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((ooc: CW for a brief mention of recreational drugs.))

[For two months, more or less, she's been in mourning. She hasn't shown her face much. And there's been a lot of crying.

But sentimental though Ariadne can be, she's also practical. Which means she recognizes when it's time to try moving forward.

So behold. Not Padmé, not Jane. Just a sad Ariadne, her hair in a loose braid, with a few tendrils curling around her face.]

I've decided it's time to clean through the rubble that was the Winchester cottage. The ground needs to be cleared so someone else can build there. And I'm sure a few things survived the fire which need to be sorted and placed.

I guess...I mean, I'll do it myself. But if anyone would like to help I would...appreciate it. I can pay you in fruit or herbs from the orchard.

[Her face is like porcelain. She's not letting a single crack show, even though it still hurts.]

I'll be there for the next week or so. Please let me know if you'd be willing to join me. At the very least, I think some of his--some of Dean's--marijuana plants survived. I'd like to try to replant them in my garden.

I can pay you with that, if you like.

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With some mind alterating substances, you might try it.

Well, I wouldn't want that.

You might enjoy it.

Or I might hurt someone.

I'd let you hurt me as an experiment to see if that happens.

[That's as close to friendship as he was willing to admit.]

I...

[Oh, these boys are strange.]

I appreciate that. But, see, if I hurt you. Even with your permission. Well, I'd never be able to forgive myself.

Why? Life is pain, and it's good to learn important lessons.

Life is more than pain.

[She smiles.]

So, so much more.

And even if you think it is, well, if we all agreed to stop hurting each other, maybe it would be a little better, you know?

It can be, but the best lessons are learned through failure and failure has always come with pain.

[His society was a bit rough and direct when it came to failure. Teachable moments were more often than not painful.]

No. If we stopped hurting each other, we'd stop learning and then we'd become weak. The weak have no place existing unless to impart a lesson to others.

[She smiles slyly.]

I submit that you wouldn't last a week where I received my education. Because I assure you, there were no lessons learned through pain.

And, in all fairness, I probably wouldn't last that long in your world.

If you were a Nightsister, you would survive. They take care of their own, and you'd learn. Nightsisters do not tolerate weakness either.

I would be asleep most of the day if I likely had your education.

[She laughs.]

Or, you might see the world the way I do.

I doubt I'm smart enough for that kind of formal education.

I didn't think I was, either.

I'm the only one of my litter who learned to read or write, you know.

[There's an uncomfortable silence from him for a few seconds. Then he growled low in his throat.]

Our reading and writing is basic and geared towards runes and mechanical repair. I've only learned to read and write in Trench.

[A small silence before he had to speak again to cut off any attempts to say he was smart enough to learn.]

And I'm not very good at it still.

[Her smile softens.]

We could practice together sometime, if you like.

I'd likely slow you down.

I'm not in a hurry.

[She clears her throat.]

Anyway, I need to gather some supplies. See you at the cottage soon?

[Right. The cottage to throw rubble around. He'd almost forgotten.]

Yes, I'll head there now.

[Ariadne smiles and bows her head, before closing the channel.]

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