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[lingeringhope]

Hello.

[A man is standing before a stone wall - the wall of the cave, probably, though there aren't any distinguishing marks to show where, exactly, he might be. He seems calm, and his face is kind. He looks directly into the camera with no artifice.]

I have no doubt you were all surprised to find yourselves here. I apologize for the rather abrupt arrival - as it turns out, we have no control over who or what is brought here.

[And there, that's the slightest sign of frustration, or possibly annoyance. His mouth tightens.]

In any case, I've tried to make things comfortable for you - humans, is that correct? That's what you call yourselves? And the other things are bears, and they were not sentient [he says, as if it might have taken him a bit to realize], so I've made sure to push them out of the main part of the city. I'd rather you all not get eaten.

You can be useful to us, as it turns out, thanks to your capacity for feeling emotion. Not quite so well as the last ones, but it'll do. You can call me Hope, if you'd like, and if you could all try very hard to feel appropriately hopeful at all times, it would be extremely convenient. I need the energy to keep you fed and the power running - and for other things.

[Hope pauses for a moment, considering.]

While you all seem to be sentient, I'm not certain of your capacity for higher thought, so I'm really not sure explaining things will be much use. I'd rather not waste time explaining things you're not capable of comprehending. But for those who might be curious and wish to try to understand - some time ago a number of my companions died. I'd like to bring them back. For that, I need power, and for power, I need the emotions that you can give me. Hope, specifically.

[And he sighs, annoyance crossing his face again.]

Much to my dismay, of all my fellow - what would your kind call us? Gods? - only one has survived. Fear is here as well, and if you could all try not to give him your fear, it would make my life significantly easier. Just - don't be scared of things. Ignore him.

I suppose if you have any questions, you can ask, but you're not guaranteed an answer. In any case, welcome to Hadriel. I hope the food is palatable.

Comments

video, re: hope

[whichend]

[ Arya is still not quite sure how to use this network thing, but she knows that Hope will be able to see here face, and hear her voice, so that's good enough for her. The camera is shaky, but one can easily make out a very small, and slightly angry young girl.

She wants an explanation. Hope's previous speech hasn't cut it. ]

So you're asking us to hope, and everything will be fine? What do you take me for? I'm not some child. Hoping doesn't do anything. I don't care if that's your stupid name, it doesn't. Where was hope when the Lannisters burned villages, tortured women and children? [ Her voice becomes louder, shakier. ] Where was hope when -- when they killed my father? I tried to hope, and that did nothing. [ She spits. Hoping did nothing. The only thing you could rely on was cold steel. She learned this. ]

Why should I make your life easier?

[lingeringhope]

I didn't say everything would be fine. I asked you to hope. I'm not making any foolish promises about things being fine.

[Hope looks mildly offended at the thought of it. He peers at Arya, then, rather as if he's studying her - as if it's new and interesting to see a human getting angry.]

Making my life easier will make yours easier. I should think that's enough reason to do anything.

[whichend]

[ She doesn't believe him. Too many people have promised to make her life easier. You're going back to Winterfell, they said. We'll just ransom you, they said. We'll give you shelter. All it costs is everything you've got.

She folds her arms. ]

I like my life how it is, without some stupid god getting in the way. And what are you going to do if I don't? Send me to hell? Because it looks like you've already brought me here.

[lingeringhope]

Maybe you're misunderstanding me. You don't really have a choice, it'll just be a lot easier for everyone if you cooperate.

[He's a bit testy, now, though still rather interested in Arya's anger.]

I didn't bring you here, but since you're here, you might as well be useful.

[whichend]

If you didn't bring us here, then who did? I did not come here on my own.

[ She's not going to let you get off that easy, Hope. No matter how testy you become. ]

[lingeringhope]

You can speak to Fear if you want someone to blame for that. I'm not taking responsibility for his stupid mistakes.

[whichend]

[ Seven hells, there are more of these people? Arya huffs. ]

Well he's your friend, not mine. I suppose he wants me to feel scared, huh? Well, I won't. He can't scare me.

[lingeringhope]

He is absolutely not my friend. And good. Don't let him scare you. He's nothing more than a fool.

[whichend]

I'm not scared of any stupid boys. I have a sword.

[ She'll stab Fear right in the bloody heart if that's what it takes. ]

[lingeringhope]

Good. Feel free to poke him with it a bit if you see him.