voice.

[theguideless]

[a testing sound, a little huff of an exhale, and a lapse into quiet. he's hesitant.

but:] Did they say anything about this? Everyone changing...Last time awful things were happening, they said they were working on it. Things got better.

I'm...not very good at using this. Did I miss it? It's... [slight pause. his tone gets gradually more distracted:] It's going to change, like before. And every time we get sent someplace different, something else happens...

[beat.

WAIT:] I meant the Initiatve people, I'm sorry. [a quick, wincing pause. apologies....] They're who I meant should have said something.

Comments

[theguideless]

[a relieved, withered tone:] Yes. I'd started to think everyone was...I mean, that maybe everyone will change. Like this, I mean.

[ex_symbioses706]

I hope not...! That wouldn't be good at all.

[theguideless]

[a beat.

smaller:] Do you think so?

[ex_symbioses706]

Of course! If someone didn't want to get changed in the first place, wouldn't they want to change back?

[theguideless]

Even...[breath.] Even if it's changed someone into a time they're happier? Better off?

[ex_symbioses706]

That's...

( that's harder )

But I wouldn't say everyone has, would you?

[theguideless]

I...

[mhrnm] I don't really know...

[ex_symbioses706]

I don't think so. It all seems really, really random.

[theguideless]

[a beat.]

I guess...I mean, I guess my thought is... [hmrmh. what is his thought.] Is what does it mean if...someone is better now, changed? Than before.

[ex_symbioses706]

I guess... ( hard questions :C ) ...it's good that they can be happy now, at least.

[theguideless]

[a sound. mmh. he thinks so, but...

FEELINGS.

a beat.]

Excuse me – Ranka. I sound strange right now?

[ex_symbioses706]

( wait what )

Huh? I mean - I wouldn't say strange!

[theguideless]

[in a breath:] Oh, good...I was starting to worry.

[ex_symbioses706]

You're just worried about everyone, right?

[theguideless]

[...]

I think so.

[ex_symbioses706]

That's what it sounds like!

[theguideless]

[a small sound.]

That has to be it, then. I wish I had more than that, though.

[ex_symbioses706]

What do you mean?

[theguideless]

[a beat. what does he mean??]

I...I mean, I wanted to...[grasping for straws.] I want to know what to do. And be certain. In a way that...I'm not...not right now. It's.

It's strange. [it's strange, isn't it?]

[ex_symbioses706]

What to do about...this?

[theguideless]

Th– [wait.

a distracted pause.

self-consciously:] Well...Well, yes, I. I think so, yes. That has to be it. [ha...ha ha...a...h...]

[ex_symbioses706]

( MARTIN THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE )

...it's kind of lonely, right? When your friends change and don't remember you.

[theguideless]

[a longer pause.

more subdued:] Yes. [lonely's a good word for it. he should've thought of that from the start.]

[ex_symbioses706]

Mm, I think so too. A lot of people I know have changed, and even if they're still nice, it's not the same.

[theguideless]

[a beat.]

I'm. I'm sorry, I... [a breath. there's a bit of a smile in his tone:] I wasn't thinking much about anyone about myself being...alone, feeling like this.

Are you alright?