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

[puzzlingly]

... I would like to remember you if that happened.

[fadeling]

...alright. Most people don't want to.

[puzzlingly]

Why not?

[fadeling]

Because they're afraid.

[puzzlingly]

Of you?

[fadeling]

Yes. Or of remembering. They're scared when it hurts.

[puzzlingly]

It's natural to be afraid.

「 A beat. 」

I was once too. But to forget whoever helped you... It's unfair.

[fadeling]

I don't mind. It helps untie the tangles. It makes them free and it makes me free too.

[puzzlingly]

Hmm... if that works for you...

[fadeling]

It's alright. They don't have to remember me.

[puzzlingly]

Have you actually helped someone in here?

[fadeling]

Yes. Everyone needs help.

[puzzlingly]

Well, that's at least something.

[fadeling]

It's not nothing. That's... better.

[puzzlingly]

Heh... I agree.

[fadeling]

Found, felled, and falling, faded to Fade and faces. I try. They like to hurt, the gods with names like demons.

[puzzlingly]

「 He scoff. Gods... they can hardly be called that. Demons is definitely a better name. He might as well start using that. 」

Have they hurt you too, Cole?

[fadeling]

They hurt all of us. I don't like them.

[puzzlingly]

It might be too soon for me to judge them. But judged they will be.

[fadeling]

Good. They deserve it.