Not anything. You could sit with me awhile, if you wanted. Eat something. You can write on the board, but what you write can change everything.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

Then let's share a meal together.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

As you wish. What would you like? [moving to the fridge, because haha like he really can cook even in his heart]

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

Whatever you have.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

Alright, then... [We are having parfaits. He pulls out two, then waits for Tristan to move.] If you'd take a seat.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

[He will take a seat and wait for Ariel.]

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

[He sets the parfaits down on the table, then sits across from Tristan to poke at his, still nervous, still bruised.] Is this alright?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

[It feels stiff and awful and he resents it vehemently but he's probably a better actor than Ariel at this point. His smile is gentle and relaxed.]

This is lovely.

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

I'm glad you think so.

[He doesn't trust it. But he plays along, smiling back, trying to act natural.]

What do you think of what you've seen so far, inside of me? And him?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

I think you're my brother. Both of you.

[Is that a shitty answer? But it's the end result of anything, anything he sees here won't change that.]

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

Well, that's true. [A bit depressing but true.] Is that a good thing?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[royallyfuckedup]

You would have to tell me. What do you think, is that a good thing?

Re: a quiet afternoon

[upmoving]

I think we wouldn't be who we are otherwise. I don't know if I want to be someone else or not.