Quarrel was taken aback by the critter's anger. Wasn't that what xey wanted? To vilify them for using violence, or something? Yell at them for not understanding what xey wanted? 

What was it Gaius had said? Something about giving xem what xey wanted? Critters were always either stupidly complicated, or remarkably simple. It was exhausting to have to navigate every decision so carefully, but they couldn't trust xem to be reasonable. Speak and they hate you. Don't speak and they still hate you. 

They already said their peace, so they didn't see a reason to say it again. Whether they were wrong or not was irrelevant. It was done, and they didn't regret it. They didn't understand why Arachnis was fine with sometimes healing them, but they'd respect that in the future. In fact, they had every intention of not being seen by xem again. That was always a good solution.

Still, the tears bothered xem. Why were xey so upset after clearly establishing a boundary? And now xey didn't want to be separated? 

The cat was frustrated and confused, but they knew that distressing xem further wouldn't do anything good. Maybe it was time to heed his advice like they were planning to do before their plan went awry. They closed the distance between them and somewhat awkwardly hugged their sibling. The flinch made them hurt a little. They couldn't imagine hurting such an unfathomably helpless whelp. Or why xey truly believed they'd do so.

"You're not making any sense."

Quarrel was surprised at how quickly Arachnis reciprocated the hug. And how much xey were crying...

The cat's yellow eyes narrow at the marten's request. They debated arguing that they had tried to communicate, but they tempered that response. Maybe xey just communicated differently, and they would have to learn that. Gods, it would be such a pain to tell that fox he was right. With a soft exhale they began to process their grievances.

They guessed the white magic would be the simplest to start with. It was most recent, and if they were being honest, the one that affected them the least. They rarely had help before. Why would they expect help now?

Their ears flicked back while they anticipated the critters reaction, but their tail curled around xeir body. They knew they could leave easily now that xey had moved away, yet Quarrel didn't want to. Maybe figuring this out could help them in the future, if they chose to endure it. 

They quietly murmured a prayer to Silvanus.

"Well, you said that you didn't want me asking you to heal anyone. It seemed pretty obvious that also included me. So it doesn't make sense that you suddenly changed your mind about it, regardless of how the injury happened."

Quarrel felt nervous after clarifying. They were expecting the usual remark about them being stupid, or a more general dismissal of their understanding. It wasn't that they weren't listening, it just seemed like the mage contradicted xemself.

Of course the marten didn't say that directly, but xey were frustrated with them, and that was enough to confirm it. They could've pointed out how the explanation was extremely binary - what if they accidentally stabbed someone - but critters tended to only get more upset if you asked questions like that. The core of it they could comprehend. Xey didn't want to get involved.

... or maybe that wasn't it? Gods why were xey so nervous about being injured by them? Oh. Well now they just felt bad. They could relate to assuming the worst, or always anticipating that someone else would hurt them. Wasn't that what they were doing right now?

They could never look at that fox again at this rate, and they had to come up with some offering to give Velyra. This was always harder than just hissing at whatever issue sprung up.

The cat crossed their arms but nodded. Finally recognising all of this didn't make them feel any better, but they supposed they now knew where the line was. And that was comforting to them.

They knew that they should say something as well as nodding, but they weren't sure what to say. Arachnis seemed to talk more than enough for the two of them.  Quarrel glanced away when xey asked xeir next question. Figures it wouldn't just get dropped. With another, heavier breath they began to articulate the next misunderstanding.

"You took his side as soon as you saw him. I felt like I couldn't say anything because you had already decided I was in the wrong. You were yelling at me. You never yelled at him, even after he was healed enough. You let him leave without asking a single question."

They locked their jaw against the assault of emotion they felt. Yes, the fox was bleeding everywhere. But xey were healing him while berating them. They had thought the mage leaving was just because xey didn't want to look at them, but apparently it wasn't really about them.

... maybe they were in the wrong.

It didn't hurt any less.

And yet xey were just trying to survive as well. The cat could hardly begrudge it. How many times had they left a fight to ensure they didn't get injured? Why should leaving a verbal fight be any different? 

The choice to not voice this was made for them when the marten continued. The terms were reasonable, even though they knew it would be hard. Likely harder for them than Arachnis, but it might keep xem from crying again. That was worth it. An incline of the head made it easier for them to force themself to respond. "As you wish."

The cat let their answer linger and waited for the marten's response. The suggested solution for the future seemed reasonable enough, even if they knew they would struggle with it in the future. 

Quarrel just had to hope it wouldn't come to it. 

They tilted their head slightly at the thank you. Did it really just take some words to do all of this? The out was even more surprising to them. Still, they were more than willing to take it, especially since there seemed to be no consequences attached.

They shook their head and hesitated for a moment. Arachnis seemed to respond well to affirmation and physical contact, both things that were difficult for them to communicate. But if they could learn new languages well enough to talk someone out of an episode they should be able to at least try to learn it. Even if it meant proving that damned fox right.

Once again they mentally prepared themself, pulled xem into a quick hug, and skulked up the ladder into the shadows.