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

[notbeth]

You want to stay here?

[theguideless]

Yes. For now, I do.

[notbeth]

But why?

[theguideless]

I'm here for someone important. If he stays, so will I.

[notbeth]

Who?

[theguideless]

[a muffled sound. his voice sounds a shade shier:] Ah, the one who saved me.

[notbeth]

Someone who... [ that unsettles her a moment. ] You don't mean a police officer, do you?

[theguideless]

Huh–? Uh, no...No.

[notbeth]

Who was it?

[theguideless]

[a beat.]

Bariyan.

[notbeth]

He sounds really important.

[theguideless]

He is.