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

[fadeling]

But still apart. Friends at home and hidden. While we stay here, tied and tangled and toyed.

[Whoops. He thought he was sneaky.]

I used to be Cole. You can call me that if you'd like.

[puzzlingly]

It is supposed to be that way. It was my time to depart that realm. But, I was not expecting this detour.

[ That's weird... ]

Used to--? Are you...

[ A strained pause. Could he be...? ]

Who are you, Cole?

[fadeling]

They touch when it shouldn't be.

I'm me. And more than I used to be.

[puzzlingly]

And what would that be?

[fadeling]

Cole.

[Because that answers the question right.]

[puzzlingly]

[ Duuude...

Fine... he chuckes because what's this conversation even? ]

Cole it is. My name is Atem.

[fadeling]

[ 8D ]

Hello. I'm sorry you're lonely.

[puzzlingly]

Hey... I really doubt that.

[ about being sorry... ]

So, will you allow me to help you?

[fadeling]

If you want. But I don't know how.

[puzzlingly]

Yes, I want to.

[ .......... how tho, he's bad at this, you ain't Yugi... ]

What usually makes you happy?

[ That's a start ]

[fadeling]

Helping. [Or as happy as he can feel, anyway.]

[puzzlingly]

That's cheating...

[fadeling]

Sorry. [He doesn't mean to?] It's true. I help the helpless, heal the hurts, held high to hold close. People need help.

[puzzlingly]

And who helps you and heals you and holds you?

[fadeling]

I don't know. The Inquisitor, maybe. She's my friend.

[puzzlingly]

Inquisitor... Does she, truly? You don't sound too sure.

What sort of person is she?

[fadeling]

She's...kind and calm and caring, close. The one here is different, though. She's my friend too.

[puzzlingly]

Different?

[fadeling]

There's more than one.

[puzzlingly]

... I don't understand...

[ Lies, he might do, but he doesn't want to jump into conclusions. ]

[fadeling]

They're different but the same. Two people from two places but I remember both.

[puzzlingly]

... You don't mean two different people sharing the same body, do you?

[ Look, he needs to ask. ]

[fadeling]

No. That's different.

[puzzlingly]

[ Phew! Yeah Cole might actually hear him taking a deep breath after holding it somehow. ]

It is...

So, your friend here is not exactly the same from where you're from, but it is still her... right?

[fadeling]

Yes. Sort of. [Not exactly but, you know. Whatever. Close enough.] They both help people. They're my friend.