voice;

[fadeling]

[Cole isn't really sure what to think about all of this, but he knows it isn't good. He doesn't like any of this. People are changing and it's not good changing. He could say that but he thinks that's probably obvious by now. People should know already.

He doesn't like when they change people. Those are the hardest to deal with.]

They're too loud. Not like before. Hurting and hurt and held together with rage.

[It's painful to listen to, and it's confusing everything else. That has to be the point, though, right?]

Gods with names like demons, games with the toys that try not to be played with. The tangles are tied too tight again.

I don't like being a toy.

[No one does, really.]

You should try to be hard to see. I can make you hard to see if you need it.

Comments

[fadeling]

Yes. I can make me too small and silent to see, make the eyes slide over and see something else. I can do it for other people too. But not for very long.

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ How very intereting. ]

Could you make me look like something I'm not?

[fadeling]

No. It doesn't work like that.

[feelslikeimspilling]

Tch...

[ He made a tutting sound with his tongue against the back of his teeth in disappointment. ]

But if you were to hide me, make it so people can't see me. Could they see me as something else?

[fadeling]

No. They'll see you aren't there but you are.

[feelslikeimspilling]

Can't blame a man for trying, right?

[ Still, this could come in handy. ]

How long can you hide people for? And what effect does it have on you? Does it strain you, leave you weak?

[fadeling]

It depends. [Mostly on what the situation is.] It hurts if I do it too long. Pressing inside my head until it's bright like it's about to burst. I'm alright after, though.

[feelslikeimspilling]

... I'm slightly envious.

[ You could almost hear the smile as it shaped his lips. ]

But what do you get out of it? Helping and hiding others?

[fadeling]

I don't need to get anything. I'm not a person.

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ He's going to be keeping a close eye on you, Cole. You're far too interesting not to. ]

Still, you must need something? Don't you have any interests? Desires? Or are you happy to simply exist?

[fadeling]

I help people. [That's....about it.]

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ The original Will would probably relate to that, on some level. This Will however, thought the notion of helping simply for the good of it, was pointless. ]

I don't know... I think that's a pretty sad existence. You have my pity.

[fadeling]

[Everyone thinks it's sad. He's never understood it.]

Why? I heal the hurts and help the helpless. I do what I am. I help.

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ Maybe he never will understand? He's not human after all. ]

You're likely to get used by people. If you don't expect anything in return, and you don't want anything then you're nothing to others. You said it hurts you to hide people for great lengths... Then why hurt yourself just to help someone else? It doesn't seem logical.

[fadeling]

Because they need it. It doesn't matter if they remember me. What matters is I helped.

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ It suddenly made sense to Will why this guy was bothering him so much. It was because he reminded him of Will. Both helpful and selfless and pathetic. ]

If that's what keeps you going... You just, keep doing you.

[ Probably sounded more patronizing than he meant it to. ]

[fadeling]

[He's...not really sure what that means.]

Yes. I think. Did I say that?

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ Cole's reaction made Will laugh a little. ]

It's okay. I didn't mean to confuse you. It's been nice getting to know you... I find you very interesting.

[fadeling]

Maybe I am. Thank you.

[feelslikeimspilling]

You're welcome... I'll keep my eyes peeled for you in future... If I can see you that is.

[fadeling]

Maybe. I'll still be there.