Arc pulled back when Madison retreated, figuring that he had done the wrong thing. Not that he knew better, for he certainly had no idea how to help someone in such a catatonic state. Still, he chided himself internally for not being able to address the situation properly. While he was able to be patient when others made mistakes, he felt that he was not allowed to make them. Mentally he made a note to study more about human interaction, and telling himself that he would pay for his errors later. But in that moment, all he could do was mutter his apology.<br/><br/>He listened to Madison's tale, connecting the dots where she made it easy and filling the blanks that weren't so simple. As the story went on, Arc felt a flood of different emotions, most of which being almost completely the opposite of another feeling. He felt compassion mixed with hatred, which probably scared him more than anything else. Not for Madison, of course, but toward the vile and loathsome Gregory Hall, this so-called Alpha. That was a name he recognized in circles around different areas, but he had never heard more than rumors. He' never met the guy.<br/><br/>When she finished, Arc sat in silence for a long time, contemplating what she'd told him and storing away the useful information. He wondered how it was possible for one human being to commit such heinous acts against another, and how the victim of such viciousness could survive without submitting completely to insanity. When he finally did speak, he did so softly, and without moving any part of his body but his mouth.<br/><br/>"This... Alpha person. He stole something from you. Something very precious and unique to you. You'e right. You can' get it back. But my mother used to always say that... things are things, even when they are attached to you. People can take things, but they can't take away.... you." He wasn't sure that the saying helped, or if there was anything he could do that would help. Feeling powerless was a horrible feeling.<br/><br/>"You can't go back in time to then, but you can decide what you do tomorrow. And the day after that." Arc looked down at her hands, watching her squeeze them, seeing how uncomfortable she was. "But until you figure that out, you have a safe place here. You can stay for as long as you like." He wasn't sure what else he could do for her. Physical comfort was a horrible idea, and he didn' have any other kind words he could offer. He knew the problem, but had no idea what to do about it.<br/><br/>"What can I do," he asked, finally meeting her eyes with his.