[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...]
But people do that, too. I saw Lord Audley make a laundry maid throw up. And we're gods anyway, aren't we?
[Ah, society. Part of everything about Ariel always was taught. But at least, unlike Tristan's dealt with at all since this Ariel was a teenager, he seems to be genuinely trying to understand what Tris is saying.]
And Lord Audley is wrong. A lot of people are wrong. Hurting for pleasure isn't something anyone should ever do, but it happens... It happens for a lot of reasons, but none of them are good.
I know how... Things used to be you wouldn't understand at all. But there are other ways to feel good--to be happy.
I don't understand it. If it's fun, I want to do it. But I think... You're going to leave me, aren't you?
[He's looking at him with a confused sort of nervousness. This part of Ariel has been stuck in a well for god knows how long, in some form or another. He doesn't seem to know much about what's outside of it. But whatever he does know appears to have him genuinely frightened.]
I don't want to be alone. I stay down here all the time and no one pays any attention to me...
[It's bratty and whiny, but also actually sad, which is about what you can expect when you get very deep into the person Ariel originally was. He never did like it. Being alone. Not being acknowledged.]
[What is this affection nonsense?? He puts his own hand on top of Tristan's, not pulling it away, just kind of... feeling it there, and making a face at him.]
...Okay, I guess.
[He doesn't seem like he believes him. But he does seem like he's going to think on it, which is an improvement.]
If it helps, I'm here. Even when you don't see me or notice, I don't want either of us to be alone. But we both will be, if you never connect to anyone outside.
Because it'll be like we're both stuck down wells far away from each other. Or like we pushed each other into wells.
[He runs his fingers through Ariel's hair, sighing.]
I don't know if I can explain empathy or how important it is, to you. But being close to someone and feeling it, having their affection, it's a lot more thrilling than taking apart a frog or falling down a well.
[He really doesn't get it. But he's trying to, somewhere in there. Some smidgen of Ariel is engaging with the idea in a way that was not even possible his entire life before.]
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Re: the well
Right now you're in pain. Can you imagine how it felt?
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[Ah, society. Part of everything about Ariel always was taught. But at least, unlike Tristan's dealt with at all since this Ariel was a teenager, he seems to be genuinely trying to understand what Tris is saying.]
Re: the well
[He sits down next to Ariel and takes his hand.]
And Lord Audley is wrong. A lot of people are wrong. Hurting for pleasure isn't something anyone should ever do, but it happens... It happens for a lot of reasons, but none of them are good.
I know how... Things used to be you wouldn't understand at all. But there are other ways to feel good--to be happy.
Re: the well
[He's looking at him with a confused sort of nervousness. This part of Ariel has been stuck in a well for god knows how long, in some form or another. He doesn't seem to know much about what's outside of it. But whatever he does know appears to have him genuinely frightened.]
Re: the well
Fun isn't the only important thing. You don't want me to leave, right? Why? You aren't having fun.
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[It's bratty and whiny, but also actually sad, which is about what you can expect when you get very deep into the person Ariel originally was. He never did like it. Being alone. Not being acknowledged.]
Re: the well
[He puts a hand on top of Ariel's head. Even now he can't stop feeling responsible for looking after his crazy brother.]
But if you don't connect with other people, in the end even if there's people all around, you're still alone.
Re: the well
...Okay, I guess.
[He doesn't seem like he believes him. But he does seem like he's going to think on it, which is an improvement.]
Re: the well
If it helps, I'm here. Even when you don't see me or notice, I don't want either of us to be alone. But we both will be, if you never connect to anyone outside.
Re: the well
[That doesn't make sense. He wants Tristan to stay, but why does he need other people to have Tristan?]
Re: the well
[He runs his fingers through Ariel's hair, sighing.]
I don't know if I can explain empathy or how important it is, to you. But being close to someone and feeling it, having their affection, it's a lot more thrilling than taking apart a frog or falling down a well.
Re: the well
[He really doesn't get it. But he's trying to, somewhere in there. Some smidgen of Ariel is engaging with the idea in a way that was not even possible his entire life before.]
Re: the well
Think about it.
[He stands and leans over, kissing the top of his brother's head.]
It won't be lonely and scary so much, if you have other people you love who love you back. If you're capable of it. I'm going to keep going.
Re: the well
[Wait no why he doesn't want that.]
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[Nope he's latching onto his hip and clinging.]
You can't leave me!
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[That's not what's being expressed by clinging and crying, but it sure is typical Ariel.]
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