audio;

[fadeling]

[Cole's been doing some thinking. Always a dangerous proposition, but unavoidable, really. It hasn't been all that long since the fire, but...well. Maybe it could have been worse, but it could have been a lot better too.

At least he's managed to make this audio. Probably entirely by accident.]

I can't tell if it's better. Is it better? [He doesn't specify what "it" is. But there's a pause for a few moments while he considers what else to say. It's hard to verbalize what he's thinking, his thoughts pulled in a thousand ways at once like they always are. He doesn't make sense at the best of times, and now he's trying to find words that probably don't exist.]

The whispers are worries, but the calls are clarion and confused. Did I do the right thing? Is it good at all?

[Another pause, longer than than the last one--almost long enough to wonder whether Cole has hung up.]

Maybe this time it's different.

Comments

[roseofthetyrells]

Because you're here and you certainly have friends who care for you, don't you?

[fadeling]

Yes. But I can help people. I'm alright.

[roseofthetyrells]

Really? How do you help people?

[fadeling]

How they need it.

[roseofthetyrells]

That can vary a lot from person to person.

[fadeling]

That's why I listen.

[roseofthetyrells]

You must be very kind, to want to help people so much.

But I've completely forgotten my manners. Margaery Tyrell, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. What's your name?

[fadeling]

I used to be Cole.

[roseofthetyrells]

Used to be? Why are you no longer Cole?

[fadeling]

I don't remember. I let it go.

[roseofthetyrells]

Well, we need something to call you.

[fadeling]

Yes. Cole is fine. He won't mind if I'm Cole a little longer.

[roseofthetyrells]

It's lovely to meet you, Cole. Where are you from?

[fadeling]

A place far away, Fade and faded.

[roseofthetyrells]

That sounds lonely. Do you like it here better?

[fadeling]

No.

[roseofthetyrells]

[Margaery laughs warmly] I'm not sure if anybody does.

[fadeling]

It's too loud and too quiet and too lonely and too close.

[roseofthetyrells]

That's quite a lot of things all at once.

[fadeling]

It's twisted and tied into tangles. It can be too many things.

[roseofthetyrells]

This place? I'd have to agree. I've seen things I never dreamed possible here.

[fadeling]

It's like the Fade sometimes. But only almost.

[roseofthetyrells]

May I ask what the Fade is?

[fadeling]

It's a dream-place. It's where spirits are, but demons too.

[roseofthetyrells]

I've never heard of such a thing! Spirits sound like they might be nice, but I don't think I like the idea of demons.