[Atem's fins alternate between pressing tight to his head, and flaring angrily. He listens -- he remembers everything Ryou is talking about.
And what he gets out of it, when Ryou is done, is--]
So, you didn't tell me because you thought I wouldn't understand. As though I could only ever understand things I've felt myself!
But that's wrong!
[He is much, much smaller in stature than Ryou, and on top of that, he's seated. But even so, Atem's back is straight, his shoulders set -- he is sitting on the side of a bathtub, with legs that are wrong for land, and still somehow has the same amount of presence as a nephilim whose halo scrapes the ceiling.]
I understand that you're afraid! People were cruel to you, after the broadcast. They didn't understand why you were saying what you were saying, and didn't care to try to -- so, they were unkind! They frightened you. The anger frightened you!
But, Ryou -- the only person to make an actual threat was a gargoyle named Mariner. Her name is in the graveyard, now. She's not here to make good on it, and even if she were, she didn't pursue any extra powers with the gods -- she'd be under-level for the fight.
She can't hurt you.
And, besides...the number of monsters who did try to understand outnumber them by far. Not even just the ones who agree because they're used to that kind of thing, or follow the Fog too -- there's Cairo, Bruno, Sonic, Mr. Wright, Crash, and Altair -- even Fourth followers, like Beat and Reira, and Triffany! Joshua doesn't hold it against us. The guy who called us terrorists, Dr. Osborn? He understands, too! Dr. McGucket was only mad because he thought I was telling him he was wrong about the way he followed the Fog, and Hinata? He's always been kind about it!
Most monsters aren't like the one that killed you and hurt me. I understand that, now! Many more of them will hear you out and try to understand than hit you back without the full story.
But, even though I don't agree -- I understand that you're frightened! And I've done everything I can think of to help you fight that fear, and supported every choice you've made, because you deserve to have your choices respected!
[His voice rings out through the apartment bathroom. Can their neighbors hear? Atem's not thinking about it.
He's also not thinking about what he says next, or how it's kind of beside the point. They're airing things now, and another worry of Atem's slips out.]
But if I say anything -- anything at all that implies I think something is a bad idea, or that I don't want you to do it...I don't know that you won't give up what you want, for me, and then resent it! In order to not have too much influence over you, I can't tell you the whole truth!
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And what he gets out of it, when Ryou is done, is--]
So, you didn't tell me because you thought I wouldn't understand. As though I could only ever understand things I've felt myself!
But that's wrong!
[He is much, much smaller in stature than Ryou, and on top of that, he's seated. But even so, Atem's back is straight, his shoulders set -- he is sitting on the side of a bathtub, with legs that are wrong for land, and still somehow has the same amount of presence as a nephilim whose halo scrapes the ceiling.]
I understand that you're afraid! People were cruel to you, after the broadcast. They didn't understand why you were saying what you were saying, and didn't care to try to -- so, they were unkind! They frightened you. The anger frightened you!
But, Ryou -- the only person to make an actual threat was a gargoyle named Mariner. Her name is in the graveyard, now. She's not here to make good on it, and even if she were, she didn't pursue any extra powers with the gods -- she'd be under-level for the fight.
She can't hurt you.
And, besides...the number of monsters who did try to understand outnumber them by far. Not even just the ones who agree because they're used to that kind of thing, or follow the Fog too -- there's Cairo, Bruno, Sonic, Mr. Wright, Crash, and Altair -- even Fourth followers, like Beat and Reira, and Triffany! Joshua doesn't hold it against us. The guy who called us terrorists, Dr. Osborn? He understands, too! Dr. McGucket was only mad because he thought I was telling him he was wrong about the way he followed the Fog, and Hinata? He's always been kind about it!
Most monsters aren't like the one that killed you and hurt me. I understand that, now! Many more of them will hear you out and try to understand than hit you back without the full story.
But, even though I don't agree -- I understand that you're frightened! And I've done everything I can think of to help you fight that fear, and supported every choice you've made, because you deserve to have your choices respected!
[His voice rings out through the apartment bathroom. Can their neighbors hear? Atem's not thinking about it.
He's also not thinking about what he says next, or how it's kind of beside the point. They're airing things now, and another worry of Atem's slips out.]
But if I say anything -- anything at all that implies I think something is a bad idea, or that I don't want you to do it...I don't know that you won't give up what you want, for me, and then resent it! In order to not have too much influence over you, I can't tell you the whole truth!