week 2

[stagemanagers]

WEEK 2
[It's been...

One week since you woke up here
Met your house manager and said "We’re angry"
Five days since he laughed at you saying
"Write me some letters and you’ll never see me"
Three days since the mirror room
You realized there’s more the Opera House wouldn't tell you
Yesterday you'd bonded more
But it'll still be two days till you get your motive


Welcome to week 2, performers.]

[Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday]


[ooc: happy week 2, everyone! Don't forget to submit your AC and your regains! Regain rolls are done Sunday and Tuesday nights.]

Comments

[37773972]

[Perhaps. Probably. He's silent for a second, then wordlessly reaches around to the side of the bed - his side - and picks something up off the floor. He doesn't raise it too high, but as he resettles on his back, it's pretty clear what it is.]

It isn't mine. I don't know who's it is.

[Some sort of ring.]

[revelfree]

[It's not hard to put the pieces together. He recalls the profiles vividly, never mind every other vague conversation they've had relating to their pasts. He studies the ring that Stephen holds, then lets out a humorless laugh.]

He's sent me three, so far. [Another snort.] Perhaps he just likes men of science?

[He doesn't know what to say, so he'll settle for making Stephen laugh.]

[37773972]

[To Ariel's credit, that does make Stephen laugh a bit. He lowers his hand, fidgeting with the ring without looking at it]

Maybe. He was half-decent when I wrote to him.

[And by that he means being given 'mostly' straight answers. Mostly.]

Hell of a way to seduce someone, though.

[revelfree]

Mm. He does have his way with the written word. [Ariel's had his own correspondence with the Phantom, but it hasn't quite gone that way.]

You've seen his stage presence, though. Would it surprise you if was truly so clumsy in his romantic efforts?

[The fidgeting catches Ariel's eye. He reaches over, fingers wrapping around Stephen's own in an attempt to coax the ring from his grasp. It's clearly not helping anything]

[37773972]

Not really. [He only halfheartedly resists Ariel's prying, hands falling to rest on his chest as he keeps his eyes on it even when it's taken]

...the one I gave her was sapphire. The wedding ring had a diamond. She's probably sold it by now.

[revelfree]

[Ariel pockets the ring for the time being -- out of sight, out of mind, as always.]

Would you tell me what happened if I asked?

cw; mention of child death

[37773972]

[...]

Maddie. [He sighs, closing his eyes] Maddie happened.

[He swallows, feeling his throat close up just a bit.]

...We didn't really know how bad it was until she was born, but...she had a heart defect. [He motions to his chest] Elizabeth...she was so sure Maddie'd make it. Because Maddie was a fighter, you know? They said she'd only live a few weeks, but Maddie made it past those, and...even I started to hope again.

When we buried her - I didn't know they made coffins for babies, Ariel, but they did, and it was - [he holds up his hands, blearily opening wet eyes to judge how far apart he's holding his hands] it was barely this big...I think something in Elizabeth broke, and I think she hated that I didn't break with her. But...I'd already told myself that the chances were slim, and losing that hope...it hurt, but I guess not as much as if I never considered losing her in the first place.

cw; mention of child death

[revelfree]

[Ariel listens. His eyes are closed as the story continues. It's not something he can comprehend, not something he's ever dealt with. Having a child was never a thought that had crossed his mind, let alone losing one.

His knowledge and experience aren't enough. He has to summon every ounce of empathy he has.]

People... grieve in different ways. It's... difficult to expect someone to feel exactly the way you do. I don't believe that makes either of you wrong for what happened.

[He fusses with his fingers, with the buttons on his shirt.]

I'm sorry that it happened. That you experienced two such losses simultaneously.

[37773972]

I think...I think we could have pulled together. Maybe tried again. [His voice cracks a bit, but- he's trying, damn it] If she wanted to, whenever she was ready- but she didn't come back from it. She just...became angrier and angrier, and one day out of the blue, I get a call from her saying it was over. That she'd found someone else. Some guy she met at a fucking bar-

[A hand comes up to his face, covering it now as he lets out a shaky laugh. And, true this goddamn place, when he speaks next?

It's a broken song.]

When you love someone but it goes to waste-
What could be worse?

[revelfree]

We deal with loss in different ways, Stephen. [He just said that, didn't he? But it makes more sense to say, rather than the dark melody twisting in his head. It's from a time and place he doesn't know, but it makes sense.

That's the curse of humans,
born in passion, you destroy.

... Better to not say that out loud.

What, then? He's never been good at empathy. Facts are easier to deal with, and facts say that his wife is gone, and he's worlds away. There are more pressing things to worry about.

His eyes squeeze tighter still. He focuses on the melody Stephen utters instead. And with time, the flow of music takes him too.]

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

[37773972]

[Another choked laugh. He should be surprised Ariel knows the song, but that's just the way of things here, isn't it. And it is somehow comforting, because there's more than just the words- it's an offer to stay, to help.

He wonders if he would have spiraled down as hard as he did if he knew someone like Ariel where he came from. That unconditional support that marriage was supposed to offer- and instead, swept away from. His expression twists in to a grimace, half-hidden behind his hand, and his cracked voice continues as tears stream down his face;]

I promise you I will learn from all my mistakes.

[After a moment, he reaches up with his other hand hand in a wordless request.]

[revelfree]

[Right here, right now, Ariel feels useless with his words. Song helps, but that feels more like whatever charm afflicts this place than actually trying to help. But when Stephen reaches out -- it's a solid clue as to what he's supposed to do. Spoken or not, it's a question, and if nothing else, Ariel has always been good with answers.

He wraps his fingers tightly around Stephen's, first with one hand, and then clasping in place with the other. He squeezes them tight, hoping that it somehow conveys some sort of emotion or response that he otherwise can't come up with.

