[there's a sort of very gentle refutation that comes down the line, not judging or fearful, just wordless fact: if he binds one, he actually binds them all. Hope's ego might be a thing apart, in this small secret way, but metaphysically he is fucking with something that had deeply murky definitions of objective individualism before it became an MMORPG endboss. he will have to be careful.]
Yes.
...I don't think I can speak very much longer, but...I'll keep the light going.
I am with you.
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
there's something chime-bright and flustery in the fading line for a moment.
Could you please tell Crescendo...I would like to speak to him again? But, um, maybe not the same way. It was really...really very bad for him.]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
Like this, with me as the conduit. I could keep him from touching the shared consciousness himself.
. . . He really wants to talk to you too. ]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
I left him a word. I don't know why they were hiding it, but, I think it might help?]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
"Eternity"? ]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
a dark thrum full of teeth and the ringing of bells...descends. he can feel it drape over her
(not just her not just her)
like a net.
she is still. she does not fight it. it's another point of connection, though it doesn't naturally belong to either of them. he can feel what it does.
luckily, at this point in real time, her sisters are still asleep.]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
HEY. WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS. He doesn't want this--
Shit! I'm sorry. ]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
But . . . I can see where it'll be useful against your sisters. ]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
Yes.
...I don't think I can speak very much longer, but...I'll keep the light going.
I am with you.
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
And if you don't -- I'll come find you. ]
Re: [somewhere in the coma time (day 20-23ish? whenever it's a coma)]
then he drifts away, to another dream, in peace.]