He doesn't say anything. He doesn't sing anything. He's content just to hold his hand and hope for the best]

[37773972]

[It's enough. It isn't, but it is. If nothing else, it says he is not alone, and maybe-

Maybe that's what he needs right now. And wants. As he squeezes Ariel's hand while trying to get himself back under control, he allows himself to think, briefly, if Maddie had been pictured in the photo. If he'd have been willing to do something drastic for a shot at saving his marriage, at trying again for a chance of happiness.

And then his mind wanders another path, briefly - however briefly - imagining if maybe he wouldn't have had a shot with Elizabeth at all, and if he'd have found someone else. Someone like Ariel. To deal with that kind of obsession, instead of what had happened.

Stephen swallows around the lump in his throat, and pulls on Ariel's hands a bit; if there's no resistance, he'll allow himself to do something perhaps foolish.

To bring them to his mouth and let it press against his lips - however lightly - before easing his grip.]

...Thank you.

[revelfree]

[It's a tender gesture, one that Ariel doesn't expect. A small thrill shoots through him, something that feels wholly out of place considering Stephen's current, desperate state. He has to bite it down, gritting his teeth inwardly even as some carnal part wants to give in to that sensation.]

We are friends, are we not? [He catches Stephen's hand in one last squeeze before letting go entirely.] It's what they're meant to do.

[With that, he turns to face Stephen in full, pushing up onto his knees so that his abdomen is pressed against the bed. It's easier to move like this, easier to lean over and clasp a hand against Stephen's shoulder.]

[37773972]

[It's getting to the point where Stephen can lower his other hand. To grab at his shirt - some sort of costume, it looks like it might fit in Angus's or Sigyn's time with the cut - and wipe his hand on it before shifting to pull it up to wipe his face properly]

Yeah. It's just...hard to remember that, sometimes.

[Friends. Were he and Elizabeth friends, or just in love? If they had something built on a stronger friendship, would it have lasted?

Or would he have been too afraid to risk a friendship, to push for something more?

His head feels like a mess right now. A slight headache, probably from the crying, which- isn't really surprising, honestly. It's been a while since he's broken down, and he doesn't think he's told anyone about Maddie - not anyone who didn't already know, anyway. No therapist, no doctor. Certainly no friend, not after he'd more or less had his own crash.

But Ariel...

Ariel is something else. Not only a friend, but a like mind. A true peer. Lowering the shirt, he looks down at Ariel's hand on his shoulder, then his arm, and reaches up to touch his wrist.

And despite how bad an idea some part of him says this is, he finds himself leaning forwards in what feels like a horrifically awkward - but somehow natural - way, tilting his head just- slightly-]

[revelfree]

[At first, he thinks nothing of the movement. Stephen's readjusting, reorienting himself. But as he rises, draws closer with that just-so angle, he knows exactly where it's heading.

He could let it happen. He could give into sin, to lust. It wouldn't be the first time, his mind has wandered so desperately over the last few years, dreaming up women to sate his starved mind. Between that and the time he's managed to bide since arriving in this hell, he's earned it.

But to ride the coattails of confessed trauma, to accept a gesture in the wake of an estranged wife and a dead daughter -- it taints whatever images Ariel conjures up. Whatever kiss they managed wouldn't be nearly as sweet as what he wishes.

It will be that much better, that much more satisfying, if he waits.

Before Stephen can reach him, Ariel places a hand on his cheek. It's a gentle touch, but still just firm enough to keep him in place if need be. He uses this touch to redirect him, pressing a kiss to his forehead instead.]

Not tonight, my friend. Not like this.

[37773972]

[He freezes at the touch, not needing more than a brush to abort the motion. And there's absolutely no resistance as Ariel moves, just color rising to his cheeks as he thinks about how stupid that was, how stupid he is-]

I- sorry. I wasn't thinking. Of course not.

[Ariel has Helena - or at least her memory. He shouldn't have even tried it. He'd just thought- for a moment-

I will stay and never leave.

The memory makes his throat close again, and he ducks his head in embarrassment]

...it's enough you're here.

[revelfree]

Don't apologize, my Apollo. [He offers another kiss to Stephen's forehead before pulling back. He almost feels guilty when he does.]

I am not saying no. Simply. Late. When we're both in our right minds.

[37773972]

[That...is bittersweet. The nickname hurts, but- at least it's not a false smile Stephen manages, however weak it is, as his eyes flicker back up]

I get it. It's fine.

[They can talk about it later - or never. Either way.]

I shouldn't have dumped all of that on you and then tried something.

[revelfree]

Stephen. Enough.

[He sits back, only far enough to be comfortable. His hands find their way to Stephen's once again, palms up in offering, but not quite assuming.]

I am not upset. I just... don't want to take advantage of your trust.

[37773972]

[Time to shut up? Time to shut up. He nods mutely, trying to impress that he does get it. Really. Honest.

The fact that it still hurts doesn't mean anything.

Stephen...takes those hands, just letting his rest in them for a moment before shifting to swing his legs off the bed - taking care not to hit Ariel, of course - and start to get to his feet]

[revelfree]

Stephen? [He starts to rise as well, one hand dropping from Stephen's grasp to rest upon the small of his back. He's not convinced that his companion won't outright collapse on him.]

Where are you off to?

[37773972]

[He's all right!!!!! He'll be fine! He's- going to put a hand on Ariel's shoulder to steady himself]

...figured I'd take a shower. Try and clean up.

[revelfree]

Of course. [He lifts a hand and covers up Stephen's one last time. He seems almost hesitant to let go.]

If you need anything, you can find me in my room.